APWA REPORTER AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION • JUNE 2012 • www.apwa.net ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY AND APWA’S 75 TH ANNIVERSARY

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Vol. 79, No. 6

The APWA Reporter, the official magazine of the American Public Works Association, covers all facets of public works for APWA members including industry news, legislative actions, management issues and emerging technologies. ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY and APWA’s 75th ANNIVERSARY

INSIDE APWA A P W A ’ S 7 5 t h ANNIVERSARY 2 President’s Message 56 A brief history of our beginnings 6 Technical Committee News 57 APWA’s History: In Perspective 7 Recognize Your Leaders 62 APWA Past Presidents reflect on history and future 8 Attending the APWA Congress pays dividends of the industry 10 A View from the Top: A diverse view of women 66 Public Works Historical Society: the beginnings of a in public works unique organization 12 Anaheim: a car-free good time! 71 Public Works Past and Future: A brief reflection 14 Accreditation process helps organization assess 72 Reflections on fifty years in the profession service and performance 75 APWA 75th Anniversary: Thoughts on evolution in 16 You could be saying, “I heard it from my mentor!” the organization 76 Donald C. Stone and the American Public Works COLUMNS Association 4 Washington Insight 80 The Bureau of Reclamation: 110 years providing 18 The Great 8: Traits of Highly Effective Leaders water and electricity to the West 22 Global Solutions in Public Works 83 Building the Aviation Infrastructure: A brief history of the Aviation Trust Fund 92 Ask Ann 84 Best practices in public works are not static APWA: Using history to advance appreciation of FEATURES 86 public works 26 Promoting our technical expertise 88 Challenge the Future 30 Using technology for enhanced public communication 32 Demystifying the CIP WORKZONE 35 Innovative design-build road maintenance strategy: 98 WorkZone: Your Connection to Public Works Careers a proven direction for Kansas City 38 Project planning, engineering priorities and political MARKETPLACE decision making 95 Products in the News 42 Equal Access: Taking it to the streets 101 Professional Directory 45 The long public works legacy in Louisiana’s retreating coastline CALENDARS 46 Preserving the past and maintaining the future of 9 Education Calendar public bridge infrastructure 104 World of Public Works Calendar 48 Pavement surface grinding techniques provide safer, smoother and quieter roads 104 Index of Advertisers 51 Enterprise GIS facilitates cooperative projects and reduces costs throughout city departments 52 From developing needs to developing solutions 54 Cleaning up with new technology

June 2012 APWA Reporter 1 Keeping up with technology

Diane Linderman, P.E., PWLF APWA President

ometimes, those of us in the ready, willing and able to utilize public works profession can all the new technology at their take technology for granted. disposal. However, what seems We always want the newest, to be happening is that technical Official Magazine of the most efficient, best operating advances are occurring faster American Public Works Association PUBLISHER equipment on the market—that than we can master them and American Public Works Association new front-end loader that we incorporate them into our work 2345 Grand Blvd., Suite #700 Kansas City, MO 64108-2625 have called out in our budget, or lives. Things seem to be moving (800) 848-APWA (Member Services Hotline) possibly the vactor truck that we at light speed these days so that (816) 472-6100 (Kansas City metro area) FAX (816) 595-5330 finally convinced our boss to buy. every time you have a plan to e-mail: [email protected] But what about the technology harness the latest technology, Website: www.apwa.net that surrounds our personal and you find that it’s been replaced EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Peter B. King work lives every day and yet goes by something newer, faster and EDITOR essentially unnoticed? Have you better. R. Kevin Clark thought about the advances in GRAPHIC DESIGNER communication equipment over We went from walkie-talkies Abbey Russell ADVERTISING SALES just the past ten years? Are you old to pagers to cell phones to Kristen Creel R. Kevin Clark enough to remember when pagers Blackberries to iPhones to iPads. Amanda Daniel Kansas City Liaison (800) 800-0341 (816) 595-5230 were the latest and greatest thing Remember when 3G was all the on the market? Nowadays they have rage? And now, we’re up to 4G. A APWA WASHINGTON OFFICE 1275 K Street NW, Suite 750 gone the way of the dinosaurs— few years ago, everyone thought Washington, D.C. 20005-4083 nearly extinct. that “app” referred to a job (202) 408-9541 FAX (202) 408-9542 Disclaimer: The American Public Works Association application. Now there are more assumes no responsibility for statements and/or I am continually amazed at how apps for our phones than anyone opinions advanced by either editorial or advertising contributors to this issue. APWA reserves the right rapidly communication and media could have ever imagined—apps to refuse to publish and to edit manuscripts equipment continues to advance designed to address every possible to conform to the APWA Reporter standards. and develop. And I’m not sure specialty and subject around. Publisher’s Notice: The APWA Reporter, June 2012, Vol. 79, No. 6 (ISSN 0092-4873; Publications that we are truly taking advantage And yes, there are apps that serve Agreement No. 41450540). The APWA Reporter is published monthly by the American Public of what is readily available to the public works community Works Association, 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite us. People mistakenly think that as well. If you need to convert 700, Kansas City, MO 64108-2625. Subscription rate is $174 for nonmembers and $25 for chapter- because we are involved in the data, calculate figures, or review sponsored students. Periodicals postage paid at operations side of public service, information in the world of public Kansas City, MO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the APWA we must be “behind the times” and works, there is probably an app Reporter, 2345 Grand Boulevard, #700, Kansas City, unable to master all the new options to meet your needs. We now have MO 64108-2625. Canada returns to: P.O. Box 2600, Mississauga, ON L4T 0A8. available to us. It is easy to confuse cities creating their own apps for Reprints and Permissions: Information is available at “belt and suspenders” with being citizens to report problems like www.apwa.net/Publications/Reporter/guidelines.asp. technically obsolete. However, I potholes, burnt-out streetlights, © 2012 by American Public Works Association know differently. I have had the and downed traffic signs. When Address Change? To alert us of a change to your membership record, pleasure of meeting and talking will this all end? contact an APWA Membership Specialist at (800) with some of the most forward- 848-APWA or [email protected]. thinking people in our organization. Hopefully it never will. Despite The APWA Reporter is printed by Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. And I know these visionaries are the challenges associated

2 APWA Reporter June 2012 with keeping up with today’s best way we can do that is by not functions under the public works technological advances, I still trying to be an expert at all the new umbrella. But as far as technology prefer all these opportunities at gadgets and gizmos that come out. is concerned, it actually might be my disposal. Society demands that Find what appears to be a solution better to just master a few rather we continue to evolve with the to a situation, master it, and use it. than trying to utilize everything at advances in technology and utilize When we stop trying to use all of our disposal. Don’t feel pressured to them to the fullest. Our customers the latest and greatest items on the use all of the newest technological were once okay with getting a market and instead focus on what advancements—it can become follow-up call on a complaint a will really meet our immediate and overwhelming. Instead, decide “few” days later. Now in the age of long-term needs, it all becomes what you need; see what works for instant communication, texting, much easier. you; and use it. That’s when you’ll and cell phones, people struggle to be of the greatest service to your wait a few minutes for their issues When it comes to public works constituents, your employees, and to be resolved. And as our citizenry professionals, we’ve all been referred yourself. has evolved in their expectations to as a “jack of all trades, master of instant answers and immediate of none” at one time or another. Follow President Linderman’s blog at corrective measures, so must our This phrase certainly rings true as http://apwapresident.wordpress.com. use and reliance on technology. The we all perform so many different

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), First Lady of the United States (1933-1945); author; speaker; politician; activist for the New Deal coalition

AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION Mission Statement: The American Public Works Association serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADVISORY COUNCIL

PRESIDENT DIRECTOR, REGION IV DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, (Past APWA Presidents) Diane Linderman, P.E., PWLF Tommy Brown ENGINEERING & Robert Albee Judith M. Mueller Executive Director Director, Urban Infrastructure Superintendent of Fleet TECHNOLOGY and Development Services Services Patty Hilderbrand, P.E. Roger K. Brown Ronald L. Norris Peter B. King VHB, Inc. City of LaGrange, GA Program Management & George Crombie Michael R. Pender Richmond, VA Development Manager DIRECTOR, REGION V City of Kansas City, MO Nick W. Diakiw Richard L. Ridings Executive Director Emeritus PRESIDENT-ELECT Linda Petelka, B.Sc., PWLF Robert C. Esterbrooks John J. Roark Elizabeth Treadway, PWLF Manager, Wastewater DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, Robert D. Bugher Principal Program Planning Section ENVIRONMENTAL Jerry M. Fay Harold E. Smith MANAGEMENT AMEC Environment and The Regional Municipality Bob Freudenthal June Rosentreter Spence Infrastructure of Peel, ON Daryl Grigsby Editorial Advisory Board Johnson City, TN Public Works Director Larry W. Frevert Noel C. Thompson Gordon R. Garner City of Pomona, CA DIRECTOR, REGION VI Herbert A. Goetsch Tom Trice Neil S. Grigg PAST PRESIDENT Larry Stevens, P.E. DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, George Crombie, MPA, PWLF, Senior Project Manager J. Geoffrey Greenough William A. Verkest Susan M. Hann BCEEM FLEET & FACILITIES Howard R. Green Company MANAGEMENT Ken Haag Win Westfall Stephen J. O’Neill Senior Faculty Member, Public Johnston, IA Works Administration Brian R. Usher, PWLF Erwin F. Hensch Carl D. Wills Kyle E. Schilling Director of Public Works Norwich University DIRECTOR, REGION VII Ronald W. Jensen Northfield, VT City of Largo, FL Jimmy B. Foster, P.E., PWLF Dwayne Kalynchuk Program Manager DIRECTOR, REGION I Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, Larry T. Koehle FPO Rick Stinson, PWLF Plano, TX PUBLIC WORKS Director of Public Works MGMT./LEADERSHIP Martin J. Manning Town of Wakefield, MA Cora Jackson-Fossett James J. McDonough DIRECTOR, REGION VIII Public Information Director II Ronald J. Calkins, P.E., PWLF Public Affairs Office Robert Miller DIRECTOR, REGION II Director of Public Works City of Los Angeles, CA Ed Gottko, P.E., PWLF (retired) FPO FPO Town Administrator (retired) City of Ventura, CA DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, Town of Westfield, NJ TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, REGION IX Susan M. Hann, P.E., AICP, Doug Drever, P.Eng., FEC DIRECTOR, REGION III ICMA-CM Follow us on Twitter William (Bo) Mills, PWLF Project Director City Manager Like us on Facebook Director of Public Services City of Saskatoon, SK City of Palm Bay, FL @apwatweets City of Germantown, TN

June 2012 APWA Reporter 3 APWA leadership meets in Washington for Transportation Summit

Tracy Okoroike Government Affairs Associate American Public Works Association Washington, D.C.

he 2012 APWA Transportation leaders. During the meeting President aimed at shortening project delivery, Summit took place April Linderman and Administrator Mendez enhancing the safety of roadways 16-18, 2012 in Washington, signed a new partnering agreement and protecting the environment. D.C., as Congress debated promoting continued coordination NACE’s Brian Roberts highlighted the a bill to set up a conference and collaboration between APWA discussion and findings of a series committee to negotiate a surface and FHWA to provide quality, cost- of Peer to Peer Exchanges which transportation reauthorization. The effective and safe transportation brought together APWA and NACE Transportation Summit brought systems. members and officials representing together APWA President Diane state Departments of Transportation Linderman, President-Elect Elizabeth The following day, members of the and FHWA to discuss challenges, Treadway, the APWA Transportation Transportation Committee, GAC and effective strategies and best practices Committee, the Government Affairs SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization Task for expediting project delivery. Committee (GAC), and the SAFETEA- Force continued the Transportation LU Reauthorization Task Force to Summit with several presentations John German, Chair of the SAFETEA- meet with senior Federal Highway and briefings. The day began with LU Reauthorization Task Force, Administration (FHWA) officials and a presentation on Project Delivery briefed the Summit attendees on congressional leaders and discuss Peer to Peer Exchanges by FHWA the status of the transportation APWA’s advocacy priorities. Deputy Administrator Gregory reauthorization debate in Congress, Nadeau and Brian Roberts, Executive which has been extended by an The Summit began on April 16 with Director of the National Association additional 90 days to September the APWA Transportation Committee of County Engineers (NACE). Deputy 30 by the House of Representatives and President Linderman meeting Administrator Nadeau provided an and is headed to conference against with Federal Highway Administrator overview and update on FHWA’s the Senate’s previously passed MAP- Victor Mendez, Deputy Administrator Every Day Counts initiative, designed 21 bill. German reiterated APWA’s Gregory Nadeau and FHWA program to identify and deploy innovation Reauthorization Priorities which call for passage of a well-funded multi- year transportation reauthorization that invests in the local transportation system, strengthens local decision- making authority and expedites the project delivery process.

On the final day of the Transportation Summit, APWA members met with their Congressional Representatives and Senators to advocate APWA’s advocacy priorities addressing transportation reauthorization, water infrastructure, environment and sustainability, and emergency management and preparedness.

Tracy Okoroike can be reached at (202) 218-6702 or [email protected]. APWA President Diane Linderman and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez sign the partnering agreement.

4 APWA Reporter June 2012 THE ROAD TO PITTSBURGH The 2012 APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 25-27. In each issue of the APWA Reporter we’ll highlight one of Pittsburgh’s unique attractions. Pittsburgh is a great city and the Sustainability in Public Works Conference will be a terrific show!

Pittsburgh is a materials innovator and supplier for a greener global economy, leveraging its world-class manufactur- ing capabilities to create better-performing green products and building technologies. Pittsburgh is a “Top 10 Metro” for Green Jobs (Global Insight) and Pennsylvania has more than 5,000 green building product manufacturers employing 200,000 people.

Pittsburgh is proud to be home to more than 37 green-cer- tified buildings, including the first green college residence hall and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which is pursuing a net-zero energy and water designation as a “Living Building” for its Center for Sustainable Landscapes, which opened in April of this year. This is a direct result of the region’s green agenda and strong commitment to environ- mental stewardship. (Photo courtesy of VisitPittsburgh)

June 2012 APWA Reporter 5 The Engineering and Technology Committee reinvents itself

Jim Nichols, P.E., ICMA-CM Assistant City Manager City of Midland, Texas Chair, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee

his month’s APWA Reporter other efforts or conflicting with other update last year. In addition to serving is being “sponsored” by the agendas. as a forum to discuss chapter needs Engineering and Technology and expectations, the attendees also Committee. We have provided The committee’s first efforts at talked about the niches that the E&T you with articles that I hope you’ll reviewing our mission started last year Committee could fill as well as the role find informative, educational and with the update of our business plan. that delegates could potentially play entertaining. In addition to our work Each year, all of the APWA committees in serving as a conduit between their in facilitating this month’s issue, the establish a new business plan for chapters and the committee. This was committee has also been on a self- the upcoming year to designate new a very collaborative and cooperative initiated journey to better define projects, goals and tasks. Typically, discussion between these groups with and refine our mission and role in these plans are based on the version some great ideas coming out as a serving our members. The committee from the previous year, with result. is comprised of Sherri McIntyre, modifications that reflect new issues, Venu Gupta, Laura Cabiness, Andrew areas of interest or priorities that have The committee took the feedback Lemer, Dennis Randolph and me. come to light since the last update. received from the Region VII Delegates Our group, in concert with our At- When the E&T Committee looked at as well as our updated business plan Large Director Patty Hilderbrand last year’s business plan, we decided and resumed our previous efforts to and APWA staffer, Carol Estes, has to really break it down and ensure refine our role and mission. After been working diligently over the past we were aligned with the current considerable debate and discussion, two years to reinvent ourselves. We APWA initiatives. We established we decided that we could best serve recognized that our title, “Engineering several key strategies that support our members by acting as a clearing and Technology,” is rather broad and APWA’s key strategic initiatives. We house and facilitator for new processes leaves lots of room for interpretation then populated these strategies with and technologies in the public works regarding our areas of responsibility. specific tasks that would ensure the industry. And we want to expand In addition, the generic nature of the strategies were achieved. We have our reach beyond just public works terms “engineering” and “technology” since monitored this business plan so agencies. The committee wants to creates the opportunity for potential as to remain on point and on schedule harness research and information areas of interest to cross over into for the strategies we established. The available at various colleges and other Technical Committees. For committee members also recognize universities as well as through private example, can the use of LEDs for that this plan is a living document and vendors. Though the concept is streetlights and traffic signals be a work in progress so we continue to still being formulated, the general considered a topic covered by the update and refine it on a regular basis. idea is that we want our committee Transportation Committee or should to be the ultimate resource for our it be addressed by E&T as an emerging Recently, the Engineering and members who have questions about technology? Is trenchless pipe repair Technology Committee met with the new technologies or new practices in a subject best handled by our Utility Region VII Delegates who represent the public works field. In addition, and Public Right-of-Way Committee or the Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma agencies that have conducted studies, E&T? These are the types of questions and Texas Chapters. This joint meeting pilot projects, or evaluations, will that the committee has routinely was intended to allow the committee know to supply this data to the E&T faced since our inception and so the to better connect with representatives Committee so that the information current members decided that it was of some of the chapters we serve. It’s can be made readily available for other time to get a better handle on our worth noting that maintaining and members as needed. The committee role in APWA. Ultimately, we want to enhancing contact with the chapters will develop a plan to establish a bring optimal value to our members is one of the strategies established by network with learning institutions, and ensure that we are not duplicating the committee in our business plan research agencies, and the like to

6 APWA Reporter June 2012 collect and distribute research projects, topics, and areas of interest. We will also work closely with the other Recognize Your Leaders established Technical Committees to Mover” award in his first year with maximize the available resources and This sixth article in the series of not duplicate efforts. Based on this Recognize Your Leaders is submitted by the County for being an outstanding new direction for the committee, we Hesha Gamble, the County Engineer for employee, as well as participating in are proposing a name change that will County of Greenville, South Carolina, the “Future Leaders” program. be proposed to APWA in the future. and member of the APWA Leadership We are suggesting that the committee & Management Committee. Leadership Over the years, Ron has taken the be referred to as the Engineering and can come at many levels and she is lead in managing the County’s use Technology Research Committee. recognizing the leadership of a longtime and evaluation of innovative and Though it’s a subtle title change, it staff member through different greener technology in the paving does more accurately reflect the new pavement management programs. and maintenance process, including role that we hope to take on in the the use of geo-textile fabric and future. Arguably, one of the most important recycled rubber in the paving public assets is our roads. The process. He was instrumental in The committee also hopes to work roads are truly the lifelines for any the testing and eventual purchase closely with the House of Delegates community, and many would tie of the Rovver pipe camera unit. He regarding the possible role that the growth and development of a has conducted research on various delegates can play in collecting and community to the condition of its pavement methods and often disseminating information to the makes suggestions to fine-tune our chapters about possible research topics roadway network. Over the years, paving processes to get the best as well as research efforts currently Greenville County has been an and most economical paved road. underway. The E&T Committee innovator in South Carolina with recognizes the critical role that the regards to pavement management Ron has even taken the initiative HOD plays in serving as a channel approaches. Our management to develop training courses on to the chapter membership. The has evolved from in-house project management and asphalt committee hopes to forge a solid maintenance to an aggressive and roadway inspection for our Local working relationship with the HOD comprehensive design-build road Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) that will benefit everyone in APWA. improvement program handled center. He is currently assisting the by a construction management LTAP center at Clemson with the Though these changes and concepts team. As this multi-year program development of a conference on are still being formulated and has come to an end, our pavement “green” paving techniques. obviously must be approved at management is now staff-led using various levels throughout APWA, It is his wealth of knowledge and traditional contractor-bid methods the Engineering and Technology dedication to the 450,000 citizens for paving and inspection services. Committee hopes that our efforts are of Greenville County for the As in any agency, staff turnover well received and will lead to even past 15 years that has helped the occurs and sometimes the history better service to our membership. County continue to be leaders in of certain processes is lost. For Regardless of the final results of the pavement management field. the recommendations, the exercise Greenville County, the one constant He deserves recognition for his and self-examination by the E&T throughout all of these changes diligence and perseverance. Committee will provide longstanding has been Ron Bettis. Ron is the lead benefits into the future. We welcome paving inspector for the Engineering If you have a leader that you would the comments, suggestions and & Maintenance Division and has like to recognize, submit their name feedback of the members. Please let us been involved with the pavement and a brief summary of the project know what you think. management activities since 1997. you would like to recognize them for to Becky Stein at bstein@apwa. Jim Nichols can be reached at (432) 685- Ron Bettis showed leadership net. 7205 or [email protected]. Carol potential even from the beginning, Estes, staff liaison to the E&T Committee, being recognized with the “Prime can be reached at (816) 595-5222 or [email protected].

June 2012 APWA Reporter 7 Attending the APWA Congress pays dividends City of Newport winning sidewalk liability battle

COMMUNITIES

fter years of struggling with economic times and tight municipal Riccio was immediately sold on its frequent and expensive budgets required us to think outside applicability. As he notes, “Over bodily injury claims from the box. the past two seasons we have been individuals falling on city able to get control of the situation, sidewalks, the City of Newport is As Riccio indicates, “We began by by eliminating more then 350 trip reversing that trend with the help establishing an aggressive sidewalk hazards from our pedestrian ways of innovations discovered at the inspection and maintenance which has resulted in a 50% decrease APWA Congress. In 2009, William program. With the assistance of in the frequency of our sidewalk- R. Riccio, Jr., P.E., PWLF, Director engineering interns, we were able to related claims.” The City of Newport’s of Public Services for the City of catalogue the scope and magnitude risk provider is amazed at the Newport, Rhode Island, attended the of the problem at hand. As we results of this seemingly simple yet APWA Congress in Columbus, Ohio, attempted to develop a sustainable innovative solution for which they after receiving a risk management program, we quickly realized that recently awarded the City of Newport scholarship provided by the Rhode sidewalk panel replacement could the Thomas Sweeney Innovation Island Interlocal Risk Management only be a part of the solution. Most Award for Risk Management. Trust, the City of Newport’s insurance of the claims were located within the provider. most heavily traveled pedestrian ways “It is my hope that these initiatives in this internationally-acclaimed have also helped to reduce our After one year with the City, Riccio seaside tourist community. Although insurance premiums,” Riccio said. noticed an alarming rate of claims we had to focus on the immediate “Had I not attended Congress in associated with “trips and falls” matter at hand, we also needed to 2009, I am not sure where we would along sidewalks; it was obvious develop a program that would be able be right now but the rewards have that the City was not viewing this to be implemented throughout the been realized and I have not missed a matter comprehensively. Shortly entire city.” Congress since.” after attending Congress, Riccio was presented a sidewalk liability analysis Riccio recalled meeting a vendor You just never know where or by the City’s insurance provider on the exhibit floor in Columbus when you will meet that person which confirmed the startling whom Riccio thought might be or company that can help you to numbers which indicated that the able to provide another piece develop or to implement a solution City of Newport had averaged 9.4 of the puzzle. The vendor was to a longstanding need. Get involved claims per year which translated hopeful that they might have the in Congress and always remember into monetary claims in excess of answer that would help Riccio get that your issue is likely not unique to $800,000. For the City of Newport, control of the problem. The vendor your municipality. There is always an finding a way to reduce liability arranged a demonstration of the answer to a question and at Congress exposure in the midst of tough sidewalk panel cutting service, and it is usually easy to find.

“We are seeing the birth of a new perspective of the world, where ecology and economics are two sides of the same coin.” – Leif Johansson, former CEO, Volvo Group

8 APWA Reporter June 2012 For more information about these programs or to register online, visit www.apwa.net/Education. Program information will be updated as it becomes available. Questions? Call the Professional Development Department at 1-800-848-APWA.

2012

June 12 Low Cost Safety Improvements (Rebroadcast)

EDUCATION AT YOUR DESKTOP

June 14 The New ISI Tool (Live)

EDUCATION AT YOUR DESKTOP

June 25-27 Sustainability in Public Works Conference – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

June 26 The New AASHTO Transportation Green Book (Rebroadcast)

EDUCATION AT YOUR DESKTOP

June 28 FHWA Rating Systems (Live)

EDUCATION AT YOUR DESKTOP 2012 APWA Congress—The Best Show in Public Works August 26-29 Anaheim, California If you have expertise that you would like to share, please use the online Call for Presentations form to describe your expertise and perspective on the topic. www.apwa.net/callforpresentations/

= Click, Listen, & Learn program = Live Workshop

EDUCATION AT YOUR DESKTOP

Sustainability in Public Works Monday, June 25 12:00 noon – 6:30 p.m. Conference at a Glance Registration 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. 3 Available Local Workshops/Tours Keynote Speaker 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. General Session Don’t miss a Keynote Speaker who “gets it” 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. and thoughtfully speaks out to champion Welcome Reception and Exhibit Opening sustainable communities, economic prosperity, and common sense! Tuesday, June 26

Patrick Henry Hays 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mayor, North Little Rock, AR Continental breakfast, lunch and President and Chairman of the Board, refreshment breaks ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA 7+ Hours Exhibit Time (4 Non-Compete) 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 17 Education Sessions Available Wednesday, June 27 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Continental breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks Prize Drawings 6 Hours Exhibit Time (3.5 Non-Compete) 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Register today at www.apwa.net/sustainability 14 Education Sessions Available

June 2012 APWA Reporter 9 A View from the Top: A diverse view of women in public works

Wendy Springborn, MBA Engineering Services Manager City of Tempe, Arizona Chair, APWA Diversity Committee

ere we come, Anaheim! The a few of this year’s panelists and Linda served as a member of the APWA 2012 International give you a little sample of what you CPWA Board of Directors from Public Works Congress will experience by attending this 2009-2011. She has been a member & Exposition is just right educational session. of the Ontario Chapter’s Board of around the corner and the Diversity Directors since 2000, serving as Committee has been busy prepping First up: Chapter President in 2008. She for the many educational sessions we Linda is a past chair of the Chapter’s provide during the conference. Petelka, B.Sc., Membership Committee and PWLF. As Hospitality Committee and currently This year, the committee decided Manager of serves on the Special Functions to shake it up a little. For the past Wastewater Committee. Petelka organized the seven years, we have presented Program chapter’s response to the St. Bernard outstanding women in varied fields Planning for Parish volunteer effort for the New and responsibilities within public the Regional Orleans Congress (2008) in support works in a program entitled “A View Municipality of APWA’s initiative. She was named from the Top – Women in Public of Peel, one of APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Works.” The program has always been Ontario, Leaders of the Year in 2009 and was well received and I believe we leave Linda Petelka Linda and the recipient of APWA’s Community people wanting to know even more her staff are Involvement Award in 2010, and now about the opportunities and struggles responsible serves as Director for Region V. experienced by our panel. for programs and services such as the Inflow and Infiltration Program, As a wife, mother and business partner Two highly qualified women have Flow Monitoring Program, Standards in her husband’s business, balancing been identified to participate on this Development, Hydraulic Modeling, work/life is a constant requirement year’s panel—Linda Petelka, Manager, Local Improvements, State of Good and a juggling act that requires Wastewater Program Planning for Peel, Repair, Master Planning and Servicing excellent multi-tasking skills, great Ontario/Director, Region V and Erin Feasibility Studies and leads the facilitation, conflict resolution and Jones, Planning Director for Rowlett, Division’s continuous improvement priority-setting capabilities. Texas/Emerging Leaders Academy. and business strategy initiatives. Prior Always wanting to find ways to to her current position, she worked Larry Frevert, increase our focus on diversity while for the Regional Municipality of P.E., PWLF, broadening our need to continually Halton, Ontario, for 23 years, where was one of improve our emphasis on inclusion, she played an influential role in the first men the committee decided to invite a guiding the Region through a period that came to gentleman to participate on the panel. of unprecedented industry-wide mind when We wanted to hear his perspective on change. Linda played a critical role in we discussed embracing women in public works. transforming the Canadian National adding a male How was he able to encourage and Water and Wastewater Benchmarking to the panel. mentor women to succeed in what Initiative partnership into the I have not had been a predominantly male Canadian standard for water and known him environment? wastewater best practice development. Larry Frevert long; however, She recently participated in the Abu I have come This session is scheduled for Tuesday, Dhabi Benchmarking and Performance to know him as an individual who August 28, at 2:00 p.m. I wanted to Improvement Initiative. reaches out to help others navigate take this opportunity to highlight their way through their professional

10 APWA Reporter June 2012 careers—women or men. We are very similar group to Russia. In 2011, he learning more about the profession as glad to have him participating as the became a charter member of APWA’s a whole and how planning can best be inaugural male on the longstanding Public Works Leadership Fellows integrated into public works. women’s panel. Program. In her free time Jones enjoys Saturday Larry is a retired public works Our final morning bike rides, reading, Broadway engineer. He has served that participant musicals, and spending time with her profession for over 43 years, including is Erin Jones, husband of seven years, Bryan, and a combined total of 36 with state and Planning their English bulldog, Harley. municipal governments and nearly Director for seven years as a consultant engineer. the City of All of these panelists have truly Rowlett, amazing stories regarding their Larry has lived in the Kansas City Texas, a journey into public works and the region since 1979 and in Kansas City, rapidly trials and tribulations along the way. Mo. proper since 1987, at which time Erin Jones growing What key event(s) triggered their he began a 19-year career with the suburb interest? What were the high points City of Kansas City working for the of Dallas with a population of and low points during their journey? Public Works and Parks and Recreation approximately 56,000. Over the If they could have done something Departments. Previously, he had course of her four-year tenure the different that would have helped them worked for the Missouri Department City has been in the midst of two along the way, what would it have of Transportation and just prior to major transit projects—the eastern been? How were they able to assist retiring he was a vice president for extension of the President George women in advancing through their HDR Engineering. From 1995 to 2003, Bush Turnpike which opened in careers? What other advice can they Larry served as Deputy Director and December 2011, and the eastern lend women in the public works field? later Acting Director of Public Works extension of the Dallas Area Rapid All these questions and much more for Kansas City. Transit Light Rail Blue Line which is will be answered at the 2012 Congress scheduled to open in December 2012. education session “A View from the Larry’s wife of nearly 41 years has These extensions will link Rowlett to Top”—two girls and a guy in public been the Director of Health Services the rest of the metroplex like never works talk about their lives and careers for Avila University for over 30 years before and will position the city in Anaheim, California on August 28. and like Larry is a graduate of the for significant development in the We’ll see you there! University of Missouri. Larry and future. As Planning Director, Jones Carol are elders and committee chairs was integrally involved in the City’s Wendy Springborn can be reached at at Raytown Christian Church which recent adoption of the Realize Rowlett (480) 350-8250 or wendy_springborn@ tempe.gov. they joined, also in 1979. Larry and 2020 Vision Plan and looks forward to Carol have four grown children, implementing the community’s vision including triplets, and are the proud throughout her time at the City of Rowlett. Order Custom Bulk grandparents of four granddaughters and three grandsons. Editorial Reprints Jones began her professional planning career in 2005 after receiving a Larry is a member of APWA, the master’s degree in City and Regional Now that you have been American Society of Civil Engineers, Planning from the University of featured in the APWA National Society of Professional Texas at Arlington. She holds a Engineers, Missouri Society of Reporter, why not leverage dual bachelor’ degree from Baylor Professional Engineers, and the Order this opportunity to promote University in Environmental Studies of the Engineer. In 2001, he was and Journalism/Public Relations and your product or service with president of APWA’s Kansas City Metro has integrated those fields of studies custom reprints? Chapter of APWA and in 2007-08 into her planning career over the he was APWA National President. In last six years. In 2009, the Planning Call our reprint 2010, he was named a Top Ten Public Department at the City of Rowlett Works Leader of the Year. In 2009, department at was reclassified under the Public he led a People to People delegation Works Department. Jones is currently (800) 259-0470 for of public works professionals on an participating in APWA’s Emerging exchange to China and in 2011 led a complete details. Leaders Academy, and has enjoyed

June 2012 APWA Reporter 11 Anaheim: a car-free good time!

Natalie Meeks Director of Public Works City of Anaheim, California

here is no better place on star, and much, much more. Why not will pick you up and drop you off for Earth to work and play combine work with pleasure and bring your flight—check with your hotel than Anaheim, California! the family to enjoy all that Southern directly and you will likely be able APWA members, guests and California has to offer? Come early to avoid renting a car. Disneyland sponsors are in for a treat when they and stay late! Resort also operates shuttles to and visit Anaheim this August for the from John Wayne Airport and Los International Public Works Congress Southern California is known Angeles International airport. Shuttle & Exposition. throughout the world for its beaches, and executive car services are another its sunny weather, its celebrities and airport transportation option that Scheduled right before the long its love affair with the automobile. But will eliminate the need to rent a car Labor Day weekend, this four-day part of Anaheim’s appeal is the ability —which you won’t need in Anaheim convention is the largest gathering for visitors to travel to and throughout (http://anaheimoc.org/plan-your-trip/ of public works professionals in the town without the need of a car. maps). the world. Attendees will enjoy Whether on foot or taking advantage extensive educational programming, of the multiple public transit options, From the train. Visitors can travel to professional workshops, an visitors can easily move car-free Anaheim by train on either Metrolink enormous exposition floor and ample around Anaheim. or Amtrak. The Metrolink train runs networking events. But that’s just part from San Clemente to Los Angeles of what Anaheim holds for APWA. Getting here Union Station (LAUS) in Los Angeles. From the airport. Anaheim is 15 The Amtrak train runs from San Known as the downtown of Orange miles away from both John Wayne Diego to Santa Barbara with stops at County, Anaheim offers world-class Airport and Long Beach Airport. Anaheim as well as LAUS. Both train tourism attractions, including the Anaheim is also accessible from systems have smartphone-friendly Disneyland Resort, Angels Baseball, nearby Los Angeles International mobile sites and there is also an Honda Center, the Anaheim Ducks, airport and Ontario Airport—both Amtrak app available for free through concerts, museums, restaurants that about 30 miles away. Many Anaheim iTunes (http://www.metro.net/around/ range from family-friendly to four- hotels have an airport shuttle that maps).

By bus. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) provides bus service for Anaheim with local and county-wide routes. To make it easy to explore Orange County by bus and train, OCTA offers the OCLINK pass. Available on the OCTA website, the pass allows for unlimited travel on all buses and Metrolink trains throughout Orange County for $7 a day or $10 for a weekend (www. octa.net).

Getting around in town The Anaheim Resort district was created in 1994, dedicating the area City National Grove of Anaheim (photo courtesy of City of Anaheim)

12 APWA Reporter June 2012 available for purchase at local hotels, public sales locations, kiosks around Turn your public the city and online. works job into a ART will create a special service public works career! schedule for attendees of the APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition. That schedule will be Challenge yourself and let available early summer 2012. Angel Stadium of Anaheim (photo the DCS experience help you courtesy of City of Anaheim) sharpen your leadership and What to explore near and around the Disneyland Time, not choice, will be the challenge management skills, gain real- Resort to tourism-friendly uses such for your visit to Anaheim and Orange world technical knowledge as hotels, restaurants and convention County. In addition to the stimulating and set yourself apart from facilities. Home to one of the world’s and educational offerings of the busiest convention centers, the APWA Congress, Anaheim’s many your colleagues. You won’t Anaheim Resort offers visitors an array entertainment, sports, food and be alone – each participant of entertainment options. shopping options will be calling your name. Here are just a few of the ways gets to choose their own For many visitors, walking is the you can entertain yourself and your personal mentor with more fastest, easiest way to navigate their entire family while visiting Anaheim: than 20 years of public works way around the Anaheim Resort • Anaheim GardenWalk area. Many hotels are situated within experience to offer advice and • Angel Stadium of Anaheim walking distance of the Anaheim perspective. • Disneyland Resort Convention Center and other resort • Downtown Disney area destinations. • Honda Center • Knott’s Berry Farm For those hotels that are not within • The Outlets at Orange walking distance, they are likely The APWA Donald C. Stone • Muzeo serviced by the not-for-profit Anaheim • Westfield MainPlace Mall Center for Leadership Resort Transportation (ART) system. The ART is a convenient way to get Excellence in Public Works Anaheim looks forward to hosting the around Anaheim, providing local APWA Congress in August. For any transit service from area hotels to Find out what it takes to questions about arriving or getting Disneyland, the Convention Center around Anaheim without a car, turn your public works job and other resort-area and neighboring visitors can visit Aconnext.com or also destinations such as Knott’s Berry into a career by visiting contact the Anaheim Transportation Farm and the Discovery Science www.apwa.net/dcs! Network at (888) 364-ARTS, artinfo@ Center. ART’s fleet, which transports atnetwork.org or visit www.rideart.org. more than three million guests each year, includes clean air vehicles such Natalie Meeks can be reached at (714) as electric, clean-burning propane 765-4530 or [email protected]. and natural gas buses. ART tickets are

Honda Center (photo courtesy of City of Anaheim) www.apwa.net/dcs Accreditation process helps organization assess service and performance

Matthew F. Villareale Fleet Management Division Chief Prince William County, Virginia Director, APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter

he Department of Public department business plan. This plan important step we took during the Works in Prince William created goals, strategies and objectives accreditation process. County strives to provide that pull the divisions together excellent customer service toward a common department- During this self assessment, the and meet the daily needs of our wide vision and mission. The plan department took a hard look at its community. In an effort to assess was created based on feedback current practices to determine if they our service and performance, the from employees throughout the were adequate. We discovered we department took on the challenge department. The feedback was were fulfilling many of the applicable of the accreditation process through then organized and prioritized by a management practices, but we APWA. team of employees from all of the did not have written policies and divisions. The business plan, which practices, so we could not document Public Works is one of the largest is in line with the County’s strategic our compliance. We also found departments in the County. We plan, heralded a cultural shift in the many procedures and policies were complete a wide variety of tasks from department. based on memos from a supervisor. historic preservation, environmental Through the years, those memos have protection, trash and recycling Another valuable aspect of the been forgotten, lost or unfamiliar management, neighborhood accreditation process was the to employees who started after the improvement to providing services completion of the self assessment memo was issued. such as fleet, printing and cleaning phase. It is said that starting is the services for our County Government. hardest part of any project. For us, As a direct result of the self This diversity in tasks, services and starting and completing the self assessment, we created a standard for responsibilities led the department to assessment was the hardest and most uniformly documenting procedures have eight unique cultures in its eight different divisions.

Through the accreditation process, staff was able to create formal bridges between these groups to create a department-wide culture. Cross-divisional teams worked on the first nine chapters and created department-wide policies and procedures. The teams also tackled the subject chapters with management practices that involved multiple divisions. As a result of this work, employees from separate divisions began to see how they were connected to the other employees within the department and how our work supported other groups.

One of the most valuable achievements in the accreditation process was the creation of our Prince William County Public Works serves the entire county.

14 APWA Reporter June 2012 and policies within the department. confirm sound business practices, We made these procedures available internal controls and accountability. You like what electronically in a single location We can confidently face and meet any you do, now start accessible to all employees. The cross- reviews given by our elected officials, divisional teams created SOPs that executive management for the County moving up the affected multiple divisions and each Government or our counterparts in public works ladder! division created operation manuals other jurisdictions. Public Works is for their unique and specific tasks. credible and trustworthy as a steward The DCS Center offers you Now, our practices are uniform, well of public funds and fulfilling public documented and easily accessible by needs. access to institutes that offer all. cutting-edge curriculum By initiating and completing the In Public Works, we believe a proactive accreditation process on our own, our specifically designed for public department is highly organized department worked on bettering itself works professionals just like and accountable for fulfilling its on its own terms using guidelines you. This type of learning responsibilities, so we began our and standards established by peers model allows you to improve journey to become accredited five within an association dedicated to and a half years ago. We knew it was the advancement of the public works your management skills and time to assess and improve ourselves profession. Our staff knows we are become a more effective to meet the challenges of the future. performing to our fullest potential to But it came at a time of change for leader, benefitting not only meet the County’s new accountability the department when two divisions standards and the standards set by yourself, but your organization left to become new departments. The our counterparts in the public works journey also began during the darkest as well. industry. days of the Great Recession when we lost staff and funding. Our five-and-a-half-year journey to become accredited has come to Our pursuit of accreditation also a close. During this journey, our The APWA Donald C. Stone came at a pinnacle time for our department had to work closely and entire organization. Like so many Center for Leadership cooperatively to complete the self others, our local government was Excellence in Public Works assessment and self improvement struggling with the current recession phases of accreditation. This project and difficult economic situations. Our felt daunting at times as we balanced Find out how to start moving organization knew entities outside up the public works ladder by the County Government would daily responsibilities, difficult and begin to look sharply and critically changing times, and the challenges of visiting www.apwa.net/dcs! at all business practices. In response, accreditation, but in the end it drew Prince William County Government the department together as a unified began a number of internal audits and team. reviews. These new internal controls We learned more about our and accountability assure citizens that organization, the work our coworkers tax dollars and funds are used wisely face and complete each day, and and correctly. These steps also ensure the value that all of our combined our organization works at its fullest potential and most effective level. services bring to this community. This unity and camaraderie will help By completing the accreditation the department as we face our daily process, Prince William County Public responsibilities, future challenges and Works has proactively reviewed our issues, and efforts to remain accredited practices and made changes where and continuously improving. necessary to reach national standards set by our peers in the public works Matthew F. Villareale can be reached industry. We now know we have at (703) 792-5063 or mvillareale@ the documents and procedures to pwcgov.org. www.apwa.net/dcs You could be saying, “I heard it from my mentor!”

Connie Hartline Publications Manager American Public Works Association Kansas City, Missouri

erhaps you’ve wondered why The stories use a situation/action/ cost. We make at least six complete APWA is putting considerable result format, hence the S/A/R passes through the entire city in a effort into assembling designations that follow. six-week period each fall. a group of 200 mentors for the APWA Donald C. Stone Michael Waldron, Director of Public Carl Dawson, Public Works Director Center for Leadership Excellence in Works for Moline, Illinois, chose not to for Raleigh, North Carolina, found Public Works (DCS) program. The wait for a leaf burn ban and found a that taking time to communicate with answer can be found in something creative plan to use a baler to bail out employees paid off when news about Albert Einstein said: “Learning is Moline’s curbside leaf service. health care benefits threatened to be a experience. Everything else is just bitter pill for them to swallow. S: We vacuum/rake leaves curbside information.” for every street in the city. The S: Recently, it became apparent In recognition of that truth, APWA city council was contemplating a that the City’s health care plans has made access to mentoring a key leaf burn ban, which would add were not sustainable without some component of the program so that additional tonnage to be collected. significant changes that would affect participants get one-on-one time At the same time, public works staff’s benefits. If was also apparent with some of the most successful budgets were under severe cuts and that the reductions in benefits and public works professionals in North reductions in personnel and related the increased employee costs would America. At press time, 170 Public expenditures. have an effect on employee morale Works Leadership Fellows (PWLFs) in the department. A: We watched the council struggle had been approved and are ready to with the decision for 2-3 years A: I served on the City’s assume their roles as mentors. prior to adoption. In that period management team charged with One of the early tasks they’ve been we didn’t wait for the ban to just recommending benefit changes assigned is to provide “stories of happen and then adapt. We began that would offer employees two experience” from their careers, an intensive review throughout the plans so that they could choose the which have been assembled into a Midwest of what our peers were plan that best met their needs. I supplemental book for DCS program doing and how we could become met with all of the 400 employees participants. The stories are arranged more efficient, keep our standard in the department to explain the around leadership and management of service, and implement any advantages and disadvantages of core competencies, which include: efficiencies as soon as possible rather each plan and to answer questions plans for the future; leads an than waiting for the ban to be put about the need for the changes. organization; communicates; builds into place. R: The changes were made with relationships and partnerships; and R: Through peer reviews and minimal disruption and drop in the multiple categories of managing networking, we were able to partner employee morale. This happened staff, information, infrastructure, with an area farmer to use his bailer because staff felt that they were municipal services, and money and equipment (square bails) to collect given all of the information resources. leaves. The bailer was in addition necessary to understand the need To give you a taste of the added to our vacuum/rake operations. The for the changes and to choose the dimensions mentors will bring to burn ban was implemented, and we plan that provided the most benefit the DCS experience, I’ve chosen have completed leaf collection each to their individual situations. stories from five of the mentors. of these last three years at lower

16 APWA Reporter June 2012 When it comes to understanding the to maintain. This process took a lot value of staff attitudes on productivity, of the “politics” out of the equation. You’ve spent time Snow White and her “7 Little People” in the public works have nothing over on Stuart Moring, John A. McCarty, Executive Director Director of Public Works/Environment of the Southeast Metro Stormwater trenches, now make for Roswell, Georgia. Authority in Englewood, Colorado, the move to a desk! scratched beneath the surface of “we’ve S: Staff assignments and promotions always done it that way” and found a were often based on longevity or way to save his agency big bucks. The DCS Center provides specific skill sets, but teamwork the education you need to sometimes suffered. S: The County performed its own chip sealing of paved roads and help you develop a better A: I adopted an approach of sprayed an additional seal coat over understanding of the focusing on attitudes (particularly the chips (cape seal). The cape seal various public works agency service and learning) rather than was costing over $100,000 per year. skills in hiring and promotions, responsibilities, applicable because the skills can be taught. A: My experience was that chip technologies and issues facing Having good caring people begets seals were very successful without managers. By participating excellence as they attract other top the additional cape seal. I began performers who enjoy their work. asking why the County applied the in the program, you’ll be cape seal. Several weeks later, I heard showing your commitment to R: The department and key staff from a long-term blade operator the profession and working are receiving increasing numbers that 20 years ago the chips were a of awards for “best program,” reddish color and that the county towards a nationally- “excellent service,” etc., and we commissioner said, “Roads are recognized credential. receive the appreciation of top supposed to be black. Make them management and elected officials. black.” The County added the cape seal and continued to do it for more Bret Hodne, Public Works Director than 20 years. The APWA Donald C. Stone for West Des Moines, Iowa, found a method for helping the politicians R: By simply asking the question, Center for Leadership understand what numbers really count the cape seal was determined to Excellence in Public Works in infrastructure management. be an unnecessary process, which provided $100,000 to extend the Find what you need to make S: Educating the elected officials miles of road maintained annually. about the need for pavement your next move by visiting funding was always an issue. There These are only a few of the scores www.apwa.net/dcs! were also requests from ward council of stories of experience the DCS representatives to spend inequitable mentors have helped us capture funds in their respective areas. on paper—the ones the mentors happened to remember at our A: We elected to implement a prompting. There are countless pavement management program. other stories to be told as mentors We researched several companies and DCS candidates interact within and moved forward with the project. the mentoring relationship. Have you applied for your spot in the DCS R: We now have dedicated capital program yet? If so, it won’t be long funds as a direct result of the before you could be saying, “I heard program. The system projects the it from my mentor!” necessary funding based on the elected body’s decisions on what Connie Hartline can be reached at overall condition number they wish (816) 595-5258 or [email protected]. www.apwa.net/dcs Getting to Vision

Donal F. Hartman, Jr., J.D., LLM, Program Director, School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, and member, APWA Leadership and Management Committee; and Paul Katsampes, D.P.A., Instructor, School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

The APWA Leadership and Management As leaders derive their power to take the foot off the gas pedal; the Committee has introduced a new series influence and motivate in no small visionary can be a wonderful asset of articles entitled “The Great 8” which way from their ability to lift people’s as a parade leader, but not if the focus on leadership traits and qualities. eyes to a distant but achievable visionary is running when others are This is the eighth series of articles vision, vision is critical for the walking. Moreover, there is such a contributed by the committee over the leader’s success as well in guiding the thing as vision overload. The leader past several years. The Leadership and organization. with a new vision each month will Management Committee, working with not only create an organizational gap a subcommittee composed of public We don’t ask the leader to personally between vision and performance, works leaders with decades of experience, create the vision. But the leader but risk the loss of the organization’s has identified a number of qualities is responsible for ensuring the confidence and trust as well. required for success as a leader of a organization has a vision. For public works organization. The series some leaders vision is always at the The Operator – Most of us are will explore the following traits over the forefront of their thinking. Others see not visionaries by nature. We see next eight months: the world through operational lenses. ourselves as practical-minded, Both need to balance their own grounded in reality, and attentive 1. Vision personalities and proclivities to lead to the operational needs of the 2. Charisma the vision process. organization. Operators don’t 3. Symbolism normally think in visionary terms; 4. Empowerment The Visionary – There are some it takes a conscious effort to lift our 5. Intellectual Stimulation who routinely think in terms of gaze to the horizon, and even more 6. Integrity vision; they have a knack for seeing effort to see things hypothetically. If 7. Knowledge Management a new path, a new direction. We you think more in operational terms 8. Power of Relationships call these folks visionaries. They are than in strategic terms, you may creative, they seem to have an innate downplay the need for a vision. But In the first article on the subject of vision sense where an organization could it is the responsibility of the leader (May issue), the topic was vision as a go and what it can be. Being labeled to see things in strategic terms, to key responsibility for the leader. In this a visionary can imply criticism. think of new ways to operate, to find article the topic is creating the vision. Visionaries are sometimes seen as new partners for relationships, to out of touch with the needs of the identify new skills to develop, and to “Vision is a target that beckons” organization, oblivious to taking the sense new opportunities to explore. – author unknown practical steps necessary to realize the The operator, like the new employee, Vision provides a focus for vision. Not all leaders are visionaries, may need to start a self-education current efforts; it identifies to the but those who are must accept program to develop the capacity to organization a clear direction; it that with the gift of vision comes a lead from a strategical perspective. energizes people, and it projects to responsibility to use the gift wisely. stakeholders and to the community Culture Clash – Ideas for a new a sense of the organization’s identity. The visionary must accept that vision like seeds tossed into the Vision is important in seeking others need time to grasp the vision. wind can struggle to find suitable resources as it shows the organization It is important for the visionary to places to take root. The leader must is not so absorbed in responding to take time to talk, to educate, and recognize that most employees and today’s problems it cannot evolve to respond to questions. Even more managers are not normally focused to meet the challenges of the future. importantly the visionary has to on vision. They may feel that the

18 APWA Reporter June 2012 exercise to create a vision is a waste the leader, the second in command, of time. Moreover, as a new vision division managers and key staff. Share your public is likely a call for change, there may Others should include those held works knowledge be resistance just as with any new in high regard by the organization. operation or program. The process But all should bring to the process and experience for leading change may need to be a reputation for sound thinking, a employed to help the organization sense of the organization’s history with others! both create and accept a new vision. and values, and a commitment to If you’ve got more than In some organizations there even find a vision. may be a gap in values between 20 years of public works management and staff. Not every The characteristics of the individuals experience, the DCS Center organization shares the same values; who make up the executive team offers you a chance to give cultures in organizations can vary contribute to its effectiveness. The considerably. If leadership and staff leader should work to build on back to the public works have an adversarial relationship, individual strengths and compensate community by lending your creating a vision will be a far for individual weaknesses by acting real-world knowledge to fellow different challenge than working in a supervisory role as a mentor to DCS participants as they move within an organization where individuals in their personal and leadership has a high level of trust professional development process. through the program. You’ll with the organization. The ability to work well together also have the opportunity to is a fundamental component of learn just how important your The Process – While there are a a successful team. Three keys to number of effective ways to create establishing a collaborative climate knowledge has become and a vision, there is one method to are: (1) clearly defined roles and how you can leverage that avoid—the top-down process. It responsibilities, (2) strong lines of experience to become a better is normally counter-productive to communication, and (3) positive leader to your staff. take a top-down approach in most relationships. The process will be matters, and particularly so in bumpy, team members will be creating a vision. Noble thoughts working hard as they probably still about creating a new vision will likely have their primary duties to attend The APWA Donald C. Stone be misconstrued if the vision comes to, and egos may get bruised. Taking down as if from Mount Olympus. care of these preliminary issues will Center for Leadership For one, it may be perceived as yet provide for a smoother and more Excellence in Public Works another attempt to diminish staff’s productive journey. authority or discretion. Two, it may Find out how you can share be seen as just a marketing stratagem, The leader must stay engaged, but your public works knowledge nothing that implies new operations a deft touch is required to keep with others by visiting and processes. A vision should dialogue open and to encourage energize and focus the organization; good-faith questions and constructive www.apwa.net/dcs! to best achieve these results the disagreements. While the leader must creation process must engage the stress the importance of the vision, organization at many levels. After and perhaps provide examples, it all, you are seeking commitment, is important for the leader to listen not compliance—this is all about the more than to talk. Strong control by hearts and minds of the organization. the leader is counter-productive as it signals a lack of trust and confidence The process best configured to in others. If the vision is going to be achieve these ends is a representative effective and collective, those who process, a team approach using are working closest to its creation key folks from the organization must be invested in the final product to actually identify the vision. and committed to its achievement. The team, or working group/ That only happens when the working executive team, usually consists of group as a representative body of www.apwa.net/dcs THE ROAD TO ANAHEIM to the end point, but it is wise to The 2012 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition will take place recognize there will be obstacles, in Anaheim, California, August 26-29. In each issue of the APWA Reporter we’ll either in terms of personalities or highlight one of Anaheim’s unique attractions. Anaheim is a great city and our conceptual disagreements, fatigue, annual conference will be a terrific show! and frustration. Once the vision is identified it is important to take it back to the organization for discussion. There is nothing to preclude the group from returning to the table if better ideas arise during meetings with the organization. After all, the vision belongs to the organization not to the working group.

Donal Hartman has a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga Law School and a Masters of Environmental Law from George Washington University. He has worked Go to the Congress educational sessions and exhibit hall during the day, and add in the federal and public sectors for some magic when you enjoy Disney experiences in the evening. Special discounts more than 35 years, most recently as the are available on Twilight Tickets (admission after 4:00 p.m.) to Disneyland and Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Disney’s California Adventure parks. These special advance purchase tickets let Department of Corrections. His legal you skip the lines at the theme park ticket windows and save money too! Tickets career includes assignments as lead are valid Wednesday, August 22 through Monday, September 3 for admission counsel for the Vermont Department to the parks after 4:00 p.m., and must be purchased before 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 24. (Tickets can only be purchased through the Disney Ticket Store link, of Corrections and Assistant Judge which you can access when you register online for Congress. These special ticket Advocate for the Air Force. He has taught prices are not available at Disney theme park ticket windows.) (Image: ©Disney) adult learners for nearly two decades and occasionally teaches military justice in the undergraduate program at Norwich the organization develops a sense of • It must be uniquely applicable to University. He can be reached at (802) ownership over the vision. the organization (not just to any 485-2767 or [email protected]. similar organization) Getting the working group off on • It should be bold yet practical Dr. Paul Katsampes earned his Doctor the right foot is important. There are and achievable and Master of Public Administration a number of approaches to launch from the University of Colorado at the creation process, but as soon as Before the process of discussions Denver, a Master in Arts from the State possible the group needs to grasp the begins there should be a discussion University of New York at Albany, and distinctions between mission, goals on the timing of the process, how a Bachelor in Criminology/Psychology and vision. Differing interpretations to deal with conflict, how to break from Metropolitan State College of of these concepts will waste time and logjams in discussions, how to select Denver, where he is professor emeritus. dog the process with unnecessary new team members, etc. The leader Dr. Katsampes has taught in the areas side discussions. Moreover, the can personally manage the overall of organizational theory, business group needs to establish key points process, but it may be wiser to bring management, crime causation, and of reference. Here are the some in a consultant or a former member leadership. He has authored many books characteristics of a vision: of the organization known for his or and articles dealing with leadership and • It must be rooted in the values of her skills in running meetings. Once management. Currently he teaches for the organization the process is formally launched, the Master of Science in Organizational definitions agreed upon, and Leadership and the Master of Public • It should be sufficiently strategic controlling characteristics identified, Administration programs at Norwich to inspire and motivate the difficult part begins—the actual University, School of Graduate and • It must identify a direction, a discussions around various visions. Continuing Studies. He can be reached purpose, or a focus There are a number of ways to get at [email protected].

20 APWA Reporter June 2012 We want to hear from you!

Three opportunities to share your vision, best practices, lessons learned, and real- world strategies, systems, and insights…

April 7–10, 2013, Charlotte, North Carolina (date and location to be determined) 2013 North American 2013 Sustainability in Snow Conference Public Works Conference Submission deadline: August 31, 2012 Submission deadline: October 15, 2012

August 25–28, 2013, Chicago, Illinois 2013 International Public Works Congress & Exposition Submission deadline: September 30, 2012

Conference information and online submissions: www.apwa.net/conferences/cfp International niche for Global Solutions in Public Works

Alexandra Pastor Graduate Student School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Master of Public Administration Program Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

orld demographics have As part of my graduate work at fronts, including emergency changed significantly Norwich University, I had the management, utility management, since the end of World opportunity to research whether and transportation. Partnerships for War II when the first or not there was an international information exchange would result humanitarian assistance programs opportunity for APWA. By reviewing in importing foreign specialization were developed and aid issued what humanitarian services and applying it to like scenarios to nations undergoing post-war other international organizations in the United States and exporting reconstruction. Several decades later, are providing in the field, what U.S. methodologies that could programs such as the US Agency for funding options are available find relevancy for application International Development (USAID) and their attainability, and where abroad. Given the indiscriminate came into existence providing infrastructural and educational impact of climate change and funding for economic development support is needed, I set out to the social responsibility tied to projects in underdeveloped nations, determine where APWA’s Global improving quality of life in general, encouraging self-determination Solutions in Public Works program a transjurisdictional approach to and poverty relief, and raising the could be applied and would be most sustainable development through standard of living. The advent successful. international collaboration and of information technology has cultural exchange is timely. enhanced our understanding of I discovered abundant, up-to-date humanitarian needs throughout the literature on this topic and identified Public works officials today, by world. Such information exchange partnership opportunities awaiting definition, have a wide-lens view of has uncovered new business pursuit. A central coordinating non- public services and see sustainable opportunities and furthered economic governmental organization (NGO), community development as a development. Despite these advances like APWA, with infrastructure concerted effort to harmonize in fostering a worldwide economy, expertise would find significant adequate standards of living within a there are complex economic, social demand for collaborative projects. As social, environmental, and economic and environmental dynamics an international NGO, APWA would context. Public works officials are widening the gap between the haves be in the unique position of raising masters of administration, operations, and have-nots. awareness in the global community management, maintenance, about the critical role public works logistics and engineering. Because As a result, aid programs have become fulfills in community-building. of such specialization and the global prevalent. Today international, By forging global partnerships for movement toward sustainable national and grassroots organizations humanitarianism, Global Solutions communities in an era of finite address acute humanitarian crises has a tremendous opportunity to resources, Global Solutions is a resulting from localized war, natural provide consultation, the exchange vehicle through which APWA can disaster and disease outbreak; and of ideas, and education in the area of strategically position the public works attend to humanitarian needs on infrastructure. APWA’s membership community to facilitate humanitarian an ongoing basis, such as providing would have the opportunity not services. Outlined below are a adequate food supplies, housing, only to share ideas, but also to number of recommendations APWA sanitation, potable water and health work with others in addressing the staff and the APWA International care; AIDs relief; education; and complex challenges so common in Affairs Committee should consider teaching sustainable agricultural and underdeveloped nations. developing. business practices, capacity building and transparent government. APWA represents excellence in Fact-finding and further research infrastructure on a number of Because there is extensive debate

22 APWA Reporter June 2012 about the praises and failings of for the work that it carries out and Global strategic plan economic and social development international exposure and superior Establish a five-year strategic plan aid to underdeveloped nations, professional development for its for the Global Solutions program so researching funding agencies and membership. Published literature on that APWA and its chapters will have potential field partners will provide the APWA Global Solutions web page a clear direction in international background on past and present about existing (like the California- endeavors. The International project outcomes. In this way an Mexico and Georgia-Sweden Affairs Committee would publish organization can determine whether partnerships) and future APWA a prospectus outlining the Global there is a common mission or international projects would generate Solutions’ goals and objectives for ideologies that promote mutually- interest in the exciting possibilities the next five years, then follow up desired outcomes. the program has to offer. with yearly reports on progress, achievements, and current projects as Acting as a centralized Pursuing other educational a way to sustain momentum, generate coordinator opportunities, including engaging interest, and stimulate participation. The APWA International Affairs youth Flexibility, benchmarking, Committee could act, at least Expanding APWA’s current academic, stakeholder input and partnerships initially, as the lead in Global training and certification programs are also built into the plan. This Solutions for the chapters. Staff toward an international market strategic model is straightforward, would be assigned to grant research could draw in membership from paperwork-averse and action-based. and uncovering opportunities in parallel professional organizations, contracting and consulting in the environmental organizations, For the interventionists involved, U.S., with other governments, and trade associations, private there is mutual benefit in working with intergovernmental organizations industry, academia, the scientific for a humanitarian cause: by (IGOs). The committee would network community and government. helping others one helps oneself. with fellow partners Engineers Exploring international youth Humanitarian partnerships will Without Borders, International City/ education programs would be enhance public works’ visibility County Management Association and International Federation of Municipal another opportunity for APWA to and advance APWA’s key role as an Engineers to explore what activities involve its members in third-world international player thus growing the the organizations are involved in country education. International Association’s appeal for worldwide to open up dialogue about where exposure broadens perspective and membership. And so the time is the APWA can lend infrastructural imaginativeness—experiences that opportune to make globally available support. could take years to develop through what APWA does best and position its traditional or professional education. infrastructural prowess in community Projects—high-profile, low-profile development as a niche product and examples Partnering and service that only professional APWA has much to offer to the associations like APWA can offer. APWA would be well-served by existing NGO network because the Readers are invited to peruse American pursuing both high- and low-profile Association combines administrative projects. High-profile projects have Public Works Association International: excellence and infrastructural national and international visibility Is There An International Niche For expertise in one comprehensive and are often heavily covered in Public Works? for more information approach. Defining guidelines the media, such as humanitarian about the international environment. such as those drafted by the interventions supported by Global Humanitarian Platform in well-known organizations (e.g., Alexandra Pastor is a graduate student the Principles of Partnership (joint International Federation of Red in the Norwich University School of document drafted by the UN, NGOs, Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Graduate and Continuing Studies Master IGOs, and the World Bank on how USAID, Soros Foundation). Low- of Public Administration program, class to build stronger and more fruitful profile projects are those in which of 2012. With a multi-disciplinary partnerships) would establish APWA would play a support role, background and international experience, collaboration goals agreed upon by all working behind-the-scenes, such she is looking forward to being part of parties to achieve intended results so as in UN programs. By engaging and contributing to the excellence in the that partnerships on paper translate Global Solutions in both high- and public works community. into effective partnerships in the low-profile projects, APWA stands field. to gain both worldwide recognition

June 2012 APWA Reporter 23 Opportunity knocked and these APWA members answered the door!

Gail Clark Manager of International Programs American Public Works Association Washington, D.C.

n January 2012, the APWA be meeting with municipal officials Florida Chapter of APWA International Affairs Committee and visiting public works facilities is planning to focus on approved two fantastic and sites on an INGENIUM/IPWEA sustainability in all stages of international study opportunities planned study tour; while others will community development. being organized by our APWA partner attend IFME’s International Congress organizations IFME, INGENIUM, and & Exhibition to hear international • Jim Close, Central IPWEA. The opportunities for Finland speakers on topics of global interest. Pennsylvania Chapter, will included (1) an approved INGENIUM/ also attend the INGENIUM/Study IPWEA study tour to visit three “Thank you so much! This is Tour and will focus on learning Finnish municipalities, meet with the incredible. What a great opportunity,” about the international role of City Councils, and tour public works wrote Colorado’s Trish Aragon upon the public works director and projects; and/or (2) attendance at the hearing of approval of her project leadership/management issues. International Federation of Municipal application. Aragon is City Engineer Engineers (IFME)17th World Congress for the City of Aspen, Colorado APWA’s Global Solutions in Public on Municipal Engineering to be held in and plans to attend both the Study Works is intended as an international Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; Tour and the IFME Conference. Her exchange forum for information and Stockholm, Sweden. application listed her project interest promoting leading-edge and best as: “Creating sustainable solutions for practices in public works. The Recognizing the potential for our everyday mobility to enable a better program is also intended to encourage members to learn more about environment for alternate modes the application of these leading-edge innovative international public works of transportation including cyclists, and best practices in the global public projects, the International Affairs pedestrians and public transportation works community. The program Committee approved these programs users.” She is anxious to see what the includes an opportunity for limited for a Global Solutions in Public Finnish municipalities offer in the funding for members of the global Works $1,000 travel reimbursement way of supporting these users. public works community to explore opportunity. cutting-edge projects that might have Other approved Study Tour and IFME application in their communities, Nearly six months and loads of Conference attendees include: provide outreach to educate/share e-mails later, five public works best practices with public works professionals will be heading off to • Anne Noble, Greenways officials in underdeveloped countries, Finland in June to tackle topics such Coordinator, City of and participate in approved study as asset management, pedestrian Loveland, Colorado and tours. and bicycle traffic, flood mitigation Quinten Pertzsch, GIS and waste management. Several will Coordinator, City of Golden, More information about the Global Colorado. Each has chosen a Solutions in Public Works program focus for their study in Finland. is available at http://www.apwa.net/ As an APWA International global. Champion Chapter, the Colorado Chapter was active in promoting Contact Gail Clark at APWA the opportunities with its ([email protected]) to learn how members. your chapter can become more involved or serve as an “APWA • William Burns, Project International Champion” Helsinki, Finland Manager, City of Orlando, FL, Chapter.

