City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: GLORIA SITTON, CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF COUNCIL
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Article A (GENERAL PROVISIONS) of Chapter 4 (COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) of Title 2 (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend the General Provisions governing Committees, Boards, and Commissions.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
DISCUSSION: The City Council Subcommittee on Boards and Commissions convened in 2025 to review the process of creating and restructuring existing boards and commissions, while making recommendations on the viability and necessity of all active boards and commissions. As part of this review, the Subcommittee recommended adding to the General Provisions governing Committees, Boards, and Commissions a definition for “young adult member”; establishing a one-year term limit for high school students appointed to committees; increasing the term limit for reappointment to any committee to 12 consecutive years; permitting city council to waive term limits for designated committee members upon written nomination from the respective body; removing excused absences for committee members; revising the disciplinary process; and establishing regular trainings for staff liaisons, chairs, and other members to familiarize them with rules and best practices for committees.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance change.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1. Information on Proposed Ordinance
Attachment 2. Proposed Ordinance
STAFF:
Councilman Canek Aguirre
Councilman John Taylor Chapman
Gloria Sitton, City Clerk and Clerk of Council
Keia Waters, Deputy City Clerk
David E. Lanier, Assistant City Attorney
Dana Wedeles, Strategic Initiatives Officer