IACT Conference Wrap-up

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

This week was the annual meeting of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. There were several engineering related sessions ranging from energy conservation contracts, to low impact design. I also attended a very interesting session on developing a crisis communication plan with the Mayor of Columbus.

Tuesday I attended an AWESOME road trip directed by some folks from the South Bend development department. Jeff and Jennifer seem to be the kings of redevelopment. This is an excellent example of a community that is doing things right, so while the rest of the country is economically screaching to a halt, the momentum they have built is keeping them working.
I was a bit dissapointed in the number of our regular members that were able to attend. While it wasn't specifically tailored to engineers, there were several sessions that were very informative. There were also great opportunities to network with vendors from all sorts of specialties.
Our bus trip was cancelled due to the fact that there were only two city engineers in attendance. I encourage each member to take a look at the agenda next year and try to fit it into their schedules. You wll be glad you did.

New City Engineer in Valporaiso

Mayor appoints new city engineer
The NWI Times
Phil Wieland

10/3/08 VALPARAISO The city has a new engineering director for the first time in 15 years.Mayor Jon Costas announced that Tim Burkman will replace Dave Pilz, who retired effective Oct. 1. Burkman has served as chief deputy city engineer since 2005. "We're so pleased to have someone of Tim's quality and experience as city engineer," Costas said. "His transition to city engineer ensures a seamless transition and continued growth in this key department." The appointment took effect on the same day the city received an award for environmental excellence from Gov. Mitch Daniels for the design of Vale Park Way, which Burkman helped design while employed by the engineering consulting firm DLZ Indiana. He also managed the road's construction after joining the city. Burkman was instrumental in designing and securing grants for future projects and in helping manage several existing projects, such as the downtown streetscape, North Calumet Avenue, Eastport Centre Drive and Eastgate, Costas said. http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2008/10/03//news/porter_county/doca338730170db97c8862574d70018090d.txt

Upcoming IACE Meeting

The IACE meeting at IACT will be held on Tuesday, October 14 in the Lions Room at the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library located at 209 Lincoln Way East; Mishawaka, IN 46544. Registration will begin at 11:30 and the program will begin at noon and last roughly an hour. We encourage everyone to be there and be seated by noon. There will be a box lunch and drinks provided. Jerry Larson of NRMCA will be administering the continuing education program about the use of concrete pavement and its advantages.

Following the program that ASCE is arranging there will be time for a short business meeting for IACE. We will then have a bus tour of several area projects and programs. Those attending the IACT conference might choose a different option for their a.m. event. It will be somewhat the same tour that the IACT folks will have in the morning, but tailored more for engineering and public works people. Lawson-Fisher Associates is picking up the tab for the bus. Events should conclude between 3:30 and 4:00, depending upon how long it takes to reload the bus at each stop.

GIS Interns Available

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

A Ball State GIS professor has offered to post internships and openings in the lab if members have any. His name is Dr. Kevin Turcotte. From what I gather, GIS students are required to do 150 hours of internships. This is a great opportunity to get some fine talent in the office to help on some of the more, "strategic" projects, as well as test out potential future "team members".

IACT Legislative Committee Results

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

The IACT Legislative Committee met last week to prioritize its legislative initiatives. Of the 23 initiatives discussed, below is the top 8 from highest to lowest:

1. Timely revenue distributions from counties.
2. Local responsibility for funds management.
3. Protect against the erosion of TIF revenues and local authority over TIF. (Place TIF replacement mechanisms outside of the circuit breaker caps and outside maximum levy.)
4. Prohibiting municipal employees from serving on the council for which they work.
5. Remove the state police and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles from the gas tax and MVH/LRS revenue stream.
6. Municipal adoption of LOITs. (including commuter taxation option)
7. LOIT for circuit breaker losses.
8. Permit statewide local adoption of food/beverage taxes and innkeeper's taxes.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these initiatives, contact Megan Miller at IACT.

8th Annual Transpotation Expo

Richard Domonkos, LTAP Training Specialist

The 8th annual Transportation Expo and Snow Plow Roadeo is just around the corner, (Sep 10th & 11th). Indiana LTAP has worked very hard to put together an exciting training agenda for all local agencies.

September 10th
Route 1 Road Scholar Core Course #4 Public Purchasing
8:45 a.m. – Noon Charlie Pride Indiana State Board of Accounts. (Purchasing 101)
Matt Brase, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. (Reverse Auctions)
Wayne Scheumann Street Manager City of Nappanee. (Emergency Purchasing)

1:45p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Dale Keep. (How to Develop a Liquid De-icing Program)

Route 2 Driver Training and Demo Stations
8:45 a.m. – Noon Gary Vandegriff, Supervisor, Johnson County Highway (Preparing for Winter Operations)
Denny McIntyre, W.A. Jones. (Developments in Snow and Ice Equipment)
Tom Konieczny, INDOT LaPorte District. (Salt Brine, How it’s used and how it can help)
Brian Oberg, Swenson Spreader Co. (Equipment Function and Spreader Calibration)

1:45p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Demo Stations

September 11th
8:30 a.m. Drivers Meeting
9:00 a.m. Roadeo Begins

LTAP will be offering a Road Scholar Core Course # 4 “Public Purchasing” on the morning of day 1. One of the speakers for the course is from the Indiana State board of Accounts and will discuss various topics that relate to purchasing regulations for local agencies in Indiana.
If anyone has any questions that they would like to have specifically addressed during or after the session please email or fax to LTAP on or before September 5th and we will forward the questions only to the speaker so they may be included as part of the presentation.
See you at the EXPO

Emergency Roadway Assistance

David Cox, INDOT

To all Local Public Agencies:

Due to the storm/flood damage that occurred across the state, this is a reminder that cities/towns and counties may request federal assistance.

Roadways damaged as a result of natural disasters are eligible for federal funds to assist in repair or reconstruction. The type of funding available depends if the roadway is on the federal aid system or not. An emergency relief manual, as well as maps indicating which local roads are and are not federal aid highways/roadways and eligible for FHWA ER (emergency relief) funds, can be found at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/erm/index.htm . This Sharepoint application will enable Local Public Agencies to submit information regarding sites in need of aid along with pictures, descriptions, and estimated costs.


Emergency Relief funds are available for both “emergency repairs” (those done within 180 days of the event to keep a road/bridge open and permanent fixes. This funding is only to bring roadways back to their pre-existing condition prior to the disaster event.

Local Public Agencies seeking FHWA ER funds for federal aid highways/roadways will be asked to complete information related to sites including assessed damage and estimated costs for both temporary and permanent fixes along with pictures and input this information into the Sharepoint drive.


Again, please remember to document all costs associated with any cleanup and/or repair of flood damage. This would include all man hours, equipment hours, and materials used.

If your LPA will be using FEMA instead of FHWA ER funds, we also need the same information. Please do this quickly.

Build Indiana Council Daily News Summary

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo


The Build Indiana Council sends out a daily summary of road related news from around Indiana. If you would like to receive this daily email, contact Mimi Darwish at Triad. It is interesting to see how our membership is impacting statewide issues. As an example, below is yesterday's email:


Small bridge planned on SR 57 over Prairie Creek
The Washington Times-Herald
7/28/08

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is developing plans for the proposed replacement of the small structure over a tributary to Prairie Creek on State Road (SR) 57 and the improvements to the SR 57 and County Road 500 North (CR 500N) intersection. The project is located about 5.54 miles north of Old US 50 in Daviess County. The total project length is about 0.11 mile. The SR 57 roadway grade level will be raised about 0.4 feet maximum south of the structure. The roadway through the structure will provide two 12-foot travel lanes with 6-foot shoulders. The existing culvert will be replaced with a precast concrete culvert with a 36-foot clear roadway width. The new culvert will be located about 15 feet north of the existing culvert. Construction of the project will require approximately 0.9 acre of new permanent right-of-way. The temporary runaround will be constructed on the east side of SR 57 and will require 2.2 acres of temporary right-of-way. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1,071,746. At present, we are planning to use both state and federal funds for construction of the project. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JqxTrmuWi350nV0p67kCXlrwGnzL4ziBxQO1kabmiIxaP7v6hr8ozohuTvdkOvp5Y1FOG9c3u799G0MFjdjXyBw9FqSHLGynjSDWLoC9O6F0irauxpu7W77vCytrgfQmBBuZy2C5mM0iTPLC-yuKNUmmGYVfn2M5VUJwUFxFPiE3CGeQhiyiQw==



