Information You Can Use
SPRING 2014
Commercial service takes off at Concord Regional Airport
Spring cleaning: working together to keep Concord litter-free
Bridges on Burrage and Wilshire slated for replacement
Award winning Transportation Department battles winter weather
City Council
James E. Ramseur District 2
Ella Mae Small District 3
Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4
CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
David W. Phillips District 1
Solid Waste coworkers show care and compassion for endangered children
W. Lamar Barrier District 5 Mayor Pro-Tem
Jennifer H. Parsley District 6
Solid Waste Services coworkers Leonard Mason, Jeremy Starnes, and James Hudson
Solid Waste Services coworkers James Hudson, Jeremy Starnes, and Leonard Mason were working their yard waste route in late November when they noticed two small children running barefoot in the street. Seeing they were cold, they immediately wrapped the children in their coats and placed them in the cab of the truck while waiting for the police to arrive. It turned out the children were a few blocks from their home. Police credit Hudson, Starnes, and Mason for showing compassion and concern for the children, who were in a dangerous situation. James Hudson, Jeremy Starnes, and Leonard Mason were named Shining STARs for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013-14, and were recognized at the March 13 City Council meeting. 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 James, Jeremy, and Leonard for their commitment to our community.
In this Issue: John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7
COVER PHOTO: CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
From the Mayor | Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . 3 Tree trimming is key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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.
Spring cleaning: working together . . . . . . . . . . 5 New downtown recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Parsley appointed District 6 Council Member . . 7 Bridges slated for replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Spring into Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Concord Regional Airport goes commercial . . 10 Rider new buses and safety award . . . . . . . . 12 Award winning Transportation Department . . . 13
2 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2014 concordnc.gov
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From the Mayor
Manager’s Notes
J. Scott Padgett
Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager
Welcome to a new colleague The Council Members and I are happy to welcome Jennifer Parsley as our new colleague on City Council. Jennifer was sworn in at our February meeting after being selected to fill the vacancy left by the death of our friend and long-time Council Member Hector H. LISA OSTEMA Henry, II. I hope you will see page 7 of this issue to learn more about Council Member Parsley. The process of welcoming Council Member Parsley gave me a chance to reflect on Concord and my own experience of serving as an elected leader for our City. Our history dates back to 1796 when twenty-six acres of land was donated to establish Concord as the county seat for Cabarrus County. Concord is now over sixty square miles in size, with a population over 82,000 citizens. Our City is
now the twelfth largest in North Carolina by population, and the seventh largest by land area.
I know that I can speak for my colleagues on Council in saying that we all consider in an honor to serve. Each one of us takes our responsibility seriously. Part of what makes serving so special is the legacy of Concord’s many good leaders who have served from the earliest part of our history right up until today. Many of them are names you see around our community – Cannon, Hartsell, Wilkinson. I have the privilege of knowing several visionaries who moved Concord into the future – Brown, Cone, Dorton, Dusch, Edwards, Fisher, Liles, Mathis, McEachern, Myers, Sherrill, Small, Warlick. These leaders served us well and passed on the torch to the next generation. The City Council and I work on a daily basis to uphold the values of our community. We strive to balance quality with stewardship, tradition with progress. These are all important to shaping our future on the foundation of our past. The City Staff members add organizational values of service excellence, efficiency, teamwork, continuous improvement, and respect. The goal we all share is to continued on page 14
Developing “product” to boost our local economy “Product” is now the most important thing companies look for in local communities when adding jobs and investment through expansion or new locations. Simply put, product is a site or preferably modern buildings that can be shown to prospective employers. Economic developers agree this is a key to effectively compete against other communities. The traditional way to develop product was buying a farm or other large parcel of land near a busy road, giving it a fancy business park name, then installing a sign and waiting for the businesses to come. Those days are over. Representatives of most businesses looking for space for an expansion or new location are on very tight timeframes. They now come into communities looking for existing buildings that can accommodate their needs. If they are willing to construct a building themselves, they insist on sites where infrastructure is available and grading has already taken place or is minimal. Locally, we can point to the example of the tremendous effort that S&D Coffee went through to determine where they wanted to locate their expansion. We are grateful that S&D found that there was product in Concord they could use to meet their needs. Fortunately, we will benefit from jobs and investment in our community, rather than seeing them go to South Carolina or some other location. When location scouts come to Concord for a visit, they have usually narrowed down their search to sites in three or four states. During their trip here, they may visit two or three sites in North Carolina, and generally a couple in South Carolina. In Concord, we are showing them sites owned and developed by private business people. Often we are competing against counties that have used public funds to purchase the land and provide the infrastructure for a business park, and who then offer the property at discounted rates or even for free. Some of the counties also invest in speculative buildings to be ready for those prospects looking for an existing building to make their investment and create the new jobs. Concord has the twelfth largest population among North Carolina municipalities, but it is seventh in land area within the corporate limits. That is because Concord is blessed with privately owned developable land within or continued on page 15 concordnc.gov SPRING 2014 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 3
Tree trimming is key to protecting overhead utilities In the last issue of the City Circular, readers learned about underground power systems and how to avoid conflicts with these systems. In short, call 811 before you dig anything and keep all plantings a safe distance from equipment. Overhead utilities also require all of us to do our part and keep safety in mind. Just as with underground utilities, property owners should carefully consider where they plant trees in relation to overhead power lines. The ultimate mature height of a tree to be planted must be within the available overhead growing space. Just as important, the soil area must be large enough to accommodate the particular rooting habits and ultimate trunk diameter of the tree. Proper tree and site selection will provide troublefree beauty and pleasure for years to come. Fallen trees and branches are a major cause of widespread power outages after storms. Flickering and dimming lights can be caused by tree limbs rubbing or laying against the electric lines. As a proactive measure against these potential problems, the City of Concord uses a systematic tree-trimming and right-of-way maintenance program to protect power lines. As part of this program, the City encourages the use of “directional pruning� techniques. This approach was developed by the Utility Arborist Association, approved by the American National Standards Institute, and adopted by the pruning industry as the standard. With directional pruning, entire limbs or portions of limbs growing toward power lines are removed at the main branch or trunk. By doing this, future growth will be directed away from the wires, and rapidly growing attached sprouts will be minimized. The City follows a pattern of trimming known as circuit trimming. This means the trees are routinely trimmed along primary lines of an electric circuit every three years. Trimming is also done on secondary electric lines as needed or by request, such as when a limb is laying or rubbing against an electric line, potentially causing problems. 4 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2014 concordnc.gov
Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be taken lightly. When planning what type of tree to plant, remember to look and determine where the tree will be located in relation to overhead and underground utility lines. When planting trees within twenty feet of overhead primary electric lines, experts recommend planting trees that will grow no taller than twenty-five feet. Trees within fifty feet of overhead primary lines are recommended to grow no taller than forty feet. At arborday.org/programs/treelineusa you can learn more about utility arborculture, including a visual guide for recommended tree planting locations. Energy conservation should be another consideration when determining where to plant trees. Deciduous trees lose their foliage (leaves) during periods of dryness or cold weather. The foliage returns during warm weather when there is sunlight and water, both necessary for growth. Because of the growth pattern of the foliage, homes can save energy by planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of the home. The foliage will create shade and help keep the house cool in the summer. After the tree loses its foliage in the winter, it will allow sunlight to enter the home and help keep it warm during the day. Utility services are often taken for granted because reliable distribution systems have made these services an effortless part of our daily lives. Concord Electric Systems strives to provide customers with consistent and reliable electric service in a timely and cost effective manner. You may contact our tree trimming staff at leakeb@concordnc.gov or 704-920-5822, or visit concordnc.gov/Departments/Electric.
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Spring cleaning:
working together to keep Concord litter-free As the weather improves, the City of Concord would like to make residents and businesses aware of several partnerships in place to help prevent and remove litter from roads, streams, and other public places. Litter is unfortunately a problem in most communities. By working together we can be sure to minimize or even eliminate the impact here in Concord.
