The ASCE San Francisco
575 Market St, Suite 400 | San Francisco, CA 94105
415-546-6546 | htpp://www.asce-sf.org
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March 2022, Volume 71, No. 3 |
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We look forward to seeing you in person on April 22, 2022 at the San Francisco War Memorial located at
401 Van Ness Ave, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
We also are offering a virtual registration option.
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In order to attend the in-person event, you must be fully vaccinated and have received your booster shot. |
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Keynote Speaker (Additional Keynotes to Be Announced) |
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Maria Lehman
ASCE President-Elect
Infrastructure Market Leader for the United States for GHD
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Transportation Track Speakers
Ron Golem, Director of Real Estate and Transit-Oriented Development for Valley Transit Authority in San Jose
Jessica Zenk, Manager of TOD for City of San Jose
Ben Lichty, Supervising Transportation Planner for HSR
Mike Lepech, Professor at Stanford University
Aly Tawfik, Professor at Cal State Fresno
Dr. Thalia Anagnos, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and former engineering professor for San Jose State University
Schatzie Allen Jefferson, CEO of the Allen Group
Camille Tsao, Capitol Corridor project manager for Link21
Todd Muck, Executive Director for TAMC
Carolyn Ganot, CEO / General Manager for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Meg Cederoth, Director of Planning and Sustainability at the California High-Speed Rail Authority
Randy Iwasaki, Leader of State and Local Transportation for Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Samer Batarseh, Data and Geospatial Management Branch Chief at Caltrans – California Department of Transportation
Carlos Ortiz, Chief Operating Officer and Principal - Advantec Consulting Engineers
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Water Track Speakers
Dr. Marty Ralph, Synoptic and Mesoscale Research Meteorologist for Scripps Oceanography
Cody Anderson, Principal for Sherwood Design Engineers
Jeanine Jones, Interstate Resources Manager for California Department of Water Resources
Clifford Chan, 11th General Manager of the East Bay Municipal Utility District
Dr. Richard Luthy, Silas H. Palmer Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering for Stanford University Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Kris Tjernell, Deputy Director of the Integrated Watershed Management Program for CA Department of Water Resources
Andy Rodgers, Engineering Manager for North Bay Watershed Association
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ASCE Calendar
Tuesday, March 8
EWRI meeting @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 9
ASCE SF Section's North Coast Branch Zoom Meeting @ 5:00pm
Thursday, March 10
Redwood Empire Monthy Luncheon @12:00pm
Happy Hour ASCE YMF SJ @ 5:30pm
SEI SF BOD meeting @ 6:00pm
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Governor Rune Update
by Rune Storesund, ASCE Region 9 Governor.
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This year is shaping up to be a very exciting year with both challenges and hope for some ‘return to normal’ elements. San Francisco is hosting the California Infrastructure Symposium this year on Friday, April 22 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the San Francisco War Memorial. This will be a hybrid event featuring both in-person sessions as well as the ability for remote participation.
Our first ever San Francisco Section “CEOs Forum” featuring CEOs from small, medium, and large engineering companies to share some insights and lessons learned to our ASCE Student Members as well as our YMF-ers (and anyone else interested/curious) is taking shape. We are currently targeting Friday, April 15, 2022. San Francisco Section has approximately 500 members who are at the ‘student grade’ of Society membership. We aim to recruit at least a third of all students across San Francisco Section to attend this virtual and/or hybrid event, so please help us spread the word!! Our affiliated schools with engineering programs are:
· California State University, Fresno
· Humboldt State University
· Santa Clara University
· San Francisco State University
· San Jose State University
· Stanford University
· University of California, Berkeley
San Francisco Section is targeting a ‘consolidated voting’ period this year that is synchronized with ASCE Society. Our aim is to coordinate the leadership elections process to make it easier for our members to participate, help Branches and Groups find talented volunteer leaders, and help aid educate our members about the larger Society-level issues that will be on the ballot. Society voting occurs in May; with ballots being released in April.
***IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING ACTIVE AS A LEADER AT THE YMF, BRANCH, SECTION, REGION, OR SOCIETY LEVEL, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I CAN HELP GET YOU ON YOUR WAY***
Our jobs site is up and running. Our site is different from most sites in that all ASCE Members can access and post their profiles and resumes online that are searchable by employers. Numerous employers have searched the jobs site and found prospective employees without even posting an ad. All members, especially student members, should consider creating an account and posting your profile if you are looking for work. Summer internships and new employment for graduating seniors are just a few months away! Visit the jobs site: www.asce-sf.org/jobs.
I will be hosting a monthly forum, which will provide ASCE Members in San Francisco Section a chance to ask questions, voice their concerns, and/or talk about issues of interest to the general membership. This forum will also enable ASCE Members to learn more about active initiatives within San Francisco Section as well as throughout Region 9 (California). Active initiatives include:
- San Francisco Section Jobs Site
- Region 9 Digital Strategy Update and Roll-out
- Increased student engagement and scholarships
- Open opportunities for ASCE Members at the Section, Region, and Society (Committee) levels
The Forum will be via Zoom on the following dates:
- Monday March 7, 2022; 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
- Monday April 4, 2022; 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
- Monday May 2, 2022; 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Region 9 continues to work on our updated Digital Strategy. San Francisco Section along with Redwood Empire Branch and Fresno Branch will be pioneering and testing the new system out this spring. We anticipated new websites and an enhanced user profile system to become available to all San Francisco Section members this summer. This system will offer an advanced user profile feature that enables you to track all your attended events, ASCE forms (leader nominations, awards nominations, etc.).
Registration for the “Ask Governor Rune” forum will be sent out via email…be on the lookout!
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Region 9 Younger Member Council
Leadership Transitions
By Melissa Hilsabeck, EIT
Chair, ASCE Region 9 Younger Member Council
Happy Lunar New Year to all from the ASCE Region 9 Younger Member Council! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Guy Hopes for his dedication as the R9 YMC Chair over the past five years. Under his leadership, the YMC was officially established as a council under the Region 9 Board of Governors and the R9 YMC Best Management Guide was revised from its previous 2018 version. Some highlights include additional sections covering K-12 outreach and hosting virtual events. You can find the published copy HERE along with other best practices from across ASCE. Guy will continue contributing to the R9 YMC in addition to serving as President of the Feather River Branch. Recently, he started a new position in Sacramento as a Water Resources Engineer with the California Department of Water Resources. Congratulations on your new role and thank you again for your commitment to advancing younger members!
As I step into my new role, I am challenged with progressing the impact of this council. Guy and Gidti Ludesirishoti, the inaugural R9 YMC Chair, have done a wonderful job of implementing the council, gathering the YMF Presidents, creating Best Practices, providing opportunities for professional development, and growing the YMFs. My goals as Chair are to continue supporting the YMFs by showcasing the abundance of ASCE resources, to serve as an extension of the Committee on Younger Members (CYM) and to create avenues that spotlight and recognize our outstanding younger members. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve as the R9 YMC Chair, however there is always room for another seat at the table. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to join the council, provide insights on how we can provide better value to our ASCE members, or if you just need a sounding board from time to time. My inbox is always open at melissah.asce@gmail.com.
I believe a few other introductions are in order as well. This council would not exist without our amazing, diverse younger member groups. Below you will be introduced to each Region 9 Younger Member Forum (YMF) and their respective President, starting from northern California and working our way south.
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by Richard Markuson, Region 9 Legislative Advocate
Fall Recess Ends
In January, the State Senate and Assembly returned to Sacramento. They immediately got down to State business – dealing with a few leftover 2021 bills and the first look at the 2022-23 State budget. And soon after returning, more than 20 legislators announced they were done with Sacramento – including Assembly Members Lorena Gonzalez, Jim Frasier, and Autumn Burke, who quit to pursue other activities. That makes five vacancies in the State Assembly (all Democrats) – but still gives the Democrats a 2/3 supermajority.
