Calendar Details:
Monday, March 23
12:00pm - Environment Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Storm Water Enterprise Fund fee structure, FY10/11 Focus Area Plan, Eco-Media/Eco-Zone presentation, Climate Prosperity/Climate Communities
3:00pm - Transportation Committee Sidewalk Tour, Fourth Street CMGC Circle
5:00pm - Council/Manager Dinner Briefing
6:30pm - Citizens' Forum
7:00pm - Council Business Meeting
Wednesday, March 25
3:00pm - Budget Retreat, Room 267. AGENDA: Revenue update, Utilities and Storm Water budgets, Financial Partner & Outside Agency funding requests, FY09 KBU service impacts
Thursday, March 26
12:00pm - Restructuring Government Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: Sponsorship Policy, Small Business Opportunity program, NLC Prescription Discount program, Citizens' Boards and Commissions
Information Items:
Response to Mayor's Request Regarding Vacant Positions and Hiring Freeze
Resources:
Ruffin Hall, Budget and Evaluation, 704-336-3403, rlhall@ci.charlotte.nc.us;
Tim Mayes, Human Resources, 704-336-5702, tmayes@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Attached is a document containing three lists in response to the Mayor's request for information regarding vacant positions and the hiring freeze:
- List of vacant positions in the City as of March 3, 2009, all funds;
- Positions filled from October 2, 2008 through January 27, 2009; and
- Positions filled after January 27, 2009.
The City currently has 466.25 vacant positions for an estimated annual savings of about $21.2 million (all funds). For the General Fund, there are currently 290 positions vacant for an estimated annual savings of about $13.0 million.
The City Manager instituted a limited hiring freeze on October 2, 2008 with the exception of sworn Police and Fire and other critical positions such as water treatment plant operators, 311 customer service representatives and fleet mechanics. These critical positions were filled to avoid dramatic negative impacts to citizen service or to avoid paying higher costs. Key Business Units were allowed to complete hiring processes already in progress. Additional budget restrictions included limitations on contracts, travel and fuel consumption due to changing economic conditions. The Manager indicated the hiring freeze and other budget limitations would be reevaluated in January to determine whether or not to continue based on revised revenue data.
In February 2009, staff revised the FY2009 mid-year estimate for the General Fund. Staff projected a $4.5 million General Fund revenue shortfall plus $3.2 million projected budget overruns in Police and Fire. Thus, the projected FY2009 budget shortfall for the General Fund was $7.7 million. To cover the shortfall, the Manager issued new budget requirements to all General Fund Key Business Units on January 27, 2009. The new budget requirements produce at least $12.2 million in projected savings to cover the $7.7 million shortfall - $10 million in budget savings from non-Public Safety Key Business Units plus an additional $2.2 million in savings if needed. As indicated above, the current number of vacancies in the General Fund more than covers the projected budget gap.
At the Council's February retreat, staff reviewed the new financial projections and steps taken to manage the current year budget. As of January 27, 2009, Key Business Units were given new budget requirements and the hiring freeze was lifted. Key Business Units use frozen positions to meet the new budget requirements issued on January 27, 2009. However, Key Business Executives were given discretion to manage to the new budget requirement number and hire key personnel to minimize service impacts to citizens during these difficult financial conditions. City staff has used this approach in the past with success.
March 18 MUMPO Action Regarding Stimulus Funding
Resources:
Danny Pleasant, CDOT, 704-336-3879, dpleasant@ci.charlotte.nc.us;
Bob Cook, Planning, 704-336-8643, rwcook@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Below is a summary of the actions taken by MUMPO Wednesday night regarding the use of Division 10 Direct Allocation funds from the federal stimulus bill ($20.1 million).
At the meeting on March 9, City Council directed Councilmember Foxx to vote for the list of projects recommended by the TCC, subject to confirmation from the NCDOT that STP-DA (Direct Allocation) funds are not necessary to complete the I-485 loop on the schedule outlined by the Governor.
