Video
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.
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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.
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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?…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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APWA's Fleet Services Committee has planned a very special learning opportunity for Fleet professionals. This program will consist of 4 separate presentations that will feature practical solutions on the issues facing Fleet departments in today's world. You may attend just those presentations that meet your immediate needs or join us for the full day of programming. If you are interested in obtaining CEU credit for those presentations that you attend, please see the volunteer monitors in the room and have your badge scanned after each presentation.Find out how to research and write equipment specifications, conduct the bid process, and negotiate training for your staff as part of the purchasing process.Learning Objectives:Write better equipment specifications.Determine how to manage the bid process.Negotiate the contract to include staff training.
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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.
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Faced with the challenge of keeping streets free of human waste, San Francisco Public Works launched an innovative program called the Pit Stop. This program offers public toilets where they are needed most, operating at 16 locations in eight neighborhoods. The Pit Stop locations provide toilets with sinks, a receptacle to dispose of used syringes and a dog waste station with bags and a trash receptacle. What makes the program different from other cities, is that the Pit Stops are staffed, which assures that they are used for their intended purposes and kept safe, clean, and secure. This program has been replicated in Miami and Sacramento, with more than a dozen other cities seeking more information.Learning Objectives:Provide an innovative approach to addressing the problem of human waste in the right-of-way.Partner with non-profit organizations to provide employment opportunities that benefit the community.Set higher expectations for allowable public behaviors.
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