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American Public Works Association
Missouri Chapter
Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence
Nomination and Supporting Information
May 31, 2016
Table of Contents
Cover Letter
2015 Chapter Officers
Executive Summary
Section I - Membership
A. Net Membership Gain/Loss and Retention I-1
B. Membership Recruitment and Retention Efforts and Programs I-1
C. Innovative Membership Development and Retention Efforts I-4
Section II – Service to Chapter Members
A. Number of Members Attending Meetings/Events II-1
B. Member-to-Member Outreach II-3
C. Chapter Best Practices II-5
D. Chapter-to-Chapter Outreach II-6
E. Chapter Diversity/Inclusiveness Programs or Activities II-7
F. Young/Emerging Professionals II-8
Section III – Advancement of Public Works and Sustainability
A. Awards/Recognition Programs III-1
B. Public Works Promotion III-7
C. Professional Development III-10
D. Promotes Sustainability in Public Works Management III-12
E. Advocacy Outreach III-13
Section IV – Service to the Community
A. Education Outreach Programs IV-1
B. Community Service Programs IV-3
May 3 1 , 2016 American Public Works Association
PACE Award Program
1200 Main Street, Suite 1400
Kansas City, MO 64105-2100
Re: Missouri Chapter PACE Award Nomination The Missouri Chapter is pleased to submit the attached n o m i n a t i o n f o r the Presidential Award
for Chapter Excellence (PACE). The Missouri Chapter serves the St. Louis area and the out state
area of Missouri excluding the four counties surrounding Kansas City. The chapter had a very
successful year in 2015 with many new and exciting opportunities presented to chapter members. Our
overall goal as a chapter is to promote Public Works in the State of Missouri and we strive to provide
our members with the tools to achieve this. Networking and educational opportunities, among other
things, were available to our members in 2015 and an emphasis was placed upon membership value.
Documentation supporting our chapter activities is provided within the application document. Our past
president, Eric Landwehr, P.E., has compiled this application for submittal. If there are any questions
concerning the submittal, please contact him at (573) 636-3614 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Tod Fagan
President, Missouri Chapter – APWA
(314) 658-5496
2015 APWA Missouri Chapter Executive Committee
President: Eric Landwehr
Vice President: Tod Fagan
Treasurer: Chris Boyd
Secretary/Jr. Treasurer: Steve Schultz
Past President: Ty Abbott
Director – Membership and Member Services: Paul Verheyen
Director – Continuing Education & Training: Wes Thiessen
Director – Awards and Historical: Lee Cannon
Director – Advocacy and Outreach: Martin Gugel
Director – Special Events and Activities: Keith Francis
Director – Communications: John Collins
Delegate – Gary Scheipeter
Alternate Delegate – David Miller
St. Louis Branch Chairman – Mike Busch
Young Professionals Committee Chairman – Scott Goforth
Executive Summary
The Missouri Chapter embarked on many exciting activities in 2015. Each year the chapter works to
provide a value and service to the membership. Having a chapter size of 538 members can present
many challenges in engaging the population; however, there are many opportunities for member
engagement and participation. The chapter successfully engaged in some innovative ideas to improve
and take us to the next level in achieving excellence.
The Young Professionals Committee was formed in late 2014 and began implementation in January
2015. Member Scott Goforth chaired this committee and embarked upon a very aggressive campaign
to reach out to young members and even associated non-members. This effort led by Scott and his
committee members provided a spark within the chapter that saw the implementation of many new
activities. These activities centered on attracting young professionals in the chapter allowing them to
intermingle with older members in chapter activities. The chapter leadership provided the YP
committee a budget to conduct social networking events and purchase career fair and vendor booth
materials including banners and table clothes.
The efforts of the young professionals committee impacted the chapter by helping to gain new
members and providing a strong community outreach. The chapter leadership discovered that the
young professionals typically have something that the older members do not have abundance of: Time
and Energy. The chapter utilized these two items to benefit the membership as a whole.
After the YP committee was up and running, the chapter leadership planned and executed a strategic
planning review session held in St. Louis in September. The result of this effort was very significant.
Several items were identified to work on over the next five years. One item in particular was to review
the chapter and branch director and committee structure.
Over the years the chapter and branch committees had grown apart to a degree such that the structures
of both did not correlate very well. Chapter and branch leaders began to see the each doing different
things and unintentionally not working together for the common goals of the chapter. A review of the
director and committee structure resulted in a complete overhaul and restructuring for both the chapter
and branch. The director positions were updated and some were changed. Additionally, the
committees for both branch and chapter were aligned to fall under at least one of the director positions.
The result of this effort has been better use of our resources and many new volunteers from the
membership. These efforts of the chapter leadership to restructure the director and committee
positions will pay dividends for years to come.
Some of the highlights of all the Chapter activities for the 2015 year are listed on the fo l lowing
pages :
Membership Over the 2015 calendar year, the Missouri Chapter membership peaked at 540 members but
ended the year the same as 2014 at 538 members. In 2015 focus was placed on membership
value and retention. The chapter leaders reviewed and updated the strategic plan and part of
that revision includes membership recruitment, engagement and retention. One offshoot of the
new strategic plan was the changing of the director and committee structure. This brought the
St. Louis branch and chapter committees in line with each other to help the chapter as a whole
work toward common goals and engage more members with additional volunteer opportunities.
The chapter implemented a Young Professionals Committee in 2015. This group was very
engaged in chapter activities and in fact provided a spark in the chapter that has proved to be
very successful. Service to Chapter Members The Chapter offered a s pring conference in Jefferson City and a fall conference in Columbia in 2015.
Attendance was great at both events and the fall conference saw the largest attendance of any chapter
event to date. The St. Louis Branch also held monthly luncheons for the St. Louis area with a
speaker and/or awards recognition at each event. An average of 97 members attended the eleven
lunch meetings (November and December were combined due to the holidays). The Mid-Missouri
area members gathered for a luncheon in April with approximately 15 members in attendance.
Numerous social networking activities were held ranging from golf tournaments to happy hour
gatherings. Nine Click, Listen, and Learn opportunities were attended by members of the chapter
and the St. Louis branch held director/city engineer and superintendent roundtable meetings at three
different locations.
In 2015 the chapter maintained a very thorough and informative communications outreach managed by
the chapter communications director. Email notices were sent often to members notifying them of
upcoming events. An outstanding newsletter was sent electronically on a monthly basis and a website
was also maintained. Several other membership engagement activities or programs were conducted.
The new Young Professionals Committee held several networking events and also spearheaded an
education outreach program in schools with attendance at career fairs at local colleges and education
with the Engineering Center of St. Louis.
Advancement of Public Works and Sustainability The chapter maintained its very robust chapter member award program including yearly chapter
awards at the fall conference. The St. Louis branch began a program to award projects of the year in
the St. Louis area as well as a service appreciation award. These awards recognize members for their
achievements and contributions to the chapter.
National Public Works Week was observed by chapter members across the state. The Chapter offers
to provide up to $100 per agency of promotional products/posters and fourteen member agencies
utilized that funding in 2015. A proclamation from the Missouri Governor was signed naming that
week “Public Works Week in Missouri.” Several individuals around the state were presented with
the Vince Tallo Award for 30 years of public works service with a single agency during National
Public Works Week events.
The St. Louis branch joined the Engineering Center of St. Louis as an affiliate society and
participated in the planning implementation of an educational outreach program in the schools.
A program called Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) was planned and
members participated in an event in 2015.
Professional Development was an important part of the chapter in 2015 and the conferences, luncheons
and Click, Listen and Learn events offered several opportunities for the members.
In September, chapter leaders met, reviewed and updated our strategic plan. Three focus areas were
decided on: 1. Membership Recruitment, Engagement and Retention, 2. Education and Training and 3.
Membership Services. The first step in implementing this new strategic plan was to review and
restructure the director and committee positions. The six director positions were revised with new
duties with the most significant change being the director position for Advocacy and Outreach. This
position was previously called National APWA Services. These duties were kept and the position was
expanded with advocacy. Service to the Community The Chapter embarked on several educational outreach programs in 2015. Three college
scholarships were awarded and the chapter participated in career fairs and local school events.
The chapter partnered with MO-LTAP to develop and provide to its members the Scholars
program. This program p r o v i d e s training for superintendents and foremen in the transportation
sector of public works. Four charitable community service events or programs were part of the chapter in 2015 and also each
conference had a local charity that was supported through funds raised from the membership at that
conference. In addition, members of the Springfield area continued their adopt-a-street activity.
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I. MEMBERSHIP
A. Document Net Membership Gain/Loss and Retention During the 2015 calendar year, the membership of the Missouri Chapter peaked at 540
members in June and ended the year the same as 2014 at 538 members.
B. Outline Membership Recruitment and Retention Efforts and Programs Our first point of contact with new members is by our membership director with a personalized
“Welcome Letter” notifying the member of upcoming events and encouraging them to get the
full benefit out of the membership by participating in the many available opportunities. Each
month our new members are listed in our monthly newsletter with information about them and
their employer. Our best recruitment tool for several years has been the many conferences and
luncheons that the chapter and branch provides. Many non-members attend these events and
several of these people join as a result of the positive experience provided.
The new strategic plan drafted in 2015 identified this item as our Goal 1 Focus Area. The
objectives are listed below:
Goal 1 Focus Area: Membership Recruitment, Engagement & Retention
1. Develop outreach initiatives to recruit and engage members across the state.
2. Maximize membership opportunities in underrepresented segments and agencies.
3. Assess perceived value of membership.
4. Maximize chapter scholarship opportunities.
Efforts and programs under each of these 4 categories are as follows:
1. Develop outreach initiatives to recruit and engage members across the state.
The most difficult membership issue we face is finding ways to serve the areas of the state
that are geographically so far away from our events and activities that it is not practical for
them to attend on a regular basis. Through the use of the email we do maintain contact
with these members. We hold our spring and fall conferences in multiple locations
throughout the state and this provides better opportunities.
The Central Missouri region has been holding periodic luncheon events for APWA
members and guests. There have been members recruited through these events including
several from the City of Columbia in 2015.
2. Maximize membership opportunities in underrepresented segments and agencies.
A small task force consisting of the president, vice president and St. Louis branch president
began implementation of a strategy to research and reach out to these segments in 2015.
New members from the Cities of Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, St. Louis and MoDOT joined
as a result of this effort. In recent years the City of St. Louis did not participate but
progress in 2015. Additional efforts were made to reach out to the construction and
materials industry as well as the utilities industries with some success.
I - 2
3. Assess perceived value of membership.
The Missouri Chapter leadership believes that while it is important to gain new members in
our chapter, it is of equal and perhaps greater importance to give members a reason to stay
and be engaged such that they see value in their membership. This was achieved in 2015
by providing multiple networking and educational opportunities which will be listed and
described in more detail in the Service to Chapter Members section of this submittal.
Feedback from post conference surveys was favorable in the categories representing value
to the members.
A review of our 2015 new members and dropped members found that the majority of
changes were due to general turnover of employees at our various member agencies and
graduation of students from our student chapter.
4. Maximize chapter scholarship opportunities.
We currently have a scholarship program in which we award three or more educational
scholarships for students entering into a field of public works. A scholarship review
committee of five members was appointed in 2015 to review the scholarship applications
and the chapter awarded three scholarships.
Additional goals of our strategic plan under this category include encouragement of intern
programs at members companies and agencies as well as scholarship opportunities for
members to attend chapter conferences and the Public Works Expo. A third and perhaps
the most encouraging scholarship opportunity is the sponsorship of a chapter member to the
Donald C. Stone Center. No work was completed on these goals in 2015 but the
framework was put in place with the new strategic plan.
Our normal yearly activities to develop and retain members are as follows:
The chapter holds two (2) annual Chapter conferences and eleven (11) monthly St. Louis Branch
luncheons that offer educational opportunities for the members as well as a chance to meet and
network. Over 60% of our Chapter membership is in the St. Louis metropolitan area, so the
branch meetings are very important. Chapter conferences are held outside the metropolitan
area of St. Louis to attract more members statewide as well as allow the opportunity for St. Louis
members to attend a conference without feeling the need to stop in at the office.
Members participated in 9 APWA national Click, Listen and Learn webinars, all held at the City
of Maryland Heights. These are advertised through email reminders for our members to attend.
The chapter’s Young Professionals Committee met several times and hosted events. This will be
detailed in section II of this document.
The chapter activities committee scheduled several activities throughout the year to allow
members the opportunity to meet each other. The events sponsored by the Activities Committee
for 2015 included a happy hour socials in April, August, October and November, a washer
tournament in May and a fellowship opportunity at Hollywood Casino after the Branch luncheon
in December.
Two golf tournaments were held in 2015. The first was coordinated by the St. Louis Branch
I - 3
activities committee and was held on May 18, 2015 at the Paradise Valley Golf Club in High
Ridge, MO near St. Louis. The second was coordinated by the Central Missouri members and
was held on August 21, 2015 Tanglewood Golf Course in Fulton, MO. Both activities allow our
chapter members an opportunity to meet and interact with each other.
The Mid-Missouri members held a luncheon on March 13, 2015 in Jefferson City with a program
presented by member Pat Palmer, Missouri Petroleum, on “Asphalt Basics.”
The Missouri Chapter emails our monthly newsletter to all members with email addresses as
well as nearly 200 non-members that have an interest in our chapter. The newsletter includes a
monthly feature article, other articles about upcoming events, help-wanted job postings,
conference information and other pertinent chapter information and announcements. Our
Chapter website is updated and also contains specific information needed by our members.
On August 18, 2015 the chapter received a letter from National President Larry Stevens
congratulating the chapter on achieving a 91% retention rate for the 2015 fiscal year. This rate
was above the 87.14% APWA National Average.
Letter from President Larry Stevens
I - 4
C. Innovative Membership Development and Retention Efforts In addition to our normal yearly activities designed around membership development and
retention, the chapter embarked upon two new items in 2015 designed around member
development and retention. These two items could be considered innovative since they change
a lot of how we do things.
1. The chapter began a young professionals committee that saw large success in 2015. A
detailed summary of the “YP” committee can be found in section II of this document.
2. The chapter reviewed and revised the committee structure in 2015. During our strategic
planning review session, we identified that a review of the committee structure was
needed to bring the Branch and Chapter committees in line with each other and to provide
more opportunities for members to participate. The result of this effort was
overwhelmingly successful and resulted in several members joining the various
committees late in 2015. This effort also allowed the Chapter and Branch to combine
efforts to work towards common goals rather than “do their own thing.”