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6456-3_WS_Construction1p_APWAR.indd 1 4/9/12 12:29 PM Promoting our technical expertise

Ana Nixon, Public Information Officer, City of Grandview, Missouri; Dennis Randolph, P.E., Director of Public Works, City of Grandview, Missouri, and member, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee

ublic works professionals are employees have been victims of Size of the Public Works Job in the U.S. too modest. Our modesty negative stereotyping; who hasn’t • Over 1 million miles of water has led us to not effectively wondered, when driving by a public main (US EPA) promote the work we do and works crew fixing a road or a water • Over 4 million miles of streets the part we play in making the world line, why most of the workers just and roads (ARTBA) a better place to live. Since we do not watch while one or two do all the promote our work, many people do work? It is important to note that • Over 1.2 million miles of sanitary not know much about what we do. public works employees do make sure sewers (US EPA) Often, the picture we present to the the work of keeping a community • Over 75,000 dams (National public is “the people who cover roads running smoothly is done, and done Inventory of Dams) with orange barrels or cones, or the well. ones we blame when the toilet backs politicians, or “media experts” step up in our basement.” The general public tends to forget or in to be the face of the problem or doesn’t understand that public works question. Thus, because we do our jobs While the public works profession, led professionals not only protect and quietly and efficiently, people rarely by APWA, has done much in educating enhance the human environment, recognize the importance of our work about the need for orange barrels and but also present investments for the to the social and economic well-being other common public works tasks people who create them and for future of our country and society in general. that are taken for granted, there is still generations. For example, public works much to learn. While APWA has taken professionals are responsible for the We need to stress that publicity for the lead for us, the task of educating proper spending of large amounts of publicity’s sake, or simply bragging people about public works is so big, it public and private money. In 2008, about everything we do, is not the takes every public works professional’s state and local governments spent point of our story—far from it. But the time and effort to get the job done. $356,000,000,000ii on public works public works industry suffers from (refer to Table 1). a continuing problem of lack of There are an estimated 313,326,687 notoriety that makes our jobs far more people in the United Statesi. Besides We manage millions of miles of roads, difficult than they already are. knowing little about the broad range sewers and water mains, and build and of work that public works professionals maintain thousands of buildings, dams Because people lack knowledge of engage in, few of these people have and airports. But except for those times what or how much we do, we find any idea of the size of the job we do. when we are making a plea for money ourselves in a “negative” competitive However, when they wake up in the to repair a critical problem, the public position when it comes to gaining morning, they expect to have water rarely hears from the public works funds for our work. A sterling example available to brush their teeth and to professional. Often, elected officials, is the difficulty the U.S. Congress flush the toilet. Further, when they walk out their front door, they expect Table 1 -­‐ 2008 Public Works Expenditures to use a street or sidewalk to head out Millions of Dollars on their business for the day. Item 2008: Total State Local Total $356,314 $108,226 $248,087 Yet, while we are assailed regularly Highways $153,515 $90,645 $62,870 about potholes and other obvious Air transportation $21,264 $1,758 $19,507 failures in the facilities that we are Water transport and terminals $4,940 $1,492 $3,448 responsible for, most people are Sewerage $46,679 $1,273 $45,406 oblivious to the span of our work. Solid waste management $23,757 $2,439 $21,318 Water supply $55,215 $354 $54,860 Perhaps too often, public works Mass transit $50,944 $10,267 $40,677

26 APWA Reporter June 2012 live healthy lives without constant fear of typhoid, dysentery, or other terrible diseases that have plagued humankind. They also allow crash rates to go down even while traffic and population continue to grow.

We need to point this work out and the best way to do this is by developing and using a Comprehensive Public Works Promotion Program (CPP) (refer to Figure 1). A CPP allows us to prepare for opportunities to promote our work in a variety of ways and using different approaches. The idea is to provide a balanced approach that does not either Figure 1 – Comprehensive PW Promotion Program skew to blatant self-promotion or devolve into a continuous appeal for has in renewing a transportation bill. These words are important for many funds. Even with bipartisan agreement, the reasons. But for those in public works, bill cannot only help a deteriorating they provide our basic “guiding light.” With such a balanced approach, transportation infrastructure, but give They emphasize the importance of we can keep a constant flow of a boost to our economy. what we do, and point out one of the information to the public and elected basic reasons for government. Public officials, so that awareness of public So how do we go about raising our works is the foundation of our society. works is kept at a high level. profile and telling our story? First, Without well-established and well- as public works professionals, we maintained public works, civilizations The fact that we need variety and a need to consider these words of the struggle or stagnate. American public constant flow of information going Declaration of Independence: works has achieved the highest out to the world is best illustrated standard of living in the world. by the success that police and fire “We hold these truths to be self- services have had in portraying their evident, that all men are created How well those in public works do work as key to a good community. equal, that they are endowed their jobs goes directly to those basic While statistics and crime reporting by their Creator with certain rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit certainly help keep such life-services unalienable Rights that among of Happiness.” The sewer and water well recognized, the fact is that for these are Life, Liberty and the mains that we build and maintain years television and movies have pursuit of Happiness. That to provide the basic human needs for provided continued awareness of the secure these rights, Governments life at every doorstep. The dams and importance of such functions. are instituted among Men, waterworks we build help to provide deriving their just Powers from not only water to survive, but to A simple CPP can consist of regular the consent of the governed…” grow food. Control of streams and report of activities, seasonal public rivers has lessened the danger and service announcements, reports on Informational and Publicity damage of flooding and protected the construction, and educational pieces. Opportunities investments of people gained in their The idea is to have a regular flow of pursuit of happiness. Streets, highways • Seasonal reports on activities such and other transportation facilities we as snowfighting, street repair, build and maintain let us travel across Public Works Needs a Jack Webb solid waste collection and our country in the exercise of Liberty, Jack Webb was the creator of a number stormwater control and our pursuit of Happiness, in a of classic shows that promoted the work of police and fire agencies. • Social media to give emergency safe and efficient manner. Without Shows such as Dragnet, Adam-12 and work information and updates these infrastructures, life as we know it would be impossible. Emergency presented positive pictures • Web pages to provide information of life-service agencies and were early on ongoing programs, forms and These quiet yet basic components of promoters of the need for public contacts our public health system allow us to support of such agencies.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 27 There’s Still Time to Register! The APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference Starts June 25!

Gather together with committed individuals like yourself for a deep dialogue about the role of public works in creating sustainable communities!

We’ve got fascinating technical tours on Monday (sign up soon as space is limited) and a full slate of spot-on education sessions and cutting-edge exhibits on Tuesday and Wednesday. Nowhere else can you receive a more concentrated wealth of sustainability information geared specifically to public works and infrastructure issues!

Sustainability is ingrained into the everyday delivery of public works services! Below is a glimpse into what kinds of presentations and dialogue you can expect to find at the conference, but don’t forget to check out the full line-up of speakers and must-attend sessions online at www.apwa.net/sustainability.

• Communities of differing shapes and sizes (Los Angeles, CA, Lancaster, PA) are incorporating Green Infrastructure into daily public works projects and operations. • Charlottesville, VA, is finding success with broad-based energy use reduction efforts. • A SMARTRAFFIC system is improving highway efficiency in Gainesville, FL. • Sioux Falls, SD, is constructing a LEED Silver Certified solid waste collection and education center. • Monaca Borough, PA, is converting park lighting to LED and installing windmill and residential solar panel solutions. • Downers Grove, IL, is installing 25 hybrid street lights using off-the-grid lighting technology. • State College, PA, is diverting both food and yard waste to a compost facility. • Normal, IL’s, urban core redevelopment includes planting trees in silva cells to mitigate heat generation, implementing innovative traffic and stormwater management approaches, and building a multi-modal transportation center. • Pittsburgh, PA, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are working together towards the successful rebirth of Pittsburgh’s historic parks, proving that public/private partnerships work.

Now That’s Sustainability! June 25-27, 2012 • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Register today at www.apwa.net/sustainability information, stories and data. While Ana Nixon holds a bachelor’s degree in i U.S. Census Bureau estimate as of part of this flow can include requests journalism from the Universidade Federal 17:31 UTC, April 8, 2012. for funding, the idea is to present de Juiz de Fora and a master’s degree ii Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Federal, so much information, that the need in communications from the University State, and Local Governments, for funding is both implicit and of Kansas. She worked in a newsroom Finance, State and Local Government compelling. for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo Finances, 2007-08, June 2011 and and for the French magazine Le Nouvel unpublished data. See also http://www. All these things we build and maintain Observateur. She also worked in corporate make it possible to put the words census.gov/govs. Internet release date communications at Sprint for five years of the Declaration of Independence 9/30/2011. and has been the Public Information into action, in a positive way. Public Officer for the City of Grandview since The Positive Nature of Public Works works is one of the positive forces in June 2008. She can be reached at (816) Of the many activities of government, developing and making our country 316-4812 or [email protected]. public works provides the most a great place, the place where many positive of services, intended to people still dream to come. Dennis Randolph has over 40 years of protect humans and enhance experience in the public works field, Public works professionals need to the pursuit of Life, Liberty, and including local government experience overcome their natural modesty and Happiness. While many governmental aversion to telling about their work. with organizations in Michigan, activities—especially police, fire, The way to do this is to prepare a Missouri and Virginia. He has BS and corrections, and even many social comprehensive communications plan MS degrees in civil engineering and service organizations—are necessary and put it to action. Otherwise, the an MPA. He has nearly 70 published to overcome the negative aspects of public works “assets” essential for the papers and is an Adjunct Instructor at human nature, public works provides functioning of a society and economy University of Missouri–Kansas City. He facilities and features that help people will continue to be taken for granted. can be reached at (816) 316-4855 or to strive for and live their lives to the [email protected]. fullest.

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06_June_Henderson_HalfPageAd.indd 1 June 2012 APWA5/10/2012 Reporter 11:46:00 AM 29 Using technology for enhanced public communication

Laura S. Cabiness, P.E. Director, Department of Public Service City of Charleston, South Carolina Member, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee

echnology related to In 2011 the City of Charleston, delays while travelling on this road communication is moving South Carolina, began construction during peak hours and that alternate ahead with blazing speed. It on the first phase of a drainage routes should be considered. Through wasn’t long ago that public improvement project along a six-lane multiple outlets the City provided engagement required expensive urban highway that currently serves information on the lane closures mailings, costly ads to notify the more than 60,000 vehicles per day. and alternate routes. When the time public, and press releases in which Due to the high traffic volume during came for the lane closures the lane we hoped the information was peak hours the majority of the work reduction resulted in only minor interesting enough to have the local was restricted to nighttime hours, increases to travel time and these media disseminate the information. but a portion of the work involved diminished as new traffic patterns Certainly these outlets still have construction of a median wall in the became established. A well-informed their place but new electronic media center of the roadway which was just public was able to adjust to the impact offers new possibilities to provide not practical during nighttime hours of construction. information, receive feedback, and alone. The City had to claim the two engage a greater audience with center lanes for a six-month period in From the onset of the project the minimal cost and significant control order to get the median constructed, contractor prepared a “two week by creating your own message. A reducing the lanes’ capacity by 33% look ahead.” Minor edits are made to well-informed public can be an asset. while this construction was taking prepare the message to be posted from A constituency without sufficient place. This meant that the public had the City. It is distributed to an e-mail information will try to fill that to be advised that there would be list developed at public meetings. knowledge void with information from their own resources, often with disastrous results. Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter have gained widespread momentum and are crossing generational age groups. This and more options such as web page publishing and e-mail distribution lists make regular communication with the public more extensive and affordable than before.

By now most everyone is familiar with the major social media outlets. Many people have used them in their personal lives to communicate with family and reconnect with classmates and friends from long ago. These same outlets can be used to promote public projects, solicit feedback, and provide current updates on project progress, impacts to the public and other information that can help the public An added benefit of the Facebook page is that the updates are presented in a cope with the difficulties faced by the timeline format that creates a chronology of the updates and makes it available construction of major projects. to the public.

30 APWA Reporter June 2012 The information is also posted on a project website and a Facebook page Your Vote in APWA Does Count was created specifically for the project As an APWA member, you will have the opportunity to vote for members where the information is also posted. of the APWA Board of Directors between July 6 and August 3, 2012: An added benefit of the Facebook page is that the updates are presented • APWA president-elect; in a timeline format that creates a chronology of the updates and makes • At-large director in the functional areas of Engineering & Technology, it available to the public. Environmental Management, Public Works Management/Leadership, and Transportation; and Since the construction of this highly visible project began in Charleston • Regions III, IV, VII and IX Regional Directors (by APWA members in and electronic media became the those respective regions) primary means of communication, there have been some lessons learned The ballot will be available for online voting between July 6 and August 3, and tips developed that might 2012 on the “Members Only” section of the APWA website. There will also help others that are beginning to be a voting icon on the home page of our website. If you do not have access use electronic dissemination of to a computer at home or work, you may access the APWA website at your information in the same way: local public library or other public access points. If you are not able to vote online, you may request a paper ballot from Cindy Long at (800) 848-APWA, • Not everyone has the talent for ext. 5220. Additional reminders of the voting process will be sent through writing. Tap the best writer in the the infoNOW Communities; via e-mail to every member for whom we have organization to be your editor, an e-mail address; and in future issues of the APWA Reporter. not necessarily a person with a technical background. After all, If you have questions, please contact Cindy Long at [email protected] or most of the audience is probably (800) 848-APWA (2792), extension 5220. not technically oriented either.

• Create an e-mail address specifically for the project. This e-mail address can be monitored misinformation from becoming a Citizens have become accustomed by the project manager for timely problem. to being able to acquire information responses and it also ensures about any subject quickly and that project-related e-mails don’t • Employ multiple formats to reach reliably. Likewise the public wants to overwhelm the project manager’s the largest interested audience be able to provide input and shape other responsibilities. but keep it manageable for your projects for the desired outcome. organization. If too much time Technology and social media are • Create the project updates one is being devoted to preparing propelling opportunities for mass time for multiple outlets and and posting updates, reduce communication and feedback and our make minor edits to make them the number of posts. Instead of savvy constituents have reasonably relevant to the particular format. every week make it every other grown to expect to be “in the know” For example, Twitter posts must week or once a month. The with real-time information available at be less than 140 characters. A important thing here is to provide their convenience. Facebook, Twitter, Twitter post might provide a link information that is meaningful e-mail and project-specific websites to a project web page where the for the audience and that the provide an opportunity for a public full project update is available for updates are provided on a regular works agency to communicate with those that are interested in the schedule. its constituency on many levels. The detail. nature of your message and your • Ensure that the project web audience will determine the best • A Facebook page has the option and e-mail addresses are made outlets for your agency. of allowing viewers to post prominently available to the comments on the wall. This public. Strong use of these Laura Cabiness can be reached at (843) feature can be turned off allowing resources will minimize the effort 724-3754 or [email protected]. the page owner to determine on the agency’s part to get the what gets posted preventing message out.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 31 Demystifying the CIP

Jim Nichols, P.E., ICMA-CM Assistant City Manager City of Midland, Texas Chair, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee

any municipalities and then there will be no drain including design, construction, close- public agencies have some on internal staff. Oftentimes, out, etc. To only focus on projects over form of capital plan that administrators and elected officials the course of a single year eliminates they generate to govern will make the assumption that the use the ability to coordinate various the implementation of major public of outside consultants to manage and phases and elements between different improvement projects. These plans oversee CIP projects will completely projects and also doesn’t allow long- take all different forms, shapes and free up internal staff to work on other term planning to occur. In addition, sizes depending on the many factors competing priorities. And it is true one of the less-considered factors to including the dollars available in the that hired professionals can greatly be reviewed in the development of a capital budget, staff expertise and relieve the workload on government CIP is “resource leveling.” This is the available resources, to name just a staff compared to performing those evaluation of internal staff resources few. But regardless of the type of plan same functions completely in- needed to manage projects within the that is used, there are a number of house. However, what is sometimes CIP. The consideration of available myths and misconceptions that can lost in the equation is the need for resources allows the projects in the greatly hinder its effectiveness. The someone to manage the external CIP to be shifted to match not only following are some of the “urban project manager. When a consultant available funds but also the available legends” associated with CIPs as well is used to shepherd projects through staffing (i.e., “leveling”). This, in turn, as suggested practices that can make to completion, there are progress prevents the need to have dramatic it truly useful, user-friendly, and meetings to be held, invoices to increases and decreases in staffing manageable. review, and unforeseen issues to based on unnecessary peaks and address. These all require internal staff valleys of CIP projects. A suggested 1. “CIP” stands for Capital time. And depending on the political way of developing and looking at the Improvement Plan. Though the sensitivity of the projects being CIP is over a five-year period (though acronym, CIP, is often referred to as a managed, the necessary staff time may some agencies may choose to go much “plan,” this may not be the best way be considerable. So regardless of when further into the future). Beyond the to describe it. Instead of thinking of and where consultant services are used five-year horizon, a “bullpen” of out- the CIP as a rigid planning document to assist in the implementation of CIP year projects that fall outside that comprised of capital projects, it can projects, be sure that internal resource window can be maintained. And each be more beneficial to look at the CIP demands are taken into account. year, as the CIP is updated, year two as a Capital Improvement PROGRAM. shifts into becoming the new year When the CIP is approached from 3. The CIP should just focus one with the rest of the CIP moving a programmatic perspective, it can on a year’s worth of projects. forward as well. Projects from the then encompass the many facets Sometimes a CIP can just look like a out-years are then brought forward of capital projects that go beyond list of projects. And when this occurs, to populate the new fifth year. In just getting something constructed. it can create unrealistic expectations addition, as the CIP is updated each Key components of capital projects as to when and how projects will be year, projects can be moved back and including funding sources, overall delivered. Elected officials and the forth and in and out of the program project schedules and sequencing, general public may be led to believe based on changes in priorities, resource availability, and project that all of the projects on the CIP will funding needs and so on. It is coordination can all be woven into be completed within that particular imperative that the CIP not be looked the program and thus ensure that fiscal year. With the complexity of at as a rigid plan with no flexibility. projects can be effectively managed. projects being undertaken at the Instead, it is a living document that local level, we often see them extend ebbs and flows with the needs of the 2. If an outside consultant is well beyond a single year, especially agency that is managing it. used to manage capital projects when you consider all of the phases

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4. All projects within a CIP must will be adequate money to cover all to utilize for this threshold as it is be fully funded to maintain the of the costs of the projects contained very dependent on the specifics of integrity of the program. This is in the CIP. And as previously noted, the agency to be managing it. It’s one of the more popular misnomers the program should be reviewed and best to come up with a project dollar associated with CIPs. Assuming that updated annually to ensure that as limit that will at least keep the CIP you have developed a CIP that extends financial projections change, the CIP manageable without inadvertently beyond a single year, you have more is adjusted to match them and thus leading to important projects being left than likely ensured that funds will be remain fiscally balanced. off the list. A threshold in the range available for the projects over the life of $20,000–$100,000 is a reasonable of the program. This will often lead 5. The CIP should only include place to start. Once you establish to the CIP being referred to as “fully future construction projects this figure, the CIP can then include funded.” However, agency budgets are to have any real value. The new purchases of equipment and based on projections—whether from implementation of a well-developed vehicles (e.g., fire trucks, backhoes, tax revenues, user fees, grant funds and CIP is a commitment to a significant computer systems, etc.) that also fall the like. When the various funds to expenditure of capital funds. As such, above this established threshold. You be used for the CIP are designated for there can be value in the inclusion don’t necessarily want every new car the projects they will fund, beyond the of other capital investments beyond purchase included in the CIP (if you actual funds “in hand,” the monies are just construction projects. Of course, have many such purchases made on all estimates of the funds anticipated it’s possible to go too far with this an annual basis) which is why setting to be available. Therefore, to refer to a notion so that relatively small-dollar the threshold is important in dictating five-year-plus CIP as being fully funded projects and expenditures are included this. But since these expenditures is incorrect. Instead, it is best to think thus diluting the effectiveness of will “compete” for the same funds as of the CIP as being fiscally balanced. the CIP. It is advisable to establish the construction projects, why not a fiscal threshold for projects and This means that according to the best evaluate all of them together? estimates and projections of funds to expenditures that will be included be available, it is anticipated that there in the CIP. There is no ideal figure

June 2012 APWA Reporter 33 6. The CIP should include all fund and again, these dollars do not community. Citizens and business construction projects to have compete with capital funds. It might owners want to feel secure in the any real value. There are various be worth considering the development knowledge that the infrastructure schools of thought regarding the types of a secondary CIP list comprised of needs within their neighborhoods are of construction projects that should be maintenance projects and replacement being addressed according to a well- included in a CIP. However, to keep it purchases. This will allow larger thought-out system. They also want manageable and useful, it is often ideal O&M work to still be monitored and the predictability of a well-managed to differentiate maintenance-related coordinated without being confused CIP that will allow them to coordinate projects from new construction. There with true capital projects. their own personal lives and business is often separate funding set aside operations around upcoming projects. for O&M work vs. new projects. In 7. The CIP is just a “wish list” How much confidence will they have addition, maintenance can often be of projects that are desired in the agency or its staff if projects are performed with in-house staff rather without any real expectation of left in a state of uncertainty? And our than contracted out, which again whether they will be completed own staff must be able to plan and impacts operating funds rather than or not. Nothing could be further coordinate their efforts around a solid capital funds. This same theory of from the truth. Too often, a CIP is program that they can count on. There keeping the CIP dedicated to new looked upon as just a random list of are so many steps that must be set in construction can be applied to capital projects that an agency “hopes” will motion before a project can be built or expenditures as well. Rather than be constructed. But for the CIP to an expenditure made and if we relegate including the purchase of replacement maintain any real integrity, it must the CIP to a wish list, we may miss vehicles and equipment in the CIP, be viewed as more definitive than a opportunities or waste tremendous it is advisable to limit it to only new wish list. Elected officials must be able effort in the process. Think about RFPs, purchases that expand the agency’s to depend on the expected results RFQs, project scopes, specifications, current fleet or assets. Oftentimes, of the CIP because it provides them and so on—how can an organization replacement equipment is purchased with the assurances of what is and initiate any of these items if, in the through some form of replacement will be happening throughout the end, a project may not happen due to insufficient funding? The alternative We Are The Asphalt Preservation Specialists! is that staffs are left scrambling at the eleventh hour because a project on the CIP was given the green light but no know how to keep one was prepared for this to happen. good pavements good? This leads to needless rushing and potential costly mistakes along the way. Instead, the CIP should be viewed We have the solution and it’s not just talk! as a road map to be followed each year, GSB-88 Works! providing surety and predictability “GSB consistently out-performed refined for all involved. The map is redrawn annually as part of the update process asphalt and coal tar products in lab & field but never does it lose its integrity. research by as much as 12:1!” – Army Corps of Engineers Following this advice will help Good Pavements quickly become Bad! Preserve Now! Stave off reconstruction costs! facilitate the development and administration of a dependable, organized, and effective capital improvement program. Though there’s * UNTREATED PAVEMENT * TREAT PAVEMENTS WITH GSB-88 no “one size fits all” template for CIPs, these general practices will certainly l AsphaltAsphalt PreservationPreservation aid in creating a solid foundation from which the CIP can be developed. This, l SustainableSustainable PavementPavement StrategiesStrategies in turn, will ensure that an agency’s l EnvironmentallyEnvironmentally SoundSound PracticesPractices capital needs are met and managed now and well into the future.

Get More Info: ((800)) 747-8567747-8567 Jim Nichols can be reached at (432) 685- geeasphalt.net/apwa 7205 or [email protected].

34 APWA Reporter June 2012 Innovative design-build road maintenance strategy: a proven direction for Kansas City

Jim Townsend, AICP Midwest Region Transportation Director Wilson & Company, Inc. Kansas City, Missouri

he City of Kansas City has a Program Development RFP packages. The initial package for population of approximately Over a four-month period, the the first set of five arterial roadway 450,000 people, a quarter City of Kansas City Public Works reconstruction projects was advertised of the metropolitan area Department and Wilson & Company, within two months of the design- population. The City maintains Inc., Engineers and Architects build program being conceived. The approximately 6,200 miles of (Wilson & Company), worked Design-Builders were allowed to roadways, with an annual budget diligently to develop and administer propose on any combination of the individual projects. of $60 million. Much of the City’s a program that entailed: infrastructure is 50 to 100 years old and is in dire need of rehabilitation. A best value selection process was • Establishing RFP and contract Historically, the City would only used incorporating both technical documents with the Purchasing reconstruct streets if there was evaluation and bid cost evaluation Department a related capacity or geometric of the proposals. It was a single-step improvement project. • Defining the scope of work to process, without short-listing, and be completed for each project without stipend compensations to In 2004, the City established design- to meet the desires of two the proposers. The technical scoring accounted for 60% of the total score build as an alternative construction departments: delivery method in the City Charter. and included qualifications and § Public Works Department Between 2004 and 2010, this process experience, project approach and —Roadway was used primarily for buildings. In commitments, maintenance of traffic June 2010, the City of Kansas City’s —Traffic/ADA and project schedule. The bid cost City Council passed a resolution —Sidewalks/ADA evaluation accounted for 40% of the total score and was determined by to fund $33 million for street § Water Department a set formula based on the bid price maintenance and waterline repair/ —Waterline relative to the lowest bid price. replacement. There were 12 arterial —Sanitary Sewer roadway segments identified in the —Storm Sewer Through an expedited process, a resolution, each of which was less mandatory pre-proposal meeting was than one-mile in length identified in • Developing the technical held to explain the process; proposals the resolution. There had not been requirements for the Design- were submitted (23 in total), reviewed any design completed for any of the Builder and their Designer of and scored; selections were made; projects. Within a period of four Record to adhere to and recommendations were taken months, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) • Creating a procurement to City Council for an Ordinance to had to be submitted, contractors process based on a Best Value formally issue Notices to Proceed so selected and Notices to Proceed project selection including that work authorization letters could issued by the end of 2010. There qualifications, experience, be developed and sent. was a realization that the standard method for project delivery could not technical approach, Program Refinement accomplish the objective. With this commitments made and cost time constraint, a new and innovative evaluations. As with any new process or program, process was developed to meet the refinements should be made to address any issues that arise during City Council’s requirements for the Due to the complexities of the the initial rollout. In response to procurement and implementation of projects, and the fact that this was the projects, incorporating design- a new process, the City desired to this need, a Design-Builder forum build project delivery. release the projects in two separate was conducted to provide a forum

June 2012 APWA Reporter 35 With this information, the City of Kansas City and Wilson & Company worked to refine the process to address comments in the forum and develop a plan to reduce the risk to the Design- Builder while providing the City with an excellent product. Adjustments were made to the technical scoring criteria, and additional information was provided to the Design-Builders for the second set of projects to reduce their risk and increase the value to the City.

Results The refined program resulted in fewer questions for the second set of projects. The design-build teams were more aggressive and provided greater value and additional commitments above and beyond the project definitions, including:

• Additional sidewalk work • A new pedestrian signal • Concrete bus pads • Open drainage improvements • Timing of construction to coincide with other area activities (school, events, etc…)

This process resulted in an excellent Best Value selection process. The City believes the program was a total success in several areas, including:

• Maintained or Improved Project Quality • This process reduced the typical design-bid-build time period by months • Allowed for additional improvements to be completed within/under budget at the same for the Design-Builder community contractors asked the City to provide time as defined work in the RFP to voice their concerns and additional clarification regarding • Provided a coordinated approach questions about the process. The how scores were developed, and to infrastructure corridor forum went through the details of suggested a different process on how improvements (road, water, the requirements, scoring process the weighting could be distributed. sewer, traffic, etc.) and expectations. The design-build They also identified items they felt • Significantly reduced: teams were given direct feedback substantially increased their risk, § Conflicts between design to their questions which were which in turn, increased the bid and construction well received. Additionally, the amounts.

36 APWA Reporter June 2012 § Change orders and schedule delays (both for design and MISSING: 2 back issues of APWA magazine and newsletter construction) APWA is beginning an archiving issue of each publication: March 1995 § “Scope creep” by defining project to preserve many of its older of the Reporter and October 1961 of project and requirements publications and documents in elec- the newsletter. tronic format. The first phase focuses • Reduced procurement and on the APWA Reporter (1962-2002) If you have access to a library in your management staff resource and its predecessor, the Public Works chapter, agency, or company, which needs by combining design and Engineers’ News Letter (1934-1961). might contain these APWA publica- construction in one RFP package The publications will be scanned tions, please check it for these miss- • Reduced City Council review and made available on our website ing issues. If you find either issue, time – approval of one project later this year. But our collection of please contact Publications Manager versus multiple contracts more than 800 issues isn’t complete. Connie Hartline at 816-595-5258 or Remarkably, we are missing only one [email protected]. • Increased the efficiency of taxpayer funds pavement core samples and waterline elected officials, Design-Builders and maps significantly decreased the their construction teams, and the Lessons Learned amount of risk to the Contractor, and community served by these upgraded Developing this design-build program provided the Design Builder enough facilities. required an incredible amount of information to develop alternatives. interdepartmental communication This information was critical to allow In early February 2012, Mayor Sly and cooperation. Within the the Design-Builder teams to propose James presented a program to obtain contract documents, both the City alternative approaches that resulted in: $1 billion bonding authority for and the Design-Builder were held investment efforts in the Kansas to schedule requirements for both • Cost savings City core to enhance the aging submittals and reviews. Maintaining • Better maintenance of traffic neighborhoods and promote the communication and cooperation economic development within the • Coordinated replacements of throughout the process was essential city. Through this street maintenance waterline, storm sewer/sanitary for the program to be successful. design-build program, the City has sewer, roadway and sidewalk developed a proven methodology to It was clear from the first procurement • Upgrades for traffic management effectively and efficiently deliver a that it was critical for the process to such as ADA ramps and buttons, roadway reconstruction program of be kept “simple,” both in terms of traffic detection equipment and any scale, and can support the Mayor’s the Technical Requirements and the transit accessibility investment program. This process has Scoring. In terms of the Technical changed the way the City of Kansas Requirements, the definitions for Finally, having a solid understanding City, Missouri, conducts business the work to be performed had to be of staffing requirements was critical with its contractor and engineering defined in a manner that allowed the for the program’s success. As community. Contractor to propose a more efficient identified earlier, staff from several or effective method to exceed the departments had to be integrated Jim Townsend leads Wilson & Company’s requirements. This was much more into the process for Contractor plan Midwest Region Transportation Planning apparent in the second round of submittal approvals. This included and Traffic Engineering practice, offering RFPs which resulted in a much more materials testing, construction experience from both private and competitive, Best Value Selection. management, lighting staff, traffic public sectors. Jim recently co-presented control/timing, water valve shutoffs, (with Greg Rokos) “Arterial Roadway It was evident that there is a level of etc. Communication and coordination Reconstruction using Design-Build Project baseline investigation and information made this project a success. Delivery” at the 2012 Transportation that should be provided by the Engineers Association of Missouri’s owner to reduce the Design-Builder Next Steps annual conference. Jim helped to develop and administer the design-build program, risks and contingency pricing while The City of Kansas City anticipates process and procedures for the City of not providing a stipend. Providing using this process for at least 80% of Kansas City Missouri. He can be reached the Design-Builders with critical their future roadway reconstruction at (816) 701-3108 or jim.townsend@ information such as right-of-way work. This process was successful wilsonco.com. drawings, aerial photography, as viewed by staff, management,

June 2012 APWA Reporter 37 Project planning, engineering priorities and political decision making

Dennis Randolph, P.E., Director of Public Works, City of Grandview, Missouri, and member, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee; Joanna Johnson, Managing Director, Kalamazoo County Road Commission, Kalamazoo, Michigan

or most public works prioritization methods that we use As we include more and more professionals a major task vary widely. In particular we find a technical factors in our prioritization is to provide ranked lists of wide variation in the way in which we consideration, the resulting recommended projects to assign value to different characteristics. prioritization lists change. While governing and policy boards. Because For example, some systems may look we often disagree about the value or there are always far more needs than at the cost of building a project to validity of including some of these funds, the public works profession bring it back to a specific condition. technical factors, as long as they has developed sophisticated methods Here we would highlight the existing have some basis of rational, empirical to help us to make these lists. Often condition of a particular infrastructure thinking we usually come together and we base these methods on the best component (a street for example), and agree on the results. engineering tools we have and try to cost of various “fixes” to restore that inject a high degree of rational thought component. We can then rank projects This example of multiple versus into them. using the cost of the fixes. narrow perspectives within the public works community is a frequent and While we currently label many of Another way to rank projects might accepted event. More importantly, it these processes asset management, we take the preceding example and reflects a more general situation, one have been using similar techniques for advance it a step by incorporating an that members of the public works many years. Long before the term asset analysis of maintenance and upkeep community do not often accept. management came into being, and costs for the street over some time predating the sophisticated computer period. We can then use the resulting Because the policy bodies that must supported systems we use today, life-cycle cost for each project as the accept and approve the ranked lists we public works professionals have been basis for ranking a group of projects. prepare must consider other factors weighing alternatives (refer to Figure 1). By including maintenance and upkeep besides technical ones, there is a further cost, we have a different view of a set set of considerations that they insert Because of the wide range of of projects, and a different order of into the final prioritization process. organizations that develop and projects in the resulting prioritization Many of these “considerations” support infrastructure, the types of lists. do not have a firm—or sometimes no—engineering basis, but represent community, humanistic or political ideals. Often, these considerations can drastically change the order of priority lists (refer to Figure 2).

With changing priorities, conflict between the public works professionals who must live daily with the results of the prioritization process and the policy makers who must deal with the electorate often results.

Occasionally the change in priorities may involve many projects in the final priority list. But usually changes only involve one or two projects. However, whether it is the entire list that is Figure 1 – A Rational Approach to Decision Making

38 APWA Reporter June 2012 and final shape of the developed infrastructure reflect the values, needs and wants of the community. Most important to this idea is that the values be broader than just engineering factors, but should reflect the social, economic and environmental concerns and needs of a community. The basic tenant of public administration theory “The Iron Triangle of Public Administration” (refer to Figure 4) reflects the interrelationships that exist in a community that shape a community’s values.

Figure 2 – Political Decision Making Figure 3 – Value of Projects Implemented Just how these non-engineering Process concerns are factored into the priority process can be done in several ways. changed by policy makers, or simply that body accepts the list substantially Adjustment of engineering priorities by one change, we find that any change as presented with, say, one or two policy makers is one longstanding way is often a significant point of conflict changes, should we not consider the this can be done. But as mentioned between the technical professional and entire process a success, rather than a earlier, most public works professionals the policy makers. failure (refer to Figure 3)? consider such “adjustments” to be heavy-handed” and “politically Since policy makers have the final say In baseball, a star hitter may only motivated.” However, there is an in the prioritization process as well get a hit three or four times out of alternative that often provides as other agency policies including 10. Likewise, a superstar quarterback reasonable, even satisfactory results. budget and employment decisions, may only complete 60 or 70 percent the conflict arising from the disputes of their passes. Yet in the project A broad-based community planning between technical specialists and prioritization “game” of public works, effort with regard to infrastructure policy decision makers can be costly. we often find that 90 or 95 percent allows not only consideration of Sometimes these conflicts lead to acceptance rate of our prioritization technical considerations, but also the technical specialists finding other lists unacceptable. Then because we social, economic and environmental employment opportunities. But most find this unacceptable, we are inclined community values to be considered. often the common result is a gulf to react very negatively to the policy- Further, a good infrastructure planning that develops between technical staff makers/elected officials we need to efforts provides: and policy makers that harms both work closest with. sides. Bad relationships between the • Time for coordination that allows two sides then mean lost or lessened What should success mean? the community’s values to be productivity that harms programs. That we need to have 100 percent identified and weighed before Poor relationships can also harm acceptance of our priority lists to applying them in a prioritization creativity. But most damaging is consider our work a success is a fallacy process technical staff reluctance to continue we in public works need to overcome— to promote strong technical analysis especially when we consider that of projects, and inclusion of technical infrastructure development and considerations in the prioritization maintenance, by their nature, are process. endless tasks. It is only fitting that we should evaluate “success” over a long That we want to minimize or avoid period of time. such situations is clear. How we go about doing this boils down to the We should also consider the form question public works professionals of the process we follow. That is, must ask which is, “How much is success should be tied to including enough?” That is, if we provide a list a community’s values into our Figure 4 – The Iron Triangle of Public of priorities to a policy making body process, and acknowledgement by the Administration of 10, 20, 50, or even 100 projects and community itself that the priorities

June 2012 APWA Reporter 39 • Time for technical, non-technical, • The prioritization process used incorporating as wide a range of values and policy-making individuals to is based upon a rational process into the prioritization process as discuss their concerns and have a anchored in theory validated in possible. Most important, that even if complete airing of their ideas. empirical studies some of our recommended priorities are changed by policy makers, if we The idea behind such a planning effort • The final list makes the most (but can still bat 900 or 950 over a career is to recognize that with regard to not necessarily all) people happy we have outshined any sports figure. infrastructure everyone has interests, • The prioritized list of projects and the idea is to consider not just addresses (but not necessarily Dennis Randolph has over 40 years of “technical” interests, but all the satisfies) all the minority opinion experience in the public works field, other interests of the community. concerns including local government experience More important, for the public works Too often, public works professionals with organizations in Michigan, Missouri official, integrating a complete set of expect that they have the final say in and Virginia. He has B.S. and M.S. community values into a prioritization the development of a community’s degrees in Civil Engineering and an MPA. process means that there is more infrastructure. Consequently, any He has nearly 70 published papers and is likelihood that the final prioritization approval that does not correspond to an Adjunct Instructor at the University of list submitted to a policy-making their recommendations completely is Missouri–Kansas City. He can be reached organization will be accepted with few, not deemed acceptable, and is often at (816) 316-4855 or drand77201@ if any, changes. considered a failure. att.net. Joanna Johnson has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from In conclusion, it is important However, the technical values that Western Michigan University. She has for public works professionals to public works professionals bring to the worked extensively in personnel placement understand exactly what a “good prioritization “table” are only one view and for the past 11 years has worked in decision” by a policy-making of the values that an entire community local government managing county road organization is. That is, a good considers. If we are to be recognized organizations, parks and public works decision means that: as “stars” then we need to understand operations. She can be reached at (269) that we gain more recognition by 381-3171 or [email protected].

40 APWA Reporter June 2012 TIRED OF THE ROADBLOCKS?

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Andrew C. Lemer, Ph.D. Senior Program Officer Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C. Member, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee

nlike the mythical community guaranteeing equal opportunity street intersection and pedestrian of Lake Wobegon—where, as in public accommodations, crosswalk. Garrison Keillor tells us, all employment, transportation, state the men are strong, all the and local government services, and The Board then created an advisory women are good-looking, and all the telecommunications. Contentious committee and began an extensive children are above average—more from its origins, the legislation gave series of discussions with a wide range than one of every ten people in rise to litigation as the broad social of stakeholders. APWA participated our towns and cities contends with goal of equal opportunity collided actively in the committee’s activities. a disability, according to the U.S. with the narrowly imposed costs The committee issued its report and Census Bureau. [1] Nearly half of these of altering buildings, retrofitting recommendations to the Board in people, some 19 million nationwide, equipment, and changing regulatory January 2001. need a wheelchair, crutches, cane, standards and procedures to meet the or otherwise fall into the Bureau’s law’s requirements. Amendments to In June 2002, the Board released category of those with “ambulatory the ADA enacted in 2008 broadened draft guidelines on accessible public difficulty.” About 20 percent have the law’s protections. rights-of-way, making the guidelines uncorrectable vision difficulties. Such available for public comment. Another disabilities can make crossing the The Architectural and Transportation round of revisions ensued and the street or getting out of a parked car Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board issued revised guidelines, a daunting ordeal. The people who Board), established in 1972, is still not adopted as regulatory are responsible for finding ways to responsible under ADA, the earlier requirements, in November 2005. accommodate the special needs of this Architectural Barriers Act, and several Following a mandatory assessment segment of the community—with a other federal laws for developing of the impacts of the guidelines local government’s limited resources guidelines to ensure that buildings, on state and local governments, for planning, designing, constructing, transportation vehicles, and the Board’s notice of proposed operating and maintaining public telecommunications equipment rulemaking appeared July 2011. The rights-of-way, roads, and other covered by these laws are accessible period for public comment closed in pedestrian-serving infrastructure and usable by people with disabilities. February 2012. The extraordinarily facilities—face quite a challenge. Following ADA’s passage, the Board in long comment period was a result of 1992 published in the Federal Register extensions requested by the National Getting to where we are a notice of proposed rulemaking that Association of Counties, the National Of course, understanding the laws and was to cover accessible pedestrian League of Cities, the U.S. Conference regulations that influence the choices facilities and other aspects of of Mayors and the American Council is a part of the challenge, and they are public rights-of-way. However, of Engineering Companies. Diane changing. Public works officials can public agencies and others in the Linderman, APWA President, expect soon to see a new set of federal transportation community expressed presented the Association’s views guidelines. substantial concerns during the multi- at one of the two public meetings year review process, and the Board the Board held during the comment This latest change starts with the chose not to include these facilities period, urging the Board to allow local Americans with Disabilities Act when the final rule was issued early in governments flexibility in meeting (ADA). Signed into law in 1990, the 1998. Frequently mentioned among accessibility requirements. ADA gave civil rights protections the transportation community’s to individuals with disabilities concerns was the likely impact on Enforcing equal rights laws, the similar to those given to individuals smaller governments’ budgets of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on the basis of race, color, sex, having to install curb ramps and other established the idea of “reasonable national origin, age, and religion, special features retroactively at every accommodation” as a standard for

42 APWA Reporter June 2012 determining if an employer has for public streets and sidewalks, (AASHTO; for example the Policy made the effort required to avoid including pedestrian access routes, on Geometric Design of Highways and discrimination in its hiring and street crossings, curb ramps and Streets, known commonly as the workplace management practices. The other transitions between sidewalks AASHTO “Green Book,” and the same standard, adapted to buildings, and streets, on-street parking, street guide for pedestrian facilities) already street, and other public facilities furniture, signals, and other public incorporate pedestrian accessibility has been a primary source of the right-of-way elements. Once finalized provisions. The DOJ published contention surrounding the Access and implemented as standards, regulations in 2010. APWA has had Board’s work. Even avid proponents the guidelines will apply to newly helpful publications on accessibility of ADA recognized, for example, that constructed or altered portions of and federal requirements since at least not every corner of a public building public rights-of-way covered by the 2003. Nevertheless, court cases and should be made reachable by anyone, ADA. They will also apply to public consent decrees under DOJ actions regardless of physical limitations. rights-of-way built or altered with have been a primary motivation for Making reasonable accommodation funding from the federal government. local governments to make changes. means making an effort—for Existing pedestrian networks not example, installing ramps at stairs or undergoing alteration will not be The proposed guidelines, as they elevators with doors wide enough for required to meet these requirements. [2] were presented for comment in July a wheelchair—to make a workplace 2011 [3], include design details and accessible, but how much of an effort Not all provisions of the guidelines standards for a range of facilities, is the reasonable minimum? will be new, of course. The Federal including pedestrian access routes, Highway Administration’s (FHWA) curb ramps, detectable warning So, where are we? Manual on Uniform Traffic Control surfaces in sidewalks, pedestrian The new guidelines, now some twenty Devices for Streets and Highways street crossings, pedestrian signals years in the making and likely to (MUTCD) and design manuals and and signal pushbutton controls, become official later this year, are standard drawings published by the transit stops and shelters, on-street meant to give answers. They are American Association of State and parking spaces, and passenger loading expected to set out design criteria Highway Transportation Officials zones. While they are extensive,

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June 2012 APWA Reporter 43 the proposed guidelines are not These best practices include (a) compliance “best practices tool kit” comprehensive. Advocacy groups using dedicated websites to provide for state and local governments. [5] asserted, for example, that pedestrian comprehensive information on an accommodations at roundabouts have agency’s activities and plans regarding New technologies are making not been adequately addressed. The accommodation and compliance; accommodation and compliance final guidelines may include changes (b) using an orderly and transparent easier and faster. For example, software to address such matters. ranking system for assigning resources applications have been developed to to address accessibility issues of enable use of smart phones and tablet What’s the bottom line? greatest importance and impact for computers, with their built-in cameras Given the long history of ADA and the community; (c) establishing a and geo-positioning capabilities, to other accessibility requirements, many data collection program to ensure support inventorying of pedestrian local agencies have at least started to that the agency has a comprehensive facilities and condition assessment. include accommodation for people inventory of its pedestrian facilities, The City of Belleview (WA) worked with disabilities in the management with thorough and accurate with FHWA in a pilot project that of their public rights-of-way. In accommodation and compliance successfully used specially-equipped fact, under provisions of the Access information; (d) ensuring that agency Segway transporters to collect detailed Board’s 1992 regulations, agencies staff responsible for collecting and measurements of surface condition of employing fifty or more people and maintaining inventory data are well the city’s sidewalks. contemplating structural changes to trained in accessibility and regulatory their facilities were required to prepare requirements; and (e) integrating If ADA requirements appear to be a a formal transition plan for how attention to ADA requirements into dark cloud for some communities, the they would comply with accessibility the agency’s project development and silver lining surely is the improved requirements. However, many smaller delivery process. livability, safety and productivity agencies have not yet come fully to that come with reduction of obstacles grips with the ADA’s requirements. For Help is on the way that pedestrians with disabilities face. these agencies especially, experience There is no question that Pedestrian facilities that are accessible gained to date offers at least two key implementing such practices will take to people with disabilities are likely to lessons. time and money. In her November be safer and more accommodating for 2011 testimony to the Access Board, parents with strollers, shoppers with First, responsible public works officials President Linderman asserted that carts, travelers with luggage…for all should try to work with the members unless funding is provided, many pedestrians. At one time or another, of their communities who have or communities simply lack the means that means all of us. represent those who have disabilities and ability to pay for the costs of to identify the most immediate needs implementing new standards on their Andrew C. Lemer can be reached at (202) and priorities for accommodation. own, without funding assistance from 334-3972 or [email protected]. Doing so helps to avoid unexpected federal or other sources. Whether such demands on tight budgets and funding will be forthcoming or local References perhaps litigation. Second, having a governments and advocates for those 1. As reported by the Census Bureau at good pedestrian facilities inventory with disabilities will simply have to http://factfinder2.census.gov/ is valuable. Such an inventory, if it muddle through remains to be seen. 2. As reported by the DOJ at http:// includes the right information, will www.ada.gov/ provide a sound basis for planning In any case, advice is not hard to 3. Available at http://www.access- and programming improvements find. APWA, for example, continues board.gov/prowac/nprm.pdf needed to comply with accessibility to present informative sessions at the 4. Cesar Quiroga and Shawn Turner guidelines. annual Congress; Click, Listen & Learn (September 2008). ADA Compliance programs; online presentations; and at Transportation Agencies: A Review A 2008 review conducted by the publications that can help a smaller of Practices. College Station, Texas Transportation Center at the agency to understand their ADA Texas: Texas Transportation request of AASHTO and the National responsibilities, potential liabilities, Institute. Available at apps.trb.org/ Cooperative Highway Research and what other agencies have done cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay. Program, for example, highlighted to comply and accommodate the asp?ProjectID=2330 these two points by identifying a series pedestrians with disabilities. In 2006 5. Available at http://www.ada.gov/ of “best practices” for ADA compliance and 2007, the DOJ published a series pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm by transportation agencies. [4] of web-based modules comprising a

44 APWA Reporter June 2012 The long public works legacy in Louisiana’s retreating coastline

Craig Colten Carol O. Sauer Professor Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Member, Public Works Historical Society Board of Trustees

ouisiana has a particularly fragile decade, Congress assigned the duty of portion of its load and has built marsh- coastline. Unlike the rugged fjords building and maintaining levees along land in Plaquemines Parish. There are of Norway or the cliff-backed the lower river to the Mississippi River other projects under discussion that will Oregon coast, Louisiana’s shore Commission. Authorized as a navigation direct sediment to susceptible areas in is made up of recently deposited delta project, they adopted a “levees only” hopes that it will fortify the unraveling soils. They are compressing and subsiding policy that ultimately saw the erection of coast. Of course, with less sediment in under their own weight and are subject a more effective levee system that closed suspension, relying on the river to restore to erosion by wave action and storms. down several of the lower river’s distribu- wetlands takes longer and time is not an Between 1978 and 2000, over 650 square taries. Better levees meant fewer failures ally of coastal Louisiana, especially when miles of coastal wetland disappeared. and less chance for even occasional you factor in sea level rise. While gravity and other natural processes flooding and delivery of sediments to the are very much at work, there is an impor- delta. Even during the disastrous floods As the shoreline recedes, inland com- tant public works component to this of 1927, when upstream levees failed munities are at greater risk from tropical story that goes back several centuries. with remarkable frequency, there were cyclones. After the particularly destruc- few crevasses in the area below Baton tive Hurricane Betsy in 1965, Governor Soon after the French platted the grid Rouge and the delta remained starved of John McKeithen proposed a levee to street pattern that became New Orleans, sediment. armor the entire Louisiana coast from settlers began calling for protective levees near New Orleans to the Texas border. to fend off the annual floods delivered For flood-control purposes the federal This public works project never material- by the Mississippi River. The town government added a series of dams ized, but massive barriers were erected undertook to erect modest earthen bar- along the upper Mississippi and the around New Orleans and agricultural riers along its riverfront. Over time, the Ohio Rivers, and eventually built multi- and industrial areas downstream from colonial government passed legislation purpose dams on the Tennessee and the the state’s largest city. Additional barriers mandating that individual landowners western tributaries of the Mississippi. were erected on Grand Isle and along up and down the river were responsible These structures serve to capture huge Bayou Lafourche, but the entire coastline for building their own levees. By the mid- quantities of sediment that erodes from never received fortifications. Since Hur- nineteenth century, parishes (counties) the rich agricultural lands of the Midwest ricane Katrina, calls for a more complete and then the state took on the responsi- and Great Plains. Estimates suggest that levee system have reemerged. The state’s bility for building and maintaining the the river carried in excess of 600 million coastal plan issued in 2012 considers a flood protection system and it became metric tons of sediment in the 1880s. By set of hurricane levees that reflect McKei- a major public works project along the the 1950s that total was close to 500 mil- then’s vision of 1965. lower river. These levees were the initial lion metric tons and, after the comple- factor in coastal land loss. By preventing tion of numerous dams in subsequent In effect, Louisiana’s cities, farmers, and annual floods that would rejuvenate the years, the sediment load dropped to factories have benefitted from flood delta each spring, the bulwarks guided below 200 million metric tons. protection. But the state today faces huge the muddy Mississippi into the Gulf of costs to protect its larger coastline that Mexico, in effect starving the coastal This decline in sediment is critical to is disappearing due in part to human region of fresh sediment borne by the current efforts to restore the delta. The actions taken in the past. Public works river that might offset natural subsidence. Corps of Engineers has built several projects have unleashed unanticipated In the 1870s, James Eads constructed “freshwater diversion” structures in the environmental consequences and also an jetties near the mouth of the Mississippi delta. These devices allow freshwater ongoing series of public works remedies River to help sustain a deep water chan- from the river to pass through control to the problems created by previous nel for oceangoing ships. By narrowing structures cut through the levees and to generations. one of the mouths, the jetties further flow across the sediment-starved wet- steered sediments carried from the lands. As the sediment-laden water passes Craig Colten can be reached at (225) 578- farmlands of the Midwest out into the through the coastal marshes, it deposits a 6180 or [email protected]. deep waters of the Gulf. During the same

June 2012 APWA Reporter 45 Preserving the past and maintaining the future of public bridge infrastructure

Venu J. Gupta, P.E., Director, Facilities Development and Management, City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and member, APWA Engineering and Technology Committee; Craig Liberto, Structural Design Manager, City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

anagers of municipal the City of Milwaukee, Department of —Movable infrastructure assets must Public Works. - Vertical Lift 8 make difficult technical and - Bascule 13 capital decisions regarding The City of Milwaukee Bridge Program • Asset Value: $220,000,000.00 when and how to maintain, repair or is based on the concept of perform- renew their assets, while working with ing the right maintenance at the right • Estimated useful life: restrained budgets. Public officials time on the right bridge. —70 yrs for new bridges, 40 yrs must allocate funds among competing for rehab, 50 yrs for movable yet deserving needs, often having to The following represents the City of bridges make decisions based on incomplete Milwaukee’s capital improvement • Estimated Preservation effort data. and conditions assessment program per year (see Chart 1) for bridges. The plan incorporates a Bridges represent the fundamental six-year plan identifying long-range B. Bridge Structures Inspection backbone of any city’s economy. At capital needs and establishes strategies the same time, however, bridges are for the rehabilitation and replacement • Inspections are done in accordance so common that they melt into the of bridges. with FHWA (Federal Highway backdrop of everyday life and their Administration) and WisDot (Wis- consin Department of Transporta- importance in the functioning of our Rehabilitation and Replacement society is often overlooked. It is the tion) standards by public works Program: obligation and responsibility of public inspectors who are certified FHWA officials and public works manag- A. Bridges Asset Inventory bridge inspectors. ers to preserve that has been built. A and Clarification • Bridges are inspected every 24 strategic capital funding plan to pre- • 179 City-owned and maintained months, except annually for mov- able bridges and structurally defi- serve the bridge infrastructure is only bridges possible with accurate data and a solid cient bridges. (see sample report knowledge of the deficiencies which • Comparison of bridge types with photographs) must be corrected and to provide rou- —Fixed 133 • Standardized inspection reports tine maintenance. —Pedestrian 13 – Submitted to WisDOT and —Viaduct 12 As they age, bridges require costly entered into their database repair and maintenance; therefore it is critical to inspect and develop a bridge maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction program that optimizes over the long term the use of limited resources. Millions To develop an integrated (capital and maintenance) multi-year bridge program, an accurate inventory and sophisticated inspection program is a must.

The following article examines the condition assessment process used by Chart 1

46 APWA Reporter June 2012 Example: A fifty-year-old bridge may be structurally adequate but deficient due to current roadway widths, stan- dards, or clearance.

D. Milwaukee Bridge Perfor- mance Graph (see below)

E. Bridge Funding Sources and Criteria Bridge Inspection using Reach-All • Federal/State • Sufficiency Rating: A computa- • Local Funding tional analysis that determines the ability of a bridge to remain • Special Programs, e.g. ARRA, in service. Depending on bridge Tiger Grants rating, federal funding may be • Funding from adjoining commu- available. nities for shared bridges i) Rating between 80 and 50, Venu Gupta can be reached at (414) eligible for rehabilitation 286-3401 or [email protected]; – Highway Structures Informa- ii) Rating less than 50, eligible Craig Liberto can be reached at tion (HSIS) database generates a for rehabilitation or replace (414) 286-3294 or craig.liberto@ bridge Sufficiency Rating (SR) ment milwaukee.gov.

C. Condition Rating of Bridges/ Sufficiency Rating (SR) • FHWA Standard measures service condition • Factors determining SR Rating i) Structural adequacy and safety ii) Deterioration iii) Service and functional obsolescence iv) Geometrics v) Essentiality for public use D. Milwaukee Bridge Performance Graph

June 2012 APWA Reporter 47 Pavement surface grinding techniques provide safer, smoother and quieter roads

John Roberts Executive Director International Grooving and Grinding Association West Coxsackie, New York

unicipalities continue that gently abrade away the top which is quieter than transverse to search for the most surface of the concrete. The level textures. The longitudinal texture also economical and easily surface is achieved by running the enhances surface macro-texture and constructed repair blade assembly at a predetermined skid resistance in polished pavements. techniques for their roadways. Long- level across the pavement surface. lasting, durable road surfaces are The uncut layer between each saw cut Conventional diamond grinding necessary to provide good traction, breaks off, leaving a level surface (at a is most often used as part of a while providing a smooth and quiet macroscopic level) with longitudinal comprehensive Concrete Pavement ride. Concrete surface techniques in texture. The result is a pavement that Preservation (CPP) program, which use today have increased the lifespan is smooth, safe, quiet and pleasing to usually includes a combination of and effectiveness of both new and ride on. full-depth repair, partial-depth repair, rehabilitated pavements at a very dowel bar retrofit, joint and crack competitive cost, effectively immune Diamond grinding of concrete resealing, slab stabilization, cross- to the price fluctuations in the pavement leaves a surface which stitching of longitudinal cracks, petroleum market. is often as good as and oftentimes grooving and diamond grinding. better than a new pavement. In While conventional diamond Conventional diamond grinding reducing the bumps and dips from grinding can be used to restore old Diamond grinding is an excellent the pavement surface, the dynamic and worn pavement to a like-new procedure to repair Portland Cement loading caused by heavy wheel loads condition, it can also be utilized to Concrete (PCC) pavement roughness, is decreased, resulting in lower stresses address problems on new pavements increase friction and reduce tire/ and less damage to the pavement. such as tire/pavement noise, built- pavement noise. The method uses Diamond grinding reduces road noise in construction roughness and closely spaced, diamond saw blades by providing a longitudinal texture, inadequate surface texture. As a matter of fact, some states are now specifying conventional diamond grinding as a final surface texture on their new concrete pavements and bridge decks. Additionally there are a number of states that now require diamond grinding on new asphalt pavements that do not meet smoothness requirements.

Diamond grinding in Iowa In Ames, Iowa, two roads that cross through the heart of the town as well as the Iowa State University campus were in need of some well- deserved repair. With a profile index of 100 inches per mile and transverse joint faulting in excess of one inch, this pavement rode rough. A four- lane section totaling 2.56 miles was identified for repair. Although the Diamond grinding in process on a city street

48 APWA Reporter June 2012 NGCS in Minnesota In September 2010, MnDOT, the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota (CPAM) and IGGA hosted a live demonstration of NGCS construction on the I-35 project site in Duluth.

This high-traffic thoroughfare in Minnesota was the first large-scale use of NGCS. Two segments of the I-35 Duluth Mega Project were involved: I-35 northbound and southbound from approximately Boundary Ave Two pavement surface techniques—diamond grinding and NGCS—have made our nation’s roadways safer, smoother and quieter. (CSAH 14) to Central Avenue and I-35 northbound and southbound from City of Ames would often consider Next Generation Concrete Surface 21st Avenue East to 26th Avenue East. using an asphalt overlay for this (NGCS)—now exists for even quieter type of repair, they instead opted to travel, increased friction and improved “At the newest portion of I-35, right use concrete pavement restoration ride. where it ends, are several hotels and (CPR) with diamond grinding. they were voicing concerns about the Having learned of the success other NGCS is a diamond saw-cut surface noise. MnDOT was currently doing municipalities have had with CPR, the designed to provide a consistent rehab on the road, so we decided to City wanted to evaluate the life-cycle profile absent of positive or upward try this noise reducing technique. costs of each process to determine texture, resulting in a uniform land NGCS was chosen because we were where taxpayers’ dollars are best spent. profile design with a predominantly looking for a grinding pattern that The methods selected were full-depth negative texture which accounts for was quieter,” said Pat Huston, MnDOT repair and diamond grinding followed the very low noise characteristic of District 1 Resident Construction by joint resealing. this surface type. It is a hybrid texture Engineer. that resembles a combination of The project began July 20, 2009 and diamond grinding and longitudinal The newly quiet highway I-35 recently was completed July 31, well ahead of grooving. The texture uses diamond- made the front-page news of the local the Aug. 17 deadline. The result for tipped saw blades mounted on newspaper, lauding the success of the taxpayers is a safe, smooth pavement conventional diamond grinding and new concrete surface treatment. Even delivered in just a few weeks that grooving equipment. This texture can local businesses were commenting is expected to last at least 15 more be used for both new construction on the decreased sound level. “The years. The profile index now measures and rehabilitation of existing surfaces response to the quieter ride has been 14 inches per mile, an 86 percent and should be applied in areas where overwhelming,” said John Roberts, improvement in ride quality. With a the need for tire pavement noise Executive Director of the International total project cost of only $267,697, reduction is especially acute. Grooving and Grinding Association. the City has realized that CPR with “Residents have called in asking how diamond grinding is a sustainable, The NGCS surface was developed the roads became so quiet.” cost-effective answer for their concrete through a partnership with the pavement maintenance. International Grooving and Leading the way Grinding Association (IGGA), Two pavement surface techniques— The Next Generation Concrete American Concrete Pavement diamond grinding and NGCS—have Surface Association (ACPA), Portland Cement made our nation’s roadways safer, Quiet, safe travel has always been Association (PCA) and Purdue smoother and quieter. Research the goal of roadway owners and University. Following the Purdue continues to find new twists on consultants alike, a fact not lost on research, extensive field testing and existing technology to make our roads the concrete pavement industry. evaluation were conducted for three more functional for longer timespans. Through extensive research and years by Minnesota Department As municipalities continue investing testing, an innovative grinding of Transportation (MnDOT) at the in preserving roads to increase their technique for concrete surfaces—the MnROAD pavement research facility. lifespan, these techniques have

June 2012 APWA Reporter 49 Cold Planers

The close-up shows the predominantly negative texture on this Next Genera- tion Concrete Surface.

become part of the standard toolbox used by public works officials.

About IGGA The International Grooving and Grinding Association (IGGA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1972 by a group of dedicated industry professionals committed to the development of the diamond Asphalt Drum The Asphalt Cold Planer is ideal for repairs to asphalt abutting grinding and grooving process for manhole covers, curbsides, gutters and driveways. It is also used surfaces constructed with Portland for pothole repair and utility cuts. The Trackless Series MT6 is cement concrete and asphalt. In 1995, available with a 10:1 planetary deep reduction transfer case which, the IGGA joined in affiliation with when shifted into deep low, gives the operator a speed range of the American Concrete Pavement 0 - 10 feet/minute. Achieving creeper gear speeds any other way Association (ACPA) to represent its may be less expensive but with Trackless deep reduction, the Concrete Drum newly formed Concrete Pavement wheel torque is 10 times what it normally would be in low range. Restoration Division. The IGGA/ This provides smoother, surge-free asphalt or concrete milling with very precise control. Compare against all others and see the ACPA CPR Division now serves as difference for yourself. the technical resource and industry representative in the marketing of optimized pavement surfaces, concrete The Concrete Cold Planer has approximately three times as many picks and operates at a higher speed. pavement restoration and pavement The primary function of the concrete planer is to mill preservation around the world. The down sidewalk toe trips caused by frost heave and to mission of IGGA is to serve as the mill wheelchair access ramps. leading promotional and technical resource for acceptance and proper Snow Blowers (Standard or Ribbon) Leaf Loader with Truck Loading Chute use of diamond grinding and grooving Angle Plows, V-Plows Power Angle and Pickup Sweepers as well as Concrete Pavement Front/Rear Salt & Sand Spreaders Spraying Systems Preservation (CPP) and restoration. For Flail Mowers, Boom Flail Mowers Infrared Asphalt Heater & Generator more information, visit www.igga.net. Rotary Finishing Mowers Asphalt and Concrete Cold Planers Specialty Mowers & Turf Equipment Line and Stencil Painting John Roberts can be reached at (518) Phone: 519.688.0370 731-7450 or [email protected]. Email: [email protected] Web: www.tracklessvehicles.com Enterprise GIS facilitates cooperative projects and reduces costs throughout city departments

Jim Baumann Writer Esri Redlands, California

he City of Loveland, Colorado, The LOGIC system operates in a core- and Water and Power have deployed GIS was founded in 1877, a part group, distributed-user model; that is, throughout their operations, including of America’s great westward the city’s GIS Division personnel create water, wastewater, stormwater, power, expansion during the 1800s. and maintain common data and GIS solid waste disposal, and streets; their As a stop on the Colorado Central applications for other departments. latest work is a tree inventory for city Railroad, the city quickly began to Department users then employ the parks in the Parks and Recreation increase commercial activity and soon system to assist them with their work. Department. established itself as a local agricultural center. In the later part of the twentieth “I’ve been with the city for several years The Public Works Department widely century, several high-tech companies and we haven’t done any GIS-based uses remote data collection in traffic sign relocated their manufacturing facilities projects that don’t prove a positive ROI inventories, sewer line maintenance, to the area. This stimulated the local [return on investment],” says Brent pavement marking painting, and economy and caused a surge of growth Shafranek, Senior GIS Specialist, City of sidewalk ramp surveys required for in the community. With this growth Loveland. “In every one of our projects, compliance with the Americans with in population came the need to both GIS has allowed us to save time and/or Disabilities Act. The ArcGIS geodatabase expand and better manage city services. money, simplify workflows, or implement is replicated in the field crews’ mobile cooperative projects. GIS is a huge benefit GIS devices for reference and review. LOGIC introduced into the city’s GIS to our city in these challenging economic Field crews use simplified forms designed In 1988, the city’s water and power times.” by the city’s GIS Division to reduce data departments implemented GIS to entry time from the field. Changes are manage utility infrastructure. Detailed Establishing metadata standards recorded and subsequently uploaded information about the condition of the While Loveland’s GIS Division is to the database from the field, where features specified in the infrastructure responsible for maintaining the primary they undergo confirmation and quality database was attached to each respective geospatial datasets for the city, there are control by city GIS staff members. feature. This information, such as the many GIS users in other departments age, size, and maintenance record, who also create their own data. Because ArcGIS has helped the city reduce its allows the city to better maintain its of the wide use of GIS in Loveland, the overall costs because it is used as a infrastructure and more accurately division initiated a data inventory and shared resource, since the data can determine when it should be repaired or documentation project. be collected once and then accessed replaced. by various departments for their own The data inventory database tracks which needs, benefiting the entire municipal Loveland progressively expanded the data layers are used in specified map operation. For example, the Public use of GIS technology until it ultimately documents and who owns the data files. Works traffic sign inventory data developed into a citywide, enterprise- The data documentation, or metadata, includes location for asset management level GIS, which became known as the allows GIS users to understand how purposes and photos for easy visual Loveland Geographic Information/ the data was created, what the various verification. The city’s Police and Legal Cartographic (LOGIC) system. attribute codes mean, and appropriate Departments can use this information uses of specific datasets. The metadata for a quick confirmation of the posted An important part of the LOGIC system has also been included in the data speed limit in a particular area, or the is the inclusion of a Local Government available for download from the Internet, Engineering Department can use it Template, which was developed in close giving users outside the city information when determining the total number collaboration with Esri. The template needed to properly use the city’s of a particular sign type needed for provides a general framework of information. replacement purposes. standards and procedures for application development and data storage. As a freely available template, other cities can use it Using GIS in public works and beyond Jim Baumann can be reached at (909) Loveland’s Departments of Public Works when implementing GIS. 793-2853 or [email protected].

June 2012 APWA Reporter 51 From developing needs to developing solutions

Kwok Lui (Konrad) Siu, P.Eng., M.Eng., MBA Director of the Office of Infrastructure and Funding Strategy City of Edmonton, Alberta

ith municipal revenues optimize investment, based on an with corporate business planning and failing to keep pace asset’s life-cycle, condition and risk long-term direction-setting. Some of with investment needs, exposure by using sophisticated Edmonton’s notable achievements civic leaders across infrastructure management tools in this area include a better capital Canada face the daunting task of that the municipality developed and planning process and a program to managing scarce dollars, balancing continues to refine. Along the way, renew neighbourhood infrastructure. competing demands for services, Edmonton garnered recognition as and ensuring citizens continue to one of Canada’s leading municipalities Capital Planning enjoy a high quality of life. While the in the implementation of advanced Edmonton’s Risk-based Infrastructure challenges confronting Edmonton infrastructure management Management System, commonly are no different, the City has long techniques. known as RIMS, was used successfully understood the importance of to develop the City’s 10-year capital sound infrastructure planning and Today, Edmonton is making plan and three-year capital budget. has always been at the forefront of significant strides in managing over With City assets aging and more adopting innovative and strategic $35 billion worth of municipal maintenance and rehabilitation ways to manage resources. assets, identifying funding needs required, RIMS is an important capital and priorities, and using objective planning tool to optimize investment The Edmonton Experience: and quantitative decision-support in existing infrastructure to ensure Leading the Way tools to address the City’s growing assets are in a condition that meets The City realized over a decade ago infrastructure deficit. intended performance and service that a long-term plan was required levels. to sustain current and future City administration and elected infrastructure assets. In the absence officials are using infrastructure To establish capital funding of a clear roadmap, the infrastructure management to help guide their requirements, RIMS provides valuable gap would only magnify as costs decisions on how to best invest scarce information on how to balance continued to escalate and aging assets infrastructure dollars. And even more the competing demands between were not repaired or replaced. importantly, they are using it to better renewal and growth infrastructure by defend tough funding and investment determining renewal targets for each To manage the issue, Edmonton decisions. asset class in relation to risk exposure was among the first municipalities and current physical condition. in Canada to create a dedicated There is now a recognition that office to focus exclusively on asset infrastructure management is evolving Our analysis showed that to reduce management. One of our office’s beyond the traditional engineering, the amount of poor and very poor first deliverables was to develop a financial and technical arena—it is infrastructure, an average annual comprehensive infrastructure strategy playing a more pivotal role in the reinvestment of $400 million was that would identify the scope of the City’s strategic planning and policy required over the next three years problem and what was needed to development arena. (2012-14) and an average annual reverse it. reinvestment of $450 million over the Entering a New Frontier remaining seven years (2015-2021). This effort was successful. The The transition to a more strategic This level of reinvestment will ensure City of Edmonton now has firm orientation is evident in how the the City’s asset base is maintained knowledge of its asset inventory, asset management function and in a good state of repair and the its age, and its replacement value. infrastructure management tools have percentage of assets in poor and very The City also has the ability to in the past few years been integrated poor condition is reduced.

