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Find out what's happening in the blog. Below is a list of blog items.

Oct 23

Meet Kirk McGee Code Compliance Field Training Officer

Posted to Let's Go to Work by Chris Parrish

Why Code Compliance? 



Kirk McgeeI've been asked this question countless times, and people rarely believe my answer. For those who have never explored the intricacies of Code, or for those who don’t truly understand what it is — I’m sure my enthusiasm must come as a surprise. But the answer is simple: I love it. 
I confess; I am genuinely obsessed with Code Enforcement. From the moment I began my career in this field, I immersed myself entirely. I follow code enforcement on social media, listen to podcasts, and read just about anything I can get my hands on. This obsession, though niche I admit, didn't just develop overnight. My love for code enforcement is rooted in my lifelong fascination with law, law enforcement, and investigation. Even as a kid, I was drawn to the idea of unraveling mysteries and seeking out the truth. 

I've served as a City of Savannah Code Compliance Officer for over two and a half years. For the past year, I've taken on the role of Field Training Officer, a position that allows me to pass on my knowledge and passion to newcomers. I love to help others, and I get to talk about code enforcement, laws, and ordinances all day — it’s a good fit. 

My journey to Code Compliance was marked by a surprising twist. Initially, I saw it as a steppingstone toward my dream of becoming a private investigator. However, the longer I stayed, the clearer it became that everything I was looking for I’d already found in the code department. I love being in the heart of investigation, and I wanted to answer tough questions and find creative solutions to help people. Code Compliance has been an awesome place for me to explore that. We don’t just react here — we pursue. Seventy percent of everything we do is self-initiated.  

Ultimately, I think Code is the bridge between a healthy, beautiful environment and one you maybe wouldn’t step foot in. At the end of the day, we’re quality control for the City of Savannah. Our whole mission is to promote a clean, safe environment for the people who live here. One of the most satisfying aspects of my work is knowing that I play a part, however small, in improving people’s lives. I get to engage with the public, educate them about compliance, and witness the transformation of their living conditions. I love going to community meetings and having people ask me super specific questions. When residents send me letters or cards — I keep every single one of them. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the work we do here.  

I’m originally from Oklahoma City, but I was raised here. No other place has ever felt like home. Simply put, I love this city. Everything I want is here. I like that when I drive down the street — people know me. They see my gold wrapped Mazda Miata with anime graphics. and stop and talk to me about it, ask me questions, and recognize me when ComiCon rolls around. I just love the energy here, the community, all of it. I’m getting married early next year, and I can’t think of any place I’d rather raise my future kids. 

In life, I think it’s rare to find exactly what you’re meant to do, rarer still to be able to do it. Maybe I’m lucky. I didn’t expect my passion for detective work and a natural curiosity would lead me to exterior property ordinances and derelict vehicles, but life is often surprising and hilarious. So, here I am.

Apr 30

April 25, 2018 Update

Posted to President Street Project by Chris Parrish

Utility work on President Street and General McIntosh Boulevard is mostly complete.  Paving crews have moved to East Broad to mill asphalt and relay a new top layer asphalt.  The top of the hill on President Street and the area between Truman Parkway and the rail road tracks will be completed next making the surrounding areas blend with the new pavement on President Street and General McIntosh Boulevard.  Expect temporary lane closures as crews are finishing up milling, paving and painting lanes.  Substantial completion of the project should wrap up in May 2018.


Jun 05

Adopt-a-Drain

Posted to WaterWays by Saja Aures

Storm Drain

Keeping storm drains clear is important for two big reasons here in the low country: 

1. Preventing street flooding: during a rain storm, storm drains are designed to quickly move water off the street. A clogged drain can cause water to pool and flood our streets. 

2. Protecting water quality: Pollutants left on the ground, like bacteria-laden pet feces or plastics and Styrofoam in litter, are swept into storm drains with rain. These pollutants then end up passing through untreated to our local waterways, ultimately impacting our water quality.

Savannah residents can now play an active role in preventing street flooding and protecting our water quality by adopting a storm drain through a locally designed interactive website.

Drainsav.org screenshot

Savannah’s new adopt-a-drain program has been led and managed by OpenSavannah, the Savannah chapter, or “brigade”, of the national organization Code for America. Through its brigades, Code for America seeks to improve the delivery of government services, by leveraging the skills of civic-minded residents in communities across the country. 

OpenSavannah volunteers used data provided by the City of Savannah to build out a website which allows users to claim and care for storm drains in their neighborhood. As a storm drain adopter, your job is to make sure leaves, limbs, litter, and other debris is cleared away from the drain you’ve adopted. Even organic materials like grass clippings and leaves can degrade water quality. Pet waste, oils from our driveways, fertilizers, and street litter that wash into a drain pollute our waterways too. 

To adopt your own storm drain, just visit DrainSav.org.

Report polluters
If you see anyone dumping pollutants into the street or storm drain, or if you spot someone blowing leaves and yard waste into a drain, please report this to the City of Savannah 311 Action Center. You can dial 3-1-1 locally to reach an operator, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or anytime via the online form at www.savannahga.gov/311. Reports to 311 can be made anonymously.

Remember: nothing but rain down the drain!