APWA News Winter 2010 / Vol. 46 No. 4
In This Issue
Advertisers
From the President
It saddens me to write my closing article. Serving as your president this past year has been a wonderful experience for me. I will begin by thanking the Board of Directors for their support and commitment to serving the Chapter. I have enjoyed working with them and pleased to say that they are one of best groups of people I have ever worked with. And yet, I am confident that the incoming board will be as dedicated and efficient. So bear with me as I reflect on the chapter’s accomplishments of this past year before I share the current news and upcoming events.
First, while our number has dipped under 800, membership is still strong and healthy. Even more importantly, our membership is very active. Between 30 and 50 people meet monthly for the Public Works Luncheons held in Portland and Eugene on alternating months. The speakers and topics are engaging. Over 300 people attended the Street Maintenance and Collections schools held in the spring and fall. Seventy-six road scholars attended the Pavement Management for Roadways workshop at Eagle Crest. There were 35 to 48 people attending each of the NW Public Works Leadership Institute programs. The Transportation Committee organized a technical tour of Washington County’s Cornelius Pass Road widening project in September. The Water Resources Committee once again orchestrated the Bull Run Watershed tour in August and partnered with ASCE-EWRG to present the second Sustainable Stormwater Symposium in September. Education, professional development, and social interaction are truly cornerstones of the chapter’s purpose.
Also in 2010, the chapter held two excellent conferences: the spring conference hosted by the City of Roseburg at Seven Feathers in Canyonville, and the fall conference hosted by the City of Pendleton at the Pendleton Convention Center. The fall conference was even featured in the October 14th edition of the East Oregonian. We had so much fun at the conference; attendees honored Bob Patterson by casting 2,160 votes so that he could receive the Gizmo over runner-up Troy Bowers.
And now it’s time to shine! The National 2011 Awards Program is available online
www.apwa.net/About/Awards/2011Awards. APWA‘s Awards Program was established to recognize outstanding individuals, groups, and chapters representing the best in the public works profession.
National is also soliciting nominations for appointments to national offices for the September 2011–August 2012 year. Step forward and offer your expertise to your profession. Contact me or any board member to let us know you have an interest in serving at the national level. Information on open positions for appointment may be obtained on the APWA website at
www.apwa.net/membersonly/nominations (must
be a member to log on) or from Kaye Sullivan at National Headquarters at ksullivan@apwa.net or at 800-848-APWA, ext. 5233. A brief bio must be completed online or through hard copy. Nominations must arrive at headquarters by close of business March 1, 2011.
Looking forward, the Futures Committee is coordinating with APWA National in the preparation of the program for the 2011 Sustainability in PW Conference which will be held in Portland in June. The Spring Conference Committee is diligently working on the joint Oregon/Washington Conference to be held March 29 through April 1 in Vancouver, Washington.
Happy holidays everyone. I wish you all much joy and success in the coming year.
Peggy Keppler, President
Oregon Chapter of American Public Works Association Elects 2011 Board
The Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has elected its 2011 board of directors.
Serving as president will be Mary Meloy, consultant, of Bend. Other board officers are president-elect Mark Schoening, city engineer at the City of Eugene; secretary Bob Patterson, public works director for the City of Pendleton; and treasurer Terry Song, senior project manager with HNTB Corp. in Portland.
Newly elected to the board is Paul Shirey, operations director for the City of Milwaukie. Continuing to serve as board members are Marty Andersen, Local Agency Program liaison with the Oregon Department of Transportation; Todd Watkins, senior engineer at Washington County; Elizabeth Papadopoulos, facilities systems manager for TriMet in Portland; Delora Kerber, public works director for the City of Wilsonville; and Russ Thomas, public works superintendent for the City of Newberg.
Peggy Keppler, development review manager with the City of Eugene, will serve as immediate past president, and Stephanie Reid, city engineer for Lincoln City, is the chapter’s national delegate.
The board was elected at the chapter’s 2010 chapter conference in Pendleton.
Conferences: Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
When it comes to conferences, we "got 'er done" in Pendleton in fall 2010 and we're building the "foundation for our future" at the joint Oregon-Washington Spring 2011 Conference March 29-April 1 in Vancouver, Washington.
To view photos from the 2010 fall conference,
click here.
For more information about the
Spring 2011 Conference, click here.
