OC Public Works recently met the challenge for integrating their numerous systems into one centralized CRM platform. Among the systems integrated were the GIS platform, land management, operations and management, and financial systems. No small task! Engaging all the stakeholders for these activities has been crucial to the success of the project. Internally they had to rearrange resources and balance staff levels to complete the project while still delivering day-to-day services to constituents. The improved levels of service will be the most important benefit for all.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Implement a successful legacy initiative for your agency.
• Think creatively to integrate systems into a Customer Relationship Management Platform.
• Successfully overcome challenges to meet agency goals.

How many sandbags did your staff fill and distribute? How many pumps did you deploy? How many trees went down? What did it cost in labor and equipment to respond? How much did the storm cost us? Agencies throughout Florida had to answer these questions and more after Hurricane Irma. Examine how integrated GIS, field data collection and report generation assisted two agencies in measuring all phases of the event.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Determine the needed process and resources for data collection before, during, and after a major storm event.
• Evaluate your organization’s state of readiness for a natural disaster.
• Identify the components of being prepared to collect the data needed to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of your emergency operations.

Revenue and projections by state departments of transportation point to a real struggle in coming years to provide needed levels of funding for both state and local levels. A paradigm shift is looming. Join in this discussion of an alternative that could address our transportation funding shortages. Discover what studies in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California are showing about Road Usage Fees (RUF).

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Promote more informed knowledge about gas tax systems and why they worked in the past.
• Identify the key reasons the gas tax system is failing to provide necessary transportation funding.
• Involve and encourage your elected officials to participate in the discussion about gas tax replacement systems.

Ekerö Municipality is a community of 27,000 inhabitants in Sweden. It is composed of a number of islands on Lake Mälaren near Stockholm. There is only one bridge to the mainland and all traffic must take the bridge or use the ferry. A new tunnel diversion that has been talked about for a long time is now under construction with an estimated completion date in 2026. The new road and tunnel system will have a massive impact on Ekerö that will lead to business investment and population growth. The residents are divided about the project and the municipal planning and communication departments are making strong efforts to communicate the progress of the construction and its impact.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Examine the key features of this massive infrastructure project.
• Review the leadership challenges that accompany large projects that will have economic and societal impact.
• Discuss options for handling the varying reactions of residents and politicians to an infrastructure project.

Hillsborough County, Florida, conducted performance review of several operational areas. They gained valuable insight about opportunities to make work processes more efficient and effective. This session will cover the methodology for the reviews and the substantial savings that have resulted from deploying the recommended changes. The County has implemented a complete maintenance management system which is integrated with GIS, allowing them to track work completed and comparing the unit costs and productivity against established benchmarks.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Examine how one agency improved operations by undergoing a performance review of operations.
• Discuss how to implement positive change and inter-departmental cooperation through the use of consultant and agency staff.
• Discover how to compare unit costs and productivity against established benchmarks.

Prairie Village, Kansas, is converting a golf and country club into a mixed-use development. The master plan calls for gardens, walking trails, large destination playgrounds, and tennis and pickle ball courts. It also includes 53 single-family homes, 70 duplex homes, 289 apartments, 120 person assisted living and senior care units and a 50-room hotel. The project brings with it the opportunity to improve drainage, provide more detention basins, and incorporate sustainable features. Explore how public works is involved in this complex project.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Promote and incorporate sustainable solutions in a modern context.
• Identify the benefits of mixed-use redevelopment.
• Explore potential innovative solutions to address community needs.

What is going on in Washington, D.C. these days? What is APWA’s Government Affairs team doing to prepare for the results of the upcoming November Congressional midterm elections? As “the voice of public works” to the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, APWA’s Government Affairs Committee and Government Affairs staff are busy tracking legislative and regulatory happenings in Washington, D.C. impacting public works professionals. Attend this information packed session to hear the latest update on transportation, infrastructure investment, water and environment, and emergency preparedness and response issues, as well as how APWA is communicating our public policy priorities to Congress and federal agencies.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Discuss legislation and regulations being considered and implemented by the U.S. Congress and federal agencies affecting public works professionals.
• Examine APWA’s current public policy priorities and how APWA communicates these priorities to the U.S. Congress.
• Be more aware of the planning APWA’s Government Affairs team is doing for the next session of Congress to be sworn in January 2020.

The APWA Kansas City Metro Chapter’s Leadership and Management Committee will host this panel discussion featuring current and past Chapter-recognized Top Ten Leaders. You will learn about the paths they followed to achieve positions of leadership. They will talk about the challenges of public works leadership and provide insights into their decision-making processes and strategic planning approaches. They will also offer advice on how to grow and develop into better leaders.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to:

• Be inspired to pursue leadership opportunities in public works.
• Help the next generation of leaders develop their leadership capacities and attributes.
• Deal with the challenges that face today’s public works leaders.

Inspired by the 2018 National Public Works theme “The Power of Public Works,” this session will focus on CPWA’s advocacy and outreach efforts for public works, federal infrastructure programs and other initiatives that affect communities across Canada. CPWA President Andrew Stevenson will provide an update on CPWA’s public policy priorities, participation in collaborative advocacy efforts with other associations, growing involvement as a stakeholder at the federal level, and introduce CPWA President-Elect Steve Blayney. Ottawa-based CPWA Consultant Chris Smillie will provide an up-to-date report on federal government activities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Review CPWA activities and priorities, including collaboration and partnership with other associations.
• Explore how CPWA's public outreach on projects like National Public Works Week help raise the profile of public works.
• Identify ways the Canadian federal government continues its commitment to municipal infrastructure by investing in the Canada Plan.

It’s time for an honest conversation about today’s workplace. Men in the workforce are expressing fear that their actions may be misunderstood or that they might be falsely accused of harassment. While research supports the fact that the percentage of false accusations is extremely small compared to actual harassment incidents, this fear is reinforced by the many news reports of politicians, entertainers, and athletes accused of such behavior.

Women worry that their outreach to male colleagues and supervisors may be construed as flirting or soliciting favoritism. Women are also concerned about losing access to mentoring, networking, and career growth opportunities. When career growth paths are restricted by gender, the percentage of staff that can contribute to the overall success of the organization is limited.

This Dare to Ask session, hosted by APWA’s Diversity and Young Professional Committees, will encourage you to think about your organization’s traditions, practices, and policies and how they affect the workplace environment, career growth opportunities, and achievement of organizational mission and goals.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, you will be better able to: 

• Recognize when gender issues are affecting the hiring, retention, and professional growth of men and women.
• Challenge workplace traditions and practices that impede the ability of women and men to work together.
• Initiate a dialogue in your workplace about assumptions and misconceptions that make it difficult for your work teams to function and succeed.