FY09 Business Investment Program Report
Resource:
Brad Richardson, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-336-3857, brichardson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is a report on the performance of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Business Investment Program (BIP). The information in this report was requested by the Economic Development Committee of the Board of County Commissioners which we presented to them on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
Update on Pothole Identification and Repair
Resource:
Layton Lamb, CDOT, 704-336-5128, llamb@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Late winter and early spring are prime times to see potholes. As asphalt deteriorates, broken and cracked pavement forms and allows water to penetrate the area underneath the pavement. This water can be the result of melting snow or ice and rain. The moisture under the pavement expands and contracts during the freezing and thawing cycle. This pushes up and breaks the pavement. Traffic continuously running over the broken pavement causes displacement of the broken chunks. The result is potholes that can occur anywhere on Charlotte's 2300 miles of streets that CDOT maintains. The recent snow, ice and frequent rains in Charlotte have contributed to Charlotte's current pothole situation.
The wet and cold weather not only damages the road, it also prevents CDOT pothole crews from working to repair the potholes. Proper pothole repair must be performed in warm, dry weather. City forces have been out the last several warm, sunny days to repair potholes. The City's goal is to repair dangerous potholes (potholes that create property damage) within 24 hours. The goal to repair all other potholes is within ten days of identification.
Many of Charlotte's major roads are the responsibility of NCDOT. These are state numbered routes like Independence Blvd. (NC 74), Albemarle Road (NC 24-27), Providence Road (NC 16), Morehead Street, Highway 51, Graham Street, North and South Tryon (NC 49), South Boulevard below Woodlawn, Monroe, Eastway, Wendover, Runnymede, Rea and Woodlawn Roads and Wilkinson Boulevard.
This year we are seeing more potholes. CDOT repaired approximately 350 potholes in FY08. So far, approximately 270 potholes have been repaired from July 1, 2008 through March 15, 2009. Of the 147 calls received from citizens, all were non-emergency potholes. All were responded to within five days and repaired within ten days or less. Many were repaired the same day or within 24 hours of the call.
One of the challenges is for repair crews to know the exact location of potholes. CDOT crews are frequently out looking for potholes and encourage citizens to call in potholes that need repair.
Citizens who identify a pothole should contact 311. If they are not sure if it is a City or state maintained road, 311 can take the information and route it to the appropriate agency. The more specific the location information, the easier it is for repair crews to find the pothole. The road name and block number as well as the nearest cross street make it easier to locate the pothole. If the road is maintained by NCDOT, repair calls can go to 704-596-6900.
The next issue of CMail, the City's electronic newsletter, will contain information reminding citizens how to call in pothole repair information. Corporate Communications and CDOT will work with all KBUs to encourage them to include this information in their regular communications with citizens and neighborhood organizations. There will also be an item in the next City of Charlotte employee newsletter, FYI, encouraging employees to call in streets that need repairs.
May 21: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Plans Building Dedication
Resource:
Doug Bean, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, 704-391-5070, dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will dedicate the new Environmental Services Facility on Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m. The building, located at 4222 Westmont Drive off Billy Graham Parkway, recently received LEED Gold certification. Following a brief ceremony, tours will be available to view the building and site's sustainable components, including daylighting, energy-reducing and water-saving strategies. We invite Council and City leadership to join us for this special occasion.
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Resource:
Keith Parker, CATS, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At its meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 the MTC had no action items on the agenda, but received information briefings on the following:
Transit Capital Program:
CATS' CFO, Dee Pereira, reported there have been numerous changes and revisions to the program's estimates since January, due to the decrease in sales tax revenue and the transition at the Federal level, which caused uncertainty in CATS' funding levels. The FY09 Omnibus Bill passed in Congress, providing funding for the Northeast Corridor Preliminary Engineering and the Charlotte Streetcar. In addition, CATS received confirmation of $20.7 million in stimulus funds which will be used to expand and enhance existing facilities. The CFO gave a budget summary overview for FY10 through FY14, as well as a CIP overview. She noted that most State funding is in the form of matching Federal funds.
