CRAM News 417 Seymour, Ste 1 Lansing, MI 48933 517.482.1189 micountyroads.org January 2014 Volume 258 Denise Donohue, Director Join the Local Roads Matter Coalition Today Later this month, CRAM will officially launch the Local Roads Matter Coalition. Local Roads Matter to Michigan is a coalition of groups and individuals that recognize local roads and bridges are critical to business and economic development, schools and families, public safety and health care, agriculture and tourism, and to every Michigan resident. The website milocalroads.com is live and CRAM is putting the finishing touches on resources that will be provided to members to help spread the word and mobilize the grassroots. Our goal in this first stage of the campaign is to build a coalition of people who support adequate funding for local roads and can be mobilized later when legislation begins to move. We are asking legislators to cast an important vote to increase road funding that could be used against them. Increasing understanding of the need for adequate local road funding, and building a coalition of supporters, will help to provide cover for these lawmakers. Director Donohue has been meeting with partner organizations to gain support for the campaign and we will start signing individuals up for the coalition at the MITA and Michigan Townships Association Conferences later this month. We will also start to build a social media presence by pushing out the first of three creative videos. Make it your priority this month to visit the website to sign up for the coalition and reach out to the grasstops people in a position of power or influence at the local level. Leaders of organizations like your local chamber, service and social clubs are an influential voice in local communities, and are often in a position to assist you in reaching out to their members. Truck Stickers! Help us spread the word milocalroads.com A PowerPoint is available on the website to assist you in making community presentations. Please check back for revised and new materials as the campaign continues. Also look for innovative ways to spread the word about the coalition. The materials at the Local Roads Matter website do not support any specific legislation or make a call for legislative action. At this point, we are simply bringing attention to the importance of local roads and bridges, so feel free to be creative!
Member Profiles Mark Sohlden joined the Manistee County Road Commission as manager in December. Road commission management is a second career for Mark. In 2007, after nearly 30 years with Wade Trim where he served as a transportation project manager and designer, he embarked on a new adventure. He was hired to be the managing director of the Gladwin County Road Commission. Mark brings more than 35 years of engineering design, project and operations management experience to his new position with Manistee CRC. At a time when all local road agencies and MDOT are struggling with road funding, I see my new position at the Manistee CRC as an opportunity to help the Road Commission overcome the many challenges involved in serving the traveling public, Sohlden said. I want to continue building on the accomplishments that have been achieved here in Manistee County. When making the transition from the private to the public sector, Mark appreciated the assistance of CRAM, Gladwin CRC staff and other counties. CRAM has always been an excellent resource for me as a road commission manager, Sohlden said. I worked in the consulting engineering field for 29 years prior to starting a new career in road commission management. I ve found CRAM and other county road commissions to be an excellent resource to expedite my professional development. CRAM and county road agencies cooperate in the sharing of information and efficiencies. I have found the CRAM Listserv to be an excellent tool for road commissions to use as the majority of our work is similar between agencies. We can all learn from each other s success and failures. Wayne Schoonover was named manager of the Mason County Road Commission on January 2, bringing 24 years of engineering and management experience in the public sector. Wayne worked the first 11 years of his career for MDOT, serving in various capacities until he was promoted to rural staff engineer for Local Agency Programs in 1995. In June of 2000, Wayne joined the Ionia County Road Commission where he served as county highway engineer. He has also served as managing director of the Berrien County Road Commission and interim manager of the Manistee County Road Commission. Wayne has been very active in the County Road Association and currently serves as Michigan s state director for the National Association of County Engineers. He was named the CRAM Rural Engineer of the Year in 2008 and received a merit award for his work chairing the Engineer s Workshop in 2004. He has served as a member of the Local Bridge Advisory Board and continues to serve on the Local Technical Assistance Program Steering Committee. As an active member and past chair of CRAM s Engineering Committee, Wayne has been involved in achieving positive change for the association and its members. Wayne s advice to CRAM members is to get involved. As with anything you get as much out of the association as you are willing to put in, Schoonover said. CRAM staff works hard for us but this is our association and we must play an active role.
