The Pipeline - Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

ELECTROFISHING BOAT CREATES
EFFICIENCIES IN WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT | 3

A Message from Bret

WSB is in the middle of our 22nd year of business, which is hard to
believe for those of us that were here at the beginning. My son was
seven years old; he is now married and an IP litigator living in New
York City. It is hard to imagine how far we have come over these past
years, but it is gratifying to know that we are continuing to grow and
develop as an organization. We can thank our wonderful clients for
the challenges they continue to offer us, and our competitors that
continue to evolve and require us to keep pace. Most of all, I credit
our internal culture that challenges us to get a little better each
day and work to find those "drips of marginal gains" that drive our
competitive excellence. I am reading "The Complacent Class" by Tyler
Cowen right now. It is a fascinating read about how our country has
become complacent and what we need to do to break that culture.
We have had a motto at WSB since we started: "Fight the urge to
be like everyone else." That motto is not intended to say that others
aren’t doing it right, but to make sure that we are taking an individual
approach to developing our firm, which has caused us to change the
consulting model!

This issue of The Pipeline is really about how WSB is contributing to
our "quality of life"! Electrofishing boats for carp management resulting
in improved water quality! Transportation funding and community
engagement for important project development! Revitalizing downtown
spaces and park master planning to spur economic development! We
have learned over the past 22 years that it is not just about the quality
of the design or the engineering aspects of our projects, but rather
how we can plug into improving the quality of life for the residents and
citizens of our client partners. We are looking for ways to give back
and influence the traditional thoughts of how to deliver and execute
projects and processes. We like to say, "Quit telling me why it can’t be
done and start telling me how it can!"

I was speaking to a group about leadership the other day and
mentioned that leadership takes courage, passion, communication,
and discipline. Why have we become complacent in our designs,
thought processes, and leadership? I am hoping to find out as I
continue to read Mr. Cowen’s book, but I can assure you that we are
not going to be complacent in our dealings with you. Not everything
you see will be groundbreaking, but we will take some risks and offer
some solutions that are out of the box. Thanks for challenging us to be
our best and for letting us collaborate with you to change the response
to your challenges.

Be your best!

Bret Weiss, PE - President/CEO

1 The Pipeline Spring 2017

BANNING Contents

PPER 3 Electrofishing Boat Creates Efficiencies in
BINSON Water Quality Management

WSB’s new custom-welded aluminum electrofishing
boat eliminates time-consuming assessments of undesirable
fish popBuAlaNtiNonINsG.
OULDERING
AREA

5 Partnering with the Public: Six Ways Community
Engagement Can Improve a Project

Proactive community engagement leads to greater community
acceptance and increased project success.

7 TIGER Grants Ignite Key Project Progress

LOWETRhe federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic
ROBINSpROreocNjeocvtesrythgartamntepertongartaiomnahlaosbgjeivcetinveas.boost to multi-modal

9 Downtown Revitalization Plans Unite Past
and Present

WILD
AND Successful downtown revitalization projects don’t erase the

SCENICpast. They embrace it.
KETTLE

11R IVER Park Master Plan Spurs Recreation and Economic
Development Opportunities

A master plan update for Sandstone’s one-of-a-kind Robinson
Park includes new amenities, but preserves its historic
significance.

13 Industry News

14 WSB News

wsbeng.com 2

3

Electrofishing Boat Creates Efficiencies in
Water Quality Management

B oating, fishing, swimming, or simply enjoying the aesthetic number of fish per hectare (100 acres) and total biomass in the
qualities of our lakes, rivers, and streams is part of everyday waterbody. Water quality scientists have population numbers they
life for Minnesotans. Unfortunately, water quality assessments can use to set rough fish removal goals that same day. Commercial
report that nearly 40 percent of Minnesota’s lakes and streams are netting at that point is much more likely to be a success in meeting
included on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Impaired removal targets as the carp haven’t yet met a seine net.
Waters List in 2016.
WSB's electrofishing boat is also useful in ongoing studies to monitor
Meeting water quality standards in surface waters requires a rough fish populations after water quality standards have been met.
reduction of pollutants suspended in the water column. Pollutants Boat operators will undertake periodic fish counts at established
come from both external and internal loading sources. External shore index stations where the time of year, water temperature,
sources include overland stormwater runoff and directed pipe runoff. and other factors are kept consistent. Populations can be easily
Internal sources include sediment suspension, aquatic vegetation, compared, and new fish removal targets established, if necessary,
and, most notably, an overabundance of certain undesirable fish to avoid a recurrence of water quality problems.
species (rough fish).
WSB scientists have been using the electrofishing boat since
In 2014, WSB implemented an integrated management plan to October 2016 to complete a variety of fish surveys. As clients
control the abundance of rough fish, namely the common carp. initiate projects to improve water quality and aquatic habitat, this
When presented in large numbers, this non-native fish species specialized tool will provide the opportunity to measure changes in
is known to cause an influx of phosphorus levels in three ways: the fish community and guide sustainable integrated management
bioturbation (stirring up sediments), excretion of waste, and indirect plans that will improve the health of the aquatic community.
means such as disturbance to the aquatic vegetative community.
Determining the extent to which rough fish are degrading water Tony Havranek - Sr. Environmental Scientist
quality and developing a sustainable plan for reduction requires a [email protected]
population assessment.

