Calendar:
Monday, Nov. 1
3:00 pm - Transportation Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Connectivity - Public Safety Component; Land use Around Transit Stations; Preparing the Transportation Action Plan - Session 5
5:00 pm - Council Dinner and Workshop, Room 267
7:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Room 267
Wednesday, Nov. 3
12:00 pm - Economic Development and Planning Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Backlog of Rezoning Cases; Albemarle/I-485 Plan; West Morehead Land Use/Pedscape Plan
Thursday, Nov. 4
6:00 pm - Economic Development Community Meeting (Districts 6 and 7), Hyatt Charlotte at SouthPark, 5501 Carnegie Boulevard
Calendar Highlights:
Mini-Conference on Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities
Staff Resource: Gail Whitcomb, 704-336-5849
The Economic Development Office is hosting an Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities mini-conference on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at the Hyatt Charlotte at SouthPark. The mini-conference is in response to Council's April 12, 2004 approval for three economic development outreach meetings to be held during calendar 2004 to inform businesses of City of Charlotte Economic Development program opportunities. The Nov. 4 event represents the third and final meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform citizens, entrepreneurs and businesses about the City's business assistance programs, resources and partnerships as well as how to access these resources. Topics presented will include the City's ED Strategy, Small Business Financial Assistance, Small Business Enterprise Loan Fund, Small Business Opportunity Program and Biz Hub Center for Business Success. Representatives from Self-Help Credit Union, the Charlotte Chamber, the Small Business Technology and Development Center, CPCC's Small Business
Center, Business Expansion Funding Corporation (an SBA 504 lender), the Small Business Information Center and the Small Business Administration will also be available to speak with individuals one-on-one regarding their specific business concepts and concerns. A panel discussion will also occur providing an opportunity for attendees to pose questions to ED Staff and our afore-mentioned partners.
The Nov. 4 meeting is open to the public with a specific target towards small businesses and residents of Districts 6 and 7.
Agenda Notes:
Council Retreat Dates
Staff Resource: Denise Foreman, 704-336-3186
On October 11, Council selected January 20 and 21, 2005 as the dates for the Annual Mayor/Council Retreat. However, we have found a conflict with those dates and will discuss alternate dates with you at the Monday, November 1 Council Workshop.
Information Items:
Donation of Two Surplus Fire Trucks to Haiti
Staff Resource: Ron Kimble, 704-336-4169
A couple of months ago, the City was approached by a non-profit group known as the Joseph's Exchange to see if any surplus fire trucks could possibly be donated to the country of Haiti. Several North Carolina cities have recently participated in the donations of surplus equipment to foreign countries.
City staff posed the following questions to the Joseph's Exchange that had to be answered before we could approach City Council. Among them are:
- Can this legally be done? Through what entity does the donation need to pass to comply with State Statutes?
- Are any surplus fire trucks of ours suitable for Haiti's use, and what maintenance responsibilities would Haiti need to perform year-after-year?
- What training do the professionals in Haiti need for using such equipment?
- How could these fire trucks be shipped to Haiti at no cost to the City?
- What asset management/disposal policy provisions apply?
We have now received answers that may make a transaction like this possible, and we will soon be approaching City Council with a presentation on this issue. We will update you as complete information is assembled.
