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January 5, 2010

Table of Contents
Government Affairs News
     QBS Legislation Update
     Other Legislative Issues
     Business Day in Madison
Education Programs
     Transportation Improvement Conference
     Government Affairs 101 for Future Leaders
     Virtual Seminar: Straight Talk About Running Your Business in This Recession
Awards Banquet
Celebrate Achievements in Engineering & Support ACEC WI
ACEC WI Meets Conduit & PAC Goals
Halfen Receives Lifetime Excellence Award
TDA Fly-in
President’s Award Nominations
Solicitation of Board Candidates
Life Membership Status
Member News
Committee News
State Agency News
ACEC National News
ACEC WI Conduit – A New Year’s Resolution
Other News
     Sales Tax on Professional Services     
     SMPS Events
     Building Green Risks & Rewards
     BIM Workshop
     Business News Wire
     IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
 

Government Affairs News

QBS Legislation Update
Senator Jeff Plale (D, South Milwaukee) and Representative Louis Molepske, Jr (D, Stevens Point) are moving forward with QBS legislation. We expect the companion bills to be introduced and referred to specific senate and assembly committees in January. Bill co-sponsors include:

• Sen Russ Decker (D)
• Sen Dave Hansen (D)
• Sen Neal Kedzie (R)
• Sen Pat Kreitlow (D)
• Sen Julie Lassa (D)
• Sen John Lehman (D)
• Sen Dale Schultz (R)
• Sen Lena Taylor (D)
• Sen Bob Wirch (D)
• Rep Fred Clark (D)
• Rep Mark Gottlieb (R)
• Rep Scott Gunderson (R)
• Rep Mark Honadel (R)
• Rep Samantha Kerkman (R)
• Rep Al Ott (R)
• Rep John Townsend (R)
• Rep Rich Zipperer (R)

Kudos to the army of ACEC WI Grassroots Lobbyists for making contact with their state legislators, encouraging them to support and sign on to this important industry legislation. ACEC WI received feedback from many of its members, with more than 200 contacts made to at least 23 state senators and 45 state representatives. What an outstanding effort!

Once the bills are introduced, our next step will be to work with the members of the committees the legislation is referred to, encouraging support and requesting a hearing. As the government affairs committee develops its strategy, it will be shared with the membership and our grassroots lobbyists will be called back into action.

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Other Legislative Issues
PE Licensure AB288 – This bill would require an engineering degree in order to become licensed, along with changes in exam requirements. The bill has passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Labor, Elections, and Urban Affairs Committee.

Alternative Delivery SB298/AB427 – This legislation would allow the Division of State Facilities to utilize alternative delivery methods, such as single prime and CM at risk, without requiring a waiver from the State Building Commission. A public hearing on both bills was held December 15.

Land Surveying SB194/AB271 – In this bill, the term “land surveying” would be replaced with the term “practice of professional land surveying” and would require a professional land surveyor to provide survey work. AB271 has passed the Assembly and has been referred to the Senate Economic Development Committee.

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Business Day in Madison
February 23, 2010
Once again, ACEC WI is a sponsor of Business Day in Madison. This event is an excellent opportunity for you to meet with legislative leaders and hear about such important business topics as the economy and the upcoming election season. It will be held on Tuesday, February 23, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. This is ACEC WI’s ninth year as a sponsor, making our organization a founding sponsor.

Kick off the day with an ACEC WI members only legislative session with ACEC WI Lobbyist Susie Schooff, Essie Kammer Group, at 7:30 am. Attend the event to help show ACEC WI's support of Wisconsin’s premier legislative conference and continue our grassroots lobbying on the QBS Bill. ACEC WI has had one of the largest single contingents at Business Day. We should strive to continue to show strong representation of our industry.

Please register for Business Day in Madison through ACEC WI. Registration for the event is $195. This fee covers the ACEC WI members only legislative session, your lunch at a reserved table, and a small fee to help defray the fee to serve as a sponsor. The deadline for registration is February 12.

Won’t you help us continue to be a strong voice in Wisconsin politics? Join us at Business Day in Madison on February 23.

Click here for meeting details and registration form.

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Education Programs

2010 Transportation Improvement Conference Going Green in Green Bay March 8-9, Green Bay   ACEC WI and WisDOT are partnering for the third consecutive year to the present the 2010 Transportation Improvement Conference. The conference brings together the department and the consulting engineering industry for 2 days of transportation programming and networking opportunities.

