THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY CLEARLY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT HOSPITALITY TOURISM ECONOMY. THE OF THE WORK THAT COMES AROUND THE SPIRIT INDUSTRY THAT HELPS TO DRIVE SO MUCH OF THIS ECONOMY. AND SO THE WORK THAT WE DO, AGAIN, IS NOT JUST ABOUT THIS ABC BOARD. IT'S ABOUT THIS ECONOMY. TALKING TO COUNCILMAN GRAHAM ABOUT THE ABOUT THE TENNIS TOURNAMENT THAT WE WILL HAVE IN CHARLOTTE, WE'RE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT THAT. HOW DO WE SERVICE THAT? WE'RE LOOKING AT CINCINNATI NOW AND GETTING UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THAT IS SERVICED. WE KNOW THAT RIVERGATE IS COMING SOON AND HOW DO WE ADOPT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEST SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS. KNOW THAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY WATCHING THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CUSTOMERS I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE STRONG 320 EMPLOYEES FULL AND PART TIME. WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THE MARKET. PROUD TO SAY THAT OUR SALARIES ARE ABOVE MARKET FOR COMPARABLE RETAIL OPERATIONS WE PAY NONPROFIT HOURS AND EXCITED ABOUT TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AND OUR BOARD VOTED, WE THOUGH THAT STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS HUGE. SO OUR BOARD VOTED TO PUT IN PLACE A STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROCESS FOR OUR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN GOOD STANDING OVER A YEAR. SO PROUD TO SAY THAT THE UPTAKE ON THAT HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD AND HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR A NUMBER OF FOLKS. THIS YEAR, WE WILL ADD A SUCCESS SHARING PLAN. IF IT WERE SO IT'S BASED ON INCENTIVE AND GOALS THAT WILL BE REACHED BY EACH DEPARTMENT AND AGAIN, WE CELEBRATE THE 5 YEARS AND RATHER THAN PUTTINGS THOSE DOLLARS INTO BILLBOARDS AND ADVERTISEMENT WE PUT THOSE DOLLARS BACK TO OUR PEOPLE. ALL SORTS OF WONDERFUL ENHANCEMENTS THAT MAKES THEIR WORK LIFE BETTER. SO WE'RE WORKING ON BUILDING A CULTURE THAT IS DESIRABLE TO BE A PART OF. AGAIN, IT'S RETAIL. AND LIPSTICK ON A PIG OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT IS STILL RETAIL, AND WE WANT TO DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE. SO AGAIN, AND I WANT TO NOW TURN IT OVER TO WOMEN MEENA REMBERT, WHO IS ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND SHE'S GOING TO BRING WORDS ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. DR. REMBERT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. WALTON. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MADAM MAYOR, MR-- MAYOR PRO TEM AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF OUR CHAIRPERSON, MS. MONIQUE-- MONIFA DRAYTON. SHE IS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. SHE SENDS HER SINCERE REIMRETS. SHE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN HERE BUT SHE'S OUT OF TOWN AND COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. I AM PLEASED I AM PLEASED TO BRING REMARKS AND GREETINGS ON HER HALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD. ONE OTHER MEMBER OF OUR BOARD IS HERE. I WILL ASK DIRECTOR BEVERLY THORPE SHE WILL STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED. I DIDN'T SEE IF ANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS CAME IN YET. I DON'T THINK SO. BUT ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE BOARD, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS WITH THE CITY AS IT IS WITH THE COUNTY AND WITH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN THE OPERATION, WE GET TO PUT BACK IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE THINK THAT'S OF GREAT VALUE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO WE'RE HERE. DIRECTOR THORPE AND I ARE HERE TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT TO OUR CEO, MR. WALTON, WHO WE BELIEVE IS DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB IN RUNNING OUR ABC OPERATION. YOU SHOULD AND CAN BE VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT HE AND HIS TEAM ARE DOING. I ALSO WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T BRING GREETINGS FROM CONGRESSMAN JEFF JACKSON'S OFFICE, WHERE YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUE AND FORMER CITY COUNCILMAN LARKEN EGLESTON IS OUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR. HE SENDS HIS REGARD AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU. >> SO A LOT IN THERE. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I THINK DR. REMBERT SUMMED IT UP WELL. WE HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF AND OUR TASK IS TO HOLD DOWN OUR LANE. OUR LANE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MANAGING THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SPIRITS IN A LAWFUL AND LEGAL AND RESPONSIBLE WAY. I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH. AGAIN, IT'S EASY TO SAY LOTS OF THINGS YOU COULD SAY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR STORE ASSOCIATE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB OF THAT AND AGAIN, I'M AWARE-- WEARING A BUTTON ABOUT ABC TO GO AND ONE OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE PANDEMIC, WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE'D END. WE ENTERED THE ECOMMERCE SPACE AND I'M PROUD TO SAY AND WE HAVE SOFTWARE DEVELOP SUCH THAT YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE AND PICK UP HOPEFULLY IN STORE CURBSIDE. STORE 25 AT RANDOLPH CURRENTLY IS OPERATIONAL AS WELL AS STORE 14 ON CENTRAL AVENUE. BY THE END OF THE YEAR WE PLAN TO HAVE AT LEAST SIX-- FIVE MORE READY TO GO. SO THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. AGAIN, THANK YOU I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AND THAT WE BELIEVE IN CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG. ONE LAST DETAIL. [LAUGHTER] >>MAYOR: JUST A SMALL ONE. >> JUST A SMALL ONE. I MENTIONED THAT WE CANNOT KEEP PROFITS AND SO THIS IS YOURS. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] I BELIEVE THE CHECK IS CLEARED AND IN THE BANK. [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE AN ANNUAL AMOUNT THAT WE BUDGET EVERY YEAR, SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS AND WE CAN'T KEEP PROFITS OVER A CERTAIN THRESHOLD SO THIS 1.5 MILLION IS OVER AND ABOVE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK WHAT YOU DO IN THE STORES HAS BEEN JUST TRULY REMARKABLE, THE WAY THAT THEY CHANGE FROM BEING KIND OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE RED DOT STORE TO ACTUALLY A PLACE THAT'S BRIGHT AND HAS, YOU KNOW, SELECTIONS AND CHOICES. BUT I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU, OF THE STORES THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THE STAFF HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. >> GREAT. >>MAYOR: THINGS ARE EASIER TO PAY, EASIER TO FIND, ALL OF THAT. SO YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LEAST IN THE RESPECT THAT I HAVE, IT HAS CHANGED FROM WHAT IS THE TRADITION. I THINK THERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU. I WILL START WITH MS. MAYFIELD FOLLOWED BY MS. ANDERSON AND MR. BOKHARI. WE WILL START WITH MS. MAYFIELD AND COME AROUND. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE. COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU. AND YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH LOCATIONS RECEIVE WHICH PRODUCTS? >> WE ARE GETTING BETTER THE DATA ANALYTICS. WHAT'S THE-- WHAT SALE IS BEING DRIVEN WHERE, HOW MUCH VOLUME, LIKE ANY OTHER RETAILER. LOOKING AT-- AND WE'RE GETTING BETTER THAT WE INVESTED SIGNIFICANTLY IN OUR COMPUTING PLATFORM TO BETTER ENABLE US TO DO THAT. PRINCIPALLY BASED ON SALES. >> SO IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE USE THAT YOUR CURRENT MODEL IS BASED ON SALES. BECAUSE IF THE LOCATION CLOSEST TO ME DOESN'T HAVE THE PRODUCT THAT I WANT AND I HAVE TO GO ACROSS TOWN, THE SALES ARE GOING TO BE BASED OFF OF THAT LOCATION. OR, IF I WERE TO GO ONLINE TO DO A SEARCH, SO I'M GOING TO BE VERY SPECIFIC. JACK DANIELS HAS TENNESSEE IN A CAN FORM. MYERS PARK IS THE ONLY LOCATION THAT IS-- >> NO. >> ONE OF THE FEW LOCATIONS IN CHARLOTTE THAT HAS THAT. I LIVE ON-- IF THE WILKINSON BOULEVARD LOCATION, THE BROOK SHIRE, MOUNT HOLLY LOCATION, ANY ONE OF THOSE ARE THE CLOSEST LOCATION IT ME, THERE'S IN WAY FOR ME TO GO ONTO ABC'S WEBSITE TO FIND THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCT. THAT'S WHY I WAS WONDERING. >> YOU YOU WANT THE BOTTLES OR THE CANS? >> JUST THE CANS. I THINK YOU JUST GOT IT ON THE SHOW. [LAUGHTER] SHELF. >> I HAD THAT ON THE LAKE THIS WEEKEND. >> WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING. YEAH, AGAIN, WHAT I WOULD SAY TO YOU FROM ARE FEW PRODUCTS THAT WE CAN'T GET. WE DO TRY TO LOOK AT HOW SALES ARE MOVING. IT MOVES. IT'S LIKE AN AMOEBA. IT COULD BE THIS WAY ONE MONTH AND THE NEXT DIFFERENT. MIKE'S GOT THAT DOWN. WE'LL LOOK AT JACK DANIELS HONEY IN A CAN. [LAUGHTER] >> I'LL SEND YOU THE PICTURE IF YOU NEED IT. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT USING TECHNOLOGY, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, YEAH AS PEOPLE NOT ONLY THOSE WHO CURRENTLY LIVE HERE BUT AS WE'RE GROWING WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY I'M ON THE WEBSITE AND DID A GOGGLE SEARCH. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO SAY IN MY AREA IF THERE'S SPECIFIC PRODUCT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WAS UNDER REALLY THE NORTH CAROLINA THE LEGISLATURE STATUTES THAT WE CAN'T RECEIVE CERTAIN DRINKS THAT COME IN FROM OUT OF STATE. I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR I IN ALL OF MY ALCOHOL-RELATED QUESTIONS. AFTER VISITING IRELAND A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A VERY SPECIFIC IRISH DRINK THAT I COULD ONLY GET FROM IRELAND BECAUSE NOBODY SOLD IT HERE. FOR MANY YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO ORDER IT AND THAT WAS CHANGED WHEN WE NO LONGER COULD ORDERS FROM IT. BUT UNFORTUNATELY NORTH CAROLINA DOESN'T HAVE IT AND IF THAT IS GOING TO BE A CONCERN AND IF SO, HOW DO RESIDENTS ENCOURAGE YOU ALL OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS AND BRANDS SO THAT WE'RE NOT GOING ACROSS THE STATE LINE IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY PURCHASES. >> WELL, A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT'S LISTED AT THE STATE LEVEL AND CHANCES ARE, IF WE COULD GET THAT BY SPECIAL ORDER. SO THERE REALLY IS NO PRODUCT WE CAN'T GET. THE QUESTION IS IF IT ISN'T IN STOCK AND IN OUR SYSTEM ACROSS OUR SYSTEM, WE CAN PROBABLY GET IT THROUGH A SPECIAL ORDER IF IT'S NOT LISTED BY THE STATE. THE STATE HOSTS QUARTERLY LISTING MEETINGS FOR NEW PRODUCTS TO GET THEM ON THE LIST. IT'S ALWAYS CHANGING EVERY QUARTER. >> I WILL TELL YOU TO ADD COOL SWAN WHOEVER THE MAGICAL PERSON IS WRITING THINGS DOWN ONTO THAT LIST. I THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF WE'RE LOOKING AT NEIGHBORING PARTNERS, WHAT PRODUCTS THEY ARE HAVING THAT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE AND THAT'S SALES THAT I'M NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE. IT MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT IS IT THAT THEY'RE SEEING THAT WE DON'T HAVE IN OUR STORES. THERE ARE WELL OVER 4,000SKUs. WE'LL GET YOU. >> YEAH. BECAUSE I WANT A SPECIAL ORDER. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WALK INTO THE STORE AND GET WHAT I WANT TO GET. MAINLY MY NOTE SAYS ARE WE COMFORTABLE TO SOUTH CAROLINA >> PERSONALLY, I'M BIAS. I THINK WE EXCEED. IT'S EASY TO LOOK AT TWO OR THREE STORES AND LOOK AT THEIR PRODUCT. OUR STORE, OUR STORES AND OUR PRODUCT IS SPREAD ACROSS 31 STORES AND 1,200 MIXED BEVERAGE CUSTOMERS. THAT'S OUR RESTAURANT AND IT MAY BE AT THAT STORE, BUT CHANCES ARE IT'S IN THE SYSTEM. BUT I WILL SAY AND I WILL SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO GET BETTER AT FROM OUR DATA AND OUR COMPUTER IS TO BE ABLE TO DETECT AND BE RESPONSIVE TO THAT DEMAND. YOU'RE RIGHT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR RESIDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF. >> IN YOUR SLIDE FOR THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HOSPITALITY TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHERE DID YOU DRIVE IT? IN THE HOSPITALITY TOURISM INDUSTRY SLIDE, WHAT IS "YOU DRIVE IT?" >> I DO NOT KNOW. THAT'S A MOHAMUD SLIDE AND I GRABBED IT FROM HTA. I DIDN'T CREATE THAT. THAT CAME DIRECTLY FROM CRVA AND HTA. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. >> ALL RIGHT. MS. ANDERSON. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AND SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE-- WE HAVE SOME LEAKING SALES FOR FRUGAL MACDOUGAL. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CAPTURING. THAT CHECK MAY BE LARGER NEXT YEAR BASED ON COUNCILMAN'S MAYFIELD'S DESIRES. I HAVE TWO QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU. FIRST, I DO WANT TO SAY AND I ECHO WHAT THE MAYOR SAID ABOUT THE RENOVATION OF THE STORES BEING BRIGHTER, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE WITNESSED THAT IN TWO STORES THAT ARE IN DISTRICT ONE AND ADJACENT TO DISTRICT ONE AND THE USER EXPERIENCE IS MUCH BETTER. I ALSO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING ADAPTIVE TO HOW OUR ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING AND BEING READY TO EMBRACE THE CHANGE BEFORE IT ACTUALLY OCCURS. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. NOT ONLY FOR THE BOARD BUT ACROSS ALL-- ALL ENTITIES FOR THE CITY. WE NEED TO BE MORE PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. THE FIRST ONE IS AROUND SOCIAL DISTRICTS AND AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE EMBARKING ON APPROVING BECAUSE YOU ARE THE IN CONVERSATION WITH WAKE COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE SOCIAL DISTRICTS AND SOME OF MY ROG DOFERLING 44 AND HOW THAT'S BEING MANAGED? CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT IT'S STILL SKETCHY. NOT A LOT OF LEARNING AS OF YET. I WAS AT A CONFERENCE. IS WITH IN NEW YORK AND I SHARED WITH TOM AND MICHAEL SMITH. THE WHOLE NOTION IS RECOGNIZING THAT THE NIGHTTIME ECONOMY IS A SIGNIFICANT BRAND POINT AND ECONOMIC POINT FOR YOUR CITY. IN NEW YORK, THEY HAVE THESE NIGHTTIME MANAGERS AND THAT FUNCTION OF A SOCIAL DISTRICT IS BEING ORCHESTRATED THROUGH THAT ENTITY. AND NEW YORK, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, TONS OF SOCIAL DISTRICTS. IT REALLY IS MIND-BOGGLING. WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT, QUITE FRANKLY. ALL AROUND. SO I HAVE NO OTHER NEW LEARNINGS OTHER THAN WHAT I TOOK FROM THAT CONFERENCE. I REALLY SHARED WITH TOM MUHAMED AND I SHARED WITH CHIEF JENNINGS ALSO BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THESE CITIES ARE VERY ORCHESTRATING OF THESE NIGHT DISTRICTS. BUT WE ARE CONTINUE WATCH AND LEARN AS WELL AND WOULD APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION BACK AND FORTH AS WE HAVE A TEAM OF 16 VERY SMALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO WORK VERY CLOSELY WORK CLOSELY WITH CMPD ON THESE MATTERS. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION. >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CMPD AS WELL AS THE ENTITIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO BRING THESE SOCIAL DISTRICTS ONBOARD IS THE RIGHT TYPE OF COLLABORATION THAT WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE FOR THE RESIDENTS. THE SECOND THING I WOULD LIKE TO YOU SPEAK ON IS JUST THE EDUCATION PIECE AROUND FAKE I.D.s AND HAVING ADULTS PURCHASE ALCOHOL FOR MINORS. I KNOW YOU DO A GREAT JOB OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WILL COME OUT TO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AND OTHER MEETINGS. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT ARM OF YOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SO EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE OF COUNCIL? >> AGAIN, WE ARE LOOKING AS WE SPEAK. WE JUST BROUGHT ON AN ADDITIONAL STAFF RESOURCE, PARTICULARLY IN OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH EDUCATION AREA. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM HAS STOOD UP AN ENTIRE UNIT WITHIN THAT DIVISION FOCUSED JUST ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE CONSTANTLY, WE WERE VERY ENGAGED WITH-- AND WE'RE LOOKING TO REENGAGE WITH CMS FOR OUR STAY PROGRAM. SO THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN THE SCHOOLS. I'M INCREASINGLY BELIEVING THAT WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH PARENTS. BECAUSE I TELL YOU, I HEARD A FATHER TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF HIS 14-YEAR-OLD SON TO FENTANYL. HE THOUGHT HIS SON HAD NO ISSUES, AND SO, YOU KNOW, AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR NEXT EVOLUTION AND WE ARE AT THAT POINT OF AND AGAIN, WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION I DON'T WE REAVAILABLE. OUR FOLKS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM, CMS, WE'RE IN CHARTER SCHOOLS THEY HAVE A CONNECTIVITY THAT NO ONE HAS. THOSE GRANTS THAT GO TO THE SMALL GRANTEES IS CRITICAL AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A WAY FOR TO US REACH DEEPER INTO THE COMMUNITY. >> I AGREE, THANK YOU FOR GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MADAM MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR MULTIPLE ROLES IN&CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY OVER THE YEARS. APPRECIATE SEEING THAT UP THERE AND ALL THE PROACTIVE STUFF. WE KNOW ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES SUFFERING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC IN A LOT OF WAYS WITH THEIR TOUCHPOINT TO LICKER AND ALL THE COMPLEXITY STATEWIDE THAT COMES ALONG WITH THAT, SOMETIMES THERE ARE ISSUES THAT ARISE. I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR TROUBLESHOOTING THE CONSTITUENT SERVICES ASPECT OF THAT. WE KNOW ISSUES ARISE AND YOU'VE HELPED IN A NUMBER OF THOSE CASES. GREATLY APPRECIATED. I JUST ASK AS WE MOVE FORWARD FOR US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY. PARTICULARLY NOT JUST FROM THE BUSINESS NEEDS WHICH I KNOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM FULLY ARE AWARE OF AND WORK ON, BUT THAT INTERSECTIONALITY BETWEEN THE CMPD, ABC FOLKS, COUNTY, PARKS AND REC, COUNTY FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PERSPECTIVE. THERE'S A LOT OF TOUCH POINTS AND THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS THINGS CAN FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS AND BE DIFFICULT. I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON WHAT YOU'VE DONE HERE. LIKE WE HAVE IN THE CITY WITH ONE-STOP SHOP VIEWS FOR DEVELOPING. JUST A NOTE TO REMEMBER AS WE MOVE FORWARD BUT A NOTE OF APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AS WE WORK THROUGH TOUGH TIME SENSITIVE ITEMS. >> THANK YOU, SIR. AGAIN, I WOULD ENCOURAGE TO RELOOK AT THE NIGHTTIME MANAGER ROLE AND FUNCTION. AGAIN, U.K., SOME OF THE LARGER CITIES HAVE THAT FUNCTION AND IT REALLY SERVED AS AN UMBRELLA AND A HUB FOR ALL THAT TO COEXIST AND OPERATED UNDER THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN MOST OF THOSE CITIES. THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> WE CAN DO THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE HERE. [LAUGHTER] I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MS. JOHNSON. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I WILL SAY I RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH DRAYTON AND I KNOW SHE LEADS WITH INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE. I KNOW YOUR BOARD IS IN GREAT HANDS. I DO HAVE A QUESTION THE PREVENTION THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE HELP WITH. I WANTED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT. YOU SPOKE TO IT A LITTLE BIT WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GRANTS. BUT WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE TO RESTAURANT AND BAR OWNERS ASSIST WHEN PATRONS HAVE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK? >> THANK. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM, WE CALL IT AHE IS IS THE ACRONYM, ALCOHOL SEVER SELLER EXCELLENCE TRAINING. I GOT IT RIGHT, FOLKS. ASSET IS ALL ABOUT GOING INTO AN ESTABLISHMENT AND EDUCATING EVERY SEVER ON OVERSERVICE AND CARDING. SO IT CAN BE DONE AND LAST YEAR, WE LAUNCHED AN ONLINE PLATFORM AND I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO TAKE IT FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION AS WELL AS THE IN PERSON. OUR OFFICERS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO DO THAT. HOW MANY THIS YEAR HAVE WE DONE, KEVIN? >> Speaker: NUMBERS-WISE, WE'RE AT A COUPLE HUNDRED SIR. >> YEAH. THAT'S ALWAYS AVAILABLE. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSLATING THAT INTO SPANISH. ALWAYS ONLINE AND YOU KNOW, WE ARE-- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. SO IF YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE, DON'T HESITATE TO GIVE US A CALL AND LET US KNOW. AGAIN, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO KNOW THESE GRANTEES BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY'RE TOUCHING PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE. AND YOU KNOW, WE REMAIN OPEN. WE CAN'T FORGET ANUVIA. THEY REALLY DO EXCEPTIONAL WORK THERE. HAVE BEEN SINCE 1957 OR SO. THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE AGENDA >> I GOT A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS. I'M PARTICULAR PARTICULARLY INTERESTED, YOU MENTIONED DATA ANALYTICS AND HOW YOU ALL ARE MANAGING YOUR INVENTORY AND I'M JUST CURIOUS WHERE YOU THINK THAT IS GOING, WHAT IS THE PLAN FORWARD FOR HOW? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY JUST COMPLETED A MARKET ANALYSIS WITH UNC CHARLOTTE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. AND WILL HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND TWO THINGS WE WANT TO LOOK AT. WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT IS ANTICIPATED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FIVE TO SIX YEARS. AND NOW WE HAD TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN SO WE'RE JUST NOW COMING UP ON THE CURVE. MY PLAN IS TO REALLY DIGEST THAT PROGRAM AND REALLY UNDERSTAND AND AGAIN, WHERE IS THE CITY GOING? AND AGAIN, WE DON'T EXIST OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITALITY TOURISM ECONOMY. HOW DO WE ALIGN THE DOTS AND THAT WILL DRIVE SO MUCH. I DO THINK THAT A BIG PART OF NEXT FOR US IS. YOU WON'T NECESSARILY SEE THE 6,000 SQUARE FOOT STORE ON THREE ACRES AND IT MAY BE ONLINE ONLY STORE WITH A TOP 25 PRODUCT THAT FILLS IN WHERE HAVE GAPS. AS WE KNOW THE CHICK-FIL-A ON WENDOVER, YEAH, WENDOVER-- NOT WENDOVER, RANDOLPH, A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW RETAILERS ARE SHRINKING THEIR FOOTPRINT. THEY'RE LESSENING THE NUMBER OF SKUs, SKU FATIGUE IS WHAT'S COMING OUT. AND WE'RE JUST BEGINNING TO WEEK ANI THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY AND I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOUR STRATEGY LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT YOUR DIRECT TO CONSUMER LOOKS LIKE AND I'M SURE FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES YOU CAN'T DO A VENDING MACHINE OR SOMETHING AUTONOMOUS. >> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS AMAZING. I HAVE TO SAY THAT. >> VERY INTERESTING. THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD IS FROM AND I'M CURIOUS IS HOW DO SMALLER RETAILERS, PARTICULARLY MINORITY BUSINESS, RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS GIVE INTO YOUR PIPELINE? ARE THERE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THAT? ARE YOU DEALING WITH A LARGER-- >> AGAIN, I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE STATE LISTENING SYSTEM. ANY PRODUCT IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA GOES THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA ABC COMMISSION OR LISTING AND THAT'S THE PROCESS THAT THEY GO THROUGH. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THE LENGTH OF TIME OR HOW DIFFICULT THAT IS SURELY THERE'S OPPORTUNITY THERE TO STRENGTHEN THAT. WE HAD LOCAL SUCCESSES WHO ARE DIVERSE-OWNED AND I'M PROUD TO SAY ARE IN OUR STORES WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF THAT. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE BRAND AGNOSTICS. BUT MAYBE YOU KNOW SOME OF THEM BETTER. BUT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US CERTAINLY TO DO MORE OF THAT. AND AGAIN, I HAD SAY TO YOU, WE WILL PROBABLY COME BACK TO YOU IN TIME BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MODERNIZATION. IT'S THE LARGEST BOARD IN THE STATE AND I THINK WE HAVE A BIT OF A RESPONSIBILITY TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO A LITTLE BIT AND >> THERE'S A PLAY THERE AS YOU'RE BRAND AGNOSTIC. AND HOW TO CREATE A CONSUMER EXPERIENCE THAT DRIVES FOLKS TO THE CHARLOTTE BRANDS IN PARTICULAR AND MY LAST QUESTION IS I KNOW THAT THE ABC COMMISSION IS TASKED WITH THE LICENSING AND WHATNOT, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS, THOUGH, WHAT ROLE DO YOU ALL PLAY GIVEN THAT YOU'RE IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT? WE'VE HAD A COUPLE WHERE-- YEAH. [LAUGHTER] I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT CAN YOU IN T TRYING TO MANAGE OR CURVE EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT ABC. >> YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS THAT FOR ASSESSING AND WE CAN PROVIDE INPUT AND IT MAY SEEM SLOW FOR PERMITEE AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON SO CMP D-ABC CAN GO OUT AND DO AN INSPECTION. AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THIS IS NOT A GOOD LOCATION FOR AN OUTLET THAT IT DOESN'T BECOME ONE. AGAIN, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS A LILLARDOUS TO A BUSINESS OWNER WHO WANTS IT-- A LITTLE ARDUOUS TO A BIT OWNER WHO WANTS IT AND THAT'S THE PROCESS. THAT'S IMPORTANT, AGAIN, FOR YOUR STANDPOINT THAT CMPD AND PLANNING AND ALL OF YOUR ENTITIES THAT ARE INVOLVED, AND AGAIN, JUST GO TO SOUTH END. YOU CAN SEE THE EXPLOSION THAT EXISTED THERE THERE'S A LOT OF PEFT YOUR FOLK DOES A GOOD JOB. TO A BUSINESS OWNER, I KNOW IT MAY SEEM A LITTLE SLOW BUT THERE'S A REASON. AND I WOULD SAY LASTLY IS IT'S IMPORTANT, IMAGINE IF THERE WERE PRIVATIZED SALES AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THOSE HOT SPOTS, THOSE C STORES THAT HAVE BEEN TROUBLESOME TO THE CITY FOR DECADES PARTICULARLY IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS MORE THAN OTHERS. >> QUICK QUESTION. KEITH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON A LEADERSHIP ON A WIDE VARIETY OF FRONTS AND OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP GOES WITHOUT SAYING. I APPRECIATE THE JOB THAT YOU ARE DOING. IT'S A QUICK QUESTION FOR THE MANAGER. MR. MANAGER, I SEE THE $1.5 MILLION AND HOW WE WILL SPEND IT. >> HE'S GOT PLANS. >> IN MY MIND. WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? HOW ARE WE TRACKING IT? >> SURE, IT'S NOT ALLOCATED SPECIFICALLY IN THE BUDGET. SO WE START TO THINK ABOUT >> >>MANAGER: IN PUBLIC SAFETY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT. WE ARE VERY THANKFUL AND 2.5 MILLION AND I THINK I LOST A MILLION SOMEWHERE. >> HE STARTED OUT AT 10. [LAUGHTER] SO THAT'S NOT HOW WE USE IT. >> MR. GRAHAM, ANY OTHER QUESTION. MS. AJMERA. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. >> WHEN YOU GO LAST, MAJORITY OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT GREAT WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR BOARD IS DOING. APPRECIATE IT. IN FACT, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT YOU ALL HAD AT THE QUEENS UNIVERSITY THAT ANUVIA WAS HOSTING AND I I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY NEED MORE PRESENCE ON COLLEGE CAMP CAMPUSES. SO IF YOU COULD JUST ELABORATE ON THE KIND OF WORK WE ARE DOING ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, YOU KNOW, WHEN AND HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE STRUGGLES THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLY ON IN THE PRESENTATION. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUNG ADULTS. IF YOU CAN JUST SPEAK TO THAT. >> CERTAINLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH. A LOT OF OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN IN GRADE SCHOOL. I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE-- OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ESTABLISHED A PAID SCHOLARSHIP FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONS AT JOHNSON C. SMITH. WE DON'T HAVE PHYSICAL SPACE AND HOPEFULLY WHEN WE GET COMPLETE WITH OUR RENOVATION WE WILL DO THAT. A NUMBER OF OUR OFFICERS ARE ON CAMPUSES AND WE HAVE A COUPLE WHO ARE ADJUNCT PROFESSORS AT SMITH AND BUILDING THAT REL RELATIONSHIP AND I BELIEVE I'M GOING TO CALL IT DRUNK DRIVING BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT THEY PUT ON THE GOGGLES AND YOU NAVIGATE A VEHICLE AND >> SIMULATOR. >> YEAH. THAT'S SOMETHING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS ARE DOING, PARTICULARLY AT JOHNSON&WALES, AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES. OUR STAFF IS ONLY AT 16. THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO. HOW DO WE LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPS TO DO MORE? THE ONLINE ASSET THAT AS I'M TALKING AND I KNOW IT'S MORE SEVERS-- FOR SEVERS BUT THAT MAY ALSO BE A VALUE TO COLLEGE-AGED DRINKERS TO KNOW WHEN YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH I WAS GOING THROUGH THE GRANTEES AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING TARGETED TOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUSES ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY JUST HAVE A LICENSE TO NOW DRINK. I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT-- IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO TARGET THAT GROUP. >> AGREED. ? I SEE THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT 3.4 MILLION DISTRIBUTED TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WASN'T SURE. BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF THIS CHECKPOINTS, DRINK AND DRIVE, WHERE I HAVE SEEN THAT IN OTHER COLLEGE-- NEAR COLLEGE CAMPUSES I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN TO HEAR YOUR VISION AS TO HOW WE CAN REALLY ADDRESS THE DRINK AND DRIVE CULTURE. >> YEAH. >> OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH CMPD, WE CAN'T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT CMPD MORE IN COLLEGES AND I THINK OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION >> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A LOCATION SO CLOSE TO THE COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND I HAVE SEEN COLLEGE STUDENTS GO, YOU KNOW, HOW CAN YOU LEVERAGE THAT LOCATION TO DO A TARGETED OUTREACH TO IS THIS MONEY GOING SPECIFICALLY TO DRINKING AND DRIVING? >> IT WOULD INCLUDE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM AND THE WHOLE INVESTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION. VERY RESOURCEFUL. YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW-- TO MR. GRAHAM'S POINT, HOW DO WE LEVERAGE SOME OF THE STARS THAT WE ARE RECEIVING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE GAPS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REALLY USING THAT TOWARD PUBLIC SAFETY. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU, KEVA. >> I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS AND A COMMENT. GOING BACK TO THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS TOPIC, ONE OF THE KIND OF RATIONALES FOR CREATING THIS ON THIS STATE LEVEL WAS THE IDEA THAT THIS WOULD INCREASE REVENUE. DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA? OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON OUR FIRST ONE AND THEY HAVE OUR SOCIAL DISTRICTS AROUND NORTH CAROLINA. IS THERE ANY DATA SHOWING SOCIAL DISTRICTS AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT EXISTS? >> I GET A WEEKLY BRIEF FROM OUR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND I HAVEN'T SEEN EVERYTHING DISCREET THAT WOULD GIVE YOU SOMETHING REAL SUBSTANTIVE. I WILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT BECAUSE TYPICALLY THAT'S A BRIEF THAT COVERS ALL 17 OF THE CONTROLS IT HASN'T COME OUT AS OF YET. THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR. I GET THAT BRIEF DAILY. I CAN ASK OUR NATIONAL OFFICE, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING ON SOCIAL DISTRICTS. >> SO THERE'S NO DATA RIGHT NOW? >> NO. NOTHING MEANINGFUL. NOTHING MEANINGFUL THAT WOULD HELP YOU, THAT I CAN SEE BUT I'LL CONTINUE TO LOOK. >> THANK YOU. SO I'VE HEARD ANECDOTALLY THAT YOUNGER ADULTS AREN'T DRINKING AS MUCH AS PREVIOUS GENERATIONS. DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA AROUND THIS TO SHOW THAT, WHETHER THAT'S TRUE OR FALSE? >> TOLBERT WOULD TELL US THAT WOULD BE NOT TRUE. ANUVIA DID A STUDY, A YOUTH STUDY IN 2021, THEREABOUTS, AND AS I SAID, ALCOHOL WAS THE NUMBER ONE SUBSTANCE MISUSED BY SIXTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, AND TENTH GRADERS. PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE OF EASE OF ACCESS AT HOME. YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO CONTEND EXPERIMENTATION IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. >> IS THERE ANY DATA THAT SHOWS COMPARATIVELY THAT AS AN AGGREGATE IS INCREASING SOME PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OR DECREASING? >> I WOULD GO BACK TO ANUVIA. WHAT I'M CITING IS COMING FROM COVID-19 TIMES. NOW WE'RE OUT OF COVID-19, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT HOLDS TRUE. THANK YOU FOR THOSE QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT US TO BE DEEPER IN, IS THE RESEARCH END OF THAT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LOVE FOR TO US BE ABLE TO HERE WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY OR COUNTY -- I >>BRAXTON WINSTON: THANK YOU, AND THE LAST THING, AS I'VE BEEN LISTENING IN AND TAKING A LOOK THROUGH, THIS HAS TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION, FEEL FREE TO RESPOND IF YOU FEEL SO MOVED. TRANSPORTATION IS ESPECIALLY IN THIS CITY, AND NORTH CAROLINA, IS DIRECTLY CORRELATED WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. A LOT OF PLACES YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO GO DRINK AND VICE VERSA. A SAFER CITY MEANS A CITY WHERE ALCOHOL AND PERSONAL VEHICLES AREN'T CONNECTED. AREN'T AS CONNECTED. THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CONNECTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, I HOPE YOU CAN FIND WAYS TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY, WAYS THAT HELPS PEOPLE MOVE AROUND. AND DO THAT MORE SAFELY. AFTER CONSUMING THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU REGULATE. I DON'T SEE ANY DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THESE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION. WHEN WE LOOK AT DRUNK DRIVING, ACCIDENTS, VEHICULAR DEATHS, VEHICULAR VIOLENCE. WE LOOK AT THE WAY WE'RE KIND OF COMMUNITY IS SET UP, SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBLEM. I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU GUYS TO LOOK INTO FINDING WAYS MORE DIRECT WAYS TO INVEST IN THAT. >> WE CERTAINLY WILL LOOK AT IT. AGAIN, OUR FOCUS HAS PRINCIPLELY BEEN ON THE PERSON, THE INDIVIDUAL, AND CHOICE, AND AWARENESS. BUT YOU INTRODUCED AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. SO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. THANK YOU. >>BRAXTON WINSTON: PEOPLE AREN'T DRIVING TO GO DRINK, AND AREN'T DRINKING AFTER DRIVING, THAT'S CERTAINLY DEALING WITH THE PERSON. >> WELL, AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS IS JUST AWARENESS, YOU KNOW? THERE'S ALWAYS -- WHAT PEOPLE DON'T -- YOU KNOW, THE YOU'VE GOT TO REPEAT SOMETHING MULTIPLE TIMES FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR IT. AND YEAH. YOU'VE -- SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. >>BRAXTON WINSTON: THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> THAT'S IT. >>MAYOR: I THINK WE HEARD FROM ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO HAVE ATTENDED AND ARE PARTICIPATING, MR. WALTON, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU. [ APP [ APPLAUSE ] >>MAYOR: NOW, RECOGNIZE MS. WATLINGTON? >>VICTORIA WATLINGTON: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON AND I WILL BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN THEIR CRIMSON AND CREAM HERE VISITING WITH US TODAY, IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND? [ APPLAUSE ] TODAY KICKS OFF OUR DELTA DAYS IN THE CITY. HOSTED BY OUR CHARLOTTE ALUMNI CHARTER OF DELTA SIGMA -- SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, WHICH IS CULMIMINAT IN OUR DELTA DAYS IN THE CITY THIS SATURDAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT, AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN BE A PART OF THE WORK OF DELTA SIGMA THEY TO, DST, CLT ALUMNI. ON INSTAGRAM, OR CERTAINLY FEEL FREE TO CONNECT WITH ANY NUMBER OF THE DYNAMIC WOMEN IN THE ROOM, BUT WE THANK YOU AND WE HONOR YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY. MY SWEET, SWEET -- >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAY AS LONG AS YOU WOULD LIKE AND WE CAN MAKE IT VERY LONG. BELIEVE ME. SO. HERE WE ARE. THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE CONSENT QUESTIONS, MS. HARRIS HAS SOME OF THOSE AND YOU HAVE THE HANDOUT THAT ADDRESSES THE ITEMS ON THE BUSINESS AGENDA, WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO -- AND SOME MATERIALS BEHIND IT AROUND THE ISSUES, ITEMS 15 AND ITEM 17. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA? ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SPEAK TO OR ANY SPECIFIC ITEM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH OR SPEAK TO? HEARING NO ONE, THEN, MAY I HAVE A MOTION -- >>TARIQ BOKHARI: -- >>MAYOR: I'M SORRY. >>TARIQ BOKHARI: MOVE TO APPROVE. >>ED DRIGGS: SECOND. >>MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THAT WAS CUTE. I'M PULLING 20. >>MAYOR: ALL RIGHT. SO MS. -- LET ME START AGAIN, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. FOR ITEMS 19-20. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION ON THE ITEMS? ALL RIGHT. HEARING -- >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: NUMBER 20, DO YOU WANT ME TO ASK -- >>MAYOR: GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, THAT YOU ADDRESS ITEM 20. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: ITEM 20 IS THE VENDOR CHANGE FOR THE PREVIOUS APPROVED PURCHASE OF SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TRUCK. THIS WAS THE APPROVE THE PURCHASE ACTION 8, APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A CUSTOM POLICE COMMAND BOMB TRUCK. FOR COOPERATIVE CONTRACT B APPROVED THE UNIT PRICE CONTRACT, WITH THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CUSTOMIZED POLICE BOMB TRUCK, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS. SEE AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGE TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL TERM, BACK IN JULY OF 2023, COUNCIL APPROVED I BELIEVE AND I CAN ASK THE CLERK LATER TO CHECK IN THE MINUTES, THAT I WAS NOT IN SUPPORT OF US MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PARTICULAR PURCHASE. BUT WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US TODAY IS A CHANGE IN THE VENDORS. DUE TO WHAT WE HAVE IN HERE IS A CHANGE TO THE VENDORS AS BEING REQUESTED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE EMERGENCY VEHICLES, INC., WAS UNABLE TO COMMIT TO BETTER PRICING AND IS ABLE TO MEET THE DELIVERY SCHEDULE NEEDED TO COMPLY, SO THIS IS A REQUEST FOR US TO APPROVE CHANGING THE VENDORS. WE HAVE IN HERE NOTED CMPD HAS RECEIVED OVER 300 BOMB SQUAD SERVICE CALLS AND THE BOMB TRUCK HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO OVER 80 OF THE CALLS, THE CURRENT CITY'S CURRENT BOMB TRUCK HAS REACHED THE END OF ITS LIFE CYCLE. AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT TRUCK IS OVER 20 YEARS OLD. AND HAS MULTIPLE MISSION CRITICAL ITEMS THAT ARE BROKEN OR UNSERVICEABLE, IS ACTUALLY A TWO-PART QUESTION. AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE THE STAFF HERE THAT CAN ANSWER, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS IN DIRECT INQUIRY TO THE CURRENT BOMB TRUCK THAT HAS PASSED ITS LIFE CYCLE, AND THAT QUESTION IS HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SURPLUS ITEMS, INCLUDING SURPLUS GUNS AND OTHER THINGS RELATED TO CMPD. SO WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE CURRENT TRUCK THAT WE HAVE? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE RECYCLED? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE RESOLD THROUGH OUR SU PLUS? WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR THIS CURRENT VEHICLE? >> SO THAT WILL FOLLOW UP WITH CMPD, TO GET YOU THE SPECIFICS, BUT NO, THIS WASN'T BE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. UNLESS THE TACTICAL PIECES ARE TAKEN OFF. AND IT'S MORE ARMORIZED VEHICLE TYPE THINGS WOULD BE -- HAVE TO BE DOWNGRADED BEFORE WE WOULD EVER HAVE THIS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. BUT WE'LL FOLLOW UP AND GET YOU EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO IT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SO THANK YOU, MAMARIA, AND I AL POISE APOLOGIZE FOR -- APOLOGIZE FOR NOT ASKING NECESSARY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ISN'T SOLD TO ANOTHER SMALLER DEPARTMENT IF WE HAVE IDENTIFIED, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT BE A MUCH SMALLER POLICE DEPARTMENT, THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE ACCESS FINANCIALLY TO THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. BUT IF THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED, HAS EXCEEDED ITS LIFE CYCLE, JUST LIKE WITH A USED CAR, I COULD STILL GO BUY A USED CAR FROM LATE 99 OR EARLY 2000S TODAY. DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THAT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR ME TO DO AT THIS POINT UNLESS A MECHANIC CAN DO REPAIR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW CLEARLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS FAR AS THIS VEHICLE BEING DECOMMISSIONED IS NOT BEING SOMETHING THAT -- NOT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT ALSO SHOULDN'T MAKE ITS WAY TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. >> YES, MA'AM, WE'LL GET YOU THAT AND, IF IT WOULD WITH B, MORE SO FOR TRAINING PURPOSES, TYPICALLY, AND WOULDN'T BE INSERVICE, BUT WE'LL GET YOU THE SPECIFICS AROUND THAT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR THIS EVENING AND ALSO TRYING TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHY -- I HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH US JUST IDENTIFYING A NEW VENDOR. FOR THIS. WITHOUT HAVING THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE WHEREAS MOST OFTEN WE WOULD HAVE VENDOR, A LITTLE BIT MORE VENDOR INFORMATION THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH JUST SAYING, WELL, THE CURRENT -- THE VENDOR THAT WE CHOSE BACK IN JULY OF 2023, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THE WORK. SO WE WENT OUT AND FOUND ANOTHER VENDOR THAT POTENTIALLY CAN COMPLETE THE WORK. >> SO JUST TO CLARIFY. BOTH OF THESE VENDORS WERE UNDER THE SAME COOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT, ALREADY BID OUT AND THEY ALREADY HAD CONTRACTS T. ORIGINAL ONE WE'RE NEGOTIATING WITH, WERE COMING IN HIGHER THAN WE -- SO THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WE GAVE YOU WAS A MILLION DOLLARS. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: RIGHT. >> THEY WERE COMING IN A LITTLE BIT ABOVE A MILLION, BUT I MEAN, WE HAD AN ESTIMATE, BUT THEN ALSO, THEY JUST BASED ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING WITH AVAILABILITY AND MATERIALS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO PRODUCE AND GET -- THEY WERE, BUT NOT WITHIN THE TIME FRAME, WITHIN FEDERAL DOLLARS, WE HAVE TO SPEND IT WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME FRAME. IS SO THAT WAS THE MAIN KNOCKOUT FACTOR. THEY COULDN'T PRODUCE IT IN TIME FOR US TO USE THESE GRANT FUNDS ON IT WHEREAS THE OTHER VENDOR CAME IN, A LITTLE LOWER, AND GUARANTEED TO MEET THE DELIVERY TIME CYCLE REQUIRED. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT. AND ALSO, IT'S NOTED IN HERE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE A REGIONAL ASSET, THAT WILL SERVE NOT JUST THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE, AND MECKLENBURG COUNTY, BUT ALSO THE OTHER TEN COUNTIES WITHIN THE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE, WITHIN THE REGION. >> YES, MA'AM. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SO WITH THIS -- WITH THIS APPROVAL, WE'RE SAYING THAT EXPEND -- THE ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES TO BE ABOUT THAT MILLION DOLLARS? >> YES, MA'AM. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: HOW MUCH OF THAT MILLION IS COMING FROM OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS THAT ALSO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS? I NEED US TO NOT BE IN A PLACE WHERE CHARLOTTE IS THE ONE THAT'S EXPECTED TO BE ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE. SO WE NEED TO HAVE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR PARTNERS THAT ALSO WILL BE UTILIZING OUR SERVICES. >> SO I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BUT FOR THIS PARTICULAR ASSET, IT'S FEDERAL GRANT AND WE'RE THE -- I FORGOT THE PROPER TERM, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: ( INAUDIBLE ). >> THE COUNTIES SO WE ADMINISTER THE GRANT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE REGION, SO WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR IT, AND THEY'RE NOT PAYING FOR IT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GIVING IT TO US IN PAYING FOR IT BUT ALSO DEPLOYING IT AS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE REGION. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THAT IS HELP. BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE ON HERE THAT I'M READING IS THE FUNDING IS GENERAL GRANTS FUND, SO I DIDN'T READ THAT AS TO BE FEDERAL GENERAL GRANT. >> IT'S FEDERAL. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SO I'M STILL GOING TO BE A NO FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT IT IS FOR THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT, BUT I NEEDED TO GET CLARIFICATION ON WHAT EXACTLY -- WHERE'S FUNDING COMING FROM AND HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT THIS ORIGINAL VEHICLE IS BEING DECOMMISSIONED, AND WITHOUT HAVING THAT INFORMATION, NOW, IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO MOVE FORWARD, BECAUSE THE LAST THING WE NEED IS SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE. >>MAYOR: SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR CONSENT ITEMS 19-31, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. ANYONE OPPOSED? WE HAVE ONE IN OPPOSITION. THANK YOU. SO THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS A REVIEW, I'M NOT QUITE SURE IF WE HAVE TIME FOR BOTH OF THESE ITEMS, MR. JONES, DO YOU THINK WE CAN DO BOTH OF THEM, WE HAVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES? >>MANAGER: NO, MAYOR, SO WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM PRESENTATION IS NECESSARY TO HAVE TONIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE ORDINANCE CHANGES. AND IN TERMS OF THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS, I CAN EITHER DO IT DURING THE -- YOU ALSO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION. >>MAYOR: WE DO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION, I DON'T THINK THAT MR. BAKER HAS SAID WOULD BE A SHORT-TERM, SO I KNOW WE CAN DO THE CLOSED SESSION IN THE 15 MINUTES RIGHT? BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE -- >>MANAGER: SO I WOULD SUGGEST, MAYOR. >>MAYOR: YOU WOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK AFTER WE ADJOURN. >>MANAGER: WITH THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS, AND GREAT -- WE WERE JUST TRYING TO BRING YOU AN UPDATE, THINK THERE WERE EIGHT PREAPPLICATIONS, AND WE HAVE ONE APPLICATION THAT'S ACTUALLY IN RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S THE GIST OF THE UPDATES, SO LET'S CHECK THAT. >>MAYOR: OKAY. >>MANAGER: RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM FOR YOU AND ONE CLOSED SESSION ITEM, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM. >>MAYOR: SHOULD WE DO THE CLOSED SESSION NOW, MR. BAKER, WOULD THAT ALLOW US THE TIME TO DO THAT? I'M SORRY? I HEARD SOME TONES BUT I'M NOT REALLY QUITE SURE. >>MANAGER: MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM TO GO NOW. >>MAYOR: OH, I THOUGHT YOU WENT MEANT WHEN WE GO DOWNSTAIRS AT THE MANAGER AS BRIEFING. >>MANAGER: THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS. >>MAYOR: QUALITY OF LIFE. LET'S SEE. >> MAYOR, I HAVE -- >>MAYOR: LET'S HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE. >>TARIQ BOKHARI: IF WE DON'T HAVE TIME, THAT'S OKAY. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MOVING AGGRESSIVELY ON THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS STUFF. IF THINGS ARE IN OUR SHOP HERE. NOT WAITING ON OTHERS TO APPLY. IS THAT THE PUNCH LINE? >>MANAGER: YES. >>TARIQ BOKHARI: GREAT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SO I HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION. >>MAYOR: MS. AJMERA FIRST, YOU DIDN'T HAVE -- OKAY. ALL RIGHT. MS. MAYFIELD? >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: MANAGER, I NEED CLARIFICATION ON WHAT YOU WERE SAYING AS FAR AS THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS, WE'RE SAYING RIGHT NOW WE'RE GOING TO OVER THE QUALITY OF LIFETIME, WHAT WERE YOU RECOMMENDING REGARDING THIS PRESENTATION? >>MANAGER: FOR THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS, IT WAS JUST REALLY GIVING YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE, I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER BOKHARI CAPTURED IT WELL, IT'S NOT THAT THE CITY IS SITTING ON ANYTHING. BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT DURING THE MANAGER'S REPORT, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND SOCIAL DISTRICTS, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT ON THE MANAGER'S REPORT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: WE HAVE RECEIVED QUITE A FEW E-MAILS AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALL ON -- AT LEAST IN THE SAME BOOK, EVEN THOUGH WE WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE ON THE SAME PAGE, WITH SOCIAL DISTRICTS BUT QUITE A FEW E-MAILS AND CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY REGARDING IMPACT, I WOULD LIKE FOR US NOT TO RUSH THROUGH OR BRUSH OVER IT. >>MANAGER: OKAY. >>MAYOR: DEBBIE, I'M SORRY, ARE YOU COMING UP TO BEGIN THE TEAM PRESENTATION? >> I BELIEVE MR. JONES IS GOING TO INTRODUCE US. >>MANAGER: I'LL GIVE YOU AN ABBREVIATED VERSION. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AS WE SET UP THE CONVERSATION TONIGHT FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS AS A ONE-OFF AND ONE THING THAT WE'RE DOING, BECAUSE YOU MAY THINK ABOUT IT AND SAY, WELL YOU HIRED FOUR PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE A LOT MORE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE CITY, SO WE ALWAYS TRY TO FRAME THIS AROUND SAFE CHARLOTTE, AND IF YOU WILL RECALL, THIS GOES BACK TO JUNE OF 2020. WHERE WE HAD EVERY SINGLE COMMITTEE GO THROUGH WHAT COULD HAPPEN AS IT RELATES TO THOSE COMMITTEES IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A SAFE CITY, SOME OF THE OUTCOMES OF THAT IS REIMAGINING POLICING WITH OUR CIVILIAN RESPONSE TEAMS, THE ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE, THE HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM, AND A LOT OF THE COLLABORATIVE WORK THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CORRIDORS. SO IF YOU WOULD JUST LOOK AT TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION, AS SOMETHING THAT'S ADDITIVE TO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GOING ON. AS WE WENT THROUGH THIS LAST BUDGET DEVELOPMENT CYCLE, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE. WE TALKED ABOUT ILLEGAL PARKING, WE TALKED ABOUT TRASH, AND THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE TO SHOW THE COLLABORATION THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT CAME OUT OF THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE. SO DEBBIE? I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. JONES. AND I'M SO EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR TEAM AND SO ONCE AGAIN, I'M DEBBIE SMITH. I SERVE AS YOUR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR. AND I'VE BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR 24 YEARS, GOING ON 24 YEARS. AND I CAN TRULY SAY THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PEOPLE AT THE CITY WHO ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK. AND ARE GREAT PUBLIC SERVANTS, WITH THAT, LET ME INTRODUCE SOME OF THOSE GREAT EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE, SO TAMARA BLUE, SHE SERVES AS OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION MANAGER WITHIN TRANSPORTATION. WE ALSO HAVE REBECCA HEFNER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES. AND LISA FLOWERS FROM OUR ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. SO TAMARA IS GOING TO REALLY BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOU TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM. AND OUR IMMEDIATE FOCUS AREAS, SPOILER ALERT, MR. JONES, SHARED THOSE WITH YOU. WONDERFUL, THANK YOU. REBECCA IS GOING TO SHARE SOME OF THE WORK THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT IS DOING IN THESE AREAS AND GIVE YOU AN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE AND LISA IS GOING TO START TO TEE UP THIS IDEA OF ORDINANCE UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE BELIEVE ARE GOING TO REALLY HELP MOVE THE NEEDLE AROUND ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES. BUT WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WAY WITH MY SUPERSTAR LINEUP TO DEMONSTRATE FOR YOU WHAT WE'RE DOING ACROSS DEPARTMENT LINES. WE'RE WEAVING THIS TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT IMMEDIATE GAINS BUT WE REALLY HAVE OUR EYE ON THE PRIZE OF A LONG-TERM STRATEGIES AND SO WITH THAT, IT'S EVERYONE FROM EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DOWN TO OUR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, AND I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE'VE GOT SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM IN THE AUDIENCE OVER HERE AS WELL. AND SO IT IS JUST A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP, BEAUTIFUL COLLABORATION, WITH THAT, TAMARA. >> THANK YOU, DEBBIE. GOOD EVENING. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL THIS EVENING. WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM? SO THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM'S PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY AND SHARE ISSUES REPEATEDLY BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL. THE TEAM POOLS ITS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPER TEASE -- EXPERTISE, COMMUNITY NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY FROM A HOLISTIC APPROACH, STRATEGIES MAY BE SHORT OR L LONG-TERM BUT THE GOAL IS TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE. THIS TEAM FIRST CONVENED NINE MONTHS AGO AND HAS DISCUSSED IN GREAT DETAIL ISSUES LIKE LITTER, ILLEGAL PARKING, COMMERCIAL TRUCK PARKING, THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS RISEN TO THE TOP FOR MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS. ILLEGAL PARKING IS A VEHICLE BLOCKING ADA ACCESS, CROSS-WALKS, TRAIN TRACKS, LOADING ZONES, AND CROSSWALKS TO NAME A FEW. THE TEAM CONDUCTED PEER CITY RESEARCH TO LEARN HOW OTHERS ARE MANAGING THIS NATIONAL ISSUE. WE LEARNED THAT GREENSBORO, RALEIGH, AND GREENVILLE, HAD ALL RECENTLY AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING ORDINANCES TO HELP ADDRESS ILLEGAL PARKING ACTIVITIES. WE SPENT TIME TALKING WITH LOCAL MULTIFACILITIES TRUCK PARKING OWNERS AND A TRUCK PARKING ENFORCEMENT COMPANY, WE ALSO TALKED WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION ABOUT TRUCKERS CHALLENGES, AND THE LACK OF SAFE AND RELIABLE TRUCK PARKING THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE ARE WORKING TO ACCESS, IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE IT EASIER AND SAFER TO FIGHT WHILE COLLECTING DATA THAT CAN HELP US BETTER MANAGE THE CONCERNS FURTHER OUR EDUCATION EFFORTS AND POTENTIALLY IDENTIFY NEW PARTNERSHIPS. WE'RE ALREADY IMPLEMENTING SOME STRATEGIES AND WE'LL ROLL OUT MORE OVER THE COMING MONTHS, WE'VE IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO UPDATE SOME OF OUR ORDINANCE LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE INFRASTRUCTURE ITEMS, THAT DIDN'T EXIST WHEN THEY WERE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN, OR LAST AMENDED. A HEALTHY SIGN OF A GROWING CITY. WE KNOW THAT EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT AND IS THE FOUNDATION TO AFFECTING POSITIVE CHANGE. WE WILL KEEP IN MOTION THIS CYCLE OF COMMUNICATING WITH OUR PEER CITIES, KEEPING UP WITH INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES, AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS WHILE PUTTING OUR BOOTS TO THE GROUND TO MANAGE ISSUES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND THE PUBLIC. NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO REBECCA HEFNER TO SHARE CODE ENFORCEMENT'S ESSENTIAL ROLE ON THIS TEAM. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, Y'ALL. TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST JANE TAYLOR IMPRESSION, UNFORTUNATE, JANE COULD NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING BUT SHE AND HER TEAM ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB WITH THIS WORK. AND I HOPE THAT I WILL REPRESENT THEM WELL. NOW, JANE TALON IS MORE HARD-NOSED THAN ME, I TEND TO BE KIND OF EXCITABLE. BUT I'LL DO MY BEST TO GIVE IT TO YOU STRAIGHT TONIGHT. Y'ALL READY? CODE ENFORCEMENT. LOVE US OR HATE US, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE'RE RESPONDING TO YOUR CONCERNS OR TELLING YOU SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T DO. EITHER WAY, CODE ENFORCEMENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT ENFORCEMENT IS REALLY JUST ONE PART OF WHAT WE DO. EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROBLEM-SOLVING, THESE ARE ALSO PART OF OUR CODE TEAMS DAILY ACTIVITIES, I GUESS THAT WOULD MAKE IT TOO LONG OF A NAME, SO WE STICK WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT. OUR STAFF ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY EVERY DAY. PROACTIVELY WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADDRESS VIOLATIONS BEFORE THEY COME -- BECOME COMPLAINTS AND TO TRY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME SAFETY CONCERNS. OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION INVESTIGATES MORE THAN 50,000 PROPERTIES EACH YEAR. MANY OF THESE CONCERNS THAT WE HEAR ABOUT INVOLVE MORE THAN JUST CODE ISSUES. SO THINK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN CHARLOTTE, WE MIGHT GET A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS INTERSECTION. AND WE GO OUT AND THERE'S ILLEGAL SIGNAGE, THERE MIGHT BE A BUSINESS ZONING VIOLATION, BUT ALSO, LITTER, DAMAGED GUARDRAIL ON A STATE ROAD AND VEGETATION BLOCKING STREET SIGNS, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS AND THIS REQUIRES A COORDINATED RESPONSE FROM MULTIPLE RESPONSE, PROPERTY OWNERS, PARTNER AGENCIES, AND EVEN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. THIS NEW CODE TEAM STRUCTURE WE'RE GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM, HELPS US RESPOND IN A MORE COORDINATED WAY, TO RESOLVE SOME OF THESE REALLY MORE COMPLEX ISSUES. THE NEW CODE TEAM IS AN INVESTMENT THAT YOU ALL MADE, THROUGH THE FY2024 BUDGET, SO THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TAKE THIS STEP TOWARDS BETTER ADDRESSING QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHARLOTTE. CURRENTLY OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OPERATES 8-5 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND WITH THE ADDITION OF THESE FOUR POSITIONS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO COVER SOME EXTENDED HOURS ON SOME WEEKDAYS AND SOME WEEKEND HOURS. AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS WE'RE WORKING TO ADDRESS TRACTOR-TRAILER PARKING ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, THIS IS A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE REALLY ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS. I KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF E-MAILS, ON THE WEEKENDS ABOUT IT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE THEN FORWARDED THEM TO US, SO WE ARE -- WE KNOW THIS IS A BUSY THING ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. THIS TEAM WILL ALLOW CODE TO PUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INTO THESE CURRENT QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS BUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT WE'RE CREATING A FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE ON THIS TEAM THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MORE QUICKLY RESPOND TO EMERGING ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. SO WE WANTED TO SHARE A QUICK I WANT IMP MREMENTATION UPDATE, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING FOR THIS NEW TEAM BUT SOME OF THIS WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN. FOR EXAMPLE, EDUCATION AND AN ONGOING ACTIVITY. AND WE RECEIVE CALLS DAILY ABOUT VEHICLES THAT ARE BLOCKING BIKE LANES CROSSWALKS ACCESSIBILITY RAMPS, LOADING ZONES, AND MORE RECENTLY ON STREETCAR TRACKS AND LIGHT RAIL RIGHT-OF-WAY. YOU CAN SEE AN AS EXAMPLE OF THE CARD HERE ON THE SCREEN. WE'VE ALSO MOVED REALLY SWIFTLY TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT OF ILLEGALLY PARKED TRACTOR-TRAILERS AND IN JUNE, YOU ADOPTED A BUDGET THAT INCLUDED THIS NEW TEAM. IN JULY, THE MANAGER GAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE PARKING ORDINANCE AND CHAPTER 14. AND IN AUGUST, CODE BEGAN ISSUING CITATIONS. AND SEVERAL OF THE CITIES TRUCK PARKING HOT SPOTS. SO EVEN WHILE WE'RE RECRUITING AND HIRING, WE'VE ALSO GOTTEN STRAIGHT TO WORK. WE KNOW THIS IS AN URGENT CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY. SOME OF THESE HOT SPOTS INCLUDE LOCATIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA. THE I-85-485 CORRIDOR, SUGAR CREEK, ALBEMARLE ROAD CORRIDOR, AND 521, PROVIDENCE ROAD WEST F YOU'RE NOT HEARING YOUR SPECIFIC HOT SPOT, I DIDN'T LIST EVERY SINGLE ONE. SO BE IN TOUCH WITH JANE AND WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHERE WE'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW. IN ADDITION, WE'RE WORKING THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS THAT WILL MAKE OUR WORK MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE COORDINATED, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL MAKE OUR WORK MORE SCALEABLE CITYWIDE. BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL FOUR-POSITIONS, AND IT'S A LARGE CITY WITH A LOT OF THESE CONCERNS. THIS SLIDE ILLUSTRATES THE FUTURE STATE OF WHAT WE SEE AS THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM. AND WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU BECAUSE IT'S MORE THAN THE ADDITION OF A CODE TEAM. ONCE OUR STAFF ARE ON BOARD, EACH TEAM MEMBER WILL SERVE AS A LIAISON TO ONE OF OUR PARTNER DEPARTMENTS IN SOME CASES, EVEN PARTICIPATING IN THEIR TEAM MEETINGS. AND IN ADDITION TO THEIR FIELD ACTIVITIES AND THE GOAL HERE IS REALLY TO CREATE A MORE STREAMLINED RESPONSE TO SOME OF THESE CHALLENGING QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS THROUGH MORE COORDINATION AT THE STAFF LEVEL, AND MORE INTEGRATION OF PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGY. SO THE QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS TEAM THAT TAMARA TALKED TO YOU ABOUT, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE STRATEGIC DRIVER OF THIS WORK. IDENTIFYING PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS AND THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM WILL ACT TO COORDINATE THOSE RESPONSE ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. SO WE'LL HAVE THOSE TWO PARTS WORKING TOGETHER. AND I WANTED TO SHARE TWO QUICK SUCCESSES FROM THIS DIAGRAM. THAT GIVEN THE TIMING, I WILL GO THROUGH EXTRAORDINARILY QUICKLY, BUT TWO OF THEM THAT WE'RING SOME GOOD TRACTION INITIALLY ARE AROUND LITTER DEBRIS AND NEGLECT, AND TRACTOR-TRAILER PARKING. SO ON LITTER, SOLID WASTE, CODE HAS NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL. AND AROUND PARKING, WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH C.D.O.T., CODE AND CMPD. THIS SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE GREAT WORK THAT IS GOING ON AROUND LITTER, TRASH AND DEBRIS. WE'RE REALLY MAKING PROGRESS ON SOME OF THESE STRATEGIES, IN ADDITION TO THE NEW CODE TEAM, YOU ALSO INVESTED PAY GO FUNDING, IN FY24 BUDGET TO ESTABLISH A THIRD LITTER CREW, WITHIN SOLID WASTE SERVICES, AND THEN, YOU SHOULD BE RECEIVING A MONTHLY UPDATE FROM KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL, THAT'S ALSO SHARING ALL ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM W VERY REPRESENTATION HERE IN THE ROOM. SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING ARE HERE ON THIS SLIDE, YOU CAN READ THEM IN YOUR UPDATES, BUT I DO JUST WANT TO SHOUT-OUT A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR, THAT WE'VE JUST CONCLUDED WITH OVER 9500 VOLUNTEER HOURS, PICKING UP NEARLY 5,000 BAGS OF LITTER THROUGHOUT CHARLOTTE. THERE'S 430-PLUS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THAT PROGRAM. SO REALLY FANTASTIC WORK TO THAT TEAM. LASTLY, COMMERCIAL TRUCK PARKING, THIS IS THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL. RIGHT? THE ISSUE THAT GOT US ALL GOING. SO I KNOW YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS FROM TAMARA, I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THIS QUICKLY, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THAT THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH TRUCK PARKING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS TRUCK DRIVERS WHO ARE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN, BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEMAND FOR GOODS HERE IN CHARLOTTE. AND IT'S ALSO TRUCK DRIVERS WHO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO TRUCK DRIVES WHO CAN'T GO HOME TO THEIR DRIVEWAYS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY PARKING LOTS THE WAY THAT MANY OF US DO AT THE END OF THE NIGHT. AND WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM TRUCK DRIVERS AND OWNER OPERATORS IS THAT A PARKING VIOLATION IN THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE IS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS. SO THERE'S A $25 CITATION, AND CMPD HAS BEEN ENFORCING THESE VIOLATIONS AND NOW CODE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN ENFORCING THESE VIOLATIONS, BUT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR PARTNERS AND OUR PEER CITIES THAT MANY, MANY CITIES ARE UPDATING ORDINANCE LANGUAGE TO HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THIS ISSUE. SO I'M GOING TO PASS IT OFF TO LISA FLOWERS, TO SHARE SOME OF THE POTENTIAL ORDINANCE UPDATES WITH YOU. >> THANKS, REBECCA. IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, THE TEAM HAS ASKED ME NOT TO GO LINE BY LINE THROUGH CHAPTER 14 TO GIVE YOU ALL OF THE UPDATES. [ LAUGHTER ] BUT BASICALLY, AS WE -- LET'S SEE. OKAY. SO AS WE LOOKED AT WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN CHAPTER 14, WE FOUND SOME AREAS THAT WE COULD MAKE SOME CLARIFICATIONS AND SOME TERMS THAT EITHER WEREN'T DEFINED OR WEREN'T DEFINED CONSISTENTLY WITH HOW THOSE TERMS WERE DEFINED ELSEWHERE. SO IT MADE SENSE FOR A LOT OF TERMS TO MAKE THEM ALIGN WITH THE STATE STATUTE. SO FOR EXAMPLE, BICYCLE AND PUBLIC BICYCLE PATH. WE'RE JUST CITING TO THE STATE STATUTE SO, THEN IF THE STATE STATUTE CHANGE, THEN OUR ORDINANCE DOESN'T NEED TO CHANGE. BUT THERE'S AN EXCEPTION WHEN IT COMES TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. CURRENTLY, CHAPTER 14 DEFINES COMMERCIAL VEHICLES USES THE STATE DEFINITION, WHICH IS BASED SOLELY ON WEIGHT. WE'RE PROPOSING THAT WE ALIGN OUR DEFINITION WITH WHAT'S IN THE UDO. WHICH USES WEIGHT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, SIZE, AND THAT WILL MAKE ENFORCEMENT CONSISTENT WITH HOW CODE ENFORCEMENT CURRENTLY OPERATES. THEN WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING ADDING SOME NEW PROVISIONS THAT WILL MAKE THE NEW PROVISIONS OF THE ILLEGAL PARKING. SO THINGS LIKE -- WE'RE MAKING A SEPARATE ITEM FOR PARKING OUTSIDE OF THE LINES ON THE LIGHT RAIL LINE. EV PARKING, IF YOU ILLEGALLY PARK WITH THAT -- WITHOUT BEING IN THE EV OR EVEN IF YOU ARE AN EV, BUT NOT PLUGGED INTO THE EV SPOT. AND THEN FINALLY, PARKING IN A BIKE LANE, WHICH HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING REQUEST FROM THE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING ADDING SOME NEW -- FINALLY, WE'RE PROPOSING ADDING TO THE LIST OF PARKING VIOLATIONS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO $100 FINE. CURRENTLY, MOST ILLEGAL PARKING RECEIVES A $25 CIVIL PENALTY. THERE ARE A FEW THAT RECEIVE $100 PENALTY, THESE ARE THINGS LIKE BLOCKING THE CURB RAMP, PARKING ILLEGALLY IN A ACCESSIBLE SPACE. OR BLOCKING A FIRE LANE. BLOCKING A FIRE HYDRANT. WE'RE CONSIDERING -- WE'RE ASKING TO CONSIDER ADDING THINGS THAT YOU SEE IN REPRESENTED IN SOME OF THESE PICTURES, SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP LEFT, THAT'S BLOCKING THE BOX. SO IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR, IF THE VEHICLE PULLS INTO THE INTERSECTION, SHOULD NOT PULL INTO THE INTERSECTION OR CROSSWALK UNTILST UNLESS THERE'S ENOUGH ROOM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION, EVEN IF IT'S A GREEN LIGHT. PARKING IN A BIKE LANE THERE IN THE MIDDLE. OVER ON THE RIGHT, PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK. IF YOU MOVE DOWN -- I'M SORRY, THAT ONE IS PARKING ON THE LIGHT RAIL LINE. AND THEN DOWN IS PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK. EV PARKING. AND THEN PROVISIONS OF THE COMMERCIAL TRUCK PARKING TO RAISE THOSE TO $100. AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE VIOLATIONS THAT CAUSE EITHER SAFETY OR OPERATIONAL CONCERNS. AND THEN -- SO BASICALLY, EVERYTHING -- THERE WON'T BE ANY INCREASE IN THE PARKING -- MOST PARKING VIOLATIONS, YOU WON'T HAVE AN INCREASED FINE, EXCEPT FOR THESE. HOWEVER, WE ALSO ADDED A PROVISION THAT MAKES EACH HOUR OF IF YOU'RE PARKED IN A TIME RESTRICTED OR METERED PARKING SPOT, EACH HOUR IS ANOTHER CIVIL PENALTY. SO THAT ALLEVIATES -- WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL GET A TICKET, AND THEY WILL JUST KEEP THEIR CAR THERE, SO THEY JUST PAID $25 FOR PARKING ALL DAY. SO THIS WILL HOPEFULLY DETER THAT. I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO DEBBIE TO TELL YOU WHAT'S NEXT. >> THANKS. I'M SORRY. SO VERY QUICKLY, TO WRAP UP, I KNOW LISA FLEW THROUGH THAT, AT LIGHTNING SPEED, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GIVE YOU MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THOSE ORDINANCE UPDATES. WE REALLY WANTED TO JUST TEE THAT UP FOR YOU, SO IN THE COMING MONTH, YOU WOULD SEE THAT AGAIN AS AN OPPORTUNITY LINE BY LINE TO BE ABLE TO JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE. SO WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, AND ONCE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NEXT STEP, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT OF CODES NEW TEAM, AND WE'RE DOING SOME TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS UPDATES THAT RELATED TO CODES NEW TEAM. AND THERE'S THIS ONGOING PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH NCDOT AND OTHER PARTNER AGENCIES AND SO QUICKLY GOING THROUGH THE NEXT STEPS, FOR TIME, I KNOW WE'RE WRAPPING UP, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR DISCUSSION, SO WITH THAT, OPENING IT UP. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU FOR GIVING US -- ( INAUDIBLE ) I'M SORRY. THANK YOU, DEBBIE FOR ENDING ON THIS POINT, I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS, WE HAD ABOUT 70 OR 75 TO 100 PEOPLE IN THE CHAMBER, AND IT'S PAST THE TIME FOR THE MEETING TO START. THE QUESTION I HAVE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE 30 MINUTES UPSTAIRS OR GO DOWN AND HAVE THE MEETING AND HAVE THE DISCUSSION AT SOME POINT AFTER WE FINISH THE AGENDA? ON THIS ITEM? WHICH I DON'T THINK THAT THESE LADIES PROBABLY KNEW THAT WE WOULD PROBABLY ASK THEM TO STAY LONGER, BUT I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS UP TO YOU, WHEN DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THIS, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE PEOPLE WAITING FOR US DOWNSTAIRS, IS THERE A PREFERENCE FROM THE GROUP? >> COULD WE FOLLOW UP ONLINE PERHAPS WITH STAFF ON THIS. >> NO. >> NO. >>MAYOR: YES, YOU COULD, BUT OTHER PEOPLE MAY NOT CHOOSE THAT OPTION T BUT THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE OPTION TO FOLLOW UP, I MEAN, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT EVERYBODY FOLLOWS UP THE SAME WAY. BUT IT'S REALLY -- >> ( INAUDIBLE ). >>MANAGER: IT IS NOT LIKE WE'RE HAVING IT NEXT WEEK, WE JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT WE'LL ASK YOU THIS FALL, YES. >> ( INAUDIBLE ). >>MAYOR: RIGHT. BUT I THINK IT'S -- IT'S THE STRUCTURE OF CHANGE AND SO RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST ASKING YOU, DO YOU WANT TO STAY UP STAIRS AND TAKE THE TIME OR DO YOU WANT TO GO DOWN STAIRS AND START THE MEETING AND DO IT AFTER THE MEETING? THAT'S ALL I'M REALLY ASKING. THOSE, YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO IT NOW. >>ED DRIGGS: DOWNSTAIRS. >>MALCOLM GRAHAM: AFTER THE MEETING, IT'S 9:30, 10:00, NO ONE IS IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW AND WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. SO THIS IS, YOU KNOW -- AN OPPORTUNITY TIME FOR US TO DIVE IN ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS. >> I AGREE. >>RENEE JOHNSON: I AGREE, COUNCIL MEMBER GRAHAM. >>MAYOR: YES, THERE'S 75 PEOPLE OR SO IN THE CHAMBER. YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT SOME THINGS ON THIS AGENDA THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF PROCLAMATIONS AS WELL AS INTRODUCTIONS TO BE MADE. SO REALLY, ALL I'M ASKING FOR IS -- THIS IS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE FOR ME. BECAUSE WE CAN GO AND THEN BE LATER, BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO ASK YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO DO INSTEAD OF JUST A DECISION, BECAUSE THEN WE RUN AND RUSH. SO ALL OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO STAY UPSTAIRS, AND CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION, FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES, OR SO? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS? ONE, TWO -- THREE, FOUR. ALL RIGHT. ALL OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO GO DOWNSTAIRS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS? ONE TWO THREE FOUR. THAT'S A JOY. SUCH A JOYOUS THING TO DO. SO -- >>CLERK: MADAM MAYOR. >>MAYOR: WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MANAGER'S REPORT SO, WE CAN DO SOME OF THIS DURING THE MANAGER'S REPORT, WHICH IS EARLIER THEN. >>MALCOLM GRAHAM: YEAH, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE NIGHT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS. >>MAYOR: A DISCUSSION LIKE THIS, JUST AT THE DAIS DOWNSTAIRS. ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN STAIRS AND GET STARTED. AND DURING THE MANAGER'S REPORT, WE'LL GO THROUGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL DISTRICTS. [ BRIEF RECESS ] >>MAYOR: EVERYONE, LET'S SEE. REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE THIS EVENING. ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ATTENDING IN-PERSON. WE ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING US EITHER ON THE CITY'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR IN OTHER VIRTUAL POSSIBILITIES THAT YOU HAVE. AND SO TODAY IS THE FIRST BUSINESS MEETING OF THE -- THE LAST BUSINESS MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER FOR THE CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE HERE. AND LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MEETING TONIGHT. SO WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH INTRODUCTIONS. >> BILLIE TYNES DEPUTY CITY CLERK. >> O -- HOLA AND WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING, RENEE JOHNSON, HONORED TO SERVE DISTRICT 4. >> LAWANA MAYFIELD, COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE. >> MARCUS JONES, CITY MANAGER. >> VI LYLES, MAYOR. >> BRAXTON WINSTON, MAYOR PRO TEM. >> MALCOLM GRAHAM, DISTRICT 2. >> ED DRIGGS DISTRICT 7. >> TARIQ BOKHARI. >> ( INAUDIBLE ). >> I LIKE IT, GOOD EVENING, VICTORIA WATLINGTON, DISTRICT 3. >> PATRICK BAKER, CITY ATTORNEY. >> >>MAYOR: WE ARE VERY, VERY GREAT. THAT YOU COME TO OUR MEETINGS AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE BEGIN OUR MEETING WITH AN INVOCATION OR AN EXPRESSION OF INSPIRATION THAT GENERALLY IS TO HELP SOLEMNIZE THE OCCASION THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND CIVILITY AND SO WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS A DIVERSE PRESENCE IN TERMS OF FAITH AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. SO TODAY WE ARE GOING TO ASK COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA TO GIVE US OUR REMARKS FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING. AND KNOW THAT WE WILL -- IF YOU CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT, PLEASE DO. AND FOLLOWING OUR -- HER MESSAGE, WE WILL THEN GO AND HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AGAIN, IF YOU CHOOSE TO STAND WITH US, WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE DO SO. SO COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA? >>MARJORIE MOLINA: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I WANT TO FIRST SAY HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ] THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY, FOR EVERYONE WHO I KNOW TO COME AND CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH US TODAY. AND THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A SCHOOL WORK DAY FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT'S A -- I'M SORRY, IT'S A WORK DAY, STUDENT WORK DAY, SO WE GOT KIDS AT HOME, WE'VE GOT PARENTS PROBABLY COOKING AND CLEANING, SO. ANYWAY. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, HOWEVER, TODAY, IS OFFICIALLY A DAY OF ATONEMENT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I SAY THIS CORRECTLY, IT'S CALLED YOM KI -- YOM KIPPUR, IT'S A DAY OF REFLECTION AND A DAY TO REFLECT ON FOR THE YEAR AND THE THINGS THAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE BETTER, AND ALL OF THE THINGS AND HOW WE COULD BE A BETTER PERSON, AND SH THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE A JEWISH HOLIDAY AND ACCORDING TO DRA DECISION, THE FIRST YOM KIPPUR TOOK PLACE AFTER THE ISRAEL ITS EXODUS FROM EGYPT AND ARRIVAL TO MOUNT SINAI WHERE GOD GAVE MOSES THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, IT IS THE HOLIEST DAY IN JUDAISM, IN SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER, IT IS CELEBRATED FROM SUNSET TO -- SUNSET ON SEPTEMBER 24th, UNTIL AFTER NIGHTFALL ON SEPTEMBER 25th, SO IT'S OFFICIALLY 25 HOURS, YOU TRADITIONALLY ABSTAIN FROM FOOD AND DRINK AND IT'S A FAST. AND IT'S LOOKED AT AS A CLEANSING OF ONE'S SPIRIT, RATHER THAN A PUNISHMENT. SO TOGETHER, YOM KIPPUR AND ROSH HASHANAH COMPRISE THE HIGH HOLY DAYS IN JUDAISM, WHAT I KNOW ABOUT -- JUDAISM IS TIED TO CHRISTIANITY, FOR THOSE CELE CELEBRATING -- I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL APPRECIATE THAT AND HELP US CELEBRATE BOTH YOM KIPPUR AND WE'RE ALSO HERE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU, MS. MO MOLINA, NOW, WE'LL STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >>. [ ALL RECITING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ] >>MAYOR: THANK YOU, EVERYONE. WE ALSO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOGNIZE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO WE WILL HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT. AND I'M GOING TO LEAD OFF WITH THE PROCLAMATION FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. I'M GOING TO READ IT IN ENGLISH FOR THOSE OF US THAT DO NOT SPEAK FLUENTLY SPANISH OR EVEN NOT FLUENT SPANISH. [ LAUGHTER ] SO I'M GOING TO READ IT IN ENGLISH AND THEN MS. MOLINA WILL FOLLOW UP IN SPANISH. WHEREAS, FOR DECADES, AMERICANS HAVE SERVED NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH BY CELEBRATING THE HISTORY'S CULTURE, AND CONTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS RESIDENCE AND IMMIGRANTS OF HISPANIC ORIGIN FROM MEXICO. CENTRAL AMERICA. SOUTH AMERICA. THE CARIBBEAN AND SPAIN. AND IN SEPTEMBER 1968, CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON. AND RONALD REAGAN EXPANDED THE CELEBRATION OF THE HISPANIC PRESENCE IN THE UNITED STATES TO A MONTH-LONG COMMEMORATION. EVERY YEAR, THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE CALL FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, LIBRARIANS, AND ALL AMERICANS TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH APPROPRIATE CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR, THE LATIN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE LATINO LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AND HISPANIC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS AND CHARLOTTE'S PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS COMMITTEE IS COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT THE MINT MUSEUM FOR THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR. SO ACCORDING TO THE OFFICE OF THE U.S. CENSUS, MECKLENBURG COUNTY IS HOME TO 170,000 LATINOS, THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE RECOGNIZES THE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THIS COMMUNITY BY IMMIGRANTS, RESIDENTS, AND CITIZENS OF LATINO OPTIONS, THEREFORE, IVEY ALEXANDER LYLES DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 15th THROUGH OCTOBER 15th AS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. MS. MOLINA. [ APPLAUSE ] >>MARJORIE MOLINA: [ READING PROCLAMATION IN SPANISH ] [ APPLAUSE ] >>MAYOR: ARE WE GOING TO INVITE A REPRESENTATIVE? >>MARJORIE MOLINA: [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ] [ APPLAUSE >> I THINK SEPTEMBER IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY FUN MONTH FOR SOME PEOPLE. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE ANOTHER RECOGNITION THAT WE'D LIKE TO DO TONIGHT AND I'M GOING TO ASK MAYOR PRO TEM TO READ THE RESOLUTION AND WE WANT TO THANK MS. THUNDERBRIAN FOR COMING DOWN. >> IT'S MY PLEASURE TO READ A JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE AND MECKLENBURG COUNTY. WHEREAS, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES AMONG INDIVIDUALS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 14 AND 20 TO 34, IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE WERE 49,449 SUICIDES IN 2022, ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE OVER 1.7 MILLION SUICIDE ATTEMPTS EACH YEAR. IN 2020, NORTH CAROLINA EXPERIENCED 1,436 DEATHS BY SUICIDE ACCORDING TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND OVER 90% OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIE BY SUICIDE HAVE A DIAGNOSEABLE AND TREATABLE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. ALTHOUGH, OFTEN THAT CONDITION IS NOT RECOGNIZED OR TREATED AND THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SUICIDE IDEAALITY WORKS AGAINST SUICIDE PREVENTION BY DISCOURAGING PERSONS AT RISK FOR SUICIDE FROM SEEKING LIFE-SAVING HELP AND FURTHER TRAUMATIZES SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS IN PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF SUICIDE ENVUTION A WORLD WITHOUT SUICIDE AND ARE DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND BRINGING HOPE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY SUICIDE. THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST OR STRUGGLE NOW, ALEXANDER LYLES, MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE, GEORGE DUNLAP, CHAIR OF THE MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 10th THROUGH 16th, 2023, AS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. IT IS THE TIME NOW IN OUR AGENDA THAT WE BEGIN A PUBLIC FORUM. THIS IS A FORUM WHERE PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED OR SIGNED UP WITH OUR DEPUTY CITY CLERK TO SPEAK TO ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THOSE SAME ISSUES. WE HAVE 15 SPEAKERS TONIGHT AND EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES AND PLEASE, KNOW THAT WE WILL RING A BELL AND PLEASE BE CONSCIOUS OF THAT, AND WE'LL BEGIN. I'LL ASK TWO PEOPLE TO COME DOWN BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO MICROPHONES HERE. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. I ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE STEPS. IF WE CAN BEGIN, OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS CORTEZ WASHINGTON AND OUR SECOND SPEAKER IS RICHARD PEDABAKER IF YOU HAVE ITEM AND IF YOU HAVE REMARKS AND YOU HAVE MORE THAN, THE CITY CLERK WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET COPIES OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE. IF YOU WOULD GIVE THEM TO HER RIGHT THERE SO MR. CORTEZ, THANK YOU. I'M SORRY. I SAID MR. CORTEZ AND IT'S MR. WASHINGTON. >> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS CORTEZ WASHINGTON. I'M 5127 BEGONIA. I'M HAVING A WATER ISSUE. I THINK I'M THE ONLY PERSON IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WITH FLOOD INSURANCE. THE LAST RAIN STORM, I HAD TO GET FLOOD INSURANCE. I CALLED THE WATER DEPARTMENT. I CALLED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. I CALLED MY CITY COUNCIL. NO ONE GAVE ME THE ANSWER THAT I NEEDED BECAUSE WATER WAS COMING INTO MY HOUSE. I GOT IN CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE RECOMMENDED ME TO SUE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN COURT BECAUSE MY HOUSE IS FLOODED NOW. SO THE WATER DEPARTMENT DID COME OUT. THEY STARTED THE WORK, BUT I DON'T HAVE A DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN MY YARD AT ALL. SO MY CONCERN IS, WHERE IS THE CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT? RIGHT. I GOT A NEIGHBOR WITH A MAILBOX RIGHT ON TOP OF THE DITCH THAT IS RUNNING IN MY HOUSE. IT'S IMPO IMPORTANT. I NEED SOME H HELP. I BELIEVE IN THE GOOD FIGHT. I'M NOT HERE TO BLAME ANYBODY. I'M HERE TO GET HELP. MY WIFE, I HAVE MOVED FROM BOSTON. WE'VE BEEN HERE THREE MONTHS. >> OH, MY GOSH. >> THIS IS MY SON AND YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE IN GIVING EVERYBODY A CHANCE. MY NEIGHBOR IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. LET THE CITY SHOW ME THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING AND THEN I WILL SAY THE CITY WON'T DO ANYTHING. I BELIEVE IN YOU GUYS. I GOT PICTURES SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH. IT'S A HALF MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE I FEEL LIKE THE HOUSE SHOULD NEVER BEEN BUILT IN THAT PLACE, BUT WHAT CAN WE DO IN ONLY THING WE CAN DO NOW IS FIX IT. IF WE CAN GET A DRAIN DITCH IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, A SIDEWALK, SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP US, WE'D BE SO THANKFUL AND THANK YOU TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT FOR COMING SWIFTLY. AT FIRST, I WASN'T-- IT WAS A FIGHT. BUT THEY DID GET OUT THERE AND START THE PROCESS, BUT IF YOU GUYS CAN HELP US, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. MY NUMBER IS 617-970-1014. >> I WANT YOU TO MEET WITH LIZ BABSON, ONE OF OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS RIGHT NOW. INSTEAD OF US GIVING US THE PHONE NUMBER, LET'S GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY WHO CAN ADDRESS YOUR ISSUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. CAN YOU ALL SEE ME? I THINK I NEED A FOOT STOOL. [LAUGHTER] MAYOR LYLES AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK FOR OUR WONDERFUL CITY OF CHARLOTTE. I LIVED AND WORKED HERE FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. PLANTED TREES WITH TREE CHARLOTTE. FOUGHT FOR GREENWAYS AND I OFFICIALLY BECAME A NORTH CAROLINA AND CHARLOTTE RESIDENT AND GOT MARRIED HERE FOUR MONTHS AGO. LOVE THIS CITY. >>MAYOR: CONGRATULATIONS. >> Speaker: THANK YOU. SO HERE'S MY PITCH TONIGHT. LOOK OUT, SEATTLE. HERE COMES CHARLOTTE. YES, WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE CHARLOTTE THE GREENEST CITY ON THE EAST COAST, LIKE SEATTLE IS ON THE WEST COAST. WHY DOES THIS MATTER? IN 2023, WE CAN BECOME HEALTHIER, SAFER, MORE BEAUTIFUL AND FRIENDLIER GREENER COMMUNITY FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. WHY? WHEN YOU VISIT SEATTLE, THERE'S COMMITMENT TO BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A GREEN CITY AND BEING ONE OF THE TOP GREEN CITIES IN THE NATION. JUST JUMPS OUT AT YOU. I HAVE DELINEATED REASONS FOR THAT OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO HAVE A GREEN REVOLUTION. THE HORSES AND HISTORY ARE GAL GALLOPING BY. WE CAN BE SPECTATORS OR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS. SO LET'S JUMP ON THESE HORSES AND MAKE CHARLOTTE A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE GREEN REVOLUTION. I VACATIONED TWICE IN SEATTLE. ONCE WITH TWO OF MY GROWN SONS AND ONCE ON THE HONEYMOON THIS SUMMER. I'VE DELINEATED SEATTLE THE EMERALD CITY DOES A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE TO MAKE THEM ONE OF THE TOP 10 GREEN CITIES. HERE IN CHARLOTTE, WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT START. THANKS TO FOLKS LIKE YOU SUPPORTIVE CITIZENS, SUPPORTIVE MAYOR AND SUPPORTIVE CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL WE HAVE SOME ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WE NEED MORE. TREE CHARLOTTE AND LAND MANAGEMENT IS TRYING TO GET OUT AS MANY TREES AS WE CAN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL REMARKS, IF YOU WOULD JUST PROVIDE-- I THINK WE HAVE A SHEET THAT YOU PRESENTED TO US. >> YES, MAYOR LYLES. YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT ANY OTHER MAYOR TO BE BETTER THAN WE ARE. RIGHT? WE WILL HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION IT TO. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I KNOW BRUCE VERY WELL OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE KATIE AND TAYLOR. >> Speaker: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS TAYLOR HODGES AND I'M A STAFF MEMBER AT CHAR-MECK ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL. MY ROLE AT HEALTH CARE FOR THE ANNUL MAS. SO WE ARE FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE AND NEED HELP FINANCIALLY AND STRUCTURALLY. WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED UNDERFUNDED AND I LOVE MY JOB. I LOVE THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE THAT I HELP. BUT WORKING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT CAN HAVE-- EUTHENIZE ANIMALS SO OFTEN TAKES A MENTAL TOLL. COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HELP BY VOLUNTEERING AND FOSTERING BUT OUR FOSTERS ARE DOUBLED UP RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE TIRED. I KNOW FIRSTHAND BECAUSE I OFTEN HAVE FOSTER DOGS MYSELF IN ORDER TO TO HELP WITH THE SPACE ISSUE AT THE SHELTER. YOU KNOW, I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND I TAKE CARE OF THE DOGS AND THEN I COME HOME AND I CONTINUE MY WORK TH THERE. I'M NOT FORCED TO DO THIS. I KNOW THAT FOSTERING DOES SAVE LIVES SO I DO. AND CHARLOTTE UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A HUGE ISSUE. PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO GIVE UP THEIR ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR HOME. YET THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN FOR HELP. SOME OF OUR OWN VOLUNTEERS, FOSTERS AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS. THE CULTURE SURROUNDING PET COMPANIONSHIP IN CHARLOTTE NEEDS TO CHANGE. THINGS LIKE BACKYARD BREEDING AND DOG FIGHTING SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. LOW COST, HIGH VOLUME SPAY-NEUTER SHOULD BE A STOP PRIORITY. THIS MUST START WITH ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL. WE HAVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN PLACE BUT THEY LACK RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATE FUNDING. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE CHARLOTTE ANIMAL SERVICES FUNCTION IN A WAY THAT BETTER SERVES OUR COMMUNITY. SO PLEASE LISTEN AND HEAR OUR CRIES. FEEL OUR EMOTIONS. I INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR SHELTER SO YOU CAN WALK IN OUR SHOES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. HODGES. MS. FARIELLI, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. >> Speaker: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT. MAY NAME IS KATIE AND I LIVE IN THE VILLA HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD HERE IN CHARLOTTE. I'M A VOLUNTEER AND FOSTER WITH CHAR-MECK ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL. I WORK AS DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR LARGE HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN NORTH CAROLINA. I WANT TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT THAT SUPPORT SERVICES HAS ON THE MENTAL WELLBEING ON MANY CONSTITUENTS. AS AN INTERN WITH MECKLENBURG VIOLENCE PREVENTION AGENCY, I HAVE WATCHED SURVIVERS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUSE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY HOUSING OPTIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR PETS WITH THEIR ABUSERS AND WERE CONCERNED THAT THE ANIMALS MAY NOT SURVIVE THEIR STAY AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER DUE TO OVERCROWDING. IN MY CURRENT ROLE, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES IN WHICH PATIENTS LEAVE AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ENSURE THE SAFETY CARE OF THEIR PETS IF THEY HAD AN EXTENDED HOSPITAL STAY. IMAGINE SEEKING NECESSARY HEALTH CARE ONLY TO FIND OUT YOUR DOG AND CAT WERE ADOPTED OUT OR YOUTH EUTHENIZED WHILE YOU WERE IN THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE SEEN WHEEL BARRELS OF DEAD DOGS AND CATS TO THE INCINERATOR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM. PERSONALLY, I HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY FOUR OFF-LEASH DOGS IN 2023 AND TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES. ONE LANDED MY DOG AND ME IN EMERGENCY CARE. I HAVE FELT FAILED BY THE RESPONSE OF THE CITY EACH TIME AND I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING TO MOVE MY FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN IN COUNSELING FOR TRAUMATIC STRESS AND IT HAS TAKEN A GREAT TOLL ON THE GENERAL WELLBEING AND FEELINGS OF SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. I FEEL THAT IMPROVED COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OWNER SUPPORT MAY HAVE BEEN UNDER THESE ATTACKS AS I KNOW ONE OF THE OWNERS WAS ON THE RADAR OF ACC BUT NO PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WERE TAKEN. THAT DOG CONTINUES TO LIVE OUTSIDE MOST OF THE TIME, IS NOT NEUTERED AND GENERALLY UNSOCIALIZED. THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK AN ATTACK LIKE THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. AS THE CITY CONSIDERS OUR PLEAS FOR INCREASED FUNDING AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF ANIMAL SUPPORT SERVICE, I HOPE THAT IT DOES SO THROUGH THE LENS OF BEHAVIORAL HELL. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ] ALICIA McCOY AND DEBORAH CHARLES, MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE LECTERN. IS NUMBER FIVE HERE? I'M NUMBER SIX. FELICIA McCOY, ARE YOU HERE? YOU CAN GO, MS. CHARLES. >> Speaker: OKAY. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SPEAKING IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL. I WANTED TO EXTEND MY RESPECT FOR EVERYONE THAT SERVES THE CITY AND I SERVE THE CITY IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS BUT THAT'S NOT COME CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE. >> Speaker: OKAY. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM COMING HERE WITH I AM BEING STALKED BY CITY AND COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. I AM WORKING ON A CASE TO PROVE THAT. OWE DO THINK THAT THERE IS SOME DISCREPANCY HAPPENING WITH TAX ASSESSMENTS AND SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR OVER 25 YEARS, TRANSPARENCY AND AUTO TRAIL IS VERY IMPORTANT. I RECENTLY NOTICED A REDUCTION IN MY LOT SIZE OF ALMOST HALF WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATION FOR TAX PURPOSES AS WELL AS WORTH OF THE PROPERTY, AND I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE AUDIT TRAIL FOR CHANGES THAT ARE MADE TO LOT SIZES IN PARTICULAR, THE AUDIT TRAIL FOR THAT YEAH. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE AUDIT TRAIL FOR THAT. HOW ARE THESE CHANGES MADE AND HOW ARE THEY TRACKED? BECAUSE I HAVE OWNED MY PROPERTY FOR, OH, 19 YEARS AND I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL NOW, AND I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS AN AUDIT PROCESS IN PLACE THAT I CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE, THAT CHANGE IS NOT INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE HARASSMENT THAT I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. CHARLES. BRIAN, OUR DIRECTOR-- OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR WILL BE OVER THERE. HE CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU AND WE CAN GET SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS. NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE FONDA BRYANT AND FANNY KELLY. >> IF YOU WERE TO HAVE TOLD ME 28 YEARS AGO THAT I WOULD BE SHARING MY STORY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO HELP OTHERS AND 28 YEARS AGO FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW MY STORY, I CALLED MY AUNT SPANKY, MY HERO, AND SAID YOU CAN HAVE MY SHOES. SHE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID, ARE YOU GOING TO KILL YOURSELF? I SAID YES. SHE WENT INTO ACTION LIKE A SUPERHERO AND SAVED MY LIFE. I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT MY SIGNATURE IS ALL OVER THE CHARLOTTE SKYLINE WITH MY SUICIDE PREVENTION SIGNS IN PARKING DECKS TO PREVENT SUICIDE AND TRAUMA. MY SUICIDE PREVENTION SIGNS WILL BECOME LAW, NORTH CAROLINA LAW, HOUSE BILL 858, THE FONDA BRYANT SUICIDE PREVENTION SIGNAGE ACT, BUT I'M NOT DONE. I PLAN ON MAKING MY SIGN A NATIONAL LAW. MANY MORE PEOPLE COULD BE HERE IF PEOPLE CARED ENOUGH TO GET EDUCATED ON THE WARNING SI SIGNS AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE LIKE AUNT SPANKY. DON'T HEAR MY WORDS, PEOPLE, TONIGHT. TAKE MY WORDS AND TURN THEM IN ACTION. ASK ME HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT SUICIDE. SUICIDE IS THE MOST PREVENTIBLE DEATH OF ALL DEATHS AND ANYONE CAN PREVENT A TRAGEDY OF SUI SUICIDE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL. SUICIDE IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS. MORE PEOPLE DIE IN THE U.S. BY SUICIDE THAN CAR DEATHS AND HOMICIDES COMBINED. 54% OF GUN DEATHS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SUICIDES WITH OUT OF 5 GUN DEATHS BEING SUICIDES. IN NORTH CAROLINA, EVERY SIX HOURS, SOMEONE DIES BY SUICIDE. SUICIDE AMONG YOUTH IN NORTH CAROLINA IS THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN 20 YEARS. THE FINANCIAL TOLL ON SOCIETY IS ALSO COSTLY. IN 2020, SUICIDE AND NON-FATAL DEATHS COST THE NATION OVER $500 BILLION. I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. TREAT PEOPLE WITH EMPATHY COMPASSION AND KINDNESS. BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SOMEONE IS GOING THROUGH. A SMILE CAN HIDE A LOT OF PAIN, BE KIND. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM KELLY KELLY, AND I BRING I BRING YOU FROM THE CHARLOTTE CHAPTER OF DELTA THING MA SORORITY INCORPORATED AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO SERVICE THROUGH SOCIAL ACTION SINCE 1913 AND WE WILL HAVE DELTA DAYS IN THE CITY, A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT FOCUS ON THE AREAS OF EDUCATION HEALTH DISPARITYS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOTING. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS OUR VOICE, OUR IMPACT, OUR POWER. TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS THE FIRST OF OUR ACTIVITIES. TOMORROW, WE'LL ATTEND THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THURSDAY, WE WILL HOST OUR INFAMOUS CRIMSON BREWS ON OUR CLTLC INSTAGRAM PLATFORM FEATURING COUNCIL'S VERY OWN TARIQ BOKHARI AND HIS OPPONENT, STEPHANIE HAND. THE HIGHLIGHT WILL CONCLUDE ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30th, WHERE A HOST OF SPEAKERS INCLUDING MAYOR LYLES COUNCIL MEMBER WATLINGTON AND COMMISSIONER VILMA LEAKE WILL JOIN US FOR WORKSHOPS AND A LUNCHEON AT FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH. OUR WORKSHOPS WILL INCLUDE AND WE WILL HAVE A LUNCHEON THAT FEATURE DENA KING. THE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE LUNCHEON IS A TICKETED EVENT. WE ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO ATTEND WHILE WE PAINT THE TOWN RED AND SUPPORT AND PUT SOCIAL ACTION WITHIN THE CHARLOTTE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CITY COUNCIL, MEMBERS AND MAYOR. I WILL SPEAK FAST BECAUSE I PLANNED ON THREE MINUTES. HERE TONIGHT OUT OF CONCERN FOR CHARLOTTE CITIZENS RELATED TO OUR PRESERVATION OF MATURE TREES AND GREEN SPACE. OUR TREE CANOPY GOAL IS 50% BY 2050. ACCORDING TO STUDIES DONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE WERE DOWN TO 42% AND I IMAGINE THAT PERCENTAGE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS WHEN THE NEW STUDY RESULTS COME OUT. ANYONE DRIVING ANYWHERE IN CHARLOTTE CAN SEE WITH THEIR OWN EYES, LARGE SWATHS OF GREEN TREES BEING CLEAR CUT AND SOME NEIGHBORHOODS EXPERIENCING FLOODING IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS AND NOISE AND LIGHT POLLUTION INCREASING DUE TO REMOVAL OF ACRES OF TREES. ONE INCH OF RAIN FALLING ON ONE ACRE OF UNDISTURBED LAND IS ABSORBED. NO RUNOFF. ONE INCH OF RAIN FALLING ON ONE ACRE OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES, LIKE PARKING LOTS AND BUILDINGS, CREATES 27,000 GALLONS OF RUNOFF PER ACRE. OUTDATED RETENTION PONDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO EFFECTIVELY MITIGATE THIS FOR LARGER PROPERTIES. WE REALIZE DEVELOPMENT WILL OCCUR AND IS NEEDED IN CERTAIN SECTORS. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS IT HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF BALANCE, MATURE TREES AND GREEN SPACE ARE CHARLOTTE'S ICON. HER BEAUTY, ATTRACTIVENESS. WE SEEM TO BE KILLING THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG. IT IS NOT BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY THAT GREEN SPACE PROVIDES THERE ARE NUMEROUS STUDIES THAT DRIVERS SPEED LESS ALONG ROADS WHERE THERE ARE TREES AND CRIME DECREASES IN THESE AREAS, SIGNIFICANT FLOOD MITIGATION AS REFERENCED EARLIER AND REDUCTION OF LIGHT AND NOISE POLLUTION. IN ADDITION TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF CO2'S SEQUESTRATION AND IMMUNE HEALTH AND ON AND ON. IN FACT, IN CANADA, PHYSICIANS WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PATIENTS EXPERIENCING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO SPEND A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME JUST WALKING IN THE WOODS. IN JAPAN, THEY CALL THIS FOREST BATHING. IN CHARLOTTE, WE LACK LARGE AREAS OF JUST PASSIVE USE GREEN SPACES. AND AFTER MR. CHORUS WE HAVE DIANE THORNTON AND SIMON ALVAREZ. >> MEMBERS ABOUT OF CHARLOTTE, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS EVENING, MY NAME IS TODD AND I REPRESENT A NUMBER OF FELLOW CITIZENS THAT RESIDE IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE. OUR ORGANIZATION IS STREET PEACE. WE WANT TO MAKE CHARLOTTE A MORE SUSTAINABLE CITY. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE MEASURES AND I CARE GREATLY ABOUT AND THIS IS WHY I BRING AT BEST, THIS PROBLEM IS AGGRAVATING AND A NUISANCE. AT ITS WORST, THE ISSUE IS A PEDESTRIAN FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE'S AN ONGOING ISSUE OF MANY DRIVERS ILLEGALLY MODIFYING THEIR EXHAUST SYSTEMS TO EMIT LAWED NOISES, FAR GREATER THAN THE ESTABLISHED OF 85 dBS. THE PROBLEM IS THREE-FOLD. FIRSTLY, DRIVERS ARE BREAKING THE LAW. AND THEY POSE A SAFETY RISK TO OTHER DRIVERS. THE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS OF EXISTING LAWS AND STATUTES DO NOT SEEM TO BE ENFORCED BY CMPD AND STATE INSPECTIONS. THESE DRIVERS FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN EXCESS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND ROADS IN UPTOWN THAT ARE SHARED WITH PEDESTRIANS. DRIVERS ARE RECKLESS AND SHOW NO CONCERN FOR PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THESE ACTIONS VIOLATE N.C. STATUTE 20-128 PERTAINING TO EXHAUST SYSTEMS AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS. NO ACTIVITY SHOULD INVADE AND HARM THE PRIVACY, PEACE AND HEALTH AND WELFARE OF CITY RESIDENTS. THIS IS MOST ABSOLUTELY A SUBSTANTIAL AND INVASION OF PRIVACY, PEACE, HEALTH AND WELFARE. WE SEE LITTLE TO NO ACTION FROM CMPD IN ENFORCING THESE LAWS. MANY RESIDENT, OURSELVES INCLUDED HAVE SEEN VEHICLES BLAZE PAST PARKED VEHICLES AND SINGLE WEEKEND OF POLICING THIS ACTIVITY AROUND UPTOWN, WE'RE CERTAIN THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS AND FINES WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HELLO THERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. MY NAME IS DIANE THORNTON. I LIVE IN SOUTH CHARLOTTE AND I AM HERE REGARDING A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD TAKE PLACE NEXT TO THE FOUR-MILE GREENWAY. QUOTING THE CHARLOTTE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON ITS GROWTH FRAMEWORK QUOTE THIS FRAMEWORK IS INFORMED AND SHAPED BY THE COMMUNITY BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE MUST LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND CONSIDER THE INTENDED AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF GROWTH ON OUR RESIDENTS, HOUSEHOLDS AND NEIGHBORHOODS A DIVERSITY OF EMPLOYMENT AND SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS WHILE PROVIDING AWE IMPLEMENT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING SERVICES, SCHOOLS, PARKS, ROADS, TRAILS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURES AND ANOTHER QUOTE FROM THE 2040 PLAN, THE TREE CANOPY ACTION PLAN THAT ENHANCE THE CANOPY. IT WILL CONTINUE THE WORK OF PAST TREE RELATED INITIATIVES AND INCLUDING THE 2017 URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN AND GUIDE THE UPCOMING UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE. SO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE 53 PLUS ACRES OF OLD FOREST LAND THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO BE DESTROYED FOR THE BUILDING OF 640 LUXURY HOUSING UNITS ON RAE ROAD? THE FOUR-MILE GREENWAY IS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT WILDLIFE. THE WILDLIFE AND THE GREENWAY FOR FOOD, SHELTER AND WATER. THE FLOODPLAINS PROTECT THE WATER RESOURCES AND EXISTING HOMES FROM FLOODING, TURNING THIS ACREAGE INTO A MULTIDWELLING LUXURY DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MR. DRIGGS IS WORKING ON. >> THERE'S A COMMUNITY MEETING ON THE 29th. I HOPE YOU HEARD THAT. IF YOU WRITE TO ME, I WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU ABOUT THIS >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNEW. THAT'S THE ONE. [ SPEAKING SPANISH ] I'M THE CHAIR FOR THE LATIN-AMERICAN OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. IT GIVES ME GREAT HONOR AND A LOT OF PLEASURE TO BE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU ALL. ON BEHALF OF THE HISPANIC LATINO BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THANK YOU, OR SHOULD I SAY GRACIAS, FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ACKNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS GREAT CITY WE CALL HOME. IN RECENT YEARS, LATINO COMMUNITY HAS SEEN A REMARKABLE INCREASE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS CITY'S CULTURAL RICHNESS AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO ITS ECONOMIC VITALITY. THE GROWTH PRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO COME TOGETHER AND FOSTER A MORE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR QUEEN CITY. LATINOS ARE THE LARGEST MINORITY GROUP MAKING UP 19% OF THE NATION'S POPULATION. ONE OF THE FIVE LATINO PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE LATINOS. AS WE CONSIDER THE LARGE AND ROUGHLY GROWING ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINOS LIVING IN THE CHARLOTTE METRO AREA AND ACROSS THE CAROLINAS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IMPACT IS NOT NEW. INSTEAD IT IS THE CONTINUATION OF CENTURIES OLD TRADITION. A TRADITION OF LATINOS PROVIDING ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND 2.TRILLION TO THE GDP AND ADDRESS AN AVERAGE OF 600,000 JOBS TO THE WORKFORCE PER YEAR. LATINOS IN CHARLOTTE METROPOLITAN AREA ARE POISED TO HELP POWER THE REGION'S ECONOMY AS THEY ADD THEIR VALUE, POPULATION GROWTH, WORK ETHIC AND FAMILY VALUES WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADDING STRENGTHENING AND ADDING VALUE TO THIS GREAT CITY AND TO MAKE THIS A PLACE WE CALL HOME. THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE FOR YEARS TO COME. AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR LYLES, DEAR FRIEND TO US, ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE JOINING US TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. [ SPEAKING SPANISH ] >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] [ CALLING NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ] >> HELLO, MAYOR LYLES AND MAYOR PRO TEM WINSTON, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF. MY NAME IS MARTHA AND I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF NARE., NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELISABETH SPANNIC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS AND DIRECTOR OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE INFLUENCERS GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, OTHERWISE CALLED LIGAS. I HAVE BEEN A MORTGAGE LENDER FOR THE PAST 21 YEARS AND LIVED IN DISTRICT 6 FOR THE PAST 21 YEARS. NAREP IS THE LARGEST BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY WITH OVER 40,000 MEMBERS AND OVER 100 CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. OUR LOCAL CHAPTER HAS OVER 200 MEMBERS AND STILL GROWING. OUR MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HOME OWNERSHIP FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY FOR WE KNOW THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY FOR TO US CLOSE THAT WEALTH GAP. NAREP REPORTS IN THE NEXT TWO DECADES, 70% OF NEW HOMEOWNERS WILL BE LATINO. WE HAVE SEEN LATINO HOME OWNERSHIP RATES CONSISTENTLY INCREASE OVER THE PAST EIGHT CAREERS AND IT'S EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHILE OTHER GROUPS MAY DECREASE. WE SHOW A 66.1% LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, HIGHEST OF ANY GROUP, EARNING US A POSITION OF HAVING 7.9 MILLION MORTGAGE-READY PEOPLE. NOW, DID YOU KNOW THAT BETWEEN 2019 AND 2021, THE CHARLOTTE METRO STATISTICAL AREA WAS NUMBER ONE IN GROWTH LATINO HOUSEHOLD BY ADDING 8,614 HOUSEHOLDS? DID YOU KNOW THAT WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN THE GROWTH RATE OF LATINA OWNED HOUSE OLD AT 27% GROWTH RATE. YET WE'RE STILL LAGGING WITH 51.7% HOME OWNERSHIP RATE IN NORTH CAROLINA COMPARED TO 75.2% AMONG NON-HISPANIC WHITES. THE CHARLOTTE METRO AREA IS A DESIRABLE PLACE. >> GR ACIAS. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM HERE TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. IN THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTION OF HISPANIC LATINOS IN CHARLOTTE AND MECKLENBURG COUNTY. AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LATIN-AMERICAN COALITION, ONE OF THE OLDEST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WITH OVER 33 YEARS OF SERVICE, WE ARE VERY PROUD TO CALL CHARLOTTE HOME. AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND FOR THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE TODAY. I WANTED TO BE HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU TOOK TO ACKNOWLEDGE US AND WE HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS IN FUTURE YEARS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> VIVIAN COLINS AND RAFAEL, BRING US ON HOME. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC FORUM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR THE TIME AND ATTENTION THAT YOU GIVE AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT CAME DOWN TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY, YOU HAD A GREAT TEAM OF PEOPLE TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH SOME OF THE MAZE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. SO WITH THAT, WE WILL NOW GO TO OUR BUSINESS MEETING. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, CLOSING A PORTION OF WOODCREST AVENUE. WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION? >> MOVE AND ADOPT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? HEARING NO DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. NO ONE IS OPPOSED. OUR NEXT ITEM IS TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING ON CLOSING A PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO DAVID TAYLOR DRIVE. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKERS. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION TO CLOSE A PORTION OF DAVID TAYLOR DRIVE AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. IS ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THAT'S UNANIMOUS. ON THE NEXT I ITEM, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RESOLUTION TO CLOSE AN UNOPENED RIGHT-OF-WAY OFF SOUTH CEDAR STREET. WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS. DO WE HAVE A MOTION-- >> MOVE TO CLOSE AND ADOPT. >> CLOSE AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? , MR. GRAHAM IS A YES AS WELL. >> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ITEM IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR PUBLIC-- FOR TORRANCE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKERS. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ANNEXATION ORDINANCE WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 25th, 2023, TO EXTEND THE CORPORATE LIMITS TO INCLUDE THIS PROPERTY AND ASSIGN IT TO THE ADJACENT CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. >> MOVE TO CLOSE AND ADOPT. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THAT'S ITEM 14. SO THE NEXT SECTION OF OUR AGENDA IS SO WE'VE DONE THAT. WE WILL GO TO THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. EARLIER IN OUR MEETING TO TODAY, THE CITY MANAGER BEGAN A DISCUSSION OF TWO ITEMS THAT WE HAD. ONE OF WHICH IS QUALITY OF LIFE WORK EFFORT BEING DONE BY THE STAFF, AS WELL AS SOCIAL DISTRICTS, WHICH I HOPE PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH. SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MANAGER START OFF WITH EITHER ONE. >>MANAGER: THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, BEFORE THEY START TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A 30-DAY MEMO THAT WE DO, I ALSO IN THURSDAY'S PACKET, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN EACH COMMITTEE SO WE PROVIDED YOU WITH ON THE WORK THAT'S BEEN COMPLETED IN EACH OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEES AS WELL AS WHAT'S OUTSTANDING. I DO KNOW I HAVE ONE OUTSTANDING QUESTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER MAYFIELD ABOUT THE MIX OF HOME OWNERSHIP VERSUS RENTAL WHICH WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT. AND AND THE TWO OTHER ITEMS THAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED EARLIER IS WOO HAD A NEW QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM. DEBBIE HAS THE TEAM READY TO GO AND ALSO A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE AFTER THAT IN TERM OF SOCIAL DISTRICTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TELL YOU EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE AT. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, IF I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DEBBIE AND THE TEAM JUST COME UP AND I GUESS JUST TAKE QUESTIONS. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. JONES. AND THE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM ONE OF OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS ON THE EXPANDED NOISE OF VEHICLES, MAYBE WE NEED TO START OFF AND PRORLY EDIT WHAT YOU DEFINE AS QUALITY OF LIFE. WITH THAT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I WILL GO AHEAD AND START. WE'LL GO AROUND THE DIAS SO EVERYONE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE QUESTIONS, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF WE COULD START WITH MS. AJMERA. >> AJMERA: CAN YOU BRING THE PRESENTATION UP HERE? SLIDE NUMBER >> WHILE WE ARE GETTING THIS SLIDE UP AND READY-- CAN WE PROCEED? >>MAYOR: WE'RE WAITING FOR THE SLIDE. DOES EVERYBODY HAVE THAT ONE? WHICH PAGE WAS IT, MS. AJMERA? >> AJMERA: SLIDE NUMBER 3, WHERE YOU HAVE LISTED CURRENT FOCUS AREAS AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE THREE LISTED. SO MAYOR, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, YOU HAD REFERRED PUBLIC DEFECATION AND URINATION AND DRINKING IN THE PARK. I DIDN'T SEE THAT LISTED. IS THAT NOT GOING THROUGH THIS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE? IS THAT FOLLOWING A DIFFERENT PROCESS? >>MAYOR: IT WAS REFERRED TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE. IT WAS A CONVERSATION AS YOU SAW THE CHARGE, IT IS REALLY MORE AROUND THE AREAS IN THE UPTOWN AND ASK MS. WATLINGTON TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT SHE HAD IN THE REFERRAL AND THE NEXT STEPS. >> I THINK THE CITY MANAGER IS GOING TO ADDRESS SO THINGS. I MET WITH A COUPLE OF THE ATMs TODAY WITH MY QUESTIONS. I BELIEVE STAFF IS WORKING ON A PATH FORWARD. >> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND TO YOUR POINT, COUNCIL MEMBER AJMERA, THE MAYOR DID HAVE THAT REFERRAL TO THE HOUSING AND SAFE COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CHAIR. AND ALSO, I GUESS MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION WEDNESDAY. AND IS TO LOOK AT A LOT OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING AROUND THIS AREA FOR THE NUMBER OF YEARS AND INSTEAD OF JUST MAYBE JUST FOCUSING ON THE THREE ITEMS THAT YOU JUST SAID TO MAKE SURE THAT AND THAT'S FOR UPTOWN GENERALLY? WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES THAT UPTOWN RESIDENTS HAD COME OUT AND PRESENTED AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT REQUIRES AND ARE FACING THESE ISSUES AS WE ARE SPEAKING AND IF WOO CAN GET A TIME LINE AROUND THAT. BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ORDINANCE UPDATES SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IF THAT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY DECIDES TO DO. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS WE DISCOVER MORE INFORMATION AND MORE ISSUES, WE WILL SEE THAT SOME OF THAT IS RELEVANT TO MANY AREAS THROUGH OUR CITY AND MS. AND I THINK UPDATES WOULD BE WELCOME BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO WEIGH IN. >> I HAVE MORE. MS. WATLINGTON, CAN YOU ADD THIS TO YOUR LIST? SCOOTERS ON SIDEWALKS, SPECIFICALLY IN UPTOWN, IT'S AN ISSUE. THE OTHER DAY I WAS-- OUR FAMILY WAS AT THE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL AND WE SAW A GENTLEMAN WHO COULD NOT-- WHO WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND COULD NOT GET AROUND BECAUSE THERE WERE SCOOTERS THAT WERE JUST ZOOMING THROUGH AND EQUITABLE IN ENFORCEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AND JUST ONE LAST ITEM THAT I HAVE. ACTUALLY TWO LAST ITEMS THAT I HAVE. IF YOU CAN GO TO THIS -- LADIES, YOU DID A GREAT JOB. APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT DEBBIE AND REBECCA BRINGS UP. I ALWAYS ENJOYED WORKING WITH DEBBIE WHEN SHE WAS SUPPORTING THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. I WORK THE WORK THAT YOU DO DEBBIE, REBECCA AND DEBORAH AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. I LIKE WHAT THE TEAM HAS DONE WITH ILLEGAL PARKING. WE UNDERSTAND IT'S AN ISSUE IN THE CITY. ESPECIALLY IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA. I WILL BE SUPPORTING SOME OF THE ORDINANCE UPDATE LANGUAGE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALSO WITH THE LETTER, I KNOW YOU HAD VOLUNTEER WORK WITH KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE WE LOOKING INTO SIGNS THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LITTER, THIS WILL BE THE FINE? BECAUSE I SEE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR CITY, LITTER HAS BEEN CONCENTRATED. IT'S GREAT TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE BUT HOW CAN WE MAKE VERY INTENTIONAL EFFORT I YOU. DEBBIE SMITH, TRANSPORTA YOU. DEBBIE SMITH, TRANSPORTATION. JUST FOR THE RECORD. GREAT QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE ASKING AND I SO GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS SUPPORT. WHAT WE REALLY FIND, THOUGH, WITH A SIGN SUCH AS THAT NO LITTERING WITH THE FINES,THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS DETER THE BEHAVIOR, AND SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO FOCUS ON IS WHAT THE SOURCE OF THAT BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT THERE ARE MORE THINGS AROUND THAT AND AN EXAMPLE I WILL GIVE YOU, DAVID COX AND W.T. HARRIS, WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS THAT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, WHERE THEIR TRASH CANS WERE LOCATED IN THEIR DUMPSTERS, WE FOUND THAT PEOPLE WERE LEAVING THE COMMUNITY, LEAVING THAT AREA WITH THE GARBAGE ON THEIR VEHICLE AND IT WAS ISSUE AND OH, MY GOODNESS. WE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THAT AND OF IN LOCATIONS WHERE IT'S COLLECTING AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE GETTING TO THE SOURCE OF WHAT THAT ISSUE IS AND SIGNS ARE EFFECTIVE. AND NOT ALWAYS IN EVERY SITUATION. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT SIGNS MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE IN EVERY SITUATION. IT IS SHAMEFUL WHERE WE SEE LITERALLY PEOPLE ARE EATING FROM FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS OR JUST ANY RESTAURANTS AND DUMPING THE TRASH RIGHT THERE IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAVE SEEN THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN EAST CHARLOTTE. AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT UNIQUE TO EAST CHARLOTTE. IT'S AN ISSUE IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR CITY. WE CAN REALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO FROM THE BEHAVIORAL SIDE TO PREVENT IT, OTHER THAN SIGNS, I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THOSE IDEAS. I KNOW WE HAVE COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT ACTUALLY DO CLEANUP EFFORT AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THEM, LIKE ME MI DAVIS AND EMILY AND OTHERS WHO A ARE-- WHO HAVE SEEN THESE ISSUES,ER ANDISTENT ISSUE THROUGHOUT AND WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION. I KNOW MR. PHIPPS WOULD WANT US TO FIND A SOLUTION SOONER THAN LATER. GREAT WORK ON THE PARKING SPOT BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES YOU'RE RIGHT THERE ARE TIMES-- MANY TIMES AND IN EVEN IN OUR PARKING THAT WE HAVE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN ENFORCE THAT STARTING WITH OUR PARKING, BUT THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT MR. PHIPPS. HE ACTUALLY HAS CALLED ME AND SAID, HE HAS AN IDEA. SO I'M GOING TO SEND THAT IDEA TO YOU GUYS. NOT KEEP IT WITH JUST ME. MS. MOLINA. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM MAYOR. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU GUYS FOR BEING FORWARD-THINKING. I THINK I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO BRING ON POTENTIALLY FOUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS THIS AROUND THE CLOCK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A CONSTRAINT WITH CURRENTLY CODE ENFORCEMENT WAS STOPPED AT 5:00 P.M. RIGHT? NOW TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THAT TALENT IN PLACE THAT'S GOING TO LOOK BEYOND 5:00 P.M. AND TAKE THE MEASURES TO BE PREVENTATIVE BEYOND THOSE HOURS, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. I'M KIND OF PEELING DOWN BECAUSE, AGAIN, I WAS PRETTY EXCITED TO SEE THAT WE'RE TAKING THIS INITIATIVE. I WANTED TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE WHERE WE MENTIONED VEHICLE PARKING BECAUSE A LOT OF THE CONCERNS THAT I RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS ARE AROUND VEHICLE PARKING. I'M THINKING OF ONE IN PARTICULAR, WHERE SOMEONE RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE TAKING THE LIBERTY OF PARKING IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, OF COURSE, WHERE THEY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE, YOU KNOW, OVERFLOW PARKING FOR THEM, BUT I WANTED TO SEE IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY CONSIDERING AND ANY TYPE OF MEASURES THAT YOU ALL ARE DISCUSSING AS A DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS THAT. >> COUNCILWOMAN MOLINE NEWSCASTER WE'RE AWARE OF THAT LOCATION. I WONDER IF WE CAN BRING UP SLIDE NUMBER FOUR. I THINK THIS SLIDE REALLY STARTS TO ILLUSTRATE AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SITUATION. SO WE MAY HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON THE COMMERCIAL TRUCK PARKING IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS WHEN YOU BROUGHT FORWARD THE CONCERN ABOUT THE PARKING IN ADDITION TO JUST TRAILERS AND TRACTORS. WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS GREATER CONCERN AROUND THAT. SO WE'RE LOOKING INTO THAT. BUT THIS REALLY TELLS US AS WE-- AS WE DIVE IN, AS WE FIND THOSE SOLUTIONS, WE ACTUALLY FIND THAT THERE'S MORE ISSUES AROUND THOSE. SO MORE WORK TO COME ON THOSE AS IT RELATES TO THAT. >> THANK YOU. I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN THAT. YOU GUYS KNOW FROM MY REACHING OUT, IT'S-- RESIDENTS ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, EVEN I HAVE HAD RESIDENTS ACTUALLY ASK ME, YOU KNOW, LIKE WHAT HAPPENS? WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THESE CONCERNS KNOWN. NOTHING HAPPENS. I KNOW OFF-LINE I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO US CONTINUING THAT PIECE OF THE CONVERSATION. I ALSO WANTED TO LIFT UP-- -- LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT, THAT'S [LAUGHTER] THAT ONE KIND OF SNUCK IN, RIGHT, WHEN WE THINK OF-- IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE QUALITY OF LIFE NECESSARILY. BUT YOU THINK ABOUT LANDSCAPING. CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT? YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE RIDING DOWN THE STREET OTHER THAN JUST TRASH, WE SEE, YOU KNOW, SIDEWALKS, WE SEE ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS SO CAN YOU-- I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA. REBECCA HEFNER NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES. LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT IS A GREAT PARTNER WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY OF LIFE, CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY. A COUPLE OF THINGS KEEPING CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY, MOWED OR AREAS NICELY LANDSCAPED. IN ADDITION WE WILL HAVE PARTNERSHIP IN THE CORRIDORS WHERE WE ARE DOING ADDITIONAL MOWING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE OFTEN IS TRASH IS EASIER TO HIDE AND WHEN THERE'S OTHER THINGS GROWING AROUND AND OFTEN WE SEE THOSE TWO THINGS, OVERGROWTH AND LITTER. THEY COME TOGETHER AS PART OF A MITIGATION STRATEGY. >> I CAN SEE A WORLD. ACTUALLY, IT'S FUNNY I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO RAN AGAINST ME FOR COUNCIL WHO DOES GENERAL SERVICES. HE OFFERED TO ME AS AN IDEA. HE SAID, YOU KNOW, MARJORIE, WHY WOULDN'T WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT THAT CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY TO LIKE CUT SOME OF THESE WEEDS OR MAINTAINED SOME OF THE SIDEWALKS? OFF-LINE, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THROUGH THAT. LIKE IDEAS THAT WE CAN USE TO REALLY EVEN ACTIVATE SOME OF THE RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH US POSSIBLY TO HELP US MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE RISKS. I MEAN THIS IS JUST AN IDEA. NOT MAKING ANY PROMISES TO ANYBODY. YOU KNOW, I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE KIND OF BRING THOSE TYPES OF CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS FORWARD AND THEY'RE SOLUTION ORIENTED. IT REALLY HELPS TO US THINK THROUGH SOME POSSIBILITIES THAT WE CAN BRING BACK TO YOU GUYS TO REALLY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, GO THROUGH. ALSO LAST THING FOR ME IN PARTICULAR, SO EAST CHARLOTTE, I MENTIONED THIS AND I WAS TALKING TO OUR CITY MANAGER HAVING A CONVERSATION, WE GOT THIS GIFT WITH HIGHWAY 74. IT STRETCHES FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE BEACH, RIGHT? AND SO WHEN PEOPLE COME THROUGH 74 FOR SOME PEOPLE, IF THEY'RE JUST TRAVELING THROUGH, IT'S REALLY THE FACE OF THE CITY FOR THEM UNLESS THEY COME OFF ONE OF OUR EXITS TO DO SOMETHING OR GO UPTOWN OR WHATEVER, AND SO I'D LIKE TO SEE US KIND OF LOOK INTO PARTNERING WITH THE STATE TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY ALONG THAT PARTICULAR HIGHWAY AND I KNOW WE CAN EASILY IDENTIFY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO TALK ABOUT THAT FROM A LANDSCAPE PERSPECTIVE TO, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO AT LEAST START AN INTEREST CONVERSATION. I LOVE PARTNERSHIPS. I THINK WORKING TOGETHER IS THE BEST WAY. I KNOW WE CAN'T MAKE ANYBODY DO ANYTHING, BUT THEY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS THOROUGHFARE IS NICELY FACING, YOU KNOW, THE CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS THAT PASS THROUGH IT. SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF WE COUP, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND SEE IF THERE'S INTEREST MAYBE. >> COUNCILWOMAN MOLINA, I LOVE THE IDEA GENERATION. YOU AND I HAVE HAD ROTS OF CONVERSATIONS. SO I GREW UP IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA ON THE EAST SIDE. WENT TO EAST MECK HIGH SCHOOL AND I WENT TO-- YOU KNOW IT, UNC CHARLOTTE, MY ALMA MATER, SO I LOVE, LOVE THIS CITY. I LEARNED TO DRIVE ON U.S. 74. >> SEE, SEE. >> BACK WHEN I WAS A VERY NARROW-- I WON'T GIVE AWAY MY AGE. ABSOLUTELY, THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE INSTRUMENTAL. ONE OF MY PARTING COMMENTS IS IN OUR LAST CONVERSATION IS THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH N.C. D.O.T SO WHILE WE CAN'T MAKE, YOU KNOW, PROP SES ON WHAT'S POSSIBLE, WHAT WE CAN DO IS HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND SEE WHERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE. >> I LOVE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. VERY INTERESTED IN THAT. >> ONE THING I SKIM OVER IN THE PRESENTATION, I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE TO MENTION AS IT RELATES TO N.C. D.O.T. PARTNERSHIP IS THAT THEY ARE IN THE MIDST OF THEIR BIABIEN ALITTER SWEEP. IT'S THL LITTER SWEEP ON STATE-MAINTAINED ROADS. YOU MIGHT SEE VOLUNTEERS OUT. YOU MIGHT SEE STATE MAINTENANCE CREWS OUT AND YOU CAN GET OUT YOURSELF AND HELP WITH THAT BY CHECKING FALL LITTER SWEEP WITH N.C. D.O.T >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE IN DISTRICT FOUR AND PRE-DATES ME. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT COUNCIL MEMBER PHIPPS, BUT I WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU GUYS. EVEN HAVING A TOWN HALL IN 2020. I BELIEVE THAT YOU SAID THIS WORK STARTED IN 2020. IS THAT WHAT I HEARD? >> YES, MS. JOHNSON. REALLY THIS WORK HAS BEEN ONGOING AND SO REALLY, IT WAS THE COLLABORATION IN THIS TEAM STRATEGY APPROACH AND DETERMINING IT THE QUALITY OF LIFE GROUP. WHAT I REBECCA DESCRIBED IN THE LAST MEETING REALLY WAS ABOUT THE STEERING TEAM AND GETTING THAT TOGETHER. SO THE WORK HAS BEEN ONGOING SO IT'S NOT THAT IT JUST STARTED NINE MONTHS AGO. REALLY, IT'S THE STRATEGY HOW WE'RE TRACKING AND HOW WE'RE REPORTING BACK OUT TO YOU IS THAT INTENTIONAL EFFORT THAT WE'RE DOING. >> I APPRECIATE THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH YOU ALL AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE 2020. I'M GLAD YOU ARE ABLE TO PRESENT IT NOW. I WANTED SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUCK PARKING. I KNOW JANE POWELL WAS ON THE CALL WHICH MET WITH THE TRUCK DRIVERS ALSO AND THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT A LOT OR SOMETHING 58 OR WEIGH STATION THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. ANY UPDATE ON A NEW LOCATION FOR TRUCK PARKING? DO WE HAVE ANY PROGRESS ON THAT? I'M PLEAED TO REPORT AS WE HAVE BEEN REALLY TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE PRIVATE FACILITIES THAT THERE IS ONE COMPANY WHO OFFERS ABOUT 600 SPACES AND FOUR LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY AND HE WAS JUST ABLE TO SECURE ANOTHER LOCATION AT I-485 AND THAT IS GOING TO INCLUDE ABOUT 100 SPAISESES THERE. AND SO IN ADDITION TO THE PRIVATE SIDE, WE ARE TALKING WITH THE N.C. D.O.T. AND HOW WE POSSIBLY CAN USE AND I KNOW THEY DID A LOT OF PRELIMINARY EVALUATION AND THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION. >> THAT'S GREAT TO KNOW. I HOPE THE REPORTERS ARE LISTENING AND THAT'S A TOP STORY. HOPEFULLY DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENTS ARE LISTENING ALSO. WHAT ABOUT WORKING WITH THE STATE? MANY ROADS IN DISTRICT FOUR ARE STATE-OWNED, AS YOU KNOW. I APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING DAVID COX. BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S BEEN MORE ATTENTION TO THAT AREA HOW -- THIS DID THIS CLEANUP TWICE A YEAR, BUT WE SEE LITTER ON OUR STREETS DAILY. >> SURE. >>RENEE JOHNSON: AND SOLID WASTE ARE GREAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CALL THEM. AND ALSO, CODE ENFORCEMENT, I'M ABLE TO TALK TO JANE AS WELL. SO YOU GUYS ARE GREAT IN BEING RESPONSIVE AND REACTIVE. BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING FROM A -- FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE THE STATE-OWNED ROADS, IS THERE A ROUTINE? >> ABSOLUTELY, MS. JOHNSON, WHAT I THINK, WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ON IS ROBUST EFFORT THAT THE NCDOT HAS ON THE STATE-MAINTAINED ROADWAYS, SO INTERSTATES AND MANY OF THE MAJOR ARTERIAL STREETS, THERE IS A SCHEDULE TO IT, THERE IS AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT AROUND IT. AND IT WAS JUST -- IT WAS IMPRESSIVE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY ARE PUTTING INTO THAT CLEANUP EFFORT AND SO I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU ON THAT INFORMATION. >>RENEE JOHNSON: THAT'S AW AWESOME, I APPRECIATE THAT. AS FAR AS THE LITTER, WE HAVE ADDED SIGNAGE ON W.T. HARRIS AND I BELIEVE THE FINES HAVE INCREASED, HAVE THE FINES INCREASED FOR LITTER? I KNOW THEY'VE INCREASED FOR TRUCK PARKING, Y'ALL WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT EARLIER. >> ORDINANCE UPDATES THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE FOR TRUCK PARKING, LITTER, I BELIEVE IS ACTUALLY LEGISLATED AT THE STATE LEVEL. >>RENEE JOHNSON: OKAY. >> YEAH. BUT WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ON WHAT THAT FINE AMOUNT IS, BUT THAT IS LEGISLATED AT THE STATE LEVEL. >>RENEE JOHNSON: OKAY. AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE TEAM, WHEN -- DO YOU KNOW WHEN THOSE EMPLOYEES WILL START? AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE PROCESS WILL BE? IS THERE AN APP FOR TO PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? >> GREAT QUESTION. COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE HIRING PROCESS FOR THE NEW STAFF, THERE'S A SUPERVISOR POSITION AND THE INSPECTOR POSITIONS THAT ARE POSTED, RIGHT NOW, AND WE'LL GET THOSE -- THAT TEAM ON BOARDED QUICKLY. AND AGAIN, THE WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED. BUT GETTING THE TEAM IN PLACE WILL ENABLE US TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY. AND SPREAD OUT INTO OTHER PLACES IN THE CITY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW IN TERMS OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS ENHANCEMENTS IS THE REPORTING. AS YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST, PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPORT TRUCK PARKING, WHEN IT'S NOT DURING CODES HOURS, TO 911. AND WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A WAY TO MAKE THOSE REPORTS GO THROUGH 311, CLT PLUS, THE TRADITIONAL OTHER, YOU KNOW, EMERALD WEB. SO THAT WE CAN GET THOSE ROUTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE. AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO RESPOND. SO WE EXPECT THAT TO TAKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO GET ALL OF THOSE PROCESSES UNDERWAY. BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE TO HAVE A ROBUST COMMUNICATION ABOUT THOSE REPORTING METHODS ONCE THEY'RE IN PLACE. >>RENEE JOHNSON: THANK YOU, SO WILL THERE BE A QUALITY OF LIFE PAGE, WEB PAGE ON THE CITY'S PAGE? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AND I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION OR EDUCATE FOLKS ON WHERE TRUCKS CAN PARK. THAT WOULD BE VERY HELP. FUL. I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE NEEDS TO BE A SIGN IN ORDER TO ENFORCE IT, BUT CAN THEY PARK IN AREAS SUCH AS ON, YOU KNOW, ON THE STREET WHERE THE KEITH Y IS. SO IF THAT'S NOT ALLOWED, YOU KNOW. >>S NEED TO KNOW THAT AND KNOW HOW TO REPORT THAT, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY, I'M TELLING YOU NOW, BEHIND THE KEITH WHITE, THERE'S A LOT OF ABUSE THERE. THE KEITH -- >>DIMPLE AJMERA: REALLY A LOT OF TRAFFIC. >>RENEE JOHNSON: RIGHT. OKAY. WELL, I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION MR. JONES, I APPRECIATE THE A TENSE, BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR YEARS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PROGRESS. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: MS. MAYFIELD. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, TEAM, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION EARLIER, I WISH WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN TO THIS UPSTAIRS WHERE WE RAN OUT OF TIME, BUT I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND MAYOR, IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT YOU HEARD FROM OUR COLLEAGUES, DO YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE CLEANUP FOR THE FALL LITTER STREETS PROGRAM? IT'S A PERFECT TIE IN WHEN YOU COME IN TO NEIGHBORHOODS, COME IN OFF OF BROOKSHIRE, OFF OF BELL HAVEN, OFF OF OTHER AREAS WHERE TRUCKS ALIGNED, ALL ALONG THE HIGHWAY. IF WE'RE LOOKING TO TRY TO HAVE THE STREETS CLEANED, HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THAT? ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD IN THE COMMUNITY, A FAMILY IN THE TRUCKING AS FAR AS DRIVERS INDUSTRY. THEY SHARED, WHICH I'M QUITE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS, THAT THERE'S A TIMER. FOR THE LACK OF A BETTER WORD, IT GIVES YOU AN HOUR NOTICE BEFORE YOU RUN UP, BECAUSE SOME OF OUR TRUCK DRIVERS HAVE NOTED THAT WELL, WHICH BY LAW, YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE SO MANY HOURS. ALSO, WAEIGHT IS A FACTOR, EVEN THOUGH WE SHIP A LOT, WE'RE NOT SHIPPING IN SOME CASES AS MUCH FOR SOME OF OUR DRIVERS, THE WAY THEIR PAY IS CALCULATED, BASED OFF OF THAT WEIGHT, WE HAVE TRUCKING COMPANIES FOR PARKING. RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY. JUST THREE OF THEM UPTOWN TRUCK AND FLEET, KINGPIN PARKING, CHARLOTTE TRUCK PARKING. WE HAVE COMPANIES THAT CHARGE BY THE HOUR, BY THE DAY, BY THE WEEKEND. THAT $25 THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY CHARGING, IT IS CHEAPER TO PAY THAT FINE AND THAT HAS BEEN SHARED THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY THAT IS CHEAPER TO PAY THAT $25 VERSUS PAY THAT FEE AT THE ACTUAL DESIGNATED TRUCKING FACILITY. IT MAY SOUND BAD BUT IF I TOW YOUR TRUCK, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE THAN THAT $25 AND IT'S GOING BE A LOT MORE THAN THAT $60 OR THAT $110 THAT YOU WOULD HAVE PAID FOR THAT PARKING. BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE ALSO CAUSING IS, IF I'M COMING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, AND YOU HAVE SOMEONE MEETING YOU AND THEY'RE IN A VEHICLE, AND THEY ARE NOT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ROAD, UNFORTUNATELY, TOO MANY PEOPLE COME OFF OF THE HIGHWAY DOING WHATEVER THE SPEED IS, WHAT WL THAT SPEED IS 60, 55 OR 70, COMING AROUND THAT CURVE, WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEAR-MISSES, THAT HAVE HAPPENED. I PERSONALLY TODAY IS MONDAY, FRIDAY, WAS DRIVING ON 85 HEADED TOWARDS SUNSET, WHEN A TRUCK WHO WAS TWO LANES OVER, AND LET'S SAY I'M IN MY VEHICLE WHERE I AM, AND YOU'RE AT THE SUNSET EXIT, DECIDED, OH, I'M DOING 70 MILES PER HOUR, BUT I WANT TO GET OFF ON SUNSET, AND LITERALLY, HAD I NOT BEEN PAY AGO TENSION TO WHAT THEY WERE -- PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY WERE DOING, I HAD TO RUN UP ON THE CURB IN ORDER TO AVOID HAVING THIS LITTLE VEHICLE TOTALLED BY A TRUCK DRIVER THAT WAS SPEEDING. SO WHILE WE'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND THEN WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT UPDATING, OUR CLT PLUS APP, WE DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION IN THERE FOR OBSTRUCTION THAT SAYS TRUCK. WE DO HAVE ON HERE IN THE CLT PLUS APP AN OPTION FOR OBSTRUCTION, OBSTRUCTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY BUT IT DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK TRUCK TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THAT TAG, AND OTHER THINGS. THOSE ARE WAYS TO HELP, I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT 1$100 BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER AND LOOK INTO WHAT TOWING IS. BECAUSE THE IDEA OF SAYING, WELL, WE ALLOWED IT. FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. FOR YOU TO SAY, WELL, UP TO SO MANY HOURS I HAVE TO PULL OVER, BUT YOU HAVE A TRACKER THAT GIVES YOU AN HOUR NOTICE THAT YOU'RE COMING UP ON YOUR TIME AND IF YOUR CHOICE IS THE FACT THAT YOU FEEL THAT IT IS CHEAPER TO PAY THE $25 FINE THAN TO ACTUALLY PAY AT ONE OF OUR REGISTERED LICENSED BUSINESS OWNING TRUCK STOP COMPANIES, THAT IS A CHALLENGE, BECAUSE IT'S CAUSING A HEALTH AND A SAFETY RISK IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LITTER PIECE, MR. MANAGER, THAT'S A -- FOR ME, A DIRECT CONVERSATION WITH THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER COMMUNITIES, WE LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF WALKING AROUND BUT A LOT OF THOSE ITEMS END UP IN THE STREETS. NOT IN THE TRASH CAN. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN ALSO GO THROUGH A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO USE OUTSIDE SPACE TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES VERSUS GETTING ACCESS, BECAUSE YOU WON'T NECESSARILY BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS INTO A HOTEL INTO IF YOU'RE NOT A RESIDENT -- IF YOU'RE NOT VISITING OR PATRONIZING THE RESTAURANT OR THE BAR. THESE ARE THINGS WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT LITTER AND WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP OF CLEANUP, WE HAVE A LOT OF HIGH GRASS, I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'RE BRINGING ON A WEEKEND TEAM TO HELP BECAUSE A LOT OF IT HAPPENS AFTER 5:00 ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEING ABLE TO EXPAN SOME OF THE OPTIONS IN OUR CLT PLUS APP WOULD HELP. WE'RE HAVING SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND BEEN IN AN INSTANCE WHERE WE HAVE SAT BEHIND A VEHICLE AND OPEN THEIR VEHICLE AND SIT A WHOLE BAG OF TRASH OUT AT THE LIGHT BEFORE THEY PULL OFF, OR IF YOU HAVEN'T, A LOT OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT. WHEN WE DO AN AND COMBINATION, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THAT, THE ONLY WAY WE CHANGE BEHAVIOR IS TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THOSE BEHAVIOR CHANGES NEEDS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A FINE. BECAUSE THAT IS -- WE'RE SEEING THE IMPACT OF IT, THE QUESTION IS, DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY, SO TO LOOK INTO THAT, WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT IS IDENTIFIED AS A LEGAL PARKING, AGAIN, IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT TONY, AS WELL, BECAUSE WE SHOULD -- TOWING AS WELL, BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRACK SOME OF THESE TRUCKS LICENSE NUMBERS, VIN NUMBERS SO WE HAVE AN IDEA WHO REPEAT OFFENDERS ARE, SO IF YOU HAVE A UPDATE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR SO THAT WE CAN KNOW HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT YOU. >> SO OUR ORDINANCE DOES ALLOW TOWING OF ANYBODY THAT'S ILLEGALLY PARKED, WE'LL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON WHAT PARK IT USES AS FAR AS THE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THEY TOW THE FIRST OFFENDER. BUT THEY PROBABLY DO HAVE A LIMIT OF FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS BUT WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT AND IF THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE, WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT IT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SO I WAS UNDER -- AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT, MY IMPRESSION OF PARK IT IS METERS. UPTOWN. I'M TALKING ABOUT TRUCKS THAT ARE ALONG HIGHWAYS, THAT ARE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. ON MOUNT HOLLY, HUNTERSVILLE ROAD, RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, THERE'S A TRUCK THAT EVERY SO OFTEN IS PARKED THERE, WE HAVE A PARKING LOT, PARKING COMPANY, THAT IS LITERALLY AROUND THE CORNER. SO THE FIRST FOR ME, THE FIRST CONNECTION SHOULD BE OUTREACH TO HELP YOU KNOW HERE'S 3, BUT WE ACTUALLY MAY HAVE MORE THAT ARE IN YOUR IMMEDIATE AREA, SO WHAT'S THE BARRIER? NOW, IF THE BARRIER IS YOU'VE IDENTIFIED IT'S MORE FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL FOR YOU TO PAY THAT $25 VERSUS THE ACTUAL RENTAL FEE, THAT'S A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. BECAUSE YOU ARE CAUSING CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH BLOCKING THE BIKE LANES, CREATING A SIGHT DISTANCE BARRIER, WHEN VEHICLES ARE TRYING TO ENTER AND EXIT RESIDENTIAL AS WELL AS HIGHWAY. IT IS CAUSING A CHALLENGE AND A SAFETY CHANNEL WHEN YOU STOP CLEANING OUT OF YOUR CAR TO CLIMB INTO A VEHICLE, THESE THINGS ARE ALL DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES FOR US, SO THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF PIECES THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CHECK INTO. THANK YOU, MR. MANAGER, AND THANK YOU, TEAM, FOR YOUR AMAZING WORK. >>MAYOR: MR. GRAHAM? >>MALCOLM GRAHAM: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND LET ME, TOO, OFFER MY THANKFULNESS TO THE TEAM AND THE WORK YOU'VE DONE OVER THE PAST SAY 2020, THAT WE RAISED THE FLAG ABOUT THE ILLEGAL PARKING IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, WHEN WE SOUNDED THE ALARM THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, NOT ONLY IN THE UNIVERSITY CITY AREA, WHICH I SHARE WITH COUNCILMAN JOHNSON, BUT PROLIFERATING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, IN REFERENCE TO ILLEGAL PARKING. OF THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, THE STORAGE OF THE TRAILERS THEMSELVES, WHERE THE GUYS WOULD TAKE OFF WITH THE CAB AND LEAVE THE TRAILER THERE IS, OVER THE WEEKEND. -- TRAILER THERE IS OVER THE WEEKEND, USING OUR STREETS AS STORAGE. THE LITTER THAT THEY LEAVE BEHIND WHEN THEY COME AND GO. AND THE CRIME THAT TENDS TO CENTER AROUND THESE ILLEGAL PARKING LOTS FROM THE DRIVERS AND PEOPLE WHO VISIT THEM, LEAVE IT AT THAT, AND IT'S AN ISSUE, IT'S AN ISSUE THAT MR. MANAGER, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS WITH A LEVEL OF URGENCY. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. AND NOT WITHSTANDING THE WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE BY THE TEAM FROM THE ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE, SO I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE IN TERMS OF LEVEL SETTING. MAKING SURE THAT WE RESEARCH, THAT WE UNDERSTAND, THAT WE OUTREACH, THAT WE COLLABORATE, BUT I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THIS COUNCIL TO TAKE ACTION ON WHAT I THINK IS RELATIVELY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPEDING THE CITY AS A WHOLE. CERTAINLY WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS, THE STATE, AND OTHERS, ARE A PART OF THAT EQUATION, THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS GOOD, I APPRECIATE IT. I WAS LOOKING FOR THE MAIN COURSE, NOT THE APPETIZER, THAT WE RECEIVED TODAY. RIGHT? BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN KIND OF TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR NINE MONTHS, TEN MONTHS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LOOKING AT THE COUNCIL TO TAKE SOME PROACTIVE ACTION. AND YOUR NEXT STEPS AS FALL OF 2023, I'M NOT SURE WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? OCTOBER? NOVEMBER? DECEMBER? RIGHT? SO WHEN ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ACTION? WHAT IS THAT ACTION GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER MAYFIELD WAS CORRECT, IN TERMS OF TOWING. $25 IS LAUGHABLE. HA HA, CAN WE INCREASE THOSE FEES AND FINES? HOW ARE WE COLLABORATING WITH THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY TO ENSURE THAT WE IDENTIFY, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PUNISH ANYBODY, RIGHT, LOGISTICS IS A PART OF OUR CITY, I GET IT, I UNDERSTAND IT, BUT NO ONE WANTS TO RUN IN THE BACK OF AN 18-WHEELER ON HARRIS BOULEVARD OR HAVING THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD THEME VISUALLY POLLUTED BY TRACTOR-TRAILERS AND THE DEBRIS THAT THEY LEAVE BEHIND. AND SO I'M READY FOR SOME ACTION, MR. MANAGER, SOLID RECOMMENDATIONS, THAT WE CAN ACT ON RIGHT? AND IT'S BEEN NINE MONTHS. AND CERTAINLY, FOUNDATION SETTING IS IMPORTANT, I GET IT, I UNDERSTAND IT. BUT THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT SOMEHOW THIS COUNCIL, THIS BOARD, THE THIS CITY, IS LOSING CONTROL, AND SO THE RESOURCES THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE IS APPROPRIATE, THIS COUNCIL MEMBER IS GOING TO PUT MORE IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE, IF WE HAVE TO. BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT NOW THAT WE KIND OF ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND KIND OF DO THE HARD WORK. IN TERMS OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS. SO THAT'S MY FIRST COMMENT. MY SECOND COMMENT IS TO GO BACK TO A CONVERSATION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER AJMERA BROUGHT UP ABOUT UPTOWN CHARLOTTE AND FOURTH WARD. IN TERMS OF THE COMMITTEE REFERRAL. AGAIN, I HOPE WE DON'T PROCESS THIS TO DEATH. RIGHT? THERE WAS A SPECIFIC ACTION THAT THIS COUNCIL TOOK THAT THE FRIENDS OF FOURTH WARD WANT US TO REVISIT ABOUT READDING ADDITIONAL ORDINANCE THAT WE TOOK OFF THE BOOKS, I THINK WE HAVE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION EITHER WE'RE GOING TO DO IT OR WE'RE NOT. AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO STUDY ALONG WITH IT, WE SHOULD DO IT. BUT THERE'S A SPECIFIC ASK COUNCIL MEMBER WATLINGTON FROM THAT COMMITTEE ABOUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? AGAIN, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR STAFF AS EARLY AS APRIL OF THIS YEAR. AND SO AND THE FRIENDS OF FOURTH WARD HAS BEEN PATIENT, I REPRESENT THEM, THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE. WITH ME AND OTHERS ON THIS ISSUE. RIGHT? AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE ANSWER THE QUESTION. WE CAN'T? WE CAN OR WE WON'T? RIGHT? AND ANY INTERNAL ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING WITH CMPD LEGAL AND CMPD CHIEF OF POLICE, ABOUT THESE ORDINANCES. OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T WANT TO CRIMINALIZE BEING POOR. RIGHT? WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE ISSUE, THERE'S ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR UPTOWN AREA THAT I THINK WE NEED TO SAY THAT WE CAN -- WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES SPECIFICALLY, THAT THEY OUTLINED. OR WE SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. AND BUT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. THEY DESERVE AN ANSWER, AN ANSWER, I BELIEVE, COUNCIL MEMBER WATLINGTON SOONER THAN LATER. RIGHT? CERTAINLY, I WILL BE AT THE PUBLIC PROCESS ON WEDNESDAY, NOT AS A PARTICIPANT, BUT DEMONSTRATING SUPPORT FOR FOR IMPED, I'M NOT SURE YOU'RE GOING TO FIND ANYTHING MORE THAN WE DO NOW, THE CORE ISSUES, THOSE ORDINANCE THAT WE TOOK AWAY AND THEY WANT US TO PUT BACK INTO PLACE. AND THEN LASTLY, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, CRIME IS A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE. RIGHT? AND CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE CITY MANAGER EARLIER TODAY, AND NOTWITHSTANDING, WHERE THE TRENDS ARE GOING IN TERMS OF CRIME IN OUR CITY, THEY ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IF YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE, YOU'RE NOT SAFE. AND PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THE NEWS, EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY MORNING ABOUT VARIOUS SHOOTINGS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND THAT'S IMPACTING THEIR COMFORT LEVEL AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE BASED ON THEIR PERCEPTION ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHARLOTTE, AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE THE DATA THAT DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS MAY BE GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, BUT AGAIN, IF YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE, YOU'RE NOT SAFE. AND I THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE CONTINUES TO DRAW CMPD IN AS WELL. TO BEGIN THE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING, AND WE'RE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS, ALTERNATIVE VIOLENCE, DISTRICT 2 AND NOW IN DISTRICT 3, GOING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, MORE RIGHT? MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE CONGRESSWOMAN, WE'RE TRYING TO PREVENT SOME OF THESE ISSUES TO -- BEFORE THEY OCCUR. MOST OF THESE THINGS ARE RELATIONSHIP-DRIVEN, SOMEONE GETS IN AN ARGUMENT, AND INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT I PROBABLY DID WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, WE HAD A FIST FIGHT, THEY'RE TAKING OUT GUNS. AND THEY'RE SHOOTING FOLKS. AND THEY'VE KILLING FOLKS. AND IT'S JUST NOT ON ONE PART OF THE CITY. IT'S HAPPENING CITYWIDE. FROM DISTRICT 6 TO DISTRICT 2 TO DISTRICT 3, THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND AGAIN, WE GOT THIS REALITY OF WHERE OUR STATS ARE, WHICH GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, REDUCING CRIMES, CRIMES ARE LOW IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES BUT THAT'S NOT THE PERCEPTION OUT THERE. AND WE HAVE TO EDUCATE AND CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORKS THAT WE'RE DOING AND THEN WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY COUNCIL'S PROBLEM, IT'S CHURCHES, IT'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S OUR CORPORATE LEADERS, IT'S ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO REALLY DEAL WITH A LOT OF THESE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, THAT ARE STEMMING FROM GROWTH. IN OUR COMMUNITY. RIGHT? AND GROWTH IS NOT A BAD THING. WE JUST HAVE TO MANAGE IT. AND WE HAVE TO MANAGE IT WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY AND REALLY NOT BEGIN TO PROCESS THINGS TO THEM, I THINK A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY CERTAINLY I AM, AND I'M VERY PATIENT, BUT READY NOW TO KIND OF VOTE. AND MAKE SOME DECISIVE DECISIONS, BASED ON DATA, INPUT, RESEARCH, HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS A LITTLE BIT QUICKER. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: MR. DRIGGS? >>ED DRIGGS: SO I THINK MR. GRAHAM WAS PEEKING AT MY NOTES. MY FIRST COMMENT IS ABOUT SAFETY. YOU CANNOT HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE. AND I THINK WE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AS YOU DID, HOMICIDES ARE DOWN IN THE LAST REPORT I SAW FROM 75 TO 54. THAT'S DRAMATIC. THAT'S A BIG SUCCESS. I APPRECIATE CMPD'S EFFORTS THERE. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF IS PROPERTY CRIME. AND A KIND OF A GENERAL ATMOSPHERE OF A BREAKDOWN IN CIVIL ORDER. AND THIS HAS TO DO WITH STREET RACING, PANHANDLING THINGS LIKE THAT, SO PEOPLE AREN'T COMFORTABLE, I THINK, THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE, AND THAT IS A PRIMARY CONCERN, AND WE KNOW FROM WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE COURTS ARE A REVOLVING DOOR, PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID TO COMMIT SOME FELONY OFFENSES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE POLICE CAR IS A TAXI CAB THAT TAKES THEM UPTOWN AND THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET HOME AGAIN. IT'S NOT WITHIN OUR AUTHORITY TO FIX THAT NECESSARILY, BUT IT IS WELL WITHIN OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT AND TO DO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN ABOUT IT. I WOULD ALSO MENTION SAFETY EXTENDS TO THINGS LIKE VISION ZERO, AS WELL. AND THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE FOR MAKING OUR ROADS SAFER, TO CUT DOWN ON ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. AND IN THAT AREA, MY PERSONAL VIEW IS, WE'RE NOT INVESTING ENOUGH, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED NEEDS THAT WE INTEND TO WORK ON, IT TAKES MONEY TO FIX THESE THINGS. CROSS-WALKS SIDEWALKS LIGHTING, AND EVEN THINGS LIKE SORTING OUT SIGHT LINES ON INTERSECTIONS. THERE'S A LOT OF INTERSECTIONS WHERE C-- YOU CAN'T SEE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I LIVE IN, IT'S A LITTLE SCARY, THE LEAD TIME AFTER YOU SEE A CAR IS A COUPLE OF SECONDS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US INVEST MORE, WE HAVE CHILDREN WALKING ON THE EDGE OF BUSY ROADS, ON THE WAY TO A BUS STOP. WHERE THERE ISN'T EVEN A PLATFORM FOR THEM TO STAND, IN SOME CASES, THE TOPOGRAPHY IS SUCH THAT THEY HAVE TO WALK ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD, THERE ISN'T EXTRA SPACE. AND THAT IS -- THAT IS A SIMPLE MONEY ALLOCATION QUESTION. WE ARE NOT INVESTING ENOUGH IN MY MIND. I DO APPRECIATE THAT MANY OF THE THINGS THAT DETRACT FROM QUALITY OF LIFE ARE BEING ADDRESSED AND YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. I APPRECIATE THAT. I WOULD MENTION ASIDE FROM PANHANDLING, WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR A LONG TIME. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE REALLY SOLVED THAT. IT'S TRICKY. BECAUSE THERE'S A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS THERE. BUT THERE IS ALSO CORPORATE AND OTHER USE OF THESE PROPERTIES FOR PURPOSES THAT CREATE A NUISANCE AND DETRACT FROM QUALITY OF LIFE, SO I THINK THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS CODE ENFORCEMENT IN MY MIND DOES A GREAT JOB, I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSE I GET, IF I CONTACT JANE WITH A CONSTITUENT ISSUE, WHAM, RIGHT ON IT. SO REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. THE ONLY THING I WILL MENTION IS I HAVE ONE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS, PARK RIDGE. WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE AN HOA AND SO ONE GROUP IS CONSTANTLY COMPLAINING TO ME AND TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT, ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR OF ANOTHER GROUP AND THEY'RE BASICALLY TRYING TO USE THE CITY TO IMPOSE THE WILL OF ONE GROUP ON THE OTHER GROUP. I THINK MY ONLY SUGGESTION THERE WOULD BE SHOULD WE HAVE SOME SORT OF A MEDIATION PROCESS? WHERE CODE ENFORCEMENT IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT, GOES INTO A CONFLICT, AND TRIES TO WORK OUT SOME OR THE OF A CEASEFIRE AND SO ON. INSTEAD OF CONSTANTLY CALLING US TO ISSUE THESE CITATIONS AND ESCALATE AND USE THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE SO FAR, TO TRY TO PUT A TO STOP TO PROBLEMS LIKE THAT. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: MR. BOKHARI? >>TARIQ BOKHARI: THANK YOU. WELL, FIRST, YOU GUYS OBVIOUSLY ARE A GREAT ASSET TO THE CITY. IT'S AMAZING TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU. AND MR. MANAGER, I THINK WE NEED TO KIND OF BIFURCATE THIS CONVERSATION, THERE'S THE BLOCKING AND TACKLING OF THE BASIC QUALITY OF LIFE, WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER ON A DAILY BASIS WITH THE STAFF TO GET DONE. AND CAN THEY USE MORE FUNDING? ABSOLUTELY. BUT THE TEAM IS DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB THERE. I THINK THE THEME HERE THAT A LOT OF US ARE FRUSTRATED BY AND WANT ACTION ON, IS A MORE HOLISTIC QUALITY OF LIFE, NOT JUST CONVERSATION, BUT LIST OF ACTIONS THAT WE CAN TAKE IN A VERY NEAR TERM PERSPECTIVE, TO MAKE A DENT IN WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND WE AS INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COMMUNITY, CONSTANTLY SEE. AND ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH. I MEAN, EVERYTHING THAT HAS JUST BEEN SAID, I COULDN'T AGREE WITH MORE. AND WHAT I THINK WE NEED IN THIS IMMEDIATE TERM BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS, WITH GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A POLITICAL FEASIBILITY KIND OF LENS, AND WILL LENS, LIKE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT DECIDING WHAT'S GOING TO BE POPULAR OR NOT. GIVE US A LIST OF EVERYTHING AND LET US DEBATE IT OUT AMONGST THIS GROUP, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAT UP HERE IN FIRST WARD, FOURTH WARD AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT DEFECATION OCCURRING, THE CONSTITUENT REQUESTS AND PROBLEMS, I RECEIVE REGULARLY, IN DISTRICT 6, WE'RE LIKE, WELL, THAT CAN'T BE A THING THERE, IT ABSOLUTELY IS A THING THERE. IT'S AN EVERY CORNER OF THIS CITY. THE AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING ON EVERY SINGLE INTERSECTION I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, WHY AREN'T YOU GUYS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? AND THE REASON WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THERE'S THIS MULTIPLE LAYER OF GOVERNMENT AND BUREAUCRACY, NO OFFENSE, THIS IS GOING TO BE DICEY AND THIS COUNCIL IS GOING TO REACT BAHEDLY TO THAT, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT, GIVE US EVERY TOOL THAT ALIGNS TO THOSE THINGS. SOMEONE WAS SHOT RUNNING TWICE RUNNING FOUR HOUSES DOWN FROM MY HOUSE, LAST WEEK, AND IT TOUCHES ON MY PULT OF THESE THINGS, FIVE SHOOTINGS OVER THIS WEEKEND. AND I REALLY, LIKE HONESTLY, I APPRECIATE CMPD, EVERYONE KNOWS HOW MUCH I JUST LOVE THEM TO DEATH, BUT LET'S STOP TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 20 OR SO DELTA DECREASE IN HOMICIDES BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT'S FLUCTUATES YEAR-OVER-YEAR AND IT'S PROPERTY CRIMES UP IS A LEADING INDICATOR FOR US OF WHERE ALL OF THAT IS GOING, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOMICIDE AND A SHOOTING THAT JUST MISSED IS AN INCH, WE'VE LEARNED THAT OVER THE YEARS. AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE BEING BURGLARIZED AND ALL OF THIS STUFF IS HAPPENING, WHEN WE -- YOU KNOW, PROACTIVELY CAN GET AHEAD OF THINGS LIKE THE HOMELESS CAMP THAT WE EXPERIENCED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE CAN DO THAT NOW WHEN IT'S NOT HERE, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WHEN IT'S THERE. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, STEP ONE, IS TO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OR WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE WE'RE ALL GOING TO FIGHT ABOUT, JUST GIVE US EVERYTHING, AND SAY, THIS DIRECTLY RELATES TO THESE THINGS THAT YOU'VE HEARD OF, LET US HASH THAT OUT, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOPEFULLY, STEP ONE IS WE CAN ADOPT SOME REAL THINGS, STEP TWO IS WE CAN ENSURE THEY'RE ENFORCED, STEP THREE, WE CAN ENSURE THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THEN, PICKS UP WHERE THAT LEAVES OFF AND STEP FOUR, WHICH THREE AND FOUR HAVE TO HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY, THOSE WE NEED UPWARD MOBILITY, THOSE ARE NEED IN MENTAL HEALTH HELP, THOSE THAT NEED OF WRAP AROUND SERVICES, THEY CAN GET THEM. BUT WHILE THEY'RE SITTING ON OUR STREETS, NOT ONLY IS IT NOT GOOD FOR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE, IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THOSE PEOPLE. SO IF YOU CAN DO THAT, I THINK WE WILL MAKE A MASSIVE STEP FORWARD. AND HEARING EVERYONE TALK, I WAS TRYING TO THINK, WHERE'S THIS STUCK, WHERE IS THIS STUCK. THAT'S WHERE IT IS STUCK. YOU GUYS KEEP BEING AWESOME. >>MAYOR: MS. ANDERSON? >>DANTE ANDERSON: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, THE TEAM IF WHAT YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER AND WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON. AS YOU CAN HEAR, FROM MY COLLEAGUES, EVERYONE HAS A PERSONAL STORY THAT'S CONNECTED TO SAFETY OVERALL IN THE CITY. THAT I THINK HAS -- IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, BUT NOT PARTICULARLY SALIENT TO WHAT YOU'VE PUT IN FRONT OF US IN THIS PLAN. SO THERE'S A CALL IN THE UNDERCURRENT TO HAVE A MORE HOLISTIC SAFE CHARLOTTE PLAN THAT SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE TENANTS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE JUST SPOKEN TO. BUT I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE PRESENTED TO US IN THIS PARTICULAR REPORT. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE MR. MANAGER, THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM BE STOOD UP. IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. LITERALLY, THIS CALENDAR YEAR. PUT IN THE BUDGET AND NOW IN THE HIRING PROCESS. SO THAT IS A QUICK RESPONSE, PERHAPS RAPID, THAT CAN BE A LITTLE PUN ON THAT. ON HOW YOU GUYS HAVE ADDRESSED THIS. BUT WILL THE -- WILL THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM, WILL THEY HAVE THE POWER TO WRITE TICKETS, LIKE PARKING TICKETS, AND OTHER TICKETS, OR WILL THEY HAVE TO CONNECT AS YOU HAD ON SLIDE 9, WITH SOME OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION? >> GREAT QUESTION. THAT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE EVEN MORE RAPID STEPS THAT WE TOOK. SO THE TEAM HAS THE AUTHORITY, CODE ENFORCEMENT NOW HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE PARKING CITATIONS. SO THE MANAGER AUTHORIZED CODE ENFORCEMENT IN JULY TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS WITHIN CHAPTER 14, WHICH IS WHERE ALL OF THE PARKING REGULATIONS ARE. AND CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED ISSUING, PARKING CITATIONS SPECIFIC TO TRACTOR-TRAILERS AND AS WE AMP UP THE TEAM AND GET THE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THAT -- HAVE YOU SEEN THE TICKET BOOKS WITH THE MULTIPLE LAYERS? AND YOU GIVE ONE TO THE VEHICLE, AND ONE GOES TO THE OFFICE AND ONE GETS SENT HERE? SO THAT'S PART OF THE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION WE'RE WORKING ON SO THAT OUR STAFF CAN TAKE THE TICKET, READERS OUT AND BE MORE EFFICIENT AND BE ABLE TO SCALE ACROSS THE CITY, ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S ONE OF THE UNDERLYING PROVISIONS HERE IS THAT THE TEAM WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE CITATIONS. >> OKAY, EXCELLENT. AND I THINK THAT MAKES TOTAL SENSE, IF YOU DIDN'T SAY YES, I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT TO HAPPEN. [ LAUGHTER ] NOT ONLY FOR THE TRAILER PARKING, BUT ALSO AS I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO ALYSON AND SOME OTHERS AND THE STAFF, WE NEED A HOLIST LICK PLAN AROUND -- HOLISTIC PLAN AROUND CONSTRUCTION PARKING AND PERHAPS BAKING IT INTO OUR PERMITTING PROCESS. BUT THERE'S SOME POCKETS THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHERE THERE'S HIGH CONSTRUCTION, AND IN PARTICULAR, SKYSCRAPERS, AND, YOU KNOW, MULTILEVEL UNITS AND THOSE -- THOSE CONSTRUCTION SITES FLARE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR PLAN WHERE THEY HAVE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON SITE. AND OF COURSE IT SCALES DOWN, BUT THAT'S AN ISSUE AND I HOPE THAT THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM WILL BE TAPPED INTO THAT ASPECT OF CONSTRUCTION PARKING. WE'VE TALKED ALREADY ABOUT TICKETING, JUST SORT OF BEING A COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND POTENTIALLY RAISING THE PRICE OF CITATIONS. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO THINK ABOUT HAVING PARTICULAR THRESHOLDS, BECAUSE THERE ARE -- IT IS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS, AND DEVELOPERS AND TRUCK DRIVERS AND ALL, VARIOUS DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES, BAKE THAT INTO THEIR SORT OF PETTY CASH FLOW. BUT IF WE HAD A THRESHOLD WHERE IF YOU HAD A CITATION FOR ONE ACT, AND YOU'VE HAD THAT CITATION THREE TIMES OR FOUR TIMES, WITHIN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD, THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE, I HAVEN'T THOUGHT THROUGH THE RAMIFICATIONS OF ALL OF THIS. PERHAPS THERE'S SOMETHING LARGER THAT YOU GET, A LARGER PENALTY, THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO INCUR AND PERHAPS SOME COURT APPEARANCES, ETCETERA, BUT I THINK WE NEED THRESHOLDS, AS OTHER CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAVE. FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS WHO ARE BAD ACTORS IN THIS PROCESS. THE OTHER -- THE OTHER PIECE THAT I HOPE THIS RAPID RESPONSE TEAM CAN HELP ESPECIALLY WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT, IS THE PARKING ON THE YARDS, AND ON THE LAWNS. THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I HAVE SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN DISTRICT 1, JUST DROVE PAST A NEIGHBORHOOD IN YOUR DISTRICT, ONE EVENING, AND IS LITERALLY SEVEN CARS ON A FRONT YARD. AND SO I -- I THINK THIS RAPID RESPONSE UNIT CAN CERTAINLY ACT ON THAT REGARD, THERE'S A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT I DON'T WANT US TO BURDEN CMPD WITH. BECAUSE THEY'RE DOWN IN STAFF. THERE'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSING. SO I BELIEVE AT THIS PARTICULAR TEAM CAN HELP WITH THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE. THAT WE NEED TO ENFORCE. AND THEN LASTLY, I WILL JUST S SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL AND THE BAGS OF LITTER THAT'S GETTING PICKED UP AND I ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE REPORTS THAT YOU GUYS SEND OUT, A LOT OF BAGS OF LITTER HAVE BEEN PICKED UP IN DISTRICT 1. YEAR TO DATE FOR SURE. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO THINK ABOUT, ESPECIALLY YOU WOULD HAVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT ON THIS -- ON SLIDE 9. HOW CAN WE EXTEND THE ACTUAL BEAUTIFICATION OF SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE PLANTING OF TREES? PERHAPS PARTNERSHIP WITH TREE CHARLOTTE. FLOWERS, BUT GOING PAST THE LITTER PIECE AND TO ACTUAL BEAUTIFICATIONS AND BEAUTIFICATIONS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC AREAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND CERTAINLY, SEVERAL WITHIN DISTRICT 1. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU GUYS COMING BACK IN FRONT OF US WITH AN UPDATE. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, I CAN -- I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE AND I KNOW BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVEN GREATER PROGRESS, SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COLLABORATION AND EFFORT. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. >>MAYOR: MS. WATLINGTON. >>VICTORIA WATLINGTON: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I LOVE THE ENERGY AROUND THE DAIS ON THIS CONVERSATION. WE ALL KNOW FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT AS WE GROW, PARTICULARLY, COMING OUT OF COVID, THAT WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN. AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE SAW BEFORE COVID HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. SO THIS IS THE BIGGER CONVERSATION, IT'S A BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE. NOT JUST THE CURRENT FOCUS AREAS THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB ON AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE PRESERVE OUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE AND WHAT WE CALL OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE HERE IN CHARLOTTE? WHAT KIND OF CITY ARE WE KNOWN TO BE? WHY DO PEOPLE COME TO CHARLOTTE? WHY DO FOLKS WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN CHARLOTTE? WHY DO PEOPLE STAY IN CHARLOTTE? AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS, AS WE WALK UP AND DOWN THE STREETS AND THE VISITORS COME AND PATRON OUR CITY THAT, IS THE FIRST IMPRESSION THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE, AND SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GOING INTO THE POLICY DISCUSSION, I'M SO EXCITED THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS SUCH INTEREST IN IT, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK. IT'S NOT JUST SI CITY COUNCIL AS WE HAVE SAID, BUT OUR PARTNERS AT THE DA, THE COUNTY, WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND ABSOLUTELY OUR RESIDENTS. I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH A NUMBER OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR CITY CENTER, BECAUSE WHAT YOU'VE MENTIONED MANY OF YOU, IS THAT WHAT WE SEE IN OUR CITY CENTER IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING ALL OVER OUR CITY. BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT MUCH OF OUR COMMERCE HAPPENS WITHIN OUR CITY CENTER, SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUS THERE AND AS WE THINK ABOUT POLICY, THAT IT NOT ONLY APPLIES TO OUR CENTER CITY, BUT IT APPLIES AND IS RELEVANT ACROSS THE BOARD, ACROSS ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS. SO AS WE THINK ABOUT GOING FORWARD, AND I'M VERY, VERY EXCITED FOR OUR MONDAY MEETINGS BECAUSE IT WILL BE A FIRST OPPORTUNITY IN OUR HOUSING, SAFETY AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS AND THIS IS GOING TO BE SHORT-TERM IMPLEMENTATION ITEMS AND MIDTERM AND LONGER TERM IMPLEMENTATION ITEMS, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF FRAME WORK FOR HOW WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS, THERE'S PIECES COMING FROM EVERY DIRECTION, RIGHT? AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET OUR ARMS AROUND IT, OUR RESIDENTS ARE CLEAR, OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS CLEAR ABOUT THE EXPECTATION AND WHERE THEY CAN PLUG IN AND WHO'S DRIVING THE BUS AT WHAT TIME, RIGHT? AS WE THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT BUCKETS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, THEMES THAT HAVE COME UP, THERE ARE FOUR OF THEM RIGHT NOW, THE FIRST ONE ABSOLUTELY BEING QUALITY OF LIFE, WHICH INCLUDES HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS. RIGHT? THE SECOND ONE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LINKAGE BETWEEN OUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, OUR BUSINESSES UPTOWN, OUR VACANT BUILDINGS, AND CRIME. AND RETAIL. AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO COME UPTOWN AND FEEL SAFE, SO THERE'S A PLAY THERE THAT HAS CLEAR TIES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOW WE RECRUIT AND BUILD AND RETAIN OUR BUSINESSES, THE NEXT PILLAR, IF YOU WILL, IS OUR PUBLIC REALM AND THAT REALLY CENTERS AROUND OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT. COUNCIL MEMBER AJMERA, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT OUR SIDEWALKS, AND HOW WE'RE UTILIZING OUR SIDEWALKS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE MOBILIZING, BEING MOBILIZED ON OUR SIDEWALKS, WHICH LEADS US INTO THE FOURTH PILLAR AROUND MOBILITY, VISION ZERO, IS IT SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO ONE PLACE OR ANOTHER WITHIN OUR CITY CENTER AND ON OUR BROADER CITY STREET SNS SO THIS IS HOW WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IT? SOME THINGS ARE GOING TO BE VERY MUCH CITY-LED, THEY FALL WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION, RIGHT, SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS THE THE COUNTY AS WE MOVE MORE INTO HOMELESSNESS AND AS WE WORK UP AND DOWN THE HOUSING SPECTRUM, WE KNOW THAT UNITED WHAT I IS OUR CITY QUARTERBACK FOR A HOME FOR ALL. SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A PLAY THERE. A CERTAINLY OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS HAVE A PLAY AS WE THINK ABOUT ENGAGING EMPLOYEES, OUR PROPERTY OWNERS, UPTOWN, EVEN OUR UNIVERSITIES UPTOWN, AND THEIR STUDENT COMMUNITIES AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS FEEL SAFE IN THAT REGARD? SO EVERY STAKEHOLDER GROUP HAS A PART TO PLAY IN THIS. AND EVERYONE -- AND THE CONVERSATION THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING, I'M HAPPY TO SAY IS ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTANDING OF THE URGENCY, AND READY TO BE A PART OF THIS SOLUTION. SO THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO APPROACH THIS. AGAIN, SOME THINGS ARE GOING TO BE IMMEDIATE. THERE ARE QUICK, QUICK, QUICK, CHEAP AND EASY, AS I'LL CALL IT, THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO BE RESPONSIVE TO SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE'S INTERCONNECTIVITY AND THERE'S SOME LINKAGES THAT WE'VE GOT TO FACE. SO WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR PART OVER AT THE CITY. AND WE KNOW THAT OUR PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY ARE STANDING READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO. SO I WILL ASK YOU TO STAY TUNED. AND PLEASE STAND BY. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: MAYOR PRO TEM? >>BRAXTON WINSTON: THIS IS -- MIGHT BE THE OUTLIER HERE, BUT IT'S BEEN A BIT DISCOURAGING TO HEAR THIS CONVERSATION. THE IDEA THAT MY COLLEAGUES BELIEVE THAT SOMEHOW INCREASING PUNITIVE REPERCUSSIONS TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT IS GOING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OTHERS. AND AS BEING THAT PRIORITY, THAT IS TAKING A HUGE STEP BACK AND IT IS -- MIGHT SOUND NICE TO A FEW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S BY NO MEANS THE SOLUTION THAT SO MANY OF YOU SAY YOU WISH TO FIGURE OUT. FOR EXAMPLE, I ASSURE YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT DEFECATING OR URINATING IN NEIGHBORHOODS SIMPLY BECAUSE AN ORDINANCE IS NOT -- DOES NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. >>MAYOR: I'M SORRY. PLEASE. >>BRAXTON WINSTON: I ASSURE YOU OF THAT. YOU NEED TO STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE. MIGHT IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COUNTY CLOSING THE MAIN LIBRARY? WHICH HAS BEEN THE EPICENTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE? AND UTILIZED AS A CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY? THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT. YES, MAYBE THERE ARE SOME QUICK, EASY, CHEAP SOLUTIONS, LIKE PUTTING PUBLIC BATHROOMS IN THE UPTOWN AREA. SO THOSE FRAGILE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE MORE FRAGILE, HAVE A FACILITIES TO USE THE BATHROOM IN. SO WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO USE THE BATHROOM? [ APPLAUSE ] >>BRAXTON WINSTON: WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO USE THE BATHROOM, IF YOU ATTACH A CRIMINAL PENALTY TO IT? ARE THEY GOING TO GO TO THE DETENTION CENTER, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO WHEN THEY GET OUT? THIS CONVERSATION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, IT'S A REGRESSION FROM WHERE WE'VE BEEN GOING OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS CONVERSATION. IN COMMITTEE. AND AS THIS PROGRESSES ON THE POLICY LEVEL. THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: ALL RIGHT. SO THIS HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD DISCUSSION. THERE'S GOING TO BE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO JUST ACCOMPLISH, I'M LOOKING AT THE MANAGER, TAKING NOTES, THAT EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER HAS A SUGGESTION OR MORE THAN ONE, AND HE'S TAKING THOSE NOTES. I THINK OUR CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE NOT THE RAPID TEAM, AND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, THE CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE HOW DO WE DEFINE WHAT THESE ISSUES ARE? AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO IMPACT PEOPLE AND HOW -- WHAT CHANGES ARE GOING TO BE EXPECTED? SO I WOULD HOPE THAT THE HOUSING COMMITTEE HAS A TEMPLATE THAT COULD PERHAPS BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL AS YOU COME OUT WITH HOW YOU LOOK AT THIS, REVIEW IT, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES AND HOW DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE A REASON AND A RATIONALE THAT WE CAN EXPLAIN AND WORK THROUGH WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DO THIS WITHOUT THE COUNTY AND THE DA AND CMPD, AND THE VARIOUS OTHER COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT IS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY NOW, WE ARE CHARLOTTE, AND IT IS PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH. BUT SOMETIMES THAT MAY PUSH, WELL, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PINEVILLE? OR WHAT WILL IT MEAN IF WE PUT PEOPLE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WITHOUT HAVING SOME SOLUTION? SO I AM REALLY HOPEFUL, MR. JONES, THAT YOU WILL CHALLENGE THIS DAIS, TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THIS PROCESS. >>BRAXTON WINSTON: UH-HUH. >>MAYOR: TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE RATIONALE AND THE ISSUES THOROUGHLY DEFINED, I UNDERSTAND SHORT-TERM, LONG-TERM, I UNDERSTAND, ALSO, THE PROCESS THAT WE'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH. BUT I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD. BUT THAT'S OKAY. SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR THE COMMENTS, AND THE SUGGESTIONS, AND THE CARE THAT YOU GIVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY. NOW, I'M GOING TO MAKE -- >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: MADAM MAYOR, BEFORE WE LOSE THE STAFF AND WHILE THE CITY MANAGER HAS CREATED A LOT OF NOTES, CAN I BELIEVE ADD FOR STAFF, LET'S ALSO LOOK AT A CONSIDERATION OF OUR FOOD DELIVERY DRIVERS, DOO DOORDASH, AND OTHERS, BECAUSE WITH VERY HAD DRIVERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLES TOWED WHEN THEY'VE GONE INTO A MULTIFAMILY COMPLEX TO MAKE A DELIVERY, THEE A SOCIETY WHERE WE'RE GETTING MORE FOOD, GROCERY DELIVERIES, SO WE'RE NOT PENALIZING THEM. WHILE THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB. SO THAT WE TAKE IT ALL INTO CONSIDERATION AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND MOVE FORWARD. >>MAYOR: OKAY. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE MORE ITEM ON THE MANAGER'S REPORT, HOWEVER, I'M GOING TO SAY THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO TO DO THE SOCIAL DISTRICTS BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL IN THIS ROOM WHO CHOSE TO COME DOWN HERE, CAME FOR THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE ON THE BUSINESS -- ON OUR POLICY AGENDA. AND I WANT TO OUT OF RESPECT, BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM COME IN, WE HAVE OVER 30 SPEAKERS FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL ITEMS. HOW MANY, 20. 20, I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT THAT WAS 30. THAT WAS 13, I'M SORRY. SO WE WILL HAVE THOSE SPEAKERS AND ALLOW THESE GOOD FOLKS TO GO HOME. AND WATCH US CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION ON TV. OR ON THE CITY'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL. SO WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE FIRST POLICY MEETING -- POLICY AGENDA, NOT MEETING, THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POLICY ALL DAY. SO IS WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM 15, FOR ITEM 15, IS THERE A MOTION -- WAIT A MINUTE, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE HAVE TO SPEAK? I'M GOING TO DESCRIBE ITEM 15. AND THEN WE WILL HAVE 7 SPEAKERS AND SO THE FIRST SPEAKER, ELIJAH PITTMAN AND THE SECOND SPEAKER, RICHMOND NESBIT, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR TIME TO COME DOWN? SO ITEM 15. IS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE 13,194 AND THE HOUSING TRUST FUND ALLOCATION FOR THE FOLLOWING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, CONTINGENT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY, WHERE APPLICABLE. EARLY WOOD HOMES, FOR 2.5 MILLION. AVE LINE LEGACY, DRUID HILLS, DUETS 462,000. CENTRAL AT OLD CONCORD, 4,200,000. SWAN RUN APARTMENTS, 2.4 MILLION. NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND THEN THE LAST ONE IS SYCAMORE STATION FOR 1.2 MILLION FOR 4% HOUSING TAX CREDITS. NOW, ANY ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY CHOOSE TO PULL SOMETHING OUT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL VOTE AND WE'LL DO THAT AFTER WE HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS AND OPEN THE DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL. SO MR. PITTMAN? THANK YOU, MR. PITTMAN. WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >>SPEAKER: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MS. MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL. I REPRESENT A GROUP OF HOMEOWNERS THAT IS IMPACTED PRIMARILY BY LETTER C. WHICH IS THE PROJECT AT 7202 SOUTH BOULEVARD. AND WE ARE ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO DELAY AN APPROVAL OF THAT. BECAUSE AT THIS POINT WE FEEL THAT THERE IS A LACK OF PLANNING FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT. THERE'S BEEN A LACK OF COMMUNITY HEARINGS, THE DEVELOPMENT LACKS PARKING, AND PLANNED SECURITY. THE DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO IMPACT TRAFFIC PATTERNS IN AND OUT OF AN ALREADY CONGESTED SHOPPING CENTER, IMPACTING OLD PINEVILLE ROAD, EAST ARROW WOOD AND ENGLAND STREET. AND WE NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EXPANSION OF THE ACCESS AROUND THOSE AREAS. WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND CRIME AND CMPD RESPONSE TIMES TO THIS AREA. OF THE 28273 ZIP CODE. WE ALSO HAVE SOME CONCERNS AROUND THE CONCENTRATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE ARROWWOOD CORRIDOR. AS WELL AS THE NEED TO CREATE MIXED-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. BUT RIGHT NOW, OUR BIG PRIMARY FOCUS IS GETTING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A GROUP. AND RATHER THAN STICKING IT IN ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND A PIECE OF LAND, MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO SUPPORT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL. IT'S A TOD AREA. SO THE PARKING SPACES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENCES, WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SURROUNDING COMMUNITIESES, AS WELL AS ALREADY AN OVERBURDENED TRAIN STATION, THAT HAS NO PARKING FOR COMMUTERS AS IT IS. SO WE'RE JUST ASKING THAT CITY COUNCIL DELAY A VOTE ON THIS. UNTIL WE'VE HAD MORE COMMUNITY HEARINGS SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAN IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND IN PLACE. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. PIT MAN. >> >>MAYOR: IF YOU HAVE THE ACTUAL PROGRAM OR PROJECT THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, IF YOU WOULD TELL US THAT, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE FROM A, B, C, D, E IN THIS ITEM. SO MR. NESBIT? >>SPEAKER: YES. >>MAYOR: ALL RIGHT, CAN YOU TELL US WHICH PROJECT YOU'RE SPEAKING TOWARDS? >>SPEAKER: FOUR ARE INTERESTED IN IT, WE'RE DEALING WITH ITEM 15 CORRECT? >>MAYOR: ITEM 15. >>SPEAKER: YES, THAT INVOLVES HOUSING ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN, WHICH AS I JUST NOTED MYSELF, WITHIN A FIVE-MINUTE WALK FROM THAT INTERSECTION OF NORTH SHARON AMITY, MILTON, AND WHAT'S THE THIRD ONE? OH, HARRIS BOULEVARD, OF COURSE. AND FIVE-MINUTE WALK FROM THERE. YOU WOULD ENCOUNTER OVER 2600 LOW INCOME OR RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THIS INVOLVES ADDING ANOTHER 168 UNITS OFF OF BARRING TON ROAD OFF OF MILTON, ALL ONCE AGAIN, FIVE-MINUTE WALK FROM THAT MAJOR INTERSECTION, WHERE NORTH SHARON AMITY ENDS. AT HARRIS BOULEVARD. AND THE PROBLEM THERE IS THAT IT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY OF EXPANDING THAT WHOLE COMPLEX OF LOWER INCOME HOMES IN THAT AREA. WHICH IS JUSTSATURATE, IF YOU MOVE THAT THING OUT FOR MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES, NOW YOU'RE TALKING CLOSE TO 6,000 UNITS. AND A SURVEY WAS DONE, SOMEBODY ELSE CAN TELL YOU ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IT'S PART OF NUMBER 16. AND THE CONCERN IS THAT EAST CHARLOTTE IS JUST BEING DUMPED ON. WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF THE IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORS AND ALSO, ON THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE MOVING IN THERE, TOO. WHEN THERE ARE OTHER PLACES WITHIN CHARLOTTE, CLOSE TO 20, ACCORDING TO ONE REPORT THAT WE GOT, THAT WOULD LIKE TO ACTUALLY HAVE ALL OF THIS HOUSING, NOT ALL, BUT, YOU KNOW, SPREAD IT AROUND, AND SO THAT'S MY CONCERN, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET YOU KNOW. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU, M MM MM MR. NESBIT. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH PROJECT. >>MAYOR: I'M ASKING MR. HEATH TO TELL US EACH ONE, BECAUSE I THINK THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE NUMBER, SO IT IS -- SYCAMORE STATION. SYCAMORE STATION. MR. HEATH, IF YOU WOULD TELL US EACH ONE BEFORE, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL AT THE END OF THE -- THEIR SPEAKING JUST TO MAKE SURE. >> SYCAMORE STATION. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MAMMY DAVIS AND MARIANNE STEEGAL. >>LAWANA MAYFIELD: SYCAMORE STATION IS NUMBER 16. >>MAYOR: THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT, I'M GOING TO LET THEM SP SPEAK. >> NO, SYCAMORE STATION ISN'T 16. IT'S 15. >>SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING, I'M -- EAST CHARLOTTE COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOODS CAN AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE SYCAMORE STATION SITE. WE -- I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF THE GROVE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO THE SITE AT MILTON AND BARRING TON. AND I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO OPPOSE YET ANOTHER MASS BUILD, THE SYCAMORE STATION PROJECT, NEAR THE HARRIS MILTON ROAD INTERSECTION. AND THE PROJECT ISN'T ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT MANY OF YOU KNOW, AT THE HUGE COMPLEXES, IT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT'S BEHIND TREES, IT'S ON A DEAD-END STREET, BUT WHEN THEY PUT THE 168 UNITS NEXT TO ANOTHER HUGE PROJECT THAT'S 150 UNITS, THEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IF YOU COMBINE THEM, YOU HAVE TO KIND OF EXTRAPOLATE AND GO, HOW MANY PEOPLE COULD FIT IN THERE WITHOUT KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THE LEASE? BUT IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME IT WOULD NEARLY BE 1,000 PEOPLE IN THIS SMALL AREA ON BARNINGER ROAD OUGHT OF MILTON ROAD. 1,000 PEOPLE WITH LARGE HOUSING PROJECTS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEM. ADD TO THIS, A SECTION 8 APARTMENT COMPLEX, ALONG HARRIS A FEW MILES AWAY, AND THE 60 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX AT ROSE CROFT, WHICH IS DIRECTLY ACROSS HARRIS, IT'S ALMOST A SELF-CONTAINED TOWN OF SEGREGATED POVERTY. THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED ARE DEVIN SHIRE ELEMENTARY WITH A 29% PROFICIENCY IN READING, 49% IN MATH, THEY'LL STRUGGLE MORE WITH MORE OF THE CHILDREN. THE HIGH SCHOOL IS GARNGER, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS ALREADY IN THE HIGHEST POVERTY ATTENDANCE AREA OF ANY URBAN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. HOW DO WE CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP? AND HOW DO THE SCHOOLS MAID JUST IMPROVEMENTS? THE CITY IS STRUGGLING WITH UPWARD MOBILITY STATISTICS, LACK OF JOBS, LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, IS A CAUSE. THERE ARE NO WELL-RESOURCED AND OPPORTUNITY-RICH AREAS FOR THEM. VERY NEARBY IS THE INFAMOUS BP STATION, NICKNAMED BY THE POLICE OFFICERS BECAUSE OF THE MANY CALLS FOR SERVICE, MOSTLY LOITER AND DRUG RELATED. THE HICKORY GROVE POLICE DIVISION RESPONDS TO THESE CALLS BUT LIKE MANY DIVISIONS ARE UNDERSTAFFED, SO RESPONSE TIME IS LENGTHENED. A TEENAGE KID CAN WALK THERE. FROM THESE PROJECTS. AND IT WOULD PROVIDE SOME EXCITEMENT. AND MAYBE MUCH ELSE. WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING THAT THERE IS NOT TO BE 24 HOUR SECURITY. WE'RE HOPING FOR AT LEAST CAMERAS. BUT WHY IS SUCH A SMALL AREA AS THE ONE NEAR JUST THIS ONE INTERSECTION OF THESE TWO ROADS, BEARING THE BURDEN OF ALL OF THESE APARTMENTS. A YOUNG TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT ESTIMATED 1800 UNITS -- >>MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE APPRECIATE IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL REMARK, PLEASE LEAVE THEM WITH THE CITY CLERK. >>SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >>MAYOR: OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE MARIANNE STEEGAL AND ISAAC SONNEN. >>SPEAKER: WHO ELSE. >>MAYOR: MS. STEEGAL. >>SPEAKER: WE FEEL -- -- OVERABUNDANCE OF -- THE SYCAMORE STATION. AND THIS HAD HOUSING COMPLEX WILL HAVE A GREAT AFFECT ON THE ALREADY OVERLOADED NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE MAMMY HAS SAID, THE SURROUNDING SCHOOLS WILL BE IN JEOPARDY, OUR POLICE FORCE HAS BEEN STRETCHED TO THE LIMITS AND THIS WILL CONTINUE TO STRESS OUR OFFICERS LOCATED IN THE HICKORY GROVE DIVISION. ALSO ACUTELY AWARE OF THE SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS ALREADY. THE CRIME IN THE AREA HAS BASICALLY INCREASED. THERE'S A BP STATION LIKE IN A TRIANGLE, THERE BETWEEN CLOSE TO MILTON, SHARON AMITY AND HARRIS BOULEVARD, THERE'S SHOOTINGS, BUY DRUGS THERE AT ANY TIME, IT'S A GAS STATION THAT I DON'T GO TO. BECAUSE I'M IN FEAR OF GOING THERE. SO OUR MAIN CONCERN IS SAFETY, QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR THE RESIDENTS, THAT'S BEEN -- THERE A LONG, LONG TIME, AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT'S IN OUR COMMUNITY, I MYSELF HAVE LIVED THERE FOR 41 YEARS. SO IT'S LIKE PEOPLE WE LOVE THE COMMUNITY, WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, AND WE JUST WANT TO KEEP PEACE WITH WHERE WE LIVE AND HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND BE ABLE TO FEEL THAT WE CAN COME AND GO AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY. THIS PROJECT WILL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU APPROVE THIS, IT WILL BRING THE 2,000 UNITS IN THE THREE-MILE RADIUS WHICH YOU HEARD RICHARD TALK ABOUT, DEEPLY CONSIDER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE NEIGHBORS AND THE FAMILIES WITHIN, AND WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF THE PROJECT AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS ALSO THE AREA WHERE TWO OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS WERE KILLED, SEAN CLARK, AND JEFFREY SHELTON, NEAR THIS PROPOSED SITE. SO LET'S KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU'RE DOING THIS VOTE, PLEASE. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIM >>MAYOR: NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE ISAAC SIMON AND NATALIE. ARE YOU HERE? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOY MAYO. MS. MAYO. >> I'M PRESIDENT OF KINGS NEIGHBOR HEHOOD. I'M TALKING ABOUT ITEM C, 7202 SOUTH BOULEVARD. IF ARROWOOD HOMES WILL BE APPROVED AND THIS IS DEVELOPED WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS OF THE INTERSECTION OF NATIONS FORD AND ARROWOOD. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY IN THIS HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED BLACK AND BROWN REGION IN THE CITY. WHILE EXPANDING WHEN I SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND STAFF. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE LAND IS CHEAP IN THIS AREA AND THEY CAN PROVIDE MORE HOUSING AS A RESULT IN THIS AREA OPPOSED TO SOUTH END AND BALLENTYNE. I ARGUE THE LAND IS CHEAP IN THIS AREA BECAUSE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AND UNDER INVESTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS HISTORICALLY BLACK AND BROWN. AND CONTRIBUTE TO OTHER FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO POVERTY LIKE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, REC CENTERS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALSO SENIORS AND ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. BEFORE-AND-AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AS BOTH LOCAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA HAVE RECEIVED Ds AND Fs FROM THE STATE'S REPORT CARD. I IMPLORE COUNCIL TO DELAY THE VOTE ON ARROWOOD HOMES AND INVEST IN THE LARGER BLACK AND HISPANIC POPULATION IN THE AREA. THANK YOU. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. . [LAUGHTER] >> I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS ON ITEM 15. SO I'D LIKE TO ASK COUNCIL ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEM A? IS THERE A MOTION? ARROWOOD HOMES, LEGACY DUETS, CENTRAL AT OLD CONCORD, KINGS ON LAMAR, SWAN RUN APARTMENTS AND SYCAMORE STATION. >> SO MOVED. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR A? >> MAYOR PRO TEM HAS MADE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> THERE'S A SECOND. ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MS. ANDERSON. >> >> I WILL LET THE DISTRICT REP GO FIRST BECAUSE SHE MIGHT ACCEPT MY CONCERNS >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. SEAN, COULD YOU COME UP TO THE MIC, PLEASE? I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMUNITY VOICE AND THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE SYCAMORE STATION PROJECT AND ITS CONNECTIVITY AND PROXIMITY TO OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS ON THIS CORRIDOR. . SEAN, WE HEARD FROM SOME RESIDENTS BEING CLOSE TO A THOUSAND. YOU HEARD SOME NUMBERS THROWN OUT. CAN YOU JUST SORT OF GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF-- I KNOW WE HAVE IT IN OUR PACKET BUT PERHAPS THE RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL RESIDENTS WHO WOULD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SYCAMORE STATION. >> THANK YOU. SEAN HEATH NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES. THIS PROJECT WOULD BE 168 UNITS 60% OF THOSE UNITS WOULD BE DEVOTED TO HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE AT THE 60% AMI LEVEL, WHICH FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR WOULD EQUATE TO $60,000. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO REFLECT ON WHAT ARE THE JOB TYPES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THESE VARIOUS HOUSEHOLD INCOME RANGES. TEACHERS, NURSES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS, POLICE OFFICERS, JUST TO NAME A FEW EXAMPLES THAT WOULD FIT INTO THAT, THAT INCOME RANGE. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND OF THE 168 UNITS, THERE ARE 134 UNITS THAT WOULD BE DEDICATED TO WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING AS SIMPLE SERVANTS WORKFORCE HOUSING. THESE ARE RESIDENTS WHO ARE WORKING WHO HAVE AN ACTIVE INCOME AND ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS WITHIN THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE AND THE COMMUNITY. I WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE 34 UNITS AS WELL DEDICATED TO 30% AMI AND BELOW. BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE UNITS ARE DEDICATED TO WORKFORCE HOUSING. THE SECOND PIECE I'D LIKE TO SHARE IS OF THE 168 UNITS, THERE ARE NEARLY A THIRD OF THESE UNITS. 48 UNITS THAT ARE ONE BEDROOM UNITS THAT ARE MEANT SPECIFICALLY FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING INDIVIDUALS. SO THE OTHER PIECE THAT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, SEAN, AND YOU KNOW IN THE SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, YOU SPEAK ABOUT HOW SOME-- THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT CONNECTS TO OUR CONCEPT OF 10-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE IT'S CONNECTED TO SPECIFIC RETAIL AND OTHER VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. CAN YOU SPEAK TO HOW THIS PROJECT WAS SCORED PROXIMATE TO OTHER VITAL ELEMENTS OF A 10-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOOD? >> FOR MOST PROJECTS THAT COME TO US THROUGH HOUSING TRUST FUND REQUESTS, THEY WOULD HAVE LOCATIONAL SCORING DOES. THE LOCATIONAL SCORING HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WE CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF FACTORS. PROXIMITY TO AMENITYS, ACCESS TO JOBS THAT ARE WITHIN REASONABLE COMMUTING DISTANCE. THERE'S ALSO CONSIDERATION OF TO WHAT DEGREE IS A PARTICULAR LOCATION EXPERIENCING TRANSFORMATION THAT COULD CREATE DISPLACEMENT RISKS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS, AND THERE ALSO IS A CONSIDERATION OF THE CURRENT INCOME DIVERSITY IN A PARTICULAR AREA. WHAT YOU'LL FIND ON ANY GIVEN PROJECT IS, THERE'S A MAXIMUM SCORE, BUT MOST OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING WITH HOUSING TRUST FUND DOLLARS WILL SCORE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 20 TO 30 ON THAT PARTICULAR CALCULATION. >> ALL RIGHT. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IS PROXIMATE TO GROCERY-- WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF GROCERY STORES, PHARMACIES, HEALTH CARE, SERVICES AND BANKING SO THAT'S WITHOUT THE USE OF ANY PARTICULAR CAR OR OWNING A VEHICLE, HOLDING UP OUR TENANTS OF 10-MINUTE-- TENET THE OF A 10-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOOD. LASTLY, SEAN, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TALK ABOUT OUR PROJECTS THAT WE APPROVE OUT OF THE HOUSING FUND. WE LOOK AT OUR LEVERAGE RATIO TO UNDERSTAND IF THESE PROJECTS ARE HIGHLY LEVERED, IF IT'S BENEFICIAL AND A GOOD USE OF OUR DOLLARS FOR THE HOUSING TRUST FUND. CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THE LEVERAGE RATIO OF THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT? >> YES, I CAN. FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, IT HAS A LEVERAGE RATIO OF 1 TO 20, FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE CITY PUTS INTO THIS PROJECT, OTHER FUNDERS, OTHER INVESTORS ARE PUTTING $20 IN. THAT'S AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG VALUE PROPOSITION FOR THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE, AND THIS PROJECT ALSO HAS A 50-YEAR AFFORDABILITY COMMITMENT, WHICH WOULD BE A FAVORABLE AFFORDABILITY LEVEL COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. >> GREAT. AND THEN THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU IS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CONCERNS OVERALL AROUND DISPLACEMENT AND WHETHER SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING WITH OUR HOUSING TRUST FUND DOLLARS ARE HAVING INTENDED OR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AS IT RELATES TO DISPLACEMENT. IS THERE ANY DISPLACEMENT OR DISRUPTION THAT IS GOING ON RELATIVE TO THE SYCAMORE STATION PROJECT? >> NO. THIS IS PHASE 2 OF A DEVELOPMENT AND THERE'S NO DISPLACEMENT SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU, SEAN I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE RESIDENTS. I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONSTERNATION AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CONCENTRATION AND UNFORTUNATELY DON'T MAKE A HIGH SALARY FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO DO. THIS ALLOTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER CIVIL SERVANTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT'S A LONG AFFORDABILITY PERIOD FOR THIS AREA. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF EMAILS. I HEARD SOME POSITIVE VOICES FOR THIS PRONG. OF COURSE, I HEARD SOME ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE I WILL SAY THE CONVERSATION. I HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARD AND OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND I KNOW THEY HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS AND SO I DON'T WANT TO OVERSTEP OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF HOW CMS IS PLANNING TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS ARE PERFORMING AT A PROFICIENCY OR HIGH PROFICIENCY LEVEL, BUT I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT'S FOCUSED ON SCHOOLS, WHO ARE UNDERPERFORMING. SO I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I THINK IT SPEAKS SPECIFICALLY TO OUR NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CITY WHO WORK AND GAINFULLY EMPLOYED AND THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CITY. AND I ALSO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALONG THE CORRIDOR TO ENSURE THAT AS WE HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT COMES UP THAT WE'RE MINDFUL ABOUT WHERE PARTICULAR PROJECTS LIKE THIS CAN BE CONCENTRATED BECAUSE I DO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS, NOT ONLY IN THIS CORRIDOR BUT OTHER POCKETS OF THE CITY PROJECTS WITH IN CERTAIN SPACES. WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL AS MUCH AS OUR DOLLARS CAN ALLOW US TO SHARE AND SPREAD OUT THESE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT OTHER POCKETS OF THE CITY. >>MAYOR: MS. AJMERA, MR. JOHNSON, MR. DRIGGS AND MS. MAYFIELD. >> MS. ANDERSON DID A GREAT JOB LAYING OUT ALL THE FACTS. ESPECIALLY OF THE INCOME BREAKDOWN AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS WORKFORCE HOUSING THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. SO APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 60,000 PER HOUSEHOLD. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE AVERAGE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE AREA? YOU >> I DO NOT. >> I THINK THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT AS YOU PRESENT SOME OF THIS BECAUSE LAST DATA POINT THAT I HAVE IS NOT LESS THAN WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS HOUSING TO LIVE IN THIS. SO I KNOW SOME OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE AND CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY MEASURES THAT WILL BE IN PLACE? AND ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS THAT ARE IN PROXIMITY TO THE GAS STATION HOW THOSE WILL BE ADDRESSED? >> THE PROGRESSION OF THINGS THAT WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE IN PLACE AND IT REALLY STARTS WITH THE VETTING OF PROSPECTIVE TENANTS AND WHAT'S DONE ON THE FRONT END ASSOCIATED WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS AND ONCE RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED IN AND THE DEVELOPER, I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION WAS HELD ON AUGUST 24th. THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT WERE RAISED ABOUT SAFETY. DEVELOPER PROVIDED A LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS AFTER THE SESSION, INCLUDING THE CITY, AND THEY MADE SOME ASSERTIONS THAT THERE'S SOME THINGS THEY'RE EXPLORING AND I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION THOSE BECAUSE THEY'RE EXPLORING AND CONSIDERING. I WILL SAY THEY MADE COMMITMENT TO ADDITIONAL SECURITY CAMERAS, ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT AND ALSO TO EXPAND THE HOURS FOR THE OFF-DUTY SECURITY PERSONNEL THAT ARE ON-SITE. IT WILL BE VERY UNUSUAL. I'M NOT AIRWHATEVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS THAT WE SUPPORT THAT HAVE DEDICATED 24-HOUR SECURITY SUPPORT, BUT THIS ONE DOES HAVE OFF-HOUR SECURITY AND THEY AGREED TO BEEF UP THOSE SECURITY MEASURES. >> I KNOW YOU MENTIONED A BACKGROUND CHECK. IF THERE IS AN OCCUPANT OR TENANT THAT'S INVOLVED IN ANY CRIME, DO THEY GET EVICTED RIGHT AWAY? >> I CAN'T COMMENT SPECIFICALLY ON THAT. >> I REMEMBER WHEN I SAT ON THE CHARLOTTE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD AND IF THERE WAS CRIME THAT THE TENANT WAS INVOLVED IN, THEY TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION AND THAT TENANT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PROPERTY. I WOULD LIKE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THAT. WHAT ARE SOME THOSE MEASURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING ALL THE TENANTS THAT ARE LIVING THERE TO ARE, TO MS. ANDERSON'S POINT, THESE ARE SOME OF OUR CIVIL SERVANTS THAT WILL BE OCCUPYING THIS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TEACHERS FIREFIGHTERS POLICE OFFICERS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS SAFE INCLUDING OUR NEIGHBORS. >> ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD IS THERE ARE A CONCENTRATED AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN A SPECIFIC AREA. ONE THING I WROTE DOWN WAS CONCENTRATED RESOURCES. SO I'M OF THE BELIEF THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR THIS TERM CONCENTRATED POVERTY, BUT I THINK THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY CONCENTRATE THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO BE ACCESSIBLE IN THAT AREA. I TALKED TO MR. PROCTOR IN THE PAST HE TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES AS SOMETHING HE THOUGHT OF. IS HE HERE? HAVE YOU HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT? >> I'M NOT AWARE HE'S HERE THIS EVENING. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THE PAST. EVEN IF HE DIDN'T DO IT, MS. DAVIS TALKED ABOUT 1,000 UNITS OR THERE BEING SEVERAL COMPLEXES. MAYBE WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES IN THAT AREA, SO THAT WE CAN HELP BREAK THOSE CYCLES AND HELP FOLKS TO BE REALLY MOBILE. I THINK THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PROVIDE CONCENTRATED SOLUTIONS. WE TALKED ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND THE FAILING SCHOOLS AND THE OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS. YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW WE DON'T WANT TO OVERSTEP OUR BOUNDARIES. I HEARD, MS. ANDERSON. IF WE DID COLLABORATE WITH THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOLS TO MAYBE RECOGNIZE WHAT THE RESIDENTS ARE SAYING AND IF THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CERTAIN AREAS AND I'M AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE AND I KNOW FOLKS NEED A PLACE TO LIVE, WE CAN ADDRESS THE CONCERNS BY ADDRESSING THE RESIDENTS FROM THE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONCENTRATED RESOURCES AND MAYBE THAT'S WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND I CAN REACH OUT TO SOME COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SEE WHAT SERVICES OR RESOURCES WE HAVE IN THOSE AREAS. PERHAPS SATELLITE OFFICES AND JUST SOMETHING SO THAT THE NEIGHBORS FEEL MORE SECURE. I DON'T KNOW HOW WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 10-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT IS IN THAT AREA, TEN-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT IF WE HAD HAD THOSE SOURCES, TUTORING, MENTORSHIP, MAYBE SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THE CORE ISSUES IN THAT COMMUNITY, I THINK, WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL PARTIES. >> THANK YOU. LAST THING, I'M SORRY. THE BP STATION THEY TALKED ABOUT. IF WE CAN GET THE STATISTICS FOR THE CRIME AT THE BP STATION AND MAYBE STRENGTHEN THE ENFORCEMENT AT THAT BP STATION AND REALLY START TO LOOK AT NUISANCE LAWS AND JUST ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE. I DON'T THINK THE RESIDENTS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S MANAGED APPROPRIATELY. SO IF WE COULD ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS BY HAVING THOSE RESOURCES FORS RETENTS AND ENSURING THE ENFORCEMENT OF CRIME, MAYBE MAKING SURE THAT THE LIGHTING AROUND THERE, IF WE CAN DO MORE, IF THIS AREA FEELS LIKE THEY'RE CARRYING A BURDEN MORE SO THAN OTHER AREAS, WE SHOULD BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE RESOURCES AND THE SOLUTIONS AROUND THAT. SO THAT THEY'RE NOT FEELING, YOU KNOW, DUMPED ON IN THAT AREA. YOU KNOW THIS IS WORKFORCE HOUSING, BUT ALSO THOSE 30 CORE UNITS THAT ARE 30% AMI, FOLKS WITH DISABILITY AND FIXED INCOME. YOU KNOW THIS IS SUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR THEM. THIS IS TRULY SOME OF THOSE UNITS ARE TRULY AFFORDABLE. SO WE HEAR YOU AS A COUNCIL. I HOPE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC CONCERNS BY POURING RESOURCES IN THAT WE HAVE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A WIN-WIN SITUATION. THANK YOU >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. TWO MAJOR CONCERNS, CONCENTRATION AND SAFETY. INTERESTING THING IS WE USED TO HAVE A LOCATION POLICY WHEN IT CAME TO OUR INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT DESIGNATED PERMISSIBLE AND IMPERM MISSABLE, IF VETERANS REMEMBER. THE GOAL WAS TO TRY TO PUSH FOR A DISPERSION OF THAT HOUSING AROUND THE COMMUNITY, BUT WHAT WE FOUND IN TIME WAS THAT THE IMPERMISSIBLE AREAS WAS THE ONES WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IF YOU EXCLUDE THOSE, YOU COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO DEVELOPMENT IN THE OTHER AREAS AND WE ENDED UP MAKING ONE EXCEPTION AFTER ANOTHER WITHOUT ANY BASIS, ANY POLICY BASIS. IT WAS JUST LIKE WE WERE DRIVEN BY THE ECONOMICS OF BEING ABLE TO AFFORD TO CREATE THIS HOUSING BACK TO CERTAIN AREAS SO THAT'S WHEN THE LOCATION POLICY THAT MR. HEATH ALLUDED TO WAS ADOPTED THAT GAVE US A SET OF VARIOUS CRITERIA THAT THE TRUTH IS WE'RE KIND OF STUCK, AND I'M THE DISTRICT 7 GUY. IT'S HARD TO GET ANYTHING DONE IN MY DISTRICT. IT'S SO EXPENSIVE. I MANAGED TO GET A FEW SITUATIONS APPROVED WHERE DEVELOPERS AGREE TO INCLUDE SOME AFFORDABLE UNITS, THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY WE ARE HAVING TO LOOK AT A PROPOSAL LIKE THIS. THE OTHER THING ON SAFETY, THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. MY OWN IMPRESSION FROM 10 YEARS THAT IS NOT BORNE OUT FROM DATA. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE SUBJECT COMES UP AND SAY, ALL RIGHT, LET'S NOT BE EMOTIONAL. LET'S SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS TYPE OF HOUSING BRINGS WITH IT A RISE IN CRIME AND MR. HEATH, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE HAVE RECENT RESEARCH OR WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BUT IN THE PAST WHEN I LOOKED INTO IT WITH THE POLICE, THEY SAID NO. I'M HOPEFUL THAT WILL NOT BE YOUR EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN. I DO HAVE SYMPATHY FOR NOT WANTING TO SEE ONE DEVELOPMENT AFTER ANOTHER TAKE PLACE IN THE SAME PART OF TOWN. IF WE WANT TO DO ANYTHING, I'M NOT SURE WE CAN AVOID THAT. I INTEND TO SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL IT SERVES A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND EVEN THOUGH IT DOES SO AT A COST, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR PRO TEM. >> THANK YOU. YEAH. PEOPLE WHO ARE DESPERATE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEIR HEAD, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A HOME TO GO TO WILL DO DESPERATE THINGS TO GET HOUSING OR TO MAKE THEMSELVES SAFE. SO THE IDEA NOT BUILDING HOUSING WILL SOMEHOW CORRELATE, YOU KNOW, TO PEOPLE ACTING DESPERATE AS MY COLLEAGUE, MR. DRIGGS, JUST SAID, THE DATA COMPLETELY DOES NOT BEAR THAT OUT, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE HONESTLY, IT'S QUITE OFFENSIVE. AS IT RELATES TO ARROWOOD ROAD, YOU HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THIS. IT'S IN WALKING DISTANCE TO AMENITYS, LIKE SUPERMARKETS, LAUNDROMATS, OTHER THINGS THAT FOLKS NEED. THIS IS AN OPTIMAL PLACE. PART OF THE REASON WHY IT IS CHEAPER DOWN THERE IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF OLD INDUSTRIAL LAND AND THAT IS I WANT TO LOCK IN AFFORDABLE NOW BECAUSE CHANGE IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY COME DOWN TO SOUTH BOULEVARD CORRIDOR OR OFF THE SOUTH BOULEVARD CORRIDOR DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM. I HOPE WE GET THIS THING PASSED QUICKLY. THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. WAS STAFF ABLE TO PULL UP-- SO FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY, THE QUESTION THAT I SENT TO MS. MARIE SPECIFICALLY WAS OVER THE LAST DECADE, HOW MANY MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND IDENTIFIED AREAS NOTED TONIGHT? I AM CONCERNED THAT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES ARE RECONCENTRATING POVERTY IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS. EVERYONE, WE ALL RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS. STAFF WAS LOOKING TO SEE IF THEY COULD PULL IT UP, BUT IN THE BACK IS A MAP. THIS MAP IS THE HEAT MAP. HERE'S THE MAP OF WHICH I'M WAITING FOR IT TO COME UP SO YOU IN THE COMMUNITY CAN HAVE IT. ALL OF COUNCIL CAN SEE, IT IS THE MAP OF WHERE THESE CURRENT LOCATIONS ARE. WE ARE ONLY HAVING A DISCUSSION SO FAR ABOUT ACTION ITEM A, THAT INCLUDES ARROWOOD HOMES, ABILENE LEGACY, CENTRAL AREA AND OLD CONCORD, KINGS ON LAMAR, SWAN RUN AND SYCAMORE STATION. SYCAMORE STATION IS IN THE AREA THAT IS NOT OVERPOPULATED THAT IS AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE GROWTH. I MEAN, THE SECOND MAP TO COME UP. THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE FIRST MAP THAT SHOWS YOU WHERE THE LOCATIONS ARE. IF YOU LOOK AT THIS MAP THAT IS UP NOW THAT IS PUT UP FOR ALL OF YOU AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE AT HOME, IF YOU HAD THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT THE TWO MAPS, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE DO HAVE AREAS OF CONCENTRATION BECAUSE WE MUST GO BACK AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE CHANGED OUR DISTRICTS A YEAR AGO, AND WHEN THOSE DISTRICTS CH CHANGED, THERE WAS A SHIFT, AND WHEN THAT SHIFT HAP HAPPENED, THAT CREATED SOME CHALLENGES. WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT IN ANOTHER DECADE OR SO, WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHAT WE SAW WITH WESTWOOD APARTMENTS. WE SAW-- WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH BROOKHILL AND SO MANY. WESTWOOD APARTMENTS ARE NOW 4 TO $600,000 HOMES BECAUSE THE APARTMENTS WERE LEVELED BUT THOSE WERE APARTMENTS THAT WERE AT THE TIME FOR 30% AMI. THAT AMI CHANGES OVER THE YEARS. OUR AMI-- OUR 80% AMI TODAY IS NOT THE SAME AMI IT WAS AT 80% TEN YEARS AGO. SO WHEN I LOOK AT THIS MAP THAT IS CURRENTLY UP AND I LOOK AT THE MAP OF WHERE THESE LOCATIONS ARE, FOR ME, SYCAMORE, SWAN RUN AS WELL AS MOUNT MORIAH SENIORS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE OUTSKIRTS. WHERE THERE'S LITTLE CONCENTRATION YET IF WE LOOK AT ABILENE, LEGACY, SINCE I DON'T HAVE A POINTER TO POINT ON THIS BIG MAP ABILENE LEGACY IN THE TOP OF THIS CLUSTER WHERE WE ALREADY HAVE A NUMBER OF WORKFORCE PROJECTS. FAST FORWARD, WE MAY SEE A CHALLENGE. IT IS AN IDEA TO SAY WE NEED TO ADD WRAP-AROUND SERVICES. IT IS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF THOSE SERVICES FOR DECADES THAT GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE. IT HAS TAKEN ALMOST A GENERATION FOR SOME TO BUILD WEALTH IN THEIR HOMES. WHEN I PURCHASED MY HOME IN 2001 FOR $70,000, IT TOOK ME OVER A TWO DECADES TO FINALLY SEE ANY EQUITY IN MY HOME SO THE IDEA THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION JUST LOOKING AT THE DISTRICTS AND NOT RECOGNIZING THAT WE SHIFTED THE DISTRICTS AND WE HAVE A CLEAR HEAT MAP THAT SHOWS ON THIS HEAT MAP WHERE WE HAVE CONCENTRATED SOME DEVELOPMENTS AND NOT HAVE TRUE DIVERSITY WITH SOME HIGHER END PROJECTS COMING OUT, THAT IS A CHALLENGE. IT IS A GREAT IDEA FOR US TO MAKE INVESTMENTS WHERE WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE TODAY'S NUMBERS. WE'RE STILL USING THE SAME CRESCENT AND WEDGE THEORY, BUT WE MOVED THE CRESCENT, AND WE MOVED THE WEDGE. WHEN WE REDID THE LINES FOR WHERE THE DISTRICTS ARE. SO IT IS NOT THE SAME CONVERSATION THAT IT WOULD HAVE HAVE BEEN. WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE DOTS, AGAIN, FOR ME, SWAN RUN, WHICH IS DOWN ALMOST TO WHERE YOU SEE PINEVILLE MATTHEWS ROAD, GO OVER TO THE RIGHT, WHERE YOU SEE MATTHEWS IS THE MOUNT MORIAH SENIORS, GO UP, RIGHT PAST-- RIGHT UP UNDER OLD CONCORD ROAD FURTHER TO THE RIGHT IS WHERE SYCAMORE STATION IS. THOSE DEVELOPMENTS MAKE SENSE, BUT WHEN YOU START GETTING JUST FOR EIGHT, ONLY LOOKING AT EIGHT, WHEN WE GET TO ABILENE LEGACY, THE DUETS, THERE IS A CLUSTER OF WORKFORCE AND LOWER INCOME WHERE NOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH THE IMPACT OF A NEW PROPERTY TAX EVALUATION THAT HAS CHANGED THEIR PROPERTY. THEY HAVE EQUITY, GREAT, BUT $640 IS NOT ENOUGH TO HELP THEM PAY THAT NEW TAX BILL THAT WENT FROM A THOUSAND TO OVER $2,000. I WANT US TO REALLY BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE WHEN WE ARE FOCUSING-- WHEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THAT'S NOT GOING TO PUT A FUTURE COUNCIL A DECADE FROM NOW IN THE SITUATION THAT THOSE OF US THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN FOUR TERMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEALING WITH ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL. WE'VE SEEN IT. WE HAD TO FIGHT THROUGH IT. THIS BROOK HILL, THAT WAS FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR DISTRICT THREE THAT WORKED ON THAT. IT IS WHEN WE GOT THIS COUNCIL MEMBER, THEY HAD THE RIGHT TEAM COME TOGETHER TO HELP. WE CAN'T BE THE ONES AROUND THIS DIAS TO DO THE SAME THING IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND FOR A FUTURE COUNCIL TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH. SON, DO YOU AN AMAZING JOB. YOU AND THE TEAM AND I RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THE PIKE, BUT IF WE DO NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BUT THE IMPACT OF THIS ONE WHEN WE KEEP APPROVING IT, WE'RE SETTING OURSELVES UP TO WHERE WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO RELY ON GOVERNMENT DOLLARS, TO TRY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE CORRECTED ON THE FRONT END BY EVEN THINKING ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. THE MANAGER AND I ASKED THAT HE'S GOING TO BRING BACK TO US, I'VE ASKED, WHAT IS THE THE IMPACT POTENTIALLY IF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE BECOMES A MAJORITY RENTAL CITY. IF OUR TAX BASE REALLY COMES FROM OUR RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? HOW MUCH ARE WE GETTING IN TAXES FOR MULTIFAMILY VERSUS HOW MUCH ARE WE GETTING TAXES FROM RESIDENTIAL-- OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL. IF YOU ARE A COMPANY AND YOU ARE RENTING OUT A HOUSE, YOU ARE PAYING A CORPORATE RATE. I'M SAYING THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT DIFFERENCE IS. WHAT I KNOW THAT OUR BASE, THE BULK OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM TAXES AND COMES FROM PROPERTY TAXES, WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW THAT WE PUT INDIVIDUALS IN THE PLACE WHERE, YEAH, YOU NOW HAVE EQUITY THAT IS TAKING YOU A GENERATION POTENTIALLY TO GAIN. WHAT IS THAT DOING IF WE DO THIS? IF WE CONTINUE WITH THESE PARTICULAR PROJECTS. MY COLLEAGUES ARE GOING TO VOTE HOW THEY VOTE. I AM SAYING FOR ME, OUT OF EIGHT, I CAN SUPPORT SWAN RUN, SYCAMORE STATION, MOUNT MORIAH SENIORS, WHICH MOUNT MORIAH. SO OUT OF EIGHT, I CAN SUPPORT SYCAMORE STATION AS WELL AS SWAN RUN APARTMENTS. THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> EXCUSE ME. I'M SORRY. MS. WATLINGTON DID ASK ME AND I WROTE IT DOWN AND I JUST CAN'T SEE ANYMORE. [LAUGHTER] >> NO WORRIES, MADAM MAYOR. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS AS I'M LISTENING TO MY FOLKS AROUND THE DIAS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I THINK WE CAN DO MORE WORK AROUND. I SHARE YOUR CONCERN, MADAM MAYFIELD, ABOUT RENTAL VERSUS OWNERSHIP AND THE USE OF OUR HOUSING TRUST FUND DOLLARS TOWARD RENTAL PROPERTIES VERSUS INVESTMENT OF OWNER OCCUPIED AND I THINK THAT'S CITYWIDE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHO WE WANT TO BE AND WHAT KIND OF CITY AND WHAT KIND OF PRIDE THAT RESIDENTS HAVE IN THEIR CITY WHEN THEY'VE GOT AN OWNERSHIP STAKE, I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL AND SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PUBLIC DOLLARS, PARTICULARLY IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE IN HOUSING TRUST FUND DOLLARS, WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HELP FOLKS BE OWNERS IN OUR ENTERPRISE. SO THAT IS ONE COMPONENT OF IT. FOR ME, I SHARED SENTIMENTS OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT SOME OF THE PROJECTS ARE CLEAR, YES, WE CAN GO KNOCK THESE OUT. I HEARD TWO TO THREE BEING ARROWOOD, CENTRAL AND SYCAMORE THAT PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT AND HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT, LIKE IN REGARDS TO THE SURROUNDING AMI, AND I HEARD ENOUGH FOLKS GALVANIZE THAT WE NEED WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR A NUMBER OF THESE. I'M WONDERING IF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE AMINABLE TO SPLITTING UP THE VOTE ON A FEW OF THESE AND POSSIBLY DEFERRING TWO TO THREE OF THEM FOR THAT ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION >> I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE JUST THINKING TOWARD A OR ALL OF THE REMAINING ONES AS WELL? >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LETTERS ARE. >> IT'S ON THE AGENDA. >> I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT "A" IN THIS CASE. >> SO I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR ADOPTION OF "A." >> SO I WILL OFFER A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THEN TO VOTE TO APPROVE SWAN, MOUNT MORIAH, KINGS AND ABILENE BECAUSE THE BULK OF THE UNITS ARE 80% AMI. THAT IS WORKFORCE HOUSING. >> SECOND. >>MAYOR: WAIT A MINUTE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE. WE HAVE ABILENE AND ARROWOOD AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW? >> NO, MA'AM. >> THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE SAID. >> I'M SAYING I WOULD LIKE-- I MOVE TO APPROVE THE SWAN RUN, MOUNT MORIAH, THE KINGS-- -- >>MAYOR: I'M ON "A." SWAN RUN IS ONE, BUT MOUNT MORIAH IS NOT IN. >> IT'S IN. >> THAT'S WHAT WAS CONFUSING ME. >> I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE MOUNT MORIAH WAS. ALL RIGHT. >> SO YES. I'M SAYING APPROVE ABILENE, KINGS, SWAN RUN, ABILENE, SWAN RUN, KINGS ON LAMAR. SO MY MOTION IS TO APPROVE THOSE THREE, AND THEN-- SYCAMORE, EXCUSE ME. AND HOLD THE OTHER TWO, ARROWOOD AND CENTRAL FOR SEPARATE VOTE. >> SO WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS IN ACCORDANCE TO THIS. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE ABILENE, KINGS-- THIS IS YOUR SUBSTITUTE MOTION. ABILENE, KINGS, SWAN, AND SYCAMORE. ARE YOU PREPARED TO VOTE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. >> HOLD ON. >>MAYOR: WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> DR. WASHINGTON, CAN YOU REPEAT WHICH ONES YOU'RE NOT INCLUDING? >> ARROWOOD AND CENTRAL FOR SEPARATE VOTE. >> OKAY. >>MAYOR: ARROWOOD AND CENTRAL WILL BE VOTED ON IN ANOTHER MOTION. >> PUBLIC SPEAKER, MS. MAYO, DID SHE TALK ABOUT ARROWOOD HOMES, OR-- BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO ARROWOOD HOMES? I WASN'T SURE. >> JUST IN "A." >>MAYOR: JUST THE "A" >> I KNOW >>MAYOR: THERE IS A SECTION. AND I THINK, MS. AJMERA, IF YOU'RE RIGHT, IF YOU APPROVE SYCAMORE STATION, YOU HAVE TO ALSO APPROVE IN B, THE ADDITIONAL 500,000 FOR SYCAMORE. SO I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE-- I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE AS DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT FOR MOTIONS. I WOULD HAVE YOU SAY THAT OR I WOULD SAY THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE SYCAMORE SUCCESSFUL AND YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THE SECTION THAT'S LEFT IN B UNDER THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR $500,000 AND THE 4% LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT SO THIS IS WHAT I HAVE FOR THE MOTION. ABILENE, LEGACY, DRUID HILLS, DUETS, KINGS ON LAMAR, SWAN RUN, SYCAMORE STATION AT.2 MILLION AND IN B, SYCAMORE STATION FOR 500,000. I THINK THAT'S THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, BUT I WANT TO CHECK WITH MS. WATLINGTON IF THAT'S WHAT SHE HAD. >> I'M OKAY TO PULL B, NOT C AND D. THAT'S NOT A PART OF MY MOTION. >>MAYOR: I'M SORRY. I CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> I'M OKAY TO PULL B, BUT NOT C AND D IN MY MOTION AT THIS TIME. JUST TO BE CLEAR. >>MAYOR: I'M NOT ON C AND D. >> I'M JUST BEING CLEAR. MY MOTION IS FOR "A," BUT IF YOU WANT TO PULL B IN, I'M OKAY WITH THAT. I'M MAKING IT CLEAR THAT C AND D IS SEPARATE. >>MAYOR: C AND D ARE SEPARATE. TO COMPLETE THE FULL FUNDING FOR SYCAMORE, IT REQUIRES B. AND THE 500,000, WHICH I INCLUDED IN THIS SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT YOU HAVE. >> I UNDERSTAND. I KNOW YOU CAN UNDERSTAND. THE QUESTION IS, ARE YOU OKAY WITH IT? >> YES. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU. WE HAVE A SECOND. THE ONLY REASON THERE'S AN A AND B. A IS LOCAL FUNDING B IS FEDERAL. SOME PROJECTS ARE GETTING A COMBINATION OF LOCAL AND FEDERAL FUNDING. THEY'RE LISTED TWICE. MOUNT MORE RYE YEAH IS ONLY FEDERAL AND ONLY LISTED IN ACTION B. I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. >>MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION ON THE FLOOR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE MOTION? HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. I HAVE MS. MAYFIELD, AND MS. WATLINGTON. MOTION FAILS. WE'RE BACK TO NOW THE VOTE, AND I CALL FOR THE VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL MOTION OF "A," INCLUDING "B," FOR THE SYCAMORE STATION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. >> "A" IS FOR ALL OF THE ITEMS. >> YES. >>MAYOR: ALL OF "A," INCLUDING B FOR THE SECOND PORTION OF FUNDING FOR SYCAMORE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOTH PIECES OF FUNDING. >> SO B WOULD BE FOR ARROWOOD BECAUSE ARROWOOD HAS FRAGILE COMPONENTS. >>MAYOR: ARROWOOD AS WELL. YOU GOT ME? THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. SO MOTION TO INCLUDE "A" AS WELL AS ARROWOOD HOMES IN SECTION B AND SYCAMORE STATION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. ONE, TWO THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN. WE HAVE SEVEN IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? TWO-- THREE OPPOSED. >> MOTION TO APPROVE B THROUGH E. >>MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION FOR B THROUGH E. AND THAT WOULD TAKE US TO THE END OF THIS ITEM BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARY HOUSING SUPPORT GRANTS FOR OUR NEXT ITEM. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEMS, THE REMAINING ITEM IN B AS WELL AS C, D AND E, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THREE OPPOSE. THAT PASSES AS WELL. NOW, WE ARE UNITEM 16, AND WE HAVE-- HERE WE GO. ITEM 16, AND WE HAVE 13 SPEAKER FORCE ITEM 16 AND SO >> MOTION TO APPROVE A AND B. >> MOTION FOR A AND B, ITEM 16. DO I HAVE A SEC SECOND? >> SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT. SO WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR -- >> WE NEED TO HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS. >> SO THAT'S-- WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? WHAT WERE YOU SAYING? >> SHE HAS ANOTHER MOTION. IF WE CAN HAVE TWO SPEAKERS, KENNETH ROBINSON AND MS. SHAW IF MR. SHAW ISN'T HERE, IS MRS. SHAW. OH, MR. SHAW. THANK YOU. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. CAN I HAVE YOUR NAME? >> RICK SHAW. >>MAYOR: I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT I HAD-- OKAY. MR. ROBINSON. >> REAL QUICKLY WITH MY TWO MINUTES, THANK YOU. I DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE A THANK YOU TO SEAN HEATH AND THE TEAM IN NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND THE CITY MANAGER FOR WORKING SO HARD ON THIS FOR US. I'M KENNY ROBINSON, FOUNDER OF FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED OUR ORGANIZATION AND RECEIVED OUR FIRST GRANT, I PRESENTED TO CARDINAL INNOVATIONS AT THE TIME THAT IF YOU BLACK, HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND ARE A CHARLOTTE NATIVE THEN YOU HAVE A DISABILITY EQUIVALENT TO A BLIND MAN. THAT'S WHERE IT STANDS RIGHT NOW. IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO BE BLACK AND TO BE FROM CHARLOTTE AND TO HAVE A BACKGROUND THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ACROSS THESE ISSUES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS RIGHT NOW IN CHARLOTTE. SO MUCH SO THAT I COMMISSIONED A REPORT TO BE DONE BY THE URBAN INSTITUTE AT UNC CHARLOTTE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DATA SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE OF POST-INCARCERATION. SOME OF DATA THAT CAME OUT THAT I'M GOING TO REVIEW ON IS BLACK INDIVIDUALS MAKE UP 30 AND 1% OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY POPULATION BUT 76% OF THE INCARCERATED POPULATION. BLACK INDIVIDUALS MAKE UP 31% OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY POPULATION BUT 77% OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION. WE ARE PREDOMINANTLY TALKING ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. OF THE 3,000 BLACK PEOPLE HOMELESS EACH MONTH IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, BARRIER THET AT GROVE PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES ON THE SURFACE SEEMS LIKE A GREAT IDEA. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ON DUE DILIGENCE TO APPROVE IT. THE CITY COUNCIL IS READY TO APPROVE IT. HOWEVER, THIS PROJECT IS NOT ONLY ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT IS ALSO ABOUT THE NEED OF GETTING CITIZENS BACK TO THE LIFE THEY SHOULD GET. SO THE CITY COUNCIL NEED TO SEE WHAT IS GOOD FOR THESE FAMILIES. ALL 16 FAMILIES IN ONE LOCATION ARE OUT OF PRISONS IS NOT A GREAT IDEA. WE NEED TO WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND THESE PEOPLE WHO HELPED THEM OUT. LET'S DISPERSE THEM WITHIN THE CITY IN SOUTHPARK AND BALLENTYNE, IN PLACES WHERE THEY CAN GET GOOD JOB AND NOT JUST MINIMUM WAGE JOBS AND NOT AS A RESTAURANT SEVER OR WHATEVER. WE NEED TO GET THEM TO THE AREA WHERE THEY COULD SEE THAT THEY COULD MOVE FORWARD NOT JUST STAYING FLAT THERE'S A HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF THE W.T. HARRIS. THESE FAMILIES HAVE TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY TO GET TO GROCERY STORE AND SHOPS AND ALL THESE THINGS. IT'S NOT SAFE FOR THE CHILDREN AND I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF CHILDREN CROSSING THAT H HIGHWAY THE CLOSEST PLACE, THE FAMOUS BP STATION. IT'S KNOWN FOR DRUG DEALERS, AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLERS AND ALL SORTS OF UNSAVORY CHARACTERS. TALK TO CMPD BECAUSE EVERY TIME THEY COME TO OUR COMMUNITY MEETING, THAT'S WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT, ABOUT THESE PEOPLE, THEY PUT THEM IN. THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FOR LOW COST CHILD CARE, THERE'S THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR THERE GRACIOUSLY WOULD TELL YOU THAT THEY'RE SO PROUD THEY HAVE THIRD GENERATION, THIRD GENERATIONS USING THAT FACILITY WE ARE NOT COMING OUT OF POVERTY. WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I NEED YOU ALL TO BE BRAVE, TO BE HERO. DON'T KILL THIS PROJECT. GIVE THEM THE MONEY. LET'S FIND A WAY TO DO IT IN A GOOD WAY FOR THE CITY. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KATE MURPHY. KATE. I HAVE KATE MURPHY. >> I'M PLEASE, YOU'RE KATE AND SHE'S MARY. SORRY, IT'S A LITTLE BIT LATE. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS KATE AND MARY-- EMILY. >> JUST TELL US YOUR NAME. [LAUGHTER] >> NOW I'M NOT SURE. >>MAYOR: I WAS RIGHT. IT WAS MARY. OH, MY GOSH. THANK YOU, MARY. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS, IN FACT, MARY ENGLISH. AND I AM AS REMENT DENT OF GROVE PARK HERE TO SPEAK IN FUNDING OF FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES FOR THEIR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. WE PURCHASED A HOME IN 2013. NEITHER MY HUSBAND AND I ARE NATIVE CHARLOTTIANS AND WE WERE DRAWN TO THE GROVE PARK BECAUSE OF ITS DIVERSITY. WE WANTED TO BUILD NEIGHBORS THAT REPRESENT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF CHARLOTTE. OUR HOME IS LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM THE GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. WHILE WE DO NOT ATTEND THE GROVE CHURCH WE DID GATHER IN COMMUNITY THIS AFTER 4th OF JULY AND PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC CLASSES AND SEE THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OTHER SERVICES LIKE THE PAY WHAT YOU CAN FARMERS MARKET AND MONTHLY FREE MEAL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. THE GROVE IS DOING THE WORK THAT MANY CHURCHES WISH THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT. WHEN THEY HEARD THEY WERE SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY ON THEIR PROPERTY, IT CAME AT NO SURPRISE WHILE THEY'RE NOT FULLY COMMITTED I HOPE YOU AND THEY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE NOT DISCOURAGED TO NOT SUPPORT THIS LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY FOR 16 FAMILIES. I NEVER HEARD OF FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN A POST WAS MADE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD FACEBOOK GROUP. I WAS EXCITED AND I STARTED LOOKING INTO THE NONPROFIT AND I WAS INTRIGUED AND IMPRESSED. THEY ARE TRYING TO STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS THAT MANY FOLKS WOULD IGNORE. NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES. WHILE YOUNG NONPROFIT, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IMPACT IN SHORT LIFE AND DEVELOPED STRONG PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT THEIR PARTNERS SUCCESS. KENNY AND HIS TEAM AT FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES WERE ABLE TO SHARE ABOUT THEIR TYPICAL CLIENTS AND SPECIFIC CLIENT STORIES. SINGLE MOMS WITH KIDS THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE CLOTHED, FED, BATHED, HOUSED AND EDUCATED KIDS WE KNOW THAT WE'RE MOVING 32 STUDENTS FROM THAT STATUS, ALLOWING THEM THE STABILITY TO BETTER THRIVE IN THEIR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS, FOSTER BETTER SUPPORT OF THEIR PROGRAMS AT THE GROVE. WHILE MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS VOID CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AND AFFORD TOO MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I'M NOT DETERRED TO THOSE HOUSED AND THOSE WITH CHILDREN THRIVING. I ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT THIS PARTNERSHIP SO OUR COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT THESE NEW NEIGHBORS AS WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER. THIS IS THE TYPE OF LOVING COMMUNITY THAT I'M STRIVING TO BE A PART OF BY CHAMPIONING PROJECTS LIKE THIS ONE. I ASK THAT CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR AND THE MANY MORE TO BENEFIT FOR THE YEARS TO COME. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS KATE MURPHY AND I AM THE PASTOR OF THE GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. I AM DOING WORK OF EQUITY, THERE WILL BE STRONG OPPOSITION. WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RECONSTRUCTION CIVIL RIGHTS, SCHOOL DESEGREGATION OR THE WORK OF COMBATING OUR CHALLENGES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY HERE IN CHARLOTTE IN MY LIFE IT WOULD BE TO AVOID OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS. WHAT I'M CALLED TO DO IS STAND WITH THOSE TWO ARE MARGINALIZED IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO. I WOULD ASK YOU TO SEND A MESSAGE THAT BULLYING TO PRESERVE THE STATUS QUO IS NOT WHAT THIS COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT EVEN IF IT FEELS CONVENIENT. AS WE HEARD TONIGHT DESCRIBING AFFORDABLE AS DUMPING, LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIVE THERE ARE GARBAGE, LIKE COMING IN A COMMUNITY M MEETING INTERRUPTING IF YOU BUILD THESE HOUSES I WILL BRING A BULLDOZER AND I WILL NOT BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. IF I SEE THE CHILDREN IN THE STREETS, I WILL CALL THE COPS ON THEM. WE'RE REDIRECTING FUNDS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IS EMPOWERING SELF-DEVELOPMENT BUT CITY COUNCIL IS CAPITULATING SPREADING MISINFORMATION AND THREATENING TO CALL POLICE ON PEOPLE FOR TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, THAT WOULD BE TRAGIC. ALL RIGHT. OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE BOB AND MARY ANN STEAGALL. WE CAN'T SUBSTITUTE. >> CHRISTOPHER ON THE LIST. >> YOU'RE NEXT. IF YOU'RE SAYING YOU WILL NOT SPEAK, MR. STEAGALL. THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THEY WEREN'T HERE FOR THE EARLIER ITEM AS WELL. SO AFTER MR. GLUESEN COM IS CHRISTOPHER BROWN. THANK YOU FOR IDENTIFYING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A MAJOR NEED IN OUR CITY. WE KNOW WE CAN FLOURISH WHEN RETURNING CITIZENS INVOLVE CITIZENS. HAVE THE SUPPORT AS THEY WORK TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES POST-RETURN. FREEDOM FIGHTING MISSIONARIES IS PROVIDING THAT CRITICAL SUPPORT THIS IS A PROPOSED PUBLIC-PRIVATE NONPROFIT FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIP THAT SEEKS TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY IN SUPPORTING THE STATED GOALS OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN LAND IS SCARCE AND EXPENSIVE. RESCINDING TO GIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DISCOURAGE THE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WE NEED TO CREATE A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL CITIZENS CAN FLOURISH. MOST IMPORTANTLY TO HOUSE 16 FAMILIES. THESE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HIDE IN SHADOWS, LIVE IN THEIR CARS, HIDE IN STORAGE UNITS, INSTITUTIONALLY IN SHELTERS IF THEY CAN FIND A PLACE AND BE UNSTABLE EVERY NIGHT IN DIFFERENT PLACES. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> >>MAYOR: MR. BROWN. >> I THINK WE ALL HAVE A LOT MORE IN COMMON ABOUT THIS THAN A LOT OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT WENT ON LAST WEEK AS WELL AS TODAY. I THINK EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM WOULD AGREE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR EACH OF US IS THEIR FAMILY AND FROM WHAT I HEARD FROM WITHIN THIS HOUR, THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN. I DON'T AGREE WITH THINGS BEING SPRUNG UP ON YOU WITHOUT A PLAN AND A DEFINITIVE PLAN WITH METRICS BACKING THAT PLAN, WITH INFORMATION AROUND IF THIS HAPPENS THEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. I AGREE WITH MR. ROBINSON'S EFFORTS. I THINK HE'S GOT A WONDERFUL HEART. HE'S A HELL OF A SALESMAN. HE'S GOOD AT HIS JOB. BACKGROUND IN THE SAME TYPE OF PEOPLE HE'S TRYING TO GET HOUSING FOR. SO I GET IT. I JUST CAN'T SIGN OFF ON NOT KNOWING WHO MY NEIGHBOR'S GOING TO BE, THE PLAN-- LET ME SPEAK. THE PLAN FOR DEFINING WHO WILL LIVE HERE IS NOT OUTLINED. NO THIRD-PARTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY HIRED. THE CHURCH DID NOT SIGN AN AGREEMENT OR WAS IT VOTED ON AS A CONGREGATION. THEY CAN'T TELL ME THAT A MURDERER WON'T BE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE LIVING HERE. I KNOW 90% OF THE TARGET IS WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. BUT IT CAN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT MY CHILD IS GOING TO BE SAFE AS SHE WALKS ACROSS THE SAME LAND TO PLAY ON THE PLAYGROUND. I NEED TO TRUST THAT SHE WILL BE. I WILL QUOTE SOME THINGS THAT I LEARNED TONIGHT. IF YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IF YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE, YOU'RE NOT SAFE, BY MR. GRAHAM. YOU CANNOT HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE YOU LIVE IF YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE, MR. DRIGGS. WE NEED A LIST OF ACTIONS THAT WE CAN TAKE. I VIEW THIS, MR. BOKHARI, AS A RISK-BASED APPROACH THAT YOU WILL GET TO IDENTIFY THE RISK IN ORDER TO BEST HANDLE THE JOB, WHICH COMPLETELY REPRESENTS EXACTLY WHAT MS. MAYFIELD REPRESENTED. EVEN WITH THE SIMPLE CAR ANALOGY YOU HAVE, IF THE CAR IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, YOU MAKE A RISK-BASED APPROACH TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO ACCIDENTS OR PEOPLE HURT BY THEIR ACTIONS. WITH THIS TYPE OF FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITHIN NORTH CAROLINA. AND POINT OF ORDER, YOU KNOW, PRIMARY POINTS FROM LAST WEEK AND IT'S GREAT. ON THE FLIP SIDE, WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO IF SOMETHING GOES BAD. WE CAN'T SAY-- WE CAN'T COMPARE IT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW-INCOME HOUSING. THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH BACKGROUND IN DOING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND YOU CAN'T GUARANTEE HIM AND TELL ME HERE'S THE PLAN FOR WHO WILL BE IN HERE AND CAN WE TRUST HIM OR NOT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S HARD TO ASK. I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MAUREEN GILLESPIE AND ASHLEY SHSNYDER. AND THEN OUR LAST SPEAKER FOR THE EVENING WILL BE JENNIFER BALMER. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR LYLES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S TRUE THAT EAST CHARLOTTE IS THE HOST TO MANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. OVER THE PAST DECADE I LEARNED THAT SUPPORTIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS PREFERRED TO UNPORTED. SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE HERE ARE THE MOST IMPACTED BY CONCENTRATIONS OF PROPERTY. AS COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES, YOU SHOULD BE WILLING TO ENSURE THE BEST OUTCOMES NOT JUST A DATA POINT OF UNITS APPROVED. YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE HEALTH OF THE GREATER COMMUNITY IMPACTED BY THE CONCENTRATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IMAGINE STANDING IN FRONT OF A CLASS OF 30 STUDENTS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY AND YOU HAVE TO ATTAIN SCORES AND YOU HAVE VERY FEW RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD NOT BE DISHING TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMISSIONERS WITHOUT A WIDE-EYED PLAN OF INTENSIVE SUPPORT REQUIRED. COMMUNITIES DO NOT LIKE SURPRISES THAT ARE PERCEIVED AS THREATS TO THEIR STABILITY. A COMMUNITY MEETING BEFORE AND AFFORDABLE-- AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT APPEARS ON A COUN