Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting Summary – February 11, 2026

The Alexandria City Council held a legislative meeting starting on the evening of February 10, 2026, and concluding in the early hours of February 11, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center in a hybrid format. The lengthy meeting featured an extensive city manager's report on the historic January snowstorm recovery, the annual "State of the Economy" presentation from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), a mid-session update on the 2026 Virginia General Assembly, the release of contingency funds for climate action initiatives, approval of a curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging program, and a detailed work session on the Duke Street Land Use Plan. Numerous routine items were approved on a consent calendar.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Council unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring February as George Washington Birthday Celebration Month. Sue Johnson, Chair of the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee, highlighted the upcoming parade on February 14, 2026 (Valentine's Day) and related events throughout the month, including the Restaurant Cherry Challenge and walking tours. The parade will feature nearly 60 units, including the U.S. Army Old Guard and the Washington Commanders Marching Band.

Oral Reports from Councilmembers

• Councilman Aguirre highlighted the Monk's Peace Walk, the Super Bowl halftime show, Port City Brewing's 15th anniversary, VML Lobby Day, and the kickoff of America's 250th celebration.
• Mayor Gaskins announced the city is working with families to create a memorial at Rivergate Park for the 67 victims lost in the January 29 DCA crash. She also noted the Alexandria Warehouse Sale has been extended to President's Day due to cold weather.
• Vice Mayor Bagley requested follow-up on a VDOT public hearing process related to the Duke Street/Taylor Run intersection project, noting a deadline is approaching.
• Councilman Chapman remembered EMS Joshua Wiseman, who died in the line of duty 14 years ago, and honored volunteer election officials.

City Manager's Oral Reports

• Snowstorm Recovery: The City Manager characterized the late January storm (7 inches of snow followed by freezing rain) as a "natural disaster" not seen since the 1990s. Key statistics: 9,000 tons of ice hauled, 1,000 dump truck loads, six dump sites filled, over 500 city staff and 200 contractors deployed. The city has issued 110 warnings and 3 citations for sidewalk clearing. Over 800 snow-related 311 requests have been logged; 60% are closed, 15% remain open. Initial lessons learned focused on improving accuracy in public reporting, strengthening contractor route clarity, and better public communication regarding expectations. The city is still in recovery with significant work remaining on secondary roads, sidewalks, and drainage inlets.
• Community & Human Services (DCHS) Annual Report: Director Kate Garvey presented the department's impact report. Key stats: Over 40,000 Alexandrians received services; 42,000+ residents receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits; the winter shelter served 450 people; 132,000 food distribution contacts were made; 171 youth participated in the summer employment program; over 1,100 youth were surveyed for the needs assessment; and there were 10,000+ behavioral health emergency contacts.
• State of the Economy / AEDP Mid-Year Report: Presented by Christina Mindrup. Key metrics: Citywide office vacancy dropped to 18.9% (down from 21.4%). Over 4,000 jobs were retained or added. The HUD HQ move is bringing 2,700 jobs, and the retention of the National Science Foundation adds 386,000 sq ft of occupancy. Retail/restaurant vacancy is a healthy 4.6%. Councilmembers discussed the need for stronger business retention strategies and addressing the lack of commercial activity on the West End.

Consent Calendar (Items 9-24)

• The council approved the entire consent calendar via a unanimous roll-call vote. Key items included:
  • Resolution Affirming Local Emergency Declaration for January 2026 Snowstorm.
  • Monthly Financial Report for December 2025.
  • Grant applications to the MWCOG for roadway safety and transportation connections.
  • Designation of Potomac Yard Landbay G-G as a Revitalization Area.
  • A $450,000 Housing Trust Fund grant to Wesley Housing for nine rental subsidies.
  • First reading of ordinances implementing the Old Town North Small Area Plan, the Commercial-to-Residential Conversions Text Amendment, and the Green Building Plan.

Discussion & Action Items

• 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session Update: City staff are tracking 585 bills. Key priority legislation includes bills limiting ICE enforcement in sensitive locations (schools, courthouses) and the mask ban bill, which was amended to exempt undercover police officers. The city has three budget amendments in play. Crossover is scheduled for February 18.
• Resolution Certifying Vacancy on City Council: Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring a vacancy on the City Council and authorizing the City Attorney to petition the Circuit Court for a writ of election to fill the seat.
• Release of FY26 Contingent Reserve Funds for Climate Action ($200,000): The council unanimously approved the release of $200,000 from contingent reserve to the Office of Climate Action. Climate Action Officer Ryan Freed presented plans to launch the EcoCity Champs program (multifamily climate/health upgrades for ARHA properties), the Stay Cool Alexandria program (heat island mitigation), and a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) feasibility study to explore alternative energy suppliers.
• Torpedo Factory Arts Center Franchise Solicitation: Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing a process for a new management and operation agreement. Staff noted respondents may incorporate the recently recovered historic shipwreck artifacts into their proposals.
• Curbside Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program: Council unanimously approved the first reading of two ordinances to establish a curbside EV charging program. Vendors will install and operate chargers in the public right-of-way at no cost to the city under a 5-year license. A maximum of 60 charging ports will be installed initially across three vendors. A $25 fine will be enforced for non-EVs parking in designated charging spaces.
• Duke Street Land Use Plan Update (Work Session): Planning & Zoning staff presented an extensive update on the corridor plan. The corridor represents 15% of the city's population. Key concepts include: 90 acres of opportunity sites (underutilized commercial land); preserving the corridor's affordable housing (100% of rental stock is affordable up to 80% AMI); retaining small businesses; and integrating with the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The plan identifies the city-owned 55-acre campus and the ACPS bus barn as major opportunities for redevelopment. The timeline aims for a draft plan for public review by fall 2026.

Contested Appointments

• Council voted on appointments to nine boards and commissions. The majority vote getters who were appointed include: Laura Evans (Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee), Paul Liu (Board of Zoning Appeals), Haya Yasen (Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission), Michael Schuster (Commission on Aging), Tamia Lowe (Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission), Anita McClendon (Public Health Advisory Commission), Christine Labba (Public Records Advisory Commission), Chris Kirsten Phelps (Traffic and Parking Board), and Anysz Artemal and Louise Rosemont (Waterfront Commission).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (Unanimous): Snowstorm emergency proclamation, consent calendar, resolution certifying council vacancy, release of $200,000 in climate action funds, Torpedo Factory franchise ordinance (first reading), EV curbside charging ordinances (first reading), contested appointments, and the city council schedule.
• Presented/Discussed (No Vote Taken): Snowstorm after-action lessons, DCHS annual impact report, AEDP mid-year market report, 2026 General Assembly update, and Duke Street Land Use Plan update.
• Next Steps: Staff will continue snow recovery and present a formal after-action report. The Climate Action Office will launch the EcoCity Champs program. The Duke Street Plan team will hold working sessions throughout spring 2026, with a draft plan expected by fall.