Winter 2012

c Have a Green Holiday Season

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WINTER 2012 Information You Can Use

Carolina Courts Page 4

Making History Chief Guy Smith Page 7 9/11 Remembered Page 8

Recognition Productivity Improvement Page 5 Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Page 11

Carolina Courts to build a second facility adjacent to Memorial Gardens. The 47,000 square foot facility... “will be a catalyst to Historic Downtown Concord’s resurgence and transformation into a top visitor destination.”

— Scott Padgett, Mayor of Concord

City Council

David W. Phillips District 1

Mayor’s Golf Tournament raises funds for youth programs

James E. Ramseur District 2

The City of Concord and Embassy Suites CharlotteConcord Golf Resort and Spa hosted 144 participants at the City’s Rocky River Golf Club on September 30, 2011 for the fourteenth annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament.

With great weather, volunteers from City departments,

Ella Mae Small District 3

the tournament was able to raise over $5,500 for youth programs in Cabarrus County. and the sponsorship of countless businesses,

Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4 Mayor Pro-Tem

. . . Thank you to our eagle sponsors . . .

W. Lamar Barrier District 5

Hector H. Henry II District 6

John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7

In this Issue: From the Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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.

Carolina Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Designed by Granite Sky Design, Inc.

Energy Saving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Wastewater Resources Dept Awards . . . . 5 Greener Holiday Season . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chief Guy Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Remembering 9/11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Concord 101 Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Public Safety Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Angela Graham Honored . . . . . . . . . . . 11 City Hall Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR FALL 2011 concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

From the Mayor

Manager’s Notes

J. Scott Padgett

Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager

Counting Our Blessings

More Water on the Way

Thanksgiving and Christmas are times of being with family and special reflection. Personally I have been very blessed with a wonderful family, and the opportunity to serve our community as both an educator and elected official. As a community, the City of Concord has many things to be thankful for as well.

In late August, much of eastern North Carolina was ravaged

by Hurricane Irene. This fierce storm did not directly impact us, but it reminded me of 1989 when Concord suffered similar damage from Hurricane Hugo. Many of us remember enduring the days without electricity. I have a distinct memory of seeing electric crews from other cities come to help us restore power.

Through mutual aid agreements with public power communities across the state, we were able to help Hurricane victims in Farmville, Kinston, Rocky Mount, and Tarboro by sending crews from Concord’s Electric Systems department to restore power. The letters we have received from citizens and elected officials of those towns are a source of pride for Concord. We can all be thankful that we had the resources to help someone else, and we know our neighbors across North Carolina will be there to help us if the need should arise. The City Council approved a similar agreement with Duke Energy in November, so in the event of a major outage affecting Duke Energy customers in Concord, City crews can work to restore power in our entire community if needed. Likewise, Duke Energy’s resources will also be available in the City electric service area.

One of the most exciting days of the year came on October 13, when Carolina Courts announced their new facility coming to Historic Downtown Concord. The company, which currently operates a facility in Indian Trail, North Carolina, will build a second facility on the City’s former public works operations base at 24 Spring Street SW, adjacent to Memorial Gardens.

The 47,000 square foot facility will provide basketball, volleyball, and fitness opportunities to the community, and host visitors at weekend tournaments and summer camps.

The company expects 100,000 visitors at the facility in the first year. This announcement is a game-changer for Downtown, and you can find out more about the project on page 4.

Although many in our community, state, nation, and world struggle during these difficult economic times, we still have great things happening every day in Concord. I wish all of you a blessed and Merry Christmas, and a wonderful year to come in 2012.

Those who have resided in this area for more than a few years recognize that Cabarrus County is “water challenged” with no major river flowing near the population centers. We have known for some time now that the safe yield of our existing reservoirs, particularly our largest in Lake Howell, are challenged because of the county’s location at the headwaters of the creeks that feed them and that ultimately flow into the Rocky River and then the Yadkin/Pee Dee River. Residents know that during drought periods, those on public water systems in Cabarrus are often the first to experience restrictions because the major raw water supplies are just a few miles to our west and east, but not in our county.

That is why permission was sought and eventually granted, after several years of careful documentation and analysis, to draw water from both the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers. This approval was not received without great effort and some controversy, but Concord and Kannapolis are working together to prepare to meet existing and future needs. We also continue to be leaders among North Carolina local governments in promoting conservation.

