Happy New Year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ground Hog’s Day, World Wetlands Day, Eat Ice-cream for Breakfast Day, Laugh and Get Rich Day, and whatever else you celebrate!

We’re off to a great start for 2024:

• We announced the 2024 Chapter Awards. Congratulations to all winners!
• The Hampton Roads Activities Committee hosted a Lunch-n-Learn on “Electric Vehicle Batteries – Impacts for First Responders” on January 23.
• Vice President Jeff Wilkerson volunteered for the APWA Nominating Committee.
• Companies are excited about our annual sponsorship options! There are a limited number of Diamond, Gold, and Silver options left.
• Our Chapter was interviewed for an article for the March Reporter.

The Chapter Board will meet virtually on February 20 from 9 am to 1 pm to discuss plans and activities. Board members, committee chairs, and partners are invited. You are also welcome to listen in to the call to learn more about what we do in case you are interested in volunteering in the future. Email me for call in details.

The #WRX24 committee has announced the agenda, speakers, and special venues for the annual conference May 1-3, 2024, in Roanoke. Registration is open so look for information on exhibitors, demonstrations, networking socials, a tour, and the Rock the Block volunteer opportunity.

I want to hear from you: who is an amazing leader? Which public works professionals and officials, from both the public and private sectors, have had outstanding career service achievements in their 10+ year career? They are great candidates for the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year award! Please email me suggestions.

Best regards,

Flood Mitigation in Historic Ellicott City, MD

By Jennifer Steffens, P.E., VP Marketing & Alliances, OptiRTC, Inc.

The historic community of Ellicott City has experienced intense flooding in recent years, prompting urgent action from Howard County to mitigate flood risk. The County was tasked with treating stormwater runoff from approximately 2,000 acres of impervious surfaces by the end of 2019 and complying with future stormwater targets in the next cycle of their MS4 permit. As part of the Clean Water Howard initiative, the County implemented Opti technology at two existing stormwater ponds located on both commercial and public property. The technology predicts and responds to the weather forecast enabling the system to maximize storage capacity and retention time in each pond. It also adaptively controls the outlet structures of the ponds, enabling them to draw down volume ahead of wet weather, mitigate peak flows during storms, and retain water for up to two days after the storm. In addition to providing 90% peak flow reduction, the technology provided $14,000/yr. in cost savings to landowners paying Watershed Protection Fees and delivered an additional 19.4 acres of water quality credits towards Howard County’s MS4 permit.

In September 2023, FEMA reported that Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia (D.C.) will receive a combined $18.7 million in capitalization grants. These are the first grants issued to FEMA Region 3 recipients from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. In all, $50 million will be awarded nationwide. These funds will help reduce the local risk of natural hazards. Funding comes through the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act.

The program gives states, territories, tribes, and D.C. funds to administer their own revolving loans. They can then lend directly to local governments for mitigation projects. Localities can use the funds in many ways, such as making structures stronger, flood control, zoning and land use plans, and building code enforcement. They can also use it to meet the non-federal cost-share needed for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants. Once the loans are repaid, the funds can be used to finance more mitigation projects. This will be a viable source of financing to protect communities in the future.

On December 19, 2023, FEMA announced $150 million would be available for the FY 2024 Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program. Learn more about the program and how to apply here. 

After five years in development, the “ASCE/COS 73-23 Standard Practice for Sustainable Infrastructure” is now available. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) developed the standard under the direction of the ASCE Committee on Sustainability and the Sustainable Infrastructure Standards Committee to complement existing ASCE standards and tools. The Envision 3.0 rating system for sustainable infrastructure was used as a guide for the organization and components. Envision is administered by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, which was founded by ASCE in partnership with American Council of Engineering Companies and the American Public Works Association (APWA).

This performance-based consensus standard provides guidance for designing and implementing sustainable solutions throughout the entire life cycle of infrastructure. It provides guidance, outcomes, and additional commentary for these seven components: sustainability leadership, quality of life, resource allocation, the natural world, greenhouse gas emissions, resilience, and life-cycle cost analysis. It recommends a Sustainability Management Plan be developed for each infrastructure project that identifies performance goals and indicates how many and which outcomes are targeted. It also finally answers the question, “How sustainable does a project need to be to be considered ‘sustainable infrastructure’?”

ASCE announced the standard online here. The article includes a link to view and purchase the 35-page standard as an e-book or printed booklet.

Denise Nelson is President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of APWA and the Director of Resilience and Grants at

Launch! Consulting.

Lessons Learned and Guidance on Workforce Development from the Hampton Roads Public Works Academy

By Chad Oxton, City of Suffolk

As noted in the last newsletter, the Hampton Roads Public Works Academy (HRPWA) is an association of representatives from member cities and organizations that meets on a regular basis to provide high school students with Public Works/Public Utilities training and internship opportunities with the goal of promoting a career in related fields once the student graduates from high school. HRPWA also provides training to employees of members at no cost or significantly reduced cost.

