AFI GovNews

Centennial Center Park wins Live Work Play award!

jmbruno@asu.edu — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:32:06 -0400

In Centennial CO Centennial Center Park was announced as the winner of the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) People’s Choice Live Work Play award. Centennial Center Park was one of ten finalists nominated for this award. The Live Work Play People’s Choice Award honors outstanding places events and projects that move the region’s long-range plan forward by supported and contributing to livable communities. “The City is honored to have Centennial Center Park recognized as the Live Work Play People’s Choice Award amongst the other exceptional finalists in the metro area” says Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Piko. “The success...

Connect Montgomery Supports Food Share Effort

jmbruno@asu.edu — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:18:32 -0400

Connect Montgomery is collaborating with a volunteer team of neighbors from the Montgomery Woods neighborhood who have been working on an opportunity to help assist their community neighbors and strengthen the Montgomery community. It’s a donor program structured to make it easy for others to help. The program is called Montgomery Food Share and they have partnered with the Freestore Foodbank to create a way to help ensure that the Freestore has an uninterrupted supply of food and personal items to give to those in need. People in Montgomery often use the Freestore to get food and essential items...

Photovoltaic System Estimated to Save City $250000 Annually

jmbruno@asu.edu — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:21:16 -0400

The City of Casa Grande broke ground earlier this month on its first ever photovoltaic system joining a handful of organizations that are leveraging solar energy to reduce utility costs. Five city facilities are scheduled to be retrofitted with solar-covered parking structures. The photovoltaic system which will be owned by the City will provide an annual savings of $250000. The combined 1.0 megawatt project consists of over 3400 photovoltaic panels which will help the City reduce its electricity usage by over one million kilowatt hours per year which is roughly the amount required to power 114 homes. The...

Cornelius Implements False Alarm Reduction Program

jmbruno@asu.edu — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:43:50 -0400

Cornelius NC - The Town of Cornelius has implemented a False Alarm Reduction program to encourage alarm users and alarm companies to help solve the problem of chronic false alarms. Studies show that approximately 98% of burglar alarms nationwide are false alarms. Unnecessary calls for service due to false alarms cause significant problems and place a heavy burden on law enforcement officers. In response to the problem the Town of Cornelius has passed Ordinance Chapter 99: Alarm Systems which has been designed to reduce false alarms. Cornelius residents and businesses are now required to register their monitored or...

Williamson County and Franklin TN Encourage Residents to Register Tornado Shelters

jmbruno@asu.edu — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:55:54 -0400

Imagine you’re safe in your tornado shelter after a storm has hit but your home has been destroyed and your shelter is buried beneath debris. How would someone know you were there? How would you get out? To ensure this scenario does not happen the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has implemented a county-wide Storm Shelter Registry program. County and city officials are encouraging residents to register their shelters and make preparations for severe weather. EMA Director Mac Purdy said the registry will help emergency agencies throughout the county locate victims when they respond to areas...

Fort Lauderdale Presents Save a Tree Plant a Tree

jmbruno@asu.edu — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:42:21 -0400

The City of Fort Lauderdale presents Save a Tree Plant a Tree an innovative program that merges environmental protection and resource savings by offering free trees to Fort Lauderdale customers who switch to a paper-free utility billing process. Save a Tree Plant a Tree offers many benefits including: 1. It promotes and encourages sustainability through paper-free services that save energy and natural resources. The City of Fort Lauderdale prints approximately 54000 utility bills each month which equals 108 reams of paper. It takes 6 percent of one tree to make...

Issaquah WA Constructs First Netzero Townhome Project in the Country and Most Energy Efficient Fire Station in the World

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:38 -0400

The City of Issaquah WA recently spearheaded the creation of zHome the first zero net-energy townhome project in the country. It also built one of the most energy-efficient fire stations in the world. zHome The success of zHome demonstrates that cutting-edge environmental building technologies are not only possible – but also scalable – for mainstream housing production. Featuring 10 townhomes zHome represents an opportunity for individuals to live in a compact transit-oriented community with the smallest possible environmental footprint by achieving the following benchmarks: Zero net energy usage/carbon neutrality ...

Kansas City MO Implements Green Neighborhood Recognition Program

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:52:24 -0400

The City of Kansas City Mo. will launch its new KC Green Neighborhood Recognition Program Monday April 22 in honor of Earth Day. The program a part of the City’s KC Green initiative will recognize registered neighborhoods that have broadly implemented sustainable practices. Registered neighborhoods may apply to be a KC Green Neighborhood between now and Monday June 3 online at www.kcmo.org/kcgreen . The City will award neighborhoods with a Platinum Gold or Silver designation based on the green/sustainable initiatives they have implemented. Winners will be announced in the fall. Neighborhoods selected for recognition will receive neighborhood...

Washoe County NV Recognized as Top Digital County Innovative Practices in Technology Highlighted

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:40:13 -0400

Washoe County’s Technology Services Department was recognized by the County Commission for receiving a second place award from the Center for Digital Government (CDG) a national research and advisory institute focused on IT policies and best practices in state and local government. Washoe County was awarded second place for the size of the county population between 250-499000. Ten winners were named in each of four population-based categories. The winning counties carried out strategies -- with measurable benefits -- that aligned with county priorities. Successful programs showed progress over the previous year utilized innovative solutions and revealed a commitment to collaboration...

Arlington County VA Participates in Regional Partnership to Connect Veterans to High Demand Jobs

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:39:09 -0400

The Arlington County Board accepted a $150000 state grant to train military veterans and connect them with careers in the high-growth high-demand Information Technology (IT) field. “There is a huge local demand for credentialed IT workers” said Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “It is an honor to be able to give something back to the veterans who have served this country so well and to help equip them for these IT career opportunities.” Arlington County is working with the City of Alexandria and others in a regional partnership for the new initiative called IT Jobs for...

City of Evanston IL Residents Recognized as Top 10 City for Green Commuting

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:25:49 -0400

Evanston was ranked as one of the top ten cities with the greenest commuting habits in a recent study. NerdWallet a financial literacy website analyzed 439 U.S. cities whose residents display environmentally conscious everyday behaviors. Evanston ranked number 10 overall due to the community’s commitment to the environment and sustainable practices. Evanston ranked higher than such notable cities as Philadelphia (12th place) Chicago (14th place) and Seattle (15th place). NerdWallet ranked Evanston among the top ten after assessing the percentage of residents who use commuting methods with varying levels of environmental impact: No...

Columbia SC Awards Forgivable Loans to Businesses for Exterior Revitalization

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:10:54 -0400

The first Façade Improvement Program awards have been made to eight businesses on Main and North Main Street. These businesses will use up to $10000 in forgivable loans from the City of Columbia to revitalize the exterior of their buildings and property. The Façade Committee voted to award forgivable loans to businesses whose improvements will have a great impact on their block and in the overall community. The City received a total of $150000 for forgivable loans through Community Development Block Grant funds. Grants under $2000 are also available. Funds are available for improvements such as doors windows awnings...

Oro Valley AZ Develops New Website In-House

ajriver4@asu.edu — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:18:12 -0400

The Town of Oro Valley is proud to announce the launch of its new website. Still located at www.orovalleyaz.gov the new site was designed with the goal of improving the end-user experience and being more aesthetically representative of Oro Valley. “The launch of the new website completes an identified strategic goal” stated Town Manager Greg Caton. “First and foremost was our goal to improve the use of technology to better communicate with residents businesses and guests in our community. Secondly with the updated Town brand and website our communication efforts are aligned with recent marketing and branding...

City of Austin TX Partners with Google to Bring Google Fiber to the City

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:13:04 -0400

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Councilmember Laura Morrison along with other City of Austin officials announced today that Google Inc. is bringing its 100x faster Internet connectivity—Google Fiber—to Austin making the city the second in the nation to have this service. Google Fiber is Google’s Gigabit Internet service that offers Internet connection speeds for homes and businesses up to 100 times faster than today’s average broadband as well as TV service with hundreds of high-definition channels. “Three years ago the City of Austin expressed a desire to have Google’s revolutionary fiber-optic communication infrastructure in...

Las Vegas Approves Partnership With College Of Southern Nevada To Offer College Courses At City Hall

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:14:54 -0400

In a model believed to be the first of its kind in the nation the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday has approved a partnership with the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to establish a college presence at Las Vegas City Hall. The partnership is designed to create training and educational opportunities for residents particularly in the downtown area and to help create a trained workforce that can increase the city’s opportunities for economic development and diversification. The Las Vegas City Council today approved an agreement with CSN to provide half of the third floor of City Hall for...

Albemarle County VA Assists Traditionally Disadvantaged Business Owners

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:41:27 -0400

Small businesses that provide home repair cleaning landscaping and painting have a new way to reach a larger base of residential and commercial clients: C’ville Central. C’ville Central kicked off with a launch event Monday April 8. C’ville Central brings together small women and minority owned businesses with residential and commercial clients they may not otherwise reach. “Our mission is to harness the region’s economic power and channel it to businesses in the Charlottesville region” says C’ville Central co-founders Toan Nguyen and Betsy Patrick who together own C’ville Coffee. At the April...

Palo Alto CA Becomes a Model of Transparency

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:29:59 -0400

It’s the birthplace of Silicon Valley so it’s only fitting the city of Palo Alto is leading the charge in creating a more inclusive form of local California government with its Open Data Platform . Online for about eight months the city has made it a priority to increase access to data and keep the city at the forefront of innovation and public sector technology. “I couldn’t be prouder of our open data. It’s not just talk it’s action. This is where it gets real. It’s all about giving the community complete unfiltered access to what essentially...

