APWA AZ Newsletter 2019 May
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May 9, 2019 May 15, 2019 May 15, 2019 NEWSLETTER SPONSORS
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This is a time of year when announcements are made about awards that individuals and projects receive from APWA national. Traditionally, Arizona has submitted nominations for a variety of projects for consideration. We also regularly submit for AWPA's "Top Ten" public works professional of the year - 2 years ago David Fabiano of Gilbert was a "Top Ten" award recipient. We regularly submit for the annual "PACE" (Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence). Last year Arizona was, again, a PACE Award recipient. This year we made a special effort to encouraged our members to consider submitting nominations for a number awards that recognize the effort of individuals for their work as "professional managers" in one of 9 (nine) categories such as "Administrative Management", "Engineering and Technology", "Water Resources", amongst others. This has been a "good year" for our Arizona Chapter. As noted, we received a PACE Award, presented at last year's PWX. We also have TWO "Top Ten" Recipients this year; Beth Hunning, PE, City Engineer for the City of Mesa, and Jennifer Toth, PE, County Engineer for Maricopa County and the Director of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation. Having one Top Ten is a great honor to the individual and the chapter (there are after all only 10 each year); having two from a single chapter in a given year in incredibly unusual and speaks to the depth and quality of the public works industry here in Arizona. Congratulations to both Beth and Jennifer. In addition, 20 projects from Arizona were submitted for consideration for APWA's Public Works Projects of the Year awards. Two (2) projects were selected as award recipients:
were selected as American Public Works Association’s Public Works Projects of the Year for 2019. Congratulations to the Town of Marana and to the City of Tempe. Finally, Ms. Amber Kerwin, Executive Management Advisor, City of Tucson was selected as APWA’s Professional Manager of the Year – Administrative Management winner for the year 2019. Congratulations to Amber and to the City of Tucson. Awards such as these recognize the quality and the quantity of effort the public works professionals - agency personnel, consultants, contractors , and vendors - put forth on behalf of our communities to provide the quality of life we enjoy here in our fine and beautiful state. We realize that preparing a submittal package requires an serious commitment of resources - time and effort. However I hope that everyone, from the award recipients to those whose submittals weren't selected and to those who didn't have a nomination for this year, will look at the APWA Award program as a way to say to the public and to our elected officials that our peers recognize the quality of our work for them in making our lives here in amongst the best. Sincerely,
APWA Luncheon National Public Works Week APWA is proud to announce “It Starts Here” as the theme for the 2019 National Public Works Week. This theme represents the many facets of modern civilization that grow out of the efforts put forth by the public works professionals across North America. What starts here? Infrastructure starts with public works... Growth and innovation starts with public works... Mobility starts with public works... Security starts with public works... Healthy communities start with public works... The bottom line is that citizens' quality of life starts with public works.
Statewide Conference
Meet Your Keynote Speakers  STEVE CORREIA is a professional computer geek who has played many roles in different industries (real estate, state government, software development, banking, consumer goods, and working for Microsoft). Along the way he's taught college-level communication classes, led marriage and parent counseling, refereed ice hockey, and performed as a cast member of the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Steve will utilize his diverse background to present Thursday’s keynote “Become a Geek Who Can Speak”.Geeks are committed to their chosen craft, and they are critical to identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems in all areas of life. No matter the type, style, or task, geeks have one thing in common: They usually suck at communicating to people outside their universe. So how can you help refrain them from insulting their clients? How can you encourage geeks to embrace their non-geek clients in a way that leaves them delighted as opposed to deflated? Two things: Mindset Change and Communication Competence. Moving from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset frees you to embrace change, becoming a learn-it-all instead of a know-it-all, and welcomes new ideas from all angles without threat. And learning the key principles of Communication Competence allow your IQ to shine without crushing your client’s soul.  KRISTY BIDWILL, founder of Game Time Coaching, speaker, coach, and author will take you through her six-year journey of self-discovery captured in her book, Becoming Unstoppable: Tools to Elevate Your Game. During Friday’s keynote she will inspire and empower you by revealing the tools that led her to living intentionally and ultimately, a life she dreamed.She will take you through the adversity of breaking her back to nine weeks later leading a blind veteran to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, an experience that changed her perspective on the meaning of life. Kristy also dealt with the unexpected when she trained for an Ironman in 90 days without ever completing a triathlon or riding a race bike, and she used intrinsic motivators to find comfort in the uncomfortable. Kristy will draw the parallels of how these lessons translate throughout her life both professionally and personally. Through the power of purpose she will show how you can reach new levels and inspire others to do the same. You will be amazed at the ease in which you can apply Kristy’s simple lessons to take your career, company, team, and clients beyond what you ever imagined. Fun Night (Carnival Theme) Details
Special thanks to those firms that have already registered as sponsors and exhibitors:
Exhibitors
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to:
2019 AZ APWA Family Potluck Picnic
New Members
New Member Spotlight
