We have been notified by Senator Malcolm Graham that the NC Senate Select Committee on Gangs is organizing two public hearings on gangs and gang legislation. Senator Boseman is taking the lead in organizing a hearing in Wilmington on April 8th. Senator Graham is organizing a hearing in Charlotte. The Charlotte hearing will take place on Thursday, April 10th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Business Advisory Committee Review of City Land Development & Permitting Revisions
Resource:
Emily Westbrook, 704- 432-2076, ewestbrook@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is the Council and Charlotte Chamber-appointed committee charged with providing feedback to the City on initiatives that support the local business community. Over the past year, the BAC has been engaged in the discussion about revisions to the City's land development permitting process. Today, the Economic Development & Planning reviewed staff recommendations, and Dr. John Silvia, Chair of the BAC, shared comments on behalf of the BAC. Attached is a letter to the Mayor and Council from Dr. Silvia that summarizes his remarks.
Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Update- HAND Committee Referral
Resource:
Richard Woodcock, 704-336-8572, rwoodcock@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In September of 2007, City Council approved funding for grants to five Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) that have partnered with the Charlotte Housing Authority on mixed-income affordable housing projects. The grants were intended to offset the increased costs of paying full property taxes for the years 2002-2006 rather than lower Payments in Lieu of Taxes, (PILOT). City Council instructed staff to work with a committee of city and county staff and industry representatives to develop a long term solution to the property tax problems of the five projects and eight other new mixed income affordable housing projects that would owe tax in the future. The committee has finished its work and produced a report with several recommendations.
The City Manager has referred this issue on the next Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee agenda for review and recommendation to the full City Council.
Solid Waste Services Pilots Backyard Recycing Collection Program
Resource:
Victoria O. Garland, 704-336-3410, vgarland@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Solid Waste Services is piloting a recycling program for customers certified as physically unable to take items to the curbside for collection. These customers will have the opportunity to receive backyard recycling collection similar to the backyard garbage collection, which is already available to them.
Eligible customers will receive a letter on April 9 announcing the opportunity to participate in the backyard recycling collection program. They will be required to respond by April 21 in order to opt in to receive this special service.
Beginning the week of May 5, the backyard recycling collection program will pilot in the North zone, which currently has approximately 600 customers receiving special collection service. During the pilot in the North zone, the backyard recycling collection service will be evaluated and revised (if necessary) before implementation into all other zones. All other zones will be phased into the program throughout the year.
Key Dates:
April 9 Eligible customers (in the North zone) who receive special pickup for garbage will be notified by mail of the option to participate in backyard recycling and asked to call a designated number to request service. A recycling brochure will also be included.
April 21 Deadline for customers to opt in to backyard recycling collection service
April 22 - May 2 Delivery of recycling bins to customers who do not have one.
May 5 Backyard recycling collection service beings
Post implementation: Monitoring of service and evaluation of process in preparation for implementation to all zones.
The letter to be distributed to eligible customers is attached.
Atlanta Visitors Praise CATS and Charlotte Mecklenburg Land Use
Resource:
Keith Parker, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Thursday, March 27, a group of approximately 50 officials from the Atlanta region visited the area to discuss Charlotte's approach to land use and transit. The visitors were effusive with praise for the CATS system as well as the Charlotte region's collaborative approach to transit. They were very impressed with CATS' ability to attract middle-class riders to buses and the development that has materialized along the LYNX Blue Line.
The group included the Atlanta transit system CEO and her staff, elected officials, business interests, and community leaders. The group received a presentation from CATS, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, and the Charlotte Chamber about the history of the ½ cent sales tax, land use planning, business community involvement in transportation, and the ridership on CATS bus system and LYNX Blue Line.
MTC and County Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts offered greetings to the group and answered questions about regionalism. After the presentations, the group went on a bus tour of the Independence Busway and the Streetcar Corridor, followed by a ride on the LYNX Blue Line.
The Atlanta visit received significant media coverage, with several local TV stations traveling with the group throughout the day. A contingent of Atlanta media were also in attendance (attached is an editorial from the Atlanta Journal Constitution opining that Charlotte is years ahead of Atlanta).
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2008/03/30/saporta_0331.html
Metropolitan Transit Committee Meeting Summary
Resource:
Keith Parker, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 the MTC had no action items on the agenda but received information briefings on the following:Review of Proposed FY2009-13 Capital Improvement Plan: Staff gave the MTC an overview of the Proposed FY2009-13 Capital Improvement Plan. The summary is as follows:
| |
FY2009 |
FY2010 |
FY2011 |
FY2012 |
FY2013 |
Capital
Income |
$59,295,667 |
$126,822,792 |
$119,442,585 |
$166,473,393 |
$325,475,244 |
Capital
Expenses |
$121,989,351 |
$56,288,829 |
$$116,776,474 |
$186,190,804 |
$241,001,994 |
Security/Policing Update: Staff gave the MTC an update on CATS' security and policing practices. CATS Safety and Security team, including the CMPD Transit Unit and contract company police and security, has been expanding over the past few years in preparation for the opening of the LYNX Blue Line and growth of the transit system. CATS has stepped up public, passenger and employee security awareness, visibility of police and security, video monitoring and surveillance, safety and security training and enforcement of policies. Staff has been working to maintain a safe transit system throughout the years and continues to be vigilant in providing the highest level of security feasible. Through the first quarter of operation, the LYNX Blue Line has been exceptionally safe, with no preventable accidents involving the trains. In addition, there have been few incidences on trains or at platforms involving criminal activity. Overall, a CATS bus or train is one of the safest places a person can be in Charlotte.
CEO's Report:
- CATS ridership increased 34.4 percent in February 2008 compared to February 2007 and, for the first time, surpassed 2 million trips in one month. The LYNX Blue Line provided more than 387,000 rides throughout the month. Also, ridership on the LYNX during the CIAA tournament, which includes regular commuters and CIAA attendees, totaled over 80,000.
- LYNX Blue Line Operation continues to run smoothly. Issues with the ticket vending machines (TVMs) are decreasing and the credit card function is now available.
- Staff updated the MTC on activities associated with the Streetcar. CATS staff participated in a stakeholders meeting that included elected officials, developers, and community members. The group is interested in studying the economic impact of advancing the streetcar project. The 2030 plan has Phase 1 of the Streetcar project beginning operations in 2018. CATS staff stressed that to accelerate the opening of the Streetcar project would require additional revenue.
- Elon University conducted a transportation poll in March and found there is strong support for public transportation across the state.
- The American Public Transportation Association Conference was held in Washington, DC in early March. CATS staff used the opportunity to meet with members of our delegation. Staff's primary requests included continued support of the LYNX Blue Line Northeast Extension and funding for an economic impact study of the Streetcar project.
The next MTC meeting will be held April 23, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the CMGC room 267.
