We are in the third week of the COVID-19 response waiting for more information and staying at home as much as we can. I want to update you on what’s happening in local government this week. Many localities are beginning to adjust. I hope you and your family are safe. I want to hear from you. Please tell me what’s going on in your area. Please reach out.
*The page will be updated throughout the week as new information comes together.
Albemarle County
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on the morning of Friday, March 27, to adopt a continuity of government ordinance. That allows for “essential government functions” to continue. This justifies ongoing operations of the government. It also sets up provisions for how supervisors and top county staff would be replaced if they can’t continue their work. I encourage you to read the details. The ordinance lasts for at least 60 days but can be extended. (ordinance)
When will that be? What will that look like?
“It starts with the county executive coming to the board and reporting that all of the emergency actions that can be taken have been taken, the Governor lifting the state emergency, and a statement from Virginia’s health commissioner to the effect that it is safe for people to gather again,” said Albemarle County Attorney Greg Kamptner.
On Friday, County Executive Jeffrey Richardson announced that all public meetings except the Board of Supervisors would be canceled for April while a new standard of procedure is created to govern how virtual meetings will work. However, they will hold virtual public hearings at their meeting on April 1, which begins at 5 p.m. There will be a way to submit an e-comment (agenda).
The Board of Supervisors will continue to receive comments anytime through email ([email protected]) or by mail (401 McIntire Road, 2nd Floor, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
The only public hearing on the agenda is the sale of the county’s share of 701 East Market Street, a parking lot that will be the location of a future parking garage to support the county’s court system.
“Any necessary City financing and ongoing operation and maintenance of the Parking Structure is simplified if the County is not a co-owner of the East Market Street Parcel,” reads the staff report for the hearing. The city would pay the county $1.28 million. (staff report)
There is a lot of information on the consent agenda. Before Wednesday, I will go through and put some of it in context for you.
Charlottesville
While there are no meetings scheduled for City Council, the board of the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority will meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday via telephone. They will take up a resolution on a “funding allocation to address COVID-19 pandemic impact on City businesses.” (agenda)
The city will host the second episode of a new television program called Cville360 which features news and information about the city. One of the guests on this second installment is Charlottesville Fire Chief Andrew Baxter. Others include City Councilor Heather Hill, Kathryn Goodman of the Thomas Jefferson Health District, and human service director Kaki Dimock. The program can be watched via Facebook Live or the city’s cable channel 10. To sign up to ask questions yourself, log in through Zoom. (learn more)
A third episode will air on Thursday at 4 p.m. and will feature Chris Engel, the city’s economic development director. Charlottesville City Councilor Lloyd Snook and Chief Baxter will also be on the program. (learn more)
Greene County
There are no meetings scheduled for this week. The Board of Supervisors met on March 24. The video is available to review online.
As always, thank you, and please reach out to me if you have any questions!
Sincerely,
Sean Tubbs
Field Representative – Albemarle, Charlottesville and Greene
The Piedmont Environmental Council
[email protected]