The new Chapter and Branch Committee Outline can be found in Appendix I on the
following pages:
APWA Missouri Chapter Committee Structure
Standing Committees Established in Bylaws
Membership and Member ServicesDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionPaul Verheyen Todd Rehg Chair Shawnna Eerter Chair
Wade Montgomery Branch Rep. Shawnna Eerter Member
Spencer Litteken YP Rep. OPEN Member
Member
Committee Duties - Track Recruitment and Retention, New Member Welcome Letters, Anniversary pins, Welcoming and Mentoring new members,
Student Outreach (career fairs, student memberships, student chapter)
Continuing Education and TrainingDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionWes Thiessen New Chairman Chair Jim Eckrich Chair
Chris Linneman Branch Rep. Paul Wojoceichowski CL&L
Glenn Smith Inspector Training OPEN Roundtable
Vijay Bhasin Inspector Training Anne Lamitola Roundtable
YP Rep Jim Eckrich Roundtable
Conference Planning Subcommittee Conference Planning Subcommittee
Chris Linneman Co-Chair Bruce McGregor Member
Colleen Holtmeyer Co-Chair Member
Vendors
Committee Duties - Conference Planning, Roundtable Groups, LTAP Liaison, On-Site Trainings, Mid-Am Coordinator,
APWA National Training (Accredation, Leadership)
Awards and HistoricalDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionLee Cannon New Chairman Chair Vijay Bhasin Co-Chair
Vijay Bhasin Vince Tallo Tod Fagan Co-Chair
Eric Landwehr Past President - PACE Steve Stumpf YP Rep
Jeffrey Varughese YP Rep Bill Schwer Member
Johh Collins Member
Committee Duties - PACE Award, National Awards, Yearly Chapter Awards, Yearly Branch Awards (project, innovation, member),
Vince Tallo, Scholarships and Possible Internships
Advocacy and OutreachDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionMartin Gugel New Chairman Chair John Keeven Chair
Jason Dohrmann Member Scott Harding Member
Chris Krueger YP Rep Travis Helmkamp Member
Scott Bollinger Member
Zac Wolf Member
Jason Dohrman Member
Committee Duties - Public Works Week promotions, Public Works Week Proclamations, Legislative Outreach, APWA Advocates
Community Outreach, Chapter and Branch Charitable Endeavors
Appendix I - 1
APWA Missouri Chapter Committee Structure
Standing Committees Established in Bylaws
Special Events & ActivitiesDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionKeith Francis New Chairman Chair Kristyn Newbern Chair
OPEN Branch Rep. Pam Hobbs Member
OPEN YP Rep Jackie Lumsden YP Rep
OPEN YP Rep Matt Groves Member
Wendy Cromer Member
Golf Tournament Subcommittee Golf Tournament Subcommittee
Steve Schultz Chair Ben Niesen Co-Chair
Eric Landwehr Wes Theissen Co-Chair
John Frerking John Collins Member
OPEN YP Rep
Dave Nolan Member
Brett Gaither Member
Committee Duties - Quarterly chapter and branch activities, Conference Get Acquainted Socials and Dinners, Golf tournaments, YP events,
Joint ventures with other associations and organizations
CommunicationsDirector Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionJohn Collins New Chairman Chair OPEN Chair
Chris Boyd Branch Rep. Al Herl Member
Dominique Davinro YP Rep Scott Goforth Member
John Collins Member
Committee Duties - Website maintenance, email distribution, social media, Conference promotions, YAP App, video conferencing
partnerships with other associations and organizations
Special Committees Appointed Yearly by the President
Young Professionals GroupCommittee Chair Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionScott Goforth Steve Stumpf Member Chris Krueger Member
Kristyn Newbern Member Dominique Davinroy Member
Jacque Lumsden Member Spencer Litteken Member
Committee Duties - Recruit young professionals into the chapter, Welcoming committee, integrate YPs into chapter and branch committees
Strategic PlanningCommittee Chair Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionPast President Eric Landwehr Branch Rep. Mike Busch Branch Rep.
OPEN YP Rep Scott Goforth YP Rep
Member OPEN
Committee Duties - Assign strategic plan tasks and set goals, track progress of strategic plan implementation, conduct review sessions as needed
Appendix I - 2
APWA Missouri Chapter Committee Structure
Special Committees Appointed Yearly by the President
AuditCommittee Chair Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionTony Russo Steve Schultz to fill out Member Sunil Thakkar Member
Steve Schultz to fill out Member Al Herl Member
Steve Schultz to fill out Member Chris Krueger Member
Committee Duties - Perform the yearly audit of the chapter and branch accounting records as required by APWA National
NominatingCommittee Chair Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionPast President- Eric Landwehr
Committee Duties - Perform the yearly audit of the chapter and branch accounting records as required by APWA National
By LawsCommittee Chair Chapter Committee Position Branch Committee PositionBy Appointment Gary Scheipeter Member Mike Busch Member
Eric Landwehr Member
Scott Goforth YP Member
Committee Duties - Review and revise by laws to address new committee structure
Past Presidents Advisory CommitteeCommittee Chair Chapter Committee PositionPast President
Committee Duties - Advise the chapter president on issues coming before the chapter leaders
Appendix I - 3
II - 1
Social gathering of members at the spring conference in Jefferson City
II. SERVICE TO CHAPTER MEMBERS
A. Number of members attending meetings/events
Chapter Spring Conference, Jefferson City, Missouri – April 29 – May 1
126 Total Attendees
o 62 Members
o 64 Non-members
o There were 29 vendors and 24 speakers included in these numbers.
Chapter Fall Conference, Columbia, Missouri – November 8-10
199 Total Attendees
o 110 Members
o 89 Non-members
o There were 51 vendors and 25 speakers included in these numbers.
St. Louis Branch Luncheons
January – 81 April – 80 July – Approx. 80 October – 94
February – 67 May – 126 August – 97 December - 162
March - 81 June – 123 September – 76
Mid-MO Luncheon
April – Approximately 15 members
Social Networking Activities
II - 2
In addition to the social networking events at the two conferences, the St. Louis branch activities
committee held the following activities:
Blueberry Hill Happy Hour – St. Louis – April 9
Approximately 25 members in attendance
Washer Tournament after Branch Picnic – City of
Clayton Shaw – May 28
15 members participated in the tournament and
others stayed to watch
International Public Works Congress and Exposition – Phoenix, AZ – August 30 – September 2
Social Happy Hour Activity, Dinner and Drinks at Seamus McCaffrey's – August 30
Joint activity with the KC Metro Chapter
Hosted by members Corrective Asphalt Materials and TREKK Design Group
Approximately 25 Missouri Chapter members in attendance
Joint Social with SITE Improvement Association – O’Fallon Brewery – October 14
About 100 people attended with approximately 40 chapter members in attendance
Social Happy Hour – St. Charles – November 2
This event was after the Superintendent’s Roundtable and was sponsored by Corrective
Asphalt Materials. Approximately 20 members attended.
St. Louis Branch Holiday Lunch After Party – Hollywood Casino – December 10
162 members in attendance at Lunch, approximately 100 members attended the after
party
Young Professionals Committee Happy Hours – See section III for details
On average, approximately 40 people attended each event with about half of those being
chapter members
Community Service Activities (Information provided in Section IV)
Little Bit Foundation – St. Louis
15 members volunteered their time working to help needy children
Peddle The Cause – St. Louis
10 members volunteered their time working this event
Kickin’ For Water Kickball Tournament – St. Louis
The YP Committee entered a team with 14 members participating
Washer Tournament
II - 3
Crisis Nursery
Unknown number of participants in the fundraiser raffles
Golf Tournaments
7th
Annual Ken Yost Memorial Golf Tournament –
Paradise Valley Golf Club
113 total golfers, approximately 80 members.
APWA Mid-MO Fall Golf Classic III – Tanglewood Golf
Course
36 total golfers, approximately 20 members
Nine Click, Listen & Learn Events
Approximately 10 members each event
Roundtable Events
Street Superintendent’s Roundtables
City of Bridgton, April 15 – 17 members
City of St. Charles, November 2 – 15 members
Public Works Director and City Engineer Roundtables
City of Chesterfield, August 13 – 18 members
Executive Committee Meetings
January 28, Jefferson City – 13 members
April 29, Jefferson City – 14 members
July 29, Jefferson City – 13 members
November 8, Columbia – 14 members
B. Member-to-Member Outreach
The Missouri Chapter Communications Committee chaired by Director John Collins has been
tasked with providing the day to day communication with the members through monthly
newsletter, email notices, social media and an active website.
Newsletters
The newsletters feature articles about member activities, educational articles, notifications of
upcoming events, member awards, and many other items related to the activities of the
Missouri Chapter. The monthly newsletters feature a theme each month usually related to
upcoming activities. Members can also find job opportunity postings, sponsorship information
and meeting minutes.
Ken Yost Golf Tournament Ad
II - 4
Monthly Newsletter Header
Website
Items found in the newsletters are also posted on the website. In additional to the various
articles of chapter activities, meeting notices and announcements are found in the upcoming
events section. Members registering for conferences can access the registration information
on the website. The website is also the location to find a listing of the chapter and branch
leaders, chapter bylaws and other information. The website is maintained through the
National website template.
