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Course Description

Manage the Road – Not Just The Pavement

Workshop Objectives

Managing a road system is far more complex than simply managing by pavement condition; it is only one factor in the final decision. This workshop will cover the identification and management of defects in six functional areas that are financial and legal risks for the municipality.  Participants will learn to interpret the ratings in the Inventory Manual for Municipal Roads; to recognize the implications of defects found within the road allowance with respect to liability exposure and performance; to make decisions regarding road rehabilitation treatments; to differentiate between structural and non-structural defects, and how to relate the consequences of road rehabilitation treatments to capital budgets and programming.

Workshop Content

  • Overview of the Inventory Manual for Municipal Roads
  • Asset identification
  • Existing road condition
  • Traffic volume, type, and projected growth
  • Point ratings of road elements
  • Type and timing of required improvements
  • Improvement costs
  • Interpreting the data
  • Liability exposure
  • Managing your roads and pavements
  • Capital and maintenance budget development (high level)
  • Developing strategies for optimal management
  • Interrelationship between pavements and other assets in the right-of-way
  • Pavement defects and corrective treatments
  • Case study examples of both urban and rural roads

Who Should Attend

Road managers and engineers, technologists and technicians responsible for capital planning and road system management.

Accreditation

This course is recognized by:

  • Professional development credits may be allowed, please contact oacett.org for detail

Introduction to Contract Law

Workshop Objectives

You  will gain a thorough grounding in the laws governing municipal construction and rehabilitation projects, and will learn about the most common types of contracts used for municipal projects, and become familiar with the risks, liabilities, and consequences of substandard performance, liens and claims. Participants will also learn about the rights, limitations, and obligations affecting their relationship with contractors and the public and be able to set ethical ground rules for dealing with contractors.

Workshop Content

  • Formation of a contract including offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity and legality
  • Factors affecting the contractual relationship including mistake, misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, conditional contacts, privity of contract and assignment
  • The end of the contractual relationship including performance, breach, discharge by agreement, frustration, remedies for breach of contract
  • The court system including adjudication and alternative dispute resolution
  • The 3 most common types of contracts
  • How to read, interpret and administer the contract
  • Parts of a typical contract
  • Performance bonds, warranties, & letters of credit
  • Liability and insurance
  • The best ways of dealing with substandard performance problems
  • Ethics in the workplace and your relationship with contractors

Who Should Attend

This workshop is recommended for new managers/inspectors and those with 1-5 years of experience administering contracts for municipal construction and rehabilitation projects.

Accreditation

This course is recognized by:

  • This course may be used as credit for technical specialists programs only. Please contact OACETT to make sure that this course satisfies your particular examination program for certification. Point Value = 2
  • The Engineering Institute of Canada awards 7 Professional Development Hours to this workshop.

Format

Through lecture, class discussion, case studies and small group exercises, participants will review examples of case law that illustrate how the courts have applied the principles discussed in this course. Attention will be given to the factual situations of each case, along with the lessons that can be learned from the related judgments. The court process will be introduced and will include the benefits of alternative dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation and arbitration.

 

 

Advanced Contract Law

Workshop Objectives

Discuss administrative issues pertaining to the performance of a contract and variation of a contract. The goal is to equip you with the skills needed to make sound decisions based upon the express and implied terms set out in the contract. Attention will also be given to ethical issues involving contract administration, risk analysis, being called to court as a witness, and other relevant issues related to contract administration.

Recommendation: You should be familiar with requests for tenders and construction contracts.

Workshop Content

• Review of basic contract law principles and terms

• The tendering process

• Liquidated damages and penalties

• Contract performance and variations

• Ethical considerations and relationships

• Being called as a witness

Who Should Attend

Employees with over 5 years’ experience administering municipal contracts or those who have taken the Introduction to Contract Law workshop.

Accreditation

This workshop is recognized by:

  • This course may be used as credit for technical specialist programs only. Point Value = 5
  • The Engineering Institute of Canada awards 7 Professional Development Hours to this workshop.

Format

Through lectures, class discussion and small group exercises, participants will undertake an in-depth examination of tenders, construction contract issues, and leading case law relating to construction matters. Best practices when preparing a request for tender and considering bids will be thoroughly scrutinized, along with the relationship between the municipality and contractors and the need for accurate and timely documentation of facts.