Minutes 04/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 9, 1996 Ayes: Clemons, Griffin, Hawks, Martin, Pitts, Robinett, Webb Nays: None 96-137 - Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of a resolution supporting the creation of the Hampton Roads Partnership. "The City Council was recently briefed by Admiral William J. Flanagan regarding the proposed H~unpton Roads Partnership. The Hampton Roads Mayors and Chairs Caucus has for some time been discussing the low growth in income and employment in Hampton Roads when compared to competing regions, as well as the challenges created by the restructuring of business and industry. A consensus has emerged that the jurisdictions of Hampton Roads .must work together as a region to maximize their collective strengths. Toward this end, the Mayors and Chairs have met with business, military, and educational leaders to identify the most important issues and determine hOW they can be addressed. From these discussions, a consensus has evolved that three issues were most important to the region, and visions have been developed for each issue. The first is to ensure that the ports prosper so that Hampton Roads can become the premier transportation center for eastern North America. The second is to ensure that Hampton Roads will provide a model of partnership with federal facilities to achieve maximum successful privatization for the region's benefit. The third is to foster the commercialization of the technology being created by federal laboratories and universities. To address the lack of a structure for the public and private sectors to deal with these issues in an orderly and organized fashion, the Mayors and Chairs Caucus recommends the creation of a not for profit corporation to improve the competitive position of Hampton Roads in economic and employment growth. The estimated annual budget for the Partnership is $334,000, and the private sector is expected to contribute 50% of the cost. Public funding would be determined based on population, and Portsmouth's share for the first full year would be $15,500. I expect that Portsmouth will also be asked to contribute a pro rata share for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The creation of the Partnership represents a tangible effort towards regional cooperation, and I recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the Hampton Roads Partnership." Motion by Mr. Martin, and seconded by Mr. Clemons, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE HAMPTON ROADS PARTNERSHIP. WHEREAS, the communities of Hampton Roads have experienced employment and income growth well below other regions; and WHEREAS, the chief elected officials in Hampton Roads have met to develop a collective approach to addressing these problems; and