Hillsborough County FL Public Libraries Chosen as Pilot Site for Archival of Oral History

ajriver4@asu.edu — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:34:20 -0400

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries was selected by the American Library Association Public Programs Office in partnership with StoryCorps as one of the 10 public libraries to participate in the StoryCorps @ your library® pilot program. Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services this program will bring StoryCorps popular interview methods to libraries while developing a replicable model of oral history programming. The pilot program is expected to begin by the end of the year. As a pilot site the County libraries will receive: A $2500 stipend for project-related...

Williamsburg VA Receives Sunny Award for Transparency

ajriver4@asu.edu — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:51:35 -0400

The Sunshine Review a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency released the winners of the fourth annual Sunny Awards and among the winners was the City of Williamsburg. The award which honors the most transparent government websites in the nation went to 250 government entities. “Williamsburg knows the importance of promoting transparency in everything we do. We are honored to receive a Sunny Award and will continue to empower citizens by providing the necessary information to keep them informed on the actions their government is taking on their behalf” said City Manager Jack Tuttle. ...

Westerville OH WeConnect Program Wins Innovation in Local Government Award at State Conference

ajriver4@asu.edu — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:36:17 -0400

WeConnect the City of Westerville OH community data center was honored with the Innovation in Local Government award on February 27 at the Ohio City/County Management Association’s (OCMA) Winter conference. The OCMA awards recognize projects throughout the state that promote excellence in local government as well as demonstrate leadership and best practices. OCMA also honors communities for their creative contributions to professional local government management. Programs were judged for their scope importance and value as well as effectiveness and quality of performance. “The Awards Program recognizes the...

Airdrie AB Launches Community Investment Funds Initiative

ajriver4@asu.edu — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:27:56 -0400

The City of Airdrie has developed a new Community Investment Funds (CIF) Policy. This grassroots initiative provides funding to eligible local not-for-profit organizations and neighbourhood associations to support sustainable festivals events and/or neighbourhood projects within Airdrie that enhance the quality of life of residents. “Council is very excited about this new initiative to support local events and festivals” said Mayor Peter Brown. “True community spirit is created by residents having the opportunity to participate in events that allow them to get to know their neighbours and enjoy their city. Council is committed to enhancing resident’s quality of life...

Williamsburg VA Municipal Building Awarded LEED® Silver

alexis.r.ramirez@asu.edu — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:52:43 -0400

The City of Williamsburg Municipal Building has been awarded LEED® Silver established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED® is the nation’s preeminent program for the design construction and operation of high performance green buildings. “By using less energy and water the Municipal Building saves money; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and contributes to a healthier environment for residents City staff and the entire Williamsburg community” said Jack Tuttle Williamsburg City Manager. “Attaining the LEED® Silver Certification is a source of pride for the City and the result of the...

Bellevue WA Online Dashboard Showcases Progress in Cutting Greenhouse Gases

alexis.r.ramirez@asu.edu — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:44:25 -0400

As part of Bellevue's Environmental Stewardship Initiative the city has completed an analysis of its progress in reducing greenhouse gas pollution and created an online display or dashboard to share the data with the public. The dashboard Environmental Stewardship by the Numbers tracks progress on a variety of environmental targets set in 2007 when Bellevue signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. It adds transparency by displaying key indicators of the organization's environmental footprint. The dashboard pulls data from resource-consuming activities across all city departments showing costs and emissions associated with vehicles buildings and other operations...

Migration Policy Institute: E Pluribus Unum Award Application Period Now Open

alexis.r.ramirez@asu.edu — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:32:41 -0400

The Migration Policy Institute is now accepting applications for the 2013 E Pluribus Unum Prizes. In its fifth year the Prizes program will award three $50000 prizes and one Corporate Leadership Award to outstanding immigrant integration initiatives of all types whether led by nonprofit or community organizations businesses public agencies religious groups or individuals. The application period closes on April 12. For rules procedures and the online application visit: www.integrationawards.org or contact Emma Brown at ebrown@migrationpolicy.org .

Loudon County VA Provides Elderly and Disabled Persons with Emergency Home Repair and Accessibility Assistance

ajriver4@asu.edu — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:01:37 -0400

Loudoun County has a home repair program which is designed to assist the elderly and/or disabled with emergency home repairs and/or accessibility needs. The Loudoun County Home Repair Program for the Elderly and Disabled is available countywide to income-eligible residents of Loudoun County. The Home Repair Program will provide a one-time grant of up to $5000 in assistance for emergency repairs and/or accessibility needs. Applicants must meet these qualifications: Must be a resident of Loudoun County and owner of the home in need of repair or accessibility items; The homeowner is...