and I hope that you've all had
recognized here in charlotte
how we win.
Today you have business
leaders, you have political
leaders, you have educators,
you have community leaders.
>> and I would also note that
you have the governor and the
secretary and again political
city and county officials.
>> they didn't just court you
write and recruit you and send
a welcome letter.
>> they showed up.
And that's what we do here in
charlotte.
We show up.
We show up together.
And I think that is something
that's very special here in
this community that we're
excited to have you be a part
of.
>> charlotte, as you heard, is
one of the largest the largest
second largest financial
community not in in the in just
the region but in the country.
And you heard that 3800 of
those jobs are financial or
jobs which again the most
important part for us is
there's a lot more room for
growth here in this market.
So as we close here today, we
assure you that this community
this business community is
about building winning culture
of which you are a part of
sports again, back to being
close to me team is a big part
of that.
And not only do you have the
team of people in this room of
everyone sitting in here and
standing back here but there's
a team of people outside of
here that's waiting to ensure
your success.
and that's why again, we're
happy to have you here.
So to everyone again in closing
who made today possible, we
thank you.
There's a lot of people who
made today look great in this
amazing facility.
We thank you.
We are proud of this moment.
We are proud.
More importantly of what it
means to what's next.
>> and we want to welcome you,
MR. Robert lucas on to the smb
c executives.
You guys have been leading a
winning organization for
decades.
But one that's been having
meaningful change and impactful
change.
>> and we are here to ensure
your support and success in
this transition.
>> so officially welcome.
Welcome to the city.
Welcome to this region.
Welcome to charlotte.
We are going to win together
and we're excited about that.
>> so we will close to conclude
that.
Thank you.
>> we are going to conclude the
program now there will be light
refreshments in the back.
We're going to have some photos
up here.
And most importantly, please
get to know each other and
welcome our newest resident of
charlotte.
>> thank you
when you graduate they
graduate.
Did you know starting school at
age four builds the foundation
for a lifetime of success.
Pre-k develops critical skills
and confidence that children
carry with them forever. Make
pre-k offers high quality pre-k
to all mecklenburg county
children turning four by AUGUST
31st at no >> cost to families.
Thousands of children have
already benefited and now it's
your child's turn. Start their
lifetime of learning now. Sp
uploaded a source with a key no
lobby menu is never again it is
yet another one of the
currently seven doors to >>
discover doom and I. I see him
there he is with it. But if you
read this I don't mean to imply
at that interpretive at this
point whether he. >>
can't believe you're doing this
alone. I've done it before. I
remember you doing it, becca.
How are you holding up? I mean,
I'm bored. Nothing wrong with
getting help. I'm good. I did
it when felicia left. I'll
figure it out. I know you will
. You don't have to do it
alone. That's all I'm saying.
If I promise to look into it,
we drop it and help you build
this fence. Now you need to
help me a real pain sometime.
If you or a veteran you know
needs support, don't wait.
Eyes forward. Don't drive
distracted.
Your life sounds pretty great.
Don't let a buzz ruin it by
just driving. Is drunk driving.
,wow.
>> man good evening, everyone.
Good evening, everyone.
You know that to ex the
exercise clap.
What's that?
All right, we're almost ready.
>> so thank you.
Today has been a day that I'm
sure several of you probably
already know about this but
it's something that I think is
special when you are in the
ability to be serving the
community no matter when it
happens to you.
But today I just want to
recognize that we just lost
eddie knox who is the mayor of
charlotte for many, many years
many more than me.
And just to have him be a
presence and what he had done
in our work and all of the
things that were happening, you
know, he and I believe harvey
gantt was the next mayor and
then that he was still with
working he was a lawyer.
He was someone that really love
this community all of it not
just the parts that were up
north but he made it possible
for many of us to do things
that we didn't do.
But I knew eddie knox.
>> I knew him when I was just a
first staff or person in the
city and I wanted you to be
sure to know and understand
that he was the kind of person
that cared deeply about our
city our state.
But he carried a lot more
colleges and thoughts to nc
state where he went to college
and I just think that when we
have these kinds of
opportunities to say something
out of order to just have a
quiet moment or the plan that
he is the man that he has been
the mayor that he was and the
person that can make something
happen all the time.
So with that if we would just
take one minute for an hour you
know he has a wife and children
and I want to make sure that
they understand that we are
standing with him and really
make sure that we understand
that he was a great person and
did so much for our city.
Thank you very much.
A few about for just a few
minutes.
Well, thank you all.
Eddie knox was the 49th mayor
of charlotte that says a lot
for all of us and all of them.
Thank you very much.
So with that we're going to go
ahead and begin the city
council business meeting and
we're going to start with an
invocation, an expression that
we use of inspiration followed
by the pledge of allegiance.
The invocation is intended to
solemnize our proceedings.
We celebrate great religious
diversity in our community
including those without a
religious faith.
Tonight I would like to ask
councilmember arias to give our
invocation.
>> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
Let us pray.
Let us take a moment to pause
together as we begin tonight's
meeting and as we prepare for
the important responsibility of
appointing an interim mayor, I
invite everyone to take a
breath and settle into a moment
of reflection and a moment to
remember why we are here and
who we serve.
In my own way I pray for one
path over another for wisdom
instead of haste for clarity
instead of confusion, for
cooperation instead of division
and for commitment to people
over profit and every decision
we make.
I offer that simply as our
hope.
one that welcomes every belief
system, every tradition and
every way of making meaning.
We gather at a time when the
world is facing real adversity
conflict, uncertainty and
hardship are touching
communities near and far.
These challenges remind us that
leadership requires steadiness,
humility and a deep respect for
the dignity of every person.
Tonight MAY we practice
thoughtful reflection and
discernment, listening
carefully weighing our choices
responsibly and choosing the
course that best serves the
people of charlotte.
MAY we remember that our work
is not abstract it affects real
lives, real families and real
neighborhoods.
MAY we approach disagreement
not as a barrier but as an
opportunity to understand one
another more fully as we take
up the work before us.
MAY we do so with fairness,
integrity and the shared
commitment to pitting putting
people first.
And for those who do not pray,
MAY these words simply be a
wish for peace, clarity and
unity as we begin.
Thank you.
>> thank you very much.
You please stand if you choose
for the flag to the united
states of america.
>> I pledge allegiance to the
flag united states of america
and to other stands one nation
under GOD, indivisible with
liberty and justice for all.
>> thank you, everyone.
Oh, I want to begin with
introductions.
Good evening and thank you all
for joining us in person and
for those watching online for
our JUNE 22nd business meeting.
This year's let's begin with
introductions on the dais and
we will start with our city
clerk.
>> good evening, stephanie
kelly, city clerk.
>> good evening, andrea.
Leslie by city attorney
screaming dimple ajmera at
large.
Good evening victoria
watlington I have the pleasure
of serving you as a member at
large.
Good evening joy MAY
representing district three.
>> good evening and welcome to
the district one daunting
anderson district one marcus
jones city manager vilsack
mayor.
>> good evening everyone.
James mitchell mayor acting
mayor.
Good evening.
>> kimberly owens representing
district six malcolm graham
district two at drinks district
seven.
>> thank you for joining us.
Luana mayfield council member
at large.
>> good evening jd must wear
ideas proudly representing the
east side district five.
>> good evening I'm renee
johnson and I have the honor of
representing district four.
>> thank you everyone.
Now we go next to the city.
This mayor and city council
consent item questions and
answers.
We use marie who is absolutely
at this and so we're going to
begin this and so with them
we'll have the consensus items
through 25 through 59.
So marie, will you help us out
there?
>> yes, thank you, mayor and I
had a opportunity to speak with
a couple of you but I was
wondering at this point is
there any other questions on
any of the consent items?
Thank you.
All right.
So our consent items MAY I have
a motion to approve the consent
items agenda 25 through 59.
All in favor, please raise your
hands to read a motion.
>> we have a follow.
So second.
Second.
Okay.
And then we have after this
consent item we're going to
approve a consent item as we go
through this we need to so
mayor mayor mayor, you have a
motion on the second we have a
motion to second.
>> all in favor.
All in favor.
>> yeah.
Anyone and we disagreement or
not an agreement.
Okay.
Anyone else?
All right.
So thank you for coming out and
consideration for the consent
agenda items that were done.
Okay, now we have a few things
that we'd like to introduce.
First, I'd like to ask
councilmember mayfield to
recommend to develop and
recommend a very special time.
Let's see MR. Ryan, I want to
recognize MR. Mayor.
>> thank you so much, mayor and
I would like for our members of
our charlotte pride committee
community and or charlotte
black pride to please stand
because I have the honor of
presenting a proclamation
thanks to our mayor so your
where whereas charlotte is home
to a vibrant and diverse
community among which are
lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and lgbtq citizens
who have positively shaped the
cultural business, civic faith
and social fabric of the city
throughout is history.
>> and.
Whereas charlotte black pride
and charlotte pride have been
creating visibility for and
promoting a positive image of
lgbtq carolinians for more than
two decades.
And.
Whereas, the month of JUNE is
traditionally celebrated as
lgbtq pride month honoring the
iconic stonewall riots of JUNE
1960 nine and the first
christopher street liberation
day MARCH in 1970 and new york
city largely organized by lgbtq
people of color, transgender
people and young people.
And.
Whereas, charlotte's lgbtq
citizens first attempted to
organize gay liberation
movement organizations as early
as 1971 was charlotte's first
pride events finally gives me
and held in 1981 and the
ensuring decades inspire me the
creation of charlotte pride in
2000.
And.
Whereas charlotte black pride
was founded in 2005 with the
mission to promote lgbtq pride
primarily for but not limited
to members of the black
community while building social
awareness, embracing
spirituality and celebrating
the diversity that exists
within our community.
And.
Whereas, in JULY black members
of the lgbt community and their
allies were gallup gathered to
celebrate the history culture
achievements as four races and
dreams during the annual
charlotte black pride week
culminating in charlotte black
pride's annual celebration
black tip ism you belong here
and.
Whereas this AUGUST charlotte
pride will carry forward a 45
year tradition of pride events
in charlotte as it hosts the
largest annual annual lgbtq
community event in our city and
one of the largest in the south
east creating significant
cultural health and economic
empire impact now therefore I
I'm here by alexander lyles
mayor of charlotte do hereby
proclaim JUNE 2026 as lgbt q
pride month in the city of
charlotte and encourage all
citizens to join us in this
special observance witness her
hand the official seal the city
of charlotte thank you.
Don't want to go so thank you
for that.
We have one more proclamation
this evening and I'd like to
turn it over to council member
anderson thank you, MADAM Mayor
.
Whereas vitiligo is an auto
immune skin disease causing
loss of pigment from areas of
the skin resulting in irregular
white spots or pack patches.
And.
Whereas, vitiligo affects more
than 2 million americans
between 0.004 and 2.28% of the
population and worldwide and
even higher in certain regions
it can appear at any age and
can affect all people
regardless of gender, race and
ethnicity.
And.
Whereas, while the condition is
not typically associated with
physical pain, the psychologic
call and the social effects can
be seen difficult for many
affected individuals especially
children and those with darker
skin.
And.
Whereas approximately 15 to 25%
of people with vitiligo also
are affected by at least one
other auto immune disorder.
And.
Whereas researchers and medical
professionals are working to
better understand and treat
that illegal although there is
currently no known cure,
treatments are available that
can help with re pigmentation
especially if begun early and
used consistently.
And.
Whereas, the mission of the
leaders of the north carolina
vitiligo support community and
its members is to support and
empower individuals with
vitiligo as well as educate
advocate and spread awareness.
And whereas, the north carolina
vitiligo support community and
its leaders have been
designated by the global that a
legal foundation to host the
2026 world vitiligo day usa
conference from JUNE 26th
through JUNE 28th.
And charlotte, north carolina
marking a decade of resilience,
strength and beauty.
And.
whereas, the city of charlotte
encouraged just people to
increase awareness,
understanding and support
individuals with vitiligo in
communities throughout the
city.
And.
Whereas, the city of charlotte
encouraged just citizens to
increase, I think that's the
same line.
Therefore now she mayor
alexander lyles, acting mayor
does hereby proclaim the month
of JUNE 2026 as vitiligo a
awareness and education month
and it is signed in her hand.
>> and I would love for you all
MISS Carter and friends if you
would come down I love to
present this to you
.
Oh, I love that we're taking
pictures now I'm sending you
yeah, I like it.
She that concludes our project
our awards and recognitions for
tonight and we will MISS.
MAY I like to take over right
now?
You know my mayor I know this
is not on not on our agenda but
today we want to take a moment
to recognize you for
extraordinary service to the
city of charlotte and its
residents for more than three
decades, days of public service
.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Oh, hello.
That's more it's more it's more
women.
I'm just getting started.
Hello.
>> for more than 30 years, mere
lyles has helped shape
charlotte's future through
nearly every level of local
government leadership from
budget director, assistant city
manager to city council mayor
pro tem and ultimately mayor.
Few leaders have served this
city from as many perspective
or such deep commitment to
public service.
Her leadership helped establish
a strong financial foundation
for charlotte.
And as mayor she guided this
city through a period of
tremendous growth and
transformation.
She championed investments
affordable housing,
transportation, workforce
development, public safety,
economic development while
advancing major initiatives
such as charlotte 2040
comprehensive plan save
charlotte and the mayor's
racial equity initiative.
Mayor lyles has always been a
leader who brings people
together.
Her integrity, vision and
collaborative approach has
strengthened in charlotte and
inspired countless residents,
community leaders and public
servants.
On behalf of the charlotte city
council and the people 879,000
calls charlotte on we extend
our deepest gratitude for her
distinctive service exceptional
leadership and a wave and
dedication to this community.
Now mayor, we have a few tokens
of appreciation we'd like to
present to you today.
First okay where we are.
>> there we go.
>> first we have after all the
years of helping guide
charlotte's direction is seem
only fitting.
and we found it.
Put your name on a sign and we
like to inspire others and all
in all that transportation
project this one need to be
delivered on time and those
schedule for the mayor.
>> all right.
>> we also have a skyline view
and as a reminder of this city
that you help guide, shape and
your legacy, you have built.
We also have a.
Now the special recognition is
MR. Walter byers.
Walter, can you come forward,
please?
>> oh, my.
>> can you go to a microphone
so everybody would know this
special recognition that you've
given to our mayor wanted to
the top top right behind you to
.
>> good evening, everyone.
Good evening.
My name is walter bowers.
I have the privilege of serving
as the director of the
governor's office charlotte
covering 17 counties as far
west as lincoln and as far east
as sampson county.
I'm here this evening with the
distinct honor and privilege of
presenting one of north
carolina's highest civilian
honors the order of the
longleaf pine to an
extraordinary public servant.
Now I need everybody to know
that the governor did come down
to see mayor lyles personally,
but she was too busy for him.
But but no scheduling didn't
work out.
But we said together that you
know what it was too important.
We thank GOD for her amazing
staff that came and represented
her.
But we wanted to personally
present this tonight.
The order of the longleaf pine
is an award that has been given
to individuals across the state
of north carolina.
Individuals such as michael
jordan and steve smith, senior
but also individuals like carl
bailey junior who served as a
fire fighter here in the state
of north in the city of
charlotte.
Saving lives recipients join a
distinguished tradition of
servant leaders whose
dedication has strengthened our
state and improve the quality
of life for generations of
north carolinians.
Mayor lyles has devoted her
life to public service and
we're thankful for that as our
first african-american woman
elected mayor of charlotte, as
our first african-american
woman elected mayor of
charlotte.
>> she broke she broke barriers
while demonstrating that
leadership is ultimately
measured not by titles but by
service.
She was our mayor doing covid
19.
>> she was our mayor during the
protests of 2020.
She was our mayor.
As we continue to push for
affordable housing.
She's been our mayor as we
continue to push for war.
Workforce development and
opportunities.
She set the city of charlotte
up along with her amazing
coworkers on the city council
for greater things ahead.
