What Is Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful?
KADB’s Clean Business of the Year announced
2 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful (KADB) is a joint venture of the Albany City Commission and the Dougherty County Commission. KADB is one of more than 700 certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., which is a non-profit public education organization dedicated to environmentally improving communities. KADB works through local businesses and industries and interested civic and governmental groups to identify, develop, and coordinate programs that address relevant community environmental issues. We believe that through education and community involvement we will encourage a sense of pride and responsibility in all citizens, which will promote a cohesive and more environmentally responsible community. KADB special projects include The Great American Cleanup, Duncan D. Trash Litter Containers, Electronic Recycling, Adopt-A-Highway, Clean Business Month, Adopt-A-Road, America Recycles Day, Adopt-A-Spot, Tree Plantings, Arbor Day, Earth Day, Duncan D. Trash, Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, Recycling Drop-Off Sites, Litter Free School Zone, Office Recycling, Make A Difference Day, Rivers Alive, Water Festival, Operation Pill Drop, Call to Service and Graffiti Abatement. Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful can be reached at P. O. Box 4868, 2106 Habersham Road, Albany, Ga. 31706 or by calling (229) 430-5257. Facebook and www.albany.ga.us
DID YOU KNOW ...
KADB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeanette Henderson, Chairperson Dennis Barthelemy, Vice Chairperson Virginia Johnson, Treasurer MEMBERS Kay Brantley Fran Brown Sabrina Brown Larry Cook Richard Crowdis Lew Cullpepper Benard Goins Michael Grier Shalonda Heard Jon Howard Tim McClelland Teresa Mitchell-Edwards Jeremiah Pascal Jennifer Rashel Bill Reilly Bridges Sinyard Nealy Stapleton Sharon D. Subadan J.D. Sumner Melissa Sumner Lisa Whittaker Willie Wingfield KADB OFFICE STAFF Julia W. Bowles, Executive Director LaVerne Levins, Project Manager P.O. Box 4868 2106 Habersham Rd Albany, GA 31706 (229) 430-5257
It is unlawful to place signs of ANY KIND within the right-of-way of any public street or highway. Signs attached to utility poles, as well as free standing signs placed on public property, are placed there illegally.
Citizens can assist by advertising only on their property and/or by using local media outlets.
Businesses can assist by instructing their lawn care employees to remove all illegally placed signs that abut their property.
KADB designed a city sign to remind citizens not to post signs on public right-of-ways.
In 1990 Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful’s (KADB) Business and Industry Committee developed and implemented a new program called “ The Clean Business Salute”. This committee, made up of local business representatives, realized how important it was for our community to be visually attractive. Today this program continues to be a corner stone in KADB’s environmental structure, which recognizes businesses that understand that the visual appearance of their business has a direct economic developmental impact on our entire
community. All businesses are eligible to be selected as a monthly Clean Business winner and anyone can call the KADB office at 4305257 to submit a recommendation. The business is inspected for the cleanliness of their grounds, including the back of their property, loading dock area and the dumpster area. The property must be clear of litter, well groomed and visually attractive. The Albany Herald has partnered with KADB in this project by announcing the monthly winner with a salute in The Albany Herald.
Congratulations goes to our 2015 Clean Business of the year:
ROSENBERG CLOTHIER 215 S Madison Street This business is featured on the cover of this Go Green, Albany! issue. Their grounds are always immaculate, clean and colorful. They are to be commended for their assistance in keeping our community looking its best.
TREE ORDINANCE It is illegal to remove trees on any COMMERCIAL property without a PERMIT. It is also illegal to remove or alter public trees located on right-of-ways.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING A NO FEE PERMIT, CALL THE CITY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AT: (229) 883-6955
THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 3
Proper Disposal of Paint Household paints and solvents contain chemicals that can endanger our health and the environment around us if they are not disposed of PROPERLY.
*ONLY purchase the amount of paint that you need. If you have paint left over, consider applying a second or third coat until all paint is used or use it on closets, the underside of steps, fences, dog houses, attics, etc.
