Introduction
• Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, and staff. I am William O. Howland Jr., Director of the Department of Public Works. Thank you for this opportunity to present our accomplishments during FY 2009 and 2010 to date.
• The mission of the Department of Public Works is to provide environmentally healthy municipal services that are both ecologically sound and cost effective. To that end, DPW serves all District residents, businesses, visitors and commuters by providing:
o Trash, recycling and litter collection and disposal.
o Street and alley cleaning.
o Solid waste education and enforcement.
o Parking enforcement, including towing, booting and removing abandoned vehicles.
o Fleet management, including acquisition and disposal, fueling, and vehicle maintenance services.
• In 2009, our work was recognized with national and local awards.
• In March we received the Life-time Partnership Award from the US Department of Energy for our work as a stakeholder with the Metropolitan Washington Alternative Fuels Clean Cities Partnership. They recognized how we successfully incorporated the use of natural gas and alternative fuels into the fleet.
• In August, DPW became a 2009 CIO 100 Awards winner to “honor 100 companies that are creating new business value by innovating with technology.” We received the CIO Award for Sweepercam, which uses the license plate recognition system technology to capture images of vehicles parked during restricted street sweeping hours. This award is given by IT industry leader, CIO magazine.
• In October, DPW was ranked 14th of the top 40 jurisdictions by Government Fleet magazine for our implementation our green fleet programs.
• The US Secret Service gave a special recognition certificate to Occupational Safety and Health Manager Daniel Harrison for special events coordination for the International Monetary Fund summit held in November 2008.
• The White House recognized the achievements of DPW employees. Earl Simpson, Sanitation Supervisor for Special Operations, and Christian Eze, Sanitation Crew Chief, were invited to the White House for the White House Holiday Open House Tour.
• Locally, the Petworth community recognized SWEEP Lead Solid Waste Inspector Ben Broome (a 27-year DPW employee) for his rapid response to citizens concerns.
• In September the Pleasant Hills Community Partnership presented DPW with Certificates of Excellence and Appreciation for the superior work of the Ft. Totten Waste Transfer Station staff and the solid waste collection crews that handle waste management in that neighborhood.
• We appreciate these organizations for acknowledging the outstanding work performed everyday by the Department of Public Works. I want to acknowledge the many residents who have taken the time to send me a note commending DPW employees for exceeding our customers’ expectations.
DPW in Action – Providing Tangible Benefits to Our Customers
• Now I would like to share other achievements that occurred in FY 2009 and 2010.
• I believe every DPW employee would agree that our support for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama was an honor and a privilege.
• The Inauguration was an unforgettable experience that showcased how effectively DPW administrations work cooperatively to get the job done.
• DPW administrations also distinguished themselves individually in FY 2009 and 2010.
Parking Enforcement Management Administration
• Our Parking Enforcement Management Administration has concentrated on customer service by opening the new Blue Plains Customer Service Center in August.
• Previously, motorists had to pay all fines, boot and/or tow fees at the Department of Motor Vehicles Adjudication Office at 301 C St., NW. The new customer center is a one-stop trip for customers paying with check, debit or credit card.
• We improved the process to alert the Metropolitan Police Department to stolen vehicles that received parking tickets to help the police more quickly locate stolen vehicles and return them to their owners.
• FY 2009 also saw improved processes in the ROSA (Register Out-of-State Automobiles) program.
• Our neighborhoods benefited from an increase in the number of abandoned vehicles removed from public and private property when we compare FY 2008 to FY 2009. In FY 2008, we removed 2,600 vehicles and in FY 2009, we removed 3,700.
• Even more abandoned vehicles were removed during Fix-its in FY 2009 (1,323 vehicles) while 992 vehicles were removed during FY 2008 Fix-its.
• In FY 2009, DPW made rush-hour traffic easier for residents and commuters to navigate by towing almost 20,000 vehicles blocking rush-hour streets. That was an increase of about 1,000 vehicles over FY 2008.
• While no one wants to get a parking ticket, a boot or a tow, parking enforcement continues to be my second most requested service.
• Fair, equitable parking enforcement supports our businesses by creating turnover of curbside spaces and ensuring residents access to parking spaces near their homes.
Solid Waste Management Administration
• Just as Parking Enforcement makes our city more livable, so does the Solid Waste Management Administration, which distinguished itself on several fronts between FY 2009 and 2010.
• I am happy to announce that our recycling diversion rate increased from 20 percent in FY 2008 to 24 percent in FY 2009. We attribute the increase to the new materials accepted for recycling and greater awareness among residents of the importance of recycling.
• Throughout the year, DPW seeks opportunities to raise residents’ awareness of recycling. In November, we celebrated American Recycles Day by distributing gift bags to the first 20 residents who dropped off household hazardous waste, e-cycling and documents to be shredded at the Ft. Totten Transfer Station.
