Council approves multiple contracts and housing measures; several items pulled for discussion

Charlotte City Council on Tuesday approved a package of consent and business items that included transportation and housing contracts, acceptance of philanthropic contributions, and an update to the city’s Strategic Energy Action Plan.

Council adopted the Transportation Planning & Development Committee recommendation to adopt the Strategic Energy Action Plan update and approved several contracts and grants, including: a $4.8 million construction contract for Prosperity Church Road improvements; a $1.2 million contract with Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region for the Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resale Fund; and a $1.0 million HOME-program post-construction loan for Albemarle Landing Apartments intended to extend affordability and secure set-asides for vulnerable households.

The council handled most consent items as a single motion but members pulled item 15 (Prosperity Church Road improvements) and item 26 (purchase of a single-family home near the airport) for separate discussion. After discussion the council approved each item. Councilmember LaJuana Mayfield voted “no” on item 26; Councilmembers Renee Johnson and Councilmember Brown registered opposition to the Albemarle Landing loan.

Council took the following formal actions (motions and outcomes):

- Adopted the Strategic Energy Action Plan update (Transportation Planning & Development Committee recommendation). Motion moved and seconded; vote recorded by voice as unanimous.

- Accepted contributions totaling $42,000 for the Keep Charlotte Beautiful program (Lowe’s $26,000; Keep America Beautiful $16,000) and adopted a budget ordinance appropriating those funds to the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund. Motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as unanimous.

- Approved a $1,200,000 contract with Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region to support production and sale of affordable homeownership units under the Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resale Fund for a one-year term, with manager authority to renew and amend. Motion moved and seconded; no roll-call opposition recorded.

- Approved a $1,000,000 HOME-program post-construction loan to Home Investment Grama Limited Partnership (affiliate of South Creek Development LLC) for Albemarle Landing Apartments; authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute related documents. The developer agreed to extend affordability and to set aside 19 units for vulnerable populations; the loan will be repaid to the city over seven years at 3% interest, returning program income to the city’s HOME fund. Motion carried; Councilmembers Brown and Renee Johnson registered opposition.

- Approved a construction contract in the amount of $4,800,000 with Blythe Development for Prosperity Church Road improvements (Old Ridge Road to Benfield Road). The project includes curb and gutter, sidewalk, storm drainage, bike lanes and a roundabout at Prosperity Church/Prosperity Ridge. Motion carried on separate vote after staff presentation.

- Approved a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with Envision Charlotte for city-owned property on Siegel Avenue and authorized the manager to execute related documents. Motion moved and seconded; no opposition recorded.

- Approved a contract with Habitat for Humanity and other routine items on the consent agenda after council pulled the two items above for discussion.

Why it matters: the votes advance road and housing projects and move federal HOME funds back into local production by recycling loan repayments. Several approvals also reflect the council’s continuing effort to balance near-term operational needs (shelter and street projects) with long-term affordability preservation.

What council members said: City staff provided project details and funding mechanics during discussion. Rebecca Heffner, Housing and Neighborhood Services, outlined the Albemarle loan as a post-construction bridge loan that will return funds to the HOME program; she said the developer agreed to extend affordability and to set aside 19 units for vulnerable populations. Councilmember Renee Johnson and Councilmember Brown voiced that the loan does not create units targeted at 30% AMI and therefore were not inclined to support the measure.

What’s next: the Albemarle loan and Prosperity Church Road contract will proceed under the terms approved by council; the HOME loan will be repaid into the city program over seven years as described by staff. Council also directed routine follow-up through staff and the city manager for contract execution.

Votes at a glance (items explicitly discussed/pulled): - Item 8 — Keep Charlotte Beautiful contributions: approved (unanimous). Contribution total: $42,000 (Lowe’s $26,000; Keep America Beautiful $16,000). - Item 9 — Habitat for Humanity contract: approved. Amount: $1,200,000; term one year with manager authority to renew. - Item 10 — Albemarle Landing Apartments HOME loan: approved. Amount: $1,000,000 HOME loan (post-construction); developer agreed to extend affordability and to set aside 19 units for vulnerable populations; loan term to city: seven years, 3% interest. Opposition: Councilmember Brown; Councilmember Renee Johnson. - Item 12 — Lease with Envision Charlotte (Siegel Avenue): approved (resolution). - Item 15 — Prosperity Church Road improvements contract: approved. Contractor: Blythe Development. Amount: $4,800,000. Scope: curb/gutter, sidewalk, storm drainage, bike lanes, roundabout at Prosperity Church/Prosperity Ridge. - Item 26 — Purchase of single-family home (near airport): approved. Purchase price noted in discussion: $342,000. Opposition: Councilmember LaJuana Mayfield (recorded “no”).

Provenance: the council discussion, staff presentations and votes appear at multiple points in the meeting transcript (see evidence spans below).