Annual Conference Review

52 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

after a cold and snowy winterthat left more moisture overallacross the state, Kansas springweather rolled out a warm redcarpet for the 40th Anniversary

of Mid-America's largestwater/wastewater conference

and exhibition at the Century IIConvention Center in Wichita.The 40th Anniversary of theKansas Rural Water AssociationConference and Exhibition wasunderway!

On March 28-30, industryprofessionals, nearly 2200 strong,did their best to fill the 16 officialhotels listed in the conferenceprogram. Attendees included:water and wastewater operators,city, county and RWDadministrators, council,commission and board members,representatives from the public,related industry and local, stateand federal government agencies.A total of 26 states and BritishColumbia were represented.

The 275 booths in EXPO Hallat Century II were filled with tonsof marketing displays, heavyequipment, not so heavyequipment, tools, computers,brochures, give-away items, candyand an ever growing contingencyof games and other fun things,were unloaded and hauled in byKRWA staff assisting the vendorswho put it all together. Theseenthusiastic company marketingrepresentatives hail from acrossthe U.S. They appreciate thehelping hand they get fromKRWA staff after pullingequipment trailers to Wichita.TheEXPO Hall move-in process thatstarted on Monday before theconference steadily came together,culminating in wall to wall smilesand sparkle that welcomed the

rush of peopleat the 4 p.m.EXPO Hallopening onTuesdayafternoon. Pre-conferencerecap

The eightdaylong pre-conferencesessions andthe attorneys'forum made fora busy day onTuesday.Nearly athousandpeopleregistered andattended the in-depthtraining regimens learningabout groundwater,wastewater collectionsystems, development ofGIS/GPS managementsystems, Web sites,powerful presentations,workplace safety and watersystem management andalternative disputeresolutions.

A full day of pre-conference activities didn'tstart too early or run toolate for all attending to bemore than ready for theGrand 40 Hoopla party thatimmediately followed thepre-conference training.

The seventh KRWAAttorneys' Forum wasbeneficial for the attendingwater system attorneys asthey received seven hoursof Continuing LegalEducation credits including

The 40th Annual Conference --emphasizing: “You Are KRWA”

The 2007 Conference drew an attendance of 2172.Registrants came from 26 different states and BritishColumbia. Attendees represented 286 cities and 186 RWDsor other systems.

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53July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

an hour of ethics credit. Attendingattorneys representing cities andRWDs participated in excellentpresentations and discussions on awide variety of subjectsencountered by their clientsystems every day. ModeratorGary Hanson of Stumbo andHanson, Topeka again providedwell researched planning andextra effort for putting together anexcellent panel of presenters anddiscussion topics for the forum.Attorneys' Forum

As mentioned,the 7th annual“Attorneys’ Forum”was planned by GaryHanson, of StumboHanson, LLP, Topeka.The forum wasattended by 41attorneys whorepresent municipalsystems.

Steven Harris,Doyle Harris Davis,Tulsa, Okla., anexpert on 1926(b)litigation, made a comprehensivepresentation on the subject. KimChristiansen, General Counsel ofthe Kansas Water Office, gave anoverview of the programsadministered by the state wateragency. “Ethics for water systemlawyers” was a presentation madeespecially for the forum byStanton Hazlett, DisciplinaryAdministrator from Topeka. Thiswas appreciated very much by thegroup as it also provided an hourof special ethics credit. GarySmith, USDA Rural Developmentbusiness and community programsdirector, spoke to the group on"USDA/Rural Development, whatlawyers need to know."

Two lively, spirited,roundtable discussions in theafternoon kicked around topicsranging from easement issuessuch as the impact of Kansas OneCall to antennae contracts forwater storage tanks. The

discussions pulled great ideasand comments from everycorner of the room. TheAttorneys’ Forum provides aunique service to membersystems in that attendinglawyers who represent KRWAmembers become moreefficient in dealing with waterissues. This saves costs inbillings and provides thesystem attorney the ability toprovide a moreknowledgeable service totheir clients.

"Providing assistance" is whatKRWA staff does best. Here,KRWA Kan STEP Technician MikeFisher unloads another vendor'svehicle before taking the display tothe booth.Left: The annual conferencefeatured 56 training sessionsranging from board/council training(Kan Cap), territorial agreements,financing, identity theft, and amyriad of operation andmaintenance issues.

Left: At the “Grand 40 Hoopla” opening niteparty, the chance to win the 2007 Chevy 4x4was won by Carol Ellis, Shawnee Cons. RWD 4.Missing the target however, a $300 cashconsolation prize was presented. Above: An unidentified participant in the“Armchair Quarterback prepares to throw.

54 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

1100 attend eightpre-conferencesessionsGround Water, finding andkeeping it

Obtaining a new systemground water supply in an ongoingdry period in Kansas is a situationbeing addressed more frequentlyacross the state. Proper proceduresfor success as well as steps torehabilitate and treat water wellswere discussed. Robert Vincent,Ground Water Associates, Wichita,teamed up with KRWA GeologistDoug Helmke to cover topicsthat also included an overviewof Kansas water rights with anexplanation of the permittingand perfection processes.Attendees also reviewedpertinent tips on how topurchase a good water right at afair price.

Wastewater systems The comprehensive

wastewater system presentationby Melinda Lambert, PaulBanzet, P.E., Jack Row andTodd Smith all of UtilityMaintenance Contractors,Wichita, touched on everyaspect of wastewater systemneeds. Discussions included:

system performance, systemcondition, maintenance costs, rootcontrol, smoke testing techniques,dye testing, video-taping andvisual observations.

The team also addressedrepair versus replacement,including re-lining existing mainsand pipelines, manhole rehabincluding lining and repair.

You are KRWA – . . .

Left: Good BBQ on Tuesday nite. Peopleenjoyed great food, great entertainment andgreat company.

Below: The LaserSport Skeet shooting allowed5 contestants to take aim and take a shot at"bustin' the bird" as it flew across ConventionHall!

Bottom: Skee Ball is always fun and allowedpeople to win numerous chances to enter thedrawing at the end of the night for some greatprizes.

55July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

GIS/GPS DevelopmentThe ins and outs of

developing a GIS mapping toolfor a water system was the basisfor the day-long program. EileenBattles, Kansas GeologicalSurvey, Chris Schmeissner,Jefferson County GISCoordinator, Luke Zakrzewski andMichael Jolley, of GIS Workshopof Lincoln, Nebraska, were theprofessional team presenting thefacts for this essential function ofmodern water systemmanagement. Attendees took noteson what advantages a fullyfunctioning GIS system canprovide. Moderator Pete Koenigprovided a brief history of what aGIS information system is and adiagram of the first use of GISwhich determined the location ofan outbreak of cholera in London.

Web site building blocksWith Internet usage

increasing dramatically, it isbecoming obvious that aneffective Web site can servecustomers and save managementtime. Award winning Webdesigner Jen Sharp of JenSharp.com, Ottawa, Kan., putparticipants through their pacesstarting with Web site planning.Using her many visual examples,Jen helped those attending quicklymove through the topics ofchoosing a domain name, Webhosting that is just right, the rightsoftware to use for sitedevelopment, selecting contentand looking at graphics and layouttips. With Web site examples she

explained thebenefits of creatinga site that growswith usage, offinding affordablebut easilyaccessible help, ofusing a Web siteeffectively and howto do Web sitemarketing. Shefinished her presentation byexplaining how to easily andinexpensively accomplishnecessary site maintenance.

HR Fundamentals; PowerfulPresentations

Human resource issues thatface a new city council or ruralwater board member can comefast and furious. Many haveramifications that can bedetrimental to an organization ifignored. Kristin Scott, part of theteam from Creative BusinessSolutions, Topeka, addressed lawsthat pertain to an organization,development of job descriptions,explained why policies andprocedures are helpful. She wentover what discrimination andharassment is and isn't. Allorganizations face these sort ofissues every day.

In the second half of thetraining, Kristin explored ways tojazz up a mundane presentation.Ways to set the stage, dramaticopeners, ways to present keypoints, techniques for addinghumor and ways to ensureparticipation were strategiesexplained in detail.

Workplace Safety; NIMSTraining

Kevin Jones, Midwest FireTraining Associates, presented thesix-hour session that metstandards for the NIMS training(National Incident ManagementTraining.) All elected and/orappointed officials directlyinvolved in emergency operationsshould successfully complete IS-700 NIMS: An Introduction, ICS-100 and ICS-200. Otherwise, atthe minimum, local chief electedand appointed officials shouldcomplete IS-700. The trainingsession qualified all attendees forthat certification. An exam wasgiven at the end of the session.

While most emergencysituations are handled locally,when there's a major incident helpmay be needed from the state orfederal government. NIMStraining allows responders fromdifferent jurisdictions anddisciplines to work together tobetter respond to natural disastersand emergencies, including acts ofterrorism.

Bustin' bugs and breakin' bulls has never been as much funas when it's provided by Ottaway Amusement andCelebrations! Entertainment of Wichita. The bugs were allsquashed by the end of the night and Brutus the Bull wasready for a rest after scores of riders.

