MINUTES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS
DATE: December 1, 2010
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
PLACE: 500 N. Calvert Street
Room 308
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
PRESENT: John Mettee, Chairman
Joan Dunne
John Jensen
Donald Ocker
Danielle Lavelle
Thomas Orisich
OTHERS
PRESENT: Jay Hutchins, Executive Director
Pamela J. Edwards, Assistant Executive Director
Milena Trust, Assistant Attorney General
Deborah L. Evans, Administrative Secretary
John Campbell, Maryland Society of Surveyors
CALL TO ORDER
John Mettee, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
MINUTES
Motion (I) was made by Mr. Lavelle, seconded by Mr. Orisich and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2010 meeting as written.
MINUTES – LAND SURVEYORS
December 1, 2010
Page Two
COMPLAINT COMMITTEE
#08-LS-06 – sent to AAG for pre-charge
#10-LS-14 – sent cease and desist letter
#11-LS-01 – Don will prepare a response.
#11-LS-02 – Waiting for resolution of lawsuit.
#11-LS-05 – under investigation.
#11-LS-06 – consent order sent.
#11-LS-07 – send 10-day response letter.
Motion (II) was made by Ms. Dunne, seconded by Mr. Lavelle and unanimously carried to approve the complaint committee’s report as given.
The Board would like to thank the investigator for the great job he is doing.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Board received an e-mail from Joseph Thompson regarding ownership and responsible charge in the context of a firm. Milena Trust will respond to him stating that if he has reasons to believe a situation exists where land surveying documents are being signed and sealed by a surveyor who is not is responsible charge, the Board urges him, as required by the Code of Ethics, to file a complaint with the Board.
The surveyors’ statute does not contain any ownership requirements for a firm permit. When the chairmen of the five design boards discussed this concept both among each other and with their respective boards, the general consensus was that it would not be feasible in the modern times of multi-discipline companies to require any type of ownership structure for firms.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed Change to CPC Regulations - The Board agreed to table any amendment to the CPC regulations until the spring.
The Board voted to have John Jensen be trained to review CPC sponsor packages for approval or denial. Don Ocker will train him to assume the duties.
MINUTES – LAND SURVEYORS
December 1, 2010
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OTHER BUSINESS
Tom Orisich reported on several items concerning NCEES. He informed the Board that he will be attending the EPS committee meting in January.
NCEES is moving ahead with computerizing the FS & FE exams as soon as feasible. A white paper on requiring a 4 year degree for exam eligibility is due out in early 2011. President’s Board meeting is scheduled for February 2011 and Mr. Orisich would like to attend.
Tom Orisich reported that the photogrammetry committee is nearly complete and the first meeting will be held in February.
Tom Orisich reported that the Colonial State Boards of Surveyor Registration (CSBSR) which is currently a non-profit organization is reorganizing. In response to Milena Trust’s inquiry, Tom Orisich stated that CSBSR is comprised of 19 states.
MARYLAND SOCIETY OF SURVEYORS
John Campbell discussed letter dated August 4, 2010 sent from Worcester County Permitting Office to a land surveyor stating that the reviewing agent for the county has the flexibility to determine who is qualified to prepare stormwater management plans. Dan Lavelle stated that a property line surveyor can sign stormwater management plans as a certified expert, but cannot seal them because it is not within the scope of their property line surveying license. Milena Trust stated that she needs to see the county code before she can prepare a letter to WorcesterCounty.
John Campbell stated that he has been getting negative comments about the proposed regulation requiring a “professional certification” on plans and documents. Milena Trust noted that the Board will hold a public hearing before adopting the amendment. John Campbell stated that surveyors would like to leave this requirement at the local level.
MINUTES – LAND SURVEYORS
December 1, 2010
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (III) was made by Mr. Lavelle, seconded Mr.Orisich and unanimously carried to go into Executive Session at 10:45 a.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. This meeting is permitted to be closed pursuant to State Government Article § 10-508. The purpose of this meeting was to consult with Counsel. Upon completion of the Session, the Board re-convened the public meeting 11:00 a.m.
APPLICATION FOR LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
- Valley Engineering – approved.
APPLICATION FOR CPC PROVIDER
- Spar Point Research – approved.
Following a review of the above applications by a minimum of two board members, a motion (IV) for approval was made by Mr. Orisich, seconded by Mr. Ocker and unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion (V) was made by Mr. Orisich, seconded by Mr. Ocker and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at
11:15 a.m.
___X___ With Corrections
______Without Corrections
Signed by John Mettee, Chairman, January 5, 2011.
MINUTES – LAND SURVEYORS
December 1, 2010
Page Five
CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2010
Page Three, Under Other Business, first paragraph, should read: Tom Orisich reported on several items concerning National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. He informed the Board that he will be attending the Committee on Examination of Professional Surveyors.
Page Three, Under Other Business, last paragraph, should read: Tom Orisich reported that the Colonial State Boards of Surveyor Registration (CSBSR) which is changing some of its corporate structure to allow them to sell their science and mapping exams.
Page Three, Under Maryland Society of Surveyors, second sentence should read: Donald Ocker stated that a property line surveyor can sign stormwater management plans as a certified expert, but cannot seal them because it is not within the scope of their property line surveying license.