Meeting Minutes
The Nevada Board of Certification for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators is operated for the State of Nevada by the Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA). We post our Meeting Minutes for your convenience.
08/13/2009
Meeting Minutes August 2009
Nevada Board of Certification
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2009
TMWRF
Reno, NV
Meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM
Attendees: John Solvie, Adrian Edwards, Kelvin Ikehara, Harvey Johnson, Starlin Jones,
Joe Crim, Jennifer McMartin
Via Phone: Bill Shepherd
Absent: None
Item #1
Introduction of guest
• Bob Foerster, NVRWA
• Dr. Evan Fulton via phone
Item #2
• Nevada Training Coalition Report – Bob Foerster, NVRWA
o There is a vacancy on the NTC Board. NTC has quarterly meetings. Bob described the makeup of the NTC Board. The purpose of the Board is to promote training. Bob will give a presentation at the NWEA Executive Board meeting.
Item #3
• UNR Cooperative Extension – Dr. Evan Fulton
o The Cooperative Extension is in the process of researching the feasibility of offering wastewater training to inmates. If they move forward, the program will be pilot tested for 1 year. California’s prison system has a similar program already in place.
Item #4
Approval of minutes of April 14, 2009 meeting.
• Harvey Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, John Solvie 2nd.
o Motion carries.
Item #5
Program Administrator report
• Computer exams update
Item #6
Assistant Program Administrator Items
• NDEP Contract – more than likely NDEP will need to complete a Request for Proposal for the next contract.
• Board member terms expiring.
o Harvey Johnson & John Solvie’s terms expire in December. Both have expressed a desire to remain on the Certification Board.
• Video/Teleconference Certification Board Meetings?
o The contract includes travel for the Board members to attend the quarterly Board meetings. The Board agreed that a face to face meeting is better than a teleconference. At this time the Board agreed to continue to have quarterly meetings in person.
• Wastewater Operator vs. Industrial Waste Operator experience.
o Presented the Board with examples of WW and IWO experience. The Board agreed with the current procedure.
• Indirect Experience Examples
o Presented the Board with examples of indirect experience that has already been granted. The Board agreed with the current procedure. A document has been created. As new situations arise they will be added to the examples.
• ABC Annual Conference
o The APA will be attending. We have the budget for a Board member to attend. The invitation was extended. Board members will check their schedules and get back to APA.
• November NWEA newsletter – articles needed
• Wastewater exam prep class in Las Vegas?
o The southern Nevada members will discuss.
Item #7
Continuing Education for certification renewals
• Continuing education endorsement sticker examples
o Board approved
• Course approval/pre-approval
o APA will prepare something for review
• List of courses on the website?
o Pre-approved courses will be posted on the website under training opportunities.
• Use ABC Relevancy list as a guide when review continuing education courses.
• Tracking of continuing education
o APA will create a spreadsheet/database to track continuing education.
Item #8
Policies & Procedures
• John made the motion to adopt policy effective 1/1/2010 offering a voluntary continuing education program on for all certifications that expire January 2010 or after pending Executive Board approval. Harvey seconded.
o Motion carries.
Item #9
Training Update
• There is no report.
Item #10
Water Certification Board Update
• NDEP is looking for a replacement for Steve Brockway.
• The Water Board went over the ABC exam results/exit questionnaires.
Item #11
ABC Update
• Stormwater Article
o An ABC article has been published in the September edition of Stormwater Magazine that discusses the difference between certification programs and certificate programs. The article was co-authored by John Solvie and Suzanne De la Cruz. ABC Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Florida January 26th – 29th 2010
• John will be representing ABC in a panel discussion on water conservation certification at the upcoming WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. John will also be meeting with CA/NV AWWA to discuss emerging certification disciplines.
Item #13
Website Update
• Training calendar includes all classes.
Item #14
New Business for Consideration at next meeting
• CEU Participation Update
Item #15
Next Board Meeting
• November 19, 2009 at CCWRD in Las Vegas, NV
Adjourned
1:30pm