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Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 7, 2025

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, May 7, 2025
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, May 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:37:51

Original source
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0:03

Good afternoon.

0:04

I am pleased to call to order this meeting of the Albany County Board of Supervisors on the 7th of May, 1 p.m.

0:09

in Lane Auditorium, the Back of Power Office Building.

0:11

Like to note at the dais we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor Bielapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Dan's McKeel of Jack Jewett District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District, myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller District, the quorum is present.

0:29

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

0:31

Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr.

0:33

Andy Herrick, our clerk, Miss Claudette Borgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr.

0:37

Travis Morris.

0:39

Also, let me please welcome among many here the two police officers who are on duty, I guess, today is uh officers Caden Painter and Tavon Richardson.

0:50

We thank you for your service and all of the police officers present here today for your service and the work your colleagues do for us every day for our safety and security.

0:59

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

1:11

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:14

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:23

Thank you.

1:24

And I now ask that you join us in a moment of silence.

1:46

Thank you.

1:46

Board, our first action of course is to uh adopt a final agenda.

1:51

Um I'm looking for a motion.

1:53

I haven't heard of any suggested changes, so if there's a motion to adopt the final agenda.

1:57

So moved.

1:58

Second.

1:59

We have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without objection if the clerk will call the roll.

2:03

Ms.

2:04

McKeel?

2:04

Yes.

2:05

Mr.

2:05

Pruitt?

2:06

Aye.

2:07

Mr.

2:07

Andrews?

2:08

Yes.

2:08

Mr.

2:08

Galloway?

2:09

Yes.

2:09

Ms.

2:10

Lapista Kirtley.

2:11

Aye.

2:11

Ms.

2:11

Malik.

2:12

Yes.

2:13

Thank you.

2:14

Board, then our first item that is the board, uh, a brief announcement by board members.

2:20

And we have our order, of course, uh for the day, and we will start with Supervisor Malik.

2:26

Thank you.

2:26

Uh the only announcement I have is that this weekend, uh, Mother's Day weekend is the Arts and Crafts Festival in Crozet, the 36th one, and both Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 5, and hopefully people will go.

2:39

Maybe it won't rain.

2:40

But I want the rain at my house, but I hope it doesn't rain in Crosset.

2:44

Thank you very much.

2:44

Thank you.

2:45

Supervisor LaPista Kurtley.

2:47

I have nothing at this time.

2:48

Thank you.

2:49

Supervisor Galloway.

2:51

Uh no, thank you.

2:52

No announcements today.

2:53

Supervisor Pruitt.

2:55

A few brief announcements.

2:57

Now that it is summer, I would like to just remind everyone in the audience that it is a great time to visit our local farmers' markets.

3:02

Most of them are open on Saturday.

3:04

Um the Scottsville Farmers Market is open at the Scottsville Pavilion every Saturday and has a wide variety of things.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████████████23%
Public Safety██████████10%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Zoning And Land Use████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Immigration Enforcement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 7, 2025

