There’s so much to be thankful for, but top among those is a community that sees a need and works together to make it happen. I recently had the pleasure of joining a couple bike buses organized by parents at Patrick Henry and Naomi Brooks. These parents are making it fun, safe, and easy to get kids to school on bikes. As I rode along listening to the kids singing along to music, it reminded me how fortunate I am to live in and work for Alexandria. 

I’m also grateful for the incredible teams across the City government that make Eco-City Alexandria possible. You see it happening every day, maybe without realizing it. Whether it’s the teams picking up our trash and recycling, the leaf crews, the people keeping our parks clean, or the staff making sure new developments meet the City’s goals. 

As you bundle up and enjoy this chillier weather, give a wave to the City staff doing their part to make our community great. I’m particularly grateful for the Climate Action team I get to work with every day. Thank you, Amy Posner, Andrew Melmed, Dustin Smith, Samantha Heitsch, Valerie Amor, and Yulia Fernandez Marcos.

-Ryan Freed, Climate Action Officer 

Alexandria Expands Winter Shelter Services to Protect Unhoused Residents

As cold weather sets in, the City of Alexandria remains committed to ensuring safety and warmth for unhoused individuals and families through its annual Winter Shelter Program. The shelter, also known as the hypothermia shelter, operates nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., regardless of weather conditions, from November 1 through April 15, 2026, and is located at 2355-B Mill Road (left side of the front entrance, next to the fence).

The program is managed by Carpenter’s Shelter in partnership with the City. 

Services and Support

Guests who use the Winter Shelter receive more than a warm place to stay — they are also connected to essential support services designed to promote long-term stability. The shelter provides a safe, clean environment, access to laundry and snacks, and light case management with referrals to social services, health care, and community resources. Information on free DASH bus routes is also available to help guests reach the shelter or other destinations. 

How the Community Can Help

Residents play a vital role in protecting vulnerable neighbors during the winter months. The City encourages everyone to:

• Stay alert to neighbors who may be at risk of hypothermia and check in with a phone or video call.
• Consider joining the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness (PPEH) to support coordinated efforts addressing homelessness in Alexandria.
• If you encounter someone in need, call 703.746.5700 or text 703.346.5599 to reach the Homeless Services Assessment Center (HSAC), or contact the Winter Shelter directly at 571.652.9984.

Residents and service providers are encouraged to monitor the City’s website for updates or operational changes, especially during severe weather events. Together, we can help ensure that every Alexandrian has a warm and safe place to stay this winter.

City Prepares for Upcoming Gas-powered Leaf Blower Ban with Greenworks Equipment Demo

On May 17th, 2025, the Alexandria City Council passed an ordinance banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. For residents and contractors operating in the City, that goes into effect on November 17th, 2026. For City operations, the policy is set to take effect on May 26, 2026. In anticipation of this transition, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) and Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) have been testing battery-powered alternatives from several vendors to identify equipment that meets the City’s operational needs.

On November 5, 2025, representatives from Greenworks visited Alexandria to conduct a demonstration of their electric blowers and provided units for City crews to test in real-world conditions. These trials help staff assess performance, durability, and noise levels as Alexandria moves toward fully electrifying landscaping operations ahead of the 2026 deadline.

This initiative supports the City’s broader Eco-City and Climate Action goals to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and lead by example in sustainable municipal practices.

Alexandria Winter Emergency Preparedness: Essential Guide

As winter approaches, preparing for extreme cold and potential power outages is essential. By taking proactive steps now, you can prevent future costly damage and protect your home and family!

• To avoid burst pipes, insulate all exposed water pipes. Before a hard freeze, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and spigots. During intense cold, open cabinets under sinks on exterior walls to allow warm air circulation.
• Ensure your heating system is serviced, and test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly. Never use stoves or grills indoors for heat—not only would that be a huge fire risk, but you would also be exposed to carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes.
• Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit for your household, if you don’t already have one. Include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person, per day). For warmth and safety, pack blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio for updates, and necessary medications. Keep some cash on hand.
• Vehicle preparation is vital for safe travel. Check your battery, antifreeze, and tire pressure, and keep your gas tank at least half full. Your trunk kit should include jumper cables, a shovel, a bag of sand for traction, a blanket, and a first-aid kit.

For a comprehensive checklist on what to include in your home and vehicle kits, visit: ready.gov

Eco-City Homes: Join Today!

Exciting news from the City’s Office of Climate Action: we’ve recently updated the Eco-City Homes application and scoring system to better reflect the many ways Alexandrians are making their homes more sustainable! These improvements help us celebrate even more of the great work happening across our community. You may have already seen Eco-City Homes yard signs popping up around town—and we’re just getting started. 

You can find more information and join today on the Eco-City Homes website, with specific applications for renters, condo owners, and homeowners. Every action helps make Alexandria a greener, healthier place to live—whether you’re composting food scraps or installing solar panels, every action counts when it comes to sustainability.

Tapping the Ground for Energy Savings

While we usually consider energy efficiency in terms of a building, there are ways to increase efficiency by tapping what is literally under our feet. Geothermal (geo (earth) + thermal (heat)) captures natural warmth underground. The temperature of the earth is remarkedly stable – usually staying within a temperature range between 40°-70° F. A geothermal energy system uses a network of underground fluid-filled pipes to capture and release this stored heat, allowing the building to be heated and cooled using less energy year-round. Since it’s underground and on-site, geothermal is not vulnerable to extreme weather events. Plus, it doesn’t require fuel, and is stable, reliable, constant and cost-efficient.

This has great potential for the future renovation of City Hall and our City facilities. To determine the geothermal potential for City Hall, test drills were performed in Market Square in early November to determine the ground’s thermal conductivity (essentially, the ground’s temperature). As we wait for the results of these tests, it could prove beneficial to reducing our energy use and provide a future pathway to include additional City facilities. 

Proposed Changes to Net Metering Would Discourage Solar Installation

Installing solar on your home lets you reduce your climate impact and save money on your utility bill. But Dominion Energy has proposed changes that will make those savings significantly lower. Net metering is a policy that allows you to be credited for energy that your solar panels produce when you’re not using it. That energy goes back to the grid and is used by neighbors, which the utility charges at the regular rate. 

Today, you can be credited a one-to-one credit for each kilowatt hour (kWh) you produce and send back to the grid. Dominion Energy has asked the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to change that policy, significantly reducing the value of extra energy being produced – up to a 30% reduction.

The City has intervened in this proceeding at the SCC to insist that Dominion continue to provide residents with the one-for-one credit for energy produced. In a previous proceeding before the SCC, Dominion also predicted that it may not be able to achieve the renewable energy generation targets set by the Virginia Clean Economy Act. The proposed changes to net metering would only make it more difficult to add more solar in our communities. The City believes solar is an important part of our clean energy future, and the SCC should hold Dominion to the clean energy requirements established by law. The hearing for this proceeding begins January 20, 2026. Stay tuned for more information.

Raychel Frye, Natural Resources Manager

How would you describe your role? 

I oversee the management of natural resources through conservation and restoration efforts. This involves coordination with internal staff, external agencies and organizations, contractors, and volunteers. Some overarching goals include wildlife inventory, expanding habitat, invasive species removal, education, and outreach. The City may be small but there is an abundance of biodiversity that calls Alexandria home and needs our support to protect them for the longevity of our local ecosystems.

What are you most excited about?

Many aspects of this role are exciting. One is a recent project we kicked off with the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, Four Mile Run Park Conservatory, Alexandria Beautification Commission, and a lot of coordination with internal staff. We’ve selected two sections for habitat restoration along the riparian buffer at Four Mile Run Park. Restoring the habitat will include natural regeneration and assisted restoration, with annual assessments to measure the success of each management strategy. This project will contribute to climate resilience by expanding tree canopy, strengthening stormwater resilience, and expanding natural areas.

Do you mind sharing a fun fact about yourself?

When I lived out in Arizona, I decided to adopt two reservation dogs. A lot of tribal communities have an overabundance of feral dogs and can’t manage them due to lack of resources. These dogs can face many challenges but are known to be strong and resilient. If you’re traveling through a reservation and stop at gas station, you will likely be greeted by a wagging tail looking for food. Sometimes, they will even follow you as you drive away and yes, it’s heartbreaking. My dogs came from the Four Corners area, where the Navajo, Hopi, Ute, and Zuni tribes reside nearby. Their names are Indy and Iris are my go-to adventure buddies! Check out Rugby’s Rescue House to learn more about how they are helping reservations by finding dogs their forever homes.

Anthony Minnick, Water Quality Compliance Specialist

How would you describe your role? 

I have a unique opportunity to directly support Alexandria’s Eco-City goals through protecting and improving our local water resources. My work centers around all aspects of stormwater management, from pollution prevention and mitigation to ensuring our infrastructure functions as designed.

