[0:00] make sure
[0:46] uh uh
[3:22] ,do
[3:34] .
[3:37] Mm hmm.
[3:48] Charlotte city council's
[3:51] mayoral vacancy and candidate
[3:51] forum.
[3:54] It's JUNE the 15th and it's at
[3:55] 2:00 and I think we have almost
[3:58] everyone I know we have and I
[3:58] believe we're going to go
[4:01] around and introduce our staff
[4:04] as well as our council members.
[4:04] All right.
[4:06] MISS Billy.
[4:09] Billy towns, deputy city clerk
[4:09] .
[4:12] Good afternoon, general o'mara.
[4:13] At-large.
[4:15] Good afternoon.
[4:16] I'm victoria watlington and I
[4:17] have the pleasure of serving
[4:18] you as a member at large.
[4:21] >> good afternoon, joy mayo
[4:23] representing district three.
[4:24] Oh really?
[4:26] Owen's representing district
[4:27] six and driggs district seven.
[4:29] >> now from gram district to
[4:31] lorna mayfield serving at large
[4:31] jd MS..
[4:32] What asked district five?
[4:34] Good afternoon.
[4:35] >> I'm renee johnson and I have
[4:37] the honor of representing
[4:37] district four.
[4:39] Welcome and congratulations to
[4:41] all the candidates.
[4:43] So I want to say thank you and
[4:45] it is a pleasure to have you
[4:46] here this afternoon.
[4:47] So many of you who are
[4:49] beginning to participate in
[4:51] what I think is one of the most
[4:51] important things that we do
[4:54] which is to have a city that we
[4:56] can work with all things that
[4:58] we can do for all of the
[4:59] communities that we have and to
[5:00] make sure it works.
[5:03] So I'm just going to say I'm
[5:03] going to call up we have called
[5:05] a meeting to order and we
[5:08] understand that we have all of
[5:08] our appointments, all of the
[5:11] people that are joining us.
[5:14] So let's go down into what we
[5:14] are going to try to do for our
[5:17] candidate forum.
[5:17] The candidates will appear in
[5:20] alphabetical order by last
[5:21] name.
[5:23] Each candidate has been
[5:26] assigned a number candidates
[5:27] will be called by their name
[5:30] and number to the lectern which
[5:30] is right up here with our city
[5:33] attorney here.
[5:35] And when it is their turn each
[5:36] one will be given two minutes
[5:38] to provide a statement to
[5:39] council.
[5:39] There will be no questions
[5:42] during the forum.
[5:42] However, MISS Mayfield has
[5:44] asked to be recognized and I
[5:47] want to do that with her.
[5:49] MS. Mayfield thank you, MADAM
[5:49] Mayor.
[5:51] So colleagues, as today we are
[5:53] just hearing from the
[5:55] candidates.
[5:56] According to this most updated
[5:58] list we have about 49
[6:00] individuals I had mentioned
[6:01] previously that we have
[6:03] opportunity when we look at
[6:05] what we identify through the
[6:09] process of trying to narrow
[6:11] down potential the strongest
[6:14] candidates that potentially MAY
[6:14] have five or more I believe we
[6:16] have the opportunity to create
[6:17] the survey again.
[6:20] So today is basically we had
[6:21] the opportunity this being part
[6:24] one of a two part process where
[6:29] we then narrowed it down to a
[6:30] number where we could see where
[6:31] they MAY MAY be consensus
[6:33] amongst council five or more.
[6:36] And then we had the opportunity
[6:36] to invite those individuals
[6:39] back and actually ask the
[6:40] questions that we can that come
[6:42] together and decide on some
[6:42] questions.
[6:43] I definitely want to also
[6:45] acknowledge mayor louse for
[6:48] agreeing to stick around a
[6:48] little bit longer.
[6:51] Thank you.
[6:51] And not leaving at the initial
[6:54] JUNE date to give us time to
[6:57] make sure that to the best of
[6:57] our ability based on the
[6:59] applications that we identify
[7:00] the appropriate candidate to
[7:02] fill out these 17 months.
[7:03] But I do think council should
[7:05] have the opportunity to have
[7:08] discussions around the
[7:08] candidates in order for and the
[7:12] opportunity for us to be able
[7:13] to ask questions of the
[7:15] candidates after we get through
[7:15] today.
[7:17] Mayor my question is do I need
[7:18] to put that in the form of a
[7:21] motion to see if we can get
[7:23] support to so if that is the
[7:26] case I would like to make a
[7:28] motion that part two of this
[7:30] initial mail appointment
[7:33] process we will have the
[7:36] ability for council to then
[7:37] work with staff to identify
[7:40] survey and from that survey
[7:42] narrow it down in order to
[7:42] actually have the opportunity
[7:45] for us to ask questions of the
[7:46] candidates.
[7:47] Yeah they're going to get a
[7:47] second or not because we don't
[7:50] have a process at the listening
[7:51] in supporting our people today.
[7:53] So this is the recommended
[7:56] process that I am suggesting.
[7:56] >> all right.
[8:00] this MAY feel and has has a
[8:02] makes has made the motion so if
[8:02] we don't get this back in.
[8:03] All right.
[8:04] We have a motion and a second
[8:07] any further conversation?
[8:07] All right.
[8:07] Yes, sir.
[8:10] MADAM Mayor, I appreciate the
[8:10] opportunity and I.
[8:11] I will speak on behalf of the
[8:13] motion.
[8:13] I am inclined towards that but
[8:14] I would ask for a friendly
[8:15] amendment to add in the ability
[8:18] for individual council members
[8:19] to assess folks who do not show
[8:21] up today in person.
[8:22] I did vote and we were
[8:24] unanimous in that but I think
[8:25] the manner in which we
[8:27] disclosed the date that it
[8:27] would be and the lack of
[8:30] flexibility has led to some
[8:30] folks who are quite honestly
[8:33] part of this community who do
[8:35] have supporters and detractors
[8:36] both but folks who are not here
[8:38] and it delegitimizes our
[8:42] process to not be able to have
[8:42] an option.
[8:43] So what I would like is for
[8:45] those of us who do not see
[8:45] somebody here today to still be
[8:47] allowed in our process to
[8:48] consider them even though they
[8:50] did not show up here today.
[8:53] So as the motion maker I do not
[8:54] accept that friendly amendment
[8:58] because at this point we have
[8:58] 49 individuals here.
[9:01] To my understanding there was
[9:01] one individual who could not be
[9:04] in attendance for today.
[9:06] We do not have a virtual
[9:07] option.
[9:10] You can't phone in being a
[9:10] mayor.
[9:13] I don't think that for me we
[9:14] have 49 individuals.
[9:17] i am not interested in change
[9:18] in a process for one individual
[9:20] whoever that individual is.
[9:23] If they were not able to be in
[9:23] person.
[9:23] >> all right.
[9:26] Matt, I have to substitute
[9:26] motion.
[9:27] You can certainly procedurally
[9:30] you can offer a substitute
[9:30] motion.
[9:32] However, before before this
[9:35] moves forward this presentation
[9:35] that I was getting ready to
[9:38] share provides some context for
[9:39] the process that might be
[9:41] helpful to this discussion.
[9:42] So MADAM Mayor and
[9:44] councilmember mayfield, if you
[9:46] would be so inclined to give me
[9:46] about five minutes to run
[9:48] through this this MAY inform
[9:49] this discussion and then you
[9:49] can pick back up.
[9:52] It MAY inform where you are.
[9:53] >> MADAM Mayor I am fine with a
[9:55] pause so that our city attorney
[9:58] can present MISS Kimberly
[9:58] council.
[10:00] >> I am I am as well.
[10:01] MS..
[10:03] Watlington okay, so let's I'm
[10:06] you know it's always better to
[10:06] know what we're talking about
[10:08] with the attorney standing in.
[10:11] >> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[10:14] Good afternoon, council mayor
[10:14] and council.
[10:17] This presentation will walk you
[10:19] briefly through the appointment
[10:20] process as we stand here today
[10:23] and how we could possibly move
[10:25] forward.
[10:25] As a reminder for council and
[10:28] as well for the public any
[10:30] vacancy including the mayor's
[10:31] vacancy shall be appointed be
[10:33] filled by appointment of the
[10:33] city council.
[10:34] And cities like charlotte and
[10:36] whole partizan elections the
[10:37] interim mayor must belong to
[10:39] the same political party as the
[10:42] individual being replaced and
[10:45] must be to 21 years of age and
[10:47] reside within the city of
[10:48] charlotte city limits.
[10:50] The municipal elections the
[10:54] primary will occur on SEPTEMBER
[10:55] the 14th 2027 and the general
[10:56] election will occur on NOVEMBER
[10:56] the 2nd.
[10:59] So when we talk about the
[11:01] selection phase options, there
[11:01] are two options that I outlined
[11:03] for you in memo form back on
[11:06] MAY 7th that and that includes
[11:07] a motion second and vote as an
[11:07] option.
[11:10] Also a nomination and ballot
[11:12] process with the nomination and
[11:14] ballot process which is what
[11:15] council has historically used
[11:18] as a means of selecting for a
[11:18] vacancy.
[11:21] You would have to options
[11:21] everyone who has filled out an
[11:24] application and adhere to the
[11:25] requirements of the application
[11:27] could be considered a nominee
[11:29] or each council member could
[11:30] receive could be offered the
[11:32] opportunity to provide one
[11:33] nomination and then close
[11:35] nominations thereafter.
[11:37] Now I'll pause here and say
[11:38] this discussion that you're
[11:40] having now could could increase
[11:41] that number.
[11:41] But the option that I've given
[11:43] is that council members would
[11:44] have options for providing a
[11:47] nomination versus everyone
[11:50] who's submitted an application
[11:51] having the opportunity to be
[11:55] considered in that process and
[11:56] each council member would go
[11:58] around the diocese and have the
[11:59] opportunity to provide a
[12:02] nomination for candidate a, b
[12:05] or c even the clerk would
[12:05] record the nomination and
[12:07] ballots would be created and
[12:08] voting would occur later in the
[12:08] meeting.
[12:11] So this would happen all in
[12:13] person.
[12:13] All of the nominations would
[12:16] occur in person and all of the
[12:18] voting would occur in person
[12:18] with the balloting process.
[12:22] Each council member would cast
[12:22] one vote.
[12:24] Votes as I said, will be
[12:24] publicly announced and
[12:25] recorded.
[12:27] The appointment would require
[12:30] six votes if no candidate
[12:30] receives six votes.
[12:33] You would proceed to subsequent
[12:36] ballots.
[12:36] The recommendation the city
[12:38] attorney's office would make at
[12:41] this point would be in order
[12:43] for a candidate to move forward
[12:46] they must have at least three
[12:48] votes.
[12:51] >> this outlines the
[12:52] elimination and tie procedures
[12:55] or it's a recommended for that
[12:55] after each ballot the lowest
[12:57] vote getter would be
[12:58] eliminated.
[13:00] The remaining candidates would
[13:03] continue if there is a tie the
[13:07] advancement threshold would be
[13:08] still three.
[13:10] And if you have two candidates
[13:11] who receive at least three
[13:14] votes in this example then a, b
[13:17] and c would advance if you have
[13:18] a tie of the lowest vote
[13:22] getters again a receiving for b
[13:23] receiving two and c receiving
[13:27] two both b and c would advance
[13:28] .
[13:30] So for today I have three
[13:32] buckets of decision points.
[13:33] Number one motion motion or
[13:35] nomination and ballot method.
[13:37] number two the number of
[13:38] nominations allotted to each
[13:41] council member and number three
[13:41] the number of votes required to
[13:44] proceed to subsequent ballots
[13:45] and obviously now at this point
[13:47] at this juncture would there be
[13:49] an additional line of
[13:50] questioning and or elimination
[13:52] that would narrow, narrow the
[13:52] field?
[13:54] And so those are the points
[13:55] that you all would need to
[13:56] decide today as you move
[13:58] forward through the process to
[14:00] streamline the 22nd vote.
[14:02] >> thank you very much.
[14:05] I know that all of us can see
[14:06] this and I know that we had two
[14:08] people that wanted to speak to
[14:09] this right away.
[14:11] So I'm going to start again
[14:11] MISS Kimberly.
[14:12] Council member kimberly and
[14:14] followed by council member
[14:14] watlington.
[14:16] If I could defer to
[14:17] councilmember watlington I've
[14:19] already spoken on the issue and
[14:20] want to defer to my colleague
[14:22] who's not yet our opportunity
[14:22] but thank you.
[14:23] >> thank you for that
[14:23] councilmember.
[14:25] A couple of quick things.
[14:29] Firstly, as it relates to the
[14:31] question of whether or not
[14:34] council members can reach out
[14:37] so I don't think my assumption
[14:38] is that any council member can
[14:40] speak to anyone at any time.
[14:41] I just want to make sure that
[14:43] that was clear even if that
[14:44] doesn't go forward in a motion,
[14:45] I don't want folks to feel as
[14:46] though that they can not have a
[14:48] conversation with any of the
[14:49] candidates as they so please.
[14:51] And then the second thing in
[14:54] regards to narrowing it down, i
[14:57] do support the three rather
[14:58] than five because we would
[15:01] essentially have voted by that
[15:01] time.
[15:04] For those reasons I'm wondering
[15:07] if there's a need to have an
[15:08] additional step to whittle down
[15:10] to ask questions given that
[15:11] that can happen off line at any
[15:13] time.
[15:17] I also wanted to add we talked
[15:18] about this earlier but I just
[15:19] wanted to be clear about the
[15:20] fact that no one is being
[15:22] eliminated because they're not
[15:23] here today.
[15:26] Now they MAY be that MAY be a
[15:26] factor for an individual
[15:28] council member, which is
[15:28] certainly their prerogative.
[15:31] But for those watching, if you
[15:33] are not here today, you are not
[15:34] automatically eliminated from
[15:36] this process.
[15:37] So that being said, I think
[15:39] there's plenty of opportunities
[15:40] still to have conversations
[15:45] going forward with that.
[15:45] I don't want to jump over
[15:47] council member mayfield's
[15:48] motion but I do wonder if it is
[15:50] well I would imagine it's in
[15:51] order because of what's been
[15:51] presented to us but I would
[15:53] like to go ahead and move to
[15:56] use the ballot method to
[15:56] address the first decision
[15:58] point here very very well.
[16:02] >> but MAY I answer the other
[16:03] questions, DR. Watlington that
[16:04] you posted up opposed excuse
[16:04] me.
[16:07] First legally certainly council
[16:10] members can reach out to
[16:11] individual candidates and have
[16:13] outline conversations.
[16:13] What we would want to avoid
[16:15] certainly is a quorum of this
[16:16] body conferring with a
[16:19] particular candidate but
[16:19] barring barring that certainly
[16:22] conversations could occur as it
[16:24] relates to your your comment
[16:27] about the nominees or the
[16:28] candidates that have been
[16:29] brought forward.
[16:30] >> all of the candidates who
[16:33] met the legal threshold for
[16:35] requirements were provided in
[16:36] your binders in the eligible
[16:39] candidates category I.E. The
[16:39] those who did not obviously
[16:42] were in the non eligible and so
[16:42] they would be that is the
[16:43] threshold question for the
[16:45] application process that you
[16:51] adopted on MAY 26th and so that
[16:51] checks that off.
[16:54] And then lastly the nominations
[16:55] piece of it certainly you could
[16:57] you could address the number
[16:58] that you feel is appropriate
[17:00] but again recognizing that the
[17:01] threshold needs to be set in
[17:03] advance of the meeting so that
[17:04] the roles aren't changed in the
[17:04] middle of voting.
[17:06] So then with that, MADAM Mayor,
[17:07] if I MAY if I MAY just to get a
[17:09] motion on the floor for
[17:09] discussion I will amend there's
[17:12] there's a motion in I'm sorry I
[17:13] thought you were withdraw for.
[17:13] Forgive me.
[17:17] Go ahead.
[17:17] I'm next.
[17:20] Thank you.
[17:23] >> no, I think no, I don't
[17:24] think I had raised my hand
[17:26] after listening.
[17:26] Okay.
[17:28] Yes.
[17:31] So I appreciate MS..
[17:34] Mayfield's I guess recognition
[17:35] that the way we were going we
[17:37] were going to have two minutes
[17:40] here and then and we have this
[17:40] and without any further
[17:43] engagement we were going to
[17:44] move to our selection.
[17:46] >> so I absolutely agree that I
[17:49] think there's a step missing
[17:50] here where we get a closer look
[17:52] at the contenders and I'd like
[17:55] to understand better besides
[17:57] the fight.
[18:00] >> city attorney yes are making
[18:00] .
[18:00] Can you back up a little bit?
[18:03] I'd like to know a timeline for
[18:04] the steps and understand better
[18:06] how these steps occur.
[18:09] Are we talking about an online
[18:11] ballot or are we talking about
[18:14] going to the next meeting and
[18:15] all of these events occur at
[18:17] the next meeting?
[18:17] >> so all of these events would
[18:20] happen at the next meeting in
[18:22] an open session and so the
[18:23] nominations process would
[18:26] happen at the very top of the
[18:28] meeting and again go around the
[18:31] dais it's the clerk's office
[18:31] staff will be standing by to
[18:35] create a ballot based upon the
[18:37] nominations that are made on
[18:37] the floor.
[18:38] Again, this keeps everything in
[18:40] the open and allows for the
[18:43] public to hear when those
[18:43] nominations are made.
[18:45] It still means that at one
[18:45] meeting we move from here to
[18:48] the selection.
[18:49] That's correct, sir.
[18:51] And I don't know what others
[18:51] think.
[18:53] That for me is a challenge.
[18:54] There are some people here that
[18:56] I don't know that well and I
[18:57] don't feel that in two minutes
[18:59] and based on this submission
[19:01] I'd be able to give them a fair
[19:02] shake.
[19:04] And that's why on one basis or
[19:05] another I like what you're
[19:08] suggesting which is we have an
[19:11] elimination in round where it
[19:13] takes support from some council
[19:14] members for us to identify
[19:16] finalists and then we spend a
[19:17] little more time with the
[19:18] finalists which I think is what
[19:19] I understood you to suggest.
[19:20] Thank you.
[19:22] And I think that's included in
[19:23] your motion.
[19:23] MS..
[19:26] Mayfield MR. Graham, I mean MR.
[19:28] Mayor.
[19:28] Yes.
[19:31] Thank you.
[19:33] So I agree with councilmember
[19:36] lyons.
[19:37] >> previously we did not
[19:39] eliminate someone just because
[19:40] they could not attend a meeting
[19:43] and this we adopted an express
[19:45] timeline and where people had
[19:48] for our commitments.
[19:49] So I agree with councilmember
[19:49] owens.
[19:51] I don't think we need to
[19:53] eliminate someone obviously
[19:53] individual council members can
[19:56] eliminate someone but from the
[19:59] process perspective our for me
[19:59] I would consider everyone
[20:02] regardless of whether they
[20:04] attend the public forum or not
[20:07] just from the consistent
[20:11] perspective I can you go back
[20:13] to the slide where you have the
[20:18] three options as to yes.
[20:24] So we in the past we had use
[20:25] ballot method.
[20:27] So I think from consistency
[20:28] perspective we can continue
[20:30] with that in terms of number of
[20:33] nominations that will be
[20:33] allotted to each council
[20:38] members, how many are we
[20:39] looking at?
[20:39] >> do you have any
[20:43] recommendations or trying?
[20:46] I don't I don't it could be as
[20:48] low as one obviously or as many
[20:48] as council sees fit.
[20:51] However, obviously the more
[20:52] nominations each council member
[20:54] has the the longer the process
[20:55] will take and the more involved
[20:59] it MAY be.
[21:02] So you recommended a candidate
[21:03] getting at least three to get
[21:05] to this subsidy subsequent
[21:05] round.
[21:08] I agree with that so that we
[21:12] can meet our expedited timeline
[21:15] of JUNE 22nd.
[21:15] But this also gives council
[21:18] members an opportunity to have
[21:21] one on one with candidates.
[21:23] So I would like us to continue
[21:26] with the adopted timeline that
[21:27] the council had adopted a few
[21:30] weeks ago which is JUNE 22nd
[21:32] being the final decision.
[21:37] So after the discussion is over
[21:38] I would I can make a motion if
[21:40] needed in terms of the number
[21:43] of nominations and number of
[21:46] votes required to proceed to
[21:46] the second round.
[21:47] And that's all I have.
[21:48] Thank you.
[21:51] All right, MR. Graham.
[21:54] Thank you, MADAM Chair.
[21:57] >> one of the things I wish we
[21:59] had than that we decide that we
[22:00] did not want to do was send it
[22:03] to a committee to flesh out the
[22:04] process.
[22:05] And so we're debating and
[22:10] creating the process on the fly
[22:12] once again.
[22:13] Given that I think MS..
[22:18] Mayfield motion makes sense for
[22:19] me.
[22:23] I am not married to a JUNE 22nd
[22:24] timeline.
[22:26] I think we are to make a
[22:27] thoughtful decision as long as
[22:32] it takes because this is really
[22:35] a term that we're selecting
[22:38] someone for and the interim
[22:40] thing is just quote unquote
[22:41] it's the mayor, right?
[22:44] And so I think we ought to make
[22:46] a a thoughtful decision based
[22:47] on all the information that we
[22:49] have in front of us through a
[22:52] process that we all understand
[22:55] and can interpret versus
[22:55] getting one today.
[22:58] I'm just I think in process
[23:00] steps that there are a number
[23:03] of questions that I have.
[23:03] Notwithstanding that, I think
[23:06] it's pretty simplistic but I
[23:09] would want it more time to
[23:12] really have some dialog with
[23:14] folks around the time the days
[23:14] in reference to those process
[23:18] steps to see if they make sense
[23:20] for us based on the
[23:21] recommendation of the attorney.
[23:25] So I, I just hope that we would
[23:29] be very thoughtful about how we
[23:31] process the work and the 20s
[23:31] next week.
[23:32] Right?
[23:34] Right.
[23:37] So I again I think we've I just
[23:40] hope that we can thoughtfully
[23:43] consider what we're doing.
[23:45] The process matters being very
[23:48] transparent matters and
[23:51] certainly the final decision
[23:51] matters even more.
[23:54] Thank you MR. Graham.
[23:54] Thank you very much.
[23:59] I really recall that we turned
[24:00] this over as a process to the
[24:03] city attorney and that MAY have
[24:05] been more legal than what it
[24:08] would be personal or the
[24:09] opportunities that we want to
[24:12] have as a community or city.
[24:12] And I think that that is
[24:15] warrant it.
[24:16] I think that we do need some
[24:17] time.
[24:18] Now that's not to say no, I'm
[24:20] not on a clock so you know,
[24:21] nobody has to send me a dollar.
[24:23] So I want to say that if that
[24:26] is what we need to do then I
[24:28] think the council as a whole
[24:31] needs to make a decision of how
[24:32] they how you want and choose
[24:34] what you want to do.
[24:34] I think that's the most
[24:37] important thing about doing
[24:39] this is to get everyone to
[24:42] actually think about what you
[24:43] want to do and what you want to
[24:45] achieve and so with that I'm
[24:45] going to turn it over.
[24:48] Kimberly again sorry.
[24:48] Thank you, MADAM.
[24:53] And yes I'm sorry MR. I'm sorry
[24:53] .
[24:53] >> go ahead.
[24:54] Thank you, MADAM Mayor and
[24:56] thank you councilmember owens
[24:56] and thank you councilmember
[24:58] mayfield.
[24:59] City attorney MAY I ask you
[25:02] what the original motion was
[25:02] made?
[25:05] Well, in terms of that
[25:07] in-person requirement and
[25:07] whether because to my
[25:09] understanding and I might be
[25:10] remembering this wrong the
[25:13] in-person requirement was
[25:15] mandatory to be considered for
[25:18] an attendance here at the
[25:18] candidates forum.
[25:20] The in-person requirement was
[25:21] mandatory to be consider moving
[25:23] forward.
[25:24] Is that right?
[25:24] That's correct.
[25:27] So does that mean and I want to
[25:29] defer to MADAM Clerk because I
[25:30] don't have that motion in front
[25:30] of me.
[25:31] I don't they can pull it up.
[25:32] I can pull it up while we're
[25:36] talking from the 26th.
[25:36] Let's make sure we read the
[25:39] motion correctly while that is
[25:41] look there because I know DR.
[25:42] Watlington brought up the point
[25:44] whether somebody is eliminated
[25:48] or not but I believe that the
[25:48] motion that was voted on and
[25:50] that we all unanimously
[25:51] approved was that if they're
[25:53] not here in person there are
[25:53] eliminated from further
[25:54] consideration.
[25:59] And early on trying to confirm
[26:01] that that was that that's yeah
[26:02] they are in the eligible
[26:04] candidates.
[26:05] That's correct and now I will
[26:05] say that the application and
[26:07] that's why we need to look at
[26:09] the motion the application
[26:10] specifically stated that people
[26:11] needed to attend in person.
[26:15] Okay.
[26:15] But we'll look at the motion.
[26:16] Let's follow the motion.
[26:17] Okay.
[26:18] So while that is being looked
[26:20] up thank you MADAM Clerk for
[26:22] looking that up.
[26:25] I do want to say that I agree
[26:26] with councilmember mayfield and
[26:28] the majority of my colleagues
[26:31] around the dais when it comes
[26:34] to that additional step.
[26:37] I do feel uncomfortable not
[26:37] having that additional step
[26:42] collectively with quorum and in
[26:45] and in comparison leave and
[26:45] rather to leaving it to
[26:48] individual conversation with
[26:48] council members.
[26:49] That is not to say that there
[26:50] are special interests at play
[26:51] right but there are folks on
[26:53] this list that I have personal
[26:54] relationships with that a lot
[26:56] of folks have personal
[26:57] relationships with and I don't
[26:59] think it would be fair to any
[27:02] candidate that we held that
[27:05] those conversations offline not
[27:06] to say that we can't have those
[27:08] conversations offline but that
[27:08] we should level set by adding
[27:11] that additional step of you
[27:14] know, finalizing the final list
[27:16] to MR. Drinks pointed to
[27:17] earlier and us collectively
[27:19] asking those questions to those
[27:22] candidates that we have you
[27:25] know individually but as a
[27:26] collective come to agree to
[27:28] interview with rather than
[27:30] having a step in the process
[27:31] that is not open to the public.
[27:34] I mean it could be open to the
[27:34] public.
[27:34] They can follow requests the
[27:36] phone calls and text messages
[27:39] and emails but that it's very
[27:40] proactive transparency rather
[27:42] than reactive transparency.
[27:47] And then I had another point we
[27:48] can you go to the decision
[27:50] points?
[27:51] MADAM Attorney, please.
[27:53] Yes, sir.
