news

Hurricane Season Begins

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:22:22 GMT

Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox, City of Tallahassee Commissioner Gil Ziffer, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and other local leaders gathered Friday morning to announce the coming hurricane season, the 2013 Hurricane Survival Guide and to reemphasize the importance of hurricane preparedness.

The news conference, which was held at the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, is an annual gathering of the Capital Area Emergency Management Partners including Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties. The event serves as a platform advising residents to use the Hurricane Survival Guide to be better prepared with a plan during Hurricane Season.

“As many of us have seen, with the recent severe weather and the massive tornado in Oklahoma, natural disasters can cause unimaginable destruction and devastation,” Maddox said. “Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive threats. That’s why having a plan is one of the most important steps you can take to keep you and your family safe. Citizens can take advantage of the Leon County Emergency Information Portal to stay up-to-date with severe weather.”

Commissioner Gil Ziffer echoed Chairman Maddox and other leaders in emphasizing the importance of preparation.

“The recent disaster in Oklahoma reminds us that preparation is vital to recovery efforts,” Commissioner Ziffer said. “Though we do not know if a storm will impact our area this year, the City is constantly preparing and we encourage citizens to prepare themselves and their families for this year’s hurricane season.”

Kevin Peters, Leon County Division of Emergency Management Coordinator, said the 2013 Hurricane Survival Guide will be distributed in newspapers Sunday and other newspapers in surrounding counties within the next two weeks. The guide is specifically designed to help residents develop a family disaster plan.

“Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, which is only eight days away,” Peters said. “While we hope for a quiet season, we’ll prepare to be busy when we have to. It only takes one storm to really change lives. Prepare yourself, your home and your family to survive during nature’s deadliest storms.”

For more information, please contact Katie Sherk, Director of Emergency Services for the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, at (850) 878-6080 or Jon D. Brown, Leon County Director of Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 or Alison Faris, Communications Manager, City of Tallahassee, at (850) 891-8533 or visit www.HaveAHurricanePlan.com and the Leon County Emergency Information Portal at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei.

City Service Changes for Memorial Day Holiday

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:05:12 GMT

The City of Tallahassee’s administrative offices will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27. Following are schedule changes for the week of May 26 to June 1 for solid waste customers living inside the Tallahassee city limits, StarMetro and the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center.

Solid Waste Schedule Changes

Garbage / Recycling / Yard Waste (red week) / Bulky Items (red week) – During the holiday week, all customers will receive service one day later than their regularly scheduled service.

Monday customers: Tuesday, May 28
Tuesday customers: Wednesday, May 29
Wednesday customers: Thursday, May 30
Thursday customers: Friday, May 31
Friday customers: Saturday, June 1

Garbage and recycling containers should both be rolled to the curb for pickup by 6:30 a.m., with both containers returned to the home no later than the day after the collection day. Customers are reminded to separate yard waste piles from any bulky items set out for pickup. Customers needing more information may view solid waste schedules at Talgov.com/YOU or contact City of Tallahassee Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).

StarMetro Schedule Changes - StarMetro, the City's mass transit system, will change its operations for the Memorial Day holiday, as follows:

Fixed Route Services – On Monday, May 27, StarMetro will operate a modified Sunday schedule, beginning between 9 and 10 a.m. and including night service.
Dial-A-Ride Services – No Dial-a-Ride service will be available on Monday, May 27. Dial-A-Ride trips for Tuesday, May 28, need to be verified by 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24.

For more information, visit Talgov.com/StarMetro or call StarMetro at 891-5200.

Animal Service Center Closed Monday - The Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center is normally closed to the public on Mondays, and thus the facility will be closed on May 27. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 28, with the ASC opening at 10:30 a.m. Customers needing more information, including photos of animals available for adoption, may visit Talgov.com/animals, or contact the Animal Service Center at 891-2950.

ASC Hosts Endless Adoption Surf-ari

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:34 GMT

Today through Saturday, the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center (ASC) is offering waived adoptions fees on all animals.

Each year, thousands of kittens and puppies are born during spring and summer, and millions end up in the nation’s animal shelters. The ASC has more than 100 adoptable animals right now, with more kittens and puppies becoming available for adoption every day.

With summer quickly approaching and waived adoption fees this week, now is the perfect time to find your new beach buddy among the cats and dogs waiting at the ASC for some summer lovin’.

Adoptions include vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, a small bag of food, adoption packet, collar, tag and spay or neuter surgery where applicable. All spayed and neutered animals are free for adoption. Animals in need of spaying or neutering require a $50 deposit, which is fully refundable with proof of the surgery.

