The introductory paragraph of every edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement is intended to be a script for a podcast but recently there was a disturbance in the workflow. Efforts are being made to build a new framework and the arrival of steel beams this week to the construction site for Buford Middle School has prompted me to take the next step. I’m Sean Tubbs, and I miss the podcast, too:On today’s podcast edition:* Charlottesville City Council adopts a budget that reflects a move toward unionization of the city’s workforce, higher salaries for city employees, and lower education funding from the state due to increasing property values (read the story)* There’s a problem with excessive dog waste being left at the city’s newest park (read the story)* Charlottesville’s parks and recreation officials want your input on the next master plan to guide the future of public spaces in the city (read the story)* The city has a plan to fix drainage issues in Oakwood Cemetery and will further discuss the issue on April 24 (read the story)* Albemarle and Charlottesville both need more lifeguards for the summer season (read the story)* Charlottesville’s Planning Commission gets an update on the new Development Code (read the story) * Albemarle Supervisors have comments on recent deployment of the HART team and a bomb threat at Planet Fitness (read the story )* The Albemarle Department of Social Services helps a lot of people each year and Supervisors get a briefing (read the story) * Albemarle Supervisors weigh in on expanded uses in the rural area as part of the Comprehensive Plan process (read the story) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

I will state clearly at the outset that this newsletter and podcast comes from Virginia, and not from either Indiana or North Carolina. The celebration of the beginning of the second quarter of the year often comes with merriment and mirth, but this April 1, 2024 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement comes at a time when there’s information to get out. I’m Sean Tubbs, because who else would I be? In today’s installment:* Council will hold first reading tonight on a proposed budget for FY25 based on three tax rate increases, and only a handful of people spoke at public hearings on March 21* A nonprofit group building a commercial kitchen to assist would-be restaurant entrepreneurs receives additional funding from the City of Charlottesville* Council will hold second reading tonight on funding for several affordable housing projects and services* The Charlottesville Jewish Organizing Collective is hopeful City Council will adopt a resolution tonight supporting a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

For the past six weeks, a version of the podcast has aired on WTJU 91.1 FM at 6 a.m. For most of this week, I’ve only posted print editions because I need to more time now to make sure the audio is produced correctly. I spent a good chunk of Friday getting this ready for the airwaves and this Saturday morning all of my energy wants to turn to the next set of stories rather than create a new edition.Town Crier Productions is an experiment in the practice of journalism and this is the latest iteration. There are many more readers than listeners to the podcast, but audio production has been at the heart of my reporting for the past four years. Anyway, take a listen. What’s coming up next? There’s a Week Ahead tomorrow. After that, stay tuned. And if you want to know more about the production schedule, follow me on Substack Notes. Sometimes it’s a print newsletter. Sometimes it’s a podcast. Charlottesville Community Engagement always seeks to inform. In this edition:* Charlottesville’s City Attorney has filed three motions seeking to dismiss a lawsuit that claims the city’s new zoning code is invalid (read the story)* The City of Charlottesville is seeking a new member of the Planning Commission after one member resigned publicly in protest (read the story)* A UVA geriatrician wants you to get a COVID vaccination if you’re over the age of 65 and especially over the age of 75 (read the story) * Albemarle Supervisors agree to advertise increases in personal property tax, lodging tax (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors learn that funding is in place to get more of Biscuit Run Park under construction (read the story)* Albemarle budget officials provide more information about payments that University of Virginia related pay to the county  (read the story)* Albemarle County Police have released an annual report with statistics on crime and the make-up for the force (read the story)Fun fact: I had two minutes remaining in the program so I opted to do a preview of the Week Ahead for next week. If you want to get that information, you’ll have to take a listen! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

