Calendar Details:
Monday, February 16
3:30pm - Environment Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: Proposed Revisions to Tree Ordinance, FY2010/FY2011 Focus Area Plan, Information Reports
5:00pm - Council Zoning Dinner Briefing
6:00pm - Council Zoning Meeting, Council Chamber
Wednesday, February 18
3:30pm - Economic Development and Planning Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: First Ward Park/Parking Deck, FY2010/FY2011 Focus Area Plan, Utilities Capital Improvement Program Policies; North Tryon Streetscape
Thursday, February 19
12:00pm - Community Safety Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: FY2010/FY2011 Focus Area Plan, Rental Property Ordinance
Information Items:
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Staff Resource:
Keith Parker, CATS, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At its meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, the MTC had no action items on the agenda, but received information briefings on the following:
FY2010 and FY2011 Transit Program: CATS staff provided information on the mid-year FY09 budget and the proposed FY10 & FY11 budgets. Staff updated the MTC on growth patterns, the next fare increase and the decline in sales tax revenue.
The sales tax for FY09 is projected to decline by 6 percent vs. actual FY2008, then decline by another 2 percent in FY10, followed by a 4 percent increase in FY11. If the projection holds, FY11 sales tax revenue will be equal to FY09 revenue.
Operating income is down $7.2 million due to the decline in the projected sales tax. The operating expenses have been reduced to $106.2 million. The operating balance shows an increase of $1.2 million. Capital income has not changed and the numbers are still on track. Capital expenses have been reduced by $13 million.
Operating revenue for FY10 is projected to be + 7.5 percent and + 5.2 percent for FY11. Operating Balance is $27.1 million for FY10. Taking into account the November 2006 projection, the FY09 adopted budget and the current forecast, the 2030 plan shows a gap of $252 million over the next ten years.
Expense growth is up 4.5 percent over the FY09 projection due to inventory build up for Light Rail. Twenty-five vacant positions are frozen for two years. An additional 25 positions have been frozen with CATS' contractor for bus operations.
LYNX Blue Line Extension Update: CATS staff provided updates on the progress of the preliminary engineering for the Blue Line Extension Project and the locally preferred alternative that will be pursued through the Environmental Impact Statement. Changes made to the original plans include stations with easier access, refinements to stations for safety, and name changes to better identify the area and locations. Longer platforms (300 feet) may be needed as well as an increase in train frequency and parking capacity. More grade separations are needed to eliminate safety hazards for commuters who would need to cross freight tracks to get to rail stations.
Harris Boulevard at Tryon Street is an extremely busy intersection that may need a grade separation for speed and safety. The UNC-Charlotte entrance grade separation will go under North Tryon Street. JM Keynes, JW Clay Station and the North Carolina Rail Road (NCRR) alignments are included in the grade separation proposals. There are now 13 stations versus the previous 14 stations proposed. The economic impacts of the NCRR alignment and the Sugar Creek Alternative are approximately the same, though more land acquisitions is required for the Sugar Creek Alternative to be more accessible to area businesses. Due to cost and other factors, the NCRR alignment has been selected.
March 2009 Service Adjustments: Larry Kopf gave an update on the service adjustments to be implemented in March. There were 12 public meetings with a total of 199 participants. In response to the suggestions, some changes will be made to the original proposal. Some of those changes include the #12 South Boulevard, #36 Midtown, and #15 Randolph Road which will now terminate service south of Sharon Amity. The North Meck Village rider service will continue to provide Sunday service until June 2009. If ridership does not average 10 passengers per trip, the Sunday service will be discontinued. The Gold Rush Red Line will end service at 6:00 pm and no longer go into the Double Tree stop. Riders will need to use the Trade Street stop.
CEO Report
Under the Director's report, Mr. Parker discussed the following:
1. Project Manager David Carol gave an update on the North Corridor Purple Line Commuter Rail Project. The designs of the stations are about 30 percent complete. The preliminary engineering for track work is approximately 90 percent complete. In 2006, nine developers were interested in developing property in and around the rail line. In December 2008, all stations have developers. Since 2006, there has been a 25 percent inflation increase in cost. The new cost estimate will be completed in February/March 2009 to be presented in March/April 2009. The project will support thousands of new jobs.
2. Ridership: Ridership is holding steady. However, CATS services are used primarily to get customers to and from work. As unemployment increases in the Charlotte area, we expect ridership to decline.
3. Financial Update: The memo is attached.
The next MTC meeting will be February 25, at 5:30 p.m.
Performance Contracting for Energy Savings
Staff Resource:
Sue Rutledge, Engineering & Property Management, 704-336-4120, srutlege@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At the January 12 City Council meeting, the City Council and the City Manager requested a report on performance contracting for energy savings in City Buildings. Engineering & Property Management (E&PM) first studied performance contracting in 2005 and presented a report at that time. The summary report that is attached provides information from that 2005 study and new information on current energy management performance in City facilities.
