Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting – April 14, 2026
Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting – April 14, 2026
The Alexandria City Council held a legislative meeting on April 14, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The meeting began with a closed executive session at 6:15 PM to discuss investment of public funds, reconvened in open session at 7:05 PM, and adjourned at 8:06 PM. Council approved several ordinances on first reading, received the monthly financial report, adopted proclamations, and made appointments to boards and commissions. Key discussion centered on proposed parking citation increases, Sunday parking meter enforcement, and a BPOL tax rate increase, with several council members signaling potential opposition.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of meetings from January 13, January 24, February 10, February 21, and February 24, 2026.
- Accepted resignations from Lynn Jorden (Public Record Advisory Commission) and Robert L. Montague (Waterfront Commission).
- Made uncontested appointments to seven boards and commissions.
- Received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 2026.
- Adopted a resolution approving the City's participation in a settlement of opioid-related claims against six regional distributor/dispenser defendants.
- Passed on first reading: Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance for FY2026, Stormwater Utility Fee ordinance, Fire Prevention Code amendments, House Numbering ordinance, and an ordinance amending financial services licensing. These were scheduled for public hearing on April 18, 2026.
Proclamations and Recognitions
- Council recognized April 2026 as "Volunteers Are the Heart of Alexandria" month and presented a proclamation to Volunteer Alexandria.
- Council recognized April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month. Alex, a community advocate, spoke about challenges faced by the autistic community and called for continued support.
Reports and Updates
- Mayor Gaskins reported on the COG meeting, noting a regional commuter survey and changing transit patterns.
- Councilwoman Greene reported on the COG Food and Agriculture Regional Member (FARM) Policy Committee meeting, which focused on food security.
- Councilman Aguirre reported on the Commission on Aging meeting, including thanks for the age-friendly plan and next steps.
- Councilman Aguirre also gave general updates on Metro's 50th anniversary, local business openings, and community events.
- Councilman Chapman reported on the NVRC Go Virginia board, a field allocation policy meeting for recreation, and congratulated Councilwoman Greene on her sorority induction.
- Councilwoman Greene acknowledged the passing of community leader Susan Callum.
- Vice Mayor Bagley noted a Days of Remembrance ceremony for Holocaust victims.
- City Manager presented the State of the Economy, reporting unemployment at 4.3%, inflation at 3.3%, real estate market softening slightly, and consumption taxes (meals and lodging) declining year-to-date.
Discussion Items
- Parking Citation Increase (Item 16): Council approved first reading of an ordinance to increase parking citation fines, with the understanding that further discussion and potential adjustments would occur at the April 21 budget ad-delete session.
- Parking Meter Changes (Item 17): This ordinance included proposed Sunday parking enforcement. Several council members (Chapman, Mayor Gaskins, Greene, Al Nubi) expressed concerns or opposition to Sunday parking. Council passed first reading to allow public hearing and further debate.
- BPOL Rate Increase (Item 20): Ordinance to amend business license tax rates. Passed first reading for public hearing, with similar intent to revisit.
- Contested Appointments: Council made appointments to 10 boards/commissions, including reappointing Sean Zielenbach to the Housing Affordability Advisory Committee. The appointment to the Independent Community Policing Review Board was deferred and will be readvertised.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items approved unanimously (docket items 10-21, with items 16, 17, 20 voted separately).
- First reading of ordinances for parking citations, parking meters, BPOL rates, stormwater fee, fire code, and house numbering passed. Public hearings scheduled for April 18, 2026; final passage for most on April 29, 2026.
- City Council schedule approved, including upcoming events: We Are Eco-City Alexandria (April 25), Ellen Pickering Award (April 26), City Council Town Hall (May 19), Environmental Policy Commission Retreat (May 2), and unveiling of City Memorial for Potomac Mid-Air Collision victims (June 1).
- Meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, she's she won't be in that. Oh, she's presenting in Harvard. Oh, sure. Um, so it's actually that's like that. Okay. Uh, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the April 14th uh council meeting. Uh, we will begin with a motion from do we need to take attendance first? Can we do a roll call? Mayor Gaskins. Vice Mayor Bagley. Here. Councilman Gary. Councilman Chapman. Councilman El Newby. Councilman Green. All right, we've confirmed the quorum. And then we're going to um uh I take a motion for electronic participation of Mayor Gaskins, who will be joining us. Second. All right. There's a motion and a second on the floor. Any discussion about the electronic resolution uh motion? Hearing none, all those in favor of approving. Oh, it's a roll call. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The roll call vote, please. Councilman Aguirre. Aye. Councilman Green. Hi. Aye. Okay. The electronic uh participation is approved, and we will see Mayor Gaskins at seven o'clock when we uh return. Uh, if I could turn to Councilman Aguirre. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Any further discussion on the motion? Hearing none, is this a roll call vote, Madam Clerk? Councilman Ageary. Councilman McGreen. Vice Mayor Bagley. Aye. Councilman Chapman. Councilman L. Newby. Aye. All right. The motion is approved. We will enter closed session and we will return here at seven PM. Thank you, everybody.
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