1 00:00:05,271 --> 00:00:07,807 and welcome to Connecting 2 00:00:07,807 --> 00:00:10,243 Cornelius, our Evening Edition. 3 00:00:10,243 --> 00:00:11,277 Thanks for coming out. What a 4 00:00:11,277 --> 00:00:13,079 great crowd and thanks to David 5 00:00:13,079 --> 00:00:14,347 and the folks with Barley 6 00:00:14,347 --> 00:00:16,149 Market for hosting us once 7 00:00:16,149 --> 00:00:18,751 more. This is this is the hot 8 00:00:18,751 --> 00:00:20,420 spot. So, we're going to show 9 00:00:20,420 --> 00:00:22,522 our our county commissioners 10 00:00:22,522 --> 00:00:26,392 that are our guest tonight. Two of my favorite folks on the 11 00:00:26,392 --> 00:00:27,760 county commission. We're going 12 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,630 to tell them how to actually 13 00:00:30,630 --> 00:00:34,434 have fun in town of Cornelius. 14 00:00:34,434 --> 00:00:36,069 So, they've got a lot of good 15 00:00:36,069 --> 00:00:38,605 stuff to share with you and I'm 16 00:00:38,605 --> 00:00:39,539 looking forward to all the 17 00:00:39,539 --> 00:00:40,640 great input we'll have. We'll 18 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:42,475 have some things to update you 19 00:00:42,475 --> 00:00:46,446 on as well. Uh I want you to to 20 00:00:46,446 --> 00:00:48,548 meet our incoming new police 21 00:00:48,548 --> 00:00:50,883 chief that's with us tonight. I 22 00:00:50,883 --> 00:00:52,185 want you to hear about our 23 00:00:52,185 --> 00:00:54,787 history museum, his great 24 00:00:54,787 --> 00:00:56,289 progress being made there and 25 00:00:56,289 --> 00:00:57,690 we've got some folks here that 26 00:00:57,690 --> 00:00:58,991 can tell you a lot about what's 27 00:00:58,991 --> 00:01:00,526 going on there. I want to talk 28 00:01:00,526 --> 00:01:03,830 about the wonderful, beautiful 29 00:01:03,830 --> 00:01:05,565 Cane Center of the Arts which 30 00:01:05,565 --> 00:01:06,866 is scheduled to open in 31 00:01:06,866 --> 00:01:08,768 January. So, we got a few neat 32 00:01:08,768 --> 00:01:10,770 things on our agenda. So, 33 00:01:10,770 --> 00:01:12,038 Elaine, come on around. This is 34 00:01:12,038 --> 00:01:13,806 your stool and we want you just 35 00:01:13,806 --> 00:01:16,309 to relax and we'll just have a 36 00:01:16,309 --> 00:01:17,744 conversation. I know you got 37 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:18,778 some some things you want to 38 00:01:18,778 --> 00:01:23,883 tell us but you know, we're just on a I'm your host 39 00:01:23,883 --> 00:01:27,086 and welcome to Cornelius TV. 40 00:01:27,086 --> 00:01:30,356 So, but this is recorded and it 41 00:01:30,356 --> 00:01:32,225 will be out on our Facebook 42 00:01:32,225 --> 00:01:33,626 page. So, a lot of folks will 43 00:01:33,626 --> 00:01:36,829 join in that way as well. So, 44 00:01:36,829 --> 00:01:39,499 Let me tell you who we've got 45 00:01:39,499 --> 00:01:40,900 with us tonight from the county 46 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:43,503 commission. Uh first of all, 47 00:01:43,503 --> 00:01:45,872 our district one representative 48 00:01:45,872 --> 00:01:47,340 Elaine Powell. The both of 49 00:01:47,340 --> 00:01:49,708 these ladies are fresh off of 50 00:01:49,708 --> 00:01:52,378 successful election campaign 51 00:01:52,378 --> 00:01:54,847 and we congratulate you both on 52 00:01:54,847 --> 00:01:57,083 your reelection to the county 53 00:01:57,083 --> 00:02:00,420 board. 54 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:02,889 Also with us is one of our 55 00:02:02,889 --> 00:02:04,324 at-large representatives, Lee 56 00:02:04,324 --> 00:02:05,825 Altman. I've gotten to know Lee 57 00:02:05,825 --> 00:02:07,226 over the past few years that 58 00:02:07,226 --> 00:02:10,997 she served our county. I work 59 00:02:10,997 --> 00:02:13,633 with Lee closely as it relates 60 00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:17,537 to our MTC board in Charlotte. 61 00:02:17,537 --> 00:02:19,839 She's our chairman now at least 62 00:02:19,839 --> 00:02:21,908 for this particular round and 63 00:02:21,908 --> 00:02:23,343 she does a great job there and 64 00:02:23,343 --> 00:02:24,576 I've enjoyed getting to know 65 00:02:24,576 --> 00:02:25,612 her better as we work through 66 00:02:25,612 --> 00:02:27,680 some issues related to cats and 67 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,349 our MTC board. So, she might 68 00:02:30,349 --> 00:02:31,451 update you on a couple of 69 00:02:31,451 --> 00:02:32,217 things there if there are 70 00:02:32,217 --> 00:02:33,919 anything to update. So, so 71 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,489 anyway, we're going to have a 72 00:02:36,489 --> 00:02:37,489 great night tonight. If you 73 00:02:37,489 --> 00:02:40,727 haven't giving David a little 74 00:02:40,727 --> 00:02:42,228 business back here at Barley 75 00:02:42,228 --> 00:02:43,663 Market, feel free to do that. 76 00:02:43,663 --> 00:02:45,932 Uh you know, this is not 77 00:02:45,932 --> 00:02:47,066 formal. Like I say, we'll just 78 00:02:47,066 --> 00:02:48,501 have a conversation with each 79 00:02:48,501 --> 00:02:51,004 of you and we'll open it up to 80 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:52,305 any questions you may have for 81 00:02:52,305 --> 00:02:54,340 me, our commissioners. Let me 82 00:02:54,340 --> 00:02:56,142 find our commissioners. Here's 83 00:02:56,142 --> 00:02:57,910 one right here, Commissioner 84 00:02:57,910 --> 00:03:00,713 Colin Firch. Uh let's give him 85 00:03:00,713 --> 00:03:03,416 a hand. There you go. And let's 86 00:03:03,416 --> 00:03:05,184 see. By missing any 87 00:03:05,184 --> 00:03:06,953 commissioners? Uh manager 88 00:03:06,953 --> 00:03:08,488 Grant, do you, I think I, I 89 00:03:08,488 --> 00:03:11,424 tell you he's he's carrying the 90 00:03:11,424 --> 00:03:16,129 load tonight. 91 00:03:16,129 --> 00:03:17,296 He'll he'll make sure the 92 00:03:17,296 --> 00:03:18,865 others realize that he's 93 00:03:18,865 --> 00:03:20,333 carrying their load tonight but 94 00:03:20,333 --> 00:03:21,567 we're going to have a good time 95 00:03:21,567 --> 00:03:25,704 anyway. So, let me start with 96 00:03:25,704 --> 00:03:27,340 our very own district one 97 00:03:27,340 --> 00:03:29,742 representative Elaine Powell. 98 00:03:29,742 --> 00:03:31,277 Um. Yeah, we're going to give 99 00:03:31,277 --> 00:03:32,578 you on the microphone, Elaine. 100 00:03:32,578 --> 00:03:34,046 If y'all just pass it back and 101 00:03:34,046 --> 00:03:37,817 forth and we'll just let you give us a perspective 102 00:03:37,817 --> 00:03:40,486 of what's going on with our 103 00:03:40,486 --> 00:03:41,721 county. You know, you're 104 00:03:41,721 --> 00:03:43,022 getting ready to start another 105 00:03:43,022 --> 00:03:44,123 term. This is your what term? 106 00:03:44,123 --> 00:03:48,327 Third. Your term of of serving 107 00:03:48,327 --> 00:03:49,929 as a Mecklenburg County 108 00:03:49,929 --> 00:03:52,131 Commissioner and Elaine's got a 109 00:03:52,131 --> 00:03:53,699 great history beyond that of 110 00:03:53,699 --> 00:03:56,069 serving on our county park 111 00:03:56,069 --> 00:03:58,471 board. So, you will find out 112 00:03:58,471 --> 00:04:01,441 that Parks and Rec and our 113 00:04:01,441 --> 00:04:03,276 environment are some real real 114 00:04:03,276 --> 00:04:06,078 hot buttons. Uh these both of 115 00:04:06,078 --> 00:04:08,014 these ladies were so supportive 116 00:04:08,014 --> 00:04:10,083 of us as we work through the 117 00:04:10,083 --> 00:04:12,285 Kane Center for the Arts. The 118 00:04:12,285 --> 00:04:14,053 county's contribution to that. 119 00:04:14,053 --> 00:04:14,520 It was a very major 120 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,390 contribution and helped us 121 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:19,192 encourage our state folks to 122 00:04:19,192 --> 00:04:21,961 step up and do even better and 123 00:04:21,961 --> 00:04:23,262 they did just that But thank 124 00:04:23,262 --> 00:04:25,398 you for that support. So, I'm 125 00:04:25,398 --> 00:04:26,231 just going to turn it over to 126 00:04:26,231 --> 00:04:27,467 you and and let you cover 127 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:28,668 whatever's on your mind and 128 00:04:28,668 --> 00:04:30,035 then we'll give Lee a chance 129 00:04:30,035 --> 00:04:31,704 and and then the the questions 130 00:04:31,704 --> 00:04:33,539 will start. Whatever's on 131 00:04:33,539 --> 00:04:36,675 folks' mind. Good evening. Can 132 00:04:36,675 --> 00:04:41,213 you hear me? Okay. So, my name 133 00:04:41,213 --> 00:04:42,881 is Elaine Powell. I am the 134 00:04:42,881 --> 00:04:43,983 Mecklenburg County Commissioner 135 00:04:43,983 --> 00:04:46,351 for this district. Uh this is 136 00:04:46,351 --> 00:04:48,787 like Mayor Washam said, my 137 00:04:48,787 --> 00:04:50,189 third, this will be my third 138 00:04:50,189 --> 00:04:56,662 term And 139 00:04:56,662 --> 00:04:58,330 When I was in fifth grade, I 140 00:04:58,330 --> 00:05:02,402 gave up public speaking. I I 141 00:05:02,402 --> 00:05:04,069 had to do the Gettysburg 142 00:05:04,069 --> 00:05:05,405 address and I thought that was 143 00:05:05,405 --> 00:05:07,006 it the end. I'm not doing this 144 00:05:07,006 --> 00:05:10,343 anymore. So you can imagine. 145 00:05:10,343 --> 00:05:13,079 Better than that. You can so 146 00:05:13,079 --> 00:05:15,781 how did I end up here? Um for 147 00:05:15,781 --> 00:05:18,317 me to end up in such a public 148 00:05:18,317 --> 00:05:21,554 position. Came from a deep, 149 00:05:21,554 --> 00:05:25,057 caring about the really about 150 00:05:25,057 --> 00:05:26,392 the environment. And so this is 151 00:05:26,392 --> 00:05:28,694 your number thirty-three. I 152 00:05:28,694 --> 00:05:31,364 moved here in 1986 to work with 153 00:05:31,364 --> 00:05:33,499 the Sisters of Mercy. To work 154 00:05:33,499 --> 00:05:36,068 health care And when I saw the 155 00:05:36,068 --> 00:05:37,403 suffering that people were 156 00:05:37,403 --> 00:05:38,471 going through, I thought 157 00:05:38,471 --> 00:05:39,839 somebody has to do something. 158 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:45,878 And so, early on, in 1989, I I 159 00:05:45,878 --> 00:05:46,879 was appointed to different 160 00:05:46,879 --> 00:05:49,015 boards and commissions for 29 161 00:05:49,015 --> 00:05:51,384 years. Thinking that believing 162 00:05:51,384 --> 00:05:52,451 that that would make a 163 00:05:52,451 --> 00:05:55,354 difference. And so my latest 164 00:05:55,354 --> 00:05:57,957 stint was stent almost nine 165 00:05:57,957 --> 00:06:00,259 years on the Park Commission. 166 00:06:00,259 --> 00:06:01,894 So they appointed me to an 167 00:06:01,894 --> 00:06:05,131 extra term to serve on 168 00:06:05,131 --> 00:06:08,434 environmental stewardship. 169 00:06:08,434 --> 00:06:10,002 after working for so many years 170 00:06:10,002 --> 00:06:11,537 trying to make a difference, I 171 00:06:11,537 --> 00:06:13,539 knew that if I really wanted to 172 00:06:13,539 --> 00:06:15,140 make a difference, I would have 173 00:06:15,140 --> 00:06:17,810 to be elected and so I am very 174 00:06:17,810 --> 00:06:19,411 excited to tell you what has 175 00:06:19,411 --> 00:06:22,215 happened since I've been 176 00:06:22,215 --> 00:06:24,617 elected. Um the major changes 177 00:06:24,617 --> 00:06:26,085 and differences that we have 178 00:06:26,085 --> 00:06:30,923 made as a board. I hear a lot 179 00:06:30,923 --> 00:06:33,926 of input, you know, especially 180 00:06:33,926 --> 00:06:35,294 as we were running for office 181 00:06:35,294 --> 00:06:36,629 about what is important to the 182 00:06:36,629 --> 00:06:38,096 community but I heard it before 183 00:06:38,096 --> 00:06:39,898 I was elected. So, 29 years I 184 00:06:39,898 --> 00:06:41,934 was elected, I heard what was 185 00:06:41,934 --> 00:06:43,603 important regionally, what was 186 00:06:43,603 --> 00:06:45,972 important locally, and it's not 187 00:06:45,972 --> 00:06:47,540 that different, like when you 188 00:06:47,540 --> 00:06:48,808 go to district to district, 189 00:06:48,808 --> 00:06:50,042 it's not that different about 190 00:06:50,042 --> 00:06:53,312 what is important to people. 