| Having a Passion for Your Profession By Steve Hart, President-Elect My theme for the 1998-99 year is having a passion for your profession. Ours is one of the noblest of professions. In public opinion, we are ranked just behind priests in terms of our integrity. If you consider how civil engineering has been responsible for clean water and implementing sound sanitary practices, our work has done more to save lives than the medical profession and in preserving our lakes and rivers for fish and recreation. We have solved complex traffic problems for congested cities. We have powered industry with hydroelectric projects. We have shaped cities with the construction of skyscrapers. Consequently, I feel proud about and passionate toward our profession. On September 28th, the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech”, about 30 of our most passionate members met during a leadership workshop. During the workshop, the group helped to shape our vision and goals for the upcoming year. The general consensus of the group was for the Section to do a better job in:
I do feel that through John Hastig’s leadership
that steps were made in bringing the branches and student
chapters closer to the Section. Several people observed
that Section members could appear intimidating to
Students when they wear a coats and tie. Our Branch
members wear casual attire to their meetings. Certainly,
attire at work is more casual than even a year ago.
Therefore, I encourage our members not to dress up just
for the sake of going to a Section Meeting. Another way to bring the membership closer to the
students is through a mentorship program. The program
envisioned at the Workshop was to have a panel discussion
for the Students at the UW and Seattle U. About six
practitioners in both the private and public sectors
would participate in the panel discussion followed by a
social hour. The social hour would allow students some
time to get to know the practitioners and to informally
partner with the potential mentors. The mechanics of this
program are still being worked out. However, if anyone is
interested in participating, please send me an e-mail to
show your interest (Shart@rwbeck.com) Other ways of bringing the Student Chapters and
Branches closer with the Section are through: 1) joint
branch-section meetings; 2) better awareness and use of
the WebPage; 3) better communication of Section
activities; 4) having some of the technical committee
meetings held on campus; and 4) providing speakers for
the Student Chapters. Finally, we need to have new
student contact representatives for both Seattle
University and UW. These representatives would also
become members of the University Advisory Committee,
which is being resurrected under the leadership of
Clifford Williams. Please send me an e-mail if you are
interested. The second area of focus, “Improving our image
locally through public relations”, is made possible
with our new Public Relations Chair, James Wilhoit.
I’m really excited that the committee will be
effective in getting the news out about our Section
activities. Of course a committee can not be effective
unless it has more than its chair. People wanting to help
out in public relations should call James, but feel free
to contact any of your Board members. The final area of focus, “Increasing the participation of our membership in Section activities” is really my plea to the membership to come out to Section, Branch, AMF, and Student Chapter and committee meetings. We will do our best in getting the word out as to time and location of meetings and activities, not only through our newsletter, but also through the Section’s WebPage. However, I sense that just getting the word out is insufficient. I believe that many of us have apathy towards their profession. They do their work, collect their paycheck and go home. This may be understandable if they have a family to raise and have become involved in the PTA, but for many of us we lose sight of an obligation in giving back to the profession that has provided us good paying jobs and rewarding work. One of the goals of National is to improve the image of the civil engineer as a decision-maker. Apparently, our image of integrity does not carry over to leadership positions. Therefore, to improve our public image as leaders, more of us need to become visibly active within our community. Participating in Section activities may seem a bother to many of us with our busy schedules, but participation is rewarding and, in my opinion, provides the best means for visibility. My dream is that many more of us will become passionate about our profession by becoming active in our great organization. |
Announcement The
newsletter editor for the Seattle Section of ASCE has
changed. Grace Kwok |
| GEOTECHNICAL GROUP UPCOMING