Albany Public Works Earns Accreditation
The City of Albany Department of Public Works was recently honored with an APWA prestigious accreditation award. The agency was awarded its APWA accreditation on November 5. Albany is only the third city in Oregon to be awarded the APWA accreditation award, along with Eugene and Bend.
“The City of Albany is to be congratulated on earning their accreditation,” said Ann Daniels, Director of Credentialing for APWA. “The staff is to be congratulated as well for their perseverance and dedication to improving their organization. They have continually improved their public works performance and the provision of services, as well as increased professionalism, provided for succession planning, recognized good performance and instilled pride among agency staff,” Daniels said.
The APWA accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry. On a daily basis, accredited agencies meet or exceed standards of performance in areas such as water, solid waste management, street/sewer repair and maintenance, engineering, building maintenance, storm water drainage, traffic safety, environmental services and vehicle maintenance.
For Albany’s accreditation award, a team of public works professionals from Florida, Texas and Utah completed a thorough evaluation of operations during their October 20-22, 2010, site visit. “The APWA accreditation award of the City of Albany’s Public Works Department is an acknowledgement of all the hard work over the years done by our public works employees,” said Director of Public Works Diane Taniguichi-Dennis. “I am very pleased to announce that the Albany Public Works Department has reached an important milestone with this prestigious award from the American Public Works Association. Only cities who are willing to have all of its work policies, procedures, and practices examined in a rigorous audit and meet the standards of APWA can be accredited. The Albany Public Works Department is committed to providing the Albany community with efficient and effective public services.”
For more information, contact Public Works Accreditation Manager Angelia Sousa with the City of Albany at angie.sousa@cityofalbany.net.
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New Members
Christopher Aguon, Civil Engineer, Murray, Smith & Associates Inc, 503-225-9010, cda@msa-ep.com
Larry James Anderson, President, LAEI, 503-537-1110, andeng1@comcast.net
Rod Bliss, SR/WA, Project Manager, Epic Land Solutions, Inc.,
503-213-3977, rodbliss@epicland.com
John Wolfe Casto, QC, REP, Construction Inspector 2, City of Springfield, 541-682-8684, jcasto@ci.springfield.or.us
Melissa J. Crane, GIS Services Supervisor, Lane County OR,
541-682-6950, melissa.crane@co.lane.or.us
Nathan C. Crater, Project Engineer, Otak, 503-738-3425, nathan.crater@otak.com
Al Dickman, Senior Engineering Tech, City of Tigard,
503-718-2463, al@tigard-or.gov
W. Ken Fisher, Engineering Tech II, City of Tigard, 503-718-2602, kenny@tigard-or.gov
John F. Garlitz, PE, Civil Engineer, J-U-B Engineers Inc,
541-963-7100, jgarlitz@jub.com
Jenny L. Hitch, Market Promotion Director, Portland Cement Association, 360-356-6749, jhitch@cement.org
James A Hough, Public Works Director, City of Banks,
503-324-5112, publicworks@cityofbanks.org
Russell L. Lawrence, Principal, StreamFix, 503-631-8184, russ@streamfix.com
Irina M. Leschuk, Principal, DL Design Group, Inc, 503-644-4628, iml@dleng.net
Eric Mende, CFM, PE, Deputy City Engineer, City of Wilsonville, 503-570-1538, mende@ci.wilsonville.or.us
Peter Andrew Olsen, Project Manager, Keller Associates, Inc.,
503-364-2002, polsen@kellerassociates.com
Teresa Ristoff, Administrative Manager, City of Bend,
541-317-3001, tristoff@ci.bend.or.us
Jamie Waltz, Transportation Asset Manager, Portland Bureau of Transportation, 503-823-7101, jamie.waltz@pdxtrans.org
Jesse Willor, PE, Civil Engineer, KPFF Consulting Engineers,
541-684-4902, jesse.willor@kpffcivilpdx.com
Transportation Committee Offers Bridge Project Tour
On September 15, 19 Oregon APWA chapter members toured the Washington County Cornelius Pass bridge project. This bridge over Rock Creek is part of a larger project to widen Cornelius Pass to five lanes with bike lanes and sidewalks from its current two lane width.
This day was particularly interesting as precast concrete girders were being set. These 185-foot-long beams were cast in Harrisburg, Oregon; hauled up I-5 and state highways 217 and 8, then backed up Cornelius Pass several thousand feet to the bridge site. Three large cranes were required to set each of the 12 beams in place. Those beams equal the longest of that type ever placed in Oregon.
The road project total cost is about $15 million with about half of that for the bridge. The road will be completed in May 2011, but the bridge will be done and open to traffic by the first of the year. There is a sense of urgency as Cornelius Pass is a major north-south route through the City of Hillsboro (a partner in the project) to Highway 26 and carries a lot of freight. The road has been closed since last spring for construction of the bridge. It was not practical or economical to build the new bridge with the road open as the construction site is fairly constrained, and the new bridge deck is several feet higher than the old to get it out of the flood plain.
The tour began with a PowerPoint presentation by the designer of the bridge, Jim Perkins of Washington County’s Engineering Division. Abe Turki, the county’s project manager, met the tour on site and explained what was going on. Kerr is the contractor, and Legacy is the subcontractor doing the bridge. The beams were made by Knife River.
A good and educational time was had by all. The county issued certificates to each attendee for justification of any professional development hours claimed.
[
Corey Earns Bowes Award
Kurt Corey, the chapter's 2007 president and an active member of APWA at both the state and national levels, received the Bowes Award at the fall 2010 chapter conference at Pendleton.
The Bowes Award has been given annually since 1978 to honor a chapter member for distinguished service to the chapter which results in improvement, growth and public recognition of Oregon APWA and its members. It is the chapter's highest individual honor.
“We are all pleased and honored to have the opportunity to recognize Kurt's strong leadership at both our Local and National level. " said Rick Olson, the 2009 Bowes award winner. "He continues to make sure that our Oregon Chapter is among the strongest in the APWA National organization."
At the awards ceremony, Corey was recognized for his commitment to the public works profession at the local, state and national level. He was the 2007 president of the Oregon Chapter and currently serves as the president of the Oregon APWA Scholastic Foundation. He also is active in National APWA, where he serves on the Government Affairs Committee.
Got History?
Do you have a valuable piece of Oregon APWA memorabilia out in the
garage? Or maybe you know someone who has some great documents or photos
that should be part of the chapter’s history collection.
The time is right to round up these treasures of time. The chapter’s
50th anniversary is coming up in 2014, which in public works reckoning
is a little over four
weeks away.
If you have or know of chapter historical resources, please e-mail
chapter historian
Gary Stockhoff or call him at 503-846-7800.
Oregon Chapter Recognizes Projects of the Year
The Oregon Chapter of APWA announced the winters of the 2010 projects of the year at the fall conference in Pendleton.
TRANSPORTATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Eugene Airport Runway Rehabilitation
Agency – City of Eugene
Consultant – City of Eugene
Contractor – Wildish Construction
This project located in Eugene successfully completed the rehabilitation of the main runway at the Eugene Airport with not one missed flight and no impact to the traveling public due to construction. This included 16 to 25 commercial airline departures per day plus dozens of general aviation craft servicing over a 1,000 people per day. This was done despite limitations on the only other runway which limited the construction period to the month of June. More than 55,000 tons of asphalt along with substantial upgrades to the pavement lighting and the storm drainage system were completed in 22 days.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Sunset Reservoir and Pump Station
Agency – City of Sherwood
Consultant – Murray, Smith & Associates
Contractor – Emery & sons Construction, Inc.This project successfully combined public works facilities including a new 4 million gallon reservoir and a 2,200 gpm booster pump station into a city park. The improvements included tennis courts on top of the concrete reservoir accounting for both AWWA standards for minimum slope on a reservoir, and United States Tennis Association (USTA) standards for maximum slope on a tennis court in a single structure. The project also took into account the interest of the public involving them in the ribbon cutting, and providing a construction viewing area.
HONORABLE MENTION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Miles Crossing Vacuum Sewer
Agency – Miles Crossing Sanitary Sewer District
Consultant – Murray, Smith & Associates
Contractor – R&G Excavating, Inc.
This project included the installation of a vacuum sewer collection system discharging to the city of Astoria sanitary collection system. The project included approximately 42,000 feet of pipe, one vacuum station, an equalization tank to account for capacity in the Astoria system, and a force main under Youngs Bay.
