Location:Crowne Plaza Hotel - DallasMarketCenter, 7050 Stemmons Freeway, (214) 630-8500.The hotel is located on the east side of Stemmons, just south of Mockingbird.Directions:from northbound I-35, exit Mockingbird and hotel is on the right; or from southbound I-35, exit Commonwealth, do a U-turn under freeway, stay on access road and hotel is on the right.
Program:“Wastewater Effluent Reuse in the North Texas Region”
Our April Program speaker will be discussing the status of the planning for the reuse of wastewater effluent in North Texas with an emphasis on the North Texas Municipal Water District’s East Fork Reuse Project.Our April Program speaker will also be discussing the political and regulatory challenges of wastewater effluent reuse projects in the state of Texas.
Speaker:M. Dolan McKnight, P.E., North Texas Municipal Water District
Mr. Dolan McKnight, P.E., has been the Environmental Services Officer for the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) since 1987.His responsibilities include research and development studies for all three operating systems, research and recommendation of improvements in process operations and equipment in response to regulatory changes or advancements in technology, and managing all aspects of the Laboratory and Pretreatment Functions.Mr. McKnight began his career with the NTMWD in 1978 as the Wastewater Systems Manager responsible for all aspects of wastewater system operations including permitting, regulatory reporting, and personnel management.
Mr. McKnight received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Rice University, and his Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington.He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.
Mr. McKnight is an active member of the Water Environment Federation, the Water Environment Association of Texas, the Texas Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, and the Water Resources Council, North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Reservations:by Thursday, March 31, 2005.Call the ASCE Reservation Hotline at (214) 890-6941.This voice mail system has been established by the Branch to handle reservations.Please state your company's name first and then the name of the attendees.In case of a malfunction, contact Erik Hauglie, P.E. at (972) 235-3031.On-line reservations may be made by sending an e-mail to Erik Hauglie at: reservations@dallasasce.orgor from the Branch website (www.dallasasce.org).Please make your reservations by only one of the above methods to avoid double counting.
Cost:$18.00 with reservations, $20.00 at the door if seating is available.
Remember: You can always find upcoming meeting dates, speakers and other Dallas Branch events on our website at www.dallasasce.org.
Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) Seminar
The Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) will present a seminar on “Transportation Air Quality Analysis” before the Luncheon and the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) will present a seminar on “Liquid Nitrogen Cooling Alternative for Concrete Mixtures”after the Luncheon.
March Meeting Summary
The Dallas Branch’s March Meeting/Luncheon was held on March 14, 2005, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with nearly 200 Members and guests attending.President Cissy Sylo, P.E., welcomed everyone and introduced the head table.Lynn Pipkin, P.E., Membership Committee Chair, honored Gary Coffman, P.E., with the ASCE Life Member award for his dedication and many years of service to the civil engineering profession and ASCE.President Sylo presented Mr. Coffman his award.Roger Behgam, P.E., Past President, announced the Dallas Branch’s 2005 “Engineer of the Year” and “Young Engineer of the Year” awards were presented at the Engineers Week Gala to Scott Young, P.E. and Jennifer Hutchinson, P.E., respectively.Athena Bolton, P.E., was honored with the “TSPE Young Engineer” of the year at the Engineers Week Gala.Jeff Ground, P.E., President Elect, invited Members to attend the Spring 2005 Texas Section ASCE Meeting in Austin, April 6-9.Jennifer Hutchinson described the upcoming “Hearts & Hammers” service project for Members and requested volunteers.Angela Lang, E.I.T., Younger Member Director, gave details on the upcoming joint Dallas/Fort Worth ASCE golf tournament on June 3.
After lunch, Mr. Tony Hartzel, Transportation Writer, Dallas Morning News, gave an informative look at how civil engineering projects can be “newsworthy” to the general public.Mr. Hartzel covers transportation and construction projects and writes the weekly “Road Runner” column for the Dallas Morning News.Mr. Hartzel explained the newspaper is written for an 8th grade reader and how difficult it is to translate technical and/or complex civil engineering projects into simple terms.He frequently calls our Dallas Branch President for help.Engineers are critical to help explain a complex topic and hopefully gain public acceptance.Mr. Hartzel said he tries to balance short and long-term stories for the News readers with updates on long-term projects such as the High Five.He said the most read and well-received articles are “quarky” stories that involve kids or animals.One of his most popular stories was about a hawk’s nest that was discovered during construction of the George Bush Turnpike that caused the contractor to work around the nest until the fledglings had left the nest.In response to a question regarding how to deal with projects that are behind schedule, his advice was don’t retreat from controversy and continue a dialog with the public.Mr. Hartzel ended by asking Members to call or e-mail him with ideas for future stories.
Upcoming Younger Member Sponsored Events
The Younger Members are hosting this year’s joint Dallas and Fort Worth Branches Golf Tournament in early June.Volunteers are needed to help with the tournament.Contact Jason Slocum at jslocum@pateeng.com to volunteer.
On Monday nights, starting February 28, the Younger Members will be competing in a bowling league at Don Carter’s All Star Lanes on Composite Drive.Games start at 6:30 pm.Contact Christina LeBlanc at christina.leblanc@kimley-horn.comfor more information
Dallas/Fort Worth ASCE Golf Tournament
Save the date – June 3!The Younger Members are hosting this year’s joint Dallas and Fort Worth Branches Golf Tournament on Friday, June 3.Proceeds go into a scholarship fund for UT Arlington students.The tournament will be at Bear Creek Golf Club near DFWAirport.Tee time will be 2:00 pm following lunch.Volunteers are needed to help with the tournament to solicit sponsorship and recruit players. Contact Jason Slocum at (214) 357-2981 or jslocum@pateeng.com to volunteer or sign up your team.
ASCE Seminars
These in-depth, practice-oriented programs are produced by ASCE’s Continuing Education Department and may be of interest to many ASCE members.Detailed descriptions of the seminars by title are available on ASCE’s National website at: www.asce.org/conted/seminars.
Wetlands and 404 Permitting – San Antonio, May 23-24
Water Quality Modeling – Austin, May 26-27
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design of Culverts – San Antonio, June 9-10
HEC-RAS Computer Workshop – San Antonio, June 22-24
Construction Administration for Engineers – San Antonio, July 28-29
Water Hammer in Transmission & Distribution Systems – Dallas, September 22-23
Leadership Development – San Antonio, September 22-23
Hearts & Hammers Service Project
Hearts & Hammers is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 by a former Peace Corps Volunteer.The mission of Hearts & Hammers is to repair the homes of low income homeowners, most of whom are elderly and many of whom are disabled.City building inspectors identify homes needing repairs.The homeowners are qualified through the People Helping People section of the Dallas City Department of Housing and Neighborhood Services.Hearts & Hammers then recruits volunteer teams to work on the homes.
Once teams have been organized, Hearts & Hammers provides guidance to team leaders in organizing volunteers and working on the homes.The repairs weatherize and beautify the home and bring many of the buildings up to city code.Hearts & Hammers determines the materials needed, what professional assistance is needed, and then orders and warehouses materials.Some materials are donated, some funds come from personal and business donations, and some funds come from the City of Dallas.
This year the Dallas Branch of ASCE will be participating by repairing a home!We will need 20-30 volunteers with various abilities from painters and scrapers to carpentry skills to help revitalize a home.On Tuesday, April 26th, ASCE will begin this adventure at the Hearts & Hammers orientation.On Thursday, May 5th, the ASCE team will then chose a home to repair and on Saturday, May 14th, we will meet the homeowner!
From here we will plot and plan, gather materials and recruit additional volunteers for the construction days in September which are September 9th (materials pick-up) & 10th (pressure wash and general prep) and September 16th (materials pick-up) & 17th (Project Day!).
This is a great opportunity for Dallas Members to give back to the community!For more information on volunteering for the Hearts & Hammers project or if your company is interested in donating for the event, please contact Jennifer Hutchinson at (972) 235-3031 or jhutchinson@pkce.com.
President’s Message
The past couple of months have been focused on a lot of significant civil engineering issues, both positive and potentially harmful to the profession.To start with the positive, Scott Young and Jennifer Hutchinson were presented with the ASCE Outstanding Engineer and Younger Engineer of the Year awards, respectively, at the Engineers Week Gala.Please recognize these two deserving individuals as you get an opportunity.They represent the best of the Chapter and truly show how each of us can work to better our profession, careers, and communities.Congratulations Scott and Jennifer!
We also had a record turnout at the Engineers Week "Future City Competition".ASCE sponsored an award for Best Civil Engineering Design.The 6th to 8th grade competition was awesome.I know that I wasn't up to that level of poise, creativity, and knowledge that was demonstrated in the competition at their age.
Each of us should make sure to take time to focus on the Quality Based Selection bill that could lead to engineers being selected not on qualifications, but low price.I would hate to think that our future bridges, water, and wastewater treatment plants could be designed by the lowest bidder.Please take a few minutes and call or write your legislators.I know that even my local government is concerned with this proposed bill.
Upcoming this year are several great technical presentations, many Institute technical meetings open to all interested individuals, and wonderful opportunities to give back to the community like Hearts & Hammers.
Have a great month and I hope to see you in April.
Upcoming Meetings
May
May 2, 2005
Crown Plaza Hotel
June
June13,2005-Joint Dallas/FW
Hilton Arlington Hotel
July
July ,11, 2005
Crown Plaza Hotel
Dallas Branch, Texas Section, American Society of Civil Engineers
