I CALL TO ORDER

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board was called to order at 9:30 am in the Union Conference Room on the third (3rd) floor at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey

OTHERS PRESENT: B. Michelle Albertson, Deputy Attorney General; James S. Hsu, Executive Director, Board of Architects; Margaret Hinkley, Secretary to Executive Director; Joseph Abello and Beverly Rankin of the Board of Architects.

ALSO PRESENT: Michael Soriano, AIA Liaison; Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs; Robert Campanelli, Ethics Officer, Division of Consumer Affairs; and Larry DeMarzo, Deputy Director, Division of Consumer Affairs.

II OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT

The statement required by Chapter 231, public laws of 1975, the "Open Public Meetings Act," was read and it was announced that notice of this meeting was prepared in the office of the Board of Architects and mailed to the Secretary of State, the Newark Star-Ledger, the Trenton Times, the Camden Courier-Post, the Record and the Atlantic City Press.

III APPROVAL OF MINUTES

June 12, 2008

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously

IV ANNOUNCEMENTS

Investigative inquiries scheduled for today @ 10am with the complainant; with the architect at 11 am pertaining to ITEM NO. 56126. The Builder in this matter advised the board he cannot attend today’s inquiry.

Press release from the Division of Consumer Affairs announcing David Szuchman Assumes Leadership of the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

Executive Director Hsu announced the following:

– Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs, will be present for discussion regarding the ARE issue.
– Robert Campanelli, Ethics Officer, Division of Consumer Affairs and Larry DeMarzo, Deputy Director, Division of Consumer Affairs to discuss a joint committee issue with the Board.

V OLD BUSINESS

A Regulations

Proposed amendment to N.J.A.C. 13:27-4.3 Architectural Registration Examination pertaining to the transition from 3.1 ARE to 4.0 ARE for eligible candidates was published in the New Jersey Register on May 5, 2008, is attached for board information. Deadline for comments is July 7, 2008. On June 12, 2008, Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs met with the Board to discuss this regulation. After some discussion, Mr. Horii motioned to write to NCARB to request an extension of the ARE 3.1 for New Jersey professional engineers due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr. DeMassi seconded the motion. It was unanimously. Also, the Board chair appointed board members Paul DeMassi and Howard Horii as a sub-committee to review NCARB web pages pertaining to contents of seven divisions of ARE 4.0 and report back to the Board.

7/10/08 Additional information was sent to Mr. DeMassi and Mr. Horii for their review and report.

ACTION: Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs was present to discuss this item with the Board. Ms Schiripo informed the Board that a letter was sent to NCARB requesting an extension for NJ Professional Engineer’s to continue taking the ARE 3.1 version instead of transitioning to take the ARE 4.0 version in June 2009. NCARB referred the Board discuss their concerns with Prometric, the agency who administers the computerized ARE. Subsequent to discussion, Mr. DeMassi motioned to authorize Ms. Schiripo to contact Prometric to meet with the Board at one of its regular board meetings to discuss the Board’s concerns. Also advise the Board of Professional Engineers when this meeting will take place, if they would like to attend the public session meeting. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

B Correspondence

Copy of a letter dated March 17, 2008 from Jason Lusardi, Architect, requesting a clarification of the delineation of responsibility of the licensed architect is attached for review and discussion. On May 6, 2008, the Joint Committee reviewed a copy of an April 28th memo from Arthur Russo, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors with the Board’s opinion to Mr. Lusardi’s correspondence. On May 6th, after some discussion, the Joint Committee of Architects & Engineers unanimously voted to forward this matter to the Board of Architects for discussion and bring this matter back to the Joint Committee. On May 8th, Mr. DeMassi motioned to send a letter to Mr. Lusardi requesting that he provide information as to the type of building is this project ; what services did he, as the architect, provide? What services did the professional engineer provide? Advise him of our next Architect and Joint Committee meeting dates Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. On June 12, subsequent to reviewing Mr. Lusardi’s response, Mr. DeMassi motioned to advise the Joint Committee of Architects & Engineers that the Board of Architects determined his projects are architectural and the contract should be between the architect and the property owner. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

7/10/08 Subsequent to the July Joint Committee meeting, the attached draft letter with e-mail comments from all Joint Committee members is attached for the Board’s information.

ACTION: Robert Campanelli, Ethics Officer, and Larry DeMarzo, Deputy Director, Division of Consumer Affairs were present for discussion. Mr. Campanelli informed the Board of the history behind the establishment of the Joint Committee of Architects & Engineers due to issues concerning both professions of Architects and Professional Engineers. A three-year discussion resulted in the creation of the Building Design Services Act (BDSA). Mr. Zaccone expressed his concern with the interpretive statement coming from the Division of Law and the wide ranging impact on the profession. There are concerns that architecture projects secured through a Professional Engineer and the Architect staying independent in the project. Mr. Campanelli stated that the Joint Committee was established to handle gray areas within the professions as a vehicle to discuss their concerns. The Joint Committee made a ruling concerning this matter and the decision can only be overturned in the Appellate Division.

C Joint Committee of Architects & Engineers item

Leslie G. Ramdeen - PE #40285 / Accutech Engineering, LLC - COA #24QA28081000 Summary: A May 7, 2007 letter from Mr. Daum alleging the possible unlicensed practice of architecture by a professional engineer was forwarded from the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors for the Joint Committee’s review and discussion. The Committee reviewed a memo dated June 11, 2007 from Arthur Russo, Executive Director Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors along with a letter from Jeff Daum, PE alleging the practice of architecture by Accutech Engineering, LLC. Letters were sent to Mr. Daum acknowledging his letter and to Leslie G. Ramdeen requesting a detailed explanation pertaining to the above noted project. The Committee reviewed Mr. Ramdeen’s response and determined that the project is an architectural project. The Committee recommends forwarding this matter back to the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to take action against Mr. Ramdeen for practicing architecture without a license and request a cease and desist be sent for the unlicensed practice of architecture. On May 6, 2008, the Committee reviewed a copy of an April 15, 2008 memo from Arthur Russo, Executive Director of Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors with a copy of a signed settlement letter from Mr. Ramdeen. The Committee unanimously accepted the signed settlement letter from Mr. Ramdeen and close this matter. CASE CLOSED.

