MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop |
The 2021 Partnering Workshop will be held over two days, on February 3 & 4. Although this year's event will be virtual, it remains the ideal venue for technical information sharing, communicating new policies and procedures and networking with MDOT leadership and staff. Included will be morning and afternoon general sessions, multiple breakout sessions and networking opportunities. CEUs will be offered for the educational sessions.
The ACEC/M website will be updated with additional details as they become available. Sponsorship, exhibitor opportunities and registration information will be announced soon.
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MDOT-ACEC Partnership
Charter Award
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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) are excited to announce the 8th annual “MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award”. Nominations are currently being accepted.
This award recognizes project managers and consultants for their commitment to excellence and promoting an enhanced business partnership based on the ideals set forth in the MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Agreement. These ideals include mutual trust, effective communication, continuous improvement, embracing innovation, and timely issues resolution. The award will be judged equally on five important principles:
- Providing Cost-Effective, High-Quality Services
- Partnering in Streamlining Business Practices
- Engaging in Effective Communication
- Commitment to Transparency & Accountability
- Promoting Innovation and Sustainability
Projects accomplished by team effort between MDOT project managers and ACEC consultants are eligible to receive this award. Applications for the 2020 award will be received by the MDOT Performance Excellence Section through December 11, 2020. Project must be substantially complete and ready for use between 11/1/2018 and 10/31/2020 to be eligible for the 2020 award year. The award winner will be announced at the MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop.
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As the Legislature winds down for 2020, we are expecting only 9 more days of session during this “lame duck” period currently scheduled to end on December 17. ACEC has been meeting virtually with several incoming members of the House and developing a plan for a virtual “Legislative Day” on March 24. ACEC is also offering support for passage of legislation needed to fully implement the MI Clean Water initiative put forth by Governor Whitmer on October 1.
Many bills will not be passed by the end of this session, but we are watching several pieces of legislation still seeing action, including the following:
SB 54 (Historic Preservation Tax Credits): SB 54 would amend the Income Tax Act to restore the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program that was eliminated in 2012. The bill would cap the credits at $5 million per year and the program would sunset after 10 years. The bill is on the agenda of the Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development for December 2 with hopes of it getting approved by the Senate this week.
SB 431 & 849 (Aggregate Mining): SB 431 will amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and set forth only specific reasons that a local unit of government could deny a permit for the extraction of mining of aggregates. SB 849 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) and require a water withdrawal permit for the extraction of aggregates and prohibit polluting, impairing or destroying natural resources. These bills are tie-barred and have been contentious, but were successfully voted out of the Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on September 22 and are now on the Senate floor. Local units of government have concerns with losing control and advocates have stated that their will be shortage of aggregates and cost increases if they are unable to expand mining operations.
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PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
Coming in January
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This ever popular course will be offered virtually beginning January 18, 2021. Rather than an in-person event, training will take place over six two-hour sessions (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Session dates: January 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 & 29.
Only PSMJ's A/E/C Project Management Bootcamp:
1. Turns each Project Manager and Principal into a profit center: The best PMs and Principals understand not only how to schedule and budget, but also how to wisely manage the business - ensuring each job's profitability.business management as applied to each job.
2. Empowers Project Managers and Principals to ensure customer satisfaction.
3. Teaches Project Managers and Principals to enforce on-time, under-budget performance.
4. Transforms Project Managers and Principals into new business generators.
5. Helps Project Managers and Principals become business leaders.
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ACEC/Michigan Scholarships |
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Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer/faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.
Watch for scholarship raffle information, with some exciting new prizes, in the near future.
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Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Virtual Gala |
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Due to travel and large gathering concerns related to COVID, ACEC/M has decided to go virtual with the 2021 Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala. The event will be broadcast on Friday, February 26. The awards committee will be working tirelessly to make the virtual event as exciting and suspenseful as the in-person gala. As always, it will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate your success with your clients and peers.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend! Detailed information will be announced soon.
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ACEC/Welcomes New Member Firm |
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ACEC is excited to welcome the following new member firm:
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Associate Member Spotlight |
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Metro Strategies and Skypersonic Team Up to Distribute
America’s Leading Indoor Inspection Drones
Metro Strategies of Detroit is announcing a new partnership with Skypersonic, Inc., America’s leading manufacturer of miniaturized caged drones for industrial inspections and environmental monitoring.
As a certified distributor for Skypersonic, Metro Strategies will offer the Skycopter, a drone capable of traveling in confined indoor space and underground to inspect tunnels, pipelines, sewers, and other environments traditionally hazardous to humans.
The Skycopter, the nation’s leading indoor inspector drone, already is being used by global auto manufacturers to inspect high-ceiling infrastructure and overhead production assembly conveyors, eliminating the need to build scaffolding, and shut down production. Diverse in its abilities, the drone also is being used to inspect military airplane hangars in southern California and to survey plants, flowers, and vegetative health in large greenhouses. The Skycopter is the high-tech version of a canary in a coal mine that can detect oxygen levels, lethal toxins, radiation, and it rapidly has become a critical tool in disaster recovery. For more info, see below.
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ACEC/Michigan Member Firm News |
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Congratulations to the following firms who are celebrating significant anniversaries this year!
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Michael Baker Associates - 80 years
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Beam, Longest & Neff - 75 years
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Great Lakes Engineering Group - 20 years
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2020 - 2021 Events Calendar |
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January 18: PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
February 3&4: MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop
February 26: Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala
March 24: Legislative Day
May 6 : Michigan Infrastructure Conference
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