OACES Newsletter for Oct. 26, 2023 | |
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Upcoming OACES Meetings:
- AOC Fall Conference: Eugene - Nov. 14-16
- OACES Virtual Meeting - Dec. 14
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OACES Holds Fall Successful Conference in Hood River Oct. 23, 24 | |
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The Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) would like to thank everyone who attended this month's OACES Fall Conference in Hood River, Oct. 23 and 24. The two-day annual conference brought more than 40 Oregon road officials and surveyors together for a series of presentations from industry experts as well as an opportunity to share ideas and information with their colleagues from around the state.
Thank you to all the speakers that joined this year's conference and provided presentations covering a variety of topics, including managing abandoned RVs, renewable diesel, bridge rehab and design, middle housing, and updates on the upcoming legislative short session. This year's presentations are available to view and download on the OACES Conferences & Meetings page, under the Past Conference Presentations section.
In addition, OACES also held its spring Business Meeting during which members of the new OACES Board of Directors were elected, and members heard updates from current officers and committees. Current OACES committee assignments can be found on the OACES Committee website page.
The next OACES meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 15 in Eugene as part of the AOC Fall Conference. If you would like to learn more about other upcoming meetings and events, please visit our OACES Conference & Meeting page.
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OACES Elects New Board Members, Hands Out Annual Awards | |
One of the highlights of OACES's annual Fall Conference is the election of new board members as well as annual awards for County Road Official of the Year, County Surveyor of the Year, and other individual recognitions.
This year's award recipients are:
- Road Official of the Year: Chris Doty, Deschutes County Road Department Director
- Surveyor of the Year: Kevin Samuel, Deschutes County Surveyor
- Past-President: Tom Fellows, Umatilla County Public Works Director
Every fall, OACES members nominate and elect new board members for the upcoming year. Board members for 2023-2024 are: President Scott Young, Washington County; President-Elect Mikel Diwan, Hood River County; Secretary-Treasurer Ray Griffin, Clackamas County; Board Member Michael Russell, Columbia County; and past-President Tom Fellows, Umatilla County.
Finally, OACES honored Joann Hendrix, AOC/OACES Senior Administrative Manager, who is retiring at year’s end, with an OACES Achievement Award in recognition of her 30 years of excellent service to the organization. Thank you, Joann!
Congratulations to this year's award recipients and newly-elected board members! Visit the OACES website to learn more.
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Chris Doty, Deschutes County Public Works Director (left), receives the Road Official of the Year from Tom Fellows, Umatilla County Public Works Director | |  |
Joann Hendrix, AOC/OACES Senior Administrative Manager (center), is recognized for her 30 years of service. From left: Tom Fellows, Umatilla County Public Works Director; Brian Worley, AOC County Road Program Director; and Scott Young, Washington County Surveyor | | |
AOC to Hold 2023 Conference in Eugene November 14-17 | |
Registration is still open for the Association of Oregon Counties' (AOC) 2023 conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 14 to 17 at the Graduate Hotel in Eugene. AOC's annual conference brings together elected officials and county staff from across the state for three days of education and networking aimed to help improve residents' lives and the efficiency of county government.
As part of the conference's second day (Wednesday, Nov. 15), OACES will hold a regular meeting at 9:30 a.m., and a panel discussion focused on the county road system is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. You can view the full conference agenda here.
Please visit AOC's Annual Conference page for more information on this year's conference. Registration closes on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
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House T&I Committee Holds Hearing on Solvency of the Highway Trust Fund with ODOT Director Kris Strickler | |
As part of the Oct. 18 hearing entitled Running on Empty: The Highway Trust Fund, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Kris Strickler offered testimony to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, which is part of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The hearing focused on the current solvency challenges associated with the Highway Trust Fund, as well as the importance of a sustainable, long-term funding solution. Strickler spoke to the importance of sustainable federal highway funding and highlighted Oregon's OReGo program, through which volunteers pay a per-mile charge for the miles they drive and receive a credit for fuels tax paid at the pump.
More information and a recording of the hearing is available here.
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October AOC/LOC Transportation Funding Forum | |
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and League of Oregon Cities (LOC) continued their series of virtual forums bringing city and county officials together to coordinate, collaborate, and cultivate a shared understanding of local government interests in Oregon’s transportation funding system.
