Calendar Details:
Monday, April 20
5:00pm - Council Zoning Meeting
Wednesday, April 22
12:00pm - Restructuring Government Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Sponsorship Policy, Small Business Opportunity Program, City Manager's Evaluation Categories Thursday, April 23
2:00pm - Environment Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: EcoMedia/EcoZone, Climate Prosperity/Climate Communities, Update on Development of Sustainable Facility Policy
5:30pm - Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting, Room 267. AGENDA: Report from Transit Services Advisory Committee, Report from Citizens Transit Advisory Group, Action Items-FY2010 Transit Operating Program and FY 2010-2014 CIP, LYNX Purple Line (North Corridor) Locally Preferred Alternative and Design update, LYNX Blue Line Extension Locally Preferred Alternative and 15% Design Update, Smoking Regulations at CATS Facilities
Friday, April 24
11:00am - Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Discussion of Proposed HB 148 – the Congestion Relief and Intermodal Transportation 21 Century Fund; Discussion of Possible Change to the Municipal Service District (MSD)
3:00pm - Redistricting Committee Meeting, Room 280
Information Items:
Neighborhood & Economic Development Consolidation Update
Resource:
Pat Mumford, Neighborhood & Business Services, 704-336-5612, pmumford@charlottenc.gov
The consolidated Neighborhood & Economic Development Key Business will now be called Neighborhood & Business Services. This practical name clearly and accurately portrays to the work and services offered to the public, and was selected through extensive staff deliberation. Much of the leadership team for the new organization has been named and includes:
Code Enforcement Manager – Walter Abernathy
Communications Manager – Jamie Banks
Deputy Director/ Financial Services Manager – Richard Woodcock
Economic Development Manager – Tom Flynn
Housing Manager – Stan Wilson
Innovation Manager – Steve Allen
Policy Coordination Manager – Pamela Lopez
An additional leadership position for the newly created Neighborhood & Business Revitalization division, focusing on corridor initiatives, will be filled by an internal candidate from the organization by May 1, 2009.
Mowing of State-Owned Rights of Way
Resource:
Jeb Blackwell, Engineering & Property Management, 704-336-3603, jblackwell@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At the April 13th City Council meeting, the Council directed the Mayor to write a letter to NCDOT's Barry Moose regarding the number of mowing cycles to be provided on state roads within the city. Attached is a copy of the letter from the City Engineer, Jeb Blackwell to NCDOT's Division Engineer, Barry Moose expressing the City's appreciation for the states commitment to provide five mowing cycles on state roads within the city.
State Announces Second Round of Stimulus Funding for Highways and Bridges
Resource:
Danny Pleasant, CDOT, 704-336-3879, dpleasant@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is a news release from the office of Governor Perdue announcing the second round of stimulus funding for highways and bridges.
Also attached is a list of projects; Charlotte-area projects are listed under Division 10, beginning on page seven of the document. These projects have been brought to Council's attention previously.
North Davidson Street Rezoning Schedule
Resource:
David McDonald, CATS, 704-336-6900, dmcdonald@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In March 2009, City Council agreed to an accelerated rezoning schedule for the Alexander Street Parcel located next to the CATS Bus Operations Division facility at North Davidson Street. At the time, this accelerated schedule was needed in order to meet deadlines associated with the use of Federal Stimulus funds for the renovation and expansion of the North Davidson Street Bus Maintenance facility.
Since this action, CATS has determined that we can obligate the Federal Stimulus funds on a portion of the project that does not require an immediate rezoning. As a result, we have requested that our rezoning schedule be deferred from a May 2009 Hearing and Decision on the same night to a June 2009 Hearing and a July 2009 Decision.
This delay will not jeopardize the stimulus funds and will ensure that we have the time to fully vet and address any issues related to the conditional rezoning with our neighbors and with the relevant City Departments. And most importantly, it preserves the standard time between the public hearing before Council and your decision a month later.
May16 - The 14 Annual Neighborhood Symposium Update
Resource:
Stephanie Small, Neighborhood & Business Services, 704-336-2929, ssmall@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The 14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 7:45 am until 3:00 pm at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 South College Street. To date, 141 neighborhood residents have pre-registered, 35 exhibitors have signed up and more than 40 volunteers and presenters have agreed to help with the event. Staff anticipates receiving additional participant registrations and other confirmations over the next few weeks.
The focus of this year's symposium is the nine key objectives outlined in the City of Charlotte Neighborhood Policy: planned neighborhoods; safe neighborhoods; safe, decent and affordable housing; accessible transportation; adequate infrastructure; nuisance free environment; economic opportunity; healthy environment; and well managed neighborhood organizations. The theme is "From Policy to Practice: Improving Our Homes, Our Communities, Our City." Participants will learn about the neighborhood policy and related implementation strategies through their participation in a variety of workshops, a community forum and networking to exchange ideas across neighborhood boundaries. A parallel track for youth (ages 12-18) will focus on topics such as gangs and teen violence, healthy relationships and summer employment opportunities.
One of the cost reduction measures for this year is the elimination of the mass mailing of registration brochures to potential participants. The event is being promoted through various media outlets, personal contact and electronic communication. Council members are asked to share the link to online registration to interested citizens, as pre-registration is required: http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org. Those who do not have Internet access may call 704-336-2061 to pre-register or to obtain additional information about the symposium. The registration deadline is May 8, 2009.
