PCiRoads uses custom equipment for Minneapolis stormwater project
Minneapolis features a busy and lively downtown area that’s home to nearly 57,000 residents along with 216,000 employees each week, per mplsdowntown.com. The city has consistently topped more than $1 billion in new construction permits over the past 11 years … More from our cover sponsor →
Awards, inspiration and acquaintances
The opening general session of The Best Show in Public Works was highlighted by the introduction of the 2013–14 American Public Works Association board of directors and its new President, Ed Gottko. In his remarks, Gottko congratulated the public works … Continue reading →
APWA: Engineering change in Chicago
The professionals who keep community center roofs from leaking, build the roads thousands of people take to work every day and who line up with police and firefighters on the front lines of disasters met at McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill., … Continue reading →
FRI 2013
Fire suppression, victim survivability, the safety culture and mental health were only a few of the topics that made the 2013 International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire-Rescue International Conference highly relevant for today’s fire and rescue professionals. The conference took … Continue reading →
Security in Southland
Midwest Security and Police Conference/Expo returned to Tinley Park Convention Center in August, bringing to law enforcement and security officials 21stcentury surveillance, reporting, data management and vehicle technology. This year’s event co-located with the FBI National Academy Associates training conference … Continue reading →
Cut costs, meet environmental goals with green purchasing
From protecting the environment and human health to saving money, a wide gamut of reasons exist for municipalities to “go green” and rethink the purchase of equipment and supplies. Buying recycled products is one type of green purchasing, but many … Continue reading →
Purcellville, VA
The town of Purcellville, Va., has embraced the challenge with several green initiatives from community shredding events including Painting Purcellville Green, an annual event with energy and cost-savings workshops plus other environmental themed activities. For these initiatives Purcellville has received … Continue reading →
Driving with ABS
In the last article, I discussed how a vehicle “burns off” kinetic energy and comes to a stop. We mentioned that when the tires on a vehicle lock up, they slide across the road surface and create tremendous amounts of … Continue reading →
Waste not, want not: solid waste management and environmental responsibility
Though it has been 25 years since Bristol, Conn., and surrounding communities first considered the addition of an energy-from-waste facility as part of their solid waste management program, Mayor Arthur Ward remembers how area residents opposed the idea. “There was … Continue reading →
Biodiesel fuel concerns peak in the wintertime
Biodiesel fuels are diesel fuels that are animal fat or vegetable oil based. After production, they are chemically combined with methane alcohol to produce fatty acid esters, which can then be burned. Without the proper chemical reaction, glycerine, which is … Continue reading →
Public / private partnerships keep the light house(s) on
By Barb Sieminski | The Municipal Lighthouses have long been a popular subject for artists, clothing designers, poets and others. Few people give thought, however, to what it takes to run them and what their unique challenges are — especially … Continue reading →
This land is your land: National parks feel the pinch as sequestration slashes budgets
Since 1916, the national park system has been the treasure of the American landscape. With over 400 locations covering 84 million acres across the United States and its territories, national parks attract nearly 279 million visitors, employ 22,000 full-time, part-time … Continue reading →
The Vacation Differential
Legislators took a nice, long vacation over the summer. Haven’t you always wished you could do that? Imagine leaving behind all of the consequential decision-making and headache-provoking conversations for a three-month change of pace. Pretend, for a minute, that you … Continue reading →
10 things to know about new NFPA standards affecting SCBAs
The National Fire Protection Association’s 2013 standards affecting self-contained breathing apparatus have departments across the country deciding whether now is the time upgrade their respiratory protective equipment or to purchase new. Considerations for both small and large departments were shared … Continue reading →
IMSA safety conference
The 118th annual International Municipal Signal Association public safety conference brought traffic engineers from across a broad region to the mountains of Arizona for education, networking and to attend the 36th annual public safety school. Reducing congestion and increasing first … Continue reading →
DEQ delivers hurricane resource manual to parishes
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has distributed an updated Hurricane Resource Manual to all of the 64 parishes in the state. The manual contains information pertaining to hurricane/emergency recovery assistance as it relates to permitting, debris collection and environmental … Continue reading →
Not your grandmother’s parking meter
By BARB SIEMINSKI | The Municipal Here comes the sun, hopes Chattanooga, Tenn. In February, Chattanooga, Tenn., installed solar-powered parking meters. Jim Bowen, director of special projects with the Chattanooga Parking Authority, said officials approved the investment of more than … Continue reading →
Placemaking: getting to the heart of community
Placemaking continues to grow nationwide, in municipalities like Oviedo, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Savannah, Ga. — and even on an international scale, from South Korea to Canada and the United Arab Emirates. While not a new concept, placemaking encourages municipal … Continue reading →
