NCARB sent an alert today. The alert states that the Intern Development Program (IDP) has several new rules that will go into effect on January 1, 2010 as part of the phased implementation of IDP 2.0.
However, while the changes will go into effect on January first - due to the holiday - NCARB's electronic Experience Verification Reporting (e-EVR) system will not reflect these changes until January 4, 2010. Also, the e-EVR will be unavailable for several hours on January 4 while the system is updated.
For more information about the upcoming changes to the IDP, please see FAQs on the NCARB web site, the latest issue of NCARB's Direct Connection, or the November IDP e-News.
12.22.2009
12.17.2009
Audit Report on Building Fees (Draft) Released
In the last legislative session a law (SB 5120) was passed requiring the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of building permit and inspection fees. The auditor has released his draft report.
The bill also required that permit fees not exceed the direct and indirect costs associated with reviewing permit applications, conducting inspections, and preparing specific environmental documents.
The auditor reviewed 8 counties for their permit fees and the reasonableness of those fees. The audit finds:
“Among the eight counties surveyed, there were varying approaches to the determination of building permit fees. Most of these approaches focused on setting the rates at a reasonable level in relation to an established benchmark. These new restrictions will require the counties to set permit fees at a level sufficient to recover only the costs of administering the program. Achieving this objective will require counties adopt a cost recovery methodology to fee setting.”
The report also notes some aspects of the bill, and implementation, which are difficult:
- Many counties do not have systems in place to track the indirect costs of building permit programs; the bill requires fees to be tied to costs, but provides incomplete guidance on how costs are to be determined.
- The bill does not address the need for a surplus to be built during good times to get departments through lean times. For instance, because permit revenue is down in the last year most departments would be eliminating staff or radically adjusting their fees to meet the basic permit needs.
As noted, this is a draft report. The final report should be issued in January. The draft gives the oversight committee a chance to review it and make comments prior to its final issuance. They are not seeking public comment on the draft.
Please review the report here and share any comments you may have.
12.16.2009
Governor Gregoire Announces Boards/Commissions Cuts/Changes
Governor Gregoire recently issued recommendations for changes to the many boards and commissions in Washington state. (Follow the link for the Governor's press release and lists of affected agencies.)
She eliminated 17 boards via executive order and has proposed another 78 be eliminated by legislative action. She is also proposing the consolidation, movement and merger of some boards and sub-cabinet agencies.
For the most part there is very little impact on the architectural profession by these proposals. The licensing board, for instance, would be unaffected. And, many of those being eliminated likley will not be missed by the profession or the people of Washington. However, there are a few proposals that merit a closer look by the AIA|WA.
Architects serve on the following boards being proposed for elimination:
• The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB)
• The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee
In addition the AIA has had an interest in the following board being proposed to be eliminated:
• Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
CPARB is a board that the AIA|WA helped to create and has protected against elimination in the past. It serves a vital regulatory and oversight function regarding the use of alternative public works procurement processes by state and local government agencies. Norm Strong, FAIA, is the AIA’s current representative on CPARB. It is not clear if the Project Review Committee, which reports to CPARB, would also be eliminated.
The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, “Advises the State Capitol Committee and the director of General Administration to review programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds and to make recommendations that will contribute to the attainment of architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and located in neighboring communities.” The law requires that the appointees be: two architects; one landscape architect; and an urban planner. The AIA members serving on the committee are Paul Blanton, FAIA, of Spokane and Alex Rolluda, AIA, of Seattle and Dennis Haskell, FAIA, of Seattle.
The Home Inspector board was created only recently to oversee the development and implementation of the home inspector licensing program. AIA|WA supported the creation of the licensing program.
The Governor is also proposing to create an environmental and land use hearings office by reducing and combining the Growth Management Hearings Boards and the Environmental Hearings Office
Finally, Gregoire proposes to reorganize the Department of Commerce (formerly CTED). Currently, the State Building Code Council is housed at Commerce. Gregoire is proposing to move it to the Department of Labor & Industries. John Cochran, AIA, of Seattle, serves as AIA's main representative on the board and we have several members serving on the Council and on technical advisory groups (too many to succinctly list).
There is some logic to this move. Related programs, such as elevator and electrical inspection, are housed at L&I. But, L&I is an agency that has a very political culture and has been problematic in a number of other areas. For instance, we’ve received complaints about the lack of responsiveness of the elevator inspectors.
What are your thoughts on the elimination proposals? Are they needed reforms. Or, are there problems with the proposals. Comment below.
She eliminated 17 boards via executive order and has proposed another 78 be eliminated by legislative action. She is also proposing the consolidation, movement and merger of some boards and sub-cabinet agencies.
For the most part there is very little impact on the architectural profession by these proposals. The licensing board, for instance, would be unaffected. And, many of those being eliminated likley will not be missed by the profession or the people of Washington. However, there are a few proposals that merit a closer look by the AIA|WA.
Architects serve on the following boards being proposed for elimination:
• The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB)
• The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee
In addition the AIA has had an interest in the following board being proposed to be eliminated:
• Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
CPARB is a board that the AIA|WA helped to create and has protected against elimination in the past. It serves a vital regulatory and oversight function regarding the use of alternative public works procurement processes by state and local government agencies. Norm Strong, FAIA, is the AIA’s current representative on CPARB. It is not clear if the Project Review Committee, which reports to CPARB, would also be eliminated.
