CITY
OF
HICKORY
AIR
QUALITY
AWARENESS
PROGRAM
ACTION
PLAN
Prepared
by
the
Department
of
Planning
and
Development
And
Revised
by
Hickory
City
Council
June
15,
2004
2
Table
of
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................
Page
3
Notification
&
Incentives.......................................................................
Page
6
Trip
Reduction
by
City
Co­
workers.......................................................
Page
7
Air
Quality
Coordinators
.......................................................................
Page
7
General
Departmental
Procedures
&
Measures......................................
Page
9
Quantifying
Reduction
in
Vehicle
Miles
Traveled..................................
Page
10
Specific
Departmental
Procedures
&
Measures
.....................................
Page
11
Engineering
...................................................................................
Page
11
Fire
Department
............................................................................
Page
11
Police
Department
.........................................................................
Page
12
Public
Services
Department...........................................................
Page
12
Piedmont
Wagon...........................................................................
Page
14
Conclusion
............................................................................................
Page
14
Appendix
A...........................................................................................
Page
15
Appendix
B...........................................................................................
Page
16
Appendix
C...........................................................................................
Page
17
Appendix
D...........................................................................................
Page
20
3
1.
Introduction
Background
The
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(
EPA)
has
developed
new
stringent
standards
for
air
quality.
The
air
quality
standards
set
maximum
allowable
levels
of
ground­
level
ozone,
which
is
the
primary
pollutant
in
smog.
Failure
to
meet
these
standards
can
result
in
health
and
environmental
hazards
to
local
citizens
and
in
the
reduction
of
federal
funds.
In
response
to
these
new
standards,
the
North
Carolina
Department
of
Environment
and
Natural
Resources
(
DENR),
Division
of
Air
Quality
established
the
North
Carolina
Air
Quality
Awareness
Program.
The
purpose
of
the
program
is
to
conduct
an
outreach
effort
to
inform
the
public
about
air
pollution
and
prevention.

Representatives
of
the
various
city
departments
collaborated
in
developing
an
air
quality
Action
Plan,
designed
to
educate
and
encourage
City
employees
to
reduce
the
number
of
vehicles
and
equipment
being
used
during
potentially
high
ozone
periods.
This
plan
outlines
a
number
of
citywide
measures
and
specific
departmental
strategies
to
lessen
vehicle
and
equipment
usage
on
high
ozone
days.
The
City's
Air
Quality
Awareness
Program's
Action
Plan
will
only
be
implemented
on
"
Orange",
"
Red",
and
"
Purple"
Action
Days
(
the
most
severe
and
unhealthy
ozone
condition
days).
A
code
Orange
Alert
will
be
issued
when
ozone
levels
are
between
88
and
100
percent
of
the
national
ozone
standard.
A
Code
Red
Alert
will
be
issued
when
ozone
levels
are
above
100.

Ground
level
ozone,
not
stratospheric
ozone,
is
the
primary
pollutant
most
likely
to
cause
air
quality
problems
in
the
Unifour
counties
of
Catawba,
Caldwell,
Burke
and
Alexander
and
across
all
of
North
Carolina.
It
is
measured
214
days
each
year
from
April
to
October
of
each
year
and
can
frequently
reach
levels,
which
exceed
the
EPA's
new
National
Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
(
NAAQS)
within
the
Clean
Air
Act,
particularly
during
the
warmest
months
of
May
through
September.
High
ozone
levels
usually
occur
on
hot
sunny
days
with
stagnant
air,
when
pollutants
such
as
nitrogen
oxides
and
volatile
organic
compounds
combine
in
the
atmosphere.
In
the
Unifour
counties,
vehicle
emission
is
the
main
contributor
to
the
formation
of
ground­
level
ozone.
Other
pollutants
can
be
problematic
as
well.

Although
today's
automobiles
are
70
to
90
percent
cleaner
than
their
1970
counterparts,
vehicle
emissions
continue
to
be
a
significant
cause
of
air
pollution
due
to
rapid
increase
in
vehicle
miles
traveled
since
1970.
In
the
aggregate,
mobile
sources
pollute
the
most
because
these
modes
constitute
the
majority
of
all
travel.
In
addition,
diesel
vehicles,
including
both
highway
and
rail,
contribute
more
to
Nitrogen
Oxide
(
Nox)
emissions
than
gasoline
powered
vehicles,
both
on
an
aggregate
and
per
mile
basis.
Therefore,
the
primary
purpose
of
the
City's
Action
Plan
is
the
reduction
in
vehicle
emissions
as
measured
by
vehicle
miles
traveled
(
VMT).
4
Short­
Term
Objectives

To
ensure
that
the
City
identifies,
manages
and
promotes
to
its
employees
practices
and
procedures
that
control,
reduce
and/
or
eliminate
harmful
emissions
that
create
ozone.


To
identify,
prioritize
and
advocate
to
others
in
the
region
the
importance
of
recognizing
urban
air
quality
issues
and
support
actions
that
reduces
ozone

Reducing
transportation­
related
emissions
by
improving
energy
efficiency
in
city
fleets,
equipments
and
planning
policies.


To
inform
and
promote
the
awareness
of
the
air
quality
issue
to
City
co­
workers
and
the
public
in
Hickory
in
partnership
with
other
local
governments
and
organizations.

Long­
Term
Objectives

Discouraging
emission
growth
in
the
long
term
through
land
use
and
transportation
policies.


To
encourage
and
partner
with
others
in
the
region
to
support
air
quality
initiatives.

It
is
important
to
note
that
local
initiatives
will
reduce
the
need
for
state
mandatory
regulations.

Why
do
we
need
an
Air
Quality
Awareness
Program
Action
Plan?

Air
pollution
is
an
issue
most
of
us
are
concerned
about­
after
all,
we
all
want
good
air
to
breathe.
The
big
challenge
is
finding
a
way
of
involving
each
and
every
one
of
us
in
protecting
air
quality,
because
much
of
our
city's
air
pollution
is
caused
by
the
cumulative
impact
of
our
everyday
legitimate
activities.
In
particular,
motor
vehicles
are
responsible
for
a
higher
total
percentage
of
air
pollution
in
the
region
than
that
contributed
by
large
manufacturers.
(
A
definitive
figure
will
be
available
in
the
next
couple
of
months
from
the
Division
of
Air
Quality
of
the
DENR).

What
is
an
Air
Quality
Awareness
Action
Plan?

The
Air
Quality
Awareness
Action
Plan
for
the
City
of
Hickory
will
set
out
a
framework
for
how
we
can
improve
air
quality
in
the
city
and
region.


It
will
canvass
the
wide
ranging,
and
often­
complex
issues,
which
we
must
deal
with
to
tackle,
air
pollution.


Most
importantly
it
will
provide
a
focus
to
help
get
the
various
departments
involved
in
protecting
air
quality.


It
would
not
be
a
statutory
policy,
but
will
be
endorsed
by
City
Council.


It
will
be
a
guide
to
influence
the
decisions
made
by
the
city
so
that
as
our
region
continues
to
grow
and
expand,
it
is
not
at
the
expense
of
our
air
quality.
5
Reducing
Ground
Level
Ozone
Concentrations
Reducing
ground
level
ozone
concentrations
in
the
region
would
provide
the
following
benefits:


Protect
public
health,
especially
for
children,
the
elderly
and
asthmatics.


Improve
visibility
and
reduce
environmental
damage
to
plant
life
and
ecosystems.


Provide
economic
benefits
through
reduced
health
care
costs,
improved
economic
development
opportunities
and
enhanced
tourism.

Environmental
&
Health
Issues
Air
Pollution
contributes
to
lung
disease,
including
respiratory
tract
infections,
asthma,
and
lung
cancer.
Lung
disease
claims
close
to
344,000
lives
in
the
United
States
every
year
(
344,044
in
2000)
and
is
the
third­
leading
cause
of
death
in
the
country.
Over
the
last
decade,
the
death
rate
for
lung
disease
has
risen
faster
than
that
of
any
of
the
top
five
causes
of
death.
In
1995,
North
Carolina
had
above
average
(
for
the
United
States)
rates
for
the
following
lung
diseases:
Lung
Cancer,
Pneumonia,
Asthma,
and
chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease
(
which
includes
chronic
bronchitis
and
emphysema).
These
lung
diseases
account
for
9,651
lung
disease
deaths
during
1995
alone.
1
Ozone
is
especially
harmful
to
young
children
and
the
elderly.
According
to
the
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(
EPA),
high
ozone
levels
can
cause
crop
damage
and
suppressed
growth
in
trees
and
native
vegetation.
Ozone
can
also
damage
elastics,
textiles,
dyes,
electrical
insulation,
and
fine
art.

Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
The
purpose
of
the
ambient
air
quality
standards
is
to
establish
certain
maximum
limits
on
parameters
of
air
quality
considered
desirable
for
the
preservation
and
enhancement
of
the
quality
of
the
nation's
air
resources.

The
ambient
air
quality
standard
for
ozone
measured
by
a
reference
method
based
on
Appendix
D
of
40
CFR
Part
50
and
designated
according
to
40
CFR
Part
53
is
0.08
parts
per
million
(
ppm),
daily
maximum
8­
hour
average.
The
standard
is
obtained
at
an
ambient
air
quality
monitoring
site
when
the
average
of
the
annual
fourth­
highest
daily
maximum
8­
hour
average
ozone
concentration
is
less
than
or
equal
to
0.08
parts
per
million
(
ppm)
as
determined
by
Appendix
1
of
40
CFR
Part
50,
or
equivalent
methods
established
under
40
CFR
Part
53.2
1
American
Lung
Association
web
site
at
http://
www.
lungusa.
org
2
North
Carolina
Administrative
Code
6
Federal
Regulations
The
City
of
Hickory
will
be
in
violation
of
the
new
more
restrictive
ozone
standard
that
EPA
adopted
in
July
1997.
Although
the
area
has
not
been
officially
designated
as
a
nonattainment
area,
the
Action
Plan
is
intended
to
demonstrate
a
proactive
effort
and
a
first
step
in
minimizing
public
exposure
to
ozone
and
to
comply
with
the
NAAQS.

If
the
City
is
in
violation
of
the
new
standard,
it
could
face
the
following
regulations:

1.
Reduction
or
suspension
of
federal
transportation
funding
to
this
area.
2.
Restrictions
on
the
location
and
expansion
of
industry
that
would
slow
economic
growth
by
keeping
new
job
opportunities
from
coming
to
Hickory.
3.
Mandatory
vehicle
emissions
testing
program
in
Hickory
and
other
counties
in
the
area
that
do
not
currently
have
these
programs
4.
Requiring
alternative
fuels
for
cars,
which
could
results
in
higher
gas
and
vehicle
purchase
prices.

1.
Notification
&
Incentives
Notification
Process
for
Ozone
Action
Days
The
following
procedures
will
be
used
in
the
event
of
a
Code
Orange
or
Red
Ozone
Action
Day.


The
Division
of
Air
Quality
will
send
an
Air
Quality
Alert
Forecast
to
the
Public
Information
Office
via
e­
mail
by
3:
00
PM
on
the
afternoon
before
an
ozone
action
day.


The
Public
Information
Office
will:
(
1)
e­
mail,
fax
or
telephone
the
Air
Quality
Coordinators
(
see
Section
4
for
contact
list)
before
the
close
of
the
business
day
and
(
2)
e­
mail
all
co­
workers
with
e­
mail
capabilities
to
communicate
the
forecast.


Air
Quality
Coordinators
will
prominently
post
the
alert
notice
in
each
work
place.


The
Air
Quality
Coordinators
will
be
responsible
for
monitoring
their
department's
Ozone
reduction
effort.

Incentives
to
Participate
In
an
effort
to
promote
the
City's
air
quality
(
vehicle
emission
reduction)
efforts,
the
following
incentives
will
be
provided
to
those
co­
workers
who
choose
to
participate
in
the
program:


Free
Piedmont
Wagon
Transportation
System
bus
pass
will
be
provided
to
city
coworkers
to
use
on
ozone
alert
days.