*Paint thinners, mineral spirits, and turpentine CAN BE REUSED. Place a lid on the container that you cleaned your brushes in…let the paint particles settle to the bottom of the container. After several days pour the liquid through a coffee filter into a clean, closeable container for reuse on a future project.
*Donate unused paint to community outreach groups, schools, churches, theatre groups, or local shelters.
*NEVER pour paint on the ground or into a storm drain system because it will contaminate our water supply.
Recommendation:
Free junk car removal available in Albany Did you know FREE JUNK CAR REMOVAL is available? As a public service, the following salvage companies have agreed to remove abandoned or junk cars from private property FREE of charge. Auto owners can make arrangements to have their cars removed by calling one of these businesses: AAA USED AUTO PARTS 1441 N. Washington Street 438-0460
439-9184 IVEY’S USED AUTO PARTS 107 Johnny Aultman Rd. 776-3938 MID COUNTY AUTO PARTS 12117 Highway 19 787-5853 NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA 1-800-488-CARS (2277)
ALBANY AUTO SALVAGE 1805 West Town Rd. 431-1018
SPEEDY U PULL AUTO PARTS 1507 Rodgers Street 436-1502
BURNHAM’S AUTO PARTS, INC. 3011 Spring Flats Rd.
WILLIAMS AUTO SALVAGE 109 Old Radium Springs Road 888-8024
*Once the steel paint can is EMPTY AND DRY, you may reuse it…place it inside your roll out garbage container for disposal…or if it has NO paint residue you can RECYCLE IT. *An alternative for the disposal of LATEX PAINT…remove the paint lid, or leave the lid on and punch holes in it, let the paint sit for two weeks in a dry area to allow the liquid to evaporate. The remaining dry pigments are now solid and ready for disposal. (This process will NOT work with oil base paint.) *You can mix LATEX or OIL BASE paints with
Illegal Dumping Prevention Illegal dumping is the unlawful disposal of everything from household trash, yard waste, furniture, junk, construction/demolition materials, and tires in any area other than an approved disposal site. ILLEGAL DUMPING IS A CRIMINAL ACT. Illegal dumping is not only unsightly, but it's a serious environmental problem that creates health hazards. Public awareness, education, and enforcement are the key to addressing this growing problem. It will take a concerted effort on the part of individuals, businesses, and government working together at the grassroots level to effectively deal with illegal dumping. To report information on illegal waste hauling or dumping call the code enforcement department at 438-3913. To assist you in describing the incident you witnessed, the following details outline the
kitty litter to absorb the paint. Allow to dry completely, then place it inside your roll out garbage container for disposal.
type of information that code enforcement officials need. 1. What happened? 2. Where did the activity take place? (Name the highway, road, street or nearest intersection) 3. When did the activity occur? (Time and Date) 4. What kind of vehicle was involved? (A pick-up, dump truck, van, make and model of vehicle, color, license number) 5. How many people were in the vehicle? Describe them. (Race, sex, approximate age) 6. Describe the person who physically did the illegal dumping. (Race, sex, age, weight, height, hair, etc.) You should NEVER approach anyone you suspect of a criminal act. It is more important for you to provide accurate details of the offense to enforcement officials.
4 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
M a yo r H ubba r d’s “ Ca l l to Se rvic e” Pro jec t The “Call to Service” initiative is an agreement between the adopter and the Mayor of Albany in a joint effort to make our community a cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to live, work and play.
Ca l l 3 11 to Reg is ter
What Is Litter? Litter is misplaced, improperly handled, uncontainerized solid waste. When it’s bagged and placed in closed receptacles, waste cannot become litter!
Where Does Litter Come From? The seven main sources of litter are: 1. Household trash 2. Commercial and business trash 3. Loading dock refuse 4. Construction site material 5. Uncovered trucks hauling loose materials 6. Motorists 7. Pedestrians From these sources, litter is carried in every direction by wind, water, and traffic. It moves until trapped by a curb, wall, fence, a row of trees, a building, or other stationary object. Once trapped, litter becomes not only an eyesore, but an invitation for people to add more.
