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​ACEA SYMPOSIUM 2025 SCHEDULE

Friday, April 25 2025  - 7:00am – 5:15pm
AT&T Conference Center & Rowling Hall 
​On-Demand available May 21st ​

7:00AM - 9:00AM

Registration & Breakfast
Check in at Registration in the Zlotnik Foyer. Pick up your badge, swag bag, notebook, and grab breakfast.

8:00AM - 9:00AM

Opening Session
In Zlotnik Ballroom, 3 mayors discuss how municipalities respond to growth along SH-130. The plenary panelists will explore community challenges, and how they plan to capitalize on future opportunities. 

9:00AM - 10:00AM      BREAKOUTS 

I-35 CapEx Drainage Tunnel Update*

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 1-2
DESCRIPTION: Decision makers discuss the challenges of constructing the IH-35 CapEx Drainage Tunnels Project, including Traffic Control and Sequencing. The 22-ft. diameter, 33,000 LF tunnel is a critical first step in implementing TxDOT’s $4.5B CapEx Project. The goal is to widen and lower the grade of IH-35 to improve vehicle capacity and city connectivity.
SPEAKERS: 
Joe Goessling, PE - TxDOT Austin District
Alex Varas, PE - AECOM

Environmental Compliance in 2025* 

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 5-6
DESCRIPTION:  Kevin Ramberg returns to discuss environmental regulations, setting, and compliance applicable to Central Texas. Learn about WOTUS, endangered species, regional HCP participation, de-annexation complications, and more.
SPEAKER: Kevin Ramberg -  aci environmental consulting

Legislative Outlook and Update​

ROOM: AT&T 104
DESCRIPTION: Texas Board Certified Construction Lawyer provides updates on filed, pending, and enacted bills from the 89th Legislative session related to engineering and construction.
SPEAKER: Tiffany Leal - The Chapman Firm

Austin Water's Capital Improvement Program​

ROOM: AT&T 105
DESCRIPTION: Austin Water’s Capital Improvement Program consists of $2.3 billion worth of active and anticipated projects from 2025-2029. Learn how the City of Austin plans to enhance infrastructure for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water to support future growth.
SPEAKER: Charles Celauro - Austin Water

Waterloo Greenway from Vision to Reality​

ROOM: AT&T 106
DESCRIPTION: Waterloo Greenway Project Managers share how the once dilapidated creek in downtown Austin is being revitalized with a new vision.
SPEAKERS: 
Melissa Carugati - COA Watershed Protection Department
​Kristin Pipkin, P.E. - COA Watershed Protection Department

*On-demand recording available May 21st

10:00AM - 10:30AM

Networking Break
Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, grab a snack, or get your headshot taken upstairs.

10:30AM - 11:30AM      BREAKOUTS

River to Pfaucet: Pflugerville is Increasing Its Water System*

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 1-2
DESCRIPTION: Explore two major water system projects. The Secondary Colorado River Raw Waterline project increases the Colorado River annual allotment from 12K to 24K acre-feet per year. The water treatment plant expansion expands the city’s WTP from 17-30 mgd, to meet population growth and state regulatory compliance, plus improve treatment processes and technologies.
SPEAKERS: 
Yue Sun, PE - Ardurra
Anne Hoskins, P.E. - Freese & Nichols, Inc.

Pfuture Wastewater Basin: Pflugerville Delivers WW Service to Eastern Service Area* 

ROOM: UPDATED SALON 5-6 
DESCRIPTION: The City of Pflugerville is delivering a $500M, 5-year wastewater Capital Improvement Program to support rapid growth. Strategies to expand wastewater service include project sequencing and management, receiving and managing funding, and utilizing equipment pre-procurement and CMAR project delivery.
SPEAKERS: 
Ryan Owen, P.E. - STV Inc.
​Tyson Hann, D.Eng. PE - Garver
Greg Swoboda, PE - Garver

Ten Fatal Business Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)​

ROOM: AT&T 104
DESCRIPTION:  Business Law Attorney shares how construction company owners, managers, and HR professionals can avoid making mistakes when it comes to business formation, corporate governance, and employee hiring.
SPEAKER:  Erik G. Moskowitz - The Chapman Firm

Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in Concrete​

ROOM:  UPDATED AT&T 105
DESCRIPTION: Alkali-Silica Reaction (or ASR) is a damaging chemical reaction that can cause concrete to crack. The construction and engineering communities have known about ASR and how to prevent it for decades.  Recent changes in mix designs and materials by Central Texas concrete suppliers have resulted in many swimming pools, spa, and water features being damaged by ASR.  Learn what conditions cause ASR, the resulting concrete deterioration, and how it can be prevented.
SPEAKER: Dean R. Read, P.E - MLAW Forensics

Street Impact Fees - Where are we after four years?​

ROOM: AT&T 106
DESCRIPTION: Receive updates on the Street Impact Fee program since the Austin City Council passed the relevant ordinances in December 2020.
SPEAKER: Curtis P. Beaty, P.E  – Austin Transportation and Public Works Department

*On-demand recording available May 21st

12:15PM - 1:15PM     KEYNOTE

​Enjoy lunch in the Zlotknik Ballroom during the Keynote presentation, sponsored by Jones-Heroy & Associates. 

21st Century Texas: Climate, Water, Science, and Society 
Jay Banner will share his geoscience and chemistry research which examines streams, aquifers, caves, and tree rings.
​

Jay Banner
Director of the Environmental Science Institute
Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at UT Austin
​
​Jay studies water resources, climate change, and environmental justice which has taken him to the Caribbean, Western Pacific Ocean, and Texas among other places. His community engagement initiatives include Hot Science – Cool Talks and Project CRESSLE. Jay is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a member of UT’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers, and the recipient of the 2024 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. In his free time, Jay enjoys his family, dogs Lucy and Ziggy, and playing ultimate frisbee.

1:45PM - 2:45PM     BREAKOUTS

Master Planned Communities of the Future: Electric, Efficient, and Affordable*

ROOM: UPDATED SALON 1-2
DESCRIPTION:  Whisper Valley takes a unique approach to addressing the housing supply crisis. Discover how the master planned community leverages innovative technology including district geothermal HVAC and solar to build production homes at scale that are electric, efficient, and affordable.
SPEAKER:   Zac Turov - EcoSmart Solution

RM620 Corridor*

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 5-6
DESCRIPTION:  TxDOT Advanced Project Development Director will share past studies, projects, and future plans for the RM 620 corridor between SH 71 and US 183.
SPEAKER:   Megan Dutton – TxDOT, Austin District

TBPELS Ethics - Professional Practice Update​

ROOM: AT&T 104
DESCRIPTION:   Technical Engineering Specialist, Ed Brannan, P.E., will share updates on code of conduct, board activities, rule and statutory changes, and board initiatives.
SPEAKER:   Ed Brannan, P.E. - Texas Board of Professional Engineers
Ethics will NOT be available on-demand. Attend in-person to receive ethics credit.

Breakin Barriers in Onsite Water Resuse 

ROOM: UPDATED AT&T 105
DESCRIPTION:  Onsite water reuse systems can improve building resiliency, and offer utility savings and environmental benefits. However, there are risks and challenges with incorporating these systems into projects. This panel discusses best practices, financial and regulatory obstacles, and approaches to overcoming barriers that ensure water savings and economics align.
SPEAKERS:
Chandler Crouch, PE - Texas Water Trade
Chris Maxwell-Gaines, PE - Innovative Water Solutions LLC
Nick Dornak - Doucet A Kleinfelder Company
Rebecca Batchelder, PE - Austin Water
Megan Thomas, PE - Epic Cleantec

Nature-based Solutions for Flood Resilience in Texas​

ROOM: AT&T 106
DESCRIPTION:   Nature Based Solutions (NBS) can build a community’s flood resiliency, enhance water quality, improve aquatic habitat, and improve overall quality of life in a watershed. Learn about the TWDB initiative to develop a statewide NBS guidance manual for local government officials
SPEAKER:   Kelley Rich, PE, CFM - Texas Water Development Board

*On-demand recording available May 21st

2:45PM - 3:15PM

Networking Break
Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, grab a snack, or get your headshot taken upstairs.

3:15PM - 4:15PM     BREAKOUTS

I-35 CapEx Central: Project Update and What's Ahead*

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 1-2
DESCRIPTION:    Receive updates on the I-35 Capital Express Central project progress, including key milestones, and planned upcoming work sequences.
SPEAKER:   Tommy Abrego, P.E. - TxDOT Austin District

Infill Development in Austin: HOME Ordinances & Other Regulatory Changes*

ROOM: Zlotnik Salon 5-6
DESCRIPTION:    Austin City Council has directed changes to facilitate the creation of infill development. Receive updates on how "HOME" ordinances focus on density in single-family neighborhoods and the resolutions changing the review process for "missing middle" site plans and small-scale re-subdivisions.
SPEAKER:    Lyndi Garwood - COA Development Services Department

Austin's Landscape Transformation​

ROOM: AT&T 104
DESCRIPTION: Austin Water is working with homeowners to transform landscapes through a variety of incentives and requirements.
SPEAKER: Kevin Kluge - Austin Water

City Updates: Kyle, Taylor, Georgetown​

ROOM: AT&T 105
DESCRIPTION:  Experts Development experts from Kyle, Taylor, and Cedar Park share updates on how their municipalities respond to growth in the Greater Austin area.
SPEAKERS: 
Melissa McCollum - City of Kyle
Ben White - Taylor Economic Development Corporation
Sofia Nelson - City of Georgetown

Subsurface Utility Engineering​

ROOM: AT&T 106
DESCRIPTION:  The SUE process combines civil engineering, surveying, and geophysics. It utilizes several technologies, including vacuum excavation and surface geophysics. Its use has become a routine requirement on highway projects. Learn how the proper and successful use of SUE benefits both highway agencies and the impacted utilities. 
SPEAKER:   Travis S. Isaacson, P.E. - The Rios Group

*On-demand recording available May 21st

4:15PM - 5:15PM

Margarita Social
Wrap up with a free margarita in the Zlotnik Foyer, and visit exhibitors one last time.

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Registration

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Schedule

Venue

Students