[27:55] And I'll make this quick
[27:56] because I do want to be
[27:56] respectful of the candidates
[28:02] times so could you again
[28:03] explain to me the difference
[28:06] between the motion or nominee
[28:08] motion and then the nomination
[28:09] ballot method?
[28:09] Yes, sir.
[28:12] So the motion method would be
[28:15] one motion on the floor at a
[28:16] time.
[28:18] So would be motion for
[28:18] candidate a second vote.
[28:21] It could be a substitute motion
[28:22] and on and so forth.
[28:24] You'd have to you would really
[28:27] have to know pretty precisely
[28:30] where you were leaning, where
[28:30] the body was leaning.
[28:32] Otherwise it would be a series
[28:33] of substitute motions and or
[28:36] process as the nomination
[28:37] method is where you would open
[28:39] the floor up and you would have
[28:42] one nomination but at least one
[28:42] nomination potentially per
[28:44] council member and you would
[28:45] close the nominations at the
[28:47] conclusion of that and the
[28:47] ballot would be created
[28:50] therefrom and voting occur
[28:50] thereafter.
[28:53] >> thank you goodness GOD knows
[28:53] already get confused with all
[28:55] the motions on the floor so I
[28:58] do defer to the ballot method
[28:59] and then I also agree with
[29:02] council member graham that we
[29:04] need to get the process right
[29:05] and needs to be fair.
[29:07] It needs to be transparent.
[29:08] We also need to honor the
[29:10] office of the mayor to ensure
[29:11] that we are selecting the best
[29:13] candidate for it.
[29:14] And that being said, I also
[29:16] agree with councilmember
[29:16] mayfield's motion of an
[29:19] additional step where we as a
[29:22] council interview the finalists
[29:22] rather than having offline
[29:25] conversations which again not
[29:25] to say that we can't have
[29:28] offline conversations but that
[29:30] there is a nother open
[29:30] transparent part to the
[29:31] process.
[29:32] Thank you.
[29:35] I'm all right.
[29:38] And some woman kimberly I'm so
[29:41] thank you MADAM Mayor and
[29:41] colleagues.
[29:42] I just I will say one of the
[29:44] reasons that I wanted to
[29:45] supplement the motion that I do
[29:47] support by councilmember
[29:50] mayfield is because the way
[29:51] that this process has played
[29:53] out and the certainty with
[29:56] which we went to the community
[29:57] with our date and the lack of
[29:59] ability for folks to rejigger
[30:00] their lives and the good
[30:01] intentions and goodwill that
[30:02] has been evidenced by the work
[30:04] that has gone into this I would
[30:05] like to be removed from a
[30:08] constraint of not considering
[30:08] somebody solely because they
[30:11] were not here of individual
[30:11] council members feel strongly.
[30:12] I think that's still within
[30:14] their within their remit to not
[30:16] consider someone because of
[30:17] their failure to be here today.
[30:19] I personally am uncomfortable
[30:20] with that because of the way
[30:22] that we communicated it.
[30:22] Another aspect of this that I
[30:25] would like to put into the room
[30:25] and then I'm going to suggest
[30:28] that perhaps this be removed to
[30:28] our committee that's where I
[30:30] originally had hoped that we
[30:31] would be able to sort some
[30:33] processes around this.
[30:33] But this other element that I'd
[30:36] like to add is I have heard
[30:39] from the community a lot of
[30:39] consternation around the
[30:42] conflict of interest of mayor
[30:43] pro tem being a part of the
[30:45] early rounds of this process
[30:46] and I'd like us to explore the
[30:48] precedent for that and how we
[30:51] all feel about that and perhaps
[30:51] if there is a motion method we
[30:54] would go out with an early
[30:56] motion on him if we did not
[30:57] have the requisite votes for
[31:00] him then we would then he would
[31:00] be re-injected into the
[31:00] process.
[31:03] But there's a lot of folks who
[31:03] are speaking in our communities
[31:05] now about a perception of
[31:06] unfairness and I don't think
[31:08] that we should set set up any
[31:11] interim mayor for failure by
[31:12] having this process look like
[31:14] it's less than transparent and
[31:15] less than fair.
[31:17] So I just would like for us to
[31:18] respect the time of the folks
[31:20] in the room have them go ahead
[31:20] and get started and perhaps we
[31:23] defer this to bgr so that we
[31:26] can develop a process along the
[31:26] lines of what you suggested in
[31:28] line with the motion brought by
[31:29] councilmember mayfield and in
[31:32] line with my own suggestion
[31:32] that individual members still
[31:35] be allowed to select someone
[31:35] and advance them even if they
[31:38] are not here today.
[31:38] >> thank you.
[31:40] There are two motion I've
[31:42] already had a substitute motion
[31:43] but I don't know how we want to
[31:45] go forward.
[31:47] I think we have to decide those
[31:48] two motions before we put
[31:50] another motion into the room so
[31:50] I'm not doing a motion.
[31:50] So what?
[31:51] I'm sorry.
[31:53] What is the substitute motion
[31:54] then?
[31:55] And it's on the floor right now
[31:55] .
[31:56] Mine was to supplement and she
[31:58] rejected it so there's not a
[31:58] substitute motion.
[32:01] So are you making a substitute
[32:01] motion?
[32:03] So could I make a substitute
[32:04] motion?
[32:04] You can make a substitute
[32:06] motion if you operate a
[32:09] friendly amendment to that was
[32:10] reject was rejected you can
[32:12] offer a substitute motion.
[32:12] So then I would offer a
[32:14] substitute motion that builds
[32:15] on the motion that was raised
[32:17] by councilmember mayfield adds
[32:20] the ability for council members
[32:20] to not discount someone solely
[32:23] for their failure to attend
[32:24] today and then defers this
[32:27] entire matter to bgea and we go
[32:29] ahead and start the forum right
[32:29] now in deference to the people
[32:32] who are in the room who thought
[32:32] they were going to be speaking
[32:33] it to.
[32:35] So I guess the motion is to put
[32:37] it at bgr.
[32:38] all right.
[32:38] So I think MS..
[32:40] Watling told us so we could
[32:43] discuss it and be able to just
[32:44] with this discussion.
[32:45] MS. Watlington go ahead if you
[32:46] have a motion well, I don't
[32:48] have a motion but I got a
[32:49] couple of questions.
[32:51] I'm hoping the clerk or someone
[32:52] can tell us what the original
[32:53] motion was because then we'll
[32:54] know whether or not it's
[32:56] necessary to add special
[32:57] permission.
[33:00] >> so I can tell you what my
[33:00] notes have but these minutes
[33:02] have not been transcribed so I
[33:03] would have to go back in look
[33:05] at this a little bit further
[33:07] but the original motion from
[33:12] you had an amendment to it if I
[33:12] could just read what I had from
[33:16] that 2020 staff from 22nd.
[33:19] So the original motion was
[33:19] edgemere and watlington
[33:22] seconded and it was a motion to
[33:25] adopt option b invite both
[33:25] external and internal
[33:27] candidates have a public
[33:28] candidate forum do not send
[33:31] back to committee application
[33:33] question will include mandatory
[33:36] in-person interview question if
[33:37] intention of running and
[33:39] strikethrough on JUNE first.
[33:40] However it was amended shortly
[33:40] after that.
[33:42] MISS Mayfield second by johnson
[33:46] that the application process be
[33:48] in person and then there was
[33:49] another motion so I would have
[33:51] to go through more notes to see
[33:54] what the final motion was but
[33:55] that's how it started.
[33:58] So at no point did someone say
[33:59] you would be eliminated if you
[34:00] did not attend.
[34:01] >> so it sounds like there's
[34:01] not clarity.
[34:07] there is what it sounds like.
[34:07] So I understand it's on the
[34:07] application but that's to me
[34:09] very different than that that
[34:12] eliminates you from so I, I say
[34:15] that to say that I do think it
[34:18] makes sense to go and spend
[34:20] more time on this process.
[34:21] I'm not sure that that's
[34:23] exactly was reflected in this
[34:23] motion and it sounded like
[34:26] there was a compound piece of
[34:26] the motion.
[34:28] So councilmember owens, I just
[34:29] want to make sure I understand
[34:31] there's this component of
[34:34] sitting to budget.
[34:36] Yes, ma'am.
[34:37] There's a component of setting
[34:37] this to begin.
[34:41] Are there is a component of
[34:42] adding an additional round you
[34:44] said building off a council
[34:44] member mayfield and then
[34:48] there's a component it of in
[34:50] some way dealing with a
[34:52] potential conflict of interest
[34:53] .
[34:56] Yeah okay I think I think for
[34:58] me what it results in we need
[34:59] to get the forum started today
[35:01] and we need to have a meeting
[35:02] and I believe it should be bgr
[35:04] but I am open to other
[35:05] possibilities of who should be
[35:05] making that decision but I
[35:07] think there's enough queries at
[35:10] this dyess today that we need
[35:10] to address so that we can have
[35:13] an intentional process that
[35:13] follows up after today.
[35:15] Okay.
[35:16] So the only other thing that I
[35:18] will say in regards to that is
[35:20] who is on the bigger committee
[35:21] .
[35:24] Raise your hand if you are
[35:26] three and one two, three, four
[35:26] .
[35:26] Exactly.
[35:29] so well so take it.
[35:33] But I like it so I say that to
[35:36] say I hope that there's some
[35:36] thought and care taken to that
[35:38] given that this motion doesn't
[35:39] provide for one side or the
[35:41] other opposition but just be
[35:44] mindful that if it goes to bgr
[35:47] that's now already addressed by
[35:47] implicating up another
[35:50] component of what your motion
[35:50] was.
[35:53] >> so point taken I am open to
[35:53] any amendment to a motion that
[35:55] it be another committee.
[35:58] I think it's just another
[36:01] committee or another person in
[36:02] the committee which just so I
[36:04] do think I chair the committee
[36:07] and so either to the chair
[36:07] either that the member recused
[36:10] himself from the meeting and we
[36:14] still have four or we get
[36:15] another council member to sit
[36:15] in and is that right?
[36:18] I think the four of us with the
[36:21] city attorney and staff could
[36:24] really flesh out all the
[36:27] process issues and which is
[36:29] almost 90% done and and give us
[36:31] something that the council can
[36:33] react to relatively quickly
[36:37] even meeting this week right
[36:38] for the urgency of what we need
[36:41] to do so that I'm open and just
[36:43] to finish up then and I promise
[36:44] I'm done fine whether or not
[36:46] this council member chooses to
[36:46] recuse himself is going to
[36:49] impact my vote and support for
[36:51] this motion.
[36:54] So I, I think MS..
[36:56] I mean she I'm sorry.
[36:58] >> so I just have a question
[37:02] because I'm unclear as to I
[37:04] heard your motion,
[37:05] councilmember owens but I'm
[37:08] still unclear as to what would
[37:10] the committee actually be
[37:11] discussing and bringing forth.
[37:13] i just need clarity on what the
[37:16] outputs are of this motion.
[37:17] So what would what would the
[37:19] committee be doing?
[37:20] >> I would hope at least MAY I
[37:22] respond?
[37:22] >> yes.
[37:23] So my understanding and the
[37:25] reason I put this into the room
[37:25] I believe that a lot of the
[37:27] questions that have been raised
[37:30] here in addition the motion by
[37:31] councilmember mayfield around
[37:32] how we would engage more
[37:33] publicly and more collectively
[37:36] with candidates I personally
[37:37] have been reaching out to
[37:37] candidates individually.
[37:39] I'm assuming my colleagues have
[37:39] as well.
[37:41] But I am moved by the comment
[37:42] that it should perhaps be a
[37:44] little bit more deliberate a
[37:45] process.
[37:47] And so I think that the
[37:48] committee would be discussing
[37:48] these issues that we're raising
[37:51] around the dais today and as as
[37:53] the chair has indicated, I
[37:53] think that that meeting can
[37:56] happen very quickly this week
[37:57] so we can give some clarity but
[37:57] I don't think we're going to
[37:59] get there right now.
[38:00] And again, I'm sensitive to the
[38:02] time of the candidates in the
[38:02] room.
[38:03] Okay.
[38:04] If I can just finish up here.
[38:07] I also want to share that I
[38:10] have heard from several
[38:13] community members around this
[38:13] potential conflict of interest
[38:16] of having a council member
[38:19] participate in this process and
[38:22] effectively have a vote up
[38:22] against everyone else.
[38:25] And I know that I've shared it
[38:25] with the city attorney.
[38:27] I've asked her others have have
[38:28] shared it with me as well.
[38:30] But I'm hearing that from
[38:33] community members many, many
[38:33] times.
[38:34] So I think we need to address
[38:35] it in some shape or form.
[38:38] And if I can if I can answer or
[38:39] speak to the the question about
[38:43] a conflict of interest so 168
[38:46] dash 75 contemplates a
[38:49] responsibility for council
[38:52] members to vote unless there is
[38:52] a statutory purpose or reason I
[38:55] should say for why they should
[38:58] not be participating in a vote.
[38:59] For instance, if there's a
[39:01] financial interest under 14
[39:03] dash 234 or a conflict of
[39:06] interest under 160 d and so
[39:09] based upon that there is not a
[39:11] legal reason why council member
[39:14] a sitting council member could
[39:15] not vote for him or herself if
[39:16] they are part of the candidate
[39:17] pool in terms of precedence
[39:20] this has occurred previously.
[39:23] Mayor patsy kinzie did vote for
[39:25] herself prior vote in
[39:28] contemplation of her
[39:28] appointment and so this is not
[39:30] unprecedented nor is it a legal
[39:33] prohibition for a council
[39:34] member to to vote for him or
[39:34] herself.
[39:37] So so the attorney just a
[39:39] follow up to that.
[39:40] The interim mayor will be
[39:43] receive ing the salary of the
[39:45] mayor and transitioning from a
[39:48] council member to interim mayor
[39:51] is an increase in salary, is it
[39:51] not?
[39:53] It is so with that in turn give
[39:57] a different layer here someone
[39:59] I have the ability to vote for
[40:00] myself for a salary increase is
[40:02] that is that not against that
[40:05] line of conflict of interest
[40:09] 160 d excuse me 160 a 75 a does
[40:12] contemplate a salary component
[40:12] at council members voting for
[40:15] salaries as as well as other
[40:18] pieces of of an end analysis
[40:20] and that is permissible.
[40:21] It is a distinction you're
[40:24] correct, councilmember anderson
[40:26] that it is an increase but that
[40:26] would be that would be in line
[40:29] I would argue with council
[40:32] voting to increase that salary
[40:32] more more broadly like you
[40:34] would in a budget similar in
[40:38] fashion MISS A before I want to
[40:41] say MR. Arias, thank you, MADAM
[40:41] Mayor.
[40:44] >> right as we did I guess you
[40:46] just forgotten.
[40:49] Yeah, I'm here.
[40:49] Right?
[40:49] Well, I'm I just I'm really
[40:50] trying hard now.
[40:52] It would be very helpful if you
[40:53] actually took a number and tell
[40:54] me when.
[40:55] But right now I'm trying to get
[40:57] it around the table because
[40:58] we're going this way.
[41:01] So if that's against the law I
[41:02] mean, I didn't want kids
[41:03] council member okay.
[41:04] >> thank you very much.
[41:06] Let's go ahead please.
[41:07] >> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[41:09] I do want to be clear.
[41:13] I think we voted on a timeline
[41:13] ,right.
[41:14] We didn't vote on a pay raise
[41:18] or appointing a colleague of
[41:19] ours to be enter mayor
[41:19] immediately.
[41:22] We voted on a timeline and a
[41:22] process that opened up the
[41:25] candidates for him.
[41:26] So I want that to be very clear
[41:28] that there is no gray area
[41:28] there.
[41:31] By the way, we did just vote on
[41:32] a budget that gave all council
[41:34] members and the mayor a pay
[41:34] increase.
[41:35] right.
[41:37] So that itself I mean if we're
[41:39] going to go through those
[41:42] definitions so be a you know,
[41:45] standard but that being said, I
[41:50] think it is 2:42 P.M. We are
[41:53] wasting these people's time by
[41:56] having a conversation about a
[41:56] process we should have had
[41:59] weeks ago.
[42:04] I think mayor we all as a
[42:05] council need to defer this to
[42:07] the budget committee and
[42:07] because we're just going to
[42:08] keep having questions and
[42:10] questions and questions and
[42:13] we're about to go up in our
[42:14] having cut into the candidates
[42:16] form that we all voted to have
[42:19] today to dedicate time for
[42:21] people to tell us their vision
[42:21] and seeking that interim
[42:23] position.
[42:24] >> all right.
[42:26] Thank you, MISS Johnson.
[42:27] Thank you.
[42:27] I'll support going to the
[42:29] budget committee but I will say
[42:31] that on MAY 7th when you
[42:32] submitted your resignation, I
[42:34] suggested we talk about this
[42:35] also I called a meeting last
[42:37] week council members to talk
[42:37] about this.
[42:40] So I apologize on behalf of
[42:40] council that this is the
[42:43] process that we're at today.
[42:43] >> thank you.
[42:46] I agree with you.
[42:47] We should have had a process
[42:49] but obviously that did not work
[42:52] and the right way and I think
[42:52] it's just another opportunity
[42:55] for us to understand that there
[42:55] are things that we need to do
[42:56] more.
[42:56] All right.
[42:58] With that, we have a motion on
[43:00] this mayor.
[43:03] I did not get an opportunity to
[43:06] speak or comment.
[43:06] I agree with councilmember
[43:08] johnson's.
[43:09] Had this been referred by you,
[43:11] mayor, several weeks ago we
[43:13] wouldn't be here where we are
[43:14] today.
[43:17] So I think all the candidates I
[43:18] agree with councilmember messer
[43:20] are yes, we are wasting their
[43:20] time.
[43:23] We should proceed in and then
[43:25] we can continue this
[43:26] conversation after the public
[43:28] hearing has ended to value
[43:31] their time so I would like I
[43:32] would like to make a very
[43:33] simple motion is to continue
[43:36] with the public hearing.
[43:39] As I mentioned, we have a
[43:40] motion we already have a motion
[43:42] on the floor because I think
[43:43] there is a lot of lot of
[43:45] questions around your motion
[43:46] and I think that we are not
[43:48] going to I will withdraw the
[43:50] motion if I MAY.
[43:50] I'm going to withdraw the
[43:53] motion for clarity in the room
[43:53] and allow council member
[43:56] whoever to go forward with some
[43:58] better motion display
[43:58] application.
[44:01] >> you have an amendment or a
[44:02] substitution to my motion
[44:04] that's on that's on the floor.
[44:04] >> okay.
[44:07] My substitute motion is to just
[44:08] proceed with a public forum and
[44:10] we will come back to all the
[44:11] questions and address it at the
[44:13] end.
[44:13] Second, second second, second
[44:15] is that a motion to table?
[44:16] >> is that a motion second
[44:18] motion to table right so we
[44:19] have a motion on the floor any
[44:21] further discussion hearing on
[44:24] all in favor.
[44:24] >> let's continue this.
[44:25] all right.
[44:27] So that's unanimous.
[44:29] I don't think we have it so so
[44:32] I think one of the questions
[44:33] that we're talking about is how
[44:35] are we going to get this motion
[44:38] and begin with this?
[44:41] So I've asked the city clerk's
[44:43] office if you billy would make
[44:44] sure everybody has the
[44:46] information that we all have
[44:48] the same list of people and
[44:49] then we can go ahead and begin
[44:51] the forum.
[44:54] All right, council members, any
[44:54] objection, any objection to
[44:57] starting right now?
[44:57] All right.
[44:57] Let's go.
[44:58] All right.
[44:59] Thank you, billy.
[45:02] Let's go for this.
[45:03] >> MADAM Mayor, would you like
[45:05] me to read the no, go ahead.
[45:05] Okay.
[45:08] So the first person to speak is
[45:11] john basham and I'm sorry if
[45:12] I'm saying your last name or
[45:15] whatever that one more time is
[45:17] that I was saying if you would
[45:19] just come it's it's still the
[45:21] process of two minutes.
[45:22] I know we MAY have taken a lot
[45:24] more for our own but if you
[45:24] would just stand in that middle
[45:27] case I don't know your be on tv
[45:30] tonight if all of the people in
[45:31] the news room are here today so
[45:32] thankful.
[45:33] That is fantastic.
[45:33] Thank you very much.
[45:35] So happy to be here.
[45:37] So happy to be going first.
[45:38] Yeah.
[45:40] So thank you very much.
[45:42] And my name's john apicella.
[45:45] I'm here as a mayoral candidate
[45:45] .
[45:47] >> I moved here 13 years ago.
[45:47] City adopted me.
[45:50] i love it here.
[45:51] I think it's the greatest one
[45:51] of the greatest cities in the
[45:53] country and this is just an
[45:56] amazing opportunity to help the
[45:59] city grow cities growing fast
[46:02] furious and I'd like to be able
[46:07] to help assure it in to a new a
[46:10] new age some things that I
[46:12] believe in tax the rich feed
[46:15] and house the poor.
[46:16] >> I think that's pretty basic
[46:18] and I think that I think that's
[46:23] that's I think taxing the rich
[46:26] to feed and house the poor is
[46:31] just basic human compassion,
[46:32] justice and equality for all.
[46:35] There are our systems are
[46:35] flawed.
[46:37] They've been that way since the
[46:42] inception and needs to be fixed
[46:45] more parks, less parking lots.
[46:48] >> our society is way too car
[46:48] centric in my opinion.
[46:51] The city has pockets of areas
[46:54] in which you don't need a car
[46:54] to survive.
[46:57] There should be more of those
[47:00] cameras on traffic lights.
[47:01] I've lived in a lot of cities.
[47:03] I've been in a lot of places
[47:06] nowhere else that I've been do
[47:09] people hit the gas pedal on a
[47:09] yellow light as much as they do
[47:10] in charlotte?
[47:15] It's dangerous in dc when I
[47:15] lived there they had cars on
[47:17] cameras on traffic lights.
[47:20] It raised a lot of money for
[47:23] the city and I think that's a
[47:25] pretty passive way to do that
[47:29] and to keep this brief them
[47:31] very very low on the list of
[47:34] priorities is I don't really
[47:35] see any other way in my life
[47:37] that I can meet my mom.
[47:37] >> donny and I would really
[47:38] like to do that.
[47:40] That's tom.
[47:40] Thank you.
[47:45] and you're a much our next our
[47:48] next speaker the next sorry the
[47:50] next speaker is out yeara I'll
[48:01] be your apology at the see you
[48:06] again next see to mary lyles is
[48:07] my time started my name is
[48:10] sarah I'll be area I currently
[48:10] serve as a senior district
[48:12] liaison for congresswoman adams
[48:13] where I have the privilege of
[48:15] helping our boss vulnerable
[48:15] constituents through their most
[48:18] challenging times prior to that
[48:18] I worked for the international
[48:21] organization for migration
[48:22] highlighting the stories of our
[48:23] vulnerable communities
[48:26] worldwide as a proud 40 niner
[48:29] I've seen charlotte grow into
[48:29] one of the fastest growing
[48:32] cities in america but with
[48:34] growth comes tremendous bond
[48:34] stability.
[48:37] We must ensure our city remains
[48:38] affordable, accessible, safe
[48:41] and full of opportunity for all
[48:41] of our residents.
[48:44] I've worked with constituents
[48:46] directly for years.
[48:47] I've helped them navigate
[48:49] issues from housing instability
[48:52] to immigration issues to vet
[48:55] delayed benefits.
[48:56] What I've learned from those
[48:58] experiences is that leadership
[48:59] is not about having all the
[48:59] answers.
[49:01] It's about listening showing up
[49:02] for your communities and
[49:04] honestly just doing your best
[49:07] to lend an ear when it's needed
[49:07] .
[49:07] As a daughter of immigrants and
[49:11] a muslim woman of color, I know
[49:13] better than ever that many of
[49:13] our residents experience the
[49:16] city differently and in times
[49:16] of uncertainty a lot of our
[49:19] residents felt immense fear
[49:21] when ice filled our communities
[49:21] .
[49:24] And honestly I felt a alongside
[49:28] them that that experience
[49:28] reinforced my belief that
[49:30] charlotte must remain a city
[49:32] that is welcoming and
[49:35] accessible and full of support
[49:36] for all of its residents.
[49:39] Everyone deserves to feel seen
[49:39] ,heard and safe where they
[49:42] call home.
[49:43] An interim mayor is not being
[49:45] asked to serve charlotte for
[49:45] the next decade.
[49:47] They're being asked to serve as
[49:50] a steward during a transitional
[49:51] period and much like you would
[49:53] trust someone to watch your
[49:54] home while you're away you
[49:57] would expect the city of
[49:57] charlotte to be in responsible
[49:59] hands.
[50:01] Now local government is one of
[50:01] the most influential and
[50:04] impactful forms of government.
[50:04] >> okay.
[50:05] Thank you.
[50:05] Thank you.
[50:05] All right.
[50:11] You all right?
[50:32] Next we have ryan arriola.
[50:35] >> afternoon council.
[50:38] I am ryan mckenzie arioli I'm
[50:38] seeking the opportunity to
[50:41] serve as the next mayor of
[50:42] charlotte.
[50:44] Little bit about me I come from
[50:44] a working class family.
[50:47] I'm proud to be a first
[50:50] generation college grad and
[50:50] what those experiences have
[50:54] instilled in me and has taught
[50:55] me throughout my career is that
[50:56] when you work hard you have
[50:59] accountability and you you
[51:01] service these principles can
[51:02] really help you through your
[51:04] career and help you in
[51:05] leadership because it's all
[51:07] about that.
[51:08] and today I serve as the vice
[51:10] PRESIDENT Of marketing and
[51:12] development for a american
[51:13] manufacturing company.
[51:15] Here I lead innovation strategy
[51:15] .
[51:16] I work with cross-functional
[51:18] teams.
[51:19] And before that I worked as a
[51:21] scientist where, you know, I
[51:22] developed deep appreciation for
[51:24] facts, critical thinking and
[51:26] the ability to solve complex
[51:27] problems.
[51:27] I've also had the privilege of
[51:30] coaching middle school and high
[51:32] school soccer which has taught
[51:33] me a lot about leadership is
[51:35] more than an x's and o's.
[51:36] It's about helping these people
[51:38] be the best people they can be
[51:39] on and off the field.
[51:42] It's about developing a team
[51:42] around a common goal and
[51:44] focusing on developing
[51:44] individual people.
[51:47] And my belief is that good
[51:48] leaders create more leaders.
[51:50] They don't create followers.
[51:53] So it's always been something
[51:54] of my personal belief is that
[51:56] if I'm doing a good job more
[51:57] people are going to step up and
[51:59] be leaders and less people are
[52:00] going to be followers.
