Georgia Public Works Magazine Issue 1 - March/April 2023

ROADS LEAD TO WHAT’S IMPORTANT.

It’s not just about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about having the freedom to get out there, live your life, and make memories happen.

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ISSUE

APWA GEORGIA CHAPTER

4915 Chase Lane

Cumming, GA 30040

www.georgia.apwa.net

PRESIDENT

Mr. Christopher Cox

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Mr. Felix Floyd

PAST PRESIDENT

Mr. Christopher Rotalsky

VICE PRESIDENT

Mr. Tyler Pannell

SECRETARY

Mr. Patrick S. Collins, P.E.

DELEGATE

Mr. Lenardo “Leo” Owens

TREASURER

Mrs. Becky L. Kinsey

ALTERNATE DELEGATE

Mr. Terrence Simpkins

Georgia Public Works is published by:

Tel: 866-985-9780

Fax: 866-985-9799

www.kelmanonline.com

Managing Editor: Marc Lagace

Marketing Manager: Rod Evason

Design/layout: Kellee Breckman

Advertising Coordinator:

Stefanie Hagidiakow

All rights reserved 2023. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express consent of the publisher.

MAKING OUR WATER SYSTEMS SAFER AND MORE RESILIENT

KEITH PUGH, PE, PWLF, APWA PRESIDENT

My favorite body of water is the one I am near at the moment. I was born in Pensacola, Florida, and have fond memories of spending time with my father, my grandfather, and my brother fishing in the Perdido River and the various ponds located in the panhandle. I also enjoy visiting the white sandy beaches and swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Florida Keys.

Today I work in North Carolina and live in Tennessee. I love to hike, which allows me to explore the woods and bask in the beauty of a tremendous overlook, a waterfall or a clear mountain stream. I enjoy kayaking, which allows me to explore lakes, rivers, and various other waters. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and the Great Smoky Mountains are some of my favorite places for these adventures. I’m often greeted by a beautiful waterfall, an inviting river or a pristine lake during one of my hikes. And as always, I believe in the principles of “Leave No Trace” when visiting these special places. I do pick up trash in the woods and pack it out. The only evidence I leave behind are my footprints.

We are lucky to have such breathtaking places to visit throughout the country. When you think about it, water is central to so many places that we are attracted to. But taking care of our water resources was not always part of our culture.

“Leave things better than you found them.”

In 1972, the bipartisan Clean Water Act was signed into law. The goal of the law was, and continues to be, to restore and maintain clean and healthy waters in the United States. Every day, I appreciate the work that public works professionals do to

achieve the goal of this legislation. Every day, I benefit from public works professionals who ensure that the water I drink is safe, that our stormwater systems are resilient, and that our wastewater systems operate in a manner that returns clean water back to the environment where it can be the source of another community’s drinking water. Believe me, I know that none of these tasks is easy.

Let’s think systematically, be visionary, and make sure that we get the best bang for each buck.

A little over a year ago, the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed. Grants, loans, and other forms of assistance will be distributed by numerous federal agencies to assist with projects in areas including transportation, water/wastewater, emergency management, resiliency, cybersecurity, and more. New programs will be executed through agency rulemaking procedures, and existing programs will receive increased funding. We as stewards of our infrastructure and environment have a chance of a lifetime to rebuild America’s infrastructure, including our water infrastructure.

As we look at this opportunity, I urge my public works colleagues to select projects that make the most sense to do now. We need to consider asset management principles and be fiscally responsible. We need to think strategically –what can we do now to build resilient infrastructure to serve today’s needs and withstand tomorrow’s challenges? We need to partner with others. Not always but sometimes, a regional approach is better, especially when accountability to those who pay for the services can be maintained. Let’s think systematically, be visionary, and make sure that we get the best bang for each buck.

We are lucky to have such breathtaking places to visit throughout the country.

When you think about it, water is central to so many places that we are attracted to. But taking care of our water resources was not always part of our culture.

President Pugh paddling out to Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park, NC

Sometimes, a regional approach is better, when accountability to those who pay for the services can be maintained. We can make our water systems safer, more resilient, and more efficient, and we will continue a path of restoring and maintaining clean and healthy waters for generations to come.

I have shared my father’s motto with you before: “Leave things better than you found them.” I am optimistic that with

the funding now available to us, with the advances in science and technology, and with the outstanding professionals who make up the American Public Works Association, we can make our water systems safer, more resilient, and more efficient, and we will continue a path of restoring and maintaining clean and healthy waters for generations to come.

President Pugh at Linville Falls, NC

President Pugh at Paradise Falls, Tuckasegee, NC

President Pugh and his fiancée Sasha Lay at Elk River Falls, Elk Park, NC

Trip Hazard Removal Solutions by

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SMITH Deluxe Sidewalk Grinding Package with PCD Drum

LOOKING FORWARD TO AN AMAZING YEAR

BRADLEY KLINGER, METRO ATLANTA BRANCH PRESIDENT

First, I wanted to thank everyone for their support of me to fulfill the duties of the Metro Atlanta Branch President in 2023. I understand the big shoes I will be following in, as the two previous Branch Presidents, Shauncey Battle-Williams and Adisa Aarons, were both amazing and are great role models.

I would also like to introduce our 2023 Metro Atlanta Leadership Committee:

• V ice President – Yvonne Douglas, Atlanta Beltline

• Secretary – Courtney Fisch, AECOM

• Treasurer – Nigel Wattley, City of Forest Park

• Membership Coordinator –Michael Noel, Sansom Equipment

Our meetings are currently being held in-person and virtually on Microsoft Teams, and we welcome any APWA members outside of the Metro Branch or interested guests to join us. We have had some great recent meetings and have more great upcoming topics to come. Thank you to all of our sponsors.

• March 16 – ADA Safety with LTAP & Georgia Safe Sidewalks

• A pril 20 – Robotic Maintenance Vehicles at GA Tech

• May 18 – Right-of-Way Engineering with THC, Inc.

• J une 22 – APWA Diversity Committee hosted by SANY Equipment Working with past Branch President Adisa Aarons we have GA Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering willing to host a few of our 2023 meetings on campus. This will allow current students to be introduced into the wonderful world of Public Works and the APWA.

One new program we have introduced in 2023 is a virtual monthly meeting that will be available to everyone in the State. This meeting will highlight important industry programs, new technology and policies, both Federal and State. Some recent completed topics included: State Aid Funding, Bridge Asset Management and Nurturing Civil Work Cultures.

April 4 is our next virtual meeting and we will be discussing the new FHWA reflectivity guidelines for pavement markings with Crown Technology.

2023 is shaping up to be an amazing year for the Metro Atlanta Branch and we would like to encourage everyone to join in. Participation and networking are what makes APWA so valuable, and that is why the Metro Atlanta Leadership Committee is working hard to bring back the Shrimp Boil fundraiser in 2023.

Understanding the sheer quantity of amazing resources at our disposal

within the State of Georgia has allowed me to excel at my job and hopeful you can say the same.

Centra l Savann ah River Are a Vacant

CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA

Geor gia APWA Bra nc he s 2021 Branc h Preside nts

North Carolina

Flor ida

MIDDLE BRANCH

SOUTHEAST BRANCH

Middle B ranch Scott Sulli van

Ron O. Lampkin rlampkin@augustaga.gov

Centra l Savann ah River Are a Vacant Middle B ranch Scott Sulli van wssul livan@spal dingcoun ty com

COASTAL BRANCH

Scott Sullivan wssullivan@spaldingcounty.com

NORTHEAST BRANCH

Coastal B ra nch Kei th P age bkp age@c hatham county or g

Coastal B ra nch Kei th P age bkp age@c hatham county or g

Northe ast Bra nc h

Keith Page bkpage@chathamcounty.org

METRO ATLANTA BRANCH

Metro Atla nta Branc h

Metro Atla nta Branc h

Bradley Klinger bklinger@fayettecountyga.gov

Sha uncey Battle-W illi ams sba ttle-will iams@Atla ntaG a Gov

Sha uncey Battle-W illi ams sba ttle-will iams@Atla ntaG a Gov

Todd Beebe tbeebe@gainesville.org

Northe ast Bra nc h Tod d B eebe tbeeb e@gain esvi lle org

NORTHWEST BRANCH

Northwe st B ran ch

Northwe st B ran ch Jerem y Bryson

Eric Sexton eric.sexton@floydcountyga.org

Jerem y Bryson jerem y bryso n@cato osa com

Sou the ast B ran ch Ton y Vicent avi cent@ glynncount y-

Anthony Vincent avicent@glynncounty-ga.gov

Sou the ast B ran ch Ton y Vicent avi cent@ glynncount yg a go v

SOUTHWEST BRANCH

Sou

Angela Bray akbray@valdostacity.com

Sou thwe st Br an ch Em anuel Hai re EHai re@colqui ttga org

West Cen tral Bran ch

West Cen tral Bran ch

WEST CENTRAL BRANCH Vacant

Jam es Man g jma ng@c olum bus ga org

Jam es Man g jma ng@c olum bus ga

APWA METRO ATLANTA BRANCH MARCH MEETING RECAP

Georgia Safe Sidewalk (GASS) trip hazard removal specialist were the featured presenters during the Metro Atlanta Branch March meeting at on Thursday, March 16. This event was held at the Georgia Department of Transportation – LTAP office. GASS has been removing trip hazards from uneven sidewalks and other concrete walkways in Georgia since 2007.

