OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - February 25, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, February 25, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, February 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:19:36
Transcript — Verbatim
3:29

February 24th, and it's 532.

4:09

There has been a motion by Councilman and Curry and a second by Council.

1:42:57

Okay, it's seven eleven.

1:42:59

Um, Councilman Aguirre.

1:43:01

Madam Mayor, I move that we reconvene in open session.

1:43:03

There's been a motion.

1:43:04

Is there a second?

1:43:05

There's been a second by Councilwoman Green to reconvene from closed executive session.

1:43:10

All those in favor say aye.

1:43:12

Any opposed?

1:43:13

All right.

1:43:13

The eyes have it.

1:43:14

Madam Clerk, next item.

1:43:16

Moment of silence and pledge of allegiance.

1:43:19

Okay, it is our practice to begin each legislative meeting with a moment of silence followed by the pledge.

1:43:24

If you're able to stand, we ask that you please join us.

1:45:03

And whereas the city has been experiencing widespread urban flooding due to more recent increase in high intensity participation events, excuse me, precipitation appearance.

1:45:14

When constant waterfall comes down in a short period of time associated with climate change, and whereas the city has implemented Flood Action Alexandria as a comprehensive initiative to address flooding issues throughout the city through programmatic operations and capital flood mitigation projects and flood prone areas.

1:45:33

And whereas the city's future flood risk will increase as a result of rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of storms, as projected by the city's environmental action plan 2040.

1:45:46

And whereas the city joins in partnership with the federal emergency management agency known as FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program, and it participates in the NFIP community rating system, whereby city residents purchasing NFIP backed flood insurance receive up to a 20% discount.

1:46:08

And whereas we invite all Alexandrians to observe Virginia Flood Awareness Week by preparing their homes for floods, adhere to prudent land use planning, including the purchase of flood insurance through the national flood insurance program, where coverage and basements is recognized as limited.

1:46:29

And whereas we are committed to strengthening our flood mitigation strategies and management and have established Flood Action Alexandria initiative to pursue those capital and programmatic solutions.

1:46:41

And whereas the City Council approved a resolution on January 26, 2021 to establish an ad hoc stormwater utility and flood man flood mitigation advisory group and approved a resolution to establish a permanent group on December 16th, 2023 to support and advise the city's flood mitigation efforts.

1:47:03

And whereas we recognize the professional staff from Transportation and Environmental Services, the Office of Climate Action, and the Office of Emergency Management for their important roles they play in making our public infrastructure more resilient and safer for residents every day and in times of disaster.

1:47:22

Now, therefore, I, John Taylor Chapman, on behalf of Aliah Gaskins, mayor of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and on behalf of the entire Alexandria City Council, do hereby recognize March 9th through March 14th, 2026 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week 2026 and the City of Alexandria and hereby commend all persons who are committed to and work towards becoming a more resilient city.

1:47:46

And witness whereof, I have herein too set my hand to call Cecilia City of Alexandria to be affixed this 24th day of February 2026.

1:47:55

I'll have you come up.

1:47:59

Thank you.

1:48:00

Thank you so much.

1:48:02

Good evening, everybody.

1:48:03

It's a pleasure to be here.

1:48:04

I'm Dan Medina.

1:48:05

I'm the stormwater program manager for the city.

1:48:07

Specifically, I manage the Flood Action Alexandria program, which is a comprehensive program, a holistic combination of all this, the skills that we have to combat flooding, which is getting worse and worse as time goes by.

1:48:21

I just want to say thank you very much to the council for all the support we've gotten.

1:48:26

Stellar City Manager here and our assistant city manager, Emily Baker, as well as our advisory committee, because it really takes this combination of forces to make things happen.

1:48:40

And we're very grateful to have the this those resources available to our group.

1:48:46

I talked to my colleagues in other jurisdictions, and we're way ahead on what they're doing.

1:48:51

We for being the city that we are, we're really doing some marvelous stuff, world class.

1:48:56

So thank you very much.

1:48:57

It's a pleasure to be here.

1:48:59

Appreciate it.

1:49:02

Well, uh, Dr.

1:49:03

Medina, I'll I'll I appreciate that, but we are only world class because we have some wonderful staff and leadership that have been pushing us.

1:49:11

Um it is not easy.

1:49:13

It is not necessarily sexy to pay for flood mitigation efforts.

1:49:17

Um it is not something that everybody wants to talk about.

1:49:20

Um, but having staff and having a city uh that is leaning forward to understand some of the challenges that we have living on a coast and living near waterways and dealing with climate change.

1:49:32

You and your staff and our leadership has been really on the ball uh as uh we have talked about this as a community.

1:49:39

So thank you very much uh for your work.

1:49:41

And with that, I'd love to go ahead and move the proclamation.

1:49:45

There has been a motion by Councilman Chapman and a second by Councilwoman Green to move the proclamation recognizing um flood awareness week.

1:49:54

Is there any further discussion?

1:49:57

I just want to quickly echo what Councilman Chapman said.

1:50:00

Dr.

1:50:00

Medina, we are so grateful for your leadership.

1:50:03

I think many of us remember when you started.

1:50:05

And I think just the volume of resources that you've been able to cultivate and create, the educational series that you offer, but even the way that you've brought in stakeholders who probably didn't even know they had an interest in this topic or an opinion to give, you've been able to sort of lean into every perspective and really help us become a much more resilient city.

1:50:24

So we thank you.

1:50:25

With that, um there's been a motion and a second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Public Engagement███████████████16%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Affordable Housing████4%
Economic Development████4%
Flood Management██2%
Public Transportation██2%
Community Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - February 25, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript consistently reference February 24, 2026, but the meeting is officially recorded as occurring on February 25, 2026 per the provided instruction. This summary uses the given date.

The Alexandria City Council held a legislative meeting covering real property assessments, the proposed FY2027 budget and capital improvement plan, proclamations, oral reports from boards and commissions, and a contested appointment to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA). The meeting also included an executive session on a personnel matter.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Virginia Flood Awareness Week 2026: Councilman Chapman presented a proclamation recognizing March 9-14, 2026 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week. Stormwater Program Manager Dan Medina thanked the council for support, noting the city's comprehensive Flood Action Alexandria program is “world class.” The proclamation carried unanimously.
  • Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick’s Day: Councilwoman Greene presented a proclamation declaring March 2026 as Irish-American Heritage Month and honoring St. Patrick’s Day. Representatives of the Bally Shiners, including parade marshals and officers, spoke. The 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. The proclamation carried unanimously.

Oral Reports from City Council on Boards, Commissions, and Committees

  • Council of Governments (COG) – Mayor Gaskins: Debriefed the January 2026 snowstorm response, noting over 500 city staff activated and the need for better communication and regional coordination. Also reported on the Potomac River interceptor collapse, with a recreational water advisory still in place, daily testing by DC Water and Maryland, and upcoming public hearings. Mayor Gaskins will push for Virginia-specific engagement.
  • ARHA Redevelopment Work Group – Mayor Gaskins and Councilman Chapman: Reported that Samuel Madden has 31 relocations completed with only three individuals left; LaDre is fully vacant but suffered a major pipe burst; the A Late is focusing on lease-up with mixed-income units; Cameron Valley will align with the Duke Street small area plan. Discussed eviction issues, ledger accuracy, and 445 individuals owing back rent; city exploring support.
  • Legislative Subcommittee – Mayor Gaskins: Appointed Councilman Chapman to replace departing Councilman McPike.
  • Waterfront Commission – Vice Mayor Bagley: Met February 17; received police update (low crime); David Robbins presented a study on non-motorized watercraft access; commission submitted a letter requesting a budget update to the marina access feasibility study. The commission is reviewing its bylaws in response to a sunset proposal.
  • Virginia Railway Express – Vice Mayor Bagley: New CEO Katie Cho (first woman in 31 years) started during the snowstorm; staff went above and beyond. Longbridge construction schedule is in place; the “Alexandria Shuffle” adds about six minutes to trips.
  • Eisenhower Partnership Board of Directors – Councilwoman Greene: Met February 20; heard from Volunteer Alexandria about need for volunteers, discussed letters of support for projects in Eisenhower area, and the upcoming city manager’s breakfast on March 18.
  • Transportation Planning Board (COG TPB) – Councilman Aguirre: Alexandria won about $2 million for improvements at Charles Barrett and George Washington Middle School (crosswalk upgrades, slip lane removal). Also covered the Unified Planning Work Program and regional safety trends.
  • Commission on Aging – Councilman Aguirre: Received a presentation from Patrick Henry Community Center; discussed SNAP implementation issues; the age-friendly plan is expected to come to council in March or April.
  • Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) – Councilman Aguirre: Short agenda; highlighted a new travel trend dashboard; approved projects in Prince William County.
  • Library Board – Councilman Aguirre: Discussed making libraries a full city department; director Dawson will bring a proposal to the city manager for a study. Council expressed consensus to move forward.