So tonight we recognize not
only her years of service but a
legacy of leadership that has
touched countless lives and
helped shape the future of our
city and state.
Therefore a mayor allows on
behalf of governor josh stein
and the people of north
carolina, it is my honor to
present to you the order of the
longleaf pine.
In recognition of your
distinguished service and your
enduring contributions to the
city of charlotte and the state
of north carolina and mayor
louse, here is what you get
everywhere you go.
You get a chance to toast every
one that you meet with the
following here's to the land of
the lonely find the summer land
where the sun dove shine where
the weak grow strong and the
stronger are great.
Here's to the down home the old
north state.
Congratulations that thank you
for your service.
You don't need okay.
Okay.
I watched joe bruno last night
so don't worry about it.
I know what the program is.
>> I have I don't know what to
say.
>> I really don't.
>> I guess I'm a softy.
It's hard, you know?
>> so I always tell people I
grew up with really five
brothers and they were like
hard on me all the time but
nothing could be harder than
not knowing what you can do if
you tear enough if you want to
do it enough, if you're strong
enough and you can compete
enough.
And I want you every one of you
in this room to understand man
this city is absolutely one of
the most astounding places that
we can be.
We go all over the state.
This country you don't see the
people coming out and saying
oh, I'll give the mayor a pat
of something anyway but I just
want you to know that it has
been an honor to be in this
community.
It's been an honor to work with
the people in this organization
.
It is an honor to know that the
city has the ability to do
whatever we choose to do
because it is the right thing
to do and be and I'm not going
to stop at this.
I know that I am very, very
happy because I do get to see
my kids.
They go to love school close by
here and I will be able to do a
lot of things that I've never
even thought about.
But after all of that I will
still be in charlotte.
And that's what's going to make
the difference.
Charlotte is the place to be.
There's room for everyone in
this country.
We can see it coming.
And I just hope that when we do
see it coming we make it better
than ever, ever, ever.
>> thank you so much for the
sacrifice I.
>> I don't know if my kids are
watching me but tell them hello
.
Okay.
I think I have to go right back
into a public forum and it
doesn't have this much as the
other thing.
So we're now going to open the
public forum.
I would like to thank you all
for joining us and on behalf of
the entire city council I ask
that all speakers and audience
members be civil and courteous
in the use of their language.
Speakers are encouraged to
address the council and should
refrain from responding to
audience members.
Likewise, audience members
should be courteous of each
speaker and not yell out or
interrupt those speakers.
We want to ensure that everyone
has a chance to be heard.
Now since we have been fairly
busy lately we're going to have
an opportunity that maybe some
will and some will like and
maybe others will not.
Since there are more than ten
speakers, each speaker will
have one minute to address the
council.
>> thank you.
I'm okay.
>> I'm sorry.
I thought it was one.
>> it's just for the applause
for this.
Okay.
For the public forum.
Okay.
So we will have to pick two
minutes to speak and address
the council.
So thank you.
I'm going to call on the first
speaker who is avonte jackson
truck driver and he hello.
>> good evening this evening my
name is devonte jackson and I
am a trucker's advocate.
I am a heart transplant
recipient.
I'm a seedless structure and I
am the owner for a cdl shorty d
for d.
i'm here today to speak about
trucking infrastructure and
transportation issues that
directly affect public safety,
economic growth and the
movement of goods throughout
our city.
First we must address the
bottleneck traffic in
charlotte, north carolina major
corridors such as I-77 85 I-45
experience heavy congestion
daily truck drivers moving
freight through these areas
face delays that increase
operating costs, reduce
efficiency, create safety
concerns for each and everyone
on the road.
Charlotte continues to grow and
however our infrastructure must
grow with it.
Second, I believe that the city
should collaborate with the
north carolina division of
motor vehicles to improve
public education on how to
safely share the road with
semi-trucks.
Many drivers do not understand
truck blindspots stopping
distances wide terms or safe
following distance better
education for teens and adults
could reduce preventable
crashes and it could save
lives.
>> third, we must talk about
truck driver compensation and
fair pay.
The fair labor standards act of
1938 excludes many truck
drivers from overtime
protection.
Truck drivers are essential to
our economy.
Yet many work long hours
without fair compensation for
detention time delays and
unpaid labor.
supporting the fair pay for
truck drivers strengthens the
workforce and helps retain
skilled professionals in this
industry.
Fourth, we need to prioritize
female truck drivers safety.
Many truck stops and parking
areas especially here in
charlotte lack proper lighting
security and safe access to
rest facilities as men as more
women enter the trucking
industry.
Safety requirements must be
part of the conversation.
And there was a young black
woman in louisiana named
commission thomas that was
found unfortunately on alive in
her semi truck overnight with
her family.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
Two minutes.
All right.
You.
>> our next speaker is linda
byers and faith sanders.
>> could come down please.
>> faith sanders and linda
byers.
>> you can speak to one of
them.
You can do it.
She didn't just hear me.
>> if you give us your name,
please.
>> I am linda byers.
I am a native in charlotte,
north carolina and I live in
district one.
And forgive me, I don't feel
well today.
Good evening, mayor.
You'll be missed.
Thank.
And city council.
Thank you for allowing me to be
here today.
My question tonight is simple.
Is district one forgotten?
I am here tonight to address
the growing concerns
surrounding safety and quality
of life for seniors and
longtime residents in uptown
charlotte.
As our city continues to grow
and develop, it is important
that we do not overlook the
people who have helped build
and sustain these communities
for decades.
These concerns are not new.
>> in 2020 four we raised
concerns about parking
congestion and the impact of
new development on our
neighborhood.
After the city adopted a
private street to support
apartment development at that
time we warned about the burden
this would place on long time
residents especially seniors
living on fixed incomes.
Unfortunately those concerns
were not adequately addressed.
Now in 2026 what began as
concerns over parking and
traffic has escalated into much
deeper issues of safety,
privacy, noise disturbances
during quiet hours, loitering
and declining quality of life.
These are not isolated concerns
.
In just a few weeks a community
petition address these concerns
and we raised over 200
signatures.
Just in a few weeks.
And these are people who are
going through the same things.
>> these are leaders and people
who live in the city of
charlotte that's going through
quality of life issues.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
>> is MR. MISS juneteenth here
?
>> yeah.
Okay.
I don't think that we can see
her yet.
So she is I mean a question MAY
a man.
MAY I ask a quick question?
I know at one point since we
only have two minutes if
speakers have written remarks
they're able to give them to
the clerk.
But I think we might not have
mentioned that at the beginning
so I do believe even with the
first speaker they had
additional comments.
So just wanted to make sure
that you all know if you are
two minutes runs out and you
have additional comments I
would gladly capture that so
that we can get the full
information because what is
shared is present it to council
in the form of a memo.
Thank you, ma'am.
I appreciate that.
Okay.
So we don't have faith yet and
so we'll go to jeff cross.
MR. Cross thank you.
Acting mayor.
Thank you, counsel.
>> my name is jeff and I am a
member of the charlotte metro
democratic socialist of
america.
>> we understand last meeting
you got a bit irritated with
how your constituent engaged
the democratic process.
You told us that your hands are
tied as the state has laws
limiting your ability to stop
data center construction.
you told us we need to contact
our state reps, vote for
democrats in the midterms and
work through nonprofit efforts
to craft unique policies to
comply with the state
government.
How could you say that with a
straight face?
Our state is famously
gerrymandered.
The people of charlotte have
voted blue and are left with
minoritarian rule.
We cannot simply vote harder or
especially when the democratic
party permits snakes like
tricia cottam and karla
cunningham to run and betray
their voters after election as
our state government is
structured to deny our working
class a voice.
But you the city council of
charlotte still can and should
represent us.
That means standing up for our
well-being, our environment,
our jobs and our way of life.
We demand that you take action
and implement every measure
possible to prevent current and
future data center construction
.
Your decision to resist or
comply with state law imposed
on us by exploitative
corporations and developers
will be remembered by your
constituents when you ask for
their votes next year.
Thank you for your time.
I see the rest of mine.
>> and our next speaker is jack
adams.
Hey, good evening everybody.
Gaming console gaming.
Acting mayor.
My name is jack adams and I've
been a charlotte resident since
july of 2019.
Now three weeks ago on JUNE the
3rd I rode my bike to uptown
area for the very first time.
I have been empowered by our
infrastructure as well as the
green energy shift to try to
minimize use of my car by bus
train, bicycle.
>> however, when I was riding
southbound on elizabeth avenue
towards hawthorne lane you know
just around the corner here I
noticed that the bike lane
ended before reaching the
intersection.
Now anyone that's taking the
tram long enough understands
that elizabeth avenue has
tramway tracks for two links.
Goal line in order to pass
through that road.
So unfortunately as I was
shifting towards the main load
from the bike lane my front
wheel cut onto the tramway
track and I face planted onto
the road at 20 miles an hour.
Where was I?
Oh yeah.
So I woke up at the emergency
department at novant health
with huge scrapes on my joints
and face.
You can see a little scarring
in the distance a broken nose
and a laceration on my eyebrow
requiring stitches.
Now thankfully my wounds have
healed.
The pain is gone.
And last saturday I was able to
get replacement glasses.
Now as an avid bus rider I
believe in a future where
alternative modes of
transportation charlotte are
not only accessible but
encouraged.
I want everyone to have all the
options they can.
>> however, for the safety of
cyclists near the gold line I
encourage the city to add a
dedicated bike lane across the
entire gold line.
Now the department of
transportation has spoken to me
earlier today to reassure me
that there are measures to be
done about this.
So I look forward to
cooperating with them as well
as the city council as well.
>> thank you all.
And I hope you have a great
night.
Thank you.
I want to get in as many of the
people that signed up to speak
and so I'm going to start with
to speakers because we have
podiums on both side of the
room and then we can have them
come down and then we'll have
one person to speak and then
we'll just go that and make it
a little bit faster for all of
us to be successful leader.
Be heard.
Our next speaker is annabel
rodriguez and ashton mcgrady.
And either side that you choose
annabel so it's I can you give
me your name please?
>> good evening, chair.
Commissioner and city council
members and partners of the
community.
My name is annabel rodriguez
and I current PRESIDENT Of
north charlotte national
association of hispanic real
estate professionals.
And tonight I'm here to present
to you the 2025 hispanic
homeownership report that I
will hand over to.
I appreciate the opportunity
the opportunity to discuss the
key findings from the 2025
hispanic homeownership report
published by nar rep.
The report highlights historic
milestones hispanic households
added 441,000 new homeowners in
2025 bring in a total of
hispanic homeownership holds
nationwide to a record of 10.2
million hispanic families
account for virtually all net
of homeownership growth of the
united states.
That's a 92.7% through our
census.
Hispanic families accounted for
virtually all of the net here
in the U.S. The nation's trends
matter, especially here in
mecklenburg county in north
carolina.
It being my home for the past
25 years has approximately 1.3
million latinos representing
12% of the state population.
The latino homeownership rate
in north carolina is 50.2% of
hispanic households that are
responsible for more than 60%
of the growth in the past year.
I am gladly here to represent
the hispanic homeowner and
visionary of what our city is.
I appreciate the time.
I definitely appreciate the
inclusivity and I hope you have
a wonderful evening.
>> thank you.
Our next speaker is ashley
mcgrady and david roble.
Also I MAY not get it
completely right.
Will do both.
The good evening.
My name is david roble also.
Laundry is something that we
all take for granted.
We never given any thought
until the polls up and we have
nothing left to wear.
>> for many of us
procrastinators it might be a
choice but if we don't have a
choice.
For some folks laundry piles up
not by choice but because they
have to juggle their living
expenses.
Many families don't have
washers and dryers at home so
they use a laundromat and going
to the laundromat takes money.
>> we get creative when we live
on a shoestring budget but you
can only recycle so much of
your dirty laundry.
Parents might not say anything
but the kids notice.
They sense they feel it.
Imagine wearing the same shirt
several times without being
washed.
There's entire families living
in cars and storage units and
motels and the kids still have
to go to school.
Imagine the stigma that young
students have to overcome.
A single chore becomes a
barrier to self-confidence,
self-esteem and learning.
That is what I operation clean
health is to launch the
inaugural national back to
school free laundry day this
AUGUST in charlotte.
My vision is for charlotte to
be the birthplace of a national
movement and that is why I
created the website national
free laundry day.Org.
>> our goal is simple helping
students start the school year
with clean clothes,
self-confidence and dignity.
But this is bigger than just
one day or just one laundromat.
There are approximately 60
laundromats in charlotte and
nearly 30,000 laundromats
across the country.
Imagine the impact of
communities across the country
dedicated just one day each
year helping young students
start school prepared and
confident.
Tonight I am asking for your
support, your partnership and
your help in spreading the word
.
Together we can demonstrate how
our small act of service can
have a profound impact.
>> but our next speaker is you
marker not on key.
I'm on katz improvement meeting
.
>> okay.
And evan sure thesis housing.
Thank you.
>> esteemed councilors last
month mayor lyles announced the
housing innovation challenge
tasking students from ten
universities across the
charlotte mecklenburg tropical
zion area to develop new and
innovative solutions to meet
charlotte's growing housing
need.
>> but tonight I question if
this innovation is really a
weaseling around the rules of a
restrictive regulatory
framework established by a
group of individuals who
implemented it to isolate
themselves in the city's
sprawling suburbs.
That is to say that the housing
crisis will not be solved
through a distorted sense of
innovation but through the
elimination of regulatory and
zoning requirements imposed by
the past century of white
flight and urban renewal that
intentionally made housing
scarce and development
uncompetitive as the value of
land has increased dramatically
and suburban resistant to
resistance to growth mount's
development developers are
forced to turn back inwards to
urban cores to satisfy the
needs of the market.
This fundamentally is a good
problem to have.
>> the obstacle they face
however, is zoning restrictions
such as setbacks maximum lot of
footprint ratios, minimum
parking requirements and double
stairwell requirements which
severely limit the types of
housing they can permit and
build.
Well the unified development
ordinance has made significant
strides in reforming this
regulatory framework.
I'm here to ask the city to go
further.
I am asking the city to
eliminate setbacks and maximum
footprint ratios for all levels
of residential and commercial
zoning under the udl and to
expand the ability to apply for
a minimum parking waiver to all
levels as well.
This will make smaller parcels
of land appealing to developers
and enable small developers to
expand the types of
construction they can provide
to the market at lower cost
which is then passed on to the
consumer.
Eliminating these restrictions
will accelerate housing
construction clear up confusing
rules and increase
affordability across the city.
Thank you and thank you mayor
lyles for your service as you
cook and to come in.
Okay.
our next speaker is megan
stansell.
>> megan yeah, great.
Yeah.
And just making I think it is
just for this and the next one
if we could have the second
person come down gabriel.
>> kai jack gabriel hey, good
evening.
>> my name is mike fenster.
I service co-chair of
charlotte's mission zero task
force and tonight I'm speaking
on behalf of sustain charlotte
.
I had wanted to read all the 41
names of people who have been
killed in charlotte in traffic
crashes this year since JANUARY
1st.
But I won't have time so I'm
going to start since the last
time we came to you in MARCH.
These are not statistics.
These are our loved ones.
Terry lee clark age 43.
Julian allen 35.
Sophie klippel 23.
Daniel davon dixon 49.
Naomi summers eight.
Aiden lynn garcia 34.
William angelo primos 28.
Christopher john shea 54.
Jonathan michael moretti race
35.
Bobbi jo skidmore 39.
Carlos jamal mitchell gina 32.
Pablo daniel martinez delatour
24.
Aaron linwood mcintosh 32.
Louis anthony chega sola 39.
Elijah smoot 30.
Luis vasquez reyes 33.
Keegan mckenney 22.
Adrian mello escobar 17 as
letty herrera ramirez 17 fan
dieter mata 52 roosevelt davis
the third 55 edwin jose flores
54 frankly on dente 64 kathryn
lamberth 38.