This school year, HRPWA Chair, Chad Oxton, has been to both the Virginia Beach Technical Education Center and The College and Career Academy at Pruden (CCAP) to try to demystify the world of math. As the Construction Math Subject Matter Expert, Chad talks about his own experience with real life applications of math and measurements. CCAP’s School Counseling Director, Mona Parker wrote in the school newsletter:

“Chad Oxton, Operations Manager, City of Suffolk Public Works, and Chair of Hampton Roads Public Works Academy, met with CCAP’s Public Works Academy Cadets and presented a lesson on Construction Math. During his presentation, he brought math to life as he demonstrated how it is used in certain construction career fields. Mr. Oxton provided an example of a concrete slab being built using the Pythagorean Theorem (a² + b² = c²) to ensure that ‘the slab is square.’

The students asked questions and talked about how seeing math work in this capacity can help students understand the need for it. Mr. Oxton also discussed the Metric System and how to measure the volume of topsoil when filling holes. The Cadets eagerly participated in the math activities and were really excited to learn about Construction Math. Mr. Oxton truly did an outstanding job bringing math to life!”

At this point in the school year, HRPWA encourages local members to start planning for summer interns. Internships provide real life experience to the Cadets, additional staffing to our member organizations for the summer, and that often talked about, rarely seen pipeline from high school directly to Public Works.

Public Works departments can replicate HRPWA’s model to increase on-the-job training and work in local public schools to recruit the future of our workforce.

Training: As an Operations Manager and the Chair of the HRPWA, you already know I value employee training. Despite having unrestricted access to the HRPWA, I still struggle with getting 100% of my coworkers trained in even the basic operation of heavy equipment, but I remain optimistic. I have a military background and experience as a civilian Federal worker. Absent the formal training that is offered, in both those careers there were not many pieces of equipment that an employee is permitted to operate without, at a minimum, a one-on-one introduction to that equipment. Every organization can implement a minimum training expectation to ensure that we are not endangering our coworkers through lack of knowledge. Beyond that, leveraging peer leaders to train staff is something that is already probably being done at least informally, find a way to formalize the effort within your organization. If you have other organizations close to you, reach out to them and offer to share your learning resources. Regardless of how you do it, any training is better than no training. Get started with something and grow your training along the way.

Recruiting: I believe Public Works, Public Utilities, and other departments should be active in our Public Schools engaging students from kindergarten through graduation. There are three public schools in Suffolk. We also have towns south of us in North Carolina, the City of Franklin to our west, and Smithfield borders us to the north. We reach out to these schools to introduce ourselves to the counselors, offer to come speak to students as needed, and send equipment to every Touch-A-Truck in our area that we can. It is a matter of exposure and access. The competition to find and hire students straight out of high school is a matter of placing ourselves among their employers of choice and helping them as needed to apply for positions with us. Keep in mind when you’re talking to students that most of us didn’t know we were going to make a career in Public Works and that there are so many opportunities and career paths a person can start with your organization doing one thing and end up thirty years later still working for a Public Works organization in a role they never imagined. Be innovative and optimistic about recruiting. I truly believe we are in good hands with the next generation. It is up to us to invite them in, train them, and pass the torch when the time comes.

HRPWA is happy to share lessons learned and guidance to improve the education, recruitment, and retention of employees in the Public Works / Public Utilities industry to increase the region’s expertise and capacity.

Unit of measure trivia: Name the 3 nations that have not adopted the metric system as their official measurement system.

Has It Been 5 Years Already?

By Cece Atkinson and Linda Warren, Launch! Consulting, Inc.

www.launch-consulting.com

If your water system serves over 3,300 people, you would have completed a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) nearly 5 years ago. You even certified doing so to the U.S. EPA, or you would have received a letter from them. America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 requires that water systems update their RRAs and ERPs at least every 5 years. If your population served has changed, be sure to contact the Virginia Department of Health and update the population served in SDWIS before the end of February so that your population served is correct. EPA will use that number to enforce compliance according to the schedule below. Updating the RRA will need to include a cybersecurity assessment.

•  Large systems serving more than 100,000 people must complete their RRA update by March 31, 2025, and their ERP update by the end of September 2025.

•  Medium systems serving more than 50,000 and less than 100,000 must complete their RRA update by December 31, 2025, and their ERP update by June 30, 2026.

• Small systems serving between 3,300 and 50,000 people must complete their RRA update by June 30, 2026, and their ERP update by the end of 2026.

For more information, see AWWA: Risk & Resilience and EPA Water Resilience

West Virginia FIT, WV State NFIP Office, and Four WV Universities Join in Extreme Weather Tournament

Source: USACE - Huntington District

In October and November 2023, the WV FEMA Integration Team (FIT), WV State National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Office, and four universities met for the Multi-Hazard Tournament Silver Jackets Project. The event was held with the West Virginia Silver Jackets, an interagency team that facilitates collaborative solutions to help states meet flood risk goals. Events and partnerships such as these are crucial to engaging Generation Z, future engineers, and climate professionals across the state.

The engineering students represented West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, University of Charleston, and Marshall University. They were placed in a simulated disaster situation and asked to determine the best use of community resources. They also identified roadblocks and researched federal, state, and local support. Students also sat in on roundtable debriefs to discuss the effects of climate change and building back stronger. 

This event can serve as a blueprint for other state emergency management officials and universities looking to elevate their programs. It also gives students a chance to learn from subject matter experts in a realistic scenario.

 

To learn more, contact Hannah Smith, Interdisciplinary Planner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, at Hannah.g.smith@usace.army.mil.  

Helping Build a Sustainable Community, One Vehicle at a Time

By Darryl Syler, CPFP, BCFP, Division Chief, Office of Fleet Management, City of Alexandra, VA

In this brave new world that we are living in now, more and more talk is on the Sustainability of the Fleet. But before we can talk and have an effective program, we have to understand what Sustainability is in the Fleet industry.

Here is what I discovered over the years and research that I have completed, to get to where I am today, and I continue to learn every day. This helps me to manage a fleet, and I can adopt some industry best practices as well as implement environmental savings along the way to leave our environment in better shape.

So first of all:

“Sustainability,” what is it?

Here is the Definition from Oxford Languages Dictionary, sus·tain·a·bil·i·ty, noun,   

        -avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

"the pursuit of global environmental sustainability"

So where do we start? Can Fleets Pursue Holistic Sustainability?

Fleet sustainability refers to the practice of managing and operating a fleet of vehicles in a manner that minimizes its environmental impact and ensures long-term viability. It involves adopting sustainable practices and technologies to reduce emissions, conserve resources, and promote eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Environmental, Social and Governance

Sustainable goals are often written off as too expensive for municipal fleets by leadership. Even more, most governments are creatures of habit, we have done it this way for 20-30 years, why change? However, the energy transition demands fleets take on new and diversified energy sources and responsibilities, sustainability has grown to mean so much more than just protecting our environment. I believe it is also protecting our way of life.

For fleet managers looking to pursue fleet sustainability that also accounts for longevity and efficiency, here are some things, fleets can do to work on for holistic sustainability in the face of the changing landscape. With the increasing concerns about climate change and the depletion of natural resources, fleet sustainably has become a crucial aspect of modern transportation and logistics. Whether the fleet consists of cars, trucks, buses, or other vehicles, implementing sustainable practices can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the adverse effects of transportation on the environment.

Alternative Fuels: One of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles is the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. Fleet sustainability encourages the adoption of alternative fuels like electricity, biodiesel, natural gas, or hydrogen, which produce fewer or zero emissions during operation.

Vehicle Efficiency: Ensuring that the fleet comprises fuel-efficient vehicles is essential. This involves selecting models with advanced engine technologies, aerodynamic designs, low rolling resistance tires, and lightweight materials to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

Route Optimization: Implementing efficient route planning and optimization can lead to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. This involves using GPS technology and advanced algorithms to identify the most fuel-efficient routes and avoid unnecessary detours and idling.

Maintenance and Telematics: Regular maintenance and monitoring of vehicle health through telematics can optimize fuel efficiency and prevent emissions by identifying and fixing issues promptly. Telematics systems can also provide data on driving behaviors, allowing fleet managers to implement driver training programs to encourage eco-friendly driving habits.

Renewable Energy Sources: Fleet sustainably also encompasses the use of renewable energy sources to power charging stations for electric vehicles or to produce alternative fuels. Utilizing solar, wind, or hydroelectric power for these purposes further reduces the carbon footprint of the fleet.

Lifecycle Management: Considering the entire lifecycle of vehicles is essential for fleet sustainability. This includes eco-friendly manufacturing processes, recycling and proper disposal of retired vehicles, and reusing components when possible.

Public and Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, private businesses, and fleet operators is vital to support fleet sustainability initiatives. Governments can provide incentives for adopting eco-friendly practices, while private companies can share best practices and promote sustainable technologies.

Eco-conscious Driver Training: Educating drivers about the importance of sustainability and providing them with training on fuel-efficient driving techniques can make a significant difference in reducing emissions and improving overall fleet sustainability.

By embracing fleet sustainability, companies and organizations can not only contribute to environmental preservation but also benefit from reduced operational costs, improved brand image, and increased competitiveness in an increasingly eco-conscious market. It is a win-win situation that fosters responsible and sustainable transportation for a better future.

Cleaner, Greener Fleet Solutions

As the entire world continues to adopt cleaner, greener solutions, we, as fleet managers and leaders, have to do the same and we have to educate the leadership within our local government. Not only can this impact on the environment, it will also help achieve longevity and efficiency in their organization. Along the path of the transportation sector's energy transition, data analysis, alternative fuels, and mobile fueling will be key methods of boosting sustainability.

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