Information You Can Use
FALL 2019
Celebrating Continuous Service Milestones 2019-20 Loose Leaf Collection Schedule
In this Issue: From the Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sam Leder
Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Loose Leaf Collection Schedule . . . . . . . . . 4
1967-2019
Remembering Sam Leder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Please see tribute to Sam on page 5.
New Emergency Management Coordinator . . 6 New District 1 Council Member . . . . . . . . . 7 Service Award Recipients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Traffic Management Center Opens . . . . . . 10 Adopt-A-Street Volunteer Group Recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Water Loss Protection Plan . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Airport Earns International Aircraft Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
City Council
Prevent Vehicle Break-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Important Phone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting . . . . . . 16
About the cover: On May 31 and June 1, an interactive demonstration temporarily transformed a section of Union Street S to demonstrate new streetscape design ideas for Downtown Concord. The design options illustrated the look and feel of possible enhancements to sidewalk widths, outdoor dining and seating, street trees, and street parking/travel lane widths. Over 500 people experienced the demonstration and provided feedback. In July, the City Council requested additional information from staff on potential construction costs for each design option. A decision on the design direction should come this fall, with design complete in late 2020 and construction currently estimated to start in 2021.
Dave Phillips District 1
Brian King District 2 Mayor Pro-Tem
Ella Mae Small District 3
Jennifer H. Parsley District 6
Terry L. Crawford District 5
JC McKenzie District 4
John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7
Council Districts Adopted 12/13/2018 3 ¬ «
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The Concord City Circular is produced quarterly by the City Manager’s Office to provide Concord citizens with information about current activities of the City of Concord. It contains items that will help make it easier for you to do business with the City. Your comments and questions are welcomed. Please send them to: Concord City Circular P.O. Box 308, Concord, NC 28026 or call 704-920-5210 or e-mail franzese@concordnc.gov. designed by
Granite Sky Civic
29 £ ¤
Council Districts District 1 49 ¬ «
District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7
601 £ ¤
² 0
0.5
¬ « 200
1
Miles
Visit concordnc.gov/Government/Mayor-Council to see our district map.
From the Mayor
Manager’s Notes
William “Bill” Dusch
Lloyd Wm. Payne, Jr. Concord City Manager
We miss you, Sam
Kicking off the new fiscal year
Concord lost a great citizen recently with the passing of Council Member Sam Leder at the age of 51. A proud Tar Heel, Sam came to our town 25 years ago to work for a local CPA firm, Potter and Company, where he worked his way up to become a managing partner. But his work as a CPA was just the tip of the iceberg of this giving man. He became active in our community by giving his time and efforts to serve a broad array of our civic organizations. His community involvement was deep rooted from a young age – and the values he learned and embodied as an Eagle Scout carried through his adult life. He served and helped lead a variety of local groups including the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce, Concord Rotary Club, Uwharrie Bank, Academic Learning Center, NE Medical Foundation, Ella Foard Foundation, Concord High School Athletic and the Central Carolina Boy Scouts. On City Council, Sam was viewed as a voice of reason. When an agenda item was straight forward, Sam would remain silent but if discussion was needed, we were assured that his thoughts would be effectively expressed. His background as an accountant was invaluable for us to make sure that we focused on all parts of the item and he would make sure we knew it. Sam was a family man that met his wife Shannon while they were students at UNC Chapel Hill. His family life was centered around Shannon, his children Matthew and Bennett, and followed closely by anything Carolina blue. Sam was successful in transferring this love of Carolina (and dislike of Duke) to his son, Matthew, who will be attending UNC this fall. I will never forget his humor, thoughtfulness and infectious laugh. Our City was fortunate that he shared his talents with us—we all miss you, Sam! •
Hello Concord. I hope you and your families have had an incredible summer and are ready for the Fall. As you are likely aware, the City Council recently adopted the annual budget following our budget workshop and many discussions. In accordance with our Strategic Plan, City operations and projects have been approved with the goal of continuing to enhance our quality of life for all residents. The City’s total adopted budget is $257,752,019. The tax rate remains unchanged at 48 cents per $100 valuation which is the same rate since 2013. The City’s total property values are up to $11,687,479,000, an increase of 3 percent compared to last year. As you are aware, development across the City continues to be strong so we envision our property values to continue to rise. The budget includes various projects identified in our Water, Waste Water, and Stormwater master plans. In addition and with the recent adoption of the Connectivity Plan, we will be pursuing opportunities across the City to develop a more comprehensive greenway network. We have identified possible locations for greenways/trails but must first focus on securing property before we can begin construction. It is the goal of Council to connect our City in a more pedestrian-friendly manner – east and west as well as north and south. With a City of over 63 square miles, this project will take us several years to complete. In addition, we continue to look for opportunities to develop a much-needed park in the northwest part of the City. If you would like to know more about the City’s budget, visit concordnc.gov/budget to get additional information. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or would like more information about the City’s budget. Team Concord continues to work hard each day to delivery excellent customer service to you. I trust we are meeting your expectations. If not, please reach out to us and let us know. Our goal is to be partners with you and communicate effectively. • concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 3
2019-20 * p *
Loose
Leaf Cc
Collection
S c h ed u le
fF
If your garbage day is... Monday
Your Loose Leaves will be Collected... November 4-8 December 9-13 January 21-24
Tuesday
November 4-8 December 2-6 January 13-17
Wednesday
November 18-22 January 6-10 February 10-14
Thursday
November 12-15 December 30 - January 3 February 3-7
Friday
November 12-15 December 16-20 January 27-31
Second Chance $75 Fee
February 17-21 February 24-28
4 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
• Place your loose leaves at the curb by 6 a.m. the FIRST day of your specified collection week. • Collection crews are unable to return if you place leaves at the curb after they have worked your street. • Leaves must be free of tree/shrub limbs or foreign objects and kept away from storm drains, mail boxes, and parked cars. • Bagged leaves are collected WEEKLY on your regular garbage collection day. Consider bagging your leaves if you cannot wait for loose leaf collection. • Bagged leaves MUST be contained in untied, clear plastic or biodegradable paper bags weighing less than 35 pounds each. • The City will collect your Christmas trees too! Please leave trees at the curb with your regular household garbage. Remove all stands, lights, and ornaments. • No loose leaf collection is scheduled on City-observed holidays, including Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (entire week of November 18-22), Christmas (week of December 23-27), New Year’s Day (January 1), and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (January 20). • This schedule is subject to change due to weather delays and equipment breakdown.
SECOND CHANCE PROGRAM You are required to begin bagging all loose leaves placed at the curb after the leaf crew works your street during the third collection cycle. The Second Chance Program is for anyone who missed the last collection and is willing to pay rather than to bag their leaves and avoid the Code Enforcement penalties. For a fee of $75, the City will schedule a special loose leaf collection the weeks of February 17-21 and February 24-28.
Customer Care Center 704-920-5555
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
concordnc.gov
Remembering Council Member Sam Leder The Mayor and members of City Council interacted with Sam Leder in various capacities, and offer the following reflections on his life: Mayor William C. "Bill" Dusch
With the passing of Sam Leder, Concord has lost a great citizen. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sam's wife, Shannon and sons, Matthew and Bennett. As a member of Concord's City Council, Sam was the thoughtful voice of reason that kept us on track. His infectious laugh that brightened anywhere he went will be missed by all. Council Member Brain King
The City of Concord mourns the loss of Council Member Samuel Mayer Leder, who passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2019. Sam Leder was elected to the City Council in 2015 and served as Mayor Pro-Tem since December 2018. A native of Whiteville, he was a lifelong North Carolinian, and lived and worked in Concord since 1995. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1991 with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Accounting degrees. A Certified Public Accountant, he was managing partner of local accounting firm Potter & Company. He was active in the community and served on the Uwharrie Bank Board, the CMC NorthEast Hospital Advisory Board, the Academic Learning Center Board, and volunteered last four years as Treasurer of the Ella Foard Foundation for Rett Syndrome. He was also a member of the Concord Rotary Club, a three-time Paul Harris Fellow and past president (2008) and director. He was involved with the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1996, served as its Chairman of the Board in 2010. The elected officials and staff of the City of Concord express their heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Shannon and their two sons, Matthew and Bennett. To learn more about Sam Leder's life, visit hartsellfuneralhomes.com/notices/ Samuel-Leder.
