ACEC of Delaware EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

University & Whist Club

Meeting called to order: 12:11 pm

 

Attendees:

 

Mike Karia                  Executive Director                               MK Consulting

Tim Anderson             President                                             Karins and Associates

Scott Rathfon              Treasurer                                             Century Engineering

Mario Gangemi           Secretary/Programs                             Duffield Associates

Steve Johns                 Past-President/New Castle County     VanDemark & Lynch

Jessica Nichols            Sussex County                                                Karins and Associates

Ted Januszka               Vice-President /Membership               Pennoni Associates

Mike Angelo               Transportation                                     McCormick Taylor

Ted Williams               National Director                                 Landmark Engineering

Bruce Jones                 Environmental                                     Greenstone Engineering

Tom DeLorimier         Environmental                                     URS

 

Not Present:

Mike Riemann             Kent County                                        Becker Morgan

 

ACEC PAC

A discussion regarding the ACEC Delaware goals for PAC contributions was held. As of this date DE is up to approximately $4000.  Two more checks totaling $300 should be headed to ACEC soon to get us to our goal. (Note, post meeting our goal was exceeded!)

Minutes

The meeting minutes and associated attachments and reports from the November 28, 2007 meeting were distributed at the meeting and were approved. 

The meeting minutes and committee reports are posted on the members only page of the ACEC Delaware web site, which can be accessed through the members only page with the password: *Engineers1956 (case sensitive).

TreasurerÕs Report – Mike Karia / Scott Rathfon

A treasurerÕs report consisting of an account balances report, budget report and an accounts receivable (A/R) report (through 11/30/07) was provided by Mike Karia.  Group recommended eliminating the 800 number.  Howard L. Robertson has resigned their membership, but will pay their outstanding balance in multiple payments.  This report was approved by the Board. 

Action Item - Mike Karia to follow-up with Endecon on a Òcatch-upÓ plan.  Tim to follow-up with Chip Hazel.

Legislative Committee – Ted Williams

No report provided since Delaware Legislature is out of session.  New House Bill 280 introduced requiring all roads in Sussex County be done in accordance with DelDOT standards.

Membership - Ted Januszka

Ted Januszka, Jessica Nichols and Mike Karia are continuing to coordinate with representatives from prospective member firms.  

LRHA Insite Design is considering membership.  Mike Karia is facilitating the providing information to LRHA.

Mike Karia will send membership information to Merestone Consultants.

As previously discussed national firm representatives, who are active in ACEC National, should be contacted to try to encourage better participation of their Delaware office branches in ACEC Delaware.   A number of these firms include KCI and JMT.

Action Item:  Mario Gangemi still needs to contact Colm Deascanis (CDA) about having his firm join ACEC Delaware.  Bruce Jones to contact Ron Sutton.  Ted to contact KCI.  Mario to contact Keith Rudy of McCrone.

Program Committee – Mario Gangemi

George J. Weiner Associates meeting regarding insurance/benefits is set for January.  It was suggested that invitations be extended to AIA.

The group decided that a debate or forum with the Delaware gubernatorial candidates should be held in the spring.

Group discussed increasing the non-member program registration fee to an amount higher than the current $50. Further discussion will take place at a future meeting.

Mike Clar has accepted to be a judge for the EEA.  Some suggestions were Mark Mallamo (Milford), David Edgell (Office of State Planning), Hal Godwin (Sussex County), and George Dickerson (Milton – Bruce Jones to contact).

Action:  Mario needs to follow-up with candidates and begin planning this event.  Plan for March meeting.  Ted W. to follow-up with Carney and Ted J. to follow-up with Markell.

Mike Karia to begin preparations for the Legislative Reception at the Lobby House.

The current budget will allow for a renowned speaker for a future program. Such a program will be sought for possibly the annual membership meeting program in May 2008. UD football coach K.C. Keeler is one consideration.  Ted Williams to follow-up.

Transportation Committee – Mike Angelo/Scott Rathfon

Next meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2008.  Committee waiting on comments from DelDOT regarding Overhead and Fixed Fee.

The new Subdivision Street and Entrance regulations become official on December 21, 2007.  It is understood that DelDOT is willing to do on-site workshops with individual firms to explain the revised guidelines.  If your plan has been submitted prior to December 21, 2007 it will be reviewed against the previous regulations.

Ted Williams working with DelDOT on developing procedures for pre-application meeting.  Goal is to have an up front meeting (possibly on-site) among various divisions of DelDOT and engineer to discuss project.

Environmental Committee – Tom DeLorimier /Bruce Jones

Report provided.  Discussion centered on upcoming workshops and ACEC DelawareÕs involvement.

 

New Castle County Committee – Steve Johns

Minutes of meeting with NCCDLU for November 5, 2007 and committee meeting of December 3, 2007 were provided.  The next meeting will be in January.   

NCCDLU is evidently going around to major engineering firms with their engineering group to collaborate on developing a less adversarial relationship.  Also, Mike Clar has developed a new soil mix for bioretention facilities.

Kent County Committee – Mike Riemann

No written report.  Four meetings coming soon.  Recent meeting held with the Office of State Planning.  Workshop with Office of State Planning in conjunction with ACEC Delaware being considered.

 

Next meetings are in January with City of Dover, in February with the Fire Marshal, and in March with Department of Public Works. (See Website under Events for schedule).

 

Sussex County Committee – Jessica Nichols

Report provided for December 18, 2007 partnering meeting with the Town of Milton. Discussion centered on Comprehensive Plan Update, Development of Planning Processes, Source Water Protection Plan and Sewer EDU Capacity/Availability.

 

Upcoming Sussex County partnering meetings are scheduled. (See website under Events for schedule).   

 

Education/Public Relations Committee

No report.  Tim Anderson reported that a new chair is being sought for this committee. Tim to contact Chuck Hauser to get him involved on this committee.  Ted W. may have a candidate from Landmark.

DTCC-Stanton check has been distributed.  Remaining checks to be distributed as soon as a date is established.

Action:  Mario to distribute MathCOUNTS list so that we can get sponsorships.

Executive DirectorÕs Report – Mike Karia

Report provided.  January BOD meeting to be held at the Christian Hilton prior to the membership program.  Directory coming soon.

Website has been changed to ACECDE.org

National Directors Report – Ted Williams

No written report.  Ted is now a Vice-Chairman at National level.  We will need to replace Ted as National Director for 1 year (Steve Johns has agreed to do this).  Policy paper coming out soon from ACEC regarding NCEES proposal requiring MasterÕs degree in order to sit for PE.  Ted W. will send information on alternative dues collection to Executive committee.

The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on January 23, 2007 at the Christiana Hilton at 10:00.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40 pm.