***** CECO Convention *****
***** June 6-13, 2001 *****
***** St. Thomas, USVI *****
***** Details at www.cecok.org *****

IN THIS ISSUE

** CECO, ODOT, OTA, FHWA ENTER INTO PARTNERING AGREEMENT
** PARTNERING AGREEMENT
** TASK GROUPS FORMED
** MR. MCCALEB GOES TO WASHINGTON
** STATE BOARD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR P.E. EXAM COMMITTEE
** UPDATE FORMS LAST CALL
** IN MEMORY -- ROBERT J. MACARTHUR
** OFFICIAL NOTICE OF CECO ANNUAL MEETING
** NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
** SECURITY AGAINST COMPUTER VIRUSES

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CECO, ODOT, OTA, FHWA ENTER INTO PARTNERING AGREEMENT

April 6, 2001, was a landmark day for CECO. On that day, representatives of CECO, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the Oklahoma Transportation Authority met in a day-long session which resulted in the development and execution of a Partnering Agreement between the organizations.

CECO representatives included President Jerry Shepherd, President-Elect Mike Arand, Vice President Don Vick, Vice President Jerry Farrar, Past President Bob Williams, Jim Fisher, and Todd Brawley.

ODOT was represented by Bruce Taylor, Veldo Goins, Tim Gatz, Kurt Harms, Gary Ridley, Christine Senkowski, Bob Rusch, David Streb, and George Raymond.

Stacey Trumbo represented OTA and Lubin Quinones participated on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration.

The session was led by Dr. Gerald Graham, former dean of the College of Business at Wichita State University. Dr. Graham assisted in the development of the partnering agreement in Kansas, and has facilitated similar agreements in several other states.

Secretary of Transportation Neal McCaleb opened the meeting with brief remarks, stating that he was encouraged and excited that the organizations were coming together to develop a close, hand-in-hand working relationship.

The morning session was a "brain storming" session where many of the issues, desires, and concerns were outlined and discussed. Then, in the afternoon session, the morning discussions were condensed into a form from which the eventual agreement was produced.

Additionally, specific topics of concerns/problems/issues were listed by participants, which led to the development of "Action" items which will be addressed by Task Groups.

By days end, the group developed and signed the Partnering Agreement. The group also decided that the Steering Committee would meet on a quarterly basis to receive reports from Task Groups as well as to assign additional Task Groups. Also, the group set a goal of having an Annual Meeting which would be a gathering of all consultants and ODOT, OTA, and FHWA staff members.

All in all, it was an exciting and fruitful day. All of the organizations are committed to make this Partnering Agreement work, and this day was just the first step toward what promised to be a long and fruitful relationship.

More details will be coming soon, and a specific page on the CECO web site will be dedicated to the Partnering Agreement. In the near future, the web site will contain the actual agreement, Task Group updates, and other pertinent information.

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It shall be the mission of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oklahoma Transportation Authority (OTA) and the Consulting Engineers Council of Oklahoma (CECO) to successfully communicate and cooperate in providing quality, cost effective and safe transportation solutions which will result in successful projects.

The goals of this committee shall be to:

* Combine efforts to continuously improve the accuracy and quality of the provided services.

* Achieve and maintain public confidence and trust.

* Establish reasonable project scope, schedules and budgets and develop guidelines for achievement.

* Provide leadership to constituencies in adopting ideas that will continually improve our profession.

* Produce a successful, quality product for the owners and a profitable venture for the Consulting Firm.

* Share technical expertise and resources to jointly prevent and resolve problems.

* Develop a mutually beneficial Performance Measuring System.

To serve our mission and reach our goals, we will stress mutual respect, trust and understanding; competent teamwork and open communication.

The agreement was signed by all involved in the Partnering Session.

