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Issue: 3 

May 2015   
Legislative Update

Certificate of Merit (SB 149)Capitol spring

SB 149, which would require the submission of an Affidavit of Merit for negligence claims against design professionals, was on the agenda for the April 28, 2015 meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACEC/Michigan Executive Director Ron Brenke provided testimony in support of the bill along with ACEC affiliate member and lawyer Craig Thompson of Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C. The committee heard testimony only and did not vote on the bill. AGC Michigan and BOMA opposed the bill.
 

Transportation Funding (HB's 4605-4616)
On May 14, the House GOP introduced a package of bills that would provide an additional $1.05 billion for transportation over a 4 year period. This came shortly after the defeat of Proposal 1 by Michigan voters on May 5. The 12-bill package is being taken up by the newly formed House Committee on Roads and Economic Development. The majority of the funds will come from General Fund dollars that will be dedicated to the Transportation Fund ($700 million by 2019). $185 million will come from reprioritization of restricted funds: $75 million from the Tobacco Settlement Revenue, $60 million from Tribal Gaming Compact Revenue, and $50 million from repurposing Film Subsidies. The package also seeks tax fairness by increasing registration fees for electric/hybrid vehicles and increasing the diesel fuel tax to match gasoline ($45 million). The package would also eliminate the Earned Income Tax Credit, which would generate an additional $117 million for roads. Reforms and efficiencies for townships, local road agencies and MDOT are also part of the plan.


QBS Legislation
The House is developing substitutes for the QBS legislation that was introduced in January to provide greater clarity for local agencies. The bills would require local government agencies to use a Qualifications-Based Selection process for procuring design professional services. State Representative Bob Kosowski is leading the effort to introduce the legislation and is currently securing sponsors for several companion bills. 

ACEC Announces Emerging Leaders Program
ACEC of Michigan is excited to announce the new Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)! This is in response to member surveys that have indicated a program like this does not exist and there is a demand for leadership training in our industry.

Registration is now open for the 2015 ACEC of Michigan Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). This program is designed for and will be most beneficial to those participants with approximately 8-15 years of industry experience. 

The program imparts specific skills and competencies identified by top ACEC of Michigan principals as critical for leadership success. These highly interactive sessions are taught by experts in the field of business administration and people management in professional services firms. The ELP is open to ACEC member firms only and you may only register one individual from your firm. 

Full program details, including dates, sessions, speakers, requirements and registration are available on the ACEC website . There are only 20 spaces available and we anticipate the class will fill quickly - so reserve your spot today! If the class fills, a waiting list will be started for next year's program. The registration deadline is June 30, 2015. 

5th Annual Construction Science Expo

On May 19, 2015, the design and construction industry again came together to introduce Detroit middle and high school students to a career in engineering and construction. This year's event was held at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit. Over 800 students, who signed a pledge to be drug-free, were treated to a full day of hands-on exhibits designed to allow the students the opportunity to experience first-hand what it is like to operate an excavator, finish concrete, or design a bridge or highway.

Attendees enjoyed a visit from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan who graciously posed for pictures with many of the children. MDOT Region Engineer Tony Kratofil also attended the event and encouraged the attendees to stay in school, study hard and remain drug free.

The event is organized and financially supported by:
  • The Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan
  • Michigan Department of Transportation
  • Detroit Public Schools
  • Michigan Science Center
  • Michigan's Design and Construction Coalition:
    • American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan
    • American Society of Civil Engineers Michigan Section
    • Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan 
    • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324
    • Michigan Concrete Association 
    • Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association
    • Michigan Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust Funds
    • Michigan Society of Professional Engineers
A special thanks goes out to ACEC members HNTB, Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick (AEW), and Testing Engineers & Consultants (TEC) for providing people and exhibits for the Engineering portion of the program. For more information about the event, please visit the Construction Science Expo website at www.constructionscienceexpo.com.
QBS Seeking Facilitator

The Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Coalition is seeking a person with a public administration background to be a spokesperson and facilitator for the QBS Program. Interested candidates should have a passion for value-based decisions and the desire to travel throughout Michigan.

