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The City of Auburn City Council e-Packet for the Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Council meeting is now available online.

Please visit the City Council Agenda page for more information.

The City of Auburn Planning Commission e-Packet for the July 9, 2009 Regular meeting is now available online.

Please visit the Planning Commission Agenda Page for more information.

The City of Auburn has published two new press releases online:

Donaldson Company, Inc. to Add 25 New Employees

Cumberland Plastic Systems, LLC Announces Plans to Expand Production

Please direct questions regarding specific press releases to the individual contact listed within each press release.City of Auburn News and Announcements for June 16, 2009

The City of Auburn City Council e-Packet for the Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Council meeting is now available online. Please visit the City Council Agenda page for more information.

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, June 4, at 10:00a.m.- Daylight Donuts Ribbon Cutting (1642 A&B South College Street)

Tuesday, June 9, at 7:30a.m.- Tuesday Talk with Dr. John Weete, Auburn University Research Park

Wednesday, June 10, at 10:00a.m.- Southern States Bank Ribbon Cutting (2601 Frederick Road, Opelika)

Thursday, June 18, at 4:00p.m.- Northwestern Mutual Ribbon Cutting & Open House (410 2^nd Avenue)

The City of Auburn Planning Commission e-Packet for the May 14, 2009 Regular meeting is now available online. Please visit the Planning Commission Agenda Page for more information.

Auburn, Ala. – Construction on the East Samford Avenue extension between East University Drive and East Glenn Avenue is nearing completion. The new traffic signal at the intersection of East Samford Avenue and East University Drive is now operating in flash mode (flashing yellow/caution). Motorists are advised to exercise caution in the area. Please note, the East Samford Avenue extension is not open to traffic at this time. Upon completion of construction, traffic signals at East Samford Avenue – East University Drive and East Samford Avenue – East Glenn Avenue will be fully operational.

In the 2009 Citizen Survey, Auburn citizens indicated the management of traffic flow and congestion was their top priority for City officials to address over the next two years. The completion of the East Samford Avenue extension is expected to help improve east-west traffic flow in the City.

Citizens are encouraged to visit the City of Auburn’s website at www.auburnalabama.org to view the latest news on traffic updates and street closings. For more information, please contact the City of Auburn Public Works Department at 501-3000.

State of Alabama, Auburn High School, the City of Auburn, and Alabama Power Team Players in Workforce Development

Auburn, Ala. – Governor Bob Riley test drove a new electric vehicle constructed by the Industrial Systems Technology students at Auburn High School on Monday, May 4 at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. The car is the direct result of two semesters’ worth of work by Auburn High School students and more than six years’ worth of work by the State of Alabama, the City of Auburn, Auburn City Schools, and area industry.
In 2003, the City of Auburn Economic Development Department identified a growing need for a skilled workforce in East Alabama. To intervene in the workforce supply chain early, the Workforce Development Division, Auburn City Schools, the State Department of Education, and area industry partnered together to develop an Industrial Technology curriculum at Auburn High School. Taking an unconventional, but effective approach to the curriculum, officials hired a qualified instructor from local industry to teach classes in Industrial Systems Technology. This non-traditional instructor works closely with area industry to identify the knowledge skills needed in today’s rapidly changing, technology-based manufacturing environment. Instruction includes courses in Introduction to Manufacturing, Industrial Mechanics and Pneumatics, and Precision Machining. Lessons in workplace readiness, financial literacy, and fundamentals of leadership and character are also covered through an integrated Junior Achievement curriculum (Success Skills). In addition to classroom instruction, students participate in a variety of hands-on activities. This year, in partnership with Alabama Power, students embarked on a project to create affordable and efficient personal urban transportation. The result: the first-ever student-constructed electric vehicle (EV) in the State of Alabama. Preliminary research revealed the majority of automobile trips in the US are by one person driving less than 35 miles. After a thorough analysis, students decided the range, price, and efficiency offered by Blue Sky Design’s EV kit was the perfect fit. The EV, called the BugE, operates at a cost of one cent per mile. For the same cost and energy consumption it takes to run one load of dishes through an automatic dishwasher, the BugE can travel up to 25 miles. Depending on driving conditions, the BugE can average 30 miles of travel on one complete charge. Inherent torque from the electric motor allows for rapid acceleration with a top speed of 50 mph. Titus Lindsey, manager of Alabama Power’s office in Auburn, said the partnership fits nicely with the company’s focus on supporting education and job training, economic development and research into environmentally friendly technologies. “We are pleased to be a part of such an important initiative,” he said. With three wheels total, two in the front and one in the back, the BugE is classified and licensed as a motorcycle but provides greater stability and weather protection than traditional motorcycles. A single piece canopy protects the driver from wind and rain and with the press of a button tilts upward for effortless entry and exit. The onboard charger connects via a retractable cord stored in the front “trunk.” The vehicle can be easily recharged via a standard household electrical outlet. A total of 48 students constructed the EV over a period of two semesters. Along the way, students encountered obstacles that required situational analysis and problem-solving. A combination of manufacturing and assembly, drive train fundamentals, and electrical theory and practice made this a challenging, but worthwhile undertaking. Students gained invaluable lessons in financial planning and management, teamwork, problem solving, time management, and decision making that will prove useful in their future academic pursuits and careers. Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. commented, “The City of Auburn is extremely proud of the work these students have put into the electric vehicle. This project is the culmination of a partnership between government, education, and industry. We can accomplish amazing things when we work together for the betterment of our youth and, in turn, our community. Thanks to Auburn City Schools, Alabama Power, and local industry, we are equipping these students with the skills necessary to enter the workforce and become productive members of our society.” For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/atc or contact the City of Auburn Workforce Development Division at 501-7300.

Auburn, Ala. – Auburn University has notified the City of Auburn that the portion of West Samford Avenue between Biggio Drive and Wire Road will be closed beginning Sunday, May 10 and will reopen on or before Tuesday, May 19. A detour route will established using Biggio Drive, Lem Morrison Drive, and Wire Road

Citizens are encouraged to visit the City of Auburn’s website at www.auburnalabama.org to view the latest news on street closings.

For more information, please contact the Auburn University Facilities Division at 844-4810.