Information You Can Use
SUMMER 2013
Concord’s Elite K-9 Team Concord’s Union Street named as NC Great Main Street Customer Service improvements for solid waste collection Concord Fire and Life Safety achieves Class 2 ISO rating
Your 2013-14 Recycling calendar inside
City Council
David W. Phillips District 1
James E. Ramseur District 2 Mayor Pro-Tem
Ella Mae Small District 3
Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4
W. Lamar Barrier District 5
Hector H. Henry II District 6
Rummage honored by Crime Victims’ Coalition Concord Police Major Wendell Rummage was one of several area law enforcement officers honored at the sixth annual Crime Victims’ Coalition Awards Luncheon in Charlotte in April. A twenty-seven-year law enforcement veteran, Rummage has twenty-five years of experience with the Concord Police Department. He has developed relationships with victim advocacy organizations while administering the Community Based Policing program.
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.
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE/TIM REAVES
He is on the board of directors of the Cabarrus County Chapter of Mothers of Murdered Offspring (MOMO),
In this Issue: John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7
and the organization’s president, Sally Coleman, nominated him for the award. “He is an officer that I am very proud to know…” Coleman told the Independent Tribune. “I am glad to call him friend.”
COVER PHOTO: CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
From the Mayor | Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . 3 Concord Peak Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Union Street named NC Great Main Street . . 5 Coca-Cola Recycle & Win . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Protect local bodies of water . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ladder company recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Customer Service improvements . . . . . . . . . 8
Visit concordnc.gov to subscribe to the CityLink email newsletter, and receive weekly updates and information about Concord direct to your inbox.
2013-14 Recycling calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Elite K-9 teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Concord 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Concord Fire & Life Class 2 ISO rating . . . . . 13 Allen completes course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back
2 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL SUMMER 20112013 concordnc.gov concordnc.gov
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From the Mayor
Manager’s Notes
J. Scott Padgett
Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager
A truly great community
A Check on the Economy
I hope you have enjoyed the cool and rainy spring as much as I have. It was a blessing to have so much rain (but not too much) and our reservoirs are currently in very good shape. We all should still treat water as the precious resource that it is. I know I certainly learned to appreciate more it after going through two droughts since becoming Mayor. To protect our resources, the City adopted modified water use guidelines several years ago, including restricting lawn irrigation to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only. You can find out more at concordnc.gov/savethedrops. Our wonderful Union Street Live concert series kicked off for 2013 on May 16 with one of my favorite bands, The Tams. Concord’s free outdoor summer concert series, organized by the Concord Downtown Development Corporation, features regionally recognized musical entertainment in a familyoriented environment. Mark your calendars for 6:00 p.m. on the third Thursday in June, July, August, and September as this wonderful tradition continues all summer. CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
Here at the City, our staff continues to see signs that Concord’s economy is improving. Even if the pace is slower than we would like, there is strong evidence of activity and momentum.
There has been an increase in inquiries related to industrial projects and expansions. Examples of such projects include the recently completed Pre-Gel expansion, an expansion of Oiles’ facilities in International Business Park, and speculative buildings under construction or in the planning stages both on International Drive and near the intersection of Derita and Poplar Tent Roads. These speculative buildings are very important to effectively competing for many of the prospects in today’s industrial recruitment environment. Having “inventory” available is essential. Of course we are all excited about the new S&D Coffee & Tea campus being developed off Westwinds Boulevard near Concord Regional Airport. S&D is preparing to up-fit and expand existing speculative buildings they acquired to meet their needs. Nearby, Fly Right is preparing to bring in an additional flight simulator to enhance their ability to provide training for pilots of corporate aircraft.
Developers are back at the table discussing the possible resurrection of larger commercial projects approved before the onset of the recession. There have also been
APA-NC President Ben Hitchings congratulates Concord with City Council Members and the Mayor in the background.
We had a special presentation at the May concert, celebrating Concord’s first-place finish in the North Carolina Great Main Street people’s choice award. You can read more about this state-wide recognition on page 5. I frequently hear from people who say they do not know about the many things happening in our community. While it may be because there are just too many wonderful opportunities and events to hear about them all, you should be sure to tap into the resources the City provides to keep you informed, in addition to our quarterly City Circular. continued on page 14
more inquiries for potential commercial construction at existing and proposed major thoroughfare intersections. Some of the potential or confirmed new businesses include multifamily residential, a charter school, a bank, convenience stores and grocery stores. Residents have certainly noticed the new businesses opened or are under construction in the Concord Mills area.
The City is also seeing several up-fit permits being issued in relationship to existing business properties. These are important as they show the interest in reinvestment in existing locations. Recent examples include the S&D expansion at the intersection of Concord Parkway and Rock Hill Church continued on page 15 concordnc.gov SUMMER 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 3
Concord Peak Partners
– a program that allows you to help control electric power cost
T
his summer the City of Concord Electric Department needs your help in controlling wholesale power costs, which is the largest expense in the Electric budget (three quarters of it). The largest portion of this cost is determined on one peak (high usage) day that occurs on a hot summer afternoon. With customers’ help, we may be able to reduce demand for electricity this summer when this large portion of the wholesale power cost is determined. The Concord Peak Partners Program allows us to notify partners when the demand for electricity is projected to be
This peak time normally occurs on hot summer weekdays between the hours of 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. When we have an indication that a high so they can take action.
peak situation is going to occur, a notification (your preference of e-mail, voice, or text message) is sent to those who volunteer to participate. Customers that sign up do not receive any incentives to do so and they are not penalized if they sign up and do nothing. By participating you will be partnering with us to help control the rising wholesale purchase power costs, which are passed on to customers. It’s the combination of the efforts by all the 4 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SUMMER 2013 concordnc.gov
partners working together that will make the most difference. The Peak Partners Program is one of the attributing factors that have reduced recent wholesale power costs. In addition, the Residential Heat Pump Rebate Program provides an incentive for customers to install a high efficiency heat pump that will reduce the electric demand in the summer months.
Peak Partners notifications will ask the customer to adjust their cooling system thermostat(s) to at least three degrees higher than normal, turn off lights, delay the use of major appliances or equipment, and conserve electricity in any way possible.
Due to these and other related energy efficiency efforts, the Electric Department is proud to report a reduction in the Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA) from $0.008/kWh to $0.006/kWh effective March 2013. The PPA is a mechanism designed to offset increases or decreases in wholesale power costs and may be adjusted every six months if necessary. The City of Concord thanks all Peak Partners for their support, and invites all customers not signed-up yet to become a part of this program. To sign up for Peak Partners, complete the form at concordnc.gov/ Departments/Electric, or contact David Dobbins at (704) 920-5303 or dobbinsd@concordnc.gov.
Concord’s Union Street named as
NC Great Main Street It’s a rare event when residents statewide chose your community for special recognition. But that’s exactly what they did for Union Street in Concord. In May, a ceremony was held at the first Union Street Live concert of the year to honor the street as the 2013 People’s Choice for Great Main Street in North R A Carolina. JZ IE ER This award CH / D OR NC is part of O C OF TY the Great Places CI in North Carolina initiative sponsored by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-NC) to celebrate great communities throughout the state. During the ceremony, Ben Hitchings—president of the North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association—presented City leaders with a framed certificate. “The North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association is pleased to honor Concord for creating a beautiful main street that is a centerpiece of business, fellowship, and special gatherings in the community” said Hitchings. “The people of North Carolina have spoken and have selected Union Street as their choice for Great Main Street.”
CABARRUS REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“We are very proud of Historic Downtown Concord and all that Union Street has to offer,” said Concord Mayor J. Scott Padgett. “This recognition is a feather in our cap, and a testament to the investment our City Council and business owners have made in the Center-City. Thank you to all who voted Concord’s Union Street as the winner of the Main Street People’s Choice award.” In addition to the People’s Choice award, an APA-NC expert panel chose four towns in the Piedmont, mountains and coast for recognition as Great Main Streets. The selected streets were: Fayetteville Street in Raleigh; Main Street in Davidson; Main Street in Blowing Rock; and Hay Street in Fayetteville. APA-NC also honored Main Street in Elkin as a Great Place in the Making. Clayton’s Riverwood neighborhood was also chosen for a People’s Choice award for Great Neighborhood for Kids. All of the communities are featured on greatplacesnc.org. This year’s winners join the towns chosen last year during the first annual Great Places in North Carolina initiative.
