City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Extend the Term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Request that City Council extend the term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) to authorize an extension of the one-year term of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group adopted in Resolution No. 2677 (Attachment 2) for an additional year through the ongoing implementation of the Fort Ward Management Plan.
BACKGROUND: On June 10, 2015 City Council passed Resolution No. 2677, establishing an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group. This group is made up of appropriate stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan (the Plan) adopted by the City Council on January 24, 2015. The group has met five times, including the first meeting on September 9, 2015.
The charge of work for this group is as follows:
a. Provide staff of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA), Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA), and Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) with recommendations for the implementation of the approved Plan;
b. Review and monitor implementation projects for consistency with the approved Plan;
c. Provide recommendations on park uses/operations for consistency with the approved Plan; and
d. Participate in the development of an annual update on Plan implementation.
Membership of the group is comprised of one member of City Council appointed by the Mayor to act as the convener of the Monitoring Group and ten stakeholders appointed by the City Manager based on the following categories:
a. One member representing the Park and Recreation Commission
b. One member representing the Historic Alexandria Resource Commission
c. One member representing the Alexandria Archaeology Commission
d. One member representing the Environmental Policy Commission
e. One member representing the Oakland Baptist Church
f. Two members representing the Fort Ward descendant community
g. One member representing the Seminary Civic Association
h. One member representing the Seminary Hills Civic Association
i. One “at large” representative who has shown a knowledge and keen interest in Fort Ward
The original term for the group was for a 12-month period starting from the date of its initial meeting (September 9, 2015).
DISCUSSION: Since its first meeting on September 9, 2015, the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group has contributed significantly in the following areas:
• Drainage
The Monitoring Group has worked with staff to plan and design the improvements to the storm water infrastructure serving the park, including the necessary archaeology associated with this effort. The initial project goal was to divert storm water away from the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery to minimize erosion inside the cemetery. Project design included a berm and a new alignment of the storm water structures. Staff completed construction of this project in close coordination with the Monitoring Group.
• Fort Ward Oral History Project
The Monitoring Group has received updates as OHA has continued to coordinate with the Fort Ward and Seminary Descendants Society and other members of the descendant community to develop a program to conduct oral history interviews of descendants of the Fort community as well as other individuals who may have knowledge about past activities and locations of graves within Fort Ward Park. Several descendants have attended OHA oral history training. Staff and the Descendants Society continue to work toward obtaining additional oral histories.
• Archaeological Research
The Monitoring Group has coordinated with staff as archaeological work has continued to pursue identification of grave and cemetery locations within Fort Ward Park. Archaeology staff conducted excavations in all areas of proposed ground disturbance associated with the placement of the storm water improvements on the east side of the park to identify if graves were present. No grave sites were discovered, and the locations were cleared for the placement of the drainage system. In addition, staff continued to hold the City’s archaeological summer camp in the park and excavated areas associated with the households of the African American families who lived at Fort Ward. Descendants came to the site and spoke to the campers about their family histories and experiences.
• Fort Ward Interpretive Plan
The Monitoring Group has been represented on the Fort Ward Interpretative Plan Committee and engaged in discussions regarding the future interpretation.
• Tree Management
The Monitoring Group has discussed and advised staff on implementation of the tree management effort. Starting this Fall, staff will begin planting replacement trees in suitable locations throughout the Park.
• Management Plan Implementation
Staff continues to advise the Monitoring Group on the implementation of the approved Plan, specifically the implementation of the projects funded in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Because the 12 month term set by City Council in June 2015 expires this month (September 2016), it is necessary to extend the term to allow for continued involvement in the implementation process.
FISCAL IMPACT: The approved FY 2017 to FY 2026 CIP includes $1,195,000 for implementation of the Fort Ward Management Plan to support the implementation efforts. In addition, $200,000 in FY 2016 funding was provided for the plan implementation. The drainage improvements were funded through prior year funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 - June 10, 2015 Docket Item and Resolution No. 2677
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services
Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
James Spengler, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Dinesh Tiwari, Deputy Director, Park Operations, Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities