The Municipal - May 2023

15 Focus on Building & Construction

36 Public Safety: Hightech training with simulation in motion — SIM-IA

40 Municipal Management: Neighborhood Challenge Grant enriches Pensacola neighborhoods

46 Water & Energy: CMEEC announces initiative to bring natural gas-fired power station online

48 Parks & Environmental Services: Parks department and hospital team up to create healthier community in Georgia city

50 Fleet Service & Management: Wisconsin city races transit fleet toward EV

ON THE COVER

Cleanliness not only pleases residents and visitors as they commute through a city, it also reduces contamination and runoff from entering stormwater systems. The ODB Company’s truck mounted debris and leaf collection systems offer a cost-effective way to do the job faster, with less labor and more safely. Learn more about its innovative systems on page 10.

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

publisher RON BAUMGARTNER rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

editor-in-chief

DEB PATTERSON dpatterson@the-papers.com

editor SARAH WRIGHT swright@the-papers.com

CHRIS SMITH chris@themunicipal.com

senior account executive REES WOODCOCK rees@themunicipal.com

Departments

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 TAELYNNE OUSLEY tousley@the-papers.com

Contributing Writers

Ray Balogh, Jennifer Barton, Beth Anne Brink-Cox, Lauren Caggiano, Nicholette Carlson, Denise Fedorow, Kevin Kilbane, Dani Messick, Staci Reafsnyder, Julie Young

we observe the occasion through public ceremony or through private prayer, Memorial Day leaves few hearts unmoved. Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend and neighbor.”

“Whether

The Municipal joins all who remember and honor the men and women who have fallen while serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.

~ George H.W. Bush

Cities build for their futures

Sarah Wright | Editor

Building and construction always seem to be a constant in cities, whether completing infrastructure projects or welcoming new companies or homeowners to the community. Such projects particularly the latter are often viewed as a sign of a community’s overall health. Dynamic cities, after all, are going to attract development and investment. And despite challenges faced the past few years, construction seems to be holding its own with only a slight decrease.

According to the Associated General Contractors of America in an April press release, “Total construction spending decreased by 0.1 percent in February, as declines in single-family homebuilding and public construction outweighed a pickup in private nonresidential construction. Association officials noted that demand for many types of commercial construction is likely to remain strong for the foreseeable future.”

Within the public sector, AGC’s April release stated, “The largest public categories were mixed, as well. The biggest, highway and street construction, increased 0.3 percent, while education construction slumped 0.9 percent. Public spending on transportation projects fell 0.7 percent.”

In this issue of The Municipal, we spotlight some of the incredible construction projects underway in cities across this country.

The quest for affordable housing seems never-ending in municipalities of all sizes, and writer Nicholette Carlson is sharing the experiences of Albuquerque, N.M., and Waco, Texas, which are both embarking on their own journeys to increase housing stock for varying incomes. These two cities are in different stretches of their plans, but each has interesting approaches to the challenge.

Along the West Coast, Anaheim, Calif., is getting ready to put its best foot forward when the 2028 Summer Olympics come to neighboring Los Angeles. Central to the city’s revitalization efforts is ocV!be, a more than $5 billion investment that will include 20 acres of public space with four unique plazas, a 5-acre riverfront park and a 4-acre park focused on wellness. This is just one project in the works.

In other exciting revitalization stories, Greenwood, Ind., has realized a 95% occupancy rate in its downtown, which previously had a vacancy rate of 75%. According to Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, “We fueled development by creating a vision, gaining consensus and investing in our plan. We looked at the big picture of downtown and targeted infrastructure, appearance and community amenities.” The city’s downtown revitalization efforts are definitely worthy of praise. Additionally, we spotlight northern Vermont’s Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which is promising to provide an economic boom for the communities along it, and Knoxville, Tenn.’s, Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes program, a method to strategically use public resources to leverage quality private investment.

As I finish writing this note, my heart goes out to those impacted by tornados this spring and who are now faced with the arduous task of rebuilding. It is the type of construction that no community wants in their future. While the road ahead will undoubtedly be tough, the future can be bright. I look at the local town of Nappanee, Ind., and how far it has come since it rebuilt portions of its community following a 2007 EF3 tornado. The Municipal wishes the same healing for all affected communities.

BEFORE: STATIC WALLS & ROOF

AFTER: REMOVABLE STRONGWELL FRP

SIMPLIFY AND SPEED UP ROUTINE

Structural fiberglass offers long-term, cost effective solutions with easier installation and lower life cycle costs.

Above: DURASHIELD® foam core building panels were used to partially fabricate three pump houses for the City of Joliet, Il. One of the major concerns from the previous well houses was the lack of maintenance and refurbishment access to the large water pumps due to structurally static walls and roof. This updated design utilizing DURASHIELD® allowed the walls and roof to be removed so a crane could be positioned to access the large water pumps. Each building used 3” x 24” DURASHIELD® as siding and roofing panels, which have historically performed successfully in the field against 40 lb. snow loads and 100 mph winds.

Innovation for beautification, efficiency and sustainability

By PATRICK FITZGERALD | The ODB Company |

Demands for keeping our communities clean continue to increase with regulatory requirements and expectations of residents. While at the same time, our ability to get the job done gets more and more difficult with diminishing labor availability, increasing costs and safety concerns. The ODB Company has been innovating and patenting solutions that ensure municipalities are able to keep their communities cleaner — reducing phosphorus contamination — faster, with less labor and more safely.

Single-operator truck mounted debris and leaf collection systems are rapidly being recognized as the most cost-effective, productive and fastest means to keep the streets and stormwater systems clear of leaves and other trash, allowing municipalities to get more done in less time, with less labor and greater safety.

Single-operator flexibility

One ODB truck mounted unit can do the work of two self-contained trailers, or three tow-behind leaf loaders. (See Table 1)

Pretty much every municipality or contractor that ODB works with is challenged by labor shortage issues, increased fuel costs and safety

ABOVE: ODB’s patent-pending singleengine DCL1000SE25, 25-cubic-yard debris and leaf collector is the most powerful and efficient vacuum truck available. With 61% fewer maintenance points and reduced fuel consumption make the DCL1000SE easier to maintain and less costly to operate. The end result is more curb miles cleaned in less time, at a lower cost per mile.

concerns. ODB truck mounted units effectively address all those issues, by significantly reducing manpower and fuel requirements (and costs). But most importantly, fewer operators on the street significantly reduces safety risk, liability and worker fatigue.

Smarter technologies for efficiency and sustainability

In the past two and a half years, ODB has closely examined debris and leaf collection and street cleaning equipment and applications. Using real-world feedback from customers and dealers, and exhaustive testing, ODB continues to focus on the smartest ways to improve productivity (fastest collection per lane mile), efficiency (lowest cost

All photos provided by The ODB Company

One ODB truck mounted debris and leaf vacuum system unit can do the work of two self-contained trailers or three tow-behind leaf loaders. The above chart compares the equivalent resources required to clean the same amount of curb miles in one day. And fewer workers on the roads equals reduced safety concerns.

vacuum rpms only a third of the day, a reduction of 15-18 gallons per day, or 325-400 gallons per month, consumed is realized. Dust, noise and engine wear are also reduced.

Single-engine efficiency and power: DCL1000SE25

per lane mile cleaned), reliability, ease of use, maintainability and, most importantly, safety. In this short time, ODB has been awarded four patents, and has four others pending. ODB is the only company that has the single-engine debris collector truck system, the CDL-exempt debris collector truck, and the patented ECO-MODE™, optimizing efficiency and operational flexibility. ODB has also been awarded a patent on the novel vegetation stripping gutter broom: The CLAW™.

Fuel-Saving Eco-Mode™

ODB’s patented ECO-MODE™ technology automatically engages when the boom is not in collection mode, dropping the rpms to idle, reducing fuel consumption by 3.1 gallons per hour. With most operations needing full

The DCL1000SE is the most powerful and efficient debris collection system available. With 150 horsepower to the 32-inch impeller, the DCL1000SE has twice the suction horsepower of any other truck mounted system. The single-engine configuration has 61% fewer collection system maintenance points and with only one engine, significantly reduced fuel consumption, making the DCL1000SE easier to maintain and less costly to operate. The end result is more curb miles cleaned in less time, at a lower cost per mile.

Landfill - rugged terrain: DCL800RTHL

Tracked Crawler

At landfills and transfer stations, trash is often blown to where traditional vehicles can’t get to, and is unsafe or very labor intensive to send in crews. ODB’s DCL800RTHL is a patent-pending hooklift debris collection system mounted on a Terramac tracked crawler carrier. It has been specifically engineered for the safe, easy and quick collection of landfill fugitive litter on multiple types of terrain. With the DCL800RTHL, one operator can get the job done in the same time that would otherwise take three to five people.

Stormwater and the environment

CDL-exempt,

single-operator: DCL500SM16.

(24HP & 78HP options)

ODB’s patented DCL500SM is the only CDLexempt truck-mounted system available. With CDL drivers very hard to find and expensive to hire, the DCL500SM enables municipalities to use their current workforce to get the streets cleaned. The single-operator platform with in-cab controls optimizes safety. Large 16 cubic yard capacity, combined with two power plant options, the DCL500SM doesn’t compromise on capability, capacity or efficiency.

Debris and leaf vacuum collection systems have become an important part of many community’s street cleaning programs. With MS4, they have also become a critical part of and budgeted for stormwater programs.

(For more information on best management practices to optimize effectiveness and efficiency for stormwater pollutant control by utilizing debris and leaf collection systems and street sweepers, see the February 2023 issue of The Municipal, page 36-37)

If you would like more information on leaf and debris collection systems and/or stormwater management strategies, please contact Patrick Fitzgerald at pfitzgerald@ odbco.com. Or visit www.odbco.com.

ODB’s patented CDL-exempt DCL500SM 16-cubic-yard debris vacuum truck.

ODB’s DCL800RTHL hooklift tracked crawler carrier system is engineered for the safe and easy collection of landfill litter on multiple types of terrain.

All ODB systems are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in the U.S.

