The Public Works Nerds

Send us Fan Mail Tearing up a street to fix a pipe feels normal until you realize how many better options exist. We go underground with trenchless technologies that let public works teams install and rehabilitate water mains, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer with a fraction of the disruption, and we get honest about the tradeoffs that make these projects succeed or fail. I’m joined by engineers Brian Simmons and Mitch Hoeft from Bolton and Menk, and we walk through the trenchless “toolbelt” i...

Send us Fan Mail Parks maintenance sits at a weird crossroads in city government: it’s part infrastructure, part hospitality, and part community identity. So where should it live on the org chart, under Public Works or inside a standalone Parks and Recreation department? We wrestle with that question in a practical, no-theory way, because the choice changes budgets, staffing, equipment decisions, and the level of service residents feel every time they book a shelter, show up for a tournament,...

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode of Season 4 we are talking about culture in Public Works. Culture is one of those words that can make field crews roll their eyes, until you tie it to the things they care about most: going home safe, working with less drama, and trusting the people around them. We unpack what “public works culture” looks like when it is real, measurable, and built on purpose, not just talked about in a meeting. We’re joined by Tom Esch, who coaches construction f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I welcome one of my favorite Public Works Nerds, Brian Simmons from Bolton & Menk. Brian and I look back at our recent presentation on Artificial Intelligence in Public Works - titled AI in the Sky - at the 2025 APWA PWX in Chicago. We also critique and marvel at an AI generated podcast that was created using just our slide deck from that presentation. In between this and the jokes, we also talk about AI applications in Public Works that will be disr...

Send us Fan Mail Two Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and share practical ways to lead well and care for yourself. • APWA Minnesota election overview and why turnout matters • Department rebrand from operations and maintenance to public works • What the APWA board does and why representation...