HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-08; American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards (Districts - All); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
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April 8, 2021
Council Memorandum
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publi<)NQ.fks
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~
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Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021073
Re: American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards (Districts -All)
This memorandum provides information on awards that the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad
Municipal Water District will be receiving as part of the APWA San Diego and Imperial Counties
Chapter 2021 Awards Program.
Background
APWA established its awards program to promote excellence in public works projects by
recognizing the partnership between the managing agency, consultant/architect/engineer team
and construction contractor, who all work together to successfully complete public works
projects. Awards are given for Project of the Year as well as individual and team awards
recognizing exemplary service in the public works field.
Discussion
This year, we are pleased to announce that the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Municipal Water
District will receive a total of three APWA awards (one individual and two project awards).
Project of the Year Award -Transportation Category: State Street Drainage Improvements
Managing the complexities of a highly visible drainage project in the heart of the city's
downtown required the project team to go the extra mile, particularly considering it
took place as the world was adjusting to the constraints of a global pandemic. The team
had to deploy creative contracting, permitting and communications solutions to address
issues such as relocation of a popular weekly farmers market, curbside cafes and
maintaining desired aesthetics for area visitors.
Installing a permanent solution to chronic ponding issues on this street represented a
significant enhancement to one of the most highly trafficked locations in the city by improving
safety and access to businesses that provide significant contributions to the local economy
while greatly reducing service requests and maintenance costs. This project deployed an
extraordinarily high degree of coordination between construction management,
communications, public safety, business owners, residents and community organizations to
address the complexities of scheduling, sequencing and staging on this critical drainage
improvement project that was completed one month early and $1,400 under budget.
Public Works Branch
Faraday Center 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-2730 .
Council Memo -APWA Awards (Districts -All)
April 8, 2021
Page 2
Honor Award -Sustainable/Green Category: Maerkle Reservoir Floating Cover
The Maerkle Reservoir Floating Cover Replacement Project protects and preserves potable
water quality for Carlsbad's 200 million-gallon water storage reservoir with a new, state-of-the-
art, chlorosulfonated polyethylene cover. The project's scale, complexity and criticality
exemplify the partnership among design, construction, regulatory and water operations experts
necessary to protect precious water resources.
The project team managed numerous scheduling, regulatory and site constraints to avoid
impacts to water customers and the environment while installing the 18.8-acre floating cover
over the city's largest water storage reservoir and preserving the safety and reliability of
potable water in accordance with drinking water regulations. This unique event takes places
about once every quarter-century and its success proved how Carlsbad's team can literally
"walk on water" to deliver projects safely, within schedule and on budget.
Operations and Maintenance Personnel Award -Park Fire Response Team
When a brushfire broke out on Park Drive in Carlsbad at about 2 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2021, streets
maintenance crews were among the first on the scene and the last to leave while the fire
burned for nearly seven hours and scorched nearly two acres. By the time all fire suppression
efforts were completed, the sidewalk, parking lane and bike lane located below the hillside
were covered with heavy amounts of sediment and debris. Crews safely cleared and secured
the public right of way within two hours.
Since portions of the hillside eroded under the weight of the water used to contain the fire, and
with heavy rains in the immediate forecast, staff knew they had to act quickly. Within 24 hours,
engineers determined additional mitigation efforts that would help preserve the integrity of the
entire storm water system considering the new site conditions. City crews installed 305 gravel
bags at the bottom of the slope, as well as jute matting, silt fencing and waddles. Staff directed
contractors placing hydro-mulching and bonding fiber matrix over much of the burned area to
help reduce the threat of further soil erosion, minimize impact on storm drain structures and
provide protection against a change in the quality of the runoff water. The professionalism,
teamwork and extraordinary dedication to the community during this rapid emergency
response showcases the effectiveness of Public Works staff as first responders.
Team members included:
• Transportation Director Tom Frank
• Storm drain engineering (Scott Lyle, Daniel Zimny)
• Streets maintenance (Superintendent Michael O'Brien, Supervisors Matt Paxson and
Clayton Dobbs, Michael Hewitt, Jason Ibarra, Roger Romero, Ramiro Sandoval, Cristobal
Sanchez, Dylan Stankovich)
• Contract Administration (Graham Jordan)
• Secretary (Eliane P,aiva)
Council Memo -APWA Awards (Districts-All)
April 8, 2021
Page 3
Next Steps
The APWA Virtual Awards Event will be held on May 13. Staff is planning to attend to receive
the awards amongst other individuals and team members of the public and private sector. The
Awards Program will include a keynote address from Mayor of Encinitas and SAN DAG Chair
Catherine Blakespear, who will discuss current public works initiatives.
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Mike Calderwood, Fire Chief
Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director
Vicki Quiram, Utilities Director
Babaq Taj, Engineering Manager
Kristina Ray, Communication and Engagement Director