By Bob Filipczak

Jon Chiglo began his mobility as director of the Office of Technical Support Jan. 20.

Chiglo relied on technical support as a client, when he managed projects such as the Interstate 35W bridge rebuild and the Hwy 212 design-build project. Chiglo also served as assistant design-build project manager on the ROC 52 project in Rochester.

“My past experience has helped me get a good perspective of what the clients of this office need and what they’re looking for,” Chiglo said.

The Office of Technical Support helps make sure road construction projects stay on track and get done correctly.

“Its purpose is to ensure consistency in how we develop our projects,” Chiglo said. “The office provides some checks in the development of a project to verify your permits are in place, your agreements are in place with the utilities, you have the appropriate special provisions and your plan sets have the necessary information so you can get a good bid.”

Chiglo said he looks forward to working with his team and helping find solutions to problems that crop up as projects move forward.

“Regardless of the size of the project, there’s always a need to use this office to help deliver your project,” Chiglo said.

Chiglo graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Civil Engineering. 

Mn/DOT’s Stewardship Council is still accepting requests that will be eligible for funding through the $30 million Destination Innovation Fund, which was established to assist delivery of innovative and creative projects geared toward accomplishing the department’s strategic vision.

Employees can submit requests by visiting the Destination Innovation Web site. The council will then review the requests and make recommendations for funding to Commissioner Tom Sorel.  

“All employees are welcome to submit applications,” said Rebecca Fabunmi, assistant to the commissioner and deputy commissioner/chief engineer. “The fund was created to leverage and deliver innovative proposals that help move the department forward in one or more of our strategic directions—Safety, Mobility, Innovation, Leadership and Transparency.”

Priority will be given to formal fund requests that address the Stewardship Council’s selection criteria.

Employees with questions or comments pertaining to the Destination Innovation Fund or Stewardship Council can contact Rebecca Fabunmi at 651-366-4808.

By Lisa Yang

Employees can now report wrongdoing or questionable activity by filling out an online form on the Office of Audit’s Web site.

There have been several reports submitted already since the form became available last month. The reports are now in the process of being reviewed.

The reports are first reviewed by the Offices of Audit, Employee Relations and the Ombudsman, Based on content, the report is then given to the proper office or people who can best investigate more into the issue.

“The online form will help with getting smaller problems dealt with before they become too big,” said Dan Kahnke, Office of Audit director.

Employees who submit a report can chose to provide their name and contact information or remain anonymous.

Detailed information is available at http://ihub/audit/report_wrongdoing.html.

Employees with general comments about a department policy or initiative, or a suggestion for the commissioner, can make comments on the Buzz Web site.

A public service announcement highlighting the Ted Foss “Move Over” Law is available for viewing on the Mn/DOT's Web site.

The “Move Over” Law, Minnesota Statute 169.18 subdivision 12, was amended in 2008 to include all road repair equipment. This means that, in addition to moving over one lane for all emergency response vehicles, motorists must now move over for all road repair equipment.

On Oct. 20, the PSA was taped in an effort to help people understand the change in the law.

The completed 30-second PSA is currently being run on TV stations statewide.

By Qin Tang

Please check out the latest issue of New Library Materials at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/newlibmat.html.

A few new journals have been added to the collection. Employees interested in having journals routed to them can contact Pam Gonzalez at 651-366-3749. A complete listing of all journals available for routing can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/joursubj.html.

For other information requests, contact the library at 651-366-3791 or e-mail library.dot@state.mn.us. The library is listed as *DOT_Library in the Outlook address book. Employees can also send requests via the “Ask a Librarian” Web page at http://ihub.library/asklibrarian.html or http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/asklibrarian.html.

By Beth Petrowske

In 2009, Central Office recycled nearly 145,000 pounds of paper, cardboard and beverage containers. Although the number reflects a substantial amount of recycled material, CO disposed of nearly 155,000 pounds of solid waste, meaning only 48.3 percent of all solid waste generated was recycled.

“All state agencies are required by law to recycle 60 percent of the solid waste they generate,” said Greg VanderVeer, Central Office Facility Management Unit and recycling coordinator. “Going forward, all of us need to be a little more conscientious in our recycling practices so we can meet that 60-percent mark.”

The Department of Administration has provided an outline on their Web site of items that can be recycled. Employees who need recycling containers for their office can contact Greg VanderVeer at 651-366-3047.

“Recycling containers are available at no charge from the Department of Administration,” VanderVeer said. “The Department of Administration can also provide great recycling ideas and options to Mn/DOT employees over the phone or during onsite informational meetings.”

Mn/DOT Districts are also required to reach the recycling goal of 60 percent.