Spring 2013 by City of Concord NC

Information You Can Use

SPRING 2013

Rider Transit launches system improvements Downtown Coca-Cola mural restoration starts a trend Wildlife habitat certified at Brown Operations Center Viva Verde Earth Fest

City Council

David W. Phillips District 1

Ella Mae Small District 3

W. Lamar Barrier District 5

James E. Ramseur District 2 Mayor Pro-Tem

Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4

Hector H. Henry II District 6

Swat a litterbug Littering North Carolina roadways is not an acceptable behavior, and never has been. Some people simply need to be informed and reminded that their littering, whether deliberate or unintentional, can end with their personal commitment to stop.

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Fortunately, the Swat-A-Litterbug Program is available to help. The program is an educational effort administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Beautification Programs. In order to communicate to motorists who litter (litterbugs), the City of Concord and NCDOT ask every citizen to assist us in our educational effort to ensure a cleaner and safer roadway system.

In this Issue: John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7

Let NCDOT know when a person is littering in one of the following ways: • On-line Swat-ALitterbug form at ncdot.gov • Call 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1-877-368-4968) • Mail in the Swat-A-Litterbug card*

Upon receipt of the litterbug information, NCDOT will: • Notify the vehicle owner of the littering offense • Inform the vehicle owner of the penalties for littering • Urge the litterbug to stop littering The Swat-A-Litterbug Program provides every citizen an opportunity to be an active participant in ensuring roadways are kept clean, beautiful, and safe. *

o obtain Swat-A-Litterbug cards, call T 1-800-331-5864.

COVER PHOTO: CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

From the Mayor | Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . 3 Recognized Neighborhood Program . . . . . 4-5 Fleet Services: fueling improvement . . . . . . . 5

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.

Streamlined job applicant process . . . . . . . . 6

Viva Verde Earth Fest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back

Downtown mural restoration starts a trend . . .6 Quick tips for springtime electrical safety . . . . 7 How flushable are paper towels and wipes? . . 7 Rider Transit launches improvements . . . . 8-9

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

EPA WaterSense® program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Brown Center certified wildlife habitat . . . . . 11 Financial assistance available . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Moss named Atwater Awardee . . . . . . . . . . 13 Shining STAR award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL SPRING 2011 2013 concordnc.gov concordnc.gov

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From the Mayor

Manager’s Notes

J. Scott Padgett

Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager

Proud to be on a winning team

How are we doing?

Although some may see it as a mundane exercise, putting together a budget each year is the most important thing cities do, because no other work is possible without it. In Concord, we approach this monumental task with a spirit of teamwork, and I would like to offer you some insight to how it happens. The process began in late January, when the City Council and I once again met with the City’s staff leadership team for the annual planning session. Of course, by this point the staff has already put considerable work into financial forecasts, policy research, and solutions to community needs. At the session, their findings are presented to the elected officials for deliberation. This is our opportunity to evaluate progress on current year goals (which are already over eighty percent complete, by the way), receive information on the financial outlook, and consider priorities and focus areas for the year to come. The City Council continues to be forward-looking and progressive in its thinking, and the possibilities in our future are exciting. CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

Customer feedback is essential to evaluating the way the City departments deliver services. We get regular feedback through the City’s Customer Care Center, outreach efforts such as Concord 101, and from recognized neighborhoods in the Partnership for Stronger Neighborhoods program. Of course, citizens also provide frequent thoughts and ideas through their elected officials and by contacting the City Manager’s Office. Every two years we supplement this information with a survey that solicits general feedback on City services and issues. The 2012 Concord Citizen Survey was conducted between October and December of 2012 by Research and Training Specialists, Inc. The survey sample was selected from a random list of 1,500 residential utility customers, plus any citizen who took the time to complete the survey on-line through the City’s web site. With 95 percent confidence that the findings are within a 5.8 percent margin of error, the results are very helpful. Here are some examples: About 96 percent of the Concord residents who responded believe that the City is a good place to live and a good place to raise children. 94 percent believe Concord is a safe place to live. 92 percent think the City is making good decisions about the environment. 72 percent see Concord as providing good employment opportunities, up from 62 percent in 2010. 85 percent believe the City has a good environment for business. At the same time, over 80 percent of citizens are positive about Concord’s decisions on development and nearly 77 percent believe their tax dollars are being spent wisely. This is up from about 70 percent agreeing with both statements in 2010.

City elected officials and staff receive a financial update from finance director Pam Hinson

Over 90 percent now support the development of greenways, up from 72 percent in 2008.

