OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - November 5, 2025

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, November 5, 2025
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, November 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:20:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good afternoon.

0:05

I'm pleased to call to order this Albemarle County Board of Supervisors meeting on the 5th of November at 1 p.m.

0:09

in Lane Auditorium.

0:11

I'd like to notify us.

0:12

We have Supervisor Ann Mallick of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District.

0:17

Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Hewitt District, Supervisor B.

0:21

Lapisto Kurtley of the Ravana District, and Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller district.

0:28

The quorum is present.

0:32

We are also joined by our county executive, Mr.

0:35

Jeff Richardson, County Attorney, Mr.

0:37

Andy Herrick, and our clerk, Ms.

0:39

Claude Orgerson.

0:41

Also, let me please welcome, introduce uh Albemarle County police officers present.

0:45

Uh Sergeant Jason Freichet and Master Police Officer Dana.

0:50

Oh, no, not Dana, it's tell me.

0:54

Not sure.

0:55

Dana's anyway, we thank you both for your service today and every day.

1:02

Uh, on behalf of uh the constituents uh of Almoral County and for our safety and security.

1:08

If all present could now stand as you were able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance, I pledge of the United States of America.

1:23

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

1:33

Thank you.

1:34

Uh if you please join us for a moment of silence.

2:02

Uh board, our first business courses to adopt the final agenda.

2:05

I have not heard of any suggested changes.

2:08

If there is a motion to approve the final agenda.

2:11

So moved.

2:12

Second.

2:13

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

2:18

Ms.

2:18

McKeel.

2:19

Yes.

2:19

Mr.

2:20

Pruitt?

2:20

I.

2:21

Mr.

2:21

Andrews.

2:22

Yes.

2:22

Mr.

2:23

Galloway.

2:24

Yes.

2:25

Ms.

2:25

Latista Kurtly.

2:26

Aye.

2:27

Ms.

2:27

Malik.

2:28

Yes.

2:29

Thank you.

2:30

Uh aboard, of course, uh first to be brief announcements, and we'll go through the order for today's meeting, starting with Supervisor McKeel.

2:37

Sure.

2:38

Thank you, Jim.

2:40

Um.

2:42

The first item that I just want to mention is that on October the 18th, Greg and I attended the No Kings protest, um, which was at Stonefield, which I will remind everyone is in the Jack Dewitt Magisterial District.

2:57

But um, what I want to say about it is just to thank our community.

3:02

There were mil just thousands of people at that protest, and the um community was peaceful and even enjoyous.

3:12

And it was just lovely to see folks come together in in a peaceful protest.

3:18

But most especially, I just want to thank Almoral County Police Department and Almoral County Fire and Rescue for the presence that they had, which made everyone they were very calm, made everyone feel very safe, and there were a couple of health incidences that they were able to respond to very quickly, the rescue uh department.

3:40

So just thank you for all of the work from our Almoral County officers, safety officers, thank you very much.

3:47

The second thing that I wanted to mention was that uh we are on a high alert today for fire.

3:56

Everyone, I think, as you came into the building realized how blustery it is outside.

4:01

And I'm gonna take this opportunity because I see Trevor sitting there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation███████████████████████23%
Transportation Safety█████████████████17%
Public Engagement████████8%
Zoning And Land Use████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Public Schools█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - November 5, 2025

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included the adoption of the agenda, proclamations, public comments, consent agenda, action items on a private sewer/water extension and two special exceptions for building height and stepback requirements, a transportation planning quarterly report, a MicroCAT program update, a closed meeting, and appointments to community advisory committees.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (6-0) the consent agenda consisting of: approval of minutes (multiple dates), FY26 appropriations, scheduling a public hearing on real estate tax relief for elderly/disabled, notice of eminent domain hearing, 2026 TJPD legislative program, development fund performance agreements for Afton Scientific expansion, abandonment of a portion of Oak Street in Crozet, a homestay special exception at 2163A Scottsville Rd, proclamations designating Albemarle as a Purple Heart County and supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans, and informational reports (Broadband Authority quarterly report and School Board report).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dan Gritzko (Scottsdale, but speaking generally) expressed support for honoring Barbara Johns with a new statue in the U.S. Capitol, encouraging the county to embrace this moment in Virginia history.
  • Sarah Bleach (White Hall) and Steve Leach Calder (Rio) spoke on behalf of a resident with a mobility impairment, detailing accessibility barriers with MicroCAT after fleet changes. They stated that newer wheelchair-accessible vans lack a ramp and seating configuration allowing ambulatory riders with canes to board. They requested a reliable process (in-app or via dispatch) to request low-profile vans.
  • Susan McCaulay (Samuel Miller) urged the board to pass a resolution requiring ICE agents to be unmasked, present warrants, and drive marked vehicles. She cited concerns about data sharing and surveillance, and referenced the recent election results as a mandate for principled leadership.
  • Stuart Overby (Samuel Miller) advocated for a biosolids ordinance, citing a complaint from a resident near Fleetwood Farm where sewage sludge was spread. He reported that the smell persisted for weeks and noted that the DEQ said the farmer could not spread for three years. He promoted a public event on November 20 to discuss PFAS research.

