• Changes at TJPDC
• Transportation Plans on the Move
• TJACH Taking on New Role
• Regional Action Agenda for Housing
• Consolodated Plan Submitted to HUD
• Green Infrastructure Plan Grants Received
• Region Exceeds Required Recycling Rate
• RideShare Busy with Activities and Applications
• Feasibility Study for Piedmont Sustainable Woods Underway
• General Assembly Legislative Report Available
• Disability Services Board Activities
• TJPDC Assists with Scottsville Comprehensive Plan

Harrison Rue Recognized for Service to TJPDC
After six-and-one-half years as Executive Director of the TJPDC, Harrison Rue resigned his post with the organization, effective June 30, to assume a new position in Raleigh, NC. Rue landed a job with ICF International, a consulting firm that specializes in areas such as energy and climate change, environmental issues and homeland security and defense. In early June, an Open House was held at the PDC offices in honor of Rue. Dozens attended the event, at which several localities and other entities presented him with resolutions of appreciation for his service and other momentos of his work at the PDC. Rue came to the PDC in late 2001, succeeding long-time Executive Director Nancy O’Brien, who retired. Chief Operations Officer Billie Campbell has been named acting executive director while a search is underway for Rue’s replacement.

Executive Director Search Underway
TJPDC is working with Springsted Incorporated to conduct the search for an Executive Director for TJPDC, to fill the vacancy created by Harrison Rue’s departure the end of June. Position requirements are available here, with a full profile describing the region and position available at www.springsted.com. Applications are due to Springsted by August 23, 2008 at Richmond@Springsted.com or by fax to 804-726-9752.

TJPDC Library Available for Use
Planning District partners are reminded that the TJPDC has an extensive library with a collection of over 2,000 books, CD’s, DVD’s and other reports and reference/resource materials that are available for viewing and checkout. The materials address a variety of topics relevant to the work of the PDC and localities, and are catalogued and searchable via a computer located in the library. Partners and members of the public in general are invited to examine and use this valuable resource, which recently has been updated to include new reference items.

PWN Functions Move to TJPED
The Piedmont Workforce Network (PWN) has transferred its fiscal and administrative functions from the TJPDC to the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development (TJPED) to begin the next fiscal year. The move is intended to better align the region’s workforce with current and future employer demands. Under the new arrangement, a consortium led by Piedmont Virginia Community College will manage the Charlottesville Workforce Center. The PWN is responsible for implementing federal Workforce Investment Act Funding for the region that supports the area’s new Workforce Centers. The consortium also includes the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Albemarle Department of Social Services, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

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UnJAM Summit and Survey a Success
The TJPDC hosted the UnJAM (United Jefferson Area Mobility) 2035 Regional Summit on May 10 at Monticello High School. About 40 area residents participated on-site to review the priorities that were set for the transportation network five years ago and to provide input on what is important now and what the future should look like. There was good newspaper coverage of the UnJAM Summit, and as part of the exercise, more than 400 people have responded to an online survey about transportation in the region. This survey also allowed individuals to share comments, review our newest and most innovative transportation and land use studies, and to learn more about the Regional Summit.

TIP Plan Getting Final Review
In order to secure federal funding, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) must produce a list of transportation projects for the near future, including project details and funding. Currently, the MPO is working to finalize the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) plan for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. TIP lists federally funded road, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and related urban transportation projects. Public hearings on the plan are being held this summer. For more information, please contact Melissa Barlow at mbarlow@tjpdc.org or visit the TIP page at http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/tip.asp for a copy of the document.

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The Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH) held a planning meeting on April 15, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church. The group brainstormed ideas to develop strategic direction for TJACH as it looks to the future. Three committees were formed: Structure, Coordination, and Data Collection & Analysis. The Structure Committee was tasked with making a recommendation on the possibility of TJACH becoming the Lead Organization on Homelessness. The formation of this organization was a key recommendation of the Community Plan to End Homelessness. Acting on a recommendation from the Structure Committee, TJACH voted to become the Lead Organization at its May 20, 2008 meeting. For more information contact Jeffrey Cornelius at TJPDC at jcornelius@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x440), or visit TJACH’s web site at http://www.avenue.org/tjach/.

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The Regional Action Agenda for Housing has been developed from the information presented and comments received at the Regional Housing Conference “Finding Common Ground” held March 13, 2008. The Final Action Agenda is available on-line at www.HousingConference08.org. A follow-up event, “Finding Common Ground: Call to Action,” is being planned for late October to focus on implementation of the Action Agenda. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at 434-979-7310 (x230), or bcampbell@tjpdc.org.

