Minutes of Maryland/DC Damage Prevention
Meeting
February 26, 2008
Miss Utility Call Center
Hanover, MD 21076
I. Call To Order and Introduction:
Wayne Gilmer (Utiliquest) called the regular monthly meeting to order at 9:35 am.
Introductions were made.
The minutes of January 22, 2008 were approved.
II. Safety Item:
Wayne Gilmer reviewed defensive driving techniques when entering and leaving convenient stores during busy
times of the day.
III. Chris McMcurry/MGH Advertising Public Awareness Campaign Update:
In Progress
- Locator Achievement Awards/Dig Smart Awards
- Highlights so far:
- More than 30 locator nominees
- More than 10 contractor nominees
- Locators contributing to DSA voting process for first time
- Key dates:
- Next meeting: Feb. 27 (tomorrow) at 9 a.m. (here at the call center) – Rescheduled from
last Friday.
- All winners determined at this meeting
- Event planning begins at this time
- Meeting on March 14 (time TBD) to discuss event planning logistics
- Event run through on April 11 (time TBD)
- Event scheduled for April 17 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton in Columbia
- Promotional items/educational materials
- MGH and the Damage Prevention Committee have combined to order tens of thousands of promotional items
and educational materials for the first half of the year for use at shows and presentations.
- Trade shows and home and garden shows
- Complete:
- Show Place Arena (Feb. 1-3)
- Landscape Contractors Association (Feb. 12-14)
- Upcoming in late Feb and March:
- Timonium (2/29-3/2 and 3/7-3/9)
- Germantown (3/7-3/9)
- Maryland PHCC (3/13)
- Washington, D.C. (3/13-3/16)
- Frederick (3/15-3/16)
- BuilderMart (3/19)
- FedEx Field (3/28-3/30)
- New volunteer coordinator at MGH:
- Nick Kelly
- 410-504-8338
- nkelly@mghus.com
- We’re just about all set with volunteers for a very busy spring. THANK YOU!
- Media buys
- Negotiated and ready to air in the spring
- Underground Excavation Safety Week now April 6-12
Still to Come – March and April
- Association outreach – for DP speaking engagement opportunities
- Other mailings
- Permit offices
- Equipment rental
- Realtors
- Implementing national 811 marketing campaign locally
- MGH is also the agency of record for the Common Ground Alliance, which manages promotion of 811
nationally.
- The call center and a local locator were used for a video shoot two weeks ago.
- This video will be available to all local TV stations (including ones in Washington, D.C.,
and Baltimore), giving them have strong visuals for any story about 811 or
damage prevention.
Additional Recommendations
- Online homeowner ticketing (ITIC Lite)
- Subscribers Committee is considering an online advertising campaign to promote ITIC Lite.
- Miss Utility Day at the Bowie Baysox Stadium
- Scheduled for Thursday, July 31.
- More details to come at upcoming DP meetings.
- Summer homeowner outreach (county fairs)
- Investigating the feasibility of displaying at:
- Montgomery County Fair
- Prince George’s County Fair
- Others being considered include:
- Howard County Fair
- Maryland State Fair
- Anne Arundel County Fair
IV. Damage Prevention Presentations:
Wayne Gilmer gave feedback on recent presentations for Anchor Construction, Wagman, Inc., and Miles Electric.
Wayne stated there were several presentations scheduled with WSSC, Potomac Construction and Northern Pipeline
in the coming weeks.
V. Trade Shows/Safety Events:
Wayne Gilmer reviewed the upcoming trade show schedule. Kevin Woolbright commented that Wayne was scheduled to
work a shift on the same time and day at two different locations. Wayne stated that he would contact Nick
Kelly to resolve the issue.
VI. Locator Achievement/Dig Smart Committee:
Dora Parks stated that the Locator Achievement & Dig Smart winners would be selected at tomorrow’s Awards
Subcommittee meeting. She indicated that there were more locator ballots submitted this year compared
with previous years. The Awards night is scheduled for April 17, 2008 at the Columbia Sheraton.
VII. Marking Standards Group:
Wayne Gilmer said that last month’s meeting was canceled because of inclement weather. He stated that the Group
would be meeting after today’s meeting.
VII. Title 12 Steering Committee:
Tom Baldwin (BGE) stated that the next several meetings would cover enforcement. Scott Brown (Washington Gas) said
that the Committee is really hung up on enforcement. He said enforcement would only be on a voluntary and is
targeted at repeat offenders and those that don’t call. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for February 29th &
March 10th, 2008.
