Between Two Shovels with Derek Minnema

Chris Cox is a land planner, landscape architect, and development consultant who helps property owners, builders, and developers unlock the potential of their land through feasibility, permitting, and compliance. In this episode of Between Two Shovels, we dig into what it actually takes to develop property along the Capital SouthEast Connector corridor, from wetland constraints and California tiger salamander mitigation to access control, utility planning, and the rising cost of environmental compliance in Sacramento County.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Chris Cox Background

00:53 68 Miles of Frontage and What Landowners Are Asking

02:30 Wetlands Everywhere: The First Thing to Check on Grant Line

03:45 California Tiger Salamander and the Major Core Recovery Area

04:04 No Driveways on an Expressway: Access Control Explained

05:45 Finding Mitigation Land Is Getting Harder

06:10 Mitigation Costs: From $300K to $1 Million Per Acre

07:30 Multiple Species, Multiple Mitigation Locations

08:00 South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan and the JPA's Role

09:30 Housing Demand, Interest Rates and the 2025 Market

10:45 Utilities Along the Corridor: SMUD, Water and Sewer

14:00 Cost Sharing Agreements and Economies of Scale

16:00 How JPA Environmental Coverage Relates to Adjacent Properties

18:30 General Plan Adoption and Development Consistency

20:00 Sphere of Influence, Annexations and Comment Letters

22:00 Folsom Master Plan and Seamless Corridor Integration

24:59 River Rock Casino, the Grant Line Interchange and Elk Grove Growth

27:30 Kammerer Road Extension: Federal Funds, Wetlands and the Road to I-5

31:05 68 Miles of Frontage and How the JPA Can Help Landowners Navigate the Process

Subscribe to Between Two Shovels for conversations with the people building, funding, and planning infrastructure across California and beyond.

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Guest: Chris Cox, Principal Land Development Consultant, specializing in finding ROI for property owners and developers.

John Merchant has lived in Rancho Murieta for 40 years. In this episode of Between Two Shovels, he sits down with Derek Minnema to talk through what four decades of growth in southeast Sacramento County actually looks like from the ground, and why the roads connecting his community to the rest of the region have not kept pace.

The conversation covers the deteriorating state of Scott Road and Grant Line Boulevard, the fire and flood risks facing Rancho Murieta, why a community of 6,000 people already cannot evacuate safely, and what it means to keep approving development without a serious conversation about emergency access.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:58 40 Years in Rancho Murieta and the Stoplight Count

04:27 Scott Road, Grant Line, and a Million Trips a Year

05:34 Island of Urbanization Explained 05:57 Urban Services Boundary and Fire Risk

09:21 Development Pressure and Insurance Pullout

13:36 If We Can't Get 6,000 People Out, How Do We Get 8,000 Out?

15:02 Paradise, Maui, and Los Angeles: The Names That Changed the Conversation

16:39 Two Kinds of Disaster: Flood and Fire 19:36 What the County Study Needs to Solve 21:22 Why a Two Lane Road Is Not Enough

22:57 We Need a Real Grown-Up Route

23:59 The Landfill Road and the Case for Four Lanes

26:24 How the $25 Million Federal Grant Will Be Used

31:03 Three Floods Since 1986 and the Call to Action

33:53 Closing and What Comes Next

Subscribe to Between Two Shovels for conversations with the people building, funding, and planning infrastructure across California and beyond.

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Guest: John Merchant

Title: Between Two Shovels EP 21: John Merchant - Roads, Evacuation, and Growth in Southeast Sacramento County

From forming one of the nation's first MPOs in Las Vegas to serving as Caltrans' Chief Environmental Engineer, Steve Borroum has spent decades at the intersection of transportation, air quality, and land use policy. In this episode, he breaks down what the data actually says about Vehicle Miles Traveled, why induced demand isn't the full story, and what really drives traffic growth.

Steve's career spans creating the first regional development fee program in the country, shaping national air quality conformity regulations, and helping lift a court-ordered development moratorium in El Dorado County. He was also instrumental in the early vision for the Capital Southeast Connector.

Chapters:00:00 Intro and Background02:21 Starting the Las Vegas MPO05:05 The First Regional Development Fee Program07:03 Working for Caltrans as Chief Environmental Engineer07:54 Shaping National Air Quality Conformity Rules11:03 El Dorado County and the Development Stop Order14:05 The Origins of the Capital Southeast Connector17:05 The Real Story Behind VMT23:00 Induced Demand — What the Data Actually Shows31:39 Why VMT Per Capita Has Been Flat Since 199034:10 What Actually Changes VMT36:04 Clean the Tailpipe: The Path Forward38:12 Closing Thoughts on Job-Housing Balance

Subscribe to Between Two Shovels for conversations with the people building, moving, and funding infrastructure across California and beyond.

Guest: Steve Borroum, Former Chief Environmental Engineer, Caltrans

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Most people have never heard of a freight broker. Travis Dodge has spent 11 years as one, and in this episode he pulls back the curtain on how freight actually moves across the country, how brokers make their money, and what is really happening in the trucking industry right now.

Travis is the founder of Wheelhouse, a freight brokerage based in Oakland. He launched the company in September 2024 after a decade of building his book of business as an independent agent.

Chapters:00:00 Intro and High School Reunion 03:21 What Does a Freight Broker Actually Do? 06:03 Travis's Journey From Software Sales to Freight 08:52 How Public Infrastructure Projects Get Built 21:25 Where Does Public Transportation Fit In? 23:22 The Single User Problem With Mass Transit 28:19 How Wheelhouse Makes Money and Who They Work With 29:18 Does Congestion Affect Freight Costs? 33:59 AB5, Independent Contractors, and Rate Spikes 37:23 Electric Trucks and the Reality of Freight 42:49 Why Travis Started Using LinkedIn 47:03 Why California Still Does Not Have High Speed Rail 52:58 Closing ThoughtsSubscribe to Between Two Shovels for conversations with the people building, moving, and funding infrastructure across California and beyond.Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Guest: Travis Dodge, Founder at Wheelhouse Freight

Title: Between Two Shovels EP 19: Travis Dodge - Freight Broker Explains Markup, Congestion & Electric Trucks

Eric Sauer, CEO of the California Trucking Association, and Chris Shimoda, principal lobbyist for CTA, join Derek Minnema for a full conversation on what is happening in the California trucking industry right now. From the regulatory environment and electrification challenges to supply chain fragility, freight bottlenecks, and the fight for transportation funding.

Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Backgrounds01:52 What the California Trucking Association Does05:18 What It Is Like to Operate in California Right Now07:46 How COVID Reshaped Freight Demand and the Supply Chain Crisis09:18 Multi-Generation Carriers Going Out of Business10:32 Freight Bottlenecks and Highway Infrastructure Needs12:44 The Dwindling Gas Tax and Road User Charge Explained17:52 The Reality of Electric Trucks in California21:13 Three Chargers Equaling a Thousand Homes Worth of Power23:09 What Happens When Trucks Stop Moving24:00 Where Electric Truck Regulations Stand Today27:15 CTA Member Benefits, Compliance Help and Driver Recognition29:29 The Truck Driver Championship and Family Events30:41 Why the Industry Must Get Politically Active Now33:23 Taking Elected Officials Into the Field34:10 California Freight Bottlenecks That Need Fixing35:37 How to Expand the Transportation Funding Pie

Subscribe for more conversations on transportation policy, infrastructure and what keeps supply chains moving.

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Title: Between Two Shovels EP 18: Eric Sauer & Chris Shimoda - California Trucking Association Services

GoodFellow Brothers built the Capital SouthEast Connector's White Rock Road expressway, the first modern four-lane expressway in the Sacramento region. In this episode, Vice President John Hovde and Project Manager Josh Nichols break down exactly how they did it, from winning the bid during COVID lockdowns to finishing with a bike path that was never in the original contract.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and GoodFellow Brothers Overview

02:16 How Contractors Win Public Infrastructure Work

05:19 Bidding and Building During COVID

09:18 Coordinating Construction Alongside a Growing Community

12:02 Eliminating 200,000 Yards of Import: The Cost Reduction Incentive

15:02 How Cost Savings Built the Bike Path

17:04 Blasting Rock Next to Occupied Homes

22:18 Paving an Expressway: 55,000 Tons and 28 Trucks a Day

28:38 Why Traffic Poles Take 6 Months to Deliver

31:24 Long Lead Items Every Contractor Should Plan For

32:12 Lessons Learned for the Next Phase of the Connector

35:30 Final Thoughts from the Field

Subscribe for more conversations about infrastructure, construction and what it actually takes to build the roads communities depend on.

