officers & past committees *save the date* · 2018-01-17 · melody cooper contract land staff,...
TRANSCRIPT
About Our Chapter
Bluebonnet Chapter No. 74, is the Austin, TX, chapter of the International Right
of Way Association. Our Chapter was founded in 1985 by professionals in the
right of way field to unite members for education, improve service to employers
and the public, and to advance our members within the profession. We are part of Region 2 of the International Association. Our current membership includes
professionals involved in a wide array of projects requiring real estate and right
of way services.
Board of Directors Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month. All are
welcome. If you are interested in attending, please contact a Chapter 74 Officer.
NOVEMBER 2017 2017, Issue X
IN THIS ISSUE:
President’s
Message 2
Calendar 3
Officers & Past Presidents
4
Committees 5
Education 6
Membership 7
Professional Development
8
Programs 9
Career Hotline 10
Sponsors 11
Transportation
Report 12-13
*SAVE THE DATE*
Chapter 74 Annual Holiday Party
December 16th, 2017 | 6:00pm
AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center
Tejas Room
1900 University Avenue
Austin, Texas 78705
Greetings Chapter 74,
We had a great luncheon on October 10 th. As you know, we tried a new venue with the luncheon being held at Maggiano’s and it
was fabulous. The service was excellent and there was no waiting for our meal. As soon as we arrived appetizers were on the table
and followed up shortly after with a full meal and dessert. Did I mention how delicious the food was? The timing of the meal and
presentations were so well put together that we were literally done in 45 minutes which gave members plenty of time to social ize
and network and still be out of there in an hour. A big thank you to our fantastic programs committee, Barbara Price, Michael Lat-
ham and Leila Valenzuela! The only thing missing was a photographer. We really need someone to take pictures at our events so we
can share with all of those who missed it. If you are interested or know someone who is please give me a call.
Don’t miss next month’s luncheon on November 14th at Maggiano’s. Our guest speakers are Mayor, Dale Ross of the City of
Georgetown and Valerie Nicholson, Council Member District 2. Be there to welcome them and learn about road projects, Go Geo
and transportation issues.
Save the date…IRWA Chapter 74’s Christmas party will be held on December 16 th at the AT&T Executive Education & Confer-
ence Center from 6pm to 11pm. Additional information will follow as soon as Alex Gale gets all the planning completed. I have
heard rumors that he is planning on having the Ben Cina Band provide live entertainment again. If you attended last year, I’m sure
you remember how great the band engaged with the crowd and they created a full dance floor.
Most of you have already received your IRWA membership renewal invoice and I urge you to renew your membership today. IR-
WA is running a Membership Renewal Campaign which will grant our Chapter one free International conference registration
to Edmonton, Canada if 90% of our members renew by April 15th. While it has not been decided how registration will be award-
ed by our Chapter it would be of great benefit to award one of our members free registration. There are many benefits to renewing
your membership, reduced class fees and the ability to network and learn about the industry. For those of you contemplating to
renew or not to renew I would like to share a personal experience with you. In 2001 I was invited to attend an IRWA luncheon. I
was greeted and welcomed by the Chapter President at the time, Randall Kopfher. He was passionate about the IRWA and even
called me later to encourage me to join. The agency I was working for did not pay for memberships and when I presented that a s
my argument his rebuttal was very simple. He said, “let me give you 3 reasons why you should join, 1. The best investment you can
make is in yourself, 2. You will meet great people and make many new friends, 3. It will help advance your career growth.” Since I
couldn’t argue those points I joined. He was right! I have met great people, made new friends and advanced my career. In fact , I have
not had to look for a job in over 10 years. Of course, I have changed jobs but not because I was looking. I have only changed jobs
because someone from this wonderful organization looked for me. Recently, I left an employer and I was contemplating retirement
to spend time with my newly born grandson and just enjoy life. Shortly after word got out that I had left my job, many IRWA con-
nections of which were leaders in their organizations reached out to me with offers of employment. This reminded me of the pow-
er of IRWA and Networking. I decided I wasn’t quite ready to settle into a quiet retired grandma just yet… On that note, I leave
you with this quote from Tony Gaskins “Invest in yourself to the point that it makes someone else invest in you”.
Respectfully,
Virginia Pompa, SR/WA
Chapter 74 President
2017 – 2018
Page 2 2017, Issue X
President’s Message
Page 3 2017, Issue X
November 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4
5 6 7 BOARD
MEETING
8
9
10 11
12 13 14 MONTHLY
LUNCHEON
15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
Calendar of Events
October EVENTS
October 3rd — Board Meeting
Time: 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.
Location: One Texas Center, City of Austin
October 5th—6th — Non-Residential Relocation Assistance
Time: 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Location: HDR, Inc.—7745 Chevy Chase Drive, Bldg. 5, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78752
October 10th — Monthly Luncheon Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy—The DiCarlo Room / 10910 Domain Drive, #100 Austin, TX 78758
Upcoming Events
December 16th — Chapter 74 Christmas Party
Time: 6:00 p.m.—11:00 p.m.
Location: AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center / 1900 University Ave. Austin, TX 78705
November Events
November 7th — Board Meeting
Time: 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.
Location: One Texas Center, City of Austin
November 14th — Monthly Luncheon
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy—The DiCarlo Room / 10910 Domain Drive, #100 Austin, TX 78758
President
Virginia Pompa, SR/WA, R/W-RAC,
R/W-NAC
Flairsoft, LTD 512-221-3798
President Elect
Alex Gale, SR/WA, R/W-URAC, R/W-RAC, R/W-NAC City of Austin
512-974-1416 [email protected]
Vice President
Lori Bible, SR/WA Contract Land Staff, LLC 512-346-6518
Treasurer
Sheila Mills, SR/WA, R/W-NAC
H.W. Lochner, Inc. (737) 704-3061
IRWA Chapter 74 Officers
Secretary
Tara O’Neal Texas Department of Transportation
(512) 832-7373
Director / 2 Year
Maggie Schedler, R/W-RAC, R/W-URAC
512-653-2783
Director / 1Year
Patti Bell, SR/WA Allegiant Group, PLLC
512-826-1333
2006 Tinker Cotton, SR/WA
2005 Steve Bohuslav, SR/WA
2004 Steve Beck, MAI, SR/WA
2003 Elizabeth Norris
2002 Elisa Garcia
2001 Randall Kopfer, IFA, SR/WA
2000 Laurie Park, SR/WA
1999 George Schlemeyer, SR/WA
1998 Lauraine Rizer, SR/WA
1997 Randy Williams, MAI, SR/WA
1996 Margie Hamby, SR/WA
2016 Maggie Schedler, R/W-RAC
2015 Patti Bell, SR/WA
2014 Donald C. Toner, SR/WA
2013 Denise Skinner, SR/WA
2012 Teri J. Morgan, SR/WA
2011 Dennis Sedlachek, SR/WA
2010 Lory R. Johnson, MAI, SR/WA
2009 Ron Olderog, MAI, SR/WA
2008 John Reed, SR/WA
2007 Connie Real, PMP, SR/WA
1995 Dean Harris, SR/WA
1994 Mary Jane Amezquita
1993 Larry O’Neal, SR/WA
1992 Sandra Bishop
1991 John Baylor
1990 Cheryl Bennett
1989 Rayburn Corbitt, MAI
1988 Josie Wiltzius, SR/WA
1987 Greg Althoff, SR/WA
1986 Richard Steubing
1985 Charles Clinger, SR/WA
Past Presidents
Page 4 2017, Issue X
Page 5
Asset Management Ron Olderog, MAI, SR/WA
City of Austin, (512) 974-7193
Communication
Lisa Cooper, R/W-RAC
HDR Engineering, Inc., (512) 531-5900
Allison Anderson, RWA
Atkins North America, (512) 342-3216
Sam Wilson, SR/WA
Atkins North America, Inc., (979) 255-7474
Education
Richard Scholtz JLL Valuation & Advisory Services, (512) 459-3440
Irene Balderrama,
Contract Land Staff, (512) 574-9065
Legal Melody Cooper
Contract Land Staff, (512) 346-6518
Local Public Agency
Laura Riley TxDOT, (512) 416-2830
Kerry Fulton LAN, Inc., (512) 585-9282
Luanne Dunn
Austin Energy (512) 322-6410
Membership Leslie Persia
Alterra Design Group, (512) 381-5556
Dustin Somers Contract Land Staff, (512) 346-6518
Professional Development John Campbell, SR/WA
(512) 767-3066
Relocation
David Harrah, SR/WA, R/W-RAC, R/W-URAC TxDOT, (512) 416-2962
September Eminent Domain Seminar Elizabeth Norris
Atkins, (512) 342-3443
Nominations
Don Toner, Jr. SR/WA THC, Inc.; (512) 435-7675
Randall Kopfer
LCRA, (512) 217-1937
Dennis Sedlachek, SR/WA, R/W-RAC
Cintra U.S., (512) 371-4816
Randall Ward
TxDOT, (512) 416-2906
Programs Barbara Price
Capital Metro, (512) 389-7438
Michael Latham, R/W-NAC
H.W. Lochner, Inc, (737) 704-3065
Leila Valenzuela Halff Associates, (512) 777-4616
Surveying and Engineering Jesse Cooper
HDR Engineering, Inc. (512) 699-6766
Transportation Dennis Sedlachek, SR/WA, R/W-RAC
Cintra U.S., (512) 371-4816
Don Toner, Jr. SR/WA
THC, Inc., (512) 435-7675
Mark Anderson
(512) 815-0512
Valuation
Chris Hornsby
Paul Hornsby & Company, (512) 381-5510
Catherine A. Thomas, MAI, SRA
CBRE, (512) 499-4911
Young Professionals Nicolette Hebert
Contract Land Staff, (512) 346-6518
Dustin Somers
Contract Land Staff, (512) 346-6518
2017-2018 Committees
Page 5 2017, Issue X
Education News
Page 6 2017, Issue X
Are you a certified course coordinator? If so, please contact the Education Committee with
your name, contact information, and certification expiration date.