ACTIVITIES The Geotechnical Group is off to an excellent start arranging activities for the coming year. Topics currently scheduled for presentation at our monthly dinner meetings include the 1996 Terzaghi lecture on geosynthetics (Sept. 1998), testing of deep foundations (Oct.), installation and testing of piles at the new Pacific Northwest Baseball Stadium (Nov), Ground Freezing (Jan. 1999), WSDOT Rock fall program and cut slope design (Feb), innovative shoring system for the Portland Light Rail System (Mar), and the 1998 Terzaghi lecture on deep foundations (April). Dinner meetings are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of each month, except for the November meeting, which will be joint with the Section on November 11. For a full meeting schedule contact me at Shannon & Wilson, Inc. (206-632-8020, srb@shanwil.com). The Geotechnical group has been presenting seminars on topics of interest to its members each year since 1984. The seminars are offered each spring. The April 1998 seminar on landslides in the Puget Sound Region attracted engineers, geologists, regulators, developers, and realtors from throughout the northwest. We are in the process of selecting a topic and assembling a coordinating committee for the 1999 seminar. If you would like to participate in planning for this seminar, please contact Lei Lu at Golder Associates, Inc. (425-883-0777). This year, in partnership with the Seattle Section of the Association of Engineering Geologists and Seattle Public Utilities, we hope to put on two or three public meetings on landslide prevention. A panel of geotechnical engineers and geologists will answer questions from property owners and provide them guidance for preparing their property for the landslide season. The current vision is for these meetings to occur in October or November, but dates have not been set. If you would like to participate contact Bill Laprade at Shannon & Wilson, Inc. (206-632-8020). We are off to a good start and anticipate 1998-1999 will be another interesting year. However, it will also be a busy time and present challenges for those involved in the Geotechnical Group planning committed and our sub-committees. We encourage interested members of ASCE and Geo-Institute organizations to become active in the Geotechnical Group so that we can continue to offer quality programs to the local geotechnical community. Our planning committee meets at noon on the third Thursday of each month. Please contact me at the phone number or email given in the first paragraph for more information. Stan Boyle Chair – Geotechnical Group |
| Job Opportunities Employment advertisements may be
placed by contacting the editor, Grace Kwok,
prior to the newsletter deadline each month.
|
| Moon Creek Reclamation Project -
Creative Cleanup Solutions for an Historic Mine Site Susan M. Alvarez, P.E. will be the featured speaker at the ASCE Water Resources and Environmental Committee on October 15th. The meeting location will be at the offices of HDR in Bellevue.
|
UNIVERSITY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE |
Drilling and Blasting Techniques for Construction, Quarrying, Open Pit Mining, Trenching and Pipe Lines The College of Engineering at the University of Washington will offer the Drilling and Blasting Techniques course on January 18 - 22, 1999 in Seattle. This annual five day program presents engineers and project managers with the opportunity to increase their understanding of modern, successful techniques used to effectively manage the drilling and blasting project from initial cost estimating to project completion and evaluation. New with this session will be more in-depth focus on project management/risk management in construction blasting. This new emphasis is especially relevant to public officials and agency personnel who design and oversee public projects such as building and highway construction, sanitary, water and other construction projects which require the use of blasting as a tool. The instructors for the 1999 program are Jerry R. Wallace, Wallace Technical Blasting and John L. Floyd, Blast Dynamics. For information and a detailed course brochure, contact Engineering Professional Programs, University of Washington by Phone: (206) 543-5539, FAX (206) 543-2352 or Email: uw-epp@engr.washington.edu . For online information: www.engr.washington.edu/epp/. |
| SECTION PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE The Section Public Information Committee is gearing up for action during the coming year. Its primary function will be to publicize section activities and items of civil engineering interest in the areamedia, and to project a positive image for the civil engineering profession in the community. If you're interested in getting involved in this vital activity, please contact the Committee Chairman: James Wilhoit 910 Grant Ave S Renton WA 98055 (425) 228-4376 H (206) 440-4292 W e-mail: wilhoit@wsdot.wa.gov" AELC First Annual Golf "Fun" Raiser Please join us as we raise funds to benefit Political Action Committees that support Design Professionals and the industry: Friday, October 23rd at Echo Falls Country Club Contribution: $125 includes golf cart, lunch and prizes Competition: Scramble - sign up as a foursome or as an individual and we will place you with a team. Shotgun Start will be at 8:30 A.M. Luncheon and presentations start at 1:00 P.M. Cliff Webster, AELC lobbyist will be the MC. Eight trade associations and professional societies including ASCE comprise the AELC. It provides an organization for associations and/or organizations of architects and architectural firms, engineers and engineering firms in Washington State to work cooperatively on legislative objectives and issues for the improvement of business conditions. This is an excellent opportunity to support the organization that fights for important issues like tort reform, QBS, infrastructure funding and fair competition; to network with other professionals; and to have a good time! For more information or to be faxed a registration form, please contact Fred Kern at (206) 632-2664 |