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The 2008-2013 Consolidated Plan and the 2008-2009 Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan for the City of Charlottesville and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District has been submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plans guide the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the City and federal HOME funds in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District (City of Charlottesville and counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson). Beginning July 1, 2008 the City expects to receive $533,116 in CDBG funds and the TJPDC expects to receive $919,878 in HOME/ADDI funds. The plan is available online at http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Melissa Celii, City of Charlottesville, at 434-970-3182, or Billie Campbell, TJPDC, at 434-979-7310 (x230). The plan is also available through the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system and the Fluvanna County Library.

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The TJPDC has received $10,000 in funding from the Virginia Department of Forestry to complete a green infrastructure plan for the region over the next year (work began on the project in late 2006). Green infrastructure involves an interconnected network of green space, which can provide protection and/or travel routes for animals, plants, water and people. In addition, the TJPDC has received $77,833 from the Federal Highway Administration to integrate green infrastructure with transportation planning over the next three years.  For more information, contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x320).

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The Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Region (Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson) had a recycling rate of 36.5% for 2007, up from 34.3% in 2006, and has submitted that rate to the Department of Environmental Quality. The state requires most regions or localities to meet a recycling rate of 25%. Going forward, the region will include only Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna and Greene counties, as Nelson County has withdrawn to join Region 2000. For more information, contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x320).

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RideShare, along with other members of the Commuter Information Team, hosted the 18th Annual Clean Commute Day on the Downtown Mall on Friday, May 2. Approximately 180 area commuters took the Clean Commute Pledge to try an alternative to driving alone and were entered into a prize drawing. Bill Piner of Mint Springs won an eco-friendly trip to New York City. Bill carpools to his job with the County of Albemarle. RideShare also participated in other community events this spring including Charlottesville Earth Day, Fluvanna Celebrating Children Day, Charlottesville Area Celebration of Community, City of Charlottesville Government Services Day and County of Albemarle Government Day.

As gas prices continue to rise, more area commuters and employers are turning to RideShare for a solution. Over the past several months, RideShare has assisted a record number of applicants for assistance. During the spring quarter of FY08, the number of commuters registering for carpool matches doubled from the same period a year ago. In addition, Guaranteed Ride Home applications were up 81%, and 17 carpools were formed during the quarter, up from 11 during the same quarter last year. Also, RideShare met with several of the region’s largest employers to help employees find a better way to get to work. Employers include County of Albemarle, LexisNexis, State Farm, City of Charlottesville, Music Today, and Piedmont Virginia Community College.

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Piedmont Sustainable Woods (PSW) has contracted with Agricultural & Community Development Services, LLC (ACDS) to perform work on Phase I of a Sustainable Woods Feasibility Study and Operations Plan. PSW is an initiative in central Virginia focused on producing lumber and wood products made from sustainably grown or recovered trees. The entire process from harvest to finished product would be done regionally. The Columbia, Maryland-based ACDS is a specialized consulting firm that has provided marketing and economic development services to private, public, and not-for-profit clients nationwide for the past 14 years. The feasibility study is scheduled to be complete by the end of October. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at 434-979-7310 (x230), or bcampbell@tjpdc.org.

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A summary report highlighting action taken on bills and the state budget at the 2008 session of the General Assembly is now available on the TJPDC website. The document highlights items of interest to local governments. The text of the legislative report is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/liaison/finalReport.asp. If you have questions about items in this summary, please contact David Blount, TJPD Legislative Liaison, at 979-7310 (x350) or dblount@tjpdc.org.

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DSB Awarded RSIF Grant for JAUNT Stars Program
The Jefferson Area Disability Services Board was one of 14 DSBs statewide (of 28 that applied) to receive funding from the Rehabilitative Services Incentive Fund grant program.  The grant will provide for 80 people with disabilities to ride JAUNT while they receive services that will enable them to find and establish employment.  The Independence Resource Center is the subgrantee, with support from other agencies such as the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), Piedmont Workforce Network, and county Departments of Social Services. For more information contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x320).

Employer of the Year Nominations Sought
The Jefferson Area Disability Services Board is seeking nominations for its tenth annual Martha Tarrant Employer of the Year Award, given to businesses that have demonstrated exceptional support for their employees with disabilities.  The Employer of the Year is chosen from among the nominees for Disability Employment Champions, sponsored by DRS.  More information and a nomination form are available from the DSB’s web page at http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/dsb/index.asp, or contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x320).

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The TJPDC has been assisting the Town of Scottsville with the 2008 revisions to its Comprehensive Plan. The Scottsville Planning Commission was actively involved in preparing this plan and is to be commended for its dedication to the town and hard work on the Comprehensive Plan. For more information, contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 (x390).

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Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
PO Box 1505 - 401 East Water Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
www.tjpdc.org
(434) 979-7310