Charlotte City Council Meeting – June 8, 2026

The Charlotte City Council held a regular meeting on June 8, 2026, to consider a consent agenda, receive updates on the MPTA transit transition and red light camera program, adopt the FY2027 operating budget, and approve a 150-day moratorium on new data center facilities. The meeting also included a discussion on council rules and other business items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 29 through 53 were approved unanimously after Councilmember Mayfield raised procedural concerns about public hearings and decisions on the same night for separate items but did not request an exception.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were heard during the meeting; the agenda did not include a separate public comment period for the consent or discussion items.

Discussion Items

• MPTA Interlocal Agreement Update: City Attorney Catherine (from Parker Poe) presented a phased transition of CATS to the MPTA. Councilmember Driggs, who served on the working group with Councilmembers Owens and Watlington, noted no employee will be worse off, no general fund money will be used for transit, and debt reserves will be maintained. Discussion covered employee career pathing, retirement portability, and the need for ongoing partnership. A vote is scheduled for June 22.
• Red Light Cameras Pilot: Charlie Jones, CDOT Deputy Director, presented a one-year pilot at 10 intersections to reduce angle/left-turn collisions and serious injuries. Estimated program cost is $600,000/year, with annual revenue of $4.5 million (90% to CMS) and a $150,000 funding gap covered by Vision Zero funds. Councilmembers discussed rotating cameras, a public dashboard, community notification, and negotiating with CMS on use of proceeds. Next steps: RFP issuance, contract approval, pilot start by early 2027.
• FY2027 Budget Adoption: Councilmember Graham moved adoption, highlighting a 1.89 cent property tax increase dedicated to public safety, a $25/hour minimum wage for city employees, $125 million for the housing trust fund, 10% pay parity for CMPD and CFD, $600,000 for business district organizations, and $1.5 million for youth internships. Several council members expressed concerns about cumulative fee and tax impacts on low-income residents, but the budget passed with a majority. Councilmembers Mayfield and Driggs voted against.
• Data Center Moratorium: Councilmember Ashmara introduced a 150-day moratorium on accepting or processing applications for new telecommunications and data storage facilities. Discussion emphasized the need for policy guardrails on water/energy consumption, noise, and proximity to schools and neighborhoods. City Attorney Leslie-Byrd clarified state-law exemptions for projects with valid permits or substantial expenditures. The moratorium passed unanimously.
• Council Rules Procedures: Councilmember Johnson moved to amend Rule 4D to allow four council members (rather than a majority) to place an item on a future agenda if objected to by the city manager or a council member. After debate, the motion passed with two opposed.
• Bank of America Stadium Lease Amendment: A proposal to include a 0.244-acre parcel (conveyed from NCDOT) into the stadium lease for a privately funded performance venue. Councilmembers raised concerns about community benefits and fair market value. A motion to defer to the next business meeting passed narrowly; the item was deferred.
• Other Business: Approval of federal funding for the East Charlotte Connector (e-Sharlot) mobility path; authorization for a general obligation bond referendum in November 2026; consent appointments to boards and commissions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (items 29-53) approved unanimously.
• MPTA interlocal agreement to be voted on June 22.
• Red light camera pilot program advanced; staff to develop RFP.
• FY2027 budget adopted (7-2 vote; Councilmembers Mayfield and Driggs opposed).
• 150-day moratorium on data center facilities adopted unanimously.
• Council Rule 4D amended to require four council members to place items on future agenda (passed with two opposed).
• Bank of America Stadium lease amendment deferred to a future business meeting.
• Appointments approved for multiple boards and commissions by acclamation.
• Referrals: Councilmember Anderson will explore rotating camera options; staff to study data center impacts and report within 150 days; city attorney to work on legislative agenda for red light cameras.