CMAA Discussion Forums

Denver's Gerali describes "culture change" at agency

Catherine Gerali, district manager of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in greater Denver, CO, told Water Summit attendees that her district, in preparing for a large capital investment over the next 20 years, has had to undergo a "culture change" and learn quickly about new ways of delivering projects.

Some highlights from presentations on the first day of CMAA's Water Summit in Las Vegas:

Program Chair Parks: ARRA shows lack of focus on water

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act demonstrates a lack of focus on water infrastructure needs that can endanger the nation's prosperity and quality of life, Richard "Skip" Parks, PE, said Sunday in opening the CMAA Water Summit in Las Vegas.

Some tidbits from the ARRA Overview session:
Stimulus funding is reaching the Corps of Engineers just as the Corps' previously planned spending is peaking. COE is looking to hire 3,500 new construction professionals. "They're going to have a real challenge, and they will be looking to consultants to help them out," says attorney Mark Berry.

A “cap and trade” system as a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been on the table for some time, and it’s unclear whether there will be any kind of final action on the proposal in the current session of Congress. Proponents say they will continue to push the legislation…but others think the idea is basically DOA because (a) there’s a recession going on and nobody wants to vote for added costs or disguised taxes, and (b) the Administration is already getting ready for a big effort on health care and a second on energy independence.

Even if nothing happens until next year, this is a big issue for our members and for owners and CMAA needs to pay more attention to it than we have to date.