Street Talk I October 2014 by Austin Public Works

STREET TALK VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

REPORTING ON WHAT MATTERS TO PUBLIC WORKS

OCTOBER 2014

PG. 18

director’s message BY HOWARD LAZARUS DIRECTOR

Looking forward to the Year Ahead Highlights for the 2014-2015 Fical Year

avenues for non-competitive, skills-based advancement. This approach should be attractive to a multi-generational work force, especially our “Gen Y/ Millennials” in that achievement and demonstrated skills provide the pathway for advancement (to a certain level), and your promotion is not dependent upon someone else leaving.

Facilities Realignment

{Pictured from left to right) Howard Lazarus, Barbara Rush, Laura Morrison, Donna Tiemann, Rondella Hawkins, Veronica Lara, Anne Morgan, Kathie Tovo, and Lee Crawford.

ith the onset of the new fiscal year, it seems like a good time to check in and share some things of interest. Please share the items below, and don’t hesitate to raise any questions that you may have.

2014-2015 Budget The Public Works Department budget for the upcoming year was approved with just about everything we requested. This means that we retain a strong and robust program, with $80 million in operating funds and $66 million in PW capital projects (this does not include the work we do for others). The budget currently includes a 3.5 percent pay raise, although the configuration of how that will be allocated has a bit of uncertainty as I write this Director’s Message. More information will certainly come as the situation is cleared up. With the passage of the 2014-15 budget, our leadership team will immediately begin work on the 2015-16 Business Plan and Financial Forecast. Budgeting, like football in Texas, is now a year-round event.

Municipal Civil Service While the Municipal Civil Service (MCS) system does not go completely into effect

STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

until the end of October, the appeals process has already begun. By the time this issue of Street Talk is out, all managers and supervisors will have received training in MCS administration. Much has been said and rumored about Civil Service, but the truth is that existing City policies concerning conduct, performance, integrity, and day-to-day operations are still in effect. MCS does set forth specific procedures for hiring and promotion, reduction in force, and appeals with which you should become familiar and comfortable. The best thing to do is attend training, ask questions, and work collaboratively within PWD to make it successful. A “best-managed” MCS will contribute to making PWD a workplace of choice.

Career Progression This October we formally, and finally, launched the Career Progression initiative in Street and Bridge. We are also looking at other areas in the department that could benefit from similar measures. Career Progression is wholly consistent with MCS, but does provide

The City has an ongoing effort to realign our current and future facilities to achieve greater use of space and efficiencies in planning for the future. For PWD, this means at some time, most likely next spring, several changes will occur. The first changes will occur at One Texas Center and 105 Riverside. In OTC, we will consolidate most of our functions on the 8th and 9th floors of the building. In exchange, we will give up space on the 7th, 10th, and 13th floors. We will retain space at 105 Riverside, but will shift functions around. In preparation for this move, I visited the Google Offices in North Austin to get some ideas. While I can’t promise ping pong tables, razor scooters, and free food, we are working with the City’s Strategic Facilities Governance Team to develop some new ideas for our spaces. Realignment of staff among our service centers, 1111 Rio Grande, 3511 Manor Road, and Dalton Lane is still a work in progress, and I will share the plans with you as soon as they are hatched.

Alternative Work Schedules In conjunction with the realignment of our facilities, I’d like to take another look at our alternative work schedule process and philosophy. Not as many people are taking advantage of flexibility in the workplace as I would have anticipated. Moving toward a less rigid workspace (along with a real commitment to less-paper) positively shapes the work environment and could contribute to a reduced overhead rate on our reimbursable work.

Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Workplace Beginning in November, Public Works will join the growing list of City departments and agencies that have gone smoke and tobacco free. While our offices, yards, and centers (One Texas Center, 105 Riverside, 1111 Rio Grande, and all of our Service Centers) already do not allow smoking in the buildings, we’re going to take the next step and ban tobacco products and e-cigarettes from all of our campuses, project sites, and work zones. We also will continue to prohibit smoking in our vehicles. The goal is to encourage healthier lifestyles and smarter choices. The Health Department has encouraged us to take this step, and has provided data indicating that many smokers are looking for assistance in quitting and a little bit of inconvenience in taking their “smoke break” is all they need to kick the habit.

APWA Accreditation I recently received the signed commitment letter from the American Public Works Association (APWA) accrediting team, so this initiative is now real and in progress. APWA accreditation focuses on policies, procedures, and practices – areas where we need to raise our level. We get a lot done, but in our dedication to service delivery we don’t always document what we are doing or how. Formalizing and validating our processes will help ensure we sustain excellence in the coming years, and accreditation will provide external validation for what we already know – we are the best at what we do.

Barton Springs General Grounds Improvements Project

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

contents

VOLUME 4

ISSUE 5

OCTOBER 2014

contributors EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief

Courtney Black

courtney.black@austintexas.gov

Contributing Writers

Howard Lazarus

howard.lazarus@austintexas.gov

Denise Riad

denise.riad@austintexas.gov

Michelle Frith

michelle.frith@austintexas.gov

Chelsea Donahue

chelsea.donahue@austintexas.gov

Susan Garnett

susan.garnett@austintexas.gov

Carolyn Perez

carolyn.perez@austintexas.gov

Justin Golbabai

justin.golbabai@austintexas.gov

Max Eby

max.eby@austintexas.gov

Carmen Morgan

carmen.morgan@austintexas.gov

features 18 05

COVER STORY: Austin Uncovered: Staff Favorites

Discover some of Austin’s best little known resources and how to find them.

ALL AROUND AUSTIN

Public Workers help prepare for the changing season with an array of exciting new projects and much to celebrate!

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’!

divisions Community Services Division: Safe Routes to School Program Rolls into the New School Year at Hart Elementary Pilot program will measure the effects of active transportation on student well-being and grades.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round Alternative transportation offers valuable benefits.

Pirouz Moin

pirouz.moin@austintexas.gov

Charles Felipa

charles.felipa@austintexas.gov

Aphra Delgado

aphra.delgado@austintexas.gov

design Director of Visual Design

Alexa Muraida

alexa.muraida@austintexas.gov

Director of Photography

Carolyn Perez

carolyn.perez@austintexas.gov

Workers University: 12 Public Stamp Your Passport Your destination awaits!

Neighborhood Partnering Program: Because in Austin, Even the Medians aren’t the Middle of the Road.

and Bridge Division: 13 Street Street and Bridge Operations Complete Several Pivotal Projects

NPP launches residential Adopt-AMedian Program.

Staff takes pride in their work and celebrates a job well done.

Inspection 08 Construction Division: Central Library Expansion Update

A sneak peek in to what makes this library truly monumental.

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!

Office of the Director: Playing with a Full Deck Public Works uncovers some of the top City websites you should be using.

columns

2015 Public Works Department Budget Approved Get the lowdown on department spending, significant budget changes and funding sources.

STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

safety zone BY denise riad contributing writer

The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round Alternative transportation offers valuable benefits.

hile it may be easy to jump in your car to get to work, it’s not always your best transportation option. In a world of planes, trains and automobiles, too often we forget the “trains” part and we don’t even mention the bus! Both are great commute options if there’s a route for you and it’s the perfect way to leave the driving to someone else. Use your time on more important things, like reading the paper, getting a head start on work, or simply enjoying not having to drive! Using an alternative transportation mode like the bus or the train offers many benefits, including:

save money Cut the cost of driving to work by cutting out the driving! The average household spends 16 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 94 percent of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars. It is the largest expense in the average household budget after housing. Riding the bus or train to work will not only save you gas money, it’ll save you from putting miles on your car. Fewer miles on your car will result in fewer visits to the mechanic for costly maintenance and repairs. Plus, keeping your mileage low is a great way to maintain your car’s value.

