Calendar
Monday, May 3, 2004
7:30 am - Mecklenburg Delegation Breakfast, Room 267. AGENDA: 2004 North Carolina Legislative Requests
5:00 pm - Council Manager Dinner, Room 267
7:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Room 267
Wednesday, May 5
12:00 pm - Economic Dev. & Planning Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Implementation Policy for Corrective Rezonings; Short Update on Status of Old Convention Center; Discuss Next Two Economic Development and Planning Meeting Dates and Times
Information Items:
Follow-up from April Restructuring Government Committee
Staff Resource: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862
Greenville Neighborhood Ctr. - Proposed Transfer to Mecklenburg Co.
Staff Resource: Richard Woodcock, 704-336-8572
The City's Neighborhood Development Key Business has begun preliminary talks with the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department regarding the transfer of the Greenville Neighborhood Center to the County. If approved by the City Council and County Board of County Commissioners, the transfer would take place during Fiscal Year 05. The budget for the building's utilities and other maintenance costs is approximately $148,000 per year.
Currently, the City operates no programs out of the Greenville Center. It is used primarily by Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation to provide recreational activities to the Greenville Community.
The proposed transfer would provide Parks and Recreation more office space and allow them full control of the facility. City staff is in the process of identifying stakeholders and other interested parties to invite to community meetings to discuss the proposed transfer. These meetings will be jointly facilitated by City and County staff to get input from the Greenville neighborhood and ensure a seamless transition. We will keep Council advised of this process and outcome.
Highland Avenue Bridge Closure
Staff Resource: Gus Jordi, 704-336-7086
The Charlotte Department of Transportation will close the Highland Avenue bridge (located in the Hickory Grove area) due to deteriorated piers found during a recent inspection. Traffic will be re-routed to Market Street.
The closing of the bridge will take place on Monday, May 3, after 9:00 am. We are planning to have an off-duty officer at the intersection of Market Street and Pence Road for the morning rush hours to assist with traffic, if needed.
If we determine that an off-duty officer is going to be needed for the duration of the closure, the option of installing a temporary traffic signal at that intersection will be considered. The Hickory Grove Elementary School and Hickory Grove Methodist Church, which are nearby, have been informed of the planned closure. We are also informing the public.
The timber style bridge, constructed in 1959, is scheduled to be re-constructed beginning in March 2005 through the Federal Government's Municipal Bridge Replacement Program. However, due to the closure, we will attempt to expedite the approval process and begin construction as soon as possible. The total cost of the project is expected to be in the range of $1.5 million, with the Federal program covering 80% of the costs and the City covering the additional 20%. Attached are photos showing the deterioration of the bridge.
Letter of Recommendations from External Auditors FY2003
Staff Resource: Greg Gaskins, 704-336-5885
Each year following the annual financial audit, our external auditors prepare a "Letter of Recommendations" concerning accounting and computer control items that they feel could be improved. Atached is a copy of the letter that was issued recently for FY 2003. We are pleased to note there are no substantive items included in this year's letter.
Metropolitan Transit Commission Summary - April 28, 2004
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
At its March 24 meeting, the MTC unanimously approved a new eligibility certification process for Special Transportation Service (STS) riders, which will determine an applicant's eligibility based on functional ability to use fixed route service. This process will help ensure that all STS clients who are unable to use fixed route service can be accommodated, while assisting those members of the disabled community who are able, at least under certain circumstances, to use regular service to take advantage of the convenience and flexibility offered by that service.
In the same resolution, the MTC approved a revision to CATS' Fare Policy, reflecting a new, mileage-based fare for expanded STS service in those areas of the county which have not previously been served. The expansion will begin in Mint Hill in June, in the North Mecklenburg area in September, and in the remainder of Mecklenburg County in January, 2005.
The MTC also approved implementation of a Regional Express route to Lincoln County. This will be CATS' sixth Regional Express route. Regional Express routes serve communities outside Mecklenburg County and served communities reimburse 50% of annual operational costs ($81,000 in the case of the Lincoln County service).
The MTC heard an informational briefing on the findings of CATS' Market Research program over the past four years. The research indicates that rider and non-rider perceptions of the transit system have remained relatively high over the four-year period, but that as the system improves, customer expectations continue to rise. In response to specific findings, CATS will emphasize customer service, safety enhancements and public communications activities in its 2005 business planning process.
Finally, the MTC received an informational briefing on three Transportation Demand Management programs. One will encourage local businesses to join a national "Best Workplace for Commuters" program; the second will be an outreach program to encourage use of the HOV lanes on I-77 when they open in the Fall of 2004; and the third is to begin participation in the Smart Commute Initiative, a Fannie Mae program which rewards homebuyers who purchase properties near transit.
