May 2015 - Access Lakeland

Hollis Garden

30290-I-0157

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

ROUNDABOUT

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

SGT. JAMES RING LAKELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

12 STEPS

TO FLOOD PROTECTION

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CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

MAY 2015

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www.lakelandelectric.com

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FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LAKELAND ELECTRIC’S VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Lakeland’s sub-tropical weather patterns create ideal growing conditions for trees and other vegetation. With the common occurrence of rain and thunderstorms in our city, trimming trees away from power lines is essential for the safety of the public as well as for dependable electric service. Lakeland Electric’s vegetation management program supports the superior level of reliability that we deliver to our customers and we are committed to taking care of the urban forest near the power lines in our community.

DID YOU KNOW? 1. You should never attempt to trim or remove vegetation growing near any over head power lines or utility equipment.

Lakeland Electric’s Utility Arborists and line clearance contractors are specifically trained in the safe work practices of utility vegetation maintenance. Only they are equipped to safely trim vegetation near power lines. If you would like a safety inspection of your trees located near Lakeland Electric power lines, just let us know!

2. If you are planning to plant some new trees in your yard, Lakeland Electric can help.

To make sure your new trees will provide trouble-free beauty and long-term enjoyment, the location of overhead and underground utility lines is an important consideration. Choosing the right tree for the right place in your yard is an easy task for our staff of Utility Arborists at Lakeland Electric. We will gladly assist you with helpful information, at no cost to you.

3. Lakeland Electric has a Tree Replacement Program.

If your trees are in contact with or growing towards the power lines, you may qualify for replacement trees or shrubs. Contact us at 863.834.9535 for details. We may be able to help. It is a win-win!

4. If you are in need of wood chips, you could get them from Lakeland Electric for free.

So what happens to the trimmings once the tree trimming work is done? Well, if you need wood chips, then you are in luck! Lakeland Electric’s authorized contractor will be happy to deliver one load of wood chips to you free of charge. The average delivery consists of 10-12 cubic yards of coarse wood chips, twigs and leaves. The wood chips are not landscape quality and are recommended for use as ground cover, driveways, parking areas and mulch piles. Delivery will be made when a line clearance crew is working in the area. For more information visit www.lakelandelectric.com/customers/programs-services/wood-chips.

5. Lakeland Electric has three Utility Arborists on staff, each one with a degree in Forestry.

Beverly Cline, Dustin Goodson, and Eric Poulsen are experts in planting, caring for, and maintaining trees. Together, they oversee the tree trimming process for Lakeland Electric and are always actively continuing their education in arboriculture.

Thanks to them, the trees maintained in our community are in very capable hands.

For more information on the programs or services mentioned above, please call Lakeland Electric’s Customer Service Department at 863.834.9535 or email us at customerservice@lakelandelectric.com

And remember — there are no charges for any of these services!

Dustin Goodson

Eric Poulsen

Beverly Cline

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LAKELAND BOY SAYS THANK YOU TO CREWS WHO HELPED SAVE HIS LIFE On the evening of September 1, 2012 at approximately 6:30 p.m. members from the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) were dispatched to a harrowing call for help. Three-year-old O’mantae Thomas had been struck by a vehicle and was severely injured.

Minutes after the first calls came in, our team of skilled firefighter/paramedics arrived on scene and immediately took control. They provided advanced patient care and declared that Thomas needed to be transported via helicopter to receive the critical hospital care he needed. While paramedics provided care to the boy and stabilized him for transport, other crewmembers established landing zones and shifted gears to provide medical care to Thomas’ family, who were understandably overcome with emotion.

Thomas was left in critical condition after the accident, but after two weeks in the hospital he was conscious again. By late November, of 2012, he was discharged from the hospital. His recovery path hasn’t been easy, with extensive physical therapy necessary three times a week. Thomas had to relearn many essential skills he lost due to the injuries he sustained, including how to eat, walk, and speak.

The whole incident came full circle recently, when Thomas and his family came to visit the crew at Fire Station 3 and thank those who helped save him that day. He has been successful in his physical therapy and seeing him today, it would be hard to know he had ever endured so much.

Today, 6 year-old Thomas is a happy, healthy and rambunctious little boy. Rightfully so, he has a strong relationship with and affinity for our firefighters. He enjoyed getting a chance to visit with the crew that made such a difference in his recovery.

Three years later Thomas' story serves as an example of the power of emergency medical response and how superior emergency medical care like the services provided by the Lakeland Fire Department can truly make a difference in saving a life. It is just one of the many things that impact quality of life in Lakeland and make it a great place to live.