Public Works Leaders: Class of 2010
Congratulations to the 2010 graduates of the Northwest Public Works Institute.
The Northwest Public Works Institute is a program of instruction for Public Works leaders in the Northwest to attain a higher degree of proficiency as public works leaders and managers. The Institute is jointly operated by the Washington and Oregon Chapters of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
Oregon graduates were: Raul Garza, Clean Water Services; Rob Kissler, Keizer; Bill Lawyer, Keizer; Amy Pepper, Troutdale; Jim Watson, Myrtle Creek; Wayne Benson, Lake Owego; Katie Blair, Eugene; David Lee, Bend; Orrin Libalt, Bend; Dayna Webb, Tualalin; Steve Byrd, Bend; Patrick Coffeen, ODOT; Doug Singer, Eugene; Brent Barton, Clean Water Services; William Mead, ODOT; Mitch Nussbaumer, Clean Water Services; Scott Tabor, Gladstone; Bob Traffer, Clean Water Services; and Edwin Leniger, Tigard. Washington graduates were Brian Roberts, Federal Way; Kristi Andersen, Snohomish County; James Bridges, Sunnyside; and Shane Fisher, Sunnyside.
Oregon Roads Now Online
The latest edition of the Oregon T2 Center newsletter Oregon Roads is now available online. Read about the Skills Demo, Distracted Driving, Roads Scholar update, the 2010 Maintenance Academy, what training is coming up, and much more. To view Oregon Roads newsletter,
click here.
Get Connected to Global Public Works
The American Public Works Association International Affairs Committee (IAC) has approved a program to connect APWA members to the global public works community.
The APWA Board of Directors approved a budget of $50,000 for the current fiscal year to support the APWA International Affairs Committee’s international outreach and education efforts. The program responds to APWA President George Crombie’s initiative to develop a plan that will in three years result in an established international program that is a resource for chapters and members.
APWA National has asked each chapter to create an International Affairs Committee and set aside $1,000 in the Chapter’s budget to match a $1,000 contribution from APWA National. The funding can be used for international program development and travel.
The comprehensive program will include opportunities for APWA members to:
• Establish mentoring relationships where APWA members and resources can support emerging markets and disadvantaged countries;
• Access global solutions for members’ regional and local public works challenges; and
• Learn about global projects and programs that are cutting edge or first of their kind, particularly with environmentally responsible and sustainable public works operations.
This initiative is the result of interest expressed by APWA members and the participants in the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy program to expand the opportunities for Chapters and members to participate in a global public works community.
APWA members on their own have reached out internationally in seeking unique solutions for their projects. Many of our members in larger communities, districts, and agencies have relevant examples of where they have identified national and international resources to assist them in managing their operations. Members from smaller communities and agencies are least likely to have the resources, including staff and funding, to begin such a search for solution alternatives. This program will help serve this need.
The Oregon Chapter Board of Directors approved an additional $1,000 in the Community Outreach portion of the 2011 chapter budget to fund this national initiative. The board is looking for a group of individuals with the interest and commitment to establish an International Affairs Committee. If you are interested, please contact any board member.
CALENDAR:
www.oregonapwa.org/training/
Agencies Recognized for
Excellence in Sustainability
The Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association recognized four Oregon agencies for excellence in sustainability at its fall conference in Pendleton on October 14.
The Chapter established the Julian Prize for Sustainability in 2004 to promote the role of public works in furthering the principles of sustainability. The award is intended to recognize systems thinking, long term design practices, and infrastructure systems that sustain society. Awards are presented for policies, practices, projects or individual contributions that provide long-term benefits to the environment, to the community, or to the economy. The 2010 Julian Prizes were awarded to the City of Portland, Tillamook County, Washington County and Clean Water Services.
City of Portland was recognized for cured-in-place sewer repairs by its Operations Maintenance crews. The City’s Environmental Systems Division
saved thousands of dollars annually in operational costs, reduced the carbon
footprint, and enhanced safety of the work crews and public by implementing
no-dig technology to repair sewer lines. In 1997 the City acquired rights to
a cured-in-place pipe lining technology and has used it to perform sewer repairs that are difficult to do by open-cut procedures due to depth, utility conflicts or traffic congestion.
