City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 29, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: EMILY A. BAKER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
GRETCHEN BULOVA, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
ELEANOR BREEN, CITY ARCHAEOLOGIST, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
JOANNA C. ANDERSON, CITY ATTORNEY
DAVID E. LANIER, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 2-4-31 (CREATION, COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION) of Article C (HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA RESOURCES COMMISSION) of Title 2 (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) of Chapter 4 (COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) and Section 2-4-80 (CREATION, COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION) of Article I (Alexandria Archaeological commission) of Title 2 (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) of Chapter 4 (COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend the qualifications for membership on the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission and the Alexandria Archaeological Commission to permit one member from the Alexandria society for the Preservation of Black Heritage or an equivalent organization.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council hold the public hearing on Saturday, April 23, 2022 and pass this ordinance (Attachment 2) on second reading and final passage following the public hearing.
DISCUSSION: The Historic Alexandria Resources Commission advises the City in the preservation of historic sites and buildings, artifacts, and records from loss or deterioration and promotes citizen and tourist use of historic sites and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The commission is comprised of 26 members appointed by City Council. Pursuant to Section 2-4-31 of the Alexandra City Code, one member must come from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage.
Additionally, the Alexandria Archaeological Commission establishes goals and priorities: to promote archaeological programs; to preserve, promote and display the extraordinary artifacts which have been and will be recovered in the future; and to encourage citizens to take active leadership roles in archaeology and to develop professionalism in volunteerism. The board is comprised of 15 members appointed by City Council. Pursuant to Section 2-4-80 of the Alexandra City Code, one member must come from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage.
The position on both commissions has been vacant for an extended period of time. The commissions have asked to amend the city code to permit appointment of either a member from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage or an equivalent organization. This change will broaden the pool of potential volunteers who may serve on the commissions while maintaining the original intent of this position. The Alexandria Black History Museum Director met with the chair of the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage to discuss the change and confirmed their support.
Sections 2-4-31 and 2-4-80 of the Alexandria City Code are the only legal provisions which require a representative from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage to be a member of the commissions. The City Council is empowered, pursuant to Section 2-4-4(a) of the Virginia Code and Section 3.04(g) of the Alexandria City Charter, to amend this section of the city code governing the composition of the commissions and appointment of its members.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance change.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Cover Sheet
2. Proposed Ordinance
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Gretchen Bulova, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist, Office of Historic Alexandria
Joanna C. Anderson, City Attorney
David E. Lanier, Assistant City Attorney