Tom Fulk provided information to help organizations keep their sidewalks in compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act and safe for pedestrians.

APWA’S GEORGIA CHAPTER HOLDS ANNUAL EQUIPMENT SHOW

APWA Georgia Chapter held its Annual Mid-Winter Equipment Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, GA, on February 7, 2023. This marked the show’s 38th year after its early beginnings in a small barn at Macon’s Central City Park in the mid 1980’s.

Recognized by the industry as the ‘Best Equipment Show in GA,’ trucks, equipment, products and services from Georgia and national manufacturers, dealers, and consultants were on full display. Five companies have exhibited in all 38 shows – Wastebuilt (formerly Consolidated Disposal), Adams Equipment Company, Peach State Trucks, Reynolds Warren Equipment; and Tractor & Equipment Company. As in recent years, Environmental Products

Group had the largest exhibit with a 4,730 square-foot space.

Based on past success, this annual GA Chapter event is well known as a model for other APWA Chapters to consider.

In fact, APWA Region 4 Director Robert Garland (representing FL, GA, AL, AR, and LA Chapters) and Alabama Chapter Delegate Larry Ingram attended this year’s event in person to experience the Show. They were both impressed with how the event provided a great opportunity for attendees to gain information and see products that are available to make their city and county public works operations more productive and efficient. Garland and Ingram plan to encourage similar events with other APWA Chapters.

If success of a show is measured by numbers alone, this year’s Show was,

without a doubt, the best ever! With 100 vendors, nearly 1100 participants (including attendees, vendor representatives and Chapter volunteers), and a net revenue increase of over 10%, 2023 was a record setting year and a clear indicator that we have finally emerged from the pandemic. In addition to the participation and revenue records, this year’s show also included a welcome from Al Wiggins, City of Atlanta Public Works Director, and an excellent ‘free lunch’ provided by a new food vendor – The Butcher Shop. Participants were pleased and provided positive feedback about these two enhancements.

The Georgia Chapter would like to thank all the vendors, attendees, volunteers, event coordinators and fairgrounds staff who ‘made it all happen’ for this year’s Show. Building on our 2023 success, please plan to be a part of our 2024 Show by saving the date – Tuesday, February 7, 2024, same location – for an even greater event next year!

For any questions or more information about the GA Chapter Equipment Show, please reach out to Stan Brown at stanbrownapwa@gmail.com

You might wonder, why an article on snakes? I was having some work done in my back yard last fall when we had an exceptional amount of rain and in the almost 20 years that I have lived in that house, I have never seen so many snakes. Not king snakes or rat snakes but cotton mouths and water moccasins. My cable repairman told me a tale of a 17 rattle rattler that he encountered in our area just recently. It kept him cornered under a house for two hours until animal control arrived. So, with the expectation of a wet spring, as a former Public Works Director, I thought it would be a good idea to refresh public works staff on a few of the creepy crawlers to look out for as we get ready for hurricane season.

According to the Reptile.Guide, there are approximately 43 types of snakes in Georgia, and five of the six most venomous belong to the group known as pit vipers, while the other is the coral snake.

How do you recognize a pit viper? Well look for the following characteristics:

• Elliptical, slit-shaped pupils

• A broad, shield-shaped head

• L arge, heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils

• A stocky body shape – the snakes may be long or short, but they’ll be squat. Most of these snakes have excellent camouflage and tend to hide rather than flee.

The eastern coral snake will tend to be bright red with black and yellow stripes, be around 10 to 30 inches in length and have a black, bulletshaped head. These snakes would rather flee than fight.

The average adult Florida cottonmouth is 30-48 inches (76-122 cm) in total length. This snake is heavy bodied with a pattern of light brown and dark brown crossbands containing many dark spots and speckles. The pattern darkens with age so adults may become uniformly black. The eye is camouflaged by a broad, dark, facial stripe. The color pattern of juvenile cottonmouths is much lighter than in adults, and newborns have a sulfur-yellow tail tip.

Let’s take a closer look at the local Pit Vipers.

