Information You Can Use
SUMMER 2016
March 21, 2016: Bulldog Day
2016 Jo Atwater Award Winner Smart Community Project
City Council
Sam Leder District 1
Brian King District 2
Ella Mae Small District 3
Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4 Mayor Pro-Tem
W. Lamar Barrier District 5
Jennifer H. Parsley District 6
John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7
The Concord City Circular is produced quarterly by the City Manager’s Office to provide Concord citizens with information about current activities of the City of Concord. It contains items that will help make it easier for you to do business with the City. Your comments and questions are welcomed. Please send them to: Concord City Circular P.O. Box 308, Concord, NC 28026 or call 704-920-5210 or e-mail franzese@concordnc.gov. designed by
Granite Sky Civic
City’s support of Guardsmen and Reservist employees recognized
Pictured above with NCESGR representative Jim Rory (left), City Manager Brian Hiatt (center) was presented with the Patriot Award on February 3, recognizing his direct support of Guardsmen and Reservist City coworkers. Also pictured is Assistant City Manager Lloyd Payne (right), who serves as Command Sergeant Major for the NC Army National Guard’s 630th CSSB. In March, the City organization was recognized with the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The City was one of 77 North Carolina employers nominated for this award, recognizing outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
In this Issue:
COVER PHOTO: COURTESY OF MICHAEL MARTIN, CABARRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS
From the Mayor | Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . 3 Celebrating Hilltop Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 New Interceptor Utility Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Officer Ron Ferrell Honored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Downtown Concord Receives Awarded . . . . . . 7 Bulldog Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Cancer Risk Mitigation Practices . . . . . . . . . . 10 Utility Infrastructure Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Concord 101 / Residential Bulky Waste . . . . . 12 Quarterly High Performers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Rocky River Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Utility Bond Refund / Utilities Honored . . . . . back
2 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • SUMMER 2016 • concordnc.gov
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From the Mayor
Manager’s Notes
J. Scott Padgett
Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager
Bringing people together In Concord, certain events are so well-known that we don’t even have to put them on the calendar because they are permanently scheduled in our hearts. The Friday evening before Thanksgiving is always reserved for the Tree Lighting and Fireworks, followed by the parade Saturday afternoon! There is no comparison to Pancake Day at the Boys and Girls Club the third Thursday of every March. I love these events because they bring the entire community together to celebrate shared traditions. We have arrived at the time of year where there are more events happening in the community than one individual could possibly attend. Whether taking in the sights at ClearWater, or Downtown during an ArtWalk or the Spring into Arts Festival, enjoying the sounds of Union Street Live or Afton Village’s Party on the Plaza, or simply enjoying the weather in the company of friends and neighbors…it is hard to find a more enjoyable time of year in Concord than late spring and early summer. Hundreds of people came Downtown on Monday, March 21 (which was proclaimed Bulldog Day) to honor the Jay M. Robinson High School boys’ basketball team. The Bulldogs (29-3), won the 2016 NCHSAA 3A Men’s Championship in a dramatic 59-55 finish against Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill on Saturday, March 12. It is the team’s first state championship and the first Cabarrus County boys public school basketball team to win a state championship since Concord High School in 2007. The Bulldogs also achieved South Piedmont 3A Conference regular season and tournament championships this year. What a wonderful group of young men, supported by their coaches, families, and school community. Congratulations, Bulldogs! Not long after this event, it was parade time again. Haulers on Union, one of our relatively new events, just happened for the second time on May 19. The event celebrates a continued on page 15