Swat-A-Litterbug In a previous issue of the City Circular, you read about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Swat-ALitterbug program, which informs and reminds offenders that littering, whether deliberate or unintentional, can end with a personal commitment to stop. The City of Concord is pleased to announce an option to report those you see littering to Police Chief Guy Smith, who will send a letter to the person. To report vehicle and location information of a litterbug you see, call 704-920-5000 or email griffinl@concordnc.gov.
Adopt-A-Street For those that wish to make an ongoing commitment to litter-free streets, parks, and public areas, individuals and groups can join the City’s Adopt-A-Street program. Participants commit to picking up litter at least once every three months (or more if necessary) along their adopted section of street. The City provides supplies (litterbags, safety vests, and gloves) to participants, and installs signs along streets that have been adopted to recognize the groups volunteering to help keep them litter-free. If you are part of a group or organization that is interested in participating in the Adopt-aStreet Program, please contact Lex Patterson at 704-920-5363 or pattersl@concordnc.gov. NCDOT sponsors the Adopt-A-Highway program for similar efforts on state roads. We encourage you to view our site and learn more about our efforts to enhance the natural beauty along North Carolina roadways. You can contact the local NCDOT maintenance office to discuss roadway availability at 704-436-9316, or visit ncdot.gov to apply online.
Adopt-A-Highway
Litter Sweeps Since we are not able to prevent all litter, several programs are in place for residents, businesses, organizations, and other groups to lend a hand. One of the largest efforts happens each fall and spring in concert with the NCDOT, when Concord hosts litter sweeps and City coworkers work together with recognized neighborhood associations to remove litter from all City streets.
The next litter sweep is scheduled for April 26 through May 10. If
your recognized neighborhood association is interested in participating, contact Cherie Jzar at jzarc@concordnc.gov or 704-920-5298. For future planning, NCDOT has set the 2014 fall litter sweep dates for September 20 through October 4.
Storm Drains Placards The City’s Water Resources Department has several initiatives to help keep local waterways clean. Seventy-five percent of North Carolinians think storm water receives treatment before it is released into local bodies of water. Actually, it flows from the street, down the storm drains and directly into those bodies of water, without ever being cleaned up! You can help make people aware by affixing placards to storm drains that say “No Dumping Drains to Creek.” Or, if you really want to get involved in keeping waterways clean, the Adopt-A-Stream program is available. It is similar to Adopt-A-Street in that it requires an ongoing commitment, and participants are provided with resources and recognized with a sign. If you or your neighborhood would like to participate in the storm drain marking or Adopt-A-Stream programs, learn more at concordnc.gov or contact Crystal Brown at 704-920-5287 or brownc@concordnc.gov.
Adopt-A-Stream concordnc.gov SPRING 2014 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 5
New receptacles add recycling to Downtown streetscape CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
People visiting Downtown Concord will now have the opportunity to recycle thanks to a partnership between the City and Concord Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) and a grant funded by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS). On December 12, crews replaced 21 garbage cans with new, dual-purpose recycling/garbage receptacles in various areas throughout downtown, including sidewalks, parking lots, and the City’s public parking deck. In addition to replacing existing units, crews installed five additional units around Downtown. The old receptacles will be reused for recycling in City public housing communities and along greenways. The new receptacles will have a two-fold purpose – in reducing waste by diverting some trash to recycling, and reducing litter by providing the receptacles in a variety of locations throughout the Downtown area. Each receptacle has two clearly labeled bins, one green bin for trash and one blue bin for recyclable materials.
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Downtown recycling receptacles will be especially useful and effective during the many festivals, runs, concerts, and art walks that happen each year. In 2013, the downtown area saw 32 events which drew an estimated 28,000 visitors. “These new receptacles will provide visitors with an easy and convenient way to recycle while Downtown, as well as make sure garbage ends up where it belongs rather than becoming litter,” said Mandy Smith-Thompson, Concord’s Environmental Educator. Containers are strictly for pedestrian and public use, and are not intended to replace or supplement business garbage or recycling. The project was funded in part by a $13,265 grant from the NCDENR DEACS Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant program, which provides funding for projects that help communities build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and/or increase public awareness of recycling. The City was required to provide matching funds to support the project. The total cost of the 26 receptacles was $28,643.90.
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CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
Parsley appointed to fill District 6 Council Member vacancy
At a special meeting on Monday, January 27, the Concord City Council appointed Jennifer Haas Parsley to fill the vacancy left by the death of Hector H. Henry, II. North Carolina General Statute 160A-63 directs the City Council to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next municipal election in November, 2015. This election coincides with the expiration of Dr. Henry’s term in December, 2015. The City Council accepted applications for the District 6 seat from December 13 until January 10. At the January 27 special meeting, the Mayor and City Council interviewed qualified candidates prior to voting to appoint Parsley. A Cabarrus County native, Parsley wants to raise her family with the same values and traditions she remembers. She cites being taught at a young age to be the person to stand up and help, and credits this life lesson with leading to service in the community on a continuous basis. Parsley is a graduate of A.L. Brown High School and King’s College, and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is the owner of AIM Tours, a destination management company, describing her “day job” as serving as an ambassador to visitors.
Currently, she serves on the Cabarrus County Tourism Authority Board and the Laurel Park Homeowner’s Association Board. Parsley is a member of Crossroads Church in Concord and serves the community passionately by volunteering in the hunger relief and My Father’s House programs of Cooperative Christian Ministry. She also continues to be a strong supporter of the Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County. When she is not showcasing the area or filling her most important job as a Mom, she loves to cycle, run, and enjoy any outdoor sporting activity. Parsley is happily married to her husband, Brian, and has one daughter, Alexis. “Public engagement is vital in building the relationships between the community and its leaders,” said Parsley. “We must be proactive and ensure we focus on quality of life, economic development, and civic pride. I am proud to provide my time and energy to serve our beautiful City.” Parsley took the oath of office at the February 11 work session.
Why are you interested in serving on the Concord City Council? Many people in our community are blessed and feel an obligation to give back to the community. This service takes many different forms for people. I consider serving on the City Council the ultimate act of volunteerism. My
biggest motivation is the fact that the City Council can truly make a positive impact in the community we serve. I have the desire to serve because I want to be part of the collaboration for our future.
What do you think are the two highest priorities for the Concord City Council and how would you work to achieve them? 1) Growth – Concord has done an amazing job in managing the issues that come with growth and that must continue. This growth encompasses many areas such as water supply and economic development (recruiting new business and retaining existing). Financial stability is of the utmost importance and prioritizing how money is spent. 2) Engagement/Involvement – With the growth comes the important issues of ensuring that communication is a priority. This communication is between the government and citizens, but also the relationship with other municipalities in the area. Having the foresight to look ahead versus being reactionary is key.
Given the diversity of interest, backgrounds, and opinions on City Council, how could you play a part in assisting Council to reach decisions? I see diversity of interests and backgrounds as a wonderful thing. This creates new thinking and the opportunity to adopt new ideas to scale in the community. The key is ensuring decisions are reached and benefit the greater good of our community. City continued on page 14
concordnc.gov SPRING 2014 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 7
for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The project will also remedy challenging erosion problems occurring along the banks of Three Mile Branch below the current bridge.
CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
Burrage Road Bridge slated for replacement
The long-awaited project to replace the bridge over Three Mile Branch on Burrage Road is underway. The City of Concord is partnering with NCDOT to replace the old structure with a modern bridge that will improve safety
This project is of particular importance because of future needs. Every bridge in North Carolina is inspected at least every two years in accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards. The bridge is given a sufficiency rating of 0 to 100 and a determination is made as to whether it is “structurally deficient” and/or “functionally obsolete.” A functionally obsolete bridge is one that does not meet current design standards (for example, inadequate lane or shoulder widths for current traffic). A structurally deficient bridge is one whose elements are found to be in poor condition due to deterioration, or the adequacy of the waterway opening is determined to be insufficient.
The most recent NCDOT inspection report indicates the 49-year-old Burrage Road bridge has a sufficiency rating of 35.4 and is structurally deficient. The original wood piles and bridge structure were simply not designed to support the weight of today’s heavier equipment and the daily volume of traffic, both of which have increased over the years. In addition, analysis shows that traffic using the bridge will continue to grow. Volume will more than double by 2035, making its replacement an even higher priority. The new bridge will be approximately 170 feet long. It will include two 14-
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foot lanes to accommodate bicyclists instead of standard 12-foot lanes. Three-bar metal rails and a sidewalk will be provided on each side of the bridge. The new bridge will also accommodate future construction of the McEachern Greenway extension underneath. The current bridge has limited space between the piles as well as aerial utility infrastructure crossing the stream below the bridge. When Three Mile Branch rises to flood levels, debris often gets caught in these structures, which restricts flow and causes erosion problems. The new concrete bridge supports and burying utility infrastructure below the stream will greatly improve hydraulic flow and prevent further erosion. Blythe Development Company is the contractor for this project, and began work on February 10, 2014. Burrage Road will be closed in the vicinity of the project for up to twelve months. A temporary detour will re-route traffic along Lake Concord Road, Branchview Drive, and Bradley Street. This detour is approximately two miles long and is expected to cause an approximate five minute delay to drivers. Cabarrus County EMS, Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety, and Cabarrus County Schools have all indicated the temporary detour is acceptable for their operations, and have already received notice about the upcoming detour. Upon completion of the bridge replacement project, access across Bridge No. 151 will be restored. City Transportation staff is currently working to coordinate the rehabilitation of Burrage Road between Lake Concord Road and the bridge replacement project, which will include replacing the existing concrete surface with asphalt. Coordination of the two projects will allow for replacement of the original concrete surface with minimal additional disruption. For more information about this project, please contact Deputy Engineering Director Rick Blat at 704-920-5425 or blatr@concordnc.gov.
spring into
festival
to draw artists and performers Concord Downtown Development Corporation is busy planning the next Spring into Arts Festival, set for Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Concord. The festival attracts artists from across the region. The centerpiece of the festival is a juried art show with artists spanning a wide variety of media, including jewelry, ceramics, wood, painting, photography, glass, and textiles.
Also new to this year’s festival will be an array of street performers entertaining throughout the festival artists’ row along Union Street. As with the Spring ALIVE! Youth Talent Showcase, interested performers should submit an application with their $25 fee and link to a short video to be considered for inclusion in this year’s event. The deadline for the Street Performers application is April 1, with selected performers notified by April 15. The street performer’s application fee is refundable to all who apply, and performers may collect tips the day of the festival.
Saturday May 3 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Historic Downtown Concord
New to the festival this year are two opportunities for live performances. The children’s stage will present a mix of professional entertainment and for the first time young performers participating in the Spring ALIVE! Youth Talent Showcase. Showcase performers between five and eighteen years of age are invited to apply for an opportunity to present a short performance on the day of the festival. Applications along with a $10 non-refundable fee and a link to a performance video are due by March 28. Those selected to perform will be notified by April 11.
All applications are available online at concorddowntown.com. For more information email info@concorddowntown.com or call 704-784-4208.
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Commercial service takes off Aviation Director Rick Cloutier, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Barrier, Council Member Ella Mae Small, Mayor Chip Padgett, City Manager Brian Hiatt, and Assistant City Manager Merl Hamilton at Concord Regional Airport for Allegiant’s first departure in December.
CITY OF CONCORD
Currently in its twentieth year of service, City of Concord officials celebrated significant milestones at Concord Regional Airport recently, announcing in August the launch of scheduled passenger service beginning December 20, 2013. In a short timeframe, airport staff worked to transform an existing hanger into a commercial terminal to serve Allegiant Air passengers flying to and from Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB).
