By JIM BUTLER
The Alexandria City Council agenda today includes receiving and considering the mayor’s veto message voiding an agreement with GAEDA.
Discussion could very well turn into soapbox speaking, considering Mayor Jacques Roy’s text and tone.
Four council members voted two weeks ago to rescind a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority to renovate the old Weiss & Goldring Building. One voted no and two abstained. Five votes are needed to override.
Roy went beyond a simple yes or no in rejecting the decision, choosing to call in question how GAEDA operates and what the Council tolerates from it.
The basic difference of opinion is interpretation of what GAEDA is supposed to do and how.
Its enabling state legislation says GAEDA is “to provide for the renovation, restoration and development of property in the City of Alexandria and district and to pay costs of capital improvements relating thereto, and to engage in cooperative endeavors with the state and its political subdivisions or political corporations, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation or individual.”
That has evolved into an annually refilling million-dollar fund assisting an assortment of special events and activities.
Advocates say the events bring people and their spending to the city, a form of economic development. Skeptics say such subsidy is more suited to the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Coincidentally at today’s special GAEDA meeting, apparently necessary due to lack of a quorum for its April session, such a request is one item on the agenda.
Roy listed specific projects the administration feels properly fall under GAEDA’s umbrella. None are meeting/greeting in nature.
Also on the Council agenda is affirmation of at-large member Jim Villard’s appointment of Brad Smith to the GAEDA board.
Each of the seven council members appoints a member, who serves at will of the council person. Smith will bring the GAEDA commissioner count to six.
The remaining vacancy is that of District 4 member Lizzie Felter. She and Villard abstained on the W&G vote.
Voting yes were Gary Johnson, Jules Green, Malcolm Larvadain and Cynthia Perry.
Voting no was Chuck Fowler.