Trusted

5,000

Albuquerque, N.M., has set a goal of adding at least 5,000 additional housing units above and beyond what the private housing market will provide to the city’s current supply for the entire range of users by 2025.

Read more about Albuquerque’s housing plans on page 16.

$5 billion

Anaheim, Calif.’s, ocV!be is a more than $5 billion investment that will include 20 acres of public space with four unique plazas, a 5-acre riverfront park and a 4-acre park focused on wellness.

focus on:

Building & Construction

95%

Greenwood, Ind., went from a 75% vacancy rate in its downtown to a 95% occupancy, following targeted development plans.

136,000 to 163,500

A Northeastern Vermont Development Association study done for a 38-mile section on the east side of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in Caledonia County, Vt., predicts trail visits there could range from 136,000 to 163,500 per year.

Learn more about the benefits that some of the 18 communities along the rail trail expect to see on page 24 .

750 miles

Length of the longest multiuse state trail in the U.S. The Empire State Trail runs from Manhattan to Albany, then to either Buffalo or the Canadian Border. The rail trail features both paved and dirt trail and was named the best rail trail in the country by Travel + Leisure magazine in February.

Source: https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/2-new-york-rail-trailsnamed-among-best-in-us/.

400

Number of new, high-quality, mixed-income apartments built by the Louisville Metro Housing Authority in Kentucky since 2015. Planning Grant funds were used to develop a transformation plan to redevelop and increase investment in the Beecher Terrace public housing community and the surrounding Russell neighborhood. A $29 million Implementation Grant was then awarded to the Louisville Metro Government and the LMHA.

Source: https://www.nlc.org/article/2023/02/24/ how-choice-neighborhoods-is-transforming-louisvilles-russell-neighborhood/

$15 million

Total investment in the 500 block of Craghead Street in the River District of Danville, Va., when a multi-building revitalization project is completed. So far, $10 million in private money has been invested in 10 properties on the block, which is one of several largescale revitalization projects coming to fruition in the city.

Source: https://cardinalnews.org/2023/03/09/danvilles-revitalization-plan-facedskepticism-but-now-its-a-model-for-other-communities-heres-how-the-city-did-it/.

See how Greenwood revived its downtown on page 28.

Visit page 20 to find out more about Anaheim’s efforts to put its best foot forward during the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

Cities finding creative solutions to make affordable housing more attainable

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

Affordable housing tops many municipalities’ lists as an element their communities need. From coast to coast, they are investing in such projects or taking creative approaches to ensure there is housing to strengthen the workforce for employers. Albuquerque, N.M., and Waco, Texas, are two cities prioritizing affordable housing.

Albuquerque, N.M.

Housing Forward is an affordable housing initiative created in response to the Albuquerque housing crisis. As Timothy Walsh, Albuquerque planning public information coordinator, described, “The housing problem in Albuquerque has accumulated over decades from circumstances that do not favor matching Burqueños with stable, affordable homes. From restrictive zoning to deficits in the house workforce, it is clear that

Albuquerque needs a bold strategy to grapple with its housing crisis and to emerge with a vision for improving the housing situation into the future.”

This housing initiative creates multifaceted ways in which the city of Albuquerque will increase the supply of affordable housing and ensure residents have equal access to current housing. This includes the city using a portion of the $20 million gross receipts tax bond funding recently granted in order to provide

ABOVE: The goal of the Housing Forward project is to add a minimum of 5,000 housing units aside from what the private market will offer. This will help the city face affordable housing difficulties that have been affecting cities across the nation. (Photo provided by the city of Albuquerque, N.M.)

residents with more affordable housing while also pairing that with various state and federal funding source options. The city will also buy hotels and motels to convert to housing to increase the housing supply.

Walsh explained the initiative “includes making changes to the current zoning codes to support the repurposing of existing properties into more housing, incentivizing new housing development and allowing more flexibility for diverse housing options. It also includes expanding nuisance abatement laws, expanding the housing workforce and

partnering with the state government to increase funding and local legislative authority to increase funding and local legislative authority to increase equity, access and availability of housing for all income levels.”

A major portion of the Housing Forward initiative is the four major zoning changes suggested to the city council. These zoning suggestions being pursued by the city resulted from months of consultation between city officials, housing industry leaders, housing providers and members of the community regarding ways to increase housing access, availability and equity.

The first zoning change involves general permission to allow twofamily dwellings in the R-1 zone district citywide. The second zoning change allows, permissively, detached accessory dwelling units with kitchens in the R-1 zoning district citywide. The third zoning change suggestion would allow alternative kitchen requirements in all conversions of nonresidential development to multifamily dwellings. The fourth zoning suggestion for change is to provide additional building height bonuses for multifamily residential development and mixeduse development. The exception would be when regulations for small areas require otherwise.

The Housing Forward bill was heard by the city council’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee in April. According to Walsh, “The immediate plan is to get the Housing Forward bill passed by city council. We are setting a goal of adding at least 5,000 additional housing units above and beyond what the private housing market will provide to the current supply in Albuquerque for the entire range of users by 2025. While this will not meet the entire demand for housing over the next several years, it will begin to catalyze the development of various housing types to meet the demands from all segments of the Albuquerque community.”

There have been some mixed feelings regarding the initiative from community members. Walsh mentioned, “While there are differing opinions on the various elements of the Housing Forward initiative, everyone seems to agree that we need to work together to address the housing shortage.”

Waco, Texas

One way Waco is working to create more affordable housing for residents is by selling off vacant lots the city owns. “The city has maintained a lot program for several years, which has allowed for vacant lots to be sold for the development of affordable housing,” Galen Price, Waco director of housing, explained.

Like many other cities across the country, Waco is facing high costs of construction, high current interest rates and a lack of housing inventory, making it difficult for residents to find affordable housing.

“What has transpired over the last seven years is that the number of lots received into the inventory has substantially decreased,” Price continued. “The city completed a housing study in 2022 that showed a need for housing units in total as well as a need for more affordable housing units. With those needs identified and the limited number of properties remaining in the inventory, the city is looking to be more strategic in the development of the remaining properties in the inventory to ensure that we have not only quality development but also have opportunities to promote the development of affordable housing.”

A large portion of the Housing Forward initiative in Albuquerque, N.M., includes four major zoning changes suggested to city council, which will allow a variety of permission for multifamily dwellings. (Photo provided by the city of Albuquerque, N.M.)

The city currently owns approximately 263 parcels of land; however, some are not buildable land, so the exact number to be sold off has not yet been determined. Once saleable lots are determined, the city staff members will give recommendations on which properties should be sold in packages, which will then need to be approved by the city council. These lots will then be made available for purchase over time. The process has an anticipated start date in April of this year.

“The goal of this project is to develop quality housing throughout the city,” Price described. “With some of the proposed requirements to accompany the sale of these properties, such as development agreements, building standards and construction being completed within two years of purchase, we believe that this goal will be achieved.”

There are also additional ways being considered to help Waco residents with affordable housing. “We have developed an implementation plan in regards to the strategic housing study completed in 2022 that has task forces looking at strategies and mechanisms to assist in addressing our affordable housing needs,” Price

stated. “We are looking at things such as accessory dwelling units, creating of higher density developments and tools such as community land trusts to assist with this.”

Waco, Texas, is exploring turning unused city-owned property into affordable housing sites. Pictured, the Brazos River cuts through Waco. (Real Window Creative/Shutterstock.com)

ocV!be is a dynamic mixed-use development anchored by the Honda Center and the ARTIC. It will include food halls, retail, hotels, parks and public art installations. (Photo provided by the city of Anaheim)

ocV!be is a more than $5 billion investment that will include 20 acres of public space with four unique plazas, a 5-acre riverfront park and a 4-acre park focused on wellness. (Photo provided by the city of Anaheim)

Gearing up for the games: Anaheim is making big changes over the next few years

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

With billions in theme park, hotel and commercial development arriving within the next five years, Anaheim, Calif., is poised for an economic boom. As the second largest city in Orange County, the community is gearing up to welcome the world just in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

“There are some really exciting things that are coming in the next few months and years, and we can’t wait for everyone to see them,” said Sergio Ramirez, director of economic development for the city of Anaheim.

A great vibe

Central to the city’s revitalization efforts is ocV!be, a large, mixed-use center that will be anchored by the Honda Center and the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center. According to Ted White, planning and building director for the city of Anaheim, ocV!be is a more than $5 billion investment that will include 20 acres of public space with four unique plazas, a 5-acre riverfront park and a 4-acre park focused on wellness. There will also be a full range of entertainment venues for residents and visitors, more than 1 million square

feet of office space as well as 230,000 square feet of retail space. When complete, the project will also boast 5,000 new jobs on-site.

“ocV!be is not only going to be really dynamic but also carbon neutral,” White said. “Sustainability features are core to the design and that commitment is reflected in every aspect of the project.”

The first phase of the project will feature a 6,000-seat live performance theater that will rival the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and encourage convention goers to stay nearby and enjoy the forthcoming amenities, such as breweries, food halls, public art installations and special events.

“With the Honda Center hosting indoor volleyball during the Olympics, we want to make sure that ocV!be is ready to put its best foot forward when the games begin,” White said.

In addition to ocV!be, the OC River Walk is a plan to transform the Santa Ana River Corridor into a regional destination for recreation

Site plans for ocV!be call for a redeveloped public space between the Honda Center and ARTIC. It will serve as a showcase for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. (Photo provided by the city of Anaheim)

and entertainment. The city received a $5 million grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to plan and design elements of the new river walk, and once completed, the OC River Walk will re-establish the corridor as a place of interconnectivity between the people, the river, local businesses and nearby iconic destinations.

The project will consist of a river recharge that includes inflatable dams to collect water, a new bridge crossing specifically designed for pedestrians and cyclists, trail extensions and expansions, riverbank modifications as well as art/educational installations.

“There is still a long way to go on the river walk because there is a lot to be done, but we are getting a ton of political support so there will be a lot of movement soon,” White said. “The technical studies are going on right now but we really want to help people reconnect to the river again.”

