Public Works Employee Wins Speech Contest

A City of Sanford employee took home top honors at the N.C. Statewide Safety Conference this month.

In March, Alvan Davis, Lead Utility Maintenance Worker in the Public Works Department, competed in the Safety Talk Contest sponsored by the Mid-State Safety Council. Davis won first place and went on to represent the region at the state conference, held in Greensboro.

At the state conference, Davis competed against other regional representatives on a topic of his choosing that addressed a safety and injury prevention message. Davis’ presentation was entitled, “Trenching and Shoring – Keeping It 100,” took third place.

Judges and attendees were surprised and pleased by Davis’ unique topic choice and excellent delivery.

Mayor Chet Mann, the Sanford City Council, and Safety Officer Donna Matthews
congratulated Alvan Davis, Lead Utility Maintenance Worker in the Public Works
Department at the City of Sanford, on his third place finish in the Safety Talk Contest
sponsored by the Mid-State Safety Council at the N.C. Statewide Safety
Conference this month.

For more information about the N.C. Statewide Safety Conference or the Mid-State Safety Council, visit ncsafetyconference.com or call Donna Matthews at 919-777-1208.

Roundabout Lighting Scheduled for Early December

The City of Sanford has contracted Duke Energy Progress to install 24 LED light poles along Hawkins Avenue to better illuminate Sanford’s new roundabouts.

Lights will be positioned both along the roadway and outside of the traffic circles, which were added by the North Carolina Department of Transportation earlier this year. No lights will be located inside the traffic circles.

Note: Click on the thumbnails above to view a larger photo of each roundabout.

Though NCDOT had no plans to install lighting, the City of Sanford recognized that the area needed more illumination. The City contracted Duke Energy to add the 24 poles in early November; however, inclement weather pushed the work to December.

Duke Energy anticipates that lights will be in place by the second week of December – barring unforeseen complications, such as inclement weather. Most importantly, lighting the roundabouts is in the works and will happen as soon as possible.

Despite the roundabouts being a state project, the City of Sanford has also added astroturf, bricks, colored concrete, and 48 redbud trees to beautify the area, which serves as an important entryway into Sanford.

For more information about the roundabouts or lighting, contact the Public Works department at 919-777-1122.

Annual Water Treatment Process Change During March

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

The City of Sanford normally uses a combination of ammonia and chlorine to disinfect its drinking water. However, the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources requires us to stop using ammonia for 30 days to help maintain our high quality of water.

This notice is to let you know we will stop adding ammonia to your water on Sunday, March 1, 2015 and resume adding ammonia to the disinfection process on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Additionally, we will flush the water mains throughout our system during this time to remove sediment in the water lines and refresh the entire distribution system.

During the changes in our disinfection process and flushing of the system, you may notice a chlorine odor and/or discoloration to your water. Your water, however, will still be safe for drinking, bathing, and other daily uses. While there are no associated health risks with the odor or discoloration, you may want to limit certain activities (such as washing clothes) during this time.

If you notice discoloration at the tap, allowing the water to run for 5 to 10 minutes should clear up the problem. Also, if you have aquatic pets, you may want to consult your local pet store to ask how this may affect your pet’s habitat.

Customers with concerns or questions should contact the water treatment facility at (919) 777-1803. Additional information about the City’s highly regulated water treatment process is available on the City’s website.

Duke Power Plans Tree Trimming For February

Duke Energy Progress will be in Sanford next month to trim trees around power lines in downtown Sanford and surrounding commercial and residential areas.

The trimming will begin February 2 if weather permits. Targeted areas include:

• Downtown Sanford business and historic districts;
• W.B. Wicker Business Campus area; and
• Hawkins Avenue.

[View a map of areas to be trimmed.]

Duke will be responsible for removing all downed limbs and other debris from the trimming process.

For more information about the trimming or to report issues, contact the City of Sanford’s Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247.

Service Line Warranties of America Has City's Stamp of Approval

Many residents have received letters from Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA), but aren't sure whether the company and its services are legitimate.

The good news: SLWA is a trustworthy company that has been vetted by the National League of Cities (NLC). The company provides water/sewer line warranty services to residents across the nation. It has been in business for more than 10 years and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Because SLWA has the NLC's support, the City of Sanford authorized it to educate Sanford residents about their water/sewer line obligations and to offer warranty services.

Important: The City's stamp of approval does not mean that residents must opt into the program. Each resident should weigh the risks and benefits and make the decision that is right for them. SLWA will manage all claims and provide all services. The City of Sanford will in no way supervise or benefit from the program.

Learn more about SLWA on their website or call 866-922-9006. For more details about the warranty program, visit our website.

