Melinda Lilly - Charlotte City Council District 3

Find out more: https://www.runwithmelinda.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?
   Given the opportunity to nominate representatives to board and commission roles, I will use my community-focused lens to identify and support participation from the people who have been traditionally left out or de-prioritized in decision making that impacts their lives. LGBTQ+ residents sit at the center of many different identities - Business Owners, Parents, Educators, Students, Public Service Employees to speak nothing of the culture and lived experience we each bring to the table. All of that is critical to recognize. I will do the work to help recognize it. I support the creation of an LGBTQ+ Liasion! 

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?
   In full transparency, I've been aware of Charlotte's affordable housing crisis for years and I'm now listening and learning about actions that the city can take. Efforts that are top of mind for me are: Renovating & repurposing existing buildings to create affordable homes. Preserving and supporting existing neighborhoods. Working with developers and community initiatives to prepare and support residents for home ownership. Doing all of this without veering into gentrification will require intentionality and that's what I'm prepared to bring to City Council. 

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?
   I fully support a liveable minimum wage across the US and believe that a reassessment of what that wage is after the height of the pandemic and while dealing with inflation is critical. I want to learn more about what it means to offer tax incentives for businesses who commit to paying employees a liveable wage. As a member of City Council I'll be working to support the existing Corridors of Opportunity plan and the Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative while looking for community input on what might be missing or what priorities may have changed since their inception.

4. What specific actions do you support (or have you supported) to address the racial inequities and lack of economic mobility in Charlotte?
   Career & Economic Empowerment - Bringing job-seekers and employers together in a mutually beneficial way. Underserved communities (people and geographical locations) already face a number of barriers to gainful employment, I believe in doing what we can to help residents reach their goals while showing employers the diversity of talent we have in all parts of the city. This could look like continuing the job fairs and work of my predecessors and might include job readiness resources and an investment in workforce development for the industries that need workers now. I support racial bias training at all levels of local government. 

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 had a great conversation with a resident named Shawn the other day who expressed his concerns with insufficient lighting around the city and along highways. It helped me put words to a concern I know others have had for years and would help address safety issues in and outside of CATS. For CATS specifically, I support an assessment and renovation of existing stops, especially in areas with high traffic and high frequency of routes. I relied on CATS to get me around the city for years and quickly developed a mental map of stops and stations that were well lit and well traveled vs those that were not. Weather shelters for frequently used stops are critical as we face more shifts in our weather patterns. These efforts should all be applied to the routes that our communities use to do the business of our daily lives in and outside of the uptown area.