Charlotte City Council Business Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Charlotte City Council held a lengthy business meeting on September 22, 2025, addressing a wide range of items including public safety on transit, affordable housing pilots, community planning, and financial policies. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on crime, homelessness, and transit security, followed by council discussions and votes. Key outcomes included approval of a mutual aid agreement expanding private security jurisdiction for CATS, adoption of revised Financial Partners Policy, and deferral of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Pilot Program and the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans for further review.

Consent Calendar

• Consent items 24 through 52 were approved in one motion. Councilmember Mayfield raised questions about items 36, 37, and 38 (storm water repair contracts awarded to OnSite Development, LLC), noting the same company won three bids. Staff explained that state law requires awarding to the lowest responsive bidder. The consent agenda passed without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carson Cohn asked for speaker phone numbers not to be published on agendas, clearer rules on speaking time, and advisory board free speech rights.
• John Williams (third-generation Charlottean) urged council to partner with healthcare systems for a new psychiatric facility, recruit more CMPD officers, and fund the DA's office to address violent crime.
• Chandler Bozue described feeling unsafe in Uptown due to homelessness and violence, asking how citizens can help.
• Wes Longer (Rangewater Real Estate) reported multiple shootings, overdoses, and arson at a new development in Lower South End, requesting collaboration to house the unhoused.
• Justin Worah advocated for red light cameras with limitations and shared his girlfriend was hit by a red-light runner.
• Kwandela Walker spoke about being disabled, homeless, and denied housing due to low disability income, requesting more support for those with disabilities.
• Hallie Pester described sexual harassment and fear on the LYNX Blue Line after the murder of Irina Zarutska, calling for security on every train and stricter fare enforcement.
• Jacob Di Pasquale urged stronger prosecution of repeat offenders and increased law enforcement budget, citing Thomas Aquinas.
• Elaine Alexander and Sarah Gagnier (UNC Charlotte urban ecology professor) requested amending the nuisance vegetation ordinance to allow taller native plant landscapes to support pollinators. Gagnier noted 22% of US butterfly species lost in 20 years.
• Stephen Mullis reported stormwater construction damage to his fiber optic line and raised safety concerns on light rail, proposing fare gates.
• Phyllis Capell proposed building a trade/technical high school in Charlotte using taxpayer money.
• Amber McCall Luce (former social worker at Roof Above shelter) criticized the shelter's lack of security and stated Carlos Brown was supposed to be housed there.
• Anita Wright detailed a fall at the Charlotte Transportation Center due to cracked pavement, stating security ignored her despite broken foot/ankle, and requested surveillance footage.

Discussion Items

• Financial Partners Policy Update (Item 8): Council adopted revisions raising audit thresholds: full audit for gross receipts >$500k, independent review for $100k-$500k, and financial statements for <$100k. The change aims to reduce burden on smaller nonprofits. Committee chair Dimple Ajmera noted unanimous committee support.
• Authorization of General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Item 9): Approved issuance of up to $201,510,000 in refunding bonds and a BAN program up to $200,000,000 for transportation and neighborhood projects.
• Private Developer Contribution for Water Main (Item 10): Approved $81,300 contribution from Trinity Housing Development for water main improvements.
• Municipal Agreement with Professional Police Services, Inc. (Item 11): Extensive discussion on expanding PPS jurisdiction to areas adjacent to transit assets (CTC, Rail Trail, Eastland, Rosa Parks). Council members Graham, Mayfield, Driggs, Peacock, Molina, Brown, Johnson, and others questioned training, armed status, oversight, body cameras, public records access, and coordination with CMPD. PPS owner Celestine Ratliff stated officers receive same training as CMPD (BLET), are armed, and have body cameras. Oversight is through NC Department of Justice Company Police Administrator. The 800 off-duty CMPD hours per week will continue. Councilwoman Johnson asked for crime data on CATS system from 2022; staff said data is being compiled due to differing FBI and FTA reporting standards. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Accessory Dwelling Unit Pilot Program (Item 18): Proposed construction contracts totaling $1,700,000 for four affordable single-family homes with ADUs on city-owned parcels. Council members Mayfield, Johnson, Ajmera, and Driggs raised concerns about high per-unit cost, developer fees, and unclear sale prices. Driggs motioned to defer to committee. The motion passed 8-3 (Graham, Brown, and one other opposed).
• Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and Revised Policy Map (Item 20): Councilmember Johnson made a substitute motion to defer adoption for 60 days, citing lack of incorporation of community feedback (e.g., Cherry, Dilworth, Steele Creek). Councilmembers Mayfield, Mitchell, Graham, Watlington, and Ajmera supported deferral, noting the need for more transparent metrics and engagement. Driggs opposed, arguing further delay would halt progress. The motion to defer for 60 days passed with one opposed (Driggs).
• Appointments to Firefighter’s Relief Fund Board of Trustees (Item 21): Lee Thompson was appointed.
• Mayor’s Referrals: Mayor Lyles announced referrals: Budget & Governance to evaluate safety-related opportunities and job programs; Housing & Safety Committee (Watlington and Mayfield) to develop partnerships addressing homelessness and safety; NEST Committee (Graham) on jobs and economic mobility.

Key Outcomes

• Financial Partners Policy adopted (unanimous).
• PPS mutual aid agreement approved (unanimous).
• ADU Pilot Program deferred to committee (8-3).
• Community Area Plans deferred for 60 days (one opposed).
• Other items approved: Items 9, 10, 12 (Brown Grier Road), 13 (Eastway/Shamrock intersection), 15 (Clean Water Revolving Fund loan), 16 (Hazard Mitigation Grant), 17 (property transfer to NCRR), 19 (2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan), 20 (Community Area Plans deferred), and consent items 24-52.
• Appointment: Lee Thompson to Firefighter’s Relief Fund Board.
• Closed session: Council entered closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-381.11(a)(4) to discuss economic development incentives.