Fall 2013

Information You Can Use

FALL 2013

Hector H. Henry, II Greenway Rider Transit Sunday service begins October 6 Prepare this fall to prevent cankerworms in the spring Sargent honored for lifetime achievement in human resources

City Council

David W. Phillips District 1

James E. Ramseur District 2 Mayor Pro-Tem

Ella Mae Small District 3

Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4

W. Lamar Barrier District 5

Hector H. Henry II District 6

Affordable solution available for

Are you remodeling your home? Do you own rental property and have a lot of items to dispose of from your last tenant? Simply decluttering the attic or basement? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you will certainly appreciate the value provided by the City’s bulky waste collection. Because bulky waste collection, like all Concord residential solid waste services, is provided at no extra cost, the City asks residents to comply with certain restrictions and pre-collection requirements. This helps us provide the best value and service to all residents at the lowest cost.

amounts for collection, the City has arranged an affordable and easy to manage solution: renting a 15, 20, or 30-cubic yard roll-off container.

A reduced rate is available if scheduled through Concord Customer Care Center.

This reduced rate is possible because the county landfill will waive the tipping fee for customers who arrange for a container through the City of Concord. Simply call and provide advanced payment, and the requested container will be delivered to your property, removed, and the contents disposed of.

Just one call and one fee is all it takes to set up this convenient service. Contractors do not qualify for this reduced rate; homeowners only please. Call 704-920-5555 for more information or to reserve yours today.

waste collection

Free bulky waste collection is limited to ten cubic yards each week, only four cubic yards of this amount can be construction debris. If you have more than these

COVER PHOTOS: CITY OF CONCORD/MARK CONVERSANO

John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7

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 Design, Inc.

In this Issue: From the Mayor | Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . 3 Waste Pro upgrades fleet of trucks . . . . . . . . . 4 Residential energy assessments available . . . . 5 Rider Sunday service begins October 6 . . . . . . 6 Sargent honored for lifetime achievement . . . . 7 Electric Systems’ David Shue honored . . . . . . 9

Visit concordnc.gov to subscribe to the CityLink email newsletter, and receive weekly updates and information about Concord direct to your inbox.

Loose Leaf Collection Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Greenway named in honor of Hector Henry . . 10 Prepare this fall to prevent cankerworms . . . . 12 Customer Care Center service . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sessler new Buildings & Grounds Director . . back

2 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2011 2013 concordnc.gov

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Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone or go to facebook. com/concordnc.

From the Mayor

Manager’s Notes

J. Scott Padgett

Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager

Exciting things ahead

Highlights of the new fiscal year

This year’s cool spring stretched right into our wet June and July, and with fall around the corner I wonder if summer ever really arrived this year. In June our Water Resources department observed over eleven inches of rain at Lake Fisher. Some of that rain fell during the severe thunderstorms that passed through our area and left us with power outages, flooding, and countless tons of debris to clean up. I promised after going through two severe droughts that I would never complain about the rain. I still have not but am thinking about building an ark.

I would like to commend the City coworkers who spent much of the summer working long hours and extra days to help us recover from June’s weather. In the immediate response to power outages on June 13, City of Concord Electric Systems returned power to all customers by Saturday afternoon (two days after the storm) with the support of one Carolina Tree Care contract crew and four NC Public Power mutual aid assistance crews from King’s Mountain and Monroe. We thank our partners who helped us, as we have helped others many times before.

Crews from multiple City departments were deployed to continue collecting storm debris for several weeks afterward.

A total of seventy City coworkers worked on debris clean-up.

Crews comprised of personnel from the Water Resources (water, wastewater, and stormwater crews), Transportation, and Solid Waste Departments worked extended hours to collect over one thousand tons of debris. The outpouring of support and gratitude from the community was certainly received and appreciated, and I join the community in thanking our coworkers.

Concord’s new fiscal year began July 1, and I commend the City’s staff for recommending a carefully thought-out budget that did not raise taxes, and reflects the priorities established by the City Council. I appreciate the City Council’s commitment to providing a high value to residents and customers, and goal-oriented approach that begins with the planning session each year.

The City’s property tax rate continues to be among the lowest third of full-service North Carolina municipalities with populations greater than thirty-five thousand and the lowest

of those that do not charge solid waste and/or recycling fees. This in itself shows the tremendous value City residents get for their tax dollars.

continued on page 15

In June, the Concord City Council adopted a new budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year. State law requires the City Manager to recommend a budget to Council by the end of May, and a balanced budget must be adopted before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The new City-wide budget totals over 213 million dollars for all funds, including utilities and special revenue funds.