CATS' Deputy Director of Development, John Muth, reviewed the five-year funded and unfunded requests. He showed a graph with a revised transit sales tax forecast, reflecting the decreased tax revenue for FY08-09 and beyond. Over time, the projected shortfall could reach as much as $270 million by 2018. The 2006 implementation schedule for the 2030 Plan is no longer feasible with the lower projections. Currently, the North Corridor construction is not funded in the CIP. Funds for Streetcar are for planning only (paid for by the Federal earmark). Funding is included for the Southeast Corridor to establish an advisory task force to recommend whether the Corridor should be serviced by Bus Rapid Transit or Rail.
CATS Property Management Portfolio:
Leonard Ganther, CATS Manager of Facilities, gave a presentation to the MTC members to provide an understanding of the facilities for which CATS has the responsibility of maintenance, repair, renovation, and restoration. He listed pre- and post-rail assets ranging from maintenance garages to bike lockers and trash cans. He noted that special events impact operations, creating huge maintenance and clean-up activities pre- and post-event. He also noted that maintenance requests are rising and the demand for Facilities Services is growing.
CEO Report:
Under the Director's report, Mr. Parker discussed the following:
Sales Tax Revenue:
Revenue from the half-cent transit tax continued to decrease through January. We estimate that overall numbers for FY09 will be as much as 10 percent less than originally projected.
CATS Cost Reduction Plan:
Mr. Parker discussed steps CATS will take to make up the more than $14 million FY09 anticipated shortfall. CATS employees will have an unpaid holiday on Memorial Day. He said that layoffs will happen, the equivalent of 10 City of Charlotte CATS' employees and up to 40 bus operations employees who are employed by a contractor.
Upcoming Issues:
In April, the MTC will hear the cost estimate for the Northeast Corridor, which is nearing completion of the 15 percent level of work. They will also hear a cost estimate for the North Corridor, as portions of the design are at a 90 percent level for that project. The MTC members will also need to adopt the Operating Budget for 2010 and the FY10-14 CIP.
Ridership Reports, January and February 2009:
Primarily due to Charlotte's high unemployment rate, ridership continued to soften during February. Mr. Parker emphasized that we are still seeing modest increases. CATS is one of the few systems nationally seeing even modest increases in ridership.
Smoking Regulation in CATS Facilities:
CATS' Attorney John Joye reviewed a new law that allows CATS to restrict smoking in transit shelters and at the uptown Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC). Mr. Joye said that the MTC reviewed safety rules in 2007, including those regarding smoking. The State law was unclear at that time about the ability to restrict smoking in other public areas. In 2008, our ability to restrict smoking in buildings was strengthened by new legislation. Mr. Joye said staff recommends restricting smoking in two areas: The CTC bus bay area; and, bus stop shelters where the sides are 50 percent or more enclosed.
In addition to the above actions, MTC members directed staff to bring forward stronger proposals to restrict smoking at CATS facilities, such as the LYNX rail platforms, even if such actions require State legislative approval.
Streetcar/Trolley Demonstration:
Mr. Parker introduced John Muth to review a proposal from URS to fast-track the Streetcar project. Mr. Muth showed a possible alignment for a segment that URS felt would be the minimally operable segment for the Center City Streetcar Corridor. The segment uses tracks recently installed in Elizabeth Avenue to connect Presbyterian Hospital down Elizabeth Ave/Trade Street then curves around the Time Warner Cable Arena to connect with the LYNX Blue Line. Mr. Muth reviewed the proposal's positives and negatives. CATS' staff recommendation was to not pursue this project if it requires CATS operating or capital dollars.
Proclamation from MTC:
Mr. Parker asked MTC members to sign a proclamation thanking the NC Board of Transportation and NC Legislature for their support and their $100+ million contribution toward construction of the LYNX Blue Line. We plan to get some time on the floor of the Senate, the House and the NCDOT on May 6 – Town Hall Day.
The next MTC meeting will be April 22 at 5:30 p.m.
