Dan LaLone
Contributing Writer
(Joanne Williams/TCJ – The Oddities Festival in Charlotte drew large crowds, plenty of vendors and protesters on street corners with megaphones.)
The Charlotte City Council discussed its IT (Information Technology) contract with PotterVilla Applied Technology following controversy surrounding the recent Oddities Festival.
Councilman Joseph Chin requested reconsideration of the city’s previously approved PotterVilla contract, citing allegations concerning the company owner’s conduct at the Oddities Festival. Chin asked that the matter and contract be reviewed by the city attorney.
Mayor Kevin Fullerton said parliamentary procedure prevented council from reconsidering the contract because it had been approved and signed at a previous meeting. Chin’s motion was changed to allow discussion of the contract, but no action was taken to terminate it.
Council members expressed differing views. Councilman Curtis Scott said he did not want to support a company based on the owner’s reported conduct. Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Rodriguez and Councilman Brian Neumann questioned whether terminating the contract based on allegations without evidence of illegal activity could expose the city to litigation.
Rodriguez said the police chief’s report indicated no enforcement action was taken at the festival because no illegal activity occurred. Neumann said the owner has a right to protest and that lawful conduct alone may not justify terminating the contract.
Councilman Jeffrey Christensen said he had spoken with festival organizers and retired courthouse museum staff and believed their concerns. He said the controversy also highlighted a need to review city ordinances and improve planning for special events.
Protesters, some with megaphones, questioned the appropriateness of the festival in light of their religious beliefs. About 10 or so people, most with signs, stood on street corners surrounding the festival, mostly located on and along the Courthouse Square, the weekend of Sept. 5. One festival organizer said police were called at one point when they received complaints from festival attendees and vendors.
Councilman Justin Brummette cautioned against terminating the contract without speaking with the owner, Jonathan Potter, and reviewing the evidence. He also questioned whether PotterVilla is meeting the city’s expectations for the level of service provided. City Manager Vester Davis said the company has performed well for the city.
Fullerton said the contract can be terminated with 60 days’ notice, but the city would have to pay 50% of the remaining 34 months, costing more than $140,000.
Council took no further action.
At the Sept. 14 meeting, the council also approved airport funding, authorized grant applications and received updates on city operations.
The council approved up to $136,599.16 in additional city funding for an eight-unit T-hangar project at Fitch H. Beach Municipal Airport. Officials said the additional funding would be recovered through future state airport payments.
Council also authorized applications for grants supporting urban forestry, cybersecurity improvements to the city’s water and wastewater systems and infrastructure improvements through the Federal Highway Administration’s PROTECT program. The cybersecurity grant is expected to be approximately $50,000, pending quotes.
Davis reported the capital improvement planning process has begun, with a draft plan expected before council by the end of October. The city also hired a deputy clerk, Corie Savage, who starts Sept. 23, and continues to fill other vacancies.
Council members received updates on EATRAN, Camp Francis and the city tree nursery. Camp Francis is preparing for an Oct. 16 Haunted Trail and a Nov. 8 campfire event.
The council approved claims and expenditures totaling $590,969.83 and accepted an EGLE recycling infrastructure grant for a new recycling storage facility.
Meeting materials are available on the city’s website. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
