ACEC of Delaware EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Sheraton, Dover, Delaware

Meeting called to order: 9:40 a.m.

 

Attendees:

 

Mike Karia                  Executive Director                               MK Consulting

Tim Anderson             President                                             Karins and Associates

Scott Rathfon              Treasurer /Transportation                    Century Engineering

Mario Gangemi           Secretary/Programs                             Duffield Associates

Mike Angelo               Transportation                                     McCormick Taylor

Mike Riemann             Kent County                                        Becker Morgan

Ted Januszka               Vice-President /Membership               Pennoni Associates

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

Tom DeLorimier         Environmental                                     URS

 

Not Present:

 

Ted Williams               National Director                                 Landmark Engineering

Bruce Jones                 Environmental                                     Greenstone Engineering

Jessica Nichols            Sussex County                                                Karins and Associates

 

Minutes

The meeting minutes and associated attachments and reports from the August 22, 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 8/31/07) was provided by Mike Karia.  This report was approved by the Board. 

Written and verbal correspondence continues to take place with firms that have outstanding dues.   In particular, Mike Karia is coordinating with River Basin Engineering (RBE) on their outstanding balance.  Action Item:  Mike Karia directed to file legal proceedings against RBE for collection of outstanding payment.

 

Legislative Committee – Ted Williams

No report provided since Delaware Legislature is out of session.  Mario Gangemi pointed out that Maryland sales tax to increase from 5% to 6%.  Engineering services listed among those services that may now have to charge sales tax.

Membership - Ted Januszka

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

Artesian Water approved as affiliate member.  LRHA Insite Design is a prospective new member and will attend todayÕs event.  Mike Karia will follow-up.

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, MTA, and JMT.

Action Item:  Mario Gangemi still needs to contact Colm Deascanis about having his firm join ACEC Delaware.

Program Committee – Mario Gangemi

Mike Karia and Mario Gangemi are attempting to feature a guest speaker on ÒPreparing Winning ProposalsÓ for November meeting.  Current speaker has indicated that full-day is required for his presentation.  BoardÕs desire is one-half day.  Mike Karia will contact speaker to cancel the seminar.  Mike Karia and Mario Gangemi will develop an alternate for November.

The group decided that a debate or forum with the Delaware gubernatorial candidates should be held in the spring. Action:  Mario needs to reach out to candidates and begin planning this event.

Transportation Committee – Mike Angelo/Scott Rathfon

Scott Rathfon discussed that DelDOT /ACEC Delaware Overhead and Profit committee are continuing discussions.   The next general partnering meeting with DelDOT will be held October 23, 2007 at 1:00 pm.  Scott Rathfon will transition to Mike Angelo take over as Chair of this committee.

Environmental Committee – Tom DeLorimer / Bruce Jones

No written report provided.  Bruce Jones will be on the GovernorÕs Task Force to review the StateÕs Sediment & Erosion Control update. 

 

Based on Bruce JonesÕ discussion with Gerald Kaufmann & Carmine Balascio they have indicated that they support providing a Òreal worldÓ stormwater class to University of Delaware Engineering students with assistance from consulting engineers.  Different phases could be taught by different consulting engineers from the various member ACEC Delaware firms.  There may be a joint DNREC/ACEC Delaware seminar in the future.

 

New Castle County Committee – Steve Johns

A written report was distributed which summarized the September 10th partnering meeting with the New Castle County Department of Land Use.  NCCDLU has instituted resubmission fees and incomplete submission fees with NCC during a special meeting between ACEC Delaware and NCC. The next scheduled partnering meeting with Land Use is scheduled for Monday, November 5th at 2:00 p.m.   The next scheduled partnering meeting with Special Services is scheduled for October.

Kent County Committee – Mike Riemann

No written report.  A partnering meeting was held with the Town of Smyrna on September 4, 2007.  Written report will be provided later.  Next meetings are to be with Kent Conservation District and Fire Marshal.

 

Sussex County Committee – Jessica Nichols

A written report was distributed.   Jessica Nichols has arranged for meetings with several municipalities in Sussex County.  Refer to written report for those dates.  Mike Karia to post dates of these meetings on the website.

 

Education/Public Relations Committee

No report.  Tim Anderson reported that a new chair is being sought for this committee.  (Matt Goudy would then become vice-chair of this committee.) Mario informed group that Mathcounts mailings are out to the StateÕs middle schools.  Mario will continue to follow-up with the Delaware Engineering Society on its status.  Mike Riemann will try to get Chuck Hauser to get involved on this committee.

Executive DirectorÕs Report – Mike Karia

A written report was distributed that discussed, membership items, ACEC Scholarship Program, ACEC Young Professional of the Year Award, New Faces of Engineering 2008. 

National Directors Report – Ted Williams

No written report.  It was discussed that Board Members should solicit contributions (personal) for the ACEC PAC Committee from staff of their firms.  Our goal is $4200.  We have obtained $1200 so far.  Mario to work more closely with Jeff Bross on this matter.

The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on October 24, 2007 in Middletown at 11:45 a.m.