52 APWA Reporter June 2012 Currently, about 16% of Edmonton’s infrastructure is in poor or very poor physical condition. Our goal is to reduce the amount of assets in poor or very poor condition to 6% within 20 years.

Neighbourhoods: Earmarking of Tax Levy Asset management was also the main driver in substantiating the need to inject significant dollars into Edmonton’s crumbling neighbourhoods. Again, the risk methodology was used to identify critical assets and their projected physical condition based on a given level of renewal investment. Our analysis showed that neighbourhoods topped the critical list and confirmed that inaction would result in further asset deterioration, posing a potential risk and liability for the City. Saskatchewan River, Edmonton, Alberta. Copyright: 2009fotofriends (Shutterstock Images) Neighbourhood infrastructure at the time had a staggering $2 billion current estimates, a 10-year dedicated allocate dollars, the decision-tool funding gap, and represented about property tax increase will generate a informed the City how much it one-third of the City’s renewal required funding pool of about $170 would cost to maintain its renewal shortfall. The grim scenario demanded million by 2018. infrastructure at a specified level a proactive approach that could of performance and risk, and how guarantee a stable and predictable Allocation of Grant Funding various funding scenarios might revenue stream to deal with the In the City’s previous capital plan impact asset performance and risk. infrastructure backlog. Revenues also (2008-17), a less refined risk model had to grow over time to generate was utilized as a tool to allocate Kwok Lui (Konrad) Siu has been an sufficient dollars for the ongoing Edmonton’s $2.1 billion share of the APWA/CPWA member since 2000. He maintenance of neighbourhoods Government of Alberta’s Municipal can be reached at (780) 496-5579 or beyond the 30-year life of a newly Sustainability Initiative (MSI)—a [email protected]. This article created neighbourhood renewal province-wide program designed to was originally published in www.letstoc. program. provide Alberta municipalities with ca – Let’s Transform Our Communities sustainable funding over a 10-year and is reprinted here with permission. Council approved the earmarking timeframe. of property taxes on the basis of the risk analysis to address the significant Given MSI’s considerable dollar value, Order Custom Bulk funding shortfall. The tax levy coupled with Edmonton’s sizable Editorial Reprints included 2% per year for the first and infrastructure need, the City wanted to ensure the dollars allocated to the second year (2009-10), and 1.5% for Now that you have been featured renewal of existing assets was based on 2011. The City’s 10-year capital plan in the APWA Reporter, why not has the levy continuing at 1.5% per highest need, priority and corporate leverage this opportunity to year until 2018, when the program strategic direction. promote your product or service will be self-sustaining. with custom reprints? The grant was allocated on a city Over the first three years of the council approved split of 60 percent Call our reprint program the annual tax levy raised to renewal and 40 percent to growth; department at (800) 259- about $45.7 million. Based on renewal funding was then allocated 0470 for complete details. using the risk model. To optimally

June 2012 APWA Reporter 53 Cleaning up with new technology

Jackie Barnette Public Works Director City of Kings Mountain, North Carolina

dvances in technology are I was open to his idea, but I had So we put together a package of tools all around us—smaller, something else in mind, too. We that would do the job. faster work computers, were just developing a curbside smarter phones, the ability recycling program, with a grant from First we had a customized software to connect to the Internet from the state of North Carolina to get program created. It was based on a almost anywhere. And so it’s always started. And the grant indicated a simple programmable touchscreen a good idea for municipalities and preference for using RFID readers to interface, with buttons for different organizations to search for the best track recycling participation. data-gathering functions. This ways to include high-tech tools in would let our workers use a simple their work processes. We had previously considered button-level approach to collect using handheld computers for information. That doesn’t mean you start buying other applications, but we hadn’t every gizmo that hits the market, but been able to justify the cost. But We needed a compatible piece of when you look at an existing process a handheld computer with RFID hardware with specific functionality or a new program and ask how it capability built in? With this for field work, and we chose could be done better, you definitely grant program we had some real the Nautiz X7 rugged handheld should explore all your technology justification. from Handheld US. It has RFID options.

That’s what my city did for our new curbside recycling program, and we ended up with a simple but effective system that has proved to be both time- and cost-efficient for us. Our public works department is using a combination of a handheld computer, a customized software program and a rugged radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna and reader.

And we have ideas for how to use the technology to do even more. Lots of ideas.

It started with a sales call from Mack McCarter of LogicConcepts, a technology company that specializes in data collection systems. He contacted us about streamlining our sanitation collection process—“get The City of Kings Mountain’s new recycling program used handheld computers the right people to the right place, and RFID technology to divert nearly 600 tons of waste from the local landfill in save gas,” is how he described it. its first year—17 percent of the city’s total residential waste.

54 APWA Reporter June 2012 capability and integrated GPS, plus an autofocus flash camera, voice- note capability, a non-reflecting touchscreen and long battery life. It’s light, but rugged enough for our purposes—for example, it’s impervious to dust and water.

The final piece of the puzzle was the RFID-specific functionality. We connected with an outfit that provided an RFID reader and antenna combination that maintained the handheld’s waterproofing, dustproofing and vibration resistance.

Once we had the entire system, we put it to work. The recycling Kings Mountain’s RFID system tracks the location and status of every recycling program’s overall goals are container in the program. By using a mobile computer and program-specific soft- ware, workers can receive and send data in real time from their vehicles as they straightforward: haul less garbage work their routes—avoiding paperwork, data-entry time and manual-entry errors. to the landfill, pay less in landfill charges, save money while helping the environment. But at the detail directly to our central public works many more options—we can track level we need to know which computer with one touch of a low-hanging branches, roadside households are doing what. button. garbage and more.

First, our crews attached a Our department uses the And our local gas utility is looking corresponding street address to information in a variety of ways— at this technology too. They could each of the roughly 4,200 recycling but most important, we use it to locate all the valves in town, containers, which came with RFID measure the success of the recycling document incidents and solutions, chips embedded in them. Then we program. and ensure regulatory compliance. split the sanitation district into 10 The city could also use it for zones—the pickup schedule is once The system is really user-friendly, stormwater management, police and every two weeks, so there are 10 and the workers love it. We can tell fire, asset management…it’s like a different daily routes. how much participation there is in library of applications our people each zone. We target the zones with can share—and we can adapt it to Using the dash-mounted handheld, lower participation levels, providing almost any need. our field workers check recycling those folks with more education on containers as they follow their route. the benefits of the program. Having In our first year with this new The software’s “button design” the RFID data helps us allocate technology and our new recycling also lets them gather detailed our resources where they’re most program, we diverted 17 percent of information: Is there a container out needed. our city’s residential waste from the at each address, does the container landfill—592 tons. The longer we match the address, is it full or half- Mission accomplished, then. But do this, the more awareness we’re full, are there non-recyclables mixed now we have this high-tech tool… going to raise, and the more we can in, does the container need repair or accomplish. And as we find new replacement? Once we got the system working ways to use this technology, it’ll and accomplished our initial scope, have an ever-growing impact. The handhelds have built-in Wi- we quickly recognized that we had Fi, so at the end of their shift our the ability to do additional types of Jackie Barnette can be reached at (704) workers upload the day’s data data-gathering. The software offers 734-0735 or [email protected].

June 2012 APWA Reporter 55 A brief history of our beginnings By the APWA Marketing Department and APWA Reporter staff

rom the very beginning, together, ASME and IAPWO decided the American Public Works to merge. Funding was secured, and Association has had the on January 1, 1937, the American diversity that characterizes Public Works Association was it today. APWA is the result of formed. the merger of two predecessor APWA logo, 2004-present organizations, the American Society APWA has witnessed extensive of Municipal Engineers (ASME), growth, accomplishment, turmoil APWA has demonstrated its which was formed in 1894, and the and transition. It has been a strong commitment to strong international International Association of Public leader in many areas, including linkages by its support of the Works Officials (IAPWO), primarily education, history and research, to Canadian Public Works Association, comprised of non-engineers who name only a few. Over the years and through the continual were engaged in public works APWA has conducted scores of strengthening of relationships with management and service delivery. research projects and published public works officials in Australia, The majority of the Society’s many research reports that were Mexico, New Zealand, Slovakia and members were consultants, design regarding as significant contributions the Czech Republic. engineers, construction supervisors, to the field of public works. and water works directors. Motivated by the wish to upgrade Special interest groups within public office facilities and make visible Recognizing that other associations works were accommodated through and substantial changes in the had established headquarters in the development of the Institutes organization, APWA headquarters Chicago and had obtained financial for Professional Development (now was relocated to Kansas City in assistance in developing their known as Technical Committees), 1993. As public works services programs to become self-sufficient, as well as through the introduction become more complex and the skills in 1934, ASME and IAPWO agreed of specialty conferences such as the required to deliver them become to work toward a joint organization. North American Snow Conference. more diverse, APWA continues to After creating a very successful Other special groups of note position itself to respond to these Joint Public Works Congress where included the Council on Emergency changes and the needs they identify. the two organizations could meet Management, the Council on Equal Building on our tradition of service Opportunity (now the Diversity to the public works profession, we Committee), the Public Works will meet the challenges of being the Historical Society, MicroPAVER, comprehensive public works resource Management Practices and the in the twenty-first century. Management Practices Accreditation Council.

APWA logo, 1937-1990 APWA logo, 1990-2004

56 APWA Reporter June 2012 APWA’s History: In Perspective

Robert D. Bugher Executive Director Emeritus American Public Works Association

Editor’s Note: Four years after his community during the past century, these groups merged in 1937 to retirement as the CEO of APWA (from in particular, has accelerated the form the American Public Works 1953-1989), the author of this article evolutionary process. Millions of Association. Dr. Margaret Mead, the addressed the Annual Meeting of the public and private organizations have famous anthropologist, once said, Public Works Historical Society. The been created to produce products “Make the most of each day, so others meeting was held in Phoenix, Ariz., and services, and provide useful may grow and develop on what in conjunction with the 1993 APWA employment opportunities, for people you have learned.” This reflects the International Public Works Congress & around the world. Thousands of kind of “intergenerational” thinking Exposition. His remarks on that occasion national, state and local governments that led to the formation of APWA were entitled “Milestones in APWA’s have been formed to provide schools, and has influenced its growth and History.” They appear, in full, in the transportation facilities, and water and development during the past 75 years. Association’s book People Making waste control systems which sustain Public Works History. We appreciate his economic growth and prosperity. It was my good fortune to join the consenting to prepare an article for the staff in 1953, as assistant to Donald special 75th Anniversary section of this The evolution of the free enterprise Herrick, who was then serving as issue, commemorating the founding of system in the United States, during Executive Director of the Association. APWA 75 years ago. the eighteenth and nineteenth It was headquartered on the campus centuries, brought about both of the University of Chicago. I From the beginning of civilization, as progress and challenges for the new succeeded him in this position in we know it, people have instinctively nation. The interdependence of the 1958. Members, of course, constitute joined together for their own self- public and private sectors of the the most important resource of interests. The natural resources of land economy was widely recognized. any association. They determine its and water were manipulated to grow One of the major concerns was the purpose and the scope of its goals food for families and tribes in ancient lack of professional talent to staff and objectives. The fact that APWA times. As humans learned from “key” positions in state and local has experienced steady growth from their experiences, different types of governments. The success of the 750 members, when it was created in networks emerged to respond to both private sector resulted in the growth 1937, to nearly 30,000 today, indicates “kind-hearted” and “evil-minded” of many philanthropic institutions that significant progress has been people. Based on my reading of during this period. One, namely the made in responding to the perceived history, there are more organizations, Spelman Fund, created by the John needs of the membership and its and forces for good, working to serve D. Rockefeller family, recognized constituents. The history of APWA has people than to harm them. This this problem. It provided grants to been well documented in the pages may be due to the fact that humans several groups of public officials, who of its monthly magazine, the APWA are naturally endowed with more were trying to form associations, to Reporter, as well as APWA’s 658-page positive than negative genes…more promote professionalism in their book, People Making Public Works favorably inclined toward liberty, with respective fields of activity. History. Therefore, I will not repeat it peace and justice for all, than to evil, in this article. However, I should make conflict and violence. Two such groups were the American it perfectly clear that much of the Society of Municipal Engineers, credit for the progress made is due to Regardless of the reasons, organized in 1894, and the the excellent leadership provided by improvements in the education International Association of Public the Presidents and Boards of Directors and communication of people have Works Officials, formed in 1919. over the years. The Board adopted enhanced the quality of life of each With financial assistance from the a strategic plan for the growth and succeeding generation. The growth Spelman Fund and the vision and development of APWA in the late and development of the global dedicated efforts of Donald C. Stone, 1960s. It is updated, from time to

June 2012 APWA Reporter 57 time, and has served as a blueprint for paths based on interests, background, Publications and Outreach many of the programs and activities opportunities and experience. Programs serve as valuable resources successfully undertaken in recent Building leadership skills in the next for implementing APWA’s aims and years. generation is the primary goal of the objectives…“Making Life Better for Center. The program also includes Everyone.” This is, obviously, an Recognizing that a mixed audience a unique opportunity to learn from ongoing, universal objective. We will, naturally, interpret views from APWA’s most experienced executives— can only hope to make progress different perspectives, I will proceed to Public Works Leadership Fellows— toward achieving it…but it, at least, share some of my observations about each of whom has at least 20 years keeps us focused on an enlightened, the history of APWA over the last 50 of senior executive experience and evolutionary process for future years, in particular. What might be is committed to mentor an aspiring generations. Socrates, the great Greek called milestones in the evolution candidate in this innovative executive philosopher, once said, “Goodness in of APWA can be grouped into five development program. A certification human beings is based on wisdom, “building blocks,” each contributing and credentialing system has also while evil is based on ignorance.” He much to the progress made by the been established for some technical felt that knowledge was the source of Association: (1) Education (the Annual specialty positions such as Public Fleet all wisdom. However, he encouraged Congress & Exposition, Multiplicity Manager, Infrastructure Inspector and all Athenians to carefully analyze of Training Programs); (2) Chapters Stormwater Manager. opinions to sift out what was valid and Branches; (3) Publications and from what was not, in their search for Outreach Programs; (4) Coordination Chapters and Branches are truth and knowledge. and Cooperation; and (5) Special a vitally important part of the Activities. Association and are largely responsible The first publications issued by for the growth of the membership. APWA were the monthly Public Works Education. The APWA Congress The knowledge gained and wisdom Engineers’ Newsletter and the annual & Exposition continues to be the shared through educational programs Public Works Yearbook in 1937. The premiere event of the year for all is of little value until it is used. That is former was intended to keep the segments of the multi-billion-dollar why chapters and branches are really membership informed of current public works industry. It features a the “key” to the ultimate success of events, of general interest in the field broad range of educational programs the organization. When I first joined of public works, but would include no and is a unifying forum for all aspects the staff, I devoted a great deal of technical articles. The latter included of this multi-faceted profession. The my time to promoting the formation the proceedings of the annual exposition is highlighted by hundreds of chapters. This gave the people Congress, as well as information of exhibits of the newest products, working for public works agencies, in regarding membership and actions equipment and services available to the cities and counties throughout the of the Board of Directors. In 1962 the respond to the public works needs U.S. and Canada, the opportunity to APWA Reporter magazine replaced both of state and local governments join together and actively participate the Newsletter and the Yearbook. Action throughout North America. in, and thus benefit, from their was taken to promote advertising membership in APWA. This resulted and the quality of the Association’s For many years, APWA has offered in significant growth in all types of official publication has continually a wide variety of workshops and membership, including those in the improved over the years. It is now seminars to provide opportunities private sector, such as consulting recognized as the primary source of for the training and development of engineers, contractors and suppliers information on life-cycle management its members and other employees of equipment and other products of public works and this dynamic of public works agencies. This past needed to provide public works profession. APWA has also greatly year, however, bold action was facilities and services. Chapters and expanded its publications program, in taken to create the Donald C. Stone branches make available opportunities recent years, and is now considered Center for Leadership Excellence for each individual member to use a leading source of literature about in Public Works. This can become his or her talents and abilities to tap public works, with more than 500 a milestone in the advancement of into APWA resources and utilize them publications and other resources in its the public works profession, because in their respective organizations. inventory. of the comprehensive nature of the The experience gained in doing this Center. It has created three Leadership not only enhances one’s value, but APWA’s outreach program is Designations: Public Works Supervisor, also provides the next generation of highlighted by its sponsorship of Manager and Executive. Individuals leadership for the Association. National Public Works Week. It may progress along one or more features the selection and recognition

58 APWA Reporter June 2012 in particular, to share the cost of research projects, in which they had a common interest, but were too expensive to finance on their own. Hundreds of cities and counties joined together to share the cost of many $100,000 projects. In fact, APWA was conducting over a million dollars’ worth of research projects, at one point in time, which included some financed by contracts with the U.S. EPA and the Federal Highway Administration. It had considerable merit and should be revived.

APWA has also played a leadership role in promoting cooperation in dealing with many public works-related issues. For example, it responded to a request from the National Transportation Safety Board to take action to reduce accidents and minimize damage to The 1958 APWA Congress was held in Kansas City, Missouri. In this photo, Mayor underground utilities resulting from Roe Bartle (at podium) presents a Key to the City to APWA President Sol Elleson excavations in public rights-of-way. (middle), Director of Public Works, Newport News, Virginia, and to Bob Bugher, It actively promoted the formation who had recently been named Executive Director of APWA. of Utility Location and Coordination Committees and One-Call Systems, by of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the purposes of the Association shall cities and counties, which helped to the Year; however, its most significant be the promotion of cooperation alleviate the problem. It also sponsors value is in making the general public of all persons, as well as public and the North American Snow Conference more aware of the importance of private organizations which have each year to enable those responsible public works in their daily lives. The interests in the field of public works. for snow removal and ice control media, the schools, and other means This sets APWA apart from all other operations to share their knowledge must be used to better inform citizens organizations serving different fields and experience. The Association has of how roads, water supply and other of specialization in the realm of likewise been actively involved with public works systems provide jobs public works. It means that APWA the Federal Emergency Management and prosperity in our communities complements the work of such Agency in promoting the formation and make it possible for the private organizations and should not be of mutual aid agreements among local sector to function. This type of public perceived as a competitor, but as a governments, and in cooperating education program warrants far more unifying force in this dynamic field in other ways to deal with floods, attention and resources than it has of activity. APWA was created to help tornadoes, hurricanes, and other received in the past. Its potential make democracy work and promote emergencies. benefits in helping to generate liberty and justice for all. It strives financial support for public works to do this by helping state and local Special Activities have been programs should not be overlooked. governments respond to the needs of undertaken by APWA to enhance the It can also help in attracting the “best their respective constituents in what growth and development of the public and the brightest” to pursue careers in they consider to be the most effective works profession and, eventually, have the public works profession. and efficient manner possible. Many a positive impact on people in the opportunities have arisen where global community. Progress made by Coordination and Cooperation. APWA has been able to coordinate this Association, since it was formed One of the most important actions projects of common interest to 75 years ago, clearly demonstrates taken by the membership was its public works agencies. For example, its value to public works agencies approval of a proposed amendment when I was actively involved, we from coast to coast. They, in turn, to the APWA Constitution in 1963. had a cooperative research program have provided facilities and services It specifically stipulated that one of which enabled local governments, that have helped the private sector

June 2012 APWA Reporter 59 prosper, thus making our nation what it is today. APWA could serve as an excellent model for the evolution of similar associations in other countries around the world.

To encourage and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience in the life-cycle management of public works, APWA has engaged in a variety of international activities. This has included study tours to Europe and Japan and the establishment of the Jennings Randolph International Fellowship with the cooperation of the Eisenhower Institute. It provides funding to cover the travel abroad to study some aspect of public works, and then make a presentation of the findings at a session of the APWA Congress. What I consider Pat and Bob Bugher at the Banquet during the 1997 APWA Congress in to be the most promising, but Minneapolis, Minnesota perhaps premature, undertaking by APWA was the formation of works-related topics. Its biographical interchangeably with “public works,” the International Public Works program has revealed noteworthy the terms are not synonymous. Federation in the 1980s. The CEOs achievements of many pioneers of this Infrastructure is a much broader of a number of well-established evolving profession. Most important “catch-all” term, while “civil international organizations, such of all, the ongoing materials produced engineering” refers primarily to as the International Union of Local by the Society, and by the IPWF, can structures of all types in both the Authorities, the International Road enhance the quality of the profession public and private sectors of the Federation and the International by increasing member awareness economy. “Public Works,” however, Federation of Municipal Engineers of public works developments is unique in several respects. It has kindly agreed to serve on IPWF’s from both an international and an been defined as “fixed assets (normally Board of Directors and collaborate intergenerational perspective. structures used in providing public in its development. Unfortunately, services) in which government I retired before the seeds for this The term “public works” has been (federal, state or local) has some type new organization had a chance to universally used for centuries; yet its of financial interest and/or legal take root…but I still feel that it will precise meaning varies depending responsibility.” Democratic self- reappear someday as part of the on the perspective of those using governments, and a market-based evolutionary process. it. Lyon Sprague de Camp, author economy, have evolved as the best of The Ancient Engineers, said, means of responding to the basic Another unique organization that was “Khnumabra was Minister of Public needs of people and helping them created in 1975, under the auspices of Works under the Persian King achieve their potential in the complex APWA, is the Public Works Historical Darius I about 490 B.C.” The New society in which we live. Society. It was formed as a result of the International Version of the Bible, interest in history, generated among in Romans 16:23, indicates that There is inherent political power the membership with the publication Erastus, an aide to the apostle Paul, embodied in public works by virtue of History of Public Works in the United was the “director of public works” of of its influence on both public and States 1776-1976, prepared by APWA Corinth, the famous city in Greece. private property values. It can also to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. He was also cited as the “Corinthian have a significant impact on present The Society’s publications and aedile…who had a section of the and future land use and the quality awards have stimulated a significant city’s pavement laid at his own of the environment in which people increase in research, by professional expense.” While “infrastructure” and live and work in pursuing their historians, on a wide variety of public “civil engineering” are often used goals and objectives. The piecemeal,

60 APWA Reporter June 2012 fragmented development of individual received from our ancestors. It is includes members who currently projects, especially in metropolitan deteriorating at a faster rate than it is provide financial support for areas, is giving way to the use of being replaced. Yes, we are spending APWA’s programs and activities, I special districts and authorities and thus depleting our inheritance believe the latter group would be for the development of large-scale and will soon have worn-out, obsolete a potential source of income to projects. In some cases the concept public works facilities to pass on to provide funding for the expanded of “coordinated decentralization” our children and grandchildren. The type of public education program has been successfully employed people’s elected representatives, at all suggested above. A grant from a by using shared databases and levels of government, must promptly philanthropic organization might telecommunication networks. This and courageously respond to this help finance the type of fundraising requires enlightened cooperation by need, if future generations are to enjoy program envisioned…which could public works managers and executives the quality of life we have today and include “pilot” projects conducted of the jurisdictions involved. States be successfully employed in the world in cooperation with APWA chapters. normally empower local governments of tomorrow. The basic problem is the The feasibility of developing a “Public to regulate the use of land, within lack of funding and the basic reason Service Gift Annuity” program their boundaries, and provide basic is lack of courage to make politically could also be explored, whereby tax- public services to their citizens. This is sensitive decisions. deductible gifts are given to APWA, done directly, using public employees and the donor receives monthly and competitive contracting Therefore, the challenge facing APWA annuity income for life. A portion of procedures; or by granting a franchise and its membership, at this critical the income might be used to pay the to one or more private firms to point in time, is: What can we, premium on a life insurance policy, so provide such services. appropriately, do to help motivate the donor’s estate receives something, those responsible to take the action in lieu of the gift to APWA, when he The trend, in recent years, to needed to solve the problem? Elected dies. Innovative concepts, such as this, deregulate private utilities and officials, in a democracy, are normally can generate funds needed to support to use “innovative” financing responsive to their constituents. the advancement of the public works procedures has, in many cases, blurred However, they seldom do anything profession in the United States, questions of ownership, liability and unless they are well-informed on Canada, and around the world. accountability between the public problems and how their constituents and private sectors. Frank Randall, are impacted by them. Those involved I believe that God is the the Rights-of-Way Superintendent of in producing public works facilities personification of the perfect the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph and services thus have an important human being. That each of us has Company in Los Angeles, once told public education role to play in the opportunity to express the will me that he felt that facilities owned helping to solve this increasingly of God, as it is revealed to us, by by private utilities, which are used serious problem. Mobilizing the facts what we do with our lives. Viewing to provide basic public services, and other resources needed to conduct APWA’s history from this perspective, should be considered public works, effective public education programs I consider myself most fortunate to the same as those owned by local requires funds which are not readily be part of a generation that helped governments. The determining factor, available. Innovative thinking and plant the seeds for the growth and he said, should be “whether or not action are thus required. development of this progressive public the services provided are subject to service organization. It has been a authorization and control by the It seems to me that the nature of rewarding experience for my wife, people’s elected representatives. The the problem is widespread and its Pat, and I to be associated with so customer is primarily interested in impact will vary from one community many men and women dedicated to the quality, dependability and price to another, based on many factors. making life better for everyone. One’s of the service they need, regardless It will, however, impact virtually vision of the future may be uncertain, of who the provider may be.” This everyone. Two groupings can be to say the least. However, with faith, suggests that the definition of public clearly identified: (1) Those involved hope and courage, the future can be works, mentioned above, should be in “producing value” in the form of filled with peace, liberty and justice, broadened by inserting the word public works facilities and services, as well as prosperity and happiness “basic” before public services. many of whom are members of APWA; for an increasing proportion of many and (2) Individuals, corporations generations to come. The public works systems that serve and other organizations “receiving the people of this generation are, value” from public works facilities Robert D. Bugher can be reached at to a large extent, an inheritance we and services. Since the former group [email protected].

June 2012 APWA Reporter 61 APWA Past Presidents reflect on history and future of the industry

his is a special year for our Hurricane Irene, the flooding in New and credentialing program for the industry and our association; Orleans and the wildfires in Texas to public works profession. The new a time for looking back at all recognize the need for this plan. educational center is called the we have accomplished and APWA Donald C. Stone Center for congratulate ourselves over how Also in 2011, the Government Affairs Leadership Excellence in Public far we have come. We look to three Committee outlined a new strategic Works. Education remains the APWA Past National Presidents for plan to ensure that investments in greatest resource a human being their thoughts on their presidential legislative initiatives are being spent possesses. terms and how they view the public effectively and wisely. In a world of works industry then and now. instant gratification, there is a call Larry Frevert (APWA President to action to all those who impact 2007-08): I look back on my year During your term, what were the the development of livable cities to as APWA President as one when most noteworthy or outstanding partner with one another in making natural disaster emergencies tested projects and/or events that the case for a national plan that the mettle of public works personnel occurred during your tenure? invests in sustainable infrastructure across North America. In the fall Please include any years or dates in order to bring population of 2007, wildfires in California known. growth and natural resources into destroyed homes and properties equilibrium. Last year, the APWA and threatened many others. APWA George Crombie (APWA Board became a founding member called on Governor Schwarzenegger President 2010-11): During my with ASCE and ACEC to develop the to recognize public works personnel tenure, I believe that the most Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure as “first responders” and he did so. important event for APWA was (ISI). Sustainability will form the The next spring, during the “Super making major strides to addressing foundation for decision making in Tuesday” Storm (Primary Election the challenges of a changing world the public works field in the future. Day, February 5, 2008), 87 confirmed and preparing our members for Sustainability is not a checklist, but tornadoes ripped through much of that tipping point. One of the a thought process that allows you to the southeastern and Midwestern many accomplishments included adapt and build sustainable models United States, resulting in many a new Global Solutions for Public that integrate natural systems and deaths and injuries and significant Works program implemented to technology. Think of sustainability property damage. That spring, provide members and chapters the as developing a new DNA chain to severe flooding occurred along the opportunity to explore the world bring mankind and the environment Mississippi River and its tributaries engaging in partnerships, exploring into equilibrium. I’m happy to report in the Midwest with the State of new technologies, being introduced this morning that ISI has signed a Iowa being especially hard hit. All to new professional opportunities, letter of understanding with Harvard the while, the Gulf Coast states were and making friendships around University that will provide ISI continuing their recovery efforts the world. Produced in 2011, the and the public works community from the Katrina hurricane of 2005. emergency management “Think Tank with a world stage in cutting-edge Public works first responders were Report” calls for an APWA National ideas and thoughts in the world of on the scene helping with the initial Emergency Management Plan that sustainability. evacuations and life stabilization was endorsed by the APWA Board of efforts and then remained on the Directors. We must now ensure the Among these listed milestones, the scene long after others had gone, recommendations are carried out in a most important achievement of restoring their communities’ quality timely manner. You need to look back APWA this past year was the creation of life. only 30 days to see the devastation of of a comprehensive educational

62 APWA Reporter June 2012 Project wise, the Big Dig construction the SAFETEA-LU Task Force ensured vision, sustainability, emergency in Boston was declared complete on Congress understood the continuing management, identifying our December 31, 2007. need for a long-range surface legislative actions, and most transportation bill. I am particularly important, developing a knowledge I’m also proud of the video APWA proud of the significant advances map for educational needs of produced during my presidential in Chapter Capacity Building— the public works manager of the tenure that tells the story of how the my number one priority—making future are essential to the growth United States is suffering because of chapters stronger and more responsive and development of APWA and its our failure to properly invest in our at that level of membership. We also members. transportation infrastructure, and the helped advance APWA’s legislative negative consequences of Congress priorities, signed an MOU with the Frevert: The consequences of these not passing transportation funding Society of Military Engineers (SAME), emergencies were life changing for reauthorizing legislation. Continued and met with the U.S. Secretary of many and public works helped restore underfunding of our infrastructure Transportation and the Homeland and rebuild these communities investments resulting in growing Security Under Secretary. The meeting restoring a sense of order. Also, deferred maintenance backlogs was, with the Secretary of Transportation by continuing to draw the elected and continues to be, a major concern was at our request for the purpose officials and public’s attention to for members of the public works of explaining APWA’s transportation the condition of our deteriorating profession. legislative priorities and to pledge the infrastructure, we keep an impending association’s support in rebuilding the crisis in focus for attention lest we Bill Verkest (APWA President nation’s transportation infrastructure. all suffer quality of life deterioration 2006-07): Over the course of my The meeting with the DHS Under because of infrastructure failure. tenure with APWA, I stayed busy Secretary, also at our request, was representing the association and the to advance the role of public works Verkest: I do hope that the membership. My year as president as a first responder and to create accomplishments made APWA started quickly when in September a partnership to meet whatever stronger and more visible, at several 2006, I joined ASCE in releasing emergencies might befall the nation. levels, and added benefit to the the California Infrastructure Report In March 2007, I had the honor of chapters and to the association on the capitol steps in Sacramento, testifying before the National Surface membership. demonstrating both associations’ Transportation Policy and Revenue concern with the state of the Commission, led by the U.S. Secretary Was APWA involved? nation’s infrastructure. In November of Transportation, explaining 2006, I represented APWA when APWA’s position on funding surface Crombie: APWA staff and I accompanied a distinguished transportation needs. We held the membership were involved in every group of leaders on a French Water first-ever Education Summit in Denver step of the way in taking the vision Tour visiting Paris and Leon and in March 2007 and the third highly that I had outlined in Boston in witnessing how the French manage innovative leadership conference in the summer of 2011 and bringing modern water and wastewater issues. February 2007 in Kansas City. We that vision to reality. For every During my term I also had a hand in also launched the Certified Public accomplishment identified, you implementing the Governance Task Infrastructure Inspector program will discover a team of APWA staff Force recommendations. This task designed to credential public works members and highly qualified APWA force was created by Bob Freudenthal professionals inspecting in-progress members who took a vision and during his presidential term and construction. And certainly not the turned that vision into a plan of in many ways reinvented how the least of things, there was a remarkable action. At the end of the day, these association should be managed. I also growth in our membership amidst all accomplishments are shared by many. commissioned and set to work an of this activity. Education and Certification Task Force Frevert: APWA members were at the charged with looking forward and What made them noteworthy? forefront, as they always are, of the identifying how member certification disaster response and recovery efforts. could add value to the membership Crombie: These accomplishments APWA as an association supported and to a member’s career. provided the catalyst for APWA them, such as corresponding to begin to address the challenges with Governor Schwarzenegger I also furthered the framework for the twenty-first century will bring. to recognize the public works the next SAFETEA-LU. The work of Broadening our international professionals as first responders and

June 2012 APWA Reporter 63 meeting with the FEMA Administrator Further, public works facilities will Frevert: Access to information via to improve cooperation between their become town educational centers the Internet had become a “way of agency and the local governments where residents can learn and see life,” as had GIS mapping and data leading the recovery efforts in the Gulf first-hand the latest developments management and GPS locating and Coast States. in solar, wind, thermal energy, routing of public works personnel and power sources we only can and equipment. Further, winter Verkest: Staff support was superb dream of today. The smart grid will storm fighting technology expanded, from Peter King and Kaye Sullivan become part of our everyday lives. with anti-icing and deicing efforts through the full staff. At the risk of I also envision more private-public incorporating alternative materials. offending someone, I would applaud operations that will take advantage of Teri Newhouse, Brian Van Norman, implementing the latest technologies Verkest: This is not what you are Jim Fahey, and Kevin Clark. Brian, for into our communities. We will move asking, but I witnessed the Board example, championed the Chapter away from just managing water and of Directors working in a highly Capacity Building initiative and made wastewater plants and take over professional manner regardless of the it successful. Peter and I tackled a the management of watersheds to issue, the APWA staff provided support major crisis as soon as I took office stabilize water tables and nutrient without question, the financial and resolved it to the satisfaction of runoff. The value of water resources position of APWA was exceptionally the Board of Directors. will outpace the price of gold in the strong, and new programs were added future. Stormwater management will to the benefit of the membership. What were some of the advances be viewed in a manner not only to (perhaps technological or other) reduce runoff to protect our water How has APWA’s mission changed you saw during your presidency? resources, but to hold nutrients for over the years? Or has it stayed agriculture purposes. the same? Crombie: As I traveled across North America during my presidency, Massive tree plantings will not only Crombie: History is a great teacher I saw tremendous opportunities cool our communities in the summer, in understanding change. Change technology could bring to building but will be viewed as consumers of does not come overnight, but if sustainable communities. Some of vast amounts of CO2. Keeping cities you study the events that led up these opportunities I envision include cool in the summer and helping to to dynamic change, the signals are wastewater treatment plants that eliminate air pollution are directly everywhere beforehand. What is will no longer be energy guzzlers, linked to improving public health. interesting about change is that it but become energy producers. I can builds upon the accomplishments of see the day when the effluent from a Building materials that we can’t past generations, but doing business treatment plant will support hypnotic even imagine today will be used to after change occurs is dramatically agriculture centers reducing the need build energy-efficient buildings and different. for fruits and vegetables to travel our infrastructure. The educational thousands of miles. Also, a wastewater requirements of public works staff What worked prior to the Depression plant will not only keep our waters to manage these new systems in the 1930s, didn’t work in the ’50s, clean, but will become a renewable will increase requiring public and what worked in the ’70s, ’80s energy engine. Portable water in our works agencies to become virtual and ’90s is not going to work in the cities will be purified and recirculated, classrooms. twenty-first century. If this wasn’t the and we will no longer try to outbuild case, Ford Motor Company would the automobile by adding more Solid waste will become a valuable still be producing Model-T cars. Albert lanes. Urban streets will be built for resource. The cost to recycle waste Einstein said, “If you keep doing the pedestrians and mass transportation will be the best deal in town versus same thing, you will get the same as a first priority. Like the Interstate dumping the waste into a landfill. The results.” Change is scary, but it is all Highway System, there will be a goal of zero waste will no longer be a around us and unavoidable. Every national high-speed rail system dream. few decades, significant change connecting our cities and airports, takes place and I believe we are and light rail connecting the suburbs. The public works profession will on the verge of a new world order In the next few decades, public expand across the world and a that will require society to bring works equipment will be powered by high percentage of public works population and natural resources into renewable energy. Renewable fuels will professionals will be working in equilibrium. Just look around at the evolve. international communities. signals.

