January 15, 2021
This is a monthly update issued by the Manager’s Office regarding the activities of the Unified Government. The Mayor and Commission have developed “strategic commitments” that communicate what the citizens of Athens-Clarke County should expect from their local government. The report is not a comprehensive list of all activities undertaken by the Unified Government, but rather a select amount of information to help inform the public. The information is organized under these strategic commitment headings. Updated information from the past month is found in blue text.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INFORMED & ENGAGED CITIZENS ISSUES BEFORE COMMISSION February 2, 2021 Voting Meeting ...... 4 February 9, 2021 Work Session ...... 5 February 18, 2021 Work Session ...... 6 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Recent Meetings ...... 6 Upcoming Meetings ...... 9 TAX COLLECTION (PROPERTY, SALES, EXCISE AND BUSINESS TAXES) ...... 10 DEPARTMENTS Leisure Services ...... 10 Public Information Office ...... 15 Public Utilities ...... 18 Transportation & Public Works ...... 19 PROJECTS OF NOTE Envision Athens ...... 19
HEALTHY, LIVABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS Animal Services ...... 21 Athens Cultural Affairs Commission ...... 21 Central Services ...... 21 Leisure Services ...... 22 Public Utilities ...... 24 Solid Waste ...... 25 Sustainability Office ...... 27 CAPITAL PROJECTS – YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT FACILITY PARTNERSHIP ...... 29 CAPITAL PROJECTS – LEISURE SERVICES Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Beach Renovations ...... 30 Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Playground Replacement ...... 30 Park Facilities Improvements – Memorial Park - Small Mammal Exhibit ...... 30
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 1 OF 64 Park Facilities Improvements – Ben Burton Park – Pavilion Construction ...... 30 Park Facilities Improvements – Dudley Park Improvements ...... 31 CAPITAL PROJECTS – SOLID WASTE Phase V Landfill Expansion ...... 32 Placement of Big Belly Solar Trash and Recycling Stations Downtown ...... 32 CAPITAL PROJECTS – SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE Solarize Athens 2.0 ...... 32 Hybrid Vehicle Replacement Program ...... 32
TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY & CONNECTIVITY DEPARTMENTS Transit ...... 34 CAPITAL PROJECTS – LEISURE SERVICES Park Facilities Improvements – Rails-to-Trails Network Program – Sub-Project #2 Firefly Trail ...... 36 Park Facilities Improvements – Rails-to-Trails Network Program – Sub-Project #3 Firefly Trail ...... 37 Sub-Project 4 - Firefly Trail – Trail Creek Crossing ...... 37 CAPITAL PROJECTS – TRANSIT DEPARTMENT Bus Stop Improvement Program ...... 37 Transit Vehicle Expansion & Replacement Project ...... 38 CAPITAL PROJECTS – TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 1 – N Chase St, Baxter St & Southview Dr ...... 38 Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 2 – Holman Ave and Magnolia St ...... 39 Wet Broad Street Sidewalk Gap...... 39 2020 Pavement Maintenance Project ...... 40 Carriage Lane Culvert Replacement Project and Barnett Shoals Sidewalk Gap Project ...... 40 Tallassee Road Bridge over CSX Railroad Replacement ...... 41 Lexington Highway Corridor Improvements ...... 41 Atlanta Highway Corridor Improvements ...... 42 Clayton Street Infrastructure and Transportation Improvements ...... 43
SAFE & PREPARED COMMUNITY DEPARTMENTS Animal Services ...... 45 Central Services ...... 46 Code Enforcement ...... 46 Fire and Emergency Services ...... 46 Police Services ...... 50 Public Utilities ...... 52
SHARED PROSPERITY DEPARTMENTS Building & Planning Activity ...... 53
ACCOUNTABLE & RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS Central Services ...... 54 Public Utilities ...... 56
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 2 OF 64 Solid Waste ...... 56
CAPITAL PROJECTS Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase I ...... 57 Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase 2 ...... 57 Upper North Oconee Interceptor Phase 2B Project ...... 58 Tanyard Creek Interceptor Improvements Phase 2 ...... 59 CURRENT AUDITS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS ...... 59
POSITIVE CITIZEN FEEDBACK ...... 60
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ISSUES BEFORE COMMISSION Agenda Items for February 2, 2021 Voting Meeting Revise Chapter 6-6 Special Sales Ordinance to Modify Sunday Hours of Operation for the Downtown Farmer’s Market Revise Chapter 6-6 Special Sales Ordinance to modify Sunday hours of operation for downtown farmer’s markets; and, Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all necessary documents. Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Supplement Adopt a budget ordinance to allocate $6,500 from operating contingency funding to reinstitute the local supplement for the District Attorney. Contingency Funding Request for Critical System Replacements at Police 911 Command Center Adopt a budget ordinance to allocate $84,000 from capital contingency funding to replace the mission critical facility equipment at the Police 911 Command Center. A Proposal to Waive Sidewalk Café Fees for 2021 Approve a waiver of sidewalk café fees for 2021 Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment with Values Over $5,000 Declare the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACCGov)-owned vehicles and equipment described in Facts and Issues #4 as surplus property; and, Authorize the sale of the vehicles and equipment described in Facts and Issues #4 through an internet auction. 160 William Strong Lane - Request for Exception to Policy/Procedure WS-011: Water and/or Sanitary Sewer Services Approve an exception to Policy/Procedure Statement WS-011: Water and/or Sanitary Sewer Services, to allow public water service to be provided to 160 William Strong Lane, Athens, Georgia, subject to the property owner’s payment of the appropriate fees as identified under Facts and Issues No. 8 for the property. TSPLOST 2018, Project 12 - Pedestrian Improvement Programs, Cherokee Road Sidewalk Improvement, Sub-Project #1 Proposed Project Concept Funding Approve funding strategy for the Cherokee Road Sidewalk and Multi-use Path Concept at a 50/50 split between TSPLOST 2018, Project 11 – Bicycle Improvement Program, and TSPLOST 2018, Project 12 – Pedestrian Improvement Program; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute any and all other project related documents. North Oconee Water Reclamation Facility Clarifier Improvements – Construction Approve Launder Cover sole source equipment purchase for the amount of $411,220; Approve a work authorization with Western Summit Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $873,024 for installation of equipment at the North Oconee Water Reclamation Facility; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to sign all documents related to the work authorization. Liquid Alum Contract Award for Water Reclamation Facilities & Water Treatment Plant Approve a one-year unit-price contract with up to four annual renewals with ChemTrade Chemicals, LLC for Liquid Alum; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to sign all documents related to the contract. SPLOST 2020 Program: Adopt a Project Tier Funding Schedule Approve the 12-Year Tier Funding Schedule for the SPLOST 2020 Program; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. AXON Services & Equipment Contract Extension (On-Officer Cameras & CEDs) Approve a term extension for the existing AXON services and equipment agreement for an additional period of up to five years for on-officer cameras and assocaited services; Approve the addition of conducted electrical devised (CEDs), commonly known as “TASERs,” and associated serivces within the existing AXON equipment and services agreement; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all documents associated with the revised AXON services and equipment agreement. SPLOST 2020 – Project 03 Classic Center Arena Professional Design and Construction Administration Services Approve a designation of Perkins & Will / Smallwood Design as the highest scoring firm for Professional Design and Construction Administration Services for SPLOST 2020 Project 03 Classic Center Arena; Authorize the Manager, staff, and Classic Center representatives to negotiate with Perkins & Will / Smallwood Design to develop a final Scope of
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 4 OF 64 Services and Fees for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $4,200,000; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. Rock and Shoals Outcrop Natural Area - Conservation Easement Expansion Authorize staff to include the 22.4 acres of land purchased in 2003 by Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCUG) in the Conservation Easement being jointly developed with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) as included in the February 4, 2020 Mayor and Commission approved agenda report for the Rock and Shoals Natural Area Expansion Acquisition and Budget Amendment Greenspace Acquisition Program (SPLOST 2011 Project #28); and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute relevant documents. TSPLOST 2018, Project 11 & Project 12 - Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvement Programs, Riverbend Road Sidewalk Improvement, Sub-Project #2 Proposed Project Concept Approve Proposed Project Concept for TSPLOST 2018, Project 11, Bicycle Improvement Program & Project 12 – Pedestrian Improvement Program Riverbend Road sidewalk improvements, Sub-Project #2 (SP#2); Direct staff to incorporate improved bike facilities during future repaving and restriping along Riverbend Road from South Milledge Ave to College Station Road; Authorize staff to advance the Proposed Project Concept layout for Riverbend Road sidewalk improvements SP#2 to Preliminary Design Phase; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute any and all other project related documents. Hallmark Mobile Home Park Sanitary Sewer Connection Agreement Approve the exemption of wastewater connection fees to facilitate connection of the Hallmark Mobile Home Park (HMHP) oxidation pond to the public sanitary sewer system; and Authorize the Public Utilities Department to coordinate sanitary sewer connection from HMHP to public sanitary sewer with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, other ACCGov departments, and the property owner. Memorial Park Sewer Replacement Project & Dog Park Upgrade - Approval of Preliminary Construction Plans Approve the Preliminary Construction Plans for the Memorial Park Sewer Replacement Project and Dog Park Upgrade; and Authorize staff to complete the Final Construction Plans, acquire temporary construction easements and associated permits, and solicit bids for construction. 2020 Update - Public Utilities Department Service Delivery Plan: Financial Element Accept the Financial Element and proposed Project Implementation Schedule; and Accept the six-year Rate Adjustment Component of the 2020 Update to the Financial Element of the Public Utilities Department Service Delivery Plan, as outlined in Facts and Issues No. 12. GOC Report: Policies for Naming of Streets and Public Places in Athens-Clarke County The Government Operations Committee recommends that the Mayor and Commission: a) Direct staff to prepare a text amendment for Planning Commission consideration of the “Street Name Changing Policy”; and b) Adopt the “Naming and Renaming of Public Facilities, Parks, Natural Areas, and Amenities Policy”
Full agenda reports can be found at: https://www.accgov.com/agendas
Mayor and Commission Work Session – February 9, 2021 CDBG Recommendations Review FY21 CDBG recommendations for funding for Action Plant V (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Affordable Housing (SPLOST 2020-Project 02) Project Master Plan Presentation of the summary of the Final North Downtown Athens Master Plan Affordable Housing (SPLOST 2020-Project 02) Project Concept Presentation of a conceptual overview of the proposed public infrastructure needed to support the mixed income housing and mixed use redevelopment of the Bethel Midtown Village and College Ave. & Hoyt St. properties. Presentation on Updated Downtown Loading Zones Presentation will illustrate the updated loading zones locations in the downtown, how/why they are maintained in GIS, and the proposed related ACCGov Loading Zone Codes modifications/updates Clayton Street Improvements – Proposed Art (TSPLOST 2018 – Project #9) Proposed Art – Artist Eric Leshinsky will present the results of his public input and his proposed vision/concepts for the Clayton Street Improvement – Public Art Components. Clayton Street/Downtown Improvements – Eco-Stations Staff will present project concepts for the Eco-Stations
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Mayor and Commission Work Session – February 18, 2021 ACCGov COVID-19 Response Update Presentation from External Auditors Annual presentation from the external auditors, Mauldin and Jenkins. Overview Commission Presentation Greenway Network Plan Map Update ACCPD Strategic Plan/Policing Presentation
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Recent Meetings On December 10, the Water Conservation Office and Stormwater Management Division staff led a virtual frogs and turtles lesson for 20 St. Joseph’s Catholic School pre-K students. They learned that frogs and turtles as well as humans rely on clean water to survive. The students saw examples of several native frogs and turtles, played a guessing game where they matched frog calls to the correct frog, and listened to a story about how turtles survive in the winter.
On December 11, the Water Conservation Office and Stormwater Management Division staff led a virtual lesson for 60 third, fourth, and fifth grade St. Joseph’s Catholic School students. The lesson used visuals to demonstrate the amount of water on Earth and what percentage is available for our use. The students also watched a video detailing the various pollutants that end up in our waterways. The lesson ended with the students playing a trivia game. Did you know that less than 1% of earth’s water is available for drinking water purposes?
The Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) Board conducted a litter cleanup of the Loop on/off ramps at 441/MLK Parkway, December 13.
On December 14, the Water Conservation Office and Stormwater Management Division staff led a virtual lesson for 19 sixth grade St. Joseph’s Catholic School students. Using materials the WCO staff dropped off at the school the students tested out water properties known as cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. Through interactive activities the students learned that water molecules are attracted to other water molecules as well as molecules of other substances.
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On December 16, the Stormwater Management Program hosted a Rain Barrel sale during the month of December, with drive-thru pick-ups happening on December 16. 45 rain barrels + installation kits were distributed to residents.
Even the Covid-19 virus outbreak could not prevent the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) from completing its sixth annual Shop with a Cop program. On December 16th and 17th, ACCPD officers delivered smiles to over 100 children and parents through the program.
Instead of officers and children shopping together, this year children provided a wish list of gifts they wanted for Christmas. Members of our Community Outreach Division and ACCPD volunteers shopped from these lists and officers delivered the wrapped presents to the children and parents at their homes. The purchase limit for each child was $100. ACCPD’s program was expanded this year to include three ACC families. Each family had a $500 limit for gifts. Children and families were selected by the Clarke County School District.
On December 16th, Athens-Clarke County Police Foundation (ACPF) board members presented a $12,500 check for ACCPD’s Shop with a Cop program. For additional information about the foundation, visit their website at https://www.athenscpf.org/.
On December 20, the Leisure Services Department hosted its final “Movies by Moonlight” outdoor drive in movie for the year at Sandy Creek Park. The holiday double feature was a “sell out” with each entering vehicle greeted by Santa and the Grinch. Stockings full of candy were distributed to attendees.
