Calendar:
Monday, June 13
12:00 pm - Budget Committee Meeting, Room CH-14 AGENDA: Review of Proposed Budget Amendments; Discussion of Additional Budget Amendments
5:00 pm - Council Dinner Meeting, Room 267
7:00 pm - Budget Adoption, Meeting Chamber
Thursday, June 16
12:00 pm - Restructuring Government Committee Meeting, CANCELLED
Agenda Notes:
Agenda Item #9: FY 2006 & FY2007 Strategic Operating Plan and FY2006-FYFY2010 Capital Investment Plan Adoption
Staff Resource: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403
The June 13 Council agenda lists Friday, June 10 for distribution of the budget adoption agenda item. However, the Budget Committee was unable to meet prior to today due to scheduling conflicts. The Budget Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, June 13 at noon. Staff will prepare the budget adoption agenda item based on the recommendations from the Budget Committee for Monday night. Additional detail regarding the budget process is attached.
Agenda Item #15: Multi-Family Garbage Collection
Staff Resources: Wayman Pearson, 704-336-3410, Mujeeb Shah-Khan, 704-336-5803 and Curt Walton, 704-336-5019
Staff wanted to take the opportunity to clarify the Multi-Family Garbage Collection item which is part of Council's June 13 agenda. The Request for Council Action states that rollout collection could be provided to those properties that have no space for a dumpster. In making that determination, the criteria listed under "Additional Requirements" is the operational criteria reviewed to determine whether there is space for a dumpster. The criteria are:
- Common open space must be available
- Placement of a dumpster would require removal of existing parking spaces
- Dumpster location would not meet minimum distance of 100 feet from building/unit entry or exit.
- Dumpster location fails to meet minimum height clearance of 25 feet
- Vehicle inaccessibility due to street design impediments (straight dead ends, alleys, cul-de-sacs and residential parking - angled, front, on street)
- Backing Distance -No more than 100 feet to each dumpster site
- Turning Radius - Must be a minimum of 42 feet.
- Site Plan - Must be consistent with physical layout and design of property
For a multi-family property to receive rollout collection under this proposal, the property would have to meet each one of the above requirements. Otherwise, the property would be eligible only for City dumpster collection. Properties that do not receive City rollout collection, have the right to use rollout collection provided by a private party.
Agenda Item #16: Housing Trust Fund - Emergency Winter Shelter
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796
Attached is a Request for Council Action on the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee's recommendation (# 16) to set aside funding for the new Emergency Winter Shelter. The Committee met on June 7, 2005 and unanimously voted to reserve $500,000 from the Housing Trust Fund Special Needs Housing Allocation for a proposal for a new Emergency Winter Shelter.
Agenda Item #17: Housing and Urban Development - Consolidated Plan
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796
Attached is a Request for Council Action on the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee's recommendation (#17) to approve the FY2006-FY2010 Consolidated Plan and FY2006 Action Plan. The Committee met on June 7, 2005 and unanimously voted to approve the plans, which will allow the City to receive approximately $8.9 million in new federal grant program funds for FY06.
Information Items:
June 14 Installation of American Flag at Elmwood Cemetery Marks Flag Day
Staff Resource: Julie Hill, 704-336-4098
City Council members are invited to participate in the 10:00 am Tuesday, June 14 (Flag Day) ceremony to install the American Flag at Elmwood Cemetery. The American Legion Post 9 and the City of Charlotte are partnering on the installation and dedication event.
Mayor Pat McCrory and American Legion Post 9 Commander Mr. Robert Farrell will lead the ceremony. The Honor Guard from VFW Post 9488, representing multi-national forces, will present the colors and soloist Daniel Gay will sing the National Anthem.
The American flag being installed at the Sixth Street entrance to the cemetery once flew over the U.S. Capitol building. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code, it will be lit at night.
June 15 Welcome Home Rally for Miss USA
Staff Resource: Pam Young, 704-336-2064
Several Council members have inquired about a tribute to Charlotte's own Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005. On Wednesday, June 15 at noon there will be a rally honoring Chelsea at The Green.
Live entertainment by Cherry Bomb will begin at 12:00 pm., with the official program beginning at 12:30 pm. Council members who attend should gather behind the stage at 12:15 pm.
On April 11, 2005, Chelsea Cooley was the first woman from North Carolina to bring home the Miss USA crown. Chelsea attended Independence High School and is currently enrolled at the Art Institute of Charlotte majoring in fashion marketing. Chelsea has recently returned from Thailand where she place in the top 10 for the Miss Universe Pageant. As Miss USA 2005, Chelsea will spend the next year championing the official causes of MISS USA, which include breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and legislation.
If you would like to attend and be recognized during the program, please contact Pam Young.
South Boulevard Water Main Project Begins June 13
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities via Sealand Contractors Corporation will be installing a 24-inch water main along South Boulevard from Bland Street to East Worthington Avenue. Construction will begin on June 13, 2005 and will continue through October 11, 2005. The contractor will start at Bland Street and progress south towards East Worthington Avenue. This pipe replacement project is in coordination with the South Corridor Light Rail Project.
Traffic along South Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Bland and East Park Avenue during the first phase. The work area will consist of the center turn lane and one lane in each direction, for a total of three lanes.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities staff met with businesses along the South Boulevard route. Construction message boards are notifying commuters. Traffic updates are available at www.cmutilities.com and www.charlottefuture.com.
Solid Waste Services Annexation Update
Staff Resource: Wayman Pearson, 704-336-3410On Friday, June 3, welcome letters and a pre-annexation survey were mailed to approximately 7,000 soon-to-be City addresses as part of Solid Waste Services' 2005 annexation communication plan. The welcome letter introduces the department and includes:
- Department Profile
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pre-annexation Survey
The survey will help staff learn more about customer expectations for service.
Service brochures will be distributed with delivery of rollout carts to new customers beginning June 13. Solid Waste Services staff has attended and will attend several community and Council district meetings leading up to the June 30 annexation date. The meetings will provide residents in the annexation area an opportunity to meet Solid Waste Services managers and operational staff and gather information about the CURB IT! services they will receive upon annexation.
As a result of annexation, approximately 5,300 current City residents living in the west service zone will receive new collection days. A postcard will be sent to the impacted residents on June 13.
To assist staff and customers, a list of customer frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) and other annexation-related solid waste collection information has been created and is available online at http://curbit.charmeck.org .
More Hybrid Vehicle Purchases for City Fleet
Staff Resource: Julie Burch, 704-336-3187
Council members have inquired about the City incorporating more gasoline-electric hybrid technology vehicles into the fleet. We currently have four hybrid vehicles.
- Hybrid vehicles are a way the City can be a role model for cleaning the air and helping the environment. Equally, if not more important, however, is the business case for moving to this technology. Attached is a one-page cost comparison for purchasing hybrids versus traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles when they meet or do not conflict with operational needs.
- Following up to the Budget Q & A information provided to Council on May 27, City staff has completed its preliminary evaluation of purchasing hybrid vehicle replacements for the coming fiscal year.
- From the recommended vehicle replacement list, staff identified 33 compact or mid-size sedans as potential candidates for hybrid technology. Of these 33, 22 are Police unmarked vehicles, with the remaining 11 vehicles to be replaced in CDOT, Utilities, Fire, Neighborhood Development and Solid Waste.
- Key Business response has been extremely positive. Of the original list of 33, we plan to purchase at least 14 hybrid vehicles as part of the '06 replacement budget. These include five vehicles in Police, five in CDOT, two in Utilities and one each in Fire and Solid Waste. Based on availability, we anticipate all fourteen vehicles could be in operation by September.
- The five vehicles in Police will be used in administrative and non-emergency investigative areas. A purchasing decision on the remaining 17 replacements in Police will be delayed to allow time for some field experience with the five. If the experience is positive, there is a good possibility the number of hybrids purchased will increase.
- As the City increases its positive experience with this technology, and as availability of hybrid vehicles for additional City uses expands, e.g. pick-up trucks, we would anticipate incorporating more hybrids in our fleet.
Taxi Rates: Gas Surcharge Update
Staff Resource: Joe Vanderlip, 704-398-6793
Wednesday's Council-Manager Memo provided an information summary of the $1.00 gas surcharge (effective June 27, 2005) approved by the Passenger Vehicle for Hire (PVH) Board during their June 7 meeting. It also provided a brief overview of the board's authority to conduct a mid-year review, as provided for by the PVH ordinance.
Current taxi rates were approved in February 2005, but only cosmetic changes were made to the rate card to more clearly describe existing rates and charges. There has been no increase in taxicab rates or charges since November 2002, when standard rates were first established, city-wide. Before then, taxi companies set their own rates individually.
If someone wishes to appeal the surcharge, they may do so to the City Council. The ordinance only allows City Council to hear appeals of taxi rates, fare zones or other charges, once approved by the PVH Board.
Preview of 311 Call Center - June 30
Staff Resources: Saskia Thompson, 704-336-4947 and Cass Bonfiglio, 704-336-4936
Please join us for a preview of the Charmeck 311 Call Center on Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 am. The event will feature a tour of the Call Center and an opportunity to observe Customer Service staff assisting City and County residents seeking assistance through 311. Your participation in this event will be a welcome show of support to the many staff members and 311 employees who have worked tirelessly over the past two years to make 311 a reality.
Charmeck 311 is the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County's new customer service line, scheduled to "go live" on July 5. 311 offers citizens greater access to their City and County government and strengthens our ability to serve customers. Charlotte will join more than 140 communities nationwide in providing this service.
The 311 Call Center is located in the Claude Freeman Technology Center, part of University Research Park, in northeast Charlotte. Transportation will be provided from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center by CATS, departing the Davidson Street side of CMGC at 9:40 am. If you would like to drive on your own, a map will be provided. Please RSVP to Saskia Thompson, Executive Assistant to the City Manager at 704-336-4947 by Wednesday, June 22.
First Ward Park Redevelopment
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
In the Wednesday, June 8 memo, there was an item recommending referral of the First Ward Park Redevelopment to the Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee. The charge to the Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee is to review the options and proposals for the redevelopment of First Ward Park. One of these options involves using synthetic tax increment financing to fund a portion of the cost of the proposed Afro-American Cultural Center. If the Committee recommends, and Council approves an option that contemplates using synthetic tax increment financing to fund the African-American Cultural Center, then the issue involving the Afro-American Cultural Center financing will be referred to the Economic Development & Planning Committee as part of their review of the cultural facilities.
Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) Extend Term of Board of Directors
Staff Resource: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403
Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) bylaws require annual reappointment of its existing Board of Directors and appointment of new Board members. CCCP's Board is due for reappointment in June 2005. In early 2005 the Nominating Committee of the CCCP Board was refocused temporarily as a search committee to select a new President for the organization.
As a result of this search committee focus, we have agreed to a request from the CCCP Board to extend the term of the existing Board of Directors from June 30 to August 30, 2005 to give them sufficient time to develop and submit a slate of Board members for 2005 - 2006. We will submit the new CCCP Board nominations to you at the appropriate Council Business meeting in August.