FLORIDA COTTONMOUTH –AGKISTRODON CONANTI

Teresa C. Smith, PE PWLF DBIA PMP, Owner/Principal, A&S Engineering, LLC

EASTERN COPPERHEAD –AGKI STRODON CONTORTRIX

The eastern copperhead is a mediumsized, stout-bodied snake with a sensory pit (heat-sensing pit) between each nostril and eye. It is gray, copper, tan, or pinkish tan with hourglass-shaped bands of dark brown. The markings are often edged in white. The average adult Eastern Copperhead is 22-36 inches long (5691 cm) in total length. Even just-hatched copperheads have fully functional fangs capable of injecting venom that is just as toxic as an adult's venom. Copperheads live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semiaquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They are also known to occupy abandoned and rotting wood or sawdust piles, construction sites and sometimes suburban areas. They climb into low bushes or trees to hunt prey and will also bask in the sun and swim in the water.

or black. A black stripe may be present from the snout through the eye and onto the neck. Most individuals have a white upper lip. There is a large sensory pit (heat-sensing pit) located between the nostril and eye on either side of the head. The eyes have a vertical pupil, but the dark coloration of the eyes may make the pupils difficult to see. The belly is cream colored and heavily mottled with dark brown or black blotches and smudges.

EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE –CROTALUS ADAMANTEUS

NORTHERN COTTONMOUTH –AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS

Mainly occurs only in the southeastern corner of the state. northern cottonmouth is a heavy-bodied, darkcolored, semiaquatic snake that is dark olive brown to nearly black. In adults, dark crossbands are normally indistinct. The head is noticeably wider than the neck. The top of the head is dark brown

TIMBER RATTLESNAKE –CROTALUS HORRIDUS

Timber rattlesnakes are skilled climbers and have been discovered in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. hese large, heavy pit vipers vary in coloration. They are gray, sometimes with a pinkish hue and have a stripe down their back. This stripe is orange, yellow or pinkish in some timber rattlesnakes, while others have a brown or black stripe. Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human. Like other members of the pit viper family, the timber rattlesnake has a large, heavy-bodied appearance. Adults typically reach lengths of 2.5-5 feet (.76-1.5 meters), but there are reports of timber rattlesnakes growing up to 7 feet (2 meters) long.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake can be blackish-gray, olive green or muddy gray. Light reflected off of this snake's keeled scales makes its skin appear dull, rather than shiny. Its tail is typically a different shade than its body, ranging from brown to gray and banded with dark rings. This species is easily identified by the diamond-shaped pattern along its back (the source of its common name), as well as the distinctive black band that covers its eyes, outlined by two pale lines. It has vertical, cat-like pupils, and there is a large pit between the nostril and the eye on each side of its face. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are well known for their rattle and painful, venomous bite, which can be fatal to humans. The toxin in their venom, called hemotoxin, kills red blood cells and causes tissue damage. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is North America's longest and heaviest venomous snake. Their average length is 0.8 to 1.8 meters (3 to 6 feet), but some adults can be as long as 2.4 meters (8 feet). Diamondbacks are bulky snakes with large heads that average 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds).

Most adult Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes are about 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) in total length. This is a very small snake, but it is thick for its size. The body color varies from light to dark gray, and a lengthwise row of black or charcoal blotches disrupts a reddish-brown stripe running down the middle of the back. The tail is slender and ends in a tiny rattle. The head is distinct from the neck and has a black diagonal line just behind the eye.

PYGMY RATTLESNAKE – SISTRURUS ARIUS

MORE ON THE CORAL SNAKE –MICRURUS FULVIUS

Eastern coral snakes are only found in the southeastern part of the United States. It prefers habitats that provide hammocks and flatwoods that feature slash pine and saw palmettos or somewhat arid, open, sandy locations that don’t have too much vegetation. They are graceful, slender snakes whose length ranges between 2 and 3 feet when they’re mature, though some have grown to over 4 feet. The eastern coral snake has a black snout followed by a band of yellow, then black, then yellow or white, then red, then yellow then black all the way down to the tail. It has 15 rows of smooth scales on its body

Females are longer than males. Eastern coral snakes tend to be secretive, and many people are surprised when they find one living rather close to their home or even in their home. Unlike many other snakes, it doesn’t seem to prefer small mammals such as rats or mice but is more likely to take frogs, fish, insects, birds, lizards, and even other snakes. The coral snake is not aggressive toward humans. It’s not eager to bite to defend itself but will try to get away first. Since the tail and the head of a coral snake are about the same size, it wiggles its tail to make a predator think it’s the snake’s head. The snake also, it must be said, passes gas with a pop to startle a predator. It spends much of its time hiding under logs, leaf litter, or rotting stumps.

OH, that’s not all. We didn’t talk about Dekay’s Brown snake, the Eastern Garter Snake, or the North American Racer. That was just a highlight of some of the heavy hitters in Georgia. I’m not sure about you, but I typically don’t stick around long enough to distinguish one type of snake from the other. For me, what ever they occupy or where ever are, they own. I just hope I see them before they see me.

Information for this article was found on various scientific websites including livescience.com, virginiaherpetholgicalsociety.com, floridiamuseum.ufl.edu, animalia.bio, and reptile.guide

For a summary guide on Georgia snakes go to: https://reptile.guide/ georgia-snakes.

Directional Guidance Indicators

2023 NPWW THEME

APWA is proud to announce the theme ‘Connecting the World Through Public Works’ for the 2023 National Public Works Week poster. Public works is the thread that connects us all, no matter where we live in the world. Every public works professional strives to improve the quality of life for the community they serve, leading to healthier, happier communities.

The theme highlights the way public works professionals connect us physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through service to their communities, whether as first responders, or daily workers carrying out their duties with pride.

Public works connectors help keep communities strong by providing an infrastructure of services in transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. They are what make our communities great places to live and work. Join us in celebrating the quiet work these professionals do that makes life better for all of us.

VIRTUAL NPWW HOW-TO GUIDE

National Public Works Week (NPWW) is almost here! Let’s take this week to celebrate the amazing work of public works personnel throughout North America. Now more than ever, it is critical to energize and educate the public about the importance of public works – planning, building, managing, and operating at the heart of local communities to improve quality of life each day.

We know there will be many in-person events (finally!) this year, and we encourage you to seek NPWW proclamations from your elected officials that you can share on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Be sure to add the #NPWWProclamation hashtag to be added to the APWA NPWW website.

We are excited to share our “Virtual NPWW How-To Guide,” full of ideas that you can use to celebrate remotely with

your communities. Don’t forget to join in the fun on social media using the hashtag #NPWW and this year’s theme, #ConnectingTheWorldThroughPW!

#NPWW (official) – Make sure to use this on all your National Public Works Week social media posts. By doing so, you will join in on all the NPWW discussions being held across all the major social media platforms, and it will make your posts easier for others to find. Plus, your post will be included in the Social Media Gallery below!

#ConnectingTheWorldThroughPW (supplementary) –If you are looking to add a little something extra to your post, consider using this secondary hashtag, which is also this year’s poster theme.

#NPWW Social Media Spirit Week (Monday-Friday)

Get yourselves and your community in the spirit of National Public Works Week by celebrating on social media the following:

Monday – Ready and Resilient. Post a picture of your department doing what they do best. Public workers are always ready and always resilient! This is the time to show off! #NPWW #readyandresilient

Tuesday – Made Ya Look! Park a snowplow at the park, put up a sign outside your workplace celebrating public works, decorate the side of a garbage truck, the sky’s the limit! Do something a bit out of the ordinary to make us look and tell us about it! #NPWW #madeyalook

Community Social Media Contests

Wednesday – Whatcha Wearing? EMS uniform, check! Safety vest, check! Hard hat? Check! Show us what you wear to work on a regular basis, brag about it on social media. #NPWW #whatchawearing

Thursday – Throwback

Thursday. Got a cool picture of the first building built for your agency? How about an old picture showing workers doing road work? Or a picture from any previous year’s #NPWW? Post them and tell us about it! #NPWW #TBT

Friday – Future Friday. What’s the future look like for your agency? Are you figuring out a way to regulate traffic from flying cars? Are you putting up a new building, or renovating an old one? Tell us what’s coming up, or what you envision. Be sure to tag all posts #NPWW and #ReadyAndResilient

Looking for a fun way to engage with your community? Try a social media contest! We have provided a few ideas below, but feel free to use these as a starting point to come up with your own contests. Just put your ideas out on social media and ask your community to respond and include the #NPWW hashtag.

• Coloring/Drawing Contests – Post your NPWW coloring page (coming soon!) to your social media accounts, and ask everyone (including children) to print the page out and have fun coloring. When they’re finished, they can post their works of art using the #NPWW hashtag.

• V ideo Contests – Ask people to film themselves answering a question (e.g., What do you love about your city/community?) or thanking public works employees for everything they do to keep communities safe. When they’re finished, they can post the video online using the #NPWW hashtag.

• DIY Contest – Come up with your own idea to have a little fun. Examples: City Trivia; Dress Like a Public Works Employee Photo Contest; Share your favorite Public Works First Responder gear, etc.

