Calendar Details:
Monday, April 13
3:00pm - Transportation Committee, Room 280. AGENDA: Sharon Road West/I-485 Station Area Plan, Pedestrian Sidewalk Tour Wrap Up, Charlotte Region Fast Lanes Study Update
5:00pm - Council Business Meeting
Wednesday, April 15
3:00pm - Budget Retreat, Room 267. AGENDA: Streetcar Update, Draft General Capital Investment Plan, Financial Partner & Outside Agency funding requests, Health Insurance, Additional Information
Saturday, April 18
10:30am - District 3 Community Meeting, Mulberry Baptist Church
Information Items:
Northwest Corridor Community Development Corporation Update
Staff Resource:
Stanley Watkins, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-336-3796, swatkins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In the release of the Northwest Corridor Community Development Corporation (NWCCDC) Investigation Report on February 20, 2009, City staff indicated there were four additional issues which warranted further review. Those issues were:
- Completing all outstanding independent audits and resolving all tax issues;
- Broadening and strengthening the organization's "Conflict of Interest Policy" to specifically address some of the issues raised in the City's investigation;
- Conducting a Feasibility Assessment of the NWCCDC's ability to complete undeveloped properties purchased with City funds in a timely manner;
- Determining if the organization is a "going concern".
Completing all outstanding independent audits and resolving all tax issues:
The 2007 Independent Audit has been completed, but the 2008 Independent Audit has just gotten underway. The projected completion date for the 2008 audit is mid-May 2009. Some of the outstanding taxes on properties have been paid. However, there are still unpaid taxes of $14,546 on two of the organization's development properties.
Broadening and strengthening the organization's "Conflict of Interest Policy":
The organization is still working to address this issue. The City is assisting in seeking a pro-bono attorney to help the NWCCDC with this endeavor.
Conducting a Feasibility Assessment of the NWCCDC's ability to complete undeveloped properties purchased with City funds in a timely manner:
City staff has reviewed the outstanding loans, which represent nine properties totaling $1.7 million (attachment). At this time, City staff is only requesting that one undeveloped property (Phoenix Rising - 1.93 acre parcel located on Custer Street) be returned to the City. The property is vacant and was obtained with City funds of $215,000 in February 2001. Pending the title search, the City will request that the property be returned rather than going through the foreclosure process. However, the City will pursue foreclosure, if necessary. After the property is returned, the City plans to solicit developers to undertake a project to support the area's revitalization plan.
Of the remaining eight loans, seven are current and in good standing, and one is 30 days past due. Loans have maturity dates ranging from 2014 to 2020. Based on loan documents, the City has no basis for requesting the return of these properties at this time. The City staff will closely monitor and evaluate the progress of these loans. In the event of a loan default or other event (bankruptcy, insolvency, etc.) that adversely affects the organization, City staff will move quickly to protect the City's interest.
Determining if the organization is a "going concern":
City staff is still working to determine if the NWCCDC has the financial, staffing and other capabilities to perform the activities and functions outlined in its contract with the City. Much of the resolution depends on the NWCCDC Board's leadership, staff capabilities and willingness of financial partners.
The City allocated $60,000 to the organization in FY2009, but only $15,000 has been granted to date due to the outstanding concerns identified. We will continue to update City Council as this Matter progresses.
Update on Rental Property Ordinance
Resource:
Deputy Chief Ken Miller, CMPD, 704-432-0429, kmiller@cmpd.org
The Police Department is continuing work on a proposed rental property ordinance that would require landlords to register rental property and allow for remedial action if crime and disorder calls reach a designated threshold at a rental location.
CMPD has worked with a stakeholder group which has met five times since October 2008. Together, they have worked to refine the ordinance in terms of registration requirements, process, and the calculation of the threshold for remedial action. CMPD has created a workflow model to ensure that the ordinance can be implemented in an efficient and effective way. They have also developed a remedial action plan manual which outlines both mandatory and optional strategies for mitigating crime and disorder at rental properties.
CMPD had initially planned to bring the draft ordinance to the Community Safety Committee in April but has requested an additional month to make some final changes and meet with the stakeholders group. The Community Safety Committee meeting scheduled for April 16 has been cancelled since the rental property ordinance was the only item on the agenda. The ordinance is now scheduled to come to the Committee at its May 21 meeting.
Park Road and Boyce Road Sidewalk Projects
Resources:
Vivian Coleman, CDOT, 704-353-0481, vcoleman@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Bette Frederick, CDOT, 704-336-4723, bfrederick@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Recently the media has reported on the status of some of the sidewalk projects programmed for construction. Specifically, City staff has met with residents on Park Road and Boyce Road where citizens questioned the need for sidewalks.
