The Works

An introductory discussion for Public Infrastructure project teams about CEQA and AB 52 tribal consultation. Topics include recognizing changes in project scope, involving environmental staff and County Counsel early, documenting consultation, protecting sensitive resource information, and following project discovery procedures. Disclaimer:  This podcast is for training purposes only and was creat...

This episode outlines the Community Workforce Agreement between the County of Sonoma, several affiliated sanitation districts and the Water Agency (collectively the County Entities), and various Unions and Contractors. The purpose is to ensure efficient and quality construction on specific projects by establishing stable wages, hours, and working conditions, promoting local hiring and veteran empl...

California's Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Commission (CUCCAC), in conjunction with the State Controller's Office (SCO), has raised the bidding limits for public works projects.  Effective January 1, 2025, projects under $75,000 can be performed by employees of a public agency by force account, by negotiated contract, or by purchase order, those under $220,000 can use the informal bi...

Assembly Bill 413 establishes new restrictions on stopping, standing, and parking within 20 feet of crosswalks (15 feet near curb extensions).  The law aims to improve pedestrian safety by ensuring clear visibility at intersections. A grace period until January 1, 2025, allowed for warnings instead of citations in unmarked areas. The law took effect January 1, 2025. Disclaimer: This podcast is for...

Sonoma County's Pavement Preservation Program is a proactive, two-year initiative to extend the lifespan of its roadways. The program prioritizes road segments based on community input, engineering assessments, and traffic volume, employing various maintenance methods like overlays and slurry seals. Funding limitations necessitate careful prioritization to maximize the impact of investments. Publi...

California's AB 43 significantly alters speed limit setting, shifting from a solely data-driven approach (the 85th percentile rule) to one that allows local jurisdictions to lower limits by up to 5 mph in areas with high pedestrian and cyclist activity among others. This prioritizes safety, aligning with Vision Zero goals and empowering local communities to tailor speed limits to their specific ne...

California Assembly Bill 43  modifies speed limit regulations.   It allows local authorities to round the 85th percentile speed up or down to the nearest 5 mph when setting speed limits.  It permits speed limit reductions of 5 mph on high-injury roads or roads near areas with high pedestrian/cyclist concentrations, following an Engineering and Traffic Survey (ETS).  It allows retention or restorat...

We’re thrilled to bring you Episode Three of our journey into California’s evolving traffic landscape. This week, we’re putting the spotlight on a vital topic:  Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety . As we continue exploring Assembly Bill 43, this episode focuses on how speed limits can make all the difference for our most vulnerable road users. This episode is all about safety, equity, and building road...

Today we’re talking about The Basic Speed Law – the cornerstone of speed enforcement and a critical tool in ensuring our roads remain safe for every driver, passenger, and pedestrian.  Looking Ahead… Don’t miss our third episode , where we’ll shift gears to focus on Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety , exploring how Assembly Bill 43 empowers communities to prioritize these vulnerable road users. From s...

In California, speed limits are set using a mix of science and community safety principles, guided by the three E’s of traffic: Engineering, Enforcement, and Education. By balancing these components, California establishes speed limits that are fair, consistent, and supportive of safer roads. In our first episode , we’ll explore: The 85th Percentile Rule: Discover how drivers’ natural behavior sha...

Welcome to Public Infrastructure's California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Insights Series , your go-to podcast for deep dives into the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act! It’s here – the  fifth and final session  in our CUCCA deep dive training series! We want to thank each of you for your enthusiasm, feedback, and support throughout this series. You’ve made it clear how...

Welcome to Public Infrastructure's California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Insights Series , your go-to podcast for deep dives into the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act! In this session, we’ll cover everything you need to know about managing projects in the $60,000 to $200,000 range. ( $75,000 to $220,000 starting January 1, 202 5) We’ll discuss: The Informal Bid Process...

Welcome to Public Infrastructure's California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Insights Series , your go-to podcast for deep dives into the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act! In this session, we’ll focus on CUCCA’s  first procurement tier , which covers public projects up to $60,000 ( $75,000 starting January 1, 2025 ). You’ll learn:  When and how we can use  force account  (...

Welcome to Public Infrastructure's California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Insights Series , your go-to podcast for deep dives into the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act! We’re diving into bid splitting , a concept that is absolutely essential for CUCCA compliance. This session will be a bit longer than the last one, but I promise it’s well worth the time. Bid splitting i...

Welcome to Public Infrastructure's California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Insights Series , your go-to podcast for deep dives into the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act! In today’s episode, we’re breaking down one of the core distinctions that public agencies must understand to stay compliant under CUCCA – the difference between Construction and Maintenance . Join us as...