Rain from storm after storm saturated the soil. When on Jan. 9, 2023, an atmospheric river dumped several more inches of rain on the city of San Luis Obispo, Calif., rushing water swelled creeks and submerged streets. Floodwaters piled debris … Continue reading →
The public works department is a multifaceted, ever-evolving municipal department that few fully understand. It is responsible for the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of a city’s infrastructure, including its roads, transportation system, bridges, water, waste disposal, pest control, etc. … Continue reading →
Shawn O’Leary, Norman, Okla., director of public works, joined the team in 2007 and his primary goal was improvement of his department. “I was looking for a tool to help me fix that,” he explained. He had been watching the … Continue reading →
If there is one constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal properties all require routine mowing. This improves safety and also maintains a manicured appearance that pleases visitors … Continue reading →
Madison, Wis., Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is breaking barriers. She’s the second female mayor and the first openly LGBTQ person in that office. But before taking the helm of “Madtown,” as it’s affectionately called by residents, she served on the city … Continue reading →
When you have many facilities to heat, cool and light properly, you want to do it as efficiently as possible and without spending an arm and a leg. So when the city commissioners of Augusta-Richmond County, Ga., cast about to … Continue reading →
We are seeing more and more examples of sharing among communities. In the last few years, some smaller towns moved on to the idea of a shared space for police, fire and EMT; this concept is called a safety center, … Continue reading →
With apologies to Ed Sullivan and every comedian who tried to imitate him, “We have a really big shoe …” Well, boot, actually. But it is really big. The size 638 1/2 D model 877 work boot was crafted in … Continue reading →
Several years ago, the city of Ames, Iowa, began a large-scale repair and restoration of its sanitary sewer system. The team was warned that with projects such as this, residents can get anxious when their street is shut down and … Continue reading →
There is no “one size fits all” for smaller cities and counties, with tight budgets, aging vehicles, manual recording and inflexible “off the shelf” solutions have historically put new technology out of reach. A Michigan company aims to change that. … Continue reading →
Lehigh Street in Boulder, Colo., is an important roadway for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles as it connects to two elementary schools as well as residential areas. Therefore, when Lehigh Street became due for repaving the city and Boulder Valley School … Continue reading →
