A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE PROPOSED OFFICE OF URBAN POLICY IN PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ADMINISTRATION FORM A PERMANENT ADVISORY GROUP TO HELP GUIDE THAT OFFICE IN ITS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OUR NATION’S URBAN AREAS  (2009-02-09/R-6)

WHEREAS, urban areas now house over 80 percent of our population with close to 20% of our nation’s total population residing in cities with populations above 200,000; and

WHEREAS, the “Triangle” region ranks among the larger metropolitan areas in the United States, with a population of about 1.2 million; and

WHEREAS, large metropolitan areas in the United States face many of the same challenges in planning an urban infrastructure that meets the future work and living requirements of growing populations; and

WHEREAS, there is a wealth of expertise and experience in cities, such as the Town of Chapel Hill among their public officials and administrators, urban planners, academic and research professionals, and community activists who are engaged in trying to identify solutions for these challenges; and

WHEREAS, a newly created Office of Urban Policy could greatly assist cities, like the Town of Chapel Hill, in identifying common challenges that face large, urban populations; in sharing their experience and expertise; and in facilitating solutions to those common challenges.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chapel Hill Town Council joins the City Councils of Cleveland, Seattle, and Winston-Salem in recommending to President Obama that a broad and diverse advisory group be created to help the proposed Office of Urban Policy reach out to cities across the country to assist them in working to adopt best practices available to improve the quality of life for urban residents and for those who work and do business in our cities.

This the 9^th day of February, 2009.