The QBS Coalition is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to providing public agencies/private entities with information about how to develop procurement policies and procedures for selecting design professionals, which lead to quality, cost-effective projects. A key element of the QBS educational program is the "facilitator."

The facilitator will be working part-time, will have a flexible schedule (averaging 10-20 hours/month), and can work from a home office. Experience as a city manager, purchasing director, community development director or public works director is preferred.

Facilitator activities and responsibilities include: 

  • Presenting QBS principles to representatives from cities, counties, road commissions, townships, school systems and other public & private entities.
  • Speaking at professional association conferences.
  • Assisting in creation of draft Requests for Qualifications (RFQ's).
  • Preparing a plan of activity and maintaining a database of QBS contacts.
  • Communicating with and preparing monthly activity reports for QBS directors and supporting organizations.
  • Making proactive contacts with governmental units & private entities.

Facilitator will work as an independent consultant and will be compensated at $40/hour for hours worked. Facilitator expenses will be paid by QBS. This position will remain open until filled.

For immediate consideration, please submit a letter of interest and resume to: QBS Coalition, 215 N. Walnut, Lansing, MI 48933 or send via e-mail to the QBS office at ksmith@acecmi.org. For questions, please call 517.332.2066. 

ACEC Announces Upcoming Bridge Class
Mark your calendar for October 2015
Tentatively scheduled for October 19 - 30, 2015, ACEC/Michigan is sponsoring the NHI 10-Day Training Course #13055 entitled, "Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges." Due to recent changes in Federal Regulations, this training is becoming a must in order to be qualified to inspect local and state bridges. Class size is limited to 30 attendees. 

Special Prerequisites: Registrants MUST have completed and passed (70%) one of the following prerequisites within two years of the course start date - and present a course completion certificate - bearing their name - on day one of the course: 
  • 130054 Engineering Concepts for Bridge Inspectors
  • 103101 Introduction to Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges
  • 103101a Prerequisite Assessment for Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges
The cost for the 10 day course if $2,000 for ACEC members and $2150 for non-members. Watch for more details in the near future.
ASCE Offers Continuing Education
Get up to 5 free PDHs a year
ASCE members have access to resources and learning opportunities to continually advance their careers - from the latest technical innovations to leadership training and career coaching.

Did you know that you can:
  • Get up to 5 free PDHs a year? Select and participate in up to five ASCE On-Demand Webinars yearly and earn PDHs for each one you complete - a free, member-only exclusive! Choose from a growing list of archived Webinars for a customized education program. www.asce.org/freepdh
  • Expand your knowledge, hone your skills and earn PDHs with ASCE's live and on-demand seminars and webinars? Create, update, view and print a transcript of your PDHs at myLearning - ASCE's hub for continuing education and your PDH Tracker. www.asce.org/conted
  • Stay at the forefront of your field, with industry-leading conferences and events? www.asce.org/conferences
  • Demonstrate your expertise to clients, employers, and the public with ASCE post-licensure certification in your specialty? www.asce.org/certification
  • Get involved and take on a leadership role through ASCE's volunteer opportunities? www.asce.org/commservice
  • Utilize ASCE's Career Connections resources to plan your future and make it happen? www.asce.org/careers
ACEC National Convention & Legislative Summit
ACEC/Michigan leaders represent
ACEC/Michigan leaders became "citizen lobbyists" on April 21 while visiting newly-elected Congressman John Moolenaar in Washington D.C. during the annual ACEC National Convention & Legislative Summit. The group discussed key issues for our industry including transportation funding, maintaining cash accounting for engineering companies, and the development of a national energy policy.
ACEC Social Media
Follow Us!

Did you know that ACEC is active on social media sites? Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn to stay informed! 

 


 


 


  
  
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In This Issue
Legislative Update
Emerging Leaders Program
Construction Science Expo
QBS Seeking Facilitator
ACEC Announces Upcoming Bridge Class
ASCE Offers Continuing Education
ACEC National Convention & Legislative Summit
ACEC Social Media
Engineering Center

 


SPONSORS




Michigan
 Engineering Center
Questions about engineering?
Please contact:

 

Ron Brenke, PE 

Executive Director

ACEC & ASCE

 517-332-2066

Nancy McClain, PE
Executive Director  
MSPE
517-487-9388