March 12, 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 April 6, 2021 Voting Meeting ...... 4 April 13, 2021 Work Session ...... 6 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Recent Meetings ...... 6 Upcoming Meetings ...... 8 TAX COLLECTION (PROPERTY, SALES, EXCISE AND BUSINESS TAXES) ...... 9 DEPARTMENTS Leisure Services ...... 10 Public Information Office ...... 14 Public Utilities ...... 17 Solid Waste ...... 17 Transportation & Public Works ...... 18 PROJECTS OF NOTE Envision Athens ...... 18

HEALTHY, LIVABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS Animal Services ...... 20 Central Services ...... 20 Leisure Services ...... 23 Public Utilities ...... 24 Solid Waste ...... 24 Sustainability Office ...... 27 CAPITAL PROJECTS – YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT FACILITY PARTNERSHIP ...... 29 CAPITAL PROJECTS – LEISURE SERVICES Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Beach Renovations ...... 29 Sandy Creek Park Renovations – Playground Replacement ...... 30 Park Facilities Improvements – Memorial Park - Small Mammal Exhibit ...... 30 Park Facilities Improvements – Ben Burton Park – Pavilion Construction ...... 31

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 1 OF 66 Park Facilities Improvements – Dudley Park Improvements ...... 31 CAPITAL PROJECTS – SOLID WASTE Phase V Landfill Expansion ...... 32 CAPITAL PROJECTS – SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE Solarize Athens 2.0 ...... 33 Hybrid Vehicle Replacement Program ...... 33

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 ...... 36 Sub-Project 4 - Firefly Trail – Trail Creek Crossing ...... 37 Oconee Rivers Greenway Project ...... 38 CAPITAL PROJECTS – TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 1 – N Chase St, Baxter St & Southview Dr ...... 39 Sidewalk Gap Program – FY17 Projects Group 2 – Holman Ave and Magnolia St ...... 40 West Broad Street Sidewalk Gap ...... 40 2020 Pavement Maintenance Project ...... 41 Carriage Lane Culvert Replacement Project and Barnett Shoals Sidewalk Gap Project ...... 41 Tallassee Road Bridge over CSX Railroad Replacement ...... 42 Lexington Highway Corridor Improvements ...... 42 Atlanta Highway Corridor Improvements ...... 42 Clayton Street Infrastructure and Transportation Improvements ...... 43

SAFE & PREPARED COMMUNITY DEPARTMENTS Animal Services ...... 45 Central Services ...... 46 Code Enforcement ...... 47 Fire and Emergency Services ...... 47 Police Services ...... 50 Public Utilities ...... 54

SHARED PROSPERITY DEPARTMENTS Building & Planning Activity ...... 56

ACCOUNTABLE & RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS Management Team ...... 57 Central Services ...... 57 Public Information Office ...... 58 Public Utilities ...... 58 Solid Waste ...... 59

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 2 OF 66 CAPITAL PROJECTS Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase I ...... 60 Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Project Phase 2 ...... 60 Upper North Oconee Interceptor Phase 2B Project ...... 60 J.G. Beacham Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Industrial Coating & Painting ...... 61 CURRENT AUDITS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS ...... 62

POSITIVE CITIZEN FEEDBACK ...... 63

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ISSUES BEFORE COMMISSION Agenda Items for April 6, 2021 Voting Meeting  FY22 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan Approve the proposed FY22 Annual Action Plan for submission to HUD; Authorize acceptance of the associated HUD Grant Awards; Authorize FY21 carry-forward sub-recipient balances and allocation of any additional awarded funds; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate ACCGov staff to execute all related contracts and documents.  Wireless Facilities and Antennas Ordinance Adopt the Wireless Facilities and Antennas Ordinance (Chapter 6-20 of the ACCGov Code) to be consistent with The Georgia Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act., O.C.G.A. Title 36, Chapter 66C.  Approval of amendments to Code Section 1-11-1: Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission Approve the updated Code Section 1-11-1: Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission.  Downtown Loading Zone Approve the updated Downtown Loading Zones; the updated Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinance, Section 3-3-15 – Loading Zones; the removal of Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinance, Section 3-3-16 – Loading Zone Parking for Persons with Disabilities; and the removal of Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinance, Section 3-3-24 – Double Parking for Delivery Vehicles in the Downtown Area.  South Rocksprings Street Mid-Block Crosswalk Approve the installation of crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) on South Rocksprings Street at Waddell Street.  Solid Waste Collection Vehicles - Hook Hoist Truck (roll-off container truck) Award a purchase contract to Nextran Truck Center in the amount of $204,269 for one hook hoist (roll-off container truck) for use by the Solid Waste Department’s Collection Division; Authorize the sale of the surplus Solid Waste Collection vehicle; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all documents related to the purchase.  Atlanta Highway at Ultimate Drive Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $1,216,224 for the Atlanta Highway at Ultimate Drive Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project; Award a unit price construction work order to the low bidder, SITE Engineering Inc., in the amount of $1,105,658; Authorize staff to approve project change orders that do not collectively exceed the overall appropriation of $1,216,224; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related contract documents.  ACCGov Risk Management Program Transition Approve the transfer of ACCGov to the Georgia Inter-local Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) for the provision of a comprehensive insurance program for ACCGov’s property and liability coverage effective July 1, 2021. Authorize Mayor and appropriate staff to execute the proper documentation to execute an agreement with GIRMA for a local contribution amount not to exceed $1,176,683 in accordance with the terms provided by the Willis Towers Watson on behalf of the Georgia Municipal Association dated February 17, 2021.  SPLOST 2020 Project 05 - Fire Department Equipment Sub-Project #1 Structural Turnout Gear - Proposed Project Concept and Contract Approval Approve the Proposed Project Concept for Sub-Project #1, Structural Turnout Gear for SPLOST 2020, Project 05 – Fire Department Equipment; Award Contract to purchase 154 Sets of Globe Structural Turnout Gear (per ACCFES Specs) to Bennett Fire Products Co. Inc. in the amount of $415,338.000; Confirm Athens Cultural Affairs Commission’s recommendation that SPLOST 2020, Project 05 – Fire Department Equipment, Sub-Project #1 – Turnout Gear is not appropriate for inclusion of a public art element; and Authorize Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  SPLOST 2011 Project 23, Sub-Project #8 Proposed Project Concept Solar for the Athens-Clarke County Library Approve the Proposed Project Concept for SPLOST 2011 Project 23, SP #8 to install solar at the Athens-Clarke County Library; Authorize Staff to advance the project directly to the bid and award phase; Accept a grant/reimbursement of up to $140,000 from the Georgia Public Libraries Major Repairs and Renovations Program, with the Athens Regional

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 4 OF 66 Library System operating as a fiscal agent, and authorize this funding be added back to SPLOST 2011 Project 23; and, Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  Final Design Approval for the Washington Street Park Approve the final design of a downtown park at 125 E. Washington Street; and Delegate final approval for any minor edits to the final design to the Manager, or his designee, so long as the approval does not materially change the scope or character of the project.  LRC Report: Recommendation for "Review of LEED Certification Program" The Legislative Review Committee recommends adoption of the Sustainable Building Policy.  FY2021 Law Enforcement Training Program Competitive Grant Approve the submission of an application by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) for a FY2021 Law Enforcement Training Program Competitive Grant; Accept the grant funds, if awarded; Approve the budget amendment ordinance; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all documents associated with the grant.  Purchase of Nine Hybrid Ford Interceptors for the Police Department Award a contract to purchase nine hybrid Ford Interceptor SUVs and associated equipment from Wade Ford for up to $393,000; Declare Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County vehicles 175 and 187 as surplus and authorize their disposal consistent with ACCGov policies after replacement; and Authorize Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  SPLOST 2011 Project 23, Proposed Project Concepts for Sub-Project #10 (Energy Audit Implementation) and Sub- Project #11 (Idle Mitigation Pilot) and proposed additional funding for Sub-Project #4 (Fleet Enhancement Program) Approve a funding supplement to add $31,400 to SPLOST 2011, Sub-Project #4 for ACCGov Fleet Enhancement; Approve Proposed Project Concept for SPLOST 2011 Project #23, Sub-Project #10 to begin implementation of the recommendations of prior energy audits; Approve Proposed Project Concept for SPLOST 2011 Project #23, Sub-Project #11 for an idle mitigation pilot program; Approve allocating all remaining program funds at the completion of Sub- Projects #8-11 to Sub-Project #4 for additional fleet enhancements; Authorize Staff to advance the SP#10 & 11 directly to the bid and award phase; and, Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  Waste Collection and Storage in the CBD (Clayton Street) Approve the construction of Eco-Stations in strategic locations around Clayton Street as part of the TSPLOST project; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all documents related to the project.  SPLOST 2020 Project 03 Classic Center Arena Pre-Construction and Construction Management at Risk Services Approve a designationof JE Dunn as the highest scoring firm and Award a Pre- Construction and Construction Management at Risk Services Contract to JE Dunn for SPLOST 2020 Project 03 Classic Center Arena; Authorize the Manager, staff, and Classic Center representatives to negotiate with JE Dunn to develop a final Scope of Services and Fees for Pre-Construction Services for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $225,000; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  SPLOST 2011 Project 23, Sub-Project #9 Proposed Project Concept - Solar + Storage for ACCGov Family Protection Center Approve Project Concept for SPLOST 2011 Project 23, Sub-Project (SP) #9 to install solar and battery storage at the Athens-Clarke County Family Protection Center; Authorize Staff to advance the project directly to the bid and award phase; Accept, if awarded, a rebate of up to $200,000 from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, authorize this funding be added back to SPLOST 2011 Project 23, and adopt the Budget Ordinance; and, Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  Extension of the Parklet Program Extend the Parklet Program for outdoor dining for a period extending through any local emergency associated with COVID-19; and, Do not act to extend the Outdoor Retail Areas Pilot Program on lower Washington Street.  Extension of the College Square Outdoor Dining Pilot Program Extend the closure of College Square to through traffic in support of outdoor dining and pedestrian use through July 31, 2021.  Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program Approve the Superior Court’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant (CJCC) application, and if awarded, acceptance of Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) in the amount of $774,131 for grant period 2/15/2021-09/30/2023; Adopt the Budget Ordinance; Authorize the creation of one full time

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 5 OF 66 position in Superior Court as Program Coordinator/Project Manager to be funded from the grant; and Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents.  Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance Modifications for East Clayton Street Approve Sidewalk Café Ordinance changes needed to ensure functional sidewalk cafes on East Clayton Street.  Indigent Services Funding Recommendations: May-August 2021 Approve the proposed Indigent Services Funding Recommendations; Approve the proposed Indigent Services contract extensions for Casa de Amistad and the East Athens Development Corporation to extend their current contracts until May 31, 2021; and authorize the Mayor and ACCGov staff to execute all related contracts and documents.

Full agenda reports can be found at: https://www.accgov.com/agendas

Mayor and Commission Work Session – April 13, 2021  FY22 Compensation, Benefits and Wellness Presentation Summary of the FY22 annual wage survey analysis and pay adjustment options for consideration. Overview of the Unified Government’s Employee Benefit Plans for FY22. Presentation to include self-funded health insurance budget details, pension review, and proposed employee premiums.  Hostile and Age Friendly Architecture Outside consultant will present a primer on the difference between Hostile and Age Friendly Architecture.  Clayton Street Improvements – Proposed Revisions to Preliminary Plans (TSPLOST 2018 – Project #9) Staff will present proposed revisions to the previously approved Preliminary Plans.  SPLOST 2020 Water Trails Project Review of concept and preliminary plan for new water trail location.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Recent Meetings  On February 4, Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) staff spoke to the current class of Master Gardeners on opportunities for volunteering in school gardens.

 On February 8, Stacee Farrell represented KACCB for the virtual event - Tapping Into Community - with Russel Stalvey, Carol Myers, for Terrapin Beer Co. and Historic Athens Mardi Gras Week on Sustainability. https://www.facebook.com/historicathens/videos/1201299806932437

 On February 9, the latest Froggie Tales: The Water Cycle debuted on Lily Anne Phibian’s YouTube page. Travel through the water cycle with two friendly raindrops and see who they meet along the way! This edition of Froggie Tales is brought to you by Jackie Sherry, Water Conservation Education Specialist.

 On February 11 and 14, the Water Conservation Office staff hosted virtual Valentine’s Day Water Reclamation Facility Tours. Attendees were mailed special Valentine’s Day goodies to open and enjoy during the virtual tour. The goodies included homemade poo pouri, homemade poop emoji shaped coffee soap called crappuccino, and various swag items like tote bags. 60 couples received boxes and over 40 couples attended the virtual tours. As part of the virtual tour, attendees watched the videos in the Valentine’s Day Tour Playlist.

 On February 12, KACCB partnered with SCNC for a Friday Nature Funny. https://www.facebook.com/SandyCreekNatureCenter/videos/416980232919764

 On February 16, the Water Conservation Office staff presented a virtual lesson to 17 students in a fifth grade class at Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Using materials the WCO staff dropped off at the school the students

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 6 OF 66 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.

 On February 16, Suki Janssen, presented to approximately 20 participants virtually through Olli about Waste.

 On February 17, Solid Waste Department staff led a tour of the Compost facility for four UGA Office of Sustainability Compost Collection Interns.

 KACCB Georgia Arbor Day tree giveaway with Sandy Creek Nature Center was February 17 and 18. Distributed: 32 Dogwoods, 37 Red Cedars, and 29 Red Oaks. The remainder of the trees were donated to the ACC Greenway to be planted by the A-corps: 107 Red Oaks and 25 Red Cedars

 On February 18, Suki Janssen represented the Solid Waste Department in the virtual panel event for Historic Athens about Sustainability with Dr. Jenna Jambeck, Katherine Shayne, and Mike Wharton.

 On February 18, the Stormwater Education Specialist conducted a virtual stormwater lesson for 15 fifth graders at Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Students learned about downstream impacts of water pollution resulting from different land uses.

 On February 18, Recycling Division virtually hosted the quarterly Sustainable Industry Roundtable with 22 guests. The topic was “Introduction to TRUE” presented by Susie Westrup, Director of Client Services at the U.S. Green Building Council for GBCI’s TRUE program.

 UGA American Medical Student Association (AMSA) had 16 volunteers at the Stroud Garden Workday on February 20.

 On February 24, staff showed the CHaRM and Teacher Reuse Store to the Keep Forsyth County Beautiful board and Forsyth County Solid Waste Department staff. Forsyth County is interested in creating a CHaRM program and facility, and is looking to ACC Solid Waste Department for guidance.

 On February 25, the Stormwater Education Specialist led a stream clean-up with a group of five University of Georgia students studying Ag Leadership. The volunteers removed 5 bags of trash and 1 bag of recycling from Trail Creek and its tributaries within the Chicopee-Dudley neighborhood.

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Upcoming Meetings  Vote for Your Favorite Ripple Effect Film March 1-14, 2021 www.RippleEffectFilmProject.org

Budding filmmakers created short water-themed videos for the 2020 Ripple Effect Film Project. The pandemic led to an intermission on debuting these incredible films, but we are ready to get this show on the road with a few modifications. Help select the Audience Choice awards between March 1 – 14. Visit our website for links to the film categories, then vote for your favorite from each group. Winners to be announced during the drive-in presentation of the films at Sandy Creek Park on March 20, 2021.

 Fix a Leak Week March 15-21, 2001 www.ThinkAtTheSink.com

The Water Conservation Office encourages residents to Take the EPA WaterSense 10-Minute Challenge to find & fix leaks in your home or business. The average home wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year from easy-to-fix household leaks; that’s equivalent to washing 300 loads of laundry (or enough to do laundry for 10 months). In just 10 minutes, you can check your house for easy-to-fix leaks. Stopping leaks could shave 10 percent off your water and sewer bill. Visit ThinkAtTheSink.com in March to register for a Fix a Leak package to be mailed to your home (while supplies last).

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 8 OF 66  #ELGLKnope Award March Madness Bracket Competition March 2021 Vote for Cedar Creek WRF

ACCGov’s own Cedar Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) was selected from a record 85 nominations for inclusion into the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Knope Award March Madness-style bracket competition. This year the award is all about finding the best water facility in the country. During the month of March, the community can vote weekly to move Cedar Creek WRF through the competition to earn the coveted #ELGLKnope Award. Please take a moment to vote for our little gem. You can also take on a fun March Madness Challenge to earn prizes. Learn more & Vote

 On-Line “How to Ride” Classes April 14 and 19, 2021, 2:00 p.m.

On-line ‘How to Ride’ classes are offered for April 14th and 19th at 2:00 pm. Those interested in attending should contact Rachel Hopkins at [email protected] to register.

 International Compost Awareness Week – May 2 – 8, 2021 – stay tuned for details.

TAX COLLECTION (PROPERTY, SALES, EXCISE AND BUSINESS TAXES) YEAR TO DATE – THROUGH JANUARY TAXES EQUAL 86% OF GENERAL FUND REVENUES

JANUARY SUMMARY OVER PRIOR YEAR FY 2020 FY 2021 Change Total Taxes $90,986,029 $96,227,097 $5,241,068 Bright Spots – Real Property Taxes Up $3.7M, Ins. Premium Tax up $478K, TAVT up $171K Areas to Watch – Charges & Fees down ($1.3M), Fines down ($922), Interest Income down ($389K)

12-Month Sales Tax Trend Receipts vs. Budget (02/20 - 01/21) YOY Sales Tax Receipts Up $315,179 (1.2%) 12 Months Ended 01/2020 vs 01/2021 3,700,000

3,200,000

2,700,000

2,200,000

1,700,000

1,200,000 02/20 03/20 04/20 05/20 06/20 07/20 08/20 09/20 010/20 11/20 12/20 01/21

Budget Actual

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DEPARTMENTS Leisure Services:  The Leisure Services Department benefitted from the documented support of 131 volunteers who contributed 804 hours of service during the month of February.

 During the month, Sandy Creek Nature Center (SCNC) welcomed 699 adults and 339 children for 1,038 visitors. This number does not include outdoor visitation that has increased with warmer days. There were five in person programs including Valentine Starwatch program at Sandy Creek Park. Virtual programs continued with 484 participants.

 SCNC held a dedication ceremony for new Nature Playscape. Attendees included SCNC, Inc. board members, donors, and elected officials.

 An Eagle Scout project was completed at SCNC which involved installing flagstones around the Eve Carson memorial bench by Claypit Pond.

 This month Lyndon House Arts Center hosted a pop up exhibition of University of Georgia student work organized by ATH4BLM Initiative entitled Resistance & Resilience, in acknowledgement of Black History Month 2021. The Athens for Black Lives Matter Initiative is a collective actively working toward a better, more prosperous future for Black Athenians. ATH4BLM believes in the power of community as a catalyst for long-term change and the gravity of uplifting our Black community as a focal point for the roads ahead. This exhibit now travels to the Dodd School of Art at UGA.

 In mid-February, Lyndon House Arts Center opened, Athens Together, an exhibition of documentary photography of local rallies featuring the work of Penny Noah, Nathaniel Burkins, Sean Dunn and Lucy Calhoun. Here in Athens, these artists have captured a bit of our history during a year of strong advocacy, inspired voices and leaders, protest signs and many gatherings through the lens of a camera.

 The 46th Juried Exhibition at Lyndon House Arts Center is well underway. This year’s show was selected by guest juror Hallie Ringle, the Hugh Kahul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art. New this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 46th Juried Exhibition was selected virtually online. 270 artists submitted digitally, 720 works of art to be reviewed by Hallie Ringle. She has designed a beautiful show of 161 works representing 116 local artists. In addition, she choose 16 named and merit awards totaling $2550.

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 Lyndon House Arts Center continued its emerging artist series with the Lounge Gallery that received two reviews and the cover of the Flagpole this month. This show featured works by Victoria Dugger in an exhibit entitled Mind the Body. This is particularly exciting as this program was curated by our Arts Intern, Lilly McEachern and was her first exhibition! On the cover: https://flagpole.com/topstory/2021/02/24/mind-the-body-with-victoria-dugger- and-revisit-rallies-in-athens-together/

Also included in the writing was a review for Athens Together. And on burnaway.org - https://burnaway.org/daily/victoria-dugger-at-lyndon- house/

 Flywheel by Luka Carter, is a window display that captures snapshots of energy and objects suspended in place is on view at the Lyndon House Arts Center. Flywheel combines small works featuring a colorful mixture of different dimensions, colors, and mediums juxtaposed and layered. The artist composes sketches, studies, and found objects into a realized mood board of the different facets of his life that keep him moving and inspired. With a background in construction and manual labor, Luka has a knack for making space for art in overlooked or interstitial spaces–– including an outhouse, abandoned lot, and a van. His practice spans zines, furniture, tattoos, ceramics, clothing, and installations. He is currently pursuing his MFA at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.

 This month, Lyndon House Arts Center concluded its artist in residence stay by Andrea Murillo. Murillo worked in three studios for several months producing a wonderful new body of work from ceramics to printmaking to weaving. For her studio talk, staff produced a short video that can be viewed here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjW5gZZEkzE the video also featured original sound by local musician, Max Boyd.

 The Lyndon House Arts Center, along with Athens Area Arts Council, Athens Cultural Affairs Commission, and Athens Downtown Development, received more than 40 applications for the Athens Mural Alley Project entitled Here and Now 2021. This group of arts organizations have selected a few artists to create paintings on panels that will be installed along an alley linking Clayton Street and Washington Street. The funding was received by the Mayor and Commission ACAC Artist in Community Resiliency Award following the devastation of COVID-19 on the artist population. Additional funding comes from ADDA’s Main Street Grant. The selected muralists will work at the Lyndon House Arts Center this spring with a June date for installation downtown.

 Much improvement and design has gone on to create an outdoor studio at Lyndon House Arts Center. This includes prep staff, Jeffrey Whittle making sturdy work tables on casters, William Stephanos planting jasmine vines on the chain link fences and much more. We will be holding classes and camps in this new outdoor space.

 Trails and Open Space staff held a Full Moon Night Hike at Southeast Clarke Park and launched their first Virtual Cast Iron Chef Series to registered participants.

 Several volunteer workdays were led by staff at Sandy Creek Park to continue work on a long reroute of Lakeside Trail to improve access to the eastern side of the lake. Trails staff, in conjunction with A-Corps and AmeriCorps, completed a new natural surface trail in Dudley Park designed to provide direct access to visitors to the Firefly Trail from the parking lot at East Broad and the North Oconee River Greenway Trail near Cook and Brothers Plaza.

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 The groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, but Lay Park is always prepared for fun in any type of weather. Grow It Know It, a UGA Cooperative Extension group, has been promoting healthy food consumption, sustainability and science for our afterschool program. Their most recent enrichment activity taught the children about water cycle and flow.

 Lay Park hosted All the Arts day off school camp that revolved around crafts and games related to African American artists, entrepreneurs, and inventors. We had another great Teens Night Out with participation from two local groups, Youth is Life and Strong Beautiful Godly Girls. Program Leader, Brian McGhee, was a mascot for our neighbors at

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 12 OF 66 Columbia Brookside as they distributed Valentines candy to the residents. Facility Supervisor, Kelly Thomas, led a Valentine themed and Black History themed Paint Nite. The UGA Red & Black newspaper photographers joined us for the Black History Paint Nite.

 As the Morton Theatre keeps public health at the forefront and remains closed to live audiences, the non-profit Morton Theatre Corporation (MTC) kept alive the spirit of Black History Month during February. By sharing biographies of the African Americans who contributed to the success of the Morton, both as a performance venue and as the economic center of the black community in Athens, MTC used social media platforms to celebrate Black History on the Hot Corner. Important performing artists such as Athens native Hall Johnson, husband and wife performers Butterbeans and Susie, and the legendary Duke Ellington were featured, among others. One of the most notable African Americans featured was Dr. Ida Mae Hiram, who once rented office space in The Morton. Some researchers state that “African American women were the most significantly and harshly affected”* group by the Great Depression, but Ida was an outlier being one of the few black female professionals in the south, who lived through the period relatively unscathed and bought a house soon after north of UGA campus.

 The last 10 days of February were used as a countdown period for the release of the Defiance Project Awards, presented by the Morton Theatre Corporation. These fantastic projects were awarded for their originality, innovation, creativity and message. To celebrate the artists behind the projects, one artist was featured each day until the highly anticipated release of the works on March 1.

The works are available for viewing at https://www.mortontheatre.com/defiance-project-awardees

The awarded artists who were showcased are:

 Cassie Chantel and their project, Ms. America  Booker T. Mattison and their project, Bird  Noraa James and their project, Moonlit Stars Matter  Camilla Sims and their project, A Story That Mattered  Kxng Blanco and their project, "Scared"  Jas Anderson and their project, "Normal Adjacent"  Robby Myles and their project, "KROWNED"  Daisean Garrett and their project, "How Could You"  Jason Aryeh and their project, "The Journey Revisited"

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 13 OF 66  Broderick Flanigan and their untitled painting

Public Information Office:  Public Information Office staff continued sending the COVID-19 weekly newsletter update with brief updates to approximately 1,300 email and SMS text subscriptions. Four updates were sent in January 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 February Work Session presentation, vaccine information and updates, COVID-19 variants, safer ways to enjoy the Super Bowl, and information about the resumption of jury trials by the Western Judicial Circuit.

 Public Information Office staff continued to update a special webpage to provide a resource concerning COVID-19 vaccination information (through www.accgov.com/coronavirus), as well as update the main COVID-19 pages due to changes and updates on the local, state, and federal levels. The vaccine pages contains information and links related to registering for a vaccine from the Northeast Health District and provides an always-current vaccine dashboard, Georgia Vaccine Task Force vaccine plan (PDF), and links to frequently asked questions, while the other COVID-19 pages include resident and business resources and news and other updates related to COVID-19.

 Public Information Office staff worked with the Geospatial Information Office and the SPLOST Office on public input opportunities for the Atlanta Highway and Lexington Highway corridors through April 18, 2021 on potential improvement projects to help improve traffic flow, pedestrian access, Transit accessibility, aesthetics, and bicycle facilities on sections of both corridors. The user groups will use the public comment received during this period to help create a list of prioritized projects for the Mayor and Commission to move into design and construction phases. Together, the projects are planned to help make each corridor more vibrant and efficient. Project webpages for each corridor at www.accgov.com/atlantahighway and www.accgov.com/lexingtonhighway include details on possible projects, past corridor studies, reference material, maps, and public input survey links. Residents can also sign up for email and text notifications for each corridor in order to receive information about key future dates and opportunities for additional input. In addition to online information, a series of in-person drop-in events will take place during March at locations and dates to be announced in each corridor.

 Public Information Office staff worked with the Mayor’s Office for parameters to create a system to allow members of the public to present audio public comments live during Mayor and Commission meetings. Aside from limited in-person opportunities since March 2020 for zoning and other specific public hearings, residents have only been able to provide public comment through a written online form system. Beginning with a pilot project for the February 16, 2021 meeting, the PIO created an online reservation system that allowed a certain number of individuals to sign up and speak during some Mayor and Commission meetings at the appropriate times using the Webex Events online platform. While the February 16 meeting provided an opportunity for audio public comment on Agenda Items, the March 2 meeting provided an opportunity for public comment on Agenda Items, Zoning Items, and Non-Agenda Items, along with required in-person public comment opportunities for zoning public hearings. Over 25 individuals have provided live audio public comments during meetings through the first week of March.

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 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 February . Public Input Sought on Projects for Atlanta Hwy. & Lexington Hwy. Corridors through April 18 . Arbor Day Celebrated on Feb. 19 with Tree Plantings, Awards & Announcement of Community Tree Study . WATCH: Urban Renewal Proclamation Ceremony - Athens Justice & Memory Project – Linnentown . Proposals Accepted Through Mar. 19 for Organizations Providing Food, Housing, or Homeless Services

o Public Information Office staff hosted a web training on February 27. Staff from Leisure Services, Police, and the Sheriff’s Office attended. This training focuses on overall aspects of the ACC website and includes specific instruction on page editing as well as certain website modules for storing and publishing information. The Public Information Office acts as a primarily administrator for internal users, offering training, support, and site development for internal users, while departments themselves are largely responsible for publishing website content for their respective areas

 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.

o On February 22, 2021, members of the public and the Athens Justice and Memory Team gathered outside of City Hall to hear the reading of an urban renewal proclamation by Mayor Kelly Girtz, as well as hear from other speakers of the Athens Justice and Memory Project Team and first descendants of the Linnentown Project. Public information Office staff provided video coverage of the event, as well as support to the event with a public address system and microphone. Staff produced, edited, captioned, and distributed a video of the full program during the week for release on February 26.

o Public Information Office staff worked with the Court Administrator and Courthouse staff, Classic Center staff, and an outside videographer on the release of an informational video related to the resumption of jury trials in March. The video included information about the importance of fulfilling jury duty from Superior Court Chief Judge Eric Norris along with details about the safety precautions that will be in place for jurors, potential jurors, and those taking part in trials due to COVID-19. In Athens-Clarke County, the trials and jury selection will take place in the Classic Center starting in late March. Although the video was originally produced in late 2020, its release was delayed when trails were delayed due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in December and January. The PIO distributed it through normal distribution outlets, as well as included it on the accgov.com/jury page for potential jurors who receive their summons with this website listed on it.

o Public Information Office staff facilitated YouTube and/or ACTV broadcasts and streams of 28 meetings this past month for public viewing access, not including regularly scheduled Mayor & Commission full meeting broadcasts. The broadcasts used WebEx in order to host and stream the virtual meetings, as needed to keep in line with proper