Email Notices
Items posted on the website and in the newsletter are also emailed as notices to chapter
members weekly and in some cases daily. These notices consist of many things including
upcoming meetings, job opportunities, upcoming activities, information from National and
special events such as community outreach activities. In 2015 the chapter moved away for
postcard mailing for conferences and went exclusively with emails. The concern in past years
was that older members would not be able to receive information about upcoming conferences,
however, that proved to be a non-factor with this change.
Social Media
The chapter has a Facebook page and twitter account but these
are used sparingly by members. Currently our members rely
primarily on email and the website as the notification method of
choice primarily. However, the chapter did create a LinkedIn
account in 2015 with two subgroups: St. Louis Branch and Young Professionals Committee.
Conference Scheduling App
In 2015 the Missouri Chapter began using a conference planning and scheduling app for
attendees. As our society moves towards paperless activities, our members are beginning to
implement that in chapter activities as well. Paper copies of schedules and information are
still available but a lot fewer copies have been made helping to cut down on costs and also
help the environment. The app we use is called Yapp and the version we use is free.
Membership Engagement/Volunteer Efforts
As mentioned earlier the chapter revised the strategic plan in 2015 and with that changed the
committee structure of the chapter and branch. This large effort was in part done to engage
the members on a higher level with the goal of increasing member participation in leadership
roles with the chapter and branch. The year ended with an unveiling of the new structure at
the fall conference and a push for volunteers. Implementation of this new structure will begin
in 2016.
In addition to the committee restructuring, the chapter continued to engage the members on a
local level through the many activities mentioned in Section A above and through volunteer
opportunities detailed in Section IV.
II - 5
Member Welcome Packages
The Membership director sends a welcome letter to all new members each month. This
practice has been done for several year.
Member Anniversary Pins
The membership director presents 10 year, 15 year, 20 year and lifetime membership pins to
members achieving these levels at each fall conference. At the fall conference in 2015, several
members in attendance received their pins. Members not in attendance are mailed their pins
after the conference.
Member Surveys
Post conference surveys were requested from attendees at the spring and fall conferences with
several completed in 2015. The spring conference received only 6 completed surveys with an
average score of 4.3/5 across all categories. At the fall conference the survey format was
changed and as a result received 115 completed surveys with an average score of 4.4/5. The
chapter conference planning committee uses these comments for improving and planning
subsequent conferences. The YP Committee conducted surveys of their YP members through
survey monkey.
Leadership Training
The Missouri chapter sponsored 3 members attendance at the APWA leadership training in
February 2015. President Eric Landwehr, Branch President Mike Busch and past Branch
President Anne Lamitola attended this training. The chapter participates in each bi-annual
leadership training provided by National.
C. Chapter Best Practices
The Chapter Best Practices for Capacity Building has been completed and submitted as a part of
this application.
II - 6
D. Chapter-to-Chapter Outreach
Mid-America Conference and Exhibit Show (Mid-Am)
Every three years, five Midwestern APWA chapters gather at a Spring conference called the
Mid-America Conference and Exhibit Show in Overland Park, Kansas. The chapters involved
are: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Kansas City Metro and Missouri. During 2015, three Missouri
Chapter members, John Frerking, Jason Dohrmann and Eric Landwehr were appointed to serve
on the committee planning the 2017 Mid-Am. The Missouri Chapter provides travel costs to
those persons to help defray the cost of attending the planning meetings in Kansas City,
Missouri. The chapter also promotes the Mid-Am Conference at chapter events and activities
throughout the year.
Gateway Branch of the Illinois Chapter
In 2015 St. Louis Branch members attended meetings of the Gateway Branch of the Illinois
Chapter. The purpose was to reach out to this chapter that shares the same geographical area but
separated by a state line. In January Ty Abbott attending a branch meeting and in March Ty and
2015 St. Louis Branch President Mike Busch attended a board of directors meeting of the
Gateway Branch and discussed upcoming events and initiatives and possibilities for combining
resources in the future.
Kansas City Metropolitan Chapter
KC Metro Chapter members are invited to our Spr ing and Fal l Conferences and
members attended both conferences in 2015. And at Congress in Phoenix both chapters
participated in a happy hour social event sponsored by member agencies of both chapters.
Accreditation Training On November 19, 2015 the Missouri Chapter hosted an Accreditation Training in Clayton,
Missouri, taught by Ann Daniels. This free training was posted on the National website and
offered to all APWA members. One member from the Nebraska Chapter attended as well as
four members of the Illinois Chapter. Strategic Plan The Missouri Chapter’s strategic plan is routinely used by National as a model for other chapters
when they are either creating or reviewing their strategic plan. The first plan was completed in 2010
and in 2015 a revised strategic plan was drafted by a strategic planning committee appointed by the
president. It is expected that this plan will also be used by National for the same purposes.
See Section III-D for details of the new strategic plan.
II - 7
E. Chapter Diversity/Inclusiveness Programs or Activities
Historically the public works profession in Missouri has been an older white male dominated
field and the Missouri Chapter has faced this issue over the years. However, with new
generations of employees entering the workforce, more women and minorities are entering the
public works field. In fact, 21% of the new members in 2015 were women. Several women
accepted leadership roles in chapter in 2015, including election of Anne Lamitola as Secretary at
the Fall Conference.
In the past, the term “diversity” meant mixing men and women and minorities. However, in
2015 the Missouri Chapter embarked on a plan to address an emerging type of diversity called
“Intergenerational Diversity.” This type of diversity is becoming extremely important as our
older workers and chapter members retire out of the workforce. The Missouri Chapter
implemented a Young Professionals Committee in 2015 which will be discussed later in this
document. This committee, as one of its core functions, worked to bridge the generation gap in
the chapter helping to integrate the new generations of members into the chapter.
The chapter had a session at the Fall Conference entitled “Intergenerational Diversity.” This
session was standing room only and received great reviews.
The strategic planning review session held in 2015 included young and older members and 3
women leaders in the chapter. One objective that came out of the session was to maximize
membership opportunities in underrepresented segments of the chapter boundaries. The goal of
this objective is to reach out to minorities and young members in the public works field and
target them for membership. Achieving this will help to create a more diverse chapter.
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F. Young / Emerging Professionals
In 2015, the Missouri Chapter implemented a Young Professionals
Committee. This committee is chaired by Scott Goforth. Below are
the results of the committee’s efforts in 2015.
2015 SHORT TERM GOALS
1. DEVELOP / REFINE YPC’S MISSION STATEMENT - This shall be discussed to ensure that the
National APWA Young Professionals Mission statement should be adopted or revised to better match
the Missouri Chapter’s goals.
Completed - January 28th, Executive Board Meeting - Keep National’s YPC Mission Statement
2. DEVELOP YPC’S STRUCTURE / HIEARCHY & POSITION DESCRIPTIONS - Young
Professional Committees around the county have organized themselves in different ways. Missouri
Chapter’s YP Committee is tasked with defining its internal structure to best achieve and serve its
mission statement.
Completed - January 28th, Executive Board Meeting - YPC will remain as a State Chapter Committee
and will continue to advise the Executive Board and Directors on YP issues. YPC members can
decide how to set up its internal structure as they see fit.
At the close of 2015, the MO APWA Executive Committee began working to reorganize the State’s
Committee structure to more effectively include St. Louis Branch Committee members and the
growing Young Professional Committee.
3. DETERMINE YPC’S COMMUNICATION STRUCTURE - Develop and implement an internal
and external communications structure to appropriately distribute and store the Young Professional
Committee’s information and files.
The YP Committee decided that it will utilize the Chapter’s Google Drive account to effectively pass
information from acting Chair to future Chair each year. Email will remain the primary
communication and scheduling tool for all YP events.
The MO APWA Young Professional Committee held monthly organizational meetings 1 hour prior to
each St. Louis Branch luncheon.
4. ASSIST CHAPTER’S REVISIONS TO SHORT TERM STRATEGIC PLAN - The YP
Committee shall assist the Executive Committee with the development / revision of the MO Chapter
APWA Short Term Strategic Plan.
