More and more attention is being given to Teamwork. The Outstanding Project Awards Program is an excellent way to promote recognition of governments and the consultant community and their respective accomplishments. ASCE benefits from the good spirit of the participants and the recognition of the Society’s activities in our nine-county area.

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of the civil engineering profession, and the team approach, which frequently occurs between the public sector project sponsors and the consultant community on delivering quality projects. These teams often have many members, from the project concept originator to the fund finder to the client project manager, owners’ rep, design team and construction manager, and the other multidisciplinary staff who bring these projects to their successful completion. It is important for these individuals to be recognized on an ongoing basis during a project’s life— in presentations, in public meetings, and in the media. Let’s share the recognition deserved by the range of team members.

Speaking of awards, I am happy to announce that the Section has been awarded grants by ASCE National in response to several grant applications we submitted in late 2001. National has approved the following amounts:  $1,350 for the Popsicle Bridge (PSB) Contest conducted by the Younger Members Forum, $1,470 for the Section’s Rebuilding Together program, $1,000 for Media Training, and $2,000 for our 150th Anniversary activities this year.  Our Congratulations go to Ron Leimkuhler, Awards Committee Chair, and all who conceived of the grant ideas and wrote up these applications. Great work!

There is still time to put the Popsicle Bridge Contest on your weekend calendar of entertainment activities. Pencil in Saturday, February 16 at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue.  Bring yourself, your family, and friends to share in the excitement of the high school students whose creations are judged for design, aesthetics, and the ability to endure the load-testing machine. This is even a fun time for pre-high school students. Besides, you all get the opportunity to view the engineering exhibits put on display by the Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC) booth participants in their annual effort to stimulate interest in one of the best professions—engineering.

And in February, the Kitsap Branch is wrapping up the West Point Bridge Contest, which has created a stir of excitement amongst middle schoolers. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to begin a West Point Bridge Contest in your locales to educate prospective engineers and scientists about physics and how bridges work.

My last item is a repeat from last month. Repetition is important on the following topic. The State Legislature is now in session. Items crucial to our Section and Branches geographic area infrastructure will be considered. Feel free to independently contact by letter or email the State legislators who represent you, either where you live or work. And through our ASCE lines of communication, contact our Architect and Engineers Legislative Council Committee and Legislative Committee Chairs, Jim Thompson (425-771-3304) and Jeff Highley (425-455-2525 or 206-768-5756) respectively, and volunteer your services with reviewing bills, contacting decision makers, or providing facts and figures on the condition and needs of our infrastructure. Start with a call to them to see how you may pitch in. Get invested, get involved!

ASCE Seattle Section Meeting
Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Place:  Ballard Yankee Grill
            5300 24th Ave. NW   

Menu:  London Broil with
            Whiskey Bread Pudding      

Cost:    $21 per person*

            *A $2.00 penalty will be made for attending without a reservation.            Spouses and guests are invited.
Cash or checks payable to ASCE are accepted.

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

Reservations must be made by NOON, 2/11.  Call 206-926-0482
(voice mail system only­ - leave a message)

 New York World Trade Center and Terrorism:

Reflections on the Engineering and the Future

Jon Magnusson, Chairman/CEO of Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire, will describe what made the structures of the World Trade Center special  and innovative.  The discussion will cover how they were designed and built, what went right, what went wrong, and what lessons might be learned for the future as a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.  Jon will also share ideas and actions to increase the survivability of buildings  subjected to unanticipated hazards, accidental or intentional.

Management in Engineering Committee
 Seeks Board Members

The Management in Engineering Committee is looking for Board Members.  Please contact Timothy Lowry at 206-937-5380 or TimothyLowry@attbi.com for more information or to express interest in holding an office.

Attention Committee Chairs

Do you wonder why some committees get more coverage in the newsletter than others?  It’s because they keep the editors informed of upcoming meetings and events.  When space allows we will gladly include program summaries for your committees, and at the very least we will include the meeting dates on the “Upcoming Events” calendar.  Please take a moment to add miaci@earthlink.net to your distribution lists.