Name and Title: Kevin Perko, P.E. / Public Works Program Manager Agency: Rick Engineering Company With APWA Since: 2019 Describe your job responsibilities: Procure and manage public works projects, marketing and business development for new work, and managing in-house staff. What was your favorite project to work on in the last 10 years? Construction Administrator for the US 2 Widening Project from the Montana State Line to Junction US85, North Dakota Department of Transportation. As CA for the 17.7-mile widening, asphalt rehabilitation and concrete overlay roadway project, I was responsible for the contract administration, inspection, materials sampling, and project office documentation including preparation of all scoping documents, coordinating the project startup with project stakeholders, managing the consultant field staff, providing senior oversight, and preparing consultant and contractor billing documents. Due to the weather-related shortened construction period, the project was completed in five months (except for landscaping, which was installed after the next spring thaw!). Where have your travels taken you?: To 38 US states and 35 National Parks Name one thing not many people know about you: I’m a University of Florida alumnus – Go Gators! (well, maybe next year) Who's Who in Public Works
Name: Adina Lund Agency: City of Peoria How long have you been in this position? Almost 2 years Where did you work previously? I have been with the City for 16 years working in both the Capital and Development divisions. I started my civil engineering career 28 years ago working for the WSDOT in roadway construction offices. What Challenges do you experience in your role? I really enjoy being able to look towards the future of our City and where we are headed with development, transportation, and redevelopment. At the same time, I love that I can still be involved in day-to-day engineering decisions working closely with my staff brainstorming ideas and finding creative solutions. How long have you been an APWA member? 9 years Have you served on the Board or any committees? Not yet…… What benefits do you get out of being a member? I enjoy reading all of the articles and staying up to date on changes in our industry. Tell us about your family and hobbies: I have a husband that supports me in this sometimes-hectic job. We have two children one who has down syndrome. I spend my free time riding my bike, hiking, going to sporting events, traveling, and watching both boys play baseball. I strive to be very active in the disability community and am very proud of the projects where we are able to address needs in the community.
Committee Spotlight - Events and Community Outreach Committee Meetings Occur: 2nd Friday of the Month at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, 1590 E. Bethany Home Rd What to expect from the committee: Assist in organizing our annual APWA Family Picnic, Holiday Party, networking/social events and community service/volunteer opportunities. How can you contribute: Lend your expertise to help us plan and promote our events. In addition to social/networking mixers, the APWA Committee organizes volunteer opportunities including assisting with homework and leading an engineering project with the kids at the St. Vincent de Paul Dream Center, environmental clean-up projects to improve various communities and collection of contributions for St. Mary’s Food Bank and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. This is a truly fun and energetic group of professionals interested in advancing the goals of APWA and making a positive impact throughout the community. Name and email of contact for interested members: Barbara Ritter, barbararitter@mail.maricopa.gov Names and firms/agencies of committee members: Barbara Ritter, Maricopa County DOT Caryn Logan Heaps, Landscape Architecture BAB Alberto Gonzalez, Entellus Dan Richards, Strand Janet Sharkey, Cardno Emily Grimsman, Valley Metro Kristin Peck, HILGARTWILSON Kristin Tytler, City of Surprise Loretta Flick, Cardno Nicole Moon, WSP Scott Kirchofer, Achen-Gardner Stew Waller, Rinker Materials APWA National Top 10 Leaders of the Year
Jennifer Toth, Director and County Engineer at the Maricopa County Department of Transportation has been named an American Public Works Association (APWA) Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year in 2019. When asked about being recognized as one of the 2019 APWA Top 10 Leaders Jennifer said, “This has been such an incredible honor and I am humbled to be selected for this award.” For more than 20 years, Jennifer Toth has been a leader in the public works industry and has been on the leading edge of transportation trends. Jennifer’s career began with her participation in ADOT’s Engineer in Training program. Since then, she has served as Arizona’s State Engineer and as Maricopa County’s County Engineer. She has served the public works and transportation industry on the national level with AASHTO, NOCoE and the TRB by assisting in research and guiding policy development. She has also served in local, state and national leadership positions with professional organizations such as Women in Transportation, American Society of Civil Engineers and Institute of Transportation Engineers. She has also served in national leadership roles in the field of connected and automated vehicle technology. Jennifer’s career has been built upon a commitment to collaboration. She has led several complex and sensitive projects in Arizona such as Arizona’s first rural design build projects on State Route 68 (SR 68), a $43.3 million, 13.7 mile capacity and safety project that stretched from Bullhead City to Golden Valley. She also led the first context sensitive solutions projects in Arizona when she helped develop an innovative approach to improving the scenic SR 179 highway in Sedona. Through her leadership, the stakeholders in Sedona became more like partners and participated in narrowing alternatives from more than 80 options down to a single preferred solution. Jennifer also believes in giving back to her community and industry. She has volunteered with the developmentally disabled, with students interested in pursuing STEM careers and with community recovery efforts through the Katrina Emergency Support Function (ESF) #14. Through this commitment to giving back, Jennifer also established many professional development programs at both ADOT and MCDOT. For example, she has established a mentorship program at MCDOT that pairs developing professionals with more seasoned professionals to encourage growth in such areas as goal setting and public speaking.
