Calendar
Thursday, July 22
5:00 pm - Community Safety Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Commercial Towing Ordinance
Friday, July 23
7:45 am - Planning Liaison Committee Meeting, 8th Floor
Monday, July 26
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
5:00 pm - Council Manager Business Meeting, Room 267
6:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Meeting Chamber
7:00 pm - Council Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Tuesday, July 27
8:00 am - Mayor's Task Force on Cultural Facilities Meeting, Room CH-14
Wednesday, July 28
5:30 pm - MTC Meeting, Room 267
Staff continues to work with Hunt Construction Group to complete negotiations on the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract. The process is taking longer than expected due to the extensive amount of documentation that must be agreed to and conflicts with summer holiday schedules.
We received Hunt's proposal in early July and, after a week of review by staff, negotiations began last week. We have not yet reached an agreement with Hunt and several key members of Hunt's group are on vacation the week of July 19. As a result, we will not have the final GMP contract on the July 26 agenda. We expect to bring this contract to the August 23 agenda.
Agenda Item #13: 2005 Annexation Process
Staff Resource: Ann White, 704-336-5014
During the Planning Commission staff presentation to Council on the 2005 Annexation Preliminary Report at the July 19 Zoning meeting, Budget and Evaluation was asked to provide information on the payback period for the initial investment for annexation service costs. The attached report outlines the payback expectations for all funds affected by the 2005 annexation and for the General Fund in particular.
Information Items:
Water Main Break
Staff Resource: Vic Simpson, 704-391-5065
Attached is a memo on the water main break on Central Avenue at the intersection of Louise Avenue and 10th Street. The staff will continue to provide public information briefing as necessary and we will update you on Monday.
Late Discovery of Possible Gravesites near the I-485 Station on South Corridor Light Rail Project
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
CATS recently became aware that human burial remains may be located within the rail right-of-way acquired from Norfolk Southern and within or nearby the construction footprint of the South Corridor Light Rail Project. It is suspected that some, if not all, of these remains may be associated with China Grove AME Zion Church's cemetery given its proximity.
Since the light rail line is a federally funded project, appropriate environmental studies and inspections are required to minimize adverse impacts of the project on archaeological, cultural and/or historic sites. During the environmental impact statement effort, CATS coordinated with the China Grove AME Zion Church regarding the extent of the cemetery boundary and understood at that time that there were no gravesites located within the South Corridor Project construction limits.
During recent property survey activities underway for the final design effort and in preparation for the start of construction, depressions outside the property lines of the China Grove AME Zion Church Cemetery were identified as suspected unmarked gravesites.
Archaeological consultants conducted a variety of non-invasive, non-ground disturbing field reviews to detect gravesite depressions, headstones and footstones. The archaeologists concluded 12 gravesites are likely to be located on the former Norfolk Southern property. CATS has notified the appropriate federal, state, local, and Church officials of the conclusion.
CATS and Church officials have met on numerous occasions to discuss this late discovery of gravesites. CATS assured the Church and its membership that every effort will be taken to minimize any adverse impacts on any gravesites associated with the Church's cemetery. To the extent it should become necessary to exhume and re-inter any such remains found within the railroad right-of-way, CATS will coordinate such efforts with the Church and all decedents' next-of-kin, as identified through advertisements placed in publications including the Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte Post and the Star of Zion, as well as information obtained from the Church and other resources.
In addition to all next-of-kin, CATS will also work with the Church to ensure that its Board of Trustees and membership are involved in the decision-making process regarding the re-interment of the remains as well as the construction of a proper and appropriate memorial site.
No light rail construction will occur in the area where the suspected gravesites are located until either any remains found have been relocated or it has been determined that there are in fact no human remains within the area of construction. CATS does not expect that the appropriate resolution of this matter will impact the schedule for the South Corridor Project.
Research on Water Billing Complaints
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070
In response to Water Billing complaints, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' staff have researched the numbers and types of customer service calls we have fielded related to water billing on a monthly basis dating back to January 2001. The purpose of this review was to determine whether we are addressing more calls than normal, what types of calls we have received over time and whether any specific policy or process review may be warranted.
A summary of the findings are attached.
We have received questions about billing adjustments when leaks occur. Adjustments are conducted under two scenarios:
(1) If a leak occurs at the water meter - and a high bill occurs - then following appropriate investigation the customer's bill may be recalculated and adjusted based on the customer's average monthly usage.