191 00:06:53,312 --> 00:06:56,349 when we go over the budget, 192 00:06:56,349 --> 00:06:57,550 it's a big deal. We're in a 193 00:06:57,550 --> 00:07:01,286 three-day retreat and there are 194 00:07:01,286 --> 00:07:02,622 things that we have to fund. 195 00:07:02,622 --> 00:07:03,823 There's, we have no choice 196 00:07:03,823 --> 00:07:04,624 about it. In fact, most of the 197 00:07:04,624 --> 00:07:07,927 budget is already predetermined 198 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:10,396 and then, there is a part where 199 00:07:10,396 --> 00:07:12,064 we have a say about what we're 200 00:07:12,064 --> 00:07:12,899 going to do with this money, 201 00:07:12,899 --> 00:07:14,399 what are our priorities? And 202 00:07:14,399 --> 00:07:16,235 so, as a board, the nine of us 203 00:07:16,235 --> 00:07:18,471 agree on our top five 204 00:07:18,471 --> 00:07:20,205 priorities. And so, I want you 205 00:07:20,205 --> 00:07:24,043 to know and you all the experts 206 00:07:24,043 --> 00:07:26,112 take input as well. We have 207 00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:27,046 researchers at the county that 208 00:07:27,046 --> 00:07:30,316 take community input These 209 00:07:30,316 --> 00:07:32,785 match what the community wants 210 00:07:32,785 --> 00:07:33,986 and so I'm just going to tell 211 00:07:33,986 --> 00:07:35,154 you what the board priorities 212 00:07:35,154 --> 00:07:37,389 are. Um and have been for the 213 00:07:37,389 --> 00:07:38,624 past two years in case you 214 00:07:38,624 --> 00:07:40,760 aren't familiar with that. 215 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,929 Affordable housing. For the 216 00:07:42,929 --> 00:07:45,364 past 6 years, it has been the 217 00:07:45,364 --> 00:07:49,435 top priority for every person. 218 00:07:49,435 --> 00:07:51,203 Polled in in Mecklenburg 219 00:07:51,203 --> 00:07:53,539 County. a big concern about 220 00:07:53,539 --> 00:07:56,342 education attainment gaps 221 00:07:56,342 --> 00:07:58,644 There's a concern about 222 00:07:58,644 --> 00:08:01,581 environmental leadership. There 223 00:08:01,581 --> 00:08:02,848 is a concern about that pre, 224 00:08:02,848 --> 00:08:03,849 you know, making sure that 225 00:08:03,849 --> 00:08:04,549 children are prepared when they 226 00:08:04,549 --> 00:08:07,053 get to kindergarten. So, Mec 227 00:08:07,053 --> 00:08:09,221 Pre K is one of our priorities 228 00:08:09,221 --> 00:08:10,790 and there's a concern about 229 00:08:10,790 --> 00:08:12,124 workforce development, making 230 00:08:12,124 --> 00:08:13,359 sure that we're preparing a 231 00:08:13,359 --> 00:08:14,860 workforce for the future and 232 00:08:14,860 --> 00:08:16,395 Commissioner Altman, it like 233 00:08:16,395 --> 00:08:19,031 that is one of her passions and 234 00:08:19,031 --> 00:08:21,734 so, we have nine commissioners 235 00:08:21,734 --> 00:08:24,337 who we all care about these 236 00:08:24,337 --> 00:08:25,538 priorities. They are all our 237 00:08:25,538 --> 00:08:28,407 top priorities. The ones that I 238 00:08:28,407 --> 00:08:31,277 mentioned. We agreed on this. 239 00:08:31,277 --> 00:08:35,014 we have we have different areas 240 00:08:35,014 --> 00:08:36,415 of expertise and so I would say 241 00:08:36,415 --> 00:08:37,817 that is definitely your area 242 00:08:37,817 --> 00:08:40,319 and then my area is what I 243 00:08:40,319 --> 00:08:41,320 want to talk about. And I don't 244 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,422 just have one area. But I am 245 00:08:43,422 --> 00:08:44,657 passionate about the 246 00:08:44,657 --> 00:08:45,925 environment. And I am 247 00:08:45,925 --> 00:08:47,426 passionate about emergency 248 00:08:47,426 --> 00:08:49,829 preparedness and medic and and 249 00:08:49,829 --> 00:08:52,732 so we we funded in this budget 250 00:08:52,732 --> 00:08:54,800 we funded an initiative for 251 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,270 Matic through CPCC and with the 252 00:08:58,270 --> 00:09:01,007 leadership at Medic. And in 253 00:09:01,007 --> 00:09:02,475 fact I was out late last night 254 00:09:02,475 --> 00:09:04,443 honoring Medic. Um but I will 255 00:09:04,443 --> 00:09:06,679 to the mat for them. Uh they're 256 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:09,849 a critical part of the quality 257 00:09:09,849 --> 00:09:13,219 of life here. and then 258 00:09:13,219 --> 00:09:15,388 interwoven into every single 259 00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:16,622 thing that we have as a 260 00:09:16,622 --> 00:09:18,824 priority is making sure that we 261 00:09:18,824 --> 00:09:20,393 are reducing racial 262 00:09:20,393 --> 00:09:22,061 disparities. And in fact we 263 00:09:22,061 --> 00:09:23,329 were working on something this 264 00:09:23,329 --> 00:09:25,431 morning where I think we made a 265 00:09:25,431 --> 00:09:28,100 big difference. So, let me talk 266 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:30,403 about environmental leadership. 267 00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:34,306 When I was elected and sworn in two thousand and eighteen, 268 00:09:34,306 --> 00:09:35,975 there was no environmental 269 00:09:35,975 --> 00:09:37,143 stewardship committee at the 270 00:09:37,143 --> 00:09:39,779 county of 1. 1 million people. 271 00:09:39,779 --> 00:09:41,480 Imagine that. We are 272 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,148 responsible for that. We're 273 00:09:43,148 --> 00:09:44,884 responsible. The county is 274 00:09:44,884 --> 00:09:46,285 responsible for air quality, 275 00:09:46,285 --> 00:09:47,987 water quality, stormwater 276 00:09:47,987 --> 00:09:49,187 management, all these things 277 00:09:49,187 --> 00:09:50,489 and there was no environmental 278 00:09:50,489 --> 00:09:51,991 stewardship committee. So, 279 00:09:51,991 --> 00:09:54,393 before I was even sworn in, I 280 00:09:54,393 --> 00:09:55,361 went and met with the county 281 00:09:55,361 --> 00:09:57,096 manager and I said, I think we 282 00:09:57,096 --> 00:09:57,963 really need an environmental 283 00:09:57,963 --> 00:09:58,563 stewardship committee and she 284 00:09:58,563 --> 00:10:01,033 said, well, you to have the 285 00:10:01,033 --> 00:10:02,501 support of your colleagues. So, 286 00:10:02,501 --> 00:10:03,569 before I was sworn in, I 287 00:10:03,569 --> 00:10:05,171 started working on that and we 288 00:10:05,171 --> 00:10:07,573 had I had unanimous support. We 289 00:10:07,573 --> 00:10:08,641 formed an environmental 290 00:10:08,641 --> 00:10:12,411 stewardship committee. We took 291 00:10:12,411 --> 00:10:15,181 our time to do it the right way 292 00:10:15,181 --> 00:10:17,950 We had community involvement, 293 00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:19,351 board involvement, staff 294 00:10:19,351 --> 00:10:20,619 involvement on it, developing 295 00:10:20,619 --> 00:10:22,188 an environmental leadership 296 00:10:22,188 --> 00:10:24,890 action plan. And once we 297 00:10:24,890 --> 00:10:27,460 approve that unanimously, in 298 00:10:27,460 --> 00:10:29,028 March of twenty twenty-one, we 299 00:10:29,028 --> 00:10:31,530 had dedicated funding for that. 300 00:10:31,530 --> 00:10:35,201 And so I just want to go over 301 00:10:35,201 --> 00:10:45,878 if you could hold this for me. 302 00:10:45,878 --> 00:10:47,546 Now, these handouts are at the 303 00:10:47,546 --> 00:10:48,748 front. If anybody wants to see 304 00:10:48,748 --> 00:10:51,317 the pie but for our priorities, 305 00:10:51,317 --> 00:10:53,953 we invested $81. 8 million 306 00:10:53,953 --> 00:10:56,922 dollars. And 54. 2 million of 307 00:10:56,922 --> 00:10:58,891 that was invested in in 308 00:10:58,891 --> 00:11:00,392 environmental leadership. And 309 00:11:00,392 --> 00:11:03,028 of that fifty-four point two, 310 00:11:03,028 --> 00:11:04,396 50 million is dedicated to land 311 00:11:04,396 --> 00:11:06,866 acquisition. As our county 312 00:11:06,866 --> 00:11:07,566 approaches build out and there 313 00:11:07,566 --> 00:11:11,003 isn't much green space left. 314 00:11:11,003 --> 00:11:13,605 And so, at some point, we will, 315 00:11:13,605 --> 00:11:15,473 we'll put up the map of where 316 00:11:15,473 --> 00:11:17,943 we have invested since I got 317 00:11:17,943 --> 00:11:19,211 sworn in because this is part 318 00:11:19,211 --> 00:11:21,347 of environmental leadership, 319 00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:22,081 investing, and protecting our 320 00:11:22,081 --> 00:11:23,615 natural resources and it's not 321 00:11:23,615 --> 00:11:25,851 just parks, it's protecting 322 00:11:25,851 --> 00:11:27,586 natural resources. So, you'll 323 00:11:27,586 --> 00:11:29,388 see a significant chunk of land 324 00:11:29,388 --> 00:11:30,356 that we bought on the Catawba 325 00:11:30,356 --> 00:11:31,557 River and if you read the 326 00:11:31,557 --> 00:11:34,059 newspaper, you know that I was 327 00:11:34,059 --> 00:11:37,363 doing the Snoopy Dance. because 328 00:11:37,363 --> 00:11:38,731 we are protected. I've seen 329 00:11:38,731 --> 00:11:40,565 that. Yeah. Cuz we are 330 00:11:40,565 --> 00:11:44,370 protecting the water supply and 331 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:47,006 the water quality And you know 332 00:11:47,006 --> 00:11:49,441 you hear elected people talk 333 00:11:49,441 --> 00:11:51,010 about, oh, you know, I'm 334 00:11:51,010 --> 00:11:52,044 going to do this, I'm going to 335 00:11:52,044 --> 00:11:53,345 do that. But it is our 336 00:11:53,345 --> 00:11:55,214 responsibility to protect our 337 00:11:55,214 --> 00:11:57,349 natural resources. And who 338 00:11:57,349 --> 00:12:00,052 does, you know, it's, you don't 339 00:12:00,052 --> 00:12:00,785 hear a lot of elected leaders 340 00:12:00,785 --> 00:12:02,488 talking about what a priority 341 00:12:02,488 --> 00:12:03,823 that is. It is our 342 00:12:03,823 --> 00:12:04,623 responsibility and we need to 343 00:12:04,623 --> 00:12:06,992 elect people who care about the 344 00:12:06,992 --> 00:12:08,627 environment and who are willing 345 00:12:08,627 --> 00:12:10,796 to do the work. Because it it 346 00:12:10,796 --> 00:12:12,064 took a long time to get all 347 00:12:12,064 --> 00:12:14,900 this together. And and we are 348 00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:17,403 making a significant difference 349 00:12:17,403 --> 00:12:18,971 as we approach build out which 350 00:12:18,971 --> 00:12:20,472 is a concern. So, here is the 351 00:12:20,472 --> 00:12:22,708 map that you can see. This is 352 00:12:22,708 --> 00:12:24,676 district one. So, this is just 353 00:12:24,676 --> 00:12:26,045 the district that that I 354 00:12:26,045 --> 00:12:27,746 represent and that we live in. 355 00:12:27,746 --> 00:12:29,348 We have made significant 356 00:12:29,348 --> 00:12:30,048 strides throughout the entire 357 00:12:30,048 --> 00:12:32,251 county but this is district one 358 00:12:32,251 --> 00:12:33,519 where we have purchased land 359 00:12:33,519 --> 00:12:34,120 and it's color coded by the 360 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,423 year we buy it. But the most 361 00:12:37,423 --> 00:12:38,924 important thing is that we are 362 00:12:38,924 --> 00:12:41,994 making progress and we since 363 00:12:41,994 --> 00:12:42,895 I've been elected, have 364 00:12:42,895 --> 00:12:44,629 purchased two hundred 54 acres 365 00:12:44,629 --> 00:12:54,340 to protect. 366 00:12:54,340 --> 00:12:56,575 in district 1. So, I I wanted 367 00:12:56,575 --> 00:12:58,210 to, I learned that during this 368 00:12:58,210 --> 00:13:01,279 election, I'm not really good 369 00:13:01,279 --> 00:13:02,481 at bragging about the work I've 370 00:13:02,481 --> 00:13:03,882 done. Like, I grew up in a real 371 00:13:03,882 --> 00:13:04,650 humble family where you just 372 00:13:04,650 --> 00:13:08,119 did the work and it was kind of 373 00:13:08,119 --> 00:13:09,154 like a sin. It was brag about 374 00:13:09,154 --> 00:13:11,957 it but I think that I need to 375 00:13:11,957 --> 00:13:13,359 do a better job bragging about 376 00:13:13,359 --> 00:13:14,693 the work the board has done 377 00:13:14,693 --> 00:13:16,128 because this is really 378 00:13:16,128 --> 00:13:19,465 important work and I don't 379 00:13:19,465 --> 00:13:20,265 think it's a sin to talk about 380 00:13:20,265 --> 00:13:21,700 how your tax dollars were spent 381 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:27,306 to protect the environment. So, 382 00:13:27,306 --> 00:13:29,108 I don't want to hog up all the 383 00:13:29,108 --> 00:13:32,144 time but I just want to tell 384 00:13:32,144 --> 00:13:35,180 you that there will be areas 385 00:13:35,180 --> 00:13:38,484 that are used for we bought all 386 00:13:38,484 --> 00:13:41,020 of this with the park and 387 00:13:41,020 --> 00:13:41,687 recreation environmental 388 00:13:41,687 --> 00:13:43,455 leadership money but it's not 389 00:13:43,455 --> 00:13:45,357 all going to be parked. Some of 390 00:13:45,357 --> 00:13:47,426 it will be passive green space. 391 00:13:47,426 --> 00:13:48,861 Some of it will be part of 392 00:13:48,861 --> 00:13:49,328 Greenway. We're doing 393 00:13:49,328 --> 00:13:51,830 accelerated greenway projects. 394 00:13:51,830 --> 00:13:53,632 Um and hopefully we'll we'll be 395 00:13:53,632 --> 00:13:55,334 doing some partnerships with 396 00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:56,568 the town of Cornelius in the 397 00:13:56,568 --> 00:13:58,570 future. In areas that that we 398 00:13:58,570 --> 00:14:01,941 have walked together. And so 399 00:14:01,941 --> 00:14:03,309 for now, if you want any 400 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:04,877 details on the other things 401 00:14:04,877 --> 00:14:05,744 that we're doing in 402 00:14:05,744 --> 00:14:06,411 Environmental Leadership, there 403 00:14:06,411 --> 00:14:08,347 are many. Um we're doing 404 00:14:08,347 --> 00:14:11,317 retrofits, solar, solar panels, 405 00:14:11,317 --> 00:14:13,018 and electric vehicles and 406 00:14:13,018 --> 00:14:14,053 things like that. But the bulk 407 00:14:14,053 --> 00:14:16,322 of it right now has to go into 408 00:14:16,322 --> 00:14:18,424 land acquisition. As we 409 00:14:18,424 --> 00:14:20,626 approach build out, It's hard 410 00:14:20,626 --> 00:14:22,561 to take much more impervious in 411 00:14:22,561 --> 00:14:24,163 Mecklenburg County and not have 412 00:14:24,163 --> 00:14:25,297 a a big impact on our 413 00:14:25,297 --> 00:14:27,165 environment. And so for now, 414 00:14:27,165 --> 00:14:32,338 I'll hand it Alright, that's great. I'm I can't tell 415 00:14:32,338 --> 00:14:35,607 you how many opportunities that 416 00:14:35,607 --> 00:14:36,842 we've had to partner with the 417 00:14:36,842 --> 00:14:39,344 county. Uh the list is long and 418 00:14:39,344 --> 00:14:40,345 I'm going to I'm going to call 419 00:14:40,345 --> 00:14:42,481 on Troy Fitzsimmons, our park 420 00:14:42,481 --> 00:14:43,382 director in just a minute. 421 00:14:43,382 --> 00:14:46,051 Gonna give Lee a little time 422 00:14:46,051 --> 00:14:47,686 first and we'll get get Troy up 423 00:14:47,686 --> 00:14:50,055 here and and talk to you about 424 00:14:50,055 --> 00:14:51,290 some of those opportunities. 425 00:14:51,290 --> 00:14:52,758 They're they're significant and 426 00:14:52,758 --> 00:14:55,126 our board has led the way and 427 00:14:55,126 --> 00:14:56,895 Elaine is the leader in this 428 00:14:56,895 --> 00:14:58,997 topic on our board for sure. 429 00:14:58,997 --> 00:15:00,932 So, you know, I'm I'm really of 430 00:15:00,932 --> 00:15:03,068 that. We worked hard for that 431 00:15:03,068 --> 00:15:08,340 for years and we've come a long way. So, each of these new 432 00:15:08,340 --> 00:15:09,074 Greenways we open and there's 433 00:15:09,074 --> 00:15:11,342 been quite a few of those. She 434 00:15:11,342 --> 00:15:12,778 and I take the first walk, 435 00:15:12,778 --> 00:15:14,880 don't we? So, we've had that 436 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:16,348 opportunity. Region Rec Center. 437 00:15:16,348 --> 00:15:19,151 Yeah and she has been 438 00:15:19,151 --> 00:15:20,619 instrumental. How many of you 439 00:15:20,619 --> 00:15:22,721 been down to the North Mac Rec 440 00:15:22,721 --> 00:15:23,588 Recreation Center down on one 441 00:15:23,588 --> 00:15:25,023 fifteen? Ain't that absolutely 442 00:15:25,023 --> 00:15:27,493 beautiful? I mean, it's amazing 443 00:15:27,493 --> 00:15:29,862 facility. $44 million dollar 444 00:15:29,862 --> 00:15:32,498 county facility right here in 445 00:15:32,498 --> 00:15:33,932 Cornelius that serves all of 446 00:15:33,932 --> 00:15:35,300 North Mecklenburg. It is 447 00:15:35,300 --> 00:15:36,835 absolutely outstanding and 448 00:15:36,835 --> 00:15:39,538 Elaine was the leader of our 449 00:15:39,538 --> 00:15:40,873 board. Obviously, our board had 450 00:15:40,873 --> 00:15:43,174 to had to support that but they 451 00:15:43,174 --> 00:15:44,376 did it and it's been a 452 00:15:44,376 --> 00:15:45,777 phenomenal story. So, with 453 00:15:45,777 --> 00:15:47,479 that, we're going to get Lee to 454 00:15:47,479 --> 00:15:50,082 talk about some even more 455 00:15:50,082 --> 00:15:51,416 interesting things like maybe 456 00:15:51,416 --> 00:15:54,887 he's on your mind like Rival 457 00:15:54,887 --> 00:15:56,821 and some good stuff coming up 458 00:15:56,821 --> 00:16:00,492 that I'm not giving her a total 459 00:16:00,492 --> 00:16:02,961 direction there but I'm sure 460 00:16:02,961 --> 00:16:03,762 we're going to hear about that 461 00:16:03,762 --> 00:16:05,164 before the evening's over. So, 462 00:16:05,164 --> 00:16:06,197 Lee, welcome. Welcome. Good to 463 00:16:06,197 --> 00:16:07,433 have you. Thank you very much. 464 00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:09,134 Mayor Washam and I will clip 465 00:16:09,134 --> 00:16:10,235 through some of this because I 466 00:16:10,235 --> 00:16:11,270 do want to have some time to 467 00:16:11,270 --> 00:16:15,307 hear questions from you. and I have to just stop real 468 00:16:15,307 --> 00:16:17,075 fast and say, if you ever were 469 00:16:17,075 --> 00:16:19,411 looking for the most salt of 470 00:16:19,411 --> 00:16:22,848 the earth and person of 471 00:16:22,848 --> 00:16:23,682 integrity who just wants to 472 00:16:23,682 --> 00:16:26,852 serve, you are so blessed to 473 00:16:26,852 --> 00:16:28,620 have is your district one 474 00:16:28,620 --> 00:16:31,056 representative truly and this 475 00:16:31,056 --> 00:16:32,291 is someone that I have seen up 476 00:16:32,291 --> 00:16:33,792 close and personal behind the 477 00:16:33,792 --> 00:16:35,427 scenes and everything she says 478 00:16:35,427 --> 00:16:36,328 in public is what she says in 479 00:16:36,328 --> 00:16:36,995 private and the other way 480 00:16:36,995 --> 00:16:39,031 around and you are truly, truly 481 00:16:39,031 --> 00:16:40,899 blessed. So, you do have nine 482 00:16:40,899 --> 00:16:42,067 members on the board of county 483 00:16:42,067 --> 00:16:43,469 commissioners. You have one 484 00:16:43,469 --> 00:16:44,937 district representative and 485 00:16:44,937 --> 00:16:47,106 three at large who represent 486 00:16:47,106 --> 00:16:47,973 you and so, I'm one of the 487 00:16:47,973 --> 00:16:51,076 at-large people. Uh when we do 488 00:16:51,076 --> 00:16:52,377 have a two-billion-dollar 489 00:16:52,377 --> 00:16:54,046 budget in addition to our green 490 00:16:54,046 --> 00:16:55,647 priorities that Commissioner 491 00:16:55,647 --> 00:16:56,815 Powell has been talking about, 492 00:16:56,815 --> 00:16:59,318 we also and sort of broad 493 00:16:59,318 --> 00:17:01,019 categories oversee public 494 00:17:01,019 --> 00:17:03,322 health, mental health. We give 495 00:17:03,322 --> 00:17:05,157 over $900 million dollars to 496 00:17:05,157 --> 00:17:07,793 education and literacy and the 497 00:17:07,793 --> 00:17:09,161 Department of Social Services. 498 00:17:09,161 --> 00:17:11,096 So, all the services that 499 00:17:11,096 --> 00:17:12,631 protect children and seniors 500 00:17:12,631 --> 00:17:13,899 and at-risk populations come 501 00:17:13,899 --> 00:17:16,334 under the county. Um and I'm a 502 00:17:16,334 --> 00:17:17,435 public interest lawyer. I spent 503 00:17:17,435 --> 00:17:19,271 a 17-year We are working for 504 00:17:19,271 --> 00:17:21,106 kids and families and when I 505 00:17:21,106 --> 00:17:23,275 moved to Charlotte, I became a 506 00:17:23,275 --> 00:17:24,243 guardian. I'd like them to 507 00:17:24,243 --> 00:17:24,943 seniors and adults with 508 00:17:24,943 --> 00:17:26,378 disabilities and later, I 509 00:17:26,378 --> 00:17:28,280 represented at-risk children 510 00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:29,281 and so that's why I ran for 511 00:17:29,281 --> 00:17:32,317 this office because we do human 512 00:17:32,317 --> 00:17:33,952 services and I wanted to work 513 00:17:33,952 --> 00:17:34,619 at the policy level for 514 00:17:34,619 --> 00:17:36,321 everything that I've been 515 00:17:36,321 --> 00:17:37,156 focusing on throughout my 516 00:17:37,156 --> 00:17:39,524 career. So, when Commissioner 517 00:17:39,524 --> 00:17:40,759 Powell got on the board two 518 00:17:40,759 --> 00:17:43,362 terms ago, that was the first 519 00:17:43,362 --> 00:17:45,831 board to ever add affordable 520 00:17:45,831 --> 00:17:46,465 housing as something that the 521 00:17:46,465 --> 00:17:50,002 county worked Prior to that, it 522 00:17:50,002 --> 00:17:51,836 was only the towns and the city 523 00:17:51,836 --> 00:17:53,839 of Charlotte that was funding 524 00:17:53,839 --> 00:17:55,374 affordable housing priorities 525 00:17:55,374 --> 00:17:56,074 but there's such a crisis in 526 00:17:56,074 --> 00:17:58,544 the community that the the 527 00:17:58,544 --> 00:18:00,078 board before I joined had the 528 00:18:00,078 --> 00:18:03,649 wisdom to add that to our work 529 00:18:03,649 --> 00:18:07,286 and we are doing great work not 530 00:18:07,286 --> 00:18:09,821 only with looking for 531 00:18:09,821 --> 00:18:11,757 opportunities to help get great 532 00:18:11,757 --> 00:18:13,792 projects built but funding 533 00:18:13,792 --> 00:18:15,827 critical home repair and and 534 00:18:15,827 --> 00:18:17,496 related services like So, I'm 535 00:18:17,496 --> 00:18:19,531 really proud about our work in 536 00:18:19,531 --> 00:18:20,799 the affordable housing space. 