Taylor Street closing set
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Anne Gregory
7/28/08

Starting Tuesday, Taylor Street will be closed from Ardmore Avenue to Portage Boulevard. The Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department said that section of road will be closed to all traffic until about Aug. 15 for the start of the Taylor and Ardmore intersection project that will add turn lanes and a traffic signal. The detour uses Freeman Street, Covington Road and Ardmore Avenue. During this closure, Brooks Construction will construct left-turn lanes in all directions and an auxiliary right-turn lane on Taylor Street for westbound traffic, Monday's announcement said. The project will add additional lanes to Ardmore, making it four lanes from the Covington Road intersection to Taylor. The city is also adding a multiuse trail on the west side of this section of Ardmore. Other work includes new storm sewers, curbs and sidewalks. This $1.25 million project is scheduled to be complete in mid-November. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JqxTrmuWi37OARH7fzHXHKcPW0RvNxFAoaNRPDXOJEE7VNWg9OJNmF7oteQyzczvQcJXoFu1g4wy3aDRssEnwBC5F7IGxM52Qy1rxMcyZdIYQ-zTv5EV7ZcwXIR2OnS4nlZChcXuVV8J99hMCxzczEy7PDiwmAMzxU0_1tFvJLJUr880zek_MMWk1tzTWbN6U-yoFxMwXdR6wwYYgnfUHMA3fsPFPBZ_



Highway fund falls as drivers cut back
Journal & Courier
Larry Copeland
7/29/08

In the latest reflection of $4-a-gallon gas, Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles in May than in May 2007, a 3.7 percent decline that is the largest drop in miles traveled for any May, the federal government reported Monday. Traffic normally increases in May, which ends with the Memorial Day holiday weekend that marks the traditional start of the summer driving season. The decline was the third-largest monthly drop in the 66 years that the Federal Highway Administration has tracked miles driven. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the continued decline in driving signals long-term changes in the nation's transportation habits and highlights the need to find new ways to pay for roads and bridges. "Fewer trips are being made to conventional service stations, and we expect that to continue," Peters said. "Our approach to transportation in America needs to change." The federal Highway Trust Fund, which funds road construction with gas taxes, faces a $3.1 billion shortfall in fiscal year 2009 because drivers are buying less gas. Peters plans to unveil a plan today in Atlanta that will "refocus, reform and renew" the government's approach to transportation funding. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JqxTrmuWi36oRvhPKs1Q3dvmwhcL7clgQYn8o05dVQl2rqPvWcf4YACMAF8mwlXmN4tGrlooWsx2_2GYcgjrQac76uIaM1ARUYXQlrstV4KOtJZ3V0Usgc683OZ2X1OYJ0tTHKTQImZap8dGR3W1ooUdhK08IbHJg_5iHSihKSnaOBd72Vr3leTyd4j7GCWHYuJwILOmNmI=



Roundabouts project gets turned down
3-2 vote approves 'change order' for 2 of 3 roundabouts
The Tribune-Star
Arthur Foulkes
7/28/08

