[Durham INC] Durham Citizens' Newsletter - May-June 2009

[Blalock, Amy]

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Upcoming City Holidays

Memorial Day - May 25

Independence Day - July 3

 

Durham Adopts Year-Round Watering Schedule

Even when our lakes are full, conservation is simply a wise use of a
precious resource. Not only does water efficiency (conservation)
contribute to a healthy environment, but embracing water-wise practices
can reduce water bills and ensure an adequate water supply for years to
come.

Durham City Council endorsed the Department of Water Management's
efforts to protect and efficiently manage our community's water supplies
through a resolution adopted December 1, 2008. A major component of this
effort adopted by Council on May 4 is a proposed year-round set of
restrictions for outdoor irrigation.  The schedule will allow customers
to water up to three days per week year-round. Customers with
odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Customers with even-numbered addresses may water on Sunday, Wednesday
and Friday. Similar requirements are already place with neighboring
utilities and in many places throughout the country.  When water
shortage conditions exist, either because of drought or system issues,
more restrictive measures will be enacted. 

Staff expects that irrigation systems will be more efficient on this
schedule and there will be an overall reduction of the demand placed on
local water supplies. By spreading the demand for irrigation over six
days each week, Durham can also help to control peak demands and lessen
the stress on drinking water plants, especially during the hotter months
of the year.  

Durham is an integral part of the Regional Conservation Work Group
convened by the Triangle J Council of Governments to develop policies
and practices that are consistent across the water utilities in the
region.  Members of this group include Apex, Cary, Durham, the Orange
Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), and Raleigh. During the most recent
drought events, a lack of consistency in terminology, number stages in
drought response ordinances, and water use restrictions among the
various systems caused a significant amount of public confusion. Durham
will also be revamping its current water shortage response plan to
address these concerns.

The year-round irrigation efficiency requirements will go into effect by
June 1. For more information on conservation and ways to save water and
lower your bill, visit www.DurhamSavesWater.org
<http://www.durhamsaveswater.org/> .

Durham Programming Now 24/7 on Channel 8 and "On Demand"

Residents who want to know more about what goes on at Durham's City Hall
now have two more options - by viewing local government  programs on
Time Warner cable channel 8 or by viewing programming directly from
their computers.

Starting May 4, local government programming will be available 24/7 on
cable channel 8, when public access programming moves to Channel 18.  In
addition to being able to view local city and county government
programming all day, every day, programs such as "CityLife,"  "City Hall
This Week," and "Durham Teen Scene," can now be viewed on the City's 
DTV8 Web page <http://www.durhamnc.gov/dtv8/> .   

According to Beverly B. Thompson, director of the City's Office of
Public Affairs, by offering the television programs online, more Durham
residents can stay informed about the latest news and events affecting
the community.  "We've gotten a significant amount of positive feedback
and accolades on our television programming, but until now, our
viewership was limited due to subscription requirements to Time Warner
Cable to be able to watch us," Thompson said.  "We've heard from our
residents that they want better access to our programming and by now
providing our shows on our Web site, all you need is Internet access to
stay up to date on the latest information about your City government."

To find out air times for city programs or to watch "on demand"
programming, visit  www.durhamnc.gov/dtv8. "Durham Teen Scene" also now
can be viewed on YouTube at www.YouTube.com.

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Memorial Day Holiday

Most City of Durham offices will be closed Monday, May 25, 2009, in
observance of the Memorial Day holiday.  Durham residents are asked to
take note of the following changes in City services:

Recycling, Yard Waste, and Solid Waste Curbside Collections: The City's
Department of Solid Waste Management will have will have no curbside
collection of recycling, yard waste, and solid waste on Monday, May 25.
Collection for regular Monday customers will instead occur on Wednesday,
May 27.  

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center: The City's Waste Disposal and
Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closed on Monday, May 25.
It will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 26. 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center: The City's Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Center is closed on Mondays.  It will open
under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 26.  

