Agenda Notes:
Agenda Item #4A - NASCAR Hall of Fame
Mayor McCrory has added the NASCAR Hall of Fame as both a Dinner Briefing topic and a policy action item on the regular agenda for Monday, April 25. Attached is the Request for Council Action for this item.
Postpone Ballpark Dinner Briefing
As a result of time constraints for this Dinner Briefing, the presentation on the "Charlotte Ballpark Site Selection Committee Report" is postponed to a later date. There is no specific deadline for action on this Report.
Nominations to the Charlotte BizHub
On Monday, April 11 Council approved a framework for a revised Charlotte BizHub. Part of that framework was for the Charlotte City Council to have 2 appointments to the BizHub Board and for the Mayor to have one appointment.
Attached is an RCA and applications for Council to make nominations for the BizHub on Monday, April 25 with appointments scheduled for May 9. We are sending this to you today since the deadline for applications was noon on Friday, April 22. An Observer article assisted us in this shortened application time frame.
Information Items:
Joint Storm Water Public Hearing with Mecklenburg County
Staff Resource: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403
On April 19, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners approved the amendment to the interlocal agreement regarding the joint storm water public hearing requirement. The County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed storm water rate on May 3, but the Council is no longer required to attend. The Council will welcome comment on the proposed storm water rate as part of the overall City budget public hearing on May 9.
Please delete the May 3 joint storm water public hearing meeting from your calendars.
Public Auction at 219 Archdale Drive
Staff Resource: Mark Newbold, 704-336-2406
Both the planned public auction of 219 Archdale Drive and the protest by neighborhood residents were cancelled. At this time we do not know why the auction was cancelled. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide an update as soon as possible.
CFD Officers Achieve Chief Fire Officer Designation
Staff Resource: Luther Fincher, 704-336-2791
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Inc. (CFAI) has awarded the designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) to the following Charlotte Fire Department officers:
Fire Chief Luther Fincher, Jr.
Deputy Chief David Duffy
Deputy Chief Jon Hannan
Deputy Chief Jeff Dulin
Battalion Chief Jimmy Thompson
Battalion Chief Rich Granger
Achieving professional designation as a CFO acknowledges that these individuals have attained status recognized by their peers, superiors, and subordinates and have successfully completed the requirements of the CFO Designation Program. The program includes an assessment of in-depth documentation of education, experience and community involvement.
The benefits of participating in a professional designation program for fire officers range from abstract concepts to practical, day-to-day improvements in duty performance.
The Commission consists of members from the fire and emergency services profession, academia, and federal and local government. They set and maintain the professional designation standards for the program and oversee the team of Peer Reviewers. The Peer Reviewers are responsible for determining whether or not an individual seeking the CFO Designation has met all program criteria and requirements, and for recommending candidates for the CFO Designation. The Commission has awarded the designation to 459 individuals internationally.
North Carolina Legislative Update
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009
Attached is a memo describing the status of our legislative requests.
Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Improvement Project, Phase I
Staff Resource: Sonji Mosley, 704-336-3214
The Charlotte Observer is planning an article to be printed Saturday, April 23, 2005 with the headliner "Why A North Charlotte Sidewalk Project Has Some Neighbors Unhappy". The article is expected to reflect negative concerns of residents in the area. Four public meetings for the project have been held. Of the 50-plus property owners currently affected by construction, many residents have expressed appreciation for the new infrastructure in their neighborhood; however, two residents have concerns.
The concern of one resident is regarding removal of a large tree to accommodate a new sidewalk, while the second believes there was minor damage to their home due to construction. Staff is working with the first resident to explore ways by which the tree may be saved. Claims filed by the second resident have been investigated by Insurance and Risk Management and found to be invalid, a finding which precludes the City from considering compensation.
The Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Improvement Project (HNCLT) is one of twenty two projects in the 2000 Neighborhood Bond Program which will provide $32 million dollars of improvements in Charlotte neighborhoods. The project has been broken down into five-phases in order to concentrate the contractor's work area which will minimize impacts to the neighborhood. The proposed work will include new sidewalk, curb & gutter, planting strips, ADA compliant wheel chair ramps, water line upgrades, and storm drainage improvements. Phase I project boundaries include North Tryon Street, East Sugar Creek, The Plaza Road, and Matheson Avenue.
This HNCLT project was awarded by Council January 24, 2005. Construction for Phase I began on February 8, 2005 and is approximately 12% complete. Each phase will be started sequentially as the previous phase is finished. Construction completion for all five phases is 3rd quarter 2006.
Oak Hill Community - Street Lights Issue
Staff Resource: Cynthia Woods, 704-336-2646
Over the past several months, the Mayor and City Council have received correspondence from Angela Short (Prism Real Estate Services) regarding the Oak Hill Community's request for Neighborhood Matching Grant (NMG) funds to resolve financial issues relating to the community's street lights. The community's project did not meet the guidelines for the NMG program and their request for funds was denied. The following provides information relating to the Oak Hill Community and their request:
Background:The Oak Hill Community is located one mile south of West W.T. Harris Boulevard on West Sugar Creek Road, adjacent to the Derita Athletic Field. The community has 22 decorative lights that were installed by the developer in 2002. When developers install decorative lights the homeowners association eventually becomes responsible for the costs associated with the lights. Responsibility for the Oak Hill development has now been turned over to the Oak Hill Homeowners Association and Prism Real Estate Services.
In March 2004, the Oak Hill Community applied for $4,500 in Neighborhood Matching Grant funds to "reimburse homeowners" for streetlight bills that had been paid through their homeowners association dues. The grant was denied because the guidelines for the NMG program allow neither reimbursement of previous expenditures, nor payment of operational costs.
In January 2005, the Oak Hill Community and Angela Short inquired about submitting an application to pay the "upgrade fee" to transfer the streetlight bill from the homeowners association to the City (Department of Transportation). Ms. Short indicated that Duke Power requires a fee of approximately$10,500 to make the transfer. The upgrade fee is required by Duke Power to satisfy an agreement with the developer or homeowner association regarding the the decorative lights. The fee must be paid before the bill for upkeep and maintenance can be transferred to the City. Staff shared with them the guidelines of the NMG program and indicated that fees and operating expenses are ineligible projects.
Summary: The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program is designed to fund projects that neighbors can actively collaborate and work on to physically improve their neighborhood or to help strengthen their neighborhood organization. The program does not fund operating expenses such as salaries, rents, utilities or fees that neighborhood associations are obligated to pay to a service provider.
The Oak Hill Community is in the eligible Neighborhood Matching Grants geography, but funding for their proposed project does not meet program guidelines. A copy of the guidelines is attached.
