Volume 10, Issue 17- Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Mary Scott Nabers, President/CEO, Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
It's harder to manage cities, counties and state governments today than it was in the past. In fact, government leadership is a grueling job and citizen input has never been more important than it is today. 

Competition for global leadership, advancements in technology, population growth, health care systems and sustainability issues are just a few of the immediate problems that demand the attention of government leaders. Infrastructure, educational systems, cybersecurity, public safety - these issues are just as important and just as difficult to resolve. Yet, decisions being made daily related to all these issues will touch the lives of every U.S. citizen. And, many citizens are not involved at all with government leaders.  

Because what happens in the halls of government buildings touches every individual and every American family, and because the stakes are extremely high, the most dangerous thing citizens can do is to ignore the process. Decisions being made at every jurisdictional level of government will impact America's future. If citizens don't stay very close to elected officials, it's probable that their preferences will not prevail. And, if elected officials are left to make their own decisions, democracy will ultimately fail. It requires citizen involvement. 

People are busy with their own lives and it is almost impossible to monitor everything happening in government, but it is possible to get involved with some aspect of government. Citizens have much more influence than they realize. Elected officials react to what voters want provided they know how the people they represent feel about issues. Many things would change quickly if enough voters decided to interact regularly with elected representatives.

Check out the latest article from our Texas Government Insider Newsletter!
Washington D.C.- The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to release a draft request for bids for the new Central Plateau Cleanup Contract at the Hanford nuclear reservation. A similar contract for $5.8 billion is due to expire in September. The new central Hanford cleanup contract provides a new range of work that deals with the closure of underground waste storage tanks. The 16 tanks have been emptied to regulatory standards and attention is turning towards whether to close the tank farm. The tanks could be filled with concrete-like grout and left in place. 

Other work mentioned includes decontamination and demolition of buildings and cleanup of waste sites. It also includes managing debris contaminated with plutonium until the waste is shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico, a national repository. The new contract also will include managing operations of cleanup facilities and groundwater cleanup. After DOE releases the draft request for bids, it will have site tours and one-on-one sessions with interested parties, likely in late May or June. The contract will be for 5 years.
Indiana- Indiana and the Environmental Protection Agency plan to leverage $436 million in public loans into an even larger private capital investment to modernize Indiana's aging water infrastructure. The federal government will provide around $30 million for wastewater projects and an estimated $12 million in drinking water projects. Hammond is one of several cities receiving funding in the amount of $67.5 million to increase the capacity of its sewer system. The city of Crown Point will receive $19.3 million and East Chicago $14.1 million. 

Most of Indiana's pipes were installed after World War II, though some still in use date back to the 1890s. Many of the pipes are made of lead or other metals that are corroded due to age. Indiana has more than 46,000 miles of water pipes operated by community water systems that serve 72 percent of the state's population. 
Maryland- After ethical concerns with the original bidding process, Maryland's Transportation Department has been directed to restart bidding on a massive state highway project. The original $68.5 million contract was going to pay a consortium of companies to oversee a $7.6 billion traffic congestion relief plan on major highways in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The chosen consortium of 26 companies led by three firms was selected using a new expedited procurement process for public-private partnerships (P3). 

Under the process, companies had just 10 days to submit letters of interest. Original contracts were thrown out after a firm with ties to Maryland's transportation secretary was selected through this procurement process. Plans for the project include using a P3 to add 75 miles of toll lanes to Interstate 270 and the I-495 Capital Beltway in Maryland. The State Highway Administration will be conducting the procurement as quickly as possible to keep the Traffic Relief Plan moving forward.
Washington D.C.- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invites state departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities to compete for up to $12 million of $60 million in grants. The Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program (ATCMTD) grants will fund new technologies that improve transportation efficiency and safety. 

The program provided $110 million to 18 projects in 13 states in 2016 and 2017. Now in its third round of grants, the FHWA is interested in projects that bring data together from different systems, such as integrated corridor management, real-time traveler information, traffic data collection and dissemination, and other intelligent transportation system technologies.
California- California's Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett will issue a solicitation May 30 for a contractor to build a $10-to $20 million facility. The government expects to award a firm-fixed price contract for design, construction, commissioning, validation, training and the transition to a fully usable and complete microgrid system. The goal of the microgrid system is to provide contingency electric power to Ft. Hunter Liggett when electricity provided by the local utility company is unstable or unavailable. 

