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Record of Proceedings

Charlotte City Council Business Meeting Summary – February 26, 2024

City Council — Monday, February 26, 2024
BodyCharlotte, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, February 26, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, Patrick Baker, City Attorney.

0:03

Ed Driggs, District 7.

0:05

Bilows, Mayor.

0:07

Dante Anderson, Mayor Pro Tem, District 1.

0:10

Gimpolar Schmidor at Large.

0:13

Good evening, Jane Smith at large.

0:15

All right.

0:16

So I think that we have a couple of things that I would say.

0:21

If we have our consent agenda, and so do we have any reports or questions that have been presented to you?

0:31

The staff Miss Marie?

0:34

Yes, ma'am.

0:34

And I've gotten a chance to talk with council member Mayfield on her questions and a couple of other folks, but does anybody else have any outstanding questions that I haven't covered?

0:48

I don't see anyone with other questions.

0:51

Do you have a handout for us?

0:55

Yes, ma'am.

0:56

It's at everyone's seat if they want to look over that.

0:59

Okay.

0:59

Is everybody?

1:01

Ah, yes.

1:02

Agenda item questions.

1:07

All right.

1:07

Are there any comments or does I know that I have a request that we have consent items nine 13 through 45 may be considered in one motion, except for those items that may be removed by a council member?

1:23

And I understand we have one for a separate vote as well as a comment that can be made before a vote on the um any motion.

1:33

So yes, ma'am, and we also have 45 who would that's been deferred.

1:38

45 has been deferred.

1:40

Um the fire station um which is item 30 would be a comment by Miss Watlington.

1:46

But let's see if we can get a motion on the floor for and number 17.

1:53

I'm sorry, I you're right.

1:55

I have it written down here 17.

1:57

It's firehouse 30.

1:58

That's what you were referencing to.

1:59

Yeah, I know.

2:00

Figure that out today.

2:01

Okay, so um the separate vote.

2:05

Was there an item for a separate vote?

2:07

No, ma'am.

2:08

I had an item for comment on 17, the firehouse 30 from Miss Watlington was willing to make a comment.

2:15

All right, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda 13 through 44?

2:22

Item 45 has been deferred by staff, and um if we can get the motion on the table, then I will recognize Miss Watkin.

2:30

So moved.

2:31

We have a motion, second.

2:33

All right, so Ms.

2:35

Watlington, your comment on station 30 fired to station 30, item 17.

2:42

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

2:42

For the record, Victoria Wattlington serving at large.

2:44

I just wanted to comment because I know there's been a bit of conversation around um how we go to business and what that means in terms of MWSBE support.

2:54

Um, I will be supporting this particular um procurement item tonight, but I do want to lift up that I absolutely expect to see a continued focus around how do we um update our procurement methods such that we can um support more MWSBE in our community being the largest city in the state, we look around um at some of our peers and see that they have made great strides in economic mobility through um MWSBE participation and so I'd like to see us do do do more, frankly.

3:26

Uh so just wanted to make sure that we noted that at the top of the year.

3:29

Thanks.

3:30

All right, very relevant comments.

3:31

Thank you, Miss Watlington.

3:33

Um, so with that, we have the motion on the floor.

3:36

Any other comments?

3:37

Yes, Ms.

3:39

Ashmira.

3:42

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

3:43

So item number 30 is for all electric firehouse, and that's one of our first ones.

3:50

So I wanted to highlight that.

3:52

Um it's certainly um this further shows our commitment to our CF goals to transition to transition towards low carbon future, uh, where we have a goal of going carbon-free by 2030 for all of our internal facilities.

4:11

So this is a bull step forward, and I appreciate the work that fire department and our sustainability staff has done to make this goal um a reality step by step.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%
International Relations███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Animal Welfare█████5%
Capital Investment Plan████4%
Public Private Partnership███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Charlotte City Council Business Meeting – February 26, 2024

