Mayor touches on small business relief, affordable housing, more during briefing

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles held a virtual news briefing Tuesday morning, where she fielded questions from the media.

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Below are some of the highlights from that news conference:

On the demands of solid waste workers: “Right now our focus is to get employees to safely deliver services. The manager will take into account every request we are getting from our worker groups.”
In response to Channel 9′s question about MLS: “Until that effort is completed, our long term effort is completed, we will not be allocating that money.” The mayor says MLS is not the top priority right now in terms of hospitality funds.
On using hospitality money to help hotels and restaurants: The mayor says the funds cannot be used as grants. The city is in talks with the hospitality industry right now about relief: “The hospitality industry is one of the greatest areas we will have to focus on with recovery.”
City Council still needs to take action to accept the $50 million security grant for the Republican National Convention this summer. Lyles said she isn’t sure when that will happen.
The mayor said the city is still matching 401Ks for employees. There have not been any city layoffs yet.
Lyles declined to take a position on whether CMPD officers should get hazard pay
On the rainy day fund: The mayor said the general fund reserves are so the city can have eight weeks liquidity and funds for an emergency situation. She said the discussion taking place right now is how much of those funds can be used versus taking a hit with their AAA rating.
On small business relief: The mayor said she believes the city is acting quickly and prudently. Councilman Tariq Bokhari said last night the city needs more urgency. Lyles expects a vote next Monday.
The mayor said she has worn a mask. She said she made it herself and when she emailed it to her children they told her she needs to get a new one.
Lyles said there is renewed energy about alternative affordable housing designs like shipping containers.
Lyles called the city’s park space “enough and sufficient” if we followed social distancing rules.
The mayor said the actions of emergency responders this past month have made her proud to be Charlotte’s mayor. She also said she is grateful for people who serve our homeless community.