Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 20, 2026
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Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 20, 2026
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held its regular second meeting on May 20, 2026, at 2:30 PM in Lane Auditorium, chaired by Supervisor Ned Gallaway. The meeting included approval of the agenda with one deferral, public comments, a discussion on the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) process, a budget process review, a closed meeting, and public hearings on a utility easement and the secondary six-year transportation plan. Key decisions included deferring item 9, approving the consent agenda, adopting resolutions for the utility easement and the secondary six-year plan, and providing guidance on the FY27 AHIF process.
Consent Calendar
- Approved (6-0): Items 8.1 through 8.11, including approval of minutes, pay scales, personnel policy amendment, holiday schedule, authorization for public hearings for compensation increases, joining Virginia Municipal Investment Trust, scheduling public hearing for property conveyance, temporary construction easement for VDOT’s 5th Street Trail Hub, USDOT Safe Streets grant application, and Old Dominion Village NMD variations. Item 8.12 (FY26 Third Quarter Financial Report) was received for information.
Public Comments & Testimony
First Session (2:30 PM):
- Jim Webb (Love Thy Neighbor Coalition, Rio District) called on the board to protect immigrant families and treat all immigrants with fairness and humanity.
- Vicky Bravo (IMPACT) expressed support for the AHIF guidelines but urged prioritizing 60% AMI rental housing over 80% for-sale, and requested more information on the proposed community stakeholder review committee.
- Gary Grant (Rio District) asked about permissible signage on the Route 29 pedestrian overpass and questioned security procedures regarding metal water bottles.
- Neil Williamson (Free Enterprise Forum) suggested using AHIF funds to pay connection fees for affordable housing units as a simpler, equitable alternative.
- William Christians did not appear.
Second Session (6:00 PM):
- Anthony Orson Yaga made a rambling statement about alleged intelligence service involvement and retaliation against him.
- Stuart Overbee (Don’t Spread On Me, Samuel Miller District) provided an update on the DEQ public hearing for a sludge spreading permit (VPA 01587) scheduled for June 1, 2026, at PVCC.
- Rebecca Brown (RIO District, Virginia Organizing) shared her personal experience with housing instability due to disability and requested a locally funded bridge program for 50 disabled residents at an estimated cost of $13,308 per year.
- Robert Brown (RIO District, Virginia Organizing) advocated for funding housing programs for people with disabilities, citing cost savings and community benefits.
- Sophie Massey (Samuel Miller District) supported the sludge permit concerns and highlighted PFAS contamination risks to rural wells.
- Saivo Flynn (Community Climate Collaborative) reported on a utility decarbonization study and a student petition to improve recycling/composting in schools.
Discussion Items
- Item 10: FY27 Albemarle Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) Process Recommendations – Staff proposed a competitive process with 90% of $7.03 million for grants/loans and 10% reserved for staff-initiated projects. Key changes include a four-week application window in July, an expanded review team including outside housing experts, a 75% scoring threshold (138.8 out of 185 points), and sliding scale scoring. Board members provided feedback emphasizing affordability for 60% AMI, cost per unit, extended affordability (90 years), energy efficiency standards, universal accessibility, vulnerability definitions, and tenant non-displacement requirements. No vote was taken; staff will incorporate guidance.
- Item 11: Budget Process Review – Board members shared reflections on the FY27 budget process, praising staff orientation and transparency but critiquing the school board’s late changes and the need for clearer prioritization and multi-year planning. Discussions included improving communication with the school board, agency funding process, and telegraphing intentions. No formal action was taken.
- County Executive Report – Jeffrey B. Richardson highlighted employee training achievements, including Trevor Henry’s ICMA credential, Emily Kilroy’s certified economic developer designation, Jessica Rice’s HR executive leadership certification, Michael Dellinger’s Master Code Professional designation, and certifications in parks, fire rescue, social services, and housing programs.
- Item 17: Secondary Six-Year Plan Public Hearing – Staff presented the FY27-32 plan and unpaved road improvement program (URIP). Board members discussed criteria for paving, including recreational use counts, and requested a future informational session on URIP processes. Supervisor Malik requested corrections to road data and added roads to URIP consideration. Public comment from Ronald Hahn (White Mountain Road) urged paving. The board later adopted the plan and URIP program (see Key Outcomes).
Key Outcomes
- Deferral Approved (5-1): Item 9 (528 Clarks Tract Building Site Modification) was deferred to a later date due to the applicant’s representative’s personal matter. Supervisor Mallek voted no.
- Consent Agenda Approved (6-0): All eleven items approved unanimously.
- Utility Easement Approved (6-0): Resolution passed to convey a utility easement along Townwood Drive to the Albemarle County Service Authority for water main replacement.
- Secondary Six-Year Plan Adopted (6-0): Resolution approving the FY27-32 plan as presented.
- Unpaved Road Improvement Program Adopted (6-0): Resolution outlining the URIP process was approved.
- Closed Meeting Certified (5-0): The closed meeting (discussing county attorney performance) was certified as compliant with Virginia FOIA after one supervisor left.
- Board Direction: Staff will explore a rental inspection program and a tenant advocacy office; research URIP criteria including recreational use; and provide a future informational item on URIP processes.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good afternoon, everyone. I would like to call to order the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors for our May 20th, 2026, 230 meeting here in Lane Auditorium. The supervisors who are present are Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Fred Missel of the Samuel Miller District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kirtley of the Ravanna District, Supervisor Sally Duncan of the Jack Jewett District, and myself, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District. We also have with us our county attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, and our board clerk, Miss Claudette Borgison. We want to thank and introduce the Albemar County Police Department officers who are present with us today. Officer Tavon Richardson and Senior Police Officer Ryan Esquerrol. Thank you both for being here. And now if everyone would please rise as you are able for the Pledge of Allegiance. And now if everyone would please join in a moment of silence. Thank you very much. Board, we need to adopt our final agenda, and prior to doing so, the applicant for item number nine, uh SE 2025 40, 528 Clark's tract building site modification has requested uh a deferral. So we need to take action on that request, and then we will move to adopt the final agenda as amended following that. Oh my gosh, I broke it. I did not break it. Would somebody other than Supervisor Lapisto currently like to make that motion? Are we gonna discuss it or what? Uh I would discuss it once the motion is on. I move that we defer the item. I'd like to move for a new mic for Supervisor Lapisto. Would you like to use my mic? Let me see. I move that we defer item nine on the agenda to a later date. All right, the motion has been made and seconded. Uh we'll have some discussion on the matter, and I'll go uh ask each supervisor if they'd like to make any discussion points. Supervisor Duncan? No comments. Uh Supervisor Malik. I in the past, there has been a reason given that has to do with planning or legislative process as a reason for a deferral. So if this is a convenience matter for the applicant and they've had two years to resolve their zoning things, I don't know why this is coming up at the last minute. Um well, one I should ask if there's any legal response to the points there. I'll speak to the other matter. So it the applicant's representative had alerted us that she's unavailable due to a personal matter. Uh but this is not a public hearing. That's correct. It wouldn't have to be a presentation. Usually staff has done these in the past, correct? That's correct. Although although quite frequently, applicants in special exception applications will take time during the matters from the public and speak on speak to it then. So it you correct. It's not a public hearing, but it's it and it's not a matter of uh the applicant delaying it simply that the applicant's representative is is unavailable due to a personal matter. Even by telephone. That's my understanding, yes, ma'am. Wow. All right. Uh Supervisor Lapisto currently. Yeah, I have no con for uh problems, concerns uh delaying this issue. Supervisor Missile.
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