A large focus again this year was on what the City has already done and can do going forward to serve customers better. The City continues to look for ways to embrace technology and seek partnerships that will result in better and more efficient service for you. Teamwork within the organization and with external partners is essential to improving our already great quality of life. To learn about a new partnership with Cabarrus County that will make permitting easier for those

Important to evaluating the effectiveness of our customer service initiative, nearly every department was rated by at least 90 percent of respondents as being courteous. On average, 93 percent of respondents agreed that City employees treat customers courteously; up from 91 percent in 2010. In addition, each department was

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CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR

Recognized Neighborhood Program re-energizes

Henry Wallace and Nancy Ann Bowman from Roberta Farms speak with police captain Betty Stocks

Understanding the dynamic characteristics of neighborhoods within the program, and identifying several specific opportunities for growth, Community Outreach Coordinator Cherie Jzar is developing strategies and tools to achieve three main outcomes: a stronger partnership with viable neighborhood organizations, improved lines of communication between the City and the neighborhood organizations, and increased capacity of neighborhoods leaders. “We have several neighborhood organizations in our program that became involved and sought recognition while focused on a single issue,” said Jzar. “Some of these organizations are no longer engaged with the City of Concord or active in their neighborhoods, and we are looking to refocus our resources on those organizations that wish to maintain a partnership with the City.” Viable neighborhood organizations are those that set goals, remain active, and work to establish a healthy group of volunteers to assist with neighborhood activities. Strengthening the lines of communication between the City and neighborhood organizations, as well as establishing a platform where the various organizations can communicate with each other, are targeted improvement areas. The program’s existing communication strategy is heavily dependent on staff neighborhood liaisons, while neighborhood organizations typically focus on issues and problems with little communication among neighborhoods. Communication enhancements will ensure the City has the critical information needed to address issues before they become crises, and provide the forum for neighborhood associations to support and learn from each other.

4 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov

Research has shown that neighborhood organizations are effective in changing the attitudes and behaviors of residents. They help channel information to deter criminal activity, clean-up blighted areas, and empower citizens by providing opportunities to speak as one voice about concerns. However, if citizens do not see the value in engaging or do not know how to engage, the channel of communication is ineffective. Therefore, it is critical to develop the capacity of neighborhood leaders to generate interest in the work of their organizations, as well as identify solutions to address issues or resources for neighborhood improvement. Association meetings must be focused on providing relevant, fun, and engaging ways to connect residents with each other and the City. After twelve years, the criteria for becoming a recognized neighborhood and program resources are due for an update. By redefining what it means to be a formally recognized neighborhood organization and establishing a process for inactive neighborhood organizations, participating neighborhoods will yield better results. Going forward, recognized neighborhood organizations will be required to host at least one general membership meeting each year. The minimum of one annual meeting indicates an active neighborhood, and provides the platform for the City and neighbors to interface directly with each other. The City has established a dormant status for inactive neighborhood organizations. Neighborhoods in dormant status will be removed from the official recognized neighborhood listing and will not be eligible for Neighborhood Matching Grant funding and other program resources until they fulfill the criteria for reactivation. Other additions to the program include the establishment of a Neighborhood Leadership Council (NLC). The NLC will provide an open, flexible, and consistent forum

Ron and Kay Cleaver from Harbour Towne and Bruce

CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR

The City’s Partnership for Stronger Neighborhoods program has established a strong foundation of engagement with organized neighborhood associations. Established in 2000, the program recognizes the important role neighborhoods play in the vitality of the City of Concord. Currently, there are 53 neighborhood organizations in the program representing both traditional older sections of Concord and newly developed subdivisions.

One City department continues to be awarded for its excellence, yet is often not recognized within the community as a vital function. Concord’s “unsung hero” is the Fleet Services department, which does much more than just receiving awards; it is helping to preserve our environment.

Fleet Services: fueling improvement

with hybrids or other fuelefficient models. For instance, the department has been replacing police cruisers with patrol vehicles powered by sixcylinder engines since 2003. Today, 95 percent of the entire police fleet has six-cylinder engines. These cars have a better fuel economy and are cheaper to purchase than eight-cylinder alternatives. Because of this significant change, the police fleet has saved 25,000 gallons of fuel in the past five years alone. Fleet Services has also purchased two neighborhood electric vehicles and one propane-powered truck, used in the Police and Aviation departments, respectively, to further reduce emissions.

