L.R. Kimball

Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Mandated Plan

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, each county is required by Act 101 to update its solid waste management plan every ten years.  The primary purpose of these plan updates is to ensure that sufficient landfill capacity is reserved to meet the solid waste disposal needs of the county’s current and projected future population for a ten-year period.  These plans, originally mandated decades ago as a response to widespread illegal dumping of trash and concerns about resulting environmental contamination, have grown to encompass a wider scope of research, information gathering, and the preparation of recommendations.  These plans typically include evaluations of new technologies, recycling services, public education and outreach opportunities, and alternative policy models for municipalities, with the goals of reducing waste generation, minimizing waste disposal, and encouraging increased recycling.

 

The Five-County Regional Solid Waste Management Plan effort began in 2008, when several counties entered into initial discussions to work together to craft a unique, regional plan that would more cost-effectively and strategically address the needs of the region.  Five counties—Union, Snyder, Montour, Columbia, and Lycoming—ultimately decided to work together and move forward with the regional concept.  A lead planner was designated by each county to form the Steering Committee, and Lycoming County was selected as the lead county responsible for coordinating all of the entities involved. Grant support was secured from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) to partially fund the planning effort.  Between 2010 and 2012, a consulting team was selected, initial public outreach meetings were held, several stakeholder work groups were formed, extensive research effort began, alternatives were discussed, and the resulting plan was drafted. 

 

In 2012, the result of all this hard work was brought forward for adoption, as the draft plan went through a nearly year-long vetting process:

• Five public meetings were held in June—one in each county at varying times of day to encourage public attendance.  Each meeting included a presentation summarizing the plan and a time for the public to ask questions and submit comments. 
• Each of the five counties formally adopted the Plan. 

The Plan underwent a ninety-day municipal ratification period.  PA DEP required each county to meet a threshold: Fifty percent or more of the municipalities must adopt the plan, and they must represent at least fifty percent of the county’s population.  We are pleased to report that municipal ratification threshold was exceeded by a wide margin in each county.

View the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan at:
www.lrkimball.com/five-county-regional-waste-plan.aspx

L.R. Kimball is proud to announce that Dave Minnear has been appointed to the Cambria County Solid Waste Management Authority Board.

L.R. Kimball is proud to announce that Dave Minnear has been appointed to the Cambria County Solid Waste Management Authority Board. His term began on August 1, 2012 and will continue until February 1, 2015.

 

Mr. Minnear is a professional engineer, licensed in five states. He has been employed by L.R. Kimball for 33 years and currently serves as a project manager specializing in solid waste and water resources projects. He has worked on a wide variety of projects including dam design and assessment, reclamation of abandoned mine lands, and municipal landfill and coal refuse disposal design and planning.

 

 

Mr. Minnear has coordinated the development of Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Plans for Westmoreland, Fayette and Lehigh Counties, as well as a 5-County Regional Plan for Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties.  He is currently involved with the Plan development for Monroe County, as well as a variety of solid waste projects for compost site permitting, assessment of waste transfer and recycling centers, and evaluation of garbage collection methods.

 

Mr. Minnear won the 2001 Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship for the Upper Schuylkill River Project. He is a member of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of American Military Engineers, the Solid Waste Association of North America, and the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania.

 

The Cambria County Solid Waste Authority, established in 1979 as an administrative arm of the county government, is responsible for implementing the county's Municipal Waste Management Plan. The county commissioners authorized the organization of the authority with the stated purpose of planning and regulating the storage, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of solid waste in Cambria County.

Time for Coroners to Get Out of the Basement Morgue

We have all observed the scenes in popular crime fighting televisions series and in movies when a victim’s family member or a police officer meets with the Coroner or Medical Examiner in a dark, dingy basement morgue replete with 1950’s era drab green or penicillin yellow wall tile.  For many of our country’s city and county morgue facilities this depiction rings true today.  In many cases conditions are further exacerbated by severely cramped spaces.  As a result of collaborating with Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Forensic consultants on the design of these facilities we obtained a deeper understanding of the procedures and essential services they provide.  They are responsible for investigating the cause of death and then characterizing it as violent, accidental, suspicious or requiring identification.  The Coroner’s role differs from the Medical Examiner’s role in some states.  The Coroner is responsible to pronounce the cause of death, retrieve the body, transport it to the morgue, coordinate with law enforcement agencies and contact the immediate family while the Medical Examiner performs the autopsy.  In some states the Medical Examiner performs all functions.