East Weatherspoon Street Closed Next Week

East Weatherspoon Street will be closed from the Sanford Municipal Center to Hawkins Avenue next week for critical sewer maintenance.

Crews will close both lanes of the street starting at 8am on Tuesday, June 24 for the remainder of the week.

Drivers needing to access East Weatherspoon Street from Hawkins Avenue or Horner Boulevard can detour around the closure using Charlotte Avenue and Third Street (view a detour map).

For more information about the closure, contact the City of Sanford’s engineering department at 919-777-1122.

Blell Named Public Works Employee Of The Year

Matthew Blell, Lead Utility Maintenance Worker for the Sewer Construction and Maintenance Division of the City of Sanford Public Works Department has been named 2014 Public Works Employee of the Year, according to Laura Spivey, Public Works Administrator.

This award is presented to the employee who is considered to have best represented the Public Works Department over the last year.

Blell has worked for the City since November 2011, is a native of Sanford, and lives in Sanford. Blell was presented the award on Thursday, May 22 by Public Works Director Victor Czar (pictured right) and Fedd Walker, City Sewer Superintendent.

Blell was nominated and elected to this honor from a pool of approximately 127 Public Works employees at the City. Blell received nominations from his peers, and then was awarded the honor based on the final vote by the Public Works Superintendents.

 Blell is married to wife Annette and they have two boys, Mason 4 and Brody 1.

How does it feel to be the Employee of the Year? “Shocking! I am honored and humbled by it, I feel blessed!” says Blell.

What do you like most about your job? “I like the mobility of the job and working with other City employees. All my coworkers are friendly and easy to work with. I feel blessed to work for the City of Sanford where I am well taken care of,” he says.

City Asks Residents To Help With Street Light Issues

The top way to increase the safety of any street is to ensure it is well lit, but it's difficult to know about every broken or burned out street light.

That's where the City of Sanford hopes you and other residents will come in.

The Streets Maintenance Department wants residents to report any street light problems they notice so that we can get them resolved. Potential issues include:

• Burned out lights,
• Lights cycling on and off,
• Flickering lights, 
• Tree limbs blocking light from reaching the street, and 
• Any damage to a light.

Action plan: If you see any street light issues, follow these steps:

1. Record the pole number and location. 
2. Report that information to Duke Energy Progress at 800-708-7488 or
3. Report that information to the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247.

You can also report problems using YourGov, a free mobile reporting app for Android or Apple devices. The app will allow you to submit a photo of the pole number and its location right from your phone.

Thank you in advance for helping us ensure that our street lights work properly.

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.

Youth Learn Why Municipalities Go Green

At the October meeting of the Sanford/Lee County Youth Council, members were treated to presentations about Lee County's and the City of Sanford's recycling programs.

Joe Cherry, the superintendent of Solid Waste at Lee County Government, explained how the county uses its recycling program to eliminate waste, reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills, and to better recover after storms.

Laura Spivey, the City's Public Works administrator and grant writer, shared with the youth council how the Sanford City Council came to the decision to offer municipal recycling. She also discussed the different factors that go into that decision, such as the cost of recycling containers and pick up, as well as keeping an eye on the City's carbon footprint.

Finally, the members visited the City's state-certified compost facility. They were able to see how the City turns plant matter and other natural debris into an operation that benefits both Sanford and its residents.

For more information about the Sanford/Lee County Youth Council, call Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113.

Sanford's Drinking Water Receives State Recognition

For the third year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the City of Sanford’s Water Treatment Plant for meeting the state’s performance goals.

The NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources’ Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) monitors the state’s public water systems. Each year, systems like the Water Treatment Plant strive to improve the turbidity – or water clarity – of their drinking water.

AWOP’s goal is to ensure the safest possible water for customers of public water systems and position public water systems to handle the challenges posed by new regulations and aging infrastructure.

The Water Treatment Plant has met AWOP’s performance goals year-over-year. The plant’s continued dedication to providing Sanford with safe drinking water “signifies a commitment to excellence” that “extends beyond regulatory standards,” wrote Becky Allenbach, chief of the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Branch in an August 5, 2013 letter of recognition.

The recognition “highlights the staff’s commitment to providing the safest possible drinking water,” says Scott Christiansen, Superintendent of the Water Treatment Plant.

“The staff treats the Sanford’s water beyond what is required by the national primary drinking water regulations,” he says. “This means fewer contaminants in the water supply and the highest quality water for everyone.”

For more information or to schedule a tour of the Water Treatment Plant, contact Christiansen at 919-777-1800.

Public Works Department's 2013 Award Winners

The City of Sanford couldn't run without the excellent work of its Public Works Department. To recognize their efforts, Public Works employees are given special awards each May during Public Works Week.