The FY 2013-14 General Fund budget, funded primarily through property and sales tax revenues, totals nearly 69 million dollars for City personnel, operations, capital improvements, and debt service. The tax rate remains at 48 cents per 100 dollars of valuation. There were no increases in rates for the water, wastewater, or stormwater funds. As per policy, we will continue to monitor Duke Energy wholesale cost changes to determine the need for Purchased Power Adjustments (up or down) for electric charges during the year.

Per Council’s direction, the focus has been on maintaining essential services provided to residents and businesses. To do this and to continue to make basic capital purchases, 1.64 million dollars were appropriated from the City’s Capital Reserve Fund. We are careful not to use reserves to fund operational items, because that would lead to a reliance on non-recurring revenues and trouble if the reserves are depleted.

The City’s property tax rate continues to be among the lowest third of full-service North Carolina municipalities with populations greater than thirty-five thousand, and the lowest of those that do not charge solid waste and/or recycling fees.

Like most organizations, the City was not able to weather the recession without impacting jobs. This budget eliminated two full-time positions (neither currently filled) and “froze” sixteen more with no appropriated salary, saving over 672 thousand dollars. No sworn police positions or firefighter positions have been frozen.

Including these positions, the City has eliminated twentyfour full-time and four part-time positions since July 2010 through attrition and reassignment of duties.

After several years of tight budgets and limited resources, several departments requested new positions during continued on page 14 concordnc.gov FALL 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 3

Waste Pro upgrades fleet of trucks CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

Two years ago, the City of Concord began a partnership with Waste Pro USA for collection of most items in the City’s residential solid waste program. While City coworkers collect yard waste from residents on a weekly basis, Waste Pro’s team is responsible for curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and bulky waste. The provider has a long history of service elsewhere in the southeast, but was relatively new to North Carolina when it launched service in Concord. Waste Pro quickly established itself in the community by basing its Charlotte-region operations in Concord. The company renovated an industrial building on Manor Avenue with many aesthetic and environmental improvements.

How are these new trucks better to serve the residents?

Waste Pro spent over 2.5 million dollars to purchase the new trucks, which the company says will offer better fuel efficiency to help keep operational costs low. Additionally, the trucks will leave a smaller carbon footprint because they use a fuel additive that creates nearly zero emissions.

The new fleet will also improve productivity at each stop.

Jennifer Herring, Waste Pro’s Division Manager, explained how the old trucks’ arm cycle for each stop was twenty-two seconds, and the new trucks take less than fifteen seconds at each stop now. “Faster pick up times allow for more efficient service for the residents of Concord,” said Herring.

At the same time, the City took a step forward with the launch of fully-automated garbage and recycling Safety first collection. Since this time, the City has saved One call The new trucks comply with all safety measures 1.7 million dollars each year in its solid waste does it all: that the City and Waste Pro require, including program In addition to achieving the savings contact the cameras placed throughout the truck to help through automation and other service drivers back up safely and see what is in adjustments, the City of Concord and Customer Call carts—preventing hazardous or prohibited Waste Pro have continued to look for ways Center waste from being mixed in. Herring to enhance service for customers, such as at 704-920-5555 or commented, “solid waste collection is fourth removing the call-in scheduling requirement learn more about out of the ten most dangerous jobs, making for bulky waste in July. Now, customers Solid Waste at safety even more of a priority for all employees.” simply make sure all items for collection concordnc.gov/ are at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their regular Recently, Doug Messer, Waste Pro lead/swing solidwaste. collection day (remember, visit concordnc.gov/ driver for the Concord division, earned the company’s whatsmyday to confirm your schedule), and the Safety Award for three years of flawless service. In City and Waste Pro take care of the rest. order for a driver to earn the award, they must have no accidents, no worker’s compensation claims, no valid customer As part of its commitment to the community and the highest complaints, no property damage, and no unexcused absences. level of service possible, Waste Pro decided to replace its fleet Waste Pro’s emphasis will help the City of Concord and its of automated side-loader collection trucks this summer. Even residents continue to save on Solid Waste costs and promote a though the trucks Waste Pro began using in 2011 were new, safer and healthier community. the company purchased ten new trucks that will serve City of Concord residents. Six trucks are dedicated to trash collection and four will collect recycling. This investment by Waste Pro is intended to improve service and will not transfer any additional costs to the City or taxpayers. The previous trucks had unanticipated mechanical issues that caused significant delays in collection and threatened the level of service. Waste Pro plans to repair and reuse the trucks in other regions with better access to maintenance.