The
individual
and
department
that
demonstrates
the
greatest
percentage
and
overall
reduction
in
vehicle
miles
traveled
(
VMT)
will
be
recognized.


A
raffle
for
prizes
will
be
open
to
all
participants.
7
3.
Trip
Reduction
by
City
Co­
workers
The
ability
of
the
City
to
reduce
vehicle
trips
could
be
constrained
by
the
lack
of
commuting
alternatives
available
to
co­
workers.
For
this
situation,
significant
trip
reduction
might
require
that
the
City
facilitate
a
vanpool
program.
Its
implementation
by
city
co­
workers
will
be
voluntary
and
have
the
full
support
and
encouragement
of
the
City
of
Hickory.
A
vanpool
program
will
help
to
substantially
reduce
the
amount
of
vehicle
emissions
produced
by
city
co­
workers
and
will
be
an
example
of
their
contribution
to
a
better
quality
of
life
in
the
region.

4.
Air
Quality
Coordinators
For
implementation
of
the
Air
Quality
Action
Plan,
two
city
coordinators
will
work
with
the
various
departments
to
implement
this
program.
The
Air
Quality
Coordinators
for
each
department
will
be
responsible
for
disseminating
information
and
for
tracking
their
department's
emission
reducing
efforts
(
primarily
by
monitoring
VMT).
The
tracking
procedures
for
the
measures
listed
in
Section
5
are
provided
in
Section
6
(
page
9).
The
coordinators
will
be
expected
to
provide
a
brief
presentation
or
update
on
the
Air
quality
Awareness
Program
at
the
beginning
of
each
summer
(
i.
e.
ozone
season).
The
coordinators
will
also
be
responsible
for
posting
the
ozone
action
notice
in
the
departments.
For
those
departments
that
have
additional
procedures,
the
coordinator
will
be
asked
to
provide
an
assessment
of
the
costs,
ease
of
implementation,
etc.
of
the
measures.
This
information
will
be
used
to
modify
the
Action
Plan
if
necessary,
during
the
annual
evaluation,
to
improve
the
efficiency
of
the
Plan's
programs.

City
of
Hickory
Coordinators:
1.
Mandy
Pitts,
Public
Information
Officer
2.
Cal
Overby,
Planner
8
AIR
QUALITY
COORDINATORS
Departmental
Coordinators
Department
Phone
Fax
E­
mail
Back­
up
Coordinator
Parks
&
Rec.
Director
Mack
McLeod
Parks
&
Recreation
323­
7046
323­
1042
Yes
Parks
&
Rec.
Main.
Supr..
Eric
Starnes
Exec
Asst.­
Planning
&
Dev
Tom
Carr
City
Manager's
Office
323­
7405
323­
7500
Yes
Executive
Asst.
 
Operations
Sam
Chambers
Asst.
City
Engineer
Brendon
Prichard
Engineering
323­
7416
323­
7476
Yes
Civil
Engineer
Miles
Champion
Finance
Director
Tim
Inch
Finance/
Accounting
323­
7417
323­
7550
Yes
Asst.
Fin.
Dir.
Rodney
Miller
Deputy
Fire
Chiefs
Fred
Hollar
&
Greg
Rohr
Fire
Dept.
323­
7420
323­
7566
Yes
Deputy
Fire
Chief
George
Byers
H.
Resources
Dir.
Joan
Patterson
Human
Resources
323­
7421
323­
7550
Yes
Training
Coord.
Claudia
Main
I.
T.
Director
Jeff
Brittain
Information
Technology
323­
7428
323­
7550
Yes
Network
Admin.
Kevin
Harris
Library
Director
Philip
Cherry
Library
304­
0050
323­
0023
Yes
Ref.
Manager
Beth
Bradshaw
Manager
Cynthia
McGinnis
Piedmont
Wagon
464­
9444
466­
0570
Yes
Admin.
Tech
Dawn
Kemp
Planner
Cal
Overby
Planning
&
Development
324­
4651
323­
7476
Yes
Planner
Eric
Ben­
Davies
Police
Captain
Clyde
Deal
Police
Dept.
324­
2060
324­
0607
Yes
Admin.
Asst
Lisa
Drum
Director
Chuck
Hansen
Public
Services
Administration
323­
7570
323­
7403
Yes
Director
Chuck
Hansen
Public
S.
Mgr.
Gene
Haynes
Public
Utilities
Administration
323­
7427
323­
7403
Yes
Public
S.
Mgr.
Gene
Haynes
Public
S.
Mgr.
Ed
Bowman
Public
Works
323­
7500
323­
7403
Yes
Public
S.
Mgr.
Ed
Bowman
Fleet
Manager
Doug
Ingle
Garage
323­
7500
323­
7403
Yes
Supervisor
Danny
Carver
Director
Timothy
B.
Deike
Airport
323­
7408
323­
8456
Yes
Admin.
Tech.
Duncan
Cavanaugh
9
5.
General
Departmental
Procedures
and
Measures

The
City
shall
seek
to
implement
a
Stage
II
vapor
recovery
system.


Join
and
participate
in
the
activities
of
the
Unifour
Early
Action
Compact
(
EAC).


Educate
employees,
contractors,
and
developers
on
ways
to
be
sensitive
to
emissions.


The
City
will
explore
opportunities
for
telecommuting.
It
is
a
strategy
that
improves
congestion
and
is
a
result
of
our
electronic
age.
Many
employees
can
work
productively
away
from
their
offices
with
the
aid
of
computers,
modems,
telephones,
and
fax
machines.
Well­
planned
telecommuting
can
reduce
the
need
for
office
space,
as
well
as
reduce
congestion
and
air
pollution.
It
may
be
used
on
a
full­
time
basis
or
only
on
OADs.


The
City
will
seek
Emission
Reduction
grants
estimated
at
around
$
10,000.00

All
City
co­
workers
will
be
encouraged
to
carpool
or
vanpool
on
Ozone
Action
Days
where
feasible.


