Latest news with #ViLyles
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City adopts new climate and energy plan
The City of Charlotte adopted a new and expanded sustainability plan Tuesday night, according to a press release. The Strategic Energy Action Plan Plus builds on the previous 2018 plan and outlines the city's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy. The 'plus' represents the inclusion of a climate risk assessment, creating a stronger link between energy transitions and climate challenges, media relations manager, Lawrence Corley, said. 'SEAP+ adoption is another strong step toward our goal of becoming a global leader in environmental sustainability,' Mayor Vi Lyles said. 'I am proud of our achievements so far, and I am eager to continue the bold work laid out in this plan.' The city got input from the public and took guidance from local sustainability experts to come to this decision. The final SEAP+ updated the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and highlighted the current climate risks affecting Charlotte, the city said. This new plan incorporates workforce development into existing focus areas, including buildings, energy generation and transportation, and adds a new focus area called 'cross sectional ties' to water conservation, waste reduction, urban heat and the city's tree canopy. More information about the plan can be found on the city website. VIDEO: The cost of AI: Who pays to power the future?
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Charlotte leaders plan national search for CMPD Chief Jennings' successor
Now that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings has shared his plans to retire by 2026, city leaders will begin a nation-wide search for his successor, a city announcement said. Jennings, who joined the department in 1992 and was promoted to chief in 2020, went public with his decision Sunday — the same day he released details of the $305,000 closed-session settlement he made with the city earlier in May. The deal reportedly stopped a lawsuit over comments made by former City Council member Tariq Bokhari, who pushed Jennings to get new bulletproof vests for police officers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. After Jennings announced his retirement plans, two of the city's top leaders thanked him for his commitment to the city. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles praised Jennings as a 'transformative leader for CMPD and a true champion for Charlotte,' her statement read. 'His dedication to public safety and his innovative approaches to policing have made our city safer and stronger,' Lyles said. 'We are immensely grateful for his 33 years of service and his commitment to leading the department through the end of the year.' Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones also thanked Jennings. He said Jennings' leadership has been 'instrumental in advancing public safety.' 'As we begin the search for our next chief, we are committed to finding a leader who will continue to build upon Chief Jennings' legacy and uphold our city's commitment to safety and justice for all,' said Jones in a statement. Jennings' separation agreement awards the chief the following: ▪ $14,016.70 in retroactive pay ▪ $45,698.56 retention bonus ▪ $45,284.70 for 40 days of vacation ▪ $175,000 in severance pay ▪ 25,000 'for costs incurred related to the Dispute.' Jennings annual salary was about $280,300. Last week, State Auditor Dave Boliek said his office planned to investigate the city's settlement with Jennings. At the time, city officials refused to share details of the agreement, saying details of the agreement were not public record. 'Even if the payment was worth one penny, it should be disclosed to the public in a timely and transparent matter,' wrote Boliek in a letter to Lyles. Details of the separation agreement were first reported by The Charlotte Optimist and The Assembly.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candidate forum scheduled for vacant Charlotte City Council seat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte will hold candidate forum for people who have applied to fill the vacant District 6 City Council seat. The seat representing much of south Charlotte was previously held by Tariq Bokhari, who resigned April 20. Fallout continues over CMPD chief's reported settlement amid threat allegations The forum will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. Mayor Vi Lyles said each candidate will have five minutes to address their platform. Council will then spend 10 minutes to consider questions that may be asked of those participating. City leaders said seven people have applied as of Monday night, and applications to run close Tuesday. Queen City News is working to learn the names of the candidates. Bokhari was one of two Republicans on the board, and took a job in the federal Department of Transportation. City Council voted last month to expedite the candidate process; the seat's term ends in December. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
4 quotes from Charlotte's 4 Black mayors
Charlotte's four Black mayors — some of the city's most prominent living history makers — united for a rare discussion this week at the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum in the Belmont neighborhood. During the conversation, they reflected on their upbringings, legacies and the challenges Charlotte faces today. You can watch the full discussion here. Here are some takeaways from the mayors' remarks: Vi Lyles: Red Line is "great opportunity" 2017 — Present "If we get the ability to charge that 1-cent sales tax, I promise you this city will change, and it will change for people of color more than anything else." Why it matters: The Red Line could define the sitting mayor's legacy. The proposed commuter train, connecting Uptown to north Mecklenburg, is decades in the making. The project is finally gaining momentum under Lyles' tenure, and possibly starting construction as soon as 2026. Mayor Lyles spoke of how important it is for the city to create a reliable transportation system that moves people to and from work. Mobility is one of the best ways a city can promote economic mobility. Go deeper: Everything to know about the Red Line Patrick Cannon: Bring the CIAA back 2013 — 2014 (Cannon was arrested in March 2014 after he was elected for public corruption.) "What sense does it make for us to let something go that's on average bringing in $47 million a year to our city? Creating opportunity for many people that look like us, right? We need to continue to go back, I think, sometimes on some things — not all things — but in order to go forward. And I think we have the leadership here to be able to do that because I believe it's about time for that thing to be up in Baltimore, Maryland. It needs to come back to the city of Charlotte." Why it matters: The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's is a historically Black athletic conference that includes Johnson C. Smith University. Charlotte hosted the CIAA's basketball tournament from 2006 to 2020. In 2021, Baltimore outbid the city for the tournament, which was once Charlotte's largest annual event. Some suggested the city let the tournament slip away and took it for granted. Bringing it back could be a major boost for Uptown's revitalization and a win for the Black community. The CIAA tournament is described as a celebration of Black excellence and HBCU pride. Baltimore is slated to host the tournament through 2026. Mayor Lyles says that council member Malcolm Graham reminds her daily, "We're going to get the CIAA." Anthony Foxx: Still "bullish" on the Gold Line 2009 — 2013 Foxx was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2013 to 2017 under President Obama. "I'm still very bullish on [the Gold Line]. It has a different challenge than the South corridor line did. The South corridor was built along more or less abandoned industrial sites. The street car's being built in a highly (residential) area. So, the development of it is going to have to be much more careful, and it's got to be done with the community. But we're starting to see the Beatties Ford Road corridor become more of a corridor of opportunity." Why it matters: The Gold Line, once dubbed the"biggest political football" of Foxx's tenure, faced strong opposition and remains controversial today. Critics argue it fails to move people effectively, and often gets stuck amid traffic. Still, CATS is pushing forward with a six-mile expansion, including an additional two miles along Beatties Ford Road. It expects to continue gaining ridership by looking at options like signal priority. Go deeper: Why CATS is moving forward with the $845M Gold Line streetcar extension Harvey Gantt: "We have close to a thousand Black millionaires in Charlotte ... Are they visible to you?" 1983 — 1987 "We should have gotten to the point where the city is not the major instrument by which we see economic improvement in our people ... I see [the city government] doing the same thing we were trying to do ... 37 years ago. That's not progress to me." Why it matters: Charlotte's first Black mayor expressed disappointment in the community's partnership toward promoting upward mobility. He says the economy needs the full force of private sector involvement from wealthy Black leaders who build businesses and can join resources.