The Charlotte City Council convened for its regular business meeting on February 26, 2024, beginning with an afternoon Action Review session and an evening Business Meeting. The council received updates on the Spectrum Center agreement and American Rescue Plan funds, approved consent agenda items, conducted a public hearing on certificates of participation, and adopted federal and state legislative agendas. A significant portion of the public forum focused on calls for a Gaza ceasefire resolution, and the city attorney announced an appeal in the Sanders Partnership landfill case.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved consent agenda items 13 through 44 unanimously. Item 45 was deferred by staff. Councilmember Victoria Watlington expressed support for item 17 (Firehouse #30), while urging a continued focus on increasing MWSBE participation in city procurement. Councilmember Dimple Ajmera highlighted that Firehouse #30 will be the city's first all-electric firehouse, supporting Strategic Energy Action Plan goals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gaza Ceasefire Advocates: Several residents, including Sam Polak (Jewish Voice for Peace), Randa Eldirini, Salwa Muhammad, Caitlin White, Dima Rashid, and Robert Rosenthal, urged the council to pass a permanent ceasefire resolution in Gaza. Speakers described the situation as a genocide, emphasized the loss of over 30,000 Palestinians, and requested the city join municipalities like Durham in calling for a ceasefire. Some speakers addressed misconceptions about the phrase "from the river to the sea" and stressed that the issue is humanitarian, not antisemitic.
  • Other Public Comments:
    • Sandy Clory petitioned to rename a portion of East and West Boulevard to "Judge Fulton Way" and establish an annual Judge Shirley Fulton Day.
    • Alex Costanis Holiday (Windsor Kittens) requested line-item funding for trap-neuter-return programs to address community cat overpopulation.
    • Jesus De La Torre (Charlotte running community) thanked the city for increased greenway safety presence and proposed solar-powered lighting.
    • Gray Madrid (Charlotte Metro DSA) advocated for improved public transit reliability and supported a tenant right-to-counsel ordinance.
    • Rohan Kiani (eighth grader) proposed a computer system (EquiMed) to triage pediatric rheumatology patients.
    • Arthur Griffin (county commissioner) raised concerns about a communications dead zone in the Ballantyne area, delaying first responders, and requested a moratorium on new developments until the issue is resolved.
    • Dr. Cassandra Lilly requested that Animal Care and Control become an independent city department with increased funding for a new shelter.

Discussion Items

Spectrum Center Agreement Update

  • Tracy Dodson (City Manager’s Office) presented a comparison of the 2022 and proposed 2024 agreement with the Hornets’ new ownership. Key changes include shifting $30 million from the Performance Enhancement Center (PEC) to arena improvements (city-owned), allowing the Hornets to own and develop the PEC on a larger portion of the gravel lot, and granting the Hornets development rights for the remainder of the lot. The city would gain 250 parking spaces for employees and an estimated $18 million in property tax revenue over 15 years. The net benefit to the city is approximately $5 million compared to the 2022 deal.
  • Council members raised questions: Councilmember Ajmera requested a detailed breakdown of the math and expressed concern about investing $30 million in a facility the city would not own. Councilmember Driggs circulated his own reconciliation showing a net gain of $4.73 million and noted the deal reduces city risk. Councilmember Bokhari requested diligence on assumptions and input from the hospitality industry. Councilmember Mayfield asked about community commitment days (12 days) and legal review. City Attorney Baker confirmed legal staff will be involved before the next committee meeting. City Manager Jones outlined next steps: discussion at the Economic Development Committee on March 4, with a potential vote by the end of March.

American Rescue Plan Update

  • Shawn Heath (City Manager’s Office) provided an update on ARPA funding. The city received $141.6 million in ARPA funds (two installments of $70.8 million). Approximately two-thirds ($94.5 million) was invested in community-facing programs (community vitality, jobs/business/MWSBE, housing/anti-displacement). Only $3 million remains unallocated, earmarked for workforce development. Interest earned on unspent ARPA funds totals $6.75 million with no spending deadline. Staff will scrub open projects in March-April to ensure obligations are met by December 31, 2024, and expenditures by December 31, 2026.
  • Council members praised the swift and effective distribution. Councilmember Mitchell asked that future proposals align with council priorities. Councilmember Molina suggested developing a clear rationale for allocating remaining funds. Councilmember Watlington proposed using interest earnings as a revolving fund for high-leverage projects. Councilmember Mayfield raised compliance and auditing concerns, and City Manager Jones noted an audit of CARES Act funds through Foundation for the Carolinas found minimal issues.

Landfill Litigation Update (City Manager’s Report)

  • City Attorney Patrick Baker announced that the city filed a notice of appeal on February 26 in the case of Sanders Partnership v. City of Charlotte, concerning a landfill variance near a residential area. The appeal stays enforcement of a court order directing the zoning board to grant the variance. Councilmembers Mayfield, Mitchell, and Johnson requested a review of UDO language to prevent future landfills in residential zones and potential state/federal legislative advocacy.

Public Hearing on Certificates of Participation

  • The council opened and closed a public hearing on an installment financing contract not exceeding $137,000,000 for equipment acquisition and facility improvements (including CMPD Northwest police station, a police helicopter, ADA improvements, fire facilities, CMGC HVAC, Charlotte Water equipment). No public speakers. The council then approved the financing unanimously.

2024 Federal and State Legislative Agendas

  • Councilmember Ajmera, chair of the Budget, Governance, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, moved adoption of the agendas. The agendas focus on infrastructure, economic development, community, and mobility, incorporating feedback from the mayor and council. Approved unanimously.

Affordable Housing Development Support Reallocation

  • The council approved reallocating up to $1,000,000 from Housing Trust Fund support for Evoke Living at Morris Field to Evoke Living at Ballantyne (60 units, 75-year affordability period). The development will serve households earning up to 80% AMI, with 12 units at 30% AMI, 32 at 60%, and 16 at 80%. Unanimously approved.

Civilian Crash Investigation Program

  • The council adopted a budget ordinance appropriating $1,271,000 from the Municipal Debt Service Fund for vehicles for a new program with 16 civilian crash investigators. The program will handle property-damage-only crashes, freeing sworn officers. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (items 13-44) approved unanimously. Item 45 deferred.
  • Spectrum Center Agreement: Council gave direction to proceed with committee discussion on March 4, aiming for a final vote by March 31.
  • ARPA Update: Staff will report quarterly; $3 million earmarked for workforce; $6.75 million interest available for future council direction.
  • Landfill appeal: Filed February 26; city attorney will keep council and public informed.
  • COPs Financing: Approved not to exceed $137 million.
  • Federal and State Legislative Agendas: Approved.
  • Affordable Housing Reallocation: Approved up to $1 million for Evoke Living at Ballantyne.
  • Civilian Crash Investigation Program: Approved $1,271,000 for vehicles.
  • Waste Management Advisory Board Appointments: George White appointed.

No other votes were taken.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, Patrick Baker, City Attorney. Ed Driggs, District 7. Bilows, Mayor. Dante Anderson, Mayor Pro Tem, District 1. Gimpolar Schmidor at Large. Good evening, Jane Smith at large. All right. So I think that we have a couple of things that I would say. If we have our consent agenda, and so do we have any reports or questions that have been presented to you? The staff Miss Marie? Yes, ma'am. And I've gotten a chance to talk with council member Mayfield on her questions and a couple of other folks, but does anybody else have any outstanding questions that I haven't covered? I don't see anyone with other questions. Do you have a handout for us? Yes, ma'am. It's at everyone's seat if they want to look over that. Okay. Is everybody? Ah, yes. Agenda item questions. All right. Are there any comments or does I know that I have a request that we have consent items nine 13 through 45 may be considered in one motion, except for those items that may be removed by a council member? And I understand we have one for a separate vote as well as a comment that can be made before a vote on the um any motion. So yes, ma'am, and we also have 45 who would that's been deferred. 45 has been deferred. Um the fire station um which is item 30 would be a comment by Miss Watlington. But let's see if we can get a motion on the floor for and number 17. I'm sorry, I you're right. I have it written down here 17. It's firehouse 30. That's what you were referencing to. Yeah, I know. Figure that out today. Okay, so um the separate vote. Was there an item for a separate vote? No, ma'am. I had an item for comment on 17, the firehouse 30 from Miss Watlington was willing to make a comment. All right, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda 13 through 44? Item 45 has been deferred by staff, and um if we can get the motion on the table, then I will recognize Miss Watkin. So moved. We have a motion, second. All right, so Ms. Watlington, your comment on station 30 fired to station 30, item 17. Thank you, Madam Mayor. For the record, Victoria Wattlington serving at large. I just wanted to comment because I know there's been a bit of conversation around um how we go to business and what that means in terms of MWSBE support. Um, I will be supporting this particular um procurement item tonight, but I do want to lift up that I absolutely expect to see a continued focus around how do we um update our procurement methods such that we can um support more MWSBE in our community being the largest city in the state, we look around um at some of our peers and see that they have made great strides in economic mobility through um MWSBE participation and so I'd like to see us do do do more, frankly. Uh so just wanted to make sure that we noted that at the top of the year. Thanks. All right, very relevant comments.

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