COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Sales, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services
	PREPARED BY:	Ernie Ting, Manager of Infrastructure-Waterworks
	DATE OF MEETING:	December 13, 2005
	SUBJECT:	North American Society of Trenchless Technology (NASTT) International No-Dig 2006 Conference & Exhibition March 26-31, 2006

RECOMMENDATIONS:

THAT authorization be granted for the Manager of Infrastructure - Waterworks and Councilor Alex Chiu to attend the North American Society of Trenchless Technology’s International (NASTT) “No-Dig 2006” Conference and Exhibition on March 26-31, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee;

AND FURTHER THAT staff and Councilor Alex Chiu’s expenses be paid in accordance to Town’s Policy from account #760-998-5200 and #760-998-5201.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for Ernie Ting, Manager of Infrastructure-Waterworks and Councillor Alex Chiu to attend the North American Society of Trenchless Technology’s International (NASTT) “No-Dig 2006” conference and exhibition. Staff attendance to this conference and exhibition will keep us abreast and advance our knowledge in the application of trenchless technology construction and rehabilitation of our underground infrastructure. As chair of the Community & Fire Services Committee, Councillor Chiu’s attendance at this conference will increase his knowledge in the benefits of trenchless technology in sustaining the Town’s municipal underground infrastructure.

BACKROUND

The annual “No-Dig 2006” Conference and Exhibition will be held on March 26 - 31, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee. This annual event presents technical and research papers, case studies, technologies, available solutions, condition assessment and evaluation, exposition and demonstration of products and equipment on trenchless technology installation, rehabilitation and replacement of underground municipal infrastructure. Trenchless technology are methods of maintenance, repairs or rehabilitation of underground infrastructures with minimal and mostly no excavation.

This is the largest North American Conference of its kind and is attended by leaders from cities and municipalities, regulatory agencies, utility owners, consultants, researchers, educators, manufacturers, suppliers and contractors. The participants of the conference will share their experiences in trenchless rehabilitation, new techniques, development and advances in materials and equipment. The main topics of the conference sessions are:

· Horizontal Directional Drilling Technology (HDD), Assessment and Case Studies

· HDD Materials and Geology

· HDD and Tunnel Risk Assessment

· Trenchless Technology Assessment

· Underground Infrastructure Asset Management Applications

· Underground Infrastructure Condition Assessment and Evaluation

· Microtunneling and Geology, Installation and Case Studies

· Microtunneling and Pipe Jacking Research and Applications

· Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) Installation Techniques and Case Studies

· Corrosion Coating and Grouting Quality Assurance and Control

· Trenchless Technology Contracts and Specifications

· Watermain Laterals Reconnection Design, Installation and Testing Research

· Sanitary Sewer Laterals Rehabilitation Cost Effectiveness, New Materials and Legal Issues

· Pipe Bursting Research and Applications

· Pipe Linings Comparative Analysis Case Studies and Evaluation

· Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Contracting, Reduction, Inspection and Elimination

· Specialized Courses in Trenchless Technologies Inspection and Replacement

· Short Courses on New Construction and Rehabilitation

Industry experts will discuss and exhibit various products and their applications to trenchless technology. Attendance at this conference and exhibition is beneficial to staff by having the opportunity to learn and keep abreast of the new innovations on products, materials and discuss their application with the professionals in the industry at the same time. The conference also provides the opportunity for staff to cultivate contacts within the industry, government and utility managers for information sharing and business decision needs.

As a past Director of NASTT, Ernie Ting continues to be an active member of the No-Dig Program Committee. He is also a Director of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Regional Chapter (Ontario and Quebec) of the NASTT. As Program Committee member and Regional Director, he is expected to attend the program committee meeting on Saturday, March 25^th and Regional Chapters Networking Reception on Sunday, March 26^th and attend the conference and exhibition. He is also expected to attend the networking gala awards dinner at a cost of US $90. As a session moderator for the conference, Mr. Ting will be exempted from paying the US $475 registration fee and $95 workshop fee.

As chair of the Town’s Community and Fire Services Committee, Councilor Alex Chiu attendance to this conference will be beneficial in learning new technologies for sustainable municipal infrastructure. He would also benefit in attending the Sunday, March 26^th Regional Chapters Networking Reception and meeting to meet various chapter directors and members and learn from their own experiences.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Expenses to attend this conference include:

Est. US$ exchange rate @ 1.25

Accommodation - 5 nights at US$145 per night (+taxes)	C$1,812.50 (+taxes)	Hotel taxes not known at this time
Air Fare - Round Trip Economy C$600 Approximate return airfare	C$1,200.00 (+taxes)	Depending on airfare cost at time of approval/reservation Plus taxes
Conference Fee US$495 before Apr. 1^st, ET fee waived Gala Awards Dinner US$90 each Lateral Rehabilitation Seminar US$275 each	C$618.75 C$225.00 C$687.50	After Apr 1^st, US$575
Per Diem, 5days at US$100/day as per Town Policy	C$1,250.00	Per Diem as per Policy
Transportation cost to be paid according to Town’s Policy	C$536.41	Taxi, etc.
Approximate Total	C$6,330.16	Approximate cost

G/L Account #	760-998-5200 (Waterworks Conferences 2005 - Registration)	760-998-5201 (Waterworks Conferences 2005 – Travel & Accommodation)
Annual Budget (2005 proposed amounts)	$11,650.00	$19,850.00
Spent to date: Jan. 1, 2006	0.00	0.00
Commitments	0.00*	0.00*
Balance Available	$11,650.00	$19,850.00
This Commitment	$1,531.25*	$4,792.50*
Balance Remaining	$10,118.75	$15,057.50

* - approximate

ATTACHMENTS

· 2006 No-Dig Conference Brochure and Registration Form

• Cheque Requisition Form

Jim Sales Commissioner, Community & Fire Services

John Livey, F.C.I.P. Chief Administrative Officer

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2005\Waterworks\2006 No Dig Attendance Report.doc