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 15 OF 66 physical distancing of participants. These meetings included (hh:mm): Community Tree Council (1:28, 3:56), Athens Cultural Affairs Commission (1:42), Board of Elections (1:11), Prince Avenue User Group (1:37, 1:05), Police Advisory Board Development Task Force (0:23), Audit Committee (0:57), Pension Board (0:51), Board of Tax Assessors (0:12), Rails to Trails Committee (1:07), Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission (1:27), 100% Clean & Renewable (1:56), Solid Waste Advisory Task Force (1:07), Athens in Motion (0:56), Deferred Compensation Board (0:06), SPLOST 2020 Oversight Committee (1:50), Airport Authority (1:36), Athens in Motion (1:28, 1:02, 0:22), Government Operations Committee (1:13), Corridor Policy Committee (1:22), Legislative Review Committee (1:31), and Planning Commission (2:53).

o Public Information Office staff facilitated a YouTube live stream of Finance’s bid opening for BID# 01026 - Paving Improvements for the Solid Waste Department.

o Public Information Office staff created a short video featuring Community Forester Rodney Walters standing along the Firefly Trail and highlighting the recent Arbor Day tree planting by the Community Tree Council. Walters also mentioned the National Arbor Day Foundation designating Athens-Clarke County’s as a Tree City USA for the 21st consecutive year. The video was released in conjunction with a media release that mentioned the plantings and this award, along with a Growth Award for the community and the announcement of an upcoming Community Tree Study this summer.

o Public Information Office staff released a timelapse video of the construction of the SPLOST-funded Fire Station #2. Although the ribbon cutting for the facility took place on October 20, 2019, the production was delayed due to other COVID-19 efforts in 2020. A sub-project of SPLOST 2011 - Project #3 encompassed replacing the existing Fire Station #2, which was previously located on Mitchell Bridge Road. The new site is located at the intersection of Cleveland Road and Callaway Drive (265 Cleveland Road) on property acquired by ACCGov. The site also co-hosts the Athens-Clarke County Extension Office. A separate timelapse video of the Extension Office is currently in production and set for release in March.

 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 Public Input Sought on Projects for Atlanta Hwy. & Lexington Hwy. Corridors through April 18 o Arbor Day Celebrated on Feb. 19 with Tree Plantings, Awards & Announcement of Community Tree Study

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 16 OF 66  Meeting Broadcasts The Public Information Office broadcast 24 total hours of Mayor and Commission full meetings in February / early March. These included the Special Called & Work Session on Feb. 9 (4 hours 51 minutes), Special Called Session on Feb. 16 (6 minutes), Special Called & Agenda Setting Session on Feb. 16 (4 hours 38 minutes), Work Session on Feb. 18 (3 hours 25 minutes), FY22 Independent Agency Budget Hearings on Feb. 23 and 25 (2 hours 58 minutes & 2 hours 19 minutes), and Regular Session on March 2 (5 hours 43 minutes). The meetings are broadcast live on ACTV Cable Channel 180 and streamed online at www.accgov.com/videos, on YouTube, and on Facebook. 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. As the March 2 broadcast required in-person public comment on planning and zoning items required by state law, the PIO worked with Planning staff to set up and staff the iPad in-person comment system in City Hall to allow residents and developers on hand to offer public comment and listen to the Commission deliberations. The February 16 and March 2 meetings also featured for the first time audio public comments during the meeting from residents who signed up to provide public comment as part of the meeting.

Public Utilities:  Project SHARE is a bill-pay assistance program for Athens’ residents facing financial crises, making it challenging 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. If in need of assistance, contact the Water Business Office at 706-613- 3500 for a referral to The Salvation Army. Project SHARE is a partnership with The Salvation Army. Learn more or donate at 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 & your wallet with WaterSmart, a FREE, online water management tool. Receive suspected leak notifications by text, voice, or email. If a pipe bursts, an alert can help you find & fix it quickly. Visit www.accgov.com/WaterSmart to register.

Solid Waste:  Backpack Project Stroud Homeless Cleanup on February 20 with 26 attendees.

 Served UGA Partnership- Litter Cleanup on February 20 with 7 volunteers cleaning up Strickland Ave.

 Donated 15 countertop composters in partnership with ACC Recycling to the Clarke Middle School Sustainability Team for their in classroom composting program.

 KGBF Bag Donation for the Great American Cleanup. In-kind donation $1,398.00.

 KACCB staff participated in the Clean and Renewable Stakeholder Charrette

 KACCB staff participated in the GA EPD state Rivers Alive Messaging and Education Committee

 KACCB staff participated in the KGBF Board of Directors Affiliate Communications meeting

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 KACCB staff participated in the KAB National Diversity and Inclusion Committee

 KACCB staff met with Recycling Division staff and Keep Forsyth Beautiful Commission to tour the Teacher Reuse Store

 Recycling Division staff distributed four reusable recycling tote bags to residents and businesses for participants to use to bring their recyclables loose to a recycling drop-site.

 Facebook engagement was 2,246 which was up 70%, reach was 14,416 up 111% and 21 new page likes up 320%.

 Instagram account reach was 546 with a 51.6% increase and content interactions was 267 with a 120.6% increase. Total followers increased by 1.7% to 647.

Transportation & Public Works:  2021 Stormwater Calendars: 2021 Stormwater Calendars are 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. Calendars 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 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.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 18 OF 66  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.

Please join us in making this year unparalleled for taking care of our community and one another. First, please connect with us on Instagram and Facebook, and use the hashtag #athensgoodneighbor or #makeityours to spotlight someone in your community caught being a Good Neighbor. Also, you have the opportunity to nominate local businesses that embody these values. Each nominated business will receive a special prize. Have questions? Please reach out to [email protected] for more details.

Our HEALTHY Athens workgroup at Envision has been convening around increasing naloxone awareness and access in Athens. In doing so, Envision created a flyer in collaboration with Access Point, Inc. and Georgia Overdose Prevention.

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:  Volunteer Numbers for February: Total Volunteer Hours: 302 hrs Total Individual Volunteers: 68 Volunteer Groups: o Pre-Vet Club- twice o Rescue Paws- twice o Dogs for the Paws- twice o ServeUGA- once

 Volunteer Event: Pawcasso Painting and Kitty Valentine’s!

 Foster Numbers for February: o Cat: Total Animals 4 Unique Animals 4 o Dog: Total Animals 12 Unique Animals 11

Central Services:  Community Forester: On February 19th, the Athens Community Forester and the Community Tree Council celebrated Arbor Day in Athens-Clarke County on a newly constructed section of the Firefly Trail

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 20 OF 66 (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=265023674999556 ). The program included Commissioner Russell Edwards' reading of the proclamation signed by Mayor Kelly Girtz to declare February 19 as the official Athens' Arbor Day, 2021. As part of the ceremony, the ACC Landscape Management Division planted seven new trees donated by the Community Tree Council for the Trees for Tomorrow program along the Firefly Trail. The program recognized Athens-Clarke County's designation as a Tree City USA for the 21st year in a row.

The Forester conducted a GIS mapping training session for Community Tree Council members. The Forester and Community Tree Council are working together to reestablish the Athens Clarke County Champion Tree program. Tree Council members are now in the process of mapping ACC's Champion Trees.

The Planning Phase and Setup of the ACCGov iTree Eco Study Project continues; student intern teams have been selected and will begin collecting data beginning in May, on approximately 220 random plots on public and private lands representing all the trees in Athens-Clarke County.

During February, Landscape Management right-of-way crews conducted hazard mitigation and maintenance on 12 trees and removed 5 trees to eliminate hazards. Contractors removed another 5 trees and pruned out a limb hazard on 1 tree. Contract work has also been scheduled for March on several sites to remove tree hazards.

 Landscape Management: The number of citizen, ACCGov department, and commissioner requests for litter and dumpsite cleanup continues to rise. Increasing staff-hours and reallocation of operating funds for disposal, additional cleaning, and safety supplies are required for litter and illegal dumping site removals. In February, Landscape Management staff devoted 405 hours solely used for litter response. Landscape Management crews operate on cyclical routes, providing full landscape services and picking up litter before servicing to avoid creating more unsightliness by shredding debris. The increasing amount of litter and debris impedes the allocated time for Landscape Management's designated services. To better understand and project needs, the staff has installed cameras at known dump sites and locations with high call requests to look for time and frequency patterns to respond better and predict when the dumping occurs.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 21 OF 66  Landscape Management Roadside Litter Collection: In the month of February, crews picked up 508 bags of trash, 13 bags of recycling, 52 tires, and 9 dumpsites along roadsides.

 Landscape Management Right-of-way: Staff continues winter projects with deadwood and hazardous tree removals. Utilizing the rental boom truck with a 55’ reach, staff removed five trees, corrected four sightline restrictions, and eliminated two hazardous hangers. In preparation for the upcoming growing season, boom mowing and side cutting continue throughout the county along roadways and sidewalks. Performing these tasks during the dormant growing seasons allows crews to reduce vegetation impeding upon motorists and pedestrians during the more active growing season. Recertification courses for traffic flagging started at the end of the month and will be completed in March. A certified flagging instructor from Traffic Engineering certifies staff to ensure that safe and proper procedures are implemented and used.

 Landscape Management Parks: To prepare for the upcoming baseball-softball season, crews worked on cutting out running lanes and adding soil to infields on athletic fields at Bishop Park, Holland Youth Sports Complex, SE Clarke Park, Satterfield Park, and Lay Park. Crews continued with winter projects of mulch installations and ornamental plant cutbacks at various parks and locations. Using the bucket truck, staff removed hazardous limbs and provided corrective pruning of trees at Bishop Park, Lyndon House, SE Clarke Park, Dog Park, WOW, Holland Youth Sports Complex, Lay Park, and Trail Creek Park. Staff planted 7 trees on the new section of the Firefly Trail, in conjunction with CTC’s Arbor Day celebration, at the intersection of Old Winterville Road. Staff also removed seven declining trees from Sandy Creek Park located in various parking lot locations.

