Agenda Notes:
Agenda Item #14E: Clarifying Polymer Bids for Wastewater Treatment Plants Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070 - dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Monday night's consent agenda, City Council will be asked to consider low bids for three (3) contract purchases of polymers to be used at different Charlotte-Mecklenburg wastewater treatment plants. These three (3) contracts have been consolidated into one agenda item.
Polymers are chemicals used to 'dewater' solids during the wastewater treatment process. Each plant has unique polymer requirements to accomplish this process and keep facilities in compliance with their individual operating permits. Polymer requirements for each plant were established during lengthy plant trials, which were conducted by a consultant at each facility.
Three chemical firms bid on four contracts for the McAlpine, Irwin, Mallard and McDowell creek wastewater plants. Polydyne Inc. was the low bidder for McAlpine and Irwin plants (so this contract would be combined for both plants), Stockhausen LLC was low bidder for Mallard plant and Ciba Specialty Chemicals was low bidder for McDowell Creek.
Information Items:
Street Renaming - Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Staff Resource: Doreen Szymanski, 704-336-7527- dszymanski@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Staff continues to review options for renaming a street for Martin Luther King, Jr. We also continue to research the original naming of Stonewall Street. As a result, this item will not appear on Council's February 13 agenda, and will be slated for a future Council meeting.
FY06 Q2 Small Business Enterprise Utilization Report
Staff Resource: Tiffany Capers, 704-336-3862 - tcapers@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City's FY06 SBE Utilization goal for informal purchases is 7%; the City exceeded that goal with nearly 12.9% informal spending with SBEs during the second quarter, compared to 7.8% in the same period a year ago. The total amount spent with SBE firms for informal purchases this quarter was $2.73 Million, which is a 27% increase over the same period last year. The second quarter of FY06 marks the fourth consecutive quarter with an SBE utilization greater than 10%.
Other relevant data points include:
- $11.42 Million spent with minority and/or women-owned firms
- All (5) ownership groups surpassed the goals established for subcontractor utilization
- Over $2.5 Million spent with SBE's on Formal contracts (over $100K)
Attached is the Second Quarter SBE Report.
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245 - rtober@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At its meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, the MTC had no action items on the agenda. Instead, they received information briefings on the following:
CATS' Mission and Vision Statements, Strategic Goals, and Travel Market Policies: The MTC conducted its annual review of these policy documents which provide the framework for CATS' business strategy. This year, CATS staff did not recommend any changes to these policy statements. No changes were noted during the MTC's discussion of these policies.
Proposed FY2007 Transit Operating Program: In a follow-up to information presented to the MTC at its December meeting, staff provided an overview of the Proposed FY2007 Transit Operating Program. Both Operating Income and Operating Expense are projected to be down in FY2007 from original estimates. Operating Program Income is projected to be $112 million and Operating Program Expense is proposed to be $89.3 million. The resulting $22.7 million Net Operating Balance will help build the projected year-end FY2007 Transit Budgetary Balance to $312.7 million. The changes to the FY07 Operating Cost were caused by increased cost of diesel fuel, safety and security efforts and technology maintenance. To help offset the increases, CATS has taken steps to reduce operating expenses and will postpone hiring staff for the start-up of light rail operations. The Charlotte Trolley will be shut down for at least one year beginning in February which will also provide a net cost savings.
The MTC is scheduled to receive information on the FY2007 Transit Program's Capital Budget at their February 22 meeting; with action scheduled for March 22. The Charlotte City Council will review the FY2007 Transit Program at the March 1 Budget Retreat.
Route Performance Monitoring System: In order to track the performance of transit services, CATS staff utilizes a route performance monitoring system. By using the system, management is able to rank bus routes according to their efficiency and productivity. This information is used to make decisions on which routes need adjustments or need to be streamlined or discontinued. The system has also helped CATS' staff carry out the MTC's adopted Financial and Service Policies and communicate to the public the reasons behind service changes and any route eliminations.
CTC Management Structure Changes: The management structure of the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) is under review. Currently, the CTC is a joint venture with the City and Bank of America and the property is managed by Lincoln Harris. CATS pays 85% of the operating costs and the 10 private tenants pay $300,000 yearly for rent. Under a revised management structure, CATS would no longer pay rent and it would take over the day-to-day management and financial responsibility of the Center, which would save CATS an estimated $70,000 annually. The CTC would remain a joint venture with the City and the Bank, with Lincoln Harris continuing to handle leasing arrangements with the private tenants. Negotiations will be finalized in February and a decision made on whether or not to pursue MTC and City Council approval of a revised management structure for the CTC.
CEO's Report: Finally, in the CEO's Report, ridership on all services increased 8% in December 2005 compared to December 2004; with a year-to-date increase of 8.9%. Also CATS has teamed up with CMPD's Crimestoppers to catch vandals who damage CATS' property.
The MTC's next meeting will be February 22, 2006.
