OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Public Hearing – March 14, 2026: Budget, Rezoning, and Public Comment

Public Meetings — Saturday, March 14, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateSaturday, March 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:58
Transcript — Verbatim
2:25

Oh sorry I mean sorry.

3:26

Good morning, everyone.

3:27

It's nine thirty-four.

3:29

We're gonna go ahead and call um this public hearing to order.

3:33

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

3:37

Councilman Geary.

3:38

Councilman Chapman.

3:40

Councilman El Newby.

3:41

Here we go.

3:43

Okay.

3:43

Um we have quorum, so we will begin.

3:46

I think we are expecting Councilman Chapman.

3:48

Um unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not have Councilman Green joining us this morning.

3:54

Our first order of business is to begin with the public hearing.

3:58

As a reminder, the purpose of this meeting is for conducting uh the business of the council.

4:03

We welcome public participation, so signs are welcomed, um, clapping, snapping, all those things are, but we ask that we as soon as you finish, um please sit down quietly so that we can transition to the next speaker.

4:15

If we do have public outburst or disturbances that prevent the meeting from moving forward, I will issue one warning, then I'll issue a second, and then if the behavior continues at that point, we'll ask um a member of APD to escort you out.

4:29

The other thing is we have to have the aisles and back clear at all times.

4:33

So if more people come in and there's not a seat, we do have an overflow room available.

4:40

Um I think that is everything I need to say.

4:43

So with that, we will begin with our first speaker, and that is Martha Schnell.

4:50

All right, hello, good morning.

4:52

Martha Shawn's here.

4:53

Glad to join you all today to provide this month's Environmental Policy Commission update to Council.

4:57

First though, we need to start by wishing you all a very happy pie day.

5:01

3.14, very big day.

5:03

Hope you're all celebrating later today.

5:04

All right, let's get to it.

5:06

Considering it's budget season.

5:07

I'll start with a budget letter recap reminder.

5:09

We shared EPC budget priorities back in November, focused on maintaining budget for all items related to Eco City Alexandria goals and targets in the EAP and the ECAP.

5:18

We are keen to see the Office of Climate Action keep moving the kneel on the big scalable things like community choice aggregation, utility kind of arguments up in down in Richmond, things of that nature.

5:30

And then also seeing other departments across Eco City focus on relevant activities as well, whether it's DGS and their equipment electrification efforts, whether it's Tesla's flood action efforts, RPCA's park and resilience improvements.

5:42

You know, the list goes on.

5:43

And so we want to see that stay study.

5:45

Our February EPC meeting for a recap focused on PFAS and the Potumics uh Potomac sewer spills.

5:51

Fairfax Water presented on PFAS levels in the Potomac and Aquaquan Reservoirs, which is the two areas where we get our water from.

5:57

Potomac is fine.

5:58

It's way below the levels of maximum contaminants.

6:00

Aquan's kind of close because it's near AM.

6:04

The airspace where there's like firefighting plastics of some sort, it's messing up the water.

6:08

So Fairfax has until Fairfax Water has until 2029 to meet the EPA's PFAS requirements, and those are like many administrations of EPA requirements, so it's not political in that way.

6:18

They're testing removal options, and they're also collaborating with regional research areas, but we're putting a pin in that.

6:23

We're watching 2029.

6:25

On the other end of things, Alex Renew, haha, other end, is also working on PFAS.

6:29

Uh they're investing $355 million to upgrade their biosolids system, and they're gonna try drying it out with this like thermal drying facility, and they're doing RD to see if they can incinerate, like burn the biosolids that have been dried at Covanta or now called Reworld.

6:44

Uh they do it in Hawaii, and so they're looking at it here.

6:47

We're watching the um the carbon emissions impacts of that, and so we'll stay tuned there.

6:51

On sewage with the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, we were really interested from the EPC side of things on the environmental impacts of this bill.

6:58

The Alexandria Health Department came in very last minute, gave us an awesome human health update, which is great.

7:03

But on the environmental impact side, there's still a lot of kind of questions.

7:06

Like we don't know exactly what's happening to like the land that's touched by the water that had all the sewage.

7:12

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Alex Renew are both doing lots of testing along the Potomac.

7:17

This feels very weird to say because an epic sewage spill sounds like it would have a dramatic effect on the Potomac.

7:22

But based on all the water testing and everything, it's honestly it's a blip uh with respect to the additional sediment and nutrient loading from the sewage spill.

7:30

It's like less than half a percent of last year's annual loading.

7:34

So it's honest right now, it seems like it's not a big deal, which is surprising.

7:38

Last thing, heads up for our March EPC agenda.

7:41

We're focusing on housing.

