CECO REPORT
May, 1999
HOTEL RESERVATION CUT-OFF FOR CECO CONVENTION MAY 11TH
The CECO Annual Convention, held jointly with CEC/Missouri and ACEC/Arkansas, will be held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, MO, June 11-12, 1999. Information has been mailed to all member firms and we hope that you are planning to attend this outstanding convention.
The FIRST thing you should do is MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS. Mid-June is a very busy time in Branson, and hotel rooms are at a premium on the weekends. The deadline for making hotel reservations is MAY 11TH!!!!!!!!!! After that date, rooms will be available on a first-come, first serve basis. So, don't delay!!!!! Call the Chateau on the Lake at 1-888-333-5253.
Friday will start off with a business practice seminar entitled, "Client Focused Selling." You will learn practical tips for effectively managing the marketing and selling process to dramatically improve your hit rate and reduce marketing costs. The seminar will be presented by Charlie Holcomb, a frequent speaker at ACEC meetings and has previously done programs in Oklahoma.
Friday evening will begin with a Cocktail Reception, and then....ALL ABOARD!!!!! We will take a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, a majestic 1890's-style sternwheeler, offering old-fashioned ambiance and fine food. The romantic riverboat days come to life as you enjoy a sumptuous meal and rollicking show while you cruise the waters of Table Rock Lake.
Saturday morning will consist of the Annual Board and Membership Meetings for the individual organizations, followed by a multitude of choices for your afternoon. Golfers can play in the CEC Mid-West Meeting Golf Tournament at the Pointe Royal championship course just minutes from the hotel. The par 70, 6,100 yard course has 12 water holes, plus plenty of sand traps. For non-golfers, we'll have another business practice seminar or you can relax and enjoy the many sites and sounds of the Branson area. NOTE -- If you plan to play golf, we have room for only 40 players, so don't delay in signing up.
Saturday evening will begin with a reception followed by the Installation Banquet, which will wrap-up the convention.
Registration information has been sent to all member firms, and we urge you to send your registration information in as soon as possible.
REMINDER --ROOM RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN MAY 11, 1999!
This is going to be a great gathering, so make your plans now for the Multi-State Annual Conference, June 11-12!
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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 11, 1999. The meeting will be held at the Chateau on the Lake, Branson, MO.
The 1999-00 CECO Annual Budget will be presented for consideration and approval, annual reports will be presented, and election of officers for the 1999-00 year will be conducted.
All members are urged to attend.
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SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 1999-00
The CECO Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Julie Guy, presented its report at the April 22nd CECO General Membership Meeting.
Those placed in nomination by the Committee are:
** President-Elect: Jerry Shepherd, Terracon Consultants, Oklahoma City
** Vice President - Membership: Mike Arand, Dewberry Design Group, Tulsa
** Treasurer: Chuck Darr, Darr-Collins, Oklahoma City
** Vice President - Business Practices: Mike Homan, Law Engineering and Environmental, Tulsa
** Vice President - Education/Public Relations: Don Vick, JGVE, Inc., Oklahoma City
Tony Dark, FHC, Inc., Tulsa, will automatically become CECO President in June; Bob Williams, Poe & Associates, Oklahoma City, will remain on the Board for another year as Immediate Past President, and Ron White, White Engineering Associates, will remain as ACEC National Director.
The Election of Officers will take place during the 1999 CECO Annual Meeting, Friday, June 11, 1999, at the Chateau on the Lake, Branson, MO. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor during the Annual Meeting.
Anyone unable to attend the Annual Meeting may vote on behalf of your firm by delivering your vote to CECO no later than Wednesday, June 9th.
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NEW LOOK WEB SITE FOR STATE BOARD
The Oklahoma State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors has updated their web site with both a new address and added features.
The new address is: www.okpels.org
On the site, you will have all application forms (PE, LS, EI, CA, etc.) and an improved searchable database.
You will be able to fill out the application forms on your computer (for those of you who don't have typewriters anymore), however you cannot submit the forms via the internet. After completing the forms, print out the forms and submit them by regular mail, because you must (depending on the application) submit pictures, original signature, other background information, and payment.
As for the searchable database, you can quickly check the registration status of any PE, LS, EI, LSI, or firm. The database will be updated on a monthly basis, so that the most current information will be on-line.
Also, you can submit "Change of Address" information through the web site. Simply complete the Change of Address form, and click "Submit". Your information will be e-mailed directly to the Board.
Other features include the complete Oklahoma Registration statutes and rules, land surveying minimum standards, land surveying continuing education information, Board Member and Staff listing, and, helpful links to other agencies and organizations. There's even a "Suggestion" box through which you can offer the Board ideas (constructive and otherwise) via e-mail.
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ACEC FEDERAL MARKETPLACE REPORT CONTAINS WEALTH OF PROJECT LEADS
If your firm were to purchase a copy of ACEC's 1999 Federal Market Report, it might well turn out to be the best $69.00 you spent all year.
The 200-plus page report provides a wealth of information about contract opportunities with 15 different federal agencies.
This year's report has been improved by the inclusion of specific information on projects being proposed by FY 2000 and beyond, including specific allocations for preliminary design.
In many cases, names and phone numbers of appropriate agency contacts are provided.
To order a copy, call ACEC's publication department at 202-347-7474.
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MUNICIPAL WATER/WASTEWARE PROJECTS TO TOP $3 BILLION IN
1999
Municipal water and wastewater systems in the U.S. will award
$3.25 billion to A/E/P and environmental consulting firms in 1999.
This finding, based on a survey of municipal water and wastewater systems serving the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, is one of several contained in "The 1999 Municipal Water & Wastewater Market for A/E/P & Environmental Consulting Firms," the latest Zweig Market Intelligence Report published by Zweig White & Associates. In contrast to proposed payments to A/E/P and environmental consulting firms, new awards are not already earmarked for particular firms.
