Information Items:
- Mecklenburg Elected Leaders' Forum Suspension
- Utilities Earns National Environmental Education Award
- Clear the Air & Best Workplaces for Commuters Campaigns
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Annual Summary

Attachments:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Annual Summary 2003

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Information Items:
Mecklenburg Elected Leaders' Forum Suspension
Staff Resource: Joyce Gillon, 704-336-8315

At their March 26, 2004 meeting, the Planning Liaison Committee affirmed their January 23, 2004 recommendation to suspend the Mecklenburg Elected Leaders' Forums until a topic/issue warrants a joint meeting that will enthusiastically draw the elected officials.

Their original recommendation was in response to staffs' request for feedback on last year's Mecklenburg Elected Leaders' Forums before scheduling the 2004 sessions.

The committee's recommendation was reached after a lengthy discussion that questioned whether the forums are meeting their intended purpose and if topics are not being presented through other forums such as SEQL meetings and the Mountain Island Lake workshop. Also, groups such as the Centralina Council of Governments and Voices and Choices are sponsoring regional meetings.

Another issue is the level of attendance versus the staff time and cost for the joint luncheons.

Members also stressed the importance of expanding the role of the Planning Liaison Committee as a communication, collaboration and cooperative vehicle between the participating jurisdictions.

Chairperson David Hughes wrote a letter January 30 soliciting feedback from the elected officials of each of the jurisdictions. No comments contrary to the original recommendation were received.

Utilities Earns National Environmental Education Award
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will receive a 2004 National Environmental Achievement Award later this spring from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). The award specifically recognizes excellence in the Public Information & Education - Educational Program Category for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' development of the Blue Planet Water Environmental Center.

This hands-on water education facility is located in a 9,800-square foot room inside the North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant in Huntersville. The Blue Planet was mostly funded through a federal EPA grant and opened to the public in December 2003.

To date the Blue Planet has hosted more than 600 visitors, and more than 1,000 children of all ages are scheduled to visit between now and July 1. Utilities was notified of the AMSA award last week and a formal recognition ceremony will be held May 24 in Washington, D.C.

Our application emphasized the years of vision, hard work and team effort by Utilities employees and agency partners who helped create our region's first and finest hands-on water learning center.

Clear the Air & Best Workplaces for Commuters Campaigns
Staff Resource: Olaf Kinard, 704-336-2275

Charlotte Area Transit System will be kicking off it's annual Clear the Air Campaign on May 4 at 11:00 am at Duke Energy located at 526 South Church Street. Events targeting over 230,000 employees will be held throughout the summer at major employers across the Charlotte region.

The focus of the Clear the Air Campaign is to educate the public concerning the negative effects of ozone, and encourage them to ride CATS, vanpool, carpool, bike or walk during the hot summer months when ozone is at its worse.

This year's campaign will also incorporate a national recognition program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) called  Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Best Workplaces for Commuters recognizes organizations and businesses that promote alternative commuting options in the workplace and take measures to reduce the number of vehicles miles traveled. To date, both CATS and Mecklenburg County have been designated as a Best Workplace for Commuters. Employers receiving this designation will receive local and national recognition as a great place to work, gain a competitive advantage in recruiting/retaining employees, and demonstrate a commitment to employees, the community and a cleaner environment.

CATS' staff will continue efforts by working with area businesses throughout the summer to assist them in achieving a Best Workplaces for Commuters designation.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Annual Summary
Staff Resource: Darrel Stephens, 704-336-2337

Attached is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Annual Summary 2003.