Why Do People Litter? Research has shown the main factor attributed to littering is attitude. People feel that it’s okay to litter in certain situations. • Where litter is cleaned up periodically (Shopping center parking lots or theatres, for example)
• Where they feel no sense of ownership (As in public parks, on city streets, or rented homes) • Where there is already an accumulation of litter (At illegal “dumps” or where litter is trapped)
Ways You Can Help: • Report problem areas that need to be cleaned up. • Involve your business or organization in a clean-up project. • Organize a neighborhood clean-up. Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful will help you with the planning. • Containerize all Waste Making sure your outdoor receptacles are securely closed will prevent spillage and spreading. Work with city collection agencies when handling large items, brush, leaves and other special materials. • Don’t add to the problem Remember, keeping our community beautiful is a job for each of us. No matter where you are, please put waste material in proper trash receptacles, or carry it with you until you find a container. • Join Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful for the city’s annual community-wide litter cleanup event held on the THIRD SATURDAY in April. Participants receive a FREE t-shirt, gloves and trash bags. Call 430-5257 to register.
What you can do to reduce waste in the office?
THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 5
You can reduce the amount of waste generated in your office by following these guidelines for reusing and recycling. Not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll be saving your company money! Actions speak louder • Make double-sided copies and set the copier to duplex as the default. • Use e-mail for correspondence. • Print drafts in a lighter font. • Use reusable envelopes for internal mail. • Use a reusable mug for coffee. • Purchase condiments such as sugar and creamer in bulk instead of individual serving packages. • Post personnel or human resource information (e.g. phone directory and annual benefit packages) electronically. • Provide a short lesson on how to use various pieces of office equipment to avoid excess waste generated by trial and error. • Use the least toxic correction fluid or correction tape. • Reduce the image so that two pages can be copied on one page, often called “image combination.” • Use Post-it (R) fax notes instead of a fax cover sheet. • Copy-on-demand instead of mass copying. • Circulate one copy of a document or memo rather than making multiple copies. Donate or Reuse? Before you recycle or throw away an item, check to see if it can be reused.
Material that can be recy cled in Al ban y • mixed paper • plastic bottles • aluminum cans • newspaper • magazines • toner cartridges • printer cartridges • corrugated cardboard • glass • batteries • paper board
Donate: • furniture, computers, binders, and styrofoam peanuts to a non-profit or school. • Attach a piece of clear tape before you place a label on a file folder - when you want to use the folder again, simply remove the old label and replace it with a new one. Reuse: • “half-used” paper (or paper that has information on only one side and is blank on the other side) to print drafts. • Store excess office supplies in a central location. • Check to see if the item you are throwing away can be recycled. Many items commonly found in an office are recyclable. Buying recycled Close the loop by purchasing recycled content products. There are thousands of products made with recycled content including: clothing, soda bottles, pencils, insulation, index cards, mouse pads, mulch, playground equipment, steel appliances, carpet and paper.
Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful (KADB) coordinates an office recycling program for the Albany-Dougherty business community. Participants receive a Business Recycling Salute magnetic window decal to place on their front door and a KADB Business Recycling certificate. Participants are also publicly acknowledged
in The Albany Herald in February and offered free desk recycling containers for each desk in their office. Participation in this environmental project says to your employees and your customers that you are committed to improving the environment in OUR community. Call 430-5257 for sign-up information.
OUTDOOR WATER USE INFORMATION The Georgia Water Stewardship Act went into effect statewide on June 2, 2010. It allows daily outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. by anyone whose water is supplied by a water system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division. Outdoor water use for any purpose other
than watering of plants, such as power washing or washing cars, is still restricted to the current odd / even watering schedule. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For additional information go to www.georgiaepd.org.
