HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-15ADJOURNEDThomas Jefferson Venture Meeting
May 15, 1997
Minutes
Attendine
Locality Represented
Charlotte Humphris
W. James Edd/ns
Jodie Webber
Peter Hallock
Karen Litleleht
Sally Thomas
Kevin Castner
Steve Murray
Don Borwhat
Ann Taylor
Walter Perkins
Charles Rotgin, Jr.
George Loper
Nancy Price for James Gahres
Gary O'Connell
Vicki Crews
Helen Poore
Meredith Richards
Earl Pullen
Deborah Murdock
Tom Payne
William Thomas
Pete Bradshaw
Jeffrey Ltmsford
Sm Armstrong
Frankee Love
Robert Spencer
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Albemarle
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Fluvarma
Fluvanna
Louisa
Louisa
Nelson
Nelson
Town of Scottsv/lle
Staff: Nancy K. O~Brien and Bonnie Fronfelter
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Thomas.
Report from Bylaws Committee: Ms. O'Brien reported that the bylaws committee had met
Monday, May 12 at the TJPDC offices and those not attending sent comments via electronic
mail and facsimile. Members were given a copy of the draft bylaws that resulted from this
committee meeting. Mr. Thomas raised a question about Greene County's participation in the
Venture, asking whether the organization should approve the bylaws without Greene County or
delay action on adopting the bylaws. Members decided to delay the vote on adoption of the
bylaws until the June 26th meeting of the Venture, after Greene County has discussed joining
Thomas Jefferson Venture at their June 10th Board of Supervisors meeting. Mr. Spencer asked
whether as Mayor of an incorporated town he was an ex-officio member. Ms. O'Brien responded
no because the Regional Competitiveness Act does not require that town mayors serve on the
reginnal partnerships.
Comparison Communities: Ms. Fronfelter discussed the six comparison communities that TJ
Venture could use in its regional strategic plan. Regions are as follows: Chapel Hill, NC;
Asheville, NC; Columbia, Missouri; Lancaster, PA; Chattanooga, TN; and Boulder, CO.
Indicators on each region were presented by Ms. Fronfelter including median family income,
employment profile, population and population density, median housing costs and average rent.
Several members asked for a narrative on each region before the next meeting. Ms. O'Brien
suggested that members decide how they want to use the comparison -- as a community with
attributes to strive for or as a community at one time similar to our own that has faltered.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Re,on: Ms. O'Brien presented members with a draft
compilation of the strengths and weaknesses developed as a result of the previous week's
brainstorming activity. She also added several strengths and weaknesses that had not resulted
from the brainstorming activity but were answers on the questionnaires returned by members in
the first week of May.
Vision for Region: Members divided into small groups and developed visions for the region.
Ms. O'Brien was inslructed by members to put together the visions from each group and present
the combined work at the next Venture meeting on May 22.
Strategies to Preserve Strenghs and Address Weaknesses: Members again divided into small
groups to begin listing strategies for preserving strengths of the community and addressing
wealmesses effectively. Ms. Thomas asked at what point the members should abandon ¢~pie in
the sky" visions and start thinking in terms of real dollars. Ms. O'Brien responded that would be
appropriate when the discussion of specific projects takes place on May 22. Mr. Castner
commented that members might look beyond addressing items primarily physical in nature and
consider issues addressing intrinsic relations, such as race and economic relations. He further
stated that the Venture could be proactive with its strategies.
There being no additional business~ the meeting was adjourned.