The Year of the Master Plan The next twelve months will be a year full of activity for City staff, City Council, and residents of Concord. With the growth of our community comes the need to constantly plan for the future. These are exciting times as we prepare not only for the services and lifestyle of a very active baby boomer generation, but also for members of younger generations who are staying and raising families in their hometown community, and for newcomers moving here to enjoy the quality of life. Over the past few months our Planning and Neighborhood Development Department has been coordinating an update to the City’s Downtown Master Plan. This started with a comprehensive parking study, followed by a market analysis focused on the great potential that exists for continued development in the areas of residential, retail, dining, and office uses. In March, contracted experts worked with our staff to solicit stakeholder input on future design aspects of downtown, building on the information from the parking study and the market analysis. The goal was to generate ideas for how we can make Concord’s downtown even more appealing to people that would like to live, work, and play in an urban environment. These ideas will be formally presented to City Council later this year so they can prioritize elements of the plan. After that is completed, staff will be following-up quickly to engage help from a consultant to facilitate the updating of the City’s Land Use Plan. City Council has adopted this as one of its goals for fiscal year 2016-17. Land Use Plans present a vision for the future, with long-range goals and objectives for all development activities. This includes guidance on how to make decisions on public and private land development proposals. In other words, it provides an outline of how we want the community to grow and look in future years. Like the Downtown Master Plan, there will be many opportunities for stakeholder input throughout the process. As the community grows, so does the demand for services and facilities. Another FY 2016-17 Council goal is the updating of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Obviously, more facilities are needed to meet the demands continued on page 15 concordnc.gov • SUMMER 2016 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 3
In late March, City of Concord officials and community members celebrated the opening of Hilltop Plaza, a more than 2,000 square-foot duplex located at the corner of Shannon Drive SW and Hilltop Avenue SW in Concord’s Logan Community. Hilltop Plaza (196-198 Shannon Drive SW) is one of several projects constructed with funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides grant funds to the City of Concord under the HOME program for new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. The duplex contains two 1,034 square-foot units, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a covered porch, and rear patio. Other features include attractive, durable interior finishes, a crawlspace foundation, and HardiePlank® lap siding. Both units meet advanced energy system requirements, providing high energy efficiency and lower utility bills for the occupants.
celebrating community investment & affordable housing in hilltop plaza Both units are currently leased, with occupants paying fair market rent as determined by HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research. This new property serves as a revenue stream for Housing Department operations,
PHOTO: CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
(left to right): Housing Department staff members Angie Reid and Princess Gray hold the ribbon for Mayor Scott Padgett and Council Members Lamar Barrier, Ella Mae Small, Al Brown, Jr., Angela Graham (Housing Director), Jennifer Parsley, Merl Hamilton (Deputy City Manager), and Brian King.
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which is important in maintaining a sustainable portfolio of affordable housing properties and services. The project was the latest developed in a partnership between the City’s Planning and Neighborhood Development and Housing Departments. As the administrator of federal affordable housing grant programs, the Planning Department is able to provide assistance to individuals and agencies such as the Housing Department. Some properties constructed with HOME funds are sold to qualified first-time homeowners. Under this scenario, the HOME funds build fair market rental properties, and the Housing Department uses the revenue to pay debt service over 15 years. Similar projects previously occurred at 374 Maiden Lane, 160 Princess Street, 86 Ring Street, 271 Hilltop Avenue, and 273 Hilltop Avenue. The City of Concord looks forward to future partnerships to provide affordable housing and community investment.
Concord Police roll out new Interceptor Utility Vehicles Hitting the road for the first time over the next months, the latest model Concord Police vehicles have a look that embodies Concord’s “High Performance Living” atmosphere of tradition and excitement for the future. In March, the Concord Police Department received 17 replacement Ford Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) vehicles that will help officers better deliver services to the community. While the entire Police fleet includes over 200 vehicles, the new PIUs replace 2006-2007 model vehicles with over 100,000 miles each. The vehicles were funded in the FY16 budget as part of the City’s ongoing fleet maintenance program that minimizes total life-cycle cost of each vehicle. Six-cylinder engines now power 99 percent of all patrol vehicles, which leaves only two patrol vehicles with eightcylinder engines. In 2012, the City of Concord was the launch customer of the redesigned Ford Police Interceptor. The 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility was recommended by Chief Gary Gacek and Fleet Services Director Daniel Nuckolls for this year’s vehicle order, and approved by City Council in November. While on duty, Patrol Officers spend 12 hours a day working out of their vehicles, and must carry a variety of equipment and other resources with them in the cabin and cargo areas. In addition to the benefit of more space, the all-wheel drive vehicles provide added safety and control during poor weather and driving conditions. The continued transition to six-cylinder vehicles has improved fuel efficiency by more
