Calendar Details:
Monday, February 23 Wells Fargo Reception
Staff Resource:
Tracy Swett, City Council Office, 704-336-3184, tswett@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Richard M. Kovacevich, Chairman, John G. Stumpf, President and CEO, and the Wells Fargo Board of Directors invite Mayor and Council to a reception on Monday, February 23 at 5:30 pm in The Atrium at Two Wachovia Center.
This reception has replaced Monday's Dinner Briefing on the Council calendar, which is attached. The Council Business meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber.
Information Items:
Federal Stimulus Package
Staff Resources:
Boyd Cauble, City Manager's Office, 704-336-2009, bcauble@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Ron Kimble, Deputy City Manager, 704-336-4169, rkimble@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Background
There has been much discussion lately about the Federal Stimulus Package and what it could mean to Charlotte. Yesterday the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In December, the City of Charlotte prepared a draft list of projects eligible for funding under a proposed stimulus package. This list (Attachment A) included various types of infrastructure improvements.
We are preparing a summary of Stimulus Package funding categories and potential projects for Charlotte that will be sent to you on Friday, February 20. Also, we are utilizing a substantial portion of the March 4 Budget Retreat to brief you on the Stimulus Package and review the potential projects. We have invited Holland and Knight to attend this meeting.
Roads/Bridges Funding
The Stimulus Package includes $29 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. All but $1.5 billion in discretionary funds will be distributed directly to states with a suballocation to MPOs. The states will determine how the money would be distributed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says these funds will be distributed according to the Equity Formula.
The NCDOT estimates the state could receive approximately $800 million from this stimulus bill. Using the equity formula, NCDOT Division 10 would receive approximately $54 million. Division 10 includes Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties.
The NCDOT estimates the state could receive approximately $800 million from this stimulus bill. Using the equity formula, NCDOT Division 10 would receive approximately $54 million. Division 10 includes Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties.
On Monday, NCDOT released a draft list of "1st wave" projects ready for letting based on the stimulus package. Of this "1st wave", Division 10 is scheduled to receive $38.6 million of the $467.8 million being released at this time. As a comparison, Division 2 (New Bern) is scheduled to receive $64.3 million and Division 6 (Fayetteville) is scheduled to receive $63.4 million (see Attachment B).
The state list for Division 10 includes two Mecklenburg projects: NC 51 widening from Downs Circle in Pineville to South Carolina state line ($8.3 million) and NC 218 rehab from I-485 in Mecklenburg County to US 74 in Anson County ($17 million).
In developing the project list, the state focused on job creation and sustainability, geographic diversity, diversity of scope, assistance to economically distressed counties, authorization with 90 days, contracted in 180 days and completion within 36 months.
In addition, MUMPO will set priorities for an additional approximately $18.5 million of direct allocation funding. Staff will keep Council informed as this information evolves.
The Charlotte Observer this morning quoted Barry Moose, NC Division Engineer as saying, "…he and Charlotte transportation officials decided to spread the money to several small jobs, in an effort to keep contractors employed". We contacted Mr. Moose today, who said that he was referring to the Technical Coordinating Committee, made up of transportation staff throughout the MUMPO region.
Media Request for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's FY2010 Budget Request
Staff Resource:
Ruffin Hall, Budget & Evaluation, 704-336-3403, rlhall@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is a copy of the FY2010 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department budget request. The Charlotte Observer requested this information this afternoon.
External Audit for City's Financial Statement RFP
Staff Resource:
Greg Gaskins, Finance, 704-336-5885, ggaskins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
An RFP for external audit services for the City's financial statements was issued on Friday, January 23, 2009. External audits are required annually by state statute. Audit contracts must be approved annually by the Local Government Commission. The City approves an external auditor for one year with three annual contract renewals. Finance is working with BSS Purchasing to complete the RFP process. Bids are due to the City on February 20, 2009. We anticipate recommending the successful bidder for Council approval at the March 23, 2009 Council Business Meeting.
