Member
Tigard, Oregon recently enhanced their technology and business process improvement in order to prepare for a newly constructed $164 million water system source. Due to changing water chemistry, the city needed to clean approximately 227 miles of water distribution piping. Using technologies like a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) with geographical information system (GIS) connectivity, and a computerized water hydraulic model, the city developed and completed an efficient and effective ""Uni-Directional Flushing"" (UDF) program. The use of different technologies helped plan and manage the program, including work planning, performance benchmarking, and project tracking. The city was under deadline to complete the flushing program prior to delivery of water from the new system in order to ensure high water quality.Learning Objectives:Define SSOs and the impact they can have on the environment.Identify the factors that create SSOs and the best approach to managing the issue.Improve efficiency and effectiveness using enhanced technology and business process strategies.
Read More
Traffic incidents caused by wrecks, breakdowns, hazards in the road and weather events happen every day. These incidents result in injuries, fatalities, billions of dollars of damages and delays in…
Read More
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.
Read More
(Presented by APWA's 2017 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) Class)APWA's Emerging Leaders Academy provides intensive leadership and management training within the context of public works. It encourages professional growth through a strong network of peers and offers an in-depth introduction to APWA at the national and chapter levels. As an element of their class project, the 2017 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) participants have investigated how public works departments can increase their presence and reputation within their communities. Their findings revolve around four major components: Leadership: Explore the qualities of servant leadership and why this type of leader is successful in the public works environment. Resilience: Consider how well your public works agency adapts to adversity and meets the challenges of disaster response and infrastructure resilience. Outreach: By engaging the public through events, various forms of media, a strong outreach program empowers people of all walks of life to feel an emotional connection to public works and all the services provided to the community. Technology: By using 21st century technology, including social media, public works is able to provide two-way exchanges of information, involving the public in collaborativeLearning Objectives: Identify the type of leaders that can best serve your public works operation and the community at-large.Discuss the importance of building resiliency into to public works infrastructure and services.Develop a public outreach program that deploys social media and other communication strategies to increase the presence and reputation of public works with your community.
Read More
Successful implementation of asset management does not happen by accident. It requires a carefully considered plan to ensure that your agency's goals are met and measureable results are achieved. Using Polk County's pavement management program as a case study, this session will review the steps for implementation, decision-making and reporting requirements, software configuration, testing, and training. Also featured in this session will be a case study highlighting how Dunedin, Florida performed a stream-lined implementation using best practices, a gap-fit process, and field calibration exercises to ensure expected results.Learning Objectives: Conceptualize the process needed to perform a critical review of an existing asset management system and then plan for updates and enhancements.Recognize the functionality required in an asset management software package as it pertains to all collected assets and the agency's goals.Analyze the cost-effectiveness of a robust asset management plan and gain support from key decision-makers.
Read More
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.
Read More
Privatization, de-privatization, managed competition-this panel of solid waste management leaders will NOT answer the question on which system is best. (Sorry!) But they will share their expertise and case studies concerning the costs and benefits of each option, discuss issues with service delivery and customer service, and provide tools you can use to design or tweak your service delivery systems. We'll also focus on how to ensure better customer service, fair treatment of employees, and a safe working environment.Learning Objectives:Discuss the different benefits between privatization, de-privatization, and managed competition.Examine how to analyze costs benefits between the three options.Review how to ensure better customer service and a safe working environment.
Read MoreThis session will discuss the process of how to construct a new athletic field from design, bid and installation and then how to develop a maintenance program to ensure safety and sustainability.
Read More
Variable Speed Limit (VSL) systems aim to provide realistic, reliable, and real-time speed limit information to roadway users. The Iowa DOT has deployed four VSL systems that are currently running…
Read More
Ever think that the public service departments (i.e. Police and Fire) get all the glory, but what people don’t realize is without YOU, they are not able to do their jobs? If that pothole is not filled, if that pipe is failed, if that road is impassible after a storm, if the fire is in the woods and the fire department can’t get to it without YOUR help, if the traffic signals are not operational, if the stop sign is down, if that police car is in the shopa.and the list goes ona.who is called to come to the rescue? We need to change our mindsets, we need to have our public service departments advocating for usa.but how do we get them to do that? They dramatize how people will DIE if they don’t have that new fire truck or new police station to service the publica.well, we can be just as dramatic a..use them to help your cause. Come to our interactive session to creatively think of ways to be heard and get what you need.Learning Objectives:Persuade the public service departments to be on your side.Advocate your cause with a little help from your public service departments.Initiate creative ways to band together with your public service departments.
Read More