City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Extend the Term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Request that City Council extend the term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the resolution to approve an extension of the two-year term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group adopted in Resolution No. 2460 (attached) for one additional year through the completion of the Fort Ward Management Plan.
BACKGROUND: On June 28, 2011 City Council passed Resolution No. 2460, re-establishing an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group in response to a 2011 recommendation of the previous Stakeholder Advisory Group to establish a successor committee. The re-established group meets monthly and is currently working with the recently hired consultant teams of Lardner/Klein and URS toward the completion of a management plan and a stormwater master plan for Fort Ward Park.
The charge of work for this group is as follows:
a. Provide staff of RPCA, OHA, and T&ES with recommendations on balancing park uses, implementing education and outreach opportunities and implementation of recommendations made in the 2011 Stakeholder Advisory Group report.
b. Bring community values, knowledge, and ideas into the process of creating a management plan for Ft. Ward Park and Museum Area in ways that provide lasting benefit to the local community and the City as a whole.
c. Act as liaisons for neighborhoods and other interested parties in the development process of a management plan for Ft. Ward Park and Museum Area.
Membership of the group includes 14 people appointed by the City Manager based on the categories:
a. Three members recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission
b. Three members recommended by the Historic Alexandria Resource Commission
c. One member recommended by the Environmental Policy Commission
d. One member recommended by the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society
e. One member recommended by the Oakland Baptist Church
f. Two "at large" citizens who have shown a knowledge and keen interest in Ft. Ward and represent diverse geographic areas of the City
g. One citizen living within a one-mile radius of the park
h. One member recommended by the Seminary Civic Association
i. One member recommended by the Seminary Hill Association, Inc.
The original term for the group was for a 24-month period starting with the month of appointment (September, 2011). Per the approved charge of work, their function is to participate with and advise staff of RPCA, OHA, and T&ES on the implementation of recommendations from the 2011 report. Specifically, the focus of work is to act in an advisory capacity in the development of the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan.
DISCUSSION: In March of this year, City Council approved the release of funds from FY2012 Contingent Reserves to hire the firm of Lardner/Klein to work with the community and staff on a management plan for Fort Ward. The firm began the twelve month management plan project in May 2013 with completion of the plan by April 2014. The firm of URS was also recently contracted to complete a stormwater master plan, in conjunction with the management plan. This plan will be completed by January 2014 and will inform the final management plan recommendations regarding improving stormwater drainage concerns throughout the park.
The firms of Lardner/Klein and URS are currently working closely with the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group and the public throughout their respective planning efforts. Because the 24 month term set by City Council in June 2011 expires this month (September 2013), it is necessary to extend their term to allow for continued involvement in the process.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 2460
Attachment 2 - Proposed Resolution
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
Rich Bair, Director, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services
Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
James Spengler, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator