[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Wow. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] you for um joining us this afternoon. And now I would like to call the to order the Charlotte City Council meeting for August the 25th. Um before we get started today, I want to remind council and the public that we're going to forego our action review at this meeting and use that time at the end of the meeting for mayor and council topics. This is the time that we can be used by council to address any item or issue that you would like. I would like to try to keep that within time to be under an hour and plan for each council member to speak around 3 minutes. So I hope everybody considers that and we'll be able to do that. And now we'll start with introductions going around um the dis. Let us start with our city clerk. Good evening. Stephanie Kelly, city clerk. >> Anthony Fox, interim city attorney. >> Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Tijana Brown, serve in Charlotte City, Charlotte City Council, District 3. It's an honor and a pleasure. >> Good afternoon. I'm Renee Johnson and I'm honored to serve district 4. >> Good evening everyone. James Mitchell, city council at large, city manager. >> Liles, mayor. Good evening. Dante Anderson, mayor prom district 1. Peacock, District 6. >> Good evening. Lana Mayfield, council member at large. >> Good evening. I'm Victoria Watlington and I have the pleasure of serving you as a council member at large. >> Good evening and welcome. Dimple Asher, council member at large. >> Thank you very much. Um, we begin our meeting with an invocation which is an expression or or inspiration followed by the pledge of allegiance. The invocation is intended to solemnize our proceedings and we celebrate the religious diversity in our community, including those without a religious faith. Tonight, Council Member Watlington will give our invocation. And if you choose to stand for the pledge of allegiance, feel free to do so following Council Member Watling's words. Watlington. >> Thank you so much. Um, I wanted to share with you all tonight. I had the pleasure of attending Stolen Lunches today at noon, uh, which is a 501c3 nonprofit that was founded by Fly Tai and Justinda, who we all, I'm sure, are familiar with because we are rooting on our Panthers, uh, or excuse me, our Hornets. Um, but I had the pleasure of attending, you all may have seen the yellow uh, give blessings bags from time to time or participated in one of those events. Uh, but it's always um, a wonderful time and it blessed me. So, I'm going to share with you a couple of scriptures that I got from the event today. And I I would challenge myself and our colleagues to consider this as we lead. And it's from Isaiah, the first one is from Isaiah 41:10. And it says, "So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." And the second one is from Deuteronomy 31:6 and it says, "Be strong and courageous." Amen. >> Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. >> For the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. >> Amen. Amen. >> All right. Thank you very much, Miss Watlington. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance if you choose to. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. As is our practice, our first item is to look at our consent agenda. Are there any consent agenda items for a separate vote or comment tonight? am here. >> All right. Um, so we have agenda um, our motions for consent agenda items. >> Yes, Mr. Mayfield. >> No, just a question on the business item. Never mind. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. So, we have a Do I have a motion for item 16 through item 37? >> Motion to move. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor, please raise your hands. >> I had discussion. >> All right. You had something you wanted to discuss. Did I hear that? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Miss Mayfield, >> I wanted to My apologies when we were going through I meant to pull out number 21 for a question that I had on it, but we've already moved forward. So, but since we've for clarification since this has been motioned for all the items to be approved and one motion since I did not pull it out individually, if I were to vote no, then it would be a no on all of the items. >> Correct. >> For clarification. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, are we moving forward? >> We are. Motion to approve. >> Thank you. 16 through 37. >> All right. >> It's already motioned. It's already been motioned and seconded. So, Miss Mayfield was just asking for clarification which she has provided. So, I believe that con ends our make sure we our vote is vote. >> What is the vote? Did was there on the motion? The motion is to approve the consent agenda items 16 through 37. >> Right. >> That's the motion that's been second and that's before the >> there have been. >> Okay. So all in favor of the motion, please raise your hand again. >> Go ahead. >> I don't think I think that we had people's >> any opposed. >> Any opposed? All right, that means the motion passes. Thank you. >> Clarification. Okay. >> All right. So >> done. Right. >> That concludes our consent agenda items. We're now going to move forward on our public com comments section of the agenda. So, we have several folks that are in joining us tonight that would like to speak to us. And the very first one is Miss Junth Pageant, Faith Sanders. Miss Sanders, where are you? I see the bow. I see the whole bow thing. Come on down, >> please. Lovely girls. Lovely. Now, is that the baby gets to gets to do this, too? Oh my gosh, look at all that pink. >> That's wonderful. >> Please take your time. >> Yes. She's very excited. >> I don't think she's quite that excited yet, >> but the tiara is like bling bling bling bling. Okay. Hi. >> All right. Hello. Good evening you all. My name is Faith Sanders. I am the Miss Junth coordinator and pageant director here in Charlotte. Although it's not my first time doing a Miss Junth pageant, but this is our first time here in Charlotte. So, we thank you all for inviting us tonight to be able to speak on behalf of the Miss Junth pageant. Um, although the Miss Junth pageant is over, Miss Junth has passed, our mission as Miss Junth queens and coordinators still goes on, right? So, let me see here. These remarkable young ladies were chosen from a group of 14 girls ranging from the ages of 5 to 18. They have taken upon the movement to stepping into a year of leadership, service, and personal growth. It is more than a pageant title. That is our queens are actively involved in community outreach efforts making a lasting impact through education empowerment and volunteer volunteering. They are eager to contribute to any initiatives or events that the city of Charlotte will be hosting. This year, we proudly awarded scholarships to participants in our 13 to 18 year old categories, reinforcing our commitment to education and empowerment. We invite the Charlotte City Council and the community to encourage, uplift, and recognize our Junth Queens as the as they continue their 2025 journey. Your support will affirm their efforts and inspire the next generation of confident, empowered leaders in our community. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting our next Miss Junth pageant here in Charlotte the first week of June 2026. Thank you. We welcome the community, collaborators, sponsorships, and engagement as we prepare for an even greater celebration of heritage, excellence, and youth empowerment. Let's continue the spirit of Junth, investing in the future of our young girls. >> Now, I present to you all. >> You want to vote? >> Okay. You present. >> Go ahead. Okay. We're gonna now present to you all the first time our Miss Junth Queens. We have in my hands Miss Riley for our petite category. Say hi. >> Okay. All right. That's all right. And um we have not here today little Miss Trinity Ste. And we have our young Miss London Hillman. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Our junior miss, Miss Jordan. >> Hello. >> And lastly, our Miss Junth Queen Naa Hegd. She is currently away attending Shaw Shawan University to become not only the first official Juneenth queen to attend the college but the first in her family history to attend a college. She is majoring in psychology. Their presence brings energy, purpose and deep commitment to making a positive impact. And we thank you. >> Thank you. We thank you for the work that you're doing. Thank you very much. [Applause] >> All right. Thank you very much. And um we are excited to hear what your next steps will be. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for coming today. >> Thank you. >> All right. I um want to make sure that while we have the Junth pageant, we understand that that the remaining of you will have three minutes to speak. So with that in case, let's go. I mean two minutes to speak. And so let's go begin with um economic development with Jacqueline McGee. Miss McGee, thank you. >> Two minutes. >> Two minutes. >> Yes, ma'am. Yes. >> Okay. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Jacqueline McGee. I'm the owner of My Story Cafe. I opened a cafe in 2022 in the French quarters. At least that's how we we refer to it as the French Quarters. Um, everything was absolutely beautiful. >> You might want to get a little bit closer to the mic. Yes. So that we can hear you clearly. >> Okay. I have an accent. >> Okay. >> Um, but I noticed um security or safety was going down, was declining a little bit in the French quarters. And knowing me, I am always looking for the next best thing. The next best thing turned out to be on January 7th of this year. I got a contract with the Spectrum Center to open a cafe/c coffee shop. Now, that's history cuz there's no such thing that exists in the country. There's no cafe in a sporting arena in the country. So, this is history. I've I've we've created history here in North Carolina, really and truly. But let me hit um I'll come back to that, but I want to hit on affordability. As a small business owner, we cannot afford the rent that the bigger businesses can afford. As a matter of fact, they can afford a security. We can't afford security. I'm struggling to have the the amount of employees that need to have. So my ask is um rent rent affordability. Um what do I have here? you know, the ability for us um to be able to afford the rent, especially uptown. We are giving to the community. All I'm asking is that the community give back to small businesses. We are the backbone of any city, any county, any state. We are the backbone. I have to say this that the French Quarters has lost its best kept secret by me having to leave there and go over to the Spectrum Center for safety for myself. I'm a single woman running a business in a place that's mostly drinking. I had a federal judge that would come to my >> Thank you very much. we can um if you would like to s give us your a written statement to the city clerk that would be ex really good and I think that we'll >> and we'll have talked with Allison um to actually help work through the remainder of your requests. >> Thank you very much, >> Miss McGee. Our next speaker is Peter Galin. Peter Galin. All right. Our next speaker with Mr. Galin is not in. Our next speaker is Mahendra Wrathor. >> Good evening, your excellency, Miss Mayor. Thank you, >> council members, and everybody here. I'm here to give voice to the voiceless this afternoon. I've been a resident of Charlotte for last several years since 1999. And the point I want to really make here today before the August audience is really that we are expanding in terms of our population, in terms of our development industry residential development. But are we also giving voice to the voiceless? the abandoned, the forgotten and the rescue animals of Charlotte and you have done madam excellent job. You are really one of the foremost mayor of this country and I'm here to appeal to you to do little extra for the animals. So here are a couple of my suggestions for you that we have to develop a systematic vision for the animals welfare and care and our city's current shelter is single overburdened facility near the airport. It's doing a great job. We commend everyone there but operating at a max capacity and leading a tragic outcome. The location itself is a significant barrier for the resident to drive all the way and care for the animals and also volunteer. So I'm here not asking for charity but for your leadership to really consider making micro centers all across the city. Maybe four centers in the each direction, east, west, south and north. So residents can get involved, children can get involved on the weekends. people can go and contribute as volunteers and care for those animals. I also have a small suggestion that major parts of the city we can host some sort of satellite mini shelters making animal care visible, local and accessible where children can walk shelter dogs after school. Senior can feed the rescued animal on the weekends and corporation can also adopt the kennels, sponsor wellness drives and fund adoption events for our pets. I'm also >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um um I want you to know that your time speaking is really timely because we are talking about how to redo our um shelters with animals. And so I think um Liz, would you be helpful in getting some additional information and some of the ideas that you've talked about? So thank you very much. Really appreciate it. >> Appreciate everyone. Thank you for the invitation. [Applause] >> Our next speaker is Fred Mani. I hope I said that correctly. He's >> not here. >> Fredmani. >> Fred Mani. See here. All right. Our next speaker is Corte Cortez Washington. Mr. Washington. Is Mr. Washington here? All right. Our next speaker is Christopher Scott. Christopher Scott. Our following speaker is Kartha Blunt. All right. Justin Perry. I think I saw Justin. Yes, there's Justin. Okay, now I know. Thank you very much, Justin, for coming. Come on down. You have >> two minutes. >> I've been trying to trip down. >> Well, you can always come back another day. >> All right. >> Good to see you. >> Good to see you all as well. >> Good evening. 10 years ago, a group named onemeck took a multiaceted approach to address school resegregation. First getting CMS to rep prioritize economic diversity and student assignment while knowing we could not go back to the busing program that I had when I grew up here. We challenged not only CMS but said we would need support in developing mixed income housing and needing help from the city, the philanthropic faith communities as well as the county. That's right. The county who forever disengaged from housing with some of us helping to flip long-held seats decided to engage in housing. A subgroup of us met with commissioners and the county manager and encouraged them to take the land they own near Greer Heights and DSS toward Easttover and to develop affordable housing, including that in the 30% AMI range instead of selling it to developers. They're now in partnership with Dreamkey developing mix-income rental and ownership units while having a county manager who was wanting to pursue affordable housing and address mobility even more assertively. We helped create and lead the color of law community read encouraging houses of faith to step up in tackling our housing crisis while addressing other issues like source of income discrimination. One of our members, Tom Hanset, has written a book, Affordable Housing in Charlotte, what one city's history tells us about America's pressing problem. Unlike others, it's a Charlotte specific book chronicling the es and flows of working to tackle housing in Charlotte with the focus on the role government can do and leaning into it. He's given the clerk a copy of all the for all of you to read as well as a packet to go with that reading. We're partnering with the library, the foundation, houses of faith, and other members of the community to write the next chapter of our story. We're inviting you to read the book, take the packet, and partner with us in shifting the paradometers community while taking substantive steps to create and keep affordable housing in every district here in Charlotte. An event will take place early in 2026 at the Carolina Theater as we are committed to moving from forums to focus action in housing not only the 157 new people moving here that we always hear about, but as well as the longtime members who've always been here and build this community into a worldclass city we say we want to be. Thank you for your time. so much [Applause] >> and for those with you, thank you very much. >> Um, so our next speaker is Jacob Kinski. >> I hope I got it close to correct. >> It was close. Yeah. >> Well, you know, some days >> um if you give them to the clerk, >> I want to hear from you. >> Good evening, mayor and council members and uh Charlotte residents. My name is Jacob Krinsky, and I'm here to share a solution to transform our 311 call line. um and make it smarter, more accessible, and more coste effective for uh every resident here in Charlotte. A personal experience of mine inspired this idea, and I believe it can make Charlotte a leader and 311 innovation. I'm 24. I work for a bank here in Charlotte and their treasury department, and this is my first time presenting to the city council. Uh, a few months ago, my girlfriend's car got towed and it was a bit of a stressful situation because we weren't sure if it was stolen or towed. We called the 311 line. After a long hold, we had to call 911. Uh, in that situation, we had multiple calls back and forth and the operator um kindly helped us, although it did seem like she had dealt with this situation before. uh the police did have to come and then we ended up finding the car 15 minutes down the road. I started utilizing some of my free time to uh build out an automation call line. Uh my dad helped me who has uh startup experience across the nation and as a computer scientist. Uh in similar trials, we've seen uh response times get cut by 30% uh when adopting strategies like this. Uh it also is built for Charlotte's growth using a cloudnative infrastructure that can handle 10,000 concurrent users at one time. Um right now the prototype is built and it has a modular design that can be integrated into all of our city's um you know databases. For example, Charlotte Meckllinburgg Police Department's towing database. Um, together I believe we could make a model a Charlotte a model of 311 innovation and I would love the opportunity to pilot this program in partnership with you and Charlotte. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for >> let us let us going to Sean Sean Heath is going to help you decide how we can do that. So thank you very much. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Very smart young man. >> All right, Douglas Sheriff. >> Mr. Sheriff, >> good job. >> I think Sean's right up that way. >> Oh man. >> Well, that's a tough act to follow. Um, >> she's she left. That's okay. >> Good. >> Um, yeah, I'm here today. Uh, >> probably not for anything as complicated as needing to show up to the meeting. If you're driving out of Charlotte over the years, I've been here about 30 years, you've noticed that there's a lot more trash along the highways and things of that nature. Um, one of the issues I have is the this road spam signage that you see that gets peppered all over Charlotte. There's one company in particular, it's Limeme, Lime, something lime. If you're driving home, then I just look around the city as you're driving. Uh, my thought is I know there's a fining system in place. It's like $100 per fine. um maybe a tiered approach where if you know I think they view it as bas basically a cheap marketing expense where it's cheaper than a billboard you can target the audience to where you want the signs to be and they just they pay the fines and move on and I've had conversations with the folks in Charlotte as you're reporting sort of these zoning ordinances the software works awesome it's just that I don't think they care that much so you I'll leave this with the clerk but there's a couple other ideas too on what I think we should be doing as city, but I think that's an easy one for the for the council to, you know, just do a tiered approach or something of that nature where if they're going to abuse it, just increase the fine and um hopefully that'll work. So, that's it. >> Thank you for taking the time and we'll take this and Allison, would you follow up with it's more than one idea we I think we can give it to Allison over here and she will do some followup on. So, how we do that? Lime is like lime, right? Okay. Our next speaker is Sheila Nordon. >> Hello everybody. My name is Sheila Ordone. Some of you know me. I'm here to discuss gang violence in Druid Hills and the policy failures of the city to prevent gang violence and violent crime in residential neighborhoods. Those of you who know me know my daughter's house was shot with 29 bullets over two separate shootings April 29th and August 9th. At first, I could not understand how this could happen. CMPD knew within 24 hours it was mistaken gang uh gang retaliation and that the people across the street were the intended targets. These were renters in a house using housing vouchers. My daughter tried to talk to the DA and the city council. I tried to talk to the city council. We got nowhere. Here's the bottom line. It is due to policy failure. If this street were in Wake County, they do full criminal background checks for all housing vouchers. Full. They go back five years. And any felonies class A through I are disqualifiers. If this were a Habitat house, Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte, exact same thing. Full criminal background checks, five-year look back, and they take it a step further and they look at misdemeanors going two years back. and I quote, "They do this to ensure community safety." Finally, I want to discuss the word. Oh, I do want to discuss CMPD. They have been amazing throughout this whole thing. They are not the problem in Charlotte at all. They did a thorough investigation. They executed a no knock warrant. They confiscated semi-automatic weapons from the house across the street. They made arrest. But because one of the offenders was a juvenile, he was out within three hours back in this house. And within hours, he reentered that cycle of gang violence, was able to acquire more weapons that led to the second shooting on August 9th. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much for that. And and we we certainly hear what you're saying. >> Is this difficult at this time? >> Just quick question for clarification. It seems like a lot of the things that she addressed really should be addressed with the courts since it's the magistrate and the judges, not CMPD, that have the conversation to determine whether or not an individual. So, just for clarity sake, for your daughter and for you, just for clarification, once CMPD does their job, unfortunately, of having to do an arrest, then it goes to the courts. So that would be the magistrate or the judge of which district attorney Merryweather has been working closely with CMPD as well as helping to get legis legislation in Raleigh. That's where I think a little more movement regarding the individuals once they've been arrested will have more impact versus the city council cuz CMPD once they make that arrest then that individual then goes through the court system and our officers have no control what a magister did and what a judge does. So I just want to make sure that there's clarification. Thank you for coming down to share. Yet I want to make sure that your daughter as the resident of the home is aware of the steps to help ensure future protections. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor, >> very much. So now we're >> on that real quick. Um manager or attorney, wouldn't we have authority over housing? Anything as it relates to that? Are these >> county vouchers or are these city? What what what is her reference to that? >> The vouchers are issued by the housing Livian the housing authority, right? So the housing authority or Livian would may be another avenue for her to seek because of what I heard in her comments were practices that are being employed in by other jurisdictions and they may want to consider those practices as well. >> So is it is it duty of the city or the county? >> It's in Livian which is an authority >> federal housing program. >> It's not a hood house. And madame mayor, just just for clarity so that everybody can hear >> just for clarity. Uh thank you Dr. Nordan for coming down and speaking. Um I I've spoken with with um the doctor about this and she's absolutely aware and on top of it and very capable around the logistics between uh the district attorney's office and um and what needs to occur as it relates to engagement with our general assembly on this. All right. Thank you very much. So our next speaker is Alden Peard. Mr. Peard >> and Mr. Pequard will be followed by Tyler Cotch. >> By Tyler Cotch. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Lyles, members of the council, and Mr. Jones. My name is Alden Pequard, and I'm speaking on behalf of the Coalition to Protect Our Urban Nature here in Charlotte. We have one simple request. Please protect our pollinators by amending the city's outdated, overgrown vegetation ordinance and add a height exemption for naturalistic landscapes. Now, I'd like to ask those in the room who support this ordinance amendment to please stand up. >> There we are. >> Can I stay? >> As you can see, our coalition is a large network of organizations and individuals who care deeply about the city's outdated ordinance. It discourages, even prohibits Charlotte residents from practicing land stewardship and pollinator conservations on their properties. Our work is supported by Wild One, Charlotte Pemont chapter, Native Plant Society, Southern Pemont Chapter, Charlotte Wildlife Stewards, NC Wildlife Federation, Charlotte Meckllinburgg League of Women's Voters, Mason Wallace Park Advocates, Lada Park volunteers, Meckllinburgg Ottabon Society, Clean Air and Sea, Surf Rider Foundation, Charlotte Chapter, Constructive Plant Rescue, and a long long long list of individuals who really care and support naturalistic landscapes. These are carefully planned and managed aesthetically pleasing gardens that use native plants to conserve wildlife to promote clean air, clean water, healthy soils, and climate resiliency. We are the voice for thousands of Charlotte residents. We are telling you, urging you now is a time for the city to commit to sustainability by taking action for pollinators and wildlife. As a B city affiliate, as a certified wildlife habitat, we are telling you uh that Charlotte's current current ordinance undermines the great work the city is doing for sustainability. Our coalition asks you to prioritize this issue by amending the city's outdated, overgrown vegetation ordinance to protect our urban nature. Let us honor um the city's mayor's monarch pledge commitments and take decisive policy action today. Thank you. >> Thank you. And we have a book. >> More butterflies. >> We have a a book for each and every one of you to get your feet wet. >> We know that. We know. We know that. >> All right. So, let's see. Mr. Pot Mayor, if we can get an update on this. I know I had brought this up two weeks ago about the ordinance update and I know Allison was working on it. If the council can get an update, >> we're going to ask Allison to work on it a little bit more so that she can be responsive to the request tonight. So, >> Allison, it's your day. your day. So, >> great job. >> But we also want to hear from Mr. Cotch. Tyler Cotch. >> Yes. Good evening. Can you hear me? Well, >> now I see. >> All right. Lovely. I'm Tyler Cotch. I'm the founder and owner of Pisaw Pizza in Southoun Charlotte. Uh, tonight I'm here not just as a business owner, but as a member of this community deeply concerned about public safety. Southoun is one of Charlotte's greatest assets and it's at risk right now. Unregulated food vendors set up every Thursday through Sunday. propane tanks, gas generators, just feet away from crowds, businesses, and apartments. My favorite phrase is the South End State Fair. That's what it looks like every single weekend. Now, this isn't a speculation. It's a serious hazard. For example, last year's Love and Life Music Festival had a fully permanent inspected food truck catch fire in the middle of thousands of people. Imagine that multiplied by 20 with no permits, no inspections, no safety oversight, and thousands of people walking past these potential explosions every single weekend. It's not safe to have open flames and fuel tanks scattered across southen sidewalks and roads. And it's not safe to eat food without health inspections. Meanwhile, local businesses in this community, our restaurants, bars, and shops, collectively generate millions of dollars of payroll, putting money directly into the pockets of Charlotte residents. We hire locally. We train locally. We pay taxes. And we invest in this city. But unpermanented vendors, they're coming from other cities. They come here, they take Charlotte residents money, and they bring it back to their own cities. The city council is allowing outsiders to profit from the expense of Charlotte's small businesses and Charlotte's workers. All the while, we see zero enforcement from the departments with that just point fingers at each other. Noise ordinances on brick andmortar businesses are getting enforced, but public safety and illegal vending is being ignored. As city council, you have the you have the responsibility to protect the health and safety of the community and to support small local businesses to make Charlotte strong. Right now, the lack of action rewards lawlessness and neglects the very people who invest their lives, money, and their futures here. Southoun businesses don't want special treatment. We want equal enforcement. Most of all, we want safety for thousands of residents and visitors who walk the streets every day. So tonight, what I'm asking you, have the CMP and CMPD enforce the current laws to deter vending in Southoun. Immediately expand the NOA not pilot program to South and other Charlotte city areas. And finally, put small business in your community safety at priority number one. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Um, I'd like before you go steps away. I would like for you to meet Marcus Jones. He's the city manager and I think instead of one of these guys. >> Well, so thanks uh mayor, members of council. I I appreciate you coming down tonight. I don't know if you were a part of the group that Sean Heath met with late last week. >> Yep. Sure was. Sean's a great guy. >> So, we'll we'll make sure we continue that conversation. Uh, thank you for putting it on the record tonight. Sean will walk with you out. And so, mayor, members of council, as the work that's happened with Uptown as well as uh Nota, I think we knew that when there was an opportunity to do something in Nota, other communities would also wonder what we could do with the permitting process. So, we're beginning the discussions with the South End. And Sean, if you can um have additional conversation, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. And all we're doing is looking for action. So, we appreciate you guys so much. >> Thank you. All right. Our next speaker is David Molinro. >> Good evening, Mayor Lyles, council members, and Mr. Jones. Uh, I'm here today like Alden was, uh, to speak in support of amending our landscaping ordinance to remove restricted grass height limits and allow for naturalistic gardens, spaces that reflect not only personal choice but also public good. Naturalistic gardens are more than aesthetic. They are acts of sustainability. They reduce water use, restore soil health, and provide vital habitat for pollinators and birds. They reconnect us to seasonal rhythms and remind us that beauty doesn't always come manicured. It often comes wild, layered, and alive. Some may call this approach radical. I call it woke. Wildly open to kindness and empathy. >> Open to the kindness of milkweed feeding monarchs. Empathy for neighbors who care to care for their land. Kindness toward future generations who deserve a city of biodiversity. Sustainability isn't just about what we plant. It's about what we value. Do we value ecological resilience, community creativity, the right to foster care in our own yards? Outdated height restrictions treat naturalistic gardens as violations. But there are visions. Visions of a Charlotte where sustainability is not just policy. It's practice. Where kindness and ecology grow side by side. Let's be woke in the most meaningful way. Openhearted, forwardinking, and rooted in care. Let's update that ordinance. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Our next speaker is Teresa Moore. Miss Moore, >> now please be woke coming down those steps. >> Just the first time she did it on. >> Good evening. First, I'd like to recognize the delicate juggling act maintained by our city leaders to keep Charlotte a vibrant and growing community where we live and work. To help Charlotte keep its ecosystems and natural resources healthy and and sustainable, we are asking to amend the 12 inch uh ordinance for overgrown vegetation and weeds to allow for more native plantings uh that require the height exemption to thrive in our city homes and properties. More native plantings, as we've heard, will assist with storm water management as the roots grow deep, keeping erosion to a minimum. More plants utilizing photosynthesis helps keep the air clean for our growing population. As important, the diversity of native plantings will help maintain our sense of place and support the landscape that makes North Carolina and Charlotte keep its natural and unique beauty. We want to emphasize that the native gardeners who are um supporting this uh um change will respect the concerns of the department of housing and neighborhoods and it is not our intention to allow the non-native invasive grasses and weeds to go unchecked. Residents are still responsible for the upkeep and neat appearance of their yards. A well-planned and well-maintained yard of native plants often adds to the value of the home and the neighborhood. We thank you for considering this change and adding no cost but providing much value to the community. >> Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Elaine Alexander. Elaine Alexander. All right. Our next speaker following um if Elaine Alexander is not available, Zack Khan. Zach, >> be careful. >> Careful. >> Be careful. >> Uh, good evening, council. Uh, my name is Zach Khan. I'm a student at Providence Day School. Uh, I'm 18 years old. Um, so my speech, so Charlotte is booming and there are a lot of neighborhoods that are growing. Um, Charlotte has doubled in growth over the last uh 30 years. Uh, it's it's supposed to double again over the next 30 years. That's another million people. However, uh, what I've learned recently, um, there's a big problem. The Dylan rule means Charlotte can only do what state legislators says that we can. So, want to want to raise uh, excuse me, want to raise wages for airport workers. You can't just do it. You have to ask the state first. Want to let voters decide on a new transit sales tax? You can't put it on the ballot unless you ask the state first. Want to protect renters uh from uh from big rent hikes? You can't. The state already blocked that power. Back in 2016, when the state passed stronger civil rights protections, Raleigh stepped in with HB2 and took them away. That's what the Dylan rule means. Charlotte has to ask permission from Raleigh before solving Charlotte's problems. But here's the truth. This city is the economic engine of North Carolina. We create the jobs. We attract the people. We drive the state's growth. Yet, when it comes to governing ourselves, we're stuck in the back seat while Raleigh holds the wheel. Council, I'm asking you, don't just live with this. Push back. Make noise. Ask the general assembly for more home rule authority so that Charlotte can actually govern Charlotte. Because if we don't change this, the Dylan rule won't just hold Charlotte back. It'll hold North Carolina back. And that's something none of us can afford. Thank you so much. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] We may have to wait until you run for reelection. >> Absolutely. >> We may have to wait for you. So, thank you so very much. Um, Zach, um, our next speaker is Chandler Buzz. >> Like that. >> Chandler Bazique. All right. >> Um I think that is the end of our um speakers list unless we had someone that came in later. So thank you very much for all of you. >> I like him. >> You know it's such an honor to see people come down and express what is important to them and actually to present it in this way. And so we're grateful that we have the opportunity to respond to you. So, and what we know is that the staff will follow up with speakers and or the speaker's concerns and provide council with additional context as is as appropriate and also council can also discuss or ask for follow-up information during the discussion time at the end of this meeting. So, is everybody aware of what's possible? All right. We also know that we'll have a packet coming from the staff on public forum speaker topics as well as updates from the staff on actions taken to address issues that are brought up by all of you. So I would ask council to really take a look at that and where you find something that really resonates with you, let's figure out how to make it possible. All right. So thank you. All right, Mr. Jones. >> Mayor and members of council, in your Thursday packet, we were able to provide you input for all of the questions that came up last business meeting that you had around the day. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. So, now we come to the portion of our agenda which is the public hearing. So, it's a public hearings and the first item is public hearings and adopting the bond order on general obligation refunding bonds. So, we're now going to open the public hearing um for this general obligation bond per madame clerk, do we have any speakers? >> Hearing no speakers. Um >> a motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. If that's the case, do we have an item B to adopt a bond order to provide for the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds not to exceed 2 million? 2 million. That's a lot of money. So, >> okay. All right. So, and as stated in our agenda, um, we have a motion and is there a second? >> No. Is there there's not a motion on that? >> Motion for action A and B. >> Second. So, that's she did say motion. >> Sorry. >> All right. That's okay. So, we have a motion on the floor. And so, I guess one of them will be to um be the second. Is that all right with you, Mr. Mitchell? >> Yes, Mitch. >> All right. Thank you. All right. The motion is second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor of the item, please raise your hands. Is there anyone in opposition? Hearing none, we'll go to the next public hearing, which is a public hearing and decision on Dr. Charles Williams and Vivian Williams House historic landmark designation. And we're going to open this up as a public hearing for the decision um on this um first house and we will have a second one as well. Are there any speakers for the item on item five with um High Park? >> No, ma'am. >> All right. No speakers. >> Move to close. >> Move to close the public hearing. >> We have a motion to close the public hearing and a second. Is there any discussion hearing? No discussion. All in favor of closing the public hearing, please raise your hands. >> All right. So, everybody is unanimous on that. And so now um we will have do I have a motion to adopt the ordinance as an effective date of August the 25th 20 2025th designating the property known as Dr. Charles Williams and Vivian Williams house. >> So move second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Mitchell. >> Uh Mayor, I see the property owners are are here and I would like for them to please stand up. I read the article in the paper on Sunday. High Park has always looked upon as prestigious African-American community and so I think this is very important. So Chuck, will you and your lovely wife please stand up? >> Okay. >> Thank you all. >> I I I have to say it's truly an honor to do this in this house after we played in it a number of times. So I want to say thank you you guys all clear. Thank you so very much. So, all right. So, I think we made a motion. >> Yes. >> And a second. And all in favor of the ordinance with the effective date of August 25th designating the property known as Dr. Williams and Vivian Williams house, please raise your hand. All right. Is there anyone in opposition considering that there's no room there's no room for opposition on this one, guys? Is there anyone that would like to speak as a public hearing before we begin our discussion? We have no speakers. >> Move to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> We have a move the motion and a closure to close the public hearing. Any all in favor? >> Anyone opposed? No one's opposed. So, the next item that we are going to have is do I have a motion to close the public hearing and adopt an ordinance with the effective date of August 25th, 25 designating the property known as Ziggler Bowers House as a historic landmark? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing no discussion. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Anyone oppose? With no opposition, um this motion passes. So, thank you very much for the work that we do to maintain some of the dignity that we have in this community around housing. All right, the next item is the item seven. And does the manager do you have a report? >> Yes, mayor, members of council. So, I have a brief report tonight. And before I make some uh introductions of uh new team members and team members who have been promoted, I do want to talk a little bit about uh the council's creation of the office of youth opportunities. As you may recall during this last budget, there were three uh big moves in the budget related to the departments. uh one is that we took procurement and CBI and combined that department to um purchasing and contracts. We'll talk a little bit more about that before I conclude. Um we also had the animal care control move over to general services and with the great um beginning there. Uh but uh lastly we we had the office of youth opportunities. I think it's really important because we had remnants of all of these different programs in various departments, whether it was community relations or CMPD or housing and neighborhood services. So, we believe this realignment will better serve youth by aligning programming and goals around youth engagement, youth employment, and youth safety. Uh behind me are some photos of a recent graduation events, including the mayor's youth employment program. We're super excited. But we're also taking this approach and combining some of the different elements what we do as a horizontal um organization. So in other words, we're looking for opportunities for uh work and career exploration, resource connections, violence prevention, and helping youth stay active and connected. We provided paid employment this summer uh for career exploration for 400 uh young people. And as we continue down this pathway, two additional career pathways are under development. One is the access pathway which provides individuals 18 and older with career opportunities around uh leasing and and apartment leasing and maintenance. And then lastly, the business and entrepreneurship pathway. Uh 14 to 15 year olds will learn the basics of starting a business as well as entrepreneurship. And so we're really excited about what's happening with this very very young office, but we believe that there are some opportunities there that have been untapped. And finally, I have just a few announcements of some movements that I would like to do publicly. Uh two members of team Charlotte have been promoted. One, Marie Harris is no longer our interim budget director. She is now the permanent budget director. And I don't think I even need to say anything about Marie because everybody knows the value we have for Marie. So, we really appreciate you uh hanging in there over the last year and really filling this a big void. And then we also have uh Matt Hastad who has been promoted to our chief financial officer. But it's uh really difficult to not say to say something about Matt and not say anything about Teresa. So Teresa, if you could stand up. Teresa, our CFO, is retiring this September 30th. >> But uh what she has done >> too young to retire. Well, what she has done uh over the years is maintain our coveted triple AAA bond rating. Yes. As well as a number of very difficult financial transactions that we've gone through, including purchasing a rail line. Uh so, we're very appreciative for um Teresa, but also appreciative that Teresa is going to stay on a bit so we can have a good transition between Teresa and Matt. Matt has served as in the finance department uh since 2013. currently he's the city's uh um treasurer and uh deputy uh director of the department. So we're super excited about Matt. And then lastly is Cheryl Wright in the house. Okay, Cheryl Wright. So Cheryl Wright is the new director of our department of contracting and procurement as I mentioned earlier. So, uh, Cheryl is led procurement and contract management for Union County where she's been responsible for the oversight of the the county's purchasing its MWSBE outreach, uh, program. But I think what's really neat about having Cheryl on the team is their team won the North Carolina Association of Government Purchasing Sustained Professional Purchasing Award for nine consecutive years. >> Okay, no pressure. No pressure. And before that, Cheryl was the director of procurement services with the city of Richmond. She spent time with the US Department of Commerce here in Charlotte as well as the Chicago Housing Authority. So, we're excited to have Cheryl on the team and it really shows with team Charlotte a mixture of opportunities within the organization as well as the attractiveness of getting great people on the team like Cheryl. So, that's my report, mayor, and members of council. Thank you. Any questions for the manager? But of course later there there'd be lots of time for questions. So, all right. So, I >> just have I have one question and you all know I sent a I sent out a memo to you as well, manager Jones. I know that you're working. We have an announcement that our police chief will be retiring in less than four months. Hope we'll be hearing some updates and news from you. I know it'll be held either in close session, but hopefully to share something with the public as well, too. >> Sure. And we will have um surveys of both the council, interviews with the council as well surveys of CMPD and the general public for input. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> So, mayor, I just Mr. Mitchell, >> make one comment. So, city manager, I told Sher I wouldn't bo I would not bother her for 90 days. >> 90 days. That's a blessing. >> Look at Liz on that clap. So, I would not call you for 90 days so you can get your you can do a great job, but don't be interrupted. >> Change your phone number. Change your phone number. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, it may >> All right. >> You have a question. >> Now, I know that Council Member Mitchell said he was not going to bother. Cheryl, >> I just want to before I make that same commitment, I want to ask one question, and I apologize in advance. No, I'm just kidding. Um, we've been talking about the uh small business participation with the transit tax and I know that work's been going on for some time. I want to make sure I understand where that work sits in relation to Cheryl's new role. >> Sure. Uh, that's a great question. There's a couple things that are going on right now. We are doing the city is performing a gap analysis of what are the opportunities for small businesses based on um both the let's call it the 40% of the tax that will stay here in the city uh as well as this transportation related as well as the 60% that will move over to the authority. What's kind of interesting and and I and I'll I'll be brief but I really like the stuff that's going on. Okay. If you think about the strategic investment areas, it was a test to see how we could take $55 million and really finish projects. And in both of those areas, we will finish all of these projects within two years. And it will be less costly than what we thought and faster. So we believe that that's a beginning and with that there are some things that we're finding about gaps in uh the availability of small business, womenowned business, minority businesses and we are upscaling them to be able to take on some of the projects in the CAS. So if you think about that on a larger scale,$2 billion dollars over 30 years, how can we now look at the opportunities to scale up these um small businesses, but maybe just as important, we are doing an evaluation on the workforce opportunities that come with this. So many times people think it's just really horizontal construction that could be so far from the truth. So we I in in I'm looking at Liz I think by the end of September we'll have both of those uh gap analysis completed both for the transportation piece and the transit piece. >> Fantastic. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> All right, Mr. Johnson. >> Thank you. >> Thank Thank you, Madame Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Manager. While we're talking about procurement, welcome to um Miss Wright. Uh, I wanted to ask if we could get an update, Marcus, or if we can get an update from the city attorney. So, the city, there's a policy or an ordinance GS143129 that if bids are outside of budget, then the council has the ability or the authority to negotiate with the lowest bidder. um that they would either lower their price or negotiate rates where where uh where we could negotiate. But there's also a separate uh authority. There's a separate session law that's specific to Charlotte and it's 1987 151 and it grants the authority to the city manager to reject all bids for the city of Charlotte without further action by city council. So those two and the local act is separate authority from the general statutes 143129B. So I wanted to understand how those two laws or how they they correlate if we can get an update on that. >> I can give you I can give you a little bit of insight into it right now. Thanks. >> Um the 143-129 is a general statute. is the statue that that governs purchasing of and uh and construction repair by governmental entities including the city of Charlotte. It sets out the requirements for competitive bids and it does as you correctly stated does provide though when bids exceed the amount of when the bids exceed the amount of the budget that the it authorizes the city in that situation to negotiate with the apparent low bidder to see if that bidder then can drop their price and come within budget. Charlotte is unique. Charlotte adopted not Charlotte didn't adopt but the general assembly through a local act gave to to Charlotte the the authority for the manager to reject bids the language of that local act and I'll provide it to you removes the the general authority uh to reject bids and negotiate and it gives the manager the authority to reject bids doesn't talk about negotiate bids and because there's the difference between those two pieces of legislation, it's my belief that the the the local act will control and the only way to remove that is to seek u an amendment of that act from the general assembly which actually granted the the city that authority. >> Okay. So, I I'd like to know more about it. How often that's used? Um, so we can maybe we can talk offline or get an update or send that to council. How often is that used? How often does the city manager reject bids when they're over budget? Because I don't know if that's done every time or if it's selected, but I I'd like some information on that. Thank you. All right. Well, let's proceed before we go to our open session. Um, so the next item, affordable housing general obligation bonds. Is there a motion to adopt a bond order and resolution to provide for the issuance of general obligation bonds for affordable housing um not to exceed $75 million? >> You got to check now. You know the whole committee >> housing and safety committee. >> The whole committee. Thank you for that second. And I think that's enough people. Perhaps we only need one more person to make it six. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Anyone in opposition? Thank you very much. So the next item is um item nine where we have a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager as designignate to negotiate and execute revenue interlocal agreements with Meckllinmberg County through which the city will receive funding to support youth diversion programming. >> So move >> second motion and a second on the floor. Any discussion? >> Madame Mayor I have a comment. >> All right, Miss Dante I stop. >> That's all right. >> That's all right. I just wanted to say that um I think this is a a really great opportunity to highlight how we're working intergovernmentally with the county on an issue that's very important to to our community um which is around youth violence violence um and trying to ensure that our our youth has support and wraparound services and opportunities. So I'm glad we are working with the county. We need more of this and I'd love to have some updates as the work continues to progress. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Any other comments? >> Yes, ma'am. Brown. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. So, um along with what Mayor Pro Tim said, but this is amazing. You know, there's a lot going on with our youth. There's a lot lot going on with our youth and we that we can never have enough programs. We can never have enough resources. So, this is great. Would definitely like to see more of it. I know we're crunched for where the resources going to come from and how we allocating them, but this is we got it right on this one. So, let's see what we do with it. >> Thank you very much. All right. With no other speak um speakers, all in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? No opposition to this. So, we move on to item 10. Is there a motion to approve a federal home investment partnerships program allocation for up to 600,000 to community housing partner cooperation for the development of the family residences at Oak Hill Apartments and authorize the manager to negotiate, execute, amend, extend, and renew contracts as needed to complete this transaction. Do we have a motion? >> All right, Miss We have a second. Okay. Is there any discussion? Miss >> Yeah, I got >> Mayfield. >> Mayfield. >> Thank you. I have a question for staff on this. So, as Mr. Wooten is making his way down, what we have on here is each year the city receives home investment partnership program home funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD. These funds are intended to support the development, rehabilitation, and preservation or of affordable housing for low-income households. In the fiscal year 2026, the city received 2,976 749. The question that I have is that this request is one in partnership and it does say that our support is contingent upon the developer securing full project, but this is for a project in Davidson. Now, although the request amount is a relatively small amount in comparison, it's around 600,000. Why would we be the one to allocate this from the city for a project in Davidson versus the county handling all of this, especially since the county has expanded to cover their own housing conversations? >> Sure. Thank you, Miss Mayfield. The city is the lead agency on your home consortium. So this is a funding source that the city participates in with the other municipalities in Meckllinburgg County and we are the lead agency of that. So it is fairly