Utilities Section Newsletter League of Nebraska Municipalities March 2019 Lincoln Transportation and Utilities earns national accreditation The American Public Works over the past seven years that led data connections through Association (APWA) March 4 to accreditation, including: broadband infrastructure offi cially recognized the City • Emphasizing a department and technologyservices; of Lincoln Transportation and culture focused on custom- • Modernizing the Transit Utilities Department (LTU) for er service and core values; Development Plan to in- achieving national accredita- • Expanding transparency corporate environmentally tion. The APWA accreditation and community involve- responsible CNG-fueled program recognizes public ment in planning and op- vehicles and expand ser- works agencies that go above erations, including unveil- vices. and beyond the requirements of ing the UPLNK phone app “To Lincoln residents, put- the best management practices for non-emergency service ting your trust in an accredited established nationally. requests; agency like LTU means you will “Achieving this level of distinc- • Refreshing the decades-old get excellent service, best prac- tion demonstrates that Lincoln winter operations plan in- tices based on the latest industry Transportation and Utilities is cluding public engagement research, continual improvement focused on delivering excellence and expanding the use of and most importantly, public in infrastructure operations and the city’s almost patented servants to the core who work services and consistently adheres brine solution to increase for the good of their commu- to nationally recognized and safety and snow removal nity,” said Lincoln Mayor Chris recommended practices,” said eff ectiveness; Beutler. Chuck Williams, APWA Region • Updating master plans The accreditation process was VI director. in solid waste, water and one of the 24 recommendations “It also recognizes the agency’s wastewater and pursuing made by the 27-member Lin- commitment to a continuous rate studies and engineer- coln Citizens’ Transportation review and improvement process ing design standards and Coalition in 2018. The coalition for all management plans, poli- specifi cations; recommended a combination of cies and procedures.” • Introducing the cutting- cost savings, adherence to best LTU is the fi rst agency in the edge Traffi c Management practices to ensure high-quality state to meet the rigorous na- Master Plan that gave rise infrastructure and additional tional requirements and the 150th to the Green Light Lincoln funding through local option department to be accredited in initiative; sales tax to help the city meet its North America. • Developing master plans growing backlog of street repair “During our APWA self-assess- in transportation access and maintenance needs, particu- ment, we learned who we are and management, high-speed larly in neighborhoods. LTU will who we wanted to be, and we set continue to maintain and im- our goals accordingly,” said LTU prove its practices in order to be Director Miki Esposito. Esposito re-accredited in four years. highlighted several milestones Source – City of Lincoln 1335 L Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 Lash Chaffi n (402) 476-2829 Utilities Section Director Fax (402) 476-7052 Rob Pierce Utilities Field Representative Utilities Section Newsletter March 2019 Crow Line: A line of positive communication that all can share Congratulations! 2019 marks Operator Award” from Andy the 130th year since the City of Kahle, Doug Woodbeck and Tekamah started installing a Dave Jundt of the Department of water system. By October 1892, Health and Human Services. the water system had three bored Best Tasting Water Com- wells with water pumped by a petition Winner! The City of Barr Duplex pump (14x7x12) Auburn Water Department was Congratulations also goes out to to a reservoir (13x60 ft) located selected as the “best tasting the City of Clay Center for plac- on the hill. The system had three water” in Nebraska at the Annual ing second at the national Rural miles of four-, six- and eight-inch Nebraska Rural Water Confer- Water Association water taste mains and 19 double hydrants. ence. The panel of judges chose testing competition held in Wash- Congratulations on your 130 year Auburn over the other 10 systems ington, D.C. Clay Center was anniversary! that provided water for the com- the 2018 winner at the Nebraska Congratulations! To the fol- petition. The judges included Erin Rural Water Association Confer- lowing awardees at the Nebraska Ress, EPA; David Fulton, USDA; ence, which qualifi ed them for the Rural Water Association’s 41st Doug Woodbeck, DHHS; Rol- national contest. Congratulations Annual Banquet held in Kearney lin Davis, City of Ord; and Rob Clay Center! Note: The City of March 12, 2019: Clint Johnson Pierce, League of Nebraska Mu- Curtis won the national competi- of Pawnee City received the Rus- nicipalities. By winning this com- tion in 2014. sell Topp “Doing it Right Award”; petition, Auburn is now qualifi ed Congratulations! The City Milo Rust of Chadron and Kevin to enter the National Rural Water of Bayard received recognition Holcomb of Loup City both competition in Washington, D.C. from the Nebraska Department of received the “Outstanding Water Congratulations, Auburn! Continued on page 3 2019-2020 Executive Board President Past President Bob Lockmon Paul Markowski Utilities Superintendent Utility Superintendent Stuart Ord Board Member 1st Vice President Board Member Bill Bischoff Larry Brittenham Dallas Nichols Utility Superintendent Utility Superintendent Water Superintendent Wauneta Superior Cozad Ex Offi cio Member 2nd Vice President Board Member Tobias Tempelmeyer Eric Melcher Brian Newton City Administrator and City Administrator City Administrator BPW General Manager Aurora Fremont Beatrice Utilities Section Newsletter, page 2 Utilities Section Newsletter March 2019 Classifi eds Journeyman Line- the operation and main- program. man. The City of He- tenance of the City’s Experience bron has an immediate distribution system in metering, opening for a Journey- including overhead and transformer man Lineman. The City underground. confi gura- of Hebron (population The successful can- tions, and 1501) is located in didate will have gradu- general Southeast Nebraska. ated from an accredited construction Under the direction of utility line school and is required. the City Administrator, have completed an ac- The ability the Journeyman Line- credited Journeyman to obtain a man is responsible for Lineman apprenticeship CDL is a must. The position will ployer. Applications may be required to participate be requested by email at in the on-call rotation cityofhebron@hotmail. Nebraska Breaktime Trivia and be willing to assist com or by calling City other departments of the Hall at 402-768-6322. “Just For Fun” municipality as needed. The City of Hebron The position will provides excellent pay, Q-1. How many remain open until fi lled. benefi ts, and maintains a municipalities in The City of Hebron is an positive working envi- Nebraska start with Equal Opportunity Em- ronment. the letter “K”? Q-2. How many cities of the fi rst class are listed in the 2018 Crow Line: A line of positive Nebraska Directory of Municipal communication that all can Offi cials? share Q-3. In what city in Nebraska is this Continued from page 2 ment or facility have “Boy Scout” liberty Economic Development something to crow statue located? Answers on page 8. (DED) as a Leadership about? Received an Certifi ed Community. award, had an article Only 25 communities in written highlighting an Nebraska have quali- event or person? fi ed for this program Have a project worthy since it was started in of acknowledgement 2011. More information in the Utilities Section on this program can Newsletter? be found by contact- If so, please send your ing Kelly Gewecke information to any of at Kelly.Gewecke@ the League/Utilities staff nebraska.gov or (308) so we can share your 627-3151 or visit www. excitement or pride of neded.org. Congratula- an award, noted article tions, Bayard! or project with other Do you, your depart- members. Utilities Section Newsletter, page 3 Utilities Section Newsletter March 2019 SAFETY/HEALTH CORNER Chlorine Safety By Rob Pierce, LNM Field Rep./ most combustible materials burn watery eyes, and nausea/vomiting. Training Coordinator in the presence of chlorine as Other signs may include diffi culty they do in oxygen. breathing or burning pain, redness, A common disinfection chemical • Reacts explosively with many blisters, and frostbite in cases of is chlorine and with Nebraska’s re- chemicals commonly used, liquid chlorine. Resource mate- cent fl ooding, many may be using including acetylene, turpentine, rial is from the AWWA Chlorine chlorine to disinfect wells, mains ether, ammonia gas and fuel gas. Safety participants guide (1991). and a variety of storage containers. • Is not corrosive by itself but More information on chlorine Care must be taken when working when moisture is present, chlo- can be found by referring to your with chlorine. Listed below are rine produces highly corrosive “Safety Data Sheets” on chlo- some facts about chorine: hydrochloric and hypochlorous rine or by assessing the website: • Is an extremely reactive chemi- acids. https://www.chlorineinstitute.org. cal. When transporting, handling For those with domestic wells, • Is 2.5 times heavier than air, it and storing chlorine, be sure to the University of Nebraska has tends to collect at low spots. wear/use proper safety equipment,