Awards

The APWA-MN Chapter presented  Bev Farraher, Minnesota Department of Transportation, with the 2013 Director of the Year Award at the APWA-MN Chapter 2013 Fall Conference.

The APWA-MN Chapter developed the Personnel Awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals at all levels within public works agencies. Awards are presented in the following public works employee categories: director/manager, superintendent, supervisor, and maintenance worker.

In addition to presenting the award to the individual at the annual APWA-MN Chapter Fall Conference, committee members have initiated a new policy of public recognition at local City Council and/or governing board meetings, as well as through press releases sent to the local newspapers. This process not only provides greater recognition to outstanding public works employees, but also provides greater recognition to the public works profession as a whole. 

The Awards Committee has established the following criteria for selection of these individuals:

• Innovative applications of new or existing technologies and equipment.
• Innovative applications of new or existing project management and service delivery systems.
• Outstanding service to citizens that enhances the public perception of public works services.
• Outstanding efforts in career and personal growth and development.
• Outstanding efforts in development of teamwork and cooperative working relationships.

The APWA-MN Chapter presented Jeff Streeter, Minnesota Department of Transportation, with the 2013 Supervisor of the Year Award at the 2013 Fall Conference.

The APWA-MN Chapter developed the Personnel Awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals at all levels within public works agencies. Awards are presented in the following public works employee categories: director/manager, superintendent, supervisor, and maintenance worker.

In addition to presenting the award to the individual at the annual APWA-MN Chapter Fall Conference, committee members have initiated a new policy of public recognition at local City Council and/or governing board meetings, as well as through press releases sent to the local newspapers. This process not only provides greater recognition to outstanding public works employees, but also provides greater recognition to the public works profession as a whole. 

The Awards Committee has established the following criteria for selection of these individuals:

• Innovative applications of new or existing technologies and equipment.
• Innovative applications of new or existing project management and service delivery systems.
• Outstanding service to citizens that enhances the public perception of public works services.
• Outstanding efforts in career and personal growth and development.
• Outstanding efforts in development of teamwork and cooperative working relationships.

The APWA-MN Chapter presented Scott Newberger, City of Plymouth, with the 2013 Superintendent of the Year Award at the 2013 Fall Conference.

The APWA-MN Chapter developed the Personnel Awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals at all levels within public works agencies. Awards are presented in the following public works employee categories: director/manager, superintendent, supervisor, and maintenance worker.

In addition to presenting the award to the individual at the annual APWA-MN Chapter Fall Conference, committee members have initiated a new policy of public recognition at local City Council and/or governing board meetings, as well as through press releases sent to the local newspapers. This process not only provides greater recognition to outstanding public works employees, but also provides greater recognition to the public works profession as a whole. 

The Awards Committee has established the following criteria for selection of these individuals:

• Innovative applications of new or existing technologies and equipment.
• Innovative applications of new or existing project management and service delivery systems.
• Outstanding service to citizens that enhances the public perception of public works services.
• Outstanding efforts in career and personal growth and development.
• Outstanding efforts in development of teamwork and cooperative working relationships.

The APWA-MN Chapter presented Jim Grube, Hennepin County, with the 2013 Hugo G. Erickson Award at the 2013 Fall Conference.

This award is presented to an individual who has provided years of superior service to the chapter, as well as assisted in furthering the chapter’s successful operation and goals.

The APWA-MN Chapter presented the City of River Falls, Wisconsin, with the 2013 Project of the Year Award for its Cascade Avenue Reconstruction Project at the 2013 Fall Conference.

Projects that receive the APWA-MN Project of the Year Award typically involve innovative project management, financing, and multi-agency participation and provide future value to the public works profession and perception by the public.  They also take social, economic, and sustainable design considerations into account.

Rather than reconstructing the Cascade Avenue into a configuration similar to the existing conditions, leaders from the City of River Falls, University of River Falls Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation embarked on a combined effort to identify and address problems and concerns associated with the original configuration. Plans were developed for a new roadway that would better serve the wide range of stakeholders.  

To learn more, view the Cascade Avenue Reconstruction Project Video.

Accepting the award on behalf of River Falls, whose project team included Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) and Haas Sons Inc., was Reid Wronski, River Falls director of public works and city engineer. 

The Lowry Avenue Bridge Project team included Hennepin County, SRF Consulting Group, T.Y. Lin International, and Lunda Construction Company. Accepting the award were Craig Twinem and Paul Backerfrom Hennepin County, as well as Nathen Will from SRF.