The crew that helped Thomas was Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Smith, Firefighter/ Paramedic Jesse Synder, Lt. Jason Merrit, Lt. Harley Wilson, Battalion Chief James Niblack, Driver Engineer Curtis Giles, some of whom are pictured with him in the photo when he came to visit with the crew in April 2015.

CITY OF LAKELAND EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

SGT. JAMES RING LAKELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT Meet James Ring, a Sergeant for the Lakeland Police Department with a huge heart for his city and his country. A son of a single mother, Ring was raised in a low income neighborhood where crime was no stranger. Police officers were a common site during his childhood years. Grateful for the good that the officers did, Ring looked to them as heroes. He attributes his childhood experiences to his desire to serve his community in the same capacity. Ten years ago, Ring began his career with the Lakeland Police Department as a Patrol Officer. Shortly after, he became a Neighborhood Liaison Officer in the northwest district of Lakeland. In this position, he and his fellow officers focused on creating a bridge between the community and the Police Department. Ring was able to “develop real relationships with the citizens, a relationship built on trust”. Folks knew they could contact him at any time of the day or night and that he would do his best to help them, no matter the need. Ring has also been a member of the street crimes unit, where he was a member of the SWAT team.

He has worked undercover in the Narcotics Unit and the Organized Crime Unit. Since 2013 he has served as a Sergeant in the Uniform Patrol Division.

In 2000, Ring joined the Army. At the time, he saw it as a good opportunity to have his college expenses covered. Then September 11, 2001 happened. With basic training complete, he was sent to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina for five years as an on-base police officer.

He was then deployed to Afghanistan for 10 months as a military policeman. When he returned to Florida in 2005, he was hired by the Lakeland Police Department. A year later, he was deployed to Iraq where he spent one year as a CID Special Agent. Once back in the States, he returned to the Lakeland Police Department. Ring is still in the Reserves, serving as a Chief Warrant Officer II. As a result of his time in the army, Ring was honored to attend the FBI Academy this past April.

For the last six years, Ring and his sister-in-law have hosted the annual Warrior Walk at Lake Hollingsworth. This event serves a twofold purpose. One, it is a way to honor the families and their loved ones that died in combat. Second, it serves as a community link for veterans and their families. Groups that provide services like counseling or employment assistance are at the Warrior Walk to offer their support.

Some sponsorship funds have accumulated over the last six years and Ring is putting that money to good use. He has contacted a local architect firm to design a monument to honor Florida's Fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. The Global War on Terrorism Freedom Memorial will feature the Twin Towers, the Pennsylvania field, the Pentagon and the Soldier’s Cross. Along with the monument, there will be benches available where people can sit and reflect on the sacrifices that have been made for this country. By year’s end, this monument will be displayed in Veteran’s Park.

Ring graduated from Bartow High School and received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Polk State College. He earned in bachelors degree in the same field from University of South Florida. He is currently attending St. Leo University where he is working on his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Ring is the father to 13 year old Kristopher, six year old twins Hope and Faith and two year old Grace. Ring enjoys camping, hunting and fishing. His favorite conventional place to eat is Fresco’s. However, when Ring is craving his favorite food, Mexican, he can be found at a taco stand on Hwy 92. He says they serve, by far, the best taco ever. Serving in the Army has allowed Ring to experience the world. However, the most memorable place he has travelled to is New York. He was delighted to share the magic of New York in the wintertime with his children.

James Ring, thank you so much for your service to the City and this great country!

TRAFFIC ENHANCEMENTS IN PROGRESS

Lakeland’s new roundabout will be located at the southeast corner of Florida Southern College and was made possible with a right-of-way donation from Florida Southern College. The project, expected to be completed in August of this year, includes drainage modifications and a minor realignment of the trail around Lake Hollingsworth.

The western leg of the intersection will be closed during May and June and the entire intersection will be closed for up to 30 days beginning in late June in for construction of the Roundabout. Traffic approaching the intersection eastbound on Lake Hollingsworth Drive will be detoured north on Ingraham Avenue and east on Frank Lloyd Wright Way. Traffic wanting to turn west on Lake Hollingsworth Drive will be detoured west on Frank Lloyd Wright Way and south on Ingraham Avenue. This is timed to coincide with our lowest seasonal traffic volumes. Area schools will be on summer break and our winter visitors will be up north. The 30-day closure will allow for a relatively quick completion of the project before schools open back up for the fall semester.

The relocated asphalt trail beside Lake Hollingsworth and the sidewalk on the north side of the roundabout alongside Florida Southern College will remain open throughout construction. We ask that drivers use caution and allow for extra time when traveling through this area.

For project updates visit us online at www.lakelandgov.net

12 STEPS TO FLOOD PROTECTION

1. Flood Hazard: Flooding can occur almost anywhere. Find Flood Hazard risk areas by visiting www.floodsmart.gov and by looking at a flood hazard risk profile.

