Street Talk | Summer 2015

STREET TALK

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2

SUMMER 2015

REPORTING ON WHAT MATTERS TO PUBLIC WORKS

AR

OUND THE

PUBLIC WORKS WORLD

INSIDE Cover Story Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Project Manager Travels to Indonesia for Continuing Education

Imagination can take you places. Check out these ingenious public works projects around the world.

PWD Project Management Supervisor spends two weeks in Indonesia as part of the Legislative Process and Governance Professional Fellows Exchange Program.

page 18

page 10

Public Works hosts interns from Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Three talented students joined Public Works for a week-long internship to learn about the various career options Public Works has to offer. page 08

director’s message

BY HOWARD LAZARUS DIRECTOR

The Public Works Gene

Throughout history, public works pros have always shared certain traits, including creativity, grit and purpose.

A

s I was getting ready to leave the house this morning, an item on the local news caught my attention. A photograph of Halle Berry was on the TV screen, with the announcer’s voice stating that researchers have proposed that there is a ”young gene,” explaining why Ms. Berry, who is 50-ish, still looks like she did in her 30s. Alas, I am doomed, I felt as that particular strand of DNA must not be in my genetic soup.

I do know, however, that there is another gene that all humans share. I have seen it expressed in my travels far and wide. It is the gene that prevents all of us from passing a construction site without stopping and looking. The gene is titillated by the dust particles in our nostrils, the noise of an excavator, and the vibrations of a jack hammer. It is the Public Works gene, and to paraphrase Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, “We love the smell of diesel in the morning.”

The gene is universal. I’ve seen the same quizzical look on the faces of people in all the places I’ve worked and travelled – from building dental clinics in Bavaria to inspecting port construction in Japan, in building new residential infrastructure from the shores of Cocoa Beach to Puget Sound,

from watching Public Works officials building bicycle bridges in Holland to marveling at Public Workers repairing roadways among the antiquities of Rome, and in connecting our community all around Austin.

The gene has survived centuries of human development and evolution. In 1122 B.C., the founder of the Chou dynasty was constantly chastising his vassals for showing up late for meetings, but it was not until 257 B.C. that the first bridge over the Yellow River was subsequently built. Think about that the next time someone talks to us about project delays (I wonder what the “LDs” were). Ptolemy the First, successor to Alexander the Great, had the great library in Alexandria built in the 3rd century BC to serve as the center of knowledge and study,

The Great Library of Alexandria

Austin’s New Central Library

Planning for the Cloaca Maxima

Planning for the Waller Creek Tunnel

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STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

and as a gathering place for the exchange of ideas.

Kind of sounds like the thoughts behind the New Central Library. The Romans built the Cloaca Maxima to help drain the marshes around the city and promote urban development. Our Public Works Department is building the Waller Creek Tunnel to accomplish the same result. Throughout the Roman Empire, public works projects bore the inscription SPQR – Senatus Populusque Romanus – Senate and People of Rome – to signify the tie between the government and its citizens. SPQR is really an early version of Your Department with a Heart under the oversight of Shuvlus Redinus, the ancient god of Public Works.

This month’s theme of Public Works around the World highlights the ties that bind all of us in this profession together. We have brothers and sisters all around the planet who strive each and every day to make life better for their communities. We are part of a proud tradition – a link in the chain that stretches from the dawn of history well into the future. I have no doubt that the first human colony in a distant world will include a Public Works Department to help create order in the universe.

Live long and prosper, my friends!

In Memoriam

We Recognize the Loss of Two Members of our Public Works Family

CHARLES MUELA (1948-2015)

met Charles on May 2009 while attending a work“ Ishop together. Charles was warm and exceptionally friendly. We discussed and shared our experiences and found out we had a lot in common. So, we decided to even sit next to each other for lunch. From that point on, Charles and I started to know each other more and more, particularly with his involvement in IH-35 program. With the creation of the Renew Austin Program, I was asked if I could recommend someone from PW to help out, who that person would be. Without a doubt, I replied Charles Muela. He helped us out tremendously and his efforts will be there forever.

Charles would occasionally share some of his personal life with me, from his wife breaking her ankle to their planned overseas trip, and places he had in mind to go and see. He will definitely be missed. PW has lost great individuals in the last few months and Charles was one of them.

”

- Aldo Ranzani, AWU

W

ith integrity and a strong work ethic, Charles excelled in his engineering and project management roles throughout his career, most recently for the City of Austin. Charles graduated with his degree in chemical engineering from UT Austin in 1971. Charles came to PMD in March of 2006 as a Project Manager on several Austin Clean Water Program (ACWP) projects. He was later promoted to a Project Management Supervisor and managed the ACWP team until the program was completed.

Charles was regarded as a water utility expert, as he had managed so many AWU projects.

He truly enjoyed helping and mentoring others with their projects. He will be remembered for his dedication to his job and family and for the numerous spirited debates he had regarding items he felt passionate about. He was never afraid to express when

BELOW ARE A FEW WORDS FROM HIS FELLOW COWORKERS:

was my supervisor for eight years. He was always supportive and had an open door policy to re“ Charles view any questions. I have had many supervisors over my 40-year working career and he was one of the best. His style of working with his staff was jovial and lighthearted. He never had anything unscrupulous to say about your performance because he knew how difficult our jobs can be and always spoke to us as equals and professionals. On the few times he called me into his office I was a bit nervous not knowing what I might have done, but since he knew I had some horticulture background, he would inquire about the care of some ailing plants he had in his office and asked my recommendation on how best to care for them. Boy was I relieved and proud that he came to me for advice.

”

- Brenda Baker, PMD, PWD

“ I first became acquainted with him during the final stages of the Austin Clean Water Program, and had

the opportunity to share in many discussions with him of both a professional and personal nature over the next several years. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts, and carry with you the spirit of public service that he embodied.

”

he thought there were issues with the quality of the contractor’s work or the need to take action, was he remiss in praising others or giving others credit.

However, his pride and joy were his five children and two granddaughters. He loved them with an inexhaustible, selfless love. He enjoyed being outside with them, discussing Longhorn football, taste-testing barbecue all over Texas, and had recently become an excellent cook.

While at UT, he met the love of his life, Cecilia Martinez. Charles left this life on he and Cecilia’s 40th anniversary; a beautiful milestone to mark a beautiful marriage. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia; sons, Charles Jr., Michael, James and Stephen; daughter, Audrey; son-in-law, Keith Glickert; granddaughters, Claire and Julia.

with Bob, I didn’t realize how much I “ Aslearned from Charles until he passed away. He was very dedicated as a project manager and as a supervisor. He once told me he continued to manage projects because he wanted to understand his staff’s challenges so it would make him a better supervisor. I also recall the last time I spoke to Charles when he was ill.

He told me that in life we should not waste our time on negativity. Charles was a selfless individual and I have taken his last conversation with me to heart.

”

- Roxanne Cook, PMD, PWD

- Howard Lazarus, PWD Director continued on pg. 04

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 03

continued from pg. 03

In Memoriam

We Recognize the Loss of Two Members of our Public Works Family

ROBERT EGAN (1948-2015)

“

Bob Egan played a key role in the completion of a number of high-profile and long-awaited civic projects for the Parks and Recreation Department. His expertise in the design and construction of aquatic facilities was critical to delivering projects at Deep Eddy, Bartholomew and Westenfield pools. Bob was instrumental in the recent set of improvements at Auditorium Shores after years of dedicated service to the development of the Town Lake Park Master Plan.

He was always candid and direct in his approach to project management, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and lightheartedness. Bob was a valued member of the PARD capital delivery team, delivering high-quality civic facilities that will stand as a constant reminder of his commitment to the City of Austin.

”

B

ob Egan passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on June 1, 2015. Bob joined the City in November of 2007 and was well known and respected for his work as a project manager and for his technical expertise regarding pools and roofs.

Beyond his professional life, Bob lived life with contagious enthusiasm. Whether by kayak, ski, bicycle, or hammer and nail, he was a Renaissance man in a 20th century world.

Bob earned a Masters of Architecture from the University of Texas and enjoyed a rich and diverse professional career, having once worked at Schliterbahn. Bob leaves a legacy of projects behind, some of which include the “Master Blaster” at Schliterbahn; the Macbeth Recreation Center Renovations project which got LEED-CI- Silver certification; Bartholomew Pool for which he won an award from the Austin Chapter of the Associated General Contrac-

tors in the Design-Build Category; and the Auditorium Shores Trailhead and Improvements.

Bob had a unique sense of humor and love of life.

His standards of quality were quite high and he never lost sight of the fact that he was entrusted with the honor of creating unique yet practical public facilities. At the same time, he never took his work too seriously and saw the humor in every difficult situation, infecting everyone with his laughter and sharp wit.

He leaves behind his daughter Kaitlyn, soulmate Helen Vary, brothers Michael, John and David Egan, numerous nieces and nephews and countless coworkers. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

- Terry J Jungman Jr., PARD

BELOW ARE A FEW WORDS FROM HIS FELLOW COWORKERS: with Bob was a real joy. Once all the talk of business was done, I enjoyed hearing about his week“ Working end adventures or trips he was taking. Trail projects can be complicated and controversial. Bob helped me remember that while this work isn’t easy, I should not take things so seriously as to forget to enjoy life.

- Nadia M. Barrera, Urban Trail Program, PWD

“ I only got to know Bob for a little over two years and although I did not realize it until he passed away, he

was a mentor to me. He sat in the cubicle next to me and we would talk across the wall and he always had a joke to lighten my day. He was also a person I turned to when I needed technical advice and encouragement. He was extremely dedicated, and I once overheard him tell a contractor to call him when a critical part came in because he wanted to be there when it was installed, even if it was on a Saturday or Sunday.

I sorely miss our daily talks.

- Roxanne Cook, PMD, PWD

”

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”

the past seven years, I was fortunate to “ Over get to know him as he gave his very best to the citizens of Austin in everything he touched. He certainly lightened my spirit when facing difficult tasks with a smile and a wink, and his kind and compassionate wit. I know I will miss him, and hope that we can honor Bob by keeping his memory alive, especially as we visit and enjoy the places around Austin that he helped to create.

”

- Howard Lazarus, Director of PWD

contents

VOLUME 5

contributors

ISSUE 2

SPRING 2015

EDITORIAL

22

Editor in Chief Courtney Black

courtney.black@austintexas.gov

Contributing Writers Howard Lazarus

howard.lazarus@austintexas.gov

Denise Riad

denise.riad@austintexas.gov

Luciano Tamayo

luciano.tamayo@austintexas.gov

12

Susan Garnett

susan.garnett@austintexas.gov

Carolyn Perez

carolyn.perez@austintexas.gov

Shelley Kilday

shelly.kilday@austintexas.gov

Michelle Frith

michelle.frith@austintexas.gov

03

30

04

features 18 07

COVER STORY: OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Imagination can take you places. Check out these ingenious public works projects around the world.

22 30

ALL AROUND AUSTIN Public Workers discuss an array of exciting new projects and happenings around the City, telling their stories and commending staff for a job well done.

Alexandria Bruton

alexandria.bruton@austintexas.gov

Charles Felipa

chalres.felipa@austintexas.gov

10

Robin Field

robin.field@austintexas.gov

Carmen Morgan

carmen.morgan@austintexas.gov

Sharon Warren

sharron.warren@austintexas.gov

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: PROJECT MANAGER TRAVELS TO INDONESIA FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

Nadia Barrera

nadia.barrera@austintexas.gov

DESIGN

PWD Project Management Supervisor spends two weeks in Indonesia as part of the Legislative Process and Governance Professional Fellows Exchange Program.

Director of Visual Design Alexa Muraida

alexa.muraida@austintexas.gov

Director of Photography Carolyn Perez

carolyn.perez@austintexas.gov

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STREET AND BRIDGE OPERATIONS: HERE COMES THE RAIN Street and Bridge Operations gear up for sealcoat season and respond to a record number of CSRs.

14

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR: THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION COMES TO AUSTIN

columns 16

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PUBLIC WORKERS UNIVERSITY: KNOWING THE RIGHT MOVES Growth and learning are not new concepts, but Public Workers University is a new initiative here in Public Works to help you learn the steps in your career path. Meet the staff!

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR? Michelle Frith profiles two employees that work hard for PWD every day, who you may have never met!

PWD seeks to become 100th APWA-accredited organization.

MILESTONES What Public Workers are doing out there to achieve, foster community, impress coworkers and citizens alike, and show we really are the ‘Department with a Heart’!

roxanne.cook@austintexas.gov

divisions

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: PREVENTING FLOODING IN CREATIVE WAYS The Urban Trails Program investigates what other communities are doing to combat flooding while also protecting lives and property.

Roxanne Cook

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Public Works hosts interns from Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Three talented students joined Public Works for a week-long internship to learn about the various career options Public Works has to offer.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 05

safety zone

Five safety lessons learned from the demise of Titanic Tragedy sets the groundwork for safety.

S

afety headlines grab attention with catastrophe, accidents, fines, and pointing fingers.

April 15th marked the 103-year anniversary of one of the most talked about safety tragedies of 20th century. The sinking of Titanic killed more than 1,500 passengers and crew, shocking the world, as it had been touted as the safest ship ever built—up to that point.

What we don’t talk about as much are the lessons learned past mistakes. We don’t celebrate the improvements, ideas generated, shared, and implemented for future use. It can be difficult to measure potential energy, such as the accidents or deaths avoided without some type of benchmark.

Here are 5 lessons about Titanic that impacted the safety of future vessels.

OUTDATED STANDARDS + REQUIREMENTS Titanic only supplied with enough life boats/jackets for half of its maximum number of passengers.

The Board of Trade had no safety regulations in place for a ship of that size. The only requirement in place was the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act, which required that the number of lifeboats be in direct proportion with the ship’s gross tonnage. That rule may have sufficed, however, the act only provided calculations for ships up to 10,000 tons, in which 16 life boats were required. Titanic was about 46,000 tons, and carried 20 lifeboats.

LACK OF TRAINING The 20 lifeboats available were not used to full capacity. At least four lifeboats were filled at 50 percent capacity or less. One lifeboat had capacity for 40 people but only carried 12. The lifeboat drill that was scheduled to take place the day it hit the iceberg, was cancelled by Captain Smith. There is speculation that this training could have impacted the outcome of the emergency escape, potentially saving more lives.

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ADEQUATE TOOLS + PROTECTION

AGENCIES FORMED + PROTOCOL SET

The ship was short on safety supplies. Some officers that were on bridge did not have binoculars or search lights. This fact, among many others, may have contributed to the officers only having 37 seconds to react before they hit the iceberg. Each minute gained could have saved hundreds more lives.

The first International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS convened November 12, 1913 in response to the disaster of Titanic. A treaty was signed by the conference in January of 2014, resulting in the formation of the International Ice Patrol. The United States Coast Guard formed this agency to monitor and report on the location of North Atlantic Ocean icebergs that could pose a threat to transatlantic sea traffic (Organization, 2015). SOLAS has gone under revision six times since its inception to stay updated with technology and capabilities.

Lessons have been learned from the 1,500 lives lost that fateful night. From increased training, and appropriate personal protection, to standardizing requirements for emergency procedures— maritime safety has improved, and many lives have either been saved or weren’t put in danger due to our actions. Agencies hold private and government vessel and barge operations accountable to meticulous standards, in order to avoid disasters like Titanic.

EMERGENCY BACKUP There was another ship, Californian, within 30 miles of Titanic, that saw flares and heard emergency response requests. During investigations after the Titanic sinking, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee and the British Board of Trade both concluded that Californian could have rescued some of the 700 people that were left floating in the water for three hours before Carpathia made it to pick up the survivors.

Why the Captain of the Californian decided not to respond, and went back to sleep has different historical explanations. Some say he didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation, or that there was a miscommunication, while others claim it was negligence. Later the Vessel Emergency Response Plans were implemented by governing agencies in the U.S. and U.K. These plans included but are not limited to required training and emergency response from nearby vessels. (UK, 2008)

(Source: http://www.ishn.com/articles/101143-five-safetylessons-learned-from-the-demise-of-titanic)

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BY NADIA BARRERA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Thinking outside the Box Preventing Flooding in Creative Ways

A

ccording to the Austin Watershed Protection Department’s flood safety and preparedness page “in the right circumstances, almost any road can flood.” The site then lists more than 30 low water crossings in the City that flood frequently.

Given the recent record floods of Central Texas, the Urban Trails Program sought to learn what other communities are doing to combat flooding while also protecting lives and property.

The Boulder Greenways Program in Boulder, Colorado provides recreation and transportation opportunities along Boulder Creek and its 15 major tributaries.

ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE, THE GREENWAYS PROGRAM ALSO, “HELPS PRESERVE THE COMMUNITY’S NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES BY COORDINATING”: environmental protection wetland habitat restoration water quality enhancements flood mitigation storm drainage improvements

Boulder’s Greenways Program recognizes that stream corridors are a vital link in the larger environmental system and that each stream is a natural and cultural resource. Boulder’s Greenways Master Plan is coordinated with the Comprehensive Flood and Stormwater Utility Master Plan, the Water Quality Strategic Plan, stream specific flood mitigation plans, and the Boulder Revised Code, which requires floodplain development permits and wetland permits for most Greenways projects.

The Greenways Master Plan first divides each tributary into reaches. Then, each reach is inventoried for existing infrastructure (i.e. trail type, recreational amenities), habitat, flood conditions, and cultural/historic resources. This inventory identifies existing conditions and future opportu-

nities for project-based improvements. Program operation and funding for the Greenways system is maintained by several entities: the City’s Transportation Fund, Stormwater and Flood Control Utility Fund, and the State’s Lottery Fund. Each of these funding sources provides $150,000 annually to the program for a total of $450,000 per year with additional funding provided by Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.

Annie Noble, the Greenways Program Coordinator, said the $450,000 in funding is budgeted in the Greenways Program as “seed” money to leverage other funding sources or complete projects that meet the Greenways objectives in conjunction with other big projects. For example, if Boulder is building a major flood improvement project which involves constructing a large box culvert under a road, the Greenways funds will be used to pay for path connections to that culvert, so that the box culvert serves a dual function: passing the 100-year flood and serving as a bicycle and pedestrian underpass under the road. Greenways funds are also used for habitat maintenance or for flood improvements in conjunction with a major transportation project etc.

Utilizing the floodplains for trails rather than other types of development (houses and structures) is the objective of the Greenways Program. This objective was shown to save life and property in

September of 2013, when record-breaking rainfall caused numerous floods, property destruction and loss of life.

Fortunately, the drainage ways with completed Greenways projects (flood mitigation and trails) experienced less damage during the September 2013 flood. The trails actually work to divert water away from adjacent roadways and buildings.

The City of Austin Urban Trails Program also strives to create recreation and transportation opportunities accessible to Austinites and visitors of all ages and abilities. The Urban Trails Program also seeks to ensure that all Urban Trails are contextsensitive and environmentally sustainable as well as preserve and improve upon wildlife habitat.

Working together with the Watershed, Planning, Development Review, Parks and Recreation, and the Transportation Department, the Urban Trails Program hopes to pursue federal, state, and local funding opportunities that can provide similar “triple bottom line” opportunities like those of the Boulder Greenways Program. While flooding may require the removal of debris after a large storm, properly designed trails may be able to save lives and mitigate property damage during hazardous conditions, while providing health and quality of life benefits every day.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 07

divisions

Public Works hosts interns from Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Three talented students joined Public Works for a week-long internship to learn about the various career options Public Works has to offer.

I

n May, Jennifer Chaparro, Maya Nunez and Miranda Toy, juniors from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders teamed up with staff from several divisions within Public Works for a week-long internship. These up-and-coming leaders engineered their own project, toured various capital improvement project sites and created a final presentation for the management team in the form of a public information meeting. Here is a rundown of what each participating division had in store for them.

ESD: ROGER HICKMAN, JOHN THOMPSON & KEVIN SWEAT The Engineering Services Division led the interns’ first assignment with a focus on traffic calming design and began by taking them on a site tour of several locations around Austin where traffic calming devices have been installed.

The interns were also introduced to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NATCO) website to afford them a better understanding of intersection design criteria based on nationally accepted concepts. They reviewed design concepts and previously designed projects, discussed

why certain designs are used over others, and talked about the importance of interaction with the public during the design phase of a project.

Each intern was then given a plan view of an intersection and with the help of ESD staff, was asked to collectively design their own traffic circle using the criteria that had been discussed. A complete set of plans was created to give them a better understanding of the entire engineering design process for their traffic circle design.

PMD – ROXANNE COOK, GREG JOHNSTON & DAVID SMYTHE-MACAULAY

left to right: Maya Nunez, Miranda Toy and Jennifer Chaparro visit the Mobility Bridges Project with Nadia Barrera.

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The Project Management Division spent their time with the interns by touring them around the Waller Creek Tunnel Inlet and Outlet to give them an idea of what it takes to manage a Capital Improvement Project. They started their tour at the pedestrian bridge next to the Waller Creek Tunnel Outlet and from there, walked to the boat house and enjoyed the fantastic view from

the deck while learning about its overall function. The interns then got a peek at the Inlet and learned about future plans of the park that will be constructed nearby. Afterward, the interns strolled through City Hall to see the newly renovated Council chambers in use during a live City Council meeting, and also got to visit the Council offices.

divisions

BY SUSAN GARNETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES DIVISION – SIMON ORTA, CARMEN MORGAN, GREG WEEMS & STEPHYN HOLLAND Staff from the Construction Services Division spent some time with the interns to show them the ins and outs of CIP inspection by touring the New Central Library. They suited up in the required personal protective equipment (hard hat, reflective vest and safety glasses) to get a sneak peek at the construction that is underway. They were able to tour the project from top to bottom, moving from one floor to another, seeing different phases of work as it progressed. They also visited the Second Street Bridge and the stream bank work associated with the Library project. The tour ended in the project trailer where they saw the plans and renderings of what the finished project will look like. After lunch, they returned to the office for a brief overview of the duties and expectations of an inspector.

URBAN TRAILS – CHAD CRAGER & NADIA BARRERA The Urban Trails Program gave the students two short presentations prior to taking them into the field to see a signature Urban Trail project. The first presentation was focused on the Mopac Mobility Bridges. This project will complete a historic gap in the bicycle and pedestrian network and will create access to multiple recreational, shopping, and residential destinations in the Mopac/ Barton Creek/Loop 360 area. The project is unique for a couple of reasons. First, there are considerable environmentally sensitive elements which require clear and transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders. Second, the project is a collaboration between the City of Austin, TxDOT and CAMPO, and is being constructed by TXDOT. The second presentation was entitled, “Elements of Successful Community Engagement.” Building on years of experience conducting outreach and public meetings, the students learned about presenting to the public along with some tools for how to effectively communicate and discuss difficult issues.

The group then went to visit the Mopac Mobility Bridges project and saw the columns and micropiles of the bridge in multiple phases. The students learned about the phasing and techniques used in construction. They also learned about design specifications, such as adhering to the ADA standards and City of Austin tree protection requirements.

QSD – JAY ULARY, TYLEAH MCGUIRE, JENNIFER SIMMONS & KARIM HELMI Staff from the Quality Services Division started with short introductions to find out what each of the students was interested in and gave them a brief summary of their experience. Next they went over a slide show explaining QSD’s purpose for the City, what it is they do as a division and what they look for in a quality project. On

Interns thank PWD staff for a week in the life of public workers.

staff from QSD reviewed the interns’ project and helped them prepare for their presentation to PWD Director and Division Managers. To help them prepare, they were asked questions in anticipation of what would be asked of them after the presentation. The students were then given a short presentation on structural engineering and gathered some fun facts to get them thinking.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION – SUSAN GARNETT & COURTNEY BLACK The Public Affairs team had the opportunity to teach the interns about the outreach process for CIP projects. They introduced various types of communications used for City projects and helped the students develop a communications plan and fact sheet for their Traffic Calming Circle project, as well as prepare for a mock public information meeting at the end of their week-long internship. The students created a meeting invitation, agenda, and a PowerPoint presentation to present to the management and executive teams.

At the end of the week, Jennifer, Maya and Miranda executed their assignment flawlessly. They were attentive and very enthusiastic about their project, and expressed interest in pursuing careers in related fields.

All of the Public Works staff who shared their time and experience with these three young, up and coming leaders helped to make their assignment a fun and meaningful experience. To thank the Public Works team for opening their eyes to various paths toward a rewarding career, the students made a big thank you card highlighting all of the fun they had with us. The City of Austin Public Works Department thoroughly enjoyed their time with the interns and wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 09

divisions

BY ROBIN FIELD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PMD Supervisor Travels to Indonesia for Continuing Education

Yuejiao Liu spends two weeks in Indonesia as part of the Legislative Process and Governance Professional Fellows Exchange Program.

I

n the summer of 2014, Project Management Supervisor Yuejiao Liu, P.E. had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Indonesia as part of the Legislative Process and Governance Professional Fellows Exchange Program, sponsored by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

The ICMA Exchange Fellowship focuses on the themes of legislative processes and governance practices, accountability, and transparency around the globe.

Fellows learn practical skills focusing on local governments’ role and responsibility in civic engagement, promoting transparency while fostering interaction with leaders from the federal, state and local organizations. The goal of the program, funded by the U.S. State Department, is to create a global network of emerging local government leaders to positively impact legislative processes and governance practices in their organizations and in their communities by enriching their leadership skills and cultural understanding, and by providing opportunities for knowledge exchange and ongoing collaboration.

Yuejiao became interested in the fellowship program and saw it as a way to broaden her professional experience by including international activities, grow her cultural experience, and expand her professional network to include local government leaders in other U.S. cities and Indonesia.

The first stop in Indonesia was the capital city of Jakarta. Yuejiao and three other U.S. fellows visited the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, or “Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park,” and met with governmental agencies including the Association of Indonesian Municipalities (APEKSI), Indonesian National Planning Agency and Ministry of Homeland Affairs, House of the Regional Representative, and the U.S. Embassy.

Yuejiao and the other U.S. Fellows, together with staff from APEKSI, stopped by the U.S. Embassy early in their visit. Yuejiao learned about the U.S.’s strategies and directions with Indonesia, which framed upcoming interactions with the local Indonesian governments she would meet through the duration of the trip.

After the activities in Jakarta, each U.S. Fellow traveled individually to other Indonesian cities.

Yuejiao headed south to the city of Padang where

she shared many City of Austin practices with local leaders. She visited various government agencies including the Padang Mayor’s office, Department of Social Affairs, Persatuan Penyandang Disabilitas Indonesia (disabled persons department), Tourism Department, City Parliament and, of course, the Public Works Department. A few of those meetings in particular really stuck out to her.

Yuejiao explains that the City of Padang is working toward becoming an inclusive city, particularly in regards to access for the disabled and mobility-impaired. She shared with the Mayor’s office and the local Public Works Department information about the U.S.’s Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and how the City of Austin upholds the high standards with its infrastructure improvement projects. The City’s high standards in this area had previously left a big impression on the Indonesian fellows who had visited Austin earlier in 2014.

While in Padang, Yuejiao was invited to speak at an International Workshop on accessibility hosted by the Padang Department of Education. The 200+ participants were enthralled by Yuejiao’s presentation and are eager for future cooperation with the City of Austin. As an honored guest, Yuejiao received a fresh flower wreath from disabled children and watched the Tari Pasambahan (Welcome Dance) alongside the Padang Mayor. (PHOTO) E-government and transparency is another topic of high interest for Padang. Yuejiao participated in numerous discussions about the City of Austin’s award-winning web applications and innovative platforms for open government. The City of Padang is interested in implementing similar applications and will likely seek guidance from Austin in developing their own.

At the end of the exchange program, the four U.S. Fellows and two APEKSI staff members participated in a panel discussion, “Build Local Government Accountability,” at the @America learning center in Jakarta. The final forum was a great way to learn about other topics of interest to Indonesia and share the combined knowledge and experience of the U.S. Fellows team. There were approximately 100 in attendance and you can watch the panel discussion by going to the link provided below. The participants were engaged and the topics of discussion led to a better understanding of how U.S. local governments work.

As Yuejiao reflects on her extraordinary trip, she describes how the professional experience gained from meeting with the Indonesian government officials and observing national and local government activities helped her find clarity of her own professional status and position in Austin’s government. The experience has enriched her own leadership skills and cultural understanding, and Yuejiao believes this exchange program is the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the City of Padang and the City of Austin.

Link: http://www.atamerica.or.id/video/detail/1065/Presentation-Building-Local-Government-Accountability

10

STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

TRAVEL PHOTOS FROM INDONESIA

International workshop

Padang Director of Tourism

Monkey Park

The village

Traditional wedding outfit

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 11

divisions

Here comes the Rain (and Street and Bridge Operations)

Above: SBO crews removing roadway debris.

Unusual weather and increasing customer requests put operations to the test

F

rom the months of April through September, Street and Bridge Operations sealcoat crews strive to complete 360 lane miles of sealcoating on about 500 different streets. Most of the streets are residential; however others are major arterials as well. Every year, they begin the sealcoat season with a kick-off meeting to refresh the experienced crew members and orientate new crew members. This meeting, led by SBO pavement engineer Ron Koehn, includes two sealcoat crews for SBO as well as members of Transportation Department and the Public Affairs Division.

The sealcoating process is typically fast, with treatment taking only a few hours for each street. The process starts by spraying a thin layer of asphalt/water emulsion over the pavement, followed by an application of a thin layer of traprock gravel. The surface is then rolled, and the street reopened to traffic. Excess gravel is swept up the following day. While the road remains open to traffic, it takes about a month for the new surface to cure and lock firmly into place. City crews have performed this type of summertime work

12 STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

In May of last year, there were 830 customer service request calls. This year, there were 2,520. This includes several hundred after hour calls and 765 emergency calls.

divisions

BY SHARON WARREN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

for the past 35 plus years, and most of Austin’s older streets have had sealcoat resurfacing in the past.

The month of May has been one of the wettest on record. Several significant events including the Memorial Day floods have resulted in additional infrastructure repairs. The sealcoat crews are experienced and diligent in their work and are typically ahead of schedule on any other given year.

Although the rain is a bit of a setback, it’s created opportunities for creative thinking and scheduling.

Districts are primarily responsible for responding to the Customer Service Requests (CSRs) Street and Bridge receives. With over 2,500 requests in the month of May and over 600 on Memorial Day weekend, a little help was needed.

Overlay/sealcoat crews assist the districts with rain events of these types. While sealcoat is the buzz around the summertime, the overlay operation is mostly year round. The criteria for overlay is the temperature has to be 50 degrees and rising and of course no torrential downpours. The overlay crew is scheduled to pave 120 lane miles on 200 plus streets.

The material used to overlay streets is commonly known as asphalt or more specifically Hot-Mixed Asphaltic Concrete (HMAC). Asphalt is normally produced at about 300º F to 350º F and applied at 250º F to 275º F by machine. The roadway is first prepared by doing spot repairs and level ups, edge milled, cleaned by sweeping, and tacked with asphaltic emulsion. The asphalt is then placed hot, rolled for compaction by steel wheel rollers before it cools to 175º F, and finished by rubber tired pneumatic rollers when it cools below 175º F. The roadway can be opened to traffic immediately after rolling operations are completed. Temporary tabs are usually placed for lane markings until the final restriping can be completed. FUN FACT: Asphalt is one of the most recycled construction materials.

Rains, although welcomed, result in creative Operations throughout SBO. District Maintenance (North, Central and South) have been inundated with CSRs received from 3-1-1. When it rains, calls for pothole repair increase due to the saturated soil and temporary street repair failures. The addition of wind creates an increase in trees/debris in the street and barricade requests due to flooding and debris.

The District Maintenance crews typically perform maintenance work that includes guardrail installation and repair, pothole repair, maintaining medians, mobility trails and alleys, surface repairs, street

failures, trimming trees and vegetation, removing obstructions that are in the public right-of-way and emergency response.

The flood of requests from citizens provide opportunities for the Utility and Structures Division as well. While normal work consists of installation and repairing of sidewalks, retaining walls, curb and gutters, and performing utility repairs, during emergency events (i.e. the Memorial Day weekend flooding), normal work gets placed on hold. The Utility and Structures Division switches to emergency response mode, assisting the districts with CSRs that are event related including emergency bridge repairs. The much increased rainfall tends to increase the number of utility repair requests received from the Austin Water Utility sometimes for several months. This increase adds to the existing backlog of locations.

SBO crews do a great job in making our roadways safe to drive on after emergency events (including ice and snow events, rain and flooding events). This is in addition to their year round hard work in all types of elements and conditions. Crews continue to provide services in 100+ degree days, sub-freezing temperatures, in work zones where sometimes only traffic cones separate them from vehicular traffic, in dust and debris, working with paving material that is very hot, and around heavy equipment, just to name a few. They are all “superheroes” of Public Works.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 13

divisions

BIG THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING STAFF:

BY SHELLEY KILDAY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Megan Bell

The American Public Works Association Comes to Austin

Floyd Bermea Nika Brogan Tica Chitrarachis Roxanne Cook Chad Crager Michael Curtis Jacque Driskell

PWD aims to become the 100th accredited organization

Jeannette Gilpin

O

n July 13 and 14 of this year, evaluators from the American Public Works Association (APWA) will visit Austin to determine if our department meets the criteria to become an accredited public works organization. If we pass, we will become the 100th organization in the US and Canada to receive this prestigious designation.

The purpose of the accreditation program is to provide a means of formally verifying and recognizing public works agencies for compliance with the recommended practices set forth in the Public Works Management Practices Manual published by the APWA. It is a voluntary, self-motivated approach to objectively evalu-

ate, verify, and recognize compliance with the recommended management practices.

PW Division Managers and other key staff have been busy documenting compliance with each of the 221 practices that apply to our department. For the most part, this has meant organizing existing docu-

mentation. For some practices, however, it has meant putting into writing existing practices that were not previously documented. For a small number, it has meant creating processes and procedures where none existed.

David Magana Karen Maggio Margot Massey Pirouz Moin

Steven Penshorn Carolyn Perez

doing everything that is important quite well. At worst, we can find some areas that we need improvement and now know where to focus our attention. The accreditation process has already forced us to scramble a few times to tighten up some loose ends.

Overall, that’s not a bad thing. We have nothing to lose but some time invested in either making sure we’re already the best we can be or alternatively, knowing how to get there. In a sense it is can be viewed as a quality improvement process. That’s a worthwhile investment in ourselves and in

the services we provide to the public.

Another value of APWA accreditation in the long term is that this is a continuing process as any quality improvement process should be. In future re-certifications we will have to compare ourselves against the criteria to assure we are still doing all of the right things. As time moves on, staff changes, our processes and procedures can change, and the accreditation framework itself may evolve.

An occasional reevaluation just assures we are still on track.

”

- Ed Poppitt, Consulting Engineer for the Street and Bridge Division There is no denying that preparing for the APWA accreditation evaluation has been a tremendous amount of work.

APWA “super star” status goes to Margot Massey and Floyd Bermea for their efforts on this project. Special recognition goes out to Kit Johnson and Terry O’Connor for becoming trained APWA evaluators and assisting with our practice evaluations. And last, but not least, James Snow and Najwa Pedigo deserve recognition for their guidance, support, and assistance in getting the team prepared for accreditation.

14 STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

Louise Madden

Najwa Pedigo

To answer this question I emailed the staff involved and got this thoughtful response from Ed Poppitt, Consulting Engineer for the Street and Bridge Division:

“

Steven Linett

Gerald Nation

WHY GO TO ALL THIS TROUBLE?

I’ve heard a few folks remark that they didn’t understand the value of yet another administrative exercise. However, APWA accreditation is not a ploy to get another plaque for the wall as a trophy. I see this as very similar to the potential for using one of the well-developed sustainability rating systems like Greenroads or APWA’s Envision for our projects. These are opportunities to compare our processes and standard operating procedures against well-vetted national frameworks of best practices. At best, we can confirm that we are already

Kit Johnson

Ed Poppitt Denise Riad Molly Ritter Shelly Sheppard James Snow Tyler Steinbarger Kalpana Sutaria Kevin Sweat Jay Ullary Annie Van Zant Patricia Wadsack Brian Works

divisions

BY MICHELLE FRITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Knowing the Right Moves

Growth and learning are not new concepts, but Public Workers University is a new initiative in Public Works here to help you learn the steps in your career path. We’d like to introduce you to our staff!

Jesse Brown Jesse “Cowboy” Brown, Technical Trainer, mentors SBO Subject Matter Experts and provides leadership and technical information about equipment to SBO field crews. Jesse trains crews in equipment simulators and how to operate equipment safely and efficiently. In his spare time Jesse enjoys riding horses and training them to dance and do tricks. He also enjoys trail riding and will be happy to share photos of his beautiful horses at any time.

Max Eby Max “The Resolver” Eby finds creative ways to resolve difficult issues. In his role as Performance Consultant, Max looks forward to launching PWU into the information age by partnering with department and City teams to adopt a user-friendly training data system that are designed to track staff training for Career Progression. On his own time, Max enjoys jogging, biking, or walking his dog. When it’s “Wheels Up” time, Max, his partner, and their friends love to travel to faraway places. He speaks two foreign languages fluently and is conversational in a couple more, creating a more authentic travel experience. Max suggests we “all jump out of the comfort zone and try something different.”

From left to right: Jesse Brown, Michelle Frith, Louise Madden , Max Eby and Katherine Hernandez.

Katherine Hernandez Katherine, “Extraordinary Extravert” Hernández, PWU Program Coordinator, helps with Career Progression, Supervisor and Management Academy, and keeping the PWU humming along. She’s a bubbly, energetic, and enthusiastic person and loves nothing more than getting to know everyone. Being around her loving and caring family, attending party celebrations, dancing and softball gives Katherine joy. One of her challenges is to make others smile. Always smiling herself, she enjoys sharing her joy, talents, and ideas to create a good working relationship and camaraderie with others. Katherine looks forward to working with Public Works staff in helping them to achieve their goals and getting to know them and for them to get to know her!

Michelle Frith Michelle “Dexterous Diva” Frith loves helping others to find information and resources to reach their personal and professional goals in her role as Performance Consultant. In charge of soft skill training and communications for PWU, Michelle has also been a writer for Street Talk since 2010, focusing on employee profiles and the occasional feature.

When not searching for something clever to say at work, Michelle tries to find something clever to write as a novelist. Her first two works are now complete, with the first being available as an e-book by the end of the year and the second undergoing final edits. Michelle also loves camping, travel, reading and her husband Ron and family.

Louise Madden Louise “The Motivator” Madden is the Supervisor for PWU. She joined PWU in August 2013, leading the team in rolling out Career Progression across PWD. If you have had an opportunity to work with Louise, you will know that her energy is contagious and it carries over to her life/ work balance. She is an avid runner with marathons, half-marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks in the bank. Her most recent event was the “Bourbon Chase” in Kentucky, a 200-mile relay along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with a team of 12 runners. When she’s not running somewhere, Louise loves hanging out with her husband, playing with her dogs, gardening and getting her hands in the dirt.

2015 SPRING STREET TALK 15

columns

BY MICHELLE FRITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

How well do you know your neighbor?

Michelle Frith profiles two employees that work hard for PWD every day who you may have never met!

P

ride, integrity and a sense of purpose through service is rare, but is embodied in our colleague, Lek Mateo.

Lek’s father, an Army veteran who had served in the Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division and was wounded in Vietnam, met Lek’s mother in her native Thailand. Lek was born there and the small family left to move to the U.S. in 1972 when he was just six years old. Lek learned a strong sense of duty and appreciation for country as a first generation American on his maternal side and a second-generation (from Cuba) NEIGHBOR American on his Lek Mateo father’s side. Lek’s father, a strong DIVISION disciplinarian, instilled in him a Construction Services sense of service and to appreciate all his TITLE blessings, and his Project Coordinator mother, a reserved woman, instilled in him patience, selfsufficiency and a non-judgmental attitude.

The family moved many times, with Lek attending five high schools. He enlisted in the Army in 1985 as an infantryman. After he finished active duty, Lek went to Florida where he studied graphic design and obtained a degree in Visual Communications at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, while simultaneously serving in the Florida Army National Guard. After graduating he worked for five years in with the Florida Army National Guard and the U.S. Customs Service Contraband Enforcement Team as part of the counter drug program. The joint federal law enforcement and state military team searched

16 STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

cargo containers for narcotics and contraband He later worked three years with the U.S. Border Patrol providing basic law enforcement support ensuring federal agents had the necessary communication equipment and verifying immigration status of detainees.

In Florida in 1997, he was introduced to the sister of one of his friends. He traveled to Texas to visit Melissa and fell in love with both her and Town Lake. They became engaged and Lek transferred to the Texas Army National Guard. Melissa’s other brother helped Lek find a job with a materials engineering testing firm. He learned about civil engineering and construction inspection while working on the new Austin Bergstrom International Airport project. Lek observed the respect given to the City Inspectors and how they were given the latitude to do their jobs. He was asked to apply for a construction inspector position and was hired by Public Works in 2000.

