The Municipal - September 2023

Focus on Crisis Management

38 Public Safety: Departments nationwide pursue lateral recruitment to secure more officers

42 Waste & Recycling: Snohomish County program diverts batteries from landfills

44 Parks & Environmental Services: Brownfield redevelopment program turns old railroad depot into environmental Connor Park

46 Water & Energy: ‘Water’ the alternatives? Joliet rethinks its water supply

50 Municipal Management: Harrisburg Hot Spot Saturdays brings community together address illegal dumping

52 Building & Construction: Receivership program catches attention

ON THE COVER

Being first to the market with full-sized municipal EV sweepers, Global Environmental Products Inc. has learned a lot about the real-world application of these sweepers. With that experience, it’s well positioned to take advantage of future technological advancements in the market. Learn more about Global and its fully electric full-sized sweepers on page 10.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

publisher RON BAUMGARTNER rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

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

editor SARAH WRIGHT swright@the-papers.com

publication manager CHRIS SMITH chris@themunicipal.com

senior account executive REES WOODCOCK rees@themunicipal.com

graphic designer MARY LESTER mlester@the-papers.com

of

STEVE

smeadows@the-papers.com mail manager KHOEUN KHOEUTH kkhoeuth@the-papers.com

marketing assistant TAELYNNE OUSLEY tousley@the-papers.com

Contributing Writers Jennifer Barton, Beth Anne Brink-Cox, Lauren Caggiano, Nicholette Carlson, Denise Fedorow, Kevin Kilbane, Dani Messick, Janet Patterson, Staci Reafsnyder, Julie Young Guest Writer Fred Mays

SOUNDS ABOUT AS LOUD AS THIS AD.

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Turning to partners in times of crisis

Sarah Wright | Editor

communities across the country are noting the frequency of the trains passing through and taking note of their contents. Meanwhile, preparations continue for the possibility of a derailment in their backyards.

Living in a community split by railroad tracks, headlines about train derailments draw my attention. While stopped and waiting for a train to clear the crossing, I eye its cars. What are they carrying? The tanker cars particularly draw my eyes. This reflex of questioning each car heightened after the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. I am sure I am not alone in increased train awareness. Undoubtedly, hundreds of

Writer Denise Fedorow spoke with two communities along the tracks: one, Whitemarsh, Pa., recently experienced a derailment, while the second, Camanche, Iowa, prepares as the number of trains passing through increases. In Whitemarsh’s case, its preparations paid off, from its training to the relationships it had formed with other agencies. Read both cities’ experiences as they both offer invaluable lessons to bring to your community.

In this crisis management-themed issue, we’ll also highlight the city of Odessa, Texas, which received an influx of funds to help residents experiencing opioid addiction. These

funds became available after the city proactively joined a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies. Mental health continues to be at the forefront of many discussions as well, and the city of Aurora, Colo., is using partnerships to benefit its mobile response team, which now pairs UCHealth mental health clinicians with an EMT. In another example of turning to partners in times of crisis, writer Kevin Kilbane shares El Paso, Texas’s, experiences during recent migrant surges and how it has worked with local organizations to help migrants. Finally, guest writer Fred Mays has returned with a feature on how Cape Canaveral is preparing for rising sea levels.

Having solid partnerships can help weather any storm. And as John F. Kennedy once said, “In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.” M

Farewell, Ray: Thank you for the bucket list

It saddens me to share the passing of The Municipal’s long-time columnist Ray Balogh on Monday, July 28. From off-the-beaten-path attractions to rollicking festivals to how cities got their flags, seals or names, Ray captured the beauty waiting to be found in our country within his columns. He had a way with words $10 dollar words included, as we joked that I will miss.

Ray was the type of friend everyone should have in their lives. Any child who entered The Papers Inc.’s editorial department received a treat from Ray or a guided tour of the company’s vending machines. For a stretch of time, I would find random tea boxes on my keyboard. He’d just keep typing away even as I asked aloud where the tea came from. It took someone catching him in the act to discover the identity of my tea though I really should have known it’d been him. If you ever found yourself in a pinch, Ray never hesitated to step up, even when it was likely inconvenient to him.

If you are like me, you’ve likely uncovered a bucket list through Ray’s columns. His descriptions of the communities and their attractions just made one want to jump in the car and go. Ray did just that to visit Casey, Ill.’s, big things; an excursion he quite enjoyed. We could all do with a quick excursion off the beaten path. And I know I’ll be thanking Ray when I eventually cross off some destinations from

The learning curve of electrification

By Jason Condon | Global Environmental Products, Inc.

Global Environmental Products Inc. has been building and delivering 100% electric street sweepers for several years now. Its M4EV was the first all-electric sweeper model offered for sale. Launched in September 2019 at the national PWX Show in Seattle, the sweeper was the first full-sized Class 7 all-electric street sweeper.

While the first of its kind, the technology behind it had been designed, tested and implemented over a 10-year period in coordination with Global strategic electrification partner, US Hybrid. The drive system, electric motors and smaller versions of the batteries had years of real-world testing in one of the most demanding sweeping environments New York City. Designs were tweaked, systems integrated and certain components scrapped for newer, more reliable versions. The goal was to deliver a powerful and reliable street sweeper that could go out and perform as well as its diesel counterpart, while delivering substantial emissions reduction and a lower carbon footprint.

According to Sebastian Mentelski, “All this engineering and technological development led Global to the point where they could remove the diesel engine all together and develop a street sweeper that is a 100% Plug-In Electric sweeper, capable of delivering best in class sweeping performance for a ‘Full Shift.’”

The idea was to introduce the sweeper to the North American market at the 2019 PWX show in Seattle, then measure interest and demand. The next step was private showings and demonstrations to select dealers and customers at four locations across the United States in late spring and early summer of 2020. As the date of the first launch show

approached, it quickly became apparent the COVID-19 virus was turning into a worldwide pandemic and altering the way everyone was conducting business. Travel became restrictive and meeting in larger groups wasn’t possible. The product launch campaign had to be shelved.

By mid- to late-summer of 2020, Global had received enough interest from a select number of municipalities that received or were in the process of acquiring funding to offset the cost of all electric vehicles. So, a traditional tow-and-show demonstration campaign had to be the next step. People wanted to see the sweeper in operation.

Global leaned on its excellent dealer network for assistance. Global worked with its strategic partners across North America

ABOVE: Global M4 Hydrogen Fuel Cell sweeping the streets of California. (Photos provided by Global Environmental)

to send a Level 2 charging system capable of being plugged into most 50 AMP/240 Volt receptacles that could charge the sweeper overnight before demonstrations the next day. Adaptations had to be made to the charging system to accommodate the various provisions dealers had available to them. Many dealers had to bring in electricians and modify outlets and circuit breakers in their facilities to meet the charger’s requirements. Every stop presented different logistical challenges that needed to be overcome, and the results were well worth the effort.

Since those early demonstrations in the summer of 2020, Global has sold dozens of 100% Electric Plug-In Street Sweepers across the country. Their users range from smaller municipalities to some of the largest municipal fleets in North America. The product line up has expanded from the M4EV to include the three-wheel M3EV, R3EV Air and soon the R4EV Air, offering customers the choice of all-electric Class 6 or Class 7 fully electric mechanical or regenerative air street sweepers.

What has Global learned by being the first to market with an allelectric full-sized street sweeper? While many customers initially wanted a machine that would run one shift per day, demand from larger municipalities for a machine that could perform two shifts per day quickly became apparent. Global and US Hybrid developed the on-board components that now allow the sweepers to be plugged into rapid charging systems that can fully charge the sweeper in three hours and, in most instances, charge the sweeper to 35% capacity in about an hour. This allows those customers needing a machine to perform double shifts to utilize the Global electric sweepers. All of this is possible with DC fast charging stations, and Global believes that fast charging is crucial and should be available at every municipality in the future.

Another example of the difference between supplying electric sweepers versus diesel engine sweepers is the buying cycle for purchasing an electric sweeper is considerably longer. Electric sweepers can qualify for various government grants that help to offset the increased expense of the electric sweepers. Global, in coordination with respective dealers and their customers, had to learn what federal grant money was available for such purchases and how that money was allocated differently from state to state. Global had to embark on an education campaign to help answer questions for those charged with allocating the funds so that everyone could be certain the Global EV sweepers comply with various grant requirements. Recently, Global was able to assist with information showing that its sweepers met “Buy American” requirements, which allowed the Federal Aviation Administration to approve grant funding for airports to buy the Global EV sweepers to reduce emissions at some of the nation’s busiest airports.

A technological advantage even the first M4EVs were equipped with is that all Global EV sweepers are equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows Global to diagnose potential issues with the electric propulsion system in real-time, remotely. This greatly increases response time for troubleshooting and eliminates much of the “guess work” that is sometimes associated with further development of a new product.

Walter Pusic, president of Global Environmental Products, stated, “Essentially, we have the ability to diagnose all EV faults from our computers in California; customers don’t have to worry about any additional training and are not required to repair any electrical components.” He further stated, “Global’s electrical engineering

department is also developing an extremely user-friendly On-Board Diagnostic System for the sweeper electrical system,” which offers the same benefits. The system is currently available on mechanical models and will soon be available for Global regenerative air product lineup as well.

It has been said that the one constant in this world is change. In the more than a decade that Global has been building Diesel/Electric Hybrid and now Fully Electric Plug-In sweepers, the company has learned that truer words have never been spoken. The advancements in the technology surrounding the electrification of vehicles are moving ahead at a rapid pace. As a result of being first to the market with these full-sized municipal EV sweepers and working through many of the issues presented by integrating the technology into an established, reliable sweeper, Global has learned a lot about the realworld application of these sweepers and is well positioned to take advantage of future technological advancements.

For more information, visit https://globalsweeper.com/.

Global M4HSD — High Side Dump 100% Electric Plug-In, first of its kind.

Global M4EV sweeper after a Fourth of July Parade in Telluride, Colo.

Mark Twain’s home is no pauper’s hovel

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

It’s a long way from Hannibal, Mo., and yet, it is the place where Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were brought to life. The Mark Twain House and Museum at 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford, Conn., is the home where Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, lived alongside his wife, Olivia, and his three daughters from 1874 to 1891.

Designed by New York architect Edward Tuckerman Potter, construction on the Victorian Gothic Revival home began in August 1873 while the family was abroad. It had not been completed when they moved in on Sept. 19, 1874. Clemens spent between $40,000 to $45,000 on the 11,500-square-foot abode that represented the happiest and most productive time in the famed author’s life.

Unfortunately, the collapse of Clemens’ publishing company and other financial woes forced the family to relocate to Europe in 1891. When the couple’s second daughter, 24-year-old Susy, died of meningitis, Olivia Clemens could not bear returning to the residence.

They sold the property in 1903. Over the years, the home was converted into a school, an apartment building and a branch of the public library.