Other findings from the report include:
** Municipal water and wastewater systems are focusing capital improvement programs on renovation projects. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents are planning to renovate treatment facilities in the next five years, while 47% are planning to construct new treatment facilities. While 62% plan to renovate transmission facilities, 56% are planning a new transmission facility.
** The use of design-build among municipal water and wastewater systems is increasing. One-third (33%) of respondents have used design-build as a project delivery method. This is an increase from 27% of respondents in the 1997 report. In addition, 9% of respondents have used design-build-operate as a project delivery method.
The 400-page Zweig Market Intelligence Report includes extensive primary and secondary research into the municipal water and wastewater market. It brings firms up to date on the recent changes in the municipal water and wastewater market, such as new legislation and regulations, the use of design-build, and the growth of public/private partnerships.
The comprehensive report also provides specific overviews of the municipal water and wastewater market in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. It also provides an in-depth analysis of municipal water and wastewater systems serving the country's largest metropolitan areas.
The report details each system's new awards to A/E/P and environmental consulting firms, capital improvement plans, use of design-build, contract operations plans, and other important information for design and environmental consulting firms.
"The 1999 Municipal Water & Wastewater Market for A/E/P & Environmental Consulting Firms" is available from the publisher for $395, plus $4 shipping and handling.
To order, call (800)466-6275. Fax (508)653-6522. Or write to Zweig White & Associates, 600 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760.
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APWA SUPPORTS QBS
The American Public Works Association (APWA) has discovered that Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) is a "hot" topic among its membership. The APWA's publication "Selection and Use of Engineers, Architects and Professional Consultants" (affectionately known as The Red Book) is the association's most requested book. Last August, APWA and the ACEC collaborated to host a videoconference on QBS, which proved to be very popular and was viewed at 87 downlink sites.
The October 1998 issue of the APWA publication, Reporter, included a long article on QBS which summarized the important points made during the videoconference. One of the key points discussed in that article was determining the technical credentials and experience of a firm. It was suggested when hiring a consulting firm that a close look be given not only to the experience of the firm, but to the experience of the staff as well.
The Reporter article also noted, "All presenters at the videoconference stressed the importance of teamwork and interpersonal skills. Does your staff get along with the consultant's staff? Is it a good mix? Are there too many strong-willed people who may present a problem? Is the project manager strong-willed enough to get the work done? What about the staff's loyalty? And the excitement it has for the project? All of these should be factored in when making a decision."
APWA is committed to QBS. ACEC and all its member organizations appreciate the synergistic relationship between the two groups as each works to make QBS work well - and work right - on public projects.
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IRS LOWERS VEHICLE MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE
The Internal Revenue Services has determined that driving expenses have dropped during the past year, so, the official per miles deduction has fallen from 32.5 cents per mile to 31.0 cents per mile.
The new rate took effect on April 1st.
This reduction is based on lower gas prices, and stable or dropping vehicle prices.
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ENGINEERS SUBJECT TO SAME EXPERT WITNESS RULES AS SCIENTISTS
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that engineers are subject to the same legal standard as scientists when courts determine the admissibility of their expert testimony. In the latest case (Kumho Tire v. Carmichael) the courts extended to engineers its 1993 decision (Daubert v. Merrell) in which the Court held that federal rules of evidence "imposes a special obligation upon a trial judge to ensure that scientific testimony is not only relevant, but reliable."
The "Daubert" standard, now extended by "Kumho" to engineers and other experts, has generally been interpreted to give judges more discretion to prevent the presentation of unreliable expert witness testimony. Hopefully the decision will reduce the amount of "junk" science presented in courtrooms to bolster frivolous and meritless lawsuits.
These two decisions cite four factors, in particular, which a court may consider when determining whether to admit expert testimony which relies on a particular theory or technique: testing; peer review; error rates; and, "acceptability" in the relevant community of experts. A court may utilize some or all four of these factors or other factors not listed.
The facts at issue in the "Kumho" case involved an allegedly defective tire, which blew out causing an accident. The trial judge barred the plaintiff's expert witness from testifying, because the expert used techniques which could not reliably determine whether or not the tire was defective. After the Appeals Court later ruled that the trial judge erred in barring the expert's testimony, the Supreme Court upheld the trial judge and reversed the Appeals Court.
Although the "Kumho" decision is only binding on federal courts, U.S. Supreme Court decisions are often persuasive in state courts.
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RETAIN EMPLOYEES THROUGH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
According to Fortune magazine's article, "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America," extensive training and development is emerging as an important tool in attracting and retaining employees because it offers valuable benefits to both employer and employee.
The 100 Best Companies are making major investments in employee education programs and generous tuition-reimbursement programs.
On average, these companies spent 43 hours of training on each employee in 1998, almost a full day more than 1997.
Firms should review their training and development programs, if they have any, and see what could be done to improve the benefits offered. A little bit can go a long way in keeping valuable employees. (PMSJ e-cast 2-9-99)
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SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Because there is so much information on the Web for small businesses, Forbes magazine surveyed dozens of existing sites to come up with a list of the best sites for free small business information:
Entreworld (www.entreworld.org) allows visitors to choose topics (P.R. for example) and the search engine scans more than 800 sites for pre-existing articles, offering summaries of each.
Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) has good, basic information about starting, financing, and expanding a business.
Microsoft Small Business (www.microsoft.com/smallbiz) has solid how-to information and useful stories on issues like workplace productivity.
American Express (www.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness) provides timely small-business news, advice on topics ranging from finance to firing, and a lesson on creating a business plan.