FIRST RESPONDER “THANK YOU’S”

The community often doesn’t think about how public workers are first responders. This past winter was brutal in many parts of the country and public workers rose to the occasion by clearing streets of heavy snow, restoring electricity promptly when it was affected by storms, clearing up storm debris, or just continuing their regular duties taking care of things that people take for granted.

• Post your “thank you” message to your favorite social media platform with the #NPWW hashtag.

• Record a video of you and your family thanking your fellow public works professionals and/or essential workers. Post the video to social media using #NPWW hashtag.

2023 TOP TEN PUBLIC WORKS LEADERS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Each year during National Public Works Week, the public works community celebrates APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year. Traditionally, APWA Regional Directors attend a City Council ceremony in each of the recipients’ home cities to present their award. Check out some of the ways we’ll be honoring them (and how you can honor them!):

• Individual Interviews/Social Media Spotlights

o Each recipient will get their share of the spotlight during National Public Works Week. Throughout the week, we’ll be posting photos and bios of each award recipient on social media.

o G et to know the recipients, and make sure to like, comment, and share on your favorite social media platform! #NPWW

• Social Media Shoutouts

o Post a message to one or all of the 2023 Top Ten Leaders to social media using the official #NPWW hashtag.

o Record your own video thanking/acknowledging one or all the 2023 recipients. Make sure to use the official #NPWW hashtag in your video description and/or post.

• APWA Chapter Social Media Posts/Videos

o We’re encouraging each APWA Chapter to film a video or post to social media recognizing its Top Ten award recipient.

o Chapter Leaders and Chapter Members can use what you have available – smartphones, kids, pets –it’s all fair game! Let them know how proud you are of their accomplishment. Once you’re done, post it to social media with the #NPWW hashtag.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Run a contest during Spirit Week by involving your community. Have them make posts matching each day’s theme, and pick out the post with the most likes, comments and shares as the winner. Or get the community involved by creating other social media contests during the week. Follow APWA’s social media accounts, and look out for pictures and videos to share with your community.

ABOUT THE POSTER ARTIST: ROBERT BALL

Rob has been a practicing graphic designer since 2000 and has illustrated throughout his career. His work carries the clean lines of graphic design with a human and humorous side influenced by living in London for fifteen years and capturing the characters he sees around him. Rob’s brain is a dumping ground for popular culture and his work carries the dynamism of comic-book art mixed with an eye for the absurd, influenced by a misspent youth pouring over the pages of Marvel comics and 2000AD. He grew a loyal fanbase through his project for HBO’s Game of Thrones in which he illustrated a poster for each episode.

PWX provides a first-class multi-modal learning experience designed for professionals at all levels and across the entire spectrum of public works. Come prepared to see, hear, touch, and discuss in a variety of traditional and interactive sessions, seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also spend time on North America’s largest exhibit floor for public works equipment and services – we’ve carved out generous portions of non-compete time so you don’t miss any sessions. Kick tires, talk about technology, or get the scoop on new products. To take advantage of everything PWX has to offer with more than 5,000 public works colleagues from North America and beyond, meet us in San Diego!

ABOUT PWX

PWX draws thousands of public works professionals from all over the world. If you are like many, you have limited resources for professional development, so you’ve chosen APWA’s PWX 2023 in San Diego as your preferred venue for:

• O utstanding education sessions that address current public works issues – as well as ongoing challenges. Choose from more than 125 technical and professional development sessions presented by your colleagues, who will impart their vital knowledge and experience. APWA’s education sessions are based on the very latest learning models: classroom, interactive, and “live” learning labs.

• T he chance to see an extensive gathering of exhibitors that will showcase the latest products, services, and technologies specific to public works. Special “non-compete” hours allow you to visit the floor uninterrupted.

• O pportunities to network with your peers, hone your leadership abilities, and learn new job skills.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Public Works Directors

• Superintendents and Managers

• Directors and Managers of Operations and Operations Personnel

• City and County Engineers

• Consulting Engineers

• Construction Directors and Managers

• Solid Waste Managers and Coordinators

• Public Fleet Directors and Managers

• Public Facilities and Grounds Directors and Managers

• Water Services Directors and Managers

• Streets/Roads/Bridges Directors and Managers

• Transportation Directors and Managers

• Stormwater and Flood Control Directors and Managers

• Emergency Management Directors and Coordinators

• City Planners

FOR EXHIBITORS

Connecting the World Through Public Works

PWX is the premier gathering place for the public works industry, connecting industry thought-leaders and decision-makers with invaluable resources and opportunities. PWX is where transformative innovations are introduced to the marketplace, new connections are formed, existing relationships are deepened, and business deals are signed. Discover the strength of connections in public works at PWX 2023, taking place August 27-30 (exhibit dates are August 27-29) in sunny San Diego, California.