2. Flood Safety: Do not walk through flowing water. Keep away from flooded areas, power lines, electrical wires, animals and snakes, etc. Look before you step. Electricity must be turned off by the Electric Company. Be alert for gas leaks.

3. Flood Insurance: Standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance company for flood insurance or call 1-800-427-4661 for information about the National Flood Insurance Program.

4. Property Protection Measures: Move needed items to upper floors. Use sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber to help reduce flood damage.

5. Natural and Beneficial Functions: Floodplains absorb large amounts of rain, filter stormwater runoff, reduce flooding and provide wildlife habitat. Preserve the floodplain for its natural state.

6. Flood Warning System: Local emergency broadcasts at WONN 1230 AM Radio, WPCV 97.5 FM and WFTV channel 9 TV. Visit www.

Lakelandgov.net for emergency broadcast information.

7. Floodplain Development Permit: Obtain permits before you build on, fill, alter or regrade your property in a floodplain. Report suspected illegal activity to the City's Building Inspection Divistion at 863.834.6012.

8. Substantial Improvement Requirements: Obtain permits before substantially improving your property.

9. Drainage System Maintenance: Keep debris out of drainage swales and ditches. Report illegal dumping to the City's Code Enforcement Division at 863.834.6251.

10. Lakeland Flood Hazards: The Lakeland urban areas most prone to flooding are within the drainage basins of Blackwater and Itchepackesassa, Poley and English Creeks.

11. Flood Elevation Certificates: Flood Elevation certificates are available at City Hall in the Building Department or online at www.lakelandgov.net 12. Flood Hazard Maps: Flood Maps are available at the main Lakeland Library and City Hall or visit www.fema.gov

STAY CONNECTED

Online | www.lakelandgov.net ­ In Person | City Hall • 8AM – 5PM • Monday-Friday facebook.com/cityoflakelandfl | twitter.com/lakelandgov | youtube.com/cityoflakelandfl | instagram: cityoflakelandfl Listen Lakeland • First Sunday • FM 97.5 WPCV @ 8:30AM | FM 98.3 WWRZ @ 8AM | AM 1430 WLKF @ 8AM | AM 1230 WONN @ 9AM Public Meetings | City Commission Meetings • First and Third Monday • 9AM | Utility Committee Meetings • First Monday • 1PM Live Broadcast on LGN | Channel 643 (Brighthouse) | Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

City Hall • 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service • 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages • 863.834.4248 Pollution Hotline • 863.834.3300 LPD Crime Tips Hotline • 863.834.2549 LPD (Non-Emergency) • 863.834.6900 PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL: ONLINE | www.lakelandelectric.com BY PHONE | 863.834.9535 IN PERSON | Lakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.

2014 ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT THE QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER TO OUR CUSTOMERS The City of Lakeland, Department of Water Utilities serves 54,449 metered accounts with a population of 171,790 people. In 2014, we distributed 7.5 billion gallons of water to our customers.

WATER SOURCE Nineteen wells (13 wells at the T.B. Williams WTP and 6 wells at the C.W. Combee WTP) drilled 750 feet into the Floridan aquifer, cased and grouted 200 feet below the surface provide raw water to the City’s two lime softening plants. Utilizing a variety of treatment processes the operators control the blending of raw water with softened water to produce water with stability slightly on the scale forming side (utilizing Langlier’s Saturation Index as the primary parameter). After blending the water, it is then filtered utilizing dual media filters consisting of anthracite and sand. The finished water is then delivered to the transmission/distribution system using high service pumps to maintain system pressure. Chemical addition includes calcium hydroxide (lime) and polymer in the lime softening process, starch for sludge conditioning, fluoride for dental health, phosphate for calcium sequestration prior to filtration and chlorination to 2.8 ppm free chlorine residual for disinfection.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PROGRAM* Size of Assessment Area: For this community system, a 5-year ground water travel time around each well was used to define the assessment area. The 5-year ground water travel time is defined by the area from which water will

DEAR CITY OF LAKELAND CUSTOMER: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that utilities issue an annual “Consumer Confidence” report to customers in addition to other notices that may be required by law. This report details where our water comes from, what it contains, and the risks our water testing and treatment are designed to prevent.

The City of Lakeland is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water supply.

Informed consumers are our best allies in maintaining safe drinking water. We are proud to report that the water provided by The City of Lakeland meets or exceeds established water-quality standards.

NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATION COMPLIANCE For more information, or to request a copy of this report, call the City of Lakeland at (863) 834-6802.

The water plant operator on duty will be glad to answer any questions. Water Quality Data for your community water system is available at http://www. lakelandgov.net/water.

drain to a well pumping at the average daily permitted rate for a five year period of time.

