[Archived] Official Announcements: February 26 – March 4, 2011

Monday, February 28 – Four Mile Run Joint Task Force Community Meeting and Open House
The Four Mile Run Joint Task Force will host a community meeting and open house from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street in Arlington. For more information, please contact Dana Wedeles (Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities) at 703.746.5491, Claudia Hamblin Katnik (Transportation and Environmental Services) at 703.746.4068, or Brandi D. Collins (Planning and Zoning) at 703.746.4666.

Tuesday, March 1 - Business License Renewal Applications and Payments Due
The 2011 Business License Tax Renewal Applications and payments are due March 1, 2011.  Payment in full must be received or postmarked by March 1 to avoid late payment penalties and interest. Alexandria businesses are urged to submit their renewal applications and pay their business license taxes by mail or online to avoid waiting in line. Applications and payments may be mailed to City of Alexandria Business License, P.O. Box 34850, Alexandria, VA 22334-0850.  To pay by eCheck or credit card online, visit our web site at alexandriava.gov/payments.  Please note that payment by eCheck is a free service, but there is a small fee for paying by credit card.  Paying online does not change the filing deadline for your annual business license renewal application, which must be received or postmarked by the due date.  The business license renewal application cannot be filed electronically at this time. 

Tuesday, March 1 - Nominations Due for Naming Rooms at the Charles Houston Recreation Center
The Ad Hoc Charles Houston Recreation Center Naming Committee, established to honor individuals who made outstanding contributions to Alexandria’s African American community by dedicating recreation center rooms in their honor, seeks nominations of honorees for a second round of dedications.  In 2009, the Committee facilitated the naming of the center’s gymnasium and pool. Nominations must be received in person or postmarked by Tuesday, March 1, 2011. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Thursday, March 3 - Housing Master Plan Advisory Group Meeting
The Housing Master Plan Advisory Group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Jefferson Houston Elementary School, 1501 Cameron Street.  The meeting agenda includes a review of the allocation exercise held on January 29, and the proposed framework and outline for the Housing Master Plan document. All are welcome to attend and participate.  For more information, contact Carrie Beach at 703.746.4990.

Thursday, March 3 - Public Hearing on the Needs of Alexandrians with Mental Illness, Intellectual Disability or Substance Dependency
The Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB) will host a public hearing to receive input on the needs of Alexandrians with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or substance dependency problems. The hearing will take place at 720 North Saint Asaph Street, fourth floor.  The CSB will also solicit input at the public hearing on the FY 2012 Proposed Budget, FY 2012 Performance Contract and the FY 2012 Fee Scale.  To view these documents and get more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/MHIDSA.

Coming Soon

Monday, March 7 - Public Hearing on the City’s Proposed FY 2012 Operating and Capital Budget 
A public hearing on the City’s Proposed FY 2012 Operating and Capital Budget will be held at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King St. Persons wishing to speak on the proposed budget may sign up prior to the public hearing by calling the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at 703.746.4550. Presenters are requested to provide a copy of their text to the City Clerk and Clerk of Council. Persons with disabilities who wish to request an accommodation for this public hearing should contract the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at 703.746.4550 (TTY/TDD 703.838.5056) prior to March 7, 2011, if possible. Any person desiring to review the proposed budget may visit the City’s website (www.alexandriava.gov/budget) or visit City Hall, Office of Management and Budget, Room 3630, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Additionally, copies of the proposed budget may be examined at Barrett Library (717 Queen St.); Duncan Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.); Burke Library (4701 Seminary Rd.); and the Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke St.).

Saturday, March 12 – Groundbreaking Ceremony for Witter Property Athletic Facilities
The public is invited to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Witter Property Athletic Facilities, 2600 Witter Drive. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. For  more information about the project, visit www.alexandriava.gov/18078. 

Climate Change Meetings
The City of Alexandria's Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) and Office of Environmental Quality invites members of the public to attend two upcoming meetings about climate change.  Take part in the City's Eco-City Alexandria initiative, learn about the science of climate change, and give feedback towards the draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan.  

Tuesday, March 15 - 7:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.
Alexandria City Hall, Room 2000
Climate Change Science: A Review of the Basics, and the Latest Research Findings
Speakers: Marcus Sarofim, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ned Helme, President, Center for Clean Air Policy (invited)

Saturday, March 26 - 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Alexandria City Hall, Room 2000
Polk Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
Open House: Eco-City Alexandria Update & Release of City’s Draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan

Ongoing

Free Tax Preparation for Low-Income Residents
Free tax preparation assistance is available to low-income residents through April 13 at the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. Low-income City residents can get help filing federal and state income tax returns and applying for all applicable credits and deductions on Saturday mornings beginning at 9 a.m. and Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking preparers will be available. To request a reasonable disability accommodation or to receive materials in an alternative format, contact Suzanne Kratzok, Coordinator of Community Resources, at 703.746.5663 (703.836.1493 TTY) at least 48 hours prior to the session you wish to attend.

Applications for Tax Relief for Elderly and/or Totally Disabled Persons Available
Staff has mailed all applications and/or certifications for tax relief to all current program participants and anyone who has requested being placed on the mailing list. As of February 1, any other resident interested in applying for real estate and/or personal property tax relief for the elderly and/or totally disabled may obtain program information and an application by visiting www.alexandriava.gov/taxrelief, e-mailing taxrelief@alexandriava.gov or calling 703.746.3901 and choosing option 6.  

Boards and Commissions

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Alexandria City Council/School Board Subcommittee will hold a meeting at 5 p.m., Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Jackie Henderson at 703.746.4550.

Alexandria Commission on Aging – Executive Committee will hold a meeting at 4 p.m., Human Services Building, 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue. For more information, contact Debbie Ludington at 703.746.5692.

Alexandria Citizen Corps Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Fire Station 204, 900 Second Street. For more information, contact Kim Purcell at 703.746.3940, x231.

Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m., location to be determined. For more information, contact Stephanie Brown at 703.746.3302.

Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Bill Skrabak at 703.746.4065.

Alexandria Housing Development Corporation Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m., 801 North Pitt Street. For more information, contact Mildrilyn Davis at 703.746.4990.

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Ladrey Highrise, 300 Wythe Street. For more information, contact Roy Priest at 703.549.7115.

Alexandria Sister Cities Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1102, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Rose Boyd at 703.746.4300.

Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Human Services Building, 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue. For more information, contact Tresniece Perry at 703.746.5668.

Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Robert Garbacz at 703.746.4025.

Please note that the Boards and Commissions meeting list for March 1 – 4 has not yet been released, so it is not included in this week’s summary of official announcements.