The ASC, located at 1125 Easterwood Drive, is operated and maintained by the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department. The ASC is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and to view animals that are currently available for adoption, please visit Talgov.com. You can also stay up-to-date on ASC news by liking its official page on Facebook or following @COTAnimals on Twitter.

Community Partners Help Residents Prepare for Hurricane Season

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:53:18 GMT

WHO: Capital Area Emergency Management Partners
WHAT: 2013 Hurricane Season Kickoff and Presentation of the Annual Hurricane Survival Guide
WHEN: Friday, May 24, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Capital Area Chapter, American Red Cross, 1115 Easterwood Drive

Capital Area Emergency Management Partners and local leaders will gather Friday, May 24, for a news conference to announce the upcoming hurricane season, the launch of the 2013 Hurricane Survival Guide and to re-emphasize the importance of hurricane preparedness.

The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1115 Easterwood Drive, and representatives from the Red Cross, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners, the Tallahassee City Commission, the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the National Weather Service-Tallahassee office, area emergency management and emergency response agencies will be in attendance.

For more information, please contact Katie Sherk, Director of Emergency Services for the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, at 850-878-6080 or Jon D. Brown, Leon County Director of Community and Media Relations, at 850-606-5300 or Alison Faris, Communications Manager, City of Tallahassee, at 850-891-8533.

"City Commissioners About Town"
Goes to Frenchtown

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:15:53 GMT

City Commissioners Andrew Gillum and Gil Ziffer invite the public to join them for another City Commissioners About Town. This community forum will take place on Wednesday, May 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lawrence-Gregory Community Center, 1115 Dade Street. The City Commissioners About Town series offers an opportunity for citizens to share ideas and innovations directly with their elected officials.

Due to extensive discussion and numerous requests expressed during the March Frenchtown forum for updates on specific items of interest, the format for the May forum will include status reports on City initiatives and proposed activities designed to enhance the Frenchtown community.

The City Commissioners About Town series developed out of the City's Innovation and Engagement Target Issue Committee, on which the two commissioners serve. The purpose of the monthly forums is to provide an opportunity for citizens to engage in city government and share suggestions they may have and are willing to help implement to make Tallahassee a great place to live and work. The conversation is free flowing and informal.

If you have a disability requiring accommodations, please call 850-891-8130 or FRS TDD, 1-800-955-8771, at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the start of the meeting.

New Project Aims to Enhance
Water Quality of Lake Lafayette

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:29:58 GMT

The City of Tallahassee has begun construction on a major project to treat stormwater that flows into Upper Lake Lafayette. The $5.6 million Upper Lake Lafayette Nutrient Reduction Project is part of a larger City commitment to reduce stormwater pollution. The project includes structural and process improvements that will greatly enhance the capacity of the existing Weems Stormwater Facility to remove pollutants.

“This project represents an important investment in protecting our water,” said Commissioner Nancy Miller, who is the lead commissioner on the City's Long Range Planning Target Issue Committee. “Improving the quality of stormwater entering Lake Lafayette is a key part of preserving the health of the lake. This is another example of how the City puts our stormwater fees to work to improve the quality of our water here in Tallahassee.”

The project is located off Weems Road and may be seen on the east side of Capital Circle Northeast just south of Mahan Drive. Over the next six to eight months, some minimal delays may be experienced by traffic traveling on Weems Road and near Eliza Road and Powell Road due to trucks or heavy equipment entering and exiting the site.

For more information, questions or further explanation of the project and its benefits, please contact Catherine Bray with the City of Tallahassee Underground Utilities Department, Stormwater Management, at 891-6860.

Electric Utility Achieves Safety Milestone

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:59:57 GMT

In recognition of the City of Tallahassee's Arvah B. Hopkins Generating Station attaining 10 years without a lost-time accident, a special ceremony was held at today's Tallahassee City Commission meeting. This unprecedented achievement demonstrates the City's commitment to protecting workers' safety, while also ensuring reliable electric service to customers.

The 10-year milestone was reached on April 28 and represents more than 1.25 million employee hours worked at the Hopkins power plant without a single lost-time accident.

"This extraordinary accomplishment far exceeds industry standards and equates to more than $1 million in savings for our customers," said City Commissioner Scott Maddox, lead commissioner on the Financial Viability Target Issue Committee. "It is a testament to our #1 Public Utility in America and the #1 staff who put safety first, for themselves, their team and our entire community."

Named by Power Magazine as one of the top six gas-fired electric power plants in the world, the Arvah B. Hopkins Generating Station continues to serve as an industry frontrunner for its exemplary operations and commitment to safe work practices.