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Residents can help make sure items are safely and efficiently collected too. Remember to place carts and all bulky and yard waste at the curb by 6:00 a.m. the day of your collection (residents are encouraged to place items out the night before collection). Place carts with wheels away from the road.

Keep garbage and recycling carts at least two feet apart from each other and two feet apart from other obstructions such as mailboxes, shrubs, fire hydrants, and cars. Do not block sidewalks with carts.

Residential energy assessments available CITY OF CONCORD/LARRY BRADLEY

Saving money is something we all want to do, and one of the best ways to do that is by conserving energy in the home. Every customer that lowers energy costs benefits the entire system because it keeps several factors down that determine electric rates, such as peak usage and generation demand. The City of Concord and the Electric Systems Department encourages all residents to follow three simple steps to understand how energy is used in their homes and what opportunities exist to improve efficiency.

Step 1: online evaluation Understanding how appliances, heating/cooling equipment, and lighting use energy may help you reduce energy costs. A free, simple online energy conservation calculator called Energy Depot is available on the Electric Systems Department’s page on concordnc.gov. This tool includes: Personal energy profile: customer billing history is analyzed in conjunction with answers to an online survey regarding home energy systems and practices.

Energy calculator: this calculates the annual energy costs for the complete range of home energy systems and appliances. It is designed to return your cost quickly without the need to perform a full audit (both electric and gas appliances are included).

Comparison tool: use this tool to quickly compare your existing home heating and air conditioning system, or water heater, with a new system. You can also compare two new systems to each other. You will receive annual energy use and cost, annual and monthly savings estimates and more (both electric and gas systems are included).

Energy library: the library contains more detailed and specific information to address your energy questions and help explain your personal energy saving recommendations. It contains sets of energy fact sheets categorized by system or appliance.

Step 2: electric usage histories Did you know that you can access your CITY OF CONCORD/LARRY BRADLEY

utility account (and pay your bill) online? e-Care is the City of Concord’s utility account information system and allows customers to view billing and usage history as well as provide payment options or even report a problem. Users have access to their account(s) whenever it’s convenient for them. Please call 704-920-5555 or visit concordnc.gov to sign up for e-Care today.

Step 3: energy audit and survey The City of Concord’s Electric Systems Department is committed to assisting customers with controlling power usage. If you still have questions after using these suggested web-based tools, a residential assessment program may be provided with no fee to residences receiving electric power from the City of Concord. Upon request, a staff member will visit the home, perform a walk-about survey, and make suggestions for energy-saving methods to the customer.

The representative may also provide the customer with information pertaining to the electric energy bill.

A checklist outlining the most important aspects of the energy survey will be completed by the energy surveyor and may be provided to the customer. Typical topics in the assessment include, but are not limited to : The implementation of suggested insulation energy ventilation conservation measures will be ground cover prioritized by windows overall savings, doors to assist the shade customer in low flow water fixtures achieving s the best ter water hea results for HVAC systems/ductwork the money. ns fa kitchen and bath exhaust While the mobile home skirting City of l tro con on ati Concord infiltr is happy to offer these suggestions, the City will not make improvements.

The homeowner is responsible for paying for any energy improvements recommended and coordinating all contracts for home improvement.

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Electric Systems staff members are ready to help you. To schedule an appointment, call the Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555. concordnc.gov FALL 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 5

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CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

oncord-Kannapolis Area Transit, known as Rider Transit, is making the final preparations to expand to seven-day service each week. The system, in operation since 2004, will launch Sunday service on October 6.

Rider Transit planned the expansion and other service enhancements during a record-setting period of passenger growth. In 2012 the system set a new annual record for passengers served, finishing the year with 448,513 trips.

“We hope to continue to improve our service and attract even more people to Rider,” said Transit Manager L.J. Weslowski. “Every day, new people discover the affordable convenience of Rider Transit, and we feel confident Sunday service will help us reach a new segment of the community.”

In addition to serving new passengers, the added day to the schedule will certainly benefit the system’s existing patrons. “It’s been the number one request from our customers,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt. “It especially affects those who have to work on Sundays.”

for service to Concord Mills mall.