6 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
Ways to reduce Residential Stormwater impact and fees Robert Griffin, City Engineering Department
If you are a resident or own property in the Albany City limits, you will have a stormwater fee on your month utility bill. This fee was implemented in April 2014 to cover the additional resources needed for inspecting and maintaining the stormwater system within Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regulations. Stormwater that cannot saturate into the ground is the biggest influence on the City’s stormwater system. The stormwater that does not saturate, runs off into storm drains, gutters, and drainage ditches, which in turn flows into creeks and streams and eventually discharges into the Flint River. The cause for potential flooding can increase when waterproof surfaces do not allow the stormwater to saturate into the ground (sidewalks, roads, roofs, and parking lots) as the excess stormwater can increase the stream flow, which can cause flooding. Not to mention, the environmental hazards that get mixed up into stormwater such as; oils and pollutions that are found on roads and other impervious surfaces, which then gets incorporated into creeks and streams. To prevent pollution of the City’s water systems the EPD has regulations that the City of Albany inspects 20 percent of the stormwater system per year, to be 100 percent completed within 5 years. Did you know that you can actually help keep the City of Albany’s stormwater system running smoothly all while reducing your monthly stormwater fee? If you are living in a Single Family Residence (SFR), there are eight different ways a resident can help reduce the impact or demand on the City of Albany Stormwater Management Program and the cost associated with the program. The eight credits are as follows:
• Environmental Residential Technology Credit is available to eligible Stormwater Utility customers by using a City approved Residential Environmental Technology. This may include, but is not limited to practices such as cisterns, rain gardens, pervious pavements, etc. The City encourages the installation of these types of stormwater management practices to mitigate the impacts of development at the source. • A Rain Barrel credit is available to Stormwater Utility customers that use rain barrels to reduce the amount of runoff leaving a residential property via interception and storage of rain water. This not only reduces the demand on the downstream drainage network, but also reduces the need for irrigation water from the potable water system. Customers who install such rain barrels on their property may be eligible for this type of credit. • Low –Impact Parcel credit may be available to Stormwater Utility customers who can prove that their parcel meets the “low-impact” development criteria. This
means that the property meets the criteria of having less than 15 percent of impervious area on their property, or the site area must have greater than 2 acres of pervious surface. • Reduced Single-Family Residential (SFR) Footprint credit is available to Stormwater Utility customers who are able to display that the total water-resistant surface area on the SFR parcel is 1,350 square feet or less. The customer may be eligible for up to 50% off of their monthly flat rate. • No Direct Discharge credit is available to Stormwater Utility customers whose property does not contribute a discernable amount of stormwater runoff to the City’s public drainage system. • Septic Tank Maintenance credit is available to Stormwater Utility customers who conduct approved maintenance activities on existing septic systems located on the customer’s property. The customer must submit approved documentation to be eligible for such credit. • Stormwater Runoff Infiltration credit may be avail-
able to Stormwater Utility customers that can show that through innovative on-site stormwater management practices, the runoff impacts of development have been successfully mitigated. The customer must be able to provide documentation as well as engineering analysis that the post construction stormwater runoff peak flow discharge rate and volume leaving the property mimic the condition that existed on the property in a naturally wooded state prior to development.
• Natural Area Preservation credit may be available to Stormwater Utility customers who can provide for Natural Area Preservation in accordance with the criteria outlined in the City of Albany Stormwater Utility User Fee Credit Manual.
In order to receive a Stormwater Utility User Fee Credit, the customer must obtain an approved stormwater user fee credit application that will be reviewed by the city. The customer must be able to provide required documentation and some Engineering analysis for credit eligibility may be required. Once the application has been submitted, the city will contact the customer within 30 days of notification if the credit was approved or denied.
THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 7
Dougherty County Landfill Scott Addison Landfill Director
The Dougherty County-Fleming/Gaissert Road Municipal Solid Waste Landfill is located approximately four miles southeast of Albany, Georgia. The Landfill is located at 900 Gaissert Road and is bounded to the North by Fleming Road and the United States Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB). The Landfill property consists of approximately 600 acres with approximately 200 acres adjoining for soil borrow material for landfill operations. The first load of waste was received at the site in February 1983. The site consists of a closed Sanitary Landfill, an operational “Subtitle D” Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, a Construction/De-
molition Waste Landfill, a solidification operation, a recycling station, a convenience center for public drop off of garbage and white goods and administrative offices. The Landfill also has an active gas extraction system. The landfill gas fuels a cogeneration plant that generates electricity and steam for MCLB operations. The green energy project has been operational since 2011 and allows MCLB to produce approximately 20% renewable energy, which exceeds congressionally mandated goals. As a result, the project has won multiple awards including EPA’s 2013 Energy Star Award.
The Landfill is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. The Landfill accepts waste generated in Dougherty County as well as out of county waste. Homeowners residing in Dougherty County can bring up to 250 pounds of garbage per day at no cost. Any additional garbage will be prorated up to the gate rate of $38.21 per ton. Credit cards, checks and cash are all acceptable methods of payment. White goods such as stoves, refrigerators and freezers may be brought to the Landfill at no charge. All coolant must be removed from refrigerators and freezers before
delivery. Please solidify paint using absorbent (e.g., kitty litter) or sand prior to transporting to the Landfill. Tires should be brought separately to the Landfill. There is a designated tire disposal area onsite that customers will be directed to place tires. A fee of $1.00 per tire, $4.00 per truck off-road tire and $40.00 per farm tractor tire will be charged. The Landfill does not accept lead acid batteries. Only non-hazardous waste may be disposed of at the Landfill. Any liquid waste or special waste must be approved prior to shipment to the Landfill. For questions, please call (229) 4201050.
8 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
Clearing the Air about Clearing the Land Kyle Turner Dougherty County Public Works, Stormwater Manager
I wanted to take some time to clear the air on the topic of clearing the land. If you or someone you know is planning to perform any Land Disturbing Activities on his/her property within the unincorporated areas of Dougherty County, there are a few things that should be considered before beginning. In some cases, Dougherty County Public Works may require the property owner to obtain a Land Disturbance Activity (LDA) Permit. Below, I’ll cover a few commonly asked questions to help determine if a LDA Permit is required. What defines a ‘Land Disturbing Activity’? According to Dougherty County’s Code of Ordinances, it means “Any activity on property that results in a change in the existing soil cover (both vegetative and nonvegetative) and/or the existing soil topography. Land disturbing activities include, but are not limited to, development, redevelopment, demolition, construction, reconstruction, clearing, grading, filling, and excavation.” When do I need to obtain a LDA Permit? Prior to any land disturbing activities, every person will be required to obtain a land disturbance permit from the Dougherty County Public Works Department in the following cases: (1) Land disturbing activity disturbs one (1) or more acres of land; (2) Land disturbing activity of less than one (1) acre of land if such activity is part of a larger common plan of development that affects one (1) or more acre of land; (3) Land disturbing activity of less than one (1) acre of land, if
in the discretion of the county public works department such activity poses a unique threat to water (within 200 feet of the banks of “State Waters”), or public health or safety; (4) The creation and use of borrow pits. What items do I need in order to obtain a LDA Permit? (1) A completed LDA Permit form, submitted to Dougherty County Public Works. (2) A Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control (ES&PC) Plan Checklist. (3) A copy of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit. (The original copy will be submitted to the Georgia EPD) (4) A copy of the Notice of Intent (NOI). (The original copy will be submitted to the Georgia EPD) (5) Other items that could be required depending on the type of project include, but are not limited to, Topographical and Boundary surveys, Grading and Drainage Plans, Hydrological calculations for the site, a copy of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) permit (if required by GDOT), and a copy of septic tank approval from the City of Albany/Dougherty County Planning, Development Services (if applicable). What would happen if I performed a qualifying land disturbing activity without a LDA Permit? The County will issue a “Stop Work Order” to the owner/operator, which would be in effect immediately. This means that all work would be ceased, except