Rocksprings Park held its Grinch & Go event providing families the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their favorite character, The Grinch! Families received goody bags filled with Grinch crafts and goodies. They also got a chance to strike a pose with the Grinch himself.
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The Grinch visited afterschool program participants as they were making Grinch masks and enjoying Grinchmas snacks. Even though the afterschool program wrapped up a week early, it ended on a high note watching The Grinch movie and enjoying pizza. Staff managed to stay engaged with the children by playing X-Box games, building gingerbread houses, and opening the computer lab/game room for them to use before the holidays.
EACC staff conducted the Intro to Soccer program. This activity helps local toddlers decide if soccer is the right sport for them! Participants learned basic soccer fundamentals in a fun and noncompetitive atmosphere.
Recycling Division staff led tours of the landfill, compost facility, and recycling facility to two Atlanta Public School 3rd grade students and their parents. The students were doing a sustainability project for virtual school interviewing our staff about the details of waste management and reduction programs. One of the dads provided feedback at the end of the tours, "That is the most I have learned in two hours in a very long time, maybe ever. Very nice job!"
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 8 OF 64 Upcoming Meetings MLK Community Day of Service January 18, 2021 8:30 AM to 1 PM Projects at Various Locations
Individuals will volunteer at sites throughout the community from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. including the Homeless Shelter, Books for Keeps, Brooklyn Cemetery, several area schools, Dudley Park, and others. Those interested in participating should register online at www.athensclarkecounty.com/mlkday.
Romantic Valentine’s Day Tour February 11 at 6:00 OR February 14 at 4:00 PM Join us from the cozy, cuddly comfort of your home Register for a link to event by January 31 www.ThinkAtTheSink.com – link in calendar
This year, we offer our poopular Romantic Valentine’s Day Tour of the water reclamation facility from the privacy of your home. Slip into something more comfortable, then turn on your computer to virtually join us for a quick tour followed by Q&A. Participating couples receive enchanting themed goodies mailed in discreet packaging to your home. Register for a link to the online event by January 31.
Call for Nominations – Leadership in Water Conservation Award Deadline: March 1, 2021 Online Application Form
Do you know someone who shows a commitment to protecting our water resources through water conservation & efficiency? We are now accepting nominations for our annual Water Conservation Leadership Award. The award recognizes an individual, business, group, or other organization in Athens-Clarke County. Help us honor those who are wise water users - submit your nomination by March 1, 2021. Winners are recognized during the GreenLife Expo.
Tire Amnesty March 1 to 6 ACC Landfill and the CHaRM
TIREd of Trash? Tires don't belong in streams, woods, or backyards. Please help us keep our community clean! There is NO disposal fee for residents of ACC and Oglethorpe Counties during Tire Amnesty Week, March 1 to 6, 2021. Bring used and abandoned tires to the ACC Landfill at 5700 Lexington Road or the CHaRM at 1005 College Ave (See websites for facility hours). Amnesty only applies to passenger vehicle tires and there is a limit of six tires per customer. Tires on rims will NOT be accepted. After six tires, the regular fees apply. Questions? Call 706-613-3508. This event is sponsored by the Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Board of Directors and the ACC Solid Waste Department.
Check hours here: Landfill Website: https://www.accgov.com/Landfill CHaRM Website: https://www.accgov.com/CHaRM https://www.accgov.com/8116/TIREd-of-Trash
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 9 OF 64 TAX COLLECTION (PROPERTY, SALES, EXCISE AND BUSINESS TAXES)
12-Month Sales Tax Receipts vs. Budget (12/19 - 11/20) YOY Sales Tax Receipts Up $267,797 (12 Months Ended 11/2019 vs 11/2020) 3,700,000
3,200,000
2,700,000
2,200,000
1,700,000
1,200,000 12/19 01/20 02/20 03/20 04/20 05/20 06/20 07/20 08/20 09/20 010/20 11/20
Budget Actual
DEPARTMENTS Leisure Services: The inaugural Light up Athens took place the first three weekends of December. Hundreds of people visited the City Hall area to enjoy the Christmas Tree, the beautiful lights, and Santa along with the costumed characters (elves, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer). The event award winners included: o Lights Best Use of Lights: ACCGov Water Conservation Office/Classic City Rollergirls o Mayor's Award (Best Overall): Live Wire Athens o Most Original: Flicker Theater & Bar o People's Choice: Classic City Cycling
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 10 OF 64 In order to facilitate the unique family-friendly experience for downtown Athens, the Morton Theater was needed for characters to “costume up,” as well as handlers and coordinators to organize and access supplies. The Morton’s Lower Lobby area and backstage dressing rooms provided the perfect space. Not only were all of the cast and crew of this production able to have a warm and comfortable environment to prepare for the event, but also The Morton’s spacious areas allowed for appropriate social distancing and other safety measures. The costumed characters departed the building and walked up Washington Street to City Hall. Sometimes, they could not even get out of the door before being stopped for photos.
Not to be left out of the public side of the event, the Morton’s beautiful historic façade was decorated with a warm and welcoming hearthside scene for passers-by to enjoy.
The Leisure Services Department benefitted from the service of 40 volunteers who contributed 152 hours of service during the month of December.
On December 1, LHAC announced the 46th Juried Show submissions are to be done online with digital entries. As we cannot gather for the usual busy two day drop off of art, staff have employed www.artcall.org, a platform for artists to load images, write comments and pay for their submissions. This is the Lyndon House Arts Foundation anchor program each year that features hundreds of local artists and cash awards. The Juror, Hallie Ringle, Hugh Kahul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum, will view the art entries online, select the awards and write a curators statement for the 46th catalogue. The submission date closes on January 22, 2021.
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Full House is the Lyndon House Arts Center’s (LHAC) first fully online art exhibit featuring the work of the more than 20 guilds who meet at the center and call the LHAC home. This exhibit on the website has featured 15 social media posts with images and stories from the artists. This show, while its promotional activity has ended, will continue to exist on the LHAC website encouraging artists to join the many groups who work in many fields from fiber to metal, advocacy to photography.
The Lyndon House Arts Center and Foundation announced a grant program for artist/curators identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color BIPOC. The Foundation supports ongoing initiatives that bring the arts within reach of cohorts that have been under- represented and under-served through traditional programming. The Guest Artist/Curator project seeks individuals who identify as BIPOC to develop, design, an art exhibition that would be on display for six- to-eight weeks in the Galleries at LHAC. There are three planned cycles for these exhibitions starting in June 2021. This program encourages the population of BIPOC artists, curators, who traditionally do not hold leadership positions and occupy a lower income bracket with the objective of elevating their potential in the field. We are committed to increasing the visibility and contribution of BIPOC artists as well as raising the creative economics of the arts and encouraging leadership roles within the arts profession and the education community.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 12 OF 64 LHAC has many new programs! Window Works features original site-designed artworks by local artist Noraa James. Window Works is an outdoor project located at the entrance of the Lyndon House Arts Center. Using the banks of windows as a palette, Noraa James has designed a triptych and diptych inspired by love, the Black body and primary colors. Noraa’s work is an exploration into the representation of blackness in its beauty, sublimity and the connectedness of such with the natural elements in and around us, primarily through the scope of Afrofuturism and afro surrealism. Window Works is a new outdoor art experience in response to the COVID pandemic, available for viewing while in daylight outside.
The LHAC Holiday Open House could not occur this season in person, so it is online! During the middle of December, staff launched three talented teaching artists videos who designed original curriculum for projects the whole family could do at home for the holidays.
o Project and Video 1 is Take It with You Sketchbook with David Hale. Have fun drawing with David Hale, set up your own sketchbook and favorite pencils to travel with you. Fill your sketchbook with inspiration and always with gratitude! o Project and Video 2 is Build a Pocket World Diorama with Eli Saragoussi. Create a dreaming tableau of crazy fun animals and plants in a shoebox. Eli made a coloring sheet of her fantastical creatures for you to color and cut out for your scene. o Project and Video 3 is Fashion Design Puppet with Tabitha Fielteau. Create an outfit for the holidays for a puppet. Buttons, and other fun accessories come in your pickup pack. Each video features original music by local musician Max Boyd.
Fifty art packs were picked up to accompany the videos as they became available on the Internet. For viewership: o David Hale Insta- 243 views, 26 likes, 2 comments, FB reached 338 people, YouTube 40 views o Eli Saragoussi Insta- 97 views, 9 likes, FB reached 330 people, YouTube 80 views. o Tabitha Fielteau Insta- 78 views, 10 likes, FB reached 66 people, YouTube 30 views.
LHAC completed the campaign Buy Local Buy Art. This was a partnership with athenscreatives.directory sponsors by ACCGov Department of Economic Development and Envision Athens. This included ads in the Flagpole, both in print and online, and a search component on the directory allowing users to find local artist markets and other holiday offerings as an effort to support the local creative economy during a COVID holiday season.
LHAC served as an advance voting site for the first time. For three weeks leading right up to New Year’s eve, staff welcomed 8,423 people through the doors to cast their ballots for the January 5th United States Senate race. The Community Room and Lounge were closed just for this purpose. Chef/owner of the Five and Ten with World Central Kitchen provided wonderful tacos for the voters in line and there was even a dance party in the parking lot one day with Joy to the Polls group. A big thank you to the Board of Elections for making this change in our business so easy.
Sandy Creek Nature Center (SCNC) staff welcomed 522 adults and 288 children during the month. SCNC hosted four in person programs. Virtual programs (including pickup kits) totaled 550 participants. This includes 15 Clarke County School District virtual field study programs, Cookies with Santa, and a Winter Kickoff program.
Rocksprings Park’s 5-year partnership with Multiple Choices Center for Independence Living, a local veteran's group, continues to grow with this year's expansion to utilize our facility for their annual toy drive. This year's drive served 255 parents, 673 children, and 17 special needs children. This same group collaborates with the center for an annual back to school backpack drive for the Rocksprings and Athens communities.
East Athens Community Center (EACC) collaborated with the East Athens Development Cooperation (EADC), University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Office’s Grow it Know it, UGA volunteer group Whatever it Takes, EACC’c Yoshukai Karate, and a host of community supporters to spread holiday cheer throughout Athens. More than 40 dinner boxes were distributed to families before Thanksgiving and once again before Christmas. EADC purchased more than $100 in school supplies for East Athens After School children. In addition, Athens-Clarke County residents donated well over
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 13 OF 64 $600 worth of toys to the first East Athens Toy Drive, allowing each after school participant to receive two gifts. Remaining gifts were distributed in local neighborhoods.
Lay Park provided family friendly activities to bring the community together. Winter Wonderland started the holiday season with crafts, games, and giveaways. The Gingerbread Workshop featured two evenings for families to assemble pre-baked gingerbread houses with candy canes, gumdrops, icing, and sprinkles. Recurring activities included Fit & Strong, Paint Nite at Lay, Pickleball and Teen Night Out.
The Leisure Services Department held three Public Information Open Houses for the Firefly Trail Expansion Phase III - TSPLOST 2018 Project #06 Subproject #03 in December. At these meetings, staff from the SPLOST Office and the Leisure Services Department’s Park Planning Office discussed preliminary designs for three alternate trail alignments near the Oakmont Subdivision and Moores Grove Road in Winterville. This project phase is the final piece of the Firefly Trail
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 14 OF 64 within Athens-Clarke County. Over 15 citizens attended the online meeting and 41 citizens attended the two in person meetings. At these meetings, citizens were able to review the preliminary design plans for the three alternate trail alignments, discuss questions with the project team, and provide comments. The online comment period for the project will end on Sunday, January 10.
Public Information Office: Public Information Office staff assisted the Board of Elections with publishing a variety of important information related to the January 5 General Election Runoff on the Board of Election website and accgov.com homepage. Information included key deadlines, dates and locations of in-person advance voting (Dec. 14-31), the addition of a Saturday Advance Voting location, closure of one Advance Voting site due to flooding, absentee voting drop boxes and information, a composite sample ballot, and links to election results. Staff created a large slideshow animation with links to election results and placed the images prominently on the Board of Elections website.
Public Information Office staff continued sending the COVID-19 weekly newsletter update with brief updates to approximately 1,300 email and SMS text subscriptions. Five updates were sent in December and included weekly updated stats related to UGA’s DawgCheck tests and the GA Department of Public Health’s Northeast Health District weekly county information, as well as statewide executive order updates, local emergency order updates, the December Work Session presentation, UGA’s study of wastewater COVID rates, mobile food pantry and mobile testing information, SBDC webinars, and winter holiday and New Year’s safety measures. Updates were also emailed to businesses about a series of new webinars organized by the UGA Small Business Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce to provide information about the upcoming second round of federal COVID-19 business financial support.
Using CDC information and graphics as guidance, the Public Information Office made an end of year push to provide information to residents related to taking COVID-19 safety precautions for the upcoming holiday season. The campaign provided information in radio ads, print publications, digital online ads, social media, and the ACCGov hold music system. It focused on reminding residents to wear a mask, keep hands and items clean, keeping distance, and safer ways to attend or avoid gatherings.
Public Information Office staff created a special webpage to provide resources related to COVID-19 vaccination information through the main ACCGov coronavirus website (www.accgov.com/coronavirus). The page contains information and links related to pre-registering for a vaccine from the Northeast Health District, an always-current vaccine dashboard, the Georgia Vaccine Task Force vaccine plan (PDF), and links to frequently asked questions. The page will continue to be updated will additional vaccine information in the coming months.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 15 OF 64 Public Information Office staff assisted with the swearing-in ceremonies for newly-elected District 8 Commissioner Carol Myers and returning Commissioners Mariah Parker (District 2), Allison Wright (District 4), Jesse Houle (District 6), and Mike Hamby (District 10) prior to the first Mayor and Commission meeting of 2021 on the steps of City Hall. Staff set up the portable public address system for use for the gathered crowd outside and also cleared up the Commission Chamber for the small oath of office ceremony that took place inside. PIO staff also assisted with ceremonies on the steps of the Courthouse by providing a portable public address system and podium for the swearing-in of new District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, new Sheriff John Q. Williams, and returning elected officials Sonny Wilson (Coroner), Judge Lawton Stephens (Superior Court), and Judge Patrick Haggard (Superior Court).
Public Information Office staff uploaded all episodes of the first season of the Inclusion Office’s ATHistory podcast to the ACCGov YouTube account. The PIO created the YouTube versions by placing the podcast audio over an image of the podcast cover with information about the episode and the episode’s guest. The PIO began releasing an episode of the podcast every Wednesday beginning in December on YouTube in order to lead into the next season of ATHistory that is planned to begin in the late winter/spring of 2021. Hosted by Inclusion Officer Krystle Cobran, ATHistory features the stories of Athens-Clarke County as told by the people of Athens-Clarke County that explore age, race, gender identity, socioeconomics, history, art, national origin, being differently abled, ethnicity, age, gender, and LGBTQIA+ together.
Public Information Office assisted Economic Development with releasing news from the Governor’s Office and the Georgia Department of Economic Development about the expansion of ByoPlanet International. The leading producer of electrostatic spray technology is investing nearly $7 million in expanding its Georgia manufacturing operations, delivering 250 jobs to Athens-Clarke County.
Website Initiatives o Public Information Office staff placed news notices with graphics on the front page of the Athens-Clarke County website (www.accgov.com) for: . Leaf & Limb notices for December . Live and On-Demand Mayor & Commission meetings in December . Logic & Accuracy Testing of Voting Equipment Begins Dec. 7, 2020 . Public Notice: Dates & Times for Processing Absentee Ballots for Jan. 5 Runoff . WATCH: Message from Mayor Kelly Girtz - December 18, 2020 . Task Force Seeks Feedback on Proposed Civilian Police Oversight Recommendations . Saturday Advance Voting Added at Lyndon House Arts Center for Sat., Dec. 19 . ACCGov Animal Services, Leisure Services, Solid Waste, Transit & Other Schedules for Christmas Week . Advance Voting Site at ACC Extension Office Closed Due to Flooding; Four Other Sites Open . ACCGov Animal Services, Leisure Services, Solid Waste, Transit & Other New Year's Holiday Changes . Swearing-In Ceremony for New & Re-Elected Commissioners on Wed., Jan. 6 at 4:30 PM . Mike Wharton Named Sustainability Officer for ACCGov . ByoPlanet® International Expands Operations in Athens, Creates 250 Jobs . Tag Office Closing Early Jan. 12 & Closed Jan. 13-18 for System Upgrade & MLK Day Holiday
Video Production Initiatives Most videos air on ACTV (Charter Cable Channel 180) and are available online through www.accgov.com/videos as well as on the Athens-Clarke County main Facebook page (www.facebook.com/accgov), YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/accgov), and Vimeo channel (www.vimeo.com/accgov), among other outlets depending on the video length.
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o Public Information Office staff produced a video in December and one in early January featuring a message from Mayor Kelly Girtz. The December video provided informing the public about the first COVID-19 vaccinations to be administered in Athens-Clarke County and reminding people to continue using precautions while making plans over the upcoming holidays. The January video provided a message about the recent events in Washington D.C., welcomed Athenians into the new year, and informed the public about COVID-19 vaccination information resources at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.
o Public Information Office staff facilitated YouTube and/or ACTV broadcasts and streams of 23 meetings in December for public viewing access, not including regularly scheduled Mayor & Commission meeting broadcasts. The broadcasts used WebEx in order to host and stream the virtual meetings, as needed to keep in line with proper physical distancing of participants. These meetings included (hh:mm): Board of Elections (0:49, 1:42, 0:17, 1:00, 1:24, 0:21, 1:25), Community Tree Council (1:26), Athens Justice & Memory Project (1:03), Prince Avenue Corridor User Group (1:02), Police Advisory Board Development Task Force (1:30, 1:02, 1:05), Pension Board (0:46), Board of Tax Assessors (0:38), Planning Commission (3:44, 4:01), TSPLOST 2018 Citizens Oversight Committee (0:33), Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission (1:23), 100% Clean & Renewable (1:09), Government Operations Committee (1:19), and Athens in Motion (1:44, 1:04),
o Public Information Office staff worked with Leisure Services to create a short video to promote Light Up Athens 2020. Since the Downtown Athens Parade of Lights and the traditional Christmas tree lighting was cancelled this year, the video starred Santa Claus performing the traditional lighting of the community tree and announcing the Light Up Athens event that took place over three consecutive weekends in December.
o Public Information Office staff wanted residents of Athens to be able to celebrate the holiday season in a special way despite the cancellation of the Downtown Parade of Lights. In an effort to achieve this, ACTV aired a marathon of the past 10 years of the Downtown Athens Parade of Lights from 12:01 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning until midnight on Christmas Day (48 straight hours). Videos from the 2010-2019 parades aired back to back. Each video included the parade year as an overlay so residents could be sure of what year’s parade was airing. All of the videos are also available on the ACCGov YouTube site at www.youtube.com/accgov.
o Public Information Office staff assisted the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Northeast Health District by providing videography services for the media conference of the first vaccination of healthcare workers in the district. Staff attended the media conference on December 18 and filmed the event for the district’s use and as a resource to provide to media outlets.
Media Releases The following media releases were recently distributed through the website’s ACCGOV Public Information Office News notification system, as well as posted on the front page of www.accgov.com and sent through social media. Anyone can sign up to receive these releases directly through email or text message at www.accgov.com/notifications or the NotifyMe area of the website.
o Task Force Seeks Feedback on Proposed Civilian Police Oversight Recommendations o Saturday Advance Voting Added at Lyndon House Arts Center for Sat., Dec. 19 o ACCGov Animal Services, Leisure Services, Solid Waste, Transit & Other Schedules for Christmas Week
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 17 OF 64 o Advance Voting Site at ACC Extension Office Closed Due to Flooding; Four Other Sites Open o ACCGov Animal Services, Leisure Services, Solid Waste, Transit & Other New Year's Holiday Changes o Swearing-In Ceremony for New & Re-Elected Commissioners on Wed., Jan. 6 at 4:30 PM o Mike Wharton Named Sustainability Officer for ACCGov o ByoPlanet® International Expands Operations in Athens, Creates 250 Jobs o Tag Office Closing Early Jan. 12 & Closed Jan. 13-18 for System Upgrade & MLK Day Holiday
Meeting Broadcasts The Public Information Office broadcast the Work Session Special Called & Work Session on Dec. 8 (4 hours 46 minutes), Work Session on Dec. 10 (2 hours 55 minutes), and Regular Session Jan. 6 (5 hours 12 minutes) live on ACTV Cable Channel 180 / University Cablevision Channel 6. The meetings were also streamed online at www.accgov.com/videos and www.youtube.com/accgov. The meetings are also rebroadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. on ACTV, as well as available on- demand online through the website and YouTube.
Public Utilities:
The Water Conservation Office partnered with Classic City Roller Girls to illuminate the Water Business Office on Hancock Ave. with holiday lights. The light display included a light-up North Oconee River flowing into a pond, "rain" lights from the trees, and twinkling blue lights along the railings. An EPA WaterSense inspired tree sat on the breezeway beside a table of blue candy canes, Little Lily WaterSense ornaments, and toilet tablets as gifts for passersby. The lights were on display the month of December and earned the ACC Leisure Service’s Light Up Athens "Best Use of Lights" award.
The latest edition of the Water Conservation Office's Froggie Tales, a virtual extension of Little Lily's Pad Hop that combines literacy and water education, debuted on December 17. Froggie Tales: Winter Edition features Tiger Brooks, PUD’s Water Treatment Operator Supervisor, reading “Froggie Gets Dressed”. Each month the WCO records PUD staff reading a water-themed story for Little Lily classrooms and social media.
Those participating in October’s Athens Water Festival in a Box received a holiday card in late December thanking families for their interest in water education. Included in the cards were recipe cards for making homemade flushable wipes and Team Water baseball-style cards featuring Public Utilities Department rock star employees, ACC mascots, and WaterSense’s Flo.
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Little Lily, the Water Conservation Ambassador, is currently in 28 Clarke County School District classrooms, two private school classrooms, two homeschools, and one preschool reaching over 600 families. The miniature frog mascot teaches children how to be more water-efficient, increases literacy, and encourages family involvement. In December, participating classrooms/families received a Little Lily ornament featuring the EPA's WaterSense label. When you see the WaterSense label on a product, it means the items are 20% more water-efficient than the traditional counterpart.
Public Utilities Department customers made financial contributions to Project SHARE in the amount of $507.00 for the quarter (FY21, 2nd Qtr, Oct-Dec 2020). Project SHARE is a bill-pay assistance program for Athens’ residents facing financial crises making it difficult to pay water bills. PUD customers can make one-time or monthly contributions through the water bill to provide the gift of water to neighbors in need. Project SHARE is a partnership with The Salvation Army. Learn more or make a donation through www.accgov.com/ProjectSHARE.
Frozen pipes can result in unexpected breaks leading to significant water loss and damage to your home. Imagine if the pipe bursts while you are on vacation or away from your home! Protect your home and your wallet. Get WaterSmart! WaterSmart, a FREE, online water management tool, sends leak notifications by text, voice, or email when your water use is greater than normal. In addition to leak alerts, registered customers can also set “Unplanned Water Use” notifications. Similar to placing a hold on mail, set a time period when away and a threshold for water use. If a pipe bursts you will quickly receive an alert. Visit www.accgov.com/WaterSmart to register.
Transportation & Public Works: 2021 Stormwater Calendars: 2021 Stormwater Calendars are nearly ready, and we want to get them into YOUR hands! Please visit www.accgov.com/stormwater to request a copy (or two) of the calendar. Once the calendars are printed, they can be picked up in-person from the Department of Transportation and Public Works (120 W. Dougherty Street) or mailed. Copies of the calendar are free and available on a first come, first served basis.
PROJECTS OF NOTE Envision Athens Envision Athens is a community-wide effort to develop a common vision for the future of the Athens-Clarke County community. This process produced a visionary, yet achievable multi-dimensional strategy to guide community and economic development for the next 20 years.
A 38-member citizen steering committee helped to guide the public process and the plan’s recommendations. The draft Action Agenda is the product of more 8,500 comments collect from 1,229 participants. Through a large and small in-person meetings, online feedback and more targeted focus
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 19 OF 64 group and stakeholder sessions, the Steering Committee developed of actions to move Athens-Clarke County forward. These 100+ actions are divided into five major chapters: Place, Prosperity, People, Vitality, and Foundations
The Oversight Committee is a group composed of major community stakeholders: Unified Government of Athens- Clarke County, Clarke County School District, the University of Georgia, Athens Housing Authority, Athens Technical College, Georgia Power, Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, United Way of Northeast Georgia, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Development Authority of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County and the City of Winterville. Each has made funding contributions to support the Project Manager and the implementation of the Action Agenda.
Envision Athens was created, not only to move forward on the 103 priority actions of the Action Agenda, but also to inspire you to love where you live along the way. We believe there is no better pathway to placemaking and belonging than investing in your neighbors and your town. We are proud to release the new Envision Athens Engagement Guide and welcome you to find your own place to invest by clicking on the links provided in this interactive pdf.
Are you interested in learning more about Trauma Informed Care? We have good news: Together, Athens Area Community Foundation, Athens Wellbeing Project and Envision Athens are pleased to share a multitude of trauma informed care trainings with our northeast Georgia neighbors, made possible through a pilot grant from the Pittulloch Foundation and Resilient Georgia. Check out this channel of trainings to become more trauma informed, and more!
As the unforgettable 2020 came to a close, Envision Athens was proud to announce that the 2020 Good Neighbor Award recipients were Rick Dunn, Melinda DeMaria, and Lillian Kincey, and the 2020 Envisioneer of the Year was Rashe Malcolm. Each individual uniquely captured and embodied the values of unity, equity, prosperity, and compassion, and are representative of what makes Athens, Ga a place difficult to describe and easy to love.
In 2021, Envision Athens is launching a year-long campaign declaring 2021 as The Year of the Good Neighbor. The goal of the year-long campaign to inspire all Athenians to be Good Neighbors, united under one vision to optimize our collective future through its four core values— unity, equity, prosperity and compassion.
To kick off this campaign, Envision Athens will be hosting a social media challenge on their Instagram and Facebook, and calling for businesses to nominate themselves and others as Good Neighbors. Finally, those looking to sponsor this campaign should reach out to [email protected] for more details.
To learn more about any of these opportunities or to get involved, please contact Erin Barger at [email protected].
Envision Athens continues to work throughout the community to address priority actions across Place, Prosperity, and People. Members of the Athens community can get engaged by sharing with others about Envision Athens, attending Envision Athens community events, and/or following the Action Agenda progress at www.envisionathens.com or on their Facebook page.
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DEPARTMENTS Animal Services: The month of December: 35 cats and kittens into foster homes 16 dogs into foster homes 51 pets total went into foster homes Volunteer Hours: 126.31 Total Volunteers: 20 We didn’t have any groups in December but we have magical laundry elves that did around 108 bags of laundry!!!! That was our Christmas miracle!
Athens Cultural Affairs Commission: In progress photos of the new public art installation (a collaboration between Peter James McCarron and David Hale) at the Cooperative Extension building on Cleveland Road.
