Information Items:
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Request for Assistance
Staff Resource: Tom Warshauer, 704-336-4522 - twarshauer@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has requested assistance to help with the renovation to the façade of their new facility on Wendover Road in the vacant grocery store across from the Home Depot. This blighted big box has been vacant for over three years and has been an eyesore for the neighborhood. The renovated building will house a large Habitat for Humanity ReStore that sells donated building material, appliances and furniture to the public, with all proceeds of the store used to build affordable housing. Habitat will use a portion of the building for offices and volunteer housing. Habitat's existing offices and volunteer housing on 53th Street will be sold. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Wilkinson Boulevard will remain open.
The total project cost is $3,699,290. Habitat has requested City assistance in two ways: Neighborhood Development to allow the current $110,000 loan balance on their existing 35th Street facility to be transferred to the new site at the current terms; Economic Development to extend a $40,000 grant for the big box renovation. Habitat feels that they can raise the remaining funds from donations and loans to complete the project. These requests do not require Council action, and City staff has expressed its support for this assistance to Habitat.
Blue Ribbon Commission Issues Report on Urban Transportation Needs
Staff Resource: Jim Humphrey, 704-336-3883 - jhumphrey@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Commission to Study North Carolina's Urban Transportation Needs. The Commission was authorized by legislation that established NC Moving Ahead funding and was chaired by Representative Drew Saunders of Davidson. The commission met several times since March of 2004, including a meeting in Charlotte where the Mayor and several staff expressed local needs and ideas for improved funding and project delivery of transportation facilities that are State responsibilities.
While no new revenue options for transportation were identified, the recommendations (page 9 of the report) do acknowledge many of the subjects in City Council's Legislative Goals and discussions, such as:
- Suspension of transfers from the Highway Trust Fund and revenue options for municipal, county or multi-county areas (municipalities were added to the wording but are not reflected in the copy that is attached) as potential sources of new funding.
- Expanded use of toll, high occupancy and high occupancy/toll lanes
- Review of components and distribution region boundaries of the current Equity Formula.
- Maintaining focus on maintenance as well as system expansion.
- Expanding multimodal planning approaches.
At the final meeting, Representative Saunders stated that the recommendations were a beginning of many more discussions to come. City staff will be monitoring next steps.
One North Carolina Fund Grant to Gerdau Ameristeel
Staff Resource: Brad Richardson, 704-336-3857 - brichardson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Monday, Governor Easley announced a One North Carolina Fund grant in the amount of $300,000 to Gerdau Ameristeel, a local steel mini-mill that employs 269 at its facility off of Lakewood Road. The State's grant requires a local match, and we expect to receive the company's application for a Business Investment Grant in the next few weeks. We will likely bring this to City Council for approval in February.
Since early 2005, we have been working with company officials, Duke Power, and the N.C. Department of Commerce to find a solution to a power problem at Gerdau Ameristeel that has caused periodic power fluctuations noticeable to residents and small businesses in neighborhoods surrounding the facility. This power problem threatened the willingness of the company to invest further in Charlotte. In partnership with Duke Power, Gerdau Ameristeel will purchase and install new technology estimated to cost $12 million, which will result in an additional investment of approximately $13 million over the next three years, as the company adds a new product line and 30 new manufacturing jobs.
Police Department Recommendations for Promotion
Staff Resource: Darrel Stephens, 704-336-2337 - dstephens1@cmpd.org
The Police Department is submitting five recommendations for promotion to the Civil Service Board for approval at their January 3 meeting.
Chief Stephens is recommending Captain John Diggs for promotion to the rank of Major. Diggs has been a Captain for five years and is currently the commander of the Metro Division. He has developed strong working relationships with the community leaders in his division and has worked with them to reduce crime in the Metro Division by 7.2% during 2005. Captain Diggs has also demonstrated his commitment to the organization and the community through his work with Special Olympics and his co-chairmanship of CMPD's United Way campaign. He has demonstrated his understanding and commitment to CMPD's mission and vision and will make a significant contribution as a member of the department's Executive Staff.
Chief Stephens is also recommending Sgt. Brian Cunningham and Sgt. Doug Gallant for promotion to Captain and Officers Mark Santaniello and George Mentavlos for promotion to Sergeant.
Upon Civil Service approval of the promotions, the promotion ceremony will be held on Tuesday, January 10, at 2:00 pm in the auditorium of the Police Training Academy.
Structures Ordered Demolished
Staff Resource: Walter Abernethy, 704-336-4213 - wabernethy@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In response to requests from several Community Leaders, Neighborhood Development has added a Houses Ordered Demolished Listing link to the Department's website. By viewing the listing, citizens can identify property addresses, the date of the demolition order and the Neighborhood where the structure is located. The current listing identifies 137 addresses that have been ordered demolished. A search component will also allow citizens to search by property address, case number, or neighborhood.
Orders issued to demolish houses and structures are based on the cost of repairs as determined by the Code Enforcement Division. If repair cost exceeds 65% of the tax value of the structure, it is placed in the demolition category. However, buildings placed in the demolition category may be repaired by the owner through approved supplemental orders or by City Council action. Property owners and parties of interest are notified in writing of the Housing Code Enforcement process. The written notice also includes their right to an administrative hearing. Property owners and parties of interest may also appeal demolition orders to the Charlotte Housing Appeals Board. Property owners who are not satisfied with an order issued by the Housing Appeals Board may also appeal to Superior Court. Structures are submitted to City Council on a monthly basis for demolition approval. In FY05, Code Enforcement brought 2,793 structures into compliance.