Public transit also creates less noise and pollution, and lowers parking demands. Besides, who really wants to spend all that time on I-35!

meet new people One of the hidden benefits of riding the bus or train to work is meeting new people. Using public transit to get around town is a great way to reconnect with your community.

more hours in the day Ever wish for more hours in the day? When you don’t have to keep your hands on the steering wheel, you’re free to use your time on the things you need to get done. Whether it’s the grocery list, discovering a new book, or simply relaxing, riding the bus to work is a great way to reclaim your morning. The free Wi Fi is an added bonus. Haven’t ridden the bus in years?? Did you know it was free? Contact PWD HR for a Metro pass. Go to http://www.capmetro.org/ schedulemap.aspx to plan your next trip.

Reducing Carbon Footprint Taking a bus or train is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. By changing the way you get to and from work, you can reduce your impact on the community. Removing cars from the road decreases emissions, which helps our air stay clean, as well as conserve natural resources like fossil fuels. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA): Public transportation use in the United States reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. This is equivalent to Washington, DC; New York City; Atlanta; Denver; and Los Angeles combined stopping using electricity.

One person with a 20-mile round trip commute who switches from driving to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.

A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10 percent and up to 30 percent if he or she eliminates a second car.

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

divisions BY chelsea donahue CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Safe Routes to School Program rolls into the new school year at Hart Elementary Pilot program will measure the effects of active transportation on student well-being and grades.

Hart Elementary students learning safe bicycling skills before the start of school.

he Safe Routes to School team has been extremely busy launching an ambitious Bike to School Program at Hart Elementary School in northeast Austin. You may remember past articles about the construction of the North Acres Bridge, which made it possible for hundreds of students who previously had to be bussed to instead walk or bike to school. For this reason, Hart Elementary was selected as a site for the pilot Bike to School Program. Every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader at Hart Elementary (approximately 300 students) was eligible to earn a new bicycle, helmet, and lock for the 2014-2015 school year after successfully completing a bicycle training day and pledging to ride to school every day for the

STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

first four weeks on supervised ride-alongs. Daily trainings were held the week before school, and two additional trainings were added during the first weeks of school due to high student interest. As of this writing, 102 students have earned bicycles!

The Safe Routes to School Program partnered with the Boneshaker Project, a local non-profit that promotes daily physical activity among kids, to implement the program. Boneshaker was able to negotiate a wholesale rate for the purchase of high-quality Giant bicycles and was a partner in the planning and implementation of our training days. Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Code Compliance, and the Public Works Department all participated as special guest leaders in our bike train rides each morning and afternoon throughout the first month of school. Volunteers from the local community also helped students learn good bike safety habits and supervise the rides. Student walking and biking throughout the year will be tracked using the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hubâ&#x20AC;? Radio Frequency ID (RFID)-reader system, donated by Saris. Each participating walker or cyclist scans a card upon entering the school, which logs the trip to be counted for participation prizes. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students that choose to walk or bike are eligible. The Safe Routes to School Program will measure and track student physical fitness, academic test score data, and school attendance records to determine the impact of infrastructure and program investment on student health, academic achievement, and attendance. To ensure the safety of the bicycle route, the Austin Transportation Department installed separated, two-way bicycle tracks to keep children separate from traffic and improve safety for all road users. These gorgeous cycle tracks run from Rutherford Lane to Rundberg Lane along Furness, Park Plaza, and North Plaza. The installation was completed in an amazing four days, with crews working over the weekend to ensure it was ready for the first day of school. For the remainder of the school year, permanent Bike Train leaders hired by the Safe Routes to School Program will continue to guide the students each morning and afternoon. Two Walking School Bus Monitors and a crossing guard on the North Acres Bridge will also supervise the large number of students walking each day. The school year has just only begun, but our Hart Bike to School Program is already a great success!

divisions BY justin golbabai CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Because in Austin, even the medians aren’t middle of the road Neighborhood Partnering Program launches residential Adopt-A-Median Program.

ynnette Alley, age 85 years young, has been caring for the Arroyo Seco median north of Justin Lane for years now. “Years ago, I’d look out my window and see this little median was so bare,” she told me. Over the years, she’s worked to plant trees and wildflower seeds. A member of the Native Plant Society of Texas since its inception in the 1980s, Lynnette is meticulous as she works to prevent invasive species like Bermuda and Johnson grass from taking over what the Crestview neighborhood has come to call “Lynnette’s median.” With its mission of “Empowering Neighborhoods, Building Community,” the Neighborhood Partnering Program launched its new Adopt-A-Median Program this summer to give Austinites like Lynnette the opportunity to beautify and care for residential medians. For medians to be eligible for adoption they must be located on City of Austin Right-Of-Way and the speed limit of the project street may be no more than 30 miles per hour. Prospective median adopters must get approval by 60 percent of the adjacent property owners or residents and endorsement from a neighborhood or community organization. Median adopters also agree to follow all City of Austin planting, watering and maintenance guidelines. One of the unique features of the program is the ability for median adopters to request free trees from the City. Once a median is adopted, it is removed from Street and Bridge Operation’s (SBO) maintenance and mowing schedule. SBO Business Process Consultant Floyd Bermea and Urban Forester Rob Grotty were instrumental in the formation of the program. Floyd helped develop and flowchart the program’s processes, pulling together the framework for which the program would operate. Rob continues to be an active part of the program, providing free trees, planting guidance and oversight for all adopting neighborhoods. Trans-

In June, Lynnette Alley became the Neighborhood Partnering Program’s first median adopter.

portation’s Right of Way Management, Watershed’s Environmental Resources Management, and Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division also played important roles in developing the program. In June, Lynnette became the City of Austin’s first Adopt-A-Median adopter. She has big plans for her little median including a small mulch path and benches. “Gardening is my hobby,” she tells me. “Ever since I retired, I’ve been transforming my yard and hopefully this median.” We’re looking forward to it, Lynnette!

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

divisions BY Carmen Morgan CONTRIBUTING WRITER

New Central Library Expansion A sneak peek in to what makes this library truly monumental.

PROJECT MANAGER

Cindy Jordan

Project Superintendent

Herbert Foster

Inspector Stephyn Holland

construction Manager Hensel Phelps

general superintendent William (Bill) Higgins

he New Central Library’s state of the art facility is a reflection of Austin’s culture and a commitment to sustainability. Located at 710 W. Cesar Chavez Street, this “library of the future” will serve as a designation for the local community and visitors alike. Not only will it house over half a million books in collections, it will also provide a place for the community to come together and exchange ideas, whether it be in the 350-seat event forum or the many other meeting spaces throughout the complex. Construction is slated to be complete in 2016.

STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

The New Central Library will offer a variety of tools and spaces for different user groups. Young adults may want to check out a new electronic handheld device or head to a gaming tournament, while an entrepreneur might want to test out a new idea on the laser cutter or 3D printer in the Worker Space. Foodies may be interested in watching a live cooking demonstration by a celebrity chef. Perhaps a retreat to a quiet reading area alongside the outdoor butterfly garden while overlooking Lady Bird Lake under a photovoltaic arbor is what you desire – the bottom line is that there is something for everyone! Library staff overseeing this project say, “Every great city deserves a great library, and this will be the hallmark of a true ‘Third Place’ in the City of Austin.” This monumental structure would not be possible without monumental effort. During the second week of May, the first major concrete placement occurred at the New Central Library. Approximately 1,200,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and 9,100 cubic yards of concrete (approximately 32,760,000 pounds) was placed in just 20 and a half

hours. The placement of these materials alone required three months of planning and scheduling with various internal and external entities. This event marked the largest single, continuous concrete pour in the History of the City of Austin by about 4,000 cubic yards. By the time construction is complete, the New Central Library will have approximately 6,300,000 pounds (3,150 tons) of steel reinforcing bar and approximately 108,000,000 pounds (30,000 cubic yards) of concrete, as well as an additional 1,720,000 pounds (860 tons) of structural steel. In conjunction with the New Central Library, Second Street will be extended over Shoal Creek from West Avenue to Nueces and will don a new artistic bridge. The banks of Shoal Creek will also undergo reconstruction and stabilization from Third Street to Cesar Chavez with the use of old railroad trestle. If that’s not enough, a bike corral offering minor bicycle services, a healthy café and a Recycle Reads Book Store are also included in the project plans. All of these amenities will be located along the Second Street and Shoal Creek frontage adjacent to the hike and bike trail.

great city deserves a great library, and this “ Every will be the hallmark of a true ‘Third Place’ in the City of Autin. ” -Library staff

CENTRAL LIBRARY

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

divisions BY SUSAN GARNETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Playing with a full deck

Public Works uncovers some of the top City resources you should be using.