The House of Mouse and more

With all the revitalization efforts throughout Anaheim, it’s only natural that the House of Mouse is getting in on the act with DisneylandForward the first major expansion since Disney’s California Adventure in 2001. This multiyear planning effort is being done in cooperation with the city of Anaheim to update current approvals and allow for integrated development to be located and built throughout Disney properties.

While DisneylandForward is still in the planning stages, some of the possible updates could include lands centered on “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Peter Pan,” as well as the most technologically advanced, immersive and cutting-edge entertainment that are in development at Disney parks throughout the world. White said that these updated approvals will allow Disney to continue investing in Anaheim and bringing more attractions for years to come.

“We don’t have much information about what will be coming, but Bob Iger leaked some information about Avatar Disneyland. As much as the big, sexy projects are great, other initiatives, such as Rebuild Beach, are the kind of thing every city can identify with,” White said.

The problems on Beach Boulevard are all too real: human trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling, homelessness and blighted businesses. Rebuild Beach Boulevard is a redevelopment and public safety priority. From Lincoln Avenue to Ball Road, Anaheim is working to replace seedy motels and commercial blight with affordable housing, stores,

Disneyland Forward is a development proposal, which will renew allowances and let the House of Mouse continue its investment in the city of Anaheim. (Photo provided by the city of Anaheim)

Imagine the Possibilities

While details about future lands remain vague, Disneyland Forward will set the stage for years to come with the “Happiest Place on Earth.” (Photo provided by the city of Anaheim)

restaurants and businesses to create a walkable neighborhood and deter crime.

“We have a multidisciplinary team that includes every arm of the city who are asking how we can revitalize this area,” Ramirez said. “Less than two miles from some of these beautiful developments, we have homeowners who have socio-economic challenges, and we can’t turn a blind eye to them. It is one of our top priorities to turn this area around, but it won’t happen overnight. We have to consistently put in the work.”

The city bought two of the most problematic motels in the area last year, demolishing one and transforming the other into a public art space.

“It really is a labor of love and a chance to make a creative impact in people’s lives,” Ramirez said. “Anaheim is a growing city, and we have a dynamic aspirational council who want to see the investment and make quality of life improvements for everyone who lives and works here. It’s an exciting time, and it will be interesting to see what comes out of the ground in the next few years.”

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Vermont rail trail promises economic rewards

By KEVIN KILBANE | The Municipal

The Lamoille Valley in northern Vermont once bustled with trains hauling passengers and freight through the scenic, rural countryside. Towns along the route and the state of Vermont now believe a trail built on the former railroad bed will be an engine that drives new economic growth in the region.

“We’re really excited about this happening,” said Laural Ruggles, a resident of Danville on the east side of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. “We’re in this really rural area here, and sometimes I’m out there and can’t believe we have this as an asset. We are just so lucky to have this here.”

The LVRT meanders 93 miles from Swanton on the west to St. Johnsbury on the east, passing over rivers and streams and through farmland, forests and quaint towns. The distance will make it the longest rail trail in New England, said Ruggles, who joined with other advocates in 2005 to promote building the trail. The route, which has opened in sections over the past few years, will reach its full length this summer with completion of work on a historic bridge near the midpoint, according to Chris Hunt, project manager for the municipal assistance section at the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Trains began chugging through the valley in the late 1800s, VTrans notes on its LVRT website, vtrans.vermont.gov/lvrt. The state bought the railroad in 1973 after declining passenger and freight demand left the

LEFT: The relatively flat terrain and scenic route has attracted a lot of families to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in northern Vermont. The 93-mile trail, which was built on a former railroad route, should be fully open by this summer, bringing in more visitors and sparking economic growth in towns along the pathway, such as Danville, Vt. (Photo provided by FLEK Inc.)

railroad struggling. Rail service on the line then ended in 1994. In 2002, the state began the process to convert the railroad bed to today’s multiuse, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible trail, which is open year-round.

The compacted, crushed stone pathway welcomes walkers, joggers, hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders in all four seasons and snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and dogsled teams during winter, according to the VTrans LVRT website. Snowmobiles are the only motorized vehicles allowed.

Volunteers from the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) initially maintained open sections of the LVRT. VTrans took over that responsibility last summer, but still allows VAST to maintain the trail during winter.

Some of the 18 communities along the LVRT already are planning for expected economic benefits from the trail.

A study done for a 38-mile section on the east side of the LVRT in Caledonia County, for example, predicts trail visits there could range from 136,000 to 163,500 per year. The report was prepared for the Northeastern Vermont Development Association, which coordinates planning and other work for several communities in that region.

Assuming 10% growth among all types of trail users, the study projects trail use in Caledonia County will create more than $3.9 million in sales revenue, 63 jobs, $1.28 million in labor income and $538,000 in federal, state and local income and sales tax revenue. All of those figures would increase slightly with higher rates of visitor use.

“It really is a boom for the area,” said Brian Savage, town administrator for the town of Swanton on the west end of the LVRT. There is some talk that national snowmobile races could be held on the LVRT or a portion of it, Savage added. “We are hoping for events like that, possibly some biking events. This is new territory for us, but we certainly have the enthusiasm and, if it’s allowable under the state regulations that govern the rail trails, let’s see what we can do.”

Swanton is one of the LVRT communities that already accessed some of the nearly $700,000 in federal matching funds VTrans

made available last fall to assist towns with adding amenities for trail users. VTrans also is investigating offering funds to support communities as they build trail amenities over the next five years, said Jackie Cassino, VTrans’ rails-to-trails program manager.

Swanton received a grant for more than $375,000 to install a major trailhead, including a parking lot, lighting, a picnic pavilion, bike rack, possibly a bike repair station, drinking water access and portable toilets or restrooms, Savage said. The community of 6,700 people must provide 20% in matching funds.

The trailhead, which should be completed in 2024, will be located near grocery stores, hardware stores, restaurants, gas stations and the local police department, he said. Swanton also hopes to attract lodging providers and is discussing whether to extend the trail a few miles farther west to reach nearby Lake Champlain.

The town will encourage business growth with low-interest loans from a revolving fund and other economic support, Savage said.

“Some people, of course, are obviously more excited about it than others,” he said. “I think, overall, certainly the business community, they see this as a potential for tourism. People go camping on bikes, or hikers. They are looking at year-round because people can use the LVRT for dogsledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.”

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which should be fully completed this summer, is designed to be accessible to people of all abilities and to serve many types of users on a year-round basis. (Photo provided by Bruce Savage, town of Swanton, Vt.)

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in northern Vermont travels 93 miles from Swanton on the west to St. Johnsbury on the east, using a former railroad route. The trail is open year-round to users of all abilities ranging from walkers and runners to bicyclists and snowmobilers. (Photo provided by Bruce Savage, town of Swanton, Vt.)

On the east side of the LVRT, the NVDA served as project manager as the towns of St. Johnsbury, Danville, Cabot, Walden, Greensboro and Hardwick applied for and received a matching grant of $64,000 to fund a study of what LVRT amenities to add in their area.

“Our effort will be to really engage the public in what they want to see in their communities and come forward with some concrete recommendations for implementation,” said Doug Morton, an NVDA transportation planner. “The communities certainly have ideas on what they want and so, again, if you look at the (LVRT) management plan, things like trailhead development of different scales, there’s sort of tiers of trailheads that are envisioned.”

“The amenities plan, quite frankly, it’s years overdue,” said Ruggles, who serves as the Danville Select Board’s representative to the regional trail council that functions as a liaison between the state and communities on the east side of the trail. “We’re behind, and we’re trying to catch up.”

Trailhead information kiosks like this one along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in northern Vermont are among the amenities communities along the trail may add as they prepare to welcome more visitors to their area. The 93-mile, multiuse, four-season trail is expected to spur economic growth in St. Johnsbury and communities along the former railroad line. (Photo provided by Keith Chamberlin)

Danville is evaluating the best use of the 150-year-old train station beside the trail, she said. The town of 2,200 has secured grants and donations to renovate the station, with work starting this year. The local historical society plans to use the passenger side, she added. Community leaders want to determine the best use for the freight side of the station, which could accommodate a new business or expansion by an existing business.

A regular LVRT user, Ruggles said the trail attracts a lot of families. “It literally is one of those ‘if you build it, they will come’ situations,” she added.

Savage encouraged communities to view unused rail lines as potential economic drivers. It takes a lot of effort to create a rail trail, but communities can work together and obtain help with grant funding from their federal, state and local government officials.

“I would say, go for it!” He added, “There’s grant money out there.”

Learn more

Helpful information about rail trails can be found at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s website, www.railstotrails.org.

Trail users take a break during an outing on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail along Joe’s Pond near Danville, Vt. The 93-mile trail in northern Vermont attracts people year-round and is expected to boost economic growth in Danville and other communities along the route. (Photo provided by FLEK Inc.)

Downtown transformation revitalizes Greenwood community

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON |

A large transformation with the goal of decreasing the city’s vacancy rate is being undergone by Greenwood, Ind. In 2012, Greenwood’s vacancy rate was 75%. Today it is now 95% occupied. When Mayor Mark Myers took office, he stated, “We fueled development by creating a vision, gaining consensus and investing in our plan. We looked at the big picture of downtown and targeted infrastructure, appearance and community amenities.”

While discussing transformation, one important aspect the city wanted to preserve was the historic downtown. However, the city also wanted to create a more modern look and feel for the district to attract businesses and residents as well.

“When we looked at infrastructure, we knew our roads, sidewalks and streetscapes needed improvement, and we are still working on this today,” Mayor Myers explained. “If our plan was to attract families and businesses, it was imperative that we were able to accommodate that growth. We improved our trails, sidewalks and worked with private businesses to create programs to improve facades. The appearance of our city center helps define its brand.”

The city applied for a facade enhancement grant from the state, including 22 of the 33 downtown business owners. The

participating business owners paid 20% of the cost to redo the facades of those buildings. The city’s redevelopment commission assisted in the redo by providing approximately $1.2 million toward the facade enhancement.

