Calendar:
Monday, May 24
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
4:00 pm - Restructuring Government Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: City Manager's 2004 Evaluation Process (Action Requested)
5:00 pm - Council Manager Dinner, Room 267
6:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Meeting Chamber
7:00 pm - Public Hearing on Recommended Budget, Meeting Chamber
Wednesday, May 26
3:00 pm - Council Makes Adjustments to Manager's Recommended Budget, Room 267. AGENDA: Review of Budget Process, Utilities Presentation on Rates and CIP (Materials to be distributed); Consideration of budget amendments
Thursday, May 27
5:00 pm - Community Safety Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Proposed Picketing Ordinance
Friday, May 28
7:45 am - Planning Liaison Committee Meeting, 8th Floor
Agenda Notes:
Dinner Briefing Item #3: HAND Report- Beatties Ford Road After School Initiative
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796
Attached is an agenda summary on the Beatties Ford After School Program (Northwest After School Coalition) scheduled for Council's Dinner Meeting agenda (#3) on Monday, May 24, 2004. The Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee will brief Council on their discussion and recommendation regarding the proposed initiative.
Agenda Item #9: Final Employment Analysis Report
Staff Resources: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862 and Cindy White, 704-336-3012
Please find attached a copy of the Final Employment Analysis Report from MGT of America. Typos have been corrected and other questions regarding the Report's findings and conclusions have been addressed.
Agenda Item #14B: Rea Road Widening at Olde Providence Elementary Correction
Staff Resource: Rebecca Chambers, 704-336-3280
The Small Business Opportunity Committed SBE Goal is noted incorrectly as 6%. In completing the documentation that was received after our deadline, the corrected percentage did not get changed to reflect the correct amount. This should read 10%.
Information Items:
May 24 Kick Off - Smart Commuter Initiative
Staff Resource: Olaf Kinard, 704-336-2275
The Charlotte Area Transit System, City of Charlotte Neighborhood Development, Countrywide Home Loans, RBC Centura, State Employees' Credit Union and Sun Trust invite you to join us for the launch of the Smart Commute Initiative. This initiative is designed to give homebuyers the opportunity to qualify for a mortgage with the help of savings realized from using public transportation.
The festivities will be held on Monday, May 24, 2004 at Williamsburg on Commonwealth (Commonwealth Avenue and Green Oaks Lane) and start at 9:30 am. A brochure on the new program is attached (print version only).
May 26 Half-day Budget Retreat Materials-Budget Adjustments
Staff Resource: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403
Information for the May 26 Half-day Budget Retreat is included in your packet today
The Plaza Median Nandina Removal
Staff Resource: John Lojko, 704-336-4262
Landscape Management is in the process of removing about 700 nandinas that were planted a number of years ago as a city shrub replacement project. This specific nandina was supposed to have a mature growth height of two feet. These nandinas have grown well past that height and have caused repeated sight distance problems for turning traffic on The Plaza.
Contractors have pruned these nandinas several times over the past several years to address the sight distance issue. Already this spring, Landscape Management has received several complaints about sight distance issues with these plants.
We investigated the problem again this past week and felt it was time to remove the plants and replace them this fall with a more suitable shrub. Work to remove these plants will take several days to complete. Landscape Management has received calls from citizens inquiring about the work being done.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Staff Resource: A.C. Shull, 704-336-2439
The Economic Development Office is working with Centralina Council of Governments to prepare a Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (RCEDS) for the nine- county region. The RCEDS will serve as a regional economic reinvestment initiative that will study economic needs and develop an action plan.
The City will use the results of the RCEDS to justify grant requests to the Economic Development Administration. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Briefing and a complete description of the RCEDS process and outcomes is attached.
The input process will include focus groups and persons from the cities and counties included in the RCEDS area (see attached map - printed version only). The COG has requested that Patrick Cannon, Mayor Pro Tem, represent City interests and concerns on the RCEDS committee. Mayor Pro Tem Cannon has agreed to serve in this capacity.
After approval by the participating jurisdictions, including City Council, the RCEDS will be submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) by October 30, 2004. After EDA approval, eligible projects can be submitted to the Economic Development Administration, for grant funding.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has approved an EDA Planning Grant, in the amount of $100,000. The grant application requires matching funds of $100,000, which will be provided by the City ($20,000 included in the FY2004 budget), Mecklenburg County ($20,000), the State ($20,000), and in-kind staff time ($40,000). The EDA grant will be used to pay the consultant, pay staff costs, and for miscellaneous costs related to the study.
The Advisory Committee has chosen Angelou Economics, to prepare the study. City staff will also use the consultant to provide input on the Council priority to revise the Economic Development Strategic Framework. Angelou comes highly recommended by former clients and the Economic Development Administration.