that which is directed at addressing any violations or bringing the site within compliance. Failure to do so in a timely manner can result in civil, criminal, or monetary penalties. How much does a LDA Permit cost? (1) $80 per disturbed acre for the NPDES Permit. ($40/acre to the Georgia EPD and $40/acre to Dougherty County) (2) $100 for the LDA Permit (issued by Dougherty County) (3) The cost for any Design, Engineering, Surveying or the Erosion, Sedimentation & Pollution Control (ES&PC) Plan can vary greatly, depending on the size and scope of the project. Are there any exemptions for LDA Permits? According to Georgia Law, the following activities are exempt from LDA permitting:
(1) Surface Mining (2) Granite Quarrying (3) Minor land disturbing activities (i.e. home landscaping, fences, & other activities that result in minor soil erosion) (4) Construction of single family residences (if the project disturbs less than 1 acre and is not part of a common development) (5) Agricultural Operations (i.e. cultivation/harvest of crops, farm ponds, and livestock, dairy or poultry operations) (6) Forestry practices (7) NRCS/USDA projects (8) Projects less than 1 acre (9) Road Construction and Utility projects financed by GDOT, City, or County governments. (10) Utility projects conducted by EMCs, Public Utilities, or cable providers. Note: Even exempted activi-
ties must conform to minimum Best Management Practices (BMP) for erosion, sediment and pollution control. As a Local Issuing Authority (LIA), Dougherty County Public Works is responsible for enforcing Federal, State, and Local laws concerning Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution control. The primary purpose of these laws is to protect the quality of one of our most important natural resources, our water, whether it be surface water or groundwater. If you have any questions, or if you are unsure if a permit is required for your project, please contact Dougherty County Public Works at (229)-430-6120. We would be glad to answer any questions you may have in order to help you avoid any unexpected delays or expenses.
GRAFFITI
THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 9
Go G reen! at your festival or event
Bring RECYCLING to a higher level. It’s easy: CALL Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful @ 229-430-5257 to reserve the FREE Away From Home Recycling Trailer PICK UP the trailer the day before your event SET UP the recycle and trash bins COLLECT the materials DELIVER the recyclables to a city recycle drop off site RETURN the trailer
STORM DRAIN ALERT The visual appearance of our community could literally change overnight. Between dusk and dawn on any given day a neighborhood, business, or residence could undergo a transformation which, if no immediate action is taken, can ultimately have a profound impact on our entire community.
WHAT IS GRAFFITI? Graffiti is not a victimless crime, nor is it a form of art. Graffiti is the deliberate defacing of public and private property without the owner's permission. GRAFFITI HURTS • Graffiti hurts every child, parent, business owner and taxpayer. • Merchants lose business because customers feel the neighborhood is no longer safe. • Graffiti vandals are at an increased
Albany’s storm drainage system is experiencing a major problem. The catch basins located throughout our city blocks are meant to capture water ONLY. When leaves and other debris are placed in the system, they clog up our only means of diverting rain water from our roadways. Please assist by not blocking the drainage system with leaves or other debris and by not disposing of ANYTHING in the system. All materials collected in the drainage system return to OUR water system...untreated. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in a monetary penalty.
risk of becoming involved in shoplifting or other criminal activities. • When left untouched, graffiti sends the wrong message: We are no longer in control. We can’t keep order in our community. • Graffiti that is tolerated invites more of the same. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Remove graffiti immediately from your property. • Keep your property well lit, clean, and landscaped. • Plant shrubs with prickly or thorny foliage near walls and fences. • Join and/or organize a neighborhood watch. • Discuss respecting public and private property with your children. • Report all graffiti to the Albany Police Department at 431-3288 or to Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful at 430-5257 or call 311.