Going Green in Green Bay features informative general sessions and specialized breakout sessions full of the latest information on transportation related issues in Wisconsin. The conference is a must attend for transportation professionals. To allow for an optimal networking experience, consulting firms are limited to 3 attendees per firm.

Topics include:

• ARRA Perspectives
• Construction & Freeway Focused Sessions
• High Speed Rail
• Mega Project Track including US 41 Corridor & Southeast Region Mega Projects
• Green Highway Intiatives, WHRP Updates, Energy Power Sources for Transportation
• WisDOT Programs & Requirements
• Public Information Dos and Don’ts
• Environmental Documents & Community Sensitive Solutions
• Transportation Management Plans & Roundabouts

Sessions are described in detail at https://m360.acecwi.org/event.aspx?EventID=13312.

Dates to Remember
February 8
     - Early registration / reduced rate deadline – Register online at www.acecwi.org
     - Hotel reservation deadline – Don't miss the special group rate of $70 plus tax. 
     Download the brochure for details.

February 22 
     - Registration deadline - Register online at www.acecwi.org
     - Cancellation deadline

This conference is generously sponsored by the following ACEC WI member firms. Thank you for your support of the 2010 Transportation Improvement Conference.
 

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Government Affairs 101 for Future Leaders
The Engineering Future Leaders Class of 2010 will come to Madison January 20-21 for a primer in government affairs. This session will focus on why it’s important for firm leaders to build relationships with legislators and participate in the legislative process. With QBS legislation in play, the session will also address how to help owners understand the legal requirements for procuring AE services and address objections from owners. Members of the class will also meet with their legislators. Past classes have called this the most “eye-opening” session of the 6-part series.

Due to weather, the December session, Work/Life Balance for an Effective Leader, was cancelled. The session has been rescheduled for February 18-19 at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. The original line-up of speakers have been rescheduled for what is sure to be an outstanding session.

Interested in this leadership development program? A call for nominees for the class of 2011 will begin this spring. Watch the ACEC WI Update for details or contact ACEC WI for information.

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Virtual Seminars
Virtual seminars are the prefect solution for training on a budget. For one low registration fee, any number of employees can participate in the program at your firm’s office. Avoid additional expenses of multiple registrations and travel costs by participating in virtual seminars. Recognizing these difficult economic times, ACEC WI will be focusing on offering these cost-effective solutions for training rather than face-to-face meetings. These programs are perfect lunch and learn opportunities. In many cases, a program CD may be purchased if the program date and time are not convenient.

ACEC WI is proud to partner and offer the following virtual seminar:

Straight Talk About Running Your Business in This Recession
January 12; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Audio conference
Don't expect typical touchy-feely, warm-and-fuzzy management theory here.
Turnaround management expert George Cloutier is a contrarian with a well-deserved reputation for delivering blunt, no-nonsense advice on how to get your business back on track and stay profitable in any economic environment. If your business has been hit hard by the recession, this no-holds-barred audio conference may be just the jumpstart you need. Here's just a sample of what you can expect:

• There's only one thing that really matters. You'll be amazed at how many problems resolve themselves by focusing on this one guiding principle.
• Surprise - it's NOT the economy! Facing up to the real cause of the problem is your first step toward solving it.
• The ironclad fiscal rule you can't afford to ignore. Identify the leaks in your business's profitability and plug them once and for all.
• Distractions, delusions and denial. Ignore these common, but dangerous habits and risk running your business into the ground.
• Filing for bankruptcy: timing is critical. The fine line between a successful Chapter 11 reorganization and watching your business crash and burn.

Whether you have 2, 20 or 200 people gathered in an office or conference room, you pay just $209.

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ACEC WI Awards Banquet Friday, March 26 The American Club, Kohler

Invitations are in the mail for the 2010 Award Banquet and all are welcome to join the celebration.

Celebrate with your colleagues and clients at the 39th Annual ACEC WI Awards Banquet. The gala event honors the 2010 Engineering Excellence Award-winning projects and ACEC WI volunteer leadership.

The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and concludes with the presentation of the 2010 Engineering Excellence Awards. Comedian Mike Mercury will entertain us all with his original comedy and commentary on this year’s winning projects.

Reservations are available on an individual basis or by table of 8. The reservation deadline is March 19. Sponsorship and premium seating is also available. Sponsors must reserve their seats by March 15.

