Information Items:
This memo is to preview a Request for Council Action scheduled for the September 10 agenda.
The Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) has been asked by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority to make a decision regarding tolling options on the Monroe Bypass/Connector. Option 1 involves tolling both the Monroe Bypass and the Connector. Option 2 involves tolling the Monroe Connector but not the Monroe Bypass. Option 2 is a "no change" option since the Connector has already been approved for tolling.
Option 1 would fully fund both projects and allow the Bypass to open in 2012 and the Connector to open in 2013. Option 2 would not raise enough revenue to fund the construction of the Connector, thus requiring additional TIP funding. This would delay the opening of the Connector project until 2015 at the earliest.
The Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) had hoped to make a recommendation at their August 2 meeting, but several representatives from towns along the proposed road wanted their town to take official action prior to them voting to recommend tolling.
The TCC is expected to vote on the issue at their September 6 meeting in favor of Option 1. City staff will forward information on the TCC discussion and a recommendation on how to direct City Council's MUMPO representative's vote prior to the September 10 Council meeting when you are asked to take action. Council member Mumford is the City Council's representative on the MUMPO. The MUMPO is expected to address this issue at their September 19 meeting.
Gerald Gorbey was named Deputy Director of Solid Waste Services. He will assume the position on September 10. As Deputy Director, Gorbey will be responsible for managing the Administrative; Safety and Training; Technology Services; Contracts and Special Services divisions of Solid Waste Services.
He has spent 20 years with Solid Waste Services, as a field operations supervisor for the Central Business District and most recently as the superintendent for the Special Services Division. Prior to working for the City, Gorbey spent several years working in the manufacturing industry in various supervisory positions.
He received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University of Charlotte. Gorbey holds several certifications, including North Carolina Certified Pesticide Operator.
Gorbey is a member of the American Public Works Association and Solid Waste Association of North America.
The Economic Development Office has been actively recruiting for the Small Business Development Manager position. Keith Parker, Jamie Banks and I interviewed six qualified candidates from around the country. We are pleased to announce that we have appointed Alicia Jolla to the position effective Tuesday, September 4, 2007.
We thank Veronica Mosley, interim director, for her professionalism and continued service to the Economic Development Office. Veronica will resume her position as the Workforce Development Specialist for the Economic Development Office.
Alicia has been with the Economic Development Office since May 2006 in the positions of Economic Development Specialist responsible for the Business Corridor Strategic Plan as well as the Mayor's Youth Employment (MYEP) Manager. We will immediately begin recruitment for the MYEP Manager position to continue building upon the positive growth and momentum Alicia has created for the program.
Alicia holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Public Policy and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina.
We are confident Alicia's leadership, strategic planning and project management abilities will benefit both the Small Business Development Program and the City. Please join us in welcoming Alicia to this new role.
Attached is a summary version of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Wastewater Performance Report (for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007). This handout will be distributed in the September water/sewer bills. In addition, we have shared copies with the six towns we serve
(Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson) as well as Mecklenburg County.
This report is a state requirement for all public and private wastewater operators. It describes how our wastewater system works, how well our system performed this year, and explains how customers can help us protect the environment by keeping grease out of the sewer system and by reporting suspected sewage spills.
In early October, CATS will host two major transit meetings here in Charlotte at the Charlotte Convention Center and the Westin and Hilton Hotels.
The first is the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Annual Conference being held from Sunday, October 7 through Wednesday, October 10. This is the annual convention of the North American transit industry and we are honored to have it being held this year in Charlotte. APTA has 1,500 member organizations, including transit systems like CATS; government agencies like NCDOT; private businesses and universities. Approximately 2,500 people from across the US, Canada and other countries are expected to attend. CATS applied to bring this APTA conference to Charlotte, and Charlotte was selected as the site for the 2007 conference back in 2001.
The second meeting is a Streetcar Workshop sponsored by Reconnecting America and the Seaside Institute being held on October 11 and 12 at the Westin Hotel. The Charlotte Streetcar Workshop will be the final such workshop held this year across the US. Locations for prior Workshops included Denver and Portland. The Workshop will bring together people interested in modern streetcars from across the Southeast to discuss the benefits and costs of this transit technology which is growing in popularity. Charlotte was selected as a site for this workshop last winter at CATS' initiative.
If any Council member is interested in attending one or both of these upcoming meetings, please contact Ron Tober so he can make the necessary arrangements.
As a result of its highly successful campaign to eliminate street racing from Charlotte, CMPD seized 29 vehicles. Of these, six were returned to lien holders, six were returned to owners, two were auctioned and 15 were surrendered to CMPD. By court order, the vehicles surrendered to CMPD had to be converted for use by CMPD or disposed as junk. Nine of the vehicles will be used by CMPD for training at the police academy, by the Highways Interdiction and Traffic Safety (HITS) Unit, and possibly for vice operations. Unfortunately, six of the vehicles had been so altered that it was too costly to convert them to police use, and therefore had to be junked (per court order). Auctioning the six vehicles was not an option. Several citizens have voiced displeasure with the vehicles being destroyed, evidently not fully aware of CMPD not having any other option.
CMPD invited the media to witness the demolition of the vehicles as a warning to those who may be contemplating street racing. The Department's campaign, which included assistance from NC Highway Patrol, DMV, and the District Attorney's Office, resulted in 91 arrest warrants for 36 defendants. Since those arrest, there has been little to no street racing observed in Charlotte.
