The Municipal - June 2024

18 Focus on: Water & Energy: Clean energy and recycled water move Boise toward a carbon neutral footprint

22 Focus on: Water & Energy: Lincoln provides incentive to encourage energy-efficient choices

26 Focus on: Water & Energy: Flagstaff recognized for water conservation

32 Focus on: Water & Energy: Suspended ion exchange pilot program reduces Tampa’s total organic carbon in water

ON THE COVER

38 Public Safety: Vermont public safety program trains the next generation

42 Parks & Environmental Services: Parks unification project brings a community together

44

Building & Construction: Neighbors Helping Neighbors lends a helping hand to beautification effortse

46

Building & Construction: Downtown revitalization puts Michigan town on ‘upward trajectory’

50 Streets, Highways & Bridges: Looking out for pedestrians with community crosswalk art

Now celebrating 20 years, RapidView continues to bring unmatched service and support to the sewer industry while striving for further innovations. Find out how RapidView has become one of the largest and most trusted providers of pipeline inspection and rehabilitation equipment in North America on page 10. (Pictured on cover, from left, are Kris Robison, Rex Robison and Matthew W. Sutton)

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publisher RON BAUMGARTNER rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

editor-in-chief DEB PATTERSON dpatterson@the-papers.com

editor SARAH WRIGHT swright@the-papers.com

publication manager CHRIS SMITH chris@themunicipal.com

senior account executive REES WOODCOCK rees@themunicipal.com

graphic designer MARY LESTER mlester@the-papers.com

business manager

ANNETTE WEAVER aweaver@the-papers.com

mail manager

KHOEUN KHOEUTH kkhoeuth@the-papers.com

director of marketing STEVE MEADOWS smeadows@the-papers.com

marketing assistant REAGAN NICHOLS rnichols@the-papers.com

Contributing Writers

Jennifer Barton, Beth Anne Brink-Cox, Lauren Caggiano, Nicholette Carlson, Denise Fedorow, Danielle Lund, Janet G. Patterson, Julie Young

Keeping up with demand

Sarah Wright | Editor

Robust, innovative, efficient — these are terms anyone would love to have ascribed to their energy and water systems. After all, these systems are vital to communities’ daily functions. Yet, one often takes these systems for granted until suddenly there is an outage or boil order. Afterward, everyone notices these systems’ existences and the processes that deliver energy and water into our homes.

Living in a 100-year-old-plus home, I’ve had to navigate aging systems on a smaller scale. Very little is worse than having to shut your water off during a hot Fourth of July weekend because one pipe gave up the ghost at a highly inconvenient time. There was the hurried trip to the store to stock up on water to survive the highs of that weekend. It made me appreciate the logistics faced by cities that have to truck in bottled water for multiple households.

Currently, many electrical and water systems in the U.S. are grappling with challenges related to age, population growth, extreme weather events or, in the case of the electrical grid, emerging technologies.

In March 2024, the Washington Post released “Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power” by writer Evan Halper. In the article, Halper shared, “In Georgia, demand for industrial power is surging to record highs, with the projection of new electricity use for the next decade now 17 times what it was only recently. Arizona

Public Service, the largest utility in that state, is also struggling to keep up, projecting it will be out of transmission capacity before the end of the decade absent major upgrades.”

A major factor behind the jump of demand, according to Halper, is the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Halper wrote, “The nation’s 2,700 data centers sapped more than 4 percent of the country’s total electricity in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. Its projections show that by 2026, they will consume 6 percent.”

While AI may lead to operational improvements for America’s power grid, it does seem there will be growing pains along the way.

In this water and energy themed issue of The Municipal, we are spotlighting communities that are prioritizing the best methods in the field to best serve their communities. Many of these communities are showing foresight to stay in step with future population growth. Boise, Idaho, is one city that is piloting innovative projects in both recycled water and renewable energy. Through these efforts, Boise is well on its way toward its goal of having 100% clean energy by 2030.

Additionally, we’ll share Lincoln, Neb.’s, efforts to save its residents on energy costs through its heat pump incentive program; Flagstaff, Ariz.’s, award-winning water conservation efforts; and Tampa, Fla.’s, use of the suspended ion exchange technology to treat water.

As we enter summer, stay cool and take time to appreciate that working tap and steady stream of electricity to the air conditioner. M

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With 20 years of experience, RapidView brings unmatched service and support to the sewer industry

This year RapidView IBAK North America celebrates its 20-year anniversary as the North American partner of IBAK Helmut Hunger GmbH. In those two decades, RapidView has grown to become one of the largest and most trusted providers of pipeline inspection and rehabilitation equipment in North America.

Founded in 2004 by Rex Robison, Kris Robison and Matt Sutton, RapidView was created to help fill a gap they saw in the market for durable, high-quality sewer inspection and rehabilitation equipment that was previously unavailable in the United States and Canada.

IBAK is the oldest and largest manufacturer of these critical infrastructure tools worldwide. Founded in 1945, IBAK invented the sewer camera in 1957 and went on to be responsible for many of the industries innovations, including the first camera tractor (1968); the first pan and tilt camera (1980); the first data logging software (1989); the first lateral launch system (1993); and the revolutionary 3D optical scanning PANORAMO® technology (2003). IBAK manufacturing is certified ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, ensuring quality and consistency beyond

competitors. IBAK continues this history of innovation and quality today with multiple manufacturing facilities and over 400 employees, 80 of whom are in research and development, who are working on the next evolution of this important technology.

Founded by partners with a long history of contractor experience, providing first-inclass service and support has always been a guiding principle for RapidView IBAK North America.

THEN & NOW: RapidView has brought innovation to sewer inspection. Pictured is the ORION HD camera of today, above, while below is a sewer camera invented in 1957 by IBAK.

Article submitted by Rapidview IBAK North America

RapidView headquarters in Rochester, Ind. (Photos provided by Rapidview)

“We understand that even the best equipment can encounter problems in real-world environments. It is our goal to make sure that when problems occur, we have processes and support in place to get them back up and running as quickly as possible. When people purchase higher-quality equipment, they should expect an enhanced level of service and support,” said Matthew Sutton VP of Sales and Marketing at RapidView IBAK North America.

To that end, RapidView has a strong dealer network of suppliers and service centers throughout North America, and RapidView recently doubled the size of its service and support center at its headquarters in Rochester, Ind.

“This recent expansion dramatically increased the size of our repair center and greatly expanded our software support offices,” Sutton said. “We are committed to continuing to grow while maintaining the high level of service and support that our customers have come to expect. We are currently planning the next expansion to increase the size of our vehicle outfitting facility and warehouses.”

To maintain that high level of support, RapidView utilizes advanced, computerized inventory management controls, currently maintaining over $10 million of spare parts. These parts are available for immediate shipment directly to a local repair center, or the customer directly. All repairs conducted at its facility are tracked within a case management system that keeps the customer up to date on all activity related to their repairs. RapidView’s service managers review case data to determine accuracy and speed of repairs to constantly improve processes and methods. This data driven approach means they often achieve their goal of a 48-hour return window on repairs. RapidView also maintains a phone support line with a staff of technicians available to help customers quickly diagnose many common problems, often getting the customer up and running within minutes.

Sutton continued, “We understand that answering the phone, setting the expectation with the customer and following through with our promises are the most important things we can do to ensure our success as a company. We have all encountered poor customer service from vendors. Our goal is to provide a different, more positive ownership experience one where the customer is truly valued and respected. We may not always tell you what you want to hear, but it will be the truth, and today, that sets us apart from competition.”

customer takes delivery of five new units at RapidView’s

Along with its focus on after-sales service, RapidView has also established a robust training program for teaching customers how to use, maintain, and conduct general repairs on their equipment. “Our training programs have evolved over the years to include on-site equipment training, remote online training, workshops, step-by-step repair and maintenance videos and much more,” Sutton said. “We want to empower our customers to be able to use their equipment as effectively as possible, repair what they can, and utilize smart maintenance methods to protect their investment and increase the longevity of their equipment.”

Sutton is also quick to praise RapidView’s local partners. “We couldn’t do any of this without our professional and dedicated RapidView dealers throughout the United States and Canada,” said Sutton. “We are very lucky to have local partners who value integrity and customer service as much as we do. With over 20 high-quality regional partners and 18 service centers throughout North America, we are all committed to our customers’ long-term productivity and peace of mind.”

With 20 years of success behind them, the RapidView team looks forward to the next two decades. Sutton said, “It has been an amazing experience so far, and we are excited to see what the next twenty years brings.” M

Visit www.rapidview.com for more information.

A new inspection vehicle leaves the RapidView facility.

A

headquarters.

Focus on service and support with 18 service centers through North America.

A guiding light: Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

Located 6 miles south of Reedsport in Winchester Bay, Ore., the Umpqua River Lighthouse towers over the place where the river empties into the Pacific Ocean. Created at a time when California investors saw this fertile valley as a great place for their fortunes, it offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about West Coast maritime history.

An illuminating past

Known as the oldest lighthouse in Oregon, the original Umpqua River light predates the state’s 1859 annexation by four years. Many settlers made their way from the Golden State to the Oregon territory even though travel was rugged and dangerous, prompting the construction of a lighthouse that was first ignited in 1857. Unfortunately, it was prone to flooding and soil erosion and ultimately collapsed in 1863. Congress commissioned a new lighthouse in 1888, and four years later, construction began using the same design plans as the Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence, Ore. The new lighthouse was lit in 1894. Although the two sister lights are virtually identical, the Umpqua River light was built 100 feet above the river so that flooding would not be an issue. It also utilized a clockwork mechanism to rotate the 2-ton white and red first order Fresnal lens that was created in France using 616 glass prisms. Mariners in the area were able to cross-reference their position based on the flash sequences that were produced every 15 seconds.