One of these things is not like the other, which is to say that these words are written as a script for a podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement that’s made up of stories from recent editions of the newsletter. I’m Sean Tubbs, and this is an experimental time for Town Crier Productions. Why? There are many reasons I could state but for now, perhaps it’s just better to get on with this edition. This version of the podcast includes:* A red flag day last week resulted in brush fires all across Central Virginia including Albemarle and Louisa, and Deputy Chief John Oprandy briefed reporters on March 21 (read the story)* The City of Charlottesville’s participation in a health and social metrics program has garnered national recognition (read the story)* Charlottesville will hold a meeting this upcoming Wednesday to give an update on improvements to Stribling Avenue to make it safe for people to walk and bike on (read the story)* Charlottesville seeks dismissal of lawsuit to overturn new zoning (read the story)* Albemarle County budget officials provide more information about the payment that the University of Virginia makes in lieu of taxes (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council goes through applications made through the Vibrant Community Fund and City Manager Sam Sanders pushes back against requested tweaks (written version to be published in next edition of the newsletter) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Since I first began this newsletter in July 2020, I’ve published almost all of the regular newsletters concurrently with the podcast version. The Charlottesville Quarantine Report was something I started on March 15, 2020 as an experiment on a day when I wasn’t a journalist as the world was about to change. In 1995, my first professional work was as an intern at WVTF Public Radio.I’ve always worked like a radio reporter. I love to work with sound, and even in the days I was at Charlottesville Tomorrow, I used audio software to do my work. I had always wanted to experiment with sonic versions of stories, but I was not in charge.Now, I’m the sole proprietor of a company I set up to do this work. At the base of it, I want to write up as much as I can about what’s happening so more people might have an understanding and an account of decision-making processes. Since the beginning, the podcast and the newsletter have been published together.Since beginning to do a radio version that airs Saturday morning at 6 a.m. on WTJU 91.1 FM, I’ve realized that I’m taking the podcast version for granted. I’ve been using a lot of filters to do the hard work of editing for me, and as a result the sound quality suffered. Working with my colleague at WTJU, I’ve realized I have to begin producing the sonic version with more aural scrutiny. At the same time, I’ve been having a weird audio glitch on my primary narration recording computer, one that cost me valuable time. Most people read the newsletter rather than listen to the audio. But, yet, I know there are many of you who listen to the podcast. I would like more people who just read to listen, because I think what I do rivals anyone else doing local radio. I say that as a friendly competitor, because I really just want people to know things. In any case, it’s time now to post this and get ready for the new set of stories. This podcast covers what I classify internally as CCE-649 and CCE-650 and carries the working title “Brain Breaking Necessary Decision” because a person who works by themselves depends on in-jokes to keep morale up.In this edition:* Albemarle County Board of Supervisors interrupt a meeting on the Comprehensive Plan to declare a state of emergency related to over a dozen wildfires, and evacuation orders have been issued for some parts of Albemarle and Louisa* Charlottesville City Schools appoint a new principal for Charlottesville High School* Charlottesville City Council goes through changes in revenues and spending in City Manager Sam Sanders’ FY25 budget* The city’s finance director briefs Council on the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds with an eye toward shifting unspent funds to other projects * Charlottesville City Council gets some follow-up answers to some budget questions I am looking for feedback. This and every other Town Crier Productions production is an experiment and I depend on those who have come to appreciate the work to tell me what they think. Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

It is Monday, March 18, 2024 and this is Charlottesville Community Engagement. This program began four years ago as a podcast I started to cover the local response to the pandemic. I took a leap of faith in the summer of 2020 to become an independent journalist and we’re now up to 648 editions of a newsletter and podcast that seeks to cover as much as possible about municipal government in the third decade of the 21st century in this small American community. I’m Sean Tubbs, glad you’re reading or listening. On today’s show:* Another set of Charlottesville public employees have joined a union with the city’s labor and trades workers joining Teamsters Local 29* The Board of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission approves continued work to develop by-laws for a potential regional transit authority* Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoes another set of bills including one that would have allowed localities to ban the sale of English Ivy * Albemarle County Supervisors began work reviewing a proposed $629 million budget with a review of revenues and expenditures This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

For many years, the Comprehensive Plans of both Albemarle and Charlottesville have called for additional density to be located in walkable communities where public transit is a viable option for getting around without a car. But how well are the various systems working to meet that goal? A direct answer may not be available In today’s edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, but this one does catch up on a variety of meetings held at a time when there’s a lot of talk about creating a Regional Transit Authority. I’m Sean Tubbs, still watching the wheels go round and round.  On today’s show:* The Regional Transit Partnership directs staff to prepare the by-laws for a potential transit authority * Charlottesville City Council agrees to a pilot project where Charlottesville Area Transit buys two battery-electric vehicles now and agrees to have staff research the potential purchase of two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2027* The interim CEO of Jaunt responds to comments made by a representative of the transit union  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

There are an even 300 days until the end of 2024 now that it is March 6. A lot of things have happened on this day in history, There are likely a lot of newly created holidays for this day, but Charlottesville Community Engagement is currently not using either frame to create these opening paragraphs, paragraphs whose function has never been beta-tested or shown to a test audience. I’m Sean Tubbs, lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. On today’s show:* Charlottesville City Council has directed City Manager Sam Sanders to settle a lawsuit with Albemarle County related to the use of bikes at the Ragged Mountain Natural Area* Three new members have been appointed to the Charlottesville Housing Advisory Committee* On March 26, Council will resume discussions over decarbonization of the city’s utilities department * Sanders recommends raising the real property tax, the meals tax, and the lodging tax to cover the cost of paying unionized and non-unionized city employees more money and benefits  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

There are only a few days left before most Americans will adjust their clocks to continue a practice that readjusts time away from the regular sequence, shifting patterns that will disrupt some but may not be noticed by others. Will the 106th transition to daylight savings time affect the production of Charlottesville Community Engagement? I’m Sean Tubbs, and I won’t know the answer for another 130 hours or so. On today’s show:* The regional body that makes decisions on transportation projects signals support for adding traffic signals at the U.S. 29 interchange at Fontaine Avenue* The Virginia Department of Transportation seeks public input on potential changes to the way traffic flows on Barracks Road between Georgetown Road and Emmet Street* The University of Virginia Buildings and Grounds Committee takes action on several items including approving the location for a new parking garage to serve North Grounds* An application has been filed in Albemarle County for a new day and boarding camp next to Walnut Creek Park* And a look at bills that have passed the General Assembly that are awaiting action by Governor Glenn Youngkin including a marriage equality bill  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Recent editions of this newsletter and podcast have demonstrated my thrill at the existence of Leap Day, and that is followed up by my absolute love of March 4th, a position on the calendar that is also a triumphant command! This is the Charlottesville Community Engagement edition for the 64th day of 2024. I’m Sean Tubbs, a lover of calendars. In this edition:A lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Architecture and former chair of the public housing authority is now a member of the Charlottesville Planning Commission * Charlottesville City Council is poised to reallocate $215,000 in federal funds to allow the the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to offer more produce* A representative of the new transit union calls on Council to end its contract with Jaunt* And the University of Virginia surpasses its $5 billion fundraising campaign and gets two major donations from the Harrison Foundation  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Now we march into the third month of the year, having leapt to our heart’s content in the previous 24 hour period. This is the March 1, 2024 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast that now can also be heard on the radio every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. on WTJU 91.1 FM in Charlottesville. I’m Sean Tubbs, glad to be able to do this. On today’s show:* There’s another delay in the completion of the $38 million Belmont Bridge* Several speakers ask for adjustments in Albemarle County’s fiscal year 25 budget* A group of University of Virginia students suggest reform of the way Charlottesville uses one pot of federal funding  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

It’s the final day of February - usually. Instead the word penultimate can be used to describe this 24-hour period in relation to its placement in the month. There is something about Leap Day that thrills me, but otherwise this has nothing to do with what’s in this particular installment of Charlottesville Community Engagement. I’m Sean Tubbs, a person of simple pleasures. .On today’s show:* The City of Charlottesville will respond by March 15 to a lawsuit calling for the overturning of the new zoning code* The proposed budget Fluvanna County for Fiscal Year 2025 will not be built on a tax rate increase* Albemarle County has published a report on what local government did in 2023 * A group that provides scholarships to Charlottesville students in need lays the foundation to seek additional city funding to do the same for adult vocational education This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Saturday editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement are rare, but then again the existence of February 29 is also rare and we have one of those going on this week as well. This newsletter and podcast exists to bring you and thousands of others some but not even close to all information about decisions made that affect what’s known as the built environment. I’m Sean Tubbs, hopeful that this work may lead to a better community. On today’s show:* There was a shooting on the downtown mall just before 2 a.m. this morning* The Virginia Department of Transportation is in the early stages of building four projects in the Hydraulic / U.S. 29 area including a roundabout at Hillsdale and Hydraulic* Another look at Albemarle County’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2025 with some more details of what is in the revenue and spending plan * A look at new applications for zoning clearances in Albemarle County including a request from the St. John Family Life and Fitness Center  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

There are now eight days until Leap Day, a 24-hour-period that only happens every four years and for which there do not appear to be any large celebrations. Will there be an edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement on that day? For now, it may be better to simply proceed with the February 21, 2024 edition of the program. I’m Sean Tubbs.On today’s show:* A man is dead after being struck last evening by a moving vehicle on U.S. 29 between Stonefield and Seminole Square Shopping Center* Charlottesville’s Planning Commission gets an update on UVA’s three affordable housing projects as well as student housing at the Darden Business School* The Albemarle County Public Safety Operations Center at Fashion Square Mall is now operational * Albemarle County Executive Jeffrey Richardson recommends a budget for FY2025 with no anticipated tax rate increases, but one that’s about $75 million larger than in FY24 due to increased borrowing for capital projects  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