One important element of this plan is partnering with the City of Albemarle to take advantage of their access to raw water and their additional water treatment plant capacity rather than burdening rate payers with locating and buying a treatment plant site on the Yadkin, then building an entirely new plant. The partnership with Albemarle involves Concord and Kannapolis building a line to connect to the end of an Albemarle line along NC 49 in Stanly County, then buying treated water from the City of Albemarle. Albemarle is paying for the land and the pipe in Stanly County while Concord and Kannapolis will pay for all facilities in Cabarrus.

The agreements necessary to build this project have already been signed and engineering is nearing completion. Easement acquisition is starting on both sides of the County line and two public hearings have been held regarding the project and the alignment. It is anticipated the project will be out to bid by spring of 2012. Construction is estimated to take 18 months once bids are awarded. continued on page 16 concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 3

Carolina Courts to change the game in Historic Downtown Concord What does it take to turn an environmentally challenging public works site into an economic development catalyst?

Concord’s Planning and Neighborhood Development Deputy Director Steve Osborne will tell you that it takes a lot of patience and determination. The story of Carolina Courts, which will develop a facility in Historic Downtown Concord that is expected to draw thousands of visitors, is one of cooperation among multiple levels of government and the private sector, and a relentless commitment to turning a vision into reality.

Carolina Courts will host basketball and volleyball tournaments that will draw upwards of 1,000 people to Downtown Concord. Based on current operations in Indian Trail, Carolina Courts expects to generate 20,000 annual hotel room nights in Concord from the tournaments in the new facility.

The building will be 47,120 square feet and contain multi-use courts that will accommodate four high school size basketball courts, eight middle school size basketball courts, and eight volleyball courts. The facility will include a 3,200 square foot fitness center and training lab that will be operated by Rhymer Fitness.

“It all started on a rainy day in January,” recalls Osborne.

“Carolina Courts came to Concord because they wanted to expand to this side of the Charlotte market, and they visited our site that was just the location they desired. Osborne explains that the site at the time had poor topography and several buildings that had served as the City’s public works operations base for several decades until 2003. However, the location in Downtown Concord and all the available and potential amenities were a total package to offer the company. “It took a lot of vision to see that site and realize what it could be, but Carolina Courts had that vision and look where we are today.”

The site was prepared for new construction using a federal Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant secured by the City of Concord from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). City of Concord staff members were greatly assisted by Congressman Larry Kissell’s office while coordinating the project with several federal offices. BEDI grants are meant to encourage economic development projects on brownfields sites that will result in new business or job creation, increase the local tax base, and create other economic benefits. “This project is exactly what we have been waiting and working for in Downtown Concord for a long time”, said Scott Padgett, Mayor of Concord. “It will be a catalyst to Historic Downtown Concord’s resurgence and transformation into a top visitor destination.”

The facility will generate 52 direct jobs and many other indirect jobs for the restaurants, hotels, and retailers that serve its visitors. Carolina Courts, which currently operates a facility in Indian Trail, North Carolina, will build a second facility on land acquired from the City of Concord at 24 Spring Street SW, adjacent to Concord’s Memorial Gardens.

Carolina Courts specializes in basketball, volleyball, and fitness, and will serve the community with ongoing leagues, camps, training, and open play.

On weekends,

4 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

The City also successfully applied for a HUD loan to generate part of the financing that a private developer could use to continued on page 14

Wastewater Resources Department recognized with multiple awards The twenty-nine coworkers of the City of Concord’s Wastewater Resources Department are perhaps among the most unsung heroes of the City organization. However, this fall the Wastewater team has been recognized for excellence among both City departments and other wastewater systems across the state.

In October, the department was presented with the City’s annual Productivity Improvement Award. This award is given annually to the department, division, or work team who demonstrates significant improvements or efforts in performance/productivity over the given year. This may result in staff time/work saved, processes streamlined, and/ or dollars saved. When presenting the award, Budget and Performance Manager Robin Barham remarked how tough the competition was for 2011. “The quality of applicants this year was particularly outstanding – any of them could have won,” said Barham.

