[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6318076,"mediaKeyId","2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4","parentId",2368087,"title","Council approves appointments, stipend funding and other items; vending ordinance passes first reading","audioSeconds",3563,"startMs",1626000,"endMs",5189000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4&start=1626&end=5189","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4/thumbnail_1626000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318076/Alexandria-City-Independent/Virginia/Council-approves-appointments-stipend-funding-and-other-items-vending-ordinance-passes-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318076-16daf163830796611086007bbbfaf594/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192979&Signature=o-z5SfBXivtdg1oqM6wW3mmJBqQMGY18Q~taLHdvQtLvKe6rW5xZKUIrUfpgQwLNlkwBmTvLFYJSuD~RT~KNJNsUhfHqKvz0EvP61QJagGUSm0M-oPds9UMuC-SE8WPyTKEoLfdjISVyNMSBmhqWH3i9-PEKnmpdDCuM3ALYXOHZrgAG~gBXbsBaUYY8ZF3XHMAUWR~BrBvJomzphhTwrzwBbmXSpj6VvsmzyxRX2cIytJARUaDwT2n~c-EdEsb4vWCQLU~4o5o-E~bX6~k-lr06HWT7rjCnP1nZpOKHwF26qHMOluEEcQDGOmCjLsNmg6xK0dxtrkSEzKMtzw1wZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Alexandria","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Several formal votes and roll-call actions were taken during the Alexandria City Council's February legislative meeting. This summary lists each action, outcomes, and key context.

Votes at a glance:

- Approval of meeting minutes: Council approved minutes from meetings in January (motion by Councilmember Chapman; second by Councilwoman Green). Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Proclamation: Council approved a proclamation declaring February George Washington birthday celebration month (motion by Vice Mayor Bagley; second by Councilman McPike). Outcome: approved by voice vote; ceremonial.

- Consent calendar and pulled item: Council approved Consent Calendar items 6 through 9 with the exception of 7(h). Outcome: consent calendar approved.

- Deferral of Independent Community Policing Review Board vacancy (item 7h): Vice Mayor Bagley moved to defer filling the vacancy until May to allow related ordinance work to be completed; council approved the deferral. Outcome: deferred to May legislative meeting.

- Contested appointments: Council approved majority vote winners for multiple boards and commissions by roll call. Notable appointees include Anitra Endro to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Jillian Macaroni to the Community Criminal Justice Board, Perrin Crisco to the Environmental Policy Commission, Diane Fox and Anne Vaughn to the Library Board, and Robert Dube and Holly Lineham to the Planning Commission. Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Allocation of stipend contingency funds: Council approved allocating $5,000 in contingency funds to create a stipend program for students serving on city boards and commissions. Program details described by staff: eligible students must be enrolled in secondary, trade school, college or graduate programs; annual income not exceeding $5,000 (student loans excluded); stipend $25 per meeting up to 10 meetings, paid on verified attendance. Motion: Councilmember McPike; second: Councilwoman Green. Outcome: approved.

- Receipt of 2025 real property assessments: Council voted to receive the Office of Real Estate Assessments' 2025 assessment report. Motion: Vice Mayor Bagley; second: Councilmember McPike. Outcome: motion carried.

- Long-range work program: Council received the FY2026'027 draft long-range planning interdepartmental work program and asked staff to return in late spring with a final draft. Outcome: received; direction to staff.

- Ordinance authorizing temporary on-street vending (first reading): Council passed on first reading an ordinance to temporarily designate on-street parking spaces in the 3800 block of Mount Vernon Avenue for vending; the item was scheduled for public hearing and final passage on Feb. 22, 2025. Motion by Councilman Aguirre; second by Vice Mayor Bagley. Outcome: ordinance passed on first reading.

- Resolutions supporting regional grant applications: Council adopted resolutions supporting grant applications to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) for the Transportation Land Use Connections program and the Regional Roadway Safety Program. Motion by Councilmember McPike; second by Councilmember Chapman. Outcome: adopted by roll call (ayes recorded for all council members present).

- Council schedule: Council approved the city council meeting schedule (motion by Vice Mayor Bagley; second by Councilmember Chapman). Outcome: approved.

Procedural notes: Roll-call votes were recorded for contested appointments and the COG resolutions. Several items were approved by voice vote where no roll call was requested. Where staff provided program details (for example the student stipend proposal), the council approved the funding allocation and asked staff to administer the program per the eligibility criteria above.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Legislative Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its February meeting, Alexandria City Council approved board and commission appointments, allocated $5,000 in contingency funds for student stipends, received the 2025 property assessments, passed an ordinance on first reading to permit temporary vending on Mount Vernon Avenue, and adopted resolutions supporting COG grant applications.","taxTitle","Alexandria City (Independent), Virginia","taxId",5798,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318080,"Council subcommittee seeks data on DASH bus use as potential school-transport option for ACPS high school students",90,1020000,1110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4&start=1020&end=1110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","/articles/6318080/Alexandria-City-Independent/Virginia/Council-subcommittee-seeks-data-on-DASH-bus-use-as-potential-school-transport-option-for-ACPS-high-school-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318080-5a310be11d43f6582a2c7deb1c28aa61/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192979&Signature=W6j6Y5eAhyyejaSi7xHlCpBQZJNBWK~DDzqY1iWgaoLZs66FhotiwNhu1wRMU-8rgsuckrU0sOL~sAT8uH7ELcsBWF5bBOVsTd64XoENjspMYt5qE1lpR2gQh4Akdel1Y5-fqVDAz1Zso0~82dR6gvuaJwk18gRnRmBWkQ8aF41e~M5CfNa1PAbudmMZ10bPDP2pqg-s0EiYAl1a78KBdNTZ68wGtvkPC8OgKAJ3~ZzH~5Oq~c4xO0A6B08qYeAfPhllK5iw8W8j2qrxWzTs-sgqVzbSjmy~NQal14~n~HHlp~BoCTNSqqUsUMQRenuWrtLfvUbF~z9JEU0UwIWk5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alexandria City Schools Subcommittee told the City Council that it will collect ridership, safety and cost data over the next several months to evaluate whether city-run DASH buses could be used to transport Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) high school students.

\"The memo did not make a decision, it did not make a recommendation, there was no vote,\" Mayor Aaliyah Gaskins said, summarizing last month's memo and explaining the subcommittee's approach. \"Instead, it really asked for how can we get the data we need in order to make an informed decision between our two bodies.\"

What staff will do: The subcommittee agreed to a three-part information program. Month one will provide route, utilization and ridership data for DASH and ACPS buses. Month two will examine safety considerations. Month three will review maintenance, labor and cost data to allow joint recommendation development to full council and the school board.

Why it matters: Using existing transit to carry students could affect ACPS operations, city transit scheduling, cost allocations and student safety. Council members emphasized the request for data before any policy shift; no policy decision was made at the meeting.

Next step: The subcommittee will receive the first tranche of data this month and continue staggered briefings as staff compiles the requested information; council and ACPS will use the data to determine any changes to transportation services.

","The City Schools Subcommittee and staff mapped a three-month program to collect data on DASH, ACPS school-bus ridership, safety and cost factors to determine whether city transit could supplement high-school transportation; no decision was made.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318085,"Northern Virginia Transportation Authority changes left Alexandria projects unfunded, mayor says",115,901000,1016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4&start=901&end=1016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4/thumbnail_901000.jpg","/articles/6318085/Alexandria-City-Independent/Virginia/Northern-Virginia-Transportation-Authority-changes-left-Alexandria-projects-unfunded-mayor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318085-216bc3d5a4b968e78cc2db988b0a1ed5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192979&Signature=eemhYZn7zoMtLzbN70B3bFUULG0A9iuG8lClt~0jV~GRV4WRVZ~qUgAZ49o7imqKqZa4XJUSXJ5fZz-IVaF4l9ilCwF4d3Z2Wy5AMWO1Z6-NMt4dzS~pZAkMVcJsQnxy-LPPNDunHqzQZ10tgL23Wa3dl1TBAt9GJg~ClDEirADdLJ03JhIrZRX78nSGA~W54~87AV4ZaCiy1e9q4XcDH8pp7pRhf9-PTcfiib6gk-ENEChFPbYHKO915ak-o5Upnh0dy9sLFjQXLExy2ESMNJq0IRsChVONrgsiaG3bhAL4o2VlIOIFp1-EAcN2DC9pFxr7IeN4OnTR7cFXpMBa8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexandria projects seeking state Smart Scale transportation grants were not funded under recent funding rounds, Mayor Aaliyah Gaskins told the Alexandria City Council during reports from members on boards and commissions.

\"We submitted for up to $20,000,000 and did not receive that funding,\" Gaskins said, referring to the King Street Bradley safety and mobility enhancement request. She added that the city submitted up to $25,000,000 for Eisenhower Avenue and Van Dorn Street improvements and likewise did not receive funding.

Why it matters: Smart Scale is Virginia's primary competitive program for major transportation investments. Regional formula changes and a cost-benefit approach that does not fully capture Northern Virginia construction costs, council members said, contributed to the results.

Council reaction and context: Gaskins said Northern Virginia Transportation Authority members spent substantial meeting time identifying how the new formula disadvantages the region, especially given higher local construction costs. She said the bulk of Smart Scale awards in the last round went to Richmond and Hampton Roads despite congestion conditions in Northern Virginia.

Next steps: Council members said Northern Virginia jurisdictions will continue to provide feedback about the formula and seek ways to advocate for adjustments; no specific council action was taken at the meeting.

Ending: Mayor Gaskins said the NVTA discussion also included updates on General Assembly activity and bylaws housekeeping; she encouraged staff and council to coordinate on follow-up advocacy efforts for future funding rounds.

","Mayor Aaliyah Gaskins told council that adjustments to the state Smart Scale funding formula shifted awards away from Northern Virginia, leaving Alexandria projects for King Street and Eisenhower/Van Dorn without the requested grants.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318090,"Alexandria releases draft FY2026-27 long-range planning work program covering Duke Street, parks, housing and flood resilience",810,4460000,5270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4&start=4460&end=5270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4/thumbnail_4460000.jpg","/articles/6318090/Alexandria-City-Independent/Virginia/Alexandria-releases-draft-FY2026-27-long-range-planning-work-program-covering-Duke-Street-parks-housing-and-flood-resilience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318090-01d9dc5891e027c97e4f44e22543a19d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192979&Signature=GIdBrhFWNVUjNBeXV8GsTp0vjD6UmLGt7iZHosQO5cyDR4JNkQwkvPd5I0FwyGngGkpQTPnWlqycPcL4uA2ALySPUmfurGdKMxu0u-vvX7VYohzv7fX9MQeCf6WqIpYHI-av9x2O0ocxFyfFdWf1lWVfcPERAvSDVXgj4wwo0UaoZ3yPEA1oLaQsuRVkausg-Egvmx21TseRWebbT0fcENXYniDESrdxxCCDB3Q9QJz8S~O3c~HpcL7vbVQ15b2KpI2v1c3MDJfi9L0lxnX6cpgz6ziqbTst3pQ5WW2grOUW56-KiMdUJdpvlWIDMdVkRvWVTrswxgUuOhzOlI01lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft FY2026'027 long-range planning interdepartmental work program to the Alexandria City Council, outlining a multi-department schedule of planning, community engagement, and implementation steps across housing, transportation, parks, environment and zoning.

\"We're going for this item. We're going to do a quick summary and background go over the actual work program with some highlights for each of the topic areas,\" said Carrie Beach of the Department of Planning and Zoning as staff introduced the packet. The presentation covered projects ranging from the Duke Street corridor plan to a parks-and-recreation master-plan update and an urban forestry plan update.

Why it matters: The work program sets staff priorities and timelines that feed into the city's capital and operating budgets and guides public engagement on major land-use and infrastructure changes over the next two fiscal years.

Key initiatives and timing: Staff highlighted several marquee efforts:
- Duke Street corridor planning: internal preparation and stakeholder outreach are under way; formal launch anticipated May'June to align with a multimodal design and transitway work.
- Parks and Recreation Master Plan and an Urban Forestry Master Plan update: both to be refreshed and coordinated with new GIS open-space inventories and the citywide parks plan.
- Housing master-plan update (Housing 2040): a housing needs assessment has begun; staff plan a March 18 community meeting and intend to bring a package of actionable items this year with a possible Part 2 next year.
- Flood Action Alexandria work, Flood Resilience Plan and Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase 3 actions: Transportation & Environmental Services will lead resilience planning and code amendments to Article 13 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance for resource protection areas.
- River Renew and Orinoco outfall remediation progress reports: project timelines noted, including an extension of River Renew implementation to July 1, 2026 and anticipated substantial completion in April 2026.

Staff stressed cross-department coordination: the presentation emphasized a coordinated approach for construction in Lower King Street to reduce disruption to businesses and visitors and to ensure public safety and consistent communications during construction.

Council feedback sought: Council members asked about federal funding uncertainty, coordination with WMATA on transit-station joint development, school facility planning coordination with Alexandria City Public Schools, and how resident-survey priorities informed the work program. Staff said they would return with more detailed timelines and, where appropriate, proposals for added outreach or cross-agency studies.

Ending: Staff will take council direction and return with a final draft of the work program in late spring (May or June) to reflect council guidance and budget constraints.

","City staff presented a draft two-year interdepartmental work program prioritizing the Duke Street plan, parks and recreation updates, urban forestry, housing master-plan actions, flood resilience measures, and lower King Street construction coordination.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318094,"Alexandria 2025 real property assessments show modest 2.57% tax base increase driven by residential gains",2551,1921000,4472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4&start=1921&end=4472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368087-ab5692bef7b29bd7d2122a9e31227ff4/thumbnail_1921000.jpg","/articles/6318094/Alexandria-City-Independent/Virginia/Alexandria-2025-real-property-assessments-show-modest-257-tax-base-increase-driven-by-residential-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318094-d736e81077f4e14c5b73b7072bcc0853/orig.mp4?Expires=1776192979&Signature=BntNUhE7bIhAiJrI9m38QQQxmTcFEAevaBY8CZWztRpRshPXjJT-A5azqSYug1wLxnt9gVrOiyb-emJc71u4GCaao-4Co07NX0ZYA4v8Dw8fpiML~qhYcJtMtQXhYv33iYSQyCFlvk~CldCPQtOcDy6BDOkluINsbcy7haov2ccnauV3yhPcsasQu0LtcrANWf45Cc~FVRTNNuDcecpWNvdt4EzzmegPrcK0jlsDTgxJl6yxoE~mJdk-LBsKsd6LHz0KZyX~Ij5UiduyTgYKs~v2-JsTUhJH42uPQ4D2gyDg0RtE511Mz2rUnlRjKfhEC2llzUBG79DVqvNQolf4~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alexandria Office of Real Estate Assessments reported that the city's total taxable assessments increased 2.57% for tax year 2025, driven chiefly by residential appreciation, staff told the Alexandria City Council during its February legislative meeting.

\"Not to bury the lead, which is that the total taxable assessments increased the tax base by 2.57% from 2024,\" said Ann Win Mills, appraiser supervisor in the Office of Real Estate Assessments, as she summarized the office's findings. Residential values rose 4.55%, while the commercial tax base fell $156 million, the presentation said.

Why it matters: Assessment totals determine the property tax base that funds city services and capital projects. Council members asked about which property classes changed and what owners should do if they disagree with their notice.

What staff said: Mills and other assessment staff walked through drivers of the change. The residential tax base added about $1.4 billion in value, with condominium assessments up 6.04% and single-family values up about 4.1%. New construction added roughly $363.9 million to the base; multifamily rental properties showed another $188 million in new construction value but an overall decline in multifamily market value compared with prior years.

Mills explained the apartment declines reflected investor market conditions, not a simple change in rents: \"Rental rates are... only one component of that apartment valuation,\" she said. She cited higher financing costs and investor risk calculations as key reasons buyers are paying less for apartment properties despite local rent pressures.

Commercial outlook and projects: Staff said office values continue a multi-year decline (office values down about 10.28% year over year), while hotel values improved this cycle. They noted several large projects that contributed to new growth in 2025, including completed multifamily buildings in Potomac Yard and projects at Landmark and Eisenhower areas still under construction.

Appeals and next steps: Property owners who want to contest their assessment have two stages: a review (form and documentation due by March 17) and, if needed, an appeal to the independent Board of Equalization (appeal paperwork generally due June 2 this year because June 1 falls on a Sunday). Mills said staff will help taxpayers with forms and that the office phone line and property search site provide property-specific detail.

Council questions focused on medians versus averages, neighborhood differences, and whether non-locally assessed properties (railroads, utilities) are examined; staff said those properties are assessed by state bodies but that local assessments inform that work. Council also asked about the state's new tax-relief provisions; staff said the April 15 filing deadline for elderly and disabled tax relief remains the working date but that staff will work with eligible residents beyond that date as needed.

Ending: Council voted to receive the report for 2025 assessments during the meeting. Staff urged property owners with questions to start with the Office of Real Estate Assessments and provided review and appeal deadlines on the city website.

","City staff presented the city's 2025 real property assessment report, saying total taxable assessments rose 2.57% year over year, largely because of residential appreciation. Staff outlined appeal deadlines and explained commercial declines tied to investor financing and apartment market pressures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves appointments, stipend funding and other items; vending ordinance passes first reading

Council subcommittee seeks data on DASH bus use as potential school-transport option for ACPS high school students

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority changes left Alexandria projects unfunded, mayor says

Alexandria releases draft FY2026-27 long-range planning work program covering Duke Street, parks, housing and flood resilience

Alexandria 2025 real property assessments show modest 2.57% tax base increase driven by residential gains