AlexandriaNews

Since 1982 when Alexandria began to try and regulate the City's taxicab industry, there have been enumerable public hearings, City council votes and citizen work groups so that every side of the many issues could be aired. Last night, on a 5-1 vote, Council established another taxicab work group to look at the driver mobility issue, grandfathered certificates and enforcing the minimum dispatch requirement.

A group of Alexandrians have started an online petition to ask the Alexandria City Council to expedite the Eisenhower West planning process, which has been on the work plan for the Planning and Zoning Department for more than ten years.

* The General Fund Operating Budget is $624.8 million, an increase of 6.3% from Fiscal Year 2013. * The calendar year 2013 property tax rate increased to $1.038 per $100 of assessed value, or 4.0 cents, which funds increased operating costs and a strengthened commitment to the Capital Improvement Program budget. * The Alexandria City Public Schools transfer increased by about $6.1 million.

The City of Alexandria’s Commission for Women, Department of Community and Human Services and City Manager’s Office co-sponsored the 20th Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 25.

On May 1, the City of Alexandria will mark the beginning of Building Safety Month with a kickoff event in Market Square, 301 King Street, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

On Tuesday, June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary begins on Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. There are several qualifying circumstances.

At the March 25th monthly meeting, the Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority Board of Commissioners approved the 2012-2022 Strategic Plan to set the agency's future direction.

The Alexandria City Council is considering an ordinance requiring taxi cab drivers to accept credit card payments from customers. Drivers want it to be voluntary.

Saturday, the Alexandria City Council voted 6 to 1 to approve the zoning that begins the process of implementing the Beauregard Small Area Plan.

The Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns the central section of the Landmark Mall site, has submitted plans to the City of Alexandria for redevelopment of the portion of Landmark Mall between the existing Sears and Macy's stores.