Affordable Care Act - the Virginia Municipal League

News & NotesNorfolk parkingoperation goes greenThe City of Norfolk’s Department ofParking replaced its fleet of aging, gasguzzling,maintenance-heavy vehicles withnew Smart Cars in late March.“The Smart Cars are perfectly suited for adowntown, urban city,” said David Freeman,director of General Services. “Not only are thevehicles a cost-effective option to our current fleet,but our employees can do their work in a comfortableand safe environment.”The fleet of 11 Smart Cars cost $141,000.Norfolk’s self-sustaining parking fund coveredthe cost, so no taxpayer dollars were used. Thefuel-efficient vehicles average about 40 milesper gallon, are made from 85 percent recyclablematerials, and include four years of maintenance.The Smart Cars will replace the aging parking fleet.The golf-carts and 3-wheel Cushman carts were purchasedin the 1970’s and 1980’s and cost upward of $38,000 ayear to maintain. The current fleet will be sold at auctionThe new Smart Cars hit the streets in late March.and any profits returned to the parking fund.The Parking Department also received the city’sfirst Green Leader Award recently for its commitmentto sustainable operations.Manassas child centerearns five-star ratingA Manassas early childhood educationprogram is the first in the state to earnthe Virginia Star Quality Initiative’s(VSQI) five-star rating.VSQI was created to providea consistent way to distinguish thelevel of quality in early childhoodeducation programs. Its rating systemawards early childhood providers onethrough five stars.Of the 303 child care programsacross Virginia that have been ratedpreviously by VSQI, the GeorgetownSouth Early Head Start ChildDevelopment Center is the first centerto earn the five-star rating. The Cityof Manassas Department of FamilyServices, teaming with the EarlyChildhood Partnership, has beenworking with VSQI for three years tomanage the VSQI Star grant in thecity.Georgetown South Early HeadStart went through an extensive reviewprocess that included documentationreview and on-site classroomobservations in four standard areas:teacher qualifications (scoring 28 of40 points), interactions between teachersand students (scoring 60 out of60), learning environment (scoring 30out of 30) and instructional practices(scoring 40 out of 40).Richmond debutsLiberty TrailThe Richmond Liberty Trail is anewly marked walking route thatconnects many of downtown Richmond’shistoric sites,attractions andneighborhoods,including 15national historiclandmarks.The 6.2 miletrail is markedwith a logo paintedon sidewalks.The trail is one of several selfguidedopportunities to experienceRichmond’s 400-year history onfoot. In Shockoe Bottom, it connectswith the Richmond Slave Trailat the Lumpkins Jail site and theAfrican Burial Ground. The trailwinds through the neighborhoodsof Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward andChurch Hill, and includes sites alongCapitol Square, Court End, Tredegarand Brown’s Island, Canal Walk andShockoe Slip.Inspired by the Boston FreedomTrail project, the Richmond LibertyTrail is a collaborative effort amongRichmond’s business, tourism andhistory communities. More informationon the Richmond Liberty Trailis available at www.RVALibertyTrail.com.Williamsburg buildingrated LEED SilverThe Williamsburg Municipal buildinghas received the LEED® Silver ratingby the U.S. Green Building Council.LEED® (an acronym for Leadershipin Energy and Environmental Design)is the nation’s preeminent program forthe design, construction and operationof high-performance green buildings.The municipal building projectwas completed in early 2011 andincluded a renovation of the original4 Virginia Town & City | april 2013