Cigare tte Butts are Litter! and they are toxic DID YOU KNOW ... • Smokers discard BILLIONS of cigarette butts each year. • A large percentage of cigarette butts are “tossed” directly into the environment. • Cigarette butts accumulate outside of buildings, in parking lots and on streets where they can be transported through our storm drains into our streams and rivers. • Cigarette filters look like cotton, but are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that is slow to degrade in the environment. • A pack and a half a day equals more than 10,000 cigarettes a year. 10,000 cigarette butts are equivalent, in volume, to five liters. • Nicotine is a powerful insecticide and, in its pure form, among the deadliest of all plants products. • Tobacco residue, along with the toxic chemicals left in cigarette filters that are tossed as butts, quickly leach into our water supply. *Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter on earth. *Cigarette butts harm our environment. PLEASE DISPOSE OF CIGARETTE BUTTS PROPERLY
10 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
2016 FREE ELECTRONIC RECYCLING COLLECTION DAY Our growing dependence on electronic products both at home and in the workplace has given rise to a new environmental challenge: electronic waste. Research indicates that electronic waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. Electronic equipment contains metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed. • Cadmium: The largest source of cadmium in municipal landfills is rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd batteries, commonly found in laptop computers). • Lead: Monitors and televisions contain a picture tube known as a cathode ray tube (CRT). The CRTs contain leaded glass, and are the largest source of lead in municipal landfills. • Mercury: Electronic waste is a leading source of mercury in municipal landfills. Additionally, discarded electronic equipment is a concern because electronics are made with valuable resources such as precious metals, engineered plastics, glass and other materials, all of which require energy to manufacture. When equipment is thrown
away, these resources cannot be recovered and additional pollution will be generated to manufacture new products out of virgin materials. Electronics account for 2 percent to 5 percent of landfill volume, but it contributes up to 70 percent of the toxins found in landfills. A FREE e-recycling collection day will be held in 2016 to promote the proper disposal of unwanted electronic equipment. Rain or shine, the electronics recycling collection will take place in the parking lot behind the James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center at the corner of Front Street and Mercer Avenue in downtown Albany from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. There will be a $15.00 handling fee for each television set at the September 17 event. The average TV set contains 4 pounds of lead, therefore, we do not want to place TV sets in the Dougherty County landfill. Items not accepted include vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers, gas-powered equipment and all non-electronic equipment. Business, industry, schools, hospitals and government offices can call (229) 430-5257 to schedule a pick-up of large quantities of electronics.
The following electronic items will be accepted at the events: Test & Network Equipment Stereos Computer Monitors Copiers Computer CPU’s Video Machines Laptops VCR’s Printers Camcorders Disk Drives
Keyboards Cameras (digital, too) Scanners Record Players Electrical Panels CB Radios Circuit Boards Speakers Fax Machines CD Players Typewriters
UPS/Battery Backup Cables Portable Radios CD ROMS Projectors Cell Phones Computer Mouse *Televisions Telephone Modems
311 Non-Emergency Call Center Mary Petty, 311 Director The 311 Call center was created for the public to have one central point of contact for all local government services and general information for the City of Albany, Dougherty County and Albany Utilities departments. Our Mission is to provide the public with this free service allowing quick, easy access to all City of Albany, Dougherty County, and Albany Utilities government services and information while maintaining the highest level of customer service by dialing one easy number 311. The 311 Call Center is proud to participate in assisting citizens in striving to make our community a great place to live, work and play. The 311 Call center encourages all citizens to report issues requiring city or county action, reporting criminal activity such as unsightly graffiti or illegal dumping. Call 311 to find out what environmental events, education and programs will be offered for cit-
izens to make a difference and encourage community pride. Call 311 to find out about Albany Utility’s Commercial Internet and Commercial Garbage Services. The 311 service prides itself on maintaining the highest level of customer service. We are always trying to let everyone in the community learn more about our services. So, if your organization/community group would like to schedule a 311 speaker, please call 311. Common 311 citizen calls include: Where do I? Report a Code Violation? Go to pay a ticket? Get an Albany Transit Schedule? Report a Pothole? Report a burned out street or traffic light? How Do I? Obtain a birth certificate or marriage license? Request yard debris removal?
