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Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of May 19 - 25, 2024 as the 64th Annual National Public Works Week in Solano County where we come together to recognize and celebrate the dedication and profound impact that public works have on the lives of all Solano County residents (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of May 19-25, 2024 as the 64th Annual National Public Works Week in Solano County where we come together to recognize and celebrate the dedication and profound impact that public works have on the lives of all Solano County residents.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
National Public Works Week is observed each year during the third full week of May. Recognizing National Public Works Week helps to acknowledge the tens of thousands of men and women across the country who provide and maintain public works infrastructure and services. National Public Works Week was initially instituted in 1960 as a public education campaign to call attention to the importance of public works in community life. Public Works professionals serve the public every day with quiet dedication, and their successes often go unnoticed. The resolution presented today honors their commitment (Attachment A - Resolution for National Public Works Week).
The week of May 19 - 25, 2024 marks the 64th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. This year we embrace the theme "Enhancing Quality of Life for All" where public works plays a vital role in improving and enriching our daily lives, regardless of where we reside. Dedicated public works professionals deliver essential services every day to foster healthier, happier, and more resilient communities. Whether responding to landslides, flooding, treefall, or silently serving in countless other capacities, these professionals are the backbone of our communities worldwide (Attachment B - 2024 Poster).
In Solano County, our public works personnel design, construct, and maintain vital connections between our cities, rural farms, businesses, and the broader region. It is also important during this time to recognize the importance of safety in public works activities. Engineers, surveyors, operations work crews, and contractors work to provide safe roadways and to reduce hazards by implementing and maintaining best safety practices in construction zones. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should obey all signage and traffic rules and raise their level of caution in active construction zones.
Public Works crews are often the first called back to work during emergencies such as fires, floods and earthquakes. Solano County has experienced all of these type emergencies in the past 15 years and with each incident public works crews were engaged many critical functions such as traffic control, debris removal, landslide mitigation and bridge structural checks all in furtherance of public safety. They perform these tasks in all hours of the day and night and often under adverse conditions. The work they perform reflects the high degree of commitment to public safety and facilitating economic growth and the quality of life in our communities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the resolution. This is not recommended because the proclamation raises public awareness regarding the importance of public works in our communities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
National Public Works Week is being recognized by local agencies across the United States.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION