City of Greensboro

June 9, 2009
In This Issue
City Council Action Wrap-Up
City Seeking Public Input on City Manger Search
City Graduates 19 Fire Recruits
New Parking Ordinance takes effect July 15
GTA Increases Fares
 
Did You Know?
You can go online and watch the June episode of City Connections, Channel 13's monthly show that brings you timely information about what's going on within the City. This episode focuses on the Pomona Field dedication, National Trails Day, National Peace Officers Week and much more.
 
A housing forum on the Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy (RUCO) ordinance will be held Tuesday, June 9, from 6-8 pm at Lewis Recreation Center, 3110 Forest Lawn Dr. The free forum will cover what the RUCO law is, what tenant and landlord responsibilities are, and much more.
 
Local businesses and nonprofits are invited to attend two economic stimulus forums to learn what funds the City is seeking. The forums will be held Wednesday, June 17, from 7:30-9 am (for-profit businesses) and Thursday, June 18, from 11:30 am to 2 pm (nonprofits organizations). Both meetings will be held at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, 330 S. Greene St., Suite 100. The forums are free and open to the public. Call 336-379-9100 to register.
 
Residents in the Whitehurst Village at Millstream, Hartwood Village at Millstream and Laurel Park subdivisions will be annexed into the City effective June 30. Those residents are invited to meet with City staff from 6-7 pm on Tuesday, June 9, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church's Christian Education Center, 5120 Burlington Rd. to learn more about City services. 
 
Greensboro Beautiful is seeking nominations for its annual awards, which recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses for outstanding projects and programs that exemplify the organization's mission. For more information or to submit a nomination, call Greensboro Beautiful at 373-2199. Deadline for nominations is July 15.
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City Council Action Wrap-Up
Council calls public hearing for $20 million Natural Science Center bond. 
 
*Note: City Council's meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, has been cancelled.
 
At its meeting on June 2, City Council moved toward placing a $20 million bond referendum for the Natural Science Center on the November ballot. A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for Council's June 16 meeting.
 
The Natural Science Center plans to use the funds to build new exhibits, a restaurant, playground and better parking facilities. It also plans to build the SciQuarium that includes a 26,000-square-foot aquarium and water conservation center with 200,000 gallons of aquaria, a weather-sphere, caverns and eight exhibit realms. If built, it would be the first of its kind in North Carolina.
 
Also, at the meeting:
  • Typar Development withdrew its request to rezone property at South Elam Avenue and Spring Garden Road to construct a mixed-use building. The request was withdrawn after it met opposition and a planned protest petition from residents in that area.
  • Council gave City staff 30 more days to reach an agreement with Family Dollar to build the new McGirt-Horton Library on the corner of Phillips and Woodbriar avenues. Due to a provision in Family Dollar's lease with the City, the retail store must approve the library's new location before it's built. Family Dollar wants to build a store in the area, but can't reach an agreement with the City on a location.
  • Council approved the purchase of 24 small buses for Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA). GTA will pay for the buses with a federal grant in the amount of $1,572,000.
To view the entire meeting or past meetings, visit City Council's video archive page.
City Seeking Public Input on City Manager Search
City Manager application packet now available. 
 
The City of Greensboro is beginning the national search for a new City Manager and it wants your input. Take a few minutes to fill out the online survey before June 15 and share your opinions on what characteristics are important for a City Manager to possess. Your input will be given to the consultant conducting the search.
 
Also, the Application Packet for the City Manager's post is now available online. Interested applicants should view this packet and follow the application instructions before June 22.  
City Graduates 19 Fire Recruits
59th Fire Recruit Class 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On Friday, June 5, Greensboro's 59th Fire Recruit Class graduated with families, friends and City officials on hand to congratulate them for their hard work and diligence. With the addition of the 19 recruits, the City now employs 463 firefighters.
New Parking Ordinance takes effect July 15

Grass and dirt areas will no longer be acceptable parking areas.

Beginning July 15, the City will no longer allow owners of single-family homes and duplexes to park vehicles on their front lawns for extended periods of time. In fact, no more than 40 percent of a front yard may be designated for parking.
           
Under new parking ordinances, adopted by Greensboro City Council last summer, parking spaces and driveways must now be built with a hard, all-weather surface such as asphalt, concrete, brick, gravel or other approved materials. Grass and dirt areas will no longer be acceptable for parking. Also, the edge of parking spaces and driveways must be clearly defined with a physical edge that's maintained by the owner.
 
The new ordinance applies to all existing and future parking areas and driveways. For more information, call 336-373-2144.
GTA Increases Fares
New fares go into effect July 1.
 
On July 1, Greensboro Transit Authority will implement an increase in transit fares. This is the final change of the three-year staggered increase, approved by the GTA board. The fare increase includes increasing one-ride cash fares and passes by 10 cents to $1.30. Fares for people living with disabilities/senior citizens and students (6-18 years old) will increase five cents to 65 cents and 85 cents, respectively. Transfers will remain free of charge. View the complete list of fare increases or call GTA Customer Service at 336-335-6499.
 
Also, to assist college students during the HEAT summer hiatus, GTA is selling 31-day unlimited passes at the student discount price. Any person showing a valid student ID can purchase a 31-day pass for $22.50. This offer will end on July 31.