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 →
News & Notes
San Francisco, Calif. — The National League of Cities announced in August the formation of a network composed of business, policy leaders and city officials to identify the regulatory challenges posed by the disruptive technologies that power the sharing economy. … Continue reading →
Top Ten city park playgrounds
A report made public by The Trust for Public Land’s Center for City Park Excellence earlier this year rated park playgrounds in cities across the country on access, staffing, types of facilities, amount of funding and more. The results included … Continue reading →
Hats off to Bloomington
With shivering memories of last year’s arctic cold, heavy snow and other miserable weather, public works is bracing itself in case this winter is a copycat of the last one. So far, indications are that it will be. Bloomington, Minn., … Continue reading →
Sharing the road with emergency vehicles
Sharing the road with emergency vehicles Here are a few tips about sharing the road with emergency vehicles. You may want to pass this advice along to your drivers. If you are in an intersection, drive on through the intersection … Continue reading →
Active shooter and the campus/municipal response
Media speculation to the contrary, school shooting incidents are not strictly a recent phenomenon. The frequency with which domestic issues spill over into schools, however, and the number of instances in which latent psychoses have triggered such violent reactions, indicate … Continue reading →
Ease large-event restroom congestion
Now available in the U.S. for the first time, there’s a unique and progressive urinal that allows four men to use it simultaneously. This portable, 100 percent-recyclable four-man urinal is part of a broader revolutionary green sanitary concept introduced to … Continue reading →
Ohio city recognized for extraordinary park facilities
Located just to the south of Dayton, Kettering, Ohio, is considered to be the largest suburb of its more well-known neighbor. Upon closer inspection, however, Kettering has developed the credentials to make it a first-class city in its own right. … Continue reading →
Emergency management lessons learned from New Zealand
A strong volunteer network, government support and a commitment to asset management are bringing the Canterbury region of New Zealand back from the extensive destruction it suffered three years ago. That’s what Amanda Millirons discovered when the Florida public works … Continue reading →
Town debates requiring cameras in bars
Many technologies are available that aid police departments in solving cases and apprehending criminals quickly, including surveillance cameras that monitor public spaces. But what happens when a city wants to require surveillance in the private sector for police use? What … Continue reading →
Field-use capacity: How much play is too much play?
By DR. DON GARDNER Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences One of the sagest pieces of advice I ever received is: “Beware technical solutions to political problems and political solutions to technical … Continue reading →
Top-of-the-line public facilities
Everyone needs to use them, and it’s nice to have one easily accessible. According to Robert Brubaker, program manager of American Restroom Association in Baltimore, Md., a study conducted by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP concluded that in … Continue reading →
The bioremediation answer: microbes
Utilizing microbes, bioremediation can clean up contaminated soil and groundwater while limiting impacts on the environment, citizens and animals. During the bioremediation process certain microbes are used to “devour” contaminants, including oil and other petroleum products, solvents and pesticides. However, … Continue reading →
Sustainability practices for mowing and landscaping
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Guide to Alternative Commercial Lawn Equipment, a single commercial lawnmower uses as much diesel or gasoline fuel as a commercial work truck. But incorporating alternative fuels into mowing and landscaping equipment … Continue reading →
Bird control and public facilities
While feathered friends are among the more attractive ingredients of a city’s flora and fauna, they present challenges. Birds cause an incalculable number of dollars to be spent each year in cleaning, maintenance, repairs and remediation of avian-generated health problems. … Continue reading →
Environmental investigation and remediation by Sesco
Information provided by Sesco group. Sesco Group was founded in 1996 and has established a reputation for excellence in providing environmental consulting and brownfield redevelopment services. Sesco’s approach allows businesses and municipalities to focus on their core operations while Sesco … Continue reading →
The parks priority
Last month, as we remembered the sucker punch of events that took place 13 years ago on Sept. 11, we were also reminded of how the great and generous American spirit kicked in to heal this country and bring us … Continue reading →
Law enforcement aims to work smarter, better and sharper: IACP 2014
The 121st International Association of Chiefs of Police conference begins Oct. 25 in Orlando, Fla. The event will run through Oct. 28. IACP 2014 will set up at the Orange County Convention Center and provide officers, detectives and law enforcement … Continue reading →