64 APWA Reporter June 2012 Our traditional economic models fail professionals who have the potential to work with others in building smart to take into consideration the costs of to advance public works to a much communities that connect housing, depleting natural resources and the higher level. However, what these business, schools, shopping, and impact to future generations. This younger professionals possess in social activities into a new green grid. must change. Engineering consulting potential, they lack in experience and Sound far-fetched? I do not think so. firms are consolidating all over the there is a tremendous opportunity for The signals are everywhere. world to address the needs of an senior members of the profession to emerging new world market. We are mentor them to their full potential. Frevert: Public works continues beginning the transition to renewable Establishment of the APWA Donald to make a positive contribution to energy. It took thousands of years C. Stone Center for Leadership the lives of the citizens it serves on to reach a worldwide population of Excellence in Public Works will be of a daily basis. There is no profession one billion people in 1776. Today, paramount importance to this effort. that directly affects the citizens’ we have a population of 6.5 billion quality of life so positively as do people and growing at a rate of a half Verkest: The basic mission has the members of the public works billion people every ten years. Just not changed, but the execution profession. Regardless of the think for a moment the consumption has changed to include strategic technological improvements that the needs of a merging worldwide planning, an expanded website, citizens of the next century receive, economy. launching of new programs such as they will still need and depend daily certification, and listening to the on the contributions of the public In the mid-’80s, the planet reached membership. works profession. May we as public equilibrium of inputs and outputs. works professionals understand, Today the output of natural resources How has public works evolved recognize and appreciate our role exceeds inputs by 30 percent. The and where it is headed? in the way of life that is dear to us lowering of water tables, increased all and never take for granted our levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, Crombie: The public works importance in keeping our citizens depletion of topsoil, time running profession is evolving at a rapid safe, healthy and productive. out on fossil fuels and natural pace. In the future it is going to elements like potassium, the loss take public works managers that Verkest: Public works will always be of fishing grounds, and widespread are not only good technically, but a “boots-on-the-ground” function. traffic congestion are not sustainable. have the management skills to Technology, equipment, tools, and If you think about this, there isn’t a work in a non-linear world and budgets will always impact the function provided by public works look more like a CEO. This new profession. But, the people who that isn’t affected by depleting world order will require whole brain make it happen won’t change. They natural resources. Public works now thinking, using the right brain for will meet the everyday challenge of and in the future will play a profound linear thinking and the left brain sustaining infrastructure performance role in creating this balance between for logical and analytical thinking. through hard work, regardless of population and natural resources. It will require managers in the what day of the week it is or what From my perspective, the twenty-first public works profession to become time of the day it is. century will be an exciting time for conceptual thinkers in order to play the public works profession. with others in building our future Conclusion cities. Our universities and colleges The next 75 years will take us Frevert: APWA’s mission is are already moving in this direction. into new uncharted territories as constantly evolving as new The challenge in the future will not technology and sustainability bring technologies impact the public be the technology, but the ability public works operations to new works profession. Yet, service to the through management theories to levels of efficiency. The impact of members of our association and the institute new technology and ideas. these former presidents has shaped public works profession continues As our world becomes more crowded, the future of APWA and the many to be its foremost objective. The the pace of decision making will professionals working to meet the “graying” of the public works become more complex, and will ever-changing needs of the industry. profession and the departure from require public works professionals Public works will always be the heart the workplace of personnel with that can build sustainable models of a municipality and will continue many years of knowledge has opened to address the challenges ahead. A to impact each and every citizen, up opportunities in the profession new world order will require public improving their quality of life. for younger, better educated works professionals that are creators

June 2012 APWA Reporter 65 Public Works Historical Society: the beginnings of a unique organization

Martin V. Melosi, Ph.D. Distinguished University Professor University of Houston Past President, Public Works Historical Society

have been associated with the By 1983 I was named to the Board of and worked with them to further Public Works Historical Society Trustees of PWHS, and in 1988 became hone and develop a bond between and APWA since 1974-1975, when president. That period proved to be history and APWA. Bob Esterbrooks I met key APWA staff members and an extraordinary time for me, and I (County Engineer, Phoenix, Arizona) historians Suellen Hoy and Michael think for PWHS as well. The Public introduced me to many elements of Robinson at a history conference in Works Historical Society was a unique civil engineering that I only read about St. Louis. They were involved (along organization. We found great support but never experienced. His advice with Ellis Armstrong) in editing what from then-APWA Executive Director transformed my scholarship on solid became The History of Public Works in Bob Bugher, but were strongly urged— waste management in a fundamental the United States, 1776-1976, published very strongly urged by Dynamic Bob— way, especially making clear to me by APWA in the bicentennial year. Sue to produce something relevant to the differences between short-term and Mike introduced me to the new association’s members while finding engineering objectives and long-term organization—the PWHS—which was a place in the historical profession for planning. The various encounters meant to last beyond the publication the study of public works. Neither was and growing personal bonds with the of the book and bring together an easy task, made more difficult— practitioners made it clear to me that practitioners and historians to work in my mind—by throwing together the seeming gap between our careers on projects of mutual value to APWA academics with very senior public could be easily bridged by talking and to the history profession. works professionals that had had very to one another—and listening. That little reason to talk to each other. In lesson helped to perpetuate the Public Scholars engaged in public works those early meetings we stared across Works Historical Society at least on the history at that time were few and far the table at one another, politely board level. between, and practitioners interested making small talk but without really in the history of their profession also accomplishing much. Through a series The organization has made great were rare. I was urged to join the of events, which stretched from APWA’s strides in producing many valuable society, nevertheless, largely because home in Chicago, to Washington, D.C.; publications and oral histories, I already had become interested in Portland, Maine; Ottawa, Canada; and bringing historical knowledge sanitary services and their history. I elsewhere, the almost uncomfortable and information to myriad APWA was waiting to finish a dissertation in chit-chat turned substantive. A bond Congresses, promoting the importance diplomatic history, however, before emerged, first in friendship and then in of history, and asserting the great turning full time to the study of the getting to understand different worlds value of the work of local chapters. urban environment, which I saw as and different interests that finally What remains to be done, however, came down to a love of history and a little-explored frontier grounded in is finding a way to get more public a seemingly unlikely love for public works professionals and historians to the everyday world. By the time of my works and infrastructure. get to know each other in the way I graduation and my first job at Texas got to meet and know a number of A&M University in 1975, I already was Personally, I became particularly close extraordinary people in the service to ready to abandon the orthodoxy of not only to key staff member Howard their cities and to APWA in general. It diplomatic history for the intriguing, Rosen (a fellow historian) but to is not enough to write about the past, if untested, history of public works. practitioners like Jim Martin (Public but to put flesh and bones on it. This The push in that direction came Works Director, Fresno, California), is the major lesson I have taken away from Suellen and Mike and from my Bob Goodin (Public Works Director, from my experiences with the Public mentor in this new field, Joel Tarr, Potomac, Maryland), and Herb Goetsch Works Historical Society and APWA. who I discovered was a kindred spirit (Public Works Director, Milwaukee, in this fascinating (at least fascinating Wisconsin). I learned so much Dr. Martin V. Melosi can be reached at to us) subject. from them, prized their friendship, (713) 743-3090 or [email protected].

66 APWA Reporter June 2012 Get ready to shine in Anaheim! Four days of valuable information with more than 125 education sessions, hundreds of exhibitors covering nearly 90,000 square feet of exhibit space — all in sunny Anaheim, CA.

Register and make plans today to attend the 2012 APWA INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS

CONGRESS &• AnaheimEXPOSITION Convention Center August 26–29, 2012 WWW.APWA.NET/CONGRESS World-Class Education in Public Works This year’s awesome keynote speakers:

Simon T. Bailey Michio Kaku, Ph.D. Jamie Clarke Author,

Bob Woodruff Cofounder of String Extreme Adventurer, Catalyst of Brilliance Field Theory, Theoretical Master Storyteller Broadcast Journalist, Physicist, Professor, TV ABC News Host, Author, Futurist

The Latest Technologies • Advanced Traffic Management Systems • Effective Energy Use Reduction and Cutting-Edge, Cost-Saving Programs Management • Neighborhood Partnering Program • Mobile Applications • Service Line Protection Program • GIS Facility Mapping • Facilities Condition Assessment Program • Social Media • Electronic Work Order System • Solar Bus Shelter/Solar Shade Structures • Emergency Management Assistance Compact • State-of-the-Art Biowaste Trends • Zero Waste Program • Mapping Sidewalk ADA Compliance • Reusable Bag Program • Waste-to-Energy • SMARTRAFFIC Program • Incorporating Solar Power into Water System Operations • Succession Planning Program • Low Flow Diversion • Public Outreach and Recycling Program • Preventive Maintenance Slurry Program • Anti-icing and Pre-wetting Program New Funding Sources to Achieve • Asset Inspection Program Your Goals • Regional Construction Standards Program • Federal Funding for Roadway Projects • Basement Flooding Protection Program • Compelling Grant Applications • Complete Street Multi-Modal Transit Vision • Franchising Trash Collection • Green Vehicle Grant Funding Sources • Optimizing Maintenance

Register and make plans today to attend! WWW.APWA.NET/CONGRESS Pre-Registration Form—Page 1 of 2 2012 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition August 26–29, 2012 • Anaheim Convention Center • www.apwa.net/congress

A CONGRESS Last Name First Name E-mail Address

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(CEO) Chief Elected Official (Limited to one Chief Elected Official for each registration) no charge Last name: ______First name: ______

PART 2: WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY AND PUBLIC WORKS STORMWATER SUMMIT Attendees registered for the FULL CONGRESS WEEK may participate in any of the Wednesday Workshops or the Public Works Stormwater Summit at no additional cost. You must check the MEMBER NONMEMBER TOTALS workshop you would like to participate in, but do not add the cost to your total. If you are NOT registered for the FULL CONGRESS WEEK, you may register for any of these workshops at the prices listed below.

WEDNESDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS/TOURS 8 – 11 a.m. Space is limited, first come first served, so sign up now! (Buses leave promptly at 8 a.m.; please arrive by 7:45 a.m.) (W1) Port of Long Beach Boat Tour (W2) Mickey and Disney Tour—Transportation Facilities (Full-week (W3) Caltrans County Traffic Management Center $165 $200 registrants (W4) Orange County Sanitation District Facility enter $0 here.) (W5) Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment

WEDNESDAY HALF-DAY PUBLIC WORKS STORMWATER SUMMIT 8:30 – 11 a.m. (SUM1) Public Works Stormwater Summit – Half Day PART 3: DAILY EDUCATION SESSIONS AND EXPOSITION (Full-week registrants skip this section.) If you would like to attend the education sessions and exposition by the day, please mark which day(s) you are registering for below.

(SC) SUNDAY $285 $350

(GUS) SUNDAY SPOUSE/GUEST: $100 Guest Last Name: ______Guest First Name: ______

(MC) MONDAY

(TC) TUESDAY $285 $350

(WC) WEDNESDAY

PART 4: DAILY EXPO ONLY (Full-week registrants skip this section.) If you would like to attend the exposition only for one day, please mark which day you will attend.

(SEO) SUNDAY

(MEO) MONDAY $35 $35

(TEO) TUESDAY

PART 5: CONGRESS EVENTS Complete your Congress experience with these special events. (Additional fees apply to all registration categories.)

(SA) SATURDAY Pre-Congress Seminar: Self Assessment Using the Public Works Management Practices Manual 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Fee includes instruction, materials, and breaks. Lunch will be on your own.) $300 $350 (EC) SATURDAY Effective Consultant Management for the Public Works Agency 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Fee includes instruction, materials, and breaks. Lunch will be on your own.)

(CPWAL) MONDAY CPWA Luncheon # of tickets ______X $35 $35

(PWHSL) MONDAY PWHS Luncheon # of tickets ______X $35 $35

(AAEEB) TUESDAY AAEE Breakfast # of tickets ______X $30 $30

(TDB) TUESDAY Diversity Brunch # of tickets ______X $35 $35

TOTAL To register for workshops and events not listed on this form please visit www.apwa.net/congress or call 816-472-6100. Pre-Registration Form—Page 2 of 2 2012 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition August 26–29, 2012 • Anaheim Convention Center • www.apwa.net/congress

THIS PRE-REGISTRATION FORM IS GOOD ONLY UNTIL AUGUST 17, 2012. No pre-registration forms will be accepted after August 17, 2012. After August 17, registrations will be accepted on-site only. On-site registration will begin Saturday, August 25, 2012. Please note: No government vouchers or B DEMOGRAPHICS purchase orders will be accepted on-site. This form must be completed and returned with full payment before your registration can be processed. Please complete a separate registration form for each Congress participant. CANCELLATIONS: If your plans change and you cannot attend the program, a colleague can attend in your place—just send us a fax or letter. Is this your first Congress? Cancellations and requests for refunds must be in writing. A full refund, less a $100 administration fee, will be made if written notice is postmarked by (1) Yes (2) No July 18, 2012. Sorry, no refunds on registration fees or tickets will be issued after July 18, 2012, or for an amount less than $50. Refunds will be processed For whom do you work? within 30 days after Congress. Please send your cancellation and/or refund request to [email protected], or fax to 816-595-5342. (1) Public Agency LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE: In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the APWA International Public Works Congress & (2) Private Industry Exposition and any related events and activities (the APWA Congress & Exposition), I, the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that I am Please mark all areas you have responsibility for: voluntarily undertaking participation in the APWA Congress and Exposition; by doing so I assume all risk and take full responsibility for my own well- (1) Construction being. I am fully aware that possible property damage, physical injury, illness or death may occur as a result of my participation in these events and (2) Emergency Management activities. I forever release the APWA, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, and representatives (collectively “Releasees”) from (3) Engineering &Technology any and all actions, claims, or demands that I, my family or heirs now have or may have in the future related to my participation in these activities. (4) Environment/Sustainability PHOTOGRAPHS: I agree and acknowledge that APWA plans to take photographs at the APWA Congress & Exposition and reproduce them in APWA (5) Facilities & Grounds educational, news or promotional material, whether in print, electronic or other media, including the APWA website. By participating in the APWA (6) Fleet Services (7) Leadership & Management Congress & Exposition you grant APWA the right to use your name, photograph and biography for such purposes. (8) Solid Waste I am aware this is a release of liability and rights of use related to photographs; a contract between myself and the APWA. I have read, understand and (9) Sustainability agree to these terms and am entering into this agreement on my own free will. (10) Transportation SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! The Educational Program at Congress is designed to meet or exceed your expectations. If it doesn’t, write to the (11) Utility & Right of Way Executive Director of APWA, 2345 Grand Blvd., Suite 700, Kansas City, MO 64108, within one week of the program, help us understand where we went (12) Water & Sewers wrong, and we’ll set things right with you. Guaranteed! (13) Winter Maintenance What is your job title? ATTENDEE INFORMATION (Please be sure to add [email protected] to your (1) Public Works Director C address book to insure you receive your confirmation.) (2) Engineer (Director, City/Principal) (3) Deputy/Assistant Public Works Director (4) Deputy/Assistant Engineer (5) Department Head/Division Chief APWA Membership ID# Badge Nickname (Call 1-800-848-APWA to obtain your membership number if you don’t know it) (e.g., Dave, Jen, “Doc”, “Smiley”, etc.) (6) Administration (7) Administrative Assistant/Manager (8) City Manager Prefix Last Name First Name (9) Other What is your role in the purchase of public works equipment and/or services? Title Organization/Company (1) Final say (2) Recommend Billing Address (3) Influence (4) Specify (5) None Street Address/P.O. Box How large is your budget for purchases of equipment and/or services? City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country (1) Under $50,000 (2) $50,001 – 100,000 (3) $100,001 – 500,000 Daytime Phone Cell Number Fax Number E-mail address (4) $500,001 – 1,000,000 (5) Over $1,000,000 What is the population of your jurisdiction? Emergency Contact Name Emergency Contact Phone Number(s) Emergency E-mail Address (1) Less than 25,000 (2) 25,001 – 50,000 D PAYMENT (Please complete Section A, parts 1–6 on page 1 before completing this step.) (3) 51,001 – 100,000 (4) 101,001 – 250,000 TOTAL FROM PAGE 1: $______(Fees are in US Funds) (5) Over 250,000 Check #______enclosed (Made payable to APWA) Please let us know your gender (1) Male (2) Female Government Voucher or Purchase Order #______Please let us know what year you were born (PO MUST be included with registration form) (Example: 1967) (1)______Credit Card (check one): Visa MasterCard American Express How did you hear about Congress? (1) Congress Preview (2) APWA Reporter Magazine Ad Card Number Expiration Date (3) Industry Magazine Ad (4) APWA Website (5) E-mail Print name as it appears on the card (6) Referred by someone (7) You are a previous attendee (8) Invited by an exhibitor Date Signature (required) (9) Other ______ADJUSTMENT: IN THE EVENT THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE IS MISCALCULATED ON THIS FORM DUE TO ERROR, MEMBERSHIP Which social media platforms do you use for STATUS, OR OTHER, APWA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AUDIT OR ADJUST ANY TOTAL CHARGES DUE. business? (1) Twitter (4) Other MAIL completed registration form with OR FAX credit card payments to: (2) Facebook (5) None payment to: (3) LinkedIn 508-743-9613 NONMEMBERS ONLY: American Public Works Association Important: If you FAX your registration form please DO NOT Do you want $149 of your nonmember full PO Box 843742 mail a form and risk duplicate billing. registration fee applied toward your new Kansas City, MO 64184-3742 individual APWA membership? (Not valid for membership renewals. Renew online at www. QUESTIONS? Call APWA’s registration company at 508-743-8540, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST., apwa.net/membership/memberrenewal.) or e-mail [email protected]. APWA’s Federal ID # is 36-220-2880. Yes No Public Works Past and Future: A brief reflection

Charles David Jacobson, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate, Morgan Angel & Associates Washington, D.C. Past President, Public Works Historical Society

ecause I am a former president built do, in fact, usually serve the workings of ownership and of the Public Works Historical future needs more successfully regulatory arrangements. In Society and a historian who than public works built with little the case of fixed and long-lived has devoted much of his career thought and on the cheap. systems such as roads, bridges, rail to the study of the history of public 2. Infrastructure and public works transit systems, and water works, works and urban technology issues, systems can be very powerful for example, historical experience the reader of this brief reflection means of shaping the futures of demonstrates that even the most would be entitled to expect that the places in which we live. The carefully specified long-term lease I am concerned with preserving very fixed character of roads, or private ownership arrangement great public works structures and rail transit systems, and other can be rendered obsolete and commemorating great public works such permanent installations is dysfunctional by changing achievements of the past. This important in this regard. Because conditions and unexpected assumption would not be entirely such infrastructure cannot be developments. incorrect. easily moved, owners of property In sum, the history of public works along their routes can more safely can be an unmatched source of The history of public works, however, make long-term plans for the perspective and insight into the is about far more than the preserving development of their parcels. of dusty artifacts and the placing dynamic character of public works 3. Just as the present is different of markers on old buildings and issues and the importance of planning than the past, the future will be bridges. Thinking about public works for the future in making public works different than the present. This developments over long periods of decisions. Historical study can also has implications for the design of time and about circumstances faced be a useful source of humility on the facilities, e.g., making allowances by public works developers in the past inevitability of unpredictable change in designs for additions of can also be a source of insight into and unexpected outcomes and the capacity or for possible changes present-day opportunities for change folly of easy assumptions that the in use can be of great service and improvement. After all, that future will be just like the present. to people down the road. It graceful old bridge that still carries can also be wise to think about Think fifty or a hundred years back in traffic today, those ancient water designing facilities in ways which time and it can help you think fifty or mains that (mostly) do not rupture, make allowances for inevitable a hundred years forward as well. Your and those subway escalators that breakdowns. In the case of the great grandchildren, if they are not somehow never work when one is on Washington, D.C. Metro system, too busy playing the computer one’s way to work—all of them were for example, system builders (or whatever) games of the future, new once upon a time. during the middle and later will thank you. A few individual thoughts that come decades of the twentieth century Charles David Jacobson, Ph.D., is a to mind include the following: chose to locate some stations very deep underground and to rely on former president of the Public Works 1. If nothing else, the study of the escalators to transport passengers Historical Society; a Senior Associate with past teaches that thinking about to and from street level. So long Morgan Angel & Associates, LLC; and the future matters. Although as the escalators function, the the author of Ties That Bind: Economic conditions and tastes change system works reasonably well. and Political Dilemmas of Urban over time in ways which can be Unfortunately, the escalators Utility Networks, 1800-1990. He can be difficult to predict, public works often don’t… reached at (202) 265-1833 or charles@ known to be well made and 4. Thought also needs to be given morganangel.com. beautiful at the time they are to implications of change for

June 2012 APWA Reporter 71 Reflections on fifty years in the profession

Larry Lux President, Lux Advisors, Ltd Plainfield, Illinois President-Elect, Public Works Historical Society

s APWA celebrates its 75th to do two basic skills: “pace” fifty mapping, geographical information Anniversary, it gives me feet, and throw and fold a chain systems, utilities, accident pause to reflect back on (what’s that?). The next day I learned reconstruction, law enforcement, and my nearly fifty years in the how to use a dip needle to locate environmental studies. profession and as a member of the property corners. I was relegated Association and the many ways in to hold the “dumb end” of the Another advantage is that they can which the public works profession chain, place chaining pins or hold be downloaded directly to your iPad, has evolved over the years. This the rod, while the crew leader gave computer or other electronic device brief article will take a look at how me direction, took the field book thereby reducing the time required (at least from my perspective) I have notes and operated the instrument. while at the same time eliminating seen the profession advance in three I learned what a survey monument errors. specific areas: field inspections and was and what the term “benchmark” surveying; public works vehicles and meant. I also learned how to set up Vehicles and Equipment equipment; and the application of the instrument over an established As a late teen, I worked occasionally new technologies. point and use a plumb bob to make for the small town that we lived in to sure we were in the correct spot to assist in plowing snow. This gave me I sincerely believe that I have been turn angles with the instrument. Try my first introduction to the vehicles involved in public works during the doing that on a windy day! and equipment that public works period during which the greatest uses. Most of the work I did was advancements have been made in Once the field measurements were shoveling, but I did work out of the these areas. Each has had a profound completed, it was off to the office garage and became familiar with the impact on how we do our jobs and to do the math (by hand, with the various types and kinds of equipment how the citizens of our communities occasional use of a mechanical commonly in use at the time. have been the direct beneficiaries. adding machine). My very first exposure to a “real” When I first entered the profession I haven’t worked in this capacity snowplow was when I graduated (in 1963), I was a seasonal employee since the mid-1970s. However, by the to riding shotgun in a dump truck on a field surveying/inspection crew. time I advanced to other challenges equipped with a plow and spreader. I I was in college and studying to in the profession, we had progressed thought it was very cool to be invited be an industrial education teacher. to using self-leveling theodolites and to ride shotgun. Little did I know The thought of being outside on advanced measuring devices. The what I was in for…after the driver construction sites was interesting to results were greater accuracy and a walked me around the truck and me and provided me the funds to significantly reduced time spent to explained how the plow and spreader continue my education. It was very complete our field work. worked, he directed me to jump into rare to see women in the business, the passenger side. I was immediately but we would usually be able to Today, we have the use of electronic confronted by what I believed was a attract some attention while working measuring devices, GPS and total transmission stick, but then I noticed in the field…a nice side benefit. stations which provide great another one next to the driver (yes, flexibility and pinpoint accuracy, plus all of the trucks at that time were Field Inspections and Surveys they reduce much of the preliminary stick shift). This strange shaft was Field surveys were a fairly complex layout work and reducing of the sticking out of the floor directly and time-consuming project. On my notes involved in the surveys. This between my legs. I quickly learned first day on the job, I learned how sophisticated equipment is useful for that my assignment was to “pump land surveying, construction layout, up” the plow whenever we crossed

72 APWA Reporter June 2012 railroad track or other obstructions. It probably took 35 or 40 pumps to raise the plow just a few inches off the ground. Once the obstruction was cleared, there was a small valve Bituminous Road Oil & Asphalt Emulsifier near the floor that let the plow back down. After only a couple of hours, CLEAN IT UP my arms and legs never hurt so bad. Your job's not complete Brother, was I glad when my shift was until your equipment is clean. over. I later learned that while some of the vehicles had hydraulic systems Make your life easier — to operate the plows, most in the fleet Melts away asphalt and bituminous road oils still depended on hand hydraulic used in paving, road oiling, chip-seal, power and, being the new guy, I got slurry-seal, and seal-coating operations. the “privilege” of operating the plow. Equipment versatility — The only communications we had Keep your vehicles, asphalt oil distributors, paving were unreliable CB radios that didn’t machines, compactors, striping equipment, cones, work very well unless you were barrels, barricades, and concrete curbing looking their best! within about fifty feet of the other person. I learned the value of this Environmentally responsible — one time when, during a blizzard, I 100% biodegradable; more aggressive than diesel and safer to use. drove off the road and into a ditch. It took several hours for my superiors to Easy, application process — Clean in just minutes! realize that I was missing and sent out Use a light coating on tools to prevent asphalt sticking and build-up. a search party. I was never so happy RHOMA-SOLTM is trusted by over to see flashing lights behind me. 30 DOT's and used by hundreds of municipalities, counties This type of simplified operation was and contractors nationwide. very typical of the technology of the day. I will say this: After doing this Save thousands of dollars simply by using RHOMAR product solutions to part time and working the back step clean and protect the equipment of a garbage truck at other times, I you already have in your fleet. have never been in as good physical condition.

Today, we have highly complex and efficient plows and spreaders, full hydraulic systems, excellent communications capabilities, plus PROTECTION PRESERVATION PERFORMANCE the availability of GPS and other modern technology that not only make our service more efficient, but www.rhomar.com also saves countless dollars by closely [email protected] regulating the amount of salt or other deicers, efficient routing of the incorporate real-time GPS monitoring computer technology available vehicles and dramatically increased of our vehicles and equipment. This was the pencil and your brain. The safety. The shop facilities and provides the citizens with the ability backspace key was an eraser. technology available today contribute to monitor the location of rescue substantially to reducing downtime vehicles and further improves the Early in my career, after the field for maintenance and repairs. Finally, safety and efficiency of our personnel. work was done and the notes during and following storm periods reduced, it was off to the drafting (rain or snow), through websites Technology room where we would sit down and social media, we can now For much of my career, the principal at a drafting table and break out

June 2012 APWA Reporter 73 practically useless in the sun as it only had a small LED screen that washed out in bright light.

Today, with the advent of computers, GPS, GIS and other corresponding software, you can download data directly from your field devices, plot it and complete a design without ever touching a pen or pencil. I remember the very first “portable” computer we ever purchased. It was a Compaq II portable. The darn thing weighed a ton and took a man and a boy (or at least a dolly) to lug around. It even came with two (count ’em, two) floppy diskette drives each of which had a capacity of 3.35 kilobytes. Compare that to today’s devices.

This lithograph hangs behind my office desk to remind me of my first ventures Conclusion into the wonderful world of public works. (Photo by Larry Lux) As I stated before, I believe that I have been in the profession during its most our tools: slide rule (what’s that?), Another acquired skill was to load progressive period in history. I have triangles, pins, pens, pencils, and use a ruling pen which was used witnessed the introduction and use of assorted circle and oval templates, primarily for straight lines. Since thousands of new devices that enable and other gear. I really thought I was the ink would take a few minutes to today’s engineers and practitioners to cool as I carried my stuff around in dry, I soon learned to use a lighted perform at levels unheard of in the a tackle box, until I saw that nearly cigarette to accelerate the drying past and with exceptional increases everyone did the same thing. (By time and minimize smearing. (I in accuracy, productivity and safety. I the way, I still have mine, just in smoked at the time, as did nearly wonder what further advances we will case). Soon after, we got an electric everyone else). see over the next fifty years? adding machine to help with simple calculations; however, for anything Once the plans and cross sections In some ways, I am still nostalgic for more complex, we had to resort to were plotted, we broke out the trusty the “old way” of doing things and our trusty slide rule or an antique polar planimeter which you would occasionally break out my old tackle mechanical calculator, a hand- drag (buggy) around the perimeter of box and draw something, as I believe operated early machine that could a cross section and when read, would that hands-on practical experience multiply and divide in addition to provide you with the end area of the and understanding of how things addition and subtraction, depending section. This was used to calculate the happen made me better at my chosen profession. on which way you manipulated the amount of excavation or fill that was various cranks and handles. required on a project. To this day, I still have no idea how it worked, but Although I see better skilled and educated people coming into the field, Nearly everything was drawn the results were well within acceptable I sometimes wish that they could on linen with pen and ink. One standards of the time. undergo some of the experiences I frustratingly essential part of the job I will never forget the day I was able to had—I think they would be even was learning to get the ink flowing in afford my first electronic calculator, an better. This is from an old guy who my Koh-I-Noor “rapidograph” pens. HP-35. This amazing device enabled still is passionate about public works. Anyone who has had this experience me to do complex mathematical Keep up the good work, all you young knows what a pain it can be. I think calculations with ease. I could also guys and gals. you spent more time cleaning the do geometric and trigonometric pens than actually using them. calculations. I thought I had died and Larry Lux can be reached at (815) 886- 6909 or [email protected]. gone to heaven even though it was

74 APWA Reporter June 2012 APWA 75th Anniversary: Thoughts on evolution in the organization

Jim Attebery City Engineer (retired) City of Phoenix, Arizona Past President, Public Works Historical Society

he most pronounced feature in established an office in Washington, Inclusiveness in public works APWA’s organizational growth D.C., to keep tabs on happenings is a virtue and much of the is its multipurpose role. Many that affected public works programs “inclusiveness” approach was organizations choose to be and shared that information with its driven by the organization’s strong exclusive. APWA has chosen to be members. national leadership and the personal inclusive. commitment of Executive Director In the 1980s the inclusiveness of the Bob Bugher. In the early years the organization organization continued when the top focused heavily on the municipal leadership positions were opened to Jim Attebery can be reached at sector. Then it was broadened. members, both public and private. [email protected]. Institutes such as Solid Waste, Fleet Management, and later, Transportation were added. These provided a forum for the various disciplines in public works. Efforts were made to bring in county and state members. Private sector public works employees were welcomed into the organization, although with a limited leadership role.

