Technical Sessions

WEDNESDAY TECHNICAL TOUR -  9 to 11 a.m.  Return to calendar

Delta Ponds Restoration Project
Lauri Mullen and Scott Milovich, L.A.

This will be a tour of the nearby Delta Ponds Restoration Project.  The Delta Ponds is located in the heart of the Eugene-Springfield area in a region of the Willamette River that historically consisted of a board network of side channels, oxbow lakes and riparian forest.  Throughout the Willamette Valley side channel habitat and riparian forests have largely disappeared as a result of agriculture, development and flood control measures.  Delta Ponds is a 150-acre complex of ponds and sloughs that was disconnected from the main stem of the Willamette River in the 1950’s and 60’s and mined for gravel. Today this area is a unique natural area with recreational features that allow the community to experience birds and other wildlife up close. 

Through various partnerships the City of Eugene has been working since 2004 to reconnect the Delta Ponds to the Willamette River and replace invasive species such as Armenian blackberry with diverse, native riparian vegetation.  The tour will take a look at what has been accomplished so far and discuss how these efforts will benefit species such as Spring Chinook salmon and Western Pond turtle. 

Objectives include:  Have a better understanding of what it takes to undertake larger natural resource related restoration projects;  See that agencies like the City of Eugene are taking on larger –scale restoration projects that benefit multiple species including ESA listed species; balance habitat restoration with public recreation and community involvement.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Traffic Control Plans- What’s Behind the Curtain?   2:00 to 3:00 p.m.    Return to calendar
Scott M. McCanna, P.E.

Mr. McCanna will discuss the basic concepts of a temporary traffic control plan, its purpose, forms and variety of considerations needed in developing one that is safe, efficient and effective.  He will also be displaying a variety of work zone photos and asking for audience input as to their perceptions of “right’ and “wrong”.

Objectives include:  Recognize basic elements of a temporary traffic control work zone and understand their function; develop a checklist of considerations to make in developing your own TCPs; know where to go for information pertaining to the design of temporary traffic control plans.

Sustainability 101 for Public Works  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.    Return to calendar
Joshua Proudfoot

This workshop will help attendees better understand the concept of sustainability and how it applies to a local government and public works setting.  The workshop will also touch on using a sustainability-related framework to approach projects in the many disciplines within public works. 

Objectives include:  Have a better understanding of concept of sustainability and understand how to apply sustainability in the realm of local government and public works.

Keeping Dirt in it’s Place – City of Eugene Erosion Prevention Program  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.     Return to calendar
Josh Colley and Steve Norris

The session will provide a comprehensive look at erosion and the City of Eugene’s Erosion Prevention Program.  The discussion will focus on the impacts of erosion and sedimentation, the process and causes of erosion, factors that influence erosion potential, permitting and regulatory requirements (including federal, state and local), best management practices for erosion prevention/control and  Eugene monitoring/reporting/record keeping responsibilities. 

Objectives include:  Identify/predict impacts of erosion; recognize factors that encourage and those that discourage erosion processes;  understand City of Eugene erosion standards.

City of Eugene Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan  3:30 - 4:30  Return to calendar
Rob Inerfeld and Bethany Johnson

The City of Eugene recently adopted its first Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic plan.  This plan serves as a guide for how City departments, other agencies, community organizations and individuals will work together to make Eugene a more walkable and bikeable city.  The Community Planning Workshop (CPW) at the University of Oregon provided much of the support for the planning process especially in terms of public engagement and plan writing.  City staff and CPW students and staff used a wide variety of engagement techniques to involve a broad cross section of the community in developing the strategic plan.  This session will cover the following topics related to the development of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan:

            Why develop a pedestrian and bicycle strategic plan?
            Overview of the planning process
            Overview of the plan
            Plan implementation
            Community Involvement
            University / City Partnership
            Questions / Discussions

Objectives include: Develop a toolbox of public engagement techniques that could be used for pedestrian and bicycle strategic plans or other projects; learn how a university can be a resource for planning efforts;  understand how a pedestrian and bicycle strategic plan can be a key tool in making a community more walkable and bikeable.

Climate 101 for Public Works  3:30 - 4:30  Return to calendar
Joshua Skov

This session is an introduction to climate change (or global warming) issues for local government and specifically the public works sector.  This session is appropriate for people who seek a brief introduction to climate change science, a discussion of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations, and an overview of the concept of climate risk.  These concepts are a necessary foundation for city-level climate action planning in the public works realm.  The content will also cover the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, which counts eleven (11) Oregon Communities as signatories. 

Objective include: Define carbon footprint, climate risk and climate action planning; Understand how these concepts relate to public works.

2008-2009 Legislative Update  3:30 - 4:30  Return to calendar
Andy Shaw

This session will provide an update on legislative action during the recently concluded 2008 special session and an overview of the legislative and policy landscape heading into the 2009 regular session.  Particular attention will be paid to the emerging transportation funding package, efforts to obtain new funding for infrastructure and discussions about reforming state and local revenue systems.

Objectives include: Understand the impacts and implications of new legislation; receive information on how to influence future legislation of interest to local governments;  understand the possibilities for new local government funding for transportation and other public works infrastructure. 

Technical Tour - Thursday  9:00- 11:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Charlie Simmons,  Michael Reilly, and  Matt Rodrigues

This 3 stop technical tours begins by experiencing Eugene/Springfield’s developing Bus Rapid Transit system and riding the “Emerald Express” line, followed by a visit to the U of O’s historic Hayward Field and learn about the complexities of putting on a world class 10-day athletic event (Track and Field Olympic Trials), and finally experience how an adjacent public infrastructure “East 18^th Avenue Improvements” have been designed to dovetail into this major community venue.

Objectives include:  Experience modern mass bus transportation system planning and development; hear about world class athletic event planning, facility improvements, operations and logistics and see current local street redesign and stormwater quality improvements.

Thursday sessions

US 20; Philomath Couplet –Implementing a Context Sensitive
Transportation Solution   9:00-10:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Kevin Thelin, P.E. and Bill Hollings, P.E.

The US 20: Philomath Couplet project is a recently completed ODOT modernization project.  Members of the design and construction management team will present a discussion of challenges encountered and how they were met.  Discussion items will include community involvement, access management, right of way acquisition, environmental issues, utility relocations, impacts to the public during construction and engineering constraints. 

“Objectives include:  Understand how right of way and access management impact project development; understand how creative construction staging can be used to minimize impacts to the traveling public and understand how environmental constraints can be addressed in a context sensitive manner.

Sustainability – Beyond the Talk to the Integration  9:00-10:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Felicity Fahy

The City of Eugene has a long history of environmental and social initiatives dating from the 1970’s that have lead the way towards the city and community operating more sustainably.   These initiatives have been enhanced by the recent establishment of an office of sustainability and community sustainability commission that acts as a policy advisory body to the city council and city manager.  The history of the city’s sustainability program, current operations and next steps will be outlined in order to help other organizations implement more sustainable operations. 

Objectives include; More clearly understand what sustainability includes; identify who needs to be involved in developing a sustainability program; identify the steps required to integrate more sustainable operations in their work place.

Use of GIS for Spill Response Planning to Protect a Critical Watershed  9:00-10:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Karl Morgenstern

The recurring theme associated with major spills or releases is that there is confusion and uncertainty for first responders in the initial 6 to 12 hours following an event, and it is during those early hours when the opportunity to contain the spill may still exist.   As part of its drinking water sources protection program, Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) worked closely with 27 other Federal, State,, and local agencies to develop a watershed emergency response plan using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.  The McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System application was developed to make it easy for first responders to use without being GIS experts.

The plan contains GIS information on watershed characteristics; threats; critical resources; spill response strategies to protect critical resources; response equipment; emergency contact and notification information; and incident communications.  First responders and others are able to use the GIS application in the field to efficiently and effectively stabilize accidental or intentional chemical releases as soon as possible and avoid the initial confusion associated with spills.  

Learning Objectives include the benefits in using GIS technology; importance of pre-planning, developing partnerships and sharing resources; and the importance of protecting critical water resources,   

Transportation Enhancement: Special Projects for Your community  10:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Patricia (Pat) Fisher 

The Transportation Enhancement program provides federal transportation funds for special activities not normally required on a highway or transportation project.  The funds are available for twelve “TE Activities” which include pedestrian and bicycle projects, landscaping and scenic beautification, transportation related historic preservation and certain kinds of environmental mitigation.  Through ODOT, Oregon awards about $1 million per year in TE projects.  These projects often support efforts to promote tourism, economic development, historic preservation and non-motorized transportation. 

