On Monday, May 8, City Manager Pam Syfert will present her proposed FY2007 Budget recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.  Council will hear details on funding for City services and capital improvement projects like upgrading neighborhood infrastructure and repaving streets.  The presentation will be broadcast live, on the Government Channel – Cable 16 at 4 pm.

Citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget on Monday, May 22.  To present your views during the public hearing, contact the City Clerk's office at 704-336-2248 to sign up.  Council is expected to adopt the final budget on Monday, June 12. 

All meetings will be held in the Meeting Chamber of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. 4^th St., and will be telecast live on The Government Channel – Cable 16.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) wants everyone to know what they can do to help make the air easier to breathe.  Events for CATS' "Clear the Air" campaign encourages everyone to take an active part in improving air quality by riding CATS' buses, vanpools and carpools.  

During the summer months, residents also are urged to walk or bike instead of driving.  In fact, bike riders who use the bike racks on the front of CATS' buses can ride for free May 7-13.

For a list of other "Clear the Air" events, call 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

No plastic surgeon was required.  The operation was painless.  And neither stitches nor recovery time was needed.  However, the results are refreshing.  Beginning this month, the City's water, sewer and storm water customers will notice their Services Bill has received a facelift.  The new look is part of a larger effort to enhance the City's billing operations and customer service.

The changes aren't drastic, but one new feature is a 13-month consumption graph that allows residential customers to track their water usage over the previous year.  The feature was added to offer customers a visual tool to help them monitor their water usage patterns from month to month, and encourage water efficiency.

Residents in District 3 are invited to a town hall meeting with Council member Warren Turner to discuss neighborhood issues and concerns:

Tuesday, May 9
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church
9401 S. Tryon

Light refreshments will be served and free parking will be available.  Please RSVP to Arthdale Brown at 704-336-2180 or arbrown@ci.charlotte.nc.us by Friday, May 5.

Residents in District 4 are invited to a town hall meeting with Council member Michael Barnes to discuss neighborhood issues and concerns:

Thursday, May 4 at 6 pm
The Gables at Druid Hills
2108 Statesville Ave.

For more information, contact Arthdale Brown at 704-336-2180 or arbrown@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Join the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) for a public meeting to update citizens on plans to build a commuter rail line from Charlotte to Mooresville:

Thursday, May 11 at 6:30 pm
Cornelius Town Hall
21445 Catawba Ave. (Cornelius)

The presentation will include information on the project scope, costs and ridership; the decision-making process and next steps.  For more information, call 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is offering a High School Police Academy for young people interested in a law enforcement career:

July 17 - 21
8 am – 4 pm
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Academy, 1770 Shopton Rd.

The one-week course provides participants with hands-on experience.  For more information or to request an application, contact Officer Tom Barry at 704-432-1637 or tbarry@cmpd.org.  The application deadline is Wednesday, May 31.

Whether you're a beginner, an avid rider or own a bike that's just been hanging in your garage, there is an event for you during Bike! Charlotte.

Bike! Charlotte is 10 days of bicycle related events and promotions used to encourage families, friends and colleagues to incorporate bicycling into their daily routines.  This year's festivities will kick off on Friday, May 5 with the Mayor's Ride/Bike to Breakfast in Uptown Charlotte.

To learn more, call 704-503-0138, 704-336-2278 or visit www.bike-charlotte.org.

Since 1968, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee (CRC) has been involved in the police disciplinary review process.  CRC's role is to ensure that the process is fair to the police employee and the citizen complainant.

Citizens with a valid grievance are encouraged to file a report.  Reports can be filed in person, by mail or by phone with either the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department or the CRC.  Representatives also are available to receive a report from your home or business. Every complaint, regardless of its nature, is investigated.

For more information, call 704-336-2382.

How can you be sure when it's the right time to water your lawn  It's simple.  Set your irrigation timers to a sensible schedule:

• Water your lawn twice a week
  • Odd street addresses – on Tuesdays & Saturdays.
  • Even street addresses – on Thursdays & Sundays.
• Set your timers to water while you're sleeping.
• Don't over water.  One inch a week (including rainfall) is all your lawn needs.
• Make sure sprinklers are watering the grass, not the pavement or the side of the house.
• Avoid water runoff.  Water slowly so water goes deep into the soil.  Shut down if runoff occurs.

 For more WaterSmart tips, visit www.cmutilities.com.

Tune in to The Government Channel – Cable 16 for the latest government news and information.

City Source – Thursday, May 4 at 5:30 pm
As City Manager Pam Syfert prepares to present her proposed budget recommendations to City Council, take a look at some of the challenges that budget faces.  Also, find out how Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers are fighting a rising number of traffic accidents and fatalities.