| Dear Editor, John Hastig made it clear the left lane and the HOV lane of a freeway, should not be used except for passing. I agree the left lane, other than the HOV lane, should be used for passing only. I contacted the State Transportation Department Ombudsman’s office and they informed me the HOV lane is not a passing lane. John apparently believes it is a good idea for a driver, in the left HOV lane to move right, into the passing lane, to let a vehicle pass in the HOV lane. If a HOV driver enters the passing lane, while driving the speed limit, there is a very good chance they will slow traffic and will need to move right again. John goes on to imply the driver in the center lane of a three lane freeway, should move right to let others pass. I question the wisdom of doing this. The right lane, in an urban area, is used mostly for exiting and entering. Driving the speed limit in the right lane can be very dangerous. John seems to be saying, it is OK for a driver to constantly switch lanes, while driving the speed limit, to let speeding drivers pass. I fail to see the logic in this. I don’t believe John understands the rules of the road or what is considered safe driving. Sincerely, Ted Luebke Dear Editor: After all my pleas for individuals to use their newsletter, I have finally received a comment on one of my columns. I want to thank Ted Luebke for his comments. I wish more members would take the time to make comments. This newsletter is for communications with the Section membership and the expression of ideas. Ted has taken me to task for my comments on using the HOV and middle lanes. What Ted says actually supports my comments. Let me clarify, first by saying my general rule is “If not actively passing - MOVE RIGH”T. By “actively passing”, I mean, you are intending to pass ( and traveling fast enough to do so) within the next minute or so. I agree, the HOV lanes are not passing lanes. Their intent is to give preference to HOV’s (only) and facilitate their movement when the other lanes are travelling at slower speeds or are stopped. Ted’s comment “If a HOV driver enters the passing lane, while driving the speed limit (or slower - John), there is a very good chance they will slow traffic and will need to move right again” is precisely what I was addressing. If the HOV lane driver is being passed on the right, there is no need for that driver to be in the HOV lane. The speed he/she desires to drive whether below, at, or above the speed limit, can be accommodated in the general purpose lanes. If he/she is not travelling fast enough to warrant staying in the passing lane, why should he/she be travelling in the HOV lane which is intended to provide for a travel speed by an HOV which is not accommodated in the general purpose lanes? Ted’s second comment relates to my discussion of slower drivers driving in the middle lane of a three lane freeway. If you are not actively passing and traffic is behind or approaching you from behind, move right. If traffic is merging and leaving the freeway, the merging and leaving movements are impeding traffic in the right lane, and you are about to pass, use the middle lane to pass under the “rule”. I don’t advocate continuous lane changing or speeding. What I do advocate is being aware of those behind you and moving right to facilitate smooth traffic flow. Drivers need to recognize that drivers drive at different speeds. When slower drivers persist in driving in the left or HOV and impeding other drivers, they force the other drivers to make multiple lane changes to get around them. The also frustrate the other drivers which tends to increase the incidents of road rage we hear about regularly. Thanks for your comments, Ted. We’re not far apart. People need to realize that while they may have a legal right to drive in a lane, they should use it as it is intended. Those who don’t are costing many of us frustration and all of us money. John D. Hastig P.E. President, Seattle Section |
| Should Section Dues be Mandatory By Steve Hart, President-Elect During the last Section Meeting the question was asked, “Should there be mandatory dues for all Section Members?” Presently, only half our section members pay their dues because it’s optional. By paying section dues, the cost of annual dues increases by $30 to about $160. With the dues being as high as they are, I don’t think it’s surprising that many members are reluctant to pay that additional $30. But is that fair to the Section due-paying member. After all, if everyone paid, then the total annual cost could be reduced, in theory, to $145 per year. One member from the Section meeting asked, “What
do we get for paying $30?” I thought that was a very
good question because I’m sure the majority of our
members don’t fully understand what the Section does
with a $40,000 budget and what the benefits are to its
membership. The following table summarizes my
interpretation of how our budget is spent.
Besides the newsletter, other Section activities
provide benefits to all of our members whether or not
they are active or dues paying. Our legislative budget
goes primarily to paying a lobbyist to help us influence
our legislatures on key State bills. Through their
efforts, the engineering community benefits. To improve
the image of the civil engineer, the section really
spends more than the $1,250 budget shown in the above
table. Actually, most of our remaining budget is public
relations related. For example, AMF coordinates the
Popsicle-bridge contest and habitat for humanity
projects. The UW students build concrete-canoes and
coordinated races at Greenlake. Many of the technical
committees produce white papers on engineering topics.
