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Sunday, September 13, 2009

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

	A Decent Proposal: How to Buy Professional Services
Contractors, vendors, and purchasers of services alike are often frustrated by the traditional Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Examine the challenges associated with the RFP process and learn about an alternative to the traditional way of doing things.

A Stormwater Utility—The Five Year Payoff!

Lancaster, Ohio, implemented a stormwater utility in December 2003. This dedicated revenue source has collected approximately $1.7 million annually to fund various activities, including NPDES Phase II permit requirements, sewer separation projects, enhanced GIS applications, funding for grant matching and capital improvement projects, etc. Find out how this was accomplished and what is planned for the next five years.

An Historical Perspective on Privatization

Sponsored by the Public Works Historical Society Join us for this focus on both contemporary experiences and long-term trends in private, governmental, and mixed arrangements for the provision of public services and infrastructure. Panelists include a public works practitioner who will describe some of what he has learned in making decisions on different arrangements and an historian who will bring a long-term perspective to the issues.

Climate Change, Flood Prediction and Emergency Management: An International Perspective

Sponsored by APWA’s International Affairs Committee Traditional stormwater system design is based on empirical formulas and historical weather data. So what happens when the reliability of the historical data becomes questionable based on climate change? An emerging trend in developing countries is to integrate weather radar with surface instrumentation to better predict flash flood conditions. This session will also explore the creation of a national warning system in Romania aimed at reducing the economic impact of seasonal flooding.

	Designing Maintenance Garages for Energy Savings
Fairfax County, Virginia, got tired of replacing expensive make-up air heaters in their maintenance garages and implemented an infrared system that utilizes modern demand ventilation that lowers energy consumption. The infared heat system creates better capacity and coverage than make-up air heaters and complies with exhaust requirements while greatly increasing employee comfort levels.

Get the Picture— Public Works Uses for Imaging Technologies

The City of Hamilton, Ontario, estimates a cost savings of $200,000 annually in staff time and a reduction of over 50,000 kilometers of driving to construction sites through an innovative use of GPS images that interface with Google Earth. Applications range from confirming the status of infrastructure prior to utility or developer activity to use in risk management claims, traffic operations, and asset management confirmation.

	High Energy Leadership: Motivating, Energizing, Leading Your Staff!
Being a “leader” is something we all would like to be known for – amongst our peers, in our communities and in the eyes of our staff. Hear from a successful public works leader how leadership is often a factor of asking the “right” questions; knowing when to use the elephant gun vs. the pea-shooter; when to de-select and re-direct; and how to motivate, mentor, and network.

Management of Infrastructure Assets: What Is It? Who’s Doing What? Tell Me More!

State and local agencies are experiencing a shift in emphasis from “building the system” to “managing the system.” Today’s challenges of an aging infrastructure, increased congestion, and limited financial resources, make the adoption of innovative practices for maximizing system performance an imperative. Asset and performance management are key to providing the accountability that the public is demanding.

	Saving Time, Energy, and LIVES: Controlling & Monitoring Your Electrical Infrastructure
Review the features and benefits of various implementations of the new Federal Highway Administration’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Standard for Electrical Lighting and Management Systems. Learn how to enhance your street and roadway lighting maintenance plans, monitor and control ground fault/electrical leakage conditions and power usage by circuit and fixture.

2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

	Athletic Field or Dry Storm Pond?
Built properly, athletic field systems can be active bio-filters for large storm events. The mass of sand, roots, vegetative material and microorganisms can provide the perfect properties for cleaning, detaining, cooling, storing and reducing the heat island effect.

	Common Sense and Green Design—What a Concept!
Sponsored by APWA’s Facilities & Grounds Committee Common sense and green design go hand-in-hand. Explore building and site design ideas and get planning tips for building and site orientation, site planning, and materials selection. You’ll leave with a checklist to use in your conversations with design professionals.

	Financing an Evolving Fleet
Accept this challenge to reconsider how you do business and finance your public fleet. The County of Los Angeles was challenged to cut operating costs by 7 percent without letting service levels decline. Find out how they’ve implemented a new software system that “speaks” to the financial system and how they capitalize on grants to cover the costs of retrofitting and re-powering their equipment.

H1N1 Virus - Public Works Prepares

As the number of confirmed H1N1 cases spreads and the Pandemic Influenza Phase alert system keeps elevating, it is imperative that public works agencies take precautionary and proactive measures. You must recognize how a pandemic can impact your ability to provide basic services. Attend this discussion of what local agencies must do to provide continuity of operations and how to deal with the three phases of a pandemic - alert, activation, and recovery.

	International Solutions to Common Global Issues
Sponsored by APWA’s International Affairs Committee A panel of international experts will address the approaches each is using in their parts of the world to address climate change and the strategies they are deploying to reduce the carbon footprint of public works operations.

Keyhole Technology— Pavement Micro-Surgery

Sponsored by APWA’s Utilities and Right-of-Way Committee Keyhole technology is a time-saving alternative to common excavation and restoration methods which often require large “open” excavation followed by disposal of unwanted pavements and soils. Keyhole technologies create small, precisely controlled holes to access buried utilities and are used for inspection, repair, maintenance, and installation tasks.

Landfill Gas—"Green Energy Center"

The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) has developed the first landfill gas “Green Energy Center” capable of producing both fixed and mobile fuels. For the first time, landfill gas can be cleaned to pipeline quality making it available for CNG, microturbine fuel, food grade CO2 as well as products related to bio-diesel and hydrogen. SWACO plans to apply this technology to home-based fleets such as school systems, refuse collection, mass transit, and private distribution fleets.

