City Council Zoning Meeting - Regular Meeting

We'll now call the meeting to order, the business meeting for September 28, 2026. Good evening and thank you all for joining us here in person and for those watching online for our September 28 business meeting. Let's start with introductions around the dais and we'll start over here with Council Member Johnson.

0:53•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you, Mayor. My name is Renee Johnson, and I'm honored to represent the dynamic district for JD.

1:00•JAJD Mazuera Arias

My sweater ideas, probably representing the East side district five. Good evening.

1:05•EDEd Driggs

Luana Mayfield serving you at large and drinks district seven Malcolm Graham, district two, Kimberly Owens, district six.

1:12•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Good evening, everyone. James Mitchell, mayor pro tem evening, Rob Harrington, mayor Marcus Jones, city manager, joy Mayo representing district three.

Thank you. We begin our meeting with an invocation, expression, or inspiration followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation is intended to solemnize our proceedings. We celebrate the religious diversity of our community, including those without a religious faith. Tonight, Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell will give our invocation.

1:49 – 2:31•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Let us all stand, please. Please bow your heads. O wise and gracious Father, we give you thanks for another day. Father, I pray you will continue to guide these public servants who are serving this great city of Charlotte. Father, continue to give us grace and provide us with wisdom. Father, we ask that you please bless all the city employees and all the citizens who call Charlotte home. This is my prayer, and all believers under my voice say, amen. Please stand and join the Pledge of Allegiance.

We will start our meeting with items with consideration of consent agenda items. Before we take the vote, are there any comment or separate vote items to be pulled for comment or separate vote? Council Member Johnson.

3:13•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. I'd like to pull item number 31 for discussion, please.

3:20•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. I would like to pull item number 24, 26. As well as 32.

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Any others?

3:40•LMLaWana Mayfield

Oh, Mayor, my apologies. I thought I heard 34 from Council Member Johnson. Also 34.

34. So let me just make sure I have them. So I have 24, 26, 31, 32, and 34. Thank you.

Great. May I have a motion to, excuse me, approve the items that were not pulled? That is a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda with the exception of 24, 26, 31, 32, and 34. So moved. Second. Is there any further discussion on the items that remain? Hearing none, all in favor raise your hand. Any opposed? All right, those items pass. Now let's begin the items for separate discussion with item number 24, Council Member Mayfield.

4:29 – 4:54•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor, and I believe staff is here. I sent a question to just identify for this proposal, which is to approve contracts for affordable housing legal services. for a term of one year just to identify if we had any of our small business enterprise through CDI program that were eligible for this particular bid?

Any further discussion on item number 24? All in favor of item number 24, the motion, please raise your hand. Any opposed? Thank you. It passes. That takes us to item number 26. Council Member Mayfield.

5:39•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. This one I just wanted to pull out for a separate vote. Any of my colleagues that want to make a motion on it, feel free to do.

Is there a motion to approve the motion? Is there a motion for item number 26? So moved. Second. Any further discussion on item number 26? All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? With one opposition, the motion carries. That takes us to item number 31, and I believe there may be a speaker for item number 31. Jordan Boyd, is Jordan Boyd here? And Reverend Boyd, just before we start, this is 31 just for the record, is to approve a contract in the amount of $8,410,777.10 to the lowest responsive bidder, responsible bidder BRS Inc. for the installation of water and sanitary sewer servic

Thank you, Reverend Boyd. Is there discussion among council on this item?

10:13 – 10:41•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Couple of questions, if we can have someone from Charlotte Water come to the podium, please. So Reverend Boyd talked about how the vendor was treated and he specifically mentioned communication challenges. Could you walk me through the process and how this was brought forward?

11:54 – 12:08•DADimple Ajmera

So let me just make sure. So, Madam Attorney, you are saying what Reverend Boyd brought up has nothing to do with this specific contract that we will be awarding in the amount of $8.4 million?

12:21 – 12:46•DADimple Ajmera

Okay. So, Reverend Boyd, if you could come to the podium, I have a question for you. So, The staff tells us that the concerns that you raised is not specific to this agenda item number 31, which is in the amount of $8.4 million to VRS Incorporated for the installation of water and sanitary sewer service connections. Is that correct?

13:03•DADimple Ajmera

I understand. So your concern is the overall procurement process.

I think there may be a point that the manager, Just related to your question.

13:54•DADimple Ajmera

Sure. That's all I have. Thank you, Reverend Boyd.

14:05 – 14:33•DADimple Ajmera

Yes, and I think after the review, could it be referred to the committee for a deeper dive so that we know if there are any changes that needs to be made to the policy, we could do that. And I do have a question about the time sensitivity for water and sanitary sewer service installations. I don't want us to hold something that might affect millions of customers that Charlotte Water does serve every single day. So if you could speak to the sensitivity of timeline here.

14:45•DADimple Ajmera

Could you talk about what that impact looks like?

15:21•DADimple Ajmera

Okay, so if we were to choose the alternative, would that increase the service delivery timeline?

15:40•DADimple Ajmera

Okay, but if we were not to approve it, the service delivery will be impacted.

15:48 – 16:15•DADimple Ajmera

So I do worry about the impact, but I will like for the manager to make sure that those concerns that Reverend Boyd has brought up are being addressed while simultaneously us approving this contract so there are no service impacts. because we serve millions of customers, and we do get calls and emails when there are service impacts specifically to water and sewer. Well, that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Jumeirah. And just to be clear, so the manager has said that he will review the process, will consider sort of in conjunction with that whether there should be a referral, and you're not making a motion to defer tonight?

16:30•DADimple Ajmera

No, I'm not. No, because there is a service impact as per the staff, so... That's all I have.

16:37 – 17:09•VWVictoria Watlington

Thank you. You just addressed my question. I was more so concerned with what the path forward was. Is it related to the policy item? And I did just want to lift up... It is not lost on me, Reverend Bull, that some of your concern was in regards to the professional conduct of our staff and our customer service to our consumers, if you will. And so certainly, Mr. Manager, as we look at, as this review is conducted, I want to make sure that we are also addressing that component as well because certainly we serve at the pleasure of the people. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Watlington. Council Member Johnson.

17:12 – 17:28•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Yes. Thank you, Pastor Boyd, for bringing that to our attention. And, Mr. Manager, I like the idea of the fair and mediation process. So if we can take a look at that for vendors, I think that will add value to our process. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Johnson. Are there any other items of discussion? Council Member Graham.

17:32•MGMalcolm Graham

I'm just going to get a sense of the turnaround time to the response to the council on their requests.

Any other discussion from council, any council members who have not been heard?

17:57•DADimple Ajmera

Move to approve agenda item number 31. Second.

Any further discussion, hearing none, all in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? All right, motion carries. Takes us to agenda item number 32, and I believe that was Councilmember Mayfield. And just for clarity, this is a motion to approve unit price contracts for citywide on-call cabling services for a term of three years with the following, Cabling Solutions Inc., GC&E Systems Group, LLC, and Tailware Corporation Inc. and authorize the city manager to renew the contracts for up to one two-year term with possible price adjustments and to amend the contracts consistent with the purpose

18:45 – 19:00•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you. Ms. Harris coming back. Same question as before. If we had any of our current CBI partners that submitted or were eligible to bid,

19:30 – 20:25•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you. And just for clarification, my question is based on, as we have faced new language regarding our CBI program with limitations that have been identified for us through legislative policy, wanting to make sure that we still are making sure that those small businesses that we encourage to sign up to do business with the city of Charlotte that we are doing our outreach and to know that we are making sure everyone gets the information, although we are not tracking the numbers anymore for minority participation. I want to ensure that the community knows that our Charlotte business inclusi

Any further discussion? All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Any opposed? Motion carries. And finally, that takes us to item number 34, which is motion to adopt a resolution setting a public hearing for October 26, 2026 for the River Point East of Dixie Road Voluntary Annexation Petition. Council Member Mayfield.

20:53 – 23:16•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. So for... This project along with four additional that we will be discussing later. I want us as a council to take the opportunity to really look at our annexation process. What is our goal? Are we building a city that's truly welcoming for all? Are we building a city that is attainable? We use the language affordable. We've seen a lot of projects come before us that are at the 80% AMI range. Near the River District, there were plenty of conversations specifically for the River District that I had around this dais and in committee with clear expectations of us not building sp

25:38 – 27:27•LMLaWana Mayfield

So, Manager, later I'm going to be asking for a referral, but I do want to say acknowledge we have not had this conversation since 2003. We are now in 2026, and to me it goes to that broader question of what type of Charlotte are we building. So we have a rezoning process, which is separate, but comes first. And then we have an annexation process. So there's a gap in conversation because there should be priority, even though I am not stating that we should necessarily mandate, but there should be priority where if a developer wants to be a part of our beautiful city and want access to our infr

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Council Member Johnson.

27:32 – 28:48•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Councilwoman Mayfield. You bring up great points. I have an email right now in my inbox about an involuntary annex, and the sewer installation was incomplete, and the rest of the sewer installation is incomplete. is on the residents, the residents' responsibility. When this was done, it was their understanding that this was a part of the process. But the city attorney's office has commented on this. So you're absolutely right. And when we talked about infrastructure back in 2022, we have to seek a more balanced and strategic growth approach. So I would love to

Thank you, Council Member Johnson. We've considered the referral. And Council Member Ashmera.

28:53 – 29:15•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you. I wanted to follow up. So the model that you mentioned, Sarah, So that looks at certainly the property tax and what it will contribute. So are we looking at the long-term impact or are we just looking at a short-term? So if you can just give us more information on what that model looks like. When was the last time was it updated?

29:52•DADimple Ajmera

So it does look at a long-term range. And it includes water, sewer, stormwater, everything. Well, that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Esmira. And we will consider the referral of the sort of broader policy issue. Are there any other questions, comments, discussion on Item 34?

Any further discussion? If not, please raise your hand if you're in favor. Yes. Any opposition? No? All right. One opposition, Council Member Mayfield, and it carries. Thank you. That takes us through our consent items, including the ones that were pulled, and we'll move now to awards and recognition. We have two proclamations being read this evening. The first proclamation is for Hispanic Heritage Month, and it will be read by Councilmember Masuera Arias. We'll turn it over to Councilmember Masuera Arias.

30:57 – 34:56•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Thank you, Mayor. I want to start off with a few remarks. Buenas tardes a todos y todas y bienvenidos. Es un gran honor estar aquí esta noche para celebrar el mes de la herencia hispana y reconocer a una comunidad que cada día contribuye al crecimiento, la cultura y el futuro de nuestra ciudad. Para mí, como el primer concejal latino hispano de Charlotte, este momento tiene un significado muy especial. Good evening everyone and welcome. Tonight is about celebrating the generations of Latinos, Hispanics who have made Charlotte home and recognizing the extraordinary contributions our community c

All in favor? Any opposed? Please proceed.

34:59•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Can I have Marta Tataje from the Latin American Chamber of Commerce to come and speak?

38:09 – 38:22•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Mayor Harrington, I'm going to ask Martha and Carlos Alvarado from Latinos in Charlotte to come get the proclamation, but it will be received by also Javier Solis from our Community Relations Department.

Thank you, Councilmember, Mr. Arias. Thanks for your initiative on this project and for the initiative that you continue to show on behalf of the entire Charlotte community and particularly the Hispanic Latino community. Thank you for your work. Our next proclamation is in celebration of the 50th anniversary year of historic districts and will be read by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell.

39:36 – 41:07•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Mayor and Council, thank you. Whereas the city of Charlotte established its first local historic district in the Fourth Ward in 1976, marking a formal commitment to preserve the city's heritage and cultural identity. Whereas over the last past 50 years, Charlotte has expanded its commitment through designation of seven additional local districts. Dear Ward, Plaza Midwood, Wilmore, Wesley Heights, Hermesh Court, Macquarie Heights, and Ocalon Park, each contributing to the rich and diverse fabric of our city. Whereas this continued stewardship of Charlotte Historic District reflects the partners

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Thanks to the recipients. Now we will open the public forum. I'd like to thank you all for joining us. And on behalf of the entire city, I ask that speakers and audience members be civil and courteous in their use of language. Speakers are encouraged to address counsel and should refrain from responding to audience members. Likewise, audience members should be courteous of each speaker and not yell out or interrupt speakers. We want to ensure that everyone has the chance to be heard. Since there are more than 10 speakers this evening, each speaker will have two minute

Thank you, Ms. Helms. Next will be number two, Mr. Maillard. And we'll be followed by Charlie Cottey, number three.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So much. Our next speaker is Charlie Kati, and will be followed by Satoshi Watanabe, number four.

Thank you. Satoshi Watanabe, and we'll be followed by Maggie Cummins, who is number five.

Thank you for your consideration. And I believe before you leave, I think Council Member Mayfield had a question that she wanted to ask, just in case you're not here when- Thank you, Mayor.

52:11 – 52:58•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you for the presentation, Mr. Watanabe. The question that I do have in the white paper, what I noticed is that the continent of Africa was not mentioned in our economic development. So I want to make sure that as we support, because we just hosted three major events that were including Global African Summit that was a three, four day summit here in Uptown Charlotte that brought in multiple business owners as well as executives from Africa as well as two other events that happened earlier this year. So I'm trying to understand of which way, you don't have to give me a response now because

If you'd like to respond briefly, and I'd note that sort of suspended our practices there because I knew Council Member Mayfield had a question and wanted to give you an opportunity on behalf of the Charlotte International Cabinet to respond.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Watanabe. Our next speaker is Maggie Cummins, who will be followed by Jessica Whitfield.

Thank you, Ms. Cummins. Thank you. Our next speaker is Jessica Whitfield. Is Ms. Whitfield here? All right, our next two speakers will be to Daryl Edwards and Sheila Bumgardner.

And I believe, just for the record, I missed Kylie Panther, and I'll come back to you as the next if you're here.

Our next speaker is Sheila Bumgarner, Ms. Bumgarner, and be followed by Kylie Panther. Ms. Panther's here. Ms. Bumgarner.

She's not here. Not here? Okay, the next two speakers will be Joshua Staton, followed by Sophie Levinson. Joshua Staton. Followed by Sophie Levinson. Okay. Next speaker will be Ethel Ward, number 12, followed by Allison Sadowski.

Thank you, Ms. Ward. And, Ms. Ward, before you leave, just know that one of our staff members will be reaching out to you.

The next two speakers are number 14 and 15, Shaletta Wilson and Anthony Brennan.

Our next speaker is Anthony Brennan. Is Mr. Brennan here? We have a waiting list that we will start on, but I want to make sure because I think there was some challenges with folks because the chamber is full with folks who we did not get before. I'll call those names again. Jessica Whitfield. Kylie Panther. Joshua Staton. and Sophie Levinson. All right, our next speaker will be Daniel Oria, followed by Evan Schultes.

Yeah, just state your name because I know I was calling.

Our next speaker is Evan Schultes, followed by Maribel McBeath, who is number three on the wait list. Schultes.

Thank you, Mr. Shelties. Next speaker is Maribel McBeath, who will be followed by Lauren Patterson. McBeath.

Thank you, Ms. McGuff. Our final two speakers will be Lauren Patterson and Cliff Brumfield, if he's here. Ms. Patterson.

Thank you, Ms. Patterson. And our final speaker for public forum is Cliff Brumfield.

Thank you, Mr. Brumfield. We're going to now move to the public hearing section of our agenda. I'm going to open the public hearing on an amendment to the Liddell McNich House Historic Landmark designation. I believe we have, Madam Clerk, I believe we have speakers, and I have a list of three. Our first speaker on this item, number six, is Dee Dee Clark, who will be followed by Mitchell Clark.

Thank you, Mr. Clark. I appreciate it. Kathy Henry is the final speaker on this item.

That's all. Thank you. Madam Clerk, are there any other speakers for this item? Okay. Discussion from council?

1:30:21•DADanté Anderson

Is there a motion to close the public hearing? So moved. Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? Raise your hand. All right. Correct. All right. Now we're moving to the item. Council Member Mayfield.

So we have a motion to adopt the ordinance with an effective date of September 28, 2026, designated in the property known as Liddell McNinch House, parcel identification number 078-035-13 as a historic landmark. Is there a motion?

1:31:02 – 1:32:37•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. We have representation from the Historic Districts Commission here. So a couple of questions that I have. One, I had already sent to staff previously, and I believe all of Council got a copy of it, because what I want to know is what is the long-term financial impact, the totality between the MSD, city taxes, county taxes, There's about $10,500 that is paid annually from this property, but what I didn't see is the revenue because they have a business, they provide jobs, they do a lot of other things. For future conversation, I think that would be very beneficial for us to hav

1:33:40 – 1:34:14•LMLaWana Mayfield

That information would have been helpful because it was a bit confusing to say that we had a designation previously many decades ago without clarifying that this is an extension. So is this letter stating on the state taxes up to 50% but the request for us tonight is to designate the entire home as a historic landmark which means that $10,518.11 between City, County, and MSD. That is what we are being asked to forgive.

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Are there further questions or discussions on item number six? Okay. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. Any opposed?

Thank you. Okay, that takes us to item number seven. We're now going to open the public hearing on the Jefferson First Union Tower historic landmark designation. Madam Clerk, I believe we have one person who is signed up to speak at the public hearing, and that is James Anderson. Is Mr. Anderson here?

Thank you. And, Madam Clerk, are there any other speakers? No, sir. Great. Is there a motion to close the public hearing? So moved. All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? All right. For council discussion, Council Member Ajmera. Motion to adopt 7B. We need the motion again. Second. Is there a second? Assembly second. Okay. All in favor? No. Discussion. Sorry. Council Member Esmir, going too fast.

1:37:02•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. So for staff, if you could please come forward to the podium.

1:37:18 – 1:37:46•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you for your work on the historic district commission. We appreciate your efforts. So I understand why we want to preserve a vacant building. Well, we want to activate a vacant building here in uptown, but I do understand that historic tax designation does carry a significant tax benefit. What assurances do taxpayers have that the development actually moves forward as it's promised after the designation is granted?

1:37:53 – 1:38:12•DADimple Ajmera

So maybe for Mr. Rana, since you are economic development question, if the redevelopment doesn't occur, does not move forward as promised, does the owner continue to receive historic property tax benefit simply because the designation remains?

1:38:57 – 1:40:24•DADimple Ajmera

So, Mr. Rana, you spoke about the facade and preserving that with ensure that they continue to get historic tax benefits. What I'm interested in understanding, because they have promised certain type of development, right, that includes housing and other things, what assurances do taxpayers have that that project will move forward? Because the only reason this, well, we are making the model possible, financial model possible. by providing the tax credit, which will help them because I was looking at the assessed value, well, which is... Hold on. So we are looking at... Sell of the property was

1:41:19 – 1:41:33•DADimple Ajmera

Okay, so I know that they have promised $200 million in improvement. So they do not get the historic tax credit if they don't proceed with that $200 million in improvement?

1:41:38•DADimple Ajmera

Got it. So they will only receive the tax credit for the historic designation if they were to proceed with the $200 million in improvements.

Thank you, Council Member Azmir. Council Member Mayfield.

1:41:53 – 1:42:30•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. So, Shaw, thinking about the response you just gave to Council Member Azmir, since what we're looking at in totality when we break down City taxes, special district, special district one, special district three, and county taxes. That's roughly $347,000 right now that is paid in taxes. The designation is, if I'm understanding you correctly, is basically to just maintain the outside facade.

1:43:04 – 1:43:15•LMLaWana Mayfield

So the numbers that we have in front of us, that total of 346, 967, and some change, that is the taxes just for the tower and the bridge?

1:43:18 – 1:43:49•LMLaWana Mayfield

So that's the only piece that you are asking us to consider to designate as historic, even though there's going to be development inside. And here's the reality. We're looking at a building that was built a very long time ago. Once you start moving things around, when we're talking about potential housing, is that happening in this building or is that happening in a separate space?

1:43:54 – 1:44:25•LMLaWana Mayfield

So in the tower that we're being asked to consider, I believe staff also, I think they provided you with the information. Shaw or Sarah may have it that actually breaks down what the potential operating taxes will be because they will be paying taxes on the residential and on the business. Even though we're having this, having a discussion to identify, the tower and the bridge for historic designation.

1:44:26 – 1:45:07•LMLaWana Mayfield

So I did want to make sure that community is aware that even though we're having a historic designation conversation on a piece of this, that the proposal is going to generate continued revenue through operating as well as sales tax. I do have concern that once we start moving things around that may impact the outside, but I'm going to trust that our historic districts commission is going to stay on top of it. And I appreciate the sponsor you gave to councilman Raj Mira as to if a doesn't happen, then B doesn't happen. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. Council member Mayfield council member drinks.

1:45:10 – 1:46:25•EDEd Driggs

Thank you, mayor. So this strikes me as a novel application. of the historic designation. The building is not 200 years old. It's an office tower. It will continue to be a commercial property. I think this is a way of achieving a purpose that matters to us. So I appreciate, I guess, the innovation around this. But it seems to me that this use of the historic designation ought to be a policy decision that we make and not a transaction event. I think the parameters here are different from what we typically think about on historic properties, and I would love to have a clearer definition of the t

1:47:34 – 1:47:58•EDEd Driggs

So I'm certainly in support of the purpose, right? I mean, don't get me wrong about that. I just think this is, like I say, a novel structure, and I wonder if we ought to have more, a better definition of when we want to apply a structure like this. But it's just a question I raised. I'd like to study it a little further before making my own decision. Thank you.

1:49:10 – 1:49:49•EDEd Driggs

and would achieve our purpose of creating housing at those locations and preserving those buildings. Because we've been struggling for quite a while with the issue of what to do with these buildings. Only about a third of them, according to one study, were even suitable because of their construction for conversion to residential. So I think if we did look at it and say, here's a tax incentive that we're going to offer for building conversions. They don't have to be historic. It might be a better way. This seems to me like a roundabout way that perhaps limits our ability to do the same thing at

Thank you, Council Member Driggs. Council Member Jamiro, I see you. I'm going to come to the others and come back to you. Council Member Johnson.

1:49:57 – 1:50:11•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. And thank you to my colleagues for bringing up the concerns. I'm just wondering if this is something we should defer and get more information and then come back. Would there be a... Any impact if we defer this vote?

1:50:26 – 1:51:18•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay, because that brings up another concern. When you bring things before council, we can't assume that the answer is going to be yes. So council has to have, and we've said this numerous times, council has to have the time. to consider it, I'm not comfortable if this is a roundabout way or it happens to be historic, a roundabout way to, as a tax deferment. So I think that when we have big projects, we get briefings about it, there are small meetings, we can ask questions, and I think that if this is a novel idea, and it may be a good policy going forward, but I do think that we've made enoug

Okay. Go ahead and respond. We'll see if there's a question.

Okay, is there discussion on the motion to defer, which has been seconded? Council Member Ashmira. On this, okay. Council Member Ashmira.

1:52:21 – 1:53:34•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. So Mr. Rana, thank you for those memos. I did have an opportunity to review them. I think the reason this has raised questions and concerns is because during the pandemic, we have had many vacant buildings in uptown, office buildings, and they wanted tax increment grant for them to make the financing work to activate some of these office buildings. So I think the questions that you're hearing is that are we circumventing the process to use historic tax credit just because this building qualifies? I do not know how many of our other office buildings that are vacant

1:53:36 – 1:54:44•DADimple Ajmera

Yes, so I think we need to have a broader discussion on what exactly our taxpayers are getting in return, especially around affordable housing, furthering our goals. We can certainly make the financing model work to activate this vacant building uptown, but in exchange, we need to see some benefits for our taxpayers. So I would like us to explore affordable housing. Maybe 20%, 30% could be affordable. since we have a shortage of affordable housing. But I do agree with Councilmember Johnson. I think this does require a little bit of further discussion and better understanding. We need to have a

1:54:59 – 1:55:15•DADimple Ajmera

So let me ask you this. When is the deadline to Councilmember Johnson's question for federal tax credit? I know we have housing experts here. Mr. Wooten, he deals with housing tax credits almost every day. Do we know the deadline?

Council Member Esmir, I think Manager has a point that he wants to raise and come back to that question.

1:55:27•DADimple Ajmera

Yes, I just wanted to see if he could address that question because I think it's a direct question. We just need to know what the deadline is for federal housing tax credit.

1:56:14•DADimple Ajmera

That's fair. Mr. Jones, I think you wanted to address my question.

1:57:49 – 1:58:01•DADimple Ajmera

So just to follow up, Mr. Jones, did the, I understand we had a problem and we continue to have a problem of vacant office buildings, but did the committee discuss the policy around that?

1:58:47 – 1:59:18•DADimple Ajmera

I appreciate the innovation here that's taking place to make this model work. And I also reviewed it. I think even the tax base would increase as a result of this redevelopment, which is obviously going to increase our tax base. And the redevelopment, well, our tax credit is tied to the redevelopment dollars. So I get that. I get all that. But I think the frustration is the new model not being blessed by the committee and council is not fully on board. But that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Esmir. Council Member Graham and then Dr. Watlington and then Mayfield and Driggs.

1:59:26 – 2:01:03•MGMalcolm Graham

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I won't be late with the conversation, but I think shower really kind of summarize when he spoke last in terms of what I think my position is, obviously it could go through the committee, right? So, but I think we're making meaningful progress in terms of trying to fill those void in uptown Charlotte. This is uniquely different. The building does qualify for historic destination. So it was not like someone's creating or making it up. The historic landmark commission has done its due diligence. going back to may and has come to this council directly indirectly for appr

Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Graham. I'm going to come to Dr. Watlington and noting just for folks who are listening and for council, I realize the discussions overlap. We're in the motion to defer, which has been seconded. We're discussing that now. Dr. Watlington.

2:01:17 – 2:01:53•VWVictoria Watlington

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for bringing this back to us. Certainly, I agree with Councilmember Driggs as well as a number of my other colleagues in regards to the policy. What I'm understanding, however, in this specific instance is that we are playing within the rules as they are written today. So I am inclined to not pull I'm inclined to play within the rules. I also am inclined to improve the rules and make them more holistic and comprehensive. And so after this motion, I would like to move to send something to committee.

Request a referral. Thank you, Dr. Watlington. Council Member Mayfield.

2:01:58 – 2:06:03•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. So as far as the conversation that we're having on whether or not to defer, The challenge that I have, and which I have already mentioned to the manager, why I have concerns when we have a hearing and the adoption on any length policy the same evening, because even though we have had a number of conversations, those conversations did not present to us the full proposal of what was going to happen. Had it, these questions that you're hearing now could have been answered prior to where this was a separate conversation with the presentation of potentially, this is wha

And we'll come back to that last point if you'd like, Council Member Mayfield, during topics when you're full set. I believe I have Council Member Driggs and Council Member Anderson still on the motion to defer. Council Member Driggs.

2:06:15 – 2:07:26•EDEd Driggs

I think there is a process issue here. I have to confess I wasn't really briefed on this. I didn't feel I knew all about it. you know, before in time to do the kind of things I like to do with these transactions, analyze the cash flows. And it is novel. This is not a cookie cutter historic. So there's that. My impression from looking at it in the last few days was that this is something we want to do. We do want to convert the building. We want to achieve that purpose. I'm just a little uncomfortable. Like I say, we do historic this time, and then that doesn't work for the next building. So I

2:09:02•EDEd Driggs

You're saying there's no forfeiture of tax proceeds for the city of Charlotte that helps to realize this project?

2:09:30 – 2:10:53•EDEd Driggs

I understand that, but what it looks like from reading this was that the historic designation improves the economics, which allows this to move forward, and it probably otherwise it couldn't. So that makes it feel to me like a grant type of transaction, different in character from our usual historic landmark. You know, I like it, and I certainly want this to succeed. You just now, for example, you clarified and explained things minutes before we're supposed to vote. So that's a conversation that would have been good to have sooner and to get these questions out in the open. the question we fac

Okay. We're still on them. Okay. Still on the most. Thank you. Council member Drake still on the motion to defer council member Anderson and then council member as mayor, if you've got some sort of final questions and I think those who've wanted to speak on the defer. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and.

2:11:25 – 2:13:56•DADanté Anderson

So, Shaw, thank you for that clarification because what's in our agenda is just a regular step amongst many other steps tonight around a historic designation for this particular property. It just happens that the plans for this property could potentially produce a significant amount of tax revenue for us and address a vacant property that has been vacant for quite some time. And Ms. Mayfield, thank you for asking the questions ahead of time, because in this packet on page three, we received the answers from staff around this the the current value and then the annual tax revenue as well as the

Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Anderson. And finally, Council Member Jamiro, I saw you just still on this motion to defer it. I'm conscious of the hour, but please.

2:14:05•DADimple Ajmera

So, thank you, Mayor Harrington. Is this the final action for this project that will come before the council?

2:14:17 – 2:14:35•DADimple Ajmera

Okay. So that means we would miss an opportunity to ask the developer if they could do affordable housing out of hundreds of affordable housing units, out of market rent that they're building. I was looking at how many housing units they're building? I'm just...

