Action Update - September 23, 2008

Cameron Station Civic Association and Cameron Station Community Association Request Independent Investigation

The Cameron Station Civic Association sent a letter dated August 11 to Mayor William D. Euille requesting the launch of an independent review of actions leading to the establishment and operation of the Norfolk Southern ethanol transloading facility. The Cameron Station Community Association sent a letter dated August 21 in support of an independent review.

The Alexandria City Council will discuss this request at their September 23 legislative meeting.

Design Phase for Tucker School Emergency Evacuation Ramp Completed; Construction to Begin

The design for an ADA-compliant ramp to facilitate the evacuation of Samuel Tucker School is completed, and construction will begin shortly. The work to install the pedestrian ramp will consist of the removal of light vegetation and one dead tree, grading, construction of a retaining wall, placement of base material and asphalt, and the installation of a safety handrail.

Norfolk Southern Responds to Resident Noise Complaints

Residents in Cameron Station living on Brawner Place sent e-mails to the City and to Norfolk Southern concerning noise coming from the operations at the transloading facility during the late evening hours. In its September 10 response to these complaints, Norfolk Southern agreed to “undertake noise monitoring of its train operations in the vicinity of Brawner Place in the very near future using an independent lab.”

City Offers Community Emergency Response Team Training to Residents

The City is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to City residents. The CERT program trains community members to be better prepared to respond to emergencies in Alexandria. Trainees learn how to increase their neighborhood’s disaster readiness and support the first responders. Training topics include how to assess damage after a disaster, extinguish small fires, perform light search and rescue, triage and provide first aid.
During an emergency, CERT members give critical support to first responders by providing immediate assistance to victims and organizing spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also participate in non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. For more information, contact Kim Purcell at 703.706.3940 ext. 231.

City Schedules Community Emergency Plan Workshop on October 4

The City is developing an emergency scenario that will be presented during a community workshop scheduled for Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at Samuel Tucker Elementary School. This event will include discussion about the emergency plans for Cameron Station, Summers Grove, and Samuel Tucker Elementary School, an interactive display of the City’s firefighting capabilities, and an emergency exercise that will involve City agencies and the community.

Pre-Trial Conference Over City Regulation of Truck Haul Routes Held; Hearing Date Scheduled for December 18

On Thursday, September 18, the City and Norfolk Southern appeared at a pre-trial conference in the U.S. District Court case commenced by Norfolk Southern over the City's regulation of truck haul routes leaving the ethanol transloading site. The parties and the court agreed that the matter could be resolved on cross-motions for summary judgment. The court set a briefing schedule with a hearing date on the cross-motions on December 18 at 9 a.m.