Angelina naomi cejka 17.
Caden riley molitor 18.
Johnny wesley mason the fourth
53.
I now like to pause for a
moment of silence for us all to
remember these individuals
these neighbors of us all.
We urge you to implement the
red light camera pilot
immediately rather than waiting
until 2027 because every week
matters.
Every week we lose at least one
more neighbor to traffic
violence every week someone
loses someone they love.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
Hello, city council members.
My name is gabriel joseph
kendrick ultra.
I am a designer who's been
working on a concept I
genuinely believe could help
state and local leaders
communicate with their
constituents.
Right now there's a real gap in
how the government receives
clear and verified public
input.
>> commissioners and boards
often struggle to get reliable
feedback before making big
decisions.
For regular citizens finding
the right information and
having their voice heard is
still way too difficult.
Between scattered websites,
public forums and long hearings
it's hard for any person to
stay informed and engaged.
I developed something called
the north carolina state
communicator a secure verified
platform that puts essential
services in one simple app
while also giving leaders a
tool called public pulse.
With public pulse, the governor
or a county board can quickly
send a poll on any proposed
project like a new data center
or a reforestation plant and
within days receive clear
verified statistics from real
citizens only no bots, no
guessing just actionable data
that helps leaders see what
their constituents actually
want and prioritize
accordingly.
>> for citizens it becomes much
easier to stay informed and
share their opinion without
having to hunt through
complicated websites or
rearrange their schedule for a
hearing.
For leaders it means faster,
more confident decisions backed
by real public input with the
ability to clearly explain
those decisions to the media
and the public.
So please, I want nothing more
than to see this bridge of
intuition built between the
people and our government.
I truly believe this could help
bring the voice of the people
to you and shed light for every
person who isn't in this
meeting all currently so you
can expect to see me at each of
these meetings until this
happens.
So we the people MAY educate
ourselves in our local politics
with ease and you the elected
can feel safe in your decision
making process.
>> thank you very much.
Y'all have a good one.
Our next speaker is kay primack
and leah sara salisbury live.
Good evening.
my name is chrissy matthews and
I'm a member of charlotte metro
dsa.
Two weeks ago when city council
enacted the current moratorium
they expressed that the state
government limits the city
council's ability to regulate
data center construction.
Considering the city council
attempted to wash its hands and
claim that the power to rent
these rested solely in the
hands of the general assembly,
I would like to stress a few
potential policy remedies.
I would urge the council to
utilize the current moratorium
to actively consider new
measures that impede future
data centers.
While the city's restrictive
down zoning nothing prevents
the city from adjusting the
unified development ordinance
to halt future facilities.
Additionally, adjustments to
the zoning rules that are being
utilized to prevent the
construction of future ice
detention centers such as in
greensboro.
Under that adjustment the city
added a new land use category
and prohibited such facilities
from operating within a half a
mile of residential and
community spaces.
Even durham just voted to
extend its current moratorium
by another ten months.
If these adjustments can halt
the construction of ice
detention facilities, can we
not usher in similar
restrictions on data centers?
>> more importantly, does the
city council not have the
political will to enact such
restrictions?
it's no secret that certain
lobbying groups have expressed
their dismay over the rejection
of both the I-77 expansion and
data center construction.
So council will you take the
steps that are clearly needed
to prevent the operation of a
facility known to cause
definite harm to your
constituents or you support the
lobbying groups and
corporations who stand to gain
from causing that harm?
>> thank you.
As has layla is layla
available?
>> yes, I'm right here.
Okay.
There we go.
Thank you.
Evening city council.
My name is layla say and I'm
currently a student at you and
cc and a member of the
charlotte metro dsa.
As a young student whose future
is invested in the well-being
of the city, I'm concerned
about how the city and state
are more or less negligent in
the management of our
infrastructure specifically the
rush of data centers within
charlotte.
My greatest concern is the lack
of a long term vision
surrounding this newer
technology.
Corporate churn such as I have
done little to motivate profit
and build a stronger economy or
help cities like charlotte
create stable growth.
>> despite state pressure to
stop down zoning the city of
charlotte needs to make an
effort against ongoing data
center development.
The 150 day moratorium has been
a step in the right direction
for the city but its effect is
only momentary.
The bottom line is that is
about investment for this city
by building new data centers to
support ai.
We latch ourselves on to this
failing trend when our spaces
could be better spent even for
a commercial space.
Data centers provide little in
terms of creating long term
jobs for the city of charlotte.
>> the community has repeatedly
stated that we don't want to
raise resources on data centers
many of which are unfinished or
empty within the us.
Why should our city follow a
technological trend that shows
itself to be completely
economically viable?
Commercially zoned spaces need
to be used for infrastructure
that will provide material
benefits to the people and the
economy of charlotte.
That's why I'm speaking today
to urge the city council to do
everything possible to delay
and stop the construction of
data centers in our beautiful
city.
>> thank you very much.
Okay.
And our next speaker is carson
cohen of on ten year alice I'm
sorry.
Our next speaker is tamara
alice.
>> please come in.
I say take your time and carson
cove, would you come?
Carson cohen thank you.
And I'm telling her to come up
this year.
Got six.
>> good evening.
My name is tamara elise and
there's a typo.
I actually represent district
one.
>> oh, thank you.
Good evening, mayor and city
council.
My name is tamara elise.
A nonprofit business owner,
artist and advocate of over ten
years and charlotte native.
I stand before you tonight not
only as a resident of district
one but as a two time survivor
of suicide loss.
I'm losing two kings in my life
my father and my brother.
JUNE is mental men's mental
health month and for me this
month is a reminder that safety
in our city is not just about
crime statistics.
It is about emotional mental
and environmental well-being of
our communities.
>> and I do have to ask once
again I heard this question
before is district one being
forgotten in the midst of all
this growth when neighborhoods
are overwhelmed by violence,
noise instability and constant
disruption?
It impacts more than our sense
of peace.
It impacts our mental health as
well.
Chronic stress becomes a part
of daily life especially for
seniors, families and young
people trying to find stability
.
Too often especially men for
men, mental health struggles go
unseen until they become
crisis.
The environments we live in our
safety, our peace and our sense
of stability play a major role
in that.
District one is changing
rapidly but many long life
residents are feeling forgotten
.
In 2024 concerns were raised
about parking congestion and
the impact of a new development
after private streets were
adapted to support apartment
growth.
Today those concerns have grown
to much deeper issues including
safety, privacy, loitering,
overcrowding, increased traffic
and intentional noise
disturbances during quiet hours
especially on weeknights when
residents have to work, raise
and care for their families.
Residents deserve to feel
secure in their homes to have
their boundaries respected and
to step outside without feeling
unmonitored, crowded and
displaced.
>> thank you.
>> carson thank you.
>> hey.
Hey.
My name is carson cohen.
I do want to speak about
senator and worker pay.
But first merrill's I want to
thank you for all your service.
I first became familiar with
you after george floyd's murder
and you were out there
protesting with us.
You were in the streets.
And I appreciate that.
I do want to say the city of
charlotte posts on their
website that there's a $24 hour
minimum wage for the sanitation
workers.
This is not the case.
The ones that are supposed to
walk 5 to 10 miles per day.
Repeatedly lift, carry, push
and pull up to 75 pounds.
Work outdoors in all weather
conditions have exposure to
dust fumes, chemicals uneven
pavement.
Loud noise and heavy equipment
.
Begin shift at five.
Begin shift at 6:15 A.M. When
no set in time.
Overtime MAY be required which
implies to me that they're
working more than 40 hours a
week.
So I just ask that those
sanitation workers in this city
where we celebrate the life of
DR. Martin luther king jr who
passed voting for sanitation
workers I ask that we please
look out for those sanitation
workers and raise the minimum
wage for them currently.
It is $16 per hour.
I again I want to thank you for
your service.
I know you did a lot of
lobbying in raleigh to get the
pta that's going to provide a
lot of bus shelters for people
out here struggling people
trying to get to work and all
that.
So thank you so much.
>> if we could just give her
one more round of applause
please.
All right.
Tonight the city council will
make appointments to the
planning commission and to the
mayoral vacancy.
The council members voted by
ballot and have submitted their
ballots to the clerk.
Any nominee receiving six or
more votes is automatically
appointed if no nominee
received at least six votes.
A runoff will be necessary and
council will be asked to vote
tonight to determine who will
be appointed to the board.
All appointments will be
recorded in the official
minutes of this meeting.
MADAM Clerk, could you please
announce the results?
No, I don't think we need
further.
That's the planning commission
so we don't want to do that.
We're going to start planning
with our planning commission.
MADAM Mayor and city council
for the position on the
planning commission.
The incumbent will russell has
been reappointed.
>> thank you.
Congratulations.
>> and will.
I guess that's all well.
>> okay.
All right, guys.
>> so let's start off with our
next step.
MADAM Clerk, do we have any
speakers signed up to speak on
item seven appointment to fill
the mayoral seat vacancy?
Yes we do.
>> we have any?
Yes, ma'am.
We have approximately 30
speakers.
>> rudy how many?
30.
30 excuse 30 speakers and we
can speak speaker will have to
one minute.
One minute.
Okay.
Oh, okay.
Yes.
Just get ten people in one
minute for these.
One minute please.
We need something to change
because when you all ready?
Ready.
let's do this garland green.
Would you would you please come
down and speak?
And linda lockman brooks, if
you would take one of the sides
and come down and speak if you
have two minutes.
>> thank you.
One minute.
I'm sorry.
One minute.
First of all, mayor lyles, job
well done.
Greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
I want to bring two points to
your consideration.
I'm going to be real quick and
to the point on them is we have
enjoyed tremendous growth and
prosperity for the last ten
years in order to continue
that, in my opinion we need to
build a bridge to raleigh.
They are not the enemy.
They are going through change.
We're going through change.
This could be a golden
opportunity when you're voting
denial I ask you to consider
the person that you feel might
be best to lead this forward.
Secondly, I want to talk about
crisis management.
It was really not talked about
in the half an hour interviews
is not 11 people murdered on
the light rail.
Things like that happened.
And so ask yourself who is the
best candidate to handle crisis
management?
Who can pick up the microphone
at a time of crisis and deliver
for our city?
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
All right, MS..
Brooks, good evening.
>> I'm linda lockman brooks and
first of all, mayor lyles,
thank you.
Thank you for all your years of
service on council and as mayor
we appreciate you and look
forward to what's next.
I'm a business owner and a
civic volunteer who's lived in
charlotte for over 30 years.
I've known rob harrington for
over 20 years and have worked
with him on the board of the
charlotte-mecklenburg library
foundation, the
charlotte-mecklenburg library
system is focused on access for
all citizens and really focused
on access to education,
workforce development and civic
resources.
Since 2019 rob has served as
co-chair of the common spark
campaign raising funds for the
new main library in center city
which will open to the public
on MAY 1st, 2027.
Rob is a leader who bridges my
colleague just said we were
concerned about crisis and they
will come.
>> rob is calm and a crisis.
Thank you very much.
You are okay.
Our next speaker is justin
harlow followed by eric norman
.
>> this year no one's going to
change the role to three
minutes one.
Reclaiming my time the climate
.
>> all right, MR. Manager.
MR. Tony clark.
Good to see you all.
MADAM Mayor, thank you for your
sacrifice and your leadership.
Justin harlow who should be the
next leader?
Who should be our next mayor?
i think that next leader is
carrie raised in charlotte and
kim's graduate carrie is the
product that you all said that
you wanted you wanted a
partner.
You wanted someone who cross
the sectors of nonprofit fit
private sector and public
sector.
She's been that partner for
you.
She has championed your bonds,
your infrastructure.
She has led workforce
development programs that have
created jobs in this community.
People first lyn's mission is
where are is someone who does
the work as you like to say?
MR. Graham this election
tonight is more than a name
with six hands being raised for
them.
But it says something about who
you are as a council, as an
institution and where you're
trying to lead this city
pro-business not enough pro
community, not too much.
You've got a decision to make.
This is about the future of our
city and it's not just about
amendment.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is frank.
She's up here, you say there
you are.
>> thank you.
Good evening everyone.
And we try to give you the high
speed rail version of my three
minute speech.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Mayor lyles, members of council
and city staff.
My name is eric norman.
I'm a former small business
owner in the community.
i'm an active member of the
carolina's lgbt community
carolina chamber of commerce
and I'm also a resident
currently unincorporated part
of district two.
I watched all five interviews
last thursday night and to make
discharge I why you each chose
to talk to I had a top three a
carrie cooke state senator
caleb theo daughtry and mayor
pro tem james mitchell what I
do not want to see is calvin
and carrie being blocked from
running for a full mayor term
next election cycle.
They are our future as the
transition to new leadership.
So my choice for everything
that's going on right now with
the charlotte business
inclusion advisory committee
where I also sit as the
representative of the lgbt
chamber of commerce james
mitchell should be the interim.
Thank you.
Thank you and our next speakers
are vanessa mitchell and
jasmine allen burnett has never
now let us know he's getting
too much.
We just keep going.
Yep and that's okay.
You see we way no you oh my bad
I thought you are waiting on
panetta I'm jasmine allen.
Good evening mayor lyles my
heart and soul are with you as
you move forward and I
appreciate as justin said, your
sacrifice for this city.
It's all the better because of
you.
I'm honored to speak in support
of carrie cook for interim
mayor of charlotte.
I've had the privilege of
knowing carrie for more than 15
years and she and I have become
close collaborators with her
launch of her nonprofit empower
her mit as a volunteer and as a
parent of a young woman who
participate in the program.
But I've witnessed firsthand is
something our city needs now
more than ever a leader with
the evidence base of putting
charlotte residents first cares
what I call a leader among
leaders.
She doesn't seek the spotlight.
She creates opportunities for
others to shine through her
nonprofit she's helped develop
and mentor generations of young
women and girls by building not
just programs but long lasting
leadership pipelines and
inspiration for charlotte's
youth.
>> what carrie, thank you very
much.
Our next speakers are nicole
grace renee
and mindy mitchell
henson
.
>> good evening MAY allow and
members of city council my name
is nicole grace formerly known
as nicole rayner professionally
I am the PRESIDENT Of the
charlotte chapter of the
national association of women
business owners and I currently
serve on the charlotte business
advisory committee.
I am here today to encourage
you to appoint mayor pro tem
james mitchell as charlotte
vote mayor let me to my support
is based on voting and
experience I served on the
charlotte people.
It includes an advisory
committee, a committee james
helped establish and later
worked with them through my
advocacy leadership was never
silent throughout the years I
told you to conflict and he
showed up and he listened and
worked collaboratively to
support charlotte community and
bring people together.
Charlotte need experience
leadership I can tap in and
lead effectively from day one
based on my experience working
with him.
I believe james mitchell had
the integrity, experience
commitment not to it continue
moving our city forward.
>> thank you very much.
I respectfully encourage you to
a point game matter as
charlotte next mayor thank you
thank you for your time and
your service MS. Henson yes my
name is mindy mills henson and
I am past PRESIDENT Of nami
charlotte currently serve at
the national level for the
national association of women
business owners.
I'm here tonight to throw my
endorsement for mayor pro tem
mitchell.
Oh, I met him 14 years ago as a
member of neighbors charlotte
where he was a strong advocate
on behalf of small businesses.
12 years later he is still an
active part of our
organization.
He shows up, he answers the
phone when we call he gives us
his cell phone.
He was there for us when we
were trying to figure out what
to do in covid coming out of
covid informing us always about
the resources that were
available through the city of
charlotte and how we could all
survive.
he works faithfully with us and
is a huge advocate for small
businesses all in this area not
just women.
How different we would be in
this country if all of our
leaders had the compassion that
james mitchell has?
Thank you.
All right.
Our next speakers are rochelle
,the gala steward and
hopefully I'm sorry I'm not
getting the right part of the
middle name.
>> and hannah hazan.
William, I'm sorry we have
jasmine right.
