Supervisors to be briefed on Albemarle on-demand transit pilot details; Fluvanna to authorize public hearing for new lodging tax
Plus: Links to other stories about happenings in Albemarle and Fluvanna from other reporters
If I race through this introductory part, I will get out the third edition of this newsletter in 24 hours. As I keep saying, this is an experiment and that sometimes means I get a small thrill from the frequency of publishing content.
This edition is almost entirely a result of previously produced content that went out as the Week Ahead edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement on Sunday. There is still one more to go as there are also meetings in Amelia County and Nottoway County tomorrow.
I spent about 30 minutes today writing up a work plan for someone to help me if I can figure out a way to pay them to help me with research and production. At some point, support for Town Crier Productions will begin to pay for additional personnel. I’m not quite there yet.
But goodness. I’m really enjoying writing this up. I look forward to working with others to improve the overall quality. There’s a lot to learn about the Fifth District and around 750,000 people who might want to know what’s going on.
Supervisors to get details on long-awaited microtransit pilot for Places29 and Pantops
The six members of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will gather in Lane Auditorium in the office building at 401 McIntire Road at 1 p.m. on Wednesday for their second meeting of the month. (meeting info) (agenda)
The meeting begins with an achievement award from the Virginia Association of Counties. The staff report doesn’t say so, but this is for the county’s efforts to let the public know what’s going on. .
“The Let’s Talk Albemarle community engagement field office van seeks to define the Albemarle County approach to community engagement as inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and creative,” reads the list of awards on the VACO website.
Next there will be a consideration of a special exception for a homestay at 3585 Stockton Road in the Samuel Miller District. They want to increase the number of allowed rooms from two to three. (staff report)
After that there will be an update on the long-awaited micro-transit pilot program that Charlottesville Area Transit will be responsible for in Albemarle County. The city recently hired the firm VIA to operate the service, as I reported on July 31. The presentation lays out the two geographical areas where the on-demand service and lays out scenarios for each.
“The Director of CAT, Garland Williams, and representatives from VIA will present an update on the Albemarle County Micro-Transit Program, including information on how the service will operate, the proposed marketing plan for the service, and general timelines for implementation,” reads the staff report.
The final item of the afternoon session is a work session on proposed legislative priorities for the 2024 General Assembly session. A document in the packet lays out potential changes to the priorities for 2023 based on this year’s session. (staff report)
In the evening session, there is a public hearing on a lease of a portion of Walnut Creek Park for a Verizon Wireless telecommunications tower. (staff report)
One item on the consent agenda is a resubmission for a federal transportation grant called Reconnecting Communities. An initial application failed but staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation encouraged the county to apply again.
“Staff has revised the previous RCP application and is prepared to submit a RCN planning grant application for approximately $300,000,” reads the staff report. “Like the 2022 RCP request, this funding would support a corridor study for US 29 (and the surrounding neighborhoods) from Hydraulic Road to Hilton Heights Road.”
Fluvanna County Supervisors to consider levying five percent transient occupancy tax
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Fluvanna County will meet at 7 p.m. in the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center at 8880 James Madison Highway in Fork Union. (meeting packet)
There will be a public hearing on an amendment to the dogs running at-large ordinance that would make it applicable county-wide. Currently is only applies to Lake Monticello.
“The ordinance would authorize a $100 civil penalty for a violation within Lake Monticello but would authorize two warnings for violations outside of Lake Monticello before there is a $100 civil penalty,” reads the staff report (page 5). “There are exemptions for dogs engaged in hunting or training for hunting or if the dog is assisting in farming activity.”
There are four action items.
One is a resolution for a portion of Bike Route 76 to be rerouted in Palmyra. (page 11)
The second is an authorization to hold a public hearing on October 18 for a five-percent transient occupancy tax. There is currently no such tax. (page 15)
The third is for an authorization for a public hearing on October 18 for a proposed revenue-sharing agreement with solar generators of $1,400 per megawatt. (page 23)
The fourth is related to an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation for “Watch for Children” signs. VDOT no longer places the signs but localiites can with the agency’s approval. The Sycamore Square Property Owners Association wants two signs at a cost of $1,700. (page 29)
There are some items on the consent agenda worth noting:
There’s a purchase agreement for an ambulance for the Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Service. The cost for the 2023 Ford F-550 4x4 Ultramedic Crawl-Through is $363,573. (page 55)
There’s a partnership agreement between the county and the Fluvanna Chamber of Commerce for the provision of office space at the Chamber for the Small Business and Tourism Specialist, among other things. (page 263)
There’s a proclamation recognizing October as National Community Planning Month.
Reading material:
Fluvanna County launches new tourism campaign, Press Release, Fluvanna Review, September 6, 2023
Fluvanna County holds candidate forum, Garrett Whitton, CBS19, September 7, 2023
Over $300,000 approved to restore historic courthouse, Press Release, Fluvanna Review, September 13, 2023
Public hearing coming up on Fluvanna County intersection project, CBS19, September 15, 2023
Lake Monticello residents fail to oust homophobic HOA leader, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), September 15, 2023
VDOT seeking public input on Albemarle County projects, Amaya Mitchell, WVIR NBC29, September 18, 2023
Crowd of hundreds braves the rain for Charlottesville Pride, Hawes Spencer, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), September 18, 2023
Meg Bryce, Joann McDermid labeled 'radical right' after declining forum invitation, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), September 18, 2023
Albemarle finds school bus seats for hundreds of students, though more continue waiting, Tamica Jean-Charles, Charlottesville Tomorrow, September 19, 2023
How did the Albemarle teachers union talks fall apart?, Faith Redd, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), September 19, 2023