Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities

Civic Leadership Academy applications are OPEN – Apply by August 1

The City of Charlotte’s Civic Leadership Academy is a free program specifically designed for residents like you, Charlotteans who are ready to take the next step in being community leaders and improving the quality of life in all of Charlotte’s neighborhoods. The experience will provide participants an opportunity to grow in their leadership, understand how the City of Charlotte works, analyze issues using data, connect with decision-makers, and make a difference in their communities.

During the Civic Leadership Academy, you will:

• Receive a personalized leadership assessment
• Learn how to efficiently utilize your leadership style to positively impact the community
• Enhance your understanding of Charlotte history and culture
• Develop relationships with other leaders in the community and local government
• Learn to navigate issues through local government
• Commit to using your leadership skills in the broader community

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and to work with other leaders to create a community where every voice is heard.

The Fall 2021 CLA will be held virtually – participants must commit to missing no more than three sessions. Review the workshop schedule and apply online. 

Applications must be received by August 1; sessions begin September 21.

For additional information contact Philip Freeman at philip.freeman@charlottenc.gov or 704-336-1303.

What's the 311? - Thursday, July 13 | 6 p.m.

CharMeck 311 is your access to city and county services. They serve as the customer contact center, providing information and services for customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. This training will discuss the many ways CharMeck311 supports residents.

Join us to learn more about how to: 

• Start or stop water services
• Report water service problems and answer billing questions
• Report non-emergency police services
• Report code violations (i.e. graffiti, high weeds and grass, etc.)
• Reserve park and recreation facilities 
• Obtain information on taxes and assessments 

This training will take place via Zoom. Registration is required to participate.

Complete a 5 minute CMPD survey by July 12 for a chance to win a prize

The City of Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) needs your help to gain better insight into officer-community relationships. The City and CMPD have partnered with Amplify Charlotte and BEworks to develop a survey to better understand community members’ experiences and how they view the department. The survey takes less than 5 minutes and participants will be entered into a draw to win 1 of 3 gifts from a local business. 

For more information, reach out to Amplify Charlotte at info@amplifycharlotte.org. 

Register Your National Night Out Events by July 23

National Night Out (NNO) is America’s Night Out Against Crime. This annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

National Night Out 2021 will be observed on Tuesday, August 3. CMPD strives to have officer participation at each registered event.  If your neighborhood or organization is hosting a NNO event, please complete this brief questionnaire to tell us of your plans by July 23.

Learn more about CMPD NNO resources and register your event.

JumpStart Community Safety Grants – Apply by July 30

The purpose of the JumpStart Safety Micro-Grant is to provide small programming grants to community-based organizations to help jumpstart efforts around the following themes:

• Conflict Resolution & Mediation
• Crime Fighting & Prevention
• Opportunities for Youth and/or Parents
• Family Stability
• Addressing Racial Segregation

Non-profit and community organizations may submit applications for grants up to $5000 per project, up to $150,000 allocated per JumpStart Micro-Grant cycle.

Additionally, as part of this grant program, the City and non-profit partners will offer support and capacity-building training to ensure that the efforts seeded by these grants may be sustained into the future.

For 2021, projects ideally should serve one of the following zip codes: 28216, 28208, 28213, 28206, 28205, 28217, 28273, and/or 28212.

There is an optional pre-application workshop on July 13 and an optional Letter of Intent writing workshop on July 15. Registration is required for these workshops. All Letters of Intent must be completed by July 30. 

Learn more about the program at JumpStart Community Safety Micro-Grant Project.

Join Us for a LYNX Silver Line Station Area Planning Community Meeting

The City of Charlotte and partners are collaborating on a study to evaluate station locations and types along the proposed LYNX Silver Line. Learn more about the Transit-Oriented Development Study and the station area planning process during a series of community meetings.

• July 12: Belmont Point Church: 6700 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, NC 28012
• July 13: Hygge West: 2128 Remount Road, in Charlotte, NC 28208
• July 15: Romare Bearden Park: 300 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
• July 20: Bojangles Coliseum: 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205
• July 21: Independence Regional Library: 6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
• July 22: Matthews Town Hall: 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC 28105

These outdoor, family-fun events will occur each day from 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m., except in the event of dangerous weather conditions. Be sure to check for updated and revised event information.

Career Cruise - Summer Youth Career Development Series - Tuesday, July 13 | 3 p.m.

It is not too late for your youth to take advantage of the Career Cruise- Summer Youth Career Development Series. The next workshop in the series will help prepare job seekers to apply and interview for positions.

Youth ages 14 to 24 are eligible to participate in this free, virtual workshop. Register today for this and future workshops in this series. 

The career development series is being brought to you by the City's Housing & Neighborhood Services Youth Programs team in collaboration with the Teen Services division of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Reminder: Paper Yard Waste Bag Mandate

As of July 5, residents in the City of Charlotte are now required to use compostable paper yard waste bags (paper only, no plastic) or reusable personal containers weighing no more than 75 pounds, for yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, small limbs and brush) collection. 

Single-use plastic, like plastic yard waste bags, is one of our nation’s biggest environmental problems. Single-use plastic creates more than eight million tons of waste in the ocean every year, emits toxic and poisonous gases into the atmosphere thus damaging our ecosystem and causing both climate change and health issues. Conversely, paper bags are extracted from unbleached, recycled brown kraft paper, which saves natural resources and energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Please note:

• Solid Waste Services will still accept other yard waste materials such as limbs and branches. These items must be prepared properly for collection. Yard waste preparation guidelines are available online.
• The current weight limit of 75 pounds still applies to all yard waste items. Yard waste that is heavier than 75 pounds will have to be reduced to the appropriate weight for collection.
• A $150 fine will be assessed if residents repeatedly violate the mandate. The city will make every effort to avoid imposing the fine.

Learn more about the change and what residents can expect at Solid Waste Services Yard Waste.

City Council Meetings 

One of the best ways to participate in local government is to attend City Council meetings. The purpose of a council meeting is to conduct the city's official business. Meetings are open to the public and are a great way to be in the know about upcoming issues, policies and priorities. Attending meetings also helps you learn how decisions are made that impact our community.

Meetings of the City Council occur on Mondays at 5:00 p.m. and are held at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. To view a detailed meeting schedule, please visit the City Council website. You can also view meeting agendas in advance.

In addition to attending meetings in person, meetings are also live-streamed on the City of Charlotte's Facebook page and on our City of Charlotte's website. Lastly, you can view meetings on the Government Channel (Time Warner Digital 97-2 or 1302 or U-Verse 99 Local PEG-click on the Gov Channel).

For your consideration

City of Charlotte Seeking Applicants for Newly Created Arts & Culture Officer Job

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Opens Center for Aging Adults in West Charlotte

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Scraps Fines to Lure Back Patrons