ABOVE: The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Conn., is the place where Samuel Clemens wrote some of his most famous works, including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and its sequel about Huckleberry Finn. (Shutterstock.com)

In 1929, the house was rescued from the threat of demolition by a nonprofit group known as the Mark Twain Memorial. In 1963, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

In addition to being right next door to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Museum Stowe was a neighbor of the Clemens family the house has hosted celebrity guests, including Steven King, Judy Blume and John Grisham. It has also been named one of the best historic homes in the nation by several major publications.

A tribute to the ‘gilded age’

The Mark Twain House and Museum campus is comprised of three buildings: The Webster Bank Museum Center, the historic home and the

carriage house, which can be rented out for private parties and meetings but is not open to the public. The property also includes several gardens that are overseen by University of Connecticut master gardeners.

Naturally, the home itself is the centerpiece of the hour-long tour. After taking in the visitor’s center, where guests can learn more about the man and his family, a guide takes them on a tour of the home that features inspired architecture, modern innovations at least by 1874 standards and 25 luxuriously appointed rooms across three floors of living space.

Thanks to Clemens’ success as a writer and public speaker, he had the means to make the most of his home. It is a tribute to the “gilded age” a term Twain himself coined.

Everywhere a person looks

In 1881, Twain commissioned Louis Tiffany & Co., Associated Artists to style the walls and ceilings of the house with intricate detailing, which is immediately noticeable in the dimly lit entry way where the Clemens family welcomed guests. The drawing room offers a lighter color palette but is just as ornate, with stenciled walls and tufted furniture that was used by the family when they lived there.

The library is another highlight of the home, and, in addition to its bookcases and various volumes, the fireplace is especially notable as the place where Twain often read poetry and workshopped his latest stories to his friends. The conservatory is a wonderful space where he romped with his daughters among the lush plants as if they were in a magical jungle.

The bedroom suites and schoolroom on the second floor show off the opulence the family was able to enjoy in their private quarters, including removeable cherubs mounted on the master suite bed knobs with which the Clemens girls used to play. The third-floor billiard room served as Twain’s man cave and was the place where he was able to write, enjoy a game of billiards and entertain informally.

There are two types of guided home tours available to the public 55-minute general house tours and 70-minute living history tours. The latter is an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore unique facets of the Victorian era and meet and interact with members of the Clemens’ household.

“This tour is totally worth it,” said one visitor from Michigan who toured the Twain home this summer. “The tour guides are in costume and walk through every room, sharing details of Sam Clemens and his family that we never knew.”

Another visitor highly recommended booking one of the costumed actor tours. “We had Beth as our guide, and she was an excellent Olivia Clemens,” he said. “We learned a lot about Mark Twain, their family, history, and life in 1880s Hartford. Beth made history come alive.”

Planning to go?

Tickets for guided tours of the Mark Twain House and Museum are available online. It is recommended that they be purchased in advanced because tours often sell out. The museum and first floor of the home is wheelchair accessible. Large parties and those with special needs may call guest services at (860) 247-0998 to find out what accommodations can be arranged. M

For more information, visit www.marktwainhouse.org.

The author’s daughters used the schoolroom of the Mark Twain house. The room is connected to the girls’ bedrooms and offers a bright, engaging space for young pupils to learn. (Photo provided by the Mark Twain House & Museum)

The ceiling detail in the Mark Twain House entryway features ornate molding designed by Louis Tiffany & Co., Associated Artists. (Photo provided by the Mark Twain House & Museum)

The Billiard Room served as Samuel Clemens’ “man cave” where he wrote some of his most famous works under the pen name Mark Twain and informally entertained guests. (Photo provided by the Mark Twain House & Museum)

90%

This percentage of Aurora, Colo.’s, mobile response team calls are resolved on the scene without the need for higher levels of care.

900,000

In Florida, Canaveral City Park has a system of 4,000 linear chambers that can hold over 900,000 gallons of runoff under its two largest fields.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT focus on:

190,000

El Paso, Texas, has been the site of several migrant surges, including 190,000 people migrating through the city from March 2022 through June 2023.

$750,000

Following a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies, the city of Odessa, Texas, will receive close to $750,000 to help combat the opioid crisis.

115 Degrees

Texas cities Del Rio and Laredo tied or set an all-time record-high temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit in June, and the heat index reached an unofficial 125 degrees in Corpus Christi. The intense heat experienced by these and other Texas and Oklahoma cities — even before the height of summer — is attributed to climate change and a record-setting heat dome.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/23/texas-early-heatwavefueled-by-climate-change-experts-say/70347624007/.

25%

Should a train block the tracks, 25% of Camanche, Iowa’s, population roughly 1,000 residents — could be isolated.

$50 billion

More than $50 billion in settlement funds from national lawsuits has been making its way to cities and counties across the country whose emergency services and public health entities bore the brunt of the opioid epidemic. To see how the money is being allocated by state.

Source: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/lookup-how-much-opioidsettlement-cash-by-locality/. Read more at https://www.npr.org/sections/ health-shots/2023/06/16/1182580973/opioid-settlement-fund-amounts.

Learn how cities along railroad tracks are prepping for train derailments on page 18.

Find out how the city is helping migrants with the aid of other local organizations on page 28.

See how Odessa will use the funds to help residents struggling with opioid addiction on page 22.

Learn how the city of Aurora has partnered with UCHealth to benefit its mobile response team on page 26.

Read how Cape Canaveral is adapting to rising sea levels on page 32.

When the train whistle blows through town are you prepared?

By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal

One community Whitemarsh, Pa. put that question to the test on Monday, July 17, 2023, when calls came through dispatch that there’d been a derailment. Police Chief Christopher Ward said the official dispatch time was 4:50 a.m. Monday and calls came from several sources from residents who heard noises and directly from the rail company CSX informing them there was a derailment in the area.

He said the CSX train was running on a Norfolk-Southern rail line, and the one road involved was a residential street. Ward said fire, police and EMS responded immediately, trying to determine the exact area.

“Fortunately for us, Montgomery County had assets and people close by and were able to deploy drones to better pinpoint the location of the derailed cars,” Ward said.

The public safety divisions were immediately dispatched as well as numerous fire resources, police and ambulance and the county-based hazardous materials team.

“They immediately responded to assist us,” he said.

Ward said the train was actually a short one for that line with 40 cars, and 14 to 15 of those cars derailed. He said the incident command contacted the rail company to get information on what type of materials were on the train.

“Based on the information we received from the hazmat team and hazmat resources, we decided to use an evacuation

It seems that literally every day there’s news of another train derailment, so the question on many city official’s minds should be, “Are we prepared in the event of a train derailment in our community?”

A drone image captures the derailed CSX train cars in Whitemarsh, Pa. The derailment occurred on July 17, and thankfully, the cars carrying hazardous materials were not included in the derailment. (Photo provided by Montgomery County Emergency Services)

plan encompassing 100 meters from the rail and that evacuation encompassed about a dozen homes.”

Chief Ward said there’s also an active limestone quarry near the derailment that operates a midnight shift running blacktop, so they immediately shut the quarry down and evacuated the workers. Ward shared that the property is large enough that the management could stay on-site and wait for further instructions or to assist them if needed.

Officials also delayed the opening of a golf course and clubhouse. “We notified them and delayed their opening until 10 a.m.”

Ward said officials also deployed their public works department to assist with road closings and supplying equipment. The public works employees helped with the closings until the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation arrived.

“By the end of the day, every alphabet you can think of was there,” he said with a laugh, explaining the railway is interstate and federal. “Very little local (agencies) governs the railroad.”

Chief Ward said the railroad response was pretty immediate as well. “By the time I arrived, there was already a local rail representative there, and as time went on, higher rank officials arrived.”

Whitemarsh is in Montgomery County, which abuts Philadelphia County on the eastern border, and the chief believes the community’s proximity to the metro Philadelphia area made it easier to get people there.

Danger averted

The train was carrying hazardous and flammable materials like propane, a degreaser and urea a fertilizer. Thankfully, none of those cars were involved in the derailment and none ruptured. The cars that derailed were carrying plastic or silicone beads used in plastic manufacturing.

“The only thing that spilled were the plastic beads, which was very fortunate for us,” he said.

There were no immediate waterways connected to the derailment site. There is a waterway involved in the quarry operation, but other than that, the closest waterway was a half-mile away a creek that leads into a river, which connects to the water company’s intake.

“So, if that had been in a different location or had the release been different, it could’ve been a whole different story,” he said.

Asked if there was any concern about the cars with more dangerous materials derailing after the initial derailment, Chief Ward said no, explaining that two locomotives and a front car were clear and the first cars after the derailment were actually empty before getting to the propane. Response crews could just unhook them.

The police department handled scene security and evacuations, along with other parties. He said the evacuation went well.

“Of course there was shock when someone is at your door at 5 a.m. and then figuring out what to bring, etc.,” he said. “Thank goodness it was only 12 (homes). If it was more, we’d have to have mapping assignments, etc. We could see all these houses from the command post.”

Chief Ward said he contacted the local school district, and they opened up an elementary school as an evacuation shelter and his department supplied security there, too. The department didn’t contact the Red Cross because it heard the evacuation would likely be of short duration.

“We were very fortunate in the grand scale of things. By 10 a.m., we cleared the evacuation, opened roads and turned the scene over to the railroad,” he said.

Cleanup was all the responsibility of the railroad. “We helped in terms of connecting them with the quarry property owners; that’s such a large space they were able to get their contracted equipment onto the quarry and we didn’t have to close any roadways,” he said. “Once we showed them the area, they were out of our community’s way.”

The railroad company determined it could access the derailment through the quarry, and once in there, the railroad police came in to provide security.

Advance training

The chief said the training the department has done in advance of the incident helped in the response. Officers train on different levels, including how to conduct evacuations in emergency situations. That training starts at the police academy and continues on the job. He said in this case it was due to hazardous materials, but the Whitemarsh area is prone to flooding. The name Whitemarsh lends itself to the potential for flooding, and residents are warned they may have to leave.

“Unfortunately, or fortunately, most of our officers have had opportunities to participate in evacuations,” he said.

On the township level, Whitemarsh has emergency services with fire and ambulance companies and include those agencies and public works in training sessions. The police chief said they do

A CSX train car lies on its side after derailing while traveling on the Norfolk Southern rails in Whitemarsh, Pa. (Photo provided by Montgomery County Emergency Services)

tabletops and conduct general training and planning for these situations.

“In light of the situation in Ohio, recently we’ve been training and working more on rail safety,” he said, adding Whitemarsh has both commercial freight trains and commuter trains from South East Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

At the county level, the county public safety helps with equipment, setting up a command post and evacuations. His department, likewise, helps when an emergency occurs in other locations.

“Monday morning we were the object of all the attention, but we had support offered us from county and local agencies, from our closest neighbors,” he said, adding they also heard from state partners.

Awareness and training heightened in Camanche, Iowa

Another community that has heightened awareness of possible train derailments is Camanche. Camanche Fire Chief Dave Schutte said thankfully his community has not experienced a derailment yet, and he hopes it stays that way.