Postpone
or
consolidate
non­
essential
fieldwork,
business
errands
and
other
travel
requiring
the
use
of
City
vehicles.


All
City­
co­
workers
will
be
encouraged
to
bring
their
lunch
to
work
rather
than
driving
to
a
restaurant.


In
an
effort
to
reducing
exposure
to
gasoline
vapors
the
city
will
consider
using
vapor
recovery
system.
Note
that
although
cleaner­
burning
gasoline
pollutes
less,
all
gasoline
vapors
contain
hazardous
substances.


Encourage
co­
workers
to
avoid
intersections
that
are
noted
for
congestion
when
they
must
travel
by
vehicle.


Keep
all
City
Vehicles
properly
maintained
in
accordance
with
current
city
maintenance
schedule

Refocus
yard
work
to
reduce
the
use
of
2­
cycle
gasoline­
powered
lawn
equipment.


Minimize
warm­
up
time
for
all
vehicles.


Explore
the
potential
of
equipping
some
vehicles
with
alternate
fuel
retrofits.


Emergency
generators
will
be
test
run
at
more
appropriate
time
of
day.
10

Ensure
optimal
energy
efficiency
by
city
facilities
through
routine
maintenance
and
when
renovations
occur,
retrofit
older
facilities
with
systems
that
promote
energy
conservation.


Work
with
contractors
to
ensure
the
energy
consumption
standards
for
newly
constructed
public
facilities
are
in
excess
of
national
standards.


Work
with
contractors
to
develop
procedures
to
minimize
the
use
of
heavy
equipment
on
OAD's.

6.
Quantifying
Reductions
in
Vehicle
Miles
Traveled
In
order
to
determine
the
effectiveness
of
the
City
of
Hickory's
Air
Quality
Awareness
Program,
a
mechanism
to
quantify
the
success
has
been
included.
Vehicle
miles
travel
(
VMT)
is
a
quantifiable
measure
that
is
at
the
core
of
the
ozone
problem.
Therefore,
reducing
the
number
of
vehicles
on
the
road
during
potentially
high
ozone
periods
can
help
in
reducing
high
ozone
concentrations.
By
monitoring
the
reduction
in
VMT,
the
City
of
Hickory
will
be
able
to
quantify
its
reduction
in
automobile
emissions.

The
strategies
to
reduce
VMT
focus
on
baseline
commuting
VMTs
and
daily
at­
work
VMTs
(
i.
e.
what
a
person
would
have
driven
if
it
were
not
an
Ozone
Action
Day).
Coworkers
would
be
asked
to
identify
the
number
of
miles
they
drive
to
work
as
their
baseline.
Then,
on
the
Ozone
Action
Day
(
OAD),
if
the
co­
workers
carpools,
vanpools,
uses
public
transit,
bikes
or
walks,
then
that
co­
worker's
OAD
miles
traveled
will
represent
a
VMT
reduction.
The
same
holds
true
for
the
at­
work
trips.
For
nonparticipants
their
baseline
commuting
mileage
will
be
counted
every
OAD
that
they
worked.
For
co­
workers
on
travel,
sick
leave,
or
vacation,
no
VMTs
would
be
recorded
(
either
as
driven
or
reduced).
An
example
of
the
OAD
Survey
is
shown
below.

Individual
Code:________
Date____________

Baseline
Mileage
OAD
Mileage
Name
Cmute
@
work
Lunch
Total
Cmute
@
work
Lunch
Total
John
Doe
12
10
4
26
12
0
4
16
Jane
Doe
Travel
­
­
0
­
­
­
0
Sally
Doe
38
­
3
41
0
­
0
0
Alex
Doe
20
­
­
20
20
­
­
20
Total
Baseline
87
Total
OAD
36
VMT
Reduction
(%)     
59%
VMT
Reduction
(
Miles)   ..
51
Percent
Participation    ...?
%
of
total
City
work
force
11
These
spreadsheets
will
be
provided
to
each
departmental
coordinator
electronically.
Coordinators
will
post
a
hard
copy
of
this
spreadsheet
in
a
common
area
of
the
department
on
Ozone
Action
Day.
Co­
workers
will
write
in
their
mileage.
Coordinators
will
tally
the
mileage
reduced
for
that
OAD
and
forward
that
number
electronically
to
the
Planner
(
a
citywide
coordinator)
who
will
consolidate
the
information
from
all
the
departments
into
a
citywide
spreadsheet.

7.
Specific
Departmental
Procedures
In
addition
to
the
citywide
co­
worker
measures,
the
individual
departments
have
identified
specific
measures
to
implement
to
help
reduce
harmful
emissions
during
high
ozone
days.
The
coordinators
will
be
asked
to
inform
their
department's
co­
workers
about
these
measures.
If
there
are
measures
that
may
have
a
financial
impact
(
for
example,
having
contractors
postpone
work
on
an
OAD),
then
the
coordinator
will
be
responsible
for
measuring
the
cost
to
the
City
where
feasible.
In
addition,
when
contracts
are
up
for
bid,
departments
are
encouraged
to
incorporate
language
in
new
contracts
addressing
the
OAD
and
the
rescheduling
of
work
tasks.

Air
alerts
will
be
forecasted
by
NC
Division
of
Air
Quality
at
3:
00
PM
on
the
day
that
ground
level
ozone
levels
are
expected.
The
Air
Alerts
will
be
relayed
to
or
obtained
by
the
Public
Information
Officer
who
will
relay
the
forecast
to
all
departments.

The
specific
departmental
measures
are
listed
below.

Engineering

If
feasible,
postpone
construction
projects
that
entail
the
usage
of
heavy
equipment
on
an
OAD.


If
feasible,
direct
contractors
to
avoid
open
burning
on
an
OAD.


Postpone
all
non­
essential
vehicle
use
on
an
OAD.

Planning
and
Development

Develop
and
implement
development
policies
which
promote
smart
growth
and
infill
development.


Postpone
all
non­
essential
vehicle
use
on
an
OAD.