In August, Mayor Scott Padgett applauded the vision of current and past members of City Council and the efforts of staff members who secured the airport's first scheduled commercial service. "This is a major step forward for the community and for this first-class facility," commented Padgett. "The support of Concord City Council members over the last twenty years has been essential to creating this community asset and economic driver." According to an NCDOT study released in 2012, Concord Regional has an over $175 million annual economic impact and airport activity contributes almost $8 million to state and local tax revenue. Concord City Manager Brian Hiatt commented on the quality of airport staff and dedication to providing excellent customer service. "Staff is excited to implement the Mayor and Council's vision of what this airport can be for our community. Our Aviation Department team has a history of providing excellent service to customers, and we are pleased that even more
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Concord residents and visitors will be able to experience it first-hand." Staff members quickly began converting an existing hangar to provide passenger ticketing, screening, boarding, and baggage claim services. Allegiant Air is initially serving passengers flying from and to Florida twice a week, with flights arriving to and departing from Concord on Fridays and Mondays. The City hopes to expand service to multiple Florida destinations and Las Vegas in the future. The converted facility, located at 9101 Aviation Boulevard NW, will be in use for the foreseeable future until airport development warrants expanded commercial passenger space. Airport staff will be reviewing the established Airport Master Plan to determine what effect successful limited
at Concord Regional Airport PHOTOS: CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
commercial service has on future growth and expansion. The first flight arrived on time from SFB at 7:40 a.m. on Friday, December 20. After welcoming the airport's first arriving scheduled commercial passengers with a water salute, special launch day events preceded the late morning departure of Flight 639 back to Sanford. The airport hosted a public reception, where attendees brought toys to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina. Participants were entered into a drawing for two future Allegiant Air roundtrip tickets. Local students from Harris Road Middle School and Cox Mill High School provided holiday music for those in attendance. The community can continue to give back to Make-A-Wish when they share a time-lapse video of Allegiant’s newly acquired Airbus A320 being painted with Make-A-Wish livery on Facebook. For every share of the video from Allegiant’s Facebook page, $1 will be donated to Make-A-Wish, up to $10,000.
"We are excited to partner with Allegiant to implement the Mayor and City Council's vision of Concord Regional Airport. This takes the facility to the next level and provides a fantastic opportunity for air service to the community," said Rick Cloutier, Aviation Director for Concord Regional Airport. "We are the perfect alternative for families in Concord, and elsewhere in Central North Carolina, who have waited a long time for a low-cost and convenient air service option." Concord Regional Airport (CRA, General Aviation: JQF, Commercial: USA) opened in 1994 with a 5,500-foot runway. After extending the runway to 7,400 feet in 2006, the City widened and strengthened the taxiways and ramp areas to accommodate larger aircraft. Today, Concord Regional is one of the busiest airports in the Carolinas with approximately 65,000 annual operations and 180 based aircraft. Many of these operations are related to the motorsports industry as most NASCAR related teams are located in the Charlotte region, several with facilities adjacent to or near the airport.
Thirty-six Aviation Department coworkers provide aircraft fueling, hangaring, tie-down, and parking services. Other aeronautical services such as aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction are offered through private operators leasing space on-site. Concord Regional also has an on-site, staffed fire station operated by the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and a control tower operated by contracted staff. The annual budget for the airport currently exceeds $11.6 million. For more information, contact Concord Regional Airport at 704-920-5900. Mayor Padgett speaks at the August 2013 announcement
concordnc.gov SPRING 2014 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 11
each year
Fuel
$40,000 $50,000
savings of
are expected for the life of the new buses.
PHOTOS: CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
New buses hit the road, Rider Transit earns safety award Rider Transit has begun rolling out its eight new diesel-electric hybrid buses – after assembly in January, a cross-country trip, and final preparations in February – the first bus began service on the Blue route at 5:30 a.m. on March 5. Check out facebook.com/ridertransit to see build photos from the factory. Other recent system enhancements include Sunday Service, new security systems, free wi-fi for passengers, additional bus shelters, and lighting and system information at stops.
2012-2013 NC Public Transportation Association Safety Award Outstanding Performance in Passenger and Traffic Safety
Every year, Rider Transit’s management team, maintenance team, supervisors, and bus operators work hard to provide the safest service possible to customers. Several times, the Rider team has gone more than a year without a preventable accident. In 2013 that collective hard work and focus was recognized when Rider Transit was recognized with the 2012-2013 NC Public Transportation Association Safety Award. Rider was recognized for “Outstanding Performance in Passenger and Traffic Safety” among fixed route systems operating less than one million miles per year. Systems are selected based on a combination of factors including miles traveled, number of injuries and/or incidents of property damage, and the cost of those accidents individually and collectively.
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Seven routes serving Concord and Kannapolis arrive and depart from the Rider Transit Center each hour (5:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. weekdays, and 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on weekends). 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).
Award winning Transportation Department battles winter weather PHOTOS: CITY OF CONCORD
When February’s historic winter storm brought nearly ten inches of snow and three “snow days” for most in the community, City crews staged a nearly continuous eighty-hour effort to remove snow and ice from roadways. With over sixty square miles in Concord, and hundreds of lane-miles to maintain, Transportation crews, assisted by other departments, plowed roads continuously in teams working twelve-hour shifts. Public safety is the primary concern when clearing roads. The City of Concord has fourteen trucks available with plows and salt spreaders. These resources must first focus on primary routes, followed by secondary or major collector routes. In February’s storm, one hundred-fifty tons of salt were applied to primary routes, with initial efforts focused on many statemaintained routes such as Warren C. Coleman Boulevard, Branchview
Drive, Church Street, and Davidson Highway. It was only after nearly two days of continuous efforts that crews were able to move into secondary roads and subdivisions. Concord’s methodical approach keeps residents out of the dangerous situation that would occur if any residential streets were cleared before the primary and secondary routes are safe. “We thank the crews and other coworkers who have worked around the clock for several days,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt. “The City of Concord is proud of its response to winter weather, and ability to improve road conditions at a similar or even better level than many surrounding communities.” The timing of February’s storm coincided with the Transportation
Department’s recognition as the first recipient in North Carolinas of the “Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award” by the Salt Institute. The organization honored ninety agencies across the United States and Canada, recognizing environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.
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About seventeen million tons of deicing salt is applied to roadways in the U.S. each year and another six million tons are spread in Canada. Having enough road salt on hand before storms hit requires advance planning and facilities that provide safe and efficient storage. Awardees must also demonstrate proper maintenance and good housekeeping practices. Congratulations to Concord’s snowfighting team for a job well done!
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From The Mayor continued from page 3
provide excellent services to the public while making the best use of our resources. I welcome Council Member Parsley into her new role of serving Concord as a Member of City Council. Together, we’ll continue to move ahead with the benefit of her talent, energy, and new perspective.
CITY OF CONCORD
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Parsley Appointed continued from page 7
Council isn’t about being popular. It’s about serving. I bring a number of unique qualities to the table in order to provide a differing perspective on discussions. Being a member of this community for 40 years brings the knowledge not only of the area, but how it has evolved and will continue to grow. Being heavily involved in the community brings the voice of my peers, a Mom active in school system, and a small business owner. Being a member of the tourism community, serving on numerous committees and knowledge of all players in that sector brings another unique opportunity to assist with key drivers such as growth and engagement/involvement.
What do you do in your “free” time? My free time is spent training for whatever race I am doing at the time, experiencing something new and fun with my family, and connecting with my friends.
Coffee or Tea? Always coffee, but never after 2 p.m.
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Concord experienced a light snow in January and a heavy snow event in February. Comments from citizens were overwhelmingly positive about the great teamwork and response of City crews, public safety personnel, and other coworkers in keeping everyone safe and services running. Our coworkers worked long hours in difficult conditions, as they always do when the situation arises. Check out the article on page 13 to learn more about Concord’s award-winning snowfighting efforts.
If you could be anywhere and at any time in history, where and when would you visit?
If you could encourage people in Concord to experience one thing, what would it be?