>> good evening, mayor and
members of the city council.
My name is rochelle stewart and
I'm a local business owner and
immediate past PRESIDENT Of
nava charlotte.
The national association of
women business owners.
I am here tonight to give full
support and endorsement to bear
pro tem that's all.
As council considers their
appointment this evening for
mayor pro tem mitchell has been
a long standing supporter,
advocate and champion for women
business owners in charlotte.
He has consistently helped
women to ensure that they have
a voice, that they have
visibility and a seat at the
table.
Mayor pro tem mitchell has not
only supported nabil shaath
charlotte and words but he
shows up, he shows up for
meetings, events, listens to
women business owners needs
mayor pro tem mitchell
understands that economic
development and workforce
development for all businesses
large corporations must work
for established companies.
Small businesses, women owned
businesses, minority businesses
.
He recognizes that charlotte is
strongest when opportunity is
extended across the business
community.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
Yes.
Go right ahead.
>> good evening.
I am hannah hassan.
I have shared community with
kari cook in many capacities
through the years and I've
learned what must most of you
probably already know about
her.
>> kari is an incredibly star.
But more than that, kari cook
is a charlotte native who was
educated in charlotte public
schools.
She went to vance high school
when as a ninth grader she
helped lead their basketball
team to a championship they
nicknamed her the floor general
because she was able to see the
court from all the angles.
She was able to inspire her
teammates.
And even though she was an
unlikely leader, they trusted
her.
She trusted them and that is
how she will show up as mayor a
floor general to the
distinguished members of our
council I invite you to
envision a beautiful charlotte
story with me with carrie cook
as your mayor while working
alongside you you begin to see
your vision for the city
actualize with a mayor who
isn't afraid of coming into a
new team and collaborate every
leading you work together as a
collective body to continue to
improve the lives of all
charlotte teens council I
challenge you to take a
courageous step and invest in
charlotte in a purposeful and
powerful way.
>> let's get our general in the
game terryville and cleveland
here we has the beautiful
village here with her today all
pulling for the man.
Q thank you.
Thank you.
>> thank you very much.
Now we have MS..
MS..
MR. Youngblood.
MR. Youngblood is that yes.
I receive an okay.
Thank you so much.
I wonder who is sitting next to
.
>> good evening MR. Lisle.
Charlotte city council first of
all my name is william
youngblood.
Thank you for the opportunity
to share my thoughts and strong
endorsement my friend robert
harrington a little background
my first opportunity to work
with rob was when we both
served as trustees at
friendship missionary baptist
church here in charlotte at
this time we also he also
volunteered volunteered his
services as the official legal
counsel to the church volunteer
and to the board of directors
for several years I had the
privilege of serving as the
church chair of the board of
directors and worked very
closely with rob on many issues
involving members
incarcerations of this
environment.
And so my thoughts when
preparing these comments it was
very clear to me that many of
you don't know me know my past.
I want to talk about rob's
passion.
That's the one message I want
to get across the board is
passion.
His reputation as an honest,
honest person with great
character.
I think characters imperative
to what we're going through and
surely need to be have more of
and be about and that's what
rob excel thank you.
>> thank you molly barker they
are my good evening my name is
molly barker and I'm the
founder of girls on the run
international.
I started the organization
right here in charlotte 30
years ago this year.
Since then I've had the
privilege of witnessing
firsthand and the profound
impact authentic leadership can
have on communities across this
country.
And because of that I've
learned to recognize
transformative leadership when
I see it several years ago
kerry cooke invited me to serve
on a panel for the organization
and she founded called
empowerment a nonprofit that
partners girls in grades six
through 12 with mentors who
help them discover their
strength and leadership
potential.
What I witnessed was amazing
those girls were naturally
drawn to carry.
They trusted her.
they knew they mattered and her
presence and as someone who has
spent much of my life around
young people, I can tell you
this kids know they know real
when they encounter it.
Over the years I've seen her
authentic spirit show up
everywhere.
She brings the same thing to
every room she enters light
optimism, gritty
resourcefulness and the deep
desire to make positive change.
>> thank you.
Thank you very much.
All right.
The next speaker is chelsea
evans.
>> oh, cool.
Cool.
>> followed by melinda there
don mcvey, the faded voter.
Thank you, peyton.
>> good evening.
I'm chelsea evans.
Okay.
Do I come before you today to
voice my support for selecting
rob harrington as interim mayor
met rob bell ten years ago when
I was an intern at robinson
bradshaw during that summer I
learned that rob was not just
an excellent and accomplished
lawyer he was also deeply
involved in the charlotte
community through board service
and pro bono work.
Rob was not involved just for
the sake of adding activities
to his resume.
He was truly invested in
charlotte and wanted to do his
part to make the city a great
place where all people can
thrive.
>> I was struck by his genuine
commitment and viewed his
career as the blueprint for
what a lawyer should be a
champion of and an advocate for
your community.
Once I joined the firm as an
associate robin green to me
that it's not enough to be
dedicated entirely to my legal
career.
He implored me to not lose
sight of the calling while
focusing on the career he
reminded me that as lawyers we
have a moral and professional
obligation to serve our
communities.
He exhibits all of the
qualities I will make an
effective and excellent and are
a mayor.
He's level headed, dedicated
and hardworking.
He's warm, he's genuine.
He's truly a connector who
seeks to bring people together
in a way where everyone feels
seen and heard while also
making a decision.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
Yeah.
And so you see south she speaks
the lender.
Thank you.
I know the steps are really my
name is rolling to me vaden and
as you can tell novo is really
behind MR. Mitchell we've had
some really great experiences
and I will tell you this he's
been involved in bigger
developments, large
developments in charlotte.
He's been involved in small
developments.
He is always there for the
small business person.
He's been a champion of women.
He showed us things we didn't
even know we could do.
He showed us opportunities that
we didn't know we could have.
He partnered with charlotte
some years ago with an
initiative that we had called
power players designed to
really show small and when I
say small I mean small business
owners business owners like me
who are solopreneur as business
owners who maybe have 10 or 15
employees, how to be considered
by the city to do business with
the city which is an avenue
that many of us don't even
think is available to us.
It doesn't matter is all
inclusive for all businesses
but particularly minorities.
>> thank you.
Our next speaker is sam spencer
and their new val voltaire's.
Hey everybody sam spencer proud
district one resident hope you
all are doing well tonight.
I want to talk to you tonight
about lightning strikes.
The next mayor, whoever they
are in this room, you know
there's going be a lot of
things that happen in our city
and some of them are going to
feel like lightning strikes
things that come out of
nowhere, events that get a
disproportionate amount of the
city and our community's
attention but are really rare
things that don't happen that
often including of course
mayoral vacancies.
So whoever is mayor next, I
really want to implore you to
work with the council to think
about the persistent problems
the structural issues, the
things that are truly wrong in
our community things like make
fence all talked about because
you know we can't be losing 40,
50, 60 people to motor vehicle
accidents every year.
So instead I want you to change
your frame of reference instead
of thinking about the problems
.
Think about what treveon
shorter's calls as a framing.
Think about the assets, the
things in charlotte that we
want to support, the things
that we want to champion and
celebrate and I hope you put
all of your effort behind them.
>> thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Our next speaker is ben lou bud
valadares and followed by al
austin allen and one of my
first steps I feel like I'm
down here a lot.
>> good evening mayor lives we
love you mayor pro tem mitchell
.
We're so proud of you.
Thank you.
Members of council I'm al lost
and former charlotte city
COUNCILMAN Again let me thank
all of you for your service to
the city of charlotte.
I'm here to support mayor
pro-tem james mitchell for the
interim mayor.
James brings 25 years of
elected official experi since
you elected him to be your
mayor pro tem.
He has deep institutional
knowledge of our city
government and the challenges
and opportunities ahead.
James has built strong
relationships across
neighborhoods, businesses,
nonprofit and other elected
bodies.
James has served as PRESIDENT
Of the national league of
cities which elevated charlotte
on a national stage most
importantly, james can step
into this role on day one
without a learning curve.
Please vote for james smudgy we
are proud of you brother.
>> keep pushing.
>> all right.
Is antoine dennard in the
building?
Is he is there?
Okay.
Would you please come down and
step you and stephanie joyner
are you as well prepared to
come down, MISS Joyner?
There we go.
Thank you.
All right.
>> MR. Dennard yes.
Thank you, mayor and council.
Good evening.
As the 2026 board chair for
living in and also a partner
with you to help the residents
of brookdale still in their
homes.
I'm here to support karen cook
.
For 17 years I have watched
kerry no matter the status or
background provide a level of
passion and enthusiasm while
meeting, greeting and working
with everyone and truly trying
to find problem solving
solutions to help everyone for
example through the green light
fund she led an investment an
initiative to help residents of
and living in find jobs and
opportunities.
And so I please ask you to
consider kerry cooke as our
next ed romero.
>> thank you.
>> chris joyner good evening,
MADAM Mayor and members of
council.
My name is stephanie joyner and
I'm here to bring the joy
tonight.
But I'm a business owner,
minority and small business
advocate and community leader.
I'm here to advocate for mayor
pro tem james mitchell.
I have known james for over 18
years and james has always
demonstrated unwavering
commitment to our city.
He understands the current
issues we face, the processes
that drive our governance and
the key players involved no
learning curve he often makes
difficult decisions that MAY
not always be popular yet he
remains steadfast in his
commitment to what is best for
our community.
I have personally experienced
his dedication whether it was
the establishment of the
charlotte business inclusion
advisory committee supported
workforce development and also
served as a panelist for the
metro line for minority
contract is association.
James has been there every step
of the way so I would like to
say he is a leader who is
proven passionate and prepared.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
All right.
Cherry's blackmon and matty
marshall.
Yes.
For this man there's matty.
Okay.
Yeah.
So you join us.
Good evening.
I'm sure he's blackmon, the
executive director of the west
side community land trust and I
am here today because I believe
carrie cooke is uniquely
qualified to serve as our
interim mayor.
Many of you already know carrie
as a strategic leader with a
proven track record across
several of charlotte's priority
areas.
But what makes carrie truly
special is that she is both a
visionary leader and a neighbor
next door.
She understands policy systems
and governance yet remains
deeply connected to the
everyday experiences of the
people.
In particular, I want to speak
to carrie's long standing
commitment to the creation and
preservation of affordable
housing.
Long before housing became a
headline issue, carrie was
doing the work she had to
advise neighborhood leaders on
noah preservation efforts
advocated for charlotte's
housing trust fund and served
on the city's affordable
housing committee.
She has convened faith leaders
partnered with nonprofits like
the westside community land
trust and I personally believe
her to be the ideal choice to
serve as interim mayor.
Thank you.
>> marshall yes, good evening,
mayor last.
And I want to say thank you for
all your years of service and
your service as a mayor of the
great city of charlotte, north
carolina.
>> I want to start off by
thanking also the council
members here and the staff
because you all are so part of
uplifting all humanity with
dignity and respect.
And we greatly appreciate you.
I watch you all every monday
committee meetings and cell
phone.
So I'm up on what you've been
doing and what you have
accomplished.
And I think with three city
council members on board you've
done tremendous work but you
don't often give yourself
credit enough for that.
Now you've taken about four our
mayor pro tem which I strongly
encourage you to continue that
vote.
James margie mitchell as the
next interim mayor I wouldn't
MISS You in experience address
.
>> thank you.
>> we needed a little bit of
that magic.
>> thank you.
It was appropriate.
Thank you.
All right.
Our next speaker is gina
esquivel and tanya archer is a
labor partner.
>> please.
Thank you.
I'm here.
>> tanya thanks.
MISS MAY feel you're doing a
great job.
I'm trying to help you on all
mare council members.
I have the same mayor lyles.
I grew up watching your leads.
Thank you so much for your
service.
I'm here to support rob
herrington.
My name is gina esquivel, long
term community advocate and
business owner.
I know rob herrington since
back in the 2000s as a recent
immigrant.
I look up to those showing up
for community in a genuine way
someone who didn't seek
political game power or even
visibility.
I've seen MR. Hiring to move
through this community quietly
get intentional in where and
how they show up, how he shows
up.
Rob can litigate anything and
we know charlotte needs a
strong negotiator in terms of
his car city or challenge we
need someone steady who keeps
charlotte authentic person
alive.
That's why I support rob
harrington.
>> thank you.
Thank you, daniel.
Thank you.
Please.
>> good evening.
Mayor lyles and city council.
I'm a practicing attorney here
in charlotte and a proud member
of the mecklenburg bar
association.
My name is tonya archer and
I've worked tirelessly with rob
harrington over many years on
committees and boards.
Rob rob MAY be a newer face to
this arena.
He's not new to the charlotte
and legal communities.
You've now heard him speak
passionately about resolving
the affordable housing, public
safety and transportation
issues currently facing our
city.
You've seen a slice of his
ability to manage a meeting and
to resolve contention through
his brand of objective, calm
and transparent leadership.
As an attorney and a community
member, he simultaneously holds
roles in corporate law,
nonprofit boards and civic
institutions, reflects deep
cross-sector engagement.
In fact, many of our region's
best civic leaders have served
as leaders within the local bar
association including district
attorney spencer merriweather,
shirley fulton, aretha blake,
tayari baker.
Tony lathrop.
Mel watt.
Frank emery, diane bailey and
long time assistant city
attorney for the city thomas
powers.
Rob harrington stands among
these named leaders.
And what sets him apart is that
his role the extension of his
long history of community
engagement they support rob
harrington, thank you.
>> thank you, chair marcia
barnes to tanya adams advance.
Thank you.
A good evening.
Hello.
My name is marcia barnes.
When I think about what makes
someone effective in public
leadership it comes down to two
things a servant's heart and
the ability to get results.
Kerry cook has consistently
demonstrated both.
For more than two decades kerry
has invested in charlotte by
bringing together businesses,
non-profits, educators, elected
officials and community leaders
to solve complex challenges.
She has been a strong advocate
for housing, economic
development, public safety and
transportation issues that are
critical to our city's future.
Many here can agree that this
is kerry's calling through
empowerment.
She has helped more young women
,more young women and girls
build leadership skills,
confidence and opportunity.
As former executive director of
greenlight fund charlotte, she
identified community needs and
brought proven solutions to
support children and families.
Most importantly, kerry has
shown up for this community
long before seeking any title.
She leads with humility,
integrity, compassion and
competence.
That combination is rare and is
why I strongly support kerry
cook for mayor pro tem.
>> thank you for your time.
Q.
>> good evening.
Good evening.
Greetings.
I'm titania adams.
I'm the executive director and
founder of the historic west
ham partners.
But not only that, I'm a native
charlotte teen 62 years and 11
months I want to raise here.
>> I'm mayor pro tem mitchell
at charlotte rec recreation
center playing and laid on it
in the pews the eastern wall
church he served the community
then he served the church then
and he you've heard all these
wonderful things about his body
of work where he's been
involved, how he's been
involved.
>> here's what you haven't
heard.
He is truly a servant leader
because even when going through
personal difficulties, whether
it was raising two beautiful
girls which you did a great job
with the blessings going
through the marriage trials
that we've all gone through and
even losing your mother and
then going through your own
health battle with cancer which
I've been through and I know
what it's like to work when you
flat on your back and you going
through chemo and you would
rather almost be dead and go
through it.
>> you did it with grace and
style.
I represent mayor pro tem and
if you will not bring him in
the in kirkuk is it she's the
future is that that that was
the phrase is you don't get a
double dip I don't think you
hear all right you know she's a
rock star grandma so let's go
with S.Y. Mason watson and
carlos davis.
>> davis and carlos miller and
you know when you let me yeah.
>> good evening, MADAM Mayor
and charlotte city council
members I am S.Y. Mason watson
and on behalf of the
african-american caucus of the
mecklenburg county democratic
party I stand before you as
PRESIDENT At this auspicious
organization.
We are keenly aware of the
concerns in the community
regarding our mayor pro tem
recent controversial vote and
early concerns regarding our g
league.
>> however, this is a crucial
time for the city of charlotte
and all of us who call the
queen city home who work here
raise families here, build
businesses here, become
educated here, who vote here
and engage in the political
process.
we need continuity of
leadership and the assurance
that our city will prosper from
a mayor that will work to
promote what is best for her
citizens.
We submit there is only one
applicant who is best suited to
seamlessly assume the office of
the mayor of charlotte and work
that is mayor pro tem james
mitchell and thank you MADAM
Mayor for your service.
Thank you.
All right.
>> hi, mayor.
Hi.
How are you doing?
What's going on?
Everything.
Announcer how y'all doing?
>> can you do me a favor?
I want you to repeat after me.
Accessibility, accessibility
and opportunity.
Opportunity that is what mayor
pro tem james mitchell has done
for me as a minority small
business owner and done for
many people in this community.
He's made himself accessible
not only to me as a business
owner and giving me and many
others opportunities but even
more importantly accessibility
to him as a lot of you all on
this council have done for me
he's also done so I implore all
of you all as he has done that
for me please remember that as
he sits side by side with you
all and hopefully work together
with you all as the interim
mayor.
>> thank you.
Our next speaker is
commissioner ferris followed by
marisa kumar.
>> mm hmm.
she was in the business
committee with her?
Yes.
This what about me?
Marissa?
>> good evening.
Mayor allows council members my
name is commissioner ferris,
owner of anointed flooring in
charlotte.
We've b in business over 20
years and serve the southeast.
I'm speaking today in support
of mayor pro tem mitchell who
has supported my business for
over 11 years.
>> years ago a contractor used
our company's credentials for
an award of a project but
refused to hire us.
When I brought this to mayor
pro tem mitchell he picked up
the phone, called the
construction of the director of
construction of then charlotte
housing authority which is now
olympia.
And he got it resolved.
He didn't listen.
>> he took action.
Beyond that, he's consistently
connected me to valuable
resources and given solid
business advice.
This kind of advocacy is needed
in the small business community
.
>> I encourage the council to
engage more deeply in the
community and of of all
communities because we're
serving the people.
>> thank you.
Hi.
>> good evening.
Thank you, mayor mayor lyles
for your service and to the
council members for your time
today.
My name is morris kumar.
i'm a past chair of the city of
charlotte business advisory
committee and a former
PRESIDENT Of noble.
I work alongside business
owners, executives,
entrepreneurs and community
leaders in our city.
A decade ago charlotte was
listed 50th in economic
mobility and more recently that
ranking has risen to 38.
Small businesses account for
50% of jobs in america.
And a recent small business
data audit and intelligence
report for charlotte showed the
bank that small businesses in
charlotte with fewer than 500
employees account for 680,000
jobs 680,000 jobs.
Strengthening the bridge
between the city and these
small businesses is critical to
improve workforce opportunities
and economic and social
development.
>> I support mayor pro tem
mitchell because he's special.
He's accessible and will focus
only on this because he's not
standing for mayor afterwards.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
All right.
Our next speakers are tammy
nichols and and jeff and sara
lee.
This is hello mayor city
council.
My name is tammy nichols and I
have a question.
Do you think your skills on
city council will make you a
better mayor than an outsider
with your relationships with
staff working relationship with
the city manager and the city
attorney?
What about council priorities
that you created?
Who would know that better than
you?
I could go on and on.
But that's why I'm supporting
mayor pro tem james mitchell
because when you vote for james
you're not just voting for the
next mayor but you're voting
for you.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you.
Please.
>> good evening.
Mayor lyles and members of the
city council.
My name is charlotte slate and
I am a new resident to
charlotte.
It did not take me long to know
james mitchell.
I have witnessed the impact of
his leadership through the
people and organizations that
he supports.
My daughter nicole grace has
served on both the charlotte
business inclusion advisory
committee as well as the
leadership with elbow.
>> one thing became clear james
mitchell is the leader who
consistently shows up, listens
and supports the people working
to strengthen this city.
Later shep is measured not only
by what you accomplish but by
trust and respect you earn from
others.
James mitchell has earned that
trust.
Thank you.
Thank.
Thank you so much, soledad.
Thanks so.
>> MADAM Clerk.
We are now going to receive an
overview and entered in
instructions of our ballot
process from our city attorney.
I'm going to turn it over to
our city attorney as well where
thank you, MADAM Mayor, and
thank you for your incredible
service to our community
council.
The following five candidates
have been nominated for the
office of mayor and have been
included in the ballot before
you.
Those names are as follows
carol cogdill harry cook,
robert harrington james
mitchell jr and caleb.
>> the address.
The first candidate to receive
six council member votes will
be eligible for appointment by
this council if no candidate
reaches six votes on the first
ballot.
The two highest vote getters
will proceed to a second ballot
and all others will be
eliminated.
If there is a tie for the
second highest voter vote
getter each of those tied for
second place will participate
in a runoff to determine who
will complete against the
highest vote getter.
If necessary, all votes
following the second ballot
will be conducted by ballot.
At this time in accordance with
ncg s 168 dash 63 the council
will now vote to select the
next mayor by appointment.
At this time please mark your
ballot for one candidate.
After making your selection
please sign your ballot and
place it in the envelope and
hand it to the clerk.
As times will come across
around the dais starting with
council member johnson, it
should be noted starting with
council member johnson.
Moving across the dais council
MAY proceed with the remainder
of its business while the
clerk's office tallies the vote
.
Thank you.
Number eight.
>> okay.
We're going to allow this to be
the part of our process and
what we're doing and so I'm
pretty much see the clerk is
handling this and providing it
for further action.
>> so it's just for
clarification.
The attorney did just note we
can continue so that means we
can go to number eight which is
the public hearing correct?
>> correct.
Thank you.
Okay.
Do you want go to the public
hearing just.
I'm just trying to figure out
MISS MAY feel are you
suggesting that we continue to
open the public hearing on the
dilworth methodist church so
that south historic landmark
designation and then we'll just
keep going?
Yeah.
You know if the court finish
all that up so the did everyone
understand and so we're now
open to open the public hearing
.
Do I have a motion hearing,
second motion and a second all
in favor to speak?
We do that then we can have one
speaker we have one speaker and
speaker that we did not get to.
Sorry.
Is this jeff hernando?
>> there you are.
Thank you so MR..
MR. Warren here for.
>> hello, city council.
So awesome to be here with you
on this historic night and now
we get to talk about a historic
building.
I am the owner of lydia hall
and on cleveland llc thank you
for considering the designation
of the de worth methodist
methodist church south as a
local historic landmark.
Jamie and I have always
believed that our buildings
tell a story and create a
unique sense of place.
They can be challenging to
preserve but they are also
incredibly rewarding.
We are honored to serve as
stewards of the doors methodist
church the oldest church
building in dilworth and a
cherished part of this
community's fabric for more
than 110 years.
Our hope is that this building
continues to stand as an iconic
gateway into historic dover
from the rapidly growing south
end.
More importantly, we want it to
remain a gathering place and an
anchor for the community for
generations to come.
As charlotte continues to grow
and the historian neri pace
preserving places like this
becomes even more important.
These storied landmark oaks
remind us where we came from.
Connect us to our shared
history and help make charlotte
the special city.
It is today.
Thank you for your
consideration and for helping
preserve this important piece
of charlotte's heritage.
>> thank you.
>> thank you very much.
So circuit and then a section.
We have a motion already made.
I'm sorry I couldn't hear you.
>> I want to make.
We have a motion to close
public hearing in a second.
All right.
>> the motion.
We had a motion and a second.
We had a speaker.
Now it is if there is any
discussion.
Is there any discussion?
MISS Mayfield?
>> thank you, MADAM Chair.
So this is a consistent concern
.
The fact that we have a this
along with two other hearings
tonight along with the adoption
versus utilize in the process
where we have the public
hearing and then at the next
meeting is when we have
decision I think is concerning
whether it's this designation
or the other two when we have
both items on the same agenda.
I have already mentioned this
once that does not create the
space for community engagement
to have a hearing on the same
evening as a decision versus
the public hearing be in a
separate decision like we do
with our zoning where we have a
hearing and later will have the
decision.
I am not going to be supporting
this but we need to have a real
conversation about what they
are presenting to us.
Any discussion where we are
having a public hearing and a
decision on it on the same
evening in the same agenda
item.
>> thank you.
All right.
You've heard the comments of
MS..
Mayfield.
I want to warn of MADAM Mayor.
I don't want to interrupt.
I see councilmember johnson's
hand is up but I did confer
with the attorney and we need
to close the hearing and make a
motion before we can have
discussion on the particular
item.
>> okay.
All right, MADAM.
>> so you had a motion in a
second?
Yeah.
So now moving to discussion.
>> all right.
So our next step on this one
would be a vote the vote
because where are we discussing
this misquote?
>> I think I'm sorry.
The motion was to clear our
hand up and I'm not sure what
for the vote to close it though
because there's a does johnson
did you have thought you and
I'm waiting for the attorney to
sit here in city and make a
motion for action and then the
discussion follows that motion
and it could go.
>> yes, I'm going to vote on
the motion to close because it
allows the public hearing the
motion in a second vote on the
close of public hearing.
>> okay.
So we already have first and
second.
>> I'm trying to listen but
that I hear more the more
voices than I have ears out
there with a motion and a
second to close the public
hearing.
could we vote on that so that
the public public hearing is
officially closed?
>> right.
Okay.
MS..
MS. Mayor, were you.
Okay.
So so those have the vote on
this like all in favor.
In favor of the motion please
raise your hand and want not
opposing.
Okay.
>> okay.
All right.
And now with that MS. Motion
MADAM Mayor, our discussion
about the hearing before the
approval but city attorney I
need to make a motion or
someone needs to make a motion
to adopt the ordinance.
Correct?
Yes.
So I make a motion for part b
of agenda item number eight to
adopt the ordinance with an
effective date of JUNE 22nd
2012 six.
All right.
You've heard the motion is
there any discussion?
That's james johnson.
Thank you.
I wanted to follow up with the
city manager for regarding what
councilmember mayfield for the
concern she shared.
She did share that last month.
I would agree with that that is
our practice, our common
practice with all other
motions.
>> so can you speak to that?
Sure.
Thank you, councilmember
johnson.
So my understanding is that
this way historically the city
has handled these public
hearings with exception of
during covid.
So the governor at that time
provided the opportunity for
jurisdictions to do exactly
what councilmember mayfield is
saying after that was lifted.
We just went back to the
previous process.
But if it's the will of this
council to do something
differently, you can do
something differently.
It's a motion.
Okay.
So I mean you in I mean I would
think when you say this is the
way we handle it you just mean
these property decisions
because other hearings if we
have a hearing on the business
agenda again with the exception
of covid, this is the way that
we've handled these particular
hearings.
But again, if the council would
like to have a two step
process, that's something that
the council can do.
Okay.
Thank you.
>> all right.
Is there any further discussion
on this item then?
I mean I can I make a motion to
defer this one until next.
Well, no, we SEPTEMBER is all
rights for SEPTEMBER.
We deferred the decision
tonight then it will be the
next business meeting would be
SEPTEMBER, AUGUST, AUGUST as we
often do we have a motion we
don't know.
Okay I mean I'll make the
motion if I get a second I
guess second yeah I'd like to
make a motion to defer to
AUGUST before the side until
the decision.
The decision?
Yes.
So we've got several more that
are pretty much the same kind
of caliber of what they're
doing and I wonder if we could
do them in a way that all of
them are done and inclusive but
okay so then a motion to defer
all of the decisions and until
AUGUST mare when married yes I
would like us we don't I would
like us to have a process
moving forward so we're not
just picking one item at a time
or two items randomly so if we
can refer this to the committee
where we come up with a process
and if if it's the council's
will to have a hearing and
decision a month apart, we can
do that.
I just don't feel comfortable
doing it sort of on the fly
because I do not know how this
would impact some of the
projects that are especially
historic landmark designation
because time is money that's
fair.
>> so if you're okay with the
friendly amendment to move this
to the b any committee for a
process so that we have
consistency moving forward?
>> yeah I accept it.
It's just that council member
mayfield has shared that
concern consistently and I'd
like to know that council's
concerns are being addressed.
So I do I will accept that
amendment.
>> thank you.
Second all right, so then what
happens?
>> what's happened?
So that was a friendly
amendment to the substitute
motion which was to defer there
was a motion to defer and there
was an amendment so vote on the
motion to defer it or scuse me
motion to send it to bcr for
further study so that that's
the first motion on the floor.
Is there a second for that?
I did seconded.
Okay.
All right.
>> so but on that the center
I'm sorry I just want to make
sure I'm very clear I hear the
committee referral this
specific item though it's
deferred this specific item and
refer the broader issue to
committee or no no.
>> what is the broader issue
now just the broader broader
issue the vote today and we can
move forward on this item?
>> yeah, that's okay.
>> okay.
Motion in the second is time to
vote.
Okay on to river right will
call for the vote for the next
this before we can send it to
legal to the dilworth methodist
church so historic landmark
designation all in favor please
raise your hand MADAM Mayor are
you disappointed information at
this point of information we
have a an amendment an amended
vote to send this this
particular issue that MS..
Mayo's brought up numerous
times of having both a and b
the hearing and the vote sent
to bgea.
That's what we're voting on now
not item number eight.
That's right.
So you do have a first motion
and a second so we can vote to
send this to btr right now.
>> so you call for the vote.
well I did but it's not do you
want to vote so I did.
So do you all in favor anyone
opposed?
All right.
Thank you very much.
>> we do have so now we're back
MADAM Mayor to the my original
motion which was to move to
adopt and I agenda item number
eight part b and it was
properly seconded right so
we've done and if you look at
the rest of your agenda there
are some others that are doing
a budget ordinance for general
funds and others but we're
going to pass that until you
have a new process right step
one and we can vote on agenda
item.
>> all right.
So the next item let's go to
item number 8 to 88.
>> we still won't be and b we
will now move to the business
agenda for I'm sorry 13 is
there motion meeting 80 8dbdb
yes just be you have your
motion you have a motion and a
second you see the motion in a
second.
All in favor.
All in favor of apprenticeship
building grant program.
All right.
Okay.
Any opposed and I want to pose
here in no opposition and
opposes so we will go to the
next house that we're having
the ford house as a historic
landmark any issues or
questions with us more to close
the public hearing if there are
no speakers, MADAM Clerk
second, if you have a motion to
close open and close the public
hearing and if there was
discussion it will next call
and evaluate all in favor favor
raise your hand.
Anyone oppose MS. Mayfield
thank you MS..
>> mcphail I was raising my
hand in support of closing in
closing this one, the original
question of closing the hearing
is unanimous.
Okay, I gotcha.
I will make up their motion to
okay move to adopt adopt b
which is to approve seconded.
All right.
And it is going to have a
motion and okay.
All in favor raise your hands.
Anyone oppose this mayfield so
that committee okay.
>> all right.
So I'm able to conduct a public
hearing for a number of
counties.
>> there are no public
speakers, MADAM Clerk MADAM
Clerk how far away along on the
tally or do we have time to
talk more about you have time
to if you want to finish these
hearings then we can make a
motion to close the hearing.
We had most of the motion.
>> we have a motion motion in a
second.
A second already is when we're
not hearing on this and when
y'all the motion so there was a
motion to open and close the
public hearing.
It was second here and now
MADAM Mayor, I believe you're
going to call for a vote or yes
on the speaker at the motion to
a public hearing to adopt an
annexation ordinance with
effective date of JUNE 22nd
2026 to extend the corporate
limits to include this property
and assign it to the city
district council district five
all in favor to open and close
the public hearing right there
is already a motion in a second
and one opposed to closing the
public hearing.
All right.
Thank you very much.
>> so yeah, moved to adopt b to
approve.
>> all right.
We've just got a second to
adopt in the ten b any
questions or comments any
opposition hearing all in favor
.