How do you effectively count carp in a waterbody? One established
method is to employ a mark/recapture method of estimation, which
requires hiring a commercial fishing crew with seine nets to net
and capture as many fish as possible. Each fish that is caught is
weighed and marked with a fin clip, then released back into the
general population. Subsequent seining efforts use the proportion
of marked to unmarked fish in an established mathematical model
to get a fairly reliable population estimate. However, getting an
accurate estimate can take years; in the meantime, the carp learn
net avoidance and become much more adept at avoiding recapture,
confounding efforts to quantify the size of the problem and
increasing the cost of management.

WSB’s new custom-welded, one-of-a-kind electrofishing boat
eliminates the “carp tutorials” and time-consuming efforts and can
generate usable rough population estimates in the same day. In the
front of the boat, two 8-foot-long booms with stainless steel cables
release electricity into the water column. Fish caught in the electrical
field are stunned, netted, and held in a live well for measurement
before they are released back into the water.

Research conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic
Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) has shown that routine
electrofishing can accurately estimate common carp densities. An
algorithm developed by MAISRC researchers uses the number of
fish captured per hour by electrofishing methods to calculate the

wsbeng.com 4

Partnering with the Public: Six Ways
Community Engagement Can Improve a Project

C reating positive connections with members of the 1 Help Develop Meaningful Relationships
community who will ultimately benefit from or be affected
by a project can be key to that project’s ultimate success. Getting to know community leaders can make a real difference in
Not every project requires active public engagement, but many how the project will be received locally. These are the people who
do. A design process that fails to reach out proactively on such have a real connection with community concerns.
projects may not only invite disaster later on, but runs the risk of
missing out on the many benefits community engagement can 2 Enhance the Project
provide.
People who will use and benefit from a project can offer good ideas
In recent years, social media and other technological changes for making it even better. They’re in a position to know what hasn’t
have radically changed the community engagement process. worked in the past, and why.
The public is better informed, they are savvy in terms of media,
and they know how to get their message out. People travel more; 3 Build Trust
they have formed opinions about public amenities and how
they should work; they have watched things fall apart. These Those who are involved in a proactive, rather than a reactive, process
advances in technology also have made it easier than ever to know their voices are being heard. People want to participate in the
present project options to an interested public. creative part of the solution.

WSB's community engagement specialists have developed
innovative ways to connect with the public. On a given Saturday,
the best place to meet families and find out what they’d like to
see in their new regional park might just be to visit a local park
and ask them. To engage bicyclists, it could mean setting a
table up along a regional bike trail. Community festivals, pop-up
meetings, design charrettes, and even traditional open houses
can all be useful in gathering public input and beginning a
conversation. Such proactive efforts can improve the success of
a project in the following ways:

5 The Pipeline Spring 2017

4 Identify Local Issues in Context Community engagement efforts cost money and involve
some risk — but so does a last-minute redesign,
Every community has a history, and it benefits the client to know about especially when the funding is time sensitive. People
previous project experiences — both positive and negative. are often resistant to change, but they also understand
that problems demand solutions. WSB is experienced in
5 Help Involve Disenfranchised Communities managing that kind of risk.

Early public involvement helps designers identify creative ways to overcome Our team understands that a timely, well-designed
barriers to language and culture. Nonprofits and smaller companies that work community engagement process can be key to a
with underrepresented groups can help the project team forge community successful project — and can help make that project the
relationships. best it can be.

