Between Two Shovels with Derek Minnema

California'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 more fragile than during COVID 

3:50 - Trump tariffs and industry disruption 

6:45 - What is the supply chain? Ports to doorsteps 

8:00 - Indirect Source Rules explained 

12:15 - The last 2% problem and regulation overreach 

15:58 - Businesses leaving California 

17:22 - How other states view their ports vs. California 

19:00 - Cost-effective solutions and what's actually implementable 

20:20 - Federal legislation and working with the new administration 

21:30 - Why local infrastructure matters for freight movement

Amanda Blackwood brings years of supply chain expertise to explain complex policy issues in straightforward terms. This conversation matters for anyone concerned about inflation, supply chain resilience, or California's economic competitiveness.

Subscribe for more conversations about infrastructure, transportation policy, and the decisions shaping America's future.

Guest: Amanda Blackwood - Strategic Advisor at Supply Chain Federation

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

Matt 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. Matt shares the persistence required to secure 100% federal funding and the engineering challenges of building 200-foot tall columns in one of California's most remote locations.Key Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction 4:59 - The big bridge story begins8:46 - Project timeline: 1998 to 202614:43 - Helicopter geotech and construction challenges18:11 - Balanced segmental cantilever construction explained21:06 - Timeline delays and complexity factors26:43 - Bridge aesthetics and design features28:46 - Why this bridge matters: saving lives and moneySubscribe for more infrastructure insights from California's transportation leaders.Learn more about Connector JPA: https://connectorjpa.comGuest: Matt Smeltzer - Deputy Director of Engineering at County of El Dorado

Sacramento 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 insights about building a successful engineering career.

TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction and Background2:06 - EIT Exam Strategy and Professional License Path5:00 - Setting Yourself Apart as a Young Engineer7:44 - Current Projects and Real-World Challenges10:57 - AI's Role in Civil Engineering14:12 - Private vs Public Sector Career Decisions21:22 - The Future of Transportation and Transit Systems25:02 - Entrepreneurial Path and Starting Your Own Firm32:17 - Biggest Career Inspirations and Project Interests36:28 - New Graduate Challenges and Industry Changes41:51 - Finding Mentors and Developing Soft Skills46:10 - Final Advice and Wrap-upSubscribe for more insights on infrastructure, transportation policy, and engineering career development from industry leaders and rising professionals.

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

Guest: Orgil Batchuluun - 2024 Sacramento State College Graduate in Civil Engineering - https://www.linkedin.com/in/orgilbatchuluun/

Join 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 your college classmates who become tomorrow's decision makers.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your engineering career, this episode offers practical advice on career development, project management, and adapting to an evolving industry.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Sacramento State memories

2:33 - Glenn's transition from banking to civil engineering

4:32 - The importance of communication skills in engineering

7:19 - Preparation strategies for meetings and presentations

11:42 - What motivates Derek's content creation

13:11 - Glenn's career focus on roadway design

16:08 - The funding environment and "hungry hungry hippos" approach

18:25 - Active transportation projects and ATP funding

24:15 - Career advice for new civil engineering graduates

27:44 - Public vs private sector career paths

30:29 - Notable projects and what makes them fulfilling

35:15 - Professional licensing trends among new graduates

41:17 - Industry consolidation and firm sizes

44:16 - Leadership development and mentoring approaches

Subscribe for more insights from transportation and infrastructure leaders.

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

Guest: Glenn Armstrong - Regional Transportation Lead at BKF Engineers - https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennarmstrong/

Michael 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 opportunities

Timestamps: 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 explained 9:21 High speed rail federal funding challenges 12:04 Sites Reservoir: California's water infrastructure gap 15:50 Bay Delta tunnels project update 18:20 Industry optimism and P3 opportunities 19:47 Highway 37 elevated toll bridge vision 21:12 Biden administration infrastructure wins 23:09 Next California governor speculation 23:51 CC Myers legacy and innovation 25:35 Closing thoughts

Michael Quigley represents the unique labor-management alliance that has shaped California infrastructure policy for three decades. His perspective offers rare insight into how billion-dollar projects actually get funded and built.Connect with the show and guests for more infrastructure insights.Learn more at https://connectorjpa.com

Guest: Michael Quigley, Executive Director at California Alliance For Jobs

Why 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 150,000 families out of a home • The role of CEQA reform and why it’s not a complete fix • How VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) costs could add $20K-$25K per home • Why suburban and rural housing demand is often overlooked • Creative solutions builders are using to keep homeownership attainable

