Calendar:
Monday, March 6
7:45 am - Legislative Delegation Breakfast, Room 267
3:00 pm - Transportation Committee Meeting, Room 270/271 Agenda: MUMPO Vote on Section A of Monroe Bypass
4:00 pm - Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting, Room CH-14. Agenda: Discussion / Feedback from March 6 Legislative Breakfast; Planning for Visit to Washington, DC on March 12-15
5:00 pm - Council Workshop, Room 267
7:30 pm - Citizens' Forum, Room 267
Thursday, March 9
1:30 pm - Budget Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Review March 22 Budget Retreat Agenda; Alternative Revenues Prioritization and Decision Process
Saturday, March 11 - Wednesday, March 15
NLC Congressional City Conference, Washington, DC
Information Items:
Light Rail construction in the South End and Uptown
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245 - rtober@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Construction of the South Corridor light rail transit line is now under way in Uptown and South End. In recent weeks, we have received inquiries from media and interested citizens regarding the South Corridor Light Rail Project's impact on the original Trolley investment. The primary question has been on whether or not the resources invested in the Trolley Project, such as track and stations, would be reused in light rail construction.
In order to leverage trolley and light rail infrastructure, most of the elements installed with the Trolley Project will be reused in the light rail line. CATS paid to upgrade several elements of the Trolley Project when it was constructed knowing these could be incorporated in the final Light Rail Project. These upgrades, such as concrete rail ties, welded rail and improvements to the Convention Center, made it feasible for both projects to progress.
One of the first tasks for light rail construction in the South End and Uptown was to close the trolley corridor for one year. For safety reasons, this includes not only the shutdown of trolley operations but also adjacent pathways. Shortly after closing the corridor and completing staging efforts, contractors began to temporarily remove and adjust some trolley infrastructure. The removal of this infrastructure allows two tracks to be placed throughout the Uptown and South End areas where there is currently only one track. Some of the existing track and ties will be removed and reinstalled in their final location. Other segments of the existing track will simply be adjusted in the field.
Later this year, contractors will begin installing the overhead power, signaling and communication systems that will be necessary for light rail and the Trolley to operate concurrently. The traction power wire and supporting power poles installed for the Trolley are not compatible with the new system, so they will be sold as scrap. Other construction efforts will involve the construction of light rail stations, roadbed work and modifications to existing bridges at Third, Fourth and Trade streets. There will also be temporary closures to Second, Fifth and Sixth streets to allow for the installation or adjustment of rail crossings.
When complete, the South Corridor light rail line will include 9.6 miles of dual light rail tracks, 15 stations, seven park and ride facilities, a state-of-the-art vehicle maintenance facility, four new light rail bridges, and numerous infrastructure improvements.
Southwest Water Main Newsletter
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070 - dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Southwest Water Main (Phase A) is a 72-inch pipe being installed between the Franklin Water Treatment on Highway 16 and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The attached is a newsletter mailed to customers along the project.
When complete, this large water transmission main will carry drinking water from the Franklin Water Treatment Plant in northwest Charlotte to homes and businesses across western Mecklenburg County and improve the city's overall water distribution network.
Mecklenburg County to Begin Collection of the New Maximum Business Privilege License Tax
Staff Resources: Greg Gaskins, 704-336-5885 - ggaskins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Mecklenburg County Tax Collector has distributed the attached news release and sent the attached notice to businesses affected by the increase in the maximum Business Privilege License Tax passed by City Council in the FY06-FY07 Budget.
The tax rate is unchanged at $0.60 per $1,000 gross receipts. The maximum tax will change from $2,000 to $10,000. An estimated 1,300 businesses will be affected.
Business Privilege License Tax bills are mailed in May and due on June 30 for the FY07 tax year.
