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Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Proclamations, Transit, and Tourism – September 17, 2026

Board of Supervisors — Thursday, September 17, 2026
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateThursday, September 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:46:39

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Um I bring this up because the work that you do and the uh issues of dementia are something that kind of come to all of us and they touch all of us, uh even if not personally, then in our immediate spheres of work.

0:12

And so the work that you do here is it is not a specific interest group.

0:19

It is the work of the entire community.

0:21

So thank you so much.

0:23

Supervisor Lapisto Curtley?

0:26

Yes, it's this is uh means a lot to me because the World Alzheimer's Day is on September 21st.

0:33

My brother's my older brother's birthday is September 22nd, and he has dementia.

0:39

And his uh wife is taking care of him, and I see the hardship uh that is involved, and without lack of support, it's it's very difficult for family members.

0:51

And so I really applaud what you're doing.

0:56

That really means a lot.

0:58

And just in a larger sense, I know we have members here from the CACVB, and we actually the CAC VB has an award for Wheel the World, which is helping disabled people, being able to be tourists and being able to see what we what Abel Marl and Charlottesville has to offer.

1:18

So we're appreciative of of that also and the mindset of helping more people.

1:27

And thank you for everything you do.

1:29

Thank you.

1:30

Supervisor Malik.

1:32

Well, thank you again.

1:33

And also having been through this, I think as the younger generation, it's very hard to understand at the beginning or to know the various patterns that are going to be coming.

1:46

And so the work that you all are doing to help us all learn that in advance.

1:50

I in looking back, it would have been very beneficial to me had I known a whole lot more about what was coming for my mom and been able to protect my dad in a way he felt completely responsible and refused to let anybody else help.

2:06

He was very sharp and sociable and wanted to continue having lunch at Sloan's every day and see his 60 years of former customers and things like that who would come by to have lunch with him.

2:16

And he basically gave it all up.

2:18

And it was his it ended his joy of living too.

2:22

So there's just so much more that um having better discussion as you all are doing will really help us all to understand how we do, and I'm trying really hard not to do that to my own children.

2:32

So thank you very much.

2:34

Thank you.

2:35

Planning ahead is important.

2:39

Thank you for being with us today, Mr.

2:40

Worthington.

2:41

It was a pleasure working with you on in getting this resolution pulled together so that we could do this today.

2:46

Um recently, the uh author, Shima Manda Angoze Adigire, uh, she's a Nigerian author, fiction, nonfiction, et cetera, years ago had given a TED talk on one story.

2:58

And the idea there was how she encountered coming to America that people viewed her through the angle of just the one story of Africa, and then turned around and had her own experiences of experiencing others in just one story.

3:13

But the point being uh to come apart and go, well, there's multiple stories that each individual brings.

3:19

And working on this resolution um along with you and the Dills, Sue Davis Dill and former supervisor of the Ravana District, Norman Dill, helped me realize that I was approaching and viewing Alzheimer's from one story.

3:35

And I know that at this past uh year's TomTom festival, Sue was part of a uh panel uh and Norman participated uh as well and talked about his experience dealing with posterior cortical atrophy, which learning through the dills what that is gave me a different story to perceive what Alzheimer is all about.

3:56

And that specific, which is a rare form that I've learned from you all, um really pushed forward home, the dementia-friendly community idea that if businesses only approach folks with dementia or dealing with Alzheimer's from that one story, that they're going to miss being able to make some small, easy alterations, and that really you have to think of your clients, customers, community members, through multiple stories, uh especially when it comes to this and for other purposes as well.

4:27

So I thought it was timely that I happen for a whole different reason to revisit that TED talk uh relative to the week coming up to this and how things sometimes align that way.

4:38

But I do want to call out and recognize that uh in the spirit of his public service that he did with this board when he was a member, that he's still trying to give, you know, still giving back to the community and bringing attention and knowledge to this and working with you all to help.

