Welcome to another monthly edition of the Albemarle County Community Digest. Thank you for subscribing and being an engaged member of our community! Please share this email with any friends, family, and neighbors who might be interested in staying informed.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

June 18, 2024 Upcoming Dual Primary Elections Information

Upcoming dual primary elections will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Here are important dates to remember:

Register to vote by May 28. The last day to register to vote in the June 18 dual primary elections is May 28, 2024. Voters can check their voter registration status by going here or by calling the Voter Registration office at: (434) 972-4173. For more information on who can register, and how, click here.

After May 28, you can use Same Day Registration to cast a provisional ballot between May 29 and June 18 if you're eligible to register to vote. However, if you're already registered in a different locality and need to update your registration, you might qualify to cast a non-provisional ballot instead. For more details on eligibility for Same Day Registration, please contact the Elections Office.

Early in-person voting begins May 3, 2024.

Early in-person voting at the Voter Registration Office at the 5^th Street County Office Building is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5 pm beginning on Friday, May 3. The final two Saturdays, June 8 and June 15, will also be open for early in-person voting from 8:30 am – 5 pm.

Early voting by mail applications must be received by May 28, 2024.

Voters may apply for a mail-in ballot now. Applications must be received by the Voter Registration office by Friday, June 7, 2024, by 5 pm. For information on how to apply, click here. Voters are strongly urged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Vote by mail voters may return their ballots in a few ways:

• By mail: Returned mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before June 18, 2024, and be received by the Voter Registration office before noon on Friday, June 21, to be counted. Voters are strongly encouraged to return their marked mail-in ballots as early as possible to avoid possible mail and processing delays.
• Return by a commercial delivery service, such as FedEx or UPS, to our mailing address for Elections.
• By dropbox: Voters may deposit their marked ballots – please use the postage-paid return envelopes provided, even if you are putting it in the drop box – located just outside of the 5th Street County Office Building main entrance, up until 7 pm on June 18.

Election Day is June 18, 2024. All precinct polling places will operate from 6 am to 7 pm.

Get Involved and Apply to Join A Community Advisory Committee

Want to make connections hyper-locally, be an information ambassador, and learn about local matters? We're looking for enthusiastic and community-minded individuals to serve on the Village of Rivanna Community Advisory Committee!

For more information and to apply, visit www.albemarle.org/cac. Don't delay, get engaged in your community!

Join us at the How-To Festival: Saturday, May 4

On Saturday, May 4, from 10 am - 1 pm, our public engagement team will be on-site at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL) Central Branch.

The How-To Festival is a drop-in library takeover event inside and outside Central Branch. This fast-paced festival offers short presentations and demos on a variety of topics ranging from tea ceremonies and small press printing to bike repair, self-defense, and virtual reality. All ages are welcome. Albemarle County's engagement team will be on hand to share how to get involved in local government.

Learn more and read the full line-up of how-to sessions.

Join Us for Bike Month Adventures in May

Don't miss out on some exciting Bike Month Adventures in Albemarle County!

Join us at one of three locations—May 1 at Darden Towe Park, May 6 at Lakeside Middle School, or May 20 at Crozet Elementary School. All demos will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Each event promises electrifying e-bike demonstrations and a kids' bike rodeo.

Explore a diverse range of e-bikes and engage with passionate owners and micromobility enthusiasts about these modes of transportation. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist ready for a new experience or a curious newcomer eager to learn about the world of electric bikes, these demos will offer the perfect opportunity to test various styles and brands.

Bring the whole family! Alongside the e-bike demos, the Albemarle County Police Department’s Bike Team will be on-site to share valuable bike safety knowledge to young riders. Children are invited to bring their bikes and take part in an exciting riding course.

For more information and to discover additional Bike Month events in Cville, visit bikemonthcville.org.

Senior Safety Day: May 4 at The Center at Belvedere

Our partners at The Center at Belvedere are holding a Senior Safety Day on Saturday, May 4 from 9 am - 1 pm. At the event, there will be resources and presentations provided to help keep seniors safe. Along with presentations about fraud, falls, home safety, and other topics, there will be representatives from 20+ organizations, including staff from both the Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue. There will be information related to physical, financial, mental, legal, safety issues, and more that can impact seniors. View presentation times and the detailed schedule here.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): Take the Public I-64 at 5th Street (Exit 120) Interchange Study Survey by May 16

The purpose of this study is to identify project recommendations for the existing tight diamond interchange at Interstate 64 and 5th Street (Exit 120) in Albemarle County. The study's goals are to: reduce congestion, address the high crash volumes on 5th Street through the interchange and on the eastbound off-ramp from I-64, and provide facilities for bicycles and pedestrians on 5th Street through the interchange.

Traffic volumes have increased significantly for vehicles exiting eastbound I-64 and turning left onto 5th Street, causing queueing along the ramp and leading to a high number of rear-end crashes. Learn more about the project and participate in the study by providing your input before it closes on Thursday, May 16.

Share Your Thoughts: Review and Comment on the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, Moving Toward 2050

Transportation is essential to all of us. From jobs to goods to the people we care about and the places that bring us joy, transportation connects us to what we need. Moving Toward 2050 is the federally-required long range transportation plan (LRTP) for the City of Charlottesville and urbanized portions of Albemarle County, which is the area served by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (CA-MPO). This plan, to be reviewed and adopted by the CA-MPO Policy Board, identifies long range transportation needs, considers possible infrastructure improvements, and establishes priorities to implement projects based on anticipated funding. Learn more about the plan and share your comments here.

Rivanna RiverFest: Saturday, May 18

Rivanna RiverFest kicks off Saturday, May 18, from 2 - 9 pm. Activities range from interactive games to nature scavenger hunts and more! There will be food, drink, music, and fun.

Be sure to visit County staff at the Rivanna Stormwater Education Partnership table with games (for all ages) to learn about how we all can take part in reducing stormwater pollution! Learn more at RivannaRiver.org/Rivanna-RiverFest.

Announcements

Albemarle County Office of Housing - Waiting Lists Opening

Waiting lists for Albemarle County's Tenant-Based, Treesdale 2-Bedroom, Treesdale 3-Bedroom, Crozet Meadows, The Crossings at Fourth & Preston, and Scottsville Schools voucher programs will be open from 10 am on Monday, May 6, 2024, until Monday, May 13, 2024, at 4 pm. These programs provide monthly rental subsidies to help families seek and obtain safe and affordable housing.

The voucher program is designed to assist eligible families with their housing needs. Participants pay approximately 30% of their adjusted income towards rent with the Albemarle County Office of Housing (ACOH) paying the remaining balance through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). View the flyer below and learn more about housing choice vouchers and eligibility.

Community Development Department Update

Restructured Fee Schedule Will Go Into Effect July 1, 2024

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors approved a restructured fee schedule for all Community Development Department (CDD) fees that will be implemented soon. The unified fee schedule will become Chapter 1, Section 500 of the Albemarle County Code. The new fee schedule takes effect on July 1, 2024, and will be reflected in the system the same day. View the new fee schedule here.



As a reminder, please use the new fee schedule to calculate fees when submitting via our two digital methods:

• Submit via the applications portal using Camino
• Upload applications you’ve already completed through the Digital Submissions Option

Please note: Applications received after June 30, 2024, are subject to the new fee schedule. Fees for inspections occurring on or after July 1, 2024, are based on the new fee schedule.

Questions? Email ApplicationServices@albemarle.org or call 434-296-5832 to schedule an appointment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To implement the new fee structure, the system will be unavailable from Friday, June 28 at 8 am until Monday, July 1, at 8 am.

Upcoming Office Closures

Friday, May 10, from 12 - 5 pm - Local government offices will be closed for a public service recognition staff event. Early voting at the County Office Building on 1600 5th Street will not be impacted by the closure and will continue as usual.



Monday, May 27 - Our offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Public safety departments will operate as usual for both upcoming closures.

In Case You Missed It

Thank You for Participating in Our Community Town Hall and Open House Events

We appreciate everyone for attending and participating in our community town hall and open house events! As always, it was a wonderful opportunity to engage with you (our community) and hear your input. Thank you to community members and staff who were able to participate in these events.

