President’s Column

After just having had elections, I would like to congratulate Cheryl Burwell (Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire Incorporated), the new Younger Member Forum (YMF) president! A HUGE thanks goes to Ann Epler (Hammond Collier Wade Livingstone) for serving as the YMF Board representative for one more year, making that three years as Board rep, and to Aeli Furtado (Lin and Associates) for serving two years as treasurer. Thank you for all your support and for making this past year so much fun! The president-elect is Holly Carter (DCI Engineers) and the treasurer is Athena Kalogiros (DCI Engineers). We also have a new secretary, Stephen Dailey (Henshaw Associates). The conference/social/community service coordinator is Paul Chu (URS Corporation), and the university liaison is David Wilson (RoseWater Engineering). Please note their contact information provided in this newsletter.

During the past year, the YMF activities consisted of Seattle Works Day in the spring, a Mariners game and picnic during the summer, the National Conference in the fall, the Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Contest, and monthly meetings. Not only did YMF participate in these activities, but YMF also supported the Building Big activities promoted by the Seattle Section as well as the mentoring program with the Universities.

Rebuilding Together is ASCE’s national community service partner. Rebuilding Together Seattle is a non-profit organization that works to rehabilitate the houses of low-income homeowners, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. Their objective is to make the homes such that the occupants may continue to live in warmth, safety, and independence. In an effort to support ASCE’s partnership with Rebuilding Together, the YMF officers decided to get a team together. However, because of all the skilled YMF volunteers, Rebuilding Together asked if we would consider sponsoring a home for next year! The YMF has approached the Board requesting section support for this activity since ASCE has made a commitment to the partnership. Please consider helping in this effort next year, whether in financial support, pre-event preparations, or participation the day of the event.

This month’s meeting will focus on the top presentations from the University of Washington and Seattle University competition.

Other events will include the Mentor Appreciation Program (see brief article elsewhere in this newsletter) and an address by Jim Carlsen, ASCE District 12 Director.

A reminder to all ASCE Mentors: The students from the University of Washington and Seattle University would like to recognize YOU as part of the evening program of the May 9 ASCE Seattle Section dinner meeting. Please be sure to join us in appreciating the wonderful individuals who have helped the Society enlighten and inspire the careers of future civil engineers!

Section President Ron Leimkuhler called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

The minutes should read that the February treasurer’s report was not approved.

Under the New Business section of the minutes:

1. Correct the spelling of Thomson in "R.H. Thomson Committee"

2. Add to minutes that the Board acknowledged receipt of the letter from John Hastig and decided to discuss the letter at the April Board meeting.

March meeting minutes approved as amended.

Treasurer’s Report:

Arthur Fleming was absent from the meeting: No treasurer’s report was presented.

The format and presentation of the treasurer’s report was discussed. Further discussion to be held at the May meeting.

Ron Borowski reported that the total value of the grant for assembling the Infrastructure Report Card was approximately $9,000. Of this, approximately $3,000 had been spent prior to issuance of the report, including Ron Leimkuhler’s estimates that $2,000 to $3,000 was spent in editing and production to issue the report. The funds remaining from the grant are to be determined. Ron Leimkuhler recommended that the Infrastructure Committee be tasked with determining how the remaining funds would be used for promoting the Report Card.

Committee reports were by Bob Boudinot and Ann Epler. Please see the calendar for North Branch activities. Officers are needed for the North Branch for next year. Those interested in serving as an officer should contact Bob.

Don Northey e-mailed his report for PSEC to the Board. UW’s Engineering Distinguished Lecture is April 18, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kane Hall. See www.cs@washington.edu
/news/colloq.info.html for more information. PSEC will hold an Inter-Society Officers Workshop on June 6 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bellevue Public Library. The purpose of this event is to bring officers and interested members of our engineering societies together to discuss issues of common interest.

Seattle Section Archives: Stan Boyle presented a summary of the options and costs for storing Section records during the first few years after they are developed so that they can be accessed if necessary. The Board decided that they would prefer to not pay for storage, that the files should be culled each year so that fewer boxes are maintained, and to send info to the WS Historical Museum more frequently. Each officer was requested to create a policy statement of what is to happen to their records at the end of each year. Susan Gardner suggested that each outgoing officer be tasked with culling their records and passing on as little as possible to the incoming officer.

Hastig Letter to Board: This letter was printed in the April Section newsletter. Larry Wade attended the Board meeting to contribute to the discussion of this letter. The options and possibilities are many and some were discussed. The Board decided to create a committee to evaluate the letter and poll Section members for other suggestions and input. Ron Bard, Ron Leimkuhler, Linda DeBoldt, Larry Wade, and Stan Boyle volunteered to serve on the committee. Others interested in participating should contact Ron Bard. (Note: John Hastig will also serve on the committee. Ron Bard will set up the first meeting.)

Funds Transfer Authorization: The Board authorized adding signature authority for Ron Leimkuhler to the Section Bank accounts.

Key Contact Program: Volunteers are being sought for this program. Contact Ron Leimkuhler.

Sponsorship of Students at May Meeting: CH2M-Hill has agreed to pay for the meals of up to 30 university students to attend the May meeting.

AELC Friend of the Court Brief: The Washington State Supreme Court is to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the Statute of Repose. This statute limits claims on projects to within six years from the completion date. AELC has asked ASCE for $500 in financial support for a friend of the court brief. This issue to be further reviewed and discussed at the next Board meeting. More information is at www.seaw.org.

Increased Visibility for Civil Engineer Role in Earthquake Mitigation: Ron Borowski asked if there was some way that the role of civil engineers in responding to the recent earthquake and assisting with recovery from the disaster could be publicized or made more visible to the general public. He suggested that interviews or statements from engineers who participated in the earthquake response might help to increase public awareness of the role of local engineers, showing their importance in responding to and anticipating real problems. Please contact Ron Borowski if you would like to contribute quotes, statements, or assistance to be used in potential articles.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.