“We also looked at key investments we could make from the city’s standpoint that would spur growth,” Myers recalled. One of these investments was turning an old bank building into Greenwood’s new city hall. A formerly dilapidated piece of land was transformed into the now popular Old City Park. The community center has become a central downtown attraction following a makeover. A new sports and activity center, Greenwood Fieldhouse, was built on the old Greenwood Middle School.

“The Fieldhouse has special meaning to me,” Myers admitted. “I went to school there. When we were dreaming of how to invest in and develop our downtown, I was adamant that we not just bulldoze these historic structures. But, I am the first to say, we needed to modernize. I believe the two ideas can work together. So we set out to turn it into an amenity that the community could use. An activity center like the Fieldhouse is what made the most sense.”

The Municipal

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers

Greenwood, Ind.’s, downtown has gone from a 75% vacancy rate in 2012 to now being 95% occupied. (Photo provided by the city of Greenwood)

The Fieldhouse includes an elevated indoor running and walking track, two multipurpose turf fields, golf simulators, basketball courts, volleyball courts and pickleball courts. The space is available to rent for parties and events. However, when it comes to preserving the historic nature of the building, certain elements of the original middle school can be seen throughout the design. While approximately 40% of the building is new construction, the facade of the former middle school and gymnasium center court are featured in the Fieldhouse atrium. Exterior walls from the original building also remain.

The Madison is another transformation in Greenwood. As Myers described, “The Madison is exactly what we wanted to happen in Old Town private development spurred by public investment. We are transforming Old Town Greenwood into a vibrant destination.”

It is a $68 million private, mixed-use project consisting of residential units, including condominiums, apartments and townhomes, combined with 18,000 square feet of commercial space spread out between seven new buildings. Preparation is moving along nicely and the plan is for The Madison to open later this year.

The transformation of downtown and improving the city’s vacancy rate has been a priority of Mayor Myers since the day he took office.

“Being from Greenwood I saw the opportunity to improve our city,” Myers stated. “We were in a transition period. We could either do nothing and see Greenwood become another bedroom community, or we could present a new vision and invest in projects that would bring along opportunity for the private sector to bring its businesses and ideas to better Greenwood. It brings me great joy to see our plans come to life.”

It was imperative for the city to undergo a metamorphosis in order to spur expansion and growth. “I believe, and you are seeing it play out in Greenwood and other municipalities across the region, a city needs a core,” Myers explained. “By creating amazing spaces to bring people together, you improve the overall quality of life and that is what businesses are looking for today. We are focused on developing a community where families want to live, work and play. With labor shortages across the nation, business leaders look at their growth strategies in a new way. We are continually working on community improvements to attract and educate a top tier workforce. It is working, too. In the last 12 years, we have created more than 5,000 new jobs in Greenwood. It is not by accident. By developing a safe, affordable and quality city, we have seen great companies locate here.”

Another development project on deck for the city of Greenwood includes the Greenwood Sports Park, including baseball and softball diamonds; a multiuse field for soccer, lacrosse or cricket; a second splash pad; and inclusive playground equipment. The city is getting ready to kick off the Main Street Corridor study. This study will help Greenwood reimagine its “front door.”

Myers shared, “Each day, 24,000 cars travel on Main Street from Five Points to Valle Vista near the I-65 exit. We need to put our best foot forward and make this corridor both visually appealing and safe. I am confident our output will spur new opportunities and safer travel on this critical pathway into Greenwood.

tracks, field

“I am a firm believer that government should not ‘do it all,’” Myers stressed. “We can only create an environment for economic development. We have been so successful that we are more selective now on the kinds of businesses that come to Greenwood.”

Response from the community regarding these developments has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite only having 65,000 residents, last year the Greenwood Parks Department provided 240,000 experiences with its various programs.

“It underscores the level of engagement and appreciation our community has for our investments,” Myers claimed. “I am certain we will meet the same kind of response with the projects we have in the pipeline.”

Greenwood Fieldhouse helps keep the historic downtown in a modernized building. Built on the old Greenwood Middle School, the Fieldhouse kept the exterior walls from the original building as well as facade from the school and gymnasium center court while creating a modern activity center for the community. It includes

and courts for use. (Photo provided by the city of Greenwood)

The Madison is a private $68 million mixed-use development combining residential units and commercial property across seven buildings. It currently remains on track to open this year. (Photo provided by the city of Greenwo

Knoxville drives development with Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes program

By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal

Knoxville’s Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes program aims to spur the development of property for either jobs or economic-catalyst projects.

(Marcus E. Jones/Shutterstock.com)

Rebekah

Enter the Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes program spearheaded by that office. Under the PILOT program, a property’s current property taxes are frozen for a number of years. In some cases, certain items of personal property are included as well. In Knoxville and Knox County, the Payment-In-Lieu-OfTaxes program is targeted at the development of property for either jobs or for creating economic development projects or economic-catalyst projects. In both cases, the goal is to appropriately incentivize business owners and developers to create economic activity where there was none before.

partnerships that are aligned with strategic development priorities and support public benefits and amenities.

The city of Knoxville’s Deputy Economic Development Officer & Urban Designer Rebekah Jane Justice is immersed in this work daily.

Regardless of the project’s location, Justice said PILOT has paid dividends in terms of wins like the growth of multifamily complexes, businesses and other investments like a baseball stadium.

“There’s all this energy and excitement all around our downtown neighborhoods that are along our corridors that lead out of the downtown,” she said. “So, we feel like our incentive program has been a success story.”

(Photo provided by the city of Knoxville)

“My work is focused on public-private partnerships and also connectivity. We’re looking at infrastructure projects, whether they’re city funded, capital base funded or public-private partnerships,” Justice said. “We’re designing infrastructure to connect to the rest of the city network, whether that’s a bus line or greenway, a sidewalk or a new road or parking structure, and fostering those relationships with private development. So we’re really working hand in hand to create placemaking and a creative but efficient experience for residents and businesses.”

PILOT, however, is one tool in the economic development professional’s toolbox. According to Justice, like many American cities, Knoxville has been on a quest to revitalize its downtown. Public-private partnerships can help further that goal, and fortunately, Knoxville leaders have many models to look to for inspiration and guidance on this matter. For instance, Justice said other cities in Tennessee, like Nashville and Chattanooga, have been good case studies for how this economic development incentive can transform areas. She said they’ve forged relationships with leaders in these cities to exchange information and learn from each other.

These connections have been a boon to Knoxville’s PILOT program. Justice said the intention of this tax abatement program was to foster reinvestment in the downtown core, though it’s not exclusively focused on this geography. The project needs to fall within the predefined redevelopment areas the city has identified.

However, Justice said Knoxville is far from complacent. In contrast, it’s being proactive and trying to stay ahead of trends. With changes in the local economy, the incentive program and administrative focuses and goals also have changed and adapted, she said. For instance, they now have what she refers to as a “roadmap to the incentive process.” This means they have multiple applications that help them begin the conversation with the business owner or developer. Justice is also quick to point out that no two projects are alike.

“As we have a new project, we treat every (one) individually. We don’t say, ‘Well, we just had one multifamily project. So we’ll be doing the same for the next one.’ Every site has its different challenges. Every area of town has different needs. So we feel that our new process is really tailored in order to make each project personal to the area and to its intent, not only from the developer but for the investment in our city.”

Generally speaking, Justice said they prioritize projects that incorporate concepts such as connectivity, sustainable growth and affordable and mixed-income housing. At the same time, officials are conscious about not pursuing growth at any cost.

That’s why, according to Justice, they plan to continue with an intentional approach.

“We really want to keep Knoxville unique,” she said. “It’s such a gem of a city with the river downtown, Urban Wilderness and all of these great amenities downtown. So the challenge is how to maintain that identity but also grow and welcome new people and businesses into our community.”

Businesses are considered economic engines in cities and towns. That’s why city leaders look to programs to attract and retain industry as promising tools for growth. To that end, the city of Knoxville’s economic development office strategically uses public resources to leverage quality private investment.

One Riverwalk Apartments sits along the Tennessee riverfront in South Knoxville. This project aligns with the city’s priority to expand the housing supply. (Photo provided by the city of Knoxville)

Jane Justice said the city of Knoxville values public-private

An urban oasis: Reprieve in the middle of Dutch Country

Lancaster, Pa., offers a wide range of community gatherings throughout the year, and the city’s general walkability makes it accessible for the young and young at heart. (Photo provided by the city of Lancaster, Pa.)

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country and known as one of the oldest inland cities in the United States, Lancaster, Pa., is reported to be a great place to live, work, stay and play. Rich in history, heritage and culture, this small-town, bustling community offers endless opportunities for the young and young at heart.

“We have a little bit of everything,” said Amber “Landcaster” Strazzo, city communications and marketing manager. “Although we are in Lancaster County, which is known for its farming community, the city itself is pretty urban.”

A compact city

With a population of 60,000 across its 7.4 square miles and a median age of 32, Lancaster is home to young professionals and families while still being considered one of the best places in the nation to retire. Lancaster may be compact, but it has as much to offer as its larger counterparts. It is walkable, affordable and offers opportunity for everyone. Major employers include Penn Medicine General Health, Fulton Bank, Franklin and Marshall College, and Armstrong Flooring; however, there are also a lot of people working in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

According to DJ Ramsay, communications manager with Mayor Danene Sorace’s office, Lancaster’s 90,000-square-foot convention center attracts a wide range of visitors who stay at the adjoining Marriott Hotel and enjoy browsing nearby shops and dining at the robust food scene, not to mention the longest continually operating farmer’s market in the nation.

“A lot of people are surprised to learn that we don’t have a lot of chains, but we do have a huge farm-to-table scene and ethnic restaurants from nearly every continent on the planet,” he said.

The Lancaster Central Market is the oldest continually operating farmer’s market in the country. The building has been restored to its original period, and it is a must-see for everyone traveling through the area. (Photo provided by the city of Lancaster, Pa.)

Throughout the year, Lancaster offers a range of events including Celebrate Lancaster, which is held on the last Friday in June and celebrates the city’s unique culture. First Fridays and Music Fridays

As a certified welcoming community, Lancaster is committed to making sure that everyone is engaged. Here, citizens put stickers on the issues that are most important to them.

showcase the city’s vibrant arts scene, and the Red Rose Run 5-mile race takes place throughout the city and Lancaster County Central Park.

