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First I would like to thank District Engineer Ed Bala for his hospitality this week as I visited with employees. I would also like to thank him for yesterday’s excellent tour of the district.
MEETINGS/SPEECHES/CONFERENCES
Earlier this month I attended the AASHTO spring meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. Â There was extensive discussion among the chief executive officers regarding performance measures for all transportation departments as required in the latest federal funding bill.
It looks as if the performance measures implemented by ITD three years ago align closely with those required at the federal level.
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On Tuesday March 26, a package of bills was introduced in the Idaho Legislature that would generate more than $200 million in additional transportation revenue.
The introduction of these bills by Senator Brackett and Representative Kaufman illustrates a willingness to start discussing how to increase transportation funding.
But it represents more than that. These bills show the legislature believes the department and its partners are efficient and effective and can deliver additional projects if the new revenue is approved.
The revenue bills received statewide media coverage.
The Idaho Falls Post Register did give a “cheer†to Senator Bracket for introducing the bills. I would like to read it to you now...
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I was able to attend the WASHTO Committee on Highway Transport late last month.
The committee’s goal is to develop a prioritized plan to make uniform three or four inconsistent trucking laws that are a barrier to commerce. The committee started with a 28-page list of issues.
The transport committee will meet again this fall in Boise.
There are two other meetings I would like to mention...
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Since the last board meeting, I have made presentations to the House and Senate transportation committees and the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. Member DeLorenzo attended the House/Senate presentation and Board Chairman Whitehead joined me at the JFAC presentation.
At both meetings, legislators praised the department for delivering on the promises we have made. Most questions focused on the condition of our roads and bridges and need for additional transportation funding.
Our budget will be set by JFAC on Friday, March 1, at 8 a.m.
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I just returned last night from the annual Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington D.C.
As you may recall, I was invited to present the successes and lessons learned from the department's reorganization at two separate sessions. I was joined by the directors of the Michigan and Delaware DOTs and the Deputy Director of the Rhode Island DOT as presenters at one of my sessions.
The department's "Public Outreach Planner" tool, which was presented to the board at its September meeting, was also featured at one of the TRB sessions.
Our presentations at the TRB conference are another indication of the growing respect and recognition the department is getting across the country.
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Next month, I begin my fourth year as Director. When I started in January 2010, I outlined a five-year vision for the department, and provided a path for achieving our ultimate goal of being the best transportation department in the country.
Each initiative undertaken in these three years by the department, with your direction, guidance and support, was a building block, or a piece of the puzzle if you will, to allow us to take the next step.
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On Friday, Oct. 26, Vice Chairman Coleman joined Governor Otter and other local dignitaries in dedicating the Dover Bridge. Sue is handing out the program for the dedication. The program was an insert in the Bonner County Daily Bee. I appreciate their participation and representation of the department.
The Capital for a Day was held on Oct. 19th in the Elmore County community of Pine. District 3 Engineer Dave Jones represented the department.
The next Capital for A Day will be held Tuesday, November 27 in Aberdeen.
ITD’s Mike Cram received national recognition for work on a team that developed a compensation matrix for ASSHTO.
Cram, a specialist in the Office of Internal Review at ITD, received the Dave Campbell Quality Award (DCQA) from AASHTO’s Administrative Subcommittee on Internal and External Audit at its annual meeting recently.
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Recently, Mike Pape accepted the position of administrator for the Division of Aeronautics. He is a veteran of nearly 30 years in the cockpit and has been part of ITD's Division of Aeronautics for the last five years.
He has logged over 13,000 hours of flying. Before becoming Director of Flight Operations at ITD, Mike was a captain for Boise Cascade, Albertsons, and U.S. Bancorp and several commercial airlines.
He graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree at Boise State University. He is past president of the Idaho Business Aviation Association and serves as a commissioner for the Boise Airport.
Congratulations to Mike on his promotion and we look forward to having him as a member of our Department's Leadership Team.
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The following is my report for September. You will see a common theme. As we strive to become the best transportation department in the country, we continue to receive national recognition throughout many areas of the department.
Idaho’s efforts to design projects to specific needs rather than applying broad, more costly measures are being featured by a national research program. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) will highlight ITD’s practical design efforts along with six other states. The NCHRP is a cooperative effort among the Transportation Research Board, the Federal Highway Administration, and state DOTs to promote research on highway planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
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Many good things are happening at the Idaho Transportation Department. We are advancing elements of our strategic plan as we focus on our customers, the citizens of Idaho.
Donate Life America awarded Idaho with a Gold level designation, meaning our state reached the top tier in all five of the rating categories. Idaho was one of 10 states to receive a gold award. Idaho will be recognized by Donate Life America at the National Learning Congress awards ceremony on October 4, 2012.
The Idaho Transportation Department has completed the six district freight forums that are associated with our freight study. The department was able to learn unique things about freight movement in each district. We will continue our efforts to reach out to our stakeholders as we continue to learn how to best make transportation investments in the state.
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On June 25th and 26th the Leadership of the Special Committee on Transportation Emergency Management met to make final preparations for the 2012 Transportation Hazards and Security Summit and Peer Exchange in August. Bryan Smith and I will represent ITD. Colonel Russell from Idaho State Police and General Shawver from Idaho Homeland Security will also attend on behalf of the State of Idaho.
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On May 8, 2012, I received a letter from the Legislative Services Office, Legislative Audit Division, stating that their office has "completed certain audit procedures at the Idaho Transportation Department in conjunction with the audit of the statewide single audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011." Their conclusion was that "We have no findings and recommendations related to our work conducted at the department." This is a credit to multiple staff members from a variety of areas throughout the department.
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The Executive Team held its quarterly meeting with the Ada County Highway District on April 24, 2012. We discussed goal alignment, performance evaluations, methods for providing feedback to employees, and organizational culture. Board member Julie DeLorenzo was able to join us for this meeting. The next ITD/ACHD meeting will be in July.
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As you can see, today we are using our new video teleconferencing system. We anticipate that this new system will provide much more reliability during our transportation board meetings than what the previous system provided. This system will also be available for other public meetings as well. Note that the microphones are much more sensitive than what you are used to. You may want to take this into account during sidebar conversations or when we break.
A lot of research went into finding the right equipment to meet our needs. I would like to thank Reid Lamson, Jeff Carpenter, Rachelle Swanson, Glenn Roberts and Chris Alden for all their work to make this a success.
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On February 13, 2012, ITD leadership met with representatives from the local agencies. I also met with Stuart Davis, the Executive Director, of the Idaho Association of Highway Districts separately on February 23, 2012. Department staff also participated in the quarterly meeting with the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council on March 9, 2012. These meetings are held regularly basis to strengthen our partnership with the locals. We have many common issues and goals we are all trying to achieve in the transportation area; most notably continuing to maintain services during an era of declining revenues.
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On December 28, 2011, I received a letter From the Legislative Services Office of the Idaho State Legislature. The letter stated that their audit has been completed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The conclusion was that ITD has complied with all laws, regulations, rules, grant agreements, and contracts which were audited for compliance. There were no findings or recommendations to report. This is a direct reflection on all the employees at ITD that take very seriously their job to protect the taxpayer's money, invest it as wisely as they can, and comply with all laws and regulations. This is another indication of ITD's smart fiscal management.
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I completed my annual employee meetings this month in Districts 5 and 6. My goal is to offer all 1,800 employees in the department an opportunity to meet with me. That has been accomplished.
While it is a challenge, I plan to continue the employee meetings next year with a goal of visiting with every employee prior to Labor Day.
I also met with the supervisory and non-supervisory Direct to the Director employee groups on Dec. 5.
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Three documents will be forwarded to the Governor and Lt. Governor, and handed out to our legislators at the legislative outreach meetings that start at the end of this month. I wanted to review these in advance with the Board.
The three documents are:
1. The 2011 Idaho Transportation Department Annual Accountability Report.
2. The Five Year Idaho Transportation Department Investment Plan.
3. The Idaho Transportation Department Strategic Plan.
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During last month's meeting, both Deputy Director Stokes and I commented how we covered for each other these past couple of months as we both dealt with personal losses. But I have found that this is not just about the two of us. Covering for fellow team members happens on a regular basis at the Idaho Transportation Department.
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On August 23rd, we had our second briefing session with State Representatives Joe Palmer and Julie Ellsworth who respectively chair and vice chair the House transportation committee. We provided updates on our Strategic Planning, performance management, ITIP and how we select projects, and a briefing on the GARVEE program.
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Last month, the Idaho Transportation Department announced that an additional $5.7 million was put back on the street or invested in equipment as a result of cost savings due to realignment and other efficiencies. This investment directly supports the mission of ITD.
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On June 21, 2011, ITD leadership and District Three Engineer David Jones met with Mayor Tammy de Weerd and other officials from the City of Meridian to discuss the maintenance facility located within the city. Mr. Jones will continue to meet with the city in an effort to blend the existing facility into the area or relocate the facility.
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On May 20 and 23, 2011, the first sessions of the Direct to the Director meetings were held. Fifteen employees representing a cross section of the department, both geographically and functionally, met with me for about one-half day to discuss issues pertinent to the employees.
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The month of May started with the spring meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and a renewed focus on what is happening with transportation at a national level. Most of the discussion involved funding.
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On March 21, 2011, the ITD budget for fiscal year 2012 passed the House by a 64 to 6 vote. The same budget passed the Senate unanimously with 35 votes on March 29, 2011. I believe that the combined approval of 99 to 6 is an indication of the strong support we have in the legislature. What makes this even more impressive it that the budget bill included increased flexibility to align the budget without the limitations that exist in current Idaho Code.
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On February 22, 2011 I met with Idaho State Police Director Jerry Russell to discuss how our departments could work more closely together. Our partnering efforts will continue with the State Police and involve additional staff at future sessions, including one on March 28, 2011 where ITD, the State Police, and the Ada County Highway District will meet to discuss traffic operations in the Treasure Valley.
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The January Transportation Board meeting concluded with ITD's presentation to the joint House and Senate Transportation Committees. Deputy Director Stokes and I had the pleasure of presenting on behalf of the Department. Many of the questions focused on three areas; GARVEE, the condition of our roads and bridges, and transportation funding.
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On January 10, the 2011 Legislative Session kicked off with the State of the State address. I was pleased that the Idaho Transportation Department was mentioned as one of the agencies which is becoming more efficient and saving the taxpayers money. Our department was only one of four agencies highlighted in this portion of the Governor's remarks. A video is available on our web site.
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Starting this month, my Director's report to the Board will be a little different. Our Executive Officers will have a greater role in presenting pertinent information to the Board. This is an important step as we move the entire organization forward in a coordinated and cohesive manner with the Board, the Director, and through the front lines of the organization. We cannot separate the policy level from the implementation level.
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On November 10th, the department issued permits for over-sized loads to travel from Lewiston to the Montana border on U.S. 12. Shipping the loads was suspended pending a hearing.
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