Snow? Ice? Could be an interesting Saturday.

With the forecast for the weekend, my attention today is turned to snow and ice. As of this writing, it looks like more snow and less ice which is fantastic in my book.

While I am sitting here thinking about sledding, snow angels and tomato soup, staff all over the City is preparing for the potential winter storm.

I called over to the public works department earlier this week and asked for their snow removal plan. Basically, I wanted to know what roads they plowed and in what order. Remember, DOT is responsible for lots of streets in Kannapolis like Cannon Boulevard and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

I was expecting a few documents that I would share here. Instead I got 17. Suffice it to say it is a complicated process and our crews do a great job getting the roads back to normal during winter events. I admittedly didn’t open all the documents, but here’s a fun factoid. Snow plows shouldn’t go more than 20 mph. Now you know too.

If you’re curious about the pretreatment and snow plowing maps, I’ve linked them. I think it is interesting to see what the City handles, what DOT handles, and what they work on together. Feel free to ping me with any questions.

P.S. If it does snow tomorrow, please be safe. Stay off the roads if possible. Heck, enjoy some snow angels, sledding and tomato soup and let our crews get the work done they need to so we can get things back to normal.

What makes for a good superintendent?

Kannapolis City School’s superintendent Dr. JoAnne Byerly announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2010. The school system has crafted a short community survey to obtain feedback to assist them in their search for Dr. Byerly’s replacement. Whether you have children in the system or not, take a minute to answer the questions. GO WONDERS!

One Step Closer to Curbside Recycling

Last night, City Council authorized staff to proceed with issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) for curbside recycling services and bins. Staff has researched and presented options to Council over the last two years for developing a curbside recycling program, with the help of the Environmental Stewardship Commission and advice from Scott Muow, the state’s recycling program director. Last night’s decision moves the City one step closer to establishing a program.

Curbside recycling will help Kannapolis comply with the state law that bans aluminum cans, and as of October 2009, plastic bottles from landfills. Currently, residents can take recyclables to the local drop-off sites provided by Rowan and Cabarrus Counties (at 614 W. 8th St. and behind the Cabarrus Health Alliance building at 1307 S. Cannon Blvd).

To maximize participation and effectiveness, staff recommendations are:

• Single-stream curbside program – so that you don’t have to separate your recyclables
• 96-gallon roll-out cart – larger bins to prevent overflow and accommodate household needs
• Weekly or biweekly collection – depends on costs
• User fee, estimated $5/month – instead of incorporating into property taxes (actual amount to be determined after bids are received)

Curbside service will be provided to residents who live in dwellings that currently receive City garbage service. Initially, the service will not be offered to businesses, apartments, and other properties that pay for commercial garbage service. The recommendation of a user fee was based on the need for a steady revenue stream not dependent on property values, as well as the idea of not impacting businesses and other entities that would not receive the service (vs. a property tax, which would impact all properties). To be sustainable and stable, the user fee would be charged to all households receiving garbage service, regardless of actual participation in recycling.

Public education will be a major part of ensuring a successful program, both prior to the start of service as well as ongoing. The user fee will help ensure adequate promotion and education of the program. Residents will hear more about the importance of recycling, what is recyclable, as well as the logistics of the curbside service.

For more information, you can view the recent presentation from the Council retreat and the updated timeline (see p. 56-59) presented at last night’s Council meeting. Staff will plan to bring the bids for recycling back to City Council in April for their final decision to proceed with the program. If you have opinions on this topic, feel free to contact City Council.

Kannapolis Business Alliance

The Kannapolis Business Alliance is a new group that has formed to support business growth and community needs in Kannapolis. It was formed by three Kannapolis business owners: Dacia Cress of Yoga Moxie Studio, David DePompa of DePompa’s Comfortable Foods, and Steven Blinsink of Armor Insurance. At last night’s meeting, members voted in two new board members: David Miller of American Property Managers, and Tim Mueller with the Kannapolis Intimidators.

