REF: City Manager s Weekly FYI ~ December 21, 2018

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1 TO: FROM: Mayor and Members of the City Council Rich Olson, City Manager REF: City Manager s Weekly FYI ~ December 21, 2018 COPY: Distribution 1. This will be the last FYI for I would like to wish the members of the City Council and our citizens a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to an exciting 2019 for our City. I look back at all we have accomplished in 2018 and stand proud along with City staff. Our accomplishments can be found in the FYI s that we publish weekly. I would encourage you to read our previous FYI s at I believe you will be just as proud of the place many of you call home. 2. This week, City staff along with our engineering firm Eastern Carolina Engineers, completed the design plan review for Coast Guard Park. Staff made sure that all the elements required by the three state grants were incorporated into the plan. In addition, several suggestions made by the River City Sailing Club were also incorporated. The advertisement for bid will appear in the Daily Advance this Sunday. Bids will be opened on January 23 rd and taken to the Finance Committee on January 24, 2019 for review. Final approval will be given by the City Council during their January 28, 2019 meeting. Staff hopes to have the contractors begin work by March 1, 2019; we anticipate a summer completion date. 3. On December 18 th, the City s newest meter reader, Austin Trueblood helped save the life of a citizen. While reading meters on Carolina Avenue, Austin heard a motorist honking the horn and calling for help. Austin approached the vehicle to see if he could be of assistance and noticed an unresponsive elderly man in the passenger seat. Austin jumped to action, immediately calling 911 and flagging down a passing sheriff s deputy. With the help of the deputy, Austin removed the man from the car, checked for breathing and pulse, and began CPR. They continued until paramedics arrived. In addition to his job with the City, Austin is a volunteer for the Winfall Fire Department, where has was trained in first aid response and CPR; this was not the first time he d 1

2 employed his life-saving skills. You never know when or where you may be called to action, which is why the City offers first aid and CPR training to its employees. I would like to thank Austin for his heroic action and encourage everyone to give him a big round of applause for doing such a great job! 4. The Electric Department receives numerous calls regarding power outages. The American Public Power Association (APPA) ereliability Tracker software is used to keep track of these outages. During the months of July - December, the Electric Department received the following issues regarding outages. Nature of Outage Number Reported Squirrel 26 Tree 18 Other causes (accident, fire, 17 non-pay, etc) Equipment 14 Overloaded 9 Storm 7 Unknown 7 Lightning 3 Squirrels and trees are the top two reasons for outages during the months of July - December. 5. On Wednesday, the Elizabeth City Police Department held its 2018 Promotional Ceremony and Recognition Service. Honorees and their families, Mayor and City Council Members, fellow City employees, as well as E-Business partners and law enforcement colleagues were all invited to attend this event. Approximately 115 individuals were in attendance at the Arts of the Albemarle for the event. A pinning ceremony took place, honoring the following members who were promoted in rank: Deputy Chief James Avens, Jr., Captain Larry D. James, Sr., Lieutenant James K. Judge, 2

3 Administrative Supervisor Sharon W. Riddick, Sergeant Benjamin J. Martin, and Sergeant Joseph M. Felton. Also recognized during the event were Officers Timothy R. Bateman, Kevin M. Burgess, and Allen A. Peterson, who were promoted from the rank of Police Officer II to Police Officer III. Sergeant Eddie Graham was named 2017 Employee of the Year by his peers/fellow employees. A reception was held afterwards and a great time was had by all. 6. Also on Wednesday of this week, the Elizabeth City Police Department hosted its annual Santa Cop program at 5:30 p.m. In the spirit of Christmas, members of the Elizabeth City Police Department made deliveries to several local residents of Elizabeth City. The Elizabeth City Police Department Santa Cop Program provided children various toys for all ages. The program was a huge success strengthening the bond between the police and the community. 7. This was a big week for the Elizabeth City Fire Department! Monday marked an important moment in our department's history, with Cara McNany becoming the first female Relief Driver for the Elizabeth City Fire Department. On Wednesday, the department enjoyed a day of shopping, wrapping, and spreading a little Christmas cheer. Thank you to those in our community who assisted in our efforts, as well as our Fire Department families who shared monetarily and with the giving of their time, to experience the true joy of this magical season. 8. On Tuesday, December 18 th, the Technical Review Committee considered a site plan for Southern Bank. Southern Bank is proposing a new branch to be constructed at 1875 West City Drive, at the corner of Forest Park Drive and West City Drive. The building will be approximately 7,900 square feet in size with three drive-through lanes. The main topics of discussion were site drainage, visibility, and access. The site plan was granted conditional approval from the Committee subject to satisfactorily addressing all of the member s comments and concerns. 9. On December 13, 2018, several employees tested for wastewater certifications. I am pleased to report that James Poole and Amanda Boone 3

4 both obtained certifications for Grade II Collections. The City operates a Grade III Collections system. We encourage all operators to continue their education and certifications to advance and have a successful career in the water and sewer industry. Congratulations and great job! 10. Last week, a new Solar Bee GS-9 mixer from Medora Corporation was installed in the Halstead elevated tank. Installation of this mixer will improve the water quality and disinfection residual of the water stored in the tank and the distribution system. This was the third and final mixer we needed to have installed. The City now has the ability to improve the water pressure throughout the distribution system. 11. As you may have already heard, there has been a bear sighting in downtown and at the nearby condos just across the Elizabeth Street Bridge. A black bear was first sighted at the condominiums located at the foot of the bridge in Camden on Sunday evening. The same evening, the bear was also spotted in the downtown area in the vicinity of Colonial Avenue and Poindexter Street. There has been evidence and sightings of it numerous nights at the condominiums, but no additional sightings in downtown. The bear is a large one estimated to be 350 pounds or more. It has tipped and rummaged through garbage cans looking for food. The Elizabeth City Police Department is working with the Camden County Sheriff s Department and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) on a non-lethal plan of action. The WRC is the lead agency on situations like this. HERE is a link to their web page on how they typically handle bears in residential areas. Eliminating the bear s food source is what is recommended as the best way to keep the bear away. Earlier in the week, the Elizabeth City Police Department released a helpful list of safety tips for our citizens. HERE is an expansion of that list. An important item is to secure your trash and any outside food that the bear may be able to access. 12. You still have time to vote for your favorite Downtown Decorated window! Voting continues through December 23 rd for the Downtown Elizabeth City Christmas Window Decorating Contest where 26 downtown businesses are competing for the title of Best Decorated Window. Come downtown to view, shop, and vote. Voting ballots are also located at all participating stores, as well as at the Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. office (106 South Water Street) and in the information kiosk at Mariners' Wharf Park. You may also request a ballot be ed to you. Votes can be turned in at any participating business or the ECDI Office mailbox at 106 South Water Street. The contest will continue through December 23 rd. The contest is coordinated by the Downtown Business & Professional Association and Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. For more information, contact Deborah Malenfant, ECDI, at or

5 13. In observance of the Christmas Holiday, the City of Elizabeth City Public Utilities Department will be closed December 24 th, 25 th, and 26 th, The Monday, December 24 th and Tuesday, December 25 th solid waste and recycling routes will be collected on Wednesday, December 26 th. The Wednesday, December 26 th and Thursday, December 27 th routes will be collected on Thursday, December 27 th. The Friday, December 28 th routes will be collected as usual. The following week will see the Tuesday, January 1 st, 2019 routes collected on Wednesday, January 2 nd, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 5