Number of Wells: 19 The Department of Environmental Protection has performed a Source Water Assessment on the T.B. Williams and C.W. Combee Treatment Plants in 2013. The assessments were conducted to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of our wells. There are 4 Unique Potential Contaminant Sources identified for this system, all with a moderate range susceptibility level. The assessment results are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program website at www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp.

AN EXPLANATION OF THE WATER QUALITY DATA TABLE The table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014 and includes test results in earlier years for contaminants sampled less than once a year. For contaminants not required to be tested in 2014, test results are for the most recent testing done in accordance with the regulations. The table on the right contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health (MCLG), the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key, referencing units of measurement. Definitions of MCL, MCLG, MRDL and MRDLG are important.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL OR MCL The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL OR MCLG The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG : The level of adrinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

REQUIRED HEALTH INFORMATION

REQUIRED MONITORING TEST RESULTS TABLE

Key to Table: AL= Action Level MCL= Maximum Contaminant Level MCLG= Maximum Contaminant Level Goal pCi/L = Pico curies per liter (a measure of radioactivity in water) ppm= parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/l) (One part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample)., ppb = parts per billion(One part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample),or micrograms per liter (Âľg/L) n/a= Does Not Apply ND= indicates that the substance was not detected by laboratory analysis

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Lakeland is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead

NON-SECONDARY CONTAMINANT TABLE Contaminant and Unit of Measurement

Monitoring Period Month/ Year

MCL Violation Yes/No

Highest Monthly Percentage

MCLG

MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Microbiological Contaminants Total coliform bacteria: Highest Monthly Percentage is the highest monthly percentage of positive total coliform bacteria in one month.

Total Coliform Bacteria

11/2014

No

2.3%

0%

5%

Naturally present in the environment.

** Results in the Level Detected column for radiological contaminants and inorganic contaminants are the highest average at any of the sampling points or the highest detected level at any sampling point, depending on the sampling frequency.

Contaminant and Unit of Measurement

Monitoring Period Month/ Year

MCL Violation Yes/No

Level Detected **

Range of Results

MCLG

MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Radiological Contaminants Alpha Emitters (pCi/L)

1/1/201112/31/2011

No

1.7

ND - 1.7

0

15

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium 226 + 228 or combined Radium (pCi/L)

1/1/201112/31/2011

No

3.2

1.3 - 3.2

0

5

Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Contaminants Barium (ppm)

1/1/201412/31/2014

No

0.007

0.003-0.007

2

2

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Chromium (ppm)

1/1/201412/31/2014

No

0.001

ND-0.001

.1

.1

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (ppm)

1/1/201412/31/2014

No

0.68

0.63-0.68

4

4

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Water additive which promotes strong teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm.

Lead (point of entry) (ppb)

1/1/201412/31/2014

No

0.13

0.087-0.13

0

15

Sodium (ppm)

1/1/201412/31/2014

No

Residue from man-made pollution such as auto emissions and paint; lead pipe, casing, and solder

7.8

5.6-7.8

n/a

Salt water intrusion; leaching from soil

160

Stage2 Disinfectant / Disinfectant By-Products Rule Chlorine: Level Detected is the 2014 monthly average for residual Chlorine; Range of Results is the range of 2014 average monthly Chlorine residual level results (lowest to highest) at the individual sampling sites. TTHMs and HAA5s: Level detected is the highest LRAA detected in 2014 and the Range of Results is the 2014 results (lowest to highest) at the individual sampling sites.

Disinfectant or Contaminant and Unit of Measurement

Dates of sampling (mo./yr.)

Violation

(Y/N)

Detected

Level

Range of Results

MCLG

MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Chlorine

1/01/2014-12/31/2014

No

1.73

1.53-1.94

MRDLG= 4

MRDL =4

Water additive to control microbes

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)(ppb)

01/01/2014-12/31/2014

No

26.75

8.50-29.66

N/A

60

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (ppb)

1/1/2014-12/31/2014

No

48.58

10.05-56.00

N/A

80

By-product of drinking water disinfection

AL Violation Y/N

90th Percentile Result

No. of sampling sites exceeding the AL

MCLG

AL (Action Level)

Likely Source of Contamination

MCL

Lead and Copper (Tap Water) Contaminant and Unit of Measurement

Dates of

sampling (mo./yr.)

Lead (tap water) (ppb)

1/2014 12/2014

No

1.5

0

0

15

Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits;

Copper (tap water) (ppm)

1/2014 12/2014

No

0.34

0

1.3

1.3

Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Water-Quality Table Footnotes: Although we ran many tests, only the listed substances were found. They are all below the MCL required.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the rest of the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/ AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800426-4791).