Street Talk | May 2012 Issue by Austin Public Works

director’s message BY HOWARD LAZARUS DIRECTOR

STREET TALK EDITORIAL Editor in Chief:

The Seven Rules of Business

ver my four years at the City of Austin, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous ‘Director’s Panels’ that interviewed candidates for key positions within the City government. One of the questions that is always asked (and very often not responded to well) is “How would you describe your management style and philosophy?” I’m not sure that I’ve communicated my response to that question to you, so I thought I would share it in this issue, when we are talking about how to be Awardwinning as a department. I can’t challenge everyone to ‘bring home the hardware’ without explaining how I think we can do that…

Chief Reporter:

Sara Hartley

sara.hartley@austintexas.gov

Michelle Frith

michelle.frith@austintexas.gov

Contributing Writers: Howard Lazarus

howard.lazarus@austintexas.gov

Sharon Warren

sharon.warren@austintexas.gov

Vera Labriola

vera.labriola@austintexas.gov

Carolyn Perez

carolyn.perez@austintexas.gov

Luciano Tamayo

luciano.tamayo@austintexas.gov

While many of you may think I subscribe to the principles of ‘chaos theory’ and ‘management by walking around and sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong,’ I want to reassure you that the tenets of my approach are well founded in the seven rules of business that I’ve developed over my career. As you read through them, I ask that you think about the best manager you have ever worked for, and what qualities in them inspired you to do your best work? Please drop me a line and let me know, as I am always interested in what you think about quality of the workplace.

Tyleah Mcguire

tyleah.mcguire@austintexas.gov

Nadia Barrera

nadia.barrera@austintexas.gov

Max Eby

max.eby@austintexas.gov

Chris Meyer

chris.meyer@austintexas.gov

Bob Gedert

bob.gedert@austintexas.gov

design Chief Graphic Designer: Alexa Muraida

alexa.muraida@austintexas.gov

Director of Photography: Shannon Wisner

shannon.wisner@austintexas.gov

RULE #1: nOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER TWO O’CLOCK ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. Think about it – how often do things ‘go off the rails’ at the most inopportune time? You’re planning a quick and quiet escape for the weekend when you get a call about a broken water line. You’ve got all of your crews lined up for a difficult project and a key equipment operator calls in sick. Good leaders and managers have contingency plans and are prepared for the unexpected. They also back their teams up when things go wrong and provide a strong and calming influence when staring down problems.

Rule #2 : The secret to success and happiness in life is to hire well. Go out and engage the very best people you can find, involve them in your visions, and then empower them to get things done. Look for attitude as well as aptitude. Hire people who have skills that complement yours and are a ‘good fit’ for the team. Don’t be afraid of talent. Don’t settle – the negative consequences of a poor hire will last far beyond time spent investing in finding the right person for the job.

Rule #3 : Smart people are smart

because they know what they don’t know. Leaders are not afraid to admit that they don’t know everything. Knowing what you don’t know will defeat the fear of the unknown. While we all have areas

02 STREET TALK MAY 2012

where we are the subject matter experts and have a working knowledge of most of the skills within our work responsibilities, inevitably we come across a challenge for which we feel grossly unqualified. The first step toward success is admitting that there is a knowledge gap and then engaging the right team members to fill in the hole (see Rule #2).

Rule #4: Follow the money. The simple truth in business is that if you don’t control your resources, you’re not in control of anything. Financial planning and budgeting is the one area of management where attention to detail is a must. You have to know where the nickels and dimes are, and what outcomes are expected from the expenditure of those resources. Track, measure, and adjust. Beyond counting dollars, know your equipment, know your facilities, and know your staff. The power of leadership is getting the right combination of people, materials, and equipment at the point of service delivery in the most efficient manner.

asked why he shot the puck as much as he did, he replied, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Don’t be afraid to take the shot!

Rule #6: Don’t shoot the rabbits while the elephants are stampeding. Life is messy - learn what’s important and how to prioritize. Tackle the tough challenges. People often will address the smaller problems because they don’t know how to handle the larger ones. In the Army the mantra is “the organization does well those things that the commander inspects personally.” Find out what the critical success parameters are, shoot those elephants first, and you won’t be surprised that your team members will take care of the rabbits on their own (see Rule #2).

Rule #5: Ninety percent of success in

Rule #7: Never underestimate the power of a strong personal example.

In order to be successful, you have to be present and be prepared. You have to overcome your fears of failure. You have to train yourself and your staff to be ready for success, to greet each challenge as an opportunity and apply the tools at your disposal. Take career risks. After all, when Wayne Gretsky (if you don’t know who he is, ask. And see Rule #3) was

Whether you like it or not, people are always looking at you -- how you behave, how you talk, how you treat others. Integrity must be unquestioned, fairness is a must. I have always found that kindness and compassion are repaid many times over. The bottom line - take care of your people (even when they don’t want to be taken care of ) and they will take care of you!

life is showing up.

cityspace.austintexas.gov/departments/pwd VOLUME 2

ISSUE 3

contents MAY 2012

COVER STORY

Bringinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Home the Hardware Public Works is on the leading edge, blazing trails and winning awards for all that we do!

Cycle Track on Rio Grande 2012 MAY STREET TALK

contents

cityspace.austintexas.gov/departments/pwd VOLUME 2

ISSUE 3

MAY 2012

features

12 divisions

bringin’ home the hardware!

Public Works is on the leading edge, blazing trails and winning awards for all that we do!

ALL AROUND AUSTIN Public Workers spent time in March and April doing all kinds of things around town to highlight the work we do in PWD. See what’s been happening and what is coming up next.

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’!

CIPID: BEHIND THE SCENES

This issue’s group of inspectors brings an array of backgrounds and skills to the table to handle a wide variety of projects.

The ATTITUDE AND APTITUDE OF OUR STREET AND BRIDGE OPERATIONS

BIKE MONTH 2012 PROMISES ALLURE AND MERRIMENT

PMD: CELEBRATING COMPLETION OF THE WALLER creek BOATHOUSE

ENGINEERING SERVICES SEES THEIR PROJECTS GO INTO CONSTRUCTION No projects are too big or too small for our design teams!

The Bicycle program is getting geared up for Bike Month… and there’s so much to do this year; you’ll want to do it all!

columns

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR?

Michelle Frith profiles two employees that work hard for PWD everyday, who you may have never met!

04 STREET TALK MAY 2012

09 How departments, officials and lake enthusiasts are making the boathouse ‘ready to row’!

Our crews are rolling up their sleeves, putting on a smile, and making our right of way gorgeous!

