Charlotte City Council Business Meeting – March 24, 2025

The Charlotte City Council met on March 24, 2025, for a business meeting that included a consent agenda review, public hearings, a proclamation, and extensive discussions on the CIAA tournament bid and a public safety update. The council approved multiple business investment grants, a workforce development strategic plan, property leases, and several consent agenda items, while also hearing from numerous public speakers on animal shelter funding, airport worker conditions, and other community issues.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the majority of the consent agenda items (items 27–66) in one motion, with the exception of items pulled for separate discussion or vote. Items removed included 27, 29, 33, 44, 51, 52, 59, 60, 61, and 28. Item 65 was withdrawn. Items 27, 29, 33, and 44 were approved after a separate vote. Items 51 and 52 were approved after discussion. Items 59, 60, and 61 (property condemnations) were approved over opposition from Councilmembers Johnson, Mayfield, and Brown. Item 28 (Lowe's contract) was approved on a separate vote, with opposition from Mayfield and Brown.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Animal Shelter Funding: Multiple speakers (Elena Sapulvida, Anna Radcliffe, Kristen Zarakis) urged the council to increase funding for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control, citing overcrowding, understaffing, and high euthanasia rates. They called for the shelter to become its own department, for stricter animal breeding regulations, and for a ban on retail pet sales and tethering.
• Airport Worker Conditions: Laura Kelly (wheelchair agent) and Maribel McBeth (cabin cleaner) described unsafe working conditions, low wages, and high turnover at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. They requested the council raise standards for contracted airport workers.
• Overdose Prevention: Lashonda Carter proposed that the city mandate overdose prevention training for businesses that serve alcohol, offering her program, X-Defender.
• Homelessness: Tarica Moser shared her personal experience with homelessness and eviction and proposed a tiny homes program, requesting city support.
• Nuclear Weapons: Carson Kong urged the council to support a resolution for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
• Small Business Support: Alicia Jeter highlighted gaps in city resources for non-construction small businesses, asking for more accessible training and updated information.
• Tree Canopy: Alison Rhodes (Tree Charlotte) thanked the city for its support and reported planting 1,698 trees in the current season.

Proclamation – Brain Injury Awareness Month

• Councilmember Johnson read a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Several brain injury survivors and advocates spoke, including Jordan Slate, Cindy Daniel, and Kimberly Wilson, emphasizing the need for awareness and support.

Discussion Items

CIAA Tournament Update

• Steve Bagwell (CRVA) and Mike Butts presented an update on efforts to bring the CIAA basketball tournament back to Charlotte for 2028–2030. Key points: the city is competing with Baltimore; the bid deadline is April 15, 2025; a $1.5 million scholarship fundraise is required; Spectrum Center would host the full week; the CRVA is budgeting about $1 million for venues, marketing, and transportation; and state funding may be available from the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund. Councilmembers expressed support but raised concerns about public safety, non-sanctioned events, hotel rate subsidies, and the need for clear public funding commitments.

Public Safety Update

• Sean Heath (City Manager's Office) presented a 45-day review of public safety strategies. Year-to-date crime data (Jan 1–Mar 17, 2025) showed overall crime down 11%, violent crime down 19%, and property crime down 9% compared to the same period in 2024. Three key themes were identified: geographic concentration of crime, repeat offenders (66% of violent crime arrests had prior arrests), and disproportionate impact on youth/young adults (ages 10–25 account for 50% of violent crime arrests). Nine planned strategies were outlined, including: planning for CMPD sworn position growth by FY2027, developing a local nuisance property ordinance, drones as first responders, expanding Project Boost (hospital-based intervention), a youth-led social norms campaign, enhanced reentry services, support for state legislation (HB 50/SB 320 on officer retention), advocating for more prosecutors and court resources, and exploring a local juvenile detention center. Councilmembers provided feedback, emphasizing the need for community surveys, accountability, property crime focus, and long-term planning.

Key Outcomes

• Business Investment Grants Approved: DetraPel, Inc. (up to $22,843 over 3 years), Groninger USA, LLC (up to $171,936 over 5 years), and RXO Corporate Solutions LLC (up to $166,874 over 7 years) were all approved unanimously.
• Right-of-Way Closure: A resolution to close a portion of right-of-way off Pawley Drive was approved.
• Workforce Development Strategic Plan: Approved unanimously, establishing three focus areas: Career Pathway Access & Awareness, Skill Development & Credential Attainment, and Job Placement & Career Advancement.
• Lease of City-Owned Property at Archdale Drive: Approved a five-year lease with Mecklenburg County for a greenway trail at $1 per year, with renewal options.
• Interlocal Agreement for Street Addresses: Approved to delegate address assignment to Mecklenburg County and establish a multijurisdictional committee.
• Board Nominations: The council appointed individuals to the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Access Corporation, Civil Service Board, Community Relations Committee, Neighborhood Matching Grants Fund, and Waste Management Advisory Board as recommended by the City Clerk.
• Property Condemnations: Approved condemnations for sewer outfall projects (Davidson Eastern Rocky River, Mallard Creek Basin) and intersection improvements (Remount Road and West Boulevard), with several owners expressing concerns about compensation.
• Tree Canopy Acquisition: Approved the purchase of 7.79 acres at Shallow Pond Road for $918,480 for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program.
• INLIVIAN Housing Bonds: Approved resolutions for bond issuances not to exceed $28.4 million (Central at Old Concord) and $17 million (The Vue at Honeywood) for affordable housing developments.
• Public Hearing Set: Set a public hearing for April 28, 2025, on the voluntary annexation of the Dixie River Road Firehouse No. 44 site.
• Consent Agenda Contracts: Approved numerous contracts for architectural services, maintenance supplies, engineering services, generator maintenance, hydraulic hose repairs, roadway construction, utility locating, pumps, telecommunications, laboratory supplies, stormwater projects, bus filters, airport badges, escalator replacement, office relocation, branded apparel, and phone services.