Alexandria City Council Installation Ceremony Set For January

UPDATE: The location of the ceremony has been updated.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After the Nov. 2 determined six members of the new Alexandria City Council, members will be sworn in on Monday, Jan. 3.

The City Council installation ceremony will be held on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. The event was moved to City Council Chamber at City Hall. The location was moved to provide broadcasting technology as Alexandria experiences its highest level of COVID-19 cases.

Due to physical distancing requirements, space will be limited for attendees. The public is encouraged to watch the ceremony virtually at alexandriava.gov/Video, through Zoom or by broadcast on Comcast cable channel 70/1084. A recording of the ceremony will be available on Jan. 4.

Mayor Justin Wilson was reelected to a second term after defeating Republican Annetta Catchings in the general election and former Mayor Allison Silberberg in the June Democratic primary. The mayor is part of City Council along with six elected at-large City Council members.

The six candidates who won the City Council election and will be sworn in include incumbent Amy Jackson, Alyia Smith-Parker Gaskins, incumbent John Taylor Chapman, Sarah Bagley, incumbent Canek Aguirre and Kirk McPike. Jackson, who received the most votes, will become vice mayor.

The term for the new City Council runs from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024.

Current Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker did not run for reelection and won the election for the 45th district Virginia House of Delegates seat. Councilmember Del Pepper is retiring at the end of her term after serving on City Council since her election in 1985. Incumbent Councilmember Mo Seifeldein also did not seek reelection.

City Council will work with a new city manager after Mark Jinks retires in January. The current City Council appointed James F. Parajon as city manager, effective Jan. 18, 2022.