GUEST COLUMN: How Public Works and other City departments are trying to make Austin the most livable city! This Month: Austin Resource Recovery (ARR)

www.VivaStreetsAustin.org

A fun, new festival where a car-free street becomes your playground! Bike, run, walk, skateboard, roller-blade, stroll, roll, zumba, dance... and generally move and have fun with thousands of your Austin neighbors! WHEN - Sunday, May 20, 10 AM to 3 PM • WHERE - Sixth Street – car-free for 2 miles (Brazos to Robert Martinez)

VIVA STREETS! IS A TOBACCO FREE EVENT

divisions BY luciano tamayo CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Engineering Services sees their projects go into construction No projects are too big or too small for our design teams! Colorado Street Reconstruction and Utility Adjustments

pgrading Colorado Street - from road reconstruction, utilities replacement, landscaping, and other streetscape improvements - is helping to change the look of the downtown area, and keep up with the rapid growth of Austin’s population and economy. This will be another successful project that will follow the path of the other amazing Great Streets like the 2nd Street and Brazos Street Reconstruction Projects. This project scope includes full-depth street reconstruction, relocation and rehabilitation of storm sewer, water and wastewater lines, concrete bus pads, sidewalk reconstruction, curb and gutters, street lights, benches, bicycle racks, and new traffic signals. This is

obviously quite a complex project, especially because of the presence of numerous underground utilities to be relocated that can destabilize the existing road base and sub base. So instead of asphalt pavement, the proposed road pavement will be of rigid concrete pavement, sometimes also called Portland Cement Pavement. There are two types of concrete pavements commonly used in Texas: Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) and Jointed Concrete Pavement (JCP). CRCP contains both longitudinal and transverse steel. It does not contain transverse joints except at construction joints. The function of the longitudinal steel is to control concrete volume changes due to temperature and moisture variations and to keep transverse cracks tightly closed, while the transverse steel function is to keep longitudinal joints and cracks closed. If the steel serves its proper function and keeps cracks from widening, aggregate interlock is preserved and concrete stresses in the concrete slab due to traffic loading are reduced. JCP has transverse joints spaced at regular intervals. The transverse joints are used to control temperature induced contraction and expansion in the concrete. Smooth dowel bars are used at the transverse joints for load transfer. Transverse joints are spaced at fifteen foot intervals. Longitudinal joints are used to control random longitudinal cracking. They are tied together with tie bars. CRCP provides excellent long-term performance and requires very little maintenance. This is mostly utilized for new or reconstructed rigid pavement. There are some situations where JCP may be desirable to use, such as for aesthetic reasons, railroad crossing approaches, or to structure or widen existing jointed

pavement, among other reasons. The Colorado Street Reconstruction project began work in April and the construction cost is approximately $6 million, with a one-year construction duration. The project contractor is Jerdon Enterprise of San Antonio and is managed by Jessica Salinas of PMD. The project was designed by ESD Design Team 2 with Byrt Reza as the lead and sealed by Bimal Adhikary, P.E., as project engineer.

Hartford and Jefferson Wastewater Line No project is too small when the call of a design job is needed in an emergency situation! City crews discovered this existing wastewater line was deteriorating and an emergency replacement of the line had to be done in the quickest time possible. They discovered the issue with the existing wastewater line is the location. It is at the back of the owners’ homes and adjacent to MOPAC, creating a huge conflict due to the presence of existing trees, fences and landscaping that were placed to minimize the noise from the MOPAC traffic. A new alignment of the proposed 8” PVC wastewater line was decided to solve the problem. Richard Fraser did a great job designing the 1,062 linear feet of new wastewater line with the supervision of Roger Hickman, P.E. Richard was awarded a 2 hours of administrative leave in his effort and the neighbors will be able to keep their yards unscathed!

divisions BY Chris Meyer CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The attitude and aptitude of our Street and Bridge Operations Our crews are rolling up their sleeves, putting on a smile and making our right of way gorgeous!

Most likely, you’ve heard the news about Street and Bridge Operations’ recent acquisition of more responsibilities. Mowing the medians, formerly managed under the Parks Department, is just the beginning. In addition to the median mowing, we are taking care of all the trees in the ROW, including trimming, removing and planting. Public Works has also recently acquired the responsibility of maintaining urban trails. With over 300 acres of just median mowing, and hundreds of miles of ROW with trees needing maintenance, one can imagine the scope of this During training exercises, the lieutenant who work. When was driving down a muddy back road encountered you combine another jeep stuck in the mud with a red-faced Colthis with the onel at the wheel. “Is your jeep stuck sir,” asked the abundance of lieutenant as he pulled his jeep alongside the Colrain we have received this onel’s? “Nope,” replied the Colonel, as he walks year (more over and hands the Lieutenant his keys, “Yours is. rain in the first three months of If you’re asking yourself what does this year than all of last year!) creating a this have to do with public works… well, I huge growth of grasses - well hold on to your mowers, because that’s a lot of Bashave an answer. just finished up meeting with a citizen named George N. Stokes. Mr. Stokes is a retired United States Air Force Colonel, and this particular Colonel likes his wildflowers. Mr. Stokes has been calling the city for years, as he tells it, trying to get someone to stop mowing the wildflowers near his house on Southwest Parkway. So, this particular day we drive the medians looking for areas with flowers that we can designate as “no mow” areas. We finish the meeting - with him giving me a few more orders - and of course I say “yes sir!” And then he ends the day by telling me a joke:

“

”

tard Cabbage! Every day we have dedicated crews out mowing our medians, grass islands and other City-owned property including the urban trails. They are inspecting vege-

Crew members work to reclaim a portion of sidewalk that was stolen by some renegade brush.

continued

from pg. 07

tation-related 3-1-1 calls, trimming and removing trees, clearing view obstructions and blind corners, and yes…even meeting with citizens about the wildflowers. It’s all in a day’s work for our dedicated Public Works crews. This type of work takes specialized equipment, and there is no shortage of it for this operation. We have propane fueled deck mowers, weed eaters, motorized hedge trimmers, power pole saws, chainsaws, modified trucks & trailers and we’re just getting started. We will soon have a commercial chipper and be operating a full-time tree crew. All this equipment is great and it makes our jobs easier, but the individuals wielding this equipment are what make this operation successful. It just so happens that Public Works has the most talented, hardest working individuals in the city. This combined with their ‘no excuses’ attitude, their wiliness to get things done, and putting the proper tools in their hands, and look out… good things are

08 STREET TALK MAY 2012

about to happen! Back to my meeting with the Colonel, his joke to me was spot on, because it is our citizens who have the ultimate authority, like the Colonel in the joke. We need to take responsibility, using our tools and hard work to get the job done. They’ve handed us the keys, and we are ready to go!

divisions BY VERA LABRIOLA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

(From left to right) Jose Benitez, Rick Ramones, Bob Pilgrim, Jim Evans, Brett Clemons, Steve Holland, Kenneth Johnson, and Greg Weems.

CIP Inspection: Behind the Scenes

This group of inspectors brings an array of backgrounds and skills to the table to handle a wide variety of projects.

reg Weems’ group of inspectors is diverse in age and experience, yet they get along very well. They cover a wide variety of projects: storm drains, water and wastewater lines, buildings, ADA sidewalks, and street reconstructions. They inspected the rain garden in front of OTC, and are currently working on the high-profile Shoal Creek Allandale Storm Drain Project, the Little Shoal Creek Tunnel, Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, African American Cultural Center, West Campus Water Line Improvements Area 5, ADA Sidewalks, and many others. Before joining the City, Greg Weems spent years working for several materials testing labs inspecting home foundations

and concrete placements. He started with CIPID about 12 years ago as an inspector. Later he became one of the division’s first lead inspectors. In this position, he worked for the former Austin Clean Water Program Group and for the Plant Group, where he gained experience inspecting buildings. Greg was one of the inspectors with the most certifications and currently the only one on staff who has earned the Level 4 in Skill Based Pay. As a supervisor, Greg is involved in developing a procedure for handling alternative projects. Indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity projects are bid without a specific scope and location, they operate on an annual rather than a project budget, and a typical set of design

documents may not be available for them. Tracking quantities and checking pay applications on such projects is quite difficult and Greg is creating an Excel-based accounting tool to make this task is easier. Once finished, the spreadsheet will cut down the time it takes to set up projects and will do the time-consuming math for the inspector. This will be a big change and a step toward the transition to a more electronic process. Greg is a father of two, loves outdoor activities, and when time allows, plays sports; especially softball. Greg is very enthusiastic about his thirteen-year old son, a talented inline speed skater. Lead Inspector Jim Evans has been in the construction business since he was ten years old. He worked for his father’s construction company and by the age of thirteen, he made enough money to buy his first motorcycle. Jim has been with the division for almost thirteen years and before he started with the City, he spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, and five years working for TxDOT. Jim’s experience, expertise, skills in dealing with the public, and the fact that he is not afraid to speak 2012 MAY STREET TALK

divisions

continued from pg. 13

up if he sees something wrong make him a perfect fit for the most difficult projects. Currently, Jim works on the Little Shoal Creek Tunnel Realignment and Utility Relocation and the Shoal Creek Allandale Storm Drain Improvement projects. Jim enjoys motorcycle racing and spending time with his two children. Jim has a big heart—he has volunteered at Dell’s Children’s Medical Center and often helps out charities like the Sunshine Kids, an organization that provides activities for young cancer patients.

Christopher

(Brett)

Clemons

has been with the division for almost five years and recently has been assisting Jim Vickery’s group on the Jollyville Transmission Main Project. Brett was initially a Psychology major interested in rehabilitation treatment plans for brain injured patients. Later, he discovered a passion for geography which led to his experience in materials testing. Brett also worked for a contractor reconstructing residential properties and did third party construction observations. He says that his background in psychology comes in handy when dealing with people involved with his projects; especially when emotions run high and there is a need to defuse a hostile situation. According to his supervisor, Brett is very organized, can work under a lot of pressure, and has the ability to cover multiple big projects at a time. Brett has a fiveyear old boy and loves outdoors, camping, canoeing, and fishing. Bob Pilgrim has a unique ability and charm to get contractors’ compliance with his pleasant demeanor and a smile. His supervisor says that in this group, Bob has the most experience working on projects in the state right-of-way. Bob worked for

years in a materials testing lab and in the computer field as a database developer before he joined the City. No wonder he is very computer savvy and great in creating complex spreadsheets! Bob inspects the Loop 360 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, Lance Armstrong Bikeway—Phase 3, and the Shoal Creek-Ridgelea Bank Stabilization projects. Soon, he will start working on the 2nd Street Reconstruction Phase 3 project. Together with his daughter, Bob likes to cook; they enjoy preparing Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian dishes. Rick Ramones is an inspector with a great energy, able to manage numerous projects at a time. For years, Rick worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulating contractors’ work on petroleum storage tanks. He has a B.A. in Business Management and throughout his career, Rick owned construction companies focused on road and concrete projects, and he is involved in the real estate business as well. This experience makes him an expert and the right person for inspecting the Group 10, 11, and 12 ADA Sidewalk Improvement projects. Rick never stops; even in his free time, he works on improvements and management of his rental properties. He has been married for thirty-four years, has a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. Kenneth (KJ) Johnson, a successful graduate from the Inspector Trainee Program, transferred to CIPID from Street & Bridge Operations. KJ is ambitious, hardworking, eager to learn on the job, and not afraid of new responsibilities. His friendly attitude and a big smile quickly disarm everybody, and he is supposedly one of the funniest people in the division. KJ does a great job inspecting the West Campus Wa-

ter Line Improvements Area 5 Project and soon he will start the Southern Walnut Hike and Bike Trail Project. In his free time, KJ likes to play basketball, and because he loves children he also coaches little league basketball and football. Besides playing sports, KJ likes spending time with his three sons and three daughters. Stephyn (Steve) Holland’s father was a contractor and Steve has been in the construction business since he can remember. He wanted to be a pilot, but decided to help his father in the construction company. While living in Spring, TX, Steve volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician and served his community for over five years. About twelve years ago he owned a plane and was involved with the Angel Flight nonprofit organization. This group of volunteers and pilots offers free air transportation to financially distressed patients who need to be transported for their treatment. Steve is very safety conscious and catches things other people might not notice. He finished a difficult, high-profile Group 19, Phase 2 Reconstruction & Utility Adjustments Project, and currently works on the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center Project. Jose Benitez, who has been with the CIPID for about two months, was born and raised in Austin. Jose went into the construction business straight from high school and has thirteen years of experience working as a foreman building underground utilities. Jose is a quick learner and helps the other inspectors wherever he can. His supervisor appreciates Jose’s knowledge of water, wastewater, and street reconstruction work. He was assigned the Wild Horse Phase 2 Project in North Austin and will inspect the Group 19 Phase 1 Project in the near future. When not working, Jose loves spending time with his family, especially his two little daughters, who love to shop. Shoal Creek-Ridgelea Bank Stabilization Project.

10 MAY2012 2012 13 STREET TALK MAY

guest column BY bob gedert GUEST WRITER

A Message from the Director of Austin Resource Recovery “Bagging the bag” makes progress in Austin!

n March 2, City Council unanimously approved a Single-Use Bag Ordinance, which will take effect in March 2013. The goal of this ordinance is to reduce single‐use and non‐recyclable products. Most of the plastic and paper bags available at retail checkouts now have a relatively low reuse life due to the material they are made from and their design or construction. These bags are often only used once or a few times before they are thrown away.

produce bags used to hold fruits and vegetables. We are simply regulating the type of bags that can be distributed within our city’s limits, which will give customers choices that help reduce litter in Austin. The types of bags provided and price (if any) will be determined by the retailer. Austin Resource Recovery will provide education and outreach over the course of two years to retailers and consumers, including bag distribution, a media campaign, social media efforts, signage, speaking to neighborhood groups, etc. The goals are to educate customers about the choices that retailers will provide at checkout and to educate the retailers about their responsibilities. In the long run, we will reduce our costs and our waste by switching to reusable bags. Reducing dependence on singleuse bags could be considered among the low hanging fruit to achieve our Zero Waste goals and helps keep our city clean and livable.

We also cannot currently accept single-use or limited-use bags, dry cleaner bags or plastic newspaper sleeves in our Single Stream Recycling collection because these items get tangled on the sort line at the Material Recovery Facility, creating maintenance issues and equipment downtime. Passage of the ordinance is a historic step toward Zero Waste. We’re shifting from a disposable, single-use society to adopt a reusable lifestyle that’s sustainable for the long-term. It’s important to note that there is still a choice at checkout. Austin is not banning all bags. Plastic bags and paper bags that meet a certain criteria are still allowed. Some bags are exempt, such as Get the facts at www.austintexas.gov/bags.

In an effort to provide consumers with better, more durable options and help reduce litter, retailers may provide the following options to their customers at checkout: Reusable bags that you bring from home Plastic bag, 4 millimeters in thickness, with handles Paper bag made of recycled content, with handles Another type of reusable bag purchased from the retailer

2012 MAY STREET TALK 11

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. Child Safety + Bike Rodeos = FUN!

id the Ortega Bike Rodeo sponsored by the Child Safety Program rock? Absolutely! Did the kids roll? Yes they did - and with style! Children’s Program Specialist Rhonda Bolick and Program Technician Leticia Richardson organized the Ortega bike rodeo with the help of the Ortega PE teacher, Karen Fussel. Fifteen of our program’s crossing guards helped to manage the activities and the Austin Cycling Association generously donated 50 bicycle helmets for the rodeo. 50 students received new bike helmets and over 50 children learned and practiced the rules of the road for bicyclists. The students were fitted for a new helmet,

and then learned how to ride to a stop sign, stop and look left, right and back to the left before proceeding. They also learned how to use hand signals first by walking behind an instructor, then riding one at a time to practice their hand signal skills while riding. A crossing guard was at each turn to encourage and cheer when they remembered the hand signals. Then off they went to learn to balance while riding slowly up to a gradual stop. After learning and practicing the skills, everyone grabbed a cool drink of water and Crossing Guard Supervisor Aurelia Pardo and Assistant Supervisor Eddie Quiroz registered the riders for a chance to win one of four new bikes sponsored by the Child Safety Program. While waiting for their classmates to finish the course, the kids rode around the track and played on the play-

ground equipment. It was a thrill to see the imately 18 months and cost $4.62 million. children’s radiant smiles as they raced their The contractor was Capital Excavation. bikes around the track! The finish was when we drew the names of two boys and two The AARC breaks ground girls for the bikes and sang Happy Birthday amid dancing dragons to one of the bike winners. What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday! Woo Hoo!!! and harmonic blessings

Rio Grande re-opens along with the newest bicycle amenity in Austin - the Cycle Track! A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 24, 2012 on Rio Grande Street to celebrate its full depth reconstruction completion. Along with new utilities and streetscape improvements like trees, planting, widened sidewalks and hardscapes, a new type of bicycle facility was installed. The new facility, called a ‘Cycle Track’ is a designated and delineated bike lane that has more separation than normal bike lanes. Its purpose is to enhance the comfort level of those wanting to ride their bikes on streets alongside vehicular traffic. Austin is likely to see many more of these facilities as we move forward with a new Green Lane Project designation. Excitingly, the Bicycle Program was chosen along with 5 other cities (beating out over 40 that applied!) to work with the US Department of Transportation and Bikes Belong to increase ridership through these encouraging facilities. The Rio Grande reconstruction was managed by Jessica Salinas and Inspected by Jess Knox. The project duration was approx-

performances by the 512 Band and Korean drummers that pounded out rhythms for a dragon dance. Over 200 celebrants attended the event, which was deemed an unqualified success.

The morning of Thursday, March 29 started out cloudy and drizzly – not something you hope to see when you’ve planned an outdoor celebration. But by the time the festivities for the Asian American Resource Center Groundbreaking began at 10:00, the sun was shining on the long awaited ceremony. The 15.34 acre facility at 8501 Cameron Road will provide classrooms, a library/information center, community activity center, cultural exhibition and display spaces celebrating the Asian culture, and will act as an economic and educational catalyst for the region. G ro u n d b re a k i n g celebrations included multireligious blessings of the site,

2012 MAY STREET TALK 13

feature BY sara hartley EDITOR IN CHIEF sHANNON WISNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bringin’ Home the Hardware! A

round the Director’s Office, you can sometimes hear Howard talk about “Bringing home the hardware”… his way of talking about winning awards. But it isn’t just about the ‘hardware’ itself, although who doesn’t like to see a conference room full of the awards that show off the amazing talents of our entire Public Works team? What ‘bringing home the hardware’ is really all about is getting out there and showing that we can not only compete with other cities in our industry, but we can win. We can outinnovate, out-work, and out-smart just about anyone when we collectively put our minds and effort to it. When we talk about bringing home the hardware, it starts with ideas within our smaller teams, or an individual who sees an opportunity to do something differently, or a little better than the last time or than the next guy. It is the creativity and the teamwork it takes to transform that innovative thought into a reality. But don’t just take our word for it! Below are many examples of how our department shows off our amazing talents!

14 STREET TALK MAY 2012

feature Awards: Recently, Public Works alongside the consultants we hired, won three very prestigious awards. The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Texas awarded us the 2012 Gold Medal for Engineering Excellence for the Waller Creek Pedestrian Bridge. With the construction along Waller Creek, the original bridge was deteriorated and too narrow for the amount of traffic along the trail. The engineering consultants, Enotech, worked to make sure that the construction of a newer, larger bridge would not impact trail traffic with long-term closures. They accomplished this by having sections of the bridge manufactured off-site and delivered to be installed as needed, which avoided a large ‘laydown’ area and larger vehicles needed for transport. This practice was both considerate to the trail users and to the environment, which made the bridge unique… and aesthetically it turned out beautifully! (Project Manager: Gary Jackson, Inspector: Patti Moreno) Another ACEC award was given to our consultant, Survey and Mapping, Inc., for the Mobile LiDAR Mapping for 6th Street Improvements. This project used innovative technology to map the streets for future design and construction with a look into the streets through Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. It is optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser. Used previously by the military and NASA, this is very cutting-edge for governments to use in the streetscape mapping and survey field. (Project Manager: Mark Schruben, assistance from Shirin Helmi, Jon Thompson and Kevin Sweat) Another important award winning Public Works project was the Green Water Treatment Plant Decommissioning, which was awarded a gold medal for special projects. Considering the environmental importance of the area of the decommissioning, careful attention to detail and precision was required. Now, a large portion of downtown has been restored to a “clean slate” to be soon developed into part of the Seaholm area, which will include retail and housing. (Project Manager: Cynthia Jordan, Inspector: Rip Hirsch) The Texas Public Works Association awarded three of our employees with excellence awards in 2012. These Public Workers have shown amazing heart, innovation and efficiency in their work and projects. But they didn’t do it alone - they are backed by teams of other Public Works staff, and sometimes other departments - working together to make improvements to what we deliver in the City.

TPWA Awards Field Excellence Award: Nathan Wilkes, Neighborhood Connectivity Division

In-House Project of the Year (Emergency/ Disaster): Dalton Lane Bridge Repair, Molly Ritter, Division Manager

In-House Project of the Year (Transportation): Congress Overlay, Mark Schruben, Project Manager

feature

continued from pg. 15 Our very own “fearless leader,” Howard Lazarus was chosen by the Greater Austin Contractors and Engineers Association as their Central Texas Engineer of the Year 2012. He was honored at a banquet earlier this year, alongside his peers, for his service to the community. Most recently, our Bicycle Program was chosen as one of 6 cities (out of over 40 who applied) to be part of the National Green Lane Project, sponsored by the Bikes Belong non-profit and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The awards will be announced later this month on the national stage in Chicago with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood presenting the award. And not to toot our own horn, but our Street Talk Team was very proud to accept the National Clarion Award for our revamped Street Talk magazine. An industry gold standard, the Clarion Award is given out to those in the communications and marketing fields for excellence in a number of areas. Street Talk won for the best Internal Communications publication… aw, shucks- we’re blushing!

