Today’s shout-out is for the Parent-Teacher Organizations of the Charlottesville City Schools, and their request for donations to the jointly organized Reopening Fund: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn. Visit their website for more information and to make a contribution.
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The Virginia Department of Health is reporting another 823 cases of COVID-19 today, and another 21 deaths. The seven day average for positive tests remains at 6.4 percent for the third straight day. In the Thomas Jefferson Health District, there are 15 new cases and another death for a total of 47. The newly deceased is from Albemarle. The seven day average for positive tests in the Thomas Jefferson Health District remains at 5.5 percent for the second day in a row. That’s down from 6.4 percent a week ago.
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The Greene County Board of Supervisors got a small update last night on the future of planning for a new reservoir to expand its urban water supply plan. In July, the Rapidan Service Authority voted to stop accepting facility fees from each bill to pay for the project. Bill Martin is chair of the Greene Board of Supervisors and a member of the RSA Board of Directors. He had invited RSA’s executive director to attend the meeting, but that invitation was declined for now.
“It’s clear that there is a dispute between Greene County and RSA and I thought it would have been a good opportunity for RSA general management to speak to all of us and citizens in particular,” Martin said, adding that RSA’s director of projects had a conflict.
Martin did brief his colleagues on the August 20 meeting of the RSA board at which RSA officials stated they could expand the water capacity by new technology at the existing water treatment plant that takes from the Rapidan River. At $10 million, that would be a cheaper alternative than the new reservoir. Read Terry Beigie’s coverage in the Greene County Record for the full story.
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Two natural events prompted the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) to implement emergency action plans earlier this month. Executive Director Bill Mawyer said heavy rains on August 6 caused concern.
“There was more than three inches of rain coming across the Sugar Hollow reservoir dam,” Mawyer said. “All worked out fine but that’s an example of how we manage the reservoirs particularly during storms.”
An earthquake in Sparta, North Carolina with a magnitude of 5.1 forced RWSA safety engineers to have to inspect all of the dams to make sure they suffered no damage. One of those inspectors is Jennifer Whittaker, the RWSA’s chief engineer. She briefed the Board of Directors on several projects designed to increase drinking water capacity in Crozet, one of Albemarle’s designated growth areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased consumption but that is within acceptable range.
“What we’re seeing right now is that our peak day number is staying fairly high, particularly associated with warm weather,” Whittaker said. “Because Crozet is 80 percent residential we believe we are seeing an impact from people working from home perhaps more historically than they have.”
One of the planned pieces of infrastructure is a new pump station at Beaver Creek Reservoir. While this new facility would be on county property, an easement across private land is required for an underground pipeline.
“They understand for the most part what we’re trying to do,” Mawyer said. “We understand that they might not be so happy that we may need an easement across their property and we’re looking at all the alternatives.”
The RWSA also reviewed a study on what to do with land purchased in the 1980’s for a dam that was never built due to environmental concerns. The RWSA owns 1,314 acres of land in northwest Albemarle and some landowners want to buy back their property. Scenarios envisioned in the plan include selling all or portions of the property, retaining the property, or a mixture of the two. The RWSA Board adopted a resolution to develop a comprehensive property management plan for the agency to retain the property. They will also seek to manage the property in a way to offset the RWSA’s carbon footprint.
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Albemarle's historic preservation committee voted Monday to recommend a historical marker be created to commemorate the role the Union Run Baptist Church in Keswick played in local history. The exact text remains to be written. Union Run is a Black church founded in 1865 by newly freed people after Emancipation and the Civil War. An acre of land was given for the church by Thomas Jefferson's grandson, who had owned many of the parishioners. Pastor Robert Hughes oversaw the congregation for thirty years.
There is a deadline of October 1, 2020 to get information to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The Historic Preservation Committee wants to install several markers to commemorate Black history in Albemarle, as well the role women have played throughout time. They will be seeking input from the community. (Union Run Baptist Church website)
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A Charlottesville artist is among 40 recipients of a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Northam administration. The Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program will distribute $200,000 to visual artists of all kinds. The selections were made from more than 350 applications and the funding comes from the museum’s existing endowment. The person selected from Charlottesville asked not to be named. (release)
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In meetings today, the Leadership Charlottesville Alumni Association will hold another “Courageous Conversation” at 2 p.m. This time around a series of panelists will discuss the challenges facing public schools who will open virtually to begin the academic year.Guests include parent and architect Shawn Mulligan, Juandiego Wade of the Charlottesville City School board member; and LaTishia Wilson, the Principal of Stony Point Elementary School.
The Charlottesville Tree Commission meets at 5 p.m. One of the items is a presentation from member Paul Josey about the roles the commission and city government can take to improve city canopy, including the site review process. Josey has expressed concern about the decreasing amount of tree canopy coverage in the city and increasing canopy inequality present in the city. (register) (agenda)
One clarification today. In yesterday’s newsletter, I reported on housing vouchers being granted by the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The 49 vouchers on the street and the 20 additional ones planned are supplemental vouchers added in recent years in excess of the 350 or so already in use. Thanks to those who pointed this out and I am glad to further clarify.
August 26, 2020: RWSA to keep Buck Mountain land; cheaper water supply expansion in Greene?