Central Services: Community Forester: The Planning Phase of the ACC iTree Eco Study Project is well underway. The Forester has completed the GIS land use category layers for the ACC iTree Eco study. The iTree Eco study team has met with the ACCGov Public Information Officer to discuss a Public Communications and Awareness Plan for the study. The next steps of the planning phase include generating the randomly sampled plots for each of the ten land use areas and developing a strategy to request permissions to access private lands to collect data. Staff will be meeting with the GIS Office to set up an online survey to gain permission forms and develop a public information strategy. The iTree eco study is progressing on schedule.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 21 OF 64 Landscape Management Roadside Litter Collection: In the month of December, crews picked up 460 bags of trash, 8 bags of recycling, 129 tires, and 5 dumpsites along roadsides.
Landscape Management Right-of-way: Some staff started the month assisting with holiday decorations while other team members completed a full-service mowing of their routes for the winter. After completing tasks crews started sidewalk clearances, removing overgrowth and debris, tending to Commissioner requests, and sightline clearances. Teams also completed cleaning and cutting seven storm water ponds.
Landscape Management Parks: Crews are finishing up with mulching leaves in parks and clearing parking lots. They are prepping for pine straw and mulch applications by edging and cleaning beds and tree rings, winter cutbacks, and shrub pruning at various locations. Staff winterized the irrigation systems and the cistern at Lyndon House in early December. Crews have started annual cleaning in storm water ponds and necessary maintenance.
Landscape Management Buildings: The first week of December was spent finishing the holiday decoration installations downtown. Time is spent checking the thousands of lights and making bulb replacements, inspecting bows and bells, and cleaning the photo op statues. Buildings crews continued the month mulching and removing leaves from sites and working in parking lots removing low-hanging branches.
Leisure Services: Playscape work continues at SCNC with anticipated completion in February.
Leisure Services maintenance crews received 160 new work orders and completed 143.
In preparation for the United States Senate runoff election, Leisure Services staff members Jim Ferguson, Chad Skelton, Tommy Thurmond, Josh Walden, and Daniel Williams provided support to the Board of Elections. They spent two days picking up, transporting, and delivering voting equipment to various sites across the community.
In December, Leisure Services Department’s Trails and Open Space staff completed 138 work orders, including 76 trail and property inspections. Staff and volunteers completed and opened a new, looping 800ft section of the Birchmore Trail to allow visitors to enjoy previously inaccessible views of the park from the zoo side of Gran Ellen. This new section took over 12 workdays and 130 hours of staff and volunteer labor to complete.
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Leisure Services Department’s Trails and Open staff discovered a major illegal dump site at Erwin Property off Chesterton Drive. Trails staff alone hauled over 30 full bags of trash from the site and received assistance from Leisure Services’ maintenance and Landscape Division staff. More than 70 bags of trash have been removed thus far and the number continues to increase as the removal is still ongoing.
Trails and Open Space Staff along with the Nature Division Administrator continue to serve notices and tag and remove abandoned belongings and trash found in North Oconee River Park West and along the North Oconee River Trail.
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Public Utilities: Water Business Office: o Now offering online credit card payments, auto-pay, and bill reminders. o Pay your bill over the phone with a credit card by calling the Water Business Office, 706-613-3500.
Water & Sewer: o Repaired 10 water main breaks under pressure to avoid disrupting service to customers. o Made two large development tap for new construction. o Inserted two valve inserts. o Performed routine maintenance of water and sewer line fixtures and fire hydrants
Water Conservation Office: o WaterSmart Enrollment: 88 new registrations in December. There are now almost 7,800 water customers enrolled in WaterSmart, providing 18% of water customers the ability to take control of their water use and bills. o In 2020, 73 inches of rain fell across Athens, well above the 30-year average of 50 inches. The short month of February was the wettest with over 12 inches. As we enter 2021 with a La Niña weather pattern, Athens can expect the weather to be warmer and drier than normal for the winter months. The drier weather can reduce soil moisture reserves come early summer, so take this into consideration when making landscape choices.
Drinking Water Treatment: o In the month of November, the J.G Beacham Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) treated 340.25 million gallons of water. Athens-Clarke County had 3.62 inches of rain. o In 2020, the J.G Beacham DWTP delivered 4,443,590,000 gallons of water across Athens. The water supplied an essential service on which our economy depends and allowed residents to wash their hands during the pandemic. The DWTP is here for our residents because water works. Today, tomorrow, for life.
Meter Management: o There were 26 new meter installations and 8 new stubs installed 12/2020. o In FY19, 400 new meter connections were made, well above the projected 150. FY20 is on target to once again exceed projections with 263 new meter connections made by the end of December 2020. o Congratulations to James Taylor and Jamie Gresham. Both dedicated PUD employees recently passed their Water
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 24 OF 64 Distribution System Operator Exam and will receive their GA State Water Distribution License.
Water Reclamation: o The three water reclamation collected and treated 340.60 million gallons of water in the month of December. o In 2020, the facilities safely and responsibly returned over 4.5 billion gallons back to the source and water cycle.
Solid Waste: SW COVID Response: Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM): Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) – opened by appointment only each Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Credit cards and Checks only. Commercial or Government Deliveries by appointment. Compost Roll-Carts outside CHaRM gate for continued use. Recovered Material Processing Facility (RMPF): Operating normal hours 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, M-F Staff is in communication daily with Republic, private company that operates the facility. Landfill Landfill Hours this week: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F and Saturday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Landfill residential customers by appointment only. Credit cards, checks and account holders only. Collections: Staggered work groups with the idea they arrive, perform the pre-trip and get out on the road prior to the next work group’s arrival. Limit exposure between work crews. 1. Litter Technicians (CBD) – 5:00 AM 2. Front-End Load – 6:30 AM 3. Roll-off – 7:00 AM 4. Leaf and Limb, Compost and Mechanic – 7:30 AM 5. Automated, Mini-packers, Sway Cars, Admin Staff – 8:00 AM 6. CBD (second shift) – 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM 7. CBD (night shift) – 10:30 PM – 7:30 AM Admin Staff: All administrative staff are staggering schedules weekly while some are still working remotely.
Field Customer Service Staff: Working in separate trucks and normal hours.
General Information:
Number of Customers in each billing category and the revenue received for the month of November 2020 Total Revenue Residential $216,022.41 Commercial $51,972.90 $267,995.31
For Snapshot Total Residential Customers: 10,295 Total Commercial Curbside Customers 496 Total Commercial Dumpster Customers 214 11,005
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 25 OF 64 Work Order Type(s) #s for November 2020 CHaRM and/or Teacher Reuse Store Pickups 8 Check Level, Audit or Customer Visit 43 Deliver ACCGov Commercial Bags to Customers 13 Deliver Trash and/or Recycling Dumpster 4 Pick Up Trash and/or Recycling Dumpster 1 Deliver Trash and/or Recycling Roll Carts 128 Pick Up Trash and/or Recycling Roll Carts 81 Repair Assets (Trash and/or Recycling Rollcarts or Dumpsters) 12 Special Detail 8
Collections: o Commercial Trash tonnage includes: Front Loader, & Special Roll Offs – 339.15 tons/678,300 lbs- Daily avg. 10.94 tons o Front Loader Recycling tonnage – 87.65 tons/175,300 lbs. – Daily average 2.83 tons o Roll Off Recycling tonnage – 174.10 tons/348,200 lbs. – Daily average 5.62 tons o CBD trash tonnage – 84.08 tons/168,160 lbs. Daily avg. –2.71 tons o CBD recycle tonnage – 28.25 tons/56,500 lbs. – Daily Average 0.91 tons o Residential trash tonnage – 574.83 tons/1,149,660 lbs. Daily avg. – 18.54 tons o Residential recycling tonnage – 236.10 tons/472,200 lbs. Daily Average – 7.62 tons o Leaf & Limb tonnage – 462.21 tons/924,420 lbs. Daily avg. – 14.91 tons o Recycling trash tonnage – 43.42 tons/86,840 lbs. Daily avg. – 1.40 tons o Compost Food Waste tonnage – 6.07 tons/12,140 lbs. Daily avg. 0.20 tons
Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful: o Adopt-A-Highway Litter Cleanups: 7 cleanups, 3 tires, 21.5 bags of trash, 14.5 bags of recycling, 52 Volunteers o Down and Dirty Litter Cleanups: 2 cleanups, 8 bags of trash, 3 bags of recycling, 5 Volunteers o Community Tool Shed: 1 project, 28 Volunteers, 56 Volunteer Hours
Landfill Division: o Trash tonnage: 7,519.86 tons/15,039,720 lbs., averaging 300.79 tons/day. o Recycling tonnage: 1,086.73 tons/2,173,460 lbs., averaging 43.47 tons/day. o Leaf & Limb tonnage: 561.03 tons/1,122,060 lbs., averaging 22.44 tons per day. o December tonnage increased for the third straight year: . 2018: 6,289.38 . 2019: 6,640.75 . 2020: 7,519.86 o During December customers purchased 76 cubic yards of compost generating $1,510.05 in revenue. o Mattress Diversion: Furniture Bank performed two swaps during December, but the mattresses have not been processed at the warehouse. o During Calendar Year 2020, the Landfill received 81,582.48 tons of Subtitle D tonnage. 32,823 scale tickets were created, with an average of 2.49 tons per load.
Recycling: o Staff received 15 Commercial Recycling Plans. Due to the pandemic, the Recycling Division altered in-person inspection to a virtual inspection via photograph submission and video conferences. Staff completed 34 inspections and approved 34 Commercial Recycling Plans. o Staff reviewed 30 commercial development plans on behalf of Planning Department. Recycling Division reviews these plans to ensure compliance with the commercial recycling ordinance, and adequate dumpster enclosures.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 26 OF 64 o Staff delivered 300 reusable recycling tote bags, 300 recyclable item flyers, 28 recycling bins and numerous stickers to Athens businesses and multi-family communities. o Thanks to a huge assist from ACCGov Central Services crews, material management just got a whole lot better-looking in downtown Athens. Crews installed four pairs of Big Belly collection containers for trash and recycling collection. The trash side features a solar-powered compactor that will hold more ‘waste,’ allowing ACCGov Solid Waste Department to save money on collections. Two more pairs of trash/recyclable containers on College Square completed the installation. o 37 ‘shoppers’ at the Teacher Reuse Store took 1,489 lbs material that would have otherwise gone to the landfill, assisted by 12 hours of volunteer service. Staff reported that “We gave away a variety of “standard” items this month, including school and art supplies of all kinds, office chairs, holiday craft supplies, and some smaller pieces of furniture. The most requested item has been small bookshelves, though we haven’t received many lately. We were closed the week of Christmas but otherwise have had a steady flow of teachers. The most traffic has come in response to Abigail’s weekly email updates with items new to the store. Teachers can request to be on this list by emailing [email protected]. o Approximately 800 customers visited CHaRM in December, paying $3,452 to offset processing costs. Recycling Division has been working the Superior Court Probation staff to encourage individuals assigned community service hours to assist with material processing at CHaRM. To date, two individuals have worked 58 hours at CHaRM. During December, CHaRM staff shipped out: . 6,380 pounds of scrap metal, . 1,190 pounds of confidential documents to be shredded and recycled, and . 6,800 pounds of tires to be recycled. o The Recovered Materials Processing Facility received 1,126 tons of material in December, down slightly from last December’s 1,363 tons. Residue rate, including both incoming contamination and potentially recyclable material that was not recovered, was 18.1%.
Sustainability Office: Clean and Renewable Campaign: Educational Series: Monthly Streaming from the ACCGov YouTube channel Available for viewing on the Athens Office of Sustainability Website
A new educational video series has been developed as part of the Sustainability Offices Clean and Renewable Energy Action Planning initiative. This series is designed to make the complexities of the energy system understandable. By “de-mystifying” the energy world, community members can use this knowledge to take control their energy use, work for change, and to save money in the process. Educational topics include Clean Energy 101, Energy Systems and Grid Policy, Efficiency in the Built Environment, and Energy Burden and Housing Inequality, and Greenscaping. These topics also help clarify how green jobs are created, solar energy is produced and stored,
You can check out the Athens Sustainability Office calendar to see when live meetings will take place, or visit the website here to see a list of educational programs and view video of previous Citizen Advisory Board meetings.
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GDNR Grant Funded Restoration Efforts Underway At Dudley Park: In October 2020 the final grant documents were signed between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and ACCGov, launching the Sustainability Offices’ restoration efforts in Dudley Park. Out of all the applications received, the Dudley Park initiative was ranked the #1 local park project in the inaugural 2020 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program “Conserve Georgia” grant cycle. The initiative includes the restoration of 20 acres to high quality, Georgia High Priority Habitat and the installation of 39 nesting and roosting boxes in one of Athens’ oldest and most urbanized parks.
It’s a really prominent spot next to the greenway, it’s accessible to a lot of different walks of life. We really want to expose people to being able to enjoy this park”, said Emily Laske, a field technician for the Sustainability Office. “What we’re going do there is remove all invasive species in certain areas and plant natives. There’s going to be different habitat types, and this will help to promote different diversities and species of wildlife.”
The effort underway at Dudley Park is Phase 2 of a larger project, entitled the “Restore our River” project, which started in 2019 as an effort to restore approximately 1 mile of a highly urbanized river corridor and reestablish a species-rich, ecologically diverse riparian habitat. The project is scheduled for completion by September 2022.