Grants: But this is not just about awards. There are so many other things that we do to ‘bring home the hardware’ that may even be in the form of dollars! Our department has received some grant dollars this past year. Earlier this year, the City secured funding through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to invest in a Bike Share program. Leveraging $500,000 in private dollars that were raised, the Bicycle Program in the Neighborhood Connectivity Division (NCD) was able to secure the grant dollars and will pass them through to a private entity to install and run bicycle kiosks around downtown Austin that can be rented by the hour, or as a annual member at a cheaper hourly rate. The details and additional funding are being worked out and the hope is that we will see these kiosks popping up by 2013. Pretty cutting edge! But they did not stop at the Bike Share, they pushed forward to be awarded an additional grant of millions of dollars to build the long awaited MoPac Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Improvements. Environmental study and design are already moving ahead, with public outreach and workshops planned for later this year. These guys just never stop pushing for a multi-modal Austin, thank goodness! And on top of those two grants…Our Bicycle program has partnered with the Austin Police Department and TxDOT to provide free bicycle lights to area cyclists throughout the

16 STREET TALK MAY 2012

month of May, with a Kick-Off News Conference on May 8th. The idea of the program, called “Austin Bright Cyclists”, is to improve safety conditions for all users of the roadway under the slogan “be smart, be seen, be flashy!’” This grant assisted program will draw awareness to the Texas law requiring bicyclists to use a front white and either a red rear reflector or a red rear light when riding at night. We aim to encourage both use of lights and wearing light colors or reflective clothing.

Leading The Way:

Spreading Knowledge: We also have Public Workers attending conferences to share their wisdom with others in our field, putting us out there as experts, and showcasing our efforts as ‘best practice’ for others to follow. This year at the national American Public Works Association conference, the City of Austin Public Works Department will have three different presentations on the Program:

Even Mayor and Council have been turning to us to spearhead a few innovative projects. They have tasked us with a new program to pilot technological ideas and reach out to Austinites in a new way. Sara Krause and Sara Hartley In February, Council apGood for Government, Good for Communities: The City of Austin’s Neighborhood Partnering proved a resolution that reProgram quested the Parks and Recreation Department and the Annick Beaudet Public Works Department Spokeaphobia: Overcoming Community Fears of Bicycle Infrastructure to try to find new ways to inform the public about Keri Juarez and Chris Newton projects through technolHow to Use Recycled Glass in your Public Works Project ogy. In our “QR Code Pilot” we decided to use quick response codes (QR Codes) to inform the public about a closure of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway at one of its most popular route intersections. We placed stickers on the closure and detour signs that would lead the public back to a website filled with additional information about what is happening in the area, why and what they could expect in the future. The pilot wraps up this month, and all are excited to see the results of this possible new way to connect with our citizens. The bottom line is that in our department, it isn’t JUST about bringing home that hardware, it is about how we get it done. We innovate, we improve, we create our own best practices. We make ourselves proud to be Public Workers!

We need your input to answer some quick questions on the upcoming

Job Shadowing Day and to let us know how we’re doing with

Department Diversity http://tinyurl.com/DivSurvey

24/7

Safety 24/7

5th Annual Safety Conference

Small changes can make a big difference to your health and wellness. If people made the choices to eat better, engage in more physical activity, reduce the harmful use of alcohol and quit smoking, at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes – and over a third of cancers – could be prevented, according to the World Health Organization. Poor eating habits and lack of physical activity are the major contributing factors to being overweight and obese in the U.S.

Attention Public Workers:

Did you know? If you are overweight,

losing just 5-7% of body

weight, that’s 10-15 lbs in a

200 lb person, can reduce your risk of diabetes.

(National Institutes of Health)

Did you know?

LowIf sodium diets you are overweight,

just 5-7% of body havelosing blood pressure

weight, that’s 10-15 lbs lowering benefits. It in a 200 lb person, can reduce

is recommended to

your risk of diabetes.

consume than (National less Institutes of Health)

1 teaspoon of table

Low sodium diets

salt a day.

have blood pressure

(National Heart Lung benefits. It andlowering Blood Institute)

is recommended to

consumeonly less than Physical activity not

1 teaspoon of table

helps control your blood

salt a day.

pressure, it also helps (National Heart Lung

Blood Institute) you manage yourand weight,

strengthen heart only Physicalyour activity not and manageyour yourblood helps control pressure, also helps stressitlevel.

you manage your weight, strengthen your heart and manage your

stress level.

National Safety Council 1121 spring lake drive National Safety Council itasca , il 60143-3201 1121 spring lake drive (800) 621-7619 itasca, il 60143-3201

Safety

Employee Wellness

Employee Wellness Help The Employee Safety Association Kick it off Small changes can make a big difference to choices your health and wellness. If people Make healthy eating by attending the 5th Annual Safety Conference. made the choices to eat better, engage in more physical activity, reduce the Healthy reduce thesmoking, risk of chronic illness including the harmfuleating use of can alcohol and quit at least 80% of alland heartdisease, disease, stroke three causes– of stroke.according andleading type 2 diabetes anddeath: over a heart third ofdisease, cancers –cancer could beand prevented,

When:

to the World Health Organization. Poor eating habits and lack of physical activity Healthy eating tips include:May 31st at the Palmer Events Center are the major contributing factors to being overweight and obese in the U.S. • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables Make healthy • Make half the grains youeating eat wholechoices grains – such as oatmeal, whole wheat Healthyand eating can reduce bread brown rice the risk of chronic illness and disease, including the three leading causes death: heart yogurt disease,or cancer and stroke. 30+ different presentations on a • Choose fat-free or of low-fat milk, cheese Healthy eating tips include: variety of health and safety • Drink water instead of sugary drinks • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables topics • Choose lean sources of protein – such as seafood, turkey and chicken breast, • Make half the grains you eat whole grains – such as oatmeal, whole wheat eggs and beans bread and brown rice • Choose foods less sodium – look for “low sodium” “no salt added” on • Choose fat-freewith or low-fat milk, or cheese 50+yogurt exhibitor booths forand participants food packages • Drink water instead of sugary drinks to gather valuable information • Choose sources of protein seafood, turkey andorchicken • Eat somelean seafood each week– –such suchasas salmon, tuna crab breast, eggs and beans • Pay attention to portion size – when eating out, avoid “supersizing” your meal or • Choose foods with less sodium – look for “low sodium” and “no salt added” on take some home for later

What:

food packages In recent years, Public Works has had minimal attendance. We hope • Eat some seafood each week – such as salmon, tuna or crab that you will attend this conference and bring home some very valuStay active • Pay attention to portion size – when eating out, avoid “supersizing” your meal or safety knowledge! take some home for later For able substantial health benefits, adults are encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of

moderate exercise*, five days a week. This can be done through activities such as: Stay active flierwalk will soon be sent to all employees with additional details. • Taking a *A brisk at lunch For substantial health benefits, adults are encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of • Going for exercise*, a bike ride moderate fiveafter days work a week. This can be done through activities such as: • Working in the yard • Taking a brisk walk at lunch • Going forthe a bike ride after work • Cleaning house • Working in the yard • Joining a sports league • Cleaning the house • Going to the gym • Joining a sports league • Swimming laps at the pool • Going to the gym

June is National Safety Month!

• Swimming laps pool *Moderate activity is safeatforthe most people. If you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes or other symptoms, talk with your doctor about the types and amounts of physical activity right for you.

divisions BY carolyn perez CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Celebrating the Completion of the Waller Creek Boathouse

Departments, officials and lake enthusiasts make the boathouse ‘ready to row’!

n May 3, the Public Works Department will host a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the successful completion of the Waller Creek Boathouse. Under the direction of Project Manager Gary Jackson, two existing boat storage facilities were removed and the new boathouse was constructed as mitigation for using parkland to build the Waller Creek tunnel outlet lagoon. The new, two-story building features a deck accessible to the public, public restrooms, office space, boat storage, a concession area, and locker rooms. The building is owned by the Parks and Recreation Department.

