APWA Accreditation: Shakopee's Public Works Journey with Bill Egan, Alex Jordan, and Barb Kraemer

The Public Works Nerds

This week we start what will become a series of podcasts chronicling the journey of the City of Shakopee, MN through the APWA Accreditation process. Shakopee decided to take this on several months ago and a couple of months into the process at the time of this recording. This is a great conversation about why Shakopee decided to do this, how they found an internal champion and what surprises they've discovered so far. Joining us are guests Bill Egan (Public Works Director), Alex Jordan (City Engineer) and Barb Kraemer (Administrative Assistant).
AI Generated Description:
Curious about what it takes to achieve APWA accreditation? Join us on this enlightening episode of the Public Works Nerds podcast as we sit down with the passionate team from the City of Shakopee, Minnesota. Hear firsthand from Public Works Director Bill Egan, City Engineer Alex Jordan, and Administrative Assistant Barb Kraemer, each sharing their unique journeys and roles within the city's public works department. From Bill's extensive experience to Alex's fresh perspective from Lakeville, and Barb's transition from Parks and Rec, you'll get a front-row seat to the dynamics that make Shakopee's team tick.
Discover the motivations driving Shakopee's pursuit of the prestigious APWA accreditation. Despite the rarity of such recognition in Minnesota, the team was inspired by an intriguing article and took strategic steps to gain internal support. We break down the APWA's accreditation chapters, exploring the collaborative efforts across various city departments and the anticipated timeline for completion. You'll hear about the significance of mission and vision statements, the role of parks maintenance, and the invaluable support from APWA community leaders that has propelled Shakopee's public works department forward.
Uncover the financial and operational considerations of the accreditation process, including the costs and long-term benefits that justify this investment. We delve into the extensive involvement required from multiple departments, with critical support from city administrator Bill Reynolds. Through specific examples like managing roadkill, we highlight the practical impact of updated policies. This episode emphasizes the importance of teamwork, professional growth, and industry recognition, offering insights and inspiration for public works professionals everywhere. Don't miss this engaging conversation that showcases the power of collaboration and dedication in public service!
Show Notes:
APWA Accreditation:
https://www.apwa.org/resources/accreditation/
Parks and Recreation Accreditation:
https://www.nrpa.org/certification/accreditation/CAPRA/
I was planning on putting additional links here to other accreditation services for other departments such as Finance or Human Resources, but decided against it as I can't vet any of these advertised programs. If you are interested I encourage you to start with a simple Google search for "Public Agency Accreditation" and you will find several options for Police, Fire, Finance, etc.

Kapitel

1. Agency Accreditation Process in Shakopee (00:00:00)

2. Public Works Accreditation Process Discussion (00:09:16)

3. Citywide Accreditation Process Collaboration (00:16:23)

4. Financial Costs and Process Benefits (00:23:29)

5. Industry Recognition and Collaboration (00:38:02)