The Army Corps intends to execute the competitive request for proposals (RFP) in two phases. Phase 1 will evaluate personnel credentials, corporate qualifications and past performance. Those who pass Phase I will be invited to compete for Phase 2, which will address technical approach, technical merit, cyber and risk management approach, management plan and schedule, capability/related experience and subcontracting plan and management. Bids are expected to be due around June 30. The government expects to award a contract around Nov. 30, with construction taking about two years.
   View our Government Contracting Pipeline and Texas Government Insider newsletter archives
New York- A request for expressions of interest is due by May 25 to gather feedback from various industries, including freight transportation, hospitality and tourism for the Port Byron travel center along the Cayuga County portion of the 570-mile highway. The input will help as the state develops a request for proposal to redevelop the 27 service areas as part of the 2018 State of the State agenda. The New York State Thruway Authority is also distributing a customer survey to collect input from travelers. 

The project will be split into two parts; 16 stations to start and the 11 other stations to be sought in the future. The service areas are open 24 hours a day and are equipped with restrooms, gas stations and ATMs. Some proposed ideas include irrigation-free landscaping, increase in truck parking, upgrades to the tourism areas and the installation of solar arrays.
Washington State- Rather than crossing Puget Sound on a ferry, a new idea proposed by a retired civil engineer takes commuters a little deeper underground. The plan calls for creating a tunnel that would stretch from Seattle's Smith Cove over to Highway 305 on Bainbridge Island. 

The plan would cut down on the commute time between the Kitsap Peninsula and Seattle. This time-saver would assist commuters, stimulate the need for more affordable housing and would allow Washington State to retire six ferries. Conservative estimates for the project are between $400 and $800 million and call for a public-private partnership to help finance the six miles of two-lane tubes.
Georgia- The University System of Georgia has released a request for qualified concessionaires (RFQC) to measure the interest level in expanding a student housing privatization initiative that was launched three years ago. Responses for the RFQC are due by June 1 to see if the program could be implemented at seven additional campuses across the state. System officials expect to pre-qualify up to four concessionaires to take part in a detailed request for proposals (RFP) process.

The system is looking for a developer to design, build, finance, operate and maintain housing with more than 12,000 beds at five institutions, of which nearly 1,400 would be new beds or beds in renovated facilities. In addition, the concessionaire would operate and maintain nearly 3,300 existing beds at three institutions. Schools selected for the expansion include Albany State University, Savannah State University, the University of West Georgia in Carrollton and Valdosta State University. 
Washington State- The city of Enumclaw is developing a request for proposals (RFP) for development in the downtown area of Cole Street. Tentative plans call for the recruitment process to play out during the coming months, with a project partner selected in August. The final draft of the city's RFP will likely seek a multi-story, multi-use development. 

The preferred plan is for commercial space on the ground floor with housing units on the second and third floors. The city wishes for the housing to be owner-occupied but has not ruled out the possibility of a boutique hotel. The city will give priority to developers willing to lease the city-owned land rather than making an outright purchase of the property. Also given priority will be those willing to make public improvements and work with other tenants on the street, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Arts Alive!
California- The Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners approved the release of the final request for proposals (RFP) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility at the Los Angeles International Airport. Rental car agencies will be housed in one facility on the east side and will be the end point for the Automated People Mover train system. 

The facility is designed to reduce congestion in and around the airport by eliminating the need for rental car shuttles to pick up and drop off in the terminal loop. The project includes the design and construction of the Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility, rental car storage, a customer service building, cleaning and fueling facilities and roadway improvements. The selected developer will also be responsible for operations and maintenance of the facility, as well as financing a portion of the project.
Alabama- After being awarded a $12.7 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the United States Department of Transportation, the Alabama State Port Authority plans to develop a new automobile terminal at the Port of Mobile. Plans have been in the works for years and construction on the terminal is expected to begin in late 2019. 

The new terminal will handle up to 160,000 import and export vehicles a year, including automobiles, military vehicles, trucks and other rolling stock. The Port Authority intends to develop the project using a public-private partnership. This will allow the concessionaire operating the terminal to make capital contributions and cover operating expenses.
Arizona- The Yavapai Community College Governing Board has accepted the recommendation that the college work with a consulting firm to develop a public-private partnership for a residence hall. The college plans to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a private company to find capital the build the 30,000 square-foot residence hall. The estimated cost of the project is $7.6 million. This project is part of the college's Campus Master Plan that was conceptualized and finalized in 2013. 
California- California's State Renewable Portfolio Standards require retail sellers and publicly-owned utilities to produce 50 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2030. To help the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power achieve their goal, local officials are proposing to build floating solar grids on local reservoirs for energy. 