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Tim Murphy’s background 00:01:31 - The Connector Project and regional infrastructure needs 00:04:40 - The real cost of housing fees: $80K–$140K per unit 00:06:07 - How the housing shortage impacts families 00:06:53 - Affordable housing vs. attainable housing 00:08:33 - What $1,400/month gets you in today’s market 00:11:28 - California’s affordability crisis spreading to other states 00:12:41 - CEQA reform and its limitations 00:17:00 - Understanding VMT costs and their impact on housing 00:21:22 - Local advocacy and managing development fees 00:23:23 - How small cost increases push families out of the market 00:25:13 - Creative solutions for attainable housing 00:26:56 - How HomeAid Sacramento supports transitional housing 00:29:16 - 88% job placement through construction training programs 00:30:27 - Creative financing and interest rate programs for buyers

Watch now and join the conversation.

What do you think is the single biggest barrier to housing affordability where you live?

Transportation 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 planning

00:04:08 - Regional connectivity and evacuation route benefits

00:05:37 - Pandemic impacts on travel demand modeling

00:08:16 - Transition from traditional level of service metrics

00:15:10 - VMT analysis implementation challenges

00:16:28 - Rural road safety data and crash analysis

00:19:04 - Future of autonomous vehicle safety

00:20:36 - Unintended consequences of ridesharing services

00:24:10 - Latest developments in VMT policy guidance

00:27:57 - Regional infrastructure needs and solutions

Learn more at https://connectorjpa.com

Derek Minnema: https://derekminnema.com

On 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 projects

- California is starting to exempt critical infrastructure projects from lengthy environmental reviews

- We completed environmental documents in just 10-11 months instead of years

Timestamps:

00:00 - Meet Zach Liptak, Environmental Planner

02:25 - The Power of Program-Level Environmental Planning

04:57 - White Rock Road Mitigation Costs Breakdown

07:08 - South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan Explained

11:18 - Waters of the United States vs State Waters

14:09 - Grant Line Project Mitigation Costs

16:33 - The Most Expensive Mitigation Project Ever

19:33 - Why Grasslands Cost So Much to Mitigate

21:08 - GPS Mapping Revolution in Environmental Work

23:14 - Complex Environmental Assessments Explained

26:03 - California's Shift Toward Project Exemptions

30:25 - Success Story

34:23 - The JPA's Investment in Regional Conservation

The bottom line? Environmental compliance is expensive but necessary. The key is having the right partnerships and planning ahead.

Join 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 the podcast and the Connector JPA team; discussion of modern public engagement approaches

01:34 - 03:01 - Osman shares his "Midwest perspective" culture shock when facing California's regulatory environment

03:01 - 05:33 - How project needs drive vision; infrastructure delivery as "a series of legal steps"

05:33 - 08:33 - The challenge of piecing together funding from multiple sources; JPA as "effectively a startup"

08:33 - 11:03 - Comparing state funding consistency with federal funding unpredictability; adapting to changing criteria

11:03 - 13:17 - Managing dynamics between cities and counties within the JPA structure

13:17 - 15:07 - The JPA's role in delivering funding and getting projects "shovel ready"

15:07 - 19:09 - The team's passion for the project and daily challenges in moving it forward

19:09 - 22:18 - The strategic decision to reduce board meeting frequency and its impact on productivity

22:18 - 25:41 - Benefits of quarterly board meetings for project planning and milestone tracking

25:41 - 28:30 - Future funding strategies and maintaining relevance with state and federal funding sources

28:30 - 30:23 - Modern approaches to public engagement and transparency; advantages of a focused JPA

Connect with Derek Minnema

Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekminnema/

Connector JPA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital-southeast-connector-joint-powers-authority/

Derek's Website: https://www.derekminnema.com/

Connector JPA Website: https://connectorjpa.com/

Derek X: @derekminnemaonx

Derek Instagram: @derekminnema

Subscribe for more infrastructure insights from industry leaders navigating the complex world of transportation project delivery.

In 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 and Kevin share what it really takes to deliver modern transportation solutions in a fast-changing regulatory environment.📍 Learn more about Connector JPA: https://connectorjpa.com/ 📍 Learn more about Sacramento Transportation Authority: https://www.sacta.org/Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of infrastructure and regional development.#TransportationPolicy #InfrastructureDevelopment #CaliforniaRoads #PublicWorks #SupplyChainInfrastructure #ConnectorJPA #SacramentoTransportation #FreightLogistics #CaliforniaFunding