May 17-23, 2009

The Public Works Department at the City of Albany participated in activities for the 2009 Public Works Week (May 17-23). This year's theme was Revitalize, Reinvest, & Renew, which were used to signal a change in thinking and a new direction in practice. Several work groups participated in an outreach campaign to inform local students about the many fields that compromise public works, showed how public works improves every community's quality of life,and explored various public works careers.

Monday: Students from Memorial Middle School visited the Albany Millersburg Water Treatment Plant. The tour was led by treatment operators John Adams, Susan Turner, & Rick Lindsey, for the 6th, 7th, & 8th graders. The Facilities Maintenance group included, Mike Bryan & Keith Volkers, gave a 10 minute talk about their jobs as mechanics and some of the work they perform. The students then traveled to the Main Laboratory and toured the site. Laboratory Technician, Stephen Weidinger, discussed some of the tests that are ran on a daily basis at the wastewater treatment plant.

Kim Kagelaris, Environmental Services Technician, visited a classroom at St. Mary's School and discussed stormwater issues with fourteen 5th grade students.

Tuesday: Heather Slocum, Environmental Services Technician, led two 5th grade classrooms from Oak Elementary school thru "The Story of Drinking Water". The 56 students learned about local water resources including water treatment and distribution.

Thursday: The Wastewater Maintenance crew, Jeremy Ewert, Michael Ficek, Jeff Gill, and Tracy Heide, visited South Shore Elementary School with the combination truck and t.v. line unit. There were thirty-six students that took part in watching the fleet visit and crew operate.

Friday: Heather Slocum visited thirty-one 3rd grade students at Takena Elementary School. They learned about watersheds, water treatment and distribution.

Overall, the Public Works Week activities were a huge hit with all the teachers and students that participated. The public works employees also benefited by sharing their experiences and earned a sense of value by educating and reinvesting their time in the future generation.

City of College Park, Maryland Department of Public Works

The City of College Park Department of Public Works visited a local elementary school kindergarten and first grade classes on Friday, May 22, to demonstrate and talk about some of the services provided to the students and their families. The Department Director and three equipment operators demonstrated how a street sweeper, an automated sideloader refuse truck, and a hook-lift truck operated. The Recycling Coordinator held a trash and recycling sorting activity to demonstrate what items are recyclable by the City. A mini hands-on lesson on composting was also given to educate the students about how their yard waste is turned in to compost at the Public Works yard. The students were given some coloring sheets on Public Works and composting, samples of compost and sunflower seeds to plant, and the APWA PAWS Print to take home with them. The Mayor also issued a Proclamation declaring the week of May 17-22 Public Works Week.

Encinitas Public Works Department Takes Education Program to Community Elementary School

May 22nd, 2009 - The City of Encinitas Public Work Department will offer local elementary school students a chance to have fun while learning about public works in their community. 375 children Cardiff Elementary School children, grades K-2, will participate in the educational assembly. Representatives from the City of Encinitas Public Works Department will explain how they maintain the City's capital plant, infrastructure, streets, storm drains, sewers and water system. The event is planned to celebrate National Public Works Week and to give children a better understanding of public works activities in Encinitas.

Larry Watt, Public Works Director/San Dieguito Water District General Manager says, "We've done these assemblies in previous years and the children always seem to enjoy learning about what services we provide for their community. Additionally, our employees get a lot of satisfaction telling the children about what they do."

The program includes demonstrations and an equipment show and tell. The San Dieguito Water District will demonstrate how the public water system works, showing children how water flows from the Lake Hodges Reservoir to the tap in their home. Staff will outline efforts children can make to save water, such as turning off the faucet while they brush their teeth or filling the bath tub only half way. This knowledge will help educate children as the area moves from a drought watch to a drought alert on July 1st.

Employees from the Streets Division will exhibit road signs and demonstrate how staff members clean defaced signs. Storm Water staff will show a watershed model that demonstrates how rain water moves through the drainage system and out to the ocean. Adding a light touch to the event, the Wastewater Division will display a collection of items found in the sewer, such as dentures, watches and jewelry. In addition to the entertainment benefits, public education is the goal of this project.

