Calendar Items:
Monday, October 6
4:00 pm - Governmental Affairs Committee, Room 266. AGENDA: "Hot Water Capture, Cold Water Allocation" Response; Discussion of State and Federal Legislative Timetables for 2009
5:00 pm - Workshop, Room 267
7:30 pm - Citizens¡¯ Forum, Room 267
Wednesday, October 8
12:00 pm - Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee, Room CH-14. AGENDA: Quality of Life Study Review Process; 2010 Focus Area Plan Kick-off Discussion; Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program Overview; Follow up reports (Community Development Corporations Summary Report & Housing Policies Overview
2:00 pm - Transportation Committee, Room CH-14
Friday, October 10
12:00 pm - Planning Liaison Committee, CMGC, 8 Floor Innovation Station Room
Information Items:
Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Staff Resource:
Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796 or swatkins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
We shared in a previous memorandum that the City of Charlotte has been allocated $5.4 million by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This funding can be used to acquire, construct and rehabilitate properties in areas highly impacted by foreclosures and abandonment. The application deadline to receive these funds is December 1, 2008.
Therefore, the City Manager is requesting that this item be referred to the City Council¡¯s Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee for discussion at their October and November meetings. This will enable us to bring the application to City Council for final approval at their November 24th meeting.
Connectivity Mitigation Stakeholder Group
Staff Resource:
Matt Magnasco, 704-336-3368 or mmagnasco@ci.charlotte.nc.us
CDOT is preparing to convene a stakeholder group to help staff quantify traffic impacts and measures for mitigating new street connections. The stakeholders group is part of outreach efforts that will shape the city¡¯s connectivity initiative called for in the Transportation Action Plan.
CDOT staff will compile a list of 12-15 members to serve on the stakeholder group. Council members are invited to send us names and contact information for potential members. The stakeholders group will include neighborhood representatives, developers or their representatives, consultant engineers, and city staff. We expect to complete the selection process by mid-October.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Commemorative Brick Program
Staff Resource:
Ron Kimble, 704-336-4169 or rkimble@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority rolled out the brick paver program for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Project on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Attached is an overview of that program, which will generate several million dollars in private contributions for servicing a portion of the $21.5M sponsorship loan from Bank of America and Wachovia. We will update you on the status of this brick paver program in our regular monthly communication on the Hall of Fame beginning October 10, 2008.
Murrayhill Road Sidewalk Project Update
Staff Resource:
Vivian Coleman, 704-353-0481 or vcoleman@ci.charlotte.nc.us
As a follow up to inquiries about sidewalk under consideration for Murrayhill Road, CDOT provides the following summary report. The full report is available from CDOT and will be provided to the citizens involved.
Summary report:
Staff from the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Engineering and Property Management Department (E&PM) completed an analysis of the Murrayhill Road Sidewalk Project.
The project is classified as a "Tier 3" in accordance with the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy adopted by the City Council in 2005. The overall goal of this category is to provide key connections to schools and parks by providing a logical pedestrian network. Staff concluded that a logical network for the area would be created by adding the following to existing sidewalk segments:
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Murrayhill Road between Woodlawn Road and Lamont Drive.
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The western portion of Wedgewood Drive from Murrayhill Road to Seneca Place.
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Fill in a gap along Seneca Place on the north side between the school driveway and the school entrance.
Staff evaluated the easternmost block on Murrayhill Road and concluded that it is not necessary to the key linkages of the network in the neighborhood. Existing sidewalk on Lamont from Murrayhill to Seneca is a logical route to the school, and connects with an existing segment on Seneca. Closing in a gap between the Pinewood School driveway and the front of the school provides a continuous path without the need to cross Seneca. The easternmost block of Murrayhill has substantially less traffic volume (fewer than 300 vehicles per day) than the other portions of the road and is not necessary for a network primarily focused on the school.
Staff also identified which sides of these streets are proposed for sidewalk.
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Murrayhill Road: northern side with odd numbered addresses
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Wedgewood Drive (westernmost portion): western side with odd numbered addresses
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Seneca Place: northern side between Lamont Drive and the Pinewood Elementary School entrance.
In reviewing the side of street chosen for sidewalk, the design team evaluated both sides of the streets, prepared concepts and reviewed impacts to existing lots, including grade changes, trees, driveways, house setbacks, utilities, and other issues. Staff will work closely with the City's arborist to preserve healthy, mature trees through tree preservation standards or alternative measures. Staff will locate the sidewalk along each lot to minimize impacts.