56 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

KanCap trainingWith KanCap training a year

out from its inauguration at lastyear's conference, system attendeeswere schooled on two of threeKanCap sections; financial andmanagement. Attendees will beable to attend the technicalcomponent of the training at localsessions later in the year. Thefinancial segment, first of threetraining segments, was taught byJohn Haas, Ranson FinancialConsultants, Wichita, Kan. Heutilized the new KanCap manualand interactive training CD

showingtestimonialvideos, interactivegroup quizzes toreview thesubjects ofrevenuesufficiency, fiscalmanagement,fiscal controls andcredit worthiness.Cathy Tucker-Vogel, KansasDept. of Healthand Environment,anchored thetraining day withthe management

segment. She reviewedrecords maintenance,personnel issues, publicrelations andregionalization. Cathy,who is CapacityDevelopmentCoordinator at KDHE,noted that, "Of the 51attending all or part ofTuesday's trainingsegments, 37participants passed acertification exam andwere mailed completioncertificates. Not a badstart for what ispromising to benumerous and ongoingtraining sessionsstatewide."

You are KRWA – . . .

The opening nite Meet & Greet atthe KRWA Conference is unlikeany other -- filled with games,prizes, good food, social andfellowship. KRWA provided $5000in door prizes. It’s a Midway underroof that’s enjoyed by 1300 plus.

57July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

onference keynoter Scott Friedman, Denver,CO, kicked off the Wednesday morningGeneral Session with the address, “The Best

Way to Predict the Future is to Create It”. Fast-paced and humorous, Scott suggested that

people learn to be driven by their purpose and values,rather than by circumstances and emotions. Here’s

what he had to sayabout Kansans:

1. The peopleof Kansas arecommitted to beingresponsiblestewards of water.

2. The greatestcustomer you willever have isyourself. Theability to take

yourself lightly in tense situations will help you gaincontrol over your life.

Friedman suggested there are three questionseach person should ask him/herself:

1. What's important? 2. What's important now?

3. What's important not?Friedman commented: “Humor is pain,

embarrassment or stress --distanced -- by time. Stressis not an event, it's a perception of an event. We canuse humor to color our perception of reality.

“Playfulness is at the root of creativity andinnovation. Play is letting go of worry, anxiety andpressure and embracing the positive emotions ofcuriosity, joy, and passion for life.

“Life can make you bitter or life can make youbetter. When you choose to be playful somethinggood usually happens.

“We can be the carriers of humor and allowpeople to share the humor. Laughter is contagiousand helps overcome the changes in our life.

Scott presented a quotation from the movie “TheShawshank Redemption,” that sums up his thoughts.“You either get busy living or you get busy dying."

He continued: “The best way to predict the futureis to create it by making choices, learning from thosechoices and then making new choices.

Friedman summed it up: “The quality of life welive is determined by the quality of our relationships.The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Scott Friedman’s keynote challenge:The best way to predict the future is to create it!

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Conference goers contribute $4,324 to WaterPACs an affiliate of the National Rural WaterAssociation, KRWA members benefit from the

legislative representation by National Rural WaterAssociation (NRWA) in Washington. NRWAworks in support of reasonableness for regulationsdealing with water and wastewater utilities.NRWA, as well as other water organizations, has

made profound impacts in support of developinglegislation or reauthorization.

KRWA annually provides an opportunity forconference goers to support the NRWA politicalaction committee, WaterPAC, through a raffle at theconference in Wichita. In 2007, the raffle raised$4,324 which was sent to WaterPac. Donations

ranged from $1 to$150.

The chart at leftshows the names ofthe winners of theWaterPAC Raffleprizes. KRWAcontributes the cost ofthe prizes for theraffle.

KRWA andNRWA appreciate theoutstanding support forWaterPAC by Kansans.

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WaterPAC Raffle prizes and winners . . .

58 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

You are KRWA – . . .

“Thank You” to the 73 conference presenters

59July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

USDA Rural Development Director Banks:“Water is as basic as it gets”

huck Banks, State Director of USDA RuralDevelopment, addressed the Wednesdaynoon luncheon at the KRWA 2007

Conference. Banks extended greetings fromSenator SamBrownback whocould not attend.Bank’s addressincluded thefollowingcomments:

“ Water is asbasic as it gets. If youdon't have water in acommunity you are

not probably going tobe building homes,

growing business, schools aren't going to thrive, andpeople will not be living in the rural areas.

“In Kansas, USDA Rural Development's waterand waste disposal programs since 1990 havedelivered nearly $300 million worth of programmingin Kansas. This results in over $5 billion dollars

worth of economic development in Kansas withmore than one quarter million Kansans benefited.

“The Kellogg Foundation had a study a coupleof years ago that stated: "Since World War II, on aper capita basis we have invested in rural America atabout one fifth the rate of our urban areas."

“From discussions in rural communities, water isthe biggest limiting factor in economic growth andthe second largest limiting factor is the lack ofaffordable housing.

“One of the most exciting things we now haveavailable is renewable energy. I truly thinkrenewable energy can be one of the greatesteconomical opportunities for rural America andhopefully Kansas that we've seen in decades. But asyou know, if we don't have these basics like water,housing and health care in rural communities, theseopportunities could slip past us.

“I challenge you all to look at it in a muchbigger picture about all these programs, because theyare hugely important. We need to see that type ofinvestment in rural Kansas if we are going to thriveand prosper.

hat a scream! SUDS, thefrolicking musical thatentertained the 2007

KRWA conference was indeed justthat -- as attested by the roaring,standing ovation from a near

capacity LittleTheatre onWednesdayevening. It wasanother classicproduction by

Christi Moore and her troupe fromCabaret Oldtown Theatre.

For those who didn’t see theshow, here’s how it goes. Despitethe vividness of her surroundings,things aren't going well for Cindy,who runs the laundromat. It's herbirthday, and her pen-pal boyfrienddumps her for a girl with superiorpenmanship; her cat gets run over;and her only remaining relativedies, leaving an enormous debt.

This leads Cindy to attempt suicideby wrapping a pair of capri pantsaround her neck, dipping them intoone of the machines, and turningon the spin cycle. Fortunately, twoguardian angels, DeeDee and Marge, arrive tosave her from apermanent case of ringaround the collar.

Yes, it was all verysilly, but SUDS was ascream, largely becausethe premise was anexcuse to string togethera bunch of hits that weresung by popdivas and girlgroups in the1960s. Thenaive Dee Deethinks that allCindy needs isromance, while

the weather-beaten Marge has amore cynical take, so we got bothsides of the pop spectrum: themanic dysfunction of "Tell Him"and the weepy indulgence of "Are

You LonesomeTonight?"

KRWA isalready planning foranother crowd-pleasing productionfor 2008. TheKRWA conferencefeatures some of thebest theatre thatmany people have anopportunity to see all

year - and it comes ascomplimentary of theawards banquet. It'sabsolutely unique.Thanks again to CabaretOldtown for producinganother great show!

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SUDS was indeed a scrrrrrream!W

Chuck BanksState Director, USDA Rural Development

60 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

racy Streeter, Director of the Kansas WaterOffice, was special guest speaker at theThursday luncheon at the 40th Annual

Conference. His presentation included thefollowing comments:

“Water is very important, actually it is the mostimportant thing we can talk about. Water quality andwater quantity. Water quantity I would say in the long

run is going tobe ourconcern. Wecan engineersolutions towater qualityand we canengineer somequantityissues, but wedo not havean infinitesupply.

“What wesaw last yearin our 24reservoirsaround the

State was that every one of them was below theConservation Pool and many of our small lakes werealso below conservation pool. I don't know if that'sever happened in Kansas where they were alldeclining. The good news is with winter snow meltwe've seen and the late winter precipitation many ofthem are now above conservation pool.

“The Kansas Water Office provides somefunding to Rural Water, but boy do we get a bang forour buck. If you look at the contract we have with theRural Water Association to provide technicalassistance to many of you, here's what we saw in the06 Annual Report. Rural Water served 181 differentcities and 165 rural water and municipal systems as aresult of that contract between the State and RuralWater, 40 water loss surveys were conducted with137 million gallons of loss detected that had a cashvalue of more than a quarter million dollars.

“The future looks very good in my opinion,because the State of Kansas has over 650 thousandacre feet of storage in the 13 federal reservoirs thatthe State has contracted with the Corps of Engineers.Almost 400 thousand acre feet is available that is notalready under contract with other users.

“Water users have equal footing under the WaterAppropriations Act. Whether you are recreating,irrigating or drinking it, you all have equal footing.Nobody has priority over another in terms of usebased on first in time, first in right.

'The State has been busy the last three years inrestoring the State Water Plan Fund. Just under $5million has been given back to the Water Plan the lasttwo years and an additional $4 million is proposedfor this year.

“We are also going to experience some additionalmoney for water coming into the State Water PlanFund this July. A large chunk of that money, a littleover $3 million will go into lake restoration andmanagement.

“In addition to those dollars there was money setaside for technical assistance for water users. It willtake the program that is currently going on here inKansas with Rural Water and enhance it. Dedicatedmoney to the tune of about one half million dollarswill be made available to increase and enhance theprograms and services provided for all.

