Internal Newsletter

1. ROSA ENFORCEMENT’S HAROLD WARD
Robert Bryant, Parking Services Administration
Five nights a week between the hours of 11 p.m. and
7:30 a.m., one can find Harold Ward of Parking Services
Administration combing thru the streets of the nation’s capital.
Mr. Ward is a proud part of the three-year-old Registration of
Out-Of-State Automobiles (ROSA) program.
ROSA is comprised of 16 enforcement officers who make
up eight teams. Mr. Ward works and his partner alternate
between driving and sitting in the backseat operating the
mobile data terminal (MDT) which is similar to a lap top
computer. They search for vehicles with out-of–state tags and
at first sighting the tag is entered into the computer at which
time no action is taken for 15 days. Thereafter, the second time that the vehicle is spotted, and confirmed by the MDT as
having been previously recorded; a warning citation is issued and placed on the vehicle. It is only at the third occurrence,
at least 30 days after the first observation of the vehicle that a $100 ticket
“for failure to secure District of Columbia tags” is issued.
Mr. Ward was born in the District, but the native Washingtonian lived most
of his life in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He worked for the Philadelphia Fire
Department and retired after 12 years. He returned to DC and has been
with Parking Services for three years. He is married and resides in Ward 4.
He has two adult daughters who reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
One may wonder how Mr. Ward feels about working while everyone else
is asleep. To this question he responds, “It doesn’t bother me; I am used
to working at night and doing shift [rotating] work.” Does he encounter
any problems pertaining to his job? A safety issue comes to mind as he
remembers, “Somebody threw bottles one time around the 700 block of
Taylor Street N.W., about two blocks from where I live.” he said.
When asked him to express his thoughts on the ROSA program, Mr. Ward
said, “I love the job and think it’s a good program. ROSA members love to
create revenue for the city.”
DC Department of Public Works Vol. 6, Number 3 April 2006
In This Issue:
Employee Profile (Harold Ward,
ROSA Enforcement)
Director’s Corner
Blue Plains Auction Goes Online
New Stadium Impacts SWMA’s
Benning Road Site
Clearinghouse News
April 2006 Courses
New Procurement Information
Simpson-Hamline United Methodist
Church Host “Sanitation Workers’
Appreciation Day” For DPW
Sanitation Workers
New and Notes
Mark Your Calendars
Thought Provoking

2. Director’s Corner
The beginning of spring is somewhat like the beginning of a
new year. It gives us a new start, a chance to renew, revive
and reenergize ourselves. Springtime is a time to reignite
our spirit in the workplace.
Most of the time, in the Director’s Corner of the newsletter,
I discuss things that need to be done in the department, or
I give information that updates matters of concern, or I tell
you something that I think you need to know about what’s
happening in the department.
In this issue, I want to let you know how much you are
appreciated. I appreciate your loyalty, integrity, and the
outstanding service that you deliver to our residents every
day. It has been said that “Trash work is a dirty job, but
someone has to do it.” That’s true! But that someone
isn’t always dedicated, faithful and consistent. Yet, the
employees of DPW are. And for that, I am proud.
As I have mentioned before, the department is going through a transformation. Our employees are striving to think outside
the box in completing their tasks. I believe that everyone is truly putting forth their best efforts to make this department the
Preferred Choice. And for that, I am proud.
Every opportunity to challenge ourselves in new ways gives us a chance to deliver better, smarter customer service. Our
employees are embracing these opportunities, and for that, I am proud.
I believe this organization has 1,400 employees who care about the District of Columbia and who have committed
themselves to going the extra mile to conquer some of the most serious problems in this city, such as litter and illegal
dumping, abandoned vehicles, parking enforcement, and community education. You have adopted the highest form of
professionalism in doing your jobs. And for that, I am proud.
As we begin this new season, know that you play a crucial role in this government. The services you provide are essential
to the well-being of the residents of the District of Columbia.
I am proud to lead this outstanding group of people whom I trust will continue to embrace each and every challenge that is
thrust upon this department, and tackle it with finesse and renewed vigor!
William O. Howland, Jr.

