Shows
Between Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.16: Steve Miklos - Promises Made, Promises Kept & the 75% Voter MandateSteve Miklos served as Folsom's mayor and was chairman of the Connector JPA when Derek Minnema was hired as executive director. This conversation covers the origin story of the Capital SouthEast Connector, from forming the JPA in the early 2000s to securing 75% voter approval in 2004.Steve shares what it was like navigating ideological opposition at SACOG, building regional consensus across five jurisdictions, and why institutional knowledge matters when council leadership changes every few years. He also reveals his leadership philosophy on staff reports, team building, and making promises to communities that you keep for decades....
2026-02-0943 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.15: Will Kempton - 52 Years in Transportation, First Local Tax, to CaltransWill Kempton shares five decades of transportation infrastructure experience, from creating California's first local sales tax measure to leading Caltrans through historic emergency responses. This conversation covers the origins of self-help counties, lessons from the MacArthur Maze collapse, and what it takes to build unanimity for major infrastructure projects.KEY MOMENTS:0:00 Introduction and 52 years in transportation 2:56 From Caltrans to Santa Clara County's first sales tax measure 9:38 Origins of self-help counties in California 12:57 Running Caltrans under Governor Schwarzenegger 15:58 The MacArthur Maze collapse emergency response
2026-01-2747 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.14: Ann Grava - Right-of-Way Acquisition: How Cities Purchase PropertyRight-of-way acquisition has changed dramatically from the days when governments simply took land for railroads. Ann Grava, Real Estate Program Manager at the City of Elk Grove, breaks down the modern process cities follow to acquire property for public infrastructure projects, from early relationship building through final compensation.Learn how independent appraisals work, what rights property owners have during negotiations, and why the process takes a minimum of six months. This episode covers everything from the $5,000 appraisal reimbursement to relocation assistance packages and the resolution of necessity hearings that protect both public interests and private property rights.
2025-12-2343 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.13: Mike Sturino (IRTBA) - Wireless Charging Roads & Smart InfrastructureMike Sturino, President and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, discusses cutting-edge transportation technology including wireless EV charging roads, AI-powered infrastructure, and smart highway systems. Learn about Sweden's successful wireless charging pilot on Gotland Island, Chicago's ongoing programs, and how Middle East innovations are shaping the future of transportation safety and efficiency.Timestamps:6:31 - Mike's Background: From Attorney to Road Builders CEO7:24 - Sweden Study Mission: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure11:41 - Wireless Charging Technology: How It Works14:51 - Chicago's Two Pilot Programs for...
2025-11-2625 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.12: Amanda Blackwood (Supply Chain Federation) - Supply Chain DisruptionsCalifornia's supply chain is more vulnerable now than during COVID—and most people don't even realize it.In this episode of Between Two Shovels, Derek Minnema sits down with Amanda Blackwood, Strategic Advisor at the Supply Chain Federation, to discuss the mounting challenges facing America's goods movement infrastructure. From ineffective indirect source rules to tariff uncertainty and misaligned state regulations, the conversation reveals why businesses are leaving California and what it means for the future of freight.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction 1:45 - Why the supply chain is...
2025-11-0424 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.11: Matt Smeltzer (El Dorado County) - The Mosquito Road Bridge ProjectMatt Smeltzer, Deputy Director of Engineering for El Dorado County, takes us inside the largest capital improvement project in county history: the $20+ million Mosquito Road Bridge that crosses a 400-foot canyon.This isn't your typical bridge project. For nearly 30 years, Matt has been working to replace a century-old swinging bridge that emergency vehicles couldn't even cross. The new bridge will eliminate a dangerous 1.3-mile journey through rockslide-prone canyon roads, replacing it with a safe 0.3-mile crossing 400 feet above the American River.From helicopter-delivered geotech equipment to portable concrete batch plants, this project showcases the incredible logistics behind modern infrastructure...
2025-11-0333 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.10: Orgil Batchuluun (2024 Sac State College Grad) - Engineer Career AdviceSacramento State civil engineering graduate Orgil Batchuluun sits down to share his first-year insights from the transportation industry. From passing the EIT exam early to navigating private vs public sector decisions, this conversation covers the real challenges new engineers face.Derek Minnema dives deep into career advice, AI adoption in engineering, mentorship strategies, and what it takes to stand out as a young professional. Orgil opens up about project challenges, communication struggles, and his entrepreneurial ambitions.Whether you're a current engineering student, recent graduate, or seasoned professional looking to mentor others, this episode delivers practical...
2025-10-0748 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.9: Glenn Armstrong (BKF Engineers) - Civil Engineering Industry LessonsJoin Derek Minnema as he sits down with longtime friend and BKF Engineers' Glenn Armstrong to discuss 25 years of changes in the civil engineering industry. From their Sacramento State days getting through structures lab together to navigating today's funding landscape, this conversation covers the real challenges facing engineers today.Glenn shares insights on the shifting priorities in transportation funding, the concerning trend of new graduates avoiding professional licensing, and what it takes to build lasting client relationships in consulting. The discussion touches on everything from active transportation projects to the importance of networking with...
