Awards Received by the City of Greensboro
BiPed Plan Wins State Award
On September 28, 2007, the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department received an Outstanding Planning Award for the Greensboro Urban Area Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenway Master Plan, also known as the BiPed Plan. The honor was presented by the North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association (NCAPA). The BiPed plan was selected as a project of "unusually high merit" in the category of Comprehensive Planning for a Multi-jurisdictional or Regional Project.
The NCAPA commented on the BePed Plan's comprehensive nature and the quality. With the rare combination of bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway planning in a single document, the Plan provides for a non-motorized transportation network, rather than separate, disconnected facilities.
Treatment Plant Earns Performance Award
The City's North Buffalo Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently awarded a Silver Peak Performance Award for its outstanding 2006 environmental compliance record. The award, presented by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, recognizes facilities that receive no more than five NPDES permit violations per calendar year.
Greensboro Beautiful Wins National Award
Greensboro Beautiful has received the National Recreation and Park Association's 2007 Voluntary Service Award. Working in partnership with the City, Greensboro Beautiful has sponsored the design and construction of three public gardens and more than 100 landscaped sites on public property throughout the city. Its current project, Gateway Gardens, soon to be developed at East Lee and Florida streets, is the organization’s most ambitious project to date.
P&R Staff Me
mbers Honored
Two City Parks & Recreation employees received prestigious awards for excellence in service during the SC/NC Recreation & Park Association Joint Conference held August 25-28 in Charleston, SC.
Bonnie Kuester, P&R Director, received the coveted NCRPA Meritorious Service Award, which honors “long-term tenure of faithful and accomplished service" in a local Parks & Rec setting. With 39 years of service, Bonnie began her career as supervisor for Special Populations and rose through the ranks, becoming director in 1992.
The second award was presented to Casey Chesson, Lindley Recreation Center Supervisor, as the 2008 NCRPA Young Professional of the Year. In 1999, Casey began her career in the field of parks and recreation, primarily involved with programs for citizens with special needs. Today, Casey provides high quality leisure activities for everyone, while retaining a special interest in serving and advocating for therapeutic recreation.
Activity Book Receives Silver Circle Award
In October 2006, the City's Bicentennial Activity Book for Kids was honored with a Silver Circle Award from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA). The organization conducts its Savvy Award competition annually, recognizing excellence in communications and marketing activities in local governments. Judges commented: "Simple project with simple goal and good execution. Nice use of bright colors for the audience along with applicable and fun questions and games to integrate as a learning experience. Great way to integrate most city departments into the exercise."
Outstanding Planning Award
The North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association has selected the Willow Oaks Redevelopment Project to receive its 2006 Outstanding Planning Award - Implementation, Large Community. The award will be presented during the NCAPA conference on October 6 in Hickory.
Agent of Change
Acting Police Chief Tim Bellamy was honored as a "Change Agent of the Year" on May 25 by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Other Voices program. According to his nomination, the Chief has "dealt with personnel issues, discipline, addressed public concerns and ensured responsible quality police services" since being appointed to his position in January. "Tim promotes justice and fairness to all employees and the public with honesty and a willingness to listen, while encouraging his peers and subordinates to do what they have been entrusted to do, treating all citizens with respect and dignity."
Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
The City of Greensboro received three awards during the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce 2006 Business Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 11, 2006. The Equipment Services division of the Financial & Administrative Services Department received its first Gold Award for Safety from the NC Department of Labor. In addition, the North Buffalo Water Reclamation Facility earned its fourth consecutive Gold Award for Safety.
Also, the City received the Outstanding Media Advocate of the Year Award from the Greensboro Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities for accessibility improvements to the City's website.
Greensboro Public Library
Library Director Sandy Neerman received the “Charlie Robinson Award” from the American Library Association in February 2006. The award honors a public library director who, over a seven-year period, has been a “risk taker, an innovator and a change agent in a public library.” A tireless advocate of libraries and literacy, Sandy Neerman will be honored at the next ALA conference.
Greensboro Fire Department
Greensboro firefighters ranked highly in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge World Finals held in Florida in late 2005. Only 80 teams in the world qualified to attend this competition. At the completion of the World Finals, the Greensboro Senior Team placed 8th and the Rookie Team placed 20th.
Contact Center
The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has selected the City of Greensboro's Contact Center as one of its Top 25 Technology Solutions for 2004. Opened in April 2005, the Contact Center provides one number - 373-CITY (2489) - for residents to call for assistance with any City information or services. The PTI award noted the research and consolidation efforts that were needed to ensure that the City Service Representatives were able to respond to any question and initiate work orders to the correct departments. The technology for the Contact Center was designed inhouse by the Management Information Systems department, providing a substantial cost-savings to the organization.
Swiftwater Rescue
In May 2005, the Greensboro Fire Department recently received the Higgins & Langley Memorial Award in Swiftwater Rescue from the National Association of Search and Rescue. The award recognizes preparedness and teamwork under extreme rescue conditions. The fire department was honored for its work throughout North Carolina during last year’s flooding due to the remnants of several hurricanes. This award has been given only four times in the past 12 years.
CityNet
In August 2005, the City's internal website, CityNet, received an award from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association, a national organization of government professionals responsible for internal and external communications and marketing. CityNet was created in 1998 as a new tool to provide information to the City's employees. As technology progressed and more employees began using the intranet to obtain information, the City's communications office undertook a redesign of the site to make it more organized, more informative and more user-friendly. The redesigned site was unveiled in October 2004.
Tree City
The City of Greensboro was named a Tree City USA for 2004 by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 14th year Greensboro has received this honor which recognizes environmental improvement and high levels of tree care. Greensboro was cited for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the areas of: education and public relations; interpretive program; tree care workshop; tree planting and maintenance; and street tree planting.
Financial Reporting
The City of Greensboro Finance Department has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and Greensboro has represents a significant accomplishment. The City has received the award for 30 consecutive years.
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation has been named one of five recipients of the prestigious "Excellence in Youth Sports Award." The award recognizes outstanding organizations around the world that conduct diverse youth sports programs that focus on providing positive and safe experiences for all participants. The award is presented by the National Alliance for Youth Sports and Athletic Business magazine.