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• Niagara Frontier will be the host of the 2023 conference at the Turning that WP has prepared its own version of MTS on behalf of the minority of
Stone. Attendance fees were proposed in the budget to reflect an NYSAPLS members who voted in September 2020 against the moving the
increase of 9-10% to cover Turning Stone’s rising fees. MTS draft forward to SBELSG. Rich said the WP version mirrors ALTA/NSPS
• Committee will research the need for a possible hybrid conference standards. President Garfinkel stated that he has drafted a letter to WP
(combination remote and in-person) for 2024 conference. that is being reviewed by NYSAPLS Executive Board. President Garfinkel
reiterated that the Executive Board frowns upon regionals bypassing
Constitution & By-Laws NYSAPLS and interfacing directly with SBELSG without full NYSAPLS
no report support. The next step is for WP to review President Garfinkel’s letter.
Education NSPS
Tom Cerchiara Patti Brooks, Chair
• The committee has been reviewing conference feedback • Former NSPS Vice President Tim Burch recently replaced the retired
(post event survey, etc.). Executive Director Curt Sumner, leaving a vacancy for the VP seat.
NSPS will hold a special election during the March 29-April 2nd NSPS
Ethical Practices Annual Conference to fill the seat. The Shaw Fund agreed to donate up
David Zigler, Chair to $5,000 to sponsor the New York student contestants at the NSPS
• Dave referred to the draft revisions to the policy for reviewing ethics Student Competition being held during the NSPS Annual Conference
complaints by the Ethical Practices Committee that included an appeal to cover their travel expenses. The NSPS general membership meeting
process (submitted for initial review in December 2021). A MOTION WAS will be held on Friday April 1st 3:00 – 5:30 and will also be a Zoom
MADE BY RICH MORAVEC TO DEFER ACTION ON THE DRAFT REVISIONS meeting. Patti will send the Zoom link to Amber, and Amber will forward
OF THE POLICY FOR REVIEWING ETHICS COMPLAINTS UNTIL THE to NYSAPLS members.
MAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AND WAS SECONDED BY JOHN
ABRUZZO. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIED. Public Relations
• Dave expressed his frustration with the timeliness of updates to professional Heather Schultz
licensees’ status on the State Ed Office of the Professions website and the • PR is currently involved in the Women in Surveying campaign, National
Department of States Corporations listings, as the committee has found Surveyors Week campaign, and Soldiers to Surveyors campaign. Heather
several instances where the information is not current. asked for members to submit photos of interesting surveying projects.
• Dave attended the Delaware Hudson regional meeting as a guest speaker The committee is working with our PR firm to reach out to Boy Scouts/
Girl Scouts (Scouts BSA) for discussion about the surveying merit badge
and shone light on the charge of the Ethics Committee and the types of and more. The Public Relations High Honor Roll was recently released,
cases they heard. The committee will be working on publicizing its charge naming Ken Slaugenhoupt and Ashley Metz as 2021 winners for their
and types of cases heard to the general membership.
exceptional contributions in promoting the land surveying profession.
Legislative continued on page 30
Emily Whalen, Esq., Legislative Counsel
• Emily reported that she is hopeful that the state budget process will be
finalized smoothly. She noted that the session ends at the end of June.
Legislators continue to do business mostly online. SBELSG March 10,
2022 meeting was online – their agenda can be found here: http://
www.op.nysed.gov/boards/AgendaDocuments/PELSG/03102022_
BoardPackage.pdf; their June meeting will be held in person. SBELSG
has been focused on exams, promulgating regulations and guidance on
the new revisions to Continuing Ed for engineers and land surveyors;
preparing FAQ’s, etc.. Rob Lopez is still acting board secretary, replacing
the retired Jane Blair. To date the board has only received 2 resumes to fill
the position. The board is also looking for LS members, but keep in mind
that NYSAPLS officers/directors cannot serve. Emily is hoping to receive
resolutions recognizing Land Surveyors week from both houses this week.
LS PAC
Steve Boddecker, Chair
• A written financial report was included in the handouts. Current balance
is $7,180.70.
Membership
Heather Schultz
• Heather stated that the committee is exploring ideas for additional benefits
to offer members. A poll was sent to all members recently regarding their
feelings about regionals. About 200 members have responded so far. The
results will be discussed at the May Strategic Planning retreat.
Minimum Technical Standards
Jason Larson, Chair
• Jason reported that the committee is still awaiting comments from SBELSG
on the draft MTS which was submitted to them last fall. Jason reiterated
that the committee is willing to attend regional meetings to discuss the
MTS draft in further detail. Jason reported that Westchester Putman has
prepared their own version of MTS and intends to submit their version to
SBELSG. The MTS committee will be meeting again before the Strategic
Planning Retreat. Westchester Putman (WP) Director Rich Moravec stated

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 58• NO 3/ 2022 • MAY/JUNE 29