Wastewater Resources was recognized for reducing “unaccounted” gallons of sewer volume passing through the system. These are gallons going through the treatment process that are not generated by Concord water users, which often come from defects in the system that allow rainwater and groundwater to enter. The department’s effort to reduce those gallons also results in less treatment costs paid to the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County for unnecessary conveyance and treatment. Using an extensive flow monitoring process and smoke testing, Wastewater crews were able to locate and prioritize over 1,500 defects in the system over the last two years. In FY09, there were 955 million gallons of unaccounted sewer volume. That dropped

slightly to 888 million gallons in FY10. However in FY11, the number of unaccounted gallons was 433 million – a drop of over half. The treatment cost savings amount to $473,000 from the previous year, or thirteen percent of what the City pays to WSACC. In November, the department earned the first ever North Carolina Collection System of the Year Award from the North Carolina American Water Works Association and the North Carolina Water Environment Association (NC AWWAWEA). The association is dedicated to providing water and wastewater education, training, and service in an effort to protect public health and the environment.

The purpose of the North Carolina Collection System of the Year Award is to identify and recognize the municipality that protects the public health and the natural beauty of the environment through proactive practices of management, operations, and maintenance beyond what is required by its NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources collection system permit.

“This was truly a team effort that extends beyond the Wastewater Resources Department,” said former Wastewater Resources Director Mark Fowler, who recently accepted a position with WSACC. “This award also represents many years of work from equipment purchases for line cleaning or replacement, to rehabilitation projects, lining pipe, and replacing manholes. We appreciate the support we get from management and Council to allow us to operate our system as we do.” continued on page 13 concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 5

Have a Greener Holiday Season

by Mandy Smith-Thompson, Environmental Educator It’s a fact. As consumers, the choices we make have huge impacts on the environment…and…‘tis the season for consuming, right? We’ve decorated our homes. We’ve bought groceries to prepare holiday meals.

We’re bought gifts and wrapping supplies. We’ve cleaned the house inside and out; we’re doing dishes and laundry. When it’s over, we’re wrapping up leftovers, taking out scraps, and disposing of gift wrap and other holiday waste. However, there are ways to tackle these often unavoidable tasks while making choices in the best interest of the environment.

The first step in having a greener holiday season is to change your consumption habits. The State of North Carolina has some great lists available online at recycleguys. org/generalholidaywaste.html and portal.ncdenr.org/web/ sustainability/greenerdenr. Just a few examples from these lists include: •P ut a timer on all outside and inside holiday lights.

•W hen needed, replace incandescent light strands with LED’s (several retailers offer buy-back credits).

•M ake your own ornaments and gifts, and re-use old greeting cards.

•D onate money to a local charity.

•P rovide a meal for a local, needy family.

•D ecorate with fresh seasonal food such as apples, oranges, and nuts. Then eat it throughout the season!

•N ix the disposable containers or plates for gatherings.

• I nstead of giving gifts to everyone in the extended family, draw names! This cuts back on cost and stress.

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So, the most important thing you can do is reduce the waste you generate. The next step is to properly dispose of the waste you cannot avoid. Here’s what you should remember: •D uring the week following Christmas and the week following New Year’s Day, extra recyclables may be placed in clear plastic bags and placed beside your recycle cart for collection.

• T hroughout the year, large cardboard boxes should be flattened and stacked next to your recycling cart for collection. Jamming large boxes into your cart can prevent material from exiting your cart when it is emptied. Small cardboard boxes such as gift boxes and cereal boxes should be flattened and placed inside your recycle cart.

•P aper gift wrap, gift boxes, and gift bags are recyclable in your black recycling cart. Plastic boxes are also acceptable. No foil or plastic-containing paper accepted.

•C ommon items generated all year but more prevalent during the holiday season that should NOT be placed into your recycling cart include: VHS tapes, mini-blinds, car parts, pizza boxes, grocery bags, garden hoses, ribbons/bows, propane tanks, computer parts or disks, wire and plastic coat hangers, plastic wrap or plastic bags, ceramic dinner ware, drinking glasses, and plate glass.

Please check the list of acceptable recyclable items listed on the top of your container and call 704-920-5555 if you have questions.

• T he City of Concord will collect one live Christmas tree per residence as part of our weekly yard waste program. Simply remove all lights, ornaments, skirts, and stands, and place the tree at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your weekly collection day.

•B ulky Waste such as outdoor grills, metal swing sets (disassembled), bicycles, lawnmowers or powered garden equipment (with fuel and oil removed), and old appliances can be scheduled for collection and recycled. The City also collects electronic waste for recycling at the curb. Residents must call 704-920-5555 a minimum of 2 business days in advance of their regular garbage day.

•A rtificial trees are trash and must be scheduled for bulky waste collection.

Please remove all lights, ornaments, skirts, and stands. Please consider donating reusable artificial trees.

• T he Cabarrus County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (246 General Services Dr., Concord) accepts and recycles batteries and liquid cooking oil.

Please call 704-920-EARTH for hours of operation.

6 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

Chief Guy Smith takes the helm at Concord Police Department

Q&A with Chief Guy Smith hat led you to a career in law W enforcement?

I have always had a strong interest in law enforcement. After high school I decided to attend UNC Charlotte and get my degree in Criminal Justice before pursuing my career in law enforcement. hat is the toughest part of W the job?

It is really difficult when we investigate certain violent crimes and aren’t able to solve them. This is especially true when dealing with victims and the families of victims who have been involved in rapes, sexual assaults, and murders…in particular when the victims are women, children, or the elderly.

What do you like the most about the job?

It is just the opposite of the toughest part of the job. It is very rewarding and satisfying when we are able to solve crimes, make arrests, and get the violent criminal off the streets of Concord and bring some closure to our victims and their families.

Guy Smith (right, in uniform) is joined by former Police Chiefs (left to right) Jack Moore, George Smith, Robert Cansler, and Merl Hamilton On November 10, 2011 Guy Smith was finally sworn in as Chief of the Concord Police Department. It only took 29 years on the job, two stints as Interim Chief, and the birth of a grandson.

City Manager Brian Hiatt named Smith as the City’s next Chief of Police in late September, after serving as Interim Chief since April 2011, when former Chief Merl Hamilton was promoted to Assistant City Manager. His first tour as Interim Chief came about ten years ago, when the City recruited Hamilton from Hickory in the search for Bob Cansler’s successor.

“Chief Smith has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the community he was born in, the City organization, and the Concord Police Department,” said Hiatt. “He is a person of high integrity that has the experience and leadership skills to maintain the department’s focus on customer service and community relationships while promoting a culture of problem solving and accountability.”

Guy Smith has served in the Concord Police Department for his entire law enforcement career, beginning as a Patrol Officer in 1982. He served as a Criminal Investigations Detective from 1987 until 1992, and then gained supervisory and command experience in several units including Criminal Investigations, Support Services, and Patrol. continued on page 13

How is it to follow in the footsteps of Concord’s former Police Chiefs?

I have been very fortunate to work for four different Chiefs (Chief Jack Moore, Chief George Smith, Chief Robert Cansler, and Chief Merl Hamilton) in my 30 year career in law enforcement. Each Chief has helped me and guided me in some way, and played a significant role in where I am at in my career today. I owe a lot of thanks and gratitude to each one of them.

How would you describe your months since becoming Chief?

It has really just been a continuation from the interim position.

I became Interim Chief in April of this year and assumed the responsibilities of the Chief of Police, and then transitioned into the position permanently in October. It has been busy and challenging on a day to day basis with a lot of support from family, friends, and citizens.

What are your goals for the department?

The main goal is to continue reducing crime and the fear of crime by strengthening our relationships and partnerships with our citizens and neighborhoods.

What else would you like the community to know about what your officers do?

The Concord Police Department has 159 sworn officers and 25 civilian employees who are dedicated to protecting and serving the citizens of Concord. We strive for continuous improvement and appreciate the trust and support that we receive from the citizens. concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 7

Community gathers to remember tenth anniversary of 9/11 attacks

The Cities of Concord and Kannapolis, the Town of Harrisburg, and Cabarrus County held a community-wide Patriots’ Day remembrance ceremony to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at Concord Fire Station 8, located at 1485 Old Charlotte Road.

Public safety personnel from several agencies worked together to coordinate the event, which included music, ringing of the memorial bell, laying of the memorial wreath, a twenty-one gun salute, and unveiling of a piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York.

Concord received one of 1,200 steel relics from the World Trade Center, and the public may view the steel at Fire Station 3, located at 100 Warren Coleman Boulevard N. More photos from the event are available on the City’s Facebook page: facebook.com/concordnc.

Concord

Tenth Concord 101 class completes citizens’ academy program

101

The Concord 101 class of 2011 was recognized on November 29 with a graduation ceremony at Fire Station Nine. The twentysix active participants in the class were the largest in the program’s history.