According to data collected by the website eBird and curated by the American Bird Conservancy, there are at least 488 species of our feathered friends in Virginia. Every edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, including this February 20, 2024 edition, is fueled by observations of the activities of winged creatures who are unaware of the existence of journalism. I’m Sean Tubbs, and perhaps there’s grant funding available to attempt translations to penetrate an untapped market? On today’s show:* Work could start this summer on new infrastructure at The Square in Crozet* A project to create a safety plan for area roads in the region goes before the Greene and Nelson Boards of Supervisors* Charlottesville City Council has another discussion about the FY25 budget and learns more about a process driven by their priorities to retain staff and implement collective bargaining This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

The Wikipedia entry for Writer’s block currently suggests five distinct causes for the phenomenon ranging from “physiological and neurological basis” to “negative self-beliefs and feeling of incompetence.”None seem to apply to the inability for Charlottesville Community Engagement to swiftly write up all of the desired stories in the timeliest of manners. Time is required to sift through all of the elements to see what segments result. I’m Sean Tubbs, understanding there are no more than seven days in a week. On today’s show:* The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority announces a pump station has been completed in the wake of a January 9 incident that overwhelmed the system leading to untreated sewage entering Moores Creek* The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission’s Board learns about and then endorses two efforts to get people around the area without a car* Charlottesville City Council adopts the manual to guide the development review process under the new zoning code, and allows for more projects to be considered older the old one This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Today is a day intended to celebrate one version of love, but there are many forms of devotion. This is the 636th edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast that seeks to provide as much information as possible about a particular region of the United States of America. I’m Sean Tubbs, and this love is what I got. On today’s show:* One of Charlottesville’s Deputy City Managers is no longer with the city, and there are two other new top vacancies* The United States Department of Agriculture has released their latest count of all statistics related to farming, and the number of farms is down in Albemarle County* The Charlottesville Human Rights Commission is seeking your input on what area they should focus on next * New members join the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and get an introduction to the organization* Charlottesville City Council adopts an Affordable Dwelling Unit manual despite some concerns This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

We are in an age where perhaps we need new metaphors to describe 21st century life. Sometimes people will say they are “drinking from a firehose” when they’re placed in a new situation, or perhaps “in the deep end” or perhaps “in the weeds.” These may no longer be relevant. Sadly, the research budget for Charlottesville Community Engagement does not include funding for neologisms, but your suggestions for phrases, new and old, are requested. I’m Sean Tubbs, not sure if this a sequitur or the non kind. On today’s show:* A truck hit a utility pole in downtown Charlottesville last night knocking out internet service with the Ting slowly returning service throughout the day * City Manager Sam Sanders gives an update on his quarterly work plan and announces the city’s decarbonization study is on pause * A very brief look at bills that have passed the House of Delegates including new rules that would allow cyclists to yield at stop signs and ride two abreast* A very brief look at a series of legally mandated public notices in the first of a new signal boosting series This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Ordinarily we could say that February 8th marks the beginning of the second quarter for this particularly-shaped month, but we’re in one of those years with an extra day.How are your plans to mark Leap Year shaping up? Would you support an alternate plan to make that extra rotation its own special month, and if so, what would it be called? This assemblage of information is called Charlottesville Community Engagement and I’m called Sean Tubbs, and this is called the last sentence of the intro. On today’s show:* City Council holds the second reading on a resolution authorizing the purchase of 405 Levy Avenue from the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the amount authorized increased since the first reading* The General Assembly catch-up session continues with a list of continued bills * The Board of Architectural Review takes a look at a speculative project on West Main Street on property that has since been listed for sale This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

When I was younger, the phrase “News You Can Use” became quite popular in television journalism. I’m not entirely sure what that was intended to convey, but I can state that much of what appears in the editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement can be described as “Information I Want To Know.” I’m Sean Tubbs, and I sincerely hope you can use some of this material. On today’s program:* No one speaks at two City Council public hearings related to the Development Code held on a Thursday* A broad over at what’s been happening at the General Assembly * Charlottesville City Council is briefed on a potential revenue gap in the next fiscal year due to previously made decisions to increase pay for city employees  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe