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2021 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS |
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It's hard to believe we're mid-way through 2021! It's exciting to start resuming in-person meetings and events. Our Chapters are meeting. We're a month from our Deep South Convention which was cancelled last year and Fall Conference is right around the corner. We're going to work hard to make it the best ever. We'll have all the good speakers but also add in a networking opportunity.
This is also the time of year that ACECL ushers in a new Board of Governors and we're proud to welcome ACECL's second female Chair, Andree Cortez of T. Baker Smith who has been on the board since 2015.
I hope you find this newsletter informative. I'm most excited about the new work that our industry stands to see over the next several years based on the allocation of funds from the American Rescue Plan and key state and national infrastructure funding efforts. Those of you in the public works and capital space are poised to be busier than ever! And all the public investment will lead to more private sector growth so we should all see our backlog increase. I'm already hearing from you that you are ramping up and making hires. The new salary study ACECL is launching is geared toward delivering relevant, localized data for your hiring decisions. But we need you to participate!
Speaking of growth. It is not lost on the association that the state's infrastructure challenges, particularly around water, stand in the way of full progress. Our communities are feeling public pressure to pause and evaluate community needs before moving forward with projects. The ACECL is working on ideas for collaboration with key state agencies and local conversations are occurring to avoid the default moratorium. As firms who are poised to fix infrastructure problems we need to help clients thread this needle so they can find the right balance between public expectations, growth realities and resource limitations.
In closing, I hope you and your families enjoy a safe and fun 4th of July holiday. You've earned it!
And may we all remember the freedoms, independence, and prosperity our forefathers envisioned for all of us and give thanks for their sacrifice, fortitude and commitment to creating the best country on earth.
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The June, 2021 Board of Governor's meeting was held June 18, 2021 at the Louisiana Engineering and Surveying Center. The next meeting will be held July 22, 2021. |
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Andree F. Cortez, P.E., with T. Baker Smith of Thibodaux, has been elected as chairman of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana for 2021-2022.
Other officers elected include:
Chairman-elect : Michael J. Thomassie, P.E., Duplantis Design Group, PC, Baton Rouge
Vice-Chairman: Nathan J. Junius, P.E., P.L.S., Linfield, Hunter & Junius, Inc., Metairie
Secretary-Treasurer: Chad M. Poche, P.E., Gulf South Engineering & Testing
National Director: David Dupre, P.E., Meyer Engineers, Ltd.
Members at Large for 2021-2022 include:
Brin Ferlito, P.E., PTOE, Vectura Consulting Services, LLC
Brett P. Bayard, P.E., P.L.S., Mader Engineering, Inc.
Lisa F. Cookmeyer, P.E., Trigon Associates
Byron Racca, P.E., Meyer & Associates, Inc.
Don R. Arrington, P.E., S.E. Huey Company
Sherri Lebas, P.E., GEC, Inc.
Bob Boagni, P.E., Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
Chapter Presidents include:
Brandon Aillet, P.E., Halff Associates (Shreveport)
Colby J. Guidry, P.E., Huval & Associates, Inc (Lafayette)
Robert Delaune, Digital Engineering & Imaging, Inc. (New Orleans)
Chad A. Bacas, P.E., Forte and Tablada (Baton Rouge)
Butch Babineaux, P.E., C. H. Fenstermaker (Lake Charles)
The 2021-2022 Board of Governors term will commence on July 1, 2021.
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The 2021 Legislative Session ended with a bang. After a circuitous path, a bill to dedicate significant revenue to infrastructure cleared both chambers with only minutes to spare. HB 514 by Rep. Tanner Magee morphed from a tax on medicinal marijuana to a bill to shift proceeds from the state's existing sales tax on motor vehicles sales to the TTF sub fund. By 2024 approximately $300 million will be deposited into the fund. The good news is this revenue stream is tied to the cost of vehicles so there is a built-in inflationary factor. However, this is not a constitutional dedication. The Legislature can vote to increase or decrease the appropriation in any given year. As of this newsletter the bill awaits gubernatorial action.
Click here for a recap of major legislation passed during the 2021 Legislative session. Click here for the final report of all ACECL monitored bills.