City Council General Updates

Councilmembers announced several events and community engagements: Women’s Health Forum on March 8 (Councilwoman Greene), Senior Services Valentine’s Day luncheon (Councilman Aguirre), Grand reopening of Wells Fargo, GW parade, Friendship Firehouse breakfast, Go Alex trivia at Port City Brewery, World Craft on King ribbon cutting, Center for Alexandria’s Children event, Visit Alexandria’s “What’s New in 2026” with FIFA base camp announcement, National Innovation Quarter kickoff, and George Washington Memorial Society museum exhibit.

City Manager’s Oral Report

City Manager Jim Parajon highlighted the Office of Historic Alexandria’s selection for a social impact survey by the American Alliance of Museums, demonstrating the department’s positive community impact. Data will be posted on the city website.

Action Docket – Roll-Call Consent Item

  • Item 10: Authorization to accept a grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to enhance DCHS economic mobility work. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Discussion: Calendar Year 2026 Real Property Assessments

Kevin Greenleaf (Director of Finance) and Ann Wynn Milns presented the assessments, which show a 3.41% overall increase in taxable assessments. Key data:

  • 63% of residential properties saw increases; average single-family value now $1,045,750; average condo $460,185; median residential value $680,406.
  • Commercial properties increased 1.91%, led by shopping centers and high-rise apartments; office values declined 3.4%. Multifamily rental (365 complexes) is the largest commercial sector at $9.65 billion.
  • New growth totaled $456 million, with residential growth the largest component ($302 million).
  • Assessment notices mailed February 25; review deadline March 16; appeal deadline June 1. Councilmembers asked about the 8% of properties with decreases (noted as normal market adjustments) and the trend of commercial-to-residential conversions helping the tax base. No vote taken; presentation for information.

Discussion: Proposed FY2027 Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

City Manager Jim Parajon presented the $977 million general fund operating budget (2.2% increase over FY26) and $2 billion 10-year CIP. No real estate tax rate increase recommended. Highlights:

  • $9 million in expenditure reductions; 45 vacant positions eliminated; 7 new positions (4 firefighter collective bargaining, 1 health community engagement manager, 2 ITS cybersecurity).
  • $34 million in housing support; $286.6 million operating transfer to ACPS (1.5% increase); $56 million in new school funding over four years.
  • $7 million increase for Metro; $750,000 for Alive food hubs; $325,000 for survival programming (shelter, senior meals).
  • $1 million for economic incentives; $300,000 small business support.
  • Stormwater fee increases 5% for flood mitigation.
  • Parking meter rates proposed to increase from $1.75 to $2.50.
  • CIP includes removal of $88.7 million for Patrick Henry and Jefferson Houston renovations and Cora Kelly elementary acceleration; these are reserved for future council land-use decisions. Councilman Alnubi raised a joint letter with school board members proposing a subcommittee to address middle school capacity. Councilman Chapman cautioned against attaching this to the budget timeline. The budget process includes eight work sessions and multiple public hearings; ad delete deadline is April 9.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamations adopted unanimously (Flood Awareness Week and Irish-American Heritage Month).
  • Consent item (grant acceptance) approved 6-0.
  • ARHA Board appointments: Michael Butler (6 votes), Anna Gray (4 votes), and Cassandra Lewis (4 votes) were appointed as citizen members. Motion to approve passed on roll-call (votes not individually listed but carried).
  • City Council schedule approved unanimously.
  • Executive session: Council reconvened in closed session to discuss a personnel matter (as per agenda item 26-0700) and later certified the closed session. Meeting adjourned after executive session.

Next Steps: The FY2027 budget work sessions begin February 25; public hearings are scheduled; final budget adoption expected in May 2026.

Meeting Transcript

February 24th, and it's 532. There has been a motion by Councilman and Curry and a second by Council. Okay, it's seven eleven. Um, Councilman Aguirre. Madam Mayor, I move that we reconvene in open session. There's been a motion. Is there a second? There's been a second by Councilwoman Green to reconvene from closed executive session. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it. Madam Clerk, next item. Moment of silence and pledge of allegiance. Okay, it is our practice to begin each legislative meeting with a moment of silence followed by the pledge. If you're able to stand, we ask that you please join us. And whereas the city has been experiencing widespread urban flooding due to more recent increase in high intensity participation events, excuse me, precipitation appearance. When constant waterfall comes down in a short period of time associated with climate change, and whereas the city has implemented Flood Action Alexandria as a comprehensive initiative to address flooding issues throughout the city through programmatic operations and capital flood mitigation projects and flood prone areas. And whereas the city's future flood risk will increase as a result of rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of storms, as projected by the city's environmental action plan 2040. And whereas the city joins in partnership with the federal emergency management agency known as FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program, and it participates in the NFIP community rating system, whereby city residents purchasing NFIP backed flood insurance receive up to a 20% discount. And whereas we invite all Alexandrians to observe Virginia Flood Awareness Week by preparing their homes for floods, adhere to prudent land use planning, including the purchase of flood insurance through the national flood insurance program, where coverage and basements is recognized as limited. And whereas we are committed to strengthening our flood mitigation strategies and management and have established Flood Action Alexandria initiative to pursue those capital and programmatic solutions. And whereas the City Council approved a resolution on January 26, 2021 to establish an ad hoc stormwater utility and flood man flood mitigation advisory group and approved a resolution to establish a permanent group on December 16th, 2023 to support and advise the city's flood mitigation efforts. And whereas we recognize the professional staff from Transportation and Environmental Services, the Office of Climate Action, and the Office of Emergency Management for their important roles they play in making our public infrastructure more resilient and safer for residents every day and in times of disaster. Now, therefore, I, John Taylor Chapman, on behalf of Aliah Gaskins, mayor of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and on behalf of the entire Alexandria City Council, do hereby recognize March 9th through March 14th, 2026 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week 2026 and the City of Alexandria and hereby commend all persons who are committed to and work towards becoming a more resilient city. And witness whereof, I have herein too set my hand to call Cecilia City of Alexandria to be affixed this 24th day of February 2026. I'll have you come up. Thank you. Thank you so much. Good evening, everybody. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm Dan Medina. I'm the stormwater program manager for the city. Specifically, I manage the Flood Action Alexandria program, which is a comprehensive program, a holistic combination of all this, the skills that we have to combat flooding, which is getting worse and worse as time goes by. I just want to say thank you very much to the council for all the support we've gotten. Stellar City Manager here and our assistant city manager, Emily Baker, as well as our advisory committee, because it really takes this combination of forces to make things happen. And we're very grateful to have the this those resources available to our group. I talked to my colleagues in other jurisdictions, and we're way ahead on what they're doing. We for being the city that we are, we're really doing some marvelous stuff, world class. So thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here. Appreciate it. Well, uh, Dr. Medina, I'll I'll I appreciate that, but we are only world class because we have some wonderful staff and leadership that have been pushing us. Um it is not easy. It is not necessarily sexy to pay for flood mitigation efforts. Um it is not something that everybody wants to talk about. Um, but having staff and having a city uh that is leaning forward to understand some of the challenges that we have living on a coast and living near waterways and dealing with climate change. You and your staff and our leadership has been really on the ball uh as uh we have talked about this as a community. So thank you very much uh for your work.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com