Manitoba Chapter THE THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE ALBERTA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, THE SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, THE MANITOBA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, AND THE ALBERTA MUNICIPAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION ROADRUNNER FALL 2020 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ONLINE Also Inside: Shifting Into Winter Communities Respond to COVID-19 Uncovering Underground Sewer Issues And much more! Culture RecruitingUp Front 7 A Message from the Canadian Public Works Association 9 A Message from the British Columbia Public Works Association 11 A Message from the Alberta Public Works Association 13 A Message from the Saskatchewan Public Works Association 14 A Message from the Manitoba Public Works Association 15 A Message from Alberta Municipal Supervisors’ Association In Every Issue 16 Legal Brief: Shimco Lien, Untitled Lands, and Release of Holdbacks 18 What’s New? 22 HR Report: People are the Engine of Public Works: Recruiting for Culture 24 HR Report: Get Ready to Shift Into Winter: Ways to Reduce Winter Driving Injuries 26 Community Highlight: How Alberta Responded to COVID-19 to Keep Water Supplies Safe 28 Community Highlight: “Fit for Duty” – Managing Critical Information at the Onset of a Pandemic Crisis Tech Talk 30 Cement Stabilization for Roads in Schanzenfeld, Manitoba 31 Uncovering Underground Sewer Issues With Ease 33 Fighting Wear in Acidic Environments 34 Index to Advertisers On the cover: Jasmine M. and Dylon F. work in the public works department for the City of West Kelowna, BC. Read more about how the city recruits for culture starting on page 22. Manitoba Chapter THE THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE ALBERTA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, THE SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, THE MANITOBA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, AND THE ALBERTA MUNICIPAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION ROADRUNNER FALL 2020 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ONLINE Also Inside: Shifting Into Winter Communities Respond to COVID-19 Uncovering Underground Sewer Issues And much more! Culture Recruiting Published For: The Public Works Association of British Columbia 20430 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V3A 4G2 www.pwabc.ca Editorial Advisor: Scott Lamont Tel: 604-880-8585 The Alberta Public Works Association PO Box 2235 Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0 Phone: 403-990-APWA • Fax: 888-812-7014 www.publicworks.ca Editorial Advisor: Jeannette Austin Tel: 403-990-2792 The Saskatchewan Public Works Association http://saskatchewan.cpwa.net Editorial Advisor: Andrew Stevenson Tel: 306-244-8828 The Manitoba Public Works Association http://manitoba.cpwa.net Editorial Advisor: Steve Blayney Tel: 204-509-7385 Alberta Municipal Supervisors Association www.amsapw.ca Editorial Advisor: Christine Heggart Tel: 403-844-5678 Published By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2S9 Toll Free: 866-999-1299 Toll Free Fax: 866-244-2544 www.matrixgroupinc.net Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 President & CEO: Jack Andress Operations Manager: Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.net Publishers: Jessica Potter, Julie Welsh Editor-in-Chief: Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Editor: Alexandra Kozub akozub@matrixgroupinc.net Editors: Jenna Collignon, Kaitlin Vitt Finance/Administration: Lloyd Weinberg, Nathan Redekop accounting@matrixgroupinc.net Director of Circulation & Distribution: Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.net Sales Manager – Winnipeg: Neil Gottfred Sales Manager – Hamilton: Jeff Cash Sales Team Leader: Andrew Lee Matrix Group Inc. Account Executives: Albert Brydges, Bonnie Petrovsky (in memoriam), Brenda McPhee, Brian MacIntyre, Cheryl Klassen, Colleen Bell, Frank Kenyeres, Jim Hamilton, Jon Beroud, Marlyn Beek, Michael Coutu, Rob Gibson, Sandra Kirby, Tanina Di Piazza, Tenisha Myke Advertising Design: James Robinson Layout & Design: Cody Chomiak ©2020 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Fall 2020 5 TABLE OF CONTENTSI t has been an interesting year to say the least. While the COVID-19 pan- demic has impacted all of our lives, both at home and at work, we have all founds ways to keep moving forward and make the best of a challenging situation. The same holds true for the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA). Early in 2020, we had the opportunity to meet with several Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other departments and organizations in person. These meetings were very beneficial in developing strong relation- ships and moving key public works priorities forward. Although our planned meetings in Ottawa in the spring were cancelled because of the pandemic, the foundation built over the years and early in the year allowed for continued collaboration and advocacy. We have had good discussions on topics including our relationship within the first/ emergency responders, participation in the public safety emergency network, support and advisory on infrastructure funding issues, and our overall public policy priorities. CPWA has recently provided our pre-budget submission to the government on key public works priorities includ- ing: Emergency Management and Disaster Mitigation; Sustainable and Climate Resilient Infrastructure; and Safe and Accessible Transportation. Our focus within these topics address areas such as funding for communities of all sizes, integrating sustainability principles Manitoba Chapter PRESIDENT Chris Hamel Vaughan, ON PAST PRESIDENT Steve Blayney Winnipeg, MB PRESIDENT ELECT Patricia Podoborozny Sherwood Park, AB MEMBERS Matthew Brown Surrey, BC Andrew Stevenson Saskatoon, SK M. Rylan Wadsworth Montreal-Ouest, QC Mike Walker Fredericton, NB Leon MacIsaac Port aux Basques, NL STAFF LIAISON Anne Jackson American Public Works Association Washington, DC Board of Directors A Message from the Canadian Public Works Association Membership All members of a CPWA chapter are members of the American Public Works Association (APWA). As a member, you share common goals, challenges, and solutions with other public works profes- sionals throughout North America. To find out more on member benefits, go to www.apwa.net or www.cpwa.net. for funding projects, addressing operations and maintenance in funding programs, and ongoing support for pending enhanced waste- water level of service expectations. Our Board of Directors continued to meet throughout the year in 2020. These meetings have resulted in strong advoca- cy efforts federally, support to local chap- ters, and have also provided opportunity to plan for the future. I look forward to Patty Podoborozny, CAO, Town of Bruderheim, Alberta, taking on the role of President for 2020-2021. Unfortunately, I am not able to pass on the torch at our yearly gather- ing at PWX as it has been canceled in per- son this year. The American Public Works Association (APWA) has done a great job in replacing this fantastic event with many dynamic virtual activities and sessions to keep the discussions happening and to keep the business of APWA, CPWA, and the local chapters moving forward. As such, we hon- oured Patty and initiated her role as President virtually in a meeting in early September. It has been a privilege to serve as CPWA President this year and I look forward to continuing to support the association in the future. Thank you for your continued involvement in our important association. Chris Hamel, P.Eng. President Canadian Public Works Association chris.hamel@gmblueplan.ca These meetings have resulted in strong advocacy efforts federally, support to local chapters, and have also provided opportunity to plan for the future. Fall 2020 7 UP FRONT8 The RoadrunnerPRESIDENT Scott Lamont City of Rossland, BC PAST PRESIDENT Matthew Brown City of Surrey, BC INCOMING PRESIDENT Chris Anderson City of West Kelowna, BC TREASURER David Lundberg Small Pause Coaching & Consulting Steveston, BC SECRETARY Brian Carter City of Burnaby, BC DIRECTORS Pat Miller Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality, BC Meryl Ditchburn Heinz City of Nanaimo, BC Alexander Christensen WSP Kelowna, BC Taryn Scollard City of Vancouver, BC Michelle Heinz City of Victoria, BC Dave Best City of Penticton, BC Larry Ford City of Richmond, BC CO-CHAIRS OF THE EMERGING LEADERS COMMITTEE Dylan Myers City of New Westminster, BC Lisa Grant City of Vancouver, BC CONTACT executivedirector@ pwabc.ca Board of Directors & Staff public spaces continue to have uncertain- ties, these, plus other amenities can help our communities maintain a sense of normality as we fight against the challenge at hand as we all continue to practice social distancing. While this challenge needs to be approached with upmost safety precautions, there is an urgent need for public works to take a proactive role in crisis response and to offer their expertise on improving physical conditions and thereby creating dignified living conditions and the feeling of normal- ity for people seeking sanctuary in an unfa- miliar environment. This may be the time to evaluate the depth in your work force. Did you cross train departmentally? How is your suc- cessional training? It is not too late. Start thinking about what you may do with a depleting crew. The time to take action is now. You are not alone. Reach out to your colleagues for assistance, mentorship, or guidance. Reach out to your neighbour- ing communities if you need resources such as operators. Again, safety to you and your fam- ily first. Continue to take precautions with your staff. Continue to practice social dis- tancing. Continue good hygiene. Flatten the curve. Scott Lamont President Public Works Association of British Columbia T ogether, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation as COVID-19 is not only impact- ing our local communities in the province of British Colum- bia, but this pandemic also has far reach- ing national and international implications. During this time, it is important to put your safety, your family’s safety, and your co- worker’s safety at the forefront of your daily routine and planning. As we experience Federal, provincial, and local polices being engaged on what feels like a revolving, ever evolving basis, to pub- lic amenities, facilities and financial chal- lenges, it is public works that will continue to provide essential services for the foresee- able future. What is an essential service? The basic assumption of safe water distribution and fire protection, sanitary collections and treatment, ensuring our roadways are open and safe, and our drainage system is main- tained. I would like to add that another impor- tant service we, as public works profession- als can provide, is a sense of normality. Depending on the direction of isolation, in times of uncertainty such as the pandemic situation we are facing now, it is impera- tive that we ensure that the public servic- es we safely provide will continue to take place. This includes solid waste manage- ment, sweeping programs, and keeping our open spaced parks and trails open. As indoor A Message from the Public Works Association of British Columbia You can learn more about the Public Works Association of British Columbia on their website: www.pwabc.ca Depending on the direction of isolation, in times of uncertainty such as the pandemic situation we are facing now, it is imperative that we ensure that the public services we safely provide will continue to take place. Fall 2020 9 UP FRONTNext >