than 25 percent over the last four years. The price of each PIU came in at $29,014, just $1,000 more than the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan. Another distinction of the 2016 patrol vehicles is the introduction of “black and whites” to the fleet. Although the primarily white vehicles added between 2012 and 2015 had an updated look, the black and gold striping on allwhite scheme had been in use since the 1990s. Previous generations of police vehicles varied between all black and all white with minimal striping. As Chief Gary Gacek was finalizing the department’s first vehicle order of his tenure, he decided to ask officers for feedback on the new vehicles appearance. After reviewing six designs created by the Transportation Department’s Sign Shop, over 90 percent of officers selected a black and white vehicle design as their preference. The new striping design includes bold, contrasting lettering and large, officer-designed Concord Police shoulder patch emblems on each side. Although the City received all 17 vehicles from the manufacturer in March, it takes several months to get the new cruisers on the road. The vehicles arrive from the factory without any markings or special equipment, and a team from several City departments works together to continued on page 14 concordnc.gov • SUMMER 2016 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 5
Ferrell honored with Jo Atwater Award
‘‘
…I don’t think there’s a core value or principle of excellent service that MPO Ron Ferrell doesn’t demonstrate. He has been very involved in community based organizations; not because he has to or was told to be involved. But because he wants to help and he genuinely cares about the city.
PHOTO: CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
…Officer Ron Ferrell is an outstanding example of a co-worker who is “customer focused.” During the past 15 years as a police officer he has established and excellent reputation of following the “golden rule” (treat others as you would want them to treat you). He has a way of making you feel like you are a part of his family… It does not matter what a person’s age, race, or gender is, Ron always treats them the same way.
Concord Master Police Officer Ron Ferrell has been named as the City’s 2016 recipient of the Jo Atwater Continuous Core 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. Officer Ferrell was selected from an outstanding pool of nominees by a committee composed of previous Jo Atwater Award winners, the Assistant City Manager, and members of the Customer Service Advancement Team. Officer Ferrell has been employed with the City of Concord for 15 years. He was recognized for both his professional demeanor and his personal compassion for members of the community. 6 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • SUMMER 2016 • concordnc.gov
…Ron consistently takes initiative to develop and facilitate educational presentations to both internal and external customers. The “safety on the trails “video that Ron filmed in an effort to educate trail and park users has received praise from Park and Recreation professionals and helped to improve safety in the parks. An example of Ron’s dedication to promote safety is during the construction of the Hector Henry Greenway in Moss Creek, Ron knocked on the neighbor’s doors at each trail entrance to introduce himself and to answer questions that neighbors had. He also attend HOA meetings and met individually with concerned citizens during the construction. …Ron’s actions convey and promote a culture of excellence on a daily basis. …Ron participated actively in the development of the Weddington Road Bark Park and Hector Henry Greenway. As a member of the Dog Park Team, he visited dog parks in the region, speaking with staff there to learn their experiences and then initiated communication with Cabarrus County Animal Control to develop and refine the City’s Bark Park design, rules and operational procedures and signage. Ron has served as a committed volunteer leader and mentor with the City’s Youth Council. …His dedication, patience and ability to communicate with children and adults helped make Concord’s Youth Council a high quality program.
Downtown Concord awarded at NC Main Street Conference The new logo and tag line were rolled out during the nationallyrecognized Small Business Saturday in November, 2014, with all printed materials and electronic media modified over the next Downtown Concord
five months. The new brand has been well received, and is used by not only the CDDC but many Downtown Concord business
was
owners, too. Since the full implementation of the brand in 2015,
recognized
the CDDC has been able to track its success through a variety of
with an award of merit for the best image-
measurable outcomes, such as higher demand for Visitors Guide brochures and What to Do in Downtown Concord rack cards,
building campaign during the annual North Carolina Main
and broader reach through the CDDC’s weekly e-newsletter and
Street Conference awards ceremony, held in Goldsboro. This
website visits.
