Calendar:
Monday, February 9
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
1:30 pm - Transportation Committee , Rooms 270-271. AGENDA: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane on Independence Boulevard
3:30 pm - Governmental Affairs Committee, Room 266. AGENDA: Confirm Proposed Meeting Dates, Preview the Legislative Notebook; Federal Lobbyist Observations
5:00 pm - Council Dinner Briefing, Room 267
7:00 pm - Council Business Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Wednesday, February 11 - 13
Council Retreat - Pinecrest Inn, Tryon, North Carolina
Agenda Items:
Agenda Item #12: 2004 Federal Legislative Priorities
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009
Attached is the request for Council action for the 2004 Federal Legislative Priorities.
Agenda Item #25: Acquisition of River Run Wastewater Collection System from River Run Utilities
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5073
The acquisition of the River Run Wastewater Collection System is a priority because this acquisition will reduce the flow to McDowell Wastewater Treatment Plant. Due to high flows to the McDowell plant last year, Utilities had to temporarily suspend the extension of new sewer lines in that drainage basin. The City Attorney's office suggests that the following information be provided in the consideration of this item.
The purchase agreement obligates the owner of the River Run system to convey an easement for a new parallel outfall to handle projected future wastewater flows. Since the time negotiations for the parallel easement began, the owner of the development and sewer system transferred ownership of the property crossed by the parallel easement to the River Run Golf and Country
Club but retained the necessary easements for Utilities. However, a condition of their property transfer to the Country Club was that the Country Club would be allowed to review and approve the proposed plan for construction on the easement. Under the agreement, final payment to River Run Utilities for the sewer system requires that the existing sewer system and the parallel easement be conveyed to the City.
The purchase agreement allows the City Manager to waive the requirement that the Country Club join in the transfer of the parallel easement if negotiations for the transfer cannot be completed on a schedule compatible with the current sewer line construction to the Town of Davidson. Under such circumstances, Utilities will continue its efforts to work out details for the future construction with the Country Club. If any property interests of the Country Club (such as temporary construction easements) are required to construct the outfall, those interests will be acquired as a part of resolving the construction details for the parallel outfall.
Information Items:
Line Clearance Work by Duke Power along Sharon View Road and Old Providence Road
Staff Resource: Don McSween, 704-336-4262
Since Friday, January 30, 2004, the City Arborist's office has received several calls from citizens about the power line clearance work Duke Power is doing on Sharon View Road and Old Providence Road. Citizen concerns relate to the amount of pruning and the trees to be removed.
City staff has inspected the work as part of our normal review of work conducted on street trees by Duke Power. The pruning work looks dramatic because of the number of years the trees have grown since the last pruning. Attempts have been made by the pruning crews to minimize the clearance, but still provide safe distances required for these utility lines.
There are several cases where large maturing trees have grown beneath the lines. In order to avoid continually pruning these trees affecting both the appearance and tree health, it is best for Duke Power to remove them now. Duke Power will have their crews remove all wood from the right of way.
Illinois Tool Works
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
Attached is a press release from Illinois Tool Works Food Equipment Group (ITW) announcing the selection of Charlotte for a new manufacturing facility. This new facility will employ 200 people at an average wage of $34,700, and represents an investment estimated at $11 million.
During the recruitment effort, ITW requested information on the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Business Investment Grant program. Staff estimated that ITW would qualify for a grant totaling $478,500 over a five-year period. The State of North Carolina will also be providing an incentive to ITW through the OneNC Fund.
ITW's request for a Business Investment Grant will come to City Council in March 2004.
Presentation of the Future of Policing Committee Report to County Commission
Staff Resource: Darrel Stephens, 704-336-2360
Chief Stephens presented the Future of Policing Committee Report to the County Commission on February 3. The report was well received and the Commission was complimentary of the Committee's work.
Some of the Commissioners expressed concern about what will happen with the proposed modification to the financial agreement at the end of four years. Chief Stephens stressed that it would be reviewed again. It appears that the Commission may still seek legislative authority to offer the towns the opportunity to police their spheres of influence so that the option would be available to them at a later date. One of the commissioners continues to express concerns about service delivery in the suburban areas of the County and Chief Stephens has offered to engage in further discussions of those issues.
The Commission voted to accept the report as information and directed the County Manager to work with the City on a proposed amendment to the consolidation agreement. The Commission also asked that Chief Stephens present the report again at a televised Commission meeting so that citizens will have the opportunity to hear the Committee's recommendations.