"Safety is everyone working together as a team and going home to their families," said Hopkins Employee Safety Committee Chairperson Charles Smith. "We have achieved an awesome milestone by working 10 years and over 1.25 million hours without a lost-time accident. This is a truly amazing accomplishment."

In addition to this safety achievement, the City also received Florida Municipal Electric Association's Safety Award on April 20 at the FMEA Annual Safety and Florida Lineman Competition Awards banquet in Jacksonville. For the past 25 years, FMEA has recognized the efforts of Florida's municipally owned utilities to stress worker safety as a key priority.

For more information on the City's Electric Utility and the Arvah B. Hopkins Generating Station, please visit Talgov.com.

StarMetro Extends Weekday Service

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:27:05 GMT

Starting today, many customers using StarMetro can look forward to more service in the evenings. Recently, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded the transit agency with a service development grant to extend a majority of its weekday service until 8 p.m. Currently, StarMetro operates a weekday service that is comprised of 12 routes that run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a nighttime service that consists of six routes that run from 7 to 10 p.m.

"Adding an extra hour of service on the majority of our weekday routes is part of an ongoing commitment to make StarMetro a convenient and effective way to move about Tallahassee," said Ivan Maldonado, director of StarMetro. "Our customers have asked for extended service, and we are pleased to be able to address that demand."

StarMetro will take a phased-in approach to extending nine of its 12 weekday routes. Today, the Dogwood and San Luis routes will begin running their newly extended schedules with the Forest route running its new schedule on June 3. The Azalea, Big Bend, Canopy, Evergreen, Gulf and Moss routes will begin running their new schedules on August 24, just in time for the new school year. These nine weekday routes were chosen and prioritized due to their anticipated ridership demands.

“I am proud of StarMetro for their continued efforts to find ways to improve our transit system,” said City Commissioner Nancy Miller, lead commissioner on the City’s Long Range Planning target issue committee. “The extension of the weekday service will prove to be a huge benefit to our students and those who work later in the evening as they can now be assured that StarMetro will be there to take them home after their evening classes or shifts.”

For more information about StarMetro services, please call StarMetro’s main office at 891-5200 or visit Talgov.com/starmetro. Other ways to view information include liking StarMetro’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/starmetrotransit or following the organization on Twitter at Twitter.com/ridestarmetro.

Share Your Priorities - From Home

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:24:01 GMT

Help the City of Tallahassee develop the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) budget without leaving the comforts of your home or office. The City is seeking additional input from citizens through an online budget survey. Citizen input, including the results of the survey, will aid staff in crafting a balanced budget that addresses the needs of the City’s diverse communities, reflects shared priorities and moves the City toward important goals.

By completing the brief 14-question survey you can share your thoughts on a range of topics from what City services you have used in the past six months to your level of support on a variety of services and programs. Following the budget questions, there are optional demographic questions. One survey per person/computer will be accepted through May 31.

The online survey was developed to compliment feedback garnered from citizens at the three Community Budget Workshops held around Tallahassee in April. At these workshops, citizens provided input on items similar to those on the online survey and participated in a fun Tallahassee Twister game to learn more about City functions.

“We have a history of including citizens in the budget process and have worked this year to make it easy as well as fun,” said Heath Beach, manager of the City’s Office of Budget and Policy. “From informative games at our recent budget workshops to this quick and easy survey, we really want to hear from our customers.”

Information from the online survey and the public meetings will be summarized and presented to the City Commission as part of the FY14 budget process. The results will also be posted to Talgov.com as well as shared on the City's Facebook and Twitter sites.

Going through a similar process during the past two years has provided direct results to participants. Based on feedback offered by citizens, the City Commission allocated resources to high priorities such as a specific initiative on small business retention and allocated $25,000 for community gardens.

To access the online budget survey, please visit Talgov.com.

For more information on the City’s budget process in general, please visit Talgov.com or contact the Office of Budget and Policy at 891-8551.

Westbound Gaines Street Closed Sunday

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:03:25 GMT

This Sunday, westbound Gaines Street from Railroad to Woodward avenues will be closed while crews raise a water valve. The closure is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; however, the road will be reopened immediately upon the work’s completion.

Westbound traffic will be detoured north to Pensacola Street. Detour signs will be in place to direct motorists around the closure. Eastbound traffic will not be impacted.

For more information on the Gaines Street project, please visit Talgov.com/Gaines. Citizens can also receive updates by following @GainesStreet on Twitter or by liking Gaines Street on Facebook.