(COLUMBIA, MO) -
The American Public Works Association (APWA) presented plaques to the Columbia Public Works Department, Columbia Utilities and the Columbia Community Development Department for leadership in the field of public works during the July 18 City Council meeting.
"I'm here tonight to present the reaccreditation of the Public Works Department, and the accreditation of the Columbia Utilities Department and Community Development," said Larry Frevert, APWA past president. "Public works is a broad field and in Columbia some of those responsibilities are shared among these three departments."
In 2001, the City of Columbia Public Works Department became an accredited agency, becoming the fifth nationally. APWA has 112 accredited public works departments in North America, including seven in the state of Missouri. Columbia was the first to be recognized in Missouri and has been reaccredited four times.
"I think national accreditation is a good arbiter and a national indicator of how good our department is," said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece. "I'm proud of our City staff and proud of all of our departments."
In his remarks, Frevert acknowledged the leadership and professionalism of the City Council, City Manager Mike Matthes and Deputy City Manager John Glascock. Frevert also recognized all of the employees of public works, utilities and community development, including accreditation managers Kim McCulloch, David Sorrell and Shane Creech. Plaques were presented to Public Works Director David Nichols, Community Development Director Tim Teddy, and Columbia Utilities Director Tad Johnsen.
"Two hundred and eight practices across those three departments were reviewed and all of them passed with flying colors," said Frevert. "In fact, two of their practices have been recognized as model practices and will be lifted up for other communities to utilize."
The accreditation program requires that employees first do a self-evaluation against nationally accepted standards, and then make adjustments to the City's policies, practices and procedures to make sure that they are consistent with the national standards. Finally, a review team visits to conduct an evaluation. This year a team came from Illinois, Virginia and Kansas City to evaluate.
"The APWA accreditation program acknowledges the commitment to great management, the commitment to perform your duties and services consistent with nationally acclaimed standards, and to demonstrate to the community that you serve that you have a commitment of continuous improvement," said Frevert.
American Public Works Association recognizes City of Columbia (PHOTO ATTACHED)
Front Row: Columbia Utilities Director Tad Johnsen; Public Works Director David Nichols; Community Development Director Tim Teddy; APWA Past President Larry Frevert
Second Row: John Glascock, Floyd Turner, Dawn Ettleman
Third Row: James Fisher, Bill Strawn, Erin Keys, Cynthia Mitchell
Fourth Row: Richard Stone, Jacob Ray, David Sorrell, Mindy Barnes, Rebekah Kirkpatrick
Back Row: Mike Guilford, Nick Paul, Shane Creech, Drew Brooks, Matt Gerike, Kim McCulloch
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