Minutes of Maryland/DC Damage Prevention
Meeting
November 28, 2006
Miss Utility Call Center
Hanover, MD 21076
I. Call To Order and Introduction:
Wayne Gilmer (Utiliquest) called the regular monthly
meeting to order at 9:36 am.
Introductions were made.
The minutes of October 24, 2006 were approved.
II. Damage Prevention Presentations:
None at this time.
III. Safety Events:
Wayne Gilmer stated that the National Capitol Park and
Planning Commission safety event was nice and that the committee should
consider providing a training session in addition to being an exhibitor.
IV. SafetyComm Solutions Pipeline Safety Presentation and Dinner:
Mark Hamrick (Verizon) attended the Waldorf event held on
November 6, 2006. The concentration was on pipeline safety and sponsored by
Columbia Gas, Call Before You Dig. Pipeline operators will be available when excavators
are digging near their pipe and contact information was provided. Contractors,
utility members and emergency responders attended this safety presentation.
Columbia, MD will be the site for the next presentation scheduled for November 29th.
V. Trade Shows:
Wayne Gilmer stated the Upper Marlboro show was great. Excellent participation
and great support from the venue; vendors were assisted with loading and unloading of exhibit
materials and helpful in answering set up questions.
Discussion for contact improvement regarding event scheduling ensued. Kevin Woolbright (WSSC)
suggested a location map be emailed for exhibit set up. Parking information or restrictions be
provided and a contact list be afforded to all participants in case replacements were needed or
someone was running late. Wayne Gilmer will look into this for future events.
VI. Locator Achievement/Dig Smart Committee:
Nelson Sneed (Verizon) stated the awards banquet would be held March 29th at the
Sheraton in Columbia, MD. He also stated that we would probably not get a proclamation this
year from the new governor due to time constraints.
Dora Parks (Miss Utility) provided copies of the Locator Achievement Awards
notice and nomination form for review. Locator nominations due December 13th.
VII. Marking Standards Group:
Wayne Gilmer stated that establishing marking standards was a slow and
cautious process. Wayne provided a brief update regarding the committee's
strides to determine pipe sizes definitions and what constitutes "high profile".
The committee will resume meetings in January 2007.
VIII. Title 12 Working Group:
Wayne Gilmer acknowledged and thanked BGE for hosting the group meeting. He stated it was well
attended, the PSC gave a power point presentation and Dick Schaffer (PSC) provided the opening
remarks. Minutes of the meeting would be available at
www.missutility.net.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding law change, federal intervention and investigations
regarding safe digging practices, enforcement, education, training, damage reporting efforts
and marketing. The consensus of the working group was that infrastructure demands law changes;
clarifications need to be made and grey areas need to be removed. That building a strong
partnership would ultimately achieve the goals of the group. Wayne Gilmer asked that everyone
provide feedback from the Working Group meeting via email to him and he would forward to
Dick Schaffer.
The next meeting will be held on November 29, 2006 and hosted by Verizon (Andre Robinson: 410-393-0580).
IX. MD/DC Subscribers Group:
The next Subscribers meeting will be held December 6, 2006 at 9:00 am at the
Miss Utility Call Center. A holiday luncheon will be provided by One Call Concepts, Inc.
X. FTTP/FIOS:
Nelson Sneed provided FTTP damage ratios: 9.7 damages per 10,000 feet. To date, the yearly is 1.77.
Nelson stressed that continued communications, partnering, training and following best practices
will help to reduce these damage ratios in 2007.
| |
December |
January |
February |
| Anne Arundel |
185,430 |
363,790 |
119,770 |
| Baltimore |
110,670 |
102,760 |
236,670 |
| Howard |
64,960 |
93,170 |
231,350 |
| Montgomery |
39,410 |
24,850 |
0 |
| Prince George’s |
291,480 |
219,030 |
106,470 |
XI. Open Discussion:
Wayne Gilmer stated he received a complaint from Chevy Chase area
regarding the use of paint. There was some discussion regarding the
amount of paint needed to identify buried lines and placement of paint,
being mindful of homeowners and private property in addition to abiding
by utility standards and possible education of homeowners.
Wayne Gilmer provided certificates of appreciation for participation in the contractor events.
Scott Brown (WGL) reported that Washington Gas has seen its lowest damage ratio
to tickets in years. He thanked everyone for the support, partnership and attention
to damage prevention and safety.
There being no further business to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:46am.
| Attendee List |
 |
| Name |
|
Company |
|
Phone |
|
Email |
| Wayne Gilmer |
|
|
|
| Zenon Sushko |
|
|
|
| Shawn Breen |
|
|
|
| Matt Ruddo |
|
|
|
| Vince Healy |
|
|
|
| Tom Baldwin |
|
|
|
| Robert Timon |
|
|
|
| Paul Leatherman |
|
|
|
| Karen Watkins |
|
|
|
| Kelly Hardy |
|
|
|
| Robert Vicks |
|
|
|
| Dena Walters |
|
|
|
| Sherell Stone |
|
|
|
| Rick Behrens |
|
|
|
| Veronica Rozier |
|
|
|
| Dave Dubs |
|
|
|
| Russ Larner |
|
|
|
| Bede DuPree |
|
|
|
| Nelson Sneed |
|
|
|
| John Payne |
|
|
|
| Joseph Mallon |
|
|
|
| Michael Jewell |
|
|
|
| Kevin Woolbright |
|
|
|
| Mike Collins |
|
|
|
| Nathan Tidd |
|
|
|
| Kevin Black |
|
|
|
| Jeff Wheat |
|
|
|
| Chuck Small |
|
|
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| Tim Kempa |
|
|
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| Mitzi Ambush |
|
|
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| Alex Baquie |
|
|
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| Scott Brown |
|
|
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| Tony Goodman |
|
|
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| Alex Dankanich |
|
|
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|