2:14:44 – 2:15:53•DADimple Ajmera

This is a former Wells Fargo headquarters building that is going to be redeveloped into 275 multifamily residential units in the top half of the building with the potential for 200 hotel rooms on the bottom half. I think the question I hear from the community is that there is so much luxury housing that's being built, and that's great because it increases our tax base, But we do need to ask a simple question about can they incorporate affordable housing for our teachers, our officers, and firefighters. That question comes up in almost every conversation I have with neighborhoods. So I just don

Thank you, Council Member Ajmera. I think we are ready for the vote on the motion to defer. We're conscious of the request. We'll figure out how to word a request for a referral and address that. But all in favor of the motion to defer item number seven, please raise your hand. All opposed to the motion to defer? The motion fails to defer. Now we'll revert to the underlying motion to approve the ordinance. Is there any further discussion on the item 7B? Okay. Council Member Johnson.

2:16:33 – 2:17:37•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. We keep talking about the tax benefits, but isn't this an abatement or deferral of taxes, the The developer is going to have taxes forgiven and the amount of, is it $346,000, 967. So we're giving a tax break. We're calling it historical because it was 1971, which I don't think this is for the record, but anyway, but nonetheless, I understood the other one is 1800 something. It was built. So in 1971 building, we're giving circumventing the tax and increment grant process because we're labeling it historic. There's 275 units. None are affordable and attainable, but we're giving a tax

2:17:45 – 2:18:03•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. So we're going to give Wells Fargo, the developer, a tax credit, if you will. But according to our tax increment grant process, there has to be some type of public benefit requirement. So this is that same outcome without the requirement of public benefit, or is there a public benefit requirement?

2:18:24 – 2:19:06•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay. I'm sorry. So it's not Wells Fargo. It's the former headquarter of Wells Fargo. Excuse me. So the developer, do they get the tax? Is there a tax deferment or tax forgiveness based on the historical designation? Yes. Yes. Okay. So we're talking about the tax benefits for future projects. We'll get that anyway. So right now we are, we're not willing to defer to ask the questions that benefit our taxpayers, but I just wanted to confirm there is a tax. abatement, forgiveness, whatever we call it, that goes along with the historical designation of over $300,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Johnson. Dr. Wellington?

2:19:10 – 2:20:02•VWVictoria Watlington

Thank you, Mayor. Just real quick, because I can tell by the questions that we may be having three different conversations here. So I just, for my own sake, can you help clarify? Rapid fire, okay? And if you need to phone a friend, go ahead. I'm hearing three things, historic designation, housing policy, and tax increment grant policy as it relates to office buildings uptown that may apply to other areas in the city as things happen. That's what I'm hearing. So my question then is, as far as it relates to the historic designation, while I understand that you're saying it comes with a tax defer

2:20:31 – 2:20:46•VWVictoria Watlington

What I'm asking is what we use to determine that something has a historical designation. There is a set of criteria. We established it here at the city, or are we reapplying criteria from another higher or other source?

2:21:48 – 2:22:01•VWVictoria Watlington

Got it, I'm good, thank you. Okay, so there's this piece, but then there's the other piece as to whether or not a historically designated building also gets a tax increment. Where is that decided?

2:22:33 – 2:22:47•VWVictoria Watlington

Okay, so what I heard is that our criteria is in line with the federal government's criteria. And I heard that the decision as to whether or not there is a tax deferment benefit associated with the designation doesn't sit here either. It sits in Raleigh.

2:23:00 – 2:23:15•VWVictoria Watlington

It's been on the books since the 1970s. That's the state law. So neither one of those two things really is a question of the city council either meets the criteria or doesn't. And then Raleigh has decided that if it meets the criteria, there is a tax deferment benefit.

2:23:26 – 2:24:08•VWVictoria Watlington

Okay. Thank you. That is helpful. And then, so then I say that to say that I absolutely understand Council Member Johnson's concern in terms of by doing this, then we would be allowing that building to leverage the tax deferment program, which is not set by us. sounds like we have an opportunity to just say no, my concern would be that that is not necessarily consistent with how we have approached every single other building that has met this criteria. And unless we can very succinctly and specifically say, these are the ones we've approved, these are the ones we have not, and this one sits in

2:24:09 – 2:24:37•VWVictoria Watlington

Okay. And then... Thirdly, from a policy standpoint, what does sit with us? Housing policy, which I've heard, I think I understood you, Mr. Mayor, that we were going to take a look at that. And then I'd also like to lift up. And this we can say for council topics, but I'd also like to lift up our economic development committee to look at our overall tax increment grant structure and make sure that what we say is community benefit actually lines up with what we're incentivizing.

And I agree. I like the question that Council Member Mayfield raised earlier. I think if we can capture those during topics just so we get them clearly, that'd be helpful. I believe the last hand I saw was Council Member Owens.

2:24:51 – 2:25:32•KOKimberly Owens

Thank you, Mayor. I'll be brief. I'm older than this building, which hurts my heart that it's going to be designated as a National Historical Building. But I draw attention to, and I wonder if you could supplement, it says in our materials that this building was the first late modern skyscraper in downtown Charlotte, reflecting a shift in architectural design trends, and also was North Carolina's tallest building at that time. I've heard several of my council members perhaps question whether this is actually an end run around any amount of maneuverings or whatever. As I look at this building,

Is there any further discussion on the motion in item seven? Okay, we have a motion and a second. We've had discussion on item 7B, which is a motion to adopt an ordinance with an effective date of September 28, 2026, designating the property known as the Jefferson First Union Tower, parcel identification number 125-51-01 as the historical landmark. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. 10 in favor, any opposed? That motion carries 10 to 1. Thank you, Councilmember Johnson. All right, that takes us to agenda item number eight. Going to open the public hearing on the McClintock Pre

I have a comment. You have a comment. You have a discussion.

2:29:13 – 2:29:44•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Mayor, Council, this is kind of special because McClintock Presbyterian Church was a church that my grandfather, Roosevelt Neal Sr., attended many, many years ago. As you all call them, a rabbit. And we have members from the congregation here. So will all the members of McClintock Presbyterian Church please stand up and be recognized. Thank you, family.

Thank you, Mayor. Madam and Senator, I just want to make sure before we move, just for the record, before we move to the vote on the motion, did we get recorded or clerk a motion, second, and approval of the motion to close? Okay. So we have a motion and a second to approve the item in 8B, adopt an ordinance with effective date of September 28, 2036, designated property known as McClintock Presbyterian Church, parcel identification number 201-424-72 as a historic landmark. All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? Motion carries.

All right, that takes us to item number nine. We're going to move to public hearing on the Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church cemeteries number one and two, historic landmark designations. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers? We have two speakers for item nine. Let's see here. Yes, so the first speaker is Julia Robinson Moore, and the second speaker is Matthew Joyner. Ms. Moore and Mr. Joyner, if you'd come down.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Professor Moore. Mr. Joyner.

We need a motion to close public hearing.

Okay, we can do that. Is there a second to that motion? Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Council Member Esmir.

2:35:30•DADimple Ajmera

Certainly this is a no-brainer, so I don't expect a lot of questions on this, but I just wanted to appreciate Dr. Moore and Mr. Joyner's efforts to preserve our history. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Council Member Johnson.

2:35:43 – 2:36:04•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Right. I'd like to thank you all for this important issue. These are obviously historic desert spots. And Dr. Moore, I think I've worked with you in the past on the Mallard Creek Cemetery. So thank you for the important work you're doing in preserving the legacy of our ancestors. Thank you. Move to close.

Any further discussion? All right. All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? Thank you. It passes. That takes us to item number 10. We're going to open the public hearing on a resolution to close a portion of Barlow Road. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers? Is there a motion to close the public hearing? So moved.

Any questions? All in favor of closing the public hearing here? Any opposed? All right. So do we have a motion to adopt a resolution and close a portion of Barlow Road? Second. Any discussion? All in favor, raise your hand. Any opposed? Passes. Takes us to item number 11. We're now going to open the public hearing on Freedom Manor at Reedy Creek Voluntary Annexation. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers? I have two. Our first speaker is Eddie Moore, and our second speaker is Ryan Powell.

2:37:53•DADanté Anderson

Motion to close public hearing and adopt 11B. Is there a second for that motion? Second.

Any discussion? All in favor, please. Council Member Mayfield.

2:38:02 – 2:38:56•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to acknowledge and thank the work that is being done by Habitat for Humanity. Understanding, again, the same questions that I had earlier, when we're looking at bringing in a little over 12 acres into our jurisdiction, there is going to be an infrastructure cost. And the question that I am asking now is how is this going to benefit the residents? So to see that one of our strongest partners is at the forefront of us looking at a potential development that's going to bring 37 single-family detached homes into an area when we're seeing attainable housing, we need as

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Council Member Driggs, I saw your hand, but it may have been anticipation. I was getting ready to vote.

2:39:01•JAJD Mazuera Arias

That's all right. Council Member Masuer-Arias. I just want to echo the words of my colleague and excited to welcome this development and this project into District 5, so thank you so much.

Okay. Any further questions, discussion? Is there a motion to close the public hearing?

Is there a motion to approve the motion?

Any further discussion? All in favor, yes. Raise your hand. Any opposed? It carries. Thank you.

That takes us to item number 12. We're now going to open the public hearing on the King's Grant Voluntary Annexation. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers? I have one? One speaker, and that's Bridget Grant. Is Grant here? Oh, my.

2:40:13•DADanté Anderson

Motion to close public hearing and adopt 12B.

2:40:24•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. So I thought I saw it somewhere, but this is, in relation to a previous rezoning.

2:40:52 – 2:41:06•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

So I want to know, because I always talk about the cumulative impact, and I'm pretty sure when we approved this, it was in the ETJ, we still looked at traffic counts. We look at all the school impact and all of that, even though it's in the EPJ.

2:41:11•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay. That's all I wanted to know. Thank you.

Any further discussion? Council Member Mayfield.

2:41:17 – 2:46:03•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. So, again, going back to the question that I asked the staff earlier, and that is, will this assist in addressing our... housing attainable needs because what we're talking about now is not a small parcel. This is 335.56 acre lot. That is a considerable size. What I am concerned about is, to be perfectly honest, our former economic development director and former attorney, left me extremely saddened and disappointed regarding the River District, which at that point was a very large parsonage where there are on record multiple conversations regarding the first price point hous

Is there any, thank you, Council Member Mayfield, is there any further discussion on item 12B? I'm going to address this.

2:46:53•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Just really quickly, I don't have the details of that petition.

I'm sorry. Council Member Mayfield, did you have any other comment?

2:47:02•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. 5% of 448 units is not addressing the need that we have, but thank you for sharing that.

2:47:10 – 2:47:42•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

King's Grant is a huge development, and I remember that, and I think I was opposed to it initially. There are quite a few concessions. We don't have them in front of us, but we work very closely. There are quite a few concessions for this petition. So you can take a look at it. I do remember workforce housing, and there were some others. But you're right. I mean, you just got a 440. Is it 20? We have to. I don't have it in front of me. But there were other. I don't know if you have any of the details, Bridget.

2:47:55•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

And there were lots of jobs, I remember. That's correct. There are a lot of jobs. Thank you.

Okay, there is a motion to close the public hearing and to adopt an annexation ordinance with an effective date of September 28, 2026 to extend the corporate limits to include this property and assign it to the adjacent City Council District 4. Any further discussion? There's been a second. All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? Okay, motion passes with two objections. All right, that takes us to opening the public hearing on Taylor Grove. This is item 13, opening the public hearing on Taylor Grove at Mallard Creek Voluntary Annexation. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers? It look

It's getting late. Motion to close the public hearing and adopt the ordinance. All right, it's moved and seconded. Is there, Council Member Johnson? Did you?

2:49:50•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Well, I wanted to talk about the petition, but I, yeah. Talk about the petition. Yes. Are we voting to close the public hearing first?

We have closed the public hearing. There's a motion to close the public hearing and proceed. And so I think that we're now ready for discussion.

2:50:06•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay, thank you. Is there a petition number that goes along with this? Was this formally approved? I was looking for that.

2:50:19 – 2:50:42•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Where are you? 190 units, okay. And then 400 units in the earlier petition. That's about $600 or $700. New residents in District 4. Welcome to District 4. I look forward to supporting you. Okay. That's all I have. Okay.

Okay. All in favor of the motion to close public hearing and adopt the ordinance as described in 13B, please raise your hand. Yes. Any opposed?

2:50:56•LMLaWana Mayfield

Since she didn't do it separately, then I'm a no. Okay. Billy, go ahead and check that no.

All right. Item number 14. We're now going to open the public hearing on the Yardley-Westown voluntary annexation. Madam Clerk, I have two speakers, and I believe the speakers are Skylar White and Megan Ledbetter. You come down.

2:51:38•DADimple Ajmera

Okay. If there are no questions, move to close the public hearing.

I want to make sure you're, you're done. Okay. Motion to close public hearing second and adopt and adopt. Okay. This is a motion closed public hearing and adopt the ordinance as described in 14 B second. All in favor, raise your hand. Any opposed? All right. It passes.

2:51:59•LMLaWana Mayfield

No, it doesn't. I'm lying. One in opposition, but it passes. Okay. We come back in three years and have this conversation.

We are now going to open the public hearing on the refunding of outstanding certificates of participation. Madam Clerk, I don't have anyone listed here. Do we have any speakers? Is there a motion to close the public hearing?

All in favor of closing the public hearing and then we'll move on to the two-part motion. Any opposed all right do we have a motion to adopt initial findings resolution calling for the execution of various documents necessary to refund outstanding arena certificates of participation series 2025 and authorize the city manager or his designee to take necessary actions to complete the financing including submitting the application to the local government commission is there a motion still moved is there a second second all right council member

2:53:02 – 2:53:18•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you. Mr. CFO, I understand this is not a new proposal. This is a $150 million arena appropriation that was from a few years ago. From what I understand, this is a refinancing. Correct?

2:53:38•DADimple Ajmera

So in terms of long financing, anything substantial that has changed from our original assumption?

2:53:53•DADimple Ajmera

So that means no changes to our tourism fund forecast? All right, that's all I have. Thank you.

2:54:02•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Just for sake of clarity, thank you, Mayor, just for sake of clarity, no new taxpayer dollars will be used, right?

Is there any further discussion on the motion? Okay, there has been a motion and a second discussion on items 15B and C. The motion is reflected there. All in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? All right, the motion carries. That takes us through the public hearing section of our agenda and on to policy. We'll move to the policy section. City Manager, do you have any updates for Council this evening?

2:56:21 – 2:57:34•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Manager Jones, as well as Mayor Harrington. As our executive director of housing, Dr. Stewart, comes up. Just want to remind everyone that this referral updates the affordable housing policy that we adopted for our 2024 bond cycle, which provided a strong and successful framework for the city's affordable housing investments as we prepare for our upcoming bond round. The goal is to align the policy with the council's priorities. Our priorities being anti-displacement, mobility, high opportunity housing, and long-term affordability. This is about more than just creating the units. It

Great. Thank you for your work on that. I believe we have questions for Dr. Stewart, Mr. Wooten, or Chair. First from Dr. Watlington.

3:12:49 – 3:14:27•VWVictoria Watlington

Thank you so much. I have a few questions. Thank you for your work on this, and thank you, Chair Mayfield, for the work that you have led here. I've got a couple of questions in there. Some of them are very tactical, some might be more philosophical. I'm wondering if you are able to provide us an overview since the housing bond first went from 25 to 50, what the unit gap was, what was built, what it is now, and what the... what those units that were invested in are doing on the ground today. Council Member Mayfield has asked for this type of thing before, but if there's a way that we can see w

3:14:49 – 3:15:44•VWVictoria Watlington

Awesome. Thank you for that, because that will be helpful information. Because to your point, if what we're seeing is that developers are willing to go longer if we raise the floor, I think that would be beneficial to us, particularly along these transit lines. And then by that same token, just looking at the home ownership, I'm happy to see the home ownership investment is still going strong and that the usability of it has been high, because I think that'll eventually be the name of the game. Has there been any kind of... Discussion or thought around how this maps to some of the workforce de

3:16:30 – 3:17:23•VWVictoria Watlington

Yeah, I think that would be really great to see how we could be even more prescriptive about people who are involved in these particular initiatives from a workforce development standpoint. How do we think very strategically and tactically about laying on top of them? For example, the land trust. has a wait list of potential homeowners. How do we get very laser focused on ensuring these outcomes for people, particularly those working in areas that we need to keep the city running? And then just my last question. I just want to make sure I understood. The $2 million for administration and evalu

Thank you, Dr. Wadlington. Council Member Johnson.

3:18:11 – 3:18:32•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you for the presentation. I just have a couple questions. Dr. Watlington asked about the number, the gap, I think, for units, affordable housing. The last number that I heard for 30% AMI, was that 30 to 40,000 units?

3:18:42 – 3:18:56•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Right, okay, so 30,000 to 40,000. So it seems like the number is increasing. I don't know what it was when we first started the bond, but does it have anything to do with the AMI continually increasing?

3:19:29 – 3:21:18•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. Slide number 14, you mentioned provide policy flexibility to incentivize developers to lower, I think, the floor or the AMI amount. Is that going to be a recommendation or a requirement? The reason I ask is because we know that, and we had an example of someone receiving SSI was no longer 30%. They were less than 30%. That's the federal income for individuals who are disabled. We know that we have airport workers making $15 an hour. And we also know that if I have two emails right now, family members with a son that's over 13, they can't get into a family shelter if they have a sing

3:21:31 – 3:22:05•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay. Thank you. Do we have a, a number that we used for the home ownership? I know the, We didn't use it all because we were able to take money from that to use it for a rental housing project this last go around. So I'd like to know how much we're actually utilizing the home ownership dollars, especially with the interest rate increasing. I mean, is that the best use or highest and best use for our fund when we know so many people at the other end need housing?

3:22:26 – 3:23:10•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

That's fine. If we can just get a report of what was actually used towards homeownership and not that was borrowed for something else, like what was the utilization, I think for all of those categories would be good. Deficit. Yeah. And, and again, the supportive housing and shelter capacity, even deposit assistance. We know that that's a challenge. We talked about that. So I know we can't do everything, but I I just know that we have families that right now there's no family shelter. I want us to all just recognize that. Thank you. That's all I have.

Thank you. Council member Johnson, council member Graham.

3:23:13 – 3:23:36•MGMalcolm Graham

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First let me Say thank you to Council Member Mayfield. Everyone leads in different ways and different spaces. And anyone who admits publicly that they read over 300 pages of regulations just for fun is either committed or somewhat special.

3:23:38 – 3:26:57•MGMalcolm Graham

Yeah. I agree. So I thank you for your leadership with the committee. It allows me to kind of focus elsewhere because I know you're on the job. I want to thank staff for the commitment as well in terms of continuing to make this a priority for the city and to kind of move it forward. I chaired the committee years ago, and I can see the progress that we're making each and every year, and certainly Mrs. Mayfield's passion for it comes across. And so I thank you for that. I also want to thank some of the housing advocates in the audience. I see some are here tonight. Thank you for your leadership

Thank you, Council Member Graham. Council Member Owens.

3:27:02•KOKimberly Owens

Council Member Owens did not raise her hand. Okay.