award recognized the successful rebranding of Downtown
Concord is one of over sixty North Carolina accredited Main Street
Concord in 2015. The award
communities. Administered by the North Carolina Department of
was presented by NC Commerce
Commerce, the Main Street program is a nationally-recognized
Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and
downtown revitalization process, utilizing a four-point approach
Assistant Secretary Dr. Patricia
to downtown revitalization developed by the National Trust
Mitchell, CeCD.
for Historic Preservation in the late 1970s. As a Main Street community Downtown Concord has experienced tremendous
The rebranding process was
success, with over $154 million in public-private sector
led by the Concord Downtown
investment, and a net 163 business start-ups with an additional
Development Corporation (CDDC) with funding and guidance from the City of Concord. For decades, the CDDC used a logo developed
forty-six business expansions. Visit concorddowntown.
com to learn more about the CDDC.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CDDC
during its formation in the early 1990s. The logo was seen by many as institutional and did not convey the true essence of Downtown Concord today: a pedestrian-friendly district with a diverse array of high-quality offerings including shops, restaurants, galleries, gardens, and historic architecture. The CDDC’s Promotions Division committee received proposals from four designers/firms for this project and selected WhirlWind Creative for the brand development and design of print materials, with a new website built by the CDDC’s website manager, nvisionative. The CDDC’s Design and Beautification Division Committee was also invited to join in on all meetings related to the rebranding. Through the process of multiple meetings with committee members and staff over a three month period the designers were able to develop a strong, eyecatching brand with colors that appeal to millennials.
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8 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • SUMMER 2016 • concordnc.gov
, 1 2
he City hosted a parade on Monday, March 21 to honor the 2016 state champion Jay M. Robinson High School boys’ basketball team. Concord Police and Fire personnel provided an escort through the parade route. Ben Mynatt Chevrolet and Hilbish Ford provided vehicles for the teams to ride in during the parade. The school’s cheerleaders and the Pride of Robinson marching band also participated.
to honor the team together with the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners and the Cabarrus County Board of Education as they parade down Union Street.” “The Jay M. Robinson Bulldogs achieved the extraordinary,” said Steve Morris, chair of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners. “Their ability to come from behind and succeed shows us all that focus, skill, and determination make greatness possible. Congratulations on your hard work. We are very proud of you.” “We are extremely proud of the Robinson basketball team,” said
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL MARTIN, CABARRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS
After the parade, a stage program on Means Avenue featured the team and continued with public recognition by Mayor Scott Padgett and the Concord City Council, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, the Cabarrus County Board of Education, and others. As part of the ceremony, Mayor Padgett proclaimed Monday, March 21 as Bulldog Day in the City of Concord. “The City Council Members and I are proud of the Bulldogs’ efforts all season and particularly in the championship game against Sanford,” said Padgett. “This team has demonstrated the success that is possible in the face of adversity and serves as an inspiration to us all. The players, Coach Lavar Batts, Sr. and his staff, and the entire Robinson community are to be commended. We are pleased
Carolyn Carpenter, vice chair, Cabarrus County Board of Education. “They have had an extraordinary season and finished it off with the top prize – a state championship.”
3A Championship,” said Chris Lowder, superintendent, Cabarrus County Schools. “It has been exciting to watch these young men play all season long. And it has been great to watch our entire community come together to support and celebrate them.” The Bulldogs (29-3), won the 2016 NCHSAA 3A Men’s Championship in a dramatic 59-55 finish against Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford High School at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill on Saturday, March 12. It is the team’s first state championship and the first Cabarrus County boys public school basketball team to win a state championship since Concord High School in 2007. The Bulldogs also achieved South Piedmont 3A Conference regular season and tournament championships this year. For more information about the Robinson Bulldogs basketball team, contact Greg Hall, principal, at 704-788-4500.
“The students and staff of Cabarrus County Schools congratulate the Jay M. Robinson men’s basketball team on its state concordnc.gov • SUMMER 2016 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 9
The Concord Fire Department, in partnership with the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and the North Carolina Chapter of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, is introducing an affordable and innovative method to help mitigate firefighter occupational cancer risks. Recent data collected nationally and locally indicate a higher incidence of cancer among active and retired firefighters than the general population. Firefighters responding to incidents are
develop and adopt cancer risk mitigation practices
exposed to a number of carcinogens through breathing and skin absorption. The most frequent diagnoses include skin, prostate, lung, and brain cancers. “This information is eye opening,” said Concord Fire Chief Ray Allen. “This challenges us to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep those serving our communities as safe and healthy as possible.” In 2015, a focus group compiled existing scientific information, and examined firefighter decontamination methods and other routine safety precautions. “A major component of this initiative is geared towards changing the culture of the fire service and rethinking how firefighters have historically been trained,” says Travis McGaha, Concord Assistant Fire Marshal and member of North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Support Network. 10 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • SUMMER 2016 • concordnc.gov
Historically, dirty and soiled bunker gear (or turnout gear) was viewed as a badge of honor, representing “battle scars” accumulated over a career of service. However, data has revealed that the lack of basic personal, equipment, and station hygiene presents a significant and totally preventable risk to firefighters and those around them. “We have learned that if we don’t practice proper firefighter decontamination and safety precautions, we are exposing ourselves to a much greater risk of occupational cancer,” said McGaha.
As a result, the Concord Decontamination Model was developed and adopted by the department. This model is designed by firefighters for firefighters, and is noted for its feasibility and affordability—essential qualities of a successful emergency service initiative. The major focus of the Concord Model is field decontamination, which historically has not been part of standard practices. Coupled with cancer awareness training, the Concord Fire Department now trains and requires firefighters to use exposure reduction measures such as onscene decontamination of protective clothing, equipment, and apparatus, with more thorough decontamination back at station. The department also uses apparatus exhaust continued on page 11
City of Concord launches “Smart Community” project to upgrade water and electric infrastructure for all customers Investment in new technologies to bring benefits to customers The City of Concord has announced details of its planned advanced metering infrastructure upgrade. The investment will provide City utility customers a system-wide upgrade of electric and water infrastructure, as well as the introduction of a new online portal with tools to help customers take better control of their energy and water use. The new technology will be installed starting in the summer of 2016, with the customer portal being offered sometime in 2017. The project has been named “Smart Community,” reflective of the enhanced communication and other benefits that will be available to customers, including: • Faster restoration after electric outages • Improved customer service • Remote electric meter activation • Enhanced water leak detection • Online portal with utility management tools for all customers • The ability to reconcile energy and water use concerns over the phone more quickly
Concord Firefighters continued from page 10
removal systems and has upgraded respiratory protection policies and equipment. With a primary goal of reducing occupational cancers and improving firefighter health, these measures can also lead to reduced medical insurance and workers compensation costs to taxpayers, as well as safer environments for visitors.
• Environmental benefits due to reduced emissions from City vehicles Keeping customers aware of the deployment process and informed of anticipated benefits is a priority for City officials. The City is developing a comprehensive communication plan, including website updates and a variety of informational materials. “This project is built upon the concept of placing our customers first and providing the best possible service,” said Brian Hiatt, City Manager. “So we have developed a comprehensive, customer-focused education plan that is designed to meet their needs, while complementing our technology.” The City of Concord will offer continued customer support and outreach throughout the Smart Community electric and water infrastructure upgrade. For more information, visit concordnc.gov/ SmartCommunity.
With the goal of reducing occupational cancers and improving health in the fire service, the Concord Fire Department invites its peer organizations to join this movement and make use of the practices it has proudly adopted. See the Concord Model in action at http://bit.ly/ cfdecon or contact the Concord Fire Department at 704-920-5516 for more information. concordnc.gov • SUMMER 2016 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • 11
Learn more about your community in
Concord
101
The City of Concord is accepting applications for the 2016 Concord 101 program, an annual course designed for citizens to learn about their local government. The free fourteen-week session begins August 16 and culminates with a graduation ceremony in November.
Residents of Concord age 18 and older are invited to submit an application by July 25. Class size is limited to 30 participants. The course was designed to give citizens the opportunity to interact closely with City staff members, who will conduct weekly classes from 6:15 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. Citizens will get a first-hand look at what it takes to run City services such as solid waste, water, police, fire, parks and recreation, and much more. In addition, several community partners will be on board to give a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Concord such a great place to live. In addition to learning about Concord, the City hopes participants will provide input and take a more active role in their neighborhoods and community. For example, Council Members Jennifer Parsley and John Sweat are Concord 101 alumni. More information, the application, and the class schedule are available on the City’s website, concordnc.gov. Residents may also call the City Manager’s Office with questions at 704-920-5215.
Residential
bulky waste collection
every other week
starting
July 1, 2016 Beginning July 1, place bulky waste out for collection on the same day as recycling. Bulky Waste includes all items that cannot fit inside curbside carts such as furniture, tires, equipment, appliances (white goods), and e-waste (anything with a circuit board, especially TVs and computers). •B etter use of tax dollars. More efficient collection, reduced fuel consumption, and improved air quality. •Y our collection day will not change. Recycling and bulky waste will be collected every other week according to the established blue/green zone schedule. Weekly garbage and yard waste collection continues unchanged. • Visit concordnc.gov/whatsmyday to confirm your schedule. SOLID WASTE SERVICES | CONCORDNC.GOV | 704-920-5555
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Quarterly High Performers Concern for the Individual • Customer Focus Fair and Equitable Service • Professional Service Effective Communication • Taking Ownership Timeliness • Teamwork • Great Service Recovery
High Five recognizes coworkers who make a difference. Each day City of Concord coworkers are focused on providing the services needed to keep our community moving forward. We believe that coworkers who are delivering excellent service deserve timely and effective recognition by their team members, managers, and the community. We invite you to help us recognize one or more of our coworkers who have provided excellent service.
Congratulations to the following coworkers who were selected as quarterly High Performers: Aviation: Katie Ashworth, John Bridges Buildings and Grounds: Don Starnes, Chris McDonald, Brian Stancil, Trey Shoe, Justin Greene, Travis Wilmot, Bobby Stone, Will Barnes, Devin Edwards, Billy Eudy Communications: Connie Hicks Fire: Mark Goss, Phillip Burris, Sam Eudy, Jeff Isenhour Finance: Sherry Cochran, Rita Ellison, Dameka Reed Planning: Boyd Stanley Police: Michael Lopez, Brandon Banker, Tracy Law
These nine principles help us deliver a high level of quality services.
Transportation: Del Eudy, Brian Dunlap, Don Smith, Doug Rinehardt, Jeff Hutchinson, William Currin
There are three ways to submit your recognitions: 1C all 704-920-6400 to submit your acknowledgment via the telephone. 2C omplete the online form at concordnc.gov/high5 3C omplete a paper form found one of the following public facilities: City Hall; Academy Recreation Center; Brown Operations Center; Concord Regional Airport; Fire Stations 3, 7, 8, and 9; Housing Department Office; Police Headquarters; Rider Transit Center.
Thank you for helping us recognize our best!
The City of Concord is recognized for having dedicated employees who are committed to providing excellent service. High Performers were selected from high five nominations received in the third quarter of the fiscal year (January-March). These recognitions best demonstrate “going above and beyond” in providing excellent customer service, or events that best embody one or more of the 9 Principles of Excellent Customer Service. These coworkers were honored at a special lunch event in May.
Did you know... Did you know a historic cannon will soon return to its prior display location on Union Street? City Council has authorized staff to restore a 1907 cannon used in World War I, and construct a structure with site improvements to allow the cannon’s return to Union Street N. The cannon was originally donated by the French Government to the Cabarrus Black Boys D.A.R. Chapter, who in turn presented it to the community. It was displayed at a location near the current Veterans Memorial on Union Street N until the 1970s, when it was moved to the National Guard Armory at Old Charlotte Road and Highway 49. When complete, the cannon and surrounding area will provide a picturesque addition to Union Street, while historically preserving the cannon for the community.