The following are this year's winners (pictured with Victor Czar, Director and Jay Grainger, Superintendent):

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you for all you do!

Solid Waste Collection Transition In Full Swing

Last week, residents in the City of Sanford began getting brown roll-out carts to replace their Waste Management (WM) carts.

That’s because Sanford City Council, after weeks of discussion, voted on March 5, 2013 to enter into a new solid waste contract with Waste Industries (WI). The new contract will start on July 1, 2013, but WI is delivering its carts throughout the month.

Don’t Switch Yet

Residents should continue using WM’s roll-out carts until the company’s contract expires at the end of June, says Larry Craig, superintendent of Solid Waste Services for the City. WM will collect their carts during the week of June 24 when they come through.

Trash placed in the brown carts will not be picked up until July 1.

One Key Change

While the trash collection contractor has changed, most everything else will stay the same. You’ll continue to put your trash at the curb once per week. You’ll also continue placing recyclables in the blue carts and rolling them out once every two weeks.

What’s different: The change to WI may result in a new pickup schedule for some residents. WI will notify residents prior to July 1 if they are affected. Otherwise, pickup days will remain the same for both garbage and recycling.

Patience, Please

During this month of transition, the City asks all residents to have patience with both Waste Management and Waste Industries. The City is happy to help with collection issues, as are the customer service reps at both WM and WI.

You may report problems to the Service Center at 919-775-8247.

National Public Works Week Is Here

It's National Public Works Week across the United States.

This week, and every week, the City of Sanford would like to express its gratitude to its public works professionals for helping to maintain the health, safety, and well-being of our citizens.

Facilities and services wouldn't be possible without the dedicated efforts of public works officials, engineers, managers, and employees from state and local government, as well as the private sector.

These are the folks who are responsible for and must plan, design, build, operate, and maintain transportation, water supply, sewage, and refuse disposal systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential to serving our citizens.

And though their work often goes unnoticed, public works professionals are usually first responders to emergencies. For example, if a storm knocks down trees and power lines, your public works department moves them so that rescue workers can get past.

So when you encounter public works professionals this week, feel free to thank them for all of their hard work!

New Flags For Sanford

If you drove along certain segments of Main Street and Horner Boulevard on Saturday (which was Armed Forces Day), you were treated to the City's newest program -- flag displays.

To show its patriotism and honor our military forces, the City of Sanford will display flags along major traffic intersections on designated days. The flags will be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset, according to the U.S. Flag Code.

When & Where

Flags will be flown on the following days:

• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents Day
• Armed Forces Day
• Flag Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Patriot Day
• Columbus Day
• Election Day
• Veterans Day

You'll see the new flags at these intersections:

• Broadway Road and Nash Street (3 flags)
• Broadway Road and Rosser Road (3)
• Main Street and Horner Blvd (4)
• Main Street and Dalrymple Street (4)
• Main Street and Lee Avenue (4)
• Main Street and Woodland Avenue (4)
• Every stop light from Horner Blvd and Bragg Street to Horner Blvd and Hall Avenue (4 each).

[Tell your friends and family about the City's new flag program by sharing this graphic.]

Questions?

Want to know more about the flag program or have questions about when they'll be displayed? Call the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247.

More Trees in Sanford

In an effort to become a Tree City USA, the City of Sanford has planted three more trees this week.

The trees of choice are the Green Vase variety of Zelkova, a popular option for parking lots, sidewalks, and other urban areas.

Two of the newly planted trees will replace two trees that were damaged in the high winds that wreaked havoc in Sanford a few weeks ago.

These trees are located at the top of the Sanford Police Department's parking lot and were originally planted in honor of Roscoe C. Petty, who passed away from cancer on January 28, 2006 after serving on the Sanford Police Department for 35 years.

A third tree was planted at the bottom of the Sanford Police Department's lot. It will fill in an empty area and create a more lush, shady area for parking.

The State of Recycling In Sanford

Great news — recycling in the City of Sanford is at an all-time high.

In December of 2012, the City replaced Waste Management’s small green bins with large, 96-gallon roll out carts for recyclables.

By The Numbers

In the first quarter of 2013, residents recycled 355.62 tons, a 100-percent increase over the same time period in 2012. In turn, residents sent 204.22 fewer tons to landfills.

So what does that mean? “The program’s working,” says Larry Craig, Solid Waste Superintendent. What’s more, residents are recycling at a higher rate than projected – and that could lead to cost savings down the road.

The success of the recycling program “is a tribute to our citizens,” points out Mayor Cornelia Olive. “They have just responded so well to this initiative.”

Next Up

You can expect more changes to the City’s Solid Waste Services, Craig notes. The City will phase out the old garbage carts and replace them with new ones starting in June, he says.