Sunday service will follow the Saturday schedule, with buses in operation between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. (weekday service begins at 5:30 a.m.).

Rider Transit Sunday service begins October 6

A three-year federal grant will fund eighty percent of the cost of Sunday service, with the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis providing the remaining funding. The grant allows the system to evaluate demand without much of a local expense.

However, many churches along the seven routes are expected to generate Sunday passengers, in addition to a demand 6 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2013 concordnc.gov

In early 2014, the system’s fleet of buses will be replaced with all new, diesel-electric hybrid models. Other completed system enhancements include new security systems, free wi-fi for passengers, additional bus shelters, and lighting and system information at stops.

Seven routes serving Concord and Kannapolis arrive and depart from the Rider Transit Center, located at 3600 South Ridge Avenue, each hour. All buses meet ADA accessibility guidelines, and the rack on the front of each bus can accommodate two bicycles.

To try transit, visit ckrider.com to find the nearest stop or drop by the Rider Transit Center located at 3600 South Ridge Avenue, where the customer service staff can help plan your first trip. They can also help you over the phone at 704-920-RIDER (7433).

In-person or over-the-phone customer service is available 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays, and 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays (customer service is closed each day between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.).

Sargent honored for lifetime achievement in human resources City of Concord Human Resources Director Jeannine Sargent recently received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina chapter of the International Personnel Management Association (NC-IPMA) during the organization’s annual conference held in Raleigh.

Sargent has been a member of NCIPMA for more than twenty years, which bestowed its highest honor on her because of her innovative association leadership and work in the profession.

In the association, Sargent has served in many roles, including board member, audit chair, treasurer elect, treasurer, president elect, president, and past president. She has also assisted with several committee efforts and has worked as a mentor and guide to members.

“We congratulate Jeannine on this welldeserved recognition from her peers

in the public sector human resources field,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt.

“Her work in support of NC-IPMA and the profession is to be commended.”

The association cited her role in planning and hosting a successful state conference in 2011 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. The format used for this conference has become the model for NC-IPMA. Sargent was also recognized for introducing innovation and technology to the association, providing members with the tools and information needed to thrive in public sector human resources.

Other noted accomplishments included launching the NC-IPMA Public Service Project to offer assistance to those in need. Since 2011, NC-IPMA has provided assistance to Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN) in Concord, New Hanover County’s Help 2 Others program (H2O), and the Food Bank

CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

of Central & Eastern North Carolina, which operates six branch warehouses: a primary facility in Raleigh and branch warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Wilmington, and Southern Pines.

Sargent has been the Human Resources Director for the City of Concord since 2004, and holds Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certifications. To learn more about the award and NC-IPMA, visit nc-ipma.org.

Finance Department coworkers recognized with Shining Star award

The STAR program is an opportunity for City of Concord coworkers to recognize each other for excellent customer service. STAR stands for Special Thanks and Recognition. The City of Concord would like to congratulate Shelly Brown, April Clark, and Shannon Sturdivant for their commitment to our community.

CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR

Members of the Finance Department’s Collections team work with customers who may have trouble paying utility bills and taxes on a daily basis. Recently, team members Shelly Brown, April Clark, and Shannon Sturdivant showed exceptional compassion, concern, customer focus, and teamwork to help a customer in need.

They pitched in to pay the balance for a utility customer facing disconnection, who had only a small amount of money available to go towards the bill.

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Electric Systems coworker David Shue honored as 2013 Hometown Hero City of Concord Electric Systems coworker David Shue was honored in early August as a Hometown Hero by Electricities.

The program acknowledges the everyday men and women in North Carolina public Power communities who perform life-saving acts of heroism. Shue was recognized for awareness and quick thinking that potentially saved the lives of two people.

On September 26, 2012, Shue and his wife were at their home when they heard the screeching of a vehicle’s tires. They saw a two-door vehicle flipping in the air for more than two hundred feet, striking a tree where it came to rest upside down, and ejecting a young female passenger. While his wife attended to the ejected passenger, Shue ran to the vehicle, finding a young female driver unconscious, and held in upside down by her seat belt. He noticed gasoline pouring from the vehicle.

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Concerned for the life of the teenager, Shue attempted to free the driver but could not release the seat belt and used his pocket knife to cut her free. He pulled her from the vehicle and carried her a safe distance away to begin giving her care while his wife was giving care to the semi-conscious passenger.