Contributions to Wade Memorial Scholarship
 reach $9,000

Contributions to the Larry Wade Memorial Scholarship  fund  have reached $9,000  or almost 20 percent of the $50,000 necessary to establish an endowment to fund a scholarship  for an engineering student at the University of Washington.  Donations can be sent to:  The Larry Wade Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o ASCE Seattle Section, P.O. Box 24925, Seattle, WA 98124.  Or stop by any Washington Mutual Branch and  make a check out to the Larry Wade Memorial Scholarship Fund, Account #039300000511072. What could be easier?  Contribute today.

Board Member Nominations Sought Now

It’s time to solicit candidates for Section Board positions for the 2002-2003 year.  The open positions are President-Elect (essentially a 3-year position, moving into President, then Immediate Past President), Treasurer (a 2-year term), and Director (a 3-year term).  Our Section is very dynamic and the role of a Board Member is vital to its successful function.  Contact Ron Leimkuhler, Immediate Past President, at (206) 622-5822, ext. 525 or ronl@kpff.com for further information or to indicate your interest in one of the positions.  Nominations are due by February 15.

ASCE Seattle Section Executive Board Meeting Minutes
for January 9, 2002

Attendees:   Board Members: Ron Borowski, Ron Leimkuhler, Ray Walton, James Wilhoit, Bob Boudinot, Linda DeBoldt, Arthur Fleming, Susan Chang, Ann Epler.
PSEC Rep: Don Northey.

Section President Ron Borowski called the meeting to order at 4:18 p.m.

December 12, 2001, Meeting minutes:  The minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Report through December 2001 was reviewed.  Treasurer Arthur Fleming advised he would probably be moving CDs due to mature in March from WA Mutual to Morgan Stanley, briefed Board on advantages of doing this.  Also explained that newsletter costs to date were slightly high because of some expenses from 2000-2001 which he’d just received and paid.  Ron Leimkuhler inquired if dues received to date were consistent with to-date totals at calendar-year end in previous years.  Arthur to research this and report.  Treasurer’s report was approved. 

Committee Reports:

Susan Chang, Linda DeBoldt, Bob Boudinot, and Ann Epler presented status reports for the Technical and Standing Committees, Branches, YMF, and PSEC, respectively.

Technical Committees: Susan Chang reported: Geotechnical Group to meet Thursday, Jan. 24,  tentative program Denny Way CSO.  Waterways, Ports- Ron Borowski talked with Chair Gary Watters  regarding setting up a program of lunch meetings for the year.  Next Water Resources brown bag lunch will be Thurs., Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m. at HDR, Bellevue (425-453-1523), presenting the Clover Creek Regional Detention Facility Project (announced at Dec. Board meeting).  Borowski advised that Infrastructure, chaired by Mary Rutherford, had met jointly in December with CECW and ACEC.  He  said that Dave Swanson proposed that a workshop be held on the topic of seismic emergency response activity with engineering focus in conjunction with FEMA, which Borowski suggested could be orchestrated by  Dave’s  Lifeline Committee this year.   Chang indicated she would coordinate with Technical Committee Chairs to develop programs for this year and encourage member activity.

Standing Committees: Linda Deboldt reported: Public Relations: Chair Dave Schwegel planning to represent ASCE at IEEE’s Future Cities Competition Jan. 26, and to publicize ASCE Engineering Fair activities via business calendar announcements and press releases – key participating personnel requested to e-mail pertinent information to him (dschwegel@barghausen.com).  University Advisory Committee next meeting Friday, Jan. 25, (to be combined with UW Mentor Night).  History & Heritage Committee still developing H&H info for Section web page (see also ASCE 150th Anniversary Celebration).  Professional Practices Committee: Chair Tom Tobin is getting Committee together to evaluate two new items : (1) ASCE Seattle Section’s offer of assistance to government agencies in recruitment/hiring of engineers for senior management positions in government agencies, and (2) potential of mandatory continuing professional development for PE license renewal in Washington State.  No meeting date set yet.  Leimkuhler reported he has copies of Revised WAC on Professional Conduct with licensing changes, is providing to Tobin and Board members.