Call Center: Calls are answered by a live operators Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by dialing either 311 or 8783111. Website & New Mobile Application: The 311 website at
www.311answer.com is available 24/7 as well as our mobile application. If you would like assistance in navigating through the web portion, or downloading the mobile application albanyga311, please call 311 and we’ll give you a guided tour through our software.
Sign Ordinance Overview
THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 11
HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF OUTDATED/UNWANTED MEDICATIONS NEVER FLUSH MEDICATION Medications thrown in the trash can leach into the environment, flushed drugs can kill bacteria that break down waste in our waste water treatment plant, medications can damage septic systems, and can contaminate nearby waterways and harm aquatic wildlife. The Albany Dougherty Drug Unit partners with KADB every September to host “Operation Pill Drop”. The event gives citizens an opportunity to properly dispose of unwanted/outdated medications. The 2016 event will take place on September 17th from 9:00 til 1:00 in the back parking lot of the Civic Center. A permanent medication drop off box is located on the first floor of the Judicial building at 225 Pine Avenue.
A Sign Ordinance has been adopted by your Mayor and City Commissioners. Its intent is to balance the rights of individuals to convey their message through signs, while also balancing the rights of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signage. The ordinance also reduces traffic and pedestrian hazards, and promotes economic development and tourism, while protecting private property values. REGULATIONS Location and Set Back A property owner must give permission for any sign to be placed on their property. No portion of a sign shall encroach on or overhang the public right-of-way or any other person’s property. Multi-message signs (LED type, not billboards) located at individual businesses may only change their message once every 60 seconds, this change must occur within 2 seconds. There can only be a total of 75 of these signs within the City. They shall not exceed 50 percent of the total sign face. Banners are only permitted in commercial & industrial zones, are limited to 48 square feet in area, shall be mounted or attached to a building, pole, mast, arm or other structure and may only be exhibited 6 times each calendar year for a period of not more than 14 consecutive days each period. Only 1 banner allowed per property or street frontage and each banner shall be maintained free of defects during the allotted time period. (Permit required). A Portable Sign is defined as a sign structure which is attached to a vehicle, trailer, moveable structure, or any sign which may be transported or is designed to be transported. Portable signs are prohibited; however, motor vehicles which are used in connection with a business at the site and which have more than 6 square feet of painted or attached signage
may be parked within the lateral lines of a parking space. (No permit required for vehicles). SIGNS AREAS
IN
RESIDENTIAL
Ground Signs: Residents may have a total of three double faced signs per lot provided no single face exceeds 6 square feet in area and does not exceed 6 feet in height. Window Signs are defined as signs mounted inside a structure and designed to be seen from outside a structure through a window. Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the window area facing any road frontage. To view the sign ordinance in its entirety, go to www.albany.ga.us, and then navigate to Planning & Development’s ordinance page. SIGNS ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Ground Signs: One doublefaced sign per street frontage is allowed. The maximum square footage for each sign is 2 square feet for each linear foot of building facing the public right-of-way or 1 square foot for each linear foot of street frontage on the public rightof-way, whichever is larger. No sign face shall exceed 100 square feet. Maximum height for each sign shall be 25 feet. Window Signs are defined as signs mounted inside a structure and designed to be seen from outside a structure through a window. Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the window area facing any road frontage Wall Signs: Size is determined by the same formula used above for ground signage. Wall signs may be located on multiple walls provided each sign faces a street or parking lot and the total allowable square footage for all sign faces does not exceed the maximum allowable for any one face as determined by using the frontage on a public right of way.
12 THE ALBANY HERALD • KEEP ALBANY DOUGHERTY BEAUTIFUL • Sunday, January 3, 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING RECYCLING, PLEASE CALL 430-5257 FOR MORE INFORMATION.