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I thought by this time in 2020 we would be beyond COVID19 and resuming normal activity. Masks would only be sold during Halloween and Carnival season; fall would usher in a new school year and some coveted gridiron action; and, like you, I thought surely we would be back to socializing and celebrating in traditional Louisiana fashion. However, since nothing these days is predictable, many in our state now find themselves not only struggling through a protracted pandemic, but also in full hurricane recovery mode. To our members from Lake Charles to Shreveport, we extend a collective offer of assistance and concern for your safety and the well-being of your families and staff. For members who want to contribute to relief efforts, below is a list of opportunities to contribute both money and/or needed donations. We have offered direct assistance to our members and those will be communicated to you as needed. As this organization has done in the past, we will stand together to help our neighbors in need but also mobilize to assist our clients as they respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Laura. There is no greater time for the skill and expertise provided by engineers than in these challenging times. May you all stay safe and well.
American Red Cross of Louisiana. Click here to donate
Second Harvest Food Bank. Click here to donate.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Click here to donate.
United Way of Central Louisiana. Click here to donate.
Community Foundation of SW Louisiana. Click here to donate.
Operation BBQ Relief. Click here to donate.
Department of Agriculture and Forestry Animal Rescue Fund. Click here to donate.
For those wanting to drop off donations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge for those impacted by Hurricane Laura, click here for dates, times and locations.
Residents who sustained losses in Hurricane Laura in the six designated parishes can begin applying for FEMA assistance by registering online here or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
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In this edition:
- EEA Update
- FP&C Rule Comment
- Robby Cangelosi Award Application
- Transportation News
- Upcoming Meetings
- ACECL Affiliate Spotlight
- National COVID information
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ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING |
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The next ACEC of Louisiana Board meeting will be held on September 18, 2020. |
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2020 ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The 2020 EEA Call for Entries drew 14 projects in 8 categories. Award winners will be announced September 24!
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ACECL SUBMITS PUBLIC COMMENT ON FP&C RULE |
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ACECL continues to advocate for member interests as FP&C proceeds to amend its rules relative to Designer Contracts. The next public comment is September 1. Click here for the ACECL latest formal comment.
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Hannis T. Bourgeois (HTB) is a premier certified public accounting and consulting firm serving the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Denham Springs markets. Since 1924, HTB has provided high quality accounting, tax and advisory services to a diverse client base. We ensure each client receives a high level of personalized service combined with technical and industry expertise. Hannis T. Bourgeois is much more than a team of CPAs. We are trustworthy, solutions-driven business advisors providing guidance to clients on important financial and operational matters. We have been refining our craft and building relationships that have spanned multiple decades, and through the years, we have learned not only what matters to clients, but we provide valuable experience and insights to help our clients advance their business goals. To learn more about our services or connect with an HTB representative, click here.
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As an ACEC member firm you have the opportunity to receive a health insurance quote with preferred partner pricing. Contact Elizabeth for an ACEC preferred health insurance quote today!
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Elizabeth Minvielle
GBA
Vice President, Employee Benefits Division
O (337) 266-5624 | C (337) 380-2392
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Brown & Brown Insurance has the National Strength in being recognized as the top 6th largest brokerage firm in the U.S., but with a Local Presence.
Here at Brown & Brown we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service through our commitment and proactive approach to achieving extraordinary results. Our purpose is to inform and provide you with the latest information on cost effective healthcare and keep your plan in compliance with the most up to date regulations. We do this by keeping up with the constant changes in the market and regulations, as well as our excellent carrier relations. We believe that this is the key to earning and perpetuating a successful relationship with our clients.
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Since 1995, ETEC has been an organization with expertise in equipment applications for water treatment, wastewater treatment, solids handling, drainage pump stations and water meter projects.
ETEC offers an extensive collection of products, which allows us to present optimum solutions for our clients' particular environmental problems.
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JOIN AN ACECL COMMITTEE TODAY! |
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Please find below the 2020-2021 ACECL Committee Chairs. If you are interested in joining a committee sign up today! |
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DOTD has issued a revised 24-102 Form effective September 1. Click here for link to revised form. We are still awaiting response to our letter outlining several questions related to the form (based on original version). I am expecting something this week. Click here for ACECL list of questions. If you have any other questions, please submit to me for inclusion in follow-up correspondence.
