Schedule
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH
Wednesday’s Arizona Chapter APWA/Arizona Chapter SAVE International Value Methodology Training sessions cost $25 each which are separate from the APWA Conference registration cost. Proceeds will support Arizona Chapter APWA Scholarships.
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
The ABC’s of the Value Methodology (Agave)
Description: This is a half-day course designed to introduce the value methodology to a wide-range of attendees. We will present the Who, What, Why, Where, When and How of value and its application to innovation and fiscal responsibility. Participants will have a strong understanding of the three-stage process of pre-study, study and post study and truly understand the six-phase job plan and what occurs during each step in the plan. Additionally, we will briefly discuss the need for program development within public works organizations and how to gain support from management and staff.
For more information and to register: www.teamrha.com/apwa-training
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Deeper Dive into the Value Methodology (Agave)
Description: This is a half-day course designed to take a deeper dive into the value methodology. Participants will have previously participated in the introductory course, “The ABCs of the Value Methodology.” After a quick refresh of VM, participants will apply the value methodology on an actual public works project.
This class is designed for individuals involved in planning, design and construction projects, including planners, architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, cost estimators and owners. Apply an extremely valuable process to help you make improvements, seek out innovation and opportunities to projects and programs, and even the way you and your organization does business.
For more information and to register: www.teamrha.com/apwa-training
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Opening Reception Sponsored by SealMaster (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
THURSDAY, JULY 27TH
7:30 am – 8:15 am
Exhibit Hall Networking and Breakfast (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
8:15 am – 9:50 am
OPENING SESSION (Presidio Ballroom):
2024 Officer Induction Ceremony - David Fabiano
Welcome Remarks - Nancy Cole, Arizona APWA Chapter President
Keynote Speaker - MORRIS MORRISON
Morris Morrison is a world-class Entertainer, Author and Show Host who became obsessed with building Stronger, Kinder, Focused human beings after being orphaned in New York City — then being orphaned a second time as a teen — when a doctor’s words changed Morris Morrison's life forever.
Today, many global leaders from Supply Chain to HR have partnered with Morris Morrison to help their people overcome disruption to continue growing. Clients have experienced his message live on stage and in his latest book titled, Disrupt Yourself. Morris Morrison has been the go-to voice to bring families & teams closer and make organizations more impactful through personal ownership and service.
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Exhibit Hall Networking (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Presentation Title: Hate Sales? BD Essentials for Engineers (Coronado 1)
Speakers: Barbara Shuck, Everest Marketing Services; Jen LaPointe, Take Flight
Description: If you love the technical work but hate sales, we’re here to help. In this session, AEC marketing veteran, Barbara Shuck, and engineer-with-actual-BD-skills, Jen LaPointe, will share practical tips and tricks that every engineer should practice. We will break the learning into three areas including Prospecting, Protecting, and Positioning. We will provide tactical action items for each area that will fill in gaps and build confidence for even the most experienced engineers. We promise to provide ideas that you can put to work when you walk out the door.
Presentation Title: APWA Jennings Randolph International Fellowship to Brisbane and Gold Coast, Australia (Coronado 2)
Speaker: Chris Ewell, City of Phoenix
Description: In January 2023, Chris was awarded one of two fellowships as part of the APWA Jennings Randolph International Fellowship (JRIF) Program. In June 2023, Chris traveled to Gold Coast and Brisbane, Australia to attend the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) International Asset Management Congress and learned asset management practices from both municipalities. This presentation will focus on what Chris learned from the JRIF and our counterparts in Australia and how it is applicable to us in Arizona.
Presentation Title: Making Way for Growth: Utility Relocations to Support Major Industrial Development (Joshua Tree)
Speakers: Melanie Sikes, City of Chandler; Dan Broderick, Achen-Gardner Construction; Alan Palmquist, Wilson Engineers
Presentation Description: Industrial development in the City of Chandler required the construction of new underground power lines through a utility-congested corridor in public right of way. To clear a path for the power lines, the City of Chandler (Owner), Wilson Engineers (Design Engineer), and Achen-Gardner Construction (General Contractor/Construction Manager at Risk) worked as a team to relocate and reinforce more than 7,000 LF of utilities. The team successfully facilitated critical developer and power company schedules while maintaining access for local businesses and residents. This presentation will discuss challenges, solutions, and lessons learned on this complex project.
