On May 20, 2005, the American Public Works Association Northern California Chapter (APWA) presented City of Oakland Public Works Agency (PWA) with four awards acknowledging our achievements during the year.
The awards recognized the agency's leadership in customer service, preventative maintenance, environmental education, and seismic bridge retrofits.
"We're very proud and honored to receive APWA's recognition for our hard work," said Raul Godinez II, PWA's director. "It's too often in our industry that we get a job done and then rush on to address the next crisis. APWA's Awards Program enables us to reflect on the good work that we do and is especially flattering because the recognition comes from our peers."
The awards included:
Award of Merit - Sabrina D. Jones, Call Center Supervisor
Ms. Jones' award of merit results from her focus on customer service. Under her leadership, PWA created a Customer Call Center, which in-takes most of the calls for service, logs them and dispatches them, and tracks them to closure. "Her creativity, energy, and ability to deal effectively with people at all levels make her an outstanding employee," praised Godinez.
Award of Merit - Bruce Saunders, Assistant Director, Department of Infrastructure and Operations
APWA praised the agency's Department of Infrastructure and Operations, headed by Bruce Saunders, for its vision in performing preventative maintenance to minimize flooding. As a result, there was very little localized flooding throughout the City this [2005] rainy season, despite much higher rainfall than normal. Mr. Saunders' approach used the summer/fall months to do preventative pre-storming inlet cleaning. "Bruce emphasizes good attendance, quick deployment, effective job approaches, good customer service and follow-thru," applauded Godinez.
Distinguished Project Award - Oakland "Doin' the Green Thing"
APWA highlighted this project as particularly noteworthy. A ten-part video series, "Doin' the Green Thing" showcases ways Oaklanders can enhance and beautify the city. The series began airing on cable channel KTOP on April 29, 2005 and illustrates how "people, in the course of their daily activities, and promote a healthy environment for everyone," according to Godinez.
Distinguished Project Award - Seismic Retrofit of Broadway-Patton, Hegenberger, and Hamilton Street Bridges
Three seismic bridge retrofits were awarded. "The new bridges maintain and enhance Oakland's physical assets and improve Oakland's neighborhoods," explains Godinez. "Since all work was done below the surface, the projects had no impact to disability and senior citizen access during construction." Using recyclable materials to the extent possible and reducing more than 50% of materials landfilled, the project improved pedestrian overcrossing facilities. The result? "Making walking a more attractive mode of transportation, thereby encouraging reduction in automobile usage and reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality," concluded Godinez.