6 Help Keep the Project on Schedule Breanne Rothstein, AICP - Community Planning & Economic
Development Group Manager
An informed public understands that problems demand a fix, and can help [email protected]
push a project through to completion.
Jack Corkle, PTP, AICP - Sr. Transportation Planner
[email protected]

wsbeng.com 6

TIGER Grants
Ignite Key
Project Progress

Multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional
projects generally have a tougher
time attracting funding through
traditional programs. The Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery
(TIGER) discretionary grant program
— created as part of the federal 2009
Recovery Act and funded by Congress —
has made it easier to fund such projects.
TIGER grants can be awarded directly to
any public entity, including municipalities,
counties, port authorities, MPOs, and tribes.

Over the past eight years, the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) has
invested $5.1 billion in TIGER grants to
transit, rail, road, and port projects that
achieve national objectives, a dozen of
them located in Minnesota. Hundreds of
applications are submitted during each
round of TIGER, but they must pass through
a merit-based evaluation process in order
to be selected — the DOT wants to ensure
that taxpayers are getting the highest
value for every dollar invested. Applicants
must detail the benefits their project would
deliver for five long-term outcomes: safety,
economic competitiveness, state of good
repair, quality of life, and environmental
sustainability. The DOT also evaluates
projects on innovation, partnerships, project
readiness, benefit-cost analysis, and cost
share.

Two large projects in Minnesota recently
received TIGER grants, and WSB is
providing engineering services for both of
them. Both the Willmar Rail Connector and
Industrial Access Project and Scott County’s
US 169 Safety and Freight Mobility Project
will improve public safety and enhance the
nation’s freight transportation networks.

BRIDGE AND INTERSECTION CONCEPT OF TH 12
(WILLMAR, MN)

7 The Pipeline Spring 2017

US 169 AND TH 41 EXISTING CONDITION
(SCOTT COUNTY, MN)

WILLMAR RAIL CONNECTOR & modal freight options for businesses. to the Twin Cities. Safety on the route, known
INDUSTRIAL ACCESS PROJECT for its traffic delays and crash statistics, is a
The project includes rerouting 2.5 major concern. What’s more, Scott County’s
Increases in rail traffic used to transport miles of Trunk Highway 12; 1.5 miles of population expansion since the 1990s
commodities across the country have improvements to County Road 55; the shows no signs of stopping; it is anticipated
sharpened the focus on constrictions in construction of two bridges, one on TH 12 to increase by another 45% by 2040.
the nation’s rail network. The rail corridor and one on TH 40; and a new signalized
constriction in Willmar was identified as intersection at TH 12 and County Road 5. In addition to its success in attracting the
being particularly problematic; trains are BNSF and its consultant will design the new TIGER grant, the trunk highway grade-
frequently delayed, and local at-grade rail 2.8-mile track. separation project is unusual not only in
crossings in the area contribute to safety that it is locally led, but that a variety of
concerns. To assist with the project improvements, funding sources are being used to pay
WSB conducted a highway noise analysis, for it. This includes $12 million in federal
In 2015, MnDOT and its project partners performed a rail crossing assessment, regional solicitation funds, $10 million in
— including the Burlington Northern Santa delineated area wetlands, conducted a transportation economic development
Fe (BNSF) Railway, the City of Willmar, drainage study, and will design the new funds, and local monies.
Kandiyohi County, and the Kandiyohi bridges and project highway elements. Staff
County and City of Willmar Economic also completed environmental assessments The project, which impacts approximately
Development Commission (EDC) — were and coordinated permit approvals at the 9 miles of roadway, includes three bridges:
successful in obtaining a $10 million TIGER federal and state levels. two on US 169 over a new diverging
grant to add a needed rail connection diamond interchange, and an overpass on
between two rail lines. Additional MnDOT’s design-build roadway construction the south end of CSAH 14. A number of
contributions will be provided by BNSF, project is expected to begin in early 2018 access points on US 169 will be closed, and
MnDOT, the Local Road Improvement and finish in late 2020. BNSF’s design- a new frontage road network will help carry
Program, Kandiyohi County, the City of bid-build railway construction project is local traffic.
Willmar, and the EDC. anticipated to begin in late 2018 or early
2019 and end in 2021. Following WSB's completion of preliminary
The new railway connection will directly link design work earlier this year, staff is
BNSF’s Marshall and Morris Subdivisions SCOTT COUNTY: US 169 SAFETY AND currently working on the final design,
and significantly reduce the number of FREIGHT MOBILITY PROJECT including highway improvements and a new
trains that pull into the downtown rail frontage road, and will provide construction
yard. Willmar residents and the traveling In 2016, Scott County’s $56 million freight oversight services. Construction is expected
public will experience less noise, there will mobility project was awarded a $17.7 million to commence in early 2018 and finish in late
be fewer traffic delays at rail crossings, TIGER grant to construct an interchange 2020.
and at-grade crossing exposure will be at the highly congested intersection of
reduced, improving the overall quality of US Highway 169 and Trunk Highway 41, Jon Chiglo, PE - Vice President/Transportation &
life and safety for travelers. The project will along with supporting roadways and a new Structures Group Manager
also provide rail access to the city’s future overpass connecting both sides of the [email protected]
industrial park, enhancing the opportunity highway. US 169 is a major artery for the
for economic growth and increasing multi- movement of grain and aggregate materials

wsbeng.com 8

Downtown Revitalization Plans Unite Past and Present

A fter decades of private disinvestment and lack of attention, GRANT FUNDING
many historic downtown areas are being rediscovered as the
cornerstone of community and gathering space by both the Grant programs and funding opportunities are available to assist
private and public sectors. communities in making redevelopment opportunities a reality. Grants
can be used for a variety of purposes, including land acquisition,
Building vibrant, vital downtown communities doesn’t just happen demolition, and infrastructure improvements, to name a few.
overnight, and creating a plan to revitalize an urban space requires
more than a vision. It requires collaboration — to build partnerships COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
between government and the private sector; perception — to
recognize and preserve unique and irreplaceable elements that The process of seeking ideas and feedback from the public
exist; creativity — to build on those elements in unique ways; and community leaders not only can create enthusiasm and
and inclusiveness — to draw on the individual experiences, positive partnerships far into the future, but can identify visual
perspectives, and dreams of those who live, work, and relax in that preferences and generate program elements that are as unique
space and call it home. as the community itself. Engaging those who will use the renewed
downtown area, including business owners and residential tenants,
There are several things that can help make redevelopment is key in making the redevelopment efforts successful.
initiatives successful, and WSB’s specialists have the skills and
expertise to assist with each of these. PRESERVATION AND REHABILITATION

Redeveloping a downtown area is more than just adding new
buildings and spaces; it requires a deeper look into the history
of the area to see if there are opportunities to preserve historic
elements. Historic buildings provide a cultural amenity, celebrating
the community's past achievements and traditional craftsmanship.
Reinvesting in structures and infrastructure that already exist is also
an environmentally friendly endeavor.

Grant Funding: WSB recently helped the City of Albert Lea obtain and administer Preservation and Rehabilitation: WSB continues to work with the Albert Lea
state grants through the Small Cities and Livable Communities Program of the Heritage Preservation Commission to broaden its role to include preservation
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. After Albert advocacy, public education, and the integration of historic rehabilitation into a
Lea’s 2016 grant application success, community leaders used the $526,700 grant larger community economic development program.
to rehabilitate buildings in the city’s historic district for commercial and residential
uses.

9 The Pipeline Spring 2017

DESIGN AND VISUALIZATION PLANNING FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT

Identifying a clear vision is key to successfully preserving historic A solid implementation plan developed through a shared vision
integrity and blending the new with the old. It is important to can help kick-start private investment. It is important to work
convey these changes to the public using the latest design with communities to use public resources and leverage private
tools, including visualizations and photorealistic renderings. investment to rejuvenate this interest and investment in downtown.
Physical models, drawings, drone footage, virtual models, Google
Cardboard, and QR codes can help bring a proposed project to Downtown areas are often iconic and powerful symbols for a city.
life. Helping the community understand how its ideas will translate Rethinking the way to use these spaces through redevelopment
into three dimensions can generate excitement and acceptance. efforts can help increase a sense of place and community pride,
foster economic growth and private development, and attract
REVITALIZING PUBLIC AND SOCIAL SPACES current and potential residents.

When considering redevelopment opportunities, it is important Molly Patterson-Lundgren, AICP - Sr. Planner
to find ways to continue to attract current residents and identify [email protected]
opportunities to attract new ones. Implementing art, public plazas,
and visually pleasing landscape designs can draw people into
vital shared spaces.

EXPANDING LIVE/WORK AMENITIES

By increasing downtown residential options, a community can
strengthen the local economy and livability of the downtown and
adjacent residential neighborhoods. Adding residential options
creates a built-in customer base and a 24/7 vibrancy that is
critical to sustain downtown areas.