North and Kitsap Branches:  North Branch: next meeting to be Feb. 20 at Izzy’s in Bellingham, with presentation on traffic calming/pedestrian design by Kerenza Swanson of TRANPO (program incorrectly identified in Jan. Newsletter). Kitsap Branch: meets second Tues. of month, met Jan. 8, with presentation on Trans-Lake WA Project by Dave Hildebrant of Parametrix, also briefing by Olympia lobbyist Cliff Webster.   Next meeting to be Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Campaña’s in Poulsbo.  No joint meeting with branches yet scheduled; .Borowski said he is encouraging  Section meeting speakers to give presentations at branches as well.  Accumulated reserves of both Branches also discussed, in conjunction with possible dues increase for associate members (see OLD BUSINESS) and redistribution of allotments to committees, branches, etc. in future years.  Bob advised that Kitsap Branch will be giving $1,500 to winners of West Point bridge contest for schools.  And it was also noted that, although Section rosters correctly identify Michael Durbin as current president of North Branch, former president Mark Ingham is still listed in Newsletter.  To be brought to newsletter editors’ attention for correction.

YMF:  Ann reported that YMF had received invoice for $2,500 for its participation in the upcoming “Rebuilding Together” event (Sat., Apr. 27- Ann and Mary Holland are points of contact [POCs]) but had not gotten response on its application to ASCE National for SPAG grant to cover this, may need some temporary funding from Section.  Also reported that members have been visiting schools to publicize Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition (Feb. 16 at Crossroads Mall), will be meeting for “Trivia Night” at The Globe (100th & Greenwood) Jan. 17. Ann encouraged the Board to keep in mind that the Rebuilding Together effort is a Section-wide activity.

PSEC: Don Northey reported on plans for Engineering Fair Feb. 16-17, at Crossroads, and subsequent Engineers Week, with finale Banquet Feb. 23 at College Club, featuring John Magnusson as guest speaker.  Again noted that ASCE Section still needs permanent PSEC chair/rep, and he advised that the Section’s rep is to be designated as Banquet chairperson. Don indicated he is serving as acting PSEC Chair for our Section until a permanent Chair is identified. Borowski announced that no one yet has volunteered to coordinate and man ASCE Section booth at Fair,  and if no volunteers by end of Jan., unfortunately, the Section won’t be able to have a booth.  PSEC Fair coordinator is Steve Snelling.  Request for project photos for PSEC booth given to H&H Committee which is working on it.  No nominations received for PSEC awards to individuals, will put out final call to Standing and Technical Committees, with Jan. 18 deadline.  Dues are owed to PSEC, Treasurer to send in soon. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Awards and Grants:  Leimkuhler reported no nominations received for Zone Public Service and Citizen Service Awards.

 Outstanding Project Awards: Nominations still expected, due Jan. 31 per Leimkuhler.

Larry Wade Memorial Scholarship Fund:  Leimkuhler reported that $6,750 had been raised so far, not including the Section’s  $2,000 match, for which the Treasurer provided payment at the meeting.

State Public Affairs (SPAG) Grants: See comments under Committee Reports.

ASCE 150th Anniversary Celebration:  History & Heritage Committee is now working with Section coordinator Chuck Greely, making a poster and PowerPoint presentation for the celebration.  H&H requesting $150 to make the poster (mounted on foamcore board and laminated). Chuck is developing an action plan for this year’s activities.

Dues Increase for Associate Members:  Background discussed- Current Section dues for associate members are $20, for regular members $30.  Some committees have not had their full budget requests approved, in particular YMF in this year’s budget.  If associate member dues were increased to same level as regular members, or to some intermediate amount, there might be more revenues to accommodate unmet budget requests (unless associate membership drops due to significant increase).  Linda noted that there are several alternatives that can be studied to address funding budget requests, including dipping into Section’s reserve funds in securities accounts, etc.  Borowski asked Ann to discuss potential dues increase with YMF members and report her feedback at next Board meeting.

Newsletter Cost-cutting:  Ray Walton has formed committee to study issue.  Will be putting survey or notice in Newsletter requesting feedback on electronic on-line distribution proposals.

Monthly Section Meeting Programs:  Jon Magnusson to give presentation on World Trade Center at Feb. meeting.  Chang   noted that Larry Roth, Director from ASCE National, would be coming to Seattle area for a meeting on sustainable development, might be asked to address same subject at Section’s Sept. or Oct. meeting. 

Public Sector Sr. Mgt Recruitment:  See Professional Practices (Standing Committees).

Alaskan Way Viaduct Review Team  Concept:  Following up on the Board’s positive discussion at the December Board meeting, Borowski offered a motion on this proposal issue which was discussed, amended, and voted on as amended.  He advised that he had drafted it following consultation with ASCE counsel Tom Smith, who would be reviewing formal agreements with the co-lead agencies on the project (WA State DOT and City of Seattle) before the Section entered into them.  The motion, as amended, read: “The Seattle Section Board directs Section membership to explore the conduct  of an expert review or peer review panel for the Alaskan Way Viaduct project undertaken by the State and City.  Further, the Board asks the panel to confer with the project proponents, and if found supportive of the proposal, to pursue with the panel activity  and the recommendations and findings during the course of the engineering and predesign process.  Panel action shall include developing and entering into a satisfactory liability agreement with project proponents.”  Motion passed with one abstention, all others affirmative.  Borowski indicated that  Ted Bell has stepped forward as chair of the panel, and emphasized that it should proceed with due deliberation, with all members understanding that neither they nor Section would receive any pay for their personal services, and that no one affiliated with any of the 30 firms hired by the project proponents to conduct the predesign  and EIS should serve on the Section panel.  Actual agreements will be written so as to “hold harmless” the Section and its participants.

NEW BUSINESS:

Notices of Committee Activities: Borowski reminded all of importance of getting out the word about speakers and events via the newsletter and website.

Communications during the 2002 Legislative Session:  Legislative Chair Jeff Highley is POC for reviewing proposed bills, can provide a list of bills if requested.  Date for “Day on the Hill” Legislative Reception in Olympia in February (see Dec. 2001 minutes) not yet set.  Borowski suggested that  the Section reps who attend  should have a prepared agenda reflecting the Section’s interests.

Pacific Northwest Council dues: Treasurer to get accurate Section member count, then send in the payment. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. 

Meeting minutes recorded by James Wilhoit.

Newsletter Cost Cutting
by Raymond Walton, President-Elect

Due to the rising costs of printing and mailing the Seattle Section monthly newsletter, we want to explore ways to trim costs and even improve our communications with Section members on important topics.  However, we also appreciate the importance of the newsletter and wish to preserve, or even expand, the information shared via the newsletter and website.

The Section has formed an exploratory Committee to consider alternative ways to deliver the newsletter and other information.  Some possibilities are: (1) keep things the way they are, (2) mail a stapled, plain-paper copy, (3) email an electronic newsletter, or (4) post the newsletter on the Section’s website – or some combination of these.  The Board has asked us to propose an alternative by April 2002.

We need ideas! The Committee and I would very much like to hear your views and preferences – before March 15, please.  Questions include “would you be willing to accept an electronic newsletter instead of the mailed version?” and “how many members cannot receive electronic communications?”  You can contact me by email at RWalton@WESTConsultants.com, by phone at 425-646-8806 or mail me at WEST Consultants, Inc., 12509 Bel-Red Road, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98005-2535.  This is your newsletter, and we want to preserve its content while reducing costs.

Creating and Keeping Top Performers

Does your organization have trouble:  motivating and developing top performers?  Keeping your best people?  Learn about creating high-performance environments and how to accelerate your value and effectiveness as a manager.  Linda Silsbee and Kelly Ferguson of the Performance Dimensions Group will be the speakers at the February 27 Management in Engineering Committee Meeting. 

The topic for the March 27 meeting is “Management Trends:  Engineering Services:  Innoviation or Commodity?”  For more information contact Timothy Lowry at 206-937-5380 or email him at TimothyLowry@attbi.com.

PEPL Courses Offered

The University of Washington Professional Engineering Practice Liaison (PEPL) will be offering the following courses :

Stormwater Treatment:  Chemical, Biological, and Engineering Principles — February 20 and 21

Writing for Success —February 20, 25, 27, March 4 & 6

Storm and Surface Water Monitoring — March 12 & 13

Construction Site Erosion and Pollution Control — May 15 and 16.

For more information, go to:
www.engr.washington.edu/epp/Pepl