CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council had several committee meetings prior to the 6 p.m. council meeting on Monday so council could discuss their current work in each committee.
The Housing, Safety and Community Committee focused on neighborhood tree health and how development fees may be affecting affordable housing projects in the city.
City staff is researching a proposal for the committee that looks at reimbursing some city fees for affordable housing developers. The money would come from tax payer dollars.
The Transportation, Planning, and Development Committee discussed the timeline for implementing the city's recently-approved unified development ordinance. It also received an update from CATS on its current operations, initiatives, and advancing the 2030 System Plan.
One concern noted by Councilman Edmund Driggs is the ongoing staffing shortage at the agency. He said that bus drivers and CATS are at a standstill on how to improve working conditions.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 'It's been a roller-coaster ride' | CATS CEO addresses challenges, long-term transit plan
The Budget, Governance, and Intergovernmental Council Committee voted 3-2 on Monday to follow the city attorney's recommendation not to allow virtual attendance at city council meetings, though virtual attendance is allowed at committee meetings. Mayor Vi Lyles said the full council will vote on this issue at next Monday's meeting so the issue isn't brought up again.
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The Jobs and Economic Development Committee discussed how to spend about $2.5 million from the American Rescue Plan. Recommendations circled around workforce training and helping small businesses. The committee is also considering investing in a nonprofit called Change Please Coffee, which helps combat homelessness.
Councilman Malcolm Graham said the committee will decide in November what to officially recommend to council.
Council also discussed how to develop the city's arts and culture plan; staff is working to get recommendations from individual council members and artists on this particular plan.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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