During the September 21, 2015 MO APWA Strategic Planning Sessions, three YP Committee
Members were present to assist in the development of the 5 Year Plan; Scott Goforth, Chair, Kristyn
Newbern, and Dominque Davinroy.
5. DEVELOP STUDENT OUTREACH PROGRAM - The YP Committee is to develop and
implement a Student Outreach Program with the purpose of promoting the APWA organization in an
effort to increase membership statewide.
The Outreach Committee, headed by Spencer Litteken, investigated career fair opportunities and
attended two during the year:
University of Missouri St. Louis - September 18th, 2015
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St. Louis University - September 23rd, 2015
The YP Committee, with the approval of the State Chapter, developed and purchased MO APWA
Career Fair / Vendor Booth Exhibit Materials including banners and table clothes.
6. IMPLEMENT SOCIAL NETWORKING EVENTS - Social events and cross-networking events
shall be scheduled and organized to promote the APWA’s Mission Statement and increase exposure to
the organization.
January 22nd, 2015 Happy Hour at Fox & Hounds
February 26th, 2015 Happy Hour at LLywelyn’s Pub
March 27th, 2015 Happy Hour at The Grand Hall at Union Station
April 24th, 2015 Happy Hour at Schlafly Bottleworks
May 21st, 2015 Happy Hour at Flying Saucer
July 30th, 2015 Happy Hour at Felix’s Pizza Pub
September 18th, 2015 Happy Hour at The Schlafly Tap Room
7. INVESTIGATE SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR PUBLIC WORKS AGENGIES - Succession
Planning is a tool that many public agencies cannot afford to spend resources to develop. The YP
Committee will be tasked with the development of educational material and resources that public
agencies may use to lessen the impact of staff turnover and training.
LONG TERM GOALS
INCREASE YP’S MEMBERSHIP - Collaboration with State and Local Branch Membership
Committees to recruit and retain Young Professionals and increase the overall membership of the
organization.
PROMOTE YP’S PARTICIPATION ON STATE AND BRANCH COMMITTEES - Increase
Young Professional participation on existing committees to develop / mentor our future Public Works
leaders.
YP RELATED ISSUES - Plan a long term role on the Executive Committee as a liaison to young
professional related issues.
PARTICIPATE WITH CONFERENCE PLANNING - Members of the YP Committee shall be
integrated onto conference planning committees to represent Young Professional’s interest. The main
goal being to increase the Young Professional attendance at APWA conferences.
APWA MISSOURI CHAPTER’S
YOUNG PROFESSSIONAL COMMITTEE
2015 - INAUGURAL YEAR
Scott Goforth, PE, CHAIR Chris Krueger
Andrea Schumann Mark Stirnamann
Jake Schaeffer, EI Kristyn Newbern
Ben Niesen, PE Steve Meyer, PE
Spencer Litteken Beth Manning, MBA
Jackque Lumsden Tom O’Mare
Dominique Davinroy Kevin Ostermiller, PE
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III. ADVANCEMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SUSTAINABILITY
A. Awards/recognition programs
The Missouri Chapter has a very well established awards and recognition program for chapter
members and non-members. The chapter also submits nominations for national awards as a
requirement of the PACE award.
In 2015 the St. Louis Branch implemented as a pilot project chapter Project of the Year awards
and also added a Special Service Appreciation Award. Members and projects from the St. Louis
Metropolitan Area are eligible for these awards. One member and several projects received
awards and the program proved to be successful. The goal is to implement a chapter project
award program on a full chapter level in the coming years.
Information on all these awards and submittals are as follows:
2015 Chapter Member / Non-member Awards
D2 Award
Kenneth Stumpf, P.E. (Posthumously)
Bartlett & West, Inc.
Professional Engineer of the Year Award
Anne Lamitola, P.E.
City of Ladue
Public Works Leader of the Year Award
Bob Ruck – Public Sector
City of Manchester
Tony Russo – Private Sector
TREKK Design Group, LLC
Vince Tallo Awards
Frank Clark, City of Des Peres
Ronald Jackson, City of Columbia
Creedon Miller, City of Columbia
David Straight, City of Columbia
Thomas J. Boedeker, St. Louis County
Mike J. McMahon City of St. Louis
Gerard L. Lippold, St. Louis County
William J. Walterscheid, St. Louis County
Timothy Hale, City of Clayton
Al. Herl, Laclede Gas Company
Susanne Kraft, City of Black Jack
Bob Ruck receiving his award at the Fall Conference
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Larry Bishop, Cole County
Greg Block, Cole County
Johnny Jones, Cole County
Walter Prenger, Cole County
Dan Scherer, City of O'Fallon
Rex Conner, City of Kirksville
David Coy, City of Kirksville
Russell Pruett, City of Kirksville
Kevin Kuse, City of Springfield
Chester Wheeler, City of Springfield
Brian Adams, City of Springfield
David Burrell, City of Springfield
Stan Murrell, City of Springfield
Mr. Michael Wester, City of Springfield
Dennis G. Niehaus, Kuhlmann Design Group
Mr. Ken Barnett, Metropolitan Sewer District
Bill Hargrove, Metropolitan Sewer District
Wayne Hilterbrand, Metropolitan Sewer District
Dave Richardson, Metropolitan Sewer District
Joel Treat of, Metropolitan Sewer District
Henry E. Hoover, City of Mexico
Information about the Chapter Member/Non-member Awards is as follows:
D2 Award
The D Squared Award is the highest recognition award presented by the Missouri Chapter of
APWA. It was established in 1992 to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence and
dedication in serving the public and the public interest through outstanding achievements and
performance in the field of Public Works. The D Squared Award was named to commemorate
and recognize the services of Mr. Allan B. Dieckgraefe and Mr. Walter Davidson, who both
worked untiringly on behalf of the APWA, the Missouri Chapter and the goals of the
organization.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Candidates must be active members of APWA for at least ten years and have made
significant contributions to the field of Public Works. APWA membership is required.
Members of the Chapter Board of Directors are not eligible during the time they serve on the
board.
• Candidates must possess a minimum of ten years of qualifying experience in the public
works field.
• Candidates must manage a diverse engineering and technology service delivery program
characterized by creative engineering activities with a record of
developing/utilizing/leveraging technology.
Vince Tallo Award Recipients at the Branch Picnic
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Selection Criteria:
APWA Service – Outstanding leadership and contributions to the Missouri Chapter and/or
St. Louis Branch of APWA.
Other Professional Organizations – Significant contributions to the advancement of
Engineering and Technology by participating in professional organizations.
Agency Service – Implementation of effective methods to optimize fiscal management of
engineering and technological operations.
Community Service – Promotion of the field of engineering and technology management in
the community, agency or customers served.
Professional Engineer of the Year Award
The Professional Engineer of the Year Award seeks to inspire excellence and dedication in the
private and public sectors by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of
engineering and technology professionals.
The primary focus of this award is recognition of exceptional leadership and management in the
public works profession.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Any individual whose primary responsibility is management of public works engineering
and/or technology related activities is eligible.
• APWA membership is required. Members of the Chapter Board of Directors are not eligible
during the time they serve on the board.
• Candidates must possess a minimum of ten years of qualifying experience.
• Candidates may be employed by either the public or private sector. However, their career
service must be in the area of public works engineering and technology.
• Candidates must manage a diverse engineering and technology service delivery program
characterized by creative engineering activities with a record of
developing/utilizing/leveraging technology.
Selection Criteria:
APWA Service – Outstanding leadership and contributions to the Missouri Chapter and/or
St. Louis Branch of APWA.
Other Professional Organizations – Significant contributions to the advancement of
Engineering and Technology by participating in professional organizations.
Agency Service – Implementation of effective methods to optimize fiscal management of
engineering and technological operations.
Community Service – Promotion of the field of engineering and technology management in
the community, agency or customers served.
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Public Works Leader of the Year
The Public Works Leader of the Year award seeks to inspire excellence and dedication in public
service by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of individual public works
professionals and officials, from both the public and private sectors. The primary focus of the
award is on career service to the public works profession rather than on any one single event of
project.
