MCEA Program

Opening / Welcome

Jodi Teich, President, Minnesota County Engineers Association

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.

Statewide Speed Limit Vision/ 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.

Emotional 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.

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.

Snow and Ice Control Optimization and Innovation 

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.

Break

Ethics

Justin Weinberg, Taft Law

Discussion regarding the ethical rights and wrongs.

Business Meeting

Jodi Teich, President, Minnesota County Engineers Association

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.

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. 

Iowa County Engineers Association Update 

Mark Nahra, Woodbury County Iowa, ICEA President

National Association of County Engineers Update

Scott McGolpin, NACE President

Break

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.

Break

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.  

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)