According to Schutte, Camanche has always trained in the event of this type of emergency, especially since the tracks divide the community. He estimates something occurring on the riverside tracks could isolate approximately 25% of the population or 1,000 residents.

Schutte said, “Now with longer trains, we’re doing more frequent training to familiarize ourselves with what hazardous materials are on the trains and how to respond.”

He said the recent merger of the Canadian Pacific with the Kansas City Southern railroad has resulted in longer and more frequent trains.

In a CNBC report from April titled “Why do Trains Keep Derailing,” Mark Burrows, a former engineer and member of Railroad Workers United, said railroads started practicing Precision Scheduled Railroading or PSR a management strategy meant to increase efficiency and reduce costs. But Burrows claimed that meant “maximum exploitation of as minimum workers as possible.”

The CNBC report stated that since 2022 all railroads are running longer trains sometimes, a 33% increase since 2011 resulting in trains that are over 12,000 feet long or two miles long. This was an increase from 3% to 25% from 2017. In the Midwest, railroads reportedly run longer trains. There are reportedly an average of 1,000 train derailments a year although many occur in the train yards.

Chief Schutte said his community is seeing those longer trains and have been utilizing local resources like the hazardous materials team, which he said is a “key player.”

“There are also a lot of apps where you can get information on what the chemicals are and how to respond,” he said.

Some of those apps include the Ask Rail app by the Association of American Railroads, which is by invitation only; the Wiser app for hazardous materials; and the Emergency Response Guidebook, or ERG, app, which is much more convenient on-site than the book. There’s also a Rail Crossing Locater app, which helps search the location of crossings and how to find and call the emergency notification if there’s an incident.

Chief Schutte said there is no cost for these apps. He shared because Camanche is segmented by the tracks, it keeps some equipment on the south side of the tracks, including a fire truck, brush truck and pumper. However, the difficulty is “limited staffing (there’s) only a few firefighters who live on that side of the tracks.”

The chief said if anything “of any substance were to occur, it’d be an all hands-on deck thing. We rely heavily on outside agencies mutual

A railroad crossing in Camanche, Iowa, illustrates how close some buildings are to the tracks. City officials are concerned about increased potential for derailment with longer and more frequent trains coming through. (Photo by Fire Chief Dave Schutte)

aid, hazardous materials team, railroad resources it would be fairly involved.”

When asked if and how Camanche prepares residents for the potential of a derailment, he said it’s a matter of “heightened awareness so they know a lot of things come through on these trains, and if something were to go wrong, it could be detrimental.”

Schutte said, “Most are aware because of the whole merger thing and seeing several high-profile derailments that these trains could be carrying pretty nasty stuff.”

After incident review

When asked if everything went as it should for the Whitemarsh Police Department, Ward said he believed it had.

“Everybody could Monday morning quarterback, but I think everything went well.”

He shared one thing his department was unsure about when it came to dealing with the railroad was “who’s responsible for notifying some agencies we don’t investigate train accidents, so we notified NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) whether we were supposed to or not.”

Pennsylvania Emergency Management was there as well as the hazardous materials team and fire resources, so Whitemarsh looked to those agencies for their specialties.

Ward said his department will have a debriefing, but “I think it went very well, all things considered, given the situation and the initial unknowns.”

He added that both Pennsylvania senators have signed on to a railway safety initiative, and both had representatives on-site quickly as did state representatives.

“There was plenty of concern and plenty of things talked about,” he said.

He noted it was interesting to see how the response “kept stepping up: from local to county to state and federal agencies.”

He said they’ll run through it all again at a debriefing and examine what could be done better, but he offered this takeaway, “Thank God we had these relationships and the training beforehand.”

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The Camanche Fire Department station is located on the north side of town. The department has placed some equipment on the other side of the tracks in the event of a derailment or the tracks becoming otherwise blocked; however, staffing is a concern.

(Photo by Camanche Fire Chief Dave Schutte)

Odessa, Texas, uses settlement money to combat the rising opioid crisis through education and support

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

As an elected city council member at-large and mayor pro tem in Odessa, Texas, Denise Swanner serves on regional boards. In September 2021, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made a presentation to one such board stating he planned on going after pharmacies for aiding in the state’s opioid crisis and the deadline was approaching to sign onto the lawsuit.

Personally knowing individuals who had lost their children by taking something laced with fentanyl, Swanner was passionate about helping the residents of Odessa combat the opioid crisis in any way possible. With normally little resources to fight addiction issues, joining the lawsuit with the possibility of receiving settlement money would greatly increase the city’s ability to help Odessa residents overcome opioid addiction.

When Swanner noticed that Ector County, the county Odessa is part of, had signed off to join the settlement, but the city of Odessa had not, she forwarded the presentation to the legal department. When she did not receive a response, Swanner checked in with

the department in October. The more cities and counties to join, the larger the percentage of money each one could receive. As the deadline to sign on to the lawsuit approached, she pushed the city staff to look at the presentation, which was done via Zoom. Odessa signed onto the lawsuit on Dec. 14, 2021.

“Addiction is always going to be around,” Swanner stated. “I have grown up and was raised here, and I’ve seen various addictions come and go. Fentanyl has been the biggest problem the last few years.” She had seen much of this firsthand through friends’ experience or her previous position at a nonprofit agency.

across our nation. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won a settlement against pharmaceutical companies, including Walgreens and CVS, for aiding in the opioid abuse. Odessa, Texas, joined the lawsuit and will receive nearly $750,000 to aid in its fight against opioid abuse and death. (Shutterstock.com/Sheila Fitzgerald)

In April of this year, the city received its first check from the settlement. This first installment gave the city of Odessa $175,532.91 to combat opioids in its community. The city will receive a total of nearly $750,000. While the city knows its portion of the settlement money will come in increments, it does not know when the money will be received. The money has been put into a separate account to be used in accordance with the specific guidelines for usage.

Guidelines for use include spending the funds on Narcan or other similar FDA-approved drugs to reverse an opioid overdose along with first responder training on the drug;

increasing the distribution, education, training and support services of medication-assisted treatment, particularly to those who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the service; expanding screening, intervention, referral services and treatment for pregnant women; expand recovery support, services and long-term treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome; expansion of programs and recovery services beginning in hospital emergency departments; increased treatment and recovery support for inmates; expand syringe service programs; and fund a variety of prevention programs, including media campaigns, school programs, medical care provider outreach and education, community drug disposal and training for first responders.

Funds from the opioid settlement may also be used toward the treatment of opioid use or substance abuse. This includes expansion of treatment, support services, expansion of telehealth, increased oversight of opioid treatment programs, mobile intervention and recovery services, treatment of underlying trauma for those who use opioids, providing withdrawal management services and training and scholarships for practitioners and clinicians to assist those with addiction. It can be used to help people along in their recovery with community support services, counseling, peer support, access to housing, providing transportation, employment training or educational services, and with stigma reduction support. These funds can also go toward prevention of opioid use by preventing overprescribing and misuse, harm reduction and overdose prevention.

A committee has been formed, including Swanner, the police chief and the fire chief, that met the first week in August to begin discussion of how to best use the funds. Swanner recognizes the importance of educating the public. Partnership with the local nonprofit 1:11 Project is also planned. The 1:11 Project is a drug and fentanyl awareness program with the goal of educating the public, preventing fentanylrelated harm and supporting affected individuals; a local woman who lost her child to a fentanyl overdose started it. While some first responders have Narcan on them for opioid overdoses, Odessa may consider outfitting each first responder with Narcan. The city is also planning possible commercials and brochures to help educate the public, though specifics are still being discussed. Committee meetings will help determine where to put brochures and commercials, how much Narcan to buy and the like.

While a specific use for the funds have not yet been decided, Swanner described them being used toward how the city of Odessa can help local schools and other organizations to educate children and teenagers and open the stage for the necessary difficult conversations about drug use and overdose.

Swanner had spoken with Ector County, which also had not determined how it was going to use

After signing on to the Attorney General’s lawsuit in December 2021, the city of Odessa, Texas, received its first check for a portion of the awarded amount in April. This money was put into a separate account and will be used to aid the city’s efforts in combating opioid use. They plan to use it toward possible brochures, commercials and additional Narcan. The city has put a committee together to determine how to best use the funds. (Photo provided by the city of Odessa, Texas)

their funds yet. However, there is a possibility of partnering with the county on certain programs.

To any other states or cities looking for new ways to battle the opioid and addiction crisis in the United States, Swanner suggested, “The first thing is don’t ignore it. Nobody wants to talk about it. You have to have the real conversations and not ignore it, because it is happening here. Face it head-on and have the open conversations.” She continued, “Pay attention on regional committees when people talk about grants. It’s so simple to just sign on to get a grant. The minute you hear there’s money or government funding, go ahead and pursue it. By pursuing this lawsuit, we are getting money for resources we would not have gotten otherwise.”

One of the ways Odessa is likely to use its settlement funds is by purchasing more Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose long enough for the individual to get to the hospital. While some first responders in Odessa have Narcan on them, funds may be used to provide more first responders with the drug.

(Shutterstock.com/Hanson L)

• Minimize/Eliminate rod scoring

• Extend the life of cylinder seals

• Protects cylinders from the elements

• Prevent pitting due to chemical washers

• Reduce particle contamination of hydraulic systems

• Minimize dings and dents associated with falling debris

Public-private partnership benefits Aurora’s mobile response team

By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal

The city of Aurora, Colo., is addressing mental health issues through a public-private partnership rooted in an evidence-based approach.

The city’s mobile response team, launched in the fall of 2021, pairs UCHealth mental health clinicians with an EMT. However, Aurora’s program isn’t a one-size fits all approach.

“We currently have three different coresponder model-based teams, operating within a spectrum of care,” said Courtney Tassin, crisis intervention program manager.

For instance, she said the lowest intensity tier is the mobile response team. In this context, an EMT or paramedic is paired with a licensed mental health professional. The second tier means a law enforcement officer partners with a licensed clinician. The third tier a targeted violence prevention

program aims to prevent mass violence through a public health approach.

Tassin said her team has the authority to perform a direct intervention with individuals if and when necessary.

“That looks like doing a threat assessment, working with them to connect them to resources, making sure that they have social supports in place and also that the target of maybe their ideation is safe,” she said. “So we put safety measures for that individual, that business, whatever that looks like. But the overall goal is diversion away from the criminal justice system or from the mass attack as a

ABOVE: Aurora, Colo., is a growing city of over 398,000 people. Its partnership with UCHealth pairs mental health clinicians with EMTs to respond to low-intensity calls. (Arina P. Habich/Shutterstock.com)

whole because that would be great for everyone if that didn’t happen.”

Whatever the level of response, Tassin said they use data to determine how to best serve residents. Speaking of insights, she shared that 90% of all mobile response team calls for service are resolved on the scene without the need for higher levels of care. To date, no calls have resulted in jail for individuals contacted. However, there’s not necessarily a typical scenario, as residents’ needs are just as diverse as the population itself. Denver’s largest suburb, Aurora, is a growing city of over 398,000 people and 200,000 jobs, according to data from city hall.