Enjoy world class accommodation’s at the Midwest’s only five diamond hotel, The American Club. Special group rates are available at The American Club for $157 plus tax and the Inn on Woodlake for $98 plus tax. Make your reservation by calling 800-344-2838 and identify yourself as part of the ACEC WI 2010 Awards Program room block. The reservation deadline is February 23.

Please visit https://m360.acecwi.org/event.aspx?eventID=13053 for reservation materials and additional information.

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Celebrate Achievements in Engineering & Support ACEC WI
Deadline Thursday, January 7
Each Engineering Excellence Award-winning project will be featured in a special edition, full color magazine published and distributed by The Daily Reporter. Help support the industry and ACEC WI by advertizing in this magazine. Click here for ad rate and size information. 

For details, contact Denise Scardina, The Daily Reporter, at 800-508-3800 extension 15830 or denise.scardina@dailyreporter.com. 

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ACEC WI Meets Conduit & PAC Goals
We did it, thanks to the strong participation of ACEC WI member firm employees! In March, Wisconsin was the first state in the country to meet its PAC goal for ACEC national. Raising more than $15,000, this marked the third consecutive year Wisconsin led the pack in achieving its goal.

As we close out 2009, we’re pleased to report we also exceeded our state goal by raising more than $30,000 for the ACEC WI Conduit. Congratulations and thank you to all the individuals and their firms for a strong commitment to this important government affairs tool.

January 1st sets the clock back to zero as we enter this important election cycle. The government affairs committee has not yet set this year’s goal, but if the past is any indication, the bar will be raised to $50,000. Your participation is needed! For more information regarding the ACEC WI Conduit or ACEC PAC, contact ACEC WI staff or visit our website.

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Halfen Receives Lifetime Excellence Award
ACEC WI wishes to congratulate Frederick Halfen, CP, Ayres Associates, for receiving the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association Lifetime Excellence Award. This is one of the most prestigious awards a graduate of UW-Eau Claire can receive. Halfen was presented the award at a luncheon on December 19.

Congratulations, Fred!

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TDA Fly-in
March 10-11, Washington, DC
The TDA Fly-in is an opportunity to bring Wisconsin transportation issues to Washington.This year, the message is especially important. The key message will be the connection between transportation investment and jobs that will be created to build the infrastructure that will spur economic resurgence.

Join the TDA Fly-in to thank members of its Congressional delegation for their work and to encourage them in their efforts to strengthen Wisconsin’s infrastructure and put Wisconsinites back to work. The registration deadline is January 8. Click here to download the information packet and registration materials.

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President’s Award Nominations
ACEC WI will recognize an outstanding volunteer through its 11th Annual President’s Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual’s personal service made to or on behalf of ACEC WI. Not only does the President’s Award celebrate a member’s work on behalf of the profession, it also enhances the image of the industry and the organization. The award will be presented on March 26 at the ACEC WI Awards Banquet.

ACEC WI Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, Past Presidents, and Executive Director may submit nominations for the award. The deadline for nominations is January 26.

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Solicitation of Board Candidates
The nominating committee has until April 1 to present a slate of nominees for the following positions for the 2010-11 ACEC WI Board of Directors:

• President-elect (3-year term)
• Secretary-treasurer
• PEPP Alternate Director (3-year term)
• Director at large

If you have an interest in serving on the board, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Phil Budde, Strand Associates, at 608-251-4843 or Executive Director Carol Godiksen at 608-257-9223.

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Life Member Status
Do you know someone who is getting close to retirement, but still wants to be actively involved in ACEC WI? If so, consider nominating that person to become a life member. Life members shall be fully retired from active practice, not engaged in any field or activity that would have rendered him or her ineligible for membership in the first instance, and have been employed by a member firm for at least 10 years preceding retirement.

In accordance with state and national bylaws, members who desire to maintain life membership shall apply to ACEC WI. The council will carry all individual life members on the life member rolls without further dues obligation. Life members may serve on committees, but may not hold office or vote on ACEC WI matters.

If you would like to nominate someone for life membership, contact ACEC WI at 608-257-9223.

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Member News
Computerized Structural Design – is welcomed to the ACEC WI membership. The key contact is Thomas Whittow; 8989 N Port Washington Rd; Milwaukee, WI 53217; 414-351-5588; fax 414-351-4617; www.csd-eng.com.