In the 1970s action was taken to broaden the role of private utility members through the formation of the Utility Location & Coordination Council. This ultimately led to participation in development of One- Call centers, Blue Stake organizations and uniform color markings. In this same decade there was an emphasis on Emergency Management training.

Also in the 1970s, APWA recognized its relationship with history and established a team to write History of Public Works in the United States. This book is still one of the premier books available on public works history and the undertaking was the catalyst for the Public Works Historical Society.

Knowing that many of the rules, regulations and financial aid came from the federal government, APWA

June 2012 APWA Reporter 75 Donald C. Stone and the American Public Works Association

Howard Rosen, Ph.D., Program Director, and Stephen T. Pudloski, P.E., Program Director, Department of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison

1937 (ICMA) Stone began a project in members. Thanks to these efforts, While APWA was officially founded 1931 to develop “an objective by the time of its creation in 1937, in 1937, it was the culmination method of measuring, reporting APWA had the resources to hire of a long series of developments and evaluating sanitation services.” an Executive Director and take going back to at least the 1890s. This effort was sponsored by the its place among the many public In 1894, the American Society National Committee of Municipal services associations that would of Municipal Improvements was Standards. This committee included come together in the new building formed. It would eventually become representatives of APWA’s two dedicated to public administration. the American Society of Municipal predecessor organizations, along The 1313 building opened on the Engineering (ASME). In 1935, this with others. The studies conducted campus of the University of Chicago organization asked Donald C. as part of this process led to a in 1938. Known officially as the Stone to become their Executive series of demonstrations in various Public Administration Building Director. At the same time, the communities. Their success led (until 1979 when it was named International Association of Public to the creation of the Public the Merriam Center in honor of Works Officials (IAPWO) made Administration Service (PAS), which Charles E. Merriam), 1313 was a similar request to Stone. Both provided public works consulting home to the headquarters of APWA, organizations had come to know of services. The PAS produced The along with organizations focused Stone, who was a leading figure in Management of Municipal Public on city management, planning, the development of modern public Works with Donald Stone as the government finance, housing, public administration. As the Director author of this key book. He was welfare, municipal leagues, state of Research for the International also the Executive Director of the governments and many others. City Management Association PAS. For all these reasons, Stone was the most logical choice to head an 1313 was the physical embodiment association of public works officials. of the vision of Merriam, a political science professor at the University Stone understood that these two of Chicago, along with Beardsley organizations lacked the resources Ruml and Louis Brownlow. These to support a full-time paid staff. individuals believed it was possible At this time, these organizations to use research and education to together only had 750 members, introduce methods and practices of many of whom were delinquent public administration to improve in paying their dues. Working the efficiency of government part-time as the Interim Executive services and that could be best Director, Stone introduced initiatives accomplished through voluntary to increase membership, develop professional associations rather than programs and generate resources. by a political process. This is a key He organized a joint meeting in reason why they explicitly wanted 1935 of the two organizations, the building that would serve as which was the first Congress of the headquarters of so many state Public Works Engineers. He then and local government technical started the Public Works Engineers professionals not be in Washington, Donald C. Stone Newsletter, as well as new services for D.C.

76 APWA Reporter June 2012 Stone Reflections 1962 Stone viewed the lack of an In addition, students would select Twenty-five years after the creation academic underpinning along with courses from seven different of APWA, Stone gave a presentation the lack of adequate government technical areas. The catalog at the 1962 annual Public Works and foundation financial support indicated that the program Congress. In addition to expressing as key reasons holding back the would stress “the development of the high hopes he had for APWA in professionalization of public works. competence in the new managerial the beginning, and his confidence A few years later, he would attempt tools of systems analysis, operations that it would play an important to overcome these challenges. With research, decision theory, and role in the future, Stone used the the extensive support of APWA’s planning, programming and occasion to express two main Board of Directors and its Executive budgeting systems.” APWA, through disappointments. Specifically, Stone Director, Robert D. Bugher, the the Education Foundation, offered had hoped there would be greater first graduate program dedicated fellowships up to $5,000. With cooperation with universities to to public works engineering and APWA support, the Pitt Program prepare public works professionals administration was established in flourished for several years. But and he had expected the Federal 1967 at the University of Pittsburgh. as an interdisciplinary program, Government to pay more attention dependent largely on outside to what we today would call “urban Pitt Program funding, it did not long survive after infrastructure.” In 1967, the University of Pittsburgh the retirement of Donald Stone, established the Graduate Center who was the Dean of the Graduate This is some of what Stone said fifty for Public Works Engineering and School for International and Public years ago: Administration. This so-called Pitt Affairs, the home for the Graduate Program represented the most Center for Public Works. Back there in the mid-30s, I envisioned ambitious effort ever undertaken to that this Association would work closely provide graduate education in public Donald C. Stone Center with universities to advance the art and works. Stone considered a working In his honor, APWA has dedicated science of the public works profession. understanding of the physical the APWA Donald C. Stone Center ….I had seen how the growth of each systems that were to be managed to for Leadership Excellence in Public major profession…had come about be a prerequisite for effective public Works (DCS Center). The DCS because it was solidly grounded on works administration. Center will honor Stone’s legacy and an adequate educational and research will further contribute to his body foundation….there is (now) an The mission of the Center was of work. The DCS Center provides inadequate supply of properly trained “to help train the critically a progressive system of career paths public works engineers flowing from the needed professional engineering for professional development and universities into public works agencies. administrator to plan, organize, credentialing. construct and operate the network Stone’s words regarding the of public works facilities and services The Center is a partnership of APWA underfunding of urban public works required today.” chapter institutes and academies, were even more pointed: colleges, universities, government The curriculum developed by the agencies and associations, working Congress has always favored farmers Pitt Program was interdisciplinary. together to provide comprehensive in its appropriations, including those Students took a series of required and integrated educational, training for roads and other public works…. courses: and professional development The fact that we are in an urban opportunities. A professional society makes urban development and • Public Management: Theory & working within public works redevelopment a national problem just Practice or considering entering this as much as agriculture. It is high time • Public Works Management I profession will be able to progress that the Federal Government stopped systematically along one or several treating city people as second-class • Public Works Management II paths. citizens…. Most state governments • Research Methodology are rurally oriented and have created (Statistics) APWA has created a developmental a vast maze of obstacles in the way of • Systems Analysis in Public model that will require candidates rationalizing urban government and Works Engineering to document growth and, in some services.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 77 instances, defend their work through oral exams. A mentoring program is Suggested readings on part of the developmental process to provide focused support, feedback (and by) Donald C. Stone and guidance to candidates. Probably the most in-depth Stone and his talented wife, Conclusion document that currently exists Alice: “The Administration of We can think of no better way to regarding the career of Donald C. Chairs,” Donald Stone and Alice end this brief tribute to APWA on Stone (including the formation Stone, Public Administration the occasion of its 75th Anniversary of APWA) is found in the oral Review, Vol. 34, No. 1 (Jan. - Feb., than to use the words of Donald history produced by the Public 1974), pp. 71-77. C. Stone, who concluded his Works Historical Society: An presentation to the 1962 APWA Interview with Donald C. Stone. Here is a link to a short comment Congress, 25 years after the official Public Works Historical Society. reflecting on the Stone’s article formation of APWA thusly: Interview Number 9, October on chairs: http://www.guardian. 1992, interviewed by Howard co.uk/education/2008/feb/12/ We who are engaged in the field of Rosen and Stephen Pudloski (this highereducation.research public works are covering one of the oral history was reviewed in The largest, most significant and vital People Making Public Works Public Historian, Vol. 17, No.3 areas of the public service field. The History, Robert D. Bugher, [Summer 1995], Andrew J. Dunar. role to be played will increase steadily editor. American Public Works “Public Works and Oral History: in importance as the United States Association, Kansas City, MO. Three Perspectives”, pp.77-82.) and other countries, too, become 1999. increasingly industrialized and Another source of information urbanized. Stone, Donald C. “The Impact is found in: Howard Rosen, of US Assistance Programs on Winifred J. Weizer, “Reflections Whether we play that role well and the Political and Economic on the Life and Legacy of fulfill the challenges will depend Integration of Western Europe,” Donald C. Stone,” Public Works in large measure on whether we American Political Science Review, develop the educational and research Management Policy, July 1996 vol. 46 (December 1952): 1100–1116. underpinning essential to establish 1 no. 1 10-18. public works engineering and Stone’s papers are archived at Stone was the author of many administration on a solid and enduring Syracuse University. Here is a link publications, including the first foundation. …We must be no less to the inventory of the Donald publication to cover public works persevering in this task than those C. Stone Papers at Syracuse administration (hard to find):The public works leaders of the 1930s who University: http://library.syr.edu/ Management of Municipal Public established this Association and built digital/guides/s/stone_dc.htm. solid foundations for the public works Works. Donald C. Stone, Chicago, profession. Public Administration Service, Finally, for more information on 1939. Donald C. Stone, visit the APWA Author Bios website at http://www.apwa.net/ This is a well-known (and quite Dr. Howard Rosen was an APWA donald-c-stone/who-is. staff member for 15 years, serving as serious) article by Donald C. Managing Director of Professional Services and Director of the Public Works Historical Society (PWHS). In at (608) 262-4341 or [email protected]. the University of Pittsburgh. He and addition, he served as PWHS President edu. Howard Rosen co-authored the Oral in 2004-06. Howard has taught History History Interview with Donald C. of Engineering at the Illinois Institute Stephen Pudloski is a former Deputy Stone that was published by the Public of Technology and in the Values, Executive Director of APWA, Top Ten Works Historical Society. He can be Technology & Society Program at award winner, and served as Donald reached at (608) 262-8707 Stanford University. He can be reached C. Stone’s Graduate Assistant at or [email protected].

78 APWA Reporter June 2012 Thank You!

Thanks for Celebrating National Public Works Week.

Every year National Public Works Week gets At APWA one of our main goals is to educate the bigger and better. The number of participating general public about the value and necessities of municipalities continues to grow, which means the public works projects throughout North America, number of citizens who are exposed to the value of and public works professionals like you are our best public works grows. ambassadors.

You’ve made 2012 National Public Works Week the biggest and best ever!

American Public Works Association Proudly sponsoring National Public Works Week since 1960

You can still purchase the 2012 APWA National Public Works Week poster online at www.apwa.net/npww © 2012 American Public Works Association The Bureau of Reclamation: 110 years providing water and electricity to the West

Brit Allan Storey Senior Historian Bureau of Reclamation Littleton, Colorado

he American West is generally States Reclamation Service (USRS) about 25 projects were authorized arid, and water was a major within the U.S. Geological Survey’s throughout the West. Reclamation concern of settlers who (USGS) Division of Hydrography. funding originally came from sales of watched the gush of spring The Reclamation Act required that public lands and Texas had no federal and early summer runoff flow away Reclamation comply with numerous lands. As a result, Texas was not one of from their towns and crops. Settlers and often widely varying state and the original “reclamation” states, but developed simple and inexpensive territorial legal codes. Subsequent it convinced the Congress to make it a water projects, but, as population development and ratification over the reclamation state in 1906. increased, demands for federal water years of numerous interstate compacts storage projects grew. Westerners governing the sharing of stream flows In 1907 the Secretary of the Interior soon understood they generally between states, as well as several separated the USRS from the USGS lacked access to sufficient money and international treaties governing the and made it an independent bureau engineering skill for more complex sharing of streams by the United within the Department of the water projects, and they hoped to States with Mexico or Canada, made Interior. The Congress and Executive find those resources in the national Reclamation’s responsibilities to Branch were then just learning that government. Those clamoring for comply with U.S., state, and territorial Congress’s initial 10-year repayment “reclamation projects” believed water law very complex. period was inadequate, and Congress that irrigation would “reclaim” or eventually increased the repayment “subjugate” western arid lands for In its early years, the Reclamation period to 20 years, then to 40 years, human use and make homes for Service relied heavily on the USGS and ultimately to an indefinite period American families. Before 1900, Division of Hydrography’s previous based on “ability to pay.” Other the United States Congress had studies of potential projects in the issues also appeared: soil science already invested heavily in America’s West so that between 1903 and 1906, problems related both to construction infrastructure by subsidizing roads, river navigation, harbors, canals, and railroads. Western boosters clamored for extension of that tradition of government subsidies to irrigation to support expansion of western settlement. In 1901, “reclamation” gained an important supporter when Theodore Roosevelt became President. He supported the “reclamation” movement because of his personal experience in the West. President Roosevelt signed the Reclamation Act on June 17, 1902. The original concept was that water users would repay the costs of construction of a project over a 10-year period and would pay all annual maintenance costs. Gibson Dam in August 1929. Gibson was the first dam completely designed using In July 1902, the Secretary of the the Trial Load Method which was refined within Reclamation for a decade and Interior established the United had previously been used to assure the strength of designs after completion.

80 APWA Reporter June 2012 and to the ability of soils to grow crops; economic viability of projects (repayment potential) including climatic limitations on the value of crops; waterlogging of irrigated lands on projects, resulting in the need for Elegant, economical and expensive drainage projects; and the environmentally friendly. need for practical farming experience for people successfully to take up 24-Hour Warning Beacons project farms. Many projects fell far behind on their repayment schedules, and settlers vocally expressed their discontent to the Congress.

Learning from the problems, Congress and the Department of the Interior made substantial changes beginning as the Secretary changed the name of Solar-powered, wireless the USRS to Bureau of Reclamation in and easy to install. 1923. Then, in 1924, the Fact Finder’s Act began major adjustments to the basic Reclamation program. Elwood Pedestrian-Activated Crosswalk Beacons Mead was appointed Commissioner of Reclamation in 1924 as the reshaping of Reclamation continued.

A signal of the changes came in 1928, JSF Technologies 1.800.990.2454 for instance, when the Congress +1.250.544.1640 www.jsftech.com passed the Boulder Canyon Project Act ratifying the Colorado River Compact and authorizing the Boulder Minidoka and Boulder Canyon Reclamation began building projects Canyon Project (Hoover Dam and projects, irrigate about fifty percent of primarily for urban water supply, the All-American Canal). For the first Reclamation acreage. Ultimately, of and Americans became increasingly time, large appropriations began to Reclamation’s more than 180 projects, concerned and proprietary about flow to Reclamation directly from the about 70 received authorization the use and protection of natural general funds of the United States before World War II. Authorization resources. This change resulted, in instead of from public land sales. for the remainder, during and after part, from improved communication Congress specified that hydropower World War II, occurred in many and, in part, from improved science revenues would repay the project, and authorizations, including the Pick- historians now recognize the Congress Sloan Missouri Basin Program tacitly admitted that construction (1944), the Colorado River Storage costs on many projects could not be Project (1956), and the third repaid without hydropower revenues. power plant at Grand Coulee Dam Subsequently, during the Great (1966). Reclamation’s last really big Depression, Congress authorized construction authorization occurred almost 40 projects for the dual in 1968 when Congress approved purposes of promoting infrastructure the Colorado River Basin Project Act development and providing public which included, among others, the works jobs. Among these projects Central Arizona Project, the Dolores Henry T. Cowling photographed this ir- were the beginnings of the Central Project, the Animas-La Plata Project, rigation scene on the Sun River Project in September 1913. Irrigating crops Valley Project in California, the and parts of the Central Utah Project. in the arid West was Reclamation’s Colorado-Big Thompson Project in During the 1960s, Reclamation’s primary early mission. This water nour- Colorado, and the Columbia Basin ished strawberries on J. K. Hill’s farm work began to change substantially Project in Washington. Those three near Simms, Montana. projects, combined with the older as public awareness changed.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 81 resulting in clearer understanding Reclamation’s second major product of the complex interactions of the delivered to the American public is communities of nature with western hydroelectricity. Although the earliest water development issues. Americans hydroelectric plants on Reclamation were beginning better to understand projects went into operation in 1908 issues about the West and to consider and 1909, it was only during the the public lands and public works 1930s that generation of hydroelectric of the West as “mine” or “ours”— power became a principal benefit of even though they lived elsewhere. Reclamation projects. Reclamation These new public concerns shifted built the large hydroelectric power Reclamation priorities, and over 10 plants at Hoover, Grand Coulee percent of Reclamation’s FY2013 and Shasta dams. Hydroelectric budget, for instance, is programmed revenues have subsequently proven for various environmental restoration an important source for funding and improvement projects in the repayment of Reclamation project West. costs. The water available in a system determines how much power it is Reclamation’s number one priority possible to generate; in 1993, for is always to deliver water, but that example, Reclamation had 56 power priority is often affected by the plants online and generated 34.7 Owyhee Dam in May 1949. Notice the morning glory spillway about to be available water supply and the billion kilowatt hours of electricity. reached by reservoir waters. Several constraints imposed by various laws, In 1999, revenues from Grand construction techniques were tested regulations, and court rulings. During Coulee hydroelectric generation at Owyhee before use during Hoover an average water year, more than alone equaled about two-thirds of Dam construction. At 417 feet in 180 Reclamation projects deliver Reclamation’s entire appropriated height, Owyhee was the highest dam agricultural water that irrigates budget. in the world until Hoover Dam which topped out at 726 feet. about 10,000,000 acres of land in the arid West—about one-third of While Reclamation’s mission “...is to the irrigated acreage in the West. manage, develop, and protect Because of continuing initiatives Farmers on Reclamation projects water and related resources in an begun in the late 1980s and early produce a significant percentage of environmentally and economically 1990s, Reclamation’s staffing the value of all crops in the United sound manner in the interest of the level has trended downward and States, including about 60 percent American public,” many benefits of the staffing mix has changed in of vegetables and 25 percent of the Reclamation projects do not come recent years. In 2010, for instance, fruit and nut crops. Reclamation also directly from Reclamation’s primary Reclamation staff was about 29 delivers water used by about one- responsibilities—providing water percent smaller than in 1993 and third of the people in the West. and hydropower. Water bodies includes a much higher percentage in the West naturally attracted of computer and non-engineering recreationists from the earliest days specialists. Many projects are of projects, and today extensive and actually operated and maintained varied recreation activities occur on by the water users. As Reclamation projects. Operation of Reclamation enters into additional partnerships impoundments provides flood with beneficiaries of the water and control and drought relief benefits. electricity produced on its projects The U.S. State Department regularly and shifts increasingly away from uses Reclamation’s technical construction development projects expertise in international activities toward water management activities, and in training foreign engineers. Reclamation’s staffing levels are Early construction methods used In addition, agencies from around expected to shrink even further in cheap labor and expensive materi- the U.S. regularly find Reclamation’s the twenty-first century. als. Walter J. Lubken, a Reclamation photographer, lined up these mules for experience useful in developing water a portrait. They were used in construc- conservation, supplemental supply, Britt Allan Storey can be reached tion work on the Sun River Project, and water augmentation programs. at [email protected]. Montana, in June 1910.

82 APWA Reporter June 2012 Building the Aviation Infrastructure: A brief history of the Aviation Trust Fund

Janet Bednarek, Ph.D. Professor of History, University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio President, PWHS Board of Trustees

he Aviation and Airway War II. It was funded out of general trust fund. And there have been Trust Fund (or simply tax receipts and also generated repeated arguments over how much, Aviation Trust Fund) was controversy from its inception. if any, of the monies should be used created in 1970 to provide As proponents fought to expand to help fund the Federal Aviation a secure form of federal aid for the the program, critics, including Administration. expansion and upgrading of the President Dwight Eisenhower, nation’s airports and airways. As first sought to eliminate it. Throughout In addition to FAA funding, there conceived about half the monies the 1950s and 1960s, Congress have been arguments over exactly would go to airport construction repeatedly appropriated far less than what type of projects would be and the other half to upgrading was authorized. By the late 1960s, eligible for federal aid. Projects and maintaining the airways (the though, the introduction of jet funded with federal aid must address “electronic highway system” that aircraft and the rapid expansion of safety and capacity. Therefore, they guides airplanes through the skies). commercial and business air travel primarily involve so-called “air side” Although both airports and the had combined to greatly strain projects—runways, taxiways, and airways are crucial to the nation’s air the capacity at the nation’s busiest clear zones, for example. Despite transportation system, the airport airports. Local governments, the complaints from cities and airlines, part of the program proved the airline industry, and other aviation improvements or expansions to most controversial over time. The boosters pushed for the creation air terminals—the “land side” of airways system for airplanes was of a larger and more stable source airports and the part most visible to seen as analogous to the nation’s air travelers—have been excluded. highway system for cars and trucks. of funding. After lengthy debate, Trust funds monies have also Politicians had little trouble seeing Congress passed the Aviation and helped address the most serious its development and upgrading as a Airways Development and Revenue environmental problem facing national responsibility. Airports, on Acts in 1970. airport managers—noise. Beginning the other hand, are locally owned Though created to provide a steady in 1976, federal grants from the trust and operated. Large airports can also generate a tremendous amount and stable form of aid, the Aviation fund have been available to purchase of revenue. And they are used Trust Fund has been neither steady properties adversely affected by jet primarily by private companies—the nor stable. It was initially authorized aircraft noise. airlines. Repeatedly, politicians and to exist for 10 years. At the end of Despite repeated calls for its pundits have questioned the need that first decade, Congress could not elimination, the Aviation Trust Fund and appropriateness of any form agree on a formula for extending has proved an important source of of national funding for the largest it and the program essentially commercial airports. They argued ceased for two years. After its funding for the nation’s airports. that such facilities should be locally reauthorization in 1982, the trust Though the majority of the funding and privately funded (and perhaps fund was caught up in the fights for airport improvements has come even privately owned). Therefore, over the federal budget deficit. To from local and airline sources, while it seldom makes the headlines, keep down federal spending (and federal monies have served as a key controversy has been a constant the apparent size of the deficit) element in the financing packages. feature of the Aviation Trust Fund’s Congress repeatedly appropriated Janet Bednarek can be reached at (937) airport funding program. less than was authorized—and far 229-2848 or janet.bednarek@notes. less than the funds available in the udayton.edu. Congress had created a federal airport trust fund. A surplus built up in the aid program shortly after World

June 2012 APWA Reporter 83 Best practices in public works are not static

Bob Moorhead, P.E. Compliance Manager, Washington State County Road Administration Board Olympia, Washington Trustee, Public Works Historical Society

istory is not static. The history with a mechanical arm operated harbor and the growing number of of public works is concerned by the driver, requiring only one private cars. Examples include the with both the origins and end-of-shift trip to the drop-off site. West Side Highway in Manhattan, development of public works This is a reduction of up to 83% in the Central Artery in Boston, the systems left to us by past generations, each home’s solid waste. The same Embarcadero in San Francisco, and and with changes over time in beliefs truck and driver are used to pick up the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle. concerning such systems and roles a 64-gallon cart of mixed recyclable played by them in society. materials (paper, plastics, glass) in the 2012: Today, all four examples are alternate week. And, on Mondays, either gone or are in the process of Over the past 50 to 70 years, the same truck and driver pick up being replaced. The conflicts have prevailing beliefs concerning 96-gallon yard waste carts. dissipated as the ocean shipping technological or “best practices” has evolved to containers, and the answers to various public works Wastewater Treatment old industrial waterfronts have challenges and issues have evolved, 1956: When the author’s home was become more pedestrian oriented. and in some cases have almost built, the rain gutters were connected In New York and San Francisco, reversed. Factors driving these to the combined sanitary-storm sewer, the elevated structures have been changes include greater public which drained into the waters of Puget replaced by surface boulevards. In involvement; different values for Sound. “The Solution to Pollution was Boston, the “Big Dig” allowed the natural resources; and changes in Dilution.” waterfront to be reconnected to the available technologies. Here are some historic downtown. And, in Seattle, anecdotal examples: 2012: Not only have the rain gutters construction has commenced to been disconnected from the sanitary replace the earthquake-prone two- Solid Waste sewer (which is now connected to a level elevated highway with a deep- 1955: In New York City the typical tertiary treatment plant), a separate bore, two-level, four-lane tunnel single family dwelling generated stormwater collection system has that will snake its way on a more three to six 32-gallon cans of mixed been created, and even those flows inland alignment beneath the heart waste every week. The Sanitation receive retention and detention of downtown, offering opportunities Department used a three-person crew treatment before being discharged to once again extend the bustling (one driver and two loaders) on each into the bay. The sanitary flows now downtown to the shore. five-cubic-yard capacity truck to pick go through a treatment plant that has up the waste three times a week. been upgraded several times since it River Systems was built in the early 1960s, and now About half the work day was spent 1870-1970: Major river systems were provides ultraviolet final disinfection picking up the trash, and the other once routinely harnessed for water- before entering Puget Sound. half of the day was spent driving borne transportation, flood control, to the drop-off site in the course of irrigation and energy generation picking up three loads per truck per Urban Freeways facilities. day. 1930 to 1960: Downtown waterfronts of coastal cities were 2012: Currently, serious proposals 2012: In Olympia, Washington, prime locations for elevated are on the table to remove four dams residential solid waste is picked up highways, freeways and expressways. on the Snake River between Pasco, every other week. Single-family The goal was to ease downtown Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, dwellings typically use a single traffic congestion and reduce conflicts and return the river to free flowing to 64-gallon wheeled cart, which is between freight moving on and enhance habitat for endangered fish emptied into the 20-cubic-yard truck off oceangoing ships docked in the species. In northwest Washington

84 APWA Reporter June 2012 State, two dams on the Elwah River that provided electricity for industries in Port Angeles are being removed • Work Mode / Travel Mode • 110 horsepower Tier 3 Cummins turbo diesel as you read this. Removal of the • Reduce fuel consumption by 50% • Joystick control for attachment functions Condit Dam is also underway on the • Save up to $4,000 per year • Electronically controlled hydrostatic system • Reduce CO emmissions • Ergonomic and comfortable operation White Salmon River in southwest 2 by 17,000 lbs/year Washington, and dam removal may soon become a reality on the Klamath River in southern Oregon.

Urban Mass Transit 1930s through early 1960s: Most of the electric trolley systems in North American cities were dismantled and replaced with “modern” rubber-tired bus systems. Snow Blowers V Plow

2012: In cities across the United States and Canada, “light rail” is making a comeback. No doubt there are some “new routes” that lie within a stone’s throw of those constructed about a century ago.

What does all this mean? Public works is not a static profession. Rotary Mowers Boom Flail As new technologies develop, as public attitudes evolve, and as the Earth’s finite resources come into focus, public works is in the forefront of making the changes necessary to meet the needs of our local communities and our world at large.

Bob Moorhead is a Past President of the Washington State Chapter, and serves on Sweepers Leaf Loader the Board of Trustees of the Public Works Historical Society. He can be reached at (360) 350-6083 or [email protected].

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Jeffrey K. Stine, Ph.D. Chair and Curator National Museum of American History – Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Past President, Public Works Historical Society

he bookends of APWA’s by changing perceptions of the role played by public works in the 75th anniversary—the Great meaning and value attributed to the development of the United States, and Depression and the Great word “public.” As historian Richard because the impending bicentennial Recession—prompt some White has argued: “What is and celebrations were encouraging such reflections on both the “public” should be public, and what is and self-reflection by all professions, dimensions of public works and should be private—that is, what is APWA decided to confront the image the importance of history to that public business and what is none problem directly by commissioning a discussion. America has succeeded of the public’s business—is one of comprehensive history of the nation’s in part because Americans learned the great elemental contests of the public works. That book—History of how to work collectively and Republic.” It is a fundamental tension Public Works in the United States, 1776- collaboratively, through governmental in society. Disparagement of the 1976, edited by Ellis L. Armstrong, bodies, to advance, sustain, and very concept of “public” threatens to Michael C. Robinson and Suellen M. protect the country. National make it difficult for the profession to Hoy—proved highly influential and its defense, transportation networks, contribute to society’s betterment in success helped propel APWA’s newly water and waste-disposal systems, the ways and to the extent that might established entity, the Public Works flood control, recreational facilities, otherwise happen. Historical Society (PWHS). and environmental protection are among the many activities rooted For that reason, it is useful to recall The wide range of PWHS activities in public works. That is to say, they how the Association confronted a has included sponsoring historical are functions serving the common similar erosion of support forty years sessions at APWA’s annual Congresses, good and achieved through collective ago. Because historians were all too producing a newsletter and Essays in action. frequently overlooking the critical Public Works History series, providing

And yet, today, popular opinions about the appropriate role of government—of the very concept of “public”—could hardly be more different than when APWA was founded. In 1937, public works was used with enthusiasm to rejuvenate and expand the physical infrastructure so necessary to society’s short- and long-term functioning and prosperity. In the context of those dire economic times, public works assumed a highly positive social position, earning it a prominent place within the broader New Deal initiative. And APWA contributed to that effort as a catalyst for professionalism.

Now the Association celebrates its anniversary in the midst of a widespread debate over support for An early twentieth-century brass pavement marker on display in the Smithson- public enterprises and is confronted ian’s popular “America on the Move” exhibition

86 APWA Reporter June 2012 biographical sketches for the APWA Reporter’s column “People in Public Works,” encouraging APWA chapters to document, preserve, and interpret their histories, and awarding competitive article and book prizes.

Through the years, the PWHS has also worked directly with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History to disseminate knowledge of the vital role played by public works in the nation’s history. Led by the PWHS’s professional staff (which included in the 1980s and 1990s Suellen Hoy, Michael Robinson and Howard Rosen) and its volunteer board of prominent public works practitioners and historians, the society assisted in the conception and development of several exhibitions, among them: “Make the Dirt Fly! Building the Panama Canal”; “Extending the Legacy: Planning America’s Capital for the 21st Century”; “Covered Bridges: Spanning the American Landscape”; “Oil from the Arctic: Building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline”; and “Tunnels!”

The PWHS proved instrumental as a co-sponsor of several day- long conferences at the museum, including: “Capital Cities: Adaptable Infrastructure for the Next Century” (which was broadcast on C-SPAN); “Tunnel Vision: Films about Tunnels and Tunnelers”; and “Down Under: Tunnels Past, Present, and Future.” The latter program proved so compelling that APWA published the revised and expanded papers in 1998 as Going Underground: Tunneling Past, Present, and Future.

The PWHS staff and board members have also assisted the Smithsonian in Fresno, California, for Warrenite appreciation of public works. With the with acquiring public works-related Bitulithic Pavement), which is on current questioning of the basic value artifacts for its permanent collections. display in the museum’s popular and proper role of public endeavors, For example, James L. Martin donated “America on the Move” exhibition the need for this type of educational an important set of manuscripts (see photo at left). effort is greater today than at any time and photographs documenting the in the Association’s past. development of sanitary landfills, as Together, these collaborative ventures well as an early twentieth-century exemplify APWA’s efforts to use Jeffrey K. Stine can be reached at brass pavement marker (produced history to advance understanding and (202) 633-3920 or [email protected].

June 2012 APWA Reporter 87 Challenge the Future

Thomas J. Sullivan, P.E., BCEE, Former Managing Partner, Greeley and Hansen, and APWA Life Member; Kenneth Eyre, P.E., Senior Associate, Greeley and Hansen, APWA Life Member, and Past President, Public Works Historical Society

s we celebrate the 75th has been steadfast. Through looking and construction of public works anniversary of the forming back at the accomplishments of improvements. For example, new of APWA, we should earlier leaders, we can gain insight technologies such as equipment recognize the contributions into overcoming current and future to detect microscopic quantities of that public works leaders have made challenges. pharmaceuticals in source water raise to the development of the United health concerns that have led to States. Their contributions have Current challenges as reported more regulation. made life and civilization in North by APWA America sustainable. Since our In recent APWA surveys, public As population density and earliest days, the main mission of works leaders have cited the urbanization have increased, source public works organizations has been following as their most pressing water supply and protection has to improve the health, sanitation challenges as they attempt to fulfill risen to become a major issue. The and transportation of our citizens. their missions. competition for water is intense and is a major driver in this area. While services offered by public Business factors have been rated the Locating sources of high-quality works organizations meet an ever- top challenge. This is likely due to water for drinking, potable uses expanding array of the needs of the state of the U.S. economy and and commercial uses has become populated areas in the U.S., their the impediments that this creates increasingly difficult as population earliest objectives were to provide to moving forward with programs. has shifted and our economy has for the most basic human needs, Convincing ratepayers of the become more diversified. Potential that is, supplying potable water and benefits of programs continues to be solutions to the scarcity of water safely disposing of sewage. In the a huge factor. include reclaiming water from first century of the U.S., safe, reliable wastewater and using this to offset supplies of water for drinking and The physical condition of infrastructure potable water uses. This practice other uses were rare. Until water such as water and sewage systems requires an infusion of high- sources were protected and treatment ranks a close second. Many of these level technical skills, funding and was provided, disease was common systems constructed during the last education of the public. and often fatal. Due to this, life 100 years have far exceeded their span was short and social progress useful lives. The need for their Public works leaders have cited was greatly impeded. Providing replacement is reaching crisis levels workforce as a major concern. By this, safe water and collecting sewage for in many older cities. Repair and they mean losing experienced staff treatment and disposal made living replacement have been deferred for and the leadership this staff has to healthier and sustainable for large too long and associated costs are offer. populations in urban centers. staggering at a time when available funding is depressed and severely As might be expected, funding has Leaders of public works programs stretched. been and continues to be the biggest have successfully overcome a great issue to overcome. This is not new, many challenges in developing While the establishment of regulations but it seems that the competition these programs from their earliest by federal and state government between public works services and beginnings. Although these has been a useful solution to many other national priorities for funding challenges have varied throughout problems, the current proliferation has never been greater and it appears our history, the dedication and of regulations is cited by many as that public works is losing ground in ingenuity of public works leaders creating roadblocks to planning this battle.

