NEWSLETTER
July, 2016
GOUVIS ENGINEERING QUARTERLY  NEWSLETTER

Veteran Employee Anniversaries
Luu Do,  Project Manager: 20 Years
Yen Tran,  Office Manager: 17 Years
Pam Wolfe,  Office Manager: 14 Years
Nguyen Nguyen,  IT: 11 Years
Van Truong, Engineer: 5 Years
IN THIS ISSUE
LA CITY SOFT STORY RETROFIT ORDINANCE STATUS UPDATE - MARCH 2016

LA City Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance and Tenant HabitabilityReview

The City of Los Angeles has issued close to 13,500 seismic retrofit compliance letters to building owners whose buildings have been branded as having a soft story condition that could be susceptible to collapse in midst of an earthquake. Being that this seismic retrofit program is just in its preliminary stages, structural engineering professionals and those offering professional services in the community should be aware of periodic updates as they become available via the links provided below. Here are a few important points about the seismic retrofit program covered in the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California's April, 2016 newsletter which provides more information on this topic. Please visit the sites provided and SEAOSC's email for more information, continued updates and any questions you may have. 

Information Below Courtesy of SEAOSC April, 2016 Newsletter

What SEAOSC members need to know:

SEAOSC would like to bring to the membership's attention that the LA City Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance includes sections (91.9307.1) Notification to Tenants and Occupants and (91.9307.2) Tenant Habitability Plan, that requires the development of a Tenant Habitability Plan (THP) and the building owner to notify the tenants of the work being done to the building. The method of tenant notification has to be approved by the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA).  The THP may also  have to address temporary tenant relocation requirements. The HCIDLA requires the THP to make sure the tenants are not evicted as a result of the building owner complying with the seismic retrofit ordinance.

 
Why should SEAOSC members care?

A prospective client, who has received the soft-story compliance letter from the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety, may be contacting you directly regarding hiring you or your company to provide an engineered solution for the building's existing soft story condition and then hiring a contractor to do the actual retrofit work. As part of the plan check requirement, the building owner may need to provide evidence of having fulfilled the Tenant Habitability Plan requirements noted in the ordinance or evidence as to why it doesn't apply to them. If your company is tasked with taking the  retrofit design through the plan check process, the THP is something the building owner is going to need to provide to either you or the contractor to submit to HCIDLA for their approval.  A flyer is available  from  both LADBS and HCIDLA that explains the HCIDLA Tenant Habitability Program process. When the  THP is approved by HCIDLA, they will electronically sign-off with LADBS plan check, clearing the way for the permit to be issued, assuming all other plan check corrections and clearances have been obtained.






EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
 MIKE HOUSHMAND
 Senior Vice President 

Mike Houshmand, P.E., is a true Gouvis Veteran marking his 33 years with the company this past May. He earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1982 and immediately thereafter embarked on a career spanning over 3 decades practicing Structural Engineering
with Gouvis. Mike is a licensed Civil Engineer specializing in project management, field investigations, quality control, project coordination and value engineering.
He is primarily involved in everyday design production while also supervising a team of structural engineers. Mike has performed structural analysis and detailing for more than 500 challenging designs, utilizing various innovative techniques and building materials. Mr. Houshmand's affiliations include American Concrete Institute, International Conference of Building Officials and American Institute for Steel Construction. His long career at Gouvis exemplifies his dedication not only to the company but also his staff and colleagues. We are thankful to have him as one of our team leaders.

More about Mike : 
TELL ME SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY:
I've been married for 25 years, I have a 23 year old son and a 19 year old daughter.

WHAT WAS THE LAST VERY MEMORABLE THING THAT YOU DID?
Celebrated my birthday in wine country with my family.

MOTTO OR PERSONAL MANTRA?
Telling the truth and living a peaceful life.

WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE AT GOUVIS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
The interaction with clients and employees.

FAVORITE FOOD?
ALL cooked seafood.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR OUR INDUSTRY?
That it will continue to flourish for future generations of aspiring engineers and individuals interested in working in the building industry.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY/TRADITION?
Persian New Year.

ON MY DAYS OFF, YOU CAN FIND ME:
Walking by the beach with my wife and watching sports or movies.

WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE  a judge.

Going to Brazil  IS SOMETHING ON MY BUCKET LIST.

A GUILTY PLEASURE OF MINE IS:  Eating late at night.

IF GIVEN A CHANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE President of the United States FOR A DAY BECAUSE it would be quite interesting to walk in those shoes. <>



"The road to success is always under construction."