Chapter Works
An electronic publication of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association
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President's Corner
By Scott A. Smith, P.E., L.S., CPWP-M, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works Engineering, City of Hampton, Virginia
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Spring has sprung, the days are staying light longer, and hopefully, the pandemic is finally behind us. Planning is underway for the Chapter WRX Conference in Virginia Beach, May 17-20. After two years of pandemic misery, WRX is back, live and in person, I look forward to seeing many of you again, in person. Registration is underway, and if you haven’t signed up, here is the link
Much has been happening in the Chapter. The Public Works Institute is continuing strong with a full session set to start March 22. This will be the start of our fourth cohort. For the PWI Alumni, there will be a social on Wednesday May 18, 2022 at the WRX Conference. The plan is to go back to in person PWI sessions this fall. Regional activity committees are planning events, and membership is growing - we are 987 members strong! I hope to see us break the 1,000 member threshold by the May conference.
As my tenure as President enters the last quarter, I am happy to report we are making progress on the three goals I set when I took office. First, creating branches and reaching out to bring more agencies into the fold. Secondly, improving Committees to provide events and educational opportunities, to share that collective body of knowledge. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, recruiting the youth into Public Service, providing options in Public Works that many do not know exist.
A subcommittee was formed at the November Board of Director’s meeting, and they are working on finalizing a Branch Formation Guide. This guide will provide step by step instructions for how a branch may be formed. If you are interested in forming a Branch please contact me. More information will be forthcoming.
We haven’t been as successful in reenergizing the committees as I would have liked by this point. However, we are working on it, and we have had some members step up to take positions as committee chairs. If you are interested in having a greater role in the Chapter or just giving back to the profession, please volunteer for a committee. It is not a large time commitment. We would like the committees to try and plan an activity once a year, provide content for the newsletter or host a session at the conference. Committees are listed on the web site with Points of Contact. If you wish to serve on a committee, please reach out to the chair of the Committee or myself, and we will make sure you are connected with the right people.
Recruitment is a topic near and dear to all of us. Many organizations have various levels of community outreach, career fairs, and talking with high school classes to make people aware of public service as a career option. One of the positive outcomes from the pandemic is work place flexibility. We have learned how to effectively work remotely, within limits. Providing flexibility in work place will be an important incentive for workers.
I want to thank the members of the chapter for their passion and enthusiasm for Public Works. You truly demonstrate the theme Stronger Together.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Virginia Beach, May 17-20, 2022.
Scott
Scott A. Smith, President
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
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Join Us for the
May 17-20, 2022
at the
Virginia Beach Convention Center
We can't wait to see you at the BEACH! Full-conference registration includes admission to all technical sessions, exhibits, and BEST OF ALL -- it includes admission to the Beachside Reception at the Marriott Oceanfront. Join us on Thursday night for an evening overlooking the Atlantic with drinks, dinner, and a DJ. Also, tickets are still available for the Wednesday night Young Professionals/Public Works Institute social at Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House for networking and a great time! Don't miss out on all the opportunities and fun at this year's APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Conference in Virginia Beach. From the exhibit hall to tech sessions, the golf course to the ROADEO, this year's Conference is packed with excitement and fun.
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Infrastructure Bill Provides $416M in Grants and Loans to Mid-Atlantic Region for Water Sector
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Funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are being distributed as grants or loans for water, wastewater, and stormwater improvements via EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs to localities and eligible entities. The table below indicates the FY22 funds from the BIL to the states and DC for different activities.
The BIL requires that 100% of the funds used for emerging contaminants be provided as grants and 49% of the other funds be provided as grants. For the region, that is upwards of $228M in grant funds and $188M to bolster the revolving loans.
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In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will provide the FY22 DWSRF, DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement, and DWSRF Emerging Contaminants funds under the Financial & Construction Assistance Programs (FCAP) with a special application deadline of April 8, 2022 (the annual deadline for state funds: May 6, 2022). VDH plans to prioritize the BIL grant funds for areas meeting disadvantaged criteria, which have been expanded from low-income areas to include Environmental Justice Communities (areas where the average of the EPA’s EJ Screen 11 Environmental Justice Indexes equals 70 or higher). These funds are available to improve drinking water treatment; fix leaky or old pipes (water distribution); improve source of water supply; replace or construct finished water storage tanks; and fund other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health. Get ready for the April and May deadlines!
