Danté Anderson, Charlotte City Council District 1

Find out more: https://dante4charlotte.com/

Candidate's Questionnaire Answers:

1. How will you ensure LGBTQ+ people are fairly represented on advisory boards and commissions? Do you support the creation of an LGBTQ+ Liaison on staff to better communicate and represent LGBTQ+ issues within the City Manager's office?
   LGBTQ+ representation on advisory boards and commissions is equally important as other diverse representation communities. One simple method would entail ensuring a LGBTQ+ box can be checked on the form application for these bodies. Of course, this places a significant responsibility on each applicant to disclose their status. As a current member of Council, I always review the diversity make up of every board & commission to which I’m voting to add a new member. All Council members should do the same.
   As it relates to adding a LGBTQ+ Liaison to City Staff, I believe these responsibilities should be built into DEI responsibilities either within the HR function or in another specific role within the Office of the City Manager. Accountability to achieving specific goals can be built into yearly objectives of the role. Fortune 100 Companies have achieved significant strides in equitable representation by executing the same practice. 

2. What will you do (or have you done) to address the affordable housing crisis that plagues Charlotte? What plans do you have to ensure Charlotte develops sustainably for future generations?
   As the current District 1 representative on Charlotte City Council, I’ve added more affordable housing across the AMI spectrum within the last 9 months than any District in the City. This includes affordable homeownership, new construction and NOAHs. The adoption of the UDO should ensure construction standards are more sustainable at a rudimentary basis. In addition, ensuring Tree Save requirements, expandable sidewalk thresholds, planters, construction materials directly impact the environmental effect of future development.

3. What actions do you support (or have you supported) to ensure people's jobs pay a wage sufficient enough to live and thrive in Charlotte? What next steps and investments do you support to strengthen the Corridors of Opportunity?
   A livable wage is critical to the advancement of the city of Charlotte. I’ve advocated and voted for livable wages for essential employees in CMPD, Charlotte Fire and employees of the City of Charlotte during the latest $3.3B budget cycle - we approved without increasing city taxes.
   I’ve also voted in the affirmative for numerous economic development deals to bring good paying jobs to the Queen City; including voting for safeguards to ensure Charlotteans have access to these jobs.
   I have 2.5 Corridors of Opportunity in my District. Sugar Creek is further along the planning of its strategic plan. I’m proud to say I championed the purchase of two motels along Sugar Creek (criminal blight) that are currently being demolished. Affordable for sale housing is currently in the RFP phase for the same real estate, providing opportunities for inter generational wealth and stamping out transactional crime.
   Graham St and Beatties Ford Rd are underway with the development of their strategic plans. I’m confident we’ll make similar advancements in those Corridors of Opportunity.

4. What specific actions do you support (or have you supported) to address the racial inequities and lack of economic mobility in Charlotte?
   This topic, the lack of economic mobility, underscores every single effort in the advancement of the City of Charlotte. We MUST have a multi prong effort in this space. Directly, I have made countless votes to bring livable wages to the city, add/protect affordable housing stock, and vote/ advocate for safer communities. All three areas directly address racial inequality and historical lack of economic mobility. 

5. What actions do you support (or have you supported) to create a transportation network that provides people with efficient, affordable, and timely options to get around the city? What steps do you believe are necessary to address the inefficiencies and safety issues with CATS?
   I’m the Vice Chair of of the Transportation and Planning Committee. Since I’ve been in the role, we placed an interim CEO of CATS in place, bus route reliability has increased substantially, and the Mayor has established a small Task Force Committee to address the issue (I’m a member of the Task Force). We’ve made significant improvements. In addition, in District 1, we are currently piloting three new Mobility Hubs. These up include last mile transit, micro transit, and connection opportunities to traditional CATS transit.