537 00:18:20,799 --> 00:18:24,736 Um I serve on the board that 538 00:18:24,736 --> 00:18:26,738 delivers mental health services 539 00:18:26,738 --> 00:18:30,342 to people who are uninsured and who are on Medicaid. Um we 540 00:18:30,342 --> 00:18:32,044 had a previous company not 541 00:18:32,044 --> 00:18:33,445 company but managed care 542 00:18:33,445 --> 00:18:35,948 organization. Um Cardinal that 543 00:18:35,948 --> 00:18:37,316 was doing it and I felt that 544 00:18:37,316 --> 00:18:39,418 they were delaying and denying 545 00:18:39,418 --> 00:18:41,153 the claims of our sickest 546 00:18:41,153 --> 00:18:42,054 residents and I fought very 547 00:18:42,054 --> 00:18:44,823 hard to get them fired and I'm 548 00:18:44,823 --> 00:18:45,490 very happy that we have a new 549 00:18:45,490 --> 00:18:48,126 organization on board and I'm 550 00:18:48,126 --> 00:18:49,661 watching them very closely for 551 00:18:49,661 --> 00:18:52,164 our residents. Um I do serve 552 00:18:52,164 --> 00:18:53,665 with your mayor on the 553 00:18:53,665 --> 00:18:54,633 Metropolitan Transit 554 00:18:54,633 --> 00:18:56,001 Commission. It has been such a 555 00:18:56,001 --> 00:18:58,403 pleasure. Uh I learned so much 556 00:18:58,403 --> 00:18:59,271 from him. Um you know, you 557 00:18:59,271 --> 00:19:01,039 don't run for county commission 558 00:19:01,039 --> 00:19:02,674 to do transit. It's kind of 559 00:19:02,674 --> 00:19:04,976 more seen as a city and town 560 00:19:04,976 --> 00:19:06,612 kind of function and I have 561 00:19:06,612 --> 00:19:09,147 learned so much and I I really 562 00:19:09,147 --> 00:19:11,049 value our close partnership to 563 00:19:11,049 --> 00:19:13,284 ensure that whatever we do, it 564 00:19:13,284 --> 00:19:15,120 serves the people of North 565 00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:16,421 Mecklenburg and that you feel 566 00:19:16,421 --> 00:19:18,623 good about the choices that 567 00:19:18,623 --> 00:19:20,259 we're making so that all the 568 00:19:20,259 --> 00:19:21,526 people and throughout this 569 00:19:21,526 --> 00:19:23,895 county are are are happy with 570 00:19:23,895 --> 00:19:25,397 your investments. Um and that's 571 00:19:25,397 --> 00:19:28,367 a commitment that I have. Um 572 00:19:28,367 --> 00:19:29,334 Commissioner Powell didn't say 573 00:19:29,334 --> 00:19:30,502 one of the most important 574 00:19:30,502 --> 00:19:31,803 things about our Green 575 00:19:31,803 --> 00:19:33,171 Priorities and that is that we 576 00:19:33,171 --> 00:19:36,308 committed a landmark. No pun 577 00:19:36,308 --> 00:19:37,676 intended. $50 million dollars 578 00:19:37,676 --> 00:19:39,945 to acquire green space for the 579 00:19:39,945 --> 00:19:40,545 residents of this community 580 00:19:40,545 --> 00:19:44,015 this year alone. $50 million 581 00:19:44,015 --> 00:19:45,384 dollars. Four years ago it was 582 00:19:45,384 --> 00:19:47,151 $6 million dollars. That's what 583 00:19:47,151 --> 00:19:48,887 leadership is. That's why it 584 00:19:48,887 --> 00:19:52,257 matters who you vote for. Um 585 00:19:52,257 --> 00:19:55,226 and so, the last thing I just 586 00:19:55,226 --> 00:19:56,361 do want to say is for anybody 587 00:19:56,361 --> 00:19:58,964 who is interested in workforce 588 00:19:58,964 --> 00:20:00,565 development, it is my passion. 589 00:20:00,565 --> 00:20:03,435 We have employers that don't 590 00:20:03,435 --> 00:20:05,269 have enough skilled folks to 591 00:20:05,269 --> 00:20:08,640 field their ranks and they are 592 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,143 desperate to to to have their 593 00:20:11,143 --> 00:20:12,377 labor needs met and meanwhile, 594 00:20:12,377 --> 00:20:13,812 we have many people in this 595 00:20:13,812 --> 00:20:15,080 community who do not make a 596 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:16,615 family a sustaining wage, who 597 00:20:16,615 --> 00:20:17,883 are not getting ahead, who are 598 00:20:17,883 --> 00:20:19,584 not making progress, and I feel 599 00:20:19,584 --> 00:20:20,986 the county has a very important 600 00:20:20,986 --> 00:20:23,355 to play to help connect these 601 00:20:23,355 --> 00:20:24,823 people and create better 602 00:20:24,823 --> 00:20:26,925 communications so that we can 603 00:20:26,925 --> 00:20:28,226 serve everybody better and and 604 00:20:28,226 --> 00:20:30,028 continue to move the needle for 605 00:20:30,028 --> 00:20:30,996 upward economic mobility 606 00:20:30,996 --> 00:20:33,398 because that is the key. You 607 00:20:33,398 --> 00:20:34,700 know, we can build affordable 608 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:35,367 housing but we're never 609 00:20:35,367 --> 00:20:36,634 going to build enough. We need 610 00:20:36,634 --> 00:20:38,003 to make housing more affordable 611 00:20:38,003 --> 00:20:39,404 by increasing household wages 612 00:20:39,404 --> 00:20:41,406 also and so, I'm very committed 613 00:20:41,406 --> 00:20:43,074 to that because it's the key to 614 00:20:43,074 --> 00:20:44,743 better housing, better health 615 00:20:44,743 --> 00:20:46,077 care, better transit is to to 616 00:20:46,077 --> 00:20:48,646 help improve our our residents' 617 00:20:48,646 --> 00:20:49,380 ability to afford the 618 00:20:49,380 --> 00:20:51,516 necessities of life So, that's 619 00:20:51,516 --> 00:20:54,052 me in a nutshell and Rival, the 620 00:20:54,052 --> 00:20:54,886 mayor, the one thing he asked 621 00:20:54,886 --> 00:20:56,487 me to talk about, I will not 622 00:20:56,487 --> 00:20:58,623 avoid. Yes, Rival is coming. I 623 00:20:58,623 --> 00:21:00,826 want to tell you that, you 624 00:21:00,826 --> 00:21:02,093 know, I will not prejudge the 625 00:21:02,093 --> 00:21:04,629 process. My my commitment to 626 00:21:04,629 --> 00:21:06,431 you is that I will be looking 627 00:21:06,431 --> 00:21:08,867 to ensure that the tax assessor 628 00:21:08,867 --> 00:21:10,368 is fair and equitable in his 629 00:21:10,368 --> 00:21:13,939 work and that he delivers the 630 00:21:13,939 --> 00:21:15,140 professionalism and and how he 631 00:21:15,140 --> 00:21:18,143 goes about it so that so that 632 00:21:18,143 --> 00:21:20,011 this is born in a in a just way 633 00:21:20,011 --> 00:21:21,879 because as you have heard, we 634 00:21:21,879 --> 00:21:23,682 have incredibly important 635 00:21:23,682 --> 00:21:25,817 things that we do. Your 636 00:21:25,817 --> 00:21:26,918 taxpayer dollars in Mecklenburg 637 00:21:26,918 --> 00:21:28,053 County are being well spent and 638 00:21:28,053 --> 00:21:30,522 we need every dollar to give 639 00:21:30,522 --> 00:21:31,823 you the infrastructure and the 640 00:21:31,823 --> 00:21:34,393 services that that you deserve 641 00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:36,027 and that our residents expect 642 00:21:36,027 --> 00:21:38,029 and that's why we do this work. 643 00:21:38,029 --> 00:21:39,564 So, with that, I will turn it 644 00:21:39,564 --> 00:21:41,065 back over to the mayor for the 645 00:21:41,065 --> 00:21:43,568 next stage. Absolutely and you 646 00:21:43,568 --> 00:21:47,205 know, Can I say one thing? You 647 00:21:47,205 --> 00:21:48,707 can, Elaine. So, I just want 648 00:21:48,707 --> 00:21:51,410 everyone to know because 649 00:21:51,410 --> 00:21:53,845 there's everyone worries about 650 00:21:53,845 --> 00:21:55,480 revaluation. We have one of the 651 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,749 best tax assessors in the 652 00:21:57,749 --> 00:22:00,619 country and you know, he was he 653 00:22:00,619 --> 00:22:01,820 was happy in his job at the 654 00:22:01,820 --> 00:22:03,321 school of government. He was 655 00:22:03,321 --> 00:22:05,991 very happy and we lured him 656 00:22:05,991 --> 00:22:07,325 away and I just want you to 657 00:22:07,325 --> 00:22:08,894 know like I have confidence in 658 00:22:08,894 --> 00:22:12,330 his ability and I think that's 659 00:22:12,330 --> 00:22:13,298 important for everyone else to 660 00:22:13,298 --> 00:22:14,866 know that we have one of the 661 00:22:14,866 --> 00:22:16,268 best in the country. Thank you. 662 00:22:16,268 --> 00:22:18,069 Yeah, it's a it's a tough time. 663 00:22:18,069 --> 00:22:19,370 Uh your property values have 664 00:22:19,370 --> 00:22:22,774 gone up. You know, that's a 665 00:22:22,774 --> 00:22:24,242 good and bad thing. You want 666 00:22:24,242 --> 00:22:26,043 your values going up but you 667 00:22:26,043 --> 00:22:28,246 don't want your taxes going up. 668 00:22:28,246 --> 00:22:29,781 So, you know, it's a process 669 00:22:29,781 --> 00:22:31,383 we'll we'll have to work 670 00:22:31,383 --> 00:22:33,752 through. I don't, I pay taxes 671 00:22:33,752 --> 00:22:35,153 in this in this town, in this 672 00:22:35,153 --> 00:22:36,621 county and I don't like paying 673 00:22:36,621 --> 00:22:38,122 em any better than anybody 674 00:22:38,122 --> 00:22:40,859 else. So, you know, we we will 675 00:22:40,859 --> 00:22:43,394 be presenting a revenue neutral 676 00:22:43,394 --> 00:22:45,664 budget and we'll go from there. 677 00:22:45,664 --> 00:22:48,266 If if the needs out there to to 678 00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:49,034 etch it up and the 679 00:22:49,034 --> 00:22:50,101 commissioners agree with that 680 00:22:50,101 --> 00:22:51,836 and the citizens want it, then, 681 00:22:51,836 --> 00:22:54,473 it's something that your board 682 00:22:54,473 --> 00:22:56,908 will consider. So, so thank you 683 00:22:56,908 --> 00:22:59,478 for for bringing us Ken Joyner. 684 00:22:59,478 --> 00:23:01,546 He presented our town board the 685 00:23:01,546 --> 00:23:03,448 last meeting. Did an excellent 686 00:23:03,448 --> 00:23:05,517 job and so we appreciate his 687 00:23:05,517 --> 00:23:06,584 efforts and I do think he will 688 00:23:06,584 --> 00:23:08,853 be fair and equitable and we we 689 00:23:08,853 --> 00:23:10,221 will do the right thing as 690 00:23:10,221 --> 00:23:11,789 political bodies at the end of 691 00:23:11,789 --> 00:23:13,457 the day. I'm convinced. So, so 692 00:23:13,457 --> 00:23:15,593 thank you for for hitting that 693 00:23:15,593 --> 00:23:16,995 head on and sharing that with 694 00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:18,630 us. One of the things I want to 695 00:23:18,630 --> 00:23:21,232 go back to is the comments that 696 00:23:21,232 --> 00:23:21,899 Commissioner Altman made about 697 00:23:21,899 --> 00:23:25,504 a housing because that's a 698 00:23:25,504 --> 00:23:26,271 priority of mine in this 699 00:23:26,271 --> 00:23:27,939 community as well. We've come a 700 00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:31,710 long way. It's a problem when 701 00:23:31,710 --> 00:23:34,479 90% of the citizens that work 702 00:23:34,479 --> 00:23:36,714 in your town cannot afford to 703 00:23:36,714 --> 00:23:38,617 live in your town. That's a 704 00:23:38,617 --> 00:23:40,719 problem. So, we've gotta do 705 00:23:40,719 --> 00:23:42,120 something about that. I want to 706 00:23:42,120 --> 00:23:43,955 thank the county's involvement 707 00:23:43,955 --> 00:23:45,456 and support. Your town is 708 00:23:45,456 --> 00:23:46,792 going to is involved with it 709 00:23:46,792 --> 00:23:49,227 and will is supporting it as 710 00:23:49,227 --> 00:23:51,796 well. Uh I established a task 711 00:23:51,796 --> 00:23:53,297 group. Uh I don't know, a less 712 00:23:53,297 --> 00:24:01,139 than a year ago 713 00:24:01,139 --> 00:24:01,907 that has attacked this wide 714 00:24:01,907 --> 00:24:02,574 open and we have now set up a 715 00:24:02,574 --> 00:24:03,108 CDC community development 716 00:24:03,108 --> 00:24:03,975 corporation here in Cornelius. 