Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting, March 10, 2026

The City Council met on March 10, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The meeting began with a closed executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss real property acquisition and investment of public funds. Open session commenced at 7:05 p.m. The council approved proclamations, heard oral reports and a presentation from the Brookings Institution on the regional economy, passed a consent docket, set maximum advertised tax rates, adopted a resolution on ACPS funding transparency, made contested appointments, and approved the council schedule. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Council endorsed a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Women's History Month, read by Vice Mayor Bagley. Representatives from the Commission for Women and community organizations were present.
• Council endorsed a proclamation recognizing March 12, 2026 as National Girl Scout Day, read by Councilwoman Greene. Girl Scouts attending the meeting shared what scouting means to them. Mayor Gaskins and members thanked the scouts for their leadership.

Oral Reports and Committee Updates

• Mayor Gaskins: Reported on the Council of Governments (COG) and the Legislative Subcommittee; noted a Potomac Interceptor Town Hall scheduled for March 19 at the Lee Center from 7–9 p.m. to address the recent pipe break and its impact. Also discussed lobbying for state funding for Freedom House, WMATA, and schools, and a multi-jurisdictional letter on skill games.
• Councilman Elnoubi: Reported that the Gang Prevention Task Force is implementing a work group model focusing on expanding after-school opportunities for youth. The Workforce Development Center committee shifted to a work-session format and discussed the Summer Youth Employment Program, which has 170 funded slots but over 600 applicants; staff aim to expand capacity through public-private partnerships, with ALX Renew and Goodwin Living committing to sponsor six positions. Work-session improvements explored pay-card options and a future lottery model for applicant selection. Upcoming events include a Job Fair on April 8 and a virtual transferable skills workshop on March 31.
• Councilman Chapman: Noted that the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) is reorienting strategically, with recent work sessions on workforce development/AI and housing, and a coming session on transportation.
• Councilwoman Greene: Reported that the Health and Safety Coordinating Committee met on March 6 and received updates on eviction harm reduction, housing legislation, and health department status; next meeting is May 1 at the Lee Center.
• Councilman Aguirre: Provided general updates including the Victory Center groundbreaking with deeply affordable housing (supported by Amazon), a Commonwealth One credit union branch opening, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce chair reception, fire department recruit graduation, youth advisory council hosted by WMATA in Virginia, Housing Master Plan sessions, Delray Chili Cook-Off and Empty Bowls events, and a tour of the Juvenile Detention Center highlighting its positive approach and artwork. Also reminded residents about free tax filing services at the Del Pepper Center on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Councilwoman Greene: Reported on the Empower Her Women's Health Forum held on International Women’s Day, attended by over 200 women with 30 vendors, wellness activities, and city department participation; planning is underway for next year’s event.

City Manager Oral Report: Brookings Institution Presentation on the Regional Economy

• Tracy Hadden Loh, a Brookings fellow, presented the DMV Monitor dashboard, a collaboration with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments tracking 25 indicators. Key findings:
  • The region lost jobs last year, more than any other major metro area in the U.S.
  • Federal job losses were targeted and disproportionately impacted the DMV, though Alexandria gained federal jobs in some quarters.
  • Alexandria lost more private sector jobs than almost any other DMV jurisdiction.
  • Regional unemployment surged, with Alexandria residents hit harder than any other Virginia jurisdiction; unemployment for Black workers rose over two percentage points in one year vs. less than one point for white workers; similar disparities by gender.
  • Internships in the region are down nearly 30% nationwide; venture capital flows to DMV startups collapsed.
  • Home sale listings increased dramatically, especially in Virginia suburbs; home sale prices fell more in Alexandria than any other DMV jurisdiction.
  • Crime decreased in all jurisdictions, with Alexandria seeing the largest drop.
• Discussion: Council members noted the regional challenges and opportunities for collaboration. Mayor Gaskins connected the data to council priorities of economic strength and eliminating disparities. Vice Mayor Bagley questioned how the region can adapt to codified federal cuts. Councilman Aguirre highlighted the need for regional housing solutions and support for young people. Councilman Chapman noted that regional entities must reorganize to address the data. Loh advised leveraging collective marketing and regional workforce tools like TalentCapital.ai and COG initiatives. Council members expressed intent to use the data in budget deliberations.