88 APWA Reporter June 2012 With such an array of challenges, potable water to densely populated While these improvement programs we might ask whether this is urban centers was a major factor for water supply and sewage disposal unprecedented. in overcoming waterborne disease greatly improved the general health and facilitating economic and social in urban areas, they were inadequate Challenges as the United States progress. Financing construction to overcome disease challenges in developed of these systems was just as serious some locations. Cholera, typhoid In 1933, Samuel A. Greeley, a a challenge as the development and other bacterial diseases founder of the firm of Greeley and of technology, but the priority of remained a significant cause of Hansen, documented challenges that safe, disease-free water could not be death in some urban centers. public works leaders experienced ignored. during the period 1833 to 1933. As In 1899, the U.S. Congress President of the American Society of Major eastern cities had secure water prohibited the discharge of sewage Municipal Engineers (ASME), he was works by 1833, but cities in the solids to navigable waters without instrumental in the merger of ASME great middle of the country such as a permit issued by U.S. Corps of with the International Association of Chicago experienced cholera and Engineers. This was the first federal Public Works Officials that resulted other bacterial disease outbreaks well regulation regarding disposal of in APWA. into the late 1880s. Greeley reported sewage. These regulations, in turn, that Rudolph Hering, considered created new technological and According to Greeley, this 100-year by many as the father of modern financial challenges for the public period saw public works leaders meet municipal sewerage systems, came works industry. the needs of a growing and mobile to Chicago in 1884 to make plans U.S. population that increased from for relieving the city of typhoid Public works leaders had to develop 5 million to 125 million. Public fever and its polluted water supply. new approaches. By 1900, Chicago works improvement programs He brought his experiences with had completed a huge source water created 10,000 municipal water the New York City and Philadelphia protection project that diverted the systems in the U.S. Providing safe, systems with him. polluted Chicago River southward to the Illinois River, away from the Greeley further reported that, in city’s water supply of Lake Michigan. 1833, there were no systems to collect sewage in any U.S. city. Cities such as Lawrence, Mass., and Brooklyn, N.Y. and Chicago, Illinois Chicago began experimentation were the first to construct collection with biological technologies for systems and they did this just prior treating sewage. As a result, the to 1860. The aim of these systems practice of biological treatment was to eliminate the practice of of collected sewage expanded discharging sewage to the public significantly between 1900 and streets, a practice that we cannot 1920. contemplate today. The sewage instead was collected and directed To help meet the needs of to natural water courses that would municipalities for implementation transport the sewage away from the of this technology, Samuel Greeley population centers. with Langdon Pearse founded a private consulting firm in 1914. By 1930, urban population had In the ensuing years, Greeley and grown to about 60 million and every Hansen designed and constructed community with a water works had many successful secondary-type also constructed a sewerage system. treatment works for municipal Of course, most of these systems clients. Greeley felt strongly collected stormwater and sewage that progress could be expedited in the same conduits. Although through private firms serving many Samuel A. Greeley, engineer and economical at the time, this practice municipalities and sharing expertise historian has resulted in a current challenge. developed.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 89 application of chlorine solution to the final effluent. Recently, another challenge arose, namely concern about the impact of chlorinated- organic compounds on aquatic life. Use of two other technologies, ultraviolet light and ozonation, avoid the formation of these compounds and are becoming widely used.

Parallel challenges in drinking water During this same time frame, development of technologies to treat drinking water was necessitated by the discoveries by John Snowe (1855) and Louis Pasteur (1880s). Their work confirmed the importance of eliminating bacteria from drinking Medium-pressure ultraviolet lamps to disinfect effluent at Ann Arbor, Michigan water. Slow sand filtration to remove turbidity was employed by the City of Philadelphia in the early 1900s. The first biological plant for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Use of chlorine to disinfect drinking wastewater treatment of municipal District of Greater Chicago) water began in 1908 in Jersey City, wastewater in the U.S., a small constructed three other large New Jersey. trickling filter plant, was constructed biological plants at several locations in Madison, Wis., in 1901. Imhoff around Chicago including Stickney, Chicago began to disinfect drinking tanks, developed in Germany by Karl Illinois. These provided secondary water at its Lake Michigan water Imhoff (a personal Greeley friend), level treatment for a billion gallons intakes in 1916, but did not were widely employed starting in per day of effluent to be discharged construct filtration plants until 1909 as a highly economical solution to the Illinois River system. much later. In 1947, the South Water to treatment. New York City had Purification Plant was put online. three chemical precipitation plants Between 1935 and 1945, New York The construction of its second plant, operating around 1890-1900 to City added three additional activated the Central Water Filtration Plant, protect its beaches. sludge plants in Brooklyn and serving a majority of its citizens was Queens. The City then developed completed in 1964. The first activated sludge plant in a variation of activated sludge the U.S. was placed in operation technology that it called step The first federal regulations related in 1916 at San Marco, Texas. Later, aeration and constructed five more to drinking water were issued by the other cities constructed very large plants between 1945 and 1965. U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) activated sludge facilities. In the Finally, in 1967, the City constructed in 1914. Standards related to the early 1930s, Greeley worked with its largest WWTP in the Greenpoint bacteriological quality of drinking New York City to design and convert area of Brooklyn. Recently this water aboard ships were issued first. the Wards Island Plant to the first plant, across the East River from These regulations were expanded major activated sludge plant in the Manhattan, was expanded to serve in subsequent years to cover all U.S. He also worked with other cities, a population equivalent of one drinking water. Chicago, Milwaukee and Peoria, million using step aeration and other in pioneering activated sludge innovative technologies. Samuel S. Baxter, APWA President in treatment during the 1920s. 1947 and the first Commissioner of For most of these treatment plants, Water for the City of Philadelphia, From 1920 to 1939, the Chicago disinfection of wastewater effluent was an outspoken proponent of Sanitary District (currently known as was accomplished through the

90 APWA Reporter June 2012 securing funding for maintenance The future approach of dealing with potable and repair of infrastructure Professional leadership in water, wastewater and stormwater throughout his tenure in public public works will continue to holistically on a watershed basis will works. Baxter, another close friend meet challenges with energy be a successful strategy to alleviating of Sam Greeley, was also a pioneer and enthusiasm as did pioneers competition for water. in the use of strategic planning to like Samuel Greeley and his overcome tough challenges in both contemporaries. Current and future As seen from the past, today’s water and wastewater. He served as leaders will create new technologies solutions can become tomorrow’s president of AWWA (1965) and ASCE and devise innovative solutions for challenges. Today we struggle with (1970). these future challenges. As daunting pollution from combined sewers as past challenges appeared, they constructed a century ago. There As late as 1969, a U.S. Public were overcome with inspiration, is no reason to believe that this Health Service survey reported that ingenuity and a great deal of phenomenon will not be repeated in only 60% of systems delivering perseverance. the future as we attempt to progress. water to the public met all of the issued standards for disinfection, The challenge of replacing current Taking on the challenge of excessive clarification and the maintaining infrastructure for water purification use of governmental regulation is of adequate pressures in their and wastewater treatment surely a good place to start. It is distribution systems. will require innovation to be estimated that about 10,000 pages of accomplished within the constraints new regulations are created each day. To this day, we continue to upgrade of our society and economics. This Investment in protecting the health standards and improve our systems accomplishment undoubtedly will of the nation must be thoughtfully and practices to meet new needs of take many years and the dedication done so as to promote the well-being the public. The City of Moline, Ill., of the myriad professionals in the of the U.S. economy. In formulating located along the Mississippi River, industry to develop approaches that regulations, we would do well to is typical of municipalities setting relieve financial pressures. point out strategic direction for stringent goals for finished water improvement and leave the methods turbidity as low as 0.1 NTU at their New technologies will be pursued for municipal experimentation. WTP. and applied. It may be that the As in the past, the capability of the country to finance improvements is the key challenge. If, in the future, we rely on national funding for public works, we will be dependent on the prioritization of national social concerns rather than individual local need. If private financing is to be used, an appropriate return on investment will need to be achieved through ratepayers realizing the value of the service.

Difficult as these challenges seem, they will be overcome by our next generation of leadership.

Thomas J. Sullivan can be reached at (312) 558-9000 or tsullivan@greeley- hansen.com; Kenneth Eyre can be reached at (703) 922-4516 or keyre@ greeley-hansen.com. Claricones to remove turbidity at Moline, Illinois WTP

June 2012 APWA Reporter 91 “I recently saw a posting “Can anyone provide the successful buyer is the one who on a city’s Facebook site me with a good plan for offer to pay the most for the item. encouraging people to public education for our A reverse auction is different in that participate in a ‘cash stormwater program? a single buyer offers a contract out mob’ at a specific location. We keep trying to get the public for bidding. Multiple sellers are then What in the world is this and interested but don’t have much able to offer bids. As the auction why would a city want to luck.” progresses, the price decreases as encourage something like it?” sellers compete to offer lower bids I recently visited the than their competitors while still You, as I, are probably not Department of Public Utilities meeting all the requirements of the what people would call a in Fresno, Calif., and the bid specs. Many procurement officers savvy Facebooker! I have Public Works Department believe that bidding by real time on heard of “flash mobs” and in Columbia, Mo., and both have the Internet results in a dynamic, “dance mobs” and now a “cash mob.” outstanding and very successful competitive process and helps to provide downward price pressure that I did some investigating though programs to educate the public about stormwater and water conservation, is not available through traditional and found that it really is used by as well. Another great program is in static paper-based bidding techniques. cities and, unlike some of the other Bettendorf, Iowa, and involves a great Jeffrey Hart, Fleet Supervisor, City of kinds of mobs we endure, this is program presented at the schools, Oceanside, Calif., has used this process to encourage residents to go spend as well as Clean Stream teams and a and is finding it very beneficial with a cash in a specific area. Why, you healthy volunteer program. Let me 5-7 percent potential savings. Contact ask, would a city want to encourage know if you would like the contact Jeffrey for more details. such a thing? Wouldn’t it be giving information. All three agencies are preferential treatment to one business Accredited by APWA and doing a great “With all the cuts made over another? I would have thought job of sharing public information. to our various programs, the same thing until I discovered that we are looking for a way it is suggested to help keep businesses “Our city has been to continue to recognize in a construction area, usually where selling vehicles and our outstanding employees the city is making major changes or surplus equipment without spending a lot of money improvements to the intersection through the online to do so. We know how valuable or entrance nearby, viable during a auction process for quite a they are to us and to our citizens time when most customers might see while. Now our Fleet Manager but we don’t have money to the mess and move on to another is suggesting that we utilize recognize it now. Any ideas?” location. Usually, the area receives the ‘reverse auction’ process as more extensive signage and detours a method of reducing our fuel Many surveys have shown are well marked. However, the new costs. Do you know how this that employees, while technology is often being used now works?” appreciating a monetary to call attention to the fact that the gift for outstanding service, area is, indeed, open to customers and As you know, the usual feel that public recognition of their to encourage folks to “mob” the place auction process involves efforts is often just as effective. and spend “cash” to help the owners the seller posting an item The City of Chandler, Ariz., has during the construction period. You up for bid and the buyers developed an outstanding recognition learn something every day! bid within certain time constraints program that they have titled “Kudos and parameters and at the close date, Corner.” Housed on the intranet,

92 APWA Reporter June 2012 employees are encouraged to send a note to acknowledge outstanding customer service or an innovative DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE idea or simply a job well done. The kudos are shared with everyone ...to advertise in the APWA Reporter’s Transportation in the city and special recognition is given by department directors and Projects of the Year issue! at all staff meetings. For more information, contact Lexie Rosenfield Don’t miss this opportunity to advertise at [email protected]. in the July “Transportation” and “Proj- Sometimes the simplest method can ects of the Year” issue. Our transporta- be the most rewarding! tion articles will feature topics such as road maintenance, construction, traffic Ask Ann controls and paving materials. And the Projects of the Year award is a great Please address all inquiries to: honor and our members will be look- Ann Daniels ing eagerly to the issue to see which Director of Credentialing public works projects have been APWA, 2345 Grand Blvd., Suite 700 chosen. The deadline to reserve your Kansas City, MO 64108-2625 space is June 7; the materials are Fax questions to: (816) 472-1610 due by June 11. E-mail: [email protected] Call Amanda or Kristen at (800) 800-0341. Planning on Building High Performing Roads Using Scrap Tire Rubber? Asphalt Rubber is… ■ Environmentally friendly: keeps thousands of tires out of landfi lls, decreases noise pollution,

provides positive impact on Energy Use and CO2 emissions plus it can be used with warm mix technologies. ■ Cost-effective: its mechanical performance allows reduced pavement thicknesses and durable pavements with great performance require less maintenance. ■ Safe: Skid-resistant surface and prolonged color contrast makes for safer driving. Come and learn more at Workshop Wednesday about Asphalt-Rubber during the “Asphalt Rubber: Building High Performing Roads Using Scrap Tire Rubber”, on Wed., Aug. 29th from 8:30am to 10:45am during the 2012 APWA International Public Works Congress & Expo. The RPA wants to provide you with all the tools you need to make your program a success. For additional information, please contact Mark Belshe, Rubber Pavements Association, at [email protected] or (480) 517-9944. Visit our website www.rubberpavements.org.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 93

Products in the News

Tippmann Post Driving Equipment introduces Innovative solutions from RS&H side mount adapter for driving u-channel posts The Tippmann Side Mount Adapter fastens quickly to all u-channel posts ranging in size from 2 lb. per foot all the way up to a 4 lb. per foot post. Whether you are driving RS&H, whose tradition began in 1941, offers an 8 ft. post or a 14 ft. post, comprehensive planning, design, environmental this adapter will allow you and program management services for all modes to drive from a height you of transportation and public infrastructure projects. We are comfortable with and offer a unique mix of architects, engineers, planners, your feet on the ground. and environmental scientists with nearly 800 associates This adapter is equipped in 33 offices nationwide. Our teams provide innovative with 11 sturdy attachment and sustainable solutions encompassing a wide range pins, which fit all major of practice areas, including roadways, water/wastewater, manufacturer utilities, community planning and design, public u-channel hole patterns. facilities, parks and trails, and transit systems. For more The side mount adapter is then held in place by a long information about RS&H’s services, visit www.rsandh. retaining pin and clevis. Learn more about this adapter com. as well as view online video demonstrations by visiting propanehammer.com. Or call toll free for a free brochure: (866) 286-8046. ARMOUR-SEAL frame and chassis component encapsulant New Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, undercoating 2011 Edition allows For more than 85 public works years, PCA’s Design departments and Control of Con- to easily crete Mixtures has and safely been the authoritative protect their reference on cement and trucks and concrete materials. The equipment, all th new, fully revised 15 in their own edition contains the most shop, with minimal downtime! ARMOUR-SEAL extends recent standards, specifi- operational life-cycles by protecting the truck frame and cations and test methods chassis components, such as diesel tanks, oil pans, brake for ASTM, AASHTO and cables and wiring harnesses from rust and corrosion ACI, and includes the best damage caused by salt and chlorides used to deice practice on materials and roadways. Apply with the air-operated PISTOL-GRIP methods for sustainable concrete construction. For more Spray Gun. No mixing! Call 1-800-688-6221. information or to order, visit www.cement.org/apwa or call (800) 868-6733.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 95 Precision Concrete Cutting: the leader in uneven histories through to comprehensive reporting for analysis sidewalk repair and planning, PubWorks’ approach is unmatched for ease Precision of use and value. GIS integration, PM scheduling and in-the-field data collection round out the benefits that Concrete PubWorks customers experience when managing this Cutting critical infrastructure. For more information contact (PCC) is [email protected]. the leader in uneven sidewalk Rubber Pavements repair. Clients enjoy bringing their sidewalks into ADA Association at APWA’s compliance, removing the trip and fall liability, and big show stretching their budget. Typical savings verses sidewalk RPA is dedicated to replacement is 70-90%. The service is quick and clean, encouraging greater usage ensuring very little disruption to pedestrians on busy of high-quality, cost- sidewalks. The process reduces landfill waste and fossil effective asphalt pavements fuels. Visit www.SafeSidewalks.com and schedule free containing recycled tire work as part of a demonstration. rubber. Going to the APWA Congress in Anaheim this Pavement preservation services from Proseal Inc. August? So are we. Look for the Rubber Pavements Proseal Inc. Association Booth #1369 but must importantly, register has introduced to participate in the Wednesday Workshop “AR: Building innovative High Performing Roads Using Scrap Tire Rubber” pavement on August 29 from 8:30 to 10:45. Visit our website at preservation www.rubberpavements.org. services to state, county and city Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc.: Your Asphalt municipalities Preservation Specialists! GSB-88 Receives by using asphalt the Nation’s First Environmental Product rejuvenators and restorative scrub seals to prolong the life of asphalt Declaration! as opposed to other traditional methods such as chip or GSB-88 Sealer Binder slurry seals. Proseal Inc. applies a full line of rejuvenators was submitted to a including products used in high- and low-volume traffic complete rigorous Life- areas as well, including city streets, highways, airports, Cycle-Assessment (LCA) and cart, bike and walking paths. With branches in conducted with the International Organization Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska—combined with for Standardization (ISO) specialty products like Reclamite, Cyclogen, CRF guidelines and qualifications. Restorative Scrub Seal, PACAF Seal, and Coherex to name With high scores in every a few—Proseal Inc. is sure to have the right product for category, GSB-88 received your road with today’s budgeting crisis. Call today for a the ultimate reward, an pavement evaluation or more information. Call (877) 650- Environmental Product 9805 or visit us at www.proseal.us. Declaration (EPD). No other asphalt product or PubWorks Does Water seal coat has undergone Well known for efficient and this extreme testing! The effective management of public environmental impact of GSB-88’s Product-Life-Cycle was works operations for roads, measured by eight evaluation criteria applied to: (1) each bridges, streets, signs and parks, product component, (2) product use, and (3) product PubWorks also excels in recycling. If utilized globally, GSB-88 could save 1.2 million stormwater, wastewater metric tons of CO2 emissions annually and billions of and water distribution. dollars in savings. Let us help develop your cost-effective, From asset inventory to environmentally-sound Asphalt Preservation Strategy. inspection and maintenance Contact us at 800-747-8567 or log on to www.geeasphalt.net.

96 APWA Reporter June 2012 Take CHARGE with Henderson Parallel Lift Plow from Henke Manufacturing The latest snowfighting product from Henke Manufacturing is their Parallel Lift Plow. Designed to remain parallel to the ground in transport or in angling positions, this unique plow can be completely Take CHARGE with Henderson’s bumper-to-bumper removed from the truck hydraulically, leaving only a flat electric control system for medium-duty trucks operating plate. The truck hitch and power reversing and lifting snow and ice control equipment. The CHARGE system mechanisms remain with the plow. The Parallel Lift was designed for use with class 3-7 work trucks, replaces Plow has an inverted “J” shape 43” high moldboard with complex central hydraulic systems and is CAN bus driven 10 vertical ribs. The moldboard is available in steel or for optimum system programming flexibility. A compact polymer in 10’, 11’ and 12’ lengths. For more information in-cab joystick controller operates the entire system: contact: Mike Blake, Henke Manufacturing Co., 3070 snowplow, dump body, lighting, sand/salt spreader, spinner Wilson Avenue, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048, 888-682- and pre-wet system. Henderson – GREEN products for work 9010, 913-682-0300 fax, [email protected]. trucks. For more information, call Henderson Products, Inc. at 1-800-359-4970 or visit www.hendersonproducts.com. School zone flashing beacon systems from JSF Technologies Design-Build Storage Solutions with ClearSpan™ Fabric Structures JSF Technologies builds the ClearSpan world’s most Fabric advanced solar- Structures is powered school the industry- zone flashing leading beacon systems. manufacturer of Costly electrical tension fabric buildings, permitting, cable offering runs, traffic delays American- and roadwork are made structures avoided, with a with in-house engineering, manufacturing, financing and typical installation installation. These structures provide energy-efficient, taking less than one economical solutions for a variety of applications, hour. The schedule including waste management, bulk storage, municipal is entirely managed use, wastewater treatment, manufacturing, distribution, online. Authorized athletics, military and more. ClearSpan Hercules Truss users simply select Arch Buildings feature abundant natural light and dates and times spacious interiors without support posts to interfere with from an intuitive calendar and the system is programmed forklifts, dump trucks, skid loaders, conveyers and other for the school year. Changes to the schedule can be heavy machinery. Every Hercules Truss Arch Building is implemented immediately, for example to account for custom engineered to fit the requirements of the specific school closures due to inclement weather. A child has a location, such as snow load or foundation type. With 90% fatality rate if struck at 25-30 mph and drivers travel minimal foundation requirements, the structures can be 5-7 mph slower when school zone flashing beacons are permanent or temporary, and are easy to relocate. For more present. Call us at 1-800-990-2454 or visit our website at information, visit www.ClearSpan.com/ADAPWA or call www.jsftech.com. JSF Technologies – Simply Brilliant! 1.866.643.1010 to speak with a ClearSpan specialist.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 97 Public Works Director Peoria, IL

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, interdepartmental collaboration as Located less than 20 miles east of construction management or a well as a strong focus on customer downtown Seattle, Redmond offers related field; a related advanced service. a high quality of life with good degree and Professional Engineer schools, a healthy economic base, safe INITIAL SCREENING: MAY 31, (P.E.) certification are desirable. neighborhoods, and a parks system 2012 – OPEN UNTIL FILLED Ten or more years of broad and that provides a variety of recreational opportunities. extensive experience in all major Interested candidates may contact phases of public works, civic capital Mary Ann Stalcup, Human Resources The City is seeking an experienced improvement administration, Director, at 309-494-8584, for and proven leader for the next Public and government budgeting and additional information. Applications Works Director. This position reports finance principles. Strong executive with résumés attached from the to the Mayor and is a key member of leadership, project management, and general public will be accepted as the management team. The Public communications skills important. follows: Works Director will: provide expert Any combination of education, guidance to the Mayor, Council, and training and experience which • Website – www.ci.peoria.il.us other City departments; develop provides the required knowledge, strategy and policy; and ensure skills, and abilities to perform the • In Person or by Mail – City Hall, that City initiatives and core values essential functions of the job may be Human Resources Department, are incorporated into operational considered. 419 Fulton Street, Room 403, Peoria, IL 61602 activities and services. The ideal candidate will be both an • Fax – 309-494-8587 The Public Works Department excellent leader and manager who • E-Mail – humanresources@ is a diverse department known will be able to manage all aspects ci.peoria.il.us for its progressive organization of the Public Works Department. and commitment to quality. The Will have exceptional knowledge City residency is required within one Department enjoys strong support of current principles, practices and year of hire. Selected candidate must from the Redmond community, and is operations of public works operations, pass a medical examination, including committed to: protecting Redmond’s as well as knowledge of pertinent a drug screen and background natural environment; preserving and federal, state, and local laws, codes investigation prior to hire. EO/AA improving transportation, water, and ordinances. Will also have a Public Works Director wastewater and stormwater systems; high competency in developing Redmond, Washington and maintaining the infrastructure and administering operating and and buildings which serve the capital budgets. The department The City of community. is represented by seven unions, Redmond, requiring strong labor/management Washington seeks The City of Redmond will be and contract administration skills. an experienced, accepting applications for Public Will be a strategic partner with other innovative leader Works Director beginning June Departments, sharing resources to for the position 1, 2012 through June 29, 2012. achieve the broader goals of the of Public Works Additional information regarding the City. Director is a member of the Director ($108,648 to $152,892 position, requirements, and benefits management team of the City and annual salary and an excellent benefits is available on the City’s website at must demonstrate strong leadership, package). www.redmond.gov. mentoring and communication skills. Will have a history of developing Near Washington’s Cascade mountain The City of Redmond provides an atmosphere of trust and support range and surrounded by evergreen reasonable accommodation to those where employees are encouraged forests, Redmond is known for its with disabilities. Equal Opportunity to invent new solutions. Will natural beauty. The City of Redmond Employer delegate appropriately with clear is a vibrant, suburban community expectations and will expect excellent with approximately 54,000 residents. Workzone Continued on Page 103

98 APWA Reporter June 2012 ERIES NEW WEBINAR S

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North American Society for Trenchless Technology c/o Losi & Ranger, PLLC 7445 Morgan Rd. • Liverpool, NY 13090 Michael Willmets, 703-351-5252 (U.S.) or 613-424-3036 (Canada) www.nastt.org Michelle Hill, 440-638-4676 June 2012 APWA Reporter 99 DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE …to get in the APWA Reporter’s Congress Show issue!

By advertising in the award-winning APWA Reporter, news of your equipment, product or service will be sent to more than 29,000 APWA members, most of whom are key decision makers in their agencies.

So, don’t miss this opportunity to advertise in the August issue which covers the 2012 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition in Anaheim, California (Aug. 26-29), and will feature articles from speakers at the conference.

The deadline to reserve your space is July 6; the materials are due by July 10. Bonus: Advertise and we’ll provide you with a free listing in our “Products in the News” column!

“Just returned to the office to find your note and the very nice coverage of our new sculpture division in your March issue.” – Tom Miller, President, Metal Forms Corporation

“My company has long received APWA Reporter and has found it a wonderful source for news in our industry as well as a venue for advertising our innovative products.” – Jess Frantz, Marketing Assistant, Professional Pavement Products, Inc.

“I received the magazine and just today about 49 calls from different people…it is amazing what you can do!” – Maria Fernandez-Porrata, Public Relations Manager, Marlin Engineering, Inc., Miami, Florida

“I know staff will take pride in the article appearing in the APWA Reporter, which we have long viewed as the leading periodical on public works management and operations.” – Steven P. Latoski, P.E., PTOE, Director, Mohave County Public Works, Kingman, Arizona Call Amanda or Kristen at (800) 800-0341.

100 APWA Reporter June 2012 Post Pulling by Consort Made Easy!

• Fast, easy, safe sign post pulling • Lightweight, powerful all steel construction • Increase efficiency & reduce costs • Pulls U channel, square & round posts Construction Accessories, Inc. 937.429.9089 • [email protected] www.jackjaw.com Dealer Inquiries Welcome EXCEPTIONAL VALUE NOW — CA Public Works 2.125x3 Ad_F.indd 1 3/15/12 5:36 PM AND DOWN THE ROAD. Let’s Work. Contact a Volvo dealer near you. Visit volvoce.com/na today.

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June 2012 APWA Reporter 101

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102 APWA Reporter June 2012 Pot Hole Problems? Improve Bond with No Mess, No Smell Call: 9 14-636-1000 Email: [email protected] For Limited Trial Offer : www.transpo.com/BondadeOffer.html Green is the new black. Bondade ® Series 431 Perma-Shield PL is a high-performance, COST EFFECTIVE ceramic-modified epoxy lining for ductile iron and VOC COMPLIANT steel pipe. Formulated for the most aggressive sewer A World Leader in Landscape Architecture environments, it offers advanced permeation, abrasion, LASTS UP TO 85% LONGER Landscape Architecture • Planning THAN CURRENT METHODS and chemical resistance. It can withstand 2500 psi Urban Design EVALUATED, PROVEN AND hydrocleaning and its light green color makes it easy to USED BY MANY AGENCIES inspect. To get the inside story, go to: Series431.com. www.swagroup.com

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Prevent ice and snow build up, even at -40! Engineering and 101203Complete APWA Reporter Kits BC 2-125Wx2-3125H.indd 1 12/3/10 5:01 PM Construction start at only • Heavy-Duty Lighted Toggle Switch Services for $120 • Use on flat or curved Municipalities windshields • Replacement Blades Available SAFE TO USE ALL YEAR • 12-Month Guarantee 1-800 • Now made of silicone rubber 746-0428 Major credit cards accepted Phone: 816-333-9400 www.everblades.com [email protected] Circle No. 154 on Response Card

Director of Public Works Position requires exceptional Fleet Manager Greenville, NC leadership, management, oral/ Dayton, Ohio written communication and The City of Greenville, interpersonal skills; a demonstrated This position is responsible for the North Carolina successful history of administering management, maintenance and (population 84,554), comprehensive public works programs make-up of the City’s fleet consisting one of the fastest with a minimum of 10 years of of automobiles, trucks, service growing cities in the increasingly responsible management equipment, construction equipment state and a major experience; a proven record of and miscellaneous maintenance industrial and economic center building strong relationships with equipment. It oversees the planning, for eastern North Carolina, seeks a City officials, staff, state and federal organization coordination, staffing Director for a full-service public works agencies and private sector partners, and specification preparation for department. Reporting to the City and the community; registration as a a successful, comprehensive fleet Manager, the new Director will assume Professional Engineer (PE) in North management and maintenance responsibility for a department of Carolina or the ability to obtain by program. B.S. in Business 204 full-time employees, an annual reciprocity; and a bachelor’s degree in Management, Public Administration operating budget in excess of $18M, engineering (master’s degree preferred). or closely-related field and five years and capital expenditures of $28M. of experience that includes heavy Directs the daily operations of the Starting annual salary range: $109,595- equipment. Must have a valid driver’s Public Works Department; manages, $136,988 DOQ; excellent benefits. license. Submit résumé, copy of directs, and coordinates the work For additional information and to college transcripts, copy of valid of the Administration, Engineering, apply, please visit our website at www. driver’s license, and cover letter to Fleet Maintenance, Sanitation, Street greenvillenc.gov. Application deadline: [email protected]. Please Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds, 5:00 p.m., Monday, July 30, 2012. review complete job posting Inspections, and Transit Divisions; The City of Greenville is an EO/AA at www.cityofdayton.org. manages capital projects. employer.

June 2012 APWA Reporter 103 UPCOMING APWA EVENTS International Public Works Congress & Exposition North American Snow Conference 2012 Aug. 26-29 Anaheim, CA 2013 Apr. 7-10 Charlotte, NC 2013 Aug. 25-28 Chicago, IL For more information, contact Brenda Shaver at (800) 848-APWA or send 2014 Aug. 17-20 Toronto, ON e-mail to [email protected]. 2015 Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Phoenix, AZ National Public Works Week: May 19-25, 2013 For more information, contact Dana Priddy at (800) 848-APWA Always the third full week in May. For more information, contact Jon or send e-mail to [email protected]. Dilley at (800) 848-APWA or send e-mail to [email protected].

JUNE

10-13 International Bridge Conference 2012, Engineers’ Society of Western 25-27 APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, (412) 261-0710, www.eswp.com Pittsburgh, PA, (800) 848-APWA, www.apwa.net

12 APWA Click, Listen & Learn, “Low Cost Safety Improve- 26 APWA Click, Listen & Learn, “The New AASHTO ments” (Rebroadcast), (800) 848-APWA, www.apwa.net Transportation Green Book” (Rebroadcast), (800) 848-APWA, www.apwa.net 14 APWA Click, Listen & Learn, “The New ISI Tool” (Live), (800) 848-APWA, www.apwa.net 28 APWA Click, Listen & Learn, “FHWA Rating Systems” (Live), (800) 848-APWA, www.apwa.net INDEX OF ADVERTISERS When you contact an advertiser regarding a product, please tell them you saw their ad in the APWA Reporter. Thanks! – The Editor Legend: IFC = Inside Front Cover; IBC = Inside Back Cover; BC = Back Cover

Burns & McDonnell, p. 103 Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc., Pine Valley Eco Products, SWA Group, p. 103 www.burnsmcd.com p. 34 p. 102 www.swagroup.com www.geeasphalt.net/apwa www.chemproducts.net Camosy Construction, p. 102 Tensar International Gilbarco Veeder-Root, p. IFC Portland Cement Associa- Corporation, p. 43 www.camosy.com www.gilbarco.com tion, p. 36 www.tensarcorp.com www.think-harder.org ClearSpan Fabric Structures, p. 33 GVM Snow Equipment, p. 101 Tippmann Industrial Precision Concrete Cutting, Products, p. BC www.ClearSpan.com/ www.gvmsnow.com p. 102 www.propanehammer.com ADAPWA H&M Gopher Control, p. 101 www.SafeSidewalks.com Tnemec Company, p. 103 Consort Display Group, www.handmgophercontrol.com Proseal Inc., p. 101 p. 101 www.tnemec.com www.proseal.com www.consort.com Henderson Manufacturing, p. 29 Trackless Vehicles LTD, PubWorks, p. 101 pp. 50, 85 Construction Accessories, www.henderson-mfg.com Inc., p. 101 www.PubWorks.com www.tracklessvehicles.com www.jackjaw.com Henke Manufacturing Corp., p. 102 RHOMAR Industries, Inc., Transpo Industries, Inc., p. 73 p. 103 Custom Concrete Creations, www.henkemfg.com p. 101 www.rhomar.com www.adastepsafe.com www.customconcretecre- JSF Technologies, p. 81 ationsshop.com www.jsftech.com RS&H, p. 40 Twining, Inc., p. 5 www.rsandh.com www.twininginc.com Esri, p. IBC Kleinfelder, p. 102 www.esri.com/apwa www.kleinfelder.com Rubber Pavements Associa- TYMCO International, LTD, tion, p. 93 p. 87 www.rubberpavements.org www.tymco.com Everblades, p. 103 MJ Harden, p. 102 www.everblades.com www.mjharden.com SnapTite, p. 101 Volvo Construction Equip- Muncie Power Products www.culvert-rehab.com ment, p. 101 Fleet Soft, p. 102 www.munciepower.com/ www.volvoce.com/na www.fleetsoft.com advantageplus Stan Design Inc., p. 102 www.stanjacks.com Western Star Trucks, p. 25 Flink Co., p. 75, 102 NASTT, p. 99 www.mynextconstruction- www.flinkco.com www.nastt.org truck.com

104 APWA Reporter June 2012 Good Decisions Make Great Communities

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