3:27:05 – 3:29:44•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Then Council Member Masuara Arias. Thank you, Mayor. Colleagues, I just really have to give Chair Mayfield her flowers. I mean, this has been incredible work done in committee and honestly has mentored me and taught me the importance of driving policy through language adjustments to our affordable housing policy. I want to hone in on some certain areas. And thank you, staff. Thank you, Dr. Stewart. Thank you, Warren, for all the incredible work. This is like our fourth time seeing this presentation. So thank you for repeating yourselves once again. We, across the country, and it's not unique t

Thank you, Council Member Masuera-Arias. Council Member Anderson.

3:29:50 – 3:31:08•DADanté Anderson

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, Chair Mayfield, and your committee for the work here. Greatly appreciate you all leading in on this particular topic. Just a couple quick points. Very happy to see the home ownership, and I'm looking at slide 16 here that has the investment targets and then the delta targets. in certain categories. So I'm very happy to see the home ownership bucket increased by $6 million. And I remember as we go through the housing trust fund cycles, the proposed, The proposed projects for home ownership are highly sought after. It's just a matter of trying to get more thr

3:32:30 – 3:34:25•DADanté Anderson

OK. I look forward to seeing that criteria. Because I do believe there's a need out there, especially for some of the NOAAs that exist in the marketplace that need that investment. But I can also foresee this dollar amount being burned through relatively quickly, especially when you talk about larger multifamily that is affordable. So I'd like to see some criteria in how we would go, as a council, go through that process. The last point I'd like to highlight is on slide 15 here, it talks about the updates to the location scoring to reflect the changing community. I just want to make sure as it

3:34:27 – 3:36:39•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Council Member Mitchell. Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, thank you, Dr. Stewart and Warren, for a great presentation. Someone who's not on the committee, that was very helpful. If you could just bring up slide 16, I'm going to stay there. And I have to thank the committee for doing the real work. So, Council Member Mayfield, thank you for your leadership in the committee. You all took the early spot, the 9 a.m., But y'all make it work, you lead by example. And so I just have a couple points I'd like to bring out. One, we just graduated a faith housing cohorts program. Councilman

3:36:40 – 3:38:47•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Great job, Dr. Stewart. I always appreciate how you make yourself accessible. Anytime I have questions with the presentation or anything on affordable housing, I appreciate it. I think you've certainly set a high bar. I'm very grateful for your leadership on the housing. Also, thanks to the chair, Chairwoman Mayfield, for your leadership. I certainly appreciate the recommendation on high opportunity zones. I know this is something that we have been discussing for as long as I remember, like 10 years. So finally, it's great to see that it has made the recommendation

3:38:49 – 3:39:25•DADimple Ajmera

Okay, so I know historically this program is overutilized, where there is usually a long wait list. Have you explored increasing that funding? Because I know it's oversubscribed, because I've connected many neighborhood, many residents with this program, especially in Hampshire Hills, and they have shared with me that the program is oversubscribed. So do we know what's the current utilization and what's the ask we get every year?

3:41:02•DADimple Ajmera

That's good to hear. So it's $5 million plus $3 million from another source that's outside of the housing trust fund.

3:41:09 – 3:41:52•DADimple Ajmera

That's great to hear. And I certainly appreciate how you have energy efficiency because as... As we are seeing extreme heat in our communities, we are seeing urban heat islands, we are seeing utility bills go up significantly as a result. And when we have energy efficient buildings and energy efficient appliances, it actually helps with overall savings and it helps people with overall affordable housing. So it's great to see that's being incorporated because it does have an impact on the bottom line. So I appreciate how that will also help us meet our CF goals. And that's all I have. Thank you

Thank you, Council Member Ashbira. I want to end with Chair, with Council Member Mayfield. Is there anyone else who would like to be heard or have questions on this? Council Member Driggs and then Council Member Mayfield.

3:42:05•EDEd Driggs

Just a quick question. On the rental housing production, that would be typical LIHTC type of deals. Is that right? Do you have any idea what the breakdown is likely to be between 9% and 4% deals?

Okay, Chair Mayfield, again, I'm going to pile on and give you compliments because every time I see you in the hallway or in the streets, we talk about housing. So compliments to you and to Mr. Wooten and Dr. Stewart, but if you'd like to close it out.

3:42:57 – 3:45:32•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Mayor. I do want to thank my colleagues. I had the opportunity to have all three of our newest elected members, Council Member Mayo, Anderson, and Montoya's audience on the committee, along with Council Member Johnson, who is one of our senior members. So having their energy and having new eyes at the table definitely helped with the conversations. I do want to make sure that I thank all of our partners because that town hall that we hosted in July really helped us to get the information we needed from the development community to hear what some of the challenges are. And I hope you

3:45:33 – 3:47:42•LMLaWana Mayfield

Right. That was announced last Monday, but also Congresswoman Adams noted it on Saturday in person. So we're doing some amazing work. I'm also thinking about Council Member Graham, those Let's Think Outside the Box. I had the chance to attend a housing discussion in Louisville earlier this year. They're doing modular multifamilies. In the Road to Housing Act, they have specific language around modular, and I also had the opportunity to make some suggestions, because since we're at the beginning, first six to eight months of the bill, then there's still accepting ideas and recommendations. So I

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Thank you to staff for this. We are going to flex the schedule a bit and move on from the manager's report, particularly because I think there are likely some younger folks in the audience who may want to be heard on the youth protection ordinance pilot program. So we're going to move to that. We're going to open with the comments from the public. I think there are 30- 38, 37, 37 folks who are signed up to speak on the youth ordinance. And I will start at the top. Because of the number and the hour, we're going to limit to two minutes apiece. And the first t

3:48:54•LMLaWana Mayfield

Take your time. Take your time. Be careful.

Thank you, Bishop Mayfield. Our next two speakers are Lee Ratliff and Debbie Mitchell.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Radley. Our next speaker is Debbie Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell will be followed by Nathan Hoffman, if he could come on down. Ms. Mitchell. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Hoffman, who will be followed by number six, Roger Green. Mr. Hoffman.

Thank you, Mr. Hoffman. Next speaker is Roger Green, who will be followed by Jakotran Potts.

Thank you, Reverend Green. Reverend Potts will be followed by Jacqueline George. Ms. George would come down.

Next speaker is Jacqueline George, who will be followed by Kaylin Merriweather.

Thank you, Ms. George. Thank you. Thanks very much. Next speaker is Kaylin Merriweather, who will be followed by Tamika Taylor.

Thank you, Ms. Mary Webber. Tamika Taylor is our next speaker. She'll be followed by Shanita Horton.

The next speaker is Shanita Horton, who will be followed by Wendell McCoy. Ms. Horton.

Next speaker is Wendell McCoy, who will be followed by Vanessa Tolbert.

Thank you, Mr. McCoy. Our next speaker is Vanessa Tolbert, who will be followed by Faith Fennessy.

Thank you, Ms. Tover. Next speaker is Faith Fennessy to be followed by number 15 Jonathan Merriweather.

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Tennessee. The next speaker is Jonathan Merriweather, who will be followed by Crystal Humphrey. Mr. Merriweather.

Thank you, Mr. Merriweather. Thank you. Next speaker is Crystal Humphrey, who will be followed by Andrea Bowler.

Thank you, Ms. Huntley. Next speaker is Andrea Bowler, who will be followed by Nikitra Scott. Ms. Bowler.

Thank you, Ms. Bowler. The next speaker is Nakedra Scott. Is Nakedra Scott here? All right, our next two speakers then will be Jerome Taylor, followed by May Taylor.

Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Next speaker is May Taylor, who will be followed by Brittany Sutherland.

4:24:05•DADanté Anderson

She can speak at that short mic if you would like her to. Right here. The shorter one there.

I'm not sure I'd want to follow that. Be followed by Alana McDonald.

Thank you, Ms. Sullivan. Next speaker is Alana McDonald, who will be followed by Janine Bryant. Ms. McDonald.

Thank you, Mr. Donald. I want to make sure whether Janine Bryant is here. Okay. If Ms. Bryant is not here, our next speaker will be Sonia Wilson, followed by Latoya Jones. Ms. Wilson.

Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Ms. Jones, next speaker, Latoya Jones. To be followed by Messiah Lester. Ms. Jones?

Thank you for your time Thank You miss Jones Messiah Lester be followed by Sierra Harvey

Thank you, Ms. Lester. Next speaker is Sierra Harvey, who will be followed by Carter Haynes.

Thank you, Ms. Harvey. Next speaker is Carter Haynes, who will be followed by Isla Haynes. Or you can start. Is this microphone on? Try again. Try again. I don't think that microphone is on.

If you pull it up and get a little closer to it.

All right, our next speaker is Isla Haynes, and she'll be followed by Robert Meriwether Jr. Ms. Haynes.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Robert Meriwether Jr. Who will be followed by Autumn Milburn.

Thank you, Mr. Merriweather. Next speaker is Autumn Milburn, who will be followed by Serenity Henderson.

Thank you, Autumn. Thank you. Our next speaker is Serenity Henderson, who will be followed by Lijah Nance. Ms. Henderson.

Our next two speakers are Elijah Nance and then Imani Nance.

Our next speaker is Imani Nance, who will be followed by Harmony Moorer.

Our next speaker is Harmony Moore, who will be followed by John Kelly.

Enforcement second thank you councilman James Mitchell Councilwoman dante Anderson Victoria wallerton and dimples as mirror listen to a person who's been infected thank you thank you thank you make sure you get the document miss Moore miss Moore she emailed me miss Moore you can happy to take the document with the clerk if you want to leave it with with her And our final two speakers are John Kelly and Candace Schofield.

Thank you, Mr. Kelly. And finally, Candace Schofield.

