Calendar:
Monday, November 22
7:45 am - Charlotte Chamber/Charlotte Area Transit System Second Annual Transit
1:30 pm - Summit, Marriott Executive Park - All Council members should have received an invitation to the Summit. It will focus on the progress and challenges of CATS' South Corridor Light Rail Project. Agenda is attached.
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
3:00 pm - Transportation Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Preparing the Transportation Action Plan - Session 6; 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan
4:00 pm - City Attorney's Evaluation, CH-14
5:00 pm - Council Manager Dinner Briefing, Room 267
6:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Meeting Chamber
7:00 pm - Council Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Holiday - City Offices Closed
Agenda Notes:
Dinner Briefing: Retreat Planning Committee Report
Staff Resource: Denise Foreman, 704-336-3186
The Retreat Planning Committee met on Tuesday, November 16 and discussed the agenda and location of the December 9 One-Day Council Retreat. The Committee will present a draft agenda to the full Council at the November 22 Council Dinner Briefing.
The Committee also found that there is a conflict with the current retreat schedule and will recommend a time change at the Dinner Briefing.
Agenda Items #10: 2005 Annexation
Staff Resource: Jonathan Wells, 704-336-4090
City Council is scheduled to take final action on the 2005 annexation areas at their November 22 meeting. During the past several days, staff has received calls from three owners of properties in qualifying annexation areas who state that they do not want their properties annexed. All three owners have properties on private roads. Staff has answered these callers' questions, given them information regarding City services and the annexation process, and explained that the public hearing for the annexation matter was held on October 11.
It may be possible that these property owners may contact Council members. Because there has already been a public hearing on annexation (October 11, 2004), citizens cannot sign up to speak to this item. Staff has made every attempt to address the annexation questions posed by these citizens whose goal seems to be exclusion from the 2005 annexation areas.
Agenda Item #19: In Rem Repair - 3834 Chandworth Road
Staff Resource: Walter Abernethy, 704-336-4213
On November 22, 2004, City Council will be asked to approve an In Rem Repair order for the structure at 3834 Chandworth Road. In Rem Repair is utilized in a few code cases where the Environmental Court process cannot be used, the owner has been uncooperative in making the needed repairs and the structure's repairs are not significant enough to warrant demolition.
In November 2003, Code Enforcement received a neighborhood petition requesting an inspection of the property at 3834 Chandworth Road. Neighbors cited deteriorating conditions due to the lack of preventative maintenance and overall upkeep. The structure has been unoccupied for several years and continues to deteriorate. The neighborhood residents support the City's plan to repair the structure and improve the overall appearance of the property. The structure is 37 years old and has a tax value of $111,900. Repair costs are estimated at $12,000.
Neighborhood Development will attach a lien to the property in the amount of the repair costs and recommend foreclosure action to recover the City's investment.
Information Items:
Landscaping in Queens Road Medians
Staff Resource: Don McSween, 704-336-5752
The Landscape Management Division began a study of the Queens Road and Queens Road West median plantings in fall 2001. Although many trees have been removed and replaced over the years, the last major planting project for these medians was over twenty years ago. Contractor delays on other projects and weather has impacted moving forward on this project until now.
The number and deteriorating condition of the trees are a major factor in their replacement. After assessment of the condition of trees and plants in the medians by the City Arborist and independent arborists, a plan was developed working with a landscape designer, Haden Stanziale.
Staff also shared the plan with the Myers Park Homeowners Association who are in agreement with it.
The plan removes thirty-eight Yoshino cherries, one Willow Oak, and the azalea beds that are in severe decline. Cars, insects, disease, and the ice storm of 2002 have caused major damage to these trees. Some of the cherry trees are 30 years old. All trees removed will be replaced and additional plantings installed for a total of sixty Yoshino cherries, and one (1) White Oak. Other landscape enhancements will be made to these medians as well. It is anticipated that work will begin in the next few weeks, with a completion date by March 2005.