(2) If a customer's private line experiences a break or leak resulting in a high bill, the customer may qualify for a one-time repair adjustment if the customer can provide proof that a line repair was made.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Access Corporation (CMPAC) Issues: Staff Resource: Doris J. Boris, 704-336-3064
The Office of Cable Franchise Management (OCFM) recently reviewed the following two issues raised by citizens regarding the CMPAC: (1) access for people with disabilities to CMPAC facilities; and (2) utilization of the cable system's Public Access Channel (Ch. 21) for fundraising purposes - which is in violation of CMPAC's By-Laws.
(1) The OCFM's facilities' accessibility review resulted in a detailed report that included City staff recommendations for ensuring that the CMPAC's facilities are ADA compliant. An Executive Summary of this report is attached. Copies of the full report are available through the Cable Office. Staff has forwarded a letter to the CMPAC reflecting these recommendations and requesting corrective actions - with a written response due back by August 31st.
(2) The CMPAC's Executive Director indicated that he personally reviewed the program that a citizen had indicated solicited funds. He determined that the program did not include solicitation and was not in violation of the By-Laws. In response to staff's request, on July 19th the CMPAC submitted additional information on the formal process utilized to review programming practices. Staff is reviewing this documentation and will be following up with the CMPAC, if necessary.
Public Forums - Cutting Pollution When it Counts
Staff Resource: Eldewins Haynes, 704-336-7621
Mecklenburg County Air Quality is considering a new local ozone regulation. The regulation would require temporary actions by businesses, industry and government to change activities that contribute to ozone formation on days when unhealthy ozone levels are predicted. The City of Charlotte and some local businesses are participating in a voluntary program this summer to implement some of the controls as Mecklenburg County works to finalize the regulation.
Mecklenburg County will conduct three public forums to discuss the proposed controls:
- July 22, 6 p.m. - Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave, Cornelius
- August 3, 7 p.m. - Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street East, Matthews
- August 12, 6 p.m. - CPCC Southwest Campus, 315 Hebron Street, Charlotte
A public hearing will be held on September 8, 2004 and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will consider adopting the regulation in October 2004, with an effective date in 2005.
Charlotte Business Hub, Inc. (BizHub)
Staff Resource: Richard Bargoil, 704-336-2142
The Charlotte Business Hub, Inc has hired Frank H. Gilmore as the Executive Director of the Charlotte Business Hub, Inc., ("BizHub"). The mission of the BizHub is to provide a centralized resource center for entrepreneurs to access business information and network for professional referrals, technical assistance, capital and business opportunities.
Mr. Gilmore will be responsible for fund raising, client development, and marketing the services of the BizHub. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Gilmore was the Director of Economic Development for a not-for-profit community based organization in New York.
He was responsible for strategic planning and the development of for-profit enterprises including writing business plans, preparing financial projections and loan structuring to attract funding for new and existing business ventures. Mr. Gilmore also brings more than ten years of commercial lending and business development experience to this position. He has developed and implemented joint lending programs with financial institutions and public agencies. Mr. Gilmore received his B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A & M University.
CATS Charlotte Trolley Update
Staff Resource: Keith Parker, 704-336-3855
CATS completed its third week of regular trolley service still carrying large loads of passengers. For the week ending July 18, the Trolley provided 6,096 passenger trips, an average of 44 customers per trip. The weekends continue to garner the highest usage, with standing room only loads all day.
To help deal with the large crowds, CATS will temporarily use a trolley on loan from the company building CATS' 3 replica trolleys. The "Open Air" trolley is 44' long, 10' wide, and weighs 34,000 lbs. It has seating capacity for 78, much more than the 40 seats on Car 85. However, the Open Air trolley has bench-style seating, therefore it cannot accommodate standees.
The Open Air trolley is so-named because it does not have side windows or doors. Side steps running the length of the car are used for boarding and alighting. CATS will be running various tests on this vehicle to ensure that it will be able to operate safely on the trolley corridor. If all tests are successful, CATS hopes to have the Open Air car running with Car 85 in time for the Bass Master's Convention later this month.
Finally, on Tuesday July 27, Charlotte Trolley service will be reduced to repair a "sun-kink" that has formed in the track on the 277 bridge. On hot sunny days, railroad track can expand and bend. This is relatively common on new rail services. To ensure the continued safe operation of the trolley system, Engineering will have its contractor address this situation on July 27, assuming good weather. The Trolley will resume regular service 11:00 am on July 28.
Neighborhood Development News
Staff Resource: Steve Allen, 704-336-2753
Attached is the Summer 2004 issue of Neighborhood Development News. The newsletter is a quarterly publication of Neighborhood Development and provides an update on the services and activities within the community. The newsletter is distributed to over 400 community leaders.