If you need additional infor- mation on courses, contact:
Richard Scholtz @ (512) 459- 3440
Irene Balderrama @ (512) 574-9065
COURSE TITLE DATE CLASS COORDINATOR
410 Reviewing Appraisals in Eminent Domain 12.06.2017 Carrie Vassar
Membership News
Page 7 2017, Issue X
Visit the IRWA Website to submit your application electronically and become a member of Chapter 74!
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
Installment Options are available for membership fees.
Contact your local committee chairs for more information.
TREC Extending All Application and Renewal Deadlines
Hurricane Harvey has caused extensive damage across Texas. TREC and TALCB will extend August and
September license expiration dates by an additional 30 days. This means that any license with an expira-
tion date of 8/31/17 and 9/30/17 will be extended to 10/31/17. This is true for all license types.
***Membership is important to our chapter. We want to promote growth to
be able to qualify for incentives from IRWA International.***
5% Net Growth = 3 free memberships | 1 free conference registration &
10% Net Growth = 3 free memberships | 2 free conference registrations | $500 travel voucher
New Members: Please contact the Membership Committee to
have your first luncheon covered by the Chapter.
Leslie Persia
(512) 381-5556 Dustin Somers
(512) 346-6518
Professional Development News
Page 8 2017, Issue X
If you have Professional Development questions, please contact John Campbell at
(512) 767-3066 or via email at [email protected].
The Programs Committee is seeking both venues and speakers for this year’s luncheons. Please email any suggestions you have, including topics of interest to the Programs Committee.
Programs News
Page 9 2017, Issue X
Michael Latham
(737) 704-3065
Leila Valenzuela
(512) 777-4616
Barbara Price
(512) 389-7438
We are having difficulty with the PayPal system and will not be able to utilize it for the November luncheon. For some reason, as members
registered and submitted payment for the October luncheon through PayPal the fees were not successfully delivered to our Chapter PayPal
account. For those of you that paid via PayPal for October, if you will please provide a copy of that confirmation email/receipt to Sheila Mills
at [email protected] so we can accurately account for all the funds that PayPal hasn’t credited to our Chapter.
As a means of resolving, we are deactivating the existing account and will later create a new one. We appreciate your patience as we move
through this process.
We look forward to seeing you at the November luncheon and ask that you please be prepared to pay $20.00 by cash or check at the door.
Page 10 2017, Issue X
Career Hotline
Page 10 2017, Issue X
Have a Job Opening? Email the Communications Committee to include in the newsletter.
LOCHNER is looking to hire a Utility Coordinator that can be located in Tyler, Austin, or
Houston.
Responsibilities:
• Measures, coordinates and calculates payments such as betterment ratios, eligibility percentages, supplements, market value comparisons and relocation costs.
• Meets with utility representatives to explain the utility accommodation policy and relocation and
reimbursement processes, negotiate, answer questions and to resolve problems.
• Monitors the installation/removal, adjustment or relocation of utilities.
• Performs legal and technical review analysis of schematics, utility adjustment plans and cost esti-
mates, maps, surveys, field notes, property descriptions, titles and deeds.
• Prepares utility adjustment assembly folder to include all pertinent data and handout materials; pre-
pares report for approval.
