MCEA Program

2021 Schedule

(Printable PDF)

Tuesday, January 19

Time	Activity
2:00 p.m.	Board of Directors Meeting
4:00	New Engineer Reception

Wednesday, January 20

Morning Session

Moderator: JinYeene Neumann, Carlton County

Time	Activity
8:00 a.m.	Opening / Welcome Jodi Teich, President, Minnesota County Engineers Association
8:15	State Aid Update Chris Kufner, State Aid Office Director State Aid will provide an update and share new information, including a presentation on Contract Award and Bid Analysis by Nancy Sannes, from MnDOT’s Project Delivery office.
9:05	Break
9:15	Statewide Speed Limit Vision and Roadway Safety Items Mark Vizecky, MnDOT State Aid Slower, faster, slower! Faster! This seesawing dialog has been racing all around the world, since our locomotion was propelled beyond the foot. Here in Minnesota, the first attempt to control operator speed by statute occurred in 1881. A forward looking, collaborative vision, for setting statewide speed limits have been created. Let’s explore the journey and the vision. We will also explore other important safety topics.
10:05	Break
10:15	Emotional Resilience and Immune Resilience: The Need of the Hour Dr. Amit Sood, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine The session will share the connections between your immune system, neuroscience, emotions, and resilience. Based on the shared insights, participants will learn several specific skills that they can immediately apply in their life.
11:45	Lunch
12:30 p.m.	Local Road Research Board (LRRB) and Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Updates Mike Marti, SRF Consulting Stephanie Malinoff, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB): #gotquestions - Brief update on the local agency survey results prioritizing the new research ideas; next steps Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP): Brief update on the new initiatives and training being provided by LTAP.
1:20	Break

Wednesday, January 20

Afternoon Session

Moderator: Dave Overbo, Clay County

Time	Activity
1:30 p.m.	Snow and Ice Control Optimization (Cory/Patrick Frost Systems) Snow and Ice Control Optimization (Dan G, MnDOT) Snow and Ice Control Optimization (Kris H Anoka Cty) Cory Moore and Patrick Baglien, Frost Control Systems, Inc. Dan Gullickson, MnDOT Kris Holzknecht, Anoka County This session will cover three areas of snow and ice control. Snow fencing and the benefits seen on highways. Non-invasive smart sensors along our highways. Plow route and salt usage optimization.
2:20	Break
2:30	Engineering Ethics Justin Weinberg, Taft Law Discussion regarding the ethical rights and wrongs.
3:30	Adjourn

Thursday, January 21

Morning Session

Moderator: Teal Spellman, Watonwan County

Time	Activity
8:30 a.m.	Business Meeting Jodi Teich, President, Minnesota County Engineers Association
9:50	Break
10:00	Right of Way Issues/Legalities John Kolb, Igor Lenzner, and Adam Ripple, Rinke Noonan Law Firm This session will provide an overview of legal issues facing public right-of-way and will provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. There will be an overview of (1) drainage and ditch issues and how they impact public road right of way; (2) obstacles in right of way including trees, rocks, and utilities; (3) legal rights to the land including fee ownership vs easement, use of right-of-way by adjacent owners, and obtaining title by use. After this overview the panel will take your questions about legal uses rights within right-of-way as well as practical solutions to problems.
10:50	Break
11:00	Drainage Legalities John Kolb, Igor Lenzner, and Adam Ripple, Rinke Noonan Law Firm This session will address a general overview of public drainage law and current issues. The speaker's hope is that the session will be question and discussion driven, so bring your questions! Topics can include changing drainage patterns, improvement and maintenance of drainage systems, how to initiate proceedings and how to navigate a changing regulatory and public interest issues.
12:00	Lunch

Thursday, January 21

Afternoon Session

Moderator: Ted Schoenecker, Ramsey County

Time	Activity
1:00 p.m.	Iowa County Engineers Association Update Mark Nahra, Woodbury County Iowa, ICEA President National Association of County Engineers Update Scott McGolpin, NACE President
1:30	Break
1:40	Lessons Learned regarding Public Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic Nick Fischer, Ramsey County Frank Ticknor, Washington County Projects must go on, even during a pandemic. We asked ourselves, “How can we continue to develop projects when we are limited by social gathering restrictions and social distancing guidelines?” We determined that virtual platforms gave us the tools needed to build a robust public engagement strategy. In this session, you will learn about project videos, surveys, slide shows, and socially distanced pop-up events.
2:30	Break
2:40	St. Louis County Teamsters Strike Jim Foldesi, St. Louis County During the 2019 -2020 snow removal season the St. Louis County Teamsters went on strike. Jim Foldesi, St. Louis County Engineer, will be speaking about the event and St. Louis County's experiences during the event.
3:30	Adjourn
4:00	Awards and Recognition with MCEA and Industry Partners Welcome Jodi Teich, President, Minnesota County Engineers Association Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Transportation (INVITED)

For program questions, please contact ccapsconf3@umn.edu.