Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - December 11, 2024
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - December 11, 2024
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held its regular second meeting on December 11, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included public comments, approval of the consent agenda, action items on the FY2024 audit and membership in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA), a work session on the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) term sheet, a year-in-review presentation, committee reports, and a closed meeting. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda (items 8.1-8.7) by recorded vote (6-0). Items included:
- Purchasing Manual Update
- Schedule a public hearing on a proposed lease of a portion of Yancey Community Center property
- Schedule a public hearing for Spot Blight Ordinance for 5624 Brownsville Road
- SE202400025 North Pointe Wendy's
- SE202400028 Old Dominion Village - Arrangement of Buildings
- SE202400029 Old Dominion Village - Setbacks
- VDOT Monthly Report (December) 2024 (information item, no vote)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vicky Bravo (representing Impact) spoke in favor of establishing and funding an Affordable Housing Trust Fund with $10 million annually. She shared personal stories of housing hardship and noted that Charlottesville's fund has helped build over 2,000 affordable homes. She urged the board to get the fund up and running immediately.
- Lenora Crane (resident of Crozet) expressed concerns about the AC44 plan, noting that the county expects 31,000 new residents but she did not see analysis showing that proposed upzoning and infill would meet demand. She requested the county invest more in affordable housing incentives, eliminate parking minimums, and expand public transit to reduce the carbon footprint.
Discussion Items
- FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit Results (Item 9): Assistant CFO Shenandra Usher presented the report, highlighting $10.7 million in positive revenue variance, $17.3 million in expenditure savings (4% under budget), and a fund balance of $97.8 million. Megan Argonbright of Brown Edwards reported a clean unmodified audit opinion with no findings. The board received the report and voted unanimously (6-0) to authorize the chair and county executive to execute a notarized statement certifying presentation.
- Membership in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) (Item 10): Deputy County Executive Ann Wall and City Transportation Planning Manager Ben Chambers presented the history and next steps for forming CARTA. The authority, enabled by 2009 state legislation, would provide long-range transit planning, grant applications, and a vehicle for dedicated regional transit funding. Drat bylaws include two members from the city and two from the county, with non-voting members from UVA and others. The board adopted a resolution for initial membership (6-0). Next steps: board appointments in January and endorsement of a grant application to the Department of Rail and Public Transit.
- Board-Economic Development Authority Memorandum of Understanding Term Sheet (Item 11): Director of Economic Development Emily Kilroy and EDA Chair Don Long presented the draft term sheet for a new MOU. Key points included adoption of a current economic development strategic plan, use of statutory powers, emphasis on target industries (biomedical, financial services, IT, food/beverage manufacturing, light manufacturing), workforce development, real estate development (including Rivanna Futures), incentives up to $250,000 within target industries, and an administrative fee. The board discussed two fee options: 1% on all funds (staff recommendation) vs. 1% on external-only funds (EDA recommendation). A consensus emerged (5-1) favoring external-only. Supervisor Galloway suggested changing language from “within identified target industries” to “with an emphasis on” to allow flexibility; the board concurred. Next step: county attorney’s office to draft a formal MOU for further review.
- Year in Review Presentation (Item 12.1): Director of Communications Abby Stump presented a video highlighting partnerships and collaborations across departments. Key statistics: Fire Rescue responded to 1,423 heart-related calls; Office of Revenue Administration assisted 853 property owners with tax relief; Social Services supported nearly 400 families; ACPD officers saved 10 lives with NARCAN. Projects included Home Depot redevelopment at Fashion Square Mall (26M investment, 100+ jobs), Afyn Scientific expansion ($200M, 200 jobs), MicroCAT rideshare (70,000+ rides, 85% demand met), School Zone Speed Camera program (6,000 warnings in first 45 days), and Biscuit Run Park (1,200 acres). The video will be shared with CACs and via county channels.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted the final agenda (6-0).
- Approved the consent agenda (6-0).
- Approved resolution for FY2024 audit receipt and certification (6-0).
- Approved resolution for initial membership in CARTA (6-0).
- Directed staff to draft a new EDA MOU based on board feedback: administrative fee of 1% on external funds only; target industries language changed to “with an emphasis on”; strategic plan updates every 3-5 years.
- Received the Year in Review report.
- Conducted a closed meeting (4:45 PM) under 2.2-3711(A)(1) to discuss annual performance of the Clerk of the Board; certified the closed meeting as lawful.
- Adjourned to January 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. I'm pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 11th of December at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to note that at the Dais we have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Jewett District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kurdley of the Ravenna District, Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, and I'm Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller District. The quorum is present. We also have at the dais uh our county uh executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, our interim county attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, uh, and also our clerk, Claudette Morgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also, let me please welcome uh our Albemarle County police officers present, Lieutenant Angela Jamerson and Master Police Officer Dana Reeves. Thank you both for your service here today and for the work you and your colleagues do every day on behalf of uh all of us in uh Albemoral County. If all present could now stand as you are able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I agree to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which we stands one nation under God justice. Thank you. And if I now ask that you join us for a moment of silence silent but for the rain on above our hands. It's a lovely silence. So, board, our first uh uh item of business is to adopt the final agenda. I've heard no suggestions to changes to that agenda. If we have a motion to adopt the final agenda. So moved. Second. We have a motion from Supervisor Malik, second from Supervisor McKeel without objection if the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Pruitt. Aye. Mr. Andrews? Yes. Mr. Galloway? Yes. Ms. Malik. Yes. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Ms. Lapista Kurtley. Aye. Thank you. Uh I believe we have no proclamations or recognitions for today's agenda. So our next oh, our next item is brief announcements from board members, sorry. And we'll start with Supervisor McKeel today. Oh, all right. Um I have none. Thank you. I just thought with the Supervisor Pruitt. This is our final meeting before the holidays.
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