May 2014 A Publication of the City of Fairfield, Ohio Resident input sought about parks programs hose who have enjoyed programs Tin City parks or recreation facilities may think the events are all fun and games, but for those in the Parks and Recreation Department, it’s serious business. In fact, over the next few weeks, many residents will be asked to participate in public meetings that will focus on addressing the City’s recreational needs... now and into the future. The outreach is the result of a partnership between the City of Fairfield and the Eppley Institute of A capacity crowd gathers for an event at Village Green Park, one of many organized by the Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University. The input is the beginning of a public recreation in Fairfield over the next all residents can share their opinions, ideas study that will create a 10-year Master Plan decade. and vision for the City’s Parks and Recreation for the future of the Parks and Recreation programs and facilities. Once operational, Department. From programming to parks As part of the citizen engagement process, a residents are encouraged to visit the website facilities, the plan will shape the landscape of special website also will be established so that at www.fairfieldmasterplan.com. Fairfield earns improved rating from Moody’s ocal government bond ratings have been pension obligations associated with many negative outlook, Moody’s performed a Lreceiving a great deal of scrutiny of late, government agencies. Moody’s recently follow up review this past February. The and Fairfield’s rating has been no reviewed Fairfield’s bond rating, and while agency was interested in learning how the exception. Moody’s Investor Services (one of many local governments have had their City’s revenues, general fund and overall the primary bond rating agencies) has ratings downgraded, Fairfield received some economy were doing as well as looking into focused its reviews on the large unfunded good news when Moody’s announced it was how state pension obligations might affect maintaining the City’s Aa1 rating (the the City’s finances. Even with the City’s agencies second highest) and removing the proportionate share of the state pension What is a Bond Rating? negative outlook that had been assigned in obligations, the City’s financial situation has the wake of the 2008 economic downturn. improved greatly. On March 3, 2014, The purpose of a bond rating is to Moody’s affirmed Fairfield’s Aa1 bond rating provide investors with an entity’s credit The City was able to maintain its strong and removed the negative outlook. worthiness, similar to an individual’s financial position through a combination of credit score. The stronger or higher diligence and proactive financial planning. In the rating; the less risk involved and the 2012 Moody’s maintained the City’s Aa1 less cost to do business. The main rating, but assigned a negative outlook due to Inside agencies of Moody’s Investor Services, the financial impact associated with the 2008 Roots can be a headache this spring ....... 2 Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings economic downturn as well as cuts in state Ways to dispose of yardwaste ..............37 rate 95% of the non-financial, financial funding. In November 2012 the citizen’s Water/Sewer rates among lowest still.....38 institution and public sector entities voted in favor of the reapportionment of the globally. Most of the time ratings are City’s income tax revenue. This enabled the Careful with open burning ...................38 done in conjunction with a debt City to rebuild its General fund balance and Think safety if leaving children alone .....38 issuance; however, sometimes periodic reserve to pre-2008 levels, all while Summer road projects announced..........39 reviews are done. continuing to provide high quality services to Improvement contest underway.............40 residents and businesses. Due to the 2012 THE FAIRFIELD FLYER Put sewer lines on spring maintenance list very spring, the circle of life Ebegins anew. As trees and bushes Left: Tree roots often begin to green up, their roots surround sewer lines, reach deeper to find the necessary potentially nutrients to flourish. Often the infiltrating them wonder of nature creates an ongoing causing a myriad of problems. problem for homeowners and City crews from the Public Utilities Far Left: Left Department as roots infiltrate sewer unattended, root infiltration can lines in the never-ending quest for destroy a sewer line. nutrient-rich moisture. Below: Tree roots have found their Once a tiny chute finds the smallest of way inside a sewer openings in a hairline crack or joint, line. This issue was nature muscles in, creating even larger discovered before access. The eventual result is that the costly damage roots expand inside the line to totally occurred. block the flow of water. The blockage usually Utilities Department has becomes apparent crews regularly check sewer only after an lines using