Sun is shining the weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet. Every spring, as the daylight grows longer and the grass turns greener, it reminds me of the late great Bob Marley singing this tune. Springtime in Kansas is such a great time - as public works staff gear down from winter operations and gear up for construction – we also get time to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities and indulge in some March Madness basketball. Spring also signifies the time for our chapter to gather again at the Spring Conference. This year we are meeting in Newton on May 11th - 13th. This will be a conference you will not want to miss! Newton 2016: LTAP training, golf at Sand Creek Station, bowling, award ceremony, scholarship auction, and phenomenal speaker topics. The conference agenda also includes several roundtable breakout sessions for discussing and sharing topics of interest. Speaking of roundtables, in March we held a roundtable in Manhattan that was well attended by public works employees from surrounding cities and counties. Topics included traffic control, temporary employees/internships, concrete street maintenance, storm water quality testing, sewer inspection, and pavement sections. Thank you to the City of Manhattan for organizing the roundtable! Finally, I wanted to thank Chuck Bartlett, who served as chapter president last year and Ray Ibarra, who served as past president. Both are great leaders and will be hard acts to follow. Also want to welcome two new members to the executive committee this year: John Fulkerson with Lochner in Salina who is serving as Director of Career Awareness and John Braun with the City of Hays, who is the Legislature and League Representative. SEE YOU IN NEWTON! - David Cronin NEWS LETTER Q2 2016 KANSAS CHAPTER PRESIDENTS NOTE http://kansas.apwa.net/
Transcript
Sun is shining the weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet.
Every spring, as the daylight grows longer and the grass turns greener, it reminds me of the late great Bob Marley singing this tune. Springtime in Kansas is such a great time - as public works staff gear down from winter operations and gear up for construction – we also get time to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities and indulge in some March Madness basketball.
Spring also signifies the time for our chapter to gather again at the Spring Conference. This year we are meeting in Newton on May 11th - 13th. This will be a conference you will not want to miss! Newton 2016: LTAP training, golf at Sand Creek Station, bowling, award ceremony, scholarship auction, and phenomenal speaker topics. The conference agenda also includes several roundtable breakout sessions for discussing and sharing topics of interest.
Speaking of roundtables, in March we held a roundtable in Manhattan that was well attended by public works employees from surrounding cities and counties. Topics included traffic control, temporary employees/internships, concrete street maintenance, storm water quality testing, sewer inspection, and pavement sections. Thank you to the City of Manhattan for organizing the roundtable!
Finally, I wanted to thank Chuck Bartlett, who served as chapter president last year and Ray Ibarra, who served as past president. Both are great leaders and will be hard acts to follow. Also want to welcome two new members to the executive committee this year: John Fulkerson with Lochner in Salina who is serving as Director of Career Awareness and John Braun with the City of Hays, who is the Legislature and League Representative.
Time to mark your calendars for the 2017 Mid-America Conference and Exhibit Show! This triennial event is sponsored by your APWA Heart of America Chapters:
IOWA, KANSAS, KANSAS CITY METRO, MISSOURI & NEBRASKA
May 24-26, 2017 Overland Park Convention Center | Overland Park, Kansas
You don’t want to miss this experience! Make sure your APWA profile has current contact information, then watch your email later this year for details about the program, for registration information, and exhibit opportunities.
Immediate information needed?: Contact Your Chapter Management Committee Representatives, listed above
SAVE THE DATE!
KANSAS CHAPTER
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP FOR SUPERVISORS
Do you have any “problem” employees? Or are YOU the problem? Find out, and what to do about it, at workshop to be offered by Kansas LTAP on Wednesday, May 11, before the Spring Chapter conference in Newton. Here is a description of the course and information on how to register:
Supervisor’s Role in Enhancing Cooperative Work Relationships
Cooperative relationships are the foundation of high performance work groups. Employees must not only be technically skilled, but also must understand and practice behaviors that contribute to positive relationships with others in the work group. The supervisor plays a vital role in modeling, teaching and rewarding behavior that contributes to a cooperative work climate. This session will focus on how a supervisor can reduce discordant notes and bring about greater harmony among employees. Learning objectives include:
• Examine interpersonal behaviors that can detract from or contribute to cooperative relationships
• Consider the strengths and limitations of your interpersonal style and how others might perceive your style
• Learn how to reduce the effects of organizational or structural barriers to cooperation
• Learn how to help employees resolve conflicts in ways that preserve group cohesiveness.
The pre-conference workshop will be 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, and lunch will be provided. You’ll leave the workshop with lots of practical information to take home to your agency.
The registration fee is $75 and includes lunch, breaks, and workshop materials. Register online at www.ksltap.org - go to the LTAP calendar link. Contact Kristin at (785) 864-2594 or [email protected] if you have any questions. This workshop counts toward the Roads Scholar Level 2 Program.
KANSAS LTAP
KANSAS CHAPTER
TRAINING COMING UP
Below is a snapshot of workshops to be offered through June. Where applicable, the listing shows the workshop’s Roads Scholar designation (Level 1, 2 or 3).
