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Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - May 15, 2024

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, May 15, 2024
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, May 15, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:05:03

Original source
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0:00

Thank you.

0:02

I'm pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 15th of May, 1 p.m.

0:07

in Lane Auditorium.

0:09

I know that this we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor B.

0:13

Lapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Dewitt District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District, and myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller district.

0:25

A quorum is present.

0:26

We're also joined here by our county executive, Mr.

0:29

Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr.

0:31

Steve Rosenberg, and our clerk, Miss Claudette Orgerson.

0:34

Also, let me please welcome the Albemarle County Police Officers present, at least those who are serving us today in official capacity.

0:42

We have so many present, I'm thrilled.

0:45

But we have in particular Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Senior Police Officer Alex Davis for today.

0:52

We thank all of you though for your service here today and for your work you do and your colleagues on behalf of us every day for our safety and security.

1:01

If all present could now stand as you are able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:09

I pledge allegiance to the United States and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:16

One nation under liberty and justice.

1:25

Thank you.

1:25

And if you could now join us for a moment of silence.

1:54

Thank you.

1:54

Our first uh item is adoption of the final agenda.

1:58

Uh because the afternoon agenda is a little lighter than originally anticipated.

2:02

Board would like to suggest that we could move with the county executive's permission item 12 from the county executive to after item nine, probably after a recess.

2:12

Yes, sir.

2:12

Uh depending upon the time and when we finish that item.

2:15

Uh then follow that up with item 18 from the board, committee reports and matters not listed on the agenda.

2:21

If that is acceptable, then the floor is open for a motion to adopt the final agenda as amended.

2:27

So moved.

2:28

Second.

2:28

So we have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without an objection if the clerk would call the rule.

2:35

Ms.

2:35

McKeel?

2:36

Yes.

2:36

Mr.

2:36

Pruitt?

2:37

Aye.

2:37

Mr.

2:38

Andrews?

2:38

Yes.

2:39

Mr.

2:39

Galloway?

2:40

Yes.

2:40

Ms.

2:40

Lapisto Kirtley.

2:42

Aye.

2:42

Ms.

2:42

Malik.

2:43

Yes.

2:44

Great.

2:44

Uh we'll now move to item five, which is brief announcement by board members.

2:49

Um we'll start with our order for today.

2:51

Uh, Supervisor McKeel.

2:53

I don't have any this morning.

2:55

Thank you.

2:56

Supervisor Malik.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

Uh, just to report that the Virginia Association of Counties uh state board meeting was held here at the Kimpton last weekend.

3:05

And I wanted to thank particularly the CAPE and Finance staff of the county as well as the staff of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for their assistance with this really successful event.

3:15

All the participants are eager to return to visit at their leisure.

3:19

Planning a potential outdoor event seemed to be the trigger to make it start raining.

3:22

And I was warned them all that that was going to happen, and I was thrilled that the nine weeks of almost no rain is over.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████████19%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Public Safety████████████12%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Community Engagement████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Roadway Maintenance████4%
Public Hearing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - May 15, 2024

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium, with a recess from approximately 4:45 PM to 6:00 PM, to adopt proclamations, hear public comments, discuss recreational uses at Ragged Mountain Reservoir, and hold public hearings on the VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan, Stonefield amendments, and a RWSA water main easement. The board directed staff to pursue an environmental assessment of the Ragged Mountain property before considering any changes to permitted activities.

Proclamations and Recognitions

  • Unanimously adopted proclamations recognizing Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and National Police Week (May 12-18, 2024).
  • Approved a resolution of appreciation for Gary O’Connell, outgoing Executive Director of the Albemarle County Service Authority, for 14 years of service.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved (unanimously) the consent agenda including: scheduling a public hearing on an electric vehicle charging fee ordinance, scheduling a public hearing on Board of Supervisors’ compensation, authorizing the Route 250 Pantops Corridor Improvements Project, and a proclamation for the 50th anniversary of the Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company. Information items (FY24 Third Quarter Financial Report, FES Spring Quarterly Update, VDOT Monthly Report) were noted without vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Session (afternoon) – Matters on the Agenda:

  • Sam Lindblum (Rivanna District) supported allowing mountain biking on a single shared-use loop around the reservoir, stating no new trails are needed and that bikes do not threaten water quality.
  • Christine Putnam (Scottsville District) urged maintaining the current ordinance restricting use to foot travel only, citing biodiversity concerns and the Ragged Mountain Natural Area’s purpose.
  • John Robasso (Jack Jouett District) argued for conservation and keeping the area as a quiet natural space.
  • Karen Yates (Whitehall District, on behalf of the League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area) asked the board to uphold the March 7, 2024 legal agreement between the city and county, which restricts use to hiking.
  • Zach Dameron (Jack Jouett District) supported mountain biking, emphasizing the trail’s proximity to Charlottesville and its role as an easy ride for beginners and older riders.
  • Walter Rogers (Scottsville District) also supported mountain biking, noting the local biking community’s trail maintenance efforts.

Second Session (evening) – Matters on the Agenda:

  • Lee French (Charlottesville resident) stated that bikes do not harm water quality or wildlife, and the mountain biking community only wants shared use on the existing 6.5-mile loop, with no new trails planned.
  • Dr. Angela Skiels Worley (Scottsville District) supported shared access, citing her ecological background and noting that mountain biking on existing trails will not harm the ecosystem.
  • Rebecca Dameron (County resident) spoke of using the mountain bike trails to engage at-risk youth and urged reconsideration of the ban.
  • John Gooley (County resident) praised the mountain biking community for trail maintenance and encouraged continued access for all users.

Public Hearing – VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan:

  • Dawn Baber (Scottsville District) requested paving of Glendower Road, citing safety hazards from dust and poor road conditions. She noted that the promise of paving dated back 50 years.

No public comments were received for the Stonefield ZMA or RWSA easement hearings.

Discussion Items

Ragged Mountain Reservoir Recreational Uses (Item 9):

  • Senior Assistant County Attorney Richard DeLoria presented the history of regulations at the reservoir, the 2016 city ordinance that allowed biking/jogging, the subsequent lawsuit, and the 2024 settlement affirming the county’s ordinance (which permits only hiking, bird watching, fishing, picnicking, and boating). Three options were outlined: (1) maintain status quo, (2) permit additional activities by county ordinance (but then the city would control implementation), or (3) pursue a city-county operational memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly manage uses.
  • Board members expressed varying positions: Supervisors McKeel and Malik favored maintaining the status quo; Supervisors LaPisto-Kirtley, Andrews, and Pruitt leaned toward exploring an MOA; Supervisor Gallaway sought more expert data on water quality and ecological impacts before any change.
  • After discussion, the board agreed to direct staff to develop a plan for an environmental assessment of the property to inform future decisions, with a report to come back at a later meeting.

County Executive Report (Item 12):

  • County Executive Jeffrey Richardson highlighted recent achievements: recognition of police and fire personnel, emergency management training, full summer swim schedule, IT AI policy launch, e-billing and new tax bill design, new county word mark, and staff appreciation events.

Public Hearings – Actions Taken

VDOT/Albemarle County FY 25-30 Secondary Six-Year Plan (Item 14):

  • Approved unanimously (6-0) the resolution adopting the six-year plan, which includes paving of Stony Point Pass (0.2-mile extension), Glendower Road, and Henderson Lane, and commits future Telefee funds to complete the Berkmar Drive Extension project.

Stonefield Code of Development Amendment (Item 15) and Special Use Permit (Item 16):

  • Approved unanimously (6-0) the ZMA amendment to allow motor vehicle sales by-right in limited blocks (4,500 sq. ft.) at Stonefield.
  • Approved unanimously (6-0) the special use permit for outdoor storage, display, and sales of Tesla vehicles (up to 10 spaces) within the entrance corridor.

RWSA South Fork Rivanna Water Main Crossing Easement (Item 17):

  • Approved unanimously (6-0) granting an underground, trenchless waterline easement on county land at Brook Hill River Park to complete a connection serving Hollymead Town Center.

Key Outcomes

  • The board maintained the existing ordinance at Ragged Mountain Reservoir (status quo) pending an environmental assessment. Staff will return with a proposal for such a study.
  • All consent agenda items and three public hearing items were approved unanimously.
  • Chair Jim Andrews disclosed a personal interest in the Ragged Mountain discussion due to his spouse’s ownership in an LLC with adjacent property; he determined he could participate objectively and filed a written disclosure.
  • The meeting adjourned to June 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM, with a special meeting anticipated on May 29, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. I'm pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 15th of May, 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I know that this we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Dewitt District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District, and myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller district. A quorum is present. We're also joined here by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr. Steve Rosenberg, and our clerk, Miss Claudette Orgerson. Also, let me please welcome the Albemarle County Police Officers present, at least those who are serving us today in official capacity. We have so many present, I'm thrilled. But we have in particular Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Senior Police Officer Alex Davis for today. We thank all of you though for your service here today and for your work you do and your colleagues on behalf of us every day for our safety and security. If all present could now stand as you are able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the United States and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under liberty and justice. Thank you. And if you could now join us for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our first uh item is adoption of the final agenda. Uh because the afternoon agenda is a little lighter than originally anticipated. Board would like to suggest that we could move with the county executive's permission item 12 from the county executive to after item nine, probably after a recess. Yes, sir. Uh depending upon the time and when we finish that item. Uh then follow that up with item 18 from the board, committee reports and matters not listed on the agenda. If that is acceptable, then the floor is open for a motion to adopt the final agenda as amended. So moved. Second. So we have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without an objection if the clerk would call the rule. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Pruitt? Aye. Mr. Andrews? Yes. Mr. Galloway? Yes. Ms. Lapisto Kirtley. Aye. Ms. Malik. Yes. Great. Uh we'll now move to item five, which is brief announcement by board members. Um we'll start with our order for today.

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