Thank you, Mr. Ophiel. Schofield is our last speaker who signed up, and I'll ask if there is a motion to approve a pilot program for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to implement a revised youth curfew from November 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, and to adopt an ordinance approving amendments to Chapter 15, Article 7 of the City Code as recommended by the Safety Committee. And I'll look to the chair of our Safety Committee for a motion.

4:48:50•DADanté Anderson

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's so moved. Second. Okay.

Is there discussion? And I'm happy to go around and maybe start with Council Member Johnson and just work our way around the dice.

4:49:04 – 4:50:00•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank all the bishops and pastors and first ladies and the babies that came out. Thank you for coming out. It's really important to be engaged and thank you to the children for your bravery. And I also want to thank Harmony for her bravery. She spoke as one voice that was opposed to the current proposal. I was originally opposed to the 9 p.m. curfew, and I still have concerns about expanding the curfew, even with the proposed changes to 10 p.m. Can I ask the chief some questions, please? Thank you. Thank you, Chief, for the proposal and the work you do. Have the num

4:50:13•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

So when they're advertised, is there someone in CMPD who's looking at social media Are we addressing this proactively?

4:50:32•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

So if we change the curfew to 9 p.m., what would be different?

4:51:01 – 4:51:19•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Okay. The exceptions. I understand the exceptions. I appreciate the exception. However, can a person be pulled over by police for suspicion of curfew violation?

4:51:46•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

When I asked the question the first time, the answer was yes, they could be pulled over for a curfew violation. So we're looking to change the policy?

4:51:54 – 4:52:34•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

I'd like to see that policy changed first before I would consider that because that's a big deal. I thought about, there was some wonderful youth here. One of them was part of your youth council and she was a leader at Rocky river high school. If she's driving home and she can be pulled over for being out after 10 o'clock. So that was a concern for me. I want to be clear. I recognize we have a problem with the team takeovers. There are incidents and behaviors, but putting young people in the, that put the public and young people at risk, we absolutely have a responsibility to address that.

4:52:35 – 4:54:13•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

And my question has always been, are we addressing the problem or simply addressing the symptom? I agree. So before we expand a citywide curfew affecting every teenager under 18, I'd like us to understand what's been working and build on that. The last meeting we had, we talked about a pilot. I'd like to see that pilot implemented first, and then we have the data before we enforce a curfew. Again, if a child is breaking the law, we don't know that a curfew is actually going to stop that. I think the ones that are going to be harmed is the responsible teenagers that are maybe coming from work o

Thank you. Council member Johnson, council member Masuera Arias.

4:54:17 – 4:54:33•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Thank you, mayor. Chief Patterson. Good evening. I want to start with you because I mean this sincerely. I support you. I honor you. And I'm incredibly thankful for the work you and our officers do every single day to keep our community safe. Thank you so much for being here.

4:54:35 – 4:55:08•JAJD Mazuera Arias

This has been a hard vote for me because I did push back at 9 p.m. because I thought 9 p.m. was way too early, and we got to 10, so thank you for that. And I did push back on a permanent ordinance change, and now we have a pilot program ahead of us. I'm still a little bit on the fence because the research on youth curfews just aren't convincing to me, right? We've seen that there's no meaningful reduction in juvenile crime overall or youth victimization, so what is the goal? Like, plain, simple, in layman's terms.

4:56:12 – 4:56:25•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Are all teen takeovers dangerous, the ones that you stated 55 advertised, and how many actual teen takeovers have happened? 15. Okay, so out of those 15 that actually happened, has there been any crime related to them?

4:56:45 – 4:56:57•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Under the age of 17. Yes. And so I'm trying to understand why, why would those kids just apprehended for having illegal access to a gun?

4:57:38 – 4:58:00•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Thank you. I'm just going to pull this from real-life experience. In District 5 a few months ago in November, young people were outside manifesting in front of Manolo's Bakery, protesting the anti-immigration operation that took place over Charlotte, particularly East Charlotte. How would your police officers handle that situation if this curfew would be in place?

4:59:00 – 4:59:13•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Two last questions. The first one is, can I get a verbal commitment from you that young people won't be stopped? The police won't conduct traffic stops because they just have a suspicion that they're breaking curfew.

4:59:34 – 5:00:17•JAJD Mazuera Arias

And the last thing that makes me struggle with this is, and I want to get some clarity, and this is my last question, is the inconsistencies when it comes to the exceptions, right? We have exceptions in our current ordinance that won't be changed with this ordinance that recognize different ages and different circumstances. But then the actual curfew treats everybody under 18 exactly the same, and they have to abide by the 10 p.m. curfew. Help me understand those inconsistencies. There's an age range tier system when it comes to the exceptions, but there's not a... each range to your system wh

Thank you so much, Chief. No further questions. Thank you, Council Member Masuara-Arias. Council Member Mayfield.

5:01:10 – 5:01:43•LMLaWana Mayfield

Thank you, Chief, for the presentation and to all of those that spoke tonight. Unfortunately, it looks like we had a number of people that emailed us for us not to support, but they were not able to be in attendance, even though we do have a number of emails. Chief, I'm trying to – we had a pretty long conversation, and I appreciate the fact that we were able – to have a long conversation. I definitely had concerns around 9 o'clock. I still have some concerns around 10.

5:02:00 – 5:03:10•LMLaWana Mayfield

So to my understanding, where we really saw a impact was in this was over the summer. Are you seeing anything different because here's the concern that I have we're talking about a 365 new restrictive language within our policy for what in essence was a summer interaction when we did not we have put provided no data no studies for all the other programs that we have had if you If CMPD says they've been tracking this for more than a year, there should have already been some data or some studies from where we have actually supported programming. And we're saying, okay, here's all the things that

5:04:01 – 5:06:01•LMLaWana Mayfield

So I want to make sure that we have transparency in the conversation because I'm quite sure you have heard. Maybe my colleagues have heard. I have had conversations because there's a lot of concern regarding that. interaction within law enforcement on the same day that we had multiple rallies and vigils around this community because of a previous death that was triggered by law enforcement by our law enforcement. Specifically, we had yet another incident locally within our community regarding the interaction of CMPD officer with an adult young adult was still an adult. So there are concerns re

5:06:28 – 5:08:12•LMLaWana Mayfield

And I agree with that. There is no comparison. Just as we're learning, there's no comparison when we have an individual that shows up in community that we identify as a self-hanging. And we have seen in other communities where enough research was done to identify that was not the case. We also are not going to discount an individual that's being... that's running away when we have created policy language that gave specific instructions on not to pursue and especially not to pull out a gun because that kind of defeats the purpose of us paying for tasers. So ultimately, I'm trying to understand

Thank you, Council Member Mayfield. Council Member Driggs.

5:08:19 – 5:09:51•EDEd Driggs

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I will support the curfew. My understanding as to how it works is that under the exceptions, there will be young people in circulation and I don't expect them to be accosted by officers. I think they will get, if you will, the benefit of the doubt as to whether or not they have that reason. And therefore, I expect that this will be invoked in the case where there is some threat of bad behavior. And I trust that. At the same time, if that should turn out not to be the case. We're going to hear about it, right? So I don't think we're sticking our necks out very far. I be

5:09:51 – 5:14:22•MGMalcolm Graham

Thank you, Council Member Driggs. Council Member Graham. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, too, will support the ordinance. And notwithstanding the fact that, and I asked many of my questions prior to this meeting, so I'll take maybe a minute and a half, two minutes to make some comments. that notwithstanding that we're talking about the youth curfew, about two years ago we had a shooting on the New Year's Eve. It involved young people. And this council really began to focus really narrowly about how do we prevent crime in general. And I see this as being part of a series of things we have done over th

5:14:23 – 5:15:12•MGMalcolm Graham

Right. We got empty high schools every weekend with gyms, classroom space, and pools not being utilized. All over the city, right? And so if we can really begin to partner with Mecklenburg County, partner with nonprofit organization, certainly the faith community has shown up tonight. They wanna partner with us, right? I think it's a commitment to work together because we're better together and we try to solve the problem together and listening to the young people who have demonstrated that they want to be a part of the solution too. So hats off to you. I'm willing to give you nine months to s

5:15:16 – 5:20:06•KOKimberly Owens

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Chief. I agree with you, Chief, that teens should be home and accounted for by 10 o'clock. Where I differ is that I believe that this should be a parental decision and not a government decision. I had the privilege of being able to raise my three sons in a two-parent household, and when we both worked late as lawyers, I also had the privilege of having a mother-in-law or the ability to pay someone to look after my children. And not everybody has that. So I start with that premise. However, we already have a curfew. And what I'm being asked to do is to harmonize

Thank you, Council Member Owens. Mayor Pro Tem.

5:20:33 – 5:22:12•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Chief, for your leadership. Thank you for your commitment to make sure the 14th largest city remains a safe city. I will be supporting the pilot program. And the young man up there, you reminded me of the North Lake Mall curfew. And they were so mad at me, they had a website, dump Mitchell District 2. I lived through this, I know. You too? So thank you for reminding me. But I think that's a testimony to us, council, how our city grows and changes, right? And we have to make sure, and I like some of the speakers say, put boundaries. We're not trying to restrain anyo

5:22:13 – 5:22:46•JMJames Mitchell Jr.

I've been part of two mentoring programs. We do make a difference. And so during this pilot program, I think you need to have our mentoring programs at the table. My Brother's Keeper, 100 Black Men, Boys to Men Foundation, Males Place for the Struggle. Just name a few. But we can do this in a collective way that we got a nonprofit so that we did a map of opportunity to all the facilities. I think when you come back August 31st, 2027, you will have the good results for all our youth as well as for the city. So keep leading, Chief.

Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I'm going to skip committee chair. Council Member Mayo. I'm good. Council Member Watkins. Dr. Watkins.