Sam was my good friend and I will miss him. The leadership he provided to the City and all the organizations with which he was involved in our community will be greatly missed. Council Member Ella Mae P. Small
I am sorry to hear of the loss of our Council Member and my friend, Sam Leder. He was an outstanding leader who wanted the best for Concord, especially in the area of economic development. I shall always remember his distinctive laughter and compassion toward other people. Council Member JC McKenzie
This is a tremendous and heartbreaking loss to the City of Concord. At the same time, we are thankful to have known Sam, and for his friendship and service to the community. Sam's thoughtfulness, wisdom and insight into issues and decisions whether they were Rotary, our city, his friends or his family were his gift to us all. Council Member Terry Crawford
Prior to serving on City Council with Sam, I had the privilege of knowing and working with Sam at the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention Bureau. Sam has always been a stabilizing force on City Council and any other organization he served in. As a new Council member, Sam gave me coaching and helped me ease into the role. He always applied his knowledge and experience in stating his position on Council actions and decisions. The one thing that I will always remember about Sam was his infectious laugh. You knew who was in the house when he let it out. Sam was a valuable asset to our community. Besides being a City Council colleague, I considered Sam a personal friend. His leadership will be missed. Council Member Jennifer Parsley
As our city mourns the loss of one of our own, so many things come to mind in describing Sam - devoted husband, loving father, infectious laugh, brilliant mind and community leader. At the foundation of all of those was his goodness and compassion for this world. I have no doubt the Lord welcomed him with, "well done." What an honor to serve with Sam and call him a friend. Council Member John A. Sweat, Jr.
Sam and I shared numerous conversations on being a Dad and the decisions we make daily to safeguard our families. We recently shared a Father's Day discussion about our children and driving. I would send him pics of Whiteville, his hometown, as I would be on the way to the beach. He would laugh and say that there’s probably not a lot going on as I drove through. I will truly miss his wisdom, jokes and especially his laughter. concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 5
Meet Concord's new Emergency Management Coordinator:
Ian Crane
Crane has a background in Fire and EMS and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Carolina University ("Go Pirates!," he says). He completed a master’s degree in leadership with an emphasis in disaster preparedness through Grand Canyon University in 2016. A native of the North Carolina coast, Crane has slowly moved west, beginning in Greenville where he and his wife met while attending college. They have a three-year-old son and enjoy traveling, camping, and being outdoors. "Our son is the light of our life and keeps us on our toes." We asked Ian a few questions to help you learn more about him:
Filling the shoes of recently retired Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Sells is no easy task, but Ian Crane is up to the job. He joined the City of Concord in 2016 as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator, and worked closely with Sells for over two years before being named to succeed him.
Q: WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IN GENERAL? A: As I entered into the college world—as most young
students—I was unsure about the path that I wanted to travel professionally once I entered into the “real world.” I did, however know that my interests always included the wellbeing of the general public, most importantly their safety and security. This passion drove me to pursue a career in public safety, specifically within a municipality setting.
Q: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENHANCE THE CITY’S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED BY JIM SELLS? A: My goal is to increase the awareness of the public and
our City employees on preparedness and resiliency. I plan to help build, sustain, and improve the City’s capability to prepare for multi-hazard incidents, as well as natural and man-made disasters.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT CONCORD? A: Concord is a large community that still has a small-
town feel. The connection and relationships with not only my co-workers, but also the citizens of our community, make coming to work an enjoyable experience.
Q: HOW CAN CITIZENS CONTACT YOU IF THEY WANT TO LEARN MORE? A: My email address is cranei@concordnc.gov and the
direct line to my office is 704-920-5211. I’m happy to lend a helping hand any way that I can. You can find more information on Concord's Emergency Management Division at concordnc.gov/ EmergencyManagement or follow @ConcordNCEM on Twitter. • 6 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
Dave Phillips appointed Recent Awards: to fill District 1 Council Member vacancy For the third consecutive year, the City of Concord has been named one of the healthiest employers of the greater Charlotte region by the Charlotte Business Journal. CBJ's 9th annual Healthiest Employers program honors the top health and wellness programs in our region, showcasing companies innovative strategies for keeping a healthy workforce. •
At the City Council work session on Tuesday, August 6, the Concord City Council appointed David W. Phillips to fill the District 1 Council Member vacancy left by the death of Sam Leder. North Carolina General Statute 160A-63 directs the City Council to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next municipal election in November, 2019. This election coincides with the expiration of Mr. Leder's term in December, 2019. Phillips is temporarily returning to the City Council after serving as District 1 Council Member from 1995-2015. The City Council honored him in 2018 by naming and opening the David W. Phillips Activity Center on Burrage Road after him.