A major part of my role involves serving as the primary liaison for inspection and compliance of a majority of the City’s Best Management Practices (BMPs), our green infrastructure systems such as bioretention cells, green roofs, wet ponds, and permeable pavements. These systems play a vital role in capturing, filtering, and improving the quality of stormwater before it reaches Alexandria’s streams, the Potomac River, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

I am also responsible for investigating and responding to illicit discharge reports, which are incidents of pollution or improper waste entering the City’s stormwater system. This often requires immediate action and coordination across multiple departments to contain and remediate the issue. Each response helps protect our waterways, public health, and aquatic ecosystems, reinforcing Alexandria’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Through these responsibilities, I contribute to the Eco-City vision by ensuring our community’s growth remains environmentally responsible, our waterways resilient and healthy, and our residents engaged in protecting Alexandria’s natural environment.

What are you most excited about?

What excites me most about my role as the City’s Water Quality Compliance Specialist is having the opportunity to make a direct, visible difference in Alexandria’s environment while helping advance our Eco-City goals. Beyond inspections and pollution response, I have the privilege of organizing volunteer events and engaging with residents and local organizations to promote watershed stewardship. These experiences are especially rewarding because they foster a sense of shared responsibility and community pride in protecting our local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.

It’s fulfilling to see residents and volunteers connect their efforts, whether it’s monitoring a stream for ecological diversity, marking storm drains, or cleaning up a stream, to the larger vision of a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Alexandria. That spirit of collaboration and visible progress toward a healthier city is what makes my work truly gratifying.

Do you mind sharing a fun fact about yourself?

Outside of work, I share my time with my small pack of Siberian Huskies who bring endless energy and joy to every day. They especially love going on “sniffaris,” swimming, and, despite their best efforts, trying to befriend squirrels that rarely share the enthusiasm. We enjoy exploring Alexandria and its surrounding communities together. Living in such a vibrant and scenic area is something I truly value, and I take every opportunity to experience it alongside my pack. 

Kristin Stephen goes green with renewable energy, biking and walking, protection against flooding and more! She was first drawn to Alexandria because of its great public transportation, walkability, and bike-ability. Now, she’s made an eco-friendly home with solar panels and electric cooking, HVAC, and water heating. She loves that her induction range is way easier to clean than the previous gas version, and her electric bills are super low thanks to the solar energy. To combat the frequent flooding in her neighborhood, she took out all the concrete in the front yard and driveway and replaced it with a pervious layer—which made a huge difference! 

“I no longer have to wade through a river on my driveway,” she shared. “On light snows, it goes right into the ground—which also means I don’t have to shovel much!” Additionally, her rain barrel collects water for her herb and vegetable garden, and storm doors offer extra protection.

To her, being an Eco-City Home is a daily practice. “I wake up and want to live a low carbon footprint lifestyle. I recycle, I compost, I make choices that I hope will be beneficial to the next generation – we all need to prepare for the next generation. I’m going to do my part—that’s what any of us can do.”

John Partridge is the president and owner of Honey Do Today, a handyman service provider for homes and offices founded right here in Alexandria. The company aims for sustainability in both its operations and client services, with resource conversation, electric communications, and eco-friendly offerings. 

“We’re trying to build a great service and a great brand, and you don’t do that without being the people who support your community and do the right thing,” John shared. “Frankly, any construction company is about making people’s environment better. And these measures are good for the environment and your pocket—and we’re proud of that. A lot of people here want to act in an environmentally conscious way.” At Honey Do, that includes rain barrels, native landscaping, electric lawn equipment, a patent-pending green waterproofing system, and more.

As a handyman, John also shared some advice for getting your home ready for winter. He emphasized the importance of preventative maintenance, especially for what we use the most, like doors and windows: “That’s where you can save some money, protect the environment, and protect your home environment.” Keeping up with weather stripping and caulking can go a long way towards keeping your house operable and comfortable—plus, it’s much less expensive than a full replacement! 

Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • 7-11:59 p.m.

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Wednesday, December 3, 2025 • 7-11 p.m.

Housing Affordability Advisory Committee - Thursday, December 4, 2025 • 7-9 p.m.

Duke Street Land Use Plan Community Open House - Wednesday, December 10, 2025 • 6-8:30 p.m.

Eco-City Business webinar series: Stormwater Management and Flood Mitigation - Thursday, December 11, 10-11 am. 

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting - Thursday, December 11, 2025 • 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Beautification Commission Meeting - Thursday, December 11, 2025 • 7-9 p.m.