City Council Action Wrap-Up

Council passes items to save money and resources.

With talks of a recession swirling throughout the country as the nation's and world’s economy continues its rollercoaster ride, City Council’s October 21 meeting focused on finances and ways the City can cut back and save resources.

Council members voted not to fund a vacant assistant manager position for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

Council also committed to waiting to sell City bonds, if approved in November, until the economy clearly supports the action. The bonds, which total $205 million, would be used for a War Memorial Auditorium renovation, transportation projects, housing initiatives and parks and recreation projects.

In addition to these measures, Council asked City Manager Mitchell Johnson to provide them with a detailed report describing what is being done and what he plans to do to stay within the budget in light of the projected revenue shortfall for this fiscal year.

As Council members explored ways to save taxpayers money, they also looked at future growth by scheduling a public hearing on the purchase of the Canada Dry and Coliseum Inn properties on High Point Road. Council is considering buying the properties as a way to revitalize the area.

Members of the US Army National Guard's 113th Sustainment Brigade headquartered in Greensboro present a US flag recently flown in Afghanistan to Mayor Yvonne Johnson for the City's Bicentennial. The framed flag, photos, plaque and letter will be hung in the Mayor's office at the Melvin Municipal Office Building in honor of the local men and women deployed overseas.

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City Fills One Assistant City Manager Vacancy

ACM for Communications will oversee the operations of Public Affairs, MIS and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Greensboro City Manager Mitchell Johnson has announced the selection of Denise Turner as Assistant City Manager for Communications. Turner, who is currently Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Greensboro Partnership, will initially supervise the operations of Public Affairs, Management Information Systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Johnson said Turner was selected in part for her demonstrated success in the legislative arena, her knowledge of the community and the state, and her experience in dealing with media concerns on a day-to-day basis. Turner is active in the Greensboro community and brings an understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the City of Greensboro and the surrounding area.

Turner also brings to her new role broad experience in legislative affairs, including service as district liaison and campaign manager for a US Congressman. In addition, she served as Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the office of Mayor Anthony Williams in Washington, DC and served as that city's Public Space Manager.

Turner will assume her role on November 17.

Leaf Collection Program Set to Begin

Picking up leaves can be a chore, but the City’s annual Loose Leaf Collection Program, which begins Monday, November 10, makes it easy. All you have to do is rake your leaves to the curb and the City will do the rest.

The program provides for two scheduled leaf collection periods for leaves that are raked to the curb.

• Leaves that are curbside by November 10 will be picked up by December 6.
• Leaves that are curbside by December 8 will be picked up by January 16.

It's easy to participate in the Loose Leaf Collection Program. All you have to do is:

• Rake leaves to the edge of your yard behind the curb, not in the street, which creates a road hazard.
• Remove sticks, rocks and other debris, which can damage the City's equipment.
• Do not park vehicles on, in front of, or near leaf piles.

The Loose Leaf Collection Program helps keep leaves from blocking storm drains and prevents decaying leaves from polluting our lakes and streams. The collected leaves are made into compost to fertilize City gardens and landscaped areas. The compost is available for purchase at the White Street Landfill, 2503 White Street. For details, call 373-CITY (2489).

The collection schedule may change due to inclement weather. Changes are posted on the City's website and on Channel 13. The City does not collect loose leaves from homes on private streets.