Durham Area Transit Authority: On Monday, May 25, Durham Area Transit
Authority (DATA) and ACCESS will operate on its Sunday/Holiday schedule
in which service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  DATA's
administration office will be closed on Monday, May 25 and will reopen
under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 26.  For more information
regarding DATA's schedule, contact (919) 485-RIDE or visit the City's
Web site at http://data.durhamnc.gov
<http://data.durhamnc.gov/Index_DATA.cfm> . 

Durham Parks and Recreation: Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will
close its administrative office and all recreation centers on Monday,
May 25.  However, both City lakes will be open on Memorial Day from 6:30
a.m. until 6 p.m.  DPR's recreation centers will operate under normal
schedules on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. The administrative
offices will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 26.

Durham One Call: Durham One Call will be closed on Monday, May 25.
However, citizens may complete an online service request by visiting the
City's Web site at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/onecall or by leaving a
message with Durham One Call's answering service.  Requests for
assistance left with the answering service or via the online service
request form will be forwarded to Durham One Call on Tuesday, May 26.  

For Additional Information: For information about the City's holiday
schedule and any other services that may be affected, residents should
contact Durham One Call weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (919)
560-1200.

Public Access Programming Moves to Channel 18

The Peoples Channel has begun managing the scheduling and airing for
Durham public access producers on Time Warner Cable channel 18.
Programs for cablecast may be dropped off at the drop off box at 110
East Geer Street.  The box is at the rear of the building and will be
accessible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information about time slots,
programming needs and long-term goals, please contact Chad Johnston,
executive director of The Peoples Channel, at (919) 960-0088 or visit 
www.thepeopleschannel.org <http://www.thepeopleschannel.org/> .

Fertilize Properly for Clean Water

As your spring lawn and garden projects get underway, remember to
carefully follow directions on fertilizer bags. Know the type of grass,
plants, and soil you have so that you can provide the right amount of
nutrients. To see if your lawn needs fertilizer, pick up a free soil
test kit at the Cooperative Extension Master Gardener office, 721 Foster
Street. Sweep up any excess fertilizer that is left on sidewalks and
driveways. Overfertilizing harms our waterways by causing too much algae
to grow, affecting our drinking supplies and aquatic life like fish. You
can view a new TV spot on fertilizing at www.YouTube.com/NCCleanWater.
For additional tips, visit www.NCCleanWater.org
<http://www.nccleanwater.org/> .

New City Web Page Presents Budget Strategies and Invites Public Input

Residents who want to learn more about how the City is preparing next
year's budget in light of today's economic woes can now visit a new Web
page that explains the City's financial situation and how the City is
working to present a balanced 2009-2010 fiscal year budget. The new
page, located at www.durhamnc.gov/citybudget, features a welcome video
by City Manager Tom Bonfield, information on the current fiscal year
budget, what the City is doing to address next year's projected deficit,
a special message to City employees, and a feedback form for resident
input.  According to Bonfield, the new site is critical to maintaining
transparency and accountability with Durham's taxpayers on the tough
decisions facing the City as it progresses through the budget season.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Hosting Parenting For Prevention Programs

The Durham Police Department's Project Safe Neighborhoods program is
hosting a series of presentations called "Parenting For Prevention: Gang
Awareness for Parents." The series continues July 16 with "Lets Talk
About It! (Effective Family Communication)." Sessions will be held at
Eastway Elementary School, 610 N. Alston Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. Bus passes, child care and dinner will be provided. Advance
registration is required. To register, contact Project Safe
Neighborhoods Coordinator Jennifer Snyder at 560-4355, ext. 243.

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

The City of Durham will not discriminate against qualified individuals
with disabilities on the basis of disability. Anyone who requires an
auxiliary aid or service for effective communications, or assistance to
participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the
office of Stacey Poston, Acting ADA Coordinator, Voice: 919-560-4197
x254, TTY: 919-560-4809; Stacey.Poston at durhamnc.gov, as soon as possible
but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

 

 

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