Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government. |
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Make a Splash this Summer
Make a splash this summer at the public pools! The Aquatic Park is scheduled to open this Saturday, June 5. The pool will be open Monday-Saturday with one session from 11:30am-2:30pm and another from 3-6pm. Sundays will have a single session from 1:30-4:30pm. The Aquatic Park diving boards, slides and lap pool will remain closed at this time.
Krug Pool is scheduled to open Monday, June 7. The pool will be open Monday-Friday with one session from 11:30am-2:30pm and another from 3-6pm.
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Benefits of Asphalt
Each year, the Public Works & Transportation Department completes a program which, on average, overlays or resurfaces approximately 70 lane miles of streets in St. Joseph. There are several components, benefits and characteristics as to why asphalt is used in the city’s annual resurfacing program.
Asphalt pavement, sometimes called blacktop, is a combination of aggregate (stone, sand, or gravel) bound together by a small amount of asphalt cement, a product of crude oil. Asphalt cement is heated and mixed with aggregate at a special facility and then the mix material is trucked to the construction site where it is spread and compacted into a finished pavement. Traffic is typically permitted on a new asphalt road as soon as the pavement has cooled, a matter of hours after construction. Asphalt is smooth, quiet, sustainable, perpetual and the most cost-effective material for our roadways. Ninety-four percent of the roads in America are surfaced with asphalt and it’s no surprise why. Asphalt pavements are:
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Safe. Asphalt creates the smoothest surface for driving. Smooth roads allow superior contact with vehicle tires for a safer and more enjoyable ride. Open-graded asphalt, a special type of road surface, can minimize splash and spray during rainstorms and reduce crashes and fatalities on highways.
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Cost-effective. Smooth roads are not just safer, they also save money. Reduced wear and tear on vehicles due to fewer bumps in the road brings down vehicle operating costs. Also, increasing a roadway’s smoothness by 25 percent extends its lifespan upwards of 10 percent, which saves taxpayers money. Asphalt roads can be built more quickly and cost-effectively than other pavements. They can also be designed as a perpetual pavement which only needs periodic maintenance to remain in good shape indefinitely.
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Energy efficient. Smooth asphalt roads also reduce rolling resistance, the friction between tires and pavement, which means better fuel economy and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Special warm mix asphalt pavements can be constructed at lower temperatures, further reducing the energy required to heat asphalt materials for road construction.
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Traveler- and business-friendly. Asphalt roads can be paved just a lane at a time, minimizing disruption to citizens and reducing congestion through speedy construction processes, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars in user costs. Projects can often be completed in one short day, even overnight, leaving routes open for travelers and providing street access for stores and businesses.
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Environmentally friendly. Asphalt is the most recycled product in America. The asphalt industry reuses and recycles nearly 100 million tons of asphalt pavement a year, saving taxpayers an estimated $1.8 billion annually. Post-consumer waste such as used tires and shingles can also be reused in new asphalt pavement.
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Turn Around, Don't Drown
With the chance of strong to severe storms throughout the spring and summer seasons, it's always important to be weather aware. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when out on the roads during heavy rains:
- Stay clear of areas subject to flooding easily such as underpasses, low spots and valleys.
- Just six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet can sweep away a car.
- Avoid walking, swimming or driving through standing water as it could be electrically charged due to downed power lines.
- If your car winds up in flood water, abandon it and get to higher ground.
- After the water recedes, roads could be weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
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Looking Out for Animals
What's the difference between animal neglect, abuse and cruelty? This would depend on the act and evidence, so think of it as three steps. The first and most common is neglect which is failing to provide care or control and is oftentimes an accidental issue. Next, is abuse, which is described as intentional, purposely, willfully causing harm or suffering. The most serious top step is cruelty, which is simply described as to maliciously, torture or torment.
Animal control officers (ACOs) respond to a variety of complaints which fall into one of these categories. This can range from no shelter, tethering, failure to provide medical care to physical abuse. When needed, Animal Control & Rescue will obtain veterinary care for the animal. Most of these cases are made by evidence collected while on scene, but some can require a statement from a witness such as a citizen or veterinarian. Not only are photos and statements evidence, but the animal itself is the most critical piece of evidence.
While an animal could be impounded and a summons issued for a violation, educating pet owners is always a priority to ACOs. Education can consist of explaining violations of the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances, suggestions on how to prevent a future issue or incident, a recommendation of resources to consider, and/or employing our Digs for Dogs program when applicable.
The Digs for Dogs program is available to the public via their own request or by ACO recommendation. Doghouses, water bowls and materials to help correct ordinance violations can be made available.
Last year, ACOs responded to 436 specific complaints of neglect, abuse or cruelty. ACOs will initiate action if any of those are observed while responding to a call, even a call of a different nature. An example of this being a dog at-large complaint investigation during which the ACO observes other dogs on the property in need of proper care. The ACO would potentially respond to the dog at-large complaint and also address the other dogs in need of care simultaneously.
At the end of the day, Animal Control & Rescue’s goal is to make sure animals receive adequate care and are handled in a safe manner so they live a happy and healthy life.
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Cops Care Youth Camp
Looking for something fun for your kids to enjoy this summer? Consider signing them up for the Cops Care Youth Camp. This year's camp will take place July 12-16, from 9am-4pm, starting each day at the REC Center. The camp is open to both boys and girls ages 9-12 years old. There will be various sports activities, safety presentations and morning group discussions presented by the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Juvenile Office and others. The final day will include a chance to climb aboard and explore various public safety vehicles, including the SRT Bearcat armored vehicle. The camp is free of charge with lunch and snacks provided daily. Applications are available in the police lobby of the Law Enforcement Center, 501 Faraon, as space is limited. Please include the child’s shirt size and any health or food allergy needs. For further information, contact Sgt. Roy Hoskins, SJPD Crime Prevention, at 236-1473.
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