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 WINTER 2021 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ONLINE Composite Utility Poles: A Resilient Option A Resilient Option that Can Weather that Can Weather Storms, Fires, Rot, Storms, Fires, Rot, and Woodpeckersand Woodpeckers Learn more starting on page 30.YOUR BUSINESS STARD A DR, TO GROW AND PRO. To get the personalized attention you want to help you on your way. The customization you need to meet your business's specific production goals. Consult with one of our specialists today to help configure just the right asphalt plant for you. Start your custom plant design today. FULFILL YOUR DR 260-637-5729 • admasphaltplants.comUp 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 HR Report: Change is Inevitable, Transition is Intentional 18 What’s New? 21 Legal Brief: The Role of Supplementary Conditions for Standard Form Contracts 23 Safety Report: Adopt Good Habits When Exiting Your Vehicle: Use Three Points of Contact Every Time 25 Investment Report: Safety is Inherent in Your Business, As Risk Management is in Mine 27 Community Highlight: Chestermere Partners with Local Companies to Pilot Innovations in Wastewater Processing 28 Community Highlight: Bridge-in-a-Box for the Municipal District of Smoky River, Alberta Tech Talk 30 Composite Utility Poles: A High-Performance Solution 32 New Solutions to Old Problems 34 Index to Advertisers On the cover: This issue’s cover photo was supplied by RS Technologies. Read about the benefits of composite utility poles starting on page 30. 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 WINTER 2021 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ONLINE Composite Utility Poles: A Resilient Option A Resilient Option that Can Weather that Can Weather Storms, Fires, Rot, Storms, Fires, Rot, and Woodpeckersand Woodpeckers Learn more starting on page 30. 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 Editor: Jenna Collignon 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: Brian MacIntyre, Cheryl Klassen, Colleen Bell, Frank Kenyeres, Jim Hamilton, Rob Gibson, Sandra Kirby, Tanina Di Piazza, Tenisha Myke Advertising Design: James Robinson Layout & Design: Cody Chomiak ©2021 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. Winter 2021 5 TABLE OF CONTENTSH ello (Bonjour) from Beautiful Bruderheim, Alberta! I am pleased to introduce myself “virtually” as the President of the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) or l’Association Canadienne des travaux publics (ACTP) for 2020-21. The association is the link- age between the American Public Works Association (APWA) and its Canadian mem- bers. The CPWA ensures that we continue to advocate and be a resource at the Federal level of governance on issues that pertain to the association’s public policy priority areas. It is the Board of Directors’ hope to foster connections between all levels of government in the delivery of public services. I am so very proud to be asked by my peers to represent “the voice of public works” in Canada. What does it mean to be “the voice of public works”? With over 25 years of in-the- field experience of public works, I can tell you, for me it’s about passion and commitment. The public works community is a humble one and very rarely do you hear from the unsung heroes that perform amazing acts of service every day – without accolades. Often pub- lic works staff are over burdened with com- peting priorities, which affects their mental and physical well-being. My passion to “be a voice” led me to the American Public Works Association, Alberta Chapter. I have served the Board for many years to help build resiliency in the public works profession through innova- tion and networking. That experience on the Board fueled my passion for advocacy of the public works profession. I want to provide the ministries in Ottawa the tools they need to be successful in creating community sustainability and resiliency when faced with natural disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health and an emerging economic crisis unlike any other that most of us have faced PRESIDENT Patty M. Podoborozny Sherwood Park, AB PRESIDENT-ELECT Rylan Wadsworth Montreal-Ouest, QC PAST PRESIDENT Chris Hamel Vaughan, ON MEMBERS Steve Blayney Winnipeg, MB Matthew K. Brown Surrey, BC Leon G. MacIsaac Port Aux Basques, NL Andrew G. Stevenson Saskatoon, SK Mike Walker Fredericton, NB BOARD LIASON Gary Losier Quispamsis, NB STAFF LIASON 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. in our careers. In Alberta, we have had our share of natural disasters that pushed emer- gency management best practices to their limits. During those recovery phases, public works was recognized as part of the emer- gency responder team. This pandemic is different than any other emergency response public works teams have faced across this country. There is no clear beginning or end, or recognizable gains in the recovery phases. The CPWA is continually looking for oppor- tunities to advocate for partnerships and pro- grams in