[52:02] >> and as an author I've had
[52:02] the opportunity to explore
[52:04] ideas around leadership and
[52:06] community and our shared
[52:07] responsibility to one another.
[52:09] >> writing has taught me the
[52:10] most important thing is
[52:12] listening and communicating and
[52:12] being clear in your
[52:12] communications.
[52:15] And it's also about bringing
[52:15] people together around a common
[52:18] idea and common values that we
[52:22] share and also I saw public
[52:24] office back in 2020 and i
[52:25] gained an even deeper
[52:27] appreciation of the importance
[52:28] of civic engagement in public
[52:30] service campaigning taught me
[52:32] that leadership begins with
[52:33] listening.
[52:33] It also taught me how to engage
[52:35] with people from different
[52:36] backgrounds perspectives and
[52:38] that's time.
[52:38] Thank you.
[52:46] Thank you.
[53:00] Next we have neul from neul.
[53:01] He did sony's all right last
[53:03] name is o y a al where are you?
[53:05] Last name address and he said
[53:08] it was same and the last thing
[53:10] I was doing the first thing
[53:10] thank you.
[53:19] There is no this is a $10,000
[53:19] bill.
[53:21] Exactly how much of a salary
[53:24] decrease I will take if I'm
[53:24] elected mayor.
[53:27] It it's not about the money for
[53:30] me is by integrity is about
[53:30] letting a mayoral official he
[53:32] knows exactly what he's doing
[53:32] and doesn't.
[53:33] I'm born and raised in
[53:36] charlotte, north carolina.
[53:36] I've seen the grow ups and
[53:38] developed when I was 2015 I
[53:41] wasn't on an scholars program
[53:41] and I had to attend a city
[53:43] planning class where they
[53:44] showed solid growth rate in
[53:45] comparison to all the other
[53:47] cities major cities in the
[53:47] south.
[53:49] So all this growth rate is
[53:50] unprecedented in comparison to
[53:53] any other city in america is
[53:55] exponentially growing and the
[53:56] problems is having it are not
[54:00] being solved that for instance
[54:01] if you use the equation p
[54:05] equals 810,000 does want 1.222
[54:09] power to where t is any every
[54:10] year past 2015 when I first in
[54:14] that class it went from 2015
[54:18] population 800,000 to over 1
[54:19] million almost is going way too
[54:21] high which first and the
[54:22] infrastructure that I saw that
[54:24] was originally built for was
[54:26] only built for 500,000 people.
[54:28] So we are way past massive
[54:29] capacity and we need to make
[54:31] sure we we absorb the
[54:34] surrounding communities and
[54:34] increase wages for everybody.
[54:37] So this is livable and
[54:39] sustainable right now I know I
[54:40] don't have too much experience
[54:42] in politics.
[54:43] I do have a long service career
[54:45] with the post office working
[54:46] for the federal government so I
[54:48] do have a loves in that way and
[54:51] I appreciate you so much and
[54:52] grateful for the opportunity to
[54:52] be your man.
[55:01] Thank you, governor and next is
[55:12] barrett berry.
[55:12] I wrote remarks to keep me to
[55:13] two minutes.
[55:15] I've been a pastor so have much
[55:18] time.
[55:18] Thank you for the opportunity
[55:20] to be considered for the
[55:23] position of interim mayor of
[55:24] city of charlotte my name is
[55:25] barrett berry.
[55:26] I'm a former white house staff
[55:28] member small business owner,
[55:28] educator, nonprofit executive
[55:31] pastor and community leader for
[55:31] nearly a decade I've called
[55:33] shawn home and dedicated my
[55:34] professional, civic and faith
[55:37] based leadership to serving the
[55:37] people and neighborhoods of
[55:39] this great city.
[55:40] I came to charlotte in 2016
[55:41] with only one filming here in
[55:43] the city of charlotte through
[55:44] service relationship building
[55:46] and community engagement I have
[55:47] had the privilege of working
[55:49] alongside residents business
[55:50] leaders, educators, health care
[55:52] providers, nonprofit
[55:53] organizations, faith leaders
[55:55] and public officials throughout
[55:56] mecklenburg county.
[55:58] I've been appointed to serve to
[55:59] serve on leadership positions
[56:01] by the clinton white house to
[56:02] multiple senior roles by the
[56:04] governor of massachusetts is
[56:05] deval patrick and senior roles
[56:07] I've been appointed by governor
[56:08] roy cooper to serve on a
[56:10] statewide board.
[56:11] I've been appointed by the
[56:13] mecklenburg county board of
[56:13] commissioners to serve as a
[56:16] board and now I'm ready to be
[56:16] appointed by charlotte city
[56:18] council.
[56:18] So only place I haven't served
[56:21] in some capacity in leadership
[56:24] in government is city level.
[56:26] I'm graduated morse from
[56:26] college with two degrees in
[56:27] political science africana
[56:29] studies and graduate harvard
[56:31] university and is also in a
[56:32] fellow in the harvard center
[56:34] for public leadership where the
[56:37] current with a former mayor
[56:37] anthony fox now the director
[56:40] and so I'm very familiar with
[56:41] prepare to be a leader here in
[56:43] the city of charlotte I
[56:46] systematically approach being a
[56:47] mayor of a city city of south
[56:49] bend where I ran against people
[56:49] to judge.
[56:49] He became PRESIDENT.
[56:52] I became pastor but I did that
[56:54] strategically my education, my
[56:55] leadership roles and the like.
[56:58] I've been a speechwriter at the
[56:58] highest levels of government
[57:01] I've been a senior advisor to
[57:01] small business administration.
[57:03] I've been by small businesses
[57:04] throughout the country.
[57:06] i've been in government and
[57:08] politics over 30 years.
[57:09] I've been a PRESIDENT's
[57:10] surrogate speaker across the
[57:11] country for two presidential
[57:13] candidates and I've served I'm
[57:16] ready to serve here in the city
[57:16] of charlotte.
[57:20] >> I do.
[57:28] Next is janey caldwell.
[57:28] MS..
[57:36] Caldwell announced in JUNE on
[57:39] caldwell janey caldwell all
[57:39] right.
[57:42] I'll continue to go through the
[57:43] list and if she comes we can go
[57:44] back.
[57:49] The next person is dear jerry
[57:50] clarida.
[58:00] Clarida greetings city council
[58:01] in charlotte residence I'm
[58:03] going to open up with my quote
[58:06] by quote of my favorite author
[58:06] toni morrison somebody has to
[58:09] take responsibility for being a
[58:09] leader.
[58:12] Items are declared a license
[58:12] social work practitioner and
[58:15] ph.D. Candidate and a native of
[58:15] north carolina born in a
[58:18] piedmont triad area and raised
[58:18] between the triad area and
[58:21] charlotte, north carolina
[58:22] specifically on the west side
[58:24] west boulevard as an alumnus
[58:27] party university high school a
[58:27] first generation college
[58:28] graduate of north carolina
[58:29] state university with a
[58:30] bachelor's degree in social
[58:32] work a master's degree in
[58:34] social work from the university
[58:35] at illinois-chicago with a
[58:38] specialization and organization
[58:39] and community practice and a
[58:41] current ph.D. Candidate in the
[58:41] school of social work at morgan
[58:43] state university.
[58:44] I'm interested in interested in
[58:46] serving as interim mayor due to
[58:49] my commitment to serve as
[58:50] leadership and prioritizing the
[58:52] needs of our charlotte
[58:52] constituents who I continue in
[58:55] a seamless transition focused
[58:57] on the city's core priorities
[59:00] and the governing body's focus
[59:01] areas for the city charlotte
[59:03] including affordable housing,
[59:03] transportation, mobility,
[59:06] community safety and more.
[59:06] With my experiences in
[59:10] diversity and non nonprofit
[59:10] community based agencies health
[59:12] care and higher education
[59:15] working with individuals,
[59:16] families, organizations and
[59:16] communities throughout the
[59:18] charlotte community and large
[59:21] urban cities I have developed a
[59:21] wealth of knowledge and
[59:22] experience prioritized
[59:24] underneath a people essential
[59:25] to my personal professional
[59:27] goal as serving as interim
[59:27] mayor.
[59:29] The message is clear to serve
[59:30] lee and provide special
[59:33] attention to the concerns of
[59:34] the community.
[59:36] Thank you all for your time and
[59:40] support and consideration.
[59:56] Nathan clark what's up
[59:56] everybody?
[59:57] Another beautiful day in the
[59:59] best city in america.
[1:00:02] My name is nathan clark.
[1:00:03] I was born in fayetteville,
[1:00:03] north carolina.
[1:00:07] I grew up in noda from 98 until
[1:00:08] about 2006.
[1:00:08] Then I lived in west charlotte
[1:00:10] after that.
[1:00:12] Then I graduated from lincoln
[1:00:12] charter and I'm the first man
[1:00:15] in my college or my in my
[1:00:15] family to graduate from
[1:00:15] college.
[1:00:17] I graduated from you in S.C.
[1:00:18] With a double major in policy
[1:00:20] in history during that I
[1:00:23] interned for congressman
[1:00:25] patrick mchenry so I got my
[1:00:25] first foot in the door with
[1:00:26] politics.
[1:00:29] Then and it was pretty eye
[1:00:31] opening to say the least
[1:00:31] because when you work for
[1:00:34] somebody you don't agree with,
[1:00:34] you see all the ways that they
[1:00:37] don't work for the people that
[1:00:39] they you know, voted them in.
[1:00:43] So in the meantime I have been
[1:00:46] driving uber so I've spoken
[1:00:46] with a lot of people that live
[1:00:49] in charlotte across all I would
[1:00:52] say spectrums of the socio
[1:00:55] economic platform and we got a
[1:00:56] lot of problems here that
[1:00:57] aren't getting met specifically
[1:00:58] at the lower end of the
[1:01:00] spectrum we've had thousands
[1:01:03] and thousands of people kicked
[1:01:04] out of their houses
[1:01:06] grandparents because they
[1:01:06] couldn't afford to pay the
[1:01:08] taxes because the property
[1:01:11] valuations so my goal if I were
[1:01:14] to lead would be to rewrite tax
[1:01:17] code for the locals and see how
[1:01:19] we can get equity across the
[1:01:22] board for our lower you know,
[1:01:23] people on the lower end of the
[1:01:25] socio economic spectrum and
[1:01:28] definitely do something about
[1:01:28] traffic because it's bananas
[1:01:29] out there.
[1:01:32] It's like a grand theft auto
[1:01:34] server seriously like I don't I
[1:01:34] don't know what people are
[1:01:35] doing when they're driving
[1:01:37] anymore but we we got a lot of
[1:01:38] work to do especially as far as
[1:01:40] the infrastructure goes and I'm
[1:01:42] a big believer in changing the
[1:01:45] infrastructure and putting more
[1:01:47] money into education because
[1:01:48] the kids are going to be the
[1:01:50] next you know they come after
[1:01:50] us.
[1:01:53] so more money for education,
[1:01:54] more money for infrastructure
[1:01:56] and that's my time.
[1:02:03] Yeah, that clay wall clay will
[1:02:18] colleges stress stress?
[1:02:20] >> that's a great thank you at
[1:02:21] the microphone.
[1:02:23] >> oh sure.
[1:02:26] >> great honorable city council
[1:02:26] members, distinguished guests
[1:02:29] and MADAM Mayor, thank you for
[1:02:29] your time.
[1:02:32] Hi, I'm zack.
[1:02:32] Nice to meet you.
[1:02:34] I'm running for interim mayor
[1:02:35] of charlotte, north carolina
[1:02:37] because I love the queen city
[1:02:40] and I want to make a brighter
[1:02:41] future for all charlatans and
[1:02:44] also I really need a job.
[1:02:46] I have like many in our
[1:02:47] community who've been affected
[1:02:48] by corporate layoffs recently
[1:02:49] and according to linkedin, this
[1:02:52] is the only available job in
[1:02:52] the city.
[1:02:57] So that's where I'm here.
[1:02:59] I know you're thinking you know
[1:03:00] yeah, this guy looks like the
[1:03:02] riddler if he was into urban
[1:03:03] planning.
[1:03:06] Okay, I get that I know that I
[1:03:07] was just on the internet saying
[1:03:10] I would drink 964,000 beers one
[1:03:13] for every charlatan I did.
[1:03:14] Those could disqualify me.
[1:03:16] But I know that I could rise to
[1:03:16] this occasion.
[1:03:19] Yes, I know that the mayor of
[1:03:22] charlotte has the 13th or 14th
[1:03:22] most powerful person in the
[1:03:25] city has immense pressure on
[1:03:27] them and I can be there for
[1:03:27] that.
[1:03:31] I know that I'm hilarious,
[1:03:31] handsome and heroic who wrote
[1:03:34] this but I don't have the
[1:03:37] government experience of the
[1:03:37] esteemed panel before me.
[1:03:40] But what I do have are big
[1:03:40] ideas.
[1:03:42] I'm here for one big idea and
[1:03:42] one big idea only.
[1:03:44] We need to make to 77 of river.
[1:03:48] That's right.
[1:03:48] We need to cap the freeway and
[1:03:51] turn it into a linear park and
[1:03:51] we need to have beautiful
[1:03:55] waterways encircled the queen
[1:03:55] city.
[1:03:55] I mean imagine it.
[1:03:57] We could be the venice of the
[1:03:58] south.
[1:04:00] We could be having a lazy river
[1:04:01] by panther stadium instead of
[1:04:04] dodging ultimate or mellow ball
[1:04:08] on the highway.
[1:04:11] >> how am I doing on time now
[1:04:11] you're saying well what about
[1:04:11] traffic?
[1:04:14] I answer that question the way
[1:04:15] I answer every question that's
[1:04:17] ever been asked of me trains we
[1:04:17] need more trains.
[1:04:18] I want to see trains to the
[1:04:20] airport.
[1:04:21] I want to see trains to atlanta
[1:04:23] trains to gastonia and rock
[1:04:24] hill.
[1:04:24] I want trains to john g's
[1:04:27] barbecues so I don't have a dui
[1:04:27] if I drink a beer at georgie's
[1:04:29] barbecue.
[1:04:29] Okay.
[1:04:30] I want trains everywhere except
[1:04:32] matthews.
[1:04:33] >> those people hate trains.
[1:04:35] I don't know why.
[1:04:35] Thank you for your time and
[1:04:36] thank you for your service.
[1:04:38] Thank you for the opportunity
[1:04:40] to get a good laugh.
[1:04:46] You can point I know harold
[1:04:46] card.
[1:04:49] That's not funny and I don't
[1:04:51] think harold cocktail it's okay
[1:04:59] to I just got to say that's a
[1:05:02] hard act to follow utterly
[1:05:05] impossible MADAM Mayor, members
[1:05:11] of council of a applicants for
[1:05:11] the appointment position and
[1:05:12] other stakeholders in the
[1:05:13] community city staff thank you
[1:05:14] for this opportunity to be here
[1:05:16] today.
[1:05:19] I my name is harold cocktail
[1:05:20] and I'm humbled to be entrusted
[1:05:22] with the privilege to once
[1:05:23] again serve the people of this
[1:05:26] incredible crown jewel of a
[1:05:26] community if this board so
[1:05:29] chooses to give me that
[1:05:31] opportunity I would like to
[1:05:33] take the time today to speak to
[1:05:34] this board about three very
[1:05:36] important considerations that I
[1:05:39] hope this board would consider
[1:05:39] to take into consideration.
[1:05:44] My and my apologies as those
[1:05:45] three things are experienced
[1:05:45] motivation and governing
[1:05:47] philosophy one experience I
[1:05:50] have served at the dyess that
[1:05:53] you said I have served as a
[1:05:53] council member and
[1:05:54] commissioner.
[1:05:54] I have served as CHAIRMAN And
[1:05:56] vice CHAIRMAN Of the
[1:05:56] mecklenburg county board of
[1:05:58] commissioners, CHAIRMAN Of the
[1:05:59] charlotte housing authority and
[1:06:01] in my capacity as CHAIRMAN Of
[1:06:02] mecklenburg county commission,
[1:06:04] CHAIRMAN Of the metropolitan
[1:06:05] transit commission, I have had
[1:06:07] the I've been humbled to have
[1:06:10] the opportunity to serve this
[1:06:10] community in many fashions have
[1:06:12] been both on board of advisors
[1:06:13] for the charlotte chamber as
[1:06:15] well as a lifetime member of
[1:06:16] the charlotte-mecklenburg black
[1:06:18] political caucus.
[1:06:21] I've had many, many discussion
[1:06:22] ins policy discussions,
[1:06:24] budgetary meetings and
[1:06:24] impromptu discussions about
[1:06:28] policy on both the 11th and
[1:06:30] 15th floor in this building.
[1:06:30] >> it is something that i
[1:06:32] believe that that experience
[1:06:34] will give me the opportunity to
[1:06:35] begin day one to serve this
[1:06:38] board and serve this community.
[1:06:40] But experience is one thing.
[1:06:42] Motivation is another.
[1:06:43] I have no future political
[1:06:46] aspirations.
[1:06:48] I've been enormously blessed to
[1:06:51] quote shirley chisholm services
[1:06:52] the rent we pay for the
[1:06:52] privilege of living on this
[1:06:54] earth.
[1:06:54] I fully recognize and I'm ever
[1:06:57] mindful that we have
[1:07:00] experienced great prosperity in
[1:07:00] this community but so many in
[1:07:03] this community have also been
[1:07:06] left behind in the wow that was
[1:07:06] really fast.
[1:07:16] Thank you for thank you to this
[1:07:27] daniel conner journalist good
[1:07:29] afternoon and thank you for
[1:07:29] having me today.
[1:07:31] >> my name is daniel conner.
[1:07:34] I am a native of the charlotte
[1:07:35] area, was originally born in
[1:07:39] salisbury but moved here in
[1:07:39] 1984.
[1:07:41] My dad has always worked in
[1:07:42] this area well actually in the
[1:07:45] city he was an architect with j
[1:07:47] and p's and associates when
[1:07:48] they were on independence
[1:07:51] boulevard and he loves this
[1:07:56] city and he's always been very
[1:07:56] invested in charlotte's growth
[1:07:59] and development and he's passed
[1:08:01] that passion on to me and it's
[1:08:02] something that I am very
[1:08:04] interested in being a part of
[1:08:05] as well.
[1:08:08] Before I get into that though,
[1:08:08] I'd like to talk about the role
[1:08:10] of interim mayor.
[1:08:13] You know the mayoral position
[1:08:16] has been one of benevolent
[1:08:17] tillery ever since anthony fox
[1:08:20] left to be the secretary of
[1:08:23] transportation and I don't
[1:08:23] blame him.
[1:08:24] It's a great job.
[1:08:26] It's an amazing opportunity.
[1:08:29] But as interim mayor I want to
[1:08:32] establish myself as someone who
[1:08:32] provides a steady, stable and
[1:08:35] consistent presence in the
[1:08:37] office of mayor while
[1:08:41] dedicating myself to working to
[1:08:42] reduce and even eliminate the
[1:08:44] political polarity we've
[1:08:47] experienced for the last ten
[1:08:50] years or so in charlotte and of
[1:08:52] course nationwide.
[1:08:55] If I'm chosen to be the interim
[1:08:57] mayor I want to work towards
[1:08:59] something I call the charlotte
[1:09:03] vision for 2040 which is a
[1:09:03] bold, aggressive and consistent
[1:09:08] concept for growth in charlotte
[1:09:11] that addresses jobs.
[1:09:14] It addresses affordable
[1:09:14] housing, it addresses
[1:09:17] infrastructure and it would
[1:09:20] actually culminate with
[1:09:20] charlotte being able to host
[1:09:25] the 2040 summer olympics while
[1:09:26] diversifying our strengths as a
[1:09:28] city.
[1:09:28] The immediate impact for
[1:09:31] implementing this plan calls
[1:09:32] for significant expansion and
[1:09:34] upgrades in our public
[1:09:36] transportation particularly
[1:09:37] light rail and possibly high
[1:09:40] speed rail and that's my time.
[1:09:40] >> thank you.
[1:09:55] Thank you jerry kirk good
[1:09:58] afternoon mayor and members of
[1:09:58] council.
[1:10:01] I'm carrie cook and I'm proud
[1:10:01] to stand before you today to
[1:10:02] request your support for the
[1:10:04] interim charlotte mayor role.
[1:10:07] I was raised in charlotte,
[1:10:07] attended cmf schools and I'm
[1:10:09] still firmly rooted here with
[1:10:10] my children and family long
[1:10:12] before I served in executive
[1:10:13] leadership roles I serve the
[1:10:15] people of charlotte without a
[1:10:16] title.
[1:10:18] Charlotte is in a unique moment
[1:10:18] .
[1:10:19] We have incredible momentum to
[1:10:22] continue building a world class
[1:10:24] city and with that there
[1:10:24] remains opportunity.
[1:10:27] We have families who cannot
[1:10:28] afford to stay in the
[1:10:30] neighborhoods they built.
[1:10:30] We have residents who need to
[1:10:33] feel safer in their communities
[1:10:34] and we have growth that that
[1:10:36] demands intentional planning
[1:10:37] with community.
[1:10:39] >> I have spent my career
[1:10:40] working inside these very
[1:10:42] issues listening, building
[1:10:42] coalitions and advancing
[1:10:45] solutions.
[1:10:46] I did I did much of that work
[1:10:48] together with you all and I
[1:10:49] thank you for your leadership
[1:10:51] at the federal reserve.
[1:10:51] I help drive capital investment
[1:10:54] towards under-resourced
[1:10:54] communities.
[1:10:55] Before that I built greenlight
[1:10:57] fund charlotte from the ground
[1:11:00] up because our city deserves a
[1:11:00] model that supports economic
[1:11:03] mobility for residents with
[1:11:03] real results.
[1:11:05] We did just that with
[1:11:06] collaborative investments in
[1:11:09] safety neighborhoods and
[1:11:10] workforce development and we
[1:11:12] did it together with you.
[1:11:12] So thank you for your work at
[1:11:15] the charlotte regional business
[1:11:15] alliance.
[1:11:17] I galvanize advocacy campaigns
[1:11:18] for streets housing schools
[1:11:21] because quality of life should
[1:11:23] not depend on your zip code.
[1:11:24] And I sat at the table where
[1:11:26] business government, community
[1:11:27] and other partners had to find
[1:11:29] yes together even when they did
[1:11:32] not initially agree.
[1:11:32] That's an important role for
[1:11:34] the mayor to play to bring
[1:11:35] together different perspectives
[1:11:37] and power council to hear
[1:11:38] resident voices and make
[1:11:40] decisions to advance its
[1:11:40] priorities.
[1:11:41] The development of your
[1:11:43] priorities made it clear that
[1:11:44] trust, transparency and
[1:11:46] execution are critical in this
[1:11:49] moment and in this moment you
[1:11:52] must have the right experience
[1:11:52] .
[1:11:52] So this is what I'm offering to
[1:11:54] you the moment we're in right
[1:11:55] now demands someone who is
[1:11:57] working to address these issues
[1:11:58] today.
[1:11:58] >> thank you so much for your
[1:12:03] support.
[1:12:19] Jeremy decarlo thank you so
[1:12:22] much for having me today.
[1:12:22] My name is jeremy de carlos.
[1:12:24] I will not take up too much of
[1:12:25] your time as far as experience
[1:12:27] goes I have not run for any
[1:12:30] public office nor have I been
[1:12:33] in a community leader position
[1:12:33] of this sort.
[1:12:36] What I am is a performer and I
[1:12:39] am a carolina boy and what I
[1:12:42] could bring to this job is
[1:12:45] communication and ear to listen
[1:12:45] and the opportunity to work
[1:12:48] with city leaders to make a
[1:12:51] difference for the people that
[1:12:52] live in this city at the
[1:12:54] position that I am in on the
[1:12:55] ground floor I hear lots of
[1:12:59] discussion and I hear lots of
[1:13:02] special feelings about what it
[1:13:03] is like to live in this city
[1:13:05] and in a position of
[1:13:06] leadership.
[1:13:08] What I would hope to do is to
[1:13:11] level the playing field for
[1:13:14] those who are lower income and
[1:13:19] to make a better equitable and
[1:13:20] a better running city in the
[1:13:22] interim.
[1:13:27] >> thank you very much michael
[1:13:53] evans MADAM Mayor, members of
[1:13:56] council ladies and gentlemen, I
[1:13:58] am mike evans.
[1:13:59] I appreciate the opportunity to
[1:14:01] address you this afternoon.
[1:14:04] There are several applicants
[1:14:06] among the applicant pool who
[1:14:07] could serve in this role.
[1:14:10] Your challenge in my opinion is
[1:14:12] to decide who has the
[1:14:13] combination of skills
[1:14:15] experience and personal
[1:14:18] qualities to work
[1:14:20] collaboratively with you over
[1:14:20] the next 18 months to make
[1:14:22] charlotte a better place for
[1:14:25] all charlotte teens?
[1:14:26] I'm confident that we can work
[1:14:28] together a effectively to
[1:14:31] achieve this goal.
[1:14:33] I arrived in charlotte in 1980.
[1:14:35] Charlotte opened up its arms
[1:14:36] and provided me with
[1:14:36] opportunities to grow
[1:14:39] personally and professionally.
[1:14:42] I've had the opportunity to
[1:14:45] lead in politics, education and
[1:14:45] business.
[1:14:46] I owned a financial planning
[1:14:48] firm for 27 years.
[1:14:51] I also served as a professor of
[1:14:52] finance and went through and
[1:14:54] chair of the department of
[1:14:55] business administration at
[1:14:56] johnson c smith university.
[1:15:00] I've remained engaged by
[1:15:00] serving on a host of boards
[1:15:03] including serving as treasurer
[1:15:06] of the united way chair of tvi,
[1:15:09] PRESIDENT Of leadership
[1:15:09] charlotte serving on the c p,
[1:15:12] c, c and a b c boards most
[1:15:15] recently I served on the board
[1:15:18] the c r va serving two years as
[1:15:18] chair.
[1:15:22] It has been my ongoing mission
[1:15:24] to give back to the city that i
[1:15:24] love.
[1:15:27] It is the limited term of this
[1:15:30] opportunity that so appealing
[1:15:30] to me.
[1:15:31] I will be fully committed to
[1:15:33] being the best mayor that I can
[1:15:36] be without the challenge of
[1:15:39] simultaneously managing a
[1:15:41] career if selected it is my
[1:15:42] place to give the city
[1:15:44] everything I've got for the
[1:15:45] next 18 months.
[1:15:48] There is absolutely no scenario
[1:15:51] in which I will seek this or
[1:15:53] any other seat in 20 27.
[1:15:55] >> thank you you.
[1:16:26] >> gregory fagan good afternoon
[1:16:26] .
[1:16:29] Thank you for the opportunity
[1:16:30] for me to talk with you today.
[1:16:33] My name is greg fagan and a
[1:16:35] brief summary of my background
[1:16:35] .
[1:16:36] I have a B.A. In political
[1:16:38] science from chapel hill, a
[1:16:40] master's degree with a
[1:16:41] concentration in finance from
[1:16:43] the university of alabama, a
[1:16:46] juris doctorate degree law
[1:16:47] degree if you will, from the
[1:16:49] university of alabama in
[1:16:49] tuscaloosa.
[1:16:52] After law school I practiced
[1:16:53] law in alabama for a couple of
[1:16:55] years and then in the mid 80s
[1:16:58] returned to charlotte where I
[1:16:58] worked for a new york stock
[1:17:01] exchange company for 20 years
[1:17:02] and then started my own law
[1:17:04] firm.
[1:17:04] >> the mayor of charlotte has
[1:17:07] the unique opportunity to make
[1:17:10] the lives better for every
[1:17:12] citizen in charlotte.
[1:17:13] >> how does the mayor do that?
[1:17:15] Simply make charlotte the best
[1:17:18] place in the country for for
[1:17:18] people to live.
[1:17:21] Well, how does the mayor do
[1:17:21] that?
[1:17:22] let me touch on a couple of
[1:17:24] things that come to mind.
[1:17:26] >> focus on affordability, not
[1:17:29] just the cost of goods in
[1:17:30] charlotte but the actual cost
[1:17:32] of living in charlotte.
[1:17:35] >> economic development
[1:17:38] opportunities for souls for
[1:17:42] sole proprietors small business
[1:17:44] up to 4500 companies.
[1:17:48] >> environmental concerns in
[1:17:48] order to be the best city you
[1:17:51] have to have the best drinking
[1:17:51] water.
[1:17:53] You have to have the best air
[1:17:53] to breathe.
[1:17:56] What about infrastructure?
[1:17:57] It's been mentioned before can
[1:17:59] we simply get traffic moving in
[1:18:00] charlotte and can we provide
[1:18:03] public transportation to make
[1:18:04] it easier for the citizens of
[1:18:06] charlotte to get around?
[1:18:08] >> and what about safety?
[1:18:09] >> you cannot be the best city
[1:18:11] to live in if you're not one of
[1:18:14] the safest cities to live in.
[1:18:17] And furthermore education in
[1:18:18] order to be a great city you
[1:18:19] have to have one of the
[1:18:22] greatest educational programs
[1:18:22] in the country.
[1:18:24] >> I have the background,
[1:18:25] education and experience to
[1:18:28] address these issues.
[1:18:33] >> thank you very much.
[1:18:53] Jacob fulk and fallon sebastian
[1:18:56] sekulic specialist.
[1:19:06] Thank you.
[1:19:06] Good afternoon.
[1:19:09] Council members.
[1:19:10] My name is sebastian fetzer.
[1:19:12] I'm a representative of the
[1:19:12] ironworkers union.
[1:19:15] I am also one of the vice
[1:19:15] presidents of the charlotte
[1:19:17] metro line central labor
[1:19:17] council.
[1:19:20] We represent over 30,000
[1:19:23] different workers in the city
[1:19:23] in different industry both
[1:19:26] public and private sector folks
[1:19:28] from bus drivers, communication
[1:19:31] workers, construction workers.
[1:19:32] And basically our job is to
[1:19:35] understand our issue of discuss
[1:19:37] it with elected officials and
[1:19:40] fight for the different
[1:19:40] problems that they MAY have in
[1:19:41] the city.
[1:19:44] I'm also one of the vice
[1:19:44] presidents of the north
[1:19:46] carolina afl-cio, the labor
[1:19:47] federation of north carolina
[1:19:48] alongside one of our four
[1:19:50] former council members and one
[1:19:53] of additional backgrounds.
[1:19:55] I have lived here for about 20
[1:19:56] years now on and off a little
[1:19:58] bit but mostly in the city of
[1:19:58] charlotte.
[1:19:59] I do have a degree in economics
[1:20:01] from you and charlotte as well
[1:20:01] as political science.
[1:20:04] I wanted to place my name for
[1:20:07] the consideration because I do
[1:20:07] believe that the position of
[1:20:09] the interim mayor can do so
[1:20:13] much more to continue our
[1:20:15] support for the many workers
[1:20:16] who live in the city.
[1:20:18] We'll continue to struggle.
[1:20:19] That's one of the biggest
[1:20:21] problems we continue to hear
[1:20:21] about.
[1:20:22] You know, it's not fair that so
[1:20:24] many of our workers you know,
[1:20:27] they do what they're supposed
[1:20:27] to do.
[1:20:28] They work to 40 hours or
[1:20:29] overtime and they still
[1:20:30] struggle to afford a standard
[1:20:32] of living here in the city of
[1:20:33] charlotte.
[1:20:35] I want to continue to find
[1:20:37] solutions to support them
[1:20:38] whether it's through affordable
[1:20:40] housing which is the number one
[1:20:41] issue that we continue to hear
[1:20:41] about.
[1:20:44] i feel like we do bring in some
[1:20:46] band-aids and support but
[1:20:47] there's so much more that we
[1:20:48] can do.
[1:20:51] Things like we do appreciate
[1:20:52] things like the transportation
[1:20:52] referendum.
[1:20:54] It did actually create so many
[1:20:57] more jobs good union jobs for
[1:20:58] charlotte workers.
[1:21:01] We have construction workers
[1:21:01] building out parts of the light
[1:21:02] rail now and hopefully
[1:21:04] hopefully the future expansions
[1:21:07] we have more access for more
[1:21:09] bus drivers.
[1:21:09] And we're looking forward to
[1:21:12] the continued investments in
[1:21:12] infrastructure such as that.
[1:21:15] It'd be nice to see maybe some
[1:21:17] sort of public plan for the
[1:21:18] gateway project.
[1:21:20] I think a lot of folks are
[1:21:21] looking forward to that.
[1:21:23] But thank you so much for the
[1:21:24] consideration.
[1:21:26] Hopefully you can consider me
[1:21:26] for supporting workers in
[1:21:31] charlotte.
[1:21:54] Derek foresman coby foster and
[1:21:54] .
[1:21:55] >> good afternoon.
[1:21:58] My name is coby foster and I
[1:22:00] live in councilmember owens
[1:22:00] district.
[1:22:01] >> I want to begin with a
[1:22:01] simple point.
[1:22:03] I'm not here to replace your
[1:22:04] vision of charlotte.
[1:22:06] I'm helped to hear I'm here to
[1:22:08] help you execute it in a
[1:22:09] campaign.
[1:22:11] Candidates run on their own
[1:22:11] vision.
[1:22:12] And in a campaign it would be
[1:22:14] appropriate to cast that
[1:22:14] vision.
[1:22:17] Casting a vision is a privilege
[1:22:18] and is a privilege that neither
[1:22:20] I nor any other candidate today
[1:22:20] have earned.
[1:22:22] You have though voters chose
[1:22:22] you.
[1:22:25] And what I offer is not a
[1:22:26] competing agenda.
[1:22:28] But what I offer is the ability
[1:22:29] to help turn your agenda into
[1:22:29] action.
[1:22:32] I'm a businessman through and
[1:22:34] through and over the last 20
[1:22:34] years I've worked in a number
[1:22:36] of industries and just passed
[1:22:37] my seven year mark in aerospace
[1:22:40] and advanced manufacturing.
[1:22:41] In my world big ideas do not
[1:22:43] leave the ground because
[1:22:43] someone gave a good speech.
[1:22:46] They leave the ground because a
[1:22:46] team defines a mission, builds
[1:22:49] a plan, manages risk, assigns
[1:22:51] responsibility, traps tracks
[1:22:52] progress and communicates
[1:22:55] clearly when things change.
[1:22:55] You would think that building
[1:22:57] airplanes is hard but I've
[1:22:58] heard politics might be even
[1:23:00] harder.
[1:23:01] >> but the same principles
[1:23:02] apply.
[1:23:03] Be clear about a goal.
[1:23:05] Respect the people doing the
[1:23:05] work.
[1:23:05] Keep meetings organized.
[1:23:08] Measure progress.
[1:23:09] And do not let ego get in the
[1:23:11] way of execution.
[1:23:13] >> the role that I that I
[1:23:14] believe an interim mayor should
[1:23:14] play.
[1:23:17] Not the star of the show.
[1:23:17] Not the 12th member.
[1:23:18] Not the 12th council member.
[1:23:20] Not a future opponent.
[1:23:20] A facilitator.
[1:23:23] A steady hand and a bridge
[1:23:26] between council and its goals
[1:23:26] to its constituents.
[1:23:29] The prior priorities are
[1:23:29] already in front of us.
[1:23:31] Great neighborhoods safe
[1:23:31] communities.
[1:23:32] Transportation and planning.
[1:23:34] Well-managed government.
[1:23:35] And a workforce and business
[1:23:37] development.
[1:23:37] If selected I would meet with
[1:23:40] each of you understand your
[1:23:42] priorities help organize work,
[1:23:43] communicate clearly and support
[1:23:46] the goals voters entrusted you
[1:23:46] to lead.
[1:23:49] I am not asking council to
[1:23:49] follow me.
[1:23:50] I'm asking for the opportunity
[1:23:51] to help charlotte follow
[1:23:54] through on its promises.
[1:24:07] >> thank you sara freeman for
[1:24:15] ebony givens.
[1:24:28] Good.
[1:24:31] >> good afternoon MADAM Mayor
[1:24:31] and members of the council.
[1:24:34] Thank you for the opportunity
[1:24:35] to be here today.
[1:24:37] My name is ebony givens.
[1:24:39] I am a small business owner, a
[1:24:42] community advocate, a mother
[1:24:43] and a proud resident who
[1:24:45] believes deeply in the power of
[1:24:48] service the through owning and
[1:24:49] operate in london dee's cafe
[1:24:51] and london dee's catering.
[1:24:51] I've had the privilege of
[1:24:54] creating jobs, supporting local
[1:24:56] families and working alongside
[1:24:57] organizations that are making a
[1:24:59] difference in our community.
[1:25:02] I am seeking the opportunity to
[1:25:03] serve as interim mayor because
[1:25:04] I believe local government
[1:25:05] should be focused on people.
[1:25:09] Our city is the strongest where
[1:25:11] families feel supported,
[1:25:12] businesses can grow and
[1:25:14] residents have access to
[1:25:15] resources they need to succeed.
[1:25:17] One of my greatest passions is
[1:25:20] support in our youth.
[1:25:20] I believe we must do more to
[1:25:23] address mental health as it is
[1:25:25] challenging to our community.
[1:25:28] every young person deserves to
[1:25:29] feel seeing supported and
[1:25:29] empowered.
[1:25:32] I believe leadership begins
[1:25:32] with listening.
[1:25:34] It means bringing people
[1:25:37] together, finding solutions and
[1:25:37] serving with integrity,
[1:25:40] compassion and accountability.
[1:25:41] I am not seeking this position
[1:25:43] for recognition.
[1:25:44] I am seeking it because I care
[1:25:46] deeply about our community and
[1:25:46] its future.
[1:25:49] Thank you for your time and
[1:25:49] consideration and I look
[1:25:51] forward for the opportunity to
[1:25:52] serve and help guide charlotte
[1:25:54] mecklenburg county and make
[1:25:55] this community healthier.
[1:25:58] >> ensuring growth.
[1:26:03] >> thank you.
[1:26:18] All right, gordon.
[1:26:21] >> hello my name is mike
[1:26:21] gordon.
[1:26:21] I live in charlotte here with
[1:26:24] my wife but I grew up just
[1:26:24] north of here in hyattsville.
[1:26:27] Since I was five so I've been
[1:26:29] here 25 years and seen the city
[1:26:29] grow and continue to grow and
[1:26:32] so it was a great place to buy
[1:26:33] a house and settle down here
[1:26:35] with my wife.
[1:26:38] I have no political experience
[1:26:38] as you can tell from my
[1:26:38] background.
[1:26:40] I own a small business.
[1:26:41] I'm a freelance video
[1:26:43] production and photo
[1:26:43] photographer.
[1:26:46] But in that job I've gotten to
[1:26:47] meet a ton of people through
[1:26:49] the city of charlotte and all
[1:26:52] different backgrounds and get
[1:26:55] to tell their stories and that
[1:26:55] is what is what makes
[1:26:55] charlotte.
[1:26:57] Charlotte is just the people
[1:27:00] and the community that we have
[1:27:03] here.
[1:27:06] I think as the interim mayor
[1:27:06] like I said earlier, it's not
[1:27:09] my job to come in here and have
[1:27:09] a bunch of different ideas but
[1:27:12] I think it's to be approachable
[1:27:12] ,be a mayor that people can
[1:27:15] come up to you at scale an
[1:27:16] amphitheater, start life games
[1:27:18] and you can tell me about
[1:27:20] what's going on and why you
[1:27:21] think we should have more
[1:27:22] trains or better walkable
[1:27:24] cities or whatever's on your
[1:27:24] mind.
[1:27:27] We are just like all of us
[1:27:27] here.
[1:27:28] I think charlotte's a great
[1:27:29] city.
[1:27:31] It should be one of the best
[1:27:34] places to live, work, start
[1:27:34] small businesses, be a part of
[1:27:35] big business and grow your
[1:27:37] family.
[1:27:40] I think one last point I guess
[1:27:40] I do have one thing to put on
[1:27:44] my agenda is that two rob
[1:27:44] manfred and will be
[1:27:45] commissioner charlotte is the
[1:27:47] best place to bring a new
[1:27:48] expansion and we'll be a team.
[1:27:54] Thank you for your time.
[1:28:12] So being grow we're.
[1:28:15] Good afternoon everyone.
[1:28:15] Afternoon.
[1:28:18] My name is sabine goodyear and
[1:28:21] I am honored to be in front of
[1:28:24] you today as a candidate for
[1:28:27] the interim mayor for the city.
[1:28:30] I proudly like I love
[1:28:31] charlotte.
[1:28:33] >> 20 2023 years ago I moved to
[1:28:36] charlotte from new york in
[1:28:38] search for opportunity and
[1:28:41] better life better future for
[1:28:44] my family.
[1:28:47] But I got was it community a
[1:28:52] home, a place where I can shape
[1:28:56] my future rooted in purpose and
[1:28:58] service?
[1:29:01] over the years I've had the
[1:29:04] opportunity to serve others
[1:29:05] through my professional career
[1:29:09] and nonprofit leadership.
[1:29:13] For the past nearly three
[1:29:13] decades in the financial
[1:29:18] industry, I've led global teams
[1:29:22] manage complex the challenge is
[1:29:25] and also help organize asians
[1:29:27] navigate change.
[1:29:30] And for the past 16 years I
[1:29:35] have led a nonprofit dedicated
[1:29:35] to improving lives and
[1:29:38] strengthening communities
[1:29:41] through service, passion and
[1:29:44] compassion as well as
[1:29:47] partnership.
[1:29:50] >> these experiences have
[1:29:53] reinforced a lesson that I
[1:29:53] carry every day.
[1:29:56] Leadership is not about
[1:29:58] authority.
[1:30:01] It is about responsibility.
[1:30:01] Listening and bringing people
[1:30:04] together.
[1:30:07] It's about solving problems and
[1:30:07] ensuring that you put others
[1:30:12] people's needs first.
[1:30:15] As an interim mayor.
[1:30:18] I will bring steady leadership
[1:30:20] always and passion for the job.
[1:30:23] >> thank you.
[1:30:34] On guilford delta.
[1:30:37] Delta.
[1:30:37] Delta.
[1:30:44] U.N. Human.
[1:30:45] >> good afternoon.
[1:30:47] Delta gwen.
[1:30:50] Good afternoon, mayor council
[1:30:53] members and fellow residents
[1:30:53] thank you for the opportunity
[1:30:54] to speak here today.
[1:30:56] You'll see me reading from my
[1:30:57] phone simply because I won't be
[1:30:59] given two minutes.
[1:31:00] I want to make sure I don't
[1:31:00] MISS Anything.
[1:31:02] You'll also see I'm wearing a
[1:31:02] hat that says delta for the
[1:31:05] people and that's because
[1:31:05] that's my main message.
[1:31:06] I'm for other people.
[1:31:08] As many of you know, I
[1:31:09] previously ran for mayor in
[1:31:10] 2025 because I believe in the
[1:31:13] city and I believe in the
[1:31:13] people who call it home.
[1:31:15] I was born baptized and raised
[1:31:16] right here in charlotte.
[1:31:18] This is the city that helped
[1:31:19] shape me who I am today.
[1:31:21] Charlotte is not just where I
[1:31:21] live.
[1:31:22] It's a part of my family's
[1:31:24] stories across generations that
[1:31:26] have worked worship and served
[1:31:27] in the armed forces here
[1:31:29] working my entire adulthood
[1:31:30] life and this banking town and
[1:31:32] some of the largest financial
[1:31:33] institutions such as bank of
[1:31:35] america and wells fargo has
[1:31:35] taught me how to conduct
[1:31:38] meetings in boardrooms, closed
[1:31:38] business deals and managed
[1:31:41] billion dollar budgets.
[1:31:42] >> one of the strengths I bring
[1:31:42] to this position is that I am
[1:31:44] not a career politician.
[1:31:44] I did not come with years of
[1:31:47] alliances or any political
[1:31:47] debts.
[1:31:50] I have no preexisting
[1:31:50] relationships with any of city
[1:31:52] council which would influence
[1:31:53] my decisions or cloud my
[1:31:53] judgment.
[1:31:56] My relationships would start
[1:31:56] with a clean slate based on
[1:31:59] respect, transparency and a
[1:32:01] shared commitment to serving
[1:32:01] the public.
[1:32:02] Today's also an opportunity to
[1:32:04] send a powerful message to the
[1:32:05] status quo by selecting the
[1:32:07] interim mayor that leadership
[1:32:08] and appointments are not
[1:32:10] reserved only for those already
[1:32:11] in elected office or in
[1:32:13] political circles but is open
[1:32:15] to all citizens as I believe
[1:32:16] ordinary citizens can make
[1:32:18] extraordinary differences when
[1:32:19] they step forward to serve
[1:32:21] their community.
[1:32:22] I respectfully ask for your
[1:32:22] support as we move forward
[1:32:24] together to build a stronger
[1:32:24] charlotte.
[1:32:27] MAY GOD bless you this
[1:32:27] beautiful city and its great
[1:32:28] nation.
[1:32:34] Thank you.
[1:32:45] Jaylen hall.
[1:32:50] Kevin hall.
[1:32:52] >> samir.
[1:33:12] Good afternoon.
[1:33:13] City council.
[1:33:16] MADAM Mayor.
[1:33:16] My name is samir.
[1:33:19] I'm a charlotte native local
[1:33:21] businessman, a community
[1:33:23] builder, a husband and a father
[1:33:23] of three.
[1:33:27] I'm not standing here because I
[1:33:27] think that charlotte is broken.
[1:33:29] Quite the opposite actually.
[1:33:30] I get butterflies when I drive
[1:33:32] through uptown.
[1:33:33] I believe charlotte is already
[1:33:34] the best city in america.
[1:33:36] And I believe each of you are
[1:33:36] already doing the difficult
[1:33:38] work of leading it.
[1:33:41] >> my role as mayor would not
[1:33:41] be to reinvent charlotte.
[1:33:44] My role will be to align what
[1:33:45] already exists accelerate what
[1:33:47] already works and I'm not
[1:33:50] coming to you with any answers
[1:33:50] .
[1:33:51] I'm coming to you as a partner,
[1:33:53] a collaborator.
[1:33:53] >> my commitment is to help
[1:33:55] this council fulfill its
[1:33:56] intentions with greater
[1:33:59] velocity alignment and
[1:33:59] accountability.
[1:34:01] >> charlotte already has
[1:34:02] world-class leadership.
[1:34:04] we already have incredible
[1:34:05] neighborhoods businesses,
[1:34:07] institutions and community
[1:34:08] organizations.
[1:34:11] My job as mayor would be to
[1:34:11] look for what's wanted, what's
[1:34:13] needed and what's missing.
[1:34:17] And help find and fill the
[1:34:17] gaps.
[1:34:19] To ask questions that matter.
[1:34:20] What future are we creating?
[1:34:22] What are we standing for?
[1:34:23] How do we ensure every resident
[1:34:26] feels valued, welcomed and
[1:34:28] included in charlotte success.
[1:34:30] There's one there's one issue
[1:34:31] that will have my unwavering
[1:34:33] attention and that's
[1:34:33] opportunity.
[1:34:36] And I stand that in the next 18
[1:34:38] months we will have moved
[1:34:40] charlotte from 38th to 25th in
[1:34:41] upward mobility.
[1:34:44] I will work alongside each of
[1:34:45] you to expand opportunity,
[1:34:46] strengthen economic growth and
[1:34:49] create pathways for residents
[1:34:50] to rise no matter their zip
[1:34:52] code.
[1:34:52] I believe that leadership can
[1:34:55] bring people together to do
[1:34:55] extraordinary things.
[1:34:57] And I'm not here to change who
[1:34:58] charlotte is.
[1:34:58] I'm here to amplify what's
[1:35:01] already working to close the
[1:35:03] gaps where they exist and to
[1:35:04] help move our city forward.
[1:35:08] My request today is that all 11
[1:35:09] of you align on me as the next
[1:35:11] interim mayor of charlotte.
[1:35:14] Let's discover together what it
[1:35:14] would look like to close the
[1:35:17] gap and go from 38th to 25th.
[1:35:27] >> thank you, robert herrington
[1:35:27] .
[1:35:36] Robert.
[1:35:37] >> good afternoon, mayor lyles.
[1:35:40] Members of the city council rob
[1:35:42] harrington I came to charlotte
[1:35:43] nearly 30 years ago.
[1:35:46] My wife sharon and I raised our
[1:35:48] son here in public schools o
[1:35:48] this city a lot.
[1:35:50] >> and I'm determined to pay
[1:35:51] that forward.
[1:35:53] >> I've I've committed not to
[1:35:54] run for public office.
[1:35:57] I won't run for public office
[1:35:57] haven't done in the past and I
[1:35:59] will not run for mayor of
[1:36:02] course in the next election
[1:36:02] cycle.
[1:36:03] So the question is why now and
[1:36:05] why me?
[1:36:06] We're going to transition over
[1:36:08] the next 18 months.
[1:36:09] We have a committed council.
[1:36:11] We have a community looking to
[1:36:14] make sure their voices are
[1:36:14] heard.
[1:36:17] We have serious issues to work
[1:36:18] with, work on with and through
[1:36:20] the legislature in raleigh,
[1:36:22] chair of the mecklenburg
[1:36:23] library system board.
[1:36:25] I've worked with three
[1:36:26] charlotte and I have a devoted
[1:36:28] member of friendship missionary
[1:36:28] baptist church.
[1:36:31] >> and for the last year I've
[1:36:31] traveled the state as PRESIDENT
[1:36:33] Of the north carolina bar
[1:36:34] association.
[1:36:34] I've worked with people from
[1:36:37] across the state to find
[1:36:39] consensus on difficult issues.
[1:36:42] >> and what have I learned?
[1:36:43] What is the vital issue?
[1:36:46] What are the vital issues here
[1:36:46] now?
[1:36:48] Consistent involvement over
[1:36:49] many years matters.
[1:36:52] Listening to people matters.
[1:36:55] Engaging across the city and
[1:36:57] across the state matter
[1:36:57] preparation and hunger to
[1:36:57] learn.
[1:37:00] Matter and equity and equality
[1:37:03] of opportunity are required for
[1:37:06] the success of this community.
[1:37:08] If we follow these principles
[1:37:09] of collaboration, preparation,
[1:37:12] organization and respect and
[1:37:15] maybe even a little grace for
[1:37:15] each other, we will thrive as a
[1:37:18] city for all of our residents.
[1:37:20] I look forward to working with
[1:37:21] and supporting council in each
[1:37:23] of its members as we grow this
[1:37:27] city and we grow opportunities
[1:37:27] here for charlotte teams across
[1:37:29] its great reach making sure
[1:37:32] that we have and use the
[1:37:32] organizations within the
[1:37:35] organization and structure with
[1:37:36] our reach to make reasoned
[1:37:38] decisions.
[1:37:41] >> for all these reasons I ask
[1:37:42] that you appoint me as the
[1:37:42] interim mayor.
[1:37:46] Thank you.
[1:37:54] Michael henderson.
[1:38:14] Robert hillman.
[1:38:14] Good afternoon.
[1:38:17] Thank you for having me.
[1:38:17] MADAM Mayor city council and
[1:38:18] guests.
[1:38:20] My name is robert hillman and
[1:38:23] I'm seeking the appointment as
[1:38:23] the interim mayor of the city
[1:38:24] of charlotte.
[1:38:26] I'm like everybody in this room
[1:38:27] first and foremost.
[1:38:29] I must say I love the city of
[1:38:29] charlotte has provided me the
[1:38:32] great opportunity to come here,
[1:38:34] live here, play here and make a
[1:38:35] decent amount of money here and
[1:38:37] give a decent amount of time.
[1:38:40] I've been able to work to be
[1:38:40] and have been able to engage
[1:38:43] and enjoy my life as an
[1:38:43] engineer, as a finance
[1:38:46] executive, as an investment
[1:38:46] advisor, as a not for profit
[1:38:49] leader and as a public servant.
[1:38:51] Along the way I've served on
[1:38:52] the public transit advisory
[1:38:54] committee of the business
[1:38:55] advisory committee the central
[1:38:57] economic development committee,
[1:39:00] the north carolina supplemental
[1:39:02] retirement board and currently
[1:39:03] I'm the PRESIDENT And ceo of
[1:39:06] queen city robotics alliance,
[1:39:06] an organization that's
[1:39:09] responsible for getting kids
[1:39:09] engaged and involved in
[1:39:12] building robots as a
[1:39:12] competitive sport.
[1:39:15] Think of it as aew or robotics
[1:39:15] and it's really basically it's
[1:39:17] a workforce development to
[1:39:20] offer preparing the future.
[1:39:21] >> those experiences has given
[1:39:23] me the opportunity to work with
[1:39:24] people from all walks of life
[1:39:26] and most importantly to listen
[1:39:26] through those conversations.
[1:39:27] I've come to believe that
[1:39:29] charlotte's future can be
[1:39:32] guided by three principles of
[1:39:32] growing together, moving
[1:39:35] together and safer together
[1:39:35] what growing together means.
[1:39:36] It's really about workforce
[1:39:37] development, economic
[1:39:38] development and making sure
[1:39:40] that as you develop the economy
[1:39:41] you don't leave people behind.
