CONTACT:
Jon Dienst, Civil Engineer
563.589.4104, jdienst@cityofdubuque.org   

Oct. 9, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
State Association Honors Local City Staff, Project, and Contractor 

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Iowa Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) held its annual fall conference in Dubuque last week and a Dubuque project, a city staff person, and a local contractor received awards during the two-day conference. 
 
From October 5 – 6, over 160 public works professionals gathered at the Hotel Julien and attended sessions on a variety of topics including the use of drones in public works, ADA issues in the public rights-of-way, use of alternative fuels, asset management for communities and project updates, and more.  The chapter held its annual awards ceremony at a banquet Thursday evening.
 
Stan Ring Distinguished Service Award
City of Dubuque Public Works Director John Klostermann was awarded the chapter’s Stan Ring Award, the highest award bestowed upon an Iowa chapter member. The purpose of this award is to recognize Iowa Chapter – APWA members who have demonstrated exemplary long-term service and commitment to the Iowa Chapter and to the public works profession.  Klostermann has been a part of the City of Dubuque Public Works Department since 1975, was named public works director in May 2016, is a past president of the Iowa APWA Chapter, and has served on several national APWA committees.  
 
Project of the Year
The City of Dubuque’s North Grandview Ave./Delhi St./Grace St. Roundabout project was awarded the Project of the Year Award in the $500,000 to $1 million category.  These awards recognize the managing agency, the consultant/engineer, and the contractor who, working together, complete public works projects.
 
Contractor of the Year
Portzen Construction of Dubuque received the APWA Iowa Chapter Contractor of the Year award for work on both the Bee Branch Creek Watershed Flood Mitigation project and the North Grandview Ave./Delhi St./Grace St. Roundabout.  The purpose of this award is to honor a public works contractor for outstanding achievement as reflected in the construction of a completed public works project.
 
Jon Dienst, civil engineer in the City of Dubuque Engineering Department, is currently president of the Iowa Chapter of the APWA.  For more information on this organization, visit http://iowa.apwa.net.
 
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