Colorado LTAP Bids Farewell

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Summer 2013 Colorado LTAP Bids Farewell In This Issue Meet New Colorado LTAP Staff 2 CDOT s Enhanced Approach to Federal-Aid Local Agency Projects 3 LTAP Fall Training Schedule 4 Farewell to Lindsay You Show Us Contest 6 Hail to the Chief - Renée Railsback Inducted as President Spring Training Graduates 8 A TEARFUL GOODBYE TO LTAP S TRAINING COORDINATOR This LTAP duo has worked together to make Colorado s Local Technical Assistance Program a success for the last ten years that Lindsay has been with the program. I am both excited and saddened to report that the Colorado LTAP Training Coordinator, Lindsay Marshall, ended working for the Center on August 1st. For 10 years, she put her heart and soul into the program and was behind the development of many of our new programs and successes we enjoy today. Lindsay has accepted a position at Eastern Kentucky University to pursue a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. This new challenge will allow her greater opportunities for advancement well deserved given her many skills and competencies. We will all miss her professional contributions to Colorado LTAP, her positive attitude, and pleasant personality. Lindsay has enriched the program with her dedication and hard work. Since 2003, she has coordinated 736 workshops attended by more than 17,000 transportation personnel. In addition to planning and attending our many conferences and classes, some of Lindsay s program achievements include making key relationships around the state, development and initiation of the Roads Scholar II Road Master program, administration of the Center s equipment loan program,...continued on page 5

2 Colorado LTAP Welcomes Cassandra Guild to the LTAP Family Cassandra (Cassie) Guild is Colorado LTAP s new Manager of Technical Assistance and Customized Training. Cassie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Japanese from Middlebury College in Vermont. Her background is in adult and youth education; curriculum development; and training planning and implementation. She recently returned from three years teaching youth and adult classes in Tokushima, Japan; where she was a language instructor leading English classes at the elementary, junior high school, and adult level. Cassie was a featured presenter for the Tokushima JET Programme Midyear Conference in 2010 and She enjoys practicing Japanese archery and sewing. Cassandra is excited to join the Colorado LTAP family. 2 Assisting Local Road & Bridge Agencies for Over 25 Years COLORADO LTAP Renée Railsback Program Director Cassandra Guild Manager of Technical Assistance and Customized Training Becky Miller Webmaster The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and the University of Colorado at Boulder to provide information on the latest transportation issues facing Colorado s state and local governments. For more information: Colorado LTAP University of Colorado Boulder UCB Marine St, A213 Boulder, CO Office: (303) Toll Free: (888) 848-LTAP Fax: (303) cltap@colorado.edu Web:

3 CDOT S ENHANCED APPROACH TO FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY LOCAL AGENCY PROJECTS The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has created a Local Agency Unit at its Headquarters office. Unlike many State DOT s, the focus of the Local Agency Unit at CDOT is on communication and improvement of the Local Agency Federal Aid funded project development and construction process. Other states often focus comparable groups on technology transfer related to construction and maintenance of local roads. For the time being, CDOT s project delivery focus is needed to most effectively deliver projects with the very limited staff resources of both the local agencies in Colorado and of CDOT. As you have probably heard, all State Agencies have been mandated to undertake LEAN efforts on self-selected, high-priority programs and processes. LEAN is a rigorous, formalized process that engages key internal and sometimes external stakeholders to streamline processes and then measure the success of the streamlining against quantifiable metrics. CDOT s administrative process for delivery and construction of Federal Aid Local Agency Highway projects which can include a wide range of project types such as roadway safety improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, restoration of historic, transportation-related facilities, and others was selected as a key effort to be examined by a group of internal participants applying LEAN methods. These participants include CDOT Region Local Agency Coordinators and other project managers and administrators in a working group and a spectrum of CDOT management serving as a steering committee. The Steering Committee also included one representative from FHWA due to their own interest in seeing the program s administration improved. The role of the new Local Agency Unit at CDOT HQ is: Act as the facilitator of the implementation of changes recommended during the LEAN events, working with staff from each CDOT Region to implement these changes; Serve as liaison with FHWA regarding consistency with their desired improvements; and Inform local agency groups such as LTAP of CDOT s efforts. A key action focus area for CDOT is to build an interactive, web-based guidance and project tracking tool that will allow CDOT staff in the engineering regions AND local agency staff to track along with the status of key milestones on specific projects. This virtual tool will also integrate learning and informational tools, data exchange media, and other features. CDOT will be internally beta-testing this system in the fall, and will be seeking local agency partners to help test-drive the software as it is developed. The intent of the tool is to assist both CDOT and local agency staff in delivering projects collaboratively and efficiently. If you have questions about CDOT s efforts in this area, feel free to contact the local agency coordinators in the Regions with whom you have standing relationships. You may also contact: Steve Markovetz, , steve.markovetz@state.co.us Cathy Cole, , cathy.cole@state.co.us Richard Zamora, , richard.zamora@state.co.us Colorado LTAP Summer

4 UPCOMING LTAP TRAINING Fall 2013 Roads Scholar I Supervisory Skills Roads Scholar II* CORE: Safety on the Job So You re A Supervisor Now: Transitionaing Into A Supervisor Role SAFETY FOCUS AREA October 8 Durango October 10 Rifle November 6 La Junta November 7 Brighton CORE: Drainage October 24 Brighton October 28 Grand Junction October 31 Durango ELECTIVES: CDOT s Winter Maintenance September 18 Durango October 3 Grand Junction October 7 Northglenn September 16 Westminster Successful Employees Make Successful Supervisors September 17 Westminster The Do s & Don ts: Legal and Liability Issues October 21 Glenwood Springs Local Road Safety Plans November 4 Silverthorne December 3 Colorado Spgs December 17 Grand Junction ENVIRONMENT FOCUS AREA Navigating the Environmental Maze: Practical Strategies for Success October 16 Lakewood October 22 Pueblo October 24 Montrose A Whole New World: Nuts & Bolts of TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT How Government Works November 5 Grand Junction Surveying, Grade Checking, Staking Preparing for Winter By Planning for Winter Basic Math TECHNICAL SKILLS FOCUS AREA October 7 Loveland October 8 Colorado Springs October 17 Montrose November 13 Grand Junction November 18 Aurora Math Applications for Roadway Workers November 14 Grand Junction November 19 Aurora 4 Assisting Local Road & Bridge Agencies for Over 25 Years October 1 Silverthorne October 3 Fort Morgan October 15 Montrose Advanced Equipment Maintenance and Inspection December 9, Grand Junction December 11, Denver

5 Farewell management of part-time student workers, and organization of APWA s Spring Street Conference. Lindsay also provided support to Professor Yunping Xi with the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. Although recently crowned the shortest serving regional representative of the National LTAP Executive Committee (she got accepted to Eastern Kentucky s program ONE day after being voted in as rep) - Lindsay is the longest serving training coordinator that Colorado LTAP has had. The Occupational Therapy program will consist of three years of study. Lindsay hopes to return to friends and loved ones in Colorado; but will have the support of her family while in...continued from page 1 school, as she is originally from Frankfort, Kentucky. All of us associated with the National Local Technical Assistance Program owe a major debt of gratitude to Lindsay for her outstanding service to the local transportation agencies throughout the state. Across Colorado, Lindsay is the face of Colorado LTAP; and though we could never replace her smile, we were fortunate to quickly hire another fabulous staff person to continue her success. To my twin and best friend, words cannot express how much you will be missed... Colorado LTAP Director Renée Railsback (l) and Office Assistant Marty Butcher (c) with Lindsay Marshall (r) in I started at LTAP nearly ten years ago. At the time, I had little idea what Public Works did, let alone that there are separate divisions within this umbrella. I did not know that there was something called the MUTCD and had never heard of retroreflectivity. In my mind, DOTs owned and managed most of the roadways and I would not have said that the death rate on our nation s roads was anything to worry about. I did not understand the dedication that is exhibited by road and bridge and streets employees on a daily basis. I think about one of the first trainings I attended as the new LTAP Training Coordinator. I had never used a LCD projector before and the darn thing was projecting upside down and backwards onto the screen. This is a setting on the projector that can easily be changed, but at the time I was dumbfounded on how to fix it. I ve shown up at some locations, assured that the room can fit 45 comfortably, only to see that 30 is a tight squeeze. I ve learned some caterers are better than others and that every meal must include meat! I cannot imagine working for a more patient or understanding group of people than those of you who participated in my learning curve. Thank you for this. Coming together is an accomplishment, staying together is progress, working together is a success. Henry Ford Lindsay and Renée roughing it on the beach during a break at the International LTAP Conference in St. Petersburg, FL in The last ten years have been an education for me, one that I have enjoyed and will treasure. I have been lucky enough to get to travel the state and meet many of you. I have been able to talk with you about the challenges you face at work, how LTAP can better serve you, what is the best BBQ in town, your last vacation, and your upcoming winter plow schedule. It has been my pleasure to meet a lot of you, talk with you, and share stories. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to work with such a great group of people. I now have a lifelong appreciation for properly placed signs, clearly marked work zones, and streets without potholes. I will never take a plowed street for granted, understanding that someone was out in the middle of the storm keeping it clear. I know that impressive things are happening with limited resources in agencies all across Colorado. I will carry with me the appreciation that I have for the work that you all do. It is admirable. Colorado LTAP Summer