CABARRUS REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Great Places in North Carolina initiative was inspired by the Great Places in America program sponsored by the American Planning Association, which celebrates places across the country that are of exemplary character, quality, and planning. The North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association is an organization of 1,500 professional and citizen planners dedicated to preserving and creating great communities throughout North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.nc-apa.org. concordnc.gov SUMMER 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 5
C
oca-Cola Recycle & Win, the nationally recognized sustainability initiative which began in Charlotte in 2009, is back and has been expanded beyond Mecklenburg County into Cabarrus County. Coca-Cola Consolidated, Harris Teeter, the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Concord, Kannapolis and Harrisburg have joined forces to promote recycling by offering consumers the reward of a $50 Harris Teeter gift card for recycling properly.
Coca-Cola Recycle & Win
To implement and promote Recycle & Win, Coca-Cola has invested over $250,000 in the program, which includes a direct mail educational packet to all single-family households in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County (excluding Cornelius), Concord, Kannapolis and Harrisburg the week of June 17. The educational packet contains images highlighting which materials SHOULD go in your recycling bin as well as a “Give it Back” sticker, which residents must place on their bin to opt in for a chance to win a $50 Harris Teeter gift card. Race fans staying at one of seven designated campgrounds at Charlotte Motor Speedway can also get in on the “get rewarded for recycling” action this year by placing aluminum cans and plastic bottles in blue recycling bags provided at campground check in. Fans “caught” RED MOON MARKETING by the Coca-Cola Recycling Patrol doing this good deed will be rewarded with $25 in Speedway Bucks good at any CMS concession stand. “We’re always looking for effective and creative programs to reduce waste, save energy and recycle,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “For 2013, we’re challenging our fans to join us as we try to collect more than 7,000 pounds of recyclable materials through our campground efforts. Many thanks to our partners at Coca-Cola in helping us reduce our environmental trackprint through this creative recycling initiative.” “Recycling is not only good for the environment, but it is good for our communities’ budget. Recycling extends the 6 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SUMMER 2013 concordnc.gov
life of landfills and saves tax dollars now and for years to come,” said Concord Mayor Scott Padgett. “The partnership with Coca-Cola provides an opportunity to promote recycling with this unique education program.” “Coca-Cola is proud to once again sponsor the Recycle & Win initiative,” said Lauren Steele, senior vice president, corporate affairs, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. “The Coca-Cola Company believes it is essential to continue educating everyone on the importance of recycling and recycling properly. We also believe that recycling should be a rewarding experience, and what better way to encourage people to recycle than by giving them an opportunity to be a winner!” Steele, a long-time proponent of recycling added, “Recycle & Win enhances Metrolina’s reputation as a leader in this country’s sustainability efforts.”
The Coca-Cola Recycle & Win Recycling Patrol will be visiting area neighborhoods starting the week of June 17 and plans to award a total of 676 $50 Harris Teeter Gift Cards throughout the sixmonth program. “Harris Teeter is excited to team up with Coca-Cola again to promote recycling in the communities we serve,” said Catherine Becker, Harris Teeter communication manager. “Environmental stewardship is an important factor in Harris Teeter’s daily operations; our hope is that, for customers who participate in Recycle & Win to earn $50 Harris Teeter gift cards, recycling will become a part of their daily routine as well.” Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is the largest independent Coca-Cola Bottler in the United States. The Company is a leader in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of soft drinks.
Volunteers needed to protect local bodies of water
BEHOLDANCE
A group of local high school students, Beholdance, has marked many neighborhoods in Concord.
BEHOLDANCE
Finished placard on a storm drain.
