[0:20] ,wow. >> man good evening, everyone. Good evening, everyone. You know that to ex the exercise clap. What's that? All right, we're almost ready. >> so thank you.
[0:38] today has been a day that I'm sure several of you probably already know about this but it's something that I think is special when you are in the ability to be serving the community no matter when it happens to you. But today I just want to recognize that we just lost eddie knox who is the mayor of charlotte for many, many years many more than me.
[1:02] and just to have him be a presence and what he had done in our work and all of the things that were happening, you know, he and I believe harvey gantt was the next mayor and then that he was still with working he was a lawyer.
[1:20] he was someone that really love this community all of it not just the parts that were up north but he made it possible for many of us to do things that we didn't do. But I knew eddie knox.
[1:34] >> I knew him when I was just a first staff or person in the city and I wanted you to be sure to know and understand that he was the kind of person that cared deeply about our city our state.
[1:55] but he carried a lot more colleges and thoughts to nc state where he went to college and I just think that when we have these kinds of opportunities to say something out of order to just have a quiet moment or the plan that he is the man that he has been the mayor that he was and the person that can make something happen all the time.
[2:12] so with that if we would just take one minute for an hour you know he has a wife and children and I want to make sure that they understand that we are standing with him and really make sure that we understand that he was a great person and did so much for our city. Thank you very much.
[2:31] a few about for just a few minutes. Well, thank you all. Eddie knox was the 49th mayor of charlotte that says a lot for all of us and all of them. Thank you very much.
[2:59] so with that we're going to go ahead and begin the city council business meeting and we're going to start with an invocation, an expression that we use of inspiration followed by the pledge of allegiance. The invocation is intended to solemnize our proceedings. We celebrate great religious diversity in our community including those without a religious faith. Tonight I would like to ask councilmember arias to give our invocation. >> thank you, madam mayor.
[3:29] let us pray. Let us take a moment to pause together as we begin tonight's meeting and as we prepare for the important responsibility of appointing an interim mayor, I invite everyone to take a breath and settle into a moment of reflection and a moment to remember why we are here and who we serve.
[3:48] in my own way I pray for one path over another for wisdom instead of haste for clarity instead of confusion, for cooperation instead of division and for commitment to people over profit and every decision we make. I offer that simply as our hope. One that welcomes every belief system, every tradition and every way of making meaning.
[4:12] we gather at a time when the world is facing real adversity conflict, uncertainty and hardship are touching communities near and far. These challenges remind us that leadership requires steadiness, humility and a deep respect for the dignity of every person.
[4:32] tonight may we practice thoughtful reflection and discernment, listening carefully weighing our choices responsibly and choosing the course that best serves the people of charlotte. May we remember that our work is not abstract it affects real lives, real families and real neighborhoods. May we approach disagreement not as a barrier but as an opportunity to understand one another more fully as we take up the work before us.
[4:55] may we do so with fairness, integrity and the shared commitment to pitting putting people first. And for those who do not pray, may these words simply be a wish for peace, clarity and unity as we begin. Thank you. >> thank you very much. You please stand if you choose for the flag to the united states of america.
[5:18] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag united states of america and to other stands one nation under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> thank you, everyone. Oh, I want to begin with introductions. Good evening and thank you all for joining us in person and for those watching online for our june 22nd business meeting.
[5:46] this year's let's begin with introductions on the dais and we will start with our city clerk. >> good evening, stephanie kelly, city clerk. >> good evening, andrea. Leslie by city attorney screaming dimple ajmera at large. Good evening victoria watlington I have the pleasure of serving you as a member at large. Good evening joy may representing district three.
[6:06] >> good evening and welcome to the district one daunting anderson district one marcus jones city manager vilsack mayor. >> good evening everyone. James mitchell mayor acting mayor. Good evening. >> kimberly owens representing district six malcolm graham district two at drinks district seven. >> thank you for joining us. Luana mayfield council member at large.
[6:31] >> good evening jd must wear ideas proudly representing the east side district five. >> good evening I'm renee johnson and I have the honor of representing district four. >> thank you everyone. Now we go next to the city. This mayor and city council consent item questions and answers.
[6:48] we use marie who is absolutely at this and so we're going to begin this and so with them we'll have the consensus items through 25 through 59.
[7:10] so marie, will you help us out there? >> yes, thank you, mayor and I had a opportunity to speak with a couple of you but I was wondering at this point is there any other questions on any of the consent items? Thank you. All right. So our consent items may I have a motion to approve the consent items agenda 25 through 59. All in favor, please raise your hands to read a motion. >> we have a follow. So second. Second. Okay.
[7:34] and then we have after this consent item we're going to approve a consent item as we go through this we need to so mayor mayor mayor, you have a motion on the second we have a motion to second. >> all in favor. All in favor. >> yeah. Anyone and we disagreement or not an agreement. Okay.
[7:57] anyone else? All right. So thank you for coming out and consideration for the consent agenda items that were done. Okay, now we have a few things that we'd like to introduce. First, I'd like to ask councilmember mayfield to recommend to develop and recommend a very special time. Let's see mr. Ryan, I want to recognize mr. Mayor.
[8:23] >> thank you so much, mayor and I would like for our members of our charlotte pride committee community and or charlotte black pride to please stand because I have the honor of presenting a proclamation thanks to our mayor so your where whereas charlotte is home to a vibrant and diverse community among which are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
[8:48] transgender and lgbtq citizens who have positively shaped the cultural business, civic faith and social fabric of the city throughout is history. >> and. Whereas charlotte black pride and charlotte pride have been creating visibility for and promoting a positive image of lgbtq carolinians for more than two decades. And.
[9:13] whereas, the month of june is traditionally celebrated as lgbtq pride month honoring the iconic stonewall riots of june 1960 nine and the first christopher street liberation day march in 1970 and new york city largely organized by lgbtq people of color, transgender people and young people. And.
[9:46] whereas, charlotte's lgbtq citizens first attempted to organize gay liberation movement organizations as early as 1971 was charlotte's first pride events finally gives me and held in 1981 and the ensuring decades inspire me the creation of charlotte pride in 2000. And.
[10:12] whereas charlotte black pride was founded in 2005 with the mission to promote lgbtq pride primarily for but not limited to members of the black community while building social awareness, embracing spirituality and celebrating the diversity that exists within our community. And.
[10:40] whereas, in july black members of the lgbt community and their allies were gallup gathered to celebrate the history culture achievements as four races and dreams during the annual charlotte black pride week culminating in charlotte black pride's annual celebration black tip ism you belong here and.
[11:07] whereas this august charlotte pride will carry forward a 45 year tradition of pride events in charlotte as it hosts the largest annual annual lgbtq community event in our city and one of the largest in the south east creating significant cultural health and economic empire impact now therefore I I'm here by alexander lyles mayor of charlotte do hereby proclaim june 2026 as lgbt q pride month in the city of charlotte and encourage all
[11:30] citizens to join us in this special observance witness her hand the official seal the city of charlotte thank you. Don't want to go so thank you for that. We have one more proclamation this evening and I'd like to turn it over to council member anderson thank you, madam mayor.
[12:44] whereas vitiligo is an auto immune skin disease causing loss of pigment from areas of the skin resulting in irregular white spots or pack patches. And. Whereas, vitiligo affects more than 2 million americans between 0.004 and 2.
[13:14] 28% of the population and worldwide and even higher in certain regions it can appear at any age and can affect all people regardless of gender, race and ethnicity. And. Whereas, while the condition is not typically associated with physical pain, the psychologic call and the social effects can be seen difficult for many affected individuals especially children and those with darker skin. And.
[13:36] whereas approximately 15 to 25% of people with vitiligo also are affected by at least one other auto immune disorder. And. Whereas researchers and medical professionals are working to better understand and treat that illegal although there is currently no known cure, treatments are available that can help with re pigmentation especially if begun early and used consistently. And.
[14:11] whereas, the mission of the leaders of the north carolina vitiligo support community and its members is to support and empower individuals with vitiligo as well as educate advocate and spread awareness.
[14:34] and whereas, the north carolina vitiligo support community and its leaders have been designated by the global that a legal foundation to host the 2026 world vitiligo day usa conference from june 26th through june 28th. And charlotte, north carolina marking a decade of resilience, strength and beauty. And. Whereas, the city of charlotte encouraged just people to increase awareness, understanding and support individuals with vitiligo in communities throughout the city. And.
[15:08] whereas, the city of charlotte encouraged just citizens to increase, I think that's the same line. Therefore now she mayor alexander lyles, acting mayor does hereby proclaim the month of june 2026 as vitiligo a awareness and education month and it is signed in her hand.
[15:33] >> and I would love for you all miss carter and friends if you would come down I love to present this to you. Oh, I love that we're taking pictures now I'm sending you yeah, I like it. She that concludes our project our awards and recognitions for tonight and we will miss.
[16:58] may I like to take over right now? You know my mayor I know this is not on not on our agenda but today we want to take a moment to recognize you for extraordinary service to the city of charlotte and its residents for more than three decades, days of public service. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Oh, hello.
[17:28] that's more it's more it's more women. I'm just getting started. Hello. >> for more than 30 years, mere lyles has helped shape charlotte's future through nearly every level of local government leadership from budget director, assistant city manager to city council mayor pro tem and ultimately mayor.
[17:49] few leaders have served this city from as many perspective or such deep commitment to public service. Her leadership helped establish a strong financial foundation for charlotte. And as mayor she guided this city through a period of tremendous growth and transformation.
[18:20] she championed investments affordable housing, transportation, workforce development, public safety, economic development while advancing major initiatives such as charlotte 2040 comprehensive plan save charlotte and the mayor's racial equity initiative. Mayor lyles has always been a leader who brings people together. Her integrity, vision and collaborative approach has strengthened in charlotte and inspired countless residents, community leaders and public servants.
[18:52] on behalf of the charlotte city council and the people 879,000 calls charlotte on we extend our deepest gratitude for her distinctive service exceptional leadership and a wave and dedication to this community. Now mayor, we have a few tokens of appreciation we'd like to present to you today. First okay where we are. >> there we go. >> first we have after all the years of helping guide charlotte's direction is seem only fitting.
[19:26] and we found it. Put your name on a sign and we like to inspire others and all in all that transportation project this one need to be delivered on time and those schedule for the mayor. >> all right.
[19:58] >> we also have a skyline view and as a reminder of this city that you help guide, shape and your legacy, you have built. We also have a. Now the special recognition is mr. Walter byers. Walter, can you come forward, please? >> oh, my. >> can you go to a microphone so everybody would know this special recognition that you've given to our mayor wanted to the top top right behind you to. >> good evening, everyone.
[20:37] good evening. My name is walter bowers. I have the privilege of serving as the director of the governor's office charlotte covering 17 counties as far west as lincoln and as far east as sampson county.
[20:55] I'm here this evening with the distinct honor and privilege of presenting one of north carolina's highest civilian honors the order of the longleaf pine to an extraordinary public servant. Now I need everybody to know that the governor did come down to see mayor lyles personally, but she was too busy for him. But but no scheduling didn't work out. But we said together that you know what it was too important.
[21:27] we thank god for her amazing staff that came and represented her. But we wanted to personally present this tonight. The order of the longleaf pine is an award that has been given to individuals across the state of north carolina.
[21:45] individuals such as michael jordan and steve smith, senior but also individuals like carl bailey junior who served as a fire fighter here in the state of north in the city of charlotte. Saving lives recipients join a distinguished tradition of servant leaders whose dedication has strengthened our state and improve the quality of life for generations of north carolinians.
[22:03] mayor lyles has devoted her life to public service and we're thankful for that as our first african-american woman elected mayor of charlotte, as our first african-american woman elected mayor of charlotte. >> she broke she broke barriers while demonstrating that leadership is ultimately measured not by titles but by service. She was our mayor doing covid 19.
[22:37] >> she was our mayor during the protests of 2020. She was our mayor. As we continue to push for affordable housing. She's been our mayor as we continue to push for war. Workforce development and opportunities. She set the city of charlotte up along with her amazing coworkers on the city council for greater things ahead.
[22:58] so tonight we recognize not only her years of service but a legacy of leadership that has touched countless lives and helped shape the future of our city and state. Therefore a mayor allows on behalf of governor josh stein and the people of north carolina, it is my honor to present to you the order of the longleaf pine.
[23:15] in recognition of your distinguished service and your enduring contributions to the city of charlotte and the state of north carolina and mayor louse, here is what you get everywhere you go.
[23:34] you get a chance to toast every one that you meet with the following here's to the land of the lonely find the summer land where the sun dove shine where the weak grow strong and the stronger are great. Here's to the down home the old north state. Congratulations that thank you for your service. You don't need okay. Okay. I watched joe bruno last night so don't worry about it. I know what the program is.
[24:23] >> I have I don't know what to say. >> I really don't. >> I guess I'm a softy. It's hard, you know? >> so I always tell people I grew up with really five brothers and they were like hard on me all the time but nothing could be harder than not knowing what you can do if
[24:45] you tear enough if you want to do it enough, if you're strong enough and you can compete enough. And I want you every one of you in this room to understand man this city is absolutely one of the most astounding places that we can be. We go all over the state.
[24:59] this country you don't see the people coming out and saying oh, I'll give the mayor a pat of something anyway but I just want you to know that it has been an honor to be in this community. It's been an honor to work with the people in this organization.
[25:19] it is an honor to know that the city has the ability to do whatever we choose to do because it is the right thing to do and be and I'm not going to stop at this. I know that I am very, very happy because I do get to see my kids.
[25:36] they go to love school close by here and I will be able to do a lot of things that I've never even thought about. But after all of that I will still be in charlotte. And that's what's going to make the difference. Charlotte is the place to be. There's room for everyone in this country.
[25:54] we can see it coming. And I just hope that when we do see it coming we make it better than ever, ever, ever. >> thank you so much for the sacrifice I. >> I don't know if my kids are watching me but tell them hello. Okay.
[26:25] I think I have to go right back into a public forum and it doesn't have this much as the other thing. So we're now going to open the public forum.
[26:44] I would like to thank you all for joining us and on behalf of the entire city council I ask that all speakers and audience members be civil and courteous in the use of their language. Speakers are encouraged to address the council and should refrain from responding to audience members. Likewise, audience members should be courteous of each speaker and not yell out or interrupt those speakers. We want to ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard.
[27:08] now since we have been fairly busy lately we're going to have an opportunity that maybe some will and some will like and maybe others will not. Since there are more than ten speakers, each speaker will have one minute to address the council. >> thank you. I'm okay. >> I'm sorry. I thought it was one.
[27:34] >> it's just for the applause for this. Okay. For the public forum. Okay. So we will have to pick two minutes to speak and address the council. So thank you. I'm going to call on the first speaker who is avonte jackson truck driver and he hello.
[28:01] >> good evening this evening my name is devonte jackson and I am a trucker's advocate. I am a heart transplant recipient. I'm a seedless structure and I am the owner for a cdl shorty d for d.
[28:21] I'm here today to speak about trucking infrastructure and transportation issues that directly affect public safety, economic growth and the movement of goods throughout our city. First we must address the bottleneck traffic in charlotte, north carolina major corridors such as I-77 85 I-45 experience heavy congestion daily truck drivers moving freight through these areas face delays that increase operating costs, reduce
[28:44] efficiency, create safety concerns for each and everyone on the road. Charlotte continues to grow and however our infrastructure must grow with it. Second, I believe that the city should collaborate with the north carolina division of motor vehicles to improve public education on how to safely share the road with semi-trucks.
[29:03] many drivers do not understand truck blindspots stopping distances wide terms or safe following distance better education for teens and adults could reduce preventable crashes and it could save lives. >> third, we must talk about truck driver compensation and fair pay. The fair labor standards act of 1938 excludes many truck drivers from overtime protection.
[29:27] truck drivers are essential to our economy. Yet many work long hours without fair compensation for detention time delays and unpaid labor. Supporting the fair pay for truck drivers strengthens the workforce and helps retain skilled professionals in this industry. Fourth, we need to prioritize female truck drivers safety.
[29:48] many truck stops and parking areas especially here in charlotte lack proper lighting security and safe access to rest facilities as men as more women enter the trucking industry. Safety requirements must be part of the conversation.
[30:06] and there was a young black woman in louisiana named commission thomas that was found unfortunately on alive in her semi truck overnight with her family. >> thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Two minutes. All right. You. >> our next speaker is linda byers and faith sanders. >> could come down please. >> faith sanders and linda byers. >> you can speak to one of them. You can do it.
[30:44] she didn't just hear me. >> if you give us your name, please. >> I am linda byers. I am a native in charlotte, north carolina and I live in district one. And forgive me, I don't feel well today. Good evening, mayor. You'll be missed. Thank. And city council. Thank you for allowing me to be here today.
[31:28] my question tonight is simple. Is district one forgotten? I am here tonight to address the growing concerns surrounding safety and quality of life for seniors and longtime residents in uptown charlotte. As our city continues to grow and develop, it is important that we do not overlook the people who have helped build and sustain these communities for decades.
[31:54] these concerns are not new. >> in 2020 four we raised concerns about parking congestion and the impact of new development on our neighborhood. After the city adopted a private street to support apartment development at that time we warned about the burden this would place on long time residents especially seniors living on fixed incomes.
[32:19] unfortunately those concerns were not adequately addressed. Now in 2026 what began as concerns over parking and traffic has escalated into much deeper issues of safety, privacy, noise disturbances during quiet hours, loitering and declining quality of life. These are not isolated concerns. In just a few weeks a community petition address these concerns and we raised over 200 signatures.
[32:56] just in a few weeks. And these are people who are going through the same things. >> these are leaders and people who live in the city of charlotte that's going through quality of life issues. >> thank you. Thank you. >> is mr. Miss juneteenth here ? >> yeah. Okay. I don't think that we can see her yet.
[33:31] so she is I mean a question may a man. May I ask a quick question? I know at one point since we only have two minutes if speakers have written remarks they're able to give them to the clerk.
[33:52] but I think we might not have mentioned that at the beginning so I do believe even with the first speaker they had additional comments. So just wanted to make sure that you all know if you are two minutes runs out and you have additional comments I would gladly capture that so that we can get the full information because what is shared is present it to council in the form of a memo. Thank you, ma'am.
[34:11] I appreciate that. Okay. So we don't have faith yet and so we'll go to jeff cross. Mr. Cross thank you. Acting mayor. Thank you, counsel. >> my name is jeff and I am a member of the charlotte metro democratic socialist of america.
[34:51] >> we understand last meeting you got a bit irritated with how your constituent engaged the democratic process. You told us that your hands are tied as the state has laws limiting your ability to stop data center construction. You told us we need to contact our state reps, vote for democrats in the midterms and work through nonprofit efforts to craft unique policies to comply with the state government.
[35:09] how could you say that with a straight face? Our state is famously gerrymandered. The people of charlotte have voted blue and are left with minoritarian rule. We cannot simply vote harder or especially when the democratic party permits snakes like tricia cottam and karla cunningham to run and betray their voters after election as
[35:33] our state government is structured to deny our working class a voice. But you the city council of charlotte still can and should represent us. That means standing up for our well-being, our environment, our jobs and our way of life. We demand that you take action and implement every measure possible to prevent current and future data center construction.
[36:03] your decision to resist or comply with state law imposed on us by exploitative corporations and developers will be remembered by your constituents when you ask for their votes next year. Thank you for your time. I see the rest of mine. >> and our next speaker is jack adams. Hey, good evening everybody. Gaming console gaming. Acting mayor.
[36:50] my name is jack adams and I've been a charlotte resident since july of 2019. Now three weeks ago on june the 3rd I rode my bike to uptown area for the very first time.
[37:09] I have been empowered by our infrastructure as well as the green energy shift to try to minimize use of my car by bus train, bicycle. >> however, when I was riding southbound on elizabeth avenue towards hawthorne lane you know just around the corner here I noticed that the bike lane ended before reaching the intersection. Now anyone that's taking the tram long enough understands that elizabeth avenue has tramway tracks for two links.
[37:32] goal line in order to pass through that road. So unfortunately as I was shifting towards the main load from the bike lane my front wheel cut onto the tramway track and I face planted onto the road at 20 miles an hour. Where was I? Oh yeah.
[37:49] so I woke up at the emergency department at novant health with huge scrapes on my joints and face. You can see a little scarring in the distance a broken nose and a laceration on my eyebrow requiring stitches. Now thankfully my wounds have healed. The pain is gone. And last saturday I was able to get replacement glasses.
[38:12] now as an avid bus rider I believe in a future where alternative modes of transportation charlotte are not only accessible but encouraged. I want everyone to have all the options they can. >> however, for the safety of cyclists near the gold line I encourage the city to add a dedicated bike lane across the entire gold line.
[38:34] now the department of transportation has spoken to me earlier today to reassure me that there are measures to be done about this. So I look forward to cooperating with them as well as the city council as well. >> thank you all. And I hope you have a great night. Thank you.
[38:50] I want to get in as many of the people that signed up to speak and so I'm going to start with to speakers because we have podiums on both side of the room and then we can have them come down and then we'll have one person to speak and then we'll just go that and make it
[39:08] a little bit faster for all of us to be successful leader. Be heard. Our next speaker is annabel rodriguez and ashton mcgrady. And either side that you choose annabel so it's I can you give me your name please? >> good evening, chair. Commissioner and city council members and partners of the community.
[39:41] my name is annabel rodriguez and I current president of north charlotte national association of hispanic real estate professionals. And tonight I'm here to present to you the 2025 hispanic homeownership report that I will hand over to. I appreciate the opportunity the opportunity to discuss the key findings from the 2025 hispanic homeownership report published by nar rep.
[40:06] the report highlights historic milestones hispanic households added 441,000 new homeowners in 2025 bring in a total of hispanic homeownership holds nationwide to a record of 10.2 million hispanic families account for virtually all net of homeownership growth of the united states. That's a 92.7% through our census.
[40:36] hispanic families accounted for virtually all of the net here in the u.s. The nation's trends matter, especially here in mecklenburg county in north carolina. It being my home for the past 25 years has approximately 1.3 million latinos representing 12% of the state population. The latino homeownership rate in north carolina is 50.
[41:07] 2% of hispanic households that are responsible for more than 60% of the growth in the past year. I am gladly here to represent the hispanic homeowner and visionary of what our city is. I appreciate the time. I definitely appreciate the inclusivity and I hope you have a wonderful evening. >> thank you. Our next speaker is ashley mcgrady and david roble.
[41:44] also I may not get it completely right. Will do both. The good evening. My name is david roble also. Laundry is something that we all take for granted. We never given any thought until the polls up and we have nothing left to wear.
[42:13] >> for many of us procrastinators it might be a choice but if we don't have a choice. For some folks laundry piles up not by choice but because they have to juggle their living expenses. Many families don't have washers and dryers at home so they use a laundromat and going to the laundromat takes money.
[42:34] >> we get creative when we live on a shoestring budget but you can only recycle so much of your dirty laundry. Parents might not say anything but the kids notice. They sense they feel it. Imagine wearing the same shirt several times without being washed.
[42:52] there's entire families living in cars and storage units and motels and the kids still have to go to school. Imagine the stigma that young students have to overcome. A single chore becomes a barrier to self-confidence, self-esteem and learning.
[43:25] that is what I operation clean health is to launch the inaugural national back to school free laundry day this august in charlotte. My vision is for charlotte to be the birthplace of a national movement and that is why I created the website national free laundry day.org. >> our goal is simple helping students start the school year with clean clothes, self-confidence and dignity.
[43:45] but this is bigger than just one day or just one laundromat. There are approximately 60 laundromats in charlotte and nearly 30,000 laundromats across the country. Imagine the impact of communities across the country dedicated just one day each year helping young students start school prepared and confident.
[44:02] tonight I am asking for your support, your partnership and your help in spreading the word . Together we can demonstrate how our small act of service can have a profound impact. >> but our next speaker is you marker not on key. I'm on katz improvement meeting. >> okay. And evan sure thesis housing. Thank you.
[44:52] >> esteemed councilors last month mayor lyles announced the housing innovation challenge tasking students from ten universities across the charlotte mecklenburg tropical zion area to develop new and innovative solutions to meet charlotte's growing housing need.
[45:11] >> but tonight I question if this innovation is really a weaseling around the rules of a restrictive regulatory framework established by a group of individuals who implemented it to isolate themselves in the city's sprawling suburbs.
[45:29] that is to say that the housing crisis will not be solved through a distorted sense of innovation but through the elimination of regulatory and zoning requirements imposed by the past century of white flight and urban renewal that intentionally made housing scarce and development uncompetitive as the value of land has increased dramatically and suburban resistant to resistance to growth mount's development developers are forced to turn back inwards to urban cores to satisfy the needs of the market. This fundamentally is a good problem to have.
[45:52] >> the obstacle they face however, is zoning restrictions such as setbacks maximum lot of footprint ratios, minimum parking requirements and double stairwell requirements which severely limit the types of housing they can permit and build. Well the unified development ordinance has made significant strides in reforming this regulatory framework. I'm here to ask the city to go further.
[46:13] I am asking the city to eliminate setbacks and maximum footprint ratios for all levels of residential and commercial zoning under the udl and to expand the ability to apply for a minimum parking waiver to all levels as well.
[46:33] this will make smaller parcels of land appealing to developers and enable small developers to expand the types of construction they can provide to the market at lower cost which is then passed on to the consumer. Eliminating these restrictions will accelerate housing construction clear up confusing rules and increase affordability across the city. Thank you and thank you mayor lyles for your service as you cook and to come in. Okay.
[47:00] our next speaker is megan stansell. >> megan yeah, great. Yeah. And just making I think it is just for this and the next one if we could have the second person come down gabriel. >> kai jack gabriel hey, good evening. >> my name is mike fenster.
[47:27] I service co-chair of charlotte's mission zero task force and tonight I'm speaking on behalf of sustain charlotte. I had wanted to read all the 41 names of people who have been killed in charlotte in traffic crashes this year since january 1st.
[47:38] but I won't have time so I'm going to start since the last time we came to you in march. These are not statistics. These are our loved ones. Terry lee clark age 43. Julian allen 35. Sophie klippel 23. Daniel davon dixon 49. Naomi summers eight. Aiden lynn garcia 34. William angelo primos 28. Christopher john shea 54.
[48:06] jonathan michael moretti race 35. Bobbi jo skidmore 39. Carlos jamal mitchell gina 32. Pablo daniel martinez delatour 24. Aaron linwood mcintosh 32. Louis anthony chega sola 39. Elijah smoot 30. Luis vasquez reyes 33. Keegan mckenney 22.
[48:42] adrian mello escobar 17 as letty herrera ramirez 17 fan dieter mata 52 roosevelt davis the third 55 edwin jose flores 54 frankly on dente 64 kathryn lamberth 38. Angelina naomi cejka 17. Caden riley molitor 18. Johnny wesley mason the fourth 53. I now like to pause for a moment of silence for us all to remember these individuals these neighbors of us all.
[49:12] we urge you to implement the red light camera pilot immediately rather than waiting until 2027 because every week matters. Every week we lose at least one more neighbor to traffic violence every week someone loses someone they love. >> thank you. Thank you. Hello, city council members. My name is gabriel joseph kendrick ultra.
[49:40] I am a designer who's been working on a concept I genuinely believe could help state and local leaders communicate with their constituents. Right now there's a real gap in how the government receives clear and verified public input. >> commissioners and boards often struggle to get reliable feedback before making big decisions.
[50:01] for regular citizens finding the right information and having their voice heard is still way too difficult. Between scattered websites, public forums and long hearings it's hard for any person to stay informed and engaged.
[50:21] I developed something called the north carolina state communicator a secure verified platform that puts essential services in one simple app while also giving leaders a tool called public pulse.
[50:38] with public pulse, the governor or a county board can quickly send a poll on any proposed project like a new data center or a reforestation plant and within days receive clear verified statistics from real citizens only no bots, no guessing just actionable data that helps leaders see what their constituents actually want and prioritize accordingly. >> for citizens it becomes much easier to stay informed and share their opinion without having to hunt through complicated websites or rearrange their schedule for a hearing.
[51:00] for leaders it means faster, more confident decisions backed by real public input with the ability to clearly explain those decisions to the media and the public. So please, I want nothing more than to see this bridge of intuition built between the people and our government.
[51:19] I truly believe this could help bring the voice of the people to you and shed light for every person who isn't in this meeting all currently so you can expect to see me at each of these meetings until this happens.
[51:37] so we the people may educate ourselves in our local politics with ease and you the elected can feel safe in your decision making process. >> thank you very much. Y'all have a good one. Our next speaker is kay primack and leah sara salisbury live. Good evening. My name is chrissy matthews and I'm a member of charlotte metro dsa.
[52:13] two weeks ago when city council enacted the current moratorium they expressed that the state government limits the city council's ability to regulate data center construction. Considering the city council attempted to wash its hands and claim that the power to rent these rested solely in the hands of the general assembly, I would like to stress a few potential policy remedies.
[52:27] I would urge the council to utilize the current moratorium to actively consider new measures that impede future data centers. While the city's restrictive down zoning nothing prevents the city from adjusting the unified development ordinance to halt future facilities.
[52:44] additionally, adjustments to the zoning rules that are being utilized to prevent the construction of future ice detention centers such as in greensboro. Under that adjustment the city added a new land use category and prohibited such facilities from operating within a half a mile of residential and community spaces. Even durham just voted to extend its current moratorium by another ten months.
[53:00] if these adjustments can halt the construction of ice detention facilities, can we not usher in similar restrictions on data centers? >> more importantly, does the city council not have the political will to enact such restrictions? It's no secret that certain lobbying groups have expressed their dismay over the rejection of both the I-77 expansion and data center construction.
[53:20] so council will you take the steps that are clearly needed to prevent the operation of a facility known to cause definite harm to your constituents or you support the lobbying groups and corporations who stand to gain from causing that harm? >> thank you. As has layla is layla available? >> yes, I'm right here. Okay. There we go.
[53:43] thank you. Evening city council. My name is layla say and I'm currently a student at you and cc and a member of the charlotte metro dsa. As a young student whose future is invested in the well-being of the city, I'm concerned about how the city and state are more or less negligent in the management of our
[54:00] infrastructure specifically the rush of data centers within charlotte. My greatest concern is the lack of a long term vision surrounding this newer technology. Corporate churn such as I have done little to motivate profit and build a stronger economy or help cities like charlotte create stable growth.
[54:15] >> despite state pressure to stop down zoning the city of charlotte needs to make an effort against ongoing data center development. The 150 day moratorium has been a step in the right direction for the city but its effect is only momentary.
[54:32] the bottom line is that is about investment for this city by building new data centers to support ai. We latch ourselves on to this failing trend when our spaces could be better spent even for a commercial space. Data centers provide little in terms of creating long term jobs for the city of charlotte.
[54:48] >> the community has repeatedly stated that we don't want to raise resources on data centers many of which are unfinished or empty within the us. Why should our city follow a technological trend that shows itself to be completely economically viable? Commercially zoned spaces need to be used for infrastructure that will provide material benefits to the people and the economy of charlotte.
[55:03] that's why I'm speaking today to urge the city council to do everything possible to delay and stop the construction of data centers in our beautiful city. >> thank you very much. Okay. And our next speaker is carson cohen of on ten year alice I'm sorry. Our next speaker is tamara alice. >> please come in.
[55:33] I say take your time and carson cove, would you come? Carson cohen thank you. And I'm telling her to come up this year. Got six. >> good evening. My name is tamara elise and there's a typo. I actually represent district one. >> oh, thank you. Good evening, mayor and city council. My name is tamara elise.
[56:05] a nonprofit business owner, artist and advocate of over ten years and charlotte native. I stand before you tonight not only as a resident of district one but as a two time survivor of suicide loss. I'm losing two kings in my life my father and my brother.
[56:23] june is mental men's mental health month and for me this month is a reminder that safety in our city is not just about crime statistics. It is about emotional mental and environmental well-being of our communities.
[56:44] >> and I do have to ask once again I heard this question before is district one being forgotten in the midst of all this growth when neighborhoods are overwhelmed by violence, noise instability and constant disruption? It impacts more than our sense of peace. It impacts our mental health as well. Chronic stress becomes a part of daily life especially for seniors, families and young people trying to find stability.
[57:05] too often especially men for men, mental health struggles go unseen until they become crisis. The environments we live in our safety, our peace and our sense of stability play a major role in that. District one is changing rapidly but many long life residents are feeling forgotten .
[57:25] in 2024 concerns were raised about parking congestion and the impact of a new development after private streets were adapted to support apartment growth. Today those concerns have grown to much deeper issues including safety, privacy, loitering, overcrowding, increased traffic and intentional noise disturbances during quiet hours
[57:43] especially on weeknights when residents have to work, raise and care for their families. Residents deserve to feel secure in their homes to have their boundaries respected and to step outside without feeling unmonitored, crowded and displaced. >> thank you. >> carson thank you. >> hey. Hey. My name is carson cohen.
[58:13] I do want to speak about senator and worker pay. But first merrill's I want to thank you for all your service. I first became familiar with you after george floyd's murder and you were out there protesting with us. You were in the streets. And I appreciate that.
[58:33] I do want to say the city of charlotte posts on their website that there's a $24 hour minimum wage for the sanitation workers. This is not the case. The ones that are supposed to walk 5 to 10 miles per day. Repeatedly lift, carry, push and pull up to 75 pounds.
[58:56] work outdoors in all weather conditions have exposure to dust fumes, chemicals uneven pavement. Loud noise and heavy equipment. Begin shift at five. Begin shift at 6:15 a.m. When no set in time. Overtime may be required which implies to me that they're working more than 40 hours a week.
[59:15] so I just ask that those sanitation workers in this city where we celebrate the life of dr. Martin luther king jr who passed voting for sanitation workers I ask that we please look out for those sanitation workers and raise the minimum wage for them currently. It is $16 per hour.
[59:34] I again I want to thank you for your service. I know you did a lot of lobbying in raleigh to get the pta that's going to provide a lot of bus shelters for people out here struggling people trying to get to work and all that. So thank you so much.
[59:53] >> if we could just give her one more round of applause please. All right. Tonight the city council will make appointments to the planning commission and to the mayoral vacancy. The council members voted by ballot and have submitted their ballots to the clerk.
[1:00:24] any nominee receiving six or more votes is automatically appointed if no nominee received at least six votes. A runoff will be necessary and council will be asked to vote tonight to determine who will be appointed to the board. All appointments will be recorded in the official minutes of this meeting. Madam clerk, could you please announce the results? No, I don't think we need further.
[1:00:43] that's the planning commission so we don't want to do that. We're going to start planning with our planning commission. Madam mayor and city council for the position on the planning commission. The incumbent will russell has been reappointed. >> thank you. Congratulations. >> and will. I guess that's all well. >> okay. All right, guys.
[1:01:18] >> so let's start off with our next step. Madam clerk, do we have any speakers signed up to speak on item seven appointment to fill the mayoral seat vacancy? Yes we do. >> we have any? Yes, ma'am. We have approximately 30 speakers. >> rudy how many? 30.
[1:01:37] 30 excuse 30 speakers and we can speak speaker will have to one minute. One minute. Okay. Okay. Oh, okay. Yes. Just get ten people in one minute for these. One minute please. We need something to change because when you all ready? Ready. Let's do this garland green.
[1:02:07] would you would you please come down and speak? And linda lockman brooks, if you would take one of the sides and come down and speak if you have two minutes. >> thank you. One minute. One minute. I'm sorry. One minute. First of all, mayor lyles, job well done. Greatly appreciate it. Thank you. I want to bring two points to your consideration.
[1:02:28] I'm going to be real quick and to the point on them is we have enjoyed tremendous growth and prosperity for the last ten years in order to continue that, in my opinion we need to build a bridge to raleigh. They are not the enemy. They are going through change. We're going through change.
[1:02:49] this could be a golden opportunity when you're voting denial I ask you to consider the person that you feel might be best to lead this forward. Secondly, I want to talk about crisis management. It was really not talked about in the half an hour interviews is not 11 people murdered on the light rail. Things like that happened.
[1:03:16] and so ask yourself who is the best candidate to handle crisis management? Who can pick up the microphone at a time of crisis and deliver for our city? Thank you. Thank you very much. All right, ms.. Brooks, good evening. >> I'm linda lockman brooks and first of all, mayor lyles, thank you.
[1:03:43] thank you for all your years of service on council and as mayor we appreciate you and look forward to what's next. I'm a business owner and a civic volunteer who's lived in charlotte for over 30 years.
[1:04:01] I've known rob harrington for over 20 years and have worked with him on the board of the charlotte-mecklenburg library foundation, the charlotte-mecklenburg library system is focused on access for all citizens and really focused on access to education, workforce development and civic resources. Since 2019 rob has served as co-chair of the common spark campaign raising funds for the new main library in center city which will open to the public on may 1st, 2027.
[1:04:29] rob is a leader who bridges my colleague just said we were concerned about crisis and they will come. >> rob is calm and a crisis. Thank you very much. You are okay. Our next speaker is justin harlow followed by eric norman. >> this year no one's going to change the role to three minutes one.
[1:05:07] reclaiming my time the climate. >> all right, mr. Manager. Mr. Tony clark. Good to see you all. Madam mayor, thank you for your sacrifice and your leadership.
[1:05:30] justin harlow who should be the next leader? Who should be our next mayor? I think that next leader is carrie raised in charlotte and kim's graduate carrie is the product that you all said that you wanted you wanted a partner. You wanted someone who cross the sectors of nonprofit fit private sector and public sector. She's been that partner for you. She has championed your bonds, your infrastructure. She has led workforce development programs that have created jobs in this community.
[1:05:49] people first lyn's mission is where are is someone who does the work as you like to say? Mr. Graham this election tonight is more than a name with six hands being raised for them.
[1:06:06] but it says something about who you are as a council, as an institution and where you're trying to lead this city pro-business not enough pro community, not too much. You've got a decision to make. This is about the future of our city and it's not just about amendment. Thank you. Our next speaker is frank. She's up here, you say there you are. >> thank you. Good evening everyone.
[1:06:28] and we try to give you the high speed rail version of my three minute speech. Thank you. Good evening. Mayor lyles, members of council and city staff. My name is eric norman. I'm a former small business owner in the community.
[1:06:44] I'm an active member of the carolina's lgbt community carolina chamber of commerce and I'm also a resident currently unincorporated part of district two. I watched all five interviews last thursday night and to make discharge I why you each chose to talk to I had a top three a carrie cooke state senator caleb theo daughtry and mayor
[1:07:03] pro tem james mitchell what I do not want to see is calvin and carrie being blocked from running for a full mayor term next election cycle. They are our future as the transition to new leadership.
[1:07:22] so my choice for everything that's going on right now with the charlotte business inclusion advisory committee where I also sit as the representative of the lgbt chamber of commerce james mitchell should be the interim. Thank you. Thank you and our next speakers are vanessa mitchell and jasmine allen burnett has never now let us know he's getting too much. We just keep going. Yep and that's okay.
[1:08:09] you see we way no you oh my bad I thought you are waiting on panetta I'm jasmine allen. Good evening mayor lyles my heart and soul are with you as you move forward and I appreciate as justin said, your sacrifice for this city. It's all the better because of you.
[1:08:31] I'm honored to speak in support of carrie cook for interim mayor of charlotte. I've had the privilege of knowing carrie for more than 15 years and she and I have become close collaborators with her launch of her nonprofit empower her mit as a volunteer and as a parent of a young woman who participate in the program.
[1:08:49] but I've witnessed firsthand is something our city needs now more than ever a leader with the evidence base of putting charlotte residents first cares what I call a leader among leaders. She doesn't seek the spotlight.
[1:09:09] she creates opportunities for others to shine through her nonprofit she's helped develop and mentor generations of young women and girls by building not just programs but long lasting leadership pipelines and inspiration for charlotte's youth. >> what carrie, thank you very much. Our next speakers are nicole grace reneé and mindy mitchell henson .
[1:10:16] >> good evening may allow and members of city council my name is nicole grace formerly known as nicole rayner professionally I am the president of the charlotte chapter of the national association of women business owners and I currently serve on the charlotte business advisory committee.
[1:10:33] I am here today to encourage you to appoint mayor pro tem james mitchell as charlotte vote mayor let me to my support is based on voting and experience I served on the charlotte people. It includes an advisory committee, a committee james helped establish and later worked with them through my advocacy leadership was never silent throughout the years I told you to conflict and he showed up and he listened and worked collaboratively to
[1:10:55] support charlotte community and bring people together. Charlotte need experience leadership I can tap in and lead effectively from day one based on my experience working with him. I believe james mitchell had the integrity, experience commitment not to it continue moving our city forward. >> thank you very much.
[1:11:18] I respectfully encourage you to a point game matter as charlotte next mayor thank you thank you for your time and your service ms. Henson yes my name is mindy mills henson and I am past president of nami charlotte currently serve at the national level for the national association of women business owners.
[1:11:37] I'm here tonight to throw my endorsement for mayor pro tem mitchell. Oh, I met him 14 years ago as a member of neighbors charlotte where he was a strong advocate on behalf of small businesses. 12 years later he is still an active part of our organization.
[1:11:56] he shows up, he answers the phone when we call he gives us his cell phone. He was there for us when we were trying to figure out what to do in covid coming out of covid informing us always about the resources that were available through the city of charlotte and how we could all survive.
[1:12:14] he works faithfully with us and is a huge advocate for small businesses all in this area not just women. How different we would be in this country if all of our leaders had the compassion that james mitchell has? Thank you. All right.
[1:12:39] our next speakers are rochelle,the gala steward and hopefully I'm sorry I'm not getting the right part of the middle name. >> and hannah hazan. William, I'm sorry we have jasmine right. >> good evening, mayor and members of the city council. My name is rochelle stewart and I'm a local business owner and immediate past president of nava charlotte. The national association of women business owners.
[1:13:03] I am here tonight to give full support and endorsement to bear pro tem that's all. As council considers their appointment this evening for mayor pro tem mitchell has been a long standing supporter, advocate and champion for women business owners in charlotte.
[1:13:26] he has consistently helped women to ensure that they have a voice, that they have visibility and a seat at the table. Mayor pro tem mitchell has not only supported nabil shaath charlotte and words but he shows up, he shows up for meetings, events, listens to women business owners needs mayor pro tem mitchell understands that economic development and workforce development for all businesses large corporations must work for established companies.
[1:13:50] small businesses, women owned businesses, minority businesses. He recognizes that charlotte is strongest when opportunity is extended across the business community. >> thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Go right ahead. >> good evening. I am hannah hassan.
[1:14:22] I have shared community with kari cook in many capacities through the years and I've learned what must most of you probably already know about her. >> kari is an incredibly star. But more than that, kari cook is a charlotte native who was educated in charlotte public schools.
[1:14:37] she went to vance high school when as a ninth grader she helped lead their basketball team to a championship they nicknamed her the floor general because she was able to see the court from all the angles. She was able to inspire her teammates. And even though she was an unlikely leader, they trusted her.
[1:14:52] she trusted them and that is how she will show up as mayor a floor general to the distinguished members of our council I invite you to envision a beautiful charlotte story with me with carrie cook as your mayor while working alongside you you begin to see your vision for the city actualize with a mayor who isn't afraid of coming into a
[1:15:06] new team and collaborate every leading you work together as a collective body to continue to improve the lives of all charlotte teens council I challenge you to take a courageous step and invest in charlotte in a purposeful and powerful way.
[1:15:27] >> let's get our general in the game terryville and cleveland here we has the beautiful village here with her today all pulling for the man. Q thank you. Thank you. >> thank you very much. Now we have ms.. Ms.. Mr. Youngblood. Mr. Youngblood is that yes. I receive an okay. Thank you so much. I wonder who is sitting next to. >> good evening mr. Lisle.
[1:15:58] charlotte city council first of all my name is william youngblood. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and strong endorsement my friend robert harrington a little background my first opportunity to work with rob was when we both served as trustees at friendship missionary baptist church here in charlotte at
[1:16:16] this time we also he also volunteered volunteered his services as the official legal counsel to the church volunteer and to the board of directors for several years I had the privilege of serving as the church chair of the board of directors and worked very closely with rob on many issues involving members incarcerations of this environment.
[1:16:39] and so my thoughts when preparing these comments it was very clear to me that many of you don't know me know my past. I want to talk about rob's passion. That's the one message I want to get across the board is passion. His reputation as an honest, honest person with great character.
[1:16:53] I think characters imperative to what we're going through and surely need to be have more of and be about and that's what rob excel thank you. >> thank you molly barker they are my good evening my name is molly barker and I'm the founder of girls on the run international.
[1:17:20] I started the organization right here in charlotte 30 years ago this year. Since then I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand and the profound impact authentic leadership can have on communities across this country.
[1:17:37] and because of that I've learned to recognize transformative leadership when I see it several years ago kerry cooke invited me to serve on a panel for the organization and she founded called empowerment a nonprofit that partners girls in grades six through 12 with mentors who help them discover their strength and leadership potential. What I witnessed was amazing those girls were naturally drawn to carry. They trusted her.
[1:17:58] they knew they mattered and her presence and as someone who has spent much of my life around young people, I can tell you this kids know they know real when they encounter it. Over the years I've seen her authentic spirit show up everywhere.
[1:18:18] she brings the same thing to every room she enters light optimism, gritty resourcefulness and the deep desire to make positive change. >> thank you. Thank you very much. All right. The next speaker is chelsea evans. >> oh, cool. Cool. >> followed by melinda there don mcvey, the faded voter. Thank you, peyton. >> good evening. I'm chelsea evans. Okay.
[1:18:49] do I come before you today to voice my support for selecting rob harrington as interim mayor met rob bell ten years ago when I was an intern at robinson bradshaw during that summer I learned that rob was not just an excellent and accomplished lawyer he was also deeply
[1:19:04] involved in the charlotte community through board service and pro bono work. Rob was not involved just for the sake of adding activities to his resume. He was truly invested in charlotte and wanted to do his part to make the city a great place where all people can thrive.
[1:19:16] >> I was struck by his genuine commitment and viewed his career as the blueprint for what a lawyer should be a champion of and an advocate for your community. Once I joined the firm as an associate robin green to me that it's not enough to be dedicated entirely to my legal career.
[1:19:30] he implored me to not lose sight of the calling while focusing on the career he reminded me that as lawyers we have a moral and professional obligation to serve our communities. He exhibits all of the qualities I will make an effective and excellent and are a mayor. He's level headed, dedicated and hardworking. He's warm, he's genuine.
[1:19:48] he's truly a connector who seeks to bring people together in a way where everyone feels seen and heard while also making a decision. >> thank you. Thank you. Yeah. And so you see south she speaks the lender. Thank you.
[1:20:10] I know the steps are really my name is rolling to me vaden and as you can tell novo is really behind mr. Mitchell we've had some really great experiences and I will tell you this he's been involved in bigger developments, large developments in charlotte. He's been involved in small developments.
[1:20:41] he is always there for the small business person. He's been a champion of women. He showed us things we didn't even know we could do. He showed us opportunities that we didn't know we could have.
[1:20:55] he partnered with charlotte some years ago with an initiative that we had called power players designed to really show small and when I say small I mean small business owners business owners like me who are solopreneur as business owners who maybe have 10 or 15 employees, how to be considered by the city to do business with the city which is an avenue
[1:21:15] that many of us don't even think is available to us. It doesn't matter is all inclusive for all businesses but particularly minorities. >> thank you. Our next speaker is sam spencer and their new val voltaire's. Hey everybody sam spencer proud district one resident hope you all are doing well tonight.
[1:21:42] I want to talk to you tonight about lightning strikes. The next mayor, whoever they are in this room, you know there's going be a lot of things that happen in our city and some of them are going to feel like lightning strikes things that come out of nowhere, events that get a disproportionate amount of the
[1:21:58] city and our community's attention but are really rare things that don't happen that often including of course mayoral vacancies. So whoever is mayor next, I really want to implore you to work with the council to think about the persistent problems the structural issues, the things that are truly wrong in
[1:22:18] our community things like make fence all talked about because you know we can't be losing 40, 50, 60 people to motor vehicle accidents every year. So instead I want you to change your frame of reference instead of thinking about the problems . Think about what treveon shorter's calls as a framing.
[1:22:36] think about the assets, the things in charlotte that we want to support, the things that we want to champion and celebrate and I hope you put all of your effort behind them. >> thank you very much. Thank you very much.
[1:23:08] our next speaker is ben lou bud valadares and followed by al austin allen and one of my first steps I feel like I'm down here a lot. >> good evening mayor lives we love you mayor pro tem mitchell. We're so proud of you. Thank you. Members of council I'm al lost and former charlotte city councilman again let me thank all of you for your service to the city of charlotte.
[1:23:29] I'm here to support mayor pro-tem james mitchell for the interim mayor. James brings 25 years of elected official experi since you elected him to be your mayor pro tem. He has deep institutional knowledge of our city government and the challenges and opportunities ahead. James has built strong relationships across neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofit and other elected bodies.
[1:23:56] james has served as president of the national league of cities which elevated charlotte on a national stage most importantly, james can step into this role on day one without a learning curve. Please vote for james smudgy we are proud of you brother. >> keep pushing. >> all right.
[1:24:23] is antoine dennard in the building? Is he is there? Okay. Would you please come down and step you and stephanie joyner are you as well prepared to come down, miss joyner? There we go. Thank you. All right. >> mr. Dennard yes. Thank you, mayor and council. Good evening.
[1:24:57] as the 2026 board chair for living in and also a partner with you to help the residents of brookdale still in their homes. I'm here to support karen cook. For 17 years I have watched kerry no matter the status or background provide a level of passion and enthusiasm while meeting, greeting and working with everyone and truly trying to find problem solving solutions to help everyone for example through the green light
[1:25:20] fund she led an investment an initiative to help residents of and living in find jobs and opportunities. And so I please ask you to consider kerry cooke as our next ed romero. >> thank you. >> chris joyner good evening, madam mayor and members of council. My name is stephanie joyner and I'm here to bring the joy tonight.
[1:25:53] but I'm a business owner, minority and small business advocate and community leader. I'm here to advocate for mayor pro tem james mitchell. I have known james for over 18 years and james has always demonstrated unwavering commitment to our city.
[1:26:17] he understands the current issues we face, the processes that drive our governance and the key players involved no learning curve he often makes difficult decisions that may not always be popular yet he remains steadfast in his commitment to what is best for our community.
[1:26:40] I have personally experienced his dedication whether it was the establishment of the charlotte business inclusion advisory committee supported workforce development and also served as a panelist for the metro line for minority contract is association. James has been there every step of the way so I would like to say he is a leader who is proven passionate and prepared. >> thank you. Thank you. All right. Cherry's blackmon and matty marshall. Yes. Yes. For this man there's matty. Okay. Yeah.
[1:27:07] so you join us. Good evening. I'm sure he's blackmon, the executive director of the west side community land trust and I am here today because I believe carrie cooke is uniquely qualified to serve as our interim mayor. Many of you already know carrie as a strategic leader with a proven track record across several of charlotte's priority areas.
[1:27:46] but what makes carrie truly special is that she is both a visionary leader and a neighbor next door. She understands policy systems and governance yet remains deeply connected to the everyday experiences of the people. In particular, I want to speak to carrie's long standing commitment to the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
[1:28:08] long before housing became a headline issue, carrie was doing the work she had to advise neighborhood leaders on noah preservation efforts advocated for charlotte's housing trust fund and served on the city's affordable housing committee.
[1:28:27] she has convened faith leaders partnered with nonprofits like the westside community land trust and I personally believe her to be the ideal choice to serve as interim mayor. Thank you. Thank you. >> marshall yes, good evening, mayor last. And I want to say thank you for all your years of service and your service as a mayor of the great city of charlotte, north carolina.
[1:28:50] >> I want to start off by thanking also the council members here and the staff because you all are so part of uplifting all humanity with dignity and respect. And we greatly appreciate you. I watch you all every monday committee meetings and cell phone. So I'm up on what you've been doing and what you have accomplished.
[1:29:18] and I think with three city council members on board you've done tremendous work but you don't often give yourself credit enough for that. Now you've taken about four our mayor pro tem which I strongly encourage you to continue that vote. James margie mitchell as the next interim mayor I wouldn't miss you in experience address .
[1:29:56] >> thank you. >> we needed a little bit of that magic. >> thank you. It was appropriate. Thank you. All right. Our next speaker is gina esquivel and tanya archer is a labor partner. >> please. Thank you. I'm here. >> tanya thanks. Miss may feel you're doing a great job.
[1:30:25] I'm trying to help you on all mare council members. I have the same mayor lyles. I grew up watching your leads. Thank you so much for your service. I'm here to support rob herrington. My name is gina esquivel, long term community advocate and business owner. I know rob herrington since back in the 2000s as a recent immigrant.
[1:30:51] I look up to those showing up for community in a genuine way someone who didn't seek political game power or even visibility. I've seen mr. Hiring to move through this community quietly get intentional in where and how they show up, how he shows up.
[1:31:08] rob can litigate anything and we know charlotte needs a strong negotiator in terms of his car city or challenge we need someone steady who keeps charlotte authentic person alive. That's why I support rob harrington. >> thank you. Thank you, daniel. Thank you. Please. >> good evening. Mayor lyles and city council.
[1:31:33] I'm a practicing attorney here in charlotte and a proud member of the mecklenburg bar association. My name is tonya archer and I've worked tirelessly with rob harrington over many years on committees and boards. Rob rob may be a newer face to this arena. He's not new to the charlotte and legal communities.
[1:31:49] you've now heard him speak passionately about resolving the affordable housing, public safety and transportation issues currently facing our city. You've seen a slice of his ability to manage a meeting and to resolve contention through his brand of objective, calm and transparent leadership.
[1:32:08] as an attorney and a community member, he simultaneously holds roles in corporate law, nonprofit boards and civic institutions, reflects deep cross-sector engagement. In fact, many of our region's best civic leaders have served as leaders within the local bar association including district attorney spencer merriweather, shirley fulton, aretha blake, tayari baker. Tony lathrop. Mel watt. Frank emery, diane bailey and long time assistant city attorney for the city thomas powers.
[1:32:29] rob harrington stands among these named leaders. And what sets him apart is that his role the extension of his long history of community engagement they support rob harrington, thank you. >> thank you, chair marcia barnes to tanya adams advance. Thank you. A good evening. Hello. My name is marcia barnes.
[1:33:19] when I think about what makes someone effective in public leadership it comes down to two things a servant's heart and the ability to get results. Kerry cook has consistently demonstrated both. For more than two decades kerry has invested in charlotte by bringing together businesses, non-profits, educators, elected officials and community leaders to solve complex challenges.
[1:33:40] she has been a strong advocate for housing, economic development, public safety and transportation issues that are critical to our city's future. Many here can agree that this is kerry's calling through empowerment. She has helped more young women,more young women and girls build leadership skills, confidence and opportunity.
[1:33:58] as former executive director of greenlight fund charlotte, she identified community needs and brought proven solutions to support children and families. Most importantly, kerry has shown up for this community long before seeking any title. She leads with humility, integrity, compassion and competence. That combination is rare and is why I strongly support kerry cook for mayor pro tem.
[1:34:20] >> thank you for your time. Q. >> good evening. Good evening. Greetings. I'm titania adams. I'm the executive director and founder of the historic west ham partners. But not only that, I'm a native charlotte teen 62 years and 11 months I want to raise here.
[1:34:43] >> I'm mayor pro tem mitchell at charlotte rec recreation center playing and laid on it in the pews the eastern wall church he served the community then he served the church then and he you've heard all these wonderful things about his body of work where he's been involved, how he's been involved. >> here's what you haven't heard.
[1:35:05] he is truly a servant leader because even when going through personal difficulties, whether it was raising two beautiful girls which you did a great job with the blessings going through the marriage trials that we've all gone through and even losing your mother and
[1:35:21] then going through your own health battle with cancer which I've been through and I know what it's like to work when you flat on your back and you going through chemo and you would rather almost be dead and go through it. >> you did it with grace and style.
[1:35:35] I represent mayor pro tem and if you will not bring him in the in kirkuk is it she's the future is that that that was the phrase is you don't get a double dip I don't think you hear all right you know she's a rock star grandma so let's go with s.y. Mason watson and carlos davis.
[1:36:08] >> davis and carlos miller and you know when you let me yeah. >> good evening, madam mayor and charlotte city council members I am s.y. Mason watson and on behalf of the african-american caucus of the mecklenburg county democratic party I stand before you as president at this auspicious organization.
[1:36:53] we are keenly aware of the concerns in the community regarding our mayor pro tem recent controversial vote and early concerns regarding our g league. >> however, this is a crucial time for the city of charlotte and all of us who call the queen city home who work here raise families here, build businesses here, become
[1:37:18] educated here, who vote here and engage in the political process. We need continuity of leadership and the assurance that our city will prosper from a mayor that will work to promote what is best for her citizens.
[1:37:38] we submit there is only one applicant who is best suited to seamlessly assume the office of the mayor of charlotte and work that is mayor pro tem james mitchell and thank you madam mayor for your service. Thank you. All right. >> hi, mayor. Hi. How are you doing? What's going on? Everything. Announcer how y'all doing? >> can you do me a favor? I want you to repeat after me. Accessibility, accessibility and opportunity.
[1:38:01] opportunity that is what mayor pro tem james mitchell has done for me as a minority small business owner and done for many people in this community. He's made himself accessible not only to me as a business owner and giving me and many others opportunities but even more importantly accessibility to him as a lot of you all on
[1:38:25] this council have done for me he's also done so I implore all of you all as he has done that for me please remember that as he sits side by side with you all and hopefully work together with you all as the interim mayor. >> thank you. >> thank you.
[1:38:45] our next speaker is commissioner ferris followed by marisa kumar. >> mm hmm. She was in the business committee with her? Yes. This what about me? Marissa? >> good evening. Mayor allows council members my name is commissioner ferris, owner of anointed flooring in charlotte. We've b in business over 20 years and serve the southeast.
[1:39:24] I'm speaking today in support of mayor pro tem mitchell who has supported my business for over 11 years. >> years ago a contractor used our company's credentials for an award of a project but refused to hire us.
[1:39:45] when I brought this to mayor pro tem mitchell he picked up the phone, called the construction of the director of construction of then charlotte housing authority which is now olympia. And he got it resolved. He didn't listen. >> he took action. Beyond that, he's consistently connected me to valuable resources and given solid business advice. This kind of advocacy is needed in the small business community.
[1:40:10] >> I encourage the council to engage more deeply in the community and of of all communities because we're serving the people. >> thank you. Hi. >> good evening. Thank you, mayor mayor lyles for your service and to the council members for your time today. My name is morris kumar.
[1:40:33] I'm a past chair of the city of charlotte business advisory committee and a former president of noble. I work alongside business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders in our city. A decade ago charlotte was listed 50th in economic mobility and more recently that ranking has risen to 38. Small businesses account for 50% of jobs in america.
[1:40:58] and a recent small business data audit and intelligence report for charlotte showed the bank that small businesses in charlotte with fewer than 500 employees account for 680,000 jobs 680,000 jobs. Strengthening the bridge between the city and these small businesses is critical to improve workforce opportunities and economic and social development.
[1:41:27] >> I support mayor pro tem mitchell because he's special. He's accessible and will focus only on this because he's not standing for mayor afterwards. >> thank you. Thank you. All right. Our next speakers are tammy nichols and and jeff and sara lee. This is hello mayor city council. My name is tammy nichols and I have a question.
[1:42:07] do you think your skills on city council will make you a better mayor than an outsider with your relationships with staff working relationship with the city manager and the city attorney? What about council priorities that you created? Who would know that better than you? I could go on and on.
[1:42:27] but that's why I'm supporting mayor pro tem james mitchell because when you vote for james you're not just voting for the next mayor but you're voting for you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Please. >> good evening. Mayor lyles and members of the city council.
[1:42:48] my name is charlotte slate and I am a new resident to charlotte. It did not take me long to know james mitchell. I have witnessed the impact of his leadership through the people and organizations that he supports. My daughter nicole grace has served on both the charlotte business inclusion advisory committee as well as the leadership with elbow.
[1:43:19] >> one thing became clear james mitchell is the leader who consistently shows up, listens and supports the people working to strengthen this city. Later shep is measured not only by what you accomplish but by trust and respect you earn from others. James mitchell has earned that trust. Thank you. Thank. Thank you so much, soledad. Thanks so.
[1:44:03] >> madam clerk. We are now going to receive an overview and entered in instructions of our ballot process from our city attorney. I'm going to turn it over to our city attorney as well where thank you, madam mayor, and thank you for your incredible service to our community council.
[1:44:24] the following five candidates have been nominated for the office of mayor and have been included in the ballot before you. Those names are as follows carol cogdill harry cook, robert harrington james mitchell jr and caleb. >> the address.
[1:44:57] the first candidate to receive six council member votes will be eligible for appointment by this council if no candidate reaches six votes on the first ballot. The two highest vote getters will proceed to a second ballot and all others will be eliminated.
[1:45:26] if there is a tie for the second highest voter vote getter each of those tied for second place will participate in a runoff to determine who will complete against the highest vote getter. If necessary, all votes following the second ballot will be conducted by ballot. At this time in accordance with ncg s 168 dash 63 the council will now vote to select the next mayor by appointment. At this time please mark your ballot for one candidate.
[1:45:53] after making your selection please sign your ballot and place it in the envelope and hand it to the clerk. As times will come across around the dais starting with council member johnson, it should be noted starting with council member johnson.
[1:46:21] moving across the dais council may proceed with the remainder of its business while the clerk's office tallies the vote. Thank you. Number eight. >> okay. We're going to allow this to be the part of our process and what we're doing and so I'm pretty much see the clerk is handling this and providing it for further action. >> so it's just for clarification.
[1:46:51] the attorney did just note we can continue so that means we can go to number eight which is the public hearing correct? >> correct. Thank you. Okay. Do you want go to the public hearing just.
[1:47:13] I'm just trying to figure out miss may feel are you suggesting that we continue to open the public hearing on the dilworth methodist church so that south historic landmark designation and then we'll just keep going? Yeah. You know if the court finish all that up so the did everyone understand and so we're now open to open the public hearing.
[1:47:35] do I have a motion hearing, second motion and a second all in favor to speak? We do that then we can have one speaker we have one speaker and speaker that we did not get to. Sorry. Is this jeff hernando? >> there you are. Thank you so mr.. Mr. Warren here for. >> hello, city council.
[1:48:09] so awesome to be here with you on this historic night and now we get to talk about a historic building. I am the owner of lydia hall and on cleveland llc thank you for considering the designation of the de worth methodist methodist church south as a local historic landmark.
[1:48:29] jamie and I have always believed that our buildings tell a story and create a unique sense of place. They can be challenging to preserve but they are also incredibly rewarding.
[1:48:48] we are honored to serve as stewards of the doors methodist church the oldest church building in dilworth and a cherished part of this community's fabric for more than 110 years. Our hope is that this building continues to stand as an iconic gateway into historic dover from the rapidly growing south end. More importantly, we want it to remain a gathering place and an anchor for the community for generations to come.
[1:49:09] as charlotte continues to grow and the historian neri pace preserving places like this becomes even more important. These storied landmark oaks remind us where we came from. Connect us to our shared history and help make charlotte the special city. It is today. Thank you for your consideration and for helping preserve this important piece of charlotte's heritage. >> thank you. >> thank you very much. So circuit and then a section.
[1:49:29] we have a motion already made. I'm sorry I couldn't hear you. >> I want to make. We have a motion to close public hearing in a second. All right. >> the motion. We had a motion and a second. We had a speaker. Now it is if there is any discussion.
[1:49:46] is there any discussion? Miss mayfield? >> thank you, madam chair. So this is a consistent concern. The fact that we have a this along with two other hearings tonight along with the adoption versus utilize in the process where we have the public hearing and then at the next meeting is when we have decision I think is concerning whether it's this designation
[1:50:13] or the other two when we have both items on the same agenda. I have already mentioned this once that does not create the space for community engagement to have a hearing on the same evening as a decision versus the public hearing be in a
[1:50:31] separate decision like we do with our zoning where we have a hearing and later will have the decision. I am not going to be supporting this but we need to have a real conversation about what they are presenting to us.
[1:50:52] any discussion where we are having a public hearing and a decision on it on the same evening in the same agenda item. >> thank you. All right. You've heard the comments of ms.. Mayfield. I want to warn of madam mayor. I don't want to interrupt.
[1:51:04] I see councilmember johnson's hand is up but I did confer with the attorney and we need to close the hearing and make a motion before we can have discussion on the particular item. >> okay. All right, madam. >> so you had a motion in a second? Yeah. So now moving to discussion. >> all right.
[1:51:28] so our next step on this one would be a vote the vote because where are we discussing this misquote? >> I think I'm sorry. The motion was to clear our hand up and I'm not sure what for the vote to close it though because there's a does johnson did you have thought you and I'm waiting for the attorney to sit here in city and make a motion for action and then the discussion follows that motion
[1:51:43] and it could go. >> yes, I'm going to vote on the motion to close because it allows the public hearing the motion in a second vote on the close of public hearing. >> okay. So we already have first and second.
[1:52:05] >> I'm trying to listen but that I hear more the more voices than I have ears out there with a motion and a second to close the public hearing. Could we vote on that so that the public public hearing is officially closed? >> right. Okay. Ms.. Ms. Mayor, were you. Okay. So so those have the vote on this like all in favor. In favor of the motion please raise your hand and want not opposing.
[1:52:27] okay. >> okay. All right. And now with that ms. Motion madam mayor, our discussion about the hearing before the approval but city attorney I need to make a motion or someone needs to make a motion to adopt the ordinance. Correct? Yes.
[1:52:44] so I make a motion for part b of agenda item number eight to adopt the ordinance with an effective date of june 22nd 2012 six. All right. You've heard the motion is there any discussion? That's james johnson. Thank you. I wanted to follow up with the city manager for regarding what councilmember mayfield for the concern she shared.
[1:53:08] she did share that last month. I would agree with that that is our practice, our common practice with all other motions. >> so can you speak to that? Sure. Thank you, councilmember johnson. So my understanding is that this way historically the city has handled these public hearings with exception of during covid.
[1:53:28] so the governor at that time provided the opportunity for jurisdictions to do exactly what councilmember mayfield is saying after that was lifted. We just went back to the previous process. But if it's the will of this council to do something differently, you can do something differently. It's a motion. Okay.
[1:53:53] so I mean you in I mean I would think when you say this is the way we handle it you just mean these property decisions because other hearings if we have a hearing on the business agenda again with the exception of covid, this is the way that we've handled these particular hearings.
[1:54:13] but again, if the council would like to have a two step process, that's something that the council can do. Okay. Thank you. >> all right. Is there any further discussion on this item then? I mean I can I make a motion to defer this one until next. Well, no, we september is all rights for september.
[1:54:35] we deferred the decision tonight then it will be the next business meeting would be september, august, august as we often do we have a motion we don't know.
[1:54:53] okay I mean I'll make the motion if I get a second I guess second yeah I'd like to make a motion to defer to august before the side until the decision. The decision? Yes.
[1:55:12] so we've got several more that are pretty much the same kind of caliber of what they're doing and I wonder if we could do them in a way that all of them are done and inclusive but okay so then a motion to defer all of the decisions and until august mare when married yes I would like us we don't I would like us to have a process moving forward so we're not just picking one item at a time or two items randomly so if we can refer this to the committee
[1:55:33] where we come up with a process and if if it's the council's will to have a hearing and decision a month apart, we can do that. I just don't feel comfortable doing it sort of on the fly because I do not know how this would impact some of the projects that are especially historic landmark designation
[1:55:51] because time is money that's fair. >> so if you're okay with the friendly amendment to move this to the b any committee for a process so that we have consistency moving forward? >> yeah I accept it. It's just that council member mayfield has shared that concern consistently and I'd like to know that council's concerns are being addressed.
[1:56:13] so I do I will accept that amendment. >> thank you. Second all right, so then what happens? >> what's happened? So that was a friendly amendment to the substitute motion which was to defer there was a motion to defer and there was an amendment so vote on the motion to defer it or scuse me
[1:56:32] motion to send it to bcr for further study so that that's the first motion on the floor. Is there a second for that? I did seconded. Okay. All right.
[1:56:44] >> so but on that the center I'm sorry I just want to make sure I'm very clear I hear the committee referral this specific item though it's deferred this specific item and refer the broader issue to committee or no no. >> what is the broader issue now just the broader broader issue the vote today and we can move forward on this item? >> yeah, that's okay. >> okay. Motion in the second is time to vote.
[1:57:02] okay on to river right will call for the vote for the next this before we can send it to legal to the dilworth methodist church so historic landmark designation all in favor please raise your hand madam mayor are you disappointed information at this point of information we
[1:57:22] have a an amendment an amended vote to send this this particular issue that ms.. Mayo's brought up numerous times of having both a and b the hearing and the vote sent to bgea. That's what we're voting on now not item number eight. That's right.
[1:57:41] so you do have a first motion and a second so we can vote to send this to btr right now. >> so you call for the vote. Well I did but it's not do you want to vote so I did. So do you all in favor anyone opposed? All right. Thank you very much.
[1:58:02] >> we do have so now we're back madam mayor to the my original motion which was to move to adopt and I agenda item number eight part b and it was properly seconded right so we've done and if you look at the rest of your agenda there are some others that are doing
[1:58:23] a budget ordinance for general funds and others but we're going to pass that until you have a new process right step one and we can vote on agenda item. >> all right. So the next item let's go to item number 8 to 88.
[1:58:37] >> we still won't be and b we will now move to the business agenda for I'm sorry 13 is there motion meeting 80 8dbdb yes just be you have your motion you have a motion and a second you see the motion in a second. All in favor. All in favor of apprenticeship building grant program. All right. Okay.
[1:59:01] any opposed and I want to pose here in no opposition and opposes so we will go to the next house that we're having the ford house as a historic landmark any issues or questions with us more to close the public hearing if there are no speakers, madam clerk
[1:59:23] second, if you have a motion to close open and close the public hearing and if there was discussion it will next call and evaluate all in favor favor raise your hand. Anyone oppose ms. Mayfield thank you ms..
[1:59:46] >> mcphail I was raising my hand in support of closing in closing this one, the original question of closing the hearing is unanimous. Okay, I gotcha. I will make up their motion to okay move to adopt adopt b which is to approve seconded. All right. And it is going to have a motion and okay. All in favor raise your hands. Anyone oppose this mayfield so that committee okay. >> all right.
[2:00:17] so I'm able to conduct a public hearing for a number of counties. >> there are no public speakers, madam clerk madam clerk how far away along on the tally or do we have time to talk more about you have time to if you want to finish these hearings then we can make a motion to close the hearing.
[2:00:39] we had most of the motion. >> we have a motion motion in a second. A second already is when we're not hearing on this and when y'all the motion so there was a motion to open and close the public hearing.
[2:00:52] it was second here and now madam mayor, I believe you're going to call for a vote or yes on the speaker at the motion to a public hearing to adopt an annexation ordinance with effective date of june 22nd 2026 to extend the corporate limits to include this property
[2:01:10] and assign it to the city district council district five all in favor to open and close the public hearing right there is already a motion in a second and one opposed to closing the public hearing. All right. Thank you very much. >> so yeah, moved to adopt b to approve. >> all right.
[2:01:27] we've just got a second to adopt in the ten b any questions or comments any opposition hearing all in favor. >> all in favor any opposed you want to post mayfield okay. >> thank you. >> all right. All right. All right. So let's go back to the clerk and see where we are.
[2:01:47] >> we just got to going to give that have all right. So we have a package that was just sent to me and I've just open it up and it reads no one received six votes.
[2:02:16] turn this over now to our city attorney for the next steps at this time, counsel, you will you will receive a another ballot. You will once again need to select one candidate for this runoff ballot and the names on the runoff ballot are the names are kerry cook and robert harrington. All right. So let me let me let me be clear. I'm sorry. So no one received six I want to read the tally out.
[2:03:07] >> okay? Okay. Oh, we got to do that before we move forward. So I was okay. Harold cogdill received two votes. Harry cook received three votes. Robert harrington received four votes. James mitchell received two votes. >> so you're to highest vote getters are robert harrington with four, kerry cook with three.
[2:03:35] neither of them received six votes so hits council voting again to determine the highest vote getter someone will need to reach six in order to be appointed that clear is man thank you.
[2:04:01] please select one name one name and community members to do once you've selected your candidate you can proceed with the remainder of your business while we tally all of the she gives me statements she makes these I like to turn to as it yeah she just sitting and she tried to he said she doesn't oh she said you don't have my feelings I have to do it with
[2:04:44] retirees I mean does she I mean she's since my field has her ballot she's already marked it. Let's see the market. >> she has a submitted term. It is she has to submit that. So when she left the dice she signed it. So this is if you don't have those killed. All right.
[2:05:12] let's take a major speaking the pollution control division. You can continue to madam mayor, if it's council's pleasure, you can proceed with the remainder of your business until the tally the fatality. >> so what's happening? All right, let's go to item 12 palette real red light camera program and ordinance revision .
[2:06:06] our next policy item is for this item and for item 12 do I have a motion to adopt a adopt a resolution and approving safety committee's recommendation to implement a pallet automated red light running enforcement program for period of one year and a b to
[2:06:28] adopt an ordinance approving those amendments to chapter 14 article four of the city code. >> so I and b secondly I have a motion for both a and b. Any other comments or questions on this and thank you, madam mayor. >> thank you, madam mayor.
[2:06:49] I just want to first of foremost thank the members of my committee of the safety committee which are see them as mirror of myself.
[2:07:08] I see a metro l c m graham and c m driggs and we worked pretty arduously on that on this particular line item given our vision zero goals and some of the comments that you heard from the public around the injuries and unfortunately deaths as it relates to the hit killer accidents and so we've we've done great research with our peer cities both here in the great state of north carolina but also throughout the country.
[2:07:30] and we landed on this pilot program that will attack our our highest our highest ten intersections that unfortunately we have these accidents and so we feel very good about the program and we also are as we stand up this program we're also standing up
[2:07:48] a data driven perspective so we'll get constant updates as it relates to the accidents, the potential reductions in other things that we can potentially tweak as we go through this 12 month pilot.
[2:08:05] so like to thank my committee for their great work on this and hopefully the council will support so we can advance something that is a very strong issue within our city. Thank you, madam mayor. All right. Thank you. Our next business is about time travel and oh, we have to vote on this. Yes.
[2:08:25] >> I think is so popular I thought voting was like I didn't think anyone was going to be opposed but I me try. All right. Let's a yes. >> we have a motion on the floor. Okay. And we have a second all in favor anyone oppose ms. Johnson? >> did you have your. I did. I'm in favor. Thank you so much. Okay.
[2:08:43] so now the next item is item b adopt a budget ordinance of I'm sorry we're now going to move into the business section of our agenda for item 13.
[2:09:01] is there a motion to accept a grant in the amount of $12,000 from apprenticeship and see nor and nor in the north carolina community college system for solid waste services, apprenticeships and that's item a and item b is adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $12,000 to the general grants fund move to approve a and b a motion for a and b is there any discussion all right. If not, we will go on to okay.
[2:09:26] >> all in favor could I could come in motion all in favor. Not a motion. I'm sorry I was just going to make a quick comment. Can I before we vote I thank you. >> I just want it to give a huge shout out to mr. Rotten.
[2:09:43] james and I had the ability and the pleasure to go out and spend time with our solid waste workers last week and they presented me with their strategies, their areas of opportunity where they need funding as well as how they actually support and undergird
[2:10:03] their employees from having a food bank right there on the premises to workers receiving their ged and being ushered through programs and other opportunities. And so they really lean in and rodney does a fantastic job next year around this time hopefully a month prior to we will lean into them and as it relates to budget opportunities
[2:10:28] because throughout the city of charlotte with nearly a million people they only have 12 street sweepers and I don't know about some of the district reps but I'm constantly getting requests from the neighborhoods asking why are the streets swept more frequently with 12th street
[2:10:46] sweepers they can only hit one area on an annual basis just based on our footprint and so they have some other needs as it relates to trucks and technology fees and things of that nature. But just wanted to give a shout out to a great leader. They're really leaning into his employees. Thank you, madam mayor. Okay.
[2:11:03] thank you. I'm sure they will appreciate that. >> all right. So item oh if we voted on this one, leave let's go ahead and say all right, I'll favor all in favor and one opposed so anyone not oppose.
[2:11:27] >> all right so our next business item is for an initial findings of resolution of 2026 storm water construction period financing for item 14. Is there a motion to adopt an initiative an initial finding resolution that makes certain statements of fact concerning the storm water construction period financing and adopt a, b and c second motion for a, b and c any discussion hearing none all in favor anyone opposed?
[2:11:54] so we will go to that. The next one is our general obligation refunding bonds the next business items is for that and it's for item 15 is there a motion now that may move approve a 12 second we have a motion of approval from a through f any discussion? All right.
[2:12:15] pursuant to general statute 168 us 70 5ai must recuse myself from this vote. I couldn't hear what you said. It seems to yeah recusal cuz myself or so are yourself. Thank you.
[2:12:29] I was like why would anybody accuse me right now? >> yeah what's the point? So yes we're going to have have a motion to approve of victoria watlington so all in favor? >> oh no motion necessary. No motion necessary is recusal cuz. >> oh you're going to recuse yourself. Thank you. All right let's go that the next item so thank you.
[2:12:48] >> that's the vote on the next item I mean the item that we have the item paper out the well here we go a through if that's all we go on all of ready for that. So anyone have proposed a through any a favor all in favor. All in favor.
[2:13:05] >> okay yes all right the next business idea is for the general obligation bond fund referendum for item 16. Is there a motion to introduce such of the three bond orders required for a general obligation bond referendum which includes $280 million of transportation bonds, $20 million of neighborhood improvement bonds and 125 million of housing bonds do we
[2:13:34] have a motion to approve a and b so I have a motion for a and b is there anyone that has as it was discussion or not ms. Watlington or to one 6870 5 a.m. Recuse myself from this vote. All right there's a recusal with ms.
[2:13:54] watlington anything else anyone else you were prepared to vote? All in favor raise your hand. I think this is probably one of the things easy is and this who's opposed? No one is of course one opposed. >> so I don't have any opposed. Okay.
[2:14:12] >> the next item is university city municipal service district boundary expansion the next business item is for that university city boundary expansion for item 17 is there their motion for approval? >> so I'm I'm a johnson second second I have a motion and a second.
[2:14:35] is there any further discussion hearing none all in favor of the motion anyone oppose that hearing? >> all right 18 the next item is to accept habitat for humanity funding for the robinson church road widening project for item 18.
[2:14:55] is there a motion to authorize the manager as designee to accept a contribution amount of $52,000 from habitat for humanity for the charlotte region for the approval and the same thing we have a motion for a and b second and a second all in favor please let me know anyone opposed? All right. The next item in business and a local agreement with the town of mid hill for construction of water and sewer infrastructure. The next item is an in a local agreement.
[2:15:14] is there any questions concerning this item? >> to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate security in local gaming with the town of m.l. For construction a sanitary sewer lines and a water storage second? >> all right. We have a motion and a second is there any further discussion ? There are none.
[2:15:32] all in favor please raise your hand and then one opposed. Staff and are you okay? Thank you. The next item is 20 is an amendment to the amended restated lease for the bank of america stadium move for approval. >> we have a second and a second. Is there any further discussion? Ms.. Miss mayfield.
[2:15:56] >> thank you, madam mayor. So as was mentioned to us when this was presented when this conversation was first presented to council, they initial understanding was that chapter sports was going to be purchasing this land we had some changes. The land was then conveyed over to the city of charlotte.
[2:16:22] to me once that conveyance happened that was a no conversation. The challenge I have of which one I am not supporting this because there is no additional community benefit in this is for an additional venue space that's going to be around 40 400ft seating we have numerous venue spaces around the city but when we look at uptown
[2:16:47] whether or not we can of which are as deeper a conversation leader of our attorney think of orlando studios I think the fact that florida residents get a discount at orlando studios and or disney for us to approve yet another project where we are basically leasing this out
[2:17:12] for a dollar for them to build on without any clear community benefits meaning we have concerts and we have local event space. We have a big event that's coming in a couple of months if this space was already built but think of other concerts or events that may be coming to the city the fact that there
[2:17:37] was no negotiation to identify the community benefit I have a concern about we already have a 30 plus year commitment with this particular partner. Any opportunity that we have to at least have a conversation of how this benefits our local community. I think we should take from the very beginning and it shouldn't be an afterthought.
[2:18:00] so I do have concerns of us allocating this corner of land without there being a very clear community benefit. >> thank you. Thank you. I feel all right, mr. Graham and miss I'm sorry miss kimberly was next if mr.
[2:18:20] going that's why thank you so I was just going to speak briefly in favor of the amendment I, I appreciate councilmember mayfield's concerns. I do not share those concerns and I wonder if mr. Heath would you step to the podium and maybe help us address or is there someone better suited so well good.
[2:18:36] can I I just I had a quick quote I had understood from mr. Heath the negotiated benefits had come up front in the original lease and if I speak an untruth and please someone clarify it so for me to reopen it over this small section of
[2:18:52] land is in my estimation bad faith and I would be very uncomfortable with us negotiating like that once we've already negotiated to go back because the small sliver is going to be added. I just want to put that into the room so I will be voting in favor of the amendment.
[2:19:08] >> madam mayor, just for clarification before mr. He speaks I would like for you to go back to the original discussion of what this project was and what was presented to council since there seems to be some misinformation regarding a discussion about faith where we started so that we could have a transparent conversation.
[2:19:28] >> if I may quickly zoom out to 2024 so the idea of a stadium annex or what we're now calling a performance venue was always contemplated as part of the framework during the 18 months that we work to negotiate around the key business terms that you required as well as the community benefit.
[2:19:46] it was always understood that one of the owner elected projects would be a performance venue so there's there's nothing associated with the performance venue that's new. There's nothing that's associated with the community benefits that were put in place that would be impacted by the construction of a performance what was the original stadium and discussion?
[2:20:06] >> the original owner of the because this land when it was presented to council was presented to us as if that business was going to own it. There was just recently that we had that we learned that this land was being conveyed to the city of charlotte so we're not going to have a partial conversation.
[2:20:23] >> so if I could zoom out on the triangular parcel which is a bit of a separate conversation it was understood last year that having access to the triangular parcel which is less than a quarter acre which was owned by ncdot at the time was very important as an
[2:20:38] enabler for the performance venue last year we had a lot of conversations around what was the path to gain site control maybe the city would buy it, maybe the team would buy it. We went back and forth a number of times.
[2:20:55] ultimately ncdot deemed that that small parcel to be surplus basically a remnant parcel of no value to them so they transferred that to us at no cost which we believe then and believe now was the absolute best outcome that we could have had. So we received that at no cost and I would just make one other comment about the parcel.
[2:21:09] I did walk with the parcel a couple of weeks ago with our real estate team and they affirmed that on a standalone basis the parcel really essentially is on buildable.
[2:21:22] so our view is we received a piece of property no value for something that's on buildable and it's a logical step from our perspective to put it into the lease to enable a project that will allow the team to activate on a requirement that you put in place which is $150 million investment by the team in exchange for our investment.
[2:21:37] >> madam I have now so far six five people to that wish to speak to this item so I think this I'm kimberly was you done okay and then ms. Sanders and then mr. Carson and mg is before me and I'm after graham okay if I remember. >> all right. Graham thank you. Thank you, madam mayor.
[2:22:07] this year and district two it's really, really small 0.24 acre property walked it to without getting tired at all. It's really really awesome because you're in great shape I think that is true to and you know this is something that came before the ed committee back and in october here and we
[2:22:33] talked about this being as a part of the broader deal we get in essence a 4200 seat performance center no cost to the city at all. The land has been donated to the city. We can't build on it at all. I walked it.
[2:22:54] you can't do anything with it for sure and the benefits we get because of the center is 80 to 100 events night per year which support workers uber drivers those showing up transporting people to the facility hospitality workers, hotels etc. It creates jobs. They create construction opportunities operation of the facility itself.
[2:23:25] it supports hospitality and tourism and did I mention that it's very, very small piece of property and that we didn't pay anything for it was given to us and we wanted to absorb it into a larger project for greater community good carolina panthers are a partner of ours.
[2:23:44] our public private partnership is how the stadium is being renovated today. This is yet a baby step towards completing the goal in addition we all talked about at least from the edi perspective of creating a entertainment district within that sector of the community.
[2:24:04] again we take a giant step forward to do that with the small portion of land that we can't do anything with from my perspective watching it it has no economic development value for us as relates to community benefits.
[2:24:24] I think the agreement that we've struck with the panthers early in the year last year with the provided deal is inclusive of this type of small property and it so I'm very comfortable with it and I hope the council will approve it. >> all right, ms. Anderson, thank you, madam mayor. I was in those meetings when I see them graham was the chair of the community and committee and navigate through this process.
[2:24:50] as was mentioned, this is a very small triangular parcel. This was a part of the overall deal where we did discuss community benefits as well as other opportunity fees and recently north carolina department of transportation and deemed it as a remnant and and then a surplus and then handed over to us and so that
[2:25:16] wasn't an action that we took proactively that was something that at the state level was decided you know this performance venue, the performance center which we will effectively begin getting without additional investment at all also fills a gap in terms of our entertainment and arts footprint within the city of charlotte to attract plays
[2:25:43] and other venues and opportunities entertainment opportunities that might not have the right size, the building. And in addition, as mr. Graham mentioned, you know, this sits right in the middle of third ward which is being revitalized in the community neighborhood association has stood up just a
[2:26:01] year ago there was an opportunity to bring light and vitality to this space not on a dime of the city and that often has has been forgotten about over the last several years. So I will be supporting this as well. Thank you, madam mayor. >> all right, mr. Johnson. Thank you, madam mayor.
[2:26:24] mr. Heath, what is the total square footage of the land of the triangular parcel? Yes, it's approximately 10,500ft and then we get a real estate value for that. >> we do not have an appraisal of that parcel. Okay. So I think that's the concern.
[2:26:47] I know we're calling it a really small piece of land but 10,500ft of real estate or of land does have some value when we talk about community benefits, employee parking or affordable parking shared right drop off and pick up or even a space for the displaced vendors from other areas of town.
[2:27:09] so there is value potentially I think the concern for those of us who are concerned is that we're giving a piece of land to an entity that could otherwise afford it. So that's all I wanted to share. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember johnson we get three and a half with councilmember watlington councilmember driggs and councilman mayfield.
[2:27:34] thank you mayor pro tem and I appreciate mr. Heath conversations last week and a continuation today because I do think it's a little bit unclear or at least has been up until this point whether or not this particular parcel was a part of the broader conversation.
[2:27:50] from what I understood from you last week, this parcel was already in the conversation. But the the way that the the tepper group was going to come upon this particular parcel was not clear. >> is that correct? >> yes.
[2:28:12] we knew and were on record in october of last year that the triangular parcel was very important to enable this project. What we didn't know what we couldn't know was how site control would be gained and where we ended up in is what we believe is the best possible outcome which the state transferred that to us at no cost. >> okay. Thank you for that. That is helpful for me.
[2:28:26] I will say that in general I do think that it's time for us to raise the bar just in terms of negotiation. I do I do obviously know that we spoke about deal point at the beginning but it definitely feels like there is a portion of this that maybe the council doesn't feel like we were able
[2:28:40] to weigh in on with the benefit of all of the information, whether it was the types of community benefit that actually could have been negotiated for this particular piece beyond the stadium itself or whether it was the fair market value of the parcel or whatever it was.
[2:28:55] so I hope that what we've learned from this and nothing else is that we have an opportunity to make sure that we are in lockstep earlier on in terms of negotiation.
[2:29:12] that said, it sounds like this was already accounted for in the broader conversation in and I don't know if we've got it in front of you but I think it would be helpful to understand what then were the community benefits that were already included in the overall negotiation? Yes, the community benefits were many and they were noteworthy just to name a few
[2:29:27] 27% mwc goal associated with city funding the seven city use stays support for small business capacity building programs, community programs for veterans at risk youth and low income residents.
[2:29:50] increased engagement with hpc use and those are incremental to all of the civic engagement activities that the panthers have been doing for years including thousands of tickets that are going to community organizations on an annual basis for the stadium. >> thank you for that. So again, just like I say, if there's two venues I would have loved to see a little bit more specific community benefit particular to the other venue as well. >> but point taken. Thank you.
[2:30:05] council member driggs thank you mayor pro tem I think this is a valid discussion in principle but in the wrong context. >> this is a very big picture relationship we have with the team. Mr.
[2:30:27] tepper is invested billions of dollars and I think the idea that a 4200 seat venue is not an asset to the city or a benefit to the city is a misnomer. We pursued this relationship.
[2:30:44] I remember early on in the first conversations and we had a vision activation, an entertainment district a lot of very desirable things that could happen and then this buyer came along with his capacity to just decide to build the 4200 seat venue and not need to partner with us or ask for anything.
[2:31:06] and this parcel is just so small and I really hate to think that we're kind of disturbing our relationship with the team, the owner and all of the big things that are going on in charlotte over this particular question. So I hope we can have this conversation when there's something more meaningful at stake. But 27% commitment on small business alone is huge in comparison to 10,000ft of land.
[2:31:27] so really let's just keep some perspective on this when I hope appreciate the benefits that we have from our relationship with temper sports and let this one pass and if necessary on another occasion when there's more at stake we can talk it over. Thank you.
[2:31:47] so if we may, sean, I think we're going to try to bring up this parcel on the big screen so the viewers can can see what we were referring to so why are we doing that? I'm a year to councilmember mayfield. >> thank you, mayor patel says there it's a step tapper acquired the team in 2018. The panthers value has doubled despite the challenging perform its record of 36 win 80 losses during this ownership.
[2:32:12] so for us to say to give the impression that it was altruistic what he's done he's a business person and as a business person and he has made money as an elected official I'm going to ask the same questions that I ask but any other lot because it's
[2:32:33] challenging to hear that this is such a small space nothing can be built on it yet we're talking about building a 4400 square foot facility on it so you can't have both.
[2:32:51] >> the challenge that I had is the fact of the transparency of we started a conversation that full council was aware that conversation c it was in discussion and gave the impression if they bought the land this is what we would do in order for them to have access with it. I'm like okay I don't have a problem with that. The moment that conversation changed because as you mentioned you and staff had multiple conversations.
[2:33:17] >> you may have even presented it to the economic development committee. The first time I saw it was when it was presented to all of us from as a decision to have a discussion on that conversation changed from him owning it to the city now owning it and a city then giving it to him.
[2:33:37] there was no conversation of existing that community benefits. It is not a community benefit to me to say you're going to have 20% development participation for every small business which we heard from a lot of them today.
[2:33:58] so have the opportunity to do the work on a year $600 million contract so that's not a community benefit yet when we think about the uber drivers and others less than three months ago some of them were saying people came down because of the financial challenges that they are having uptown regarding parking being ticketed it because they're sitting too long waiting for someone. So again we can't keep playing a seesaw game.
[2:34:18] I just ask the question regarding what is the community benefit. The answer came back to me where we did that on this other piece perfectly honest I don't care I asked about this particular parcel, this little triangle that we keep talking about this triangle that's too small for us to build on yet we're building a 4400 space
[2:34:39] being you on it because we want to entertainment district so I want there to be clarity and not misinformation or a challenge for any of us to ask the question because guess what ? That's what we get to do. So don't I don't appreciate it being mentioned. Well he is such a good public private partner.
[2:35:01] he has a business owner. We created a business contract. I'm just saying that if there's going to be a conversation on where the city is going to contribute even more, there should also be a conversation of how this benefits our community be thank you.
[2:35:18] council member for city manager so on mayor members of council the I think we have this parcel on the screen and I think what's important and trying to say at this earlier early on the discussion was around the stadium annex that morphed into this performance venue and when
[2:35:46] this was discussed both in committee and with the council that quarter of an acre of a parcel is not what the venue is going to be built on the most the total acreage on the total footprint required for the performance venue is approximately two acres.
[2:36:09] it's only really a very tiny portion of the triangular parcel that will be used for the performance of those two acres. It was always contemplated that getting that water an acre or two to add to it was important ncdot owned it and the question was in order to build this thing out and make it
[2:36:35] successful that quarter of an acre was really important. There were a couple of options. One option would be that tsc would buy the quarter acre to add it to the rest of the footprint again the entire footprint is where the performance venue will be built
[2:36:55] not the corner of an acre and it just seemed to be very complicated issue t. S e owned that corner an acre and then 20 years from now if there was not a music venue then and that had to come back to the city in some way it would seem like it would be
[2:37:19] better that the city would own all of it as opposed to all but a quarter of an acre. So again started off as a stadium and went to this performance venue but I think what's key is that quarter acre makes the performance venue work but it's not where the performance venue will be built. Thank you.
[2:37:41] city manager council member asmir thank you. So this will be a lease the city will still own the ownership will still have the ownership of that quarter acre of land.
[2:38:04] so I, I guess what I'm trying to figure out what would be the market value right if we were to lazy to sell one how much would we get as part of the lease payment? I think that was what councilmember johnson was alluding to. I get it that there was no appraisal done because this is not a for sale transaction, right? This is a lease transaction.
[2:38:23] but what we would like to see is what is the value that we could get if it was other than tepper sports I think that's a question that I would like to get clarification on what is the fair market value of the lease for that space.
[2:38:39] >> so as I mentioned before we do not have a market appraisal on it. If you can see here in the visual just the shape of it not just the size.
[2:38:57] so very small size less than a quarter acre which is smaller than the average size of a lot for a single family home in mecklenburg county the shape of it also poses some major challenges on a standalone basis.
[2:39:19] so our real estate team was very clear with the very direct question I had for them which was what opportunity for development could we have if we attempted to do something on a standalone basis? And the answer back was crystal clear this particular triangular shaped parcel is essentially on buildable on a standalone basis.
[2:39:45] so whereas I wouldn't suggest it has zero value I would suggest it has very insignificant value relative to what we believe are overwhelming benefits associated with job creation sales and property tax, tourism benefits not just tourism taxes but also individuals that work at restaurants and bars and hotels that will benefit from 80 to 100 shows on an annual basis. And then also just the idea of uptown activation and vibrancy. So in our view the benefits were so overwhelming that the relatively insignificant cost so to speak associated with it were not material.
[2:40:04] >> so just to follow up on that, I understand that the value is it may not be as valuable for us as a standalone but this is going to make or break the deal for the other party.
[2:40:25] so that's where the value comes,right? So what are we getting in return for the huge value that they are getting? I think that's what ultimately we are trying to get to. Are we getting anything extra in terms of other community benefits or higher lease payment? What is it that we are getting because this project performance venue project would not happen without this we just triangle space that is there right?
[2:40:43] I think we have to look at this holistically. There is already a parcel that city own other than the triangle so we are giving them sort of a land assemblage that is making this performance venue possible. >> I think two quick points.
[2:40:59] one I would say if we owned this triangular parcel in 1990, it would have always been part of the 25 acre campus lease if we own to this parcel in 2013 when we renegotiated the lease that would have been part of the 25 acre campus if we owned it in 2024 it would have been
[2:41:16] part of the campus. Right now it's basically sidewalk a little bit of patch of grass and some trees. So what our belief has been all along that extracting the maximum value for the city or the city from the 25 acre campus should be something we are as equally excited about as
[2:41:36] the team itself and we believe the value proposition here is very compelling for the city excuse me and call the question I know mr. Jones and we have some people that have agreed that this so we want to speak mr. Johnson we'll go here then we'll come to mr. Watlington and then we'll vote. Thank you.
[2:41:58] you know we vote and the vote doesn't work out. >> we'll vote again. Yes and thank you, madam mayor. So mr. Heath, we appreciate the plans as far as economic development but as elected officials we have you know, we're stewards of public dollars.
[2:42:12] so I think that our public would expect for us to understand the market value of the property. So when the state conveyed it to us, mr. Jones is there a conveyance document that has of a value of the property that's included? No, no it was deeded over at no cost.
[2:42:30] there's no indication of of market value had had we been required to have paid for the parcel this would have been a different conversation. I think a fair thing to ask is the market value.
[2:42:47] I think that that's a fair question from us and from our constituents that we should know what the value is as we're leasing the property for a dollar. Again, when you talk about being such a small property it's 10,500ft.
[2:43:09] we know parking is a challenge in downtown or uptown for especially for the workers we talk about the workers, the benefit and also the drop off space and like I said a space for the vendors so there is value that council member as meyer said it's very valuable to the other party. So I think that that's a a fair and transparent ask that we know the market value. I would suggest that we defer this until august but I'll wait to see. I mean that's just my thoughts. Thank you.
[2:43:26] ms. Watlington I have ms. Wallington I have follow up question. I want to just say we're going to vote after we'll have a vote after ms. Watlington comments and I just want to be clear mr.
[2:43:51] heath you mentioned the value to the city overall and certainly I'm sure many of us around the dais share that I don't want it to be ms. Understood that expecting that the value proposition includes more than just specific economic development dollars that will end up being tourism revenue or an uber drivers fare or that kind of thing is separate and apart from the broader cities value of some of
[2:44:15] the things that were just listed. >> it's critically important to me that when we have these conversations sessions that the general public's value is not viewed as unnecessary or an inconvenience to the rest of the work. I don't think anybody around this dais doesn't understand the economic value right.
[2:44:34] >> I also don't think that it is unreasoned at all because we are public servants right to expect that the broader public also sees some benefit when there is an opportunity for that.
[2:44:53] however, this vote lands that for me is the fundamental principle that we need to get clear around honestly, my patience is wearing thin with these conversations around economic development versus broader community. They should come together and we've got to stop putting ourselves in these type positions. So all right. So now I'm on I'm going to ask for a vote.
[2:45:12] >> so mayor, I would like to make a substitute motion to defer this item. All right. For further discussion second. >> okay.
[2:45:32] >> and what is your motion to defer agenda item? >> you defer the first committee your what you are saying so to defer so the motion to defer this item and come back is all in favor please raise your hands. Defer. Okay that's 1234 so that does not pass. >> okay all of those I all of the add 1234 yes 567123456 single from second. >> all right.
[2:46:02] you have a motion to approve and the second a motion to approve and a second so all in favor please raise your hands. All right. Okay. >> I think we have a unanimous in opposed. >> I'll post. All right. Three want to okay, that's 50 minutes. >> all right. So that passes through it. Okay.
[2:46:26] know this is going to be we give a tally do we have a tally ? All right, billy, thank you for your patience. My question is after this is over to more I to I can hear the result. >> all right.
[2:47:05] so we've received the opening and we do have a person to join this organization having received six or more council members votes, there is a motion to appoint robert harrington by acclamation to the office of mayor to the office of mayor upon vacancy by the office by bylaw. So I'm leaving tomorrow second.
[2:47:41] okay doing well but we do need to have the city attorney address right and just to clarify the requests that action is to serve until the expiration of the elected mayor day okay. >> so all right. We have that. So we're moving so we do have to register to vote. >> what happens next is about we got a vote. All right.
[2:47:57] so I'm not sure exactly the second thing you say all in favor of this motion for mr. Harrington please raise your hands. >> thank you very much. Anyone oppose? >> no, thank you. All right.
[2:48:27] so really so we have a few other items but I don't think that we have much opportunity to we have this on and tackle it if we want to continue. Yes, 21 all right. Let's go to item 21. >> we move for approval max.
[2:48:42] item is an amendment to the c r t p can I remember that you know this right next item is an amendment to the c r t memorandum of understanding for everyone please. >> we're still having our meeting.
[2:49:06] all right for item 21 is there a motion to authorize the mayor to execute an amended memorandum of understanding for the kapo to remove the mtc and add mtc m p t a as a member moved to approve second motion and a second is there any further discussion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor please raise your hands. Anyone opposed anybody oppose? >> we don't have anyone in oppose. Yeah okay for item 22 mr.
[2:49:27] hauer, would you please join us down here for item 22? Is there a motion to adopt a resolution approving and ratifying an interlocal agreement between the city of charlotte and the m p t a for their joint undertaking and implementation of requirements to fulfill obligations under the pave act and item b authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute all documents and contracts
[2:49:52] including for transfer and expedition and to of funds necessary to implement and fulfill the city's obligations under the path that pay for gap and authorize. >> so I would like to second that and comment. >> all right, mr. Driggs so colleagues, we've talked about this now for a number of months .
[2:50:13] there's been an extended process of engagement between empty and the city in order to resolve how cats will work, how transit will work from the period particularly from the period from july 1st to january when yeah, because mta is not in a position to operate cats
[2:50:31] yet cats will continue to be operated by the city but pursuant to authority received from empty to which the payback provides owns transit and receives the sales tax and a lot of work went into this so as I appreciate your contribution there were many
[2:50:53] issues when you get down into the details of how this works it gets a little tricky in places so I wanted to particularly recognize marcus jones, liz fabs and hannah bromberg or andrea leslie fite, sean heath, brant cagle and particularly katherine clodfelter, our attorney for the outstanding work they did to engage with them to resolve
[2:51:16] these issues and basically create a foundation for our continuing cooperation with them to as we align our land use and development policies with their transit decisions. So I do move to approve these and recommend them to council.
[2:51:38] >> we have a recommendation to approve with which to the council is there any motion on any understanding? >> all right. All in favor anyone opposed? >> all right. We have one. Okay, keep going. So this concludes our business items vote for this evening. Next we're going to open with council topics in order to ensure that all council has the opportunity to speak. We will go around the dais one by one.
[2:52:03] I ask that each council member try to keep their comments or questions to three minutes and then we have some fun stuff to do. You did okay mr. Howard thank you for being here tonight and for your leadership of empty.
[2:52:26] we look forward to working with you and the other merchants who have joined us and the other board members who are here. >> thank you very much. Let's see it now. It's council topics and we'll start with ms.. Johnson. Thank you, madam mayor.
[2:52:43] it allows as you prepare to step down at the end of june I want to thank you for your decades of tireless service to the city of charlotte serving together on this council. We've not always agreed on every policy but that's the very nature of healthy democracy and a vibrant city. Your willingness to break barriers as our first black female mayor coupled with deep institutional knowledge has left an undeniable mark on the queen city's history.
[2:53:06] you sacrificed tremendously for this role. I watched you during covid. You were here day and night so I thank you on behalf of the city. I pray this next chapter brings you peace, joy and the well-deserved uninterrupted time with your grandchildren. Thank you for your historic leadership and your sacrifice. Thank you. Thank you very much for that.
[2:53:32] >> I really appreciate it. >> okay, mr. Eyes, what do you yes, thank you, madam mayor. >> we're going around the diocese. >> okay. Got it. Got it. Anybody missed that? Well, I also want to echo my colleague councilmember johnson's remarks.
[2:53:56] >> I just really want to pause and honor someone whose leadership has shaped in charlotte in ways that will be felt for generations. Our mayor bill lyles, you never simply held in office. You carried a strong responsibility as the first african-american woman to serve as mayor of our city. You've opened doors, expanded our possibility and shown our city what it looks like when dignity, steadiness and service guide every decision.
[2:54:17] and on a personal note, we share an alma mater, queen's university of charlotte. >> anyone who has walked those halls knows the values that place instills service, reflection and a belief that leadership is not about being in front but also about lifting others up. Mayor lyles, you've embodied those values every single day.
[2:54:37] your service has left a mark in that city in this city not just in the skyline and or in the budget books but in the lives of residents who saw themselves reflected in your leadership.
[2:54:52] so you have shown us what it means to lead with integrity to lead with heart and to lead with the belief that charlotte's best days are ahead. On behalf of a grateful city, thank you for your years of dedication, your trailblazing example and your unwavering commitment to the people of charlotte. We are better because you served. >> thank you. Thank you, madam mayor.
[2:55:09] so I actually have council topics so for the manager so and I will I've already told you we've had I guess we've had our cover so number one I want what we've already I've already share.
[2:55:30] I want us to speak to of which we did refer to by our the hearings and decisions on the same evening also I want us to think about the conversation we just had and this is something I think actually the attorneys office will be able to help with.
[2:55:50] I gave the example of orlando studios and florida and what is able to do we a number of of us have heard it from community members, small businesses and others. We are pricing out our residents as we seek opportune cities for people to come in and visit and we talk about the revenue that's generated. A lot of our residents are not able to take advantage of the amenities and the habits that we have in our center city.
[2:56:15] number three and this is going to be for our water even though mr. Charles is not here this is a bigger conversation now I think we need to be paying attention to what we know as of right now. Cuba, nigeria, south africa, pakistan and india, venezuela and zambia have all experienced blackouts and power outages.
[2:56:37] we know that the hamas channel is closed which means we are going to have a challenge with getting gas which means we are going to have a challenge with electricity. The water is life physically your body cannot go beyond three days without water. We can go without food and other things. We cannot go without water.
[2:57:04] I would add we're already hearing others smaller areas that are having challenges. We're rolling blackouts and power outages. I want to get an update from our charlotte water regarding our usage around wind, solar or any anything that is not electricity independent as far as the options in case not even
[2:57:37] in case when blackouts start making their way into our region. This is something that is already happening. This is not something we can be reactionary on. So to find out what we're actually utilizing to ensure that our water will remain accessible as long as possible having an update would be very beneficial and also I just want
[2:58:07] to give an update because there is a partner and development get engagement meeting that I will be hosting coming july 14th where we are bringing our development partners both on the capital investment in the development in larger developers, smaller developers they help look at a proposal to bring to housing a neighborhood services committee as we think
[2:58:32] about the trust fund and moving forward and allocation and for many years the focus has just been on housing even though we are housing and neighborhood services.
[2:58:58] so we're having the real conversations of the neighborhoods services piece and what does that really look like with that mayor I went through five mayors in seven years coming in under mayor fox and then the changes and the challenges I was elected in 2011 I believe you are personally going to 2030 as a large member.
[2:59:18] you then ran we appointed you right off the bat as mayor pro tem because of your experience in government and in community you ran successfully as mayor and have stayed in that role. The city has a tremendous wealth and with growth comes a lot of growing pains. You have endured a lot from community and in perfectly honest from your council.
[2:59:39] so what I appreciate I appreciate the fact that you still kept showing up every day some days you and now we have to have very serious conversations yet I never doubted your commitment to service even though we didn't always agree on how we get there. >> I appreciate the fact that you brought a vision to our city.
[3:00:11] I personally think you should enjoy this time because some people don't know how to retire but I know how important your children and your grandbabies are to you. So to have the opportunity to attend their place to spend time is something a gift that cannot be codified because we never know how much time god has for us.
[3:00:40] so thank you for all the years that you have given us all the guidance and the service and I truly pray that whenever your next part of your journey else is everything that you want and why. >> thank you. Thank you so much. Mayor lyles.
[3:00:59] much will be said about your service and the events in charlotte during your time in office. I believe your position in the history of charlotte is secure.
[3:01:14] I just wanted to tell you on a personal note we got elected at the same time we went through a lot together and one of the most rewarding aspects of my service on council has been working with you so I appreciate appreciate you. >> I love you and I wish you all the best. Thank you very much, mayor lyles. >> that's a tough one to follow. You don't have a lot of sweet emotion out of my colleague.
[3:01:38] so your departure marks the close of a historic chapter of charlotte civic life. You've had a tenure that reflects your steady commitment to equity long term.
[3:01:55] this community partnership and as you step away from the role we carry on your legacy as one of the newer members here, I can say that watching you lead drove me to wish to also lead so I thank you for that inspiration.
[3:02:09] I also on a somewhat more council topic note I will simply say that I truly believe and I say to the city manager and to others who will listen I believe that a clear and consistent process for filling vacancies should start with an immediate referral to begin as soon as the notice of vacancy is received.
[3:02:23] and I say that and I'm sure all of us have heard what a a clown car, a circus and a spectacle are. Our discussions were before the two minutes were afforded to each of the 40 or so people who came.
[3:02:37] I know that I'm not unique in not wanting to have that be the legacy that we leave charlotte is that we can't get our act together.
[3:02:50] so I would just encourage us to perhaps do a postmortem and begin to look at what we did with this and document it for future councils not to bind them but to show them what we found useful in this process and what perhaps was not useful.
[3:03:10] I will speak fundamentally for me what was most useful were the conversations I was able to have the more in-depth conversations where I was able to candidly interview people and I appreciate sunshine laws do not able us to do that but I also don't think that we had to do the two minute with everybody who applied.
[3:03:24] I don't know that that was really useful for the public but I just think that bgr is a good place for that to be discussed and again to do that sort of analysis of this part of this process that we did and I thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. >> she goes okay, right. Well thank you, madam mayor and madam mayor, you know how I feel about you. When I applied for mr.
[3:03:50] mitchell's vacated seat and was not appointed you called me afterwards and encouraged me to run and think about running and here I am and I've had the pleasure of serving with you in this council for now my third term but specifically with you in the council as mayor pro tem
[3:04:13] for two years and that was an incredible time including when we had some incredible things going on in our city. So I'm happy good news tonight is that you will be here in charlotte and that we're not the city of charlotte isn't losing you which was fantastic.
[3:04:28] so we will see you around and I'm sure you and I will connect. I want to just speak on two council topics. The first one is just to remind her that this wednesday, june 24th we will have our citywide public safety summit from 6 to 8 p.m..
[3:04:48] it's going to be at the union station west in and ms. Mayo's district and we'll have a state of public safety from both our chief of fire and police and we'll have various panel discussions from covering criminal justice system partners, violence prevention partners and business community partners and so on.
[3:05:17] so please come out we have really good rent registration for it and I'd love to have as much engagement as possible. The second thing I wanted to highlight is over this past weekend and many of you may remember just a couple of weeks back there was a multi law enforcement raid at the garden
[3:05:40] suites an end in district one on reagan drive. It was an unprecedented, unprecedented collaborative effort that our chief drove and had great results. But in sustain the effort in that corridor because the behavior has been so entrenched and inculcate it that there is sustained efforts that are going on and will continue to go on.
[3:06:06] and one happened this weekend where c and pd operated their 20 26 queen city safe initiative. They're doing it monthly in different neighborhoods but then they collaborate collaborated with the north division which is responsible for reagan drive and other areas specifically the sugar creek corridor blackwood avenue,north tryon street.
[3:06:31] tom hunter, a tondo and these are places that are plagued with narcotics activity, alcohol related activity, assaults, property crime, high crime corridors etc. Just the results of this one effort on the 19th 168 traffic stops and also pedestrian stops 61 citations, 25 arrests but more importantly nine firearms were seized nearly $10,000 in u.s.
[3:07:07] currency related to drug activity and 538g of narcotics was seized on an effort that was effectively 12 hours in one area of our city. >> so tremendous effort by mpd.
[3:07:29] I want to shout out dc brierley and captain jeter for their efforts in that space but this is the type of work this is the type of programs we're going to have to stand up in other parts of the community.
[3:07:53] so again we can crack and break through this hard shell of of of nuisance crime and crime that is impacting our residents in particular our residents who are aging in place over in hidden valley and deride it in other communities. Thank you, madam mayor. Thank you, madam mayor. So I'm kind of echoing the sentiment of colleagues. It's been a pleasure working with you the last few months.
[3:08:14] I very much enjoyed our time in dc together and then getting to know you and stopping by your office and having conversations has been very it's been fun but also enlightening. So I've gotten to learn a lot, a lot about you and also about how to be a good representative . So we really appreciate the time that we've spent together and look forward to seeing more of you.
[3:08:31] >> I know my mom's probably jealous you'll be spending time with your grandkids. >> she doesn't have any. I think there are a few that I love that but yeah, I'm I'm sure you will enjoy that time and I'm sure they're going to enjoy spending more time with you as well.
[3:08:44] >> so just want to thank you for your service. >> well madam mayor, I have extended particular remarks a couple of months ago so we just want to echo the comments of our colleagues and thank you for your service and we will see you I'm sure around yeah, I hope so.
[3:09:07] >> I mean, you know, at some point so I'm not going anywhere. I don't know if you know that my son is building a house up in huddersfield so my tax rates will go down. >> that's one thing.
[3:09:30] so our did you get chicken noodle? You know I guess I've just done too much truth for the day so but there I really will tell you one of the most important things that I hope to do is to engage with the community.
[3:09:53] I have to say joe's did that thing for me yesterday and I want you to know I use transparency at least five times the but that was when I was young and and not as you know it's it gets harder that's what I'm going to tell you it just gets flat out harder.
[3:10:09] I thought the same thing I thought I'm going to do all of this and it's going to be great and everything's going to be wonderful and it the hardest job that I've ever had because it involves people and it involves people that want to do the right thing.
[3:10:30] but darkness so you know how I've picked up the book on a long time ago when doug dalton village wasn't really that place and I started reading that book again and started started talking about people whose names I remember and what they said and what they did and this I think it would be really good to see some of the things that you don't think about because you're just so busy running all the time.
[3:10:52] but we have those issues I mean just like the one that you're talking about the green what is that hotel garden in and sweet and and the lady that the house that's going to be used as a you know it's a dump anyway so you know lots of that but right now I think what we all should
[3:11:13] do is congratulate ourselves on being able to get through this agenda and be able to go home. >> you know, you say I have oh, you know, I'm sorry how are you had said she did it already so that sample was hiding behind this area. You know, I think she wasn't done.
[3:11:36] >> I was I was I was just going to say as we say farewell to you, I look forward to the next 18 months because we've got work to do and though we've had a lot to cover in terms of administration and these kinds of things, we're at a point now where we've got to we've got to
[3:12:00] look forward and we've got to lift our gaze, if you will, to what we're supposed to be delivering for the city though we will have an interim or a period with an interim mayor we cannot use this time to rest on our laurels.
[3:12:12] we very much still have all of the pressing demands of a growing city and so I look forward to each and every one of us kind of picking up and taking up our particular charge so that we are able to drive this city forward because certainly will need to help on board our incoming interim mayor.
[3:12:33] but each and every person here is a leader in their own right and so we've got to come together and help help lift up our new leader as well as our community. So I hope that that is where we are able to pivot to as we come back from our break in august. >> okay.
[3:12:49] I agree with what my colleagues have already said. Thank you for your service and for the sacrifices but I think the bigger things is to your family because they have had to sacrifice a lot especially kwami, aisha and their families to enable someone to serve.
[3:13:10] so I want to thank the family for their sacrifices for all this years and I know that babies are looking forward to spending some time with you. I ran into them and they just want that undisturbed time so I certainly recognize that and I .
[3:13:33] I wish you all the best in your next chapter yours will be the same. >> I mean kids love and adore. >> we do have one more. >> I know. No, no, no. Oh, what do you want to the end of this item? No, no, no. >> I want to embarrass you like okay. Okay.
[3:13:48] so serving with you probably anybody else I remember you a budget director that I remember you assistant city manager and the first time you came in ralph was I was addicted to about you say smudgy you telephone bill is to her oh yeah we had a few minutes back
[3:14:08] and you taught me there that you got to stay out of the newspaper. >> that's that was the number two thing. Never let the newspaper know what you're doing. And so I would I would say when when I started appreciate your skills is when I'm more results driven.
[3:14:27] but you taught me the art of the process that if you have a good process you have good results and I want to echo what everyone said it's time for you to take about be proud of if you jump on the 14th largest city but now is your time. >> you need to be selfish.
[3:14:44] it's been time your grandchildren spend time with you both continue to work on you stand in the city, tell you hey talent you see where you live, what you say movies right? >> wow. >> schools don't tell him nothing. >> you won't get that water. I'm going to miss you, mayor. >> all right. Thank you. All right.
[3:15:11] we have to do one more thing and that this is because of the work that we did with the clerk this afternoon. We want to say thank you for all of you that participated in this and had this chance. But you know what we're having I they've been I have.
[3:15:24] and asking you as a draft on the salary adjustment for the city clerk that you approve of during our meeting time and that we want to make document this so that we can get everything on way works and so following the completion of her annual performance evaluation
[3:15:42] conducted on 20th june 22nd 26, the city council approved a salary adjustment in the amount of 8% for the city clerk in recognition of her continued service and performance in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of her office. So last year I had to do this report.
[3:16:00] >> yeah and it was just decked up for report I mean but I think now I just want to say that the staff people as you know well the staff came in and now we have a process for it so just think about that. You know, I heard something and we got a process out of it.
[3:16:18] >> hey, that's a win for anyone to say we do I have to have a motion on this. No, madam mayor, great job. We just want to clarify when is it effective? July 2nd slappers thank you. July the 4th. Sorry. Oh, is 4th of july. I'd like to do like july. >> yes, yes, yes. 26, 2026. Okay.
[3:16:42] all right. Thank you. >> motion to adjourn second. >> all in favor, mayor. Thank you