City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 3, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Establishing an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Establishing an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring
Group.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Adopt the resolution to establish the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group (Attachment 1);
(2) Request the Mayor to appoint a member of City Council to act as convener of the Monitoring Group; and
(3) Request the City Manager appoint members to the Monitoring Group as detailed in this memorandum.
BACKGROUND: On January 24, 2015, City Council adopted the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan. At that time, Council asked staff to create a monitoring group made up of appropriate stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the Management Plan. Staff discussed the make-up of this Monitoring Group at a Council Work Session on May 26. Council asked staff to docket the item for Council's consideration on June 10, 2015.
DISCUSSION: Staff is recommending an eleven member Monitoring Group, including one member of City Council to act as the convener. The group will meet on an as-needed basis, but at least quarterly. Staff recommends initially scheduling bi-monthly meetings to allow staff to initiate the work and provide timely updates to the Monitoring Group.
The proposed charge of work for this group would be 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 Implementation 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.
After discussions and Council feedback at the Fort Ward Worksession on May 26, membership of the group is now proposed to be 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
Upon approval by City Council, the City Manager will appoint the Monitoring Group members in the early summer to allow the first meeting to occur in late summer/early fall 2015. Pursuant to City Code Section 2.4.8, temporary committees can be created for a term no longer than one year from the date of its initial meeting. City Council can extend the term of a temporary committee for additional one year terms, up to a total duration of three years. Based on the continued work of the committee, staff anticipates returning to Council after the initial one-year period to continue the efforts of the Fort Ward Monitoring Group.
FISCAL IMPACT: The approved FY 2016-FY 2025 CIP includes $1,395,000 for implementation of the Fort Ward Management Plan, including $200,000 in FY 2016 to support the implementation efforts. In addition, $500,000 in prior year stormwater funding is available for the identified drainage improvements.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Acting Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
Yon Lambert, Director, Transportation & Environmental Services