It's day two on the job for Charlotte City Manager Ron Carlee who was sworn in Monday night. But Carlee says he's actually been working for several weeks to get his arms around the many hot button issues facing the city right now.
"Really we're going to have to deal with all of them simultaneously," says Carlee. "Tonight you heard about the Citizens Review Board for police - that obviously is important. The airport issue is a compelling case that needs immediate attention. Keeping the Panthers. Dealing with the streetcar and the CIP and the budget. So there are plenty of challenges here in Charlotte."
On the subject of the airport, Carlee says he met with US Airways two weeks ago and has met with the consultant hired by the city to study current push to transfer airport control to a regional authority. US Airways is the airport's largest tenant. Carlee has said he thinks the city should maintain oversight of Charlotte Douglas International.
As for the budget and capital improvement plan, or CIP, the city manager would normally present his proposal to the city council soon. Carlee expects he'll be able to make that schedule, with help from city staff. The city council has been stalled for a year over whether or not to include a streetcar in the capital improvement plan that would be paid for with a property tax increase.
