MCPC 4/26/2011 meeting minutes (DRAFT)

MCPC meeting minutes April 26, 2011 (DRAFT)

Attendees:

Joe Pasaturo, PE

Eric Arcement, PE

Elliot Shapiro, PE, FNSPE

Chris Petallides, PE

Al Brand, PE, NYC Area VP

Kelly Norris, Exec Director

Tom Petracca, PE

Rudi Sherbanski, PE

Louise Doyle, PE, Pres, NYSSPE

George Tavoulareas, PE

Brian Flynn, PE
Gee Eng, PE

1. Review of amended special inspections rules. Major concern re Agency Structure (pg 10 para 6) that allows a special inspections agency to be a corporation where only a director is required to be a PE. This provides a major loophole for illegal practice. Much discussion on several areas where wording is ambiguous. Also problems with Appendix A which requires PEs of specific disciplines (ie Civil or Structural) whereas NY licenses are not discipline specific. Many of concerns on earlier version seem to have been addressed resulting in Elliot saying the rules seem reasonable (although he later denied it) Kelly will work the wording changes with our counsel Marc Kriss and will submit comments to DoB as well as to office of mayor and NYC corp counsel.

2. Joe indicates his second term as an active member of the NYS Board of Engineering and Land Surveying is up soon (Sept) and there will be three additional vacancies coming up Need some reps from nyc especially in private practice since those areas are severely underrepresented. Joe and Kelly will help anyone with the application process if interested in serving . No pay except reimbursement of expenses. Ask all NYC chapters to canvas their membership for interested parties. Joe repeat his concern re lack of Downstate representation especially in private practice and that the upstate members just do not understand how business is done here.

3. George announced a Queens Chaper presentation to CCNY engineering students on importance of licensure May 5, 2011 12:30 Steinman Hall. Other chapters are invited to participate.

4. Discussion of bringing required course for ICC certification for special inspection on welding and steel bolting. Will set up in house course and offer to members at significant discount. Rudi will contact training provider, George will arrange for location, everyone will be responsible for getting word out and follow up.

5. Queens chap has major concerns re ECB violations against design professionals. Inspectors are writing violations against engineers and Queens chap is questioning legality - should be writing violation against property owner. Joe feels ECB does have the right. Kelly will ask Marc to write City Corp Counsel re legality of such violations.

6. Brooklyn Deputy Boro Commissioner is now the acting Brooklyn Boro Commissioner and has been backfilled by a person with only a high school diploma and it is expected that he will be named Deputy Boro Commish even though it is clearly stated in the job vacancy notice that a PE is required for the position. Will ask Kelly to ask DoB commish or corporate counsel on legality of the anticipated move.

7. Continuing Ed changes will allow up to 12 online pdhs.

8. Membership. Even though it was very late, Gee insisted on a discussion on increasing membership and handed out some notes on the subject. A long discussion ensued - discussing a variety of topics -everything except Gee's notes. Joe suggested a single NYC chapter would carry more clout. There was much resistance to the single chapter idea and some support for joint activities but no consensus reached. There was general agreement on the importance of the ICC certification course - because of the dollar value it would bring to members. Joe suggested helping EIT's with the PE application process with which he is very familar being a member of the board. Much support for that idea especially that it would get young EIT's into the organizations who may then stay on after getting their license. Tom suggested a NYC area newsletter. Gee preferred a blog over a newsletter. Eric suggested using Gee's notes as a starting point to develop an action list to present back to MCPC. Gee agreed. Since Gee's notes were not discussed, he will get his revenge by attaching them to these minutes.

9. Next meeting - possibly in May - but will definitely schedule one for the State meeting in June.

10. Thank yous to Eric for hosting the meeting, Joe for the wine, George for the pastries and not sure who to thank for the pizza!

Gee Eng, PE