BRANCH MEETING: April 21, 2016

Please join us at our April Branch meeting for a presentation by John Rogers, our 2015-2016 Los Angeles Section President and Vice President of Engineering at CLE Engineering in Murrieta, CA. John will be presenting on ASCE's three strategic initiatives-Sustainable Infrastructure, the ASCE Grand Challenge, and Raise the Bar as well as the upcoming Legislative Fly-In and upcoming ASCE Dream Big movie release.

John will be speaking more in depth about the following ASCE Strategic Initiatives:

Sustainable Infrastructure - As civil engineers, we are entrusted to maintain and modernize America's deteriorating infrastructure as well as make our communities sustainable.

ASCE Grand Challenge - The investments needed to improve our infrastructure continue to increase well beyond available funding. How do we close the infrastructure gap? ASCE has issued a grand challenge to civil engineers and the industry to significantly enhance the performance and value of infrastructure projects over their life cycles by 2025 and foster the optimization of infrastructure investments for society.

ASCE's Raise the Bar - ASCE seeks to advance the civil engineering profession and the public welfare by actively supporting the national movement to raise educational requirements for licensure of future professional engineers.

Aside from ASCE John has primary professional responsibility for all Civil Engineering Design and Land Surveying performed by CLE Engineering in Southern California. His land development experience extends over almost 40 years and includes project experience throughout the six-county areas. Projects have included industrial and commercial developments, condominiums, hotels, multi-family projects, wineries, single-family residences in environmentally sensitive areas, road designs in difficult terrain, public and private schools, churches and parks.

For additional details and sign-up, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY: Accessibility Training

A Chapter of the International Code Council (ICC) & AIA California Central Coast (A Chapter of the American Institute of Architects), presents:

ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING 

(Based on the 2013 California Building Code)

5 hours CEU credits

After this class you will be able to:

- Know how to effectively use and understand the new organization of Chapter 11B.

- Understand how to apply the requirements for alterations of public accommodations, including exiting, “path of travel”, & employee work areas.

- Understand how the accessibility provisions of the 2013 CBC apply to exterior areas and features, including trash enclosures, parking lots & paths of travel.

- Know the difference between “common areas” and “public areas” in Multi-Family Housing projects.

Date:  Friday April 29, 2016

Time:  7:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Location:  San Luis Obispo City/County Library Community Room

995 Palm St. SLO, CA

Presented by:  Chris Hansen Central Coast Access Specialists, LLC,

Contact Info:

chris@CentralCoastADA.com

www.CentralCoastADA.com

Cost (Includes breakfast):

$75.00 for AIA-CCC and CCC-ICC Chapter members

$100.00 for non-members

Registration:

AIA-CCC Members, Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ada-training-seminar-tickets-23052555815

CCC-ICC Members, Register Here:

http://centralcoasticc.com/events/

Non-Members, Register Here:

http://centralcoasticc.com/events/

On-Line Registration Deadline:  5PM Wednesday, April 28, 2016  

Registration after April 28th will be at the door, subject to seating availability. Seating with tables is limited to 107, please register early.

Cancellation made at least one week prior to the class will be refunded. No refunds for cancellation will be given after that time. No refunds will be given for no-shows in the class.

Check-in and registration starts at 7:30 AM, class begins at 8:00 AM sharp. Coffee and light breakfast is provided. Class will NOT include a lunch break.

Parking:

City Parking structure is next door (south) of the Library on Palm Street. Another parking structure is across the street on Palm one half a block south.

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Central Coast Access Specialists, LLC, was founded in 2011 by Chris Hansen, to assist central coast architects, contractors, business and property owners in becoming compliant with California and Federal accessibility laws. Chris has worked in the field of building codes and code enforcement since 1990. In 2003 he became Inspection/Plan Check Supervisor for the City of Santa Barbara until he retired in September of 2011. Chris is an "Access Specialist", certified by the State of California (CASp #270 - 2010), an ICC Certified Plans Examiner (1999). an ICC certified Building Inspector (1995), and currently is a “Subject Matter Expert” for the Division of the State Architect sitting on their CASP Exam Development Committee.

BRANCH MEETING: April 1, 2016

Meeting Topic: An Evening with Ed Halpin, Pacific Gas and Electric Senior Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer

Ed Halpin is the Senior Vice President, Power Generation & Chief Nuclear Officer for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. He is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operations of DCPP, the license renewal of their units, the decommissioning of Humboldt Bay Power Plant, and will serve as the lead contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

Halpin came to DCPP from South Texas Project (STP) Nuclear Operating Company where he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Nuclear Officer responsible for the overall strategic direction of STP and the operation of the STP's Units 1 & 2. In his more than 24 years with the company, Halpin advanced through positions of increasing responsibility and leadership, including site vice president, vice president of oversight, vice president and assistant to the CEO, plant general manager, operations manager, maintenance manager, systems engineering manager and design manager. He also played a key role in developing and sustaining the company's strong collaborative culture, which was critical to STP's transition to excellence.