	Managing for Results: Justifying Maintenance Budgets and Getting Projects Funded
Take a look at this roadmap designed to help public works departments “get in front of” of the budget process. It translates what public works does into terms that everyone can understand: quality of service, asset condition, priorities, and cost-effectiveness. Maintenance is a major budget item. Find out how to better justify your maintenance budget.

	Risk Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities
Don’t miss this case study of the innovative work done by the Regional Municipality of Niagara to understand and manage the risks facing its water and wastewater systems. You’ll gain an in-depth insight into how risks were identified, risk scoring was determined, and best practices and lessons learned by this forward-thinking municipality.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

	Can You Read the Signs? Complying with the Retroreflectvity Requirements
In 2008, a new standard for traffic sign retroreflectivity was issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with the goal of ensuring that nighttime visibility of signs be improved. The first compliance deadline for some warning signs and guide signs is 2015. By 2018, all signs need to be in compliance. This session will discuss the science and technology of retroreflectivity.

Preparing Your Department/Agency and Fleet for the Unexpected!

Sponsored by APWA’s Fleet Services Committee Our country has been hit with several major disasters over the last decade and much has been learned about how to deal with the unexpected and its aftermath. This session’s speakers have been involved in both ends of the spectrum--preparedness and recovery. No two disasters are alike but fleet managers can follow the basic principles for preparedness whether for a hurricane, blizzard, flood, fire, tornado, or even a political convention.

Road Safety Audits – When and How?

Sponsored by APWA’s Transportation Committee A road safety audit (RSA) is a formal safety performance examination of roads and intersections. It is different than an engineering study or safety review in that the multidisciplinary review team also includes members from law enforcement, emergency personnel, and maintenance workers. Find out what knowledge and resources are available to help you perform an RSA and explore the lessons learned from other agencies that have completed the process.

	The Hows, Whys, and Wherefores of Accreditation
Get it straight from those who have been through it! Learn from Accredited Agencies why they chose to enter into the process, how they accomplished success, and what they have gained from the experience. These speakers won’t pull any punches as they describe what it costs, how much work it requires, how long it takes, and whether it is worth it!

Top 10 ADA Facilities Mistakes

Sponsored by APWA’s Facilities & Grounds Committee Examine this countdown of the top ten ADA facilities mistakes. We’ll take you on a visual tour of photos and graphics that clearly show the difference between well thought out designs and the status quo of unintended consequences. Money is seldom the issue in good ADA design. Instead it is common sense factors such as the design and location of fixtures, the layout of pathways and amenities, etc. Find out how accessible design benefits everyone - not just those with disABILITIES.

Water Quality Trading and Using TMDLs to Measure NPDES Compliance

Sponsored by APWA’s Water Resources Committee Many NPDES permit holders are concerned that if they use TMDLs to measure compliance with the Phase II requirements, the financial costs could be prohibitive, or the climate and watershed characteristics of their region would make the TMDL process impractical. Join this discussion of the pros and cons of the TMDL system and how to establish a Water Quality Trading Program using a watershed approach.

Monday, September 14, 2009

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

21st Century Pavement Construction, Rehabilitation and Maintenance Alternatives

There is now a myriad of cost-effective and environmentally-friendly pavement technologies available. Cold-in-place, hot-in-place, reclaimed asphalt, shingles in hot-mix – many of these materials can reduce energy consumption and emissions, plus conserve natural resources and reduce the price of construction. Join us for an analysis of cost savings and performance associated with alternative pavements.

	Blueprint Planning and Sustainable Transportation
Sponsored by APWA’s Transportation Committee Explore best practices for greener transportation – including energy and fuels, green materials, alternatives to driving, and sustainable land use patterns and smart growth.

Cutting through the Heart of Cleveland—Constructing the Euclid Corridor

The goal of the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project (ECTP) in Cleveland is to improve transit services and support increased development along the avenue. Learn about the challenges and solutions found for various aspects of the project including: coordination and interaction between the ECTP contractors and utility firms occupying the right-of-way, the complex factors affecting sidewalk construction, pedestrian zone and intersection enhancements, upgrades to street lighting, alignment of consistent curb lines and travel lanes.

	Eco-Driving and Idle Reduction: Guaranteed to Save 5–10 Percent of Your Fuel Budget
Sponsored by APWA’s Fleet Services Committee Learn about two strategies that will definitely reduce fleet management costs and improve the environment. Eco-driving is a driving style that improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. Idle reduction is a strategy combining driver education and devices to shut off engines when idling for more than a pre-set time interval.

Gray to Green for Horizontal Construction

Sponsored by APWA’s Engineering & Technology Committee Explore three different projects for horizontal green/sustainable development for public venues and rights-of-way. Project I involved the conversion of the El Toro Marine Base to a planned community and metropolitan park. The second project involved recharging a groundwater basin, restoring native habitat, and improving the quality of dry-weather flows through a natural treatment process.

	Landfill Gas Carbon Credits— Impacts for Landfill Owners
Sponsored by APWA’s Solid Waste Management Committee Discover how the concept of landfill gas carbon credits can benefit your landfill operations and your community. We’ll explore the concept of gas carbon credits, describe existing carbon markets, review pricing strategies, and how to qualify for carbon credits. We’ll also take a look at the Chicago Climate Exchange operation.

Leading the Generations

Sponsored by APWA’s Leadership & Management Committee For the first time in history, four generations are working side-by-side in the workplace. Each generation has values, behaviors, and work ethics that were shaped by the economic, social, and political climates of the times in which they came of age. Enjoy this review of what motivates each generation toward job satisfaction, good communication, and productivity.

	Public Works Mutual Aid in Disasters: U.S. and Canada Best Practices
Sponsored by APWA’s Emergency Management Committee A joint panel of United States and Canadian members and mutual aid experts will consider the implications for developing public works mutual aid systems and share best practices from both countries. They’ll also explore the need for a cross-border mutual aid system to respond to disasters in either country.

	Urban Myths Associated with Street Cleaning
Examine why it is important that street cleaners be able to pick up the entire range of accumulated particulate. We’ll cover how communities can design optimal street cleaning programs and reap community-wide stormwater pollutant reduction benefits from a comprehensive program.

	What's New in Procurement: Electronic Bidding, Reverse Auctions and Tips on Stimulus Spending
Still using the paper bid process? Learn about e-procurement platforms that are being used in the public sector creating efficiencies throughout entire systems. We’ll also discuss the concept of reverse auctions which are an excellent method for finding true market value for your agency’s purchases.

2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Advocacy: Persuading Local Officials to theTake the Long-Term View for Public Works Investment and Planning

Sponsored by APWA’s Leadership and Management Committee A panel of public works pros will talk about how to convince local officials that planning for the long-term is not only the “smart” choice; it is the “only” choice that will create a sustainable future for your community. The panel will get into the nitty-gritty of how they accomplished positive change in their communities through effective, long-term planning and advocacy.

	An Innovative Green Solution for Urban Street Renewal
Canal Winchester, Ohio decided to deploy a green focus for reconstruction of one of its oldest streets in an historic neighborhood. Their green strategic planning resulted in a design that preserved trees, used pervious concrete pavement to handle storm run-off, created new parking areas, well-defined traffic lanes, functional lighting, and neighborhood safety.

	Commissioning Your Fleet Maintenance Buildings
Many jurisdictions are in need of new fleet maintenance buildings to accommodate new technologies and demands. This presentation will define what it means to “commission” a facility and demonstrate why this method will help facility owners ensure that building systems are operating efficiently and effectively once the contractors have packed up their tools and left the site.

	Full-Depth Pavement Reclamation with Lime Kiln Dust—Case Studies
Full-depth pavement reclamation involves the recycling of an asphalt pavement and a predetermined portion of the underlying material and/or subgrade soil, to create a stabilized base for a paved surface. Examine the benefits of in-place recycling for failed asphalt pavements and a process that uses industrial by-products such as lime kiln dust.

Levee Update - Safety, Certification, and Map Modernization Issues: Impact and Effects on (Small) Cities

In 2007 Congress passed the Levee Safety Act, establishing a Committee to develop recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program. The National Committee on Levee Safety (NCLS) submitted their report in January 2009 recommending: •Leadership via a National Commission, •Strong Safety Programs in all States, and •Aligned Federal Programs. Listen to an overview of the recommendations, receive an up-to-date status report, learn about related initiatives, and learn more about how this initiative may affect your community.

	Mentoring that Works
Sponsored by APWA’s Diversity Committee Mentoring programs are a must-have for those agencies that face the loss of the baby-boom workforce in the next few years. Knowledge transfer and leadership mentoring are essential components to any agency’s succession planning.

	NIMS Credentialing—What It Means for You
Sponsored by APWA’s Emergency Management Committee It is way past time to get-up-to-speed on the NIMS credentialing program. Discover how the program was developed, how it will work in emergencies, and the employee training and qualification requirements to become a credentialed responder. Also learn more about what it takes to create credentialed Public Works Response Teams.

Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance

The proximity of land development and construction activities to transmission pipelines are a significant safety challenge to the public and to workers. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and several stakeholder organizations (including APWA) initiated the Pipelines & Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) to recommend practices related to risk-informed planning for development around transmission pipelines.

	Solid State Lighting, A Solid Investment?
High-efficiency, solid-state, LED lighting is taking the lighting industry by storm. LED lighting is a promising technology, but there are several factors to consider that will make the difference between an energy-saving solution and an expensive flop. Get tips for how to properly evaluate LED systems against life cycle costs and long term savings.

Using the Internet to Share the Burden of Erosion Control

The City of Madison, Wisconsin, requires that construction site erosion control and stormwater management documents be submitted electronically to facilitate shared Internet access. They also require erosion control permit holders to conduct self-inspections weekly and after each ½ inch rainfall. Then the results are entered into a publicly accessible database via the Internet. Communication, compliance, and enforcement have all been expedited.

3:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

	A Better Understanding of Chemical Deicing
Let’s take the mystery out of the science behind chemical deicing. End-users need to know not only how environmentally-friendly and cost effective different products are, but also how deicer performance relates to factors such as eutectic temperature, eutectic concentration, deicer freezing point, heat-releasing properties.

	Empowering and Supporting Field Employees
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works solved its field and headquarters communication issues by forming a Field Council Program. This program has resolved issues with miscommunication, unintentional omission, and misinterpretation. Find out if this program could be a model that could be replicated by your agency.

	Funding for Diesel Retrofit Projects
Funding is now available from EPA for clean diesel activities. Find out how to apply to this grant program and learn about strategies that can quickly result in significant emission reductions. Public fleet managers cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

	Neighbor Helping Neighbor—Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network
In response to numerous disasters (tornadoes, ice storms, and floods) that seemed to be affecting the region with increasing frequency, members of the Illinois and Chicago Metro Chapters helped facilitate the establishment of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. Gain from their experience and lessons learned and begin the process for creating a mutual aid system for your area.

	Nontraditional Solid Waste Management Labor Sources
Sponsored by APWA’s Solid Waste Management Committee Examine two success stories from Missouri where nontraditional labor is being used for solid waste management functions. Sheltered workshop participants throughout the state are helping to process recyclables, and one city is using inmate labor to accomplish some recycling activities. Will this model work for your area?

Productivity through Generational Diversity

Sponsored by APWA’s Diversity Committee American history will denote that seamlessly merging four unique generations into today’s workplace is more difficult than expected. Come hear a representative from each of these generations (Silent Generation, Baby Boomer Generation, Generation X, and Generation Y) talk about their individual perspectives on the world of work, and what their suggestions are for making this merger more transparent. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of each generation, and learn new ways to communicate with them more effectively.

Shades of Green: Calculating Your Community's Sustainable Return on Investment

Many communities are planning for green initiatives, but 4 out of 5 don’t know how they will pay for their implementation strategies. Achieving the “right” shade of green will require careful evaluation to determine a sustainable return on investment (SROI) for each strategy under consideration. This session will present a five-step process for finding the right match between available options and community priorities and resources.

Warm Mix Asphalt? Can Your Community Benefit from This "Green” Asphalt Technology?

Sponsored by APWA’s Engineering & Technology Committee Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is an innovative technology in road building that reduces volatile organic compound emissions. WMA is mixed and placed at temperatures that are substantially less than hot mix asphalt. Working at lower temperatures WMA requires less fuel to bring the mixtures to temperature, the siting of asphalt plants is easier and the construction season can be expanded.

4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Asset Management for ADA Compliance Using Advanced Technologies

The Bellevue, Washington Transportation Department developed an innovative approach to managing ADA compliance. A Segway equipped with an ultra-light inertial profiler sensor box enabled the City to capture highly accurate location-specific information about slope and small surface variations that can make a sidewalk difficult to negotiate. Finally, GIS was instrumental in creating a web-based mapping interface for asset management and ADA compliance monitoring. The City of Bellevue’s pioneering work is a nationally recognized best practice.

Protect the Environment: Trenchless Technology for the Rehabilitation of Large Diameter Sewers

Several trenchless technologies were evaluated for the rehabilitation of the Patapisco Interceptors in Baltimore County, Maryland. They looked at cured-in-place pipe, slip lining, excavation and replacement and spiral wound PVC. Based on the ease of construction, cost, and flexibility, they chose cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) as the best method for this project. Learn how they accomplished this major undertaking.

Public Works as First Responders for Traffic Incidents and Other Emergencies

Responder deaths and injuries on roadways are an increasing concern as “struck-by” secondary incidents seem to be on the rise. Public works’ role in setting up traffic controls, debris removal, rescue and recovery, perimeter security, and immediate repairs to surfaces and structures means that public works needs to be in on the planning and development of policies and procedures for first response for not only traffic incidents, but also in overall emergency and disaster response. Find out how Overland Park, Kansas, is handling training and drills, staffing, equipment staging, and planning for relief and recovery efforts.

Safe and Environmentally—Friendly Equipment Maintenance Facilities

Sponsored by APWA's Fleet Services Committee Are you providing a safe environment for your equipment maintenance workforce? Technicians need to know how to shut down or lock out unsafe equipment; how to neutralize harmful exposures, what clothing and equipment is required to protect eyes, ears, and feet. Let’s get together and discuss safe work practices and how to comply with the rules for providing a safe and hazard-free workplace.

The Greening of Land Development and Public Works: LEED for Neighborhood Development

In 2009, the first LEED certification for neighborhood development will be released. The rating system will include points for reduced automobile dependence, the use of existing water and sewer systems, the avoidance of flood plains, walkable streets, and transportation demand management. Attend this session and review the prerequisites and checklists for each category and learn about pilot development projects underway throughout the United States.

What Will We Do When It Rains? Budgeting for Small Cities/Rural Communities

Sponsored by APWA’s Small Cities / Rural Communities Committee “Rainy Day” funds in most small communities are either non-existent or depleted, so planning for the further effects of the current economic downturn is a crucial issue. A panel of local city and county leaders will discuss how they are working through these issues and what plans they are implementing to ensure that their communities are able to manage future budget crises.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) Breakfast: Certification - The Benefits are Significant!

(Ticketed Event - separate fee and pre-registration required) Moderator: Lamont (Bud) Curtis, PE, DEE, CSM, Senior Engineering Manager, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Norfolk, VA Speakers: Becky Stein, CAE, Certification Manager, American Public Works Association, Kansas City, MO; Brian P. Flynn, PE, BCEE, President-Elect, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Principal, MRE, Inc., Austin, Texas; Joseph S. Cavarratta, CAE, Executive Director, American Academy of Environmental Engineers, Annapolis, MD Certification provides benefits not only to the professionals who are certified but also to the entire profession itself. The Certification Programs offered by APWA and AAEE promote professional excellence and a commitment to service, benefiting the individual and the community. Join us for this examination of the programs offered by both associations.

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

“Pretty Good Practices” for a Public Works Leader

APWA Management Practices and other good tools are readily available to public works leaders to help them improve their leadership and management skills. Yet many leaders think they have too little time to sort out which practices will work best for them. Join this timely discussion of seat-of-the-pants approaches in critical areas that can provide immediate improvement and lead to long-term solutions that can be implemented later.

Are You Prepared? Creating Climate Resilient Communities

Sponsored by APWA’s Emergency Management Committee Let’s examine what public works needs to consider when planning for the predicted of effects of climate change on the built infrastructure and on the delivery of public works services. Case study examples will be presented including what we can learn from the experiences of Midwest communities during the 2008 flooding and how they are preparing for an expected increase in the frequency and intensity of rain/flood events.

City of Indianapolis Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Program Goes Green

The City of Indianapolis is updating their Stormwater Design Manual to define and standardize the use of green infrastructure applications. They will describe the cost benefits and effectiveness of green techniques for CSO abatement compared to traditional storage-pump-treat mechanisms. Examine how they established public/private partnerships for the development of the downtown Indianapolis Cultural Trail greenway project.

	Clearing the Air: 2010 Emission Standards
The 2010 EPA Emission Standards will focus on Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology and Advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology. Examine the science behind these technologies and the operational impacts on preventive maintenance and driver interface. We’ll get into real world “what ifs” – and help you plan for the future.

	Growing Change: Rain Gardens in Southwest Ohio
Examine the practicalities of Warren County, Ohio’s establishment of a successful rain garden program. Learn about the project costs and funding mechanisms; project planning and installation process; perceived and measured performance of the gardens over the last year; and the public education process.

	HAWK—Pedestrian Crossing Beacon Signal
In experimental use by the City of Tucson, Arizona, the HAWK Pedestrian Beacon Signal has achieved very high compliance rates. The need to balance pedestrian needs and drivers’ delay time is critical and the HAWK crossing system allows drivers to continue once the pedestrian has crossed without excessive red light time.

Looking Inside the Crystal Bin: Forecasting the Future of Solid Waste Hauling

Sponsored by APWA’s Solid Waste Management Committee Solid waste hauling is a complicated system driven by pricing, distance, and equipment. Rising fuel costs, dwindling space for transfer stations and landfills, technology changes, sustainable best practices – all of these factors and more will have impact on the industry. Join this discussion of what your operation needs to be considering and planning for now – to remain viable in the future.

	Reap the Financial Benefits: Innovative Approach to Energy Conservation Projects
The City of Marietta, Ohio has implemented a Comprehensive Energy Analysis for all city facilities including office buildings, fire stations, wastewater and water treatment plants, city parks and recreation facilities, street lighting and traffic signals. Find out which Energy Conservation Measures they are implementing and how they are funding them.

	Sustainable Infrastructure Master Plans: A New Approach to Meet Our Common Challenges
As part of an overall growth management initiative, York Region developed an award-winning sustainable infrastructure master plan that includes specific objectives and performance measure and targets for implementation. This master plan is truly integrated with their overall growth management initiative and could serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.

Utility Damage Prevention – What Can Your Agency Do?

Learn how other agencies are addressing underground utility damage prevention through establishing a right of way management office, public outreach, coordination with utility companies, accurate locating, inspection, reporting damages, and adopting a robust encroachment ordinance. Data from DIRT - Damage Information Reporting Tool - a secure, confidential web-entry program that allows excavators and others to supply information about facility damage, will be presented to provide a better understanding of why, where, when and how damages occur.

1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

Disaster Recovery: Getting Ahead of the Learning Curve

Disaster recovery is an arduous, time-consuming process that requires effective interaction with state and federal agencies. It requires a high level of technical expertise, fortitude, foresight, and innovation. Attend this session to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of applicants to the FEMA Public Assistance Program to rebuild and restore public services and infrastructure.

	Mobility Rules—An Approach to Complete Streets
Columbus Complete Streets is an initiative to enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and transit travel providing safe access for all users. The Columbus program incorporates context sensitive design practices to reflect the community’s environmental values. Determine how your city could benefit from deploying Complete Street principles into long-term planning.

Public Works’ Role in Ensuring Water Sector Resiliency

The interdependencies between water and wastewater systems and other critical infrastructure are often not fully appreciated. Power generation, transportation, firefighting, the cooling of telecommunications systems – can all be affected by the loss of water infrastructure. Public works plays a critical role in ensuring the continuity of water and wastewater services. Learn about the results from EPA pilot projects designed to strengthen the emergency response linkage between the water sector and public works.

	Sustainable Return on Investment (SROI) Public Decision Tool
In response to the need for an objective and transparent analytical approach for calculating SROI, Columbia University and the Clinton Global Initiative created a decision support tool that can be used to make the objective case for the investment of public resources. Find out how to help elected officials and others see the risk/benefit quotient when making the choice for sustainability.

	The Right BMP in the Right Place at the Right Cost
Deciphering the many BMP options available can be an arduous and complex task. Appropriate and feasible solutions are usually site-specific. This presentation will focus on differing approaches to BMP development for both site development and corridor development design.

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

SPECIAL SESSION: The Developer of People

An effective leader develops a plan to transfer his/her leadership skills to other employees and create a learning environment. Teaching, coaching, training, or giving feedback can accomplish this transfer of skills and learning environment creation. This session focuses on designing a process for creating learning opportunities for all your staff. R. Glenn Ray, PhD, understands that leadership is all about change, change is all about choice, and choice is all about communication. For 23 years, he’s been helping leaders create environments where employees communicate clearly and choose to commit to organizational goals. Glenn is the author of ten books and he has a weekly column on leadership in the Marietta Times. His most recent books are The Facilitative Leader and You Can’t Push a Pig into a Truck. Glenn will be sharing his insight and expertise in three special sessions designed for the challenges public works leaders face

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Community Water Harvesting—The Missing Element in Sustainability

The impeding water “crisis” exists not because we are creating a larger carbon footprint – but because existing water infrastructure management is inefficient. Traditional models focus on water movement and treat stormwater as a waste product instead of a renewable resource. New water harvesting models treat, collect, store, provide surge and flood control, and promote water reuse. No discussion of sustainable practices should exclude the important concept of water harvesting.

	Driving the Risk Out of Public Fleet Management: Change Behavior, Improve Road Safety, Impact the Bottom Line
Driver risk management solutions, assisted by in-cab video, are enabling municipalities to improve driver behavior. Video and audio evidence reveals what actually happened in collisions and “he said/she said” service issues – exonerating drivers who are not at fault and supporting claims of process inefficiencies. These approaches will improve driver safety and improve your bottom line.

Infrastructure Renewal to Support 21st Century Lifestyles, Technologies, and Challenges

The Country Club Area Sewer, Water and Street Reconstruction Project in Edina, Minnesota is slated for completion in the fall of 2009. This project deployed every known trenchless technology to reconstruct all the public utilities along five miles of right-of-way without removing any boulevard trees in this historic district. Find out about the approaches used to assure a well-coordinated project.

Job Order Contracting—One Answer to Several Public Works Dilemmas

Learn about the City of Phoenix, Arizona’s experience with Job Order Contracting (JOC). They’ve been able to cut down on the time and expense of procurement for small, repetitive and/or hard to define projects; engage the contractor community in defining scope, means, and methods for projects; minimize effort and maximize effectiveness for in-house resources; and save money and deliver quality services.

	Taking Steps toward Sustainability
What does sustainability really mean? What types of projects and processes would lead to the best sustainable return on investment? How does “green infrastructure” planning fit within the principles of sustainability? Examples of sustainable practices in the pubic works field will be featured in this presentation.

	The Future of Transportation in America—A Discussion of the New Federal Surface Transportation Bill
Sponsored by APWA’s Government Affairs Committee The current federal surface transportation bill expires in September 2009. Join this timely discussion of the components of the proposed new bill and hear from a panel of transportation experts about how the new legislation will shape transportation policy for the next decade.

	The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Navigating FEMA's Public Assistance Program
Don’t miss this overview of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program including pre-event documentation strategies, pre-position contracts, and best practices for reimbursement. You’ll leave with tips for navigating the process and for preparing staff prior to events, documenting damages and costs, and understanding the rationale behind FEMA’s reimbursement policies and practices.

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Emergency Preparedness Plan for Operating Yards

In August 2008, a devastating propane explosion occurred in the north end of Toronto. This catastrophe greatly impacted the city’s operations yard – damaging the building and garage, equipment, vehicles, and the salt dome. This presentation will challenge you to assess your level of preparedness to deal with this type of emergency. Toronto was able to resume operations, relocate staff and facilities in 36 hours. Find out how they did it.

	Growing Your Own Director—A Case Study in Succession Planning
When faced by the retirement of their experienced Public Works Director, the City of Greeley, Colorado developed a formal mentoring plan geared to specifically groom a qualified individual to be the public works director. Get tips for developing a work plan, a mentoring/coaching plan, and a transition plan.

How to Herd Cats: Coordinating City Departments and Private Partnerships to Transform the Downtown Riverfront

The City of Columbus’s revitalization efforts on the riverfront encompass the whole range of public works services -- parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths, bridge renovation, neighborhood development, parking, sewer rehabilitation, waterline replacement, private utility upgrades, etc. These projects require a significant amount of planning, negotiating, and cooperation. Find out how they are keeping these projects moving forward in a systematic and holistic way.

Innovative Winter Maintenance Practices of High-performing Agencies

Sponsored by APWA’s Winter Maintenance Subcommittee Because of new technology, there has been a dramatic increase of innovative ideas for winter maintenance activities. Learn how these technologies are being deployed in cutting-edge communities. In these challenging times, winter maintenance managers are always looking for new technologies to help them "do more with less." Research conducted by the Winter Maintenance Team for the U.S. Domestic Scan Program indicates that solid outcomes are being achieved. Don't miss this exploration of best management practices across the nation.

Is There a Role for Detention Facilities in the Age of Low Impact Development?

Sponsored by APWA's Water Resources Committee The focus of stormwater management has dramatically changed from an approach that considered only quantity to now emphasizing water quality. With this shift, is there still a place in the toolbox for detention/retention facilities? The answer is yes – but the role of these facilities is evolving. Examine the use of detention/retention strategies from a watershed management approach and the influence of low impact development design principles.

Outsource Your Entire Public Works Department—It CAN be Done in a Major City!

Outsourcing public works to a private sector contractor is a hotly debated issue these days. Discover how this approach is working in Centennial, Colorado (population 110,000.) Examine the lessons learned, how to quantify what you want, how to set performance standards how to use technologies like GPS to get accurate reporting, and build in flexibilities to the contracts to account for variable prices in fuel, asphalt, and other factors.

	Rolling Out Internet Bidding at the Ohio Department of Transportation
The Ohio Department of Transportation implemented Internet bidding for road construction projects. Five years later, there are more than 300 Ohio contractors bidding online. Find out how ODOT rolled out this program and how the contractors responded. Learn about the benefits and efficiencies gained through using this Internet bidding tool.