3. BLUE PLAINS AUCTION GOES ONLINE
Robert Bryant, Parking Services Administration
In March, Blue Plains joined the ranks of other municipalities and private firms as it held its first online auction. Liquidity
Services Incorporated is an Online Auction and Asset Management Company which will work in unity and harmony with
Parking Services Administration. To purchase a vehicle online, one must participate in a five step process:
Step 1: Registration at WWW.Liquidation.com
Step 2: Find Property
Step 3: Bid on Property
Step 4: Win the Auction
Step 5: Remove Your Property
A prospective buyer can view property online prior to the inspection day, which is the third Tuesday of each month. The
auction bidding closes on the third Thursday of each month. According to Blue Plains Storage and Impoundment Lot, “One
advantage is that the online auction can appeal to people nationwide and generate more revenue.” The new system has a
link called “car fax” that allows one to research the history of a vehicle simply by entering the vehicle identification number.
And, for the first time, DPW personnel will be allowed to buy property from the auction.
On auction day, security will no longer be an issue because there will be no cash on the premises. Moreover, there will be
fewer employees because they will not be detailed from other Parking Services duties to work at the auction.
Finally, there are only three ways to pay: credit card, wire transfer, and “Pay Pal.” All payments must be received within two
business days of auction closing.
New Stadium Impacts SWMA’s Benning Road Site
Jeff Dickerson, SWMA
Who could have predicted that the construction preparation for the new Washington Nationals’ baseball stadium would have
an impact as far reaching as SWMA’s Benning Road Waste Transfer Station’s daily operations? Well, it has.
The displacement of businesses located at “ground zero” for stadium construction has produced a need for the Benning
Road site to absorb the trash from small company haulers that were previously depositing their waste at Eastern Trans
Waste (ETW). ETW, one of the displaced firms, was forced to close at noon on April 3rd. ETW was one of several
remaining private, low-volume trash collection sites in the District.
In anticipation of this additional business volume, SWMA has taken innovative steps to uniquely process these new
contractors by adding both credit card billing as well as a paperless means to bill the contractors’ credit cards.
SWMA personnel have been working with a key vendor whose “WeighMaster” computer application manages contractor
activity. In the last 3 months, SWMA and the vendor have built and installed a new “module” that will bill the contractor’s
credit card each time their vehicles roll across the scales at Benning Road. The truly innovative piece of this new module is
that no credit card is ever used for the transaction. Known as a “card forward” method, the physical use of the credit card is
eliminated, protecting the contractor and reducing SWMA’s risk in managing and storing credit card information.
Behind the scenes, the contractor’s credit card information is stored at Cybersource, a company who passes the SWMA
scale house transaction between several “internet-friendly” companies, finally sending a credit card approval code to scale
house operators while simultaneously depositing the corresponding credit card funds into the District’s bank account
WeighMaster is, importantly, one of the most widely used computer applications of its kind nationwide, and their
development of this “credit card” module is first being tested at Benning Road, with other cities like Portland, Oregon, and
others expressing interest in using the new module pioneered by SWMA and WeighMaster.

4. Clearinghouse News
Radeena Washington
New Employees - Please welcome Jennifer Broome and Kevin Twine to the Department of Public Works’ Office of the
Director.
Jennifer is our new Correspondence Information Assistant in the Customer Service Clearinghouse. Jennifer comes to us
from Parking Services Administration and has been with DPW for 14 years. We are excited about having Jennifer join us
in the Clearinghouse. Her years of institutional knowledge about parking services operations will benefit our Clearinghouse
operations tremendously.
Kevin Twine is also a new addition to our staff. Kevin is the Director’s Office Staff Assistant and also provides customer
service. Kevin managed the front desk operations at the Department of Human Services before joining DPW. He too is a
veteran DC government employee who has been around since 1998.
Voice Mail Compliance – DPW Clearinghouse conducted a mass pre-testing of every employees’ voicemail for compliance
with District standards during the month of February. We will continue to monitor and randomly select phone numbers and
check your voicemail for compliance. Don’t forget that your responsiveness is also an element for compliance – please
remember to return all calls within 24 hours or the next business day. We are also tested in this category by Customer
Service Operations.
Customer Service Tips
(Customer First for Government – March 8, 2006/Volume 7, Issue 9)
To be sure those phones in your area are always covered, follow these suggestions:
Work out arrangements with your coworkers to cover the phones during lunch hours.
Forward calls to the person covering the phones to avoid the risk that a ringing phone won’t be heard.
Make sure no one person gets stuck with the responsibility of answering phones all the time.
When answering phones for others, be sure to take thorough messages. Also, be prepared to explain the coworker’s
absence, and ask the caller when it would be convenient for the coworker to call back.
Return calls promptly when you get back to your desk, and apologize for not being available when the person called.
Whenever possible, make sure that a person, not a machine, is covering your agency’s phones. But, when everyone will be
away from the office, program phones to send calls straight to voicemail.
APRIL 2006 COURSES
Venola Johnson, Human Capital Administration
If you have not met your one training experience for this fiscal year, now is the time to get started. The Public Works
Academy’s April course offerings are listed below. If there is a course that you need that is not offered by PWA, remember to
check the CWD or offsite course offerings to meet your training requirement.
Courses
April 3 Diversity 9 am to 4 pm
April 4 Stress Management 9 am to 4 pm
April 10 EEO/Sexual Harassment 9 am to 1 pm
April 10, 11 and 12 CDL Knowledge Course 4 pm to 8 pm
Remember, in order to be confirmed for a course attendance, a training registration form 1 must be submitted and approved
by your immediate supervisor. See you in the Academy!