[1:39:44] We have we we know from the
[1:39:46] chetty study and certainly from
[1:39:46] the work that I've done with
[1:39:49] robotics that if we can train
[1:39:51] our young people in the skill
[1:39:52] and give them the skills that
[1:39:54] are for the future, our city's
[1:39:58] future is bright.
[1:39:58] If we don't they won't be
[1:40:00] moving together.
[1:40:01] What about transportation
[1:40:01] systems and putting together
[1:40:03] transit systems that work for
[1:40:04] people to get people to
[1:40:04] opportunity?
[1:40:06] So it's not about rails, not
[1:40:06] about busses.
[1:40:07] It's about giving them the
[1:40:09] opportunity safer together it's
[1:40:12] about, you know, keeping people
[1:40:12] safe in the city a thriving
[1:40:13] city as a safe city.
[1:40:15] Public safety requires strong
[1:40:15] partnerships between law
[1:40:17] enforcement.
[1:40:18] >> I'm honored to give each of
[1:40:20] your votes as ever.
[1:40:21] Manager ingram mayor.
[1:40:22] Thank you.
[1:40:25] >> thank you.
[1:40:38] Hayden key.
[1:40:54] Christopher love james mitchell
[1:40:54] .
[1:40:54] >> good evening.
[1:40:57] Colleagues six months ago you
[1:41:00] blessed me with opportune to
[1:41:01] serve you as mayor pro tem
[1:41:03] together we embrace a simple
[1:41:05] but a powerful slogan team
[1:41:08] together everyone to accomplish
[1:41:09] more.
[1:41:11] Since then we have demonstrated
[1:41:12] what teamwork can accomplish.
[1:41:14] >> we have held a very
[1:41:15] successful annual retreat
[1:41:17] session in MARCH and recently
[1:41:18] approved our budget.
[1:41:20] >> as I ask for your support as
[1:41:23] interim mayor, I believe three
[1:41:25] things matters most leadership
[1:41:28] relationships and results.
[1:41:31] Leadership is about bringing
[1:41:31] people together to move our
[1:41:32] city forward.
[1:41:35] Throughout my career I've been
[1:41:37] blessed to help lead transform
[1:41:38] projects and initiatives
[1:41:40] include a north lake mall
[1:41:42] eastland yard see term for 14
[1:41:45] years and a new cba program.
[1:41:48] Relationships the best
[1:41:49] solutions come when we work
[1:41:51] together.
[1:41:51] We're seeing through
[1:41:52] partnerships between the city
[1:41:54] and county.
[1:41:54] We can preserve historic
[1:41:56] excelsior club through the
[1:41:57] collaboration with the city.
[1:42:00] it seems.
[1:42:02] We can create a teacher village
[1:42:02] council members.
[1:42:06] If I'm honored to earn your
[1:42:08] vote on JUNE 26th, I'll be
[1:42:10] ready to lead on day one with a
[1:42:13] clear vision and an action plan
[1:42:14] built around four c's.
[1:42:19] The first c collaboration.
[1:42:20] I will meet with each and every
[1:42:21] one of you to receive your
[1:42:23] input.
[1:42:26] Secondly committees I want to
[1:42:26] empower five standing
[1:42:29] committees to do the more the
[1:42:30] more important policy work
[1:42:31] before us.
[1:42:34] Third communication we must be
[1:42:36] proactive, engage and share our
[1:42:39] results.
[1:42:39] And the fourth c the most
[1:42:42] important c is our citizens.
[1:42:45] Every decision we make should
[1:42:47] focus on improving the quality
[1:42:48] the lives of our residents.
[1:42:52] We've confidence after 18
[1:42:55] months we will make charlotte a
[1:42:55] better city.
[1:43:00] >> thank you all.
[1:43:19] Eva or aviva moody thank you
[1:43:22] council for having me today.
[1:43:25] Thank you MADAM For having me
[1:43:25] today.
[1:43:28] MADAM Mayor.
[1:43:28] Excuse me.
[1:43:30] I had a speech planned for
[1:43:31] today but I guess I will let
[1:43:33] that one go because I want to
[1:43:35] be open and honest and
[1:43:37] transparent.
[1:43:38] >> so I came here to charlotte
[1:43:40] because my mom said no.
[1:43:41] So I said I must go.
[1:43:44] I came here when I was 15 years
[1:43:44] old.
[1:43:46] I found employment.
[1:43:49] I gained employment by the age
[1:43:49] of 18.
[1:43:49] I was attending union cc.
[1:43:52] I did not get my degree.
[1:43:54] however I joined many, many
[1:43:57] jobs and many many businesses
[1:43:57] around the area I worked.
[1:44:00] >> I was able to purchase my
[1:44:03] first home through people that
[1:44:03] I met here in charlotte.
[1:44:06] >> they gave me the education
[1:44:09] and show me the direction on
[1:44:10] what to do to get there and I
[1:44:11] got there.
[1:44:14] Now I am a single mom in
[1:44:15] charlotte with two adult
[1:44:18] children and a grandchild that
[1:44:20] I too want to see be able to
[1:44:23] buy their own houses, be able
[1:44:24] to raise their own children
[1:44:26] safely in charlotte and I do
[1:44:27] believe charlotte is safe.
[1:44:31] I always feel safe in charlotte
[1:44:31] .
[1:44:34] >> I just want to make sure
[1:44:36] that I am able to serve this
[1:44:40] community and be able to make
[1:44:43] my ancestors happy that I
[1:44:45] follow.
[1:44:48] I believe that they gave birth
[1:44:56] to me for so I thank you.
[1:45:12] Sebastian nice works.
[1:45:12] >> hi everyone.
[1:45:14] My name is sebastian.
[1:45:15] Nice sweats.
[1:45:15] I appreciate your time today.
[1:45:17] I especially appreciate
[1:45:18] everyone who is in the
[1:45:20] candidate pool.
[1:45:21] I feel like a lot of us can
[1:45:23] agree on what the issues are
[1:45:23] but maybe not necessarily on
[1:45:26] how to get them done.
[1:45:29] And I'm here to speak about
[1:45:29] efficiency.
[1:45:30] I got here at about 215.
[1:45:33] I had a meeting at 1 P.M. At my
[1:45:35] job where I was leading about
[1:45:35] 30 people.
[1:45:37] It went to full time to 2:00,
[1:45:38] ran over here literally and
[1:45:41] then was worried that I was
[1:45:42] going to be late but was not.
[1:45:43] The council was still
[1:45:44] deliberating on the procedure
[1:45:44] which was great.
[1:45:46] >> however that went a little
[1:45:49] bit long so I had to go back to
[1:45:49] my job at 3:00 for another
[1:45:52] meeting where I presented and
[1:45:55] then fired up youtube found out
[1:45:55] I wasn't too late to come back
[1:45:57] which is great.
[1:45:58] So ran back over here.
[1:46:00] Now I'm here but I care deeply
[1:46:02] about this city.
[1:46:04] I've worked in my past to help
[1:46:05] first generation college
[1:46:07] students get to college.
[1:46:07] First ones in their family
[1:46:09] helped teachers save for
[1:46:10] retirement.
[1:46:10] My mom's a teacher.
[1:46:13] Just help them in their lives.
[1:46:13] I work in project management.
[1:46:15] I'm great with timelines and
[1:46:18] deadlines and I want to be
[1:46:19] someone who represents all
[1:46:20] people not just some people
[1:46:21] within charlotte.
[1:46:23] So we need someone who can
[1:46:24] represent this city in the best
[1:46:27] way possible not just for the
[1:46:29] next 18 months but for the next
[1:46:29] 18 years.
[1:46:31] And I'd be honored for your
[1:46:31] consideration.
[1:46:37] >> thank you.
[1:46:40] >> james reese just met billy
[1:46:43] for a moment and I just I just
[1:46:43] ask the mayor for a point of
[1:46:45] personal privilege.
[1:46:46] I do not have an application
[1:46:48] for the gentleman who just
[1:46:48] spoke.
[1:46:51] Can someone clarify that you
[1:46:51] don't have an application?
[1:46:54] None of us have an application
[1:46:54] for the gentleman who just
[1:46:55] spoke.
[1:46:56] You know if we can follow up
[1:46:57] after the forum.
[1:46:59] Thank you.
[1:46:59] Yeah, we'll pass.
[1:47:01] good it, pastor apologies.
[1:47:04] We'll we'll get that to you.
[1:47:04] All right.
[1:47:04] Thank you.
[1:47:07] I this is james reese.
[1:47:09] >> yeah.
[1:47:09] Good afternoon.
[1:47:12] Council members mayor lyles, I
[1:47:15] appreciate the time I moved to
[1:47:20] charlotte time flies back in
[1:47:22] 2014 and as a die hard durham
[1:47:26] native it took me a while to
[1:47:26] get used to charlotte.
[1:47:28] The driving people will rather
[1:47:31] running off the road and let
[1:47:31] you merge over but this is home
[1:47:33] now.
[1:47:35] I have a wife, two small
[1:47:35] children.
[1:47:37] My son actually asked me you
[1:47:38] know dad are you going to be
[1:47:38] the mayor?
[1:47:40] Kind of like mayor goodway they
[1:47:40] think everything is part
[1:47:43] control related but if you have
[1:47:43] kids you get it.
[1:47:48] But I say that to say charlotte
[1:47:49] is home for me now and I plan
[1:47:52] on being here for a long time.
[1:47:54] So this cause is important to
[1:47:55] me right now.
[1:47:57] I think the biggest thing that
[1:47:58] we're dealing with is cost of
[1:48:00] living.
[1:48:00] We're fortunate enough to have
[1:48:03] the means to to make things
[1:48:04] work but at the same time I
[1:48:06] know people for an is fortunate
[1:48:09] on the way in here you know you
[1:48:09] see the homeless encampments
[1:48:12] right and I think it's as nice
[1:48:13] and as beautiful as the city
[1:48:15] charlotte is.
[1:48:16] I feel like there's something
[1:48:17] that could be done about that
[1:48:20] to make sure that that's not
[1:48:21] the first thing someone sees
[1:48:22] when they're getting off 77
[1:48:22] going to a panthers game and I
[1:48:25] think as interim mayor that's
[1:48:25] one of the things that I would
[1:48:27] like to approach mayor lyles
[1:48:28] you've done a great job and my
[1:48:31] goal as interim mayor is not
[1:48:32] not to mess things up.
[1:48:34] You know, you have, you know, a
[1:48:36] 21 point lead in football.
[1:48:37] You come in, your quarterbacks
[1:48:39] went out, he got hurt.
[1:48:39] Just don't mess it up.
[1:48:40] Don't lose the lead.
[1:48:42] So as interim mayor that's what
[1:48:43] I want to focus on and I
[1:48:45] appreciate your vote and thank
[1:49:10] you clayton seeley alan smith
[1:49:13] all right.
[1:49:14] Good afternoon.
[1:49:14] Mayor lyles.
[1:49:17] Council members fellow
[1:49:17] charlatans my name is alan
[1:49:20] smith.
[1:49:21] I'm a father of two daughters
[1:49:23] long time charlotte resident
[1:49:25] and somebody who spent much of
[1:49:26] my life participating in and
[1:49:31] serving communities.
[1:49:31] Over the years I've addressed
[1:49:32] city councils, county
[1:49:34] commissions, state agencies run
[1:49:36] for public office and
[1:49:37] volunteered in schools in my
[1:49:39] professional career I've led
[1:49:40] nonprofit initiatives.
[1:49:43] >> I've supported public sector
[1:49:43] organizations and I've helped
[1:49:46] lead communities through
[1:49:47] moments of uncertainty by
[1:49:49] bringing together people with
[1:49:49] different backgrounds,
[1:49:52] different perspectives and
[1:49:55] different priorities.
[1:49:56] Now while those experiences MAY
[1:49:57] sound different on the surface
[1:49:58] they all taught me one thing.
[1:50:01] Communities are strongest when
[1:50:04] people feel heard, included and
[1:50:06] connected to the decisions that
[1:50:07] affect their lives.
[1:50:10] Charlotte is a city with
[1:50:12] tremendous opportunity.
[1:50:13] we're growing, we're
[1:50:15] innovating, we're attracting
[1:50:18] new people every single day.
[1:50:18] But that kind of growth creates
[1:50:21] new challenges and it magnifies
[1:50:21] the challenges that we've been
[1:50:24] wrestling with for years around
[1:50:24] things like transportation and
[1:50:27] housing and basic affordability
[1:50:29] and maintaining that sense of
[1:50:30] community that makes people
[1:50:32] want to build their lives here
[1:50:33] in the first place.
[1:50:35] I'm seeking appointment as
[1:50:36] interim mayor because I believe
[1:50:38] good leadership is ultimately
[1:50:40] about stewardship.
[1:50:42] It's about listening carefully
[1:50:46] and communicating honestly and
[1:50:46] helping people work together
[1:50:48] toward shared goals.
[1:50:49] >> so I don't come before you
[1:50:52] as somebody who believes I have
[1:50:54] all the answers I come before
[1:50:55] you as somebody who has spent a
[1:50:58] career bringing people together
[1:51:00] in the midst of complexity and
[1:51:03] change to solve problems and
[1:51:03] build trust and move forward
[1:51:06] together.
[1:51:06] >> if appointed I would work
[1:51:08] collaboratively with city
[1:51:09] council, city staff, community
[1:51:12] organizations, businesses and
[1:51:13] residents alike to ensure that
[1:51:15] charlotte continues to move
[1:51:17] forward together.
[1:51:23] >> thank you for your time and
[1:51:23] fun.
[1:51:33] Southern crystal stanton jacob
[1:51:41] swinton hey look through dose
[1:51:56] and it was isolated from.
[1:51:59] >> hello MADAM Mayor council
[1:51:59] members thank you for the
[1:52:01] opportunity to be here today.
[1:52:02] I love charlotte but every
[1:52:05] politician says that they love
[1:52:05] charlotte.
[1:52:07] Serving as mayor requires more
[1:52:08] than affection for the city.
[1:52:11] it requires judgment,
[1:52:12] steadiness, the ability to
[1:52:14] bring people together and to
[1:52:14] stop pretending that every
[1:52:16] problem is small.
[1:52:17] That's why I applied to become
[1:52:19] the interim mayor.
[1:52:20] I'm not applying to come in
[1:52:22] with a sweeping new agenda or
[1:52:23] to use an interim role to
[1:52:26] reinvent the city in 18 months.
[1:52:28] This is a unique responsibility
[1:52:28] .
[1:52:29] The next mayor should respect
[1:52:31] the work already underway
[1:52:32] support the procedures of the
[1:52:34] councils and help the city move
[1:52:37] through this period with focus
[1:52:37] and stability.
[1:52:38] Each member of the body brings
[1:52:40] different priorities a
[1:52:40] different community, different
[1:52:43] perspectives to the table.
[1:52:44] The role of an interim mayor is
[1:52:46] not to flatten those
[1:52:48] differences and to pretend that
[1:52:48] one person has all the answers.
[1:52:51] I also understand the work of
[1:52:52] the city depends on staff
[1:52:54] relationships and knowing how
[1:52:55] the institution actually moves.
[1:52:57] Whether it's serving as chair
[1:52:58] of the charlotte equitable
[1:53:00] development commission working
[1:53:03] with cherry and sherry and
[1:53:05] knowing sara when she was a
[1:53:06] fellow and now chief of staff
[1:53:08] or folks like pam weideman and
[1:53:11] folks that have oftentimes left
[1:53:14] the city, those experience has
[1:53:14] taught me how to navigate city
[1:53:16] government respected
[1:53:17] professionals doing the work
[1:53:20] and help move things without
[1:53:20] unnecessary confusion.
[1:53:23] I can be especially useful with
[1:53:23] charlotte's relationship with
[1:53:24] raleigh.
[1:53:26] The next 18 months will serve
[1:53:29] with serious conversations
[1:53:29] whether it's the airport, the
[1:53:31] pay for act and pta
[1:53:32] infrastructure data centers.
[1:53:35] Those conversations should not
[1:53:35] happen in silos.
[1:53:36] I love serving in the north
[1:53:38] carolina senate but charlotte
[1:53:40] is home right now.
[1:53:41] Our city needs someone who can
[1:53:44] connect the city, who can
[1:53:44] connect to raleigh, the general
[1:53:47] assembly, our neighborhoods to
[1:53:47] city staff and the residents
[1:53:49] who feel decisions should be
[1:53:50] made with them being invited.
[1:53:52] I'm applying because I believe
[1:53:53] that through strong
[1:53:55] relationships the council can
[1:53:56] steady and move the city
[1:53:56] forward.
[1:53:58] Move with urgency and keep the
[1:53:59] well-being of all residents
[1:54:00] here.
[1:54:24] >> thank you blake van leer.
[1:54:26] Good afternoon.
[1:54:27] Good afternoon.
[1:54:30] And thank you for the council
[1:54:33] and MADAM Mayor for being here
[1:54:35] giving us space and wow.
[1:54:38] We've got a lot of talent here
[1:54:38] so I think that just shows you
[1:54:41] how much charlotte's grown and
[1:54:43] and what we have to offer.
[1:54:46] I'll get into a little bit of
[1:54:46] my background.
[1:54:49] An entrepreneur ran for county
[1:54:52] commissioner at large and a
[1:54:55] proud resident of charlotte of
[1:54:55] course and a proud dad.
[1:54:58] Spent most of my career doing
[1:55:01] turnarounds and usually on like
[1:55:04] a 3 to 6 month sprint.
[1:55:05] >> so I'll work with a company
[1:55:07] for about three years and will
[1:55:11] grow it from 3 million in rev
[1:55:11] to a billion.
[1:55:14] So it's a quick turnaround.
[1:55:17] And I just wanted to lead with
[1:55:17] that.
[1:55:17] I work with the board.
[1:55:21] i work with the city council at
[1:55:23] the company.
[1:55:23] It's very similar path just
[1:55:26] making sure we all aligned
[1:55:29] together and we get what we
[1:55:31] need to get done.
[1:55:35] And I'll I'm going to pause for
[1:55:35] a second.
[1:55:35] I'm also going to throw this
[1:55:37] out here.
[1:55:39] What I would like to do is
[1:55:42] forgo the salary and we put
[1:55:42] that to work within your
[1:55:42] districts.
[1:55:45] However you guys think that
[1:55:47] could be most impactful to
[1:55:50] people.
[1:55:53] And I'm not claiming to have
[1:55:54] all the answers.
[1:55:56] You know I'm here to serve and
[1:55:56] listen.
[1:55:57] I find that every company I
[1:55:59] work with or a community or
[1:56:00] organization it's about
[1:56:05] listening to people and then
[1:56:08] getting results done.
[1:56:08] Charlotte's giving me just a
[1:56:10] tremendous opportunity and I'm
[1:56:13] just happy to be here and be of
[1:56:13] service.
[1:56:25] >> thank christopher walters,
[1:56:41] douglas weldon.
[1:56:44] >> hi everyone.
[1:56:47] My name is douglas welton and I
[1:56:47] currently serve as the CHAIRMAN
[1:56:48] Of the charlotte-mecklenburg
[1:56:49] planning commission.
[1:56:51] I have been the CHAIRMAN For
[1:56:52] three years and the last week I
[1:56:54] was elected for an
[1:56:56] unprecedented fourth term.
[1:56:58] Since I joined the commission
[1:57:00] in 2018 I've reviewed and
[1:57:05] recommended 1000 rezonings the
[1:57:05] charlotte 2040 plan the unified
[1:57:08] development ordinance, my
[1:57:11] experience and land use is a
[1:57:14] complement to my strong
[1:57:14] background in software and
[1:57:16] technology.
[1:57:19] community relations broadcast
[1:57:22] media arts and entertainment
[1:57:24] and nonprofit organizations a
[1:57:25] wide variety of experience and
[1:57:25] knowledge gives me the
[1:57:27] advantage of being able to
[1:57:30] quickly create insightful and
[1:57:31] innovative solutions when
[1:57:33] problems come up.
[1:57:34] I've led a lot of professional
[1:57:36] and volunteer teams and I
[1:57:38] understand the value of
[1:57:39] aligning individual motivation
[1:57:41] with the organizational
[1:57:41] purpose.
[1:57:44] A team is not just a group of
[1:57:44] people.
[1:57:45] It's a group of people that
[1:57:47] trust one another.
[1:57:49] >> the unique value of having
[1:57:50] me as mayor is that I bring
[1:57:53] principled leadership,
[1:57:55] innovative problem solving, a
[1:57:58] future focus, excellent
[1:58:00] communication skills and a
[1:58:03] sense of fun.
[1:58:10] Thank you very much.
[1:58:15] Graydon zacher john paul's
[1:58:25] eloquent.
[1:58:28] >> good afternoon and good
[1:58:29] afternoon.
[1:58:31] >> I know we're all excited for
[1:58:32] me to be the last person to go
[1:58:35] today.
[1:58:37] So I you heard staying sticking
[1:58:37] with us.
[1:58:40] My name is john paul volcker.
[1:58:44] I am a proud charlotte native.
[1:58:44] I was born down the street at
[1:58:49] cmc maine a few decades ago and
[1:58:51] I am also a proud k through 12
[1:58:51] product of cms schools.
[1:58:54] Graduated from providence high
[1:58:54] school.
[1:58:57] I am I went to the university
[1:59:00] of north carolina at chapel
[1:59:01] hill and I got a degree in
[1:59:03] music and then studied
[1:59:05] accounting after that.
[1:59:06] So I currently holds a license
[1:59:08] as an active certified public
[1:59:09] accountant here in north
[1:59:09] carolina.
[1:59:13] I work for eei ernst and young
[1:59:15] llp and I work as a third party
[1:59:16] risk management consultant.
[1:59:18] So my team and I we help the
[1:59:21] largest public and private
[1:59:21] companies in the world manage
[1:59:25] risk that's introduced to their
[1:59:26] businesses through their third
[1:59:27] party relationships.
[1:59:30] So vendors, suppliers, business
[1:59:30] associates and I think that's
[1:59:33] some great background and an
[1:59:36] experience that I can bring
[1:59:36] forward to the city of
[1:59:38] charlotte.
[1:59:41] I am really excited about the
[1:59:41] next 18 months.
[1:59:44] I think that like some of the
[1:59:45] other candidates have said
[1:59:50] focusing on executing per the
[1:59:50] vision that's already been set
[1:59:52] for I think our key five focus
[1:59:54] areas are the right focus areas
[1:59:54] .
[1:59:58] >> I think you know we have our
[2:00:00] fy 27 budget set already as of
[2:00:00] a couple of weeks ago.
[2:00:01] So I think that you know,
[2:00:03] making sure that we can show
[2:00:06] for our resources being used
[2:00:08] well and make progress using
[2:00:11] our strategic progress tracker
[2:00:12] tool, I think that will be a
[2:00:14] great way to show that we have
[2:00:17] served the constituents of the
[2:00:17] city of charlotte well over the
[2:00:19] next 18 months.
[2:00:20] So I thank you so much for your
[2:00:22] consideration and yeah,
[2:00:25] appreciate all that you do for
[2:00:33] the city so I want to say
[2:00:35] thanks to all of you.
[2:00:38] This is really an important
[2:00:38] opportunity for all of us and I
[2:00:41] think that you've done it so
[2:00:44] very, very well that we're very
[2:00:46] proud to have each of you and
[2:00:46] hope that one of you will
[2:00:49] become the person that's going
[2:00:53] to be possible to take us into
[2:00:55] the next generation.
[2:00:55] I want to say thank you to
[2:00:58] billy, our clerk who has to do
[2:01:00] all of this like well, you we
[2:01:01] all have to a sheet of paper.
[2:01:04] I've got to like a notebook
[2:01:06] full of everything else.
[2:01:09] And with that I want to just
[2:01:10] ask the council if there were
[2:01:10] any comments that they would
[2:01:13] like to make before we close
[2:01:15] out.
[2:01:15] We need to resume the
[2:01:16] conversation.
[2:01:18] I'm sorry.
[2:01:19] We need to assume the
[2:01:21] conversation that we have.
[2:01:23] MADAM Attorney right.
[2:01:24] So we have to come back to our
[2:01:25] do we have what's necessary for
[2:01:31] us to have our face to be legal
[2:01:31] ?
[2:01:34] I don't think we've said any
[2:01:34] motions.
[2:01:35] Our next step.
[2:01:35] Okay.
[2:01:37] Okay okay.
[2:01:37] >> from kimberly nicole
[2:01:39] regarding my motion I know we
[2:01:40] have the motion and those
[2:01:43] things that we're talking about
[2:01:46] now as her motion what is what
[2:01:59] here we automatically and as I
[2:01:59] was approaching the lectern I
[2:02:02] overheard a motion is there a
[2:02:02] motion on the floor that we
[2:02:03] need to adjourn?
[2:02:04] I think that this yes we did
[2:02:07] have MISS Mayfield had a motion
[2:02:07] that we did not vote or
[2:02:08] completely vote on.
[2:02:10] I think that there was some
[2:02:13] discussion but not any action.
[2:02:14] So this MAY feel in my saying
[2:02:21] that correctly if at if I MAY
[2:02:23] quickly I was speaking of
[2:02:24] another motion I thought i
[2:02:26] heard as I was approaching the
[2:02:27] lectern.
[2:02:29] Is there something else on the
[2:02:29] floor we just need to address
[2:02:30] procedurally or was there just
[2:02:31] a point of order?
[2:02:32] I think what happened is that
[2:02:34] there was a motion for process
[2:02:37] to table and that was yeah but
[2:02:38] so right and so councilmember
[2:02:40] mayfield had an original motion
[2:02:41] that we did not vote on because
[2:02:43] there was a substitute which
[2:02:43] was withdrawn.
[2:02:46] Thank you.
[2:02:47] Rather point of order if I can.
[2:02:49] So there was a joke a motion
[2:02:51] was made and then there was a
[2:02:54] second which I it so that's the
[2:02:55] one I think that needs to be
[2:02:57] resolved when I heard some
[2:02:57] withdrawn I read through it.
[2:03:00] Okay okay it's growing okay and
[2:03:03] we just need to make sure billy
[2:03:03] knows right.
[2:03:04] All right.
[2:03:06] All right.
[2:03:06] >> set it pretty loud.
[2:03:07] All right.
[2:03:08] We squared away on this.
[2:03:09] So, MADAM Mayor MS..
[2:03:11] Mayfield.
[2:03:12] MADAM Mayor, I just wanted
[2:03:14] someone to repeat the motion so
[2:03:14] we can.
[2:03:15] >> okay.
[2:03:16] Thank you.
[2:03:17] Billy.
[2:03:19] Do you want to repeat my
[2:03:20] initial motion?
[2:03:23] So do we have it for the record
[2:03:23] for councilmember anderson?
