Mississippi Municipal League Announces 2012 Excellance Awards

The Mississippi Municipal League is announcing the Municipal Excellence Awards recognition and encourages the achievements of Mississippi cities and towns in meeting the challenges of municipal government.  Each year this award program seeks out the best of these programs for public recognition.  Awards are giving in four categories:  Public Works, Public Safety, Planning and Economic Development, and City Spirit.  For more information go to www.mmlonline.com


Mississippi Municipal League Asking For Help...


Dear MML Members,

As you know, our League has taken a strong position against bigger trucks language being included in the transportation authorization bill that is currently under consideration in Congress.

The House transportation bill that was introduced last week contained an all out assault on increasing truck sizes and weights. On Thursday, February 2nd, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted in favor of an amendment striking bigger truck language from the bill and inserting a comprehensive study on the negative infrastructure damage and safety issues related to these huge rigs. The amendment struck provisions that would have allowed expanded use of the triple trailer trucks, 97,000 lbs. singles and 88,000 pound auto-haulers.

Proponents of bigger trucks have stated that they will attempt to get the bigger trucks language back into the bill by introducing amendments from the floor. We expect the vote to come to the floor in the next seven days.

Our League would like to urge our members to contact their Representative to vote NO on any further attempts to include bigger trucks in the bill when debated on the House floor.

The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks has set up a toll free number for our use. Please call 855-284-4874 which will automatically connect you to your Representative and ask your Representative to vote no to any bigger trucks language in the transportation authorization bill.






2012 Academic Scholarship Announcement 

Once again it’s time to announce the 2012 Mississippi Chapter American Public Works Association Scholarship available thru the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson to college students for the 2012-2013 school year. You are receiving this email because we ask that you assist the Foundation by seeking out and encouraging your qualified students to apply.
The Mississippi Chapter of the American Public Works Association established this scholarship fund in 2000. The fund will honor a full-time junior or senior at a public university in Mississippi studying to enter the field of public works. "Public works" is generally the municipal or county governmental agency or department which administers projects such as road building, storm water retention, lot clearing, street lighting, engineering review of construction site plans, and other related duties. Those entering this profession most often study engineering and eligible majors include civil engineering, electrical engineering, public administration, environmental engineering, biology and chemistry. Applicants must have graduated from a high school in Mississippi. This award is based both on merit and need.
One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded for the 2012-2013 school year.
Please see the attached APWA Scholarship application for more information and the eligibility and selection criteria that will be used by the MS Chapter of APWA’s selection committee to choose the 2012-2013 award winners. This application may also be accessed at our website www.cfgj.org/scholarships.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 16, 2012.

Fall Conference is a Huge Success 

Wow! That is the first thing that can be said about our Fall Conference which was held October 26-28, 2011 in Ocean Springs. The Gulf Coast Branch and the City of Ocean Springs hosted this conference in which was sure to be one of the best ever. There were approximately 65 golfers who participated in the golf scramble which was held at Gulf Hills Resorts. The weather could not have been any better - one of those fall day's we love in the South. As it turned out, the team from Ocean Springs won the golf scramble. On Wednesday night, Shrimp E'touff'ee, Catfish and Boudin was served as we spent time enjoying the day’s events and catching up with friends. Thursday morning, Ocean Springs Alderman Matt McDonald, Jackson County Supervisor John McKay and Andre' Kaufman, Public Works Director for Ocean Springs and APWA member, welcomed everyone to the conference. Andre' thanked all of his employees who had helped prior to and during the conference. Door prizes were given throughout the day - we know who had all of the winning tickets!! William O'Reilly with MDOT spoke on the Reflectivity Mandate. There will be a link to his presentation on this website. District 113 House of Representative Hank Zuber updated the house and senate bills that had passed in the 2011 session. Afterwards, Sharpie Smith, MDOT, presented information for the ADA Compliance Mandate. The city attorney for Ocean Springs, Mr. John Edwards, talked and answered questions regarding issues that most Public Works Departments have to face at one time or another. It was very informative and we all realized that we just thought our city attorney's picked on us! After a great lunch, Ms. Renee Johnson with WLOX, Channel 13, talked to our group about the social networking environment and how it can actually be a benefit to our department. The director of The Water Supply Division for the State Board of Health, Keith Allen, notified us of various regulations that have just come in to passage or those being considered. At this time, all of our great vendors who graciously helped to make this conference a success, introduced them and told about their services or products. Later in the evening, a shrimp boil was held at the Ft. Maurepas Park by the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. The view was spectacular! It was another great night of good food and fellowship. On Friday morning, Mr. Phil Harris with Mississippi 811 did a presentation on the need for utility line locating. The last speaker was Mr. Don Smith with Soiltech. Pat Guest, President of the Mississippi Chapter opened the regular business meeting.   Placques were presented to Mr. Carl Frelix on behalf of the Hinds County Public Works Department who received Mississippi's first national APWA accreditation and Mr. Andre' Kaufman in recoginzition of induction in the mentoring program. Again, thanks go to all of those who worked so hard to put this conference together.



To view images from the conference click on this link: http://mississippi.apwa.net/resources/images/







**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Thank You to the following Sponsors for Their Support of our Fall Conference

Premier Sponsors

Coast Chlorinator & Pump Co., Inc. - DCD Construction, Inc. -  Neel-Schaffer   -   The City of Ocean Springs -       Waste Pro – Delta Sanitation - Compliance Environsystems, LLC (CES) - Compton Engineering, Inc. -             Suncoast Infrastructure, Inc. - Southern tractor - Chemsearch - GEC - Stribling Equipment/Empire Truck

Corporate Sponsors

J.H. Wright & Associates, Inc. - Griner Drilling Services, Inc. - Associated Pump and Supply - Terra Renewal

Supporting Sponsor

Ms. Prison Industries - Gulf Coast Underground, LLC - Mississippi 811, Inc. - DeLuca’s Landscaping -               Covington Sales and Service, Inc. - Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. - Design Precast -
Mallette Brothers Construction Co., Inc.

General Sponsors

Jimmy Gouras Urban Planning - Beta Testing & Inspection, LLC - Waggoner Engineering, Inc. - Graham Construction Company, Inc. - Dogan & Wilkinson, PLLC - Consolidated Pipe & Supply Company - Jackson County, John McKay - O’Brian Construction, LLC - Grand River Construction - The LPA Group Incorporated - Guest Consultants, Inc. - Seymour Engineering, PLLC - Digital Engineering - All South Consulting Engineers

Golf Hole Sponsors

Necaise Bros. Construction Co. - Terry Miller, Jackson County Chancery Clerk - Waste Oil Collectors, Inc. -
Donald Smith Company - Team One Communications - J.W. Webb State Farm Insurance -
Automotive Alignment & Body Service, Inc. - Control Systems, Inc. - Ocean Springs Lumber & Supply Company - Gouras & Associates, LLC - BancorpSouth - Southern Fastener and Tool Co., Inc. - Gautier Plumbing Company -Central Pipe Supply, Inc. - Biloxi Regional Medical Center - A. Garner Russell & Associates, Inc. -                               Gulf Sales and Supply, Inc. - Cableone - P.F. Moon and Company - Joseph Furr Design Studio



Guest Sponsors

Brumfield Properties, Inc. - Johnson Diesel Services, Inc. - Layne Christensen Company -
                      Constable Shane Langfitt - Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. - Images Galore Signs, LLC -             
Shane Langfitt Construction Company, Inc. -

Hinds County’s Public Works Department Receives Prestigious APWA Accreditation

KANSAS CITY, MO. – The Hinds County’s Department of Public Works has been awarded a prestigious Accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA). Hinds County is only the second county and the 72nd municipal agency in North America, as well as the first county in Mississippi to be awarded an APWA Accreditation. The Accreditation award will be presented by Ann Daniels, APWA Director of Credentialing, to the Public Works Department at the County Commission Meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at (add location.)

The APWA Accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry. On a daily basis, accredited agencies meet or exceed standards of performance in areas such as water, solid waste management, street/sewer repair and maintenance, engineering, building maintenance, storm water drainage, traffic safety, environmental services and vehicle maintenance.

“For Hinds County Public Works, the APWA Accreditation process has led to strengthening of the department’s policies, procedures and processes,” said Transportation Division Director Carl Frelix. “We are extremely proud to be in the esteemed list of agencies who have also been awarded Accreditation, as well being the second county and the 72nd municipality in North America, to receive this prestigious award, as well as the first county in Mississippi. The Accreditation is aligned well with the Department of Public Works’ vision, which is to consistently improve the delivery of services to our customers, grow our capabilities, and advance the well-being of our staff,” said Frelix.

The Hinds County Public Works Department is comprised of four divisions: Engineering & Development, Planning and Administration, Roadway and Drainage, and Construction and Maintenance. For the accreditation award, Hinds County Public Works began their process on (add date) and a team of public works professionals from Kansas, Ohio and Missouri completed a thorough evaluation of operations during their August, 2011 Accreditation site visit.

“It’s exciting to complete the detailed review of an agency’s policies and procedures, and then recommend them for Accreditation,” said APWA Accreditation Director Ann Daniels. “Hinds County is to be commended for their commitment to improving operations to enhance their internal performance, and to assuring their community they meet or exceed national standards.”

For more information, contact Transportation Division Director Carl Frelix at cfrelix@co.hinds.ms.us, or by phone at 601.857.8732. For more information about APWA Accreditation, please contact APWA Director of Credentialing, Ann Daniels at adaniels@apwa.net. For APWA media queries, please contact Laura Bynum, APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager at lbynum@apwa.net.

About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America.
###

enhance@deq.state.ms

Mississippi Chapter Promotes APWA
         at Municipal League Conference
Biloxi, MS June 26th-June 30th

 

Benny Herring, Pat Guest and Bart Ballard
Booth at MML 2011

 
Andre'Kaufman
Session - MML 2011

Benny Herring, Andre' Kaufman, Pat Guest and Bart Ballard
Session - MML 2011


                 *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mississippi Braces for Record Floods
May 2011






(Vicksburg, MS - May 22, 2011..Pictures taken just south of the Interstate 20 bridge)

**************************************************

Congratulations to Ronnie Tompkins, City of Ridgeland, for Becoming the First Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector in Mississippi...



(Pictured - Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee presenting Certificate to Ronnie Tompkins - March 2011)

*************************************************************************************************



<sub><sup>Celebrating National  Public Works Week
May 15th- May 21st

****************************************
May 18, 2011

SB 999
SENATE BILL DIRECTS EPA TO HELP SMALL WATER SYSTEMS
COMPLY WITH COSTLY WATER REGULATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced his support for legislation that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help small communities meet clean water standards rather than impose fines for noncompliance.
The Small System Safe Drinking Water Act (S.999) was introduced Monday by Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Cochran is among the original cosponsors of the bill.
“Small towns generally operate on small budgets, and the costs for complying with environmental regulations can lead to adversarial situations that do not benefit anyone. This legislation is an attempt to improve that relationship by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to be more of a partner to ensure that rural residents can enjoy affordable and safe water services,” Cochran said.
The legislation is intended to assist water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 individuals and that demonstrate financial hardship which results in noncompliance. It directs the EPA to provide technical assistance and training to help these systems comply with federal drinking water standards. Small communities would be given priority assistance for disinfectant byproducts and arsenic regulations, as well as other regulations promulgated by the EPA after the bill is enacted. It would authorize $75.0 million over five years to aid small water systems.
The Inhofe measure also directs the EPA to develop an affordability criterion that more accurately assesses the per capita cost impact of its regulations on low-income households.</sup>




Welcome to the Mississippi Chapter of American Public Works Association 
 Check out current news and events from around the state and our chapter 
http://mississippi.apwa.net/news/current/general/


****************************
Governor Haley Barbour Signs Proclamation
51st Annual National Public Works Week
May 15-21, 2011
See Proclamation Under the Documents Tab under Resources...

*****************************</sub>