“Aurora is the most diverse city in all of Colorado,” she said. “I think we have over 160 different languages spoken. We have three major hospitals, so we have a very large veteran population. A lot of individuals with sick children or people who have disabilities do live around the area because we have Children’s Hospital of Colorado and the VA (Veterans Affairs) here.”

Each group has its own concerns and challenges that can inform the nature of the calls. Tassin said although the mobile response team has been generally well-received by the public, they’ve still had to confront skepticism from certain parties.

“We’ve had to fight the counter-narratives that came with the program,” she said. “We’ve had to reassure public safety partners that ‘We’re not here to take your job. We’re here to make their job easier. We’re here to be a resource.’ So I think balancing the needs of the community and the commentary that comes around these programs is probably the most difficult part. You have to be very diplomatic in how you approach a lot of it.”

Another important facet relates to internal relations. Tassin said joining forces with UCHealth has helped Aurora’s mobile response team scale up.

“We have eight clinical staff currently, which is the most that we’ve ever had,” she said. “So, by switching to our new partner, they were able to offer higher salaries and better benefits. And that really attracted a lot of people. We have applicants all the time.”

In retrospect, Tassin said she believes Aurora has a winning recipe that other municipalities can look to as a foundation in developing their own crisis response programs. One key element is training, for instance.

“We’ve trained dispatch on how to utilize this program,” she said. “And for familiarity (with) the program, we train all of our public safety

partners. We went to every single police and fire station (wanting them) to be aware of the program.”

The community engagement factor cannot be discounted either. Tassin said it helped Aurora has held community forums to gauge feedback and help people understand the resources available to them.

Speaking of resources, Tassin said right now, Aurora is looking to explore what’s next.

“We have a lot of support from our city leadership and our council members,” she said. “So funding-wise, we’re really great. We’re exploring what the cost would be to add some additional teams to our mobile response team.”

The Aurora Mobile Response Team program is an alternative response to handling behavioral health crises.

The Aurora Mobile Response Team allows law enforcement to focus on crime-related calls for dispatch by responding to low-intensity calls for service.

El Paso works with local organizations to manage migrant surges

By KEVIN KILBANE | The Municipal

People have migrated through El Paso, Texas, the Paso del Norte, for decades to enter the United States from Mexico.

Recent surges in migration spurred the city to develop a plan for managing the huge influx of people. The experience offers insight for other municipalities along the U.S. border and for inland cities and towns that become destinations for large groups of migrants, refugees or immigrants.

“We recognize there are some challenges, and we face them just like we’ve faced a lot of other disasters over the last four years,” said Jorge Rodriguez, emergency management coordinator for the El Paso City-County Office of Emergency Management. “I’m always surprised by the community. Just when you think El Paso can’t do more, we always rise up for the occasion.”

The number of people trying to migrate into the United States through El Paso began increasing in 2018. Several major surges have occurred since, with about 190,000 people migrating through the city from March 2022 through June 2023, Rodriguez said. That total included more than 30,000 people in December 2022. Most migrants

come from countries in Central America and South America, the city reported on its website, www.elpasotexas.gov.

As of mid-July, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in El Paso was releasing about 300 migrants per day in El Paso, a much lower total than the approximately 1,000 per day in December, Rodriguez said. Migrating people who go through CBP processing may receive approval to enter the United States while awaiting a determination on their request for asylum.

Use of the CBP One mobile device application to apply for asylum creates a more orderly situation at the border, Rodriguez said. Migrants seeking asylum can use the CBP One app to schedule an appointment with a CBP officer at a U.S. port of entry, including in El Paso.

Rodriguez calls the migration a humanitarian crisis. He said El Paso works to treat newly arriving migrants with dignity and respect.

To develop a response plan, city officials first assessed needs at the ground level,

ABOVE: El Paso, Texas, is a site where many migrants enter the United States from Mexico. About 190,000 people migrated through the city from March 2022 through June 2023. (Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com)

he said. They also relied on emergency management plans crafted for natural disasters and other major emergencies. The result focuses on new arrivals’ greatest need transportation.

Most migrants spend 24 to 72 hours in El Paso before traveling to a destination such as east Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey or Chicago. They may be joining family or friends already there, going to the sponsor or group that paid for their travel inside the U.S., or moving to a city with a community of people from their culture.

To assist migrants just released by CBP, El Paso relies first on local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that already serve migrants, according to Rodriguez. County government also provides some services. Migrating people receive food, water and help, if needed, with temporary shelter and transportation.

El Paso, which has maintained strong relationships with NGOs since a migration surge in 2019, provides some NGO housing shelters with logistical support when needed, such as supplying food and water. To prevent backlogs in available temporary housing at NGO shelters, the city has worked with NGOs to charter buses to transport migrants to New York and Chicago. El Paso officials coordinate with NGOs in those destinations, so migrants have assistance when they arrive.

NGOs also depend on volunteer help, Rodriguez noted. Many volunteers stayed home during the COVID pandemic, which resulted in about 50% fewer migrant housing shelters by last year.

“So part of our strategy was we hired about 75 employees,” he explained, “and a good portion of those were actually embedded within some of the NGO shelters some of the larger ones just to provide that support.”

In addition, El Paso deploys roving field teams that go to locations where migrants gather in the city. Team members connect migrants to their sponsors, transportation or temporary shelter, Rodriguez said. City teams also clean regularly around a church where migrants congregate after being released from CBP processing. The city stations portable toilets there during large surges in migrant arrivals.

Rodriguez noted El Paso officials also speak regularly with officials in other municipalities along the southwest U.S. border to share information and best practices.

When CBP migrant releases exceed what NGOs can accommodate, Rodriguez said the city steps in with a new layer of services. A Welcome Center opens to provide migrants with food and water and to assist them with connecting with transportation and to their sponsors in the U.S.

When necessary, the city will charter buses to take migrants where they want to go. Last year, for example, large numbers of people arrived from Venezuela. At least 50% of them didn’t have sponsors in the United States to pay for their travel to a destination city, Rodriguez explained. So El Paso chartered buses to take groups of Venezuelan migrants who wanted to go to New York City and Chicago.

During surges in migrant arrivals, El Paso also provides additional emergency shelter space for individuals and families who need it. The city uses shelter options built into its overall emergency management plan, such as hotels and large public buildings like El Paso Convention Center.

Federal funds pay for emergency services provided to people migrating through El Paso. According to Rodriguez, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided advance funding during the early stages of the COVID pandemic through its homeless and shelters program. This year, advance funding has come through FEMA’s Shelter and Services program, which is managed by the CBP for communities that have large numbers of migrants passing through or traveling to their location.

El Paso works closely with local non-governmental organizations that already serve migrants to ensure migrants receive food, water and help, if needed, with temporary shelter and transportation. Pictured, local church organizations in El Paso provide meals and clothing to migrants in January 2023. (Ruben2533/Shutterstock.com)

Rodriguez cites two factors as keys to El Paso’s success in assisting migrating people:

• “Managing your data is critically important,” he said. “It gives you situational awareness. It lets you know where you need to place your resources, depending on what the needs are.”

The city also uses migration data to present a website dashboard that tracks migrant releases, types of assistance needed, shelter use, transportation and more. The dashboard provides a common operating picture for Mayor Oscar Leeser, other city leaders, the public, media and officials in migrant destination cities.

• El Paso speaks frequently with staff at NGOs about migrant arrival numbers, their preferred destinations in the U.S. and any changes in those trends, Rodriguez said. They also discuss the NGO’s available service capacity.

Rodriguez believes migration will remain an issue based on the current state of the world. El Paso officials plan to stay watchful as they prepare for the unknown.

“Our challenge is that the surges that we see, like I touched on, they come and go, and they are very difficult to predict,” he explained. “Migration patterns can change very quickly.”

With its response plan, he said El Paso is ready to expand assistance operations whenever necessary.

This December 2022 photos shows some of the thousands of migrants who were seeking asylum in the U.S. during a surge. (Ruben2533/Shutterstock.com)

The Cape and climate: Adapting for future sea level changes

By FRED MAYS | The Municipal

Cape Canaveral is a small beach town of about 10,000 people in Florida. Climate change is a monstrous and growing global calamity. The two meet at the water’s edge.

If NOAA predictions are right, sea level here will rise about 8 feet by 2100. At that time, Cape Canaveral will all but cease to exist. But the small town is not backing down. “Humans are a very stubborn bunch,” said Zachary Eichholz, the Cape’s resilience director.

For a small town, Cape Canaveral is ambitious in implementing programs that will help the community sustain itself for as long as possible. Think: David vs. Goliath. The effort is called “Cape Canaveral 2063,” to coincide with the city’s centennial.

The city is on a barrier island, fronted by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon on the backside of the island. Several inexpensive steps are already being taken to bolster those shores.

On the beach volunteers have planted thousands of sea oats, which protect the dunes from erosion. They held up well during two hurricanes in 2022. Along the lagoon, property owners are being offered free mangrove trees to plant at the waterline, protecting against rising lagoon waters.

“We want to be the example, the change agent,” said Eichholz. He said the city’s pace has picked up in the last two years.

On a relatively low budget under $2 million for the entire resiliency program so far the city has begun transitioning to solar power on city buildings, and streetlights. The city car fleet is slowly changing over to electric vehicles. They plan to be total EV by 2035. He said it makes budget sense as nationally the return on investment in resiliency work is rated as high as six-to-one.

Being on the coast, hurricanes and strong gales are a way of life. Power outages can occur frequently. Eichholz said the investment in solar, with a diesel backup, enables the city to retain power while off the grid.

Stormwater flooding in low-lying areas is a frequent occurrence. The city is redesigning

ABOVE: Zachary Eichholz serves as the Cape’s resilience director. (Photo by Fred Mays)

TOP PHOTO: Cape Canaveral’s sea oats have held up well during two hurricanes in 2022. (Photo by Fred Mays)

streets in flood-prone areas to redirect runoff into what they refer to as “rain gardens” along the streets. The gardens allow the water to soak into the porous Florida soil more rapidly. There are also stormwater chambers installed under city hall. Residents are being encouraged to install free rain barrels to catch runoff from their roofs. All of these efforts serve to reduce the runoff into a storm sewer system, which often was overwhelmed during storms.

The city has mounted lightening arrestors around a number of city buildings, including a very exposed wastewater treatment plant. Since they’ve been installed not a single lightening strike has been recorded. All exterior lighting at the plant is now solar. The plant has a 2.5 million gallon holding tank. In the plant’s two stormwater ponds, the city has installed Beemats, which are floating mats with aquatic vegetation to filter out nutrients in the system. Other aspects of the treatment plant are being upgraded with sustainable features to avoid overflows during storm events.

Low-impact development measures are used at Canaveral City Park. There are hundreds of pollinator-friendly trees, shrubs and plants to absorb rainfall. The parking lot is permeable to allow runoff into the soil. A system of 4,000 linear chambers that can hold over 900,000 gallons of runoff are installed under the park’s two largest fields. The community center at the park is equipped with solar panels that are expected

to save the city $242,500 in electric bills over their lifetime, estimated at 25 years.

Much of this effort was started during the pandemic. “We saw the need to prepare for any emergency,” said Eichholz. The resiliency division was officially designated as part of the city’s Community and Economic Department in 2022. There is a small staff headed by Eichholz, plus interns from area colleges.

Along with the resiliency measures, the city has undertaken outreach to encourage

the residents to get involved. Free plant a tree, free plant a mangrove and the free rain barrels all are done with citizen participation.

“All of this adds up,” said Eichholz. “It has long-term ramifications for the betterment of the community.”

Fred Mays in a freelance journalist in Florida who writes frequently on environmental issues.

Cape Canaveral has planted sea oats to protect its dunes with the help of volunteers. (Photo provided by the city of Cape Canaveral)

To better face crises, the city of Cape Canaveral created a resiliency division in 2022, which is a part of its Community and Economic Department. (Photo provided by city of Cape Canaveral)

Green Bay earns best city to live in title

By JENNIFER BARTON | The Municipal

Although it’s known to most people outside the Midwest only as the home of the Green Bay Packers NFL team, the mid-sized Wisconsin city with a small-town feel has much more to offer than pigskin. Recently voted “Best City to Live In” by CBS News, Green Bay earned the title for its reasonable cost of living, job and educational opportunities, plethora of entertainment options, amenities, and its abundance of faith communities.

Mary Rhode and Morgan Doshi from the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce explained that they consider the honor to extend beyond the borders of the 100,000-person inhabited city and into what they call the Greater Green Bay area, home to some 325,000 people. The Greater Green Bay area encompasses most of Brown County, incorporating such cities as De Pere and Howard.

“Something that we’re really proud of is that Green Bay is a small-tomidsized, safe, friendly community, but it also has big-city amenities to offer residents. It’s a really special place in that regard,” Doshi said, adding that residents can find either a fast-paced or more relaxed quality of life there. “It’s really the best of both worlds.”

Love them or hate them, there is no denying that the Packers play a large role in the community life of Green Bay. The team is unique in that it is the only publicly owned franchise in the 32-team NFL, according to its website, meaning average citizens can buy shares in Packers Inc. and consider themselves part-owners.

The team’s commitment to the community can be seen in the fact that Lambeau Field stands in the heart of downtown; “literally in neighborhoods,” Doshi said. Fans can experience the team’s history and notable players and coaches like Curly Lambeau and Vince

Lombardi on the Packers Heritage Trail, where one can walk, bike or take a trolley to 25 different stops dedicated to the team’s history.

The Packers contribute to the Green Bay area beyond the 50-yard line. The Green Bay Packers Foundation is an independent organization established in 1986 by then-president of Packers, Inc., Judge Robert J. Parins: It helps fund charity organizations throughout the area and the state of Wisconsin so they can address needs within local communities.

Additionally, Doshi explained how a new undertaking in Green Bay called Titletown is “really developing a sense of community,” she said. “It offers activities, community events year-round for everyone who lives in the greater Green Bay area, free of charge. There’s fantastic work being done with Titletown.”

The fun complex’s activities include physical education, fitness, art and dancing opportunities. Rhode added that “there’s also an entity based there called Titletown Tech, which is a partnership with Microsoft. I don’t even think I can grasp all the amazing things that Titletown is doing with that Microsoft partnership, but for that to be based here in Green Bay and partially supported by the Packers, it just goes to show you that the overall impact the Packers are making in this community.”

A kayaker pedals along the Fox River, a popular site to visit in Green Bay, Wis. (Photo provided by Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce)

For those indifferent to football, Greater Green Bay has numerous other amenities. Situated at the tip of the bay of Green Bay and with access to the Fox River, watersports are popular attractions for locals and visitors: fishing, kayaking and boating especially.

Hiking and biking remain popular as well. Mountain-Bay State Trail offers one of the longest rail-trails in Wisconsin, as its website states. The 83-mile trail ends in Howard Memorial Park, part of the Greater Green Bay area. In the winter months, snowmobilers take over the trail.

Indoor attractions abound as well. Having spent 10 years working in tourism, Rhode stated she can safely say that Green Bay enthusiastically embraced the restoration of its downtown.

The Fox River “cuts our downtown in half,” she explained, and an area that once represented a history of industry has now “become a place of enjoyment but also a place of amenity and tourism-type activities. What once was a railroad is now a path that goes along the river, and a lot of restaurants are now operating along the river.” Further development is in the works, with the expectation that it will bring in even more amenities for the droves of people that, over the last decade, are coming back downtown to live and work.

When it comes to a night on the town, Green Bay delivers on that, too. According to Doshi, the area boasts “really great options as far as dining, hidden gem restaurants” the LedgeStone Vineyards in De Pere among them. A popular local spot for live music and dining, Doshi calls it a “special place, awesome vibe, and just a really great place to go whether you’re looking for a night out with friends or you want to bring your family.”

As of this fall, De Pere will also be home to the Mulva Cultural Center. The center will bring exhibits from around the country for the enjoyment of residents and tourists.

But fun and frivolity are not the only things the Green Bay area offers. Education comes out on top there.

“We continue to promote the quality of life that people can have in Green Bay, and education is a huge part of that, whether it’s K-12 education. We have really strong public and private school options,” Doshi stated. “And with higher education we have three great options here, not only for undergraduate but for additional certifications and trade skills.”

The three higher education facilities are the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, St. Norbert College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Rhode agreed that all three campuses have something great to offer to students.

The UW campus is “very incorporated into nature,” according to Doshi. “They really have created their own little community in and of itself out there.”

St. Norbert, a Catholic college, is located in downtown De Pere, “so from a walkability standpoint to taking in dining or the arts, for those students, everything is very easily accessible.”

Northeast Tech, she added, is a good option for traditional and nontraditional students because it’s “an option that’s close to a lot of different amenities, neighborhoods, communities, etc.”

Oftentimes students from these schools remain in or return to Green Bay when their education is complete a demographic Doshi calls “boomerangs.”

The job market in the Greater Green Bay area remains strong, with traditional employers such as Green Bay Packaging, Georgia Pacific and Schrieber Foods headquartered there. Green Bay Packaging has

focused its recent efforts on remaining in the city and building a new, fully sustainable facility.

Growing employment sectors include manufacturing, healthcare, education and hospitality. Green Bay has also become an area for tech startups.

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem, as we like to say at the chamber, is incredibly strong here and growing every day,” Rhode said. “The chamber plays a large role in that. We have physical entities the urban hub and the startup hub that are physical places that help support those entrepreneurs. There are also additional resources to support those entrepreneurs.”

The website YourMoveGreenBay.com connects employers with potential hires. Through a concierge program, the Chamber of Commerce works to connect job seekers and those considering a move to the area with employers and community resources that fit their needs, lifestyles and religious preferences.

People enjoy a concert at one of Green Bay’s parks. (Photo provided by Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce)

Fridays on the Fox is a popular downtown event, with live music, delicious food and drinks. (Photo provided by Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce)

continued from page 35

“So, for example, if someone has questions about religion, we will connect them to a Catholic church or a mosque or a temple, depending on what’s most important to them. Through the concierge program, we do our best to try not only to connect them to the place of worship but also to other people who are part of that community. Whether their priorities are faith-based, hobby-based, or professionally based, we really try to integrate our new residents into the community that way.”

Beth Groshek is one “boomerang.” Originally from small-town Wittenberg, Wis., she came to Green Bay to attend St. Norbert, bounced around to other big cities after graduation and returned in 2018. After 10 years of living in Green Bay, she readily points out that the city’s appeal to her was in “how it offers a unique mix of both small and big city benefits. There’s a strong sense of community connectedness typically attributed to smaller cities, with a wide range of events and activities that

one might more readily expect to find in a larger city.”

The reasonable cost of living, low crime and light traffic are also huge draws for Groshek.

“And it’s beautiful! There are parks, trails, rivers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, live music and entertainment venues, a zoo, a children’s museum, a wildlife sanctuary, an

amusement park, numerous shops and boutiques, recreational outlets and more.”

“I can’t forget to include the energy and excitement the Green Bay Packers bring to our city, too,” she added. “It’s contagious! No matter a person’s state in life, whether single, married with a family or fully retired, I feel like Green Bay has something to offer everyone.”

Members of the Green Bay community have good reason to be proud about their recent award.

“While this is a really exciting acknowledgement, it’s motivating because we still have work to do,” Doshi said. “We’re mindful of that. While we continue to evolve and grow as a community, the work’s never done.”

For a lifelong resident such as Doshi, the people of Green Bay are its greatest asset.

“I think what’s really special now in Green Bay and the surrounding communities is that there’s a collaborative spirit. People are truly working together to make this community better and make it a place for all people to live, to work and to belong.” M

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The Fox River offers a picturesque setting and copious recreation options. (Photo provided by Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce)

Departments nationwide pursue lateral recruitment to secure more officers

By BETH ANNE BRINK-COX | The Municipal

As with any other job, the nation’s police force has seen plenty of ups and downs. After 9/11, the rush to apply for the academy and specialized training skyrocketed. In light of some headlines in the past few years — not to mention COVID-19 — enrollment was down. In order to fill the need for more officers, many departments have put the idea of lateral recruiting into action. And while some might see it as poaching, it’s no different from any other field of work where a job seeker mulls over several offers before choosing the best fit, for whatever reason that might be.

The city of North Las Vegas tried offering incentives in the form of signing bonuses $30,000 for lateral police officers who joined the North Las Vegas force. Other perks included a onetime relocation allowance of $5,000 for new hires outside the Las Vegas Valley if they would reside in the city of North Las Vegas. Honorably discharged military members, or active members of the

National Guard or Reserves, would be paid $5,000 after passing background checks and being hired.

North Las Vegas Officer Brian Thomas is a lateral hire, but he started his career before this program began. “I was a 911 dispatcher in Idaho for several years, and then an officer for another five. I’ve been an officer here for almost seven years. I didn’t get the bonuses

ABOVE: North Las Vegas police officers are fully trained and are committed to their work, but they also have a sense of humor and enjoy a moment of levity with each other. (Photo provided by the North Las Vegas Police Department)

they have now, but I’m all for it. It’s a big attraction, and it’s a great benefit. We never offered things like that before. It’s kind of a new strategy. We always look at new and creative ways to draw in more recruits, and it seems to be happening nationwide. So we took a stab at it, and it’s paying off so far.”

It’s not uncommon to have multiple generations from one family serve on police forces. That was never so clear as it was in the days after 9/11, when the names of the lost were read.

Thomas agreed. “We have some legacies in our own department right now, like brothers. Or where there are sons and grandsons

of active or retired officers. And we even have some husbands and wives, too.”

During the hiring process, there are both sides of the spectrum: those who are seriously looking for work, and those who fill out applications for jobs they might not really want to keep unemployment coming a while longer.

