Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners!
People Awards
Everyday Hero Awards |
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| Timote Pongi and David Ortman, Road Maintenance Worker II & I, Washington County | ||
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David Ortman and Timoti Ponge serve on the County Road Maintenance vegetation management crew, where they perform critical work maintaining safe roadways through vegetation trimming, clearing, and landscape and irrigation system maintenance. Their role also includes traffic control and emergency response responsibilities—skills that proved essential during an unexpected incident in March 2025.
On March 6, 2025, while working along West Shore Drive near Scoggins Valley Park, Ortman noticed a community member slumped over in a parked vehicle and attempting to get help. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Ortman checked on the individual and learned she was experiencing a medical emergency after ingesting a large quantity of prescription medication. Ortman and Ponge immediately flagged down park staff, assisted in contacting emergency services, and controlled traffic to support a safe and effective response until help arrived. Their quick thinking, teamwork, and calm coordination were instrumental in the successful outcome and earned commendation from park staff. Their actions exemplify attentive public service and the true spirit of an Everyday Hero. |
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| Davena Amick-Elder, Senior Program Coordinator & Lead Worker, City of Eugene | ||
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Davena Amick-Elder served the City of Eugene Public Works Department with extraordinary dedication, leadership, and care for both staff and community. Since joining the City in 2016—and following her promotion in 2018—Davena played a pivotal role in emergency management, serving as a lead worker and key support to the Maintenance Division Director. She led department-wide emergency preparedness efforts, developed critical policies, procedures, and job aids, managed emergency resources, and filled essential leadership roles during activations, including onboarding and call center supervision. Her work strengthened the City’s readiness and response capabilities through comprehensive training programs, after-action reviews, and continuous process improvements.
Beyond her technical expertise, Davena was a trusted leader, storyteller, and advocate for preparedness—at work and at home. She supported customer service operations, ensured continuity of daily operations, managed the division’s website and reporting, and helped communicate Public Works’ work and impact to the community. Davena stepped in wherever she was needed most, always with thoughtfulness, creativity, and a deep commitment to service. Her unexpected passing in June is a profound loss, but her legacy lives on through the systems she built, the people she supported, and the lasting improvements she made to better serve Eugene. Davena Amick-Elder is truly deserving of recognition as an Everyday Hero. |
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Young Leader Award |
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| Brittney Weinberg, Marketing Coordinator, 3J Consulting | ||
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Brittney Weinberg exemplifies the spirit of the APWA Oregon Young Leader Award through her sustained commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership within the chapter. A familiar and welcoming presence at APWA events since 2018, Brittney has consistently invested her time and energy to strengthen connections among members, particularly emerging professionals. As the current Young Professionals Co-Chair, she has helped expand joint events with other industry organizations, increasing visibility and engagement for younger members. Her service also includes multiple terms on the Chapter Audit Committee, as well as significant leadership roles for the 2025 Spring Conference, where she co-chaired planning efforts, supported a first-time event management team, led volunteer outreach, and brought creativity and community pride to every detail of the event.
Beyond APWA, Brittney has made meaningful contributions to the firms she has worked for, leveraging her strong people skills, creativity, and adaptability. At 3J Consulting, she plays a key role on the marketing team and leads monthly staff engagement events that have increased participation in a hybrid workplace. Previously, she was instrumental during GeoDesign’s transition to NV5, supporting both external branding efforts and internal morale during a period of change, earning recognition from NV5’s corporate team for her capabilities. Brittney’s consistent willingness to step up, her positive energy, and her genuine dedication to others have left a lasting impact on the APWA Oregon Chapter and the organizations she supports, making her a truly deserving recipient of this award. |
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Sustainability Practices Award – Individual |
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| Kyle Willman, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Pendleton | ||
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Kyle Willman exemplifies sustainable leadership through a thoughtful balance of fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. As a key driver of Pendleton’s renewable energy initiatives, Kyle has advanced projects such as the 240-kW WWTRRF Solar Canopy using innovative delivery methods that prioritize long-term value. By leveraging Energy Savings Performance Contracts, grants, incentives, and performance guarantees, these efforts have minimized impacts to local ratepayers while delivering measurable results—most notably offsetting approximately 30 percent of the treatment plant’s annual utility costs and supporting long-term rate stability.
Beyond individual projects, Kyle consistently integrates cost-benefit analysis into planning to align sustainability goals with operational realities. His work has secured more than $237,000 in incentives and generated over 2.3 million kWh in energy savings across multiple city facilities. Equally important, Kyle champions community involvement and knowledge sharing—supporting local and diverse workforces, engaging residents and students through facility tours, and presenting lessons learned to peers across the region. Through renewable energy, efficiency upgrades, and forward-looking initiatives such as battery energy storage, Kyle has embedded sustainability into everyday public works operations, delivering lasting environmental, economic, and community benefits. |
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Sustainability Practices Award – Program/Agency/Org. |
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| City of Pendleton, Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF) Solar Canopy Project | ||
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The City of Pendleton’s 240-kW WWTRRF Solar Canopy demonstrates how municipal infrastructure investments can advance sustainability while delivering measurable economic and community benefits. By generating approximately 30 percent of the facility’s annual energy needs onsite, the project significantly reduces utility costs and protects the City from energy price volatility. Leveraging grant funding and incentives to cover roughly 70 percent of project costs, Pendleton minimized financial impacts to ratepayers while maximizing return on investment—allowing long-term savings to be reinvested in other essential infrastructure priorities and supporting stable wastewater rates for the community.
Beyond cost savings, the Solar Canopy enhances environmental stewardship and community well-being. Shading over the chlorine contact chamber lowers effluent temperatures discharged to the Umatilla River, reduces chlorine usage, improves process efficiency, and supports healthier aquatic ecosystems. Delivered through an Energy Savings Performance Contract with Ameresco, the project prioritized local and regional small businesses, keeping project dollars in the community and strengthening the regional economy. By pairing innovative delivery, workforce investment, and environmental performance, the City of Pendleton has created a replicable model for small and mid-sized communities seeking to align fiscal responsibility with long-term sustainability goals. |
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| Washington County Land Use & Transportation Department, SW Park Way ADA Curb Ramp Replacement Project | ||
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The Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) demonstrated how sustainable innovation can be integrated into everyday infrastructure through the SW Park Way ADA Curb Ramp Replacement Project. As part of a broader effort to improve accessibility, LUT constructed 72 ADA-compliant curb ramps while piloting a low-carbon Type 1L concrete mix to reduce embodied carbon. Delivered at 98 percent of budget, the project confirmed that lower-carbon materials can be implemented without increasing overall costs, allowing the County to responsibly test new approaches while maintaining strong financial stewardship on behalf of taxpayers.
