1. Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet & Current Issues Forum

Join ACEC California on January 15 as we honor the winners of the 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. There will also be a CEQA, Subdivision Map Act and Current Indemnity Issues Forum offered this day. Register today and reserve your room by December 26th!! CLICK HERE for more information.

2. CEQA & Subdivision Map Act Seminars

CEQA and Subdivision Map Act seminars will be offered on January 15th for MCLE credit and all attendees will receive a copy of the new 2015 publication. The seminars will be presented by top attorneys in the field. Don’t miss this opportunity to attend in Sacramento, space is limited! Attached is the seminar flier.

3. National ACEC PAC

California has the largest delegation of congressional representatives in Washington D.C. and as such we should be contributing proportionately to our national ACEC PAC.  If you have not made an individual contribution yet this year, please do so. ACEC California is lagging behind the relative contributions from other ACEC state member organizations. CLICK HERE for the contribution form, CLICK HERE to see a sweepstakes where you might win if you contribute! CLICK HERE to see what Chapters have contributed so far!

Build a Better California – Have Your Firm Represented! 

The November meeting speaker was Timothy Quinn, Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). With offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., ACWA is a statewide association whose 450 local public water agency members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California.

Mr. Quinn gave a very insightful summary of current water issues relevant to our specific area and to the State as a whole including:

• A review of drought conditions and the ways that drought has focused attention
• Governor Brown’s Leadership on a Comprehensive Water Action Plan
• Voter-Approved Water Bond
• Historic Groundwater Legislation

Tim presented the following graphic, dated November 4, 2014, prepared by USDA and NOAA demonstrating that 80% of the State is now in Extreme Drought and 55% is in Exceptional Drought.

The water crisis has focused the attention of legislators and voters who have approved some major policy issues. The Statewide Water Action Plan represents a plan to invest in a comprehensive program to achieve the coequal goals and prepare for future droughts. In summary, the Comprehensive Water Strategy includes the following six points:

• Conserve more
• Store more
• Fix the Delta
• Manage groundwater
• Provide safe drinking water
• Invest in habitat and watersheds

The Water Bond appeared as Proposition 1 on the November 2014 election. The Water Bond is a $7.545 billion package that includes the following allocations:

• Storage = $2.7 billion
• Local Resources = $2.434 billion
• Watersheds/Flood Management = $1.89 billion
• Safe Drinking Water = $520 million

Historic Groundwater Legislation was passed in 2014 in the form of three separate bills: two by State Senator Pavley and one by State Assemblyman Dickinson. The intent of the new Groundwater Legislation is the following:

• Commit the state to sustainable groundwater management
• Promote local control
• Require groundwater sustainability plans in high and medium use basins
• Authorize management tools for local agencies
• Create a State level “backstop” to monitor local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies for compliance
• Define time frames for accomplishing goals

As the leader of the largest statewide association representing water agencies, Mr. Quinn was able to present an excellent overview of current water issues for the State of California.

At the November Board of Director’s meeting, the directors approved the concept of creating Chapter awards for project excellence and holding a reception to honor the winners.

The purpose of the award competition and event is to:

• Recognize the good works of Chapter members,
• Encourage Chapter members to consider participating in State Awards Event, and
• Provide an opportunity for Sierra Chapter visibility (to members, clients & non-members).

Award categories and judging criteria will be developed by committee members. The committee expects to issue a call for nominations in February, with applications due in April.

The Sierra Chapter Engineering Excellence reception is tentatively planned to be held in May (date TBD) in place of the regular Chapter meeting. Sponsorship opportunities will be available.

The committee is currently composed of Jane Rozga, Landon Blake, Harvey Oslick, and Steve Greenfield. If you are interested in helping to recognize the cool work of Chapter members and plan an exciting event, contact Jane at Jane.Rozga@ch2m.com.

Our annual joint meeting with the Sacramento Chapter of APWA is right around the corner and always draws a big crowd. This years meeting should carry on that tradition with Assemblyman Jim Cooper as our special guest.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper has served his community for over 30 years – as a highly decorated law enforcement officer, a Mayor, City Councilmember, and volunteer working with at-risk youth.

Assemblyman Cooper was recently elected as the District 9 Assemblyman. He has worked throughout much of the 9th Assembly District which includes the Sacramento and San Joaquin County communities of Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, and portions of south Sacramento.  He served as a Sacramento Sheriff’s Department Captain with 30 years in law enforcement. Assemblyman Cooper has also spent the past 14 years serving the people of Elk Grove, as the City’s first Mayor, with a total of two terms as Mayor and four terms on the City Council.

As an Elk Grove Councilmember, he oversaw a large Capital Improvement Program with roadways, interchanges, development, parks etc.  His interests include the environment – cleaner air and water, open space, reduced traffic congestion, and new green energy sources.  Other interests include education, small businesses and public safety.

Cooper has had a lifelong passion for community service and young people, and has served on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, WIND Youth Services, and the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home. He is a graduate of West Point Leadership Academy and FBI National Academy, with Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Mary’s College.

Join ACEC and APWA members on Friday, January 9th to hear the latest in the California Assembly!