Charlotte City Council
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee
Summary Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2008
COMMITTEE AGENDA TOPICS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
FY09 Focus Area Plan Update
Proposed Reuse of Afro-American Cultural Center
Neighborhood Symposium Update
2008 Meeting Schedule
COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Council Members Present:
Susan Burgess, James Mitchell, Michael Barnes, Warren Cooksey and
John Lassiter
Council Members Absent:
None
Staff Resource:
Julie Burch, Assistant City Manager
Staff:
Stanley Watkins, Neighborhood Development
Richard Woodcock, Neighborhood Development
Stephanie Small, Neighborhood Development
Cynthia Woods, Neighborhood Development
Bob Hagemann, City Attorney’s Office
Carol Jennings, City Manager’s Office
Lisa Schumacher, City Manager’s Office
Others: See Sign In Sheet
Meeting Duration: 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
ATTACHMENTS
Agenda Packet – February 6, 2008
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee
Meeting Summary for February 6, 2008
Page 2
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
FY09 Focus Area Plan Update
Stanley Watkins provided an overview of the FY09 Strategic Focus Area Plan (FAP) for Housing and
Neighborhood Development. Mr. Watkins indicated that the number of challenged neighborhoods is
expected to decrease from 24 to 22. He explained that the drop in the number of affordable
housing units proposed is reflective of the funding available, which has been decreased from $8
million to $5 million. Committee member Lassiter asked if there was a projection of public/private
partnerships in 2009? Mr. Watkins answered that due to development cycles those projections are
likely forthcoming in 2010. Committee member Barnes suggested a review of the housing locational
policies to ensure that areas don’t become inundated with affordable housing units. Mr. Watkins
responded that the multi-family housing locational policy is updated every two years with the
production of a new Quality of Life Study. He added that the Housing Charlotte 2007
Implementation Subcommittee will review incentive based inclusionary housing policies, in addition to
education/outreach and advocacy, rental housing subsidy, acquisition strategy and dedicated funding
source.
Stanley Watkins noted that the Neighborhood Services division is currently working in eight
designated revitalization neighborhoods and that the Lincoln Heights neighborhood is slated for
completion in 2009. Mr. Lassiter stated that the amount spent annually on infrastructure should be
deducted from the total amount needed, thus decreasing the overall $651 million dollar amount. He
added that a policy goal should be set, against which the return can be measured. Speaking to the
FAP as a whole, Mr. Lassiter suggested that action steps and measurable standards be provided
instead of subjective standards. Need to determine what is to be accomplished and develop
methodology and rigorous standards to that end; reconfigure the FAP to be more outcome based.
Committee member Burgess suggested that foreclosures and homelessness be addressed. Julie
Burch noted that staff has continued research on foreclosure rates since the presentation to the
previous Committee last year and a follow-up presentation is scheduled for March. Mr. Watkins
noted that City Council adopted the Ten Year Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness. Mr. Barnes
requested information on the causes of homelessness, in addition to looking at solutions.
Action: Received as information. No action taken.
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee
Meeting Summary for February 6, 2008
Page 3
Proposal for Reuse of Afro-American Cultural Center
Assistant City Manager, Ron Kimble provided an update on steps approved by Council to date and the
business framework proposal for the reuse of the Afro-American Cultural Center, which is comprised
of four pieces of property (1) the former church property, (2) amphitheater in abandoned right-ofway (3) shot gun houses and, (4) open space property. He noted a requirement by City Council that
the westernmost piece of property remain as open space due to the lack of open space in First Ward.
Mr. Kimble stated that the city is working with the Little Rock CDC to reach agreement on the
services to be provided and define the terms of building maintenance, to ensure that the building
remains in good shape should the church not exercise the purchase option. Committee member
Lassiter suggested that the city be responsible for capital costs but not routine building
maintenance, similar to the agreement for the new Afro-American Cultural Center.
Mr. Kimble explained that the city is currently pursuing an appraisal based on overall square footage,
in order to calculate the lease value. Mr. Lassiter suggested the lease value be based on all of the
leaseable space. In addition, a note should be added that prohibits development of the land to be
abandoned along Seventh Street. The pastor of Little Rock AME Zion Church, Mr. Dwayne Walker,
informed the Committee that the Little Rock CDC proposes to use a portion of the building (excluding
the open space and shot gun houses) as a museum. In addition, the CDC will partner with the city to
provide community services to help with self sufficiency, before and after school programs, and
feeding the homeless. The sanctuary would be shared for training and meeting space.
Action: Received as information. No action taken.
2008 Committee Meeting Schedule
The Committee agreed to designate the second Wednesday of each month as the meeting date.
Meetings will begin at noon.
Neighborhood Symposium
Committee member Burgess reminded the Committee that the 13th annual Neighborhood Symposium is
scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
City Council
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 – 2:00 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
Conference Room 280
Committee Members:
Susan Burgess, Chair
James Mitchell, Vice-Chair
Michael Barnes
John Lassiter
Staff Resource:
Julie Burch, Assistant City Manager
____ ___
AGENDA
I.
FY09 Focus Area Plan Update (Attachment A)
The Committee is asked to review the updated plan and make a
recommendation to the Council.
II.
Proposed Reuse of Afro-American Cultural Center (Will be sent separately)
This item is for discussion; no action is requested at this time.
III. Neighborhood Symposium Update (Attachment B)
This item is for information.
IV.
2008 Meeting Schedule (Attachment C)
_________________________________________________________
Distribution:
Mayor/Council
Curt Walton, City Manager
City Leadership Team
Corporate Communications
Debra Campbell – Planning Department
Anna Schleunes- City Attorney’s Office
Mujeeb Shah-Khan- City Attorney’s Office
Saskia Thompson- Manager’s Office
CDC Executive Directors
Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board
Neighborhood Leaders
Budget Office
Ruffin Hall
Phyllis Heath
Lisa Schumacher
Ann White
Phil Cowherd
Charlotte Housing Authority
Charles Woodyard
Troy White
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership
Pat Garrett
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Chief Darrel Stephens
Gerald Sennett
Economic Development Office
Tom Flynn
A.C. Shull
Community Relations
Willie Ratchford
Ledger Morrissette
Neighborhood Development
Stanley Watkins
Richard Woodcock
Stan Wilson
Stephanie Small
Walter Abernethy
Pat Mason
Attachment A
City of Charlotte FY2009 & FY2010 Strategic Focus Area Plan
“Creating great neighborhoods in which
to live, work, and play.”
The City of Charlotte’s long-term health, vitality, and distinction as a leading city is predicated upon its
ability to develop and sustain its neighborhoods. Social changes, crime and disorder, physical deterioration,
and economic disinvestments create challenges for the city’s residential, commercial and industrial
neighborhoods. The city’s housing and neighborhood strategy focuses on quality of life measures, expanding
affordable housing, effective code enforcement, infrastructure investments, and successful neighborhood
revitalization initiatives. The city will be responsive to addressing the needs of all neighborhoods, but will
develop unique approaches and solutions to address each of the city’s challenged, transitioning, and stable
neighborhoods. (Also see Community Safety, Economic Development and Transportation Focus Area Plans for more
housing and neighborhood development strategies.)
2009 & 2010
Page 1
Attachment A
City of Charlotte FY2009 & FY2010 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Housing and Neighborhood
Development
Strengthen Neighborhoods
H&ND.1 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Prior Year:
H&ND.2 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Prior Year:
H&ND.3 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Prior Year:
Reduce the number of challenged neighborhoods
Number of challenged neighborhood statistical areas
FY2010— 20
FY2009— n/a
FY2008— 22
FY2007— n/a
Expand the supply of affordable housing
Number of completed affordable housing units
FY2010— 600
FY2009— 600
FY2008— 800
FY2008YTD— 400
FY2007—1,640
Eliminate sub-standard housing, neighborhood nuisances and zoning
violations
Number of housing units, nuisance complaints and zoning violations
brought into compliance
FY2010— Housing—2%*
Nuisance—44,000 Zoning—8,800
FY2009— Housing—2%*
Nuisance—41,000 Zoning—8,500
FY2008— Housing—2,600 Nuisance—40,000 Zoning—8,000
FY2007— Housing—2,761 Nuisance—42,732 Zoning—7,385
FY2008YTD- Housing – 1,432 Nuisance – 16,446
* - Not to exceed 2% of the housing stock
H&ND.4 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Prior Year:
H&ND.5 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Zoning – 4,042
Graduate neighborhoods from the revitalization plan process
Number of revitalization neighborhoods completed (8 neighborhoods have
revitalization plans)
FY2010—1
FY2009—1
FY2008—1
FY2007— None
Educate and engage residents in maintaining model neighborhood
standards
Percent of neighborhood organizations implementing successful problem
solving initiatives
Number
Success Ratio
FY2010—360
80%
FY2009—360
80%
FY2008—360
80%
Prior Year:
FY2007—113
123%
Attachment A
Page 2
City of Charlotte FY2009 & FY2010 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Housing and Neighborhood
Development
Invest in Infrastructure
H&ND.6 Focus Area Initiative:
► Measure:
Targets:
Prior Year:
Provide comprehensive neighborhood infrastructure
City neighborhood infrastructure investments vs. infrastructure needs
FY2010— $15.0 million/$651 million
FY2009— $15.0 million/$651 million
FY2008— $15.0 million/$651 million
FY2007— $ 8.9 million/$651 million
FY2008 YTD- $6.1 million/$651 million
Page 3
Attachment B
2008 Neighborhood Symposium
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee
February 6, 2008
Neighborhood Symposium 2008 Overview:
The 13th Annual Neighborhood Symposium is scheduled for Saturday March 8, 2008 at the
Charlotte Convention Center. The theme is “Developing Leaders for Stronger
Neighborhoods.”, which is based on the principle that anyone can be a leader in their
neighborhood, regardless of any position, title or “official” role in the community. Many
neighbors lead by example, influencing and motivating others who continually see them
“doing the right thing.”
Workshop topics include diversity, homeownership, environmental awareness, crime
prevention, neighborhood revitalization and neighborhood technology. The youth component
will focus on youth leadership, avoiding peer pressure and gang involvement, social
networking (example – Myspace) and careers, including a fashion show demonstrating proper
work attire.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Edward Schwartz, founder and president of the Institute for
the Study of Civic Values in Philadelphia, PA. He has been involved in revitalizing
neighborhoods and promoting civic engagement for more than two decades. His public
service includes two terms on the Philadelphia City Council and director of Philadelphia’s
Office of Housing and Community Development. Dr. Schwartz will share innovative ideas for
citizen participation and community building.
Winners of the 2008 Neighborhood Awards Program will be presented following the address
by the keynote speaker. Award categories are neighborhood diversity, neighborhood
safety, neighborhood of the year, outstanding neighborhood youth, neighborhood leader and
Good Neighbor. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges representing various
community stakeholders. The deadline for nominations is February 7, 2008.
As in the past, neighborhood and general community involvement is being promoted this
year. Volunteers from neighborhoods, public schools, universities and civic organizations will
serve in various capacities. In addition, city and county departments, local businesses and
organizations have committed to various levels of sponsorship to help make the event a
success.
Background:
Since 1995, the City of Charlotte has sponsored the Neighborhood Symposium annually as a
forum to address important neighborhood issues and develop the capacity of neighborhood
organizations. It is designed to provide information, tools and resources to effectively help
residents address neighborhood issues. The Neighborhood Symposium is a citywide
conference of neighborhoods, which provides opportunities for neighborhood leaders and
others to learn about community services and resources; participate in workshops and hear
from community building experts; and network with other neighborhoods who share similar
interests and issues. Last year, over 600 citizens attended the symposium.
Attachment C
2008 Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee Meeting Schedule
•
Select a standard meeting date and time (staff suggests scheduling one meeting date per
month, with additional dates added as needed).
•
Below are outstanding agenda items to be addressed by the Committee:
Pending/Unscheduled Agenda Items
• CNF Report/CDC Business Models/ Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
Update
• Gentrification- Follow-Up
• Non-Residential Building Code/Commercial Boarded Up Structures
• Foreclosure
• FY09 Focus Area Plan Update
• Mid-Year Compliance Report
• Year-End Compliance Report
• Old Little Rock AME Zion Church Property Disposition
Suggested Agenda Topics and Dates
February Agenda Items
• FY09 Focus Area Plan Update
• Old Little Rock AME Zion Church Property Disposition
• Neighborhood Symposium Update (information only)
• 2008 Committee Meeting Calendar
March Agenda Items
• Foreclosure Follow-Up
• CNF Report/CDC Business Models/ Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
• Mid-Year Compliance Report (information only)
April Agenda Items
• Gentrification Follow-up (information only)
May Agenda Items
June Agenda Items
July and August
• No Meeting
September Agenda Items
• Non-residential Building Code Ordinance/Commercial Boarded Up Structures Ordinance
• Year-End Compliance Report
* Other items may be referred to the Committee by City Council or the City Manager.
Proposal for Reuse of the Afro-American Cultural Center
Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee
February 6, 2008
Committee Action Requested:
Receive information on the Business Framework for the Reuse of the Afro-American
Cultural Center with the Little Rock AME Zion Certified Development Corporation.
Reverend Dwayne Walker, current minister of Little Rock AME Zion Church has been invited
to the meeting to discuss the possible services the church is considering in the former
church property.
Background:
On April 2, 2007, City Council authorized staff to explore reuse possibilities of the existing
Afro-American Cultural Center with Little Rock AME Zion Church. On October 22, 2007
the Council was provided a briefing and took the following actions:
A.
Approved the Business Framework for the Reuse of the Afro-American Cultural
Center with Little Rock AME Zion Certified Development Corporation (See
attachment).
B.
Referred the development of an agreement incorporating the Business Framework
provisions to the HAND Committee.
C.
Designated the western most parcel currently used as open space to continue to be
open space.
Business Framework Proposal
City and Little Rock Certified Development Corporation (CDC)
October 22, 2007
1.
Beginning on or about January 1, 2010, the City will lease the former Little Rock
AME Zion Church property to Little Rock CDC for $1/year for 10 years. This is
the same rate provided to the Afro American Cultural Center over the past two
decades.
2.
The City will provide up to $50,000/year in building maintenance expenses for
each of the years in which Little Rock CDC leases the facility. These building
maintenance expenses (to be defined) equal the same amount that would have
been provided to the Afro American Cultural Center had they remained in the
facility.
3.
Little Rock CDC will provide agreed upon services in the former church property
from an array of eligible public purpose expenditures, including those services
covered under the Community Development Statutes of North Carolina. These
services will be audited each year to arrive at a value of services provided. The
audited value of the services provided annually shall at least be equal to the
written down lease value provided by the City.
4.
Little Rock CDC will have the option to extend the lease for an additional 10
years under the same terms and conditions as the first ten years, such option to
be exercised no later than December 31, 2019.
5.
Little Rock CDC will hold an option to purchase the former church property at
any time during the lease period at the appraised value of the property as of
January 1, 2010. If Little Rock CDC exercises the purchase option, then Little
Rock CDC agrees to provide the same array of services covered under the lease
for the balance of the 10 years.
6.
The purchase option amount shall be downwardly adjusted by any value of
services provided each year by Little Rock CDC that exceeds the sum of 1) the
written down lease value provided by the City and 2) the amount of building
maintenance expenses incurred by the City, all calculated up to the point in time
the purchase option is exercised.
7.
The City and Little Rock CDC agree at all times to preserve the facility in
accordance with its historic designation status and not seek demolition of the
property at any time during the lease term or after the purchase option is
exercised.
1
8.
Little Rock CDC, Little Rock AME Zion Church, the City and the Afro American
Cultural Center agree to work in good faith on such issues as parking needs,
driveway access, and cross/joint use of the former Little Rock AME Zion Church
building on terms mutually agreeable to all parties.
9.
The City and Little Rock AME Zion Church agree that the western most parcel
currently used as open space shall continue as open space and not be developed
as a residential use.
2