Concord 101 is a course designed for citizens to learn about their local government. Participants met on Tuesday nights and heard from City staff members about what it takes to run City services such as solid waste and recycling, public utilities, police, fire, parks and recreation, and much more. The free thirteen-week course began in September.

The class was first offered in 2002, and alumni have come from all walks of life. Some are now serving in leadership roles in their neighborhoods or on City board and commissions such as the Historic Preservation Commission. In addition, Council Member John Sweat is a graduate from the 2003 class.

2011 participants were: Mollie Bangert, Mark Barnett, Robert Carpenter, Charles Copeland, Jason Furr, Leslie Furr, Barry Hannibal, Tarri Hannibal, Virginia Herron, Arabella MaloneTrahey, Norma Mosley, Griselle Negron, Bob Neilson, Jayne Neilson, Donie Parker, Brian Patterson, Vincent Plummer, Ian Shepherd, Linda Stransky, Emily Tate, Lauren Thomas, Jeanne Torello, Michael Torello, Thomas Trahey, Victor Vanover, and Becky Wilson.

“We appreciate the citizens who have taken their time to learn about City government and services,” said Mayor Scott Padgett. “The graduates always enjoy the course and come out of it learning more than they could have imagined.

“This course is an opportunity for us to interact closely with citizens. We hope these graduates will continue to give us input and take an active role in the community,” City Manager Brian Hiatt commented.

The next class will begin in fall of 2012, and applications will be available in May. For more information call 704-920-5215 or visit the city’s website: concordnc.gov.

Public Safety Academy

City’s sixth Public Safety Academy begins February 13

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The City of Concord believes in creating partnerships with the citizens who live and work in our City. We believe this partnership keeps our quality of life at a high level and allows us to provide the The best municipal services possible.

To help build this partnership, the Concord Communications, Fire and Life Safety, and Police Departments are proud to announce the sixth Citizen’s Public Safety Academy. This course will allow citizens to learn about the functions of Concord’s public safety departments, meet our staff, and help us evaluate the services we provide.

Four classes will be taught by members of the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and will include presentations on the various services provided as well as how all of us can be ten-week safer in our daily lives. Members of the academy Concord Police Department will instruct will begin four classes on all functions of the February 13, 2012 department and give an in-depth look at our community policing philosophy. One and end on class will be presented by members of April 16.

Concord’s Communications Department and Consecutive classes will explain what happens when you call will be held each 911 or request any service from our public Monday from safety departments. The tenth week will 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. be a graduation dinner to honor academy participants.

10 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

W

hen she was named as the 2011 City of Concord Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award winner, Angela Graham was at a loss for words. Since joining the City of Concord as Housing Director in January of 2001, Graham has built a reputation as a motivator and outreach champion both within the City organization and the community in general.

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.

Concord Housing Director Angela Graham honored with Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award

At a presentation during the October 13 City Council meeting, Human Resources Director Jeannine Sargent began revealing the details of the winner while Graham’s Housing staff members, who nominated her for the award, filed in the chambers from the back door in a show of support.

Graham, who is known for her cheerful and outgoing personality, was overwhelmed with emotion.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected for such a prestigious award in honor of Jo Atwater, a woman who exemplified such strength and hard work, and who dedicated her life to this community,” said Graham. “I am sincerely grateful for this recognition, but I could not have done this without the City department heads, my Housing team, and the guidance and support of my supervisor, Assistant City Manager Merl Hamilton. This is a humbling experience, which reinforces that everything one accomplishes in life is through the effort and support of others. Thank you for letting me be a part of the Concord team.”

Graham’s staff focused on her commitment to guiding Housing clients towards self-improvement and self-sufficiency. “Angela has a natural instinct to help those in need, to give comfort, advice and understanding. We see people coming to the Technology Center and gaining knowledge to lead them to a better life. We see residents moving into beautiful new town homes after living their lives in poverty.

Graduates of the homeownership program that she began are now proud, self-sufficient first time homeowners.

We see children that now have focus and direction because they have programs to keep them off the streets.

Today, we see not only hope, but a continued vision for the future.”

Her staff added, “in the ten years that Angela has been with the City of Concord, she too has become a respected friend and inspirational teammate to not only her coworkers, but to the entire community. Her motto is, ‘If you believe – you can achieve.’