Proclamation

Proclamation

The Grain Valley Public Works Department recently celebrated National Public Works Week. In honor of those who serve the public in public works roles, the department offered a coloring contest to the Grain Valley R-V 1st Graders. Winners recieved a family pass and local business gift certificates. On Thursday, May 21st an event was held at Armstrong Park. Not only was there equipment displays, moonwalk, pet adoptions and free food; but the Public Works Department also held a drawing for a $100.00 water bill credit and a barbeque grill donated by Grain Valley Sears.

City of Grants Pass Public Works went to a local school and let the kids see each of the different Public Works divisions. They got to see the tools and equipment the Streets crew uses including getting to see the inside of a dump truck! Then they followed the path drinking water takes - from Filtration and Distribution to Collection and Treatment. They also got to get some compost and a sunflower seed to Plant. They were given pencils and a PAWS coloring book.

From the road surface under their tires to the traffic signals over their heads, it takes a lot to keep drivers moving along the streets of Johns Creek.

The City's Public Works Department demonstrated to citizens and elected officials just how many people and what kind of equipment it takes to achieve that goal at their first-ever open house May 18, part of National Public Works Week.

Public Works Director Ken Hildebrandt and his staff toured City Council members through a variety of displays set up in the City Hall parking lot featuring equipment ranging from riding mowers used to keep medians and rights of way neat and trimmed to massive earth graders and machinery used to mill old asphalt off the road prior to resurfacing.

For the kids attending though, it was not so much learning what the equipment actually did but rather the opportunity to climb on and inside it. They also had a chance to play with toy versions of some of the same machinery, testing their skills at loading, moving and dumping for a chance to win prizes. And then there was the temptation to sample the odd-look but intriguing (and delicious) "road kill cake" - a red velvet "possum" complete with tire track across its back created by Transportation Engineer Cindy Jenkins.

The combination of education and fun is exactly what the American Public Works Association had in mind when it instituted the week-long observance in 1960 to call attention to the importance of public works in community life.

"We had a great time," said Amanda Jones, who attended with children Christopher and Aidan. "Each worker from the city and contractors made a tremendous effort to educate us on the equipment and have fun with the parents and the children. We appreciated that they would stay late after working a hard day and share their experience with us."

In 2007 and 2008 the City of Kirkland Public Works Department hosted a three-part Public Works Week Event. The first event is a proclamation presented by the Mayor declaring that week Public Works Week. The proclamation language is attached. At the meeting with the proclamation staff would also describe all the other upcoming events for Public Works Week. The second program was the largest. On every Wednesday downtown Kirkland is home to the Wednesday Market featuring vendors, local farmers and artists. The Market was set up along a street in downtown leading to a public park, so the Department set up additional booths and equipment for Public Works Week that extended into the park. We set up one booth for children with plastic hard hats and public works coloring books, quiz books and toy equipment; another booth where adults and children could plant and keep a flower pot, and a third booth with information on recycling, safe walk and bike routes, runoff, flood prevention and other brochures. Finally we had staff available to answer questions about the Video Inspection truck, the Flusher/Vaotor and the electric car. Staff also constructed a small sand box for children to operate a toy backhoe. The third element was a recognition breakfast for all Public Works staff featuring a few words from the Mayor or City Manager.

The City of Largo participated in National Public Works Week in a number of ways. Each year, our City Commission passes a proclamation to recognize the City's Public Works Department and the national event (a picture of which is attached). This year the City of Largo held a food drive for a local cancer center and held its third annual Public Works Employees Recognition luncheon. Each year this luncheon recognizes our retirees and our employees who receive national recognition.

CITY OF LA QUINTA WELCOMES LA QUINTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

LA QUINTA, CA (May 12, 2009) -- The City of La Quinta continues their annual participation in National Public Works Week, May 17-23, 2009, by hosting a visit from ten La Quinta High School students interested in engineering.

The City of La Quinta's Public Works Department is once again hosting a meeting with La Quinta High School students who are interested in engineering as a career. In coordination with Carol Ramirez, Counselor at La Quinta High School, 10 students will visit with the public works management team and learn about public works projects. "The community plays an important role in the education of our students," says Ramirez. "We're extremely grateful to the City of La Quinta and Mayor Adolph for such an amazing opportunity. All of these students plan on pursing a degree in engineering so meeting with the city's public works staff offers them a window to their future. They can't wait!" The student's annual visits can result in summer internship opportunities.

Topics: Special welcome by Mayor Don Adolph, and PowerPoint presentation covering: traffic engineering, capital improvement projects, construction, development, and maintenance.

A capital improvement project that will be highlighted during the presentation is the recently completed Avenue 52 Bridge Project, located just east of Jefferson Street. Designed by LAN Engineering with contractor services provided by Mocon Corporation, the project widened the existing bridge over the canal from two lanes to four lanes. The project also included a new wall in front of the nursery, a new median with landscaping, and parkway landscaping on the north side of the road. The total cost of the improvement was $2.4 million with $1.5 million slated for construction costs; with funding coming from the City's Developer Impact Fee and Art in Public Places (for the decorative bridge railing).

Mayor Don Adolph spoke highly of the upcoming engagement. "It's always a pleasure to speak to young people, especially about such an important topic. Infrastructure is at the core of our quality of life.and if we can relay this message and get students excited about public works as a career, we're doing our part to ensure quality of life for future generations."

About National Public Works Week (NPWW): National Public Works Week is observed each year during the third full week of May. Through NPWW and other efforts, the American Public Works Association (APWA) seeks to raise the public's awareness of public works issues and increase confidence in public works employees who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for present and future generations.

NPWW is a celebration of the tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works.

Instituted as a public education campaign by APWA in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. The week seeks to enhance the prestige of the often-unsung heroes of our society-the professionals who serve the public good every day with quiet dedication.

The occasion is marked each year with scores of resolutions and proclamations from mayors and governors, as well. Some special highlights of NPWW include a United States Senate resolution affirming the first National Public Works Week in 1960, letters of acknowledgment from Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson, and a Presidential Proclamation signed by John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Contact information:
Timothy R. Jonasson, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Phone: (760) 777-7042 Email: tjonasson@la-quinta.org

National Public Works Week the City of Lawndale took our elected officials (Mayor, Council Members and City Clerk) out to the location of a brand new park, Hopper Park.

The City of Lawrence, Kansas kicked off the 2009 American Public Works Week with a city commission proclamation showing appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the public works profession. On May 16th 2009 the city held an 80th anniversary celebration of its municipal airport with static aircraft displays, airplane and helicopter rides, display of public works vehicles, a recycling both and display of public works projects. There were over 3,000 people in attendance. The Mayor dedicated the airport and recognized Delbert Erhart for 20 years of service to the airport. Other notable events included a pancake feed, paper airplane competition and fly over by a local red hawk squadron, world war II P-51 Mustang, beach craft bi-plane and Blackhawk helicopter.

The following week Public Works had displays of its work and recognition of its employees at city hall and capped the week off with a pancake breakfast in honor of its employees. This year’s public works week event was very successful and public works professionals received some much deserved recognition.

The City of North Chicago is celebrating National Public Works Week May 17 thru May 23 in conjunction with City Wide Pride Day on May 22. We are acknowledging and promoting Public Works with displays at City Hall, advertisement in our spring newsletter, providing tours at our street and water departments and having an electronics collection at our street department as well as a public proclamation at our city council meeting.

This week we had Youthbuild tour our Water Plant on Tuesday May 19 and on Friday May 22 we have had another succesful electronics collection!

Kickoff:
A proclamation was read by City Council on May 12, 2009 declaring the week of May 17th-23rd, 2009 as National Public Works Week.