The project advanced community livability by improving pedestrian safety and accessibility along an urban residential corridor, supporting Washington County’s long-term goals outlined in its ADA Title II Public Right-of-Way Transition Plan. Environmentally, the pilot concrete mix reduced global warming potential by at least 13 percent compared to regional averages, using less cementitious material and incorporating slag while meeting all performance requirements. Environmental Product Declarations were reviewed to validate results, providing confidence for future use on capital projects. By pairing equitable infrastructure improvements with measurable environmental outcomes, LUT established a scalable, cost-effective model for sustainable construction that is already informing similar efforts across the region. |
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Projects of the Year
Historical Restoration/Preservation – Less than $5 Million |
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| Stark Street Bridge Emergency Wall Repair Project, Multnomah County | ||
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The Stark Street Bridge and roadway were built in 1914. The bridge’s north approach, constructed of dry-stacked basalt and river cobbles, was damaged over time by multiple vehicle crashes. As a result, the approach from the Historic Columbia River Highway needed to be reparied or replaced. David Evans and Associates was hired by the County to study the best remedy. Then, on September 17, 2024 the northwest retaining wall on the approach suddenly collapsed. The northeast retaining wall across from it was also at risk of collapse. The County quickly pivoted to an Emergency Wall Repair Project with DEA’s support. DEA supported the demolition and reconstruction of the retained north approach with a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil wall system. Despite harsh weather challenges, limited and inaccurate as-built documentation, and tight site constraints, the project’s construction was completed within the 6-month expected time frame. Smaller equipment was used to minimize site disturbance. The bridge closure was leveraged to perform cleaning and deck patching. Multnomah County celebrated the reopening of the Stark Street Bridge on March 10, 2025. |
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Environmental – Less than $5 Million |
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| Silverton Silver Creek Intake, City of Silverton | ||
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The City of Silverton draws its water from Silver Creek and Abiqua Creek. The intake on Silver Creek was aging, so the City (supported by Keller) replaced it with a modern intake and pump station, a new fish screen, a backwash system, and nearly 1,500 feet of upgraded pipeline. Crews rehabilitated another 300 feet of pipe using trenchless methods.
The old 12-inch water line was replaced with a larger 18-inch line, allowing more water to reach the treatment plants and helping the system keep up with community development. The project was designed for long-term reliability. Because concrete structures typically have a useful life of 50 to 75 years, designing the structure and the fish screen system to deliver the City’s 14 cfs water right provides for long-term resiliency while minimizing future impacts on critical habitats and species by eliminating the need for future upgrades as water needs increase. Because the intake is located at a popular swimming area, the design also included safety considerations that preserve public access to the creek. |
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Environmental – $5 Million to Under $25 Million |
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| Springwater Wetlands Restoration, City of Portland | ||
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The Springwater Wetlands Restoration project reconnects and restores the Johnson Creek floodplain by expanding historic wetlands to better manage flooding. Like the nearby Foster Floodplain Natural Area, it improves wildlife habitat and creates new public access. Otak led early research and worked closely with the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services and other partners to guide the project through design and permitting.
Along with reducing flood risk using green stormwater infrastructure, the project removes contaminated fill and non-native species, while improving conditions for native species. Hydraulic modeling helped determine flood storage capacity and develop hydraulic connections that convey flood flows to and from the wetlands. Modeling and hydrologic analysis informed the Johnson Creek Restoration Plan that accounts for 10-year storm, 25-year flood, and 100-year flood events. |
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Environmental – $25 Million to $75 Million |
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| La Pine Water and Wastewater Systems Improvements, City of La Pine | ||
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For decades, the City of La Pine faced a critical public health and environmental challenge due to its reliance on aging and failing septic systems. Nitrate levels in residential wells were high—a result of septic tank drain fields located near shallow wells—posing health risks.
This project, completed in December 2024, resulted in nearly 300 properties connecting to the City’s municipal sewer and water systems. These improvements have eliminated groundwater contamination risks and unlocked new economic opportunities for La Pine to grow and thrive. |
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Structures – Under $5 Million |
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| Pendleton Bus Barn (Let ‘er Bus Transit Campus), City of Pendleton | ||
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The City of Pendleton has provided public transit for more than 40 years—until recently, without a dedicated facility. Completed in 2024, the Bus Barn is now the transportation hub for the city’s fleet and administrative offices. The facility safely four Category C buses, six Category E vehicles, and four minivans or sedan-class vehicles.