Concord’s Fleet Services department has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Because of all of Fleet Services’ innovative Public Sector Fleets for practices, the City of Concord has reduced fuel three consecutive years. In consumption by 4 percent over the last fiscal 2012, Concord was ranked year and currently has the lowest fuel usage the forty-second best fleet in since 2006, saving you $60,000. Hats off to North America, competing Fleet Services director Daniel Nuckolls and his against city, county, and state team for helping all City departments serve government fleet departments. customers more efficiently. Furthermore, Concord’s Fleet Services has been the leader for the past five years in the North Carolina Benchmarking Project for having the lowest cost-vehicle equivalent unit. Besides operating fuel-efficient vehicles, Fleet Services innovates with fuel management techniques. Concord has So why is this significant and how does this relate to you? One multiple stations around the city to reduce the distances word: savings! Fleet Services has gone through great lengths vehicles have to travel to refuel. In order to improve air to discover creative ways to save fuel, which saves money quality in the summer, the department prohibits fueling and the environment. One method the department uses is between the 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., which reduces the amount of called “right-sizing.” Essentially, right-sizing is calculating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released in the air. VOCs the most appropriate number of vehicles for the size of the are harmful to human health and the environment because city, as well as choosing the most suitable equipment for they create ground level ozone, which is defined by the U.S. performing a service. Right-sizing ensures high efficiency Environment Protection Agency as the main component of because it guarantees the City is not spending excess money smog. Another effective approach is the use of a B20 biodiesel on unnecessary vehicles and equipment. blend for heavy trucks and equipment. B20 biodiesel is partially made with vegetable or animal oil, and burns cleaner Fleet Services has incorporated several hybrid vehicles in than regular diesel. Using B20 biodiesel displaces 60,000 the City’s fleet, comprising about five percent of all light-duty gallons of regular diesel fuel a year, substantially reducing our vehicles. The department discourages the use of SUVs unless dependence on foreign oil. they are hybrids, and continuously tries to replace old vehicles

for communication and information exchange. Neighborhood leaders will meet each quarter to share experiences, exchange information, and have access to focused leadership training. Staff is also building a speakers bureau to Eitner from Fairway Ridge help neighborhood organizations identify training and education programs offered by the City. Finally, staff will provide technical assistance to increase neighborhood management and to help neighborhoods identify strategies and resources to address neighborhood issues. Issues

addressed include: traffic and pedestrian safety, public safety, environment, beautification and property maintenance, and community relations. These enhancements were developed from observation and discussion with neighborhood liaisons and neighborhood leaders, and are the best solutions to address the identified needs using existing resources. These options will address the current challenges and build a foundation to move forward into the future. Learn more about Partnership for Stronger Neighborhoods at concordnc.gov/neighborhoods. concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 5

Automated hiring streamlines job applicant process The City of Concord’s Human Resources Department launched a new webbased applicant tracking system in January that will drastically reduce the amount of paper and time required to fill vacancies. The City began using OpenHire, recruitment software designed by SilkRoad Technology, to automate the hiring process while saving time and money. “The recruitment process itself has not drastically changed, HR is simply automating the manner in which we receive applications and communicate with applicants, hiring mangers, and department directors,” said Jeannine Sargent, Human Resources Director. “In keeping with the City’s core values, the Human Resources Department strives for continuous improvement while

promoting innovation and flexibility to meet the changing needs of internal and external customers.” OpenHire automates the hiring process by allowing Human Resources staff and hiring managers to review resumes electronically and effectively mange applicant information and job postings with the click of a mouse. The public can access the system from the Human Resources Department page on concordnc.gov. Applicants without computer access are able to view job listings and apply for positions using the online process on two computer kiosks in the lobby of the City Hall Annex, located at 66 Union Street, S. In addition, staff is available to assist applicants who experience challenges navigating the online

application. While the department hopes to be paperless in the future, paper applications will remain available to job seekers who are unable to complete the electronic application. Applicants can apply for City of Concord jobs, update contact information, and check the status of applications any time of the day online. Additionally, job seekers can also sign up for a job agent—an automatic email alert to notify them when a job posting matches their skill set. Applicants can update their job agent as their skills or job interests change. Candidates will also receive an email notification when the position has been filled. For more information, visit concordnc.gov or call 704-920-5100.

