UPCOMING EVENTS

January 15, 2020
APWA BOD Meeting
More Info >

January 15, 2020
APWA Luncheon
More Info >

February 5, 2020
Stormwater and Public Works Workshop
More Info >

2020 NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

CHEAP DESIGN IS EXPENSIVE:

For those of us who have been around awhile, we realize that the cost of design is but a small percentage of the “Total Project Cost” when considering construction, maintenance and operating costs. With that said however, the quality of the design has major impacts on what these costs will be to an owner long-term. That’s why it has been found that cheap design is a false economy and is usually more costly to an owner.

Cheap design tends to stifle innovation and produce designs that utilize costly “rules of thumb”, and an over reliance on typical details and standards, as opposed to evaluating more cost-effective alternatives. This results in hastily prepared plans and specs which inevitably leads to an inordinate number of “unanticipated conditions” and costly change orders, along with high operating and maintenance costs for the life of the given infrastructure.

For these reasons, and many others, savvy owners follow a “Qualification Based Selection” (QBS) process for procuring professional design services. For those new to the Public Sector, this QBS process is also required by law (ARS Title 34-603) where it is clearly stated that “The agent and the selection committee shall not request or consider fees, price, man-hours or any cost information at any point in the selection process…”. This is further reinforced in the federal arena by what is known as the “Brooks Law”  (PL92-582) where it states that agencies are to “negotiate contracts for architectural and engineering services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of professional services required and at fair and reasonable prices.”

Using the QBS process to select designers has allowed owners to move forward into the future with innovative solutions presented by the most qualified designers.

Sincerely,

Rob Kidder, P.E.
APWA AZ - CHAPTER PRESIDENT

APWA Luncheon
January 15, 2020
Topic: South Mountain Freeway
Speaker: Steve Mishler, P.E., DBIA - ADOT Design Manager
http://arizona.apwa.net/EventDetails/21030

Stormwater and Public Works Workshop
February 5, 2020

Statewide Conference
July 29-31, 2020

Special thanks to those firms that have already registered as sponsors and exhibitors:

• Opening Reception Sponsor

• Key Card Sponsor 
  
  
• Lanyard Sponsor 
  
• Fun Night Sponsor
  
• Platinum Sponsors

• Gold Sponsors

• Coffee Sleeve Sponsor
  
  

• Awards Lunch Sponsor
  
  

• Thursday Breakfast & Beak Sponsor
  Speedie & Associates
  
  

• Friday Beakfast & Vendor Drawing Sponsor
  
  
  
• Public Agency Sponsors
  
  

• Golf Sponsor
  Neenah Foundry
  
  
• Prize Drawing Sponsors
  
  

Exhibitors

New Members

APWA Holiday Party – December 5, 2019

Approximately 70 jolly attendees enjoyed this year’s holiday party at the Uptown Vig on 16^th Street.  Our chapter’s Events and Community Outreach committee planned the public works-themed event this year, which by all accounts was a welcome upgrade from last year’s joint event.  Much thanks go to our 15 sponsors, raffle and door prize donors plus our chapter board members who generously contributed to the party’s success, as prizes were drawn throughout the entire party.  With our chapter’s match of the proceeds from the raffle prizes, we presented St. Mary’s Food Bank a check for $1460.  Other SMFB donors matched December donations, so our donation generated nearly $3000.

Professional Development

Comparing Approaches to Inflow & Infiltration Mitigation

February 6, 2020

https://www.apwa.net/MyApwa/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CLL020620&utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Informz%20Emails&_
zs=t9auH1&_zl=VOWU5

Government Facility Security Programs & Technology

April 16, 2020

http://apwa.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT03NzQ1NjczJnA9MSZ1PTg1OTM4ODE5OSZsaT02MjU0NDkxMw/index.html

Public Works Job Opportunities

This section allows agencies to advertise their open positions. Please provide your advertisement and/or link to sniebel@woodpatel.com. 

APWA 2020 Annual Sponsorship
We have some great opportunities to highlight your firm including in the Southern and Northern branches of APWA. Check out the link for further information.
http://arizona.apwa.net/Content/Chapters/arizona.apwa.net/Documents/2020%20Sponsorship%20Flier.pdf

Invest in Yourself and Your Career

It’s the beginning of January and the time of year when we spend some time in self-reflection and make individual plans for the next twelve months. Now is the time to focus on YOU. We are not talking about new year’s resolutions, but true planning for the future…for your career! We are sure you have heard some of these familiar sayings, which forever hold true:

• If you put in the Time + Effort; you will see the Results
• You get out what you put in
• You get out of life what you put into it…Simple

Part of building your career involves networking and meeting people that become valuable resources in your professional and personal growth. Another part of career development is contributing to and giving back to the community. APWA offers many opportunities to do just that through volunteering. We want to help provide ways for you to grow your network, to become more knowledgeable, and to become a contributing member of society.

Many of our committees are looking to grow and could use some help. Below is a list of some of our major committees. A full list and additional information for each committee, including committee roles and meeting times, can be found here: Committee Directory.

2020 is all about “New Year, New You” – the key is having a clear vision of your professional goals and knowing what tools are available to help you succeed in those goals. Similar to the statement above: It’s simple…you get out of your career what you put into it.

It all starts with you in 2020 and APWA is here to help! 

Public works are the services and infrastructure required to sustain quality community life.