Sam Leder and Dave Phillips share a
special moment at the opening of the Council Member Phillips is a lifelong resident of Concord and David W. Phillips Activity Center in 2018. retired from Duke Energy Carolinas with 36 years of service. During his 20 years on Concord City Council (1995-2015), he served two terms as Mayor Pro-Tem. He is a member and former president and director of the Concord Rotary Club, member of the UNCC Alumni Association, and life member of the National Eagle Scout Association. Prior to being elected to City Council, he served on Concord’s Planning and Zoning Commission. He also is one of the City's representatives on the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (WSACC) board of directors. He has several interesting hobbies including model train collecting.
am humbled and honored that the City Council has “ Iappointed me to fill the unexpired term of Sam Leder," said
The City of Concord’s Fleet Services department is responsible for overseeing a fleet of over 1000 vehicles and equipment. The department has been awarded six times in the last nine years as Best 100 Fleets of North America by Governing Magazine. The recently awarded 2019 submission highlighted the balance of efficiency and effectiveness measures attained in the NC Benchmarking Project. •
Phillips. "Sam was a very good friend and like everyone that knew him, I am still saddened over Sam’s untimely and unexpected death. Sam and I had frequent discussions about many issues the City was dealing with both before and after I retired from City Council in 2015. I feel that I know Sam’s thoughts about many of the upcoming issues and the direction the City needs to take going forward. I will do my best to represent the City as the Council Member from District 1 with the same honesty and integrity that were trademarks of the way Sam always conducted the business of the City of Concord. I am very appreciative that the City Council has placed their confidence in me by appointing me to complete Sam’s term.
”
Phillips’ appointment was effective when he took the oath of office on August 8. • concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 7
* * * Service Award Recipients 2
0
1
25 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
The City’s Service Award Recognition Program recognizes coworkers for their dedicated and continuous service to the City of Concord. Each year, coworkers are recognized for years of continuous service in 5-year increments. There were 139 Team Concord members who celebrated continuous service milestones during the last fiscal
9
Susan Green, Aviation
William Mundale, Fire
Samuel Gill, Solid Waste
Johnny Gardner,
Christopher Greene,
Electric
Rick Gilleland, Fire
Del Eudy, Transportation
Ray Eudy, Water Resources
Keith Karriker, Finance
Richard Bergeron, Fire
Joe Furr, Water Resources
20 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS Brian Stancil,
Building & Grounds
year. Their collective service to the
Martha Hagood,
community exceeds 1,800 years!
Valerie Proper,
Thank you to our dedicated coworkers and congratulations!
Bob Pate, Electric
30 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS Ty Barbee, Electric
Ryan Lee, Fire
Steven Osborne, Planning
Terry Paxton,
Lester Cragan, Fire Connie Gross,
Parks & Recreation Solid Waste Rob Mundt, Data Services Tony Chastain, Police
35 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
Water Resources Archie Coble, Fire
Water Resources
8 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
Water Resources
Larry Hubbard, Police Joseph Burleson,
Water Resources Rodney Short, Fire Christopher Friguglietti,
Police Steve Bowers,
Water Resources
Michael Rush, Solid Waste
Bret Leonard, Fire
Bobby Morton, Electric
Aaron Myers, Police
James Hughes, Police
Ronnie Allman,
Congr Rebecca Shue,
Water Resources
Water Resources
Michael Bullard, Fleet
Billy Robins, Electric
Patrick Tierney, Police
David Smith, Police
Timothy Newton,
Timothy Haithcock,
Water Resources
Lisa Eudy, Finance
Water Resources
Ytalo Delgado, Police
15 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS Tony Emerson, Aviation Evans Elmore, Fire Marina Harding, Police Webster Love,
Building & Grounds Dino Miller, Housing Tracy Parker, Police
Connie Hicks,
Robert Dowless,
Michael Rayfield,
Communications
Parks & Recreation
Water Resources
Pat McDonough,
Eric Miller,
Jeremy Burris, Fire
Human Resources
Water Resources
Gregory Spears,
Donna Chandler,
Solid Waste
Engineering
Crystal Howell, Electric
Dustin Page, Police
