market does what the market does. So I wanted to get better clarification on how they identified well this is the market rate based off of this market. >> Miss Harris, are you ready to respond? >> Yes, thank you sir. And so this is based on recent appraisals and what you're referencing is the tax value. Um also it's important to note like you said defer we'd have to restart because we're supposed to close within 30 days and these properties were impacted by Helen. So we were just this is just the market appraised value of the property. The houses have been destroyed by the storm. >> So that's the other piece that I want us to take into consideration because of weather impacts these homes were negatively impacted. So what we're paying for is the land. Again, based on today's market, are we saying that these individuals, if they were to go to market today to try to sell this land that you cannot build homes on because of the impact, the flooding, the other things that may have happened in this area, would they be able to sell the these lots at the prices that we are talking that we are asking this body to approve for the purchase of this land. when we already know that yes, we want to have a conservation easement, but are we being fidicially responsible with tax dollars with the purchase amount that has been presented to us? Cuz they cannot necessarily go to market to sell this land today because you cannot build on you cannot build another home on this land because of the environmental challenges that have happened. >> I'm sorry. That's the concern I have. >> Sorry, Miss Mayfield. You definitely can since it was it's not um the land condemned. You could definitely build on it still, but to your point, it is a difference from the tax value, but just to assure you, this is fair market value that we got recent appraisals. So, this isn't appraisals like you said, the market conditions have changed recently, but these are very recent. These are old um appraised values. These are recent appraised values. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Council Member Owens. >> Thank you. >> So, Marie, I just want to probe around the balance of that just a little bit more and appreciate the appraiser appraised the property as it is right now. Did they appraise it as a tree save? I I just I'm trying to understand those different standards. >> The bare market value period regardless of use. >> Okay. Of of what they would be able to sell it for now. Is are the houses do they still need to be demolished and taken off the property? >> They are demolished. Correct. >> They're fully demolished. Are there trees on the property or were those mostly >> some of it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm just trying to understand what it looks like if if we acquire these properties. I am sensitive to some of the concerns that council member Mayfield had. But so when we take something, and this is maybe an education for me, when we take something as a tree save, do we later ever change our minds about that and then sell it to a developer? I mean, >> so we we turn it over to a conservatory. >> Okay. So that's completely out of our hands. And so when this goes, our um arburist would like to add to that. >> Okay. >> Welcome Tim. Can you go to the podium? Thank you. >> Good evening, council. Tim Porter, chief urban forester. Uh so the TCP program uses developer paid fee and loot dollars. These are not tax dollars to purchase these properties. They're all it's all monetary collection of fees during the permitting process. Developer paid dollars. And so in every case we can we protect these properties with a conservation easement with a Kaba Lands Conservancy. Sometimes those missions don't overlap perfectly. So we we use other legal mechanisms like a notice of intent to reserve easement or a declaration of conservation to protect them in perpetuity. So long-term these properties stay conservation land and do not ever become available for facilities or other uses the city may have available. >> Okay. Thank you >> council member as mayor. Then council member Johnson. >> Yes. Uh thank you. >> Um first Mr. supporter. Thank you so much for you and your team's work on TCP. I know that this program was strengthened to make sure that payment in lu that we were getting was based on the recent assessed value and not based on previous values that so that's why now we have more funds to help preserve more land. Uh I certainly appreciate that work that's been done. Uh also appreciate that work that's been done. We are competing with the market and I know that if we were to defer this, could you talk about how it could potentially help how it would potentially we might fall out of the contract and why timing is so critical out of the contract? >> Sure. Thank you for that question, Council Member Hashmir. Uh, we are under contract to close um with owners of these properties. I think they may vary. I don't have the exact information in front of me, but um some of them may be a 30-day window. They are developable. However, they're right on the river, so uh the pressure of development on them likely is not significant, but they are buildable lots. Um they do face significant challenges as council member Mayfield pointed out to um however, it's part of a larger effort we're partnering with the county on related to hurricane Helen relief um flood plane buyout program. We're not a buyout program per se, but these properties are located in an area town with high conservation value. And we partnered with the county as part of their recent flood plane work to achieve some preservation of lands along the river in areas where they simply um ran out of resources areas where they simply >> that is helpful and also thank you for clarifying these are buildable lots. I know um there have been three under TCP there have been a number of transactions that have come before us that were buildable lots. Uh we just wanted to make sure we preserve those that land for our tree canopy that the goal that we have of of 50% tree canopy by 2050. This help this helps us meet that goal job by drop. >> It does. These are incremental approaches here. They're not large property acquisitions. Um any properties that don't have trees on them today, we will reforest uh within the program. >> That's all. Thank you. Council member Johnson welcome. >> Oh, thank you. You I think you might have answered my second question, but I just have two questions. Can we >> Can you define recent I know you said a recent appraisal. I wanted to know the date. I wanted to know. >> Can someone address Council Member Johnson's question? >> You don't know the You don't know the exact date, but they said within the Yeah. Sorry, but we can follow up and get that to you. >> So when you say recent, do you mean within the last year? The last >> It's less than the last year. >> Last six months. >> Last six months. Yes. >> Okay. So that does speak to the market shift. Six months, you know, can make a difference in real estate market. And then secondly, am I to understand that it's $600,000 for 1.6 acres in total? >> $61,000. >> Yes, ma'am. of riverfront property. >> Yes, ma'am. Of riverfront property. >> And the reason this location was chose was >> it was riverfront property. >> Well, part partially, but it's a partnership with the county and areas that were impacted by Helen and the opportunity based on the location and the opportunity based on the location. So, we're paying 1 uh excuse me, $61,000 for 1.6 acres >> in partnership with the county to preserve trees. Is that right? >> Yes, ma'am. And just to be clear, I believe Mr. Porter noted it, but these are these aren't tax funds. These are developer paid funds. So they have an option when they're doing development to do a tree save on site or pay money for a fee and lube program. So in in essence to save a site elsewhere that's not on their property. So we invest these monies in trees elsewhere. >> For the record, we have great trees on Malib Creek that we would love to preserve. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Council Council Member. I'm sorry, Council Member Mayfield, please. Thank you, Mayor Portim, and thank you for the clarification. But for me, fee and Lou is still tax dollars because what we allowed is for you for you to do your development where you were going to have some clear cutting versus you saving those trees that were mature trees, you were given an option to pay into the future growth or investment for other trees. know, as far as I'm concerned of it, it's still tax dollars that helped to get us there because the community, the taxpayers saw the impact of trees that were removed in their neighborhoods for a development, but I do appreciate the fact that we have this program. I don't have necessarily a challenge with us >> funding the conservation. It is the dollar amount that is the challenge for me when we think of the challenge. The fact that we do need to have a tree canopy that's diverse throughout the entire city. Yes, this is beautiful waterfront property. >> There's a select number of people that's going to be over here off of this waterfront property. whether it's a gradeway, a trail that's going to be utilizing it, it's easily pulled up online to see exactly where the lot is and see what's out there. So, it is not necessarily the challenge of necessarily the investment. It is the dollar amount that we're talking about, but it's also a concern that we're saying, okay, I'm bringing this to council with the full expectation that this is going to be a yes because we have about a 30 45day timeline on closing. Yes, because >> the OB the it should not be an apparent that there would not be questions from council. So to then tell me that if we were to defer in order to have time for any question to be answered that it could delay the project to be perfectly honest and this is going to sound mean, but I truly do not mean for it to be as disrespectful as it's about to sound. That's not my problem. My issue and my concern is that as representatives, if we have questions, we should be able to not only ask those questions, but have time for those questions to be brought back to us, not be put under a timeline that if we do not just say yes to this, then that would cause a delay or financial challenges on our end. It should come to us with enough time where if there is a cup question, there's time for that question to be answered. We are not to be under a deadline based on staff's conversation regarding negotiating dollars that we are going to be investing. I respect the fact that the county has a goal and has a role around parks as well as we have a seat program and I respect the fact that we created a way for developers to fund a fee in loo in order for them to build the project that they felt was the best project for them. Yet I have a challenge that if something is brought before council, one, I will repeat the expectation that we are supposed to be an automatic yes and two to tell me or my colleagues that if we were to defer it to get any of these questions answered that that may cause a challenge because you're already in negotiations for a 30 or 45 day period of closing, then you probably might want to bring that before us a little sooner. >> Ma'am, if I may. And that that's a good point, but we don't want to bring we staff don't want to bring something to you till we know enough details for you to really weigh out the consideration like the price and the 30-day and and sorry if it sounded that way. That's just more how like if you put an offer on a house or a property, they're probably not going to hold it for you forever. And that's the same way with this. And this is kind of the same way when we do a bid. You know, they'll hold their price for a certain amount of time. And I'm sorry if it came across that we're putting you in the spotlight. That's just more the nature of the business and we want to make sure it's enough detail where you feel comfortable making the decision regardless of the decision you make. >> And I appreciate that, Maria. I would like for staff to consider before you make any contractual obligations. Like you said, even if I was to make a bid on a home, first of all, I'm going to check with my spouse before I go out and make that decision. So look at us as that spouse that before you go out and say yes, we think that this is a good idea and that council is going to go for it or council's going to approve it before making that assumption say here's the range we're thinking about. Now you come back and you have a conversation with us and then if there's support then we can follow up and say you know what we were able to come up with a dollar amount that is comfortable. Again, I recognize this fe and I appreciate the clarification because I did share something a little differently to my colleague earlier today. So, I appreciate the clarification. It is not not having preservation. We do need to support and here's a great way for us to work with the county. It's the dollar amount that I have a concern with and the idea of saying we don't even have time to have a real conversation. So, but I respect the fact that now all of our colleagues are here if they choose to vote for it. I am going to be a no. But and I have clear reasons why I'm going to be a no because again this beautiful beachfront property I'm not going to be walking over here but I appreciate that somebody will be walking over you council me council member Owens >> just a quick followup I wanted to make sure that I'm understanding do we have a contractual out if you don't get approval >> yes yes anything we bring is contingent on council approval >> okay so they understand that going in so would there be an argument to be made then that there is some expectation of an ability for us to go back and forth a little bit more on this >> up case by case if the owner would entertain that or not. Yes, >> understood. Thank you that >> council member Anderson. >> Thank you. Just uh just a question to council member Mayfield. The the