Thomas said, “With anything, I think there is always that level of people who aren’t fully committed, but the way our process works, we can weed those out fairly early so it doesn’t delay the total process. And we’re getting four or five more interested men and women than what we saw before the bonuses. I won’t say it never happens, where someone doesn’t really want the job, but it’s minimal. We hire both entry-level and regular positions, and yes, lateral.”

Thomas explained, “It’s like this, because there may be some who apply everywhere, like competing at all of them. So we get them as fast as we can, get them on the payroll and keep them on the books, so they can go to the academy. We can only offer so many spaces. And someone else could say, ‘Hey, we can take you.’ You gotta move fast, as if to say we want you, and we need to start you a month or two early. It shows you we’re committed to you, and we want you.”

And, Thomas said, “Essentially, the reason is there’s a huge big upfront cost in training new officers the academy, field training if

they’re new and don’t have the same skills. So rather than putting all that out, we want to sort of ‘buy’ someone’s experience. They can go through a shorter academy training. They just have to learn how we do it here; it might be different from where they were before. We want more seasoned veteran officers. We still want new hires, but also lateral. Some like the thought of a change from, say, snow and seasonal changes. Our weather here is pretty much the same year-round, so they can come out and experience a different climate and so on.”

There are no grant funds for this new way to build staff. Thomas explained, “For this specifically, it’s not part of any grant fund. It’s just steps our city has taken, realizing they need to invest more to get what we need. But there are other grants that have allowed us to hire more officers. Everyone has benefited from those. Those are called the More Cops Grant and Even More Cops Grant. Yes, really!”

Headlines from the last few years have hurt perceptions for some with police forces. Thomas said, “Yes. Almost everyone experienced some blowback and less interest in joining us. So we did have a drop, but now we are seeing an increase. Nationwide, we saw a culture change. Luckily, out here, we didn’t have the same view as some of the other cities. Our community has supported us, because of the support we had built with them prior to all

of that. We did see some, but not like the big cities. We are very diverse here, with people from all over. The 2022 Census showed these statistics: White population, 42%; Black population, 22%; Hispanic or Latino population, 42%; and Asian population, 6%. And a couple of interesting descriptions: Two or more cultures in each person, 13%, (and) White alone 24%.”

Thomas sees this hiring practice as just the latest in ways we need to move forward. “With anything at all, as cultures change, or society changes, law enforcement has to adapt. We’re always being looked at to provide the best service. We had some thinking of ‘that’s the way it’s always been, or the way we’ve always done it,’ with no need to change, but that’s wrong. You do have to change. Training now has things like high-tech fake cities and towns. I have a virtual reality class later today, and that’s the kind of thing that will be incorporated into training. We really focus on de-escalation, about the best way to handle every situation for the best outcome. That’s required training, too, for every officer in this state.”

New York City police forces have used lateral hiring, too. A representative from New York’s Deputy Commission Public Information (DCPI) said, “It’s just like any other department when it comes to hiring, so yes, there is some lateral hiring here. The NYPD regularly monitors attrition, and plans accordingly to address the loss of officers who retire or leave the department for a variety of reasons. While recent events outside of the department continue to present challenges to recruitment efforts, we continue to focus on the positive results that happen when someone joins

Officer Brian Thomas is fast on his feet, in a squad car or on the motorcycle pictured here. (Photo provided by the North Las Vegas Police Department)

A suitable partner that can fully be relied on is absolutely essential for police officers. They give new meaning to the expression “got each other’s back.” (Photo provided by the North Las Vegas Police Department)

this organization. For this year to date, we have hired more than 1,400 individuals in addition to the approximately 2,000 individuals we hired in 2022.”

In September 2022, the mayor of Detroit, Mich., Mike Duggan, announced a similar agreement to the North Las Vegas bonuses. Starting pay would immediately increase upon completion of the academy training, and there would be annual increases as well. The hope was that officer retention, rather than reduction, would result. In the month prior to this, Duggan said that the city lost 72 officers, with almost two-thirds of those being lost to other police departments.

And Chicago, Ill., also got on board with lateral hiring. Its process got the approval of the Fraternal Order of Police, which meant the Chicago Police Department could expedite lateral hiring, with certain criteria in place, such as the requirement to be under the age of 40.

In all these cities, and many others, lateral hiring seems to be here to stay.

Lateral hiring has helped expand the number of officers ready to go in North Las Vegas. This new method has been very helpful anywhere there’s understaffing. (Photo provided by the North Las Vegas Police Department)

M Waste & Recycling

Snohomish County program diverts batteries from landfills

Snohomish County, Wash., is reducing its carbon footprint by offering a high-yielding battery recycling program to its residents. The solid waste department in Snohomish County has achieved several sustainability awards from organizations such as Call2Recycle and was most recently named a Call2Recycle Top 100 Leader in Sustainability for battery recycling in 2022. The county was notified and awarded this achievement in early 2023. Additionally, the program has received a 2016 Leader in Sustainability Award and the 2020 Top 100 Leader from Call2Recycle, to name a few accomplishments.

By STACI REAFSYNDER | The Municipal

Snohomish County Solid Waste has an impressive record of recycling batteries and household wastes. Solid waste diverted more than 32,000 pounds of batteries from area landfills in 2022, a March 2023 Snohomish County press release stated. During 2022, 2.7 million pounds of hazardous material were reused or recycled. In 2020, the county reported it had hit a record of over 8 million pounds of consumer batteries recycled.

Snohomish County provides rural drop box locations, and transfer stations to its residents to encourage battery and hazardous waste recycling. All waste facilities in Snohomish County also accept batteries, as well as select retailers. The county provides a full list to residents on their county website, snohomiscountywa.gov, as well as resources and connections with Call2Recycle.

“Snohomish County Public Works collects batteries at its solid waste transfer stations, rural drop box locations and Household Hazardous Waste facility,” Jon Greninger, Snohomish County Public Works Solid Waste Operations manager, said. “In addition, solid waste staff maintains small collection boxes at county administration offices for employees and visitors. The county does not capture large li-ion batteries out of hybrid vehicles or larger power banks.”

The program primarily focuses on household batteries, Greninger stated. Batteries are collected by the household hazardous waste staff and are sorted by chemistry and packed according to the 49 Code of Federal Regulations, which includes essential department of transportation regulations. HHW staff will then ship the batteries to select vendors for end-of-life remediation or to be recycled.

The 49 CFR DOT includes regulations that encompass hazardous materials transportation and federal motor carrier regulations. If dealing in hazardous materials, hazardous waste or functioning as a shipper, carrier or freight forwarder, organizations must comply with 49 CFR DOT.

“The Call2Recycle program is a state-of-the art in recycling rechargeable batteries,” Greninger said. “Call2Recycle receives any nickel-metal, nickel cadmium, lithium ion, primary lithium and some of the small pb batteries.”

Call2Recycle is a United States-based, not-for-profit organization that focuses on reducing hazardous waste in compliance with state and national regulations. According to Call2Recycle’s website, call2recycle.org, the organization has been refining and improving its practices to advance operational effectiveness since 1994.

“In the 25 years we have been operating our recycling program, we have worked with various companies and municipalities that share our core value to do the right thing for the environment,” the Call2Recycle website states.

“Snohomish County’s efforts helped the Call2Recycle program collect nearly 8 million pounds of consumer batteries in the United States,” the March 2023 Snohomish County press release states.

The Snohomish County battery recycling program began in 2004. In 2021, Snohomish County reported it was the largest consumer battery stewardship program in North America. Batteries that are collected and managed by Call2Recycle are often recycled into new products such as pots and pans, silverware, and even new batteries.

“For more than 20 years, Call2Recycle has worked to responsibly manage the collection and recycling of batteries and other materials,”

a March 2021 Snohomish County press release states. “It is the oldest and largest consumer battery stewardship program in North America. The organization performs this work on behalf of more than 300 battery and battery powered product companies.”

According to snohomishcountywa.gov, the public works department is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages approximately 200 traffic control signals.

“The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment,” the county website states.

The Snohomish County battery recycling program was started in 2004 and has since been recognized by Call2Recycle several times. (Photo provided by Snohomish County, Wash.)

More than 32,000 pounds of batteries were diverted from area landfills in 2022. (Photo provided by Snohomish County, Wash.)

Brownfield redevelopment program turns old railroad depot into environmental Connor Park

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

The approximately 2-acre parcel of land in Palmetto, Fla., that is now Connor Park, was once a busy railroad spur and depot. Solid waste from the area was diverted into this location and pushed into the river up until 1960 when the city of Palmetto built an advanced wastewater treatment facility. Seventy acres of stormwater were sheet flowing in from the north and draining directly into the Manatee River. Now it is an environmental park that aids in water treatment.

When the city of Palmetto acquired the property in 1998, assessments were done to see whether the site was contaminated. However, no remediation plans were made. Since trusses between railroad rails were normally soaked with arsenic to keep the bugs off, the area’s soil was found to be heavily contaminated with arsenic and creosote, which is common for old railroads. Environmental contaminants, including benzopyrene, benzofluoranthene, carbon disulfide, pyrene and chrysene, were also identified. There was also a great deal of pesticide and fertilizer residue, including nitrogen, which is the leading cause of red tide, present in the soil from agricultural runoff from the tomato packing factory next door.

The Community Redevelopment Agency took over the property in 1999, but it remained vacant for quite a while. After an additional assessment was done, the property was classified as a brownfield and the Community Redevelopment Agency went about applying for grants to turn the property into an environmental park. A grant was applied for through the Environmental Protection Agency to

ABOVE: Previously a railroad depot and a solid waste and stormwater drainage location into the Manatee River, the Connor Park site in Palmetto, Fla., was found to be contaminated with multiple chemicals and pesticides. When ownership was taken over by the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency, it was declared a brownfield. (Photo provided by the Palmetto, Fla., Community Redevelopment Agency)

clean up the site and convert it. After the required assessment was completed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Palmetto received approval to begin the cleanup process. This was done using the grant money received from deeming the site a brownfield. During the cleanup process in 2018, 928 tons of impacted soil had to be removed from the site and incinerated.

In 2011, the Sarasota Manatee Planning Organization granted the city of Palmetto, a coalition partner, a $1 million grant as part of the Environmental Protection Agency Coalition Assessment grant. This assisted with phase one and two of the environmental assessments and the brownfield reuse planning. Another EPA Coalition grant from Manatee County was issued for $500,000 in 2015 for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and supplemental environmental assessments and planning for brownfield reuse. The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency was then granted $200,000 in 2016 from the Connor Park EPA Clean Up grant for remedial planning and source removal.

The city applied to the Southwest Florida Water Management District and received $100,000 toward planning and $600,000 toward the project, specifically making the reservoir a reality. A grant from the Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration fund for $50,000 was applied for to measure benefits of sustainable development of park through a survey and to get reef balls in the reservoir to become attachment areas for crustaceans, specifically oysters, which can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. As part of a voluntary cleanup tax credit for brownfield site rehabilitation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimated the city’s credit to be approximately $800,000. In total, the Connor Park project cost approximately $3.8 million.