2025-09-2349 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.8: Michael Quigley (California Alliance For Jobs) - California's $4B BattleMichael Quigley, Executive Director of California Alliance For Jobs, joins Derek Minnema to discuss the state's massive infrastructure funding challenges and opportunities. From cap and trade reauthorization to decades-delayed water projects, discover the real story behind California's infrastructure priorities.Key Topics Covered:-Cap and trade program generating $4B annually-Sites Reservoir: 45 years in the making, breaking ground by 2026?-High speed rail funding under federal scrutiny-Highway 37 climate-resilient infrastructure project-Public-private partnerships in mega projects-Construction industry employment and opportunitiesTimestamps: 0:00 Introduction and Michael's background 2:10 California Alliance For Jobs 30-year history 4:37 Construction careers and family-supporting jobs 6:21 Cap and trade program...
2025-09-1027 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.7: Tim Murphy (CEO at NSBIA) - California’s Housing Crisis: Costs & ReformsWhy is housing affordability slipping further out of reach, and what can be done about it?In this episode of Between Two Shovels, Tim Murphy, President & CEO of the North State Building Industry Association, unpacks the complex mix of costs, regulations, and policies shaping California’s housing crisis. From six-figure fees to legislative reforms, this conversation offers an inside look at why home prices keep climbing and what solutions are on the table.What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why new housing faces $80K-$140K in fees before construction begins • How every $1,000 price increase prices 1...
2025-08-2638 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.6: Michael Schmitt & Chris Gregerson (Kimley-Horn) - VMT Missed PromisesTransportation engineers Mike Schmitt and Chris Gregerson from Kimley-Horn join Derek Minnema for an in-depth discussion about modern traffic analysis challenges. The conversation covers VMT implementation struggles, safety improvements on rural infrastructure, post-COVID travel pattern changes, and emerging technologies' impact on transportation planning. Their professional insights reveal the gap between policy promises and practical implementation in the transportation industry.Timestamps:00:01:13 - Professional backgrounds in transportation planning00:04:08 - Regional connectivity and evacuation route benefits00:05:37 - Pandemic impacts on travel...
2025-08-1831 min
John McGinnessJohn McGinness Show July 31stToday, Amanda Blackwood is in for the Sheriff and she's talking about roads, infrastructure, and CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act.
She invites the Executive Director of Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority, Derek Minnema, to the program to hear about this from a civil engineering perspective.
2025-08-0130 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep.5 - Zach Liptak (Dokken Engineering) - California’s Environmental RoadblocksOn Between Two Shovels, I have a conversation with Zach Liptak from Dokken Engineering about the environmental side of the Capital Southeast Connector project. As someone who's been in the trenches of this project for years, I wanted to share some eye-opening insights about what it really takes to build infrastructure responsibly.Key Insights:- Environmental mitigation can cost $3 million for just 3.5 miles of roadway- Vernal pool impacts run $250,000 per acre for direct impacts- The South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan has been a game-changer for streamlining...
2025-07-2136 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels, Ep. 04: Osman Mufti & Matt Lampa of the Connector JPA Team - Challenges of the Connector JPA Transportation ProjectJoin infrastructure thought leader Derek Minnema and his team at the Connector JPA as they pull back the curtain on the complex realities of delivering major transportation projects in California. In this candid conversation, Derek and his leadership team reveal how navigating regulatory hurdles, securing funding, and managing stakeholder expectations requires strategic vision and adaptability that goes far beyond simply "building a road." This rare behind-the-scenes look demonstrates why infrastructure leadership requires both technical expertise and political savvy to transform transportation visions into reality.Episode Highlights:00:00:00 - 01:34 - Introduction to...
2025-06-1831 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep. 02: Transportation Funding Challenges w/ Kevin BewseyIn this episode, Derek Minnema, Executive Director of Connector JPA, sits down with Kevin Bewsey, Executive Director of the Sacramento Transportation Authority, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of transportation funding in California.They discuss:-Kevin’s career journey from civil engineer to countywide transportation leader-How VMT mitigation strategies could reshape project funding-The future of toll lanes and expressways in Sacramento County-Challenges in balancing local needs with regional mobility goals-Lessons from navigating Measure A sales tax funding and leveraging federal grantsThe real-world impact of small agencies doing big workFrom managing complex infrastructure projects to securing critical funding, Derek an...
2025-06-0542 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep. 01: Building Sacramento's Connector w/ Matt Lampa, Principal Civil EngineerIn the premiere episode of Between Two Shovels, Derek Minnema, Executive Director of Connector JPA, sits down with Principal Civil Engineer Matt Lampa to unpack the high-stakes challenges of modern infrastructure delivery. From securing federal funding to navigating complex environmental regulations, Derek offers unfiltered insight into why local agencies like Connector JPA are filling the vacuum left by state DOTs, and how that shift is reshaping regional development. This isn’t just a local road project. It’s a national case study in how infrastructure gets done in America now.🔹 EPISODE BREAKDOWN01:27 - Derek introduces himself and Matt Lampa from th...
2025-06-0352 minBetween Two Shovels with Derek MinnemaBetween Two Shovels Ep. 03: The Reality Behind Sacramento’s Infrastructure w/ Vitaliy MoskalenkoBetween Two Shovels presents - Derek Minnema, Executive Director of Connector JPA, joining Vitaliy Moskalenko from Onsite Observer in this deep dive into Sacramento's infrastructure development and the ambitious 34-mile Connector expressway project.In this revealing conversation, they explore:-Vitaliy's unique journey from real estate agent to infrastructure journalist-How social media is changing public engagement with local development-The complex funding mechanisms that make or break major infrastructure-Environmental regulations and lawsuits that shape project timelines-Why California's climate policies have essentially halted highway expansion-The challenges of property acquisition and right-of-way negotiations-The future of Sacramento's development landscapeAs local development continues to transform...
2025-06-031h 01