common that we will fund projects in other municipalities because we are the lead agency for this funding source. Uh and those requests come through through us. >> Thank you for that. So we have it also noted as I mentioned the city support is contingent upon the developer securing full project funding and this project amount is anticipated to be um >> about 6 million. Well we're looking at a rent savings of 6 million and some change. This is a $15 million million project >> project and they have asks out so the city of Davidson town of Davidson and Meckllinmberg County are also being asked to participate. Uh Davidson approved $500,000 of funding on this project and the board of commissioners uh is slated to uh consider a $600,000 request in September. So, our 600,000 would basically be set aside if something were to happen on the county side since both the city and county are looking at potential financial shortfalls. What happens with that 600,000 if the county chooses not to move forward? >> Yes, ma'am. In all of your projects, city staff always waits for full funding on an apartment development before we will fund the loan. So, um if for some reason the funding does not um is not approved by one of the other partners, then your funding will go back into uh your available balance for expenditure. >> Thank you. That's all that needed. Ma'am, >> all right, >> ladies first. >> Thank you, Council Member Mitchell. I just wanted to say um I'm actually very happy to see projects outside of the city center and city limits because we know that um our housing um challenge is much broader than the city of Charlotte, but it is a regional um issue. We see we hear the 157 people per day moving to Charlotte. It's the Charlotte region >> region. Yes. And so as we think about how to work intergovernmentally to put housing in places where people want to be and that are in the path of progress, I think it's excellent when we can work with developers to identify opportunities outside the city limits. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments? All right, Miss Johnson followed by Miss I was going to say tier one, Miss Brown. >> No problem. Mhm. >> So, um, thank you for the presentation and I see that it's there are the 30% AMI, which is the truly affordable rate, which I'm always advocating for, but my concern would be that it's outside of Charlotte also. And um, I don't know how individuals would be able to get if they work in Charlotte. You know, our goal is for people to be able to live, work, and play in the city. So, I don't >> I don't see that I'm going to be supporting this because it is outside of the city. >> Thank you, David. >> Okay, >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. I I love the fact that um you know, it's affordable as well. The problem I have though is um for maybe some folks that are watching that are concerned about being able to have affordable housing just right in the area of Charlotte. And I know we're growing and 157 people are moving here per day, but I'm going to have to um be with Council Member Johnson on this one. As far as um reaching up to Davidson, we have uh so many concerned people right here in right here just in Charlotte City limit like right in my district for instance, district three. And so I I wouldn't be able to support this. It's a nice project. It looks good, but I would, you know, this allocate. I get it, but I would have to say no. >> All right. Thank you. All right, Miss Mayfield. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I had a followup, Mr. Wooten. And and for my colleagues, I wanted to clarify why I asked the question because it's been a little while since we've had one of these. I think we've had more of them in previous years, but because Charlotte is the largest, we house the funds that then go out to other areas. So, it's been done years ago, but I think this is one of the first times that this council has had an opportunity to see one of these projects. And I probably didn't preface it the right way in the beginning when I asked you, Mr. So it sounded more like a setup versus I knew that you knew to give the answer as to the why, but I wanted to make sure that we all since this again the first time that we've had an opportunity, but for the 600,000 because we are the largest agency and the fact that we did identify that what we received was 2,976 749 in the home funds. the home funds just that one pocket of money is what's opened up with a roll in RFP. This just happened to be one of the times in this >> correct. Thank you, Miss Mayfield. Let me provide a little bit of clarification. Again, we're only talking about your home funds, which is a federal pass through dollar, >> not the trust fund. >> Again, we are the lead agency, but the funding is is funding that's available to the entire county. Uh this is the third project that I know that you funded. um you've funded projects also in Matthews and in Huntersville in a same in the same method >> but yeah over the period of years correct so I think it would have just for Mr. manager and for team when we have because it's so far and few between that there's just a reminder blurb in the explanation that that is why we do this because just these home funds not our housing trust fund dollars this is open to the region and here is why >> that is correct >> okay just for clarification thank you >> and this is one of those that we might have gotten a a presentation about a small presentation So yeah, thank you. >> All right, we have a motion on the floor. >> Did we have >> I'm sorry. We have not >> I'll make a motion for A and B. >> Yeah, we have a motion. >> We have a motion from Mr. Mitchell. And now any discussion? Any further discussion? Okay. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hands. >> One, two, three, four. >> And Peacock, you got six. >> Six, right? So, we have six. All right. And >> can you make a note of >> I'm going to go back and say on anyone that opposes >> two. Thank you very much. All right. So, the next item is item 11. Approve an allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act ER two funds in the amount of $2,600,000 to Dreamkey Partners Inc. for the acquisition of New Wesley Apartments and authorize the city manager or his designate to negotiate, execute, amend, and renew contracts as needed to complete these transactions. Do I have a motion? >> So move second. >> Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Miss May. >> Miss Mayfield. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. I want to share one why I am supportive of this mainly because this is a building that already has residents in it that are at the 60% AMI which is different than a lot of our other projects because I have shared with my colleagues and with the manager the concern that I have of our city becoming a heavily residential rental >> and more transient city versus owner occupied. So, which if we can remember last Monday without a lot of discussion, I was just a note on a number of projects mainly because I'm concerned about all the apartments that we're getting. But for this particular project, I had a chance to do a little bit more research and just like my colleagues actually meet and have a conversation with representation of Dream Key and learned that this particular project whereas corporate buyers are coming in and buying up almost all the older apartments, rehabbing them and the residents are having to leave. I appreciate that the work of Dream Key with identifying this one. We are going to be able to keep people in place that are in that 60% area median income and be able to go in and make some investments to bring this property up to today's standard. So, I just wanted to share that. Thank you, mayor. >> All right. Any other comments on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor, please raise your hand. >> All right. I think that's unanimous. ownership is the key. >> Thank you very much. A lot of hard work going on out there and we appreciate what you guys do. Thanks so much. >> All right. So, now we have come to the place where we have appointments. So, the city council will um consider nominations to various boards and commissions. Council members have voted I think by ballot and submitted their ballots to the clerk. Is there anyone that needs to submit their ballot? Hearing none. Any nominee receiving six or more votes is automatically appointed if no nominee receives at least six votes. A runoff is necessary and the council will be asked to vote um at some point to have a runoff. So um but tonight we are here to determine the highest vote getter. That person again will be appointed to the board. All appointments will be recorded in the official minutes of this meeting and the clerk will now proceed with announcing of the results of the ballots. Our appointments are Hi, Mary. Um, appointments to the business advisory committee. >> Um, yes ma'am, mayor and councel. Um, for the business advisory committee, Perry Joiner has been appointed. And for the firefighters relief fund board of trustees, there is a tie vote that will have to come back at your September 22nd u meeting. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Mayfield. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I actually want to >> um apologize directly to our clerk. I sent an email when we get receive all the information and I was unclear when I was I read the nominations for tonight differently even though the nominations were coming back to us. What I didn't realize when I went through my packet that my paper was stuck to something else and that we had received it. So, I was wondering why the names were coming back. So, I appreciate you immediately responding to clear that up. But since I copy all of us on our emails when I send over all my questions over, I did want to acknowledge that because thank you, Madame Clerk Kelly, for reminding me that this was us having to come back because we still haven't hit that six plus yet. I did have a question and I don't know if it would be a question for our attorney or for our manager because one of the candidates for appointment is someone that's on the ballot right now. So I'm just wondering do we have anything regarding when people since it's election season sometimes things shift sometimes they don't like there's things that we can't do as city members but if someone is actively seeking office will we would they still be in consideration for an appointment basically a month or two months prior to election or would that be something that we possibly shouldn't consider? I don't know. I was wondering I was that's was one of the questions that I asked. >> I think an individual still remains uh eligible to serve until elected and then once elected >> and if elected then we will have to go through the process of appointing someone else. >> Miss Watlington had to do that when she served on the civil service board. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And was elected. >> Okay. >> All right. >> So you have some experienced people to rely on. So all right. So, um, that now concludes our business items or for the vote this evening. Um, now we're going to open up from council topics and I think the last the last time we did this, we started here. So, I thought we might start with Miss Amira first around this side and come around this way. Miss Amira. Okay. Got me off guard. Oh, thank you, Madam Mayor. First, I just want to recognize uh we had AP government class here from Providence Day. Um, so I just wanted to recognize uh there are a couple of students here from Providence. >> So that's that's great to see young people here. [Applause] >> Um, second, in past couple of days, I've heard from several constituents regarding um how they're afraid to ride our public buses, especially after recent violent incidents. And that is concerning. Um, clearly our current safety policies is are not enough and with the referendum this November, I'm even more concerned because we cannot let fear drive people away. So I would like uh city manager to provide us immediate steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of our riders, our operators and to restore the confidence in our system. >> Thank you. >> All right, Miss Watlington. >> Are you Are you done? >> Yeah, I'm done. Mayor, Miss Watlington, >> I don't have anything at this moment. I'll let you all change. >> Miss Mayfield, >> I'm going to take all of Dr. Watlington's time. I I wasn't surprised by that. >> Right. Right. Mr. Manager, you have someone backing you up on notes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, one, the gentleman that came down earlier that gave a recommendation regarding 311. We put a lot of energy and time in the creation of CLT Plus in the packet that he noted. He also noted some recommendations on how we can update that. It would be helpful to receive a update on where we are with the CLT Plus app and making it more useful and more accessible for our residents. Also, regarding the natural pollinators, I think we have an opportunity to have a conversation with partnering with Tree Charlotte since when you actually utilize Tree Charlotte, they actually take you through a 30 45 minute training. That would be a great way for us to look at the type of trees that homeowners may be planting and or neighborhoods with identifying ways to protect our pollination. When we're looking at our housing funds, the funds that we actually contribute through the housing trust funds, I don't know if we've actually implemented a true tracking mechanism, meaning a number of our elders, including a elder that I spoke with just earlier this morning at Hal Marshall, are being priced out of these senior housing projects that we have. So the North Carolina Finance Housing Agency has an escalation clause in their application. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you have to do it. So we have individual home owners that have not increased their rents because their rents you have a stable resident. other things. I would like for us to put some real energy and identifying more accountability on our end with these partners because when I also reached out to the North Carolina Finance Housing Agency, one of the lead personnel said the majority of their complaints are coming from Charlotte regarding multif family and specifically tied to our elders and what is happening at facilities as well as if we have a senior facility, it should be in our planning language or somewhere the type of bathroom it is. Grab bars should be automatic versus a person having to and or request it without submitting a letter saying that they have a disability. Also, we have tubs versus walk-in or a garden shower. Those tubs are a hindrance for someone who may have different physical challenges with getting in and out of them when we're saying this is housing specifically for our older community. I heard today from multiple people that um a new police chief has been named even though we just said that we are putting out a survey. There is a name that has been mentioned and evidently someone in media has also mentioned a name. It would be nice if that's just >> seen it or heard it. Thank God. >> I think there were I don't know the name. So >> right that's that's why I'm bringing it to you for us to have clarification because what I shared with them is no. According to our leadership team we have not I don't know where you have this name from yet. At the same time we are talking about putting out a survey. So then the question was asked how is that going to be done? So I think clarification on that would be helpful coming from your office. Are we looking at you mentioned earlier that you have staff working on the positives regarding the transit tax. What I would like to know is are we also looking at the challenges that may arise with a sales tax specifically with it being managed by an authority as we have had challenges with MTC as an authority and when we made that decision long before you and I ever came here. But are we looking at both sides so that we can present that to the community because there is a lot of conversation happening regarding this 27 board 27 member board looking at Dallas or Denver or some other places that don't have boards nearly as large as the one we're talking about. What exactly would be the author the authority and when it has basically been mandated that this in large part are going to be business people versus community writers that is part of the conversation that's happening on the ground in community. I just think if we're bringing and trying to identify the positives, we also need to be very transparent of here are some of the challenges we run into with the blue line, the blue line extension. Here are some of the challenges with MTC under an authority. Here are the possibilities because I don't believe in unintended consequences. So if we have that conversation and present all that information, I think that will be received by more people because the conversation that I am hearing in in different community events is really leading to the nos and there are very valid concerns that the community has. So on our end, I think it would benefit us to be able to identify that as well as something that was identified that I think would be very helpful. We look at best practices from other cities. There are other communities where their bus and their rail are on a computer system where they're aligned. So right now, if you're on the bus, I was speaking to a bus rider earlier today. if his driver is 5 minutes late, he misses that next bus. The bus, if you go to the cat's app, the cat's app doesn't give you the ability to do a round trip. The CAT app isn't necessarily giving you the ability to go from that bus to get to bus two to get to the rail to do what you need to do and give you the route to come back. So we have an opportunity still utilizing technology of creating some synergy to actually align so that you don't have that two or three minute delay on leg one that then puts you in a position where you're waiting 30 40 minutes for that next bus to come. That seems like and the question will be the type of system that we have because we have an MTC is that something that we can get in alignment because I believe with the other cities they actually control their transportation system so it may be a little easier but I think that would help us when we look at how do we utilize AI and technology and that's it. Thank you mayor >> Mr. Peacock. >> Okay. Um, on a positive note, uh, last week from district 6, I wanted to report out, uh, a really great visit. As we all know, South Park area partners and the public private partnership that we approved for $8 million with Symphony Park was an also a transformative uh, decision for the South Park area. But just last week and being the newest council member being appointed on May 20th, I got the good fortune to get caught up with St. Lloyd's Presbyterian Church in the cemetery that's located on Colony and Sharon Road, which is predominantly a historically black cemetery. Uh I have lived in District 6 my whole life and was simply unaware and very very impressed to see that we are taking efforts from both the county as well as the city side. And I believe that they will be coming in concert with others that are raising money to elevate that really powerful site uh that's located not very far from this dis right here um that many did not know. Most people don't believe that South Park has any history at all. In fact, it actually has a lot uh and as evidenced by Sharon Presbyterian and then its sister St. Lloyd's Presbyterian tied to tied to uh Career Heights in District 1 >> um as well too. So um that was a big positive to see that working in concert with South Park area partners our um our municipal area plan. Second topic I want to shift to um I think everybody at this dasis received the same news as as we all have to hear about the criminal activity that's been occurring throughout this summer. Uh we know about the mass shooting that occurred in uptown Charlotte that led uh to a lot of fear in that area. We just last week learned that a bus rider on a CAT's bus not far from Carolina Place Mall was assailed by four individuals. Um, and we just learned on Friday night that there was a stabbing at a very prominent area right in the heart of Southoun, probably at the very apex of what many people considered to actually be the South End. Uh, manager, you know that I emailed you. I wanted to make it public what my request was. Um, also just building off what Mrs. Ashmeir wanted. I wanted to know any details about the victim on this East Boulevard shooting uh as well as this victim that we have um at Carolina Place Mall. Any information about the accused suspect, including past records that can be disclosed. Um and then data and trends on criminal activity along the light rail over the past 36 months and any actions that have been taken by cats and CMPD. Now, why I'm underscoring this and why I think it's so important is the very reason that Azer and all of us here who know what is on the ballot this November, which is the continued continuence of the expansion of our our transit system and the transit system that we have all put so much energy and effort into and that we feel is one of the best in the in the country. And all I know from my experience living in Washington DC and having a lot of friends in Atlanta is that the moment that the transit system starts to become something where it's not considered to be safe is the moment in which you begin to lose riders, you begin to lose the momentum that you want to keep. And I don't want to see our community, I know our council doesn't want to see that as well too. And that's why I want to request, do we have a trend, Mr. Manager? Do we have something that we need to respond to? We are in a gap period right now. We do not have a police chief that is coming in. he is going out. Is that the cause of this? I don't believe so. I'm not pointing a finger at CMPD. But what I do want is I want us to be proactive and not be reactive to this. And most importantly, I want our public to know that we care about citizens that are being harmed and especially at such an egregious nature on a public transit system that we have direct authority over. Thank you, Mrs. Mayor and Mr. Manager. Thank you, >> Mayor Pro Tim. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, I just have three points. I wanted to speak on first is just to thank our civil servants. So, our firemen and uh police officer as well as medic for a very successful pride uh fest that we had. There was several calls around heat exhaustion, but there was really no real issues and it was in a new location in First Ward Park and I was out there on both days speaking to uh several participants and a lot of people visiting our city for the first time. So, um I I just wanted to thank publicly our our officers and medic officers as well because they they did an incredible job. The other point I want to bring up and and one of the residents spoke about it is, you know, we continue to hear about these street vendors, but in particular food vendors in Southoun and Uptown and other parts of the city as well. And I I want to make sure that yes uh that the public knows the city of Charlotte, we are doing our part, but we also have to tap into our partners in Meckllinmberg County in particular for these food vendors. Um it is a it's a public health concern and they should reach out to their um board of county commissioners representation around the food vending that's going on because it is a violation and uh we need the county to help us with that. And then last lastly Mr. Manager I just wanted to talk about the office for youth opportunities that you are standing up. I think this is a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for us as a city to begin to address some of the underlying challenges we have with our youth. We know and some of us have have sort of held up, you know, what Baltimore has done over the last year or so and their mayor, I I know their mayor doing a great job of reducing um violent incidents by investing in youth and giving them opportunities. What I also know is that 90% of the conversations I have with CMPD about arrest and other things going on in District 1, 90% of them are young males under the age of 25 who who have guns who are distributing drugs and other things. So, we just really need to ensure that this doesn't get lost um in everything that we do. Uh Mr. manager. We need to make sure that we're getting updates on what the office is doing, what the office needs. Um, I hope that we we all as council members um can connect and be advocates for this office because it's going to directly impact public safety and hopefully directly impact the reduction of violent crime. That's it, Madame Mayor. Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Mitchell. >> Nothing for me, ma'am. All right, Miss Johnson. >> Um, thank you, Madame Mayor. Just two things. I also want to some information about the incidents on cats, uh, the the blue line. We have an email that cats consolidated our safety and security to a vendor, professional security services. Is that correct? Okay. So, I think we should get an update from that vendor. some information about the security services because we have a contractor. So, um I'd like to know when their contract is up and you know just more information about this vendor and what what reports were receiving or what outcomes or outputs that we are requiring for for the vendor. We we do need our our citizens to to feel safe and to be safe on the train. So, I'd like some information on the security company. And secondly, I want to lift up Tommy Nichols and the Queen City Arts Festival this weekend over at the Boardwalk from 3 to 8:00 p.m. It's going to be a great event, Labor Day weekend at the Boardwalk. So, I hope everyone comes out to District 4 to the Queen City Arts Festival. Thank you, >> Miss Brown. >> Yeah, thank you so much, Madame Mayor. That is a good festival. It's not in my district, but I always go and I like being up there on the water. So, shout out to Tommy Nichols who's doing a great great job with that festival and people come in from all over the city. I want to go back to our youth. One, this young man is still here. Um, let me see. It's Zach, correct? I just want to say thank you so much, Zach. I um really connect with the youth. I'm forever young. I claim that. And um but what you said, your knowledge of policy and what we can do or what we can try to do, a good example of making good trouble. And so I just want to say thank you so much and I want to acknowledge you again for addressing us and bringing the Dylan rule to the council for us to reimagine and rethink that. So thank you so much for that. That I had that on hand. I sent you your picture. So thank you. Thank you. It mean it means a lot to me to hear that from you and our young people are truly our future and our leaders. And so think about coming on down this way. Okay. Really truly um the $3 million that uh Madame Mayor the $3 million that we're being, you know, using to um get out the word for the transit. Is there is that I'm I'm just asking is that that's a question that I'm asking that >> of city money? >> No. No, not city money. No, no. Is it Mech something? >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. Mech. The Alliance. >> Oh, the Mech the Alliance. I don't not the city. That's why I'm I'm asking for clarification. >> It is from the um >> Right. So, some of my constituents as they're coming out to the polls and people are asking about um how it's being used and where I'm not sure if we know or but but when when money comes out, people don't know if it's different through the city county. We all get misconcred. So, I just want to try to get the clarification on it. But um a lot of them have concerns which my colleagues have already expressed about transit riders, the workers and just the violence that come with that. So we could kind of address that. I don't know how we would address that, but that's something that I would like to address. And then I wanted to go back to um the city manager with um I've been advocating for the animal shelter to be over. So can you explain that? talk about that general services and what that looks like. >> Uh >> do you mind? Oh, you want >> No, that's sure. Uh thank you, Council Member Brown. >> So, one of the things we found out by moving animal care and control from uh CMPD into the general services, it was very difficult going through CMPD's processes to even foster animals. So that was step one, trying to make sure that it's a lot easier for the general public to engage. Um the other thing that we're doing is I think it's an investment about $30 million >> to um build out a new uh adoption center. I think that's the best way to describe it. as well as as we continue to evolve, trying to find ways to make sure that the experience uh is a better experience for all of those who are involved. So, we're spending time with Dr. Fiser. We're spending time with >> Yes, Dr. Fisher is amazing. Yes. >> Yes. With this transition to um you know provide for a better opportunities. >> Okay. Thank you so much. That's a start. >> Good. they are really um that group that tribe >> the people that support the animal shelter they show up and they show out. So thank you for just hearing us not just me because other council members head that initiative as well but that's something that they've been pounding on. So I think it's a great start >> in the right direction. So I think Dr. Fisher and his team and the animal lovers of those little creatures they'll be happy about that. I want to go back to the gang balance. There's um uh there's a couple of young people that I know that have died in the city recently. I'll be attending I think a funeral this week. And in addition to me attending the the homegoing celebration and funeral services, the the gang violence is very very concerning. Um, not only is some they've lost somebody, but then the retaliators are going back to the house and like still initiating gun violence while the loved ones are trying to prepare for someone that they've lost. That was brought to my attention this week. It's not in my district, but it's in our city. So, it affects all of us. And so, I anything that we can do, I know that we got the Katie Blessing Center coming. I'm so excited about that. >> Congratulations. It opened this week. >> Yes, it did. Did it open this week? I thought it was going to be next week. Is this week? >> No, it's it's it just so >> Okay. Just open. Okay. So, that's awesome. That's good stuff. >> Was it? I didn't even know. Did we do a ribbon cutting or anything? >> I I think a long time a long time ago, >> but they just had I think an opening today. >> Reopening or soft opening? >> I think it was a real one. >> A real opening. Okay. All right. No problem. So, that young lady, her mom was here. Um Shila Nordon. I just want her to know that we do hear her loud and clear and u we do we are very concerned about >> um the ballots with our youth. But I think the more activities that we have for our youth, the more that we are engaged with them and involved with them and put people in front of them that can identify um according to data and metrics some of the things that they've been through. We'll be able to address that. And of course, West Boulevard. You and I have been talking about West Boulevard for a long time. um if we can do that drive down West Boulevard from one end to the other because I can tell you about West Boulevard what it used to be and what it is now and how concerned I'm concerned about all my district every all all of district 3 but West Boulevard has been if we can reimagine West Boulevard looking like Bad Road and a bank on on West Boulevard would just change the whole trajectory of what West Boulevard could be and what it could look like. We we care about West Boulevard, the small businesses over there. So, I would like to do that ride with you. I know we prolonged it, but after September the 9th, can we schedule the ride? Cuz I'm busy at the phones. I got some work to do. And last but not least, Tyler, um the South Vendors, we do care. We hear you loud and clear. Some of those concerns cannot be addressed and fixed overnight, but when we get an email and we respond to it, doesn't mean that we don't care. We have 10 other amazing people that sit on this council and we have to collaborate because I have one vote even though it's in my district and I'm trying to get people to understand that I can lead the charge and lead a project. But I still have to get my colleagues on board to support it because we still need five other votes with mine district three. I love y'all but I still need five other votes. So that concern is something I know that they want the pallet to be launched, but we have to look at the specifications of NOTA versus the specifications of South End and see how we can make those work together like a puzzle. And it don't always work that way. >> Absolutely right. >> Because of regulations and different things like that. So Tyler, we hear you. South End, we hear you. We care about you just like we care about Nota. Just have a little bit patience for us and we'll work through it for you. That's all that I have. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. I think that is had everyone has had the opportunity. So, um I think there's opportunity for a motion to adjourn. >> So, move second. >> We have a motion and second and all in favor say I. I. >> All right. Thank you very much all of you. I think this is working better for us. So, the people I think especially to communicate with each other. We're learning a lot. Thank you all for this. We will see you. [Music]