Support
and
work
in
conjunction
with
the
Unifour
MPO.


Take
steps
to
develop
facilities
for
bicycle
and
pedestrian
use.


Ensure
all
development
activities
provide
landscaping
and
buffering
in
compliance
with
the
City's
Land
Development
Code.
12
Fire
Department

Upon
receiving
an
Air
Alert
from
the
Public
Information
Officer,
Fire
Administration
will
notify
all
fire
department
personnel
through
the
chain
of
command.


Company
officers
beginning
their
tour
of
duty
during
the
Air
Alert
shall:

1.
If
feasible,
postpone
and/
or
reschedule
inspections,
pre­
fire
surveys,
hydrant
maintenance,
driver
training
and
other
non­
essential
activities
that
involve
driving.
2.
Refrain
from
using
charcoal
grills
for
station
cooking.
3.
If
feasible,
reschedule
lawn
mowing
until
the
evening.


Personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
eat
at
the
stations
and
not
utilize
vehicles
for
this
purpose.


As
two­
cycle
lawn
mowers
engines
are
replaced,
four­
cycle
engines
will
be
purchased.


Depending
on
the
location
of
the
station,
emergency
generators
will
be
tested
in
the
evenings.


Minimize
and
consolidate
trips
to
obtain
parts
and
supplies.
This
includes
the
delivery
of
supplies
to
the
various
stations.


Office
staff
will
strive
to
limit
trips
for
business
and
postpone
all
unnecessary
trips.


There
will
be
no
changes
in
response
to
fire
alarms
and
medical
calls.

Police
Department

Officers
not
responding
to
calls
for
service
or
that
are
working
details
not
requiring
automobile
usage
will
park
their
vehicles
and
turn
off
the
engine,
remaining
visible
in
the
community
by
utilizing
foot
or
bike
patrol.


During
extremely
hot
weather
requiring
the
use
of
air
conditioning,
officers
will
use
businesses
and
other
sites
for
report
writing
as
opposed
to
completing
this
task
in
their
police
vehicles.
If
temperatures
are
not
excessive,
police
vehicle
windows
will
be
down
for
cooling
as
opposed
to
using
the
vehicle's
air
conditioning.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
carpool
or
vanpool
or
utilize
public
transit
to
and
from
work.
When
feasible,
personnel
will
also
carpool
or
vanpool
to
work
assignments
and
training.


When
possible,
personnel
should
use
public
transit
or
walk
to
locations
within
reasonable
distances
during
and
after
work.


Eliminate,
delay
or
consolidate
business
errands
requiring
the
use
of
automobiles.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
refuel
business
and
personal
vehicles
after
1900
hours.


Investigators
will
car
pool
while
conducting
investigations
to
minimize
the
use
of
vehicles.
Evening
shift
detectives
will
be
encouraged
not
to
utilize
vehicles
until
after
1900
hours,
unless
an
emergency
occurs.
13

Drivers
Training
will
be
limited
to
a
minimum
and
when
feasible,
delayed
until
after
1900
hours.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
bring
their
lunch
or
eat
on
site
locations
(
in
lieu
of
driving
home,
etc.)
and
not
utilize
vehicles
for
this
purpose.


All
personnel
will
seek
to
obtain
the
cooperative
efforts
of
friends,
relatives,
and
neighbors
to
minimize
the
amount
of
pollution
on
poor
air
quality
days.


There
will
be
no
mobile
enforcement
of
parking
regulations.
This
will
eliminate
emissions
from
the
vehicles
used
to
perform
this
function.

Public
Services
Department
FLEET
SERVICE
DIVISION

The
City
shall
seek
to
implement
a
Stage
II
Vapor
Recovery
System

Limit
or
postpone
the
amount
of
test
driving,
idling
or
moving
of
vehicles
being
serviced.
We
will
also
seek
to
replace
all
two­
cycle
engines.


Minimize
trips
for
parts
delivery.
We
would
consolidate
our
trips
and
also
request
that
our
vendors
work
with
us
to
consolidate
their
deliveries.


Ensure
vehicles
follow
established
routine
maintenance
schedule
to
optimize
engine
performance.


Continue
use
of
vehicles
operating
on
Compressed
Natural
Gas
(
CNG).


Explore
opportunities
to
expand
the
number
of
city­
owned
vehicles
operating
on
Compressed
Natural
Gas
(
CNG).


Ensure
annual
routine
emissions
inspections
for
all
required
vehicles.

WATER
&
WASTEWATER
TREATMENT
PLANTS

Postpone
all
non­
essential
vehicle
use
as
long
as
the
alert
is
in
effect,
including
but
not
limited
to:

1.
Reduction
in
non­
critical
driving
both
on
and
off
plant
sites
2.
Carpooling
or
vanpooling
to
off­
site
activities,
such
as
training,
etc.
3.
Trip
to
obtain
parts
and
supplies
will
only
be
made
by
authorization
of
plant
supervisor.


Lawn
mowing
and
landscape
maintenance
activities
will
be
suspended.
This
will
apply
to
contract
operations
and
city
staff.


Emergency
generators
will
be
test
run
at
more
appropriate
time
of
day.


Facilities
that
have
the
option
of
using
alternate
fueled
equipment
will
do
so
when
possible.
The
test
running
of
emergency
generators
will
be
tied
in
the
use
of
alternate
fuels.
14
LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE
CREW

We
will
not
operate
motorized
pesticide
sprayers
on
OAD
days,
but
utilize
pump
sprayers.


The
City
will
consider
rescheduling
the
use
of
augers
on
construction
projects.


The
City
will
not
operate
gas­
powered
hedge
clippers
on
OAD
days.

CONSTRUCTION
&
GROUNDS
MAINTENANCE
CREW
(
Mowing)

We
have
limited
ability
to
reduce
production
within
this
operation
because
of
the
tight
schedule
we
run
to
meet
expected
intervals
of
mowing.
If
it
is
one
day
or
an
isolated
day,
we
will
make
it
a
goal
to
lessen
this
operation's
impact.
The
following
are
possibilities
if
schedule
will
not
be
adversely
affected.


