Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - January 28, 2026
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Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - January 28, 2026
Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as January 27, 2026, but the user instructed to use January 28, 2026. This summary follows that instruction.
The Alexandria City Council held a virtual legislative meeting on January 28, 2026, due to a winter weather emergency declared by the Governor and City Manager. The meeting included proclamations, oral reports, a detailed snow response update, a presentation on regional transit funding (DMVMoves), approval of a funding amendment for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, adoption of the FY26-FY28 City Strategic Plan, and a work session on the Housing 2040 Plan. Councilman Kirk McPike announced his resignation effective February 9, 2026, and was honored with a proclamation.
Consent Calendar
- Items 9, 11, 12, and 13 (private medical transport resolution, grant applications, appointment of pension board representatives) were approved via roll-call vote with all members voting aye.
- Item 10 (resolution regarding transfer of unencumbered appropriations) was pulled and discussed separately. The City Manager explained it provides transparent authority for intra-departmental fund transfers. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote: Vice Mayor Bagley, Councilman McPike, Mayor Gaskins, Councilman Aguirre (listed as "Geary" in transcript), Councilman Chapman, Councilman Elnoubi, and Councilwoman Green all voted aye.
Discussion Items
- Black History Month Proclamation: Councilman Chapman read the proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. Audrey Davis (Alexandria Black History Museum) and Rose Dawson (Library Director) highlighted upcoming events, including a record 130+ student poster entries and the Elric Murphy exhibit. The proclamation was approved by voice vote.
- Oral Reports from Council Members: Reports were given on various boards and commissions, including COG (new officers, legislative agenda), Health and Safety Coordinating Committee (crime data, safe housing), Legislative Subcommittee (Richmond lobbying, bill tracking), VRE (bridge replacement, new train ridership up 251%), Waterfront Commission (sunset review, marina usage), Gang Prevention Task Force (youth safety assessment with 1,800 student respondents), and Workforce Development (summer youth employment program with 71 participants).
- City Manager's Oral Report on Snow Response: The City Manager detailed the city's response to the historic ice storm, noting over 200 staff and 100 pieces of equipment deployed, 300 dump truck loads of ice removed from Old Town and Del Ray, and multiple passes on primary roads (e.g., Duke Street cleared 9+ times). Challenges included a malfunctioning snow tracker app and the need for alternative communication. Council members discussed potential partnerships with VDOT, GPS tracking for plows, and coordination with HOAs.
- DMVMoves Presentation and Resolution: Clark Mercer, COG Executive Director, presented the DMVMoves plan, which calls for $460 million annually (indexed to 3% growth) for Metro capital needs, bus corridor improvements, and regional coordination. The Council then passed a resolution endorsing the plan on a roll-call vote: all members voted aye (Councilman Elnoubi disclosed his WMATA employment but participated under an exception).
- Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Funding Amendment: Deputy City Manager Emily Baker explained a $35 million final amendment to close out the station, covering change orders, COVID-related delays, and a settled contractor claim. The total project budget becomes $385 million. After Councilman Elnoubi recused himself (WMATA employment), the amendment passed 5-0-1 (Vice Mayor Bagley, Councilman McPike, Mayor Gaskins, Councilman Aguirre, Councilman Chapman, Councilwoman Green aye; Elnoubi abstained).
- City Strategic Plan FY26-FY28: Dana Wettles presented the updated plan structured around four council priorities (housing, disparities, economy, workforce) and two organizational priorities (streamline systems, innovate). The plan includes new metrics and a six-month look-ahead. The Council approved the plan via roll-call vote, all ayes.
- Housing 2040 Plan Work Session: Housing staff provided updates on the draft plan, including revised principles, preservation efforts (2,100+ units at risk by 2040), landlord-tenant resources, senior housing, and a $47 million+ funding gap for existing pipeline projects. Council members discussed workforce housing, co-location on public land, ARHA's role, and the need for assisted living options. The item was informational; no vote was taken.
- City Council Schedule: The Council approved the meeting schedule for the coming months via voice vote.
Key Outcomes
- Approved proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month.
- Approved resolution endorsing the DMVMoves regional transit funding plan (roll-call, all ayes).
- Approved $35 million amendment to the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station funding agreement (roll-call, 5 ayes, 1 abstention).
- Approved the FY26-FY28 City Strategic Plan (roll-call, all ayes).
- Approved the City Council schedule.
- Received and filed oral reports from boards, commissions, and the City Manager.
- Councilman Kirk McPike announced his resignation effective February 9, 2026; the Council adopted a proclamation recognizing his service.
- The Housing 2040 Plan work session will continue with a public open house on February 28, 2026, and a draft plan expected for public hearing in June 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, Mary Gaskins. How are you? I'm well. How are you? Doing great. I can hear and see you perfectly. Oh, good. Um, I was just looking to see what are we missing? Three people? Uh the only one um participant I don't see is uh council member uh green. Okay. Again, good evening to all staff, council members, and city manager. Uh we will go live around about six fifty-nine. At that point, the public will have access to uh the Zoom feed. So just wanted to give you a heads up. Um if there are any questions, feel free to ask now. Otherwise, uh we will be going live at six fifty-nine. I can see you. I can hear you. Okay. It is 7 PM, so we are going to officially call tonight's city council meeting to order. Before we want to begin, I just want to state that due to the declaration of emergency related to winter weather issued by Governor Spanberger on January twenty-second, twenty twenty-six, and the local declaration of an emergency as declared by the city manager on January twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six, uh, through the January twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six. That tonight's legislative meeting on January twenty-seventh, our meeting of the Alexandria City Council is being held electronically, pursuant to the Virginia Code section two dot two-three seven zero eight dot two A3 to discharge the city council's lawful purposes, duties, and responsibilities. All members of the city council and staff are participating from remote locations through video conference on Zoom, and this meeting is open to the public via Zoom. With that, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Gaskins here. Hi, Samar Bagley. Here. Councilman Aguirre. Here. Councilman Chapman. Here. Councilman L. Newby. Here. Councilwoman Green. Here. Councilman McPike. Okay, Madam Clerk, next item. Moment of silence and pledge of allegiance. Okay. It is our practice that we begin every council meeting, every legislative meeting, with a moment of silence followed by the pledge. We ask that all who are able please join us and I guess um stand where you are. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Okay. Next item. Presentation of a proclamation recognized in February as Black History Month. Okay, and I have asked, I think we have three guests joining us. Um Rose Dawson, our director of libraries, uh Audrey Davis, our uh director of the Black History Museum, and I think there may be one other person. So I apologize of not seeing your name just yet, but we'll work uh to get you on.
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