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TASK GROUPS FORMED

During the Partnering Session, several topics for discussion and action were identified by the group. Areas identified, in random order, included:

A. What is the ODOT criteria for selection
B. Timeliness of selections, negotiation of contracts, pre-qualification
C. How much or when will work be distributed
D. Contract language
E. Fair and responsible fee structure
F. Concurrent training opportunity
G. Clear project scope
H. Errors and Omissions
I. Supplemental/fee work (agreeing on the original scope of work)
J. Performance measures
L. Maintaining schedules & feed back
M. Timelyness of products delivered
N. Accountability for actions(who will make corrections when an error is discovered).
O. Work load and availability of Staff.
P. Need for one vested interest (warranty, everyone committed to quality).
Q. Utility Location.

From this list, six specific issues were assigned to Task Groups. Those groups and the team leaders are:

1. Clear Project Scope, Handling Scope Issues and Changes. Team Leaders: ODOT - Bruce Taylor, CECO - Jerry Farrar

2. Errors and Omissions/Accuracy of Product. Team Leaders: ODOT - Veldo Goins, CECO - Bob Williams

3. Performance Measures and Feedback, Milestones, and Standards. Team Leaders: ODOT - Veldo Goins, CECO - Mike Arand

4. Fair and Responsible Fee Structure. Team Leaders: ODOT - To Be Determined, CECO - Don Vick

5. Uniform Production Tools. Team Leaders: ODOT - Christine Senkowski, CECO - Todd Brawley

6. Contract Language. Team Leaders: ODOT - Tim Gatz, CECO - Jim Fisher

CECO members are strongly encouraged to volunteer to serve on one of these Task Groups. To be considered for appointment to a group, call the CECO Team Leader or the CECO Office.

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MR. MCCALEB GOES TO WASHINGTON

Oklahoma is losing a great person and CECO a great friend, but the United States will be better for it.

President Bush has nominated Oklahoma transportation boss Neal McCaleb to become head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"I'm honored and humbled by President Bush's confidence in considering me for a position of service to the Indian community," McCaleb said.

McCaleb, 65, received his engineering degree from Oklahoma A&M in 1957 and is a member of the Chickasaw Tribe but has never held an elected tribal office. He must be confirmed by the United States Senate.

"Neal McCaleb will bring a unique blend of skills, experience and background that will serve him well as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs," Interior Secretary Gale Norton said. "His compassion for Indian issues, decisive management skills and ability to facilitate dialogue will help to improve this program and the relationship of the department with Indian tribes around the country."

A quarter Chickasaw, McCaleb served on the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission from 1967 until 1972 when President Nixon appointed him to the National Council on Indian Opportunities. He also was a presidential appointee on Ronald Reagan's Commission on Indian Reservation Economics in the 1980s.

He was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1974 to 1982, serving as the minority floor leader. He lost a bid for Republican nomination for governor in 1982.

He served as secretary of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation from 1987 to 1990 under Gov. Henry Bellmon and was reappointed by Gov. Frank Keating in 1995. Under the Keating administration, he has developed the $3 billion road program for the state highway improvements and new construction of urban turnpikes.

"Neal has been an outstanding and vital member of my cabinet and is a trusted friend and adviser," Keating said. "Under his leadership, we were able to embark on the largest road-building plan in Oklahoma history."

McCaleb's transportation career in Oklahoma is lifelong. In addition to his service heading ODOT and OTA, Neal has been on the private practice side owning a CECO-member consulting engineering firm as well as heading the HNTB Corporation Oklahoma City office in the early 90's. Anyone who has spent even a couple of minutes with Neal knows of his passion for roads and transportation.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs oversees the education of 50,000 Indian schoolchildren, administers roughly 2,000 reservation law enforcement officers, and manages an estimated $500 million annually in mining and grazing royalties on tribal land. He also will be responsible for dealing with the politically contentious issue of gambling on Indian reservations.

"It is a source of great pride to have such an outstanding Chickasaw citizen appointed to this position," said Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. "Mr. McCaleb is a dedicated professional with a long history of distinguished service in the state of Oklahoma and there is no doubt he will provide excellent leadership at the Bureau of Indian Affairs."

Governor Keating has said he will name McCaleb's successor as soon as possible.

