Full Text
Adopt-A-Mile Agreement PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT. Name of Adopting Organization or Individual Name of Road Beginning Point Ending Point Contact person Title (if applicable) Phone Number Address Email address Name as it should appear on Adopt-A-Mile sign Whereas, because litter is costly to the environment, our health, our beautiful landscape, and to the Oconee County taxpayer, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners and Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission recognize the desirability of litter-free roads and the need to eliminate litter from Oconee County, and Whereas, the Adopt-A-Mile program has been established for civic groups, non-profit organizations, businesses and other interested parties to take an active role in maintaining litter-free roads; and Whereas, agrees to abide by the official guidelines of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Adopt-A-Mile program (Attachment and Whereas, is aware of the potentially hazardous work associated with cleaning up litter and agrees to follow all safety guidelines (Attachment and Whereas, understands that the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners agree to cooperate in the development and implementation of the Adopt-A-Mile program, but cannot assume liability with respect thereto. Furthermore, , for two years from the date of this agreement, accepts responsibility for promoting a litter-free environment, cleaning up litter on the chosen section of Oconee County roads at least three times yearly, and reporting all cleanup results to the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission using the official KOCBC AAM Report Form (Attachment Now therefore, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners and the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission recognizes as an official KOCBC Adopt-A- Mile participant. Name of Adopter Authorized Signature of Adopter Date Approved By: Adopt-A-Mile Chairperson Date Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission John Daniell, Chairman Date Oconee County Board of Commissioners KOCBC Use Only Agreement Effective Date Agreement End Date ---PAGE BREAK--- Adopt-A-Mile ~ Information & Guidelines (Attachment A) WHAT IS ADOPT-A-MILE? Adopt-a-Mile is a litter prevention program, sponsored by the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission (KOCBC) and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, aimed at involving the public in picking up litter along county roads in order to make Oconee County a litter-free and more beautiful place to live. Unfortunately, litter along county roads has been increasing in recent years and KOCBC needs the help of Oconee citizens more than ever. Keeping our roadways clear of litter has proven to be very time consuming and extremely costly. It is costly to the environment, to our health, to our beautiful landscape, and to the Oconee County taxpayer. Adopt-A-Mile is also an integral part of the Georgia Department of Transportation's anti-littering campaign and of the Governor's anti-littering program. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF ADOPT-A-MILE? The objective of the program is to create public awareness of the litter problem along Oconee County's roads and to make the adopted sections of roadway good examples of community involvement and of how beautiful Oconee County can be. WHO CAN ADOPT? Any civic-minded organization (Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, garden clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, student councils, school organizations, etc.), any business, family or individual can adopt a minimum of one mile of county roadway. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADOPTER? Upon signing an agreement for adoption of a mile (or more) of Oconee County roadway, the adopter will have the responsibility of controlling litter on that section of roadway for two years. The adopter will: • Plan for a general clean-up at least three times a year. • Encourage other members of the public to improve the appearance of their own county roads. • Coordinate with KOCBC and the Road Department office to schedule cleanups and pick up of equipment and supplies ([PHONE REDACTED]). • Report the results of all cleanups to KOCBC using the Adopt-A-Mile report form. WHAT ARE THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS? All adopters are encouraged to conduct safety meetings with volunteers to discuss the dangers of working along the side of the roadway. The county will provide safety vests to all volunteers and roadside caution signs – available at the Oconee County Road Department office ([PHONE REDACTED]). Please see Attachment A for “Safety Guidelines.” WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KEEP OCONEE COUNTY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION? The Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission will: • Furnish all necessary equipment and supplies to aid the adopters with their cleanups. • Create awareness campaigns to inform the public of the Adopt-A-Mile program. • Coordinate with Oconee County Public Works and the Oconee County Road Department to avoid duplication of efforts in carrying out cleanups. • Communicate regularly with adopters to remind them if they get behind on cleanups and to keep them aware of any changes to adopted roads or to the Adopt-A-Mile program. HOW DOES AN ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL ADOPT? Any interested individual or group should contact the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission or the Adopt-A-Mile Program Manager in order to gain a full understanding of the program and their ---PAGE BREAK--- responsibilities. The individual or group should then complete an agreement form, e-mail