The
City
will
consider
rescheduling
crews
responsible
for
weed
trimming
and
mowing
based
on
OAD.


Will
incorporate
OAD
provisions
on
future
maintenance
contracts.
It
is
not
proposed
that
the
department
dictate
a
schedule.


Combine
crews
working
together
on
a
project
and
have
them
ride
together.


Reschedule
non­
essential
maintenance
work
to
reduce
vehicle
use.

Note:
It
is
proposed
that
the
department
stop
the
operation
of
tractor
mowers.

BUILDING
SERVICES

Reschedule
non­
essential
maintenance
work
to
reduce
vehicle
use.


Combine
crews
working
together
on
projects
and
have
them
ride
together.

TRAFFIC

Reschedule
non­
essential
maintenance
work
to
reduce
vehicle
use.


Take
steps
to
ensure
the
computerize
signalization
control
computers
are
controlling
signalized
intersections
to
minimize
vehicle
idling.

Piedmont
Wagon

Engine
warm
up
will
not
exceed
five
minutes

All
vehicles
will
be
shut
down
at
the
end
of
each
run
if
the
wait
time
is
greater
than
five
minutes

Office
staff
will
attempt
to
limit
trips
for
business
and
vehicle
change
outs
to
a
minimum
and
postpone
all
unnecessary
trips

Vehicles
will
be
kept
tuned
and
tire
inflation
will
be
checked
to
improve
miles
per
gallon
(
mpg)
15

All
demand
response
vehicles
will
shut
down
their
engine
if
there
is
more
than
five
minutes
wait
time
between
pickups.


Exploration
of
expansion
of
transit
and
ride­
share
programs.

8.
Conclusion
The
Air
Quality
Awareness
Action
Plan
offers
background
information
and
outlines
the
goal
and
short
and
long­
term
objectives;
and
proposes
actions
to
implement
those
objectives.
The
plan
will
provide
general
and
specific
departmental
procedures
and
measures
and
also
baselines
and
trends
of
Vehicle
Miles
Travel
(
VMT)
in
city
fleet
operations.
It
will
be
dynamic
and
responsive,
to
take
account
of
new
information
about
air
pollution
as
it
becomes
available
and
appropriate
changes
made
as
they
relate
to
the
management
of
air
quality
in
the
region.

The
plan
is
the
outcome
of
a
broadly
collaborative
effort
among
the
various
departments
and
has
developed
a
vision
and
an
approach
that
make
common
sense.
The
process
will
never
really
stop,
as
the
plan
will
be
updated
to
keep
it
relevant
16
Appendix
A
Air
Quality
Index
Color
Code
Guide
Air
Quality
Weather
Conditions
Recommended
Actions
Health
Effects
Good
AQI:
0­
50
(
Green)
 
Cool
summer
 
Windy
conditions
 
Significant
cloud
cover
 
Heavy
or
steady
precipitation
 
Keep
cars
and
boats
tuned
up
 
Use
environmentally
safe
paints
and
cleaning
products
 
Conserve
electricityset
A/
C
to
highest
comfortable
level
 
No
health
effects
are
expected.

Moderate
AQI:
51­
100
(
Yellow)
 
Temperatures
in
the
upper
70s
to
lower
80s
 
Light
to
moderate
winds
 
Partly
cloudy
or
mostly
sunny
skies
 
Chance
of
rain
or
afternoon
thunderstorms
 
Keep
cars
and
boats
tuned
up
 
Use
environmentally
safe
paints
and
cleaning
products
 
Conserve
electricityset
A/
C
to
highest
comfortable
level
 
Unusually
sensitive
people
should
consider
limiting
prolonged
outdoor
exertion.

Unhealthy
For
Sensitive
Groups
AQI:
101­
150
(
Orange)
 
Temperatures
in
the
80s
and
90s
 
Light
winds
 
Mostly
sunny
skies
 
Slight
chance
of
afternoon
thunderstorms
 
Limit
day­
time
driving
 
Limit
vehicle
idling
 
Refuel
vehicles
after
dusk
 
Don't
"
top
off
your
gas"
tank
 
Avoid
congested
periods
 
Use
water­
based
paints
 
Use
transit,
vanpool
or
carpool
 
Bike
or
walk
for
short
trips
 
Use
newest
or
best
maintained
car
 
Active
children
and
adults,
and
people
with
respiratory
disease,
such
as
asthma,
should
limit
prolonged
outdoor
exertion.
17
Unhealthy
AQI:
151­
200
(
Red)
 
Hot,
hazy,
and
humid
 
Stagnant
air
 
Sunny
skies
 
Little
chance
of
precipitation
 
Limit
daytime
driving
 
Limit
vehicle
idling
 
Refuel
vehicles
after
dusk
 
Don't
"
top
off"
gas
tank
 
Avoid
congested
periods
 
Use
water­
based
paints
 
Use
transit,
vanpool
or
carpool
 
Bike
or
walk
for
short
trips
 
Use
newest
or
best
maintained
car
 
Combine
trips
and
share
rides
 
Postpone
using
gasoline
mowers
 
Barbeque
without
starter
fluid
 
Active
children
and
adults,
and
people
with
respiratory
disease
such
as
asthma,
should
avoid
all
outdoor
exertion;
everyone
else,
especially
children,
should
limit
outdoor
exertion
18
Very
Unhealthy
AQI:
201­
300
(
Purple)
 
Hot,
and
very
hazy
 
Extremely
stagnant
air
 
Sunny
skies
 
No
precipitation
 
Limit
daytime
driving
 
Limit
vehicle
idling
 
Refuel
vehicles
after
dusk
 
Don't
"
top
off"
gas
tank
 
Avoid
congested
periods
 
Use
water­
based
paints
 
Use
transit,
vanpool
or
carpool
 
Bike
or
walk
for
short
trips
 
Use
newest
or
best
maintained
car
 
Combine
trips
and
share
rides
 
Postpone
using
gasoline
mowers
 
Barbecue
without
starter
fluid
 
Active
children
and
adults,
and
people
with
respiratory
disease
such
as
asthma,
should
avoid
all
outdoor
exertion;
everyone
else,
especially
children,
should
limit
outdoor
exertion
AQI
refer
to
Air
Quality
Index.
The
weather
conditions
listed
above
are
common
weather
types
associated
with
the
respective
air
quality
levels.
A
combination
of
part
or
of
all
these
weather
conditions
could
lead
to
a
certain
level
of
observed
air
quality
Source:
Division
of
Air
Quality­
A
division
of
the
NC
Department
of
Environment
and
Natural
Resources
(
DENR).
19
Appendix
B
Public
Outreach
and
Education
In
addition
to
the
City's
internal
policies
and
procedures,
the
City
should
also
work
to
provide
information
to
its
citizens
regarding
air
quality
issues.
Such
measures
could
include
periodic
press
releases
and/
or
educational
programs
design
to
enlighten
school
age
children
of
the
importance
of
air
quality
and
techniques
used
to
maintain
safe
and
acceptable
air
quality
levels.

These
could
include
the
following:

1.
Annual
pre­
ozone
season
press
releases
highlighting
the
dangers
of
ground
level
ozone
and
steps
that
can
be
taken
to
prevent
or
mitigate
its
presence.

2.
Periodic
press
releases
throughout
the
peak
season
to
demonstrate
steps
being
taken
by
the
City
of
Hickory
and
how
citizens
of
the
City
of
Hickory
can
take
similar
measures.

3.
Provide
informational
narratives
in
monthly
City
of
Hickory
publications
regarding
air
quality
issues.

4.
Explore
the
possibility
of
inserting
informational
pamphlets
in
utility
mailings.

5.
Explore
opportunities
to
establish
partnerships
with
Hickory
City
Schools
and
the
Catawba
County
Health
Department
to
provide
educational
programs
that
can
be
provided
to
school
age
children.

6.
Explore
the
development
of
public
awareness
campaigns
that
participate
in
or
hold
public
events
highlighting
the
values
and
necessities
of
air
quality
awareness.
20
Appendix
C
Unifour
Early
Action
Compact
Emission
Control
Measures
On
February
17,
2004
the
Hickory
City
Council
adopted
the
Unifour
Early
Action
Compact
Emission
Reduction
Strategies.
These
strategies
were
collaboratively
developed
through
partnership
with
the
U.
S
Environmental
Protection
Agency,
the
North
Carolina
Division
of
Air
Quality,
and
each
of
the
local
governments
of
the
Unifour
participating
in
the
Early
Action
Compact.
The
reduction
strategies
are
designed
to
mitigate
diminished
air
quality
and
improve
the
quality
of
the
air
in
an
effort
to
provide
safe
and
clean
air
for
the
citizens
of
and
visitors
to
the
Unifour.

The
emission
reduction
strategies
adopted
are
made
up
of
fourteen
(
14)
distinct
measures
that
are
to
be
taken
to
improve
and
maintain
air
quality
standards
within
the
City
of
Hickory
and
Unifour.
The
number
list
below
delineates
each
of
these
strategies.
The
details
of
each
of
the
below
listed
strategies
can
be
found
in
Appendix
D.
This
document
outlines
the
description
of
how
these
strategies
will
be
implemented
as
well
as
other
information
including
target
implementation
dates
and
how
the
strategies
are
to
be
quantified.

1.
Local
governments
join
and
participate
with
the
private
sector
in
the
NC
Air
Awareness
Program.
2.
Enhanced
Ozone
Awareness
(
Outreach­
Communication):
assign
a
local
agency
to
develop
and
implement
an
aggressive
program
to
educate
and
motivate
individuals
and
businesses/
organizations,
to
take
actions
to
minimize
ozone
pollution.
Can
include
a
wider
distribution
of
educational
materials,
increased
media
alerts,
promoting
NC
Air
Awareness
program,
etc.
3.
Evaluate
the
benefits
of
participation
in
the
Clean
Cities
program.
4.
City
and
County
Energy
Plan
(
Energy
Conservation
Plan):
An
energy
plan
could
be
developed
that
directs
city
&
county
departments
to
reduce
energy
use.
This
could
include
new
construction
standards
for
new
buildings,
retrofitting
city/
county
buildings,
schools,
&
street
lights
for
energy
efficiency,
and
energy
renewable
sources
i.
e.
Sustainable
Building
Design
Stds.
"
Energy
Star"
Program,
white
roofs,
etc.,
promoting
transportation
alternatives,
and
encouraging
recycling
&
composting.
5.
Assign
staff
to
become
air
quality
contact.
6.
Adopt
a
local
clean
air
policy
&
appoint
a
stakeholder
group
to
identify
&
recommend
locally
feasible
air
improvement
actions.
7.
Landscaping
Standards:
Planted
trees
and
vegetative
landscaping
reduce
the
need
for
air
conditioning,
reduce
the
heat
island
effect
in
urban
areas,
and
reduce
energy
usage.
Landscaping
and
tree
ordinances
could
be
drafted
to
establish
minimum
tree
planting
standards
for
new
development;
and
to
promoted
strategic
tree
planting,
street
trees,
and
parking
lot
trees
"
Urban
Forests
Program".
8.
Implement
Smart
Growth,
mixed
use,
and
infill
development
policies.
9.
Develop
plans
to
encourage
bicycle
and
pedestrian
usage.
10.
Discourage
Open
Burning
on
Ozone
Action
Days
(
Pledge
Program).
21
11.
Support
Coordination
of
Metropolitan
Planning
Organization
(
MPO)
and
Rural
Planning
Organization
(
RPO)
efforts.
12.
Encourage
the
use
of
compressed
work
weeks
or
flexible
work
hours,
which
helps
reduce
traffic
congestion
during
the
peak
driving
hours
by
spreading
out
the
number
of
vehicles
on
the
roadway
over
a
longer
period
of
time.
13.
Expand
Transit
and
Ridesharing
programs
(
carpooling/
vanpooling).
These
are
options
where
employers
living
in
the
same
area
agree
to
ride
to
work
together
rather
than
to
drive
their
individual
vehicles
to
work.
14.
Improve
traffic
operational
planning,
engineering
and
maintenance
for
existing
and
future
transportation
infrastructure.
APPENDIX
D
Unifour
Early
Action
Compact
Emission
Reduction
Strategies
Emission
Reduction
Strategy
Description
and
analysis
of
how
the
strategy
will
be
implemented
Estimate
of
emission
reductions
(
if
available/
details
on
status
Date
of
Implementation
Resource
Concerns/
Constraints
Geographic
area
and/
or
local
government
1.
Local
governments
join
and
participate
with
the
private
sector
in
the
NC
Air
Awareness
Program
Division
of
Air
Quality
(
DAQ)
and
WPCOG
will
encourage
local
governments
and
the
private
sector
to
join
the
Air
Awareness
Program.
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003/
ongoing
Need
the
Division
of
Air
Quality's
support
and
coordination
assistance
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
2.
Enhanced
Ozone
Awareness
(
Outreach­
Communication):