IX. MD/DC Subscribers Committee Meeting:
Tom Baldwin reviewed meeting topics such as the advertising budget, public awareness campaigns and the Diamond Dig
promotion at the Baysox Stadium.
X. FTTP/FIOS Progress Report:
Sam Jones (Verizon) provided the following two month FTTP trench footage projections:
| |
March |
April |
| Anne Arundel |
146,000 |
206,000 |
| Baltimore |
103,000 |
112,000 |
| Howard |
5,000 |
9,000 |
| Montgomery |
5,000 |
1,000 |
| Prince George’s |
82,000 |
15,000 |
XI. Open Discussion:
Scott Brown discussed three Washington Gas related items. They were:
- Training and public relations efforts have resulted in a damage ratio of 1.2 hits per 1,000 tickets on
their system compared to the national average of 3 hits per 1,000 tickets.
- They have partnered with Fairfax County, VA and Northern Pipeline to locate sewer laterals. Fairfax County
is providing tap locations.
- Fire Marshalls have the ability to fine contractors for negligence around gas lines and they may become more
active. It’s important to call 911 first if a gas line is hit/cut.
There was a lengthy discussion about getting municipalities and Counties to mark water and sewer laterals. Sherrell
Stone (NPL) asked if there were any Law change proposals to make water and sewer companies mark laterals. Tom Baldwin
stated that municipalities and Counties may want to charge contractors for lateral markings.
Dora Parks (Miss Utility) said the Call Center would begin accepting the new four digit map book coordinates for
Montgomery County on March 19, 2008. She said the Call Center would eventually phase out the old ADC map books. She
also stated that the District of Columbia and Prince Georges County maps will be available sometime in the near
future.
There was a brief discussion about the new ADC grid sizes. A few commented that it may be best to reduce the amount of
grids that can be accepted on a ticket from three to two. Tom Baldwin said that he would add the ADC grid size
issue to the MD/DC Subscribers meeting agenda.
Upcoming Damage Prevention Presentations:
March 3, 2008: Potomac Construction Company in Hyattsville, MD at 11:00am
March 12, 2008: WSSC’s Gaithersburg MD Facility at 9:00 am.
March 19, 2008: WSSC’s Laytonsville MD Facility at 9:00 am.
April 4, 2008: Northern Pipeline in Baltimore, MD- 2 presentation the same day
TBD: Mainling Services, Inc. in Rosedale, MD
Upcoming Trade Shows:
| Show name: |
|
Maryland Home & Garden Show |
| Date: |
|
February 29 - March 2nd |
| City, State: |
|
Timonium,MD |
| Place: |
|
Maryland State Fairgrounds |
| Website: |
|
www.mdhomeandgarden.com/0_HG/01_HG_show_info.html |
 |
| Show name: |
|
Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show |
| Date: |
|
March 7th - 9th |
| City, State: |
|
Germantown, MD |
| Place: |
|
Discovery Sports Center at Maryland Soccerplex |
| Website: |
|
www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HGS.html |
|
| Show name: |
|
Maryland Plumbing, Heating and Contractors Seminar |
| Date: |
|
March 13th |
| City, State: |
|
Pikesville, MD |
| Place: |
|
Pikesville Armory |
| Website: |
|
www.phccweb.org |
|
| Show name: |
|
Washington Home, Garden & Flower Show |
| Date: |
|
March 13th - 16th |
| City, State: |
|
Washington, D.C. |
| Place: |
|
Washington Convention Center |
| Website: |
|
www.washingtonhomeandgardenshow.com |
|
| Show Name: |
|
Frederick County Builders Association Home Show |
| Date: |
|
March 15th - 16th |
| City, State: |
|
Frederick, MD |
| Place: |
|
Great Frederick Fairgrounds |
| Website: |
|
www.fcbal.org/html/homeshow.cfm |
|
| Show name: |
|
Builder Mart |
| Date: |
|
March 19th |
| City, State: |
|
Timonium,MD |
| Place: |
|
Maryland State Fairgrounds |
| Website: |
|
www.homebuilders.org/page/55597/ |