Public Outreach:
Informational displays, complete with brochures for the public to take home, were set up in a lobby area where our customers frequent daily. Information on each division was highlighted to communicate what Public Works is and what services are provided to the community. The Water Division had a cross section of a meter box with the new AMR meter, like those that are currently being installed at each residence, as well as information on water conservation. The Transportation Division provided information on chip seal and displayed a cut away model depicting how various roadways are constructed based on use (arterials, major/minor collectors, etc.). The Parks Division supplied visitors with a list and map of our public parks, plus what each location has to offer. The Wastewater Division displayed a model dry well complete with running water and information on each of the water quality programs.

Our department also took advantage of the K-5 educational materials provided by APWA. Local schools were contacted and materials were distributed as requested. The elementary students of our community are now learning about public works through the PAWS Print newspaper.

An equipment showcase was set up at a Council meeting for Council and any attending public to get up close and personal with several different trucks, which included a TV van, a vactor and our award winning "Snowmater" (a retired street sweeper that was converted into a sander.)

Staff Appreciation:
The Public Works staff comes together bimonthly for divisional updates, but the month of May had more in store. Their hard work and dedication was rewarded with a lunch. The Public Works staff consistently provides cost-effective, high-quality services to the City of Redmond to create a high standard of living for the community.

The Hometown Days festival for the City of San Carlos happens to coincide with National Public Works Week. The Department of Public Works is the very last vehicle in the parade because we pick up the barricades. In recognition of the 2009 National Public Works Week, the sign shop created a banner as shown on the attached photos

A dedicated group of West Des Moines, Ia. Public Works employees put together a fun and successful family event to show the community what Public Works is all about! The weather was perfect, and the crowd enjoyed seeing the big trucks and equipment, free items, balloons, a traffic-light beanbag game, free airbrushed temporary tattoos, golf game, clown with balloon art, and new this year . . . . blowing out of a snow blower . . . . artificial snow!

West Des Moines Public Works combines their yearly event with the Farmer's Market held in historic Valley Junction for a truly enjoyable experience for all.

There are some pictures taken at the beginning of the event. As the street filled with families, no one had TIME to take pictures!!!

To mark National Public Works Week 2009, Dublin San Ramon Services District issued a news release describing $23.5 million in infrastructure projects currently in design and under construction. The District's board of directors also adopted a proclamation honoring May 17-23, 2009 as National Public Works Week. DSRSD provides wastewater collection and treatment, distributes potable water and produces and distributes recycled water for irrigation to approximately 190,000 people in the East Bay area of northern California.

Niagara Region is hosting a variety of activities to support National Public Works Week. The various divisions of Public Works have come together and will have displays at The Pen Centre, in the Sears Court area May 21 and 22. The ever popular vehicle display will return to the Pen Centre parking lot on May 23, 2009

The Region is offering regional and municipal staff rare tours of a number of Regional facilities. Tours are organised to the following destinations:

• Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site
  Tuesday, May 19 at 10 am
• Niagara Recycling
  Friday May 22 at 11:30 am and 1 pm
• 16 Water and Wastewater facilities throughout Niagara
  Wednesday, May 20 at 10 am and 3 pm Friday, May 22 at 10 am and 3 pm

The Town of Garner Public Works Department Celebrated National Public Works Week, May 11-15, 2009

The Town of Garner, NC Public Works Department proudly celebrated, along with the tens of thousands of men and women in North America, the dedicated staff who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works. During the week-long celebration, many events and activities were held to increase public awareness of, and appreciation for, the public works profession.

One of the most notable events of the week, was the Public Works "Roadeo" where workers and staff participated in events that challenged their skills and safety knowledge in the various task that they are called to perform on a daily basis. Participation in the event was fun, but competitive. Events and their winners were: Kenny Wayne Hales for Backhoe and Excavating, Warren Griffis for Dump Truck Driving and Backing, Gerald Strickland for Lawn Mower Maneuvering, Warren Griffis for Weed-eater Threading, Earman Adams for Nail Driving, and Calvin Williams for Blower Ball.

The "Roadeo" allowed workers from various departmental divisions the opportunity to come together and celebrate the department's many accomplishments, while building comradery between all workers and staff.

A barbecue luncheon was held on Thursday at Garner's Lake Benson Park for all workers and staff, at which time the Department presented their 2008 Employee of the Year Award to Demetrius Hunter. Mr. Hunter has been employed with the department since 1996. Mr. Hunter received seven out of the ten nominations that were submitted from his fellow co-workers.

Since his employment in 1996, Mr. Hunter has been a valuable asset to the Public Works Department. He began his career as an equipment operator before being promoted in 1998 to Street Maintenance Technician.

Among his current duties as a Street Maintenance Technician, Mr. Hunter spends much of his time assisting the residents of Garner. As a Garner resident himself, he takes great pride in his community and works diligently at handling any problems or questions that arise with residential solid waste services. Mr. Hunter works daily at conducting solid waste surveys and collecting non-conforming signs, dead animals, and heavy litter that may make it upon our major roadways. He also maintains over 8,500 rollout solid waste containers and their records. He surveys the Garner area daily for any unprepared trash piles that need enforcement of proper handling guidelines or removal. As a backup equipment operator in the Public Works Streets Division, at times he is called upon to run equipment for major clean-ups, snow plowing and work zones. When needed, he also assists with special projects or requests from the Public Works Director, and provides support and field information to the office staff, along with helping to manage the Town's solid waste contractor in the field.

Paul Cox, Director of the Public Works Department was asked, "Why do you think Mr. Hunter received 7 out of the 10 nominations for the Employee of the Year Award from his co-workers?" He replied, "Although Demetrius works independently, he is the consummate team player. He's always on the move and always works hard to accomplish his duties and his coworkers see that. He also has experience in Streets and Parks Divisions. His coworkers have worked with him in those situations and have seen his skills and values first hand. He has good judgment and applies his knowledge consistently in the field, but still knows when to ask for help with a job or questionable situation. He is prompt, courteous and displays professionalism in appearance and conduct at all times."

Although the Public Works Director and Supervisory Staff realize that there are many unsung heroes in the Department of Public Works, they felt it was important to recognize the work efforts of a non-supervisory department employee with the Employee of the Year Award. The award will be presented annually to the employee who exhibits exceptional performance of their job duties on a consistent basis and excels in the Town's values of quality of life, partnership and cooperation, quality public service, integrity and professionalism. The winner is selected by supervisory staff, based upon written nominations received from department employees. Sealed nominations are received from January through March for the employee's performance during the preceding year. After a selection is made, the award will be presented during National Public Works Week, which is celebrated every May.

Along with a plaque, recognizing him as Employee of the Year, Mr. Hunter received lunch with the Town Manager, a fishing pass to Lake Benson, a special parking spot and sign at the Public Works Complex, and the most coveted prize of all, a "Take the Night Off Pass" from the July 3rd Celebration at Lake Benson Park, which usually tends to be the busiest work day (and night) for the Public Works staff. As his fellow co-workers gathered around to congratulate Mr. Hunter on his award, they also laughed with him as they jokingly asked if his pass was transferable to someone else, or if he would like to put it up for sale to the highest bidder! Mr. Hunter was asked what he thought about having the night off during the July 3rd Celebration, and he sincerely replied, "Well, I really do enjoy working with my co-workers and being around the residents during the night of the celebration, but I think I will definitely take the night off and enjoy it for myself this year."

During Public Works Week, the Town of Garner Public Works Department, along with many others across the country, sought to raise the public's awareness of public works issues and to increase confidence in public works employees who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for present and future generations. The Town of Garner salutes our Public Works Department and their dedicated service to helping make Garner...A Great Place to Be!

Pictures included show all Roadeo events, along with PW Director Paul Cox, Employee of the Year Demetrius Hunter, and Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams

Here are two photos of Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signing the 2009 National Public Works Week Proclamation.

Joining the Governor are representatives of the Washington State Chapter APWA. From left to right:
2003 Past President Bob Moorhead
2009 Chapter President Kristina Nelson
2009 Chapter Secretary Jill Marilley
2009 Chapter Vice President Jay Burney
2009 Chapter Treasurer Art Louie