Let ’er Bus Transit offers free public bus routes with over 30 stops and operating 11 times daily, Monday through Friday. Transit services also include a reduced-rate Dial-A-Ride Van Service for the public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, as well as a reduced-rate Taxi Ticket Voucher program. The system averages more than 4,000 rides per month and is an important community resource, especially for low-income residents. The new facility is vital in keeping fleet vehicles sheltered, powered, and ready to serve—especially in icy conditions—protecting and preserving City resources. |
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Structures – $5 Million to Under $25 Million |
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| Early Care and Education Center, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde | ||
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A 2022 Study identified a growing need for additional early childhood care and education in the Grand Ronde tribal community. Existing facilities and staffing could not meet demand. In response, the Grand Ronde Tribe built a new Early Care and Education Center to house the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Department, driven by a rapid increase in children under five and more young families returning to or settling on the Reservation. The new Early Care and Education Center boasts 26,000 square-foot in a single-story facility that includes 12 classrooms, 10 offices, two age-specific outdoor play areas, a mother’s lounge and more. The Center provides culturally rooted care for children ages 0 to 5 and supports up to 140 children and their families. This project was completed in March 2025 after a 15-month construction period. This project reflects the Tribe’s ongoing investment in its future generations, reinforcing a commitment to community wellness, education, cultural preservation, and self-sufficiency. | |
Structures – $25 Million to Under $75 Million |
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| Boeckman Road Corridor Improvements, City of Wilsonville | ||
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Originally a rural road, Boeckman Road is now one of Wilsonville’s key east-west corridors. The recent upgrade modernized the road for urban use, improving safety and access for all travelers. Highlights include a new bridge over Boeckman Creek to remove the dangerous “Boeckman Dip,” updated sewer and stormwater systems, enhanced bike and pedestrian paths, and a roundabout at Canyon Creek Road. Removing the Boeckman Dip provides drivers enhanced visibility for additional safety at the intersection of Canyon Creek. Delivered via Progressive Design-Build (PDB) by Tapani|Sundt, A Joint Venture (TSJV), the project supports the City’s Transportation System Plan and growth in Frog Pond. Substantial completion was reached in August 2025, with final work finishing by September. The creek restoration is scheduled for 2026 under a separate contract. | |
Transportation – Under $5 Million |
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| Reedville Trail, Washington County | ||
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Wallis Engineering and Eagle-Elsner successfully completed design and construction of the Reedville Trail, which upgraded one mile of a largely unpaved and disconnected trail. The Trail follows Bonneville Power Administration’s Pearl-Keeler transmission line through property owned by the City of Hillsboro (including the Paula Jean and Trachsel Meadows Parks).
The trail had become deficient—many segments were dirt paths created by people walking through the area, resulting in circuitous pathways that could be confusing for some users. Road crossings, wayfinding, pedestrian safety measures, and lighting were absent. Today, after construction, the Reedville Trail has been transformed into a multimodal regional trail link benefiting the community by providing a safe, enjoyable transportation link to nearby destinations. The upgraded pathway provides a separated access route for the community to Indian Hills Elementary school. Newly created spur trail connections enhance public access to this new corridor. This project was completed in December 2024. |
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Transportation – $5 Million to Under $25 Million |
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| S. 1st Street and Strand Street Road and Utilities Extension, City of St. Helens | ||
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This project is a key component of the City of St. Helens’ waterfront redevelopment initiative to revitalize the former industrial mill site south of downtown and transform over 200 acres of underutilized properties into a vibrant riverfront district. This project significantly upgraded infrastructure for enhanced walkability, connectivity, and for future development. Project highlights include:
Additionally, new ADA pedestrian connections were made to Columbia View Park and the Riverwalk trail. The project was completed in mid-2025. |
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Transportation – $25 Million to Under $75 Million |
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| SW Walker Rd Improvements Phase 2 (NW Schendel to Butner), Washington County | ||
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The SW Walker Road Improvement Phase 2 project brings important transportation upgrades to a busy, fast-growing part of Beaverton. The work extends along Walker Road from NW Schendel Avenue to Butner Road and along 158th from just south of the Walker intersection north to the Schendel Avenue intersection on 158th.