|
| Show name: |
|
Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show/b> |
| Date: |
|
March 28th - March 30th |
| City, State: |
|
Landover, MD |
| Place: |
|
FedEx Field |
| Website: |
|
www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/FFS.html |
|
Show name: |
|
Maryland Municipal League |
| Date: |
|
June 22nd - 25th |
| City, State: |
|
Ocean City, MD |
| Place: |
|
Ocean City Convention Center |
| Website: |
|
www.mdmunicipal.org/cv08/cvinfowlinks.cfm |
|
| Show name: |
|
Maryland Association of Counties |
| Date: |
|
August 13th - 16th |
| City, State: |
|
Ocean City, MD |
| Place: |
|
Roland Powell Convention Center |
| Website: |
|
www.mdcounties.org/events/eventDetails.cfm?EventID=58 |
|
| Show name: |
|
Chesapeake Safety Conference |
| Date: |
|
September 12th |
| City, State: |
|
|
| Place: |
|
|
| Website: |
|
|
|
| Show name: |
|
Suburban Maryland Fall Home Show |
| Date: |
|
September 12th - 14th |
| City, State: |
|
Germantown, MD |
| Place: |
|
Discovery Sports Center at Maryland Soccerplex |
| Website: |
|
www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HGF.html |
|
| Show Name: |
|
Harford LIVE! |
| Date: |
|
September 27th - 29th |
| City, State: |
|
Aberdeen, MD |
| Place: |
|
Ripken Stadium |
| Website: |
|
www.harfordlive.com/assets/har_live_contract.pdf |
|
| Show Name: |
|
Maryland Home & Garden Show |
| Date: |
|
October 17th - 19th |
| City, State: |
|
Timonium, MD |
| Place: |
|
Maryland State Fairgrounds |
| Website: |
|
www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HAF.html> |
|
| Show Name: |
|
Suburban Maryland Fall Home Show |
| Date: |
|
October 24th - 26th |
| City, State: |
|
Upper Marlboro, MD |
| Place: |
|
The Show Place Arena |
| Website: |
|
www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HAF.html |
Upcoming Meetings:
The next Maryland/DC Damage Prevention meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2008 at the Miss Utility Center.
Coffee and donuts will be served at 9:00 am. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am. The next Marking Guidelines Group
meeting will be held immediately following the MD/DC Damage Prevention meeting.
The 2008 Maryland/DC Subscribers meeting will be held April 10th, and June 12th, 2008 at
the Miss Utility Center. Coffee and donuts will be served at 9:30 am, and the meeting will begin at 10:00 am.
There being no further business to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.
 |
| ITIC % Report for Maryland and Washington D.C. |
|
| Month |
|
Call Center Tickets |
|
ITIC Tickets |
|
Percentage |
| Feb-07 |
|
50,152 |
|
35,148 |
|
70% |
| Mar-07 |
|
68,632 |
|
46,108 |
|
67% |
| Apr-07 |
|
71,453 |
|
47,548 |
|
67% |
| May-07 |
|
79,243 |
|
53,201 |
|
67% |
| Jun-07 |
|
74,055 |
|
50,649 |
|
68% |
| Jul-07 |
|
75,034 |
|
52,724 |
|
70% |
| Aug-07 |
|
76,641 |
|
54,537 |
|
71% |
| Sep-07 |
|
68,418 |
|
47,376 |
|
69% |
| Oct-07 |
|
74,837 |
|
51,712 |
|
69% |
| Nov-07 |
|
60,718 |
|
42,868 |
|
71% |
| Dec-07 |
|
53,677 |
|
39,652 |
|
74% |
| Jan-08 |
|
58,159 |
|
41,586 |
|
72% |
| Feb-08 |
|
51,004 |
|
36,810 |
|
72% |
|
| Attendee List |
|
| Name |
|
Company |
|
Phone |
|
Email |
| Wayne Gilmer |
|
|
|
| Andy Kaldmaa |
|
|
|
| Alice Gilmore |
|
|
|
| Matt Ruddo |
|
|
|
| Tom Baldwin |
|
|
|
| John Wieberson |
|
|
|
| Mark Hamrick |
|
|
|
| Karen Watkins |
|
|
|
| Scott Brown |
|
|
|
| Tony Goodman |
|
|
|
| Tim Kempa |
|
|
|
| Sherell Stone |
|
|
|
| Cal Brooks |
|
|
|
| Dora Parks |
|
|
|
| Sam Jones |
|
|
|
| Glenn Fox |
|
|
|
| Greg Johnson |
|
|
|
| Adrian Deal |
|
|
|
| Jay Spence |
|
|
|
| Chet Bowling |
|
|
|
| Joe Feronti |
|
|
|
| Alex Baquie |
|
|
|
| Tom Hastings |
|
|
|
| Robert Vicks |
|
|
|
| Greg Dougherty |
|
|
|
| Bob Norman |
|
|
|
|