 Landscape Management Buildings: Building’s crews teamed up at Streets and Drainage to raise the tree canopies in the open area between the road and the office area, providing a safe sightline and reducing falling limb risks. Crews again gathered at the Taylor Grady House to help remove a large Catalpa tree in the front yard killed by lightning last fall.

Building’s crews also spent time this month spreading pre-emergent for the Spring/Summer season week control. Staff also completed ornamental cutbacks in anticipation of the delayed pinestraw delivery due to the heavy rains in southern Georgia.

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Leisure Services:  Sandy Creek Nature Center staff picked up new fish for the marine aquariums from UGA’s Skidaway Aquarium. The fish will be on display soon.

 Leisure Services Department maintenance staff received 134 new work orders and completed 118 of them.

 Two abandoned homeless encampments were cleaned up by Trail and Open Space staff next to the new section of the North Oconee River Greenway, near MLK and North Avenue. Staff filled and hauled over 15 full bags of trash, much of it food wrappers, old clothing, toiletries, and more than 25 full size whiskey bottles. Trails staff continue to pick up loose trash along the North Oconee River Greenway on Willow Street as staffing allows, and in the month of February, found an uncapped bottle of used hypodermic needles.

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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 4 water main breaks under pressure to avoid disrupting service to customers. o Made two large development tap for new construction. o Made one valve insert. o Relocated two fire hydrants o Completed the Sunnyview Water Extension Project. o Performed routine maintenance of water and sewer line fixtures and fire hydrants

 Water Conservation Office: o WaterSmart Enrollment: 48 new registrations in February. There are now almost 7,934 water customers enrolled in WaterSmart, providing 19% of water customers the ability to take control of their water use and bills. o Meet our newest Water Star, Mackenzie Hayes! At just 17 years old, she is using her graphic design skills to help her local government raise awareness about water conservation. The national Project WET foundation featured Mackenzie in their February blog. Read more: projectwet.org/blog/waterstar- mackenzie-hayes

 Drinking Water Treatment: o In the month of February, the J.G Beacham Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) treated 316.82 million gallons of water. Athens-Clarke County had 3.98 inches of rain.

 Water Reclamation: o The three water reclamation plants collected and treated a daily monthly average of 12.61 million gallons of water in February.

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

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 24 OF 66 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 January 2021 Total Revenue Residential $215,942.01 Commercial $52,600.51 $268,542.52

For Snapshot Total Residential Customers: 10,283 Total Commercial Curbside Customers 499 Total Commercial Dumpster Customers 216 10,998

Work Order Type(s) #s for January 2021 CHaRM and/or Teacher Reuse Store Pickups 5 Check Inventory 2 Check Level, Audit or Customer Visit 32 Deliver ACC Commercial Bags to customers 15 Deliver Trash and/or Recycling Dumpster 1 Pick Up Recycling Roll Cart (Repeated Contamination) 1 Deliver trash and/or Recycling roll carts 88 Pick Up Trash and/or recycling roll carts 38 Repair Assets (Trash and/or Recycling Rollcarts or Dumpsters) 17 Special Detail 4

 Collections: o Commercial Trash tonnage includes: Front Loader, & Special Roll Offs – 286.58 tons/573,160 lbs- Daily avg. 10.24 tons o Front Loader Recycling tonnage – 73.03 tons/146,060 lbs. – Daily average 2.61 tons o Roll Off & CSR Recycling tonnage – 128.13 tons/256,260 lbs. – Daily average 4.58 tons o CBD trash tonnage – 72.88 tons/145,760 lbs. Daily avg. –2.60 tons o CBD recycle tonnage – 44.90 tons/89,800 lbs. – Daily Average 1.60 tons o Residential trash tonnage – 442.58 tons/885,160 lbs. Daily avg. – 15.81 tons o Residential recycling tonnage – 186.02 tons/372,040 lbs. Daily Average – 6.64 tons

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 25 OF 66 o Leaf & Limb tonnage – 293.50 tons/587,000 lbs. Daily avg. – 10.48 tons o Recycling trash tonnage – 22.53 tons/45,060 lbs. Daily avg. – 0.80 tons o Compost Food Waste tonnage – 6.25 tons/12,500 lbs. Daily avg. 0.22 tons o NEW Homeless Camp trash (Willow Street) – collected over 200 bags of trash in partnership with Athens Coalition Alliance.

 Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful: o Adopt-A-Highway Litter Cleanups: 8 cleanups, 21 bags of trash, 9 bags of recycling, 39 volunteers o Down and Dirty Litter Cleanups: 5 cleanups, 76 bags of trash, 14 bags of recycling, 60 volunteers o Community Tool Shed: 10 projects, 149 Volunteers, 314 Volunteer Hours

 Landfill Division: o Trash tonnage: 6,188.47 tons/12,376,940 lbs., averaging 257.85 tons/day. o Recycling tonnage: 1022.79 tons/2,045,580 lbs., averaging 42.62 tons/day. o Leaf & Limb tonnage: 394.82 tons/789,640 lbs., averaging 16.45 tons/day. o February tonnage increased for the third straight year: . 2019: 6,615.60 . 2020: 6,060.51 . 2021: 6,188.7 o During January customers purchased 193 cubic yards of compost generating $3,848.12 in revenue. o Mattress Diversion: Furniture Bank performed several swaps during February, but the mattresses have not been processed at the warehouse. o During the fourth quarter of 2020, Cleanenergy Biofuels, who recycle cooking grease and oil and turn it into Biodiesel fuel, collected 425.60 pounds of cooking grease and oil. This collection – per their algorithm – diverted 15.88 tons of trash from the landfill, which equates to planting 2442.33 trees, or for a year, removing 2.77 cars from the road.

 Recycling: o Staff received 25 commercial recycling plans and approved 12 Commercial Recycling Plans. o Staff reviewed 24 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. o Staff and 11 volunteers diverted 1,100 lbs of material from the landfill, instead sending it to 31 teachers who “shopped” at the Teacher Reuse Store. Volunteers contributed 36 hours, and helped transform the back of the store into a repair center. Volunteers from Bag the Bag visited twice, helping to prep gift cards for a creative reuse project, break down binders to recycle their component parts, and a few other organizational tasks around the store. o 383 customers visited CHaRM in February, paying $2,895.87 to offset processing costs. Approximately 150 more CHaRM visitors dropped off materials free of charge. The rate structure approved by Mayor and Commission allows for some high-volume, common materials (such as Styrofoam, plastic bags and pallets) to be delivered at no cost, without an appointment. o Recycling Division has been working the Superior Court Probation staff to encourage individuals assigned community service hours to assist with material processing at CHaRM. In February, four individuals have worked a combined 30 hours at CHaRM. o During February, CHaRM staff shipped out an additional: . 4,400 pounds of densified Expanded Polystyrene (EPS, aka Styrofoam) . 140 pounds of medical sharps . 11,660 pounds of tires . 4,890 pounds of scrap metal, and . 3,910 pounds of confidential documents to be shredded and recycled. o The Recovered Materials Processing Facility received 921 tons of material in February, down from last February’s 1,274 tons. Residue rate, including both incoming contamination and potentially recyclable material that was not recovered, was 15.03%. Thanks to rising commodity prices, Solid Waste received a rebate check for February.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 26 OF 66 o Met with Scott Hembree with SWM International to discuss possible diversion of their industrial webbing production scrap to the ACC Landfill composting operation. Staff delivered approx. 1,000 pounds of the material, made from plant-based plastics, to the composting pad. It will likely take some time to break down, but if successful, will divert approx. 20 tons per year of material from SWM’s waste stream

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”.

 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.

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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. Design services request for proposal has been drafted and expect advertisement in late February 2021.

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 & Phase II work is Complete.

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 has been completed including dredging the swim area to provide more swim depth and new sand installed on the beach. Phase II dredging work has been completed a month ahead of schedule.

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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 design has been restarted now that the beach project has been completed. Anticipate completion by the end of 2021.

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. Working with contractor and Planning Department to finalize design concept so that the project can get underway. Once design is accepted, the next step is to finalize a start date with the contractor. Design and start date should be established prior to the end of February.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 30 OF 66 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. Masonry work has been completed on the exterior bathroom and the pavilion piers. The keypad and door hardware has been installed on the bathroom doors. Roofing materials and bathroom finishes are expected to arrive by March 12th. Interior and exterior painting will be performed when the environmental conditions are acceptable for application. Completion of the project is expected by mid-Spring of 2021.

New Restroom Facility at Ben Burton Park New Pavilion 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. M&C approved the prioritized list of improvements for the park on November 5, 2018. Schematic Design was approved by M&C on February 4, 2020. 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.

Project Update: On February 9, 2021 the pre-construction meeting was held and the contractor mobilized to the site completing the perimeter silt fencing and tree save installation. Subbase and GAB has been installed for the pedestrian walkway from the lower turnaround to the existing trail. The existing concrete and asphalt paving has been removed in preparation for rough grading. Sections of the existing rock wall have been removed for the new walkway and for expansion of future parking area. All utilities have been identified and the tree removal has been completed to date. ACC/Contractor has installed a temporary path and guardrail at the site to redirect pedestrians during construction.

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New trail extension has subbase installed. Opening in existing rock wall for new trail extension.

Public Art for Dudley Park – M&C awarded the selection of artist and 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.

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.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 32 OF 66 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 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 January, 2020 o ACCGov Transit Department (ACCTD) provided 53,833 passenger trips in February 2021, a 2.63% (1,381 passenger trip) increase from January 2021 (52,452 passenger trips). Compared to February FY2020 (128,625 passenger trips), ACCTD system ridership is down 58.15% for the month.

o ACCTD ridership is down by 56.47% system-wide for FY2021. UGA Affiliated ridership is down an estimated 96.87% for FY 2021.

o ACCTD provided 45,183 weekday passenger trips during February 2021, an increase of 8.64% (3,904 passenger trips) from January 2021 (41,279 passenger trips). ACCTD provided a weekday average of 2,259 trips for February 2021.

o ACCTD provided 8,650 passenger trips on weekends during February 2021, 22.58% decrease (2,523 passenger trips) from January 2021 (11,173). ACCTD averaged 1,081 passenger trips each weekend service day.

 Token Transit: Online Bus Pass Sales o ACCTD will be fare-free through July 1, 2021, therefore online pass sales have been suspended.

 Transit Administration Information: o Transit staff has been preparing for The Triennial Review which is one of FTA's management tools for examining grantee performance and adherence to current FTA requirements and policies. Mandated by Congress in 1982, the Triennial Review occurs once every three years. It examines how recipients of Urbanized Area Formula Program funds meet statutory and administrative requirements. The review currently examines up to 21 areas. In addition to helping evaluate grantees, the review gives FTA an opportunity to provide technical assistance on FTA requirements and aids FTA in reporting to the Transportation Secretary, Congress, other oversight agencies, and the transit community on the Urbanized Area Formula Program.

o Bids have been submitted and being reviewed by ACC Transit Staff to update operations training program.

 Maintenance And Custodial: o ACCTD is making plans to update the air purification throughout the ACCTD Fleet that will greatly reduce the risk of viral and bacterial infections on buses. The RFT for the project is currently being developed. o ACCTD Personnel have scheduled a compliance visit to Gillig in order to inspect two new buses that will be added to the fleet. o Additional wooden benches from the MMTC lobby are being refinished and reinstalled with an amazing new look. o The request submitted to GDOT for the approval of Avail mobile data terminal upgrades is still pending. o ACCTD Maintenance continues to work with Leisure Services to complete the parking lot restriping. o Fog maker inspector for fire suppression systems for fleet o Completed research for Hydrogen propulsion buses. They are now under review for cost effectiveness. o Travel plans are complete for compliance visit to GILLIG for bus replacement in March

 Marketing and Public Outreach: o Avail Systems in partnership with Message Point Media made significant steps towards completing the installation of a network of electronic wayfinding and informational signage throughout Athens-Clarke County. A

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 34 OF 66 total of 15 solar-powered electric wayfinding e-ink signs have been installed at multi-stop, high onboarding stops. Interactive wayfinding kiosks have been installed at the Multimodal Transportation Center, The Classic Center and on College Avenue in front of Parking Services. o ACCTD has partnered with UGA’s New Media Institute which is an interdisciplinary academic unit dedicated to exploring the critical, commercial and creative dimensions of emerging technologies. The NMI brings faculty, staff, students and industry leaders of all disciplines together in an environment dedicated to exploring the applications of new media technologies. Two teams of students in the Capstone Course continue to work with ACCTD in the development of a web app intending to incorporate interactive routs and timetables in order to improve user experiences and functionality. The second team is developing interactive Athens points of interest that is accessible by ACCTD content. o “How to Ride” video tutorial is being developed in order to assist current and potential passengers with navigating ACC Transit’s system. o ACCTD will be highlighted in the CTAA's National Center for Applied Transit Technology video and podcast productions. CTAA is developing video profiles of innovative uses of transit technology and appreciated the creative behind-the-scenes system ACCTD’s maintenance department uses for inventory and parts tracking.

A second video and related podcast will report on the digital wayfinding displays that are currently being implemented by ACCTD. The podcast will focus on partnerships available to expand limited resources such as ACCTD’s partnership with UGA’s New Media Institute.

The productions will provide information to small, small urban, and tribal systems to use as a resource for their departments. o Rachel Hopkins, a member of the Litter Abatement Steering Committee, joined people from a variety of ACC Government’s Departments and the community to address litter related to homeless encampments. The committee began formulating a plan for controlling litter generated from these encampments. o A series of time-lapse videos following transit buses along their routes with animated street names and points of interest is being created for each transit route.

o The concept for a new ACCTD commercial is being refined and bids for production are being received.

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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. The recycled water line is a joint effort with the Public Utility 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. On May 5, 2020, M&C awarded the construction contract to Georgia Development Partners. Notice to Proceed was issued July 16, 2020. Substantial completion is scheduled for October 8, 2021.

Project Update: Contractor has prepared 800’ of trail section for concrete between Winterville Rd. to Hancock Rd. An Additional 1000’ of subgrade has been completed between Winterville and Hancock. Completed the B-line storm drain installation near Harris Trucking. Final installation of Jack & Bore has been completed for the reuse piping which completes all road crossings for the project. Contractor has installed 1400’ of 16” reuse water piping. Pedestrian bridge fabrication is underway is expected to be completed by the end of April.

1000’ of prepared subgrade at Hancock Rd 800’ of formed trail ready for concrete Ongoing installation of 16” resuse water line

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

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 36 OF 66 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. The Preliminary Plans for the remainder of Sub-Project #3, using the original railbed or Alternate A alignment was approved by M&C on March 3, 2021.

Sub-Project #4 – Firefly Trail – Trail Creek Crossing Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 06 Total Project Budget: $16,166,455 Construction Budget: $5,635,900 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. M&C awarded a construction contract to Astra Group, LLC on December 1, 2020.

Project Update: Notice to proceed was issued to the Contractor on February 17. Contractor has provided a preliminary schedule which is currently under review and expecting product submittals by the end of the month. Contractor mobilization is scheduled for early March as well as a pre-construction meeting with T&PW.

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New Bridge to fill the gap between the ends of the existing Firefly Trail for a continuous ride. fill the gap between the ends of the existing Firefly Trail for a continuous ride.

Oconee Rivers Greenway Project Sub-Project #2 – Oconee Hill Cemetery Segment Funding Source: TSPLOST 2018, Project 05 Construction Budget: $2,500,000 Status: Bid & Award

Project Details: Project Concept was approved by the M&C on August 4, 2015. Preliminary Plans were approved by M&C on September 6, 2016. This greenway trail generally traverses the Oconee Hill Cemetery (OHC) property with the northern and southern ends connecting the existing greenway. The trail is proposed to be a 12’ wide concrete trail that is approximately 3,600 linear feet in length (alignment generally follows existing sanitary sewer route along the river) and will connect the trail along the river from Sandy Creek Nature Center to College Station. On December 1, 2020, M&C approved the final easement with the OHC Board. M&C awarded contract to Astra Group, LLC on January 6, 2021.

Project Update: The project is continuing to progress towards construction. Additional sub-surface exploration was completed and a meeting was held with SPLOST staff, Astra Group, and designers on February 19, 2021 to discuss findings and retaining walls options. Astra Group, LLC is currently working on wall types and construction options in the area of the existing bridge; as well as their guaranteed maximum pricing.

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Project Stakeholder meeting adjacent to the historic bridge in the Oconee Hills Cemetery

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 all remaining line item work except for installation of final striping, which is anticipated to take place in March 2021. The final striping was delayed due to the need to coordinate the removal and relocation of the existing bike box on Baxter Street.

Southview Drive: Sol Construction has completed all items associated with the correction list except the removal of the existing crosswalk on Agriculture Drive which is scheduled to take place in conjunction with the installation of final striping on Baxter Street. The contractor is coordinating with their surveyor to complete the required as-built survey to be submitted to ACC staff for review/approval.

N. Chase Street: Sol Construction is coordinating with their surveyor to complete the required as-built survey to be submitted to ACC staff for review/approval.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 39 OF 66 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.

Project Update: Summit Construction is working to complete the construction of the remaining retaining walls, sidewalk and driveways on the Magnolia Street segment of this project. ACC staff is anticipating substantial completion in early April 2021.

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. 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: ACCGov staff has received, reviewed, and accepted the as-built drawings submitted by Tri Scapes, Inc. Final acceptance for this project was issued December 31, 2020.

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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 improvement incorporates relocation of one bus stop, installation of a new controlled midblock crosswalk, and installation of accessibility ramps.

Project Update: ACCGov staff reviewed and approved the submitted as-built survey. Staff is working on the final acceptance paperwork for this project.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 41 OF 66 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.

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 has begun and will continue until April 18, 2021. Online input and survey information can be found on ACCGov website here: https://arcg.is/10a90f. Please see the Lexington Highway Corridor website for additional information including future in-person input sessions. 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.

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.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 42 OF 66 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 has begun and will continue until April 18, 2021. Online input and survey information can be found on ACCGov website here: https://arcg.is/0rOrf80. Please see the Atlanta Highway Corridor website for additional information including future in-person input sessions. 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.

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 remainder of the trees located in the project area have been removed. The streetscape portion of the work has begun near the intersection of Clayton Street and Lumpkin Street on the southside of the block and will progress towards College Avenue. The streetscape activities will follow 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.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 43 OF 66 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.

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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DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES Animal Services:

Animal Dispositions for 02-01-2021 through 02-28-2021 All Dispositions animals Canine Feline Other Adopted 23 13 9 1 DAK 0 0 0 0 DOA 1 0 0 1 Escaped 0 0 0 0 Euthanized 3 2 1 0 Reclaimed 9 8 1 0 RTO 3 3 0 0 RTW 0 0 0 0 Stolen 0 0 0 0 Turned Over 70 48 22 0

Service Calls by Type for 02-01-2021 through 02-28-2021 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 52 7 7 5 2 6 6 1 6 11 1 Animal Neglect/ Cruelty/Abandonment 15 1 1 4 1 3 0 1 1 2 1 Nuisance Complaints 5 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Sick/Injured Animal (non-wildlife) 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 Hot Car 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wildlife 6 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 Livestock at Large 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Menacing 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Bite: Animal VS Animal 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Bite: Animal VS Person 10 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 Bite: Wildlife VS Animal/Person 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Contained Feral Cat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Assist Other Agency (Police/Fire) 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 99 9 13 13 6 12 9 3 11 17 6

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 45 OF 66 Central Services: 800 MHz Radio System: In February 2021, the 800 MHz radio system processed 126,206 total calls for a total of 492 hours of airtime. 0.0% of total calls were redirected or failed. For FY21 to date, approximately 1,079,037 total calls for a total of 4,251 hours of airtime have been processed with a 99.94% 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 increase from January of 2021. 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

At the request of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, ACCGov is lending 800 MHz portable radios from our reserve capacity to the Georgia Department of Public Health to support a public vaccination site in Habersham, Georgia. ACCGov was called upon to provide this mutual aid because we are known to have high-functioning 800 MHZ radio and emergency response capabilities. The radios will be returned to ACCGov upon the closing of the public vaccination site, or when ACCGov recalls them in preparation for times of higher need (hurricanes, ice storms, game days, etc.).