motion to defer is to answer what open questions are. Are there particular open questions that you want to have resolved before voting or is it um as you stated that it's the dollar amount that really is the issue? >> Yes. >> The latter? No. Yes. to both because council member Johnson just asked a question that needs to have a response to it. But also that question regarding that council member Johnston asked as far as the date of this cuz again when we're looking at the market, the market shifts pretty regularly. So if we're looking at a conversation that started 6 months ago, even 3 months ago, there's a difference. But there's also a concern that I have regarding the actual amount when again if we just do a standard search to see what the approximate appraised value is out there. Then we're saying it can be anywhere from 3 to 346 or a little under for each property. I want to make sure that before we move forward that this amount is a is an amount that is a responsible amount when we have multiple projects that are coming from the same resource without honestly having an update on where we are financially in that bucket. So how much do we even because that's also not listed in any of these. What is the balance that we have in our fian loop which would be a simple one where every time there's a request to have that in there to say to show what amount that one I would have followed up with staff with directly but that's something we need to know as we're looking at potential >> that's something we need to know >> opportunities of financial challenges. >> Okay. And then my second question, uh, Marie, is we're in we're we're in partnership with the county on these initiatives correct? >> Yes. For these specific ones. Yes. Okay. Where's where's the does the county need to take a voted action on this? >> No, we are buying the property purchasing potentially. >> Just wanted that clarification. Thank you. >> Outstanding. Okay. Any more comments? Any more questions? Okay. Council member Johnson. >> Thank you. I think it would be helpful to support what Councilwoman Mayfield said if we did see um some type of comps or comparables. If if if I'm hearing that with the house, some of the homes in this area are in the mid 300s. >> Some of the homes in this area >> right now or so what they would according to real. >> Okay. So if a if a property with a house would go for mid300s if we're buying a just a land for 600 that does seem out of range and we are I mean these are t these are not our our dollars these are taxpayer or public dollars. Um so we should have justification for this amount especially if it seems out of range. So I think that our residents would expect for us to have that information before we make the decision mayor. >> So I would support the deferral until we have that information. Also um if we can define recent uh when the appraisal is I remember we were looking at some tree some information about trees and it was a report and you can correct me if I'm wrong but I think we were looking at um data that was a few years old. So, I do want to make sure we have current information that we're reviewing. Um, so again, I would support I'm going to support the deferral. Thank you. >> Thank you. And Mayor Pro Tim, if I might, um, Greg Crawford's here with real estate and he can provide a little additional context on the appraisals. >> Greg, welcome. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Good evening, council. So, I wanted to uh address a little bit some of your concerns about the appraisal. And so, >> and first of all, I'm also an appraiser. um in addition to my other roles here. Um but the highest and best use is what we asked our analysts to estimate for us and that's the highest and best use how what the market would bear. Now some of the things that you're uh referencing the Zillow and there's all kinds of data out there for single family homes on single family lots and they sell for X and depending on which part of town you're in. This was really essentially an analysis of of vacant land and a pretty large piece that even though it does have some challenges and there were some flooding issues there, what would the market bear to in a redevelopment scenario? So, it essentially comes down to, you know, how you can develop that site if you were to to subdivide it and to and so the the comparables and I'm happy to go over in in uh detail these appraisals with you. Um, in addition to having analysts that we really feel like know what they're doing with comparable sales and all the adjustment process that that you go through when you're looking at your subject property, comparing it with other comparables, good vetted data that's confirmed and verified with parties to the transactions. Um, it's we send this report out to an independent reviewer and then it's also reviewed internally. So, we have some pretty good eyeballs on the analysis itself. It's a little tough to compare this kind of property with just single family lots. So, I just wanted to point that out. There's a little bit of a distinction there. Um, but happy to give you uh more detail. I don't know the exact dates of the reports, but we feel like that they're still relevant. The market's a little flat right now uh in in some parts of town, but we feel like that these are still a worthwhile effective date to for this conversation. >> Mayor Pum, thank you for that. >> Follow up, Council Mayfield. >> Thank you, Mayor Pum. I appreciate that. And this additional time will give enough time for you to provide that. >> All right. Thank you all. Great discussion. There's a motion on the floor made by Council Member Mayfield, second by Council Member Owens to defer items 32, 33, and 34 to February 23rd. Are we ready for the vote? All those in favor of the motion, raise your hand. >> 1 2 3 4 5 6. All those opposed? >> One, two, six. Uh motion uh pass. It will be deferred to February 23rd. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. Now I'm going to turn it over to our deputy city manager, Mr. Sean Heath, to introduce our action preview item. Sean, thank you, Mayor Prom. Last month, city manager Jones provided an overview of your new cadence this year as it relates to business meetings. So, of course, the first business meeting of the month, you have your action previews and the second business meeting of the month is when you have public forum and also council discussion topics. This evening, there are two items that are teed up for action preview. Both of them were voted out of committee last week. Both of them will be coming to full counsel on February 23rd for actions. So tonight's an opportunity for you to dig into these a little bit. Have the five points land acquisition which went through the housing community. Of course, an exciting opportunity uh multifaceted opportunity with housing being one important piece. Council member Mayfield will be prepared to tee that one up and then staff will provide a presentation. And the second item is the state and federal proposed legislative agenda. Uh, Chair Graham is not here this evening, but uh, Council Member Ashmier, of course, was the previous chair of PGIR and was very close to this work during calendar year 2025, so she'll be prepared to provide some perspective on what came out of committee last week. Thank you, >> Deputy City Manager. Thank you so much. U staff, let me turn it over to the chair of a housing committee, Miss Mayfield, to introduce this item. Council member Mayfield. >> Thank you so very much, Mayor Pro Tim. I did just wanted to briefly thank our not only our housing and neighborhood staff who work very closely with our partners, but I want to thank the committee members because we were able to have a very robust conversation. So, I want to acknowledge my me my members on the committee, council member Johnson, Council Member JD, because I'm not going to mess up your last name. Council member Owens as well as council member Mayo where we are looking at this land acquis acquisition funding recommendation of five points. This right here I think we all believe is an example of how a community project could lead to great things and great development. And with that I am turning it over to Mr. Warren Wooten. >> Great. Thank you so much uh >> Chair Mayfield and good to see uh everyone tonight. Chair Mayfield, good to see everyone tonight. >> So, I'm gonna get going while we work on the slides. Uh, tonight I'm going to give you a brief presentation on the five points uh project that's in front of you. I'm going to review for you uh land policy as it relates to how you've been working on land acquisition recently. talk about the the funding that you have available and then get into specifically uh the project uh that's been uh brought >> before you in good shape before you in good shape. >> Perfect. No, that's great. Thank you so much. Uh do want to acknowledge that uh senior leadership for this project endeavor is in the room tonight. want to thank uh historic western partners, Knight Foundation, uh Lisk and Integral for being here uh again tonight as we talk about this important project. >> So, first land acquisition. One of the things that council has directed staff over the years to do is to really expand the bench on what we can do to develop affordable housing in your community. Warren, not to interrupt, but your first slide was very powerful. Can you go back to the first slide? >> There you go. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, so here we're going to give you an overview of the of the land acquisition request. This is a this is a TOD project that's in district 2. I'm going to review the land acquisition. Uh we have a rolling request that's open that these projects come in for you. So, I'm going to review that RFP process for you. Uh and then I'm going to uh talk about the staff recommendation of a short-term loan for this project uh through your your TOD funds for this project. So land acquisition is is one of the ways that you've broadened your and how you do affordable housing development here in the in the city. So it it's very much like some of your other RFPs. The biggest difference is it's a two-stage process. In the first stage, uh, a a developer or or the city staff brings to you a land asset that meets uh, all of your benchmarks for the types of areas that you're citing for affordable housing development. You review that and then uh if you approve the land acquisition uh we provide short-term funding for the developer then to go back continue to work on that project and then in stage two they come forward with a full project for you to review and to make uh approval on. This is uh this is a fairly new process but this is not the first time that you're doing it. This is a similar process that brought forth the Barton South project that is on the uh the Blue Line extension. Uh and it's also uh how the Dorton Street project that was the first investment of your TOD funds came about. So two stages and we're at stage one tonight where we're talking about the land uh the request for funding to support land acquisition for this project. uh the request for funding. >> So this is this is part and parcel with your tod approach and and funding that you have available through uh your passage of the the unified development ordinance. So in the unified development ordinance uh developers have a lot of options. You've you developed a flexible approach for tod development that provides your developers options and how they meet uh various bonuses and can achieve things like density in their project. One of those is to provide affordable housing on site and another way is to pay a fee and loo where they pay into a fee and loo uh bucket and then that can be used for additional affordable housing uh development and investment in your transit oriented uh areas. So you currently have uh a balance of about $1.47 million in your to fund. It's a It's a $19 million total fund that has been generated. Of that, about 4.8 has been paid in so far. You've paid out a little over $3 million for the Dorton site, leaving that 1.4. That additional $14 million are commitments that have been made by developers, but have not yet been paid into the fund. They pay into the fund when they begin the final development process and pull permits. So, those are the numbers that you're seeing up here on the slide. And then addition in addition to that $ 1.4 million that you have in TOD funding, you have a $5 million carveout in your housing trust fund. Uh that three-year funding policy you set aside for land acquisition, >> that three-year funding policy you set aside for. So, in in January of 2024, uh we issued that rolling RFP. Uh you do two different types of RFPs. There are RFPs that uh we release several times a year like your housing development RFP and then there's uh RFPs like the TOD RFP that we leave out there rolling. You you have a very active uh market. You have a a growing community. And so what this allows is for developers who see an opportunity to be able to move quickly on those opportunities by responding quickly to your rolling RFPs and we bring these projects before you as soon as they're ready to go. uh such as such as this project tonight. Uh in the TOD RFP, uh it allows for up to 90% financing for a shortterm loan up to three years uh to take down land. Uh the developer then has that that land, has it sec has it secured and can continue with their development process and to bring you forward a full proposal about what they're going to do there. Uh that'll be considered in a future step. And then uh we we take steps to uh protect your investment during this process. Uh you will be in first lean position and again uh we don't go over 90% loan to value uh to protect uh your your city investment uh to protect uh your so let's talk about the project. Um and again uh appreciative of of all of the hard work that uh Weston Partners has done uh with their their partners on this pro project. As you can see uh this is a site uh right in Five Points. It's directly across the street