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38 RESOLUTION: REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS ACT Ms. Nancy O'Brien, Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, presented a resolution to approve the VENTURE Strategic Plan, a resolution to approve the funding formula for the Strategic Plan, and the Strategic Plan. The Plan sets forth actions to: maintain the beauty of the area by identifying the areas which are beautiful and attract tourism and recommending ways to protect them; prevent sprawl through a prevention/reversal program primarily based on purchase of development right; implement a remote learning program for advanced placement and technical courses (cooperative educational programming; sharing instructional rsources without transporting students); create a mixed use employment center; establish a race relations committee to explore ways people of different ethnic backgrounds might work better together; support the regional housing trust fund under the Piedmont Housing Alliance; and examine incentives for providing affordable housing to low and moderate income residents. Ms. O'Brien said that since not a great deal of money is expected ($180,000), funds will need to be leveraged if the region is to see any significant impact. Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Ms. O'Brien said that a mixed use development is being explored for the I64 and Route 15 interchange. Mr. Toscano said that he hopes resources will be concentrated rather than spread out. Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Ms. O'Brien said that them membership is dictated partly by state law, with general members suggested by the Council and participating Boards of Supervisors. Ms. Richards recognized the time, effort and thought contributed by the following VENTURE participants: George Loper, Sandy Snook, Jim Gahres, William Harvey, Earl Pullen, William Symons, Vicki Crews, Kay Slaughter, Meredith Richards, Gary O'Connell, Chuck Rotgin, Susan Cabell, Helen Poore, Satyendra Huja, Jewel Mason, and Jim Peterson. On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Ms. Richards, the resolution approving the VENTURE Strategic Plan and the resolution approving the funding formula for the Strategic Plan were unanimously approved by Council. WHEREAS, the Regional Competitiveness Act, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1996, establishes an incentive fund to encourage activities that address regional economic competitiveness needs; and WHEREAS, this incentive fund is guided by the Regional Competitiveness Program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development; and WHEREAS, planning and acting regionally supports not only the health and well being of the region but of each locality within the region; and WHEREAS, a policy of managed growth consistent with an overall vision for the future of the regional will enhance the quality of life for citizens throughout the region; and WHEREAS, there exists in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District regional organizations, such as the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development and the Thomas Jefferson Sustainability Council, dedicated to the overall health of the region consistent with the Regional Competitiveness Act; and WHEREAS, a regional vision that identifies key local and regional issues and prioritizes potential activities will enhance the quality of life and the economic vitality of the region and each locality within the region; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Charlottesville does support participation in the Regional Competitiveness Program, including development of a strategic plan for the region, and authorizes the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to act