Fayetteville City Council Meeting November 14, 2011

[bangs gavel] >> We'll call the November the 14th city council
meeting to order. Thank everyone for being here tonight.
Welcome to a large crowd. Exciting to have you with us tonight.
We ask that you stand for our invocation tonight led by elder McNeil.
And then if you will remain standing for our pledge of allegiance, which tonight will be
led by troop 740 from Hay mount Methodist church.
>> Dear god we come before you tonight and as we come, we come with humble hearts, we
come with Thanksgiving. Dear god, we are so thankful for this great
day that you have given us. This day that you have blessed us to observe
your handiwork all day long. As this council begins tonight, we're reminded
that you put leaders up and you've asked us to pray for leaders.
So tonight we pray for our precious leaders, those that you have placed in positions of
experimenthood. Those you have placed before us.
God, we thank you for them. We thank you for our mayor, we thank you for
every councilman, every councilwoman and those who are on the streets, god.
Those who put on uniforms every day, we are reminded they are going out for our protection,
and we pray, father, that you will protect them.
We pray for their families. And dear god, as we come tonight, we are reminded
of the city of Fayetteville and the state of North Carolina.
We pray for everybody in this city. We are so thankful for this city.
While we realize that it's not a utopia, we know that it's a great place to live.
And for that, we give you all the honor. God, we thank you for those who give of their
time that we might have a better city. As the mayor and the councilman convene tonight,
we pray you will illuminate their minds, keep them focused, god, and give them ideas that
will bring their goals to fruition. This is our prayer.
In the name of your precious son, Jesus, the Christ, we do pray.
Amen. [pledge of allegiance]
>> Council will begin tonight's agenda with item 4 point oh, which is the approval of
the agenda. Mr.Hurst?
>> Mr.Mayor, I approve move to approve the agenda except the addition of the appointment
committee's report and add it as 8.4. >> Cay.
Do we have a second. Thank you, Mr.Massey.
Do we have a second on that? May I ask for your vote, please.
That's unanimous, ma'am. All right, we will move now to item 5.
Announcements and recognition. We will begin with Ms.KADY Anne Davy.
>> The village scholarship program is based on the concept it take as village to raise
a child. The village scholarship program is committed
to identifying high school seniors in Cumberland county schools that are interested in community
development and public service. Please contact Mr.Houghton at 910 257 7505
for further detailed and application process. The deadline is November30th.
>>> Thank you, ma'am. Mr.Hurst?
>> Thank you, Mr.Mayor. Nationally, November15th is recognized
as American recycles day, and Fayetteville beautiful and the city of Fayetteville and
Sustainable Sand hills are together partnering to, to highlight that and recognize American
America recycles day. Come to city hall and take the pledge if you
will to pledge to recycle more and look for ways to reduce waste and you can enter in
a contest and cash prizes will be given away by going to the city's web site and clicking
can it and more information will be available on the city's web site.
So I encourage you to remember tomorrow as America recycles day.
>> Thank you, Mr.Hurst. We have several special guests in the room
tonight, and I ask the councilwoman KADY Anne Davy to proceed to the podium and also the
guests. If you will also join Ms.Davy at the podium
while I read the proclamation from the city of Fayetteville.
Whereas on November17th, 1911, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity was incorporated.
Friendship is essential to the soul and the cardinal principles are manhood, scholarship,
perseverance, and uplift, and whereas for 100 years the Omega Psi Phi has been committed
to betterment through scholarship and social action programs as well as other initiatives.
And whereas there are over 50 chapters of the Omega Psi Phi in North Carolina and Fayetteville
has three chapters, the first being in our city dating back to may 18th, 1951, and whereas
for more than 60 years, Omega men have been thoroughly immersed in the Fayetteville communities
being catalysts for positive progress and will continue their dedicated service through
numerous nonprofit charitable, religious, and community organizations.
Now therefore, I Anthony G. Chavonne mayor of the city of Fayetteville and on behalf
of the city council do hereby proclaim November17th, 2011, to be Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
They celebrate 100 years of friendship and outstanding service to our city, state, and
nation. >> Wow, that's a lot of words right there.
Well, Mr.Mayor, and the city council, on behalf of the three chapters here you mentioned,
yeah, brothers, please stand up. It's indeed a pleasure and honor to receive
this, especially as you mentioned 100 years of existence, and on behalf of all three chapters,
we are steadfast to the commitment to our community, to Fayetteville, and to our fraternity
and the nation. We thank you.
>> Thank you, sir. Thanks for your service.
[applause] >> No hazing.
[Laughter] >> Council will now move to the public forum,
and let me give the directions on the forum. We do have 13 speakers who have signed up
for the forum tonight, and we ask that everyone be very TENS sensitive to the time very
sensitive to the time. It is designed to invite citizen input and
discussion. The forum shall last no longer than 15 minutes.
We have extended it to 30 minutes tonight because we have 13 speakers.
Each speaker shall have up to 2 minutes on issues related to the city of Fayetteville,
and when you see the light located on the podium change from green to yellow, that means
there are approximately 30 seconds left. When your name is called we ask you state
your name and address clearly for the record, and again, please be sensitive to the other
speakers tonight. And we appreciate your willingness to work
with us on that. So madam clerk, we will begin the public forum.
>> Our first speaker tonight is Ms.Delores Poindexter.
>> Mr.Mayor, and the council, my name is Delores Poindexter.
I live at 7932 Gaelic drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
I'm here because we bought 1.9acres of land on fork road.
Now, we can't build anything there is no highway there.
Where the cars go in and out. It is just a dirt road so we can't get a permit
to build anything, and we bought the land for our daughters so they could have somewhere
for themselves. Well, they are paying someone else's mortgage.
Where they should be paying their own. They said that the private the private
land, you know, they will not accept any monies or whatever for their part of the land, so
we can't do anything. And I was wondering did they have a representative
to speak to the private owners to see, you know, because we would pay for the strip of
land that they have, you know, that's in between the two roads that, you know, in the middle
of the road. One side for one and one side for the other.
And so I would like to know what can be done about that.
I'm paying tax on some land that I can't use. >> Okay, Ms.Poindexter, we will have staff
give you a call, ma'am. Thank you for coming tonight.
Appreciate it. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks for your time. >> Our next speaker Mr.Roosevelt Odom.
>> Hello, everyone. My name is Roosevelt Odom, Jr. I live in Fayetteville,
and I was born and raised in Fayetteville, and I was born and raised I was to congratulate
you for rewinning your elections. So what I wanted to let you know that I
am working to help set up here in Fayetteville for a regional center for the deaf and hard
of hearing here in Fayetteville. The department for the deaf and blind and
other people who have speech problems, they're under the North Carolina department services
for the deaf and hard of hearing. That's the state division that supports us.
They have seven different regional centers that support us here in North Carolina.
There is one in Wilmington and one in Raleigh. Those are the nearest two to hear.
Fayetteville was overlooked when they were setting them up, and I've been researching
and I will continue to research how many deaf people we have here in the Fayetteville area
because the population has continued to grow, and I'd like to help expand and possibly set
up or support a regional center that the state could put here.
Because they help and develop the skills of the Fayetteville community.
To help keep them empowered and able to self support, and so next month I want to let you
know I'm working this month to maybe bring some more deaf and hard of hearing people
to city council and to voice their concerns and get in touch with the folks in Raleigh
through the state. To support Fayetteville as a regional center.
So I wanted to let you know that's what I'm working on.
And I wanted to let you know before I go, I'd like to also pray for the victims of the
Penn state abuse because I know myself as, you know, I was sexually abused as a child
in the deaf school. So I want at the Governor Morehead School
so I want to pray for those children and boys that were abused.
And boys trust those people, and it's a real hard situation for them.
So I feel strongly that we need to, to pray for them.
Thank you. >> Thank you for coming, sir.
>> And I'll see you next month. >> Okay.
>> Our next speaker is Mr.Peter Stuart. >> Greetings my name is peter Stuart and I
live at 125 Dundee road in Fayetteville. My grandfather, father, and I have been business
owners in Fayetteville since 1928. I am speaking to you in response to a warning
notice I received several weeks ago that was issued when my business car was parked beside
Bragg boulevard. With my hopes of drawing attention to my restaurant,
located at 723 west just up the street from where I was parked.
This warning notice, which I found highly offensive and even insulting was based on
the recently passed unified development ordinance. I wrote and delivered a personal letter to
each and every one of you on the council, including the mayor about my concerns.
I wrote an opinion letter published in the Fayetteville observer on October23rd.
During the worst recession of our lifetime, after closing one business I have decided
to invest $300,000starting a new business. Building a new building and hiring eight unemployed
people. The ordinance cited in my warning notice is
the most anti small business regulation I've ever encountered.
It is coming from Fayetteville which has 10% unemployment now.
I find it appalling being notified that eight square feet is a large sign.
To be told to park 50feet away from any right of way or to enjoy a $500daily fine.
And to face criminal charges for daring to promote my small business with a vehicle sign.
I just hope the majority on the council agree that Fayetteville is and can continue to be
an all American city without this anti business law.
Most of us have been and will continue to be proud of Fayetteville for what it is today.
You are not the staff's representatives. You are not the representatives of out of
town highly paid consultant that runs the UDO.
You are the elected representatives for the people of Fayetteville, and for the small
business owners in Fayetteville. Please, please, I urge you tonight to remove
article 30 5Z from the UDO. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr.Stuart. [applause]
>> Our next speaker is Mr.Matthew Druggard. >> Ma'am?
>> Our next speaker is Mitchell Shride. Next speaker, Michael Hodges.
>> Good evening, I'm Michael Hodges. I live at 411 Grayland place, Fayetteville.
Ladies and gentlemen of the council, mayor, I'm here to speak to you tonight about an
issue that concerns my wife's business. Last fall my wife and I purchased two lots
on Sandhurst drive for the purpose of building her a new children's clinic to provide more
space and more parking for her business. In the spring of this year, we hired an architect,
a builder, and a site engineer to help us design that space for her.
Site preparation moved along very well until our builder went to the city planning office
to obtain the final building permit. At that time, we were told that we were not
in compliance with the hospital area overlay district.
We were told to, to appear before the board of adjustments, requesting a variance to be
able to obtain our building permits, and continue to build my wife's practice.
We appeared before the board of adjustments on September19th.
We were granted a unanimous decision variance by the board of adjustments on September19th.
On October6th, our builder received a build permit from the city planning office.
We have now been told that we are faced with an appeal on behalf of the city of Fayetteville.
It's my understanding that the city council is appealing the decision of your board of
adjustments. And in essence reversing their decision to
grant us the variance. I'm here tonight to ask you to please drop
the appeal in superior court. Allow my wife to build her children's clinic
with ample parking and safety, and according to the intent of the hospital area overlay
district. Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir. Thank you for coming this evening.
>> Our next speaker is Ms.Anna Hodges. >> Good evening, Mr.Mayor, council members
here. I am Dr.Anna Hodges.