“We also have a huge art festival on Labor Day, which is one of the top juried art shows in the country,” Ramsay said. “The level of talent that comes here is outrageous.”

One of the biggest events is the Zenkaikon annual celebration of anime, science fiction, fantasy, comics and games. The three-day event came to Lancaster about 10 years ago and has been there ever since. Ramsay said the event’s executive team commended the city and convention center teams for their hospitality and said attendees enjoy returning.

“People have had really good experiences here, and it’s always nice to see lots of teenagers running around in costumes having a great time,” he added.

A welcoming home

Although it already provides a high quality of life for its residents, not to mention plenty to see and do for those who may visit, Lancaster is always looking for ways in which to improve. In 2019, the city received a $9.1 million HUD grant to remove lead paint from homes that were built prior to the 1970s. Since 2020, over 123 homes have been cleared. There are 30 more that are in progress and 10 more in the pipeline.

More recently, the city received $12.7 million, the largest federal grant it has ever been awarded, to make city streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

“We have a lot of one-way streets, and we are studying them to determine if they might be safer if they are converted to two-way streets. We are also upgrading intersections and crosswalks to keep children safe while walking to school,” Ramsay said. “We have a great team and we have attracted a lot of federal funding for our initiatives, which is great for a city of our size.”

Lancaster is part of the network of Certified Welcoming Cities in the U.S. Due in part to its religious heritage, it boasts a 300-year-long history of opening its arms to anyone who wants to call the city home,

and it has been called as “America’s refugee capital” for resettling 20 more refugees per capita than the rest of the country. The city completed an intensive evaluation to achieve the designation through Welcoming America, a nonprofit leading a national movement of inclusive communities where everyone belongs and succeeds, including refugees and immigrants.

Lancaster’s local policies and programs were compared to the comprehensive Welcoming Standard, an extensive guideline for building welcoming communities in seven framework categories: Government Leadership, Equitable Access, Civic Engagement, Connected Communities, Education, Economic Development and Safe Communities.

“We are really proud of that distinction,” Ramsay said. “We are setting a standard of what a welcoming city and county look like. Refugees and immigrants are traditionally left out of the process, but in Lancaster, we are bringing them into every aspect of municipal life. The mayor has really focused on that.”

Ramsay said that a big part of what makes the city of Lancaster so unique is that it feels different from other communities.

“We have a long history of being able to work together across party lines and cultural lines and that always benefits the community,” he said.

ABOVE & BELOW: Lancaster, Pa., is proud of its food scene and its cuisine represents nearly every continent on the planet and is as diverse as the people. (Photos provided by the city of Lancaster, Pa.)

(Photo provided by the city of Lancaster, Pa.)

High-tech training with simulation in motion — SIM-IA

By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal

Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel in Iowa are singing the praises of the new Simulation in Motion-Iowa training program. SIM-IA brings mobile, lifelike clinical simulation to health care providers in their clinical settings instead of requiring staff to travel to simulation centers.

The model also allows more health care professionals to train together, and the simulations can be customized to their individual situations. A 2019 needs assessment by the University of Iowa College of Nursing found that EMS and hospital education in the state is at a critical juncture.

SIM-IA’s website, https://SIM-IA.uiowa.edu, states, “While all respondents agreed about the importance of continuing education for EMS and hospital providers, few had the funding to provide the educational training.” They found that less than 40% of Iowa hospitals and EMS agencies provide any real-world simulation training and instead offered the majority of continuing education via online or in-person lectures.

Many Iowa EMS agencies are volunteer programs and over half have no funds budgeted for employee or volunteer educational training. But thanks to an $8 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Foundation, SIM-IA could purchase three custom mobile units, which arrived in June 2022.

Sioux City

Terry Ragaller, training officer for fire rescue in Sioux City, Iowa, said it was a chance encounter that connected his unit to SIM-IA.

About a year ago the fire rescue members were looking for ways to increase pediatric training. Ragaller heard about the SIM buses and that Iowa City had one. When he called the city, he found out that a place was needed to house a bus.

“I asked the powers that be, and they said yes,” he recalled, so he worked with the University of Iowa, which is now housing one of the mobile units.

Ragaller said SIM-IA did a trial run last year during the Register’s Annual Great Bike Race Across Iowa, sponsored by the Des Moines Register. The SIM-IA bus followed along the bike route, starting in Sioux City.

“The clinicians kept hitting locations along the way, introducing the bus to agencies that didn’t know about it. Our guys loved it — they ate it up!”

Ragaller said there are two different parts to the bus. One part is set up like a clinic or emergency room and the other like an ambulance, allowing the staff to train two patients at once.

At the core of the training is state-of-the-art Laerdal mannequins. “They can talk, take breaths, have interchangeable skin and the learning curve isn’t steep,” Ragaller said.

The mannequins come in different age group, from a neo-natal infant to a geriatric patient and everything in between. He said when the staff had their simulation training, they worked on an adult with a leg injury and a small child who fell off a bike and had a head injury. “It was great to have the opportunity to do both.”

Ragaller explained in the past, Sioux City had a 911 provider. Five years ago, however, the company decided it was getting out of the emergency response business.

“The city had less than six months to provide services: They decided to take over and absorb it into the fire department, so the training equipment was not where it should be for an ambulance service,” he recalled.

Sioux City recently approved acquisition of the same mannequin simulation equipment that is on the bus. “It’s high-fidelity — much more realistic. Most agencies don’t have near to what we have,” he said. “We just mirrored what the SIM bus had.”

Even though Sioux City is now housing one of the mobile units, it’s not there for residents’ exclusive use. “It’s just a good anchor point for them,” said Ragaller. “Their goal is to hit all 99 counties every year. There are three buses, and each bus can cover 33 counties in a year.”

“They want to bring the training to communities that have never had this level of it,” he added. “It’s huge for rural providers to train on this — even smaller hospitals. It’s great for every agency and hospital to have this.”

Ragaller has been a paramedic for 23 years. Before moving to Iowa, he lived in Michigan and said the local agency had “nothing remotely like this. This is rare for us to be able to do and the unique thing is, it doesn’t cost the agency anything. This is all free!”

He agreed that pediatric training, specifically, is lacking across the state. Sioux City is the fourth largest municipality in the state, but in the smaller cities and towns, many are volunteer EMS providers with full-time jobs.

According to him, some agencies currently only train once a month, and that training is comprised of just a training video. “I can watch a cooking show, but that doesn’t mean I know how to make a quiche,” he quipped.

Medics from Wings, the medical helicopter service that flies out of Sioux City, Iowa, participated in the SIM-IA training with the Sioux City Fire Rescue; here, they train with the infant mannequin. (Photo provided)

Sioux City Fire Rescue trained on this child mannequin from SIM-IA. According to Training Officer Terry Ragaller, one scenario they used was that the child fell off his bike and had a head injury. (Photo provided)

“High-quality training for them is few and far between, and SIM-IA is very realistic training. Then, it tests your skills and knowledge and comments on how to improve,” he explained.

The mobile SIM-IA busses have the goal of going out two or three days a week, but that depends on staffing. He said program staff put a call out to doctors, nurses and EMS providers to man the busses and oversee the training.

Johnson County Ambulance Service covers wide area with SIM-IA Chelsea Owens, a paramedic and field training officer for the Johnson County Ambulance Service, said her unit’s service covers a large response area that includes Iowa City, North Liberty, Coralville, Solon, West Branch and Lone Tree. She said JCAS been connected with SIM-IA awhile because it helped with the Kirkwood Community College paramedic program that Owens went through.

Before JCAS acquired the buses, she and Education Supervisor Alicia Meador visited their warehouse and home base where all of the mannequins were stored. “They looked awesome for what we needed so we asked them to come and do the training.”

In June, about 30 EMTs and paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service went through the training. Meador said they trained on several respiratory scenarios.

“The mannequins are about as lifelike as you can get without using a real human. You can hear lung sounds; they can be made to wheeze. You can take blood pressure, feel a pulse: They blink, and their pupils can change. It made our scenarios very lifelike and much easier to simulate,” she explained.

Each mannequin has its own computer system that can be changed on the fly. It can be made to “crash,” or lose a pulse: At the touch of a button the heart rate can be changed from a computer. Male, female and baby mannequins are available, including one that can simulate giving birth.

Owens said the SIM-IA mannequins are “one of the best trainings we can give our service providers because they are so lifelike and realistic.”

She added that, unfortunately, the mannequins at JCAS can’t be made to breathe or feel a pulse and using them for training is more talking them through than hands-on. But according to Owens, having that practical, hands-on training for staff will make it much easier for them the first time they deal with a situation when they have an anaphylactic allergic reaction which they don’t have very often. “Running those scenarios on a real-life mannequin is better than having their first time be out in the field.”

Owens said she’s never seen training this sophisticated. The EMS program at Kirkwood Community College had similar mannequins, but they were more geared to nursing students.

“I’ve never seen anything specifically for EMS and paramedics and by far this is the best I’ve seen personally.”

Laerdal, the company that makes the mannequins, stated that they are designed to allow those training to experience how it feels to perform an airway procedure with appropriate resistance, including the feel of wet or stiff lungs, especially on neo-natal mannequins, to assist with first breaths. The software contains pre-programmed scenarios, or instructors can adjust the mannequin’s vital signs, sounds and many other features. It includes a data log and notes section.

Cedar Rapids trains with both Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Olesen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shared that his department has had the opportunity to train with both the SIM-IA and the Kirkwood Community College simulators. He sees advantages to both programs.

He said the city has used simulation training with “simple, lowfidelity CPR mannequins for a long time,” where they could practice chest compressions, ventilating, etc. As simulation aids improved, they acquired mannequins on which providers could perform advanced cardiac care, insert an IV and do needle compressions to help train for high-risk, low-frequency events. “We saw some success with that,” he said.