or mail it to: Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission P.O. Box 145 Watkinsville, Georgia 30677 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] For more information, please phone (706) 310-3560 or e-mail [EMAIL REDACTED]. OCONEE COUNTY ADOPT-A-MILE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: a) All adopting organizations must sign an Adopt-A-Mile Program Agreement. b) Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners will have final approval on all routes adopted. c) Adopting organizations must adopt a minimum of one mile (this includes both sides of the roadway). d) Adopting organization must pick up litter at least three times a year. KOCBC AND OCONEE COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT WILL FURNISH: a) Road signs including an 18” X 24” Adopt-A-Mile parent sign and a 6” X 24” sign with adopter’s name. b) Trash and recycling bags, disposable gloves. c) Safety vests, roadside caution signs, litter pickers, work gloves – these items on loan, to be returned following cleanup. d) A contact person from Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission to answer questions, to educate participants, to assist participants in carrying out their Adopt-A-Mile agreement, and to advise participants of additional litter reduction programs. ADOPTING ORGANIZATIONS: a) Civic and non-profit organizations • Participants must be at least 12 years of age. • If under the age of majority, participants must have written parental consent. b) Commercial organization • Cannot display any product identification • Cannot display address or phone number • Cannot display any product or service reference • Organization sign to be used only with parent sign c) All Adopt-A-Mile agreements are subject to approval by the Chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners and the Chairperson of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission’s Adopt-A-Mile program. d) All organizations must complete an Adopt-A-Mile report form following each cleanup. Please, email or mail to: Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission P.O. Box 145 Watkinsville, Georgia 30677 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] e) If the adopter fails to perform the required number of cleanups or the required reporting following cleanups, they may be removed from the Adopt-A-Mile Program at the discretion of KOCBC and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. ---PAGE BREAK--- Adopt-A-Mile ~ Safety Guidelines (Attachment B) The safety of Adopt-A-Mile volunteers is very important to KOCBC and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. As an adopting organization or individual, it is very important that you observe the following guidelines when cleaning up your adopted section of Oconee County roads. For your cleanup, KOCBC will supply orange, yellow or green safety vests; roadside caution signs; trash bags; litter pickup tools; vinyl gloves or work gloves. • IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 911 IMMEDIATELY. • Do not pick up litter at night, during inclement weather or during peak traffic hours. • Car-pool to litter pick-up area if possible to keep vehicles to a minimum and park vehicles clear of roadway. • Be aware of and prepared for potential allergic reactions of participants. • Closely supervise young people, with one adult for every 5 youth. In the case of children under 12, one adult per child is recommended. Groups with multiple children under 12 should avoid roadside cleanups. • Participants should wear closed toe boots or heavy shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves. • Participants should wear safety vests (preferred) or bright colored clothing. • Use roadside caution signs at either end of the cleanup area to make passing motorists aware of your presence. • Have plenty of fluids (preferably water) and “quick energy” foods on hand. • Apply sunscreen and bug repellent. • Be aware of potential hazards including passing cars, sharp objects, poisonous plants, stinging insects, fire-ants, snakes, etc. • Use the “buddy system” working in teams of two or three for safety. (This is also very helpful for sorting recyclables – one buddy picks up trash while another picks up recyclables.) • DO NOT pick up hazardous materials such as hypodermic needles, sharp objects, animal carcasses, other questionable items. Report these items to KOCBC at 706- 310-3560. • DO NOT attempt to move large objects. Report these items to KOCBC at 706-310- 3560. • DO NOT strain yourself physically. If you feel sick or overheated, stop working, drink some water and rest. • Be sure to wash hands with antibacterial soap following the cleanup. Please report any problems to KOCBC – [PHONE REDACTED]. DO NOT forget to congratulate yourself and your fellow volunteers for helping to make a LITTER FREE OCONEE! ---PAGE BREAK--- Adopt-A-Mile ~ Participant Report Form (Attachment C) Participating Organization, Group or Individual: Name of person checking out equipment: E-mail address: Phone number: Name of road: Date of scheduled pick-up (include year): Equipment will be returned on: Following each litter pick-up, please complete this form, and return with tools and Equipment to the Oconee County Road Department: Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission 1150 Industrial Drive Watkinsville, GA 30677 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Number of participants: Number of miles picked up: Number of bags filled: Number of hours worked: Most frequently found items during clean-up: Additional comments regarding clean-up: VERY IMPORTANT ~ If contact person has changed, please provide the following information: Name: Address (If mailing address is a P.O. Box, please provide street address as well): City: Zip: E-mail address: Phone number: