Montage Enterprises: Surpassing the expectation in mower parts
If there is a constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal and DOT properties all require routine trimming to improve motorists’ visibility and the quality of public property. … More from our cover sponsor →
The Municipal Top 10: Best cities for chocolate lovers
Romance fills the air during February. Sweethearts everywhere will exchange tokens of their affection on February 14, and chocolate is one of the most popular ways to profess one’s love. The website LawnLove.com set out last year to determine what … Continue reading →
Bridge rebuilt in days within the Cherokee Nation
When major flooding washed out the bridge and culverts in the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Okla., in May, the executive director of transportation and infrastructure for the Cherokee Nation, Michael Lynn, knew the department had to do something fast. Lynn … Continue reading →
Maintaining covered bridges for generations to come
Covered bridges are part of our early history as a country, though their actual history goes back many hundreds of years. A 13th century sketchbook of the French architect Villard de Honnecourt depicted a truss bridge, and an Italian treatise … Continue reading →
Clean streets are getting electrified
European municipalities have long embraced compact street sweepers to clean their streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and runways. Despite their compact size, these sweepers pack a punch, with European companies refining their designs with performance and operator comfort in mind. German … Continue reading →
How to smooth the road to electric work trucks
There are good reasons for many fleets to switch to electric power. But converting a fleet of work trucks to run on electricity is no flip of a switch. To start with, producing a work truck is far from simple. … Continue reading →
Cities step up to help homeowners with sidewalk repairs
Cracked, crumbling and uneven sidewalks are not only a neighborhood eyesore — they are also a safety hazard. However, when a repair is required, property owners are often surprised to learn that they are responsible for the public pathways that … Continue reading →
Recycling: There’s an app for that
The city of Tampa, Fla., has a new app to help cut waste and promote the reuse of just about anything. Tampa Trash and Recycling, as a part of the city’s Spring it Forward campaign in March, showed residents that … Continue reading →
Art brings Salem, Oregon’s, streets and buildings alive
Murals have been a “thing” since the days of cave painting. The earliest known one was discovered, still pristine, in the Chauvet cave in France and determined to be 45,500 years old. Used to express feelings, share messages, mark occasions … Continue reading →
Reno launches ‘Biggest Little Blockchain’ to test new record-keeping method
The city of Reno, Nev., harnessed the capabilities of blockchain technology to put city officials, staff, customers and the public all on the same page. In the process, city officials learned some things that could be helpful to other communities … Continue reading →
Ohio launches lead service line pipe replacement grants
Ohio is removing lead water pipes in various municipalities across the state. The H2Ohio program was launched by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019 as a larger initiative to not only remove lead water pipes but also reduce agricultural phosphorus … Continue reading →
NCRWA apprenticeship program seeks to replenish retirees in the wastewater field
Five or six years ago, the National Rural Water Association realized that approximately 50% of its wastewater employees would be retiring in just a few years. With this knowledge, the North Carolina Rural Water Association began developing and putting together … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Oldest cities in the United States
As the New Year is ushered in and the old year is shown the door, The Municipal is giving a tip of the hat to the concept of hard-earned success and the historical value of some of the oldest cities … Continue reading →
Cities explore remote work post-COVID
During the height of COVID-19, many of us learned we could continue working from our homes — even late-night TV hosts — with today’s technology. Zoom calls and meetings with the constant reminder “you’re on mute” became daily or weekly … Continue reading →
Graduate school comes for municipal managers in Laredo
Tomorrow’s public managers depend on the investments made in their professional development today. That’s the premise behind a partnership between the city of Laredo, Texas, and the Texas A&M International University Master of Public Administration Program that has resulted in … Continue reading →
The 45th parallel: Birthplace of the tourism industry in Michigan
Several municipalities along the northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan are linked by a fortuity lying along or near a global landmark no one has ever seen in person. The 45th parallel, which marks the longitudinal line halfway … Continue reading →
Five case studies in effective salt storage facilities
Five public works departments share their insight into working with fabric building expert Greystone Construction in the design and construction of safe, efficient and cost-effective salt storage facilities. “Across the USA, we are trusted by municipalities, DOTs, and private firms … Continue reading →
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 →