delivering public works services across our nation. With public works working so hard to keep communities safe during the pandemic, the Board has chosen to focus on two public policy priority areas for 2020-21: emergency management and disaster mitigation, as well as sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure. Those who support me know that I love for my voice to be heard! Unfortunately, our Board won’t be travelling to Parliament Hill in Ottawa this term to advocate for the “Power of Public Works.” We are working on virtual strategies to ensure I get to do what I signed up for: to share the passion! I love connecting with other public works profes- sionals and associations from across our beau- tiful country to advocate for the members of CPWA. Thank you to the past president, Chris Hamel from the Ontario Chapter, for your continued support as I learn what to do with the gavel you passed on to me. Our Board can’t be the only voices across our nation, so please join us with your voice. “It only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche.” – Dianna Hardy Stay healthy, stay connected, and stay informed. Patty Podoborozny, C.E.T., CLGM, PWSlll President Canadian Public Works Association Winter 2021 7 UP FRONT8 The RoadrunnerBoard of Directors & Staff that our public works professionals in the province of British Columbia have done, and continue to do, to adapt to the ever evolving requirements and challenges associ- ated with the pandemic. I know first hand how challenging these situations can be, but through it all our teams are doing what we’ve always done in the delivery of essential services to our communities. Thank you and keep up the amazing work! For 2021, the PWABC will be looking to adapt the way that we have typically done things. By now, we all realize how important the virtual platform has become, and our association will be doing everything in our voluntary capacity to bring the membership meaningful virtual opportunities. So, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have the skill set and desire to partner and support the PWABC on these opportunities. Despite the likelihood of no in-person events for 2021, the PWABC urges you and your organization to continue to sup- port the association with your membership and participation of the virtual events that we hope to roll out in the coming year. Your support will help keep the PWABC in a financial position to be prepared for the post-COVID-19 world where we eagerly look forward returning to in-person formats for our future training and confer- ence events. With the support of our association’s Board and executive, I look forward to the challenge of successfully leading our Chapter through 2021. Thanks again to all PWABC members as well as the communi- ties and organizations that support us all! Chris Anderson, AScT, CPWP-M President Public Works Association of British Columbia A s I reflect on the year ahead for the Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC) in 2021, I can’t help but feel somewhat disappointed and empty as a result of the worldwide COVID- 19 pandemic that has affected every aspect of our personal and professional lives. COVID has, so far, required the PWABC to cancel the following: • 2020’s 3rd annual joint conference with the BC Municipal Safety Association in Richmond; • 2021’s 4th annual joint conference in Whistler; and • Numerous regional PWABC train- ing opportunities and events, such as Women in Public Works, the Public Work Supervisor series, and our Winter Maintenance Operator and Supervisor courses that were scheduled to be hosted throughout the province in 2020 and 2021. As the association’s main revenue gen- erators, as well as mitigating our future financial liabilities, the cancellation of these events were decisions that our Board and executive did not take light- ly, but they were unavoidable decisions. With respect to our annual joint con- ference with the BC Municipal Safety Association, the PWABC thanks your association for two great years and we look forward to the possibility of partner- ing with you again in the future. Despite this initial disappointment and emptiness though, it is amazing to have heard (and to continue to hear) of public works stories from across our association that continue to serve their communities with the highest level of dedication and professionalism. It makes me very proud to know, see, and hear of all of the great things 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 PRESIDENT Chris Anderson City of West Kelowna, BC PRESIDENT-ELECT Meryl Ditchburn Heinz City of Nanaimo, BC PAST PRESIDENT Scott Lamont City of Rossland, BC TREASURER Dave Lundberg Small Pause Coaching & Consulting Steveston, BC SECRETARY Taryn Scollard City of Vancouver, BC DIRECTORS Brian Carter City of Burnaby, BC Pat Miller Retired Matt Brown City of Surrey, BC Alexander Christensen, WSP Kelowna, BC Dave Best City of Penticton, BC Larry Ford City of Richmond, BC Michelle Heinz City of Victoria, BC CONTACT executivedirector@ pwabc.ca Winter 2021 9 UP FRONTNext >