>> all in favor any opposed you
want to post mayfield okay.
>> thank you.
>> all right.
All right.
So let's go back to the clerk
and see where we are.
>> we just got to going to give
that have all right.
So we have a package that was
just sent to me and I've just
open it up and it reads no one
received six votes.
Turn this over now to our city
attorney for the next steps at
this time, counsel, you will
you will receive a another
ballot.
You will once again need to
select one candidate for this
runoff ballot and the names on
the runoff ballot are the names
are kerry cook and robert
harrington.
All right.
So let me let me let me be
clear.
I'm sorry.
So no one received six I want
to read the tally out.
>> okay?
Okay.
Oh, we got to do that before we
move forward.
so I was okay.
Harold cogdill received two
votes.
Harry cook received three
votes.
Robert harrington received four
votes.
James mitchell received two
votes.
>> so you're to highest vote
getters are robert harrington
with four, kerry cook with
three.
Neither of them received six
votes so hits council voting
again to determine the highest
vote getter someone will need
to reach six in order to be
appointed that clear is man
thank you.
Please select one name one name
and community members to do
once you've selected your
candidate you can proceed with
the remainder of your business
while we tally all of the she
gives me statements she makes
these I like to turn to as it
yeah she just sitting and she
tried to he said she doesn't oh
she said you don't have my
feelings I have to do it with
retirees I mean does she I mean
she's since my field has her
ballot she's already marked it.
Let's see the market.
>> she has a submitted term.
It is she has to submit that.
So when she left the dice she
signed it.
So this is if you don't have
those killed.
All right.
Let's take a major speaking the
pollution control division.
You can continue to MADAM
Mayor, if it's council's
pleasure, you can proceed with
the remainder of your business
until the tally the fatality.
>> so what's happening?
All right, let's go to item 12
palette real red light camera
program and ordinance revision
.
Our next policy item is for
this item and for item 12 do I
have a motion to adopt a adopt
a resolution and approving
safety committee's
recommendation to implement a
pallet automated red light
running enforcement program for
period of one year and a b to
adopt an ordinance approving
those amendments to chapter 14
article four of the city code.
>> so I and b secondly I have a
motion for both a and b.
Any other comments or questions
on this and thank you, MADAM
Mayor.
>> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
I just want to first of
foremost thank the members of
my committee of the safety
committee which are see them as
mirror of myself.
I see a metro l c m graham and
c m driggs and we worked pretty
arduously on that on this
particular line item given our
vision zero goals and some of
the comments that you heard
from the public around the
injuries and unfortunately
deaths as it relates to the hit
killer accidents and so we've
we've done great research with
our peer cities both here in
the great state of north
carolina but also throughout
the country.
And we landed on this pilot
program that will attack our
our highest our highest ten
intersections that
unfortunately we have these
accidents and so we feel very
good about the program and we
also are as we stand up this
program we're also standing up
a data driven perspective so
we'll get constant updates as
it relates to the accidents,
the potential reductions in
other things that we can
potentially tweak as we go
through this 12 month pilot.
So like to thank my committee
for their great work on this
and hopefully the council will
support so we can advance
something that is a very strong
issue within our city.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
All right.
Thank you.
Our next business is about time
travel and oh, we have to vote
on this.
Yes.
>> I think is so popular I
thought voting was like I
didn't think anyone was going
to be opposed but I me try.
All right.
Let's a yes.
>> we have a motion on the
floor.
Okay.
And we have a second all in
favor anyone oppose MS.
Johnson?
>> did you have your.
I did.
I'm in favor.
Thank you so much.
Okay.
So now the next item is item b
adopt a budget ordinance of I'm
sorry we're now going to move
into the business section of
our agenda for item 13.
Is there a motion to accept a
grant in the amount of $12,000
from apprenticeship and see nor
and nor in the north carolina
community college system for
solid waste services,
apprenticeships and that's item
a and item b is adopt a budget
ordinance appropriating $12,000
to the general grants fund move
to approve a and b a motion for
a and b is there any discussion
all right.
If not, we will go on to okay.
>> all in favor could I could
come in motion all in favor.
Not a motion.
I'm sorry I was just going to
make a quick comment.
Can I before we vote I thank
you.
>> I just want it to give a
huge shout out to MR. Rotten.
James and I had the ability and
the pleasure to go out and
spend time with our solid waste
workers last week and they
presented me with their
strategies, their areas of
opportunity where they need
funding as well as how they
actually support and undergird
their employees from having a
food bank right there on the
premises to workers receiving
their ged and being ushered
through programs and other
opportunities.
And so they really lean in and
rodney does a fantastic job
next year around this time
hopefully a month prior to we
will lean into them and as it
relates to budget opportunities
because throughout the city of
charlotte with nearly a million
people they only have 12 street
sweepers and I don't know about
some of the district reps but
I'm constantly getting requests
from the neighborhoods asking
why are the streets swept more
frequently with 12th street
sweepers they can only hit one
area on an annual basis just
based on our footprint and so
they have some other needs as
it relates to trucks and
technology fees and things of
that nature.
But just wanted to give a shout
out to a great leader.
They're really leaning into his
employees.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sure they will appreciate
that.
>> all right.
So item oh if we voted on this
one, leave let's go ahead and
say all right, I'll favor all
in favor and one opposed so
anyone not oppose.
>> all right so our next
business item is for an initial
findings of resolution of 2026
storm water construction period
financing for item 14.
Is there a motion to adopt an
initiative an initial finding
resolution that makes certain
statements of fact concerning
the storm water construction
period financing and adopt a, b
and c second motion for a, b
and c any discussion hearing
none all in favor anyone
opposed?
So we will go to that.
The next one is our general
obligation refunding bonds the
next business items is for that
and it's for item 15 is there a
motion now that MAY move
approve a 12 second we have a
motion of approval from a
through f any discussion?
All right.
Pursuant to general statute 168
us 70 5ai must recuse myself
from this vote.
I couldn't hear what you said.
It seems to yeah recusal cuz
myself or so are yourself.
thank you.
I was like why would anybody
accuse me right now?
>> yeah what's the point?
So yes we're going to have have
a motion to approve of victoria
watlington so all in favor?
>> oh no motion necessary.
No motion necessary is recusal
cuz.
>> oh you're going to recuse
yourself.
Thank you.
All right let's go that the
next item so thank you.
>> that's the vote on the next
item I mean the item that we
have the item paper out the
well here we go a through if
that's all we go on all of
ready for that.
So anyone have proposed a
through any a favor all in
favor.
All in favor.
>> okay yes all right the next
busineneness idea is for the
general obligation bond fund
referendum for item 16.
Is there a motion to introduce
such of the three bond orders
required for a general
obligation bond referendum
which includes $280 million of
transportation bonds, $20
million of neighborhood
improvement bonds and 125
million of housing bonds do we
have a motion to approve a and
b so I have a motion for a and
b is there anyone that has as
it was discussion or not MS.
Watlington or to one 6870 5
A.M. Recuse myself from this
vote.
All right there's a recusal
with MS. Watlington anything
else anyone else you were
prepared to vote?
All in favor raise your hand.
i think this is probably one of
the things easy is and this
who's opposed?
No one is of course one
opposed.
>> so I don't have any opposed.
Okay.
>> the next item is university
city municipal service district
boundary expansion the next
business item is for that
university city boundary
expansion for item 17 is there
their motion for approval?
>> so I'm I'm a johnson second
second I have a motion and a
second.
Is there any further discussion
hearing none all in favor of
the motion anyone oppose that
hearing?
>> all right 18 the next item
is to accept habitat for
humanity funding for the
robinson church road widening
project for item 18.
Is there a motion to authorize
the manager as designee to
accept a contribution amount of
$52,000 from habitat for
humanity for the charlotte
region for the approval and the
same thing we have a motion for
a and b second and a second all
in favor please let me know
anyone opposed?
All right.
The next item in business and a
local agreement with the town
of mid hill for construction of
water and sewer infrastructure.
The next item is an in a local
agreement.
Is there any questions
concerning this item?
>> to adopt a resolution
authorizing the city manager to
negotiate security in local
gaming with the town of M.L.
For construction a sanitary
sewer lines and a water storage
second?
>> all right.
We have a motion and a second
is there any further discussion
?
There are none.
All in favor please raise your
hand and then one opposed.
Staff and are you okay?
Thank you.
The next item is 20 is an
amendment to the amended
restated lease for the bank of
america stadium move for
approval.
>> we have a second and a
second.
Is there any further
discussion?
MS..
MISS Mayfield.
>> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
So as was mentioned to us when
this was presented when this
conversation was first
presented to council, they
initial understanding was that
chapter sports was going to be
purchasing this land we had
some changes.
The land was then conveyed over
to the city of charlotte.
To me once that conveyance
happened that was a no
conversation.
The challenge I have of which
one I am not supporting this
because there is no additional
community benefit in this is
for an additional venue space
that's going to be around 40
400ft seating we have numerous
venue spaces around the city
but when we look at uptown
whether or not we can of which
are as deeper a conversation
leader of our attorney think of
orlando studios I think the
fact that florida residents get
a discount at orlando studios
and or disney for us to approve
yet another project where we
are basically leasing this out
for a dollar for them to build
on without any clear community
benefits meaning we have
concerts and we have local
event space.
We have a big event that's
coming in a couple of months if
this space was already built
but think of other concerts or
events that MAY be coming to
the city the fact that there
was no negotiation to identify
the community benefit I have a
concern about we already have a
30 plus year commitment with
this particular partner.
Any opportunity that we have to
at least have a conversation of
how this benefits our local
community.
I think we should take from the
very beginning and it shouldn't
be an afterthought.
So I do have concerns of us
allocating this corner of land
without there being a very
clear community benefit.
>> thank you.
Thank you.
I feel all right, MR. Graham
and MISS I'm sorry MISS
Kimberly was next if MR. Going
that's why thank you so I was
just going to speak briefly in
favor of the amendment I, I
appreciate councilmember
mayfield's concerns.
I do not share those concerns
and I wonder if MR. Heath would
you step to the podium and
maybe help us address or is
there someone better suited so
well good.
Can I I just I had a quick
quote I had understood from MR.
Heath the negotiated benefits
had come up front in the
original lease and if I speak
an untruth and please someone
clarify it so for me to reopen
it over this small section of
land is in my estimation bad
faith and I would be very
uncomfortable with us
negotiating like that once
we've already negotiated to go
back because the small sliver
is going to be added.
I just want to put that into
the room so I will be voting in
favor of the amendment.
>> MADAM Mayor, just for
clarification before MR. He
speaks I would like for you to
go back to the original
discussion of what this project
was and what was presented to
council since there seems to be
some misinformation regarding a
discussion about faith where we
started so that we could have a
transparent conversation.
>> if I MAY quickly zoom out to
2024 so the idea of a stadium
annex or what we're now calling
a performance venue was always
contemplated as part of the
framework during the 18 months
that we work to negotiate
around the key business terms
that you required as well as
the community benefit.
It was always understood that
one of the owner elected
projects would be a performance
venue so there's there's
nothing associated with the
performance venue that's new.
There's nothing that's
associated with the community
benefits that were put in place
that would be impacted by the
construction of a performance
what was the original stadium
and discussion?
>> the original owner of the
because this land when it was
presented to council was
presented to us as if that
business was going to own it.
There was just recently that we
had that we learned that this
land was being conveyed to the
city of charlotte so we're not
going to have a partial
conversation.
>> so if I could zoom out on
the triangular parcel which is
a bit of a separate
conversation it was understood
last year that having access to
the triangular parcel which is
less than a quarter acre which
was owned by ncdot at the time
was very important as an
enabler for the performance
venue last year we had a lot of
conversations around what was
the path to gain site control
maybe the city would buy it,
maybe the team would buy it.
We went back and forth a number
of times.
Ultimately ncdot deemed that
that small parcel to be surplus
basically a remnant parcel of
no value to them so they
transferred that to us at no
cost which we believe then and
believe now was the absolute
best outcome that we could have
had.
So we received that at no cost
and I would just make one other
comment about the parcel.
I did walk with the parcel a
couple of weeks ago with our
real estate team and they
affirmed that on a standalone
basis the parcel really
essentially is on buildable.
So our view is we received a
piece of property no value for
something that's on buildable
and it's a logical step from
our perspective to put it into
the lease to enable a project
that will allow the team to
activate on a requirement that
you put in place which is $150
million investment by the team
in exchange for our investment.
>> MADAM I have now so far six
five people to that wish to
speak to this item so I think
this I'm kimberly was you done
okay and then MS. Sanders and
then MR. Carson and mg is
before me and I'm after graham
okay if I remember.
>> all right.
Graham thank you.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
This year and district two it's
really, really small 0.24 acre
property walked it to without
getting tired at all.
It's really really awesome
because you're in great shape I
think that is true to and you
know this is something that
came before the ed committee
back and in OCTOBER here and we
talked about this being as a
part of the broader deal we get
in essence a 4200 seat
performance center no cost to
the city at all.
The land has been donated to
the city.
We can't build on it at all.
I walked it.
You can't do anything with it
for sure and the benefits we
get because of the center is 80
to 100 events night per year
which support workers uber
drivers those showing up
transporting people to the
facility hospitality workers,
hotels etc. It creates jobs.
They create construction
opportunities operation of the
facility itself.
It supports hospitality and
tourism and did I mention that
it's very, very small piece of
property and that we didn't pay
anything for it was given to us
and we wanted to absorb it into
a larger project for greater
community good carolina
panthers are a partner of ours.
Our public private partnership
is how the stadium is being
renovated today.
This is yet a baby step towards
completing the goal in addition
we all talked about at least
from the edi perspective of
creating a entertainment
district within that sector of
the community.
Again we take a giant step
forward to do that with the
small portion of land that we
can't do anything with from my
perspective watching it it has
no economic development value
for us as relates to community
benefits.
I think the agreement that
we've struck with the panthers
early in the year last year
with the provided deal is
inclusive of this type of small
property and it so I'm very
comfortable with it and I hope
the council will approve it.
>> all right, MS. Anderson,
thank you, MADAM Mayor.
I was in those meetings when I
see them graham was the chair
of the community and committee
and navigate through this
process.
As was mentioned, this is a
very small triangular parcel.
This was a part of the overall
deal where we did discuss
community benefits as well as
other opportunity fees and
recently north carolina
department of transportation
and deemed it as a remnant and
and then a surplus and then
handed over to us and so that
wasn't an action that we took
proactively that was something
that at the state level was
decided you know this
performance venue, the
performance center which we
will effectively begin getting
without additional investment
at all also fills a gap in
terms of our entertainment and
arts footprint within the city
of charlotte to attract plays
and other venues and
opportunities entertainment
opportunities that might not
have the right size, the
building.
And in addition, as MR. Graham
mentioned, you know, this sits
right in the middle of third
ward which is being revitalized
in the community neighborhood
association has stood up just a
year ago there was an
opportunity to bring light and
vitality to this space not on a
dime of the city and that often
has has been forgotten about
over the last several years.
So I will be supporting this as
well.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
>> all right, MR. Johnson.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
MR. Heath, what is the total
square footage of the land of
the triangular parcel?
Yes, it's approximately
10,500ft and then we get a
real estate value for that.
>> we do not have an appraisal
of that parcel.
Okay.
So I think that's the concern.
I know we're calling it a
really small piece of land but
10,500ft of real estate or of
land does have some value when
we talk about community
benefits, employee parking or
affordable parking shared right
drop off and pick up or even a
space for the displaced vendors
from other areas of town.
So there is value potentially I
think the concern for those of
us who are concerned is that
we're giving a piece of land to
an entity that could otherwise
afford it.
So that's all I wanted to
share.
Thank you.
Councilmember johnson we get
three and a half with
councilmember watlington
councilmember driggs and
COUNCILMAN Mayfield.
