April 2021: Facilities & Grounds
April 13, 2021
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
Registration is $50 for members and $75 for non-members. Registration discounts are available when registering groups and for the entire annual series.
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Urban Forest Master Plans: Partnering to Develop a Plan that Costs Your City Less, Engages More Stakeholders, and Ultimately Helps to Manage Your Urban Forest Effectively
Speakers: Dana Karcher, Matt Grubisich
Everything is Bigger in Texas, even urban forest master plans! With more partners, more input, more meetings, and more surveys, the urban forest master plan for the City of Dallas is thorough, engaging, and demands accountability. How did this happen and what did it take to get to this point? This talk will share the unique relationship among the Texas Trees Foundation, the City of Dallas, and their local citizens in the development of an UFMP. Presenters will share how this plan is funded, (here’s a hint, the majority of the funds are from a donor), new ways to engage citizens in meetings (not at city hall), and how not to allow the plan to sit on the shelf in the urban forester’s office. With sustainability, healthy communities, cleaner air, stormwater management, pest eradication, and walkable neighborhoods on every city’s list of wants, learn how Dallas’ urban forest master plan goes beyond tree management and addresses the needs of the City and the region.
Proficiency Level: Applied
Learning Objectives:
1. Collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders to obtain and drive what the city and the citizens need in an urban forest master plan
2. Negotiate the prosperity and pitfalls of working on a project that is not fully funded by the city, but that will influence the city’s urban forest for years to come
3. Improve community engagement across the city through unique tools, meetings, and marketing
The ADA and Local Government Facilities – Winning Compliance Strategies
Speakers: Heidi Lapin, John McGovern
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has applied to units of state and local government since January 26, 1992. In the 1990s, many governmental agencies were confused by the requirements. In the 2000s, the ADA was more warmly embraced. In the 2010s, the ADA mandates became much clearer, with many court decisions and the amendment of the design standards. This session provides strategies for applying the ADA to facilities, including City Hall, police station, cemetery, public works facility, parks, pools, sport fields, community centers, and beaches. Access is a function of design, construction and installation, and maintenance, and presenters will discuss common errors in each and offer easy remedies to ensure compliance. The session will use case studies from other jurisdictions, asking attendees to consider what side of the decision their agency would be on…the right side or the wrong side. The presenters bring unique local government perspective to the session. One speaker earned a law degree while working in local government. That education, with his local government experience, rule-making experience, and familiarity with the ADA, gives him a unique perspective on compliance with the ADA. The other speaker worked for local governments in Parks and Recreation and Facilities for more than 20 years. She brings firsthand knowledge of facility operations and construction projects, and has managed the teams that must ensure compliance.
Proficiency Level: Applied
Learning Objectives:
1. Determine the resources where they can find the ADA standard and better define the requirements
2. Integrate their knowledge of the ADA standards in planning, designing, building, and maintaining City and County facilities
3. Recognize common ADA facility maintenance mistakes and implement smart practices
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Concurrent Jam Sessions
Grounds Jam Session: Heritage Park - It Takes a Village
Speakers: Rey Rodriguez, Lisa Au
The City of Mountain View is challenged with meeting its park space requirements for residents within its build out city limits. In this case study of Heritage Park, the project involved the efforts of the city, a county grant, Friends of Immigrant House, master gardeners, and a private property owner with a windmill. The 1.22 acre park includes a historical Immigrant House, circa 1888 and restored to the 1920s, a donated Star Steel windmill from the 1930s, 150 trees, a demonstration garden, and bee hives. The design reflects a peaceful sanctuary for visitors away from their busy suburban lives, but the project completion required the dedication from diverse community groups to create this neighborhood gem.
Proficiency Level: Introductory
Learning Objectives:
1. Develop strategies for collaboration with multi-objective community groups to develop a successful project
2. Navigate the challenges for restoring a historical building and transporting it across town
3. Plan and execute various strategies for a multi-phase project to transform a neglected parcel into a neighborhood park
Facilities Jam Session: A Year Later: What We Know Now About Re-opening Facilities Safely
Speaker: Jeff Nichols
This session will discuss what we have
learned about re-opening facilities safely a year after the COVID-19
pandemic began. Topics discussed will include COVID-19 transmission
modes; updates on OSHA guidance (from Jan. 29, 2021) and the CDC science
brief (from April 5, 2021); re-opening strategies and HVAC strategies;
in-room HEPA filtration and target ventilation; effective leadership and
policies; and occupational hazards pertaining to the Safety Triangle
Hierarchy.
Proficiency Level: Introductory
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand key and useful updates over the past year from trusted agencies and industry sources.
2. Review importance of core facility strategies before re-occupancy.
3. Apply more effective leadership plans, policies and practices going forward.