In 2004-2005, Lek was deployed to Iraq for approximately 14 months as a Chief Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) for the Texas Army National Guard’s 56th Brigade Combat Team and was assured by his management at Public Works that his job would be waiting for him when he returned. He provided public affairs support for more than 3,500 soldiers assigned to the brigade. During his absence Lek’s supervisor, John Pressly, Sam Angoori and Lek’s coworkers checked on Melissa and sent care packages. The

group became a second family to Lek and he was deeply appreciative of their support. Lek returned in 2005 and in 2008 when John retired, Lek became Supervisor.

The City of Austin was the first municipality to receive the prestigious Department of Defense Freedom Award, due to Lek’s nomination. Lek retired from the Guard after 24 years of service. He is now a Project Coordinator in the Construction Services Division, where he facilitates service agreements, sets up inspection services and does cost analyses.

Now the parents of three sons, he and Melissa, a cafeteria monitor with Round Rock ISD, dedicate themselves to their boys, David (sophomore), Matthew (8th grade) and Nathan (6th grade). Love of family, community and country continues to drive him as Lek volunteers with Austin Honor Flight, helping transport WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to see the National World War II Memorial. This year he will assist veterans of other military campaigns, including a Purple Heart recipient, to the Nation’s capitol to see their memorial. He appreciates the relationships and sharing experiences between generations.

Lek hopes to retire in three years. He is proud to work for a diverse department that strives to take care of its own. Lek is proud to look around his community and see how Public Works makes a difference to its citizens.

The City of Austin was the first municipality to receive the prestigious Department of Defense Freedom Award, due to Lek’s nomination.

columns

BY MICHELLE FRITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

S

haron Warren is shedding the old and taking on a new, lighter life. Born in Pasadena, Texas and the youngest of four children, she grew up as the “rebel” in the family, never hesitating to speak her mind. Her father, Sammy, worked in refineries and her mother, Jeri, worked at the local newspaper. She attended Deer Park High School where she had a strong interest in health occupations, especially in occupational therapy.

She attended San Jacinto Junior College, but soon found that she was expecting twins. Sharon’s sons were born February 29, on Leap NEIGHBOR Day. She chose to Sharon Warren instead attend vocational school and began her career DIVISION in the administraStreet & Bridge tive field. Her boys, Martin and Scott, became her life.

In 1994 she TITLE had another son, Program Coordinator Dane. She divorced in 1996 and moved to Waco when she learned about a college in Waco that had programs for nontraditional students. She studied Health and Safety at Texas State Technical College where she also served as Student Ambassador helping with graduations, events and new student welcomes. As the President of the National Association of Safety Professionals Student Chapter, Sharon learned to network with others and become a part of the bigger picture. Her 3.9 GPA resulted in several scholarships.

She graduated in October 1998 and began working on the construction phase of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport in Austin as a safety officer. While working at the airport for the next two years she worked under two different contractors, learning the details of construction safety.

In May 2000, she applied to the City of Austin and was hired as a Senior Safety Specialist and later was reclassified as a Safety Coordinator. When David Wilson left Public Works in 2011, she was in the role of acting Safety Manager for 14 months. Sharon enjoyed the training aspect of her job the best. She also worked on safety procedures with the Division Managers, conducted safety inspections for PWD facilities and investigated collisions and injuries. She coordinated the Collision Review Committee that was comprised of Public Works, Watershed Protection and Transportation, and was a member of the collision Appeal Board. She earned her bachelors degree in July 2013.

In 2013, Sharon moved to Street and Bridge Operations under the Office of the City Engineer. She now reports to Rob Grotty in Urban Forestry as a Program Coordinator where she inspects obstructions in the Right of Way. For the Urban Tree Program she maintains the Right of Way tree database and is assisting in the inspection process of trees.

In 2013, Sharon moved to Street and Bridge Operations under the Office of the City Engineer.

She now reports to Rob Grotty in Urban Forestry as a Program Coordinator where she inspects obstructions in the Right of Way. For the Urban Tree Program she maintains the Right of Way tree database and is assisting in the inspection process of trees.

She is learning a lot about trees from Rob and from John Robinson. She is also one of the Street Talk reporters for SBO. Although no longer in the safety office, she is still involved in the Employee Safety Association and coordinates the exhibitors for the annual safety conference in June.

Sharon’s sons are now grown.

Martin, now 27 (or 7 ¾ in leap years), works as a Scheduler/Analyst and has a six-month old son, Martin Jr. (MJ).

Scott, also 27, works as a production supervisor for a Biochemistry company. Dane (20) lives at home and works at Brake Check, but is considering joining the Army soon.

Sharon, soon facing an empty nest, recently consulted Healthy Connections’ Sarah Neilson on a nutrition and exercise plan and has lost quite a lot of weight and become much healthier. She participates in PE Anytime and is a member of the Public Works Healthy Connections team. In her spare time, Sharon hangs out with her two Labs, Lizzie and Ryder, and indulges in reading mysteries. As a hobby, Sharon enjoys sampling a variety of beers and wines from local and statewide breweries and wineries with a long-time friend. The two women volunteer at events and keep a log of new samples they have tried. The future seems to offer a lighter load for this very strong woman.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 17

AR

OUND THE

PUBLIC WORKS WORLD

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Imagination can take you places.

Check out these ingenious public works projects around the world.

18

STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

R

esearching innovative public projects around the world, I was struck by the amazing creativity and crazy ideas that have resulted in some of the most awe-inspiring places anywhere. These works of genius reminded me of a passage written by a brilliant philosopher: “You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a

feature

BY MICHELLE FRITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONNECTING CONTINENTS

Our world continues to shrink as we reach to join not just our neighbors, but also other countries. In of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken, China is building the world’s largest economic development and construction project to date. The Silk Road, an ancient trade route, is being restored to life as the New Silk Road. It will feature modern transit on a trade and economic corridor stretching from Shanghai to Berlin. The project will cross China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany, and traverse over 8,000 miles creating an economic zone that crosses more than one third the circumference of the world.

The project will include high-speed railroads, roads and highways and energy transmission and distribution centers. Additionally, the sea-based Maritime Silk Road will be included in the project, linking China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. The New Silk Road will connect the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa and cover a population of more than 4.4 billion people and cost $21 trillion.

Linking two nations in North America, the New International Trade Crossing Bridge is expected to be completed by 2020. This publicly-operated bridge will connect Windsor, Ontario in Canada to Detroit, Michigan, opening an additional trade route and making a strong impact in the economically ravaged Detroit. Currently, 25 percent of all merchandise trade between Canada and the US, crosses the Detroit River via the privately run Ambassador Bridge

PLANS FOR PLANES

The skies will get busier, too. As Austin continues its expansion of Austin Bergstrom International Airport, China has also begun work on the Beijing International Airport, slated to open in 2017. The airport will have eight runways servicing up to 130 million passengers each year. If you think that’s large, Istanbul’s airport, scheduled to open in 2018, is expected to service 150 million customers!

IF NOT PLANES, THEN HOW ABOUT TRAINS?

most useless space…The Waiting Place.” The Waiting Place is, for me, where we hold onto ideas that we think are too “out there” to offer to the world. That brilliant philosopher is none other than Dr. Seuss! He might have been inspired by the following fabulous projects in his book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Thank goodness he went from The Waiting Place to reality!

Marmaray, one of the world’s deepest submerged transport tunnels, is lessening the barriers between east and west by building a 47.2 mile subterranean railway development that will ferry travelers under a section of the Bosporus Strait between Europe and Asia.

The Hyderabad Metro System in Southern India will provide transportation to an amazing 1.7 million residents, beginning in 2017. The 72 kilometers of elevated track offers stations every one kilometer (or 0.62 miles), reducing not just journey times but also providing an eco-friendly mass transport alternative to cars or buses.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 19

feature

continued from pg. 19

TWO IF BY SEA The new London Crossrail, a 73-mile rail project connecting London from east to west, will improve access to Heathrow Airport, Central London and surrounding towns and suburbs. The crossrail is projected to begin boarding passengers in 2018. A true feat of engineering, the Liege Railway Station in Belgium, was built directly over the existing station while still in service. The Liege Railway Station is one of three highspeed rail stations in Europe.

In the heart of the Swiss Alps, The Gotthard Base Tunnel, expected to open in June 2016 is 35.4 miles route long with a 94.3 miles of tunnels, shafts and passages. The Gotthard has stripped the title of longest rail tunnel from the Japanese Seikan tunnel (33.5 kilometers). Completion is expected in June 2016.

Etihad Rail Network will extend across United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the border of Saudi Arabia to the frontiers of Oman. Built in phases, the rail will link population and industry centers of the region as well as provide transportation between The Kingdom of Bahrain, The State of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Moving planes, trains and automobiles isn’t the end, either. The 99-year-old Panama Canal is being modernized with enhanced capability, adding three 1400-foot-long, 180-foot-wide and 60-foot deep locks to each end of the 51-mile aquatic passageway that links the Pacific and Atlantic.

A breathtaking project in west Scotland, The Falkirk Wheel, is the world’s only rotating boatlift and links two canals between east and west Scotland. It carries two boats up and two boats down the wheel and makes the 35 meter drop in level in a mere 15 minutes.

NOT PLANES OR TRAINS, BUT AUTOMOBILES? BOOTS, BIKES AND BRIDGES How do you build a highway overpass over high-speed rail without interrupting service? Unbelievably, a six-lane flyover bridge in Wuhan City, China, 250 meters long and weighing more than 17,000 tons was built alongside the existing rail. Once completed, the elevated construction began a 106 degree rotation, completing the connection of the overpass in just 90 minutes -- without stopping the railway! Surprisingly, this is not the first time this technique has been used. In 1968 the Kingsgate Bridge, across the River Wear in Durham,England was constructed in two halves on the rivers bank, then swung 90 degrees into place.

Other amazing bridges include the Millau Viaduct Bridge in France. This gorgeous bridge in the clouds is higher than the height of the Eiffel Tower and is currently the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast’s summit soaring 343 meters above the base of the structure. Giving the impression of a stairway to Norwegian heaven, Storseisundet Bridge’s cantilevered construction looks like a ramp to the sky. As you begin the ascent on the locally known “Drunk Bridge”, you can’t see the second half leading you down to safety instead of plunging you into the sea The most expensive highway project in the United States to date was The Central Artery/Tunnel Project (also known as the Big Dig) in Boston. Extremely over-budget at a $22 billion total cost, the project rerouted the chief highway through the City underground.

Marmaray, one of the world’s deepest submerged transport tunnels

20

STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

Pedestrian walkways in urban areas are becoming more important to the live-ability of cities.

Residents and tourists can stroll along, smelling the food from sidewalk cafes, enjoy the architecture of a city and shop leisurely.

Two of the most beautiful pedestrian cycling bridges imaginable are the Heatherwick Rolling Bridge in London and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge spanning the River Tyne. A “garden bridge” over the Thames in London, the Heatherwick Rolling Bridge is small in size but huge in beauty. The Gateshead Bridge’s entire assembly rotates as a single, rigid structure, looking much like a blinking eye. Half of the structure is an arch, with a curved

Millau Viaduct Bridge in France.

pedestrian walkway crossing the river. At specific times, the walkway is closed and the lower half of the structure rises into the air, allowing boats to pass.

Eco-friendly, the Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane, Australia utilizes “tensegrity,” a synergy between balanced tension and compression components which create a light and incredibly strong bridge.

The Kurilpa’s LED lighting system is almost completely powered by 84 integrated solar panels, which produce an average of 100 KWh a day. The bridge can use power when needed or transmit power back to the grid when a surplus is generated.

On Hong Kong Dragons’ Back Trail, just far enough away from the city’s congestion, people fly kites, model airplanes and paraglide from the cliffs.

New York City’s High Line, an elevated railways line that opened in June 2009, has quickly become a world-class walking trail. Pedestrians pass below a mini-forest walk by landscaped wild gardens. Visitors sunbathe and enjoy nature or entertainment at a mini-amphitheater at the Sunken Overlook.

Another beautiful urban trail, The Fan Walk in Cape Town, Africa was constructed in 2010 and is a 1.6 mile route linking the City Center with the Public Square. Ending at the waterfront, it is lined with restaurants, entertainment and retail shops.

Distinctive community nature trails always seem to have several factors in common. They often follow waterways or other natural land features and link nature reserves and cultural and historic sites with populated areas. The most highly regarded walking trails marry walking, bicycling, skating and even horseback riding. Beyond beauty, the greens-

Out there things can happen and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don’t worry, don’t stew. Just go right along, you’ll start happening too!

- Dr. Seuss

paces can improve air and water quality, can provide healthy means of exercise and transportation and often are an important habitat for local wildlife. Walking trails, like the beautiful trails in Austin, which are regularly listed as some of the world’s best, give people a sense of peace and place. They improve the economy too, through tourism, civic improvement and increased property values.

Prefer wheels? American cities are becoming more bike-friendly. The best cities for cycling offer good commuting arteries that give cyclists direct access to business districts while avoiding city traffic and street crossings. Many cities now utilize rail trails (former railway lines that have been paved over and converted to multi-use paths). Many run alongside a body of water and almost all are bounded by parkland. One of San Diego’s bike paths ends in a boat ride at the end of a 25-mile loop encircling San Diego Bay. As of 2014, work continues on The Loop, a multi-use 131-mile bike trail around metro Tucson.

The Loop connects to parks, trails, bus and bike routes, workplaces and schools, and passes within a mile of 60 percent of the region’s population Regularly included in lists of the best cities for trails is

our own fair city.

Transportation in Utrecht, Netherlands is very different than Austin. Up to 50 percent of journeys there take place via bicycle and the Ultrecht is building a 12,500 space cycle parking facility – the world’s largest. Seville, Spain, in response to typical four hour commutes by car, established 50 miles of cycle lanes within one year and has now expanded to around 80 miles. They commissioned a bike rental plan and witnessed that journeys made by bike went from .5 percent to 7 percent in fewer than six years.

Montreal boasts nearly 400 miles of bike trails and has a bike-share plan, becoming the model for London and Paris. Copenhagen’s bike population exceeds 650,000 and more than half of the locals cycle to work or school. Some of the best features of their program include bike lanes of up to three meters (about 10 feet in width).

Inspired by these imaginative and beautiful projects? Dr. Seuss says it best. “Out there things can happen and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don’t worry, don’t stew. Just go right along, you’ll start happening too!”

Heatherwick Rolling Bridge.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 21

events

Public Works Connects You...

All Around Austin Public Works builds our city’s future and celebrates our successes with PWD staff and events all around town.

1

Public Works Department Recognized at Annual Urban Land Institute Awards Reception

On April 1, Public Works Director Howard Lazarus had the privilege of representing Public Works at the annual awards reception of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Austin Chapter. Of three nominations in which Public Works was a significant contributor, we were awarded two. Our work on Second Street contributed to winning the Influence Award; and our leadership on the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Trail resulted in winning the Public Places Award.

“Many of us had the opportunity to touch these projects in one way or another, and they are reflective of the exceptional team that is Public Works,” Howard commented.

“Thanks to all of you for working diligently each day to improve the quality of life here in Austin.”

3 1 Stakeholders Work with City and Downtown Austin Alliance to Create a New Vision for Congress Avenue Congress Avenue is Austin’s and Texas’ main ceremonial street, providing a grand boulevard between the Capitol and Lady Bird Lake. In many ways, Congress Avenue is the gateway to Austin. It is a distinctive place that we encourage people to go to, not just pass through.

To achieve this, the City of Austin, in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) and various community stakeholder groups, is developing a new vision for Congress Avenue. This new vision will provide direction for an urban design initiative, which will inform plans for future improvements to Congress Avenue. Design elements could include everything from improving the pedestrian experience, adding new aesthetics and celebrating Austin’s art, culture and history, to a focus on green infrastructure and making Congress Avenue more environmentally friendly.

To do this, we are meeting with the community and stakeholders to learn what vision people have for Congress Avenue. In May, the City of Austin and the DAA hosted two community meetings to gather feedback. Both were a success, boasting a combined attendance of 300+ stakeholders.

In early 2016, we will take the information we have gathered to hire a design team. At that point, we will engage the community further to identify specific elements they would like to see in the final design. If you would like to participate, visit www.austintexas.gov/congressavenue for more information about the project as well as a link to our online survey.

41 Public Works Appreciation Day another Shining Success Public workers treated to an afternoon of food and fun at The Alamo Drafthouse

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Public Works Week Proclamation

To celebrate Public Works’ employees, management in conjunction with volunteers, organized an appreciation event on May 19 at the Alamo Drafthouse. There, attendees were treated with pizza and refreshments while they watched the film The Hundred-Foot Journey. The afternoon was rounded off with a presentation by our Director, Howard Lazarus, and complimentary PWD-branded gym bags!

51 Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 1

Mayor Adler presents PWD with an award recognizing Public Works Week.

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STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

Despite the rainy weather this spring, progress continues on phase 1 of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail, which will connect Mopac to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. Consisting of a ten foot wide concrete trail with two foot shoulders, this portion of the overall Walnut Creek Trail system will include nine creek crossings and four trail heads. The City’s contractor recently placed a 205-foot long pedestrian bridge over Walnut Creek in Gracywoods Park. In the coming months, the contractor will continue to build the trail and install the remaining bridges.

Phase 1 of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail is expected to be complete in January 2016.

events 6 1

Waller Creek Tunnel Update

May’s record-breaking rainfall caused a delay in putting the Waller Creek Tunnel into full diversion mode when the contractor had to stop working on a dam in Waller Creek due to rising waters. As of July 1, the nearly milelong main tunnel segment and the outlet lagoon are complete and full of water. Throughout the rest of the summer, the contractor will complete the dam, construct two creek-side outlets at 4th and 8th Streets, and finish up the inlet structure, which will serve as a debris handling facility. Once the tunnel goes into full service, it will help prevent out of bank flooding along Waller Creek from 12th Street to Lady Bird Lake and remove nearly 28 acres of land from the flood plain.

Following tunnel completion, the contractor will begin the process of restoring all of the construction sites. This work will wrap up in 2016.

3

4 A large crane was used to carefully position the bridge over Walnut Creek

A milestone is reached as workers break through a wall, connecting the main tunnel to the outlet.

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National Bike to School Day 2015

Despite the rainy weather, more than 100 students and parents joined staff from the Safe Routes to School Program to celebrate National Bike to School Day. The goal of the Safe Routes to School Program is to create safer routes for bicycling, walking and to emphasize the importance of physical activity among children.

Participants rode from Crestview Pharmacy to Brentwood Elementary on newly installed bi-directional bicycle lanes. The lanes were installed through a partnership between the Brentwood Neighborhood Association and the Neighborhood Partnering Program. Other fun activities included a raffle for bicycles, pedometers, gift bags and bicycle lights.

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Neighborhood Partnering Program Recipient of Four Prestigious Awards

Recently, Public Works’ Neighborhood Partnering Program (NPP) was awarded the Leadership in Sustainability Award from the American Planning Association, which honors organizations whose work is dedicated to supporting and growing sustainable communities. NPP also won the Management Innovation Award from the American Public Works Association, which recognizes organizations for the development, management and implementation of creative programs that serve the public and protect the environment. Finally, the program won the 2015 Management Innovation and the 2015 Sustainability Practices awards from the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Congrats to all involved! This is a truly amazing accomplishment.

Left to Right: Janae Ryan, Justin Golbabai and Matthew Cramer

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Mabel Davis Channel Structure Reconstruction & Retrofit

The Mabel Davis Channel Structure Reconstruction and Retrofit Project began in April 2015 and should be completed by July. Even though this is a short project, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an important one.

Mabel Davis Park was built on an existing landfill site in 2005 that included two primary storm drainage channels, referred to as Main and Parker Lane Channels. These channels are stabilized with a series of drop structures armored with limestone blocks. During a routine site inspection, displaced limestone blocks were observed at two of Main Channel’s eight drop structures. The displacement was caused by the loss of supporting subgrade material. In the other six Main Channel drop structures, internal voids were observed indicating the possibility of future settlement.

This project will repair the two damaged drop structures as well as retrofitting the other six Main Channel drop structures in an effort to prevent future damages to the existing landfill liner. The cost of this project is $367,140.

Project Manager: Dennis Crabill Project Inspector: Jimmy Miller Design Engineer: Shirin Helmi, PE.

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10 1 South Lamar (Manchaca to Panther) Rehabilitation Repaving Project Team: a four-letter word that represents the Public Works Department to the core.

In March, the Street and Bridge Operations staff and crews came together successfully to coordinate a multi-division project to address the “alligator� cracking and poor pavement conditions. The heavily trafficked South Lamar Boulevard from Manchaca to Panther Trail was rehabilitated within just three weeks thanks to the hard work of our staff and crews. The pavement was milled, ground down, removed and then replaced with new pavement to restore the original street shape and ride. Additionally, crews installed ramps to allow access to local businesses and residencies. The Austin Transportation Department wrapped up the project by adding northbound and southbound bicycle lanes.

SBO staff and crews did a fantastic job by working effectively, assisting each other and making sure the neighborhood was notified with adequate time. To reduce traffic congestion and noise, staff and crews shifted work week hours from Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm, to Sunday through Thursday 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

The project was slated to be complete in six weeks but with the tenacity and hard work from SBO, the project came in three weeks ahead of schedule. This lead to absolutely no complaint calls or disruptions for the South Lamar Project.

Another job well done, team!

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10

BEFORE

10

AFTER

Martin Hill Transmission Main Project reaches completion

In September of 2013, the City of Austin Water Utility, in conjunction with the Public Works Department, began construction on the Martin Hill Transmission Main Project. This project provides water for the north and northwest quadrants of the City of Austin.

Construction was no easy feat as crews had overcome obstacles with broken equipment, caves, weather and traffic control, making the completion of this project something worth celebrating! In total, 17,215 feet of 54-inch diameter water line were installed from the Martin Hill Reservoir along Howard Lane to the intersection of McNeil Drive and Parmer Lane. The work included 2,353 feet of 72-inch diameter boring to pass under protected trees, caves, and Parmer Lane.

The success of this project was the joint effort of a number of individuals within the City, the contractor, and a result of extensive collaboration with our community and stakeholder groups.

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12 Adelphi Acre Ribbon Cutting

12 Cherry Creek Ribbon Cutting

12 Ramsey Park Ribbon Cutting

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Celebrating Success for Projects Years in the Making

With more than ten projects in construction, the Neighborhood Partnering Program (NPP) is in the middle of a busy year. Three projects recently crossed the finish line and the neighborhoods celebrated their accomplishments at festive ribbon cutting ceremonies.

On March 7, Mayor Steve Adler joined Council Member Leslie Pool, Howard Lazarus and Sara Hensley to celebrate renovations at Ramsey Park. Ramsey Park supporters blew us away by raising more than $20,000 for their neighborhood partnering match. The park renovation included a new playscape, stage, sidewalks, and a shade cover for the basketball court. The neighborhood’s determination and help from NPP, the Austin Parks Foundation, and the Parks and Recreation Department turned this space into an amazing asset for the Austin community. Bravo Rosedale Neighborhood!

Just one month later, we headed to northwest Austin for the grand opening of the Adelphi Acre Community Garden. This neighborhood was able to leverage their internal talent to design and construct a large community garden, complete with tool shed, picnic tables, and over seventy five garden beds. This garden is the first to be built on City of Austin right-of-way. This neighborhood’s match was primarily sweat equity. Residents built a fence that surrounds the garden, more than sixty garden beds, picnic tables, and additional charming features. The time and hard work this neighborhood put in to this project truly exemplifies the neighborhood partnering mission of “empowering neighborhoods and building community.”

On April 25, residents in the Cherry Creek neighborhood were finally able to cut the ribbon and start enjoying their long awaited community garden. This unique garden is the first built on floodplain land. Since this property is prone to flooding, many innovative design solutions were used to accommodate potential floods. For example, the garden shed is on a raised platform instead of on the ground. Thanks to Watershed Protection engineers and Kevin Sweat in ESD, all of the obstacles were overcome and the neighborhood had every aspect of their plans installed. The ribbon cutting ceremony was full of hugs and tears of joy as their neighborhood reflected on the process of building their garden.

As spring ends, so does another application cycle for NPP. During this round we received seven applications from all across Austin, which means more ribbon cuttings and neighborhood celebrations are on the way!

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14 1

Staff Presents the Preliminary Engineering Report for the East 51st Street Improvements Project

Touch-A-Truck Event: Street and Bridge Community Involvement

On April 23, staff from the Public Works, Planning Review and Austin Transportation Departments held a stakeholder meeting to present findings from the Preliminary Engineering Report, kicking off the first phase of design improvements for East 51st Street from IH35 to Berkman Drive. The meeting was well attended and staff received helpful input from residents and businesses in the surrounding areas. This project is expected to complete by the end of 2017.

On Saturday, May 9, 2015, Street and Bridge Operations participated in the annual Touch-A-Truck event benefiting the Austin Children’s Services. This event was a huge success this year!

More than 4,000 community members brought their kids to touch, climb on, and explore over 50 big and loud service vehicles.

Touch-A-Truck is a family friendly event that hosts a wide variety of service vehicles for kids of all ages to play on while learning about how they help serve their communities. The event was held at Camp Mabry, the perfect location for a family event that drew thousands. The event featured live music, plenty of food trucks, and a Kid Zone complete with a petting zoo, face painting, barrel-train rides and much more. The event raises funds for essential programs within Austin Children’s Services while promoting happy, healthy families in our community.

Thank you to our PWD field operations crews and staff for another successful year. It was a good turnout and the department was well represented!

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS THAT WERE PRESENTED: Partial-reconstruction of the roadway section from Interstate-35 to Berkman Drive Four-lane arterial roadway with center turn lane maintained Medians introduced throughout street segment with breaks at intersections and at mid-block Controlled pedestrian crossings at intersections to provide safer pedestrian access Installation of new tree-lined sidewalks on the north and south sides Installation of a protected bicycle lane on the north side and an off-street bicycle lane on the south side New on-street parallel parking spaces to provide better vehicular access Curb, gutter and drainage improvements Rain gardens and detention ponds for runoff and water quality enhancements Upgraded water service utilities on the north side

13

Stakeholders gather around the preliminary design of the E. 51st Street Improvements project.

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Touring the Library of the Future This ain’t your grandma’s library!

When you think of a library, images of dusty books, tall stacks, and stern librarians come to mind. Not the most inviting image perhaps, but one that will be turned on its head when the new Central Library opens next year.

Under construction since 2013, the 198,000 square foot building will replace the 110,000-square-foot Faulk Central Library that was built in 1979. It will offer citizens a completely new way to experience a library while incorporating sustainable elements, making it eligible for LEED Platinum certification.

Even though the building is mainly concrete and rebar at this point, it’s obvious how much thought has gone into planning future use. Throughout the design phase, the City’s architectural consultant team worked closely with staff and the public to carefully plan every square foot of space.

15 A view of the 2nd Street Bridge from the Central Library.

JUST A FEW OF ITS COOL FEATURES INCLUDE: A rooftop garden with seating Large, light-filled areas for children and teens A Library café with outdoor dining adjacent to Second Street and Shoal Creek Park A demonstration kitchen that can be used for cooking classes An outdoor amphitheater that can be used for live music, plays, lectures or poetry readings An event forum that can seat up to 350 people A Recycled Reads bookstore Abundant bicycle parking Reading porches and an indoor reading room overlooking Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake Gallery space featuring local and national artists A permanent exhibit of beloved puppets created by the Austin Public Library Besides the Central Library, adjacent Lower Shoal Creek improvements include a 160-foot bridge over Shoal Creek that will extend Second Street alongside the library and will encourage bike and pedestrian use. The project also includes trail improvements, landscaping, lighting and stream bank stabilization With so much to offer, the area is sure to become one of Austin’s most beloved public gathering spaces!

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15 Project Manager Cindy Jordan explains where the future rooftop garden will be to Director Howard Lazarus and PIO Susan Garnett.

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION SUPERVISOR AWARD

Milestones What Public Workers are doing out there to achieve, foster community, impress co-workers and citizens alike, and show we really are the ‘Department with a Heart’!

Congratulations to Kalpana Sutaria, Project Management Supervisor, who was selected as the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Individual Sustainability Practices Award winner for 2015. The APWA will present Kalpana with her award at the International Public Works Congress in Phoenix, AZ in August.

ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION SUPERVISOR AWARD

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY

Kevin Sweat presents the ESD Supervisor Award to Charlene Neal, Administrative Senior, for “diligently keeping track of and for preparing all the Supervisor Awards and Birthday Awards for ESD Division meetings. “

(top row from L to R) Carmen Morgan, Sadie Lopez, Dawn Rodgers, Charlene Neal-Freeman, Dorothy Callahan, Jennifer Pierce, Virginia Zepeda. (bottom row from L to R) Lucy Bonee, Selinda Mendez, HL, Anita Mata, Kathryn Potenza-Arnold, Juanita Torres, Janet Wilson Director Howard Lazarus welcomed everyone to the Administrative Professionals Day breakfast and took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the dedication and hard work that all of our administrative staff does every day. Certificates of appreciation were presented to all attendees, with everyone sharing many fond memories and stories over coffee and tacos.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 29

ENGINEERING SERVICES AWARDS + RECOGNITION LEAPS GRADUATES

Milestones

Aaron Hanna + Luciano Tamayo

What Public Workers are doing out there to achieve, foster community, impress co-workers and citizens alike, and show we really are the ‘Department with a Heart’!

Graduated from the LEAPS program in May 4, 2015. LEAPS (Leadership Education and Public Service) is a training offered by the City of Austin to all employees (from Supervisor down). This is an excellent opportunity to grow professionally and personally. This program takes about 8-months to complete and meets every first Wednesday of each month beginning in October.

Aaron Hanna

CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS

LEADERSHIP AUSTIN GRADUATES

Left to right: Hartley, Goodman, Carbajal

Sara Hartley, Public Works Chief of Staff (on temporary special assignment to the Mayor’s Office); Jill Goodman, Marketing Communications Consultant with the Communications and Public Information Office; and Susana Carbajal, an Assistant City Attorney in Aviation, recently completed Leadership Austin’s Essentials program. The program emphasizes understanding and action on critical issues facing Central Texas, such as affordability and equity, sustainable water, and civic engagement.

Leadership Austin is currently hosting informational sessions for two of its leadership programs. Learn more at www.leadershipaustin.org.

YEARS OF SERVICE

Sidney Hanson

10 Years of Service as of May 10, 2015.

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Luciano Tamayo

Daniel

Arredondo recently passed the Texas Board of Professional Engineers in May 2015. Congratulations!

HAPPY RETIREMENT

Greg Weems

15 Years of Service as of May 22, 2015.

STREET TALK SUMMER 2015

Susan Garnett

5 Years of Service.

Arturo Ortegon

15 Years of Service.

Gail Hamrick-Pigg, ESD Division Manager retires from the City of Austin in April 30, 2015. A retirement party was held in April 27, 2015, in honor of her 23 years of service with the City.

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AWARDS + RECOGNITION ABOVE + BEYOND AWARD Felicia Teague received the Above &

Beyond Award for being efficient in many ways. This employee has assisted the inspectors in compiling and gathering data when needed. Felicia has risen to the challenge on several occasions by assisting inspectors and co-workers alike with close-out projects, including calendar reminders, and ensuring all items related to their projects are included and ready for completion. She has also assisted in calculating and tabulating data used to mark the whereabouts of manholes and water meters on project plans. She even uncovered some discrepancies in the engineered drawings.

Patti Moreno On Thursday, January 29, I had a family emergency and had to travel out of state.

I was unable to plan or attend the weekly progress meeting for a project. Patti Moreno took over the meeting that morning and knew exactly what needed to be done. She created an agenda by using our meeting minutes from the prior week, took notes and recorded and facilitated the meeting. If she had not stepped in, I would not have the information to create the meeting minutes and agenda for the next weekly meeting. This was not her job to do; however, she pays attention to the system I use for the agenda and meeting minutes. Patti did an awesome job and I sincerely appreciate what she did and continues to do on the project. She is definitely an asset to the project and the whole organization!� Demira Wyatt, Project Manager

Ramiro Hernandez was given the Above & Beyond Award for stepping up and volunteering to assist his supervisor in closing out old projects that did not belong to him. He contacted the design engineer and got the record drawings and walked them through Maps & Records, which is a difficult task on its own. He was able to do this all while inspecting his current projects.

Rick Glosson This inspector is commended for taking the time to mentor and assist his fellow co-workers. He has covered numerous projects for his co-workers while they were on vacation, and always makes time for his co-workers even though he has a heavy workload of his own. Rick has the qualities of a leader.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARD Jim Evans received the Commitment to Excellence Award for doing an outstanding job, both technically and with public relations on a very difficult project. Jim was complemented by a member of the public on the Martin Hill Transmission Main Project and as a result, received kudos from Dennis Crabill, PM; Howard Lazarus, Director; and Keri Juarez, Assistant Director of Public Works.

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 31

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AWARDS + RECOGNITION PAT ON THE BACK AWARD

Brett Clemons received the Pat on the Back Award for taking on a few projects from a previous coworker and one who is retiring, all while maintaining his current workload

John Bowman received the Pat

on the Back Award for taking on a few projects from a previous coworker and one who is retiring, all while maintaining his current workload

Eddie Cooper has closed out three projects this year and has assisted his co-workers in covering their projects so they can work on closing out their own projects.

Kirkland Fordham received the Pat on the Back Award for taking over a few projects from a previous co-worker while still working on his current projects and hasn’t skipped a beat on his inspection duties.

Travis Miller has a current project that has required revisions to every plan sheet. He has stayed on top of the Design Engineer to get this done in a timely manner. He was able to get the engineer to quickly revise the plans and back to construction in a short amount of time. no photo

Mark Day received the Pat on the

Back Award for taking on additional projects from an inspector who retired. He had a big project and was able to cover two additional projects without hesitation. He is doing a great job on them, along with being an outstanding lead inspector who the staff can go to for help at any time. Great job Mark!

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Mansoor Yazdi has vigorously

worked through his Skill Base Pay and acquired Level Three certificates in Highway & Underground Utilities.

He is the first Inspector in our group that has obtained Level Three Certification.

Jamison Smith “I would like to recognize Jamison Smith for handling a waterline mishap last week. The timely information and attention he provided allowed AWU personnel justification and information they needed to make necessary repairs in the fastest way possible by minimizing the time that our customers were out of water and inconvenienced by the situation (over eight customers). He provided hour by hour updates including photographs and kept all the customers informed and insured their confidence that the City was doing everything possible to get them back in service. Three long days of hard work kept this issue from escalating to what could have been a bad review by the public.” (Project: US 290 Intersection Improvements @ SH71, William Cannon & Joe Tanner)

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

TALES FROM THE SIXTH

W

ith a “Public Works around the World” issue of Street Talk, this equally sad and odd situation presented itself at the right time. I call this one The French Connection, 6th Street Style.

In the movie, The French Connection, which doesn’t show my age but my appreciation for movies because it came out many years before I was born, two NYC police officers try to stop a drug smuggling ring by intercepting a shipment coming in from France.

The 6th Street connection (pun intended) starts with a young lady stumbling off San Jacinto while heading toward 6th Street. She sits down on the steps on the side of the club Amped and falls asleep. A man notices her sitting there and goes to sit beside her. I have seen this sort of thing many times over the years, so I decided to make our presence known to him so he didn’t think she was out there alone. He began to tell me that he was just waiting to see if her friends were coming because he was worried about her, but I’m wasn’t buying that. As I prepared the blocks to be cleaned, he patiently waited with the young lady. As soon as I began to prepare an area out of his line of sight, I heard a scream! As I came around the corner, I saw the man run off.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE INTERACTION THAT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE YOUNG LADY AND ME: Me: Ma’am, are you alright?

Young lady: No, I’m not ok! That man just stole my purse!

Me: Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that, let me call the police for you.

Young lady: No, wait on that. I’m drunk and I need you to help me find him.

Me: Well, finding him probably isn’t a good idea.Young lady: Never in my life did I think that I would be discriminated against! It’s not because I’m white, is it?

Young lady: Why not? If I can’t find him, I can’t kill him!

Me: Yeah that’s definitely not a good idea.

Young lady: I’m from France! My passport, phone and everything was in that purse! My sister’s ashes were in that purse! What kind of jerk takes a purse with ashes in it?

The police arrived and I made a statement, gave a description of the suspect, and then the strangest thing happened. The suspect walked right by!

So I said to the police, “There he is, right there!” APD stopped him, questioned him and cuffed him. By this time the young lady, who I now know to be Celine, was extremely irate and tried to charge at the suspect. I attempted to explain to her that she shouldn’t do that because if the police felt she was a threat, they would probably put cuffs on her too and throw her in the back of a police car. Her response was, “I don’t give a %@*#! I’m sure I’ve been in worse jails than Austin has to offer.”

The young lady continued to try and rush at the suspect and APD puts the cuffs on her and threw her in the back of the car. The suspect was taken in for stealing her purse. His reason, he said, was that he needed money to buy drugs. And there is your French connection.

The young lady was eventually released, but her purse was never recovered. I just hope she sobered up quickly enough to not end up with her mugshot in an issue of Busted!

Me: Did you say your purse had your sister’s ashes in it?

Young lady: What, you think I was carrying a purse with a dead body in it?

Me: No, but you just said your purse had your sister’s ashes in it.

Young lady: It did! Man, you would think you were the drunken one!

Me: Well I’m going to call the police.

Young lady: Okay whatever.

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AWARDS + RECOGNITION DIVISON MANAGERS AWARD Ramiro Hernandez Michael Beatty Rick Glosson Sidney Hanson

2015 SUMMER STREET TALK 33

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JULY Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday 0

1

0

Friday

2

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Saturday

3

First Thursday on South Congress

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6

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7

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8

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4

OFFICE CLOSED Independence Day

West End First Thursday

CDL/D&A Orientation VCRB 8:00 AM VCRC 1:00 to 4:00 PM

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4th of July Fireworks + Symphony

Sunday

$ PAY DAY OFFICE CLOSED Independence Day

9

1

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0

5

1

1

Sunday First Aid + CPR 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM OTC-325

PE Q3 Classes Begin

1

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New Employee Safety Orientation

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Defensive Driving Class

CDL/D&A Orientation VCRB 8:00 AM VCRC 1:00 to 4:00 PM

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM OTC-325

0

2

1

2

1

8

Sunday

1:00-5:00 PM

2

1

2

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2

$ PAY DAY

3

2

4

Go Texan Restaurant Round Up

Classic Game Fest

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9

2

5

Sunday 2

2

7

2

8

2

New Employee Safety Orientation

9

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0

3

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OSHA 10 Hour Construction 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM OTC-325

1 Sunday

1:00-5:00 PM

OSHA 10 Hour Construction 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM OTC-325

6

CDL/D&A Orientation VCRB 8:00 AM VCRC 1:00 to 4:00 PM

$ PAY DAY

calendar

AUGUST Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday Austin Pet Expo

0

Dry Comal Creek Grape Stomp

1

Sunday

0

3

0

4

0

5

Safety Meeting 8:00-9:00 AM Cheathem Facility PWDSBO Pavement + Infrastructure

Safety Meeting 8:30-9:30 AM OTC-325

1

0

1

1

1

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0

7

1

7

1

8

1

9

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8

Sunday First Thursday on South Congress

1

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9

1

5

Dry Comal Creek Grape Stomp

3

1

4

Sunday

Safety Meeting 8:00-9:00 AM Cheathem Facility District Maintenance IMG

Safety Meeting 8:30-9:30 AM OTC-325

2

Austin Ice Cream Festival

West End First Thursday

New Employee Safety Orientation 1:00-5:00 PM

Barton Springs Fest

0

1

6

2

2

$ PAY DAY

2

0

2

1 Bat Fest

Sunday

Defensive Driving Class

VCRB 8:00 AM VCRC 1:00 to 4:00 PM

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM OTC-325

2

4

2

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2

Safety Meeting 3:00 to 4:00 PM OTC-325

3

8

2

9

Austin Pride Festival + 5K

New Employee Safety Orientation 1:00-5:00 PM

2

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival

Safety Meeting 8:00-9:00 AM Cheathem Facility Utility Structures

Sunday $ PAY DAY

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WRITE IN TO US WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS REGARDING:

Milestones

NOMINATIONS

WRITING A GUEST COLUMN

PHOTO CONTRIBUTION SPECIAL EVENTS GOING ON IN YOUR DIVISION EMPLOYEE PROFILE NOMINATIONS ...AND ANYTHING ELSE WE MAY HAVE MISSED OR YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT

CONTACT US:

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