Public Works Expo 2017

Don't miss this exploration into how to implement, plan, and conduct a facilities condition assessment (FCA). You will hear firsthand about Sumter County, Florida's experience with the process. They will share the criteria used for selecting a contractor, discuss how to prioritize which facilities/buildings need to addressed first, and describe how they were able to use the collected data for useful budgetary planning.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a plan of attack in mapping out and prioritizing the process.
• Evaluate the credentials of contractors to do the facility condition assessments.
• Use the final delivered report as a “go-to” reference to continue improving the operational condition of facilities for years to come.

As public works professionals, we are confident in our ability to do everything from repairing potholes to responding to emergency situations. But one thing that we are not necessarily good at is advocating for our profession and our public works departments. Learn about Charlotte County, Florida's successful outreach program, which includes "touch a truck" sessions at community events and elementary schools, job fairs at high schools and community colleges, and a strong social media presence. They have not only increased visibility within the community, but also improved employee morale.

Learning Objectives:

• Implement a department-wide rebranding project.
• Communicate communication with the public using social media.
• Educate the next generation about the importance of public works to the economic progress and quality of life of the community.

The Crosstown Parkway Extension is the culmination of 30-years of planning for Port St. Lucie, Florida. This project will provide a much-needed third bridge crossing the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The 4000-foot long bridge will traverse a highly environmentally sensitive area requiring minimization of wetland impacts and protection of the Savannas Preserve State Park. It will feature an architecturally unique design and include the first superstreet intersection in Florida involving a restricted crossing U-turn. Discover how design-build principles and practices are being used to manage this exciting project.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover the benefits of the design-build approach for the owner, contractor, and the engineer.
• Enhance the effectiveness of project management through collaboration.
• Optimize traffic flow using alternative intersection design.

In August 2015 a 200-year monsoon event occurred in Northern Arizona on US 89A. The rainfall was between 1.3-1.7 inches within a 15 minute period, overwhelming drainage structures. Boulders over 15 feet in diameter smashed onto the highway. Crews arrived within 15 minutes to assess the damage. Arizona DOT has a state funding limit on emergency projects. The damage and cleanup were beyond the $700,000 limit, so they had to access FHWA Emergency Relief funding. Despite all the challenges, clean-up and repair happened in record time. Explore how they used job order contracting to accomplish this feat.

Learning Objectives:

• Implement key best practices to better manage an emergency situation due to weather elements.
• Maximize resources during an emergency situation.
• Recognize situations ideal for the job order contracting procurement method.

Hosted by the APWA Fleet Services Committee

Get your conference off to a great start by joining with other fleet professionals in this open dialog about the current trends, challenges, and solutions in fleet management practices. Discover what resources are available to help you meet today's challenges and share your expertise with your colleagues.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare best practices with other fleet professionals from across North America.
• Find solutions to the issues and challenges their departments are currently facing.
• Share their expertise and knowledge with their fleet management colleagues.

Don't miss this exploration of best management practices in the right-of-way. You will discover several approaches for utility coordination including mapping and using software to keep track right-of-way project status and to facilitate communication. Each speaker in this session will use the Pecha Kucha format (20 slides shown for 20 seconds each) to provide concise and ready-to-use information.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine how mapping could help your city save money
• Evaluate the effectiveness of software to track what is happening in your right-of-way
• Identify best practices that will improve your management of the right-of-way

Examine different applications for using prefabricated wet well technology for various projects, including installations in an underground parking garage and an oval lift station in a city easement. Examples will be presented of how it reduces the required depth needed for installation and provides savings in materials and installation costs.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare the use of prefabricated wet well versus traditional precast concrete in terms of production, delivery time, transportation, and installation.
• Evaluate the benefits of using prefabricated wet well technology including reducing leaks.
• Review the reduced cost and sustainability benefits of prefabricated wet wells.

RISE (Reentry Initiative through Structured Employment) - The City of Fishers, Indiana, has created an inspiring program designed to both recruit highly motivated employees into public works positions and, more importantly, help in the rehabilitation process of citizens who made bad choices, paid their debt to society, and are now faced with the challenge of finding meaningful employment. Feeling that just providing employment is not enough, they established a monthly training regimen that includes basic personal financial management skills. Participants are also given the option of going through the agency's in-house CDL class. If there are positions available when participants complete the program, an opportunity is offered for them to apply for full-time employment. If no positions are open and they were model employees, they can receive a letter of reference from the Mayor. Will this solution work in your community?

Learning Objectives:

• Provide a unique solution to workforce recruitment and engagement.
• Attract applicants that are motivated and eager to perform.
• Develop a life-changing program that affects the well-being of potential employees and their families.

Implementing change in a public works department can be challenging, to say the least. Whether battling the "we have always done it this way" syndrome, or trying to adopt new technologies or practices, a public works manager can face many obstacles on the road to a high functioning department. This session will be led by a 28-year public works career veteran who will describe how using modern leadership practices and philosophes has helped his department turn the corner into a 21st century success story.

Learning Objectives:

• Delegate tasks and projects more efficiently.
• Communicate new ideas and deal with resistance to change.
• Manage a successful organization change program.

Which is the better solution for your agency - funding solid waste services through an enterprise fund account or through a general fund account? An expert panel of solid waste professionals from the United States and Canada will discuss the pros and cons of each practice and provide examples of how challenges are met and efficiencies achieved.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss differences in the level of sanitation service expectations for local governments.
• Examine the financial challenges in providing sanitation services.
• Identify the difficulties in delivering effective and efficient solid waste services.

Many cities, particularly those that are small to medium-sized, are challenged with distinguishing and setting themselves apart in a way that stimulates civic pride, entrepreneurship, and a sense of destination. This "identity crisis" often creates a climate of economic, social, and cultural stagnation, which can ultimately lead to urban blight, decline, and the lack of a sustainable tax base to enhance public infrastructure. The City of Tavares, Florida, decided to do something about that! Through a process of visioning and an understanding of its geographic position and history, they decided to brand Tavares as "America's Seaplane City." Central to the city's renaissance have been the initiatives and innovations of the city's public works department. Their accomplishments include a 5-acre waterfront park, complete with ramps and docks for seaplanes, a seaplane themed children's splash pad, and support for cultural events and festivals that have stimulated the economy.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify opportunities where public works can take a leadership role in enhancing public infrastructure and amenities to bolster the economic, civic, and cultural value of the community.
• Plan for and apply new ideas and approaches for enhancing community quality of life.
• Create an atmosphere within the public works unit that fosters the value of creative, innovative and unconventional solutions to issues and challenges.

Soon, vehicles will be able to see things that drivers can't, such as when a vehicle two or three cars ahead suddenly hits the brakes, or a car is about to run a red light, or when black ice is on the road. Connected vehicles are expected to make crossing intersections safer, reduce work zone crashes, and make it easier to manage a fleet of snow plows or other heavy vehicles. Road weather management systems will allow public works departments to capitalize on connected vehicle data to increase situational awareness, improve roadway levels of service and optimize the use of resources and materials. The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) has released a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Infrastructure (V2I) guidance to assist agencies in preparing for emerging V2I/V2V technologies. Attend this session for a tutorial on what to expect and how to prepare.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine connected vehicle technologies to see how they work and how they can benefit the public works community.
• Determine what will be needed to prepare for connected vehicles.
• Determine how connected vehicle technologies and applications can improve road weather operations.

Facility managers know the importance of maintaining a safe and functional building for occupants on a daily basis. But, how prepared is your facility to withstand a hurricane, earthquake, flood, or fire? Do you conduct regular assessments of your facilities' roofs, utilities, and emergency life systems? Do you have a preventive maintenance program? What back-up systems are in place to support emergency operations, including fuel supply and generators?

Learning Objectives:

• Identify facility deficiencies that would impact emergency preparedness.
• Anticipate “Are You Ready?” through preventive maintenance best management practices.
• Prepare facilities now to support emergency operations for specific issues and hazards.

Two maintenance workers for the City of Olympia wanted to build an automated valve-turner that would save money, increase efficiency, and reduce repetitive motion injuries. The lead worker took a risk on the idea and, with management support, he managed the team's workloads and schedules and gave the workers the resources to build and test their idea. Learn how the lead w5orker was able to manage concerns from other employees, keep the whole team motivated, and encourage creativity and innovation. In the end, these workers won the APWA Washington Chapter's 2016 award for "Achieving Dreams through Empowered Public Works Teams."

Learning Objectives:

• Create an environment where maintenance workers are empowered to innovate.
• Manage workload and schedules so that corrective and preventive maintenance goals are met.
• Communicate successes and failures with management to gain support.

The United States is spending only 2.4% of GDP on transportation and water infrastructure compared to an average 4% in Europe and 9% in China. Much of the nation's water and sanitary sewer infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life and will require billions of dollars of investment over the next 20 years. The dilemma for water and sewer utilities is how to raise revenues to meet the current and impending needs. Raising rates will require a considerable amount of political will. The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, developed an effective program for disseminating information to the city council, local businesses, and the public; and in the end, won approval for a $25 million infrastructure improvement plan.

Learning Objectives:

• Communicate infrastructure funding needs in easily understandable terms.
• Attain community involvement by partnering with groups like the Rotary Club, veterans organizations, and business leaders to be advocates for the necessary rate increases.
• Take advantage of the programs and results achieved by other cities in setting up your community’s plan to address infrastructure funding.