I am currently on Oliver street. We bought two lots on Sandhurst drive with
the purpose of expanding my practice. Not to expand it necessarily for economic
reasons, although that's obviously the intent of every small business, but because the practice
where I currently am right now has not does not have adequate parking.
We bought two lots, not one. So that I could have the parking available
that I needed for my patients. I went through the process as is necessary
by your city planning. I went to the variance.
The board of adjustments. I received the variance.
I received a building permit, and now it's being appealed.
The hospital area overlay's intent, according to the is to provide adequate room for
parking. It is to create a pedestrian friendly development.
The site as I have it now gives me 37 parking spaces, with my building in the back parking
in the front as is every building on Sandhurst drive.
I'm not asking for anything different than everything that is already there.
The planning office would like me to put my building in front of the lot.
I have no problem with that in and of itself but in by doing that I lose 20 spots.
I have three providers in my clinic, 27 parking spots is not adequate.
What that means is the overflow is going to go on to Sandhurst drive.
I don't know if any of you go on Sandhurst drive but it is a two lane road that is parked
on both sides already with cars every day. All I'm asking for is the parking I need to
protect my patients and keep my patients in my lot.
It will improve the traffic on Sandhurst. It will provide more adequate parking and
it will in fact my layout will support the intent of the hospital overlay better
than what the city would like. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thanks for coming, Ms.Hodges.
>> Our next speaker is Mr.Scot brown. >> Good evening, Mr.Mayor, fellow councilmembers.
My name is Scott brown. I live at 409 Chicago drive, Fayetteville,
North Carolina. We are the engineers and surveyors for the
project that Dr. both doctor Michael Hodges and Dr.Ana Hodges spoke about earlier.
We went through the normal process of submitting a site plan that would comply with the current
P1 or what was the current P 1 zoning ordinance, which is changed now by the UDO.
And there was never any intention to deceive by the hospital overlay.
The overlay district was passed December of last year, and it was, with all the research
that we had done and all the process, and the steps that we go through as far as preparing
a site plan, we did not find that that overlay existed, and we went through the normal procedures
for submitting plans. Wept through inspections.
Went through city staff. We got verbal approval from inspections that
the plan was good to go. Therefore, city's own staff was unaware of
the hospital overlay area. Once we determined once the builder went
to go get the building permit, it was determined that it was a hospital overlay area.
We looked at it. We met with staff several times.
We tried to figure out a resolution to work, get around the problem, and what staff recommended
we go through the board of adjustments. We went through the board of adjustments that
staff had recommended. We were told we were going to have a recommendation
from staff. We found out a couple days before the board
of adjustments meeting that staff had changed their mind and was going to deny recommend
denial of the variance. We went through as Dr.Stodges said we got
unanimous approval from the board of adjustments. We remind told the permit we were told the
permit wouldn't be accepted because they were appealing the board of adjustments' decision.
The building permit was issued. We assumed that the process was over.
We started, and come to find out later that now the board of adjustments' decision is
being appealed and I am here tonight asking you to consider dropping the appeal through
the superior court for the board of adjustments here.
>> Thank you, Mr.Brown. Councilmember councilmembers.
>> Our next speaker is Jackie her. >> Good evening members and council.
I am the builder. Owner of HTC investments.
Indeed on October the 6th, we received a building permit to construct.
We began the process of construction, and then upon request by one of my subcontractors
to the city for an inspection, we had a call that said that they had been instructed by
higher ups not to inspect that site. I have been in business here in Cumberland
county for 30 years. I think we have somewhat a good hold of the
regulations and laws and we were certainly not trying to circumvent any law at all.
However, again, I am, a Mr.Stuart alluded to, one of the small business persons that
has struggled in the last several years trying due to the real estate market.
And here again I think the city is complicit with why the reasoning we were here tonight.
There is no way apparently for the December31st adoption of an overlay district that we did
not know existed, there was no way to assimilate that to the people who needed to know.
If we, if you were not owner of a piece of property that got letters from the city and/or
other means, you just happened to be meet at the meetings then you did not know the
overlay district existed. Such as the case with us.
Dr.Hodges took positions of property took possession of property in September2010
not ever receiving a letter, knowing anything about the overlay.
So I am asking and pleading tonight for two things, actually.
To cease and desist on this appeal attempt and let us go back to work.
And secondly, before this adoption in 2010, was the fact that the center island I am calling
it between Sandhurst, cape fear, and Walter reed on one side be exempt from this.
So I am asking the council to reconsider, look at this, and exempt Sandhurst drive from
this overlay district. >> Thank you, sir.
Thank you for coming. >> Our next speaker is Mr.Neil Yarborough.
>> Good morning or good afternoon, Mr.Mayor, members of the city council.
My name is Neil Yarborough. It's been a long day for me.
I started in wade county at 8:00today and just gotten out of another meeting.
My address is 115 east Russell street. I have represented Dr.Hodge and Dr.Hodges
in this effort for sometime now through their board of adjustment hearings.
You as all of you know, I'm a true believer in good zoning.
You appoint with a board of adjustment to be an independent voice, a quasi judicial
board to hear instances where your ordinance don't make sense and create an inequity.
The five people you appointed to the board of adjustment, heard the evidence, asked the
hard questions, and decided to grant a variance. Not all that we ask for but what we thought
was necessary to protect the viability of your ordinance while still giving the type
of relief that this particular situation didn't demand.
Now, I was in court today trying to get trying to get the city's lawsuit against the
city's board of adjustment, and my client dismissed.
I had with me Doug gill, who is now your appointed board of adjustments attorney, who's representing
your board of adjustment against you in this effort.
The judge is going to render his decision at 9:30tomorrow morning.
If he dismisses his appeal, please don't appeal it.
If he doesn't dismiss it, take affirmative action yourselves to dismiss this appeal.
Two of your local doctors are trying to develop a children's clinic in your hospital zone
to help the needs of young children, the medical needs of the young children of this community.
Please do so. Also, we have a valid building permit.
Why are we not getting inspections? Why are we not getting our stuff inspected?
Why is their foot dragging? Why is this going on?
We'd like to know that. We're asking you for two things.
Number one, get an inspector out there tomorrow to inspect our stuff.
And number two, please, if it's dismissed tomorrow, let the stay.
If it's not dismissed, vote take your own action in open session to say this is not
going to do it. We are not going to proceed against our own
board of adjustment. The mere fact that the board of adjustment
doesn't follow the recommendation of your staff is no reason to do that.
They're supposed to be independent. There was absolutely no opposition.
>> Okay, Mr.Yarborough. >> this to thing.
It was a 5 0 vote. >> Thank you, sir, thanks for coming.
[applause] >> Our next speaker is Mr.Clayal bickers.
>> Hello city council and mayor. My name's clayal bicker.
I'm speaking on the same UDO sign ordinance that Mr.Stuart was speaking of earlier.
Speaking as an employee of a small business, I am seeking your assistance to get an amendment
to the current unified development ordinance dealing with sign standards.
I believe this amendment is needed in order to address current trends in business advertising,
specifically vehicle wraps. And to provide specific direction for coded
compliance, personnel asked to enforce the law.
Specifically, I manage a small business, American signs by tomorrow that provides graphic design
for new and existing businesses. Our clients range from small corporations
to startups to large corporations. One product we provide is the graphic design
for vehicles, commonly referred to as vehicle wraps.
These designs are used in a variety of ways to make public services, or simply make business
owners to make a public statement with their vehicle.
Recently I have been contacted by some of the business owners in their town concerning
the violations of UDO article 30.5 section L in the signage section subsection 4 article
Z, vehicles with large signs parked near the right of way.
Section Z prohibits vehicles and trailers with signs exceeding 8 square feet on any
one side from parking within 50feet of a public right of way.
Vehicle wraps can cover an entire vehicle. The total size can exceed 8 square feet.
I believe this ordinance is biased against most businesses, their vehicles that use wraps
and/or large graphics. During times of fiscal crisis, and recession,
I don't believe the city councilmembers want to discourage businesses from advertising
as much as they can, but this ordinance penalizes those business owners from using the latest
trends in business advertising. I do appreciate the needs for, to regulate
signs and preserve the integrity of our city environment.
On the paper I sent is an amendment I proposed to the UDO ordinance.
Specifically, instead of having a vehicle prohibited from parking other than 50feet
outside of the right of way, or you have to park 50feet outside of the right of way,
one of the proposals I recommend is to have a vehicle that is excuse me that is
promoting that business. I'm sorry, that is promoting that business
to park within 100feet of the business. And you will see on your paper there are more
things. >> Thank you.
Thank you for your time. Thank, you.
>> Our next speaker is Mr.Iman Mohammad. >> I think he might've left, ma'am.
>> Okay. Our final speaker this evening is Mr.Charlton
Johnson. >> Mayor, city council.
I want to congratulate you on being in office again.
My name is Charlton Johnson. I stay at 334 park place.
I come down here because I ran into the newspaper that they plan on they are planning on
closing they are planning on either closing down the post office or either moving it.
That means that I can't mail out my letter the letters getting if they were to
close the post office down there on green street.
Now, when I come to you, I come to you with a very serious issue.
I know your time is important just as mine is the same thing.
Now, I come to you to tell you to check and see if they is going to close the post office
or if they is what are they going to do with the post office because, because if they is,
then it's going to it's really going to miss up our main post office down there.
We depend on that. We like that.
And I'm coming to you to ask if I don't hear nothing that means I am going to have to go
even further. I am going to have to go I'm going to have
to make I am so upset because the way that things going, it just don't make no sense.
But I do want to say to y'all, I depend on y'all and I will like to see some kind of
effort. I have come here one time before about trash
getting throwed on the road, but that's another issue.
The post office is the most important thing. But I just want to thank you for your time
and stuff, and you will see me again. Thank you.
Good bye. You have a blessed night.
>> Thank you. >> That was the last person.
>> Those of you speaking about the wrapped signage, there is a meeting scheduled.
We have asked the chamber of commerce to get with the local businesses.
Do you remember the time of the meeting by any chance?
Where is that at, Doug? [speaking off microphone]
>> And we will publicize that, opportunity for business people to be there along with
our staff to talk about what the ordinance says and doesn't say and make sure that we
all understand it and consider any modifications at that time so please attend that meeting.
We would appreciate that. Okay.
We will move now to tonight's consent agenda. Mr.Bates?
>> Yes, sir. I would like to pull item 7.18?
>> Okay. Can we take that as approval?
>> Yes, sir. >> Is there second to that?
Thank you, Mr.Arp. Any discussion?
Let me ask for your vote, please. That's unanimous, ma'am.
Okay, let's turn to 7.18. Mr.Iman, who is going to have a presentation
prepared for Mr.Bates' question here? >> Mr.Barry?
>> Hi, my name is Neil Perry, your interim city traffic engineer here to answer any questions
you may have. >> Mr.Bates?
>> Okay. So on the very first page or on page 7 18
11, it says right here repeal the following speed limit.
Description, 35 mile per hour school zone at Northwood Temple, and then one right below
it is Mary McCarthy elementary school zone. Now I'm not we're repealing the speed limit
for the schools? >> No, sir.
All these, all these are all these repeals are is to correct errors in NCDOT's database.
It's not changing any speed limits in any of these areas.
It's just correcting database errors. Just paperwork.
>> Now just paperwork, just paperwork says and it specifically says repeal the following
speed limit, and that's just what I was confused about when I sent it out that I am going to
pull it because I am not in favor of increasing speed limit in a school zone.
But this one here do you have anything that says because it's not in this packet
that these schools' limits will not be increased? And I know the difference between the regular
speed limit and the school speed limit by statute and stuff, but at the same time, I
mean, this one right here says repeal the following speed limit.
And there's nothing going I will let you go but there is nothing in there that says
they're not going to change that. >> I understand your confusion, and it is
somewhat confusing, and I spoke to NCDOT on Friday and they wrote a, a memo dated November10th.
I'm not sure if you have that, but I can certainly share it with you.
But it basically says the attached certificates of concurrence for these ordinance do not
will not change any existing speed limits along these routes.
>> Okay. So we can get a copy of that?
I mean, I just, you know, paperwork follows, and if they say, you know, we're not going
to do anything unless we have it on paper, you know, a month or two down the line, we'll
start getting phone calls, you know. >> Can we get a copy of that to all the councilmembers
and I will attach that to all the minutes of the meeting.
And the backup to the ordinance assuming we adopt it.
Is that okay? It'll be the paperwork the.
>> Yeah, I just want to make sure. >> We do need to have a motion to approve
the ordinance though. >> 7.18 by somebody tonight.
[Laughter] Mr.Massey?
>> If in fact the speed limits do not change, and that is documented, I make a motion that
we approve the ordinance. >> Is there a second?
>> There's a second. >> Thank you, Mr.Arp.
Any discussion on that? Let me ask for your vote, please.
That motion carries. Those in favor, Mr.Crisp, Ms.Applewhite,
Mr.Hurst, Mr.Chavonne, Mr.Davy, Mr.Massey, Mr.Mohn, in opposition, Mr.Bates.
Okay. We'll move now to item 8.1, which is an update
from the Fayetteville Cumberland county chamber of commerce economic development plan.
>> Good evening. I had to look at Rebecca to make sure I was
good to go. Okay.
I'm good to go. You recall that just maybe a month or so ago
perhaps a little longer than that we were together in one of your work session trying
to make sure that we understood your expectations related to the special projects that are included
in this year's performance contract with the chamber.
I will tell you that while we are not 100% certain that we're on the same targets that
you're on, we are here tonight to present to you some progress made against those goals,
and then also certainly to share with you our traditional benchmarks, which have also
been adjusted upward given the last three years rolling averages.
So with that, let me introduce beau Gregory. He is going to update on what we have done
so far on hope 6 and the Murchison Road project. >> Do we have 
>> We e mailed over the presentation, sir. >> We need to get hard copies of the information.
We can get it tomorrow, but make sure we get this.
Go ahead. >> Evening, all.
As Mr.Peters mentioned, we are working on some of these special projects, and while
we are trying to figure out what each other exactly needs and where some gaps may be that
we can address from a different perspective than we have in the past, I'll start in.
On the list, as we have been conversing the hope VI multiuse park and the Murchison Road
redevelopment. All American city co branding with our collaterals
and also those of the city, and how exactly we are going about a lot of our hunting as
it were for new opportunities to bring here and locate in Fayetteville and Cumberland
county. As we do a lot of work that doesn't necessarily
get captured by the metrics we traditionally use.
We just decided to have a better conversation I believe to try and fully understand your
requests and what we are able to deliver and in a way that that's done on the private side.
On the hope VI multiuse park and Murchison Road redevelopment, as y'all had asked us
to just approach that and see from a private sector perspective what would be the best
way to get that off the ground quickly, we have talked to many of our colleagues, and
interviewed with a number of different firms, and one that we would recommend having a conversation
with at a further point as a group called FMK architecture, and they have experience
with hope VI projects as well as experience in partnering the private sector who would
invest in the nontraditional type of businesses in a multiuse park like that.
That they have a track record of understanding the question, understanding how that needs
to be planned to a point that there is a lot of trust when they believe that that's the
right way to do it, that the market will answer in an effective way and a more and a faster
way perhaps than if it were just planned and hope to be sitting there.
In essence, we use you use our contacts and we use their contacts and as that spreads
out to really get this product off the ground being a market driven product instead of just
deciding what we want it to be. At the end of the day.
Making sure that what needs to be delivered to that neighborhood that's adjoining to that
is something that will be supported by the market, invested in by the market, and to
hopefully quickly fill that up. Move on to 
>> Can we stop  >> Yes.
>> I'm curious. You kind of put, beau, those are two separate
projects. So which one of those are we 
>> This is, well, this one is the hope VI. And as there is a plan in place for the Murchison
Road development, we have stepped out to look for this, a, the right way to address this
need as well. >> So this FMK architecture group in looking
at the business park would kind of do the feasibility work that we have already done
on the Murchison Road. >> Very similar to that, but almost in a,
a market driven way I would say. And really to having a pulse on, I mean, there
actually is, believe it or not, there is a lot of money out there that is wishing to
be invested in projects that are going to be successful.
>> Have they looked at the Murchison Road project?
>> Yes, sir. They have reviewed that, and this is sort
of a, a test case, honestly, for our community to see while I know other communities that
can name and, those in the market that trust what they've been able to do, we can see what
it is on this and then move forward as a separate project, you know, simultaneously or we can
do it as a future project. I know those are the Murchison Road corridor
project admittedly in conversation with them is going to be a bit of a moving target seeing
as there's traffic changes on the bottom that aren't due for a while.
There's new traffic patterns that are going to be coming into the top.
How much traffic's going to come off I 295 that's not really calculable right now, and
how that's going to drive what product either on the top end of MURCHISON on 295 or on the
bottom, which is going to be a larger driver and what type of product it's going to be.
Much like this, the hope VI project, the office retail multifamily, making sure that we have
the right mix of those, initially when I discussed the Murchison Road project with them, I did
say think of it as a 100 yard football field and if we are going to get into a business
relationship with them, I would want to see 30yards of actionable, weaponizable data,
a plan that we can use and go through the market and as we go through the phases, stopping
at 30yards, reevaluate what we have, what's been successful, and what may be the new needs
because this may be, you know, a believably an eight year project.
And within the first three years, what's needed and what's available, and what's possible
to be delivered to the market. Those needs may change.
And as we partner with FSU and the land owners and the business owners and how the new traffic
patterns and how the new investment in the community, that section of the community has
changed, it's not something that we can decide today what 15 years from now is going to look
like or 10 years from now is going to look like.
If we approach it in this market driven pattern we are going to be successful initially, which
is very important for a project to continue out to its full extent.
>> I do have a quick question, beau. Over the last you may not be able to answer
this, but since we have been speaking of this business park in hope VI, I've asked many
times what the vision is for this, you know, I was told well it's going to create jobs.
What we're still like way in this conceptual thing, and I'm wondering are we building something.
We got something we don't really know what we're doing with.
And using the term nontraditional businesses. I'm hoping that at some point somebody can
tell us what in the world is the plan? 92 right.
And well, that's exactly what this is, this is about.
It being addressed in this way. I mean, even as a term of art, when you say
the hope VI business park, it's relatively small to the word business park.
You, you and I and someone else may have a different definition of what a business park
is. The multiuse park is probably more of what
the developer and the planning would prefer to call it, and conceptualize and move forward
in this because otherwise you build a business park and we have got it to recruit those in.
You build the infrastructure out. >> Right.
So whatever we call it, business park, multiuse park, I hope that at some point soon, we can
just get our hands on it. Because right now I have asked the question
several times right now, I think we are just trying to make this up to put something there
that we really don't need. We have so much property.
>> Right. >> And business parks around here, and now
we are going to do something else, and nobody seems to have a clue, at least I don't have
a clue what we're doing. >> Well, I think that's why when you ask us
how we might go about it from the market side, that's what I get from them.
I get from them that they and their past track record has shown that they understand that
question through an answerable point where in a short period of time I can have a product
in my hand to show at least where that direction's going and come back and report to you and
it not just be something that we're back in four months asking the same questions.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Any further questions? I wanted to go through quickly some of the
co branding as a part of that. Our wonderful award that the city has, has
won and how we do some of a little bit of what we do but how we can mix those two
together to make sure that we get the Fayetteville name out to the world, which there's a lot
of people that know about Fayetteville and our wonderful great.
And it looks better than that normally. The web site off.
We have incorporated the date, the dates of our three awards of this on our web site and
our new chamber master web site that rolls out.
Those are constantly on there. The co branding.
We recently won an award. The business expansion solutions for defense
business recruitment. This is the fifth year in a row that this
community has won that award, and our economic development partnership has.
We've included that on these collaterals. These are handouts that go out, hard copy.
I have some of them here tonight that I can leave with you.
And I think it gives us a great opportunity. This is a print that a local artist, a digital
blacksmith, CDOs produced and when I was discussing it with him, I said, Phil, we need a piece
to really speak to the community and for the community when we go to the AUSA show, which
is the association of the United States Army convention with an annual show and the trade
convention, largest defense contractors convention in north America.
Phil sat down. He incorporated in our chamber logo and then
on the other side balanced out the, the three shields and subdued within the eagle has landed
all of the commands that are here at Ft. Bragg that now call us home.
And we had a phenomenal response to that. This is the first year that North Carolina
in any community has had a booth at AUSA, and we were the only community other than
some additional economic developers and companies there and Phil was out front.
We were out front. Phil was signing these prints.
In the pictures that were here, senator K. Hagen came by.
We were joined for two days mind you. I would give credit to my staff, former colleagues
at secretary of commerce attended both days, worked the floor.
We were also with our regional staff which is located here in Fayetteville.
Marty butler and Kenny Allen, and we had a phenomenal success.
He signed 350 to 400 posters that are now one thing I believe and the mayor has one
in his office. Senator Hagen will have one in her office.
We will have one for senator burke. There was no party line choice.
Those were just the ones that came by the booth.
There was discussion with the haul day the day before that had messed up some of the
schedules. So that really helps us to brand as you've
asked us to along with our materials and yours to get out the what the all-American city
means as well as boots on the ground of out there telling the story.
To that extent, I traveled to California later last month for what I briefly described earlier
as speed dating for companies. These are live exchange event which is held
in San Diego, and I can assure you know, I don't know what San Diego looks like.
I was in the hotel for two days with 16 different companies.
Of those, they weren't just any companies. To be invited, there's a list of requirements
here to be invited as a delegate. They, these individuals must be responsible
for a company's relocation expansion plans. Currently conducting or about to start a preliminary
search. About to make a final decision where to expand
and relocate between October2011 and 2013. The project will have at least one of the
following over the three years. 40 jobs full time, a million in payroll including
healthy retirement benefits, $2million in capital investment.
These individuals are coming and we're coming from the other side to discuss our community
and what we have to offer. Of the ones we chose the ones we would like
to speak with, and we were matched up. A sample of the ones that I spoke to was a
medical plastics manufacturer, an aviations part manufacturer, weapons manufacturer, cleaning
chemicals manufacturer, nationwide accounting and program manager services company.
One of the largest drivers out of each of these 16 companies that were interested in
talking with Cumberland and Fayetteville county was our geographic location on the east coast
midway between Maine and Miami quickly to five deepwater ports.
There are not a lot of other communities that have all of those rolled into one with a major
interstate running north and south, and now with the I 295 going east to west.
We'll actually have farther access into the county.
And along with all of the other. That was the debate, so to speak.
Physical location but that gave me the opportunity then to talk about the education through private
university systems, public university systems, the community college, basically the pitch
on why this is not only a geographically great place for you to do business, but a quality
of life and cost aversion location. I believe those 16 within the next 10 months
we should have visits from about 9 of those companies.
They were that serious. Particularly logistics they have, that's a
cost driver for the company. I will now turn this over, if there are no
questions, to Mr.Peters. >> Thank you, bill.
One note, we do know and I think there is a typographical error, it is the All America
not All American city. The collateral was correct.
The slide was incorrect. I apologize for that.
What you have here and what you will have in your e mail tomorrow is a list of the five
priorities that are being pursued by the chamber, and I won't spend time talking about that
but I would like to go directly into what we have been able to do against our annual
benchmarks relating to job creation, existing industry visits, contact with prospects as
well as national marketing opportunities. If you look at the first slide, you can see
that the investment total has increased from $50million to $116million.
That is a rolling average of the amount of investment that we've been able to accumulate
here and track over the course of the last three years.
So that's a rolling target. That $116million we're at 45% year to date
after the first quarter we came in at $52,000,000.6392 I just need to ask.
$52,063,000. >> Can you tell me exactly what that means?
92  >> I can show you that in a slide coming up,
if you will bear with a moment. Job creation is 847 historically.
It has been 500. Again, rolling average total over the course
of the last three years. Percent of annual target year to date after
the first quarter is 15%. 131 jobs created in the first quarter from
projects that we have had the opportunity to be involved with at some level.
Synchronous visits. These are when we go out and meet with existing
companies to help them work through growth plans to help them remove road blocks, find
financing, find additional square footage. What have you.
The first quarter target is 18.75. We came in at 18 or 24% of the annual target
of 75. Contacts and prospects quarterly total thanks
in part to our participation and live exchange is 60% of the annual total is 40%.
We have tried to reach 150 prospects to introduce them to doing business here in the community.
These are companies that do not currently have a presence here in Fayetteville and Cumberland
county. And then of course the national marketing
opportunities, the annual target is 25. We were able to do eight placements, including
really a full publication spread and business solutions magazine.
The total for the year to date is 32% or 8 against the target annually of 25.
So if you look, here, mayor, directly to your question, what are the projects?
There were two projects done in the first quarter for $5.4million.
One professional project. This happened to occur at the Black & Decker
builder. >> Who are the retail?
>> I don't have that in front of me, mayor. I can share that.
I can send you a note with that tomorrow when we send the, the slides over.
Professional. One professional project that's in the Black
& Decker building. That is 1.4million.
One medical health care project at $200,000and two manufacturing projects at $14million,
and one of those is Goodyear. Another expansion with those folks.
And a manufacturing supplier to an existing manufacturer.
When we go out and compile the information using synchronous, we try to come back and
share with you what it is that we do. What we hear from those folks to help us to
prepare a little bit of a better understanding of how our community is performing in the
eyes of those companies that are being asked about their experience here.
And you see here what those, those averages are.
Water ranking of 5.8 out of 7. 7 being the highest rating a company can get.
And if you continue to look down that list, you'll see what some of those rankings are.
Fire consistently ranks among the highest. Interstate access there at the bottom of that
slide at 5.69. Also ranks pretty high.
Technical college, Fayetteville tech always a great partner in economic development.
If you look at air cargo service that ranked at 6.23.
And if you look at trucking access to ports, access to highways, logistical support for
companies that are here, that also ranks pretty high.
And I would be happy to answer any questions that you have.
>> Yes, sir, go back to that last slide. If I can find out how is that the one,
sir? >> Where are you telling me on air passenger
service? What does 5.00 mean?
>> Well, a 5.00 means that we are ranking better than average.
If you consider a scale of 1 to 7, 3.5 would be an average rating.
Coming in at 5 means that folks are satisfied but there's still improvement that we can
make. >> Rating, Mr.Peters, has to be relative.
We're rating ourselves in comparison to whom? 92 their view of how well we perform on those
particular things. >> In comparison to whom?
>> It's based on their experience here. If they have a bad experience at our airport,
they may rank that lower than another company who did not have a bad experience.
So we're asking them to rate on a scale of 1 to 7 their satisfaction with these things
and then we average those out based on and if you go back for the number of companies
we have been able to talk to, we talk to 75 a year to make sure that they are covering
a broad perspective. >> The last question.
>> Yes, sir? >> You know, Mr.Gray gave us a fine presentation
with innovations that you're using, networking that you're using, all of the things that
you're doing, and you're working hard to attract business and industry, but the bottom line
is when you come here every quarter, I'm looking to see what businesses you brought to us.
>> Mm hmm. >> And I don't clearly see that, okay?
You talk about 131 jobs. Did we create those we being the hierarchy
or the chamber create or was this because of independent business owners that simply
hired people? Did we influence those 131 jobs?
>> Yes, sir. I think that it depends on who you talk to.
We have been before you in the past and suggested that we have worked on projects and have had
that challenged by developers who have said that perhaps we did not have a role in those
things. What I can tell you is that when we talk to
a company, it's entered into our log. When those companies then expand, whether
it's through our assistance, whether it is through our ability to provide them with the
resources it takes to make those things happen, we track those things through to fruition.
So did Billy Taylor at Goodyear create significant investment at Goodyear because we told him
to? No.
He's responding to market demands, but what I can tell you is that without this community's
long term support and the support that we have provided that plant, it's anybody's guess
as to how that plant could've stayed here as long as it could've.
They've completely retooled. They have done a lot of things that this organization,
this community has assisted them in doing. >> Keep the heat on them.
Keep working. >> Yes, sir.
>> Thank you. >> May I also add there are those that are
not in the numbers, that are not attracted here but since they have been here, I would
not hazard I would feel very confident in saying that now called and said what
if you called and said what has the chamber of commerce done for us, since we have expanded
our business, he would be able to give you a number of things and believe it or not,
the alum program manager for the wounded warrior project, which while is a nonprofit has a
$93million annual budget to assist wounded soldiers that takes no federal or state money
and it's all driven by the private sector. We have been able to help mike, introduced
him into our business community, helped him as he tries to work with the enclaves, wounded
warrior project, and there's some of those, those don't go in the numbers of what we include
as projects that we have assisted to bring here.
But I can assure you both of those two men that I can name others would say with great
confidence if it were not for the chamber of commerce and having a partnership there.
They would not be able to be as successful in this already great community just for the
fact that it takes so long otherwise make that connection.
>> How you doing on membership? Increased any since the last quarter?
92 compared to our peers across the United States, we're doing quite well.
We exceeded our membership numbers for last fiscal year.
Which was the first time in about the last four years.
We've been able to do that and we just got our audit report back last week and last year
was the first year in five years that we made a profit, and please don't look at that term
negatively. That means that we've put some of our resources
into reserve to better serve the business community.
Rather than overspending our revenue. Which had been the case.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mr.Mayor.
>> Yep. >> Let me speak to you how this process works,
and I want y'all to stay for this next the city's strategic plan update.
We have multiple goals that we report on quarterly with very specific action items and we monitor
staff and our performance against others. Three of these goals have your name on those.
I don't want to come back to the next quarterly meeting and say we are not in sync with this.
We need to be in sync because we are being held accountable and our staff is being held
accountable. Brooks and road corridor development is a
specific goal identified by the city council, and we are commissioning you to do that.
If you don't understand what that means, then I would suggest you have meetings with staff
and get in sync with what it means because we want it to happen and we have been told
you are being charged with making it happen. The very same thing with the, let's see, the
business park for the, where is that one at? Hope VI.
Hope VI business park development goal, a priority been identified by the council.
We are being told y'all are the ones being charged with doing that so we want to make
sure that we are in sync that gets done. So when we are sitting here at the end of
the year, we will have success with these and our time horizon is not 10 and 15 years.
I don't want there to be any confusion about that either.
Our time horizon is not 10 or 15 years. >> Mr.Mayor, are you asking us to complete
within one year the redevelopment of Murchison Road?
>> I am not saying that. I am saying these are our goals if we are
three months into this year and we are not in sync between what the city identified the
goals and what the chamber our economic development group what specifically the steps that we
will see happen the first year, that, we need to get in sync on that because none of us
need to sit here, and you know, think part of us think we're doing great and part of
us think we're doing not because we're not clear on what the expectations are.
So before we come back together for the next quarterly report because when we get to our
staff's report in just a second she is going to say business park, chamber of commerce
is in handle of that. We need to be in sync on that.
So I do think whatever is going to happen over the next year, we now need to be in a
clear understanding so the expectations are set.
And then we're accountable against those expectations. And if that, if that dialogue hasn't gone
on yet, I would suggest that before we meet again that dialogue needs to go on so we are
not confused about it. Okay?
Thank you. Other questions on the chamber's report tonight?
Thank you, sir, sirs. Ms.Rebecca, thanks for coming tonight,
ma'am. >> Thank you.
And it's before 10:00, so I'm very excited about that.
>> Okay, good evening mayor, members of council. Item 8.1B on your agenda this evening is the
presentation of the first quarter report for fiscal year 2012.
Council in your agenda packet, you received a first quarter report which details some
of the achievements mayor was speaking about that you and city staff have accomplished
thus far during the first quarter. You've also received a publication tonight
at your dais, which highlights this information as well.
And please feel free to look through that information as we go along.
Conscious of the other items of business tonight, my remarks about each item will be brief.
But I do want to take an opportunity to share with you and the community the remarkable
progress that has been made toward reaching the objectives outlined in the city's strategic
plan. First, I'd like to take a briefly through
the strategic planning model. The city of Fayetteville has a strategic planning
model that takes council and staff through annual targeting process of how we want to
go and how we plan to get there. A strategic plan is a living changing document.
It reflects the city of Fayetteville that we hope to achieve in 15 years, and the standard
of living and vibrancy we achieve through our actions today.
My report tonight will focus on answering questions like what has the city of Fayetteville
accomplished during the first quarter of this fiscal year that makes Fayetteville a great
place to live. One with desirable neighborhoods, with fun
things to do and places to go, what has our organization accomplished that brings us closer
to having a vibrant downtown and how are we planning for beauty by design?
