Chapter Works
An electronic publication of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association
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President's Corner
By Phillip Koetter, Operations Engineer, City of Virginia Beach
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As I complete my year as president of this honorable chapter, I am grateful that we are FINALLY looking forward to more promising times. That means resuming face-to-face meetings, group gatherings, and other opportunities to join and learn together. Despite the obstacles of the last 15+ months, we have adapted and adjusted in many ways that have allowed us to continue to do our jobs, maintain the public infrastructure, and make our agencies proud.
While there were many challenges placed in our paths this past year, each of you has faced them head-on and developed the techniques needed to deal with and overcome those challenges. Even with the demands of social distancing, mask requirements, and other guidelines, we continued to maintain our cities and counties. We fixed potholes, paved streets, cleared ditches, picked up the trash, built roads, managed our traffic systems, and all the thousands of other things that keep our cities running. You have proved we really are “Stronger Together.”
Even though we couldn’t travel or meet face-to-face, we conducted meetings, trainings, and other job communication efforts. I believe that the virtual meeting, while maybe not everyone’s first choice, has allowed us to continue to conduct business and move forward and is a valuable tool that is here to stay. Just as before the pandemic, we must always be adaptable and efficient, and virtual meetings allow us to accomplish so many things while saving on travel time and expense. However, gathering together for a conference - exchanging ideas, asking questions, and renewing friendships - is something most of us prefer to do face-to-face.
After having to cancel our WRX conferences two years in a row (2020 & 2021), I am very happy to say that we are making plans to host the 2022 Mid-Atlantic WRX Conference and Equipment Show in Virginia Beach on May 17th–20th, 2022. Please mark your calendars and keep an eye on the Chapter Works Weekly for additional information. My co-workers and I are very much looking forward to having you here to enjoy our time together.
A few highlights from the past year to show that ALL was not negative:
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While we were not able to grow beyond our recent record high membership achieved in 2019 of 964 members – understandably so, all things considered - we still boast a membership of 959 members as of the end of April 2021.
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Awarded 8 Individual Awards out of 15 applications, and 6 Project Awards out of 15 applications for Projects of the Year Award.
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Received 12 student applications for scholarships, and we awarded three $2200 college scholarships.
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Conducted virtual training, including the 4-day Public Works Institute training in the Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021.
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Welcomed another TOP TEN leader from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter - Ms. Judi Hines, Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Newport News, and a Past President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
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Had several chapter members appointed to national committees:
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Matt Villareal, Chair of Facilities and Grounds Committee
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Kirstin Platt, Chair of the Asset Management Committee
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James Patteson, member of the Center for Sustainability Committee
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Danielle DeHart, member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee
As you can see, we did NOT let the pandemic beat us. We found ways to overcome and move forward
. . . STRONGER TOGETHER!
It has been a true honor for me to serve as your president during these challenging times. It has been very rewarding, and I have learned so much. I am very grateful to each of you.
I look forward to continuing my service to Public Works, and I hope to see you all soon.
Best wishes . . . and stay strong!
Phillip Koetter, President
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
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Karen Self Receives the 2021
Donald S. Frady Award
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Judi Hines, Past Chapter President and Assistant Director of Public Works (left), presented the 2021 Donald S. Frady Award to Karen Self, Management Analyst (middle). Also pictured is Frank James, Director of Public Works(right).
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APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter: New Slate of Officers for 2021-2022 Congratulations to the new slate of officers and directors for 2021-2022!
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OFFICERS
President – Scott Smith
President Elect – Harold Caples
Vice President - Denise Nelson
Treasurer- David Bradshaw
Secretary- Amy Linderman
Past President- Phillip Koetter
Delegate - Jim Long
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DIRECTORS
Director 1- Mark Jamison
Director 2– Troy Eisenberger
Director 3– Matt Stolte
Director 4- Jason Calbert
Director 5– Joe Kroboth
Director 6- Jennifer Caples
Director 7- Gaynelle Hart
Director 8– Jeff Wilkerson
Director 9– Renee Lafollette
Director 10- Ryn Kennedy
Director 11- Juan Reyes
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Robotics May Help Sort Newport News Recyclables in the Near Future
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Recyclables picked up by City of Newport News’ recycling contractor Bay Disposal and Recycling are currently taken to RDS (Recycling & Disposal Solutions) in Portsmouth for sorting and baling. RDS’s sister plant in Roanoke utilizes robotic arms in the sorting process, and hopes to bring this technology to the Portsmouth plant soon. Watch this fascinating video showing the robotic arms at work.
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Aligning Leadership, Collaboration and Funding to Elevate Flood Resilience
by Denise Nelson, P.E., CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP, Environmental Engineer, The Berkley Group, Richmond, Virginia; member, APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s Board of Directors and Sustainability Committee
The Commonwealth of Virginia is focused on coordinating federal, state, regional, and local flood resilience planning, priorities, strategies, and adaptation projects to protect communities of all shapes and sizes.
Coordinating the efforts among different levels of government, different geographies, different sizes and types of communities, and communities at different points in the planning progress allows Virginia to be strategic to optimize results. This multi-pronged approach to developing community-specific plans connected in a statewide network is transferable to other states and provinces.
Virginia is home to over 8.5 million people across its nearly 43,000 square miles. It is comprised of growing cities, military installations, industries, farms, forests, historic battlefields, national parks, endangered habitats, and more. There are 290 National Flood Insurance Program communities, and 27 participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) program to reduce insurance premiums. The CRS communities are home to 80% of all flood insurance policies in Virginia.
Communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the western border (part of the Appalachian Mountains) average 43 inches of precipitation per year. These mountains, peaking at 5,700 feet above sea level, frequently see flash flooding from extreme storm events. Most of Virginia’s rivers head east, accumulating rainfall runoff volumes that flood communities in the central Piedmont before reaching the fall line, the estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
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Flooding in Chesterfield County, VA, in the central Piedmont, on August 15, 2020 (courtesy of Chesterfield County Police Department)
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Virginia’s eastern coastal region covers nearly one quarter of the state and includes more than 10,000 miles of tidal waterfronts. Virginia has the highest relative sea level rise rates on the east coast (and is second to Louisiana nationwide) due to the combined effects of climate-driven sea level rise and land subsidence. This is exacerbating “sunny day,” or non-storm related tidal flooding. The transportation systems in the coastal region support the movement of people and goods for the benefit of the entire nation: the Port of Virginia’s recent improvements make it the deepest port on the U.S. east coast. The military presence in the area is also essential to the nation: The area is home to the world’s largest naval base (Naval Station Norfolk) and has the second largest concentration of military activities nationwide.
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If you missed the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Virtual Membership Meeting and Awards Presentation,
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Mark Your Calendar for PWX @Home in July!
Spotlight On Transportation
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PWX@Home works around your busy lifestyle. You can choose one afternoon per month to set aside and embrace an all-new virtual learning experience. The second Tuesday of each month from August through July, APWA will unveil education in 12 key public works focus areas. The series features sessions on relevant topics—most of which were selected for PWX 2020 in varying formats to maximize learning and engagement.
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PWX 2021: Stronger Together
August 29–September 1
St. Louis, MO
PWX provides a first-class multimodal learning experience designed for professionals at all levels and across the entire spectrum of public works. Come prepared to see, hear, touch, and discuss in a variety of traditional and interactive sessions, seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also spend time on North America's largest exhibit floor for public works equipment and services—we've carved out generous portions of non-compete time so you don't miss any sessions. Kick tires, talk about technology, or get the scoop on new products. To take advantage of everything PWX has to offer with more than 5,000 public works colleagues from North America and beyond, meet us in St. Louis!
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Upcoming Chapter Events & Webinars:
Due to the current status with COVID-19, the Mid-Atlantic APWA Chapter
has cancelled the 2021 Mid-Atlantic WRX Conference.
The Conference Committee is working on plans for an alternative to the 2021 Conference.
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SPECIAL THANKS
To Our Newsletter Sponsors!
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The newsletter and website reach more than 1,000 readers!
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VISIT The APWA
Mid Atlantic
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Be Counted!!
Is your membership information up to date? Please update your
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Chapter Welcomes
New Members!
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2021-2022
OFFICERS/DIRECTORS
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Officers
President
Scott A. Smith, P.E., L.S.
Senior Civil Engineer
City of Hampton, VA
President-Elect
Harold Caples, P.E.
Asst. State Construction Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
Richmond, VA
Immediate Past-President
Phillip J. Koetter, P.E.
Operations Management Administrator
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach, VA
Vice-President
Denise Nelson, PE CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP
Environmental Engineer
The Berkley Group
Richmond, VA
Secretary
Amy Linderman, P.E.
Fairfax County Park Authority
Fairfax County, VA
Treasurer
David Bradshaw, P.E.
Principal
Clark Nexsen
Virginia Beach, VA
Chapter Delegate
James W. Long, III, P.E., DBIA
Project Manager, Transportation
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
Virginia Beach, VA
Historian
Dawn V. Odom
Retired
Suffolk, VA
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Directors
Jason Calbert
Assistant Administrator
City of Newport News, VA
Jennifer Caples
Marketing & Business Development
Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP
Richmond, VA
Troy Eisenberger
Project Manager
City of Chesapeake, VA
Gaynelle L. Hart
Director of Public Works
City of Lynchburg, Virginia
Mark Jamison, PE
Transportation Division Manager
City of Roanoke, VA
Ryn Kennedy
Stormwater Facility Specialist
Henrico County, VA
Joe Kroboth, III, P.E., L.S., PWLF
Director, Transportation & Capital Infrastructure
Loudoun County, VA
Renee Lafollette
Director of DPW Capital Projects
Town of Leesburg VA
Juan Reyes
Assistant Director of Public Works
Fairfax County, VA
Matt Stolte
Assistant Director of Public Works
Town of Blacksburg, VA
Jeff Wilkerson
Director of Public Works
City of Martinsburg, WV
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APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter | 5007 C Victory Blvd, #280 | Yorktown, VA 23693
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