Calendar:
Monday, August 29
3:30 pm Budget Committee Meeting, Room CH-14
AGENDA: Review of City and County Budget; Presentation of Process Options
Thursday, September 8
Catawba River Tour - RSVP Needed
Staff Resource: Julie Burch, 704-336-3187
The City Council is invited to tour the Catawba River on Thursday afternoon, September 8, between 1:45 and 5:45 pm. Co-chairs and hosts for the tour will be the Mayors of Charlotte, Belmont, Gastonia and Mount Holly. The tour is being sponsored and organized by the Gaston County Chamber and Lake Wylie Marine Commission.
The purpose of the tour is to give elected and appointed officials and other interested parties an opportunity to see and discuss the importance of this shared natural resource and border between Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties. Topics to be covered will include water quality, land use and development, recreation, tourism and transportation. A tentative agenda, list of other invitees and logistics for the afternoon are attached.
Please RSVP for the tour as soon as possible to Mindy Levine at 704-336-3184. Accommodations for the tour are limited to 70 people.
Information Items:
Temporary Redeployment of Police Officer to Center City
Staff Resource: Deputy Chief Dave Stephens, 704-432-0379
Recently, Council members have been contacted by citizens who have the perception that the Center City is being policed to the detriment of other parts of the community.
Since early July, CMPD has been redeploying officers from other divisions to the Center City to deal with the large crowds associated with cruising in the uptown area. There have been problems with traffic gridlock, blocking of sidewalks and streets by masses of people, alcohol-related violations and some criminal behavior.
The volume of people in the Center City has required an increased level of police presence to manage the crowds and maintain a safe environment. These temporary redeployments from other patrol divisions have occurred on weekends only. The problems in the Center City appear to be dissipating and CMPD is now using only half the number of officers it had used in July; those officers are now deployed only on Friday and Saturday nights. CMPD hopes that, within the next few weeks, it can end the redeployments to the Center City.
Effective this month, 12 additional officers have been added to the Center City and 8 more will be added with new hires during this fiscal year. Ten officers and one sergeant are now assigned to the newly created Entertainment District Unit (EDU). These officers will focus on enforcement and prevention issues in the Entertainment District, including the Arena, and will be familiar with the businesses, people and issues in the Center City. Creation of this unit will not eliminate the need to redeploy officers to the Center City but it should reduce the frequency.
In the past, CMPD has temporarily redeployed officers for major special events and problems such as fights at Eastland Mall and cruising at Hornets Nest Park. As with the Center City, officers are redeployed only on the days and times they are needed; otherwise, the officers are working in their regularly assigned divisions. The redeployments are short term as was the case with Eastland Mall when officers were redeployed for one month on weekends.
With the exception of the 8 new positions to be added to the Central Division, the 48 new officers CMPD received in this year's budget will be deployed to outlying divisions based upon the workload demands which CMPD identified in its budget proposal. This should allow all the patrol divisions to meet their established objectives for response time and allow sufficient time for officers to engage in activities to deter crime in their assigned areas.
Multi-Family Garbage Collection
Staff Resources: Carl Terrell, 704-336-7402; Wayman Pearson, 704-336-3410 and Mujeeb Shah-Khan, 704-336-5803
As the Mayor and Council are aware, as part of the City's Budget for FY2006, garbage collection at multi-family complexes was reduced from twice a week to once per week, effective September 1, 2005. At Council's August 22 meeting, Council voted to extend the effective date to October 1, 2005.
In the meantime, staff has been working with Allied Waste Services (the City's current service provider of multi-family garbage collection) in amending the current contract to accommodate the service changes, with the work substantially complete. Further, Solid Waste Services has virtually completed work with Allied on an arrangement for Allied to offer supplemental collection service for multi-family complexes to assist with their waste management requirements. The complexes will be responsible for the cost of supplemental pickups; however, the City will continue to pay for waste disposal. The City used its working relationship with Allied to establish reasonable rates for supplemental service for complexes who would utilize Allied for this service.
Chantilly Phase IV Storm Drainage Project - 2038 Chesterfield Avenue and 2037 Bay Street
Staff Resource: Tim Richards, 704-336-4555
The Chantilly Phase IV Storm Water Project involves upgrading storm drainage systems and streams to reduce house and street flooding. The project area is bounded by Independence Boulevard to the north, Bay Street to the south, Pecan Avenue to the west and St. Julian Street to the east. The project is currently nearing the completion of the construction phase.
We recently had two property owners within the Chantilly Phase IV Storm Drainage Project that have asked us to stop the project due to their concerns regarding the design and work on their properties. We have signed easements on both of these properties giving permission to construct the project as described in the easements.
We talked with both property owners Thursday, August 25 and have agreed to review options to address their concerns and meet again on Monday, August 29 to review the work and project intent. Our main concerns are to ensure 1) that any changes made will not increase flooding either upstream or downstream and 2) that any changes will not cause maintenance issues for Storm Water Services.
Charlotte Fire Department Awarded Accreditation
Staff Resource: Julie Hill, 704-336-4098
The Charlotte Fire Department has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Inc. (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI's voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The department was awarded the same distinction in 2000 and had to complete the whole process again this year as it is a five year process. "The department's achievement of Accredited Agency status demonstrates the department's commitment to provide the highest quality of service to our community," said Fire Chief Luther Fincher, Jr.
The CFAI is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency services throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation in order to provide, improve quality and enhance service delivery to their communities. The CFAI process provides an agency with an improvement model which includes an internal assessment of service delivery that then is evaluated by a team of peers from other agencies.
The Department's accreditation effort started in the fall of 2004. Led by Battalion Chief Cindy Bonham with assistance from Captain Jerry Winkles, key members from every division participated in writing portions of the manual, providing documentation and creating exhibits. In late June a team of peer reviewers conducted an in-depth evaluation of the completed self-assessment manual and exhibits. Findings and recommendations from that review were presented to the Commission on Accreditation International in Denver, Colorado in August. The Commission voted unanimously to award accreditation.
2005 Wastewater Performance Report
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070
Attached is a summary version of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Wastewater Performance Report (for the year ending June 30, 2005). This report is being distributed in the September water/sewer bills. It is a State requirement for all public and private wastewater operators. It lists our highlights and challenges, and describes the wastewater treatment process and how customers can help by reporting sewage spills and keeping kitchen grease out of the sewer system.
Utilities responded to 346 overflows this year, which is two less than last year. While overflows remain an ongoing challenge, it is important to note the Charlotte-Mecklenburg wastewater collection system successfully delivered more than 99.99 percent of this community's 30.7 billion gallons of wastewater for treatment last year. Less than 0.007 percent escaped the collection and treatment system in the form of sewage spills and overflows. Our wastewater treatment plants met 99.92% percent of all permitted discharge limits.
The bill insert and 30-page report may be found online at www.cmutilities.com . An advertisement will also be placed in a local Spanish newspaper as well as on our website.
Update on FY2006 Public Art Projects
Staff Resources: Ruffin Hall, 704-336-3403 or Carol Jennings, 704-336-7285
Attached is an update on the status of public art projects scheduled for FY2006. In late May Council requested information related to the location and type of public art projects for FY2006. Since budget adoption, the Public Art Commission has been working on refining the public art program details - including project locations and opportunities to "pool" funds. At the Public Art Commission meeting on Wednesday, August 24, the Commission approved the status of public art projects listed in the attachment consistent with the City's contract to administer the program.
SBE Utilization on the Arena
Staff Resource: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862
RDS Electrical was awarded one subcontract on the Arena and provided a quote to perform on a second contract with Lewis Refrigeration Company. Lewis Refrigeration identified RDS Electrical as a subcontractor in its bid submittal to Hunt Construction and subsequent to contract award did not use RDS Electrical to perform on the project. When the City became aware of this issue the Small Business Development Program Office, the City Attorney's Office and Engineering & Property Management met with Hunt and RDS Electrical in effort to resolve the matter. On July 25, 2005, the Small Business Development Program received a request from RDS Electrical for the City's findings regarding Lewis Refrigeration and an SBE utilization report for the Charlotte Arena.
Attached you will find staff's response to RDS Electrical's request for information. Subsequent to sending RDS Electrical our response, staff has requested Hunt Construction to expedite their compilation and to report to the City payments to subcontractors on the Arena project through the last approved invoice Hunt submitted to the City.
Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) Meeting Summary
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
At its meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 the MTC unanimously adopted Resolution 2005-06, which approved amendments to the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement and the MTC Rules of Procedures. These amendments include issues related to:
· the timing of adding an NCDOT representative as a voting member of the MTC;
· the timing and criteria for adding representatives of jurisdictions outside of Mecklenburg County as voting members of the MTC necessary to implement the 2025 Corridor System Plan;
· the need for amendments to certain provisions of the Interlocal Agreement that may be potential impediments to continue implementation of the 2025 Corridor System Plan (Budget Veto, New Membership, Under Representation Issues); and
· the reconstitution and re-mission of the Citizens Transit Advisory Group.
The MTC has directed staff to present the amended Agreement to the eight original signatories (City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Towns of Huntersville, Davidson, Mint Hill, Pineville, Cornelius, Matthews) for adoption and provide an adoption status report not later than December 31, 2005. Staff anticipates a fall presentation to City Council on this issue.
The MTC also received four information briefings (Charlotte Gateway Station Project, Rapid Transit Branding, Southeast/West Corridors and Northeast Corridor).
The Charlotte Gateway Station presentation provided an update on the planning and design of the proposed multi-modal station which would serve as the terminus for the North Corridor commuter rail service, as well as for Amtrak, Greyhound, streetcar, local and express bus and other rapid transit service. A portion of this site could be used by CATS to meet its goal of establishing a headquarters office, effecting consolidation of its various Charlotte locations. The MTC, while agreeing in concept that the Charlotte Gateway Station would be the ideal location for the office, have requested more specific details on this option before approval is given. Staff will continue its work on this and report back to the MTC at a future meeting. City Council is scheduled to receive information on this project at its September 6 Workshop.
The Rapid Transit Branding presentation provided an update on the development of an integrated branding structure of services for the future transit system with the introduction of rapid transit with the South Corridor Light Rail Line. Staff reviewed CATS branding history, the four service brand groups (Tradition, Special Services, Historic and Rapid Transit), specific branding strategies for rapid transit services, feedback received from various stakeholders to date, as well as planned next steps. Next steps include a finalization/selection of a specific strategy, determination of specific line colors and destination names as well as a review of any changes to existing use of colors for services.
The remaining briefings provided overall descriptions of the Southeast/West and Northeast Corridors, as well as alignment, terminus and station locations for each that will be studied further in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The MTC will be asked to approve recommendations for each at their September 28 meeting.
Finally, under the CEO's report, the MTC was provided with the FY2005 Annual Management Report. The information in the report is subject to completion of the annual financial audit which will be conducted in late fall of this year. Components of this report included a Ridership Report and Analysis, Financial Report and Performance Targets and Objectives. A copy of this report is attached for your information.
Additionally, the MTC received a handout which detailed the status of the Capital Program Financing and received information on the following two items:
Fare Increase Implementation: As a reminder, the FY2006 Transit Budget included the implementation of a fare increase in accordance with the Fare Policy adopted by the MTC in 2001. That policy provides for increasing fares every two years in small increments consistent with the rate of inflation over the period. Under this policy, fares were increased in October 2003 with no adverse impact on ridership but with a positive impact on operating revenue.
CATS will implement this year's fare increase on October 3rd with basic fares increasing as follows:
Adult Local Fare to $1.20 from $1.10
Adult Express Fare to $1.65 from $1.55
Regional Express Fare to $2.40 from $2.20
Elderly and handicapped fares will be one-half of the new fares noted above rounded to the nearest nickel.
2005 Transit Summit: As you know, for the past two years CATS has co-sponsored with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce an annual Transit Summit to provide a report on the status of our transit system development efforts and to discuss a topic or area related to transit development. Two years ago, FTA Administrator Jenna Dorn attended the Summit. Last year former Governor Jim Hunt spoke and we had a representative from the Denver transit system talk about their transit plans.
This year's Transit Summit will be held on Friday, October 14th at the Westin Hotel in Uptown Charlotte and will start around 8:30 am and last until mid-afternoon. The focus of this year's Summit will be on Transit Oriented Development. We have lined up both national and local speakers for the event. We will also provide a report to the community on the status of the transit system and our land use and economic development efforts. The Council will receive invitations and more information on this event next month.
The MTC's next meeting will be September 28, 2005.
