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The City of Milwaukee embarked on a CNG program in 2010 with grant money provided by the State of Wisconsin using federal funds. Some advantages of the CNG program have included reduced fuel costs and quieter garbage packers. Attend this session for an overview of the successes and challenges of a CNG program.
Hillsborough County, Florida, conducted performance review of several operational areas. They gained valuable insight about opportunities to make work processes more efficient and effective. This session will cover the methodology for the reviews and the substantial savings that have resulted from deploying the recommended changes. The County has implemented a complete maintenance management system which is integrated with GIS, allowing them to track work completed and comparing the unit costs and productivity against established benchmarks.
“Get out of the office and circulate among the troops.” We’ve all seen the version of this where the boss joins the crew for a day, poses for a picture in a hard hat, and then is never seen again. Don’t miss this presentation by a public works leader who has adopted a regular, repeating program of inserting himself into workgroups. Every two or three weeks, he spends an entire workday as a member of a crew. He tells the crew to treat him like an extra, if unskilled, pair of hands. Invariably the barriers come down after a couple of hours and after the conversations about sports and families subside, questions are freely asked. Honest answers are a must, but this approach has strengthened relationships, countered bad perceptions, enhanced communication and built trust.
This session will feature presentations from the Netherlands about integrating the concepts of social cohesion and resiliency into the design of public spaces and infrastructure. Presentations will include: • Information about a design instrument that integrates input from all the various stakeholders involved in designing public spaces. • A case study featuring The Resiliency Strategy developed by the City of Rotterdam that includes these components: social cohesion and education, energy transition, cyber use and security, climate change adaptation, infrastructure, and changing governance.
To switch from dry material (sand or salt) usage to pre-wet salt and liquid anti-icing applications, several factors need to be considered: the type of equipment needed for pre-wetting and liquids application; approaches for staff training regarding the benefits of liquids and overcoming the “”we have always done it this way”” attitude; and the environmental impacts and benefits of using liquids.
Seeking to continuously improve operational efficiency, transparency, and oversight, the City of Omaha, Nebraska, implemented status applications tracking real-time plow movement, route completion, and material usage. Expanded GPS options allow for public-facing websites showing operational status. We?ll share lessons-learned and best practices implemented.
The operators who keep our roads safe and provide mobility during winter storms often find it a thankless task. But in truth, they are out in the worst sort of weather, often in the middle of the night, performing at the highest levels of excellence. It’s time to celebrate their hard work and service. Join us for this discussion of how to establish a Snowfighter Appreciation Day and getting support from elected officials, local media, and the community.
The Norwegian Association of Municipal Engineers, in cooperation with the Norwegian Water Association, recognize that public workers have a great influence on the livability and health of their communities. To recognize the contribution of water operators and engineers, they present an award each year called “Norway’s Best Drinking Water” to those responsible for ensuring safe and environmentally-sound water supply.
The diversity of characteristics and values represented by the various generations in the workplace can make for issues in communication, collaboration, and motivation. Join us for this discussion of the nine perceived vs. intrinsic competencies of Millennials and how to apply different managerial methods to create high performing teams.
Regardless of the type or quantity of vehicles or equipment your agency needs, the most important part of the procurement decision-making process is making the right selection for the agency’s needs. Not only can the wrong choices negatively impact the agency’s service delivery, but they can also waste taxpayer dollars. This session will provide an overview of APWA’s Spec Writing 101 publication that provides an overview of how to conduct a legal and ethical procurement process for vehicles, equipment, and services to meet your agency’s operational needs.