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 →
Eminent domain: Last resort option to further public projects
Municipal construction projects are a necessary part of any city’s growth and development, whether new roads and sidewalks or sewer lines and other necessary improvements. However, there are times when projects require the acquisition of private property. Typically, a … Continue reading →
Charging Ahead: Fleet Electrification Takes Center Stage
Municipal fleet managers have been on the front lines of the electric vehicle revolution since the first modern passenger EVs began sharing our roads in the mid-1990s. While the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment and subsequent emissions regulations on automotive … Continue reading →
City pools and beaches adapt to COVID
Swimming is a favorite summertime activity, but when the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into June, July and then August last year, cities nationwide faced unique challenges when it came to staffing their municipal pools and beaches. Many simply closed altogether. … Continue reading →
Rock Creek Fire District receives ladder truck through DOD firefighter program
In January, the Rock Creek Fire Protection District in Kimberly, Idaho, received a 2003 Pierce Ladder Truck through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program, free of cost. This apparatus would typically cost around $1.3 million new or around $500,000 … Continue reading →
Drone usage in law enforcement likely to increase
For police departments across the nation with drone units, their usage is likely to increase as additional benefits are being realized during the current COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, officers could use drones to retain social distancing on an initial call … Continue reading →
Port Neches seizes river of opportunity
It’s not unusual for a city to make use of its natural resources, like a riverfront. What is unusual, perhaps, is how exactly the city of Port Neches, Texas went about its riverfront development. In 2005, two tracts of … Continue reading →
Student firefighter program allows recruits to serve while pursuing a degree
A student firefighter program started in 1985 by the Manhattan Fire Department in Kansas continues to grow and challenge local college students today. From the very beginning, the program has created a connection between the fire department and Kansas … Continue reading →
Partnerships become key when serving an amusement park
When a person thinks about the local fire department, images of fighting building or brush fires, rescuing victims from a rushing river or educating school children about fire safety often come to mind. But in a municipality where there … Continue reading →
CAHOOTS serves as crisis intervention resource in its communities
Law enforcement and mental health don’t have to be mutually exclusive or even at odds. In fact an innovative model out of the Eugene-Springfield, metro area of Oregon is answering the call — literally. A program of White Bird … Continue reading →
Lebanon sparks community conversation on police
“I can’t breathe” was whispered, and the whole country watched in horror as protests broke out against police brutality. In Lebanon City, a protest was held in June by Black Lives Matter supporters and other members of our community. Lebanon, … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Most and least ‘sinful’ cities
In December 2020, WalletHub composed the site’s list of most and least sinful cities. While rankings of sinfulness may seem impossible to quantify, the site used seven deadly sins as a reference, comparing 150 most populated U.S. cities – plus … Continue reading →
Pedestrian bridge reconstruction a key element for downtown Rockford’s economy
After several years with pedestrians having no safe passage from the west side of downtown to the east, an improved bridge reopened in the summer of 2020 to benefit the city of Rockford. “It was a safety issue,” said … Continue reading →
Oelo’s colorful lights pull double duty, saving money
Calm settles over Tarleton State University. Another bustling day has come to an end as hundreds of lampposts across the Stephenville, Texas, campus wink on to guide lingering students back to their dorms. A purple glow emanates from nine buildings … Continue reading →
Clean Cities Can Help Municipal Leaders Reach Fleet Sustainability Goals
Across America, many local governments are setting ambitious goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Even those without specific goals want to respond to concerned citizens by showing a willingness to take positive action. In turn, municipal leaders are asking public … Continue reading →
Hog Technologies simplifies pavement jobs with innovative solutions
Hog Technologies has a 30-plus year history manufacturing solutions for the road, highway and airport industries. These solutions range from marking and rubber removal, grinding and grooving, cutting rumble strips, thermoplastic line marking, and surface cleaning. These solutions make Hog … Continue reading →
All-America Cities summarize their successes
Each year, the National Civic League awards cities nationwide with the All-America Cities Award, acknowledging their efforts to improve their residents’ lives. The 2020 award focused on health and wellness, and 10 cities overcame numerous challenges, including a global … Continue reading →
Ames, Iowa, makes green fleet moves
A growing trend amongst municipal fleets is a pivot to greener, more sustainable practices. Ames, Iowa, and its fleet services Director Corey Mellies are starting on top of the curve with moves to hybrid vehicles and 100% biodiesel fuel when … Continue reading →
Cops Care connects Union City police and community
In 2020, the Union City, N.J., Police Department was unable to hold its annual summer Junior Police Academy. However, Police Chief Nichelle Luster still wanted to find a way to connect with children in the community. The city has … Continue reading →