5. New Procurement Information on the OCP Internet
There is a new category on the OCP intranet with the title Guidelines for Agency Personnel. There you will find general
information that may be helpful as you work with your agency partners. Currently the link contains a list of Contracting and
Procurement Do’s and Don’t’s for agency directors and employees and a briefing about the requirements in the LSDBE
market. Please access these documents by entering the OCP intranet at www.ocp.in.dc.gov and looking under the
Information category. “GUIDELINES FOR AGENCY PERSONNEL”
Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church Host “Sanitation Workers’Appreciation Day”
For DPW Sanitation Workers
For the seventh year, the Department of Public Works employees joined Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church
at a dinner hosted by the church members on Tuesday, April 4 to observe the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was
assassinated. Dr. King was assassinated while visiting Memphis, Tennessee to support Sanitation Workers.
Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church members take great pleasure in hosting this dinner. A Mayor’s proclamation
was presented to the Church proclaiming April 4, 2005 as “Sanitation Workers Appreciation Day” in Washington, D.C.

7. Downtown Congestion-Buster - With the District’s soaring cost of living, many believe that affording a home is out of the
question. Not so says the Greater Washington Urban League. Funded by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community
Development, the League administers a program that allows families with very low to moderate incomes to realize their
dream of homeownership. The program is called the DC Homebuyer Assistance Program. The DC Homebuyer Assistance
Program is a family of homeownership assistance programs for first-time homebuyers in the District of Columbia.
Homebuyers can use this assistance for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and cooperatives. The largest
and most well known program is the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP).
HPAP offers first-time income to eligible homebuyers up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Assistance is tiered based on total household income as depicted in the chart below. HPAP loans are zero interest loans
for very low and low-income recipients. Loan repayment is deferred for five years.
For More Information: (202) 265-8200 and visit www.gwul.org for a list of required documents
Author’s Note: The DHCD has proposed changes to enhance the DC Homebuyer Assistance Programs. Please visit
the Greater Washington Urban League website for program updates. During a recent Risk Assessment and Control
Committee (RACC) Meeting - Mr. Mark Brown, former Deputy Director of DPW and now Deputy Director for the
Emergency Management Agency (EMA) was presented with a golf jacket and a set of golf balls for his commitment to the
RACC committee during his tenure at DPW.
News and Notes
OITS - New Computers - YES, you read it right. It’s time for DPW to start its PC Refresh Program. The Office of Information
Technology has identified old PC’s that need to be updated to industry standards. Therefore, in the coming days, staff from
OITS will be contacting the various administrations to identify the users who will be receiving a new computer. The users will
be given specific instructions to follow such as how to insure that all files and documents are saved to the proper network
directories before receiving his or her new computer.
In addition, because the new computers run on Windows XP, users may have the need to attend a short training session.
Please call the help desk at (202) 671-1566 if additional help is needed once you receive your new computer.
We look forward to making this a smooth, seamless transition. This upgrade will help the user, as well as the Department of
Public Works; provide our business partners with the best service available while keeping up with today’s technology needs.
Spring has Sprung - - Don’t forget to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This should be done at
least once a year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends we do this in the spring when we
reset our clocks for Daylight Savings Time or in the fall, when we revert to standard time zones.
So, if you haven’t checked these essential household protection devices, please take time to do it soon. Replace the
batteries if you didn’t in the fall and test them to make sure they are working. Actually, CPSC advises that we should test our
smoke and CO alarms every month. And we should make sure there’s an alarm on every level of your home, outside each
sleeping area and inside each bedroom.
Be sure to check the age of those alarms too? Some manufacturers recommend you replace smoke alarms every 10 years
and CO alarms every 5. Why? Their sensors can degrade from age and environmental contamination, the CPSC says.

8. The DPW Exchange
is a bi-monthly publication.
Director
William O. Howland, Jr.
Public Information Officer
Mary Myers
Editor
Vera A. Jackson, Community
Relations Specialist
Contributing Writers
Radeena Washington, Director’s
Office, Customer Service
Clearinghouse
Viola McIver, Safety & Risk
Management
Wanda Garnett, Fleet Management
Administration
Robert Bryant, Parking Services
Administration
Venola Johnson, Human Capital
Administration
Sharon Cooke, D.C. Energy Office
Deborah Stewart, Office of
Information Technology Services
Lakisha Love, Office of the Chief
Financial Officer
Adeline Isaacs, Office of
Administrative Services
Your input is important. All
employees are encouraged
to submit ideas/comments to
vera.jackson@dc.gov.
The newsletter committee reserves
the right to edit all materials
submitted. Deadline for submitting
information for the June issue is
May 15.
Thought Provoking
“There is a name for people who are not excited about their work --
‘unemployed.” Unknown
“The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you
have the more things you will have to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Household Hazardous Waste and E-Cycling drop-off
Carter Barron Amphitheatre’s parking lot
16th and Kennedy Streets NW
May 21 – 27 - National Public Works Week
DPW Employees Mini Celebrations begin on May 22 - 26
Every Friday
Brown Bag Day - A free homeownership workshop
11:30 a.m. - DC Home Resource Center
815 Florida Avenue, NW.
just For fun
Left/Right Brain Conflict: Try saying the color of each word
instead of reading the word and see what happens.
YELLOW BLUE ORANGE
PURPLE YELLOW RED
BLUE RED PURPLE
GREEN BLUE ORANGE
NOTE: The right side of your brain tries to say the color but
the left side insists on reading the word.