City of Alexandria, Virginia
MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: FELIPE HERNANDEZ, FIRE and EMS CHIEF /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of an Application for a FY 2026 Virginia Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant.
BODY
ISSUE: Whether the City should seek grant funding from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to enhance the electrical resilience of one of its primary emergency shelter sites.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the submission of a grant application for up to $450,000 in funding from the FY 26 Virginia Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant Fund.
BACKGROUND: The VDEM is seeking applications for the FY 2026 Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant. These funds shall be used to install, maintain, or repair permanent infrastructure related to backup energy generation for emergency shelters. We are seeking City Council approval to apply for these funds to enhance the electrical resilience of Charles Houston Recreation Center, one of the City’s two primary emergency shelters.
DISCUSSION: The City of Alexandria utilizes recreation centers as emergency shelters. Two of these centers are considered primary, with others designated as secondary shelters. None of the centers have installed generators or the capacity to quick-connect large mobile generators. This creates a potential issue if power goes out during an emergency or disaster. To address this gap, the City has initiated a project to enhance the electrical resilience of its primary shelters. Work is already underway to enhance the electrical resiliency of Patrick Henry Recreation Center using City funds allocated for this purpose. However, there are not enough funds budgeted to complete the work on the other primary emergency shelter. These grant funds will allow the City to perform vital work on the other primary emergency shelter to enhance its electrical resilience.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is a 36% cost share required with this grant, which will be met by City funds currently earmarked to perform the assessment and enhancement of electrical resilience at the City’s two primary emergency shelters. That cost share equates to $162,000 if the City is awarded the full amount of $450,000 in grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS: None
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Marc Barbiere, Emergency Management Coordinator
Haroun Hussain, Acting Deputy Director of Facilities
Laura Durham, Deputy Director of Recreation Services
Noah Abraham, Assistant Director, Center for Operations
Berline Lewis, Division Chief, Center for Operations
Julian Gonsalves, Assistant City Manager