City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: EMILY BAKER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of Resolution to Authorize the City to Enter into a Vehicle Lease Agreement for the Provision of DOT Paratransit Services
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to lease City-owned vehicles to vendors contracted for paratransit and related transportation services.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a vehicle lease agreement with the contracted service vendor for the DOT Paratransit Program enabling the City to provide City owned vehicles for the operation of the DOT Paratransit Program and related transportation services.
BACKGROUND: The DOT Paratransit Program is currently operated by WeDriveU, a long-standing vendor with decades of experience delivering transportation services for the City. This extensive partnership ensures that DOT riders benefit from a provider deeply familiar with the program's goals, operations, and rider needs. Currently, WeDriveU operates the service using vendor-owned vehicles. While this model enables service delivery, it contributes to higher operational costs, as the vendor incorporates vehicle financing, depreciation, and overhead into the service rate.
At present, the City does not typically provide vehicles directly to contracted vendors, and any arrangement to lease City-owned vehicles to a vendor requires City Council approval. Establishing a framework to allow for such leasing arrangements would support cost efficiencies, improve asset oversight, and contribute to long-term sustainability of the progra...
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