2013 2014

Tuesday

October 21-25 November 11-15 December 30-31, January 2-3

Wednesday

November 4-8 December 16-20 January 27-31

Thursday

October 28-November 1 December 9-13 January 21-24 October 28-November 1 December 2-6 January 13-17

This schedule is subject to change due to weather delays and equipment breakdown.

Contact the Customer Care center or check our website for updates.

• 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

• 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.

Second Chance Program

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 the once per month loose leaf collection.

• Bagged leaves must be contained in untied, clear plastic or biodegradable

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.

No loose leaf collection is scheduled on City-observed holidays, including: Thanksgiving (November 28-29) Christmas (December 23-27) New Year’s Day (January 1) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20)

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February 3-7 February 10-14

by 7 am the first day of your loose leaf collection schedule.

b

Monday

October 21-25 November 18-22 January 6-10

paper bags weighing less than 35 pounds each.

• Place your loose leaves at the curb

B

Your Loose Leaves will be Collected…

Second Chance $75 fee

David Shue has worked for the Electric Systems Department’s tree trimming division since April, 2000 and is currently a crew supervisor. During his employment with the City, Shue has completed the Utility Arborist career development program and is certified as a Journeyman Utility Arborist.

The City of Concord and the Electric Systems Department join Electricities in thanking David Shue and his wife for their live-saving actions.

Loose Leaf Collection Schedule

If your Garbage Day is…

Friday

EMS and fire personnel soon passed by on the way to another call. EMS took over caring for the victims and transported them to the local CITY OF CONCORD/LARRY BRADLEY hospital, and firefighters saturated the vehicle to prevent it from catching fire. Shue was quoted as saying, “I don’t know how they survived, the Lord was with them.”

For updates, contact the

Customer Care Center

704.920.5555 or check our website

concordnc.gov

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Future greenway named in honor of Council Member Hector Henry W

hat will become the City of Concord’s longest greenway project was named Thursday, July 11 in honor of Council Member Dr. Hector H. Henry, II. Mayor Scott Padgett and Members of the City Council surprised Henry with the announcement added to the agenda for the July City Council meeting.

Henry has served the City of Concord for over thirty years on the City Council. He began his service as an Alderman in 1973 and continued until 1989. Following a four-year rest, he was again elected to serve as a Council Member in 1994 and continues to serve in this capacity today.

The future Hector H. Henry, II Greenway will follow the banks of the Rocky River fourteen miles through Concord.

The river enters City limits when it passes under Davidson Highway (NC 73) and continues through Concord until after 10 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2013 concordnc.gov

Approximately 14 miles of greenway within Concord City limits.

its confluence with Mallard Creek, where it enters Harrisburg and unincorporated Cabarrus County.

The greenway is considered the “spine” of the eastern footprint of the Carolina Thread Trail, connecting Iredell, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly, and Anson counties. The segment in Concord will pass a number of destination points, including local public schools, Concord Regional Airport, Concord Mills, Concord Convention Center, Rocky River Golf Club, zMAX Dragway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Construction on the first phase of this greenway began this summer adjacent to the Moss Creek neighborhood. Amenities along the 1.5-mile segment will include an observation deck, environmental education signs, a shelter, a rain garden, and four access points. The greenway path will be mostly asphalt, with several hundred feet of boardwalk where needed. This phase will also connect to Odell Elementary School and Harris Road Middle School.

The City of Concord will soon apply for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and Carolina Thread Trail Grant funding to assist with construction of the next phase, which will connect Weddington Road at the future Fire Station 11 site to the Riverwalk neighborhood.

“Dr. Henry has touched thousands of lives through his professional career as a physician, as a father and grandfather, over more than thirty years as a member of City Council, and his exemplary military career,” said Mayor Scott Padgett. “Hector’s accomplishments are varied and his wealth of knowledge and experience are without comparison. However, what makes him most worthy of this honor is his personal character and service to our City, state, and nation.”

Henry is a pediatric and adult urologist, holding a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and doctor of medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine. He also holds master’s degrees in anatomy (Tulane) and public health (UNC-Chapel Hill). At Carolinas Medical CenterNorthEast (formerly NorthEast Medical Center and Cabarrus Memorial Hospital),

Hector has served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chief of Urology, and Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Henry also has a long and distinguished record of service in our nation’s armed forces.

He is a Colonel in the United States Army Reserves Medical Corps and most recently served active duty as Task Force (medical) commander for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. He previously served in the Persian Gulf and Vietnam Wars, and formerly served as the State Surgeon for the North Carolina National Guard.

