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2022 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS! |
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The ACECL Board of Governors met on January 21, 2022 |
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The next board meeting will be held on March 11, 2022 |
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A message from ACECL's President & CEO Barker Dirmann |
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“I feel so fortunate and downright lucky to have Clifford not only as my father, but as a mentor and friend. He has such vast experience and a wealth of practical knowledge; he has taught me the importance of having passion for I believe and a strong work ethic.”
Kenny Smith – A Century of Solutions
It is with deep sadness we announce the recent passing of Mr. Wm. Clifford Smith.
Few who have worked in our industry did not know Mr. Smith – the man he was, the business he built and the legacy he leaves behind. Dedicating nearly his entire life to T. Baker Smith (TBS) and the engineering profession, Mr. Smith is quite literally a legend in his field.
Since he was old enough to carry a survey rod and tranche through the marshes of south Louisiana, Clifford began what would ultimately become his life’s work. After graduating from LSU in 1957, Clifford moved back to Houma to join his father as a partner at the family firm. In 1958, he took over operations of the firm and would soon after become President and sole owner of T. Baker Smith & Son. Clifford went on to lead the firm as its President for 38 years, passing the role onto his son, Kenny Smith, in 2000.
Never one to seek awards or accolades for his work or community activism, a man of Clifford’s quality and character was bound to receive them. Some of the most memorial of those awards were the America’s Wetland Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, Louisiana Legends Hall of Fame by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Stewardship Award, de Fleury medal presented by the United States Army Engineer Regiment, A.B. Patterson Medal for Engineer-in-Management, Louisiana State University Civil and Environmental Engineering Hall of Distinction, Terrebonne High School Alumni Award, South Central Industrial Association President’s Award, Houma Courier Most Useful Citizen Award, and Woodmen of the World Coastal Award.
At ACEC/L, our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny and the rest of the Smith family – the most precious legacy Clifford leaves behind.
A visitation will be held next Monday, January 31st ,2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. A funeral mass will begin at 11:00 AM with burial following at St. Francis De Sales No. 2 Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Mathews Episcopal Church, The Bayou Community Fund, or a charity of your choosing.
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Thank you to our 2022 Annual Sponsors for their support allowing ACECL to continue to provide educational programming and first-class events to its members.
ANNUAL PLATINUM SPONSORS ($5,000 Level)
CSRS, INC.
FORTE & TABLADA, INC.
HNTB CORPORATION
MEYER ENGINEERS, LTD.
NEEL-SCHAFFER, INC.
SJB GROUP, LLC
T. BAKER SMITH, LLC
TRC COMPANIES, INC.
WSP USA, INC.
ANNUAL SPONSORS ($2,000 Level)
Arcadis
Ardaman & Associates
C. H. Fenstermaker, LLC
Digital Engineering & Imaging, Inc.
Duplantis Design Group, PC
GEC, Inc.
GIS Engineering
Gulf South Engineering & Testing
Huval & Associates, Inc.
Linfield Hunter & Junius, Inc.
Quality Engineering & Surveying
Stuart Consulting Group, Inc.
Terracon Consultants, Inc.
Urban Systems, Inc.
It's not too late to become a 2022 Annual Sponsor!
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PPP forgiven loans and FAR Credits Clause
ACEC National has initiated its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill by meeting with key congressional members, specifically, those on the Senate Appropriations Committee. As mentioned in the previous newsletter, Senator John Kennedy serves on the Appropriations Committee. In seeking his support for the PPP/FAR Credit legislative fix, ACEC/L has reached out to Senator Kennedy's office requesting a meeting with state industry executives and ACEC staff. Senator Kennedy's Chief of Staff has reached out and we anticipate a meeting will be schedule soon.
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Vaccines
SCOTUS Blocks OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor (6-3) of the ETS opponent’s request for an emergency injunction. The full ruling can be found here. Below represents some of the insights and excerpts from the decision. In short, they have reinstated the 6 th Circuit’s stay, while they work towards a final decision. That have written clearly that the six Justices that have ruled on the emergency stay will rule similarly on the final decision.
OSHA’s COVID–19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard is stayed pending disposition of the applicants’ petitions for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and disposition of the applicants’ petitions for writs of certiorari, if such writs are timely sought. Should the petitions for writs of certiorari be denied, this order shall terminate automatically. In the event the petitions for writs of certiorari are granted, the order shall terminate upon the sending down of the judgment of this Court.
Many States, businesses, and nonprofit organizations challenged OSHA’s rule in Courts of Appeals across the country. The Fifth Circuit initially entered a stay. But when the cases were consolidated before the Sixth Circuit, that court lifted the stay and allowed OSHA’s rule to take effect. Applicants now seek emergency relief from this Court, arguing that OSHA’s mandate exceeds its statutory authority and is otherwise unlawful. Agreeing that applicants are likely to prevail, we grant their applications and stay the rule.
The Sixth Circuit concluded that a stay of the rule was not justified. We disagree.
Applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Secretary lacked authority to impose the mandate. Administrative agencies are creatures of statute. They accordingly possess only the authority that Congress has provided. The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID–19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense. This is no “everyday exercise of federal power.” It is instead a significant encroachment into the lives—and health—of a vast number of employees. “We expect Congress to speak clearly when authorizing an agency to exercise powers of vast economic and political significance.”
Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category.
OSHA Withdraws Emergency Temporary Standard
Note, OSHA has stated the following in their filing:
Although OSHA is withdrawing the Vaccination and Testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, OSHA is not withdrawing the ETS to the extent that it serves as a proposed rule under section 6(c)(3) of the Act, and this action does not affect the ETS's status as a proposal under section 6(b) of the Act or otherwise affect the status of the notice-and-comment rulemaking commenced by the Vaccination and Testing ETS. See 29 U.S.C. 655(c)(3). Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Vaccination and Testing ETS, OSHA continues to strongly encourage the vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace.
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Governor's Executive Budget Includes Major Dollars for Infrastructure
The Governor’s budget proposal includes more than $1.1 billion in funding for critical infrastructure, including $500 million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, $100 million for I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, $100 million for the I-49 Lafayette Connector, and $500 million for water and sewer improvements statewide.
These critical state investments are on top of federal funding Louisiana is receiving through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Since the start of January, Gov. Edwards has already announced more than $3 billion in federal infrastructure investment in Louisiana, including a $206 million investment in Louisiana’s bridges in this fiscal year. For rural bridges specifically, the State will be able to invest no less than $60 million per year for five years, allowing as many as 100 bridges in rural Louisiana to be rehabilitated or rebuilt every year, the majority of which are in North Louisiana
Louisiana Transportation Conference
Water Sector Commission
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee approved the list of recommended water and sewer projects recommended by the Water Sector Commission. A list of the approved projects can be found here.
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2021 SALARY STUDY
The ACECL 2021 Salary Study will be available for purchase beginning January 31, 2022. Stay tuned for more information on how to access this valuable resource of Louisiana-based salary and benefit information.
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Baton Rouge Chapter Luncheon
Monday, February 7, 2022
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Speaker:
Jamie Setze, Executive Director
Capital Region Planning Commission
Topic:
"Economic Development & Transportation Planning Updates"
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Shreveport Chapter Luncheon
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Ralph & Kacoo's
1700 Old Minden Road
Bossier City, LA
Speaker:
William Daniel
Director of Water and Sewerage
for the City of Shreveport
Topic:
Funded and Future Design Work for 2022 and Beyond
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ACECL ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA
March 10, 2022
Baton Rouge Crowne Plaza Hotel
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Mark your calendars to attend the 3rd ACECL EEA Awards Gala.
A great opportunity to network and celebrate engineering excellence!
Tickets to go on sale soon!
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CRITICAL ISSUES SUMMIT
February 24-25, 2022
Location:
Hilton Capitol Center
201 Lafayette St,
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!
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Please join us February 24-25, 2022 as Louisiana AGC, ACEC, LAPA, AIA and CAAL host the 2022 Critical Issues Summit. This day and a half long business webinar will be take place from 1-5 pm on Thursday & 7:30 AM- 12 PM Friday.
The Session will include a presentation on the following topics:
- National Updates - AGC of America, ACEC National, LAPA National
- Legal Seminar
- Legislative Panel
- 2022 Economic Outlook Breakout Session
- Executive Director Panel
- Mitigating Price Escalations
- Why Branding is Essential in our Industry
Hear from National Headquarters from each association along with the local perspective during the Executive Director Panel. We'll have a lightning round Legal Panel, hear a Financial Forecast, learn about re-districting & how that impacts our Industry as well as a Branding Expert who will discuss the importance of branding as it relates to workforce development & employee retention.
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THERE IS STILL TIME TO BECOME AN ACECL CONFERENCE SPONSOR!
$500 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE
(Sponsorship includes verbal recognition, digital acknowledgment & will be
highlighted on all event promotional materials)
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Thank you to our 2022 Critical Issues Sponsors!
AECOM
CSRS, INC.
FORTE & TABLADA, INC.
HNTB CORPORATION
MEYER ENGINEERS, LTD.
NEEL-SCHAFFER, INC.
N-Y ASSOCIATES, INC.
SJB GROUP, LLC
T. BAKER SMITH, LLC
TRC COMPANIES, INC.
WSP USA, INC.
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- Feb 7 - Baton Rouge Chapter Luncheon
- Feb. 9 - Transportation Committee Meeting
- Feb 11 - HR Forum Meeting
- Feb 17 - Water Resources Committee
- Feb 21 - Monroe Committee Chapter Luncheon
- Feb 22 - Shreveport Chapter Luncheon
- Feb 24-25 - Critical Issues Summit, BR Capitol Hilton Hotel
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Why Join the ACEC Business Insurance Trust (BIT) Program?
We could enumerate the benefits of joining the BIT Program, show you how much you could save by switching, tell you that ACEC uses our program for their insurance and recommends it for all ACEC members, or even explain how you get the support and expertise of Greyling, the BIT’s broker and America’s premiere engineering-focused insurance brokerage and risk management firm.
Instead, we’ll let Linda Bauer Darr, CEO and President of ACEC, say it for us.
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Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr and Smith represents a broad spectrum of clients including clients in the construction industry ranging from architects and engineers to general contractors and subs to land surveyors and vendors. The Galloway Law Firm prides itself in the knowledge of the intricate legal needs of construction clients and understanding the larger business interests of those who compete in the greater Louisiana construction industry. |
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Contact: John F. McCormick, Director
Hancock Whitney Center
701 Poydras St., 40th Floor
New Orleans, Louisiana 70139
Office: 504-525-6802
Direct Line: 504-648-6265
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ACEC Affiliate Members
ACEC Business Insurance Trust
ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Alexander & Sanders, a division of BXS Insurance
Barriere Construction Group, LLC
Benefits One, LLC
BFM Corporation, LLC
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
Brown & Brown of Louisiana
BRAYN Consulting, LLC
CxA Services, LLC
Cycle Construction, LLC
Durable Piling Restoration, LLC
ecko360
ELOS Environmental, LLC
Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.
Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.
Foley & Judell, LLP
Forterra Pipe & Precast
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, LLP
Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
Headlight
HUB International
Industrial Fabrics
Keogh, Cox & Wilson
Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.
Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn
Wray & Associates, L.L.P.
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Barker Dirmann
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
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