CodeNEXT CodeNEXT is the new City of Austin initiative to revise the Land Development Code, which determines how land can be used throughout the city – including what can be built, where it can be built, and how much can (and cannot) be built. The process is a collaboration among Austin’s residents, business community, and civic institutions to align our land use standards and regulations with what is important to the community. This initiative to revise the Land Development Code is a priority program out of Imagine Austin, our plan for the future adopted by City Council in 2012.

CodeNEXT website: http://www.austintexas.gov/codenext

Imagine Austin Imagine Austin is our plan for the future. Fueled by ideas and contributions from the Austin community, this 30-year plan for the city is based on Austin’s greatest asset: its people. The plan lays out a vision for how the city can grow in a compact and connected way. But unlike your typical municipal comprehensive plan, Imagine Austin also covers quality of life issues beyond land use, like investing in our creative economy and advancing healthy, affordable living.

Imagine Austin website: https://austintexas.gov/department/imagine-austin

STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

speakup austin! Data Portal The Data Portal is your open government resource. The data portal’s benefits include transparency, user-friendly data presentation and opportunities for community app development. What is “Big Data”? At its core, data.austintexas.gov consists of datasets approved by a City department to be posted to the City Data Portal. The bigger concept here is making “Big Data” easily available to stakeholders. According to Big Data Big Promise, a research report from The Center for Digital Government, most governments have access to as much, if not more, data than the private sector. Transparency Data.austintexas.gov allows the City to make data readily available for users. Texas municipal governments are required by the Texas Public Information Act to be transparent, and provide requested data and information to citizens. Now, some of that information is available without the need for you to fill out a Public Information Request to acquire it. Once data is posted, visitors can search for it or we can provide a direct link upon request.

SpeakUpAustin SpeakUpAustin is making it easier for the public to communicate feedback and receive information. SpeakUpAustin is a way for you to find out about ongoing projects, join in on discussions, create/share/vote on citizen-generated ideas, and connect with others that share your interests. You can also take surveys that will help us, as a community, shape the future of how we work. The more public input we receive the better SpeakUpAustin can become.

SpeakUpAustin website: https://austintexas.granicusideas.com/

Presentation Once data is on the Data Portal, it can be downloaded by users for use in their applications or visualized with tools on the portal and embedded on websites. We can take these embeds even further by manipulating them into charts and maps. On the Austintexas.gov Feedback page, for example, we have embedded a chart of this month’s top 10 searches on the website, along with links to the suggested resource for those searches. Recently, Austin City Council Member Laura Morrison posted a data portal embed to her Ordinances and Resolutions page. We even won an award for our Dangerous and Vicious Dogs map embed on an Animal Services Office page. The interactive map allows you to zoom in to specific spots in Austin and learn the names and locations of dogs that have been declared dangerous. App Development Finally, we bring this data to the attention of volunteer citizen developers who are interested in using the data to create useful “apps” for residents. To promote this effort, the City participates in “hack-a-thons,” all-day events where citizen developers come up with ideas for these apps. At a recent hack-a-thon, a volunteer built an app for the Dangerous Dogs data. If you visit the website that hosts this application, your computer or phone will start barking when you are near one of the dangerous dogs.

CIVIC CIVIC is your resource for information on how the City of Austin leverages the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to make Austin vibrant, livable and connected. Use CIVIC to: Visualize maps.

project information using interactive

Find Information about projects – including description, current status and funding source(s). Read City of Austin Communication about the CIP, such as current and planned spending reports and key project and program updates. With this sharing of information, CIVIC furthers the City’s commitment to increase transparency, foster collaboration and provide the best managed delivery of capital projects. CIVIC website: http://austintexas.gov/civic

Data Portal website: http://www.austintexas.gov/opendata

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

divisions BY michelle frith CONTRIBUTING WRITER

stamp your passport

Public Workers University: Your Destination Awaits

ouldn’t it be great as you’re driving to work in the morning to feel as if you as if you were heading to a relaxing place? While it will never be a vacation to go to work, it could be more pleasant. To that end, Public Workers University (PWU) has developed a curriculum of four “core” soft skill classes required of all PWD staff members. Each course is fundamentally based around selfrespect and respect for others. All classes are four hours in length and will be offered to Public Works this fall. A coordinated strategy for course rollout has been approved and Division Managers will be contacted regarding appropriate dates for enrollment of all PWD team members.

12 STREET TALK OCTOBER 2014

“The Friction Factor: Illuminating the Principles of Conflict Resolution” teaches that conflict is inevitable and is part of the human condition. This course helps participants recognize that not all conflict is bad and instructs how to handle conflict in a courteous and professional manner. Respect is the basis for etiquette. “Employee Etiquette and Public Perception” helps the participant understand the importance of mutual respect and good manners at work and at home. “Effective Communication: Creating Understanding, Getting Results” was developed to help participants understand the basics of becoming better communicators. Means and methods of communicating are explored and the complexities of “simple” communication are explored. “Potential Difference: Your Role in the SSPR” informs and encourages individuals to take responsibility for the outcome of their mid-year and annual review. SSPR should be a two-way conversation, meant for the individual to recognize their impact on team, divisional, departmental and city goals. The impact of the SSPR on future career choices is explored, along with personal goals through discussion and written exercises on inventories of accomplishments, skills, transferrable skills and more. Watch for announcements about the launch of these four courses in your division. Progressing down the path of career success can take you places you never dreamed of and can be a real trip!

divisions BY Pirouz Moin CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Street and Bridge Operations Complete Two Pivotal Projects Staff takes pride in their work and celebrates a job well done.

ecently, two crucial projects were completed in-house by the Street and Bridge Operations Team – the Fallwell Road pavement void repair and the Walsh Tartlon Pedestrian Bridge. Both projects were completed in a timely manner and within budget.

The repairs at Fallwell Road included working over and next to a major pavement void that was more than 20 feet deep. Access to the site seemed impossible, but Brad Kirk, with the help of a rental monster excavator, was able to get in and out of the area safely. Because this work was outside of the City’s Right-of-Way (ROW), numerous meetings among the City’s Real Estate Department, private property owners and TxDOT staff were necessary for the repairs to be possible. Additionally, the Public Works Survey Crew staked the ROW and provided property boundaries for the work. Scott Egbert coordinated with TxDOT to get approval for the project and was also

able to secure materials, including low-profile barriers and concrete jersey barriers for free! This construction was completed while keeping the road open to traffic – kudos to the District and Overlay crews for their hard work. Tyler Steinbarger also proved imperative to the process as he, along with great project management, ordered materials using Watershed Contracts and provided all necessary coordination with ATD, Austin Energy, Austin Water, Watershed, AT&T, and of course in-house concrete, resurfacing, and district teams, among others. The Walsh Tarlton Bridge used parts from a decommissioned bridge from the Govalle Park Rehabilitation Project and crews

were able to replace deck members and paint the bridge while saving the City both time and money. Scott and Tyler also worked together closely on this project coordinating construction work, procuring bridge materials and manufacturer information, providing regular updates and coordinating with related departments. All of their hard work and effort allowed this project to be complete before the start of the new school year. Both of these projects are a reflection of good teamwork, both within the department and throughout the City and show that when our staff takes pride in their work, great things can be accomplished!