In his current practice, he is the chief of urology and director of the residency program at the Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury. He is also a clinical professor for Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Department of Urology. He remains on the staff of CMC-NE, has a urology consulting firm, is the urological consultant to the Cabarrus Health Alliance, and is a consulting professor of urology for Duke University School of Medicine.

He is married to Marjorie Benbow, a patent attorney and Managing Director of the Wake Forest University Charlotte Center.

Henry has three sons, two grandsons, and a granddaughter.

For more information about the Hector H. Henry, II Greenway project, visit concordnc.gov.

CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR

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fall and smearing the bands with a sticky substance prevents the female wingless moths from climbing up the trunks to lay eggs in the tops of the trees.

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id cankerworms take over your yard this spring? To help prevent the weeks of webs, eaten leaves, and inchworms on your clothes in spring 2014, the time to act is coming soon!

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12 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2013 concordnc.gov

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Because the female moths climb trees following the first freeze in the fall to lay eggs, using the tree banding technique at that time can help control this growing problem. Eggs hatch in the spring, then defoliate and weaken trees. Banding trees in the

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• Fall cankerworms will not kill a healthy tree in their four to five-week spring feeding frenzy. If all the leaves are removed, the tree will wait a few weeks and then put out new leaves.

• The best control for reducing future infestations is tree banding. Place bands on trees in November and monitor them until the larva disappear in April.

• Spraying is less effective. Since the larva stage is short term, the cankerworms won’t kill the tree and spraying a mature tree is difficult or expensive. Most homeowners will ignore the spring infestation on mature shade trees.

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For best results, trees should be banded The fall around the This article first cankerworm last week of appeared in the fall 2012 has November. issue of the City Circular. Many become an It is residents followed our suggestions increasing important and saw great improvements nuisance to wait to trees until most this spring. For those who did not and leaves consider tree bands last year, we property have hope reprinting this article will owners in fallen inspire many to be proactive and Cabarrus from the take back their yards from County over trees so the the pesky cankerworm. the last few leaves don’t years. Feeding get stuck to larvae (which the tree bands. hatch in the Focus on trees spring) can defoliate that are higher and build bothersome than 20 feet. Don’t webs in many tree expect banding to totally species. control every cankerworm in your landscape. Even if After many years of infesting trees a trap is 100 percent effective, in Charlotte, cankerworms moved into cankerworms may still blow in from other Harrisburg in 2009 and made their way to Concord places, particularly on understory plants. For more and Kannapolis in 2010. Cabarrus cankerworm populations information about cankerworm prevention and tree banding continued to increase in 2011 and 2012. However, a few instructions, visit http://bit.ly/cankerworms or call the simple tips can help you reduce their impact: Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension at 704-920-3310.

HOW TO BAND A TREE:

1

I nstall a strip of cotton or insulation around the tree at least three feet from the ground and below the lowest limb.

2 3

Position a band of roofing felt over the strip and attach it to the trees with a staple gun*.

Wearing disposable gloves and using a putty knife, put a film of Tanglefoot™ (glue) directly on the band, approximately 1/8 of an inch thick. Start with a 2-inch wide strip of Tanglefoot. Monitor the trap and add additional Tanglefoot as necessary.

4

Keep the band in place until the larvae stage disappears in late April. If the cankerworms run out of food, they will start crawling around and may become trapped in the band during the larva stage.

* For small trees, substitute electrical tape for the staples.

Do not use nails.

The City of Concord’s Customer Care center has been the main point of customer contact over the phone since January, 2000. The Care Center is not simply a call center or switchboard that would direct callers elsewhere in the City organization. Rather, it is a team of professionals who have the training and ability to help customers resolve most questions or issues with the convenience of a phone call.

The services listed here, along with many other needs, can be resolved with one simple phone call to the Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555.

The Care Center is staffed weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., however after hours needs can be reported to the same number.

