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 minor league baseball towns
While COVID-19 has waylaid many minor league baseball teams’ seasons, we still wanted to honor America’s pastime this July in addition to the towns that host teams. On September 24, 2019, SmartAsset posted the 2019 edition of its “Best Minor … Continue reading →
Kentucky disproving theory that fairness ordinances restrict economic growth
When Midway, Kentucky, began looking into adopting a fairness ordinance in 2015, many of the objectors declared that such an ordinance would harm the city’s economy. But since the passing of the ordinance, Midway has seen the exact opposite of … Continue reading →
Public works adapts in face of the pandemic
Throughout the country, municipal public works departments have found themselves doing more than just wearing masks and social distancing to keep their operations running during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether the city has two public works employees or 200 the last … Continue reading →
Bring downtown alive with ‘Music on Main Street’
Today more cities are investing in their downtowns than ever before by completing a variety of streetscape and placemaking projects. While these updates generate a visually pleasing place to visit, cities shouldn’t discount adding background music when crafting the perfect … Continue reading →
Managers and elected officials have a responsibility to maintain adequate water/sewer rates
One of the most difficult duties of a city manager, or elected official, is the task of maintaining adequate water and sewer rates and increasing rates when necessary. Even the conversation of reviewing rates seems to create more citizen complaints … Continue reading →
Historic Dyess Colony, Dyess, Arkansas
But for one of its residents who became world famous, the Dyess Colony in Arkansas might have been relegated to the dust heap of history along with other Depression era government-planned resettlement communities. The colony, now the town of Dyess, … Continue reading →
Danville embraces solar to satisfy energy needs
While tobacco and textiles may have built Danville, Va., into a thriving metropolis in the south central part of the state, solar energy is sparking the city’s revival. Danville, located in Pittsylvania County, was founded in 1793 on the bank … Continue reading →
Lift Up Lou supports Louisville residents’ well-being during COVID-19
In early spring, COVID-19 began spreading across the United States. Suddenly, many businesses were deemed nonessential and shut down. Schools and government offices closed, and sheltering in place became the norm. People began wearing masks and maintaining a 6-foot distance … Continue reading →
Testing and tasting the best water worldwide
“Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink” are perhaps the most quoted words from English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s immortal “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” This precious life-giving liquid is essential to our health and well-being — so much so that … Continue reading →
Cities implement traffic calming measures
We can thank the Germans who in the 1930s gave rise to a new word: Verkehrsberuhigung, literally translating to traffic calming. This practice protected residential areas from through traffic by means of speed bumps, narrower roads, physical design, traffic control … Continue reading →
Naples’ journey to maximize its use of reclaimed water
While water is often taken for granted by the average consumer, members of public works departments know the immense value water has to a community and there is a finite amount available in a given year. For decades, municipalities have … Continue reading →
M Top 10: The top 10 best cities for barbecue
If there’s one thing cities are proud of, it is their barbecue. Apartmentguide.com decided to examine nearly 6,300 cities with at least one barbecue restaurant. The site states, “We then calculated the percentage of barbecue establishments to the total number … Continue reading →
Tom Sanders of Moberly, Mo., named Public Works Leader of the Year
Tom Sanders said one of the things he enjoys most about being the director of public works for the city of Moberly, Mo., is the diversity his job brings. “I run across something different every day,” he said. “A large … Continue reading →
How cities are handling panhandling laws
People asking for money on the streets of cities and towns goes way back. Some reports state the term “panhandling” seemingly originated in the ’30s when people from the Oklahoma/Texas panhandle migrated to California to escape the Dust Bowl, often … Continue reading →
Vermont city aiming for net zero by 2030
When it comes to net zero energy, the city of Burlington, Vt., holds the road map to success. Sept. 9, 2019, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, in conjunction with the Burlington Electric Department, released the Net Zero Energy Road Map, which … Continue reading →
The right grease can improve fleet operations
Proper lubrication of your equipment may not be the most glamorous topic, but it is arguably one of the most important parts of your maintenance routine. Proper selection of an appropriate grease will potentially end up saving your company thousands … Continue reading →
Dockless bikes & scooters: Avoid being clueless
Now that spring is finally here, people are coming out of their musty winter caverns and enjoying pure, warm sunlight again, including venturing into the heart of their cities. Those who work in offices yearn for the outdoors, especially folks … Continue reading →
Sourcewell gives Moorhead boost toward Greenstep City status
Overview Sustainable. Attainable. Crews in Moorhead, Minn., are watching recycling “pick up” substantially after rolling out 16,000 no-sort recycling bins. Residents are recycling five times more than they did in 2017 and are helping Moorhead become a GreenStep City. City … Continue reading →