April, 2002

THANK YOU! 

I want to start my column out by expressing Malinda and my thanks to those of you who participated in the “Let’s send Bob and Malinda on a vacation project”.  Those of you who were in attendance at the Annual Conference banquet witnessed how shocked and surprised we both were to be so honored.  We are still not sure who was behind this project, but we want to thank them and the many chapters, companies and individuals that contributed.  We have always felt honored to represent IPLSA members over the 25 years of part time service and most recently as full time Executive Director and Executive Secretary of IPLSA.  Thank you again!  Bob & Malinda

DONATION FROM COMPASS LAND SURVEYING AND MAPPING

IPLSA wants to thank Michael E. Filipski, PLS for his generous donation of $1,000 that he gave to apply to the budget shortfall.

PROPOSED MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM SENT TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES:

The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation has sent the Proposed Mandatory Continuing Education Program to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JACAR). When approved the program will become part of the Administrative Rules of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Act of 1989.

As of November 30, 2004 and every renewal thereafter, the program will require as a condition of license renewal 20 professional development hours relevant to the practice of land surveying. To review the proposed program, go to the IDPR web site: www.dpr.state.il.us

IPLSA REVIEWING PROCEDUERS FOR CERTIFYING ATTENDEES AT SESSIONS OF IPLSA SPONSORED SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES.

IPLSA is proposing the following procedure for keeping track of attendance at seminars and conferences:

·         Attendee will be given a numbered ticket for each session time slot.

·         Attendee will be responsible for placing the session ticket in a box, provided by IPLSA when entering the session room.

·         Within a few weeks of the seminar or conference IPLSA will send out a certificate stating the sessions that the attendee attended matching the tickets collected.

·         If there is a discrepancy with the amount of credit hours given it will be up to the attendee to notify IPLSA of the discrepancy and show proof that the attendee is correct.

SIT/PLS REFRESHER COURSE OFFERED:

IPLSA will sponsor a Surveyor-In-Training Refresher Course for those taking the October 25 & 26, 2002 examination.  The 2-day SIT Refresher Course will be held Wednesday, August 14th & Thursday, 15th. The PLS Refresher Course will be held Friday, August 16th and Saturday, August 17th.  Both courses will be held at the Days Inn in Springfield.  The Saturday course is available to those who need a refresher course on the jurisdictional part of the exam. Potential attendees should take note that the course will be held during the Illinois State Fair and sleeping rooms are at a premium.  Sleeping rooms are being held until July 13, 2002.  Watch for mailing or contact the IPLSA office.  Phone: 217/498-8102 or e-mail: mchurch245@aol.com.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING & SURVEYING (NCEES) CONSIDERS A MODEL LAW:

NCEES will be considering a Model Law to serve as a guide to provide greater uniformity of licensure and other legislation as it relates to interstate licensing of land surveyors.  The Model Law will be considered by NCEES at Zone Meetings before it will be considered at the NCEES Annual Meeting in August.

The Model Law has been sent to the IPLSA GIS/LIS and the IPLSA Land Surveyor Act Review Committee for their consideration when discussing GIS Standards and any changes in the definition of Land Surveying stated in the LS Act.

IPLSA GIS/LIS COMMITTEE WORKING ON GIS STANDARDS

The IPLSA GIS/LIS Committee has met 3 times in the past 5 months to consider minimum standards for GIS work products.  Several Counties are considering GIS programs and without standards each County may have a different GIS program.

IPLSA is aware of Counties and Planning Commissions that are going out for proposals to have GIS work done.  In many cases these proposals include work need to be performed by Professional Land Surveyors but a PLS is not listed as a requirement in the proposal. IPLSA members are asked to monitor GIS proposals to see that the PLS requirement is covered. Please notify the IPLSA State Office if you find a proposal including land surveying and a PLS is not required.

IPLSA LAND SURVEYOR ACT REVIEW COMMITTEE TO MEET:

Newly appointed Chairman Jerry Stone has called a meeting of the IPLSA Land Surveyor Act Review Committee to consider changes in the PLS Act and Rules.  Anyone having input should contact their Chapter Committee Member and make their changes known. All proposed changes will need to be approved by the IPLSA Board of Directions.  Proposed changes to the act will require a bill to be entered into the legislature, which can be done after January 1, 2003. Any changes in the Rules would go to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

NSPS TRIG-STAR PROGRAMS OFFERED:

Seven High Schools will be participating in NSPS Trig-Star Programs.  The programs are being sponsored by George Barrett, PLS, Barrett Land Surveying, of Cary, IL, The East Central Chapter of IPLSA representing the following, Ed Clancy, PLS and Dennis Cummins, SIT Berns, Clancy & Associates, P.C. of Urbana, Ben Fisher, PLS, City of Urbana, Todd Horton, Parkland College, Dave Phillippe, PLS and Gary Maxwell, PLS of HDC Engineering, Inc. Champaign, Gale Hake, PLS of Rhutasel & Associates, Inc, of Freeburg, and Joseph A. Langhauser, PLS, ABACUS of Breese, Illinois.  After the examinations a State Winner will be determined and given a $250.00 cash prize.  The State Winner will be eligible for the National Examination, which offers the winner a $1,000.00 scholarship, $500.00 second place or $250.00 third place.