5:22:55 – 5:23:45•VWVictoria Watlington

Thank you. I appreciate you, Chief, as always. As I mentioned before, I'm very interested in the data. We want to justify our way into this, and so absolutely we'll be supporting our pilot so we can do just that. I just want to say thank you to everybody who came out tonight. I think it underscores the importance of community. I love to see the little babies coming out and do their Easter speech because that is exactly what it takes. This is a tool but I think the power really is in the community and you all demonstrated that tonight. So thank you for what you do day in and day out. And I'm ce

5:23:47 – 5:24:13•DADimple Ajmera

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Chief, thank you so much for your leadership. And to the entire team, thank you for the work that you do in and out every day to protect our communities. We appreciate your service. Chief, a couple of questions. As a result of this pilot, what metrics will you measure during this pilot?

5:25:12 – 5:25:51•DADimple Ajmera

That's great. I appreciate you listening to the city council. I remember when you first brought this proposal, it was an ordinance and that was permanent. The council asked for a pilot. You made that happen. I appreciate you listening to the council and to the community. I would like to specifically see some of this being included in the metrics. Arrest, calls for service, repeat offenses. You did include teen takeover incidents. And are we comparing them against any baseline?

5:26:09 – 5:27:08•DADimple Ajmera

That's great. So what I would like to see is see this data broken down by age, by demographics, race, geography. geography and enforcement outcome so we can determine whether this policy is actually improving safety without producing unintended disparities. Because the goal here is not to criminalize our teenagers. As a mother of two young girls, I care deeply about our young people. It touched my heart to see young babies Children coming to speak in front of the council, that takes tremendous courage, regardless of what side you are on. So kudos to all the young people. I know this is way pas

5:27:09•LMLaWana Mayfield

And I think that's why this needs to be a real pilot that helps us evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot.

5:27:24 – 5:27:50•DADimple Ajmera

with clear data, safeguards, and accountability so we can measure whether it actually works or not. Lastly, I've been getting emails from parents throughout the city that said, you know, my teenager does everything they're supposed to do. They are great. Why are they being punished for the behavior of a few? What would your response be?

5:28:59•DADimple Ajmera

I appreciate your leadership, and thank you for the work that you do. I know it's very difficult, but you are the right person for the job. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Ajmera. We will have been around the room, and with respect to the hour, I'm going to ask Council Member Anderson, as Chair of the Committee, to have the last word.

5:29:23 – 5:33:15•DADanté Anderson

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First, I just want to thank my committee and the work that they've done. Ms. Ashmir, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Driggs have been working with not only myself, but the entire CMPD and Dr. Stewart on these efforts. So thank all of you for your work and leadership. Secondly I just want to thank you chief I'd like to thank you and attorney battle D.C brayerly and Dr Stewart a group of of we've had so many conversations and questions around impacts to to black and brown folks and we have a group of black women who have been leading this effort who are all mother who are

Thank you, Madam Chair, Councilmember Anderson. I would point out, just for the record, if I'm reading this right, just so we're referring to it correctly, I read it November 1st to August 31st to be 10 months. Is that right?

Okay, so we have had a motion and a second and a full discussion. Time for a vote. All in favor of the motions in agenda item 18, which I'll read just because it's been probably 40 minutes, maybe more, approve a pilot program for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to implement a revised youth curfew from November 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, and adopt an ordinance approving amendments to Chapter 15, Article 7 of the City Code as recommended by the Safety Committee. All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed? It passes nine to two. Thank you, everyone, for the discussion. We're

The speakers are still here. I think the speakers are still here for the data center. Maybe we do data center and then we consider whether to stop that. Because I think we have speakers for this. I don't think we have speakers for anything else.

5:34:59•DADimple Ajmera

I get it. In the past, we would not go over 10. In the future. That was our policy. I think we need to revisit that.

Some of us used to be here until 2 o'clock in the morning. Let's come back to order and see if we can get through data centers, and then we probably will call it an evening at that and roll to the next meeting. Yes. Okay, so the next item is item 17. Which is to set a public hearing on extension of the temporary moratorium on new telecommunications and data storage facilities. I believe there are. Nine folks who are signed up. I have seven on my list. Two have been added.

Okay, let's get that one. I'll do the first seven, because I think the first seven will follow, and then the last two. Okay, we have two minutes for each speaker. The first speaker is Claire Nagy Cato, and the second speaker is June Blotnick.

Thank you, Ms. Nikki Cato. Next speaker is June Blotnick, Ms. Blotnick. And she will be followed by Tina Katsanos.

5:38:23•VWVictoria Watlington

I don't think Tina's here. Tina's not here. She's not here.

Okay. All right, Ms. Blotnick, and then I guess followed by Beth Henry. Is Ms. Henry here? Hi.

Thank you, Ms. Blodnick. Next speaker is Beth Henry, who will be followed by Suzanne Guimond. Good evening. Okay, and she'll be followed, Ms. Henry will be followed by Anthony Argudo. Is Mr. Argudo here?

Thank you, Ms. Bumal. Next speaker, two speakers, will be Anthony Arbuto and Lucas Crisp.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Arbuta. Next speaker is Lucas Crisp, who will be followed by Gustavo Tavo.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chris. Good luck on the paper. All right, our last two speakers are Gustavo Toro and Nancy Carter, who I think will speak from the microphone in the back.

Thank you, Mr. Toro. Our last speaker, I think our last speaker for the night, but our last speaker on this issue is Nancy Carter, who's back. Oh, Nancy.

We have a motion to set a public hearing for October 12, 2026 on an extension of the 150-day temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for new telecommunications and data storage facilities within the City of Charlotte, North Carolina and its extraterritorial jurisdiction pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 160D-107. So moved. Second. Second. My sense is there may be some consensus here, but I'll start on this end with Council Member Ajmera. To the extent we have consensus, Council Member Ajmera, would you be okay with just voting?

5:52:34 – 5:54:03•DADimple Ajmera

I do want to say a few words. Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Nancy, thank you. And to all the climate leaders, June Blotnick and Beth Henry, And Claire, thank you for staying till the end. And thank you for your leadership. Also, I want to give a big shout out to Robert Dawkins for sending the people ordinance to us for us to review and do our homework. I certainly appreciate it. Last but not the least, thank you, Gustavo, for advocating for the east side. I am so humbled to be your neighbor as you speak and advocate for the children of our communities. Also, I want to give a shout out to the at

We have sent a lot of items from this request by this council for referrals to committee. I think there's a great deal of effort to try to get them out of the committee and the other items that we have to get done done. I'm happy to continue with whoever wants to be heard here. I think we're likely to end up with a great deal of consensus on this, but please continue.

5:54:25 – 5:55:00•DADimple Ajmera

Right, and I think that's where the time management is important. Maybe we can start a meeting sooner, but I think after 10 p.m. you're losing a lot of the council members. Everyone is tired, yeah. June and others had raised this public health impact assessment and I was reviewing the report and some of the write-up that was sent to us. I did not see anything specifically on public health impact. So why wouldn't a public health impact assessment be one of the specific deliverables of this extension?

5:55:22 – 5:56:15•DADimple Ajmera

Right so that's great to hear that you are working with the county. I would like to I would like to see a public health formally included in the scope for this work that we are doing, especially not as an afterthought, but certainly alongside water, energy, and the quality of life that we are looking at, especially around the air quality. Also, I had an opportunity to review the report that you had sent. I noticed that data centers are expected to account for 33% of total energy load growth over the next six years. So what analysis, and this could all be part of the follow-up report, what anal

5:57:00 – 5:57:56•DADimple Ajmera

Okay, so the residential users will not be subsidizing for the large industrial users. For the infrastructure, correct. Yeah. I know that as part of the water impact, I would like to see some capacity analysis as part of this moratorium. And really, that analysis not just include average year, average usage. I think we need to look at high and low. especially considering the drought conditions. And I also would like to see, I didn't see that as part of the memo that was sent to the council, what has been done to date, what will be done in this one year of extension, and what to expect by the d

5:58:21 – 5:59:00•DADimple Ajmera

Right, and I think here, yeah, this is another reason we need a deeper dive. Some of us haven't seen this, rather than rushing through this. But certainly I support having a public hearing, and hopefully that will give us additional opportunity to hear and actually do a deeper dive on this presentation, because this is one of the consequential policy decisions that we will be making. This does not only impact environment, it affects our residents, our rate payers, our taxpayers, our pocketbooks, most importantly, our quality of life. So I look forward to doing more deeper dive conversation on

Thank you, Council Member Ajmera. Council Member Masuera-Iris, I know you have a...

5:59:06 – 5:59:43•JAJD Mazuera Arias

Very brief. I just want to thank the community for being out here, Robert, Gustavo, everybody that's been engaged from this process. And I really want to give the kudos to the city attorney for answering my email and hearing me out the December of 2025 when I first heard from my residents of the Hood Road Data Center Extension. So I really appreciate that. I appreciate the work that everybody's doing. And I will also add, I think the reason we're going into long night hours is because everything we are referring to committee is coming out of committee and being considered by this council, whic

Thank you. Council member, Ms. Ware Arias, council member Johnson.

5:59:47•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

Thank you. Just very briefly. We talk about a five month moratorium, then adding nine months. Is it for a total of 14 months? Is that what we're looking at?

6:01:12 – 6:02:23•RJReneé Perkins Johnson

The reason I'm saying that we go from five months, 11 months, and then the Senate bill is proposing a two month. We are researching environmental and health effects, irrevocable environmental and health effects. I need to put on the record we have approved data centers of approximately 6 million square feet in our city that are not subject to this moratorium or the provisions that we find out if we find out there's some health disparity or harmful effects. We need to put on the record that... And I know that there's a state law, and I've talked to the attorney numerous times. There has to be p

Thank you, Council Member Johnson. Council Member Rowland.