She has raised the bar for work ethic and commitment to high professional standards. We believe as another day ends in our community, a bright star shines above. Jo Atwater is looking down and saying “you go girl – your vision is coming true and you’ve only just begun.”

In addition to her work at the City of Concord, Graham is currently Senior Vice President of the Carolinas Council of Housing, Redevelopment, and Codes Officials. Their purpose is to improve the professionalism and sound management practices on the public administration of Housing, Community Development, Codes and Housing rehabilitation programs through training of its membership and constituents throughout North and South Carolina. The Carolinas Council also works closely with HUD on housing, funding and policies.

Angela is a resident of Statesville and is married to Dwayne Graham. They have two children: Gregory (age 23) and Antwan (age 13).

concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 11

Pardon our dust: improvements coming to City Hall Annex In an effort to improve customer service, energy efficiency, and security, the front entrance of the City Hall Annex are temporarily closed until January, 2012.

The building is located at 66 Union Street South, and contains offices for the Planning and Neighborhood Development and Human Resources Departments.

City offices have been located in the building since it was constructed in 1957. The site served as Concord’s City Hall from at least 1902 until 1986, when offices moved to the Municipal Building located at 26 Union Street South.

The original design of the building was intended to encourage open and accessible government by giving visitors easy access to the various offices in the building. As the City has grown and times have changed, this design is no longer functional or customer friendly.

Now, customers who enter the building have a hard time finding their intended location and often visit several offices before arriving at the right place. The project will create an area for customers to have immediate contact with a City coworker without having to search for the right one.

Many customers’ needs will be addressed without having to go further, such as developers dropping off plans or job applicants turning in materials. Customers who are visiting for other purposes will have a place to wait while the appropriate coworker comes to greet them.

12 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

In addition to the obvious customer service and security improvements, the new design will enhance the building’s energy efficiency. New, energy-efficient doors and the enclosure of the entry way will minimize the amount of outside air coming in and conditioned air escaping. Carpet in the renovated area is made from recycled plastic drink bottles collected in North Carolina and processed at Sonoco Recycling, which receives Concord’s recyclables.

While under construction, the only entrance for the building will be on the side along Barbrick Avenue. A reception station will be established at the temporary entrance to direct customers to the appropriate department.

In addition, we will not be able to accept credit card payments for plan review and permits during the construction. We apologize for the inconvenience; however, these renovations will allow us to better serve you.

The new entrance is expected to open after the New Year’s Day holiday, on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

The new City Hall Annex entry will feature customer service windows for both the Human Resources and Planning and Neighborhood Development Departments, and a large waiting area for guests and visitors.

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

Wastewater Resources continued from page 5

The other entries for the Productivity Improvement Award included: • The Transportation Department constructed a Traffic Management Center in-house for $471,000, a savings of $2.5 million (or 81 percent) from initial consultant-provided figures. The center is projected to save weekday commuters $1.3 million in operating costs, $9.5 million in value of time, and eliminate forty-five tons of harmful emissions per year.

• The Brown Operations Center energy conservation committee evaluated consumption and led an internal effort to achieve an eleven percent savings in electricity use over the course of one fiscal year, or roughly $5,600 in annual electric bills.

• The Police Department began a telephone reporting unit aimed at increasing officer time in the field by taking calls where an officer’s presence is not required. In the first nine months of operation, the unit took 525 of the 3,723 total incidents where a written report was required. The unit has saved $86,100 in staff time, and reduced calls dispatched to each officer by at least fifteen percent. Saved officer time has allowed them to focus on problemsolving projects.

A maximum of four wastewater collection systems in our state may be recognized each year – one for each system size category (large, medium, small, and micro). Concord’s wastewater collection system fell within the large system category (greater than 500 miles of gravity sewer). This year is the first time this award has been issued in North Carolina. The Wastewater Resources Department was presented with a plaque at the NC AWWA-WEA’s annual conference this past weekend, which was held at the Concord Convention Center.

As a recipient, the Wastewater Resources Department has demonstrated the performance of quality collection system maintenance through the efficient use of labor, materials, equipment, and innovative methods to keep the system in good working condition. Proper system maintenance minimizes potential health hazards and property damage that can be caused by sanitary sewer overflows.

No collection system is without defects and Concord’s system is no exception.