Offered by Kansas LTAP – www.ksltap.org “LTAP Calendar” link
• Road Engineering for Non Engineers – March 30, Newton and May 9, Garden City
• Traffic Signal Design Webinar Series – April (Level 3 elective)
Kansas LTAP also offers its Gravel Road Maintenance workshop “on demand”. This training has been designed especially for individuals who operate motor graders. These “on-demand” classes require a minimum of ten students and will be delivered at a location determined by the agency requesting the course. The host agency must also provide a motor grader, and location for field operations. Please note that registration will be open to other agencies. To request training at your agency please contact Kristin Kelly at [email protected] or (785) 864-2594.
Offered by the Kansas Association of Counties for the Roads Scholar Level 2 and 3 Programs – http://ks-kac3.civicplus.com/calendar.aspx?CID=14,
• Budgeting and Finance - March 29, Emporia (Level 3 required)• Supervisor’s Role in Enhancing Cooperative Work Relationships – April 7, Topeka (Level 2
required)• Communication Skills for Effective Supervision – April 8, Topeka (Level 2 required)• Managing Employee Performance – April 27, Manhattan (Level 2 required)• Problem Solving for Effective Supervision – May 12, Topeka (Level 2 required)• Foundations in Customer Service – May 18, Great Bend (Level 1 required)• County Government 101 – May 18, Great Bend (Level 1 required)• Legal Aspects of Management – June 9, Lawrence (Level 3 required)• Supervisor’s Role in Enhancing Cooperative Work Relationships – June 21, Great Bend
(Level 2 required)• Managing Employee Performance – June 22, Great Bend (Level 2 required)
Offered by TASK – http://conferences.k-state.edu/task/
• MUTCD for Technicians — March 29, Topeka and May 17, Garden City (Level 1 required)
KANSAS CHAPTER
The APWA Kansas Chapter was a Gold Sponsor of the Future City regional competition held at the University of Kansas - School of Engineering LEEP2 building on January 23, 2016. The Future City Competition is a national competition for middle school students to image, design and build cities of the future. Students work as a team to plan cities using SimCity software; research and write solutions to an engineering problem; build tabletop scale models with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges. Regional winners represent their region at the National Finals in Washington, DC.
This was the 13th year of the Great Plains Regional competition which alternates every other year between KU and K-State hosting the event. In addition to a trip to Washington, D.C. each team member of the winning team receive a $1000 scholarship to either KU or K-State if they enroll in Engineering.
This year’s special challenge was to present a new way to handle waste management in their Future City. Over 400 middle school students from across the Midwest competed in the event. “Tallakha-Muhara” from Southwest Middle School in Lawrence won the Great Plains competition. Rounding out the Top 5 was Liberty Memorial Central Middle School from Lawrence placing second, Pike Valley Junior High from Courtland third, Morgan County R-1 School from Stover, MO fourth and Landing Middle School from Lansing fifth. Other awards were given to teams which included the APWA KS Chapter sponsored award for Best Physical Model - awarded to “Samudr-Se-Barhee” from South Middle School in Lawrence.
Please contact Aaron Frits at [email protected] if are interested in volunteering to be a judge and you can learn more about the Future City Competition at http://futurecityks.org.
2016 FUTURE CITY COMPETITION - GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL
1. The Kansas Chapter membership is 262 as of 1/19/2016.
2. The chapter is down 5 members as compared to this time last year.
3. We have two agencies with a total of two empty slots. The contact for each agency will receive a reminder email from the Membership Chair that they are paying for empty seats and will be encouraged to fill them.
4. To enhance recruitment the Chapter continues to award scholarships/stipends to public works employees to attend the national congress and chapter conferences.
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES
1. A review of the chapter bylaws and strategic plan continues in support of developing a new chapter manual to better detail the duties/responsibilities of the executive board and committees.
2. Scholarship checks were awarded to two non-traditional engineering students at Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.
3. The chapter fall meeting was held in Topeka, Kansas on Oct. 13, 2015.
CHAPTER CAPACITY BEST PRACTICE/NEW AND INNOVATIVE IDEA
1. A practice that the chapter finds very useful is the conduct of roundtable discussions in conjunction with at least two chapter board meetings during the year. Invites are extended to all Public Works agencies generally within a 60 mile radius/less than 1 hour drive of the host city. The discussion topics are generally broad and the tables serve as an excellent networking opportunity, especially for small communities that often have limited resources. They are typically well attended and provide opportunities for technology transfers and troubleshooting/solutions to be shared.
2. We promote public works at Kansas State University and Kansas University student chapter ASCE meetings once a year. We present projects and information about careers in Public Works. We also let the students know about available full time jobs, summer jobs and internships from our membership. APWA KS buys the entire group pizza or sandwiches, which seems to bring a crowd.