Use of Hydrovac Excavation to Improve Safety and Production Rates on Municipal Projects

Safety is not a buzzword and damage prevention is not a fad. Hydrovac excavation is one solution changing the approach to the dangers of underground construction. This process safely exposes buried utility lines to daylight (daylighting.) Over the past ten years, Ontario municipalities have incorporated the use of this technology into a number of areas of operations including forestry, engineering, and water system maintenance and construction.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

7:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Changing Fleet Maintenance to Fleet Management (Workshop/Tour)

The City of Columbus recently constructed a new $27 million fleet facility. Through the centralization process, additional testing and training the City of Columbus Fleet Division has won the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal Award for the 2nd year in a row. Enjoy this combined workshop and tour of this amazing facility. You’ll learn about their technician training programs that have led to a safer work environment and great accountability. Find out how they have reduced parts expenses while maintaining quality standards, and developed performance measures for preventive maintenance, inventory control, reduced expenses, increased efficiencies and employee retention.

The Main Street Bridge: Bridge Design with an Incline (Workshop/Tour)

As this new century dawned over Columbus, Ohio, civic leaders understood that one of their major challenges lay within their transportation system. Time, weather, and traffic had taken a toll on a major artery consisting of a multiple-span, open-spandrel concrete deck arch bridge built in 1937. This bridge needed replacing and soon! Join us for this combined workshop and tour of the new Main Street Replacement Bridge. It will consist of a single-ribbed arch inclined at a 10 degree angle to gracefully span the Scioto River and provide the city with a new aesthetic symbol. The bridge is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. and one of only a few in the world. Find out about how the project is being funded and the complex design issues and then take a tour of the construction site.

Two Way Is the New Way! Creating a Pedestrian Friendly Street (Workshop/Tour)

Examine the City of Columbus Gay Street two-way conversion project from design through construction. Included in the project were better pedestrian access, landscaped medians, decorative street lighting, and sewer and water line improvements. This accelerated $6.8 million dollar project was designed within a year and substantially built within one construction season. During the project, private utility work became necessary to support a new residential development. Also, proposed facilities had to be adjusted regularly as existing utilities frequently were not located where the "records" said they were. They met every challenge and brought the project to completion on time and under budget. Learn how they did it and then participate in a tour of the completed Gay Street conversion.

8:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

iGoogle—Do You Tweet? Enhancing Public Works Services Using Social Media

Twitter, Ning, Linkedin, Facebook, Second Life --- local agencies around North America are figuring out that these online social networking tools are a great way to communicate effectively with residents and employees alike. Public works professionals have come up with many creative and practical uses for social networking such as tracking crew onsite locations using Twitter, keeping residents informed of public works news via public NING sites, and sharing and designing projects in the virtual world prior to deploying them in the real-world. It is the cool (and ingenious) thing to do!

The Enabler of Change

Being able to successfully survive change in today's volatile environment is a key requirement of all organizational members. People feel differently about change. Some embrace it as exciting. Some avoid it because of the pain. Still others adopt the winning side once the change is solidified. This session helps participants understand how they tend to approach change and how to systematically choose to address it. The change model taught in this session focuses on the alignment between individual needs and organizational vision. R. Glenn Ray, PhD, understands that leadership is all about change, change is all about choice, and choice is all about communication. For 23 years, he’s been helping leaders create environments where employees communicate clearly and choose to commit to organizational goals. Glenn is the author of ten books and he has a weekly column on leadership in the Marietta Times. His most recent books are The Facilitative Leader and You Can’t Push a Pig into a Truck. Glenn will be sharing his insight and expertise in three special sessions designed for the challenges public works leaders face

8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.

(AAA) Air, Alley & Asphalt

The City of Chandler, Arizona has chosen a unique and innovative way to reduce air particle pollutants, enhance neighborhood aesthetics, improve drivability, develop materials recycling, and encourage utility depth compliance. How? By implementing a dust suppression program that consists of reusing and recycling asphalt millings from other streets and applying them to dirt roads, alleys, and shoulders.

How to Write a Technical Manual that Users Can Actually Use

Producing user-friendly public works department manuals involves clear thinking about format, writing style, and the types of processes to be described. This session will not be about grammar and sentence structure – but rather about how to organize and present content. Users will not be reading the manual from cover to cover. They will be scanning for specific content on a case by case basis. If they cannot find the information in five minutes, the manual has failed. Find out how to do it right.

	Innovative Contracting: Beyond Signing on the Dotted Line
These times call for exploring innovative ways to serve the public interest. Learn how some cities are pooling resources and leveraging consolidated demand to increase their negotiating power and the value of services delivered. Many communities are breaking new ground in cross-jurisdictional collaboration and public-private partnerships.

	Making NIMS Work for You!
Explore the model developed by Carson City, Nevada to create a cohesive system between public works and public safety agencies of emergency preparedness and response. Rather than let public works get lost in the push to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), they have integrated public works into everyday response – making NIMS work for everybody.

	People-to-People APWA Delegation to India
In 2007, a delegation of public works officials travelled to India under the auspices of People-to-People International. They visited several areas in India to explore that vast nation’s unique challenges for creating and operating modern infrastructure including: potable water supply, highways, wastewater treatment facility and air pollution initiatives.

