Charlottesville to update support resolution for affordable housing project
Plus: Appomattox Supervisors to end COVID-19 emergency
For much of this spring and summer, I’ve been on reduced capacity. That time is beginning to abate and I can see more time in my future. I spend as much time I can doing research into local and regional government in the Fifth District.
I’m going to begin to sprinkle in other stories in these updates. My goal is to work to continue learning about what makes up the elements of this particular political jurisdiction. If you’re interested in supporting it, consider becoming a supporter of Town Crier Productions through Patreon.
In this edition:
Charlottesville City Council to approved contact for new city manager, learn about new economic development strategic plan
Appomattox Supervisors will get the results of a compensation study and get an update on a study of space for government services
The Library of Virginia’s mobile exhibit will visit Lynchburg this Saturday
Council to review Sister Cities and economic development plan at work session
The Charlottesville City Council will begin their meeting at 4 p.m. with a work session, followed by a closed session for boards and appointments, followed by a regular meeting. (meeting agenda)
The work session has two items. The first is a report from the Sister Cities Commission which can be read here. In all, Charlottesville has five communities that it has some relationship with.
Poggio a Caiano, Italy
Pleven, Bulgaria (considered inactive)
Huehuetenango, Guatemala (Friendship City still in exploratory phase)
This year, in–person exchanges resumed a trip in April by one Charlottesville representative to Besançon.
“During the visit, a group comprised of Sister City Commissioners, Charlottesville teachers, and CHS students were warmly welcomed in Besançon and honored with a reception at the Victor Hugo Birthplace museum,” reads a section of the presentation.
We also learn from the report that the 10th and 11th delegations to Winneba have taken place this year since the relationship was created in 2010. We also learn that the University of Virginia School of Architecture has an ongoing environmental conservation partnership in Winneba. That would be a very interesting story!
As for Huehuetenango, there have been a lot of negotiations and conversations this year.
“It is anticipated that the CSCC will have a next-step recommendation ready for presentation to the Charlottesville City Council in August 2023,” reads slide 12 of the presentation.
The second presentation is on the economic development strategic plan crafted for the City of Charlottesville. I’ve tracked the creation of this plan.
Charlottesville to hire consultant to strategic plan for economic development, September 16, 2022
Economic development plan strategic plan contract awarded, November 21, 2022
Survey launches for Charlottesville Economic Development Plan, February 1, 2023
Charlottesville’s new economic development plan to focus on inclusivity, workforce development, May 23, 2023
The plan is now complete and carries this vision statement:
“A cultural and creative capital of Virginia, Charlottesville treasures its people and diversity - a leader in innovation and sustainability,” reads the statement.
Under the consent agenda:
There’s a resolution to move up the spending of $175,000 for a alert system for the Fontaine Avenue Fire Station from FY2026 to now. (staff report)
There’s second reading of an ordinance to create a firearms buy-back program. (staff report)
There’s first reading of an appropriation of $56,316.53 in insurance reimbursements for a variety of damaged city infrastructure such as poles. (staff report)
There’s first reading of an appropriation of $100,000 from the Virginia Department of Education for the Special Nutrition Program Summer Food Service Program. (staff report)
There is first reading of a transfer of $33,827.85 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the City of Promise to the city. City of Promise had been using the money for community resiliency activities at the Westhaven Clinic but a decision has been to return the funds to the city. (staff report)
There is first reading of an encroachment agreement with the owner of 1117 Preston Avenue as some of the infrastructure for a proposed 16-unit apartment building is within the city’s right of way. (staff report)
Council to approve Sanders city manager contract
The first item on the regular agenda is the approval of an employment agreement with Sam Sanders to be the next City Manager. City Council made the announcement last week.
According to the contract, Sanders will be paid $240,000 a year and will have a yearly vehicle allowance of $6,000. If you want to know more about him, take a look at his resume.
After that, Council will hear an approval of a certificate of appropriateness for an apartment building at 2005 Jefferson Park Avenue. The Planning Commission acting as the Entrance Corridor Review Board approved the project on March 14, 2023 and several neighbors appealed the decision. Council heard the appeal on May 15 and took no formal action. However, there is a concern the city did not follow notice requirements properly so the matter is back before the Council. (staff report)
Next, Council will consider a lease with the Blue Ridge Coalition for the Homeless to rent a portion of CitySpace that was rented for nearly a decade to one of my former employers.
