Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – June 12, 2024
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – June 12, 2024
The Board of Supervisors met on June 12, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included proclamations, a consent agenda, presentations on the Broadway Blueprint Phase 2 study, Smart Scale transportation applications, a work session on 2024-2025 legislative priorities, and public hearings on electric vehicle charging fees, the Rivanna Futures rezoning and special use permit, and an ordinance to increase board compensation. The board also entered closed session.
Proclamations and Recognitions
- John Henry James Day (July 12, 2024): Unanimously adopted. Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Hingley spoke about the community remembrance project and the dismissal of the indictment against John Henry James.
- Juneteenth (June 19, 2024): Unanimously adopted. Marnita Simpson Shepherd, descendant of James Elias Simpson, accepted the proclamation and highlighted Simpson Park in Esmont.
Consent Calendar
- Adopted as amended (item 8.2 revised to reflect repeal of policies). Unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the public hearing on Rivanna Futures, Michael Scott (Rio District) spoke in favor of the purchase and rezoning. He requested that a portion of the 462 acres be set aside as a natural area rejuvenation zone for military veterans and first responders, citing nature-based healing benefits. He supported the rezoning as a logical next step to attract state and federal grants.
Discussion Items
- Broadway Blueprint Phase 2 Study: David Benish and Rachel Falkenstein presented short-term strategies (1-5 years) including arts and cultural district incentives, pavement markings, wayfinding, Marchant Street conversion to private street, East Market Street pedestrian improvements, and integration strategies for the Rivanna River pedestrian bridge. Board members expressed support for the study but raised concerns about gentrification, displacement of existing businesses and residents, and the need to preserve light industrial uses. The study was endorsed with direction to refine one sentence about businesses finding other locations.
- Smart Scale Applications: Jessica Hersh-Ballering presented eight projects for the current round of Smart Scale funding, including intersection improvements (roundabouts, restricted crossing U-turns, diverging diamond interchange) on 250, 29, Rio Road, Barracks Road, 5th Street/I-64, and Pantops. The board adopted a resolution of support unanimously.
- Review of 2024 Legislative Priorities and Initial Discussion of 2025 Priorities: Steve Rosenberg, David Blunt, and Emily Kilroy reviewed the 2024 session outcomes: Rivanna Futures funding request ($58M and later $5M) was not successful; the 1% sales tax for schools was vetoed; photo speed authority was very limited. For 2025, staff proposed budget requests ($5M for Rivanna Futures phase one, $1M for Biscuit Run Park) and legislative priorities including carrying forward the sales tax for schools, expanded photo speed authority, rental housing safety, CARTA funding authority, and reimbursement for community threats. Board feedback included support for continuing many items, concerns about regressive sales tax, conditional support for speed cameras with civil penalties and local fee control, and emphasis on mental health/CSB funding. Additional topics for positions and policy statements included clean energy, data centers, and JLARC study implementation.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted consent agenda (unanimous).
- Approved proclamations for John Henry James Day and Juneteenth (unanimous).
- Endorsed Broadway Blueprint Phase 2 study with direction to make minor revisions and bring for formal adoption via consent agenda.
- Adopted resolution supporting eight Smart Scale project applications (unanimous).
- Approved ZMA202400002 Rivanna Futures rezoning (172 acres from RA/PRD to LI, Light Industrial) subject to proffer limiting traffic to 5,000 trips per day (unanimous).
- Approved SP202400014 Rivanna Futures special use permit to allow offices in buildings constructed after 2014 (unanimous).
- Approved ordinance to increase Board of Supervisors compensation by 2% (from $19,803 to $20,199 per annum) effective July 1, 2024, along with chair/vice-chair stipend increases (unanimous).
- Approved ordinance establishing fees for county-owned EV charging stations: $0.147 per kWh plus $2/hour dwell time fee after 30-minute grace period (unanimous).
- Held closed meeting to discuss personnel and economic development matters; certified the closed meeting.
- Next meeting: July 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. I am pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 12th of June at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to note at the Dais we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor V. Lapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Jewett District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District. And myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller District of Quorum is present. We're also joined here by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson and our county attorney, Mr. Steve Rosenberg, and our clerk, Ms. Claudette Morerson, our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also, let me please welcome thank our Albama County police officers present. Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Officer Andy Muncy. We thank you for your service here today and for your work that you and your colleagues do every day throughout the county for our safety and security. If all present now would stand as you're able to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. If you would now join us for a moment of silence. Thank you. Board, as always, our first item is to adopt the final agenda. Do we have a motion to move the thumb? So moved. Second. We have a motion from Supervisor Lafisto Kurtley, a second from Supervisor McKeel without objection if the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Pruitt. Aye. Mr. Andrews. Yes. Mr. Galloway. Yes. Ms. Mallet. Yes. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Ms. Lapista Kirtley. Aye. And board, our next item is brief announcements by board members. We'll start with our order for today. Supervisor Lapisto Kurt. I just wanted to say I did a we did a presentation to, well, two of us at uh Vivana Station, and it's what we're doing there is really important work. And it was really nice to be out there and uh some beautiful, beautiful land out there that uh hopefully will help uh injured veterans, those suffering from PTSD, once everything gets up and running, which will probably take a while, um, after the board approves everything. Not before. And that's all I have, actually. Thank you. Thank you.
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