APWA in Mexico Latin American Task Force coordinates successful participation in ICLEI-Mexico National Public Works and Services Congress in Tijuana, Mexico, April 25-27, 2012 PWA through its International Affairs Committee (IAC), Latin American Task Force (LATF) and Jennings-Randolph (JR) Fellowship Program has actively supported technical and educational exchanges with Mexico and Mexican public works officials and practitioners for over 12 years, primarily through reciprocal attendance at partner conferences. Over the last several years, APWA members and officers have attended and participated in a number of ICLEI-Mexico Congresses, while ICLEI-Mexico staff have attended and participated in several APWA National Congresses. (ICLEI-Mexico is the Mexico City-based office of ICLEILocal Governments for Sustainability, an international nonprofit membership association focused on working with local governments on issues surrounding sustainability and climate protection.)
This past April, a six-person delegation representing APWA traveled to Tijuana, Mexico to attend ICLEI-Mexico’s National Public Works and Services Congress. The conference venue was the multi-story twin tower Grand Hotel, located adjacent to a golf course several miles from the border and away from the commercial/tourist center of town. Leading the delegation was Bob Kass, current Chair of APWA’s Latin American Task Force, who offered welcoming comments on behalf of APWA President Diane Linderman and made a presentation to attendees about APWA and the current state of the practice of public works. Joining Bob at the Congress, and also making presentations, were: •
Jose Gamboa, Assistant General Manager, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (Salinas, California)
•
David Akers, P.E., Principal, Aztec Concrete, San Diego, California
•
Martin Rivarola, AICP, Director of Community Development/Interim Director of Public Works, City of Mission, Kansas
•
Ray Dovalina, P.E., Assistant Transportation Director, City of Phoenix, Arizona
•
Miguel Aceves, P.E., Project Manager, CDM Smith Consultants, Phoenix, Arizona
Presentation topics included: Regulation and Public Policy in the Delivery of Public Works and Services (Jose Gamboa); Implementation of Technology for Total Sanitary Landfill Elimination (Jose Gamboa); Sustainable Development and Planning in Mission, Kansas (Martin Rivarola); Permeable Concrete (David Akers); Complete Streets (Ray Dovalina) and A Case Study in Sustainable Design and Construction— the Salt Lake City Airport Light Rail System (Miguel Aceves). Throughout the conference, the APWA delegation networked with public works professionals from south of the border, discussing common challenges
Conference attendees take a minute for a photograph with ICLEI staff. From left to right: Edgar Villaseñor (ICLEI Mexico Executive Director), Miguel Aceves, Ray Dovalina, David Akers, Martin Rivarola, Itzél Alcerreca (ICLEI Program Coordinator), Bob Kass 38 APWA Reporter
July 2012
Bob Kass, Chair, APWA Latin American Task Force, presents a general session on the State of the Practice of Public Works at the ICLEI-Mexico Public Works Conference in Tijuana, Mexico.