Consent Calendar (Items 10–16)

• Minutes: Approved minutes of Nov. 25 and Dec. 9, 2025; Dec. 13, 2025 (public hearing); and Jan. 27, 2026.
• Resignations: Received resignations from Marcee Craighill (Commission for the Arts), Jennifer Beatty (Commission for Women), Kathie Hoekstra (Environmental Policy Commission), and Lawrence Lewis (Independent Community Policing Review Board).
• Uncontested Appointments: Appointed Aisha Ortiz (Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force), reappointed Nastaran Zandian (Board of Architectural Review, Parker-Gray District), appointed Nancy E. Drane (Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee), appointed Benjamin Chernow and Gary A. Cooley (Commission on Employment), appointed Gayle Converse, reappointed Mia Mulrennan and Ivy Whitlatch (Historic Alexandria Resources Commission), reappointed David Brennan (Park and Recreation Commission), appointed Kathryn Cahir and Matthew C. Monahan (Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee).
• Missing Oaths: Approved removal of Alvaro A. Colato (Building Code Board of Appeals) for failure to submit oath.
• Monthly Financial Report: Received the report for period ending January 31, 2026.
• Capital Projects Status Report: Received the FY 2026 Second Quarter Capital Projects Status Report.
• Rezoning Ordinance (Duke and Quaker Townhomes): Approved on first reading the rezoning of 11 and 21 North Quaker Lane and 3369 Duke Street from CL with proffer to CL; scheduled public hearing on March 14, 2026.

Individual Action Items

17. Real and Personal Property Tax Rates Ordinance (Calendar Year 2026 / FY 2027)

• Council set the maximum advertised real estate tax rate at $1.145 per $100 of assessed valuation, continuing the dedication of 1.0 cent for affordable housing and 2.2 cents for transportation. The Special Services District tax for Tier I Potomac Yard remains at $0.20. Proposed personal property tax rates (to fund base budget): vehicles $5.33; specially equipped vehicles $3.55; pleasure boats $0.01; tangible business personal property $4.75; machinery and tools $4.50. Council emphasizes the advertised maximum does not mean the final rate will increase; budget deliberations continue. The ordinance will have a public hearing on April 18 and final passage on April 29. Vote: unanimous (6-0).

18. Resolution of Intent to Appropriate Funding to Alexandria City Public Schools by Major Classification Beginning FY 2028

• Council adopted a non-binding resolution signaling intent to request ACPS submit budget estimates broken down by major categories (e.g., instruction, transportation, maintenance) starting in FY 2028. This is a transparency and accountability measure, not a change to FY 2027. Discussion clarified that the resolution is legal under state code, does not affect capital funding, and provides a framework for clearer public understanding and collaborative oversight. Council members noted this builds on earlier discussions and responds to community concerns. Vote: unanimous (6-0).

Contested Appointments

• The council made appointments with recorded votes:
  • Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee: Timotheos Tan (6 votes).
  • Beautification Commission: Brandi Streauslin (6 votes).
  • Board of Architectural Review: Michaela Robinson (6 votes).
  • Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission: Ciara Norfleet (6 votes).
  • Citizen Corps Council: Lachlan Kerr (4 votes); Kyle Corter (2 votes) – Kerr appointed.
  • Commission for Women: Gina E. Wood (5 votes); Elizabeth Hardin (1 vote) – Wood appointed.
  • Commission on Aging: Richard E. Merritt and Tricia Rodgers (Merritt 6 votes, Rodgers 5 votes; Coral Canas 1 vote).
  • Commission on Employment: Lenwood Roberts (6 votes).
  • Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission: Sonnja Brown (6 votes).
  • Planning Commission: Susan Harris (5 votes); Anderson Verkin (1 vote) – Harris appointed.
  • Sister Cities Committee: Kate McMahon, Dale G. Medearis, and Lauren G. Smith (McMahon 4, Medearis 5, Smith 4).
  • Traffic and Parking Board: Annie Ebbers (6 votes) appointed for one seat; the second seat tied between Jacqueline Ketteridge and Joshua Roth (3 votes each). Council voted to defer that appointment and re-advertise the vacancy.

Other Business

• Council approved the City Council Schedule (no further details provided).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.