717 00:24:03,975 --> 00:24:06,744 Pretty unheard of for a town 718 00:24:06,744 --> 00:24:09,280 our size to have that but it'll 719 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:10,849 be a resource of gathering 720 00:24:10,849 --> 00:24:12,617 funds in, helping the town and 721 00:24:12,617 --> 00:24:15,020 the county gather funds for the 722 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:16,521 right purpose and that is 723 00:24:16,521 --> 00:24:19,157 providing rental assistance, 724 00:24:19,157 --> 00:24:20,792 all the kinds of things that 725 00:24:20,792 --> 00:24:22,994 will make it that that will 726 00:24:22,994 --> 00:24:23,962 make those percentages look a 727 00:24:23,962 --> 00:24:25,163 little bit better. So, so 728 00:24:25,163 --> 00:24:27,032 anyway, we're we're not in a in 729 00:24:27,032 --> 00:24:28,033 a position where we can go out 730 00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:28,866 there and build a bunch of 731 00:24:28,866 --> 00:24:31,803 affordable housing units but we 732 00:24:31,803 --> 00:24:34,639 do support people that do like 733 00:24:34,639 --> 00:24:35,941 the Smithfield Community 734 00:24:35,941 --> 00:24:37,642 Coalition. The county has 735 00:24:37,642 --> 00:24:39,811 stepped up with $3 million 736 00:24:39,811 --> 00:24:41,379 dollars to support the 737 00:24:41,379 --> 00:24:43,248 Smithfield Community Coalition 738 00:24:43,248 --> 00:24:43,981 and their redevelopment 739 00:24:43,981 --> 00:24:45,917 efforts. I'm really excited 740 00:24:45,917 --> 00:24:49,521 about that. the town will be 741 00:24:49,521 --> 00:24:52,190 voting on our Arpa Funds this 742 00:24:52,190 --> 00:24:53,892 coming meeting or actually the 743 00:24:53,892 --> 00:24:57,495 manager will be representing 744 00:24:57,495 --> 00:24:59,831 his report for consideration 745 00:24:59,831 --> 00:25:00,565 for a vote. We'll be moving 746 00:25:00,565 --> 00:25:02,934 that forward and I think that's 747 00:25:02,934 --> 00:25:04,368 going well and we will also be 748 00:25:04,368 --> 00:25:06,771 supporting the Smithfield 749 00:25:06,771 --> 00:25:07,638 redevelopment plan as well. So, 750 00:25:07,638 --> 00:25:09,307 I think you'll see that when 751 00:25:09,307 --> 00:25:11,776 the final vote is taken. So, 752 00:25:11,776 --> 00:25:12,643 affordable housing is something 753 00:25:12,643 --> 00:25:14,879 we've all got to get real about 754 00:25:14,879 --> 00:25:16,481 and and you know, put some 755 00:25:16,481 --> 00:25:18,315 money where our mouth is and 756 00:25:18,315 --> 00:25:19,851 make a difference in our 757 00:25:19,851 --> 00:25:22,253 community. So, so with that, 758 00:25:22,253 --> 00:25:23,821 you know, I really want you to 759 00:25:23,821 --> 00:25:25,490 hear how important it is for 760 00:25:25,490 --> 00:25:28,226 our town to work closely with 761 00:25:28,226 --> 00:25:29,760 the county. It's a priority of 762 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,631 mine. I I've, you know, it it 763 00:25:32,631 --> 00:25:34,165 doesn't matter who's elected in 764 00:25:34,165 --> 00:25:36,267 these chairs to me. Whoever's 765 00:25:36,267 --> 00:25:38,370 elected, it's my priority to 766 00:25:38,370 --> 00:25:40,305 work with everybody. I 767 00:25:40,305 --> 00:25:41,773 particularly enjoy these folks. 768 00:25:41,773 --> 00:25:43,408 Uh but at the same time, 769 00:25:43,408 --> 00:25:45,643 whoever's sitting there, we're 770 00:25:45,643 --> 00:25:46,343 going to work with them because 771 00:25:46,343 --> 00:25:47,345 it's such a important 772 00:25:47,345 --> 00:25:50,081 ingredient to the betterment of 773 00:25:50,081 --> 00:25:53,318 our town and to making our town 774 00:25:53,318 --> 00:25:55,020 a better place and supporting 775 00:25:55,020 --> 00:25:55,920 so many things that are 776 00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:58,223 important. So, I I want to I 777 00:25:58,223 --> 00:25:59,624 you to have a little bit of a 778 00:25:59,624 --> 00:26:01,258 clue about some of the things 779 00:26:01,258 --> 00:26:02,393 that we have worked so hard 780 00:26:02,393 --> 00:26:05,163 over over many years to put in 781 00:26:05,163 --> 00:26:05,896 place and I'm going to ask Troy 782 00:26:05,896 --> 00:26:08,533 to come up and Troy Fitzsimmons 783 00:26:08,533 --> 00:26:09,868 is our park and rec director. 784 00:26:09,868 --> 00:26:11,136 He's been here for quite a 785 00:26:11,136 --> 00:26:13,237 while and and let him brag on 786 00:26:13,237 --> 00:26:14,172 our county because they have 787 00:26:14,172 --> 00:26:15,807 been they have been so 788 00:26:15,807 --> 00:26:17,842 responsive and we have such a 789 00:26:17,842 --> 00:26:21,713 good relationship and we're we're really trying to be 790 00:26:21,713 --> 00:26:23,615 really nice to him because more 791 00:26:23,615 --> 00:26:25,516 to come, right? Yeah, 792 00:26:25,516 --> 00:26:28,586 absolutely. So, I know answered 793 00:26:28,586 --> 00:26:29,854 the question about who's been 794 00:26:29,854 --> 00:26:30,989 to the Regional Rec Center? 795 00:26:30,989 --> 00:26:34,059 Well, who's been on one of our 796 00:26:34,059 --> 00:26:35,560 Greenways? Raise your hands. 797 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:37,829 Alright, quite a few. Those of 798 00:26:37,829 --> 00:26:41,466 you who have not, right here, 799 00:26:41,466 --> 00:26:44,636 pamphlet, map, no excuse not to 800 00:26:44,636 --> 00:26:47,138 walk or bike right over at that 801 00:26:47,138 --> 00:26:49,374 table there. So, we've been 802 00:26:49,374 --> 00:26:51,009 working very progressively with 803 00:26:51,009 --> 00:26:51,743 Mecklenburg County over the 804 00:26:51,743 --> 00:26:54,212 past decade on getting our 805 00:26:54,212 --> 00:26:55,746 greenway system in place. We 806 00:26:55,746 --> 00:26:58,016 have nearly six miles of 807 00:26:58,016 --> 00:26:59,517 Greenway that we've developed 808 00:26:59,517 --> 00:27:01,519 and that would not have 809 00:27:01,519 --> 00:27:03,922 happened just solely on the 810 00:27:03,922 --> 00:27:06,157 town. It's it's a pretty good 811 00:27:06,157 --> 00:27:07,392 network for a small town like 812 00:27:07,392 --> 00:27:09,861 ours. So, we've worked 813 00:27:09,861 --> 00:27:10,495 cooperatively with Mecklenburg 814 00:27:10,495 --> 00:27:14,698 County to to plan, design, and 815 00:27:14,698 --> 00:27:16,601 build these greenways. Now, the 816 00:27:16,601 --> 00:27:19,237 town has always had skin in the 817 00:27:19,237 --> 00:27:21,206 game in terms of building them. 818 00:27:21,206 --> 00:27:23,274 We've always chased after 819 00:27:23,274 --> 00:27:25,343 grants but we've also always 820 00:27:25,343 --> 00:27:27,011 worked with Mecklenburg County 821 00:27:27,011 --> 00:27:28,480 to develop these greenways 822 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:29,948 whether that's just offering 823 00:27:29,948 --> 00:27:32,150 technical assistance or 824 00:27:32,150 --> 00:27:33,952 offering funding to help buy 825 00:27:33,952 --> 00:27:37,355 land or build the greenway and 826 00:27:37,355 --> 00:27:39,056 then, as importantly, once the 827 00:27:39,056 --> 00:27:41,959 facility is done, maintaining 828 00:27:41,959 --> 00:27:44,629 and managing it is critical. We 829 00:27:44,629 --> 00:27:45,830 have a very, very small parks 830 00:27:45,830 --> 00:27:48,433 department. Mecklenburg County 831 00:27:48,433 --> 00:27:51,035 has a very, very deep bench 832 00:27:51,035 --> 00:27:52,170 because of the hundreds of 833 00:27:52,170 --> 00:27:55,039 parks and miles and miles of 834 00:27:55,039 --> 00:27:55,673 greenways that they have. So, 835 00:27:55,673 --> 00:27:56,674 they actually operate and 836 00:27:56,674 --> 00:27:59,277 maintain all of our greenways 837 00:27:59,277 --> 00:28:00,611 and again, none of this would 838 00:28:00,611 --> 00:28:03,548 have happened without them. Um 839 00:28:03,548 --> 00:28:04,749 so, I do appreciate all that 840 00:28:04,749 --> 00:28:08,319 work and we do have another 841 00:28:08,319 --> 00:28:09,153 really big project in the 842 00:28:09,153 --> 00:28:11,555 pipeline I can't go into 843 00:28:11,555 --> 00:28:12,890 details right now but we are 844 00:28:12,890 --> 00:28:15,627 working on that right now. She 845 00:28:15,627 --> 00:28:20,832 knows what it is. But it it'll be something special. 846 00:28:20,832 --> 00:28:23,301 That's for sure. And then also 847 00:28:23,301 --> 00:28:24,736 we have another section of 848 00:28:24,736 --> 00:28:26,237 Greenway that's going to open. 849 00:28:26,237 --> 00:28:27,672 And my hope is that we have a 850 00:28:27,672 --> 00:28:28,872 grand opening just before 851 00:28:28,872 --> 00:28:30,474 Christmas. So we have a nice 852 00:28:30,474 --> 00:28:32,811 Christmas gift for folks in 853 00:28:32,811 --> 00:28:34,479 Cornelius as well as North 854 00:28:34,479 --> 00:28:36,848 Mecklenburg. But again we've 855 00:28:36,848 --> 00:28:38,449 done a lot with Mecklenburg 856 00:28:38,449 --> 00:28:39,784 County. We're looking forward 857 00:28:39,784 --> 00:28:41,786 to doing more. I have to give a 858 00:28:41,786 --> 00:28:43,955 out to Commissioner Powell 859 00:28:43,955 --> 00:28:45,824 about the Regional Rec Center. 860 00:28:45,824 --> 00:28:47,725 Little bit of back story. It 861 00:28:47,725 --> 00:28:49,727 was questionable if that was 862 00:28:49,727 --> 00:28:51,162 going to get built or not. So, 863 00:28:51,162 --> 00:28:52,430 we saw a lot of people raise 864 00:28:52,430 --> 00:28:54,064 their hands but it took a joint 865 00:28:54,064 --> 00:28:56,367 park commission meeting one 866 00:28:56,367 --> 00:28:59,671 evening years ago between 867 00:28:59,671 --> 00:29:00,171 Davidson, Huntersville, 868 00:29:00,171 --> 00:29:01,673 Cornelius, and Mecklenburg 869 00:29:01,673 --> 00:29:04,308 County, Cher Powell, she 870 00:29:04,308 --> 00:29:06,010 chaired the Mecklenburg Parks 871 00:29:06,010 --> 00:29:08,213 Commission, and Doctor Scott 872 00:29:08,213 --> 00:29:09,747 Higgins, who was chair of our 873 00:29:09,747 --> 00:29:11,049 parks and recreation 874 00:29:11,049 --> 00:29:12,684 commission. Well, that night, 875 00:29:12,684 --> 00:29:16,254 top priority. Top priority for 876 00:29:16,254 --> 00:29:17,922 all three towns of Mecklenburg 877 00:29:17,922 --> 00:29:18,889 County was the regional rec 878 00:29:18,889 --> 00:29:21,225 center and I'm going to call 879 00:29:21,225 --> 00:29:23,261 her Elaine because we're close 880 00:29:23,261 --> 00:29:26,130 friends but Elaine went to bat 881 00:29:26,130 --> 00:29:28,332 and I will never forget out in 882 00:29:28,332 --> 00:29:29,000 the parking lot. I'm not 883 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,035 going to name who but she went 884 00:29:31,035 --> 00:29:32,836 toe to toe with that person to 885 00:29:32,836 --> 00:29:35,440 fight for it. Low and behold, a 886 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:36,941 few months later, the planning 887 00:29:36,941 --> 00:29:40,411 had started and now it's open. 888 00:29:40,411 --> 00:29:41,145 So, hope you all are enjoying 889 00:29:41,145 --> 00:29:44,849 that but Commissioner Powell. 890 00:29:44,849 --> 00:29:48,987 Altman, thank you. and if 891 00:29:48,987 --> 00:29:50,154 you'll stop and think how lucky 892 00:29:50,154 --> 00:29:53,825 our our town is, we have three 893 00:29:53,825 --> 00:29:55,360 beautiful, wonderful 894 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:57,428 Mecklenburg County parks in the 895 00:29:57,428 --> 00:29:59,197 town of Cornelius. Three. 896 00:29:59,197 --> 00:30:01,632 That's probably unheard of in 897 00:30:01,632 --> 00:30:03,234 most any other town other than 898 00:30:03,234 --> 00:30:04,869 Charlotte. So, we're really 899 00:30:04,869 --> 00:30:06,337 proud of that and there's some 900 00:30:06,337 --> 00:30:07,505 of your finest, most beautiful 901 00:30:07,505 --> 00:30:10,375 parks because they they face 902 00:30:10,375 --> 00:30:11,809 Lake Norman. They're they're 903 00:30:11,809 --> 00:30:13,010 part of Lake Norman and on Lake 904 00:30:13,010 --> 00:30:15,179 Norman and if you hadn't done 905 00:30:15,179 --> 00:30:16,914 that, we probably couldn't have 906 00:30:16,914 --> 00:30:18,449 afforded too. So, thankfully, 907 00:30:18,449 --> 00:30:19,650 the county stepped up and made 908 00:30:19,650 --> 00:30:21,919 that happen In addition, invest 909 00:30:21,919 --> 00:30:23,721 in this forty-four million in 910 00:30:23,721 --> 00:30:26,991 our rec center. In addition, 911 00:30:26,991 --> 00:30:27,625 making all these investments 912 00:30:27,625 --> 00:30:29,260 and giving all the help you've 913 00:30:29,260 --> 00:30:31,329 given on our greenway system. 914 00:30:31,329 --> 00:30:33,731 You know, we've got I think our 915 00:30:33,731 --> 00:30:36,868 greenway system is 13. 