April 3, 2024: Governor Youngkin vetoes another bill related to invasive species and one on climate change

Plus: Albemarle Supervisors give staff green light for alternate ways to pursue transportation projects

Humanity is an assemblage of individuals that either get along or attack each other depending on a variety of factors. Charlottesville Community Engagement exists to provide ballast in a world with so many variables and so much potential for both conflict and harmony. I’m Sean Tubbs, determined to finally understand why I’ve dedicated myself to this endeavor.

In today’s installment:

• Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoes bills on climate change and invasive species notifications and signs another hundred including an expansion of the definition of hate crimes in Virginia to cover ethnic groups

• A need for new transportation infrastructure in Albemarle prompts Supervisors to approve a new way of implementing them

• The Scottsville Museum will open for the year on Sunday with a talk on preserving the history of Black schools 

• The first of two sets of finalists for the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council’s annual awards

• Another look at recent price drops in the area’s housing market 

First shout out: Piedmont Master Gardeners seek items for Green Elephant sale

In today’s first subscriber supported public service announcement:  If you are cleaning out your garage, basement or garden shed as spring approaches, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will gladly take any yard and garden equipment you no longer need.

PMG is now accepting donations of new and used tools, hoses, decorative items, outdoor furniture—virtually anything used to create, maintain and enjoy a garden. These “Green Elephants” will be offered for sale to the public during PMG’s Spring Plant Sale. Donated items may be dropped off at 402 Albemarle Square between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the end of April. PMG is not able to accept plastic pots or opened chemicals. To arrange a pickup or for more information, contact the Piedmont Master Gardeners at greenelephant@piedmontmastergardeners.org.

Youngkin vetoes climate change education bill, signs dozens of others

The executive phase of the 2024 General Assembly continues with Governor Glenn Youngkin taking action yesterday on another 104 pieces of legislation, including the veto of another four bills. 

One of those four would have required the Virginia Board of Education to develop policies on the instruction of climate change and environmental literacy. HB1088 passed the House of Delegates on a 56 to 43 vote and the Senate on a 20 to 19 vote. 

“The Standards of Learning already provides instructional material related to environmental issues,” reads Youngkin’s veto statement. “[The bill] mandates a separate and independent review for a specific topic, in addition to the review of science Standards of Learning and instructional material.”

Learn more about HB1088 on the Legislative Information System 

Youngkin also vetoed SB236 which would have allowed faculty members at public institutions of higher education working on certain types of research to see “a report for aggregated, nonconfidential case data for garnishment, unlawful detainer, and warrant in debt actions in a general district court.” 

Youngkin said legislation he signed last year would give the same information to anyone researching evictions in Virginia. He said the bill filed by Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi would infringe on people’s privacy.

“Additionally, the proposal does not effectively address the issue of incomplete eviction data, as garnishments and warrants in debt actions can involve various transactions, such as credit card or business-to-business disputes,” Youngkin wrote. 

The final two vetoed bills are identical. Both HB47 and SB306 would have required any plants selling species considered invasive to post information about each species and to point out alternatives. Non-compliance would result in a civil penalty. 

Youngkin said the Department of Conservation and Recreation publishes a list of invasive species. The website makes a distinction between invasive and introduced species and provides an education into an altered landscape. 

“The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural Heritage currently identifies 90 invasive plant species that threaten or potentially threaten our natural areas, parks and other protected lands in Virginia,” reads that website.

Those 90 species make up 15 percent of the 606 species identified as naturalized since the beginning of European colonization. That 15 percent is about three percent of the total number of plant species in Virginia and there are many efforts to maintain or even reduce that figure. 

The DCR website also lists these characteristics of invasive species:

• Rapid growth and maturity

• Prolific seed production

• Highly successful seed dispersal, germination and colonization

• Rampant vegetative spread

• Ability to out-compete native species

• High cost to remove or control

Youngkin supported efforts by the Commonwealth to educate the public on the topic, but the bill went too far.

“The proposal, however, places additional requirements and imposes civil penalties on Virginia’s small businesses for the sale of plants with low levels of invasiveness, such as periwinkle and winter honeysuckle,” Youngkin wrote.

