Car Tax Due Date, Face Mask Mandate On City Council Agenda

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council will consider a number of items related to the pandemic, including an extension of the due date for payment of personal property taxes. This action would change the deadline for paying the car tax and business personal property taxes from Oct. 5 to Dec. 15.

A memo from City Manager Mark Jinks to City Council cites the financial impact of the pandemic on business and unemployment. State law allows City Council to provide "reasonable extensions" up to 90 days for the deadline.

By giving residents and businesses more flexibility with the payment timeline, late payment penalties or interest would not be incurred before Dec. 15. City staff did not recommend an extension beyond Dec. 15 due to challenges involving the current fiscal year budget and planning for the fiscal year 2022 budget.

Because payment of the car tax is associated with receiving residential parking permits, there would be delayed enforcement of these 2020-2021 parking permits from Nov. 15 to Dec. 16. Although some residents received advance permits with the mailing of tax bills in August, not all residents have will have the current permit before the tax due date.

Below are other items of interest on the City Council meeting agenda for Sept. 8. The meeting will be held virtually with access through Zoom or a dial-in phone number.

• A draft ordinance will be presented to create a community policing review board and an independent policing auditor. City Council would direct the city manager to establish a public feedback process for the draft ordinance. A proposed ordinance would be brought forward on Nov. 10 for first reading and for public hearing and adoption on Nov. 14.
• City Council will consider proposals for use of the second grant of federal CARES Act funds. A few of the key proposals include $2.5 million to benefit renters, $2.4 million for a second round of small business assistance grants administered by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, $1.53 million towards expanding and extending food security program, $2 million to start the Alexandria Resilience Fund for community nonprofits, $960,000 towards Department of Community and Human Services childcare and workforce development initiatives, $290,000 for the school district's Virtual Plus+ childcare program.
• City Council will be presented with a proposed ordinance to require face coverings in certain indoor and outdoor locations. While the statewide mandate requires face coverings in indoor public spaces, the city's ordinance would expand it to include indoor and outdoor places where physical distancing cannot be maintained, except for residences and personal vehicles. The ordinance is scheduled for first reading at the Sept. 8 meeting and public hearing and adoption on Sept. 12. The ordinance would take effect on Oct. 1 if approved.
• City Council will consider a temporary construction use and maintenance agreement with Arlington County for construction of a Potomac Yard/Four Mile Run Connector Trail over city-owned property.
• City Council will consider whether to allow a grant application for expansion of the Alexandria Treatment Court. The application would be submitted to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a $499,112 grant over 36 months.
• City Council will vote on endorsing a request for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station to be named "Potomac Yard-VT" Metrorail Station. The final determination would be made by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors.
• City Council will consider a $2.5 Million Capital Improvement Loan to Landmark Towers to preserve market affordability and secure a right of first refusal of the multifamily apartment building at 101 South Whiting Street.
• City Council will consider a $500,000 predevelopment loan to the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation for a project at West Glebe Road and Mount Vernon Avenue with affordable rental housing and mixed uses.
• City Council will consider a $250,000 predevelopment loan to the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation for a project at 4547, 4555, and 4575 Seminary Road with affordable housing, affordable homeowner options and component of permanent support for residents with developmental disabilities.
• City Council will consider a $400,000 predevelopment loan to Wesley Housing for Parcview II, a new committed affordable rental project at 5380 Holmes Run Parkway to be co-located with Parcview Apartments.
• The registrar will provide a voter update on the Nov. 3 presidential election.
• An update on Virginia General Assembly special session is expected.