1 miles 916 00:30:36,868 --> 00:30:38,602 in all the way around. Is that 917 00:30:38,602 --> 00:30:40,471 about right? Troy? Yes. So, we 918 00:30:40,471 --> 00:30:42,006 have the concept of an emerald 919 00:30:42,006 --> 00:30:43,841 necklace which is a borrowed 920 00:30:43,841 --> 00:30:45,977 term but a 13-mile loop 921 00:30:45,977 --> 00:30:48,713 altogether which also goes into 922 00:30:48,713 --> 00:30:50,981 Davidson and Huntersville for a 923 00:30:50,981 --> 00:30:52,884 while but so far, we have three 924 00:30:52,884 --> 00:30:54,752 quarters of that completed. 925 00:30:54,752 --> 00:30:56,554 Little bit. Seventy-five 926 00:30:56,554 --> 00:30:58,623 percent. We're working with it. 927 00:30:58,623 --> 00:30:59,223 We've come a long way. We 928 00:30:59,223 --> 00:31:00,491 really have. If the county 929 00:31:00,491 --> 00:31:02,760 hadn't been there, it wouldn't 930 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:03,695 happen. It wouldn't happen. 931 00:31:03,695 --> 00:31:04,629 That's right. So, I just have 932 00:31:04,629 --> 00:31:06,197 to brag on you a little bit. 933 00:31:06,197 --> 00:31:07,765 So, anyway, thank you all very 934 00:31:07,765 --> 00:31:09,434 much. We we do definitely 935 00:31:09,434 --> 00:31:11,035 appreciate that and thank you, 936 00:31:11,035 --> 00:31:14,839 Troy. We we appreciate your input there. So, now, any 937 00:31:14,839 --> 00:31:15,973 questions you have for your 938 00:31:15,973 --> 00:31:18,142 county commissioners before we 939 00:31:18,142 --> 00:31:20,511 maybe turn to some other topics 940 00:31:20,511 --> 00:31:22,647 that are of interest to some of 941 00:31:22,647 --> 00:31:24,048 you. Okay. Somebody got any 942 00:31:24,048 --> 00:31:24,615 questions. Ask him a hard 943 00:31:24,615 --> 00:31:26,150 question because I can you they 944 00:31:26,150 --> 00:31:35,393 can answer. Bob. Okay. 945 00:31:35,393 --> 00:31:37,461 It's a good one. I don't have 946 00:31:37,461 --> 00:31:39,564 the chart in front of me but 947 00:31:39,564 --> 00:31:41,199 we're starting, we're starting 948 00:31:41,199 --> 00:31:42,900 with the EV charges on our 949 00:31:42,900 --> 00:31:44,602 government properties. That's 950 00:31:44,602 --> 00:31:46,804 true. And so, we've already 951 00:31:46,804 --> 00:31:47,505 installed, there are some at 952 00:31:47,505 --> 00:31:49,440 the government center, there 953 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,142 are some, and, and a lot, we 954 00:31:51,142 --> 00:31:52,276 just approved funding last 955 00:31:52,276 --> 00:31:55,680 night for. We which approved 956 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:56,481 like five-figure, got aminos, 957 00:31:56,481 --> 00:32:00,151 like a million dollars. So, 958 00:32:00,151 --> 00:32:01,719 you'll see it coming like, but 959 00:32:01,719 --> 00:32:02,687 it will be in our government 960 00:32:02,687 --> 00:32:05,889 facilities starting. And and 961 00:32:05,889 --> 00:32:08,126 the electric cars as well. Yeah 962 00:32:08,126 --> 00:32:11,328 and if you it's easy to find 963 00:32:11,328 --> 00:32:14,699 us. I'm Lee dot Altman at Mech 964 00:32:14,699 --> 00:32:17,935 NC. gov. Elaine dot Powell at 965 00:32:17,935 --> 00:32:19,270 Meck and C dot gov. If you'll 966 00:32:19,270 --> 00:32:20,805 send me an email, I can get you 967 00:32:20,805 --> 00:32:23,608 the exact numbers of of what's 968 00:32:23,608 --> 00:32:24,842 been spent and how many have 969 00:32:24,842 --> 00:32:31,816 been purchased and. 970 00:32:31,816 --> 00:32:33,184 So this will be on our agenda 971 00:32:33,184 --> 00:32:37,087 in environmental stewardship in January. January or February 972 00:32:37,087 --> 00:32:38,623 but we're hoping January. 973 00:32:38,623 --> 00:32:40,057 Because we're reviewing all of 974 00:32:40,057 --> 00:32:43,795 that right now. Um we have the 975 00:32:43,795 --> 00:32:45,296 federal dollars coming for 976 00:32:45,296 --> 00:32:46,631 infrastructure. And then we 977 00:32:46,631 --> 00:32:49,300 have federal dollars coming for 978 00:32:49,300 --> 00:32:52,103 environment. So we're looking 979 00:32:52,103 --> 00:32:54,472 at all of that. And and also if 980 00:32:54,472 --> 00:32:57,141 you are interested again if you 981 00:32:57,141 --> 00:32:58,876 send me an Email, either of us 982 00:32:58,876 --> 00:33:00,211 I can get you added to the list 983 00:33:00,211 --> 00:33:01,412 so you can listen to the 984 00:33:01,412 --> 00:33:02,613 Environmental Stewardship 985 00:33:02,613 --> 00:33:03,447 Meeting. Um and of course by 986 00:33:03,447 --> 00:33:05,783 the just so you know, all of 987 00:33:05,783 --> 00:33:08,086 our meetings are televised 988 00:33:08,086 --> 00:33:09,353 second and fourth, Tuesday, 989 00:33:09,353 --> 00:33:12,022 every month. That's a great way 990 00:33:12,022 --> 00:33:12,690 to know what's happening with 991 00:33:12,690 --> 00:33:15,993 your county government also. 992 00:33:15,993 --> 00:33:18,863 Okay, what else? Any other, any 993 00:33:18,863 --> 00:33:22,900 other questions out there? Man, 994 00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:25,369 y'all did a really good job. 995 00:33:25,369 --> 00:33:26,036 Thank you to the, you know, 996 00:33:26,036 --> 00:33:29,574 these folks are shy. They, they really are. I think 997 00:33:29,574 --> 00:33:30,641 they're very impressed with 998 00:33:30,641 --> 00:33:32,143 what we're doing. I think they 999 00:33:32,143 --> 00:33:33,777 are too. Yeah. That's why you 1000 00:33:33,777 --> 00:33:35,279 got re-elected, right? That's 1001 00:33:35,279 --> 00:33:37,982 right. You know, when we talk, 1002 00:33:37,982 --> 00:33:39,150 through all the years that I 1003 00:33:39,150 --> 00:33:40,351 listened to citizen input, 1004 00:33:40,351 --> 00:33:41,419 especially on the Park 1005 00:33:41,419 --> 00:33:43,020 Commission. So, we were talking 1006 00:33:43,020 --> 00:33:45,289 about this the other day. I 1007 00:33:45,289 --> 00:33:46,891 represented the North region. 1008 00:33:46,891 --> 00:33:48,826 So, I represented Huntersville, 1009 00:33:48,826 --> 00:33:49,693 Davidson, Cornelius, North 1010 00:33:49,693 --> 00:33:53,531 Charlotte on the Commission, I 1011 00:33:53,531 --> 00:33:54,164 represented Environmental 1012 00:33:54,164 --> 00:33:55,399 Stewardship for the Park 1013 00:33:55,399 --> 00:33:57,435 Commission. I represented 1014 00:33:57,435 --> 00:34:00,470 Therapeutic Recreation and and 1015 00:34:00,470 --> 00:34:04,375 multiple other entities and 1016 00:34:04,375 --> 00:34:06,677 it's big. Park and Rec touches 1017 00:34:06,677 --> 00:34:09,614 at in my view as many lives as 1018 00:34:09,614 --> 00:34:11,349 our utilities do. Like, it is, 1019 00:34:11,349 --> 00:34:13,417 they do way more than you 1020 00:34:13,417 --> 00:34:17,555 realize on the surface and so, 1021 00:34:17,555 --> 00:34:18,689 Troy, you guys are so lucky to 1022 00:34:18,689 --> 00:34:20,691 have Troy Fitzsimmons working 1023 00:34:20,691 --> 00:34:22,225 in Cornelius because he has 1024 00:34:22,225 --> 00:34:23,760 such a an extensive background. 1025 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:29,400 Um. Put your it up, Troy. No, 1026 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:33,437 I'm, it is the truth. Any true, 1027 00:34:33,437 --> 00:34:35,973 like to have people that care, 1028 00:34:35,973 --> 00:34:37,441 I mean, you can't, you cannot 1029 00:34:37,441 --> 00:34:39,076 pay for that. We're very 1030 00:34:39,076 --> 00:34:40,778 fortunate for sure. Very 1031 00:34:40,778 --> 00:34:43,681 fortunate. Um but I heard what 1032 00:34:43,681 --> 00:34:45,149 the priorities were in the 1033 00:34:45,149 --> 00:34:46,284 north region but also 1034 00:34:46,284 --> 00:34:48,319 throughout the county because 1035 00:34:48,319 --> 00:34:49,287 we had to go to all the 1036 00:34:49,287 --> 00:34:50,354 community meetings at on the 1037 00:34:50,354 --> 00:34:53,891 Park Commission and so and then 1038 00:34:53,891 --> 00:34:54,759 through Central Lina, those 1039 00:34:54,759 --> 00:34:56,193 were also meetings that I 1040 00:34:56,193 --> 00:34:58,061 attended for many years hearing 1041 00:34:58,061 --> 00:34:59,564 the regional priorities and so 1042 00:34:59,564 --> 00:35:02,166 when we talk about education, 1043 00:35:02,166 --> 00:35:03,434 and environment in parks and 1044 00:35:03,434 --> 00:35:04,902 rec. This is what you hear 1045 00:35:04,902 --> 00:35:06,570 everywhere. Um these are the 1046 00:35:06,570 --> 00:35:08,673 top priorities and so I met a 1047 00:35:08,673 --> 00:35:10,774 scout at Jetan. I was just 1048 00:35:10,774 --> 00:35:12,810 walking into Tom Park one day 1049 00:35:12,810 --> 00:35:13,878 because you will find me in the 1050 00:35:13,878 --> 00:35:17,848 parks. All I am to deal with 1051 00:35:17,848 --> 00:35:21,219 all the stress of this job. but 1052 00:35:21,219 --> 00:35:22,753 I was at Jetan and a scout came 1053 00:35:22,753 --> 00:35:25,422 up. He did not know who I am or 1054 00:35:25,422 --> 00:35:26,056 anything. He just started 1055 00:35:26,056 --> 00:35:27,758 asking questions and I said, 1056 00:35:27,758 --> 00:35:29,393 what are you doing? Like, what 1057 00:35:29,393 --> 00:35:31,062 is your job? And he said, he 1058 00:35:31,062 --> 00:35:32,763 was a scout looking to relocate 1059 00:35:32,763 --> 00:35:35,299 a company to this area and what 1060 00:35:35,299 --> 00:35:37,969 the they took surveys from the 1061 00:35:37,969 --> 00:35:38,969 employees. What do you want to 1062 00:35:38,969 --> 00:35:40,338 see in the community that we 1063 00:35:40,338 --> 00:35:42,907 move to and the top priority 1064 00:35:42,907 --> 00:35:45,443 was education. They wanted to 1065 00:35:45,443 --> 00:35:47,011 have good schools in that area 1066 00:35:47,011 --> 00:35:47,978 and the next priority was good 1067 00:35:47,978 --> 00:35:49,947 parks and he said, I love this 1068 00:35:49,947 --> 00:35:52,516 park. And so he had a lot of 1069 00:35:52,516 --> 00:35:54,852 questions. And I thought this 1070 00:35:54,852 --> 00:35:56,053 is fascinating. And he showed 1071 00:35:56,053 --> 00:35:57,988 me the the poll that they had 1072 00:35:57,988 --> 00:35:59,190 taken from the employees but 1073 00:35:59,190 --> 00:36:00,391 not just the employees. The 1074 00:36:00,391 --> 00:36:01,859 employees and their families. 1075 00:36:01,859 --> 00:36:03,027 That was important to that 1076 00:36:03,027 --> 00:36:05,296 company. And they were they 1077 00:36:05,296 --> 00:36:06,697 were really looking in the 1078 00:36:06,697 --> 00:36:08,465 Cornelius Huntersville area. So 1079 00:36:08,465 --> 00:36:09,933 I like to share that with 1080 00:36:09,933 --> 00:36:11,002 people because it's exactly 1081 00:36:11,002 --> 00:36:12,469 what I have heard. So it's not 1082 00:36:12,469 --> 00:36:14,204 like you know sometimes they'll 1083 00:36:14,204 --> 00:36:15,973 think oh it's an Elaine 1084 00:36:15,973 --> 00:36:17,575 priority. It's a community 1085 00:36:17,575 --> 00:36:19,310 priority. I wouldn't be here 1086 00:36:19,310 --> 00:36:22,046 wasn't so important to the 1087 00:36:22,046 --> 00:36:24,281 community. Exactly. I just 1088 00:36:24,281 --> 00:36:25,282 want to say one more thing. 1089 00:36:25,282 --> 00:36:27,385 Just one last thing to wrap up. 1090 00:36:27,385 --> 00:36:29,787 Um thank you so much for 1091 00:36:29,787 --> 00:36:32,356 inviting us. Sure. Um and for 1092 00:36:32,356 --> 00:36:33,958 convening all these residents. 1093 00:36:33,958 --> 00:36:35,192 It's a really great group. It's 1094 00:36:35,192 --> 00:36:36,527 hard to get people to turn out 1095 00:36:36,527 --> 00:36:37,661 to hear about local government. 