In addition to saving costs, the program also reduces the carbon footprint for sewer repairs. By reducing the need to import and export trench and pipe bedding materials, transportation costs are reduced and raw materials are conserved. The structural deterioration of pavement surfaces is minimized by reducing the cuts associated with traditional open cut repairs.
Safety is also enhanced by reducing the number of trenches required, minimizing exposure to utility strikes, reducing the amount of time repair crews are exposed to traffic conditions and reducing possible injuries to pedestrians, cyclists
and vehicles traveling near construction sites.
Tillamook County Public Works Department was recognized for implementing sustainable practices in stabilizing road embankments damaged by storm events and erosion. The county’s Public Works employees worked together as a team using bio-engineering technology to stabilize slopes using rock and vegetation.
In the past, riprap (rock) alone was used to restore the road embankments. This new concept, which is better for the environment, uses willow fascines, willow staking and brush layering to stabilize slopes. The bio-engineering reduces pollutants, is more sustainable, and is less expensive than traditional repair methods.
Washington County Land Use & Transportation received the Julian Prize for a group of transportation-related projects that reduce traffic congestion. Washington County was able to utilize funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to complete a number of traffic control improvement projects throughout the county, including signal re-timing, flashing arrow installations, replacement of illuminated signs with reflective signs, emergency vehicle pre-emption, pedestrian signal improvements and school zone flashers.
The cumulative benefit of the projects resulted in improved safety, decreased energy usage and reduced traffic congestion throughout Washington County. Public response to the projects has been overwhelmingly positive. One specific example was an unsolicited comment from an Intel employee who thanked the county for reducing his commute from 35 minutes to 17 minutes.
Clean Water Services was recognized for creating a low impact development approaches (LIDA) handbook to promote sustainable development practices in the Tualatin River Watershed. In 2009, the consulting teams of GreenWorks and Lori Faha assisted Clean Water Services in developing the handbook, which presents sustainable approaches to stormwater management and water quality treatment to maximize the development potential of sites.
The LIDA handbook encourages onsite stormwater management and sustainable site design that minimizes the impacts of development and imprerviousness on watershed health. The handbook provides guidance for stormwater and water quality management that protects wildlife habitat, reduces infrastructure costs and improves site aesthetics.
How To Deal With Anxieties In Today's Public Works Industry
By Stanley Popovich
Stress and anxiety are very common in today’s public works industry. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a person in the public works industry can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties.
Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.
When facing a current or upcoming task at your public works job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
Talk with your customers and employees on a regular basis. Find out what is on their minds. Ask for any suggestions on how to improve productivity. Communicating with your workers and customers will help prevent future problems and conflicts.
Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss a deadline. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.
In dealing with your anxieties at your public works job, learn to take it one day at a time. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.
Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to:
www.managingfear.com
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OACES Honors Washington County Engineer, Surveyors
The Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) has named Washington County’s chief Engineer Greg Miller as Engineer of the Year.
Miller received the award for his longtime support of OACES and for the excellent work Washington County’s Department of Land Use and Transportation has done under his leadership. These projects include spearheading the partnership that built the transportation infrastructure of Bridgeport Village; designing dozens of major county bridge and road improvement projects under strict environmental protection and enhancement standards; and the creative use of federal stimulus (ARRA) funds on traffic control improvements, including the county’s popular new array of Flashing Yellow Arrows; Greg has inspired cooperative efforts with our cities, ODOT, developers such as Polygon, and major employers such as Providence St. Vincent’s to design and build projects of lasting significance and benefit.
OACES gave an Award of Merit to Washington County Surveyor Jim Elam. Elam has worked to get minutes and agendas out in a timely and concise manner, and worked to make the program at the OACES fall conference solid and worthwhile. Recently ODOT was sponsoring significant new legislation; Jim made sure that OACES concerns were addressed. Surveyors all over Oregon appreciate his work.
OACES gave another Award of Merit to Washington County’s Survey Supervisor Linda Rigutto. Whether assisting with amending state survey laws or enforcing county ordinances, she has contributed well thought out opinions and techniques. Her major expertise and contribution has been in the area of Oregon condominium law, which she administers for Washington County. Rigutto has taught surveyors all across Oregon how to resolve its vagaries. She found a path through jurisdictional maze to process condo plats to the needs of the state, the county, and the applicant. She also is appreciated all around the state.
For Washington County to have been awarded three of OACES’ top five state honors for 2010 is quite an accomplishment.
Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Kalani Honored for Exceptional Service
Longtime chapter member Hugh Kalani received an exceptional service award at the fall 2010 Oregon APWA conference in Pendleton.
Kalani, a lifetime member of APWA, served as the chapter president in 1987 and received the chapter Bowes Service Award in 1993. He has been the chapter’s national delegate for many years before retiring from that position this year.
Van Elsberg Passes
Carlos Van Elsberg, a longtime member and past president of the Oregon Chapter, died Dec. 15 of age-related causes. He was 86.
Van Elsberg worked for 30 years as a road maintenance engineer in Coos Bay, Hood River, Pendleton and Eugene. He was president of the Oregon Chapter in 1983 and earned the prestigious Bowes Award for service in 1990.
He is survived by his wife, Ilene, two sons, a daughter, several brothers and sisters, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 20 in Coos Bay.
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Luncheon Committees Report Tasty Sessions
The Oregon APWA Luncheon Committees report that 2010 was a year of success in Portland and Eugene, with six presentations offered at each venue.
According to Portland Committee members Nanci Snyder and Jim Kuroski, luncheon presentations at Alexi Restaurant have grown in size and popularity and attract both public and private professionals throughout the metropolitan Portland area, as well as from all over northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. The program introduces many new faces to APWA, and the committee plans to continue this excellent (and delicious!) program in 2011. For more information about the Portland luncheon, contact Nanci Snyder at the City of Portland Water Bureau.
The 2010 Portland luncheons included presentations on Portland’s snow and ice response program, advancements in 3D laser scanning and mobile LIDAR, collaboration under pressure (pumping down Wapato Lake), the deicing collection system at PDX, Portland streetcar system connecting neighborhoods, and the Willamette River transit bridge crossing for the Milwaukie LRT.
In Eugene, committee chair Doug Singer reports that the Willamette Valley APWA Luncheon Committee continued to recruit presenters and successfully organize six bi-monthly luncheons in Eugene at Kowloon’s Restaurant in 2010. There’s a strong committee of four: Sam Fox with Lane County, Matt Stouder with City of Springfield, Jesse Willor with KPFF, and Doug Singer with the City of Eugene.
In 2010 the Willamette Valley group held six luncheons with a typical attendance of 35 to 45. Topics included the history of developing the Lane County Regional GIS system and the current information and tools available, the I-5 Willamette River Bridge project in Eugene-Springfield, the 2009 Springfield sanitary sewer rehabilitation project, pervious pavements in Portland, the construction and wetland mitigation at the Short Mountain Landfill, and the history of the Springfield Mill Race and recent restoration projects. Thanks to Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers, Branch Engineering, KPFF Consulting Engineers, and Murray, Smith & Associates for sponsoring door prizes. For more information about the Willamette Valley Luncheon, contact Doug Singer.
Get Connected to Global Public Works
The American Public Works Association International Affairs Committee (IAC) has approved a program to connect APWA members to the global public works community.
The APWA Board of Directors approved a budget of $50,000 for the current fiscal year to support the APWA International Affairs Committee’s international outreach and education efforts. The program responds to APWA President George Crombie’s initiative to develop a plan that will in three years result in an established international program that is a resource for chapters and members.
APWA National has asked each chapter to create an International Affairs Committee and set aside $1,000 in the Chapter’s budget to match a $1,000 contribution from APWA National. The funding can be used for international program development and travel.
The comprehensive program will include opportunities for APWA members to:
• Establish mentoring relationships where APWA members and resources can support emerging markets and disadvantaged countries;
• Access global solutions for members’ regional and local public works challenges; and
• Learn about global projects and programs that are cutting edge or first of their kind, particularly with environmentally responsible and sustainable public works operations.
This initiative is the result of interest expressed by APWA members and the participants in the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy program to expand the opportunities for Chapters and members to participate in a global public works community.
APWA members on their own have reached out internationally in seeking unique solutions for their projects. Many of our members in larger communities, districts, and agencies have relevant examples of where they have identified national and international resources to assist them in managing their operations. Members from smaller communities and agencies are least likely to have the resources, including staff and funding, to begin such a search for solution alternatives. This program will help serve this need.
The Oregon Chapter Board of Directors approved an additional $1,000 in the Community Outreach portion of the 2011 chapter budget to fund this national initiative. The board is looking for a group of individuals with the interest and commitment to establish an International Affairs Committee. If you are interested, please contact any board member.
CALENDAR:
www.oregonapwa.org/training/
Agencies Recognized for Excellence in Sustainability
The Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association recognized four Oregon agencies for excellence in sustainability at its fall conference in Pendleton on October 14.
The Chapter established the Julian Prize for Sustainability in 2004 to promote the role of public works in furthering the principles of sustainability. The award is intended to recognize systems thinking, long term design practices, and infrastructure systems that sustain society. Awards are presented for policies, practices, projects or individual contributions that provide long-term benefits to the environment, to the community, or to the economy. The 2010 Julian Prizes were awarded to the City of Portland, Tillamook County, Washington County and Clean Water Services.
City of Portland was recognized for cured-in-place sewer repairs by its Operations Maintenance crews. The City’s Environmental Systems Division
saved thousands of dollars annually in operational costs, reduced the carbon
footprint, and enhanced safety of the work crews and public by implementing
no-dig technology to repair sewer lines. In 1997 the City acquired rights to
a cured-in-place pipe lining technology and has used it to perform sewer repairs that are difficult to do by open-cut procedures due to depth, utility conflicts or traffic congestion.
In addition to saving costs, the program also reduces the carbon footprint for sewer repairs. By reducing the need to import and export trench and pipe bedding materials, transportation costs are reduced and raw materials are conserved. The structural deterioration of pavement surfaces is minimized by reducing the cuts associated with traditional open cut repairs.
Safety is also enhanced by reducing the number of trenches required, minimizing exposure to utility strikes, reducing the amount of time repair crews are exposed to traffic conditions and reducing possible injuries to pedestrians, cyclists
and vehicles traveling near construction sites.
Tillamook County Public Works Department was recognized for implementing sustainable practices in stabilizing road embankments damaged by storm events and erosion. The county’s Public Works employees worked together as a team using bio-engineering technology to stabilize slopes using rock and vegetation.
In the past, riprap (rock) alone was used to restore the road embankments. This new concept, which is better for the environment, uses willow fascines, willow staking and brush layering to stabilize slopes. The bio-engineering reduces pollutants, is more sustainable, and is less expensive than traditional repair methods.
Washington County Land Use & Transportation received the Julian Prize for a group of transportation-related projects that reduce traffic congestion. Washington County was able to utilize funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to complete a number of traffic control improvement projects throughout the county, including signal re-timing, flashing arrow installations, replacement of illuminated signs with reflective signs, emergency vehicle pre-emption, pedestrian signal improvements and school zone flashers.
The cumulative benefit of the projects resulted in improved safety, decreased energy usage and reduced traffic congestion throughout Washington County. Public response to the projects has been overwhelmingly positive. One specific example was an unsolicited comment from an Intel employee who thanked the county for reducing his commute from 35 minutes to 17 minutes.
Clean Water Services was recognized for creating a low impact development approaches (LIDA) handbook to promote sustainable development practices in the Tualatin River Watershed. In 2009, the consulting teams of GreenWorks and Lori Faha assisted Clean Water Services in developing the handbook, which presents sustainable approaches to stormwater management and water quality treatment to maximize the development potential of sites.
The LIDA handbook encourages onsite stormwater management and sustainable site design that minimizes the impacts of development and imprerviousness on watershed health. The handbook provides guidance for stormwater and water quality management that protects wildlife habitat, reduces infrastructure costs and improves site aesthetics.
How To Deal With Anxieties In Today's Public Works Industry
By Stanley Popovich
Stress and anxiety are very common in today’s public works industry. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a person in the public works industry can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties.
Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.
When facing a current or upcoming task at your public works job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
Talk with your customers and employees on a regular basis. Find out what is on their minds. Ask for any suggestions on how to improve productivity. Communicating with your workers and customers will help prevent future problems and conflicts.
Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss a deadline. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.
In dealing with your anxieties at your public works job, learn to take it one day at a time. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.
Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to:
www.managingfear.com
OACES Honors Washington County Engineer, Surveyors
The Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) has named Washington County’s chief Engineer Greg Miller as Engineer of the Year.