“Given the history of the City providing shared working spaces with Charlottesville Tomorrow, it was worthy of exploration to reduce expenditures which will increase funding available for existing programs and services,” reads the staff report.
BRACH was formerly known as the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless. The city awarded funds to the city earlier this year through the Housing Operations Program to hire new employees. They’ll be in the corner office I used to occupy.
After that Council will hold the first and only reading of a resolution to express the city’s support for the second phase of the formerly named Friendship Court. This is an amendment to one adopted in February 2021. Since then, the total amount of city funding for the project has increased to a total of $5,750,000.
“This updated Resolution will be used by Piedmont Housing Alliance to provide documentation of the city funding commitment for their lenders, Low Income Housing Tax Credits applications and other needed support,” reads the staff report.
I do have to wonder why the staff report isn’t using the updated name of Kindlewood? In any case, Kindlewood is being redeveloped in four phases to avoid displacing the people and families who live there now.
“The completed redevelopment will result in 425 to 475 residential units and a variety of commercial, educational, and retail space, as well as a proposed park,” the report continues.
A similar amendment had been made for the first phase, as I reported at the time.
Council will also hold the first of two readings to appropriate $285,665 in funds for a pedestrian trail from Washington Park to Madison Avenue.
“The City recently canceled another HSIP project and VDOT has agreed to move that funding over to the Washington project to enable it to be re-bid and proceed to construction,” reads the staff report.
What project was canceled? When will this one be built? How does it fit in to the city’s plan to connect bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure? Is there a plan?
Council will hold the first of two readings for the request from Heirloom Development to reduce stepbacks for the apartment building to be constructed at 218 West Market Street. Learn more in the staff report or read the story I wrote from the June 13 public hearing before Council and the Planning Commission. Take your pick. I just want you to be informed.
Finally Council will get an update on a study that Charlottesville Area Transit has been commissioned on the transition to zero-emission or low-emission fuels.
“The transition to a new fuel type would support the City’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050,” reads the staff report. “However, to make this transition successfully, CAT will need to ensure that its vehicles are able to serve the work requirements of its routes in a reliable fashion.”
Council was briefed on the creation of the study back in March 2022, as I reported at the time. Will there also be questions about the status of the governance study? The transit strategic plan? Council got a brief update on the microtransit plan for Albemarle in June. Who reported it at the time? I reported it at the time.
According to a slide in the presentation, the consultant Kimley-Horn is also studying space needs that CAT might need for facilities. A site master plan is to be developed by fall 2023 and a “zero emissions bus transition plan” will also be ready in the fall.
Appomattox Supervisors to end local COVID-19 emergency
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Appomattox County meet at 6 p.m. They meet at 171 Price Lane in Appomattox. (meeting agenda)
The meeting begins with two appearances.
Dr. Stephanie Davis of Virginia Tech will present her work on a salary study for county employees.
Blair Smith of Dominion Seven Architects will give an update on the facilities study underway.
Under action items, Supervisors will officially end the local COVID-19 emergency declared on March 16, 2020. Here’s a link to the resolution.
They’ll also approve a resolution to participate in a regional hazard mitigation plan that will be developed by the Central Virginia Planning District Commission. Here’s that resolution.
Library of Virginia exhibit coming to Lynchburg Public Library
The Library of Virginia turns 200 this year and a mobile exhibit has been touring the Commonwealth. The tour will make a stop in Lynchburg next Saturday.
“This custom-built vehicle will bring the vast resources and staff expertise of the Library of Virginia to Lynchburg for a day of history and fun which will include their state-of-the-art technology to help Lynchburg area patrons engage with the Library of Virginia’s unique resources for history, genealogy, education and more,” reads a press release sent out on July 7.
The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday at Lynchburg Public Library at 2315 Memorial Avenue. Local organizations will join the event with displays in the Community Meeting Room.
“The participating organizations include the Anne Spencer House and Garden Museum, Historic Sandusky, Jones Memorial Library, Legacy Museum of African American History, Lynchburg Historical Foundation and Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest,” the release continues.
Reading material:
Some in Lynchburg want to recall a city council member. Here’s why that’s so hard, Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News, July 10, 2023
Federal Court halts MVP construction, Chuck Vipperman, Chatham Star-Tribune, July 11, 2023
Mecklenburg County imposes hard cap on solar projects, South Boston News Record, July 12, 2023
$24M expansion of RRSA water treatment plant goes forward, South Boston News Record, July 12, 2023