City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 8, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CHERAN C. IVERY, CITY ATTORNEY
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Designate Temporary City Council Chambers.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to Designate Temporary City Council Chambers.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND: Alexandria City Hall is scheduled to undergo renovations beginning in January 2026. The current city council chambers located within City Hall will not be useable during the renovations; therefore, city council meetings must temporarily relocate. 4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305 has been identified as a suitable location for the temporary relocation of city council chambers during the City Hall renovations.
Section 3.08 of the Charter of the City of Alexandria permits city council to hold regular and special meetings at any suitable location in the city. However, Section 3.08 of the Charter and Section 2-1-43 and 2-1-44 of the Code of the City of Alexandria also note that whenever a regular or special meeting is held at a location other than at city council chambers, notice of the time and location of any such meeting shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city at least five days prior to the meeting. Complying with this level of notice for every regular and special meeting of city council for the duration of the renovations is administratively and financially onerous.
Therefore, the attached resolution designates 4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305 as city council chambers for the duration of the renovation of City Hall or until otherwise changed by resolution. Adoption of the resolution negates the need to provide the additional level of notice required by Section 3.08 of the Charter and Section 2-1-43 and 2-1-44 of the Code of the City of Alexandria for regular and special meetings held at 4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305. Notice otherwise required by the Charter, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700, et seq.), or other sources of law will still be provided, as applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact currently.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution to Designate Temporary City Council Chambers.
STAFF:
Cheran Cordell Ivery, City Attorney
David Lanier, Assistant City Attorney.