So far, 2021 has moved at a fast pace. Somehow this week, it appears as if there might be a small break. Yet, each week I put this newsletter together, I find there’s always enough to write about in our community. Our country is built upon thousands of municipal meetings and this work is intended to help you know what’s coming up so you can get involved.
Monday, February 8, 2021
Charlottesville has launched a process to create and implement a climate action plan. Today at 4 p.m. there will be a conversation on Equity in Climate Action that will take place virtually. The discussion will be facilitated by the University of Virginia’s Institute for Engagement & Negotiation.
“We would like to have a diversity of community voices contribute to the conversation about how to ensure that the City’s Climate Action Plan represents our goals for climate equity,” reads the invitation on the website.
If you want to participate, email Harrison Premen at [email protected] to get a link to the Zoom call as well as the agenda.
If you want to get caught up, review the update given to City Council on January 19.
Over the past several years, there have been big changes to how fire and rescue services are provided in Albemarle County. The Fire and EMS Executive Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. This body consists of Fire/Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston and representatives of the various volunteer groups. The minutes of the January 19 meeting reveal tension between professionals and the volunteers regarding insurance and certification. Today’s meeting will include a discussion of vehicles at the Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company and a concern that some drivers have been operating them without proper certification. (meeting info)
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Fluvanna’s Economic Development Authority meets at 5 p.m. The meeting includes a presentation from Kevin McDonald, the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Community Partnerships at the University of Virginia. (agenda)
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
The main event of the day is the Charlottesville Planning Commission’s regular meeting for February. There will be a public hearing on the draft Capital Improvement Program for FY2022-FY2026. The most important thing to know is that Council will only approve a budget for FY2022. The other four years are advisory and intended to inform long-range planning. So, the $50 million recommended for reconfiguration of the city’s middle schools is a placeholder. Bonds will only be sold for whatever items Council decides to move forward with for FY22.
Take a look at my story from January 28, 2021 to learn more. Time willing, I’ll have another one posted tomorrow that takes a look at last week’s Council work session on the CIP.
Following that discussion, the Commission will transform into the city’s Entrance Corridor Review Board to review a sign request for 916 East High Street. The plans are for a proposed three-story medical office and a two-story parking deck. This is within what is known as Corridor 10 and Sentara will be the tenant.
After that, the ECRB will transform back to the Planning Commission for a review the draft housing strategy put together as part of the Cville Plans Together initiative. A key point recommendation in the plan is for the city to invest $10 million each year into affordable housing projects. This recommendation may come up during the earlier conversation on the capital program.
The Charlottesville Planning Commission meeting begins virtually at 5:30 p.m. (meeting info)
The Albemarle County Police Department Citizen Advisory Committee will meet at 9 a.m. On the agenda is a discussion of mental health and police reform. Five questions are provided for discussion. (meeting info)
- When is support most needed?
- Does all patrol get some training?
- Do some officers specialize more than others in this training?
- SRO’s, with mental health training?
- What might the county expect in some costs associated with this training?
Other meetings:
- The Nelson County Board of Supervisors meets in person at 2 p.m. at the General District Courtroom in Lovingston. The agenda includes a public hearing on the Secondary Six Year Plan, a report from the Virginia Department of Transportation, and a presentation of a draft ordinance on solar energy siting. (meeting info)
- The Albemarle County Department of Social Services meets at 3:30 p.m. On the agenda is an update of Child Family Services. (meeting info)
- The Fluvanna Planning Commission meets virtually at 7 p.m. for the first time of the year. (meeting info)
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Very quiet day. Or at least, nothing yet posted for these meetings. What does your Wednesday look like?
- The Crozet Community Advisory Committee meets at 7 p.m. The agenda is not available at production time. In the meantime, you can watch the January meeting on YouTube. (meeting info)
- The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors will hold a virtual leadership retreat at 4 p.m. After that they will hold a budget work session. (meeting info)
Thursday, February 11, 2021
The future of a nearly $3 million design for the West Main Streetscape is uncertain. At noon, The city’s PLACE Design Task Force will discuss possible futures for adding sidewalks, bike lanes, street trees, and other urban amenities. Last year, Council converted PLACE to a body that advises staff rather than one that advises Council. (meeting info)
Council also converted the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to a body that advises staff rather than elected officials. They meet at 5:30 p.m. There do not appear to be any items on the agenda. (meeting info)
The Charlottesville Police Civilian Review Board meets at 6:30 p.m. There is no agenda posted yet. The January meeting did not occur because there was no quorum of members. (meeting info)
Meanwhile in Albemarle, the Places29 North Community Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Guess what? There’s no agenda at production time. To give some context, this area is currently seeing a lot of development. North Pointe is well under construction, as is Brookhill. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Committee is about to launch a transportation study of U.S. 29 that will also include Greene County. Perhaps some of that will be on the agenda? (meeting info)
The Louisa County Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Among the items on the agenda is a discussion of their Capital Improvement Program. Louisa takes a two-decade look into the future. (meeting packet)
“Previously, the County has planned for the upcoming five years,” reads the document. “Over the past few years, we have expanded our capital plan to look further into the future with a 20-year Capital Improvement Plan.”
Friday, February 12, 2021
Charlottesville’s Historic Resources Committee will begin the first of two work sessions at 11 a.m. This will comprise the group’s annual meeting.
“The first work session (02/12) will tackle themes, mission, and longer-term goals, while the second meeting (02/19) will prioritize projects into a manageable plan for completion in the coming year,” reads the agenda. (meeting info)
This post was contributed by Sean Tubbs. Sean is a journalist working to build a new information and news outlet centered around Charlottesville and Virginia. In 2020, he launched a daily newscast and newsletter and also created a semi-regular podcast on the pandemic.
Support for Sean’s “Week Ahead” update comes from The Piedmont Environmental Council.