Miller received the award for his longtime support of OACES and for the excellent work Washington County’s Department of Land Use and Transportation has done under his leadership. These projects include spearheading the partnership that built the transportation infrastructure of Bridgeport Village; designing dozens of major county bridge and road improvement projects under strict environmental protection and enhancement standards; and the creative use of federal stimulus (ARRA) funds on traffic control improvements, including the county’s popular new array of Flashing Yellow Arrows; Greg has inspired cooperative efforts with our cities, ODOT, developers such as Polygon, and major employers such as Providence St. Vincent’s to design and build projects of lasting significance and benefit.
OACES gave an Award of Merit to Washington County Surveyor Jim Elam. Elam has worked to get minutes and agendas out in a timely and concise manner, and worked to make the program at the OACES fall conference solid and worthwhile. Recently ODOT was sponsoring significant new legislation; Jim made sure that OACES concerns were addressed. Surveyors all over Oregon appreciate his work.
OACES gave another Award of Merit to Washington County’s Survey Supervisor Linda Rigutto. Whether assisting with amending state survey laws or enforcing county ordinances, she has contributed well thought out opinions and techniques. Her major expertise and contribution has been in the area of Oregon condominium law, which she administers for Washington County. Rigutto has taught surveyors all across Oregon how to resolve its vagaries. She found a path through jurisdictional maze to process condo plats to the needs of the state, the county, and the applicant. She also is appreciated all around the state.
For Washington County to have been awarded three of OACES’ top five state honors for 2010 is quite an accomplishment.
Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Kalani Honored for Exceptional Service
Longtime chapter member Hugh Kalani received an exceptional service award at the fall 2010 Oregon APWA conference in Pendleton.
Kalani, a lifetime member of APWA, served as the chapter president in 1987 and received the chapter Bowes Service Award in 1993. He has been the chapter’s national delegate for many years before retiring from that position this year.
Van Elsberg Passes
Carlos Van Elsberg, a longtime member and past president of the Oregon Chapter, died Dec. 15 of age-related causes. He was 86.
Van Elsberg worked for 30 years as a road maintenance engineer in Coos Bay, Hood River, Pendleton and Eugene. He was president of the Oregon Chapter in 1983 and earned the prestigious Bowes Award for service in 1990.
He is survived by his wife, Ilene, two sons, a daughter, several brothers and sisters, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 20 in Coos Bay.
Luncheon Committees Report Tasty Sessions
The Oregon APWA Luncheon Committees report that 2010 was a year of success in Portland and Eugene, with six presentations offered at each venue.
According to Portland Committee members Nanci Snyder and Jim Kuroski, luncheon presentations at Alexi Restaurant have grown in size and popularity and attract both public and private professionals throughout the metropolitan Portland area, as well as from all over northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. The program introduces many new faces to APWA, and the committee plans to continue this excellent (and delicious!) program in 2011. For more information about the Portland luncheon, contact Nanci Snyder at the City of Portland Water Bureau.
The 2010 Portland luncheons included presentations on Portland’s snow and ice response program, advancements in 3D laser scanning and mobile LIDAR, collaboration under pressure (pumping down Wapato Lake), the deicing collection system at PDX, Portland streetcar system connecting neighborhoods, and the Willamette River transit bridge crossing for the Milwaukie LRT.
In Eugene, committee chair Doug Singer reports that the Willamette Valley APWA Luncheon Committee continued to recruit presenters and successfully organize six bi-monthly luncheons in Eugene at Kowloon’s Restaurant in 2010. There’s a strong committee of four: Sam Fox with Lane County, Matt Stouder with City of Springfield, Jesse Willor with KPFF, and Doug Singer with the City of Eugene.
In 2010 the Willamette Valley group held six luncheons with a typical attendance of 35 to 45. Topics included the history of developing the Lane County Regional GIS system and the current information and tools available, the I-5 Willamette River Bridge project in Eugene-Springfield, the 2009 Springfield sanitary sewer rehabilitation project, pervious pavements in Portland, the construction and wetland mitigation at the Short Mountain Landfill, and the history of the Springfield Mill Race and recent restoration projects. Thanks to Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers, Branch Engineering, KPFF Consulting Engineers, and Murray, Smith & Associates for sponsoring door prizes. For more information about the Willamette Valley Luncheon, contact Doug Singer.