DELEGATE REPORT - ACTIVITIES, BEST PRACTICES AND AREAS OF FOCUS SEPTEMBER 2015 – PRESENT
KANSAS CHAPTER
3. The APWA Kansas Chapter will again be sponsoring the Future City- Great Plains Regional competition held which will be held at the University of Kansas new Engineering Building on January 23, 2015. At the competition our chapter will also present a team an award for Best Physical Model. The Future City Competition is a national, project-based learning experience where students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade imagine, design, and build cities of the future. Students work as a team with an educator and engineering mentor to plan cities using SimCity software; research and write solutions to an engineering problem; build tabletop scale models with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges at the Great Plains Regional Competition. Regional winners represent their region at the National Finals in Washington, DC. This is the 13th year for the Great Plains Region and consists of schools from Kansas and Missouri with over 60 teams participating last year. The competition is a great educational outreach opportunity for chapter members to get involved.
4. The George Williams Award was created in recognition of outstanding excellence and dedication in public service through the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of an individual public works official.
CHAPTER KEY ISSUE AND AREA OF FOCUS/CHALLENGE
A continuing key issue/challenge for the chapter is how to engage all of the membership of the chapter. Liaison positions are needed to monitor and convey information from the APWA technical committees. Committee members are needed for conference planning and supporting community functions.
We are trying to get members from the operational side more involved in the chapter activities. In the past we have had more of these people on the board.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND TRAININGS CONDUCTED
We continue to offer educational and training opportunities with every meeting and conference we hold for the chapter.
We also partner with Kansas LTAP for educational and training opportunities throughout the year.
KANSAS CHAPTER
http://kansas.apwa.net/
If YOU are looking for an opportunity to get involved with our chapter, have we got an opportunity for you. We have a number of committees serving in a variety of different areas.
• Audit• Awards• Scholarship• Scholarship Auction• Chapter Spring Conference• Snow Roadeo• Mid America Conference• Road Scholar/LTAP• Scholarship Golf
Let Chuck Bartlett, [email protected], know if you are interested in getting plugged in.
8:15 - 8:30 AM Welcome and Introduction, Randy Riggs, Newton City Manager
8:30 - 9:15 AM Star Bond Project, Ray Slattery, Dodge City
9:15 - 10:00 AM Earthquakes & Public Works, Rex Buchanan, Kansas Geological Society
10:30 - 11:15 AM Lindsborg Pavement Maintenance Program, Tyler Glissman, Wilson Co.
11:15 - 12:00 AM Con�ict Without Casualties: Leading With Compassionate Accountability Nathan Regier, PhD, Co-Founder Owner, CEO, Next Element
9:00 - 4:00 PM “Supervisor’s Role In Enhancing Work Relationships - LTAP Register online at www.ksltap.org - go to the LTAP calendar link. Contact Kristin at (785) 864-2594 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
11:00 AM Shotgun Start Golf Tournament @ Sand Creek Station Golf Course
4:00 - 5:30 PM Conference Registration @ Meridian Center
5:30 - 7:00 PM Get Acquainted Social @ Meridian Center (North Pointe) Sponsored by: __________________ * Hors d’oeuvres * Conference Networking * Vendor Booth Displays
7:00 PM APWA Bowling Outing @ Play-Mor Lanes 1105 Washington Rd. (Food & Beverage available at your cost- Bowling Rates $3.50 Per Game Plus $2 Shoe Rental)
5:00 PM Golf Tournament Results/Awards @ Sand Creek Station Golf Course
10:00 AM Golf Tournament Registration @ Sand Creek Station Golf Course920 Meadowbrook Drive Newton, KS 67114
10:00 - 10:30 AM Break
12:00 - 12:00 PM Break for table set-up (Grand Lobby/ N Pointe)
APWA OfficersPresident....................................................David Cronin, Lawrence, KSPresident Elect............................................Shawn Mellies, Wichita, KSSecretary................................Nathan Bergman, Bartlett & West, Inc.Treasurer........................................................Russ Tomevi, Winfield, KSPast President.............Chuck Bartlett, Alfred Benesch & CompanyDirector............................................................................Ron Seitz, KDOTDirector....................................................Brett Letkowski, TransystemsDirector....................................Karla Waters, Wilson & Company Inc.Director............................................................John Fulkerson, LocknerDirector.....................................................Justin Erickson, Newton, KSDelegate....................................................Kenzil Lynn, Schwab-EatonAlternative Delegate..................................Brenda Herman, RetiredLegislature and League Rep...........................John Braun, Hays, KS
Conference CommitteeSuzanne Loomis, Co-Chair........................................City of NewtonJustin Erickson..............................................................City of NewtonStan Breitenbach...........................................................City of Wichita
Russ Tomevi.........................................................................Winfield, KSRay Slattery............................................................................Dodge City
Ray Ibarra..............................................................City of Junction CitySteve Lackey............................................................TranSystems Corp.
John Rathbun.....................................................Cutler Repaving, Inc
Brad Waller............................................Alfred Benesch & CompanyDave Cronin...............................................................City of Lawrence
Tanner Rutschman.............................................................Dodge City