Our mission as a local government identifies for the citizens of Fayetteville our organizational
role in pursuing that vision. It focuses our effort on providing quality
municipal services that make Fayetteville a better place for all.
And providing these services to our community or approximately 1500 dedicated employees
who represent the backbone of this organization. Council, through the strategic planning process,
you have recommitted yourselves and our organization to the core values of how we operate.
The city council and city employees serve with respect.
During the strategic planning sessions, you've determined the path our organization must
follow in order to reach the community's vision. The path to find six goals that we hope to
achieve in five years. Creating a greater tax base diversity is the
number one goal, and seeks to increase our tax base by retaining and growing jobs and
by attracting development. Efficient city government focuses our organization
on results and accountability. Growing the city with livable neighborhoods
focuses on improving the quality of life for our citizens.
The goal of becoming a more attractive city will provide the community with less trash
and visible blight, working toward a greater community unity will build partnerships between
citizens and their government that we can all be proud of.
And lastly, revitalizing downtown as a community focal point will provide a center of economic
and recreation activity that citizens will enjoy.
From these goals, council, you developed a work plan for the next fiscal year through
prioritizing the policy and management agendas with 27 targets for action, and it is these
items that your report tonight will focus on.
These are the activities that council and staff will spend a majority of their time
during the fiscal year. The background and the full action plans for
each of these items are contained within your report, but at this point, I would like to
share with you and the audience at home just some of the work efforts in the first quarter.
Now, under the policy agenda, we have the park bond referendum.
Using the parks and recreation master plan, staff is working to develop a potential bond
referendum that will sustain previous park investments and enhance the quality of life
for citizens and future generations. Staff worked to finalize the structural plans,
and updated the council and commissioners at their joint meeting.
The police substations project will analyze the feasibility of adding police stations
police substations in strategic locations throughout the city.
During the quarter, we executed the agreement with the consultant and we were monitoring
the study. The vast improvements for evening service.
Implement an operations plan to extend evening service on several routes and to extend route
9 to the cape fear valley north pavilion. Evening service has been implemented on routes
5, 8, and 15, and staff is working to prepare for the route 9 extension.
Nonprofit organizations provide key services to the citizens of Fayetteville.
This item seeks to follow efforts to review the city's funding policy and reporting mechanisms
for these organizations. City council received an update from the city
manager's office and reduced nonprofit funding in the adopted fiscal year 2012 budget.
Council policy 135.1 will govern that administration. The sewer hookup acceleration target for action
followed a request from council, I think back in February, to study the financial impact
for the acceleration of the sewer extension schedule for phase five annexation area.
City and PWC staff reviewed the current model to identify the impact and provided that report
to council. Given the limited resources available, the
consensus was not to accelerate the sewer installation at that time.
The building demolition program will support the goal of a more attractive city.
This target for action seeks to prioritize the use of building demolition funds to achieve
the greatest impact. During the first quarter, 169 buildings were
identified as either dangerous or blighted, and were assigned a priority for the initiation
of enforcement action. To ensure a greater tax based diversity, the
city partners with the Fayetteville Cumberland county chamber of commerce for economic development
activities. Council we have just received the update,
the quarterly update from the chamber, and I thank Mr.Peters and beau for being here
this evening, and as part of the contract reevaluation, the chamber will continue to
report on performance quarterly. P the goal is to develop a comprehensive approach
for the sign code to be presented and considered by council.
During the first quarter, staff engaged the planning commission by providing them a visual
reference survey for types of signs which they will use as a basis for engaging the
community. The street lighting ordinance project followed
the implementation of the ordinance which enhances public safety in the city.
The purpose is to establish uniformity for the location of lights as well as how the
lights are paid for. A revision to this ordinance was approved
in April. City and progress energy staff have collaborated
on the implementation, and in December, progress energy will include street lighting building
on the electrical bills for some residential customers.
A communication plan was developed between the city and progress energy that included
messages for customers and a web page that explained this process.
Council, you've requested a comprehensive compensation plan for all departments.
You recognize that hiring and retaining quality staff is critical aspect of providing excellent
citizen service to excellent service to citizens.
Much work toward that end has been accomplished. After soliciting and evaluating proposals,
a consultant was chosen and work began through initial meetings, council updates, interviews,
and presentations. The job analysis questionnaires have also
been processed. Solid waste contracting for services seeks
to research and explore opportunities for outsourcing city services.
Staff researched options to outsource garbage collection, and developed an RFP which was
due in October. Staff also developed a current cost of services,
which are in review. Fayetteville beautiful is a committee of concerned
citizens dedicated to encourage others to take greater responsibility for improving
their environment. To support the city goal of a more attractive
city. Fayetteville beautiful has contributed to
litter reduction, waste reduction, and beautification throughout the city and they've received weekly
requests to volunteer for volunteer support to help with the cleanup and the beautification
projects. Council will now move on to your management
agenda and these are projects underway or that represent a completion of a work plan.
Bragg boulevard corridor development. This focuses on the redevelopment of this
area, which is of course essential to Fayetteville's transportation infrastructure, especially
as we construct the I 295. Staff will engage the community regarding
desirable use of the corridor through the use of consultant services.
In the first quarter staff evaluated the base data and infrastructure plan to outline a
proposed scope of work and needed resources. To meet the objectives for the city goal of
a strong local economy, council and staff will work continuously to support the objective
of securing a nonstop flight to our nation's capital.
We've extended the contract with the consultant and engaged major airlines in meetings and
discussions. The reclaiming neighborhoods project has been
a priority of council and staff to support the goal of growing city with livable neighborhoods.
It is a component of the police department's community wellness program that takes a holistic
approach to the problems in specific neighborhoods. The police department continues to collaborate
with key departments and they execute concentrated operations, in this case in the Bonnie Doone
area. They also coordinated a community day, which
took place October8th. The hope VI6 business park development will
address business opportunities in the area. The parcels identified 16 at the end of the
quarter. The acquisitions also included the former
home of Dr.E.E. smith. Staff has also completed the agreement with
the chamber of commerce to assist with the redevelopment of the business park.
A citywide comprehensive communication strategy outlines specific actions for engaging internal
and external stakeholders. It is a powerful tool and a cornerstone to
effective leadership. This target for action seeks to following
the development of a city's communication strategy that will support improvements in
policy and protocol. This really is a three pronged approach, one
that's based on crisis communication, marketing and branding, and public information dissemination.
During the fourth quarter, the city welcomed a new public information officer, and supported
the effort to acclimate her to city policy and protocol.
Staff coordinated with emergency coordinator for improvements in the emergency operations
plan, and we began researching options for a consultant to develop a written plan that
will focus on crisis communication and bolster our internal communication efforts.
Our corporate communications division also focused on the All America city marketing
plan. We developed that plan and briefed city managers
and council. This marketing plan moves quickly and can
be followed in the manager's weekly report. The campaign is all about the opportunity
that Fayetteville does offer its citizens through economic strength and about citizens
being engaged in the community. We've incorporated social media tools and
launched the city's Facebook and twitter. And we're also collaborating with the Fayetteville
convention and visitors' bureau for an advertising and marketing campaign for downtown.
The limited English proficiency project is also a priority for council as we recognize
that Fayetteville is a diverse community with citizens from all types of back backgrounds,
nationalities, and cultures. This target for action seeks to develop an
overarching citywide policy that identifies steps to mitigate language barriers and providing
services to our citizens. At the end of the first quarter staff has
completed research and development of the policy.
We've also briefed council and executed the policy, incorporating it into our administrative
policy library, staff continues to monitor the needs and implement these procedures established
by the policy. The old days inn site development follows
the North Carolina veterans park master plan. The city seeks to develop a land use plan
for residential housing in the area. By the end of the first quarter the RFP was
issued and advertise said but there were no responses received.
Staff plans to reissue the RFP. This year staff will concentrate on the land
use for multimodal center. The prince Charles hotel is an historic landmark
located in the downtown area. Unfortunately, conditions were such that this
building was declared dangerous and vacated last October.
To date there has only been partial compliance. Staff will continue enforcement action to
persuade the property owner to achieve full code compliance.
This year council, there are six management and progress items that were identified as
key projects for our success in reaching the city's goals.
Therefore, this report tonight includes an update on those items as well.
Currently our community has two primary public safety answering points.
One's managed by the county and the other the city.
This project seeks to consolidate those operations. The report before you details the significant
accomplishments made thus far. And identifies the action plans moving forward.
The prop program has been a priority for council and staff for several years.
The work efforts relate to city council and staff's desire to identify and better manage
any negative impacts of residential properties citywide.
The extensive background is included in your report.
This quarter staff is focused on revising this program to be consistent with the newly
enacted state law through the work in the community.
The North Carolina veterans park has changed the face of Fayetteville's downtown and brought
together the community in celebration. One only has to look at the success of the
weekend's veteran's day event to see that. By the beginning of the first quarter, construction
of the first phase of the North Carolina veterans park was substantially complete.
But to really appreciate this accomplishment, I would draw your attention to the photograph
taken in June of this year. We were very much still under construction.
But two weeks later a different picture, a testament to those who plans for years to
see this success. The features in the park are designed to honor
veterans of all military branches, telling the story of a veteran's journey before, during,
and after service. The state celebrated with our community the
opening of a beautiful, living park. The ceremony was a huge success and a tribute
to those that were honored. Dedicated efforts of council, staff, community
volunteers, were rewarded by the faces of the hundreds of veterans that were present.
Attendance is steady, 100 a day, more than that.
Evening attendance is popular. I would like to remind the community of the
veterans park web site, and if you enjoy these pictures there are many more available to
view on the web site and on the city's Facebook page.
Just a few more brief updates to share. The youth council seeks to teach young people
how government works and engage them in civic leadership.
The human relations commission did update council, and plans are being made to meet
with liaisons and community leaders. The city manager's office will continue to
monitor and assess the climate for future use of this building.
The city will work with the chamber of commerce on the development of MURCHISON.
Council, I know that that report was, was a fairly long one, and I thank you for the
opportunity to share with you, the citizens here in the chamber this evening, and those
watching from home the progress that we've made thus far.
The body of work represented in the strategic plan report is directly related to this organization's
commitment to continuous planning, evaluation and reporting.
In fact, when you received my report the next the next report that I will prepare, you will
be preparing for your strategic planning retreat. That date is scheduled for January31st
to February4th with a follow up session occurring in march.
As councilmembers, you are policymakers for this complex and diverse organization.
Without a crystal ball, it is not an easy job, especially with so many competing needs
and limited resources. But your commitment to being an advocate for
our organization insures that we provide the community with high quality municipal services.
And finally I would like the audience to know that this report and strategic plan is available
at the web site listed on the screen and with that, council, I would ask that you anticipate
the report and I would be happy you accept the report and I would be happy to take your
questions or direct them to project liaisons who are here.