6 2013 You Show Us Contest 2012 CO State and Regional Winner El Paso County Asphalt Spray Bar We are pleased to announce the 2013 You Show Us contest! In it s 18 th year, the concept began in 1994 with the FHWA Show Us How contest. contest requirements what is the best idea or invention implemented at your agency? There are not enough transportation dollars to maintain our local government systems to the desired level of service. The costs for repairs and improvements are increasing while available finances are actually decreasing. Solving these problems requires efficient use of existing funds and materials, along with the application of cost reducing and innovative techniques. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT CREATIVE THINGS YOU RE DOING This is your opportunity to showcase something that has worked and of which you are proud. In prior contests, entries have been related to cost saving, safety, and operational efficiency improvements. Share what you ve learned with your counterparts across Colorado, the nation, and even the world! ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 31, 2013 Entries should be no longer than 2 pages and must address the following: 1. Project Title, Agency, Contact Person, Address, Phone, 2. Problem Statement 3. Discussion of Solution 4. Labor, Equipment, and Materials Used 5. Total Cost 6. Savings and Benefits to Agency (monetary and/or safety) PHOTOS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED We encourage you to enter the You Show Us contest as a profitable way to share your innovative ideas with others that may benefit from your concept. It s a good way for you and your crew to get some well earned recognition for your efforts! The contest is open to all government agencies in Colorado. The winner of the Colorado contest will compete with the winning entries from LTAP Region 7 states to determine a Regional winner. Entries may be submitted by mail or . If ing - please attache photos separate from your text file. All participating Colorado agencies will receive a certificate of participation and the winning entry will be highlighted in our Newsletter. Let us know if you need help putting your entry together! win a travel stipend! Colorado LTAP offers a travel stipend for two employees to represent their state winning project at the 2013 Local Road Advisors Conference. The state and regional awards are presented at this conference, to be held in Rapid City, South Dakota, October 23-24, Assisting Local Road & Bridge Agencies for Over 25 Years

7 HAIL TO THE CHIEF COLORADO LTAP DIRECTOR INDUCTED AS THE NEW NATIONAL LTAP ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Renée Railsback, Director of Colorado LTAP, took over as President of the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) from Past President Jim Grothaus (MN LTAP) during an induction ceremony held during the final business meeting of the National LTAP/ TTAP Conference in Boise, Idaho in July. NLTAPA is a not-for-profit organization representing and serving the 58 Local and Tribal Technical Assistance member-centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Association s main objectives are to build awareness nationally and internationally about LTAP in the transportation community, assist FHWA with developing strategies for the Program, and build the capacity of each Center to best meet the needs of its customers. International participants David Saldaña Martínez of Nuevo León, México and Simon Oladele from Botswana, Africa were eager to discuss innovative approaches for building capacity of existing T 2 /LTAP Centers in their countries. President Renée Railsback has been with the Colorado LTAP center since She has been an active member of the National Association as Region 7 representative on the Executive Committee; Safety Committee chairperson; Partnerships Committee chairperson and National Conference Planning Committee chairperson. She will lead the Association in its 2013/2014 year, focusing on Accountability - demonstrating the benefit of the Association to its members through tangible outcomes and external deliverables; Awareness - demonstrating LTAP as a national leader focused on local road needs leveraging beneficial state and national collaborative relationships; and Funding - preparing the program for another Federal Transportation Reauthorization while developing support programs for local agencies implementing data critical performance based requirements of MAP-21. The National LTAP/TTAP Conference draws attendance from technology transfer (T 2 /LTAP) centers from around the world. Ms. Railsback is pictured above with David Saldaña Martínez, Administrative Coordinator of Cetratet in Nuevo León, México and Simon Oladele, Manager of the Botswana T 2 Centre in Africa. A highlight of this year s conference was the opportunity to discuss collaborative opportunities in transportation technology transfer between NLTAPA and the Regional Technology Transfer and Capacity Building Committee of the Association of Southern African National Roads Agencies. Additional information about the National LTAP Association is available at NLTAPA.org. Colorado LTAP Summer

8 L O C A L T E C H N I C A L A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M University of Colorado Boulder UCB Marine St, A213 Boulder, CO Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit No Spring Training Graduates Roads Scholar I Johnny Medina - Otero County Claude Warkins - El Paso County Ben Fox - Town of Buena Vista Jeff Nelson - City of Arvada Roger Gares - El Paso County Dave Pinela - Douglas County Jared Frith - Town of Breckenridge Joe Marintzer - City of Westminster Steve Worrall - Town of Breckenridge Allen Oshiro - Yuma County Tim Vigil - Montrose County Raul Griego - City of Aurora Mike Piccola - City of Arvada Sam Trujillo - City of Arvada Daniel Waller - City of Lafayette Supervisory Skills Marc Storm - City of Thornton Rick Manley - City of Longmont Todd Anderson - City of Westminster Kerry Sturm - City of Westminster Kelly Leutbecher - S.E.M.S.W.A. Jeremy Eckenroth - S.E.M.S.W.A.