1096 00:36:37,661 --> 00:36:40,464 So if you are a part of a book 1097 00:36:40,464 --> 00:36:41,866 club or anything where you you 1098 00:36:41,866 --> 00:36:42,900 know are going to gather some 1099 00:36:42,900 --> 00:36:43,701 people and you think they could 1100 00:36:43,701 --> 00:36:45,369 be interested. Please call us 1101 00:36:45,369 --> 00:36:46,971 because you know we do make 1102 00:36:46,971 --> 00:36:48,139 house calls. And and the other 1103 00:36:48,139 --> 00:36:51,876 thing is I do a newsletter two 1104 00:36:51,876 --> 00:36:53,811 or three times a month updating 1105 00:36:53,811 --> 00:36:55,046 on county business. If you'd 1106 00:36:55,046 --> 00:36:56,380 like to be added and stay in 1107 00:36:56,380 --> 00:36:57,914 the loop, just Email me. 1108 00:36:57,914 --> 00:37:00,584 Thanks. Great. Thank you all so 1109 00:37:00,584 --> 00:37:02,052 much for for being with us. 1110 00:37:02,052 --> 00:37:03,921 Hold on. Something else may 1111 00:37:03,921 --> 00:37:05,489 come up and I've got an update 1112 00:37:05,489 --> 00:37:07,658 folks on another couple of 1113 00:37:07,658 --> 00:37:09,827 things going on in our town. Uh 1114 00:37:09,827 --> 00:37:14,865 first of all, let me get Sarah 1115 00:37:14,865 --> 00:37:17,935 Thomas come up and give give me 1116 00:37:17,935 --> 00:37:21,539 give us a minute update on 1117 00:37:21,539 --> 00:37:22,206 what's going on with our 1118 00:37:22,206 --> 00:37:24,775 history museum and how excited 1119 00:37:24,775 --> 00:37:27,011 we all are about the potential 1120 00:37:27,011 --> 00:37:32,215 of our new history Museum. Just a real cliff notes. She 1121 00:37:32,215 --> 00:37:34,785 can still talk a lot. Well, 1122 00:37:34,785 --> 00:37:35,786 she's excited. It wasn't that 1123 00:37:35,786 --> 00:37:37,655 long ago that we were all 1124 00:37:37,655 --> 00:37:38,489 sitting here. Many of you and 1125 00:37:38,489 --> 00:37:39,323 it was standing room only. 1126 00:37:39,323 --> 00:37:41,992 There was probably, I don't 1127 00:37:41,992 --> 00:37:43,694 know, 90 people in here talking 1128 00:37:43,694 --> 00:37:45,663 about the history of Cornelius. 1129 00:37:45,663 --> 00:37:47,364 I was fascinated with the fact 1130 00:37:47,364 --> 00:37:49,399 that not being a native, so 1131 00:37:49,399 --> 00:37:50,701 many people were here that were 1132 00:37:50,701 --> 00:37:52,303 interested in the history. And 1133 00:37:52,303 --> 00:37:53,637 part of that is that there is 1134 00:37:53,637 --> 00:37:55,372 no place to go view that see 1135 00:37:55,372 --> 00:37:57,842 that, learn about it. Um 1136 00:37:57,842 --> 00:37:58,742 hopefully, you all went and 1137 00:37:58,742 --> 00:38:01,479 voted recently and you may have 1138 00:38:01,479 --> 00:38:02,813 walked past this little tiny 1139 00:38:02,813 --> 00:38:05,783 room. Thanks to Mayor Washam 1140 00:38:05,783 --> 00:38:07,485 and other people. We have a 1141 00:38:07,485 --> 00:38:09,520 small collection. I say we 1142 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:10,788 other people have put that 1143 00:38:10,788 --> 00:38:12,590 collection together called the 1144 00:38:12,590 --> 00:38:14,091 Connor Collection and some 1145 00:38:14,091 --> 00:38:15,325 things in the hallway to tell 1146 00:38:15,325 --> 00:38:17,395 you about the town that we all 1147 00:38:17,395 --> 00:38:19,463 live in. But there is no 1148 00:38:19,463 --> 00:38:21,565 museum. There is no place to go 1149 00:38:21,565 --> 00:38:22,999 learn about your history. And 1150 00:38:22,999 --> 00:38:24,501 all of the people moving here, 1151 00:38:24,501 --> 00:38:25,969 all of the children going to 1152 00:38:25,969 --> 00:38:27,137 school here. We need to learn 1153 00:38:27,137 --> 00:38:27,905 about where they, you know, the 1154 00:38:27,905 --> 00:38:31,709 roots of this area. So, we are 1155 00:38:31,709 --> 00:38:32,910 looking at something very close 1156 00:38:32,910 --> 00:38:34,511 to the elementary school where 1157 00:38:34,511 --> 00:38:37,348 we can house a museum, tell the 1158 00:38:37,348 --> 00:38:39,316 history. We have so many 1159 00:38:39,316 --> 00:38:41,118 wonderful people. Mister Potts 1160 00:38:41,118 --> 00:38:45,756 is here tonight. Mayor Washam, 1161 00:38:45,756 --> 00:38:46,056 Joy, you 1162 00:38:46,056 --> 00:38:47,391 want to say something? 1163 00:38:47,391 --> 00:38:50,961 Joy Dean. Joy Dean, many many 1164 00:38:50,961 --> 00:38:51,628 people that were here that 1165 00:38:51,628 --> 00:38:52,663 night where we were just 1166 00:38:52,663 --> 00:38:53,797 gaining interest. Do people 1167 00:38:53,797 --> 00:38:55,499 want to know more about this 1168 00:38:55,499 --> 00:38:57,935 town that they are living in? 1169 00:38:57,935 --> 00:38:59,570 And the answer was absolutely 1170 00:38:59,570 --> 00:39:02,072 yes. So, we are getting ready 1171 00:39:02,072 --> 00:39:04,308 to launch that. We've have a 1172 00:39:04,308 --> 00:39:05,942 task force put together and we 1173 00:39:05,942 --> 00:39:08,379 are getting ready to move 1174 00:39:08,379 --> 00:39:09,914 forward with that. We'll be 1175 00:39:09,914 --> 00:39:11,015 telling you more about that in 1176 00:39:11,015 --> 00:39:12,583 the coming months. Thank you, 1177 00:39:12,583 --> 00:39:14,452 Sarah and we're working very 1178 00:39:14,452 --> 00:39:17,520 closely with with CM S, Elaine, 1179 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:19,756 and Lee, just so you know, to 1180 00:39:19,756 --> 00:39:22,392 get our old ag building at 1181 00:39:22,392 --> 00:39:24,595 Cornelius High School. Uh 1182 00:39:24,595 --> 00:39:26,430 turned over to the town. That's 1183 00:39:26,430 --> 00:39:28,499 a process. We may have to call 1184 00:39:28,499 --> 00:39:29,533 on our county friends. I'm not 1185 00:39:29,533 --> 00:39:33,637 sure but anyway, it's it's 1186 00:39:33,637 --> 00:39:35,105 going to be another exciting 1187 00:39:35,105 --> 00:39:37,141 venture here in the town of 1188 00:39:37,141 --> 00:39:38,609 Cornelius that I can't wait to 1189 00:39:38,609 --> 00:39:42,913 happen. So, the other quick 1190 00:39:42,913 --> 00:39:45,683 news is we're we will be 1191 00:39:45,683 --> 00:39:48,052 getting a new police chief here 1192 00:39:48,052 --> 00:39:50,054 in our town. As of the first of 1193 00:39:50,054 --> 00:39:52,223 January, Chief Black is 1194 00:39:52,223 --> 00:39:54,792 retiring and our new police 1195 00:39:54,792 --> 00:39:56,393 chief will be Major David 1196 00:39:56,393 --> 00:39:59,396 Baucum and David's right here 1197 00:39:59,396 --> 00:40:04,235 and we're looking. 1198 00:40:04,235 --> 00:40:06,070 forward for very 1199 00:40:06,070 --> 00:40:08,272 great things to keep our police 1200 00:40:08,272 --> 00:40:09,673 department moving forward. 1201 00:40:09,673 --> 00:40:11,375 Public safety is such a 1202 00:40:11,375 --> 00:40:12,476 critical component for our 1203 00:40:12,476 --> 00:40:14,077 community and we're excited to 1204 00:40:14,077 --> 00:40:19,149 have have David step up to the helm and take us to the 1205 00:40:19,149 --> 00:40:20,483 next level. So, the other thing 1206 00:40:20,483 --> 00:40:22,252 I want you to get a real quick 1207 00:40:22,252 --> 00:40:23,454 update and Imma hand the 1208 00:40:23,454 --> 00:40:25,523 microphone off once more. We're 1209 00:40:25,523 --> 00:40:26,223 going to make em fight over it 1210 00:40:26,223 --> 00:40:27,758 but I want to give you a quick 1211 00:40:27,758 --> 00:40:29,760 update on the Kane Center for 1212 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:31,295 the Arts which is right on the 1213 00:40:31,295 --> 00:40:33,397 brink of opening. So, so 1214 00:40:33,397 --> 00:40:34,965 whichever one will you y'all 1215 00:40:34,965 --> 00:40:36,534 would like to do this. This is 1216 00:40:36,534 --> 00:40:37,434 Paul Newton. Uh Paul's also 1217 00:40:37,434 --> 00:40:39,837 helped us on the History Museum 1218 00:40:39,837 --> 00:40:43,407 too by the way but he is the 1219 00:40:43,407 --> 00:40:46,310 incoming chairman of the Kane 1220 00:40:46,310 --> 00:40:48,546 Center, Kane Center for the 1221 00:40:48,546 --> 00:40:50,180 Arts Board of Directors. So, 1222 00:40:50,180 --> 00:40:51,448 his term will begin about 1223 00:40:51,448 --> 00:40:53,150 halfway through the coming year 1224 00:40:53,150 --> 00:40:54,285 and so he'll take the helm. 1225 00:40:54,285 --> 00:40:56,887 He's very significantly 1226 00:40:56,887 --> 00:40:57,887 involved in the construction of 1227 00:40:57,887 --> 00:40:58,622 that facility. So, we're 1228 00:40:58,622 --> 00:41:00,490 going to open it. Paul, is it 1229 00:41:00,490 --> 00:41:02,726 going to happen? It's going to 1230 00:41:02,726 --> 00:41:05,896 happen. If you haven't heard, 1231 00:41:05,896 --> 00:41:07,197 we're opening on January third. 1232 00:41:07,197 --> 00:41:09,934 I invite everyone to come down. 1233 00:41:09,934 --> 00:41:12,303 It's for everyone. We've got a 1234 00:41:12,303 --> 00:41:14,204 lot scheduled for that first 1235 00:41:14,204 --> 00:41:16,907 week. Um we have tickets 1236 00:41:16,907 --> 00:41:19,510 available to many shows. Please 1237 00:41:19,510 --> 00:41:21,145 get online. Take a look at our 1238 00:41:21,145 --> 00:41:23,514 site. Buy tickets. Come on down 1239 00:41:23,514 --> 00:41:25,783 and and enjoy this wonderful 1240 00:41:25,783 --> 00:41:27,450 new facility that's being 1241 00:41:27,450 --> 00:41:30,120 built. Um it took a long time 1242 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:32,555 to get to where we are. Uh as 1243 00:41:32,555 --> 00:41:33,923 the construction guy, I 1244 00:41:33,923 --> 00:41:35,960 apologize for any inconvenience 1245 00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:36,893 that might have happened along 1246 00:41:36,893 --> 00:41:40,563 the way. Have a cellphone if 1247 00:41:40,563 --> 00:41:44,234 any of y'all need it. We're almost there. Um if you 1248 00:41:44,234 --> 00:41:45,903 haven't noticed, take a look at 1249 00:41:45,903 --> 00:41:48,838 our new sign. It's on. Uh you 1250 00:41:48,838 --> 00:41:50,874 can see what you can see that 1251 00:41:50,874 --> 00:41:52,343 we're opening soon because it 1252 00:41:52,343 --> 00:41:56,780 says so on the sign. And it's 1253 00:41:56,780 --> 00:41:58,415 going to be a wonderful 1254 00:41:58,415 --> 00:42:00,084 addition to the community. It's 1255 00:42:00,084 --> 00:42:04,054 a economic catalyst and there 1256 00:42:04,054 --> 00:42:05,489 are a lot of other businesses 1257 00:42:05,489 --> 00:42:07,057 that are already looking into 1258 00:42:07,057 --> 00:42:09,560 this area because of the Canes 1259 00:42:09,560 --> 00:42:11,361 presence. We're very proud of 1260 00:42:11,361 --> 00:42:14,865 that. And we're going to open 1261 00:42:14,865 --> 00:42:16,499 and serve the community. So, we 1262 00:42:16,499 --> 00:42:18,234 need to get response from the 1263 00:42:18,234 --> 00:42:19,570 community. If we're doing 1264 00:42:19,570 --> 00:42:22,105 something good, tell us. If we 1265 00:42:22,105 --> 00:42:27,678 need to improve, tell us. 1266 00:42:27,678 --> 00:42:29,146 there's a lot on the agenda 1267 00:42:29,146 --> 00:42:30,914 already and again, the best way 1268 00:42:30,914 --> 00:42:33,017 you can learn is take a look at 1269 00:42:33,017 --> 00:42:35,819 our website, learn, and have 1270 00:42:35,819 --> 00:42:37,554 your credit card handy. Thank 1271 00:42:37,554 --> 00:42:42,092 you. Thank you. Well, that 1272 00:42:42,092 --> 00:42:43,093 concludes our Connecting 1273 00:42:43,093 --> 00:42:46,563 Cornelius for this evening. 1274 00:42:46,563 --> 00:42:51,902 Pardon? Yeah, transportation. 1275 00:42:51,902 --> 00:42:53,671 let me turn to transportation. 