To get involved with future invasive plant removal and native plant restoration efforts, follow the Sustainability Offices’ Facebook page here. You can sign up for volunteer dates when they’re announced by going here and searching for “Sustainability”.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 28 OF 64 Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Grant Funded Bird Meadow Initiative Underway: In a partnership between the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society (ORAS) and the Sustainability Office, almost a third of an acre of once non-native and invasive plants is being transformed into native pollinator and bird habitat. Located in an area near the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway and North Avenue, this project re- establishes a beautiful four season wildland meadow while providing outstanding opportunities to spot a wide variety of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Principally funded through a $5,000 grant from the National Audubon Society, more than 23 socially distanced local chapter and community volunteers gathered over two successive weekends in November to plant almost 2,500 native grasses and wildflowers.
“What we really want to drive home is that we want people to be planting native plants, and really appreciate the ecological significance, but also that they can be really beautiful,” said Lauren Gingerella, president of ORAS. “We hope this will reach people who are not historically exposed to plant and bird conservation.”
Amenities also planned for this area include interpretive signage, a constructed pathway, a small water feature, and several nesting and roosting boxes.
Since 1970 worldwide bird populations have declined dramatically, with North America losing 1 out of every 4. This translates to an estimated 3 billion fewer birds in North America now than there were in 1970. The Audubon Chapter undertook this project to highlight the importance of native plant species and habitat while providing outstanding opportunities to get “up close and personal” with these fascinating animals. Chapter members are looking forward to hosting bird walks for the public as the meadow develops.
If you would like to help with this and other restoration efforts, follow the Sustainability Offices’ Facebook page here. Also, you can sign up for volunteer dates when they’re announced by going here and searching for “Sustainability”.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT FACILITY PARTNERSHIP Funding Source: SPLOST 2011, Project #22 Project Budget: $2,854,000 Status: Planning
Project Details: The project will provide a new facility in partnership with one or more organizations for youth development and family educational programs in Athens-Clarke County. It is expected the partner(s) will provide capital funds to the project to support SPLOST funding. The project is envisioned to include components such as computer lab and technology center, classrooms and conference space, game room, teen center, half gymnasium, associated administrative and operational areas, and exterior stage area and sports field. Partnership contract was awarded to Athens Land Trust by M&C at the December 2018 voting meeting.
Project Update: User Group has been re-established and is meeting on a regular basis to determine the basis for the design services request for proposal. Expect design services request for proposal to be drafted February 2021.
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CAPITAL PROJECTS – LEISURE SERVICES Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Project #14, Sub-Project #6 – Beach Renovations Total Project Budget: $1,935,000 Sub-Project Budget: $154,470 Status: Phase I work is Complete. Phase II is in permitting.
Project Details: This sub-project is to provide rehabilitation of the beach area including re-grading the area and relocation of the beach showers and drains and installation of a new drainage system to alleviate erosion issues.
Project Update: Phase II work includes dredging the swim area to provide more swim depth and new sand will be installed on the beach. Phase II work is scheduled to begin in March 2020 and to be completed prior to swim season in the summer of 2021.
Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Project #14, Sub-Project #7 – Playground Replacement and Park Facilities Improvements – Project #16, Sub-Project #16 – Sandy Creek Park – Playground Replacement Total Project Budget: $1,935,000 Sub-Project Budget: Project #14 $128,700 & Project #16 $125,000 Status: On-hold
Project Details: This project is for the replacement of the tot lot playground at Sandy Creek Park. The playground is approximately 26 years old and is the oldest in the system. This project is being supplemented with $125,000 funding from SPLOST 2011, Project #16.
Project Update: The playground replacement project is on hold pending completion of the beach work.
Park Facilities Improvements – Project #16, Sub-Project #14 – Memorial Park – Small Mammal Exhibit Funding Source: SPLOST 2011 Total Project Budget: $5,051,608 Sub-Project Budget: $76,290 Status: Design
Project Details: This project is for the construction of a new small mammal exhibit for Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail in Memorial Park. Citizens have donated approximately $34,000 to the project. This sub-project will fund the balance. The estimated SPLOST portion of the budget for Sub-Project #14 is $80,000, in addition to the $34,000 in donations.
Project Update: Design is underway.
Park Facilities Improvements – Project #16 Sub-Project #18 – Ben Burton Park – Pavilion Construction Funding Source: 2011 SPLOST, Project #16, Sub-Project #18 Total Project Budget: $5,051,638 Sub-Project Budget: $245,000 Status: Construction
Project Details: The pavilion will accommodate 30-40 patrons and have unisex restroom facilities. Design is underway.
Project Update: Design-Build approach with the local on-call contractor is underway. Permits were issued the week of December 7, 2020 and work is scheduled to begin immediately. Pavilion concrete slab has been installed for a little over a month. Lumber has been delivered and will start being installed mid-January. Progress has been a little slower than originally anticipated due to extended material delivery times, during COVID. Anticipate completion of all work mid-spring of 2021.
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New Concrete Par for Pavilion at Ben Burton Park New Restroom Facility at Ben Burton Park
Park Facilities Improvements – Dudley Park Improvements Funding Source SPLOST 2011 Project #17 Project Budget: $1,210,000 Status: Construction
Project Details: The project will provide for improvements in accordance with the revisions to the Master Plan and Project Concept that were approved by M&C on June 5, 2018. Schematic Design was approved by M&C on February 4, 2020.
Project Update: Final Design and construction documents are complete and the work has been awarded to the local on-call contractor, Structural Resources, Inc. Approximately 75-80% of the work and materials is being done or acquired by local vendors. Contractor expects completion of the work in early summer 2021. M&C awarded the selection of artist & art for Dudley Park to Krysia Ara – “Heron Sighting” on December 1, 2020. The artist’s work will be coordinated with the building construction but will not be completed until after the building is completed.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 31 OF 64 CAPITAL PROJECTS – SOLID WASTE Phase V Landfill Construction Project Funding: Bank Loan Project Budget: ~ $5,000,000 (construction and consultation)
Project Status: Ongoing punch-list completion. A punch-list was made in January (still working the list) for outstanding tasks as follows: fence along Dawson Road needs erected, sampling Phase V wells for N=4, piping to recirculate leachate from Phase V, completion of expanded leachate loading area for additional volume of leachate from Phase V, shelter to protect new pump station from birds, and establish grass in disturbed area along with silt fence.
Placement of Big Belly Solar Trash and Recycling Stations Downtown Project Funding: Capital for Downtown Collections Project Budget: $28,807 (amount for four double units and two additional units were covered by Central Services)
Project Status: ACCGov Central Services and Solid Waste staff installed six pairs of Big Belly collection containers for trash and recycling collection. The trash side features a solar-powered compactor that will hold more ‘waste,’ allowing ACCGov Solid Waste Department to save money on collections and better efficiency.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE Solarize Athens 2.0 The Solarize Athens 2.0 program is a community solar campaign where residents and business receive significant discounts on solar installations through a bulk buying program. As each new customer agrees to participate in the program, the more the price of installed solar decreases for all participates. Athens-Clarke County has enrolled the Fire Station 2 and Cooperative Extension projects in this program.
# of Interested Participants: 206 Residential Solar Procured: 101 kW Commercial Solar Procured: 103 kW Battery Storage Procured: 67.5 kWh CO2 Savings: 191.6 tons
Hybrid Vehicle Replacement Program Funding Source: SPLOST 2011, Project #23, Sub-Project #4 Status: In Progress Equipment Budget Amount: $150,000
Project Details: This project uses funding from the SPLOST 2011 Energy Sustainability Program to fund the difference in price between a hybrid or electric vehicle and the standard gas engine vehicle it is replacing. Fleet Management and the Sustainability Office work with host departments to review upcoming fleet replacements and evaluate if there is a suitable hybrid that meets their operational needs. At a cost of $2.75/gallon, this program has an average ROI of 5.2 years; the intended lifecycle for these vehicles is 15 years. Annual Annual Annual Fuel CO2 Fuel Planned/Purchased Displaced Replacement Savings Savings Savings Hybrid Vehicle Department (gallons) (tons) ($) 2018 Rav4 Chevy Colorado 4X4 Crew TPW 209 2.0 $575 Cab 2018 Prius Two Ford F150 Solid Waste 252 2.4 $693
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 32 OF 64 2018 Prius Two Ford Taurus Attorney’s Office 296 2.8 $815 2018 Rav4 Ford Taurus Corrections 209 2.0 $575 2018 Rav4 Ford F150 4X4 Crew Cab TPW 209 2.0 $575 2018 Rav4 Ford Taurus TPW 209 2.0 $575 2018 Rav4 Ford F150 Public Utilities 157 1.5 $431 2018 Rav4 Ford Taurus Leisure Services 209 2.0 $575 2018 Rav4 Ford Escape Tax Assessor 146 1.4 $401 2019 Ford Responder Ford Interceptor Police 507 4.8 $1,395 2019 Ford Fusion Ford Taurus Building Inspections 258 2.4 $711 2019 Rav4 Ford F150 Building Inspections 209 2.0 $575 2020 Ford Interceptor 2020 Ford Interceptor Sheriff’s Office 401 3.8 $1,104 Hybrid Gas Engine 2020 Ford Interceptor 2020 Ford Interceptor Gas District Attorney’s 230 2.2 $633 Hybrid Engine Office 2019 Rav4 Chevy Colorado Building Inspections 205 1.9 $563 2019 Rav4 Chevy Colorado Building Inspections 205 1.9 $563 2019 Rav4 Ford Escape Public Utilities 186 1.8 $511 2019 Rav4 Ford Explorer Airport 205 1.9 $563 2019 Ford Responder Chevy Impala Police 414 3.9 $1,140 2019 Ford Responder Chevy Impala Police 414 3.9 $1,140 Totals 5,130 8.6 $14,113
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DEPARTMENTS Transit: Ridership And Revenue For December, 2020 o ACCGov Transit Department provided 54,811 passenger trips in December 2020, a 3.79% (2,162passenger trip) decrease from November 2020 (56,973 passenger trips).
o ACCTD provided 43,156 weekday passenger trips during December 2020, a decrease of 8.17% (3,842 passenger trips) from November 2020 (46,998 passenger trips). ACCTD provided a weekday average of 2,241 trips for November 2020.
o ACCTD provided 11,655 passenger trips on weekends during December 2020, a 16.84% increase (1680 trips) from November 2020 (9,975). ACCTD averaged 1,108 passenger trips each weekend service day.
Token Transit: Online Bus Pass Sales o ACCGov Transit will be fare-free through July 1, 2021, therefore online pass sales have been suspended.
Transit Administration Information: o On January 7th the Mayor and Commission unanimously agreed to continue fare-free transit for everyone through July 1, 2021. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic and with support from the CARES Act, Transit has not charged fares for most of 2020.
o The current, reduced service levels helped provide the cost savings to make this possible. The reductions include; ending all bus service by 7:00 pm or earlier, suspending routes 23 and 28 and limiting routes 12 and 14 to hourly service.
o ACCGov Transit buses continue to be sanitized frequently, hand sanitizer is available on all buses and face masks are required for all passengers.
o Routes, timetables, live bus tracking and trip planning are available at accgov.com/transit and through the myStop app.
Maintenance And Custodial: o ACCGov vehicle maintenance and repair staff has been working hard to save the county money and limit the amount of time Transit vehicles are out of service and off the road. This was exemplified recently, when two ACCGov Transit support-vehicles were damaged during an after-hours break-in at the Multimodal Transportation Center. The incident is currently under investigation and nothing of value was taken from the vehicles. Once cleared by ACCPD, shop Foreman Jon Cannon ensured the vehicles were repaired and back in service in less than 4 days.
o A new refuse truck purchased through an FTA grant, requiring only 20% local funds, has been delivered. The Transit staff manages trash collection in-house allowing for nearly immediate response to an overflowing trash can at a cost savings of approximately $50,000 annually over commercial trash collection fees.
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o Three T-350 Cutaway buses are scheduled for delivery the first of January, 2021.
o Transit Maintenance Administrator, Derick Gandy and Transit Planner II, Victor Pope are conducting research on Hydrogen power and total Electric propulsion buses to comply with ACC zero emissions mandate. Visits to transit agencies that are currently using these systems are planned for January 2021.
o All diesel mechanics have each successfully completed 36 hours of training on Allison Hybrid buses.
o Fuel site repair bids have been submitted and a Purchase Order for the work has been requested.
o All bus garage bay windows have been tinted.
o Partitions in women’s restroom have been completed.
o Wooden benches from the Multimodal Transportation Center are in process of being re-stained
o The paint is on-site and Transit staff is with facilities to re-stripe the parking lot at Pound Street
Marketing and Public Outreach: o Advertising and Public Outreach of Fare-Free Transit and reduced service: Is being distributed to riders through the myStop app, FaceBook, accgov.com, Cox radio stations WGAU and Power 100.1, the online Red & Black, the Flagpole, WUGA, WXAG, onboard signage, e-ink displays, ACC recorded phone message along with other media outlets.
o Apartment Association Outdoor Education Nights: ACCGov Transit is coordinating through the Athens Apartment Association to provide outdoor ‘How to Ride the Bus” classes at apartment complexes throughout Athens. Not understanding a system can keep potential riders from even trying transit, and if they do, their experience might not be as positive as if they had boarded with full knowledge.
o ACCGov Transit Bus Stop Sign Redesign: All 500 redesigned Bus Stop signs with color-coded, site-specific route and schedule information have been produced and delivered. The installation will be completed in January.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 35 OF 64 o ACCGov Transit Electronic Wayfinding: Content continues to be developed and expanded for all ACCGov Transit Wayfinding displays including: e-ink displays, onboard displays, interior and exterior informational displays at the MMTC and Kiosks to be installed in January.
o acc.gov.com/transit online and mobile user improvements: ACCGov Transit has developed and is implementing new html code that allows the individual bus timetables to be displayed in a more responsive and user-friendly fashion than the current Civic Plus widget.
o Advertising: ACCGov Transit will advertise services and provide public information through the Flagpole Magazine, Highlight Magazine, Boom Athens, onboard ads, The Rink, the Red & Black Publications and Facebook ads in January 2021.
o MLK Day Parade: ACCGov Transit will participate in the MLK Day Parade and Festival on January 18th.
o myStop Tutorial: Closed captioning has been added and updated content produced and approved.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – LEISURE SERVICES Park Facilities Improvements – Rails-to-Trails Network Program Sub-Project #2 - Firefly Trail – Old Winterville Road to Hancock Road Public Utilities Department Joint Sub-Project – 16-inch Recycled Water main Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 06/Public Utilities Enterprise Fund Total Project Budget: $16,166,455 Sub-Project Budget: $3,400,000 Trail Sub-Project Budget: $1,400,000 Recycled Water main Status: Construction
Project Details: The sub-project 2 consists of approximately 1.8 miles of multi-use concrete trail with necessary appurtenances. The trail will begin at the intersection of Old Winterville Road and proceed east generally following the abandoned rail line and ending at Hancock Road. This section includes a bridge over GDOT’s proposed Loop 10 on-ramp. In conjunction to trail construction, Public Utilities Department is planning to install a 16-inch recycled water main to support future recycled/reuse water to industrial area.
