Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects

MINUTES

BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

DATE: January 18, 2011

TIME: 2:00 P.M.

PLACE: 500 N. Calvert Street 3rd Floor Conference Room Baltimore, Maryland 21202

PRESENT: Christopher Schein, Chairman Beatrice Scott Charles Adams Jeanette Stern-Tansey Lisa Keir

OTHERS PRESENT: Jay Hutchins, Executive Director Pamela J. Edwards, Assistant Executive Director Milena Trust, Assistant Attorney General Deborah L. Evans, Administrative Secretary Debbie Schwab, MD Chapter ASLA Vernon Hustead, MD Chapter ASLA

CALL TO ORDER

Christopher Schein, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

MINUTES

Motion (I) was made by Ms. Keir, seconded by Mr. Adams and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2010 meeting as written. MINUTES – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS January 18, 2011 Page Two

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

#09-LA-01 – reviewed additional information; no basis to reopen #11-LA-01 – need more information from complainant

The Complaint Committee reviewed two reinstatements and recommends they be approved.

Motion (II) was made by Mr. Adams, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously carried to accept the recommendations of the Complaint Committee.

APPLICATIONS FOR EXAMINATION

Motion (III) was made by Ms. Keir, seconded by Mr. Adams and unanimously carried to approve the following applications for examination.

1. Timothy Reinen – approved 2. Manquing Tao - approved 3. Emily L. Dziubek - approved 4. Esra Soytutan - approved 5. Mridula Gupta -approved

APPLICATIONS FOR RECIPROCITY

Motion (IV) was made by Ms. Scott, seconded by Ms. Stern-Tansey and unanimously carried to approve the following applications for reciprocity.

1. Nick G. Moskos - approved 2. Gregg D. Eberly - approved 3. Derek B. Gagne - approved MINUTES – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS January 18, 2011 Page Three

APPLICATION FOR CORPORATION

Motion (V) was made by Mr. Adams, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously carried to approve the following application for corporation.

1. Solutions, Integ. Planning Engineering & Management, LLC – approved

DENIALS

There were five applications for reciprocity that were denied for incompleteness.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board was given a memo from Mr. Sanchez, Secretary of DLLR regarding the Legislative Policy. It was a reminder that “ A DLLR employee may not offer testimony to a committee of the General Assembly unless the employee has been specifically authorized by their Appointing Authority, with the concurrence of the Department’s Secretary, to testify on a particular bill. In addition, a DLLR employee, while acting in his or her capacity as a DLLR employee, may not discuss any departmental issue that is before the General Assembly with a legislator, legislative staff member, or lobbyist, without prior approval.”

DISCUSSION ON CONTINUING EDUCATION

Chairman Schein stated that continuing education was included in the sunset report as one of the recommendations. A report must be submitted to the legislature on the status of the recommendations by October 1, 2011.

Chairman Schein asked representatives from the Maryland Chapter of the ASLA to attend today’s meeting. They held a workshop to discuss issues and solicited comments from members. The Chairman further noted that he has asked Ron Leighton from the American Society of Landscape Architects, to speak with the board today, via telephone, on the issue of continuing education.

Vernon Hustead stated that approximately two years ago, the chapter decided to start looking into the issue of continuing education. Suggestions were made that they research requirements in place in other states. MINUTES – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS January 18, 2011 Page Four

He stated that the local chapter held a forum two weeks ago – 35 people were in attendance. The majority was in favor of continuing education although there are many issues, such as costs and many felt that continuing education has to be of value. It was also felt that it should be compatible with other states and be easy to track.

Vernon Hustead stated that he spoke to individuals licensed in Virginia, who recently instituted continuing education, and the licensees had favorable comments. He stated that firms are concerned about the additional cost to pay for continuing education for their employees.

Lisa Kier asked if internet courses are available. Ms. Schwartz stated that they are available through the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LACES). Discussion ensued on the process for approving providers. It was noted that professional societies have pre-approved courses.

Ron Leighton, ASLA, joined the conversation via telephone. He stated that ASLA recognized several years ago that states were instituting continuing education requirements and they were concerned that this was problematic for some landscape architects who were licensed in several states due to differing requirements. As a result ASLA and CLARB and several other organizations joined together and formed LACES.

Number of hours varies from state to state and process for approving providers varies. LACES tracks what providers are approved. Ron Leighton stated that he hopes states will use LACES as a way of vetting courses.

Vernon Hustead asked about the audit process and effects of an increased workload on staff. Ms. Edwards explained the current electronic audit system in use for the other design boards.

Debbie Schwartz stated that continuing education is a way of keeping licensees educated in areas such as stormwater management, conservation, etc. Milena Trust noted that some boards require a certain number of credits in specific areas, such as health, safety and welfare; code of ethics, minimum standards of practice, and green design. Ms. Keir stated that continuing education contributes to the professionalism of the profession. MINUTES – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS January 18, 2011 Page Five

Ms. Trust asked how the national organization keeps track of continuing education obtained by individual licensees. Mr. Leighton replied that the licensee enters courses they have taken into the LACES system.

Vernon Hustead stated that he wants landscape architects to be on the same playing field as other professions and feels this is a way to get there. Ms. Schwartz stated that she felt that a central repository should be developed before continuing education was implemented and that now exists in LACES.

Ms. Trust informed the Board that by the March meeting they need to decide if they want to introduce CPC legislation. If so, they may wish to have a public hearing in June and then decide if they want to move forward with this in the 2012 or 2013 session.

Ms. Keir stated that the board should put together a committee to study this issue.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Ms. Trust stated that the hearing on the bill concerning the change to the educational requirements will be coming up soon. She will inform the board members of the date as soon as she knows. Someone from the Board will need to testify.

REPORT ON JOINT CHAIRS MEETING

Chris Schein, Chairman stated that certificate of authorization was discussed at the joint chairs meeting on December 15. He noted that the requirements for a firm permit in the architect’s law states that the person in responsible charge must be a director of the firm. A director is not an owner but is more that a full time employee. The Board needs to think about this issue and have a discussion about this at the March meeting. MINUTES – LANSCAPE ARCHITECTS January 18, 2011 Page Six

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, motion (VI) was made by Ms. Keir, seconded by Mr. Adams and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 3:30 p.m.

______With Corrections

____X_____ Without Corrections

Signed by Christopher Schein, Chairman, March 21, 2011