Three out of every four North Carolinians think stormwater receives treatment before it is released into local bodies of water. Actually, it flows from the street, down storm drains, and directly into those bodies of water without ever being cleaned up. This makes it extremely important that only rain goes down the storm drain.
Storm drain marking is an easy way for Concord residents to get involved in protecting our streams and lakes. Residents of all ages can easily apply placards that say “No Dumping, Drains to Creek” to the storm drains throughout the city. Volunteers work with the volunteer coordinator to choose an area or neighborhood they would like to work in. Only about fifteen percent of the city’s storm drains have been marked, so there are many opportunities to volunteer!
CITY OF CONCORD/CRYSTAL BROWN
Lane Construction is the first group to complete the required three clean-ups to have their sign placed.
CITY OF CONCORD/CRYSTAL BROWN
Lane Construction during a clean-up in March 2013.
Every day, litter enters streams though storm drains and illegal dumping. To prevent litter from damaging bodies of water, groups can join the Adopt-A-Stream program. Participating adopters commit to cleaning up their stream segments at least twice each year. After completing a third clean-up, a sign recognizing the group’s commitment to environmental stewardship is erected in a visible location near the stream segment. You can truly make a difference in our environment. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please contact Crystal Brown with Water Resources Stormwater Division at 704-920-5287 or brownc@concordnc.gov.
CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
Ladder company recognized with Shining STAR award Fire and Life Safety Ladder Company 7 C-Shift has been recognized as the latest quarterly Shining STAR award winner. After completion of a fire call in October, the company saw a woman with two small children crying because her car had a flat tire. When they stopped to assist, they learned she was traveling through the area to Atlanta and had neither a spare tire nor the equipment necessary to change it. The ladder company pooled their money together, located a used tire for sale at Punchy Whitaker’s Wheel and Tire, and the Battalion Chief took the rim to the store. When the store learned of the circumstances, they would not accept any money and mounted the tire on the rim free of charge. The ladder company used air bag lifters to raise her car, changed the tire, and was able to set her on her way.
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 Mark Goodman-Battalion Chief, Renee Lutz, Brian Jahant, Eric Sager, and David Autry for their commitment to our community.
concordnc.gov SUMMER 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 7
CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS for solid waste collection
Since launching every-other-week recycling and fully automated garbage and recycling collection in 2011, the City of Concord has saved millions of dollars each year and improved convenience, dependability, and service. Beginning July 8, the City of Concord will adjust and emphasize a few customer procedures to make collecting residential waste more customerfriendly and efficient. Look for a new Solid Waste Resource Guide in the mail soon for more details.
CARTS ARE A BIG INVESTMENT, PROPER CART PLACEMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO REDUCE CART DAMAGE. The City has over sixty-thousand carts in service, with a replacement cost of over three million dollars. However, with proper care they can remain in service for ten to fifteen years. Position carts with wheels facing toward your house, and leave two feet of clearance between other objects such as adjacent carts, mailboxes, shrubs, fire hydrants, etc. Do not block sidewalks or place carts in the roadway. Incorrect placement can result in broken lids or other damage if the cart it is struck by a vehicle.
NO CALLING REQUIRED – SIMPLY SET OUT BULKY WASTE, AND FOLLOW PRECOLLECTION PROCEDURES. Call-in will no longer be required for bulky waste collection.
Residents may place carpet and padding out for collection two times per calendar year at no charge*. Carpet and padding must be tied into rolls less than six feet long, and must weigh no more than two people can lift and carry without dragging. Low-cost roll-off containers are available to help with debris disposal from homeowner projects that exceed allowable limits. A smaller, less expensive fifteen-cubic yard container is now available along with the twenty and thirty cubic yard sizes previously offered to homeowners*.
CITY OF CONCORD/L.J. WESLOWSKI
Collection procedure highlights follow, and are presented in full the Solid Waste Resource Guide and at concordnc. gov/solidwaste. Large, heavy items such as swing sets, pool tables, basketball goals, etc. must be dismantled before they are placed curbside. Individual items shall not weigh more than 65 pounds (the weight two people can lift and carry without dragging). Exceptions to this requirement shall include those items equipped with wheels, such as outdoor equipment, refrigerators, etc. that can be rolled to the collection vehicle by one person without lifting. Concrete must be removed from scrap metal items (such as basketball goal poles). Residents may place motor vehicle tires with rims removed out for collection two times per calendar year, up to eight tires per collection, at no charge*.