Project Update: On May 5, 2020 M&C awarded the construction contract to Georgia Development Partners. Notice to Proceed was issued July 16, 2020. Substantial completion date has been established as October 8, 2021. Contractor has completed approximately 65% of rough grading and 50% of the storm drain installation. Preparation is being made to install the bridge foundations and install the recycled water line. The recycled water line is a joint effort with the Public Utilities Department to serve industrial customers with a lower cost alternative for process system water needs instead of potable water thereby conserving energy and cost in the treatment systems. Contractor has installed 525 feet of concrete trail, completed three Jack & Bore casing for the 16” reuse water line, and drilled three pile casings for the pedestrian bridge.
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Park Facilities Improvements – Rails-to-Trails Network Program Sub-Project #3 - Firefly Trail – Hancock Road - Winterville Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 06 Total Project Budget: $16,166,455 Sub-Project Budget: $3,500,000 Trail Status: Final Design
Project Details: This section of trail consists of approximately 3.5 miles of trail. The surface of the trail will depend on funding availability. Its pathway is from the end of Sub-Project #2 at Hancock Road and terminates in Winterville at the Moores Grove Road/Athens Road intersection. The proposed trail alignment generally follows the abandoned Georgia Railway rail bed and is approximately 3.5 miles in length.
Project Update: The Preliminary Plans for the first portion of Sub-Project #3 were approved by M&C on October 6, 2020. Final Design on the first section of Sub-Project #3 is proceeding according to schedule. Public Input was taken on the second section of Sub-Project #3, which will be the final section of the Firefly Trail for Athens-Clarke County.
Sub-Project #4 – Firefly Trail – Trail Creek Crossing Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 06 Total Project Budget: $16,166,455 Sub-Project Budget: $3,964,755 Status: Construction
Project Details: Sub-project 4 consists of design and ultimately constructing a structure to span Trail Creek inside Dudley Park and over Poplar Street to complete an at-grade level pathway providing a continuous trail on the previously complete Firefly Trail sections.
Project Update: Mayor & Commission awarded a construction contract to Astra Group, LLC on December 1, 2020. A pre- construction meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 15, 2021.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – Transit Department Bus Stop Improvement Program (BSIP) Funding Source: SPLOST 2011, Project #7 and Grants Project Budgets: $3,967,645 for BSIP Status: Construction
Project Details: ACCGov was awarded a Transit grant of $2.5 million for Transit System Improvements. This grant will allow Athens Transit to upgrade the level and quantity of amenities that are offered. The SPLOST dollars will be used as the required $500,000 local matching funds for the grant. The use of the project funds as matching funds has increased the project budget to a total of $2,704,398. Solar lighting has already been installed at a majority of locations around Athens-Clarke County. M&C approved the selected Art Shelters at the October 2, 2018 voting meeting.
Project Update: Construction Services is being provided by Structural Resources, Inc. All bus stop improvements are completed with the installation of the additional shelter on Prince Avenue at Talmadge. New bus stop signage install is underway and is approximately 95% complete.
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Transit Vehicle Expansion & Replacement Project Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project #02, and Grants Project Budget: $7,952,708 Status: Construction
Project Details: Project 2 will purchase up to 16 buses to replace existing vehicles that have reached the end of useful life. The funding may be used to purchase revenue vehicles and/or support vehicles and/or used to match funding for state and/or federal grants to acquire additional transit vehicles, as required.
Project Update: Two 40’ Hybrid heavy duty were put into service in on March 2019, two more in February 2020, and two 35’ Hybrid heavy duty buses were put into service in September 2020. All of these buses were paid with 90% matching grant administered by GDOT.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 1 – N Chase Street, Baxter Street and Southview Drive Funding Source: General Capital, SPLOST Project Budget: $1,198,500 Status: Construction
Project Description: The project includes design of three segments of gap sidewalks on N. Chase Street, Baxter Street, and Southview Drive. Sol Construction was awarded the contract for this project for the construction on Southview Drive and Baxter Street. The project will include update and addition to existing sidewalks, accessibility ramps, and signal improvements, as necessary.
Project Update: Baxter Street: Sol Construction has completed the installation of the new signal, excluding one pedestrian pole. The existing signal poles along with their foundations are scheduled to be removed in early January. Upon completion of the removal of the existing strain poles and foundations, the contractor will install the one remaining pedestrian pole, remove the existing sidewalk, and install the new sidewalk and ADA ramps at the Baxter Street intersection.
Southview Drive: The contractor has completed all work associated with this sidewalk segment.
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N. Chase Street: The contractor completed all work associated with this sidewalk segment.
Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 2 – Holman Avenue and Magnolia Street Funding Source: General Capital, SPLOST Project Budget: $457,600 Status: Construction
Project Description: The project includes design and construction of sidewalk gaps on Holman Avenue and Magnolia Street including: 1. 600 linear-feet of 5’ sidewalk network on Holman Ave between King Avenue and Old West Broad Street providing pedestrian access to the surrounding neighborhood, area businesses, and transit facilities. 2. 1360 linear-feet of 5’ sidewalk network on Magnolia Street between West Broad Street, Rose Street and Baxter Street, providing pedestrian access to the surrounding neighborhoods, Rocksprings Park & Community Center, multiple businesses, HT Edwards Teaching and Learning Center, and transit facilities. Construction activities are expected to begin in October 2020, with expected completion by August 2021.
Project Update: The contractor completed all concrete flatwork on Holman Avenue and began work on Magnolia Avenue. The contractor continues to coordinate with property owners and utilities impacted by the construction on Magnolia Street.
West Broad Street Sidewalk Gap Funding Source: TSPLOST, GDOT MMSAG Project Budget: $210,000 Status: Construction
Project Description: The project includes design and construction of a 5-foot sidewalk gap on the northern side of West Broad Street (from 2310 W. Broad St to 2434 W Broad St). The sidewalk closes and existing sidewalk gap and connects businesses with multiple apartment complexes and transit stops. The project consists of building approximately 1,100 feet of sidewalk, accessibility ramps, and minor intersection improvements at Camellia Drive.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 39 OF 64 The construction phase is partially funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) through the Multi Model Safety Access Grant. Construction activities are scheduled to begin in August 2020 with final completion in December 2020.
Project Update: Tri Scapes, Inc. completed all work associated with this project and reached substantial completion on November 25, 2020. The substantial completion along with correction list were issued on December 3, 2020. Due to delays from the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the remaining work on the correction list is scheduled to be completed in early January 2021.
2020 Pavement Maintenance Project Funding Source: General Fund, SPLOST, TSPLOST, and GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Project Budget: $6,600,000 Status: Construction
Project Description: The CY20 PMP will include resurfacing and preventative maintenance of multiple roads throughout ACC, selected from the remaining deficit list for poor and failed roadway segments identified from ratings performed by staff in 2015 and updated in 2019 using a new automated rating system. Paving operations are expected to commence in May and end in spring 2021.
Project Update: The project continues to move forward as weather permits.
Carriage Lane Culvert Replacement Project & Barnett Shoals Sidewalk Gap Project Funding Source: Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund, General Capital, SPLOST Project Budget: $1,584,797 Status: Construction
Project Description: Carriage Lane is a dead-end road and the culvert under Carriage Lane has an extensive and non- reparable buckling due to excessive rust and loss of soils that TPW repaired multiple times. The project includes replacing the failed 12X9 elliptical corrugated metal plate pipe carrying a live stream, with a double 10X8 concrete box culvert with headwalls. Barnett Shoals Road Sidewalk Gap project includes completion of a sidewalk gap. The proposed
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 40 OF 64 improvement incorporates relocation of one bus stop, installation of a new controlled midblock crosswalk, and installation of accessibility ramps.
Project Update: Substantial completion and the correction list were issued to Georgia Development Partners on December 15, 2020. The work associated with the correction list is scheduled to be completed by mid-January 2021.
Tallassee Road Bridge over CSX Railroad Replacement Funding Source: General Fund, SPLOST, and TSPLOST Project Budget: $6,000,000 Status: Bid & Award
Project Description: The project includes the replacement of Tallassee Road Bridge over the CSX Railroad southwest of the existing alignment, building new approaches to the structure, and rebuilding the traffic signal at Tallassee Road and Westchester Drive. The new bridge is proposed to consist of two 12-foot travel lanes, a 5-foot sidewalk, and a 10-foot multi-use trail.
Project Update: Coordination with CSX is complete. Final relocation plans are in progress with Georgia Power, Southern Gas, and Public Utilities. The project award by M&C and work commencement is expected in early 2021.
Lexington Highway Corridor Improvements Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 14 Project Budget: $3,860,191 Status: Planning
Project Details: Lexington Highway Corridor Improvements Project, includes funding for specific improvements to the Lexington Highway Corridor that are to be approved by Mayor and Commission. Improvements eligible for the funding include, but are not limited to: landscaped/concrete median(S), additional sidewalks, multi-use trail, separated bike lanes, and improvements of intersections at Winterville Rd, Gaines School Road, and Whit Davis Road.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 41 OF 64 Project Update: From May 28, 2020 to June 28, 2020, ACCGov received online public input. On July 7, 2020, M&C approved the proposed project list, authorized the Project list for prioritization into the Project Concept Phase, and authorized the implementation of the “Immediate Impact Project” of airport wayfinding signage. Project information and studies can be found at the following location: https://www.accgov.com/lexingtonhighway.
From July 2020 to present, the User Group and Design Professionals have been developing Project Concept materials for each of the proposed projects; which were presented to the M&C at the January 12, 2021 work session. The next round of Public Engagement is scheduled to begin February 1, 2021. The public engagement is being conducted to both inform the public and to garner information from the public regarding their opinions on each of the potential projects on the list. This public input will be used by the User Group and then by the M&C to help decide on the priority order for the various projects that are on the list.
Traffic Engineering completed installation of 19 airport way finding signs to better direct customers of Athens Ben Epps Airport providing drivers the most direct routes to the airport entrance. The Airport and Traffic Engineering collaborated to develop appropriate locations to best serve the Athens Ben Epps Airport and surrounding community. The way finding signage not only serves to help customers find the airport in the most direct route, it helps reduce confused or lost drivers on the surrounding roadway systems.
Atlanta Highway Corridor Improvements Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 15 Project Budget: $3,860,191 Status: Planning
Project Details: Atlanta Highway Corridor Improvements Project, includes funding for specific improvements to the Atlanta Highway Corridor that are to be approved by Mayor and Commission. Improvements eligible for the funding include, but are not limited to, landscaped/concrete median(s), interconnecting parcel additional sidewalks, multi-use trail, separated bike lanes, and potential intersection improvements.
Project Update: From May 28, 2020 to June 28, 2020, ACCGov received online public input. On July 7, 2020, M&C approved the proposed project list, authorized the Project list for prioritization into the Project Concept Phase, and authorized the implementation of the “Immediate Impact Projects” of intersection improvements (signal modification – flashing yellow at Target), landscape improvements (Corridor plantings master plan), and Land adjustments/restriction (restripe/sign outer westbound lane from bypass to GA Square Mall Dr for better advance warning lane ends). Project information and studies can be found at the following location: https://www.accgov.com/atlantahighway.
From July 2020 to present, the User Group and Design Professionals have been developing Project Concept materials for each of the proposed projects; which were presented to the M&C at the January 12, 2021 work session. The next round of Public Engagement is scheduled to begin February 1, 2021. The public engagement is being conducted to both inform the public and to garner information from the public regarding their opinions on each of the potential projects on the list. This public input will be used by the User Group and then by the M&C to help decide on the priority order for the various projects that are on the list.
Additional Signage has been installed in front of Georgia Square Mall to better notify drivers that the mall turn lane ends ahead, and ACCGov Landscape Management has submitted a landscape plan to the Georgia DOT for review and approval on US Hwy 78.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 42 OF 64 Clayton Street Infrastructure and Transportation Improvements Funding Source: SPLOST 2005 Project 10 & TSPLOST 2018 Project 09 Project Budget: $8,376,121 Status: Construction
Project Details: Project includes improvements to Clayton Street, between Pulaski Street and N. Thomas Street, and connecting side streets for the completion of the 2005 SPLOST project. The improvements will include better stormwater management and standing water removal, wider sidewalks with fewer pedestrian conflicts, new streetlights, new traffic signals on fewer poles, public art, wider travel lanes for vehicles, changes to metered spaces’ angles to improve safety when reversing out, larger areas for pedestrians to wait for crossing streets, bicycle improvements, and more trees and landscaping areas. The Mayor and Commission approved the streetscape design and the public art component in 2019. The full project is expected to be completed in early 2022.