[2:03:23] Yes.
[2:03:26] So the original motion was
[2:03:26] motion by MS..
[2:03:29] Mayfield second by MR. Driggs.
[2:03:30] It was part two of the mayoral
[2:03:34] process will include council
[2:03:37] will work with staff based on
[2:03:39] the survey results and then ask
[2:03:42] questions to those candidates
[2:03:44] that selected and MADAM Mayor,
[2:03:45] if I MAY, councilmember
[2:03:48] anderson, prior to that motion
[2:03:54] that I made I said we had 49
[2:03:54] names on here.
[2:03:57] Council has not had a chance to
[2:04:00] actually have a discussion
[2:04:00] regarding this process.
[2:04:03] What my motion is a reference
[2:04:05] to was a part two to today were
[2:04:07] we actually come together and
[2:04:08] have conversations because as
[2:04:10] of today we heard two minutes
[2:04:13] but we didn't have a chance to
[2:04:13] actually ask any questions that
[2:04:16] would give us similar to the
[2:04:18] empty conversation give us the
[2:04:21] ability to actually possibly
[2:04:24] have a survey, identify which
[2:04:25] of these candidates have enough
[2:04:29] support to basically have a
[2:04:30] part two to this discussion
[2:04:32] since our mayor did announce
[2:04:35] that she will stay around until
[2:04:37] we identify councilmember
[2:04:38] graham had mentioned earlier
[2:04:41] also giving us the opportunity
[2:04:44] not to rush this I'm with you a
[2:04:47] follow just the question, MS.
[2:04:49] Mayfield, when you say give us
[2:04:50] the opportunity to have the
[2:04:52] conversation you mean the full
[2:04:53] council the full council
[2:04:55] together not in a committee but
[2:04:58] by some members that we
[2:04:58] individually had the
[2:05:00] opportunity to reach out to
[2:05:03] candidates?
[2:05:04] Personally I have not because
[2:05:07] we have a process so I was
[2:05:08] waiting for us to get through
[2:05:11] today's process I think as a
[2:05:12] collective and not one off
[2:05:14] conversations we have the
[2:05:15] opportunity to actually come
[2:05:17] together and have a discussion
[2:05:17] as well as identify if there
[2:05:20] are some individuals in here
[2:05:20] that we would like to have
[2:05:22] further conversation with.
[2:05:23] MS. Mayfield I want to make
[2:05:25] sure MR. That we one time said
[2:05:28] we would go to the committee
[2:05:28] process.
[2:05:29] Is that still so different
[2:05:31] conversations, different times
[2:05:32] have anything to what we're not
[2:05:34] doing with your motion right?
[2:05:36] But MR. Graham supported the
[2:05:37] idea of getting the bgr
[2:05:40] committee together and working
[2:05:40] through that and I guess what I
[2:05:42] want to make sure is that once
[2:05:45] we do that we know that
[2:05:46] everyone has understood why and
[2:05:48] what and the what.
[2:05:49] So I don't know if you need
[2:05:51] some time, MR. Graham to do
[2:05:51] that but I think that we want
[2:05:54] to make sure that it's done in
[2:05:56] a way that everybody has an
[2:05:57] opportunity to understand what
[2:06:00] the next step from the bgr
[2:06:03] committee well again I would do
[2:06:06] the pleasure of the council
[2:06:07] right I think from an
[2:06:09] efficiency perspective that
[2:06:12] might work right it kind of
[2:06:14] coalesce the conversation to
[2:06:15] answer the three questions
[2:06:17] that's up there to talk of some
[2:06:20] other questions that were
[2:06:20] thrown out about the the
[2:06:23] ability of the mayor pro tem to
[2:06:24] participate or not participate.
[2:06:25] And so those questions but
[2:06:28] again I will I will do whatever
[2:06:29] the council wants to do.
[2:06:29] >> all right.
[2:06:32] So I see that MISS Watlington
[2:06:34] has a request.
[2:06:37] Yeah, I would offer that we do
[2:06:40] a couple of things today.
[2:06:41] I think we settle the question
[2:06:43] of recusal today and then we'll
[2:06:46] know how to move forward.
[2:06:48] I think the second thing that
[2:06:48] we can do if I'm looking at
[2:06:51] this when we talk about
[2:06:54] narrowing down as a body not
[2:06:54] within a committee that's the
[2:06:56] ballot process, right?
[2:06:57] Each council member submits a
[2:06:59] nomination.
[2:07:02] Whoever gets the threshold gets
[2:07:02] moved to a subsequent
[2:07:05] subsequent round if we were to
[2:07:07] follow the ballot method and if
[2:07:08] you're trying to introduce an
[2:07:10] extra step the top 3 to 5
[2:07:11] candidates we can decide that
[2:07:14] then get specific questions
[2:07:16] asked of them to get additional
[2:07:19] information.
[2:07:19] We could do that between now
[2:07:22] and next week or we could do
[2:07:23] that on next monday.
[2:07:24] We can talk about that but I
[2:07:25] think the ballot method
[2:07:27] addresses the the narrowing
[2:07:29] down concern.
[2:07:30] I don't think it needs to go to
[2:07:30] committee.
[2:07:31] I don't think it needs to be a
[2:07:32] separate process.
[2:07:33] I think we adopt the ballot
[2:07:36] method and we determine how
[2:07:39] many of the nominees will get
[2:07:42] through to interview and we
[2:07:43] either handle that be a special
[2:07:45] meeting later on in the week or
[2:07:47] we handle that next monday.
[2:07:48] So I think we do two things we
[2:07:49] address the conversation of
[2:07:51] whether or not we want to we
[2:07:53] want to excuse the council
[2:07:56] member from this process today
[2:07:58] and then I think we adopt the
[2:08:01] ballot method and determine how
[2:08:04] many folks will be interviewed
[2:08:05] and we either conduct that
[2:08:05] interview session later on this
[2:08:07] week or we do it as a part of
[2:08:10] next monday that enables us to
[2:08:12] stay on the 22nd for oh, sorry
[2:08:12] .
[2:08:13] And you talk to her and I think
[2:08:16] it would probably be if we had
[2:08:18] to have the understanding of
[2:08:19] what it is so it's just a
[2:08:21] little bit slower.
[2:08:21] >> sure.
[2:08:21] Sure.
[2:08:22] I think the clerk can keep up
[2:08:24] with us.
[2:08:25] >> sure.
[2:08:25] Sure.
[2:08:25] Okay.
[2:08:29] So the first I'll do I'll do
[2:08:30] one motion and we'll address
[2:08:31] the second piece.
[2:08:31] So I'll make an amendment today
[2:08:34] to my motion however you'd like
[2:08:34] it to show up.
[2:08:36] All right.
[2:08:38] Well let me ask a question,
[2:08:39] MADAM Attorney, because one of
[2:08:42] them is about the process for
[2:08:43] me and one of them is about the
[2:08:45] the path forward here.
[2:08:47] One of them I think is germane
[2:08:50] or related to council member
[2:08:52] mayfield's motion in which case
[2:08:53] it could show up as a
[2:08:53] substitute.
[2:08:54] But then the other the matter
[2:08:58] of of excusal I think is
[2:08:59] separate and apart.
[2:08:59] So I don't think either one of
[2:09:01] them should show up as I don't
[2:09:01] think that one should show up
[2:09:02] as a substitute to her motion
[2:09:04] do you follow what I'm saying?
[2:09:05] I would agree.
[2:09:05] I would agree before you move
[2:09:07] forward and I really do want to
[2:09:08] respond to your earlier
[2:09:10] question of with respect to
[2:09:10] eligibility because that's your
[2:09:12] main to this conversation about
[2:09:15] who's being considered.
[2:09:16] So we looked back at our notes
[2:09:18] and I just for counsel's
[2:09:19] reference this is in regards to
[2:09:22] the email that I sent on MAY
[2:09:22] 29th outlining what your
[2:09:25] requirements were based on the
[2:09:27] discussion from your MAY 26th
[2:09:28] meeting.
[2:09:32] >> so you required any one
[2:09:35] participating in the candidate
[2:09:35] form to do so in person.
[2:09:38] That was the requirement.
[2:09:41] Now with respect to eligibility
[2:09:41] you have you have an
[2:09:44] eligibility section in your
[2:09:44] note but with respect to age
[2:09:47] 21, all of the criteria that I
[2:09:48] mentioned before irrespective
[2:09:50] of parties debating in the form
[2:09:53] right what I would like in
[2:09:56] participation in person today
[2:09:59] just as attaching a resume
[2:09:59] or
[2:10:02] failing to answer a question in
[2:10:02] your packet like all of that is
[2:10:05] part of what could be
[2:10:05] considered by this council as
[2:10:08] you decide to login or vote
[2:10:10] upon your nominations or submit
[2:10:13] them but it did not render a
[2:10:15] person ineligible from being
[2:10:16] considered.
[2:10:19] Now that's how your motion was
[2:10:19] structured.
[2:10:19] That's how it of how it
[2:10:21] appeared that's and again
[2:10:22] that's how it's in the notebook
[2:10:24] but if there's something to
[2:10:26] substitute your process going
[2:10:27] forward you would need to work
[2:10:27] through that.
[2:10:28] Thank you MADAM Attorney.
[2:10:30] So that tells me, councilmember
[2:10:30] owens, your concern sounds like
[2:10:32] it was addressed.
[2:10:34] So then back to the two things
[2:10:37] how what's the best way to
[2:10:37] proceed addressing the recusal
[2:10:40] question and addressing how we
[2:10:43] move forward in terms of the
[2:10:43] ballot should that show up as a
[2:10:45] substitute or do we need to how
[2:10:46] do we address council member
[2:10:49] mayfield's motion if we need to
[2:10:52] do that before we address a
[2:10:54] path forward?
[2:10:57] So the recusal that would that
[2:10:59] would have to be a request
[2:11:02] first and foremost for for a
[2:11:02] recusal.
[2:11:05] And again I'm I'm harkening
[2:11:07] back to 168 dash 72 and the
[2:11:10] concept that there is a duty to
[2:11:11] vote unless there's a conflict
[2:11:12] a statutory conflict that we
[2:11:13] can point out.
[2:11:16] Okay.
[2:11:17] So what I'd like to do then is
[2:11:17] let's take care of this.
[2:11:19] I will submit a substitute to
[2:11:20] councilmember mayfield's motion
[2:11:22] unless you want to accept a
[2:11:24] friendly amendment, what is the
[2:11:25] amendment?
[2:11:25] Yeah.
[2:11:27] So the amendment is adopt the
[2:11:31] ballot method rather than the
[2:11:32] one by one motion method.
[2:11:33] That's number one.
[2:11:36] I would I would offer one
[2:11:36] nomination per councilmember
[2:11:39] that's consistent with our
[2:11:41] vacancies in board we're work.
[2:11:44] And then thirdly I would say
[2:11:49] the top three top five
[2:11:51] candidates that I'm open to
[2:11:52] what that looks like but I'll
[2:11:53] say for the purposes of getting
[2:11:54] it on the table top five
[2:11:57] candidates to move forward to
[2:11:58] an interview that will take
[2:12:00] place either later this week or
[2:12:00] next monday.
[2:12:03] That's that's the package I'm
[2:12:03] offering up.
[2:12:04] So that's basically what I see
[2:12:06] it.
[2:12:07] But what do you take out
[2:12:09] because the attorney had not
[2:12:11] actually had the chance since I
[2:12:12] made my motion at the beginning
[2:12:15] to actually give us what those
[2:12:15] numbers were.
[2:12:18] But that's the motion that I
[2:12:18] made as well to have an
[2:12:20] additional step where we
[2:12:20] actually have discussion and
[2:12:23] have an opportunity.
[2:12:24] so are you accepting a friendly
[2:12:26] amendment with the attorney
[2:12:29] because she basically just
[2:12:32] restated my motion with your
[2:12:32] actual timeline.
[2:12:34] So is that an amendment or is
[2:12:35] that still just the original
[2:12:35] motion?
[2:12:38] I, I think it's in the same
[2:12:38] vein.
[2:12:40] So I would I would characterize
[2:12:41] it as a friendly amendment, not
[2:12:42] a substitute but let's do that
[2:12:43] it all right.
[2:12:44] >> so you accepted the friendly
[2:12:44] mimicry.
[2:12:50] I before I meet well it was an
[2:12:51] for the friendly I mean that
[2:12:51] was more clear there was
[2:12:53] another piece of clarification
[2:12:55] on my motion with the friendly
[2:12:56] amendment.
[2:12:58] So so that I'm clear the way we
[2:13:01] have the normal nomination
[2:13:04] process, the challenge with
[2:13:09] that this is not a normal
[2:13:09] process.
[2:13:12] We are getting ready to
[2:13:13] identify an interim mayor I'm
[2:13:13] clear is stepping in?
[2:13:15] Yes.
[2:13:16] So for this interim mayor role,
[2:13:18] the concern that I have with
[2:13:21] trying to utilize that process
[2:13:24] is out of the 50 people that we
[2:13:26] just heard from to say we're
[2:13:30] only going to do one vote per
[2:13:31] candidate, one nomination a
[2:13:33] nominee right.
[2:13:33] >> one nomination because then
[2:13:36] you'll be able to vote on on
[2:13:38] the close nominations and one
[2:13:40] nomination out of these 50
[2:13:42] something if there very well
[2:13:46] MAY have that's 11 want to make
[2:13:48] into candidates we're given
[2:13:51] each other the opportunity to
[2:13:54] have due diligence in this
[2:13:57] process to say out of those who
[2:14:03] have presented to us as well as
[2:14:05] submitted information that we
[2:14:06] have the opportunity to bring
[2:14:09] in those who have that next
[2:14:12] step of conversation and where
[2:14:13] we do get to edit.
[2:14:13] >> sure.
[2:14:15] So when I say and well let me
[2:14:16] just be clear in the process
[2:14:18] right here so are you asking
[2:14:19] this question to determine if
[2:14:20] you want to accept a friendly
[2:14:20] amendment?
[2:14:21] >> that's what I'm trying to
[2:14:21] okay.
[2:14:21] Yes.
[2:14:23] I'm trying to determine if that
[2:14:24] one but I think also
[2:14:26] councilmember graham was you
[2:14:27] asking the question for
[2:14:29] clarification?
[2:14:30] Well, I just need to know if
[2:14:31] you accept the friendly
[2:14:32] amendment otherwise I'll make a
[2:14:33] substitute motion and if your
[2:14:35] question is around exactly what
[2:14:37] I mean by that what I'm saying
[2:14:39] is if each council member
[2:14:41] nominates one, that's up to 11
[2:14:42] candidates that could be in the
[2:14:45] in the queue if you will.
[2:14:48] So let's up the friendly okay
[2:14:51] friendly amendment okay the
[2:14:53] friendly amendment is there a
[2:14:56] second is a second oh so a
[2:14:56] second going to MISS Ojt MS.
[2:14:59] Bailey you had second.
[2:14:59] >> thank you.
[2:15:02] All right MS. Mayor.
[2:15:03] >> thank you MADAM Mayor.
[2:15:05] Is it possible for us to be
[2:15:06] able to nominate three so that
[2:15:07] the clerk can kind of put them
[2:15:09] in order?
[2:15:10] I mean I understand that at
[2:15:11] most there will be 11 but I
[2:15:11] think that quite a few people
[2:15:14] in here probably like some of
[2:15:14] the same people.
[2:15:16] So I just oh yeah.
[2:15:16] >> okay.
[2:15:19] i personally would would be
[2:15:21] more of a fan of us doing three
[2:15:23] and maybe we just doing the top
[2:15:26] five are asked to have another
[2:15:29] interview self-declare
[2:15:29] application.
[2:15:30] What we're talking about is the
[2:15:32] process.
[2:15:32] Okay so for clarification of
[2:15:35] this we hadn't gotten down to
[2:15:38] that number yet but this
[2:15:38] process would help us get to
[2:15:38] number.
[2:15:41] Are you identifying a number
[2:15:41] right now?
[2:15:42] >> oh, this is what this is
[2:15:44] what I'm here this is what I
[2:15:47] think if there are if each
[2:15:49] person has one nomination, ten
[2:15:50] people might choose the same
[2:15:52] person they could every single
[2:15:52] person might pick somebody
[2:15:52] else.
[2:15:55] So two other people might
[2:15:56] choose the other three people
[2:15:56] you were looking at.
[2:15:57] They're still in the pool.
[2:15:59] Yeah.
[2:16:01] So whether it's three well each
[2:16:03] council member or if it's one
[2:16:05] by each council member I think
[2:16:08] that the the balance of the
[2:16:09] group will float to the top.
[2:16:12] Yes I'm saying so so so to
[2:16:14] clarify yeah I think you talked
[2:16:15] about two different things one
[2:16:17] nomination top five folks is
[2:16:19] what you're talking about are
[2:16:20] three I said nominate three
[2:16:23] people the top five people.
[2:16:24] Oh I mean I'm how is your is
[2:16:25] your motion.
[2:16:28] >> yeah that's I think I we
[2:16:28] should try to follow out what
[2:16:31] each person is trying to
[2:16:32] indicate that they would like
[2:16:35] to have as a motion and I think
[2:16:37] I and I caught up with you
[2:16:40] after the fact apologies MADAM
[2:16:40] Mayor.
[2:16:41] so I'm I'm understanding you
[2:16:43] now, joy.
[2:16:45] You want to give each council
[2:16:45] member up to three so that
[2:16:48] would be since I accept the
[2:16:51] friendly amend meant that would
[2:16:52] be an amendment to the
[2:16:54] amendment if we were to have a
[2:16:56] discussion about you know and
[2:16:59] that would be if you now if not
[2:17:02] the wellington, if you yeah
[2:17:03] that's what I was just saying
[2:17:05] you're friendly amendment I
[2:17:05] would accept that I'm totally
[2:17:07] fine I think that would be a
[2:17:08] great opportunity for all of
[2:17:08] us.
[2:17:10] Yeah I think that's fine.
[2:17:11] >> up to three.
[2:17:11] Yes.
[2:17:11] All right.
[2:17:13] So with that a friendly
[2:17:16] amendment so we're clear on
[2:17:16] clarity for the MADAM Clerk.
[2:17:18] Let's clarify.
[2:17:19] I just want to make sure
[2:17:20] there's a lot of discussion and
[2:17:22] as well I want to make sure the
[2:17:25] back of the the chair of this
[2:17:29] is traffic conversation I know
[2:17:32] but it so okay so council
[2:17:34] member mayo has asked for three
[2:17:36] nominations rather than one and
[2:17:39] councilmember mayfield has
[2:17:40] accepted that friendly
[2:17:42] amendment so the motion on the
[2:17:45] floor is for three nominations
[2:17:46] for each council up to I'm
[2:17:48] sorry excuse me up to three
[2:17:48] nominations from each council
[2:17:50] member and we have a second
[2:17:53] motion to remove letter a
[2:17:54] second.
[2:17:54] So we're good.
[2:17:56] We're ready for the vote.
[2:17:57] Maxwell just I just want to be
[2:17:57] clear.
[2:17:58] I'm sorry.
[2:18:00] This third bucket the number of
[2:18:03] votes required well, I don't
[2:18:03] even want to phrase it as
[2:18:04] number of votes required.
[2:18:06] I'd rather phrase it as top top
[2:18:06] nominations.
[2:18:08] Top five, top three whatever
[2:18:10] the will of the group is top
[2:18:10] five.
[2:18:10] Use it up.
[2:18:10] Yeah.
[2:18:12] Okay.
[2:18:13] So so it's a point of clarity
[2:18:15] if I MAY.
[2:18:16] Item three really is when you
[2:18:19] get to vote right you all are
[2:18:21] in this quasi interim space
[2:18:21] between 2 and 3 when you go
[2:18:24] into your interviews and all of
[2:18:24] that.
[2:18:26] So we're not quite till 32
[2:18:26] number three which is the
[2:18:29] number of votes required for
[2:18:29] subsequent ballot that makes
[2:18:30] sense to me.
[2:18:31] >> that's more of yes,
[2:18:32] absolutely.
[2:18:37] So so from an american point of
[2:18:39] of information I'm sorry we so
[2:18:42] we have 49 folks listed here
[2:18:44] right.
[2:18:46] And out of the 4917 individuals
[2:18:48] were a no show.
[2:18:51] So that then reduces the field
[2:18:52] down to 32 folks who can be
[2:18:54] nominated.
[2:18:55] >> is that correct?
[2:18:55] Yeah.
[2:18:55] No, no.
[2:19:00] Some people that because we
[2:19:01] didn't say there is not an
[2:19:03] elimination based you can you
[2:19:04] can yourself individually
[2:19:06] decide not to nominate that
[2:19:07] person but they're not
[2:19:08] ineligible due to not
[2:19:09] participating in person today.
[2:19:12] That's why this second part of
[2:19:14] so we have that chance and we
[2:19:16] can pick up to three and we
[2:19:16] have a chance collectively to
[2:19:19] have a conversation.
[2:19:20] my apologies MADAM Mayor.
[2:19:20] I know councilmember johnson
[2:19:24] had a thank thank you MADAM
[2:19:24] Mayor.
[2:19:26] So if we're choosing three are
[2:19:28] we ranking them when you talk
[2:19:29] about top five, are we ranking
[2:19:31] them or just so you just saying
[2:19:34] that folks how many are in all
[2:19:35] good that comes out there okay
[2:19:37] thank you.
[2:19:37] All right.
[2:19:38] So everybody's got to have the
[2:19:40] vote just the timeline.
[2:19:42] What's the time like the motion
[2:19:51] maker was this so okay, let's
[2:19:55] figure out if we were the first
[2:19:55] yeah.
[2:19:55] Clarifying what the attorney
[2:19:57] the initial information we sent
[2:20:01] out so the community had that
[2:20:04] JUNE 22nd date correct yet the
[2:20:07] reality is as councilmember
[2:20:10] graham had mentioned, we do not
[2:20:12] need to rush this process
[2:20:13] because this is a very
[2:20:13] important process for us.
[2:20:18] I did not state a specific
[2:20:20] timeline for me the first
[2:20:21] question is how soon can we get
[2:20:26] that meeting on the books for
[2:20:26] us to actually come together
[2:20:27] and be able to have this
[2:20:29] conversation.
[2:20:30] >> we also know according to
[2:20:33] our rules and state legislation
[2:20:36] we need to give at least five
[2:20:38] days notice to community for
[2:20:39] that to give them the
[2:20:41] opportunity for the ones that
[2:20:44] get to move to the next process
[2:20:45] so that we can actually have
[2:20:47] the chance to have the
[2:20:47] conversation with them.
[2:20:50] >> we can go on to JULY
[2:20:50] realistically because that's
[2:20:53] when council is on break.
[2:20:54] I'm not I'm pulling up the
[2:20:56] calendar right now just to try
[2:20:58] to be as specific as possible.
[2:21:02] >> today's the 15th we do not
[2:21:06] have a meeting on the 29th.
[2:21:09] That is our monday off because
[2:21:11] that's the fifth monday of the
[2:21:11] month.
[2:21:15] The question will be is if
[2:21:15] there seems to be an
[2:21:17] opportunity and an appetite if
[2:21:18] people don't already have
[2:21:20] travel plans for us to be able
[2:21:23] to schedule the meeting on that
[2:21:24] wet day that way we don't have
[2:21:27] anything else on that day and
[2:21:32] that will give us a week to not
[2:21:33] only give staff time to create
[2:21:35] the survey, give us the time to
[2:21:38] go through and identify and do
[2:21:40] our voting and give the
[2:21:41] community the time to have the
[2:21:43] conversation.
[2:21:44] I'm saying the 29th for
[2:21:47] decision is that of the 22nd
[2:21:49] and we try to figure out a date
[2:21:50] to come in and have this
[2:21:52] conversation based on council's
[2:21:54] calendar.
[2:21:55] And can I just ask a question
[2:21:56] of clarity?
[2:21:58] I just want to make sure I
[2:21:58] understand in my mind I thought
[2:22:00] what we were doing was we were
[2:22:01] doing we were going and
[2:22:03] selecting our ballots and those
[2:22:04] are the folks that were going
[2:22:04] to get interviews.
[2:22:05] So we were trying to schedule
[2:22:05] the interview that's that's
[2:22:06] what I'm saying.
[2:22:06] Oh when you say conversation
[2:22:09] that sounds like I did well,
[2:22:09] the interview is the
[2:22:10] conversation because they're
[2:22:12] not going to come in and just
[2:22:13] speak to us for two minutes.
[2:22:13] We're going to actually just
[2:22:15] say be empty.
[2:22:17] Yeah, a process difference and
[2:22:18] actually having a conversation
[2:22:20] that's happening via the ballot
[2:22:21] and that's part right and but
[2:22:23] it's the piece where instead of
[2:22:23] the individual council
[2:22:26] collectively sits and want to
[2:22:29] gather and hear from and ask
[2:22:30] questions of the candidate just
[2:22:32] as a just as a reminder the
[2:22:35] statutory requirement for
[2:22:36] special meeting notices is 48
[2:22:37] hours.
[2:22:39] >> so it's not just just say
[2:22:40] you know in terms of your
[2:22:40] planning you don't need that.
[2:22:43] So we can actually have if it's
[2:22:45] at the pleasure of council we
[2:22:46] can have there but have the
[2:22:48] ability to have that discussion
[2:22:49] earlier.
[2:22:49] I just want to be respectful of
[2:22:52] the fact that staff has to
[2:22:54] actually create the survey and
[2:22:57] yeah, I things that can happen
[2:22:59] next to even we can say that
[2:23:02] but we need to make sure that
[2:23:03] staff is doing just that come
[2:23:06] around with so so it doesn't
[2:23:06] spell correctly or wouldn't
[2:23:08] matter that's like yes ma'am
[2:23:10] you had another question all
[2:23:11] right.
[2:23:11] >> yes, please.
[2:23:13] Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[2:23:14] >> colleagues, I think that we
[2:23:17] you know, I agree with my
[2:23:19] colleague councilmember graham
[2:23:20] and councilmember MAY feel that
[2:23:22] we shouldn't rush the process
[2:23:25] but we did vote on a timeline
[2:23:27] and we adopted it and now we
[2:23:28] are doing this amendment which
[2:23:30] council member MAY feel
[2:23:31] accepted the friendly amendment
[2:23:33] from councilmember wallington.
[2:23:36] So I think our due diligence
[2:23:36] right as council members
[2:23:39] serving our constituents is to
[2:23:40] follow through with the
[2:23:45] timeline and to add that extra
[2:23:48] step and to that point find a
[2:23:49] which I think is can be a
[2:23:51] conversation and perhaps
[2:23:54] offline that that middle spot
[2:23:55] of when we would schedule that
[2:23:57] special meeting at that
[2:24:01] midpoint that allows us the
[2:24:03] flexibility to still follow
[2:24:04] through with the timeline but
[2:24:06] as well as make the necessary
[2:24:06] adjustments that we're talking
[2:24:08] about today.