From the DCR site: Invasive plant species such as the autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate) spread with ease, thanks to their ability to disperse fruits readily. (Photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org) 

Youngkin signed 100 bills. One of them amends the Virginia Human Rights Act to expand the definition of protected classes from unlawful discrimination by adding the word “ethnic.” This was one of several recommendations that came out of Youngkin’s Commission to Combat Anti Semitism.

“As the first state to weave religious freedom into the fabric of our nation, Virginia is leading once again and sending a clear message that Virginians should not be the victim of a crime simply because of their religion, race, or ethnicity,” Youngkin is quoted in a press release.   

Some other highlights:

• The Town of Leesburg is hereby authorized to create a Parking Authority now that HB5 will become law

• The Town of Smithfield’s charter has been amended to reflect a change to a November date for municipal elections (HB91) and HB1127 does the same for the Town of Pulaski.  

• The adoption of HB143 means The Virginia Department of Transportation will be required “to establish and maintain a publicly accessible database and map of all utility work that has been approved by the Department and will occur within a highway right-of-way in a residential neighborhood.” 

• Localities are required by law to advertise certain pending ordinances and resolutions, such as increased tax rates. Now that HB264 has been signed into law, they can do so on online-only publications. Personally I find this one fascinating. 

• HB309 and SB461 will require the Department of Forestry to develop a Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan. 

• Virginia will enter into the Cosmetology Compact as soon as a seventh state joins. HB322 will allow the creation of muli-state licenses for barbers and hair stylists. 

• HB607 would establish the Virginia Commission to End Hunger

• The Henrietta Lacks Commission’s sunset date will now extended to July 1, 2026 with the adoption of HB613

• HB764 would make it easier for someone who needs to move quickly due to an abusive situation can terminate their lease if a permanent protective order is in place.  

• The City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County can now establish public defender offices now that HB1014 has been signed into law. 

• HB1085 would establish the PFAS Expert Advisory Committee to assist the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to assist with monitoring of the presence of forever chemicals in drinking water supplies. 

• HB1186 would allow the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a two-year pilot to allow all-terrain power wheelchairs in state parks for individuals with limited mobility. 

• HB1203 would increase the amount of tax credits that a qualified landlord could receive from a maximum of $250,000 to $500,000. What implication might this have for the cost to provide affordable housing? I’d like to follow-up. 

Not all bills that were passed by a divided General Assembly have been vetoed by Youngkin. For instance, HB925 would require a towing company to provide a 48-hour notice on a vehicle parked at a multifamily unit if the inspection sticker or registration sticker have expired. This originally passed the House of Delegates 51 to 49, though the Senate approved it on a 38 to 1 margin. 

A full list of bills signed by Governor Youngkin can be found here. The deadline is April 8 for action on legislation. 

Second shout out: ReLeaf Cville 

In today’s second subscriber supported public service announcement: ReLeaf Cville exists to reverse a worrying trend. Since 2004, Charlottesville’s Tree Canopy has declined from 50 percent to 38 percent. Two-thirds of the city’s neighborhoods are below 40 percent. ReLeaf Cville aims to change that through a series of tree plantings, preservation efforts, and education campaigns. 

ReLeaf is a public / private partnership between the city tree Commission, the Nature Conservancy, City of Promise, Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, and the Van Yahres Tree Company.  Their efforts are funded through donations so consider making yours today!

Albemarle Supervisors briefed on alternate transportation funding 

There are a lot of planned transportation infrastructure projects in Albemarle, more than the county can pay. There is also the long timeline it takes for an idea to become reality.

“They can be slow to develop,” said Lance Stewart, the county’s Director of Facilities and Environmental Services. “They can be very costly. They can rise in cost over time the longer time takes. And we’ve experienced some pretty sharp increases in the last four years on construction costs.” (review the presentation) (view the guidelines)

Stewart said transportation projects in Albemarle are planned in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation. However, the process is slow and slow projects tend to become more expensive. He said staff has been reviewing options for alternatives. 

“And the Public Private Transportation Act is one such alternative strategy to project delivery,” Stewart said. 