Discussion Items

  • Miller School Extension (Private Central Sewer and Water Supply) – County Engineer Frank Pohl presented the request to upgrade and extend existing systems to serve four new buildings (three dormitories and a gymnasium) under a phased plan. Conditions included annual compliance documentation. Supervisor Andrews moved approval; Supervisor Mallek seconded. Approved unanimously.
  • Rivanna Futures Building Height and Stepback Special Exceptions – Development Process Manager Bill Fritz presented two requests: a height exception to 140 feet and a stepback reduction from 15 feet to zero for a proposed building in the Rivanna Futures area. Staff noted this was a first impression for height exceptions. Discussion centered on lack of specific criteria and potential precedent. Supervisors expressed concerns about consistency but supported the projects given the site’s location near Route 29 and industrial zoning. Both special exceptions were approved unanimously separately.
  • Transportation Planning Quarterly Report – Staff presented updates on VDOT funding (Smart Scale, revenue sharing), specific projects (Barracks Road right-turn lane and median, Old Trail roundabout, Ivy Road roundabouts, and studies for US 29 corridor and Emmet Street interchange). Supervisor Galloway criticized Smart Scale as underfunded and creating a cycle of band-aid fixes. Supervisor Mallek raised concerns about Park Ridge Road speeding and Eastern Avenue adoption. Supervisor McKeel underscored the need for better city-county coordination and robust transit funding. No formal vote was taken.
  • MicroCAT Program Update – Deputy Director Kevin McDermott reported on the two-year demonstration grant ending October 2025. Key statistics: over 120,000 rides completed (~190 per day on average), 92% five-star ratings, 71% of riders do not own a car, 40% reported a disability, and top destinations include Walmart and the Albemarle High School area. Demand exceeded capacity, with unmet rides showing as “seats unavailable.” Staff recommended extending the contract through FY26 and integrating with fixed-route transit via GTFS feeds. Discussion included potential cost, ridership demographics, and the need for holistic transit decisions during the upcoming budget process. Supervision of the program will continue.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Consent Agenda (unanimous).
  • Approved Miller School Private Central Sewer and Water Supply Extension (unanimous).
  • Approved Rivanna Futures Building Height Special Exception (SE-2025-00033) (unanimous).
  • Approved Rivanna Futures Stepback Special Exception (SE-2025-00034) (unanimous).
  • Held Closed Meeting (moved by Supervisor Pruitt, seconded by Supervisor Mallek, unanimous) under Code of Virginia sections for appointments discussions, consultation with legal counsel on the June 2025 cybersecurity incident, and discussion of security plans related to that incident. The closed meeting was certified unanimously.
  • Appointments Made (moved by Supervisor McKeel, seconded by Supervisor Mallek, unanimous): Reginald Woods to the Pantops Community Advisory Committee; Michael Geyser to the Places29 Rio Community Advisory Committee.
  • Adjourned to November 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'm pleased to call to order this Albemarle County Board of Supervisors meeting on the 5th of November at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to notify us. We have Supervisor Ann Mallick of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District. Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Hewitt District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kurtley of the Ravana District, and Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, myself, Jim Andrews representing the Samuel Miller district. The quorum is present. We are also joined by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, County Attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, and our clerk, Ms. Claude Orgerson. Also, let me please welcome, introduce uh Albemarle County police officers present. Uh Sergeant Jason Freichet and Master Police Officer Dana. Oh, no, not Dana, it's tell me. Not sure. Dana's anyway, we thank you both for your service today and every day. Uh, on behalf of uh the constituents uh of Almoral County and for our safety and security. If all present could now stand as you were able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance, I pledge of the United States of America. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Thank you. Uh if you please join us for a moment of silence. Uh board, our first business courses to adopt the final agenda. I have not heard of any suggested changes. If there is a motion to approve 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? I. Mr. Andrews. Yes. Mr. Galloway. Yes. Ms. Latista Kurtly. Aye. Ms. Malik. Yes. Thank you. Uh aboard, of course, uh first to be brief announcements, and we'll go through the order for today's meeting, starting with Supervisor McKeel. Sure. Thank you, Jim.

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