Patrick Merritt, Police Judy Cox, Water Resources Scott Payne, Fire Matthew Greer, Police
10 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
5 YEAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Bradley Faggart, Aviation
Tracy Law, Police
Katie Ashworth, Aviation
Finance
Jack Smith, Fire
Lonnie Bulger,
Greg Hammond, Fire
Christopher Whiting, Fire
Richard Colson, Police
Victor Johnson,
Lynn Wilkerson, Police Steve Cromer,
Solid Waste Angela Britt, Finance
Building & Grounds
Denan Sabanija, Police
Sonya Bost, Fire
James Hudson,
Marty Barnhardt, Police Lisa Blackwell,
Solid Waste Bear Bryant, Fire
Communications
Ashley Hulse, Police
Chad Parker, Fire
Phillip Graham,
Angelo Luckey,
Transportation
Susan Sessler,
Building & Grounds
Heather Marek, Finance
John Holland, Fire
Christopher Harrison, Fire
James Hamilton, Police Erin James Broadway,
Communications Jason Thomas, Fire Adam Chiarolanzio, Police
Solid Waste
Matthew Church, Fire
Matthew Lowery,
Christy Jones, Police
Electric
Crystal Brown,
Tyler Untz, Fire
Communications Derek Porter, Fire
Water Resources
Timothy Kelly, Solid Waste
Phillip Jordan, Fire
Brandy Colon, Engineering
Matthew Scott, Police
Lisa Hatley,
Leslie Allman,
Parks & Recreation
Water Resources
Ernest Flake, Solid Waste
Steven Madorin, Fire
David Medlin, Engineering
Aytch Perkins, Police
Charles Beeker, Police
Christie Putnam,
Solid Waste
Jennifer Volpicelli,
Adam Bost, Police Caleb Greene, Electric Samuel Eudy, Fire Cheryl Craft, Police
Bradley Hunter, Transportation Ann Baldwin, Finance Nasir Shabazz, Housing Andre Lopez,
Transportation Kevin Fitch, Finance Diana Grundmann, Housing Jeremy James,
Water Resources Kenneth Good, Fire
ratulations! Keith Love, Solid Waste Jeffrey Childers,
Engineering
Jennifer Hargett, Finance Joseph Munday, Fire
Lindsie Youngo, Police
Water Resources
Dameka Reed, Finance
Phillip Shuffler, Police
Collin Wilson, Fire
Brian Moore, Solid Waste
Melissa Archer,
Parks & Recreation
Steven Rummage,
Water Resources
Alan Eudy, Planning
Sarah Gay, Planning
Peggy Litton-Baxter,
concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 9
State Of The Art Traffic Management Center Opens
In June, the City of Concord celebrated the opening of a new Traffic Management Center located at 880 Warren C. Coleman Boulevard. The facility houses the Transportation Department's six Traffic Signal Division staff members. The $1.9 million facility was designed by Carlos Moore Architect PA and constructed by KMD Construction LLC over 21 months. With 10,649 square feet of space, the Traffic Management Center includes a main control room as well a much more functional space for staff than the basement of the 30 Market building (former Police Department) that housed the division for the past decade. The relocation to the new TMC cleared the Market Street property and adjacent parking lot for a major mixed-use redevelopment including 166 residential units, a $50 million private investment in Downtown Concord. In the Traffic Management Center control room, an LCD video wall displays live camera feeds from across Concord. The video wall is the first traffic application of its kind in the state, and offers staff enhanced capabilities to make real-time adjustments to signalized intersections and corridors with a centralized traffic software system. The building also includes office and conference space, a maintenance and diagnostics shop, traffic signal equipment storage, and covered parking for vehicles and trailers. Concord's Traffic Signal Division staff maintain 140 traffic signals owned by NCDOT and the City of Concord, 106 pedestrian signals, 22 school zone flashers, over 200 cameras, and over 100 miles of fiber optic cable in conjunction with the City’s Electric department and NCDOT, to integrate the network of signals, flashers, and cameras into a central system. The system is key to managing traffic flow throughout the community, as well as coordinating traffic at events around Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Mills, and Downtown Concord. With the rapid pace of development and road infrastructure projects, the system continues to grow and new technologies are being implemented to monitor and mitigate traffic. Find out more about the Transportation Department at concordnc.gov/transportation
or call 704-920-5338. •
Pictured (left to right) are the Transportation Department Traffic Signals Division staff: Andrei Dumitru, Chris Holshouser, Andre Lopez, William Hunter, Rob Hunter, and Victoria Forrester.