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The following Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) publication is now available online by accessing the below link:
Technology Today is LTRC's quarterly newsletter that publicizes the center's current research projects and technology transfer initiatives.
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ACECL congratulates LADOTD Deputy Secretary, Dr. Eric Kalivoda, who was recently announced as the recipient of the prestigious Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award. The award is the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) top award and is presented each year to someone who has “rendered continuous outstanding service over an extended period of time or have made some exceptional contribution to the art and science of highway engineering.”
Kalivoda has been instrumental in the development of multiple editions of Louisiana’s Statewide Transportation Plan, ranging from 1996 through the most current version adopted in 2015; this included Louisiana’s first Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan, which was selected as one of six model plans for the nation under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.
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On September 2 at 11:30 a.m. (Central) United for Infrastructure will host the virtual event Built to Last: Rethinking How America Builds, Procures, and Delivers Resilient Transportation Projects. The conference will explore the ways communities are rethinking how they build roads and the lessons local, state, and federal policymakers are learning. Innovation in transportation isn’t just about installing sensors, improving traffic signals, and crunching numbers. Discussion will focus on materials we use, the way governments procure projects, and the construction techniques builders employ to create a more resilient America.
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For your information find a link here to the MOVEBR engineering selections to date.
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Stay tuned for registration and sponsorship opportunities for the 2020 Fall Conference, EEA Awards Gala and virtual Business Forum webinars. Great opportunities to earn your 2020 PDHs! |
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2020 ROBBY CANGELOSI AWARD |
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Each year ACEC of Louisiana presents an award to recognize the accomplishments of a young professional engineer who is contributing to the engineering profession and demonstrating the ability to positively impact the community through professional accomplishments and community involvement. This award was implemented in 2015 in memory of our past Board Member, friend, and leader in the engineering community, Robby Cangelosi.
Please find attached the Nomination Form, along with the criteria, to apply for the 2020 Robby Cangelosi Award. As we had a great number of applications submitted last year, we encourage those applicants to once again apply this year, and also request that firm principals encourage our emerging engineering leaders to apply.
This 2020 award will be presented at the ACEC/L Annual Fall Conference awards luncheon which will be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 5, 2020 at the Marriott Hotel.
Also, please note the application for the 2020 award is due in our office no later than close of business on OCTOBER 5, 2020 by mailing to:
ACEC/Louisiana, Attn: The Robby Cangelosi Award
9643 Brookline Avenue, Suite 112
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
or by hand-delivery.
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2020 ACEC NATIONAL CONFERENCE GOING VIRTUAL |
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If you have not been able to attend one of the national ACEC conferences in the past, this year you will have an opportunity to get the same great programming and speakers without leaving your office. Mark your calendars for October 28-30 for this unique opportunity. |
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The U.S. Department of Labor has added information to its FAQ document on emergency paid leave provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. If you scroll to the bottom of the linked page, questions 98, 99, and 100 address situations where schools are reopening and parents choose remote learning.
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On another subject, the federal government issued guidance on the payroll tax deferral that is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Click here for link to guidance. It was reported last Thursday that the White House does not like the guidance drafted by Treasury and the IRS and may want employers to be responsible for the deferred payroll taxes if Congress does not approve legislation to forgive the tax. ACEC continues to recommend that members wait for guidance before making decisions.
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Congressional Action Requested |
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Engineering Industry Priorities for Economic Relief Package
ACEC member action is requested to highlight urgent industry priorities in federal legislation to support the nation’s economic recovery.
Click Here to Contact Your Representative and Senators
ACEC is seeking fiscal relief for state and local governments hard hit by pandemic response actions. This includes immediate funding to state departments of transportation, transit agencies, airports, and water utilities whose revenues have declined precipitously. This funding backstop will preserve critical services and keep projects from being canceled or delayed in 2021. Other priorities include clarifying the tax treatment of PPP loan proceeds and liability protections for employers that take reasonable efforts to comply with coronavirus standards and regulations. Congressional leaders are in negotiations with the White House over the next economic relief package, so time is of the essence to make sure these priorities are included.
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Minimum Standards for Land Surveying Webinar
PPP Loans - Navigating the Forgiveness Process Webinar
New Orleans Chapter Virtual Lunch & Learn
Baton Rouge Chapter Virtual Lunch & Learn
ACECL Board of Governors Meeting
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Thank You to our 2020 Sponsors! |
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Doreen Brasseaux
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
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