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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 1301 1845 Front Yard Parking 4 13 Junk Vehicles 18 33 Trash Rollcarts 43 98 TOTAL 1366 1989

Fire and Emergency Services:  At approximately 6:00 AM February 9, 2021, ACCFES was dispatched to a structure fire in the area of the 1600 block of Lexington Road. Upon arrival, the structure was fully involved in fire. The resident had made it out safely and advised our crews that nobody else was inside. We were able to confirm that through search efforts that took place during and after the extinguishment of the blaze.

Crews worked tirelessly to bring this fire under control. Since the fire occurred just before change of shifts, personnel from both B and C Shifts were involved in the fire attack and extinguishment, overhaul, and cleanup efforts. Eastbound lanes of Lexington Road were closed between Winterville Road and Johnson Drive while crews were working at this scene. The American Red Cross was called in order to take care of the immediate needs of the residents. The fire cause and origin are under investigation.

 Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, the normal swearing in of local Fire Marshals at the Georgia State Capitol was cancelled this year. Instead, smaller gatherings, using social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols were held in various regions of the state. On February 10, 2021ACCFES was glad to host the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King, as he swore in local Fire Marshals from Northeast Georgia to perform on

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 47 OF 66 behalf of the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office. The group met in the apparatus bay of Fire Station 2 located on Cleveland Road.

 On February 12, 2021 at approximately 3:30 AM B-Shift crews responded to a report of a structure fire on Newton Bridge Road and worked on until daylight, where C-Shift remained on scene for some time. When crews arrived to the scene, the commercial building was fully engulfed in fire. Due to the extent of the fire and heavy fire load inside the structure, it took several hours to knock down the main body of the fire and then to assure all smoldering fires were extinguished.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 48 OF 66  On February 14, 2021 A-shift crews responded to an early morning fire on Barnett Shoals Road. Upon arrival, the crews encountered heavy fire conditions in the main floor of the two story home. Residents were safe outside with an ACCPD Officer. Crews made a rapid attack on the fire. The fire was contained to the main floor of the home and no injuries were reported. The Red Cross was notified about the immediate needs of the family.

 The week of February 15, 2021 our recruit class worked on radio communications. They quickly discovered the challenges of communicating while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA’s). One or two firefighters wearing an SCBA had to explain directions to a team in another room on how to build a model using Lego bricks. Since only the firefighter wearing the SCBA had the instructions and an idea of the finished product, they had to develop a system to describe each step, while overcoming the natural challenges that will occur when speaking over the radio and while talking through the Bluetooth speaker that is situated on the harness straps of the breathing apparatus. They also learned some good radio etiquette and the benefits of confirming messages are clearly sent, understood, acknowledged, and acted upon. This exercise was a pretty fun way to reinforce some principles that could prove to be lifesaving at an actual emergency.

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 On March 3, 2021 ACCFES 2021-1 recruits went through a confined space confidence drill. This drill was designed to allow the recruits to build on basic search techniques and operations within a low visibility environment. When they navigate almost impossible scenarios in a controlled setting, it allows them to safely build confidence in themselves and in their equipment. https://fb.watch/40DL1dUTWK/

Police Services:  The ACCPD has created a registry to allow citizens and business owners the option to register their camera system, allowing officers and detectives to quickly identify where video evidence could be obtained. The registry does not allow anyone at the ACCPD to view the camera system. Instead, it informs officers that a registered camera is nearby. An officer or detective could then contact the registrant if the camera system could provide evidence for a criminal case. The registry can be found at the following link: https://athensclarke.maps.arcgis.com/apps/GeoForm/index.html?appid=0ed444e47fd2448d9e61b706d5edb89b

 ACCPD reminds you that meeting strangers for transactions involving valuable items is inherently risky. When meeting for these types of transactions it is best practice to do so in a well-lit, highly populated or public area. Additionally, the ACCPD Headquarters, located at 3035 Lexington Road, has a “Swap Spot” which is a dedicated transaction area in the front parking lot that is equipped with a camera that records 24-hours a day.

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 In response to entering autos involving broken windows, the ACCPD reminds citizens not to leave items of value, or apparent value, in plain view inside of vehicles. For more crime prevention tips contact our Crime Prevention Unit at [email protected] or [email protected].

 On February 26, 2021, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department released body worn camera footage from the officer involved shooting that took place on February 18, 2021. The footage can be found at the following link: https://vimeo.com/517308526/9f413f2039

 On February 3, 2021, officers responded to a location on Elkview Drive regarding a robbery that had just occurred. The victim met the suspect at this location at which point he was robbed of an amount of U.S. Currency. Officers responded and were able to locate and arrest the suspect. Angelica Martinez, 19, of Athens, GA, was charged with Robbery.

 On February 9, 2021, officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department arrested Freddarius Griffith, 17, of Athens, GA, for a double shooting that took place on January 31, 2021. Griffith was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Pistol by a Person Under 18, and three counts of Violation of the Criminal Street Gang Act. Griffith was also charged with Burglary from a matter unrelated to the shooting.

 On February 13, 2021, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to the area of Lexington Road and Gaines School Road regarding a road rage incident involving a firearm. As a result of the investigation, Kenneth Stratford, 26, of Athens, GA, was arrested and charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and DUI.

 On February 28, 2021, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department received a report of an Armed Robbery, Sexual Assault, and Kidnapping that occurred at the Golden Pantry on Tallassee Road. Patrol officers and investigative units immediately flooded the area. As a result of the rapid response and intense investigation, officers were able to identify and locate the individual responsible for this violent assault within 45 minutes of receiving the report. Melvin Allison, 51, was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Aggravated Sodomy, Sexual Battery, and Battery.

Anyone that has been affected by sexual assault can receive support by contacting The Cottage at (877) 363-1912.

 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.

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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) and 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 February update is as follows:

Key Weekly Update: Overall, the viral load in Athens-Clarke County wastewater averaged for the week was comparable to last week’s average load. However, there continues to be wide variability of viral levels in our wastewater samples. The 7-day running average of reported cases was 22 as of 02/25/2021.

February 22 Total viral load on Monday 2/22 was comparable to the viral load estimated for the previous collection, Wednesday 2/17. While there was an increase in viral load at WRF A, viral levels declined at WRF B and WRF C. The 7-day running average of newly reported cases in Athens dropped to 21 per day on 2/22.

February 24 The total viral load estimated for Wednesday 2/24 declined sharply from previous observations. The positivity rate of our collection has declined; SARS-CoV-2 was only detectable in only two of our wastewater samples. The 7-day running average of newly reported cases in Athens was 21 per day on 2/24.

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

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 54 OF 66 important work being conducted by UGA.

 Water & Sewer: To keep our downtown sewer collection system flowing, the Water & Sewer crews conduct proactive routine work to remove the buildup of fats, oils, & grease (FOG) from our pipes. FOG collects along the pipes and can lead to sewer overflows. With downtown businesses and customers doing their part to properly dispose of FOG and the continued maintenance by PUD, our system provides the services necessary to maintain a safe & prepared community.

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DEPARTMENTS Building & Planning Activity:

2018 2019 2020 2021 Calendar Yr Calendar Yr Calendar Yr YTD

Building Permits Issued 1,098 1,283 1,212 99

Building Permit 192,373,544 267,870,892 205,100,145 63,434,452 Valuations ($)

Building Inspections 4,559 5,153 6,293 843 Performed

Planning & Zoning Applications: The graph below depicts the total amount of applications received each month in 2021 compared to 2020. Applications in 2021 are divided by application type and are represented by the bars. Total applications for 2020 are depicted by the blue trend line.

2021 Permit Applications by Month Compared to 2020 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 2020

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DEPARTMENTS Management Team: The ACCGov Management Team had their quarterly roadside clean-up February 20. The following people participated: Toni and Tony Meadow, Doug Hansford, Joseph D’Angelo, Judge Ryan Hope and his daughter.

Central Services:  Facilities Management received 647 work orders for the month of February and completed 383 work orders. Staff are working on or have completed the following: o Added a door & wall in the Tax Assessor’s Office as a safety precaution to help combat COVID. o Installed a new HVAC unit at Bishop Park Gym o Installed a french drain at Bear Hollow Zoo to keep waste from going into the creek. o Repaired broken water box and leaking pipe at the animal exhibit at Memorial Park Bear Hollow Zoo. o Repaired several heat issues at Morton Theatre in office areas. o Installed new ice machine head at Fire Station #4 o Replaced HVAC system’s chilled water pump at City Hall. o Replaced damaged floor tile in restroom at Downtown Police Substation. o Painted the new sheriff’s office at the Courthouse. o Completed installing the seven data drops for the training side of the jail. SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 57 OF 66 o Installed the line of site devices for IT to cover the fueling station behind the jail. o Constructed a small wall with a door at PD headquarters to close off a room. Rearranged equipment on walls and painted. o Constructed a small wall with a door at the Police Family Protection Center for the District Attorney and painted the area. o Sanded, prepped and painted handrails & all metal beams under the awning outside of Thomas Lay Park Recreational building.

Public Information Office:  Public Information Office staff worked with the Clerk of Commission to develop a visual clock system for timing speaking opportunities for the Mayor and Commission during their meetings. The goal was to utilize a clock system that could easily be displayed during Webex virtual meetings for the Mayor and Commission and the public. The Clerk’s Office controls the clock via remote control, which displays for participants through the Clerk’s webcam how much time remaining they have to speak, whether 3 minutes or 10 minutes.