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Guest: John Hovde and Josh Nichols, GoodFellow Brothers

Title: Between Two Shovels EP 17: John Hovde & Josh Nichols (GoodFellow Brothers) - How We Saved Millions

Steve 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.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Steve's Background with Connector JPA

03:41 - Fire, Police & Transportation: Top 3 Resident Priorities

06:18 - Traffic Fatalities on White Rock Road Drove Regional Vision

11:15 - Forming a JPA: Leaving Egos at the Door

17:41 - Leadership Style: Keep Staff Reports Simple

23:26 - SACOG Formation: Overcoming Ideology & Sprawl Opposition

27:12 - 75% Voter Approval: How They Built Community Support

32:39 - Lost Institutional Knowledge: Why Regular Council Briefings Matter

35:16 - The Aquatic Center Story: Raising $525K to Flip a Vote

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Learn more about the Capital SouthEast Connector: Website: connectorjpa.com

#Transportation #Infrastructure #Leadership #RegionalPlanning #California #PublicPolicy

Title: Between Two Shovels Ep.16: Steve Miklos - Promises Made, Promises Kept & the 75% Voter Mandate 

Will 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

19:53 How Caltrans rebuilt a highway in 26 days

21:57 The Bay Bridge closure that beat the deadline

27:11 Corvettes and transportation connections

30:34 Why Sacramento County transportation measures keep failing

35:30 Advice for building the Capital SouthEast Connector

39:42 Building public trust through visible accountability

42:44 What Sacramento really needs for transportation

44:11 The unanimity strategy that delivered projects fast

Will Kempton's career spans the development of California's transportation funding mechanisms and major infrastructure delivery. His insights on community engagement, emergency response, and building regional consensus offer valuable lessons for transportation agencies navigating today's funding challenges.

Between Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

Title: Between Two Shovels Ep.15: Will Kempton - 52 Years in Transportation, First Local Tax, to Caltrans

Right-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.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: Meet Ann Grava

1:13 - What is Right-of-Way? Understanding Property Rights

4:52 - How Right-of-Way Has Changed Since the 1800s

8:11 - The Acquisition Process: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

11:56 - Independent Appraisals and Just Compensation

16:10 - Making the Offer: Property Owner Rights

18:39 - What Happens When Owners Disagree with the Appraisal

21:12 - Resolution of Necessity: The Public Hearing Process

24:34 - Timeline: Why Acquisitions Take Months, Not Days

26:08 - Real Example: Saving a Garage While Taking a House

27:34 - Tips for Engineers: Utilities and Title Reports

31:09 - Current Project Update: Kammerer Road Extension

34:37 - Relocation Assistance: Moving Costs and Housing Studies

38:42 - Final Thoughts: Fair Process in Modern America

Between Two Shovels is a podcast exploring the people, projects, and processes behind public infrastructure.

Guest: Ann Grava, Real Estate Program Manager, City of Elk Grove

Mike 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 CEO

7:24 - Sweden Study Mission: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

11:41 - Wireless Charging Technology: How It Works

14:51 - Chicago's Two Pilot Programs for Wireless Charging

16:20 - Who Manufactures Wireless Charging Road Systems?

17:16 - Regulatory Challenges and Public-Private Partnerships

20:01 - The Future: Bus Drivers Never Stopping for Fuel

21:45 - Middle East AI Innovation: Abu Dhabi and Dubai

23:38 - Weigh-in-Motion Technology for Trucks

24:10 - Secretary Duffy's Three Priorities: Safety, Building, Innovation

26:09 - Learning from Infrastructure Failures: Baltimore Bridge

27:45 - Rapid Reconstruction: Minnesota Bridge and Sanibel Causeway

29:17 - Illinois as Thought Leaders in Transportation Innovation

Mike Sturino leads the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association in exploring innovative technologies that improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in transportation infrastructure. From wireless charging roads to AI-powered enforcement systems, this conversation covers the technologies reshaping how we build and maintain highways.

Subscribe for more infrastructure innovation insights and transportation industry conversations.

Guest: Mike Sturino, President and CEO at Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association

Learn more about Connector JPA: https://connectorjpa.com