[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey hey hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Come on. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey everybody. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] one. Um, okay. We have we have a wait. I know. We're ready. You ready? Yes. We studio, we're ready. Good luck. All right. Here we are. We are Go ahead. I want to call to order the um consent and action review items for the Charlotte City Council. This is a time that we review things that perhaps we are working on or working towards and sometimes be able to actually get things done faster in this work with this part of it. So we have a um program that we begin with um introductions and so madame clerk would you introduce and we'll go around so that people have time to settle in. Billy Tons, deputy city clerk. Anthony Fox, interim city attorney. Good evening. I'm Renee Johnson and I have the honor of representing district 4. Good evening. Marjorie Molina, district 5. Good evening. Dante Anderson, mayor prom, district 1, by LAS, mayor. Marcus Jones, city manager. Malcolm Graham, District 2. Ed Driggs, District 7. Good evening, Lana Mayel, council member at large. Good evening. I'm Victoria Watlington, and I have the pleasure of serving you at large. Good evening, Dimple at large. Thank you very much. Um, we are going to now look at our consent agenda. Items 17 through 36 may be considered in one motion except those items that are removed by a council member for a separate vote or for comment. So with that, do we have do I have a motion? So moved. We have a motion for the consent agenda. Miss Mayfield. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I would like to pull out 26 34 and 26 26 34 34 We are I'm sorry Miss I feel I should have gotten that because we have speakers that are going to be here on 34. So that would be very helpful. Thank you very much for that. Okay. Excuse me. And 23. So 23 26 and 34 for discussion. 23 26 and then 34. So why don't we go ahead and deal with those that do not have speakers and we start with 23 and 26. Miss M vote for all of the other ones. Oh yeah, we can we can do that at one time. So do you make a motion with the following exceptions? Okay, we have a motion with the exceptions that are noted. Um is there any comment? There second to the motion. Second. We have a second. No second. We have a second to the motion. So now clear about what the exceptions are for the clerk. Are you okay? 23 26 and 34. All right. Yeah. Okay. So with that, all in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Anyone anyone opposed? So I believe everyone that's unanimous for those that are here today. So now let's go to the items that Miss Mayfield has um identified. The first one being 23 nutrient harvesting at Macalpine Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility. Miss Mayfield. Move to approve. Second. Okay, we have a motion to approve and second by and a second by Mr. Driggs. Any comments? Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, I just want one. I appreciate that we have a good number of participation. I just wanted to make sure I had a better understanding when we're looking at a $30 million grant for the design bill of construction and this is a facility in Pineville. understanding the relationship between Charlotte and Pineville and what if any funding is contributed by Pineville on these partnerships and if that's something in the future that can be added because we have a number of partners in the region. I think it will be helpful to have a clear designation so that the taxpayers in Charlotte understand why and that we may be partnering on these projects and not looking for the full amount to be coming from us. Okay, great. Thank you very much for that. Um, so the next one was water treatment plants, forest man and pipeline motion. Oh, we have to make a motion to approve 23. There's a motion made and seconded. We just have to vote. All we have to do is vote. Okay. Thank you all very much. I appreciate it. All right. So, would you like to vote, please? Let's do it. Let's do that. All in favor, please raise your hands. Anyone opposed? All right. That passes as well. So, we have speakers for the arts and culture grant making services. And so, we have 26 as well. Six. Did the water treatment? We have a motion on that. I thought we just did the motion. It's a motion and a second. Second. Okay. Any discussion? Hearing no discuss. Oh, Miss Mayfield. Yes. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I have a challenge as the original contract was 11 million and out of that $11 million contract the participation goals were 2% and 8%. Now that we are moving forward with this this amendment which will make this a more than $15 million contract. 13,375,6102. I have a concern that we're still looking at the exact same overall project goal of only 2% of minority business enterprise and 8%. I will not be supporting this. There was an opportunity for us to identify since this original contract was ident was approved back in 2023. We have had growth in our business contacts over the last year and a half and this was an opportunity to go back to see if there were additional opportunities with this third change even though this third change is the first additional request. Thank you. All right. Is there Miss Watlington? As a followup to that, I would love to hear from staff in regards to this particular one and how we ended up here. Um, Mr. John, I don't know if Steve I know Steve Corker's in the back. I don't know who might be in that position to speak to that, but I would like a little bit of an explanation and and excing up and I'm not um privy to the specifics of this contract, but just for the good of the public. Think of it too where if you go to a restaurant and you have in your mind you give at least 20% tip, you probably still give 20% regardless if you spent $10. Well, I wouldn't say $10. You might hopefully list it up, but like $100 or $150. So for the good of the public that even though the percent stays the same, the dollar amounts going to our um registered vendors does increase proportionately. All right. We have I think the person that runs that division and is responsible for a large part of what we're talking about. So Angela, do you mind um taking us through that discussion that um Miss Watlington had a question as well as Miss Mayfield? Sure. Thank you, uh, Mayor, Council, and Manager Angela Charles, director of Charlotte Water. Uh, Deputy Director Ron Hogrove, um, is going to give you the details um regarding um, the amendment, uh, to this project. I can tell you that at Brookshshire Freeway in four in 85, uh, NC DOT along with our folks found problems, uh, with the raw water line going to the vest plant on Badis Ford Road. So, Ryan, if you can come on. Okay. Sure. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening, uh, mayor and council members. Ron Hardgrove, Charlotte Water. Um, this original contract was to install a pipeline between the vest plant on Batty's Ford and our Franklin plant to convey um, residuals, solids that we take out of the water through the process. Uh when we got to I 85, they actually put a sleeve under 85 to to slide the new line in. And during that time, there was leakage coming out of both ends on either side of I 85. And so after exploratory work, we realized one of our raw water pipelines was leaking. Um and it was leaking under I 85. Um shortly after the new year, it got really cold. We had ice coming up through the pavement under 85. We've done a lot of excatory work and um realized there's a void due to that leakage. One of those pipelines is a 1911 cast iron man that has a leak in it. And so um we were trying to keep this from being an emergency. We had a contractor on site. Um we used the sleeve that they put uh under 85 to slide a new water mane in. Uh and uh that's what this change order is about to actually uh put uh a line in that will convey the the water between the two plants and then to fix I 85. The the pavement out there has has a depression that we are going to need to fix according to DOT. All right, Miss Does that address your question? Miss I think Mayfield May Miss Watlington Miss Mayfield. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you for the explanation as to why we're needed. That didn't address the concern that I have regarding the fact that additional work was needed. And to Miss Harris, I apologize because I did not send this to you earlier when we I had the chance to ask you a couple of questions that were I noticed now there were a couple that I missed. So, you were not ready to necessarily answer this question. The opportunity is what I'm saying is opportunity that potentially was missed and that is because additional work was identified. Then that's additional service. And if we're looking at this isn't a $400,000 or even a $200,000 repair. We're being asked tonight to approve over $4 million. So to say that in that additional $4 million of which is not necessarily the cost of materials that's going to get us at that point, but the need for the workers and for those small businesses that were identified initially. I'm saying there was potentially an opportunity there to go back and see because additional work was needed. What else would we possibly need from our partners and is 2 and 8% still a accurate number? Cuz those numbers were very low on that. I appreciate you sharing why it needed to be done. I just think there was an opportunity to continue working with CBI and seeing if there was additional either for them to the current partners to receive a increase amount or if there was a need for an additional partner for them to come in to make sure that while we have the opportunity we are supporting as many small businesses as we can understood. Thank you. Noted. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you Miss Mayfield. Miss Watlington. Yeah. So I see Steve standing here. So I'd love to hear because my my thought then is unless this is urgent needs to happen right now. I would like to create some time for that investigation to occur. I I'm sorry I could I heard the end but not the beginning. Sure. Sure. So, I'd love to understand whether or not that investigation was conducted before we got here because if if we have not gone back to take a look at who might be um able to participate since the scope was increased, then I'd like us to give some time to do that work. So, I want to understand um what was the has has what council member Mayfield suggested been done? I'm sorry, m um Dr. Watlington, if I may. This was urgent e I don't know if you caught the part where she was talking about it's a urgent emergency repair so there wasn't an opportunity but to your point I think they noted if there is things that are getting added in scope that aren't emergency in nature they'll look at that in the future. Gotcha. Thank you. Thank you. All right. So do we have a motion for approval on the floor? We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor of the item, please raise your hands. All of you opposed. All right. Thank you very much for that. All right. So, our next item on our consent and action review. Do we have anyone else in opposition besides Miss Miss Johnson and Miss Mayfield? I I thought I saw them both, but I'm sorry if I did not. Okay. All right. So, we are now looking at our speakers list for the business meeting on our arts and cultural grant makingaking services. So, I'm going to go in the order of the speakers. Um, this is Scott Peti and if I did not say this correctly, my apologies at the beginning. So, um, would you come to the podium here if you're here? Oh, that's for our business meeting. Sorry. Let's Is that our Is this for our No, it's right. It is the business, the meeting, the arts and culture. All right. Is he here or Miss Petti? Mr. Petti. All right. We'll go to the next speaker. Wendy Hickeyi, please join us at the podium for your remarks. And you have two minutes. I have these notes, too. Okay. Good evening, mayor, council members, and community members. My name is Wendy Hickeyi, and I'm the executive director of the arts nonprofit, Art Pop Street Gallery. Tonight, I want to begin by thanking you. The announcement that a facilitator will be named, and that the grant process of funding will be expedited, is incredibly encouraging. We are grateful this for this progress, and for your recognition that time is of the essence. Right now, Art Pop Street Gallery has five community part community partners shared events on our 2025 calendar that will create sales and commissions for local artists. We have 11 paid project opportunities that are in the making and ArtPop is currently supporting 20 local Charlotte artists through $8.5 million nationwide billboard campaign. We have not given up. Art Pop has been here for 12 years. We've supported over 300 local Charlotte artists and brought art to more than a billion sets of eyes across Charlotte. We have paid directly to local artists over $1 million through sales and commissions. Our artists will tell you how impactful it has been for their small businesses. We host free to attend and open to the community events year round connecting local artists to community and our artists keep 100% of the sales from these events and more. In in our March market alone, our spring art market paid local artists over $11,000. Every month of delay has a cost. For some, and I know for us, it's been eliminating jobs. It's closing programs. And for a few, including ArtPop, we are at risk of closing the mission entirely. Running our four division half a mile half a million annual budget with myself and only one other full-time staff member is a real challenge. No organization should be under t under this type of pressure and lack of financial support to do good for arts and community. I also want to make mention quickly of theater gap initiative and Charlotte Street Art Collaborative who are unable to make the meeting tonight. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. If you want to send leave your remarks with the clerk and we can include those that were written. Thank you. All right. Um so Robin Stockton Your honor, thanks for joining us. Discomfort and embarrassment are an individual's most powerful barriers to community involvement. This is especially true for the disabled community. But needs and disabilities, seen and unseen, are still a part of all of our lives. Where are the bathrooms? Will I fit in a chair? Will my wheelchair be in the way? How is the parking? Will everyone be watching me? Or what if I have an episode? Is there a safe space for me? All of these questions are important when someone considers leaving the safe comfort of their home to enjoy a show, attend an art class, or share their own artistic gifts. My name is Robin Stockton, founder and executive director of RA Arts for All, which serves the greater Charlotte area with free art classes for senior adults and adults with disabilities, free community theater productions such as theater on the beach, our annual teacher pen play festival. We also advocate for arts access through our welcome here initiative. We survey local arts venues and ask the questions that make arts engagements accessible to patrons and artists who have been held back by their disabilities and barriers such as embarrassment and discomfort or I could call that dignity. At Arts for All, we are very passionate about creating pathways for all people to engage in arts experiences. To see live theater at the booth, to share in stories of local musicians, to swim in the visual buffet of galleries and museums. We were made to convene and share in artistic creation and enjoyment. People need people. People need love and art is how we share our love. Creative engagements are the frontline warriors against depression addiction loneliness complacency, lack of empathy, and loss of community. Our need for community connectedness and inclusion is clear and Charlotte stands to be on the front runner of arts access. Um the goal of arts for all is welcome here initiative. It is a comprehensive arts and culture guide personally vetted by trained staff and evaluated by end users. Thank you very much. Thank you again those as well. All right. Thank you. Our next speaker is Melody Cassen. Mayor and Council, thank you for hearing me today. My name is Melody Kassen and I'm a local Charlotte artist. In 2014, I was part of the inaugural group of Charlotte of Art Pop Street Gallery artist. Back then, ArtPop was simply 20 artists with TW on 20 billboards in the Charlotte area. Since then, ArtPop has grown to support local artists in an important variety of ways. Among them is artist management, of which I have personally benefited. ArtPop connects local artists with Charlotte businesses for artistic opportunities at fair market wages. A future aim of ArtPop is providing opportunities for artists to learn business skills and professional practices, things like contract negotiation, understanding copyright law. Speaking as an artist myself, these skills are crucial towards the sustainable creative practice. We know that you and the city council support the arts in Charlotte. Your funding is vital to the arts in our city. So much so that without the support, some of our key nonprofit organizations supporting Charlotte Arts, such as Art Pop, could not exist. Art Pop and other key backbone organizations are in danger of shuttering in the very near future. So here today, we are asking for your help and assistance in the expediting of existing funding for distribution to help keep Art Pop and Charlotte's local grassroots arts groups from closing down. Keeping Charlotte's own art active and engaged for the benefit of all charlatans is everyone's goal, I believe. Thank you for your help and thank you for your time today. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Our last speaker or final speaker is Jonathan Diaz. Good evening, Madame Mayor, everyone here. Uh I am simply an art lover. That's why I'm here. But I'm not here for myself. I am here for my grandmother, my abuela. Uh Lydia, or you can call her Lydia. Uh she's a very sweet great grandmother and grandmother in her 80s. She moved from Cuba to Charlotte as a political refugee about 13 years ago. And she had a fall unfortunately about a year and a half ago and it really set her back. Had some knee issues, but we had to get a caretaker for her. Luckily, a caretaker or the caretaker was an artist who showed her how to draw, showed her how to sketch, and over the last 6 months, it's completely changed her life. She is a completely brand new person. I have bonded with her in a way I can't describe. And I have seen what art can do uh to someone. Art has the power to change anyone's life at any age. She started destroying simple things such as vases and flowers. She moved on to bigger projects of color. And she's even at the point where she's using dried flowers in her paintings. And at the end of the day, I just want her to be able to enjoy these art shows that Art Pop takes a part of. Maybe set her up with her her own booth one day. And who knows, maybe a billboard at the end of the day. That would be a goal of mine for her. She has no idea I'm here and she might not get that opportunity if there's no art pop. So before I can share some of this art with you guys, she has so much of it. She literally has to just give it out to people cuz she has so many stacks of it. Just remember art has the power to change lives. It doesn't matter the age. That is why we need this funding for all of the leadas for all of the abuelas out there. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Applause] That's that you are our last speaker and you did pretty well on making that really resonate with us. So, thank you very much for that. So, that is the um beginning or the end of our speakers that are here tonight. Um, thank you guys for um, knowing that art makes a difference and I hope that someday we'll all have the opportunity to be a participant in some kind of way that makes the city even better because of its art and what we do with it. So, thank you very much for that. So, the next item is item 34. I'm sorry. We need a motion. Someone second. You know, I think I must have read the wrong a book today, you know, really. Okay, so we have a motion for 34 item 34, which is to approve a contract for $2 million with Charlotte is creative for arts and culture and grantmaking service authorizing the manager to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved. Are there any comments on the motion? All right, we'll start with Miss Johnson and then followed by Miss De Miss Ameira. Thank you. Um, I have a couple questions. What does it mean to authorize the city manager to amend the contract consistent with purpose for which the contract was approved? What type of amendments are we talking about? Okay. Um, thank Yes, Mr. So, uh, thank you, Council Member Johnson. I apologize. We got to go really far back. Um, as you will recall, the city council approved $11 million to go into the, uh, arts and culture ecosystem. The county approved another 10 million, so $21 million of um, ARSI, the 11 million going into the 21 million. nine was hardwired, went over to the Foundation for the Carolinas, um, and it went to the 30 or so plus organizations that traditionally had been uh, funded. Um, I'll save the county piece a little bit and then I'll get back to us. The county in their mix, a lot of their money was for these individual artists and some of the smaller organizations. So, let's flip back to the 11 million. When the uh council decided to let the remaining $2 million that would go to, let's say, the individual artists and other organizations to go through RFP process, we had to amend the contract we had with the Foundation for the Carolinas, get our $2 million back. Now, we've gone through the RFP process and Charlotte is Creative has been selected and so now there's the opportunity to work through Charlotte is Creative to get the $2 million back into the ecosystem. So, that's the amendment of the contract. Okay. Um, I also should thank the artists for speaking up today. Thank you for coming and thank you for the um the beautiful art from your grandmother to the young man. Thank you. Um, Charlotte is Creative has been selected. If if I recall correctly, Charlotte is Creative was identified as the provider and then council requested that an RFP be issued, right? So, so, so the RFP was issued and then Charlotte is creative won the RFP, correct? Okay. Um, so I haven't seen any rubrics or anything like that and and I'm sure that Charlotte is Creative does a a great great job. This is the multi-year. This is we've funded them before, right? Uh, well, they've been a part of what was the infusion fund, but this would be the first time that we have a contract directly with Charlotte Creative as opposed to coming through the infusion fund. Okay. And then I brought up So art is very important. I don't know if you all know, I sent you a text that Charlotte Boom was in District 4 this past weekend. It was wonderful. It was exciting. So art is is wonderful. We the Charlotte shout and we just do a phenomenal job of supporting art in our city. But we could also argue that art art is also a tourist attraction in our city. And so I've asked the question about money from the tourism fund to support the arts. I think there was going to be some research on that. Did I I know I brought that up a while ago. Can you give me an update on that? Yeah. So we um Council Member Johnson, we did uh research. It was sent to the economic jobs and economic development committee and I think it was unanimous that the funds not come from the tourism pot. from the committee from the committee but not the council. I'm not sure if there I think there was actually a vote as we move forward this year. Okay. Yes. It was tucked inside as a note of another vote on whether or not the money would come out of there. It was slipped in as a as a note for as part of background information on the vote for the structure came before the council. It left the committee with a 50 vote not to do that and I'm not sure it was an agenda item specifically. Uh but the council did have a discussion around the dies in reference to it. Uh and it may have been a part of another uh line item on the on the agenda, but it was the question was asks and answered. Okay. All right. Well, and there might be five or or more individuals who feel that way, but I I don't you all I've been public about saying that. Um, part of our arts plan was to, and I don't have the verbiage in front of me, but was to to make art part of the tourism of the city. Um, and I just think that it's important that uh we all contribute all of the establishment and all of the powers that be establish um contribute for things in our city and that the taxpayer dollars should be the last resort and not the first. So, I don't know that I will be supporting this um this grant at this time. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Jensen. Miss Esmeira. Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, Council Member Johnson, I was at in your district over the weekend to celebrate the Boom Festival. Uh, great job with bringing so many festivals to the boardwalk that didn't happen before. I'm very excited about the kids festival that's coming. Um, so I think this is really the question about the $2 million that was already allocated in the budget. This is not so much about the funding source. I understand your concern though. Uh in last year's budget, we approved uh $2 million to go out to individual artists and smaller organizations that depend on this funding. Um I I I'm worried about if we are going to delay this further, it impacts the very organizations that we heard from over past several months. We have heard from various organizations who have relied on this funding in the past uh that are on the verge of shutting down if this funding doesn't get out. So I think there is a sense of urgency uh with this funding to uh to get distributed so that artists and smaller organizations can benefit from it. Um, I know that we went through the RFP process and that's why it delayed this, but I hope that this is a lesson learned for us moving forward that we just go ahead and do the RFP uh once the budget is approved so we don't end up uh in the delay that we experience this time uh which really uh put lot of organizations and individual artists in a very difficult situation and we heard from various members where arts has a way to transform lives, you know, it's a way to bond um through it's a it's a way where you can bond with your grandmother or great-g grandandmother. Um so, you know, I I understand there is a debate about the source uh but I don't want us to delay this further since the funding was already allocated and approved in the last year's budget. Uh so this furthers our commitment to our arts and cultural organizations especially individual artists. So I will be supporting this and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you Miss Mayfield. Thank you madame mayor. what we initially to my understanding was identified that 2 million were going to be allocated. Although I appreciate the work of Charlotte as creator, I agree with my colleague that we council should have at least had the bid tabulation to know if any other organizations did apply since we did create a RFP. I also appreciate all the arts that we have in our city. I think I attended several events including bikers and black, the untold story of bikers behind bars, the untold story of black bikers and the Harley-Davidson exhibit at the Harvey Gant Center and definitely appreciated seeing co-founder Tim Miner there at that event. The challenge I have is the fact that we've allocated 14.25% of that 2 million which reduces that 2 million by $285,000. So leaving a,715 to actually be allocated out. And as was mentioned, we have a number of organizations that had verbal commitments regarding funding and are very close to being in a challenging position. If we do not move forward, I do not like the fact that out of the 2 million that we approved for arts, that 14.25% 25% of that is going for overhead for a organization to administer. And if there is a new application process that people are going to have to go through versus here are the organizations that have been identified, let's get them the funding as soon as possible. We also don't know the total request. So out of that 2 million, what what do we have out there that was verbally communicated as far as financial commitments? How much of this 1.7 million that's left by allocation is and the timeline in which is going to be distributed so that we ensure that we continue to support the arts. Yes, we did have the conversation regarding arts is the economic driver. We know that people come into our city for Blumenthal, for Charlotte Shout, for Charlotte Boom, for other things. Committee made a decision. I agree that that was a decision, a discussion that could have come to full counsel, not just out of committee because for our committees, we make a proposal and a recommendation to full counsel for full counsel to then vote on. yet we move that is done. My challenge right now is the funding the fee that is being paid. So I think it will be helpful as a followup for us to as sooner rather than later. It will be helpful if council is updated on these allocations so that we can ensure that these funds are getting out as soon as possible and that we don't set ourselves up in a position where okay we've created this budget line item. This is a one time for this 2 million, but we want to make sure that we have not just created another financial partner to oversee the allocations when we already have one partner that's doing that and that's Foundation for the Carolinas. Thank you, Mr. So, thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Uh, let me see if I can unpack it. Um, so there were a number of uh entities that responded to the RP. everybody had an admin fee. It ranged from 13% to maybe 16. Um so I think that's important. Um the second thing and maybe I should have started with this. This is new to us because for decades the city would just have a um campaign much like the private sector where dollars would be collected and sent over to the arts and science council to be distributed. And for the most part, there was no council vote on who got what. Uh the last three years, fiscal year 22, 23, and 24, we had the infusion fund where the only difference was um 6 million from the private sector, 6 million from the city. um goes over to the foundation for the Carolinas and there's a bunch of things in terms of um having money distributed not only to those 30ome organization that we typically do but there were some great innovative things uh in terms of uh and Julia's in the corner I think I get this right on call or open calls and ways to get more money into the community. Uh so if you were to approve this tonight, we are still weeks away from funds getting to the individual artists and the organizations because first we have to finish the contract. Let's say if we rocket docketed that and had it done in a couple of weeks, but then there's a process that Charlotte is creative is going to conduct that people are going to apply for funds based on uh certain criteria and that will be later in the summer. So again, virtually everybody had an admin fee and then there's a process that would be open to everybody to have a part of the the $2 million. Did I get that right, Julia? Okay. All right. Um, Miss Mayfield, anything else? Okay, Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you. Uh, thank you, Madame Mayor, and thank you for the update on the results of the RFP. I think when we initially spoke to going down a process of an RFP process, I agreed to with that. Um, but it's been quite some time since we initially made that vote. And that's just more time that these local artists have been without funding and support. And I I fully I'm going to respect the RFP process. I'm glad that we had multiple uh entries in it and it just wasn't one or two. And so we have a an outcome there and we need to proceed. But I just want to say I I believe that these artists, of course, they're economic drivers, as some of my colleagues have said. Of course, they drive tourism. Um, but they're also small businesses. You can view these artists as small businesses. They create art and they either they either sell it or they perform it for a fee or or display it for a fee. So this is a a small business opportunity for us that's multi-pronged in terms of the impact to the community enrichment the economy um and driving tourism but ultimately I think we we have to ensure that we are helping these small business owners in our community continue to thrive and add to the beautiful mosaic that is uh the Queen So, we're in a place now where we're about to vote in a few weeks to finalize the budget for this year and we're still waiting to distribute these funds um from last year largely through a bureaucratic measure and that and that's okay because I I agreed with with going forward with an RFP. But I will say I I encourage us to vote to move forward with this process tonight because it's still a long runway before the funds are actually in the hands of the local small business owners who happen to be artists who really need them. Thank you, Madam Mayor. All right, Mr. Driggs. Thank you, Mayor. Um, for one, we had a long conversation about where the funds came from. I think Miss Watlington had proposed it. We gave it due consideration. We had input from various sources. We had an analysis provided to us. Again, five members, only one less than it would take for a council vote. All agreed. And and I just hope we're not going to have to do all of that again is all I can say. I think we're done. Um uh I agree with Miss Mayfield. 14% sounds high to me. But, uh at the same time, I've had a number of contacts from creative saying, "What are you guys doing?" Right? and and a county commissioner. The money has been available since July 1st of last year. Uh so uh I I I can't imagine us doing anything that delays this any further. Uh I'm certainly going to vote for it. The question, Mr. Manager, for you is, wasn't it the intent that there would be a board established for the new ASC within the foundation? They would create a grant-making body and that that's how it would work. Do we expect that that will happen in the coming year? Yes. And the I guess at a previous council meeting u you've made appointments to that board. This county has some, the city has some. So that allows moving forward for the funds to go over to um the um that board to be distributed the same way as you decided for this year which is 9 million hardwired and 2 million to be dispersed to through a grant making process and that would then be within the ASC. Absolutely. Yes. Okay. Uh so uh I think it's right that we look at this critically but at the same time I hope we all remember $21 million for the arts for years there was a small amount from this the county and we were putting in 3.4 million or whatever uh the arts community has come a long way since then and I think we've addressed a lot of the concerns that were identified in our arts and culture plan. I think we're acting in accordance with that. We've created security, financial security for the legacy venues and we have capacity to fund grassroots. Uh there's an equity component to our policy. So I'm happy about this. I hope we all are and I would love to see us move ahead with the 2 million tonight. All right. Are there any other comments or questions, Mr. Graham? Thank you, Madam Mayor. U I I too want to support moving forward tonight. Uh I was one of those council members that voted against uh the RFP proposal because I knew we'll be back to where we are tonight, right? And not to diminish $2 million, but certainly Council Member Dre's articulated as well as the manager what we did with the $21 million and how that was allocated and and the process that led to it going out. And so, uh I I feel the frustration to many of the audience in the room. um the money should have been on the street months ago because I felt then as I do now that the RFP was unnecessary. Um secondly, and off subject, I think council member Dre's um summed it up correctly. We had a robust conversation with staff presentation at our committee meeting about this odds thing. It came to the council. It wasn't tucked anywhere. was a part of an agenda item and any council member had the opportunity to vote vote it out, vote it down, make a substitute motion to wherever they wanted to do at the time. And so I just don't like the terminology that somehow folks were sneaking or tapping something away away from the council and all the public. That's just not um that's not the reality that I understood that happened. Thank you. All right, Miss Watlington. Thank you, Madam Mayor. With all due respect, Council Member Graham, it was absolutely tough. Um, I asked specifically about it at the meeting. Um, and wanted to know whether or not that was going to be a separate discussion and what was said during that meeting was, oh, well, it was a part of the overall discussion. So, we never got an opportunity to vote on that specifically and I do believe that it was intentionally tucked. So, I appreciate that we disagree on that, but absolutely I I asked very specifically during that time about that. Um, and it was it was not a agenda item in and of itself, nor was it a key component of the agenda item that was presented. It was literally a footnote in the bottom of the background information. Um, which I I believe was by design. Um, I do want to speak to the broader conversation around this arts piece because we're talking today about um, $2 million and we're talking about whether it came or what what fund it should have come from or what not. That discussion has been had for this time. That said, we know that as we look forward to next year, we're going to be having some real conversations about what we need to do in our budget. And I think this conversation is going to come back. Um, I know there was some discussion around NASCAR funds and those particular things. Um, my key takeaway from that was that we really have not solved this problem. And what we see in future years is that we're going to continue to need to address the growing need. And so that's the piece that gives me pause around the broader conversation is that though we had a discussion and for the time that we really haven't figured out a sustainable way to continue to serve the arts and also the fundamental services that are going to need to be paid for out of property tax. So I expect that we're going to have some version of this conversation again especially as we think about raising taxes for next year which all indications seem to be going in that direction. Um that said, uh as it relates to this particular conversation, uh these funds are already within the budget, but I absolutely agree with Council Member Johnson as it relates to uh the future of arts and where it needs to be funded. And again, I we agree that we disagree. I think our budget is what 4.2 billion and we're talking about $1 million or $4.2 billion budget. I think the math makes sense in terms of us and our commitment to funding the odds appropriately. I think it's and and and not use our and we I think the questions already been asked and answered over and over again. Many council members don't like the answer, but it's been asked and answered. Uh, and so I just hope that we won't have a a broader conversation about a question that's been asked and answered several times and uh, folks just aren't happy with the with the response. Um, but I'm willing to have a conversation about anything, but you know, we're we're kind of retracing our steps over and over and over again on a wide variety of topics. Miss Johnson, thank you. Yeah, I'm not happy with the response, but I could move on. That's not the issue. Um, I don't think any funding should be exclus exclusive or excluded when we need the money. When you talk about $11 million or $2 million, there's 35 home families that are being displaced right now. That $2 million would be wonderful for them. There's a a trailer park in your district, Mr. Graham, where people are being displaced. So there is there are needs and if we if there's this fund that we say is uh that that we won't even talk about or is not accessible for the fundamental needs of the city when this strictly or or definitely fits within the the tourism and hospitality bucket I I think that we're doing a disservice to our residents. Thank you. Again, I don't want to be argumentative, but you know, the I think the city is fundamentally meeting the needs of our citizens on a wide variety of topics, whether it's housing, mobility, uh, uh, economic development activities, supporting small businesses. Can we do better? Yes. But we have a $4.2 billion budget that we have exercised and demonstrated a wide variety of capacity to solve community problems. And can we solve every problem every day, all day? probably not, but we're certainly doing a a very very good job of allocating resources appropriately and making sure every every citizen is taken care of as as much as we can and certainly those who live in district two. Um, since you called district two out, we're doing a really good job over there, right? But let's keep things in perspective. $4.2 billion versus two R1. I I think we ought to keep things in perspective in terms of how we allocate dollars and certainly $2 million is a lot of money. Um, but we have a 24.2 billion budget and we're meeting the needs of our citizens in a wide variety of of areas and I'm looking forward to our budget meeting. Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I I think the whole conversation around uh source of funding on a go forward basis, we should absolutely have that conversation, right? And we can have that conversation um you know as we are um addressing this current budget that we're working on now. But I want to make sure that that we aren't um that we aren't handcuffing the funds that have already been allocated in last year's budget. So, I think there's a space and a place to have this conversation and rightfully so about sources of funding. However, we've these $2 million have been allocated in the budget. they've they've been sitting there on the shelf waiting for distribution while we have small businesses in our community that need those funds. So, I think we need to not handcuff these funds in order to make space to have to to have a conversation about future source funding. So, I I hope that we can move forward with voting for the process to distribute these funds that are already been allocated, but then also agree that as we talk about this year's budget and the season that we're in, you know, we can revisit these conversations. But the small businesses need the money. They need the help now. They've been waiting. Um it's been available for months. These monies have been available for months upon months upon months. Um, we we're about to be in May. I think the time is right to move forward with the distribution of the funds. Thank you, Madame Mayor. All right. So, we have had speakers and I believe that it's time for us to have a vote on this item and I would like to see all in favor please raise your hand. One, two, three, four, five. Is that enough? One, two, three, four, five, six. Miss Watlington, is your hand up for approval? So that motion passes. Um six opposed. And now I'm coming to that. Now we need to do the oppos. All of those opposing, please raise your hand. So Miss Johnson, do I see another hand? Okay, got it. Okay, I believe that that is ending our consent agenda items that we would have. Um, and we're going to our action review portion of this. So, are you going to do that? Please. Please. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. You're welcome. Um, so, uh, mayor, members of council, uh, it's one of those Mondays where we have the public forum and people will be starting to get into the chamber at 6. So, we have three items tonight on the agenda review, and I want to just offer up some of my time for the manager's report for any of the items that don't relate to the city attorney. So, what what So, I'm just saying we know we can't do this in 30 minutes. So, I just wanted to to frame that. So, uh we have three items on agenda review. Uh one is the the determination of process for filling the vacant council district seat six. And um we will have the city attorney and his team uh provide information there. Then we have community area planning which uh Monica Holmes and her team will provide an update there. And then the minimum housing code with Rebecca Heapner and her team. So mayor just trying to set expectations. All right everybody understand we are going to do a speed round. Um and if we have to come back and do it again we might have to try that. But the first item is for the city attorney, the determination of the process for filling the vacant council district 6 seat. Mr. Fox, thank you, mayor, members of council. Lena James, uh your deputy uh city attorney will uh there she is will uh walk I'm sorry, Lena, I had your name written up here, but I was just looking through the materials. We'll walk you through a PowerPoint just quickly. The PowerPoint will out outline the the criteria required for a council member to be seated. It will then talk about a process. Uh it will include uh a proposed uh a couple of proposed uh deadlines uh or timets for you. Uh all of all are within uh your uh Bailey Wick in your discretion. Lena, I'll turn it over to you. Thank you. Good evening, mayor, uh members of council, members of the public. It's a pleasure to be here. Um I know you have lots of robust conversation ahead of you and a long night, so I'll be quick. We have about five slides and so I'll go through them quickly with you. Um as you all know, let me click through these slides. I believe um Mr. Fox sent you a memo and some information about what we had done with the similar process in 2021. This was the same process that we also followed in 2017 when we had a vacancy. Um so the law the statute governs and tells you what the what you have to do as a council member to fill a vacancy. But in terms of how you do that is a process that's up to council. So, what I was going to do is just quickly outline the law and then give you some options on the process and and you can decide where to go from there. So, uh we received a uh the notice of the of of Mr. uh Council Member Bari stepping down on um well, effective April 20th for district 6 which created that vacancy. The law says specifically that council shall be that the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of council. And in cities like ours where elections are partisan, the person who fills that unexpired or the duration of that term has to be a member of the same political party as um as the person who stepped down. the um the the qualifications and the requirements for who gets to fill it are also dictated by state law. So the requirement again is that the person applicants who apply and ultimately who become uh qualified and eligible to be appointed would have to be a registered Republican obviously a registered voter 21 years of age or older and be a resident of the district and qualified to vote in city council elections. So would have to be a resident of district 6. So again that's the those two slides are the law very high level and then I'll I'll get to the process. So, one of the things that council chose to do that you all did in 2021 and I believe in 2017 also uh when we had a vacancy was to post and require uh interested candidates to submit applications. The uh information that was included in the applications in the past was the information that's listed here in front of you. I won't go through all of it. There were about eight areas in which you ask for information which comport with what the law requires. And the last item, I'll just draw your attention to the last bullet which is an optional item. So that's again up to council to decide whether you want to seek something like that or not. My recollection from 2021 in 2017 was that that was not required and was not included in the application. So again, that's a council. the other pieces of the application. Uh for those of you who were here in 2021, you may remember in 2017 there were three questions on the application form as well in addition to these eight items. One of the questions was asking the interested candidates why they're interested or the applicants why they're interested. Uh the other there were the second question was identifying council's key focus areas and asking the applicants why they're interested and what um you know what they would do what their principles are what they would do in shaping the policy as it relates to those five focus areas that you have. And the last question was asking what their experience was that has prepared them for this position. And that experience could be volunteer experience, professional experience, or advocacy experience. So those were the questions that you had. There was an area for the applicants to fill that out. I'm going to move on to two options that we are simply suggesting as as options for your consideration. The first is what we're calling an action A, an expedited timeline. The second, I'll call it action B, and a regular schedule. So the expedited um action would require you taking some action today. The regular schedule would be you taking some action uh at a future date. And so on this particular one on the first item I'll say if council were to take a decision adopt vote to approve a process today then I believe as quickly as the end of business tomorrow. applications could be posted on the city's website. The city would work with uh the our communications and marketing office as well as the city clerk's office to post and solicit applications for that. Um I believe the clerk's office probably by the end of the day tomorrow could have it ready. Maybe not by tomorrow morning. Um what we have done in the past was had that application out there for about a week. So, if you if we project out starting from today, applications would close on Tuesday, May the 6th, and um the following day, the clerk, I believe by Wednesday the 7th. So, by next Wednesday, the clerk should be in a position to pass on applications to council, having determined who's eligible. And what the clerk's office typically does is check the uh Mechamer County Board of Elections to make sure that the applicants who've applied meet those criteria, the the qualifications that we discussed earlier. So they can do that verification, pass the applications on to you. Um and then I will say what I've proposed here for Friday is simply because the last time you did it, it happened to be on a Friday. And again, the process of having a public forum for qualified candidates is completely out up to council. Again, no statutory requirement for that to happen. It would be a council decision. It can happen on a Monday, a regularly scheduled me meeting date, but if it's happening on any other day, then we'd have to publish a special meeting notice for applicants to come in and speak to council. So, if we projected doing that, let's say next Friday, not of this week, but of next week, that's the timeline we're working off, and that's why it's there. But again, it doesn't have to be a Friday. Uh, it could be at any time other if it's on a Monday, of course, it would already be a date you're scheduled, and we don't need to call a special meeting. Um, so you could vote on or I'm sorry, you could you could make a decision having reviewed the application and heard from the candidates as early as Monday, May the 12th. And then shortly after that, the candidate would be the next day. This is again what we've done in the past. Uh the uh candidate who receives the votes from council could be informally sworn in. That means the mayor and the city clerk are present to swear in the uh appointed candidate and then the following Monday at council's next regularly scheduled meeting the uh candidate could be there for the next meeting. So in this case again I will say draw your attention to the last column there two different dates that would be the first meeting where they have a formal swearing in and the member joins you at the dis to participate in your meeting as a member that meeting on this expedited schedule on May 19th is a zoning meeting. It's also the budget adjustments meeting and the alternative if you wanted to adopt a process where the person does it at the next regular business meeting that would be May the 27th. So again, just that schedule and I have hard copies of this that I'll pass out in just just a moment. I wanted to go through that. And this action B again alternate option for you is what we call a regular schedule that would require not require but that that calls for you considering it today actually making uh taking the vote to adopt a process on May the 12th. And in part, it's May the 12th because your meeting next um Monday on the 5th is a budget workshop and probably not the ideal time to do this. So we propose May the 12th as as the time to do that. Um and then the timeline follows from there. The process would be the same posting of the application solicitations verifying with the board of elections, etc. Um, and then again, the the public forum piece of it remains an option, something that council does or doesn't necessarily need to do. And just simply draw your attention to the uh appointment happening on a Tuesday. So that's that Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend, which would be when your meeting was the following Wednesday. the appointed candidate could be informally sworn in and again join you either on June the 2nd which is a committee discussions date and and the meeting is in here. Uh so in our experience usually appointed candidates want to do the swearing in in chambers at the dis and if you did that then the alternate date would be June the 9th and so that's what we're looking at. Um, I have hard copies of both schedules for you that I'm happy to to pass out and happy to take any questions as is Mr. Fox. I wanted to ask the city attorney I had a conversation about when the council um takes its m summer break. And Anthony, do you recall what that timeline was? Because I think it might be something. We I had a um conversation with someone that was interested and it was interesting because they said, "Well, we're going to be on vacation this month or we're going to do this." And so I was a little bit concerned that we'd be able to tell people when we will have meetings if you're interested in um participating in the process. So I don't July July through July. I know, but people don't know that. So, I was hoping that we would be able to put that in some place along the the dis the the um application. May your last meeting um is June 23rd and then you would break until August 4th. So, no meetings between June 23rd and August 4th. Okay. So, with that, Miss Watlington. Oh. um you answered my questions in terms of how the um criteria will be verified with the board of elections. So, thank you for that. Um I think that's it. Thank you. All right, Mr. Mayfield. Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, I'm not sure why we have an expedited schedule. We need to stick to our regular schedule or how we have done this. This is not the first time we've had to appoint. We've appointed from mayor to district representatives. That's not new. I would support the idea of us moving forward tonight to adopt the process, but I pref personally prefer the actual regular schedule as far as April 28th and then having this time for open up the application process, but us going to June 2nd or 9th, I do not see a need for us to try to expedite this. That's just putting more on to council members to read through any applications that may be coming through. I do support the idea of us opening up making if we are in agreement adopting the process this evening having the process open but looking at the regular schedule. You didn't want that timeline as far as giving enough time for community to complete their applications public form. the swearing in being somewhere between end of May, beginning of June versus mid May, end of May. Okay. So, you've heard from Miss Mayfield. Um, Mayor Proim. Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, um, I just want to ask about I'm looking at the expedited schedule and the regular schedule there. There's really where's the issue of um time compression here because the application process is still open for seven days in each one of them. Right. It is. It's simply a question of whether it begins tomorrow or whenever you adopt the process. If you adopted it today, we could begin it as early as tomorrow. Certainly, it could be delayed. Alternatively, if you went with the regular schedule and voted on adopting a process on the 12th, uh then the application would open up could be as early as the following day. So given that that is really the only issue as to whether we take an action to vote tonight so that it can be the process can be opened as soon as possible, um I I say we we move forward with that process. Um because effectively you we have a district that does not have a district rep around around the the table here and um there's really no time compression in terms of how long the the application will be open, how long we'll have to um you know have to review the applicants and uh have any conversations that we need to have. So, I I hope that we would support moving forward with adopting a process um as quickly as we possibly can, but of course, to Miss Mayfield's point, ensuring that the application is open for, you know, a a reasonable amount of time, those seven days, and that we have the time to uh review. So, I' I'd vote for the I'd be an advocate for uh the expedited schedule for action A. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Mayor. All right. I have Mr. Driggs and then Mrs. Ashmeir. Mr. Thank you, Mayor. So, I don't know if anybody else got a text from Mr. Bari, but his ghost is still in the room. Okay. Uh I will read to you. All I'd ask is that you try to push them us to do this as quickly as possible. May 6 is not just capital budget workshop but also South Park Symphony Park vote. So having a D6 rep at the table is critical. So that's uh his input. Uh personally I'm in favor of the expedited schedule. I believe the D6 representation is important and the sooner we get a D6 rep on board to participate in the remainder of the budget process uh the better that would be for the people of that district. Yeah. All right. Thank you, Mr. Driggs. Miss Ashira, thank you. Nice glasses, Mr. Drakes. Very nice. I can't I had cataract surgery, so now I can't read without glasses. You look good. All right. Thank you. So I I agree with co comments made by Mr. Driggs and uh Miss Anderson. I think it's important to have district 6 representation in addition to at large especially as we are looking at the budget. I would be I'm leaning towards expedited schedules so we can have someone in as soon as possible. Um but I also want to comment on personal information. If you go back to slide number four so where you have the last bullet point uh I know that is something new we did not have that before uh when we had filled vacancy it was because of you for I'm sorry for council member Mitchell. So, excuse me. I said the reason we're looking at putting in writing is because of the conversation when we appointed you years ago because when we've had verbal conversations, we were looking at it being optional of whether or not to support it actually being in writing. So let me yeah I think that's the reason I I want to bring this up because when we ask a candidate whether someone is running or not it is not sternly something we can state whether it be at large or something else. Um because in this case there is not really an enforcement. I personally think regardless of whether we put this or not it would be an optional for candidate to complete that question. Um I I just don't think it's necessary but again it's optional for candidate. Uh so all those candidates that are listening um that is not certainly a factor in my decision making uh because ultimately district 6 residents will get get to choose who should serve them and not uh not the council members. So I want to make that very clear as candidates are looking to apply. Uh that will not be a factor in my decision. Um but in terms of the timeline, I agree with some of my colleagues. Expedited schedule is the way to go. That's all I have. Thank you. All right, Miss Johnson. I'm open either way. I just want to ask if the public forum if it will be virtual because I know when um council member Mitchell when we when we interviewed those applicants it was over a hundred yes applicants. So I would just request that it be virtual. I think we can probably do that. I think that I would if I were a candidate and is it virtual for the council or will would it be okay for the candidate to come in and say I'd like to speak to you personally. How do we how do we deal with that? Tell me what you think. Well, I guess I mean I guess it's up for discussion. Um mayor pro say the council meeting probably should be I'm sorry. I was just going to say the council meeting probably has to be in person. Yes, it's in person, right? Okay. Okay. the well the public the the vote needs to be in person but the meeting doesn't have to be in person I think it it would be a regular meeting it's a call meeting it would be a meeting that's just added to the schedule so it would be a meeting all right Miss Johnson you were ahead reference yeah I was just going to say you you were a candidate before I was I was so yes I submitted an application for uh Mr. Mitchell's vacated seat and um I did present to the council when I was remote. Um however, I I I believe that the council was remote, but I'm I'm not I I can't remember that definitively, but I remember seeing Mr. Braxton Winston's face up on the on the WebEx screen. So, that's why I thought that the council members were remote. We were, but that was my experience. It was also during the pandemic. So that was clear. But I was just That's probably Yeah, I was if it Do you think it matters? I mean, I'm I'm open either way. I just would I was asking if it could be virtual. All right. Thank you, Miss Nolina. Thank you so much, uh, Madame Mayor. And I I want to um I've actually also gone through that process. I was one of the candidates for consideration in 2017 and I remember um I was kind of a late entry because I was doing the work of the 2016 presidential campaign. I had an office. I worked for the North Carolina Democratic Party. Um and when I came into because I what I find with this process is in some cases it's people that the council has never worked with. So the people who are interested in those positions, they they meet the existing council members. I remember I I went way across town to a CPCC an event with Miss Mayfield. Um I spent three hours with Ed Driggs. Um it's one of the reasons why we have the relationship we have now. And that was many many years ago. Um and so those people who are interested because there this isn't the appointment in my mind is not the vote of the people. It is the will of the council. It's about a person who can come into our vacancy until the void is filled and then we allow the people to decide through a democratic process who they would like to have represent them. Um, and so we have to be careful because I was fully on board with not doing this gig again, right? It was I was asked by the sitting representative to consider it is the only reason why I did it at that time. Um, but I I definitely um, you know, it it's just I I that question right there is important and we can't hold anybody to it because it's not legal either, right? So even if someone checked that box and say, you know, we all know that if they say they're not going to do it, they still can. If they say they are going to do it, they could decide not. And we all know that. But the challenge is is that they earn the the trust of people without having earned it through the vote of the people, right? By having the opportunity to work with them up front and then using the weight of incumbency to run. So, it's it's it is us somewhat having to make a really good choice up front because we're putting someone in front of district 6 that district 6 for the next few months is going to get to know, who's going to be at their meetings, who's going to engage with the residents in a way that someone who is seeking that office can't do until they make it through a primary election to get to a general election, right? Um, and so we're going into budget season. And I remember for the 2021 election that weighed heavily because, you know, you wanted someone who could go into budget season and adjust to some of the really really heavy decisions we have to make at that time. Um and so I I mean I you know although we can enforce it I think it's important to note especially for the community members that you know the council will will need to be intentional about whatever decision we make because again that is an opportunity for someone through our appointment to earn trust from the community members in district 6. I mean, we have a recommendation. Um, and I'm sure we're going to talk about what that recommendation looks like. Uh, but that's all I have, Madame Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Mr. Graham has not spoken, then we'll follow up with Mr. D. Yeah, I'll be very quickly. I I think we should I think either or the expedited schedule makes sense. We can get started tomorrow uh and and get someone seated as soon as possible. But I do believe that the last question is important. hopefully that we will select a caretaker that will not run and make that pledge not to run. And if that person breaks their word, it speaks to character, right? And that's important ingredient the voters can take into consideration at the ballot box, right? Um, so I would hope that we would, you know, expedite the schedule, select a caretaker for a short period of time, and have the voters make the decision about who's going to represent it that particular district for the long term. Thank you. All right, Mr. DS. Uh, I'll just mention I go all the way back to 2014 and, uh, and as do you. Uh, and at that time Dan Cloudfelter was a candidate. He had different conversations with people about whether he intended to run or not. At the end of the day, there was a lack of clarity about what had been agreed. I think it's something that's interesting to all of us because of the implications of having a person that wasn't elected then in the position as a so as an incumbent. I'll point out also the irony of the fact that nine Democrats and one Republican are going to choose the replacement for the parting Republican. This is without precedent in anybody's memory. So, uh, I would like for us to ask that question understanding that the answer is not binding. It's not binding on us, nor do we have any legal authority. It's not illegal. When you said it's not legal, the point is it doesn't have legal force. But I would still like to know uh and I would like to be able to consider that when I make my choice because uh I do think particularly in district six uh having somebody chosen by this group with an advantage in fairness uh I think we really ought to just be aware and make our decision knowing about that. So I I I would like to make a motion just so we can move the process along that we proceed on the expedited schedule and that we include the last bullet. Second. We have a motion and a second um on the item to approve the application as you can see on the um board today. Um, Miss Wington, just for a point of clarity, the application will though also include the three questions that have been traditionally asked uh by the council. Yeah. And if you those questions are state your interest in serving as the district 6 representative uh mayor and council have established key focus uh areas and it talks about uh as a council member what principles would you consider most important to shaping these policies as it goes through those focus areas. So I made my motion to include the three questions. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All right. So Miss Watlington. Thank you Madam Mayor. got a couple of questions um as I've listened to the conversation just real quick um Mr. Fox, can you please just for the record speak to the validity of this idea of enforcement for this particular question about attention in the seek office? It's not illegal, but is not legally enforcable. Is just a statement and the purpose of the application for you guys is to inform you to help you make the best decision that you want to with regards to who is your colleague. and your vote on that will indicate whether or not you believe it's more valuable, probitative or not. And so you have that luxury if you have the question on there. If you don't have it on there, then you just don't have that additional question that may information that may inform your decision. Thank you. And then my second question, I seem to remember there were questions related to your previous experience or related experience. So I just want to confirm that that's on the application that we'll have a view of what kinds of uh skills and experience that the people the third one was describe your previous experience volunteer professional or advocacy that has prepared you uh for a city council appointment. Thank you for that. And then the other thing I'll say I'm still not quite sure what the rationale is behind the expedited schedule. Um, I I hear this idea of needing representation for district 6. And while I understand and appreciate that, what I don't want to do is sacrifice quality of the process or an opportunity for folks to actually apply because this expedited schedule would require a vote today and then the application process opens tomorrow for one week. What I don't hear is what the what the comm's plan is. how what the communication plan is. What does advertising look like? I don't have a high level of confidence that they're going to there's going to be enough uh ex uh exposure to the people who might be interested to even know this is going on before the application closes. So that for me feels like an access gap. Um so I'm not comfortable with that. Um also I've got a lot of concern about their first meeting being uh in the middle of budget adjustments. I think that's a disservice to the people of District 6 as well as to the person who ends up in this seat. Um so for me, I'm not a fan of the expedited schedule for those reasons. Um so I I don't believe I'll be supporting the motion as it stands. And your first one about, you know, um how fast and whatever. I had a um conversation with the Republican committee chair um to let him know and inform him that this is what we were doing today. Now, I know there are several people that are the committee chairs in this. But the way that we would address that would be to get it to the Republican um outreach and have that go out as well as that because that's pretty much I mean you're you you have to be Republican to be in the seat and so we could give that to the Republicans um various groups and that would be the way that we would um try to get that word out. That would be my suggestion. Madam Mayor, if I may add it, it it would also be posted on the city's website, emails, all those pieces of it as well, which is typically what we've done in the past. Yeah. If you don't mind publishing that, well, one moment. If you don't mind publishing that because I can appreciate it going to the Republican party, but we often understand that everybody's not necessarily active in the party or on their list serve beyond say the precinct chairs or something of that nature. So, I'm very interested to see what that broader communication plan uh would be to make sure that we're touching folks. Um and then the question regarding um I just oh the appointment process itself are you able to speak to that? Well, my experience has been that the council basically votes until um they have an we would have meetings here that we would have council appointment I mean meetings and we would just narrow the I guess the number of people that we would have and then we would continue to do that. It's kind of like a choice of how it done because it's really this choice of people that send in their applications. Now, is that is there any other reason? No, the appointment process is really the vote of the council after you have heard from the potential candidates. Then you are it's going to be a nomination and vote process until you achieve a candidate that has six or more votes. That makes sense to me. I'm just thinking about every month when we have applications and say there's 40 people who have applied there's some round of people if you didn't get to six then you come back the next week and with the narrow choices people may change their minds and that kind of thing and I don't see that accounted for in that schedule and I'd also just like to see a formalized so we all know what we're voting on in terms of what we're actually agreeing to go do because I want that to be clear for the people who are applying as well. So, so Madame Mayor, I believe that um um interim attorney Fox added that into the packet that we received, I believe, over a week ago. It went through that process of the nomination voting process. To your point, Miss Watlington, if if a candidate doesn't get to six, then here's the next step. It it's step through step by step of that what that process looks like. This isn't the one. I've got I picked up another one. Yeah, it's in that document. We can send it out again. Yeah, we can say it was an initial document about the vacancy process and it does spell out the intent quite frankly is that council appointment to be action to be taken at that meeting and to leave that meeting knowing who the appointee is going to be through a a initial vote or a round of votes until you get to a candidate gets to at least six. I guess that's where I'm struggling. I see a and I don't want to belabor the point because I've already said where I intend to vote and I don't want to hold up the rest of the group. It feels like between the Friday and a Monday there's not sufficient information there to have heard from the candidates, reviewed, got down to a number of folks today to come into a meeting and make a decision. So, um thank you. I appreciate I appreciate your uh responses. Okay. May I had a clarif I had I had Ed and then you Miss Mayfield and then Marjorie Miss Molina sorry Ed Lan may miss Mayfield and Miss Molina uh very briefly I'm pretty well connected in the Republican community here in Charlotte everybody's aware of Mr. Bkari's departure. I've had a lot of calls. We're not going to start cold with this process. I mean, most of the people that we're likely to consider seriously are alert and a number of them have indicated an interest to me in applying. As soon as we get the word out that it's time, we'll start to hear from them. Thank you. That's one of the reasons I put on the vacation schedule as well as like if you want to run for office, I mean, filing starts so quickly now, you know? So there's a lot of information out there for people that are interested in this. Okay, Miss Wayne Mayfield. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So this isn't new, so I'm not understanding why outside of the language I have helped to appoint two different mayors, two different council members, one for district seats. We have done this. I think we're trying to clarify the challenge I have is the fact there's even a expedited that was even mentioned. One week is not enough time for us to be able to truly give respect to the process. I also have a challenge of having someone come in during our budget cycle versus and them being plumped in the middle of that chaos. Yes, we had two members on this council representing the Republican party. There's no reason to expedite. We didn't expedite when our mayor was appointed to secretary of transportation. We didn't expedite it when we had to replace that mayor. We didn't expedite it any other time. So, the fact that we're creating something new for this conversation is concerning because it is process. Let's just stick with the process. The process has never been up to this point of having a week to try to engage the community, read the applications, have conversations for those that want to reach out to council members, and to make a decision for someone who's going to be filling out the next few months. That's where I feel a challenge in this. It's like we're trying to create something new. And also, I respect the fact that our former colleague has a recommendation. That's not his job. Our job is to receive the applications from the community, from the residents who live in the district, who are part of the party that is being represented, and for us to make the best decision that we can. Because even when we had a hundred applications during a previous time, the council turned around and brought back an elected official who had already served multiple times and who was gone. So at the end of the day, hey, Andy Dulan could decide, hey, you've already been here, you know it, you understand it for these couple of months. Will you come out? because we also did outreach to individuals when we replaced for district 2 for council member Austin when he accepted his opportunity. We outreached and spoke to individuals and a number of us spoke to former council member Ivory now Ivory Kanty to ask her to step into the role because we were very clear that she was not interested in running versus having a conversation and then turning around and doing it anyway. So, if we're going to try to do this, I want to make sure that we're not trying to create something new. One week, I do not believe there's enough time. I'm disappointed that there's even an expedited versus just start today. If we can get enough support to approve it, open it up, give it the two weeks that it needs and that it deserves, and we move on from there. But trying to rush it, especially while we're in the middle of our budget cycle, I think is a bit disingenuous unless it's already been decided that only one person is going to be the person that is expected for us to appoint based off of recommendation versus truly opening the process out up to the community for them to apply and for us to then review their applications. Miss Melena. Um, thank you, Madame Mayor, and I and I appreciate that, colleague. I know that you've been on the council for some time. You've seen some different appointments. My challenge is is that we we do we have the vacancy sitting there with no one to represent district six there. Um and so you got four at large numbers that well respectively from a district seat perspective the person that they're probably calling more often than they are reaching out to the atlarge members I've seen varying degrees of what the rep you know the community members that we represent believe about who does what and I've I've seen people think there's a you know a hierarchy so to speak or or they don't know when to contact. I mean, it it's just varying degrees of understanding. And I believe honestly based on what my experience is is that people tend to reach out directly when they have an issue to their district rep first and then they'll reach out to an atlarge member if they don't get, you know, a resolution at that level is what I found. And so right now those people are are sending emails and there's no one there to contend with their requests immediately, right, from their understanding. And I don't want to make any type of assumption on the basis that there's a level of ignorance. I don't want to say that. But I do know that we have um you know the seat that's just sitting vacant. So I'm I'm inclined to move towards the expedited one and especially at the recommendation of you know um I I've never been a a registered Republican before. So I I don't have relationships outside of just, you know, friends that I've made here or there over the years, but I don't understand um and so I would say that, you know, you would have a better grasp, Mr. Driggs, on where the party stands and the understanding of, you know, where people would be prepared to move if we were to go forward with the expedition of this decision. So I I do feel comfortable expediting it. I I did have um initially questions about how fast we move, but I do I believe that we could move this forward and I think we could do both at the same time. I think we can get the word out and we can go ahead and start to solicit this process to prepare. So, we have a motion on the floor to approve the expedited schedule. We've had um some conversations about making sure that everybody knows what the process is and how it is. We will have a close session at the end of this meeting. And so that gives us an opportunity to maybe perhaps think about some of the things that we're doing. But I would just say that we need to have some way to move forward on this because people are expecting that we will have a district representative. I think the representative asked that we actually try to have a district representative done quickly as I think he put like I'm alone. It needs a friend. So we're going to So um I guess what I'm saying we have an um we have a motion on the floor. So let's go ahead and see where that motion lies. So all in favor of the motion on the floor please raise your hands. One, two three four five. One, two, three, four, five. Okay, we have a vote for five. All votes. All opposed. All right. Two, three. Okay. Is there a substitute motion? Can we get something done tonight, please? Yeah, we recommended a substitute. Go ahead and make the motion. since you got see if we have six votes for anything. Yeah. So, like I say, the things that concerned me, I've mentioned um I think uh Council Member Mayfield was fine to to approve a process tonight, but not for the full expedited schedule. Um I me personally, I still want to see an adequate comm's plan. Uh but I will trust that we will see that very shortly. Um I'd like to see a little comm's plan. I'd like to see us make an adjustment to at least give time for those those announcements to go out to give you time to speak to the uh uh Republican party chair. So, I' I'd love to see a shift in the application process opening perhaps on Wednesday. Um and then as it relates to the final swearing in dates, I would be more supportive of this June 2nd or June 9th because I think that helps to clean up some of the I need to interject. We can address that too. You have a limited council tonight. Yes. You have only eight members. And five is a majority. It requires six by our rules of procedure. It's not based on it's not based on No, I think it's six. It needs six regardless. Yeah. Regardless. I know you were just trying. That's all very helpful, Mr. Fox. Okay. We have five votes. motion to do the expedited I think would you support him if you want to do any wasn't didn't finish her actual motion in order for us to add Okay, I'm going to go back because she was she was outlining how to change what's action B up there. Yeah. So it would be that we adopt today May 12th that the application process would open on Wednesday. Sorry, adopted April 28th. Today I'm sorry. Thank you. April 28th, uh, Wednesday, April 30th. Yes. Then applications would open. And then I'm hearing that there is support for a longer application process of two weeks, right? Which application process would put us at two weeks. The application process. And so that would close I need a calendar. The 13th. The 13th of May. May 13th for application close. And then what I see from here is that after the application process closes, there's plus one week. I would push that because like I mentioned before the concerns around the uh that public forum to the actual appointment. So then from the 13th instead of May 12th for the appointment, it will be May 19th. All right. May 19th for the appointment and that'll give us two weeks. And that'll give us uh an adjustment. So that would be my proposal as it stands. Certainly open to friendly amendments, but that would be my motion. Second, what was the what was the end date? May 19th. May 19th. I'm sorry. May 19th for the appointment and then you do the swearing. Their first meeting would be after that. So that's in between the two that we've seen, right? Yeah. It's a compromise. So it is a compromise, right? All I'm saying is just give it two weeks. I know. We just have to decide if there are questions, additional questions. Has everybody looked at their calendar? Make sure that those dates are in which dates are the dates that would um Lena, can you read the dates that I just want to make sure everybody h understands the new proposed dates. Yeah, we did do the swing hand date. So to I'm sorry I I didn't catch all the new proposed dates. I'm all right. So you've got May 12th. I'm sorry. Everybody check. May 12th. I'm sorry, not May 12th. Forgive me. April 28th, council votes to adopt the process. That's today. Wednesday, April 30th, applications open. That process would then be open for two weeks. So that May 13th, applications would close. We'd then push um the next steps to line up with a council appointment on May 19th, which would then give us a swearing in date. Okay. Uh that should of the 19th. June the 9th. June the 9th. I thought it was May that breaks down, but if we're appointing with no public forum, is that No, no. Those those items would remain. We would just have to put them in the June. I'm just trying to give you the May 19th and June 2nd. All right. I'm fine with June 2nd. That's like you said a compromise between June 2nd is committee day. So if we want to do it cuz that's what June is. Actually, we can do it. So committing June 2nd swearing in. Yep. So, you want, just to be clear, um, Wednesday, April 30th for the application to open for May 19th or I'm sorry, the application to close on May the 13th. And then you want the um, wait a minute. May 19th to be the swearing in date. No, the appointment. The appointment date. And then June 2nd to be the swearing in date. Correct. Okay. And that includes the public forum on what date? May 9th. that stays as is as well the applications don't close until the 13th May 9th work for public forum to follow you know we could be flexible if we get 10 versus 100 and I'm expecting that we will not be getting a hundred so maybe we don't know upon closing we could all come together and figure out how many people we would need I mean that will be needed and then maybe per if we can have folks come into the office to do that. So, when is the appointment I'm sorry, when's the public forum? That's what I believe the mayor was just saying that pending the number of uh qualified applicants that meet the eligibility requirements, we could make a determination of when the best time for that form would be between the 13th and the 19th. Yeah, because right now here it's 9th. What's the um basic why why push the open opening of the application from the 29th to the 30th so that there is the opportunity because I'm not comfortable with the comm's plan. So I wouldn't want us to vote today and then it open up at 8:00 tomorrow. I want to make sure that there is time for there to be some thought given to how we are sending this message out to everyone before the application actually opens. Is there ask that you see or I would like to see plan I would like to review it, but I'm I'm extending some trust in our staff here that they're going to have that conversation and get it done. We'll work closely with communications. My recollection in the past is it's posted on the city site, it's posted on the city social uh in other opportunities. So every way in which we would typically push out city related communications would go out in all those ways and the clerk's office communications and the attorney's office work very closely on that. Perfect. Thank you. Yeah. So this swearing in would be on June 2nd. Mhm. Right. June second appointment suggesting there is longer application period for more applicants to apply is that's the gist of it right yeah I also think if it gets to a point to make sure people but people have opportunity to apply like there is enough time for people to apply okay but I I would say that if after everything is done and the deadline is we could probably revisit and see how many people we would have because I just don't believe that it's going to be 50 to 100 people. That's just because of what I'm hearing if I if I can try this on for you. What I'm hearing is that you would start with a plan A with the application process opening on the 29th and then you would close 30th on the 30th and then you would close it and pick up on plan B with the closure of the application and then run the rest of plan B out. I like the way you said that actually. That actually looks like exactly what is it? Yeah, that's it. Okay. So, do we have a motion? This is what I missed when you said it. We have a motion someone. Okay. So that's what I was and I seconded it. Yeah. Just for clarity second any further discuss. Let's make sure you Yep. So for clarity I move that we adopt plan B today and start applications open on the 30th and then pick up the dates from plan B. Yeah. All that does is changes the opening and closing. Sorry. Plus the I'm sorry. plus the two-week window of the application process. That's the other part that's a feature that's a variation of plan B. Okay. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, please raise your hand. Okay. All right. Anyone in opposition? No. How many did we get? Everyone. I think we got everyone. Everyone, Mr. Graham, where did No, I wanted to read all over. Yes, I think we have everyone. So, thank you all for the um ability to do that. We um are not going to be able to address the other items that we had on the agenda tonight. Thank you team for being present, but I think that we've got people downstairs and we've got um pop those folks to work with and so we will go and if everybody can get downstairs as quickly as possible. Mr. Jones, where are we going? So, make sure we're all on the same page. We are not going to do the um minimum housing code. I've talked to the chair of the committee as well as um ACM uh Heath. Uh and I could use my manager's time for the to keep us on schedule with the community area planning office. Oh, so that's why we're going to do community area plan in the mayor's. Okay. Awesome. Right. All right. So, we're not doing housing at the end, correct? But we do have four sessions. [Music] [Music] Hello. Yay. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] This [Music] is Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey hey hey. [Music] [Music] Hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. Oh yeah, you might need that tonight. I think it's maybe afternoon right now. It might be good evening to everyone. So, I want to call the Charlotte City Council business meeting to um introductions and we're going to go ahead and call ourselves to order. Thank you very much for being present and allowing us to take the time that we had for the other deliberations that we had earlier this afternoon. So I we will begin uh with our um introduction starting with our city clerk. Good evening Stephanie Kelly, city clerk, Anthony Fox, interim city attorney. Good evening Marjorie Molina, district 5. Good evening. I'm Renee Johnson and I'm honored to represent district 4. Marcus Jones, city manager. By LS, mayor. Good evening. Dante Anderson, mayor Pro Tim, District 1. Alvin Graham, District 2. Ed Driggs, District 7. Good evening, Lana Mayfield, Council Member at large. Good evening, Dimple. Mira large. We begin our meeting with an invitation um that we decide if you would like to participate, please do. Um, and this afternoon we understand that Mayor Pro Tim Anderson will give our invocation. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, you know, tomorrow, April 29th, will mark the um first grim anniversary of the Shannon Park shooting that occurred last year in which four officers were slain in the line of duty. And we will forever remember those four officers. CMPD officer uh Joshua er Deputy US Marshall Tommy Weeks and uh North Carolina corrections officers Samuchi and Alden Elliot. So this evening for our invocation is with heavy hearts that we pray for those who have raised their hands to run towards danger when many of us run in the opposite of direction seeking safety. And I pray for those who have the courage and the resilience and the bravery to say yes to protecting our community, to protecting our families, and and ultimately in certain cases like these four officers, giving the ultimate sacrifice. Um, I just want to say thank you and I want to say that we all pray and hold them right in the heart of each and every one of our bosoms and gratitude. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you very much for that remembrance. Um, we were very fortunate to have a ceremony with um, Mayor Proim and I when we had the towers and the climbing um, activity on Sunday. Yes. And it was truly something that we should all be proud of. The way that we are supportive of our law enforcement officers and especially those who have to deal with the loss of their lives, all of the families, the wives, the children. So, um, we're grateful for that commemoration. Thank you very much, Mayor Prom. All right. So, we also have a few things that we do. And first is our pledge of allegiance to the flag. 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. All right, we have several um recognitions that we would have we want to do today because these things are important that we celebrate those things that happen in our city. And I am first going to recognize um Councilwoman Victoria Watlington. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Whereas the US Department of Labor has declared April 30th, 2025 National Apprenticeship Day to celebrate the successes of registered apprenticeship programs and raise awareness of their importance. And whereas this day will highlight the crucial role of registered apprenticeships in creating opportunities for apprentices to earn while they learn, paving the way to quality jobs and well-paying careers within the city of Charlotte and across the nation. And whereas the city of Charlotte recognizes the opportunity through registered apprenticeships to cultivate and maintain an inclusive and highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the city's diverse departments that serve our community and strengthen our local economy. And whereas registered apprenticeship programs empower employers to develop and train their future workforce while offering career seekers pathways to rewarding jobs and careers. The city of Charlotte acknowledges the role of registered apprenticeship programs in expanding workforce opportunities and our nation's economic strength in fostering innovation and competitiveness in key industry occupations. And whereas the city of Charlotte recognizes registered apprenticeship as a proven industry-driven training model and a key strategy for improving job quality and creating access to good paying family sustaining jobs for all while addressing pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding infrastructure, training and skill development, sustainability, knowledge transfer, and workforce readiness by Alexander Laos, Mayor of Charlotte does hereby proclaim April 30th, 2025 as registered apprenticeship day. Thank you very much. We also have a recognition that we would like to I would like to ask Miss Ashira to present. Thank you, Madame Mayor. This proclamation is for our provider appreciation. As a mother of two young children, this is something near and dear to my heart. Um so here is uh to appreciating our child care providers. Whereas childc care aware of America and other organizations nationwide are recognizing child care providers on this day. And whereas the child care system supports children's growth, development, and educational advancement and creates a positive economic impact for families and communities. And whereas child care providers are essential to the health of our communities by fostering welcoming spaces, supporting working families, and creating positive and reaching environments where children can develop lifelong skills. And whereas Charlotte recognizes that child care That's right. You tell it like it is. That's right. Child care has been and continues to be a lifeline for families, communities, and the economy. And whereas support for affordable, accessible, highquality child care represents a worthy commitment to help families work, support children's healthy development and learning, and keep our economy growing. Now, therefore, she Alexander Laos, Mayor of Charlotte, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2025 as provider appreciation day. Thank you. Thank you. And before we have the reading of our last proclamation, I'd like to ask um Angela Charles to come down um and be the recipient of this recognition. And we will have the recognition done by Council Member Lana Mayfield. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Whereas clean and reliable drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of everyone in Charlotte and protecting our water supply is a shared responsibility. And whereas Charlotte Water provides over 117 million gallons of clean drinking water daily to more than 1 million people in the region. Charlotte's Waters dedicated staff work 247 to deliver safe water to homes, schools, businesses, and hospitals meeting the highest public health standards. And whereas the city's three water treatment plants have earned top awards for their outstanding performance and water quality. And whereas Charlotte Water has a strong safety record with no water quality violations and full compliance with all regulations. And whereas continued investment in water infrastructure ensures long-term reliability sustainability and performance, water is crucial not only for everyday use, but also for public safety, including firefighting. And whereas Charlotte joins communities nationwide in celebrating drinking water week to honor the importance of water and the people who make it safe. Now therefore, I by Alexander Lars, mayor of Charlotte, do hereby proclaim May 4th to the 10th, 2025 as drinking water week in Charlotte and commend its observance to all citizens. Witness her hand, the official seal of the city of Charlotte. And as Miss Charles always says, water is life. [Music] [Applause] present this. Thank you to the entire team. Um, sometimes we fail to recognize how important it is to have a great team that works in this organization and this great team. You deserve every bit of your stand up of applause and we are so grateful for what you do. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Applause] Now we're going to begin our public forum. I'm sorry. who is receiving these two proclamations. Let's see. We're going to get those out after. We'll mail those out to them. Okay. Thank you. So, um we are now moving into our public forum portion of the meeting and I wanted to make a com um or express the program that we have for maintaining order. So, on behalf of the entire city council, I ask that all speakers and audience members be civil and courteous in their use of language. Neither insults, profanity, gestures, inappropriate behavior, nor comments, questions, or jeers will be tolerated in the council chambers. Speakers are encouraged to address council and not necessarily speak to the audience members. Likewise, the audience members should not jeer, applaud, or interrupt speakers. All attenders should be polite, respectful, and listen to each other so everyone can be heard. Thank you for your presence and your interest, and thank you for allowing us to have this opportunity to speak with everyone. So, we are now going to begin with our speakers list. And our first, let me give you a little bit about the speaking. We will have the list of speakers that have been signed up by the clerk. They will have two minutes for their remarks and then following that we will have no more than 15 speakers in the um lineup so that we can have those folks come down. I will call two people at a time because we have a podium on both sides of the um dis. And so the first speaker that we have is Carrie Kamut and the second speaker is Katie Farra Leo. This is really not very good for me tonight. It's just like a tongue twister for me. So could you introduce yourself because I will make sure that everyone knows who you are and you have two minutes to speak. Very good. Thank you. Um good evening. My name is Carrie Clement. I live in the Browns Fairy neighborhood for over 10 years. Um, and I also serve as a leader with halfway their rescue. Every day, our volunteers step into situations that many would find unbearable. Dogs that are injured and dumped at the shelter. Litters of sick puppies left to die. Senior pets discarded after a lifetime of loyalty. We open our hearts and homes sacrificing our time, our money, and sometimes even our hope because we refuse to be numb to their suffering. But the reality is we're drowning and we are doing it largely alone. Charlotte, for all of its growth and prosperity when it comes to animal welfare, our laws lag behind those of our sister cities, places like Asheville, Dallas, even Atlanta. Cities that have made bold commitments to protecting their animals through stronger legislation, comprehensive spay and neuter programs, and proactive enforcement. Here we have loopholes and weak policies that leave animals vulnerable and rescues like ours are left to pick up the pieces. It's not just an animal issue. It's a public safety issue. Numerous studies have shown that community communities that tolerate animal neglect also see higher rates of violence and crime. When we turn a blind eye to cruelty, we normalize a culture of apathy, which spills over into how we treat each other. Compassion isn't optional. It's a foundation to a safe and thriving city. Tonight, I urge you to prioritize animal welfare in this budget cycle. Invest in enforcement. Fund programs that prevent suffering before it starts. Give the Charlotte shelter that does an amazing job, the laws, the resources, and the leadership that its animals and its citizens deserve. We are doing our part, and we need you to do yours. Thank you very much. Katie, thank you for allowing me to really not be able to recognize your last name as I could say it. It's okay. It's Fioli. Thank you. You have two minutes. Thank you. Good evening, council, and thank you for having me. My name is Katie Feroli and I live in District 6. I am here as a volunteer and foster with Charmeck Animal Care and Control. I want to reiterate the main requests that we have been bringing to you for over two years now while ensuring we do not lose sight of the why. Last year over 10,600 animals entered the shelter. We are averaging 127 dog intakes per week in 2025 which is up from 117 in 2024. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to reduce the pain and suffering of these shelter pets. But despite our best efforts, the incoming tide of animals is too high. Youth in Asia rates are up as we struggle to make space, keep animal stress levels as low as possible, and meet this everinccreasing need. City workers are exhausted, volunteers are demoralized, and healthy and loving pets are dying because we cannot keep up. Our first ask is for ACC to be moved out from under the police department in a transition that is meaningful in regard to its impact on staff salaries. In order to ensure adequate step shelter staffing, employee positions and titles must accurately reflect the difficult work they do to be comparable to other cities the size of Charlotte. Additionally, moving the department out from under CMPD will allow for an easier volunteer application process as well as a direct line from the shelter to the city manager shelter director to the city manager. More autonomy, less red tape, and salary increases will ensure the shelter is more efficient and dynamic in its processes and missions. Secondly, a new and state-of-the- state state-of-the-art shelter is needed. With best practices in place regarding animal welfare and community support, we can reduce some of the stress, trauma, and anxiety of animals and people alike while at the facility. We must ensure new facilities support the dramatic increase in intake numbers we've seen. As Charlotte continues to grow, we recognize that these solutions are just some of many that we need to address. We recognize the need for ongoing discussion and innovative thinking must continue in order to alleviate the stress and pain of these pets. Thank you for keeping us in mind. All right, our our next two speakers are Christian Laser. [Music] Thank you. Close enough, right? Thank you very much. If you'll come down both of you. Thank you. Yes, please go ahead and start. Good evening, council members. My name is Kristen Laspria and I'm from District 7. I'm here tonight to urge you to approve funding to expand the shelter and make animal care and control independent from CMPD. In just the first few months of 2025, foster families like mine have received more than 25 emails and urgent pleas from ACC. desperate calls to save animals who aren't coping well in the shelter environment and often have days left before euthanasia. Those 25 emails represent hundreds of animals who are loved and care for by staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to save every animal that they encounter. I want to paint a real picture of what it's like right now. On March 14th, we had 43 dogs surrendered to the shelter. 4 days later on March 18th, we had a typical day where 11 dogs went to foster foster homes and 13 were adopted. Yet that left us with only 18 kennels open. Just 3 days later on March 21st, an additional 43 dogs were brought in as strays or surrendered. So 40 plus dogs a day coming in and less than 25 going out. It's easy to do the math and this is not an unusual cycle. So far this year, the shelter has been under an emergency space shortage more than 13 times. That's an urgent crisis. Every other week, the shelter staff and volunteers work miracles with what they have. But the truth is, the system is stretched to a breaking point. Foster families open their homes to these animals because there simply isn't room in our current shelter. Every message that our families receive is another life on the line. ACC desperately needs the additional space that the shelter expansion project would provide. The staff also need the ability to manage its resources, make fast decisions, and tailor solutions specifically for the animals and the people who care for them. And that cannot fully happen while tied to CMPD. We appreciate your support to ensure that these animals Thank you very much. Thank you. We hear you. Please begin two minutes. Thank you. Good evening, Charlotte leaders. My name is Jason Swarzinski, and I've had the privilege of calling Charlotte my home for nearly nine years now. Tonight, I'm here to advocate for moving animal control out from the CMPD umbrella and to request additional funding for animal control. The data is clear. As cities grow, the increased support that for animal welfare services is needed. More people means more animals and more that animal control must manage and house. To illustrate my point on this urgent issue, as Charlotte has continued to grow, between 2020 and 2024, the intake of animals grew by an average of 7.5% annually. Based off the first quarter of 2025, we're on track to see more than a 17% increase in the number of animals taken in compared to 2024. The last time kennel space was added to Charlotte's animal control system was 1993, more than three decades ago. Since then, the city's population has grown 114%. Yet, not one single permanent additional kennel has been added to this rising demand. The funding allocated for animal control has failed to keep up with the pace of the city's rapid growth. Here's another sobering fact. Without outside donations, the animal control would only have the resources to house animals that is legally required to for four months out of the year. Currently, only approximately twothirds of the dogs under the Charlotte animal control system are not even housed in one of their facilities. They're in fosters homes. No other municipality in the country operates with this ratio of foster dogs. This speaks volumes about the commitment that Charlotte residents have shown to prevent euthanasia. The question now is as will you as leaders do the same. Euthanasia cannot be the answer and unfortunately has been far too often. The handout that you guys have been given is about a dog that myself and my partner currently foster named Farah. Recently, she had surgery to remove her leg. Thank you very much. We we still have your pamphlet and we have the photo in the back and Farah Our next two speakers are Diana Pard and Lebecki Row. Good to see you again. Paul, do you want to go first? Okay. Good evening, major and council members. My name is Diana Puller and I'm proudly serve as the president of NAR Charlotte, the local chapter of the National Association of Hispanic and Real Estate Professionals, the largest Latina business organization in the country. Tonight, I'm not here alone. I'm joined by my fellow NAR members, industry partners, and community leaders who are united by the chair commitment to expand access to the American dream throughout home ownership. And I would like for them to please join me and the stand up to please be recognized. These are professionals working every day with family who dream on putting down roots in Charlotte. Family who are striven, contributing, and building our city's future. We're here to share a key finding from the 2024 estate of Hispanic home ownership report which one of you will receive it individually but our partner families who are striving the Hispanic home ownership rep has now increased for nine consecutive years reaching 49.5% and that growth is not accidental is the result of the hard work sacrifice and resilience. ience. However, progress does not mean the work is done. Many of our community still face steep challenges. Rising prices, limited inventory, and structural barriers to credit and lending. And these are not just numbers to us. These are clients, our neighbors, our family, and the people that are here today. We support your initiative like affordable housing development and the city owned properties for develop of the forcing house affordable housing. Nar Charlotte stands ready to be partner to bring insight data and live experience to the table. We want to work with you to help shape housing policy that is inclusive, forward thinking and rooted equity. Thank you for everything you have done. Thank you. If you you have two minutes. Good evening, Mayor Lows and city council members. My name is Lebecki Row. I am the founder and executive director of Let's Talk About It, the Autism Center. But more importantly, I am a parent, an advocate, and a voice for thousands of families in Charlotte living with autism. Autism is not a disability. It is a different ability. When my son was diagnosed with autism, the rate was 1 in 179. Today, it's 1 in31. Yet, resources, especially for adults, have not kept pace. Look around this room. Autism has no look. Statistically, at least two people here are on the spectrum. Even more are undiagnosed and countless families are walking this journey, often feeling unseen. Let that sink in. In Meckllinmberg County alone, more than 10,000 individuals are on the spectrum. Over 80% of adults are unemployed because they can't. It's not that they can't work, but it's because they haven't been given the opportunity. Charlotte has an incredible chance to lead in inclusion to show the nation what's possible when we invest in training and community programs that welcome neurody divergent people. Over the last 20 years I have worked with CMS United Way and Meckllinburgg counties crisis intervention team. I've seen Charlotte's heart and I know what we are capable of. I asked you tonight not only to support these effort efforts but to allow let's talk about it the autism center to be at the table as part of this important conversation. We together we can build a city where every ability is valued, every voice is heard and no one is left behind. Let's talk about it. The autism center is keeping autism on the table and in the conversation. Thank you for the opportunity. [Music] Our next two speakers are Lavisha Cummings and Timothy Low II. Would you would you like to begin Mr. Lowish? Well, all right. You would like to begin, Lishia. Okay. Good evening, Mayor uh Viole City Council, all present tonight. I am Dr. Lavisha Cummings, vice president of youth advocate programs, YAP. Tonight, I'm here to advocate for continued funding for our ATV Batty Ford location. Joining me tonight are both our ATV teams from uh Batty Ford and West Boulevard. In 2021, two years after partnering with Meckllinmberg County, YAP also became the city of Charlotte and Meckllinmberg County's first ATV partner, launching our Betty Ford Road work and later helping to develop programs to expand in West Boulevard and Remont Road in 2023. Our yap wrap model, which also used in our Meckllinmberg County youth justice program, helps program participants to see and nurture their strengths and connect them and their parents with needed resources to help them put their lives on a positive track. The YAP Batty Ford Road ATV team does what YAP has done nationally for over 50 years, but with a slightly different approach across the country and here in Meckllinmberg County. YAP contracts with communities to hire neighborhood-based experts to deliver individualized services to young people in trouble or crisis as alternatives to having them placed in correctional or care facilities. From July 2023 to June 2024, our Betty Ford Road location provided 25 program participants with wraparound support, had 20 violence interruptions engaged 1,462 key individuals, and hosted 10 community events, 26 community meetings. I want to thank the mayor, the city council, Meckllinburgg County, the Greenlight Fund, Wells Fargo, the Drust Trust, and Every Town, and all of our partners for continuing to support this initiative. ATV is the national public safety model, and we hope that we're able to continue to support Charlotte and Meckllinburgg County. Thank you very much for your time. [Applause] Thank you. Greetings. My name is Timothy Lo the second. I am a wheelchair agent at the um Charlotte airport and just a few months ago I was living in a storage unit. You might have heard my story back in November and sadly much not has uh changed since then. After being forced out of the storage unit, I tried to stay in extended stays and hotels until I couldn't afford it anymore. Now I'm facing homelessness again, and I'm living in my car right now. How is it that I'm responsible for helping elderly passengers and people with disabilities navigate the airport safely and securely, yet the company that I that employs me doesn't think that I deserve a living wage? We are suffering. Suffering. People are living. People are leaving because this is not a stable job. The turnover rate is so high. The pay is too low for the amount of work that we do. We're also exposed to injuries, pushing two passengers at once, sometimes handling their luggage, and walking miles through the airport. By the end of the day, I'm exhausted. Our workload has doubled and we barely get our um breaks. The situation isn't safe for us as workers and and it's definitely not safe for the passengers we serve. We're asking for more than just talk. We need actions. We're asking you, city council, to recognize the value we bring, not just in words, but in fair wages, proper staffing, and safe, dignified working conditions. We submitted a letter today. Yes. explaining why the ordinance is legal. Now, we need you to hold a committee hearing. Ensure the airport has standards that help retain experienced workers like me. Because the truth is, when you invest in us, you invest in a city that works for everyone. Our next speaker is Denanisha Branch and Dorothy Griffin. Right over here. Miss, Miss Branch is tell me who you are. I'm sorry. I want to make sure we get everybody. Denanishia Branch and Dorothy Griffin. Step up one. Is she up? She's at the top. She's up there. Oh, okay. Thank you. Now I see. Thank you very much. All right. So, please you have two minutes. Good evening. First and foremost, I would like to thank God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for protecting me. And I will also like to thank you guys for allowing me to speak on today. My name is Denanisha Branch, a native of Rayford, North Carolina, who made Charlotte my place of residency over 14 years ago. In a city that is rapidly expanding in various sectors, Charlotte is a beautiful city, very dynamic city with a population of over 2 million. A city I chose to call home, raise a family, have a children's brand, and so much more. On May 13th, 2023, I spoke at Mayor Pro Tim Braxton Winston's town hall meeting held at the Imagine Our Library about hope. hope that as a community we would come together as one and show the world that Charlotte is attractive not only due to its economic prospects, southern charm, sports team, and diversity, but it's a city where council members diligently work to give hope to the hopeless, opportunities for the underprivileged, a home to the homeless, a voice to those that have been silenced, and hope to all that experience this vibrant city. It's now April 28, 2025, and on speaking about hope from a different spectrum. On July 17th, 2023, I was wrongfully shot by CMPD while in my home with my then 8-year-old daughter. This incident changed the facets of my life in many ways. The lucrative financial stability I once knew was snatched away. Daily mommy daughter time was snatched away. Our home and the life we were building were all snatched away. Where's the hope that I once saw in this vibrant city? As a person who has now experienced homelessness and living in my vehicle and rejection from resources that's designed to help those in need. Where is the hope? Where's the hope when you email the mayor and city council members, but no one acknowledges it in the city you once saw as a beacon of light has turned into a beacon of darkness and a city forever changing. Let's be a city of light. AC that builds hope again. Miss Branch, thank you. is definitely deserved. That's all. Um she I Miss Branch we've asked Sean to come and speak with you so that we can get your story and understand because we do believe in hope in this community. So thank you very much. Sean would you go with Miss Branch and help her walk through her and her concerns. Thank you so much. She okay because also our next speaker she's there. She's started to talk already. She's already started to talk. Can All right. Someone We need someone to be sure that helps with the speaker. We can have someone from the staff come up and make sure that the speaker is working correctly. Hello. Hello. Okay. Thank you. My name is Dorothy Griffin and I've been working at the airport for eight years. I have worked as a terminal cleaner, a cabin cleaner, and now I'm working inside of the pro shop for ABM enduring ensuring that the workers who clean American Airlines planes have the proper material. I play an important role in ensuring safe travel for passengers, but it is hard to do my job when I run out of equipment to give them. My co-workers, they sometime don't have enough supplies to clean properly. They barely get breaks and are constantly rushed. On top of all of that, we are making poverty wages. That's why we have such a high turnover. I am tired of not being appreciated for all our hard work, even in difficult conditions. It's a neverending struggle not making ends meet. I am always half a month behind on my rent because it takes both chicks to pay my rent. I just had to give up my car because I couldn't afford the payments. It was either a car or a place to stay. And I can't stay in my car. So I chose a place to stay. Sometimes I don't even have money to buy groceries for the week. I had and I sadly I am not the only one at the airport that's living like that. Council me council members, you can make a difference to high turnover rates at C at CLT and make the airport safer. Introduce case into committee. Find a solution and act now. Keep experienced workers like me on the job with proper pay, good benefits and trainings. ensure that the passengers at CLT are safe and in good [Music] hands. Not a lot of people. Our next our next speakers are June Blotnik and Justine Lamola. Yeah, thank you. Is it just me? Okay, please. Okay. I'm June Blotnik. I'm co-founder of the Charlotte Meckllinburgg Climate Leaders, a broad coalition of 15 environmental and health related organizations, including Charlotte Heat Mappers. While the city continues to make progress reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the dangerous impacts of our quickly warming planet threaten many lives in the Queen City. We strongly support the people's budget request related to the proposed new code requirement for air conditioning. Specifically, we ask the city to fund a a pilot program providing $2 million for energy efficient air conditioning units for 400 rental apartments. Dr. Aaron Levy of Wake Forest University School of Medicine here in Charlotte shared his concern with me about this yesterday. quote, "With the increasing trend of extreme heat, the health of our community faces increased risk for heat related illness, including heat stroke. Especially vulnerable populations include infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and athletes, people with chronic medical conditions, low-income populations, and marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Air conditioning can reduce the risk of heat related illness and mortality. For example, infants can have difficulty regulating their body temperature and exposure to extreme heat puts them at greater risk for health effects than the general population. Installing energyefficient air conditioning units is an important preventative measure to reduce the risk of heat related illness especially for these vulnerable populations. Air conditioning equals climate justice. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, please. Good evening. Can you hear me? Oh, sorry. Good evening. My name is Justine Lamoglia. I pro pr proudly serve as a flight attendant with 12 years of service and a representative of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants at American Airlines. Today I stand in solidarity with the hardworking members of 32BJ SEIU. People who are the spirit of our airport. They are the wheelchair agents, cabin cleaners, workers who assist the elderly and disabled, maintain facilities and aircrafts, load bags, and help keep our operation running smoothly every single day. CLT recently became the sixth busiest airport in the world, bypassing LAX. American air American Airlines employs over 15,000 employees at CLT and we are welcoming and growing more each year. But with that growth comes responsibility to not just meet the demands of passengers, but to support the people who make growth possible. Right now, many of these essential workers are making poverty wages. Some are even experiencing homelessness. They don't receive fair benefits or get paid time off. This has contributed to high turnover rates and underst staffing. With increasingly unaffordable cost of living and housing, we are pushing out the very workers who make the airport thrive. The contracted airline workers who ready your aircraft for the next journey, or the contracted wheelchair agents who assist passengers with disabilities and care for unaccompanied minors, those who maintain safety and efficiency behind the scenes and who have assisted me and many other flight crew. Introducing case into committee is one step towards addressing this injustice. It creates better wages, benefits, and working conditions while also helping CLT scale up to growing travel demands and addressing the housing and wage disparity. Say yes to case. Thank you. Our next our next speakers are Dave Molina Nulero and Susie Canali. Our next two speakers. I know. Miss Canali or who would like to go first? Uh, good evening. My name is Lisa Defender. I am Susie Canali's loyal steed who had to be out of town tonight. Okay. I am the senior attorney at Safe Alliance and the victim assistance court program where Susie Canali is the chief legal officer. I'm joined here tonight by our chief program officer, Corey Goldstein. We'd like to express our deep concern for the projected funding reduction from the financial partners grant. Victim assistance and the city of Charlotte have a long history of working together. We have actually received funding from the city of Charlotte since 2008. This long-term funding has helped victim assistance provide critical services to those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. We view this funding as a partnership between Safe Alliance and the city of Charlotte. given the crucial lifesaving impact our services provide each year. More specifically, we see our work as a supplement to that of our community partners that directly ties into your strategic priority of establishing safe communities. We closely partner with law enforcement, the district attorney's office, local hospitals, and other community partners to not only increase safety for survivors, but also for the entire city, especially that of our law enforcement officers. There is research tying domestic violence to community safety initiatives, including correlations between domestic violence and mass shootings and identified crime data showing that domestic violence offenders present extreme risk to law enforcement officers. This funding also helps Safe Alliance Safe Alliance staff our crisis hotline, ensuring that 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, community members such as yourself and law enforcement officers have immediate access to learn about and connect to services provided by Safe Alliance. Hotline staff work in partnership with CMPD to utilize the evidence-based lethality assessment protocol or LAP. LAP is a resource officers use within the field to assess a victim's risk of being killed or seriously injured. Law enforcement then connect with Safe Alliance while physically with the victim to offer safety. All right. So, we have a little bit of an issue here because you need to sign up before you're going to speak. And if she was not here to speak, she should have said that to you. So, please go over to our clerk's off section and sign up with your name and appropriate. This is one time, but do not expect this kind of um possibility again. Thank you. Please, if you join the clerk, let somebody Mr. Molinro, you can. Yes, please. Um Dave Molinro leader Mason Wallows Park Advocates here speaking on behalf of trees. Uh trees are steadfast guardians of shade on scorching days are architects of fresh and clean air and upon occasion the quiet listeners to our personal woes. But currently in Charlotte blink and they're gone. Yeah. In 1970, singer songwriter Joanie Mitchell lamented, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. They took all the trees, put them in a tree museum, and they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them." It would be an exaggeration to say that Charlotte will end up putting trees in a museum, wouldn't it? But stroll past any lot cleaned of trees, any single family home, and you might wonder, we watch as bulldozers roll in, cleaning entire lots down to bare earth before construction begins. Destruction before construction. The photos I've sent you taken over the past week tell a woeful story about the quiet listeners to our personal wos. They say without doubt that our tree safe ordinances are insufficient to the task of maintaining our community's health. Our trees are not safe. Therefore, nor are we. I ask that you revisit our tree safety ordinances. For example, if a builder strips a lot of trees, that builder is asked only to replace one 8-ft tree per 50 square feet of lot. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Our next our next speaker is Marjorie Storch. Is she here? Is she looking? She's not here. So, our next speaker is Jennifer Roberts. Okay. All right. I think we all know [Laughter] you. And it's good to see you. Good to see you, my former colleagues. Glad to be here. Um, I am here as one who started the city on its clean energy path and zero carbon goals called the CAP when I was mayor. And I'm also on behalf of the Charlotte Meckerberg climate leaders, which I co-founded and represents dozens of nonprofits and advocates for sustainability, clean energy, and climate solutions. Thank you for the dashboard for the CAP, which measures our uh greenhouse gas reductions, fleet updates, clean energy. It's great. I've got three things for you tonight. Continue to support the Cap. You're going to be voting on the Cap Plus um later in uh in May. And this is great because it's changing the goals to reduce communitywide greenhouse gas emissions 72% by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050. That's a new stretch goal. It's awesome. You're going to vote on 600 megawatts of distributed renewable energy to be installed by 2035. You're going to reduce you're going to get 100% of electricity use in your buildings from zerocarbon sources by 2030. And you're going to get net zero emissions in your light duty fleet by 2035 and the entire fleet by 2050. We know that it takes longer to get the heavy duty vehicles uh to be electric vehicles, but you've got the goal. Let's keep it. That's number one. Number two, heat kills. You heard from the airport workers hot on that hot tarmac. Support the people's budget with subsidies or mandates for those 7,500 apartments that don't have air conditioning. The last 5 years have been the hottest years on record. Third, prioritize environmental justice in your corridors of opportunity. Whether it's transportation, extending bus service, getting shelters for bus stops, neighborhood improvements, green infrastructure, reducing heat, grants for residential building upfits and solar panels, all those things in the corridors where the most vulnerable folks are located. And do support your airport workers, too. Thank you everyone for being patient and listening and hearing and seeing the people in this community that spoke tonight. We do this on a regular basis. So if you didn't get a chance to speak tonight, please come back again. So, with that, we are going to begin with our public um hearings, and that's item 10 on our agenda. It's a public hearing and decision on Dixie River Road Firehouse number 44, voluntary annexation. I'm sorry, attorney was going to address the um ordinance. We talked about That's the thought while they were here, but it's okay. It's not bad. Okay, okay. I thought you were talking about our attorney, but we're going to do that. That's fine. Okay, we don't have anybody that's opening. Okay. So, Madame Clerk, um do we have any speakers for the item on the Dixie River Road Firehouse? No, ma'am. Hearing none of No, um speakers. We're um do I have a motion to close the public hearing and to adopt an annexation ordinance with an effective date of April 28th, 2025 to extend the corporate limits to include this property and assign it to the adjacent city council which is district 3. Moved. Have a motion. Have a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor, please raise your hands. Miss Mayfield, is your hand up? Miss Watlington. Okay. Is there anyone in opposition? Hearing none. Well, that's unanimous. The next public hearing is on a resolution to close a portion of right ofway off of South South Gardner Avenue. Um we're now opening for a public hearing. Is there on a resolution to close a portion of the right of way off South Gardner Avenue? Madame Clerk, any speakers? No, ma'am. No speakers. Um, do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please raise your hand. Anyone oppose? All right. The next item is item 12. We're now going to hear the public hearing on the airport 2025 general airport revenue bonds. Madame clerk, do we have any speakers? No, ma'am. With not without any speakers, um, do I have a motion to close the public hearing and to adopt the resolutions authorizing and approving the issuance of general airport revenue bonds up to 350 million and calling for the execution and delivery of various documents necessary to the sale. Second. We have a motion and a second. You repeat who made the motion? I made the motion. Miss Azmeir and then Mr. Driggs asked if there was Okay, so anyone want to speak on the motion? Hearing nobody speaking on the motion. All in favor, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? That passes unanimously. So that goes us through. Next, we're going to move into the policy section of our agenda. And I believe that I would turn it over to the manager so that we can discuss the information that he has on community areas. Thank you, Mayor of Council. We weren't able to get uh this done in 267. So, as I mentioned at the end of the the meeting, we will have uh Monica Holmes and her team come up um to provide you uh the next step of our community area planning. Uh I guess the um spoiler alert is at the end that we're going forward to get to the end of May for a council action and this keeps us on track with that uh discussion. So mayor, unless there are questions, I'd like to turn it over to Monica. All right. Okay, go for it. Thank you for having us here tonight. And I am actually going to keep my remarks pretty short and then turn it over to uh my wonderful staff to talk through the presentation. So high level is we released the community area plans on April 3rd. Uh the drafts all 14 of them. Uh this was a huge effort two years in the making. uh built on the adoption of the 2040 plan from June 2021 and the adoption of the policy map in 2022 and it refineses and provides further guidance on both the policy map and the area plans. There are 14 of them. Uh they provide both assessments, an updated policy map, and a clear road map as to how we would like to grow as a city. So tonight I'm going to turn it over to Kathy Cornet who is our long range division manager and Katherine Mahoney who is the project manager for the community area plans. Uh we also have Dave Pton here for any additional questions as we talk about how these area plans impact the work that you do and impact our residents. So with that I'll turn it over to Kathy. Thanks Monica and thanks very much for the opportunity to present the community area plans. um as an information item. So, we've had um we released the plans, as Monica said, on April 3rd, and we've had a chance to walk through um them and the content with many of you individually, which has been um very helpful. And as you can see, we've provided updates to council's transportation planning and development committee pretty much monthly, and it we were at action review um at the end of last year. We'll be back at TPD on Monday and before council on the 12th for a public hearing and we're hoping for a council decision later this month. Tonight we'll provide an overview of community area planning, walk through uh the documents and provide some application examples and we'll discuss the review and adoption process and next steps. So in a nutshell, these plans are about creating complete communities. And by complete communities, we mean places that integrate all the elements you need on a daily basis in close proximity. And as Monica said, this has been a two-year process. It's the second major implementation item from the comprehensive plan which was adopted in 2021. The first being the policy map which was adopted in 2022. And it's a five-step process to deliver 14 area plans over a two-year time period with key deliverables at the end of each phase. So in phase one, setting the stage, we identified each geography's greatest needs in terms of access to housing, jobs, goods, and services and reducing environmental impact. And that impacts and that deliverable was the community profile or community workbooks that have been available on our website. In phase two, creating great places, we focused on needed adjustments to the community to the policy map and we discussed that with the community over 42 workshops. In phase three, setting the stage, we um focused on our interdep departmental partners and their plan projects and needs which were available on a web tool uh interactive web tool on our website as well. So in phase four, we've packaged all the community's great work into one document to help te tell the complete story. So these plans have been developed through a systematic process, meaning they were developed in the same way, have the same components and format, but the components are unique to each geography. So as Monica stated, they build upon the goals from the comprehensive plan and then they apply those goals at the community level. So each area has a community profile that outlines who lives, works, and plays in the area, what growth is expected by 2040, and what each community's greatest needs are to ensure that expected growth benefits everyone. And we'll walk through this in more detail as we move through the presentation. So I've mentioned that these plans were created through a systematic process and that they have both common and unique content. And this is a breakdown of what we mean by common and unique. So for chapter one, the community profile, which I've mentioned a couple of times, existing conditions, demographics, projected growth, that's obviously unique to each geography, as are the priority goals and needs for each geography. That's unique content in each of the plans. When you get to chapter three, creating complete communities, the policies for evaluate evaluating development requests, that's common across all of the plans, but the recommended development pattern and types of change would be unique to each geography. Similarly, in supporting the vision, the policies for integrating open spaces and mobility choices in all areas is common for all 14 plans, but there are mobility, open space, placemaking, and environmental impact assessments that are contained in each plan that are unique to each geography. On the implementation side, there's an implementation guide that outlines action steps, roles, and responsibilities and time frames that are common across all 14 plans. But each each geography also has uh two what we call illustrative com concepts that are aspiration examples of if all of these things come into place. Here's an example of how one unique place in this geography could could develop over time. They also the plans also provide a common set of considerations for all decision makers to ensure that we're evaluating options in line with the city's vision. And these con considerations are very important. But it's important to also remember that these are policies. They don't create regulations, laws, or ordinances. They don't solve all tradeoffs be between competing needs and goals that may exist. they don't stop development and they don't provide funding um for implementation. So the reasoning process and the capital investment process of two are two of the most familiar ways that you'll see the area plans applied and I'll turn it over to Katherine in just a minute to walk through a couple of examples uh of those things. So we know that um plans are implemented in multiple ways and those ways invol involve both the private sector and the public sector. For example, future future development, the reasonzoning process. Another way would be capital improvements and investments and then also public and private partnerships and finally um the future alignment resoning process. So with that, I'm going to turn it over to Katherine and she'll share a few examples. Good evening. As Kathy mentioned, the plans offer common sets or a common set of considerations uh to ensure that decisions are consistently evaluated in line with our city's vision. Over the next few slides, I'll demonstrate how these plans offer considerations for the resoning and the capital investment uh efforts. On this slide, you'll see a series of questions that point to considerations in the area plans for resonings that are either consistent or inconsistent with the policy map. As a reminder, the policy map uh portrays the type of development that we'd like to see in the future. It was developed with guidance from the comprehensive plan and updated through this planning effort. uh while the map provides better guidance than our old land use map, there's still inherent limitations within that uh single document. And so these plans provide more guidance uh for decision-making. In the first example, I'm going to reference the image shown on the right. Uh let's imagine that a petitioner wants to reszone four single family parcels uh that are highlighted in teal. You'll notice that the parcels are designated as neighborhood one as indicated by the yellow color and a lot of the surrounding area is also recommended for that neighborhood one type of development. The parcels in question however are adjacent to an area recommended to become a neighborhood center as shown in the pink uh which is envisioned to be a mixeduse walkable place. The parcels are currently zoned N1A and the petitioner is asking for a more intense zoning district such as maybe N1D or N1F. Those two zoning districts are consistent with the N1 place type. Um, however, we know additional considerations are helpful when evaluating consist uh intensity in neighborhoods and so these plans provide those considerations uh to help in decision-m. I won't dive into the details of those considerations, but they touch upon things such as lot size, lot access, and recommendations for adjacent development. For resoning petitions that are inconsistent, the area plans start by offering guidance about the community's greatest needs and goals. As Kathy mentioned, they also outline criteria that, if met, would essentially qualify a request as being compatible with our policy map uh and in line with our growth strategy. Again, I won't go into the details, but they touch upon things such as lot size, access, and adjacency. Finally, the plans outline mobility choices and open space needs as well as design expectations to ensure that all future development is helping to uh provide those in important elements that create complete communities. The next example is a uh an example of capital investments and how the plans can help uh inform mobility uh improvements. I'll note that these plans were developed in coordination with our partners and so the recommendations within them are consistent with the priorities and recent efforts of departments such as C dot and cats. In this example, the city is considering investments along Harrisburg Road near 485. The area plans restate that goal five to create safe and equitable moility is important across Charlotte. And then they summarize the mobility choices that are expected per the place type designations within our policy map and the street classifications in Charlotte streets map. So in this example, the area shown in blue is expected to become a community activity center which is envisioned to be one of our most walkable mixeduse places uh in part because of the mixture of land uses and intensity of development there. And then the Charlotte Street map provides a very clear guidance uh for the future cross-section of Harrisburg Road. So after summarizing our mobility policies within the policy map and streets map, these area plans also summarize potential projects that have been identified through the strategic investment area work. They also summarize existing programs that will help identify or address our infrastructure needs. So at this point these plans are really consolidating adopted policies uh identifying potential projects and uh existing programs in an effort to really provide a very clear expectation of what we want for the future and what's planned. Then the plans go a step further to provide new information uh in the form of what we call mobility assessments. These assessments focus on areas that are recommended to evolve into some sort of mixeduse place like a neighborhood center or community activity center. And the reason why the assessments focus on those types of places is because they're expected to see the most change and accommodate the most growth over time. So these invest assessments are expected to help inform both private and public investments. In this example, I'm moving from Harrisburg Road over to uh the south inner geography and looking at uh the intersection of Park Road and Ideal Way. You can see by the pink the area is recommended to become a neighborhood center which is a mixed juice walkable place. And the assessment essentially evaluates how well our current mobility network is meeting our aspirations for the future. So for example, uh how is the pedestrian network functioning? are there enough crossings etc. And the expectation is that this information becomes a data point uh say for a a developer putting together a uh project proposal or for a program an existing mobility program that is needing uh in need of prioritizing prioritizing projects for its dollars. I'll mention that this example uh is current it's outside of an S a strategic investment area uh but if it was it would function in the same way. it would become a data point to help prioritize uh those potential projects that have been identified. So with that, I'll turn it back to Kathy. Thanks, Katherine. So uh we know that planning is an iterative process and it it requires a layered approach. So the comprehensive plan does lay out that approach for us with the comprehensive plan being the umbrella document that really guides all of the other documents and all the other planning work that we do in Charlotte. The second layer under the comprehensive plan would be strategic and action plans. And you've seen some examples of those with the strategic mobility plan and the strategic energy action plan. The third layer being community area plans which we're talking about tonight. And then the fourth being specific plans which are more targeted in their considerations, smaller geographies and really more implementation focused. So that is another tool in our toolbox as we move and continue um the great planning work that we're doing in Charlotte. There are variety of ways to comment on the plans in keeping with our constant coordinated and collaborative approach that we've had throughout the process. So there's a virtual openhouse that's available 247. The draft plans are also online and they include a comment feature where you can comment online and you can also see comments that other folks have made and even vote them up and down if you like. Uh staff is hosting office hours. We've been doing that for about the past month, uh Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons virtually. And we have copies, hard copies of the plans available at libraries and upon request. And so far, uh, we've spread the word in a variety of different ways. And you can see on the left hand side, um, the government channel, uh, press releases, email blast, social media posts, uh, media interviews, etc. We have over 275 comments so far, and you can pretty much categorize those into the broad categories of questions, suggestions, and comments. But all of these comments are tracked and cataloged and will be responded to as well. And this is just a sample of the types of things that we are hearing in each of those different categories. Some are supporting, some are asking specific, some are not supporting um specific elements. And as next steps, we'll be back at TPD next week. As I mentioned, council and planning committee will hold a public hearing on May 12th. We expect planning committee will make a recommendation at their May 20th regular meeting and we're hoping for a council decision by May 27th. And that is all we have and we're happy to uh answer any questions that you might have. Are there any questions for the discussion? M Miss Johnson. Thank you, Madame Mayor. and thank you for the presentation. Can you go back to the slide that that lists the steps that started with the comp plan, the strategic plans, and then the community area plan. Yeah, I just want to leave that up while we're talking. I can't see it. Let's see. It's in my slides. Okay, I just want to be able to look at it. There we go. Okay. Thank you again for the presentation. Um, you know, we we've spoken offline and you know, my biggest concern is outreach and communication to the public on these plans because what happens when people don't know about them, we hear about it afterwards. So, my question is, what percentage of the population did we hear from before the plans were developed? I don't have that number off the top of my head. I could certainly work something up for you a percentage-wise, but um I would say the numbers that come to mind in this particular process, you know, over over the three processes processes, we've had over a thousand comments. Um specifically in the community area plan process, we had 50 50 workshops, a combination of inerson and virtual. We had over 700 participants and we had a few thousand interactions. I want to say the number I recall recall was less than 1%. Does that sound about right? It could be. It could be a fraction of a percent. Okay. How many residents average on average are affected by each plan? How many residents are affected by how many households do you have numbers for each plan? Do you I don't have the households off the top of my head. The growth that's expected um is we have those numbers, but I don't have the figure off the top of my head of the population right now. Okay. Thank you. Um and what's the communication plan for for residents? Um, I see that how what I would like to see is for the different areas to have a public meeting where you go through the plan. Is that a part of the plan for communication? Our communication strategy. Um, you can see we've used government channel, YouTube, live stream. We have a variety of different means of commenting on our website. The plans are available on our website. They're available um hard copies by request. Uh we've done press releases, uh email blasts, our um email list that we have is almost 5,000 residents, a variety of social media posts. Uh we've done uh television interviews, um newspaper interviews, a variety of interviews that way. We have newsletters and we've um used a variety of different newsletters, not just our department newsletters. We've also meet met with a variety of groups in person either at uh meetings that they host or in a couple of cases folks wanted to take advantage of the office hours but they prefer to do that in person and we're happy to do that as well. But I mean a a a session where you go through the detail for each particular area. So we've done that through the phases. So really folks have seen each of the elements of of the plan at the end of each phase. So in phase two we focused on the policy map and tweaks to the policy map and we had discussions around focus areas in each of the geographies and there were three opportunities for folks at each of those. So it totaled out to about 42 meetings. So there were two in-person opportunities and one virtual opportunity. In phase three where we were talking about projects and programs, we used the cardinal geographies and we had two opportunities, one in person and one virtual at each of those and that was an openhouse forum where folks could walk around and ask questions. There wasn't a formal presentation at those particular meetings. Uh so we've had a variety of of different options that were that were actually in the geographies. Okay. But even with that that was before the plan was developed, right? And there were less than you know that was producing the plan of people. So what I'd like to do and maybe we can talk offline. And I definitely would like for the the district 4 areas if there were where you go through the plan with with residents and actually so they actually understand how it affects or impacts them at their at their level at their front door. If we can do that, is that okay, Mr. Jones? I'd like to I think that that would be helpful if residents h understood how it impacted them directly like you know anything in life. How how does this apply to me? people are busy. So, if we had a town some type of town hall or something where you're in the actual area and you're saying this is the uh the the west side or or whatever the you know this is the actual plan. This is how this this is how this is going this area is look looking this is our plan what we want to see and speak to people on their level. I know you all do a phenomenal job as planners, but this is a lot of information. So, I think if it's specific for the residents in their area, I think that that would be very helpful. I think you'd get some impact or excuse me, input and feedback so that it's not the plan's developed, it's finalized, and then residents are finding about it afterwards. So, I think that would be very helpful. Okay. And then I need more plans. I've reached out to someone. I gave my plans to the district 4 coalition, right? the hard copies. So, I do need three more copies. Okay. Okay. Yeah, we're happy to provide that. Thank you. That's all I have, Miss Asher. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, so just before the council meeting started, I had a conversation with Monica, Kathy, and Katherine. Um, thank you for this comprehensive 14 community area plan. It took me a couple of days to get through all of them. Uh it certainly speaks to uh overall the needs of each area. Uh for an example we looked at a few example where we uh looked at areas near um inner east where economic justice was definitely high in the priority list versus other areas where we needed to get more jobs and housing. So um it really aligns overall with what I hear in the community. Um but there were a couple of things that I had requested. So, I just want to go on record uh explicitly requesting those items. One is to overlay neighborhoods on top of it so that um area plans are pretty clear. And to council member Johnson's point, also highlight on the map rather than just in the text where uh we are looking at significant changes. Right. So to council member Johnson's point when we're looking at 14 community area plans residents are going to look at the one that is that they live in right so if in the map if we are showing where there would be significant growth whether it's mixed use or whether it's community activity center uh people can understand that this is where it will be more walkable or this is where our future investment dollars will go towards starts to make it more pedestrian friendly. I think in our conversation I gave you an example where you have been highlighting that uh WT Harrison Plaza where we are looking at it more pedestrian friendly environment going from drive-throughs to pedestrian friendly it will change uh significantly. So I think highlighting that on the map would certainly go a step further than just putting it in a text. Uh so those two items. Uh lastly, I appreciate how you can go to each community area plan on the website and you have a comment section where you can actually point to certain segments and say, "Hey, this is where I need clarification or this is it wouldn't fit here, it would fit somewhere else." Uh I I would be interested in seeing how many act how many comments are actually making to the final plan, right? because I hear from community yes we can we can submit comments but how do you actually take that into consideration right so I think uh I would like to see obviously we're not going to be able to put everything that's in the comment into the plan but how what is the translation rate we are looking at um so if you're seeing one comment over and over and over again are we really seeing that being translated into a plan So ultimately that's what I'm looking at. So if we can somehow before uh on the slide if you can look at the adoption schedule. Okay. So no. So the decision is on the 27th. If we can get at least this comment and how many of this comments finally made it to the plan and what did not make it to the plan and here is the reason why. If we can get that uh at least a week or 10 days in advance, that would be very helpful. Yeah, I I'm so glad you mentioned that because you will you will see all of the comments and how staff has responded to them. So, we do have a plan to do that and and and you will see all of that. Yes. Yeah, definitely. Well, great job with community area plan. uh I learned a lot about the city that I did not know especially about the brown fields and how many acres of brownfields exist in each district in each community area plan. So it's really a learning experience uh for me. It's certainly um it's a great way to uh learn about uh everything about the city in terms of zoning and uh area plans. So great job Monica and your team. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Um, I believe I had next Mr. Driggs. Thank you, Mayor. So, uh, as chair of the committee, of course, I've been following this pretty closely, and, um, I appreciate, uh, Council Member Johnson, your points and the concerns. I'll just reiterate what I've said a number of times and that is that the great majority of the public does not have the time or the inclination uh to take to study this in such a way as to have an informed opinion. They're relying on us to do that. Uh, and I think we've seen from past experience, you start to hear what people think when it makes its way into the zoning process and it starts happening near me, right? And then, uh, at that point, it's interesting. Members of the community suddenly become students and they start reading our ordinance back to us and they're experts. Uh so um I I will repeat what I've said before which is each of us should read this with care and anticipate that it is going to come up during zoning conversations and this is the time that we still have a chance to avoid things that might seem strange later. I'll just put it like that. Um I'm struggling myself frankly with the outlook the practical implications. So, we know that there's going to be a policy map update, right? And that will then uh essentially establish what the uh what our reference is for plan consistency. Is that right? That's right. Okay. And and that will be done in conjunction with the area plan adoption. So, you're going to see the policy map get changed. What is the extent of the expected changes? I know we've got a draft. So uh how how much will change on the policy map with the adoption of the final changes? About 6% and of that 6% much of it it was not only the community commenting but it was also our own staff within the city. So probably more of it came from from our own staff's adjustments. But there was a total of a 6% change. And you can right now online look at the adopted policy map from 2022 and the proposed revised policy map and the changes are outlined in yellow. So if you remember for example the trion conversation we were talking about okay this is what's here now but what's going to happen later what's that going to look like because then comes the alignment process and I want to make sure everybody is uh aware and focused on that. The alignment process as I understand it is like what we have done before where we basically assign new zoning categories uh consistent with our plan but it's it's a largecale effective reszoning. Is that right? That's right. And it'll happen in multiple phases. So so that will define what you can do by right at each location in many instances different from now. again you're going to start hearing as that process moves forward from people who are affected by it. So uh please in the big picture just be aware we've got the policy map update we've got the alignment going on and then uh we need to think about when you look at the plan document the area plan document um how does that enter into our zoning decision process? So, especially if you're one of us district people, you're you're kind of looking at a staff recommendation and there are explanations in the staff recommendation. Are they going to be informed by the area plan? The area plan does not modify the UDO, right? The UDO is still the same. It's just an application guide. Is that a fair characterization? the the we're working closely with the entitlement services staff to incorporate um the the how you will see the area plans and the the examples that Katherine described into the resoning um staff analysis that you receive. So I I will just say that for now. I I expect there are going to be a lot more conversations about I have to wait for Dave now. Oh Dave, go ahead. It is here. How you doing everybody? Uh I think Kathy did a great job answering that. But yeah, to clarify just a few things. we will start to use those area plans after adoption as the basis for our consistency statement. So you'll see previously right now well right now you see you know consistent with the 2040 plan. What you'll see moving forward once these plans are adopted is how does it line up or consistent or inconsistent with that geography's area plan. So that's where that consistency will be derived from because it'll be specific to that uh to that geography that the resoning is occurring reference. now the east inner plan or whatever area plan is applicable in that resoning. Sorry Dave, I thought we were going to hear from you at a later date. So, thank you. Um, but that means then when you when you put the staff recommendation, right, that there will be there could be references in there to the community area plan. Yeah, that that's where all those references will come from. uh you know, we may still point back to some of the overarching goals of the the comprehensive plan as a whole, but the point of these plans is to really boil down to what the needs are for that geography, understand what, you know, the general desired outcomes are and how that request aligns with those. Uh so you'll see a lot more specificity in that based on those 14 area plans. Because I I think it's fair to say we're still processing what we've got. uh and uh I look forward to talking to some of my colleagues about the work that may still be needed on the plan as it exists today and now this this comes. So uh it's a lot to get our arms around. Um and uh but I do want to conclude by emphasizing what an amazing undertaking this has been and a magnificent job by you guys. Uh uh I lost $20 because I bet with Allison that they couldn't do it and they went ahead and did it. Maybe just despite me, but uh um uh wonderful work and uh I'm excited about what it means. I mean, when I look at our mobility plan and I look at what we're doing here, um we are we are thinking ahead. We're not just reacting. We're not dealing with rules that are 30 years old. So, we are actively putting in place a vision for the city over the next 20 or 30 years, and I'm really excited to be here while we're doing that. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor Prom. Thank you, Madame Mayor. And thank you uh both of you for these plans. They are in incredibly comprehensive and interconnected as well. And I've had the comments from several neighborhood leaders that um it's a great asset for them to utilize when thinking about their their neighborhoods in particular uh the neighborhood of Cherry and the neighborhood of Dealworth. both their leaders have have uh really dug into these area plans and have thought about what does it mean for us uh to the comments earlier and also just thinking about the previous area plans for certain areas. I use the example of Cherry, you know, so there was a Cherry small area plan um back in the '9s and then there was the Midtown Morehead Cherry plan. And they want to as an example just pro ensure that the characteristics of that neighborhood is protected in this new plan. And so I'm working with them, meeting with them, and we'll continue to engage. But I just wanted to first give you all kudos on these plans. They're they're great assets for us to have. You um you brought up the area of um Park Road and Ideal Way on slide 14 and that's a really great example of something that sits outside of a strategic area investment is in District 1. Um but it's uh it is an area that needs Yeah. improved mobility, um access to sidewalks, crossing intersections, you have Ideal Way and Park Road, which are two very busy roads, and and yet you have a grocery store that sits there, several restaurants, and so there's a lot of foot traffic there, and and at times some accidents, and so that's one area to uh that we I look forward to seeing how we can focus on. The last comment I wanted to say was um on your next steps. And I know I've already invited um all three of you, both you and Miss Holmes, um to our third annual East Side Intergovernmental Summit, which is on May 17th. And that's going to be an opportunity to literally hear from hundreds of East Side uh residents. and I've already we've already socialized the fact that you all will be there that the plans will be there and it's a great touch point for you to gather the information. So, um look just add that to your next steps because you will get input on May 17th um from the 3rd annual East Side Intergovernmental Summit. Thank you. Thank you all three of you. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Miss Mayfield. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. Just for clarification, the community input period was September to November 2024. There were multiple phases. We started it's hard to remember now. Well, that's what we have on the website. So as we direct people to the website, I want to en I want to ensure that what we're talking about now as we're moving forward as was mentioned if we want to at least have the opportunity for as much engagement as possible. So I know there's a lot more engagement that is happening for residents over on the north side off of Mount Mount Holly and Mount Allen Lake area. they're getting much more engaged because there's been a number of reasonzonings on this two-lane road. As we're talking about the area plans, looking at aligning our transportation, whether it's road widening, ensuring that we're not creating the problems through our approval of multiple multif family, specifically projects in areas that don't have the infrastructure. You have two-lane roads. we potentially have to widen that's a year plus with negotiating for land and other things. So as we work on these, I think it's also helpful, as my colleague mentioned, to create as many opportunities as possible for community to be engaged cuz if they just go to the website and look, it would give the impression that there's not opportunities currently, right, to see what's happening. And there and it also will direct you to a Eventbrite link that has a QR code on it. That QR code is not a active QR code. When you click on it, you receive a error message saying employees only or just online. So to update that so that we don't have confusion. And for me, when I think about we just had a conversation regarding a data center, the impact of data centers environmentally and when we look at a comprehensive plan and we look at areas that we're identifying for residential, whether it's multif family, single family, whatever, versus industrial space. clearly identifying for partners because it really seems like we're going in the direction of as long as you have it in writing whatever is presented if it falls in this category the expectation is a yes I would like to make sure that we have very clear language of communication with council not just us signing off on it but a idea of what is the plan of growth for our city how are we really looking to grow neighborhoods and comm community, certain type of industrial businesses, warehouse spaces that are not in proximity of residential and the potential environmental impacts of that. To me, that is all also a part of the comprehensive plan when we talk about Charlotte's future. And I think it will be helpful whether it's this council or future councils to clearly be able to track the timeline of what was anticipated 2530 years ago, where we are today, and what our goal is for the next 2530. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Mr. Graham. Thank Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just want to take this opportunity again to thank the ladies for for the work you've done over the last several months and years going back to 2040. Brian, um I serve on the transportation planning committee with Ed. So, I've seen this um a number of times and the the one-on-one session that you guys had with me uh I guess about two weeks ago was really really helpful and I appreciate it. Uh for those in district 2 who really want to kind of get a a deep dive into this, we'll actually be having our town hall meeting tomorrow with staff will be there talking about the the review of the west outer and the middle community plans uh key priorities uh opportunities and looking for resident feedback. That is the mountain lake area. uh we'll be at um Christ United Methodist Church on Bale Bale Haven Boulevard and also Ced will be there talking about uh road crossings and lo local infrastructure projects as well as NC do giving up updates on Mont Holly Huntersville Road Bell Haven and Ros's Ferry Highway 16, Mont Holly Road and Highway 27 and so all that kind of connects together and so we look forward to a really good meeting tomorrow. Um uh so if residents want to kind of learn more about the plan specifically in that side of the community, we'll be there tomorrow night. Thank you. All right. Is there anyone else that would like to comment? Um All right. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'll be quick. I just first of all, thank you. we get to um I guess for those of us that get to hear it on a regular basis, I don't want to sound redundant, but I also um I'm I'm Ed Driggs's backup singer. Uh I'm singing in the background. Um that's what I tell people. I'm actually the vice chair of uh transportation, but Ed does a good job of really steering that ship in the right direction um being the senior statesman that he is. And so, um, team, thank you guys for all the work that you've done. I um I was on a call yesterday um and actually Councilwoman Johnson was on the call um with the Black Political Caucus of Meckllinmberg County and uh Chair Nollie she was asking about um we were talking about ways to kind of you know get people in the loop right to make sure that the residents of you know across our city are aware of the plans. Uh the conversation started with transportation of course because it there's now inquisition across the city uh with regard to transportation. People are really interested in learning more but then that led to our community area plans and um you know she was really looking for like that specific information on how we can spread that word. So we're still if I'm not mistaken in the survey period we are still taking yes feedback. Yes. Um we would like the feedback. um online feedback to close on May 9th. So, there's still plenty of of time. Okay. Because we we attempted I was actually talking to Councilwoman Johnson uh during the meeting and we attempted to, you know, kind of drop something in the chat to encourage people to participate in um and there's always so much to cover in a town hall. So, you know, the level of specific in a town hall. So, you know, the level of specificity where we can really, you know, delve down where we can really, you know, delve down and and and offer this information is is a chance to get as, you know, many of our residents engaged as possible. So, um, that's all I have, but thank you. All right, Miss Johnson. Thank you. And and I was just thinking that 14 town halls is is or community meetings might not be realistic by May 9th. So I was talking to the city manager and webinars if you did webinars for each area plan like west you know the west middle and you know northeast middle and just go through those steps and that could be a webinar and then on demand so that residents could see you know the plan that applies to their neighborhood in detail. I I think we underestimate our our residents that they don't want to be engaged. I definitely will speak for district 4. I know they're they're engaged and don't just listen to what a personality might tell them. So, I I want them to have that information and um so I think an ondemand webinar would be would be great for the residents and I've spoken to the city manager who's committed to that. Right. Okay. certainly looking and and we do have the virtual hours every Tuesday and Thursday and we're happy to meet with folks virtually or if some folks have preferred to do it in person and we're happy to do that as well and responding to but I mean a level of specificity for each area so that they understand how their area is changing because the city has a vision for an area that the residents are unaware and may be opposed to and I can speak specifically to the whole Malard Creek area, right? I never hear anyone that's happy about all of the growth in the apartments, but I know how dense that plan is. So, I I for district 4 spec, especially for me, I want to ensure that residents have the details. Thank you. Maybe make a meeting. Any other comments suggestions? If not, we'll go to the next item on our agenda and that is um the first item is item 14, regional express bus service agreement renewal with the city of Gastonia. Is there a motion to adopt a resolution ratifying the interlocal agreement for the city of Gastonia for regional express bus service for an initial term of one year and authorize the manager to renew the agreement for up to four one-year terms and to amend the agreement consistent with the purpose for which the agreement was approved. Do I have a motion? Second. Okay. I I think I heard Mr. Graham say and then I think I heard Mr. Driggs. Okay. So we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor, please raise your hand. Is anyone in not favor? So we have a unanimous. So that's our first one. The next one is affordable housing development support request. approve up to $30,14,000 in housing trust fund allocations for the following affordable housing developments contingent upon their receiving a lowincome housing tax credit award from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency where applicable Baker Crossing the Barton South Haven Ridge at Sar Sharon Amnity Union at Graham Woodward Apartments Aene New Town Homes Cara Pond town homes, few road town homes, Tom Hunter homes, and Woodford estates. That's the first one. Item eight, approve district. Okay, let me I'll just go ahead and do them all the way through. approve up to $800,000 in federal fund allocations for the Long Creek Commons 9% low-income housing tax credit multif family affordable housing development in Huntersville approve up to 1.5 million 500 I can't even talk anymore 1,500,000 in transit oriented development affordable housing development bonus free pro program fee inl re revenue to support the urban trends acquisition of approximately 4.5 acres in council district 2 for the future development of affordable housing. So move. Okay. You have two more. You got two more. D. We still have more. I mean, yes, we can move it. But now 16 is an um authorize the city manager and the staff. 15. Here we go. I'm sorry. Where's 15 and E? D. Okay, here we go. We got D and E. Okay. D is approve an annual reimbursement to the housing collaborative in an amount not to exceed the Woodford estates development city hall tax bill for a naturally occurring affordable housing rental subsidy program over a 20-year period for 34 new long-term rental subsidies for households earning 60 30% and below the area medium income and authorize the manager or his designate to execute amend modify renew contracts and other documents ments required for the transactions. So now we can get to 16, which is um no vote on motion. Oh my gosh, we have a motion. And a second. We have a motion. That was so moved. I thought we had both of both of you guys down there. Good. Okay. So, those are items that we've read through. I've read through from 15 and more, Miss Molina. Okay. All right. Miss Molina. Um, thank you, Madam Mayor. Actually, um, we're we're still in the vote and actually what I'm wanting to present to my colleagues tonight is, um, me and the four at large members. you had some residents in district 5 to contact you. Um I organized a meeting last week to make the community aware of the affordable uh property that is the one um Haven Ridge at Sharon Emity and basically what the um community raised as concern. So, I wanted to be clear. Um, the community raised some concerns after um we held the meeting and and I think we can get to a good spot, but I need more time with them. Um, and I think it's only fitting for me to ask you to allow me to uh defer that particular one maybe until our next business meeting. Is that a motion? Yes, a mo. So, I'd like to substitute that mo a substitute motion. Um I, you know, everything's fine, but I would like to actually substitute and move Haven Ridge at Sharon Amity until our next business meeting if you'll allow me some time to have some more time with the residents because they raised some concerns that I'd like to make sure that we get addressed. Um, and I have already told the community that this is um it's pretty much by right. Right. And I' I've explained that this is not a zoning petition, that this is, you know, um one of our 4% non-competitive loans. I explained as much as I can, but it was such a parenthesis of time that I know that with a little bit more time, we could address those concerns. We could get some equilibrium um and and get to a good spot. So, um it's it's definitely not a denial. I'm in communication with the um development. And where is where is Rebecca? Is she still here, Rebecca? Um, and Rebecca's been helping me with this. She's been absolutely fantastic. Um, and and I thought we could get there today. That's why I normally would do really good and send you emails and all of that. And I'm telling you, we worked until the last minute, but we just it it wasn't it wasn't at that spot where we're good. So, I just want to make sure that I um just ask you guys to allow me to send that until So, for clarity, is the motion to approve item 15 except for the Haven Bridge? Yes. Yes. On this one, that is the motion and I think it's a motion made by Miss Molina. Motion second by Miss Mayfield. Okay. So, we have that. We'll take I'm sorry, Miss Watlington and Miss Ashira. Two questions. The first one um is as far as it relates to the motion language. I think you said defer to so I want to make sure that the deferral was captured in there and there was a time frame because my follow-up question to that would just be just want to understand what the impact might be if any to the um to the project and she would be great at explaining that because I can't do it justice. Uh the 4% and the 9% and the light. Oh, she Yeah, she got that. I don't even want to try deferred until Good evening, Rebecca Hefner, Housing and Neighborhood Services. Um, thank you, Council Member Molina. We we were working hard today on this one. And uh, so the the timing impact if this is deferred and a vote occurs at your next business meeting. Um because this is a 4% application not a 9% application this will not have that significant impact to the development timeline. There is a rolling application period for 4% uh bond allocation and tax credit um applications that runs actually from May 1st through October. So, the developer, if this is deferred and then approved, the developer will have time to put forward their 4% application to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. Thank you. Those are my questions. All right. You'll need to identify. So, the motion is to approve item 15 except for the Haven Ridge item which will be deferred until the next business meeting. Um I what what Mr. We have a we you have a motion and you have a second on that motion already. But Miss Ameir. Yes. Yes. Uh thank you madame mayor. So I agree with council member Molina because there were five issues that we heard from the community uh and they were very specific. So one was the restriction on specifying 55 plus. And Rebecca great job. you respond to emails like uh um in no time with so many so much details. I certainly appreciate it. Uh the community member reached out and you laid out pretty much all the concerns that they had and how to address it. So I think some of those requirements would address Coventry Woods neighborhoods concern. Um so certainly the restrictions around age um making sure there is accessibility for ADA requirement and then obviously uh there was concern around mental health providers um and um there were some concerns around the property management based on the reviews of the other property. I think if if we can just close the loop on those issues that would be great. Um but I certainly appreciate the work that you did. I mean, we got this email on certainly Monday and you responded literally within three hours addressing every single bullet point. I very much appreciate that. It's called having a great team. So, uh, all kudos over there. Um, and Madame Mayor, just for clarity, I want to make sure that I'm clear. Uh, she's been on the phone with me all weekend about this. Um, I've been in communication with John Altry. Um, and like I said, we set up a meeting at the Charlotte Museum of History. Um, and and I knew the concerns were coming. It just was really about getting, you know, all the feedback that we could from the community. So, they did put that in writing and they copied the ATL large council members um and and it was they wanted to make sure that they guaranteed stronger accessibility um um and um some aesthetics and and so I I think we can get there. I really do. So, we have a motion on the floor. Um, and it's been seconded. And, um, all in favor of a motion. We're not I have a question or No, we're we have a motion that we're doing with Miss Molina. Is it a question about her motion? Oh, I'm sorry. I mean, it's a question about the item. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't understand. You said you had a motion. I thought I mean, you went to the next one. So, all right. Okay. Um, I was just going to ask and I've since you're up there, it's good. What What is the area median income? The area median income for 2025 for a family of four is $112,000. Okay. And then if I could get a copy of that that chart that we're using. And then just to clarify the next business meeting is that a month from today or is there what's the date for this the next our next meeting madame clerk is where? May 12th. May 12th. May 12th. Okay. All right. That's all I have. Thank you. All right. So we have a motion on the floor. All in favor of the motion please raise your hand. Anyone oppose? Okay. The motion passes. So now the next item that we have to do is the authorize the manager. Is there a motion to authorize the city manager and the staff to work with recommended affordable housing developers to finalize preliminary affordable housing proposals and negotiate conveyance of the following vacant cityowned properties for the development of affordable housing 3924 and 3932 Freedom Drive conveyance to True Homes and Prosperity Alliance and 7825 Tyler Street conveyance to Camino Camino. that community development corporation. So, do we have a motion? Move. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Miss Mayfield. Thank you. So, when we're looking at these two, we're looking at a for rent product of town homes as well as a potential for sale product. I think it's a little misleading because both products are in essence in partnership with True Homes because even with the second property is still with True Homes. I would like for us to have some very clear language in there. I have said on more than one occasion as the only city member who actually has a new product by this particular developer and is in a community where next door there are multiple concerns and complaints regarding the quality of the development as well as the quality of the product including if you say new you have this expectation that there are certain out-of- pocket expenses that you would not have within a certain number of years and less than a four or 5-y year period, I have had a neighbor that have had to replace the roof on their brand new home. There have been multiple electrical HVAC related challenges that residents have. So, if we're going to be using tax dollars to bring a product into our community, I want to make sure that above minimum standards, the highest standards, so that also we do not run into the challenge that one of our development partners has run into with a different developer where they're now looking at a $59 million shortfall because honestly of shoddy construction that was not caught. So if this council is going to move forward with this developer, I want to ensure that the product that our community is getting is going to be a product that is not only going to gain equity for them, but also create a better quality of life so that they do not run into the challenges that I see a lot of my neighbors going through on a daily basis. Madam Mayor, all right, M. Yes. John. Okay. Um, thank you, Councilwoman Mayfield. I would support doing that. I was at a meeting today with um, apartment managers in District 4 and CMPD and CFD and the fire department and code enforcement and solid waste was there. It was a great meeting, but one of the things the apartment managers talked about was the quality of construction and the the quality of constructions or lack of qual quality leads to code enforcement violations. So, I would say we as a city, especially with taxpayer, well, they're all, you know, they're taxpayer dollars, but the the subsidies, but just as a standard, we really have to do something. And and we can talk about this later, but lighting and cameras for apartment complexes. There's things that we can do in our standards um that would improve the quality of life. So, I totally support whatever we would need to do. I'm excited about the True Home and Prosperity uh partnership. It's a it's a good pro project for affordable housing or or attainable housing, but we still have to ensure quality. So, whatever we have to do, Mr. Manager, uh during the permitting process or or something or maybe a revision to the the ordinance, but we we should be able to have certain requirements and standards, especially with this explosive growth in this city. We need to ensure quality because in 10 years we have to imagine what all of this all of these units are going to look like. So it's our responsibility to do that. So I I I agree and support uh with council member Mayfield the same. Thank you. Okay. Thank you Mr. Driggs. So uh I don't have any personal knowledge about the quality or the maintenance or anything like that. Uh I would invite True Homes to write to us perhaps if they would like to tell their side of the story. I think it's a little unfair that they can't respond and I will note that they do commit resources to construction which they make available at their cost. So they actually make an investment of equity in terms of managing certain projects on which they have no markup at all and that's their kind of uh community engagement on affordable housing. It's unusual. So, uh, uh, I'd like to just acknowledge that and then, uh, to hear, uh, as I say, their side of the story because, uh, this picture that we're painting right now is not very flattering and it may not be fair. Well, I'm not talking about true home specifically. I'm talking about development standards overall. I think we should I'm just saying I'm just saying they're not here, okay? If we're going to talk like this about somebody, they should be able to defend themselves. So, I hope they will. And I just want to acknowledge the fact that they do have a sense of mission about trying to create affordable housing. Thank you. Well, we don't have a motion yet. So, do we have a motion to address the question of the Freedom Drive and Tiner Streets conveyance? We have a motion. Do we have a motion? Who made the motion? Who made the motion? Okay, Miss Watlington. Thank you. All right. So, we have a motion. And I don't I couldn't What is the motion? the motion to approve to approve. Um, go ahead. Now, what is the motion? She did make a motion to approve. Madam clerk, what's the motion? Approve um the action to authorize the city manager and staff to work with the recommended affordable housing as presented in the um RCA. Okay, that was the motion and it was made by council member Watlington and seconded by Mr. Driggs. Okay, so we have a motion and second. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Miss Mayfield is opposed. Thank you very much. So with that, um, Mr. Mr. Fox, if you would please read the motion to go into close session. Yes, ma'am. Mayor, uh, if I could have a motion to go into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-31811A3 to consult with the city attorney to preserve the attorney client privilege and pursuant to North Carolina Journal statute 143-318.11A6 to consider the qualifications competence performance character, fitness, conditions of employment or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee. employee or prospective public officer or employee or to hear or investigate a complaint charge or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. All right, we have a motion. Could I have Hey, Madam Could I have a motion? So moved. We have a second. Okay. All in favor, please say I. Raise your hand. Okay. Okay. Okay. We're going into close session and we'll go into the room right behind. Sorry. Yeah, I I thought we were going to allow the attorney to address the the um or respond to the the union or the case. I mentioned that earlier. Is that okay if he does that? Well, it's not on the agenda. So, it would take a unanimous vote for us to do that. So, I mean, I think that I think the fact that we're getting dozens and dozens of calls, if there's if some there's something that and the union came out, if if there's something that the attorney has to say um a response to all the folks that came out today, I think that that would be okay. I mean, I would make a motion to add it to the agenda. If you have a motion, you're making a motion to add the response response to the public hearing to the agenda. For the public hearing, I'm sorry. I'd like for the attorney to address the speakers and address the case um with his opinion, legal opinion today and and put that on today's agenda. Order. Another motion already on the floor. Okay. Yeah, that's true. Go ahead. Uh, I did have a question. If if it was brought up in the public forum, isn't it already on the agenda? No, I No. No. No, I don't think you can speak about anything, but we'll ask we'll ask the attorney about that. That doesn't make it an agenda item for our consideration. We sit and we listen. It wasn't on the printed agenda. Actually, not the printed agenda item for this meeting. But normally when come people come and speak to us they would expect a response. I mean it's just our practice that we don't say anything. So that's why she's saying it's in the past we have responded to public uh without having a motion. So I don't think we need a motion because there were times where the manager or the mayor have responded when there was a for an example we had questions come up or about animal care and control where we responded here is what we are doing here is we're adding capacity. So I don't even think we need a motion. I it's up to the manager or the attorney to just go ahead and provide an update. I just want to make sure we're using in the appropriate manner the man I mean there's no action item on the council's agenda to do this but as your city attorney I can just share with you where we stand at this point and I'll do that I have um communicate I've met with with the union I've communicated with their chief legal counsel they prov provided a 30ome page memorandum. We provided a response to their memorandum. Today I received a letter from them responding to our response. Our opinion on this issue regarding case and the ability to adopt an ordinance to mandate a livable wage be assigned to anyone contracting or pro being permitted to operate at our facilities is that that is uh preempted by state law and is not allowed. Um there are two specific provisions that uh address it is the wage and hour act that prohibits um in the well and that prohibits a city from uh interfering with the compensation of any employer or other any employees other than its own. Uh and then there's a 16821 provision of the statute that addresses contractors that also prohibits um cities from uh attempting to regulate and impose upon contractors uh certain um livable wage or wage concessions. And it also refers back to the to the wage and hour act. Um in terms of the authority of the city, our authority is only what is given to us by the general assembly. The general assembly has not seen fit to confer upon us uh authority to to to regulate the wages of employes who are not our own. And and specifically under the wage and hour act, it allows for um it it prohibits and preempts the uh interference with wages and compensation of of of of individuals and companies except and there's exception that says except that a city may regulate the rate wages of its employees. It doesn't specifically grant the authority to regulate the wages of others employees. And you've got to read under statutory construction that if the general assembly intended for us to have a broader implication on the ability to influence wages, it would have done so in that pre that carved out exception. This is an effort simply because individuals are performing at a working and offering services at our airport to require us as the owner of the airport to impose upon uh the employers or of those individuals certain wage concessions. So it's allow it wants for us to insert ourselves in the relationship between the employee and its employer and that is what the existing case law prohibits. All right, I see a lot of hands up. Um, so why don't we go ahead and I have provided that opinion to to the unionist. Are we debating this? I think it was just a matter of a question and I mean the attorney has said this is what he purport to us and I think I don't know if there are questions for it. There were questions for it. So is that something that we can do tonight? Yes. Okay. Sure. We really can do whatever we want. Exactly. Okay. It is a really point of order. Well, yeah, we are. We do have a motion to go into close session. Motion on the floor to go to close session. Close session. We do have to go to close session tonight. I promise you that. That's going to be something. I ask them to respond during the public hearing and it was put off. So, I think it's okay. I mean, when people come out, we serve the people. So, when they come out, I think I I think it's inappropriate that we don't respond to them anyway, but you all know how I feel about that. So, I think this is appropriate that we have a discussion about when we had over I don't know the the number lots of people that were here. I'm not sure it's a discussion as much as I thought is there a question for the attorney. Okay. And so, but this we don't have it on the agenda. So, I don't think a discussion is appropriate. And we also have a motion on the floor right now. So, and I'm available to talk to the representatives at any time. They have my number. They have my contact information as well as I'm available to talk to you offline. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm going to push back on that. If it if the public forum is on the agenda, the topics that come up in public forum are on the agenda. I don't see anywhere in our rules of procedure that say it's not. Nor do I see anything that says that an action item has to be listed in terms of a vote to discuss something. I realize what that implies. Anybody could get up there and say anything. It's a public create a debate on this council. That is not it's a public forum. That's what it's for. Who do we want? Okay. I mean know that I know that I understand this but I think we have rules in the public forum. Even that has a has rules inside of but nowhere in our does it say that we cannot respond. I didn't say that. I I didn't say that a rule. But what I'm asking is the city attorney has really been giving us good guidance on a lot of these things. So is there in what he's just said, what do we do in this regard? I think the answer the the question to me was give an oversight of where it stands. I think I've done that now. So I don't know if there's anything else needs to be stated other than if there are questions. I'm available to answer questions offline. We have questions right here and we haven't voted to go into close session. So this this body is still meeting. That's true. So if there's a question and there's no answer to the question, what would is that what we're doing in that regard? Is it just repetitive? Well, let's ask our questions and we'll know whether it needs followup. Let's go ahead. That's how I feel. But Mr. Again, Fox, what's the question? What is the question? We haven't had a chance to ask him yet. I mean, we raised our hands and was waiting and then another conversation started. So, Mayor, I don't know if you had a chance to capture those of us that raised our hands. I haven't seen a list of questions at all. Not questions. Those of us that raised our hands. Oh, I did see the people that raised Yeah, I did see that. So, um Dimple. Yes. Thank you, Mor. So, and we still have a closed session and it has to be done tonight. I know Mr. Fox, you had sent us a memo and then we got a response back from the union's attorney who sent us a memo. Uh, and they are citing general statute 168-20 where it states a city may contract with and appropriate money to any person, association, or corporation in order to carry out any public purpose that the city is authorized by law to engage in. A city may not require a private contractor under this section to abide by any restriction that the city could not impose on all employers in the city such as paying minimum wage higher than the statewide wage in chapter 95 um or providing paid sick leave to its employees as a condition of being or a contract on a contract. So I know that they are citing certain statues, you are citing general statues. So I I feel like um it's subject to interpretation. It's not. Okay. What citing is 168 as 21.1. If you read that statute, it really says that a city may not as a condition of a contract impo impose wage and hour requirements and refers back to the wage and hour act that says that you are preempted. you're preempted, which means you are prohibited from adopting ordinances. And I'll read that language to you that specifically relates to the wages of employees other than your own. The stat I mean I implore you to read the statute in 95.25.1. And first of all, the the premise of the statute is to maintain a competitive position in North Carolina for business and industry. That's why it's adopted. It's adopted to maintain that integrity and that relationship. And then it goes on that pro specifically provide that the the provisions of this statute supersede and preempt any ordinance regulation resolution. That's what you guys do. you adopt those kind of things uh or policy adopted or imposed by a unit of local government which you are or other political subdivision of the state that regulates and imposes any requirement on an employer pertaining to compensation of employees such as wage levels of employees hours of labor payment of earned wages benefits leave or well-being of minors in the workplace. That's pretty broad to me and pretty much says it all. I'm not arguing. I'm not an attorney, but I just think that you know there are we are getting a memo from the attorney. It's not an argument, but I think that we're trying to Okay, let's see. Miss Watlington. Thank you, Mr. Fox. I just had two questions and um I wrote them on the paper earlier after I read the letter and mine are it it seems clear to me what you're saying in regards to the general statutes and what you just read. The two pieces that seemed new, if you will, from the letter that we got today was this idea that um that case the case ordinance is not um it is not not preempted. Well, but there was a reason because it said that it was not actually um trying to impose wages, but it was doing something else. So, I wanted to understand that piece and then I also Oh, right here. I wanted to also understand uh it says the case ordinance applies when the city acts as a seller in the marketplace. Uh so this is either end. So I just those were the two points that I wanted clarity on is what is what does this mean in regards to the city acting as a seller because I'm in my opinion the money was going in the other direction. But those are the two points for me that I want to be clear about. They they are partial argument where they attempt to say that because the operation of the airport is proprietary. Sorry, I can't hear you. Offering services akin to a private industry. Mr. Fox, I'm sorry I can't hear you. That therefore the preeemption doesn't apply, right? Because they're saying it's not a regulated service that you're providing. But what is attempted to be achieved here guys is that they are wanting you to insert yourself in the employee employer relationship as it relates to compensation simply because that that relationship exists on property that you own. Mhm. And they want you to do that and insert yourselves into that that that arena. And remember in North Carolina, you're prohibited from recognizing and negotiating with unions. So that's off the table. And to to to insert yourself into a represented employee base is also problematic for you. as well. And the the the distinction between proprietary and regulated is not one that I find persuasive. And the cases they've cited to support that position are cases that are not North Carolina cases. They've they've cited a I believe a West Virginia case and another jurisdiction. And that jurisdiction related to the N National Labor Relations Board and the preeemption under the NLRB act and that doesn't apply here either. You you you're in an environment where you have a clear statute and you have limited authority and that's where you sit. We're not in West Virginia. We're not in another jurisdiction. We're not covered by the National Labor Relations Board or the Act. We're governed by the statute and the powers that are granted to us by the general assembly. Those are my questions. Thank you. Yeah. All right. Miss Mayfield, did you have Thank you, Madam Mayor. Manager Jones, I actually have a question for you in this. Can we have it or mayor, I would like for us to be able to have a discussion in budget and intergovernmental relation. the way our current RFP policy works. So, let's look at one of the companies at the airport. Well, there's a company that's at the airport that one of our airline partners works with. We also as the city have a contract with them. If our current process and policy is lowest responsive bidder, we take out responsive. We usually just go with lowest bidder. Lowest bidder tends to have lower wages. We have had I have seen proposals over the years that had may have had a higher number but when that breakdown of how those funds were allocated they actually had a different pay rate for the employees. It is not we do not have the ability if I am understanding our interim attorney correctly to mandate outside of city of Charlotte employees which is why we have been able to increase their races. But we do have an ability when we are looking at contracts and when we we are approving contracts and I would like for it to be referred to committee for us to be able to have real discussion and look at potential policy language that will remove that lowest in order to get to responsive better based on the needs of our community and making sure that that contract and that bid is responsive to the residents that we have. So council member Mayfield I would say that u in all due respect it's the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. We just don't take the lowest number. It does not feel that way and we can go back and I and I'm not going to challenge that. I would like to have it referred to committee so that we can actually look at the numbers because unfortunately I can go in and pull up x number of proposals and the ones where we do have the bid sheet attached where we actually can't see it is not necessarily perceived as lowest responsible responsive bidder. It is that lowest dollar amount. I'm just asking if we can have a real conversation around what does that look like and to see if we have the ability to put more emphasis on responsive versus a greater emphasis being on lowest that is a we should be able to discuss it it's a creature of statute the statute but the statute is lowest responsible take into consideration price quality performance other factors that go into it but that's the limitation that we have and there's some other things of foot that you may want to delay having any discussion on. So basically we and I want to make sure that I'm understanding as we're getting this on record and we're also trying to adhere to the limitations we have. We are in a Dylan rule state. We are in a pro business state. Lowest responsive bidder. If I could get away, whatever amount that I can offer someone to work, regardless of what is happening in the actual community that they live in, the only control Charlotte City Council has is directly with Charlotte employees that we hire under this manager. Mhm. So we can control the salaries of the employees of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, but not any of the subcontractors within Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Yeah, but you need to applaud what you've done. You have adopted a livable wage for the employees that you do control. I mean, that's the I was just asking for clarification to make sure that I'm understanding and I appreciate that because we did a lot of work to get there. That work started in 20 2012 2013. I want to make sure that I'm understanding where we have respons where we have authority. You're telling me based on legislative policy is only on our employees. So for me to ask for the manager and the mayor to refer to committee for us to have a discussion that that is something that we do not have the ability to do because of legislative language out of Raleigh that sets the minimum standard of wages. I I'll say it a different way. You don't have the ability to do it because the statute is pretty restrictive in terms of what you can do regarding the compensation of individuals that are not your own. Okay. sort of subcontract. I do have one question. I've spoken to the attorney about the contract and our ability to to consider for consideration and we can talk offline but it was my understanding that there are there is some flexibility from the lowest and responsive bid because there's other uh other yes the lowest responsible build uh bidder taken into consideration the quality performance timing reput There's some other factors that trail that that provision in the statute which gives you a little bit of flexibility. But there's a there's a bunch of law and procurement on how far you go and how what's the breadth of that language and you still are restricted by the the body of law that's that's made interpretations on that from time to time. Okay. So yeah, if we could I agree if it went to committee because our conversation was I think different when when we spoke. We also spoke about the ability for termination of the contract and everything. So, if we could I I agree if we could send that to committee to take a deeper dive on what the options are. I thank y'all for this the conversation tonight. What I would like to do is have the attorney actually give us something in writing and then if it's something that could move forward to committee, then we'll do that. If it's something that we're still hearing these concerns, then we'll have that same conversation. But I think sending it to committee is not helping us until we actually know what question we're asking. Okay. We can identify the question which is right. I know I under that's what I'm saying. But those questions as an addition and I think that putting Anthony on the spot to do it right away. I think it's I would want us to do it in a way that's thoughtful and we have something documented from our attorneys. So with that, Mr. program. And I'm not sure if the answer's going to change, right? I'm just not sure. I'm sure that we have an affordability problem in Charlotte. I'm sure about that. Whether you work at the airport or you work anywhere in in Charlotte, affordability in Charlotte, housing is cost of high daycare, the cost go, everybody is struggling, our frontline workers. So, I get it right. But I also get the fact that we have an attorney who has and I spoke with Mr. Fox on two occasions about this topic, met with Mr. Winston, read the incoming communications back and forth and and I understand the acts, but I also understand the importance of the enterprise, the airport, right? And I understand that it is not just a Charlotte thing. It's a regional thing. And before we start to answer some and I'm not sure what we're trying to answer. I know specifically what they're asking. I'm not sure what we're trying to do around the dies tonight that we really need to think about what it is that we're trying to accomplish. I hear language about those responsible bidder. I hear what their request is. It's all convoluted to me right now. Right. So, I'm not sure what the objective is. I think I'm certain that the response will not change. And we I think I'm not a lawyer, not going to pretend to be one, but I'm wise enough to listen to one uh in reference to how what is being asked or where the role that some would like to go to, how it in impacts the enterprise. And I think we ought to be really really careful before we step in some quick sand that we we all will regret in one form or another. Madam Mayor, yes. If I may, I want to provide a little bit of clarity at least from where I sit because what I don't want is folks to walk away from here thinking that when we don't already know the answer to the end that we're not willing to have a conversation. That was the point of this conversation for me was to understand with the new information what and how or if that might have um changed what Mr. Fox had given us. Um what I heard around the dice and it was very helpful for me to hear some of the other folks questions and some of the other conversation is that it sounds like it doesn't sound like there's a persuasive argument to go down the road of trying to um regulate wages. What I think I heard here and to me what the objective was then to find out is does it make sense for us to look at our procurement practices in a way that might make sure that we're prioritizing all the things that we find important just like we do for small business participation and the like. So, what I would like or what I would expect to see is that what comes out of the attorney's office is a response, if you will, to the new information as well as some kind of assessment of where the boundaries might lie that we might be able to influence our procurement processes for the outcomes we desire. Not because any one person has said this is what they want or they don't want, but to me, this is a policy question of what does how can we use or leverage our procurement process to drive the results that we want for the community. To me, that's the policy question that we would answer in committee. Well, I agree that it is a policy question. I don't think that we have had a vote that says that this is what the council wants to do. And I'm not saying we have either. I'm simply he said he wasn't clear about what the objective was. So, I'm just making it clear about where I sit as what that is. I'm not asking you to go write something. We don't need a vote for you to make a I'm not going to write anything or anything. I'm not sure what the real information is. is that the information has to come from the source that has the ability to analyze what these remarks are asking for and that's what we're asking for, but that doesn't mean that it means that it's a policy item that the council would adopt. So, I think we can continue to do that. So, right now, we really do need to have a close session, guys. said, "No matter how tough this is, but we have I think someone has to formulate a reason for what we're going to do." And I think that the attorney is our first step. So with that, did we vote on the motion to go? We have to do We have a motion in a second. We have to already voted. We already voted. We haven't voted on either. We never voted to go into close session. We did. We had the motion in the second and then started the whole conversation. I thought I heard in favor and then Miss Johnson had a comment right after the vote, but there was a motion second. All right, let's vote again. All in favor of going into close session, please raise your hand. Thank you very much. From the general assembly that differently I think you [Music] [Music]