Our dues to Puget Sound Engineering Council are primarily
for Engineers Week activities and for Awards honoring
engineers. Our branches are also involved in public
relations activities. All of these activities improve the
civil engineers image, and all Section members benefit
whether or not they are dues paying. With all Section members being kept informed of our
activities, by influencing our congressional delegation
on some bills and improving the image of the civil
engineer, not only do none-dues paying members benefit,
but non members of the civil engineering community. In
conclusion, $30 for Section dues is a relatively small
price for what our members receive whether they are
active or not. I only wish more civil engineers would
realize the importance of participating and helping out.
Its called paying your dues to your profession, which has
contributed much to all of our lives. In response to the question of “Should there be
mandatory dues for all Section Members?”, the
majority of the members at our September Section meeting
voted yes to the question. At the September 19th Pacific
Northwest Council Meeting, I will carry the
Section’s message, as your delegate, stating that
National should change its dues requirement to make
section dues mandatory. |
| SEATTLE SECTION ASCE - MINUTES OF BOARD
MEETING Wednesday, September 9, 1998, at Yankee Diner, Ballard Attendees: John Hastig, Steve Hart, Tom Armour, Jim Alverson, Ron Leimkuhler, Monique Nykamp, Susan Gardner, Phil Cohen, Shannon Kinsella, Don Northey, James Wilhoit, Darrell Smith, Larry Wade. 1. The meeting was called to order by the President at 4:22pm. 2. Regular Business - No additions were made to the printed agenda that was distributed by the President. Minutes of the Board meeting of June 10 were approved. The Treasurer's report for June-August, 1998 was reviewed and approved. Overall, expenses for the fiscal year have been at or under budget and revenues are up somewhat from the amount budgeted. A meeting of the Treasurer and key committee chair persons is scheduled for October 1, 1998 for establishing a proposed budget for FY 1998-99. An audit of the books is to be scheduled by the Audit Committee by September 30. It was noted that the Board previously voted to increase annual Section dues from $28.00 to $30 beginning in FY 1998-99. 3. Committee Reports - Ron Leimkuhler reported that a coordination meeting for chair persons of the technical committees will be held in late October. Ron Borowski will continue as Chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee and Einer Handeland will serve as Co-Chair. The T&I Committee is preparing a white paper in reference to a proposed bond measure [Referendum # 49] for $1.8 billion of transportation financing that will appear on the election ballot in Washington in November, 1998. The T&I Committee intends to prepare a "report card" on the status of public infrastructure in the Section's service area, which will be released to the public subject to approval of the Board. 4. Branch Reports - The Kitsap Branch held its first meeting of the new year on September 8, with a number of newcomers in attendance. The October meeting will be on the topic of aerial mapping. Kitsap Branch meetings are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month. This Branch elected new officers, including Darrell Smith, President; Joel Paulson, Vice-President; and Alan Biggs, Secretary-Treasurer. The North Branch held a successful meeting in August at Larabee State Park. The topic was GPS equipment and operation. New North Branch officers include Tony Freeland, President; Lynn Billington, Vice-President; Mark Ingham, Secretary-Treasurer. 5. Associate Member Forum (AMF) - Monique Nykamp noted that an AMF planning meeting is scheduled for late September. Joe Clare has been elected President of AMF for 1998-99 and Bob Bucher will be AMF rep to the Board. Aeli Kim has volunteered to be coordinator of the Popsicle Bridge contest in February, 1999. 6. National Water Resources Engineering Conference (Seattle, August 1999) - In the absence of Director Walton no status report was available. A call for papers has been issued by ASCE National. 7. Convention 2000 - The ASCE National Convention will be held in Seattle in October 2000. John Welch, the Section's representative on the National convention committee, will attend this year's convention in Boston in October. A portion of John's expenses will be defrayed by National. The Board voted to pay John's registration fee and the usual stipend for daily subsistence at the convention. 9. Old Business - 9.1 No nominations for LOCEA awards have been received to date. If none are received through October no LOCEA will be designated for this year. 9.2 Steve Hart will review and propose needed changes the Section's Procedures Manual & Bylaws. The Kitsap Branch will send its current by-laws, etc. to Steve. 9.3 The Board voted to continue the Section's membership in the Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC) for two more years (FY 1999 and 2000), since the consensus is that the Section receives some good PR from this organization. Don Northey is the new President of PSEC. Director Shannon Kinsella agreed to serve as the Section's liaison with PSEC. 9.4 The Geotechnical Engineering Committee is reported to be preparing a video tape and other materials for use in a series of public meetings pursuant to the grant received from ASCE National for disseminating information on landslide hazards and slope stability in the Puget Sound area. 9.5 As requested by the President, Don Northey will draft a policy statement for Board review and possible adoption in regard to defining the limits of structural design that a registered civil engineer should be allowed to perform. Some municipal jurisdictions are apparently requiring a licensed structural engineer to design or review and seal all designs for even the simplest structures that traditionally have been designed by civil engineers. 9.6 The President will prepare a draft position paper for Board consideration in regard to the Society's move last spring stipulating that a candidate for registration as a civil engineer must hold a masters degree from an accredited institution. The Board previously voted to oppose such a requirement. The President indicated his intention to present the Board's position in the form of a motion to the PNC later in September. 10. New Business - 10.1 The newly-elected Section officers were announced and introduced, as follows: President, Steve Hart; President-Elect, Susan Gardner; Treasurer, Phil Cohen; Director 2001, Shannon Kinsella; AMF Rep, Bob Bucher. Larry Wade has been elected the new Zone IV Vice-President. 10.3 A meeting of the Budget committee, to be chaired by the Treasurer, will be held October 1, and the draft budget will be presented to the Board at its October meeting. All committee chairs (technical and standing committees) will be notified of the meeting so they can input their respective budget needs. 10.4 The Section Annual Report to National must be submitted no later than November 30, 1998. The Treasurer, Committee chairs, and Branches should submit their financial information to Jim Alverson by October 15. 10.5 Public Relations Grant Program form National - The status of the Geotechnical Committee grant on landslide hazards is reported under Item 9.4. The Kitsap Branch was awarded a grant of approximately $2,200 for use in construction of the Clear Creek Trail Project located near Silverdale, Kitsap County. Due to a lack of communication, the funds from this grant have not yet been dispersed by the Section, but probably will be used this fall for a footbridge needed for the trail project. Darrell Smith reported that much work on the trail has been completed by various groups of volunteers, including ASCE members. Progress reports on use of the grant funds must be sent to National. Grants for new public relations projects may be obtained for 1999. The deadline for submitting grant applications is December 15. 10.6 The President noted that Ms. Gretchen Hyde is again serving as the coordinator for Zone IV at ASCE Headquarters. Her E-Mail address is ghyde@asce.org. 10.7 The Section's roster of officers and committee chairs will be submitted to National by September 14 for inclusion in the Society's new Official Register (for 1999). The Secretary is responsible for timely submittal of the required information. 10.8 The Treasurer was reminded that the Board previously voted to provide funds to the student chapters and that these amounts need to be included in the new budget. 10.9 Cindy Hirsch, chair of the Committee on History and Heritage, said that the committee requests funds from the Section for a bronze plaque for placement at the new (second) trailhead to the Iron Goat Trail. This trail, located near Stevens Pass, has previously been designated by ASCE as a National Civil Engineering Historic Landmark, and a plaque was installed at the first trailhead indicating this designation. The Board voted to provide up to $450.00 for the new plaque. 10.10 The President discussed the Society's new program directed toward increasing ASCE membership among engineers employed by governmental agencies. Membership in this sector remains below 20 percent of the qualified civil engineers. Discounts on dues are offered for group payment by government engineers. Officers and committee chairs and the general membership are asked to promote this program. 10.11 Subordinate Organizations - These include the AMF, the branches and technical committees that have their own funds, sources of revenue and bank accounts. The Board discussed concerns related to how these organizations use their funds in terms of possible adverse effects on the tax-exempt status of ASCE, and other possible uses. The Board has little or no control at present but these organizations are part of Seattle Section, ASCE. No action was taken , but discussion will be continued on this topic. 10.12 Steve Hart introduced James Wilhoit who has been appointed as our new Public Information Officer. The Board voted to reimburse James for his costs of about $45 for attendance at a training session as directed by Steve. 11. Action Items - It was suggested that the Section's web page be used as much as possible for various announcements, meeting schedules and meeting minutes. Margaret Hahn coordinates the web page. 12. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 pm. Respectfully submitted, James E. Alverson, Secretary |