Amanda Hamm

The City Council conducted an annual stockholders meeting with the Alexandria Transit Company. Council recognized Senior Nutrition Programs Month through a proclamation and received updates from the City Manager regarding FIFA planning, public safety statistics, storm event after-action reports, and waterfront flood mitigation. Key actions included the approval of several grant applications for hate crime combatting, emergency management resiliency, and educational training, as well as providing financial support to Housing Alexandria for rental subsidies and construction projects. Additionally, Council adopted the Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community 2026-2029 and reviewed the upcoming City Council calendar.

The City Council adopted an electronic participation resolution, endorsed proclamations recognizing Arab American Heritage Month and Alcohol Awareness Month, and received oral reports regarding various boards, commissions, and the Potomac River Generating Station site. Council authorized grant applications for the USDA Summer Food Service Program and the Adopt-A-Park Litter Control Program, introduced an ordinance regarding government support for Fiscal Year 2026, and approved the issuance of revenue bonds for the Ladrey Project rehabilitation. Additionally, the Council approved the five-year consolidated plan for housing and community development and updated the City Council meeting schedule.

The City Council conducted a special meeting to adopt the budget. Key actions included the final passage of ordinances regarding real and personal property tax rates for 2026, setting parking citation penalty fees, increasing the Stormwater Utility Fee, raising various public safety and fire prevention fees, and adjusting the Business, Professional, and Occupational License tax rate. Additionally, resolutions were adopted to update fee schedules for the Office of Historic Alexandria, the Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, as well as an increase in parking meter and pay-by-phone rates. Finally, the City Council adopted the annual operating budget for FY 2027 and the Capital Improvement Program for FY 2027-2036.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing addressing several agenda items. Key discussions included the adoption of the FY2027 meeting schedule, approval of new street name requests, and consideration of multiple development special use permits, including residential projects on Elbert Avenue, Eisenhower Avenue, and North Lee Street. Additionally, the commission vacated portions of public rights-of-way, provided advisory recommendations to the City Manager regarding the FY2027-2036 Capital Improvement Program, and initiated a zoning text amendment concerning commercial uses and zoning regulations.

The Board of Architectural Review considered and approved several alteration and demolition requests, including projects at 214 and 216 South Peyton Street, 913 South Alfred Street, 632 North Columbus Street, and 330 North Washington Street. Additionally, the Board conducted concept reviews for properties at 330 North Washington Street and 1019 Cameron Street. A discussion on Fiber Cement was postponed. A lengthy list of administrative approvals for various home and commercial property improvements, such as window, signage, fence, siding, and roof replacements, was also presented.