Downtown Coca-Cola mural restoration starts a trend COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. CONSOLIDATED

The restored 1960s-era hand-painted Coca-Cola mural at the intersection of Cabarrus Avenue and Union Street has started a trend of similar projects across the Piedmont. This project, completed in 2011 with financial support from Coca-Cola Consolidated, has re-created a beautiful work of art and landmark in our historic center city area. Coca-Cola was so proud of the project in Concord and elsewhere, that they created several videos to document the community impact and process. They even featured Concord’s mural on their 2012 Christmas card sent to customers across the United States. 6 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov

Learn what the signs and restoration mean to communities across the state. http://youtu.be/YejgUPrL-CY

More background on the restoration process. http://youtu. be/2pq2evC9PTw

According to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are 40,000 residential fires annually caused by problems with electrical wiring systems, claiming more than 700 lives and causing thousands of injuries from electrical shocks and burns. In addition there are an estimated 550 electrocution deaths nationwide. Unsafe conditions such as overloaded circuits and damaged insulation as well as the misuse of extension cords and electrical products create fire hazards and may result in electrocutions.

Inside the home u Be alert when using electrical products. Follow manufacturer’s instructions, and read care and maintenance manuals and warnings carefully before you use the product. u Keep extension and electrical cords out of the reach of children and pets. Don’t run electrical cords under rugs or carpets. If they overheat, they could cause a fire. Use extension cords only on a temporary basis; they are not intended for use as permanent household wiring. u Avoid overloading outlets, and never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit. Check that all of your outlets in the bathroom and outlets near the kitchen sink are GFCI. If you don’t have them, get them installed. If you do have hem, test them regularly. u Don’t use appliances with frayed, cut, or damaged cords; they can cause a shock or fire. Unplug all counter appliances when not in use. u Place all appliances away from the sink. Water and electricity don’t mix. If a plugged-in appliance falls into the water, never reach in to pull it out – even if it’s turned off – unplug first. u Schedule an electrical safety inspection by a licensed electrical contractor or inspector to help identify areas for improvement and insure the safety of your home.

+ Quick tips for springtime electrical safety

Spring is a great time of the year to check your home for electrical safety. Whether your chores include mowing the lawn, trimming trees, planting shrubs, or cleaning gutters, it is important to remember that the electricity inside your home comes from outside your home via transformers, utility poles, and either overhead or buried cables. Keep these electrical safety tips in mind:

Outside the home u When planting in your yard, make sure you leave at least ten feet of space around ground level transformers. u Leave three feet of accessible space in front of your electric meter or around your electric pedestal. u Call the North Carolina One Call Center by dialing 811 before you do any digging. u Ladders conduct electricity. Be especially careful not to let ladders or trimmers come in contact with overhead wires. u Have a qualified electrician install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles in outdoor outlets. After installation, test your GFCIs monthly.

Take a few minutes to look for and correct electrical safety hazards in your home. It does not take too long to check the insulation on a cord, move an appliance away from water, check for correct wattage light bulb or install a GFCI. Invest your time. It could prevent an electrical safety hazard and save a life.

Paper towels and flushable wipes: how flushable are they? Out of sight, out of mind—that’s what most of us think about what goes down the household toilet. For most home owners this is true, but not always—and you would be surprised at what is becoming the biggest cause of sewer spills and back-ups.

to a study, last year, 28 percent of the City of Raleigh’s reported sewer spills were caused by the introduction of paper debris into the sewer system. This figure does not include any individual back-ups handled by the homeowner and their plumber.

Kitchen grease disposal, which had been the main cause of past sewer blockages, has now been replaced by paper debris (paper products other than toilet paper). According

Some common examples of paper debris are sanitary wipes and hand towels, continued on page 14

concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 7

Rider Transit launches system improvements Concord Kannapolis Area Transit (known as Rider Transit) is in the middle of several announced changes and enhancements coming to the system, starting in late fall 2012 and continuing through next year. Rider Transit Manager L.J. Weslowski presented the enhancements to the Concord and Kannapolis City Councils for final approval during their October meetings, after the Concord Kannapolis Transit Commission gave the initial go-ahead in September. “These enhancements bring our excellent service to the next level,” said Weslowski. “We look forward to implementing the improvements over the next year as our system continues to grow.” Most of the capital improvements will be funded primarily by Federal Transit Administration dollars and grant funding, with a local cost of twenty percent split by the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis. The biggest news is about the cornerstone of the transit system – the fleet of ten 35-foot buses and two Light Transit Vehicles (LTVs). The system was started in 2004 with the purchase of eight 35-foot Gillig Low Floor heavy-duty buses. One of the criteria for replacing aging buses with new ones is how many miles each vehicle has on it – in the case of transit buses, that number is 500,000 miles. Rider Transit’s original eight buses are on pace to hit that mark in the spring and summer of 2013. As buses reach that half-million mileage mark, the cost of maintenance and the amount of time they are down for repairs increases dramatically. 8 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov

Rider Transit is excited to announce the purchase of eight new hybrid-electric buses from Gillig, Inc., to replace the aging fleet. Not only will these buses be new and modern, they will also cut down on polluting emissions and will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 25 percent annually. Delivery of the eight new buses is expected in March 2014. Shelters are an oasis for passengers looking to get out of the pouring rain or beating sun, and having a place to sit while waiting for the bus is an even nicer feature of most transit shelters. There are currently ten shelters located throughout Concord and Kannapolis, and Rider Transit is purchasing and installing ten new bus shelters this spring. The new shelters will be split in both communities served by the system, bringing the total number of shelters to ten in Concord and ten in Kannapolis. New shelter locations include the Cabarrus Health Alliance, Logan Community, Kannapolis YMCA and Senior Center, Starbucks/Carolina Mall, and CMC-NorthEast. Security is a critical part of keeping a transit system safe and accessible, and lighting is one of the most effective ways to improve security. Current bus shelters in Concord and Kannapolis do not have lighting, making them less than ideal for early-morning or late-evening passengers. The system plans to install solar-powered lighting in all existing and new shelters, to provide a more comfortable experience.

SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

IN PLACE OR COMING SOON

FREE Wi-Fi on all Rider busses

Route schedule & map added at all 246 bus stops

Security surveillance systems upgrade Solar lighting added to existing 10 bus shelters & to 20 bus stops

10 NEW bus shelters added with benches, trash cans and solar powered lighting

For stops in less developed areas without shelters and little light from other sources, Rider Transit has already installed twenty solar-powered security lights. These easy to install lights are programmed to come on automatically just before service begins each morning, and light locations until after service hours each evening. Rider buses have included on-board video and audio surveillance systems since the 2004 system launch, and have helped make a trip on Rider more comfortable. However, in the rapidly changing digital age, the original surveillance system became outdated and cost-prohibitive to maintain. The old camera systems have been replaced with new systems containing twice the cameras on each bus and several other enhancements to keep Rider Transit safe and secure. Perhaps one of the most exciting enhancements for passengers is the addition of wireless internet access to the entire Rider Transit fleet. Passengers are now able to connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots on every Rider vehicle, providing productivity and connectivity to friends and family while on-board. To help keep passengers updated, new bus system and schedule information are being added to all 246 stops across the system. These display cases provide passengers map, service, and customized schedule information at each

Coming October 2013: Sunday service (same schedule as Saturday: 8:30am-8:30pm)

Coming Spring 2014: Original buses will be replaced with NEW modern BRT-styled hybrid electric buses

stop, answering the most common question a passenger has – “when will the bus be here?” Speaking of questions, one of the most frequent requests for service from passengers is to run on Sundays for access to church services, shopping, and employment opportunities. Rider Transit is looking forward to beginning Sunday service on October 6, 2013. Sunday service will follow the Saturday schedule, running from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Rider Transit planned these 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 Weslowski. “Every day, new people discover the affordable convenience of Rider Transit, and we hope you are the next one.” 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.). concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 9

he City of Concord has teamed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program to help consumers save water for future generations and reduce costs on their utility bills.

WaterSense aims to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through water-efficient products and simple water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes water-saving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment.

Concord partners with EPA WaterSense® program

“The goal of EPA’s WaterSense program is to help Americans save water and money by offering simple ways to reduce water use though water-efficient product choices,” says Sheila Frace, Director of the EPA Office of Water’s Municipal Support Division. “Using water more efficiently can help delay the need to create more supplies, saving communities money and resources, as well as ensuring that water will be available for future generations.” “We are proud to be a WaterSense partner,” said Christie Putnam, Concord Water Resources Director. “We look forward to working with customers to improve water efficiency awareness and promote WaterSense labeled products and water-saving practices inside and outside the home.” WaterSense labeled products must meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance. Independently tested and certified products may bear the WaterSense label, which makes it easy for consumers to identify and select a variety of quality, water-efficient products and services for their homes and lawns. WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water. For more information on WaterSense, and for a full list of labeled products and WaterSense irrigation partners, visit epa.gov/watersense.

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The average home, retrofitted with waterefficient fixtures, can save 30,000 gallons per year. If one out of every 10 homes in the United States upgraded to water-efficient fixtures, it could save more than 300 billion gallons and nearly $2 billion annually.

Wildlife habitat certified at Brown Operations Center

The National Wildlife Federation® (NWF) recognized the City of Concord’s Brown Operations Center property off Warren C. Coleman Boulevard as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat™ site. The property attracts a variety of birds, butterflies and other local animals by providing a wildlife-friendly landscape.