[2:24:11] Yes, ma'am.
[2:24:11] >> thank you so much.
[2:24:14] Is it possible to make a motion
[2:24:17] to have a special meeting on
[2:24:17] the 18th for council?
[2:24:20] No, there's a motion on the
[2:24:20] floor.
[2:24:20] We haven't voted for this
[2:24:22] otherwise voted for unless
[2:24:25] unless well unless council
[2:24:25] member mayfield, the motion
[2:24:25] maker.
[2:24:28] If you want to accept as part
[2:24:28] of your friendly amendment I'm
[2:24:31] not accepting that interview as
[2:24:31] we need to close this down.
[2:24:34] The only issue is that this
[2:24:36] okay we're going to beginning
[2:24:39] to get off line and we will
[2:24:39] thank you.
[2:24:39] I appreciate that.
[2:24:42] MS. As mira we've got the staff
[2:24:45] a little bit and we've been
[2:24:45] doing a lot of like this is
[2:24:48] this and this is that but we
[2:24:48] are not getting enough
[2:24:50] information for us to all
[2:24:51] understand.
[2:24:54] I mean I look around and I
[2:24:54] don't see I see especially I'm
[2:24:56] worried about the bgr committee
[2:24:59] because we haven't seen
[2:25:02] anything we want to I'm sorry.
[2:25:02] That's just what I said.
[2:25:03] You don't have to say it.
[2:25:05] I just said it.
[2:25:08] Okay, so this is what I said
[2:25:08] and I think what we're trying
[2:25:11] to do is to get some sense of
[2:25:13] what everyone agrees to do and
[2:25:16] that just takes a little bit
[2:25:16] more time.
[2:25:18] And if we skip people over you
[2:25:21] know, it's just it's taken us
[2:25:22] too much time to do this
[2:25:24] without working through it.
[2:25:25] So what I would like to suggest
[2:25:28] is that we actually ask each
[2:25:30] council member what their what
[2:25:33] you have what you think is
[2:25:34] happening and then let's see if
[2:25:36] we're all in accord if that's
[2:25:37] okay.
[2:25:39] >> I would say you've got a
[2:25:39] motion MADAM Mayor you know but
[2:25:42] with the smoke if I have people
[2:25:44] or what if I just MAY yeah your
[2:25:46] motion as I understand it is
[2:25:47] it's to receive nominations
[2:25:50] from each council member up to
[2:25:50] three.
[2:25:52] You don't have to give three
[2:25:54] but up to three close the
[2:25:54] nominations.
[2:25:58] MADAM Clerk will be tallying
[2:25:58] those those nominations to
[2:26:01] determine you got that to
[2:26:04] determine the top five I
[2:26:05] believe the top five.
[2:26:06] Right.
[2:26:06] And those candidates will
[2:26:09] proceed to a set of interviews
[2:26:12] to be conducted based on a
[2:26:13] special meeting later schedule
[2:26:15] later.
[2:26:15] >> right.
[2:26:18] So now we will work on that.
[2:26:21] I I hear you.
[2:26:21] All right.
[2:26:21] MISS Johnson.
[2:26:23] MS..
[2:26:24] Johnson did not hear you so
[2:26:26] let's have her hear us now.
[2:26:29] So we have a screen is there
[2:26:29] anybody they can type the
[2:26:30] motion so that it's clear as
[2:26:32] these changes are made a
[2:26:33] powerpoint this is a
[2:26:33] powerpoint.
[2:26:35] >> but I can just type it out
[2:26:36] and then everyone could read it
[2:26:38] because there is a lot of
[2:26:38] chatter.
[2:26:41] So if I mean I think we
[2:26:43] understand but just so are just
[2:26:43] so everyone's on the same page
[2:26:46] and we can see what the motion
[2:26:46] is and clarify there.
[2:26:48] >> thank you.
[2:26:49] >> would that be helpful to do
[2:26:51] by tomorrow because I don't
[2:26:52] think everything right now okay
[2:26:55] we do not have everyone in this
[2:26:57] room to do more things.
[2:26:59] >> yeah three, four, five, six
[2:26:59] seven, eight nine.
[2:27:00] Okay.
[2:27:00] Yeah.
[2:27:02] Is he supposed to sit there
[2:27:03] because of what he's doing
[2:27:03] today at work?
[2:27:05] >> yeah, we are good to go
[2:27:06] because we got we can vote.
[2:27:08] >> yeah we can vote everybody's
[2:27:08] got that.
[2:27:09] Everybody's comfortable with
[2:27:09] that.
[2:27:11] Yes.
[2:27:12] >> all right, give it we wait a
[2:27:14] minute.
[2:27:14] MISS Out on me.
[2:27:15] I'm just since councilmember
[2:27:17] johnson wanted to actually see
[2:27:19] it in writing, I'm just asking
[2:27:22] if we could just take less than
[2:27:22] a minute.
[2:27:23] Yeah, we're just being
[2:27:23] tightened up.
[2:27:25] Yeah, but we I think we all are
[2:27:27] on the same page as far as what
[2:27:30] it is and I appreciate you all
[2:27:31] for supporting a motion and us
[2:27:34] figuring out again so that we
[2:27:36] can be intentional about this
[2:27:36] process because we've got
[2:27:39] elections next year.
[2:27:40] Yeah people that want to run
[2:27:40] for it go in front of the
[2:27:42] community, get a community
[2:27:43] support but if we're going to
[2:27:44] make an appointment we haven't
[2:27:45] had a chance to have a
[2:27:48] conversation session about what
[2:27:54] are the opportunities that we
[2:27:56] see in this role of 17 months
[2:27:58] knowing that we'd passed our
[2:28:02] priority areas, we've had our
[2:28:04] budget retreat, we just passed
[2:28:05] the budget.
[2:28:05] We already know that we're
[2:28:09] going to have the housing bond
[2:28:12] on the ballot in NOVEMBER and
[2:28:13] what that looks like, what are
[2:28:15] the skill sets that we are
[2:28:16] looking for?
[2:28:18] That's what I was hoping that
[2:28:19] we might add in this additional
[2:28:21] step.
[2:28:23] It gives us not one off
[2:28:24] conversations with individuals
[2:28:26] because again I've tried not to
[2:28:29] engage any body unless the
[2:28:29] calls slip through but I've
[2:28:32] made no commitments to anyone
[2:28:33] because I don't make them as
[2:28:35] anyone so regardless of the
[2:28:35] media thinking we got on top
[2:28:37] for to my understanding we have
[2:28:40] not figured that out.
[2:28:41] So this gives us the
[2:28:43] opportunity to have the
[2:28:44] discussion we need to have.
[2:28:45] I was doing all that just
[2:28:49] talking to you got it right now
[2:28:50] read and I'm sure I have to
[2:28:52] clean it up is that I was
[2:28:52] trying to help you out.
[2:28:54] I appreciate it for that.
[2:28:57] >> I honestly we enjoy all of
[2:29:00] this but I think councilmember
[2:29:02] and have you spoken and then
[2:29:05] kimberly wanted to speak as
[2:29:05] well.
[2:29:07] >> kimberly, a question I agree
[2:29:10] with this.
[2:29:11] I want to know at what point in
[2:29:13] time each thing occurs.
[2:29:14] >> that's why I'm asking and
[2:29:19] we're never been in wait I'm
[2:29:19] sorry.
[2:29:19] >> can I speak?
[2:29:21] i don't feel it's a particular
[2:29:23] hardship if we don't get it all
[2:29:24] done by the 22nd nobody suffers
[2:29:27] if we don't we have the
[2:29:29] absolute obligation possibility
[2:29:33] of say on the 22nd conducting
[2:29:36] this meeting with with an eye
[2:29:37] towards processing the
[2:29:40] interviews and other
[2:29:42] discussions that we have in the
[2:29:44] 22nd for a vote on the 29th.
[2:29:47] So I just want to know if if we
[2:29:50] do this and we try to vote on
[2:29:50] the 22nd when were the ballots
[2:29:52] be due?
[2:29:53] When will we get back because
[2:29:55] that's a tight timeline.
[2:29:56] >> I just want to know what
[2:29:58] happens when and I think that
[2:29:58] we are trying to do that.
[2:30:01] I mean the city attorney I
[2:30:03] thought in terms of preparing I
[2:30:04] thought it was going to be the
[2:30:07] committee but now I think it's
[2:30:09] going to move into the offices
[2:30:09] that what you're thinking what
[2:30:12] is the council that I motorcar
[2:30:15] questions I'm oh she has a
[2:30:16] question councilmember so just
[2:30:18] just for clarity sake I want to
[2:30:18] make sure that I've appreciated
[2:30:21] and I want the audience and the
[2:30:21] viewers to understand when we
[2:30:24] say each councilmember will
[2:30:25] receive up to three nominations
[2:30:27] each councilmember is inclusive
[2:30:27] of mayor pro tem at this point
[2:30:29] in time, correct?
[2:30:30] At this point in time we're
[2:30:32] going to deal with that shortly
[2:30:32] .
[2:30:33] Thank you.
[2:30:35] Yes.
[2:30:36] Yeah.
[2:30:38] And the timeline will come next
[2:30:40] week.
[2:30:41] Okay.
[2:30:43] So be ready to vote.
[2:30:45] I think so I I am still trying
[2:30:48] to figure out where this leads
[2:30:51] to the vote and I think it's
[2:30:53] basically around the interview
[2:30:56] process and for participation
[2:30:59] and the five candidates to be
[2:31:01] invited to participate and
[2:31:01] that's five for each council
[2:31:04] member no ma'am or just it's
[2:31:08] time for council member all
[2:31:10] right, here we go process
[2:31:11] whoever ends up being the top
[2:31:11] five.
[2:31:11] Okay?
[2:31:13] Yeah.
[2:31:13] >> all right.
[2:31:16] So is everybody ready to vote,
[2:31:16] MS..
[2:31:19] Mayfield?
[2:31:19] We are.
[2:31:20] I was just going to ask the
[2:31:21] clerk you have it.
[2:31:24] But do I need to repeat it for
[2:31:26] the minutes for accuracy if you
[2:31:27] want.
[2:31:27] I just need to know what you
[2:31:29] need in order for you to have
[2:31:30] because we have it.
[2:31:32] If you have it then I'm good if
[2:31:35] you need me to repeat it this
[2:31:35] way then I will do whatever you
[2:31:36] need me to do.
[2:31:38] For the record and I'm asking
[2:31:38] is it this if I need to change
[2:31:41] it was on the screen.
[2:31:41] No, this is good.
[2:31:41] Okay.
[2:31:44] This is what we discussed.
[2:31:44] Okay.
[2:31:47] I know as long as you keep
[2:31:47] saying the full council.
[2:31:49] Yes, we'll be okay.
[2:31:49] >> all right.
[2:31:50] So you have a motion on the
[2:31:52] floor all in favor of the
[2:31:52] motion?
[2:31:55] >> please raise your hand.
[2:31:58] Anyone different than anyone?
[2:31:59] That's not a vote that anyone
[2:31:59] oppose.
[2:31:59] Sorry.
[2:32:01] Anyone oppose?
[2:32:04] >> all right, so thank you all
[2:32:04] .
[2:32:04] Thank you very much, my man.
[2:32:07] We got a yeah, we got a couple
[2:32:07] more motions and we I'm going
[2:32:09] to tie those just just for the
[2:32:10] record so that everybody is on
[2:32:12] the same page if just vote and
[2:32:14] we are where we are.
[2:32:17] I move to have this interview
[2:32:23] on this thursday the 18th
[2:32:27] second on yeah yeah yeah yes
[2:32:31] before I go so we can check out
[2:32:31] everything I have to do my
[2:32:36] calendar almost every time so
[2:32:39] this is because let's let's see
[2:32:42] if we can get through this.
[2:32:42] Okay.
[2:32:43] I guess I'm going on those.
[2:32:44] All right.
[2:32:45] All right.
[2:32:47] Does everybody have that time
[2:32:47] frame on there?
[2:32:48] I need a second.
[2:32:50] What time on thursday?
[2:32:53] Well, I just signed up morning
[2:32:55] or afternoon.
[2:32:56] >> that's just so when are the
[2:32:58] ballots to when are the ballots
[2:33:01] do one of the ballots do yeah I
[2:33:02] mean I'm up and when home would
[2:33:04] you when do you need them do
[2:33:05] you know I'm just saying that's
[2:33:06] the 18th is when we're having
[2:33:06] that meeting prior to that time
[2:33:09] there has to been a deadline
[2:33:09] for the council.
[2:33:10] >> that's a good point.
[2:33:12] That's a good point.
[2:33:12] Okay.
[2:33:12] We can work backwards.
[2:33:15] So then I'm not tied to the
[2:33:18] JULY 22nd now I understand are
[2:33:19] we send in three names?
[2:33:19] >> are we waiting on a ballot?
[2:33:22] We're waiting on a ballot if
[2:33:24] you do not council if you do
[2:33:27] not proceed with the 22nd you
[2:33:30] will need to amend your prior
[2:33:34] schedule because you adopted
[2:33:34] that as part of your problem.
[2:33:35] Okay so I'd like to offer this
[2:33:37] then as part of my motion staff
[2:33:40] and I'm looking at you MS.
[2:33:40] Towns because it's the clerk's
[2:33:43] office if you can get us
[2:33:45] ballots today and we have those
[2:33:48] ballots back to you by tomorrow
[2:33:48] 48 hours ahead of a thursday
[2:33:54] afternoon meeting then we can
[2:33:55] press them, then we can proceed
[2:33:57] as our folks comfortable with
[2:33:57] that?
[2:34:00] Yeah, I'm very uncomfortable
[2:34:00] with that.
[2:34:03] I don't know how we voted on
[2:34:03] the timeline in meetings.
[2:34:04] Okay.
[2:34:05] Yeah.
[2:34:06] Well then the opportunity to do
[2:34:09] that I don't know what I'll do
[2:34:09] without that's the motion.
[2:34:11] >> if there's a second we'll
[2:34:11] vote it up or down.
[2:34:13] If it goes down then we'll just
[2:34:16] figure something else out and
[2:34:18] see what we'll figure that out
[2:34:22] and so everybody would get
[2:34:22] their information.
[2:34:22] Yeah.
[2:34:25] Before they leave tonight.
[2:34:25] Yes.
[2:34:27] Okay.
[2:34:29] All right.
[2:34:30] So just to be clear to make
[2:34:33] sure I understand so you want a
[2:34:34] ballot with the 49 people?
[2:34:35] Yes, ma'am.
[2:34:37] By the end of before we leave
[2:34:41] here so we don't all the
[2:34:41] eligible and the eligible
[2:34:41] people.
[2:34:43] Yeah, actually eligible.
[2:34:43] Okay.
[2:34:44] Yeah.
[2:34:46] All the so if we can have a
[2:34:48] ballot to night before we leave
[2:34:48] for all of the eligible
[2:34:51] candidates and council will
[2:34:54] return our ballots to you by
[2:34:55] tomorrow afternoon which gives
[2:34:56] 48 hours time for notice to
[2:34:58] those selected candidates.
[2:34:59] Then we can conduct the
[2:35:01] interview on thursday
[2:35:02] afternoon.
[2:35:04] And are you going to do photos
[2:35:04] and all of those or what are
[2:35:07] the expectations for the
[2:35:08] sending the information to the
[2:35:11] clerk besides just a letter or
[2:35:13] a list like we have here?
[2:35:13] Yeah.
[2:35:14] So we just we just can return
[2:35:16] our lists or like we typically
[2:35:17] do via email and just respond
[2:35:19] with your names etc. What about
[2:35:22] the kimberly your ballots would
[2:35:23] be your balance that would be
[2:35:25] received tomorrow or I can I
[2:35:28] had a I had a question but I
[2:35:29] think that it has been
[2:35:30] clarified so thank you all
[2:35:31] right.
[2:35:31] Thank you.
[2:35:32] And I just want to make a point
[2:35:33] of clarification.
[2:35:37] It's not the 48 people to 49 is
[2:35:40] eligible candidates all the
[2:35:40] eligible including those who
[2:35:42] did not attend the first be
[2:35:44] eligible can motion for
[2:35:44] correct?
[2:35:45] Correct.
[2:35:45] Okay.
[2:35:47] Okay.
[2:35:47] All right.
[2:35:50] MADAM Clerk MADAM Clerk, are
[2:35:50] you good?
[2:35:53] Oh, is our attorney good as
[2:35:53] anybody on the council?
[2:35:55] Good.
[2:35:56] >> I have a question, MADAM
[2:35:59] Clerk would it be easier for
[2:35:59] people just to write it in like
[2:36:02] their their top three instead
[2:36:04] of your having to like type all
[2:36:05] of those names in?
[2:36:07] I mean we all have the lists
[2:36:08] like yeah there's everybody i
[2:36:10] feel like that MAY be more
[2:36:11] efficient of your time this
[2:36:13] evening so we can make the
[2:36:16] turnaround a bit faster I mean
[2:36:17] just a write in if you want to
[2:36:19] do that.
[2:36:20] >> if I stop you I can make
[2:36:20] that motion.
[2:36:20] Okay.
[2:36:22] Can can can I can I do a
[2:36:24] friendly amendment that instead
[2:36:27] of y'all writing down all the
[2:36:30] people we all have the list is
[2:36:30] not hard for them.
[2:36:30] >> yeah that's.
[2:36:33] Oh okay well whatever have list
[2:36:35] so are we doing a friendly
[2:36:35] amendment?
[2:36:35] Okay.
[2:36:38] No amendments.
[2:36:38] >> right.
[2:36:38] Okay.
[2:36:39] All right.
[2:36:43] So we're voting on the motion
[2:36:43] right there.
[2:36:45] >> so this is a two part motion
[2:36:45] to have the interviews be
[2:36:49] conducted on JUNE 18th and also
[2:36:51] to have a ballot complete with
[2:36:54] all eligible candidates by end
[2:36:54] of day today you receive I
[2:36:57] don't you want to put a no is
[2:36:58] due to no but she received the
[2:37:00] ballot today I received about
[2:37:02] 24 hours press yeah and council
[2:37:03] members will turn it in by
[2:37:05] tomorrow.
[2:37:06] Close of business the clerk
[2:37:06] yes.
[2:37:11] Positive.
[2:37:11] Okay.
[2:37:13] So are we comfortable with
[2:37:14] where we are?
[2:37:14] MS. Mayfield are you
[2:37:16] comfortable where you are?
[2:37:17] Not even a slightest.
[2:37:17] Okay.
[2:37:19] So if it is slightly space I
[2:37:22] want us to be realistic and
[2:37:26] responsive.
[2:37:27] so we have our medians have
[2:37:30] been running to 910 later to
[2:37:33] say that our clerk's office is
[2:37:36] supposed to get this
[2:37:36] information to us and we are
[2:37:39] going to be responsible enough
[2:37:42] to get this done back tomorrow
[2:37:45] is very aspirational versus at
[2:37:50] least I'm trying my best y'all
[2:37:53] at least be realistic enough
[2:37:55] instead of saying ballot for
[2:37:56] all the eligible candidates by
[2:37:59] end of day by end of tomorrow
[2:38:02] to give enough time for our
[2:38:02] staff to do what they need to
[2:38:06] do when we still have meeting
[2:38:09] in 20 minutes and we have been
[2:38:13] getting out of here at 910,
[2:38:13] 1030 11 and thinking that
[2:38:16] people won't get up and get
[2:38:19] through this by tomorrow let's
[2:38:25] at least be gentle enough where
[2:38:26] ourselves is there to at least
[2:38:30] give them tuesday the 16 to get
[2:38:30] this out.
[2:38:35] That's the gives us a window to
[2:38:35] get the ballots done and get
[2:38:38] them back in because they still
[2:38:41] have to go in and calculate it
[2:38:44] I don't think is reasonable all
[2:38:46] at 20 minutes to five to say
[2:38:48] that the closed office should
[2:38:49] be able to get this information
[2:38:51] to us by tonight.
[2:38:54] >> so a couple of things.
[2:38:55] >> I appreciate what you're
[2:38:55] saying.
[2:38:57] The spreadsheet is right here.
[2:38:58] I will like it already exists.
[2:39:01] We have meant to respond but
[2:39:03] the meat of your question
[2:39:04] though because then the meat of
[2:39:06] your question though I just
[2:39:07] want to make sure the reason
[2:39:09] that I've said to the people
[2:39:10] are talking at the same time
[2:39:12] the reason I said tuesday
[2:39:13] tomorrow is because of the 48
[2:39:13] hours.
[2:39:15] So the question is can staff
[2:39:15] can you still notice the
[2:39:19] meeting before or you know
[2:39:21] which candidates are invited
[2:39:24] you you can notice the purpose.
[2:39:24] Yes, we yes let me tell you.
[2:39:24] Okay.
[2:39:27] Well then cool I'll accept that
[2:39:27] friendly amendment you want to
[2:39:27] use.
[2:39:29] You said the end of tuesday so
[2:39:30] that's a matter of hours
[2:39:30] difference.
[2:39:33] It's those hours make a
[2:39:34] difference and I'm about 16 and
[2:39:35] to also in light of the
[2:39:38] conversation would there be an
[2:39:41] eligible virtual option excuse
[2:39:43] me available to those because
[2:39:44] it is such a short notice.
[2:39:46] >> I mean I think that's I'm
[2:39:49] for sure now why do you want to
[2:39:52] start something I mean it's all
[2:39:54] about getting it.
[2:39:55] >> we are talking about 48
[2:39:55] hours notice.
[2:39:58] I just want to yeah, again I'm
[2:39:58] not pushing that.
[2:40:01] Don't 22nd date is not I felt
[2:40:01] like we could have made
[2:40:04] somebody good made a motion for
[2:40:06] us to amend that because this
[2:40:06] is too important of a
[2:40:09] conversation we have this isn't
[2:40:09] the five months that anthony
[2:40:12] fox had when he was that moved
[2:40:14] into a position.
[2:40:15] So the idea of us trying to
[2:40:17] rush through this process I
[2:40:20] have a concern about I got you
[2:40:21] for you to get it on record as
[2:40:23] far as the virtual option, I'm
[2:40:25] I'm I'm not opposed to virtual
[2:40:26] but certainly if that's going
[2:40:28] to be a part of this motion,
[2:40:34] folks should know about it.
[2:40:34] I'm willing to adjust the
[2:40:35] motion for the will of the
[2:40:37] group if they do not have the
[2:40:38] opportunity to do a virtual
[2:40:39] them.
[2:40:40] i think that saying that you
[2:40:43] want you but you know if you
[2:40:45] can't figure out how to get in
[2:40:50] I'm sure and mayor I just want
[2:40:56] us to so I appreciate both
[2:40:59] perspectives here I also though
[2:41:00] want to talk about and maybe
[2:41:01] we're going to do it now we
[2:41:02] have to do it at some point but
[2:41:04] talk about the structure of
[2:41:07] these meetings because I think
[2:41:08] it has to we have to have a
[2:41:10] structure has that have some
[2:41:12] uniformity to it.
[2:41:15] I can imagine if ten of us have
[2:41:18] questions that's a long time.
[2:41:18] Right?
[2:41:18] Just one question.
[2:41:21] So we got to talk about the
[2:41:21] structure on that.
[2:41:24] >> yeah, maybe you I'm saying
[2:41:26] maybe you could suggest I mean
[2:41:27] I'm yes.
[2:41:29] Someone that could do that.
[2:41:30] >> yeah, somebody has got to do
[2:41:34] some work exactly right and and
[2:41:37] I think that like okay I think
[2:41:37] that what we accomplished was
[2:41:40] that the committee chair would
[2:41:43] have that opportunity to work
[2:41:43] through some of that and nobody
[2:41:46] has suggested but it does need
[2:41:49] to happen so far and mean so
[2:41:51] I'll volunteer myself since
[2:41:51] this is difficult I think it
[2:41:54] would be no, I think so.
[2:41:56] Well what I'm saying is is to I
[2:41:57] agree that those that can be
[2:41:59] worked offline if you have
[2:42:00] questions that you want ash
[2:42:03] simply cinnamon an email to
[2:42:03] everybody and we can compile
[2:42:06] the questions list these things
[2:42:08] are not difficult policy it's a
[2:42:09] question that it's not about
[2:42:11] being difficult policy question
[2:42:14] is how we process our work.
[2:42:17] >> it's how we and it's killing
[2:42:22] us if we make it to the end for
[2:42:22] sure.
[2:42:25] but there has to be process
[2:42:28] steps that there's agree in the
[2:42:31] poem if we don't have hope, if
[2:42:34] we don't respect our committee
[2:42:34] structure, why do we have
[2:42:36] committees?
[2:42:39] It's just it's and so all of
[2:42:40] this stuff should have been
[2:42:44] sent to committee weeks ago,
[2:42:47] three weeks ago that there is
[2:42:50] is a artificial timeline that
[2:42:51] we're dealing with.
[2:42:53] There's nothing magical about
[2:42:55] the 22nd we got 18 months not
[2:42:57] for an interim mayor but for
[2:42:58] the mayor of the city.
[2:43:00] I think that deserves a little
[2:43:03] bit of thoughtfulness versus
[2:43:03] making the sausage around the
[2:43:06] dice where we're supposed to be
[2:43:08] listening to candidates not
[2:43:09] making policy decisions.
[2:43:12] It's just for me it's how we
[2:43:12] process our work that's
[2:43:14] frustrating.
[2:43:15] Are you making a substitute
[2:43:18] much I make a substitution that
[2:43:19] we send this to committee so we
[2:43:25] have a second and a second and
[2:43:26] put it up or down and and and
[2:43:28] when we say substitute motion
[2:43:31] to send to committee does that
[2:43:32] include the inclusiveness of
[2:43:35] the fact the the things that we
[2:43:37] all up and then we come on to
[2:43:39] achieve all the things that we
[2:43:40] want to achieve the timelines,
[2:43:43] the structure there's the
[2:43:45] process questions that
[2:43:45] councilmember anderson talked
[2:43:48] about in terms of making sure
[2:43:48] that just on uniformity there
[2:43:51] has to be we just can't make it
[2:43:51] up on the fly.
[2:43:54] The recusal question all those
[2:43:55] things are legitimate questions
[2:43:57] that we just sit and kind of
[2:43:59] make the sausage at the table
[2:44:00] so we have you can put it up or
[2:44:02] down but I just think you have
[2:44:05] to we have a motion and and
[2:44:08] second all right as I'm just
[2:44:09] about to attempt jd tell me
[2:44:11] thank you MADAM Mayor.
[2:44:14] I think I feel like how to do
[2:44:14] that song.
[2:44:16] >> what's going on?
[2:44:17] Yeah.
[2:44:19] Mm hmm.
[2:44:20] >> are the candidates still in
[2:44:22] the room?
[2:44:23] >> really want to take this up?
[2:44:24] I do.
[2:44:25] I want to.
[2:44:28] This is just more trying to not
[2:44:31] to encourage more frustration
[2:44:33] among my colleagues.
[2:44:34] I just really want to ask this
[2:44:37] question because I'm out of
[2:44:37] curiosity.
[2:44:37] Okay.
[2:44:39] We sent this to committee,
[2:44:39] right.
[2:44:42] And they will come back to a
[2:44:45] full council for a discussion
[2:44:46] on something that was a process
[2:44:48] that should be inclusive of a
[2:44:51] full council to be then
[2:44:54] discussed from a process I was
[2:44:54] made from a committee which I
[2:44:56] respect the committee.
[2:44:57] Right.
[2:44:57] I respect the committee and I
[2:44:59] respect committee structure but
[2:45:02] I guess I'm trying to
[2:45:05] understand the reasoning of
[2:45:08] sending it to committee just
[2:45:09] for it to come back again to a
[2:45:09] full council when we're
[2:45:11] discussing it now this MAY feel
[2:45:13] would like to reply to that.
[2:45:17] So what I am understanding
[2:45:17] because again we got the first
[2:45:20] part done by sending it to
[2:45:20] committee committee can then
[2:45:22] have the conversation on the
[2:45:23] actual structure that we're
[2:45:25] talking about committee in
[2:45:26] committee it would be the
[2:45:28] discussion regarding recusal,
[2:45:31] it would be discussion on the
[2:45:34] timeline, it will be discussion
[2:45:37] although what we recommended is
[2:45:37] each of us has up to three
[2:45:40] committee were be able to do to
[2:45:41] structure around the act or
[2:45:43] survey and that timeline that's
[2:45:46] where committee will be able to
[2:45:46] come in and do that piece so
[2:45:48] that when we invite those
[2:45:52] individuals who make it through
[2:45:53] back we are all on the same
[2:45:55] page of understanding what it
[2:45:58] is that we're looking at and
[2:45:58] then we have that opportunity
[2:46:00] of submitting some questions to
[2:46:03] a committee and no duplications
[2:46:06] and there's no duplication and
[2:46:08] that will finally put us in a
[2:46:09] position to have a structure
[2:46:12] moving forward because even
[2:46:14] though we have done this eight
[2:46:16] times unfortunately we are
[2:46:17] doing this more often than what
[2:46:19] was done previously.
[2:46:20] So this way we actually get a
[2:46:22] full structure but it answers
[2:46:25] the actual questions that have
[2:46:25] been asked by it going to
[2:46:27] committee is that my
[2:46:28] understanding?
[2:46:30] That's what I'm understanding
[2:46:31] why it would come to committee.
[2:46:33] >> I think you are correct.
[2:46:34] Thank you.
[2:46:35] So just just a point of
[2:46:36] information.
[2:46:39] This would have to be a special
[2:46:39] committee meeting because
[2:46:41] there's not a committee meeting
[2:46:42] until AUGUST.
[2:46:45] >> yeah, there you can do a
[2:46:48] special the chair can share and
[2:46:50] call it in and say something
[2:46:53] same notice, same legal notice
[2:46:55] requirements but it can't be
[2:46:55] called okay.
[2:46:55] >> yes.
[2:46:58] Thank you MADAM Chair
[2:47:00] city attorney.
[2:47:03] i have a question, sir.
[2:47:06] So if this is if if the ayes
[2:47:08] have it right then we would
[2:47:11] have to then introduce a new
[2:47:14] motion to amend the adopted
[2:47:17] timeline that we voted for
[2:47:17] previously, correct?
[2:47:20] >> that is correct because you
[2:47:22] won't be able to adhere to the
[2:47:22] 22nd deadline I think timeline
[2:47:27] I should say all the questions
[2:47:27] .
[2:47:27] All right.
[2:47:28] We have a call the question on
[2:47:33] the table so I'll take anyone.
[2:47:33] All right.
[2:47:35] So let's go ahead all in favor
[2:47:36] of this please.
[2:47:39] Right of which we're talking
[2:47:41] about what's on the substitute
[2:47:42] motion on a substitute motion
[2:47:45] for the motion and the JUNE
[2:47:45] 18th and those areas right
[2:47:47] there.
[2:47:50] And if not, yes, we'll keep
[2:47:50] going.
[2:47:50] Okay.
[2:47:51] All right.
[2:47:53] We're ready.
[2:47:55] Who's some who all in favor?
[2:47:59] One, two, three, four.
[2:48:01] >> all against.
[2:48:05] Do we have anybody else all
[2:48:09] oppose for one, two, three,
[2:48:11] four, five, six.
[2:48:11] All right.
[2:48:14] I think we go back to that
[2:48:16] because we don't have anything
[2:48:16] .
[2:48:17] We go back to your motion.
[2:48:19] Yeah, right.
[2:48:20] >> all right.
[2:48:22] You're back to this motion here
[2:48:22] .
[2:48:25] Okay, so the question all
[2:48:25] right.
[2:48:26] We have a question on the
[2:48:28] motion that you see on the
[2:48:31] screen right now.
[2:48:34] So all in favor one, two, three
[2:48:39] ,four, five, six, seven, eight
[2:48:39] to the 16.
[2:48:41] Well, can I well, obviously
[2:48:44] this is passing so is there
[2:48:47] anyone opposed the right that
[2:48:49] you have?
[2:48:50] Yeah I didn't catch that so it
[2:48:55] goes to the 16th and then later
[2:48:57] on certainly amendment you had
[2:48:59] one oppose one oppose all right
[2:49:03] and that closes out this all I
[2:49:03] were wrong then how many years
[2:49:05] was it not about matthew.
[2:49:08] >> all right so we have a
[2:49:08] zoning meeting.
[2:49:10] >> I know that I can arrange a
[2:49:13] meeting so you guys would have
[2:49:17] subject would what we have now
[2:49:21] I think we're going to yes.
[2:49:23] That's what you want to do?
[2:49:25] >> yes, but there is a motion
[2:49:26] and a second on the floor to
[2:49:28] adjourn.
[2:49:29] >> you can't have the ballot
[2:49:31] motion on the floor to only to
[2:49:32] talk about it up but then do
[2:49:34] back at that's what I was
[2:49:34] asking.
[2:49:37] >> okay all those in favor of
[2:49:37] the motion to adjourn because
[2:49:40] the convener I know michelle
[2:49:42] she moved the ballots do back
[2:49:43] it says I think we're going to
[2:49:44] have to you know yeah I know I
[2:49:45] was looking at that too is it
[2:49:47] the ballot should be back by
[2:49:49] the end of day on the 16th not
[2:49:50] the close of business.
[2:49:54] That was logan is debate 20
[2:49:54] friendly amendment so what the
[2:49:56] ballots do out same day right
[2:49:59] yeah same day yeah luana I
[2:50:00] wanted to give staff until
[2:50:02] tomorrow to get it out to us
[2:50:03] instead of giving it to us
[2:50:05] tonight tomorrow tomorrow for
[2:50:08] the ballots to be distributed.
[2:50:08] Yeah.
[2:50:08] Hear you.
[2:50:08] Period.
[2:50:11] after the ballots are
[2:50:12] distributed until they come
[2:50:12] back.
[2:50:15] Yeah.
[2:50:16] Now what it says is end of day
[2:50:16] on JUNE 16th for that yeah
[2:50:17] yeah, yeah.
[2:50:20] >> no we can you can you change
[2:50:22] that 1st JUNE can you use mike
[2:50:22] to the 15.
[2:50:24] What it is saying is that
[2:50:25] there's no period in there to
[2:50:26] actually give the ballot right
[2:50:28] received them so we would have
[2:50:30] to have like noon on the 16th
[2:50:30] for the circulation of the
[2:50:33] ballots and end of day on the
[2:50:33] 16th for the return of the
[2:50:35] ballots.
[2:50:36] That's doable for the clerk's
[2:50:38] office.
[2:50:38] So we just need an update on
[2:50:39] the board so that people are
[2:50:40] clear.
[2:50:41] >> let's talk about it because
[2:50:44] we have to vote on a german.
[2:50:46] No, we yes.
[2:50:46] Well time out.
[2:50:49] We need to vote on adjournment
[2:50:49] .
[2:50:50] >> yes, MADAM Mayor.
[2:50:50] Right.
[2:50:52] We have a motion for adjourn.
[2:50:53] That all in favor please raise
[2:50:55] your hands.
[2:50:57] Okay, so just one, two, three.
[2:50:58] >> not a major.
[2:51:02] He turned around on all opposed
[2:51:02] .
[2:51:02] All right.
[2:51:05] I think that the nays and okay.
[2:51:06] All right then you have it.
[2:51:08] All right so now the next item
[2:51:11] on the agenda is what's on the
[2:51:14] agenda now upstairs what I was
[2:51:14] slightly sorry what is right in
[2:51:17] the eating and okay, bill is
[2:51:19] this right, MISS Watlington?
[2:51:22] >> so I was just commenting
[2:51:22] that the other topic that was
[2:51:25] brought up at the beginning of
[2:51:28] this meeting was the recusal.
[2:51:28] So I was I was under the
[2:51:30] impression that we were going
[2:51:31] to deal with that today that
[2:51:34] that we just had that come up.
[2:51:36] It says charge recuse or
[2:51:37] timeline number of nominations
[2:51:40] but that that that substitute
[2:51:40] motion failed I can't mark it
[2:51:43] out right now but it fails I
[2:51:45] just need to talk about recusal
[2:51:46] .
[2:51:46] Okay.
[2:51:46] Yeah.
[2:51:49] So you need to entertain a
[2:51:51] motion right now which I don't
[2:51:51] .
[2:51:51] >> let's go ahead.
[2:51:52] We need to have a motion for
[2:52:00] recusal all MR. Driggs, could
[2:52:00] the attorney please clarify my
[2:52:03] understanding was that a member
[2:52:05] who has a financial or other
[2:52:08] conflict must recuse themselves
[2:52:09] or if they have a concern about
[2:52:12] an appearance of impropriety
[2:52:14] they MAY ask the council to
[2:52:15] excuse them which would then
[2:52:17] require a majority vote to be
[2:52:18] excused.
[2:52:20] Those are two different things
[2:52:22] you just told us it's not a
[2:52:25] recusal situation even though
[2:52:25] he gets more money.
[2:52:28] So then it's a question of
[2:52:29] whether he chooses to ask to be
[2:52:31] excused and we agree with him
[2:52:32] then because of the appearance
[2:52:35] of impropriety by a majority
[2:52:37] vote he is excused.
[2:52:37] That is correct.
[2:52:39] Those are the two issues.
[2:52:40] So that means that you would
[2:52:42] have to ask to be excused since
[2:52:44] you can't recuse yourself since
[2:52:45] the attorney advises that you
[2:52:48] don't have a financial
[2:52:48] contribution.
[2:52:51] So it's up to you it can you
[2:52:51] speaking to the microphone
[2:52:54] please for the record?
[2:52:55] >> yeah, we have we have the
[2:53:06] room that today I tried I tried
[2:53:11] it's oh oh case and I think she
[2:53:12] wants you to repeat it.
[2:53:14] >> yeah I won't repeat
[2:53:15] everything I just said he is
[2:53:17] not eligible for a recusal
[2:53:18] because the city attorney
[2:53:20] advised us that his increased
[2:53:23] income doesn't qualify as a
[2:53:26] grounds for recusal under state
[2:53:26] law.
[2:53:28] Therefore he MAY ask to be
[2:53:29] excused based on a concern
[2:53:31] about the appearance of
[2:53:32] impropriety.
[2:53:35] And it takes a majority vote of
[2:53:37] counsel to excuse him.
[2:53:40] So that does require that you
[2:53:41] would in order for that vote to
[2:53:43] take place you would have to
[2:53:43] ask to be excused.
[2:53:46] And I would suggest that for as
[2:53:46] long as councilmember mitchell
[2:53:49] is in the pool of people like
[2:53:52] if he's not among the final
[2:53:54] five then he could participate
[2:53:56] in the selection among the five
[2:53:58] if he is among the final five
[2:54:01] in my opinion there is an issue
[2:54:04] a question about conflict and
[2:54:05] then but it is up to you to ask
[2:54:07] to be excused.
[2:54:07] >> we can't do it.
[2:54:08] We don't do it.
[2:54:10] Did everybody hear what it
[2:54:10] said?
[2:54:11] Is that right?
[2:54:14] And I agree with correct I feel
[2:54:16] thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[2:54:18] And the clerk mentioned it.
[2:54:19] But I think what we also have
[2:54:24] to remember when council when
[2:54:27] former mayor fox took his
[2:54:29] appointment and then council
[2:54:32] appointed councilmember percy
[2:54:35] kinzie, she did not recuse
[2:54:35] herself.
[2:54:39] you whatever the mayor has
[2:54:40] always owned more than council
[2:54:44] whether was 5000 more 7000 or
[2:54:44] more it doesn't matter what the
[2:54:44] amount was.
[2:54:47] The mayor has always earned
[2:54:47] more than council.
[2:54:48] Council member can say he did
[2:54:50] not recuse herself.
[2:54:50] Yes she voted for herself just
[2:54:53] like when we have elections I
[2:54:53] hope you actually vote for
[2:54:56] yourself when you go in to vote
[2:54:59] so that I want us to keep in
[2:55:02] mind the idea of this recusal.
[2:55:02] Yes.
[2:55:04] COUNCILMAN Mitchell will have
[2:55:06] to make the motion himself but
[2:55:09] we already do have precedent on
[2:55:10] that.
[2:55:10] That's correct.
[2:55:12] And that precedent is the
[2:55:15] sitting council member that
[2:55:16] ended up being put into the
[2:55:20] position of mayor for that
[2:55:21] eventual period did vote for
[2:55:23] themselves.
[2:55:24] There was no recusal.
[2:55:26] I don't know why the
[2:55:27] conversation of compensation
[2:55:29] came into this particular
[2:55:32] conversation for the simple
[2:55:32] fact the mayor will always make
[2:55:35] more than council whatever that
[2:55:37] amount is I'll give as 2000
[2:55:37] more.
[2:55:38] The mayor is always going to
[2:55:40] make more than council so
[2:55:40] whoever the mayor is they are
[2:55:43] going to make more than council
[2:55:43] with that.
[2:55:46] So the recusal piece that's a
[2:55:49] kisi as a sitting council
[2:55:51] member who served 28 years as a
[2:55:54] district when she was appointed
[2:55:57] to fill out mayor anthony
[2:56:00] parks's seat she was not asked
[2:56:00] to recuse.
[2:56:02] She did vote.
[2:56:06] I don't understand why we're i
[2:56:09] understand why we're having a
[2:56:10] conversation now but I want us
[2:56:12] to make sure for transparency.
[2:56:15] That was not something that was
[2:56:17] a prerequisite.
[2:56:20] But again, even though we just
[2:56:21] voted it down, had it gone to
[2:56:23] committee, that's what the
[2:56:24] discussion and an actual
[2:56:26] process could have been put in
[2:56:26] place.
[2:56:26] We chose not to do that but I
[2:56:29] just want to make sure everyone
[2:56:30] does understand we had a
[2:56:33] councilmember who stepped into
[2:56:33] the role.
[2:56:35] No they did not recuse
[2:56:35] themselves.
[2:56:38] Yes, they voted if he chooses
[2:56:40] to that is his choice.
[2:56:41] >> we do not get to do that.
[2:56:44] All right, MISS Allen.
[2:56:46] >> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[2:56:47] I just want to speak very
[2:56:49] briefly to my impression of why
[2:56:50] we are where we are.
[2:56:52] I tried to bring this issue
[2:56:52] into the room because I've had
[2:56:53] a lot of engagement with
[2:56:55] constituents over the weekend
[2:56:58] particularly who have asked me
[2:56:59] about what they perceive to be
[2:57:01] the unfairness of a situation
[2:57:01] where there is competition
[2:57:04] between a member of council and
[2:57:07] other members of the community
[2:57:07] .
[2:57:08] Those members of the community
[2:57:09] need to get to six this member
[2:57:09] of council would only need to
[2:57:11] get to five presumably voting
[2:57:11] done for himself.
[2:57:14] So I wanted to put that into
[2:57:14] the room out of just an
[2:57:16] abundance of transparency
[2:57:19] around what our process is.
[2:57:20] I believe there to be a
[2:57:20] conflict of interest and I
[2:57:23] believe there is an appearance
[2:57:23] of impropriety to have mayor
[2:57:25] pro tem vote in the same way as
[2:57:28] he would if he were not
[2:57:28] running.
[2:57:29] I think to the point made by
[2:57:31] councilmember driggs, there is
[2:57:32] a difference in my mind of
[2:57:34] getting us to a point where we
[2:57:36] have a small group if he is on
[2:57:37] that small group then I would
[2:57:39] contend that he should not
[2:57:39] continue to participate in the
[2:57:42] same way that he would if he
[2:57:43] were not our mayor pro tem so
[2:57:45] that is my personal point of
[2:57:46] view.
[2:57:46] That is why the issues in the
[2:57:48] room is there a motion on the
[2:57:48] table?
[2:57:50] I don't believe.
[2:57:51] >> did you make a motion?
[2:57:51] I did not.
[2:57:54] I'd like to comment when it's
[2:57:54] my turn.
[2:57:54] >> thank you.
[2:57:54] All right.
[2:57:57] So why don't we go has his
[2:57:58] hand?
[2:57:59] I do want okay, go.
[2:58:00] >> I just wanted to point out
[2:58:02] it was possible that 4 or 5 of
[2:58:04] us applied for this.
[2:58:05] Where would we have been if
[2:58:07] everybody had been disqualified
[2:58:07] ?
[2:58:10] I so I think the fact that
[2:58:11] mitchell has served the way he
[2:58:11] has all this time shouldn't
[2:58:14] work to his detriment as it
[2:58:15] were.
[2:58:17] He's entitled to his voice in
[2:58:18] this process as the mayor pro
[2:58:20] tem so personally I clarified
[2:58:23] as I did just to make sure we
[2:58:23] understand the situation it's
[2:58:25] up to him.
[2:58:26] I personally wouldn't put a
[2:58:29] burden on him to ask to be
[2:58:31] excused which is what we're
[2:58:31] talking about.
[2:58:33] >> I'm not mayor jd thank you
[2:58:36] madam mayor.
[2:58:37] Yeah I would agree with my
[2:58:37] colleagues.
[2:58:39] Council member MAY feel and
[2:58:40] council member driggs and also
[2:58:42] appreciative of councilmember
[2:58:45] owens point however I really do
[2:58:45] think for me when I think about
[2:58:47] it I think about the democratic
[2:58:48] process right?
[2:58:51] We are elected by less than 5%
[2:58:53] of the city's population and
[2:58:54] why are we going to vote on
[2:58:57] whether somebody has the right
[2:58:57] to run or to seek a position of
[2:58:59] elected office?
[2:59:02] We all raised our hands to run
[2:59:02] for elected office and we all
[2:59:05] went in front of the community
[2:59:05] .
[2:59:06] >> right?
[2:59:06] Everybody has the right to run
[2:59:09] for office and be true to that
[2:59:12] same standard like we're
[2:59:14] putting on the same standard
[2:59:15] for all of the candidates that
[2:59:17] we've heard from today and that
[2:59:18] have applied for this role
[2:59:20] today that being said, you know
[2:59:21] and I'll I'll just for
[2:59:23] appreciation I will say this
[2:59:24] that's why I also agree with
[2:59:26] councilmember owens when it
[2:59:27] comes to the physical virtual
[2:59:29] option.
[2:59:29] Right.
[2:59:32] We need to be equalizers and
[2:59:32] ensure that everybody has a
[2:59:35] fair shot, an opportunity and I
[2:59:36] as I brought it up before and
[2:59:38] I'll bring it up today I'm
[2:59:39] unsure with this financial
[2:59:42] compensation part of the
[2:59:45] discussion came apart because
[2:59:45] we did just vote as a city
[2:59:48] council to give ourselves a
[2:59:48] raise.
[2:59:48] Right?
[2:59:50] That's part of the budget city
[2:59:53] council members and the mayor
[2:59:56] got a pay bump and the f y 2027
[2:59:56] budget right.
[2:59:59] And so that conversation and
[3:00:02] financial compensation feels
[3:00:05] very obscure to me to be had in
[3:00:08] this in this room right now and
[3:00:10] right right and she and she
[3:00:11] would have disallowed that
[3:00:11] exactly.
[3:00:13] MR. Drake so thank you so much
[3:00:13] and I.
[3:00:14] >> I concur.
[3:00:16] All right.
[3:00:16] And let's go.
[3:00:19] We're going around this way.
[3:00:19] >> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[3:00:22] Just question for the city
[3:00:24] attorney here.
[3:00:27] We were mentioning when patsy
[3:00:28] kinzie was appointed to be the
[3:00:30] interim mayor was there a
[3:00:33] public forum with that process
[3:00:35] or was she simply voted by her
[3:00:39] colleagues to be to take that
[3:00:39] seat?
[3:00:41] Because I think if it wasn't a
[3:00:42] public forum I don't believe
[3:00:44] there was this is a different
[3:00:45] structure here and I'll be a
[3:00:45] little prescribed with our
[3:00:47] language.
[3:00:48] We not a public forum but not a
[3:00:50] candidate forum there were no
[3:00:50] there was not external
[3:00:51] competition.
[3:00:53] It was strictly internal to
[3:00:53] your point councilmember
[3:00:56] anderson only council members
[3:00:56] participated in that, correct.
[3:00:58] And that's why I brought that
[3:00:59] up because you know, before we
[3:01:02] advance to a public process we
[3:01:04] had the opportunity to
[3:01:07] potentially appoint any of us.
[3:01:08] So it's not about a particular
[3:01:10] individual but we voted to make
[3:01:13] this a public process in
[3:01:14] advance in this public forum.
[3:01:16] So we've had 49 people to sign
[3:01:19] up to come down to speak.
[3:01:20] people have taken the time to
[3:01:22] fill out applications.
[3:01:23] You know, it's not just a small
[3:01:26] a small thing we've asked them
[3:01:26] to do and it's a very different
[3:01:30] process than when patsy kinzie,
[3:01:31] who was a district one
[3:01:33] resident, was appointed interim
[3:01:36] mayor very different.
[3:01:36] All right.
[3:01:39] Male thank you, MADAM Mayor.
[3:01:39] >> I would agree with
[3:01:42] councilmember briggs.
[3:01:44] I don't believe that mayor pro
[3:01:45] tem should have to recuse
[3:01:47] himself.
[3:01:48] I think that you know, as a
[3:01:50] sitting council member he
[3:01:51] should have the same vote as
[3:01:53] everyone else on council.
[3:01:56] So I just wanted to put that
[3:01:56] out there.
[3:01:58] >> I mean that I guess would be
[3:01:59] a decision that he makes and or
[3:02:01] we would make potentially.
[3:02:04] But I, I don't think that's
[3:02:07] necessary personally for you.
[3:02:09] It's not up to us.
[3:02:10] You know it's it's like you
[3:02:12] said then what attorney just
[3:02:15] say no we can't vote.
[3:02:15] Right.
[3:02:15] Okay.
[3:02:17] All right.
[3:02:18] Anyone else?
[3:02:21] MR. Watlington all right.
[3:02:23] MRS. Mira all right then.
[3:02:29] MR. Johnson oh, all right.
[3:02:31] >> I'll just add that it's like
[3:02:34] we're arguing about not arguing
[3:02:37] or debating about assumption or
[3:02:39] some preconceived guarantee
[3:02:42] when there's not a guarantee.
[3:02:42] Right.
[3:02:45] There is as much possibility
[3:02:49] for the mayor pro tem to become
[3:02:50] one of the top five candidates
[3:02:51] as well as to not become one
[3:02:52] and top five candidates.
[3:02:52] Right.
[3:02:54] and so I just want to put that
[3:02:55] out there that in to the public
[3:02:57] and I want to be put on the
[3:02:59] record there is not a guarantee
[3:03:02] on who gets appointed interim
[3:03:05] mayor that is point blank
[3:03:05] period.
[3:03:06] Right.
[3:03:08] Like we all have as we voted on
[3:03:12] the right to nominate up to
[3:03:15] three people in this process
[3:03:18] and that those chances of
[3:03:20] whether mayor pro tem is one of
[3:03:21] those top three people that's
[3:03:23] not guaranteed and it's not
[3:03:23] written.
[3:03:24] We just heard from excellent
[3:03:25] candidates.
[3:03:26] Right.
[3:03:26] And I hope that we all have the
[3:03:29] due diligence to listen to
[3:03:32] those candidates and really
[3:03:32] nominate the best candidates.
[3:03:35] We think aligned with the
[3:03:35] priorities and the future of
[3:03:37] this city.
[3:03:38] So I just want to make that
[3:03:40] very clear that when we are
[3:03:42] having this discussion about
[3:03:43] excluding or taking someone's
[3:03:46] right to vote, there's not a
[3:03:48] guarantee that any of us would
[3:03:49] be appointed mayor if we did
[3:03:52] applied.
[3:03:52] >> so thank you.
[3:03:52] All right.
[3:03:54] Thank you, don.
[3:03:55] I think do need to the motion
[3:03:57] to adjourn.
[3:03:59] >> so I think I think well she
[3:04:04] and the other things okay.
[3:04:05] >> MADAM Mayor, just quickly
[3:04:07] before we leave out, I just
[3:04:08] want to make sure everyone
[3:04:10] remembers that on JUNE the
[3:04:13] monday, JUNE 22nd that starting
[3:04:14] at 2:00 we had a city clerk's
[3:04:16] evaluation.
[3:04:17] So that was one of the other
[3:04:19] reasons the motion went the way
[3:04:20] it went.
[3:04:22] But while we are doing these
[3:04:25] dates out I want to make sure
[3:04:27] that we remember the 22nd we
[3:04:29] already have the close
[3:04:31] evaluation that's scheduled
[3:04:34] from 2 to 6 and we're public
[3:04:34] form.
[3:04:37] >> so on ramp I think maybe we
[3:04:38] are as it's maybe a day in the
[3:04:40] life of council.
[3:04:43] I mean we choose violence on a
[3:04:46] daily basis around this dais.
[3:04:49] >> so thank you.
[3:04:49] Okay.
[3:04:52] So I've got to motion to
[3:04:54] adjourn we defer we defer her
[3:04:54] motion to adjourn.
[3:04:58] How many of you are at the you
[3:05:00] adjourn for thursday but you're