SBE and M/WBE Utilization Report -- First Quarter FY2005
Staff Resource: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862
Please find attached the first quarter Small Business Opportunity Program utilization report for SBE and M/WBE vendors. The report includes the achievement of KBUs and divisions on meeting their KBU/Division SBE utilization goal for informal purchases. The report also includes achievement for the Citywide M/WBE goals, which Council approved in October 2004.
During the first quarter of FY2005, the City spent $1.57 million (5.25%) with SBE firms; during the first quarter of FY2004, expenditures with SBE firms totaled $573,848 (5.92%). The City met the M/WBE Citywide goals in two of six work categories: Construction less than $30,000 and Professional Services.
A copy of the report is available at the Small Business Development Program website.
November 17, 2004 Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
At its November 17 meeting, the MTC reviewed CATS' Mission and Vision Statements, its Strategic Goals, and its Travel Market Policies. This is done on an annual basis. This year,
CATS staff recommended changes to the Vision and Strategic Goals statements, which the MTC approved. Those changes are highlighted in red and are attached.
Additionally, the MTC received as information the following:
Rapid Transit Station Advertising Policy - The MTC discussed the development of a policy on advertising in rapid transit stations following the Council's action this past Monday to amend the zoning ordinance to allow such advertising under certain conditions. The Rapid Transit Station Advertising Policy would establish specific policy provisions within the existing policy regarding advertising at rapid transit stations and help guide decision making by the MTC and CATS management in the future on this issue. Additionally, it would provide the framework to raise revenues, supplementary to those from fares and tax proceeds, to be used to aid in financing CATS operations. It is estimated that annual revenue of approximately $30,000 could be generated at each of the rapid transit stations. There are 15 stations this policy would apply to (3 trolley only; 7 combined light rail/trolley stations and 8 light rail only stations). The MTC will consider adopting revisions to the current policy to include advertising at rapid transit stations at their December meeting.
Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) Project - CATS staff is having discussions with Bank of America regarding a possible change in the existing ownership structure of the CTC that would render the City of Charlotte/CATS as the sole owner and manager of the facility. The CTC was built in 1995 as a joint venture between the City and Bank of America (then NationsBank). The City contributed the land while the Bank provided $9.3 million for construction. The CTC is governed by Charlotte Transit Center, Inc, a non profit board which has 4 members (two each by the City and the Bank). The Board approves an annual budget and establishes priorities for the CTC with Lincoln Harris providing day-to-day property management of the CTC. During the February 2004 annual meeting of the CTC Board of Directors, the Bank indicated a willingness to relinquish its ownership rights in the facility. CATS and Bank staff have been discussing how such a change could be effectuated as well as analyzing potential consequences. This item was presented to the MTC as information in preparation for future action at some point next year. The City Council will receive a briefing on this item early in the new year.
Fare Policy Revision related to the Historic Trolley - The MTC adopted a comprehensive Fare Policy in 2001 that provides guidelines for the setting and adjustments of fares for CATS services. In October 2003, the policy was amended to include Trolley service. CATS operation of the trolley service began in June 2004 and since that time it has become apparent that the Fare Policy needs to be adjusted. Proposed changes include offering a round trip ticket that customers can hold as proof of payment, charging half-fare for children 3-12 years old (currently children five and under ride for free) and making it less costly for customers to get on and off the trolley to patronize business located along the trolley line. Two fare structure options are being considered and will be presented to the MTC at their December meeting for consideration.
The MTC was also advised that ridership year to date is up 4.8% through October.
Members were encouraged to attend the 2nd Annual Transit Summit being planned for Monday, November 22. This Summit will be held at the Marriott Executive Park, begin at 8:30 am and will focus on the progress, challenges and achievements of CATS's South Corridor Light Rail
Project and will feature as a keynote speaker, former North Carolina Governor James Hunt. There will be other local dignitaries and elected officials on the agenda as well, which is attached.
The next MTC meeting will be Wednesday, December 15, 2004.