The General Assembly adopted the PPTA in 1995 and it allows for partnerships between the private sector and the public sector. Stewart said this has been used for very large projects. 

“Roadway improvements, tunnels, bridges, toll roads, park-and-ride facilities, even sidewalks and shared-use paths,” Stewart said.

One such project was in northern Virginia on Interstate 66 where the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and the private I-66 Mobility Partners transformed a 22.5 mile stretch of the highway from I-495 to Gainesville. 

Stewart said Albemarle would not do something even close to that scale, but partnering with a private company might help deliver some projects faster.  

“Our typical process is that we get funding, we engage an engineer, we design a project, we bid it out, and if the funds are available, we construct the project,” Stewart said. 

The PPTA would allow for other possibilities but the project has to be considered a public good. Staff would approach the Board of Supervisors to get permission with solicitation of a specific idea or a request for information. Or someone would come forward with an unsolicited proposal. 

For this to begin, Supervisors will have to adopt a set of guidelines and a draft was included in the packet for the March 20 meeting. He said staff had some ideas about the kind of projects that might be appropriate for Albemarle such as park and ride facilities. He had one specific. 

“You’re all aware of the planned future development of the planned Rivanna Futures project,” Stewart said. “That involves the construction of an extension of a road connection to U.S. 29 north, extension of utilities throughout there. And that’s a development exercise not involving the development community at this point but could potentially benefit from a partnership with private sector developers.” 

Stewart said Eastern Avenue in Crozet could be another potential for a partnership to complete the promised project, as well as a further extension of Berkmar Road to connect it to Airport Road and Lewis Clark Drive. 

While not an exact fit, Stewart said one local example of how a partnership has worked in the past.

“Hillsdale Drive, a portion of that next to K-Mart was built via a public-private partnership,” Stewart said. “That was an economic development partnership and the costs of that were borne partially by the developer of the Whole Foods property.” 

The City of Charlottesville contributed $300,000 to the project and Riverbend Development paid the rest, according to a 2013 article in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

After asking a lot of detailed questions about the proposed guidelines, Supervisor Ned Gallaway expressed support.

“I think this is great, a good tool,” Gallaway said. “I think this could be very helpful to get some things done in the county.” 

Gallaway said he hopes the county can get moving with projects within the next year and a half. 

Supervisor Ann Mallek had an idea for a project that might be suitable. 

“Something like this might enable structured parking which is going to be needed really quickly around many areas in our growth area,” Mallek said. 

Supervisors adopted the guidelines. 

Scottsville Museum to re-open this Sunday with presentation on preserving former school sites 

An organization devoted to promoting the history of Albemarle County’s only town as well as the culture of the James River closes every year for the winter. Every spring, the Scottsville Museum reopens with a public event and that will happen this year on April 7. 

“They are going to be celebrating that with a talk that is going to be at the museum at 3 p.m. that day that is going to focus on the history of preserving historically Black schools in the region,” said Supervisor Mike Pruitt at a recent Board meeting. 

The speaker will be Jody Lahendro who has been working with the St. John Family Life and Fitness Center on the renovation of an old Rosenwald School in eastern Albemarle County. 

Finalists announced for CBIC annual awards

A group that promotes technology and commerce in the region has announced the finalists for their annual awards. The Charlottesville Business Innovation Council will hold their 25th annual gala on May 30, 2024 at the North Fork Discovery Park. Learn more and consider buying tickets at their website.

Business of the Year:

• Luminoah - a firm dedicated to improving feeding tube technology

• Laser Thermal - a company specializing in measuring things with atomic precision 

• GovSmart - a business that assists government with information technology 

• Crutchfield Corporation - a retailer of audio receivers for home and vehicles

Educator of the Year:

• Christine Zito of the Miller School

• Heather Schmidt of Albemarle County Schools

• Mike Bruscia of the STEAM Discovery Academy

• Robbie Munsey of St. Anne’s-Belfield 

Employer of the Year:

• Crutchfield Corporation - a retailer of audio receivers for home and vehicles

• Luminoah - a firm dedicated to improving feeding tube technology

• Solis Applied Science - a company that provides “full-spectrum remote sensing and image science services”

Entrepreneur of the Year:

• Cameron Hardesty - The founder of Poppy, a venture-backed, nationwide wedding florist

• Audrey Skinner - An analytical chemist and founder of Imbibe Solutions

• Lindsay Burton -  Founder and President of the Kayo Conference Series

• Gilman Callsen - Founder of Rho Impact, a company that quantifies the impact of new climate technologies

More finalists and more categories in tomorrow’s edition of the newsletter. 

