Member
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program is focused on funding projects that support risk reduction due to natural and man-made disasters. HMA has been expanded to meet the goals of long-term climate resilience, and funding now supports cost-effective project grants that incorporate flood risk reduction and drought mitigation. This presentation will summarize the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant program, review the Climate Resilient Mitigation Actions (CRMA) now eligible for funding, list the benefit-cost analysis for CRMA projects, and provide tips for preparing a grant application.Learning Objectives: Prepare hazard mitigation grant applications that focus on resiliency.Incorporate climate resilience into hazard mitigation planning.Obtain information about FEMA's grant programs.
Read More
Speaker: Bob Allen, Founder and Chief Storytelling Officer, IDEAS; former Disney ImagineerIn Tuesday morning's General Session, Bob Allen explained the components of a powerful story and the mechanisms of good storytelling. Now, let's practice with some of your public works stories! Public works needs to know how to better tell its story – whether it is to gain community support for capital improvement projects, communicate with residents during times of emergency, report on successes and future needs to the city council, or advocate for increased investment in infrastructure and public works services.People respond to good storytelling. This workshop is your opportunity to practice creating the kind of story that you want told about public works.
Read More
Put this session on your schedule! Join us for a completely interactive, compelling, and relevant exploration of the challenges and solutions public works directors encounter every day. Who will pick the topics to be discussed? YOU! Who will be the speakers? YOU! Be inspired to share your story and learn from the mastery achieved by some of North America's best and brightest public works leaders. You are going to be so enthused about what you are learning-you'll be tweeting out your insights to your colleagues who can't join us!Learning Objectives:Advocate for the public works profession and public infrastructure and services.Collaborate with fellow public works directors from across North America in pursuit of solutions to public works challenges.Realize the huge impact your leadership and creativity can have on your departments and communities.
Read More
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.
Read More
Facilitated
by Thom Singer, the Conference Catalyst and Emcee
Join Thom for a fun conversation about what you’ve learned so far at PWX,
the best take-aways you’ll be sharing upon your return home, and your
thoughts for topics and formats for the 2018 PWX.
We usually think of asset management as involving city buildings and structures, and public infrastructure. Learn how the City of Florissant, Missouri, enforces building codes, zoning codes, and local ordinances to help maintain the property values of residences and businesses throughout the city.Learning Objectives:Identify where to begin and how to apply a property maintenance program to city assets.Educate and inform city leaders (elected officials, business community, etc.) on how better to maintain and improve property values and quality of life.Prepare and present new codes and/or ordinances that will better serve residents, businesses, and the general public.
Read More
What happens to a plow truck when the snow season is over? Do you unhook the plows and sanders in the spring and hope all is well for next winter?…
Read More
The Province of Alberta produces 69% of Canada's annual fed-cattle output. Alberta is often called feedlot alley. With these types of intensive operations, getting products to market has an overwhelming impact on Lethbridge County's road and bridge infrastructure. The county identified that it required an additional $3.5 million per year for the next 35 years to upgrade and maintain its infrastructure. Using an extensive public consultation process, the county developed a ""funding our future"" program that adapted level of service standards to prioritize the market access network and develop risk mitigation strategies. This session will provide a good example of how an asset management plan can assist in communicating to residents the public works and infrastructure priorities needed for continuing economic success.Learning Objectives: Examine how level of service data can assist public works directors with their infrastructure deficit planning.Engage elected officials in the asset management process.Expand awareness of public consultation solutions to help plan for funding priorities.
Read More
We are reaching the tipping point for a profound change in how people will move and connect with each other. Stand-alone, mechanically-controlled, petroleum-fueled vehicles will soon be replaced by electrical, interconnected, and electronically-controlled modes of transportation. The resulting improvements in our mobility, efficiency, comfort, and social inclusion will change the way we live. Change as drastic as this will not advance smoothly but in pulses of activity. It will require tremendous planning and life adaptation. From the use, capacity, and design of transportation infrastructure to the development of new rules and regulations, there are many things that we need to be prepared for. Policy makers at the federal, state, and local level are not keeping up with the rapid advancements in technology and social expectations. Join in this discussion of how public works can accelerate our efforts to catchup.Learning Objectives: Inform you about fast-approaching and critical impacts of AV industry on our day to day life and environment.Explore AV technology.Encourage to expedite creation and implementation of policies, rules, regulations and planning to address impacts of AV.
Read More
The winter storm battle in the Southeast is usually confined to an 8-10 week period. Forecasting for this region can be troublesome as a small variance in temperature of only 1 to 2 degrees can impact road conditions. Since winter storm events are often short in duration, budgets are usually inadequate for obtaining the appropriate winter maintenance materials and equipment. Join in this discussion of how public works departments in the Southeast meet this challenge.Learning Objectives: Make confident decisions when planning for the uncertainties of weather events.Develop training and scheduling procedures for short-term winter weather events.Collect forecast data from several sources to make more informed decisions.
Read More