The City Council has set priorities for moving forward this year (city council meetings resume in September) and into next year.
The first priority is recovering from COVID-19. The pandemic isn't over yet — Virginia will cross 2 million documented cases today since tracking began and 13 Alexandrians have died from it this summer — Alexandria is looking ahead. "We will advance the policies, practices, and resources needed to ensure a healthy, resilient, and equitable recovery for all residents and businesses," according to the city council's 2022 priorities page.
Other priorities are to Provide Diverse Housing Opportunities — "We will facilitate an Alexandria housing economy that provides the necessary range of price points, safe and sustainable housing options, and the associated services to meet the needs of a thriving city." The city's own indicator dashboard shows the ongoing struggles with this, including a number of dedicated affordable housing units and dedicated workforce housing that is far below their goals.
Another priority may change how city council receives feedback from residents. The city is prioritizing ways to "Define Our Community Engagement Approach." The priority calls on city officials to "Use both new and traditional outreach methods to ensure that engagement is efficient, effective and accessible to all stakeholders, creating a clear connection between community input and its effects on policy decision, infrastructure needs and financial considerations."
The remaining three priorities are
- Support Youth and Families (which the city says is one of many reasons to install stadium lights at local athletic fields). That priority calls for city officials to "Explore ways to expand academic, social and emotional services and physical support to all youth during out-of-school hours."
- Foster Economic Development — "Seek out and consider budgetary, land use, regulatory and other economic development tools to foster sustainable and equitable development, diversify revenue and allow greater investment in our infrastructure."
- Develop a Compensation Philosophy — "Establish a new compensation philosophy to ensure we are the preferred workplace of choice and that employees feel valued."
More information about the priorities is available through alexandriava.gov/city-council/city-council-2022-priorities.