Prior to the MUMPO meeting, Secretary of Transportation Conti participated in a meeting of CRAFT, the Charlotte Regional Association for Transportation. At that meeting, the Secretary suggested that MUMPO may wish to commit a portion of the DA funds as a "starter" for the I-485 project. Those funds would allow the NCDOT to begin the I-485 project within the time constraints required by the stimulus bill. Purchasing right-of-way would be a primary use of those funds. The Secretary further described that the NCDOT would work over the coming months to put together the remainder of the funding for completing I-485. Should they fail to do so the MUMPO, at its July meeting, could redirect the DA funds to the project list recommended by the TCC.
At the MUMPO meeting, Councilmember Foxx proposed that MUMPO proceed on a dual track, moving pre-construction activities forward on the projects included in the TCC recommendation but also working with the State to develop possible funding solutions for the missing link of I-485. Council Member Foxx advocated for the flexibility to designate the $20.1 million to I-485 if the State provides additional funding for the project. MUMPO would have opportunities to make a final decision on how to spend the $20.1 million until their July meeting.
The MUMPO Board approved the original TCC recommendation to endorse Scenario #1 by a vote of 20-17 (Charlotte's 16 votes and Waxhaw's 1 vote in the negative). Some of the reasons given for not supporting Mr. Foxx's proposal were:
- No assurances that the NCDOT could produce the remaining $245 million for I-485 necessary to complete it within three years;
- Concern the urban area could lose the $20.1 million if the project failed to move forward;
- Concern about right-of-way acquisition having minimal job creation benefits; and
- Disappointment that MUMPO funds would need to be used to fund a project promised by the Governor.
The MUMPO and transportation staff will continue to seek information from the NCDOT on the plan for completing I-485.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Funding from the State of North Carolina
Resource:
Stanley Wilson, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-336-3337, swilson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The North Carolina Department of Commerce has announced grant awards under the State's allocation of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds. Funds were distributed to local governments and agencies in 23 counties through a competitive process. The City of Charlotte will receive $2,625,000 to be spent on mitigating the effects of foreclosed homes in targeted neighborhoods. These funds are not part of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus package, but they are the result of a City Council-approved application submitted to the State on January 29, 2009.
The $2.6 million State grant complements the $5.4 million in NSP funds the City received directly from HUD. The City is partnering with the Self Help Community Development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, the Housing Partnership and the Charlotte Housing Authority to implement both phases of the NSP. The State will be contacting the City about an upcoming information session in April to discuss conditions of the grant and to assist with implementation.
The recently passed ARRA stimulus package includes an additional round of NSP funding that will be awarded through a national competitive process. Regulations for the third round of NSP funding have not been published at this time.
ABC Disbursement Amendment
Resource:
Joel Levy, Finance, 704-336-2456, jlevy@charlottenc.gov
The Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Corporation (ABC) board has voted to disburse an additional $1.1 million to the City. ABC Director Calvin McDougal has informed staff that this amount is a one-time allotment in addition to the City's FY09 budgeted allocation of approximately $2.3million.
ABC revenue is collected in the City's General and Debt Service Funds.
This represents an additional one-time revenue source which was not previously programmed as part of the FY09 budget.
A press release is being drafted by the ABC board and is forthcoming.
Code Enforcement Extended Hours
Resource:
Walter Abernethy, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-336-4213, wabernethy@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Beginning April 1, 2009, the Code Enforcement Division of Neighborhood & Economic Development will adjust work schedules to expand regular hours of operation from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This schedule adjustment will not require any new resources and will allow inspectors to address neighborhood enforcement issues occurring after 5:00 pm on weekdays.
The extended hours of operation will be directed into the areas of greatest need and will occur April through September, corresponding with daylight savings time. Daylight savings time is the most suitable time to engage in these inspections from an observation and inspector safety standpoint.
The enforcement categories impacted by the new work schedule include commercial vehicles, parking on the front lawn, signage issues, and other zoning related activities. In addition to the extended Code Enforcement hours, staff will continue special operations for selected activities occurring after 8:00 pm and on weekends. These activities include enforcement efforts directed toward mobile food vendor operations, bar/nightclub issues, ABC permitting and sign issues.
Neighborhood and Economic Development will monitor the shift adjustment to determine the impact on overall inspection and compliance efforts. Code Enforcement is working closely with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department personnel to help address inspector safety issues related to the extended hours scheduling.
