Calendar:
Thursday, December 21 - Friday, December 22
No Meetings Scheduled
Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26
Christmas Holidays - City Offices Closed
Wednesday, December 27 - Friday, December 29
No Meetings Scheduled
Information Items:
South Corridor Light Rail Project - I-485 Station Shoo-fly Track Relocation Status
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245 - rtober@ci.charlotte.nc.us
CATS staff has been monitoring an important piece of work related to the South Corridor Light Rail Project schedule, namely the relocation of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad (NSRR) shoo-fly track near the I-485 Station. For some time now, this work has been scheduled to occur in the early/mid-December timeframe. The required finish date in the master schedule has been December 19 - completion after that date could adversely impact the overall schedule.
As recently as December 7, Archer Western indicated, with a high degree of certainty, they would meet the December 19 date. However, after being pressed by CATS construction manager STV following an inspection of the job site on December 10, Archer Western indicated on December 12 and then confirmed on December 13 that the shoo-fly relocation work would not occur by the December 19 date assumed in the current Project schedule.
Although Archer Western has completed the bridge structure required for the relocation, it is taking them longer than they expected to drive sheetpiles for temporary walls needed to construct permanent retaining walls. They are encountering granite that is taking longer to penetrate. There is also additional time required to weld the sheetpiles together per NSRR specifications. Archer Western expects to complete the temporary walls by this weekend. Because Norfolk Southern will not schedule its crew to relocate the track over the holiday period, the relocation of the shoo-fly track is now scheduled for January 4, 2007.
We have indicated our great dissatisfaction to Archer Western over their failure to meet this important Project milestone. This is disappointing because there have been constant assurances over the past few months from Archer Western that the December 19 date was good. We have been communicating regularly to FTA and the City Manager’s office that this date was good based on those assurances. Archer Western senior management has acknowledged responsibility for their not meeting this date. They have advised the CATS CEO that they will accelerate their work to insure no impact to the Project completion date and that the work will be accelerated at no additional expense to the Project. Archer Western provided us with a letter late on Monday describing what they will do to correct this situation.
CATS’ staff discussed this issue with the FTA on December 19 at the regular project Quarterly meeting. CATS shared with FTA the contractor’s (Archer Western) letter detailing the reasons for the delay, accepting responsibility for the delay, and outlining their strategy for making up the lost time (approximately 12 working days assuming the relocation occurs on January 4) so the overall project schedule is not impacted.
Archer Western, Norfolk-Southern, and CATS plan to inspect the project site the week of December 25 to confirm that all items have been finished to allow the relocation to occur the following week on January 2007. CATS will provide a status report in the January 5, 2007 weekly report to the City Manager.
CATS Receives State Award for Rail Safety Efforts
Staff Resource: Jim Zingale, 704-432-3324 - jzingale@ci.charlotte.nc.us
CATS has received the Community Service Award from North Carolina Operation Lifesaver (OLI). The award is "in recognition of the exceptional efforts CATS is making in Charlotte to educate the citizens and community in rail/highway safety. Safety is a team effort." Twenty members of CATS staff are now trained OLI presenters and have done 50 safety presentations since June to groups such as school children, businesses, organizations and City employees.
The start of the LYNX Blue Line will introduce rail traffic along South Boulevard for the first time in nearly 60 plus years. CATS’ staff is conducting the presentations to prepare the public for the start of light rail service in November 2007. Operation Lifesaver is an active, continuous public information and education program to help prevent and reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by improving driver performance at the nation's approximately 270,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings and on rights-of-way. To achieve its mission, Operation Lifesaver developed a program that emphasizes Education, Engineering and Enforcement activities.
Business Corridor Revitalization Strategic Plan
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396 - tflynn@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is a PowerPoint that was made to Council's Economic Development and Planning Committee today.
North Carolina League of Municipalities (League)/ North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Joint Executive Committee Meeting
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009 - bcauble@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Yesterday, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess, a member of the League’s Executive Committee, represented us in discussing a statement of principles to guide both County Commission Association and League staff in seeking additional state revenues and/or alternative revenue options for cities, towns, and counties. The goal of the Committee is to work together in seeking Medicaid funding relief; infrastructure funding; and additional revenues for local governments. There was consensus to not seek legislation that might negatively impact either organization.
The attached document lists the principles presented to the joint committee. Ms. Burgess stressed the need for infrastructure funding for municipalities and outlined the tremendous need for transportation improvements in cities and water and sewer improvements in rural areas. She suggested that the Section I, Item C principle be given top priority, i.e., "The proposal must not result in lost revenue to any city or county." Ms. Burgess also stressed the importance of not changing any sales tax distribution which would result in the state reimbursing cities. Our sales tax distribution should not be dependent upon state discretionary budget decisions.
There will be additional follow up meetings as the 2007 legislative session begins. The State and Local Fiscal Modernization Study Commission met after the League meeting and is discussing far reaching changes in state taxation, including local option revenues.
Should you have any suggestions regarding the attached principles document please contact Mayor Pro Tem Burgess or Boyd Cauble.
State and Federal Legislative Agenda Requests
Staff Resource: Boyd Cauble, 704-336-2009 - bcauble@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Please be reminded that we will discuss additional City Council North Carolina legislative requests at our January 2 Workshop. If you have specific additions to our proposed agenda, please contact Boyd Cauble.
We are also assembling suggestions for the FY08 Federal Legislative Agenda. Although the FY07 appropriations "earmarks" are in question, we must begin now to identify projects for which we will seek federal funding for the next fiscal year. City Council will be asked to approve the FY08 Agenda during the January 22 City Council meeting.
Solid Waste Services Yard Waste Collection Update
Staff Resource: Victoria O. Garland, 704-432-4223 - vgarland@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Inland Service Corporation, the contractor that provides garbage, recyclables, yard waste and bulky item collection services in Solid Waste Services’ West collection zone, has expressed an interest in extending their existing contract for two one-year options. This is an option provided to Inland in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Professional Services Agreement entered into between the City of Charlotte and Inland Service Corporation on October 30, 2002.
The City has agreed to allow Inland Service Corporation to extend the Agreement with Inland Service Corporation for one additional year upon expiration of the initial Agreement term, which ends June 30, 2008. A copy of the letter to Inland Service Corporation regarding the contract extension is attached.
