June 2001
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
by Ron Leimkuhler

At the Spring Pacific Northwest Council (PNC) meeting held last February the issue came up about funding for a District Representative. This new position is the result of creating a new District in Zone IV, and the reason for it is to provide support for the District Director. Without going into the history and details of how this position evolved, the bigger issue is the proposed method to fund it.

Annual estimated expenses to cover authorized travel for the District Representative are $5,700. This covers attendance at two National Board meetings, two District Council meetings, the Zone Leadership Conference, and various Section/Branch/Student Chapter meetings. As currently proposed, ASCE National will pick up $1,350, the local Sections and Branches within the District $2,750, and the individual who is selected to serve the Society is expected to contribute $1,600 from their own funds.

ASCE National should have no problem finding $1,350, especially since revenue from the participating Districts is up $480,000 as a result of last year’s $30 dues increase. Neither should it be a problem for Sections and Branches, since their portions calculate out to 21 cents per member. What should concern all of us is the policy of expecting members to cover a substantial portion of the expenses. While it is not unusual for a volunteer society to expect members in leadership roles to cover incidental expenses, the questions needs to be raised whether ASCE is asking too much, and what are the consequences of this policy.

At this same PNC meeting the issue of participation by government sector engineers was raised. It was mentioned that 90 percent of all engineers work in government, yet only 10 percent of ASCE members are public agency employees. Even though these percentages seem exaggerated, they probably aren’t too far off based on our Section roster and a quick review of the Society register. And without a doubt, the policy of expecting leadership to pay a large share of their expenses most certainly affects participation by government engineers. Not only does the Society lose some great leaders, and their insight about practicing in the public sector, but we also limit the opportunity to recruit the aspiring young engineers with whom they work.

It’s no secret that most officers at both the local and national levels depend on the support and generosity of their employers to cover ASCE activity expenses. However, with a public that is endlessly demanding efficiency in government, agencies are forced to restrict non-essential employee activities during work hours, and have little, if any, flexibility to provide financial support to their employees. When you consider the effects of ASCE policy, and the limitations placed on agencies, it is not surprising many government engineers don’t join. For ASCE to become the collective voice of the civil engineering profession (and it is important for us to have such as voice in the same way that other professions use their national societies to inform the public about the importance of their services) we must recognize the reality of our times, and change the way we do business. When our younger members see a diverse leadership comprised from all sectors of the profession, we can only expect they will be encouraged to participate.

Jim Carlsen, our District 12 Director, will be making a brief presentation at the June Section meeting. The Society is looking at new ways to reorganize the National leadership, and the door is always open to discuss policy. You are encouraged to attend and share your thoughts and ideas with Jim.

ASCE Seattle Section Meeting
Wednesday, May 9, 2001

Place: Ballard Yankee Grill
5300 24th Ave. NW
Menu: Herbed Chicken and Sorbet
Cost: $20 per person*

*A $2.00 penalty will be made for attending without a reservation.

Spouses and guests are invited.
Credit cards, cash, or checks to the Yankee Grill are accepted.

Social Hour 5:30
Dinner 6:30
Business Meeting 7:30
Program 8:00

The first annual Outstanding Project Awards Night will recognize 14 projects in six categories for their overall excellence in design. One "Outstanding Project Award", and up to two "Honor Awards" will be presented in each of the following categories: Geotechnical, Site Development, Structures, Ports and Waterways, Water Resources, and Transportation. The winners of the Outstanding Project Awards will be announced at the meeting. See the enclosed supplement for a complete list of the projects.

Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize your fellow ASCE members and celebrate the great work we are doing to maintain and improve the infrastructure upon which our quality of life depends.

A Message From ASCE National

Prior to the presentation of the Outstanding Project Awards, District 12 Director Jim Carlson will make a brief address on issues and changes occurring within the Society at the national level.

ASCE Seattle Section Executive Board
Meeting Minutes for May 9, 2001

Attendees: Ron Leimkuhler, Ann Epler, Susan Gardner, Ron Borowski, Bob Boudinot, Linda DeBoldt, Don Northey, Arthur Fleming, Jim Thompson, and Cheryl Burwell.

Section President, Ron Leimkuhler, called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

The following additions were made to the agenda:

• R. H. Thompson Award – Susan Gardner
• LOCEA Award – Susan Gardner
• Paying for Speakers – Susan Gardner
• Election Results – Susan Gardner
• Day on the Hill – Jim Thompson

Corrections to the April 4, 2001, Meeting Minutes:

1. Hastig Letter to Board: A clarification is noted that subsequent to the meeting, John Hastig was identified as also serving on the committee.

2. 150th Anniversary Update: The first sentence of this paragraph is changed to say: "There is no current activity…"

3. Treasurer’s Report: The first sentence of this paragraph is amended to read: Arthur Fleming was absent from the meeting. No treasurer’s report was discussed. Arthur submitted an electronic treasurer’s report to the Board members.

The April meeting minutes were approved as amended.

Treasurer’s Report: Arthur Fleming presented the treasurer’s report. It was noted that under category 60.b, payments were made last month at $1.25 per student, to the student chapters.

A discussion was held concerning the SPAG Grants. The Section received $5,900 in 1999. To date, $2,900 has been expended, leaving a balance of $3,000. It was noted that the treasurer needs to continue researching grant fund receipts and disbursals.

To date, income for the year is less than the annual budget by $3,756.45. Dues income is down $4,452. It is anticipated that revenue for the year will be approximately $2,000 under budget.

Susan Gardner asked if monthly reports could be prepared for the previous months of March and April. The Board asked the Treasurer to also prepare quarterly reports for the investment accounts and to submit a report every time a transaction is made into or out of an investment account. Susan Gardner asked for clarification of the pass-through accounts, such as the SPAG account.

Don Northey inquired about the PSEC payment, which has not been made. Payments to the branches have also not been made.

The treasurer’s report was accepted as presented.

Committee and Branch Reports: Linda DeBoldt reported on the following committees:

• History and Heritage
• University Advisory
• Younger Member Forum
• Management in Engineering
• Public Relations

The YMF Committee has a field trip planned to Safeco Field.

There were 45 in attendance at the last Management In Engineering meeting. There will be a May 23rd meeting to discuss management trends.

The Public Relations Committee has asked the Board for guidance on press coverage of the Local Outstanding Civil Engineering Award and the involvement of ASCE in middle schools.

Bob Boudinot reported on the North Branch and Kitsap Branch activities. The North Branch will be holding officer elections at the June meeting. The Kitsap Branch May meeting has been moved to Wednesday, May 16th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is held at Campana’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. This month’s speaker will be Wendy Clark, the Kitsap Transit Capital Director. Her speech will be the Reality of Passenger Ferries in Puget Sound.

Ann Epler gave a report on the YMF activities. Elections were held on April 5th. Results were included in the May newsletter. A University of Washington open house was held on April 20th and 21st. A work party of 30 YMF members and friends helped in the Rebuilding Together project on April 28th. There are 30 people signed up for the Safeco Field tour on Friday, May 11th. YMF is working to update the Seattle Section web site.

Don Northey presented the PSEC report. On June 6th there will be an inter-society officers’ workshop. On June 29th there will be a structural engineers’ institute meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Ed Huston will attend for the Seattle Section of SEA. SEA has agreed to contribute to the shortfall of funds for this trip. Don asked if the Seattle Section of ASCE would also contribute to the shortfall. There was a discussion concerning reimbursement policy. Consideration will be given for funding the shortfall as soon as the amount is known. Planning for the Structures Congress is ongoing.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ron Leimkuhler announced that Chuck Greely is going to join the Section meeting committee.

Volunteers are needed for the 150th Anniversary Committee.

Jim Thompson gave a report on the AELC Friend of the Court brief for the Lakeview Condominium case currently before the State Supreme Court. At issue is the 6-year Statute of Repose, which currently applies to engineering projects. The AELC brief has been submitted to the court. Preparation of the brief cost approximately $16,000. Funds have been received form CECW, ACEC, AIA, NSPE, and AELC. Jim asked for a $500 contribution from the Seattle Section of ASCE. Susan Gardner moved that the Section make a $500 contribution. The motion was seconded and passed with one nay vote.

Jim Thompson gave a report on the Day on the Hill meeting which was held last month. Ron Borowski passed out information on the transportation budget currently being considered by the Legislature.

NEW BUSINESS:

Awards: The Oregon Section of ASCE has voted on projects submitted for Outstanding Projects Award Program 2001. In each of 6 categories one project will get an outstanding project designation. The winners will be announced at the June meeting.

Susan Gardner reported on the LOCEA Awards. Only one project was submitted. A discussion was held concerning continuation of the LOCEA Awards Program. There was general agreement that it was a good idea to incorporate the LOCEA projects in the Outstanding Projects Award Program.

There was a discussion of the National Public Service Award. It was suggested that the Christmas in April Project be submitted. Ann Epler is to present this to the YMF Board for consideration.

A discussion was held concerning the Outstanding Section and Branch Award, which will be made at the Houston convention in October. Susan Gardner will follow up on this award.

Compost Committee Representative: Joann Jewel has asked for a compost committee representative from the Section. Ron Borowski will solicit a representative by sending out an e-mail. Linda DeBoldt will be the contact for this committee.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Ron Borowski asked if the Board is interested in hiring bookkeeper assistance. It was decided to consider outside bookkeeping help when next year’s budget is prepared.

Ann Epler raised a concern about record keeping. A discussion was held concerning establishing a policy action catalog or binder. This would provide quick reference to the Board’s resolutions. It was decided that his comes under the secretary’s duties and should be added to the Board procedures manual.

Susan Gardner presented the R. H. Thompson Scholarship selection. On April 13th the committee interviewed 5 candidates out of 15 qualified applicants. Allison Fast, a freshman at Whitman College, is the recipient of this year’s R. H. Thompson Scholarship. It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to award Allison Fast the R. H. Thompson Scholarship.

Election Results: Susan Gardner presented the election results for the 2001-2002 Board:

President Ron Borowski

President-Elect Ray Walton

Secretary James Wilholt

Director Susan Chang (term through 2004)

A discussion was held concerning paying speakers for the monthly Seattle Section meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

— minutes prepared by Bob Boudinot

North Branch Officer -
Request for Candidates

ASCE North Branch is planning to elect officers in June. We will need at least one new officer this year for the Vice President position. The primary responsibility is to help organize the Section meetings. If you are interested in standing for the position please contact either Mark Ingham at mingham@anvilcorp.com or Michael Durbin (360) 647-7151.