• In FY 2009, we used multiple media to encourage residents to make the switch to DTV. And we provided them with a safe means to recycle their older televisions by bringing them to Ft. Totten.
• So far this year, 3,745 vehicles have visited Ft. Totten to recycle hazardous waste, unwanted electronics and shredded personal documents. The overall vehicle count for FY 2009 was 5,640. During FY09, DPW also provided these services at the Benning Road Transfer Station, visited by 5,071 vehicles.
• The Office of Recycling launched a five-week Recycling and Solid Waste Coaches internship this past summer. Four young adult enrollees learned about proper solid waste disposal, recycling, and various aspects of resource conservation in both classroom and hands-on settings.
• At the end of the program, the interns demonstrated their new skills by serving as recycling coaches to District of Columbia schools.
• DPW is taking the next step to improve our recycling program by publishing the new recycling regulations. We anticipate improved compliance among commercial establishments and increased residential participation.
• Mr. Chairman, thank you for your support of our recycling efforts.
Fleet Management Administration
• Solid Waste is leading our residential and commercial green efforts while the Fleet Management Administration is a national leader among government-run fleet operations.
• Fleet keeps DC government going 24/7 by fueling and fixing vehicles, the most basic of their services. And Fleet is focused on its future operations.
• For instance, the Fleet Management Administration became the first organization in District government to create a public-public partnership to provide ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) training for mechanics in heavy and light vehicle maintenance and classroom training.
• Another first is the DC Fleet Share program, which continues to set the standard for other jurisdictions seeking a new way to handle their motor pool. Fleet Share started with 29 vehicles at four sites and grew to 75 vehicles at nine sites. This innovation allowed the District to reduce its light vehicle fleet by 300.
• Chairman Graham, we appreciate your support for this program, as well as our other fleet programs that are designed to decrease emissions produced by the fleet, including use of ultra-low sulfur diesel. Later this year, we are transitioning to B-20 biodiesel fuel.
• Of the fleet’s 678 passenger vehicles, 438 or 65 percent are alternative fuel vehicles.
• We are increasing our AFVs through the use of $1.1 million in federal stimulus funds to purchase approximately 18 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as trash compactors and front-end loaders.
• With $963,000 in local funds, DPW also will buy approximately 24 medium- and light-duty vehicles, such as vans and pickup trucks.
• These are just our most recent steps to create a green fleet. Through FY 2010, we will continue this effort.
DPW Takes Community Service Seriously
• I would like to conclude my testimony by applauding the men and women who work hard every day to provide the Public Works services our customers expect and highlighting their commitment to our community, which often takes them beyond their normal tour of duty.
• In addition to their regular duties, DPW employees contributed to the One Fund, bought toys and books for needy youngsters for the Bread for the Soul charity, and gave their time and dollars to support Haitian relief.
• They are role models for our young people who work with us through the Summer Youth Employment Program. Our Human Capital Administration leads DPW’s participation in SYEP and has created a template of work experience coupled with enrichment activities, such as resume and job interview training. That template has been copied throughout DC government because it works.
• Chairman Graham, we invite you to once again bring the young people who will work in your office this summer to visit the Ft. Totten Transfer Station. We were happy to welcome the 25 youth to Ft. Totten where they learned how the city processes waste and handles recycling.
• Last summer, the youth engaged in something new. Parking Enforcement introduced “Speak Out,” a debate among several youth who spoke on either the use of the “N” word or being judged by what we wear. The winners received gift cards and everyone benefited from the robust discussion of these issues.
• Yes, we debate issues. We also have fun. In July, we organized the District’s second annual Truck Touch. More than 200 children and adults climbed aboard fire trucks, dump trucks, trash packers, electric cars, heavy and light snow plows, front end loaders and other utility and emergency vehicles presented by DPW, DDOT, DOES, DPR, HSEMA, Fire and EMS, MPD, DCWASA and the Red Cross.
• When the Emmy-award winning hit reality show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came here in August, DPW was on the scene to do our part to help District youth. The Solid Waste Management Administration provided two roll off trucks, clean up support, and monitored the area while crews rebuilt the Fishing School, a nationally-recognized youth development organization in Ward 7.
• I would like to salute you, Chairman Graham, for your vision that became the reality known as Murals DC. For the second year, DPW, along with the Commission on the Arts and Humanity have worked collaboratively with neighborhoods to create public art produced by District youth.
• We are achieving your goal of replacing illegal graffiti with artistic works to discourage future tagging, and to teach young people the art of aerosol painting.
• In conclusion, I want to give my heartfelt appreciation to all the DPW employees whose work during this snow season far exceeded that of any previous winter. I also want to acknowledge their families’ sacrifices endured as the District fought the worst snow storms in our history. All of us are stronger for this experience and the bonds it created among our co-workers.
• Thank you, Chairman Graham, for the opportunity to testify about our work. I am available to respond to your questions.