10 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
Did you know . . . we’re on Instagram? Follow the City of Concord on Instagram at the following handles: @concordncgov @concordncfire @concordncparksandrec @concordncpolice @concord.regional.airport
Concord Mobile Care
Volunteer group recognized for longterm Adopt-A-Street commitment The Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Street program has grown considerably with many new participants in the last year. Among our 15 participating organizations is Price Memorial AME Zion Church, whose members have been committed to beautifying the streets of Concord for more than 30 years. Its dedicated Adopt-A-Street team celebrated the milestone with City officials this summer when their sign on Union Street S was updated with a 30-year decal. The City is grateful to all participating groups and will recognize their continued commitment as they reach five-year milestones. Adopt-A-Street participants as of August 2019: • • • • •
Alex and Sutton Beta Mu Lambda Bishop Jordan Cab Brew Run Club Cabarrus Co Home Buyers • Concord Bible Church • Concord High School Football • Cousar Lodge
• JJ Brandon • Petroff Family • Price Memorial AME Zion Church • Southern Strain Brewing • TAGC • The Padgett’s • Troop 128
Are you interested in adopting a street? It is easy to see available street segments and sign up on concordnc.gov. For information on how to become a participant and adopt your own street, please visit concordnc.gov/transportation or call 704-920-5338.
You can now report pot holes, street light malfunctions, and many other non-emergency issues to the City using your smartphone. Visit concordnc.gov to learn about and download the Concord Mobile Care app for your android or iOS device, or access the web-version on any other device, including PC and laptop computers.
Visit concordnc.gov to subscribe to the CityLink email newsletter, and receive weekly updates and information about Concord direct to your inbox.
Get Connected Get connected with Concord through Facebook and Twitter! Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone or go to facebook.com/concordnc and twitter.com/concordncgov.
concordnc.gov Visit our City’s website where you’ll find a wealth of information. Pay bills online, access government and City departments, and discover what’s going on in Concord. concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 11
Water Loss Protection Plan
U
nexpected water leaks are a challenge for customers and the City of Concord. Some of the most common ways that customers experience water loss are toilet leaks, hot water tank leaks and broken pipes. Since customers are charged for all water passing through their meters (including leaks), those who have leaks can experience high water bills. Historically, customers with leaks have been eligible for a partial leak adjustment, leaving an amount due higher than the typical monthly bill, which can create an unexpected financial burden Effective July 1, 2019, the City of Concord is able to assist customers who experience high water bills due to unexpected leaks with a new program that provides a 100 percent leak adjustment. The program allows a customer to receive this adjustment one time over a 24-month period. Water Loss Protection Program participants are charged a monthly fee based on meter size. The base rate is 50 cents per month for each standard ¾” residential meter, with graduated fees charged for larger size meters (industrial customers will not be eligible for this program). The fee is automatically included on the customer’s monthly billing statement, and a customer may opt-out of the program
by submitting an opt-out application. Customers are responsible for providing proof of repairs in order to receive the adjustment. However, if a customer chooses not to participate, there would be no assistance provided if a leak occurs. The opt-out application is available for download here, or customers can come to City Hall (35 Cabarrus Avenue West) and fill out a hard copy. The City of Concord will not reduce high bills due to water usage for swimming pool fill ups, irrigation, or misuse by the customer. The City of Concord is responsible for the distribution main near the street, the service connection to the meter, and the meter located near the street. The customer's responsibility begins at the connection to the water meter. An important step in avoiding water loss is reviewing monthly bills for consumption. Once a problem has been recognized, customers customer should locate the leak and make needed repairs in a timely manner. Monitoring your water consumption can minimize large water bills in the future and possible damage from water leaks. •
. . . the City of Concord is able to assist customers who experience high water bills due to unexpected leaks with a new program that provides a 100 percent leak adjustment. The program allows a customer to receive this adjustment one time over a 24-month period.
