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Home My WebLink About2026-05-21; 2026 Public Works Awards (Districts - All); Gomez, PazTo the members ofth~: CITY COUNCI~ Date Sl2\ \2 !aCA ✓ CC / CM ✓ ACM v'DcM (3) ~ May 21, 2026 Council Memorandum To: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Via: Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager .~ Re: 2026 Public Works Awards (Districts -All) {city of Carlsbad Memo ID# 2026027 This memorandum provides information on awards that the City of Carlsbad received from the following professional organizations: • American Public Works Association (APWA) San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) San Diego Section • National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) • Maintenance Superintendents Association (MSA) San Diego Area Chapter Background In recognition of National Public Works Week, celebrated each May to honor the vital contributions of Public Works professionals, and this year is May 17-23, 2026, it is especially meaningful to highlight the outstanding achievements of the City of Carlsbad's Public Works Branch. The awards received this year underscore the team's commitment to service, innovation, and excellence in delivering projects and programs that enhance the community. This year, the following organizations offered awards programs that the city participated in: • The APWA local chapter awards program promotes excellence in Public Works projects by offering awards for Project of the Year as well as individual and team awards. • ASCE presents project and individual awards that represent the greatest contribution to civil engineering progress and to society. • NAFA recognizes peak-performing public and commercial fleet operations in North, Central, and South America. • MSA San Diego Area Chapter and APWA Annual Equipment Show, Vendor Demo and Roadeo Competition . Discussion This year, we are pleased to announce that the City of Carlsbad received a total of nine awards from these organizations. The awards are summarized below: Public Works Public Works Administration 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -2026 Public Works Awards (Districts -All) May 21, 2026 Page 2 APWA San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter • Project of the Year Award (Parks less than $2 million category) -Stagecoach Park Community Garden: The project converted a former maintenance yard into a raised container community garden at Stagecoach Park, adding 34 raised beds, informational kiosk, compost bins, tool storage, seating, a garden design element and shade. The project finished on time and within budget. • Project of the Year Award (Sustainable/Green $2 million to $5 million category) - Phase Ill Recycled Water Expansion -D-4 Tank: The D-4 Tank is Carlsbad's final component of the Phase Ill Recycled Water Expansion Project, providing 1.5 million gallons of storage, bolstering recycled water resiliency to deliver nearly one billion gallons of recycled water annually to golf courses, parks, and homeowners' associations, thereby reducing demand on precious potable water resources. • Project of the Year Award (Utilities $2 million to $5 million category) -El Fuerte and Maerkle Motorized Valves: The project modernized critical water infrastructure, improving worker safety and efficiency, operational reliability, and asset longevity. By automating valve operations and enhancing corrosion protection, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) delivered resilient, sustainable upgrades while maintaining uninterrupted water service, protecting the environment, and minimizing community impacts. • Honor Award (Structures $2 million to $5 million category) -Carlsbad Emergency Operations Center Reconfiguration: The project reconfigured 6,350 square feet of office space into an Emergency Operations Center, Community Risk and Emergency Operations areas with offices, cubicles, multi-use conference rooms, and advanced technology. State of-the-art infrastructure, real-time displays, secure communications, and video conferencing tools provide a world-class command center to enhance public safety during emergencies. • Award of Merit -Janean Hawney: Mrs. Hawney, Public Works Contract Administrator, is recognized for exemplary service to the City of Carlsbad in ensuring the successful, transparent, and compliant contract delivery of the Veterans Memorial Park Project, a landmark capital improvement initiative honoring the community's veterans. • Outstanding Operations and Maintenance Personnel Award -Jim Milton: Mr. Milton, Traffic Systems Operations Specialist, is recognized for exemplary service to the City of Carlsbad in advancing traffic system reliability, strengthening public safety infrastructure, and delivering cost-effective in-house technical solutions. His leadership, expertise, and dedication enhance operational efficiency and build trust with residents and partner departments. Council Memo -2026 Public Works Awards (Districts -All) May 21, 2026 Page 3 ASCE San Diego Section • Outstanding Sustainable Engineering Project -Phase Ill Water Expansion D-4 Tank: The D-4 Tank is Carlsbad's final component of the Phase Ill Recycled Water Expansion Project, providing 1.5 million gallons of storage, bolstering recycled water resiliency to deliver nearly one billion gallons of recycled water annually to golf courses, parks, and homeowners' associations, thereby reducing demand on precious potable water resources. NAFA Fleet Management Association • Ranked #9 of the 2026 100 Best Public Fleets: Winners of this award undergo rigorous review to ensure demonstrated achievement in 12 criteria, including accountability, use of technology and information, collaboration, creativity, performance recognition and celebration, evidence of a high trust culture, financial management, quick efficient turnaround, competitive pricing, staff development, resources stewardship and "getting it right the first time." This is the third year in a row for the city in the Top 10. MSA San Diego Chapter and APWA Annual Equipment Show, Vendor Demo and Roadeo Competition • Braden Banfer: Mr. Banter, Street Maintenance Worker I, won the mini-excavator competition. He was selected to represent the City of Carlsbad in the APWA PWX National Equipment Roadeo in Houston in August. This is the second year in a row in which a street maintenance worker from the City of Carlsbad won this competition. Next Steps Staff will continue to develop and support the highly professional team that delivers award worthy Public Works projects and programs for the city. cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Jeff Murphy, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Christie Calderwood, Police Chief Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Amanda Flesse, Utilities Director/CMWD General Manager Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Zach Korach, Finance Director Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director Mike Strong, Community Development Director James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director Amy Ventetuolo, Communication & Engagement Director Dave Padilla, Assistant Utilities Director/CMWD Assistant General Manager Council Memo -2026 Public Works Awards (Districts -All} May 21, 2026 Page 4 Emily Hasegawa, Engineering Manager John Kim, City Traffic Engineer John Maashoff, Public Works Manager Megan Powers, Senior Management Analyst