CDOT recommends a 5-foot sidewalk located within the public right of way. A typical 6-foot planting strip is anticipated given existing right of way. Where constraints exist, the planting strip width will vary. Constraints may include, but are not limited to, large, healthy, mature trees, retaining walls, grade changes or utilities.
In October, staff will send letters to those on the original notification distribution list describing the project. Project design is expected to begin in late October.
NCLM Conference Receives Charlotte Green Team "Green" Designation
Staff Resource:
Wilson Hooper, 704-336-8774 or whooper@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Charlotte Green Team has awarded the upcoming NCLM Conference their stamp of approval, designating the conference a "Green" event according to the standards of the Convention Industry Council's Green Meetings Report. The NCLM Host Committee is now authorized to claim a "Green" designation and is licensed to use the Charlotte Green Team logo on event signage and collateral.
The Charlotte Green Team is made up of professionals from the events and hospitality industry as well as event planners from corporations, governments, and non-profits. Chaired by Tim Newman from CRVA and Mary Tribble from Tribble Creative Group, the goal of the team is to "pave the way for improving the environment through sustainable events and business practices." Robert Krumbine from Charlotte Center City Partners chairs the team's Standards Committee. Wilson Hooper represents the City on the team. Please click on the link below to read an article on the team in the Second Quarter 2008 version of the Charlotte Chamber's "Ventures" magazine.
Attached is staff's request for "Green" designation, which includes a list of our efforts.
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Staff Resource:
Keith Parker, 704-336-3855 or kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, the MTC unanimously voted to adopt Resolution No. 2008-05, which approves revisions to CATS Fare Policy. Under the revised Fare Policy, the following changes were adopted:
- Staff will set special event fares on a case-by-case basis
- Staff will have the discretion to temporarily suspend fares in response to operating needs, emergencies or safety concerns
- Language will be updated to reflect the operation of the LYNX Blue Line
- Commuter rail/bus rapid transit fares will be established prior to initiation of service
- Include guidelines that were in effect before the start of CATS:
- Children 5 years and younger or under 46 inches tall ride for free
- Documented use of STS passes on service of equal or lower price
- Add a section to capture the discount policy enacted by the Charlotte City Council in 1997.
The MTC also received the following information:
CEO Report
Under the CEO's report Mr. Parker discussed the following:
1. CATS Quarterly Update: Ridership remains strong across all services with a year-to-date increase of 35.7 percent. Rapid transit planning continues to move forward with the Sprinter bus enhanced service in the West Corridor to be implemented in summer of 2009 and studies in the Northeast and North Corridor, as well as the Streetcar Project, continuing to progress. The LYNX Blue Line continues to perform well with no preventable accidents and strong ridership.
2. Budget Public Input Process: CATS staff is seeking input from the community on the upcoming two-year budget by holding a series of public meetings. The meetings will be held from September 23-October 16. This is an effort to improve the transparency of CATS and to engage citizens early on in the budget process.
3. NS/CSX Separation Project: Three rail lines converge at grade in uptown Charlotte©¤ the Norfolk Southern main line with about 36 daily trains and six daily Amtrak trains; the CSX Transportation Charlotte Division with 12 daily trains; and the "O" line, on which CATS hopes to operate 38 daily commuter trains in the near future. The rail congestion, particularly with the start-up of commuter rail service, will be severe and pose adverse impacts on freight and passenger operations. With that in mind, CATS and the MTC agreed to support the Charlotte Rail Improvement and Safety Project (CRISP). NCDOT has submitted a request for funding for CRISP under the Capital Grants for Rail Line Relocation Projects. If the request is approved, NCDOT will be able to relocate the CSX rail line and clear up some of the congestion in that area. CATS and the MTC will send a letter in support of this action.
4. Testimonial at the Senate Banking Committee: Mr. Parker spoke to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington, D.C., earlier this month about the need to strengthen public transportation to reduce America¡¯s dependency on foreign oil. During his speech, he touched on how public transportation is improving the quality of life in Charlotte, strengthening neighborhoods and boosting economic development.
5. Ridership: Ridership for the month of August 2008 increased 31.1 percent across all services compared to August 2007 with average weekday ridership reaching over 83,700 passengers. Year-to-date ridership increased 35.7 percent. Regular bus services had an increase in ridership of 7.1 percent, while Regional Express services showed an increase of 22.8 percent. Ridership of Community Circulators increased 16.0 percent. The LYNX Blue Line made over 450,000 trips in August; averaging over 16,350 trips per weekday. Human Services Transportation, Activity Center Circulators and Vanpool ridership decreased in August.
The next MTC will be held October 22 at 5:30 p.m.