8 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SPRING 2013 concordnc.gov
*See Adopted Fees, Rates, and Charges Schedule at concordnc.gov/ Departments/Finance/AdoptedFees-Schedule for more details and additional services.
ALL ITEMS (GARBAGE, RECYCLING, YARD WASTE, AND BULKY WASTE) SHOULD BE PLACED AT THE CURB BY 6:00 A.M. ON YOUR COLLECTION DAY.
6 am
As part of eliminating call-in bulky waste scheduling, solid waste staff members will be locating bulky waste with GPS-enabled devices to build daily collection routes. The earlier set-out time requirement is necessary to make sure all waste is at the curb before locators begin each day. We encourage you to place waste curbside after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your collection day. Remember to roll your carts from the curb by 9:00 p.m. on your collection day. continued on page 12
GREEN WEEK
Recycling is collected every-other-week (shown in green) on your regularly scheduled garbage day.
July
August
September
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2013
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October
November
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December
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24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31
January
February
March
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2014
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Tear out this year’s calendar and save it for your reference. To confirm your schedule, visit concordnc.gov/ whatsmyday.
Thank you for your continued efforts with our solid waste program and for recycling abundantly. •B ulky waste is anything that won’t fit inside and isn’t allowed in your garbage cart like furniture, construction and demolition debris, tires, scrap metal (including lawn equipment, bicycles, etc.) electronics and appliances. Cart lids must be able to close completely. •E xtra bags of trash and recyclables placed outside your cart will not be collected.
• T wice per year, for special occasions, parties and family reunions, the City will collect a small amount of extra bags. April May June Please call to schedule all special occasion collections. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 • Those who consistently have more garbage than the green 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 rollout cart can hold may call to reserve an extra brown 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 garbage cart for a monthly fee.
27 28 29 30
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30
City holidays are circled. Please visit concordnc.gov for changes in the solid waste collection schedule.
BLUE WEEK
Recycling is collected every-other-week (shown in blue) on your regularly scheduled garbage day.
July
August
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1 2
September 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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2013
2013-14 Recycling calendar
• Recycle cardboard the right way! All cardboard must be flattened for collection. Place flattened cardboard 2ft.x2ft. or larger under the closed lid of your recycle cart. Quantities too large to fit under the lid should be flattened and stacked neatly beside your recycle cart. • Register to receive collection schedule changes and other important updates via phone, text, or email through our secure Blackboard Connect Portal at ConcordNC.gov. •P lace cart out between 5:00 p.m. day before and 6:00 a.m. day of collection
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•R etrieve cart by 9:00 p.m. collection day
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• Place carts for collection with heels facing your home.
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•K eep carts 2 feet from one another and 2 feet from parked cars, mailboxes, etc.
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• Do not block sidewalks with carts.
October
November
December
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January
February
•F or more information on recycling:
concordnc.gov 704.920.5555
March
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Please rinse all food containers to remove food residue before recycling. Please recycle these items: Empty Aerosol Cans (no paint cans) | All Plastics (no Styrofoam, 30 31 bags, or wrap. no bottle caps) | Wide-Mouth Plastic April May June Containers & Lids | Rigid Plastic Containers & Small Hard 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Plastic Toys | Milk & Juice Cartons, & Juice Boxes | Shredded Paper (placed in clear bag) | Aluminum Cans | Metal Food 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Cans & Lids | Glass Bottles & Jars | Flattened Boxes: 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Cardboard, Cereal & Food Boxes | Mixed Paper, Newspapers 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 with Inserts, & Junk Mail | Paperback Books | Magazines & Phonebooks | Spiral Paper Cans (with plastic lids detached) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
2014
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City holidays are circled. Please visit concordnc.gov for changes in the solid waste collection schedule.
concordnc.gov SPRING 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 9
10 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SUMMER 2013 concordnc.gov
concord police department fields
ELITE K-9 TEAMS
Mike Drake and Rico, Gene Ramos and Kilo, Scott Medlin and Romack, and Lennie Rivera and Storm.
