[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6641793,"mediaKeyId","3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4","parentId",3633567,"title","Airport workers press council on safety and wages; council asks staff and attorney to review legal options","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",2441000,"endMs",2637000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4&start=2441&end=2637","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4/thumbnail_2441000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6641793/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Airport-workers-press-council-on-safety-and-wages-council-asks-staff-and-attorney-to-review-legal-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641793-a0d01989611f0db7670ee869da5a0eac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154439&Signature=KihvocNE58UjWke~fOfWsIOM~dVGF8uJYBLRFQ5REY~cHZrbDbcTclETOSsQNCensKlbnVz6KJsm46erlWWa5bMRcflVXC872zIHzf4P49Hyt5vZwozlymHVM8Yoh3nOitkgJKEV28s1D6SsWNAz-f6qQN4yOqcAXDYW4pHtsGD1xONQMsmqD33886a-dC6HuCzFDiebuVrp-JLfV-xnZXUHmHXL0LnBmnZIPEOaayU6XZ4xxsXgzD7vAG5wdeKoJ~clZ5gmUNjyFhZ6wh9q-tkWIi8V9P6eb3DgyCfvlw~nLYLl7oZRZGDjT4yxNCFQIFdUx10-ZNtLlWAfR8AAOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlotte","date","2025-05-29T19:49:24Z","article","Several airport workers and union representatives addressed the Charlotte City Council during the public forum, urging action to address low wages, understaffing and safety concerns at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Dominique Chambers, an airport wheelchair agent, told the council the workforce faces \"low wages, minimum benefits, and poor working conditions,\" and said understaffing forced workers to push two passengers at once and left travelers waiting. \"Some of my coworkers are living in their cars...because the pay is extremely low,\" Chambers said.

Danielle Prophet, president of CWA Local 3645, which represents hundreds of airport workers, urged the council to open a committee meeting to review proposed ordinance language that would set workplace standards. \"We are not asking for favors. We are demanding fairness, and the time to bring this forward is now,\" Prophet said. Other union speakers, including a flight attendant and leaders of the Charlotte Metro Labor Council, expressed similar concerns about poverty wages and workplace safety.

Council members discussed possible next steps. Council Member Victoria Watlington asked that the Budget and Intergovernmental Relations Committee investigate airport operations, including safety, hiring and retention and the city’s authority to set policy. City Attorney Anthony Fox told the council he has reviewed the matter and said state law constrains municipal authority to set wages. \"The analysis is dictated by the Wage and Hour Act,\" he said, and the law limits what the city can require of private employers and airport tenants. He recommended legal review and noted the council could refer policy questions to committee for further study.

What the council did
Council members signaled interest in committee review; Council Member Watlington specifically requested a referral to the appropriate committee to examine procurement options and other municipal levers. The city attorney said staff can provide legal analysis but that specific ordinance authority is limited by state statute.

Why it matters
Airport operators employ thousands of workers and Charlotte Douglas is a major local economic engine. Workers testified that understaffing and low wages affect passenger safety and worker wellbeing. Council members expressed support for studying the issues and asked staff and the city attorney to return with options the council can lawfully pursue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Meeting May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Airport wheelchair agents, flight attendants and union leaders pressed the Charlotte City Council to address low pay, understaffing and safety issues at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and requested a committee hearing on possible workplace standards.","taxTitle","Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina","taxId",4848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641804,"Charlotte council adopts energy plan, approves road and housing contracts in wide-ranging votes",70,1743000,1813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4&start=1743&end=1813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4/thumbnail_1743000.jpg","/articles/6641804/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Charlotte-council-adopts-energy-plan-approves-road-and-housing-contracts-in-wide-ranging-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641804-14b7cc11177737d367838e8309d97403/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154440&Signature=bWvmXPG7uKuZLEdW3Vo4hGRW0XI3MPjN5wwKz8p3bst9mvlsl3BGM9HJWZaAalOvseJKtEYu1jWi~jFONMFJvJrEwMtg3uvDacjHHj91SUFf~zOY9Fak-YjBZWxVb5b4syacz1cIW-saMPtip6up45qXtFWzQU9wO8JFU7zbrn42SM3IPxisogA24VvPEHqAtG-o-IFTy6RqnXpLTEFS9xpgf43aLkPq2oOA3EOUN~jqancphiqJTyf-SoEFDMNt~VJz-F6vrkn23mqYwDLfnr-XT4mlpiWWZRL3MHFjNWxi8X5Fb6mF6vz-DKjX4PbgvPyuWglrt7TkOb2hQyGwAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlotte City Council voted Wednesday to adopt an update to the city’s Strategic Energy Action Plan and approved several consent and contract items, including a $4.8 million construction contract for Prosperity Church Road improvements and a $1.2 million contract with Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region.

