City of Charlotte offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2009.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus routes and the LYNX Blue Line will operate on a holiday service schedule Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. Extra trips on the LYNX Blue Line will operate as warranted over the holiday weekend in support of Independence Day events.

For the complete schedule, please contact CATS Customer Service at 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

Solid Waste Services will operate on a normal schedule.

Effective July 1, 2009, a new state law requires a separate irrigation meter for all new in-ground irrigation systems connected to the public water supply. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has created a web page and fact sheet to provide information for affected customers.

Most Utilities customers who install in-ground residential irrigation systems typically connect to the domestic line without a separate irrigation meter. This will no longer be an option after July 1. To reduce the cost burden for customers, Utilities is offering an installation option that reduces the connection charge. Please visit www.cmutilities.com for details. This requirement was part of legislation the North Carolina General Assembly adopted last year to help better prepare the state for droughts.

On July 8, the City of Charlotte will kick-off the CVS Caremark Prescription Discount program at 1 p.m. in the Charlotte Chamber. Made possible through the National League of Cities, Charlotte joins approximately 50 cities currently enrolled and fully participating in the program and 60 cities in the developmental and planning stages of the program. The discount program is administered by CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefit management company with a history of administering similar programs beginning in 1992. This program is estimated by NLC and CVS Caremark to save citizens of Charlotte an average of 20% off the full retail cost of prescription medications. There is no cost to the public to join.

Wednesday, July 8
1 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, City Council Chamber
600 E. Fourth Street 

Enrollment is free and there are no age requirements, no income requirements and no limit on how many times the card is used. The card is easy to use and can be used anytime a prescription is not covered by insurance.

Come by on July 8th to pick up your card or if you work with an organization where clients and members could benefit from having the card, you may reserve a supply of cards and promotional posters by Thursday, July 2 by emailing atravis@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

As annexation approaches, Solid Waste Services is excited to welcome more than 7,400 new customers to the neighborhood. New customers are reminded:

• City collection services will begin the week of June 29. Only use the City-issued garbage cart and recycling bin when City service begins. The City will not empty carts and bins not issued by them.
• If a City-issued cart and bin haven't been delivered, call 311 or 704-336-7600.
• Contact the current service provider if they haven't picked up the old cart and bin.
• Garbage, recyclables, yard waste and bulky items should be placed curbside no later than 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled day of collection.
• If for some reason garbage, recyclables, yard waste and bulky items are not collected on the scheduled service day, call 311 or 704-336-7600 the day after collection.

Additionally, approximately 8,500 existing residents in north, northwest and northeast Charlotte will have a new collection day beginning the week of June 29. Service day changes result from collection route adjustments that were made in an effort to maximize efficiency and customer service. Residents who will experience a day change were mailed a letter that indicated their new service day. To verify your day, visit http://curbit.charmeck.org. Click the SWS Day Change 2009 link.

For more information on Solid Waste Services, visit http://curbit.charmeck.org.

Nancy Carter, Charlotte City Council District 5 representative, will host a community meeting in her district 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 at the Hickory Grove Recreation Center, 6709 Pence Road.

Meeting topics will include:

• Code enforcement and the non-residential property ordinance
• Economic development as it relates to projects associated with the business corridor, business investment district, Eastland and Independence areas
• Transit with a focus on Independence Boulevard, street car, and light rail
• Single stream recycling.

The Government Channel brings you a recap of past City Source episodes on Thursday, July 2 at 7 p.m. The episode will give you an in-depth look at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport's volunteer program, CMPD's Animal Care & Control pet food drive and the Youth Job Connection program. This will be the last episode of City Source until Thursday, August 6. You can always view episodes of City Source online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.

If you know someone who would be interested in reading CMail, please forward it to them!