Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Alexandria City Council held its legislative meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The meeting began with a Landmark Community Development Authority Board meeting at 6:00 PM, followed by an executive session from 6:16 PM to 7:02 PM to discuss the investment of public funds. The open session included proclamations, oral reports, consent agenda approval, individual action items, contested appointments, and calendar updates. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Landmark CDA minutes and amended Special Assessment Roll (annual assessment revenue requirement for 2026 is zero).
• Approved the electronic participation resolution (RES. NO. 3404).
• Approved the consent items (12-20) by roll-call vote, including:
  • Receipt of resignations from eight board/commission members.
  • Uncontested appointments to various boards and commissions.
  • Approval of meeting minutes for September 8, September 19, September 22, and October 2, 2026.
  • Authorization for a VDSS Refugee Social Services grant of $500,000 to DCHS.
  • Adoption of resolution supporting a World Wildlife Fund Catalyst Grant application for Food Smart Alexandria ($500,000 in grant funding requested).
  • Authorization of retroactive grant renewal for the Virginia Department of Education At-Risk After School Meal Program for FY2027.
  • Authorization of a grant application to DCJS for $400,000 (with 25% match) for domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking prevention programming.
  • Receipt of the monthly financial report for August 2026.
  • Approval on first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 13-1-3 (night illumination) and scheduling it for public hearing and final passage.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public oral comments were received during the meeting. Individuals were recognized during proclamation presentations.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Council presented proclamations recognizing the Ben Brenman Award honorees (Friends of Frederick Douglass Memorial Cemetery and Social Responsibility Group), the 40th anniversary of Tenants and Workers United, and October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Recipients and council members spoke on the significance of each recognition.
• Council Committee Reports: Council members reported on recent meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), Eisenhower Partnership Board of Directors, Citizens Corp Council, and COG committees (Chesapeake Bay Water Resources and Policy Committee and Food and Agricultural Regional Member Policy Committee). Key points included continued discussion on lithium-ion battery safety; the 10th anniversary of NVTC's Commuter Choice program (which has invested $218 million, saved 2 million hours of traffic and $26 million at the pump); and updates on VRE budget and the upcoming Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT) consolidation study.
• Council General Updates: Councilman Elnoubi requested guidance to the City Manager to convene a work group on lithium-ion battery disposal, citing safety risks and lack of clear disposal options. This received consensus from council, with suggestions to include storage and charging guidance. Councilman Aguirre and Vice Mayor Bagley highlighted the upcoming DRPT public engagement session on October 21, 2026, regarding bus consolidation. Council members also reported on various community events.
• State of the Economy (AEDP Presentation): The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership presented its mid-year market report. Highlights: 2,791 jobs created, 650,000 sq ft retained or occupied, 27 active projects. Office vacancy declined from 21.6% to 18.8%, though net absorption remains negative at -160,000 sq ft. Potomac Yard has zero office vacancy but no new space available, leading to lost prospects. The innovation ecosystem received $4.13 million in competitive state grants. Council discussed challenges in Carlisle and Potomac Yard, the shift to smaller, amenitized office spaces, and the need to preserve flexible industrial/warehouse spaces.
• State of ALEX911 (DEC Report): Director Renee Gordon presented the state of the 911 center. Call volume: 80,000 911 calls in FY23, 72,000 so far in FY26, total call volume of 311,000. 94% of calls were answered within 15 seconds. Gordon highlighted DEC's accomplishments as the first CALEA-accredited 911 center in the region and its innovative practices. Council members praised Gordon's leadership and the department's culture as she prepares to retire at the end of October.
• Individual Action Items: The appointment of a viewer for 406-408 E. Alexandria Avenue was tabled indefinitely as the issue had become moot. Council adopted a resolution establishing a Friendship City relationship with Osijek, Croatia (RES. NO. 3407), with plans to convene a task force.

Key Outcomes

• Task Force Authorized: Council gave consensus to the City Manager to form a work group on lithium-ion battery disposal, handling, and public guidance.
• Friendship City Established: Resolution adopted unanimously (7-0) to enter into a Friendship City Agreement with Osijek, Croatia, and convene a task force.
• Viewer Appointment Tabled: The appointment for viewer for 406-408 E. Alexandria Avenue was tabled indefinitely (7-0).
• Contested Appointments: Council appointed individuals to 16 boards and commissions after roll-call votes. Noteworthy appointments included Holly Davis (Commission for Women), Denise Wright (Commission on Aging - older persons representative), Robert Moore (Park and Recreation Commission), and Lori Hughes (Public Health Advisory Commission).
• Calendar Approved: Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Look-Ahead Schedule and official calendar, with additions for the DRPT hearing (October 21) and Croatian Embassy event (October 19).