Chapter Works
An electronic publication of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association
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President's Corner
By Harold Caples, PE., Senior Cost Estimator, Virginia Department of Transportation, City of Richmond, VA
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Where is the year going? I could have sworn that we were just in Virginia Beach for WRX, and here we are with another WRX right around the corner. Our Conference Committee and President-Elect are hard at work preparing for an outstanding event on May 1st - 4th of 2023 in Hampton.
I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone and give you several updates. Your Chapter leaders just wrapped up their Board Meeting and its Strategic Planning Session where we discussed several ongoing issues facing the Chapter and the public works profession. Here is an update on one of our initiatives:
Chapter Sponsorships - In the past our Chapter concentrated sponsorship activities and offerings around the annual Chapter WRX event. After careful consideration and to both consolidate sponsorship opportunities as well as offer more benefits to our Chapter Sponsors, the Chapter will be transitioning to an Annual Sponsorship Drive with several available tiers based on individual needs. These will include conference sponsorship opportunities, among others and will not preclude the ability to sponsor other items or events. The Executive Board is still finalizing the specifics, however we wanted to make this information known to aid in the budgeting efforts of our consultant and vendor partners.
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The available tiers will be as follows: |
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Tier 1 - $5000
Tier 2 - $2500
Tier 3 - $1500
Tier 4 - $500
Tier 5 - $250
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For the upcoming year we intend to open our Annual Sponsorship Drive in December of 2022 and run through January of 2023. We are excited about the potential of this transition and are hopeful of the realized benefits. Again, more detail will be forthcoming before the end of November to help aid in any Sponsorship decisions.
And now transitioning from my President’s role, I would like to “switch hats” and share with everyone an update from my day job, related to our Public works agencies and the consultants who provide services to them. VDOT’s Cost Estimation Office is excited to officially announce that we have secured external access to one of the Department’s most heavily utilized and well-known cost estimating tools, the Statewide Bid Tab Query. This is part of a continuing effort on the Department’s behalf to both bolster access to existing tools and technology, while simultaneously identifying areas of future need. These efforts will help to ensure the creation and updating of consistent and accurate project cost estimating. To ensure successful and continued access to this tool, please find the attached Job Aid. It is imperative that the steps outlined within this Job Aid are followed explicitly, otherwise access may be delayed. Please direct any questions to the following shared email address: StatewideBidTabQuery@VDOT.Virginia.gov
I recognize that some of you may have previously accessed this tool, and others may have knowledge of the Statewide Bid Tab Query while working with the Department in varying capacities. And still others may have been exposed to the tool during the Cost Estimation Office’s previous and continued training efforts. The Cost Estimation Office has scheduled a virtual training session on December 14th, 2022, 1-3p.m. to ensure that all those individual’s gaining access to this powerful tool are trained to leverage the tool to its fullest potential to assist in your individual estimating endeavors.
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And finally, I hope that the upcoming holiday season finds everyone being able to take some well-deserved time away from work and hopefully spending that time in some enjoyable way, whether that be with family, hunting or fishing or with that long-overlooked hobby. Thank you for your continued support and trust in my current role representing the Chapter and the Public Works profession.
Harold Caples, PE, President
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
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The Social Keys to Securing Federal Funds
By Denise Nelson, P.E., CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP
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Federal funding for replacing aging infrastructure is available at record high levels over the next 5 to 8 years due to the American Rescue Plan Act, the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Funds will be allocated to states, funneled through state agencies to cities and counties, and offered competitively as grants or loans through existing and new programs. These programs are now incorporating new social parameters so that the federal funds are used to serve disadvantaged communities; engage underserved communities; support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; advance environmental justice; and result in high-quality job creation and workforce development programs targeting diverse communities. Understanding and addressing these social topics are key to securing federal funding.
The essential definitions and acronyms are:
- Disadvantaged Communities are located in census tracts that are at or above the thresholds in one or more of eight categories of criteria (climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, reduction and remediation of legacy pollution, critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure, health burdens, and training and workforce development). Please note that EPA is allowing the states to develop their own definitions for applications to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
- Underserved Communities refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life.
- Diversity (D) means the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of the American people, including underserved communities.
- Equity (E) or Social Equity (SE) means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
- Inclusion (I) means the recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skills of employees of all backgrounds.
- DEI refers to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a group.
- Accessibility (A) means the design, construction, development, and maintenance of facilities, information and communication technology, programs, and services so that all people, including people with disabilities, can fully and independently use them.
- Environmental Justice (EJ) means developing programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse health, environmental, economic, climate, and other cumulative impacts on communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
- JEDI refers to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Justice40 is the initiative to ensure that federal agencies deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to underserved communities.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has an explicit focus on advancing equity, combating climate change, advancing environmental justice, and creating good-paying, union jobs. The Inflation Reduction Act includes historic investments in environmental justice to serve communities that have been marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. The funding applications require data and narratives on these social parameters that will be incorporated into the selection criteria and affect your success. The White House is developing a geospatial database, Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool, to identify disadvantaged communities, support the Justice40 Initiative, and inform equitable decision making across the federal government. The beta version of the tool has undergone a round of public comment and is being updated for future use. In the meantime, US DOT is requiring the use of its Transportation Disadvantaged Community Tool and several agencies are requiring the use of the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index or EPA’s EJScreen Mapping Tool. Most agencies will accept more detailed, locally developed datasets, such as Virginia’s Social Vulnerability Viewer.
Understanding and addressing the new social parameters are key to accessing the record high levels of federal funding for infrastructure is available over the next decade. Projects that serve disadvantaged communities; engage underserved communities; support DEI + A; advance EJ including accounting for climate change; and result in job creation and workforce development programs targeting diverse communities are the new priority for federal funding.
Our Chapter has a Sustainability Committee and Diversity Committee if you are looking for more information or would like to get involved!
Denise Nelson is President-Elect of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. She is also active on the Chapter’s Sustainability Committee and in promoting the Chapter’s social media accounts. Denise is the Director of Resilience and Grants at Launch! Consulting.
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Fairfax County Unveils ‘Making Trash Bloom’ Signage at I-66 Transfer Station as New Pollinator Meadow Project is Implemented
By Sharon North, Section Chief, Communications, DPWES
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The official ‘Making Trash Bloom’ signs have been installed at the new pollinator meadow high atop the county’s I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax County’s Springfield District. They were unveiled during a ‘Lunch at the Landfill’ event held jointly by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and Sustainability Matters, a grassroots environmental non-profit based in the Northern Shenandoah and Piedmont regions. The meadow is on approximately one acre of land, which was cleared and seeded with native perennial wildflowers in mid-October. The flowers will be pollinated next spring by bees and butterflies. This is the first of two phases of the project.
By implementing ‘Making Trash Bloom’, DPWES is enhancing our community’s natural resources and providing an example of the usefulness and viability of native plants. The new meadow is a showpiece of nature that will be visible as residents drop off recycling and food scraps. Hopefully, they will see the meadow as something they can plant in their own yards or neighborhood. DPWES solid waste team did the planting, working collaboratively with Sustainability Matters to make it a reality.
The new meadow aligns with the County’s "Natural Landscape Policy" under which the Solid Waste Management Program has installed native plants and trees at I-66 as part a site modernization project. ‘Making Trash Bloom’ also gives the county a unique opportunity to scale up its conservation impact by creating yet another exciting opportunity for community outreach.
This project is an excellent complement to SWMP’s work with George Mason University’s Honeybee Initiative, where we host three beehives at the I-95 Landfill and have pollinator meadows converted from traditional turf cover.
Images and video from today’s event are available HERE.
If you’re unable to gain access via the link, please reach out to Sharon North, Section Chief, Communications, DPWES, 703.324.8455, , sharon.north@FairaxCounty.gov
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE EXCITING EVENTS! |
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Expanding the Public Works Horizon Lunch-n-Learn
November 17, 2022, 9:30 am - 2:45 pm
Register by November 10
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co-hosted by APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter / Maryland Municipal League
Anne Arundel County DPW
445 Maxwell Frye Rd
(Lunch Provided)
$35 APWA and MML Members
$75 Non-members
PRESENTERS:
Larado Robinson, PE - Director of Water and Sewer, City of Salem, VA
Kim Cluney - Business Manager - Anne Arundel County, MD DPW
Jessica Kibec -Training Program Manager - Anne Arundel County, MD DPW
Joe Bernatawicz - Energy Manager, Anne Arundel County, MD DPW-solar panels
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding
Virtual Lunch-n-Learn
November 29, 2022
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
co-hosted by
Mid-Atlantic Chapter Transportation Committee & Woodberry Associates
Topics Covered:
- Overview of the funding available in the BIL.
- Summary of Implementation – Brief overview of open, relevant funding opportunities
- Brief description of how to begin the application process and relevant resources.
- Outlook on expected future funding opportunities.
- How appropriations and congressionally directed spending compliment BIL authority and funding.
There is no cost to register, but registration is required.
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SAVE THE DATE!
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter #WRX2023
63rd Conference and Equipment Show
Hampton Roads Convention Center
& Embassy Suites, Hampton, VA
May 1 - 4, 2023
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Help Promote the
APWA Awards Program
Nominations are due December 30
Download this flyer and post it in breakrooms and on bulletin boards. Or you can email it to people and encourage them to nominate a person or program for an award recognizing excellence in Public Works.
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SPECIAL THANKS
To Our Newsletter Sponsors!
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VISIT The APWA
Mid Atlantic
Need Help?
Send an email to:
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Be Counted!!
Is your membership information up to date? Please update your
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Chapter Welcomes
New Members!
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2022 - 2023
OFFICERS/DIRECTORS
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Officers
President
Harold Caples, PE
Senior Cost Estimator
Virginia Department of Transportation
City of Richmond, VA
President-Elect
Denise Nelson, PE, CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP
Director of Resilience and Grants
Launch! Consulting Inc
Richmond, VA
Immediate Past-President
Scott A. Smith, PE, LS
Senior Civil Engineer
Public Works Engineering
City of Hampton, VA
Vice-President
Gaynelle L. Hart
Director of Public Works
Lynchburg, VA
Secretary
Catherine Sydnor
Engineer
Kimley-Horn
Richmond, VA
Treasurer
David Bradshaw, PE
Principal
Clark Nexsen
Virginia Beach, VA
Chapter Delegate
James W. Long, III, PE, DBIA
Project Manager
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
Virginia Beach, VA
Chapter Delegate (Alternate)
Jason Calbert
Administrator Street Maintenance
Department of Public Works
Newport News, VA
Historian
Dawn V. Odom
Planning and Investment Manager
Virginia Department of Transportation
Suffolk, VA
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Directors
Jennifer Caples
Marketing Manager
Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP
Richmond, VA
Troy Eisenberger, PE
City Traffic Engineer
City of Chesapeake, VA
Shwan Fatah, PE
Wastewater Collection Division
Fairfax County, Virginia
Mark D. Jamison, PE
AECOM
Roanoke, VA
Ryn Kennedy
Stormwater Facility Specialist
Henrico County, VA
Renee LaFollette, PE
Director of Public Works & Capital Projects
Leesburg, VA
Amy Linderman, PE
Fairfax County Department of Public Works
Planning and Development Division
Fairfax County, Virginia
Kyle Logue, PE
Managing Director, Greeley and Hansen
Richmond, Virginia
Matt Stolte, PE, ENV SP
Campus Planning, Infrastructure and Facilities
Virginia Tech
Jeff Wilkerson
Director of Public Works
City of Martinsburg, WV
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APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter | 5007 C Victory Blvd, #280 | Yorktown, VA 23693 |
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