7:42

ARHA is joining us to talk about sustainability activities there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████24%
Education Policy████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Immigration Enforcement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Public Hearing – March 14, 2026

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Alexandria City Council held a public hearing at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, beginning at 9:30 AM and adjourning at 11:11 AM. The meeting covered a roll-call consent item, a public hearing on the City Manager’s proposed FY2027 operating budget and CIP, and informational reports on subdivision and site plan cases. Council heard extensive public testimony on housing affordability, ARHA tenant conditions, school funding, and other community concerns.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 5 (26-0720): Council approved (roll-call vote all in favor) the second reading and final passage of an ordinance to rezone properties at 11 and 21 North Quaker Lane and 3369 Duke Street from CL/Commercial low zone with proffer to CL/Commercial low zone. This implements Rezoning No. 2025-00007 for the Duke and Quaker Townhomes, previously approved on February 21, 2026. (Ord. No. 5626)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Marta Schantz (Environmental Policy Commission) provided an update on EPC priorities, including PFAS monitoring in the Potomac and Aquaquan reservoirs, AlexRenew’s $355 million biosolids upgrade, and the minimal environmental impact of the Potomac Interceptor sewage spill (less than 0.5% of annual nutrient loading).
  • Loren DePina (housing advocate) detailed systemic failures at the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA): 49% of tenants are delinquent (vs. 15–20% national average), mismanaged accounts, lost paperwork, and a $80,000 donation from Christ Church with no accounting. She called for a third-party audit, public apology, and council to visit tenant homes.
  • Janice Grenadier spoke about personal court system issues and alleged judicial misconduct, referencing a 35-year legal dispute.
  • Ariana Villatoro testified on behalf of her mother Leticia Iraeta, an ARHA tenant of 30 years, describing mold, mice, and failed relocation after displacement in October 2025. She asked when the city would pressure ARHA to provide safe housing.
  • Bob Wood (FuturePort Planning Group) promoted “FuturePort,” a proposed waterfront innovation district, requesting budget investment for community discussions and development.
  • Frank (Alexandria Accountability) criticized the Alexandria Police Department’s complaint process and Chief McGuire’s handling of officer misconduct, referencing former Officer Valentin’s indictment.
  • Dana Colarulli (Parks and Recreation Commission) expressed support for the proposed budget, highlighted priority items (sports fields, Cameron Run Park, bike trail maintenance, RCPA staffing), and noted fee proposals for out-of-school programming.
  • Scott Corzine questioned the city’s process regarding the waterfront park pump station, asking about reliance on a National Park Service letter, legal vetting, and transparency.
  • Budget Public Hearing Speakers:
    • Julie Harris (Alexandria Grassroots) urged continued funding for affordable housing and transit, and suggested reducing incarceration budgets.
    • Teofila Gomez (translated) requested $5 million for rental assistance and housing subsidies, stating she cannot afford rent after 25 years in Alexandria.
    • Ingris Moran (Tenants & Workers United) presented survey data (582 residents) showing housing affordability as the top issue; demanded $5 million for emergency rental relief, expanded rental subsidy pilot, and protection of immigrant families.
    • Esteban Hernandez (ACHS student) stressed that housing stress affects school performance and asked for reduced Sheriff’s Office funding (due to ICE collaboration) in favor of housing programs.
    • Delmi Rellenado (translated) asked for rental assistance to stay in Alexandria.
    • Shelley McCabe (AHAC co-chair) recommended tools: approve Housing 2040 plan, issue $50 million in housing bonds by FY28, use tax abatement and fee waivers for deeply affordable units, and consider inclusionary zoning.
    • Katie Brownback (parent) advocated for the 3.5% ACPS budget increase, noting the city’s healthy fund balance (24% vs. 15% minimum) could cover the $5.6 million gap.
    • Christina Hildebeidel (School Board Budget Advisory Committee) supported the 3.5% increase, stressing teacher competitiveness and noting the city ranks 7th out of 8 jurisdictions in per-pupil funding.
    • Terry Generelli (PTAC president) asked for full funding of the CBA and teacher raises.
    • Sarissa Young supported the resolution to fund ACPS by classification, but suggested central office cuts and greater transparency in ACPS spending.
    • David Paladin Fernandez (ACPS educator, EAA member) called for competitive compensation and expressed frustration over lack of communication on collective bargaining details.
    • Bill Dickison (longtime resident) praised the FuturePort vision and asked for budget funding to realize it.
    • Michelle Rief (School Board chair) requested the $5.6 million gap be closed, noting 100% of the increase would go to wages; ACPS already cut $7.5 million.
    • Tess McGurney (resident) opposed Sheriff’s Office collaboration with ICE (142 transfers since 2022), asking to redirect jail funding to housing programs.
    • Nathaniel Cartagena (DASH Advisory Committee) thanked for current DASH funding but requested sustainable funding for Line 32 frequency and improvements to Lines 103/104.
    • Don Lucas (EAA president) supported the 3.5% increase and noted ACPS dropped from 1st to 7th in regional starting teacher pay within one year. Council questioned the multi-year cost of the CBA ($12.7 million this year); Ms. Lucas stated future years are not yet negotiated.