The council’s unanimous vote adopted the Strategic Energy Action Plan update, which the Transportation Planning and Development Committee recommended for approval. The council also accepted $42,000 in contributions to the Keep Charlotte Beautiful program and approved a one‑year contract worth $1.2 million with Habitat for Humanity to support affordable home production under the acquisition, rehabilitation and resale program.

Kathleen Cieschek, city engineer, summarized the Prosperity Church Road project for Council Member Renee Johnson and said the construction contract award to Blythe Development is for $4,800,000 and includes curb and gutter, sidewalk, storm drainage, bike lanes and a roundabout at Prosperity Church and Prosperity Ridge. \"We have a construction contract in the amount of $4,800,000 to Blythe Development,\" she said.

The council also adopted a lease with Envision Charlotte for a city‑owned property on Segal Avenue and approved the appropriation of $42,000 to the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund for Keep Charlotte Beautiful donations from Lowe’s and Keep America Beautiful.

Council Member LaJuana Mayfield recorded opposition to the council’s approval of an item on the agenda to purchase a single‑family residence associated with airport property; the motion carried despite her objection. Several other consent items were approved by voice vote after members removed two items for separate consideration.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt Strategic Energy Action Plan update (item 7): approved (unanimous)
- Keep Charlotte Beautiful contributions and budget appropriation $42,000 (item 8): approved (unanimous)
- Contract with Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, $1,200,000, one‑year term (item 9): approved
- Albemarle Landing Apartments HOME allocation (post‑construction loan) (item 10): action taken (see separate coverage)
- Prosperity Church Road improvements, construction contract $4,800,000 to Blythe Development (item 15): approved
- Lease agreement with Envision Charlotte for Segal Avenue property (item 12): approved
- Purchase of single‑family home related to airport area (item 26): approved; Council Member LaJuana Mayfield opposed

The mayor called for civility ahead of a public forum that ran through presentations by dozens of residents and organizational representatives. Several public commenters urged further funding or staffing for animal care and control, improvements to airport worker conditions and safety, and municipal attention to street vendors and neighborhood safety concerns.

Council members did not debate several consent items at length after removing two for separate votes; the meeting proceeded to additional business and a scheduled closed session on pending litigation.","The Charlotte City Council voted Wednesday to adopt the Strategic Energy Action Plan update and approve a series of contracts and appropriations, including a $4.8 million road construction contract and a $1.2 million housing contract.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641788,"Public forum: residents press council on animal care staffing, NoDa vendors, missing dog Julio, and museum funding",1532,2106000,3638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4&start=2106&end=3638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4/thumbnail_2106000.jpg","/articles/6641788/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Public-forum-residents-press-council-on-animal-care-staffing-NoDa-vendors-missing-dog-Julio-and-museum-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641788-b416ae9251af23c24444224843226b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154440&Signature=g~d0PiR26vpVxgv0YkyqVbkCqtLrMfjeFhhjsIUKQsZCDBr4DpIVR2vhQvQI0b4n9E~vQM2GT678PKGew~bXMUz3AYRxr9QY5oDd2-VrU50nsmkM4xG4DwYd8rVmKFl6l9i07HSWxFcsiFAK~cndF6jRshZ2QyydfIoFmGXjEdEc8nIXAR53Sa~zbymLQxoJr84QZo4YSI6M8USdYn1sil1~kWY2okIfKUNNS2ykSqQJwWc7Rau7o81E94JnEwWbAM4Q001tRoOJNVeIyOsJzanNqVkpL91-Pxk17stzAz~~3GfcGoBk8YOebu0WflQgYqZ-BsJOd85LnKzh6lx2Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and organizational representatives addressed the Charlotte City Council during its public forum, raising a mixture of neighborhood and citywide concerns.

Animal welfare advocates Kimberly Wade and Jennifer De Ceia thanked the council for proposed funding for an adoption center and shelter expansion and for the decision to move Animal Care and Control under General Services, but both urged the council to restore requested additional staff positions. \"Intake is rising, and the shelter expansion is still years away. These staff are urgently needed to keep saving lives,\" Kimberly Wade told the council.

Business owners and NoDa residents debated street vendor presence. Paul McBroom and business owner Michael Sims said narrow sidewalks and aggressive vending have created safety and public‑space concerns, asking that the city consider declaring congested business districts to regulate vending. In contrast, neighborhood speaker Michael Rossler argued that street vendors add vibrancy and urged the council not to displace them by regulation.