The mechanism was automated in 1966 and ultimately served the lighthouse for 89 years, until it stopped working and was removed in 1983. The Coast Guard, which maintained the light, wanted to replace the mechanism with new, state-of-the-art technology, but public outcry was so great that the original mechanism was fully restored and reinstalled in 1985.

The Umpqua River Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. In April 2009, the Coast Guard notified Douglas County leaders that the light was no longer critical for navigation: They said that the light could be operated privately by the local government, a nonprofit corporation, or a community development

The Umpqua River Lighthouse in Winchester Bay, Ore., was built in 1892 and first lit in 1894. An adjacent museum holds hundreds of documents, photos and artifacts that pertain to the maritime history of the area. (Photo by Kirt Edblom via Wikimedia Commons; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

The 2-ton first order Fresnel lens is a unique feature of the Umpqaua River Lighthouse. The clock mechanism used to operate the signal was automated in 1966 and restored in 1985. (Photo by Cody Logan via Wikimedia Commons; https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

organization, but if no one came forward to assume responsibility for it, the Coast Guard would either replace the Fresnal lens with a modern optic or decommission the light and remove the famous lens.

Douglas County assumed ownership of the light in 2010 and leased the lens to the Coast Guard so that the light could continue to operate. On April 14, 2012, the Coast Guard transferred the control and maintenance of the cherished icon to the county, and today, it operates in much the same way as it did 130 years ago.

Go toward the light

The Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum is located at 1020 Lighthouse Road, adjacent to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park and 100 yards from the light itself. Visitors to the museum are able to view relics of the Oregon coast, including hundreds of documents, photos and artifacts that highlight the early history of the area. The Oregon Coast Guard, which was established in 1962, is also on display, and tours of the light itself can be taken.

Across from the lighthouse, folks can jump into whale watching at the Gray Whale Spy Hopper Station. The locale offers maps, charts and binoculars to help folks spot migrating whales. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and cafe, which is known for its sandwiches and clam chowder.

The Umpqua River Lighthouse in Winchester Bay, Ore., is something to behold at night. Its red-and-white-flash signal makes a beautiful color pattern against the dark sky. (Photo by Anita Ritenour via Wikimedia Commons; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Visitors to the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum say that it is located on a scenic and well-cared for property and staffed with knowledgeable guides who not only know the history of the light itself but can also cite the hard lives of the lighthouse keepers who kept the signal going over the years. Of course, the highlight of the tour is ascending the freestanding spiral staircase to see the light itself.

“You can pop your head into the upper area and see the beautiful ruby and white lens,” said Jina Barber, who posted a Google review of the light five months ago. “It took my breath away.”

Jennifer McClurkin said that the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum is a reasonably priced attraction that includes admission to both the museum as well as the lighthouse itself.

“We spent a couple of hours doing the lighthouse tour and checking out the museum. The lighthouse is so well-preserved … this is by far the best kept we have seen. We were also surprised by how much and how nice the museum displays (were). It shares a lot

The free-standing, spiral staircase to the top of the Umpqua River Lighthouse is over 100 steps, but visitors say that the view from the top is worth it. (Photo by JotaCartas via Wikimedia Commons; https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

about the history of the Coast Guard in the area, the seamen, the lighthouse and coastal life in general. So glad we stopped!”

Umpqua River Lighthouse Specifications

Foundation: Masonry

Construction: Stucco brick

Shape: Conical, attached to a workroom

Height: 61 feet

Focal Height: 160 feet

Lens: First order Fresnal, handmade in France

Range: 21 nautical miles

First lit: 1894

Added to National Register of Historic Places: October 21, 1977

• The 2001, 2001M, and 2001MB barricades are MASH Tested as a Longitudinal Channelizing Device (LCD).

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6 million

In phase one of Boise, Idaho’s, full-scale recycled water facility, the design will handle 6 million gallons of water per day.

focus onWater & Energy

$500,000

90 gallons per capita per day

Flagstaff, Ariz.’s, water conservation efforts have seen the city bring its water consumption down to less than 90 gallons per capita per day. This is down from 189 gallons per capita per day in 1999.

Read more about Flagstaff’s water conservation methods on page 26.

Funded by a pilot incentive in the 2022-24 biennial budget, the city of Lincoln, Neb., allocated $500,000 to help homeowners and singlefamily rental property homeowners purchase heat pumps. Forty percent of the funds are available to low- and moderateincome households through the Urban Development Department.

18.4%

Results of Tampa, Fla.’s, SIX pilot program showed improvements to overall finished water quality with an average reduction of over 50% of total organic carbon.

Find out more about this innovative system on page 32. 50%

Electric rate increase that took effect in Denton, Texas, in March, ahead of a possible 5.5% increase in October. The combination still leaves Denton Municipal Electric’s rates below that of most other cities its size in the state. The increases are in response to skyrocketing energy and transmission costs.

Source: https://www.keranews.org/government/2024-03-21/ council-approves-rate-increase-for-denton-municipal-electric-customers.

3.16%

78%

Estimate of how much the Rib Mountain, Wis., municipal building expects to save on electricity in the years to come, thanks to the installation of a 32-kilowatt solar panel project mounted on the roof this spring.

Find out more about the no-local-cost project at https://www.wsaw.com/2024/04/02/ribmountain-municipal-building-installs-solar-panels-increase-sustainability/.

A January draft of the renewable energy plan for Columbia, Mo., shows that the city fell just 3.16% short of its renewable energy goal of 25% for the year. Leaders of the 100% Renewable Energy by 2030 Coalition were disappointed, but the city is committed to instituting renewable energy resources as quickly as it can: The city council’s new goal is 30% renewable energy by 2029.

Source: https://abc17news.com/news/columbia/2024/03/26/columbias-climateand-environment-commission-to-discuss-renewable-energy-efforts/.

Learn more about Boise’s approaches to green energy and recycling water on page 18.

Clean energy and recycled water move Boise toward a carbon neutral footprint

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

In order to create a higher quality of life for its residents, the city of Boise, Idaho, has committed itself to taking action to address climate change issues. The city made a bold goal in 2021 to be carbon neutral by 2050. This includes having 100% clean electricity for the city’s government facilities by 2030; being carbon neutral for the city’s government facilities and operations, as well as 100% clean electricity for the community by 2035; and finally having a carbon neutral Boise community by 2050.

This climate action plan has seven main priorities to help Boise reach this goal, including buildings and energy; transportation; consumption and waste; food systems; natural environment; water; and innovation and engagement.

Clean Energy

By participating in the Idaho Power Clean Energy Your Way program, Boise is moving toward its goal of having 100% clean energy by 2030. Idaho Power came up with this new offering for customers after adding a solar farm to its grid. Boise is the first city of its

ABOVE: The city of Boise, Idaho, recently entered an agreement with Idaho Power to participate in the Clean Energy Your Way program, where the city pays to have their power output for Boise Airport and the Lander Street Water Renewal Facility come from a nearby solar farm. This new agreement will begin on Sept. 1. (Photo provided by the city of Boise, Idaho)

size to take on such a project, while partnering with another large customer, to enter into a contract with Idaho Power to buy the power output from a nearby solar farm. This move provides power to the Boise airport and Lander Street Water Renewal Facility.

“The relationship with Idaho Power stays the same,” Wil Gehl, Boise energy program manager, stated. “It’s just a different way of using and purchasing clean energy instead.”

The agreement’s effective date is Sept. 1. Boise is simply waiting on approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The transition to clean energy will be fairly simple for the city with no operational changes. During the day, the electricity will come from the solar farm, and at night, electricity will come from the normal power grid.

An obvious benefit is moving forward with the city’s goal toward clean energy. An added benefit is that the city will know better what it is paying for electricity each month while using the solar farm. By going through Idaho Power, the city also avoids having to pay any of the capital costs associated with constructing its own solar farm. With the airport and Lander Street Water Renewal Facility two of the city’s biggest electricity users using solar energy, Boise will achieve approximately 25% of its goal to be 100% clean energy.

The system can be easily replicated by any other large energy user in the city, making it easier for more customers to move toward clean energy.

“The project is straightforward,” Gehl emphasized. “And the goal is for other Idaho Power customers to take advantage of these clean energy possibilities.”

To any city interested in moving toward clean energy, he encouraged officials to look into it and start having those conversations with their utility company on how to partner with them and start laying the groundwork for clean energy in the community.

Recycled Water

The city of Boise also started work on a water renewal utility plan in 2015, meeting with stakeholders and community members as a group for approximately five years in order to plan for the city’s future with wastewater. One of these decisions for the future was to start a recycled water program, which addresses issues relating to water in the climate action plan, as well as creates opportunities for the future and protection against drought.

Two wastewater facilities currently discharge into the Boise River. With this recycled water pilot program, the city takes some of that industrial water flow and pipes it over to a recycled water facility where it is run through advanced water treatment technology. From there, it can be recycled for groundwater recharge or industrial reuse. This new advanced water treatment includes a moving bed bioreactor, ultra-filtration,

The city of Boise is undergoing a pilot program recycling industrial water for the city’s two wastewater plants to be used toward groundwater recharge or industrial reuse. In the first year, the city recycled 3.5 million gallons of water. (Photo provided by the city of Boise, Idaho)

The transition to clean energy will be quite simple for the city by partnering with Idaho Power. This leads the city toward its goal of having 100% clean energy by 2050. (Photo provided by the city of Boise, Idaho)

reverse osmosis and a form of granular media filtration. Using an ultraviolet advanced oxidation process is also being considered.

