City Council Legislative Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Alexandria City Council convened on September 22, 2026, holding a work session with the State Delegation at 5:30 PM followed by the legislative meeting at 7:00 PM. The meeting featured proclamations, detailed updates on the City Hall renovation and recreation programs, and a substantive debate on updating the council's rules of procedure, which was ultimately deferred to December. The council also received its highest possible bond rating from Moody's and Standard & Poor's. The meeting adjourned at 11:32 PM after a closed executive session.

Proclamations & Public Testimony

• Hispanic Heritage Month: Councilman Aguirre presented the proclamation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the Latino community. Councilwoman Greene noted engagement from high school students. The council unanimously approved.
• International Domestic Workers Day: Councilman Aguirre presented the proclamation highlighting state labor protections. Rosalia Fajardo, Executive President of the Board of Directors of Timia, accepted on behalf of domestic workers, noting the significance of the recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month. The council unanimously approved.

Discussion Items & City Council Reports

• Council Committee Reports: Members provided oral updates.
  • ARHA Work Group: Roy Priest has taken over as interim CEO, focusing on structural inspection reports and a resident meeting scheduled for September 24.
  • School Board Ad Hoc Committee (Election Reform): Councilman Aguirre and Councilwoman Marks reported hurdles on board size and staggering. Consensus moved toward implementing four-year terms in 2033 without an emergency clause due to legislative difficulty. Scenarios are being developed.
  • Transportation & Environment: Vice Mayor Bagley reported the region is not on track for 2030/2050 climate goals despite emissions declines. Mayor Gaskins reported on a VRE/DRPT feasibility study for consolidating regional transit, raising concerns about neighborhood impacts. VRE faces budget challenges transitioning from federal commuter to regional rail.
  • Mayor's Update: Requested council support to explore a Friendship City agreement with Osijek, Croatia.

City Manager's Oral Reports

• City Hall Renovation (Jeremy McPike & Janine Khatab): Discovery of extensive hidden asbestos in wall systems led to a $3 million cost increase and a ten-week delay. Demolition is progressing toward garage demolition and geothermal well installation. Historic discoveries, like an 1870s playbill, were found and will be preserved.
• Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Out of School Time Program (Hashim Taylor): Summer 2026 saw 2,525 participants (11% increase over 2025). Financial assistance was provided to 1,098 families. The program is 95% staffed (74% return rate). The waitlist was capped at 10 per site for manageability. The "Where You Belong" campaign is rolling out at five centers. Discussion covered registration systems, climate adaptation, and reaching unserved families.
• Bond Rating: The City Manager announced Moody's and Standard & Poor's awarded the city the highest possible bond rating (AAA), noting the city's rating places it above the U.S. sovereign rating. Mayor Gaskins highlighted the rigorous review process and the importance of fiscal discipline.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Fourth Quarter Capital Projects Status Report.
• Council retroactively approved a grant application to NOAA and accepted a $1,031,000 award for an Energy Self-Sufficient Emergency Shelter System. (Approved unanimously via roll call vote)

Key Outcomes and Decisions

• Amendment to Council Procedural Resolution (Item 14): DEFERRED to December 2026. The council considered a resolution incorporating the Citizen Participation Policy and Public Hearing Protocol to set time limits and decorum rules (no personal attacks, disruptive devices or conduct). Following extensive debate on defining "personal attacks" and "campaigning" vs. "election-related speech," a motion by Councilman Al Newby (seconded by Councilwoman Greene) to defer the item for staff to refine the language was approved. The City Attorney stated absolute definitions are legally complex.
• Council Schedule: Approved the FY2027 Look-Ahead Schedule and the September-December 2026 calendar, including an update to the November meeting dates.
• Closed Session: Council convened in closed executive session at 9:56 PM under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) and (A)(8) to discuss personnel performance, salaries, and legal consultation. Reconvening at 11:30 PM, the council adopted Resolution No. 3403.
• Meeting Adjourned at 11:32 PM.