The purpose of these town halls:​

• To create an accessible and welcoming opportunity for community members to share ideas, questions, and feedback with the Board of Supervisors and County staff.​
• To inform our community about the FY25 budget development process, transportation funding and current projects, and traffic enforcement and safety, as well as to build community understanding about several key County initiatives and projects.

Did you miss participating in this year’s events? We still have lots of ways you can get engaged in your community. Visit engage.albemarle.org to learn more about some current projects happening in the county and explore ways you can get involved.

Albemarle County Parks and Recreation (ACPR) Reminders

Recap: Spring 2024 Community Read Event

Broadband Office Update



As the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) winds down, we want to update you on Albemarle County's efforts and the future for the ACP Bridge program. Nearly 2,700 households in our county benefit from the ACP program, which has significantly reduced internet costs to make broadband an affordable reality. While federal funding may end soon, we're actively working with providers like Comcast, Brightspeed, Ting, and others to bridge the gap for continued access. 

If you're affected or want more information, call our Broadband Accessibility and Affordability Office at 434-296-5891 or email baao@albemarle.org.

Economic Development Office (EDO) Updates



Recap: Piedmont Pitch Competition Winners - The Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville Offices of Economic Development, alongside the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC), recently hosted the 2^nd Piedmont Pitch Competition. Participants completed a 10-week program that included eight training sessions (Business Essentials Training) offered by CV SBDC, pitch preparation with a business advisor, and the opportunity to develop a solid business plan. Six finalists had the opportunity to pitch for $15,000 in prizes to advance their businesses.

The grand prize went to Karita Cunningham of Rita’s Bright Beginnings and second place was awarded to Eva Saunders of Quilt Your Masterpiece – both located in Albemarle County. Thanks to Albemarle County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chair, Don Long, for volunteering to serve as a judge alongside other expert panelists in the community and to everyone who was able to participate and support this event!

(Photo: Finalists pitch presentations during the Final Pitch Night Event)

(Photo l-r: Grand prize winner, Eva Saunders, EDA Chair, Don Long, and grand prize winner Karita Cunningham)

Second Round Applications for the Albemarle Agribusiness Resiliency Grant Program Accepted Until May 10

If you are a direct-market agribusiness located in Albemarle County, you're invited to apply for an Albemarle Agribusiness Resiliency Grant.

One of our region’s greatest assets is the wealth of local farms, food businesses, and the resilience of our food system. The pandemic caused major disruptions to this system and the second round of the Albemarle Agribusiness Resiliency Grant program supports agribusinesses experiencing longer-term impacts, such as higher operating costs and challenges to accessing capital, which result in fewer resources to grow and reinvest. To help mitigate these impacts, the Economic Development Office will distribute $60,000 through a second round of Agribusiness Resiliency Grants administered by the Community Investment Collaborative.

Direct-market agribusinesses with a County business license and in good standing with the County can apply through May 10. Learn more about the grant, eligibility requirements and how to start the application process here.

Upcoming: Special Collection Days and Free Mulch

Upcoming: Special Collection and Bulky Waste Days

Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) operates a limited household hazardous waste collection site at the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) location. This spring, special collection days will be Saturday, May 4 for furniture/mattresses, Saturday, May 11 for household appliances, and Saturday, May 18 for tires. All dates are from 8:30 am - 4 pm. These dates are only for residents of Albemarle County, Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville and are available to Nelson County residents who obtain a voucher from Nelson County Local Government. Learn more about which specific items are accepted for each date: www.rivanna.org/hhw.

Happening now: The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority is offering FREE mulch to customers of the Ivy Material Utilization Center (MUC), located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903. The FREE freshly ground mulch is from local trees and vegetation with no dyes. The mulch is produced from grinding vegetative debris that has been brought to the facility. No purchase is necessary. Besides beautifying your landscaping, mulch helps to maintain moisture in the soil, reduce weeds, and prevent soil erosion. For more information visit rivanna.org

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