For the last year, the facility has been testing a variety of options for advanced treatment while sampling and collecting data from the recycled water. This allows the city to see how well each of the technologies works. In the first year, the city has processed 3.5 million gallons of recycled water.

According to Royce Davis, recycled water program manager, this allows the city to get hands-on experience with this new technology. Testing out a variety of different methods also helps to prove the quality of the treatment of the water. With this different technology, the city started with 700 different parameters to look through to see what each method will and will not remove. The amount of sampling and data from the program will provide a good source when working with water resources and environmental quality in discussing the future of the project.

After the pilot program and facility was planned out, the city applied for and received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This grant allows certain states in the West to use the funds for such water programs. While funds cannot be used toward anything construction related, it can go toward site surveys and feasibility studies. Using this grant will also allow the city to apply for a USBR Title XVI grant up to $30 million for the full-scale facility. Utilization of this grant helps with current and future planning efforts while opening up more planning opportunities in the future.

Once the city moves to full-scale operation, the goal is to increase the groundwater quantity and enhance the groundwater quality. In phase one of the full-scale recycled water facility, which will be housed in the industrial area of the city, the design will be to handle 6 million gallons of water per day. Industrial water will be re-piped to this new facility, which will help to create more capacity in the other two wastewater facilities.

A recycled water facility allows Boise to keep its water local and reuse again within the community.

“This will help with drought and allow climate change,” Davis mentioned. “We’re planning for the next 50 years and planning for the future. This helps to create a drought-proof water supply.”

Creating more capacity at the other wastewater facilities also allows the city a greater capacity to grow both with industry and the community as a whole. Separation of industrial water from the other wastewater facilities also helps to conserve drinking water since drinking water will not be used for industrial water needs. This pilot facility will assist the city with the permitting process to get the

required permits, such as an underwater injection control permit and a water recycling permit, when the program is upscaled to a full facility.

Davis highly recommends recycled water as cities grow and treatment technology and the cost for normal treatment changes.

“The technology available to treat water are tried and proven,” he stressed. “It’s a great opportunity for any city to recycle and reuse their water and save their resources. Water recycling can be used in a variety of ways, and there are a lot of different reasons to do it. It’s great for any city to do.”

During the pilot program, Boise is also maintaining a strong level of community engagement and transparency in this new process. It is a complex operation, so the city wants to ensure the community understands and supports the recycled water program. In order to see an up close view of how it works, the city offers tours to the community in the pilot facility. So far, over 500 people have toured the facility.

ABOVE & BELOW: Boise is maintaining transparency with the community during this pilot phase. Community members can tour the recycled water facility and get an up close and personal look. (Photo provided by the city of Boise, Idaho)

Lincoln provides incentive to

By JANET G. PATTERSON | The Municipal

More than 170 households in Lincoln, Neb., expect to save on their heating and cooling costs thanks to the city’s heat pump incentive program, which launched in January.

Funded by a pilot incentive in the 2022-24 biennial budget, the city of Lincoln allocated $500,000 to help homeowners and singlefamily rental property homeowners purchase heat pumps. Forty percent of the funds are available to low- and moderate-income households through the Urban Development Department.

“What makes this new and unique is the city has augmented the funding for this incentive for homeowners,” explained Kim Morrow, Lincoln’s chief sustainability officer. “There have been other programs to help with energy savings, but they have not been funded by the city.”

She noted that the Biden administration has used an incentive approach to encourage behaviors that lead to the use of cleaner energy. In other words, providing rewards for changing the way private citizens and businesses use energy. Lincoln has adopted the incentive approach as part of its own sustainable energy program.

Homeowners can receive a $1,000 incentive toward the purchase of an air source heat pump. Eligible low-income residents can receive $3,000. These can be combined with an $800 incentive from the Lincoln Electric System (LES) Sustainable Energy Program.

According to Energy Star, air source heat pumps save energy by harvesting the outside air to use within a home’s heating/cooling system. They can be installed with existing ductwork typical of most American homes. Ground source heat pumps use the temperature of the ground around a building to heat or cool it. While they can be economical to operate, installation is more complex and expensive, involving digging the ground around a structure.

“Heat pumps save money on heating and cooling costs, contribute to cleaner indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said in an Earth Day message in April.

In the Lincoln program, to be eligible, an existing heat pump or air conditioner must

ABOVE: Lincoln, Neb., has committed to an 80% reduction in the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

be at least five years old. The new heat pump can also replace a gas furnace.

Commercial property owners as well as multifamily housing property owners, homes outside Lincoln city limits and new residential construction are not eligible for assistance from the Lincoln heat pump program.

According to Morrow, the incentive program covers the purchase and installation of air source heat pumps with a minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating of 15.2 and a minimum Energy Efficiency Ratio of 12. She said residents are encouraged to consult a heating/cooling expert to help decide what option is best for their home.

Lincoln contractors participating in the program will apply for the city incentive as well as the Lincoln Electric System sustainable energy incentive on behalf of homeowners. Residents can find the names of participating HVAC contractors on the LES website. City officials encourage residents to contact one or more of the participating contractors for an estimate for a new heat pump. Additionally, they should ask what incentives — including federal tax credits for as much as 30% of the cost of a new heat pump — are available.

encourage energy-efficient choices

When the installation is complete, the incentives will be applied as a credit to the contractor’s bill.

The deadline to apply for the incentive program is Aug. 31 or until all the available funds have been used, whichever comes first.

Morrow said that as of early May, 64% of the $1,000 grants have been used, while only 30% of the $3,000 grants have been claimed. She believes these are being claimed more slowly because of the application process for low- to moderate-income homeowners, who must first apply through the Urban Development Program for the loan to help fund the balance of the heat pump’s cost.

“I also think there is more education to be done about heat pumps,” she added. Homeowners sometimes misunderstand that a heat pump provides not just heat but air conditioning to their home.

She also said the newer heat pumps are more energy efficient than older models. Homeowners may not understand the economic benefit of replacing a less efficient pump.

Morrow said Lincoln’s electric utility company has done an excellent job of building relationships with local HVAC contractors. “We rely on the contractors to educate consumers about the benefits of the program when a customer’s furnace or existing heat pump breaks.”

The city of Lincoln and its publicly owned electric system have partnered to help homeowners install energy-saving heat pumps in single-family homes. The incentive program ties into the city’s Affordable Housing Action Plan and its Climate Action Plan.

The heat pump program, along with other energy-saving incentives for Lincoln residents, is part of the Resilient Lincoln initiative that partners the city with Lincoln

Electric System in committing to an 80% net reduction in the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. M

On the Web

View the city of Lincoln’s “2021-2027 Climate Action Plan” at https://tinyurl.com/ mrxcpsrh.

Wikimedia Commons;creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-5a/2.0)

Upper Lake Mary (Photo by Brady Smith via

By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal

In some parts of the United States, water is often treated as an infinite resource, but in the southwest, the truth is different. Conserving that natural resource to ensure the faucets keep flowing is more of a priority there and cities like Flagstaff, Ariz.’s, efforts have been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The city of Flagstaff’s Erin Young, water resource manager, and Tamara Lawless, water conservation program manager, shared the efforts and successes the city has had.

Young explained how it all started. “The water conservation program we have in place today was made mandatory by our city council in 2003 after a couple of dry years dried up the surface water in Upper Lake Mary and caught us without enough straws in the groundwater table of our C aquifer (Coconino Aquifer).”

This aquifer covers all of northeastern Arizona.

“We had to go into emergency water conservation and water curtailment, and this was a tough exercise it was hard to get the word out to customers not to water lawns, and we had no staff to enforce the code of only watering on odd or even days or no outdoor watering.”

This event made city officials realize they needed to have a water conservation program.

“In a 20-year period, we’ve built quite a program and a lot of conservation success in the community,” Young said.

While Young believed conservation efforts were happening all along, efforts became more formal in 1999 when the city adopted tiered water rates, increasing rates with more water used. The city has a four-tiered rate. The first two tiers are about $4-$5 per 1,000 gallons used, then the rate jumps up to $8-$12 after that.

“They’re really focused on reducing outdoor water consumption,” she said.

Young shared that in 2000 the city made a community-wide effort to reduce GPCD measured gallons per capita per day. It is a metric to compare community to community or conservation efforts in a community and is determined by population served divided by how much water is used

each year by residents, hotels, restaurants, universities, etc.

In Flagstaff in 1999, the gallons per capita per day were 189 gallons. Young noted, “Now we’re under 90 gallons per capita per day. We’ve had a huge savings of water since 1999.”

The city adopted a water curtailment city code in 2002, which states if it hits a drought, the city has to curtail water use.

“But we didn’t have staff to enforce it, and we don’t have a local news station, so it was harder to get the word out,” Young said, noting the city’s current conservation program was put into place in 2003.

Conservation program and award

Young said Flagstaff first started its toilet rebate program in 1999. Through the program, the city paid people to replace their old toilets, which flushed 3.5 gallons a flush, and install ones that flush 1.6 gallons per flush. Currently, the city requires 1.28 gallons per flush.

That requirement was made a part of the city code in 2011 for existing homes if upgrading the toilet and for new development, according to Young, who added that in 2015 the council decided to add money so they could “buy water” from customers through savings.

Lawless explained further. “When we ran the numbers and looked at water savings, it showed an investment on our end pays off in water savings.”