The Customer is responsible for the water line from the meter to the structure. WATER METER WATER MAIN
The City of Concord is responsible for the water line from the water main to the meter. 12 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
WATER SERVICE LINE
C
oncord-Padgett Regional Airport is proud to announce its certification as the 174th ISBAH Stage 1 registered airport and second fixed-based operator (FBO) in North Carolina. The International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers that features at its core a safety management system (SMS). Concord-Padgett Regional Airport's process started in August of 2017, taking 21 months to achieve IS-BAH Stage 1. During this time, the Aviation Department team focused on upgrading equipment, updating the Safety Management System (SMS) program, updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manuals and employee training, and successfully completing an independent audit of operations and changes made to meet IS-BAH standards. What does it mean for customers? IS-BAH sets Concord-Padgett Regional Airport apart from other airports and FBOs, and the certification offers aircraft owners and operators assurance that the airport follows this top international industry safety standard. “The City of Concord Aviation Department has always been a leader in aviation safety," said Aviation Director Dirk Vanderleest. "We were one of the first airports in the nation to partner with the FAA and complete a SMS program for a general aviation airport. Safety is paramount and IS-BAH reinforces a safety culture for our team members who hope to continue growing in that environment on the path to a Stage II Certificate over the next two years.” Communication is one of the core values of the IS-BAH program, and part of the Stage II process. The Airport encourages all tenants and visitors to report safety and security issues to Aviation staff so it can continue providing the safest operating environment possible. Concord-Padgett Regional Airport opened in 1994 with a general aviation terminal and a 5,500-foot runway and has grown to be one of the busiest airports in the Carolinas. Over the last 25 years, improvements included extending the runway to 7,400 feet and multiple strengthening projects, development of private sector investment in and around the airport, and construction of a commercial service terminal and parking deck. Many airport operations are related to the motorsports industry as most NASCAR related teams are located in the Charlotte region, several with facilities adjacent to or near the airport. The airport’s strong general aviation focus has been enhanced by the availability of Allegiant Air’s low-cost scheduled passenger service to six destinations. The airport is operated by over 40 City of Concord Aviation Department coworkers who provide aircraft fueling, hangaring, tie-down, parking, and customer services. Other aeronautical services such as aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction are offered through private operators leasing space on-site. CRA also has an on-site, staffed fire station operated by the Concord Fire Department and a control tower operated by contracted staff. The annual budget for the airport currently exceeds $10.8 million. •
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport Earns International Business Aircraft Standard “The City of Concord Aviation Department has always been a leader in aviation safety . . . We were one of the first airports in the nation to partner with the FAA and complete a SMS program for a general aviation airport. Safety is paramount and IS-BAH reinforces a safety culture for our team members who hope to continue growing in that environment on the path to a Stage II Certificate over the next two years.” †
concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 13
From The Police Department
Crime And Safety Preventing Vehicle Break-ins
Responsible Firearm Ownership
At the Concord Police Department's most recent community crime and safety briefing held in July, Chief Gacek and his staff urged citizens to take practical steps to reduce the chance of falling victim to crimes and tragic accidents. In addition to sharing a mid-year update on crime statistics, Chief Gary Gacek, Deputy Chief Jimmy Hughes, and Lieutenant Cydney McGhee led a broad discussion around firearm safety and recent trends related to vehicle break-ins and thefts.
The department stressed the importance of responsible firearm ownership, which includes the following critical steps if you have a firearm at home:
While overall trends comparing the first half of this year to the same time in 2018 show a decrease in violent crimes and property crimes, there has been a significant increase in motor vehicle thefts. In most cases, stolen vehicles were unlocked with keys or key fobs left inside. In addition, Concord Police have received 176 reports of larceny from a motor vehicle this year, as of August 1. Police say that many more cars are broken into but victims do not want to file a report because nothing significant was taken. But the criminal act still occurred, so reports under-represent the problem. Of the 176 reports, 69 percent of vehicles were unlocked. Police encourage you to take a few simple steps to avoid this:
This is particularly important for homes with young children, teenagers, or people of any age who have mental health issues, particularly depression.
• Keep your car visible, park in well-lit areas near people. • Activate your vehicle's alarm. Don't have one? Consider having a system installed to discourage a car thief who likes to work in silence. • Stow your property before arrival. Experienced thieves often stake out parking lots to watch for people putting items in their trunk. Help prevent car break-ins by putting valuables like laptops and electronic devices into your trunk before you get to the parking lot. • Hide your valuables. Many smash-and-grab thieves act on impulse, so keep your stuff out of sight–either with you or in a locked trunk. Don’t count on the glove box; thieves know to look there, and they’re easy to break into. If you have a wagon or SUV that leaves your cargo area open, get a retractable fitted cover to keep shopping bags or other belongings hidden. • Most importantly, don't make it easy. Take your keys with you…and if you think you have a great hiding place for a spare key, thieves know where to look. Keep windows and sunroofs closed and doors locked.
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Of the same 176 larceny from motor vehicle reports, 28 reports were for guns taken from the vehicle and 68 percent (19 vehicles) were unlocked. Beyond the affect on the victim, this is a serious problem for our community because firearms are getting into the hands of criminals. 14 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • FALL 2019 • concordnc.gov
1. Keep the firearm unloaded and locked up in a cabinet, safe, firearm vault, or storage case. 2. Lock the bullets in a place separate from the firearm. 3. Hide the keys to the locked storage. 4. Limited access to combination, code, or keys.
Young children are curious. Even if you have talked to them many times about firearm safety, they cannot truly understand how dangerous firearms are. If young children come across a loaded firearm, they can accidentally hurt or kill themselves or someone else. Be sure to talk to your kids about firearms, even if you do not have firearms in your home. Kids need to know that firearms are very dangerous. Teach yours to follow these rules if they see a firearm: Stop what they're doing. Do not touch the firearm, even if it looks like a toy. Leave the area where the firearm is. Tell an adult right away.
If your child is going to someone's house, it's important to know if there are firearms in the home. It may feel awkward to ask, but most people will understand that you're trying to protect your child. Do not be afraid to ask or state: • “My child is pretty curious. Is there a firearm or anything else dangerous he might get into?" • "Is there a firearm in your home?”
Motor Vehicle Thefts January 1 - June 30, 2019
2018: 23 Thefts 2019: 41 Thefts INCREASE OF 78% (18 more victims) The majority of motor vehicle thefts are unlocked, with keys or key fobs left inside.
City of Concord Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Medical Emergencies .............................. 911 Customer Care Center ................................ 704-920-5555 Call the Customer Care Center for service requests and inquiries about any of the following: • Electric Outages/Services • Water/Sewer Emergencies • Dead Animal Pick-up • Drinking Water Inquiries • Garbage/Bulk Pick-up/Recycling • Utility Bills • Street/Traffic Light Issues • Right-of-Way Issues • Storm Water/Storm Drain/Flooding Problems • Yard Waste/Leaf Collection • Building Material Disposal • Bulk Metal Collection • Old Tire Collection • Vacant Lot Cleaning/Mowing You can also fax our Customer Care team at .......704-920-6953 The primary phone numbers for the various City departments are:
People of any age who are depressed are at increased risk of suicide. If someone in the family has depression, or has had thoughts of suicide, all firearms should be removed from the home. If the firearms cannot be removed, it is even more important to store the firearm unloaded and locked up with the bullets stored separately and keys hidden. If you or someone in your home are looking for local mental health crisis support, please visit: bit.ly/cabcocrisisinfo for a range of resources. Always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency. Chief Gacek connected the issues of responsible gun ownership and larceny from vehicles. “We also need responsible gun ownership when it comes to vehicles," said Chief Gacek. "We discourage using vehicle decals or other methods that advertise the likelihood that a gun is inside. Vehicles with decals that clearly display a preferred brand of firearm or a passion for hunting become an obvious target to criminals who seek firearms. If you do keep an unattended firearm inside a vehicle, use a vehicle gun vault and lock it up. Vehicle gun vaults are inexpensive and prevent legal guns from getting into the hands of criminals.” To learn more about firearms safety, visit
projectchildsafe.org. You may also contact the Concord
Police Department at 704-920-5000 with questions or to request a free firearm safety device.
Main Switchboard ............................................704-920-5200 Buildings & Grounds .........................................704-920-5380 City Clerk ........................................................704-920-5205 City Manager ...................................................704-920-5215 Communications ..............................................704-920-5580 Concord Regional Airport ..................................704-920-5900 Electric Systems ..............................................704-920-5320 Engineering .....................................................704-920-5425 Finance ..........................................................704-920-5220 Fire Department Administration .........................704-920-5516 Fleet Services...................................................704-920-5430 Housing...........................................................704-920-6100 Human Resources ...........................................704-920-5100 Meter Reading .................................................704-920-5219 Parks & Recreation ..........................................704-920-5600 Planning & Neighborhood Development ..............704-920-5152 Police (non-emergency) ....................................704-920-5000 Public Affairs ...................................................704-920-5210 Purchasing ......................................................704-920-5440 Rider Transit ....................................................704-920-7433 Risk Management.............................................704-920-5111 Rocky River Golf Club .......................................704-455-1200 Solid Waste .....................................................704-920-5361 Tax Collector ....................................................704-920-5216 TTY/North Carolina Relay ................................................... 711 Transportation .................................................704-920-5338 Water Resources ..............................................704-920-5342 Zoning/Permits ................................................704-920-5152
concordnc.gov concordnc.gov • FALL 2019 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 15
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Save The Date!
Friday, November 22 for
an evening of fun and festivities P.O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28026
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Fireworks Bicentennial Plaza
& event schedule:
6:00 pm Children’s Activities Trolley and Carriage Rides
6:30 pm Family Entertainment
8:30 pm Tree Lighting & Fireworks!
6-9:00 pm Enjoy Cabarrus Arts Council’s Art Walk