TERRE HAUTE - The Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety approved plans Monday to eliminate the last two remaining roundabouts, or traffic circles, on the Brown Boulevard project. In a 3-2 vote Monday afternoon, the board voted to approve a "change order," which is a change in an existing city agreement. The change order eliminated the final two of three roundabouts that had been planned for the project. "We approved a change order but we did not make the decision" to eliminate the roundabouts, said board member Robert Murray after the meeting in City Hall. "Concern about whether there should or should not be [roundabouts] should be directed to [Mayor Duke Bennett] and the engineering department, he said. The original decision to build roundabouts in the Brown Boulevard project was very controversial in 2004, said board president Bill Lower. "Now it's the reverse," he said. Bennett's main concern had to do with truck traffic near the planned roundabouts, he said. The mayor also was concerned about school bus and student traffic at a planned roundabout near Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Ennis said. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JqxTrmuWi34seC5rMDqScM7Hu0ZG81z9DG4lpoSbuMHoaeNU3z7gEdFjndUZZcBwMNxaOjFi6IYcP7Xtcp9N-A5kNNdzz9fAreH4Pp_0VLyP7B11Mh6PzJURVYFnA6E5FC2hykhQ444ZhEL1e5G2i-5Ag8NlbXeN

Job Opening - West Lafayette

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

West Lafayette is looking for an assistant City Engineer. You can view the job description here. If your city or town has any openings in the engineering department, feel free to pass them along and we will post them on the website, as well as this blog.

LTAP Executive Meeting - July 24, 2008

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo
David Buck, West Lafayette

For those of you that do not know, IACE has a seat on the LTAP Executive Board. LTAP serves local communities by:

• Increasing transportation expertise at the state and local levels
• Providing a channel for materials prepared at the national level for local use
• Promoting the effective use of research findings and innovations for improving transportation
• Meeting the needs of transportation personnel on local areas with tailored resource materials

The LTAP executive board meets quarterly. David Buck, Vice President, is IACE's representative.

The highlight from today's meeting was a discussion on bulk salt purchasing and what role LTAP could play to help coordinate a purchasing policy that might involve the state. This would hopefully allow better prices and adequate quantities. Some other items covered were changing the by-laws to allow proxy votes and purchasing a new LTAP display booth. The by-laws were not changed because the majority of members felt it was important to have the actual individuals attend the meetings and the board agreed to allow the purchase of a new display for $2500. Reports were also given on the recent National Conf. for LTAP and the upcoming newsletter.

INDOT - LPA Process Improvement Project

Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

INDOT, in conjunction with ACEC, is looking into improving the LPA project delivery process. It was initiated when Commissioner Browning discovered the average time frame for bringing LPA projects to construction was 7 years. This initiative is being fast-tracked; a draft process will be available this fall. I am on the Plan Development committee. Chris Pope from United Consulting is chairing the committee. Jodi Coblentz from INDOT (formerly Cass County Engineer) is also on the committee, as well as several others.
Some of the improvements center around putting more responsibility on LPAs and consultants to ensure quality plans, reducing the plan submissions, as well as perhaps allowing local bidding. If you have any suggestions for improving the process, let me know. Better yet, feel free to post them as comments on the blog.
These process improvements may cover all forms of federal aid, including TE, HSIP, earmarks, STP, etc.

Professional Engineer License Reminder

By Carey Stranahan, Kokomo

Don't forget to renew you PE license. Renewals are due by the end of the month. Simply go to http://www.in.gov/pla/license.htm and follow the instructions. It will take you about five minutes.

Inaugural Post

By Carey Stranahan, Kokomo


IACE was founded with the intention of bringing together ideas from city engineers across the state to improve the proficiency and efficiency of engineering departments, thereby allowing communities to meet the growing challenges of improving public services in an evermore difficult economic environment. Communication among the members is essential to reach this goal. IACE has started this blog to increase and improve the communication among its members.

Right now, we have no set policy for posts, other than that posts will come exclusively from our membership. Comments are being encouraged from all members. As readership increases, any issues will be addressed by the board.

I expect topics will cover whatever issues we are facing, including street, sewer, and water standards, policies, utility coordination, new technologies, contract management, what has worked, and what hasn't worked. I encourage all members who are or have recently faced a challenge and worked it out to email me about the experience. I will also post the outcome of meetings wither I or other members attend on behalf of the organization. Also, if anyone is facing a difficult challenge and wants to ask the membership about, let me know the I'll pose the question.

For now, I encourage you to subscribe using the tool on the right. If you don't use a blog reader, check back here often to view posts and comments. I hope to get at least one post per week.