AGENDA DATE: 4/3/2019
TITLE:
Title
Request to JAUNT to Form a Subsidiary
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize County Executive to send a letter to JAUNT to form a subsidiary.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Johnson
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority determined the Autonomous Vehicle program (the “Project”) will promote economic development as it may enable Perrone Robotics to expand its business and further anchor its headquarters in Albemarle County. The Board also determined the Project may inform staff about impacts to long-term plans, such as the Comprehensive Plan, the Capital Improvement Plan, as well as the future built environment in the County’s Development Areas.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Economic Prosperity: Foster an environment that stimulates diversified job creation, capital investments, and tax revenues that support community goals.
In addition, the Project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as it provides a higher level of service to Development Areas; tackles parking problems with autonomous transit; provides multi-modal transportation opportunities in new development; encourages building of complete streets; on-demand multi-modal mobility provides right-sized shuttle; supports expanded transit services; enhances multimodal connections between employment centers and areas of high residential density; could enhance mobility for seniors/handicapped/visually-impaired; could enhance safety and productivity; uses environmentally sound zero emission, quiet, & solar-chargeable neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).
DISCUSSION: Perrone Robotics and JAUNT have been working in concert with Albemarle County to operate the Project in Crozet with a professional safety-trained driver on board supplied by JAUNT. The County Attorney’s Office was asked to research the formation of a Public Service Corporation (PSC) to oversee the Project and could not find the practical legal authority for Albemarle County to create such an entity. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board authorize the County Executive to request that JAUNT form a subsidiary, or another appropriate entity, to provide project oversight (see Attachment A).
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution of Support (Attachment B).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Communique to Jaunt
Attachment B: Resolution of Support