City Council | ALXnow

City Councilman Seifeldein quits meeting after argument with mayor

Published March 24, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated March 24, 2021 at 2:35PM

Updated at 2:30 p.m. — City Councilman Mo Seifeldein abruptly left Tuesday night’s Council meeting after a brief argument with Mayor Justin Wilson.

The argument took place during the public comment portion of the meeting. Seifeldein wanted to question Allison and Greg Ricketts about their concerns that their home is being damaged due to construction at the Sunrise of Old Town assisted living facility. The couple say that the city’s Department of Code Enforcement issued the facility with a certificate of occupancy, while necessary repairs to their property are ignored.

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New federal funding could help combat flooding, among other city priorities

By Vernon Miles

Published March 24, 2021 at 10:30AM

Flooding at Prince St. and The Strand in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In the latest adaptation of Brewster’s Millions, Alexandria is sorting through how to make the most of $59.4 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding coming to the city over the next two years with an emphasis on not leaving a penny unspent.

The challenge for Alexandria is sorting through some ill-defined language. According to the city, funding can be allocated in the following ways:

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 24, 2021 at 5:00AM

Arlington Approves Agreement with Alexandria To Dredge Four Mile Run — “The dredging — which will remove built-up sediment and debris from the bottom of the waterway — is expected to cost about $3.6 million, with each jurisdiction paying about $1.8 million. The project is expected to get under way in the late summer or early fall, and will take approximately four months, Aileen Winquist of Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services tells ARLnow.” [ARLnow]

Timothy Guy Named Bishop Ireton High School Principal — “Being a part of the Bishop Ireton community as a teacher has been a true blessing, and I am delighted to be selected as the next principal.” [Zebra]

News

Flight attendant Annetta Catchings running for Alexandria mayor as a Republican

By James Cullum

Published March 23, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated March 24, 2021 at 9:43AM

Annetta Catchings moved to Alexandria last August and now she’s running for mayor as a Republican.

“I’m very confident that I could be the mayor of Alexandria,” Catchings told ALXnow. “I think I have a lot to offer.”

News

Bennett-Parker says Grandmother, not campaign for Delegate, behind move to 45th District in December

By James Cullum

Published March 22, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated March 22, 2021 at 1:24PM

Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker says she’s been serving residents of the 45th District for the last three years, and that she didn’t consider politics when moving into the district in December.

Bennett-Parker said that she moved with her 99-year-old grandmother, her husband and cat to the 45th District in December after her grandmother fell two times. The following month, she announced she was running for the seat, which is currently held held by Del. Mark Levine as he runs for Virginia Lieutenant Governor.

News

Police review board moves forward, but questions about confidentiality remain

By Vernon Miles

Published March 22, 2021 at 10:30AM

The city is gradually ironing out the details for what could become a police review board that reshapes some of the community engagement with local law enforcement.

The proposed Community Policing Review Board will be a “civilian body may receive, investigate and issue findings on complaints from civilians regarding conduct of law-enforcement officers and civilian employees of a law enforcement agency serving under local authority,” according to the city website.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2021 at 3:30PM

What a week in Alexandria.

Our top story this week was on a plan to install hanging gardens in the Carlyle neighborhood.

News

City lays out roadmap for stimulus plan

By Vernon Miles

Published March 19, 2021 at 10:50AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Like a lot of Americans, Alexandria is working on figuring out how to put its upcoming stimulus checks to good use.

The City of Alexandria is preparing to receive around $59.4 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the city is currently working through how and where to put that money to use.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2021 at 5:00AM

City Council to condemn bigotry against Asian Americans — “On Tuesday evening Council will be considering a resolution condemning the disturbing rise in anti-Asian American bigotry and violence in our country. We stand with our Alexandria AAPI community and we will continue to work to #StopAsianHate” [Twitter]

Total Wine store might be coming to Alexandria — “The typical Total Wine & More store carries more than 8,000 different wines from every wine-producing region in the world. The typical Total Wine & More also carries more than 2,500 beers, from America’s most popular brands to hard-to-find microbrews and imports, and more than 3,000 different spirits in every style and price range.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Unions sign off on City Council collective bargaining proposal

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2021 at 4:45PM | Updated March 18, 2021 at 9:44PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

In a major reversal, Alexandria’s unions are pleased with the direction City Council took on establishing a collective bargaining ordinance at its meeting on Wednesday night.

Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker introduced amendments to the city’s manager’s proposed plan that expanded the scope of bargaining.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2021 at 5:00AM

Usain Bolt compliments Alexandria’s running phenom Noah Lyles — “He talks the talk, but I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s going to match up – because he’s proven that he has the speed, just throughout the circuit and the way he’s running.” [USA Today]

City Council votes against Braddock West development — “A request by West Street Acquisitions, LLC to build a large multifamily residential building across the street from the Braddock Road Metro Station were denied in a 4-3 vote by City Council on Saturday.” [Alexandria Living]