Presentation Title: Planning the Un-Plannable: Supporting AZ’s Economic Vitality with Speed, Versatility, and Innovation (Agave)
Speakers: Janene Thomas, Jeff Krobot, Sundt Construction; Marcel C Begay, City of Phoenix; David Markert, Wilson Engineers
Presentation Description: The construction market significantly transformed in the last two years. Materials that were previously stable to procure and are now unpredictable with changes in both price and availability. So much so that our construction teams implemented some best practices in an extreme way. During this presentation, we will discuss how our team leveraged collaboration, relationships, historical knowledge/indexes, and planning to overcome this challenge. Using the award-winning Northwest Water and Wastewater Package 3A Project as a model, we will explore the details on how we planned for the un-plannable to provide impactful infrastructure for both the City and a mega economic development driver.
Presentation Title: Thank Goodness for 'Entrenched Bureaucrats' (White Dove)
Speaker: Benny J Young, City/County Leadership and Management Specialist
Presentation Description: An examination of the value of Public Service and the Public Servants. Utilize case studies and specific examples of committed, self-less employees at all levels of Public Works Organizations...encountered during the course of a nearly 50-year career in City and County engineering, operations, and administration.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Presentation Title: What Do APWA Owners Want? Vital Research Comes Alive! (Coronado 1)
Speaker: Barbara Shuck, Everest Marketing Services
Presentation Description: What does every APWA AZ Conference design or construction attendee want to know? How Arizona’s agency professionals select firms, what characteristics matter most, and what factors don’t matter at all. This engaging APWA Arizona session will dig into 15 questions that are part of a national Owners’ Survey being conducted by the Society for Professional Marketing Services (SMPS) Foundation. Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM, an Arizona veteran marketing consultant and President of the SMPS Foundation, will bring the research to APWA attendees. Together we will ask critical questions and have open discussions that both agency and consultants will value.
Presentation Title: Project Delivery Methods: What Drives the Decision? (Coronado 2)
Speakers: Ryan Brady, Kitchell; David E Hylland, Yuma County; Dave Lipinski, Town of Queen Creek; Kimberly Moon, City of Chandler
Presentation Description: The choice of Project Delivery Method defines the allocation of risk throughout a contract. Several project delivery methods are available to use, so which is right for your project? Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, and P3 each assign a different proportion of risk to the parties, and each bring strengths and weaknesses depending on the circumstances. This presentation will discuss the various strategies, how they differ, and how a public agency can make the right decision for its constituents. Following the presentation, Kitchell will host a round-table discussion with representatives from both public and private entities to discuss their approaches and experiences with various delivery methods.
Presentation Title: Advice to Young Professionals and Their Managers (Joshua Tree)
Speaker: Cory Steele, City of Tempe + APWA Diversity and Inclusion & Young Professionals Committees
Presentation Description: Join the APWA Diversity and YP Committees as they present several scenarios impacting Young Professionals through several role playing sketches. A panel and audience participation will provide guidance and advice on how to successfully navigate these career milestones.
Presentation Title: Teamwork before Formwork: Stakeholders, Value Engineering & Hawaiian Shirts (Agave)
Speakers: Jeanne Jensen and David Fabiano, Town of Gilbert; Renee Hoekstra, RHA
Presentation Description: Gilbert is taking on a unique fully-integrated team delivery approach to delivering the $550M North Water Treatment Plant reconstruction while on a rollercoaster of volatility. Focusing on a full case-study review of internal business case development, project team engagement as with takeaway elements on practical ways to build a team to drive to value. This focuses on the Case Study of engaging operations, engineering, municipal leadership, contractor, designer, construction manager, and partners to deliver a project as a team and not a relay race.
Presentation Title: A Tale of Two Cities: Using Streets to Provide Access to All (White Dove)
Speakers: Lindsey Van Parys and David Sabers, GHD
Presentation Description: This presentation will walk the listener through case studies in two cities that dared to be different and push the boundaries of what their communities thought transportation infrastructure should or could be. The La Quinta Complete Streets project won the 2022 APWA National Transportation Project of the Year for Small and Rural Communities.