a track-mounted expensive backup. camera that snakes through The expense may lines to check for problems, not end with the such as root infiltration. repair of a back-up. These regular inspections, In many cases, however, are made in public when roots are left systems and do not extend unchecked, permanent — and expensive — into lines leading into homes or damage can result as roots cause the sewer businesses, which (by City ordinance) pipe to expand, shift or collapse. are the responsibility of the property owner. Non-public lines customarily The best insurance against root infiltration is are those reaching from the public What you can do: regular prevention. The Fairfield Public right-of-way to a private structure. k Be mindful of sewers in the spring when the most rapid expansion of roots occur. Attention to these lines should be part of Use care with lawn fertilizers an annual spring maintenance routine. k Each year, consider using a chemical root he misapplication of lawn fertilizer may cause an increase in Fairfield utility control program that kills roots inside bills if the phosphorous it creates shows up in discharges from the City’s sewer and drain lines (but does not impact TWastewater Treatment Plant. Strict federal regulations are in place to limit the tree or bush). These products can phosphorous discharges, which result in the formation of toxic algae. The generally be found in the plumbing section presence of the algae has greatly impacted the recreational uses of Grand Lake - of most home improvement centers or at St. Mary’s, Lake Erie, Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. local hardware stores. Use ONLY chemicals clearly labeled as approved by the Avoid fertilizing in drought conditions or when heavy rain is predicted. N Environmental Protection Agency. Calibrate fertilizer spreaders to ensure proper rates are applied and use slow- N k Consider employing a professional release forms of nitrogen. contractor specializing in drain cleaning N Use a drop or rotary spreader with a deflector shield around waterways. Always who can provide a mechanical cleaning of close the spreader while passing over paved surfaces. sewer lines. Some contractors can utilize a small camera to visually inspect lines. N If fertilizer is spilled or lands on paved surfaces, sweep it up and apply it to the lawn, then irrigate the lawn to minimize runoff. For more information, visit www.fairfield-city.org/wastewater/root.cfm. 2 C ITY OF F AIRFIELD, O HIO www.fairfield-city.org May 2014 Wake Nation adds new lake for summer Wake Chamber awards Nation On Thursday, March 27, Cincinnati the Fairfield Chamber of opened in Commerce celebrated its Fairfield in 58th Annual Dinner with 2009 as one numerous awards and hon- of the first ors. Winners included: cable wake parks in the Business Person of the Year United David Smith States. It Smith Appraisal Service features a 10 Business Leadership Award acre oval- Tom Urban shaped lake Mercy Health Fairfield Hospital on which riders are pulled by an birthday parties, corporate “The past few seasons have gone Community Appearance Award overhead cable system. Since its outings, and other group events. well. We’ve enjoyed increases in Western States opening, it has achieved a A new arcade game area has attendance and awareness,” said Machine Company positive reputation among been created. The menu has also CEO Peter Kennedy. “We are been expanded with several new going stronger than ever.” President’s Award watersport enthusiasts throughout food and beverage options that Scott Spurlock the Midwest. It has hosted Wake Nation opens its 6th season on May 1, 2014. should appeal to both watersport Jeff Pohlman Tire & Auto Service numerous nationally sanctioned It is located at 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, near Joyce wakeboard tournaments, and has participants and spectators alike. Park. For information, visit www.wakenation.com. Business Student of the Year been recognized as a top Sara Rose attraction in the greater Fairfield High School Cincinnati area. Miles of Golf: Fairfield Golf Wake Nation is introducing Chamber golf outing several new attractions to mark Center gets new owner the start of its upcoming 6th The Fairfield Chamber of season. The biggest new Miles of Golf, one of the largest professional, has established the Commerce 2014 Annual addition is a new lake called club fitting golf shops Spencer Golf Golf Outing will be held on in the country, Academy at Miles of Wednesday, May 21, at the “Aquaglide Waterpark.” This recently purchased Golf. He previously Fairfield Greens South Trace lake will feature seven large, the former Fairfield taught throughout the Golf Course. The event inflatable, floating obstacles for Golf Center at 6400 United States and features 18 holes of golf, patrons to enjoy, including Dixie Highway (at the Asia, and was named lunch, dinner, and a chance trampolines, jungle gyms, slides, intersection of Route one of Golf Digest’s to win numerous prizes.