from John CC Smith uh University and uh it has a uh a gold line stop just south of its location. It's approximately a 1.25 25 acre site and it's contemplated as a mixeduse mixed income development. Uh currently estimating 145 units. Uh but that will change as they you know adjust up and down as they go through the development off uh uh the the development process. They also um have uh are contemplating non-residential uses on this site. um office space and a a grocery store. Uh I'm not going to get into those details, but do want to point out the uh excellent presentation that they gave at the economic development committee meeting last week if you want more information on the broader overview of the project. Uh that is a great resource. I'm focusing just on your uh TOD RFP and our recommendation around this this loan. Um, so you know what do city staff look at uh in terms of matching projects that come in like this to your requirements? Uh, we look at your housing Charlotte framework. We look at your uh your housing funding policy that you provided at the beginning of this bond process and we also look at the sighting information and score. And what you'll see is uh two things. things. One, this is uh directly approximate to one of your transit lines uh with uh great access to one of the stops just south of the site there. And it also has a a very high sight score. Um lots of access to goods and services. Um lots of access to jobs both by vehicular method and right there off of the gold line. And then um uh as as I know that you all know uh in a neighborhood that's experienced dramatic change over the last several years uh this gives you an opportunity to take down a site in a rapidly changing area and prever preserving that for both affordable housing and economic development opportunity. >> preserving that for both affordable housing and economic development opportunity. So this is this is how the funding stack would be contemplated. uh you would have you you have available to you the 1.74 million in the TOD. Uh that's not quite enough to fund this entire acquisition. So we would next turn to your housing trust fund funding that you do have uh available. Uh those two amounts together would be the 1.47 million and it would leave you a zero balance in your TOD funding and it would leave you a $2.6 $6 million balance in your HTF acquisition balance uh with a with a total balance of your housing trust fund of 44 million uh and change. And you will see recommendations coming. We've had we had a lot of activity on your fall round. You'll see additional uh recommendations coming in the next several months on your your fall round for uh for Htf funding. And as the deputy city manager said when we started the presentation, uh this is this is conversation getting you prepped for um a request for council action on February 23rd. >> A request for council action. >> Thank you so much presentation. >> Mir thank you for this presentation. Uh first let me thank you for bringing this creative way of pres of banking on land closer to our transit oriented development. This is great. I also want to thank Jata and the entire team here. I know Miss Jatanya has been working on this for as long as I remember uh on this project and certainly Historic West End Partners and the Knight Foundation. Thank you for your partnership. So I noticed in the presentation in one of the slides um >> the city's investment is protected through a lean against the property. So uh 4.13 million is that the full price of the land? >> It is not. That's your invested amount. That's 90% of the what is lesser of the paid value or the appraised value. So, the city will look at what whatever's less, whether it's the appraised value or the the contract value, uh, and take 90% of that. And that's what you're seeing on this slide here is the is the 4.1 million. If I do if I do the math in my head, the the the actual paid price or or the appraised price is is one is is 4.9. Uh, so they're they're bringing skin to the table where they're they're putting in the residual uh to pull the land down. So the historic west 10 partners is putting uh historic >> other 10%. >> Their their development group is jointly responsible for that. Yes, that's correct. >> Got it. Um >> responsible for that. Yes, that's correct. >> In terms of um I like this forwardleaning approach. Um I also like this is this helps us compete against the market. uh this helps us compete >> especially with land banking. I certainly support this. I think this is much needed in um in district 2. I had a conversation with Miss Data several times about how this is not going to only tackle affordable housing crisis but also a much needed investment for co-op uh food store. I think that's great and I like to see this kind of approach in other parts of the city and I know Mr. Tanya is willing to uh partner with other organizations across the city um to make this kind of visions to turn this vision into reality in other parts. I'm not volunteering you. I know that's something I know that's something you offer. Uh, but I think this is a great way to work with the private sector, with the public sector to really turn the vision into reality. I'm very excited to see this and I hope to see more of this in other parts of the city. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Great comments, Miss Asher. Any other comments? And then I'm I'm going let the chair bring us home. >> Council member Anderson. >> Thank you. Um, I just wanted to say this project is a great example of something that we can begin to replicate in other parts of the city. Um, I know Miss Tatana has already offered herself up um for parts of district 1 and other parts any part of the city who's interested in doing something um that is unique and collaborative. Um the the other piece about this is, you know, we've been looking at how we can bring um grocery stores and access to fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods that don't meet the criteria or threshold of big box grocerers. And uh this is one unique way that we can do so. And you know, we don't always look at food deserts as a safety issue. Uh but when you know when I was having a conversation with uh Chief Johnson for the fire department, you know, he talked about when things like a storm or any kind of other um extraordinary event occurs, if our residents can't walk to a grocery store to access food, then it becomes a safety issue. And so I very much see this mixeduse opportunity as a way to address safety um within our city and within a part of town that uh desperately needs that investment. So I want to say thank you for the work. Um I also know as as we look at the main streets concept as a city, this is this is an example of a group that has utilized and leveraged that type of model. um leveraging it from a national practice locally and um I think once again will be a great example of how we can um replicate and scale a successful v other successful ventures after this one. So I I'm happy to support it and I just want to say thank you for the work and effort. >> Thank you. >> Great comments, Council Member Anderson, Council Member JD. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I just want to say congratulations to everybody that was involved in this effort. Um I want to recognize I was not on council so I'm not going to take credit but I do want to say some really uh I want to express my observations. This is the reason why we need to fund business district organizations like Historic West End Partners with, and let it be on the record, a line item in our budget because this is the work. This is the fruit of the labor of these organizations like Historic Western Partners. And this is also a prime example of answering the question government gets on what we can do with this is what we can do and not deferring it to this is what we can't do. As we continue to grow as a city, I think many residents, particularly those in black communities and brown communities, marginalized communities are being um are fearful of being pushed away and displaced just to simply have access to transit. And this shows us what being active and proactive with community engagement looks like and it also shows us that with political will and courage we can deliver services to communities. Um I think bringing mixed income and mixeduse development to black and brown communities is no longer a possibility. It's becoming a reality. We can do it. the city can do things to mitigate the harms of displacement as we're growing um as a city. And I think the idea to what council member said and council member um Anderson said of co-op this this this model is huge. It is really making sure that the city is facilitating how a community shows up for each other. Um, so congratulations to everyone. Congratulations to my colleagues that played a huge part in this. Uh, to historic Western partners, to the staff. This is a huge moment for the city. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Cash JD. Dr. Watland. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I just want to also extend my congratulations to to Jatanya, to Reena, I see back here, and all of the partners uh with this project. Uh, you you guys continue to lead the way. Um so very very impressive to see what you're doing up and along the corridor whether it's property acquisition whether it's um land acquisition or community building it's fantastic um to that end I'm very interested to know how we are uh capturing the learnings uh because there are certainly other organizations around the city or other BDOS's who are doing great work as well but I want to make sure that as we're we're bringing these um tangible projects to the table that we've captured whatever capacity building that we need to understand so that others can come behind and do it as well. So would love to uh understand that once again congratulations and I look forward to uh supporting this one when it comes along. >> Once again congratulations. >> I'm going to make a few comments and then I'm going to turn it over to the chair. Okay. U number one I think this is important we look at all our corporate partners who participated. So one you had a visionary like Adams and then she went on and got two strong partners in Lisk and the nice foundation and so I'm not going to tell you all or ask you all to stand up today. You're going to do that on February 23rd. Okay, but I want to really to uh Dr. Watton comment how can we take this model and then make sure we can duplicate this another part. Uh, Council Member JD, I thank you for your comment about business district organization and the power they have to be more impactful in our communities. So, with that said, I'm going to turn it over to the chair. >> And and and before I do, let me say this about what the chair did and what staff did. We had a presentation about this in the second week in January and we knew there was a a time constraint on when they can purchase the land. Staff, let me thank you for not only putting it in housing committee, but you also gave a presentation to ED and so thank you so much. This is about team Charlotte. With that said, madam chair, bring us home. >> Thank you so much, Mayor Pro Tim. As was mentioned, our housing committee did vote to move this funding request forward to full counsel. But what I also appreciate, thinking about the comments I had earlier, is that we had enough time to have the conversation. This is a project that has been in the works through historic West End partners for a while. They went out, they identified the partners, they did the work that they needed to do. So also looking at our housing committee, let's know what the dollars are. So we know that with this request, we still know what the numbers look like within our trust fund. This proposed mixtures project, it includes that housing component. That proposal to have up to 145 mixed income homes along the light rail. the proposal and the presentation that went before economic development committee. It is a collective. It is the full picture of with government support what community can do. When we look at the fact that the plans are still in the early stages, we wanted to bring this before full counsel sooner rather than later versus the night of vote you learning about this amazing work. So staff, kudos to you for all the work that you have done side by side along with historic West End partners. Jatanya, we're going to continue singing the praises of your leadership cuz you had a vision and you made that vision come to fruition. And also I want to acknowledge that with our support, the city's support, we're actually able to help enable Historic West End partners to secure ownership of the land while simultaneously ensuring that there will be affordable units that are in accordance with the requirements of our affordable housing goals and needs. And I am proud that our committee moved forward for this. And I thank staff again for this presentation tonight and I definitely look forward to motioning in the coming weeks us approving this request of 4.1 million. Thank you, Miss Mayor Plotel. >> All right. Great job. Great job. Great job. Let me give a shout out to the DCM. DCMS, please stand up. >> Yes. >> Monica Allison, please stand up. Thank you DCMS. Thank you Sean. >> Yes. >> There you go. >> Sean, >> the next item is to get prepared. I'm going to turn it over to Council Member Ashmeir. And we have a friendly face in the audience, Mr. Dana Finn. >> Hello, sir. Mr. Dana F. Hello, sir. >> Thank you. >> You're all going to miss out. Uh first on behalf of the committee chair Graham and um on recognized committee members, committee members Owens, Mayo and Mitchell. >> I'm pleased to share that we adopted this last week unanimously. Um and BGIR initiated this work in October of 2025. I want to thank Sean Heath. He has been leading the charge. You will see this handout. Um where you will see we have federal as well as state legislative agenda. Uh over the past few months we have really dug into this issues