>> Council needs holds typically if I had the 3rd and Saturday the 4th Friday the
3rd and Saturday the 4th. >> Mr.Mohn, then Ms.Applewhite.
>> Thank you for the Presentation. That's a great way to summarize all the pages
in the agenda packet. This question may be for Mr.Iman, references
the multimodal center. In both the agenda packet and on the flier
today, your summary sheet, it says that the we have submitted a grant proposal to the
FTA in state of good repair and that grant was not accepted or approved and we are going
to go back and resubmit in fiscal year 12. What was that grant application?
Was that the next phase of actual building or, you know, just what was that grant going
to cover? >> I believe that is for building.
I am going to ask Mr.Hume our transit director to come forward and address that question.
Randy? >> Thank you.
Yes, it was a grant application under a specific program that federal transportation administration
has and this was for construction, and construction phase design activities.
And it was for about $13.7million about 10.8, 10.9.
We did have a debriefing today from the FTA in terms of why it wasn't selected, and we
will be analyzing that and be resubmitting. >> The reason I ask is we've spent over a
million dollars or budgeted to acquire the properties in hopes to build this $14million
facility, and now if we don't get that 13 or $12million from the federal government,
that kind of ends the project. For the short term.
>> I think we will continue to be working with the federal transit and NCDOT to find
construction funding for it. There may be some other methods, but right
now there are two main objectives or initiatives that federal transit has.
One is called bus livability and possibly if we would've filed under that one we would've
stood a chance instead of good repair but we had that discussion today in how we can
improve our application. >> Mr.Mayor, I would request that your
council gets briefed on that in a work session. I mean, that's like the 90% for this funding
of the whole project, and we have already sunk in how many hours of staff time and million
plus dollars in trying to acquire the land so I think that definitely needs an update
during work session if possible. >> I think what Mr.Hume is saying as you
noted, a sizable grant. And it takes, it takes sometime usually to
work through all the details. And the FTA is working with us to strengthen
our application, and that is a positive sign. The fact that they have already invested in
the application is a positive sign. We believe we will be successful but it is
going to take some time to work with FTA and our staff to get the application to maximum
level of competition. >> So you think that that's a good subject
for a work session, bring council up to speed on that?
>> We will get an update from staff, sure. >> Thank you.
>> Ms.Applewhite. Did you have anything else, Mr.Mohn?
Ms.Applewhite. >> Thank you, Mr.Mayor.
Mr.Iman, you know, one of the most frequent questions I get is about lighting in certain
areas of western Fayetteville. I know we had street lighting ordinance on
hold for a bit, and now that is resolved. Is there a plan to what is the status of
a plan to identify the areas that don't comply with our lighting ordinance in terms of spacing
and because there are still some pretty dark areas.
Or is their plan? >> There is not specifically a plan.
We looked to PWC for our street lighting plan, and of course there is a funding issue if
you increase lights, there's a cost for installation. And how you are going to recover those costs.
And we really at this point don't have that plan in place.
I would think that that is something that we want PWC to develop and provide for council
consideration. Certainly we had some standards developed.
>> Right, that's what I was kind of referring to.
>> The standards are developed and were a part of the previous ordinance, but we don't
have any mechanism for implementation at this time.
>> Well, are you able to tell any of the street light providers, whether it be PWC or progress,
that these are the city standards? Where are you meeting those standards and
where are you not meeting those standards? And what's your plan to meet those standards?
Is that a reasonable request of all the providers? >> As I recall, the ordinance, and I am going
just from memory, at this time, the process and rusty Thompson may help me with this if
I, if I misstate anything. But the process begins with a petition from
residents in the affected area that feel that their lighting is substandard.
Then that petition goes to our engineering department.
>> Why don't we if we have standards, then why don't we proactively find out where they're
not being met. >> Right.
That's what I'm asking. Instead of having the citizens going, if we
have some sort of survey going around the city and say, okay, this area is not in compliance
with our ordinance, then they are going on the list to be updated.
>> It's a petition process because ultimately the customer has to pay under the current
system. That's the way the street lights work.
If the street light services one house, one house pays for the street light.
If it services five properties, it's split five ways usually.
So that, that's the reason that it's established the way it is.
Rusty, do you want to add anything to that? >> That's pretty much it.
The council policy states that the citizen can contact the engineer and infrastructure,
we'll make an investigation, and we'll notify the utility company whether it does or does
not meet that process. does or doesn't meet that standard.
It's a petition process because if we ask that, it will increase their electric bill
monthly. So I think if we proactively go out and do
that, we will be increasing bills the citizens aren't accepting.
>> If I get a call it's pretty dark out here, when are we going to get lights, then I say
to them, go to your neighbors and you all get a petition and then tell the city of Fayetteville
that it's dark out here. Is that how we are going to do that?
>> No, ma'am, they can call me. We'll do an investigation, and determine whether
it does or does not meet the street lighting standard that was set forth by the ordinance.
If it does not, then we give a letter to the utility company, and then they have 60 days
to respond whether they can or cannot meet that lighting standard and how they will implement
it. >> I just kind of thought that the whole thing
meant that we would develop the standard, and then we would survey our community and
find out the areas that did not meet our standard and then make a, some sort of plan to fix
that versus having the citizens come. Because quite honestly, some people are used
it being in the dark when they shouldn't be so I kind of think that we should know the
standard and go out and find whether we're not in compliance, and then kind of go from
there. >> I don't disagree with that, but keep in
mind the staff that we have that addresses lighting standards is PWC.
And so  >> There are other utilities beside that.
But the progress energy. >> PWC for the majority of the city, but also
progress and Lumbee River and the other coops. >> Well, is it not reasonable that we could
write all of the providers this is an ordinance we wrote a year ago now with certain levels
of service. Where do you meet that footprint and where
do you not meet them? >> We can certainly do that.
>> It's like identifying where the unpaved streets are.
You have got to make a list so you start making progress again.
We don't pave every street but at least we know where they're at and we have a process
to try to address that issue. >> Yes, sir, we can make that request.
>> Thank you, mayor. That's what I was trying to saying.
Okay. >> The other piece that comes into play is
when a new development is created, a subdivision, then at that time, the developer is required
as I understand to install the street lights and it becomes a part of the, the infrastructure
that's accepted by the city and/or PWC or the utility companies.
>> Right, and I understand that. I'm just talking about the people that are
existing so that would be amazing if we could do something like that.
And then I just had a very quick question, just in subject, 135.1 update to the nonprofit.
If you could refresh my memory, I think original conversation had been that perhaps the council
were interested in funding other nonprofits, other than our major five or six or whatever
that number was. Was the conclusion that we were developing
a process between service oriented nonprofits and the arts and then having mechanisms for
nonprofits in the community to apply for funding? I thought that's where we left it off at.
>> That was a suggestion that we made early in the budget process if you'll recall.
We had two presentations, one by Mr.Sharp, who outlined the process that they used for
rating and selecting how community development block grant funding is distributed to nonprofit
applicants, and the second was when the arts council, who talked about their process.
We recommended rather than creating a new model or a new bureaucracy that we use existing
resources in some way to determine how to distribute the limited funds that we have.
And at the end of the day, council, basically did not reach a decision on changing the process,
and so my budget recommended funding at a level that was similar to the previous year
and the council adopted it that way because really there's no consensus on where to go
with that issue. >> So the next budget cycle, we're giving
money to the regular ones that we've always given money to.
Is that where we still are? >> Unless council gives comes up with a
different formula or process. >> Thank you.
>> Mr.Bates? >> Mr.Thompson, when you talk about your
costs associates with having the street lights put in, what is that cost?
Is that normal $2.50or $3that we see monthly?
>> For progress energy, that varied between $1.94to $5, close to $5?
>> $1.19a month to $5.46a month. >> Okay.
I just wanted to be clear that it wasn't, you know, they're expecting to pay 1,000 for
street lights to be put in. >> I think there is a cost to put the street
lights in. >> I am not sure that the situation that we're
dealing with here that the rates that rusty provided were with existing fixtures in place
if you go and install costs,. >> I don't know what those costs would be.
It would vary depending on which location, how many lights, those type things.
I am not sure how that cost would break out. >> We'll put this on a work session.
>> Okay. >> We've had them installed in neighborhoods
that were dark north of the big bang and it was $2.50or $3at that time, you know
whatever it is monthly. Nobody said anything about being charged,
you know, extra for having them put in. I mean, these were completely dark neighborhoods
that were done also. And we had some that were upgraded but we
had one, two of them that I know of that were completely dark that put the poles and the
lights and everything in. >> I think it varies on the company's policy
whether it's south river or progress energy. >> All right, thank you.
>> Rusty? Sorry, I had a quick question.
I know you have been working with the sign ordinance.
I just kind of wanted to get  >> Actually, Mr.Davy, that is Mr.Shuford
 >> Sorry.
>> In regards to establishing the meeting with the downtown business owners with the
sign ordinance, I wanted to find out what the update was on that.
>> Yes, ma'am, glad to provide an update to the sign code.
Right now we are engaging our planning commission with regard to where they want to go with
this ordinance. They're providing us with some great feedback,
letting us know that we expect them to do a considerable amount of public outreach,
and that will include downtown. >> Rebecca, let me ask a couple things.
Prince Charles no, I am sorry. I had one question.
We received good news that we received a grant for Bragg boulevard corridor study.
>> We didn't receive the grant, but the former BRAC ROTF did receive a grant from the department
of economic adjustment. I think that's right.
Office of economic adjustment. Believe it's $150,000.
They would administer that but our staff is working very closely.
And Karen Hilton in planning in particular is working closely with the 
>> Will that get our deliverable that we were, we wanted to do?
>> That's something being analyzed right now. >> Yes, sir, I met recently with Mr.Belt
to receive that good news, and he's informed me that we will be involved in developing
the scope for the project and how it will go out.
So it will get our deliverables in all likelihood. >> Okay.
That's great news. And then the reclaiming neighborhoods next
project, I think for all the work that's gone on in those areas in Bonnie Doone, what's
the next focus area? Has that been identified?
92  >> I actually spoke to chief Bergamine.
He had to leave. We spoke briefly about what that process looks
like, and I asked exactly what criteria were they looking at.
They don't have an area yet defined. They do look, their number one, of course,
criteria is crime. I know that they, they took several just general
guidelines based on some readings and applications that they currently use.
And I can list a couple different other things for you.
>> We'll get an update from him. >> Okay.
They understand that that they understand that that is an item of interest.
>> They probably have nine different neighborhoods. >> Yeah.
There is criteria that they do use. >> At least 9 probably.
Mr.Crisp, do you have a question, sir? >> Back to nonprofits.
Because my understanding wasn't quite where Mr.Iman said we ended.
I thought we were very clear, very clear to Mr.Sharp that one of our concerns was that
we weren't sure all of the nonprofits were very clear about the process in which they
should apply for those funds. And I thought we made it very clear that while
we were comfortable with the budget as it is now, we want to make sure for this next
budget cycle that Mr.Sharp's office did whatever's necessary so that all the nonprofits
were very much aware of the process in which they could apply.
Although that was my understanding, and my am I wrong, Mr.Sharp?
>> Social services those nonprofits. >> I recall there was a conversation whereby
there was interest into perhaps streamlining, streamlining the process with what we do in
community development. We are in the process right now this month
of going out for a request for proposals for those community development related such as
affordable housing and other CWG or home funded activities.
I don't have any other direction in terms of how we go proceed with this upcoming budget
cycle. >> I think we are saying we would like for
that net to be thrown very broadly. >> We can do that.
We advertise it, and in years past, we've held meetings with the nonprofits where we
sent the information to make sure they understood what was available and that would be a good
way to go back out this year. And if there is additional opportunities we
can do that at the same time so that all the nonprofits are aware of what the city has
available in any timeline to make sure we understand how it's available.
>> Can you think of anything you would like to do to get the word out?
>> I'm sorry, if we can notify I know several nonprofits that are interested in it, so if
there is like an advertisement, you know, I think we all have Facebooks, and all kinds
of ways to get in touch with organizations. If we could know, that would help as well.
>> We can forward that to you. We send out we will put it in the newspaper.
We'll add it to the web site also. And as we get information from nonprofits
that are interested, we add them to our mailer list to make sure that they get that information.
So we will make other efforts to get the word out.
>> Just keep the list of all the ways that we 
>> Okay. >> Our outreach efforts.
>> Did I answer your question? >> Yes.
I'll tell you my rationale because I had some people say to me last year that they were
not notified in time and then when they wanted to apply, they were told that they were too
late. That's just one side of the story.
>> Yes, sir, it is. >> But 
>> Because our  >> We want to guard against that kind of 
>> We will do all we can. Again, we will send out the RFP in November
and the applications will be do the first week of February.
>> Okay. >> Okay?
>> Thanks. >> Did we get everybody?
Okay. Ma'am, thanks so much for the report tonight.
>> Thank you. Have a good evening.
>> Okay. We'll move now to item 8.2.
Mr.Thompson is here to help us concerning storm drainage issues.
>> Good evening, Mr.Mayor, council. We are here to consider the adoption of resolution
authorizing condemnation to acquire an easement for the summer hill storm drainage improvement
project. Cover a couple of the issues.
The purposes in acquiring this easement is to reroute an existing storm drainage system
that's right now inadequate. The issue is house is actually encroaching
on the actual easement that we have, and in that attachment in one of your attachments
you will see a photo of the property and you will see where the house is actually on the
easement. So we don't want to cause if we work too
close it's fairly deep connection we will have to dig there with the pipe so we don't
want to work so close that we damage the house so we are trying to work around that.
To do that, we need an additional easement. It's .01acres or 596 square feet.
The values about $900. We've tried to contact the homeowner 17 plus
times. Our latest contact, he's informed us that
we have the wrong phone number. So we are interested in trying to move this
project forward, and it's under contract so we have two choices.
We can move forward with condemnation or we'll have to do some redesign that may cost quite
a bit more than $900to work around this issue.
With that, I am available for any questions or ask that you move to.
>> Do we have any questions for Mr.Thompson? Mr.Mohn?
>> Thank you, Mr.Thompson. There a diagram, it goes to the three properties.
House is up there, then goes up slightly at an angle then touches to the right and touches
three properties, and how that little section how important is that to the rest of the sewer
extension that we've done in the neighborhood there?
It's all tied together? >> The it's hit his property.
It doesn't touch there so we try to stay off all the other three properties.
Without that we would have to do redesign to the storm drainage.
It could be pretty costly without working around that F. we tried to work real close
to it, there's a likelihood we would damage the house, the foundation, and that would
be costly too. >> Right.
>> So we have tried meeting with him on site. We have contacted realtors, we have contacted
him. We've informed him we're not upset that he's
on the easement. That's the issue.
We are trying to find a way to work around that.
>> My question is that if we don't get that and we don't get the improvements, that could
have effects upstream also on the other drainage. >> Yes, sir.
>> How does it affect  >> Yes, sir.
We either have to redesign the storm drainage in some other way, or it doesn't completely
change out the system where we could have some upstream problems we still won't be able
to address. >> Right.
Okay. >> Ms.Applewhite.
>> Yes, sir. You mention that you made over 17 attempts
to communicate with him. It has been more than phone calls?
Certified letters, what have we done? >> We have actually sent him the documentation.
He's received it. And he's advised us that he was going to speak
with his attorney about it and get back with us.
>> Right. >> He we followed up a month later, and
he advised us he hasn't gotten with his attorney about it, but he will.
>> Okay. >> And then the latest phone calls we've gotten,
when we spoken to him, he's advised us it's the wrong number and to quit calling him.
>> Okay. >> He picks that check up every month from
the realtor. >> All right.
We're confident we have done everything we could do.
>> I would not bring this forward to you if we have not tried everything we could try
for such a small piece of property. >> Right.
Okay. Thank you.
>> Any other questions? Okay.
Is there a motion? Mr.Bates?
>> Motion to approve. You want it all spelled out?
>> Second. >> The attached resolution authorizing condemnation
 >> Okay.
Thank you, sir. Have a motion and an appropriate second.
Any discussion on the motion? Ask for your vote please.
That motion carries. Those in favor, Mr.Bates, Ms.Applewhite,
Mr.Hurst, Mr.Chavonne, Mr.Davy, Mr.Arp, Mr.Mohn, in opposition, Mr.Crisp.
We have an update on our transit bench and shelter.
Good news here. Thank you for being here tonight, sir.
>> Thank you. Thank you, mayor and council.
>> Good evening. My name is Randy Hume.
I am your transit director, and the purpose tonight of course is to provide you an update
of the progress that we've made on installing benches and shelters from $326,000that
the council allocated two to transit in the summer of lastyear.
The shelter and bench project is parts of our overall is part of our overall improvement
plan. Y'all approved the TDP in December of 2008.
And this continues to guide our efforts for improved services and again facilities as
well as services and buses are parts of that overall plan.
The bench and shelter program has been a team effort.
We've worked with engineering and infrastructure, construction management, real estate, traffic,
legal, and of course transit in trying to get these benches and shelters on the road.
And there are things that we have done. One of the things we have to do is we have
been using a standard for how we place benches and shelters in terms of making sure that
they go where we have the, the biggest need. For benches, we look for stops that have 10
or more boardings a day. For shelters, we look for stops that have
25 or more boardings per day. There's also site requirements.
These are primarily related to safety and ADA compliance, and these sort of lay out
some of those in terms of the pad. No longer with since about 2005 or 6 we
could no longer even go out and put a pole with the sign on it and call it a bus stop
anymore. We have to have a firm service for any bus
stop, whether it has a bench or shelter or not, and it has to be accessible to wheelchairs.
The last three items on this list are the ones that have caused us the most difficulty
and caused us to have delays in the project, and these are because they are affecting other
projects and other people. Wheelchair accessibility means that we have
to have sidewalks and curb cuts for us to put these in there.
Property owner agreements. If, if that pad requires us to go on to somebody's
property adjacent to that stop, of course we have to get either an encroachment or an
easement for that, and then on top of that, if they're along any state road, we have to
get the state department of transportation approval for that.
This next slide sort of shows what our average costs have been for installing our benches
and shelters, about $1500each for each location where we put up a bench.
And that includes the trash can. And then about $10,200for shelters.
And the main difference is the cost between the bench and the shelter.
All the pad work, everything else is, is the same and really the, the background, all the
labor that it takes to be able to place a bench or shelter is the same.
And so that's why you'll see on the list that we provided, there's some locations where
we had planned to put benches, now the ridership is up, we can put shelters.
So we've advanced those and have installed shelters because of that.
Because the effort is still about the same. Thank you.
>> So that, we had several questions. That shelter is like a $9,000
>> The shelter is about, I think is about 8 or $9,000piece of equipment.
>> We've also added some signs to the we've also added some signs to the, to our shelters
and benches, particularly shelters. We've added no loitering signs as well as
some other signs to make sure that we are good neighbors with the people around us.
Progress to date again, y'all have provided over $326,000as a carryover funds for the
project. We've spent over $252,000so far.
That includes 21 shelter locations, and 16 bench locations.
And our total improvement system-wide now we have 51 shelters that are out on the street
right now. And again, we just started the bench program
with this program. So we have a 16 benches.
The remaining the remaining locations, and again, we've provided a list in your packet
of those specific locations where those are places.
The remaining locations can sort of be divided into three areas.
We have those that are work in progress. We had a concrete pad installed on Ramsey
where we will be installing a bench, I think it's either this week or next.
Once that concrete cures. We have others where pad has already been
installed but we haven't done it yet because it is part of the service improvement and
we haven't installed route 9 yet. We plan to install that just before the service
so it's not damaged and somebody is waiting there and no bus comes by.
We have 12 locations that we are either awaiting department transportation approval or we have
other related projects. And those two main ones are on 6 6 sycamore
dairy. We are installing those pads as those sidewalks
are being done. We have 17 locations where we are we have
some sort of agreement or we're waiting property owner agreement.
Let me go back and say that. We have 17 where we need those agreements.
We have five of those we have verbal agreements but we are still waiting to get paperwork
back from their attorneys so we can move on with those.
The improvements that you've approved and again the bench and sidewalk improvements,
all of those are making a difference in our system.
Fiscal year 2011 we did go over $1.4million riders, and that's, I think that's the result
of the service, the new buses as well as these benches and shelters that, that we have out
there. That's 35% increase over fiscal year 2009.
October2011, of course we just started our, you know, we just started the evening
service, the end of September, so this is our first full month.
We had 146,000 people that road our buses. That's up 25% from the same month last year,
and then I think the other encouragement I wanted to bring to your attention was the
new evening service, which started September26th. In October we carried on those three routes,
we carried 1471 passengers. That's about somewhere around 65 people a
day that are on those three routes at night when we normally would expect ridership to
be a little bit lower. So these improvements are making a difference.
I want to thank you for your support, and with that I will be glad to answer any questions.
>> TO KEEP CITIES FROM THROWING TRASH ALL OVER THE PLACE.
>> IS THAT SOMETHING WE COULD CONSIDER, I KNOW IT'S ANOTHER
COST, BUT WE HOPE THAT OUR CITIZENS COULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT
THAT. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE
FEASIBLE? >> CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE COULD
LOOK INTO. OF COURSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE CRASH STAYS IN THERE AND DOESN'T BLOW OUT.
I ANY IT'S SOMETHING WE WOULD BE GLAD TO LOOK INTO.
>> IT'S NOT JUST BLOWING OUT, IT'S JUST ON THE GROUND.
>> AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING, AS WE GO ON AND LOOK AT OUR BUDGET
THIS YEAR, AS WE HAVE MORE LOCATIONS, IT IS TRAINING OUR
STAFF. WE USE OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE
STAFF TO GO OUT AND TRY TO POLICE ALL THOSE LOCATIONS, AND
IT'S GETTING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT WITH ALL THE LOCATIONS
WE HAVE TO TRY TO COVER. IT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES HAVE A
BUDGET IMPACT AND WE'LL LOOK AT THAT AS WE PREPARE FOR THIS
BUDGET YEAR. >> PERHAPS IF WE COULD FIND A
WAY TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR RIDERSHIP IT DOES COST US MONEY,
AND PERHAPS THAT'S A PARTNERSHIP WE COULD--I KNOW THE COUNCIL
MEMBER SAID THAT WE WOULD APPRECIATE THE TRASH NOT BLOWING
IN THE STREET. MAYBE A CAMPAIGN TO COMMUNICATE
THAT TO OUR RIDERS MIGHT HELP. >> IN OUR SAFETY MEETING WE'VE
BEEN EMPHASIZING WITH OUR WITH US OPERATORS SOME OF THE PROBLEM
LOCATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY COMMUNICATE BACK TO OUR
DISPATCHERS WHEN THEY SEE TRASH AT A SPOT.
WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEM UNLESS THEY LET US KNOW.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> MS. DAVY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
IS THERE A PUBLIC DIAGRAM THAT SHOWS WHERE ALL OUR BENCHES AND
SHELTERS ARE? >> WE CERTAINLY HAVE A DIAGRAM
THAT SHOWS WHERE ALL OUR STOPS ARE.
AS WE'RE WORKING ON A PROJECT RIGHT NOW WITH OUR AUTOMATIC
LOCATER, I THINK THOSE ARE IDENTIFIED WITH OUR BENCHES AND
SHELTERS, BUT I'M NOT SURE RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT WOULD AN HELPFUL TOOL. IN REGARDS TO THE COST, I KNOW
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT BEFORE, THE COST OF THE BENCH AND
SHELTER, IS THERE ANY OTHER AVENUE WE CAN LOOK AT TO REDUCE
THE COST OF HOW MUCH IT'S COSTING FOR THE SHELTERS, I
SHOULD SAY? >> I'M SURE WE CAN.
WE'VE BEEN ALLOCATING A PORTION OF OUR GRANT EVERY YEAR FOR
BENCHES AND SHELTERS. IT WAS $50,000 THIS YEAR, AND THERE ARE
OTHER WAYS THAT WE PROCEED TO KEEP PUTTING THOSE OUT.
>> IF WE COULD COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT IN THE COST, AND OF
COURSE WE COULD HAVE BENCH AND SHELTERS.
MY LAST QUESTION, I ALWAYS ASK ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP, AND HOW
THAT IS GOING WITH THE COMMITTEE.
I KNOW THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN THE PRESENTATION YOU BROUGHT, BUT
I'M HOPING THAT ALONG WITH THE SUCCESS THAT YOU'RE HAVING WITH
CAPE VALLEY AND CROSS CREEK MALL THAT WE'RE ADVOCATING
PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER EMPLOYERS AND ORGANIZATIONS SO WE CAN
CONTINUE TO EXTEND THOSE ROUTES AND THOSE SERVICES, THANK YOU.
>> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE IDEA OF PAYING $10,000 PER BUS STOP
PER SHELTER. THAT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT
HIGH. I WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR TO
SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER ECONOMIC AVENUES ABLE TO TAKE THAT MONEY.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT THE CITY'S MONEY, IT'S GRANT MONEY, BUT TO
EXTEND IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN FOR OUR RIDERSHIP BUT EQUALLY BE
FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE IN SPENDING THAT MONEY.
>> THERE ARE CERTAINLY OTHER STYLES OF SHELTERS.
I WASN'T HERE WHEN IT WAS SELECTED, BUT WE HAVE THIS TYPE
OF SHELTER THAT WAS SELECTED. IT HAS SOME FEATURES THAT IS NOT
OUT OF YOUR PACKAGE TYPE OF SHELTER.
TO HAVE AN UNIFORM LOOK ON THE STREETS SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IT
IS, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE CONCENTRATED ON.
>> WE HAD A BREAKDOWN LAST YEAR SO WE KNOW WHAT IT COSTS.
IT HAS TO BE ADA, THERE IS CONCRETE, TRASH CANS, IT'S AN
EXPENSIVE PROGRAM. ADVERTISEMENT.
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMMITTEE.
WE'RE WORKING ON THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL THAT WE'RE HOPING TO
GET OUT SOME TIME IN DECEMBER. AFTER THAT WE'LL BETTER KNOW
WHAT TYPE OF REVENUE WE CAN EXPECT AND WHAT TYPE OF
AGREEMENT THAT WE CAN PUT TOGETHER.
AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ADVERTISER KNOWS WHAT THOSE
POLICIES ARE SO WE DON'T GET OFF ON ONE FOOT AND THEN FIND OUT
WE'RE SOME PLACE ELSE. >> NO ADVERTISING ABOUT CAFES.
DON'T ANSWER THAT. NEXT QUESTION, HAVE YOU LOOKED
AT HOW WE'RE GOING TO TELL RIDERS ALONG THE VARYING ROUTES
WHERE SOME OF THE STOPS ARE THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE A
SHELTER THERE? YOU KNOW WHY IN MANY CASES TOO
CLOSE TO THE ROADWAY, ENCROACHMENT ON TO YARDS, WHICH
REQUIRES EASEMENT, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE GIVEN SOME THOUGHT TO THAT, BUT I'LL
TELL YOU THIS, IF YOU HAVE EVER RIDDEN THE SUBWAY IN
WASHINGTON, D.C. THEY HAVE A MAP ON THE WALL THAT SHOWS EVERY
STOP ON THAT LINE. >> YES, SIR.
>> WE COULD DO SOMETHING SIMILARS, THAT SHOWS WHERE A
STOP IS. WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A SHELTER,
WE COULD CODE THAT AS SUCH. JUST AN IDEA.
I GOT PEOPLE SAYING, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET SHELTER.
AND SOME WILL NEVER GET SHELTER, AND YOU UNDERSTAND WHY.
ALONG CORRIDORS AND WHAT HAVE YOU, SOME OF THOSE STOPS ARE TWO
FEET FROM THE ROADWAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. IT MIGHT AN GOOD IDEA IF YOU
COULD LIST THOSE PRIORITIZED FUTURE COMING SITES ON THE WEB.
WE DO THAT WITH THE WEB, SO IF CITIZENS CALL THEY CAN SEE WHERE
THEY ARE ON THE QUEUE IF THEY'RE ON THERE AT ALL.
I CONTINUE TO GET QUESTIONS ON THE TRANSFER STATION THE CURRENT
ONE, AND I WONDER IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THAT.
IS THAT OPERATING OKAY? >> IT'S OPERATING OKAY.
IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAD BEFORE WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT THAT WE'RE NECESSARILY
PROUD OF IN TERMS OF THE WAY IT LOOKS WITH THE FENCE AROUND IT
AND TEMPORARY BUILDINGS. WE JUST THIS WEEK WE DID SOME
THINGS TO IMPROVE OUR LIGHTING AT NIGHT, AND WE NOTICED WITH
THE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME THAT THE LIGHTING, AND SOME OF IT HAD
TO DO WITH PWC AND ALSO OUR NEIGHBORS, THEIR LIGHTS WERE
GOING OFF AND ON, TOO, SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE LIGHTING.
OVERALL IT'S WORKING WELL. WE CERTAINLY HAVE--WE WOULD LIKE
TO GIVE OUR PASSENGERS, OUR CUSTOMERS, BETTER SERVICE AND
BETTER FACILITY. >> IF SOMEBODY HAD A COMPLAINT
ABOUT HOW THEY WERE STREETED THERE, WHAT WOULD WE DO WITH
THAT? >> AGAIN, SOME WOULD CALL THE
CITY, SOME WOULD CALL US AT THE MAIN LINE OR MY LINE, AND WE
WOULD TAKE THOSE AND INVESTIGATE THOSE.
YES, WE HAVE HAD SOME COMPLAINTS, REALLY SOME CUSTOMER
SERVICE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUYING TICKETS AND OTHER THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON IS TRYING TO GET REMOTE
LOCATIONS FOR SELLING TICKETS JUST SO IT'S MORE CONVENIENT FOR
PEOPLE TO BUY THOSE PASSES. >> THERE IS ALWAYS A DISPATCHER
WHENEVER IT'S OPEN ON SITE, THE SUPERVISOR.
>> IT IS A SUPERVISOR? >> IT IS A SUPERVISOR.
THEY'RE DOING MULTIPLE THINGS. THEY'RE ON THE RADIO WITH DOES
DRIVERS. THEY'RE WAITING ON THE WINDOW.
THEY'RE ALSO ANSWERING INFORMATION CALLS ABOUT ROUTES.
THEY'RE DOING MULTIPLE TASK. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT.
I THINK THAT'S IT. >> WE'LL MOVE TO 8.4, THE REPORT
FROM THE APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE. >> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.
>> THE APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE MET LATE THIS AFTERNOON AT 5:30 TO
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU'RE APPROVAL, CITY COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBERS MASSEY ATTENDING AS WELL.
WE HAD THREE VACANCIES. ONE MORE THE AIRPORT COMMISSION,
ONE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD AND ONE FOR THE
STORM WATER ADVISORY BOARD. I MOVE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD FOR
YOU'RE APPROVAL THE FOLLOWING CITY CITIZENS FOR FILLING THESE
VACANCIES. FOR THE AIRPORT COMMISSION IT
WOULD BE SHARM KANSAS KUTCH, AND FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD PATRICIA
FAIRLY AND THEN CONRAD HOEING THE THIRD.
>> I SECOND THAT MOTION. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON
THE MOTION? HEARING NONE LET ME ASK FOR YOUR
VOTE. THAT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE NOW TO 9.1
PROPOSED 2012 CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATES CALENDAR.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS.
ANY CHANGES, MR. BATES. >> YES, NOVEMBER 21, THE
WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, I DOUBT THAT ONE WILL BE ATTENDED
BY MANY AS THIS WEDNESDAY COMING UP WON'T BE.
>> WE'LL LOOK AT THAT ONE AND I THINK WE'LL WANT TO ADD THE
RETREAT DATES ON THERE SINCE THOSE ARE OFFICIALS COUNCIL
MEETINGS AS WELL. FEBRUARY RETREAT DAYS.
ANY OTHER CHANGES, COUNCIL. >> THIS WILL BE COMING BACK TO
US AND FORMERLY ADOPTED. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO SHARE WITH STAFF FOR CONSIDERATION, PLEASE SHARE IT
WITH THEM. >> WHEN WE GET THE FINAL, WILL
IT BE COLOR-CODED AGAIN? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE, WILL IT
BE COLOR CODED LIKE IT NORMALLY IS?
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE TONIGHT?
>> THAT'S IT. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN.
>> SO MOVED.