ACTION: Mr. Zaccone reported that the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors issued a formal reprimand to Mr. Ramdeen and the matter is now closed.

VI NEW BUSINESS

A Re-Organization of Board officers

Mr. Zaccone opened the floor for nominations for President:

ACTION: Mr. Joshi motioned to nominate Paul DeMassi for President. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. Mr. Kniesler opposed the motion. Hearing no other nominations for President, the Board elected Paul DeMassi as Board President for the July 2008 through July 2009 by a vote of four to one.

Mr. Zaccone opened the floor for nominations for Vice President:

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to nominate Kishor Joshi for Vice President. Hearing no second for the motion. The motion died for a lack of a second.

Mr. Horii motioned to nominate Frederick Kniesler, Jr. for Vice President. Hearing no second for the motion. The motion died for a lack of a second.

This item was tabled until all board members are present to discuss this matter.

B Legislation

A-2146 - Revises regulation of Landscape Architects

ACTION: The status of this legislation is its awaiting the Governor’s signature to enact the legislation.

C Landscape Architect Examination and Evaluation Committee

May 14, 2008 minutes

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the Landscape Architect Committee minutes as presented. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

D Information

1 NCARB News Clips dated June 30, 2008 Summary Report of Vote on Resolutions at NCARB’s Annual Meeting and Conference in Pittsburgh, PA on June 26-28, 2008 is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

2 A copy of NCARB News Clips dated July 3, 2008 announcing the NCARBs Member Boards vote to approve changes to the Intern Development Program is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

3 A copy of a letter dated June 30, 2008, from Robert Sussna expressing his interest in providing his services of reviewing case files and give expert opinion to the Board on disciplinary matters.

ACTION: Duly noted.

VII REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

A. Applications for Licensure by Credentials

The following individuals have applied for licensure by credentials, have met board requirements and are recommended for licensure:

* - NCARB Council Record Holder

Howard, John G. Jr.* Thompson, Andrew E.* Anderson, Philip B.*
DiPaola, Anthony* Ayoub, Hany G.* Heidtke, David*
Ojala, Brian A.* Loeschke, Richard J.Jr* Hickey, Thomas*
Schultz, Erick J. Chang, Sari Riddle, Stephanie S.
Awad, Samir S.* Roma, Daniel A.* Goh, Kok Kian*
Parson, Kenneth

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the above individuals for licensure by credential. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

B. Applications for Examination

The following applicant/s applied for admission to the Architectural Registration Examination and are recommended by staff:

Brian W. Johnson Ceu Guilhermina Martinez Alok K. Saksena
Ana S. Sousa Veerapol Suwantaveesri Alejandro Zimin Jr.
William H. Bannister Mukti Manish Bajaj

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the above individual for admission to the ARE. Mr. HOrii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

C Licensure by Examination

The following applicant/s have completed all Divisions of the Architectural Registration Examination and are submitted to the Board for licensure:

Christopher Arner Gustavo Arnone Kelly Nemergut
Sean McGovern John H. Rosendahl

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the abov e individuals for licensure inasmuch as they have successfully completed the ARE. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

D Certificate/s of Authorization

1 HILLS ARCHITECTURE
Architecture
228 Long Meadow Road
Bedminster NJ 07921

Responsible Architect: Imad Abdelbaki - License #AI017568

Summary: This application for a Certificate of Authorization to offer architectural services only is submitted by a New Jersey architect who owns 100% of the shares. This application appears to comply with statutory requirements.

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to issue a Certificate of Authorization to Hills Architecture. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

2 R2 ARCHITECTS, LLC
Architecture+
110 Kresson Road-Gibbs Road - Ste 8
Voorhees NJ 08043

Responsible Architect: David J. Rudzenski - License #AI008443

Summary: This application for a Certificate of Authorization to offer architectural and professional services is submitted by a New Jersey architect and planner who owns 80% of the shares in business with an unlicensed individual who owns 20% of the shares. This application appears to comply with statutory requirements.

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to issue a Certificate of Authorization to R2 Architects, LLC. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

VIII PUBLIC COMMENTS

Michael Soriano, AIA Liaison commented that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has the same concerns as the Board pertaining to Professional Engineers and the ARE sections they are required to successfully pass in order to become a NJ Licensed Architects, which was originally four (4) sections to the complete ARE exam. Mr. Soriano commented that the new six-month reporting rule in the IDP program. AIA believes this is a good thing to keep the IDP candidates and IDP monitors reporting to NCARB in six-month increments and receiving responses from NCARB within the same six-month period. Mr. Soriano informed the Board that the AIA is aware that the Landscape Architect legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature to enact the law.

IX EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 10:25am, Mr. Kniesler motioned to go into executive session for the purposes of conducting the investigative inquiries scheduled for today and any other disciplinary matters on the agenda. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

X NEXT MEETINGS

July 24, 2008 Regular Meeting
Union Room - 3rd Floor

Investigative inquiry with complainant pertaining to ITEM No. 57015 - 10:30am
Investigative inquiry with respondent pertaining to ITEM No. 57015 - 1pm

August – No Meeting

XI ADJOURNMENT

At 3pm, Mr. DeMassi motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

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