Charlotte City Council Business Meeting Summary - May 13, 2024

The Charlotte City Council held a business meeting on May 13, 2024, starting with an Action Review session at 5:00 PM and the regular business meeting at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The meeting included a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget and Capital Investment Plan, presentations on Center City Partners and committee updates, and votes on bond referendums, affordable housing preservation, and various appointments. Over 70 residents spoke during the budget public hearing, advocating for increased funding for affordable housing, worker wages, animal services, arts, and bicycle infrastructure.

Consent Calendar

• Items 29 through 59 were approved in a single motion, with the exception of items 34 (Unspecified Demolition and Environmental Services) and 46 (Transit Technical and Planning Assistance Consultant Services), which were pulled for separate discussion.
• Councilmember Mayfield raised concerns about the process for ensuring all listed vendors receive contracts, leading to a commitment from staff to develop a written policy for rotating vendors and tracking contact attempts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget Public Hearing (Item 9): Over 70 speakers addressed the council. Key themes included:
  • Housing and Anti-Displacement: Many speakers expressed support for the proposed $100 million housing bond, with a request for $25 million to be directed toward homeownership programs and anti-displacement initiatives. Speakers from the Redress Movement, West Side Community Land Trust, and the NES Commission advocated for this allocation.
  • Worker Wages: Several city employees and union representatives (UE 150) called for a $25 per hour minimum wage, a 6% raise, a 4% 401(k) contribution, and daily overtime. They argued that current wages are insufficient to live in Charlotte.
  • Animal Services: Multiple speakers, including volunteers and foster parents, urged the council to make Animal Care and Control an independent department and fund a new shelter. They noted that nearly 300 animals had been euthanized in 2024 due to lack of space and resources.
  • Arts and Culture: Representatives from the Mint Museum, Charlotte Ballet, Charlotte is Creative, and other organizations supported the proposed $11 million in arts funding, emphasizing its economic impact and role in community identity. The Charlotte Museum of History requested inclusion in regular funding.
  • Bicycle Infrastructure: Sustained Charlotte and the Bicycle Advisory Committee requested $10 million annually for bike lanes, arguing it would improve safety, reduce traffic deaths, and support Vision Zero goals.
  • Right to Counsel: Housing justice advocates asked for $1.8 million to fund eviction defense legal services, matching a proposed county contribution.
  • Youth Violence Prevention: A speaker noted a 33% increase in juvenile-involved shootings in 2023 and urged proactive investment in alternatives to violence.

Discussion Items

• Center City Partners Update (Action Review): Michael Smith, President of Center City Partners, presented an annual update on the Center City Municipal Service Districts. He highlighted progress on the North Tryon Tech Hub, the reimagining of Tryon Street, and efforts to address office vacancy and public safety. Councilmembers discussed the need for destination retail, workforce parking, and the redevelopment of the Epicenter (now Queen City Quarters).
• Committee Reports: Councilmember Driggs reported on the Transportation and Planning Committee meeting, noting a clean audit of CATS’ financial management by the FTA and a plan to close a loophole in the conservation option of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The committee recommended moving forward with a vote on May 20 to amend the UDO, with a compact development option to follow in June.
• Alley Closure Notification (Item 8): Councilmember Mayfield raised concerns about residents not receiving certified mail notices for an alley closure between Heath Court and Hawthorne Lane. Staff explained that notifications are sent via certified mail and signage is posted, but the council asked staff to explore additional notification methods.

Key Outcomes

• Item 8 (Alley Closure): Approved 10-1 (one opposed) to conduct the public hearing and adopt a resolution closing a portion of two alleyways between Heath Court and Hawthorne Lane.
• Item 11 (CBIAC Term Length): Approved unanimously to change the term length for the Charlotte Business Inclusion Advisory Committee from two to three years.
• Item 12 (General Obligation Bond Referendum): Approved 10-1 (Councilmember Driggs recorded as opposed) to authorize staff to proceed with a $400 million bond referendum on November 5, 2024, including $238.3 million for streets, $100 million for housing, and $61.7 million for neighborhood improvements.
• Item 13 (General Obligation Refunding Bonds): Approved unanimously to authorize refunding up to $70 million of outstanding 2014A bonds.
• Item 14 (Water Sewer Revenue Bonds): Approved unanimously to authorize up to $610 million in revenue bonds and $500 million in bond anticipation notes for water and sewer projects.
• Item 15 (NOAH Preservation Support): Approved 10-1 (Councilmember Driggs recorded as opposed) to allocate $1 million in HOPWA funds for the rehabilitation of Ascent Pineville Apartments, preserving 240 units of naturally occurring affordable housing.
• Appointments: Several appointments were approved by motion, including Sam Spencer to the Bechtler Arts Foundation Board, John Giglio to the Business Advisory Committee, and multiple members to the Civil Service Board, Community Relations Committee, Keep Charlotte Beautiful Committee, and others. Ties on some appointments were deferred to the next meeting.
• Next Steps for Budget: The public hearing was closed. The council will hold budget adjustments on May 20, straw votes on May 30, and final adoption on June 10, 2024.