A view from the dock: the Waller Creek Boathouse in construction.

Project Manager Gary Jackson waves from the deck of the Boathouse.

The boathouse is the first of several tunnel-related projects that will take place in this area. Additional outlet construction elements include: A recently completed and award-winning designed pedestrian bridge upgrade on the Hike and Bike trail over Waller Creek. An outlet lagoon with scenic wetlands and an overlook. Area landscaping upgrades. Lake water irrigation system. Additional water quality features to filter rain water entering the lake.

The Austin Rowing Club (ARC) will operate the facility and has been directed by Council to encourage multi-use public access. Certain sections of the building, including the locker rooms and boat storage The building complies with current areas are only accessible to ARC codes and regulations and was designed to be as eco-friendly as posmembers, but the observation sible. Sustainability efforts for the deck, concession area and restboathouse included: rooms are open to the public. In the future, the ARC plans to roll Low-emitting paints and adhesive materials. out community amenities such Natural light in interior spaces. as kayak rentals, reduced cost rowing lessons, and a snack bar. Building materials and interior finish-out items with a recycled content of at least 10%. “This project is a significant milestone in the overall Waller The roof material is designed to reduce heat Creek Tunnel Program. In addiisland effect. tion to clearing the way for con50% of construction waste was diverted struction of the tunnel outlet, from landfills. the new boathouse provides a Rapidly-renewable products were used fantastic new way for the comwhen possible. munity to experience the beauty of Lady Bird Lake,” says Public At least 10% of the materials used in the construction were produced within 500 miles of Works Director Howard Lazarus. the site.

2012 MAY STREET TALK

divisions BY NADIA BARERRA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bike Month 2012 promises allure and merriment

Our bicycle program is getting geared up for Bike Month… and there’s so much to join in on this year, you’ll want to do it all!

C Girls pose with their bicycle safety flags at the Bike-in Book-Swap.

urrently more than 6,000 Austinites wake up during the work week, and instead of grabbing the keys to their car, they check the tires, brakes, and chain of their people-powered machines before hitting the road. The Neighborhood Connectivity Division staff knows that encouraging more Austinites to ride a bicycle to work means appealing to as many different types of riders as possible. Our goal is to more than double the number of cyclists by the year 2015. To get people excited about sustainable, healthy, active transportation, we have put together a program of events for Bike Month that we hope will encourage and promote cycling for people of all ages and abilities. To gear up for Bike Month, the Bicycle Program has partnered with the Austin Cycling Association’s “Beyond Bike Lane Initiative” to introduce new or beginning cyclists to the idea of riding, with the ultimate goal of pairing them with more experienced riders. (Find out more about the next event at www.austincycling.org). The Austin Cycling Association also offers courses in safe bicycling for any new or experienced rider who would like to sharpen their skills or learn more about the how to comfortably and legally ride a bicycle in traffic. The newly developed Bicycle Ambassador Teams (BATs) will also be available for outreach and educational activities prior to and during Bike Month. One such event is the recent Austin Earth Day Event at the Mueller Hangar. Contact Sara Krause in NCD if you’d like a BAT to visit with your office, school, or other organization/group. The Bicycle Program is also working closely with MyCommuteSolutions (www.mycommutesolutions.com). It is a regional ride-matching and trip-planning system in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties that allows you to find a carpool buddy, explore new biking or walking routes, plan a transit trip, and utilize a single-trip finder for a conference or one-time event. The tool includes an easy track-

ing system through “log your commute.” This tool allows users to follow their cost savings, calories burned, fuel saved and pollution reduced. Officially, Bike Month will begin with a Proclamation at the April 26th meeting of City Council. The Mayor will proclaim May Bike Month, May 9th as Bike to School Day, and May 18th as Bike to Work Day. On May 5th Bike Month will kick-off with our 3rd Annual Bike-in-Book-Swap at the Twin Oaks Library Branch at 1800 South 5th Street, from noon to 4:00pm. This event will feature a free book swap (bring an old book and get a new one), as well as fun bicycle-related crafts for all ages. You can make your own saddle cover or get a cool reflective sticker for your helmet. There is a BMX demo, and other fun surprises. The Yellow Bike Project’s “Lady Bike” will be there, and is led by women, focusing on women learning basic bicycle mechanic skills. To learn more, check out www.austinyellowbikeproject.org. On May 18th, the Austin Cycling Association, along with multitudes of enthusiastic volunteers will be giving free breakfasts to cyclists as they ride their

bikes to work from 7-9am. Look for more information on this event on their website: www.austincycling.org Last but not least, join the energetic fun at VIVA STREETS! A free festival that invites you to bicycle, play, get fit, people watch, and celebrate good health. On Sunday, May 20, over two miles of Sixth Street will become a car-free playground for thousands of Austinites. This is a born-in-Austin take on the Ciclovia, which is becoming an international phenomenon. Everyone is welcome! Bring friends, family, your whole team or neighborhood. Connect with the community and celebrate Austin. Enjoy the spectacle and be part of the

show. Come equipped for your favorite activity – whether it’s walking, biking, running, skateboarding, hula-hooping, or inline skating – and then discover new ways to get your move on. This family-friendly event will take place on 6th Street from Brazos to Robert T. Martinez from 10am3pm and will include activities, games, and healthy food options in an open-street atmosphere. Car traffic will be re-routed to allow for pedestrians, joggers, rollerbladers, cyclists, skateboarders, and more to take over the street. For more information check out www.vivastreetsaustin.org

columns BY MICHELLE FRITH CHIEF REPORTER

How Well Do you know your neighbor?

iane Rice’s gentle smile balances her eyes which indicate that she is a no-nonsense woman, a real go-getter. Diane, a Project Manager in the Neighborhood Connectivity Division (NCD), grew up in Albuquerque and spent summers in Ohio with her sister Debbie where they would spend hours outNEIGHBOR doors, riding Diane Rice horses and being active. DIVISION They were heavily inNeighborhood fluenced in Connectivity their younger years by TITLE life on their Project Manager grandparents’ 100acre horse farm in Ohio and still today love the outdoors and riding. Diane’s paternal grandfather and her uncles are all engineers and her father has a Ph.D. in Chemistry. She says of her parents, “Dad is completely left-brained, loving math and physics. Mom is an opera singer, pianist and organist who taught piano and voice and was the founder of the Albuquerque Girls Choir”. “The ‘I love Math’ mentality in our family naturally led me to want to study a mathematical field. I really like working with numbers, knowing where we are, working with the contracts and interacting with the contractors.” She attended

22 STREET TALK MAY 2012

Michelle Frith profiles two employees that work hard for PWD everyday who you may have never met! the University of New Mexico where she studied Architecture. Her first job out of college was as a Field Engineer with a clean room subcontractor in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She worked there for four years and met her husband there. A contract with Samsung to construct the clean room in Austin brought Diane and her husband to Austin 15 years ago, when her son Devan was just an infant. Diane took a job with a construction management company for a year and gave birth to her daughter Lauren. She later went to work with a general contractor, which had sidewalk projects that Diane really enjoyed. Diane came to the Public Works Department in 2002, working first under Wade Mullin, mainly on Bike and Pedestrian projects. Later she worked in a selfmanaged work group with Mike Curtis that later became a formal work group. She credits Mike with starting the group and keeping the momentum going. Diane and several others created the IDIQ process in which engineers, contractors, Right of Way, Environmentalists and more meet in the field to collaborate on how to most efficiently complete a project. The consultant is given all the details and specs to include in the bid so they can efficiently build the sidewalks. Diane, now single, is a “working mom of two”. She loves riding her horse, Remy with her daughter Lauren, 13. Lauren “is so beautiful, outgoing and loving”. Lauren competes in show jumping, sings and loves to hang out with her friends. Devan, now 16 is “such a great guy, very

loving and honest and very handsome. He is so unique because he is emotionally available, able to discuss his feelings openly and honestly. We have such a close relationship!” In addition to being a great friend, Devan loves to skateboard and is studying to become a lifeguard. Diane’s positive attitude permeates every area of her life “I really love my job. Howard [Lazarus] allows and helps us to get things done – he’s a real out-of-the box thinker. NCD is a really tight-knit family and people here are really passionate about what we do. Most people are thankful for the sidewalks that we build”. When asked about inspiration, she laughs and says, “I have an internal happiness wherever I go. I feel very grateful for everything. I’m a peacemaker at work and at home and get along with most everyone”. Diane is an avid walker and is very committed to being fit and healthy. She strongly recommends all employees utilize the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) which offers 8 free counseling sessions on a variety of topics to employees and their dependents. She also has utilized the Legal Protection Plan to write a will to protect her children. The future leads back to the past. Diane hopes to retire someday to her grandparents’ horse farm in Ohio. “My great-grandmothers were best friends as children. They had a childhood dream that their children would marry someday. I have a photo of my mother as a small child holding my infant father in her arms”. It’s all about balance.

Diane Rice

columns

harles Felipa Sr. is a self-proclaimed “military brat.” Born in Delaware to an Army mother, they lived many places including Germany, where he graduated high school. His sister Allison is a teacher in San Antonio and his brother Raymond, 24 is an accomplished dancer in New York City. His mother, now retired from the Army, is a Sheriff’s Deputy in Clearwater. Charles joined the Army at 18 in Military Intelligence on 9/11/96 and left in January, 2001 NEIGHBOR after a runCharles Felipa Sr. ning injury. He learned DIVISION Morse code in record Street & Bridge time by associating TITLE the code’s Maintenance rhythms Supervisor with songs or words, impressing his officers. He worked in target interception, data entry and in decoding. After he left the Army, Charles went to work for FedEx as a package handler. He was quickly promoted to manager and transferred to Austin from San Antonio. He received a blue ribbon award for excellence for making the Austin office one of the top five in the Texas region. With little time to work on his degree, Charles left FedEx and worked for Apple, then Progressive Insurance where he met his wife, Rebecca. He then worked at G&P Contractors driving dump trucks and drafting. He joined the City in 2010 as a Maintenance Assistant with Street and Bridge Central District and joined the South District Special Projects crew in June 2011. He volunteered to work with this crew whose shift is from 2:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. He likes the hours, because he is able to greet his children as they come home from school, and so he can spend more time with his wife. As a crew leader he’s had the opportunity to implement change, making the crew much more efficient. For example in FY2011, the crew cleaned 1.2 million

square feet of sidewalk. They have surpassed that amount in the first six months of this fiscal year. How? Instead of completing 10,000 square feet per week, utilizing the Cyclone they are able to complete closer to 100,000 square feet per week to keep our downtown sidewalks clean! Charles was recently promoted to Supervisor effective April 8th. Charles has two daughters, Charlise (12) and Nicole (11). He softens and says “I adore them”. “Charlise is very outgoing and is very tall. She loves playing soccer and dancing. Nicole also dances and plays soccer, but is very petite and reserved. Charles’ other children include sons Darius (11), Charles II “CJ” (6), and Cayden, (2). Darius is very outgoing, CJ is reserved but a clown, and Cayden is a unique mix of the two. Charles and Rebecca are very proud parents. Charles likes the diversity he finds in Public Works. The biggest positive in his opinion is the Public Works Director, Howard Lazarus. He recalls working with the Partners in the Workforce Committee and being encouraged to be honest and voice his concerns and offer solutions. He says, “It’s unusual that a Director can be that personal and such a good listener.” Charles has coached his sons in various sports and was a Seedling Mentor; a program sponsored through the City. Each child in the program has an incarcerated parent. Charles earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Management from Colorado University. Charles and Rebecca will celebrate their first wedding anniversary May 7. He says, “She is my best friend and the love of my life. She is beautiful, smart, loving, and creative. She is now a stay at home mom helping our family a great deal. I attribute my personal and professional success to her support”. As is the case with so many others interviewed, Charles is inspired most by his family. He

Charles Felipa Sr.

hopes in five years to have completed a Master’s degree, attain a higher level of management, and to retire from the City someday. “What could be more fun than to come to work with pleasant people and not worry about how tomorrow will be?”

“

What could be more fun than to come to work with pleasant people and not worry about how tomorrow will be? - Charles Felipa Sr.,

”

Maintenance Supervisor

Save the Date

Join us for the

7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast Taco Bar 8:30 AM Award Presentation

Public Works Awards Ceremony Get your MUGSHOT when you come in! Bring your own reusable mug and take a cool photo. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be entered for a prize drawing.* *For all drawings, you must be present to win!!

Givens Recreation Center 3811 E. 12th Street 78721

Wednesday, May 23rd

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be late for your walk down the red carpet!

Climate Action Team:

Help us make Public Works Greener! Enter to win a prize by submitting 3 ideas to reduce Greenhouse gas within Public Works. Prizes will be awarded in these categories on the day of the event (must be present to win!):

Most Applicable Most Greenhouse Gas Reductions Most Creative (think zany, out-there!) Suggestions may be turned in via these methods...

-> electronically before Friday, May 18th http://tinyurl.com/greenpwd -> interoffice mail to Max Eby -> morning of event until 8am

+ The Climate Action Team at Austin Energy will judge this contest.

milestones WHO’S

street talk extra

UPDATES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Promotion

THAT? eSD:

elizabeth ortego

Elizabeth Ortego joined ESD on April 2, 2012 as a temporary employee and will work on TxDOT Utility Relocation Projects. She will be a Design Team 4 member, but will be working closely with Design Team 3 projects as well. Prior to working with ESD, she has also worked with CLMD and the Watershed Protection Department. Elizabeth graduated from Lamar University in May 1997 with a BS in Civil Engineering. She has 15 years of experience in management, water, wastewater, storm sewer, utility relocation, parking lots, ADA compliant sidewalks, and site development. Welcome to ESD, Elizabeth!

sbo:

charles felipa

The Districts Maintenance Division is pleased to announce that Charles Felipa has accepted the position of Street and Bridge Maintenance Supervisor. This promotion was effective Sunday, April 08, 2012. Charles brings experience and skills to the position. He will be responsible for the Downtown crews and will report to Luis Soto, Superintendent – South District. Charles has been an employee of Public Works for the past two years. Please offer Charles your congratulations!

Retirement PMD:

mary rodriguez and rick colbrunn

Mary Rodriguez and Rick Colbrunn (not pictured) have retired after 23 years of dedicated service to the City of Austin. Mary has worked closely with the Project Management Division and Engineering Services Division and Rick served as a Project Manager. Congratulations to both Mary and Rick - thanks for all you have contributed!

Summer PE Classes are Coming in June! Mark your calendars for May 14 at noon to register for summer PE classes. All your old favorite swim classes are back, offered in partnership with PARD Aquatics. This includes water fitness, Master’s swim and Intermediate/ Advanced Masters Swim. Also look for group exercise classes including Zumba, yoga and strength training. Registration will be on the PE website (not on TRAIN) which is available from HealthyConnections on Cityspace. *Full schedule available in mid-April.

2012 MAY STREET TALK

milestones

continued from pg. 25

& s d r a w aecognition r

2012 picnic Awards & Recognition Picnic (OOD, SSD, NCD and HRO)

Bump, Set, Spike! The Awards and Recognition picnic for the OOD, SSD, NCD, and HRO divisions was a great success! With Fred Garcia on the grill, who could go wrong? The picnic-goers also enjoyed their choice of outdoor games – and by far the most popular was Volleyball…

“Say hello to Mr. Wilson!” 26 STREET TALK MAY 26 STREET TALK MARCH 20122012

Milestones PWD recognizes Gordon Bowman Howard Lazarus and Keri Juarez attended a staff meeting to recognize Gordon Bowman for his excellent service to the Public Works Department. Gordon was presented with a framed certificate proclaiming him to be a “Public Works Hero”. Howard thanked Gordon for his resolution of several CIP claim issues including the structural failures in the Turner Roberts Recreation Center and the pavement failure on Mildred Street in southeast Austin. Keri thanked Gordon for his years of patience and fortitude in working with Project Managers to prevent and resolve claims. Gordon also received a bag of Public Works goodies including a “heart on my sleeve” shirt and temporary tattoos of Shuv’l Ready. We’re sure the temporary tattoos have already been put to good use!

cipid:

peggy Howard for her outstanding job managing the division SharePoint site and assisting the division staff with project closeouts.

cipid:

Nannett Holweger for taking on additional duties after one of CIPID’s administrative assistants resigned.

cipid:

kenneth kirk for his excellent work on the Parkway Channel Improvement Project.

aewcaorgdnsi&tion r 2012 MAY STREET TALK

milestones

continued from pg. 27

sohuot ut STREET AND BRIDGE SHOUT OUT

“

I would like to pass on my gratitude for the help of Street and Bridge at the Asian American Resource Center Groundbreaking Ceremony! Lawrence, Juanita, Clayton and Anthony were all extremely helpful and incredibly friendly to the guests and organizers of the event. They helped put up the tent, moved many items, assisted with arranging chairs and more! They without hesitation did so much more than they were asked to do and I could not have asked for more positive attitudes than those displayed by Street and Bridge that day. - Michelle Frith,

”

PWD, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator

Coming soon to a television near you... Street and Bridge Operations will soon be filling the airwaves with a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) about work zone safety. The PSA will take a humorous look at how often we forget that our behavior in our cars is inappropriate and can be dangerous to those

around us. The hope is that it will make drivers think twice when driving through construction areas and work zones – to slow down, pay attention and be courteous. The cast includes Robert Traylor, Esther Crawford, DeShawn Scott, and Lupe Riojas. A special thanks goes out to the District Crew at Central who took time out of their busy day and helped tremendously in setting up our ‘work zone’ to make it safe and realistic! The PSA will premier at City Council during our Public Works Week Proclamation on May 24th at 5:30. Make sure to join us or tune in to channel 6! 28 STREET TALK MAY 2012

in every issue

where is shuv-l-reddy?

Where In The World Is Shuv-L-Reddy?

Remember Carmen San Diego? Waldo? Well, Shuv wanted in on some of the action…play our guessing game as he wanders around the city at various PWD-related sites...and beyond!

Can you correctly identify both project site locations that Shuv-L-Reddy has visited? Write in to: streettalk@ austintexas.gov for a chance to WIN A PRIZE! location 1

location 2

Answers from last issue: Location 1: The Waller Creek Boathouse Location 2: The Downtown Tunnel 2012 MAY STREET TALK 29

events calendar 2012 may

Monday

Saturday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Professional Truck Driver Defensive Driving Class

New Employee Safety Orientation class 1-5 PM LRC@ABIA

Early Voting Ends

Diversity Council Meeting

1:30 PM-3 PM St. Elmo, Small Conf. Rm.

Safety Meeting Make-up ATD 1 PM- 2 PM 1501 Toomey Rd.

0 $ PAY DAY

First Thursday

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

Pecan Street Festival

Employee Safety Association Monthly Training

CIPID Division Meetings

“Click it or Ticket” 12:30PM-1:30PM OTC- 325

$ PAY DAY

Mother’s Day

Diveristy Luncheon

12 PM-1 PM St. Elmo Lg. Room

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

New Employee Safety Orientation class 1-5 PM LRC@ABIA

Capital of Texas Triathlon OFFICES CLOSED Memorial Day

30 STREET TALK MAY 2012

Bike to Work Week

Sunday

Viva Streets Austin! 10 AM- 3 PM 6th Street

class 8:30-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Room 200

Election Day

8 AM -9:30 AM OTC- 325

Sunday

Computer Ergonomics

Pecan Street Festival Cinco de Mayo

Sunday

Defensive Driving

8-4 PM Cheathem Facility

Waller Creek Boathouse Ribbon Cutting 10:30 AM

National Public Works Week Public Works Annual Department Breakfast 7:30 AM- 11 AM Givens Recreation Center

PSA World Premier and Proclamation for Public Works Week Austin City Council Meeting

Employee Safety Association5th Annual Safety Conference 8 AM- 5 PM Palmer Events Center

Sunday

2 $ PAY DAY

june Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Ballet Under the Stars

National Trails Day!

Sunday

Safety Plus Meeting (PMD/ESD/NCD/QSMD) 8:30-9:30 AM OTC-325

New Employee Safety Orientation class 1-5 PM LRC@ABIA

Safety Plus Meeting (CIPID/HRO/SSD/Financial Services, OOD, Systems Engineering) class 8:30-9:30 AM OTC-325

Computer Ergonomics

class 8:30-9:30 AM 105 Riverside Room 200

Safety Plus Meeting (SBO Pavement & Infrastructure)

1:30 PM-3 PM OTC, 8th Floor, A Safety Plus Meeting (SBO District Maintenance) class 8-9 AM Cheathem Facility

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

Juneteenth

First Day of Summer

ATD Safety Meeting Late Shift 4 PM - 5 PM 1111 Rio Grande

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

1 $ PAY DAY

Father’s Day

Keep Austin Weird Fest and 5K

Sunday

$ PAY DAY

8 AM -9:30 AM OTC- 325

Employee Safety Association Monthly Training

Sunday

CIPID Division Meetings

“Take 10-CPR Awareneness” 2 PM- 3 PM OTC-325

Sunday

Austin City Council Meeting

class 1-5 PM LRC@ABIA

Republic of Texas Rally Austin City Council Meeting

Defensive Driving

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

Diversity Council Meeting

New Employee Safety Orientation

Safety Plus Meeting (ATD) class 8-9 AM OTC- 325

First Thursday

Defensive Driving

class 8-9 AM Cheathem Facility

Sunday Austin City Council Meeting

2012 MAY STREET TALK 31

W d r i a nni w

Public Works! 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