Interested in Exhibiting?

Showcase Your Company at the Largest Public Works Marketplace

There has never been a better time to exhibit at APWA’s PWX. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the commitment of $550 billion in new infrastructure spending means business with be booming on the PWX 2023 show floor. Showcase your products and services to thousands of public works industry buyers who now have the necessary funds to make purchases that will improve their municipalities.

Reserve Your Booth Now

According to the PWX 2022 post-show exhibitor survey, an impressive 97% of exhibitors rated PWX as satisfactory or better. Be part of the action and achieve your sales goals by exhibiting at PWX 2023. View the PWX 2023 exhibit floor plan to find your perfect location, then contact Tony Hayes at 571-313-5793 or thayes@taffyevents.com to reserve your booth. Or complete this short form to request a booth, and a sales representative will be in touch with you shortly.

• City Council Members

• County Supervisors

• Sustainability Specialists

• Anyone else whose responsibilities are public works-related

AREAS COVERED

• C areer & Personal Development

• Construction Management

• Emergency Management

• Engineering & Technology

• Environment/Sustainablility

• Facilities

• Fleet Services

• Management

• Parks & Grounds

• Snow & Ice

• Solid Waste

• Stormwater/Flood Control

• Streets/Roads/Bridges

• Traffic Engineering

• Utilities/Right-of-Way

• Water & Wastewater

Who Should Exhibit?

If your company is involved with providing solutions and services for any of the below areas, exhibiting at PWX 2023 is for you:

• A sset Management

• Cybersecurity

• Emergency Management

• Engineering/Construction

• Facilities

• Fleet Services

• G eographic Information Systems and Mapping

• Operations/Maintenance

• Parks and Grounds

• Snow/Ice Control

• Solid Waste

• Stormwater/Flood Control

• Streets/Road/Bridges

• Sustainability

• Traffic/Transportation

• Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way

• Water/Wastewater

Ready to Exhibit?

If you want to network, launch, compete, impact, and sell, you need to exhibit at PWX. View the PWX 2023 exhibit floor plan to find your perfect location, then contact Tony Hayes at 571-313-5793 or thayes@taffyevents.com to reserve your booth.

Current Exhibitors

Thank you for exhibiting at the largest public works marketplace –PWX 2023 – taking place August 27-29 at the San Diego Convention Center. Check back to this page often as additional space will be added as it becomes available.

Key Hours

Exhibitor Move-In

• Friday, August 25 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Targets Only*)

• S aturday, August 26 | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (All Exhibitors**)

Exhibit Hall Open

• Sunday, August 27 | noon–4:00 p.m.

• Monday, August 28 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 29 | 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Move-Out

• Tuesday, August 29 | 1:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 30 | 8:00 a.m.–noon

* Target booths must have flooring down before mobile spots/ machinery will be placed.

**All machinery and vehicles need to be delivered no later than Saturday, August 26. All displays must be in place and display material, cartons and refuse removed from the aisles by Saturday, August 26 at 4:30 p.m. to facilitate the placement of final structures and cleaning. Exhibitors will be permitted to work within their exhibit space until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday with prior approval from the Show Management Office. Otherwise, they must exit the hall at posted times during set-up and tear-down.

Warning: PWX Exhibitor Scams

PWX exhibitors are frequently targeted by companies unaffiliated with APWA or PWX, offering a variety of services such as attendee lists, housing, show decorating needs and more. Please use caution when dealing with solicitations from companies that are not using the official PWX vendor logo. For any questions or clarification, please contact PWX Show Management at pwxinfo@taffyevents.com or 571-313-5159.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions regarding your experience, please contact PWX Show Management at pwxinfo@taffyevents.com or 571-313-5159. You can also access the live show floor map or log in to your exhibitor dashboard at any time.

Ijoined DeKalb County Fleet Management in December 2019 and became the first data analyst for the department. When Robert Gordon, Deputy Director of Fleet Management, saw the effect the new data analyst was having on Fire Rescue Services, he knew Fleet Management was ready to move forward with implementing data-driven decision-making. No one could have foreseen the impact this staff expansion would have on delivering services over the next 24 months.

I came to the role of Management Analyst II with years of analytics and programming experience, but no knowledge of fleet services. I relied heavily on the institutional knowledge of the staff while also diving into the data. When budget season came around, it became clear that the process of developing a replacement list needed to be overhauled. It was labor-intensive and time-consuming for both Fleet staff and User Departments.

Lynn Watanabe, MSAS, MLS, Management Analyst II, DeKalb County Fleet Management

Producer Price Index, Series WPU141105 for trucks, truck tractors, & bus chassis 14,000 lb. or less, including minivans & SUVs – Actual values (2000-2020) and Projected values (2021-2026)

Producer Price Index, Series WPU112C01 for mixers, pavers, and related equipment (excluding parts) –Actual values (2000-2020) and Projected values (2021-2026)

Previously, Fleet administrators and superintendents met in person with leaders of each large department to select units for replacement. This process took months to complete the entire series of

B

meetings. It relied heavily upon: (1) shop superintendents’ expert knowledge of every unit that was maintained by their shops, (2) user department input, (3) a basic printed inventory report, and (4) live access to FASTER, our fleet management system. Every active unit was evaluated. Once a list of proposed replacements was developed, replacement costs for each unit had to be estimated for submission to county officials. Generally, this information was obtained from vendors or from recent similar purchases.

In 2020, we moved from this subjective vehicle replacement selection process to a more datadriven, analytical process. The new process uses data extracted from our fleet management system along with more robust analytical criteria that can be adjusted as needed. These criteria objectively identify the units with the greatest need for replacement. This process no longer requires the input of our shop superintendents or the user departments. Our vehicle selections since implementation have been based upon what our research and analysis of the costs, utilization, and maintenance history demonstrate.

We also devised a method of estimating vehicle and equipment prices based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Producer Price Index, regardless of how unique the equipment was. This meant we do not need as much assistance from vendors. While this method now needs tweaking to factor in the recent abnormal jump in prices, these new processes were critical during the period where everything was shut down for COVID-19. These modifications to our process allowed us to overcome the COVID-19 shutdown and social distancing challenges to stay on schedule and meet our budget submission deadline. This accomplishment is significant considering we manage a fleet of 3600+ vehicles/equipment and annually replace around $30-million worth of assets.

These modifications to our process allowed us to overcome the COVID-19 shutdown and social distancing challenges to stay on schedule and meet our budget submission deadline.

APWA PRESIDENT URGES U.S. HOUSE PANEL TO UPDATE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)

Washington D.C. – Faced with “administrative burdens” that frequently “overwhelm” public works departments throughout the United States, the president of the world’s largest organization of public works professionals today urged a U.S. House committee to “update” the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, with eight recommendations.

“NEPA is important to public works professionals and serves as the regulatory framework for protecting America’s environment while allowing vital infrastructure projects to be undertaken,” American Public Works Association President Keith Pugh, PE, PWLF, said in testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources. “Like any policy that has been in place for five decades, NEPA should be updated to address current societal needs.”

Pugh said NEPA’s requirements, however, add endless time and money to already expensive infrastructure projects.

Citing the Council on Environmental Quality, Pugh told committee members the average length of a federal highway Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

was 645 pages and the average time to conduct NEPA reviews was 7.3 years.

“In my experience, any time federal funds were introduced into a project, we immediately added at least 25 percent to the project budget,” said Pugh, who also is government affairs director for WithersRavenel, NC. “However, the final cost could be significantly higher than that due to the administrative burdens placed on the local government, the design professionals working on the project, the contractor, and the inspection close-out process.

“Public works professionals are doing what is best for their communities despite an array of challenges, and APWA places a high priority on respecting and enhancing local control for infrastructure projects,” Pugh said.

Pugh said APWA supports:

• E stablishing a lead federal agency to develop a joint review schedule and preparation of a single environmental document and joint record of decision for projects that require multi-agency reviews.

• E stablishing time limits of two years for completion of Environmental Impact

Statements (EIS) and one year for Environmental Assessments (EA).

• E stablishing a 300-page limit for EIS of “extraordinary complexity” and a 75-page limit for each EA.

• E xtending the completion period with the approval of the applicant when necessary to allow for further consultation with local agencies.

• Bringing the statute of limitations for NEPA cases in line with other environmental statutes (120 days).

• Reducing duplicative reporting by allowing adherence to state or even local standards often equally or more stringent than federal rules to be used as evidence of compliance with federal standards.

• E xamining a reasonable number of alternatives for projects that are technically and economically feasible, including, if considered, an analysis of any negative environmental impacts of a no action alternative.

• Clarifying that the environmental review process should consider any proposed action within the context of past, present, and “reasonably foreseeable” effects.

NEPA is important to public works professionals and serves as the regulatory framework for protecting America’s environment while allowing vital infrastructure projects to be undertaken.

GEORGIA PUBLIC WORKS MAGAZINE is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of the APWA Georgia Chapter and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.

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