She said switching a regular faucet to a more efficient aerator, especially in the bathroom where someone is not filling a pot, just washing their face or brushing their teeth, saves money for the utility. By placing these features in bathrooms customers won’t notice any lack of performance.

For long-term water planning, Lawless said, “If we can delay the investment of future water supply until later, it’s worth the money.”

Tamara Lawless, water conservation program manager, and Emily Mehorn, water conservation specialist, pose with the WaterSense Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency that the city of Flagstaff, Ariz., received for its conservation efforts. (Photo provided by the city of Flagstaff, Ariz.)

Young shared it could cost $5 million to drill a new well because the aquifer is so deep. “We’re at the base of a volcano,” Young said.

Lawless and her team conduct water audits where they visit a home or business to determine where they could obtain water savings by retrofitting new shower heads, faucet aerators and toilets at no charge to the customer.

This is what Young considered buying water back from the customers because installing efficient fixtures results in savings for the utility.

Lawless said she has a showerhead in her home that pauses while she suds up and shampoos her hair.

Lawless also noted Flagstaff has a lot of commercial partnerships with hotels and restaurants where her team will show up and look at fixtures and some are retrofitting all their showerheads, aerators and toilets. Working with that industry is important because Flagstaff has a lot of tourism,

either from other areas or people from the Phoenix metro area who come up for a weekend. She said it’s important to communicate to visitors the importance of the water conservation efforts.

“We’re glad you’re here and here’s what we’re doing,” she suggested they be told.

Having the backing of the EPA’s WaterSense products “provides a ton of value for us,” according to Lawless, because EPA tests the products not only for water savings but also for efficiency.

According to the EPA’s website, www.epa.gov, products bearing the WaterSense label perform as well or better than less-efficient counterparts; are 20% more water efficient than the average product in that category; realize water savings on a national level; and achieve water efficiency through several technological options.

Flagstaff received the WaterSense Excellence Award this year for the second year. Lawless said the latest excellence award was for the year 2022, and in order to receive it, Flagstaff had to demonstrate it was “doing a good job getting the word out to customers, installing efficient fixtures and offering rebates.”

According to the EPA, in 2022, the city conducted 53 public outreach events, reaching over 4,000 people, where it provided WaterSense labeled showerheads and aerators and educated people about WaterSense. Through the events held, water audits and mailings, Flagstaff distributed over 450 showerheads and more than 1,200 aerators. It also offered free Home Water Check Up kits to customers to check for leaks.

Lawless said there’s also a Sustained Excellence Award the city would like to achieve, and it has applied every year for the award.

Other efforts

Lawless said the city is really focused on reducing outdoor use, and it determined 24% of the water is used outdoors.

“We look at that as a luxury use. We want to see a park or school have nice green lawns where people are going to play or sit on it. We don’t want to see ornamental lawns in front of a business or commercial building or in a median where no one is going to enjoy it,” she said.

Flagstaff offers commercial and residential irrigation consultations where it inspects the irrigation system to make sure there are no leaks and that it’s working at the right time. She said Flagstaff has laws that state customers can’t water between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “the highest evaporation time” and can only water every other day depending on the address. The city ensures customers are adhering to the law, and it can also assess overwatering. She said many overwater by 20%.

“We can dial back irrigation control to 20 minutes, which is more appropriate,” she said.

A program that creates a smaller water savings is a grant program Flagstaff launched where it fixes leaks and replaces fixtures for lowincome customers or seniors on fixed incomes.

“We look at all the fixtures and may say, ‘Your toilet is from 1980; let’s replace that’ or ‘Your washing machine is old too; let’s replace that,’ and we provide high-efficiency washing machines with the grant money.”

Lawless said about 20-30% of the water could be surface water in a given year, and the other 70% is groundwater and their wells are 2,000 feet deep, so very energy consuming to pump.

Another program that is popular with residents, but which Lawless has mixed feelings about, is the rainwater collection program. She said

Flagstaff gets barrels from an old ice cream cone manufacturer and holds workshops, turning them into rain barrels. However, she noted the program is a “great gateway to talk about replacing fixtures rainwater harvesting is not as efficient as you might think.”

She explained that’s because what often happens is people add landscaping and then end up watering more in dry seasons.

Lawless said Flagstaff does a lot of public outreach events, especially in April, which is Water Awareness Month in Arizona. The city holds events at the library or rec center where staff can have “in-depth conversations with people asking what’s going on at their house, meeting people where they’re at and see if there’s anything we can provide.”

Reclaimed water, long-term planning and challenges

When asked about reclaimed water, “purple pipe,” or water that is reclaimed from wastewater, both women said the city has been doing that for many years. Lawless said many of the city’s parks

Flagstaff resident Sylvia Strauss was pleased to get her rain barrel. Flagstaff holds rain barrel workshops as part of its water conservation efforts. (Photo provided by the city of Flagstaff, Ariz.)

and schools are on reclaimed water and golf courses, too, but noted there are places in some universities that are not on reclaimed water. Flagstaff has three universities.

Lawless said part of the city’s long-term planning is to look at how it can turn the reclaimed water into drinking water.

Young explained further that the state of Arizona is about to adopt regulations permitting advanced water purification, which would make it the third or fourth state to allow treatment of wastewater to clean water. Young said there’s several polishing treatments, so that nothing is detected, and the water is very pure allowing the water to go into the drinking water system.

“It’s something we’re watching to see how the state develops the rules and how other communities handle it.”

Young said El Paso, Texas, is the first city to do direct potable reuse, and San Diego, Calif., and Scottsdale, Ariz., are conducting pilot programs. Part of the pilot program is having customers tour the facilities to see the treatment process and drink the water at the end of the tour. She said once they see the process, they are more open to it.

She said they realize “water is recycled on the earth; this is just shortening the time.”

Young said brewers travel to Scottsdale to get the purified water. “Brewers love it because they start with a base water.”

According to Lawless, another part of long-range planning is whether to make regulations for showerheads stricter. She said they already “push the envelope” on having stricter regulations for toilet flushes.

The way landscape requirements are drafted discourages installing new lawns and encourages using more native plants.

“Native ponderosa pines are the predominant species,” she said.

Flagstaff has a lot of new multifamily developments, and Lawless said they actually consume less water than single-family homes because of shared outdoor spaces, where single-family homes each have their own lawns.

Each neighborhood is different and some, especially those on golf courses, might require that they have lawns.

“I hope in time that changes, and (homeowner associations’) allow for more flexibility in water-efficient landscapes and not require lawns,” she said.

When asked if the conservation efforts are well received by residents, Lawless responded, “People who choose to live in Flagstaff tend to have an environmental mindset and want to be close to nature and to hiking so it’s an easy sell in some ways.”

She said Flagstaff has a population of 75,000-80,000, and 30,000 are students in the universities.

“They’re more transient, may come from areas where the water is not such an issue, so we partner with the universities to make sure they’re hitting that message, too, because they’re a big part of our community,” Lawless said.

Flagstaff also has a large second-home population where people only reside part of the year in the city and may forget it has different laws.

Both women said most of the savings come from more efficient fixtures. “If we can replace showerheads using 3 gallons versus

Tamara Lawless, water conservation program manager, Emily Melhorn, water conservation specialist, and Ann Bachmayer, water conservation aide, complete outreach at a Science in the Park event. They’ve conducted several outreach activities where they handed out information, free showerheads and aerators and educated people about WaterSense fixtures. (Photo provided by the city of Flagstaff, Ariz.)

one using 1 gallon, it’ll cut consumption by 50%, and they’ve not changed their behavior,” Lawless said.

Advice to help conservation efforts

Lawless’ suggestion to start conservation efforts in a community is “start with the basics how old is your toilet? If it’s from 1980, it’s using 3 1/2 gallons per flush, and new ones use less than a gallon per flush that alone saves a ton of water,” she said. “Be mindful of leaks a running toilet can use up to 40,000 gallons in a month. Run full loads of laundry and full dishwashers and use the dishwasher! People mistakenly think they use a lot of water when they actually use 4 or 5 gallons a load, and the sink running uses 2.2 gallons every minute it’s running a dishwasher is more efficient. These are easy places to start.”

Young suggested evaluating the water use of your community and said, “Establish a program where rates incentivize that people use less and hire someone whose job it is to go into restaurants and businesses and point out where there are water savings.”

Whether you live in the Southwest or the Midwest, it can have an impact.

“Since we don’t see infrastructure and the aquifers that feed lakes and rivers, we forget what comes out of the tap does have an impact,” Young said. “You don’t want to underfund your water and sewer utility. People have to trust us. We have to protect the water quality that comes into our homes and businesses.”

Suspended ion exchange pilot program reduces Tampa’s total organic carbon in water

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

Following discussion regarding the master planning process for the Tampa, Fla., drinking water facility, a city consultant suggested the possibility of piloting a suspended ion exchange system.

One goal of discussion was to find options for reducing the total organic carbon at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility. The water treatment facility’s source, the Hillsborough River, has high and variable levels of total organic carbon, which can greatly impact the operations of the facility and the treatment performance. While looking for a solution with non-proprietary resin and previously piloting other ion exchange technologies known to reduce total organic carbon with some success, Tampa’s consultant researched and suggested the suspended ion exchange pilot, known as SIX.