We are now in the interim between legislative sessions, so here's your homework. Reach out and get to know your House member and Senator. Even just asking to come by their office for a meet and greet. This will give you an opportunity to explain our industry and the laws that can affect your business. Having a personal relationship will enhance our ability to influence good and, more importantly, bad legislation! I know many, many legislators but they respond best when they hear from their constituents.
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ACECL will launch the first Louisiana-based salary study covering the salaries and benefits of engineering and associated positions. The survey will be sent to all ACEC of Louisiana firms to complete on or about July 30, 2021 with a submittal deadline of September 3, 2021.
ACECL has engaged TRIDIMESION Strategies to conduct the survey. This is the same firm used by ACEC of Texas for their annual survey. We have tried to keep the survey as simple as possible but with enough questions to generate beneficial results.
The survey instrument will be sent out from ACECL but all data will be confidentially submitted to TRIDIMESION. No firm level data will be shared with ACECL or anyone else. Period. The more firms who participate the better the final results!
The survey results will be provided free to those firms participating in the survey in the fall. Non-participants will be able to purchase the survey at a cost at a later date.
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Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge has updated its Conflict of Interest and Louisiana Code of Ethics contract provision. ACECL reached out in March with concerns about new language being added to new and existing contracts. After ACECL convened a meeting with EBR contract staff and the Board of Ethics the language was amended. Click here for amended language.
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Jefferson Parish - Successfully advocated for QBS on an Invitation to Bid for Engineering Services for the Jefferson Parish Department of Juvenile Services. This was the first use of the amended Hammett Act which covers all engineering services, not just design services.
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FP&C - ACECL President met with new FP&C Director Jason Sooter and Deputy Commissioner Mark Moses on June 16. In addition to offering a warm South Louisiana welcome to Mr. Sooter, ACECL discussed a few ongoing issues with the FP&C Procedures Manual. Mr. Sooter offered to be available to ACECL....as soon as the fire hydrant gets turned down. FP&C has indicated they are paying more attention to which selection committee a project is assigned by consulting each committee chair and not making the decision in a vacuum.
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The Baton Rouge Chapter met June 14 at Sullivan's Restaurant to honor longtime member John Graves of Evans-Graves Engineers with a presentation of an ACECL Resolution to his wife, Cynthia and Evans-Graves President and John's daughter, Ashlyn Graves. The Chapter also received an update on the LSU Lakes Project from John Spain, Vice President of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. |
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The Lakes Charles Chapter met June 29 at the Pioneer Club. The Chapter welcomed Chennault International Airport Executive Director W. Kevin Melton who gave Doreen and Janet a follow-up tour of the facility but who, unfortunately, could not be convinced to let them practice their aviation skills. |
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NEWS FROM THE MOTHERSHIP
(aka ACEC)
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PPP Loans. ACEC reports that, in response to a lawsuit, the SBA has decided to stop requiring businesses with PPP loans over $2 million to submit the loan necessity questionnaire (SB 3509). As you may know, SB 3509 goes well beyond loan forgiveness requirements in the CARES Act and requires borrowers to provide substantial information about the firm's financial performance. This will be particularly relevant news for ACEC members with PPP loans over $2 million that have not yet applied for loan forgiveness.
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Click here for the June 11, 2021 A/E economic indicator summary
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DOTD - Please be advised that Mathilda Rilovich has replaced Joshua Harrouch on PET 3.
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Federal Infrastructure Investment update - get your scientific calculator out
On June 24, the White House and a bipartisan group of senators announced a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Click here for a summary of the funding numbers and the pay-fors. The House will look to the Senate to act first, and a vote is expected to take place in July. Click here for the White House release on the plan.
The House, meanwhile, votes this week on a combined surface transportation and water package that totals $715 billion – with approximately $550 billion for transportation, $51 billion for wastewater, and $117 billion for drinking water, replacement of lead service lines, and other water needs. A summary of that package can be found here.
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ACEC has issued a timely study that examines the impact of various infrastructure spending scenarios, which builds on the work of the ACEC Research Institute in its 2021-2025 Engineering Industry Forecast. This latest study outlines the impact to our industry of the President’s Jobs plan, the initial Republican counteroffer, and then compared those to the framework of the bipartisan Senate proposal announced last week.
In short, the ACEC study estimates that the $1.2 trillion bipartisan agreement would create more than 82,000 full and part-time jobs in engineering and design services industries, generate $62 billion in A/E industry wages and add $75 billion to GDP. Overall, the proposal would lead to a 6% average annual increase in engineering and design services sector activity over the next six years, pushing annual output from $352 billion in 2021 to $416 billion by 2026.
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The Water Sector Commission. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Legislature created the Water Sector Commission to oversee the spending of $300m in funding appropriated from the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Click here for the legislation (page 11). Click here for a summary of the Program.
The Commission had its organizational meeting on June 21, 2021. Click here to view the meeting. There is good information on how this program will be deployed. The Commission meets again on July 8 at 10:00am. Live stream the meeting at www.legis.la.gov.
The state is a fast track to establish the criteria for the grants and get the money out. This is a great opportunity to let your municipal clients know about this funding opportunity. The state is concerned there will be apprehension for applying for the funds so you can be a tremendous resource.
As an aside, FP&C testified during the first Commission meeting that they would be establishing an engineering pool. ACECL has reached out for more information.
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The Capital Area Road and Bridge District met June 28, 2021 to receive an update on the project. Click here to view the meeting.
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Come, Find Your Place in the Sun!
July 22 - 24, 2021
San Destin Golf & Beach Resort
Join owners and key principals from premiere consulting engineering and land surveying companies from across the Deep Southern States of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi for a Hybrid Deep South Convention and Exhibitor's Trade Show.
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The ACEC Summer Sweepstakes is open now! Please consider purchasing this low-cost ticket so we can reach our $24,000 annual goal!
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2021 EEA LAUNCHES JULY 15, 2021 |
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2021 CALL FOR ENTRIES WILL BE ISSUED JULY 15, 2021 |
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- June 29: Lake Charles Chapter Luncheon
- July 8: Emerging Leaders Session
- July 8: ACECL Transportation Committee
- July 9: ACECL HR Forum
- July 14: Lafayette Chapter Luncheon
- July 22-24: Deep South Convention, SanDestin Resort, FL
- July 22: Board of Governors Meeting
- August 9: Baton Rouge Chapter Meeting
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ACECL WELCOMES NEW AFFILIATE MEMBER
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Quality Sitework Materials (QSM) is a supplier of cost effective and innovative solutions for all your drainage, geosynthetic, storm water management, and process equipment needs.
QSM serves Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle with a comprehensive range of products; we have strategic relationships with national, regional, and local manufacturers to ensure you get high-quality solutions at cost-effective prices.
QSM offers a complete line of water, sewer, and storm drain products, which includes RCP(A), PVC pipe and fittings, HDPE pipe, HP pipe, erosion control materials, storm water detention systems, permeable paving, manhole covers, frames and grates, valves, and gates. And do not forget our complete line of water and wastewater process and treatment equipment.
Take advantage of our complete estimating and take-off services, and place trust in our project coordination. The QSM team is made up of professionals with years of industry and local field experience, and we are ready to put that to work for you. Whether during the design phase or at the point of construction, QSM has the solution.
The companies and products we represent are integral to building, repairing, and maintaining drain, water, wastewater, paving, and soil stabilization systems, and are used widely in commercial and residential construction. For innovative and cost-effective solutions …
Josh Loeske
Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.
855-469-2015
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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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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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ACEC Affiliate Members
ACEC Business Insurance Trust
ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Alexander & Sanders, a division of BXS Insurance
Barriere Construction Group, LLC
Benefits One, LLC
BFM Corporation, LLC
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
Brown & Brown of Louisiana
BRAYN Consulting, LLC
CxA Services, LLC
Cycle Construction, LLC
Durable Piling Restoration, LLC
Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.
Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.
Foley & Judell, LLP
Forterra Pipe & Precast
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, LLP
Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
HUB International
Industrial Fabrics
O. R. Colan Associates, LLC
Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.
Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn
Wray & Associates, L.L.P.
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Doreen Brasseaux
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
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