Calendar:
Monday, August 22
3:30 pm - City Manager’s Evaluation, Room 280
5:30 pm - Council Manager Dinner Briefing, Room 267
6:30 pm - Citizen’s Forum, Meeting Chamber
7:00 pm - Council Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Wednesday, August 24
3:30 pm - Economic Development and Planning Committee Meeting, Room 280 AGENDA: First Ward; Project Development Financing Criteria; Cultural Facilities Master Plan
5:30 pm - Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting, Room 267
Thursday, August 25
12:00 pm - Community Safety Committee Meeting, Room 280 AGENDA: False Alarm Ordinance; Update on CFD Firefighters First Responders Duties
Agenda Notes:
Agenda Item #16: Urban League of the Central Carolians, Inc
Staff Resources: Richard Bargoil, 704-336-2142
The following is in response to Council member Tabor’s request for operating budget and individual salary information pertaining to the Urban League’s loan modification that is on the August 22 Council agenda.
Attached is a copy of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, Inc. audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004, which the City received as part of our due diligence on this restructuring request. The loan agreement with the Urban League has no provision under which the City can require release of individual salary information. Staff has relayed Mr. Tabor’s request to Ms. Madine Fails, President/CEO of the Urban League, who has declined to release individual salary data for the organization due to the confidential nature of the information.
Agenda Item #20E: South Corridor Infrastructure Program Condemnations
Staff Resource: Lynda A. Parsons, 704-336-4550
The South Corridor Infrastructure Program (SCIP) includes 24 separate projects consisting of intersection, sidewalk and storm drainage improvements. The acquisition and construction of the projects are being carefully coordinated with the construction of CATS’ South Corridor Light Rail Transit (SCLRT) project to minimize impacts on businesses and commuters. To keep the schedule for the SCIP work concurrent with the South Corridor Light Rail Transit completion date of April 2007, the SCIP right of way acquisition phase (600 parcels) was substantially reduced from 9 months to 6 months. This expedited schedule translates to a shorter negotiation period with property owners.
The August 22, 2005 City Council Business Meeting Agenda will include 27 property transactions relative to 6 of the SCIP projects:
· 4 signed agreements
· 23 condemnations (1 property owner is expected to settle and 22 are opposed to the project)
The increased number of condemnations per agenda is due to the reduced duration for the right of way acquisition phase, and to the summer Council meeting schedule. Approval of these condemnations is necessary to maintain the project schedules. Staff will continue to negotiate with property owners following Council approval of the condemnations.
Addendum - Consent Agenda Item #52: Grant for Animal Control Media Campaign
Staff Resource: Capt. Tammy Williams, 704-336-7552
The Police Department has received a grant from the George D. Patterson Family Fund of the Foundation for the Carolinas to fund an extensive media campaign to promote animal adoption and the use of spay/neuter services. The campaign is part of the ongoing effort by Animal Control to reduce the number of adoptable animals that must be euthanized in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. The grant will enable Animal Control to substantially increase its advertising efforts with television ads and a 26 week campaign in four movie theatres that is estimated to reach well over a million viewers.
The Police Department received the grant award on August 19. The Foundation for the Carolinas requested that the grant be executed by August 25 so it has been added as a late agenda item for your approval on August 22.
Information Items:
September 6 Council Workshop
Staff Resource: Julie Burch, 704-336-3187
The Council calendar calls for a policy retreat on Tuesday evening, September 6. Due to the summer meeting schedule and limited time for dinner briefings, staff proposes a regular Council workshop take the place of the retreat. The tentative agenda for the workshop includes a briefing on community policing by Chief Darrel Stephens; a discussion on air quality; and the Charlotte Gateway Transit (multi-modal) Station. The citizens’ forum will follow. You will receive the workshop agenda on Wednesday, August 31.
Civil Service Board Hearing for Sgt. Alex Vinson
Staff Resources: Mac McCarley, 704-336-4112 and Mujeeb Shah-Khan, 704-336-5803
The August 12 Council-Manager Memorandum noted that the Civil Service Board would hold the second day of its open hearing for Sgt. Alex Vinson on August 16. The hearing took place; however, it was not completed on the 16th. The third day of the open hearing will take place on August 30 in Room 280 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
Mayor's Business Breakfast - September 8, 2005
Staff Resource: Brad Richardson, 704-336-3857
Council is invited to attend the Mayor’s Business Breakfast on Thursday, September 8, at the Westin Hotel. The meeting begins at 7:30 am and will conclude at 9:00 am. The purpose of the meeting is to share the results of the City’s most recent Business Retention Survey with the local businesses that participated.
This event will be an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to our existing businesses and share the actions the City and our partners are taking to maintain a strong business environment in Charlotte. Please RSVP by calling 704-432-1398.
Historic Trolley Barn
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
In 2003, the City and Mecklenburg County entered into an agreement to renovate the historic trolley barn at Carson and South Boulevard. The County purchased the property and CATS budgeted $5.2 million to renovate the building for use as a historic trolley barn.
As part of the cost reductions in the South Corridor light rail line, the Metropolitan Transit Commission decided to eliminate funding for the project. City, County and CATS staff have met with Crescent, Charlotte Trolley and Historic Landmarks representatives to explore alternatives for financing the renovation of the historic trolley barn. While these discussions occur, CATS needs to insure that it will have a place to maintain and service the historic trolley fleet in the short term regardless of what transpires with the historic trolley barn. In this regard, an interim action is to extend the lease on the current trolley barn at Atherton Mill. This action is on Council’s August 22 agenda.
Crescent Recourses has the right to repurchase the historic trolley barn site and if it does not exercise that right by September 30, 2005, CATS will cooperate with the County in marketing the property if an alternative for financing the renovation of the historic barn is not found.
When we develop a longer term recommendation, we will bring that back to City Council.
Observer Article About Goose Creek
Staff Resource: Barry Gullet, 704-391-5070
An August 18 article in The Charlotte Observer discusses allegations by the local Sierra Club that Utilities has violated a State permit. Utilities disagree with this allegation and provide the following background information.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) authorized Utilities to increase its interbasin transfer (IBT) of water from the Catawba River to the Rocky River basin in March 2002. One condition of this authorization is a moratorium on installation of any new lines that enter the Goose Creek basin in Mint Hill. The authorization allows new services and water main extensions to occur within the Goose Creek basin. Utilities has fully complied with all conditions of the IBT authorization. The moratorium is related to protecting the endangered Carolina Heelsplitter mussel habitat in the Goose Creek basin.
The Sierra Club contends that Utilities has not complied with IBT conditions. In response to earlier letters from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), N.C. Division of Water Resources staff reviewed Utilities activities in the Goose Creek basin. State staff reported to the EMC in May 2005 that Utilities has complied with IBT conditions.
Within the last week, the Sierra Club and SELC have filed a formal request asking the EMC to:
· clarify the conditions in the IBT authorization
· rule that Utilities has violated the IBT authorization, and;
· prevent Utilities from providing water services to the Bridges of Mint Hill Mall, which developers are proposing in the Goose Creek basin.
Utilities will provide updates on this issue as they occur.
University Park Shopping Center
Staff Resource: Richard Bargoil, 704-336-2142
In 1994 City Council approved a $900,000 economic development loan to provide partial financing for the development of the University Park Shopping Center on Beatties Ford Road. The City is currently receiving monthly payment on its loan that has a current principal balance of $692,639.
The University Park Shopping Center, LLC ownership is comprised of Dale Fussell and Rodney Purser, each having a 41.4% interest and the Northwest Corridor-Community Development Corporation (NCCDC) having a 17.2% interest. Mr. Fussell and Mr. Purser wish to divest themselves from the LLC and therefore, have been in discussions with the NCCDC regarding a sale of the shopping center. Mr. Fussell, as managing partner of the LLC, has requested that the NCCDC authorize him to enter into a sales listing agreement. On August 18, 2005 the NCCDC board approved a motion requesting an additional 30 days to identify any interested buyers before entering into an exclusive listing agreement with a commercial real estate broker.
We will keep City Council informed as this sales process proceeds.
Transfer of Ownership of First Ward Place
Staff Resource: Richard Woodcock, 704-336-8572
Banc of America Community Development Corporation (BACDC) has informed the City of their intention to sell its ownership interest in First Ward Place as part of larger sale of 27 low income housing tax credit assets. First Ward Place consists of 284 multi-family rental units that are jointly owned by the BACDC and the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA). The development is a mixed income community with 47% of the units occupied by public housing families, 18% of the units for low income families and 35% of the units for market rate households.
BACDC would be selling its low income tax credit investment and transferring the general manager role to Pinnacle/Cascade Affordable Housing. Pinnacle is a third-party fee manager of investment real estate with a portfolio of apartment, office, industrial and retail assets valued at more than $7 billion. If the CHA should become dissatisfied with the performance of the management company, the CHA may effect a change in management. The CHA and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership (which is a subordinated lender on the project) must give their approval to the sale. Both the CHA and Housing Partnership are considering this request at their board meetings in August. The CHA will continue to have an interest in the property after the sale.
No impact on the City or the operations of First Ward Place is anticipated by the sale. While the City has played a key role in the redevelopment of First Ward, it has no financial or contractual interest in the First Ward Place development.
Homicide Task Force
Staff Resource: Keith Parker, 704-336-3855
The City Manager-appointed Homicide Task Force met August 17 at the Government Center. The City Manager welcomed the members and discussed the charge to the Task Force:
1. Develop an understanding of the scope of the homicide issue in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, including current trends and demographics as well as a historical perspective on the issue.
2. Examine the underlying causes of homicides in Charlotte-Mecklenburg to develop an understanding of the issue as a community problem.
3. Examine the best practices of other cities that have achieved a reduction in their homicide rates.
4. Make recommendations on the programs and resources needed to address the homicide problem from a comprehensive community perspective and develop a series of proposed action steps to address the issue.
5. Develop recommendations on a community education program that would give citizens a balanced perspective on the homicide issue and potential ways that citizens can get involved to help reduce the number of homicides in this community.
Community Building Initiative (CBI) Executive Director, Dianne English, is serving as Chair of the Task Force (a roster of the full group is attached). The group received a presentation (attached) from CMPD Captain Kevin Wittman, which highlights homicide trends from a local and national perspective.
The Task Force engaged in a discussion about information/ presentations they want to see in coming months. The group will receive reports on gangs, drugs, domestic abuse, and immigration, as well as services for the families of homicide victims. In addition, neighborhood leaders and others from areas experiencing significant problems with homicides will be invited to present their concerns and ideas to the Task Force. The Task Force will present a preliminary report to City Council in February 2006.