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Rocky River Golf Club receives highest ranking of area public courses The City of Concord’s Rocky River Golf Club rose in North Carolina’s course rankings, as recently released by the NC Golf Panel. In addition to appearing in the Top 100 courses for the 14th time in the 21-year history of the rankings, Rocky River was the highest ranked public course in the Charlotte metro area. For 2016, Rocky River was ranked 25th of all public courses in North Carolina, appearing higher in the public course rankings than any other facility in the Charlotte metro. When compared against all courses in the region, Rocky River still emerged a leader, coming in at number 10 of any Charlotte-area course, public or private. Rocky River also improved its standing in the statewide Top 100, rising to 80 (from 87 in 2015). Rocky River has long been considered the premier public course in greater Charlotte, and the NC Golf Panel rankings confirms popular opinion. Ryan Brickley, Rocky River’s PGA Director of Golf attributes the
most recent rankings to the overall experience at the course. “Our ranking is well deserved based on the condition of the course, the great layout and natural beauty of the property, and the enjoyment most people get from spending a day here,” said Brickley. “The renovation of the greens to the newest strain of Bermuda grass has made the course very attractive for tournaments and regular play for all levels of ability. With a great location and beautiful course, it’s a nice combination.” Since its inception, the North Carolina Golf Panel has emerged as the most authoritative statewide source of golf course rankings in a state that boasts some of the nation’s best courses. Rocky River Golf Club was designed by renowned golf course architect Dan Maples and opened in 1996. It is home of the Charlotte 49ers shortgame practice facility and appeals to golfers of all skill levels. Designed using existing features of the land, golfers experience rock outcroppings and various species of native wetland grasses, as well as four sets of trees.
Police Vehicles continued from page 5
transform the Interceptors in order to serve officers’ needs while creating the Police department’s most visible presence in the community. Staff from the Transportation department’s Sign Shop install all lettering and other markings on each vehicle, following a custom design they created with officer input. Technicians from the Communications department’s Radio Shop equip the vehicles with lights, sirens, radios, and 14 • CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR • SUMMER 2016 • concordnc.gov
The course has recently renovated bentgrass greens and Tifway 419 Bermuda fairways. “This recognition is a testament to the work of Rocky River staff and continuous support of the City Council,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt. “Rocky River Golf Club has become a source of community pride, as well as a financially stable enterprise with balanced operational revenues and expenses.” Owned by the City of Concord, Rocky River Golf Course is managed by Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord/ Golf Resort & Spa. The club’s practice facilities include a well-manicured putting and chipping green, four target greens, and 30 grass teeing stations. PGA professionals offer lessons and special golf schools year-round. The recently expanded clubhouse is available for events and meetings, and can accommodate up to 115 guests. As a City-owned facility, the course offers discounted rates for Concord residents. For rates, tee times, and detailed information on Rocky River Golf Club, visit rockyrivergolf.com or call 704-455-1200.
other specialized equipment. These coworkers and the Fleet Services team continue to work together as maintenance needs occur over the vehicle’s life-cycle. The first new vehicle went into service on March 22 and the department expects to add one additional PIU each week. In an interview with the Independent Tribune, Officer Aytch Perkins commented on the practicality of the new model, which “...will provide us a lot more space for the equipment we carry...” Perkins said. “It is also good for when we have larger prisoners to transport. It’s much more suitable.”
From The Mayor continued from page 3
long-standing part of Concord’s heritage—racing! This year’s event was enhanced with even more NASCAR Sprint Cup team haulers on parade, show cars and a family festival on Union Street, and live music by Acoustic South and The Tams! It was a wonderful evening of celebration and community pride. The reason for Haulers on Union is to channel the excitement we have each spring and fall when NASCAR comes home. For over 50 years, motorsports has been a part of our culture, and the local impact of racing has become very important to our community. More fans are at each Charlotte Motor Speedway race than attend the Super bowl, and we do it twice a year! Combined with the Auto Fair and other events at zMax Dragway and other Speedway venues, there is activity happening that entertains locals and visitors alike throughout the year. We have thousands of local jobs in the motorsports, visitor, and hospitality industries, and millions in visitor spending each year. I am proud that so many people get to experience the variety of flavors Concord has to offer, whether at the Speedway or elsewhere. Whether it is on Union Street this summer, at a neighborhood meetings, or other community events…the City Council and I, along with City staff, look forward to working with you and celebrating all we enjoy here together in Concord.