In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing the FY22 CWSRF and CWSRF Emerging Contaminant funds to 2021 applicants to the annual Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF) to offset the burden on the state program and support the numerous applicants in 2021. BIL FY23 funds distributed to DEQ will be used for VCWRLF applications received by the annual DEQ deadline in July 2022. These funds are available to construct municipal water or wastewater treatment facilities; improve water conservation, energy efficiency, or security at treatment facilities; manage stormwater; control nonpoint sources of pollution; protect estuaries; and fund other water quality projects. Start planning now for the deadline in July!
Maryland, West Virginia, and DC will handle and distribute funding in their own unique ways. If you have expert knowledge on those programs, please share with the chapter!
Denise Nelson is Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. She is also active on the Chapter’s Sustainability Committee and in promoting the Chapter’s social media accounts. Denise is the Director of Resilience and Grants at Launch! Consulting.
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By Sharon North, M.A., Section Chief, Communications |PIO III, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Fairfax County
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We’re making an impact! The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) has diverted more than 10,000 bikes from the waste stream through its partnership with Bikes for the World.
According to the organization’s Executive Director Taylor Jones, the partnership with (SWMP) has made significant inroads in the reach and impact of her organization’s mission by providing a responsible and accessible way for residents to recycle bicycles.
Jones reports, “The partnership has kept nearly 150 tons of waste out of landfills and has provided Bikes for the World enough bicycles to fill nearly 20 shipping containers! These bikes have ended up in the hands of students, healthcare workers, farmers and teachers, and have provided the resources for vocational training, small business entrepreneurship and micro lending programs across the developing world”.
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It’s a proverbial “win-win” situation. The donated bikes play an important role in empowering individuals and providing reliable, affordable, and environmentally conscious transportation. In addition, the program also is also a far more sustainable alternative than selling them for scrap. So, well done to everyone involved in the Bikes program, and here’s to the next 10,000 bikes being put to a better, higher use!
Top Picture: Bikes for World Volunteers Collecting Bikes at the I-66 Transfer Station
Graph: Fairfax County Residents have donated more than 10,000 bikes since 2011
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If you missed the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Virtual Membership Meeting and Awards Presentation,
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SPECIAL THANKS
To Our Newsletter Sponsors!
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Do you want your company's name out front for all to see?
Consider becoming a Chapter Newsletter Sponsor.
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!!
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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, PE
Senior Civil Engineer
City of Hampton, VA
President-Elect
Harold Caples, PE
Asst. State Construction Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
Richmond, VA
Immediate Past-President
Phillip J. Koetter, PE
Operations Engineer
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach, VA
Vice-President
Denise Nelson, PE CFM, ENV SP, LEED AP
Director of Resilience and Grants
Launch! Consulting Inc.
Richmond, VA
Secretary
Amy Linderman, PE
Fairfax County Department of Public Works
Planning and Development Division
Fairfax County, VA
Treasurer
David Bradshaw, PE
Principal
Clark Nexsen
Virginia Beach, VA
Chapter Delegate
James W. Long, III, PE, DBIA
Project Manager
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
Virginia Beach, VA
Historian
Dawn V. Odom
Retired
Suffolk, VA
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Directors
Jason Calbert
Administrator Street Maintenance
City of Newport News, VA
Jennifer Caples
Marketing & Business Development
Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP
Richmond, VA
Troy Eisenberger, PE
Project Manager
City of Chesapeake, VA
Gaynelle L. Hart
Director of Public Works
City of Lynchburg, Virginia
Mark D. Jamison, PE
Director of Public Works
Roanoke, VA
Ryn Kennedy
Stormwater Facility Specialist
Henrico County, VA
Joe Kroboth, III, PE, LS, PWLF
Director, Transportation & Capital Infrastructure
Loudoun County, VA
Renee LaFollette, PE
Director of DPW Capital Projects
Town of Leesburg VA
Juan Reyes
Assistant Director of Public Works
Fairfax County, VA
Matt Stolte, PE, ENV SP
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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