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Constitution & By-Laws Legislative
Steve Willard, Chair – nothing to report Jason Graf, Chair and Emily Whalen, Legislative Counsel
DOT Relations (ad hoc) • Jason thanked everyone for their input on legislative matters during
President Garfinkel reporting for James Thew, Chair the Strategic Planning Retreat. Jason anticipates working closely with
the Education Committee on developing guidance on the new State Ed
• The committee met on April 21st. They drafted their purpose and charges regulations regarding LS licensure requirements. Emily reported that the
(see their minutes for list). This committee’s charge may be further expanded state legislative session is wrapping up in the next week and a half or so.
to include access to ALL public records essential to the practice of land There will be two primaries this year – one in June for Governor and one
surveying. The committee may be renamed to reflect this additional charge. in August for legislators. Eric Greppo, PE is the new Executive Secretary

Education for SBELSG. State Ed only received 2 applications for the position. The
William Eggers, Chair LS Definition draft bill and our Minimum Technical Standards are before
SBELSG. Members are reminded that the Legislative Committee’s page
• Bill expressed thanks for the feedback he received during the Strategic on the NYSAPLS website contains their meeting minutes, priorities, bills
Planning Retreat regarding education issues. Bill is very pleased with being tracked, and legislative references. (www.nysapls.org > Resources
the current membership of the Education Committee. Jason Larson is a > Advocacy & Legislation)
welcomed new member. The biggest chore for the Education Committee
is getting all the classes scheduled for Annual Conference. They are LS PAC
always looking for fresh material. Bill reminded and encouraged all Amber Carpenter reporting for Steve Boddecker, Chair
class attendees to fill out that questionnaire at the bottom of course • A written financial report was included in the handouts. Current balance
reviews – “what do you want to see for future classes”. The committee is $6,180.70. Latest expense was a $1,000 contribution to the Friends
is looking forward to a “mock trial” to be held at 2023 conference led by of Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) – State Senate Majority Leader and Chair
Gary Kent. The committee is considering hybrid (combined in-person and of Rules Committee. She represents Greenburgh, Scarsdale, and parts of
on-line) conferences for the future. However, exhibitors prefer in-person White Plains, New Rochelle, and Yonkers.
conferences so this needs to be considered. The committee tries to strike
a balance between member services and profitability when it comes to Membership
classes and workshops – How many of our classes should be offered Heather Schultz reporting for Nikolas Decker, Chair
only as a service to our members, and how many should be geared • The committee has two new members: Don Stedge and Jon Thompson.
toward making money for the association? The committee wrestles with Heather reported that the number of new licensees who have become
the answer to this question. The committee is also carefully reviewing the members is roughly 60%. Heather referred to the 2020-2021 NYSAPLS
new State Ed regulation regarding the requirements for licensure. There MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS REPORT attached to the Committee’s minutes
appears to be some confusion at the state level as to what is acceptable included in the handout.
education. The committee will be working on this.
Minimum Technical Standards (ad hoc)
Ethical Practices Jason Larson, Chair
David Zigler, Chair • Jason discussed the April 12th meeting with SBELSG representatives.
• Dave reported that the committee reviewed 13 cases during 2021. Cases MTS Committee is awaiting feedback from SBELSG. Jason stated there
2021–10 and 2021–12 were referred to OPD. Neither of those cases was much discussion about MTS in general during the Strategic Planning
involved a NYSAPLS member. Two cases have been opened so far in 2022. Retreat and was encouraged by the progress made as a result of direct
2022–001 involves a site plan submitted to a town zoning board by a PE communication among members.
showing boundary survey information, but no LS stamp or reference to a
boundary survey map prepared by an LS. 2022–002 involves a possible NSPS
“rubber stamping” matter by a NYSAPLS member. Dave expressed No Report
frustration with finding business names and corresponding LS’s on state
websites while researching this case and recommended we work with the Public Relations
Office of the Professions to improve this (perhaps by cross referencing LS’s Heather Schultz reporting for Lem Morrison, Chair
registrations with the business they work for). • Heather highlighted the Photo Contest winners; the Spring Campaign called
Surveying Innovation on social media – looking for members’ contributions/
• The Ethical Practices Committee submitted draft revisions to the Policies photos/comments; upcoming videos for public consumption (short 5 min
and Procedures document for filing Ethical Practices complaints back in YouTube videos that would respond to typical questions received from the
December 2021. The revisions were mostly revised to allow for an appeal public). See Committee Minutes in handout for further details.
process. At the March 2022 BOD meeting, a motioned was passed to
defer further action on adopting the revisions until this BOD meeting. Strategic Planning
President Garfinkel called for action on the draft revisions. A MOTION Greg de Bruin, Chair
WAS MADE BY RICH MORAVEC TO APPROVE THE REVISIONS OF • The Strategic Planning Retreat was attended by 37 members plus staff and
THE POLICY FOR REVIEWING ETHICS COMPLAINTS AS DRAFTED Emily. Sixteen were new faces. Thirteen regionals were represented. Five
BY THE ETHICAL PRACTICES COMMITTEE, SECONDED BY JOHN regionals did not attend. Susan Weinrich, New York Council of Nonprofits
ABRUZZO, ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIED. (www.nycon.org), was our facilitator. Susan was commended for doing a
great job. In addition to the planned 5 discussion topics, there was much
focus on the part of our mission statement that states “…promoting the
economic welfare of land surveying members…”. This was made an
additional discussion topic. A full report will be presented. The report will
set guidelines for NYSAPLS for the next 3 years. Susan will send her initial
report to us within the next month. Target date for presentation of Strategic
Plant to BOD is July. Greg will be involved with monitoring the execution of
the Strategic Plan initiatives. President Garfinkel commended everyone on
the Committee for their excellent work.

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EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 58• NO 4/ 2022 • JULY/AUGUST 29