APWA REPORTER APWA AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION • JUNE 2012 • www.apwa.net ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY AND APWA’S 75 ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY AND APWA’S TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ISSUE: Engineering & Technology and APWA’s 75th Anniversary JUNE 2012 Commercial & Industrial Solutions Comprehensive fuel management solutions The Commercial & Industrial Solutions platform from Gasboy and Veeder-Root and managing fuel and related products. They’re really about helping maxi- is the turnkey provider for all your fleet management needs. The breadth mize productivity and profitability. So whether you’re designing systems for and tight integration of the platform means that your fleet operation receives others or for your own organization, we’re here with solutions that perform improved loss prevention and better data for decision making. beyond expectations. We’re dedicated to providing systems that are reliable, innovative and cost- Discover how the Commercial & Industrial Solutions platform from Gasboy effective — and meet fleet operators’ needs. Because at the end of the day, and Veeder-Root can help you. Contact your local Gasboy or Veeder-Root dis- we understand that our systems are about more than dispensing, controlling, tributor for more information. Visit info.gasboy.com/apwa to discover the best turnkey solution for your fleet needs. info.gasboy.com/apwa June 2012 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.