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Public Works Stormwater Summit

Facilitator: Paul Hindman, PE, Executive Director, Urban Drainage & Flood Control District, Denver, CO and Member, APWA Water Resources Committee APWA’s Water Resources Committee has planned an exceptional learning opportunity for public works directors and stormwater managers. The day will open with a special guest presentation from Donna N. Myers, Chief, National Water Quality Assessment Program Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Ms. Myers will discuss USGS initiatives and programs that could benefit public works agencies and projects. The rest of the day will feature an in-depth look into stormwater management financing mechanisms. Public works officials have long wrestled with the issue of financing stormwater management programs to pay for the capital improvement, maintenance, operations, and administrative costs associated with achieving water quality requirements. In today’s economy, the funding issue is even more critical. Case studies will be presented featuring examples of innovative funding programs deployed in Ohio and in Colorado. You get the opportunity to have your questions answered by industry experts and to share your solutions with your colleagues. 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Donna Myers, Chief, National Water Quality Assessment Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA Recent Trends in Urbanization and Water Quality in the U.S Over the past 50 years there has been a shift in demographics with most of our population now living in urban areas and within 50 miles of the coast. Water-quality trends in urban areas include increasing levels contaminants in streams, lakes and groundwater and altered hydrology from stormwater flows. Information on the major factors affecting urban water quality will be presented along with implications for how to protect and preserve these natural features and improve our quality of life. 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Financing the Northeast Ohio Regional Stormwater District (NEORSD) Stormwater Management Program Speakers: Betsy Yingling, Stormwater Program Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Stormwater District; Andrew Reese, Vice President, AMEC Earth and Environment, Inc.; 10:45 – 1:15 p.m. Break to attend the Congress Closing General Session and for lunch 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Ohio’s Smorgasbord of Stormwater Financing Mechanisms Speaker: John Mathews, Chief, Division of Soil & Water Services, Ohio Department of Natural Resources 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Creating an “Authority” to Finance a Multi-Jurisdictional Stormwater Utility Speakers: John McCarty, Executive Director, Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority, Centennial, CO; Jon Sorenson, Senior Stormwater Consultant, AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Speakers and Audience Discussion and Q&A

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

	Put Away Your Crystal Ball—How to Really Predict Future Costs and Eliminate Surprises on Construction Projects
Project costs can be a moving target. Wouldn’t it be great to have real time data combined an historical guide to track project costs and eliminate surprises? Examine a web-based construction management system that is coupled with a new process to develop control curves. Reporting and project management has been made easier more accurate.

Sneak Preview: Next Generation Public Works Systems

Traditional public works financing schemes tend to address symptoms. We need national and regional policies that address a whole-system perspective. This presentation will feature the broad gamut of game-changing ideas, new technologies, real-life examples of public works systems around the world that are already on the road to managing and delivering public works services that reinforce good principles and practices, sustainable systems and services, and responsible financing strategies.. The future demands both new ways to re-imagine and transform basic facilities into multi-functional landmarks and integrated design processes that strategically combine multiple systems and services.

The Journey: Redefining Work Culture and Service Delivery—The Ann Arbor Story

In 2000, the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan underwent a strategic reorganization and change effort to reduce the workforce, overhaul job classifications, and implement a detailed training and professional development plan. Not an easy challenge to meet. Attend this session and learn how they were able to reduce the workforce by 20% without a reduction in services. Best of all, they were able to continue to support a stewardship work culture that resulted in increased moral and job performance.

	Who Should Do the Work? Contractor vs. In-House
Examine this case study of two county agencies that successfully competed against outsourcing opportunities. Explore how to accurately compare in-house and contracting costs and evaluate a method designed to ensure that internal resources are performing work in a competitive manner that will allow them to compete against private contractor outsourcing.

Who's Gonna Take My Place?

Sponsored by APWA’s Small Cities / Rural Communities Committee One of the major issues for small cities and rural communities is succession planning. Explore the model used by South Jordan, Utah to ensure trained workforce and succession planning for leadership positions. You’ll learn how they analyzed upcoming staffing needs, conducted a skills assessment program, and executed a training and mentoring plan.

1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Designing Communication for Difficult Situations

How would you like to get into and out of difficult situations without making the relationship worse? Many people struggle with how to start difficult conversations, how to be productive in the dialogue, and how to create accountability. In this session you will learn specific tools to enable you to be successful in the most difficult conversations and relationships. Participants will leave with action plans they will be able to implement in their personal difficult situations. R. Glenn Ray, PhD, understands that leadership is all about change, change is all about choice, and choice is all about communication. For 23 years, he’s been helping leaders create environments where employees communicate clearly and choose to commit to organizational goals. Glenn is the author of ten books and he has a weekly column on leadership in the Marietta Times. His most recent books are The Facilitative Leader and You Can’t Push a Pig into a Truck. Glenn will be sharing his insight and expertise in three special sessions designed for the challenges public works leaders face

Measuring the Pedestrian Experience through Walk Audits (Workshop/Tour)

A critical component of the City of Columbus’ community mobility planning is the “walk audit.” During a walk audit, city staff and neighborhood residents take to the streets to identify deficient walking and bicycling conditions. This interaction between staff and community residents has helped all stakeholders understand the art of traffic calming and mobility planning. This program includes interdepartmental cooperation between Public Works and the Public Health’s “Healthy Places Program.” Enjoy this opportunity to conduct an actual walk audit in the Short North area of Columbus. You’ll leave fully understanding the walk audit and process and able to develop the tools necessary to implement this program in your own community.

Trails as Transportation: Concept, Construction, and Continuing Maintenance

Trails are not just for fun and recreation anymore. Shared-use paths are now recognized as an integral part of transportation systems throughout the nation. Attend this workshop designed to provide you with a roadmap for including trails and other accommodations for walking and bicycling into your agency’s transportation planning. This presentation will include discussion of common challenges encountered in planning and designing shared-use paths including design elements such as: logical termini, typical section, horizontal and vertical alignment, ADA compliance, drainage, vehicular crossings, etc.