Project Update: Work on the Clayton Street Improvements Project continues with the installation of new electrical conduit “duct banks” in the corridor. These conduits will be used for wiring for street lighting, fiber optic cabling, downtown cameras, traffic and pedestrian signals, and other data & electrical needs. Spare conduits are also being installed for future needs as they may arise.
Progression of the duct banks along the southside of Clayton Street continues to be slightly slower than anticipated due to required rock removal and addressing abandoned utilities when encountered. The duct bank installation will continue along Clayton Street from Lumpkin down to Thomas Street. Astra, will continue to keep the work area foot print to a minimum, thus reducing interruption to normal business activities as much as possible. The duct bank installation along the southside of Clayton Street between Lumpkin Street and College Avenue has been completed.
The streetscape portion of the work will begin this month. The remainder of the trees located in the project area will be removed beginning the week of January 18. Other streetscape activities will follow beginning on the southside of Clayton Street between Lumpkin Street and College Avenue where the electrical duct bank work has been completed. The streetscape efforts will take place on smaller sections of the corridor at a time. As the streetscape efforts progresses, the contractor will coordinate necessary sidewalk closures in the area and provide pedestrian ramps or bridges to allow continued access to businesses.
ACCGov’s Streets and Drainage division investigated an unknown brick culvert pipe located on Jackson Street. This culvert was discovered during Atlanta Gas meter replacement program that was recently completed.
The temporary closure of College Avenue, between Clayton Street and W. Broad Street, creating an outdoor dining and gathering area has been completed. The closure is scheduled for a six month pilot program at which time it will be re- evaluated by M&C to determine if it will continue.
Several new loading zones were recently established in the downtown area with Traffic Engineering Department continuing to coordinate future and striping and signage. Several departments presented to the M&C, at the January 12, 2021 Work Session, proposals for improved eco-stations and public restroom as part of the project. The artist for the project is scheduled to make a presentation to the M&C, at the February 9, 2021 Work Session, regarding his proposed public art.
ACCGov’s Project Ambassador will continue efforts to meet and update businesses in the area on upcoming construction related efforts.
For more information about the East Clayton Street Improvements Project, visit www.accgov.com/clayton .
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Duct bank installation – Clayton Street & College Avenue intersection
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DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES Animal Services:
Animal Dispositions for 12-01-2020 through 12-31-2020 All Dispositions animals Canine Feline Other Adopted 52 27 25 0 DAK 5 2 2 1 DOA 1 1 0 0 Escaped 0 0 0 0 Euthanized 3 0 2 1 Reclaimed 22 22 0 0 RTO 2 2 0 0 RTW 1 0 0 1 Stolen 0 0 0 0 Turned Over 135 34 99 2
Service Calls by Type for 12-01-2020 through 12-31-2020 District District District District District District District District District District SERVICE CALL TYPES TOTAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Running at large 64 5 10 1 1 16 7 0 4 17 3 Animal Neglect/ Cruelty/Abandonment 23 0 5 2 0 2 4 1 3 6 0 Nuisance Complaints 5 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 Sick/Injured Animal (non-wildlife) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hot Car 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Wildlife 7 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 Livestock at Large 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Menacing 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Bite: Animal VS Animal 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 Bite: Animal VS Person 8 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 Bite: Wildlife VS Animal/Person 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Contained Feral Cat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 117 8 18 7 4 21 12 3 7 34 3
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 45 OF 64 Central Services: 800 MHz Radio System: In December 2020, the 800 MHz radio system processed 129,567 total calls for a total of 507 hours of airtime. 0.44% of total calls were redirected or failed because the system was being upgraded. NOTE: This was related to lack of channels available during certain points of the upgrade. While ACC did not experience busy notifications during the previous upgrade, Motorola did notify ACC that busy channels might occur during this upgrade. For FY21 to date, approximately 819,614 total calls for a total of 3,237 hours of airtime have been processed with a 99.92% success rate. In FY19, 2,159,112 total calls were processed with 8,389 hours of airtime. In FY20, 1,845,179 total calls were processed with 7,233 hours of airtime. The total call volume for the fiscal year can be found in the table below. Note the slight decrease from November of 2020. Compared with previous years, ACC and UGA remain in reduced call volume category as we continue to be impacted by COVID-19.
800 MHz Radio System Calls By Month
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0 July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
FY19 FY20 FY21
Code Enforcement: Code Enforcement Violations COMMON CODE VIOLATIONS Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec JANUARY 2020 Signs in Right of Way 925 1255 1845 1875 1945 3585 3975 5465 6575 7080 9180 10,125 Front Yard Parking 31 59 71 77 83 90 102 139 156 190 207 214 Junk Vehicles 58 83 93 98 118 130 139 151 161 169 174 178 Trash Rollcarts 30 157 208 216 266 313 346 402 456 531 576 600 TOTAL 1044 1554 2217 2266 2412 4118 4562 6157 7348 7970 10,137 11,117
Fire and Emergency Services: ACCFES was dispatched to a reported structure fire on Westchester Drive at 4:36 AM December 5, 2020. The first unit arrived on scene at 4:39 AM to find a fully involved apartment unit with heavy fire penetrating through the roof. The initial crew quickly deployed hose lines to the unit of origin for an aggressive attack. Due to the amount of fire involvement, crews were repositioned to the adjacent apartments to keep the fire from spreading. A Ladder truck was used to mount a vertical attack on the fire and prevent further extension into other apartment units. Four fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and over 20 Firefighters were deployed to prevent the fire from spreading to other apartments and bring it under control.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 46 OF 64 Firefighters searched the adjacent apartments and found all occupants had escaped unharmed. However, after the fire was brought under control, Firefighters discovered a deceased person in the apartment unit of origin. The fire destroyed the unit of origin and caused extensive damage to three adjacent units on Westchester Drive.
Fire investigators from the Athens-Clarke County Fire & Emergency Services Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are in the process of investigating the origin and cause of the fire. The victim was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for cause of death and positive identification.
As of December 7, 2020 the wreath in front of our headquarters now had 3 red ornaments. Each of these ornaments represent a structure fire that occurred within the month of December. The holiday season is usually the time of year with the most frequent number of structure fires. In order to prevent most of these fires, it will require just a little bit of diligence, effort, and planning on all of our part.
Please be extra diligent with cooking this holiday season. If you have something on the stove stay in the kitchen until it is finished cooking and don't forget to turn off the burner! If you are drowsy or intoxicated DO NOT try to cook anything- use the microwave or eat an already made snack. Kitchen fires are the most preventable fires, but can also cause the most damage. Help us keep the wreath GREEN this holiday season. We rounded out the holiday season with our wreath being almost completely RED.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 47 OF 64 December 8, 2020 at 2:40 AM crews responded to a structure fire on Dallas Street. Upon arrival there were flames showing from the rear of the structure. After making rapid entry into the home the fire was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.
December 11, 2020 at 12:10 PM, units from ACCFES were dispatched to a structure fire on Barnett Shoals Road. The first units arrived on scene at 12:13 PM to find heavy smoke conditions at this home. Crews made rapid efforts to extinguish the fire and search for possible victims. The occupants were not home, but crews located their dog by a couch in the front room of the home. The dog was taken outside and was administered oxygen. It was later reunited with its owner. There was extensive smoke damage throughout the home and fire had destroyed the kitchen area. The dog is expected to be fine.
December 22, 2020 Engines 23, 24, and 27, Ladder 343, Rescue 4, and HazMat 1, along with Cars 31 & 34 were dispatched to a structure fire at the 500 block of Milledge Terrace. Upon arrival, light smoke was showing from the structure. Crews rapidly deployed to make a fast attack on the fire. After investigating inside the structure, no
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 48 OF 64 victims were found and the fire was determined to be in the basement. Extinguishment was made and there was no extension of fire into the wall or attic spaces. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The afternoon of December 24, 2020 Engine 22 was dispatched to a vehicle fire on Old Monroe Road. There were no injuries reported. https://fb.watch/2O-PWxSqy2/
This fire on December 26, 2020 showed an example of the difference a closed bedroom door can make in the event of a fire! The conditions in this room were much more survivable, due to this door being closed. We remind you to close before you doze, to protect your family.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 49 OF 64 Police Services: On December 6, a suspect entered the Golden Pantry at 2350 W. Broad Street and demanded the clerk to “empty the cash register.” The suspect in the case made gestures with his hand in his pocket to symbolize that he was in possession of a gun. As the clerk began to notify the manager, the suspect exited the store and ran to a nearby area. Responding officers were able to locate the suspect a short distance away. The suspect was positively identified by the clerk and was subsequently arrested and charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery.
On December 15, officers responded to a report of a burglary at the Quality Deer Management Association’s headquarters on Whitetail Lane. The victim of the burglary was able to provide a description of the suspect and a last known direction of travel. An ACCPD officer that is a member of the department’s drone team also responded and used a drone to surveil a large wooded area near the location of the burglary. With images provided by the drone, officers were able to locate the burglary suspect and take him into custody without incident. Officers not only recovered items stolen in the burglary, but also recovered a truck that was reported stolen out of Jackson County, a Kawasaki UTV stolen out of Athens-Clarke County, a firearm with an altered serial number, and several other stolen items.
If You See Something, Say Something! Officers recently made two arrests thanks to citizen involvement and home security cameras.
On December 24, officers responded to a report of a burglary “in progress” on Dr. MLK Parkway. The caller reported that he was watching video remotely and observed a white car parked in his own driveway. The caller further reported that the driver of the white car kicked in the door to a neighboring residence. As ACCPD officers began arriving in the area, the suspect fled from the rear of the residence. Officers pursued the suspect and were able to take him into custody. During the course of the arrest, an officer suffered a dislocated shoulder. Officers were able to recover items that were stolen from the residence.
On December 28, an officer received a notification from the Ring Neighbors application informing him that a citizen shared a video of an individual entering his vehicle. Officers responded to the area where they were able to locate the suspect and take him into custody without incident. The suspect was still in possession of the items taken from the victim’s vehicle.
CRIME GRAPHS These unofficial, preliminary NIBRS statistics are subject to change based on changing reporting requirements, evolving investigations, delayed reporting, and error correction. They are not to be directly compared to previous UCR charts or reports. Further information can be found at https://ucr.fbi.gov/nibrs-overview. SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 50 OF 64
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Public Utilities: Water Reclamation: UGA continues to collect samples 2x/week from all three of the Athens-Clarke County Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF). In addition, samples are collected from locations along the sewer trunk line. Dr. Erin Lipp, a professor of environmental health science in UGA’s College of Public Health and principal investigator, extracts the virus RNA from filtered raw sewage samples to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in our area.
The findings are shared and updated Thursdays on the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases website. The last update came on December 28: Total viral load for Sunday 12/27 through Monday 12/28 declined by ~10-fold. This decline was observed across all three treatment plants and ends the 3-week trend of rising viral load at WRF C. The 7-day running average of reported cases was 54 as of 12/30, which has held steady for the past 10 days (declining from 61 on 12/21).
Our WRFs play an important role in efforts to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Athens, GA. In addition, it is important to note that our facilities fight pathogens and viruses like coronavirus through our treatment processes. This type of virus is very susceptible to our disinfection. The Public Utilities Department is committed to protecting public and environmental health in the Athens community. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important work being conducted by UGA. SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 52 OF 64
DEPARTMENTS Building & Planning Activity:
2018 2019 2020 2021 Calendar Yr Calendar Yr YTD YTD
Building Permits Issued 1,098 1,283 1,212
Building Permit 192,373,544 267,870,892 205,100,145 Valuations ($)
Building Inspections 4,559 5,153 6,293 Performed
Planning & Zoning Applications: The graph below depicts the total amount of applications received each month in 2020 compared to 2019. Applications in 2020 are divided by application type and are represented by the bars. Total applications for 2019 are depicted by the blue trend line.
2020 Permit Applications by Month Compared to 2019 300
250
200
150
100
50
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov. Dec
Certificate of Appropriateness Demolition Review Environmental Areas Home Occupation Planning Commission Plans Review Plats Signs Variance Zoning Permit Zoning Verification Total Applications in 2019
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DEPARTMENTS Central Services: Facilities Management received 505 work orders for the month of December and completed 343 work orders. Staff are working on or have completed the following:
o Coordinating the installation of UVC lighting in the HVAC system at the Library. o Working with the Library on a renovation project which includes flooring, a media room, and a training room. o Painting the front exterior of the East Athens Community Center. o Installing a commercial dishwasher at Animal Services. o Making repairs to the Halon System that protects the Courthouse Computer Room. o Installing televisions in the lobby at the Tag Office. o Working with the Sheriff’s Department to establish a tool check-in procedure at the Jail. o Obtaining quotes for tile replacement for the CCCI shower floors. o Restructuring two offices for the new District Attorney. o Adding a door in the Tax Assessor’s Office as a safety precaution for COVID. o Replacing three windows at the Satula Avenue Building that were shot with a bb gun. o Repaired the fire sprinkler system and the pressure reducing valve at the Water Resource Center. o Replaced the flooring in a 53’ box trailer for Solid Waste. o Assisted with clean-up of water after the rain water harvesting system failed at the new Cooperative Extension Office. o Repaired the men’s restroom at the Solid Waste Recycling Center after the vend fan caught on fire. Staff replaced the fan, ceiling tiles, paint, a portion of the floor, and parts on the toilet. We were fortunate that the fire occurred during operating hours.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 54 OF 64 Installed “Big Belly” trashcans and recycling containers in downtown and removed the old containers for Solid Waste.
Internal Support sold 1 vehicle, 2 lots of guns, and 3 lots of miscellaneous items for $2,544 by online auction.
