Alexandria City Stormwater Committee Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Alexandria City Stormwater Committee met on March 16, 2026, at 9:15 AM to discuss ongoing flood resilience projects, program updates, utility coordination challenges, and financial matters. The meeting covered progress on multiple capital projects, property-level mitigation strategies, and community engagement efforts.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as amended, with changes forwarded by Dino and incorporated.

Discussion Items

• Program Updates (Dr. Medina):
  • Commonwealth Ash Week Leave: Final design comments being coordinated; utility relocations starting with Virginia American Water (mobilization expected February–March 2026); bid process anticipated in early 2027.
  • Combined Sewer – Nethergate Project: Received 30% design in December; need NPS permit for utility/geotechnical survey on GW Parkway; monthly calls ongoing; permit expected in a couple of months but backlog possible.
  • Pit and Gibbon / Hoofs Run: Shifted to property-level mitigation approach; consultant hired; data collection phase underway; pilot areas identified; program development expected after December 2026.
• Inlet Relocation Projects:
  • Multiple projects at 60%–100% design; community meetings held in December; utility relocations underway for Washington Gas, Dominion Energy, and fiber optics.
  • Specific sites: Clifford (100% design, public meeting Jan 14), Ed Sun Sewer (gas relocation April 2026), Four Mile Run and Hoofs Run Inlet (30% design due), Edson Nowell (90% design, construction easement needed), Hume Avenue (fiber relocation, construction procurement in March 2026), South Jordan (technical memo review completed).
• Common Theme: Nearly all projects require utility relocation; committee noted progress but expressed concern about delays from utility schedules.
• Sanitary Infrastructure Updates (Aaron Bevis Carver):
  • Delray East: Lining of main lines and manholes completed; contract for laterals issued, bid opening end of January, award expected March 2026.
  • Delray West: 90% design reached in December; comments reviewed; final design due February 2026.
  • Upsizing Projects: Del Ray upsizing project closeout underway; Old Town (600 block N. Columbus St.) sewer separation completed in 60 days (substantial completion end of January 2026).
  • Madison & St. Asa: Construction delayed due to community request; notice to proceed issued November 3; active construction imminent (saw-cutting scheduled end of week, weather permitting).
  • 400 block Wolf Street: Construction started January; upsizing both sanitary and combined pipes; substantial completion expected spring 2026.
  • Colonial Avenue Sewer Separation: 100% design submitted; revised set due February 2026.
• Communications Report (Jesse/Unshallah):
  • Social media impressions down at year-end; stormwater utility credit program webpage popular (9,000+ views); e-newsletter signups tracked.
• Flood Resilience Plan (70% complete): Community engagement events held; March 2026 public event planned; plan not yet final (schedule September, may slip). Discussion of plan knitting together different city approaches to flooding.
• Hoofs Run Culvert Top Slab Reconstruction (Lisa Jaitman): Plans nearing finalization; neighborhood meeting end of February/early March; will use on-call contractor.
• Citywide Storm Sewer CCTV/Cleaning: Four Mile Run watershed nearly finished; spot repairs starting; five-year cycle.
• Stormwater Utility Credit Program (Camille): Application period ends February 15; two webinars scheduled (business and residential).
• Financial Discussion:
  • Committee reviewed budget authority and bond funding for large projects; cash from stormwater fee (~$20M/year) goes to general fund; interest accrual questioned but no specific tracking noted.
  • Only six grant applications approved so far this fiscal year (average ~$2,000 each); HB 214 (Veghans) could restrict local authority for flood grants; staff pushing back.
  • Enhanced grant program on hold pending consultant recommendations and Pit/Gibbon project scope.
• Support for Stormwater Fee: Chair encouraged members to testify or write letters for CIP hearings in February–April 2026; noted risk of complacency and that the 10-year timeline may be optimistic.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved.
• Committee acknowledged progress across projects and identified utility coordination as a major bottleneck.
• Staff directed to report back on inflow reduction data from Delray East sanitary work at next meeting.
• Neighborhood meeting for Hoofs Run culvert to be scheduled; committee members to share contacts.
• Committee members encouraged to support stormwater fee during upcoming CIP hearings on March 14 and April 18, 2026.
• No formal votes on policy or funding changes during this meeting.