Kirkwood Community College has the Katz Family Health Care Simulation Center. Olesen compared it to the SIM-IA and said both have “almost shockingly lifelike simulation aids. The ‘patients’ talk to you, they can respond to treatment or not respond, if not treated appropriately. As the quality of simulation aids improve, it reimagines the way we do EMS training.”

An adult mannequin simulator, a part of the SIM-IA program, can be programmed to have life-like responses. It is a high-tech training tool for medical providers. Thanks to a grant from the Helmsley Charitable Society, the training is free of charge and the mobile units travel to the providers’ locations across the state. (Photo provided)

Olesen said many of the mannequins can be attached to cardiac monitors, be started on IVs, administered fluids or medications and actually respond to these. “You can set up any training event you want to simulate,” he said.

One of the big challenges EMTs have is trepidation about treating pediatric patients, he noted, and pediatric mannequins are a great opportunity to “get a lifelike response so they’re better prepared to deal with those challenging calls.”

Active threat drills

Olesen said the Cedar Rapids Fire Department conducted an active threat scenario in Kirkwood’s building using mannequins, and that in some ways it was better than using humans. He explained when using humans were acting out the scenario they had to memorize a script, and the service provider had to stop interacting with the human patient when it was time to administer treatment. The providers also had to use a chicken bone to simulate a leg bone and practice inserting a needle. But with the SIM-IA or Kirkwood mannequins, they can interview bystander and talk to patients while treating. “Just like if it were a real critical care situation.”

He said the mannequins are so lifelike he observes the effects of stress on the providers. “You see the providers thinking hard. Some break out in a sweat: It’s challenging and provides realism to the call. This prepares them to be better providers.”

Twenty years ago, when Olesen was going through paramedic training, he said they learned the skills, but it was challenging to simulate the stress and challenge of a real patient. Instructors would look for ways to add stress to the learning environment, like playing loud music or starting a scenario and then abruptly switching it to help with decision-making under stress.

“We’re not trying to make it hard on the providers, we just want them to be prepared for real life. It will ultimately make them better providers,” he explained.

Olesen said the advantage of the SIM-IA program is the grant that is associated with it so there’s no cost to the agencies. He also likes that it can be brought to wherever the agency providers are. He said that when the department sends new hires through the Kirkwood program, there are different rates for the training.

With the increasing complexity of simulation aids, even if Cedar Rapids could purchase their own for the department, Olesen doesn’t think he’d have the staff to take advantage of all the possibilities. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department has 145 employees, nine fire stations and runs 15,000 calls for service each year, and all of the personnel are career firefighters. There are no volunteers. A lot of the personnel are volunteer firefighters in the surrounding communities where their homes are located, however.

SIM-IA can go to those remote, small and mostly volunteer departments at a time that works best for them — at their monthly meeting night, for example.

“They don’t have to leave the community unprotected or worry about staffing,” he said. “This kind of cutting-edge, high-fidelity training was not possible — ever — until SIM-IA able to do it.”

“Providing quality, affordable training to volunteers has always been a challenge, one of the known gaps. This is not the only answer, but it is an answer and it has been very effective,” Olesen said.

Timeline for Simulation in Motion-IA

• March 2019 A statewide needs assessment begins and is supported by a grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust. A Simulation in Motion-Iowa needs assessment for Iowa Emergency Medical Responders, rural hospitals and critical access hospitals begins.

• March 2020 The statewide needs assessment final report was submitted to the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

• October 2020 $8 million grant proposal submitted to Helmsley Charitable Trust.

• January 2021 Proposal is accepted, and the grant begins.

• February 2021 Three custom mobile simulation trucks are ordered.

• December 2021 First shipment of human simulators arrived.

• April 2022 Iowa City office established.

• June 2022 First SIM-IA custom truck arrived.

• June 21, 2022 A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and state lawmakers, University of Iowa administration representatives, Helmsley representatives, the SIM-IA team and supporters gathered at the Des Moines capital for the ceremony.

Source: https://SIM-IA.uiowa.edu/about/project-timeline

And of course, such high-tech training is not only good for the providers, but for all residents. As Ragaller said about the community, “When they call 911, they can be confident the people responding are the best trained.”

One of the SIM-IA instructors mans the computers in the mobile unit on their initial tour last summer. (Photo provided)

Neighborhood Challenge Grant enriches Pensacola neighborhoods

By BETH ANNE BRINK-COX | The Municipal

Every once in a while, a person likes to spruce up their surroundings, and so do municipalities. Pensacola, Fla., is no different in that sentiment. The city has obtained the funding and done careful planning to make it happen, and for about the last 20 years, improvements have been achieved through the Pensacola Neighborhood Challenge Grant.

Kelsey Powell serves as community liaison and outreach coordinator for the city, following some solid years as an English instructor. Three years into his position, he said he still enjoys it. “But it depends on what day of the week it is. The first year was a bit of a learning curve, although the process is pretty self-explanatory.”

“I enjoy meeting people. I have to be careful though,” he joked. “I don’t have hair, so I can’t lie and say I pulled my hair out solving a situation for them.”

Powell said the Pensacola Neighborhood Challenge Grant started around 2008 or 2009.

“It was instituted by the city council to help with beautification and homeowner improvements. It was as simple as having available funding, although that’s a big thing. The city allocated $50,000 a year, and the neighborhood association does a twoto-one matching grant. That means the city covers two-thirds and the rest can be cash, in-kind donations or the contribution of labor,” he said. “Right now, labor is worth $20 an hour. And it’s a great opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other. They schedule community workdays to clear parks, plant things and so on. It’s sweat equity. It not only makes the neighborhoods

look better, it improves their relationships with each other.”

The grants cover pretty much what you’d expect, Powell added. “Signage, sidewalk improvements, all kinds of things that make an area more attractive. The neighborhoods are all kinds, to be honest. There are several subdivisions, and one is a historic neighborhood, part business and part historic homes.

“Two Christmases ago in a neighborhood known as the Blocks, which was a big African-American community in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, funds were awarded, and the business owners and neighbors got together to help with cleaning up the streets and putting up lights. They even hired electricians. It was all real pretty for Christmas, from Thanksgiving to the beginning of the new year.”

ABOVE: Looking at Pensacola from the air, it’s easy to see how much scope there is for projects and other improvements. (Photo by Kaycee Lagarde)

The Blocks is a very special part of Pensacola history. For the first half of the 20th century, it was known as the “Harlem of the South,” a thriving district west of downtown with businesses, entertainment, civic organizations and residences an asset worth preserving and celebrating.

Pensacola, Powell said, is a pretty happy place. “The Navy comes through Pensacola for training, and there are a lot of military retirees here, so we didn’t have a lot of blight. This was just an opportunity once the money was available.”

The grant money covers more than a person might think. According to a city program sheet, in addition to physical improvements, the money can be used for activities like family and home safety training, drug and fire prevention programs, cultural exhibit areas, literacy programs, computer labs, after-school enrichment programs, music, dance and art training. Powell helps evaluate the applications, checking “to make sure every ‘t’ is crossed and every ‘i’ is dotted. I make sure it’s a viable project, and then it’s forwarded to a committee that will decide if it can be funded.”

Then Powell takes it a step further. “Sometimes they can’t be funded because of the nature of the project. But just because the city can’t do it doesn’t mean there might not be some other money available to help. If it’s not eligible through this program we say ‘Hey, let’s try this or maybe that other funding.’ There’s always a way to do things. And if you have a clear vision for where you want to go, and how, well, essentially you have a roadmap.”

Applications for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Pensacola Neighborhood Challenge Grant will be accepted through June 30.

“We get more inquiries than anything,” Powell said. “We probably get, I’d say maybe eight or 10 applications a year. There are only be 25 or 30 associations within the city limit, so eight or 10 is actually quite a lot. And the associations can only be awarded every other year.”

According to Powell, there can be obstacles to solve in the proposed projects.

“The biggest hurdle associations run into would be the requirement that it has to be on city-owned property or association-owned property. Say some group wants to put up a ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ sign, but it’s on state property, or there is infrastructure

underneath. That would complicate it or even make it impossible.”

“We had one a couple of years ago concerning Carpenters Creek, which was protected by the federal and the state government,” he said. There are some pretty places to live around there, and they wanted to remove some vegetation so there could be better views of the creek. But that probably would have caused erosion issues and threaten the property, which we couldn’t let happen. The plan was not feasible because of the potential dangers to Carpenters Creek. But I do my best to be sure they get funded, to come up with some other way to get the results. If we can’t do what they first ask, we offer alternate means,

or ask them to bring back another form of proposal with the right kind of changes.”

The city’s ultimate goal is to give as many people what they want as is possible.

“Neighborhoods can apply every other cycle. If some people have a big master plan, they might break it up and do one component, and then when they can, come back and apply the next time to do another one.”

Pat Fogg did that with the Montage of Pensacola Homeowners Association. Over a 20-year period, an area on Spanish trail has seen the completion of a gazebo, a roof over association mailboxes, a flagpole in front of the entrance and sidewalks that now comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act,

This boat ramp is one of many in the Pensacola area and is a part of Bayview Park. In the last few years, there have been wonderful improvements there, such as a senior center, a community center and activities for all ages, such as the Panhandle Nerf Club. (Photo by Kaycee Lagarde)

making it easier for residents to walk around their area. Powell said that was exactly how the projects were done: in increments, “It’s really nice there now.”

He suggested that any town wanting to start something like this plan begin with the money.

“Find where your funding can come from first. Ours comes from the general fund, and anything left over in a fiscal year gets rolled over for the next time. We can accept a request from someone who’s started a project: They can ask for what was allotted before, to let them finish what was begun. I don’t think it’s difficult to get something like this started, really. You decide what the rules will be.

“There have to be multiple bids. You have to be competitive and be transparent throughout the process. You have to have a council and an elected body. But make sure that funding is in place first and then come up with your criteria.”

Powell laughed when he said, “Sometimes people will call for updates. I discovered what I call ‘the speed of government.’ There has to be due diligence, you have to make sure everything is okay, legal and viable. You have to wait on the individuals who do that and let them do that due diligence. It doesn’t always happen in a week, or even a month. I try to give a weekly update, a quick call, a ‘Hey, this is where we are.’”

