The Public Works Nerds

Send us Fan MailTearing up a street to fix a pipe feels normal until you realize how many better options exist. We go underground with trenchless technologies that let public works teams install and rehabilitate water mains, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer with a fraction of the disruption, and we get honest about the tradeoffs that make these projects succeed or fail.I’m joined by engineers Brian Simmons and Mitch Hoeft from Bolton and Menk, and we walk through the trenchless “toolbelt” in plain language: horizontal directional drilling for long crossings, pipe bursting for in place water main replacement and upsizing, cured in place pipe for sewer rehabilitation, plus higher precision methods like guided auger bore and microtunneling when gravity sewer grade control is non negotiable. Along the way, we talk costs, tolerances, and the very real mess that can happen when as builts are wrong or utilities are closer than anyone expected.We also dig into what’s changing fast: better pipe materials like fused PVC and HDPE strings, a growing contractor pool, and emerging approaches like spray in place pipe where surface prep and inspection discipline make all the difference. Then we zoom out to the “owner side” decisions, including prequalification, best value procurement, and delivery methods like progressive design build that help manage risk earlier. Finally, we look at where AI is already useful for condition assessment, sewer CCTV review, and even monitoring HDD parameters to reduce frac out risk.If you’re a city engineer, public works director, utility engineer, or just trenchless curious, hit play and bring your toughest crossing problem with you. Subscribe for more, share this with a teammate, and leave a review with the trenchless topic you want us to tackle next.

Send us Fan MailParks maintenance sits at a weird crossroads in city government: it’s part infrastructure, part hospitality, and part community identity. So where should it live on the org chart, under Public Works or inside a standalone Parks and Recreation department? We wrestle with that question in a practical, no-theory way, because the choice changes budgets, staffing, equipment decisions, and the level of service residents feel every time they book a shelter, show up for a tournament, or walk a trail.I’m joined by Greg Hoig, our Parks and Building Maintenance Manager at the City of Brooklyn Park, who brings decades of experience across small cities and a growing metro community. We talk through what breaks when leaders don’t communicate, why parks has a different rhythm than “make normal happen” public works, and how “who owns the revenue” versus “who owns the expense” can distort budget conversations. We also dig into the upside of keeping parks maintenance under the public works umbrella: equipment sharing, smarter purchasing, fewer petty boundary fights, and more consistent policies for maintenance crews.Then we shift into leadership and emergency management. Greg reflects on serving as interim Public Works Director for months without backfilling his core role, navigating major city priorities like PFOS planning and large capital work, and supporting real incidents that demand fast, coordinated logistics across departments.Subscribe for more public works leadership conversations, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review. What structure does your city use for parks maintenance, and why?

Send us Fan MailIn this first episode of Season 4 we are talking about culture in Public Works. Culture is one of those words that can make field crews roll their eyes, until you tie it to the things they care about most: going home safe, working with less drama, and trusting the people around them. We unpack what “public works culture” looks like when it is real, measurable, and built on purpose, not just talked about in a meeting. We’re joined by Tom Esch, who coaches construction firms and public works agencies on culture, communication, empathy, and safety. Tom shares the winding road that brought him here, including a pivotal safety incident from his construction supply days that pushed him toward training thousands of operators and helping organizations prevent the next tragedy. From there, we dig into a powerful case study where a sewer and water group reduced injuries by about 70% over three years, and how that shift improved morale, reduced HR blowups, and made the department a place people wanted to join. We also get practical about leadership development in public works: why great operators often get promoted without communication tools, how “rank and power” can quietly shut people down, and why that becomes a safety hazard when nobody feels safe speaking up. Tom breaks down his “If You Want Accountability, Start with Empathy” framework and the exact kind of language that helps supervisors hold standards without going full old-school. We close with a simple, repeatable approach to safety culture training that includes surveys, feedback, reinforcement, and mentoring so the message actually sticks on the job site. If you found value here, subscribe to the podcast, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more public works leaders can find the show. What part of your culture needs the most attention right now?Show Notes:Esch Consulting Website:https://eschconsulting.com/Check out Tom's book, Personal Accountability and Powerhttps://eschconsulting.com/book/Tom Esch Case Study: How We Reduced Worker Injuries by 70%https://eschconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/Culture-Eats-Safety-for-Breakfast-How-We-Lowered-Injuries-70.pdf