April 30th - Workshop Planned to Reduce Illegal Discharges in Storm Drains
Resource:
Craig Miller, Engineering & Property Management, 704-336-7605, cmmiller@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are teaming up to present a half-day workshop on April 30th at 8:30am at the Hal Marshall Center (700 N. Tryon Street) for pressure washers and mobile vehicle detailers. The workshop will educate business owners on proper containment and disposal of the wash waters they generate, leading to improved compliance with the local Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance and better protection of creeks and lakes. Detailed guidance and best practices on achieving compliance in a cost-effective manner will be offered. Representatives from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities and The United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners will be hosting this event.
City Wins Two Charlotte Business Journal Green Awards
Resource:
Wilson Hooper, City Manager's Office, 704-336-8774, whooper@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, the Charlotte Business Journal announced its second annual "Green Awards" winners at a luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center. The awards are meant to recognize "companies, non-profits, and individuals that are making signification strides in adapting sustainable practices."
Four finalists and two winners came from within the City organization. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Director Doug Bean and the city's energy manager, David Miller, were both recognized as finalists in the "Government Leader" category. And Charlotte/Douglas International Airport's green efforts and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' water conservation initiative were recognized as finalists in the "Government Action Program" category.
For his efforts in making City facilities twice as energy efficient as the average state-government building, David Miller was given the Green Award for government leader of the year. David's work has cut carbon emissions by 14,000 tons and saved the City more than $4 million.
"I'm honored to win this award for my team and the City," said David Miller. "Even though this is my job, it's a group effort and our entire team deserves this award."
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport's efforts were awarded the government action program of the year. Some examples of initiatives in the airport's "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program" include reusing used coffee grounds as fire-ant control, renovating restrooms with low-flow fixtures, and recycling over 400 tons of materials at the airport.
The luncheon also marked the release of this year's Charlotte Business Journal Green Book. The Green Book is a yearly publication profiling the accomplishments of each award winner and finalists, as well other award nominees. Copies of the Green Book for Mayor and City Council will accompany this memo.
Airport Investigates Solar Opportunities
Resource:
T. J. Orr, Aviation Director, 704-359-4006, tjorr@charlotteairport.com
For some time the Airport has been investigating implementing the use of solar energy on Airport premises. After careful analysis, two projects have been identified - a rooftop solar panel installation and a solar farm with ground-mounted solar panels. The facility for the rooftop installation has been identified as Aviation's 130,000 square foot Maintenance Facility and is estimated to cost $700,000. The second project is a solar farm consisting of approximately 10 acres with an estimated cost of $13 million. Aviation staff members have had exploratory conversations with Duke Energy and are continuing to research and develop this opportunity.
Environment Focus Area Communications/Pledge to Improve the Environment Update
Resource:
Cass Bonfiglio, Corporate Communications, 704-336-4936, cbonfiglio@ci.charlotte.nc.us
To coincide with the worldwide celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, Corporate Communications has been working throughout the month to communicate the City's environmental message. Specifically, Corporate Communications and City Manager's Office staff have been promoting the new environment web site as well as Council's approved Pledge to Improve the Environment.
Attached to this memo is a news release, scheduled to go out on Earth Day, with information on the web site and pledge. The release contains information for citizens on how to receive copies of the pledge cards. Included with this memo are a handful of wallet sized pledge cards for the Mayor and each member of City Council. Extra copies are available through Council's secretary, Tracy Swett. Staff has begun distributing pledge cards at City events, and plans to distribute them at upcoming events such as Charlotte Clean and Green and the Neighborhood Symposium.
A detailed update of all recent environmental communications is being provided to the Environment Committee in their meeting agenda packet.
Coca-Cola Recycle and Win Partnership Update
Resource:
Victoria Garland, Solid Waste Services, 704-336-3410, vgarland@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City's partnership with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Mecklenburg County to promote residential recycling continues. During the month of March, 31 Charlotte residents were winners of the Recycle and Win promotion. There were:
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9 winners in the North Zone
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7 winners in the South Zone
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10 winners in the East Zone
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5 winners in the West Zone
To date, there have been 57 winners in the City of Charlotte.
Requests for recycling bins continue to increase. A review of bin requests from last fiscal year to this fiscal year shows a 10% increase in recycling bin requests by distribution centers from this time last year, which equals 54% more bins on the street from this time last year. While bin requests have increased, the City's collection operation has not experienced any significant issues related to collecting more recyclables.
Staff will continue to provide monthly updates on the promotion.
April 20th - Burnette Nobles Golf Tournament
Resource:
Major Vickie Foster, CMPD, 704-432-0377, vfoster@cmpd.org
The annual Burnette Nobles Golf Tournament will be held Monday April 20th at Renaissance Park Golf Course. The tournament is named for Officers John Burnette and Andy Nobles who were killed in the line of duty in October 1993. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Burnette Nobles Memorial Fund, which sponsors projects to benefit disadvantaged youth and senior citizens, and CMPD Hope, a program that provides emergency assistance to CMPD personnel who experience unexpected financial hardships beyond their control.
Council is invited to come watch the action, enjoy barbecue between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. or attend the presentation of awards to the event sponsors, CPI and Circle K, between noon and 1:00 p.m.