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STATE BOARD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR P.E. EXAM COMMITTEE

The Oklahoma State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors has submitted Rule revisions to the Oklahoma Legislature.

Among the rules submitted is a provision which would require all new professional engineer applicants and comity professional engineer applicants to take and pass a take-home exam covering Oklahoma law and rules relevant to the practice of engineering. A similar test for land surveyors has been in place for many years.

The Board is seeking input and assistance from the technical, trade, and professional societies regarding the development of this examination, and has asked CECO to assist by identifying candidates to serve on the Committee. If you are interested in helping develop and write this examination, please send your resume to CECO, 201 N.E. 27th Street, Suite 135, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.

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UPDATE FORMS LAST CALL

A few of weeks ago CECO sent all firms the annual ACEC Membership Certification Update Form. Several firms have still not responded and we ask for your help.

If you have not yet returned the Update form to CECO, please do so as soon as possible. We need the information, and also have to forward the information to ACEC for their use.

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IN MEMORY - ROBERT J. MACARTHUR

We are saddened to report the passing of Robert J. (Bob) MacArthur, 65, founder of MacArthur Associated Consultants and former CECO President.

Bob passed away on March 31, 2001 of heart failure due to complications with diabetes.

Born in Iowa, Bob was a civil engineering graduate of South Dakota State University. After service in the United States Air Force, Bob moved to Oklahoma in 1960 when he began working for HTB, Inc. In 1975, he opened MacArthur Associated Consultants, where he built a distinguished and successful consulting engineering career.

Bob had a long and loyal career of service to CECO. In addition to being CECO President in 1986-87, Bob served on many committees and was always willing to assist in any way possible. Bob was also an avid baseball fan and coach. He coached youth baseball in Oklahoma City for over 20 years, and regularly traveled to Arizona for the spring training season.

The family requests that memorials be made in Bob's name to the Diabetes Foundation, the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Fund, or the charity of your choice.

CECO extends our deepest sympathy to his wife Beverly, their two sons, and the entire family.

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OFFICIAL NOTICE OF CECO ANNUAL MEETING

As required by the CECO By-Laws, this shall serve as official notice of the Annual Meeting of the Council, scheduled for 9:00am, Friday, June 8, 2001. The meeting will be held at the Marriott Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

The 2001-2002 CECO Annual Budget will be presented for consideration and approval, annual reports will be presented, and election of officers for the 2001-2002 year will be conducted.

All members are urged to attend.

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

The CECO Nominating Committee presented its report at the April 26th CECO Meeting. The slate of officers for the 2001-02 year are:

* President-Elect, Chuck Darr, Darr-Collins, Oklahoma City
* Vice President - Membership, Mike Homan, Terracon, Tulsa
* Treasurer, Don Vick, JGVE, Inc, Oklahoma City
* Vice President - Business Practice, Jerry Farrar, CH2M Hill, Tulsa
* Vice President - Education/Public Relations, Jim Stewart, PSA Consulting Engineers, Oklahoma City

Mike Arand will automatically assume the Presidency at the Annual Meeting, Jerry Shepherd will become Immediate Past President, and Tony Dark will continue as ACEC National Director.

The election of officers will take place during the Annual Meeting of the Council, June 8th. Members not attending the Convention my vote by mail ballot. If you desire to vote, please mail a letter to CECO expressing your vote no later than Monday, June 4th.

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SECURITY AGAINST COMPUTER VIRUSES

ACEC, like many organizations around the world, has experienced its share of computer virus attacks this past year.

Virus threats will continue to exist, but training, education, and safe e-mail practices are key to warding off computer viruses. Regardless of your network security protections, it is important for everyone to follow these precautions:

1. Do not open attachments to e-mail messages unless you know exactly what they are and who they are from.

2. Do not open e-mail attachments containing executables or visual basic scripts (i.e., files with ".exe" or ".vbs" name extensions).

3. Do immediately unplug the network cable from your PC, if you think your computer contains a virus; do not shut down your PC in this situation, as this can cause irreparable damage.

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