Send us Fan MailIn this episode I welcome one of my favorite Public Works Nerds, Brian Simmons from Bolton & Menk. Brian and I look back at our recent presentation on Artificial Intelligence in Public Works - titled AI in the Sky - at the 2025 APWA PWX in Chicago. We also critique and marvel at an AI generated podcast that was created using just our slide deck from that presentation. In between this and the jokes, we also talk about AI applications in Public Works that will be disruptive in a good way for Public Works professionals. Below is the AI Generated Episode Description, which I must say I'm a bit disappointed with this time. Thanks for listening!--------------------------------------AI GENERATED (Buzzsprout) DESCRIPTIONWhat if your city could turn weeks of fieldwork into decisions in a matter of days? We sat down together at a buzzing conference hall to unpack how AI and uncrewed aerial systems are shifting public works from manual, inconsistent surveys to fast, reliable insights you can act on. Our lens is practical: remove the dull, dirty, dangerous, and repetitive tasks so crews can spend more time fixing the real problems and less time hunting for them.We start with pavement. Using vehicle-mounted imaging and computer vision, tools like Violytics generate network-wide PCI ratings with surprising speed—plus bonus detections like faded signs and sunken structures. That means fresher data for budget talks, clearer maps for crews, and consistent baselines you can trust. We then jump underground, where hours of CCTV “dirty videos” turn into prioritized worklists with platforms like SewerAI. Let the model find cracks, offsets, and roots; let engineers review, rank, and dispatch. The human stays in charge, and the algorithm never gets tired.From there, we head to the sky. Drones paired with edge AI are quietly transforming inspections for cell towers, water towers, utilities, and urban forests—spotting defects and tracking disease without sending staff into harm’s way. We talk policy and privacy too: how to balance FOIA, data governance, and model provenance so IT can say yes with confidence. And we lean into what’s next: agentic AI that writes first drafts, cleans up slide decks, suggests dashboards, and eventually orchestrates systems—think stormwater storage decisions guided by sensors, weather forecasts, and smart controls.If you care about smoother roads, smarter budgets, safer inspections, and stronger asset management, this conversation is your field guide. Subscribe for more Public Works Nerds deep dives, share with a teammate who needs a spark, and leave a review with the first AI workflow you want to try.

Send us Fan MailTwo Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and share practical ways to lead well and care for yourself.• APWA Minnesota election overview and why turnout matters• Department rebrand from operations and maintenance to public works• What the APWA board does and why representation matters• Candidate spotlights across municipal, consultant and regional roles• Mentorship as legacy, mock interviews and LinkedIn as a living log• Self‑care as leadership capacity in high‑stakes seasons• Communicating long‑horizon infrastructure value to communities• PWX conferences, LTAP and LRRB resources, and how to plug inVote for Marc. Vote for Mark. Help us spread the word on the podcast. Drop us a comment on LinkedIn, like our posts, what have you. It really helps us spread the word.

Send us Fan MailI'm excited to welcome my good friend and former colleague Ryan Johnson to the show. Ryan is the Environmental Manager for the City of Roseville in Minnesota and is my favorite storm water and water resources guru. Ryan joins me in this episode to talk about the underappreciated role of making sure that private stormwater BMP's are properly maintained. I know, exciting! But it is. And it is certainly very important for the overall efficiency of the public stormwater system as well. Enjoy!AI Generated Description:Private stormwater device maintenance is vital to the overall operation of municipal stormwater systems, especially for meeting retention and treatment goals. Ryan Johnson shares his expertise as Roseville's Environmental Manager on managing these often-overlooked infrastructure components.• Ryan's background includes working with Ramsey County on residential BMPs and critical area stabilizations before joining Roseville• Roseville faces unique challenges as a first-ring suburb built in the 50s-60s with limited stormwater planning• Private property BMPs are essential when municipalities can't handle all stormwater management alone• Maintenance of underground chambers requires regular inspection and cleaning of pretreatment structures• Proactive maintenance is far more cost-effective than emergency repairs or city enforcement• Roseville created a comprehensive program with maintenance agreements, plans, and code enforcement• Property owner education is crucial as many don't realize they have stormwater infrastructure• The city can perform abatements when property owners fail to maintain their systems• Success stories include both the property owner who immediately took action and challenging sites requiring enforcement• Future plans include potentially offering inspection services similar to private hydrant programsContact your local municipal stormwater team if you're uncertain about the maintenance requirements for stormwater infrastructure on your property.

Send us Fan MailThis episode a great deep dive into asset management with arguably the premier asset management system on the market today. I've been working with Cartegraph since 2010 and have been very impressed with their software and vision for constant improvement. Join me as I welcome Jon Kremer, self proclaimed Product CEO for the Cartegraph Asset Management System at OpenGov, and we talk about how clients are using Cartegraph today, how it has evolved over the decades, and where it is going in the future. Enjoy!https://opengov.com/products/asset-management/AI Generated Episode Description:Every public works professional eventually confronts the challenge of asset management. How do you track thousands of infrastructure elements, maintain them efficiently, and plan for their eventual replacement? It's a question that combines technology, human behavior, and financial planning in ways that can make or break a department's effectiveness.John Kramer, who leads product management for OpenGov's Enterprise Asset Management system, formerly known as, takes us through the fascinating evolution of asset management systems. From his early days implementing solutions for municipalities across America to his current role designing the future of these platforms, Kramer shares insights that apply to organizations of every size.The conversation explores how asset management has transformed from paper-based workflows to cloud systems accessible from smartphones. What's remarkable is how the fundamentals remain consistent—you're still tracking the same basic information about signs, water mains, and park equipment—while the methods for collecting and using that data have revolutionized daily operations. As Kramer explains, success depends on a "three-legged stool" of products, people, and processes working together.We dive into implementation strategies that work, discussing how starting with smaller, focused rollouts often proves more effective than attempting organization-wide adoption. The most successful departments find champions who naturally gravitate to the technology and then leverage their enthusiasm to spread adoption organically. The conversation then turns to exciting future developments: connected systems that integrate asset data with financial planning, Internet of Things sensors providing real-time monitoring, and artificial intelligence applications that can identify assets from photographs and optimize work scheduling.Whether you're considering your first asset management implementation or looking to improve an existing system, this episode offers practical wisdom from decades of experience across hundreds of municipalities. Share your thoughts or questions with us on LinkedIn at Public Works Nerds.

Send us Fan MailWe really nerd out in this episode as we are joined by Steve Nelson and Ryan Stempski, both from WSB & Associates, to talk about PFAS in our drinking water supplies. There is much to unpack about this complex and important issue, and this is just the first hour in likely several hours of conversation on this topic in the months ahead. Enjoy!AI Generated Episode Description:The drinking water crisis nobody's ready for is already here. PFAS, nicknamed "forever chemicals," have infiltrated water supplies across America, and new EPA regulations mandating treatment down to 4 parts per trillion have created a staggering financial burden for communities. This eye-opening conversation with PFAS experts Steve Nelson and Ryan Stempski reveals the true scale of the problem.What makes PFAS so concerning? The carbon-fluorine bond at their core is virtually indestructible in nature, meaning these chemicals persist in groundwater sources for decades or longer. With health effects ranging from increased cholesterol to cancer risks, the EPA's stringent new limits aim to protect public health—but at what cost?For a city like Hastings, Minnesota, treating seven contaminated wells will cost approximately $68.9 million to build treatment facilities and about $1 million annually to operate—a $100 million lifetime investment. Using Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), the primary treatment technology, communities must effectively create "parking garages" where PFAS molecules can be trapped. When these carbon vessels become saturated, they must be replaced at roughly $60,000 each.The Minnesota experience offers valuable insights for communities nationwide. While the $850+ million 3M settlement provides funding for impacted areas in the East Metro, most American communities will need to cobble together federal grants, state assistance, and increased water rates to afford treatment. As one expert notes, "We're all going to be competing for the same resources" as the 2029 compliance deadline approaches.Whether your community is dealing with PFAS now or will in the future, this conversation provides crucial understanding of the science, costs, and challenges ahead. The affordable water we've taken for granted may soon be a thing of the past. Subscribe now and join the conversation about how we'll protect our most vital resource.

Send us Fan MailA deep dive into the City of Rosemount's newly completed Police and Public Works Facility with Public Works Director Nick Egger and Oertel Architects President Andrew Cooper. They share insights on the planning, design, and construction of this $58 million, 160,000 square foot joint facility that addresses decades of space needs while planning for future growth.• Acquisition of the 20-acre site through a three-way land swap between the city, Minnesota National Guard, and Flint Hills Resources• The unique partnership between police and public works departments, rarely seen in municipal facilities• Design challenges of accommodating large vehicles and ensuring adequate turning radius for snow plows and equipment• Architectural features like roof "pop-ups" that provide natural daylight while serving as smoke control devices• Smart technology integration with lighting systems that adjust based on natural light levels and occupancy• Future planning considerations for department expansion and eventual site build-out• Emerging trends in facility design, particularly the implications of electric vehicle fleets and their impact on space requirements• The importance of designing facilities that help recruit and retain talented staff through training spaces and employee wellbeing featuresHelp us grow our audience by liking, reposting, or commenting on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Reach out with episode or guest ideas - we'd love to hear your feedback!https://www.rosemountmn.gov/925/Police-Public-Works-Campus

Send us Fan MailMarc Culver returns with Season 3 of Public Works Nerds, sharing his career transition to Brooklyn Park City Engineer and welcoming back Mark Ray to discuss his recent professional journey to Australia.• Mark Ray's Australian Small Bridge Conference experience featured fascinating insights into bridge inspection methods• Australia uses standardized Level 1-3 inspection terminology creating consistent communication about infrastructure conditions• The "bathtub curve" concept explains how infrastructure failures happen most often during early construction and end-of-life phases• Australian engineers utilize sensors, LiDAR, and drones for infrastructure monitoring while emphasizing the human element in interpretation• Asset management requirements are more ingrained in Australian government agencies than in the US• "Public works makes normal happen" - infrastructure professionals serve as the "stage crew" for everyone's daily life• Upcoming Season 3 episodes will cover PFAS, maintenance facilities, and AI in asset managementPlease follow the podcast on LinkedIn and send us your episode ideas and feedback!Show Notes:Municipal Works Australia https://municipalworks.com.au/Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia https://www.ipwea.org/ipweacommunities/assetmanagement