I would go back and spend more time and get to know my grandparents better. I would love to know more about the roles they played in their lives as parents, brother/sisters, friends, etc.
Tough question – we have so many amazing things, but if you make me chose only one – it would be a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The experience of hearing the National Anthem, the flyover, and the cars starting the engines – WOW! I am a NASCAR fan at heart!
Who is your role model? My daughter! Obviously it is extremely important for parents to be a role model in their child’s life. But children also teach adults important lessons as well. My daughter lives in the moment, understands that the “little” things in life are the big things, practices true forgiveness, and makes new friends without hesitation. Her courage to try new things inspires me!
Considering how busy you are, do you have time to read books? If so, which ones would you recommend? I am currently reading Running for My Life, the true story of a Sudanese child refugee who became an Olympic star and Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn by John Maxwell. The Power of Kindness is one of my all-time favorites!
14 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2014 concordnc.gov
Please describe your leadership style in three words or less. Passionate. Committed. Hands-on.
Any other personal info you want to share about you or your family? 1) I completed the Spartan Beast Race in November—13 miles with 25 obstacles. 2) My family and I love to travel—South Africa is one of our favorite places! 3) I would eat peanut butter every day if I could!
Do you have a favorite quote? “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
Manager’s Notes continued from page 3
directly adjacent to the City. For example, around 3,000 acres are zoned for business development, including the former Philip Morris property, near the four corners of the new interchange where George W. Liles Parkway and Concord Parkway will intersect. My previous columns have detailed the utility and transportation improvements underway to prepare for the future. Property near the George W. Liles Parkway expansion, the Derita Road widening from Poplar Tent to the Concord Regional Airport, and areas adjacent to the improved I-85 are being made even more attractive by these infrastructure investments. The challenge now is having shovel-ready sites and/or buildings for prospects to acquire. Since we are working with private landowners, this often requires partnerships to make the pricing competitive in comparison with publicly owned parks. For example, the City Council recently approved agreements on four speculative buildings at three different locations in Concord. In these cases, private developers will receive rebates over a three year period for a portion of the new tax revenues generated from their buildings. The rebates are only granted once the project is completed, jobs created, and after they pay these new taxes. The City always receives a net gain in revenue. Here in Concord, we will need to continue developing the infrastructure and buildings employers desire as they as explore sites in the southeast or across the United States. While it requires some investment of public funds, the Concord City Council has shown they believe these public-private partnerships are preferable; the benefit will be more jobs and investment to our community.
$ Did you know...
Did you know you can visit the City’s website to learn how to save money on your home energy bill? Visit
concordnc.gov/ Departments/Electric/ Energy-Depot to get started.
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-6100 Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5100 Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5219 Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5600 Planning & Neighborhood Development 704-920-5152 Police (non-emergency) . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5000 Public Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5210 Purchasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5440 Rider Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-7433 Risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5111 Rocky River Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-455-1200 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
concordnc.gov
concordnc.gov SPRING 2014 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 15
P.O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28036
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City aligns phone hours with customer needs
Why you should be extra pleased with yourself every time you flush that toilet.
The Customer Care Center has changed its hours to better serve you! Since becoming the City’s main point of customer contact over the phone in January of 2000, the Customer Care Center has been staffed weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. After a recent analysis discovered consistent low call volume the first and last thirty minutes of each day, staffed hours have been changed to
7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
If you’re for water like me, then you know that upgrading your toilet to a WaterSense labeled model can save thousands of gallons every year. In fact, if only 10 percent of American homes upgraded to WaterSense
,
labeled toilets, faucets and showerheads, we could save about 150
when call demand is at its highest. The adjustment
billion gallons per year nationwide. So, join me and thousands of our
will result in more representatives available to help
neighbors in the We’re for Water campaign. Together we can stand up
when customers need them, and shorter wait times.
for water by making simple changes at home.
The Care Center is a team of professionals who have the training and ability to help customers resolve most City service questions or issues with the convenience of a phone call to
704-920-5555
.
Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/epawatersense