The project widened the roadway from three lanes to five, adding two travel lanes in each direction and a center turn lane. The area previously had narrow shoulders, limited bike and pedestrian space, and frequent backups from turning traffic. Phase 2 turns the corridor into a safer, more convenient route for everyone, with:
These upgrades increase capacity, enhance safety, and support multimodal mobility for today and the future. |
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Disaster or Emergency Response – Under $5 Million |
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| South Road Bridge Replacement, Washington County | ||
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The South Road Bridge Replacement reflects Washington County’s commitment to protecting public safety, supporting rural communities, and delivering resilient infrastructure with long-term value. Serving as a critical access point for the Cherry Grove community, the bridge is an essential lifeline for residents, farmers, and emergency responders. Following the discovery of structural deficiencies and weight restrictions—and reinforced by evacuation needs during the 2020 wildfire—the County acted quickly to replace the bridge with a safer, more reliable crossing, completing construction on schedule in January 2025. Designed with community input and environmental stewardship in mind, the new single-span bridge eliminates in-water piers, protecting the Tualatin River’s salmon habitat while improving stormwater treatment and seismic resilience. Strategic design choices minimized right-of-way impacts and environmental disruption while delivering a durable, cost-effective solution. Through collaboration, transparency, and innovation under challenging conditions, Washington County restored a vital connection and demonstrated how infrastructure investments can strengthen safety, sustainability, and community resilience for generations to come. |
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Disaster or Emergency Response – $5 Million to Under $25 Million |
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| North Plains Public Works Facility, City of North Plains | ||
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The City of North Plains Public Works Facility represents a transformative investment in the City’s future, consolidating essential services into a modern, resilient civic hub. As the City’s first major public facility in decades, the 12,000-square-foot, two-story building brings Public Works, Police, Planning, Utility Billing, and City Administration together under one roof, improving coordination, efficiency, and service delivery. Designed to accommodate more than 20 years of growth, the facility also includes a four-bay fleet garage, secure equipment storage, and Emergency Operations Center capabilities, strengthening North Plains’ preparedness and operational resilience. The project was largely funded through a $5 million grant from the 2021 Oregon State Lottery, allowing the City to deliver long-term value while remaining fiscally responsible. Sustainability and community identity are embedded throughout the facility’s design. Constructed using cross-laminated timber, rooftop solar, energy-efficient systems, and EV-ready infrastructure, the building significantly reduces its carbon footprint while supporting future technologies. Stormwater treatment, native landscaping, and thoughtful site reuse further minimize environmental impacts. Community engagement shaped the facility’s agrarian aesthetic and welcoming public spaces, and the project became a point of civic pride, culminating in a community celebration and the building’s dedication to longtime local leader Robert “Butch” Kindel. Together, these elements reflect North Plains’ commitment to smart growth, environmental stewardship, and a strong, connected community. |
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Disaster or Emergency Response – $25 Million to Under $75 Million |
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| Salem Public Works Operations Building, Salem Public Works | ||
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The City of Salem Operations Building is a mission-critical investment in resilience, collaboration, and continuity of public services. Designed to unify Public Works staff previously spread across four locations, the 30,000-square-foot facility strengthens daily operations while remaining fully functional during emergencies such as wildfires, ice storms, earthquakes, and grid disruptions. As a Risk Category IV facility, the building supports essential services, including infrastructure maintenance, utilities, and emergency coordination, ensuring the City can continue serving residents when it matters most. Delivered using a Progressive Design-Build approach, the project remained on schedule and met performance goals despite pandemic-era challenges, reinforcing accountability and shared problem solving across the project team. Sustainability, workforce well-being, and long-term value are central to the building’s design. Constructed with Oregon-sourced mass timber and all-electric, high-performance systems, the facility reduces embodied and operational carbon while meeting LEED Silver equivalency. Rooftop solar integrated with Oregon’s first local microgrid enhances regional energy resilience, while onsite stormwater treatment protects local waterways. Inside, flexible work zones, collaborative spaces, and inclusive design features support staff safety, morale, and connection. Together, these elements create more than an operations center, they establish a durable, future-ready platform that reflects Salem’s commitment to environmental stewardship, economic responsibility, and the people who keep the City running. |
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