Sarah Burns, water engineering project coordinator, explained, “SIX will be an

additional process in our treatment train; it does not replace an existing process. SIX removes organics via ion exchange, similar to how a water softener works, but a different type of ion. Organics interfere with the removal of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) through media filtration. Once we remove the organics via SIX, our existing carbon filters are expected to be able to remove PFAS. We are also currently conducting some bench scale tests to see if SIX is able to remove PFAS itself. At the time we piloted SIX, we were not able to test for PFAS removals directly because most labs were only able to detect PFAS at 20 parts per trillion. As such, all samples from the Hillsborough River came back non-detectable

ABOVE: Tampa, Fla. (Shutterstock.com)

since the levels in the river are well below 20 parts per trillion.”

The city’s current carbon filters are also expected to get some upgrades with testing to begin soon in order to determine what will be required.

These PFAS can be found in normal, everyday projects, such as cleaning products; nonstick cookware; personal care products like shampoo, nail polish and floss; waterresistant fabrics, including umbrellas and raincoats; grease-resistant paper; and stainresistant coatings such as those on upholstery and carpet. Exposure to these chemicals could result in changes in cholesterol, small changes to infant birth weight, changes to the immune system and changes in response to certain vaccines.

The SIX pilot program concluded in 2021 in Tampa and is no longer ongoing at the water

treatment plant. Currently, the city is working on conducting bench scale tests in a laboratory to better understand the removal capability of PFAS. “As stated, we know SIX removes organics well and organics must be removed before PFAS can be removed via media filtration, but we need more information regarding the direct removal of PFAS via the SIX process,” Burns described. “In short, we know that SIX is a necessary first stop for PFAS removal, but it may directly remove PFAS as well.”

The pilot program itself was a success, with no other difficulties beyond typical challenges instituting a pilot program incurs. Results of the SIX pilot program showed improvements to overall finished water quality with an average reduction of over 50% of total organic carbon. There were also savings with operations and maintenance at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility in each of the major processes, including reduced solids production, reduced coagulant demand, reduced ozone demand and higher filter throughput. This resulted in an operational savings of $1.4 million.

Currently, Tampa is in the design phase negotiations of implementing SIX on a full scale. “SIX will be the first process in the treatment train after raw water is pumped in from the river,” Burns stated.

The plan is to break ground in 2028 and have the project completed in 2032.

“SIX will benefit the community by improving water quality above and beyond state and federal regulations,” Burns emphasized. “It will also help us save operations and maintenance costs and improve the performance of the facility. Additionally, without SIX, the city would need to install additional filters to achieve the same capacity. The associated capital costs of additional filters exceed the cost of SIX, so there are capital savings as well. Savings are ultimately passed on to the ratepayer.”

After working with a consultant, the city of Tampa, Fla., decided to use a new suspended ion exchange system, known as SIX, to help reduce the amount of total organic carbon in the city’s water. This pilot system concluded in 2021 and was a further process of treatment to help remove additional PFAS in the water. (Photo provided by the city of Tampa, Fla.)

A full-scale model of the SIX system is currently in the design phase, with SIX being the first stop during the treatment process. This process will improve water quality while saving operation and maintenance costs. The plan is to break ground in 2028 and complete the project in 2032. (Photo provided by the city of Tampa, Fla.)

RIGHT: Tampa is currently working on bench scale tests in a laboratory to better learn the SIX process’s ability to remove PFAS from water. The pilot program itself showed an average reduction in total organic carbon of over 50% utilizing the SIX system. (Photo provided by the city of Tampa, Fla.)

Wright reflects on career in public services

By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The

Consistency is a theme in Dave Wright’s life. The public servant has faithfully worked for the city of Swartz Creek, Mich., for more than 50 years.

Wright, who joined the city payroll shortly after high school, is the go-to person in the municipality’s department of public services. Over the years, his role has evolved, encompassing a diverse array of responsibilities. This fall, he’ll celebrate 55 years on the city’s roster. It’s a career path that brings new challenges and learning experiences each day.

“We take care of the streets, sewer and water,” he said. “We (maintain) parks, and we take care of city buildings. On any one day, we might do 12 to 15 different jobs. When you don’t do the same thing every day, it doesn’t get boring that way.”

Other services include waste management, brush chipping, snow removal, water meter reading and beautification.

Reflecting on his career path, Wright said he feels fortunate to have found his niche and career stability at such a young age. His

ABOVE: Dave Wright has enjoyed the diverse experiences his career in municipal government has afforded him. (Photo provided by Swartz Creek)

work with the city has allowed him to develop professionally on the job while supporting a young and growing family.

“I didn’t enjoy working inside, so this is all pretty much outside work,” he said. “I had to work my way up, starting from General Motors, to eventually joining the city workforce.”

Naturally, he’s seen a great deal of changes in his tenure since 1969. For one, he’s borne witness to the lifecycle of the city’s infrastructure. He recalls a time when some of the water mains were new. Now, the city is investing in updating key elements of the systems.

“Because the water mains are over 50 or 60 years old, they’re replacing all of those right now out there and redoing the streets,” he said. “They’re putting new curbs and gutters out there. So, we’re getting less and less patching all the time.”

The passage of time has also meant changes in leadership. Wright said he’s worked under five managers, including his current one. He

Municipal

also recalls the people who’ve shaped his career path. At the time, as a young man, the men in the department took him under their wing. As a result, Wright said he learned a great deal about plumbing and electrical work.

Now, he’s the elder on staff, and he’s paying it forward.

“I have two newer comrades,” he said. “I hope I’ve taught them something. We have a (female colleague) who actually could outwork a lot of men. Her name is Rebecca, and she’s the crew leader now.”

Speaking of physical stamina, he acknowledges the physical demands of the work. Winter in Michigan, for instance, can be brutal due to frigid temperatures. However, his crew has to respond to pressing needs, rain or shine.

“The cold gets to you,” he said. “It may be 20-below-zero weather, but you have to go underground and fix a broken water main. It’s not fun.”

With factors like the physical environment adding to the demands, Wright acknowledges this is a young man’s job. However, so far, he’s had a great run in that area. He notes that he’s never had to take a leave of absence because of sickness or injury. He recently had a physical and was happy to report he’s in good health. What’s more, he’s never been laid off or had to go without a paycheck.

In retrospect, Wright acknowledges a key person in his life for making his professional achievements a reality. “I have to give my wife a lot of credit,” he said. “There’s been so many times when the boys were little that she’d be ready to go visit somebody and we’d get a call that a water main broke and I had to go to work.”

Speaking of water, Wright offers some practical advice for the next generation of public services colleagues. It relates to expanding skill set to serve the needs of the community.

“There’s so much testing on the water, especially after that crisis down the street from us, in Flint,” he said. “So, I’d highly recommend a young (person) to study and get a water license. Here in town, they pay an extra $6,000 a year once you get your license.”

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Swartz Creek, Mich.’s, Dave Wright has tended to the city’s infrastructure for more than 50 years. (Photo provided by Swartz Creek)

Vermont public safety program trains the next generation

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

Kristina Koch wants her students to embrace their career potential. As the director of the Northwest Career and Technical Center in St. Albans, Vt., she is determined to give them the tools they need to succeed in a wide range of vocational fields.

“When they graduate from this two-year program, I want them to have as many certifications as possible so that they can find a good-paying job right out of high school,” she said.

Jumpstarting a career

Founded in 1977 as the Sunderland Pierce Vocational Annex at Bellows Free Academy, the NCTC became its own facility in 1989. As career and technical education has evolved over time, so too have the programs at the NCTC, but its mission remains the same: to provide programs that enhance career awareness, promote lifelong learning, and develop the skills necessary to become responsible and productive citizens of the community.

The NCTC offers 10 program options for high school students, ranging from automotive technology to medical professions and the culinary arts to cosmetology. NCTC programs are geared toward those looking to get a head start on their future

ABOVE: Students enrolled in the NCTC Public Safety program take a number of field trips in order to get a broad view of the career opportunities available to them, such as to the Vermont Air National Guard base. (Photos provided by the Northwest Career and Technical Center)

by obtaining training, college credit and career experience while also earning their high school diploma.

Koch, a former St. Albans police officer and Maple Run school resource officer, wasn’t planning to become an educator. But after the district discontinued the SRO program in 2021, she cast about for a position that would utilize her skillset while offering the working mother the career/life balance she was looking for. That’s when she learned that the NCTC wanted to revamp its public safety program.

Previously, the program was centered on fire services. But because most of the state’s fire departments are staffed with volunteers, this focus did not give students a jumpstart into a highpaying, high-in-demand career. When Koch stepped in as director in 2022, she designed a program for those who want to become police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians,

paramedics, Transportation Security Administration workers, border patrol agents and more.

“My students engage with every aspect of public safety,” she said. “One year is concentrated on law enforcement and one year is centered on emergency management. In addition to the certifications they receive, they also earn credit at the Community College of Vermont.”

Throughout their time in the program, students learn about laws and procedures, handcuffing, interviewing, forensics, hazardous materials, terrorism, EMT work and incident command. They earn training and credentials in CPR/AED and first aid, Federal Emergency Management Agency incident command procedures for law enforcement, and Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 remote pilot certification. They also go on field trips, police ridealongs and job shadowing excursions so they can see the options that are available to them.

“Sometimes they have no idea what jobs they qualify for at the age of 18,” Koch said. “Like most states, you have to be 21 to be a police officer in Vermont. So how do you keep them engaged for those three years? You show them what kinds of jobs they can do in order to get their foot in the door.”

Practicing what she preaches

When it comes to keeping her options open, Koch practices what she preaches. In addition to her work in local law enforcement and within the school district, she also has experience in immigration enforcement and as a game warden, and she remains a member of the U.S. Air Force.

