April 13, 2002 Meeting Synopsis

Executive Summary:

Submitted in writing and presented by B. Rodriguez:
"Landscape Architecture and the Law" was update by B. Rodriguez and will be sent to the NYS School Board.

The Joint Design Professions Meeting was attended by D. Conklin and B. Rodriguez on Jan. 23, 2002. The 3 key prioritized items discussed were:

1. Illegal practice
2. Corporate practice of Design professions , and
3. QBS or Qualifications Based Selection.

The Wicks Law (now called the Labor Law) Repeal - which we still support is again on this year's Legislative agenda.

Lobby Day 2002 -instead of the typical thing, AIA Leadership Board Day at the Desmond in Albany on April 29, 2002 is being planned and NYSCLA is invited; Lobby Day set for April 30, 2002. NYSCLA is planning on participating. EXCOM members will be invited for April 30 Lobby Day and D. Conklin will take the lead on contacting them. Upstate ASLA is also organizing a volunteer planting crew for the City of Albany for May 18th, which may also limit EXCOM members ability to travel here for both events.

New bills for consideration: 1) A. 11026 (submitted) amends the environmental conservation law, in relation to water saving performance standards for automated irrigation systems, and 2) A.11028, promotes the reuse of reclaimed wastewater and requires DEC to develop and promulgate rules and regulations related to the permitted uses of reclaimed wastewater and operational requirements; requires a waste treatment facility to submit a study assessing the feasibility of utilizing reclaimed wastewater along with such facility's permit application or permit renewal application; B. Rodriguez requested our input on which of these bills we want to support as soon as possible and she will put together info for Lobby Day.

Light Pollution: dead for now; see Pocket Veto No. 69 handout.

Illegal Practice of a Profession: The Illegal Practice bill will be combined with Sen. La Valle's bill, Voluntary Compliance bill. AIA/NYS is requesting the support of Landscape Architects in this endeavor.

Secretary's Report:

Submitted in writing and presented by N. Bateman; as previously discussed, a brief synopsis of the minutes of meetings will be put on the website; N. Bateman will forward recent minutes to D. Young for Jeremy to include.

General Business:

• There was a discussion re. the issue of arsenic in pressure treated wood and common agreement that this will effect the profession and we should be monitoring this.
• By Law Amendments were submitted in writing and presented by E. Olinger for Sec. 301 and Sec. 506. Discussion focused on membership, voting methods, quorum, and what a proxy can cover.
• News affecting licensure around the country was discussed
• General discussion on the Historic Archives of NY LA Licensure recently compiled by D. Annese, final will be typed and posted on website. D. Annese will also drop off a box of Archived info collected to date at SUNY-Syracuse, Moon Library.
• LA Directory: submitted electronically with 90 of the forms returned so far!
• NYASLA is putting much energy into WTC rebuilding efforts and funding/organizing a PBS film documentary on the rebuilding.
• Continuing Education Task Force - Discussion on some pros and cons; the Landscape Architecture profession was noted as being the only one of the Joint Design Professions not yet to address this. We will begin to collect info on this issue.
• A. Mittlestaedt announced he will be leaving the Council after 10 years of service; his effort and dedication will be sorely missed and the Council is grateful for his participation and service (all).
• Legal Services updates. These are excellent cross references for court cases of interest to Landscape Architects. We will check into and provide a link to this on the website.
• Please note: To accommodate the new train schedule from NYC to Albany, it was agreed to start all future meetings at 10:30 am instead of 10:00 am; all agreed.
• Summer meeting is June 22; Fall meeting is Sept. 14, both at 10:30 am.