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
APWA Awards Luncheon (Presidio Ballroom)
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Networking (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Presentation Title: Benefits of Scanning for Facilities and Underground Features (Agave)
Speaker: Phil Reimer, HILGARTWILSON
Presentation Description: HILGARTWILSON is utilizing Trimble SX12 which acts like a traditional total station on the ground but offers a powerful combination of high accuracy surveying and 26,000 points-per-second 3D scanning. We can capture the location of site improvements in a 3-Dimensional seamless process, allowing for immediate visualization of the site and surrounding as well as direct measurements and 3D viewing of pipe sizes and visual identification of valves, flanges, interiors of manholes and more.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Presentation Title: Challenges and Practices for Capital Improvement Project Budgeting within Public Agencies (Coronado 1)
Moderator: Danielle Feroleto, Small Giants
Panel: Toby Crooks Town of Gilbert; Paul Lopez, Town of Buckeye; Dave Lipinski Town of Queen Creek; Alex Kohnen, Arizona State University; David Laughlin Willmeng Construction
Presentation Description: This presentation will provide information and insight into the capital improvement project (CIP) budgeting process and define some of the challenges associated with that process. Danielle Feroleto will moderate and seek input from panelists and the audience on potential solutions to improve the accuracy and timeliness of CIP budgets prior to the solicitation of design and construction services. The goal of this presentation will be to ensure public agencies have the best possible budgets to meet their programmatic needs when they are ready to go to market with their projects.
Presentation Title: Where Did All the Engineers Go? (Coronado 2)
Speakers: Steve Orosz, Paradigm Design; Dr. Tejo Bheemasetti, UofA; Dr. Xuesong Zhou, ASU; Dr. Paul T. Gremillion, NAU
Presentation Description: Listen to a panel of higher education educators and industry professional discuss the state of civil engineering graduates and the journey to professional licensing. Is there really a shortage of mid‐range engineers in our profession? If so, why? Come listen to the panel and bring your questions and perspectives for an interactive discussion on how we can improve the attractiveness of civil engineering.
Presentation Title: Hot Topics in Public Works (Joshua Tree)
Speakers: David Sabers, GHD + D&I Panel
Presentation Description: Two teams for the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) committee will debate several hot topics facing the publics works industry. Audience participation is encouraged and will determine the winning debate team.
Presentation Title: Ocotillo Road, Greenfield to Higley, Project Overview/Update (White Dove)
Speaker(s): David Rutkowski, Kimley-Horn; Ryan Blair, Town of Gilbert; Renee Hoekstra, RHA
Presentation Description: The Town of Gilbert is extending Ocotillo Road from Greenfield to Higley Road. The project will include grade separated crossings at the RWCD Canal, Eastern Maricopa Floodway, Chandler Heights Regional Basin and Queen Creek. The Chandler Heights Regional Basin crossing will be an iconic bridge structure which has been developed through extensive outreach. This presentation will review the features and progress of the project to date including the value analysis and value engineering workshops that were completed for the project.
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Presentation Title: Rethinking Pavement Management in Pima County (Agave)
Speakers: Michelle Montagnino and Joe Sweet, Pima County DOT; Zac Thomason, Roadway Asset Services
Presentation Description: Pima County’s pavement management program, like most agencies across the State of Arizona, has evolved with the technological advancements that come from data collection hardware, data processing software, and available financial analytic software. In the spirit of innovative RETHINKING and at the best interest of public tax payer dollars, Pima County has embraced automated sensor based collection, powerful processing techniques that harness A.I. where appropriate, analysis of it’s management sections with large swings in PCI across their length, off the shelf pavement analytics, and is considering future enhancements such as financial optimization techniques that leverage “risk of deferral” thinking.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Exhibit Hall Networking and Afternoon Break with Food (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Presentation Title: The Worth of Water: Understanding the Costs and Value of Arizona’s Existing and Potential Water Supplies (Agave)
Speaker: Doug Kobrick, Hazen and Sawyer
Presentation Description: The wide disparities in Arizona water pricing distort the planning for management of existing supplies and development of new sources. This presentation provides a comparison of costs of production and prices paid for various categories of water in Arizona to illustrate the complexity and in some cases unfairness that the current water market imposes.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Presentation Title: Proposal Perspectives: How to Impress Public Agencies in the APDM Process (Coronado 1)
Moderator: Danielle Feroleto, Small Giants
Panel: Ryan Blair, Town of Gilbert; Paul Lopez, Town of Buckeye; Armando Lopez, City of Surprise; Margaret Kinsey, Small Giants
Presentation Description: As the competition tightens for public work and the proposal and presentations of competitors gets more sophisticated, we need to continue to find the advantage as AEC firms pursuing work. Danielle Feroleto will provide tips and thoughts on best practices having worked with AEC firms on more than $2.5B in proposals and interview preparation. She will also host an interactive panel who will take questions and lead a breakout session to discuss their advice and experience in improving the submittals.
Presentation Title: Cost Savings On An Accelerated Schedule Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (Coronado 2)
Speakers: Josh Ford and Ryan Circello, Burgess & Niple, Inc.
Presentation Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a low-cost way to evaluate systems and provide a more accurate condition inventory of a collection system. Pairing AI with GIS allows utility owners to better maintain assets by creating a digital twin that can visualize problem areas and more effectively and transparently move towards the prioritization of rehabilitation/replacement. Utilizing GIS and the B&N-designed AI environment, PipeAId™, allows utility owners to easily coordinate with other capital improvement projects to save on cost and social/environmental disruption. Join Josh and Ryan as they demonstrate how AI and GIS take condition assessment to the next level.
Presentation Title: Change Management: Build a Better Change Team (Joshua Tree)
Speaker: Nancy Cole, Pima County
Presentation Description: The only true given in Public Works is that change is coming, and we need to be prepared. Change is necessary for public works agencies to succeed and grow and is important for staff to retain a competitive edge and remain relevant. Change encourages innovation, develops skills, develops staff, leads to better business opportunities, and improves staff morale. This session will discuss strategies and tips to help build a better change team – to avoid fear and open up to the benefits gained through successful change initiatives. This is one of the AZ Public Works Institute topics, come see what type of learning we offer in that program!
Presentation Title: Sidewalk and Ramp Surveys: Practical, GIS-based Techniques for Data Collection and Visualization (White Dove)
Speaker: Kurt Keifer, IMS
Presentation Description: This session explores how municipalities are expanding asset management programs to include sidewalks. IMS uses imagery, LiDAR, and foot-on-the-ground surveys to support different agencies with varying needs and budgets. Case studies showcase for attendees how data collection methods can allow agencies to manage their infrastructure efficiently, matching their capacity and capability.
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Presentation Title: Design Locating Issues (Agave)
Speaker: Al Field, Al Field and Associates
Presentation Description: Did you know that your SUE provider cannot LEGALLY use the APWA standard utility colors when locating for your project design? Did you know that your SUE provider uses a color that the Arizona Corporation Commission lists as illegal and is subject to citation? What can we do to fix this?
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fun Night Sponsored by DCS Contracting - Western Theme (Presidio Ballroom)
FRIDAY, JULY 28TH
7:30 am - 9:00 am
Exhibit Hall Networking, Breakfast, and Vendor Prize Giveaways (Turquoise Ballroom/Foyer)
9:15 am - 10:15 am
CLOSING PRESENTATION (Presidio Ballroom)
Speaker: JENNIFER TOTH
Jennifer Toth was appointed director of the Arizona Department of Transportation on January 5, 2023, to lead the agency responsible for planning, designing, building, maintaining and operating the state’s multimodal transportation system, managing transportation revenue, and providing motor vehicle title, registration and driver license services.
Jennifer has more than 25 years of experience in the public works field. She has spent the majority of her career working in the public sector and was most recently the Director for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) as well as the Maricopa County Engineer.
10:15 am - 10:30 am
APWA Giveaway Drawings (Presidio Ballroom)
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
AGENCY SHOWCASE (Presidio Ballroom)
Networking with Owners, Project Managers, and Decision Makers
Don’t miss out on exclusive one-on-one time with key staff from various Arizona municipalities. Confirmed agencies/organizations include: City of Avondale, City of Buckeye, Town of Gilbert, Town of Marana, Maricopa County Department of Transportation, City of Phoenix - Several Departments, Pima County, Pima County Flood Control District, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, Town of Prescott Valley, Town of Queen Creek, Town of Sahuarita, City of Surprise, City of Tempe, City of Tucson, and City of Yuma.