Social Spotlight: Compost

Question: I heard that I can buy compost from the City of Sanford. Is that true? If so, how do I go about it?

Answer: Yes, the City operates its own compost facility behind the Public Works Service Center (601 N. Fifth Street, Sanford) from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm.

To buy the compost, you make your purchase at the Service Center (building with the green metal roof) and then drive around to load up your truck.

Pricing & Delivery

We offer wood chips and compost for the public at the following prices:

• Unscreened Compost: $15 per pickup load or $25 per bucket load (3 cubic yards)
• Screened Compost: $25 per pickup load or $45 per bucket load (3 cubic yards)
• Wood Chips: $15 per pickup load or $25 per bucket load (3 cubic yards)

The City also offers the option for delivery. To have compost brought to you, the charge is an additional $40 per load within the city limits and $65 per load outside the city limits. (See bulk pricing here.)

You can purchase the compost using cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard.

Seasonality

Compost materials are available all year, ideally. However, the City occasionally runs out of screened compost in the spring and summer when demand is high.

When that happens, the City must prepare new compost. As part of the process, a contractor comes in to screen the compost. We will update on Facebook and the web when screened compost has run out and when it is available again.

Questions?

To find out what’s available at the compost facility or for other compost-related questions, you can call the Service Center at 919-775-8247.

City Saves $145K Thanks To Donated Generator

Local business helps the City turn tragedy into a triumph for taxpayers.

The tornado that ripped through Sanford in April 2011 left a trail of destruction in its wake – but the City and Lowe’s Home Improvement worked together to find some good in all the bad.

The EF3 tornado demolished Lowe’s store on Horner Blvd, requiring a completely new building. While the original building’s 350kw Caterpillar generator was still in great shape, it wasn't compatible with the new building’s system, says store manager Mike Hollowell.

Tragedy Into Triumph

Not wanting such a valuable asset to go to waste, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. offered the original generator to Mayor Cornelia Olive for use at the City of Sanford.

“It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Olive recounts. “I knew our Public Works department would find a good use for it and the Lowe’s team clearly wanted to do something nice for the city. It was a great fit,” she says.

“Giving this generator to the City was a pleasure for Lowe’s,” says Hollowell. “We were glad to help out any way we could,” he adds.

City Manager Hal Hegwer and Public Works Director Victor Czar quickly found a home for the generator, which was appraised at $100,000 and in perfect working order, at the raw water station on Highway 42 in Sanford.

A Self-Reliant City

“The addition of the generator gave us the redundancy necessary for the Water Treatment Plant to go ‘off the grid’ should there be another disaster,” says Scott Christiansen, plant superintendent.

Even better, the donation also saved the City more than $145,000, considering the cost of a brand new generator plus installation, Christiansen estimates.

“The City is thankful to Lowe’s for giving us this opportunity to make our city more self-reliant so that its water supply will be protected during any disaster,” Hegwer says. “We are proud to work with our local businesses to bolster Sanford’s resources and better prepare the city for future emergencies.”

Questions?

For more information about the generator or the Water Treatment Plant, call 919-777-1800 or visit our website.

New App Puts Service Requests in Residents' Hands

Want to report a pothole or street light outage? The City of Sanford now has an app for that – and it’s free.

Launched this month, City residents can download the YourGOV mobile app to their Apple iPhones or Android-enabled smartphones for no charge. The app maps users’ locations and allows them to submit non-emergency issues and service requests any time of the day.

Non-emergency issues include drainage issues, vandalism, hydrant issues, illegal dumping, manhole issues, potholes, and street light outages. For all emergency issues, dial 911.

YourGov offers a “Miscellaneous” category for issues that don’t fit the other options. For instance, a person reporting an overgrown lot would choose the Miscellaneous category. Code Enforcement would then be alerted to the problem.

The City is excited to offer yet another communication option for residents. “YourGov puts the power to influence and improve our city right into residents’ hands,” explains City Manager Hal Hegwer.

“We will have 30,000 sets of eyes out there helping us spot problems and get them fixed. We hope this cutting-edge, modern technology will encourage even more citizens to join us in making the City of Sanford a great place to live,” Hegwer says.

Powerful But User Friendly

Despite its powerful capabilities, YourGOV is simple to use. The submission process requires users to complete only three steps. The app asks users to input the location, issue description, and any available photos. As soon as users submit their concern, a service request is generated at the Public Works Service Center.

The app isn’t limited to City residents. Anyone using YourGOV can report issues in the Lee County area. Once submitted, the app’s GPS technology helps Public Works direct the issue to the appropriate local organization.

Questions or Concerns?

You can report any problems with the YourGov app to the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247 or leave a comment below.