City of Concord Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Medical Emergencies . . . . 911 Customer Call Center . . . . . . 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 You can also fax our Customer Care team at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-6953 The primary phone numbers for the various City departments are: Main Switchboard . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5200 Buildings & Grounds . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5380 City Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5205
Manager’s Notes continued from page 3
of Concord’s growing population. What is not obvious is what type of facilities and how to prioritize meeting demands. At the same time we must plan for the needs of an active aging population and the needs of kids and younger adults looking for more opportunities for recreation. This is another process where an important component will be feedback from residents. Look for those opportunities in the coming months.
City Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5215 Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5580 Concord Regional Airport . . . . . . 704-920-5900 Electric Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5320 Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5425 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5220 Fire Department Administration . . 704-920-5516 Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5430 Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-6100
We also continue to plan for our infrastructure and core services. A good example is in our Water Resources Department. A growing population and greater emphasis on environmental concerns requires us to focus on how we maintain and improve our water and wastewater infrastructure. Together with our partners in Kannapolis, we have taken a major step in bringing in more water via the completed Albemarle water line. At the same time, we continue to evaluate the condition of and plan for improvements to our existing water plants and distribution system. The equal focus on new and existing infrastructure helps us protect public investment, meet higher environmental standards, and prepare for future needs. Staff is coordinating an update to our Water Master Plan and will do the same for the Waste Water Plan with the coming of the new fiscal year. Planning is essential for the future of Concord. Input from stakeholders in the community is a critical part of our planning processes, so we can understand and implement your vision for the future. We hope you will take advantage the many opportunities to provide us with feedback over the coming months.
Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5100 Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5219 Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5600 Planning & Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5152 Police (non-emergency) . . . . . . . 704-920-5000 Public Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5210 Purchasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5440 Rider Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-7433 Risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5111 Rocky River Golf Club . . . . . . . . . 704-455-1200 Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5361 Tax Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5216 TTY/North Carolina Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5362 Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5337 Zoning/Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5152
concordnc.gov
PPCO
PAID
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
Utility bond refunding saves millions
P.O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28036
City officials have completed the refunding process for over $19 million of utilities systems revenue bonds, producing an estimated net present value (NPV) savings of 13 percent or $2.71 million. The refunding will save the City an average of approximately $135,500 each of the 20 remaining years on the life of the bonds. The revenue bonds were originally issued in 2008 to fund improvements to the City’s electric, water, and wastewater systems. Concord City Council authorized refunding the 2008 utility bonds with a bond order at the March 10, 2016 City Council meeting.
Concord Mobile Care
You can now report pot holes, street light malfunctions, and many other non-emergency issues to the City using your smartphone. Visit concordnc.gov to learn about and download the Concord Mobile Care app for your android or iOS device, or access the web-version on any other device, including PC and laptop computers.
concordnc.gov Visit our City’s website where you’ll find a wealth of information. Pay bills online, access government and City departments, and discover what’s going on in Concord.
Similar to an individual refinancing debt, this is the City’s third bond refunding completed since 2012. In 2012, the City achieved a $2.682 million NPV savings on 2002 utility bonds, and in 2015 a $1.37 million NPV savings was realized on 2005 general fund Certificates of Participation as part of the financing for City Hall.
City of Concord honored for exceeding drinking water standards The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has named the City of Concord one of 56 utilities honored with the 2015 N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award, recognizing that Concord’s drinking water surpasses federal and state standards. This is the first time Concord has received this honor. “We are pleased to receive this honor from the NC Department of Environmental Quality,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt. “This recognition is possible because of the professionalism and expertise of Water Resources Director Christie Putnam and her staff.” Putnam notes that plant staff were able to achieve this goal through collaborative communication efforts, shared knowledge, and improved optimization strategies. Water treatment coworkers successfully implemented an optimization plan that included rigorously managed filter operations and backwash cycles, as well as enhanced coagulation practices. These activities result in the production of high quality drinking water that Concord is proud to deliver to customers. While all drinking water systems have to meet strict state and federal drinking water standards, the 56 honored systems met performance goals that are significantly more stringent. Learn more at deq.nc.gov.