The second forum meeting was held on Monday, Oct. 2 and featured presentations from two city and two county road departments to demonstrate the range of local jurisdiction transportation budgets and varied regional project priorities. A productive brainstorm and strategy discussion followed the presentations. Slides are available here and a recording of the meeting can be found on the League of Oregon Cities YouTube page.
The AOC/LOC Transportation Funding Forum will meet through next year with an eye toward identifying priorities and developing guiding principles to inform AOC and LOC engagement in an expected transportation funding package during the 2025 legislative session. Forum conversations will seek to increase transparent, partnership-oriented communication with state agencies, commissions, and the legislature related to transportation funding policy...[READ MORE]
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USDOT Funding Opportunities | |
2023 TGM Grant Recipients Announced | |
Oregon DEQ Awards More Than $8 Million to 2023 Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Recipients | |
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As part of its continuing efforts to improve air quality, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently announced more than $8.2 million in funding for 11 projects focused on reducing diesel emissions across the state and among vulnerable populations.
The Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program reviewed 69 applications, totaling more than $35 million in requests, which were submitted by Oregon businesses, governments, and equipment owners this year.
Improving air quality by eliminating contaminants can lead to better public health and a cleaner environment. The awarded projects will remove 33 tons of harmful air pollution, including nitrogen oxide and fine particulate matter, from Oregon’s air.
Details about the 2023 grant recipients can be found in the DEQ Press Release.
If you have questions about DEQ’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program, please email [email protected].
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OEM Announces SPIRE Grant Opportunity | |
Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Education Lecture Series Scheduled to Begin Oct. 30 | |
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The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) and the University of Wyoming are cohosting a six-part webinar series to provide educational information on short span steel bridges beginning Monday, Oct. 30.
The series of free lectures will be delivered by Michael Barker, Ph.D., P.E., professor of civil and architectural engineering, and focus on the aspects of designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges. Additional topics that will be covered include:
- Overview of the Bridge Industry
- Short Span Steel Girder Bridge Economics & eSPAN140
- Multi-Span Steel Girder Bridges & SIMON
- Detailing, Fabrication and Durability & Corrosion Protection
- Accelerated Bridge Construction Applications
- Bridge Manufacturer Solutions Showcase
All registered participants who successfully complete the educational series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming to build resumes or fulfill continuing education requirements.
To register for or learn more about the webinar, please visit the SSSBA's Steel Bridge Education Lectures webpage.
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New Handbook for Local Governments Identifies Funding to Cut Transportation-Related Climate Pollution | |
The State of Oregon has released a new resource, Every Mile Counts Funding Handbook for Local Governments, with the goal of helping local governments find federal and state money for projects aimed at reducing transportation pollution.
Transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases in Oregon, causing more than one-third of emissions, and the state continues to take steps to reduce pollution from transportation, while improving equitable outcomes.
The new funding handbook provides information to local partners on the various resources available, including funding amounts, which federal or state agency is in charge, when to apply, who to talk to, and where to learn more.
Every Mile Counts is a partnership between four Oregon agencies: the Oregon Department of Energy, DEQ, DLDC, and ODOT. Its mission is to put into action Oregon’s Statewide Transportation Strategy, a plan for reducing transportation pollution.
To learn more, you can view or download the handbook at the Every Mile Counts webpage.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please email Cody Meyer, Land Use and Transportation Planner.
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County Engineering, Road Department, and Surveyor Jobs
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The AOC job posting page provides counties and other government organizations with a platform to advertise job opportunities while also providing a resource for job seekers looking for a new challenge.
Current engineering, road department, and surveyor postings include:
Find out more specifics for each position and how to apply on the AOC jobs postings page. If you have an open job listing to post for your county, please contact [email protected].
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Jackson County is Hiring Engineers! | |
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Jackson County Roads, Engineering Division is recruiting for several engineering positions, including:
Please visit the Jackson County website for minimum requirements and additional information.
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County Road Program Director
Legislative Director
Transportation Policy Analyst
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Senior Administrative Manager
IT Trainer and Communications Specialist
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