City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOANNA ANDERSON, CITY ATTORNEY
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize Deputy City Attorney Christina Zechman Brown to participate on the Council of Counsels for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a change to the City of Alexandria’s representative on the Council of Counsels for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority from the City Attorney to Deputy City Attorney Christina Zechman Brown.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Deputy City Attorney to participate on the Council of Counsels for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
DISCUSSION: The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia created by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Act, Chapter 48.2 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended. It is made up of representatives from all of the Northern Virginia jurisdictions and is intended to provide a forum for the jurisdictions to prioritize projects and implement solutions in order to utilize transportation funding for Northern Virginia in the most efficient manner.
The NVTA Council of Counsels was established in July 2007 to provide NVTA legal counsel and advice, legal support, and legal services and representation utilizing the counsel from the participating jurisdictions. It is understood, and explicitly included in the resolution, that the various local attorneys on the Council are providing advice to the NVTA to the extent there is no conflict of interest between the local jurisdiction and NVTA. If a conflict arises, the local attorney would represent the locality, not the NVTA.
I, as the City Attorney have participated on the Council of Counsels since November 2019. I believe this would be a good opportunity for one of my Deputies to get experience working with a regional board and therefore, recommend changing our representative from myself to Christina Zechman Brown who leads our Land Use and Legislative team in the City Attorney’s office.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution