Public Works Officers Institute (2022)

Registration Open

10:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Opening General Session

1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m.

Cal Cities/CEAC President’s Welcome

Natural Disaster Planning: What You Can Do to Prepare

Visit with Exhibitors

2:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

Managing Stormwater's Perfect Storm: Management, Finances, Law, and Politics

Learn how to manage stormwater resources amid a myriad of rules and restrictions, climate change, and other challenges. With an eye to fiscal sustainability, discover the financial levers available for city leaders, new approaches and legislation, and a ten-step funding plan. An overview of relevant laws and case studies will frame the discussion.

Moderator

Steven Machida, Director of Public Works, San Carlos

Speakers

John Abaci, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley

Dan Schaaf, Vice President, Schaaf & Wheeler

Tim Seufert, Managing Director, NBS

Challenges and Opportunities in Pavement Preservation

Learn how to get the maximum performance out of preservation treatments through specification and quality assurance. Then, review future challenges for delivering multifunctional preservation treatments that not only preserve the pavement structure, but address transportation issues, human thermal comfort, and the environmental impact of materials and construction.

Moderator

Shadi Saadeh, Professor, City and County Pavement Improvement Center, California State University, Long Beach

Speakers

DingXin Cheng, Professor and Director, California Pavement Preservation Center

John Harvey, Director, City and County Pavement Improvement Center, University of California Davis

Sampat Kedarisetty, Graduate Student Researcher, University of California Davis

Good News: Communicating the Value of Public Works

Unless the water is shut off or roads are closed, people tend to take for granted the significant role that public infrastructure plays in their daily lives, community safety, wellness, and connectivity. Whether you have communication support in your organization or are fitting outreach in where you can, the tools and tips presented in this session will help you build goodwill with your community through positive media coverage, the smart use of social media, and other tools.

Moderator

Carmen Kasner, Western Engineering Operational Manager, NV5

Speaker

Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director, Carlsbad

Visit with Exhibitors

3:45 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m.

Sustaining Power During Wildfire: Public Safety Power Shutoffs with Microgrids

With wildfires growing in size and severity each year, cities are often forced to shut off power grids in high-risk areas. These preventative measures are known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs and may help limit fire-starting factors caused by power lines and electrical malfunctions. However, they also leave countless California businesses and residents without power. Microgrids offer a secure source of self-sufficient energy generation to protect communities and increase resiliency during grid outages. Discover what funding methods and different incentives are available to California cities and municipalities looking to enhance their resiliency with sustainable microgrids powered by renewable energy.

Kevin Flanagan, Program Manager, SPURR

Ann Kloose, Sustainability Division Manager, Fresno Public Works Department

Understanding the Legislative Process

California’s legislative process can be as complicated, lengthy, and politically fraught as the federal legislative process. In this session for beginners or officials simply wanting a refresher course, get acquainted with the three types of measures considered by the California Legislature, how a bill becomes law, and what to do when reading a bill. Then, discover what makes an effective letter of support and what tools and tips to keep in mind when testifying before a committee. A review of legislative committees will be included as well.

Speakers

Damon Conklin, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities
Marina Espinoza, Senior Legislative Analyst, California State Association of Counties

The Road Safety and Signage Audit

Road safety is typically managed reactively as officials investigate crash locations assuming that future crashes are most likely to occur in those same locations. However, road crashes — particularly those on lower volume roads — are frequently distributed in seemingly random patterns and may not correlate to roadway deficiencies. Rather than reacting to historic crash data, public works professionals can identify systemic road deficiencies proactively through the Roadway Signing and Safety Audit. The audit is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to proactively address roadway and signing deficiencies with low-cost regulatory, warning, and guide signage improvements.

Moderator

Joshua Pack, Director of Public Works, Butte County

Robert Paderna, Sr. Transportation Engineer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Matt Stringer, Associate Principal, Mark Thomas

Matt Weir, Vice President, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Reception in Exhibit Hall

5:15 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Registration Open

8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Networking Breakfast

8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m.

General Session

Break

10:15 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Never a Waste of Time - Talking Organic Waste Regulations

Hear from public works directors about how the implementation of the new organic waste diversion regulations brought by SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) is impacting cities around the state. Then, learn about the latest guidance and resources available for cities to comply with the regulations from CalRecycle.

Moderator

Speakers

Rene Guerrero, Director of Public Works, Pomona
Zoe Heller, Deputy Director, Policy Development, CalRecycle
Coby Skye, Assistant Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Public Work

Bridge Management and Maintenance Program

Discover how the Ventura County Public Works Roads and Transportation bridge asset database helps manage, maintain, and report on the county’s National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and non-NBI bridges. The bridge management program incorporates bridge data with a user interface that identifies essential bridges, structurally deficient and scour critical bridges, infrastructure condition, inspection reports, load rating analysis, sufficiency rating, age, the volume of traffic, bridge geometry, and appearance. The program enables Ventura County to anticipate remaining service life, prioritize categories of bridge work, and forecast costs for repair, maintenance, and replacement. Finally, the session will also include a brief update on Highway Bridge Program Advisory Committee activities including an update on legislative efforts related to bridge program funding.

Moderator

David Fleisch, Assistant Director, Public Works Agency, Ventura County

Matthew Randall, Road Maintenance Division Manager / Local Highway Bridge Advisory Committee Northern County Representative, Placer County

Public works professionals are expected to reach, engage, and build bridges with diverse constituencies in communities throughout California. Whether to communicate about construction activity, upcoming projects, or general information about agency goals and planning, it is important to reach a broad sector of community members in an inclusive manner. During this dynamic discussion, representatives from the city of El Cajon and the award-winning NV5 Community Relations division will discuss the strategies and tactics they have used to engage target stakeholders and build support for their projects, as well as lasting community relationships.

Speaker

Yazmin Arellano, Public Works Director, El Cajon

Lunch and Awards

12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Enjoy networking with your colleagues over lunch followed by the time-honored delivery of California’s Outstanding Local Streets & Roads Project Awards.

Break

1:30 p.m.- 1:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

1:45 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Variety Speed Sessions

1. Opportunities and Challenges in Municipal 4G/5G Deployments (1:45 – 2:10 p.m.)

4G and 5G cellular networks serve both handsets and emerging applications, including machine-to-machine communications for smart cities and the ‘Internet of Things’. These networks create a technological foundation for new services and products that have not yet been conceived. At the same time, the deployment of 4G and 5G cellular networks — especially small cell services on public property — creates political, social, economic, and regulatory complexities that previous technologies did not have. Receive an overview and updates on the challenges faced by both cities and the wireless industry; the trade-offs and decision points that need to be navigated; and tools and resources to help cities as they navigate the technical, public opinion, regulatory, and legal waters of cellular technology deployments in the public rights-of-way.

Speaker

David Witkowski, Exec. Dir., Civic Technologies, Joint Venture Silicon Valley

2. Three Ways to Enhance Your Political Acumen (2:10 – 2:35 p.m.)

Public works professionals are apolitical creatures often operating in highly political environments. To succeed, they need a solid understanding of how to navigate the complex and ever-changing dynamics of local government. In this session, learn the universal truths that drive elected and appointed officials in their decision-making and how this knowledge can help you get your projects over the finish line.

Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director, Carlsbad

3. Forti-Fi Asphalt Fiber (2:35 – 3:00 p.m.)

Discover how Forta-Fi fiber reinforced asphalt provides a longer lasting pavement.

Mike Hass, Project Manager, Pacific Geosource

With SB 743, Will We Always Have More EIRs?

Is it the wider road or the new development that is leading to an increase in vehicle miles traveled? Who should be responsible for complying with SB 743 (Bradford, 2021), and is the solution to just issue more Environmental Impact Reports? This diverse panel will give you a breakdown of SB 743, including how local jurisdictions and state agencies are setting the California Environmental Quality Act’s vehicle miles traveled thresholds, how projects are being processed under SB 743 requirements, and what creative mitigation strategies are being implemented. Come ask questions and get a clearer picture of the future.

Moderator

Sarah Holm, Environmental Division Manager, Dokken

Speakers

Damon Davis, Transportation Specialist, County of San Diego

Matt Kelly, Senior Transportation Planner, Contra Costa Transportation Authority

Jason Pack, Principal, Fehr and Peers

Jason Welday, Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer, Rancho Cucamonga

Lead or Be Led

The onset of a crisis is too late to decide to become an effective leader; the process must be a cumulative part of each manager's personal development plan and practice. Learn how five-year partnerships with the public works department for the county of Santa Barbara — a department of 400 employees — built effective leaders at each level of the organization.

Moderator and Speaker

Scott McGolpin, Public Works Director, County of Santa Barbara

Speakers

Marr Christian, Division Manager, Code Enforcement, San Bernardino

Julie Hagen, Deputy Public Works Director, Santa Barbara
LTC (R) Nate Sassaman, Leadership Consultant/Trainer

Break

3:00 p.m.- 3:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

3:15 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Public Works Perspective: The Workplace Has Changed, Have You?

Many public works professionals have found themselves at a crossroads of the pre- and post-pandemic work environment, often with the same question: “Where do we go from here?” Join this panel of California public works officials as they discuss the operational effects of 2020 and the path forward. The panel will provide their perspectives on a range of issues, such as meetings, business hours, and process changes, and share data that helps attendees gain a broader perspective. Industry trends and challenges will inspire audience members to build their own recovery plans.

Speakers
Christian Di Renzo, Director of Public Works & Utilities, Watsonville
Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Gonzales
Ben Fine, Director of Public Works/City Engineer, Pismo BeachScott McGolpin, Public Works Director, County of Santa Barbara

City of Pacific Grove Urban Stormwater Diversion

Moderator and Speaker

Daniel Gho, Public Works Director/Deputy City Manager, Pacific Grove

Speaker
Kari Wagner, Principal, Wallace Group

Public Contracting Requirements: Emergency Preparedness and Federal and State Reimbursement

How can public works departments prepare for emergencies? Learn contracting best practices and procedures to have in place before a disaster, what to have during the event, and what must happen immediately afterward to move forward quickly in addressing your community’s needs. Laws, regulations, and executive orders have specific requirements for procuring services to restore a destroyed area. If this happens, your agency needs to be ready and eligible fordisaster reimbursements from FEMA or the State. Presenters will explain the ins and outs of these processes, including possible pre- and post-procurement best practices to receive reimbursement for disaster-related expenditures.

Moderator

Reva Feldman, Retired City Manager, Malibu

Speakers
Brian Baker, Vice President, Hagerty ConsultingRyan Buras, Deputy Director, California Governor's Office of Emergency ServicesMatthew Hochstein, Vice President, Hagerty Consulting

Robert Pesapane, Regional Recovery Division Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Registration Open

8:00 a.m.- 10:15 a.m.

Joint Breakfast for Cal Cities and CEAC Attendees

8:00 a.m.- 9:15 a.m.

Spend the morning with your city and county colleagues before each association resumes their separate

closing session.

Cal Cities Business and Legislative Updates

9:15 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.

Closing Keynote Session