NWF began the Certified Wildlife Habitat program in 1973, and has since certified almost 150,000 habitats nationwide. The majority of these sites represent the hard work and commitment of individuals and families providing habitat near their homes, but NWF has also certified more than 3,000 schools and hundreds of business and community sites. The average habitat is between one-third and one-half of an acre, but certified sites range in size from urban balconies to many acres. Any nature enthusiast can create a certified habitat and learn the rewards of gardening for wildlife. NWF teaches the importance of environmental stewardship by providing guidelines for making landscapes more hospitable to wildlife. In order to become certified, a property must provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover, and places to raise young. In addition to providing for wildlife, certified habitats conserve our natural resources by reducing or eliminating the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and/or irrigation water, which ultimately protects the air, soil, and water throughout our communities. Habitats nurture year-round resident birds and provide stopover sites for migratory birds traveling between their

summer and winter ranges. Biologist Mark Hostetier of the University of Florida says that “urban environments are an important factor in the future conservation of many species. Not only has urban sprawl grown into the paths of stopover sites on bird flyways, but the sheer volume of human development has changed the amount of area available for nesting and overwintering.” Creating habitats can also help reduce global warming, pollution, and energy costs. Burning fossil fuels to heat and cool our homes and maintain our lawns releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Replacing lawns with strategically located trees and other native vegetation can insulate our homes from heat, cold and wind, reducing our heating and cooling needs and thus our carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike lawns, wildlife-friendly native plants don’t need constant maintenance from gas guzzling lawn mowers or fertilizers that require fossil fuels to manufacture. Additionally, plants absorb carbon dioxide, helping to further reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. All of this adds up to increased areas available for wildlife habitats, reductions in levels of carbon dioxide that cause global warming, and reduced energy costs. More information about how gardeners can reduce the effects of global warming can be found at nwf.org/gardenersguide. Information about gardening for wildlife and how to have your yard certified is available at nwf.org/gardenforwildlife or by calling 1-800-822-9919.

Financial assistance available for firsttime homebuyers Financial assistance is available to first-time homebuyer through the City of Concord’s Down Payment Assistance program. This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $5,000 to eligible first-time home buyers. Eligible home buyers are individuals or families that meet the income limits set by HUD and are first-time home buyers or have not owned a home within three years of the anticipated purchase date. The cost of the home cannot exceed $161,500 and must be located within the City limits of Concord. The applicant will be required to attend home buyer education classes prior to the purchase. Funds are limited and provided on a first-come first-serve basis. Assistance is provided through a second mortgage in the form of a five-year forgivable loan.

For more information about this program contact Debbie Savage, Planning and Neighborhood Development Assistant at savaged@concordnc.gov or 704-920-5122.

concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 11

considered to be professional by over 90 percent of the respondents. We were particularly interested to see how customers viewed the recent changes in garbage and recycling collection methods. Roughly 9 out of every 10 respondents rated garbage and recycling collection as good or excellent. 43 percent feel service is more dependable than last year. Less than 3 percent found it to be less dependable. 87 percent of residents report high satisfaction with neighborhood streets, compared with 71 percent rating overall road conditions excellent or good. This once again suggests that residents have a higher level of satisfaction of work done by Concord Transportation on City-maintained streets compared to non-City-maintained streets. 85 percent of respondents feel informed about the City and its services. Many praised the Blackboard Connect system, with over 93 percent finding it useful and timely, and 96 percent stating they liked the service. 49 percent of respondents said they called the Customer Care Center for assistance. We are pleased with the positive feedback and feel it reflects the dedication of our elected officials, as well as the City coworkers who are on the front line delivering essential services. However, every successful business knows you must always work to get better.

areas where we can improve, and to identify individual coworkers who do a great job and can be held up as models for others. Finally, we are getting ready to conduct refresher training around our principles of excellent customer service. The survey also asked participants to provide feedback on the major issues facing Concord. Thankfully, there are several efforts underway to help address the issues mentioned in the survey results. Not surprisingly, jobs and the economy were the most frequently cited issues by residents. However, many residents simultaneously pointed out concerns about the impact of growth. This supports the need for an aggressive economic development program and user-friendly development review processes, while being comprehensive in making sure we grow the right way so new jobs and investment are positives for current residents. This is the motivation for our new partnership with Cabarrus County to integrate with their development review software and process. We will make changes so business people seeking to invest or expand will have a seamless experience moving through the plans review process. This investment in more advanced technology can help us work with the County in promoting quality development while making the process much more user-friendly.

