May 8th 2013

City Manager Presents Budget Recommendations

On Monday, May 6, City manager Ron Carlee presented budget recommendations to Mayor and City Council. Charlotte’s General Capital Investment Plan (CIP) is the most significant component of budget recommendations by Carlee during his presentation of the City’s FY2014 & FY2015 Operating Budget and FY2014-FY2018 Capital Investment Plan. The General CIP projects are designed to keep Charlotte growing and economically vibrant.

The City Manager’s General CIP proposal is largely the version previously considered by the Council, excluding the Streetcar Extension and UNC Charlotte Informatics projects. This revised debt-funded program of the General CIP totals $816.4 million, which would focus on infrastructure enhancements to leverage private investment for economic development, as well as improve transportation and neighborhood infrastructure. To support these proposed investments, a property tax increase of 3.17¢ was recommended for FY2014. This increase equates to a $5.28 per month increase on a home valued at $200,000. 

If approved, the operating budget for next year’s General Fund would be $495 million, a 1.5% increase, which pays for core City operations like Police, Fire, Transportation, and Solid Waste. 

For more details on the budget recommendations, please visit the Citywide Newsroom. 

Extraordinary Event Ordinance Declarations

City Manager Ron Carlee has declared the following Extraordinary Events based on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s determination that these events meet the criteria as defined in City Ordinance No. 4814:

 

Bank of America Shareholder’s Meeting (Wednesday, May 8)

 

Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival (Thursday, May 23 – Saturday, May 25)

 

An Extraordinary Event is defined as a large-scale event of national or international significance and/or an event expected to attract a significant number of people to a certain portion of the city. In order to provide a safe and secure environment, as well as protecting the civil rights of those who wish to protest at some of these events, the ordinance provides for significant public safety resources to be expended during events. The ordinance allows law enforcement to identify risks or individuals intent on doing harm at a large scale event of national or international significance.

 

The ordinance does not affect the normal way of life for citizens who are going about their daily activities. The declaration of an Extraordinary Event allows the City to modify its permitting process for activities such as parades and specifies certain items that are prohibited from being brought into certain boundaries of the event.

REMINDER: Small Business Week Conference

Don’t miss the 2013 Charlotte Small Business Week Conference hosted by the Charlotte Business Resources Consortium on Tuesday, May 14. The 2013 Charlotte Small Business Week Conference will feature engaging networking; inspiring TEDx Charlotte Alumni; and, award-winning chef, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author and Food Network personality Chef Jeff Henderson.

 

To learn about all of the events occurring during Charlotte's Small Business Week visit, www.CharlotteSmallBusinessWeek.com.

Charlotte Commemorates 50 Years of Desgregation

This month, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, along with partnering agencies, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of desegregation in Charlotte, which took place on May 29-31, 1963. The following events will be held to commemorate 50 years desegregation:

 

Sunday, May 19, 2:30 p.m.*
History Makers panel discussion 
1963 participants & historians share their stories. Organized by the Levine Museum of the New South at First United Presbyterian Church (201 E. 7th St.)

Monday, May 20, 10:30 a.m.*
March from Johnson C. Smith University to County Courthouse
A re-enactment of the march held on May 20, 1963, led by Dr. Reginald Hawkins demanding desegregation.

Monday, May 20, 11:30 a.m.*
Commemoration of Mecklenburg Declaration
An Uptown celebration including cannons, reading of declaration and a celebration of Mecklenburg County’s 250th anniversary. 

Monday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
The May 20th Society 8th Annual Speaker Series
Panel featuring Pulitzer Prize author Isabel Wilkerson, Warmth of Other Suns, who will connect her research on 20th century African American history with the Charlotte 1963 history. Lecture in McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square.

Wednesday May 29*
“Eat-in” event
Event will mark the historic desegregation, featuring some of today’s civic leaders. It will kick off two days in which Charlotteans are urged to invite someone of a different race to lunch. Coordinated by Mecklenburg Ministries based on “Friday Friends.” 

Thursday, May 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.*
“From Sit-ins to Eat-ins” Community Festival
Hosted by Mecklenburg Ministries’ “Friday Friends” at Levine Museum, music and munchies will set the mood on 1963. Participants in the 2013 Eat-in reflect on history, share lessons learned and suggest 

 

*Events FREE and open to the public.

Throughout the month of May, churches, temples, mosques and other faith organizations are encouraged to draw upon this history in sermons and other communications.

 

For more information about commemoration events, please visit the Citywide Newsroom. 

BIKE! Charlotte Cycling to an End

The City’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hosting one of the healthiest events in Charlotte, BIKE! Charlotte. Events began Friday, April 26, featuring bicycle-related events and promotions encouraging families, friends and colleagues to break out their bikes and integrate them into daily routines.
 
There are still a few days of festivities remaining, and promotions include free rides on CATS buses or LYNX until Saturday, May 11, when you bike to transit. 

For more information, visit www.bikecharlotte.org.

LYNX Blue Line Extension Public Meetings

Join the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) for an update on the LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) light rail project in preparation for the construction phase. Find out what to expect in your area during the next few months.

 

CATS will provide information about the BLE Transit Station Area Plans and the real estate process. Attendees will also learn how to stay connected with the latest information throughout the construction phase.

 

Tuesday, May 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Oasis Shriner’s Center (604 Doug Mayes Place)

 

Thursday, May 30
6 – 8 p.m.
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church (101 W Sugar Creek Rd)

 

 

 

(Please note the same information will be presented at both meetings.)

 

For more information about the meetings or bus routes near the meeting locations, contact 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit www.ridetransit.org.

The GOV Channel is Your City Source

The GOV Channel brings you the latest City Source episode on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. In this episode, see how Charlotte continues to lead the way in transportation initiatives, hear  Council Member Beth Pickering outline community goals, learn to combat allergies during lawn season, watch part two of Ron Carlee’s interview with Bea Thompson and more!

For your convenience, you can view episodes of City Source online at www.charlottenc.gov by clicking on the GOV Channel logo.