The City of Charlotte has started distributing the new 96-gallon green recycling carts to residents. The new cart offers ease-of-use for taking the cart to the curb and more room for recyclable storage since collection will occur every-other-week starting in July. Additionally, the cart has a lid, which will help prevent recyclables from littering the street.

Cart distribution will continue through June and residents can "Go Green" for Charlotte in July when carts will begin to be serviced for recycling collection. Until then, residents are reminded:

• Please store your cart and do not use it until the improved Recycle It! program kicks-off in July. Continue using the red recycling bin for collection until you receive information in the mail regarding your new recycling collection day.
• If you prefer not to use the City-issued 96-gallon recycling cart when the improved Recycle It! program begins in July, you can continue to use the current red recycling bin. Please call 311 to alert our staff and we will pick up your recycling cart. You can also go online to http://servicerequest.charmeck.org. Click the link titled CARTS – Do Not Want 96gal Recycle Cart and follow the prompts.
• Please note that beginning in July, recycling crews will only collect up to two red bins or one 96-gallon recycling cart per household every-other-week on your scheduled collection day. Both types of containers will not be collected from one household. Additionally, the City will no longer issue replacement red bins.
• Check your mail in May for a letter that will provide additional details on the improved Recycle It! program and your new collection schedule.
• Go to http://recycleit.charlottenc.gov and click Notify Me to sign up for alerts, learn more about the new materials accepted in the program and other improvements.

Having strong neighborhood associations is very important to the success of Charlotte communities. Learn how to strengthen your organization and build your community at Community University (CU). All workshops are free and open to Charlotte residents. To register, visit neighborhoods.charmeck.org and click on the CU icon, e-mail neighservs@ci.charlotte.nc.us or call 704-336-2061.

March Theme: Building Community
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
West Boulevard Library
2157 West Boulevard 

Tuesday, March 16 – Growing Your Group
Developing greater participation from current and potential members enhances the overall success of an association. Participants will explore methods of teambuilding and increasing participation, including sample activities to share with their associations. 

To register online, click here. Visit the CU web site for the complete schedule of courses.

CU is the City of Charlotte's neighborhood training program dedicated to providing high quality training to Charlotte residents to improve the strength and vitality of neighborhood organizations and the overall quality of community life. Courses are intended to engage, inform and equip participants with the training and assistance needed to help them improve and maintain their communities.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is scheduled to increase transit fares and passes on all of its services Thursday, July 1. In addition, pass prices will increase by five percent for organizations at the top tier of the Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) volume purchase program. All advance purchases of passes valid for July 2010 will be sold at the new fare price.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) will conduct a public hearing at their Wednesday, March 24 meeting. The public is invited to sign up and comment on the proposed fare increase.

To sign up for the hearing, call 704-432-0872 or sign up by e-mail to mtcinterest@charlottenc.gov before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24.

Wednesday, March 24
5:30 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Room 267
600 E. Fourth Street. 

For a complete listing of proposed fares, please click here.

Submit your nominations for the 31st Annual Police Community Relations Awards. The award recognizes officers and work teams from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of police and community relations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. During the past 30 years, more than 2,395 officers have been nominated.

Officers will be judged on their involvement in helping the community understand the police function and the citizen's role. Officers also will be considered if they have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in the area of crime prevention and their involvement in aiding neighborhoods handle their special problems.

To nominate an officer you can complete an online form at crc.charmeck.org. You can also mail your nomination to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee at 600 E. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202. Submissions are due Friday, April 2.

The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, May 14. Contact Donna F. Sullivan for more information at sullivan@charlottenc.gov or call 704-336-3056.

The CMPD HOPE Foundation is hosting the 15th Annual Burnette Nobles Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of Officers John Burnette and Andy Nobles. Mark your calendar for Monday, April 19 and reserve your foursome now.

Register by Monday, April 12 by e-mailing Officer Heidi Kimbell at hkimbell1@cmpd.org. Entry fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, snacks/refreshments and a gift bag for each player.

The tournament format is captain's choice "Best Ball" with two shotgun starts (7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.). Trophies will be awarded for both shotguns, to teams placing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Tournament proceeds benefit the CMPD HOPE Foundation, which provides emergency assistance for CMPD employees in crisis, and the Burnette Nobles Memorial Fund, which provides programs and activities for disadvantaged youth and seniors and assistance for youth projects.

The GOV Channel brings you the latest City Source episode on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The episode will give you an in-depth look at the improved Recycle It! program and why Charlotte residents are receiving new roll-out recycling carts. You'll also learn about volunteer opportunities with Animal Care & Control. This episode also features an interview with Pat Mumford who discusses Neighborhood & Business Services, the joint departments and main focus areas.

For your convenience, you can view episodes of City Source online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on the GOV Channel logo.

If you know someone who would be interested in reading CMail, please forward it to them!