Information Items:
Status of Solid Waste Services
Staff Resource: Wayman Pearson, 704-336-3410
On Sunday, July 25, forty City Solid Waste collection vehicles at the Louise Avenue equipment lot were vandalized. The incident affected garbage, yard waste, recycling and bulk item collection services provided to residents in the east, north and south collection zones. Customers in west collection zone under contract with Inland Services Corporation have not been impacted by the incident.
The damage to the vehicles ranged from broken mirrors, interior cab damage from discharged fire extinguishers, deflated tires and major body damage from deliberate truck collisions on the lot. Initially, twenty-two of the 40 trucks were severely damaged and were estimated to be inoperable for at least 2 weeks. Through the work of Solid Waste and Equipment Management Division staff all but nine of the severely damaged vehicles have been restored to service.
Steady progress is being made to return service to normal schedule. Priority is being placed on collecting garbage and recycling. Garbage is currently being collected on Wednesday routes in the north, south, and east collection zones. Wednesday routes that are not completed today will be completed Thursday morning prior to starting collection for Thursday's scheduled service. This could potentially delay garbage collection for the remainder of the week.
Recycling and yard waste routes are operating, with progress being made to restore service to all collection routes. Some yard waste trucks are being used to assist in collecting garbage. Bulky items scheduled for pick-up this week are being collected as normal.
The Customer Service and Information Center and the Solid Waste Customer Service Center are providing updated information to residents as it becomes available. Staff has also worked with Corporate Communications to issue press releases to the media about the incident. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have begun on-site security of the equipment lot from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Staff is also examining options for a video or other type surveillance system.
Annexation of Northlake Mall and Mall-Related Parcels
Staff Resource: Jonathan Wells, 704-336-4090
For the past several years, staff has worked cooperatively with the developer (Faison) and the owner (Taubman) of the Northlake Mall currently under construction on Reames Road and scheduled to open on September 15, 2005. Lately, that cooperation has centered upon the possibility of having the developer and owner petition the City for a voluntary annexation of the mall site and related adjoining parcels (currently outside the City limits) to roughly coincide with the opening of the mall. The City desires to annex the mall, the related mall outparcels, and a new road in the area, at the earliest possible date. The developer and owner obviously prefer to delay that annexation as long as possible.
Discussions were initiated in May 2004 with the mall developer and owner concentrating upon the mechanics of a potential voluntary annexation petition (boundaries, scheduling, phasing, etc.). Staff and the owner of the mall have reached consensus on a voluntary annexation of the mall area and adjoining road right-of-way.
The proposed two-phase plan involves the voluntary annexation of the road and several mall outparcels effective no later than August 31, 2005, and the voluntary annexation of the mall and anchor tenants somewhere between September 30, 2006 and February 28, 2007. This would accomplish annexation of all mall and mall-related parcels in a timeframe on or before that which could be achieved on Council's regular involuntary annexation schedule of every two years. On that basis, the earliest all parcels would be annexed is June 30, 2007. On the fastest track, the earliest the mall could be involuntarily annexed is June 30, 2006. The proposed two-phase plan takes these factors into consideration. Staff will update you again as soon as the specific details surrounding this annexation are finalized.
New Uptown and Regional Map
Staff Resource: T. J. Orr, 704-359-4006
Through surveys distributed to passengers at the Airport's Welcome Center, the Airport realized that there were approximately 500 inquires in one month for an uptown map and regional map. Airport staff began talks with Center City Partners and the Charlotte Regional Partnership to develop a unified map (print copy available only) with key distribution points throughout the city. The Airport began securing further partnerships with CATS, Charlotte Chamber and Historic Southend, which is now a part of Center City Partners.
A unified uptown and regional map was completed in June and distributed through all the partners with total circulation estimated to be approximately 175,000. The map is an Airport Advertising Project with the advertising revenues supporting the printing costs.
National Night Out
Staff Resource: Gary Bell, 704-336-2310
National Night Out is Tuesday, August 3, 2004. National Night Out provides an opportunity for neighborhoods to come together and build safer communities. The Police Department is coordinating with a number of neighborhoods that are planning special events next Tuesday night. The attached list includes the department's current information on either the time and location of the event or the contact person for those events still in the planning stage.
North Carolina Legislative Update
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009
Attached is a Summary of the 2004 North Carolina Legislative Session.