 The Public Information Office was awarded a grant from the Civic Affairs Foundation of Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) to help fund a summer intern in the Public Information Office in 2021 dedicated to working on photo/video production. ACCG has awarded seven consecutive internship grants to the PIO of this nature.

 Public Information Office staff provided a YouTube social media training session on February 25 for staff members of the Leisure Services Department from the Lyndon House Arts Center, East Athens Educational Dance Center, Sandy Creek Nature Center, and other facilities. The training covered best practices and procedures for posting videos to the new Leisure Services YouTube account that will consolidate accounts and provide online access to videos for those who have registered for classes or for other specific purposes.

Public Utilities:  As work continues along the Firefly Trail in Winterville, the Public Utilities Department prepares to install a recycled water main. The boring and casing under Winterville Road are complete, making the site nearly ready for pipe installation. Water collected at our reclamation facilities can be treated and travel the purple line to local industries for industrial use, cooling towers, and other non-drinking purposes.

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Solid Waste:  Staff and family volunteered their personal time as a group on Sunday, February 21st at the Project Safe Thrift Store. Staff cleaning and sorted material for sale.

 Four staff members have voluntarily created a book club and are currently reading and discussing the book “me and white supremacy” by Layla Saad.

 Stacy Smith graduated from the Engaging Local Government Leaders Data Analysis Cohorts: Data Analysis 101 on February 24.

 KACCB staff completed Department of Public Health COVID vaccine scheduling training on February 2.

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 59 OF 66  Carlos Pinto was honored as the Solid Waste Employee of the Quarter.

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 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: September 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.

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J.G. Beacham Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Industrial Coating & Painting Funding Source: Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund Estimated Project Budget: $446,143 Painting and Professional Services Status: On budget - 91 % expended On schedule - 98 % complete Project Details:  The J.G. Beacham Water Treatment Plant was last upgraded with industrial coatings and painting in 2007  The expected useful life of industrial coatings is ten years  Surfaces on piping and equipment are emerging from the coating and painting performed in 2007 exposing metal surfaces to deterioration  One of the imperatives of infrastructure operation and maintenance is to keep pipes and equipment in sustainable condition and functionality. Industrial coatings preserve the ratepayers’ investment in the drinking water plant, extending the useful life of the above‐ground public health infrastructure

Before, During, and After Snapshots:

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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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Central Services:  Facilities Management received the following “thank you” from the Executive Assistant to the District Attorney for repairing some electrical and data outlets that were not working and some carpentry work in the District Attorney’s Office. “Super thanks for helping get the electrician over today. Really appreciate your efforts. Our construction looks great too by the way. The facilities personnel are so very nice. Thank you again”

 Facilities Management received the following “thank you” from the Public Information Officer for installing TV’s at the Tag Office. “Apologies for the delay in writing this, but I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to Neil and the staff in the Tag Office and the Central Services staff – in particular Mike Young and Keith Lunsford – for facilitating the installation of the 3 TVs in the Tag Office waiting area last month during the system upgrade closure of the office. We are thrilled to have another popular outlet for content for ACTV and are endeavoring to improve and update that content with the Tag Office area as a key focus point for information to the community. This is a project we’ve been discussing for a couple of years now waiting for the right timing and technology to intersect. It finally did and we couldn’t have done it without each of you involved. So thank you again for all of your efforts to help us provide additional information to the residents of Athens-Clarke County.”

Public Utilities:  A note to Water Conservation Program Specialist, Jackie Sherry, “love the virtual lessons you have created” – Sara Clarke, Barrow Elementary

 “Jackie, I saw you last month in a WONDERFUL video for ACC water treatment! I'm in Athens Citizens Government Academy, and we had the Water talk. Really well done!” – Michele Bolduc, Citizens Government Academy

 Commissioner Edwards shared kudos from a constituent who had let him know of an experience she recently had with PUD staff. He reported her email stated, “Several days ago we had brown/orange water for several days. As soon as I made the call, Bill sent someone to pull the meter & John came around 7:00 that night. They were very nice. We all like to get good service and I just want to report good workers.”

 An internal email regarding how the staff work together to provide exceptional service to our community: “I have been a little remiss in sending this in a timely manner, but I wanted to take the opportunity to BRAG on Stanley and his crew. On March 3rd they showed up to repair a leak in the meter box and backflow preventer. While in a lot of places, this is little more than an inconvenience, here it can and does affect critical process pumps. The fresh water is used for mechanical seals concerning sludge return rates and mixing. We can go brief periods without the pumps, but it is not a viable longer term situation. The point is, after explaining to Stanley and his crew. They understood the situation and knew we were on a clock of sorts. They jumped on it and knocked it out like a fine tuned machine/group. It was most appreciated here, as the interruption barely made a dent in the process of North Oconee. So, a great big thank you.”

 Comments collected following the virtual Romantic Tour of the Water Reclamation Facility:

o Loved the event and the goodie box!!! Very clever and super creative :)) o Thank all of you so much for the opportunity to participate in the virtual tour. My daughter, Scarlett, and I enjoyed it very much. I was thrilled to find out about the tour as I always try to SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 63 OF 66 find answers to her questions. The gifts were so thoughtfully chosen, and the effort and time to assemble it all is so appreciated. Scarlett was very excited! Since we couldn't be there in person, the gifts made for a greater sense of connection. We will definitely look forward to an in-person tour in the future. o Thank you and everyone who put together the Virtual Tour on Thursday night. It was cute and fun and I really appreciate that this was available. o Thank you so much for hosting the Valentine’s Day tour and for the gift box! I cannot get over how funny the “I experienced multiple organisms…” bag is, and I was wondering if you happened to have any extras that nobody has claimed? I’m a graduate student studying infectious disease epidemiology, and I was hoping to give one to someone else in my lab who is equally amused by it. The nerd humor is very on-brand for our research group. No worries if not – just thought I would ask! Thanks again for the great event! You have such an important (and likely thankless) job, and it’s so great to see your excitement and sense of humor about it! o My computer said “this survey is not accessible” so IO can’t respond thusly, but I CAN tell you that the presentation was 5 star!! Very well put together, & the enthusiasm of the staff for their mission of keeping our water clean was obvious. I wish EVERY Clarke County citizen would see the presentation. And the box of gifts was VERY nice. Thanks to all of you who put so much effort into the program! o I’ve attended the Valentine’s Day Virtual Tour and I have to say it was not only educational and entertained, but also very creative and hilarious. My husband and I did not know what to expect, but I have to say it was a great opportunity to learn about the ACC PUD water reclamation facility and educate my two daughters (8 and 12) about water conservation. Thank you very much for the work you are doing with the ACC community. o And a final handwritten note regarding the tour:

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 64 OF 66 Solid Waste:  Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful:

 Collections: o Compliment for the leaf & limb crews received on Wednesday February 17, 2021. A resident of Pendleton Drive wanted to compliment the leaf & limb crews. He stated that everyone has been kind to him. He did not put his pile out in time, since leaf & limb is on schedule they will be able to pick up his pile sometime this week. He was happy that I (Nancy) checked to see if we could pick up this pile this week and did not just tell him that he would have to wait until next time. o Compliment for Alfred Jones from a homeowner in Forest Heights S/D on Thursday February 11, 2021. “I wanted to send a message of appreciation for the person who is driving the trash collection truck. They really go the extra mile and make sure there isn't any litter that happens to fall out left behind, which I noticed them picking up at a neighboring house. During the pandemic our kids run to the window to see the trucks go by. They listen for them every week. It has been an opportunity for them to learn about community helpers, and the people driving in our neighborhood provide a particularly wonderful example for them. Thank you!”

 Recycling: o Via Facebook: “Shoutout to ACC SW Director, Suki for her presentation to Olli - our awesome recycling program in Athens is even better than I realized - grateful to the work you all do!”

o Via E-mail: “Ms. Janssen: Athens-Clarke County has one employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Let me commend Mason Towe for providing true customer service. Several months ago we were moving an elderly relative, ending up with a mattress and box springs that needed disposal. Not knowing how to go about that, I called the county about recycling and was referred to Mr. Towe. Because of time constraints (rental vehicles, deadlines for being out of the apartment, etc.), we had a tight window of delivery, which did not correspond to hours when the facility would be open. But Mr. Towe volunteered to come in on his own time to accept the materials. At the last minute we found someone who needed a bed, so it went to a good home. But Mr. Towe was cheerful about his re-arranged schedule and pleased that the bed was being reused, even better than

SNAPSHOT :: PAGE 65 OF 66 recycled. So, kudos to whoever had the good sense to hire Mr. Towe, and my gratitude to Mr. Towe for his generosity of spirit and willingness to be so accommodating.”

o From Leslie Trier, Athens-Clarke Council on Aging: “… We so appreciate all the help Solid Waste has given us in our efforts here. Thank you so much! If you have any questions or need anything else from me, please let me know!”

o Reviews: “This is a great place! My county couldn't take some electronics I wanted to recycle and recommended CHaRM. CHaRM accepted things other places wouldn't and helped me to sort it into the proper bins. Though there was a small fee because I was coming from outside of Athens, it well worth it to keep these things out of a landfill. Drop off was easy and the staff are very helpful and friendly. Definitely worth a little extra time to bring things there.”

“I absolutely love this service provided by Clarke County. The staff are always friendly and helpful and they accept all kinds of materials. My one complaint, that they have cut hours way down and I barely am able to make the days they are open. I miss the Saturday morning option they used to have.”

“Nice option. Informative staff and in the center of town. Somewhat limited hours, and I wonder what those without transportation do”

Transportation & Public Works: “Subject: Special Thanks The residents on LeAnn Drive and I want to Kevin Gentry, TPW, and County Manager Williams, for the Storm Water repairs. Thanks to Commissioner Hamby for meeting with my constituents also. Everyone knows storm water has been one of the top issues in District 9 and this was a great fix. Thank you Kevin and Blaine again.” - Commissioner Ovita Thornton, District 9

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