One area we are focusing on is improving the overall experience for customers when they do have a problem requiring assistance from one of our coworkers. We have also just completed soliciting information from our own front-line coworkers on the “user friendliness” of our support departments who are charged with helping them carry out their customer service mission. We are also using a mystery shopping program to flesh out 12 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov

The second most frequently mentioned issue for the future was the combination of traffic, transportation, and infrastructure. In 2013 and 2014 the North Carolina Department of Transportation, supplemented by City of Concord dollars, will have more invested in transportation projects in Concord than any time in the past. This is in addition to the ongoing I-85 widening project, which includes improved interchanges with Poplar Tent and Davidson Highway (NC 73). Several new projects will begin soon, including: • extension of George Liles Parkway • improvements to major intersections such as: • Concord Parkway (US 29) with Poplar Tent Road and McGill Avenue • Branchview Drive (NC 3) with Warren Coleman Boulevard (US 601) • replacement of the Cabarrus Avenue railroad bridge • replacement of the Burrage Road bridge • widening of Derita Road from Concord Regional Airport to Poplar Tent Road At the same time, to address citizen concerns we must continue to maintain existing roads and streets within the City. There is a great debate at the state level on how to generate the funding needed to more frequently maintain NCDOT facilities. We all should stay engaged in this discussion and encourage new ideas on how to fund both maintenance and new construction – both vital to community safety and economic development. CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

Manager’s Notes continued from page 3

City and County staff present plans for an integrated development review process

The ConcordKannapolis Rider Transit system continues to serve more passengers and receive more requests for service continued on page 14

Police Sergeant Edie Moss named Atwater Awardee CITY OF CONCORD/CHARITY HARRIS

“… For more than 27 years Edie has set the highest standard for exceptional ethical conduct. She holds others to this high standard as well. She is well respected across City departments and in the community in which she serves. She has earned this respect by giving respect to others.” “...Sergeant Moss prides herself in keeping the students and teachers in Cabarrus County Schools safe. She can often be found on school campuses during the school day or even at a high school football game on Friday night. She is well respected and loved by the students, teachers and parents.” “...Sergeant Moss has a huge heart and often purchases meals for the underprivileged as well as the elderly citizens in Concord. She checks on the sick and elderly residents and greets them with a warm smile and offers assistance where needed. Edie has also been known to sponsor outings for senior citizens in our area, and drives them in her car if they do not have transportation.”

Concord Police Sergeant Edie Moss has been named as the City’s 2013 recipient of the annual Jo Atwater Continuous Core CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI Values Award. The Continuous Core Values Award is the highest honor the City of Concord bestows upon its coworkers. It was created in 2003 to recognize one coworker annually who embodies the organizational core values and commitment to serving others in the community. Jo Atwater, who was Concord’s Human Resources Director until her untimely death in 2004, was the first recipient of the award that was named in her honor. Sergeant Moss was selected from an outstanding pool of nominees. She has served community for 27 years in the Police Department. She was recognized for both her professional demeanor and her personal compassion for members of the community.

CITY OF CONCORD/BILL LEAKE

Compassionate coworker earns Shining STAR award Buildings and Grounds maintenance mechanic Don Hines has been recognized as the latest quarterly Shining STAR award winner. While working at the Transit Center, Don heard a conversation between Transit staff and an upset woman who lost her purse on a bus. Among the items she lost in her purse was a 31-day bus pass, purchased earlier in the day. Don, showing compassion for the woman and her companion who were down on their luck, provided twenty dollars to Transit staff to replace the lost pass.

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 Don for his commitment to our community.

concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 13

Paper Towels continued from page 7 some of which are advertised as “bio-degradable” and safe to flush into the sewer system. In reality, despite what advertisements and packaging say, most of the wipes and towels do not actually break down within the sewer system. The distinction to remember is that while the products may be biodegradable (decompose naturally over time), these items do not disintegrate enough in water to move through sewer lines properly. As part of their study, the City of Raleigh tested various paper products to see how quickly they disintegrated in a beaker of swirling water. Toilet paper began to fall apart almost immediately. The tissue and wipes, even those labeled as flushable, remained almost completely intact. In addition to not easily dissolving in water, wipes are thicker and heavier than toilet paper. They often stick to the sides of sewer pipes and shelves at the bottom of the manhole. Wipes can pose a small problem for the household but can be a much larger problem for the City’s sewer system. INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry has heard these complaints before. INDA’s guidelines determine

what produces are able to break down within a reasonable amount of time and be marketed as such. But, what defines a “reasonable amount of time? Disposable wipes designed to breakdown over time are adequate within a landfill setting, but not within a sewer or septic system. Three of the City of Concord’s twenty three pump stations have already been affected by paper towels and wipes. In one instance, one of the pumps was so impacted with wipes that it quit working. Another was only running at 60 percent of its capacity. Had the pump not been repaired in time, about 1,000 households could have had a severe problem to deal with. Help keep your community’s infrastructure working as it should by taking personal responsibility for what you put down the drain. Sanitary products, paper towels, facial tissue and disposable wipes (yes, even the “flushable” kind) should be placed in the garbage. Only water, human waste, and toilet paper are permitted to be discharged into the sewer system. Taking a bit more care in this area we do not usually think much about can help avoid messy cleaning and repair bills down the road.

Manager’s Notes continued from page 12 at new locations. Several enhancements to Rider Transit are underway, and you can learn more about them in the article on pages 8-9. Infrastructure concerns involve more than just transportation. Adequate utilities are needed for community health reasons and for economic development alike. Concord and Kannapolis, in conjunction with the City of Albemarle, will start work on a waterline project this summer that will bring in more treated water from the City of Albemarle’s plants on the Yadkin River. This line will help serve all the areas in Cabarrus County zoned for urban and suburban development. To learn more about the survey results, visit concordnc.gov. We hope residents will continue to provide us with information on how we are doing and suggestions on ways we can improve. Surveys are very useful in getting a global picture of satisfaction levels, but examples of good customer service and those where we can improve are essential in identifying strengths and weaknesses.

14 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov

Did you know... Did you know there were 58,305 takeoffs and landings, and over 1.6 million gallons of aviation fuel pumped at Concord Regional Airport last year? An updated 2012 NCDOT Airport Economic Contribution Study found that the Concord Regional Airport contributes over $175 million (up from $110 million in 2006) to the local economy and supports almost 2,000 jobs annually. For details, scan with your smart phone:

From the Mayor continued from page 3 investing in our community, read the Manager’s Notes on page 3. After the City Council reaches consensus on goals and priorities for next year, all departments work with management to propose budgets that will achieve them as well as provide the every-day services on which our community depends. Again, a team approach is what makes the back and forth of the process result in a financial plan that will produce good results for you. At the end of the budget process, the City Manager provides a recommendation that, by law, is balanced. That means that our budgeted expenses must equal our projected revenues for next year. This is both in the General Fund (mostly tax dollars) and other selfsupporting enterprise funds such as aviation, transit, and public utilities. The Manager must recommend his budget by the end of May each year. After the budget is presented and a public hearing is held, the City Council chooses to either adopt the budget as recommended or request adjustments as needed. The law requires Cities to adopt a balanced budget before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. Because our City Manager recommends a budget with a foundation built in January at the annual planning session, the City Council rarely requests adjustments and does not have trouble meeting the deadline.

CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

With a process that begins with teamwork and focuses on benefiting our community, we are fortunate in Concord. The budget process can be mundane, but it can also be contentious and unproductive. That is not the case here, and when complete the City Council knows the budget and the services it provides for you are something to be proud of. In fact, I would put Concord against any other community in North Carolina, and cannot think of anywhere that can accomplish this with the same level of cooperation. These results are due to the City Council’s forward-thinking approach that is grounded in sensible priorities at the same time. It is a winning combination, and I am glad to be part of the team.

Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Ramseur, City Manager Brian Hiatt, and Mayor Scott Padgett at the January 25th planning session

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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concordnc.gov

Join us for the fourth annual... CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

The free event will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and in the event of severe weather the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 27. Visitors should park across from the North Cabarrus Park entrance at the Church of God Children’s Home. Bring your paper to be shredded in the parking area. You can also bring cell phones, any batteries, and electronics for recycling. A free shuttle will transport visitors from the parking area to the event inside

North Cabarrus Park, the Piedmont Farmer’s Market, and the Rider Transit Center.

The event area inside North Cabarrus Park will host a variety of activities that will have broad appeal. Highlights include:

• L ive music • Educational, business, and government vendor booths • Children’s activities, games, and crafts • Arts and crafts from Trashed Studio • Geocaching

Although parking, admission, and all activities are free, don’t forget to bring some money to enjoy local food and other sustainable products from the many event vendors.

CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI

On Saturday, April 20, the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County will host the fourth annual Viva Verde Earth Fest at North Cabarrus Park. The park’s address is 760 Orphanage Road, Concord.

For more information about Viva Verde Earth Fest, visit vivaverdeearthfest. wordpress.com or contact Mandy Smith-Thompson at smithal@concordnc.gov or 704-920-5379.