T
he Concord Police Department’s K-9 Unit was started in 1990, with a total of eighteen dogs completing the twelve-week training course since its inception. Thirteen officers have been assigned to the unit as handlers over the twenty-three years.
CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
homes). The K-9s become a part of the handlers’ family, and very often travel with the family on outings and vacations. All K-9 teams are members of the American Police Canine Association. The Association’s membership consists of approximately 300 law enforcement K-9 teams in the US and Canada. Currently, three of the four Concord Police Department K-9 teams hold the highest level of tracking certification (Level III) that the association offers. Only eight K-9 teams in the association hold this certification.
There are currently four dog and handler K-9 teams: Mike Drake and Rico, Scott Medlin and Romack, Gene Ramos and Kilo, and Lennie Rivera and Storm. K-9s Kilo and Rico are both five-year-old Shepherds. The unit’s newest additions are Storm, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, and Romack, a two-year-old Shepherd. Both dogs were imported from the Netherlands at a cost of $7,400 each.
K-9 Storm demonstrates his abilities on Concord Police Officer Trey Brown.
The K-9s are the total responsibility of the handlers, and live at the handlers’ homes. It is the choice of the handler for the K-9 to be housed in an outside kennel provided by the City or live inside the home (all current K-9s live inside the handlers’
CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
K-9s Romack and Storm recently completed the twelve-week training course conducted by the Concord Police Dept. At the completion of the training, both teams certified with American Police Canine Association in all areas of police patrol work: obedience, narcotics, article search, area search, tracking, aggression control, and handler protection.
concordnc.gov SUMMER 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 11
101
Learn how your government works in Concord 101
Applications are being accepted for Concord 101, an annual course designed for Concord citizens to learn about their local government. The free 14-week session begins August 27 and culminates with a graduation ceremony in December. Residents of Concord over the age of 18 are invited to submit an application by August 2. Class size is limited to 30 participants.
City staff members will conduct weekly classes from 6:00 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 give a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Concord such a great place to live. The course was designed to give citizens the opportunity to interact closely with City staff members. In addition to learning about Concord, the City hopes participants will provide input and take a more active role in their neighborhoods and community. 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. CITY OF CONCORD/PETER FRANZESE
Water Resources wastewater crews demonstrate how they inspect and maintain sewer lines to the 2012 Concord 101 class. 12 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SUMMER 2013 concordnc.gov
Solid Waste continued from page 8 hint:
Visit concordnc.gov/whatsmyday to look up your collection day and recycling week.
DON’T FORGET THE BAGS. All garbage should be drained of all liquids and placed in securely tied plastic bags before it is placed into your cart. Yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and trimmings up to twelve inches in length must be placed in untied clear bags or untied paper biodegradable bags. Yard waste bags must not weigh more than one person can lift and carry with one hand without dragging. Yard waste bags should be left untied to allow moisture to evaporate and minimize the foul-smelling liquids that result from decomposition.
WANT TO REDUCE YARD WASTE BAGGING? Grass, trimmings, and leaves may also be placed in personal containers equipped with handles. These containers should not exceed forty-four gallons in volume or weigh more than thirty-five pounds, the weight one person can lift and carry with one hand without dragging. Personal containers must be clearly labeled “Yard Waste Only” and the lid removed when placed curbside. Personal containers are placed curbside at the customer’s risk, and the City is not responsible for damage or theft. It is unnecessary to bag any limbs greater than one inch in diameter and greater than twelve inches long. However, these limbs must be less than twelve inches in diameter, cut to a length of six feet or less, and stacked neatly at the curb. Limbs must not obstruct the sidewalk or the roadway, nor create an unsafe condition to the traveling public.