Halpin served as an officer in the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power Submarine Service. He graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and holds a master's degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University and another master's degree in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. Additionally, Halpin has a Senior Reactor Operator Certification and is a graduate of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations' Senior Nuclear Plant Management course and the Senior Nuclear Executives Seminar.

Ed welcomes all questions and will discuss a multitude of Diablo Canyon Power Plant topics (i.e. plant operation, power plant benefits, relicensing, etc.).  If you are interested in Diablo Canyon Power Plant come join us for an in-depth interactive presentation with Ed Halpin.

When

Friday April 1, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM PDT
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Where

Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Education Center

6588 Ontario Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Driving Directions

Dinner Menu

Dinner will be buffet style that includes BBQ tri-tip, BBQ chicken, homemade chili beans, fresh pasta salad, mixed greens salad, vegetable tray, garlic bread, fresh salsa, assorted cookies and cake, and assorted sodas and water.

Cost

$30 ($20/student)

We encourage the addition of friends, spouses, and anyone interested in the topic to join us for this meeting. Maximum occupancy is 75. Online payment is highly encouraged; however, we will accept payment at the door.

Get more information

Register Now!

I can't make it

GOLF TOURNAMENT: 14th Annual Cal Poly SCE Tournament (April 22nd)

Golf Tournament:  14^th Annual Cal Poly SCE Tournament

Date: Friday, April 22^nd, 2016

Location: Blacklake Golf Resort, 1490 Golf Course Ln, Nipomo, CA 93444

Come play in SCE's annual golf tournament! It's a fantastic opportunity for students and representatives from multiple engineering companies to network. Lunch will be provided. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Questions:

Jonathon Centofranchi

Sports.cpsce@gmail.com

(760) 520-5625

POST-MEETING INFO: Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation

We had a great turnout this past Thursday (2/18/2016) at Rooster Creek Tavern to hear Carolyn Berg present on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and what is being done locally to comply with the requirements.

For additional information, please see the County’s website:

http://www.slocountywater.org/site/Water%20Resources/SGMA/

Cara Martinez (L) and Carolyn Berg (R).
(PC: Wes Thomson)

BRANCH MEETING: February 18, 2016

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation

Presented by Carolyn Berg, County of San Luis Obispo

California’s Central Coast Hydrologic Region relies on groundwater for approximately 80-percent of its water supply to serve rural, urban, agricultural, and environmental demands. San Luis Obispo County, one of six counties within this region, has 22 groundwater basins underlying 3,304 square miles of largely rural and agricultural lands. Historically, these groundwater basins have had no requirements to manage groundwater. However in January 2015, the State enacted its first major groundwater law –the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)—that requires local agencies to establish governance structures in order to sustainably manage groundwater resources, and to prepare and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP).

Based on the State Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) 2014 Final Basin Prioritization, there are five high and medium priority groundwater basins mapped in San Luis Obispo County: Paso Robles (High), Santa Maria (High), Los Osos (High), San Luis Obispo (Edna) Valley (Medium), and Cuyama Valley (Medium). On January 13, 2015, the County Board of Supervisors adopted the SGMA Strategy and directed staff to implement the policy. The overarching strategy seeks to: “establish community focused Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) based on cooperative interagency and stakeholder relationships in order to comply with SGMA requirements.” It also describes specific actions such as seeking the maximum feasible funding through grant applications, supporting establishment of organizational agreements, and maximum feasible outreach to all potentially affected stakeholders.

Carolyn Berg, Senior Water Resources Engineer of County Public Works, will present an overview of the new SGMA law, and local efforts to comply with its requirements.

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Location: 

Rooster Creek Tavern
200 East Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Date & Time: 
Thursday February 18, 2016 at 12 noon.

For additional details and sign-up, please click here.

BRANCH MEETING: January 21, 2016

Please join us at our January Branch meeting for a presentation by Aaron Hilton with MNS Engineers, Inc. on the "Los Osos Valley Road/Hwy 101 Interchange".

Topic
Los Osos Valley Road (LOVR) is an important and highly traveled corridor for the City of San Luis Obispo, ultimately connecting Madonna road with south Higuera.

The current (LOVR) interchange at U.S. 101 was built at the southern end of San Luis Obispo in 1962. As the city and population have grown, the interchange has become outdated and in need of additional capacity to provide more efficient driving conditions for its users.

Construction of the current project began in the fall of 2014 to correct operational deficiencies and improve safety, add a new bridge adjacent to the existing LOVR overcrossing and widen the LOVR bridge crossing over San Luis Obispo Creek. The project will provide improved pedestrian and bicycle access along both sides of LOVR, construct drainage improvements and reconstruct all four on and off ramps. Currently all of the Structure have been completed and the final portion of LOVR is being re constructed.  The work is expected to be substantially complete by March of this year.  A separate landscaping project will follow the completion of construction further enhancing the southern “entryway” to the city.

The City of San Luis Obispo is the project sponsor and implementing agency of this $24 million construction project. Caltrans will provide oversight during construction and for the life of the project for improvements within State right-of-way. MNS has provided construction management and inspection services during the construction of the project.  Granite Construction is the Prime Contractor on the project.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Note

For those who are interested, there will be a site visit prior to lunch beginning at 11:00 AM. Meet in the Margie's Diner parking lot (1575 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). Safety gear is not required but is recommended. Wear comfortable shoes.

Location

Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Date & Time

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Site Visit - 11:00 am

Lunch - 12:00 pm

BRANCH MEETING: December 17, 2015

Topic
Please join us at our December Branch meeting for a presentation by John Duffy with Yeh and Associates on "Living with Landslides". With the forecast of heavy winter rains caused by “El Nino” conditions, the possibility of widespread slope instabilities is a likely scenario. Under such conditions expedited recognition, assessment, and mitigation of unstable slopes will be in demand in order to keep infrastructure operational through the storm periods. John Duffy with Yeh and Associates will share experiences gained from the 1997/1998 “El Nino” event and other more recent storm events while he served as engineering geologist with the California Department of Transportation.

Location
Rooster Creek Tavern
200 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Date & Time
Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 12:00 pm

Click here for more information and to sign up.

BRANCH MEETING: November 19, 2015

San Clemente Dam Removal and Carmel River Reroute

Known as the largest dam removal and river restoration project in California’s history, the nationally recognized San Clemente Dam Removal and Carmel River Reroute Project is setting a precedent for future dam removal and river restoration projects.

Since its construction in 1921, the 106 foot high dam had posed a significant barrier to steelhead migrations and restricted access to 25 miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat. In recent years, the dam ceased to serve a useful purpose having lost approximately 95 percent of its storage capacity due to more than 2.5 million cubic yards of sediment that had built up behind it.

Upon being deemed seismically unsafe by the California Division of Safety of Dams, a public/private partnership formed between California American Water (SCD Owner) the California State Coastal Conservancy, and National Marine Fisheries Service to resolve the seismic issue as well as restore the natural ecosystem.  Overall, the Project is expected to improve water quality, sediment transfer, fish passage and aquatic habitat, and to restore natural character and function to the water bodies and upland habitats both within the project footprint and on a watershed level.

Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) has been managing the project for California American Water since 2009, and for the last three years has served as Construction Manager for this $83 million, multi-stakeholder project. Dylan Wade, who serves as the Resident Project Representative for the multi-year design-build project will discuss the project design, funding and multi-stakeholder process, construction considerations, restoration goals and approaches, and the projects lasting benefits. Nearing the end of the third year of construction, the Carmel River is ready to flow in its newly constructed channel.  

Location

Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Date & Time
Thursday, November 19, 2015 at noon

Click here for more information and to sign up.

BRANCH MEETING: October 15, 2015

Pismo Preserve Presentation - Land Conservancy

At over 900 acres, the Pismo Preserve offers truly exceptional and diverse recreational opportunities. The project includes over 10 miles of existing ranch roads and trails that meander throughout the property offering ready-to-use routes ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. These trails traverse serene oak woodlands and coastal ridgelines with stunning panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean stretching from the Irish Hills to Point Sal.  The Land Conservancy is currently working with the Wallace Group to design, engineer, and permit two staging areas/parking lots, restroom facilities, picnic areas, and ADA-compliant site features. Already underway are rough designs for a multi-use trail system that would add nearly a dozen miles of new trails and linkages to the existing ten miles of ranch roads currently on the Pismo Preserve. If permitting and construction can be completed under the ambitious time frame, the Pismo Preserve would be open for dawn-to-dusk community use this time next year.  Come join us for a presentation by the Land Conservancy and consultants as they discuss the planning and engineering of this landmark project!

Location

Rosa's Italian Restaurant
491 Price Street
Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Date & Time
Thursday, October 15, 2015 at noon

Click here for more information and to sign up.