Facilities Management employees held a food drive for the Athens Food Bank. Over 300 items were collected.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 55 OF 64 Public Utilities: Customers of the Public Utilities Department Water Business Office (WBO) requested the ability to make water bill payments online with a credit card. In mid-October, the WBO began to offer this service. Because of the savings found through the recent installation of the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, the PUD is able to offer this service without additional fees, which was another request from customers.
Between November and December 2020, the number of transactions for online credit card payments increased 52.81% during this period. The graph below includes ALL credit card receipts from IN OFFICE and ONLINE combined. This shows a 30.28% increase in NET DEPOSITS on all credit card payments from November to December 2020, with a 44.96% increase in the number of credit card transactions for the same time period.
Solid Waste: A team of SW employees and family members (Suki, Denise, Susan, Mason, Carlos, Melissa, Stacy, Josie) volunteered at the Project Safe Thrift Store on Sunday, December 6. Volunteers spent time cleaning, sorting materials, and organizing items on racks and shelves from 11 am – 5 pm.
Susan Lyon and Stacy Smith graduated from the 3rd Innovation Ambassador program on December 10.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 56 OF 64 Stacee Farrell, Stacy Smith, and Carlos Pinto attended the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Virtual awards ceremony, December 10.
The Solid Waste Department conducted a road cleanup of Hancock Industrial Way, December 17.
On December 22, KACCB staff completed the National Geographic Collecting Data on Plastic Pollution course - 20 hours.
Solid Waste Department Diversity and Inclusion committee produced a first draft departmental commitment statement and finalized our core values based on suggestions and feedback from all ACCSW staff. ACC Solid Waste lives by our core values: Integrity, Accountability, Efficiency, Innovation, Teamwork and Stewardship.
Solid Waste was featured in three different months in the Inaugural Solid Waste Association of North America – GA Chapter calendar. This calendar was sent to hundreds of members and sponsors from around the state of Georgia.
CAPITAL PROJECTS Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase 1 Location: Traverses along tributary from Middle Oconee River to Baxter Street Same trench replacement Easement acquisitions underway Estimated Project Bid Date: May 2020 Estimated Project Cost: $6.5 Million
Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase 2 Location: Traverses along tributary from Baxter Street to King Avenue Predominantly same trench replacement Easement acquisitions underway SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 57 OF 64 Estimated Project Bid Date: August 2020 Estimated Project Cost: $4.5 Million
Upper North Oconee Interceptor Phase 2B Project Bid Date: August 1, 2019 Project Cost: Mayor and Commission approved construction contract award on November 5, 2019 in the amount of $10,722,722. Notice to Proceed: February 2020 Estimated Date of Project Completion: January 2021
If walking along the Greenway between College Avenue and Sandy Creek Nature Center, you see the work being done for the Upper North Oconee Interceptor Phase 2B Project. Here is a little bit of the work being done and seen in the accompanying photos: Installing the piers for the pipe crossing the river Contractor dug 45 feet by hand Cutter head for the Tunnel Boring Machine Operator station from inside the tunnel boring machine
The contractor will begin working with the tunnel boring machine in December, with plans to go 15 feet per day. The project includes 1300 feet of tunnel by this machine.
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 58 OF 64 Tanyard Creek Interceptor Improvements Phase 2 Bid Date: November 7, 2019 Project Cost: Mayor and Commission approved construction contract award on January 7, 2020 in the amount of $9,259,479.90. Notice to Proceed: March 2020 Estimated Date of Project Completion: July 31, 2020
Current Audits Being Conducted by the Office of Operational Analysis: Central Services Fleet Management Public Utilities Water Business Office Animal Services Department
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Building Inspections: Email received: “I wanted to express our appreciation for all the hard work and effort that your staff have given to this project. I know that there have been a few challenges along the way but your team has remained patient and professional. Fay is awesome every day! But another example of her awesomeness, she went over and beyond yesterday to hammer out 76 CO’s so that Westplan could meet their closing deadline. Beyond expectations and very much appreciated! Always impressed by the Building Inspection team! Thanks you!”
Response from Building Inspections Director: “Thank you for the positive feedback. You, Jon and your whole team has been great to work with over the years. You guys get it and understand what we do and that we support development in Athens-Clarke County. Linda Ray did most of the work on these Certificates of Occupancy and even worked on Saturday to make it happen. And Fay is awesome too, no doubt. Thanks again for your acknowledgement.”
Central Services: Received the following “thank you” from J.W. Thaxton regarding staff running cable for tvs, cameras, and phones at Fire Department Headquarters. “Keith Lunsford did an amazing job with this project. We really appreciate him and all of your team for keeping us going.”
Received the following “thank you” from the new District Attorney, Deborah Gonzalez regarding the transition into her office at the Courthouse. “Willie Craddick and Rhoderic Jones were fabulous. Thank you for your department’s help in my transition.”
Leisure Services: Text from emails sent to Bear Hollow Zoo staff following the recent “Breakfast with Santa”event:
“Hi! I just wanted to say thank you so much for making this event happen. It was so well done and my kids *loved* seeing Santa in the giant snow globe. Everyone was so friendly and the craft bags and to-go biscuits we’re awesome. Way to make some lemonade out of all the 2020 lemons!”
“Wanted to send a huge thank you for this wonderful event. Everyone did such a great job and it was so well organized and executed. Thank you for making wonderful family memories for us — we truly appreciate it!”
Text from recent emails from fellow ACCGov staff members, regarding the Movies by Moonlight presentation at Sandy Creek Park:
“Great event last night, my family loved it! I know events like that take a lot of Leisure Services employees to pull off and it being the weekend and Holiday season you and your team have put in a lot of extra time bringing our community joy during COVID-19.”
“I did my best to say thanks to the employees I ran into, but please let them know how great a job they did guiding traffic, keeping people safe, and bringing sorely needed laughter and joy to the holiday season. Leisure Services is incredible!” - Josh Edwards, Assistant Manager
“Thanks to you, we had an amazing evening during yesterday’s double feature! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I just wanted to express how grateful I am for the role you played in making the event possible. It was so well planned and executed. Checking in, parking, exiting was all very easy and straight SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 60 OF 64 forward. All staff on-site were extremely friendly and a most excellent time was had by all.” -Carlos Pintos, Solid Waste Department
“Hello, I LOVED the drive-in last night. I was actually able to do something with my vulnerable parents during the pandemic. They had a blast as did my 11 year old niece. Thanks again for this opportunity for families with vulnerable members!” -Suki Janssen, Solid Waste Department
Comments from parents about the LHAC’s recent ‘Weaving for Kids with Toni Carlucci’ class done virtually with a really great art kit sent home to the participants:
"Thank you so much, Willa had a great time with the class, and as always you were an amazing teacher." ❤ (Referring to Toni Carlucci)
"Anna loved the class. She absolutely loves making art. Getting the box of supplies was such a treat as was having the finished products to share with others. She ended up sending a few of the beaded pieces to her grandparents who live in Florida and we haven't seen them since before the start of the pandemic." She added: “One of her grandparents is also a fiber artist so it was a nice way for them to connect.”
"It was very important to us as a family to have an extracurricular activity as well. Having this class and some connection to her previous activities was so important. I really hope that you can continue to offer classes either in person or online."
Regarding virtual Holiday Open House at LHAC:
“Thank you @lyndonhouseartscenter and @flimmyflammy for inspiring us to create art and magic while stuck in our own little worlds. I also love that this repurposes fabric from @statethelabel , a bag from @treehousekidandcraft , wool felt from @asgfp , and a box from @fancytigercrafts .”
SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 61 OF 64 Public Information Office: The Public Information Office received a voicemail about the 2020 edition of the ACC from A to Z Guide that were recently placed in new publication racks at the Multimodal Transportation Center: “I am a citizen of Athens-Clarke County and I wanted to compliment you on this book ACC from A to Z Guide located at Multimodal bus stop. I appreciate it. It was very helpful. It had several numbers I couldn’t get and was trying to find because it’s so hard without a telephone book or internet. Job well done who ever came up with this idea. And to Marvella [Castaneda, the chalk artist who created the cover of the 2020 guide for the Public Information Office], keep up the good work! The art looks good.”
Public Utilities: Story retold by Water Business Office’s Connie Hortage: “I called the customer to explain how her…I had fixed her account. She thanked me for calling her personally. She wanted me to pass along how everyone has been helpful and kind. She said ACC has not had a bad Department in all of the government. She said the water office has been very courteous and nice to have an office down town. She said to pass along to our manager and director. I thanked her and said it was nice to hear we’re doing a good job. She said we deserve it.”
“Always love it when Jackie and Cecile come to my class! So glad we could continue this year virtually!” –6th grade teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School
Solid Waste Department: Compliment for Nancy Flowers emailed on Friday December 4th 2020 by resident of Holman Ave. Korey Jones forwarded the compliant email and I responded and let her know that the driver was running her street currently. Her response: “ Thank you, Ms. Flowers - my children just alerted me that the truck came by. I appreciate your lightning fast response! I know this was a busy week for everyone in the Collections department - we appreciate you ALL.”
Compliment for Lavoris Huff emailed on Tuesday December 15th 2020 resident on Marion Drive. “I wanted to reach out to thank and brag on a member of your team. I wish I had caught their name or truck number to clearly identify your awesome staff member, but they were on our service today on Marion Drive near Memorial Park. I heard the truck this morning and knew instantly I hadn’t put our trash out yet and I was about to miss it. By the time I got outside the truck had already passed and was at our next door neighbor’s house. I waved my hands to try to get them to see me and come back to our house. They instantly put it in reverse to meet me at the edge of my driveway. They could have easily kept going or ignored me, since it was my fault for not having it out, but I so appreciated their attentiveness and willingness to help a perfect stranger out. Kudos to your team for being so quick to help!”
Compliment for Korey Jones emailed on Tuesday December 15th 2020 by resident on Marion Drive. “I wanted to reach out to brag on one of your team members. I had just rolled out my recycling cart before the truck came by and was still outside when they got to my house. They waited to get my attention and asked about a pile of cardboard I had in my driveway. We had recently ordered a kit to build a shed in our backyard and hadn’t had a chance to try to fit all the oversized cardboard into our bin. The gentleman asked if he could help me with the cardboard. It was such a sweet gesture and helped us get some of the remaining clutter out of our driveway. He went above and beyond his job duties to help a perfect strangers. Many thanks to him and your team! I didn’t catch the gentleman’s name or truck number, but he was on our service this morning at Marion Drive near Memorial Park.”
Compliment for Antonio Hull emailed on Tuesday December 22nd by Judy Johnston who works at the Morton Theater. “Yesterday I was playing tennis with another woman at Bishop Park, and as we were finishing a point, an ACC employee got our attention and asked if either of us were driving a black BMW. My opponent said, “Yes, why?” The employee held up a set of keys and asked if they were hers, which they turned out to be. The employee was Antonio Hull. He said the keys were laying in the parking lot and he had almost run over them. I thought it was wonderful that he took the time to check around the park and find the owner of the keys, and with a great attitude. I hope you will let Antonio know that his actions are very much appreciated.” SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 62 OF 64
Send to the Mayor about Leaf and Limb crew – “Dear Kelly, I want to praise the driver who picked up on University Drive last week. I happened to be looking out the window and saw him/her maneuver in and out of various tight spaces inches away from fences, etc., with impressive skill. Please let his/her supervisor know what a fine job is being done! Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays!”
Keith Hooper, scale attendant, helped a customer on the phone and they complimented Keith and the CHaRM staff. We were in our Zoom meeting when the gentleman called. Keith did not get his name, but said the gentleman specifically told him to give his compliments to CHaRM staff, especially the "greeter" who was "extremely knowledgeable about recycling."
Recycling Division staff (Joe Dunlop and Mason Towe) worked with Collections’ Lance Rosario to retrieve a wedding band lost in a load of recyclables at the Winterville recycling drop-off site, just a few days before Christmas. Susan Crews was quite distraught when she called, explaining they had been married 49 years and she had been inside the container the night before with a flashlight, to no avail. Lance quickly pulled the containers from location and isolated them at the recycling processing center. Joe and Mason worked together to careful sort through the material, using Susan’s descriptions as a starting point. After less than 90 minutes of effort, Mason located the ring on the floor of the container. In addition to the note from Don Crews (below,) Susan sent three tins of home-made brownies to Mason, Lance and Joe (consumed) and $25 cash (donated to Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful and re-rewarded with a membership.)
Transportation & Public Works: “Always love it when Jackie and Cecile come to my class! So glad we could continue this year virtually!” – Laura Ward, 6th grade teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School
Letter of Appreciation to ACCGov employees: From: Lisa McGlaun
“Hello Everyone, SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 63 OF 64
During a time like nothing in recent history Athens-Clarke County had five elections in the span of six months. Usually, we feel accomplished when we successfully complete four elections in one year. Our office is exhausted but jubilant because this never ending election season is finally behind us.
Because of the pandemic (and workloads I humbly know nothing about) your offices have been stretched thin too, but when I called to ask for help delivering elections equipment to our early voting locations and election day precincts, each of you graciously rose to the occasion. And…I didn’t call just once. Some of you helped load and unload elections equipment as many as 18 times this year. God Bless You, is all I can say.
It sounds trite to say we couldn’t have done it without you, but it is true. Without the coordinated effort of the several different offices who provided employees for the delivery teams these elections would not have happened. I am honored to work for a Unified Government that pulls together in such a seamless way for the community it serves.
Thank you again, and if you get a call from me, I can guarantee it’s not about delivering equipment…at least, not for a while!” - Lisa McGlaun, Elections Assistant, Board of Elections & Voter Registration
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