Calendar:
Monday, May 17
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
3:30 pm - Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting, Room 266. AGENDA: Update on Short Session (Legislature Convened on May 10); Presentation/Discussion of Transportation Related Services Provided by NCDOT; Reminder/Review of Town Hall Day on June 9, 2004
5:00 pm - Council Manager Dinner, Room CH-14
6:00 pm - Zoning Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Tuesday, May 18
6:00 pm - Joint Public Hearing on Proposed Storm Water Rate Increases, Meeting Chamber
Wednesday, May 19
12:00 pm - Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee Meeting, Room CH-14. AGENDA: Second Housing Retreat Follow up Assignment - Capital Needs Document (revised); Beatties Ford Road After school Initiative; Density Bonus for Affordable Housing
4:00 pm - Economic Development and Planning Committee Meeting, Room CH-14. AGENDA: Arts and Science Council Theater Proposal; Old Convention Center; Readdress Plan Amendment Process in Light of Zoning Petition #2004-33 at Albemarle/I-485 Interchange
7:00 pm - MUMPO Meeting, Room 267
Thursday, May 20
12:00 pm - Restructuring Government Committee, Room CH-14. AGENDA: City Manager's 2004 Evaluation Process (Action Requested)
Agenda Notes:
Bristol Gardens Apartments - Letter of Support
Staff Resource: Jeff Meadows, 704-336-2754
Attached is a Request for Council Action that City Council will be asked to approve on Monday, May 17, 2004. Staff is requesting Council's approval of a Letter of Support Letter to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) for low-income tax credits for the proposed Bristol Gardens Apartments.
Bristol Gardens Apartments is being developed by Crosland, Inc. and will serve households in three income ranges: 30%, 40% and 60% of the area median income. The developer is not requesting funds from the City, but is seeking tax credits from the NCHFA. A summary report of the Bristol Gardens Apartments is included as an attachment.
The letter of support is contingent on Council's approval of a rezoning petition (#2004-34) for the site for the proposed Bristol Gardens development, which is also on Council's agenda for May 17, 2004.
Information Items:
Old Convention Center: Spectrum's Request for Assistance
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
Attached are revised sales and property tax impact figures provided by Spectrum at a County Commission committee meeting on Monday, May 10. The sales tax figures have been revised downward from Spectrum's original calculations as a result of Spectrum gaining a better understanding of how the sales tax is distributed. County and City staff have reviewed these figures. Also attached is a copy of the Public Funding Request.
Joint Public Hearing for Storm Water Utility
Staff Resource: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403
The joint public hearing with Mecklenburg County on proposed Storm Water rates will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 18 in the Meeting Chamber.
At the May 10 Dinner Briefing, Council member Tabor asked for information regarding the annual public hearing on storm water rates. A copy of our response to a similar question last year (FY04) is attached.
Mayor's Business Breakfast
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
The next Mayor's Business Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2004 from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at the Morehead Inn. Please RSVP to Angela Grier at 704-432-1395 by Friday, May 21, if you would like to attend.
Biddleville-Smallwood Community - Code Enforcement
Staff Resource: Walter Abernethy, 704-336-4213
In response to a letter from the Biddleville-Smallwood Community Organization, a news story regarding housing code violations and criminal activity in the community aired on WJZY on May 6 and again on May 9, 2004.
The story highlighted five abandoned properties being used for vagrant and illegal activities. As a follow up to the story, Council member James Mitchell and Neighborhood Development's Code Enforcement Manager Walter Abernethy toured the neighborhood on May 7.
The five properties are in different stages of the code enforcement process. The status of the enforcement activities is listed below:
216 Mill Road: This property will be presented to City Council on May 24, 2004 for an In Rem demolition order.
122 South Gregg Street: The Code Enforcement staff has issued an order to the property owner to demolish this house. On its current track, Code should be able to present the structure to City Council for In Rem demolition order on June 28, 2004.
2329 Rozzelles Ferry Road: This structure was originally slated for repair. Property conditions have worsened due to vagrant activities and extreme weathering. This week, the Code Enforcement staff cleaned up the outside of the property and issued a demolition order to the owner.
844 Seldon Drive: This code enforcement case was closed in December 2003. The structure is unoccupied, but frequented by vagrants living in the area. The vagrant activity has resulted in further deteriorating conditions. The Code Enforcement staff has reopened the case and issued a Complaint and Notice of Hearing to the property owner and other parties of interest. The administrative hearing is scheduled for June 1, 2004. Code Enforcement has made arrangements to secure the property and contacted Police to monitor the location more closely to help with the vagrant problem.
2205 Roslyn Avenue: The tenants of this property were relocated and Code Enforcement secured the property in November 2003. Vagrants broke into the structure in April and set a fire to the building. The fire damage, in conjunction with other deteriorating conditions, has resulted in a probable demolition order. An administrative hearing took place on May 7, 2004. An order to demolish is forthcoming.
The status of these properties has been shared with the Biddleville-Smallwood Community. Code Enforcement staff will remain in contact with the neighborhood organization until these cases are brought to closure.
Federal Legislative Update
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009
Attached is a report from Holland and Knight summarizing the status of our request for Congressional earmarks for local Charlotte projects.
Congress is currently concentrating on defense issues and homeland security. Transportation and other appropriation bills may not be heard until after the November elections, since Congress will be in recess during the latter part of the year and the summer months will likely be devoted to national security.
Holland and Knight continues to monitor issues and debate within the appropriations committees that will impact Charlotte's requests. Additionally, they are coordinating national efforts with other cities that will reinforce our chances for getting federal assistance for transit, homeland security, internet taxation, and other major initiatives.
Our Delegation is very supportive of our projects and we look forward to results from the Appropriation Committees.
North Carolina Legislative Report
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009
Our Delegation met Tuesday morning and reviewed our request for authorization to create the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Mayor Pro Tem Cannon and Council member Graham were very persuasive in convincing Senator Dannelly that minority participation will continue to be a priority for Council in appointing members to the new authority.
We addressed questions raised by Senator Clodfelter and Representative Alexander concerning funding language that should be included in our legislative request. Our bond council later verified that the proposed legislation will not affect the current debt on any of our facilities and is therefore acceptable to the Bond Market.
We received positive comments from the lobbyists for the hotel industry and the restaurant association regarding our legislative request. These groups, who have regular input into laws impacting their industries, have assured us they have no questions or objections to our local bill. Representative Earle and Senator Dannelly have sent our request to bill drafting and we are hopeful that the legislation will move quickly through the short session.
Eastover Woods Floodlands Development Permit Revocation
Staff Resource: Bob Hagemann, 704-336-2651
Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services (MCSWS) has revoked a floodlands development permit (letter attached) necessary for the development of Eastover Woods, a four-lot subdivision off of Twiford Place in Eastover.
John and Cynthia Woodlief, the owners of property adjacent to the project, had sued to overturn the permit as well as the preliminary subdivision approval. The permit was revoked after MCSWS determined that it had been mistakenly issued. It is possible, however, that the permit will be re-issued if the developer is able to submit approvable information.
Also attached is a memo from Senior Assistant City Attorney Bob Hagemann that explains this matter in more detail.
Resignation of Civil Service Board Member
Staff Resources: DeWitt F. McCarley, 704-336-4112 and Brenda Freeze, 704-336-4516
Civil Service Board member Al Mandell verbally resigned from the Board in a discussion with Civil Service Board chair Patrick Clark this afternoon. A confirming letter from Mr. Mandell or his attorney citing health reasons for the resignation is expected by the close of business Monday.
Mr. Mandell was appointed to the Civil Service Board by Council on October 28, 2002. He is retired from the United States Air Force and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. He has lived in Charlotte for 34 years and has been a member of the North Carolina Boxing Commission and a volunteer for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