On March 19, City staff held a special meeting with residents of Park Road between Sunset and Poindexter to discuss that sidewalk project. Under the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy, building a sidewalk on this or any thoroughfare does not require a public meeting, but does require property owner(s) notification. City staff held the special meeting to provide clarification of the need for a sidewalk on this thoroughfare and to describe the design concept. Nine citizens attended from five of the 16 parcels notified. City staff subsequently received emails from the Sedgefield Neighborhood Association and the Dilworth Community Development Association in support of this project. City staff has also discussed this project with the appropriate district representatives, Council members Kinsey and Dulin.
The missing sidewalk on Park Road is a critical link to completing the pedestrian network along Park Road. This project was programmed in July 2008 and was ranked 7 of 230 thoroughfare sidewalk projects. This project has been deemed vital because average weekday traffic volumes are 27,000 vehicles per day, CATS operates a bus route on this street and land uses within ½ mile include an elementary school, a middle school, Sedgefield Park, EB Moore Park, Freedom Park, and Little Sugar Creek Greenway. There is a worn path and this project would also reduce roadway related safety issues.
On March 20, City staff also met on site with two citizens on Boyce Road between Sardis Road and Terrace Drive to discuss impacts to their property from that sidewalk project. Neither citizen attended the October 23, 2008 public meeting for Boyce Road, where a large number of citizens expressed support for the sidewalk. These two property owners do not support a sidewalk on their street. The Boyce Road Sidewalk Project is a Tier 3 project, which was programmed in July 2008 and was ranked 15 of 146 requested sidewalks. Weekday traffic volumes average 3,000 vehicles per day. This site is within ¼ mile of the Charlotte Preparatory School and Boyce Road Park. The project also would reduce roadway related safety issues.
City staff continues to review comments on both sidewalks. Both projects are in the design phase and staff will work to minimize impacts to adjacent properties. Both projects are expected to be let for construction contracts within two years.
In 2005, City Council adopted the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy to prioritize and evaluate sidewalk requests. Staff has followed the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy for these projects.
April 23: Public Meeting for Charlotte Center City Parking and Wayfinding System
Resource:
Jim Kimbler, CDOT, 704-336-4275, jkimbler@ci.charlotte.nc.us
A public meeting will be held on April 23, 2009, in CMGC 267 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., to present the Vehicular Wayfinding Sign System. The presentation will include signage concepts, locations for the static and dynamic information signs, and the systems engineering approach for dynamic signs.
Final design is underway for the Parking and Vehicular Wayfinding Sign System, with implementation scheduled to begin in late 2009 with completion by the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in spring 2010.
City Council will be asked to authorize a contract for production and installation of the Vehicular Wayfinding Sign System in fall 2009. This project is funded with federal funds through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, and will require the installation of both freeway and on-street signs.
City staff initiated planning for the Center City Parking and Wayfinding Sign System in 2006 following City Council's adoption of the Center City Transportation Plan. That plan includes policies to implement a Pedestrian Wayfinding System, a Vehicular Wayfinding System to efficiently direct motorists to the parking supply available on a real-time basis, and a Collaborative Parking Management System.
Installation of pedestrian wayfinding signs began in 2007 to coincide with the operation of the Blue Line LRT. The City received a Special Achievement Award at the Center City Partners Vision Awards on March 26, 2009 for the Pedestrian Wayfinding System.
Signed Bicycle Routes
Resource:
Ken Tippette, CDOT, 704-336-2278, ktippette@charlottenc.gov
In support of the recently-adopted Charlotte Bicycle Plan, the City will begin installing signs for key bicycle routes that will be part of a complete network of bicycle facilities. Eight bicycle routes (about 39 miles) will be implemented by December 2009, with signs on the first two routes being installed in April. Additional routes will be implemented in 2010. The signed routes are located mostly on low-volume, low-speed city streets and streets with bicycle lanes. The bicycle route signs are being manufactured and installed by CDOT staff.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee and local cyclists have reviewed the bicycle routes. The routes will assist local cyclists in avoiding higher-traffic roadways and identifying safer routes to a variety of destinations including shopping areas, employment centers, transit connections, greenways and parks. When combined with the growing network of bicycle lanes and greenways, these and future signed routes will create a cohesive and connected network of bicycle facilities extending into all parts of the City.
The following two maps are attached: the first map shows the location of the Phase One signed routes, and the second map shows how the Phase One signed routes are connected with other existing bikeway facilities.
Monthly Project Update for the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Resource:
Jim Schumacher, City Manager's Office, 704-336-3656, jschumacher@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is the April edition of the Project Update newsletter for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. At Council's request, this document will be provided to City Council each month through completion of the project. It includes a table of expenditures to date, key milestones completed, and a look ahead at upcoming milestones.