assign
a
local
agency
to
develop
and
implement
an
aggressive
program
to
educate
and
motivate
individuals
and
businesses/
organizations,
to
take
actions
to
minimize
ozone
pollution.
Can
include
a
wider
distribution
of
educational
materials,
increased
media
alerts,
promoting
NC
Air
Awareness
program,
etc.
All
EAC
members
will
coordinate
program.
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003/
ongoing
WPCOG
will
need
education
materials
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
3.
Evaluate
the
benefits
of
participation
in
the
Clean
Cities
program
WPCOG
will
coordinate
program
if
UAQC
desires
to
participate
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003/
ongoing
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
4.
City
and
County
Energy
Plan
(
Energy
Conservation
Plan):
An
energy
plan
could
be
developed
that
directs
city
&
county
departments
to
reduce
energy
use.
This
could
include
new
construction
standards
for
new
buildings,

retrofitting
city/
county
buildings,
schools,
&
street
lights
for
energy
efficiency,
and
energy
renewable
sources
i.
e.

Sustainable
Building
Design
Stds.
"
Energy
Star"

Program,
white
roofs,
etc.,
promoting
transportation
alternatives,
and
encouraging
recycling
&
composting.
Local
governments
will
develop
their
own
energy
plan
(
possibly
involve
Cooperative
Extension
Service)
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2005/
ongoing
Need
outside
expertise
to
develop
plans
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
5.
Assign
staff
to
become
air
quality
contact
Local
governments
will
designate
staff
member
as
air
quality
contact
person
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003/
ongoing
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
6.
Adopt
a
local
clean
air
policy
&
appoint
a
stakeholder
group
to
identify
&
recommend
locally
feasible
air
improvement
actions
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
(
UAQC)
will
continue
to
serve
as
this
group
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003/
ongoing
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
7.
Landscaping
Standards:
Planted
trees
and
vegetative
landscaping
reduce
the
need
for
air
conditioning,
reduce
the
heat
island
effect
in
urban
areas,
and
reduce
energy
usage.
Landscaping
and
tree
ordinances
could
be
drafted
to
establish
minimum
tree
planting
standards
for
new
development;
and
to
promoted
strategic
tree
planting,

street
trees,
and
parking
lot
trees
"
Urban
Forests
Program"
All
local
governments
should
develop
tree
and
landscaping
ordinances.
Local
governments
should
educate
and
encourage
citizen
participation
with
tree
and
other
vegetative
plantings.
Riparian
buffer
regulations
should
also
be
supported
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2005
(
Some
in
2003)
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
8.
Implement
Smart
Growth,
mixed
use,
and
infill
development
policies.
Encourage
compact
development
to
reduce
travel
and
promote
Smart
Growth
concepts
and
redevelopment
activities
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2005
(
Some
in
2003)
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
9.
Develop
plans
to
encourage
bicycle
and
pedestrian
usage.
Each
EAC
member
will
develop
plans
within
a
regional
context.
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2005
(
Some
in
2003)
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
10.
Discourage
Open
Burning
on
Ozone
Action
Days
(
Pledge
Program)
Request
all
major
land
development
and
grading
businesses
to
sign
pledges
to
not
engage
in
open
burning
activities
on
high
ozone
days.
Will
survey
participants
for
#
of
days
that
open
burning
did
not
occur
2003/
ongoing
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
11.
Support
Coordination
of
Metropolitan
Planning
Organization
(
MPO)
and
Rural
Planning
Organization
(
RPO)
efforts
MPO
and
RPO
will
coordinate
transportation
and
air
quality
planning
efforts
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2003
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
12.
Encourage
the
use
of
compressed
work
weeks
or
flexible
work
hours,
which
helps
reduce
traffic
congestion
during
the
peak
driving
hours
by
spreading
out
the
number
of
vehicles
on
the
roadway
over
a
longer
period
of
time
MPO
and
RPO
will
promote
benefits
of
telecommuting,

flexible
work
hours
and
staggered
work
schedules
Will
determine
#
of
participants
and
estimate
reduction
in
VMT
2004
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
13.
Expand
Transit
and
Ridesharing
programs
(
carpooling/
vanpooling).
These
are
options
where
employers
living
in
the
same
area
agree
to
ride
to
work
together
rather
than
to
drive
their
individual
vehicles
to
work.
MPO
and
RPO
and
local
governments
will
educate
and
promote
these
benefits
Produce
Maps
to
locate
employees
to
assist
with
ridesharing
programs
Will
determine
#
of
participants
and
estimate
reduction
in
VMT
2004
None
Unifour
Areas
All
stakeholders
14.
Improve
traffic
operational
planning,
engineering
and
maintenance
for
existing
and
future
transportation
infrastructure.
MPO,
RPO,
NCDOT,
and
municipalities,
will
expand
traffic
operational
and
engineering
technologies
(
signal
timing,
signing,
message
boards,
etc.,
and
other
intelligent
transportation
strategies)
Not
quantifiable,
but
effective
2004
None
Unifour
Area
Municipalities
&

NC
DOT
