City manager highlights events, parks work and storm prep; public safety announces 'Battle of the Badges' blood drive

At the Aug. 6 meeting the city manager delivered routine updates and the council heard an announcement from public safety about a community blood-drive event.

City Manager (speaker 12) opened by promoting National Night Out activities at Kirkwood and noted Public Works and Police recently collected and returned over 200 shopping carts to local businesses. Parks and Recreation staff are repainting school-zone markings, planning a new electronic message board at Kirkwood Adams, and evaluating repurposing aged Rochelle Park tennis courts into alternative recreation (pickleball or similar) if grant funding materializes. The outdoor pool will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Staff also reported ongoing storm-preparation work ahead of Tropical Storm Debbie, including clearing drain inlets and checking generators; the city will post updates on social media and the city website and cautioned residents about localized flooding at known low-lying streets.

A public safety official (speaker 10) announced a "Battle of the Badges" blood drive planned for Oct. 1 (speaker hedged the date), modeled on a New Bern event that paired donations with competing chips for fire (red) and police (blue) teams. The official said the goal is to increase typical donation totals (60–70 pints) to over 100 pints and encouraged community participation during the 12–6 p.m. donation window.

What happens next: Parks, public works and emergency management staff will continue storm-prep activities; staff will provide event details for National Night Out and the fall blood drive as they are finalized.