5:00

I know other jurisdictions have endorsed the idea of dementia-friendly uh communities, and that Albemarle County is proud to do so as well, both what that means for us as an organization to learn, uh, but also then call on our citizens, organizations, businesses, et cetera, in the uh in the county of Albemarle to please do the same.

5:10

So thank you for all of your efforts, and again, thank you for your help and letting us get to this point to be able to not just recognize the month and the day, but also this effort that the community do can to to make lives easier for those uh dealing with Alzheimer's dementia and the care those who take care of them.

5:26

So thank you very much.

5:28

Um I'm gonna ask Supervisor Lapisto curtly to bring the the uh proclamation down to you.

5:34

Thank you.

5:43

Thank you.

5:46

Thank you.

5:52

All right.

5:53

We have a second uh resolution today.

5:55

The second is a resolution recognizing Greg McDonald.

5:59

And Supervisor Pruitt is going to read this resolution, and we're gonna follow the similar cadence and sequence as we did with the last.

6:07

Yes.

6:08

Uh this is a resolution recognizing Greg McDonald to be read in the form of a motion.

6:12

Whereas Albemarle County recognizes Mickey Tavern as one of the county's oldest and most historically significant dining establishments known for its welcoming environment, exceptional culinary experience, and contributions to the region's cultural heritage, and whereas the tavern has been owned and operated by the Conte McDonald family for 58 years, and under the leadership of owner Greg McDonald, and the establishment has upheld its long-standing reputation for excellence, hospitality, and historic preservation, and whereas, under Greg McDonald's guidance, the tavern has consistently provided exceptional customer service, maintained high standards of culinary quality, and served as a foundational pillar of Albemarle County's group tour industry, positively impacting visitors, residents, and the local tourism economy, and whereas the tavern has earned numerous awards and recognitions during Greg McDonald's tenure, including its distinction among Southern Livings, the best of 2026 restaurants, further affirming its regional and statewide significance, and whereas Greg McDonald has made a meaningful and lasting impact to Albemarle County through his dedication to historic preservation, tourism advancement, and the continued vitality of one of the county's most treasured establishments now, therefore be it resolved that we, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, do hereby recognize and honor Greg McDonald for his decade of leadership and service to Mickey Tavern, signed this day, the 16th of September 2026.

7:44

Second.

7:45

All right.

7:45

The motion has been made and seconded without objection, if the clerk will please call the roll.

7:49

Ms.

7:50

Lapisto Curtly.

7:51

Aye.

7:51

Ms.

7:51

Mallett?

7:52

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation█████████████████17%
Tourism██████████████14%
Community Engagement███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Voting Procedures█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Floodplain Management████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting – September 17, 2026

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The board recognized World Alzheimer's Day and a historic-site leader, reviewed tourism marketing and a regional transit study, received updates on the police chief search and community development, considered a steep slopes overlay district zoning amendment, and took up committee reports and public comment. No consent-calendar agenda or motion counts were available in the transcript.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Dementia-friendly communities / World Alzheimer's Day: The board endorsed the dementia-friendly community idea and recognized World Alzheimer's Day (September 21). Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley (transcribed as "Lapisto Curtley" and "Lapisto Kirkland") shared that his older brother, whose birthday is September 22 and who worked at Sloan's, has dementia and is cared for by his wife. A presenter said dementia "touch[es] all of us" and "is not a specific interest group." The county is proud to join other jurisdictions endorsing dementia-friendly communities, both as an organization and for its citizens.
  • Mickey Tavern (as transcribed) leadership: The board recognized a decade of leadership and service to Mickey Tavern with a proclamation signed September 16, 2026. A family member "played a key role in helping transform Mickey Tavern from very quiet, modest museum into a significant historic site"; supervisors called it a "real cultural touchstone."

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 7: No speakers signed up.
  • Item 14: One speaker asked whether the board will be ready to answer yes-or-no questions "next spring during your community budget town halls" about transit. The speaker supported governance changes, noting that 20 years ago governance "was the one thing that was the obstacle to making any progress," criticized the cost-per-rider chart for a "fail compliance attitude," and encouraged the next report to include a "2030 scenario of the political prioritizations of what we think the steps should be."