Neighborhood and Economic Development staff is revising the content of the Code Enforcement web page to provide citizens information on the extended hours, including target areas, inspection results and other night and weekend code enforcement activities.
March 26 - Citizen's Workshop on Proposed Reactivation of the P& N Rail Line
Resource:
Tim Gibbs, CDOT, 704-336-3917, tgibbs@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Staff from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division will host an informational workshop for citizens about the reactivation of the P&N Rail Line and proposed improvements to the Cedar Yard near Uptown. The workshop will be held on Thursday, March 26 at the Philip O. Berry Recreation Center located at 440 Tuckaseegee Rd. from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. This is the third workshop that NCDOT has hosted to discuss this issue. The two prior workshops, held in Belmont and Gastonia, focused on rail improvements and reactivation of the P&N line in Gaston County.
While there will not be formal presentations made during the workshop, the format will allow citizens to talk with staff in an informal setting to ask questions and provide comments related to the rail line reactivation and yard improvements.
A map of the study area is attached.
Homeless to Homes Federal Legislative Appropriation Request
Resource:
Stanley Wilson, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-336-3337, swilson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Mecklenburg County is seeking support from the City in requesting federal appropriations for Moore Place, a new 85-unit, single-room occupancy facility. Moore Place will be constructed at the corner of Lucena Street and Moretz Avenue, in the Druid Hills neighborhood. The facility is being developed by Urban Ministries and will provide housing to chronically homeless individuals. The two acre site is zoned I-1, which permits the proposed use. The total cost of the facility is projected to be $6.0 million.
The County is requesting that the City jointly support them in seeking a $1.3 million Federal grant to help operate the facility. The County is also asking that the City separately seek a $2.0 million federal grant to support the construction of the facility.
The above notwithstanding, Urban Ministries has applied to the Housing Trust Fund for a grant of $2.0 million. If they are successful in receiving funding from the Housing Trust Fund, there may not be a need for the federal funding request. Seven Special Needs applications, totaling $7.9 million, have been submitted to the Housing Trust Fund. The City's Special Needs allocation was $3.3 million. Staff should complete the application reviews by mid May.
In order to complete the facility, Urban Ministries is raising $2.1 million from foundations and corporations, $1.2 million from the Charlotte Housing Authority, $500,000 from the faith community and will provide $300,000 in in-kind services. The Urban Ministries will own and operate the facility.
Staff is reviewing the request and will bring a recommendation to the Council.
NCDOT Municipal Agreement for Right-of-Way Mowing
Resource:
John Lojko, Engineering and Property Management, 704-336-5056, jlojko@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City does the mowing of State right-of-way within the city limits through a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT. The municipal agreement provides reimbursement to the City for five cuts. Until 2005, the City had been paying for increased frequency. This was eliminated in the 2005 budget.
In preparation for the upcoming mowing season, NCDOT staff has been unable to commit to a level of funding. Therefore, the City Manager intends to terminate the M.A., resulting in NCDOT doing the mowing directly. NCDOT staff hopes to do two to four cuts, which will leave extended times between cuts and high grass on the shoulders. Examples of roadways affected are Pineville/Matthews Road, Providence Road, Independence Blvd, Albemarle Road, North and South Tryon Street, University City Blvd, Harris Blvd, Brookshire Blvd, Freedom Drive, Wilkinson Blvd, West Blvd, Steele Creek Road and Shopton Road.
Light Rail Blue Line Train Cars
Resource:
Tom Livingston, CATS, 704-432-0491, tlivingston@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City has been asked by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), Hampton Roads, VA to approve release of our contract option to HRT for the purchase of two light rail vehicles from Siemens Transportation for use on their upcoming light rail line. We granted HRT permission to option 9 cars using our contract with Siemens in 2007 and CATS optioned four for our own use in 2008.
Our contract with Siemens expires at the end of March 2009 and under federal law we are not permitted to extend it. Additionally, our estimate of light rail vehicles needed for the Lynx Blue Line Extension (NE) is greater than the balance remaining on this contract at option. For these two reasons this contract option will not be exercised by the City.
It is staff's intention to approve HRT's request to exercise this option. We will notify HRT early next week.