During periods of heavy call volume, the Customer Care Center uses a queue system to manage calls to help you speak to a representative as soon as possible. Customer Service Manager Tammy Linn suggests that customers remain patient while holding, because hanging up and calling back will place the caller at the end of the queue. The City has recently improved the phone system to play music while callers are on hold, which will make holding slightly more pleasant. The Customer Care Center’s goal

Customer Care Center helps provide the best service to you r vices the e s w e f a just Here are mer Care Center Custo e: can provid etup account s y it il t u w • Ne es inquiry c n la a b y ne • Utilit r the pho e v o t n e aym • Utility p , or other ls a im n a ead • Spills, d ental issues s, environm , sidewalk s t e e r t s to • Damage public property or other claims • Citizen recycling r o e g a b gar r • Missed electric o y it C f o tion • Interrup r vice water se The Customer Care Center is ready to assist you. Call

704-920-5555 for assistance, or you can also email requests to

custcare@concordnc.gov.

is to answer 90 percent of calls within twenty seconds.

When the City’s Electric System experiences power outages, customers should call 704-920-5555. During outages, an interactive voice response system (IVR) is in place to help customers avoid waiting during the high volume of calls during a service problem. The system can process eight times the calls that a live operator could handle. The system works with an outage call manager (OCM) to provide customers with fast, efficient outage call management and processing. The complete outage management system answers customer calls during outages, offers quality customer service with increased accessibility, identifies callers and retrieves customer information, manages collected data, and provides customers with current outage information including known outage areas, current restoration efforts, and estimated time of restoration.

Should the customer desire, they can request access to a live representative, although not required. Once service problems have resolved, the system will call back each customer who reported a service problem, confirming that their service is working correctly again. As you can see, calling 704-920-5555 during power outages is very important to helping the City know you have an outage and providing you the information you need.

Did you know...

Did you know the City’s Electric Systems department offers a rebate to residential customers who install qualified new or replacement heat pumps? For more information, please call 704-920-5335 or visit

concordnc.gov

concordnc.gov FALL 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 13

Manager’s Notes continued from page 3 the budget process to meet increasing customer needs. Only a few requests were recommended and adopted, leaving the other needs remaining for the FY 2014-15 budget process. The adopted budget includes five new full-time positions, including two new police positions and one part-time job, along with the unfreezing of three frozen positions within the organization.

Adding (or filling) these positions will enable these departments to provide a consistent level of service as demand continues to increase.

The budget also contains funds for two small, merit-based salary adjustments for coworkers. The Council’s goal is to maintain a General Fund balance (savings account) target between thirty and thirty-five percent of expenditures, and staff continues to ensure our budget meets the Council goal.

A few highlights and challenges for the new fiscal year: The budget will certainly enable the City to maintain and enhance services in many areas. At the same time there are future challenges to overcome. At the State level, the General Assembly continues to consolidate power in Raleigh in many areas of previouslylocal control, particularly related to growth management. Fortunately, the Legislature has thus far kept to the promise not to use existing municipal revenues to balance the budget.

However, there are other changes under discussion that could impact local revenues.

The most far reaching efforts are directed toward tax reform.

Modernization is needed, but true reform would include the broadening and simplification of the base, rather than the shifting of responsibilities and/or reducing local revenues. This year, State representatives promised the changes will be at least revenue neutral for local government and it appears that is what has taken place.

Most people now realize that with the proper management tools in place, no growth is as bad, or worse, than too much. However, many also remember that rapid growth without checks and balances can overstress infrastructure and undermine the quality of life.

Continuing efforts to be user-friendly and ensure balance, the budget includes purchasing the Accela software currently used by Cabarrus County.

Concord and the County are pursuing a partnership use of this software to make the development review process more seamless, a great example of how technology can make it easier to interact with local governments.

Concord, Kannapolis, and Albemarle are jointly funding a line to bring treated Yadkin River water from the Albemarle system, with construction beginning in 2013. Concord will fund its portion from reserves; the line will help avoid water shortages encountered during recent droughts and provide capacity for future economic growth.

Concord Regional Airport (CRA) continues to be a vital resource in supporting the business and general aviation communities. Recent efforts at the Federal level to eliminate funding for the contract control tower program have been challenging. Funding for this program is secure through the end of the Federal fiscal year (September 30), but uncertain after. There is interest in providing scheduled commercial flights from CRA to a destination and back during particular days of the week.

While there will be some upfront costs to make this arrangement work, it provides the opportunity for other revenue sources and solidifies the airport’s status to qualify for FAA funding for airports with commercial-type operations.

The Transportation Improvement Fund was created by the City Council almost fifteen years ago. The equivalent of two cents of the property tax rate combined with dollars generated from local vehicle license fees are restricted each year, and are often used to supplement

14 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2013 concordnc.gov

private or NCDOT funds for projects.

