URP Grant Helps Local Resident

Though state legislature has reduced the funding opportunities for housing grant programs that benefit income-eligible recipients, residents can still get help from the City of Sanford.

The Sanford/Lee County Community Development department recently used the NC Housing Finance Agency's Urgent Repair Housing Program (URP) to help Tamiker Jackson, a Lee County resident with severe epilepsy who was born with an IQ of 51.

Jackson and her daughter Miracle lived in a home in need of serious repair, including holes in the floor, light switches pulled out of the wall, and light fixtures falling down. Using URP funds, along with additional funding from the City of Sanford and Lee County, the home was repaired and is now safe to live in.

Read more about Johnson and the repairs made to her home here.

URP provides funds to low and very-low income households that have housing conditions which pose imminent threats to life or safety. The program also provides accessibility modifications and other repairs necessary to keep elderly or special needs homeowners in their homes.

URP is one of the department's most utilized programs and the most well received by the community. For more information about the program, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113.

Sanford Channel Has Changed

Due to updates from Charter Communications, the City of Sanford's television channel has changed.

Previously, you could view City news and events on channel 11. Now, you must turn to channel 191.

City staff has petitioned Charter to return our channel to 11, but there is no definitive way to tell if and when that will happen. To ensure you don't miss our news, make sure you note the new channel.

If the channel changes back to 11, we will alert residents.

Social Spotlight: Leaf Pickup Schedule Picks Up Speed

Question: The leaf vac truck hasn't been to my neighborhood in a few weeks and the leaves are beginning to pile up. When can I next expect it?

Answer: Crisp autumn air and longer days usher in more than just pumpkins. They're also a harbinger of the City leaf vac truck's increased frequency.

Starting the first full week of November, the leaf vac truck will hit Sanford streets every week rather than just the first week of each month. The frequency will remain weekly until late December or early January.

For questions or concerns about leaf pickup, call the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247.

Social Spotlight: Trash Cart Do's and Don'ts

Question: I've noticed several of my neighbors leaving their trash carts at the curb long after the carts are emptied. Some neighbors never roll their cart back to their houses, choosing instead to take their trash to the curb each day. Is there anything I can do to make them move their carts from the curb?

Answer: The City of Sanford's code of ordinances is very clear about empty trash containers. Sec. 28-40b states:

Empty containers shall be removed from the street by the owner, no later than the day in which garbage and recyclables are picked up by the trucks, with the exception of business areas where the time limit will be 30 minutes between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

That means homeowners and renters should roll their carts back to their homes the day of collection. Of course, things happen and sometimes the carts stay at the street an extra day or so.However, carts should not remain at the curb indefinitely.

Important: Sanford's code of ordinances is also very clear about the type of site or location from which the city will collect trash. Sec. 28-40d states:

No collection, with or without charge, shall be made from vacant lots nor shall any large rocks, tree trunks, stumps, tree limbs, soil, or any other heavy objects be collected from houses or other structures under construction or recently completed, or any property where debris has been cut or placed by a contractor.

In the case of vacant lots or residential construction, the property owner or contractor is responsible for removing trash and debris.

Code Enforcement Is Your Answer

Knowing the rules is only half the battle. The obvious questions is: What can a person do to keep their neighbors within city code?

The short answer: Call in the enforcers. The City of Sanford has a code enforcement team who are responsible for responding to residents' complaints and concerns. They will follow the City's enforcement procedures for moving any code offenders into compliance.

The City's website offers a list of potential concerns and the number you'd call to begin the resolution process. If you don't see your concern listed, you can call 919-777-1405.

Or, YourGov It

The City also offers YourGov, a mobile app that make reporting code violations -- or any service request -- easier. The app is free to download, works on both Apple and Android devices, and can be used anywhere.

For further questions or concerns about trash collection or the YourGov mobile app, please contact the City's Service Center at 919-775-8247.

Did You Know? Water Testing

City residents may only receive a water report once each year, but the City of Sanford's Water Treatment Plant is constantly monitoring and testing our water to make sure it's safe.

In addition to daily and hourly tests, lab analysts sample and test 50 sites throughout Lee County each month to ensure the drinking water meets standards set forth in the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Water samples collected on December 11 for monthly testing.

The samples are tested onsite for pH, free ammonia, free chlorine, monochloramine, total chlorine, heterotrophic bacteria, and total coliform bacteria.

Test results are submitted to regulators to show that our water meets state and federal standards.

Want to know more about water testing? The Water Treatment Plant offers educational tours of its facility. Call 919-777-1800 to schedule a time for your group to visit!