News – APWA Iowa Chapter

Newsletter June 2025

Project of the Year Award Applications DUE 7/1

There is still time to submit for Project of the Year Awards. Using the Nomination Form, submit via email to Eric Cowles no later than July 1, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Cowles via email or by phone at 763-258-7567.

2025-2026 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) Applications DUE 7/18
Interested in leadership and management training among your APWA peers at a national level? Have you been in public works 10 years or less? Or have you been promoted to your 1st supervisory position with the last three years? The Emerging Leaders Academy might be a fit for you. Please review the information at APWA ELA 2025-2026 or contact Steve Johnson with any questions. The Iowa Chapter has many alumni of this program, and you could be one too!

Young Professionals Group
Jon Cygan has volunteered to lead this group. Thanks Jon! To get this kicked off, we need ideas for events for the YP Group. If you have some networking, learning or social gathering opportunities for the YPs, please email Beth Richards and she will pass them onto Jon.

T-shirts
The Iowa Chapter partnered with RAYGUN to develop some unique T-shirts based on ideas submitted by chapter members. These shirts are available for purchase: https://www.rayguncustom.com/collections/apwa-iowa-chapter. If your city would like to place a bulk order (minimum of 25 of one design/color combo), please email Beth Richards.

Mentorship Program
Mentorship has long been a key element in the success of great leaders, and the Iowa Chapter of APWA is committed to continuing that tradition by creating a strong, sustainable mentorship program. While on-the-job mentoring is common, our Iowa Chapter recognizes the need for broader guidance in career development, leadership, and technical skills—especially for emerging professionals. To support this, the Iowa Chapter is looking to develop a mentorship program, built on the success and experience of other chapters. Key steps include securing chapter commitment, defining program goals, forming a steering committee, recruiting mentors and mentees, and providing ongoing support.

If you are interested in either being a mentee or mentor, please fill out this survey.

Iowa Build a Better Mousetrap Competition (LTAP)
Build a Better Mousetrap (BABM) highlights innovative solutions to everyday challenges that local and tribal transportation professionals encounter. This year LTAP had 13 submissions! A record number for Iowa and possibly the country. If you submitted this year and did not win, please try again next year.

Mid America Conference
Planning has begun for the Mid America Conference 2026, tentatively to be held May 13-15, 2026 in Overland Park (venue still to be finalized). At this time, they are looking for volunteers to help with the planning of the event. The following committees are available:

• Program
• Accommodations
• Budget
• Communications
• Exhibit Show
• Operations
• Prizes
• Recreation

Volunteers can choose their committee or just say they want to help and we will find them a committee. We’ll also be looking for volunteers at a future date to assist during the conference. More to come on that at a future date.

Upcoming Training Opportunities (through LTAP)
• Streets & Roads Conference – September 9-11, Des Moines
Please contact Keith Knapp with any questions.

Other Upcoming Events…
• PWX – August 17-20, 2025, Chicago, IL
• Fall Conference – October 1-3, 2025, Des Moines Embassy Suites
• Winter Maintenance Supervisor Training – West Des Moines Rec Plex
• Spot Rodeo – Waukee
• Mid Am – Spring 2026 – Overland Park, KS
• Snow Conference – 2027 – Des Moines – National Conference (Iowa APWA host)

APWA Coloring Books
APWA Coloring Books, P.W. Paw Works for Our City, are available to order to use at your City events. Please email Sara Kappos for pricing, if you are interested.

Iowa DOT ATV or UTV/ORV Education
If you’re running your ATV or UTV/ORV on public highways and streets, be sure you’re educated on the rules of the road. We’re teaming up with the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa DNR to help you drive safely, responsibly, and legally. Download and use this flyer to help inform your friends, family, group or organization. Driving Your ATV or UTV/ORV on Iowa Public Roads

APWA Committees
We are always looking for volunteers to serve on our committees. If you are interested in getting more involved in the Iowa Chapter, please fill out this survey.

PWSB City Salary Survey
Have you ever wondered what other cities are paying their public works employees? Don’t want to conduct an expensive compensation study? The PWSB can help, but they need your data first! Go to www.IowaPWSB.org/salary-survey-reports to find the forms and instructions.

Public Works Service Bureau
The Public Works Service Bureau (PWSB) provides a resource for public works staff members from cities of all sizes to connect with and learn from others how best to improve work efficiencies, learn new techniques, and maximize available resources. If you haven’t joined already, check out their website.

APWA’s Facilities and Grounds Management Certificate
APWA is offering a Facilities and Grounds Management Certificate during PWX on Wednesday from 10 am – 5:30 pm. Registration is $150 for APWA members and $225 for non-members. The brochure is here. For more information, follow the link 2025 PWX Registration and scroll down to the Wednesday Facilities and Grounds Management Certificate Program.