The presentation will give an overview of the TE program intent, eligibility requirements, the application and project selection process and examples of completed projects around the state.  Opportunities to use TE funds in coordination with other programs such as Scenic Byways, Safe Routes to School and the Transportation Growth Management programs will also be covered. 

Learning Objective:  Know the intent of the TE program and types of projects funded; know the process for submitting project proposals; and know how TE funds can be used in coordination with other state or local funds. 

Petroleum Reduction - Conservation and Alternative Fuels  10:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Rick Wallace

Focusing on the necessity for alternative fuels, this presentation will begin with an introduction to peak oil, progress to the obligation the transportation sector has in reducing petroleum consumption, and end with Oregon state incentives available for transportation advancements, such as the deployment of alternative fuels, the development of an alternative fuel infrastructure and commitment to energy efficiency.

Peak oil threatens America and Oregon with each barrel of crude oil sold and consumed.  This presentation will clarify the consequences of peak oil and the resultant need for increasing petroleum conservation, improving transportation options, reducing the amount of vehicle miles traveled and creating more opportunities for alternative to petroleum-based fuels.

The 2007 Oregon Legislature passed key bills promoting renewable energy.  Find out how these bills stimulate the production and use of biofuels in the transportation sector and how they may assist you.  Additionally, learn about Oregon’s current biofuel infrastructure and future plans for expansion. 

Oregon Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network  10:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Todd Simmons

Water and Wastewater agency response networks were started in Florida, California, and Texas to allow agencies to help each other when faced with emergencies as defined by the agency in need.  From wildfires in California to hurricanes in Florida and Texas, a WARN sets up an agreed upon way for an agency to help another without any other government influence or guidelines.  Oregon became the 6^th state to develop a WARN which has been operating since April 2007.  Although 34 agencies have adopted the agreement and joined ORWARN there are many throughout the state that have yet to join.  This presentation will provide some background on WARN’s, their use in other states and the advantages or joining ORWARN.  This non-profit, no-fee, no obligation group allows participating agencies the ability to help each other in a crisis without creating further risk to the responding agency.

Portland Aerial Tram – How They Did It  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Return to calendar
Gary Hopkins

The Portland Aerial Tram was a controversial, costly and technically challenging project.  The presentation will show how the Tram was built and how it operates.  It will show the reason the Tram was selected as the preferred transportation option and the very difficult constraints that made construction so complicated. 

Biosolids to Biofuels  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Return to calendar
Kent Madison

K&S Madison Inc is the year round biosolids land application site owner and the applicator for the City of Portland the fall, winter and spring land application site and applicator for CWS and Salem.  K&S Madison Inc has successfully land applied well over 2 billion pounds of "class b" biosolids to over 9,000 acres of crop and range land starting in 1990.  K&S Madison Inc is currently land applying biosolids to canola fields to produce biodiesel for the City of Portland’s Water Bureau fleet.  This recycling of biosolids into liquid biodiesel fuel and the sequestering of carbon in the soil has provided a positive carbon balance eight times greater than the project’s carbon footprint.  

Born for the Moment  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Return to calendar
William “Bubba” Paris

You are more than able to meet the challenges you face.  What better person is there than you to give the responsibility to manage challenges and change?  Do all around you feel the impact of your demeanor?  Change the world and don’t let the world change you. 

The Future of Federal Transportation Funding  3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Return to calendar
Travis Brouwer

The federal government has played a significant role in funding surface transportation projects.  However, in 2009, the Highway Trust Fund, which provides most federal funding for highway and transit projects, will exhaust its balances and be unable to meet existing obligations.  When Congress takes up the next surface transportation authorization bill in 2009, it will either have to provide additional revenue for transportation or significantly cut highway and transit funding.  A blue-ribbon panel chartered by Congress recently recommended a substantial increase in the gas tax to reinvigorate the federal transportation program.  This panel’s recommendations have jump-started a debate on infrastructure funding in America. 

Creating Linkages between Affordable housing and Transportation:  Benefits for Residents and the Community  3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Return to calendar
Stephanie A. Jennings, AICP

This presentation will describe the linkages between affordable housing and transportation, including support research and implications for local housing transportation programs.  Through examples of recently developed projects, participants will gain an understanding of the benefits for residents and the community as a whole created through intentional linkages. 

Micro-Hydropower for Municipal Water and Wastewater systems in Oregon  3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Return to calendar
Jeffrey Blank

In partnership with HDR Engineering and several municipalities in metro Portland, the Energy Trust of Oregon is evaluating the potential for co-funding a number of micro-hydropower facilities in municipal water and wastewater systems.  Recently completed studies for Gresham and Sheridan have resulted in two potentially feasible hydropower projects with a return on initial investment of roughly 5-10 years.  In addition to these projects, the Energy Trust of Oregon is also intending to fund several additional micro-hydropower projects in 2008 and will likely be soliciting proposals from interested municipalities in the coming months. 

Friday sessions

Heavy Truck Modernization Programs Along I-5  9:30 -10:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Sharon Banks and/or Jon Gustafson

Cascade Sierra Solutions (CSS) is a non-profit corporation that promotes on-board solutions for saving fuel and reducing emissions from the legacy long-haul tractor-trailer fleet.    Legacy fleet includes any heavy duty diesel engine that was manufactured prior to 2007.  EPA legislation that took effect in 2007 makes new trucks 95% cleaner than existing trucks.  We need to accelerate the process of bringing legacy fleet in compliance with this legislation .  

Learning Objectives:  Understand public goals and programs to reduce diesel exhaust emissions and reduce fuel consumption by heavy on-road trucks operating along the I-5 corridor; identify the obstacles and problems of truck owners to accomplish truck modernization without public assistance and grants; understand the strategy used by CSS to combine ODOT and ODOE resources to upgrade trucks operating in Oregon with SmartWay equipment packages.

Commercial Scale Composting in Oregon  9:30 -10:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Jack Hoeck

The presentation will give an overview of commercial scale composting in Oregon.  It will examine the type of materials being composted, methods used, and facility design.  It will also look at current and proposed DEQ rules affecting composting operation in the state. 

OMSI – Springwater Trail Three Bridges Project  9:30 -10:30 a.m.  Return to calendar
Gary Rayor, P.E.

Project development, design, construction and lessons learned from a complex federally funded trail project will be presented.  Six agency partners, a regional trail requiring three bridge crossings and a variety of stakeholders make this a fascinating story of engineering success.

ODOT Local Agency Certification Program  11:00 -12:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Beth Vargas Duncan, Jennifer Willer

Staff from the City of Eugene and ODOT will present information regarding ODOT’s Federal-Aid Certification Program.  Administered by ODOT’s local government section, Certification allows local agencies to use their own ODOT-approved procedures when delivering FHWA funded non-National Highway System transportation projects.  The City of Eugene will be the second city, following the City of Portland, in Oregon to commence Certification.  Eugene currently has three “test” projects in progress.  

ODOT Staff will provide an overview of the Certification Program including benefits of Certification, the Certification process and plans for Certification development.  Eugene staff will address the City’s benefits from Certification, as well as challenges and lessons learned through the process.

Agencies and Consultants – Working together   11:00 -12:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Jim Carnahan, Mary Meloy and Jeannie Nyquist

This will be a brainstorming (free thinking) session.  Come prepared for a facilitated discussion regarding how agencies and consultants can work together more effectively.  Ask any question and see if someone in the room can answer it.  If you’re an agency representative, how do consultants provide their best services.  What works and what doesn’t work?  If you’re a consultant, how have agencies effectively communicated what they wanted as deliverables and what was the review process like so they were satisfied with the end results?  Summary notes of the session will be provided to those who attend.

Eugene-Springfield Metro Waterways Study  11:00 -12:00 a.m.  Return to calendar
Jeff Krueger

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the cities of Eugene and Springfield, Eugene Water & Electric Board and Lane County, has developed a series of waterway enhancement proposals for Amazon Creek in the Eugene area and Cedar Creek in the Springfield area.  The proposed enhancements are multiobjective and include improvements to habitat, water quality, physical condition and recreation.  Lane Council of Governments has served as the lead consultant for this study.

The study has included assessment of existing waterway conditions, development of enhancement alternatives, cost benefit analysis and environmental assessment.  The presentation will provide an overview of the study process with examples of proposed waterway enhancements.

Page last updated July 24, 2008

Return to Chapter home page