Agenda Notes:
Rezoning Petition #2003-83 and Rezoning Petition #2004-004
Staff Resource: Tammie Keplinger, 704-336-5967
Attached is the Addendum to the Decision portion of the Monday, April 19, 2004 Zoning Meeting Agenda
Information Items:
Mayor's New Business Breakfast - April 29
Staff Resource: Dennis Holste, 704-432-2076
On Thursday, April 29, the Mayor will be hosting the New Business Breakfast from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at the Westin Hotel in Grand Ballroom A/B. The purpose of this breakfast is to welcome new businesses to the Charlotte area, share information about City services and to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to meet key public and business leaders, as well as other new business owners.
This is the fourth year the breakfast has been held and is part of the City's Business Retention Program. Please contact Dennis Holste at 704-432-2076 by April 23 if you plan to attend.
Small Business Enterprise Program Options
Staff Resource: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862
The Restructuring Government Committee met Thursday, April 15, to discuss the Small Business Enterprise Program options. There were four options in response to the disparity study under consideration by the Committee:
1) Maintain SBO program - received a motion with no second
2) Supplement SBO program with annual Citywide M/WBE goals (staff recommendation) - received a motion with no second
3) Supplement SBO program with per project M/WBE goals - received a motion; seconded and voted 2-2 (Mitchell and Graham yes; Lochman and Kinsey no)
4) Establish an M/WBE program - not considered
The Committee will report to City Council at the May 10 Business Meeting. The Disparity Study, the Small Business Development Program Status Report and Public Information Session dated April 7, 2004 and Revisions to the SBO Programs to Comply with Senate Bill 914 are attached.
Also attached is the Small Business Development Program's Organizational Chart, position allocations and FY04 budget as requested by Council member James Mitchell.
April 14 Incident at Transit Center
Staff Resource: Terry Sult, 704-353-0477
On the night of Wednesday, April 14, there was a confrontation at Eastland Mall that involved 10-15 individuals. During the incident, someone threw a stick at one of the individual's cars, then presumably rode a CATS bus to the Uptown Transit Center. As a result, two carloads of teenagers came to the Transit Center to seek retaliation.
A fight broke out and two of the officers working off-duty at the Transit Center radioed for assistance. The officers next reported that multiple fights were occurring and that one individual was armed with a box cutter. A box cutter was later dropped by a female participant and turned over to police.
Responding officers, including Captain Sult, located several of the approximately 15 individuals involved. One subject fled on foot and was apprehended two blocks away. He was charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer.
All of the individuals identified as involved in the fights were wearing clothing that is consistent with that of the "Kings" gang. Field interview reports on these individuals were completed and forwarded to the Intelligence Unit. Four of the individuals involved are from New York and are visiting Charlotte over their spring break.
Spectrum's Request for Public Investment in the Proposed Redevelopment of the Old Convention Center
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
In February 2004 Spectrum Properties requested that the City provide $9 million of public investment to support Spectrum's proposal to redevelop the Old Convention Center into an urban entertainment center. Staff has reviewed this request and a memorandum from the City Manager is attached that provides the results of that review and a recommendation for City Council's consideration.
Time Warner Cable Television Franchise Renewal Process
Staff Resource: Doris Boris, 704-336-3064
In November 2003, the City entered into what is defined under Federal law as the "informal renewal process" for its 1991 Time Warner Cable franchise. The objective of this process is a new cable television franchise agreement to replace the existing agreement set to expire in 2006.
The negotiation process offers the City several opportunities to review its franchise, particularly in terms of the new cable system technologies that can be utilized to benefit the current and future needs of the community for both video channel capacity and data networking.
Due to the full agenda for City Council meetings, Business Support Services' Office of Cable Franchise Management's presentation on the cable television franchise renewal process has been postponed twice.
This presentation was intended to advise Council members of the legal and technical issues involved in negotiating this agreement. It is anticipated that Council approval will be requested sometime before Fall 2005.
In an effort to provide this information to Council in a timely manner, the presentation has been attached to today's memo. Doris Boris, Cable Communications Administrator, is available to respond to any inquiries Council may have regarding either the presentation or the process.
Clean Cities Designation by Department of Energy
Staff Resource: Julie Burch, 704-336-3187
The Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition has been awarded the Clean City designation by the US Department of Energy. The Clean Cities initiative, supported by the Centralina Council of Governments, is focused on advancing alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. Charlotte is a participating stakeholder in the coalition, along with a number of other public and private entities throughout the region. The City Council approved the City's participation and a memorandum of understanding in April 2003.
Being designated a Clean City provides Federal funding opportunities for alternative fuels and vehicles. The award is very timely as the region works in earnest to improve air quality over the next several years. Attached is a press release from COG with more information. Staff will keep Council informed as the local program develops.
