The Public Works Nerds Podcast

Hey nerds! Just wanted to share a quick update. It's been over two months since I dropped a new episode, but worry not, the show will go on! I've been on a bit of a hiatus as I settle into my new role as the City Engineer for the City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and drop off two not-so-much-kids-anymore at college. Big changes! And the podcast will be experiencing some changes as well. I'll start recording new episodes later this month and hope to start dropping those before November. In the meantime, I'm looking for some partners and sponsors. If you are interested in introducing your company and product to a growing national (and some international!) audience of Public Works professionals, reach out to me and let's talk. Right now the best way to get a hold of me is through LinkedIn. Also, I will be at the APWA PWX conference next week. If you're there and are interested in chatting about the podcast, reach out! I'm always looking for new guests and topic ideas. Thanks to everyone for your support and input so far. I'm looking forward to working with more Public Works professionals to grow this podcast and provide relevant, educational, and maybe even slightly entertaining content to our industry. Stay tuned for more info! Nerds out!

Are you curious about accreditation for your Public Works agency? Have you been wanting to hear from an agency that has gone or is going through the process? Then this episode is for you! In this episode we are joined by Bill Egan, Public Works Director, Alex Jordan, City Engineer and Barb Kraemer all from the City of Shakopee, MN. We have a great conversation about why Shakopee decided to pursue accreditation through the American Public Works Association and how the early stages of the process is going. There's much to learn here from their experience including the role of other departments in the process, their motivation and the expected time line. We really appreciate Shakopee taking the time to help all of us understand this process better. https://lnkd.in/gbS35_Sc https://lnkd.in/gRiT3WJb Hosted by Marcus Culver Sponsored by Bolton & Menk, Inc.

We have an electrifying 32nd episode for you! Join us as we welcome Noah Silver, CFM, Edina's Master Electrician and Supervisor. Noah talks about Edina's experience in electrifying their fleet, what that means, and how they are adapting their facilities to support electric vehicles. This is a very educational episode and offers you some good items to consider as you ponder when you should buy an electric vehicle for your fleet. Don't be shocked if you laugh once or twice (you probably didn't laugh at that). Hosted by Marcus Culver Sponsored by Bolton & Menk, Inc. https://lnkd.in/gXt2tmiD

Have you listened to our latest episode yet? If not, join us as we become Parks and Rec nerds for one episode while we talk to Matthew Johnson, Parks and Rec Director for the City of Roseville, MN. We talk about Roseville's innovative response to the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic and also touch on why Roseville continues to participate in the National Recreation and Park Association's accreditation program (CAPRA). Definitely some good topics for the Public Works nerds out there to nerd out about! And when I say "we" above, I am referring to myself and my guest co-host, Bryce Shearen, MPA, CPRE. Bryce recently joined Bolton & Menk as their Strategic Development Director Parks & Recreation. Bryce lends me some good Parks and Rec expertise so we can properly grill Mr. Johnson during this episode. Bryce also co-hosts a local podcast for the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association called MRPA Talks. We hope you enjoy nerding out with us on these crossover topics! Find this and all of other great episodes wherever you download your podcasts. YouTube video https://lnkd.in/gvAqUN8p Host: Marcus Culver Sponsored by Bolton & Menk, Inc.

It's our 30th episode! In this episode we talk about Project Communications, both during the project and before the project. Sara Renney, Communications Manager for Carver County, MN, talks to us about using video to advocate for project funding. We also talk about using social media how to handle negative comments. Listen in as Sara shares her expertise with us nerds. YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ghhbSQb4 Host Marcus Culver Sponsored by Bolton & Menk, Inc. #publicworks #communications #publicworkssocialmedia #projectadvocacy

We just "dropped" Episode 29 (Season 2 Episode 9) which is our second take at the Nerds Unplugged format. Joining me in this episode are Debra Heiser and Richard McCoy (City of Robbinsdale). We talk about a variety of topics, which is the point of the unplugged format - to just talk about stuff. We do intentionally recap some recent podcast episodes and talk briefly about the new PFAS limits and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and then think back to 2007 and the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Hope you enjoy this format. Feel free to drop some questions or topic ideas in the comments of this post and we'll take those on in our next unplugged episode. Host: Marcus Culver Sponsored by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. https://lnkd.in/gbS35_Sc YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gzMdtEGN

Our newest episode features another 2023 APWA Top Ten Public Works Leader Chris Evers from Pavement Technologies, Inc. Of course, we first and foremost celebrate this honor for Chris but then we get nerdy....about pavements! I've been wanting to nerd out about pavement maintenance for awhile and Chris definitely delivered by getting deep into the chemistry of PTI's products including a new treatment with Titanium Dioxide to create a smog eating treatment. Intrigued? So was I! Listen in to learn more. Available wherever you get your podcasts (really, everywhere!). https://lnkd.in/ghGyvh9D https://lnkd.in/gbS35_Sc Host: Marcus Culver Sponsored by Bolton & Menk, Inc.

I'm a little late getting this episode out, but I promise you, its worth the wait. I'm fairly sure that just about every Public Works Director out there, and many of their maintenance staff, have to deal with trees. Having a comprehensive tree inventory and maintenance plan should be a goal for every city. Minnetonka, Minnesota, under the leadership and vision of their City Forester Hannibal Hayes, is working hard and smart towards that goal. I learned quite a bit from Hannibal about some technology that they are already using and a LiDAR system that they are working to implement soon. We also talk about tree diversity, Emerald Ash Borer, and hobby farms! Listen in and learn from a true Tree Nerd and Public Works Nerd! https://lnkd.in/gbS35_Sc YouTube https://lnkd.in/g2bTertM Host: Marcus Culver Sponsored by: Bolton & Menk, Inc.