Discussion Items

  • Budget and Collective Bargaining: Council members (Chapman, Aguirre, Bagley) engaged in back-and-forth with school board chair Rief and EAA president Lucas about the CBA’s long-term costs. Councilman Aguirre asked about three-year commitments; Vice Mayor Bagley noted that city-side CBAs have three-year terms. Councilman Chapman expressed surprise that the CBA lacked a multi-year structure. Mayor Gaskins noted a formal request for additional CBA details has been sent to the manager.
  • Fund Balance and Tax Increase: Council discussed options for closing the school funding gap. Chapman asked why a tax increase was not advocated; Hildebeidel and others noted past council resistance but stated a tax increase is a viable option.
  • Sheriff’s Office and ICE: Several speakers opposed voluntary ICE collaboration; council did not debate during the hearing but referenced the issue.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent item 5 approved (roll-call, all ayes).
  • Public hearing on budget (item 6) closed after testimony. Council will continue deliberations; next public hearing set for April 18, 2026, on tax rate and add/delete list.
  • Informational items (subdivision 2025-00013 – Elbert Avenue – withdrawn by applicant; subdivision 2025-00006 and site plan 2025-00030 – 806 North Columbus Street – approved by Planning Commission) were noted for information only.
  • No formal decisions were made on budget or policy changes; council will consider testimony during budget work sessions.

Meeting Transcript

Oh sorry I mean sorry. Good morning, everyone. It's nine thirty-four. We're gonna go ahead and call um this public hearing to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman Geary. Councilman Chapman. Councilman El Newby. Here we go. Okay. Um we have quorum, so we will begin. I think we are expecting Councilman Chapman. Um unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not have Councilman Green joining us this morning. Our first order of business is to begin with the public hearing. As a reminder, the purpose of this meeting is for conducting uh the business of the council. We welcome public participation, so signs are welcomed, um, clapping, snapping, all those things are, but we ask that we as soon as you finish, um please sit down quietly so that we can transition to the next speaker. If we do have public outburst or disturbances that prevent the meeting from moving forward, I will issue one warning, then I'll issue a second, and then if the behavior continues at that point, we'll ask um a member of APD to escort you out. The other thing is we have to have the aisles and back clear at all times. So if more people come in and there's not a seat, we do have an overflow room available. Um I think that is everything I need to say. So with that, we will begin with our first speaker, and that is Martha Schnell. All right, hello, good morning. Martha Shawn's here. Glad to join you all today to provide this month's Environmental Policy Commission update to Council. First though, we need to start by wishing you all a very happy pie day. 3.14, very big day. Hope you're all celebrating later today. All right, let's get to it. Considering it's budget season. I'll start with a budget letter recap reminder. We shared EPC budget priorities back in November, focused on maintaining budget for all items related to Eco City Alexandria goals and targets in the EAP and the ECAP. We are keen to see the Office of Climate Action keep moving the kneel on the big scalable things like community choice aggregation, utility kind of arguments up in down in Richmond, things of that nature. And then also seeing other departments across Eco City focus on relevant activities as well, whether it's DGS and their equipment electrification efforts, whether it's Tesla's flood action efforts, RPCA's park and resilience improvements. You know, the list goes on. And so we want to see that stay study. Our February EPC meeting for a recap focused on PFAS and the Potumics uh Potomac sewer spills. Fairfax Water presented on PFAS levels in the Potomac and Aquaquan Reservoirs, which is the two areas where we get our water from. Potomac is fine. It's way below the levels of maximum contaminants. Aquan's kind of close because it's near AM. The airspace where there's like firefighting plastics of some sort, it's messing up the water. So Fairfax has until Fairfax Water has until 2029 to meet the EPA's PFAS requirements, and those are like many administrations of EPA requirements, so it's not political in that way. They're testing removal options, and they're also collaborating with regional research areas, but we're putting a pin in that. We're watching 2029. On the other end of things, Alex Renew, haha, other end, is also working on PFAS. Uh they're investing $355 million to upgrade their biosolids system, and they're gonna try drying it out with this like thermal drying facility, and they're doing RD to see if they can incinerate, like burn the biosolids that have been dried at Covanta or now called Reworld. Uh they do it in Hawaii, and so they're looking at it here. We're watching the um the carbon emissions impacts of that, and so we'll stay tuned there. On sewage with the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, we were really interested from the EPC side of things on the environmental impacts of this bill. The Alexandria Health Department came in very last minute, gave us an awesome human health update, which is great.

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