Concord Fire and Life Safety achieves
Class 2 ISO rating Many Concord business owners will have lower fire insurance costs following a recent evaluation by the N.C. Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal and the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Many retail, commercial, and industrial businesses should see fire insurance rates fall by an average of five to eight percent. Fire insurance rates are based on ISO’s Public Protection Classification Program. ISO’s expert staff collects information about municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) — a number from 1 to 10, with Class 1 generally representing superior property fire protection. The City of Concord’s ISO rating has improved to Class 2, effective June 1, 2013.
The Class 2 rating places Concord’s Department of Fire and Life Safety in the top one percent in the nation. There are 48,960 rated fire districts in the United States. Concord’s PPC has been lowered three times in the past seventeen years. The classification previously dropped from 5 to 4 in June 1996, and to Class 3 in November 2004. “I’d like to congratulate Chief Holloway for his department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” said Wayne Goodwin, Commissioner of Insurance. “The
citizens in Concord should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of emergency.” The classification program evaluates three major components: the fire department (fifty percent of the score), water supply (forty percent), and alarms and communications (ten percent). Cities are rated on the number of engine and ladder companies, fire personnel, and equipment. Evaluation of the water system includes the amount of fire
CITY OF CONCORD/KIM SMITH
hydrants and the pressure and flow of water, which would be needed in the case of a fire. The amount of time it would take fire personnel to arrive at a location is also a large factor. Since the classification received in 2004, the City has improved fire protection by adding Fire Station 9, located at Ivey Cline Drive and Poplar Tent Road, and temporary Fire Station 10, located near the intersection of Poplar Tent Road and Harris Road. Concord Fire and Life Safety has also
made significant improvements in fire company distribution, technology, and efficiency over the past eight years. The Department has added two additional ladder companies and a rescue company since 2004. The City has also continued to make improvements in its water and emergency communications systems, and those departments scored very well, helping Concord achieve the Class 2 PPC. “The City Council made this possible through their support and investment in infrastructure and people,” said Concord Mayor Scott Padgett. “Whether investing in fire stations and apparatus, improve water capacity, or better communications, the Council’s leadership and vision was a key element in providing this peace of mind to our community.” Each PPC improvement results in an average of five to eight percent reduction in commercial and industrial fire insurance rates. Over the past seventeen years, commercial and industrial insurance rates have decreased an average of fifteen to twenty-four percent. Generally, there are no additional savings for residential properties after a community achieves Class 6. “I am very proud of our department and the City,” said Fire Chief Randy Holloway. “This rating reflects our core value of continuous improvement and our business friendly, customer-focused environment.” Learn more about Concord Fire and Life Safety at concordnc.gov.
concordnc.gov SUMMER 2013 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 13
From the Mayor continued from page 3 • Subscribe to the weekly CityLink Newsletter at concordnc.gov/ Government/CityLink-Newsletter. • Check out our page on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcordNC. • Visit concordnc.gov to learn how you can be sure to receive timely updates from the City via phone, text, or email through Blackboard Connect. • Tune into CityLink Radio on 1410AM WTIX, each Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Citizens in Concord do a fantastic job of recycling, keeping thousands of tons of materials out of the landfill each year. Of course we can always to better and we’re excited to kick off a partnership with Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter called Recycle & Win. Through this program, residents can have a chance at winning a $50 Harris Teeter Gift Card for recycling properly. Learn more about this program on page 6.
1-7
I was most impressed by the many Concord residents who recently registered as bone marrow donors. The City of Concord sponsored a donor registration drive on Saturday, May 11 to help find matching donors for the ten thousand Americans each year who need a bone marrow transplant. Council Member Hector Henry is one of them, and inspired us to rally around
this very important cause. Currently, only half of those who need a transplant are able to find a matching donor, with less than three percent of the eligible population (healthy 18-55 year olds) on the registry. Imagine how this would be different with that number up to ten percent. Many people do not know how easy it is to join the registry, and how the donation process works. Joining is as simple as swabbing the inside of your check for ten to fifteen seconds, and filling out some paper work. Of course, joining the registry is a serious commitment, because one day the person could be asked to go through the donation process. There are two ways to donate bone marrow. The method used for donation depends upon the patient’s needs and is determined by the patient’s doctor. About eighty percent of all donations are through the Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) process. In this method, cells are collected via the bloodstream. To increase the number of stem cells in the bloodstream, donors receive daily injections of a synthetic protein called filgrastim for four days before and on the day of the collection.