Between receiving the funding for cleanup and cleanup itself, the process took a few years. Once the site was cleaned up and cleared for the environmental park building project, the engineering company Applied Sciences Consulting began construction. The design began with the environmental features and then the park features followed. Park features were specifically designed not to include playground equipment and the like. Because of the contamination, the city did not want children to be given the opportunity to play in the dirt or put it in their mouths.

Connor Park includes a 500,000 gallon reservoir to help contain stormwater and provides natural water treatment before the stormwater enters the Manatee River. Aquatic plants, such as American lotus, duck potatoes, muhly grass, cattails and pickerel weed, are used to filter the pond water before it enters the river. The 76 reef clusters providing home for aquatic life, specifically oysters, help to filter the water. The plants and fish provide food for Palmetto’s bird population, since the city also has a commitment as a bird sanctuary. There are also solar tree farms on each end of the pond, an osprey nesting platform, a pavilion, a spoonbills art sculpture at the pavilion, bat houses to help control the mosquito population and a beautiful walking trail. This walking trail is planned to be connected to a developing trail system around Palmetto known as the Linear Park Trail Project.

After being identified as a brownfield, multiple grants were applied for by the city to help find its highest and best use. This use was decided to be an environmental park. This rendering shows plans for the park. (Photo provided by the Palmetto, Fla., Community Redevelopment Agency)

Once grants were received and 928 tons of impacted soil was removed from the site, construction on the park could begin. One of the biggest and most important aspects was a 500,000 gallon reservoir pond that promotes natural water treatment with aquatic plants and animals. (Photo provided by the Palmetto, Fla., Community Redevelopment Agency)

The park got its name after Frank M. Connor, dean of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad agriculture agents. He researched plant variety and disease research control and was posthumously named Manatee County agriculturist of the year in 2010. Since the family had been instrumental in the railroad and agricultural aspects, they also wished to assist in the cleanup. Therefore, the park was named Connor Park in their honor.

An official dedication ceremony was held in June when Connor Park was completed. Ed Johnson, interim Community Redevelopment Agency director, stated, “It is very popular in the community. Folks that were naysayers in the beginning are now preaching the word of Connor Park and the brownfield program.”

‘Water’ the alternatives? Joliet rethinks its water supply

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

Joliet, Ill., can no longer go with the flow. Faced with the prospect of a diminishing water supply, over the last few years, city leaders dove into the problem and found a solution that will keep its residents hydrated for generations to come.

“It’s a credit to our engaged residents and dedicated city staff that we were able to address this challenge head-on and reach an agreement upon which Joliet can build its future,” said Joliet mayor Bob O’Dekirk in an April press release.

Tapping into a new resource

Like a lot of communities across the U.S., Joliet draws its groundwater supply from a network of wells located throughout the city. While this system has always replenished itself in the past, a 2018 report by the Illinois State Water Survey found that the Ironton–Galesville aquifer that supplies those wells would be insufficient to meet the city’s usage demands by 2030. Armed with the urgent need to identify and tap into a new water supply, the city’s Department of Public Utilities announced a multifaceted initiative that would allow it to examine its options and encourage its residents to rethink their water usage.

In March 2019, Joliet embarked on the first phase of its alternative water source program and identified 14 potential options to meet the city’s needs. After an initial evaluation, the list was narrowed to the five most viable: the Illinois River, Kankakee River

and Lake Michigan via either the Chicago Department of Water Management, DuPage Water Commission or a new Indiana intake.

After determining that Lake Michigan would be the community’s best bet, a consultant was hired to assess whether the water should be acquired through the Windy City or through a new intake in Indiana. The findings were presented to the public in December 2020 and the following month, the Joliet City Council opted for Chicago. An historic 100-year contract was announced in April.

“This decision gives the citizens of Joliet all of the knowledge and resources for a system that purifies and distributes over 1 billion gallons of water each day to over 5.3 million residents in northeast Illinois,” O’Dekirk said.

Pooling resources

Naturally, shifting Joliet’s water supply from groundwater wells to Lake Michigan is an expensive undertaking. According to the contract, the project is expected to cost nearly $1 billion in pipeline, suction wells and pumping stations as it connects with the Chicago Water System at its Southwest Pumping Station. If Joliet were acting on this project alone, it was estimated that the average

ABOVE: A ceremonial check representing a portion of the funding is presented to crews working on the ReThink Water Joliet project. (Photo provided by ReThink Water Joliet)

monthly residential utility bill would quadruple over the next two decades.

But the city is not alone thanks to the Grand Prairie Water Commission, which was announced on Aug. 18, 2022. It consists of Joliet and five other municipalities: Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville and Shorewood, which had also been evaluating alternative water sources including the Lake Michigan option.

Together, the communities in the commission will require more than 55 million gallons of water per day by 2050. By pooling resources, they can share the cost of construction, operation and maintenance of the infrastructure based on water usage. Joliet expects this arrangement to increase the average monthly water bill, which was $34 in 2021, to only $78 or $88 by 2030.

“This has been a long time coming, and this step forward is a visible sign of the hard work these communities have put in,” Hugh O’Hara, coordinator for the Grand Prairie Water Commission, stated in a press release. “Having a sustainable, high-quality water source is essential to our region’s future success, and I applaud these communities for understanding the stakes and working together for the best solution.”

Construction on the planned infrastructure is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2024 and continue into the first half of 2029. Since 2021, Joliet and the other cities have been concentrating their efforts on land acquisition, design and permitting.

The group plans to use a combination of funding sources to pay for the project, including the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 – a federal low-interest loan program administered by the EPA for eligible water and wastewater initiatives. It will also tap into the State Revolving Fund, a low-interest loan program administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and revenue bonds.

Then, on May 4, the Grand Prairie Water Commission received a check from Congressman Bill Foster for $3.45 million as part of a federal allocation for development of the infrastructure needed by the cooperative.

“Congressman Foster stood with us when we announced this commission last year, and the Community Project Funding shows he continues to stand with us in Washington,” said Romeoville Mayor John Noa during the presentation of the ceremonial check.

Public engagement

Joliet and members of the Grand Prairie Water Commission are working hard to keep the public engaged throughout the planning and construction process while also educating them on the ways in which they can conserve water in their homes. It is not expected that the water source change will require residents to change any infrastructure inside their homes, although the city will continue its lead service line inventory and replacement program to mitigate risk associated lead services in older houses.

The city of Joliet is doing everything it can to mitigate the risk associated with switching water sources so that its customers, especially those with lead sevices, are not impacted by the shift.

“We are excited to be a leader in the development of a long-term water supply for ourselves and the region,” O’Dekirk stated. “Our future and the future of all who live here will be better because of the decisions we made today.”

Leadership in Joliet, Ill., worked diligently to identify a new water source tapping into Lake Michigan by way of the Chicago Department of Water Management. (Photo provided by ReThink Water Joliet)

The ReThink Water Joliet team and mascots make an appearance to help people learn more about the program to locate a new water source and how they can conserve water at home. (Photo provided by ReThink Water Joliet)

Harrisburg Hot Spot Saturdays brings community together address illegal dumping

By JANET G. PATTERSON | The Municipal

Summer Saturdays are precious. They can be the time for sports, beach combing, barbecuing or just sitting on a porch reading a good book. But, summer Saturdays are especially important to folks who live in Harrisburg, Pa.

Hot Spot Saturdays are for cleaning up neighborhoods stricken by illegal dumping.

“We definitely are on attack when it comes to illegal dumping,” Dave West, the city’s public works director, said at a recent press conference. Harrisburg is joining a growing number of cities engaging volunteers in cleaning their neighborhoods of trash in vacant lots around the community.

Not only does illegal dumping create unsightly neighborhoods, but it costs cities dearly to clean and restore those areas where someone

ABOVE: As many as 100 volunteers have showed up to help clean their neighborhood on a Hot Spot Saturday. (Photo provided by the city of Harrisburg, Pa.)

dumps trash, used building supplies, roofing materials, old tires or unwanted household items. In 2022, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital city of about 50,000 residents, spent almost $120,000 cleaning up after illegal dumpers. This year, thanks to Hot Spot Saturdays, it is expected to save the city more than twice that.

Just ask Councilman Ralph Rodriguez, who was elected to a fouryear term in 2021 and is the organizer of Hot Spot Saturdays. A resident of Harrisburg since the late 1990s and a long-time community activist,

Rodriguez believes that neighbors helping neighbors is the best way to “put a dent in this situation.”

“We scheduled six neighborhoods in 2022 and have six scheduled in 2023. This is our home, and we want offenders to know that their trash is not welcome here.”

Rodriguez has recruited volunteers to do the cleanups one Saturday a month, June through October. Last year, the crews cleaned up 10 tons of trash. This year’s goal is 20 tons.

As many as 100 volunteers will show up on a Hot Spot Saturday, including school groups, families and even city council members and a group of district justices, he added.

The city supplies a 40-foot trash container and equipment for the volunteers to use. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) has waived the fees for city trucks to take materials to its site, which adds to the city’s savings from Hot Spot Saturdays. LCSWMA manages trash and recyclable materials in Lancaster County, and trash from the city of Harrisburg and surrounding Dauphin County communities.

Once a site is cleaned, the city uses cameras to capture photos of individuals, vehicles and license plates of offenders who return to the sites. “This (dumping) has been allowed to happen,” Rodriguez said, noting contractors from outside the city have identified empty lots and brought construction trash into the city instead of going to official sites that charge for dumping.

He credits a “more youthful city council” that is engaging city residents in taking care of their neighborhoods. This, he believes, has led to a more family-oriented atmosphere in Harrisburg.

The penalty for illegally dumping trash in Harrisburg can be as much as $1,000 and 90 days in jail. Rodriguez believes this is not a significant enough deterrent for businesses to stop dumping illegally, and that penalties should be increased.

While those whose activities have been captured recently on the city’s cameras are part of ongoing investigations, he believes that the cameras, increased lighting, plus people reporting dumping and the use of social media, are proving successful in reducing illegal dumping.

Rodriguez said he wants people to understand that illegal dumping is a crime.

In a joint effort between the city of Harrisburg and Dauphin County, a recently hired environmental enforcement officer is working with the Harrisburg Police Department doing surveillance, visiting dump sites and disposal facilities around the county, and helping with private haulers, businesses and resident concerns. The EEO will also work with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute offenders. The salary for the EEO is divided between the city and the county. A second officer is expected to be hired later this year.

Not only are the illegal dump sites unsightly, but they also attract insects such as termites and flies, as well as rats and other vermin that can be dangerous to local homes and the people who live there. Water pooling in dumped tires creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Our children should not have to live with this in their neighborhoods,” Rodriguez added.

Harrisburg officials have also started a campaign to educate people about responsible ways to dispose of trash and recycle certain materials. Households can leave one large item like a mattress at the curb for the weekly trash collection, and tires can be recycled for as little as $2 a tire.

“Harrisburg is the state capital. We are residents here and we have a lot of care and affection for this city,” Rodriguez added. “We need to do what’s right in our hearts.”

