Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Alexandria City Council held a legislative meeting on June 9, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The meeting began with a closed executive session at 6:15 PM to discuss a public investment matter, reconvening in open session at 7:12 PM. The council addressed a range of items including a Pride Month proclamation, oral reports from boards and commissions, updates on the Sails on the Potomac event and the Alexandria Police Department's public safety plan, a state of the economy briefing, and consideration of a term sheet for a potential tax increment financing (TIF) investment at the former Potomac River Generating Station site. The council approved a consent calendar of 15 items, made contested appointments, and approved the city council schedule. The meeting adjourned at 10:08 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Resignations: Accepted with regret from Esther White (Archaeological Commission), Barbara Huelat (Commission on Aging), Nancy Appleby (Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee), and Stuart Fox and William Vesilind (Waterfront Commission).
• Uncontested Appointments: Appointed individuals to the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force, Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, Alexandria Transportation Commission, Board of Architectural Review, Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission, Community Services Board, George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee, Waterfront Commission, and Visit Alexandria Board of Governors.
• Minutes: Adopted minutes from the April 14, 18, 28, and 29, 2026 meetings.
• Capital Projects Status Report: Received the FY 2026 Third Quarter Capital Projects Status Report as information.
• Monthly Financial Report: Received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending April 30, 2026.
• SMART SCALE Resolution: Authorized submission of up to $35 million in SMART SCALE applications to VDOT and authorized the City Manager to execute necessary documents (RES. NO. 3386).
• Ordinances (First Reading): Passed on first reading ordinances for encroachments at 601 Wythe Street and 732 North Washington Street, issuance of general obligation bonds, supplemental appropriations for FY 2026, FY 2027 appropriations, moving a polling place, amending the Public Health Advisory Commission, Alexandria Transportation Commission, and Alexandria Archaeological Commission. All were scheduled for public hearing and final passage on June 13, 2026.

Discussion Items

• Pride Month Proclamation: Council recognized June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Members of the LGBTQ+ Task Force accepted the proclamation and encouraged attendance at the Alexandria Pride Fair on June 27.
• Oral Reports: Council members reported on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) bridge replacement work, Council of Governments Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee (mid-course review of regional environmental goals), Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (Envision Route 7 BRT, Metro update), Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force (ALX Beyond website, youth engagement), Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission, Sister Cities Committee, Transportation Commission (SMART Scale concerns, bus shelters), and Northern Virginia Regional Commission (strategic planning, funding request).
• City Council Updates: Council members congratulated ACHS graduates, highlighted theater awards, community events, and announced a summer meals-on-wheels volunteer initiative.
• Sails on the Potomac Update: Director of Historic Alexandria presented plans for the June 12-14 event, including tall ship tours, Jazz Fest, history villages, and fireworks. Timed tour tickets are sold out but walk-up lines are available. Shuttle service from Eisenhower Metro will be provided.
• Alexandria Police Department Public Safety Plan: Chief McGuire and command staff presented a five-pillar plan: geographical policing and accountability, relationships, evidence-based strategies, assessment (with Dr. Robin Engel from Ohio State University), and technology. Key points: 67,000 calls for service in 2024, plans for beat realignment, expanded community engagement (bilingual academy, youth programs), data-driven enforcement, and independent assessment of activities. Council discussed timing, coordination with independent police auditor, school partnerships, traffic enforcement, and technology deployment.
• State of the Economy: City Manager Parajon reported national unemployment at 4.3%, inflation at 3.8%, and local sales tax softening. Director Garvey of DCHS discussed impacts of HR1 (SNAP and Medicaid changes), including a 11.5% error rate in Virginia, new work requirements for Medicaid, and declining enrollment due to fear and eligibility changes. Council noted the need to counter narratives that declines mean people are better off.
• Term Sheet for PRGS Site TIF: Staff presented a proposed tax increment financing (TIF) structure for the redevelopment of the former Potomac River Generating Station at 1300 North Royal Street. Key terms: creation of a Community Development Authority (CDA) to issue up to $135 million in revenue bonds for public infrastructure (phase 1: $70 million). Developer must invest $110 million in infrastructure before receiving bond proceeds. The TIF will capture only on-site incremental tax revenues; a special assessment backstop on the project protects the city. Estimated net incremental tax revenue to the city after debt service is over $770 million. The project includes 60 on-site affordable housing units, a P3 affordable housing project, and 5+ acres of public open space. Council will vote on the term sheet on June 13.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved: Unanimous roll-call vote (RES. NO. 3386 and 3387).
• Contested Appointments:
  • Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee: Candace Harmon appointed.
  • Beautification Commission: John Mickley appointed.
  • Commission for Women: Courtney Lee and Miya Wiseman appointed.
  • Community Policy Management Team: Ebon Freeman-James appointed.
  • Human Rights Commission: Amelia Demopulos and Matt Harris appointed.
  • Northern Virginia Community College Board: Tammy Ignacio appointed.
  • Social Services Advisory Board: Benjamin Tolly appointed; one remaining position to be readvertised.
  • Traffic and Parking Board: Marcos Bernier and Ashley Mihalik appointed.
  • Visit Alexandria Board of Governors: Stuart Fox (at-large) and Marko Panas (restaurant owner/manager) appointed.
• City Council Schedule: Approved, including upcoming events (Wear Orange Rally, ACHS Graduation, APD Public Safety Summit, Juneteenth, DASH groundbreaking, Alexandria Pride Fair).
• Executive Session: Held at 6:15 PM to discuss investment of public funds; resolution adopted on reconvening (RES. NO. 3388).
• Next Steps: The term sheet for the PRGS TIF will be considered for final action on June 13, 2026, along with public hearings on several ordinances.