Design and Visualization: In Mahtomedi, WSB improved pedestrian Revitalizing Public and Social Spaces: In Minneapolis, a two-block section of West
safety, provided accessible entrances to local businesses, and 29th Street was transformed into a “woonerf” (a Dutch word for a shared street),
enhanced the visual appeal and identity of the corridor. where pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, and recreational traffic all share the same
functional, welcoming space.

wsbeng.com 10

LOWER ROBINSON PARK
EXISTING SHELTER

Park Master Plan Spurs Recreation and
Economic Development Opportunities

The historic and picturesque Robinson Park is located on the WSB and a community task force assisted the city in completing
Wild and Scenic Kettle River halfway between the Twin Cities Robinson Park’s Ecological Stewardship Plan and Master Plan. The
and Duluth. Elements of the Kettle River Sandstone Company new master plan is a staged park improvement plan that can be
Quarry — Minnesota's largest sandstone quarry, which ceased implemented as funds become available. It includes recreational
operations in 1919 — lie within the park. The site is listed on the amenities for a wide variety of user groups, including walking
National Register of Historic Places. trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, a playground, shelters and
public restrooms, camping facilities, a climbing basecamp, small
As far as regionally significant parks go, it could be considered boat portages, and a collection of historic monuments, displays,
small, totaling 65 acres. Yet, many park users travel long distances and signage to link the park’s past with its present. The plan also
to enjoy its amenities. Robinson Park, the only municipal rock and improves accessibility: a stairway connects the park area above the
ice climbing park in the Upper Midwest, enjoys generous support cliff walls with the lower areas along the river. A future pedestrian
from regional climbing clubs. Its 90-foot sheer quarry walls offer bridge over the Kettle River links to Banning State Park — which
unique recreational experiences. Kayakers also use the park as a surrounds Robinson Park on three sides — and incorporates the
key access point to one of only four white water rapids in the state. prominent historic Wagon Bridge abutments that remain on the
riverbanks.
Even with these amazing attractions, the park seemed to be ignored
and even overlooked for years. City officials in Sandstone knew Public interest in the park has had some unexpected benefits. The
they had a unique park with a lot of potential; they just weren’t quite City of Sandstone recently received a grant to help its downtown
certain how to go about celebrating all of the things people love businesses make improvements. This investment has spurred
about it. interest in a wayfinding signage program to draw people in from the
Interstate and make it easier for travelers to locate downtown and
In response to efforts by the park user groups to make the park Robinson Park. The new signage program will use the same styles
a more attractive destination, the City of Sandstone prioritized and materials used in the park to tie it all together.
updating the park’s 1992 master plan to bring it into conformance
with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission’s The cooperative and grassroots efforts of those who are passionate
Strategic Plan. This would allow the city to apply for Legacy Funds about Robinson Park have built a firm foundation for its future. As the
and could pave the way for the preservation of historically significant City of Sandstone looks forward, it is making every effort to ensure
quarry artifacts and buildings — many of which are in danger of the former quarry’s history lives on.
being lost — and the eradication of invasive plant species.
Candace Amberg, RLA - Sr. Landscape Architect
[email protected]

11 The Pipeline Spring 2017

BANNING

BANNING KETTLE RIVER
BOULDERING PREVIOUS DAM LOCATION

AREA

UPPER LOWER
ROBINSON ROBINSON

WILD
AND
SCENIC
KETTLE
RIVER

VIEW OF KETTLE RIVER
& ELEVATED RAIL LINE

LEGEND: OLD WAGON ROAD
Kettle River Trail
Park Trail
Boardwalk
Campgrounds
Wayfinding / Park Signage

WETLAND

MASTER PLAN ROBINSON PARK
CLIFF WALLS

wsbeng.com 12

TO BANNING & KREEC

Industry News

New Curve Speed Assessment Rules Require Engineering Studies

All road authorities need to be aware that compliance with the WSB recently completed a study of more than 1,500 curves
new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) rules for throughout the state of North Dakota. A CurveRite accelerometer and
determining safe advisory speeds on roadway curves is required by GIS-paired system made it possible for a field crew to safely conduct
December 31, 2019. The new requirements apply to all roadways an efficient and consistent measurement of each curve at a low
with more than 1,000 ADT that are functionally classified as arterials cost. A second approach combines the use of the ball-bank method
or collectors. This impacts cities, counties, townships — and, in rare with the Rieker CARS software program; this provides a detailed
cases, even owners of private roads. The MUTCD standard now evaluation that eliminates the need for re-evaluation in the future if the
specifies that an engineering study following established engineering posted speed changes. These methods not only eliminate the need
practices be conducted to determine whether horizontal warning to locate or generate as-built data, but make it possible to justify the
signs are required, and what the advisory speed should be. engineering design of signage for each curve in a court of law.