During her 12 years with the City of Mesa, she has had the opportunity to work on projects that most engineers never get to experience in their careers. She led her team to build the Cubs Spring Training Facility; a $120 million-dollar project that encompassed a 125-acre site, 20-acre community parks and 5 acres of urban fishing. This project won the 2015 Arizona Forward Award of Merit for Site Development, Parks and Trails. Additionally, she and her team oversaw the construction of the new Signal Butte water treatment plant, the City’s third plant with a total project cost of $134-million dollar. Furthermore, the City is expanding the Greenfield Water Reclamation Facility, an effort between the Town of Gilbert and Queen Creek. This is a $206 million-dollar project that showcases Mesa’s regional leadership. Beth directed her engineering staff in developing and deploying a CIP Mesa project management system program. It is an all-inclusive project management system that brings consistency and efficiency to procurement practices and puts information on scope, budget, photos, documents such as contracts, RFIs, communications, schedule and close-out information all in one place for every one of their over 250 active projects. Beth has been a strong proponent to developing learning opportunities for young engineers and engineering students. In 2009, she and her team developed a paid Student Internship Program that works with Arizona State University’s School of Engineering. Students are hired to work in Mesa’s office and be exposed to City public works engineering. In addition, her staff developed shadowing and mentoring programs for all staff to assist them in developing skills for future promotional opportunities. Public Works Job Opportunities City of Mesa City of Mesa https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mesaaz City of Scottsdale https://workzone.apwa.net/career/38923/Department-Transportation-Director-Arizona-Az-Scottsdale City of Surprise CIP Project Manager – Future Opening Associate Engineer – Future Opening  Legislative Session Overview, by: APWA Government Affairs Committee This week closed as the legislature surpassed the 100-day mark (103 days on Friday, April 26th). Traditionally 100 days signaled the end of or nearing the end of the legislative session. However, to date lawmakers are no closer finalizing a budget, making it possible that sine die is likely to run into late May or early June. The Highway safety fee legislation passed last year is fighting off lawmaker repeal legislation due to its increase from the original amount of $18 dollars per vehicle registration to $32 dollars per vehicle. The budget process has almost grinded both chambers to a halt, with only a few bills moving through committees for discussion. The number of remaining active bills in both chambers is 258.HB 2109; County Transportation Excise Tax was signed by the Governor on Tuesday, April 9th. This bill doubles the transportation sales tax level that counties can take to their voters from one-half to one cent. The tax rate cannot exceed one cent when combined with any county road tax. This authority does not include Maricopa County. The texting while driving; prohibition, enforcement (HB2318) was signed into law by Governor Ducey on Monday, April 22nd. This enacted a hands-free law banning the use of wireless devices while driving. The law took effect immediately, however penalties for the infraction will not become effective until January 1, 2021. If a city or town had an existing ordinance in effect prior to the signing on April 22nd, 2019, those entities may continue to levy penalties for distracted driving. However local laws that differ from the legislation may remain in effect until 2021 after which all must be consistent with the state law. SB 1398; miniature scooters, electric stand up scooters was signed by the Governor as well on April 22nd. This legislation provides cities and towns with a path forward for establishing additional regulations on electric scooters. The bill establishes a definition of “electric standup scooter” and grants riders the same rights, privileges and duties as bicyclists. Many infrastructure funding bills with proposals of general fund distributions are still outstanding and could possibly make there way into the budget negotiations. Some of those bills include HB 2026 – bridge maintenance; HB 2047 – HURF distribution to counties, cities and towns; HB 2456 – State Aviation Fund; HB 2611 – Navajo Nation Bridge Replacement & SB 1302 – I-17 Expansion.
2019 Award Nominees Nominations for the 2019 APWA Arizona Chapter Awards have been submitted. Winners will be recognized at the August Statewide Conference in Tucson. Nominees include: Award of Merit Category:
Manager of the Year Category:
In the Project of the Year – Environment Category:
Project of the Year – Structures
Project of the Year – Transportation
Project of the Year – Historical Restoration/Preservation
In the Project of the Year Small Cities/rural Communities Category:
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