Golden Valley Communications, Public Works Departments Awarded

The American Public Works Association honored Golden Valley's Public Works and Communications Departments with an Exceptional Performance Award for Journalism.

At a City Council meeting last week, Mark Maloney, past president of the American Public Works Association-Minnesota Chapter, presented the national award to staff.

"This community has a legacy of strong leadership with the Minnesota chapter," Maloney said. "[American Public Works Association] recognized that the City of  Golden Valley has developed and implemented an effective communications plan to educate the public, real estate professionals and contractors about the environmental problems associated with [inflow and infiltration], or the amount of clear water entering the City’s sanitary sewer system."

According to Communications Manager Cheryl Weiler, the award recognizes exceptional performance in presenting the story of a public works issue or event, which was initially announced in August at an expo in Anaheim, Calif. Maloney nominated Golden Valley for the award in February on behalf of the APWA Minnesota Chapter.

Weiler said that the Inflow and Infiltration Communications Plan has been an integral component in Golden Valley’s inflow and infiltration reduction program. Since the program’s implementation in 2005, Golden Valley has seen a steady decrease of city-wide inflow and infiltration.

"This is a pretty remarkable thing that you're being recognized for," Maloney told councilmembers on Sept. 19. "I'm honored to be able to celebrate this award with the City of Golden Valley."