President s Corner Happy New Year! I am really excited about the opportunities 2014 brings for CRAM. With the organization s new director, Denise Donohue, now in place and quickly becoming established, we are already seeing positive new developments. We will soon be seeing the fruits of the association s labors in the form of the 2014 annual Highway Conference which is being significantly modified from previous years. In part, this is the result of the communications audit, which included some great recommendations for ways to make the conference more user friendly. It s also the result of the fresh perspective of our team in Lansing. Very shortly, we will also see the benefits of the association PR specialist Monica Ware s efforts, when the Local Roads Matter campaign officially kicks off. This will help to remind everyone of the important role that county and municipal roads play in our state, and subtly remind lawmakers that their focus should not just be on state trunklines. Speaking of the Legislature though, I would like to express my appreciation to them for making available the $115 million for road projects through the Road and Risk Reserve Fund. While this certainly does not come close to solving Michigan s road-funding crisis, it is a positive step. To their credit, the Legislature seemed to do a pretty good job of spreading this money evenly around the state. Of course, we are all hoping that $115 million is simply a down payment on a much-larger funding package that will address our long-term road-funding crisis. While we worked hard on this issue in 2013, I hope we are all willing to redouble our efforts in 2014 and get the job done. As I ve noted before, this is much more like a marathon than a sprint, and we must be willing to keep the pressure up for the long haul. I believe we have made serious headway in Lansing, but there is much left to do, and I think 2014 will be a critical year in this process. Finally, I d like to encourage everyone who may be considering seeking a countywide road millage at some point to make sure to attend the CRAM Local Road Millage Campaign Workshop. The event will be Friday, Feb. 7, at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant. This will be a worthwhile event and will be ably led by the Grassroots Midwest firm, which has a long history of supporting successful ballot campaigns. Contact Monica Ware in the CRAM office with questions. Registration for the event is being handled online at bit.ly/1coefqq. Sincerely, In the meantime, keep those plows down and the salt spreaders spinning! Dennis G. Kolar, Managing Director Road Commission for Oakland County
County Road Projects Recognized at 36th Annual Asphalt Paving Awards Five county road agencies were recognized last month at the 36th annual Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan (APAM) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) annual award celebration. Congratulations to the Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Otsego and Ottawa county road agencies for receiving formal recognition of superior paving projects. Genesee County Road Commission received the Award of Merit in the Urban Streets category for the West Bristol Road project, from Van Slyke to Fenton Road. The award was accepted by Alex Patsy, Genesee CRC project engineer and Phil Gwisdalla, Ace Asphalt, project superintendent. Ingham County Department of Transportation and Roads received the Award of Merit in the Local Agency Projects category for the Marsh Road project from M-43 north to Tihart Road. The award was accepted by Dan Troia with Ingham County and Jason Ryder, foreman with Michigan Paving. Jackson County Department of Transportation was recognized with the Award of Excellence in the Local Agency Projects category for the East Michigan Avenue project. Accepting the award were Joseph Michalsky of Jackson County; Chris Church, a paving foreman with Rieth-Riley; and Chuck Gemayal, vice president of SME. Otsego County Road Commission received the Award of Merit in the Projects 2,500 to 10,000 Ton category for the Hayes Tower Road safety project. Accepting the award were Roberta Tholl, Otsego County Road Commissioner and Matt Miller, Project Manager for Payne and Dolan. Ottawa County Road Commission was recognized with the Award of Merit in the Single Course Overlay category for their project on Baldwin Street, from 20th Avenue to Cottonwood Drive. The award was accepted by CRAM director, Denise Donohue, and Kirk Breukink, Area Manager of Rieth-Riley.
Genesee County Road Commission Wins National Safety Award The Genesee County Road Commission has been recognized by the FHWA and the Roadway Safety Foundation with a 2013 National Roadway Safety Award. The award, which recognizes the particular benefits of the usrap Safety Improvement Plan for County Roads in Genesee County Michigan and the commitment to roadway safety, was presented by Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari on Capitol Hill on November 6. The US Road Assessment Program (usrap) is a project of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Designed to facilitate strategic investments in safety, usrap provides powerful tools for understanding risks on local, state, or interstate road networks. It is modeled after similar programs in Europe and Australia which are currently being used in over 70 countries to inform road agencies of the level of safety on the roads they manage and to help them provide informed advice to motorists, auto clubs and others. Fred Peivandi According to Fred Peivandi, County Highway Engineer and Director of Engineering for the Road Commission, inadequate road maintenance funding, a longstanding problem in Michigan, might limit options. Our biggest challenge is to find the funding to incorporate the feasible recommendation into projects. We will try to implement these recommendations into already proposed projects and have done so in our current road improvement program. At the same time, Peivandi points out that even if funding for project implementation is limited, the program is still valuable. We can also use the recommended locations as application to MDOT for statewide competitive federal safety funds. In 2008, the Genesee County Road Commission participated in an eight-state pilot project to quantify the benefits of usrap and assess and benchmark the relative safety of roads using crash history data and roadway inventory data. In 2013, following successful completion of the pilot, usrap conducted a study of 535 miles of primary and local roads in Genesee County. The study used the usrap Tools software to develop alternative safety improvement programs which recommend various safety improvements. The program with the highest value in safety benefit to the county road system, based on estimates of the societal cost of crashes used in Michigan, would cost $15.9 million over 20 years and provide 37 million in benefits, translating to an overall benefit-cost ratio of 2.3. The improvements in the recommended program include shoulder widening and paving, pedestrian crossings, and sidewalks. Other safety improvements recommended for consideration for various locations in Genesee County include road surface improvements, lane widening, signalizing intersections, installing roundabouts and upgrading railroad crossings. Road Commission manager-director John Daly III, Ph.D. described the project as an investment in the safety of Genesee County motorists. Our absolute top priority is the safety of the motoring public in Genesee County. This study was conducted by nationally recognized leaders in both the insurance industry and the road building industry. It gives us an independent look at risks associated with driving on our road system and provides recommendations for specific countermeasures to reduce crash risk and make our roads safer. It will aid in our selection of the right fix for the right location and it strengthens our request for safety dollars. The study was funded jointly by the Genesee County Road Commission and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The Road Commission contributed $15,000 of the $42,000 approximate cost of the project. Reprint with permission from NACE News the monthly newsletter of the National Association of County Engineers.
2014 CRAM Highway Conference: Local Roads Matter The 2014 CRAM Highway Conference: Local Roads Matter is all about meeting member needs in new and different ways. Getting a seat at the table that works. And one important need right now is for County Road Association members to have a seat at the table when local road matters are being discussed and to be more effective when doing so. The Opening General Session What s the temperature in Lansing? will help road agencies understand the current political climate at the State Capitol, and the opportunities to achieve funding for local roads. Moderated by syndicated radio The Big Show host Michael Patrick Shiels, this session promises a lively exchange between three fiercely independent long-time members of the Capitol press corp. Representatives from MIRS and Gongwer, two State Capitol insider newsletters; and Rick Albin of WOOD TV in Grand Rapids will discuss issues that are likely to gain momentum in 2014 and those that aren t. The future of local roads. Another important need is understanding where vehicular transportation is going, so that the road system is prepared to meet its needs. A new break-out session in the Engineering Track Meet George Jetson: Reinventing Transportation in our Connected World speaks to what s new in vehicle technology and how our roads will have to adapt. In this session Jim Barbaresso, president of HNTB Corporation and chair of the 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems will talk about new transportation issues that will face every road agency in the near future. A new look and feel. When planning this year s conference we have considered member feedback gathered over the past several years. Expect a new look and feel when you receive the registration materials later this month. We want to make this conference as valuable as possible for all attendees! Concurrent sessions are available for various sections of the membership including engineers, finance and human resources, and public relations. The most popular break out session the legal issues panel is now a general session. The Legislative Reception is moving downtown, just blocks from the Capitol, making it easier for legislators to attend. Members will be bused to the Radisson Hotel for this event. An opening breakfast has been added to the conference on Wednesday morning, allowing us to kick the day off with a great new opening session. Plan to arrive in Lansing on Tuesday, in time to enjoy the award-winning trade show!