On the day of collection the donor’s blood is removed with a sterile needle from one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood stem cells. The remaining blood is COURTESY OF JIM SELLS returned to the donor through the other arm. The cell collection is an outpatient procedure that takes about four to eight hours on one or two consecutive days. While taking the medication, many donors experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, bone and muscle achiness and fatigue. Most side effects should subside within forty-eight hours of donating.
Delete Blood Cancer’s Christian Montgomery (far left) with City volunteers from the May 11 donor drive
In the other process, marrow cells are collected from the backside of the pelvic bone
14 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR SUMMER 2013 concordnc.gov
(not the spine) using a special syringe. Donors receive general anesthesia so no pain is experienced during the marrow extraction. This is a one to two hour, outpatient, surgical procedure. Many donors experience some pain, bruising and stiffness for up to two weeks after their donation. Within a week of donating, most donors are able to return to work, school and many regular activities. The donor’s marrow is completely replenished within a few weeks. While donating bone marrow is certainly not the most comfortable experience, it is not to different than many other medical procedures we undergo. And, by doing it you can save a life. The month of May was proclaimed as Marrow Donor Awareness Month, and I hope the public’s awareness and interest continues into the future. During our donor drive on May 11, 130 people joined the registry and over $1,200 was donated to Delete Blood Cancer, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world. You can still join the national registry online with only a few minutes of your time. As a potential bone marrow donor, some day you might be the one to save a life. Once completed, Delete Blood Cancer will mail you a do-it-yourself swab kit so you can collect your cheek swab sample at home. That is all it takes for you to help prevent thousands of people dying from blood cancer every year. Sign up now at deletebloodcancer. org. Be sure to select “Colonel Hector Henry II wants you to swab!” on the online registration form’s “how did you hear about us?” question. On a daily basis I am amazed at the people I meet who are doing wonderful things to make Concord a great place to live, work, and play. These are just a few highlights of what is happening recently in our community. I look forward to more good things in the months ahead, and hope you have a great summer!
Manager’s Notes continued from page 3 Road, the Verizon Wireless retail store near Concord Mills, and Popeye’s on Concord Parkway. It appears more are on the way.
This spring, staff received numerous inquiries from builders pursing approval extensions for previously platted singlefamily subdivisions, and asking how to modify or update existing plans. The Cabarrus County Building Standards Office reported monthly single-family detached home permits were the most in April since 2008, totaling nearly $18.3 million. Of that total number, there were 33 new home permits issued in Concord in April with an estimated value of $5.4 million. Good jobs remain a challenge for some. Cabarrus County continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Charlotte region, but jobs are still a concern. The preliminary April unemployment rate in Cabarrus County was 7.9 percent. While the improvement is good news, it shows we all still have work to do to provide more good jobs for those that might be unemployed or underemployed. There is no doubt our local economy is getting stronger. However, we also share the concerns of many regarding the uncertainties within the current state and national political environment. The inability to reach political consensus is hurting this recovery. Despite these obstacles, things are getting better. We all hope this trend continues.
$ Did you know...
you can learn about the City budget online? Check out
concordnc.gov/budget
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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Allen completes Municipal Administration Course CITY OF CONCORD/CHERIE JZAR
C
ongratulations to Deputy Fire Chief Ray Allen, who successfully completed the 2012-2013 Municipal Administration Course of the UNC School of Government. The program is designed for managers, department heads, and officials whose responsibilities require a broad understanding of functions beyond individual areas of specialization. The course is approximately 150 hours in length, and more than 60 instructors participate in leading
the program. Course instruction covers North Carolina local government law, organization and management, finance and budgeting, employment law and administration, planning and regulation of development, and the delivery of specific city or county services. Ray Allen was one of 98 officials who graduated from the course this year and is one of more than 2900 officials who have completed the course since it began in 1954.