Eligibility Requirements:
The intent of this award is to recognize the career service accomplishments of public works
professionals and officials in either the public or private sector. Candidates with a minimum of
ten years qualifying experience may be nominated from any of the following categories. APWA
membership is not required. Officers and members of the Board of Directors are not eligible
during the time they serve in these positions.
Public sector candidates may come from any of the three following categories.
• Any non-elected, full-time employee of a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal
government, that is responsible for one or more major subdivisions of a governmental
agency. Most of the candidates time and efforts must be devoted to the administration and
management of the design, construction, maintenance and/or operation of a street or highway
system, refuse collection or disposal system, public building, drainage or flood control
facility, airport, harbor, or any other type of public works installation.
• Service in an appointed (non-elected) position of a board or commission charged with
oversight or policy level review of public works or infrastructure issues. Such service may
have been at the federal, state, provincial, county or municipal government level dealing with
surface transportation systems, refuse, solid waste, and recycling systems, public buildings,
drainage or flood control, airports, harbors, or any other type of public works or
infrastructure systems. Such positions may typically be represented by the following
examples: City Manager; Public Works Commissioner; Roads Commissioner; Highway
Commissioner; Transportation Commissioner; Airport Commissioner; Port Authority
Commissioner; or other comparable position.
• Elected officials who have prior qualifying experience from either category above may also
be considered as candidates.
Private sector public works and/or civil engineering professionals having a minimum of ten years
of involvement in private sector of public works activities may be eligible, if their qualifying
activities have come from the following areas:
• Experience as a contract Director of Public Works/City Engineer or comparable position,
which was provided by means of a contract service from a private sector firm to a
governmental entity.
• A combination of prior qualifying experience in the public sector and/or service as a
consultant engaged in the provision of public works related services to the public sector.
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Vince Tallo Award
The APWA’s “30-Year-Service Award” was renamed the
“Vincent A. Tallo Award” after Laclede’s former superintendent
of the Right of Way Department. Mr. Tallo was an active
member of APWA until his sudden death in 2002. The intent of
the award is to recognize the dedicated service of public works
individuals, who perform the responsibilities in an exceptionally
efficient and courteous manner. The Vince Tallo Award is given
to persons with 30 or more years of service to a single public
agency. These awards are normally given out at the St. Louis
Branch picnic during National Public Works Week.
National Award Nominations
The chapter annually nominates a member for Top Ten Leader of the Year and also three or
more other National Awards. There were no winners from the Missouri Chapter in 2015.
St. Louis Branch Project of the Year Awards and Service Appreciation Award
Public Works Project of the Year Award– Less than $250,000
The 2015 winner was the “City of Woodson Terrace Parking Lot”. The team consisted of City
of Woodson Terrace, Bhasin Associates, Bax Engineering & Vee Jay Cement Contracting
Company.
This award is for the excellence in the management and administration of a public works projects
and recognizes the alliance between the managing agency, the consulting firm and the contractor
who, working together, complete a public works project.
Public Works Project of the Year Award– Greater than $250,000 The 2015 winner was the “Route 109 Widening and Roundabouts”. The team consisted of the
City of Wildwood, HR Green Inc. and J.M. Marschuetz Construction Company.
This award is for the excellence in the management and administration of a public works projects
and recognizes the alliance between the managing agency, the consulting firm and the contractor
who, working together, complete a public works project.
Technical Innovation Award
The 2015 winner was the “Rehabilitation of the Holloway Culvert”. The team was made up of
the City of Ballwin and Access Engineering.
This award is to recognize an individual, team, or organization for the development, management
and implementation of a creative idea, device, process or system that enhances the goals of the
public works in serving the public and protecting the environment.
Vincent A. Tallo
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Management Innovation Award
The 2015 winner was the “IMap Right of Way Management System”. The team is made up of
the City of St. Louis Street Department, City of St. Louis City Planning & Urban Design Agency
and the Laclede Gas GIS & Mapping Department
This award is to recognize an individual, team, or organization for the development, management
and implementation of a creative idea, device, process or system that enhances the goals of the
public works in serving the public and protecting the environment.
Service Appreciation Award
The 2015 award winner was Mr. Bryan Pearl, Director of Public Works for the City of
Maryland Heights.
This award is to recognize distinguished public service and commitment and years of
outstanding service to the St. Louis Metro Branch of the Missouri Chapter APWA and the public
works profession.
Service Appreciation Award Winner Bryan Pearl
“My success in public works has been in empowering my employees and co-workers to continuously
improve by introducing innovative programs and technology for a more efficient, productive, and
sustainable department, and working together with the public and elected officials to provide improved
communications that have resulted in a higher level of service to the community.”
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B. Public Works Promotion
Public Works Week
On May 17-23, 2015, the Missouri Chapter celebrated National Public Works Week. The
chapter recognizes the importance of National Public Works Week in promotion of the public works
profession, and those activities related to the profession. To encourage members in promoting National
Public Works Week, the Chapter provides members a variety of items for use in hosting Public Works
Week promotional events and activities. The funding limit per agency is $100 and items may be ordered
off of the National APWA website. Many agencies order more than the allotted amount and pay for the
difference. The following is a list of agencies utilizing this funding:
Branson Florissant Ballwin
Chesterfield Columbia Kirksville
Webster Groves Maryland Heights Mexico
Ellisville O’Fallon Richmond Heights
Springfield Wentzville
All of these agencies as well as several others hold employee appreciate events and do
equipment displays at open houses and/or for the local schools. In central Missouri, the
Jefferson City and Cole County public works departments hold a joint employee appreciation
picnic that is also attended by the mayor, city council members and county commissioners.
Chapter members also meet with school children and civic groups in an effort to share what we
do for our community as public works professionals.
An example of agencies holding special events is the City
of Mexico. Public works employees spoke to about 40
2nd
graders at McMillan elementary school in Mexico
about public works, and showed them the closed circuit
TV for sewer inspection and the street sweeper. Kensey
Russell, Director of Public Works, met with the children
and talked to them about public works.
The City Council also issued a proclamation for public
works week and recognized Mr. Henry Hoover for his
long years of service with the Vince Tallo award.
Kensey Russell
Closed Circuit TV Demonstration Street Sweeper Demonstration
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Public Works Week Proclamation
Every year the Chapter requests and receives a signed proclamation naming
public works week from the Missouri Governor’s office. In some years
chapter members from Missouri and Kansas City Metro meet with the
governor for the proclamation signing. In 2015 Governor Jeremiah “Jay”
Nixon was not able to accommodate this request but his office did send a
signed proclamation through the mail.
Media Campaign
In 2015, Chapter President Eric Landwehr engaged the media on multiple occasions in Central
Missouri to promote the public works profession. He issued a press release announcing National
Public Works Week and also accommodated media coverage of local public works projects.
Members in other areas of the state engage the media on a regular basis as well.
Education Outreach
The St. Louis Branch conducts a Construction Inspection Review Course every even year.
Planning for the 2016 course started in 2015. The course materials are from the APWA
Bookstore. Topics covered include construction inspection, contract administration and current
technologies. Operations staff from several member agencies of the chapter attend the course.
The Chapter also participates in several educational outreach programs in the community.
Details of these opportunities are listed in Section IV. One particular item added in 2015 is the
partnership with the Engineering Center of St. Louis:
Engineering Center of St. Louis – Council of Affiliate Societies
The St. Louis Branch joined this council in 2015 and chapter members attended the meetings.
The council is a cooperation of the many associations and societies in the St. Louis area that have
an emphasis in engineering, including public works. Two goals of the council that the Missouri
Chapter members are working on are:
1. Promotion of Engineer’s Week in February 2016 with planned events centered on
promotion of the profession and public works in the community.
Springfield Public Works Appreciation Picnic during Public Works Week
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2. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Initiative in the schools. This is
centered on promoting engineering to students.
On October 12, 2015, two chapter members participated in a STEM outreach program at St.
Charles Community College.