The group is keeping abreast of various events and activities happening in Kannapolis and participating where appropriate. For example, they are working with the Cabarrus Events Association to use Kannapolis businesses where possible for the events that CEA puts on in Kannapolis. KBA will develop a more detailed work plan over the coming months.

KBA meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:15pm. You can find updates on their Facebook page (look up “Kannapolis Business Alliance”) as well as their website.

Kannapolis Intimidators Strong Community Partners

I had the opportunity to have lunch with Tim Mueller, vice president of the Kannapolis Intimidator’s today. Our meeting wasn’t related to city government (we were chatting about the Cabarrus Literacy Council), but something he gave me at the end was really interesting.

Tim has compiled a summary of their 2009 season. There are attendance numbers — all-time record of 132,342 — the team’s fantastic season — 82-57 — and information about White Sox prospects playing on the team.

That’s all great, but what really struck me was the strong community involvement from the team. High school and middle school baseball tournaments. Charitable events in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Cabarrus Rotary Club, Habitat for Humanity, the Jimmy Murphey Fund, Cooperative Christian Ministry, Greyhound Rescue Mission, Red Cross, Cabarrus S.A.F.E Kids and I’m sure others not mentioned.

I think that’s fantastic. The city and larger community is blessed to have such a great corporate citizen.

Motorsports and Research Campus Mix

The Salisbury Post had an interesting article over the weekend about how the Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab at the NC Research Campus is working with NASCAR teams to improve their health and endurance, which should result in better performance at races. This shifts the focus from the car’s performance to the crew’s physical preparation.

This is the kind of real-life applications that are exciting to see come out of the work at the Research Campus. Watch out for Hendrick Motorsports to see if this partnership helps them win!

2010 Census Jobs

I was at the open house of the local Census office in Concord on Friday. The office will manage the Census operations for the six-county area (Anson, Cabarrus, Montgomery, Rowan, Stanly, and Union) for the upcoming Census 2010 population count. This includes people who knock on doors to make sure residents fill out their form and mail it back.

I learned that there will be 76,000 Census jobs available in the Charlotte region, and 1,100 Census jobs in our local area. These are mostly temporary jobs. Anyone who is interested can apply online.

Census forms will be mailed out in mid-March, so encourage others to fill out the form and mail it back! Funding for health care, transportation, schools, and other services are based on an accurate population count. Census 2010 – it’s important, it’s easy, and it’s safe.

Fire Department Hosting Free CPR Classes

Did you know? The Kannapolis Fire Department offers free and low-cost CPR courses on the fourth Saturday of every month. The one-day classes are held from 8 a.m. until 1p.m. at Kannapolis Fire Station 1.

This program is free for City residents and $3 for non-residents.

Participants learn adult, child and infant CPR as well as how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).  Each course uses the American Heart Association curriculum, with a test at the end of the day to complete the certification process.

Class size is limited to 20 participants, and advance registration is required. Registration is open until 5 p.m. on the Friday before each class or until the class is full. The next class is the 23rd.

For more information or to register, please call Division Chief Rick Barnhardt at 704-920-4260 or email him at rbarnhardt@cityofkannapolis.com.

Village Park Holiday Wrap-up

The holidays were a busy time at Village Park in Kannapolis again this year. More than 6100 people bought tickets for either the Santa Train or Winterland Express. This is a jump of 4000 from last year.

An estimated 500 attended the tree lighting (mark you calendars for Dec. 4, 2010 for another parade/tree lighting combo) where performances were given by the A.L. Brown Marching Wonders, the Piedmont Singing Men, and the Choral Academy.

Best of all (in my humble opinion) the lights in the park were spectacular. Check out the pictures below. Have ideas for December in Village Park? Drop me a line or feel free to leave a comment.

Kannapolis Kares Day 2010

The Kannapolis Kares Day Committee will begin meeting in February to start planning our city-wide volunteer day. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, September 25. Command central will be Village Park. The hours for volunteering will be from 8 a.m. to midday, with breakfast and lunch served to our hard-working volunteers. We are looking for projects, volunteers, and t-shirt sponsors.

For Kannapolis Kares Day 2009, Boger Elementary chose a beautification project for their school yard.