• Reviews agreements, plans, specifications and billings submitted by the utility companies.
Requirements:
• Familiar with TxDOT Utility Accommodation Manual.
• Familiar with standard procedures relative to utility planning, construction and engineering funda-
mentals.
• Right of way policies, procedures and terminology.
• Principles of utility coordination and associated terminology.
• Responsible for legal property descriptions.
• Maintains effective working relationships with individuals and groups.
• Reads and interprets applicable plans, schematics, blueprints and maps.
• Basic mathematical fundamentals. • Prepares and maintains records, files and reports.
If interested, please submit resumes and cover letter online at:
http://www.hwlochner.com/career.html
Chapter 74 Website Sponsors
Page 11 2017, Issue X
Thank you to following sponsors for supporting the Chapter 74 website:
Perks of Being a Sponsor!
You will have your logo displayed on the home page
and linked to your company URL as well as your
contact information on the Sponsor tab.
This elite sponsorship gives you access to have
upcoming jobs posted to the webpage, in the monthly
newsletter and email blasted to all Chapter 74
members.
ROW Professionals for Make A Wish
FIND US ONLINE AT:
Chapter 74 Website:
www.irwachapter74.org
IRWA Website: www.irwaonline.org
IRWA Region 2 Website: www.irwaregion2.org
The Chapter 74 Bluebonnet Newsletter is a publication of the International
Right of Way Association.
Website Sponsorship Information or Newsletter Questions?
Contact
Lisa Cooper (Website)
HDR Engineering, Inc., (512) 531-5900
Allison Anderson (Newsletter)
Atkins North America, Inc., (512) 342-3216
IRWA Chapter 74
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW
WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://irwachapter74.org/
Nationwide Transportation News…
With the massive growth experienced in Orlando, Florida the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) made a priority of upgrading the only interstate system that runs through the heart of
Orlando- Interstate 4. Interstate 4 connects Tampa at Interstate 275 on the west end and connects to
Interstate 95 in Daytona on the east. In the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s the city of Orlando
experienced growth that was brought on by the booming tourism from Disney World, Sea World and
later Universal Studios. The solution to alleviate the traffic congestion at the moment was to construct
toll roads throughout Orlando. There were several toll projects from the mid-1990 until 2017 that
included SR 417, SR 429, SR 408, SR 414, SR 528 (Beachline- Expressway) expansion project.
Below are the details from the I-4 Ultimate project website that will give a snapshot of the major
undertaking to transform central Florida’s transportation needs.
Project Info I-4 Ultimate is an important project for Central Florida. The 21-mile makeover — from west of
Kirkman Road in Orange County to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County — is transforming the
region to better connect our communities, boost our economy and improve everyone’s quality of life.
Overview A whole new I-4 is coming to Central Florida. Often called the backbone of our transportation system,
I-4 is being completely transformed along the 21 miles that stretch from Kirkman Road to State Road
434. As we work to build a better I-4, get ready for four new Express Lanes, reconstructed
interchanges, completely rebuilt bridges and an exciting new look and feel!
History of I-4 Interstate construction finished in 1965 and the interstate was dubbed “the Orlando Expressway.” I-4
in Central Florida began as an 8.2-mile project from Rio Grande Avenue, just west of the Orange
Blossom Trail, to Lee Road.
Popularity in tourism gave rise to increased traffic. A traffic study identified nearly 195,000 vehicle
trips per day in and out of the metro Orlando/Winter Park area in 1954. Local officials knew a major
upgrade would be required to greatly improve the infrastructure.
The stroke of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s pen provided the financial backing civic leaders
desired with the signing of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. It provided 90 percent funding for
41,000 highway miles nationwide. States posted the final 10 percent. The first of six projects building
Orlando’s Expressway began in 1958. Four years later, the final segment began. The project took seven
years to complete, which cost $42.2 million. Designed to handle 70,000 vehicles per day through
downtown Orlando, the new expressway turned a long 40-minute trip from the suburbs into a quick
10-minute drive to the city’s center.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower later said the Highway Act’s “impact on the American economy —
the jobs it would produce in manufacturing and construction, the rural areas it would open up — was
beyond calculation.”
Interim interchange, reconstruction and auxiliary lane widening projects have augmented the Orlando
landscape over the previous 25 years while plans to construct the I-4 Ultimate were underway.
The transformation will meet Central Florida’s demand for an improved interstate.
Submitted by: Mark E Anderson-Transportation Committee