However long it takes, residents might begin look around and see what they can do to realize improvements and beautifications in their

In previous years, this park has also benefited from improvements, such as the addition of a computer kiosk that allows visitors to look up names. There is a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, surrounded by a beautiful flag circle.

own backyard. If the city gets involved, their ideas just might come to fruition the way they have in Pensacola.

(Photo by Kaycee Lagarde)

Recent Success Stories

CMEEC announces initiative to bring natural gas-fired power station online

By STACI REAFSYNDER | The Municipal

Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative has taken a stance for communities first with its motto of “Public Power equals communities first.” As a public power entity, CMEEC is a nonprofit that provides electrical services to multiple cities’ utilities and participating wholesale customers.

CMEEC recently announced its initiative to bring a natural gas-fired power station online to provide power to its electrical utility members on Dec. 16, 2022.

“The Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CMEEC”) is pleased to announce that its 7.4 MW fuel cell power generation project located on property leased from the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in New London, Conn., (SUBASE) achieved commercial operations effective Dec. 16, 2022,” CMEEC’s press release states. “The natural gas-fired fuel cell project will supply power to CMEEC’s municipal electric utility members and will also enhance the reliability of electric service provided to the SUBASE by CMEEC member Groton Utilities, whose public power electric distribution system is interconnected to the project.”

According CMEEC’s December 2022 press release, the fuel cells will enhance SUBASE’s ability to sustain critical loads and ensure a resilient source of electric power in the event of a broader grid outage. This effort is a collaboration between CMEEC, Groton Utilities and CMEEC’s partner, Groton station Fuel Cell LLC, which is a subsidiary of Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy Inc.

“The 7.4 MW fuel cell project supplies clean, Connecticut Class I Renewable power to CMEEC’s member utilities while also enhancing the reliability of electric service provided to the Naval Submarine Base New London located in Groton, Conn.,” Michael Rall, director of asset management, said. “Under normal operations, the power provided by the fuel cells flows to the Groton Utilities distribution system and reduces the amount of energy CMEEC would otherwise

purchase on behalf of its member utilities. In the event of a broader grid outage affecting the submarine base, Navy personnel have the ability and access to isolate the submarine base and utilize the energy output from the fuel cells along with their other sources of power generation to ensure continued operations of critical infrastructure.”

According to Rall, future plans for the project include further automation, allowing the submarine base to “island” itself from the utility grid, creating a micro-grid capable of automatically controlling power generation resources and electric loads, including the fuel cells.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s decarbonization goals for Connecticut will be furthered by the clean energy output of the fuel cells from the natural gas-fired power station.

CMEEC was formed in 1976 by Connecticut’s municipal electrical utilities and is currently governed by six member utilities: the cities of Groton and Norwich, the borough of Jewett city, Bozrah Light & Power Company, and the Second (South Norwalk) and Third (East Norwalk) Taxing Districts of Norwalk. Currently, CMEEC oversees power supply contracts, financing, acquisition, construction and operation of generating resources. Its range of power sources includes fossil-fueled generators, nuclear plants, and hydroelectric stations in Connecticut, as well as large power dams in Canada and New York, to provide power to its members and wholesale customers.

“CMEEC provides wholesale power and related requirements to member utilities as well as to the Mohegan Tribal Utility Authority and major electric customers in and beyond Connecticut,” according to cmeec.com, the cooperative’s website.

CMEEC states its vision is to be a leading energy solutions partner, adding economic value and environmental sustainability to the communities it serves. Its core values are to be accountable, adaptable and curious, as well as to collaborate and pursue excellence.

“CMEEC is a consumer-directed joint action agency that provides electric services to its member municipal utilities and participating wholesale customers,” Rall said. “CMEEC provides affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions through its energy hedging practices and ownership/participation in various energy and transmission projects.”

According to its website, CMEEC aims to provide affordable and sustainable energy solutions to meet the changing needs of its members and stakeholders. Its mission is to advocate for public power and promote joint actions while also leveraging the benefits of scale to provide reliable energy solutions.

CMEEC follows an all-requirements model, which means its member utilities are obligated to purchase almost all of their electric power requirements from CMEEC. This approach fosters a joint action agency that possesses cooperative strengths crucial to CMEEC’s interactions with other utilities, the investment community and other stakeholders in the energy industry, according to its website.

“CMEEC’s model has allowed for its member municipal utilities to combine their loads and power supply to achieve savings and scale needed to effectively participate in local and regional projects, something they likely otherwise would not have the resources to do on an individual scale,” Rall said. “Along with ownership/ participation in various energy and transmission projects, this has allowed the member municipal utilities to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions to their end-use customers while being vital partners in their respective communities and key drivers for local economic development.”

Municipal utilities are not run for the purpose of shareholder profit, unlike private corporations. Neither CMEEC nor the municipal utilities have shareholders. Instead, the customers and citizens of the municipality are considered the “shareholders” of the municipal utilities.

“Under the contracts, money paid to CMEEC for community electricity goes to pay the real costs of obtaining the power, such as direct power production costs, basic staffing costs, power plant financing costs, and costs of entering into more beneficial power supply contracts with regional suppliers,” cmeec.com states. “Importantly, money collected by CMEEC under rates for electricity supplied to municipals includes no so-called profit or shareholder dividends. Municipals are charged a rate based on the actual cost of obtaining power with an additional percentage capped by state statute.”

Since 2013, CMEEC has expanded its market areas and is currently providing electrical services to customers and communities outside of Connecticut. With its vision to be a leading energy solutions partner, adding economic value and environmental sustainability to the communities it serves, CMEEC is taking a stance for communities first with its motto of “Public Power equals communities first.”

The Second and Third Taxing Districts of Norwalk are governing members of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative. (Miro Vrlik Photography/Shutterstock.com)

Parks department and hospital team up to create healthier community in Georgia city

By JENNIFER BARTON | The Municipal

Parks and recreation departments across the country promote healthy lifestyles within their communities, and Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department in Georgia is accomplishing this through a partnership with Northside Hospital. The relationship has enabled the parks department to provide new wellness-boosting programs and expand those already in place.

The partnership came about five years ago when the hospital approached Morgan Rodgers, director of the city of Alpharetta Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services, to help it achieve greater public outreach. The parks department already had strong wellness programs in place, particularly in the area of youth sports, and Northside saw the partnership as a means to reach out to the community.

For his part, Rodgers saw the parks department benefiting from partnering with what he called a “major player in the Atlanta area,” so both sides sat down and hammered out a deal. Northside would donate a certain percentage of money from its foundation each year to the Alpharetta parks, which the department would put toward free fitness programs scheduled around the city.

The fitness programs are held outdoors as often as possible to take advantage of the correlation between health and the fresh air and sunshine. The classes encourage those who might not be able to afford gym memberships to work out with friends, family members or attend by themselves. Alpharetta also placed fitness circuits in certain parks: The fitness equipment, strategically placed near children’s

No study has ever shown that physical wellness decreases a person’s happiness and productivity, but many have demonstrated the opposite.

ABOVE: Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department has embraced community partnerships to provide wellness-boosting programs and expand those already in place. (Photo provided by the city of Alpharetta)

TOP PHOTO: Building partnerships on mutual goals — such as promoting healthy lifestyles — has proven to be a win-win for the Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department and its community. (Photo provided by the city of Alpharetta)

playground equipment, allows busy parents and their children to stay active while keeping the children near their parents.

Around 120 fitness classes such as Zumba and yoga are being offered year-round in parks throughout the community. One class became so popular that it twice outgrew its designated outdoor space. Some of the classes take place right downtown in the heart of Alpharetta, while others are held at parks whose only other purpose is to access the greenway.

Another unique way the parks department put Northside’s funding to use came in the form of a greenhouse at Old Rucker Park and Farm. The 10-acre lot and structure are dedicated to growing produce for the local community, particularly the food banks, and with the addition of the greenhouse it can now grow fruits and vegetables from seed. Additionally, the farm collaborates with nearby Cambridge High School to teach students agricultural skills, “so that greenhouse has really allowed us to be a 12-month operation at our farm,” Rodgers commented.

He believes that partnerships are important, as evidenced by the fact that Alpharetta Parks and Recreation works with other

organizations as well. When an organization approaches him about a potential partnership, the main question he asks is: “What do you hope to get out of it?” As long as parties are able to explain their goals, he is more than willing to help achieve them.

Most of the time, he has found partnership to be possible. Since Rodgers wants long-term commitments, he works hard to cultivate relationships in the beginning so that sustaining them through the years becomes easier, as it has with Northside Hospital.

“I think you have to be kind of open to those partnerships, and sometimes you have to think outside the proverbial box,” he said.

One of the main reasons the partnership with Northside has worked so well is because all parties have the same goal in mind: a healthier Alpharetta.

Around the city, Rodgers is more commonly known by the unofficial title of “director of fun,” and he wants to make physical wellness enjoyable for all people. He sneaks the word “fun” into every conversation he has, as those he encounters on a regular basis have learned. It has become something of a buzz word for the Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department and is part of its larger motto.

“We want to be cool, we want to live well, and we want to have fun. Those are the things we’re always trying for. And Northside checks all those boxes,” he said.

By offering fitness classes, installing fitness equipment and playgrounds that are conveniently located for nearly all residents, and building and maintaining an adaptive playground at a local school, the Alpharetta parks department now offers to residents the tools for a healthy lifestyle that are little more than a 10-minute walk away. Northside Hospital helped make that happen.

“It’s just a win-win for everybody,” Rodgers remarked. “Northside wins, we win, and our citizens, in fact, are the ones who’ve just hit the jackpot with all of this.”

Northside Hospital has been a major partnership for Alpharetta’s parks department. The hospital’s support has enabled the department to offer free fitness programs around the city. (Photo provided by the city of Alpharetta)

A young park goer plays on playground equipment at one of Alpharetta’s parks. (Photo provided by the city of Alpharetta)

Wisconsin city races transit fleet toward EV

Bus riders might be inspired to do the “Electric Slide” when they see the slogan, ELECTRIC RYDE. This slogan is proudly displayed on Racine’s electric buses. (Photo by Varitay Studios)

By BETH ANNE BRINK-COX | The Municipal

Racine, Wis., was awarded nearly $3.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Vehicle Program in August. The money was used to add four more electric buses to the municipal inventory, bringing its fixedroute fleet to nearly 40% zero emission.

Prior to the grant, Racine already had the most electric buses of any fleet in the state, with nine.

What was formerly known as the Belle Urban System now offers a chance to “Enjoy the RYDE” as it says on the sides of the new, brilliantly colored buses. The idea was to get passengers to look differently at the buses and how they could fit mass transit into their lifestyles. The initiative was designed along the lines of trolleys seen in other towns, and hopes to replace the old prosaic designs of buses and streetcars.

Trevor Jung, Racine transit and mobility director, said that from 2018 to today, the city has secured over $15 million to transition approximately 40% of its transit fleet from fossil fuel-powered to allelectric buses.

“Nine Proterra ZX5+ buses are currently operating in revenue service in Racine, while four additional buses are on order as a result of the most recent program grant award. These electric buses have replaced, or will replace, diesel buses that have met their useful life by operating 12 years in service with over 500,000 miles.”

Jung explained, “The city of Racine’s electric bus program was launched to serve the public in April of 2022, and the EV buses have been on the road since then, meeting the service needs of the public transit system. As these vehicles are newly minted, and have 30% less parts, savings are significant in maintenance and fuel expenditures. Also, 10 of Racine’s existing bus routes are shorter than the available battery range, so there have not been major issues with running out of power mid-route or needing to recharge midday. Because these buses charge overnight, power costs are also lower due to decreased demand for electricity after dark. Overall, the EV bus transition has been a smooth roll out.”

As expected, and proven by the 30% fewer parts in the newer models, technology has improved since the first buses were purchased. Jung added, “Battery technology is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. Our bus configuration on our latest order compared to just two years prior is indicative of the constant innovation in the battery industry. In terms of reception from drivers and passengers, the RYDE Racine community has shown excitement for this new and modern fleet. Our drivers have expressed gratitude for making major investments in the transit system, and our passengers notice the quiet and clean appeal of our new EV bus fleet.”

And there is apparently no stopping the city’s progress toward full fleet electrification.

This is just one of the new low-emission vehicles that Racine used its grant to procure. The grant added four more electric buses to its fleet, which brings its fixed-route fleet to nearly 40% zero emission. And there are plans for more in the works.

“RYDE Racine has prepared a long-term Fleet Transition Plan that meets FTA requirements,” Jung said. “The plan includes information from RYDE Racine’s Capital Improvement Plan, Transit Asset Management Plan and the Transportation Improvement Plan: These plans and documents illustrate the need to replace aging diesel buses with the potential of an all-electric fleet by 2033. RYDE Racine’s FTP follows FTA’s useful life benchmarks to determine when existing diesel buses are eligible to be replaced with new zero-emission buses.

“The city of Racine has committed to the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, and RYDE Racine believes in the principles of savings, service and sustainability. These commitments will result in the continued effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” he promised.

Indeed, once zero emission transit buses have replaced all the diesel buses in Racine’s fleet, the carbon footprint will be reduced by approximately 922 tons annually.

As with any update in technology, what at first seems impossible becomes the norm as innovations are tested and more is learned. Cleaner forms of energy are becoming options in every aspect of peoples’ lives. Simply saying “but we’ve always done it this way” is no longer a good answer, Jung said; Racine has looked into the future, projecting 10 years ahead.

By the time April 2033 rolls along, there will probably be other new programs and implementations in place in Racine and among other municipal fleets, maybe including things that once seemed the stuff of science fiction or cartoon flying cars. Until then, passengers can catch a RYDE in Racine and experience the future here and now.

Electric vehicles are continually in the news and being discussed everywhere, whether they’re for private use or, increasingly, replacing traditional cars and buses for city usage.

(Photo by Varitay Studios)

To list your upcoming conference or seminar in The Municipal at no charge, call (800) 733-4111, ext. 2307, or email the information to swright@the-papers.com.

May 1-4 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.

https://www.actexpo.com/

May 3-5 Labor Relations Institute

Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Wash.

https://wacities.org/eventseducation/conferences/laborrelations-institute

May 8-11 Maryland Rural Water Association 31st Annual Convention

Fontainebleau Resort, Ocean City, Md.

https://www.md-rwa.org/ annual-conference/

May 9-11 Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference 2023 Murfreesboro, Tenn. https://www.iafc.org/events

May 10-13 Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention Birmingham, Ala. https://www.almonline.org/

May 11 NAPO’s Legislative Update Breakfast & Annual Lobby Day

Washington, D. C.

https://www.napo.org/events/ upcoming-events/

May 12 30th Annual Top Cops Awards Dinner

Washington, D.C. https://www.napo.org/events/ upcoming-events

MAY JUNE

May 15-18 AASHTO Spring Meeting

Hyatt Regency Seattle, Seattle, Wash.

https://policy.transportation. org/aashto-spring-meeting/

May 15-18 NCRWA 46th Annual Conference & Exhibition

Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, N.C. https://www.ncrwa.org/

May 17-19 NACo Western Interstate Region Conference Washington County, Utah https://www.naco.org/ events/2023-westerninterstate-region-wirconference

May 17-19 NYCOM 2023 Annual Meeting

Sagamore Hotel, Bolton Landing, N.Y. https://www.nycom.org/ training/annual-convention

May 17-20 California Association of Recreation & Park Districts Conference

Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite, Calif. https://www.caparkdistricts. org/2023-carpd-conference

May 18-20 Annual Meeting & Leadership Summit Expo

Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, N.Y. https://www.afdsny.org/ attendee_information.php

May 18-21 WSFFA 100th Annual Conference & Fire School

Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee, Wash.

https://www.wsffa.org/annualfire-school/

May 21-25 CTAA Expo 2023 Oklahoma City, Okla. https://ctaa.org/expo/

May 22-24 Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management Annual Conference

Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa.

https://www.apmm.net/eventsand-registration

May 22-24 New York Rural Water Association 44th Annual Technical Training Workshop & Exhibition

The Lake Placid Conference Center, Lake Placid, N.Y. https://www.nyruralwater.org/ conference

May 22-25 Cleanpower 2023 Conference & Exhibition

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La. https://cleanpower.org/events/

May 22-25 Government Fleet Expo & Conference

Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, Dallas, Texas https://www. governmentfleetexpo.com/

May 23-25 ARWA Joint Annual Technical Training Conference Orange Beach, Ala. https://alruralwater.events/ event/15

May 24-26 MEPAV Annual Conference

Hilton Garden Inn, Virginia Beach, Va.

https://www.mepav.org/ annual-conference/

June 2-5 91st Annual Meeting

U.S. Conference of Mayors Columbus Hilton Downtown, Columbus, Ohio

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

June 4-7 70th EUFMC Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, Williamsburg, Va.

www.eufmc.com

June 5-7 Safety 2023

Henry B. González Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas

https://safety.assp.org/

June 6-9 NYWEA-NEWEA Joint Spring Technical Conference Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

https://www.nywea.org/ SitePages/Education-Outreach/ Events-Conferences.aspx

June 7-9 Texas TAMIO 2023 Annual Conference

Arlington, Texas

https://texastamio.org/2023ac/ information

June 7-9 Sixth Annual North American Active Assailant Conference

Troy, Mich.

https://www.michigan.gov/

June 8-11 International Hazardous Materials Response Teams IAFC Baltimore, Md.

https://www.iafc.org/events

June 25-28 Colorado Municipal League 2023 Annual Conference

Gaylord Rockies, Aurora, Colo. https://www.cml.org/ conference

National Public Works Week 2023: May 21-27

Connecting the World Through Public Works

American Public Works Association announced the theme “Connecting the World Through Public Works” for the 2023 National Public Works Week, May 21-27. Public works is the thread that connects us all, no matter where we live in the world. Every public works professional strives to improve the quality of life for the community they serve, leading to healthier, happier communities.

The “Connecting the World Through Public Works” theme highlights the way public works professionals connect us physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through service to their communities, whether as first responders, or daily workers carrying out their duties with pride.

Public works connectors help keep communities strong by providing an infrastructure of services in transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They are what make our communities great places to live and work. Join APWA in celebrating the quiet work these professionals do that makes life better for all of us.

About the artist

Robert Ball is the 2023 poster’s artist. Ball has been a practicing graphic designer since 2000 and has illustrated throughout his career. His work carries the clean lines of graphic design with a human and humorous side influenced by living in London for 15 years and capturing the characters he sees around him. Ball’s brain is a dumping ground for popular culture, and his work carries the dynamism of comic-book art mixed with an eye for the absurd, influenced by a misspent youth pouring over the pages of Marvel comics and 2000AD. He grew a loyal fanbase through his project for HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, in which he illustrated a poster for each episode.

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Fishing holes:

The best in the U.S.

Summer is knocking on the door: Days of sunshine, warm temperatures and blue skies lay ahead. Some outdoorsy types are already racing to take advantage of the laid-back weather by booking a charter or making plans to stroll down to the creek and return to the age-old pastime of baiting a hook and putting it in the water.

The Municipal reviewed the Fishing Booker Blog for a list of the 10 best U.S. cities to do some angling. Late last year the site compiled a total of 12 destinations that offer opportunities from onshore fishing to world-class deep-sea spots. It’s something the Fishing Booker staff does every year in the late months so that avid fishermen have time over the winter to plan their summer getaways.

The list includes the best of both saltwater and freshwater locations. So get the tacklebox resupplied and make plans to visit one of these fish-filled paradises in 2023!

1. San Diego, Calif.

2. Galveston, Texas

3. Panama City Beach, Fla.

4. Miami, Fla.

5. Charleston, S.C.

6. Boston, Mass.

7. Rochester, N.Y.

8. Muskegon, Mich. 9. St. Louis, Mo. 10. Colorado Springs, Colo.