Thank you mayor pro tem and I
appreciate MR. Heath
conversations last week and a
continuation today because I do
think it's a little bit unclear
or at least has been up until
this point whether or not this
particular parcel was a part of
the broader conversation.
From what I understood from you
last week, this parcel was
already in the conversation.
But the the way that the the
tepper group was going to come
upon this particular parcel was
not clear.
>> is that correct?
>> yes.
We knew and were on record in
OCTOBER of last year that the
triangular parcel was very
important to enable this
project.
What we didn't know what we
couldn't know was how site
control would be gained and
where we ended up in is what we
believe is the best possible
outcome which the state
transferred that to us at no
cost.
>> okay.
Thank you for that.
That is helpful for me.
I will say that in general I do
think that it's time for us to
raise the bar just in terms of
negotiation.
I do I do obviously know that
we spoke about deal point at
the beginning but it definitely
feels like there is a portion
of this that maybe the council
doesn't feel like we were able
to weigh in on with the benefit
of all of the information,
whether it was the types of
community benefit that actually
could have been negotiated for
this particular piece beyond
the stadium itself or whether
it was the fair market value of
the parcel or whatever it was.
So I hope that what we've
learned from this and nothing
else is that we have an
opportunity to make sure that
we are in lockstep earlier on
in terms of negotiation.
That said, it sounds like this
was already accounted for in
the broader conversation in and
I don't know if we've got it in
front of you but I think it
would be helpful to understand
what then were the community
benefits that were already
included in the overall
negotiation?
Yes, the community benefits
were many and they were
noteworthy just to name a few
27% mwc goal associated with
city funding the seven city use
stays support for small
business capacity building
programs, community programs
for veterans at risk youth and
low income residents.
Increased engagement with hpc
use and those are incremental
to all of the civic engagement
activities that the panthers
have been doing for years
including thousands of tickets
that are going to community
organizations on an annual
basis for the stadium.
>> thank you for that.
So again, just like I say, if
there's two venues I would have
loved to see a little bit more
specific community benefit
particular to the other venue
as well.
>> but point taken.
Thank you.
Council member driggs thank you
mayor pro tem I think this is a
valid discussion in principle
but in the wrong context.
>> this is a very big picture
relationship we have with the
team.
MR. Tepper is invested billions
of dollars and I think the idea
that a 4200 seat venue is not
an asset to the city or a
benefit to the city is a
misnomer.
We pursued this relationship.
I remember early on in the
first conversations and we had
a vision activation, an
entertainment district a lot of
very desirable things that
could happen and then this
buyer came along with his
capacity to just decide to
build the 4200 seat venue and
not need to partner with us or
ask for anything.
And this parcel is just so
small and I really hate to
think that we're kind of
disturbing our relationship
with the team, the owner and
all of the big things that are
going on in charlotte over this
particular question.
so I hope we can have this
conversation when there's
something more meaningful at
stake.
But 27% commitment on small
business alone is huge in
comparison to 10,000ft of
land.
So really let's just keep some
perspective on this when I hope
appreciate the benefits that we
have from our relationship with
temper sports and let this one
pass and if necessary on
another occasion when there's
more at stake we can talk it
over.
Thank you.
So if we MAY, sean, I think
we're going to try to bring up
this parcel on the big screen
so the viewers can can see what
we were referring to so why are
we doing that?
I'm a year to councilmember
mayfield.
>> thank you, mayor patel says
there it's a step tapper
acquired the team in 2018.
The panthers value has doubled
despite the challenging perform
its record of 36 win 80 losses
during this ownership.
So for us to say to give the
impression that it was
altruistic what he's done he's
a business person and as a
business person and he has made
money as an elected official
I'm going to ask the same
questions that I ask but any
other lot because it's
challenging to hear that this
is such a small space nothing
can be built on it yet we're
talking about building a 4400
square foot facility on it so
you can't have both.
>> the challenge that I had is
the fact of the transparency of
we started a conversation that
full council was aware that
conversation c it was in
discussion and gave the
impression if they bought the
land this is what we would do
in order for them to have
access with it.
I'm like okay I don't have a
problem with that.
The moment that conversation
changed because as you
mentioned you and staff had
multiple conversations.
>> you MAY have even presented
it to the economic development
committee.
The first time I saw it was
when it was presented to all of
us from as a decision to have a
discussion on that conversation
changed from him owning it to
the city now owning it and a
city then giving it to him.
There was no conversation of
existing that community
benefits.
It is not a community benefit
to me to say you're going to
have 20% development
participation for every small
business which we heard from a
lot of them today.
So have the opportunity to do
the work on a year $600 million
contract so that's not a
community benefit yet when we
think about the uber drivers
and others less than three
months ago some of them were
saying people came down because
of the financial challenges
that they are having uptown
regarding parking being
ticketed it because they're
sitting too long waiting for
someone.
So again we can't keep playing
a seesaw game.
I just ask the question
regarding what is the community
benefit.
The answer came back to me
where we did that on this other
piece perfectly honest I don't
care I asked about this
particular parcel, this little
triangle that we keep talking
about this triangle that's too
small for us to build on yet
we're building a 4400 space
being you on it because we want
to entertainment district so I
want there to be clarity and
not misinformation or a
challenge for any of us to ask
the question because guess what
?
That's what we get to do.
So don't I don't appreciate it
being mentioned.
Well he is such a good public
private partner.
He has a business owner.
We created a business contract
.
I'm just saying that if there's
going to be a conversation on
where the city is going to
contribute even more, there
should also be a conversation
of how this benefits our
community be thank you.
Council member for city manager
so on mayor members of council
the I think we have this parcel
on the screen and I think
what's important and trying to
say at this earlier early on
the discussion was around the
stadium annex that morphed into
this performance venue and when
this was discussed both in
committee and with the council
that quarter of an acre of a
parcel is not what the venue is
going to be built on the most
the total acreage on the total
footprint required for the
performance venue is
approximately two acres.
It's only really a very tiny
portion of the triangular
parcel that will be used for
the performance of those two
acres.
It was always contemplated that
getting that water an acre or
two to add to it was important
ncdot owned it and the question
was in order to build this
thing out and make it
successful that quarter of an
acre was really important.
There were a couple of options.
One option would be that tsc
would buy the quarter acre to
add it to the rest of the
footprint again the entire
footprint is where the
performance venue will be built
not the corner of an acre and
it just seemed to be very
complicated issue t.
S e owned that corner an acre
and then 20 years from now if
there was not a music venue
then and that had to come back
to the city in some way it
would seem like it would be
better that the city would own
all of it as opposed to all but
a quarter of an acre.
So again started off as a
stadium and went to this
performance venue but I think
what's key is that quarter acre
makes the performance venue
work but it's not where the
performance venue will be built
.
Thank you.
City manager council member
asmir thank you.
So this will be a lease the
city will still own the
ownership will still have the
ownership of that quarter acre
of land.
So I, I guess what I'm trying
to figure out what would be the
market value right if we were
to lazy to sell one how much
would we get as part of the
lease payment?
I think that was what
councilmember johnson was
alluding to.
I get it that there was no
appraisal done because this is
not a for sale transaction,
right?
This is a lease transaction.
But what we would like to see
is what is the value that we
could get if it was other than
tepper sports I think that's a
question that I would like to
get clarification on what is
the fair market value of the
lease for that space.
>> so as I mentioned before we
do not have a market appraisal
on it.
If you can see here in the
visual just the shape of it not
just the size.
So very small size less than a
quarter acre which is smaller
than the average size of a lot
for a single family home in
mecklenburg county the shape of
it also poses some major
challenges on a standalone
basis.
So our real estate team was
very clear with the very direct
question I had for them which
was what opportunity for
development could we have if we
attempted to do something on a
standalone basis?
And the answer back was crystal
clear this particular
triangular shaped parcel is
essentially on buildable on a
standalone basis.
So whereas I wouldn't suggest
it has zero value I would
suggest it has very
insignificant value relative to
what we believe are
overwhelming benefits
associated with job creation
sales and property tax, tourism
benefits not just tourism taxes
but also individuals that work
at restaurants and bars and
hotels that will benefit from
80 to 100 shows on an annual
basis.
And then also just the idea of
uptown activation and vibrancy
.
So in our view the benefits
were so overwhelming that the
relatively insignificant cost
so to speak associated with it
were not material.
>> so just to follow up on
that, I understand that the
value is it MAY not be as
valuable for us as a standalone
but this is going to make or
break the deal for the other
party.
So that's where the value comes
,right?
So what are we getting in
return for the huge value that
they are getting?
I think that's what ultimately
we are trying to get to.
Are we getting anything extra
in terms of other community
benefits or higher lease
payment?
What is it that we are getting
because this project
performance venue project would
not happen without this we just
triangle space that is there
right?
I think we have to look at this
holistically.
There is already a parcel that
city own other than the
triangle so we are giving them
sort of a land assemblage that
is making this performance
venue possible.
>> I think two quick points.
One I would say if we owned
this triangular parcel in 1990,
it would have always been part
of the 25 acre campus lease if
we own to this parcel in 2013
when we renegotiated the lease
that would have been part of
the 25 acre campus if we owned
it in 2024 it would have been
part of the campus.
Right now it's basically
sidewalk a little bit of patch
of grass and some trees.
So what our belief has been all
along that extracting the
maximum value for the city or
the city from the 25 acre
campus should be something we
are as equally excited about as
the team itself and we believe
the value proposition here is
very compelling for the city
excuse me and call the question
I know MR. Jones and we have
some people that have agreed
that this so we want to speak
MR. Johnson we'll go here then
we'll come to MR. Watlington
and then we'll vote.
Thank you.
You know we vote and the vote
doesn't work out.
>> we'll vote again.
Yes and thank you, MADAM Mayor
.
So MR. Heath, we appreciate the
plans as far as economic
development but as elected
officials we have you know,
we're stewards of public
dollars.
So I think that our public
would expect for us to
understand the market value of
the property.
So when the state conveyed it
to us, MR. Jones is there a
conveyance document that has of
a value of the property that's
included?
No, no it was deeded over at no
cost.
There's no indication of of
market value had had we been
required to have paid for the
parcel this would have been a
different conversation.
I think a fair thing to ask is
the market value.
I think that that's a fair
question from us and from our
constituents that we should
know what the value is as we're
leasing the property for a
dollar.
Again, when you talk about
being such a small property
it's 10,500ft.
We know parking is a challenge
in downtown or uptown for
especially for the workers we
talk about the workers, the
benefit and also the drop off
space and like I said a space
for the vendors so there is
value that council member as
meyer said it's very valuable
to the other party.
So I think that that's a a fair
and transparent ask that we
know the market value.
I would suggest that we defer
this until AUGUST but I'll wait
to see.
I mean that's just my thoughts
.
Thank you.
MS. Watlington I have MS.
Wallington I have follow up
question.
I want to just say we're going
to vote after we'll have a vote
after MS. Watlington comments
and I just want to be clear MR.
Heath you mentioned the value
to the city overall and
certainly I'm sure many of us
around the dais share that i
don't want it to be MS.
Understood that expecting that
the value proposition includes
more than just specific
economic development dollars
that will end up being tourism
revenue or an uber drivers fare
or that kind of thing is
separate and apart from the
broader cities value of some of
the things that were just
listed.
>> it's critically important to
me that when we have these
conversations sessions that the
general public's value is not
viewed as unnecessary or an
inconvenience to the rest of
the work.
I don't think anybody around
this dais doesn't understand
the economic value right.
>> I also don't think that it
is unreasoned at all because we
are public servants right to
expect that the broader public
also sees some benefit when
there is an opportunity for
that.
However, this vote lands that
for me is the fundamental
principle that we need to get
clear around honestly, my
patience is wearing thin with
these conversations around
economic development versus
broader community.
They should come together and
we've got to stop putting
ourselves in these type
positions.
So all right.
So now I'm on I'm going to ask
for a vote.
>> so mayor, I would like to
make a substitute motion to
defer this item.
All right.
For further discussion second.
>> okay.
>> and what is your motion to
defer agenda item?
>> you defer the first
committee your what you are
saying so to defer so the
motion to defer this item and
come back is all in favor
please raise your hands.
Defer.
Okay that's 1234 so that does
not pass.
>> okay all of those I all of
the add 1234 yes 567123456
single from second.
>> all right.
You have a motion to approve
and the second a motion to
approve and a second so all in
favor please raise your hands.
All right.
Okay.
>> I think we have a unanimous
in opposed.
>> I'll post.
All right.
Three want to okay, that's 50
minutes.
>> all right.
So that passes through it.
Okay.
Know this is going to be we
give a tally do we have a tally
?
All right, billy, thank you for
your patience.
My question is after this is
over to more I to I can hear
the result.
>> all right.
So we've received the opening
and we do have a person to join
this organization having
received six or more council
members votes, there is a
motion to appoint robert
harrington by acclamation to
the office of mayor to the
office of mayor upon vacancy by
the office by bylaw.
So I'm leaving tomorrow second
.
Okay doing well but we do need
to have the city attorney
address right and just to
clarify the requests that
action is to serve until the
expiration of the elected mayor
day okay.
>> so all right.
We have that.
So we're moving so we do have
to register to vote.
>> what happens next is about
we got a vote.
All right.
So I'm not sure exactly the
second thing you say all in
favor of this motion for MR.
Harrington please raise your
hands.
>> thank you very much.
Anyone oppose?
>> no, thank you.
All right.
So really so we have a few
other items but I don't think
that we have much opportunity
to we have this on and tackle
it if we want to continue.
Yes, 21 all right.
Let's go to item 21.
>> we move for approval max.
Item is an amendment to the c r
t p can I remember that you
know this right next item is an
amendment to the c r t
memorandum of understanding for
everyone please.
>> we're still having our
meeting.
All right for item 21 is there
a motion to authorize the mayor
to execute an amended
memorandum of understanding for
the kapo to remove the mtc and
add mtc m p t a as a member
moved to approve second motion
and a second is there any
further discussion?
Hearing no discussion.
all in favor please raise your
hands.
Anyone opposed anybody oppose?
>> we don't have anyone in
oppose.
Yeah okay for item 22 MR.
Hauer, would you please join us
down here for item 22?
Is there a motion to adopt a
resolution approving and
ratifying an interlocal
agreement between the city of
charlotte and the m p t a for
their joint undertaking and
implementation of requirements
to fulfill obligations under
the pave act and item b
authorize the city manager to
negotiate and execute all
documents and contracts
including for transfer and
expedition and to of funds
necessary to implement and
fulfill the city's obligations
under the path that pay for gap
and authorize.
>> so I would like to second
that and comment.
>> all right, MR. Driggs so
colleagues, we've talked about
this now for a number of months
.
There's been an extended
process of engagement between
empty and the city in order to
resolve how cats will work, how
transit will work from the
period particularly from the
period from JULY 1st to JANUARY
when yeah, because mta is not
in a position to operate cats
yet cats will continue to be
operated by the city but
pursuant to authority received
from empty to which the payback
provides owns transit and
receives the sales tax and a
lot of work went into this so
as I appreciate your
contribution there were many
issues when you get down into
the details of how this works
it gets a little tricky in
places so I wanted to
particularly recognize marcus
jones, liz fabs and hannah
bromberg or andrea leslie fite,
sean heath, brant cagle and
particularly katherine
clodfelter, our attorney for
the outstanding work they did
to engage with them to resolve
these issues and basically
create a foundation for our
continuing cooperation with
them to as we align our land
use and development policies
with their transit decisions.
So I do move to approve these
and recommend them to council.
>> we have a recommendation to
approve with which to the
council is there any motion on
any understanding?
>> all right.
All in favor anyone opposed?
>> all right.
We have one.
Okay, keep going.
So this concludes our business
items vote for this evening.
Next we're going to open with
council topics in order to
ensure that all council has the
opportunity to speak.
We will go around the dais one
by one.
I ask that each council member
try to keep their comments or
questions to three minutes and
then we have some fun stuff to
do.
You did okay MR. Howard thank
you for being here tonight and
for your leadership of empty.
We look forward to working with
you and the other merchants who
have joined us and the other
board members who are here.
>> thank you very much.
let's see it now.
It's council topics and we'll
start with MS..
Johnson.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
It allows as you prepare to
step down at the end of JUNE I
want to thank you for your
decades of tireless service to
the city of charlotte serving
together on this council.
We've not always agreed on
every policy but that's the
very nature of healthy
democracy and a vibrant city.
Your willingness to break
barriers as our first black
female mayor coupled with deep
institutional knowledge has
left an undeniable mark on the
queen city's history.
You sacrificed tremendously for
this role.
I watched you during covid.
You were here day and night so
I thank you on behalf of the
city.
I pray this next chapter brings
you peace, joy and the
well-deserved uninterrupted
time with your grandchildren.
Thank you for your historic
leadership and your sacrifice.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for that.
>> I really appreciate it.
>> okay, MR. Eyes, what do you
yes, thank you, MADAM Mayor.
>> we're going around the
diocese.
>> okay.
Got it.
Anybody missed that?
Well, I also want to echo my
colleague councilmember
johnson's remarks.
>> I just really want to pause
and honor someone whose
leadership has shaped in
charlotte in ways that will be
felt for generations.
Our mayor bill lyles, you never
simply held in office.
You carried a strong
responsibility as the first
african-american woman to serve
as mayor of our city.
You've opened doors, expanded
our possibility and shown our
city what it looks like when
dignity, steadiness and service
guide every decision.
And on a personal note, we
share an alma mater, queen's
university of charlotte.
>> anyone who has walked those
halls knows the values that
place instills service,
reflection and a belief that
leadership is not about being
in front but also about lifting
others up.
Mayor lyles, you've embodied
those values every single day.
Your service has left a mark in
that city in this city not just
in the skyline and or in the
budget books but in the lives
of residents who saw themselves
reflected in your leadership.
So you have shown us what it
means to lead with integrity to
lead with heart and to lead
with the belief that
charlotte's best days are ahead
.
On behalf of a grateful city,
thank you for your years of
dedication, your trailblazing
example and your unwavering
commitment to the people of
charlotte.
We are better because you
served.
>> thank you.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
So I actually have council
topics so for the manager so
and I will I've already told
you we've had I guess we've had
our cover so number one I want
what we've already I've already
share.
I want us to speak to of which
we did refer to by our the
hearings and decisions on the
same evening also I want us to
think about the conversation we
just had and this is something
I think actually the attorneys
office will be able to help
with.
I gave the example of orlando
studios and florida and what is
able to do we a number of of us
have heard it from community
members, small businesses and
others.
We are pricing out our
residents as we seek opportune
cities for people to come in
and visit and we talk about the
revenue that's generated.
A lot of our residents are not
able to take advantage of the
amenities and the habits that
we have in our center city.
Number three and this is going
to be for our water even though
MR. Charles is not here this is
a bigger conversation now I
think we need to be paying
attention to what we know as of
right now.
Cuba, nigeria, south africa,
pakistan and india, venezuela
and zambia have all experienced
blackouts and power outages.
We know that the hamas channel
is closed which means we are
going to have a challenge with
getting gas which means we are
going to have a challenge with
electricity.
The water is life physically
your body cannot go beyond
three days without water.
We can go without food and
other things.
we cannot go without water.
I would add we're already
hearing others smaller areas
that are having challenges.
We're rolling blackouts and
power outages.
I want to get an update from
our charlotte water regarding
our usage around wind, solar or
any anything that is not
electricity independent as far
as the options in case not even
in case when blackouts start
making their way into our
region.
This is something that is
already happening.
This is not something we can be
reactionary on.
So to find out what we're
actually utilizing to ensure
that our water will remain
accessible as long as possible
having an update would be very
beneficial and also I just want
to give an update because there
is a partner and development
get engagement meeting that I
will be hosting coming JULY
14th where we are bringing our
development partners both on
the capital investment in the
development in larger
developers, smaller developers
they help look at a proposal to
bring to housing a neighborhood
services committee as we think
about the trust fund and moving
forward and allocation and for
many years the focus has just
been on housing even though we
are housing and neighborhood
services.
So we're having the real
conversations of the
neighborhoods services piece
and what does that really look
like with that mayor I went
through five mayors in seven
years coming in under mayor fox
and then the changes and the
challenges I was elected in
2011 I believe you are
personally going to 2030 as a
large member.
You then ran we appointed you
right off the bat as mayor pro
tem because of your experience
in government and in community
you ran successfully as mayor
and have stayed in that role.
The city has a tremendous
wealth and with growth comes a
lot of growing pains.
You have endured a lot from
community and in perfectly
honest from your council.
So what I appreciate I
appreciate the fact that you
still kept showing up every day
some days you and now we have
to have very serious
conversations yet I never
doubted your commitment to
service even though we didn't
always agree on how we get
there.
>> I appreciate the fact that
you brought a vision to our
city.
I personally think you should
enjoy this time because some
people don't know how to retire
but I know how important your
children and your grandbabies
are to you.
So to have the opportunity to
attend their place to spend
time is something a gift that
cannot be codified because we
never know how much time GOD
has for us.
So thank you for all the years
that you have given us all the
guidance and the service and I
truly pray that whenever your
next part of your journey else
is everything that you want and
why.
>> thank you.
thank you so much.
Mayor lyles.
Much will be said about your
service and the events in
charlotte during your time in
office.
I believe your position in the
history of charlotte is secure.
I just wanted to tell you on a
personal note we got elected at
the same time we went through a
lot together and one of the
most rewarding aspects of my
service on council has been
working with you so I
appreciate appreciate you.
>> I love you and I wish you
all the best.
Thank you very much, mayor
lyles.
>> that's a tough one to follow
.
You don't have a lot of sweet
emotion out of my colleague.
So your departure marks the
close of a historic chapter of
charlotte civic life.
You've had a tenure that
reflects your steady commitment
to equity long term.
This community partnership and
as you step away from the role
we carry on your legacy as one
of the newer members here, I
can say that watching you lead
drove me to wish to also lead
so I thank you for that
inspiration.
I also on a somewhat more
council topic note I will
simply say that I truly believe
and I say to the city manager
and to others who will listen I
believe that a clear and
consistent process for filling
vacancies should start with an
immediate referral to begin as
soon as the notice of vacancy
is received.
And I say that and I'm sure all
of us have heard what a a clown
car, a circus and a spectacle
are.
Our discussions were before the
two minutes were afforded to
each of the 40 or so people who
came.
I know that I'm not unique in
not wanting to have that be the
legacy that we leave charlotte
is that we can't get our act
together.
So I would just encourage us to
perhaps do a postmortem and
begin to look at what we did
with this and document it for
future councils not to bind
them but to show them what we
found useful in this process
and what perhaps was not
useful.
I will speak fundamentally for
me what was most useful were
the conversations I was able to
have the more in-depth
conversations where I was able
to candidly interview people
and I appreciate sunshine laws
do not able us to do that but I
also don't think that we had to
do the two minute with
everybody who applied.
I don't know that that was
really useful for the public
but I just think that bgr is a
good place for that to be
discussed and again to do that
sort of analysis of this part
of this process that we did and
I thank you for the opportunity
.
Thank you.
>> she goes okay, right.
Well thank you, MADAM Mayor and
MADAM Mayor, you know how I
feel about you.
When I applied for MR.
Mitchell's vacated seat and was
not appointed you called me
afterwards and encouraged me to
run and think about running and
here I am and I've had the
pleasure of serving with you in
this council for now my third
term but specifically with you
in the council as mayor pro tem
for two years and that was an
incredible time including when
we had some incredible things
going on in our city.
So I'm happy good news tonight
is that you will be here in
charlotte and that we're not
the city of charlotte isn't
losing you which was fantastic.
So we will see you around and
I'm sure you and I will
connect.
I want to just speak on two
council topics.
The first one is just to remind
her that this wednesday, JUNE
24th we will have our citywide
public safety summit from 6 to
8 P.M..
It's going to be at the union
station west in and MS. Mayo's
district and we'll have a state
of public safety from both our
chief of fire and police and
we'll have various panel
discussions from covering
criminal justice system
partners, violence prevention
partners and business community
partners and so on.
So please come out we have
really good rent registration
for it and I'd love to have as
much engagement as possible.
The second thing I wanted to
highlight is over this past
weekend and many of you MAY
remember just a couple of weeks
back there was a multi law
enforcement raid at the garden
suites an end in district one
on reagan drive.
It was an unprecedented,
unprecedented collaborative
effort that our chief drove and
had great results.
But in sustain the effort in
that corridor because the
behavior has been so entrenched
and inculcate it that there is
sustained efforts that are
going on and will continue to
go on.
And one happened this weekend
where c and pd operated their
20 26 queen city safe
initiative.
They're doing it monthly in
different neighborhoods but
then they collaborate
collaborated with the north
division which is responsible
for reagan drive and other
areas specifically the sugar
creek corridor blackwood avenue
,north tryon street.
Tom hunter, a tondo and these
are places that are plagued
with narcotics activity,
alcohol related activity,
assaults, property crime, high
crime corridors etc. Just the
results of this one effort on
the 19th 168 traffic stops and
also pedestrian stops 61
citations, 25 arrests but more
importantly nine firearms were
seized nearly $10,000 in U.S.
Currency related to drug
activity and 538g of narcotics
was seized on an effort that
was effectively 12 hours in one
area of our city.
>> so tremendous effort by mpd.
I want to shout out dc brierley
and captain jeter for their
efforts in that space but this
is the type of work this is the
type of programs we're going to
have to stand up in other parts
of the community.
So again we can crack and break
through this hard shell of of
of nuisance crime and crime
that is impacting our residents
in particular our residents who
are aging in place over in
hidden valley and deride it in
other communities.
Thank you, MADAM Mayor.
So I'm kind of echoing the
sentiment of colleagues.
It's been a pleasure working
with you the last few months.
I very much enjoyed our time in
dc together and then getting to
know you and stopping by your
office and having conversations
has been very it's been fun but
also enlightening.
So I've gotten to learn a lot,
a lot about you and also about
how to be a good representative
.
So we really appreciate the
time that we've spent together
and look forward to seeing more
of you.
>> I know my mom's probably
jealous you'll be spending time
with your grandkids.
>> she doesn't have any.
I think there are a few that I
love that but yeah, I'm I'm
sure you will enjoy that time
and I'm sure they're going to
enjoy spending more time with
you as well.
>> so just want to thank you
for your service.
>> well MADAM Mayor, I have
extended particular remarks a
couple of months ago so we just
want to echo the comments of
our colleagues and thank you
for your service and we will
see you I'm sure around yeah, I
hope so.
>> I mean, you know, at some
point so I'm not going anywhere
.
I don't know if you know that
my son is building a house up
in huddersfield so my tax rates
will go down.
>> that's one thing.
So our did you get chicken
noodle?
You know I guess I've just done
too much truth for the day so
but there I really will tell
you one of the most important
things that I hope to do is to
engage with the community.
I have to say joe's did that
thing for me yesterday and I
want you to know I use
transparency at least five
times the but that was when I
was young and and not as you
know it's it gets harder that's
what I'm going to tell you it
just gets flat out harder.
I thought the same thing I
thought I'm going to do all of
this and it's going to be great
and everything's going to be
wonderful and it the hardest
job that I've ever had because
it involves people and it
involves people that want to do
the right thing.
But darkness so you know how
I've picked up the book on a
long time ago when doug dalton
village wasn't really that
place and I started reading
that book again and started
started talking about people
whose names I remember and what
they said and what they did and
this I think it would be really
good to see some of the things
that you don't think about
because you're just so busy
running all the time.
But we have those issues I mean
just like the one that you're
talking about the green what is
that hotel garden in and sweet
and and the lady that the house
that's going to be used as a
you know it's a dump anyway so
you know lots of that but right
now I think what we all should
do is congratulate ourselves on
being able to get through this
agenda and be able to go home.
>> you know, you say I have oh,
you know, I'm sorry how are you
had said she did it already so
that sample was hiding behind
this area.
You know, I think she wasn't
done.
>> I was I was I was just going
to say as we say farewell to
you, I look forward to the next
18 months because we've got
work to do and though we've had
a lot to cover in terms of
administration and these kinds
of things, we're at a point now
where we've got to we've got to
look forward and we've got to
lift our gaze, if you will, to
what we're supposed to be
delivering for the city though
we will have an interim or a
period with an interim mayor we
cannot use this time to rest on
our laurels.
We very much still have all of
the pressing demands of a
growing city and so I look
forward to each and every one
of us kind of picking up and
taking up our particular charge
so that we are able to drive
this city forward because
certainly will need to help on
board our incoming interim
mayor.
But each and every person here
is a leader in their own right
and so we've got to come
together and help help lift up
our new leader as well as our
community.
So I hope that that is where we
are able to pivot to as we come
back from our break in AUGUST.
>> okay.
i agree with what my colleagues
have already said.
Thank you for your service and
for the sacrifices but I think
the bigger things is to your
family because they have had to
sacrifice a lot especially
kwami, aisha and their families
to enable someone to serve.
So I want to thank the family
for their sacrifices for all
this years and I know that
babies are looking forward to
spending some time with you.
I ran into them and they just
want that undisturbed time so I
certainly recognize that and I
.
I wish you all the best in your
next chapter yours will be the
same.
>> I mean kids love and adore.
>> we do have one more.
>> I know.
No, no, no.
Oh, what do you want to the end
of this item?
No, no, no.
>> I want to embarrass you like
okay.
Okay.
So serving with you probably
anybody else I remember you a
budget director that I remember
you assistant city manager and
the first time you came in
ralph was I was addicted to
about you say smudgy you
telephone bill is to her oh
yeah we had a few minutes back
and you taught me there that
you got to stay out of the
newspaper.
>> that's that was the number
two thing.
Never let the newspaper know
what you're doing.
And so I would I would say when
when I started appreciate your
skills is when I'm more results
driven.
But you taught me the art of
the process that if you have a
good process you have good
results and I want to echo what
everyone said it's time for you
to take about be proud of if
you jump on the 14th largest
city but now is your time.
>> you need to be selfish.
It's been time your
grandchildren spend time with
you both continue to work on
you stand in the city, tell you
hey talent you see where you
live, what you say movies
right?
>> wow.
>> schools don't tell him
nothing.
>> you won't get that water.
I'm going to MISS You, mayor.
>> all right.
Thank you.
All right.
We have to do one more thing
and that this is because of the
work that we did with the clerk
this afternoon.
We want to say thank you for
all of you that participated in
this and had this chance.
But you know what we're having
I they've been I have.
And asking you as a draft on
the salary adjustment for the
city clerk that you approve of
during our meeting time and
that we want to make document
this so that we can get
everything on way works and so
following the completion of her
annual performance evaluation
conducted on 20th JUNE 22nd 26,
the city council approved a
salary adjustment in the amount
of 8% for the city clerk in
recognition of her continued
service and performance in
fulfilling the duties and
responsibilities of her office
.
So last year I had to do this
report.
>> yeah and it was just decked
up for report I mean but I
think now I just want to say
that the staff people as you
know well the staff came in and
now we have a process for it so
just think about that.
You know, I heard something and
we got a process out of it.
>> hey, that's a win for
anyone to say we do I have to
have a motion on this.
No, MADAM Mayor, great job.
We just want to clarify when is
it effective?
JULY 2nd slappers thank you.
JULY the 4th.
Sorry.
Oh, is 4th of JULY.
I'd like to do like JULY.
>> yes, yes, yes.
26, 2026.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you.
>> motion to adjourn second.
>> all in favor, mayor.
Thank you
resilience and never shying
away from doing what is best
for all of the students and
families in our community. We
also recognize the >>
importance of being a good
community partner and I'm
certainly looking for ways to
pal around with my friend
COUNCILWOMAN Kimberly and my
other friend of your mr.