Utilities: Page 61

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    Opinion

    A minute with…Natalie Meeks

    A minute with...Natalie Meeks, PE, Anaheim, Calif., Public Works Director.

    By Erin Greer • Feb. 18, 2014
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    Column

    Geofoam serves as soil substitute in Windy City park project (with related video)

    Construction crews in Chicago have built a signature outdoor space in the middle of the Windy City’s downtown. Park designers specified expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam as a durable, yet ultra-lightweight fill alternative at the site.

    Feb. 18, 2014
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    Detectors aim to eliminate urine odors in train stations

    Atlanta’s transit agency, MARTA, is installing urine detection devices in its stations to keep elevators clean and urine-free.

    Feb. 13, 2014
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    California recycling law hurts the homeless

    Sometimes small legislative tweaks can have major repercussions.

    By Derek Prall • Nov. 13, 2013
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    Column

    Frost belt losing population, experts ask why

    In recent years people have been fleeing Northeastern states such as New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and moving to places like Virginia, North Dakota and Texas. Experts ask why people would move from states with high levels of per capita income to places with lower levels of prosperity.

    By Derek Prall • Nov. 6, 2013
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    Local governments have mobilized for leaf pickup (with related video)

    As cities mobilize for leaf pickup, here is information on leaf-collection technology and processes.

    Oct. 30, 2013
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    Water Tunnel No. 3 opens in New York City

    After 40 years of work, Water Tunnel No. 3 will provide redundancy for the city’s water supply, increasing water security.

    By Derek Prall • Oct. 27, 2013
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    Hamtramck recycling facility automates operations, cuts waste down to zero

    The Hamtramck, Mich., Recycling and Transfer Station drastically increased productivity through automation while cutting down on waste.

    By Derek Prall • Oct. 7, 2013
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    ‘Pastafarian’ wins battle with DPS to wear colander-helmet in ID photo

    A Texas man was allowed to wear pasta strainer in ID photo, after claiming the kitchen utensil is religious headgear.

    By Derek Prall • Aug. 28, 2013
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    Seattle shooting ignites debate on bulletproof buses

    The shooting of a Kings County, Wash., bus driver has residents asking why bus drivers aren't protected by bulletproof glass.

    By Derek Prall • Aug. 21, 2013
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    Nebraska power district upgrades dredging capabilities (with related video)

    The Loup River Public Power District recently replaced its 75-year-old dredge with a new dustpan dredge, the Pawnee II. The new electric-powered dredge has computer-based technology.

    By Michael Keating • Aug. 21, 2013
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    Proper cleaning is essential to turf maintenance equipment

    Proper equipment cleaning practices can prevent many time-consuming and costly repairs during the lifetime of mowers and other turf gear.

    By Adam Slick • July 29, 2013
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    Publicly financed stadiums: economic boost or financial drain?

    Should new sports venues be publicly financed? American City & County explores the potential positive and negative economic impacts of a new stadium funded by the public dollar.

    By Taylor Skaggs • July 3, 2013
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    What you need to know about refrigerated trailers

    GPN's Michael Keating discusses refrigerated trailers, also know as reefers, with Jeff Weaver, vice-president of sales and marketing at Ervin Equipment.

    June 26, 2013
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    Roundabouts safer, cheaper than traditional intersections

    The Washington Department of Transportation found that installing roundabout intersections in a community can lead to cost savings and collision reductions

    By Derek Prall • June 24, 2013
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    Pothole patcher aims to rescue city streets (with related video)

    Pothole patcher aims to rescue city streets (with related video)

    May 1, 2013
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Model predictions: GIS helps public works manage assets

    Public works departments use GIS to enhance predictive modeling methodology, particularly for asset management and maintenance.

    By David Totman • April 17, 2013
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    Man sues town over plague of frogs

    Clarence, N.Y. – Paul Marinaccio was distraught as he watched the 40 acres of real estate he owned slowly transform into a swamp, filled by waste water from a nearby subdivision development, but it was what the water brought with it that truly terrified him. Frogs.

    April 9, 2013
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    SPIA Index will help utilities prepare for winter weather events

    The Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index will help municipalities ready themselves for winter storms by predicting the potential damage caused by ice, snow and wind.

    By Derek Prall • Feb. 11, 2013
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    2013 Keating Report on government budgets and spending

    The U.S. economy and government budgets appear to be getting a little stronger as 2013 gets underway.

    By Michael Keating • Jan. 22, 2013
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    Opinion

    Viewpoint: Lean Six Sigma works for local government

    By Mark McDaniel — In Tyler, Texas, the program saved money, reduced waste and improved efficiency.

    By Mark McDaniel • Jan. 15, 2013
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    Cities emphasize the basics: Keeping the streets clean

    Sometimes, local government is about matters of taxing, public safety and budgets. Other times, though, it's about really important issues — like keeping the streets clean.

    Nov. 30, 2012
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    Phony money: Fake bills had the wrong face

    Police in Massachusetts say a counterfeiter got his historical figures mixed up and passed off fake bills with the wrong picture on them.

    By Larry Conley • Nov. 20, 2012
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    Small town implements curbside recycling program

    Cartersville, Ga., makes program possible through careful planning and a small fee increase.

    Nov. 7, 2012
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    ‘Menacing’ tool clears town’s icy streets

    Colorado town breaks up tough ice with new attachment

    By Larry Conley • Oct. 16, 2012