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News & Information from the City of Albany, Oregon
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| Keep leaves out of storm drains
The early September
thunderstorm that brought too much rain to Albany in too short a time is
a reminder to keep streets and sidewalks clear of materials - even
natural ones - that can clog storm drains and cause flooding and
pollution and damage city streets.
Although they are "natural," leaves not only clog drains, but also
alter the ecosystems of local water bodies when dumped in larger amounts
than what would naturally fall there. Rainwater runoff flows into
storm drains in streets and parking lots which flow directly into
creeks and rivers. Rainwater runoff can pick up harmful
pollutants, such as grass clippings and sediment blown into a street, on
its way to a storm drain. Grass clippings carry excess nutrients
(like fertilizers) that cause algae blooms.
Sediment that settles on
the river bottom smothers the eggs of salmon and steelhead.
Sediment suspended in water makes it more difficult for these types of
juvenile fish to feed.
- Don't blow or hose grass clippings, leaves, sand, dirt, or mud
into streets and storm drains. (The only exception is during the
annual fall leaf pickup. Check the website later in October for
this year's schedule and rules.)
- Put grass clippings and leaves in yard debris bins or bags or a compost bin or haul them away for disposal.
- Sweep dirt into the yard or sweep it up and place it in the garbage bin.
Here are some recommendations for storm water-friendly fall lawn fertilizing, too:
- If you fertilize more than once a year, consider cutting back just to September or October.
- More is not always better. Use only the amount directed.
- Check the weather forecast and don't apply fertilizer when rain is predicted.
- Clean
up any spills by sweeping the product back onto the lawn. Never
sweep fertilizer toward a paved surface or a storm drain.
For more
information about protecting rivers and streams in Albany, contact Kim
Kagelaris, Environmental Services Technician, at 541-791-0087 or kim.kagelaris@cityofalbany.net.
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General Information
541-917-7500
Mayor
541-926-6812
Ward I Councilors
541-926-7348
541-928-2961
Ward II Councilors
541-928-0649
541-917-0490
Ward III Councilors
541-791-2494
541-791-0158 City Manager
541-917-7505
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| Lurch in to sign up for October 19 Zombie Chase
Registration is open for the 5-kilometer Zombie Chase fun run,
scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2013. The brave and the undead will
converge at Monteith Riverpark and the Dave Clark Path along the
Willamette River. Proceeds will support the living in programs at
Maple Lawn Preschool.
Check-in begins at the
park at 8:30 a.m. with the chase beginning at 10:00 a.m. Racers
will get a 90-second lead, and zombies along the route will attempt to
infect humans to turn them into zombies as well. Awards will be given
for best times and costumes.
Runners and zombies will
be disqualified for punching, hitting, or otherwise trying to inflict
injury. No pets are allowed at the event.
Cost is $35 before
October 4 or $40 before 9:00 a.m. on run day. To register or for
more information, call 541-917-7777 or visit www.albanyparksandrecreation.org.
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| Garbage carts don't belong in bike lanes or on sidewalks
City Hall and Albany
Police often get complaints about residents storing carts for garbage,
recycling, and yard debris on sidewalks and streets or in bike
lanes. Those carts don't belong there.
Carts should never be placed in a location that blocks traffic, either
on foot or on wheels. Bikes are part of the City's surface
transportation network and need to be kept clear just like the travel
lanes used primarily by motor vehicles. Sidewalks need to be clear
for people on foot and those who need the assistance of a wheelchair or
other mobility device. On the street, carts should not block
access to driveways or mail delivery.
Carts should be removed
from sidewalks and streets as quickly as possible after they are
emptied. If someone is injured because your cart is where it
doesn't belong, you could be held liable.
Republic Services
provides solid waste disposal and recycling service in Albany.
Here are the company's recommendations for where to place carts for safe
and efficient collection:
- Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m.
- Place with the handle toward the house so the cart opens toward the street
- Place cart at least three feet from other carts and objects such as mail boxes, parked vehicles, and utility poles
For more information about solid waste disposal in Albany, contact Republic Services at 541-928-2551 or visit www.republicservices.com.
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| Albany earns awards for financial reporting
The City of Albany received two national awards for financial reporting this summer.
The Government Finance
Officers Association presented the Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting to Senior Accountant Mike Murzynsky
for the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal
2012. The City's CAFR has received this certificate annually since
1984.
The CAFR draws upon the
500+ pages of the City Budget document to present fairly the financial
position and results of operations of various funds of the City.
It is intended to enable its readers to understand the City's financial
activities.
Also this year, Albany
became the second Oregon city ever to receive a Certificate of
Achievement for its first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR),
compiled by Senior Accountant Anne Baker. The PAFR boils down
financial information from the nearly 200-page CAFR to 20 pages to make
it easier to understand for Albany residents and others without a
background in public finance. Information is presented in text,
charts, graphs, and photos with links to extended information online.
The awards were
presented to Baker and Murzynsky at the August 28, 2013, City Council
meeting by Michelle Hawkins, GFOA representative for the state of Oregon
and Linn County Treasurer.
The CAFR, PAFR and City Budget documents are all available at http://www.cityofalbany.net/departments/finance. Hard copies of the PAFR are available at Albany City Hall and Albany Public Library.
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| Health Care Reform: What does it mean for you?
Provided by Rick Rebel, AKT Benefit Advisors
The new health care
reform law impacts people in many different ways, and it varies greatly
depending on your age, who you work for, and many other factors.
What does it mean for the average person? Read more...
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A Pie A Day to Give Away
Some
stories are too good not to share. Some are so good you can
almost taste them. Like this one: Vickie Harden Woods has been
baking a pie a day and giving it away every day since she retired July 1
from the City of Salem (her husband Bob Woods is Management Systems
Director for the City of Albany).
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For past issues of the City Bridges newsletter, go to:
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