Price-drop update

For starters, if you’re not a paying subscriber, you don’t get a first look at my summaries on property transactions. Today I posted the second half of January 2024 for Albemarle County over on Information Charlottesville, so go take a look. 

One of the advantages to doing a version of this newsletter that doesn’t require me to read a script is that I can share a lot of information though some of it may not reach the level of a full article

But I do feel that we’re in a time when the real estate market is changing and I feel it’s worthwhile to note the various price drops that are happening. This is shared information with no intent to make an argument or a claim or anything. 

• The asking price for 983 Rives Street in Charlottesville was lowered by $30,000 to $499,000 on March 19, 2024. (view listing)

• The asking price for a 2 bedroom unit in an apartment complex at 2517 Hydraulic Road dropped $10,000 to $200,000. (view listing)

• On March 22, 2024, the asking price for a three bedroom single-family detached on Paradise Park Lane dropped $10,090 to $559,000. (view listing)

• Three days later, the asking price for a four bedroom unit at 1315 Pen Park Lane was reduced by $10,000 to $807,000 on March 25, 2024. (view listing)

• The asking price for a three bedroom house at 1344 Sycamore Court dropped $10,000 to $334,900 on March 26, 2024-. (view listing)

• The asking price for a two bedroom unit in the Turtle Creek complex off of Commonwealth Drive was reduced $2,100 to $212,900 on March 29, 2024. (view listing)

• The asking price for a three bedroom unit at 802 Wesley Lane dropped $2,100 to $372,900 as of March 30, 2024. (view listing)

• The asking price for a two bedroom condominium at 202 Douglas Avenue was reduced by $15,000 to $745,000 on April 2, 2024. (view listing)

Reading material:

• Enid voters will decide whether to keep or recall city commissioner with white nationalist ties, Graycen Wheeler, Public Radio Tulsa, April 1, 2024

• Susan Huffman says goodbye to Nelson Memorial Library, Emily Barber, Lynchburg News & Advance (paywall), April 2, 2024

• The Music Beat: This UVA Lecturer Turns Up the Sound on Silent Film, Alice Berry, UVA Today, April 2, 2024

• Audit lists problems, recommendations at USPS facility in Richmond, CBS19, April 2, 2024

• Kochis speaks to City Council about Flock Safety cameras for second time, Garrett Whitton, CBS19, April 2, 2024

• Charlottesville councilors pass Israel-Hamas cease-fire resolution after reconsidering measure, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), April 3, 2024

• Buffer zone: Albemarle moving full speed ahead with a plan to develop land for defense contractors, Sean Tubbs, C-Ville Weekly

Into the total perspective vortex with #658

The pattern is being established of more written stories, fewer audio stories, but a growing sense that I want to finally get up to being a seven-day-a-week publication. I see stories that other media outlets don’t, and I certainly don’t work seven days a week to be more of the same.

And I want to keep experimenting. I want more stories about people, about art, about speakers, about business, about what it means to be a human being as the 21st century approaches the quarter mark. Life at this moment feels so different from life when I started out as a journalist before I turned 20.

I do this work because I want to know why. I’m curious about what’s going on and who is affected and where people can go to have a say. I also want to keep growing this business, and I’m grateful to the hundreds who are paying to keep it going with an eye toward growing. 

If you’re not joined them so far, today’s a good day to chip. If you have questions, please ask. And as always, Ting will match your first payment through Substack. That’s mighty generous of them, but I think they also recognize the important of writing out what’s happening.

I’m so grateful for this sponsorship. Need high speed Internet? If you sign up for service and enter the promo code COMMUNITY you’re going to get:

• Free installation

• A second month for free

• A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall