TEXAS CHAPTER APWA
Board Meeting
June 6, 2012
Mesquite Convention Center—Mesquite
Item 1—Call to Order
President Bobby Ballí called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Board Members Present
Bobby Ballí
Jason Watts
Trent Epperson
Tim Tumulty
Robert Canterbury
Eric Dargan
Troy Dorman
Sharon Valiante
Kristina Ramirez
Ronnie Bates
Carlos Sanchez
Larry Peirce
Wade Benton
Ex Officio
Susan Causey
Guests Present
Mark Pavageaux
Lori Dullnig-Warlen
Linda Huff
Dorothy Bergesen
Jeff Ground
Gary Saunders
John Espinoza
Dixie Cawthorne
Andrea Brinkley
John Pledger
Item 2--Introductions
Item 3—Approval of Minutes
President Ballí asked the Board to review the minutes from the February 12th Board meeting.
Sharon Valiante motioned and Trent Epperson seconded the motion to accept the minutes
with correction of the date. The motion passed.
Item 4—Old Business
A. Texas Chapter, Permian Basin and Paso del Norte
By-law Review
Carlos Sanchez
The Texas Chapter By-laws have been reviewed by national APWA and are ready to be
presented to the general membership for approval during the TPWA Business meeting.
Troy Dorman made the motion to support and resubmit the Branch by-laws of the Paso del
Norte Branch and Permian Basin Branch to national APWA. Jason Watts seconded the
motion and the motion passed. The Paso del Norte and Permian Basin representatives gave
update on the establishment of the new Branches. Gary Saunders represented Permian
Basin and the Paso del Norte Branch was represented.
B. Assessment of Video Conference Technology
Bobby Ballí
th
Mr. Ballí led discussion to assess the April 16 video conferenced Board meeting held at
various HNTB facilities. To address the concerns of those who were unable to attend the
meeting at an HNTB facility it was determined that with the support of Social Media Chair
Jason Watts, a future Board meeting will be held on Go To Meetings.
C. Training Funding Policies
Wade Benton
Mr. Benton reported that a Committee consisting of Troy Dorman, Robert Canterbury, Linda
Huff, Lacy Lovelady, and Kristina Ramirez met to discuss the process for Texas Chapter
Board’s funding of Branch training. The Committee recommended 1) three application
deadlines for Branch financial requests 2) enhanced visibility of process be placed on the
TPWA web site. Discussion was held to solicit Board input. Ms. Causey reminded the Board
that by December 15th all Branches are required to submit a 2013 budget. Because of the
budget process, Branches have the opportunity to assess future funding requests. In
presenting this budget to the Chapter, the Chapter Board will be informed to the 2013
requests that will come to the Board. After discussion, Mr. Ballí asked the Committee to
come to the TML Board meeting with a proposed process.
D. Ambucs Tryke
Sharon Valiante
The Texas Chapter Board of Directors approved funding a $600. Ambucs Tryke. Ms. Valiante
reported the Tryke will be presented during the Annual Conference. Mr. Tumulty thanked
the Board for the contribution. Additionally, the Annual Conference Planning Committee will
present an Ambucs Tryke on behalf of all of the speakers at the conference.
Item 5 President-Elect
Tim Tumulty
A. Scholarship
Written
Jeff Ground provided a written report and Mr. Tumulty asked Mr. Ground to recap. Mr.
Ground reported that there were 13 applications for scholarships, a scholarship flyer has
been prepared and distributed, and Freese and Nichols presented the Texas Chapter with
$2500. to be used for professional development scholarships. On behalf of the Committee,
Andy Anderson and Andrea Brinkley, Mr. Ground presented recommendations that 8 $1000.
And 3 $500. Educational scholarships be presented. Additionally the Committee
recommends that 2 $1000 professional development scholarships be presented. Since the
recommended amount represents an amount above the budgeted scholarship amount,
Board approval for payment was requested. Ronnie Bates made the motion and Sharon
Valiante seconded the motion to pay $11,500. in scholarships. The motion passed.
B. History
Tim Tumulty
Richard Ridings announced that the boxes of photos are ready to be returned to the Texas
Chapter. The photos have been digitized. Richard Ridings will be available to do oral history
interviews with his personal laptop. Ms. Causey reported that Headquarters prepared a
history of the Texas Chapter APWA which will appear in the TML 100th anniversary
publication. The one-page article will serve to promote TPWA. Ms. Causey noted that the
written text came verbatim from the existing histories of the Texas Chapter. Ms. Causey
stated that being able to fulfill the request of TML is but one example of the value of having
a written history. The most recent written history ends with the 1989 year. Tim Tumulty
offered to provide continuity for the History project and offered to oversee the History
project through completion.
C. Chapter Dinner
Tim Tumulty
The Chapter dinner will be held at the Alcatraz Brewery on Tuesday night of Congress.
Transportation will be provided by the two traditional sponsors and registration will be
handled by the Texas Chapter. The cost per person will be $50.
Item 6 Vice President
Sharon Valiante
A. 2012 Annual Conference
Tim Tumulty
Mr. Tumulty welcomed individuals to the 2012 Annual Conference in Mesquite. Tim reported
that attention has been directed at increasing attendance in the exhibit hall. A letter was
sent to the cities in the Metroplex inviting public works employees to attend the exhibit at
no cost. Additionally, exhibitors were charged the 2006 rate for exhibiting. Award Banquet
will be held on Thursday.
B. Education Committee
Mark Pavageaux
Mark Pavageaux stated that the Education Committee did a great job in preparing the
Annual Conference educational program and gave special thanks to Robert Canterbury for a
job well done. The schedule is full of good programs and Mark suggested that the Board
may be interested in attending a session, Overcoming the Five Dysfunction of Team. The 2013
Short Course planning will begin in earnest after the Annual Conference. Mr. Pavageaux
reinforced that the Committee is moving forward in strengthening the Emergency
Management Track and asked that the Board provide comments if this does not meet the
expectations of the Board. John Espinoza stated that the weekly Education Committee
Conference calls have been beneficial in moving the Committee forward.
C. Cvent Evaluation Committee
Tim Tumulty
With the upcoming Cvent contract renewal due in October, Mr. Tumulty would like to
establish a Cvent Performance Evaluation Committee. Bob Canterbury, Mark Hines, Steven
Dean, Trent Epperson, Jason Watts, Dorothy Bergesen and John Pledger will meet by
conference call to discuss performance of Cvent services and make recommendations to the
Board regarding registration services.
D. Technical Committee Reports
E. Branch Reports
Written
Written
F. 2013 Short Course Theme Approval
Sharon Valiante
Local Planning Committee Chair Dorothy Bergesen reported that the 2013 Short Course
Committee recommends the theme Sweet Home College Station Where Traditions Matter.
Trent Epperson moved that the theme be accepted and Eric Dargan seconded. The motion
passed.
G. 2013 Annual Conference
Kristina Ramirez
The City of Waco will be represented at the 2012 Annual Conference as they observe the
process.
Item 7 Secretary
Kristina Ramirez
A. Membership Committee
Written
Kristina Ramirez reported that Steve Voiles was unable to attend and stated that there are
1516 members. Jason Watts presented a breakdown of Branch membership.
B. Public Relations Committee
Dixie Cawthorne
The Public Relations Committee has two active members and is proposing additional
participation in the project of the Chapter. The Committee offers to participate and liaison in
the Annual Conference, Short Course, TML, Membership and Awards Planning Committees.
The Committee has $5000. and can be of assistance. Troy Dorman asked the Committee to
prepare a one page flyer that he can distribute by email. Ronnie Bates stated that the
Committee can be utilized to contact agencies that have vacancies and Robert Canterbury
asked that Branches be made aware of the most recent membership information.
C. Social Media Report
Jason Watts
Jason Watts provided a written report to the Board. Jason will work with Dixie Cawthorne
on overlapping projects. Ronnie Bates will be utilizing Twitter throughout the Conference
for the benefit of the participants. Jason Watts will provide an updated list of members in
the Paso del Norte Branch to Kitty Rayas.
D. Headquarters Report
Headquarters reminded the Board that the next due date for the Participant is July 1. Bobby
Ballí challenged each Branch to submit an item for the theme “Leadership”. Ms. Causey
reported that the Texas Chapter has qualified for the 16th year to apply for the PACE.
Item 8 Treasurer
Carlos Sanchez
Carlos Sanchez gave the financial report.
Item 9 Trustee
Wade Benton
TML has been contacted to reserve a booth. Sharon Valiante made a motion that TPWA
host a booth at TML and spend a maximum of $2000. Ronnie Bates seconded and the
motion passed.
Item 10 Past President
Ronnie Bates
A. Nominating Committee
Ronnie Bates
The Nominating Committee announced the addition of Linda Huff to the slate of officers.
With motion from Sharon Valiante and second by Jason Watts, the Board approved the
proposed 2013 slate of officers.
The proposed slate of officers:
Tim Tumulty
Sharon Valiante
Kristina Ramirez
Carlos Sanchez
Wade Benton
Linda Huff
Eric Dargan
Bobby Ballí
President
President elect
Vice President
Trustee
Treasurer
Trustee
Trustee/TML Rep.
Past President
Mr. Bates will present the slate of officers to the general membership at the membership
meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor.
B. Awards
Ronnie Bates
Award Chair Joe du Menil was unable to attend and Mr. Epperson announced that the
national awards are ready to go. Sharon Valiante will assist with the presentation of the
awards. There were not many nominations for the national awards. Mr. Epperson asked
what barriers exist to submissions for APWA awards. Board members are encouraged to
submit a nomination for APWA Top Leader of the Year.
Item 11 TML Representative
Eric Dargan
A. Educational session at TML
The Texas Chapter will host an educational session on Smartphone Applications for cities.
Trent Epperson motioned and Sharon Valiante seconded support of Eric Dargan’s
proposed program. The motion passed.
Item 12 HOD Report
Larry Peirce
Item 13 New Business
A. Agenda for General Business Meeting
Bobby Ballí
The Board established the agenda for the General Business Meeting. Branch Presidents are
encouraged to participate in the program.
Item 14 Motion to adjourn
After two hours six minutes and 27 seconds the meeting was adjourned.