Developer and NCDOT delays postponed some projects to the current fiscal year, including a traffic signal at George Liles Parkway and Village Drive and the rehabilitation of Burrage Road. New funds for this year will help connect Weddington and Old Holland Roads, continue design work for improvements to Brookwood Avenue, match dollars for the traffic management grant and the NE Subset sidewalk extension, and improve Virginia Street.

Many other NCDOT projects also involve some type of financial participation from Concord’s Transportation Fund. These other projects include the extension of George Liles Parkway, current and future widening on I-85 (and interchange improvements), widening Derita Road, and more (you can search for local projects at ncdot.gov.

An existing Fire

and Life Safety ladder company will be moved to a new station planned on Weddington Road adjacent to the Rocky River. This station will provide better protection and also help support the City’s enhanced Insurance Service Office (ISO) class 2 rating, and also house a Cabarrus County EMS unit.

Additionally, it will be located at the trailhead for the future Hector H. Henry, II Greenway segment in that area and be adjacent to a proposed City park that will include a dog park.

Another major budget item is to

purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for each firefighter, sometimes known as an air-pack. All are being replaced at one time in order for the equipment to be compatible and interchangeable.

This is just a snapshot of the FY 2013-14 budget, which is the City’s financial, operational, and performance plan for this fiscal year. The full document containing more detail on approved expenditures is available at concordnc.gov/budget.

From the Mayor continued from page 3 Staff continues to use technology and new ways of doing things to provide better and more efficient service to customers. One example is the use of tablets to locate bulky waste curbside. Now, residents do not have to call-in

to schedule collection of these items. By locating bulky waste in advance with more efficient vehicles, the City saves money by having collection trucks go directly where needed rather than searching for items along every street.

An exciting project included in this year’s budget is the design of a new City hall. This has been needed for many years as the current three older buildings create challenges for customers and staff. The new facility will be located next to Police Headquarters on Cabarrus avenue, and will be a major step forward for Concord. Be sure to read the City Manager’s column for more highlights from this year’s budget.

In July, the City Council named what will become the City of Concord’s longest greenway project in honor of Council Member Henry. The future Hector H. Henry, II Greenway will follow the banks of the Rocky River fourteen miles through Concord. We appreciate the service of Dr. Henry and I hope you will read more about this project on page 10.

SAVE THE DATE! Come Downtown on

Friday, November 22

for an evening of fun and festivities:

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks EVENT SCHEDULE:

5:30 Children’s activities Trolley and carriage rides

6:00 Family entertainment 7:30 Tree lighting and Fireworks!

Also join us for the Art Walk 6:00-9:00 presented by:

City of Concord Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Medical Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911 One number does it all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5555 Call the Customer Call 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 The primary phone numbers for the various City departments are: Main Switchboard Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5200 Accounts Payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5217 Accounts Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5231 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 Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5143 Electric Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5320 Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5425 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5220 Fire Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5516 Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5430 GIS/Mapping/Addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5153 Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-788-1139 Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5100 Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5219 Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5600 Planning & Neighborhood Development . . . . . . . 704-920-5143 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 Sewer Construction & Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5351 Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5361 Stormwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5360 Tax Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5216 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-735-8262 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5362 Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5341 Zoning/Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5152

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P.O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28036

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Sessler begins as Buildings and Grounds Director

CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR

Susan Sessler, Concord’s third Buildings and Grounds Director, began work on Monday, July 8.

She will lead a department of nearly fifty coworkers who provide maintenance and support to ensure efficient and cost-effective City services.

“The people of Concord and those that work for the City have been very welcoming and gracious in introducing me to the community.

I am excited to work here and look forward to becoming a part of what makes this such a great place.”

The department is responsible for ground maintenance, building maintenance, HVAC/ electrical repair, custodial services, vacant lot mowing, street rights of way mowing, public housing grounds maintenance, and operations of City-owned cemeteries. The department’s mission is to efficiently maintain a clean, safe, productive, and energyefficient work environment for City coworkers and the visiting public, which exceeds

expectations in the area of general maintenance and repairs to City-owned buildings, parks, greenways, and rights of way.

Sessler worked with Greensboro College for eighteen years, most recently as Vice President for Facilities. Among her responsibilities were the maintenance and renovation of buildings, athletic facilities, and other grounds. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from UNC-Chapel Hill, a post-graduate diploma in corporate sustainability from Furman University, and is a Certified Facility Manager by the International Facility Management Association.

Sessler is also a licensed real estate broker.