particularly public safety uh specifically what we need from Raleigh which is the centerpiece of our overall legislative agenda. With that in mind, I want to focus on one thing, uh, public safety because that's what residents expect and this is where we need strong partnership from Raleigh and I want to acknowledge that this conversation is also timely. this conversation. >> I had an opportunity to virtually watch today's hearing. >> And state state law makers certainly are laser focused on public safety here. Uh I think the chief did an excellent job today. Uh talking about the progress we have made talking about the facts where violent crime is down 21%. that shows the progress that CMPD is making. But then also she was honest about the challenges that we face and what support we need from Raleigh. Uh and that's what this state legislative agenda does and I think we need to be clear about the support that we need from the state to succeed. So, first you will see uh if you can flip to the second page >> in the first portion of our state legislative agenda, you will see that first we need more investments in mental health resources. Uh this was something that the chief talked about at the hearing where we are getting lot of calls related to mental health crisis. Law enforcement alone cannot solve that and we need investments in mental health services. We so that we prevent crime before it happens. Uh second, we need state support for recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers. This is also something the chief talked about earlier today. Um departments across the state are facing staffing shortages. We are not alone. Um, >> third, we need resources for the entire justice system, not just policing. Uh, that includes the district attorney's office. Uh, Spencer Merryweather was also at the hearing, public defenders office and our courts because we know that when our cases move slowly, uh, victims have to wait longer and we have heard from them and accountability suffers from them. Fourth, we are asking the state to help reestablish a local juvenile detention center. This is also something the chief had talked about the hearing today. Uh because if we want young people to turn their lives around, we cannot send them hours away from their families and support networks. And fifth, we support stronger penalties for assaults on our transit operators and continued investments in safer roads and transportation system. Um and that's something that council member Owens have championed. Uh so you will see that tier one and tier two we are also supporting I know council member Mayfield is going to bring this up. So before she does uh I will answer that we are also investing in affordable housing. As you can see, we are we have specific ask for housing, for infrastructure as well as workforce development. And you will see as part of our public safety tier 2, we have three items. First is sentencing uh stronger sentencing tools for repeat offenders, improved qualification and compensation for magistrates. Uh additional authority to address quality of life safety concerns. And let me say all of this the committee did not come up with. This is something that is a direct result of collaboration u from the business community, from grassroots community, from our partners at all levels, the county, uh the DA's office, our courts, and Mr. Heath, thank you so much for leading that effort. You did this in record time. You met with close to 15 stakeholders in less than two months. We appreciate your leadership on that because we know that these are all connected to public safety. Uh so timing is crucial here. Council will be asked to adopt this later this month because we have federal advocacy meeting in March and then uh North Carolina General Assembly's short session begins in April. So it's a very tight time frame, but I really hope that um we can adopt this end of this month. so that we can speak with one unified voice when those decisions are being made. Uh particularly the business alliance, the county so that um the business alliance, the county when we because there was a question that was asked multiple times at the hearing, how can we help you? Well, here's the list. This is how you can help us. Um here's the list. And I I also want to recognize the committee. uh many of us have had conversations with the DA's office, with the county, with our court system to help ensure there is alignment at all levels. So that's all I have and um this there will be a longer presentation on this uh that will be in your P package if it's not already there. Uh but feel free to reach out to Sean Heath or myself with any questions or even chairman council member Graham who is also very involved in this process. That's all I have. Thank you >> council member. Thank you council member Anderson. >> I have >> Thank you. Um and thank you for the update. I I sat in and participated in some of this discussion so I'm aware of it. Um question though for the committee. you've laid out what what you all have uh voted to move forward. Were there any particular um items or or salient topics that were not moved forward, but you all felt, you know, it was right there on the line. >> So, Council Member Anderson, we did move forward all the public safety items uh that came as a result of direct feedback from our stakeholders. But what we did, we had tier one and tier two because we have a long list and we wanted to be very specific in our ask, right? So, >> we have now two tiers because it's a long list. So, we said let's uh highlight priority items in tier one and then we have tier 2 that is a lesser priority. Uh in fact um reestablishing of local juvenile detention center was something that was part of tier 2 but the committee decided to to um promote that to tier one because we see a greater need for that and that's something we have heard not just from Chief Patterson but also from community leaders as well as business leaders uh >> to make sure that we are holding repeat offenders accountable closer to the support system that they have. >> Of course. Yes. Um my question was really around for the other areas. So, so public safety is top of mind and you know that is that is center of plate for our community, right? Um but for the other areas specifically the six other areas, were there any tier 2 items that did not make it through? >> No. No, we did not because the other areas did not have as many items as the public safety does. Um, I just wanted to highlight a few things in terms of the zoning because that aligns with our overall UDO. So, there were a few items that we had under planning, land use. Um, obviously we wanted to highlight aging in place because this is something we I remember discussing this uh when I served on the housing committee really looking at the threshold for to support adults aging in place. I know this is something that council member Mayfield uh has certainly advocated for in the past, but there is already a Senate bill out there. So we thought let's just go ahead and throw our support behind it. There is already a movement. Um so we are including that. Um so butcluding >> we didn't eliminate anything that was recommended by staff. >> Thank you. >> Eliminate anything. >> Council member Owens. >> So I have a couple of things. Um, one just commenting on the agenda and then another perhaps addressing a concern that I had that was not expressed during committee, but it does go to council member Anderson's question around other tiers of of inquiry. Um, it's been brought to my attention most recently by community members that our state legislature, and I'll put this in the housing category, that our state legislature is withholding IELTa dollars. And ITA is um interest that is earned on um trust funds that are held by lawyers. And traditionally those dollars go to fund legal aid. And the needs of our legal aid community are absolutely um paramount to me in terms of keeping people in place because as people have issues with their their rents, they have issues with their landlords, they are dependent on legal aid to help them stay in place. And so if I had a second tier, if I had an opportunity to have a bite at that apple, I have not appreciated that those monies were being held. And I would encourage us in any ways that we do have any um any uh influence to encourage those monies that are being withheld. I don't fully appreciate the dynamics of that, but I do appreciate the effect that it's having on our legal services, particularly here in Meckllinmberg County where we continue to have legal aid available to people. um our attorneys who serve legal aid are servicing so many other counties that have now lost their funding and have lost their legal aid. So I think again when we're looking at retaining housing that's a big concern of mine and I'll put that out there but just so that briefly on that topic. The other one I do want to mention, and I don't view tier one as having a a particular prioritization, and so I do note the last one that's in tier one is one that I was very keen to have escalated. And I think we've all received a lot of um constituent inquiry around red light cameras and some of the things that perhaps we could inquire of our state legislature to make more clear. I think to that point, we did also discuss that Greensboro is confronting similar issues in wanting to appreciate how those monies can be applied and um what portion of that goes for schools. So anyway, I will just raise those, but I do appreciate Councilman Brashier's summaries. >> Council Mashir, go ahead. >> So Mr. Heath, I know the last bullet point was added as a result of council member Owen's advocacy. Maybe uh there might be an opportunity to be more specific. Um to her point where we can have a specific ask because th this is really wide. I think if we are really laser focused on red light cameras, maybe we can be more uh specific for this last bullet point before it comes. But uh wanted to hear if you have any other thoughts. Maybe there there you know there is always a reason behind why they sometimes make that language. I know that's based on our lobbyists and others. So I wanted to hear thoughts your thoughts. >> If I may, I can channel Sarah Hazel here for a second and this came up last week. This may be a both and and also last week I believe a memo went to council suggesting that if there's a will for additional conversation on red light cameras and possibly a city program that staff is ready, willing, and able to have those conversations. So I I think that that's out there and that could be separate and distinct from where the legislative agenda moves potentially. On the legislative agenda, I believe the point that Sarah made last week was on this particular one. We like the idea of keeping it broad enough where we could have a seat at the table on a whole broad range of things that could potentially fall within this category, which historically has been our approach on a lot of our state uh legislative agenda items. Whereas this year with public safety, for various reasons, we wanted to get really granular and specific for that. So, we can certainly run the traps if there's some specific ideas that council would like to share this evening as it relates to that particular item. Um, so we can be thoughtful about that before we bring it back for a vote on February 23rd. >> So, we can be thoughtful about that before we bring it back. >> Council member Mayfield and Council Member Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Pam. Thank you, Council Member Owens, for that additional piece regarding the iota and to council member Ashira and to the entire committee and council member Graham who might be listening on the road riding back the town. as someone who had the pleasure of serving alongside with council member Asher on the budget governance and intergovernmental committee for multiple years. I am happy to see that the committee chose to support Senate Bill 349. One of our biggest challenges with aging in place is not just for our elders that have home ownership, but it's also our elders that are in rental units and in rental units that we have funded. The escalation clause is something that I have spoken about more than once that's in that LITC legislation. And unfortunately earlier today I received a call where we have a elder based on what's happening on the federal level her $1,000 a month social security check was reduced down to $800. She just got notification that the complex that is a senior project is increasing their rent $50. That's $800. >> So that is her whole social security check. So, how does she get medication? Where's our 30% and below? Where are the protections that we need for our elders in the community? because I do not want to see a thousand plus elders in the category of being unhoused as well as I am very h happy that the support continues for us to you know first of all they got to pass the budget but one day the fact that we have the support there for the provision of appropriating funds for our workforce housing loan program because that is we have people who earn 75 to 150,000 a year but cannot cannot afford to buy a home or make that investment in Charlotte and even in our region right now. So, I appreciate the fact that housing stayed in the conversation and housing as far as econ as well as economic development and the work that we're putting around our advocacy. When we look at the lights, we also have to have a real conversation about the individual that runs that light, but also the fact that we have to stop and not take that green light for granted. we need to pause, look left and right because the chances are greater that someone is going to take the red light as a suggestion versus a actual stop. But these were are the ways to help us move forward in the conversation. So I appreciate the work that the committee is doing and look forward to supporting however I can that the committee is doing and >> thank you council Mayfield. Councilman Ash >> I did not cover the federal but I'm sure you all can read that. Um Council member Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Prom, and thank you, Councilwoman Owens, for the just lifting that up. I I I I've talked to you about how how practically practical you are, and I appreciate that. I I also have the approach, how can we say yes? Um, so when I look at the state legislative agenda, you know, there are things that jump out to me that we don't ask for that we know would be helpful in our city, such as inclusionary zoning and impact fees. Those obvious things you'll see we don't ask for those because our historical approach has just been more politically correct and and sometimes that's I mean you kind of learn as you go along. I I would love to push those forward, but are they going to be approved? I that's for council members more um experience than me, but I I agree with the with asking for what our constituents need. I think that's our role, but we can talk about that offline. Um but again, we went to Boston and that was one of the the cities that we were encouraged to to learn from and they have 20% inclusionary zoning. Imagine if 20% of all of this explosive growth in inventory were mandated to be affordable. So, um there's that. But I will say as far as red light cameras, um I'm from Columbus, Ohio, and we had red light cameras at at one point. And the um the challenge is um and you're an attorney, so I mean you you would know the challenge, but that an officer may need to be present at court in court to be a witness. And we heard our chief say today that we're understaffed, and we know that we're understaffed. So, um I just want to put that out there. I want to thank you for pushing the envelope. Um, thank you. >> But that's just, you know, this is welcome to city council. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Johnson. You want to respond, Council Member Orange? Council JD, do you mind? Council member. Okay, go ahead. Council, >> thank you for that. I I do appreciate um your your acknowledging that this is something that has been a bit of a passion for me, but I also will propose that I do not have definitive answers when I would like for us to explore it. I'd like us to have options optimal um op optionality maximum optionality around what we can do and if it's really only on those high injury networks if there are certain frequent um you know intersections you know I I am absolutely convinced that I'm going to be killed sometime uptown trying to cross over on Caldwell because I almost get hit every single time I'm in there and I'm in the right away I've got the little white signal and somebody's making a turn like we have numerous ous places within our city that are more dangerous than they need to be. And that's not an example of a red light camera situation, but it's an example of a of a known situation where you're having traffic turn into a a signaled walkway. Like, let's look at those things. And I I do I do hear that, you know, there there are other possibilities that we can explore, but I would at least like us to have all of the options on the table. And I think the indecision that we're experiencing judicially around the application of those monies is keeping us from even having that in our back pocket to use in isolated times. And so that's really what I was hoping to address. >> Just go right ahead. >> So she makes a great point. So maybe there is some type of C dot summit that we could have because there are several because I think a no turn on red uh sign would would help that issue. And I've also seen where they're conflicting arrows. Someone will have an arrow to make a a right turn and someone has an arrow to make a a U-turn. Where I'm from that's they just don't do that. Green arrow means go. So so we need to look at those. There are several places in our city that there can be some traffic improvements. So, if we could take a look at that on a granular level, um Mr. Heath, if there's a way that that those kind of issues can be identified, I think that would be helpful that we may not need the state legislator to uh to make those changes. There are several traffic rules locally and ordinances that can be improved. >> Well, and if I could just add to that, I appreciate the sentiment that they can be improved. I think something that was explained to me the other day in a different context, it was around how people experience um the board of elections and everybody kind of has their own experiences from where they've come from. I think the the same um factors are at play when you have people moving here from all over the country and they have different experiences with what the green arrow means or what the lights mean. I I think we do have an element of education that we can do, but I also think there's an element of engineering and some changes that if we do have the authority, I'd like to understand what that authority is and if we can make some changes that make life a little bit clearer for all of us, including all of the people who move here from other places where they may have different experiences with what the traffic ordinances are. >> The the arrow for the left is what's turned to be yellow. It's yield, you know. So instead of terms yield, you know. So, instead >> council, council member JD, bring us home. >> Yeah. I mean, I just really want to reiterate Oh. Um, I just want to reiterate, thank you, committee, for putting these priorities forward. Uh, I think it shows that this council is serious on tackling public safety and particularly pedestrian and driver safety. Just this past weekend, East Charlotte saw three fatalities in traffic um incidents. Um and I really would love this council to approach a proactive conversation about red light cameras, what that looks like, not across the city, but in 13% of our roads, which are the high injury networks, right? That's where 80% of our fatalities are happening in those 13% roads that make up the city of Charlotte, which our vision zero report um laid out a month or so ago. I also want us to I mean, Chief Patterson did a excellent job today at the hearing where she highlighted a program that I highlighted during the campaign trail, which was the Jade Initiative is to tackle juvenile crime. Um to tackle uh juvenile delinquency and I really would love to have more proactive conversation of what that juvenile detention center looks like and how do we find the balancing act of not criminalizing young people, particularly black and brown young men who sometimes are not afforded the opportunities that other students are afforded, right? and and making sure we're mitigating um the harms and risks of a life of crime and giving them second opportunities, but also the balancing act of enforcing our laws and making sure that people are abiding by our laws, particularly young people in our city, and breaking down those rates. I think um it is a conversation that needs to be had um and how we address juvenile crime and make sure that we're not criminalizing young people, but we're also making sure they have opportunities, but we're also making sure they have opportunities. >> Council follow up to that. I'm sorry. Thank you. So, a couple years ago, our housing committee, we talked about reopening the juvenile delinquent center and and there there wasn't the will at that time or or we didn't move forward because we recognized that I think it was 90% or 99% of the youth who commit crime had history of mental illness. So we wanted to take a look at a more solution focused approach. So I would like follow up on the on the recommendations that we discussed at that time if we can get some followup. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Go right ahead. >> Yes, we'll be happy to pull that together. And just at a 30,000 ft level with council member Watlington and the housing and safety community committee, there was a lot of work done around the upstream focus on prevention activities. And this council has a long history of supporting prevention through the office of youth opportunity, CMPD programming, the financial partner program as well. And then there was co-equal emphasis on behavioral health for youth. and council agreed to authorize a $2.5 million investment for the Katie Blessing Center which will come online later this year. So, um I I just wanted to say those things out loud because juvenile detention was never intended to be the focal point necessarily for the city's lean for the city leaning into juveniles certainly. Uh but we we can get you a report very quickly for sure. >> Yeah. >> 21%. >> Council Anderson. Thank you. So, u two quick points that there's been a lot there's been a robust discussion around the juvenile detention center, the pros and cons um in the community lately from a judicial perspective, from a behavioral health perspective and others. And because it was here before, I've gone out to visit the site and we have people who actually know how to operate that that's their developed muscle, right? And so as we look at certain certainly from a legislative agenda perspective, I I feel and I and I appreciate the walking the line of um being broad but with some level of specificity. But on a topic like that, I which is bullet point three in the tier one of public safety, I believe there needs to be a double click around language of what our actual direct ask is um and how how it would be how it where it would be tethered to because this is an ask that could fall within the city of Charlotte. It can fall within the sheriff's department. It can fall, you know, in a variety of different spaces. So that that's just giving me a bit of consternation on that third bullet point. Um, but that's not why my initial uh my my initial thought uh that I raised my hand on, but I think that's a a a really really um important topic that we need to make sure the ask is proper because otherwise we can get down a rabbit hole very very quickly. My initial um thought though was that with all of the conversation around uh red cam red light cameras uh bringing them back and I know staff is doing conducting research on this. I believe potentially that might be a topic we could have referred to the um transportation and planning committee um because we we did have red light cameras in our community. we decide to pull decided to pull those back. Now, we're getting um these ask I know I've received many many many emails from my constituents around us. I'm sure the rest of council has as well. I I believe it's the right balance of whether is it a safety question? Is it a is it a revenue generating question? You know, we have to balance that the right way. And I think that's a conversation that could work well in committee with the transportation and planning committee. So it may be a referral opportunity, Mr. Heath. Um just a just a thought as we move forward. Thank you. Just >> great discussion. Thank you everyone. U so council, we're about to go into close session and so I'm going to ask our city attorney if she can read the language, please. Is there a motion to go into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11A4 to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations. >> So move second >> second >> made by coun made by Dr. Wallet, sacked by Council Member Mayfield. All those in favor going to close session raise your hand. Very good. Close session. We are Heat. Heat. Hey, are you Heat. Heat. Round high Hey, hey hey. Fore! Fore! down. Wow. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey hey hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Do you know? Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Don't you Get away. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. music. Hey Hey, hey hey. Hey, heat. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. I don't care. That's it. Hello. Hey. Thank Thank you all for joining us here in person and those watching online for our February 9th business meeting. Now let's begin our city council meeting with introductions around the dis starting with our city clerk attorney. >> Good evening Dimple Ashra at large. >> Good evening. I'm Victoria Watlington and I have the pleasure of serving you as a member at large. Joy Mayo, District Three. Good evening. Dante Anderson, District 1. >> John Heath, Deputy City Manager. Good evening, David One. James Mitch, mayor Pro Tim. >> Good evening. Kimberly Owens, representing District 6. >> Happy Black History Month. Lana Mayfield serving you at large. >> Good evening. JD Masa Aas, proudly representing the East Side District 5. And go Bad Bunny. >> Good evening. I'm Renee Johnson and I have the honor of representing district 4. We'll begin our meeting with an invocation, expression or inspiration followed by the pledge of allegiance. The invocation is intended to selomize our proceeding. We celebrate the religious diversity of our community, including those without religious faith. Tonight, we're fortunate to have Council Member Mayo who give our invocation. Council member Mayo. >> Thank you. Uh feel free to bow your head if you would like. Gracious and loving God, we gather today with gratitude, mindful that this month we honor black history, a story woven with courage, resilience, sacrifice, and vision. We remember the generations who labored organized taught healed and led so that our communities in this very chamber could move closer to justice and opportunity for all. May their legacy remind us that progress is not accidental. It is built by people willing to serve with integrity, compassion, and courage. As we conduct the business of this council, guide our words and decisions so they reflect dign dignity, fairness, and care for every resident, especially those whose voices have too often gone unheard. Grant us wisdom to listen deeply, humility to learn from one another, and boldness to act in ways that strengthen our city. Let the spirit of unity, perseverance, and hope that defines black history inspire how we collaborate today. May our work honor the past, serve the present, and build a future where every person can thrive. Amen. >> Amen. >> Let us all stand for the pledge of allegiance please. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I want to do a special recognition before we move on. I want to take a moment to recognize something truly special. It's rare for Charlotte to experience not one but two winter storms in a row. But what's never rare is the dedication of team Charlotte. Because when our safety of our residents is on the line, this city shines brightest. And it shines because of our staff. This past weekend, while many of us were home staying warm, city staff were out there in the elements working around the clock and some even spending nights away from their families, sleeping in office just to keep Charlotte running. So, I've asked each of each of my council members to join me as we all recognize several departments for their efforts. We're going to start with Council Member Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I want to thank and lift up the incomparable Debbie Smith and the incredible SE DOT department. Sea dots treated and cleared over 13,000 miles of road using nearly 100,000 gallons of brine and 3,500 tons of salt and they operated 24/7. Thank you, C DOT. Council member JD, >> last week I had the privilege of visiting the headquarters of the CFD where our emergency management services is located. And I just have to say what an incredible operation they have. Fleet management opened 180 work orders to keep snow plows, fire trucks, and equipment storm ready and deliver services to our constituents. an incredible job, an incredible feat, and an unprecedented two-time snowstorm and ice storm. Thank you, >> Council Member Mayfield. >> Thank you. Charlotte Water had 154 employees across 16 facilities, completing 26 emergency repairs. One employee even stopped to help a child retrieve a snowball maker >> from a catch basin. at service. >> Council member Owens >> Charm 311 handled 1374 calls with lightning fast response times. >> Council member Anderson. >> Our general services crew kept 33 city facilities safe and accessible uh throughout both winter storms. And I'd like to have a special thank you for everyone who operated our EOC and spent time away from their families. And thank you tremendously for everything you did to keep Charlotte safe. >> Council member Mayo. >> Yes. During the storm, Cats kept rail operations moving. I saw uh the bus through my neighborhood actually when I was warm inside. So very grateful for the work of our cats team. >> Council member Watlington. And it wasn't only our residents, our people residents. Animal Care and Control also protected our vulnerable pets. And we appreciate you taking time out away from your families to keep ours safe. All of them. >> Council member Ashmeir. >> Last but not the least, Solid Waste Services. They stepped in where needed. >> And of course, our first responders at Charlotte Fire and CMPD answer the call nonstop. and to our team at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Thank you. And council members, let's all stand and let's get each staff member who showed up, stepped up, and pushed through the storm. Team Charlotte, we see you and we appreciate you. Great job, Mayor Pro. >> Yeah. >> Wonderful. >> So, I think our first public hearing decision is item number six. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Senator Kirk. >> So, we're now beginning to move to our public hearing items this evening. The first public hearing is on the Mesic Agency US business investment grant. Madam clerk, do we have any speakers? >> No sir. >> Move to close the hearing. >> Second. >> Move and proper second. and close the public hearing. All those in favor, let it be known by raise your hand. Any oppose? Thank you. Action item B, approve a business investment grant to Mary's agency for a total amount not to exceed $269,435 over eight years. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Move and properly second. Question. All those in favor raise your hand. Any opposed? >> Quick question for clarification. >> Do we need to open the public hearing? >> So that was action A. My apologies. So we're on action B. >> There you go. >> Okay. All those in favor, raise your hand. Okay. All those opposed. Thank you. >> Item number seven, public hearing on Pacific Life Insurance Company Business Investment Grant. >> Madame Clerk, do we have any speakers? >> No, sir. Okay. Is there a motion to close the public speaker? >> Second. >> I think you need to make sure we open it and then ask. >> I'm sorry. >> Motion to open public hearing. >> Second. >> Move the proper second. Now, do we have any speakers, madam clerk? >> No, sir. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> Move in proper second. All those in favor closing public speaking. >> Thank you. Any opposed? Okay. Action B to approve a business investment grant to Pacific Life Insurance Company for a total amount not to exceed 170,695 over six years. We have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Move the proper second. Council member Anderson. Second by Council Member Ashmeir. All those in favor raise your hand. >> Can I make a comment? >> Let me finish the motion. All those opposed? Council member Anderson, go right ahead. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I just wanted to take the moment to welcome uh Pacific Life Insurance uh to the city of Charlotte. This is their first venture in the southeast. They're headquartered in in uh California. And uh yes, they they're going to be in District 1, but also bringing some tremendous good paying jobs to the south end area. and uh they were very very excited about having the opportunity to uh locate here in the Queen City. And as I was speaking with some of the leaders there, they mentioned that interacting with our leaders and some of our community residents were was really the glue that kind of stuck with them to say yes, let's choose Charlotte over other cities. So very thrilled to have Pacific Life in the Southeast, but specifically in the Queen City. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Now we move to item number eight, public hearing on Scout Motor Business Investment Grant. >> Madame Clerk, do we have any speakers? >> No sir. >> Is there a motion to open up a motion to close public? >> Oh gosh. Y want us to talk tonight? Right. >> Motion. Motion to open public hearing for number eight. >> Move the proper second. Okay. Now >> speakers madam clerk no speak. Is there a motion? >> Actually um u mayor pro Tim all you need to do is open the public hearing and then ask if there are speakers and then if they're speakers we hear from them. If not you can entertain a motion to close the public hearing. >> Okay. >> Motion to close the public hearing. >> Move a proper second to close the public hearing. All those in favor? Any oppose? Okay. Now I'll move on to motion B. Approve a business investment grant to Scout Motors for amount not to exceed seven 7,285,518 over 15 years properly second. All those in favor raise your hand. Any opposed? >> I just want to make a comment. >> Council member Anderson. >> Thank you. Um, of course I had to speak on this. We've we've had so much conversation about uh Scout Motors coming into the city being headquartered in Plaza Midwood, but it's also a regional play with the manufacturing facility in South Carolina. um and an incredible amount of jobs um on for the east side for East Charlotte um along transitoriented development and just a really really great investment into a neighborhood that doesn't have this type of employment um within its portfolio. So very excited to welcome Scout Motors to Plaza Midwood and East Charlotte. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Anderson. Now we're going to open the public hearing on SoFire Technology and subsidiary business investment grant. Is there a motion to open? >> Motion to open hearing. >> You don't Yeah, you don't need the motion. He can he can protect. >> Yeah. >> Madam clerk, do we have any speakers? >> So I entertain a motion. >> So motion to close the public hearing. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. All those in favor of closing the public hearing. Raise your hand. Any opposed? Okay. Now, I would like to make a motion for item B to approve a business investment grant to Sofi Technology and subsidiaries for a total amount not to exceed $40,615 over seven years. Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Made by Council Member Watton, second by Council Member Anmeir. All those in favor, raise your hand. All those opposed. >> There's one opposed. >> One. >> One opposed. Council. >> Now we're on to the policy section of our agenda. We have one policy item for this evening. Health and sanitation ordinance amendments. Do we have any speakers for this policy item? >> Number two. You have two. >> We have two. >> Okay. So speakers, Mr. Pickard and Mr. McKenna, please come forward. Each of you have three minutes a piece. >> And we have two podiums that uh Okay. >> So we have a mixup here. So can you introduce yourselves, please? Check. Check. >> Yes. Good evening. My name is Alden Pequard. Oh, >> P I C A R D. >> Okay. Peard. >> I think you said Pickard, but >> Okay. Give >> us one moment to figure out. >> Mr. Bard, wait a minute. We're going to make sure your time will start right now. Go ahead, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you for the time. U I'm so used to two minutes at the public forum, so I don't know what I'm going to do with all this time. >> You don't have to use it. I know. Let's get home, right? >> Um, yeah. My name is Alden Pequard. I I live in East Charlotte, District 5. What's up, JD? Let's go. >> Um, I'm a proud uh resident of Charlotte, East Charlotte, for 10 years. Um, I work in the field of wildlife conservation for the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and I'm speaking tonight on behalf of the Charlotte Coalition to Protect Our Urban Nature. And as many of y'all know from emails and public comment and forums, we've been advocating for an amendment to the overgrown vegetation ordinance. And that's what's um on the agenda for policy item 10. And I'm speaking in favor of that and and in favor of y'all voting to approve the uh proposed amendment to the health ordinance. I'll get a little personal. Uh my wife and I welcomed our baby girl four weeks ago today, Violet, into this world. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Um I'm running off fumes. Um but her name is fitting because she was born four weeks early. Um and violets, she's a beautiful baby girl, Violet. And and violets are a beautiful wild flower that are some of the first to bloom >> um in the Charlotte area and they provide really valuable pollen, nectar, and wildlife resources to our native bees. But in a lot of those yards that are heavily maintained with fertilizers and pesticides and mowed routinely to 12 inches and under, those violets don't get a chance to come to life and to provide those valuable resources. Also, in my yard, I have golden ragwart, which is one of the earliest wild flowers to bloom in mass, which is critical for wildlife and early pollinators. Those flower those flower stocks are 24 inches in height though and that the it's considered a weed in the current ordinance without the exemption and you can't have the ragwart and many of these wonderful native plants if you're routinely mowing your yard under 12 in. So let's see. Yeah, we're running out of uh things to say here. How much time do we have? But I I do want to applaud all city staff, the mayor and council for considering this amendment. Um this is a common sense approach to conservation. It gives property owners the choice >> to choose stewardship over degradation, to choose environmental protection over environmental assault. And codifying this exemption empowers homeowners to take a non-conventional approach, one that saves water, reduces pollution, captures carbon, restores soil health, returns wildlife and ecological function to the land. So again, I want to thank you all for your time, thank the city staff, thank everyone who's done a lot of work uh to get this ordinance to the vote today, and I hope you'll vote yes and approve this amendment. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Picard. Appreciate you, sir, for coming down here. >> Vive right there. I have to apologize to you. >> No problem. It's an unusual name. >> Hi, Joy. Um, my name is Dr. Terrell Mackey. I am with the uh Alden. Um, and I was going to take this just a little bit different direction. Excuse me. Of course, I had a coughing fit just before I came up here. It's not just about pollinators. It's about people as well. And I think that one thing that that you as a as a council um have so many hard decisions to make about people, and this is an easy one because I've been a mental health care worker for 25 years. And the interesting thing is is that people respond to green space to to bird song, etc. And I just wanted to give you a few stats. ADHD, epilepsy anxiety depression PTSD can have from anywhere, depending upon which studies you're looking at, 5 to 19% improvement in green space areas. And um stress can go down as much as 50%. I'm going to take a stat from uh True Charlotte um that Go trees, Charlotte. Um, three to five miles slower on on streets that have uh trees and green space. Uh, less accidents as well, substantially less. We are a a bird corridor. So, I'm going to switch to birds now. Um, millions and millions of millions of birds come up through North Carolina and they need something to eat. and uh the violets, the ragwart, all of these things are going to help to feed them. So, it's ecologically unbelievably helpful. You as polic policy makers, you make such a huge difference and I thank you for everything that you do and I hope that you will take this and move it forward because it's going to impact all generations after this as well. Um this book um talks about lawns in the US exceed the amount of all our um national parks in Charlotte. We were trying to come up with some numbers while ago at least 100,000 acres that we could impact. If you let um those of us it's how can I help saving nature with your own backyard. >> You're going to empower us to do that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Mackey. Thank you. >> Is there a motion to adopt an ordinance approving amendments to the health and sanitation ordinance chapter 10 of the city code as recommended by the housing committee? >> So, second. >> Council member Edir, >> you want me to move first? >> Okay. Thank you. Um, first I want to thank the housing committee for their work on updating this ordinance in record time. I remember many of you uh at least spoke to spoke at three to four public forums if not more and many of you have had individual meetings with almost all the council members. I want to recognize Alden's work as well as Dave Molino and Nancy Carter and the entire team for reaching out to the council. This is a direct result. This ordinance is being updated is because of the direct result of community's input. So that just shows the power of organizing and power of constituents advocacy. Uh this shows that council listens and responds accordingly. So I'm very excited to see this is a I'm excited to see how this is going to encourage more pollinator gardens. In fact, there is one near where I live and I often take my little ones there. But it's good to see now this will be codified into our ordinance and I'm excited to see how this will support the larger ecosystem and uh in protecting our bees and butterflies. Thank you all for your work. >> Thank you, Council Member Edge. Council member Mayo. >> Thank you. Uh so glad to see so many friends that I kind of know personally. So excited to see y'all. Also want to kind of echo uh what Dimple said as well. um the fact that you all have been really persistent in coming and reminding people the importance of this um I think it's a great reminder that community can have an impact and create can create uh policy changes. So I want to thank y'all for coming. Want to talk a little bit a plug for naturalistic landscapes as you know as an environmentalist in my real job. Um, I just I love the fact that we're being part of the solution, thinking about biodiversity, uh, also climate resilience. When we see how climate change is affecting our city now, I think it's so important that we're having naturalistic landscapes, that is so imperative. Uh, even when we talk about drought and things like that. So, these naturalistic landscapes are going to help so much with that because we're not going to have to use as much water uh, to maintain that. So, thank you'all so much for being here and really stressing that. I think it's so imperative that we are creating solutions to climate change um locally. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Council Member Mayo. Council Member Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. So, I I want to congratulate you all. Um and Dr. Mackey, you mentioned um conditions epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, depression. You may not know I'm a brain injury advocate. So, someone with a brain injury could have all five of those. So I definitely understand and I appreciate the the the healing aspect. I do want to ask though from a policy perspective, one of the the the concerns we shared in the committee meeting was the education of the resident residents and the education of the HOA. Um so I want to ask city staff what was done. This was this did go through committee in record time. I've never seen this since I've been on council in 2019. It does show when there's political will, we can make things happen and community can have impact. So, I'd like our community uh members that have other issues to to remember this and hold us accountable. But, I'd like to ask city staff um what the plan was and and how HOAs were um educated. I just as the district 4 rep uh res representative I can see getting calls from HOAs um where they may feel neighbors out of compliance and we really really this is a huge change and I think we need to be very intentional about letting residents know. Thank you. >> Come on Rebecca home run hitter. >> They will disagree. >> Thank you for the question. Yes, it was an important issue that was raised by the housing committee and so we took that feedback back to the team. This has been a real team effort. So, uh, our folks in code and, uh, keep Charlotte beautiful, um, our landscape management staff, our office of sustainability, and then we partnered also with Charlotte communications and marketing so that uh, if if this passes tonight and the ordinance um, does get changed, we will roll out a um, substantial and comprehensive outreach and marketing campaign. Um the team has developed um messaging that that we can get to you and you can share with your constituents uh as well as different audiences around just the education not just on uh what what is a pollinator habitat, what is a naturalistic landscape and how can you get involved, how can you help um as Dr. Mackey said um but also what uh what and where can these um gardens exist? And so, uh, it does not supersede, uh, any restrictive covenants that you might have in an HOA. Um, but we will be sharing this information with, um, HOAs, uh, to help them see that that this is something that they could do um, in their communities as well. >> So, there may not be language in an HOA um, bylaw because it may be silent. It may not address it. So, I would have hoped that we educated HOAs before we passed the ordinance or that we at least talk about that it's on the table. I haven't re received anything. Did you reach out to anyone? This is I mean this is a change citywide. So, and it's your yard, your home, right? And I I can just >> I can see the other side where where residents would would would have um some concern about it. So, so pollinator gardens are already allowed. Um, this it's one of the things that um the the registration process already exists. Um there's already parameters around it. Um the city of Charlotte has been uh has been allowing and encouraging these habitats for several years. Um the ordinance change is codifying that and the codification of that also provides a great time to amp up the education and outreach. So it's not actually a change in the sense of you weren't able to do it before and now you're able to do it. It's a codification of something that has been allowed administratively. Uh, and we think this is a really good opportunity um to engage our residents, our businesses, partner with our great advocates who brought this to you um to get the word out to let people know that this is allowed, how to register your pollinator garden, what type of plants you can use and where to get them. and and at the same time, if you live in a community where it's unclear whether you're allowed to do this, um to let them know this is something that your city is um not just allowing but codifying and celebrating and and we encourage all neighborhoods to embrace this. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Council Member Romeo. >> Yes. Um, Rebecca, this is probably isn't really y'all's woodhouse, but just think about our communication scene if it's at all possible for them to help with some of that messaging with our social media, maybe some videos, some reals, um, different things so people can actually see what it looks like cuz sometimes that can be challenging if you're not maybe used to naturalistic um, landscaping to have some pictures to see what it looks like. Even highlighting the fact that Charlotte is, you know, one of the B cities, USA's. So little things like that of I think sometimes creating visuals for people to see, not just flyers, but for them to actually be able to see what it looks like. Um, and remind people maybe with some of the videos, naturalistic landscaping, you know, it it may look messy sometimes compared to what we're used to, but there are so many benefits. Um, so I think that's important, too, just to kind of help get that message out um with short little clips because everyone doesn't want to read a a flyer or a newsletter or something about something. Thank you. I'll I'll make sure to bring that back to the team. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. There was a motion on the floor with a second. Are we ready to vote? All those in favor, raise your hand. Although opposed. Great work. Thank you all. >> I've already >> Yeah. >> Now we move into our business section of our agenda, council. So agenda item interlocal agreement for Malik Creek stream restoration project. Is there a motion on A, B, and C? >> So move. >> So move made by council member Edmir, second by council member Anderson. All those in favor, let it be known by raise your hand. >> Any oppose? >> Fantastic. Item number 12, restricted covenants for property on Starwood Avenue. Amendment. Is there a motion for action items A and B? >> So move. >> Thank you, Council Me Ash. Is there a second? >> Second. Are we going to read the adopt the resolution? >> AMV. Yes. Time >> for comment. >> Is it moving properly? Second by council member I'm sorry, council member Mayfield. >> Discussion. The adopt uh action a adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to restrictions and covenant agreement for property located on Starwood Avenue to extend the time frame for completion for two for sale affordable town home units and B authorize the city manager designate to execute all documents necessary to complete this transaction. All those in favor let be known by raise your hand. discussion. >> Oh, you had a discussion. I'm sorry. Excuse me. Council JD. Correct. Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor Prim. Um, I would like to, uh, ask some questions to staff about this. Um, the first question is, uh, I'm going to just give you a moment. Sorry, got ahead of myself. Um, thanks, Rebecca. Could you confirm that the affordability requirements uh remain unchanged and that these homes will stay affordable for first-time buyers? >> Yes. So, this is just an extension of the time that the developer has to deliver those for sale units. The requirements remain the same is two affordable town home units and the affordability that means um uh affordable to a house Charlotte eligible household a firsttime home buyer at 80% AMI or below. >> Perfect. Thank you so much for that. And um follow-up questions if I may. What safeguards are in place to ensure this extension does not become a precedent for indefinite delays uh on affordable housing delivery and that we are doing a better job as a city and knowing where open orphan roads are located. >> Yeah, great. Thank you. So, and I and I appreciate the uh heads up on this question because um uh I was able to get input from Debbie and and her C dot team on the orphan road piece. Um but a couple of things. One is this is this is an not an indefinite extension. It's a timelmited extension. So it extends the time period um through the end of July of 2027. Um and the these extensions are only made when the developer has demonstrated, you know, good faith efforts in moving projects forward. um and and uh and you a a a timeline to us that they will be able to um to to us as your staff that they will be able to deliver. Um so one one thing to think about and this this property transaction actually goes back to 2020 um originally and when we first started doing city-owned land for affordable housing, it was a relatively new and innovative strategy. Um and so your your staff the whole team in re city real estate and all departments are actually now engaged in a collaborative process where we're doing a lot of due diligence on the front end. Um and it is it is designed to reduce the time it takes after the conveyance is made. Um and so that that's just some of the safeguards there. And then as it relates to um orphan roads. So, uh, Debbie shared with me, um, that C do uh maintains a database GIS inventory of orphan roads. Um, and that that that database is actively managed and updated um as new information is identified. And just for context, um, an orphan road is a street that has been publicly dedicated u most often by a developer, but not formally accepted by the city or the state. Um, so it's not maintained by a public agency essentially. So just just for context um and so uh C do is really doing a great job of um working through uh and updating that information through development reviews and field investigations. Um and then when uh as in this case, the developer actually um petitions the petitions the community um to to have this road ex accepted um to standards. Um then they'll get updated in the database. So um several several processes um internal and with our partners over the last couple of years um we've already worked to improve so that these um kind of situations get caught earlier. uh and we can deliver the affordable housing units more quickly. >> Thank you. That's my favorite word, improve. Uh so, thank you so much. Uh that that is the the the best uh answer I could ask for. Um and then just to reiterate, um the timeline is uh the completion of the crew requirement is July 31st, 2027. Are we going to get a uh follow-up update uh as the project goes along as council? Is that something you all can do? Maybe not in the official capacity after this is passed, but just in informal conversations. >> Yep. So, what I can do is uh work with the team to figure out the best ways to provide more regular updates. We have a a number of units for delivery like this that are going through the process. Um, and we can we can um determine the best way to make sure that you're kept up to date on how those things are moving forward. >> Thank you so much. and colleagues. I just orphan roads are like everywhere in East Charlotte. Um and and a and a lot of communities that are low income and marginalized and so you know now with the 1% sales tax, you know, really having a a focus on that and making sure that we catch those early on as Rebecca was pointing out. Um so that's it for me. Thank you so much. >> I just want to follow council. I I know council member JD mentioned about orphan roads and he's right they're all over in East Charlotte as well as in Still Creek area but I want to make sure because when I had uh raised this issue I was told that any collection from transportation sales tax would only go to orphan roads in ETJ area and not within the city of Charlotte limits. Am I correct? Yes, >> I' I'd like to phone a friend if I may. >> Okay. Come on, >> Miss Debbie. >> So, I just want to make sure that we are setting the realistic expectations. >> Um, >> excellent question, Council Member Ashmir. Miss Debbie. >> Hey, good evening everyone. Debbie Smith. I'm the director for Charlotte Department of Transportation. Councilwoman Edge, to answer your question, we are working through that process right now to bring forward to council some conversation around orphan roads. Um, yay, Councilman JD. That's right. But I just do want to say that the focus for the sales tax conversation and the negotiations that we had been having really are around Orphan Roads and the ETJ. What director Hefner talked about is the continuation that we are monitoring all streets that are within city limits of Charlotte and being able to properly address those. >> Yeah. >> Yes. So to follow up, um while we may be limited to in using our transportation dollars from South Tax increase specifically in ETJ area, uh I think we need to look at examine how we can use some of our existing dollars that we have for transportation uh to address orphan roads because we do have a lot of those in the city of Charlotte limits that need improvements. So that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Ashmir. Any other comments? So we had a motion on the four for A and B. All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed. >> Thank you. Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you Debbie. Item 13. I'm I'mma give y to council member uh JD because I know he's going to want to speak to this. Our next our next item is a contract for Norland Road Share Use Path Phase 1, which was deferred at our January 12th business meeting. U is there a motion to approve a contract in the amount 1,250,258.35 to the lowest responsible bidder dot construction which is a SBE for the Norland road share use path phase one component of the central Kilborn and Nola intersection street upgrades project. >> So move >> second >> move properly second. Any comments? Councilman from District 5. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I just really want to thank Debbie and Kathleen. Are you there? Yep. Hey. Um, for really bearing with me and deferring this last meeting and then meeting with me in person with Council Member Owens to talk about this project. Uh, colleagues, this has been a project that's been around for, I think, at least a decade. Um, and so, and I really want to be very clear that this is a it was based on a process that was outdated and didn't work well. We no longer are in that process, which was the comprehensive neighborhood improvement project bond. Yeah, there we go. And um, and now we are more being more proactive in our other uh, approaches to these projects. Um I you know I spoke to the team. There is a lot of improvements that were made from last time such as making sure there are designated bike uh crossing lanes um as well as preserving tree canopies. I I do want to ask staff some questions so it's on the record and you all received this ahead of time before this meeting. Um, I would like to ask how will residents who live along this community, Norland Road, Central Avenue, Kilbornne, be notified and engaged during construction, especially around access and safety given that district 5 has a lot of high injury networks around this corridor. >> So, good evening, Mayor and Council, Mayor Prom, and council. Kathleen Cshek, city engineer, Department of General Services. Um, council member JD. to address your question. We typically send out notice one to two weeks prior to notice to proceed with the contractor. Um that way everyone that would be impacted potentially by the project would have a point of contact on my staff. Um that would assist them throughout the construction duration. Um would also help with any potential impacts during construction as well. >> Thank you so much. Um and colleagues, you know, the original scope of this project was it was a little bit larger in scope. The both sides of that uh street was going to be addressed, but because of rising cost and construction, whatnot is now turned into a 12 foot shared use path lane. Right. Correct. Um so everybody can utilize it. Uh that being said, one of my initial concerns that constituents brought was uh what about the other side? Right. Uh currently our average standardized size for sidewalks are 6 feet. The other side that's being untouched because of the uh uh limited scope um is 4T. So I asked city staff about what is the possibility of modernizing that sidewalk to 6 ft so it can also complement the other side which is the shared use path. So my question now is will council receive an update on whether the 4ft sidewalk would be able to modernize into a 6ft sidewalk based on contingencies uh that you all have and what does that timeline look like? >> So the answer is yes. Um we have a commitment to come back to council by the end of March of next month um to provide an update. Um as you noted there is contingency. This project was a larger project that was unbundled into four different phases. We anticipate those projects being in construction through 2028. Um, so we will be able to come back at the end of next month with an understanding of what that cost would be with three different scenarios that were discussed in the meeting and give further direction and how we would advance those projects in the future. >> Amazing. I cannot thank you and Debbie enough for your partnership, your work and collaboration. Uh, I know I came in hot because it was a 12-year project just si sitting there. So, thank you so much uh for your partnership in this and I know uh constituents are going to be happy to see this moving forward. >> That's it. Mayor, >> thank you. There's a motion on the floor. Are we ready to vote? All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed. Okay, we going to count Dr. Watlington as uh in favor. So, uh, citizens, before we, uh, entertain a motion to adjurnn, I would like to make one comment, and that is today our mayor, police chief Patterson, city manager Jones, and Brent Kagel, Representatives Mayor Well, and Raleigh at the oversight meeting. And so, I think we ought to give our colleagues a hand from I want to thank Council Member Driggs and Council Member Graham for their support. they travel to Raleigh uh to be with them. Without further ado, we have a couple of activities that would take place this week. And so, I'm going to hear the council member uh Mayfield and council member Johnson to talk about community area planning and then I'm going to let our Tar Hill uh residential council have the last say. So, council member Mayfield. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. And colleagues, I definitely want to take a moment to thank Dr. Wington as well as Mayor Pro Tim. Mitchell, I was um happy to host a commun community area plan meeting specifically for the Mountain Allen Lake area this past Saturday. We had about 50 residents that were in attendance. One of our residents was here earlier, but I say that to say that the community really appreciated that oneonone and being able to answer the questions after each presentation. So, we have several more opportunities to provide feedback on our Charlotte Future 20 240 community area plans. Hopefully, when everyone remembers in the community, we have a total of 14 plans. Seven were approved. Council members supported the motion to just pause a little on the additional seven to have more opportunity for community feedback and education. So, coming up on February the 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., staff will be at West Charlotte High School, which of course is located at 2219 Senior Drive. Here's that chance for you to share your input on the community area plans for East Middle and Outer, North inner, North Middle and Outer, Northeast Middle and Outer, West inner, West Middle, and West outer. And for those of you that can capture this, there's also a QR code that you can easily scan or you can just go to www.sharlottnc.gov for government where you can scan and we also have it in Spanish. My colleague has that up as well. We want to hear from you. We want to make sure that we're making plans that represent the community that we currently live in as we build for the community that our neighbors will be joining us in. >> Thank you, Council Mayfield. Council Member Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. There will be an additional presentation um at the University City United Methodist Church on February 19th. So, that's for you District 4 uh residents. Other districts are welcome, but the meeting is in district 4. And I want to thank council and staff. This this delay um from the November vote was important. We've had additional outreach. I I know that I want to thank uh Nan Peterson and Katherine Mahoney for coming out to the Greater Oats HOA meeting, their annual meeting last week. Um there were lots of great questions. Um, and so this is an opportunity to come out and ask these questions and be involved in the changes that are going to affect the city. Um, I wish we did have this on the screen so that individual so residents ca could see it. Um, but I I think that this delay has been great. I know that one of the plans and I don't know which ones um but I I think that city staff has been able to find an additional 18,000 I think acres um that kind of meet the residents needs those residents that have spoken out. I think it's in district 1 or two. So there has been some a lot of progress and we look forward to additional community feedback. So, I hope to see you on the February 19th at 6:00, 6:00 to 7:30 at University City uh United Methodist Church at 38:35 West WT Harris. There's also uh she mentioned the 12th and then there's a virtual option on February 17th at noon. So, check out the website and you'll be able to find uh additional information. and I hope that we post that website on Facebook >> and YouTube so that individuals can find out um more information. Thank you. >> Mayor Proel, may I just quickly add because I forgot to mention this. I need to thank our team. We had the Charlotte Department of Transportation, Meckllinburgg Police Department, we had stormwater services as well as our planning, design, and development as well as Meckllinburgg County Park and wreck because as a partner and I want to say thank you to all of the staff, especially our OCS team for my staff liaison, Antoine, and your staff leaison, Latoya, Miss White, and Mr. Chafield. We had an amazing community meeting 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. People started showing up at 8:30. They were there until 11:15, 11:20. So, they stayed for the full two hours and were fully engaged. But we I could not do it without our team and we have an amazing team. So, thank you all for showing up. >> Yes. And thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Uh, real quick, you also have an opportunity to join Spanish virtual sessions February 17th as uh, Councilwoman Johnson mentioned from 12 to 1 pm. And quick point of privilege, thanks to the advocacy of District 5 constituents, uh particularly Carolyn Milan, um you everybody in district 5 is invited to learn more about the east, middle, and outer community area plan on Thursday, February 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fellowship Hall at Eastern Hill Church. Uh that is 4855 Albamar Road. So, thank you. >> Can we Mayor Pro Tim, can we get the act the website because that was one of the things the the information was kind of disjointed. I know they've added uh additional information on where individuals can learn what plan they're in. So, I'm looking on here to find out where the comprehensive website is to find this information. And I don't see it if you don't have the a QR code. So, can we have staff since we're talking about it the the best website to find this information? >> Yeah, I I see uh deputy city manager uh Craig shaking her head. So, we'll make sure we get that out. >> If they can tell us now while people are listening. >> Charlotte, >> do you have I can give it to you for a council. >> So, the website is CLT for Charlotte CLT Future Fu Tur 2040.com. C L T Future F U T U R E2040.com will take you directly to our city and you will be able to look up 24 comprehensive plan. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Council member Owens, bring us home. >> I will indeed. So, since we already have approved the South Middle uh area plans, I won't discuss those for district 6, but I will say very simply that it was a good weekend to be a Tarheel. Oh, >> I will not belabor that point. >> See you in the tournament because I know that there are some some Duke fans. >> I also though in all seriousness, I guess there was another sporting event this weekend, but I do want to call out District 6. Um Drake May uh played Aly for um for us in the Super Bowl and really did our city proud. I know that the players when they're introduced have an opportunity to call out their alma mater and I don't know if you caught it but Drake called out Myers Park High School. He could have called out the Tar Hills but I guess he thought they had enough flowers the night before but he called out Myers Park High School. That is as you know in district 6. It was a proud proud moment for all of us. I'm sure we'll be seeing this young man some more. So thank you for that indulgence. >> You're welcome. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Move proper second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Have a nice night. Be safe. >> Thank you.