M Squared Engineering - is welcomed to the ACEC WI membership. The key contact is Matt Hahm; W62N215 Washington Ave; Cedarburg WI, 53012; 262-376-4246; fax 262-375-2274; www.msquaredengineering.com.

Fish & Associates – is welcomed to the ACEC WI membership. The key contact is Douglas Furry; 3148 Deming Way #160; Middleton, WI 53562; 608-831-3238; fax 608-831-3295; www.fishassoc.com.

American Engineering Testing – is welcomed to the ACEC WI membership. The key contact is Greg Owens, PG; 4203 Schofield Ave; Schofield WI 54476-2708; 715-359-3534; fax 715-359-4032; www.amengtest.com.

Alfred Benesch & Company – welcomes Todd Becker, PE to the firm as a Wisconsin division manager.

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Committee News
Business Practices – The committee is scheduled to meet January 14. Finalizing the May 13 Annual Meeting agenda will be a top priority.

DNR – Russ Rasmussen will be the DNR speaker for the committee’s January 12th meeting.

DSF – The committee will meet January 7th and meetings are to be scheduled this month with the DSF, including the quarterly partnering meeting and a session on AE issues.

DOT – The committee’s next quarterly meeting is February 9. The executive subcommittee will be meeting with the transportation task force January 7 to set the agenda. Committee members are encouraged to contact ACEC WI if you have specific agenda requests.

HR – There is no meeting scheduled until February. The committee’s December meeting was canceled, due to weather.

Government Affairs – The committee’s next meeting will be a conference call on January 11th. In addition to setting the 2010 conduit goal and finalizing details for Business Day in Madison, the committee will continue its work on the QBS legislation. Once the bill is introduced and referred to senate and assembly committees, the government affairs committee will be contacting those committee members encouraging support of the bill.

Membership – The full committee will meet January 26th, with both the recruitment and retention subcommittees meeting in advance of that date. ACEC WI closed out December with the largest number of membership applications received in a single quarter. We are welcoming 5 new member firms, exceeding the total number for some 12-month periods.

Nominating – The committee will begin deliberation on a slate of candidates for the 2010-11 ACEC WI Board of Directors later this month. See the article for more information on board service.

Public Relations – The committee met in December to discuss a number of strategic plan activities including the organization’s use of social media, a communications audit, and membership recruitment efforts. The committee will meet February 4 to continue working on these items.

Transportation Task Force – The task force continues to meet monthly with the WisDOT administrator’s office. It is also scheduled to meet with the transportation executive subcommittee on January 7.

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State Agency News
Department of Natural Resources – The RR Report from DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment Program is available at the following link:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/news/09/12-11-09.pdf

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ACEC National News
House Passes Jobs Bill Including Major Investments for Infrastructure
ACEC Urges Congress to Move Beyond "Shovel Ready"
As reported in the 12/17/09 edition of the ACEC Last Word
The House cleared a $75 billion jobs bill that includes over $48 billion for transportation, water, energy, school renovation, and housing projects. Funds redirected from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), which aided struggling financial institutions, will pay for the bill.

The Jobs for Main Street Act sets aside $27.5 billion for highway projects, and $8.4 billion for transit, amounts almost equal to the first stimulus bill passed earlier in the year. Amtrak receives $800 million, and $500 million goes for airport projects.

For water and wastewater projects, the bill sets aside $2 billion, to be equally divided between the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs.

The legislation provides $4.1 billion for school renovation grants, as well as $2 billion for affordable housing and public housing projects. On the energy side, the legislation includes $2 billion for renewable energy and electric transmission projects.

The Senate is expected to act on the jobs bill early in 2010.

ACEC Annual Convention
Save the dates and plan to attend the Annual Convention and Consulting Congress Day. The convention will be held April 25-28 in Washington, DC. Details and registration information will be available soon.

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ACEC WI Conduit – A New Year’s Resolution
January starts a new year and a new opportunity to re-up or begin to participate in the ACEC WI Conduit. This is an election year and using the conduit as a pass-through for your political contributions benefits not only you, but also your employer and ACEC WI. Resolve to exercise your right to be involved in the political process by contributing to the ACEC WI Conduit. Click here for more information on the conduit.

The following individuals start out the honor role for the 2010 Conduit. Many of these individuals contribute through a payroll deduction plan, contributing a little each paycheck to build their account in a painless manner. Contact ACEC WI if you’d like to learn more about the payroll deduction process.

2010 Conduit Contributors (as of December 22)
Chairman Level - $1000 or more
John Boldt, Clark Dietz
John Rathke, Mead & Hunt

President Level - $500 or more
David Brose, EMCS Inc*
Amy Squiteri, Mead & Hunt, Inc*
Paul Tarvin, AECOM*

Principal Level - $250 or more
Steven Schultz, Ruekert/Mielke, Inc*

Professional Level - $100 or more
Ryan Amtmann, Ruekert/Mielke, Inc*
Stanley Sugden, Ruekert/Mielke, Inc*
Sean Sullivan, Ruekert/Mielke, Inc*
Patrick Wohlers, Ruekert/Mielke, Inc*

* These individuals are participating in the automatic withdrawal program.

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Other News 

Sales Tax on Professional Services
At the request of a member firm, ACEC WI recently researched an issue relating to sales and use tax on landscape architectural services. Apparently there is some question whether a sales tax should be applied to this design service. An architectural firm recently notified its sub consultants that a sales tax on this professional service was required to be included on invoices for landscape architecture.

In communicating with AIA WI, we learned this has been an issue with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), but firms were able to successfully argue the service was incidental to providing nontaxable architectural services. A letter, dated 1999, from the DOR clarified that position.

We polled our member firms and received a similar response, providing a landscape architectural service is considered a professional service, not subject to sales tax. However, one respondent did indicate seeing the tax included on an invoice from its sub consultant.

Thank you to the member firms that responded to this inquiry.

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SMPS Wisconsin Events

SMPS Wisconsin is sponsoring 2 networking events this January.

• Madison – Bonfyre American Grille
  January 14; 5:00 – 7:00 pm
  Co-hosted by Sales & Marketing Executives of Wisconsin & SMPS Wisconsin
• Milwaukee – Eisner Museum of Advertising & Design
  January 20; 6:00 – 9:00 pm
  Hosted by Acrobash 2010 & sponsored by SMPS Wisconsin

For additional information, visit http://www.smpswisconsin.org/.

Beyond Price Cutting: How to Maximize Value and Remain Competitive
March 18
Country Springs Hotel, Pewaukee
With mounting pressures of uncertain economic times and increasing competition for every opportunity, your firm may be tempted to cut prices and chase every lead to remain competitive. Slashing prices might seem to be a quick fix, but it can lead to negative long-term side effects. And pursuing opportunities with strategies to capture the project can waste valuable marketing dollars. Dr Janet Sanders, an expert in the field of client marketing, will identify opportunities and strategies that will allow you to focus your efforts and maintain prices.

Attendees will learn:

• Hot spots to invest your limited marketing dollars
• Relevant messages that appeal to today’s penny-pinching clients and prospects
• Tactics to win “more than your share” of whatever work that is available in your marketplace
• Ways other firms have changed their business models to get through the downturn
• Ideas to position your firm to survive in today’s economy and thrive in tomorrow’s changed marketplace.

Join SMPS Wisconsin & ACEC WI for this exciting half-day seminar. Visit http://www.smpswisconsin.org/halfday.html for details.


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Building Green: Risks & Rewards
January 14, Pewaukee
As sustainability and green construction sweep the country, owners and construction industry professionals should fully understand the opportunities and risks of this initiative.

A program panel of architects, contractors, owners, insurance professionals, lawyers, and accountants will provide key information you should have as you consider sustainability or green construction. The experienced panel will give you insight on important key issues, including the owner’s motivation and reasonable expectations for green construction, the realities and myths of tax credits, and how to evaluate risks associated with LEED projects and other insurance coverage issues.

The speaker panel will run 4:00 – 5:30 pm and will be followed by a networking reception. The cost to attend is $25. Click here for more information. Contact State Bar of Wisconsin at 800-728-7788 for additional information or to register.

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BIM Training Workshop
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) College of Architecture is hosting a Building Information Modeling (BIM) workshop on January 7, 8, and 9, 2010, in Chicago. For more information regarding the workshop, including a schedule and registration form, please contact Rick Stallé.

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UW Business News Wire
Check out the latest edition of UW Business News Wire at http://buswire.ocr.wisc.edu/. The monthly online publication is intended to build and strengthen awareness of and appreciation for university resources and programs that assist the Wisconsin business community.

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IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
Beginning January 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be 50 cents per mile for business miles driven. This is down from the 2009 rate of 55 cents per mile driven.

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© American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin 2010.