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Tonight's Charlotte City Council meeting starts at 5 p.m. On the agenda, an update on affordable housing initiatives and three public forums: the Charlotte MOVES recommendations (including penny sales tax on the ballot), four-year #cltcc terms, and changing racist street names.
Pam Wideman with Housing and Neighborhood Services currently addressing #cltcc about affordable housing initiatives. Housing Task Force recommendations include more incentives for creating aff. housing, including tax increment grants and subsidizing water and sewer capacity fees.
A look at how CARES Act money has been allocated in terms of housing and homelessness locally.
A look at what's currently underway using funds from the 2016 and '18 Housing Trust Fund bonds.
Answering council member @SenatorMGraham re: evictions, Wideman emphasized the moratorium has been extended through January, but ONLY if the eviction would have been a result of loss of income due to COVID. Today, MCSO gave us the # of evictions carried out in last four months:
Council member Renee Johnson says we need to "sound the alarm" that evictions can still be filed. We've got more coming on that this week, but here's a quick update: https://qcnerve.com/5-things-to-know-gov-cooper-extends-nc-eviction-moratorium/
Johnson inquires about reports that there are beds awaiting those folks living in Tent City if they want them. Wideman confirms there is currently a bed available at Men's Shelter on Tryon/Statesville or the Salvation Army Women's Shelter for everybody who is in Tent City.
"We're constantly asked what are we doing about Tent City. Let the record show there is a warm bed for everybody at Tent City. I guess now we need to take a holistic approach to figure out why they don't want to go." - Renee Johnson
Smuggie Mitchell just spoke up for the first time in a few meetings after Mayor Lyles made a reference to the movie 'Boomerang,' confirming he is in fact present.
If you were really into the alleyway between E. 22nd and E. 23rd streets you just missed your only chance to publicly speak out against permanently closing it.
Now moving into the public forum re: Charlotte MOVES Task Force recommendations for a “transformational mobility network,” (TFM) which includes the new CATS Silver Line as well as hundreds of miles of rapid transit bus lanes, greenways, cycling networks and new roads.
The recommendations include a new one-cent mobility sales tax hike on the ballot this November to help fund the TFM. The tax would be expected to raise $6.6 billion in 30 years, which would help with the overall cost of the TFM, estimated at $12 billion over a span of decades.
"We spent the last year being told to trust scientists, the science behind climate change is undeniable." @choosesam speaks in favor of the TFM and mobility tax, citing its potential for making our city more resilient in the face of climate change.
New city council candidate @OBSwank supports FTM suggestions. "To make sure that we have a vibrant working class that has an opportunity to participate in our local economy is to make sure they have access to public transportation that is consistent, frequent and accessible."
Ronald Ross of Northwood Estates says neighborhoods like his have been boxed in and cut off by highways and other invasive infrastructure. He endorses the FTM and says it will help the city become more accessible through smart development.