The proposed pilot project calls for the installation of 11.6 megawatts of solar power that would provide electrical needs for 3,190 homes per year. To carry out this plan, the city is considering a public-private partnership, allowing vendors to get involved in a power purchase agreement. By covering the surface of reservoirs, floating solar conserves water by reducing evaporation and prevents harmful algae growth by blocking sunlight. Additionally, there are no land costs associated with the installation and there is greater efficiency of output due to the cooling effect of water.
Arizona- A 10-year master plan for Camp Davis was approved last week by Mohave County officials. Camp Davis was originally created to house workers who were building the Davis Dam, but the area was turned over to Mohave County in 1982 and opened as a county park the next year. Nearly four decades later, the park is in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades. 

The master plan lays out a sequence of projects beginning with island development, followed by the Park Entrance, Park Central, North and South Beach and finally Davis Camp East. The current plan calls for utilizing public-private partnerships (P3) to rebuild the south beach. Other infrastructure improvements include a new community center, an event center, an updated playground, pickle ball court, amphitheater as well as 25 new cabins, a new dog park and three private beach areas.
Missouri- Kansas City is considering switching to more light-emitting diode (LED) lights to save money. The city started installing LED lights in 2011. There are currently 178 connected LEDs downtown and 500 LED lights throughout the city. The lights have data analysis points on top that perform tasks like predicting potholes and adjusting brightness settings based on the number of people around it. 

The Kansas City Council was presented with information about adding LED street lighting on the east side of town and eventually having LED on all 95,000 lights in the city. Switching to LEDs would save about $5 million in maintenance costs. The request for proposals for an LED lighting project will go out next month. The Public Works Department said switching the entire city to smart LED lights would cost around $5 million.
Ohio- The city of Mansfield is selling 192 acres of land near the Mansfield Lahm Airport to generate revenue for future airport improvements. Currently, about 81 acres of the land is used for farming and generates about $15,000 to $18,000 in revenue for the city per year. Wetlands on the property would cut the development down to 116 acres. 

The land does not have a Federal Aviation Administration designation required for airport property. The city intends to solicit bids for the land and expects the sale to result in $500,000-$750,000 in revenue. Water and sewer lines currently end at Baird Parkway, and running the lines to the area would be thousands of feet and cost an estimated $9 million.
Nebraska- The city of Mitchell wants to build a park, but funds are currently not available for this residential amenity. Ziegler Park would be the location of the new construction and city officials are considering a public-private partnership (P3). 

The original park was built in the 1970s and includes the oldest operating swimming pool in the state. The golf course is also part of the park. The city is still designing a plan for the parks revision and intends to present their initial vision at upcoming public meetings.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 1
The Tableau Texas Summit, hosted by Tableau Software, will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on May 1 at the Commons Learning Center, JJ Pickle Research Campus- The University of Texas at Austin, 10100 Burnet Road in Austin. The event is sponsored by the Texas Department of Information Resources. 

Register here to attend this free educational event which explores trends that are poised to fundamentally shift Business Intelligence in the coming year and how you can take advantage of these changes. 

Attendees will: 

- Understand best practices and lessons learned through short presentations from a number State of Texas agencies that are currently using and implementing modern business intelligence solutions.  

- Participate in networking breaks, speak with technology vendors and service delivery partners that enable agencies to develop successful plan to get started or accelerate their current plans. 

- Experience Tableau product education and demonstrations.
May 3
Grant Thornton will be hosting a webinar, "A local funding model for the nation?" from 1-1:30 p.m. on May 3. The landscape for funding Los Angeles has become a world leader in local transportation funding solutions. Through its Measure R and Measure M referenda that authorized local incremental sales taxes, it has created a revenue stream of more than $100 billion over the next 40 years to fund transportation improvements. In parallel, LA Metro launched its own highway program and set about investing funds across several modes of transportation. The webinar will explore these initiatives and other transportation funding options for local government. Register for the webinar here.

Speakers include: Brien Desilets, Head of Infrastructure Advisory, Grant Thornton; Lan Saadatnejadi, Former Executive Officer of LA Metro's Highway Program; and Naveen Lamba, Data Analytics Director, Grant Thornton.
June 13 and 14
Inframations' U.S. P3 Infrastructure Forum of 2018 will be held June 13-14 at The Hilton Midtown, New York. Heading into its fourteenth year, the event will bring together infrastructure developers, investors, financiers, state and federal public officials and regional transportation authorities for two days of panel discussions, keynote presentations and valuable networking. 

Senior delegates from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Latin America will attend to discuss what is happening across the country and the issues that are shaping the industry's future. Registration is open for the conference here. View more details here or contact eventmail@inframationgroup.com.
July 23 and 24
The P3 Airport Summit will be held July 23 and 24 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, San Diego, Calif. Several speakers, including Mary Scott Nabers, will examine airport infrastructure challenges faced nationwide and offer lessons learned and best practices in project delivery, procurement and life-cycle asset management. The event will provide keynotes, case studies, panels, workshops and diverse networking opportunities. 

Attendees with little experience in the development and operation of the P3 model will benefit from industry experts presenting their knowledge and valuable insights into market trends crucial for business decisions. Attendees include senior management from firms in the construction, engineering, architecture, legal, investment and consulting industries as well as senior business and facility administrators from airports. Join over 1,000 industry leaders, public owners and stakeholders for this two-day event with a packed agenda. Register for the summit here. 
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. provides opportunity identification for all 50 states. 
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

- Kansas City's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Mary J. Miller, whose nearly 30-year municipal career spans four decades, will retire effective April 30. David Evans, Miller's deputy CIO and a 30-year staffer himself, has already been appointed as the replacement in this Missouri city. 
- Eric Mackey was chosen from a list of four finalists to be the next Alabama State Superintendent of Education. The position has been vacant since former Superintendent Michael Sentance resigned in September. Mackey, who will begin his new position May 14, is currently the executive director of the School Superintendents of Alabama. 
- Astrid S. Tuminez has been selected as the president of Utah Valley University, the largest public university in Utah. Tuminez is the regional director for corporate, external and legal affairs in Southeast Asia for a technology company. She replaces Matthew S. Holland, who was appointed president in 2009. - Elisabeth Bourqui has been selected as the chief operating investment officer (COIO) for the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Bourqui replaces Wylie Tollette, who left CalPERS in December 2017 to return to the public sector. She will begin at CalPERS on May 14. 
- Michael Dietrich began his new position April 2, as the state of Nevada's chief information Officer and deputy director of administration. Dietrich had served as a senior technology leader in the private sector. He replaces Shanna Rahming, who stepped down in February after three years as the top technology officer for the state. 
- Daniel A. Wubah, a former provost and senior adviser to the president of Washington and Lee University, will be the next president of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1. Wubah is a successor to John M. Anderson, who will retire June 30 after serving as Millersville's president for more than five years. 
- Ryann Juden has been selected as the city manager for North Las Vegas, Nevada's fourth-most populous city. Juden was named interim city manager in January after City Manager Qiong Liu left the position. 
- Tom Stritikus, deputy director of K-12 education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will take over Aug. 1 as president of Fort Lewis College. He will replace outgoing president Dene Thomas who has been in that position since 2010. 
- Ohio's Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black resigned from his position April 21. After accepting his resignation, the city council appointed Assistant City Manager Patrick Duhaney as the interim city manager. 
- Daryn Miller was named chief investment officer of the $4 billion Kern County Employees' Retirement Association in California. Miller, who began his new roles April 23, was the senior investment officer of the $3 billion San Jose Police and Fire Department Retirement Plan and the $2 billion San Jose Federated City Employees' Retirement System. Miller replaced Peter Tirp, who resigned in August 2017. 
- Beaumont City Council appointed Earl White to serve as the fire chief. White, who is currently the Jefferson County Precinct 1 constable, was a former arson investigator and firefighter with Beaumont Fire Rescue. Fire Chief Anne Huff retired in January after holding the position for 10 years. 
- Nick Marano, the city manager of Carson, will be leaving his position in Nevada's capital city after his contract expires on June 2. Marano, a retired Marine Corps colonel, was working as a management consultant when he was hired as Carson City manager in 2014. 
- West Virginia Northern Community College President Vicki L. Riley has announced she is retiring from the college. Her retirement from the college is effective June 30. J. Michael Koon has been appointed as the interim president starting July 1, pending approval from the West Virginia for Community and Technical College Education. 
- Suisun City Fire Chief Mike O'Brien plans to retire May 7 after 22 years of service. O'Brien's job will be filled with an interim fire chief until the Suisun City Council hires a new city manager. O'Brien has been the fire chief since 1996. 
- Ron Foggin will officially begin his position as Kingman's new city manager in Arizona on May 16. Foggin most recently held employment as city manager in Dallas, Ore. Foggin will take the place of interim City Manager James Bacon.
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