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C. Professional Development
The Missouri Chapter offers several educational opportunities for the members and associated
non-members throughout the year. The two chapter conferences in 2015 offered many classes
and presentations for the members to gain knowledge in the public works field as well as
leadership training. The St. Louis Branch offers a presentation at several of the monthly
luncheons. For professional engineers, PDH credits are available at these events and members
can earn more than what is required by the State of Missouri over a two year period. Non-
engineers can grow professionally with these programs as well.
The chapter participates in the Click, Listen & Learn program and these sessions typically
involve a technical or leadership topic in which PDH credits are available.
Member agencies also cooperate with other entities and hold educational events for members
and non-members.
The St. Louis Branch held Superintendent and Director Roundtable meetings in 2015. These
events allow the members to visit and discuss similar issues and items that they encounter in
their daily work. Having these roundtable discussions are vital to cooperation efforts in the St.
Louis metropolitan area and offer the members an excellent opportunity to learn what other
agencies are doing, thus improving their operations as a result.
The Chapter Continuing Education and Training director is a member of the Missouri LTAP
Advisory Committee helping the plan and promote educational opportunities for member
agency employees. LTAP training is typically held for front line employees that normally do
not get the opportunity to attend many of the chapter events. The director attended the meetings
of the LTAP advisory committee in 2015.
On November 19, 2015 the Missouri Chapter hosted an Accreditation Training in Clayton,
Missouri, taught by Ann Daniels. This free training was attended by approximately 18 Missouri
Chapter members and included 5 members from other chapters. Accreditation is promoted by
National and the Missouri Chapter has three accredited agencies: Springfield, Columbia and
the most recent in 2015, Chesterfield. In fact, Chesterfield became the 100th
APWA accredited
agency in North America.
The Donald C. Stone Center is promoted by the chapter through the newsletters and discussion
by our chapter delegate. The chapter has members trained through the DCS center who serve as
PWLF mentors. In 2015 as part of the overall scholarship program section during the strategic
planning session, there was discussion about adding a scholarship/sponsorship of a member to
the DCS center and this was added to the plan. A decision on this will be made in 2016.
Additional specific details for the various chapter events are as follows:
Spring Conference Topics – Jefferson City
APWA Resources and Member Benefits
Stormwater Regulation Updates
A Practical Guide to the ADA
GIS for Utilities
The Floodplain Elevation Certificate
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White Cane Walk (ADA hands on training)
Bike and Pedestrian Facilities
Competitive Transportation Funding Programs
Legislative Update
Latest Technologies in Concrete Pavement
Employment and Labor Law 101
MoDOT Resources Available to You
Asphalt Maintenance Preservation:
Stretching Dollars to Meet Needs
Fall Conference Topics – Columbia
Public Works Institutes
Pavement Preservation: Applied Asset Management
NPDES Phase II Audits
Asset Management in the City of Grandview
Building with Trees
Pavement Marking Strategies
Intergenerational Diversity
Joplin Stormwater Damage Assessment
LiDAR for Line of Sight and Hydrology
A Defensible Approach to Flood Mitigation, Stream Restoration and Water Quality
Evolution of Data
Environmental Regulations for Local Public Agencies
Current Legal Trends in Public Works
High Achievers MindsetTM
Branch Luncheon Presentations
“Crisis Management on Social Media and Media Training” – January
“Changes to the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act” – February
“Overwhelming Odds” – March
“Envision Infrastructure Rating System-Fostering and Recognizing Sustainable Practices for Infrastructure”
– April
“College Scholarship Winners and Vince Tallo Award Presentations” – May
“Green Infrastructure”and “St. Louis Branch Award Presentations - June
“Weapons of Mass Destruction Presented by the FBI” – July
"Performance and Payment Bonds" – August
“Climate Change” – September
“Evolution of Bicycling in the City of Saint Louis” - October
Click, Listen & Learn Programs
National Highway Institute – An Introduction to the Road Diet
Weather for Public Works
Congratulations, You Are Now an NPDES Phase II MS4
What to do with Historic Buildings? Tips on Management, Maintenance and Retro-Commissioning
Resilient Cities? A Discussion with Chief Resilience Officers
Public Works Senior Leaders Talk About Traffic Incident Management
APWA Accreditation – The Mark of Professionalism, Preparing Your Agency for Success
Paver 7TM
– What is it and Why Do I Need It?
Urban Forestry Role in Community Resilience
A White Cane Walk demonstrates how
blind people navigate sidewalks and
exposes ADA deficiencies
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D. Promotes Sustainability in Public Works Management
The mission and purpose of this chapter are to cause and share with our community, the advancement
of the theory and practice of design, construction, maintenance, administration and operation of public
works facilities and services; the dissemination of information and experiences; the promotion of
improved practices in public works administration; the expectation that all member public works
officials will adhere to high professional and ethical standards; and the professional and social
improvement of its members, as set forth in the “Rules Governing Chapters of the American Public
Works Association.
This mission and purpose drives the chapter and its members to promote the very best of public works
professionals. The chapter’s end goal of this mission is to promote sustainability in public works
management. A strategic plan was adopted in 2010 so in 2015 a review and update to the strategic plan
was necessary. A diverse group of chapter leaders met in St. Louis in September for a two day session.
Brian Van Norman, Chapter Relations Director for APWA, served as a moderator for the sessions. In
between sessions, a social gathering of these leaders took place at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.
Information gathered from the sessions was compiled and a new strategic plan draft was completed in
November in advance of the Fall Conference. Prior to the conference a smaller group of leaders met
and began work on one item from the draft plan. This item was a review and restructuring of the
chapter and branch committee and director positions. The new committee plan was presented at the
fall conference and implementation began late in 2015.
The committee restructuring has been overwhelmingly successful and the future of the chapter has
been significantly impacted by this change in 2015.
Below is a Summary of the 2015 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1 Focus Area: Membership Recruitment, Engagement & Retention
Objective Areas
Develop outreach initiatives to recruit and engage members across the state
Maximize membership opportunities in underrepresented segments and agencies
Assess perceived value of membership
Chapter Scholarship
Goal 2 Focus Area: Education and Training
Objective Areas
Provide high quality presentations for the fall and spring conferences
Increase the awareness and participation in chapter educational programs across the state levering
technology resources
Reach the ranks of the para-professionals members of public works agencies and private
organizations
Promote the improved practices developed in public works
Goal 3 Focus Area: Membership Services
Objective Areas
Increase the interface opportunities with APWA National
Explore affiliation opportunities with other organizations
Review Chapter & Branch Committee Structure
Educational and Networking Opportunities
Community Service
Sponsorships
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E. Advocacy Outreach
As mentioned in other areas of this submittal, the Missouri Chapter revised the chapter and branch
director and committee structure as part of the new strategic plan drafted in 2015. One item in
particular was to add the emphasis area of Advocacy to the director position in charge of public works
week. In past years, the chapter was hesitant to engage in discussion of political positions. However,
through information learned at leadership training attended by members in Kansas City in February
2015, the chapter decided to take a more active role in promoting the public works profession with
elected officials. The chapter newsletter was used as a tool to promote advocacy to our members in
2015.
At the Spring and Fall Conferences, the program committee secured two elected officials to speak on
issues affecting public works in the Missouri Legislature. At the spring conference in Jefferson City,
State Senator Mike Kehoe spoke on transportation issues in Missouri and at the fall conference in
Columbia, State Representative Rocky Miller discussed issues affecting public works. Senator Kehoe
is a former Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman and Representative Miller is
one of only two engineers in the state legislature. Both are strong supporters of transportation and
public works.
As mentioned, the 2015 Strategic Plan update addressed this issue specifically with restructuring the
director position. The previous title of National APWA Services changed to Advocacy and Outreach.
The previous duties stayed the same but several were added to bring the chapter in line with the branch
community service committee. The main addition was advocacy of public works through joining the
APWA Advocates and legislative outreach. With this change being implemented in late 2015, no
actual progress was completed in 2015 but the groundwork was laid for future years. One specific item
identified in 2015 was to schedule meetings with the transportation committees of both the Missouri
House of Representatives and State Senate.
IV - 1
IV. SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
A. Education Outreach Programs
College Scholarship Program
The Missouri Chapter offers two scholarships yearly and the St. Louis Branch offers one. The
winners were announced in May 2015 and two of the three winners attended the awards
ceremony at the St. Louis Branch Picnic in May. Descriptions and winners are listed below:
Chapter Continuing Education Scholarship
The Missouri Chapter Continuing Education Scholarship is awarded to a Missouri student who
has completed a two-year pre-engineering program at any college or university in the state of
Missouri who plans to enter or continue enrollment at a Missouri university to complete a degree
in engineering or public administration. This $2,500 scholarship may be used at any accredited
college or university in the state of Missouri.
Kelly Heckemeyer was awarded this scholarship in 2015. She is a junior at Missouri S&T and is
pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. Kelly is a previous scholarship recipient of the chapter.
Chapter Technology Scholarship
The Missouri Chapter Technology Scholarship is awarded to a Missouri High School senior or
graduate of a Missouri high school, who plans to enter a Missouri technical school in a program
leading to a career in Public Works, including the fields of construction technology, surveying,
heavy equipment operation, parks, grounds, and building maintenance, fleet maintenance or
related fields. This $2,500 scholarship may be used at any accredited technical school or
technical college in the state of Missouri.
Bryan Redd was awarded this scholarship in 2015. He began studying at the University of
Missouri – Kansas City in the fall of 2015 and is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.
St. Louis Branch Ken Yost Memorial Scholarship
The Ken Yost Memorial Scholarship is offered in honor of Mr. Ken Yost, Public Works Director
of Kirkwood, Missouri to a Missouri High School senior who plans to pursue a degree in a field
leading to a career in Public Works. This $2,000 scholarship may be used at any accredited
college or university.
Joshua Gabel was awarded this scholarship in 2015. He began studying
at the University of Missouri in the fall of 2015 and is pursuing a degree
in Engineering.
Engineering Center of St. Louis – Council of Affiliate Societies
As mentioned in Section III, the Missouri Chapter joined the
Engineering Center of St. Louis. The mission of the Center is to
advance the engineering profession, raise awareness of current issues in
the industry, and encourage the next generation to pursue a career in
engineering by building interest in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Math. This is known as the STEM initiative.
IV - 2
Chapter members worked in 2015 to plan the first Engineering Discovery Fair during
Engineering Week in February 2016 as well as a Show Me Engineering Workshop. Additional
activities planned for 2016 include open house events at member public works agencies.
Student Chapter at State Technical College of Missouri
The Missouri Chapter began sponsorship of a Student Chapter at the State Technical College of
Missouri in Linn, MO in 2010. As the only two-year vocational/technical education institution
in Missouri with a state-wide mission, it is home to programs of study that are found nowhere
else in the state, making it a logical choice for APWA to be involved.
Unfortunately the Student Chapter disbanded in 2015 upon the completion of the 2014-2015
school year. Member Diane Heckemeyer was the faculty chair of the student chapter until 2014
when she was promoted to a different position at the College. She subsequently has left the
College and with her departure a decision was made by the student activities director there to no
longer continue the chapter.
Student Outreach Program - College Career Fairs
Following the decision to disband the Student Chapter, the
Missouri Chapter embarked on a new opportunity to
participate in college career fairs at universities in
Missouri. The goal of this mission is to present job
opportunities of member agencies to students at these
universities and promote the APWA organization to
students upon graduation in an effort to increase
membership. This effort was headed up by the YP
Committee and they attended two career fairs in 2015:
University of Missouri St. Louis - September 18
St. Louis University - September 23
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
For several years, the Chapter has partnered with
the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
to develop training programs statewide and
provide to member and non-member agencies the
MO-LTAP Scholars program. This program is
targeted to training for superintendents and
foremen in the transportation sector of Public
Works. In 2015 the program had nearly 450
applicants representing 49 agencies. Several
Chapter members serve on the MoLTAP
Advisory Council, including the chapter
continuing education and training director.
MO LTAP Director and chapter member Heath
Pickerell presenting certificates and awards
Members Scott Goforth and Kristyn Newbern
visiting with students at a career fair
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B. Community Service Programs
The Little Bit Foundation
On Thursday May 13th, a group of 15 APWA members
volunteered at Little Bit Foundation. Little Bit serves
5,000 elementary and middle school students in 17 St.
Louis area schools with the vision to break down the
barriers of poverty on a child’s ability to enter the classroom confident and ready to learn. Little Bit’s
presence in schools, working one-on-one with each child, combined with providing necessities such
as clothing, shoes, food, wellness checks and eye-glasses, ensures each child’s personal dignity, and
has the power to change lives. They do so with the mission that every person can make an impact in a
child’s life – it just takes a “little bit” to help.
APWA volunteers first watched a video on Little Bit’s mission and vision then received a tour of the
ware-house facility used to house the items provided for needy children. We spent approximately 1
hour sorting and creating dental kits (toothbrush and toothpaste) for the students that the foundation
serves and sorting toiletry items Little Bit received as part of their ‘April Showers’ donation drive. A
little competitive spirit between two rival work groups resulted in the packaging of just over 1,400
dental kits that will be passed out to students next school year. A third group sorted multiple boxes of
donated toiletry items.
Chapter Members Volunteering at the Little Bit Foundation
Crisis Nursery St. Louis
Since 2012, the St. Louis Branch of the Missouri APWA has adopted
families from the St. Louis Crisis Family Nursery during the holiday
season to provide a brighter Christmas morning to those in need. In
2015 we raised our highest total to date and were able to adopt two
families and supply the Crisis Nursery with additional money to help
other families as well.
To raise money for this endeavor, the Branch holds raffles at the May, October and December
branch luncheon meetings. Prizes for the raffle are donated from member companies and this
has proved to be a very successful and fun way of raising money for an important charity in the
area.
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Charitable Programs at Conferences
At each conference in 2015, the chapter designated a local charity in the host to assist as part of
the conference activities. This began in 2012 as part of our charitable activities as a chapter.
Spring Conference
In August, Missouri Chapter President Eric Landwehr visited
the Special Learning Center in Jefferson City and delivered a
check in the amount of $1,000. This money was raised at the
spring conference in Jefferson City with the cooperation of
our luncheon speaker, former MLB pitcher Tom Henke. His
daughter Amanda is a former student of the Special Learning
Center. Shown in the picture with Eric is Tom Henke, SLC
director Debbie Hamler and one of their students. The
chapter’s donation will go to provide five of the mobility cars
shown in the picture. “Go Baby Go” is a program that
provides modified, ride-on cars to young children with
disabilities so they can move around independently. The modified toy cars give children with
mobility disabilities a chance to play and socialize with their peers more easily.
Fall Conference
At the fall conference the chapter coordinated a raffle to raise money for the Food Bank for
Central and Northeast Missouri, which is based in Columbia. A total of $440 was raised.
Peddle The Cause
The “Pedal The Cause – A World Without Cancer” event was
an opportunity for APWA/APWA YP members to participate
in a community outreach event on Sunday, September 27,
2015. Approximately 10 volunteers assisted SugarFire BBQ
to serve lunch to the bicyclists, checking wristbands and light
cleanup. Pedal the Cause gives 100% of participant donations
to Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital to
advance lifesaving cancer research.
Kickin’ for Water Kickball Tournament
The Young Professionals Committee entered a team in the Kickin’ for Water kickball
tournament on September 19th
. The event was sponsored by the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis
and Engineers Without Borders – USA Gateway Professional Chapter and the goal was to raise
money to implement a drinking water system in Komucala, Bolivia. Fourteen chapter members
participated in the event.
IV - 5
2015 Missouri Chapter Kickball Team
Adopt-a-Street
Since 2013, the chapter members in the Springfield area have adopted a street and regularly pick
up trash and clean the right-of-way. The road they adopted is heavily by pedestrians much of
which are students and government workers near the college campus in Springfield. Having
APWA recognition in this area highlights the chapter’s contribution to that community.
Springfield Adopt-a-Street