Historically, the Federal Highway Administration has permitted To promote safe and effective roadway operations, uniform and
various methods to be used to set horizontal curve advisory speeds. realistic advisory speeds are necessary to convey a consistent
Used alone, the ball-bank method has been found to result in a message to the driver. To learn more about the mandate, possible
lack of uniformity in curve signage, which often results in a more solutions, or your organization's potential costs, contact WSB's traffic
conservative advisory speed than is warranted. This leads to specialists.
inconsistent driver expectations: research has shown that drivers
often exceed existing posted advisory curve speeds by 7 to 10 mph. Mike Shomion, PE - Project Manager
[email protected]

13 The Pipeline Spring 2017

WSB News New Members of WSB

WSB Opens Austin, Texas Office Administration Land Development

In November 2016, WSB made the decision to expand our business Chelse Ehni Rob Keehn, AICP
operations into Austin, TX. The expansion into Texas will help us provide better Administrative Assistant Sr. Planner
services to our renewable energy clients, who we have been serving in the
region for several years already, and launch our core engineering, planning, Business Services Landscape Architecture
environmental, and construction services into this market. We are excited to
see the new opportunities for projects and staff this new endeavor will create! Brian Liesch Carlo Missio
Business Development Sr. Landscape Architect
Lee Gustafson Receives APWA-MN Chapter Specialist Ryan Ruttger
Hugo G. Erickson Award John Speltz Landscape Architect
Business Analyst
Lee Gustafson was awarded the Hugo G. Erickson Award at the 2016 Justin Erickson Materials/Geotechnical
American Public Works Association Minnesota Chapter Fall Conference. Proposal Coordinator
Lee received the award for his continuous efforts to provide superior and Sam Lundquist
outstanding service to the Minnesota Chapter, and for furthering the continued Community Planning & Lab Supervisor
success of the Chapter's goals and operation. Economic Development
Municipal
Dresbach Interchange Project Kurt Bearinger
Receives AGC - MnDOT Planner Jason Wedel, PE
Bridge Award Sr. Project Manager
Construction Services Rachel Gerhart
The Associated General Contractors - MnDOT Engineering Technician
Bridge Award was given to the Dresbach Brady Mensing
Interchange Project for superior work during the Construction Inspector Structures
2016 construction season. The annual awards Jake Gave, PE
recognize and showcase craftsmanship, technical Project Manager Jeremy Burke, EIT
skills, innovation, and dedication to quality in the Joe Homan, PE Graduate Engineer
bridge construction market. WSB staff provided Project Engineer
inspection, material certification, plan reviews, Mark Clausen Survey
and contract administration for the $187.5 million Construction Inspector
project. Mitch Grabowski, EIT Garrett Byrne
Graduate Engineer Survey Technician
Elm Creek Dam Restoration Nate Osterberg Jeremy Butler
Project Receives ACEC Construction Inspector Survey Technician
Grand Award Ryan Kleppinger
Graduate Engineer Transportation
The Elm Creek Dam Restoration Project Sheue Lee, EIT
was presented with the American Council of Graduate Engineer Brad Caron
Engineering Companies of Minnesota’s Grand Engineering Specialist
Award for its demonstration of design innovation, Environmental John Tweet, PE
problem-solving skills, advocacy, and technical Compliance Sr. Traffic Engineer
leadership. The City of Champlin, WSB, and many Lee Nichols
other project partners worked collaboratively to Joel Sundeen Sr. Transportation/
come up with a design solution to replace the Environmental Compliance Transit Planner
deteriorated and hazardous dam that would Specialist Liza Allen
improve habitat, water quality, and flood control Kory Bonnell Technical Writer
along the Mississippi River. Environmental Compliance
Specialist Water Resources

Environmental Planning Jeff Cheng, Ph.D, PE
& Natural Resources Sr. Project Manager
Laura Cummings, EIT
Peter Moore, PG Graduate Engineer
Environmental Remediation Maia Harold, PE
Sr. Project Manager Project Engineer

Information Services Water/Wastewater

Tom Walker Jonathan Christensen, EIT
GIS Specialist Graduate Engineer

Information Technology

Charlie Wild
IT Application Administrator

wsbeng.com 14

701 Xenia Avenue South
Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55416