It has become clear that these facilities need improvement, but often they fly under the radar of many counties. Coroners and Medical Examiners have had to persevere with their situation for so long that they are no longer seen as a top priority.   Hearing the Coroners’ and Medical Examiners’ challenges was eye opening and left me with the feeling that this situation is far too important to ignore.  Many facilities are located within hospitals, which often is not the best of locations. Most cases involve a body that is brought directly to the morgue and then transferred from the morgue to a funeral home or other facility. In hospital environments the observance of this activity by patients and their families creates problems.  For the family members of the deceased, now finding themselves in a deep moment of grief, to have to identify their loved ones in a cold and unsightly space only adds to their trauma. Some Coroners do not carry a roster of sufficient cases to support the facilities or a dedicated Medical Examiner to perform their autopsies, so they are compelled to transport the body to a county that can provide that service.

By working closely with our forensic consultant it became very clear to me that there are sensible solutions to this problem that can clearly benefit all stakeholders.  The stakeholders include the county commissioners and administration, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, families, coroner, and medical examiner.  

The first step in realizing a solution is to review the historic case load data and then project the number of cases expected in the near future based upon trends and demographics. This information will assist in determining the justification for developing a center that would either serve one county or point the way towards a regional center that would suit the needs of many counties. A regional facility could provide excellent service to an area while also providing a revenue stream to the hosting county.  Forensic medicolegal facilities are highly specialized spaces and their planning and selection of equipment demands a high level of professional design expertise. By engaging in this specialized design process, the working group will address all aspects of functionality including the facility’s ability to react to both single and mass casualty events; the facility’s work flow and circulation paths; the separation between administrative and clinical areas;  the physical controls relating to contamination and biohazards; provisions for a concealed sallyport receiving and discharge area; evidence processing and storage; decontamination procedures; facility security; law enforcement viewing; and a more sensitive provision for family identification of their loved ones.

The forensic facility is also a place of business and, therefore, the daily needs of both permanent and part-time staff must be met.  We encourage the design of a facility that is filled with natural light, both in the administration areas as well as the clinical areas, where abundant natural light enhances the ability for all to perform. 

New Office!

For more than 20 years, L.R. Kimball has served the North Central Pennsylvania region.  We have worked with airports, schools, oil and gas companies and local government clients, helping to move their projects and the community forward.  On October 18, the firm recommitted to growth in the region by opening a new regional office in downtown Williamsport. 

Thank you to our clients who celebrated the ribbon cutting with us! 

If you're in the area, we invite you to stop by and visit our new location at 425 Market Street, Williamsport. 

 

Marcellus Shale Economic Impact is Hot Topic for PA Legislators

L.R. Kimball Staff Members Speak to Pennsylvania Legislature About Marcellus Shale Economic Impact

In early June, L.R. Kimball Vice Presidents for Business Development, Dave French and Tanya McCoy-Caretti testified at a public hearing on the impact of Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania.  The hearing was held in South Park, PA, and was sponsored by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.  Opening remarks were made by State Representative Scott Hutchinson of Jefferson County, the Committee Chairman. 

According to Rep. Hutchinson the hearing was held as part of an effort by state lawmakers to gather up-to-date information about the variety of effects the growing Marcellus Shale drilling industry has on communities in Pennsylvania. 

French and McCoy-Caretti spoke about how Marcellus Shale exploration and drilling could affect businesses that are not directly tied to the oil and gas industry, such as municipalities and local governments, airports, developers and transportation agencies.  Presentations were also given by the Penn State University Cooperative Extension Office, Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association, Allegheny County Health Department and H20 Resources, Inc.

L.R. Kimball VP Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

Charles (Chuck) Pryor, Vice President, Business Development, was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the California University of Pennsylvania graduation on May 7, 2011. Chuck was honored by University President Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. for his 40 years of service to the University and his distinguished 37 years career in the construction and architectural/engineering industry.

 
 
Chuck has been with L.R. Kimball for the past 10 years and has been recognized as one of the company’s top talent by earning “Eagle Squadron” recognition in 2008. He specializes in public assembly, sports, higher education, federal, correctional, land development, transportation and civil/environmental projects. L.R. Kimball has partnered with the University on numerous projects including the $60 million, 6000-seat Convocation Center scheduled to open this fall.

A 1973 graduate of California University, Chuck earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts while playing baseball for the Vulcans. He won three varsity letters and was named captain of the 1973 baseball team. He and his wife Marianne Finley Pryor ‘72 ’73 support the Pryor-Finley Family Athletic Scholarship, “paying it forward” by providing scholarships for deserving student-athletes.

Chuck joined the board of directors for the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania in 1989. He served as a member and Vice President until 1997, when he began a four-year term as Foundation President.    

In addition, Chuck has served the community as chairman of the board for the Private Industry Council of Washington, Pa; vice chairman of the board for the Pitt Ambassadors; board member for Community Action South West, the Greater Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Master Builders Association of Western Pa.; Joint Apprenticeship Committee; and former member of the California State College Athletic Council.

Congratulations, Chuck! 

5K Challenge Raises $2,000 for Red Cross

Last Saturday, L.R. Kimball held the 3rd Annual L.R. Kimball 5K Challenge at our Ebensburg office.  Nearly 100 runners participated, raising $2,000 to benefit the American Red Cross and raising the total amount donated to deserving non-profit groups to $11,000 in three years. 

A giant "Thank you!" to everyone who participated or made a donation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panel On New Statewide 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines to be Held at NENA 2011

Members and staff of the National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Workgroup (NAGWG) and Laurie Flaherty of the USDOT will accept live feedback on the new National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines at next week's National NENA in Minneapolis, MN on Monday, June 20 at 1:30 PM.

During the panel discussion, Guidelines for Statewide 9-1-1 System Assessments: Coming to a State Near You, attendees will learn about the process and progress of the Guideline's efforts to advance 9-1-1 throughout the country as well as their thoughts, first impressions and concerns with the panel. The panel presentation coincides with the release of the Guidelines for public comment and all feedback released will be considered by NAGWG prior to submission of the final guidelines.

While the 9-1-1 industry has made significant progress in the advancement of technology for the betterment of 9-1-1 across the country, there is no comprehensive benchmark for State 9-1-1 authorities to measure the progress and status of a state's 9-1-1 system. It is the NAGWG's mission to establish that benchmark.

The guidelines are the result of a project of the 9-1-1 Resource Center, sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation, National 9-1-1 Program to develop consensus-based universal guidelines to serve as the basis for a 9-1-1 statewide program assessment process.

Project of the Week: Supporting P25 Interoperability in the State of Texas

If you're working to advance your long-term public safety communications efforts, a capabilities study is a great starting point, especially when it relates to Project 25 radio communications interoperability.

An example of this in action is our work with the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) and 11 of the state’s Regional Councils of Government (COG) to support Phases 2 - 4 of the Regional Interoperability Communications Planning (RICP) “Round Two.”  

“Texas is really ahead of the curve when it comes to documenting statewide capabilities and assessments for every single radio system,” explained Nicholas Falgiatore, M.S.E.E., a telecommunications specialist for our firm. “Typically, assessment projects like these are limited to a single agency or a single radio system.  But the multi-agency data we’re collecting will give the COGs and the Statewide Interoperability Commission, which is led by TXDPS, a solid understanding of their strengths, weaknesses and funding needs as they move forward with P25 interoperability.”

The project included completing a comprehensive regional and statewide interoperability communications survey and assessment of public safety communications capabilities. The information gathered from the assessment is being used as the foundation for developing each Region’s migration plans to support P25 interoperability by 2015.

Data is being collecting data from local public safety agencies in 11 of the state’s 24 COGs and providing reports that align with the Texas RICP Round Two Roadmap. 

L.R. Kimball Selected to Help State of California Move Forward with Next Generation 9-1-1 Planning

This morning, we announced that we recently completed a strategic Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) roadmap for the State of California's 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Division.

The proposed roadmap identifies the tasks, high-level timelines, key decision points, critical dependencies and work products necessary to implement a NG9-1-1 system throughout California.

The State's efforts to assess, plan, design and implement NG9-1-1 statewide places it at the forefront of next generation emergency communications. NG9-1-1 will enable California to accept new forms of multimedia such as text, video and photos. In addition, NG9-1-1 will improve interoperability, call routing, PSAP call overflow and location accuracy.

L.R. Kimball is also providing project management services for the CA Enhanced 9-1-1 Grant Project, which includes numerous counties in northeastern California and is the state's first step towards testing improved location accuracy in a NG9-1-1 network.  This project entails the creation of an Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled network used to identify the location of wireless 9-1-1 callers based on geographic coordinates of latitude and longitude (commonly referred to as "X-Y" routing). The IP-enabled network will be able to route wireless calls to the appropriate PSAP.

"We are pleased to be working with the State of California as they embark on the NG9-1-1 journey," said Joel McCamley, Senior Vice President, L.R. Kimball. "Not only will California's citizens and visitors benefit from this effort, but California's leadership and guidance will bring further credence and clarity to the national conversation about NG9-1-1."