A Letter from NMARC & ASMRC Leadership CRAM members: The first joint conference of the NMARC (Northern Michigan Association of Road Commissions) and the ASMRC (Association of Southern Michigan Road Commissions) was held this past September. We appreciated our collaborative effort and the positive feedback received from you for our first joint conference. We also had a very successful auction and more than doubled our scholarship funding for Ferris State! Our two associations continue to work together and have formed a committee to plan the next joint conference for Shanty Creek, September 3-5, 2014. We look forward to your participation. In the process of planning the next joint conference we are also exploring the possibility of joining into one Lower Peninsula association. A key area for review is the bylaws of each respective association and combining them into one document/organization. We are considering the pros/cons and addressing mutually relevant issues. Once we have a final document/organization for consideration, all association members will receive a copy of the proposed bylaws and potential ballot to vote on forming one association. We believe that considering one association can best serve our members, continue to bring you a positive conference, provide higher efficiency and educational opportunities. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us or any member of our respective Boards of Directors. Sincerely, Roberta Tholl NMARC President Burt Thompson, Antrim Jack McGee, Missaukee Lori Harbour, Missaukee - Sec./Treas. Kelly Smith, Newaygo Brian Gutowski, Emmet Joanna I. Johnson ASMRC President David Solmes, Barry Christopher Bolt, Cass/St. Joseph Larry Brown, Allegan Stan Clingerman, Hillsdale Ronald Gerstenberger, Sanilac Robert Kaarlie, Allegan Bradley Lamberg, Barry Dorothy Pohl, Ionia Michael Power, Huron Edward Rivet, Bay Nicole Van Horn, Washtenaw - Sec./Treas.
Watch Your Mailbox for the 2014 RUSH-PAC Membership Mailing RUSH-PAC is looking ahead to what promises to be a very busy year in Lansing! With both the House and Senate up for election, a heated race for Governor, and the potential to finally secure a transportation funding increase during the lame duck session; now more than ever RUSH-PAC needs your support. While we are considering creative new fundraising opportunities like the silent auction at the 2014 CRAM Highway Conference, annual membership dues continue to be our largest source of revenue. In order to be successful we need to continue drawing from a bigger pool of donors. That requires the support of all staff and commissioners. While memberships were up 41 percent in 2012, they fell slightly last year. Each election cycle the cost to win competitive campaigns increases. We need an even stronger response for 2014 than we experienced during the last election year. We would like to thank those who have made and continue to make an annual commitment to RUSH-PAC. However, there are still many counties where RUSH-PAC has no representation. Having a well funded political action committee is a vital component of a successful lobby effort. It is up to each commissioner and staff person to decide how well funded and thus how powerful RUSH-PAC will be moving forward. Your Rural and Urban Streets and Highways Local Roads Matter! Annual membership starts at just $50. By pooling these resources to support candidates who understand the importance of local roads and bridges to every Michigan resident, we will be able to deliver the results in Lansing that county road agencies rely on. Don t wait for our annual membership mailing to arrive, you can complete and return the form below to join today. If you have questions about RUSH-PAC please contact CRAM s Deputy Director, Ed Noyola at 517.482.1189 x 416. Membership related questions should be directed to Cindy Reisig at 517.482.1189 x 418 or by e-mail to creisig@localroads.net. Enclosed is a personal check payable to: CRAM RUSH-PAC $250 $100 $50 $ *Annual membership in RUSH-PAC requires a minimum contribution of $50. Name Home Address Phone (Home) (Cell) Senate District E-mail Address County Occupation Employer Employer Address If you have any questions, contact RUSH-PAC at 517.482.1189 x 418.
Resolve to Build Relationships with Your Legislators in 2014 As you look back over the past year and set goals for the year ahead, make it your resolution to improve relationships with your elected officials in 2014. As CRAM has noted many times, some of the strongest relationships with legislators are built on the campaign trail. A candidate for state office will receive hundreds of checks, but the relationships forged while knocking on doors, volunteering on campaigns or hosting fundraisers will not be forgotten. This year, with every House and Senate seat up for election, including several Senators who have new districts due to redistricting, the campaign season is sure to be competitive. What role will you play? How will you get involved? Huron County Road Commissioner John Hunt and his family recently hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Phil Pavlov to help the Senator meet people in the new counties in his district and raise funds for his campaign. With the assistance of family and friends, the Hunts hosted an event at their family-owned business, inviting their contacts throughout the community. CRAM staff assisted with securing PAC donations and the Hunt family worked the phones to turn out nearly 100 guests. The event raised over $15,000 to support the Senator s re-election campaign. In addition to raising much-needed campaign funds, this event introduced Sen. Pavlov to the leaders in Huron County, a county new to the 25th District. Opening doors is often as important as cash to candidates. Senator Pavlov addresses guests at a fundraiser hosted by Huron CRC Commissioner John Hunt. Having once run for the office of State Representative, Hunt offered the following advice. Don t wait until you find a candidate with whom you agree on every subject. You ll never find one. The key is to build relationships with your lawmakers now, when you don t need anything. Later, they will call you when issues impacting county road agencies arise to seek your opinion and find out how proposed laws will impact your agency. Relationships are built on trust and that takes time to develop. Build relationships with your lawmakers now, when you don t need anything. - John Hunt, Huron County Road Commissioner Another way to build relationships with your lawmakers is to invite them to a quarterly breakfast meeting or coffee hour at your county road agency office or a location convenient for all counties in a Senate district. The breakfast would serve to open dialogue between county road agencies and legislators, or even to educate lawmakers on an issue of importance to counties. The goal would be to keep any program informational, with no ask involved and checking all political allegiances at the door. Eventually these meetings will become an opportunity to report your progress and accomplishments to legislators and for you to hear first hand what they are dealing with in Lansing opening the doors of communication. Resolve to make 2014 a year of improved relationships!
IMPORTANT NEWS AND REMINDERS FROM THE COUNTY ROAD ASSOCIATION Seasonal Weight Restrictions Page CRAM will once again maintain a seasonal weight restrictions page on our website this year. Please remember to keep the CRAM office informed of the status of weight restrictions in your county. Also, please make sure that the list of restricted roads for your county is up-to-date. Status and road list updates should be sent to Kristi at weight@localroads.net. Please note the new e-mail address which will help us expedite the update process. While we will still accept the information via fax (517.482.1253), electronic communication is preferred. Visit micountyroads.org/weight.php for more information. If you have questions on changes to the process this year, please contact Kristi Pena at 517.482.1189 x412. Name Badge Ordering Deadline for Highway Conference Get your name badge orders in now for delivery in time for the 2014 CRAM Highway Conference: Local Roads Matter. Prepaid orders ($15 each) received by February 13 will be available for pick-up at conference registration. For an order form, contact Kristi at 517.482.1189 x412. Distinguished Service and Merit Awards Each year at the Annual Highway Conference Award s Breakfast, CRAM recognizes the outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication of our members and partners. We need your help in indentifying deserving individuals. Distinguished Service Award presented to those who have dedicated their time and service to the advancement of the county road system. This award is typically bestowed on members who have gone beyond the call of duty in serving the association and its members. Distinguished Service Highway Industry Award presented to those who have dedicated their time and service to the advancement of the county road system. This award is typically conferred to our agency partners, legislators, or others who have gone beyond the call of duty. Recent recipients include: Terry McNinch, Susan Richardson, Duncan Mack Raybourn, State Sen. Bruce Caswell, State Rep. Lee Gonzales, John Polasek, Larry Tibbits, Jacqueline Shinn, Mark VanPortFleet, Rudy Cadena, and Rob Whaley. Merit Awards recognize the volunteer efforts of CRAM members who dedicate considerable time and effort to provide educational opportunities for the membership. To nominate someone, contact Kristi Pena at 517.482.1189 x412, or kpena@localroads.net. The deadline for nominations is January 15. Employment Opportunities Available on CRAM Website A wide variety of job postings are currently available on the CRAM website at micountyroads.org/jobops.php. To have a posting added to the website, contact Kristi Pena at 517.482.1189 x412, or kpena@localroads.net.
CRAMmy and Best Practices IMPRESS Awards The revamped CRAMmy and Best Practices IMPRESS Awards call for nominations was sent to county offices in November. A component has been added to both awards to allow members to vote for what they perceive to be the most effective entries. For the first time at the 2014 CRAM Highway Conference, a Gallery of Entries will be on display allowing attendees to vote for their favorite CRAMmy and Best Practices IMPRESS nominee. The People s Choice Award winner in each category along with the other winning entries will be announced at the annual Awards Breakfast on March 6. If you have any questions on the awards, please contact Monica Ware at 517.482.1189 x417, or mware@localroads.net. Nomination packets must be postmarked by Jan. 10! Development of CRAM s 2014-15 Legislative Priorities The current development process for CRAM s legislative priorities allows councils two opportunities to recommend amendments or changes to CRAM s proposed legislative priorities. The October 4th CRAM mailing included the current 2013-14 priorities to prepare members to provide input. No changes or additions have been recommended. Members will have another opportunity for input during January/February council meetings. Current priorities can also be found at micountyroads.org/ PDF/2013-14_LEGISLATIVE_PRIORITIES.pdf. Direct questions to Joe Pulver, GPC Chairman, pulverj@ccrc-roads.com or 989.224.3274 ext 224 or Denise Donohue, CRAM Director, ddonohue@localroads.net or 517.482.1189 ext 413. 2014 CRAM Directory The 2014 CRAM Directory questionnaire has been mailed to offices. Thank you for remembering to keep the CRAM staff informed of changes throughout the year. A comprehensive list of Directory updates is available by contacting the CRAM office. Associate Members stay tuned for an exciting new announcement related to the CRAM Directory! Training Programs and Educational Conferences In an effort to keep our members better informed of outside training opportunities, a list of training sessions and conferences hosted by partner organizations follows. Jan. 21 Jan. 22-24 Jan. 28-31 Feb. 19-20 Mar. 18-19 Mar. 18-19 Mar. 18-19 Mar. 24-26 Mar. 25-27 Michigan Chapter APWA, Underground Excavation Safety Seminar, Frankenmuth 2014 MITA Annual Conference, Mt. Pleasant Michigan Townships Association 61 st Annual Education Conference & Expo, Traverse City Michigan Concrete Winter Conference & Workshop, Plymouth APAM- 58 th Annual Asphalt Paving Conference, Mt. Pleasant 2014 Michigan Bridge Conference, Bay City Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference, Lansing 2014 Michigan Association of Counties Legislative Conference, Lansing 19 th Annual Michigan Traffic Safety Summit, East Lansing For a complete list of training opportunities available from Michigan s LTAP visit, michiganltap.org/workshops.
The Road Ahead January 9 Great Lakes Council Meeting Baraga Lakeside Inn, Baraga 10 CRAMmy & Best Practices IMPRESS Award Deadlines 14 Seven County Council Meeting Roma s Italian Restaurant, Owosso 23 Blue Water Highway Council Meeting Black Forest Brew Haus, Frankenmuth February 3 Southeastern Council Meeting Calhoun County Road Dept., Marshall 4 Straights Area Council Meeting Audie s Restaurant, Mackinaw City 7 Millage Campaign Workshop Comfort Inn, Mt. Pleasant 10 Southwest Council Meeting Cass County Road Commission 10 CRAM General Policy Committee and Board of Directors Meeting Little River Casino & Conference Center, Manistee 11-13 County Engineers Workshop Little River Casino & Conference Center, Manistee 13-14 UPRBA Winter Meeting Holiday Inn, Marquette 19 Paul Bunyan Council Meeting McGuire s Resort, Cadillac 27 East Central Council Meeting Hosted by Alcona CRC Location TBD March 4 CRAM Trade Show Best Western Plus, Lansing 5 CRAM Legislative Reception Radisson Hotel, Lansing 4-6 2014 CRAM Highway Conference Best Western Plus, Lansing April 13-15 Commissioners Seminar Double Tree, Bay City 13-17 NACE 2014 Conference Hilton Capitol Center, Baton Rouge, LA May 13-15 Finance and HR Business Seminar Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City June 11-12 UPRBA Summer Meeting The Island Resort & Casino, Harris July 23-24 County Road Commission Insurance Conference Soaring Eagle, Mt. Pleasant September 3-5 ASMRC and NMARC Joint Conference Shanty Creek, Bellaire 7-11 ITS World Congress Detroit October 1-3 40th. Annual Superintendents Seminar Kewadin Casino & Convention Center, Sault Ste. Marie Do You Have News to Share? To have your event added to the calendars in the CRAM News and on the website, please contact Monica Ware at mware@localroads.net. If you would like additional information on listed events, visit micountyroads.org and click on the events link.