Walsh tarlton pedestrian bridge construction

fallwell lane construction

Walsh tarlton pedestrian bridge Complete

2014 october STREET TALK

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!

f you could look through a window and see South Congress five years from now, you would know what it’s like to see through the eyes of Istvan “Ishka” Voiculescu. Ishka, an SME in the use of Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015 software, is in charge of implementing the transition to this design platform within Public Works Engineering Services. His father, now retired, was an electrician and his mother, a former computer analyst, now teaches computers in primary schools. Ishka, the second of 8 chilNEIGHBOR dren, was raised Ishka Voiculescu in Mislea, a small village in Romania within a competiDIVISION tive family. He atEngineering tended electrical Services vocational high school focusing on TITLE electrical engineerCivil Engineer ing so he could follow in his father’s footsteps. In 2000, he enrolled in Transylvania University of Brasov to study industrial robotics. In 2002, while attending school, Ishka became an exchange student in Denmark with a scholarship. While living his “Danish adventure,” he met a young woman from Minnesota online, named Danielle. They continued writing and in 2004, Danielle flew to Romania to visit for two months. After graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics, Ishka came to U.S. with a fiancée visa. He arrived on July 5 and the young couple was married

14 12 STREET STREETTALK TALKOCTOBER october2014 2014

on August 27. The newlyweds lived in Tenstrike, Minnesota and Ishka found work with a civil engineering company, Northern Engineering and Consulting, in nearby Bemidji. At this small business, Ishka learned how to not just do drafting, but also surveying, designing, and more about the tools of the trade. In 2008 the couple learned of a great position in Denmark, so they sold everything and moved to Romania while he interviewed for that position and others. While there, the global economy took a downturn and the positions were eliminated. With a new baby, the couple moved back to the US to work for his former company. They relocated to Billings, Montana, where his company opened a regional office. He remained there for the next four years, being in charge of the survey, civil design and IT Support for that office. In 2012, he found out about a job opening in Austin, Texas through one of his social media connections. With the desire to achieve more, he accepted the position and the family moved to Austin. Ishka joined Tom Groll Engineering, a small engineering company in Hudson Bend, where he assisted with the design of various projects and provided IT support. When the company had to temporarily close doors in 2013, Ishka again utilized social media to find a new position. He joined

the City of Austin Public Works Engineering Services Division (ESD) to help launch Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, a design platform used by multiple consultants within Austin and the U.S. With this software, one can hold a tablet up to view a virtual design in front of the “real world view,” appearing as if you were looking through a window at the future design realized. “To be the best managed city, we have to employ at full potential the latest technology, so that the innovative ideas of our workforce can be presented to the public in a simple and easy to understand manner,” Ishka says. Besides Civil 3D, he is researching the implementation of other Business Information Modeling (BIM) tools within the City. His expertise in Civil 3D can be seen also in his recently published book “Mastering Autodesk Civil 3D 2015,” where as a co-author, he guides the reader through basic and advanced uses of the software. Outside of work, besides learning about the tools he employs, he enjoys spending time with his wife Danielle and their children. The couple homeschools their four kids: Colin (7), Ethan (5), Liana (3) and Elsa (1). Ishka enjoys working for the city and using the latest technology to achieve ESD’s goals.

best managed city, we have to employ “ Toat befullthepotential the latest technology, so that the innovative ideas of our workforce can be presented to the public in a simple and easy to understand manner. -Ishka Voiculescu, Civil Engineer

”

columns BY michelle frith CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ark brown eyes tell the story that the man hesitates to talk about. Flavio Rodriguez is a humble man. After learning about him, you realize his quiet story is one of strength and perseverance. Flavio was raised near Lubianos, Mexico, one of eleven children. His father was in construction and his mother worked on the farmland they shared with their extended family. He learned construction and concrete work from his dad. Everyone worked from a very young age and they had a close NEIGHBOR family life. At 16, Flavio Rodriguez a family friend told Flavio’s parents that he could DIVISION help get Flavio Street & Bridge to his sister who Concrete lived in Austin. When they got to the border, the TITLE man abandoned Tech III Flavio. He spent over a month sleeping beside the river and looking for food. After forty days he was able to get a ride from someone who knew his sister’s husband. Flavio assured them his sister would pay them for helping him, and so he was brought to Austin. Once with his sister, it didn’t get much easier for the young man. He worked at Jack Brown Cleaners, but for four months his brother-in-law took Flavio’s checks and at times would not pick him up from work or allow him in the house to shower or rest. He wanted to go home, but he didn’t know how to reach his parents. Flavio left for Killeen with a friend. He was only paid $10/day so he couldn’t afford rent and food. Finally, his parents came to Austin and he began working as a cook for three years. He accepted a temporary job at an event for a medical company. They liked how hard he worked and offered him a full time job with all the hours he could work. The job ended when the business owner moved to Houston three years later. He began working concrete construction jobs and was invited to Dallas. Arriving there, he found the job was not ready, and someone there stole his truck and all his tools inside. Another friend invited him to Florida. He worked on a farm for eight years and became very close with the owner’s family, but

have a very good crew and “ We superintendent. Brad Kirk helps us

the best with the problems we might have and works with us. I have a lot of respect for him. We can ask any question; he is always helpful.

”

he returned to Texas when his wife and children went to California. Shortly after returning to Austin, Flavio was hit by a backhoe at work. He was severely injured and couldn’t work for four years. Slowly he gained his strength back, working in Puerto Rico and Colorado. He was hired into the City of Austin by Brad Kirk in September 2004. After earning his CDL, Flavio worked his way up to Tech III. “We have a very good crew and the best superintendent. Brad Kirk helps us with the problems we might have and works with us. I have a lot of respect for him. We can ask any question; he is always helpful. Richard Bustos is always organized with extra parts and tools we might need. He fixes the equipment right there if he can instead of stopping the work and teaches us to fix things ourselves. The crew works hard and works well together. It can get tough when new people come in and they don’t want to work. Our crew leaves everything clean when we finish the job and I’m proud of that. I think other crews around the City should take care of the equipment and have spare tools and equipment so they can keep working. Brad and Richard do a great job making sure we are organized and ready to go and that saves the City money.” Flavio is the father of eight children and grandfather of seven. He is interested in going to school someday, but is now content to work on his home outside of Neiderwald that he built with his own hands. Despite the challenges of the past, Flavio looks humbly toward a better

- Flavio Rodriguez, Tech III

future.

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK

divisions BY APHRA DELGADO contributing writer

2015 Public Works Department Budget Approved Get the lowdown on department spending, significant budget changes and funding sources.

SUMMARY The 2015 Operating and CIP Approved Budgets reflect necessary expenditures and realistic estimates for revenue. With this budget, staff will be able to meet the needs of the residents and property owners and maximize the variety of services available to them.

he FY2015 Proposed Budget process was approved on September 10, 2014 awarding Public Works with $85,942,739. The following is a brief summary of the 2015 budget Transportation highlights and significant changes.

Office of the Director Unit is now under both the Transportation Fund as well as the Capital Projects Management Fund.

One Stop Shop Program was renamed the Office of the City The Transportation FundEngineer will haveProgram. a beginning balance after the split from the Austin Transportation Department in FY2014 of $2.0 Million.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

The Fund

During the FY2015 Budget Process, the split between the Austin Transportation Fund, now known formally as the Austin Mobility Fund, and Public Works transpired. The no-cost Revenuenet decrease of ten Full-time employees (FTEs) from the PWD Transportation Fund to the Austin Mobility Fund was approved during the FY2015 Budget Process. Although new programs were Requirements not implemented, various realignments of activities were processed as well as new units. In addition, the Sidewalk Program with five FTEs was transferred from the Capital Project ManEnding Balance agement Fund to the Transportation Fund.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure program moved to the Transportation $47.9 MILLION Fund and subsequently renamed the Sidewalk Infrastructure $48.4 MILLIONProgram. In addition, the unit for Bicycle/ Pedestrian Infrastructure was renamed $48.4 MILLION the Sidewalk Program unit.

Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

303.00

Transportation Fund

Capital Projects Management Fund

The Transportation Fund will have a beginning balance after the split from the Austin Transportation Department in FY2014 of $2.0 Million.

The Capital Projects Management Fund will have a beginning balance of $1.3 Million Revenue

$24.4 MILLION

$48.4 MILLION

Requirements

$24.7 MILLION

$48.4 MILLION

Ending Balance

Revenue

$47.9 MILLION

Requirements Ending Balance

303.00

Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

Capital Projects Management Fund The Capital Projects Management Fund will have a beginning balance of $1.3 Million SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

$1.0 MILLION 188.00

Child Safety Fund The Child Safety Fund will have a beginning balance of $85,168.

Revenue $2,137,719 During the FY2015 Budget Process, sevenMILLION supervisory crossing guard positions were converted to full-time budgeted employees equating an Revenue $24.4 increase from nine FTEs to fourteen and one quarter FTEs. Please note the transfer from the General Fund to Child Safety increased by an additional $2,158,744 Requirements $250,000. Requirements $24.7 MILLION Ending Balance Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

$1.0 MILLION

STREET TALK october 2014

188.00

Ending Balance Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

$64,143 14.25

PWD SOURCES OF FUNDS

PWD USES OF FUNDS

Transportation Fund The Transportation Fund will have a beginning balance after the split from the Austin Transportation Department in FY2014 of $2.0 Million. Revenue

$47.9 MILLION

Requirements

$48.4 MILLION

Ending Balance

$48.4 MILLION 303.00 Project Capital Management

28.6%

Support Services and Other

12%

Minor Construction Repair

Expense Refunds Utility Cut Capital 13.1% Fund 10.8% Projects Management

2.5%

Child Safety

20.5%

Street Preventative Maintenance

The Capital Projects Management Fund will have a beginning balance of $1.3 Million Child Safety

28.8%

Capital Project Management

7.6%

Street Repair

Full-Time Employees (FTEs) Transportation

44.8%

User Fee Repair Fee

2.5%

Fund

28.7%

& Other

Revenue

$24.4 MILLION

Requirements

$24.7 MILLION

Ending Balance Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

$1.0 MILLION 188.00

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Program combined spending plan of $85.1 Million for FY2015.

Child Safety Fund The Child Safety Fund will have a beginning balance of $85,168.

[FY 2012-13 actual]

Revenue

$2,137,719

$46.4 MILLION

Requirements

$2,158,744

[FY 2013-14 actual]

Ending Balance Full-Time Employees (FTEs)

$64,143 14.25

$76.9 MILLION [FY 2014-15 planned]

$85.1 MILLION planned fy2015 spending plan

$85.1 MILLION

+ Note: Public Works Department and Austin

Transportation Department CIP financial data is combined with this CIP Plan.

2014 october STREET TALK

Austin Uncovered: Staff Favorites Discover some of Austin’s best little known resources and how to find them.

STREET TALK october 2014

ustin has a reputation for being a lot of things: The Live Music Capital of the World; a great place to get some of the best, most authentic barbecue in the country; one of the fastest growing cities in the nation – and, hopefully, one of the friendliest – but one of the things I’ve noticed since my time here is the number of free and discounted art, recreation and entertainment options available throughout the city.

feature BY courtney black editor in chief

music

With a bit of resourcefulness, and some research, I’ve found that nearly every day of the week there are plenty of options to try something new or just get out into the community at little to no cost! Consider this article something of a newcomer’s guide for those who have recently arrived to Austin, as well as those who have been her for a while, but are looking for additional outlets to explore this fantastic city! Summer is sadly over and as we move in to fall, it may be tempting to retreat indoors and veg out in front of the TV for the winter. But, let’s face it, wouldn’t it be more fun to visit a museum, take the kids to a local park, or check out one of Austin’s quirky food trailers?

While some of my favorite free music events (Blues on the Green, Unplugged at Shady Grove, Sound and Cinema, etc.) take place in the summer, never fear, there are plenty of free or low-cost options in the fall and winter months! Waterloo Records, located at 600 North Lamar Boulevard, has free in-store performances on a regular basis. Visit their website at www.waterloorecords.com to see what events are coming up. They also have a whole slew of free shows during SXSW in March. If you’re a jazz lover, Austin’s Elephant Room is the place for you. There is live music nightly with happy hour artists playing from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the headlining act playing at 9:30 p.m. The best part? Most shows are free. Weekends, however, you may pay a small cover. Mondays can be tough. But they don’t have to be! The recently re-opened High Ball on South Lamar now has Motown Mondays with The Matchmaker Band. Music starts at 9:00 p.m. and admission is free. Plus, Motown is a clinically proven cure to any case of the Mondays. Another recent find I’ve made is south Austin’s Austin Beer Garden Brewery Co., or ABGB. Not only do they have amazing food, and yes, brews, they also have a great indoor stage that features some amazing local acts with music styles ranging from country with Mike and the Moonpies to Magnifico, a Queen cover band and everything else inbetween. Parking can be a hassle, but it is well worth the effort! KUTX, unbeknownst to some, offers studio tours with advance registration. With their newly constructed Studio 1A, after the studio, tour goers can often catch an after-

noon show. I’ve been lucky enough to catch several shows here and it’s an interesting and unique experience. One of my very favorite music events, which isn’t limited to only one venue, is the annual free week that occurs every winter the first week of January. Most Austin venues participate and it’s an awesome chance to get to catch some renowned Austin bands for free! (Did I mention it’s free?) If you are a musician or know someone who is, you may be interested in the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). HAAM provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low income, uninsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness. Many professional working musicians are self-employed and rarely have access to health insurance. Without insurance, they can’t afford preventive health care, including primary medical care, basic dental services and mental health counseling. HAAM seeks to remedy that. Their annual fundraiser, HAAM Benefit Day, is a unique event where businesses donate 5 percent of the day’s proceeds to HAAM to support musicians’ health. Musicians, most of whom are HAAM members, perform throughout the day at retail stores, outside stages and more. The event runs from 6am to well past midnight and is not to be missed! Learn more at www.myhaam.org.

Swimming It may be October, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to enjoy one of Austin’s and the surrounding area’s fantastic swimming holes! Moving here from California, I wasn’t prepared for the abundance and

2014 october STREET TALK

feature

continued from pg. 19

sheer beauty of the swimming holes we have at (or near) our own backyard! If you’re looking for a swimming spot close to home, there is always the ever-popular Barton Springs. Did you know as City employees we are allowed entrance for free? Just flash your badge. Fall is a great time for hiking and the greenbelt has one of my favorite swimming holes, Sculpture Falls. It’s about a three-mile hike from the parking along 360, but it’s mostly flat and has lovely views along the way. Disclaimer: Sculpture Falls only flows when there has been a substantial amount of rain. But when there is water, it’s truly an Austin gem! If you were able to make our department picnic back in May, then you’ve been formally introduced to Commons Ford. If not, it’s a beautiful family-friendly park with lots of lawn area, a volleyball net, and a large swimming area. This stretch of river does have jet skis and boats, but I’ve found it to be a safe and fun area to visit. Hamilton Pool is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s renowned across the state and even the country as one of the best swimming holes and I couldn’t agree more! Boasting a 50-foot waterfall that is fed by Hamilton Creek, the pool is the result of a collapsed grotto and canyon which creates something of a cove. It’s about a half mile walk in from the parking lot, but it’s accessible to families with small children. Other swimming holes that I have yet to visit, but have heard rave reviews are Krause Springs, Blue Hole and Ben McCulloch campground. These areas require a small fee to enter the grounds, but they are quite affordable.

Museums As Austin grows and become an international destination, the quantity and quality of museums and art venues flourish. Below are some of notable places to visit.

Cathedral of Junk Though not a traditional “museum” the Cathedral of Junk is an eclectic mix of items that most would consider junk. Old surfboards, street signs, hub caps, and even dilapidated Barbie dolls are some of the objects that give the cathedral its quirky feel. For a visit, stop by 4422 Lareina Drive, Austin, TX.

STREET TALK october 2014

Contemporary Austin (Jones Center and Laguna Gloria) The Jones Center and Laguna Gloria are two sites that comprise Contemporary Austin. The idea is to incorporate both urban and outdoor sites to create a spectrum of contemporary art through exhibitions, education and the overall collection. Tuesdays are free at both locations and children under 18 years and military are free all the time.

Thinkery Children’s museum Formerly the Austin’s Children’s Museum, the Thinkery is an evolution from the initial concept to include a place where children can learn about science through play. It’s meant to be a fun and educational experience where children connect ideas by doing and interacting with their environment. Admission is $9 during regular hours, but it is donation based every Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Bullock Texas State History Museum How much do you know about the great state of Texas? If you’re a transplant like me, the answer may be “not a lot.” Luckily, the Bullock Texas State History Museum can remedy that! Learn the story of Texas through 34,000 square feet and three floors of artifacts, multimedia exhibits, and immersive environments. Each floor has a theme – land, identity, and opportunity – that seek to tell museum goers stories of Texas people, places, events, and culture. First Sundays are free!

Other Top Picks Blanton Museum of Art – First Sunday of the month is free. Umlauf Sculpture Garden – $5 admission, they also offer special classes (visit their website at www. umlaufsculpture.org) Austin Nature and Science Center – Free Zilker Botanical Garden – Adult admission is $2; Children’s Admission is $1 Elisabet Ney Museum – Free, Open Wednesday - Sunday12pm - 5pm

Recreation In a town as active as Austin, it’s no wonder there isn’t a shortage of recreational activities that the whole family can enjoy. A personal favorite, and really, an Austin institution, is Peter Pan Mini Golf. One course (18 holes) is only $6 and is a guaranteed good time! Recently, I stumbled upon an interesting opportunity to take a free rowing lesson. Biannually, the Texas Rowing Center has a free day where beginners are invited out to learn basic rowing techniques and spend a couple of hours on the water. Reservations must be made in advance on their website prior to each event. Visit http://www.texasrowingcenter.com/ for more information. The Goodnight is a hybrid restaurant/ bowling alley/game room on North Mopac near 183. Along with great food, one of the best things about The Goodnight is that every weekend they offer free bowling, karaoke, billiards, shuffleboard and ping pong from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note: this venue is limited to those 18 years and older. About a year ago, I fell head-over-heels in love with yoga. However, as much as my love for yoga endured, the associated price tag was a bit hard to swallow. That’s when I found out that there are so many opportunities for free or donation-based yoga all around Austin. My favorite site is http://austinot.com/free-yoga-in-austin for a comprehensive list of free classes throughout the city.

Other Favorites (The Wild Card Category)

Trailers, Trailers and More Trailers

At the risk of overwhelming the reader with too much good stuff – is there really such a thing? I’ve thrown in a grab bag, catch-all category for some of my (and other PWD staff’s) favorite Austin things!

Food trailers are one of my favorite things – and for good reason – you can get some amazing food at these unassuming, but utterly divine establishments!

take a look at that view!

Trailer Night Tuesday at the Long Center – Get a sample of everything! East Side King at Liberty Bar – I recommend the beet fries and the brussel sprout salad. Patrizi’s at The Vortex Theater – Fresh handmade cooked-to-order pasta. Need I say more?

Verazruz All Natural at 6th and Waller – Tacos, glorious tacos. The breakfast tacos are to die for! Thai-Kun – Spicy, authentic Thai and the #8 Best New Restaurant in the country, according to Bon Appetit magazine.

Miscellaneous Family Activities robin camp

contributed some of her favorite Austin views:

The back side of Red Bud Trail coming down the hill from Westlake Drive. Sitting at the Long Center watching the sunset. Crossing the Pennybacker Bridge at sunset.

Juanita Torres, Administrative Senior for PWD, recommends the events and shows available at the Mexican American Cultural Center. Coming up on Nov. 1 is their annual Dia de los Muertos event.

Keep Austin Beautiful Clean-Ups – Do some good for the environment and get outside and enjoy nature. They have events year-round and volunteers are often rewarded with t-shirts and grub. www.keepaustinbeautiful.org Peacocks in Mayfield Park – Beautiful scenery and peacocks, because how often does one get to see a real, live peacock?

Recycled Reads – Cheap books (and I mean cheap) and fun arts and crafts for the kids. www.recycledreads.org First Thursday on South Congress – Stroll the streets of South Congress while admiring wares from local vendors and catching some live music. Visit http://www.firstthursday.info/ for more information.

When all else fails and you’re looking for something fun to do, check www. Do512.com and search their “free” section. Do512 is a great resource that houses a database full of a wide array of music, cultural and family events all around the city. There is so much to do in this wonderful city and I am so thankful to call it home!

One of my favorites is the view from Mount Bonnell. At dawn or dusk, the light reflecting off the water is simply stunning!

2014 october STREET TALK

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. A celebration right up the City’s alley

n August 14, City staff celebrated the successful completion of the Green Alley Demonstration Project alongside its partners, the University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development (UTSOA) and the Guadalupe Association for an Improved Neighborhood (GAIN), as well as with members of the community. The alley located between East Eighth and East Ninth Streets that runs between Lydia and Waller was chosen to undergo a transformation that would create a space where neighbors could come together as a community, include sustainable development and encourage affordable housing. Some of the sustainable features of this project include pervious pavement, energy-efficient lighting, rain gardens and drought-tolerant plants. In May, PWD’s Street and Bridge crews added pervious concrete in the alley, along with colored concrete accents, and completed the installation of two rain gardens at each entrance. UTSOA students later added the finishing touches and some artistic elements, which they completed in August. Special thanks goes to the fantastic PWD folks who make projects like this one stand out: Kalpana Sutaria, Kevin Sweat, Molly Ritter and the SBO crew!

Martin Hill Transmission Main Project Traffic Monitoring and Controls Help Ease Congestion along McNeil Road Construction for the Martin Hill Transmission Main is well underway. The project is slated to wrap up on November 1 after experiencing several delays, one of which was related to the discovery of a cave 5-feet-deep by 20-feet-long (pictured). The intent of this project is to supply water to the northwest quadrant of Austin by installing 75,000 linear feet of new water lines and tying them in to existing water lines at the intersection of Parmer Lane and McNeil Road.

STREET TALK october 2014

Davis Lane from Leo Street to Westgate Boulevard Project Construction Set to Wrap Up in October The Davis Lane from Leo Street to Westgate Boulevard project continues to make significant progress and is on-target to wrap up in October. Work includes the installation of a modern roundabout at the intersection of Davis Lane and Leo Street and extends Davis Lane where it was previously a dead end. Prior to this project, drivers were required to take Guide Post Lane and Huebinger Pass to reconnect with Davis. The extension and roundabout will help improve the flow of traffic through the neighborhood while reducing traffic congestion.

Dove Springs Recreation Center Expansion

Community Meetings Solicit Feedback and Shape Design Scheme

Castleman Bull-House Rezone and Development Improvements will lead to more meeting space, events In August, a community meeting was held to discuss the potential rezone of the Castleman Bull-House as well as a proposed walkway to connect the Hilton Hotel Convention Space to the Austin Convention Center’s fourth floor meeting rooms and ball rooms. At present, the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) holds events at the Castleman BullHouse property and applies for a permit for each event. The rezoning would allow for outdoor entertainment on a permanent basis. Several parcels on the south side of East Third Street between Red River and Sabine would be included in the rezone. At a later date, there are plans to renovate the Castleman-Bull House and develop the lot to allow for more meeting space for ACCD. Concepts are still under discussion, but may include construction of a deck partially over the existing pond, an addition to the rear section of the property and installation of an elevator. So far, the community and neighboring businesses have been receptive to the proposed rezone and we look forward to discussing design options as the project progresses.

The second community meeting to discuss programming for the Dove Springs Recreation Center Expansion Project took place on Sept. 9. Community members and stakeholders participated in a design charrette that will help the City’s contracted architecture firm decide how best to proceed with the expansion design based on the community’s priorities. The meeting gave way for a lively discussion and lots of creative ideas and suggestions!

2014 Build a Backpack and School Supplies Drive Don’t worry kiddos, the City of Austin’s got your back! 2014 was another great year for the City’s annual Build a Backpack and School Supplies Drive! City employees donated a total of 546 backpacks, along with hundreds of pounds of school supplies to Austin area schools. Thank you to all of the generous Public Workers who teamed up to help make the first day of school a special one! We’d also like to give a high five to Charlene O’Neal and Juanita Torres for hauling all of the backpacks donated by PMD, ESD and OOD over to City Hall!

Howard’s ABIA Visit Stops included the control tower and checked baggage area Director Howard Lazarus recently took a field trip out to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). While there, Project Manager Rohini Kumarage and CIP Inspector Sidney Henson gave him a tour of some ongoing CIP projects, including the Terminal East Infill Project. He visited the control tower and also heard a presentation on the projected growth of ABIA by Aviation Assistant Director Shane Harbinson. Top: Visiting a project site with CIP Inspector Sidney Henson. Bottom: Rohini Kumarage, Howard Lazarus, and Shane Harbinson check out the view from 227 feet above ground.

2014 october STREET TALK

events

continued from pg. 23

PWD representatives attend “Best Show in Public Works” International conference featured inspiring speakers and the latest in sustainable technology. In August, Director Howard Lazarus, along with Robert Hinojosa, David Magana, Brian Works, Molly Ritter, and Annie Van Zandt joined 6,000 other public works professionals from around the globe at the American Public Works Association (APWA) International Public Works Congress and Exposition in Toronto, Canada. For more than 100 years, the Congress has fostered continued learning in the public works profession, with learning opportunities that address ongoing challenges in the industry. Along with technical tracks that focused on this year’s theme of “Sustainability in Public Works,” the lineup featured notable speakers such as Colonel Chris Hadfield, a decorated astronaut and engineer, former commander of the International Space Station and a social media rock star known for tweeting trivia questions from outer space. SBO Division Manager Molly Ritter was especially inspired by Colonel Hadfield’s rousing keynote, “The Sky is not the Limit!” She comments, “Inspire others! Inspire others to take

STREET TALK october 2014

others! Inspire others to take your place in “ Inspire Public Works. What we do is important to the community, the citizens, and our children. Think about what would happen if there was no Public Works? Make sure you and your team members remember what job we are here to perform.

”

- Molly Ritter, SBO Division Manager

your place in Public Works. What we do is important to the community, the citizens, and our children. Think about what would happen if there was no Public Works? Make sure you and your team members remember what job we are here to perform.” Capital Program Manager Annie Van Zandt also found the conference to be worthwhile and plans to apply some of the concepts she learned. She states, “The conference was thrilling, as I felt it addressed the concept of merging engineering needs with geographic themes (sense of place, corridors, New Urbanism, etc.). To me, this could be the future of asset management in the sense of creating dig-once opportunities, increasing connectivity, prioritizing projects, and presenting program/service information to stakeholders. One of the most exciting presentations was on Sustainable ROI. Essentially, this is putting a dollar figure to the sustainable benefits of a project, and can be used to capture cost savings and present sustainable initiatives to stakeholders. I will work with others in PWD

to see if we can incorporate Sustainable ROI calculations into the Street Reconstruction & Rehabilitation program as a ‘proof of concept.’ Director Howard Lazarus was impressed by the value of information sharing among peers. He comments, “I encourage employees to get involved with APWA or the local chapter of TPWA. As one of the country’s most active chapters, it provides opportunities to stay current on emerging challenges and technologies, learn what other cities are doing, and share our knowledge…I’m proud to say that PWD is considered a ‘leading edge’ public works organization, and other municipalities look to us for best practices and expertise.”

Left: SBO Division Manager Brian Works checks out the latest technology in the exhibit hall. Middle: Molly Ritter, Brian Works, and Annie Van Zandt enjoy the sites of Toronto. Right: Molly Ritter with Speaker Chris Hadfield.

Street and Bridge Operations asphalt crew working hard, keeping streets safe!

2014 october STREET TALK

milestones

Milestones

What Public Workers are doing out there to achieve, foster community, impress co-workers and citizens alike, and show we really are your â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Department with a Heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!

project of the year Barton Springs General Grounds Improvements Project Selected as 2014 Arboricultural Project of the Year The Barton Springs General Grounds Improvement Project was recently selected as the 2014 Arboricultural Project of the Year by the Texas Chapter International for the work completed on the tree court. Congratulations to Project Manager Robin Camp and PARD Project Coordinator Gary Gregson for all of their hard work. The health and condition of the trees was a very important aspect of this project and staff took great care to resolve erosion issues in the springs and remove compaction issues to improve root conditions of the Heritage trees. The on-site arborist provided a wealth of knowledge and guidance to ensure the health of the trees was not only preserved, but improved.

new employee Please join us in welcoming Micheal Singleton, EIT to the Engineering Services Division in Public Works! Mr. Singleton has a BS in Civil Engineering as well as an MBA from UT Tyler. He has private sector design experience with Cunningham/Allen, Randall Jones and Associates and Aerotek Engineering. Prior to getting his engineering degree, he owned and managed his own construction business. Michael is a Graduate Engineer B on Design Team 3.

STREET TALK october 2014

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Tales from the 6th by Charles Felipa Sr.

This is a tale of mistaken identity… A couple of weeks ago I was out on 6th Street assessing a few blocks that were going to be cleaned. Suddenly, someone at a stop light began honking their horn. I didn’t think anything of it at first, but the sound was constant. I looked up to see what was going on and there was a young lady signaling for me to come to her vehicle. I pointed to myself and she said, “Yes, come here!”

‘place by design’ finalist North Austin Community Garden announced as a SXSW Eco ‘Place by Design’ Finalist!

Me: How can I help you? Young lady: You don’t remember me? Me: No ma’am I don’t…remember you from where? Young lady: High school…I can’t believe you don’t remember me. This is so embarrassing!

Me: Where did you go to high school? The North Austin Community Garden, an AIPP addition to the North Austin Community Recreation Center, recently gained acclaim as one of fourteen finalists for the SXSW Eco ‘Place by Design’ awards. This award honors “visionary design work that achieves a positive community impact through the creation or re-imagining of public spaces.” The North Austin Community Garden boasts a whopping 25,000 square feet and features a wheelchair accessible area, raised garden beds, teaching and demonstration plots, an orchard, an area for composting, as well as a playground for the kids to enjoy, just to mention a few! The success of this project is largely due to the strategic partnership among various departments within the City, YMCA, Sustainable Food Center, Thoughtbarn, John Hart Asher of the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and many other members of the community. Congratulations to Mark Schruben and his team – including Mike Curtis’ group, the Austin Transportation Department and Street and Bridge – for their work with the North Austin Community Garden. Keep an eye out for the outcome of this award in the December issue of Street Talk.

Young lady: Travis High (Go Rebels!). There were so many things I wanted to tell you back then, but I was super shy…

Me: Well I hate to interrupt you, but… Young lady: Then don’t interrupt…I have to get this off my chest. I was a fool to hide in the background while all my friends threw themselves at you.

Me: Ma’am please let me explain. Young lady: No explanation needed…you were a teenage boy with teenage boy hormones. Me: No, I am telling you that you have the wrong guy. I didn’t go to Travis. Young lady: Are you sure?!? Me: I am positive. Young lady: Well if you didn’t go to Travis, where did you go to school? Me: Heidelberg High School in Germany (Go Lions!). Young lady: You should have said that before I poured my heart out to you, jerk! The next thing I knew, the young lady was speeding off through a red light. Luckily for her there were no other vehicles in the intersection and no APD officers around to witness her reckless behavior. My doppelganger should be on the lookout for the crazy Travis Rebel roaming 6th Street, trying to right a high school wrong!

2014 october STREET TALK

milestones

continued from pg. 27

YEARS OF SERVICE

PAT ON THE BACK Phillip Preslar, inspection supervisor received 20 Years of Service as of July 18, 2014.

28 STREET TALK october 2014

Jose Benitez, recently earned a Pat on the Back Award. This inspector worked on the Bartholomew Pool Project and received praise from the project superintendent who said, “Jose is very knowledgeable of construction procedures and the related codes. He is intelligent, soft spoken and represented your department well. He is a man of his word! Jose was instrumental in Chasco’s dealings with other departments and we were able to get our reclaimed water meter because of him.”

Mentor + Tutoring award

Patti Moreno, Carmen Morgan and Peggy Howard, received a 2013-2014 Mentor & Tutoring Award for volunteering their time to help out and be a special pal to Austin area students. [Pictured from left to right] Patti Moreno, Carmen Morgan, Howard Lazarus & Peggy Howard.

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake

step up awards Jamison Smith and Mark Yankosky earned Step-Up Awards for taking proper precautions concerning crane safety matter and ensuring that it was handled quickly and without any delays. Both are commended for getting a job done quickly and going the extra mile to make sure this important safety detail was not overlooked.

Rick Glosson also received a Step-Up Award and was recently recognized by his project manager for his hard work and dedication. His project sponsor was also very complimentary of his knowledge and expertise in working on complex waterline projects. Rick’s diligence and record keeping gave the PM the information needed in order take action based on his recommendation to bring in a more experienced crew for future water shut-outs. Rick Glosson is doing an outstanding job on his US290/ SH71/William Cannon/Joe Tanner Lane project!

Felicia Teague was also a recipient of the Step Up Award for the effort and dedication she has shown in bringing organization to the CIPID office and making sure everyone is up to speed. Even though she has only been with CIPID for a short time, she has had to endure an abundance of direction from more than a few CIPID staff. Through it all she has maintained a positive attitude and continues to strive to make the St. Elmo environment a functional one. She reorganized and redesigned the office to streamline work and to make the office accessible to all of the inspectors. She is eager to assist in all tasks and has not shied away from any challenge. The “can do” attitude she brings to this position is something that is greatly appreciated. CIPID staff expressed their gratitude by saying, “We are confident that no matter what we need done, she will tackle the task and finish it long before we ask for an updated. She has gone way above and beyond in cleaning and coming up with creative solutions to make the bane of our existence (St. Elmo Printer) work properly. She communicates with other CIPID personnel and arranges boxes of paper and projects to better fit our space.” Felicia Teague has quickly become a most valuable employee.

2014 october STREET TALK

milestones

continued from pg. 29

30 STREET TALK october 2014

street talk extra UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

“Best of Austin” Awards PWD earned its spurs in the Austin Chronicle’s 2014 “Best of Austin” awards The September 8th edition of the Austin Chronicle contains the annual “Best of Austin” awards. Of the countless number of projects occurring throughout the city, PWD managed projects were cited five times for the following:

Best New Way to Avoid I-35: The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake [David Taylor, PM]

Best New Path through the Woods: Southern Walnut Creek Trail [Richard Duane, PM][David Taylor, PM]

Best Improved Entry to the Soul of Austin: Barton Springs Southside [Robin Camp, PM]

Best New Eastside Respite: Bartholomew Pool Renovation [Bob Egan, PM]

Best Use of Flamingos: Flamingo Mitote at Patterson Park [Neighborhood Partnering Program] “Congratulations to David, Richard, Robin, Bob and Justin for their hard work, as well as all of the inspectors, engineers, accounting, and administrative support staff for delivering these projects to our community, said Director Howard Lazarus. “I also want to thank all members of the PWD team who toil in obscurity each day to build tomorrow today. You guys are good.” See the complete list here: http://www.austinchronicle.com/best-of-austin/ year:2014/.

2014 october STREET TALK

2014 City of Austin Employees Combined Charities Campaign City of Austin Employees Care Over the past couple decades, City employees have contributed more than $12 million to a range of non-profit organizations through the City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign (COACCC). This year, donations will be accepted through the month of October.

how to donate:

Questions?

Donate online with the COACCC Online Secure Pledge System via CitySpace at https://www. giveattheoffice.org/_cityaustin/. Calculate payroll contributions and submit your reoccurring donations electronically.

Contact the COACCC at 512-469-5989 or at coaccc@earthshare-texas.org.

One-time payments can also be made on the site with a credit card.

ATTENTION PWD SHUTTERBUGS The Communication Team is seeking photos of active construction sites and street work to distribute on our Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr accounts. As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and we think photos do a better job of showcasing our work than words alone. The public is very curious about our projects and programs so please help us tell our story. Photos can also be helpful when we need to get the word out quickly about road or lane closures.

WHAT WE NEED Photos of construction projects, preventative street maintenance work, lane/ street closures or detours, pavement voids, trail construction, sidewalk repair—anything and everything is welcome!

HOW WE NEED IT Camera phone photos are fine as long as they’re in focus. We also need to know what the picture is and where it was taken please include this info in your email.

thanks for your help!

How to get it to us Please send your pictures to Carolyn.Perez@ austintexas.gov

word search

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E N I G A Q

2014 OCTOBER STREET TALK 33

calendar

October Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 0

Friday

Saturday

Fredricksburg Oktoberfest

West End First Thursday First Thursday

Quarter 4 PE Starts

Safety Meeting (PWD/PMD/ESD/ CID) 8:30-9:30 AM OTC-325 Safety Meeting (HRO/OOD/SSD/QSMD/ CSD/FSD/SED) 9:45-10:45 AM OTC-325 New Employee Safety Orientation (NESO)

class 1-5 PM @ Cheathem

Open Enrolment Begins

Safety Plus Meeting (SBO Pavement & Infrastructure) class 8-9 AM Cheathem Facility

class 8-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Dr. Ste 200

Safety Plus Meeting (SBO District Maintenance/ IMG) class 8-9 AM Cheathem Facility

Early Voting Begins

class 1-5 PM @ Cheathem Facility

2 Austin Film Festival

Trailer Food Tuesdays

STREET TALK october 2014

$ PAY DAY

Safety Plus Meeting (PWD SBO- Utility Structures) class 8-9 AM Cheathem Facility

Dia de los Muertos Viva la Vida Fest

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo Art Outside

Sunday

CDL/ D&A Orientation

Sunday

Film + Food Party

Fall Plant Sale + Gardening Festival

Sunday

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

New Employee Safety Orientation (NESO)

CDL/ D&A Orientation

Austin Film Festival

Boo at the Zoo

Nerd Nite

Yom Kippur [begins at sunset]

Defensive Driving

Columbus Day

Health + Lifestyle Expo

Sunday

class 8-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Dr. Ste 200

2 $ PAY DAY

Early Voting Ends

Halloween Texas Fireworks Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Sunday

calendar

November Monday 2

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Austin POW WOW AIA Austin Homes Tour

Sunday Dia de los Muertos

End Daylight Saving Time CPR

class 8:30 AM-12 PM OTC-325

Wursfest

FunFunFunFest

class 8-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Dr. Ste 200

Election Day

Wursfest

Lone Star Vegetarian Cook-Off

Austin Celtic Festival

Sunday

CDL/ D&A Orientation

New Employee Safety Orientation (NESO) class 1-5 PM @ Cheathem Facility

West End First Thursday First Thursday

$ PAY DAY

East Austin Studio Tour

Sunday Nerd Nite

Veteran’s Day

Leonids Meteor Shower Defensive Driving 8:30 AM-4:30 PM OTC-325

Open Enrollment Online Ends

1 A Christmas Affair

East Austin Studio Tour

Sunday

class 8-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Dr. Ste 200

class 1-5 PM @ Cheathem Facility

CDL/ D&A Orientation

New Employee Safety Orientation (NESO)

$ PAY DAY Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Empty Bowl Project

Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade

Sunday Turkey Trot Thanksgiving OFFICE CLOSED

You can find further details about Austin Events from austin.bigweekendcalendars.com

3 2014 october STREET TALK

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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

streettalk@austintexas.gov