Weedoo clearing the way: Why more municipalities are turning to mechanical harvesting for waterway health
Public works departments are under growing pressure to meet environmental regulations, manage costs and maintain community trust. Nowhere is that balancing act more visible than in aquatic maintenance. From stormwater canals to retention ponds, municipalities face persistent challenges: invasive weeds, … More from our cover sponsor →
Kingman promotes play and quality of life with park updates
In Kingman, Ariz., there are 14 parks, two aquatic facilities, a splash pad and an 18-hole golf course. There are multiple ramadas, or public shade structures, and picnic areas with mountain views. Centennial Park has a 0.9-mile natural surface walking … Continue reading →
Milton, Georgia showcases employees who make a difference
Citizens deserve a government that constantly looks to improve their lives, and when municipal employees have a passion for public service and a commitment to the community, they shouldn’t be taken for granted. That is why the city of Milton, … Continue reading →
Dighton, Mass., police and fire connect through fiber
We all know technology makes us more efficient — when it works right, that is; otherwise, it can frustrate. That frustration is what the fire department of the town of Dighton, Mass., has been experiencing, but it is looking forward … Continue reading →
History on the move in Mason City, Iowa
Conde Nast Traveler twice named Mason City, Iowa, to its list of “World’s Best Cities for Architecture.” The Midwestern metropolis keeps prestigious company, with Paris, Dubai, Istanbul and Miami making the same list. Why was Mason City included? Frank Lloyd … Continue reading →
Tool rental program earns Round Rock award for City Spirit
One program that has set Round Rock, Texas, apart is the fact that it is home to the first mobile tool renting center in Texas. During neighborhood cleanup activities, volunteers can come and borrow a tool at no charge to … Continue reading →
Providence partners to create immigration-focused program
Immigration has been a hot-button topic for quite some time, and it doesn’t look like that will end soon. What can be done? To begin with, we need to educate ourselves as to the possibilities for anyone who is trying … Continue reading →
‘Christmas with a First Responder’ program creates merry memories
When the Pikeville, Ky., police department began its Shop with a Cop program 16 years ago, the goal was to provide a little Christmas cheer for a handful of kids in need. “When we started, we held a car … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Best-run cities in America
The larger the city, the more complex it becomes to manage. Well-run cities aren’t just the product of efficient budgeting, safe streets or even abundant resources; it’s also about representing the residents and balancing their diverse interests. Not everyone’s needs … Continue reading →
On the road again: New Orleans’ Cemeteries
“Six feet under” has a couple of significant meanings for New Orleans, La. More than half the city, much of which was developed on reclaimed swampland, lies several feet below sea level and is sinking at the rate of almost … Continue reading →
Cities and towns plan for the future
Whether you call it a growth plan, master plan, opportunity plan or comprehensive plan, most cities and towns see the need to have such a plan and to update it regularly. And as Matt Kostelnik, with the Lake of the … Continue reading →
Eliminate unnecessary work truck idling with ‘Power on Demand’
Go green! That’s the wide-reaching mandate handed down by your city council. But when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, there’s an area that maintenance, utilities, parks and street departments are probably not even looking at — the up to … Continue reading →
On the road again: Mount Desert Island, Maine
Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island, Maine, where at 1,528 feet above sea level, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, early risers can greet “the dawn’s earliest light” to reach the United States. Mount Desert (pronounced by locals … Continue reading →
Surging gas prices cause fleet managers to get creative
They say that what goes up must come down. Although oil prices have fallen since the summer surge, communities are constantly looking for ways to fuel their fleets without breaking the budget. After all, petroleum prices not only impact the … Continue reading →
Madison takes firefighter recruitment online
The city of Madison, Wis.’s, fire department is forging a new path as it attempts to recruit trainees for this round of recruitment. In a traditional open house setting, folks are invited to the firehouse to speak in person with … Continue reading →
Fort Worth becomes first city government to mine cryptocurrency
Fort Worth, Texas, made history in April as the first city government to mine cryptocurrency. “This pilot program, launched by the Office of Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and the city of Fort Worth, in partnership with Texas Blockchain Council, … Continue reading →
Bellevue, Wash., launches goal of eliminating roadway injuries and fatalities
The city of Bellevue, Wash., has spent the last seven years working to make its streets safer with the Vision Zero plan. The Bellevue City Council passed a resolution providing the framework to pursue Vision Zero in December 2015. Five … Continue reading →
Costa Mesa creates parking permit program
In areas of many cities, where multi-family units and commercial businesses compete for a limited number of spaces, parking becomes a precious commodity. To combat the scarcity of parking places, the city of Costa Mesa, Calif., is revising its Residential … Continue reading →
Top 10 most educated cities in the United States
Extensive infrastructure, public services and amendable tax policies; these are advantages corporations and organizations find when they locate in developed urban areas. Many college graduates are drawn to cities to staff these businesses, which in turn concentrates the high-education demographic … Continue reading →