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on May 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included proclamations, adoption of the fiscal year 2026 budget with a tax rate increase, approval of a regional safety action plan, a work session on the AC44 Housing Chapter, and public hearings on a polling place change, a special event permit, and a steep slopes rezoning. Public comment periods addressed ICE enforcement actions at the courthouse and other community concerns.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved minutes from multiple dates in 2023, FY26 holiday schedule, website privacy policy update, participation in VDOT EDAP for Boulders Road Extension, easement on county-owned parcel, public hearing notice for acquisition on Dominion Drive, Yancey Elementary/Esmont High School historical marker, road acceptance in Old Trail Creekside, and resolutions of intent for Data Centers Phase 2 zoning text amendment and rezoning.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gary Grant (Rio District) questioned a supervisor's consistency on voting decisions and challenged the county executive's claim of resident demand for services, asking for tallies of public input.
  • Karen Mann (Fluvanna resident, pastor) expressed deep concern over ICE agents entering the Albemarle County Courthouse on April 23, 2025, and arresting two men. She asked whether the county has a cooperation agreement with ICE, what role the county played, and what actions will be taken to prevent future incidents.
  • Diane Brown (Rivanna District) proposed creating a world-class museum highlighting regional African American history and submitted a letter from descendants of Dr. George Gilmer supporting the idea.
  • Stephen Herrick (Scottsville District) addressed ICE conduct, suggesting the county decline to prosecute those who nonviolently challenge ICE officers lacking proper authorization and decline federal requests for county cooperation.
  • Alicia Lenahan (Scottsville District) condemned the ICE courthouse action on April 22 as lawless and dangerous, citing nationwide ICE mistakes, and urged the board to provide heroic leadership.
  • James King (applicant) and Tim Tolson (Crozet Community Association) spoke in support of the Crozet Independence Day Celebration, outlining safety measures.
  • Kelsey Schlein (applicant representative) presented the Flow steep slopes rezoning, emphasizing economic development and improved stormwater management.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations: Recognized May 10-16, 2025 as National Police Week and May 4-10, 2025 as Public Service Recognition Week. Several supervisors praised police and county staff.
  • FY26 Budget Adoption: County Executive Jeff Richardson presented the $638 million all-funds budget ($474.4 million general fund). Key features: 4-cent real property tax increase (3.2¢ for public safety, including 57 FEMA-funded firefighter positions and 6 new police officers; 0.4¢ for schools, totaling $14.3 million new operating funding; 0.4¢ for affordable housing, $1.2 million ongoing). Personal property tax restored to $4.28. Climate action pool funding at $2.25 million. Board unanimously adopted six related resolutions.
  • Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan: Gorian Gorgievski (TJPDC) presented the regional plan to reduce roadway fatalities by 50% by 2045. From 2018-2022, 875 people were killed or seriously injured; 72% of crashes occurred on 7% of roads. Plan identifies spot improvements, systemic improvements, and policy programs. Board unanimously adopted the resolution.
  • AC44 Draft Housing Chapter: Principal Planner Victoria Kanellopoulos and Housing Director Stacy Pethia presented. Discussion focused on where to encourage higher density housing (activity centers, transit, employment districts) and criteria for affordable housing proposals outside the development area. Supervisors expressed varied views on inclusionary zoning, permit streamlining, and the need for specific unit goals, tenant protections, and senior housing. No vote was taken; staff will incorporate feedback.
  • Closed Meeting: Board met in closed session under §2.2-3711(A)(1) and (3) to discuss board appointments and real property disposition. After certifying the closed meeting, they appointed Benjamin Lynch (5th & Avon Community Advisory Committee), Elizabeth Boyd (Jefferson Area Board for Aging Advisory Council), and Betsy Solsby (Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committee).
  • Branchlands Polling Place Change: Unanimously approved moving the polling place from Hillsdale Conference Center to Harvest Church of God (1025 Rio Road East), about 1.8 miles away.
  • Crozet Independence Day Celebration (SP202400001): Unanimously approved a special use permit for an annual July 4th event at King Family Vineyard, ending by 10:30 PM. Conditions include annual zoning clearance, coordination with public safety, and traffic management.
  • Flow Steep Slopes Amendment (ZMA202400004): Unanimously approved rezoning 15,704 square feet of preserved steep slopes to managed slopes on the Flow Automotive properties at 1357 and 1381 Richmond Road. The proffer replaces a previous 2.47-acre preservation easement with on-site stormwater treatment providing twice the phosphorus reduction. Applicant noted the change will allow additional parking and includes stabilization of an eroded gully.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted FY26 budget, tax rates, pay scales, appropriations, borrowing resolution, and CIP (all unanimous 6-0).
  • Adopted Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan (unanimous).
  • Approved Branchlands polling place change (unanimous).
  • Approved Crozet Independence Day Celebration special use permit (unanimous).
  • Approved Flow Steep Slopes Amendment (unanimous).
  • Appointed three members to boards/commissions.
  • Board accepted the AC44 Housing Chapter presentation and will continue discussion at future meetings.
  • Meeting adjourned to May 14, 2025, 7:00 PM at Victory Hall, Scottsville, for a joint meeting with the Scottsville Town Council.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I am pleased to call to order this meeting of the Albany County Board of Supervisors on the 7th of May, 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium, the Back of Power Office Building. Like to note at the dais we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor Bielapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Dan's McKeel of Jack Jewett District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District, myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller District, the quorum is present. We're also joined here by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, our clerk, Miss Claudette Borgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also, let me please welcome among many here the two police officers who are on duty, I guess, today is uh officers Caden Painter and Tavon Richardson. We thank you for your service and all of the police officers present here today for your service and the work your colleagues do for 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. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And I now ask that you join us in a moment of silence. Thank you. Board, our first action of course is to uh adopt a final agenda. Um I'm looking for a motion. I haven't heard of any suggested changes, so if there's a motion to adopt the final agenda. So moved. Second. We have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without objection if the clerk will call the roll. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Pruitt? Aye. Mr. Andrews? Yes. Mr. Galloway? Yes. Ms. Lapista Kirtley. Aye. Ms. Malik. Yes. Thank you. Board, then our first item that is the board, uh, a brief announcement by board members. And we have our order, of course, uh for the day, and we will start with Supervisor Malik. Thank you. Uh the only announcement I have is that this weekend, uh, Mother's Day weekend is the Arts and Crafts Festival in Crozet, the 36th one, and both Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 5, and hopefully people will go. Maybe it won't rain. But I want the rain at my house, but I hope it doesn't rain in Crosset. Thank you very much. Thank you. Supervisor LaPista Kurtley.

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