Rivanna CAC
3 views
Skip to first unread message
Joe Fore
Apr 20, 2022, 12:55:44 PM4/20/22
to Crozet Community Advisory Council CCAC
Hello CCAC members,
I wanted to let you all know about a situation involving a fellow CAC. (Thanks very much to Allie for notifying me about it.) Evidently, all of the members of the Village of Rivanna CAC have resigned in response to recent changes in CAC agenda-setting.
(My knowledge of this is limited to a blog post describing the situation--which includes an email from Supervisor Price about the events. So I certainly don't know all the backstory, and some of the events that led to these resignations may be longstanding. But their immediate concerns seem relevant to our CAC.)
Specifically, the Rivanna CAC members were frustrated by the recent "structured agendas" that County staff prepared for the CACs (which we saw back in our March meeting) for the rest of the year. The Rivanna CAC seemed to feel that this overly constrained their ability to set their own agendas. More immediately, according to them, their last meeting was canceled by the Board/staff because there were no specific development projects that required a community meeting.
While some of these issues may be particular to the Rivanna CAC, the broader ideas about agenda-setting and meetings are a common concern to all CACs. I was particularly troubled by the notion that the Rivanna group's meeting was canceled because there was no "official" County business to discuss. Indeed, during our March meeting, I asked about this very topic, and Rachel assured us that we were still free to meet to discuss topics of our choice, even if there was no "official" County business and even if staff wasn't able to attend.
I have emailed the Board of Supervisors with my concerns. (I've pasted the full text of that email below, so you all are aware.) I also plan to attend the Board's regular business meeting this afternoon and deliver the same message. Since we haven't had a chance to discuss this as a committee, I made clear that my comments reflected my own viewpoints. Still, in writing these comments, I was mindful to try to stick to those concerns that I thought would be widely shared. I hope that I did not overreach and that you all view my comments as appropriate.
Please remember that, due to meeting-and-notice laws, we are not supposed to conduct group conversations over email. So please do not "reply all." I shared this information merely as background for a discussion at our next meeting. I'm hoping that we can set aside some time at the end to discuss these issues during our standard "committee business" portion.
Best regards,
Joe
===============
Dear Supervisors,
My name is Joe Fore. I live in the White Hall District, and I’m the Chair of the Crozet Community Advisory Committee. My comments, though, reflect my own views and not necessarily those of the committee.
Just yesterday, I learned that all of the members of the Village of Rivanna CAC have resigned in response to having their recent meeting unilaterally canceled by the Board and County Staff.
My understanding of the Rivanna situation is limited to a blog post from the members, and a lengthy email from Supervisor Price about the events. So I fully recognize that some of the concerns that led to these resignations may be longstanding and unique to the Rivanna CAC.
But to the extent that this portends the Board’s treatment of all CACs, it is troubling. The notion that the CACs would be prevented from meeting or from setting their own agenda—even in months when there are no pressing issues from County staff—is a dramatic departure from the way these committees have operated for many years. What’s more, it’s part of a recent trend that seems to be eroding the CACs’ ability to effectively represent residents and advise the Board.
Since the COVID pandemic began, County staff have steadily exerted more and more control over CAC agendas and meetings. And then, last month, the County introduced a fixed calendar for CACs for the rest of the year—a calendar that was developed without input from the CACs themselves. That move further constrained the CACs' ability to set their own agendas. Taken together, these changes make it feel like the CACs are being viewed less as collaborative partners who work with staff and the Board to identify priorities and develop solutions--and more like focus groups who merely choose from pre-selected options.
The CACs certainly understand and respect the demands on staff’s time. We’re very mindful of our charge. And we’re happy to defer to staff’s needs to hold community meetings and to align meetings with Comprehensive Plan revisions. But in months when there are no pressing topics, I hope the Board will not prevent other CACs from meeting or from discussing issues important to their particular areas.
Lastly, in her email, Supervisor Price suggested that there “are inconsistent understandings of proper charges to the various CACs” and that she wanted to “get those things addressed in order to ensure that the CACs are, in fact, operating consistent with County policies and direction.” I certainly hope that the Board will engage the CACs, themselves, in any discussions about changes to our committees’ mission or operations. The dozens of Albemarle residents who volunteer their time on these committees deserve that much.
Thank you,
Just yesterday, I learned that all of the members of the Village of Rivanna CAC have resigned in response to having their recent meeting unilaterally canceled by the Board and County Staff.
My understanding of the Rivanna situation is limited to a blog post from the members, and a lengthy email from Supervisor Price about the events. So I fully recognize that some of the concerns that led to these resignations may be longstanding and unique to the Rivanna CAC.
But to the extent that this portends the Board’s treatment of all CACs, it is troubling. The notion that the CACs would be prevented from meeting or from setting their own agenda—even in months when there are no pressing issues from County staff—is a dramatic departure from the way these committees have operated for many years. What’s more, it’s part of a recent trend that seems to be eroding the CACs’ ability to effectively represent residents and advise the Board.
Since the COVID pandemic began, County staff have steadily exerted more and more control over CAC agendas and meetings. And then, last month, the County introduced a fixed calendar for CACs for the rest of the year—a calendar that was developed without input from the CACs themselves. That move further constrained the CACs' ability to set their own agendas. Taken together, these changes make it feel like the CACs are being viewed less as collaborative partners who work with staff and the Board to identify priorities and develop solutions--and more like focus groups who merely choose from pre-selected options.
The CACs certainly understand and respect the demands on staff’s time. We’re very mindful of our charge. And we’re happy to defer to staff’s needs to hold community meetings and to align meetings with Comprehensive Plan revisions. But in months when there are no pressing topics, I hope the Board will not prevent other CACs from meeting or from discussing issues important to their particular areas.
Lastly, in her email, Supervisor Price suggested that there “are inconsistent understandings of proper charges to the various CACs” and that she wanted to “get those things addressed in order to ensure that the CACs are, in fact, operating consistent with County policies and direction.” I certainly hope that the Board will engage the CACs, themselves, in any discussions about changes to our committees’ mission or operations. The dozens of Albemarle residents who volunteer their time on these committees deserve that much.
Thank you,
Joe Fore
White Hall District
Chair, Crozet Community Advisory Committee
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages