City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 9, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MICHAEL MOON, INTERIM DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Program to implement the Phase 2 Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run Inlet Replacement and Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvements Capital Projects under the Flood Action Alexandria Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
______________________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Staff is requesting City Council approval to submit two grant applications to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as follows:
(1) A 50/50 matching grant application of up to $1,173,000 to fund the Phase 2 Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run Inlet Replacement project estimated at $2,346,000 to help mitigate flooding issues in Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run.
(2) A 50/50 matching grant application of up to $1,800,000 to fund the Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvements estimated at $3,600,000 to reduce flooding issues for the residents in the Valley Drive area from the intersection of Crestwood Drive south to Dogwood Drive.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the attached Resolution to support the Round 6 Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant applications; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to submit this Resolution and enter into any agreements that may be required to receive these funds should the requested allocations be approved.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), managed by DCR, was established to provide support for regions and localities across Virginia to reduce the impacts of flooding, including flooding driven by Climate Change. The CFPF prioritizes projects that are in concert with local, state, and federal floodplain management standards, local resilience plans, and the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The CFPF empowers communities to complete vulnerability assessments and develop and implement action-oriented approaches to bolster flood preparedness and resilience. DCR has organized five rounds of CFPF grant application submissions from localities and is preparing for a sixth. Staff is recommending submittal of Round 6 CFPF grant applications for design and construction of two capital projects under the Flood Action Alexandria Program.
DISCUSSION: Staff previously received City Council direction to submit CFPF grant applications under Round 5 for these projects. DCR indicated that the two grant applications were eligible to receive funding from CFPF; however, due to budget constraints, the Commonwealth awarded a loan for the projects instead of a grant. In discussions with City financial staff, it was determined that based on interest rates/structure, the loans would not prove to be financially advantageous to the City. Therefore, staff turned down the loan award. However, in discussion between City staff and DCR staff, DCR staff stated that the City could re-submit the projects during CFPF Round 6 and, depending on the funding availability and other eligible applications received, the projects may be re-considered for a grant.
The Phase 2 Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run Inlet Replacement project will include the design and construction of approximately 120 inlets that have been prioritized through previous work. The inlets will be either rebuilt or replaced to help mitigate flooding in Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run watersheds. Improving inlet capacity allows for more surface runoff to enter the pipe system -- which has adequate capacity -- and helps move more stormwater out of neighborhoods more quickly during flood events, thereby helping to mitigate flooding. The project will also consider the incorporation of nature-based solutions such as Green Infrastructure, where feasible.
Residents of Valley Drive and nearby residents have been experiencing damage to their houses from localized flooding on a frequent basis. Multiple residents reported in-home flooding due to water not captured by the existing inlets. The Valley Drive neighborhood is located between Crestwood Drive and Dogwood Drive to the north and south, and Ridge Road and Oakcrest Drive to the east and west, respectively. The City’s consultant assessed the current conditions and storm drain network in the neighborhood and determined that potential solutions may include enlargement of current curb inlets and rerouting the local storm drain system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If awarded by DCR, the grant would reimburse 50%, or up to $1,173,000 of the estimated $2,346,000 total project cost for the Phase 2 Four Mile Run and Hooffs Run Inlet Replacement, with the remainder of the project funded through prior year FY 2025 and future FY 2027 planned Stormwater Utility CIP funds.
An awarded CFPF grant for the Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project would also provide a 50% reimbursement match based of $1,800,000 for the estimated $3,600,000 total project cost, with the remainder of the project funded through FY 2026 Stormwater Utility CIP funds.
Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) is working with the Department of Project Implementation (DPI) to submit application materials by January 24, 2026. If Council does not approve this project for grant funding, this project would need to be wholly funded out of the City’s Storm Sewer System Spot Improvements program using FY 2025 - FY 2027 funds.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Morgan Routt, Director, OMB
Arthur Wicks, Capital Improvement Program Manager, OMB
Alicia Wright, Assistant Director, T&ES
Jesse E. Maines, Division Chief, Stormwater Management, T&ES