“More regionalization of water supplies isinevitable. We are going to have to share the waterthat's available and have a customer base so that wecan afford safe clean drinking water in the future.

“The Ogallala High Plains has a couple ofprograms that would go voluntarily to buy waterrights from willing irrigators and retire thempermanently.

“The Conservation Reserve EnhancementProgram proposes to retire 100,000 acres of irrigationalong the Arkansas River from the State line to GreatBend, and permanently retire those water rightsthrough the use of available federal funds.

“In closing much has changed since the 40 yearsKRWA has been in existence and more is likely tocome. Our challenges will undoubtedly be plenty.The State looks forward to many more years ofworking with the Kansas Rural Water Association.”

Kansas Water Office Director TracyStreeter addressed annual conference

T “The Ogallala High Plains has a couple of

programs that would go voluntarily to buy

water rights from willing irrigators and retire

them permanently.”

61July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

Rooms have been blocked at the following hotels for the2008 conference. Make sure you request the KRWA block.Rooms fill fast.

Best Western Airport Inn, 6815 W. Kellogg; Ph. 888/942-5666. Freebreakfast; comp shuttle to Century II. $72 flat

Best Western Governors Inn & Suites, 4742 S. Emporia, Ph. 866/522-0775or 316/522-0775; comp. deluxe continental breakfast; king $59, double $69

Broadview Hotel, 400 W. Douglas (across street from Century II),complimentary parking garage; Ph. 316/262-5000; $90 queen; king, $102

Cambridge Suites, 711 South Main, downtown Wichita; Ph. 316/263-1061,$99 Executive Suite; $109 Studio Double; $129 Penthouse Suite

Clubhouse Inn & Suites, 515 S. Webb Road; Ph. 316/684-1111; comp. fullhot breakfast buffet, $59 flat

CrestHill Suites Hotel Company, 12111 E. Central Avenue; Ph. 888/723-1655 or 316/689-8000; comp. deluxe continental breakfast; studio or onebedroom w/king bed $75; two bedroom suite, $149

Days Inn West, 550 South Florence; Ph. 316/942-1717; comp. breakfast;$65 flat

Hampton Inn, 3800 W. Kellogg; Ph. 316/945-4100; comp. airport shuttleand deluxe hot breakfast bar; $129 flat

Holiday Inn, 221 E. Kellogg; within walking distance to Century II, comp.shuttle to Century II and airport; Ph. 316/269-2090; $82 flat

Holiday Inn Select, 549 S. Rock Road; Ph. 888/558-5113 or 316/681-5083,for king or double, (one to four persons); $82 flat

Hotel at Old Town, 830 E. First, complimentary parking garage;complimentary hot buffet breakfast; Ph. 316/267-4800; $109 Queen; $119King

Hyatt Regency, attached to Century II, complimentary parking garage; Ph.316/293-1234; $113 single; $113 double SOLD OUT AS OF JUNE 1

TownePlace Suites, by Marriott, 9444 E. 29th St. N.; Ph 316/631-3773 Ext.520; comp. continental breakfast; full kitchen; $89 flat

Wichita Fairfield Inn, by Marriott; 333 S. Webb Road; Ph. 316/685-3777;comp. continental breakfast; $79 flat, complete renovation in 2005

Accommodations Accommodations ---- 2008 Conference2008 ConferenceRooms go fast , book them early . . .Rooms go fast , book them early . . .

62 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2007

Grand Hoopla prize winners . . . MoreMoreconferenceconference

63July 2007 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

Thursday luncheon prize winners . .Thursday luncheon prize winners . .

Grand prizeGrand prizewinnerwinnerss. . .. . .Winners of the three grand prize piecedquilts were (at right): Don Hellar, EBHEngineers, Wild Sunflowers; (below left),Charles Suchy, City of Great Bend, TripAround the World; (below right), Tom

A measure of time at KRWA is the Annual Conference & Exhibition. Planning for abeneficial and successful conference goes on year-round.

KRWA appreciates the several hundred registrants who completed the conferenceevaluation. Many good suggestions were made by attendees.

While there are many photos of the “fun times” printed in this issue, the KRWAconference continues to offer an excellent value for a water or wastewaterconference. With a $100 registration charge in 2008, many conferences imposecharges of three or four times that. KRWA’s goal in providing the conference is tomake good training, a second-to-none EXPO Hall, good food, some fun and socialand great fellowship available to those who attend. See you in Wichita March 25 -28, 2008!

Planning for 2008 . . .Planning for 2008 . . .