State Legislation
The State Budget. The legislature has begun picking through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal, which will last until the June procedural deadlines. His $286.4 billion budget proposal would make investments in climate change, healthcare access, public safety and inequality, homelessness, and fighting COVID-19. There is at least a $45 billion surplus in expected revenue, more than the amount forecast last year, with $16 billion of the surplus automatically going to schools and $9 billion going to state reserves or debt payments.
Climate Investments The Governor’s proposal would build on the $5.2 billion water infrastructure package approved last year by proposing an additional $750 million in spending to help residents, farmers, and wildlife. There also would be $1.2 billion in new spending on wildfire prevention initiatives and $650 million in new funds to support firefighting efforts, $400 million of which will go to CalFire firefighters directly. Gov. Newsom also proposed an investment of $10 billion to reduce California’s reliance on fossil fuels by encouraging the switch to electric vehicles. In addition, $1 billion was proposed over the next three years in new tax credits for businesses that “create cutting edge climate solutions [and] develop green energy technologies.” The Assembly noted that drought response and water resilience would be top priorities for 2022-23. In addition, to meet the State’s clean energy goals, $2 billion would provide incentives for long-duration storage projects, renewable hydrogen, industrial decarbonization and electrification of buildings in disadvantaged communities, and infrastructure improvements to facilitate infrastructure improvements and development offshore wind energy production.
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THE LAW AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
Contractors Must be Licensed to Get Paid
by Eugene Bass
California law provides that no person engaged in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor may bring or maintain any action in a California court to recover compensation for the performance of any act or contract for which a contractors license is required without alleging and proving that it was licensed at all times during the performance of the act or contract. The purpose of the law is to protect the public from incompetence and dishonesty in those who provide building and construction services. The licensing requirements provide minimal assurance that all persons offering such services in California have the requisite skill and character, understand applicable local laws and codes and know the basics of operating a contracting business.
A subcontractor entered into a contract before it had a valid license. The application process had begun but was still incomplete at the time the contract was entered. Before performance of the performance of the contract work started, the license was issued.
The subcontractor was not paid and a lawsuit was filed. It was determined that the subcontractor’s failure to have a license at the time the subcontracts were signed did not prevent recovery of compensation by the subcontractor since the subcontract was fully performed after the license had been obtained.
The case finally ended up before the California Supreme Court which reviewed, in great detail, the laws pertaining to contracting and licensing. The basic law essentially provides that unless a contractor is licensed at all times during performance of the work, if the contractor is not paid it cannot enforce payment through a lawsuit and the one hiring the unlicensed contractor cannot be legally forced to pay And, it does not matter that the person hiring the contractor knew of the non-licensing before entering the contract and never intended to pay for the work.
Under earlier provisions of the law, there were various legal theories that could be applied to defeat the harsh results of no license–no pay. Later revisions of the law, however, severely reduced the possibilities of getting around the provisions. The justification for the stricter and harsher enforcement of the law was based on the desire of the legislature to protect the public against unlicensed, incompetent contractors. It was clearly intended to punish those performing contracting work without a license. The law further provides that one who utilizes an unlicensed contractor may recover all compensation paid to the unlicensed contractor. The owner may recover money already paid toan unlicensed contractor, even if the person knew the contractor was unlicensed.
It is important that contractors be very diligent as to their licensing status and take special precautions to assure that the license does not lapse for any period of time during performance of the worrk and if it does, to immediately take steps for reinstatement. The failure to do so can have disastrous consequences.
This article is intended only to provide general information regarding legal issues. It is not to be relied upon for legal advice. Contact your attorney for advise and guidance on general and specific legal issues.
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Thank you to our Bronze Sponsor! |
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NEW ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Become a sponsor! For more information and to become a sponsor, please contact admin@asce-sf.org or 415-546-6546.
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2021 ASCE REGION 9 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AWARDS |
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Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector
Jeanne M. Kuttel, P.E.
Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Private Sector
Rob Himes
Outstanding Civil Engineer in Community Service
Maxwell Armenta
Outstanding Engineer in Legislative Activities
Patrick Tierney, P.E.
Outstanding ASCE Section Officer
Megan LeRoy, P.E.
Outstanding ASCE Branch Officer
Guy Hopes, P.E., M.Sc.
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Outstanding ASCE YMF Officer
Crystal Mena
Outstanding ASCE Practitioner Advisor
Sam Potts
Outstanding ASCE Faculty Advisor
Mary Kay Camarillo
Outstanding ASCE Life Member
Sam Ali
Outstanding Younger Civil Engineer
Seema Barua
Outstanding Civil Engineering Student
Colby R. Wong
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gary William Brunner
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2021 ASCE REGION 9 OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARDS |
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Project of the Year
Sacramento River East Levee (SREL)
Owner
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Engineer
GEI Consultants
Airports & Ports Project (no award)
Crane Cove Park
Port of San Francisco
Engineer
AECOM
Architectural Engineering Project
SoFi Stadium
Owner
SoFi Stadium
Engineer
HKS Architects; David Evans and Associates, Inc; Walter P Moore; Henderson Engineering; Kiewit; Mia Lehr Architects
Bikeways & Trails Project
Rod Beaudry-Routier Bikeway Project
Owner
City of Rancho Cordova
Engineer
PSOMAS
Bridge Project
North Atwater Bridge
Owner
City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering
Engineer
TY Lin International
Community Improvement Project
Phase 2A-Arden Service Area Pipe and Meter Installation Project
Owner
Sacramento County Water Agency
Engineer
Domenichelli and Associates, Inc.
Construction Project
I-5 Central County High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Improvements
Owner
Orange County Transportation Authority
Engineer
TY Lin International
Energy Project
Zero Emission Vehicles DC Fast Chargers
Owner
Caltrans District 6
Engineer
Caltrans
Environmental Engineering Project
Bryte Landfill
Owner
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency
Engineer
Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
Flood Management Project
Folsom Dam Raise Project -Dike 8
Owner
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Engineer
AECOM
Geotechnical Project
Goldfields 200-Year Levee Project
Owner
Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority
Engineer
ENGEO
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Historical Renovation Project
California Tower Seismic Retrofit Project
Owner
City of San Diego
Engineer
A.B. Court & Associates
Parks & Recreation Project
Robertson Recreation Center
Owner
City of Los Angeles
Engineer
City of Los Angeles
Roadway & Highway Project
New Growth Area Infrastructure Project – Bilby Road and Big Horn Blvd Extension
Owner
City of Elk Grove, Public Works Department
Engineer
Dokken Engineering
Small Project
Lincoln Village West Sediment Removal Project
Owner
Reclamation District No. 1608 - Lincoln Village West
Engineer
Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck, Inc.
Structural Engineering Project
Edwards Life Sciences - Starr Atrium
Owner
Edwards Life Sciences
Engineer
LPA Design Studios
Sustainable Engineering Project
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park Revitalization Phase 1A
Owner
Los Angeles County Public Works
Engineer
PACE Advanced Water Engineering
Transportation Project
Colfax I-80 Truck-Climbing Lane Project
Owner
Caltrans District 3
Engineer
Caltrans District 3
Urban or Land Development Project
Brooklyn Basin, Parcel F (Vista Estero and Paseo Estero)
Owner
Brooklyn Basin Associates I, II, and V, L.P, c/o MidPen Housing Corporation
Engineer
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
Water Project
Lake Mendocino Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Final Viability Assessment (FVA)
Owner
Sonoma Water
Engineer
HDR
Water/Wastewater Treatment Project
North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program - Turlock Component Project
Owner
Joint Powers Agreement (Del Puerto Water District, City of Modesto, City of Turlock)
Engineer
Carollo Engineers; Stantec
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