PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
March, 2020
In this issue:

Board of Governor's Board Meeting Notice
2020 Deep South Convention Save the Date
Emerging Leaders Institute
Member News

ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
The ACEC of Louisiana Board of Governors cancelled its March board meeting due to COVID19 CDC guidance and local and state limits on gatherings. The April 17 Board Meeting will be held via ZOOM.
2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The Louisiana Legislature is currently temporarily adjourned until safe to return. They briefly reconvened today, March 31, to read in late filed bills per their constitutional filing deadlines. Those late additions are currently being reviewed but the list of bills that were formerly on the ACECL watch list are attached. It is unclear if any of these bills will move. It will depend upon the timing. Expect to see special sessions scheduled to deal with the consequences of COVID19.

ACEC PAC SWEEPSTAKES
Unfortunately response to COVID19 doesn't reduce our need to support efforts to ensure federal legislation does not adversely impact our industry. In fact, now more than ever your support will ensure ACEC issues are advanced in Washington. Please consider a contribution through the Spring Sweepstakes.

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS MAGAZINE
If you would like a hard copy of the EEA Magazine mailed to you, please contact jtomeny@acecl.org
ACEC of Louisiana and AIA Louisiana are again partnering to offer the Emerging Leaders Institute series, a leadership and career development program for individuals committed to developing both their professional and personal leadership abilities. The program is limited to 20 participants and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Please note that the Institute has been a huge success since its implementation in 2015 and is typically filled to capacity within 2 weeks of advertisement so get your application in as soon as possible. DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO COVID19 .
Dates & Locations

SESSION I
July 14 - July 15, 2020
State Library
701 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA

SESSION II
August 26- August 27, 2020
Louisiana Associated General Contractors
666 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA

SESSION III
Session III of the Emerging Leaders Institute will include
complimentary registration to your association's fall conference:

AIA Conference on Architecture 2020

September 24-25, 2020

Double Tree by Hilton Lafayette
1521 W Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA

-OR-

ACEC of Louisiana Fall Conference

November 5, 2020

Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel
5500 Hilton Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA

Deadline to Register: Friday, June 26, 2020


If you have any questions please contact Janet Tomeny at jtomeny@acecl.org

ACEC ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT
The 2020 ACEC Annual Meeting and Legislative Summit has been cancelled due to COVID19. The ACEC Board is considering a fall fly-in to DC along with the EEA Banquet. More will be shared as it becomes available.
U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Attached are details about an upcoming series of informational webinars on infrastructure opportunities in Latin America. In continuation with our partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, this free webinar will give you information about potential international expansion paths.  
Baton Rouge continues to look for ways to conduct selections for MOVEBR projects. I have also reached out to BR to find out about how the City Council will meet to approve pending contracts.
The 2020 Transportation Conference was held March 1-4, 2020.
During the conference, DOTD rolled out a new proposed process for selecting consultant engineers and evaluating their performance. Also included in their presentation was a new risk-based assessment for audits. See below the presentation and corresponding new FORM 24-102 and the project evaluation form. There will be additional presentations regarding these changes scheduled for Shreveport, Monroe and New Orleans at at date to be determined.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Louisiana Watershed Initiative hosted a webinar March 6 to discuss plans to enhance the statewide river and rain gauge network, a foundational LWI program that will support statewide watershed models, waterway monitoring and flood mitigation and response efforts.

Those who missed the webinar can access the recording here  and the presentation here .
The webinar explains the gauge network design process and timeline, as well as the need for local input and expertise regarding gauge placement. Local and regional technical experts are encouraged to use web applications to suggest or provide feedback on gauge locations. The deadline to provide feedback is March 27.
HUD Approves Louisiana's $1.2B Flood Mitigation Plan

MEMBER NEWS
Kurt Evans, P.E., Digital Engineering, has been appointed to the ACEC National ACEC Planning Cabinet for the 2020-2021 term. 

Raymond Reaux, P.E., Fenstermaker and Associates has been appointed as ACEC National Co-Vice Chair of the Management Practices Committee.  



AFFILIATE MEMBERS
Thank you to our Affiliate Members for their continued support of ACEC of Louisiana!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
ACECL Board Meeting
  • April 17, 2020 Virtual
Baton Rouge Chapter Luncheon
  • May 11, 2020
New Orleans Chapter Luncheon
  • May 21, 2020
Emerging Leaders Institute
  • Session I: July 14-15, 2020
Thank You to our 2020 Sponsors!
Doreen Brasseaux
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
ACEC of Louisiana | 225.927.7704 |  dbrasseaux@acecl.org  |  www.acecl.org