Portions of the system are over 100 years old. However, dedicated staff members tirelessly monitor, inspect, clean, and rehabilitate the system. These awards recognize their efforts and honor the people that provide this service to our community. Congratulations to the Wastewater Resources Department team for these well-deserved recognitions.

Chief Guy Smith continued from page 7 In 2000, at the rank of Major, Smith was named second in command and provided management for all departmental units, planned and administered the departmental budget, served as a liaison to adjacent local and state agencies, and performed the responsibilities of Chief of Police in his absence. Smith became Deputy Chief of Police in 2002.

In his capacity as Chief, he directs 184 sworn and nonsworn coworkers in meeting departmental goals and objectives, and manages a 17.3 million dollar budget.

“I am honored to be given this opportunity by the City of Concord,” remarked Smith. “I consider myself fortunate to be one of the very few law enforcement officers who have been able to work for his hometown community, and appreciate the chance to serve Concord in this new capacity.”

Smith serves on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County, and currently serves as its vice president. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Chief Smith lives in Concord and is a member of Rock Grove United Methodist Church. He is also involved with several other community organizations.

Smith assumed his new position on Monday, October 3, 2011. A swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for the October 13 City Council meeting, but the birth of his first grandchild (a boy) altered that plan. The newest member of Smith’s family was in attendance at the rescheduled ceremony on November 10.

Visit facebook.com/concordnc for photos of Chief Smith’s swearing-in.

Did you know...

Did you know that a GED graduate can earn more in salary each year and is less likely to be unemployed than a worker without a GED or diploma, and can accomplish as much in college and technical training as traditional high school graduates? The City of Concord Housing Department will offer Adult GED courses beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Classes will be held Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Network Technology Center, located at 265 Salem Street SW in Concord. Interested students must first take an assessment before they can enroll in the class. For more information about the GED Program, contact Zenobia L. Nelson at 704-920-6110 or nelsonz@concordnc.gov.

concordnc.gov WINTER 2012 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR 13

e Save money with these helpful winter energy-savings tips There are a lot of ways you can save on your energy bill. To keep warm and cut down your energy use, try these helpful energy-saving tips around your house all winter. e Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heating in moderate climates. You can just “set it and forget it.”

eK eep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest comfortable setting. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. On the average, you add five percent to the operating time of your heating system for every degree it’s set above 68. e If you have a furnace, install a programmable thermostat. Set the thermostat to turn the heat down at night and when you’re away.

e Wrap water pipes. This will reduce heat loss from your hot water lines and help to prevent your pipes from freezing. The best type of wrap to use is “foam pipe wrap” that you can find at hardware stores for an inexpensive price. e Caulk or re-caulk around windows and doors. This helps keep the cold out and the heat in. If your caulking is cracked, remove it and reseal with new caulk. e Change your air filters. This should be done every month or so to help your unit’s air exchange and indoor air quality. Dirty filters can increase your system’s operating costs, damage equipment and reduce efficiency. e Have your heating or cooling system professionally checked to make sure it is running properly. This can prolong the life of your system, as well as reduce operating costs. continued on page 15

Carolina Courts continued from page 4 invest in the site. Carolina Courts will use the HUD loan and financing provided

by F&M Bank to construct the facility. “F&M Bank is committed to improving the quality of life within the communities that we are privileged to serve,” explained Steve Fisher, president of F&M Bank. “In order for communities to be strong, we at F&M know first hand that you must invest and support the local business community and invest in the lives and futures of our young people. The Carolina Courts facility is a rare opportunity to do both. It will give our young people the opportunity to improve their physical and inter-personal skills and allow families to share quality time in a safe environment. Carolina Courts will also bring new energy and new business to the heart of Downtown Concord.”

Since the new facility will be a major tourism asset for the county, the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is also a partner in the development of the facility. “This project demonstrates the mutual commitment of all involved parties in generating additional economic impact in Cabarrus County and increasing visitor density in Downtown Concord,” added Donna Carpenter, CVB president and chief executive officer. “Our goal is to bring more visitors to Cabarrus County, in this case, through a contribution to the development of a much needed facility. Carolina Courts will be a vibrant addition to Downtown Concord and we anticipate significant impact on nearby businesses.”

The Convention and Visitors Bureau will play a substantial role in promoting the facility as a venue for tournaments and events. “Currently, no other facility in Cabarrus County has this many courts under one roof. It’s no secret that we have a need for more indoor competition space and the Carolina Courts complex will help serve the needs of our local sports community,” said Lauren Carpenter, CVB sports and recreation sales manager. “Additionally, a facility of this caliber will allow our community to pursue regional and national youth basketball and volleyball events, bringing more visitors to the county. This will put Concord on the map as a potential venue for a variety of amateur sports and recreation events.”

Finally, the Concord Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) played an extremely important role in advocating for the project and coordinating with Downtown business interests. “Historic Downtown Concord is thrilled to welcome Carolina Courts to our Downtown community,” remarked Diane Young, CDDC executive director. “We are poised to offer a variety of eateries and entertainment options to the many visitors who will be traveling to this destination, and see this announcement as a catalyst for our ongoing business recruitment and retention efforts.”

Site work included relocating existing sewer and storm water lines. Carolina Courts selected Concord Engineering and Surveying (CESI) for design services, Richard Burrage Inc. for site improvements, and SC Hondros & Associates, Inc. for building design and construction. The total development will cost approximately 3.9 million dollars.

“I speak for the entire Carolina Courts staff when I say we are incredibly excited to expand our business and to be part of Downtown Concord,” said Scott Chitwood, Vice President and Co-founder of Carolina Courts. “This is a perfect fit for Carolina Courts, where our goal was to expand to the north side of the Charlotte market and provide the same great level of instruction and programs for our customers. We feel Downtown Concord’s vision aligns extremely well with Carolina Courts mission statement and values, which makes for a great partnership!”

The facility is expected to open in fall 2012.

14 CONCORD CITY CIRCULAR WINTER 2012 concordnc.gov

Save Money continued from page 14 e Insulate your water heater with at least R-6 insulation.

Read your water heater manufacturer’s warranty to make sure it’s not voided by adding a water heater jacket. Do not cover the pressure release valve when you wrap the water heater. e Check weather stripping around doors, windows and between heated and unheated areas of your home – such as garages, basements, attics, etc. A good way to check to see if stripping needs changing: close your door; if you see light coming through, the stripping needs changing. e If you are going away for several days, lower the thermostat to 60 degrees, but not to “off.” By setting the thermostat at 60, there will be less strain on your heating system when you return and it’s time to reheat the house.

Also, having some heat in the house will prevent damage, such as frozen or busted water pipes, from outside freezing temperatures. e Keep heating vents and registers clear. Make sure they are not blocked by draperies or furniture. The vents should also be cleaned regularly with a vacuum or broom.

e

e Let the sun shine in. On sunny days, open drapes or blinds to allow natural solar heat to warm the house. Keep drapes and blinds closed on cloudy days and at night. Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side of the house.

f

e Make sure fireplace dampers fit tightly, and keep them closed when not using the fireplace. Add a glass fireplace screen, if possible. e Cover bare floors. Carpeting adds to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation. e Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable.

Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.

e

e Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Check the switch located on your ceiling fan or refer to your owner’s manual for the proper direction of rotation.

e If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts. e Check the R-value of insulation in your home. R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow. For existing homes, it is recommended that R-30 be used in the ceiling, R-13 be used in the walls and R-11 be used in the floor for maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

For other helpful tools please visit the City of Concord’s Electric System web page, featuring a YouTube video on winter energy-saving tips courtesy of NC Public Power and an energy conservation calculator.

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: 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 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 Main Switchboard Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704-920-5200

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concordnc.gov Manager’s Notes continued from page 3 When complete, there will be infrastructure in place to bring up to ten million gallons of water per day (MGD) from Albemarle. The interlocal agreement allows Concord and Kannapolis to purchase up to five MGD of Albemarle’s existing capacity, and contains provisions for the expansion of the Albemarle water plant once it is clear the need will exceed five MGD, plus any amount above five MGD that Albemarle can provide at that time.

Concord and Kannapolis also have authority to draw up to ten MGD from the Catawba River to the west.

Concord is already interconnected with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Utilities system (CMU) at three locations and can use Catawba water coming from CMU if needed. This means there is a total of an extra twenty MGD available to meet future demand, and address the limitations with the safe yield of existing supplies.

It is critical for local governments to plan ahead to determine how essential public health and infrastructure

requirements will be met. I am pleased to report Concord and Kannapolis have worked together and are now well beyond

the planning stages for providing potable water to address future public health and economic development needs.