Several speakers sought council help in a missing‑pet case. Jayla Gittens said her car and her 6‑year‑old dog, Julio, were stolen; she described repeated threats and what she called inadequate juvenile justice consequences for the teens she says were responsible. \"If there are no consequences, why wouldn't they keep doing it?\" Gittens said.

The Charlotte Museum of History asked the council to maintain two budget requests — operating support and a special project tied to the America 250 commemoration — and warned the museum lacks runway for further delays.

Why it matters
Public comments signaled broad neighborhood concerns — from animal care capacity and museum funding to public safety and sidewalk congestion — that council members may weigh when considering budgets, regulations and enforcement resources.","During public comment dozens of speakers urged council action on a range of community concerns, including staffing for Animal Care and Control, sidewalk safety and street vendors in NoDa, accountability for juveniles in a theft that included a missing dog named Julio, and support for the Charlotte Museum of History budget requests.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641798,"Council approves $1 million HOME bridge loan for Albemarle Landing Apartments after debate over income targeting",574,2577000,3151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4&start=2577&end=3151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633567-8671edc0521e8138e1418a1cd4bfb4a4/thumbnail_2577000.jpg","/articles/6641798/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-1-million-HOME-bridge-loan-for-Albemarle-Landing-Apartments-after-debate-over-income-targeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641798-99f0552d31effd999fc3bd206b3d5b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154440&Signature=L-CH7x~1dxI7bvZBdlVNUnkJ81EVedEqgT1BWG~DbupGMDCohGrcBb-NudLss4vxtFDvwKAeg5-OMPou-4Ty7J0s~9rxmSvFEhD8mWc93pgu1cG~QNIq0STz4eqdYxAIzgaEpZnvhocUvP-1bfRx7G0bkGuGR92u5U01FEPNtqFndeKYZrC1IJDYEa7IStRFB-olyMrg9I1qLJwDoyuoQYPR22qPTXfMx~s9eaXa5Wl38xHZLk-At2jxMnalqOKZy79ZXZ6cAL3avsTbMGauptoQj~v~ERtHSPUkHKqjg2TCBhbuFbL7UmmInpffLOSWmB0EnTX2PCyOqf-DRy2ufQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlotte City Council approved a $1,000,000 allocation from the U.S. HOME Investment Partnerships Program as a post‑construction bridge loan to Albemarle Landing Limited Partnership, an affiliate of South Creek Development LLC, aimed at stabilizing the Albemarle Landing Apartments and extending the property’s affordability commitments.

Rebecca Heffner of Housing and Neighborhood Services told the council the loan is federal HOME funds intended as a bridge to help the developer reach stabilization; the loan will be repaid over seven years at 3 percent interest and the developer agreed to extend the affordability period by an additional 10 years. \"This is a pilot ... to test out a post construction bridge loan,\" Heffner said.

Council Member Renee Johnson — who identified herself as an affordable‑housing advocate — said she would not support the item because the development does not include units reserved at 30 percent of area median income (AMI). \"I won't be supporting this...our most vulnerable population is not being served,\" Johnson said. Council Member Margie Molina said the property is an existing, income‑restricted development and described this action as a post‑construction mechanism that recycles HOME funds back into the city’s housing program.

The developer has agreed to set aside 19 units for vulnerable populations and to the 10‑year extension of the property’s affordability period. City staff described the relevant rents and clarified that voucher holders may access units as vacancies occur and through rental subsidy rules.

Motion and outcome
Council approved the HOME allocation; their record shows at least two members — Council Members Brown and Johnson — opposed. The manager was authorized to negotiate and execute the necessary contract documents and the loan will be repaid to the city's HOME fund for future reuse.

Why it matters
City staff said the bridge loan is designed to leverage additional low‑interest financing from HUD and to recycle program income back into the local HOME fund for future affordable housing projects. Opponents argued the action should prioritize deeper affordability (30% AMI) or target households with the lowest incomes.

What’s next
Staff will finalize loan documents and monitor repayment; council members asked staff to provide additional detail about unit set‑asides and vacancy policy for voucher holders.","Council approved a $1 million HOME Program post‑construction bridge loan to Albemarle Landing Limited Partnership in order to extend affordability and leverage HUD financing; two council members voted no citing concern that the development will not include 30% AMI units.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Airport workers press council on safety and wages; council asks staff and attorney to review legal options

Charlotte council adopts energy plan, approves road and housing contracts in wide-ranging votes

Public forum: residents press council on animal care staffing, NoDa vendors, missing dog Julio, and museum funding

Council approves $1 million HOME bridge loan for Albemarle Landing Apartments after debate over income targeting