Discussion Items

Tourism & Destination Marketing Update

  • Staff reported Albemarle County holds two positions on the tourism board, and county tourism staff use the county's performance review system. The county is a leisure destination with weekend visitation "but we don't see as much visitation during the middle of the week," making it hard to hire full-time hotel and restaurant staff.
  • Branding work ran August 2023–June 2024 and produced an identifiable brand; the "Downs and Towns" collaboration produced more than 600 images. Monthly hospitality events are about 20 minutes of content and 45 minutes of networking. Accessibility work continues for the remaining two years of the three-year plan.
  • Supervisors asked about specific business needs and rural business opportunities, with one noting zoning may not support them. Staff are working with economic development and will write support into the next strategic plan. Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley noted Courtney has presented to the Charlottesville City Council, raised whether DMOs should do more organizing locally, and referenced a university facility built at about twice what was promised—though still under the scale of the area's largest venue—noting 55 breakout rooms matter for large groups.

Regional Transit Study & Governance

  • Staff said the study "was trying to look at all this other work" to identify transit priorities. A supervisor expressed frustration that the county has a limited "seat at the table" during implementation.
  • Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley said "I would rather it happen under the auspices of CARTA than under the auspices of the city and CAT," and "support[ed] heartily the comments made about how the changes to the governance have to happen next."
  • A supervisor noted Buckingham Connect "may only have 15 people on it when it's coming across the border, but it's full by the time it gets to town," recalling the late Donna Shaughty's point that 55 people are picked up before reaching work.
  • Upcoming: an October 6 joint meeting of the city and county, with the University of Virginia present, and a September 27 reception for the Chapel Hill Carbera (as transcribed) Chamber of about 35 people visiting the community.

Steep Slopes Overlay District ZMA

  • Staff presented background on the program, specific ZMA proposal details, and impacts, noting the overlay district content "is not the only factor that must be considered during the rezoning review process." The board asked questions; no vote was recorded.

Police Chief Recruitment

  • Tuck Parrish will interview each board member individually to identify the leadership qualities, experience, and attributes the next police chief needs; the resulting profile will inform the search.

Community Development Overview

  • Bart Savoda presented on permit review, inspections, and turnaround times. Staff noted the local unemployment rate and population make the inspector candidate pool "very small," and discussed certification maintenance for retired staff, adding "that requires a lot more time and effort, and you're doing it, so thank you."

Election Information Coordination

  • A partner in the CAPE office has collaborated with the register's office to provide clear, timely election information; board members could use it between now and the November election.

Board Committee Reports & Notices (Item 17)

  • TJPDC: A first look; presentation materials are on the TJPDC website. A meeting two days after a disbursement recorded roughly "58" at the time, which "shows kind of the rate at which they're filling that," with space filled "as space comes available" at Cityspace, 100 Fifth Street Northeast, Charlottesville.
  • Community master plans: With only three neighborhoods chosen per cycle and implementation plans running three years each, neighborhoods not selected could wait "at least a decade" and as long as 30 years before their plans return.
  • Upcoming: Joint meeting with the Charlottesville City Council on October 6 and a board meeting the next day.

Key Outcomes

  • Two proclamations recognized: dementia-friendly communities/World Alzheimer's Day, and a decade of Mickey Tavern leadership.
  • Tourism support will be incorporated into the next strategic plan.
  • Transit governance under CARTA was endorsed by a supervisor; no formal action. The board was asked to prepare yes/no answers for spring budget town halls.
  • Police chief profile to be developed from one-on-one board interviews.
  • Steep slopes ZMA discussed; no action recorded.

Meeting Transcript

Um I bring this up because the work that you do and the uh issues of dementia are something that kind of come to all of us and they touch all of us, uh even if not personally, then in our immediate spheres of work. And so the work that you do here is it is not a specific interest group. It is the work of the entire community. So thank you so much. Supervisor Lapisto Curtley? Yes, it's this is uh means a lot to me because the World Alzheimer's Day is on September 21st. My brother's my older brother's birthday is September 22nd, and he has dementia. And his uh wife is taking care of him, and I see the hardship uh that is involved, and without lack of support, it's it's very difficult for family members. And so I really applaud what you're doing. That really means a lot. And just in a larger sense, I know we have members here from the CACVB, and we actually the CAC VB has an award for Wheel the World, which is helping disabled people, being able to be tourists and being able to see what we what Abel Marl and Charlottesville has to offer. So we're appreciative of of that also and the mindset of helping more people. And thank you for everything you do. Thank you. Supervisor Malik. Well, thank you again. And also having been through this, I think as the younger generation, it's very hard to understand at the beginning or to know the various patterns that are going to be coming. And so the work that you all are doing to help us all learn that in advance. I in looking back, it would have been very beneficial to me had I known a whole lot more about what was coming for my mom and been able to protect my dad in a way he felt completely responsible and refused to let anybody else help. He was very sharp and sociable and wanted to continue having lunch at Sloan's every day and see his 60 years of former customers and things like that who would come by to have lunch with him. And he basically gave it all up. And it was his it ended his joy of living too. So there's just so much more that um having better discussion as you all are doing will really help us all to understand how we do, and I'm trying really hard not to do that to my own children. So thank you very much. Thank you. Planning ahead is important. Thank you for being with us today, Mr. Worthington. It was a pleasure working with you on in getting this resolution pulled together so that we could do this today. Um recently, the uh author, Shima Manda Angoze Adigire, uh, she's a Nigerian author, fiction, nonfiction, et cetera, years ago had given a TED talk on one story. And the idea there was how she encountered coming to America that people viewed her through the angle of just the one story of Africa, and then turned around and had her own experiences of experiencing others in just one story. But the point being uh to come apart and go, well, there's multiple stories that each individual brings. And working on this resolution um along with you and the Dills, Sue Davis Dill and former supervisor of the Ravana District, Norman Dill, helped me realize that I was approaching and viewing Alzheimer's from one story. And I know that at this past uh year's TomTom festival, Sue was part of a uh panel uh and Norman participated uh as well and talked about his experience dealing with posterior cortical atrophy, which learning through the dills what that is gave me a different story to perceive what Alzheimer is all about. And that specific, which is a rare form that I've learned from you all, um really pushed forward home, the dementia-friendly community idea that if businesses only approach folks with dementia or dealing with Alzheimer's from that one story, that they're going to miss being able to make some small, easy alterations, and that really you have to think of your clients, customers, community members, through multiple stories, uh especially when it comes to this and for other purposes as well. So I thought it was timely that I happen for a whole different reason to revisit that TED talk uh relative to the week coming up to this and how things sometimes align that way. But I do want to call out and recognize that uh in the spirit of his public service that he did with this board when he was a member, that he's still trying to give, you know, still giving back to the community and bringing attention and knowledge to this and working with you all to help. I know other jurisdictions have endorsed the idea of dementia-friendly uh communities, and that Albemarle County is proud to do so as well, both what that means for us as an organization to learn, uh, but also then call on our citizens, organizations, businesses, et cetera, in the uh in the county of Albemarle to please do the same. So thank you for all of your efforts, and again, thank you for your help and letting us get to this point to be able to not just recognize the month and the day, but also this effort that the community do can to to make lives easier for those uh dealing with Alzheimer's dementia and the care those who take care of them. So thank you very much. Um I'm gonna ask Supervisor Lapisto curtly to bring the the uh proclamation down to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We have a second uh resolution today. The second is a resolution recognizing Greg McDonald. And Supervisor Pruitt is going to read this resolution, and we're gonna follow the similar cadence and sequence as we did with the last. Yes. Uh this is a resolution recognizing Greg McDonald to be read in the form of a motion.

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