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The world of engineering is facing challenges no one has ever tackled before. Some of these issues include climate change, efficient transportation solutions, maintaining adequate water supplies for a growing population, and putting light rail trains on a floating bridge. With these obstacles in front of us, we need the best and brightest on our teams. However, the profession is dismissing half of the population before they are ever given a chance. If we do not work together to encourage women to enter the field of engineering and stay in the field, we will all miss out on the innovations and contributions that come from their unique perspectives.
Read MoreBoth polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, and municipal water supply and are harmful to humans and our environment. One may be lesser known in some regions, but widely recognized (and banned) on the west coast, mid-west, and locally in Greenville, South Carolina, and Asheville, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Town of Matthews, and Boone, North Carolina. PAHs are a group of chemicals created by heating or burning material that contains carbon. PAHs are present in coal tar sealers, asphalt sealers, and liquid propane (LP) derived sealers. Although coal tar sealers have a higher PAH level than other sealers, PAHs are present in high levels in asphalt and LP-based sealers. The speaker will provide insight from his position as the Southeast U.S. Director of the Asphalt Sealcoat Manufacturer’s Association (ASMA). The purpose of ASMA is to provide a common specification for asphalt-based sealers for use by governmental and private bodies to ensure both quality and environmental safety.
Read MoreLos Angeles County’s newly-implemented Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) generates $300M per year to specifically address resiliency and stormwater issues by improving water quality, increasing drought preparedness, prioritizing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), providing disadvantaged community benefits, and promoting green jobs, among other benefits. As the local communities work together to transform the landscape into a more resilient version of itself, one challenge looms large: how do we choose the best suite of projects to balance multiple benefits, maximize return on investments, and allow us to clearly and transparently measure our success? This session describes a groundbreaking collaboration between permitted municipal agencies and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that delivers consensus-based policy recommendations rooted in modeling and scientific rigor.
Read MoreWhile the potential for utility delays is a well-known risk for all municipal capital projects, how you tackle these risks can have monumental impacts on the operational efficiencies of utility owners as well as the municipality. At the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, their roadway infrastructure Capital Investment Plan is funded every two years with approximately $100MM, accounting for 150-200 active capital roadway projects. The projects’ scopes vary, but the one constant is that the private utility providers—electric, gas, and telecommunications—will have unavoidable project impacts in most of the projects. In this session, staff from the City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and AT&T will share their approach, intentions, best practices, lessons learned, and areas of concern in their quest to achieve success for their organizations and partnership.
Read MoreThe Emergency Management Technical Committee has tackled the subject of dam safety for 2022. The committee has identified public safety risks associated with low head dams as worthy of further…
Read MoreCity leaders embarked on an ambitious $13M Watershed Master Plan program in 2019 to better understand the magnitude and severity of flooding across the entire city and proactively develop flood…
Read MoreThe presentation will give a brief history of Charlotte's first African-American park, the purpose for the renovation project, determination and analysis of existing conditions, and how and why the design…
Read MoreAre you aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has specific requirements related to managing snow on public property? Did you know that you have always been required to maintain your accessible routes, even during the snow periods? Further, are you aware that you cannot just plow the streets and shovel the sidewalks without clearing off the curb ramps too? Also, did you know you cannot place the plowed snow where it will obstruct accessible parking or the route to the accessible parking? In this presentation you will learn from an expert how to keep your citizens with disabilities safe while protecting your agency from completely avoidable access-related litigation arising from ADA non-compliance in your winter maintenance practices.
Read MoreWorking with multi-generational union and non-union staff can present many challenges. Understanding different workforce attitudes and good planning are essential for successful management of this diverse workforce. This session will offer tips for how best to work in this environment for ultimate success.
Read MoreWhether proposing infrastructure project budgets, relaying critical construction information to stakeholders, or sharing emergency updates to residents, gaining community support and communicating to that community is a key component of a successful public works department. In this session, our presenters will discuss how thought-out and innovative communication plans are vital to the perception of public works departments and community support. Reviewing two case studies, the speakers will discuss outreach and branding strategies used for the City of Gloucester’s Department of Public Works and the Town of Lexington’s Downtown Revitalization Project, sharing how consistent branding and messaging has not only streamlined communication to the public but how these efforts have positively impacted the perception of public works professionals and the imperative work they do.
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