Paul Carpenter

The council introduced several ordinances including revisions to utility service termination during extreme weather, household hazardous waste services, the retirement and donation of a police K-9, and a cooperative endeavor agreement for a golf tournament. Resolutions were passed to appoint a member to the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority board, co-sponsor several community events and festivals, authorize bids for demolition and clearance of a parking garage site, authorize bids for various equipment and chemical additives, and take action on specific condemned structures during a public hearing.

The council held an executive session to address a legal dispute regarding Vanessa Moreno v. City of Alexandria. Several resolutions were adopted, authorizing advertisements for bids concerning electric distribution operating supplies, a full spectrum imaging system for the police department, electric meters and accessories, and operating chemicals for the wastewater department. Additionally, the council approved ordinances to accept bids for bulk fuel vehicles, janitorial services for wastewater and lab testing facilities, the settlement of the Vanessa Moreno litigation, and a professional service agreement for leadership training and recruitment resources for the police department.

The collective agendas primarily detail discussions and potential actions for multiple committees and the full City Council meeting scheduled for February 10, 2026. Key topics for the Legal Committee included reviewing the mayor's proposed city legislative package concerning public safety officers and expanding hearing officer authority for ordinance enforcement related to blighted properties. The Economic, Workforce and Planning Development Committee was set to hear from the President/CEO of Louisiana Central. The main Council meeting agenda included introducing ordinances for accepting low bids for bulk fuel vehicles and janitorial services, settling a legal matter with Vanessa Moreno, and executing a professional service agreement with Performance Protocol for police leadership training and recruitment. Resolutions covered authorizing advertisements for bids for various supplies (Wastewater, Gas, Cast/Ductile Iron), accepting improvements for The Reserve at North Park, Phase 1 Subdivision, and co-sponsoring several community events in April and March 2026, including the Lauren Vaughn 5-K. A public hearing was also proposed for March 24, 2026, regarding the condemnation of 26 structures.

The agenda for the Public Safety, Works and Transportation Committee meeting included hearing from Ms. Mayquie Jackson, Founder and CEO of Humanity2020 Group. The City Council meeting agenda featured an executive session to discuss the settlement recommendation from the City Attorney regarding the dispute in Vanessa Moreno v. City of Alexandria. Resolutions scheduled for authorization included advertising for bids for Electric Distribution operating supplies, Full Spectrum Imaging Systems for the Police Department, electric meters and accessories, and operating chemicals for the Wastewater Department. Ordinances set for final adoption subject to public hearing included authorizing the mayor to accept bids for bulk fuel vehicles and equipment, award a contract for janitorial services to Fresh Impression Cleaning Crew, authorize the settlement in the Vanessa Moreno case, and execute an agreement with Performance Protocol for police department leadership training.

The agenda for the Alexandria City Council meeting on January 13, 2026, covers multiple committee meetings and full council items. The Finance Committee plans to consider the final adoption of the 2025-2026 Major Budget Amendment. The Economic Workforce and Planning Development Committee will receive an update on the status of Blight Court. Full Council business includes introducing an ordinance to declare certain items surplus for a public auction scheduled for March 7, 2026. Resolutions are planned to co-sponsor a free youth symposium in March 2026 and a CPR Workshop in 2026. Ordinances for final adoption cover the acceptance of low bids for Playground Improvements and proposals for electric line worker services, utility customer service software upgrades, and Water Well Reclamation Project Professional Services. Final adoptions also involve an ordinance to declare surplus and authorize the sale of a tract of land adjacent to Industrial Port Road, and an ordinance rezoning property located at 1734 Albert Street.