A student enrolled in the NCTC Public Safety program attempts to lift fingerprints from an object as part of their law enforcement training.

Students enrolled in the NCTC Public Safety program toured Enosburg Rescue to learn more about the types of career fields they may go into after graduation.

NCTC Public Safety students visit the Vermont Army Mountain Warfare School in order to learn how to rock climb and work as a team.

She works hard to maintain her community connections so that when a student needs a mentor or a job shadowing opportunity, she knows who she can turn to for help. Koch said it is very important for folks in vocational training centers to remain active networkers in order to show their students what the community has to offer them.

Koch is living proof that there is opportunity out there for those with a transferrable skillset and the desire to embrace all of the options available.

Although she never imagined a time in which she would become the director of the NCTC’s Public Safety program, she is constantly working to make sure she is up to the task. In addition to taking transition to teaching courses in order to obtain her teaching license within the next few years, Koch is tweaking her curriculum and learning how to connect with different types of learners.

It isn’t always easy, but she isn’t the type of person to back away from challenges. She doesn’t want her students to either.

“In some ways, being a teacher is a lot more stressful than being a cop,” she said. “I have 24 kids who all learn in different ways, and you have to make sure that every type

of learner can be accommodated. You learn how to motivate those who aren’t motivated, listen when they need to vent and read what’s going on between the lines of their lives. It’s like being a social worker, a parent and a teacher all at once.” M

Parks unification project brings a community together

In 2017, the Bentonville, Ark., Parks and Recreation Department developed a visionary plan — called the Quilt of Parks — to connect six different public parks and spaces into one cohesive downtown area. Those spaces, known individually as Lawrence Plaza, Bentonville Square, Dave Peel Park, Town Branch Park, The Commons and Activity Center Park, will soon be connected and form one linear park that is currently referred to as the “A Street Promenade.”

The catalyst for the Quilt of Parks project was the collective voice of the community. Citizens were invested in seeing their downtown area revitalized and explicitly connected so that it could be used for more than just average, day-at-the-parktype outings. Members of the community worked directly with the parks and recreation department to express ideas for more child-centered play areas, city event spaces, small business locations, walking and biking paths and beautiful scenery for the proposed outdoor recreation area.

Deputy director of the parks department, Josh Stacey, expressed how the integral the citizenry was to the planning of the project.

“We had a lot of meetings with the community over a long span of time. We also

spent a lot of time speaking with the business owners who were already existing in the downtown area, to consider their perspectives. Overall, the community has had a very strong voice in this. We continue to keep them updated as the project develops.”

There is a 24/7 livestream available so interested individuals can view the project in real time. “We were offered the ability, so we said why not? We want to be transparent with our citizens, and people love to see that this project is progressing,” Stacey said. “Anyone can tune into the livestream from their mobile devices and view the present ongoings of the project firsthand and see the evolution of the cityscape as it develops.”

ABOVE: Once the Quilt of Parks project is complete, Bentonville residents will enjoy greater connectivity between parks and downtown. (Photo provided by the city of Bentonville)

Despite an already-vibrant downtown featuring delicious restaurants and busy businesses, the need to expand and enhance the dynamic became increasingly evident. Stacey discussed some of the key factors that went into the planning of this big undertaking.

“We are not really changing the dynamic of downtown; we are trying to make these spaces more cohesive so that the areas connect to each other and so that people can safely walk and ride to all of these spaces. Connectivity and public spaces were some of our big considerations when we were developing the plans.”

Funding for the undertaking was provided by the Walmart Foundation, which was developed to support and strengthen communities along with creating opportunities for diverse people to thrive and actively work toward creating a sustainable nation. The Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department submitted a

Bentonville residents enjoy ice skating in the 7,000-square-foot rink at Lawrence Plaza. It is the region’s only permanent outdoor ice rink and operates from November to February. (Photo provided by the city of Bentonville)

strong application that quickly captured the attention of the foundation, which said it was excited to fund the entire project. That meant the project would not be a burden on local taxpayers, another positive aspect for the community.

Since the endeavor is a long-term process, there will not be a formal grand opening of the individual parks or of A Street Promenade. Stacey said the main features of A Street Promenade should be complete by 2025, and the parks department will continue to expand and improve the downtown area from now until 2027.

Each portion of the overall Quilt of Parks project is being completed in phases that will open individually as they are completed so the public will have immediate access to the new spaces. The first phase began

This diagram maps out the plan for A Street Promenade, which will feature an ice rink, splash pad, food trucks, art installations and more. (Rendering provided by city of Bentonville)

Bentonville maintains a 24/7 livestream so residents can watch construction of a promenade linking several downtown parks as it happens. (Photo provided by city of Bentonville)

construction in Town Branch Park and A Street Promenade. These were started by September 2023.

Stacey recognized that they are currently waiting on other outside factors to keep the project moving.

“For one thing, we don’t want to remove the current downtown parking, so we are having a new parking garage built before getting started on some other elements — just as an example.” Parks and recreation department officials realized they did not want the large-scale project to disrupt the current flow of the city, so they developed intentional plans to build additional

parking features to ensure citizens are still able to access the main park areas without disruption.

While the Quilt of Parks project is a big undertaking for the city, that fact has not stopped it from continuing to develop additional plans to continue enhancing other community spaces. Stacey said, “We are also currently under construction on a new baseball complex and about 30 miles of walking trails will be added to the community in the next few years. In the summer, we will be adding an activity center downtown for adult recreation as well.”

This rendering shows the community enjoying a revamped city square. (Rendering provided by city of Bentonville)

The new Neighbors Helping Neighbors program in Miramar, Fla., will assist any member of the community within a specific area chosen due to numerous code violations and the willingness of members of that community to volunteer. (Photo provided by the city of Miramar, Fla.)

Since this program is still so new, there are currently no target numbers to reach each year. The goal is to expand the program and use the city’s resources in the best ways to help the community. (Photo provided by the city of Miramar, Fla.)

Neighbors Helping Neighbors lends a helping hand to beautification efforts

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

A new program was recently started in Miramar, Fla., to encourage community members to help each other.

Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis said she initiated the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program in response to an evident need within historic Miramar. “I had seen a similar program of neighbors assisting each other on home beautification projects in the city of Hollywood and decided to do our event based on folks who had code violations but needed a helping hand to come into compliance.”

The program provides assistance to any member of the community within a specific area of the city of Miramar. One area chosen had the most code violations; older neighborhoods with no current homeowner’s association were also chosen.

Neighborhoods were selected based on need and the willingness of neighbors to participate in the program. Volunteer recruitment then falls under the umbrella of Davis and other city staff members.

Multiple platforms are used to market the program and events, Davis explained, “including social media outreach, door-to-door engagement by code compliance officers, news media outlets, interviews, reaching out to staff to volunteer, community events and engaging nonprofits to help as well. This ensures a diverse and dynamic volunteer base for each project, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the initiative.”

City staff members assist throughout the volunteer recruitment process by providing logistical support and guidance and promoting smooth and easy collaboration and coordination between volunteers and the city.

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program primarily focuses on outdoor maintenance tasks. As Davis stated, these tasks are chosen “to enhance the aesthetic appeal of homes, aligning with my vision to

beautify Miramar’s historic neighborhoods and elevate community pride.” She and the staff collaborated closely with the volunteers to plan and execute projects ranging from landscaping to minor repairs in order to achieve tangible improvements in the neighborhood’s appearance.

Thus far, Miramar’s volunteer assistance program has helped six residents get their homes back into code compliance and has beautified the neighborhood.

Davis shared a story regarding one of the community members assisted.

“One of the individuals benefiting from the initiative is Ms. Jamie Flores, the property owner at 7840 Alhambra Boulevard. Ms. Flores recently lost her job and has been caring for her disabled grandson for the last two years. She faces numerous challenges in maintaining her property while providing full-time care. Her grandson, who has cerebral palsy, scoliosis and recently underwent spinal fusion surgery, requires constant care and attention. Despite her financial and physical burdens, Ms. Flores has been striving to uphold the appearance of her home and address code violations.”

This is not where Davis hopes the new program will stop, however. The vision is for it to continue extending assistance in multiple phases to more residents, beginning in other areas with high code compliance issues.

Since this program is new, there are not yet set annual target numbers.

“While specific yearly targets are yet to be established, the program’s overarching goal is to make a meaningful and sustained impact on Miramar’s neighborhoods,” Davis said. “City staff work closely with me to assess program outcomes and identify opportunities for expansion, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet community needs.”

In order to address the code compliance issues and promote beautification of the city, the program became a necessity.

“The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program addressed critical code compliance issues while fostering community cohesion and enhancing neighborhood aesthetics,” Davis said. “By actively involving residents in volunteer efforts, the program instills a sense of ownership and collective responsibility, thereby contributing to the city’s sense of community well-being and vibrancy.”

Response to the program so has been positive and enthusiastic. Support from those benefiting from the program as well as the level of participation of volunteers shows a clear, positive response and impact in the community. Partnering organizations have also shown a high level of support by donating food and supplies to bring the homes to compliance.

“The program has created a sense of collaboration and civic pride, resonating deeply with Miramar residents,” according to Davis.

Cities considering a similar program should promote its collaboration between city, organizations and neighborhoods as well as emphasize local pride, Davis shared, “Cities considering similar initiatives should take inspiration from this proactive approach and emphasize community engagement and collaboration. It is important to tailor assistance programs to address specific local needs, and leveraging diverse outreach channels are paramount to the success of such initiatives. Miramar’s success exemplifies the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives in fostering resilient and vibrant communities.”

Neighbors Helping Neighbors primarily focuses on outdoor maintenance tasks. These tasks focus on beautifying the neighborhood and bringing homes that are struggling with code compliance issues back into compliance. So far, this program has helped six residents. (Photo provided by the city of Miramar, Fla.)

This program emphasizes taking pride in one’s community and engagement from the community. The success results from a collaboration between the city, the community and local community organizations. (Photo provided by the city of Miramar, Fla.)

Downtown revitalization puts Michigan town on ‘upward trajectory’

By JENNIFER BARTON | The Municipal

There was a time when city life in the U.S. revolved around a few main streets, and a downtown center served as its beating heart.

The advent of automobiles and post-war booms brought urban sprawl and caused cities to spread far beyond the limits of their downtowns. Yet, in the modern age, many are looking to the past to provide for their futures by reclaiming the downtown sector.

Beginning in 2018, officials in one municipality, Allegan, Mich., population 5,222, saw such a need to restore the heart of the town.

City Manager Joel Dye was hired into his position the year before the process began.

“It has been over 40 years since the streets and sidewalks in downtown Allegan had seen any improvements and over 80 years

since the water and sewer infrastructure saw any improvements,” he stated. “After decades of disinvestment in the public infrastructure in downtown Allegan, it was clear that the city needed to make this investment to make it more accessible, livable and lasting.” The driving force behind the project came from the community itself, particularly business and property owners in the downtown sector.

Working with Abonmarche, the engineering company of record in Benton Harbor, Mich., the city created what Dye called “shovel-ready plans” with which it was

ABOVE: Locust Street also received improvements and now offers parking for shoppers at downtown businesses. (Photo provided by city of Allegan)

able to secure funding from both the state of Michigan and the federal government. Combined with local funds, the money went toward making the revitalization project a reality.

In addition to the infrastructure issues, Dye recalled the city’s faith that “investment begets investment; by investing in our public infrastructure, private investment would follow.”

In December, the first part of the $9 million project saw completion and opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided

over by Mayor Roger Bird. That piece of the overall project included replacing water and sewer mains, redesigning roads to eliminate some one-way streets and installing new sidewalks and bump outs for pedestrian safety. For increased safety and beauty, old streetlights were replaced and landscaping beds and trees and street furniture were also added.

Dye reported, “We removed one short block and, in its place, installed a pedestrian plaza. And to top it off, our local trades school is finishing up unique, Allegan-specific bike racks that will be installed later this summer.”

There is still work to do on some ancillary streets, but those will be addressed as funding presents itself, Dye said. Hiccups have arisen, but he reported that the improvements have placed Allegan “on an upward trajectory,” and that they continue to bring investors and increased activity to the downtown.

All the buildings that make up downtown Allegan date around the late 1800s to early 1900s. Some of the historic buildings are currently undergoing revitalization by private investors. Additionally, a new hotel is being constructed.

Dye offered some advice to other towns looking to reconstruct their historic districts.

“Set the vision first; fully know what your community wants to be,” he said. “Do a project kickoff celebrating the impending project and upcoming change. During the project, give weekly updates to keep the community informed. At the end, throw a party. We did ours on Small Business Saturday, encouraging the public to spend money in downtown Allegan.”

Small Business Saturday falls on the day after Black Friday, ringing in the Christmas shopping season. Because of the timing, citizens

Brady and Hubbard streets received a curb appeal boost with bump outs and a new crosswalk during a revitalization project in Allegan, Mich., that focused on the city’s downtown infrastructure. (Photo provided by city of Allegan)

This overhead shot showcases the new Pedestrian Plaza in downtown Allegan, following a revitalization project of the historic district. (Photo provided by the city of Allegan)

of Allegan had the chance to experience the renovated downtown in full Christmas fashion last year.

The shops and eateries that call downtown Allegan home are small businesses owned by residents pursuing their dreams. With the revitalization, events like April’s Bloom and Vroom, sidewalk sales in July and a Halloween-themed shopping day in October brought more customers to the downtown area.

Heather Belong owns a flower shop in downtown Allegan, where she provides floral creations to the community. Of the changes, she commented, “It’s been really nice. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback.”

The only drawback that she has encountered is a decrease in parking, but that hasn’t stopped residents from returning to the area.

“It has brought a lot of people downtown, people who haven’t been downtown in a long time,” she said. Though Belong has been in her location for five years, some people had previously been unaware of her shop’s existence. Now, she has people coming in daily that are simply checking out the changes in town and shopping at hers and other stores. “It’s been very positive for me.”

RIGHT ABOVE and BELOW: New LED streetlights illuminate downtown Hubbard Street. (Photo provided by city of Allegan)

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Looking out for pedestrians with community crosswalk art

By JANET G. PATTERSON | The Municipal

Who knew that public art installations at traffic intersections not only enhance neighborhoods, but make them safer for both drivers and pedestrians?

Well, it’s true — and Louisville, Ky., is taking advantage of the concept and the funding available to make those art installations happen.

Louisville is one of 25 municipalities from 200 applicants across Canada, Mexico and the United States to receive a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative. The Louisville project was inspired by Bloomberg’s Asphalt Art Safety Study, which was released last year.

According to the study, “cities across the globe have been installing asphalt art treatments at intersections and pedestrian

crossings for some time now with a goal of improving safety and the quality of life for all roadway users.” These projects, the study continues, “have been used in a variety of applications, including within the crosswalk, within the center of an intersection, or in place of or in addition to traditional roadway features such as islands or curb extensions.”

The idea of art at an intersection, the study states, is to “create a highly visible crossing and suggest a walkable, active, shared use environment. Additionally, art in the crosswalk or at curb extensions makes the pedestrian crossing location more conspicuous to drivers.”

ABOVE: Louisville, Ky., artist Jessica McAlpin works on the first creative crosswalk on a downtown street in her city. The all-white design was Louisville’s introduction to asphalt art. (Photo by Charles Wilkerson)

The study showed that at decorated intersections there is a 50% decrease in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists and a 37% decrease in crashes resulting in injuries. The study’s authors believed the art encouraged safer driving practices, with a demonstrated 27% increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians and a 25% reduction in potentially dangerous conflicts between drivers and pedestrians.

According to Kevin R. Trager, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg’s press secretary, street art is not completely new to the city. The first local, creative crosswalk was installed in

September 2022. The all-white design was monitored and found to be successful in preventing traffic mishaps.

The city then moved to a larger pilot project in April 2023, which featured an expanded color palette at four intersections in the downtown area.

Trager said artists submitted designs through an open call, and the city’s staff, members of the Commission on Public Art and downtown community partners made the final choice. At the same time, Louisville launched its Community Crosswalk Program, which is partially supported by a private citizen who was impacted by a pedestrian/vehicle accident.

“The program provides a framework of community groups and organizations to propose creative crosswalks in neighborhoods through the city,” Trager said.

In late summer 2023, another colorful crosswalk and sidewalk were installed in Louisville’s downtown area.

The $25,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies will be used in a more residential area than the previous asphalt art installations. Trager said the project in the Parkland neighborhood is “as much about community building as it is about placemaking and aesthetics.” The city and the selected artists are engaging the community in events in the neighborhood to gather input about the themes and imagery they want to see in their neighborhood, he added. Also, “Louisville Metro and the Commission on Public Art require community engagement for art projects in the public realm and that use public funds.”

The city works with local artists as often as possible and always compensates them for their work. Artists for the new project will be selected through a request-for-quotation process.

The roads and intersections selected are not state roads, but rather roads that are entirely managed by the city of Louisville. They are located where there have been a higher number of vehicle and pedestrian incidents than other nearby roads or intersections. Known as tactical urbanism, public art intersections are believed to encourage calming behavior between drivers and pedestrians and safer vehicle operation among drivers.

Tactical urbanism involves short-term, low-cost infrastructure projects that can encourage long-term and large-scale changes. According to Street Plans Collaborative, an urban planning, design and researchadvocacy firm, tactical urbanism also includes local solutions for local planning challenges and lower-risk projects with a potentially high reward as well as collaboration among citizens and public and private institutions.

Louisville’s Office of Arts and Creative Industries and the Office of Planning are building the new project upon existing work along 28th Street from Dumensil Street to Garland Avenue. The installation will include creating thermoplastic crosswalks and curb bump outs and extensions as well as painting the city’s first street mural next to Parkland Plaza, a new community-designed space that opened in 2022. The plaza was a partnership among local residents, the Parkland Business and Development Association, Louisville Metro government, 1200 LLC, Center for Neighborhoods and TreesLouisville.

The materials used for street installations can vary according to traffic count and road conditions, Trager said. Earlier intersections were painted with standard traffic paint, which is applied to dry asphalt at temperatures above a certain level. He said the last crosswalk was painted with Streetbond, a product that must be applied by trained technicians with a primer and sealer coat and a required curing time.

Ivan Zhao, a Louisville artist, created the first color crosswalk on a downtown street using standard traffic paint. Depending on factors like complexity of design, square footage, weather and if the road can be fully closed to traffic, an installation can take several days. (Photo by Brian Davis)

Both the traffic paint and the Streetbond processes take a number of hours over several days to complete.

The thermoplastic that will be used in the latest project is much thicker, with vibrant colors, and is applied with heat by trained technicians, Trager continued. This is the most durable material but also the most expensive, and it will require street repair if it is ever removed.

Trager said the path to Louisville’s Community Crosswalks pilot project and the Bloomberg Philanthropies grant has taken several years to implement. Louisville’s government “has attempted to launch asphalt art projects in the past, but … departments like public works and state agencies had justifiable safety concerns.” He said the process to reach this point required patience, collaboration and cooperation.

Since the crosswalks project is still new, Trager added, “We are working to identify ways we can better monitor the positive outcomes from these types of installations, but we are hopeful that we will see results similar to what was observed in the Asphalt Art Safety Study.”

Mayor Craig Greenberg added that the project “builds on the positive reception that we have received for our Community Crosswalks program, which we created after seeing the success of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art initiative. Both aim to showcase Louisville’s art and cultural scene and improve safety conditions for pedestrians.”

things you must know BEFORE buying a STREET SWEEPER

JUNE

June 2-5 71th EUFMC Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, Williamsburg, Va. www.eufmc.com

June 3-5 Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference

Estes Park, Colo.

https://www.colochiefs.org/

June 5-7 Texas TAMIO 2024 Annual Conference

Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

https://texastamio.org/2022annual-conference-information/

June 5-7 Local Government Reimagined Conference Palm Desert, Calif. https://icma.org/events

June 5-7 7th Annual North American Active Assailant Conference

Woodside Bible Church – Troy Campus, Troy, Mich.

https://whova.com/portal/ registration/anaaa_202406/

June 5-9 International Hazardous Materials Response Teams IAFC The Hilton of Baltimore, Baltimore, Md.

https://www.iafc.org/events

June 6-9 Prima 24

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn.

https://conference.primacentral. org/special%20events.cfm

June 6-9 Joint NEWEA/NYWEA

Spring Meeting & Exhibit

Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

https://www.newea.org/event/ joint-newea-nywea-springmeeting-exhibit/

June 9-12 2024 IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference& Expo

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio

https://ipmi.parking-mobility. org/2024/

June 9-12 Michigan Water Environment Association 99th Annual Conference

Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, Mich.

https://www.mi-wea.org/

June 10-13 ACE 24 Annual Conference & Expo Anaheim, Calif.

https://www.awwa.org/ace/

June 12-14 Arkansas Municipal League 90th Annual Convention

Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, Ark.

https://www.armunileague.org/ resources-education/events/

June 12-15 Fire Rescue

Improvement Conference

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

https://scsfaevents.org/firerescue/

June 13-15 Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention

Crowne Plaza IndianapolisAirport, Indianapolis, Ind. https://ivfa.org/convention/

June 13-15 115th Annual Utah State Firefighter’s Association Convention

Brigham City, Utah https://www.fireassociation. com/upcoming-events/

June 16-19 Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Professional Development Conference

Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, Mich.

https://www. michiganpolicechiefs.org/

June 17-20 NFPA Conference & Expo

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. https://www.nfpa.org/ conference

June 18-21 Colorado Municipal League 102st Annual Convention

Loveland, Colo. https://www.cml.org/ conference

June 18-21 Colorado Municipal League 2024 Annual Conference

Loveland, Colo.

https://www.cml.org/ conference

June 18-21 AWC Annual Conference

Hilton Vancouver Washington Conference Center, Vancouver, Wash.

https://wacities.org/eventseducation/conferences/awcannual-conference

June 19-20 ORWA Equipment Expo

Stillwater, Okla. https://orwa.org/expo/

June 20-23 92nd Annual Meeting U.S. Conference of Mayors

Columbus Hilton Downtown, Columbus, Ohio

https://www.usmayors.org/ meetings/

June 20-23 2024 OVFA Annual Conference

Chemeketa Community College Training Center in Brooks, Ore. https://ovfa.org/conference/ registration/

June 20-23 Texas City Management Association Annual Conference

South Padre Island Convention Center, South Padre Island, Texas

https://tcma.org/329/TCMAAnnual-Conference

NTEA releases spring ‘2024

U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report’

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. — NTEA — The Work Truck Association released the fourth edition of the “U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report” — Powered by Commercial Truck Trader, NTEA and S&P Global Mobility. This semi-annual industry report, which was launched in 2022, delves into the details, data and trends around the commercial vehicle life cycle — from chassis sales to truck registration to later stages when used vehicles re-enter the sales market.

“The rate of commercial vehicle industry technology advancements is nearly unmatched in history,” said Kevin Koester, NTEA managing director. “As this continued development shifts market dynamics, it’s important to maintain a focus on data. The spring 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report seeks to provide both data and insight into drivers and impacts of these dynamics. NTEA is pleased to share the latest edition of this resource to help the industry move forward.”

“The insights from the 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report will equip dealers with unique data to enhance their business decisions, enabling them to strategize more effectively and make informed choices,” said Charles Bowles, director of OEM & strategic initiatives at Trader Interactive, parent company of Commercial Truck Trader. “Understanding the industry is powerful, which is why we are excited for the continued collaboration with NTEA and S&P Global Mobility on this report.”

“Fueled by a resurgence of rental and leasing industry registrations along with fleets continuing to adopt alternative fuel vehicles, 2023 was a year of positive growth for the commercial vehicle industry,” said Mark Hazel, associate director, commercial vehicle reporting, at S&P Global Mobility. “We look forward to sharing further insights with NTEA and Commercial Truck Trader.”

This fourth edition of the U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report leverages multiple complex datasets to provide a landscape of opportunities, trends and challenges in today’s work truck market.

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend honored and remembered 226 firefighters

EMMITSBURG, MD. — The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosted the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Md. This year’s national tribute honored 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes — and their families.”

The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. The mission is to honor America’s fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park includes the National Fallen Firefighters Monument, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, a brick Walk of Honor, a September 11th memorial sculpture and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Bell of Remembrance.

NAFA’s 2024 Institute & Expo: Insights, innovations and industry highlights

EDISON, N.J. —NAFA Fleet Management Association recently concluded its 2024 Institute and Expo, April 22-24, in San Antonio, Texas, where 2,100-plus fleet and mobility professionals from around the globe convened to network, learn and

explore the latest products and services from industry suppliers. I&E welcomed attendees from 46 states, six Canadian provinces and 16 countries, representing all sectors of the fleet industry, including corporate, government, law enforcement, education, utility and more.

During the opening session on Monday, NAFA Board President Mikel Camnetar, CAFM, kicked off the event with an update on the association’s initiatives. The session also featured fleet professionals who achieved their Certified Automotive Fleet Manager designation.

“NAFA I&E is truly special, especially amid the dynamic growth and transformation within our industry,” shared Camnetar. “Leaving I&E, we’re filled with renewed curiosity, a deepened appreciation for our field and a stronger sense of community with our industry peers.”

Additional I&E highlights included:

• Keynote addresses, led by esteemed author and leadership consultant Richard Hadden, and safety expert and leader Brian Fielkow.

• General Sessions packed with insights from leading OEM professionals and impactful Industry Update Keynote by Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis.

• More than 40 education sessions took place, many standing room only. The I&E education session tracks covered emerging technologies, law enforcement, operations management, strategy, sustainability, safety, DEIA, legislative advocacy and technicians. From EV integration to regulatory compliance and beyond, the I&E education tracks addressed both the diverse needs of fleet professionals and the pressing challenges shaping the industry today. NAFA also offered a specialty Technician Training Program for technicians and service professionals, filled with educational sessions and networking opportunities.

• The Expo featured 230-plus exhibitors showcasing the latest fleet products and services. During the Innovations Showcase, attendees were invited to an interactive innovation zone on the Expo floor, where exhibiting companies displayed their exciting new products and product updates. Samsara won the People’s Choice Award for their AI-Powered Safety Solutions a single platform for businesses’ operations data including video-based safety, vehicle telematics, apps and workflows, smart equipment and site visibility.

• New this year, attendees had the opportunity to interact with the latest models, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, and cutting-edge technologies behind the wheel during an immersive Ride & Drive Event, powered by Bobit.

• The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas were crowned. The 2024 winners for each of the following categories include:

- Best Public Fleet: Dakota County Fleet Management, Minnesota

- Best Commercial Fleet: Essential Utilities

- Fleet Professional of the Year Award: Kenny Stimson, Carvana

- Fleet Technician of the Year Award: Curtis Mullins, city of Round Rock, Texas

• Nearly 50 participants were immersed in CAFM Live, a peer-to-peer educational event that accelerates Certified Automotive Fleet Manager candidates’ preparation for examination and certification.

• NAFA also brought back Media Day, providing over a dozen companies the opportunity to present their breaking news and announcements to reporters in back-to-back press conferences.

Next year’s I&E will take place in Long Beach, Calif., on April 28-30, 2025, at the Long Beach Convention Center. To learn more about NAFA, visit https:// www.nafa.org/ M

State capitals in which residents flourish

The U.S. state capitals are vibrant, thriving places to live. In addition to being the seats of state governments, these cities boast robust economies and exciting cultural opportunities; many are home to respected universities and major health care institutions as well.

Earlier this year, WalletHub, the financial advice website, compiled available data to find out in which capital cities residents enjoy the highest quality of life, quality of education and economic well-being. It also determined which ones are the most affordable.

1 3 5 7 9

A panel of experts was consulted as well and asked to weigh in on questions like, “In evaluating the best state capitals to live in, what are the top five indicators? How does exempting government buildings from local property taxes affect the fiscal well-being of capital cities? Are residents of capital cities more likely to be politically engaged, all else equal?”

The result is a ranking of 50 state capitals from most to least desirable to live in. From that list, the Top 10 best state capitals — from the perspective of their residents are:

2 4 6 8 10

WISCONSIN

NORTH CAROLINA

IDAHO

GEORGIA

NEBRASKA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

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