1276 00:42:53,671 --> 00:42:57,541 That's always a good topic and I have special permission 1277 00:42:57,541 --> 00:42:59,276 from our our boss here that we 1278 00:42:59,276 --> 00:43:01,078 can take a couple of minutes, 1279 00:43:01,078 --> 00:43:01,911 Wayne. So, thank you. Well, 1280 00:43:01,911 --> 00:43:03,280 I'll take just a couple. Uh I 1281 00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:05,481 know everybody has plans for 1282 00:43:05,481 --> 00:43:08,052 the evening but very quickly on 1283 00:43:08,052 --> 00:43:10,387 transportation. We have 13 1284 00:43:10,387 --> 00:43:11,889 projects that we're all eagerly 1285 00:43:11,889 --> 00:43:13,457 anticipating in our 1286 00:43:13,457 --> 00:43:15,426 partnerships with DOT. Once we 1287 00:43:15,426 --> 00:43:17,027 get even half of these 1288 00:43:17,027 --> 00:43:18,662 projects, we will be in so much 1289 00:43:18,662 --> 00:43:21,031 a better position for not only 1290 00:43:21,031 --> 00:43:22,065 congestion but capacity. Uh I 1291 00:43:22,065 --> 00:43:24,501 was talking to Scott earlier he 1292 00:43:24,501 --> 00:43:26,069 said it took him 25 minutes to 1293 00:43:26,069 --> 00:43:27,404 get from the west side over to 1294 00:43:27,404 --> 00:43:28,605 here and I said, well, don't 1295 00:43:28,605 --> 00:43:30,206 laugh but it took me 10 minutes 1296 00:43:30,206 --> 00:43:31,475 just to get from town hall over 1297 00:43:31,475 --> 00:43:33,677 there to here. So, we 1298 00:43:33,677 --> 00:43:35,111 understand congestion. We 1299 00:43:35,111 --> 00:43:36,446 understand what it's doing. So, 1300 00:43:36,446 --> 00:43:38,115 we're very excited about our 1301 00:43:38,115 --> 00:43:39,583 project. I'm going to just flip 1302 00:43:39,583 --> 00:43:40,384 through real quick. That's a 1303 00:43:40,384 --> 00:43:41,985 map of the thirteen. Let's keep 1304 00:43:41,985 --> 00:43:45,522 rolling. In 2022, keep going. 1305 00:43:45,522 --> 00:43:46,990 Uh the Gem Street extension. 1306 00:43:46,990 --> 00:43:48,425 Now, this is actually a town 1307 00:43:48,425 --> 00:43:50,226 project. It's fully town funded 1308 00:43:50,226 --> 00:43:51,461 but this is given us an 1309 00:43:51,461 --> 00:43:53,197 alternate to get from one over 1310 00:43:53,197 --> 00:43:55,632 to twenty-one. Right now, many 1311 00:43:55,632 --> 00:43:56,666 of you might know we finished 1312 00:43:56,666 --> 00:43:58,335 Nanny Potts Lane. So, you'll be 1313 00:43:58,335 --> 00:43:59,569 able to have an alternate to 1314 00:43:59,569 --> 00:44:00,937 get from 21 going down Gem 1315 00:44:00,937 --> 00:44:03,073 Street, down School Street, 1316 00:44:03,073 --> 00:44:05,075 over to Nanny Potts. Now, I I 1317 00:44:05,075 --> 00:44:06,443 keep saying it's going to be 1318 00:44:06,443 --> 00:44:08,612 just for us locals. Uh other 1319 00:44:08,612 --> 00:44:10,347 folks won't know about it but 1320 00:44:10,347 --> 00:44:11,181 people keep telling me, oh, 1321 00:44:11,181 --> 00:44:12,516 it's going to show up on GPS 1322 00:44:12,516 --> 00:44:14,184 immediately. Uh and that that's 1323 00:44:14,184 --> 00:44:16,720 true. So, it will be an 1324 00:44:16,720 --> 00:44:18,288 alternate. It will be a quicker 1325 00:44:18,288 --> 00:44:20,691 way. So, real quick. Um and Jim 1326 00:44:20,691 --> 00:44:22,526 Street's scheduled to open 1327 00:44:22,526 --> 00:44:24,595 January, I do believe. So, 1328 00:44:24,595 --> 00:44:26,530 pretty pretty quick on the pull 1329 00:44:26,530 --> 00:44:28,631 for getting this one open. Uh 1330 00:44:28,631 --> 00:44:30,834 twenty twenty-three, Catawba 1331 00:44:30,834 --> 00:44:32,970 twenty-one. Uh that's one end 1332 00:44:32,970 --> 00:44:34,571 of our diverging diamond. Uh 1333 00:44:34,571 --> 00:44:36,573 there's two projects. Uh 1334 00:44:36,573 --> 00:44:37,273 Torrance Chapel is another one. 1335 00:44:37,273 --> 00:44:38,442 I'll touch on that in a minute 1336 00:44:38,442 --> 00:44:40,477 but that should start. North 1337 00:44:40,477 --> 00:44:41,345 Cross Drive Extension. This 1338 00:44:41,345 --> 00:44:43,714 will give us a north, south 1339 00:44:43,714 --> 00:44:46,016 alternative to get from 1340 00:44:46,016 --> 00:44:48,619 Westmoreland down to 73 in 1341 00:44:48,619 --> 00:44:49,286 Birkdale. So, you don't have to 1342 00:44:49,286 --> 00:44:50,721 use West Catawba. This will 1343 00:44:50,721 --> 00:44:54,091 start in twenty three. Torrance 1344 00:44:54,091 --> 00:44:56,260 Chapel, the only we we 1345 00:44:56,260 --> 00:44:58,027 originally said because the 1346 00:44:58,027 --> 00:44:59,530 cost got so high, the town 1347 00:44:59,530 --> 00:45:01,464 asked DOT, we probably need to 1348 00:45:01,464 --> 00:45:03,834 cancel this project. DOT came 1349 00:45:03,834 --> 00:45:05,169 back and said, no, we don't 1350 00:45:05,169 --> 00:45:06,236 want you to cancel it. We 1351 00:45:06,236 --> 00:45:07,538 want to work with you to make 1352 00:45:07,538 --> 00:45:09,172 it more cost effective. So, we 1353 00:45:09,172 --> 00:45:11,608 downsize the project. The 1354 00:45:11,608 --> 00:45:13,209 little delay means it will not 1355 00:45:13,209 --> 00:45:14,711 start until 20 twenty-four now. 1356 00:45:14,711 --> 00:45:16,079 That's the only negative but 1357 00:45:16,079 --> 00:45:17,581 it's still going to be a good 1358 00:45:17,581 --> 00:45:18,749 project where we're going to 1359 00:45:18,749 --> 00:45:19,749 have improvements at Torrance 1360 00:45:19,749 --> 00:45:22,686 Chapel. The left turns remain. 1361 00:45:22,686 --> 00:45:24,087 So, you're, yes, you're 1362 00:45:24,087 --> 00:45:25,522 welcome. So, you'll get to 1363 00:45:25,522 --> 00:45:26,690 continue to make your left turn 1364 00:45:26,690 --> 00:45:27,958 coming out of Torrance Chapel 1365 00:45:27,958 --> 00:45:29,225 but there will be several 1366 00:45:29,225 --> 00:45:30,561 intersection improvements that 1367 00:45:30,561 --> 00:45:32,095 will make life better for us, 1368 00:45:32,095 --> 00:45:33,497 not only at Torrance Chapel in 1369 00:45:33,497 --> 00:45:34,864 West Catawba but down at One 1370 00:45:34,864 --> 00:45:37,167 Norman. Uh next slide, 115 1371 00:45:37,167 --> 00:45:38,635 Potts Roundabout right up here 1372 00:45:38,635 --> 00:45:40,203 going toward Davidson. If 1373 00:45:40,203 --> 00:45:41,638 you're coming out of the YMCA 1374 00:45:41,638 --> 00:45:42,772 and you're going north, you 1375 00:45:42,772 --> 00:45:44,241 take your life in your own 1376 00:45:44,241 --> 00:45:45,542 hands, hands. If you're going 1377 00:45:45,542 --> 00:45:47,144 north and you want to turn into 1378 00:45:47,144 --> 00:45:48,411 the YMCA, you're taking your 1379 00:45:48,411 --> 00:45:49,446 life and your own hands. So, 1380 00:45:49,446 --> 00:45:51,081 this roundabout will improve 1381 00:45:51,081 --> 00:45:53,016 safety and congestion. Next 1382 00:45:53,016 --> 00:45:55,018 slide, Bailey Road Extension. 1383 00:45:55,018 --> 00:45:56,320 Now, this is a small one that a 1384 00:45:56,320 --> 00:45:57,587 lot of people aren't aware of 1385 00:45:57,587 --> 00:45:59,089 but if you're familiar with the 1386 00:45:59,089 --> 00:46:01,158 sharp curve in Bailey, this 1387 00:46:01,158 --> 00:46:02,693 one's going to start in twenty 1388 00:46:02,693 --> 00:46:04,127 twenty-three and we're going to 1389 00:46:04,127 --> 00:46:05,328 punch that out to twenty-one. 1390 00:46:05,328 --> 00:46:06,496 So, you don't have to drive 1391 00:46:06,496 --> 00:46:08,031 through Oakhurst and you don't 1392 00:46:08,031 --> 00:46:09,733 have to drive beside 131 Main 1393 00:46:09,733 --> 00:46:12,101 and I still call it Cowboy but 1394 00:46:12,101 --> 00:46:13,804 I think it's Waterman. Uh but 1395 00:46:13,804 --> 00:46:15,505 you'll be able to punch out 1396 00:46:15,505 --> 00:46:16,673 twenty-1. So, that'll be a 1397 00:46:16,673 --> 00:46:17,374 little bit more convenient. 1398 00:46:17,374 --> 00:46:19,977 Next slide. The shoulder 1399 00:46:19,977 --> 00:46:21,612 hardening. This is another one 1400 00:46:21,612 --> 00:46:22,712 that will be tremendously 1401 00:46:22,712 --> 00:46:24,380 impactful that you be able to 1402 00:46:24,380 --> 00:46:26,750 get off on exit 2-five and go 1403 00:46:26,750 --> 00:46:28,385 to 28 without getting into the 1404 00:46:28,385 --> 00:46:30,520 lanes, without getting out into 1405 00:46:30,520 --> 00:46:32,356 the regular or the toll lanes. 1406 00:46:32,356 --> 00:46:33,456 You'll be able to stay on the 1407 00:46:33,456 --> 00:46:34,825 shoulder and just go from one 1408 00:46:34,825 --> 00:46:36,460 exit to another. This will be a 1409 00:46:36,460 --> 00:46:38,095 major benefit to us. Next 1410 00:46:38,095 --> 00:46:40,297 slide. In 20twenty-four, the 1411 00:46:40,297 --> 00:46:42,732 Hickory Street Signal. Uh and I 1412 00:46:42,732 --> 00:46:44,234 continue to apologize. 1413 00:46:44,234 --> 00:46:45,435 Everybody says it's just a 1414 00:46:45,435 --> 00:46:46,537 signal. Why can't you just 1415 00:46:46,537 --> 00:46:47,604 throw that thing up tomorrow? 1416 00:46:47,604 --> 00:46:48,972 Believe it or not, it is so 1417 00:46:48,972 --> 00:46:51,642 difficult right away. 1418 00:46:51,642 --> 00:46:53,243 Utilities, but we are getting a 1419 00:46:53,243 --> 00:46:54,411 signal at Hickory Street that 1420 00:46:54,411 --> 00:46:57,247 will add for safety. Uh add for 1421 00:46:57,247 --> 00:46:58,414 congestion management there at 1422 00:46:58,414 --> 00:46:59,082 Hickory in one fifteen. Thanks, 1423 00:46:59,082 --> 00:47:02,619 Slide. 2026 and beyond West 1424 00:47:02,619 --> 00:47:05,422 Catawba. Uh everybody, we all 1425 00:47:05,422 --> 00:47:08,225 want West Catawba but it's so 1426 00:47:08,225 --> 00:47:09,392 voluminous and and it it the 1427 00:47:09,392 --> 00:47:12,262 cost is now over 51 million. Uh 1428 00:47:12,262 --> 00:47:14,331 DOT has told us it will start 1429 00:47:14,331 --> 00:47:14,865 construction in twenty 1430 00:47:14,865 --> 00:47:16,500 twenty-six. We continue to push 1431 00:47:16,500 --> 00:47:18,201 that because that's the big one 1432 00:47:18,201 --> 00:47:19,703 that we all need. It'll go from 1433 00:47:19,703 --> 00:47:21,271 two lanes to four lanes. Um 1434 00:47:21,271 --> 00:47:23,540 have a nice green, medium, 1435 00:47:23,540 --> 00:47:25,408 multi-use path. Uh it'll just 1436 00:47:25,408 --> 00:47:27,511 be so nice. Uh so, we're really 1437 00:47:27,511 --> 00:47:28,745 pushing for the next slide. 2-1 1438 00:47:28,745 --> 00:47:31,347 widening I did hear yesterday 1439 00:47:31,347 --> 00:47:33,050 that it got moved back up in 1440 00:47:33,050 --> 00:47:35,552 this draft step. So, we hope 1441 00:47:35,552 --> 00:47:36,753 that'll get adopted and 1442 00:47:36,753 --> 00:47:38,221 hopefully that will come along 1443 00:47:38,221 --> 00:47:41,591 in twenty twenty 20 27s I think 1444 00:47:41,591 --> 00:47:44,494 when it was. Next slide. NC 1445 00:47:44,494 --> 00:47:45,529 seventy-three, there's three 1446 00:47:45,529 --> 00:47:47,364 segments of this coming from 1447 00:47:47,364 --> 00:47:48,664 Lincoln County all the way over 1448 00:47:48,664 --> 00:47:51,168 to Cabarrus County. Uh 2027 is 1449 00:47:51,168 --> 00:47:53,704 the date. Uh that's mostly in 1450 00:47:53,704 --> 00:47:54,404 Huntersville but I tell you 1451 00:47:54,404 --> 00:47:55,439 because we all use it. It's all 1452 00:47:55,439 --> 00:47:56,706 a road that we all use. Next 1453 00:47:56,706 --> 00:48:00,077 slide. Next slide. That's it 1454 00:48:00,077 --> 00:48:07,184 So, very quick. Alright. 1455 00:48:07,184 --> 00:48:08,852 Wayne, Wayne will be around if 1456 00:48:08,852 --> 00:48:09,585 you have any questions but 1457 00:48:09,585 --> 00:48:11,154 again, thank you for being here 1458 00:48:11,154 --> 00:48:12,255 tonight. We'll be hanging 1459 00:48:12,255 --> 00:48:14,324 around for a little bit. So, 1460 00:48:14,324 --> 00:48:16,225 come back and come back up and 1461 00:48:16,225 --> 00:48:16,893 meet your county commissioners 1462 00:48:16,893 --> 00:48:18,095 again. Thank you again for 1463 00:48:18,095 --> 00:48:20,397 being with us tonight and we'll 1464 00:48:20,397 --> 00:48:22,032 see you soon, I'm sure. Thanks 1465 00:48:22,032 --> 00:48:23,032 a lot. Good