Puget Sound Energy is in the process of upgrading powerline corridor in Washington State. This session will explore this project as a case study for evaluating existing land-use uses and assessing the feasibility of achieving a utility corridor that can function with multiple compatible uses. Some of the key topics discussed will include: 

• Cataloging the input of hundreds of stakeholders 
• Developing effective public outreach and messaging 
• Managing more than 15,000 tree data points 
• Analyzing existing land-use to identify easements where multi-use options are available 
• Utilizing 3D GIS approaches to evaluate vegetation impact analysis 
• Creating custom plant palettes that are compatible with utilities, which minimize the need for future maintenance 

Let’s explore the idea that utility corridors could function as more than a single-use. Through conceptualizing these landscapes as multi-functioning green space and habitat corridors, we can start to reimagine these spaces as benefiting both individuals and communities.

• Identify those portions of utility corridors where multi-function concepts can be implemented, which can create a variety of benefits
• Plan proactive, ongoing outreach to property owners and stakeholders adjacent to and within utility corridors to achieve a collaborative outcome for their properties
• Solve vegetation management and long-term utility maintenance through property owner communication and future-based planning.

Permeable pavements are a cost-effective solution to managing stormwater when replacing failed roadways. In the last ten years, the City of Tacoma has constructed approximately 30 blocks of permeable pavement and five acres of permeable parking lot. The City of Puyallup has completed numerous porous pavement projects, including paths, local roads, alleys and two arterial roads. Those projects have shown that while technology is advancing rapidly, the lack of industry standards was slowing progress in adopting porous pavements as the preferred solution. This session’s speakers were key participants in the Permeable Pavement Specifications Task Force that created General Specifications for porous pavements for the APWA Washington Chapter. This work is continuing to advance the practice of porous pavements to include looking at different mix designs including fibers, recycled asphalt shingles and stiffer binders, which promise to address the longstanding issue of rut resistance with porous asphalt. Results from testing of these mix designs from an Ecology funded project in Tacoma will be presented, as well as promising information water quality treatment and cost effectiveness.

• Utilize APWA Washington Chapter’s General Specifications for porous and pervious pavements.
• Recommend improvements to porous asphalt mix designs to improve rut resistance utilizing fibers, recycled asphalt shingles or higher-grade binder.
• Explain the benefits of porous pavements to your clients and co-workers, including the cost and water quality benefits provided by their installation.

Throughout the country, the importance of Public Works is not perceived by many people. What does Public Works do on a daily basis? Why is Public Works important? Why do so many of my tax dollars go to Public Works? As a citizen, how can Public Works help me? As Public Works professionals, we know that Public Works plays a vital role in preserving the foundations upon which modern society is built, even if that work goes largely unnoticed by the public-at-large. Infrastructure that is constructed and maintained by Public Works allows communities to operate day-to-day and endure through time. Class XII (2019) of the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy believes that it is time to bring the legacy of public works out of the darkness and into the light, and we are providing a means to do so. We recognize the need to document current perceptions of public works, illuminate the critical role public works serves, and provide tools for public works professionals to (1) empower their teams to be advocates for the meaningful work they do within their communities, and (2) improve public knowledge and perception of the industry. The tools developed and assembled by the ELA Class XII can be used by public works professionals to shine a light on the exemplary members of our teams and tell the stories of the great work being done in the communities we serve. In doing so, we can empower our teams to be advocates of the industry, shining a light on the public works legacy now and in the future.

• Employ a toolkit to help tell your story to the public.
• After attending this session, participants will be able to employ a toolkit to help tell their story to the public
• Recognize that the general public perception of public works and its’ benefits can be improved.

APWA Government Affairs Presentation What is going on in Washington, D.C. these days? What is APWA’s Government Affairs team doing to prepare for the upcoming 2020 election cycle? 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., that impact public works professionals. Attend this information packed session to hear the latest update on transportation and 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.

• 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 those priorities to the U.S. Congress.
• Evaluate how the 2020 election cycle will impact legislation this year.

Lessons Learned from Thousand Oaks, California: 

On November 7, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at a local bar & grill in Thousand Oaks, California resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 young adults and a responding Sheriff's Department Sergeant. Less than 12 hours later, the first of two devastating wildfires entered the city limits, in the end consuming 7,000 acres of open space, destroying 72 homes and structures, and causing the evacuation of thousands of residents.  

Through these horrific events, the City’s Public Works Department played an essential role, both as first responders and continuing through recovery.  Traditional public works emergency work was provided including road closures, traffic detours, debris removal, and flooding mitigation, along with cost accounting for FEMA reimbursement.  But these incidents required staff to take on challenging tasks outside our core mission areas, such as operating evacuation shelters, roadside memorial relocation, private property debris removal coordination, town hall meetings, and more.  We are a better department following these experiences, and can share many lessons learned: EOC and field management and communications, caring for emotional health of staff, preparing for “Red Flag” events, dedicating staff as liaison for affected residents, to name a few.

Lessons learned from Los Angeles County, California: 

The Woolsey Fire burned over 96,000 acres ravaging the Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura and five incorporated cities.  It destroyed over 1500 structures, killed three people, prompted the mass evacuation of over 250,000 people, and destroyed essential infrastructure.  Los Angeles County Public Works took the lead in an unprecedented regional recovery coordination which included structural safety assessments, managing Disaster Assistance Centers, private property debris removal program, providing engineering advice, community outreach, and streamlining rebuilding.  In this capacity, LA County PW has sought to ensure recovery for the people and infrastructure affected by the Woolsey Fire and strengthen the ability of communities to live and thrive in a wildland fire interface.

• Examine the essential role of public works as both First Responders and as community leaders throughout all phases of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Discover what tasks, outside the core mission, that the Thousand Oaks Public Works and LA County Public Works Departments performed in response to their communities' needs after devastating disasters.
• Take inspiration from these compelling public works stories to be better prepared for all of the aspects of public works response to disasters.

Planned and presented by APWA's Fleet Management Committee. 

Fleet Managers are responsible for the selection, procurement, use and care, and remarketing of their organizations' fleet assets. A successful fleet manager must be skilled in many disciplines. This session will provide an introduction to public fleet management, plus information on policy development, communication, service level agreements and keeping up with industry trends.

• Describe the role of a public fleet manager.
• Explore the importance of user group feedback and communication in fleet management.
• Get tips for networking with other fleet professionals and researching industry trends.

Many agencies know they need a strategic plan, but don't have the budget to hire a consultant or facilitator. Discover how to do-it-yourself with a solid, simple process and lots of help from the team. Start with the biggest problems facing the community for which the agency is responsible and determine what to do about them. This is not an operations plan, but a strategic one. The result is a plan that is written by the team, understood by the team, used by the team, and owned by the team. This makes for a more realistic plan that doesn't just sit on the shelf. The City of Des Moines, Iowa, crafted a strategic plan in 2018. Through a combination of brainstorming and multi-voting, the team collaboratively crafted the mission, vision, and values statements. They identified the top issues the community could face in the next few years, asking, “What will punch us in the face in five years if we don't do something about it now?” “What is too high that must be reduced?” “What is too low that must be increased?” “What is acceptable and must be maintained?” Goals, objectives, and strategies all fall-out from the answers to those questions.

• Encourage leaders to plan for the future by working to solve problems facing the community.
• Describe the role of strategic planning in managing the organization.
• Write effective goals and objectives for a strategic plan.

Digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping transportation analytics thanks to the rise of cloud computing, machine vision systems, and deep neural networks. The Bellevue, Washington Transportation Department—in partnership with multiple technology development companies and research institutes—is developing a video analytics platform that leverages these systems to convert raw video footage from its network of traffic cameras into detailed data on traffic flow, speeds, and other vehicle conditions. Understanding this data enables local governments to take proactive actions to reduce the potential for future crashes, improve signal operations, and meet residents’ demands to be more responsive, transparent, and accountable in decisions and investments.

• Identify the challenges with traditional transportation data collection methods and examine a more cost-effective approach to collecting actionable traffic data using a real-time video analytics platform.
• Evaluate the effects of new roadway infrastructure investments on motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle activity using a real-time video analytics platform.
• Plan for and implement new performance measurement systems based on a video analytics platform to inform transportation decision-making.

Take a ride into the near future where the jobs that transportation agencies populate today morph to support vehicle technology and mobility infrastructure that will affect land use planning, work force preparation, and the customer experience. Discover how organizational cultures can adapt to implement change, establish an agile workforce, and contribute to enhanced employee skills. We’ll take into consideration: Parking requirements (magnitude (#)), Width of transportation rights-of-way, Number and location of battery recharging stations (energy stations), Pedestrian rights-of-way vis-a-vis automobiles Implications for building complete streets Increased density of development and smart growth, New technologies such as 3-D printing, e-commerce, and drones. We’ll also delve into the unintended consequences of going to an automated and connected future, including increased congestion and more sprawl.

• Identify transformational technologies that will have an impact on public works in the short-and long- term future.
• Explore how our public works will need to adapt to accommodate these technologies.
• Start asking questions that we will need to start addressing as a profession and society.

The truth about communication is, it’s hard! However, with time, attention, and strategy, your public works department can excel in this area. Chattanooga Public Works will share their communication strategies both internal and external. Social media plays a big role. For example, their Facebook page has 3200 followers. If just 5 followers each share a single post, think about how quickly and exponentially that message is shared.  Chattanooga also has an extensive media communications strategy that could serve as an example for how your agency handles media notices and inquiries. If your agency would like to improve its communications, this session is for you.

• Evaluate your current communication plan's components and decide what’s missing and/or not working.
• Identify the key components of internal, external and media communication plan.
• Guide your team towards creating an internal and external communication and media strategy.