Councilman Ralph Rodriguez has organized the Hot Spot Saturday program to clean up illegal dumping in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo provided by the city of Harrisburg, Pa.)

Household items, building materials and broken furniture are among items illegally dumped on vacant lots. (Photo provided by the city of Harrisburg, Pa.)

The city of Harrisburg supplies wheelbarrows and other equipment volunteers use to clean up vacant lots. (Photo provided by the city of Harrisburg, Pa.)

Receivership program catches attention

By BETH ANNE BRINK-COX | The Municipal

A pilot program of any kind always seems interesting. Sometimes it’s something no one ever thought could be a solution, and sometimes it makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner. The Vacant Housing Receivership Program in Greensboro, S.C., has successfully tackled the issue of vacant and/or deteriorating houses with a program that is so successful, it’s going to move from pilot to program soon.

Director Troy Powell, neighborhood impact manager in Greensboro, explained this issue clearly. “The city now has a tool to move forward. Twenty houses were selected to be rehabilitated. A code official determines when a house is unfit for habitation, and that decision is honored by the Greensboro Minimum Housing Standards Commission (MHSC). This could have led to court hearings, but every one of those houses were repaired and rehabilitated. And when you have a housing shortage, that’s a real asset to the community. That was our goal, make them safe, make them affordable.”

Most communities have seen homes in need of repairs. Powell said, “Well, that affects the neighborhood. It’ll hurt a community just like a bacteria will. So if an ordinance to repair is issued to the property owner, and then city staff can use receivership if that property remains in disrepair 90 days after the ordinance was given. That’s when a judge appoints a receiver to either repair or demolish unsafe houses. We have

five qualified receivers, each ready to appear in court as needed. They are certified MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) or WBE (Women Business Enterprise).”

This was one important issue that had some community members worried and created a delay. “Some people had approached their council person, and they thought this pilot initiative might create an unfair advantage to minorities, might cause Caucasian companies to raise prices and costs to where the minority couldn’t pay the lien and would not be able to reclaim the property. Would this create gentrification? We knew the answer was no, but we had to pause and get more discussion,” Powell explained.

So a receiver prepares a plan of action, detailing everything that must be done to bring the house into compliant condition, as well as a timeline for completion. That plan is presented to a judge during a hearing. But, Powell said, “That has not happened once. Owners will

This home in Greensboro, N.C., was one of the homes to receive renovations following the launch of the city’s new program. (Photo provided by T.D. Powell)

After a wonderful restoration, this house is now in livable condition for the right family. (Photo provided by T.D. Powell)

bring their properties up to code when they understand that they’ll lose their properties otherwise. And that’s what we had in mind when we began working on this project.”

If, however, a hearing would be required, the receiver takes control of the property, and they are authorized to bring it up to standard. After that rehab period, the receiver can rent the house, “and all the rents and income are his or hers. That money pays for current expenses and repayment of rehabilitation or demolition expenses. The receiver can do this for two years after the rehabilitation. They can place costs supplies, labor and fees as a lien against the property. If what is collected isn’t enough to reimburse the receiver, and the owner doesn’t pay those liens, the receiver can foreclose or accept a deed,” Powell said. “Then the court can order the property sold to compensate the receiver. If there’s anything left over, that’s returned to the property owner.

“Our city is the first that has utilized this deal. Nine other cities are watching us, seeing how this works and how we do. We are having success with landlords. There’s one popular guy here who has eight to 10 properties, ten on ordinance, and some on the repair side. These are condemned but not risen to the level that would require demolishment. It’s just a matter of motivating the person to fix the structure. The process is the motivation,” Powell explained.

“We are a pilot, and I guess we could end it, but it said 20 structures and we have not yet repaired a structure, but we have corrected the violations of 41 structures. City council would be happy with the 41 result as compared to issuing paperwork for 20 structures. We gained compliance without having to use the courts. They see, and it’s ‘Oops, I have to take care of that.’ We are getting compliance because no one wants to lose control of their property for more than two years. It’s a seller’s market right now, and someone might come along to buy for $20,000 more, but you can’t sell it because it’s under court order. Can’t file bankruptcy, can’t be foreclosed it sets there until the receiver has

paid back the lien. For the owner, this is a plus. Now it’s repaired, and it has a tenant in it. The process has put a house back on the market.”

As for getting such a program going, Powell said, “How you finesse this is key. At first we were trying to wrap our heads around ‘Why would anyone fix a house that wasn’t in their ownership, who is in that market?’ What we came up with (was) house flippers who have liquidated assets and have maybe $10,000 or $15,000 that they can put into it. But it’s not the receiver who will just be repairing. He can do everything allowed, but it’s still controlled by the judge, and he will not allow them to put a value on it that is above market value. The judge has the final say on what the lien value will be. What if the receiver would really inflate the costs? Well, they wouldn’t want to do that, because the judge will remember that!”

Powell added, “What we heard most was from the landlord association that they may not take money and be a receiver. If they wait, and that property comes up for sale, and it’s repaired, then that’s when they’d get involved. They’d think this might be worth it to get involved, maybe start bidding at, say, $20,000 on a place valued at $50,000 or $60,000. They can bump it up another $ 20,000 as a business plan. But they can drop out anytime.”

Homeowners really don’t want their house to go into receivership, Powell said. “You never have to worry if it’s maintained properly. Get it into compliance. If a neighbor wants to sell their house and get it appraised, and then the house appraises for less, they want to know: Why is that? Well, it’s because nothing on the street is selling. If a house here is falling down beside yours, it can’t be rated higher. If nothing sells, it depreciates your property. You need to preserve the value. You’ll lose money, lose your investment. So you can’t move without doing so in the negative.”

The condition of this kitchen shows clearly why the vacant or deteriorating house are carefully inspected, before determining if they can be repaired and brought up to livable code, or if they will have to be demolished. (Photo of Henry Street House provided by Inspector C. Harrison)

The contrast between earlier kitchen photos and this restored and renovated one is staggering, proof that the receivership program is working exactly as planned. (Photo provided by T.D. Powell)

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.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 6-9 Utah League of Cities & Towns 2023 Annual Convention

Salt Lake City, Utah

https://www.ulct.org/Home/ Components/Calendar/Event/

Sept. 10-13 SGFMA Annual Meeting

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

https://www.sgfma.org/sgfma. php?incfile=annual_meeting. html

Sept. 10-13 Missouri Municipal League 89th Annual Conference

Sheraton at Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo.

https://www.mocities.com/ MMLAnnualConference

Sept. 12-14 NDRPA State Conference

Grand Forks, N.D.

https://ndrpa.com/event/2023ndrpa-state-conference-grandforks/

Sept. 13 NYC Watershed Science & Technical Conference

Bear Mountain Inn & Conference Center, Tomkins Cove, N.Y.

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

Sept. 13-14 IRWA Fall Conference

Best Western Plus – University Inn, Moscow, Idaho

https://www.idahoruralwater. com/

Sept. 13-15 FLAGFA

Tradewinds Island Grand, St. Pete Beach, Fla.

https://www.flagfa.org/future_ dates.php

Sept. 18-22 31st Annual Emergency & Municipal Apparatus Maintenance Symposium

Ohio Fire Academy, Reynoldsburg, Ohio https://oaevt.org/events-andnews/

Sept. 19-21 Oklahoma Municipal League Annual Conference

Oklahoma City, Okla. https://www.omlconference. org/

Sept. 20-22 Iowa League Of Cities Annual Conference

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

https://iowaleague.org/ workshops-events/annualconference

Sept. 20-22 League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento, Calif. https://www.calcities.org

Sept. 20-22 North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference

Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, N.D.

https://www.ndlc.org/

Sept. 20 -22 WASWD Fall Conference

Clearwater Casino, Suquamish, Wash.

https://www.waswd.org/ midconference

Sept. 21-23 Illinois Municipal League 110th Annual Conference

Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Ill. https://conference.iml.org/

Sept. 24-27 FIERO Station Design Symposium

EDT, Greenville, S.C.

https://www.fieroonline.org/ symposia-and-workshops

Sept. 25-27 Water Pro Conference

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Aurora. Colo. https://mrws.org/conferences/

Sept. 25-28 ARFF Annual International Educational Symposium Milwaukee, Wis. https://arffwg.org/conferences

Sept. 25-28 ARTBA National Convention

Conrad Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.

https://connect.artba.org/ events/2022-artba-nationalconvention

Sept. 26-27 Vermont League of Cities & Towns Town Fair 2023

Doubletree by Hilton, South Burlington, Vt. https://www.vlct.org/town-fair

Sept. 26-28 Arkansas

Association of Chiefs of Police 55th Annual Convention Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Ark.

https://arkchiefs.org/ registration/

Sept. 27 & 28 OACP/OSSA Fall Leadership Conference Salem, Ore.

https://oracp.memberclicks. net/upcoming-conferences

Sept. 28 NSLC Charitable Gaming Restrictions Webinar

https://www.ndlc.org/

Sept. 30- Oct. 4 ICMA 109th Annual Conference

Austin Travis County, Texas

https://icma.org/events

OCTOBER

Oct. 6 Delaware Rural Water Association 15th Annual Water & Wastewater Operators Expo Greenwood Fire Company, Greenwood, Del.

https://drwa.org/ events/#conference

Oct. 7-8 League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference

Hyatt Regency + Century II Convention Center, Wichita, Kan.

https://www.lkm.org/

Oct. 7-10 Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference Waterside Marriot, Norfolk, Va. www.vml.org

Oct. 10-12 New Jersey

Recreation & Park Assoc Conference & Expo

Dallas, Texas

https://www.njrpa.org/NRPAAnnual-Conference

Is Green Bay, Wis., the best place to live?

In the annual U.S. News & World Report list published late this spring, a perhaps-surprising city was dubbed the best place to live in the U.S.

Green Bay, Wis., rose two spots in the magazine’s ranking to become the most desirable city in which to live in for 2023. The city garnered particularly high marks for overall quality of life and for affordability, which more or less canceled out its less-than-desirable performance in the weather category.

“In the weather category, it does not perform well — it has harsh winters. But it is considered very affordable … and its quality of life performs well,”

1. Green Bay, Wis.

2. Huntsville, Ala.

3. Raleigh and Durham, N.C.

4. Boulder, Colo.

5. Sarasota, Fla.

Harsh winters aside, Green Bay and the other Top 10 cities in the best-place-to-live poll came out on top when people were asked where they’d most prefer to live. Respondents’ choices were also influenced by the proliferation of attributes such as museums, parks, restaurants and bars.

Two Florida cities made the cut, although median home prices in those cities tended to be higher. According to the poll, the cities most Americans want to live in are:

6. Naples, Fla.

7. Portland, Maine

8. Charlotte, N.C.

9. Colorado Springs, Colo.

10. Fayetteville, Ark.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-place-to-live-us-news-and-world-report/)

U.S. News real estate editor Devon Thorsby told CBS MoneyWatch in the article.