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245 - rtober@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At its meeting on Wednesday, February 22, the MTC had no action items on its agenda but received information briefings on the following:
Corridor Environmental Studies Update: Staff presented a preliminary schedule for giving the MTC more details about the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in each corridor. Under the preliminary schedule, in April the MTC will receive information items on the North Corridor study results and alignment alternatives. In May the MTC will vote on the North Corridor's LPA and hear information on the Northeast Corridor and Streetcar Project study results and alignment alternatives. The MTC will make a decision on the LPA for the Northeast Corridor and Streetcar Project in June and hear information about the Southeast and West Corridors. Action will be taken on the Southeast and West Corridors, including the technology decision, in July. In August, staff will recommend revisions of the Transit Corridor System Plan including an implementation plan and financial plan for approval in October. Staff noted that this is an ambitious schedule, but one that must be followed in order for the corridor projects to move forward and decisions to be made in time for the federal FY2007 appropriations cycle.
FY2007 Transit Program (Capital): Staff made its third presentation on the FY2007 Transit Program and Budget. The capital income is projected at $310.2 million versus the adopted budget of $165.1 million in FY2006. This change was mostly due to the recognition of $200 million COPS proceeds versus the budgeted $53.7 million and the projected interest earned on these funds. The capital revenue reflects an overall reduction of one percent because of funds received from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act adopted by Congress on February 6. Also, grants in the FY06 budget for the other corridors will not be received until next fiscal year.
The projected capital expense of $134.7 million includes debt service expense and contracts for the South Corridor program as well as funding for the adopted fleet plan, bus and rail facilities and technology and safety programs. A placeholder of $50 million was set aside for rapid transit in the remaining corridors and for the Charlotte Gateway Station, land acquisition and other miscellaneous items.
CEO's Report: Under the CEO's Report, an update was given on CATS' office space. While several downtown buildings were looked at as possible offices, it was decided by staff that the best short-term plan would be to retain office space at the CMGC and move offices that were in leased space into the Cameron Brown building, located one block from CMGC, when their leases expired. This move will consolidate some of the CATS staff and save approximately $160,000 annually. Staff recommended that the best long-term plan would be for CATS to build or buy their own office space. The preferred location is the Charlotte Gateway Station, but a decision on that is pending on the Corridor System Plan final decisions.
Also, staff unveiled LYNX as the brand name for all rapid transit services with colors designating individual corridors. The selection of this brand name culminated a year-long process that involved interviews with stakeholders and citizen committee discussions on how to brand the CATS rapid transit lines. LYNX will be the name for all rapid transit lines regardless of mode (light rail, bus rapid or commuter rail). The proposed Streetcar line is considered a local service but will be given a color designation because of its unique nature.
In closing, staff reported that ridership on all services increased 11.5 percent in January compared to the same time last year as average daily ridership continues to stay above 60,000 riders. Year-to-date ridership numbers show an increase of 9.3 percent.
The MTC's next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 22, at which time the Commission is expected to adopt the FY2007 Transit Program and Budget.
After School Enrichment Programs - Quality Standards and Intermediary Selection
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796 - swatkins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City Manager has referred the After School Enrichment Programs to the Housing and Neighborhood Development (H&ND) Committee. The City has been involved with After School Enrichment Programs (ASEPs) for approximately 30 years. ASEPs provide elementary and middle school students with a safe, nurturing environment during after school hours. ASEPs are also designed to support the child's intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth.
On June 28, 2004 Council directed staff to work with Partners in Out-of-School Time (POST) to develop quality standards for the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP); and develop an ASEP vendor selection process in conjunction with the Privatization and Competition Advisory Committee (PCAC).
City staff worked with POST to review and expand current ASEP quality standards to support the highest quality program possible. After working with POST to develop the quality standards, staff reviewed the proposed ASEP Quality Standards and program administrative options with the PCAC. The PCAC met on March 10, 2005 and recommended that the City initiate a RFP process to select a third-party intermediary to administer the ASEP. The PCAC's recommendations were deferred last spring because of higher priorities for Council, at that time. Council funded the ASEPS in the FY06 budget.
