City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 20, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution for Modifications to the Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group Membership. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution for Modifications to the Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group (PYMIG) membership.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the proposed resolution (Attachment) which revises the PYMIG membership.
BACKGROUND: Throughout the planning process for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, citizen work groups have provided an important forum for community and stakeholder input. A Metrorail Station Feasibility Work Group was established in October 2008 and met through February 2010. In June 2011, the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Feasibility Work Group was re-convened as PYMIG to assist in the review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and provide input to staff, the Transportation Commission, and the City Council through adoption of a Final EIS. In May 2015, when the City Council selected a locally preferred alternative, the Council also directed staff to modify PYMIG to ensure the group makeup, roles, and responsibilities were consistent with the design and construction phase of the project.
In May 2018, the City provided an update to PYMIG on changes to the project design, scope and budget due to increased labor and materials costs. Moving forward, the City will be facilitating a design process with the community and the to-be-selected design/build contractor that includes exploring options to enhance access from the south through modifications to the northern entrance. This outreach process will be coordinated through an amendment to the Development Special Use Permit (DSUP), which will include City Council approval.
In June 2018, the newly-established Potomac Yard Civic Association requested that PYMIG representation be modified to include a member of the Potomac Yard Civic Association. Staff agrees that it is appropriate to add this representative now that the Civic Association is in existence. In addition, staff believe it is appropriate to treat communities on both sides of the project in a similar manner in large part due to pending construction impacts and is therefore recommending representation from the Potomac Greens Homeowners Association and the Old Town Greens Townhome/Condominium Associations.
DISCUSSION: Staff is proposing to modify the composition of PYMIG membership (changes in bold) to provide a larger forum for discussing community impacts during design and construction, including opportunities to mitigate those impacts. The proposed composition includes:
• Two members of City Council;
• One representative from the Planning Commission;
• One representative from the Transportation Commission;
• One representative from the Environmental Policy Commission;
• One representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission, as part of the project will involve the redesign of features in Potomac Yard Park and Potomac Greens Park;
• One community representative from the neighborhoods east of the CSX tracks within the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan area;
• One community representative from west of the CSX tracks within the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan area;
• One representative from the Potomac Yard Civic Association;
• One representative from the Potomac Greens Homeowners Association;
• One representative from the Old Town Greens Townhome/Condominium Associations;
• One at-large business representative with an interest in the project; and
• Two at-large community representatives with an interest in the project
The PYMIG members responsibilities are:
1. Review and provide input on Environmental Impact Statement documents;
2. Provide input on project design;
3. Receive updates on funding issues related to the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station;
4. Facilitate discussion of construction mitigation for community impacts during construction; and
5. Attend and participate fully in all Work Group meetings, in addition to attending work sessions and public hearings of the City Council as needed. If unable to attend, members are encouraged to notify staff in advance and provide comments on meeting materials in a timely manner.
Representatives from civic and homeowners associations will be appointed by the Chair of the respective associations. The Old Town Greens Homeowners and Condominium Associations will work together to appoint one member to represent both associations. Staff from the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) and the Department of Project Implementation (DPI) will serve as primary liaisons to PYMIG, with support from other City departments and consultants as needed. WMATA staff will also provide support.
Pursuant to City Code Section 2-4-8, the PYMIG shall meet on an ad hoc basis as needed for the period of 12 months. This term may be extended by City Council by either ordinance or resolution for additional periods of up to 365 days each, not to exceed three years from the date of the initial meeting, if needed for completion of their stated tasks as defined herein, unless otherwise extended by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: The coordinating support by City staff will be conducted within the allocated operational budgets for each of these Departments.
ATTACHMENT: PYMIG Reconstitution Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Dori Martin, Assistant City Attorney
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Karl W. Moritz, Director, P&Z
Mitchell Bernstein, P.E., Director, DPI