During recent weeks, Alexandria has experienced violent thunderstorms, which have often wreaked havoc on our neighborhoods. The loss of hundreds of trees and extensive damage resulted in City employees working overtime to make sure trees, trash, and debris were removed from streets and neighborhoods. These efforts were recently recognized by the Del Ray Civic Association.

In a rare special summer meeting, the Alexandria City Council met last Thursday night to approve City Manager Jim Hartmann’s Aug. 5, State of Emergency Declaration. Council approval is required to preserve the right to apply for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It now costs $1.75 to park at a meter in Alexandria for one hour. So, those who are dining, shopping or meeting in Old Town should plan to bring at least 14 quarters and stay no more than two hours.

Alexandria has partnered with Global Express Bill Payment Centers to make cash payments for City parking tickets and some City taxes. This new, free service offers residents, business owners and visitors the convenience of making payments at many Northern Virginia locations.

The City of Alexandria continues to clean up debris from the severe storms on August 5, which brought down hundreds of trees and caused extensive damage throughout the City. Crews are still collecting debris from the curb and public rights-of-way, especially in Del Ray, Beverley Hills, and Northridge areas of the City.

Four days after a rainstorm with 70 mile-per-hour winds crippled Alexandria’s streets with downed tree limbs, power lines and debris, the streets are now all open. Crews of City workers, many working overtime, will pick up tree debris from curbs and public rights-of-way over the next week. How much will the City’s latest mini-disaster cost?

Today, public housing residents and new home owners received ceremonial keys to their new homes to celebrate the completion of Alexandria Crossing. The new community on West Glebe Road and Old Dominion Boulevard, which is a partnership between Eakin Yongentob Associates and the the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority is a blend of market rate townhomes, workforce homes, and public housing.

Although the Alexandria City Council has not taken a formal vote, it looks unlikely that the City will appeal the Fourth Circuit court’s recent ruling that the City does not have the right to regulate Norfolk-Southern’s ethanol transloading facility.

Though the poor economy created budget challenges for the Alexandria City Council this year, Mayor Bill Euille looked back at the legislative year as successful.

The City of Alexandria competitively bid $72.3 million in AAA/Aaa-rated general obligation bonds at a favorable overall 2.93% true interest cost, which is the lowest rate achieved by the City in many years. This interest rate is even lower than last year’s rate of 3.28%.