Weedoo Boats: Trusted by municipalities worldwide for eco-friendly aquatic management equipment
Weedoo Boats is a global leader in the manufacturing of aquatic weed management equipment, trusted by federal agencies and municipalities alike. Operating in 41 states and 17 countries, Weedoo has established a proven reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility by … More from our cover sponsor →
Public works offices settle down together in Manhattan, Kansas
A series of public works buildings have been combined in the city of Manhattan, Kan., and public works director Rob Ott said the benefits are worth the large investment. The new Robert K. Ott Municipal Services Facility, named as a … Continue reading →
Fresno, California, guides local youths to career success
Smack-dab in the center of California lies the city of Fresno, a population of 500,000-plus. Just a short two- to three-hour drive from national parks and cities like Sacramento and San Francisco, the lush area produces more cheese than Wisconsin, … Continue reading →
National awardee finds fulfillment in unlikely career path
“I don’t know anybody who says, ‘You know, I definitely want to be involved in waste management,’” said Kathy Morris, chuckling. Not a glamorous career, it’s often overlooked — until the garbage isn’t picked up. Yet in 1989, when industries … Continue reading →
New technology helps Spartanburg, S.C., trap and secure strays more efficiently
In order to help control the stray pet population more safely and efficiently, the city of Spartanburg, S.C., Animal Services is utilizing newly purchased technology. Two of these new technologies include Skyhawk Kiwi live trap monitors and a net gun. … Continue reading →
Harrisburg Hot Spot Saturdays brings community together address illegal dumping
Summer Saturdays are precious. They can be the time for sports, beach combing, barbecuing or just sitting on a porch reading a good book. But, summer Saturdays are especially important to folks who live in Harrisburg, Pa. Hot Spot Saturdays … Continue reading →
Mishawaka, Indiana, pivots toward livability
From heavy manufacturing to parks and housing, Mishawaka, Ind., has pivoted in a way that saved the life of the northern Indiana city. Looking back 30 years, Mayor Dave Wood described the community meeting he attended with his grandfather. “We … Continue reading →
Village of Newark, N.Y., attributes growth to grants, and offers unique opportunities for businesses
Newark, N.Y., has seen explosive growth in the past few years. In order to accommodate its size, the village of 9,000 was recently awarded state and federal funding for several projects such as a new wastewater treatment plant disinfection system, … Continue reading →
Tips for keeping those boards and commissions filled
No matter how big or how small your city is, it likely has a couple of boards or commissions with resident volunteers in charge of making decisions or recommendations. Some municipalities have no problem filling vacancies when they occur, but … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Top 10 most livable small-to-midsize cities
One-third of Americans prefer to live in smaller cities, where the commutes are shorter and there is a little more breathing room than in big cities. Such benefits reportedly outweigh considerations like fewer dining options and shorter business hours. Earlier … Continue reading →
Cities explore nontraditional workweek
Attracting and retaining quality employees sometimes requires a little creativity. The town of Sahuarita, Ariz., a fast-growing community of nearly 40,000 people in the Tucson metropolitan area, faces stiff competition for job candidates, especially in the area of pay, Town … Continue reading →
North Las Vegas pursues lateral recruitment to secure more officers
As with any other job, the nation’s police force has seen plenty of ups and downs. After 9/11, the rush to apply for the academy and specialized training skyrocketed. In light of some headlines in the past few years — … Continue reading →
COVID funds, local buy-in cooperate to provide potable water
No water system serves households between Mountainburg and Cedarville, Ark., so residents bring it from wells or other sources. The city buys water from the Lake Fort Smith Water Treatment Plant. In 2022, the city began a series of steps … Continue reading →
Stringing along at the Martin Guitar Factory and Museum
A person doesn’t need the shredding skills of Eric Clapton to enjoy a trip to the Martin Guitar Factory and Museum in Nazareth, Pa. Located on the northern edge of town at 510 Sycamore St., the factory is a place … Continue reading →
A sweeping solution to clean any environment
We like to listen and learn about your street sweeping program challenges. When you speak with me or any of our product specialists or sales representatives, our first question is, “What do you sweep 80% of the time?” Why is … Continue reading →
What’s in a name: Hurricane and Cheat Lake, West Virginia
Two small towns in West Virginia have had names thrust upon them that indicate more drama than they ever experienced. Hurricane never had a gale-force storm rip through its downtown and Cheat Lake never actually “cheated” anyone. Hurricane In 1774 … Continue reading →
Brick paving not down for the count
How many types of surfaces have most street departments worked with? Asphalt, brick, chipseal, cobblestone, dirt, gravel and macadam? Before the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most streets were made of dirt and gravel. Later, in order to make … Continue reading →
Heat island mapping and the effects of climate change
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced that it is continuing the Urban Heat Island mapping campaign. The agency is mapping urban heat islands in 14 U.S. cities this summer. The initiative, which began in 2017, has seen NOAA … Continue reading →
License plate recognition technology amplifies, speeds up parking enforcement
Parking enforcement: It’s a tedious task and not particularly exciting for enforcement officials, but it’s a necessary function that must be navigated by communities. “People definitely like to stay beyond the time limit, or use varying payment methods,” said Jesten … Continue reading →