The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, “Advises the State Capitol Committee and the director of General Administration to review programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds and to make recommendations that will contribute to the attainment of architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and located in neighboring communities.” The law requires that the appointees be: two architects; one landscape architect; and an urban planner. The AIA members serving on the committee are Paul Blanton, FAIA, of Spokane and Alex Rolluda, AIA, of Seattle and Dennis Haskell, FAIA, of Seattle.
The Home Inspector board was created only recently to oversee the development and implementation of the home inspector licensing program. AIA|WA supported the creation of the licensing program.
The Governor is also proposing to create an environmental and land use hearings office by reducing and combining the Growth Management Hearings Boards and the Environmental Hearings Office
Finally, Gregoire proposes to reorganize the Department of Commerce (formerly CTED). Currently, the State Building Code Council is housed at Commerce. Gregoire is proposing to move it to the Department of Labor & Industries. John Cochran, AIA, of Seattle, serves as AIA's main representative on the board and we have several members serving on the Council and on technical advisory groups (too many to succinctly list).
There is some logic to this move. Related programs, such as elevator and electrical inspection, are housed at L&I. But, L&I is an agency that has a very political culture and has been problematic in a number of other areas. For instance, we’ve received complaints about the lack of responsiveness of the elevator inspectors.
What are your thoughts on the elimination proposals? Are they needed reforms. Or, are there problems with the proposals. Comment below.
12.04.2009
2010 AIA Gold Medal Awarded to Peter Bohlin, FAIA
Profession’s highest honor goes to architect known for exceptional contextual use of materials.
The Board of Directors of The AIA voted today to award the 2010 AIA Gold Medal to Peter Bohlin, FAIA. Bohlin is the founder of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, which has offices in Seattle, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
The AIA Gold Medal, voted on annually, is considered to be the profession’s highest national honor. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Bohlin will be honored at the 2010 AIA National Convention in Miami.
AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, notified Bohlin by telephone immediately after the Board made its decision. “I’m so pleased and I’m surprised,” said Bohlin. “We all believe in architecture. It is our life to a great extent. Like athletes, we all know that it’s hard work to make it look easy, and we’re all constantly striving to do that.”
Over the course of his long career, Bohlin has designed rural houses and nature centers as well as excellent urban buildings. The key to success for both building types is their contextual use of materials. Locals can see an example of Bohlin’s work: the Seattle City Hall.
“He moves from the log cabin to the glass box with the same unassailable ethic,” wrote Mack Scogin, FAIA, of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, in a recommendation letter.
Bohlin’s projects have earned 14 national AIA Awards, including nine Institute Honor Awards, COTE Top Ten Green Project Awards, AIA Committee on Education and AIA Housing Awards. Bohlin is the 66th AIA Gold Medalist. In recognition of his legacy to architecture, his name will be chiseled into the granite Wall of Honor in the lobby of the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Board of Directors of The AIA voted today to award the 2010 AIA Gold Medal to Peter Bohlin, FAIA. Bohlin is the founder of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, which has offices in Seattle, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
The AIA Gold Medal, voted on annually, is considered to be the profession’s highest national honor. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Bohlin will be honored at the 2010 AIA National Convention in Miami.
AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, notified Bohlin by telephone immediately after the Board made its decision. “I’m so pleased and I’m surprised,” said Bohlin. “We all believe in architecture. It is our life to a great extent. Like athletes, we all know that it’s hard work to make it look easy, and we’re all constantly striving to do that.”
Over the course of his long career, Bohlin has designed rural houses and nature centers as well as excellent urban buildings. The key to success for both building types is their contextual use of materials. Locals can see an example of Bohlin’s work: the Seattle City Hall.
“He moves from the log cabin to the glass box with the same unassailable ethic,” wrote Mack Scogin, FAIA, of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, in a recommendation letter.
Bohlin’s projects have earned 14 national AIA Awards, including nine Institute Honor Awards, COTE Top Ten Green Project Awards, AIA Committee on Education and AIA Housing Awards. Bohlin is the 66th AIA Gold Medalist. In recognition of his legacy to architecture, his name will be chiseled into the granite Wall of Honor in the lobby of the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
12.03.2009
Public Meeting on Climate Change
Public meeting to gather input on the development of the state’s integrated climate change response strategy will be held:
December 10th, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas St.
Wenatchee, WA 98801
In 2009, the Washington legislature passed Senate Bill 5560 directing the Department of Ecology to partner with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation “to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” The strategy is due to the Legislature in December of 2011.
The agencies are requesting initial feedback from the public. These meetings will be used to provide an overview of the strategy framework, provide background on the need for such a strategy for Washington State. Check the DOE website for more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm.
December 10th, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas St.
Wenatchee, WA 98801
In 2009, the Washington legislature passed Senate Bill 5560 directing the Department of Ecology to partner with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation “to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” The strategy is due to the Legislature in December of 2011.
The agencies are requesting initial feedback from the public. These meetings will be used to provide an overview of the strategy framework, provide background on the need for such a strategy for Washington State. Check the DOE website for more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm.
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