ASLA UTAH JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

**ASLA UT Annual Conference May 18 - 19th, South Salt Lake City.** **CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for Early Bird Discounts**

**Progressive Plants: New Varieties Seminar and Round Table Forum for Landscape Architects:** Available on two different days: March 9th, 10:00 am OR March 17th, 10:00 am **CLICK HERE TO REGISTER**

**LAEP VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR Thursday, February 23, 12:00-3:00 pm** We invite you to share key information and answer student questions about your company. **Reserve up to three, twenty-minute, blocks of time** **CLICK HERE**. After the fair, we’ll provide your contact information to students who would like to reach out and learn more. Questions?: Deandra.harps@usu.edu

Leadership Express

Jake Powell, ASLA Utah President

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

After the flurry of emails last week, I hope to be more comprehensive as well as transparent regarding the recent events and current status of Utah Senate Bill 0123. This bill seeks to eliminate several boards and commissions in an effort to satisfy the Governor’s request to minimize government and eliminate inefficiencies.

You have likely seen several updates and calls for help this past week. These emails were short, and often shared as events were transpiring in real time due to the quick movement of the bill. This update will hopefully provide a better context and explanation of the events of last week to help you gain a more complete picture of what efforts have been made on the bill. The ASLA Utah Executive Committee coordinated almost daily this past week with a team of representatives from ASLA National as well as CLARB to discuss, strategize, and then do everything possible to jump in and influence the legislation in this bill that we feel may have a detrimental effect on our profession here in Utah. ASLA National has been invaluable to help guide the UT ASLA team through effectively engaging in this process. This is not our expertise and we have benefitted from their insights and guidance.

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT:

The Utah Landscape Architecture Board, a board that exists under the direction of the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) was included on a list of boards and commissions to eliminate in the proposed Senate 0123 bill. The Landscape Architecture board is made up of subject matter experts (landscape architects) and its function is to hear grievance appeals and provide recommendations to DOPL regarding licensing rules and these grievance appeals. It is, and has always been ultimately up to DOPL whether to follow the provided recommendations.

ASLA is not associated with, nor has any authority with regards to the Landscape Architecture Board. The Landscape Architect Board is associated with DOPL, while the ASLA is a professional organization that supports and promotes the profession of landscape architecture. ASLA Utah is occasionally called upon to provide a recommendation for new member to replace board members who step off or complete their terms but that is the entirety of the connection between these entities. The separation between these two independent entities is important to recognize, and we believe, critical to maintain.

The root of this legislative effort is centered on “efficiency”, and does not seek to eliminate the licensure of landscape architects in Utah. However, ASLA Utah sees eliminating the Landscape Architecture Board as a weakening of our licensure for several reasons, here are the primary ones:

The existence of a board that was created by legislative action maintains not only a functional check and balance for licensed professionals, but also the structural separation and relationship with DOPL that provides independence necessary when called upon to do its work.
The existing board structure and function are similar to other states with licensed landscape architects. Eliminating the Utah Landscape Architect Board may be perceived as Utah now having a weakened license nationally.
The existence of a board made up of subject matter experts familiar with the nuances of our profession is important when grievances or rule suggestions are reviewed. This board structure and function keeps us on par with other allied disciplines within the state.
A board that is established, trained, empowered, and at the ready when an issue arises will be able to address said issue in a timelier, more efficient, and fair manner than assembling an ad-hoc panel on an as-needed basis.

The primary reason provided by DOPL representatives and Senator Wayne Harper, the bill sponsor for the Landscape Architect Board’s proposed elimination is because it has not held a meeting, nor met its function (addressing grievances and proposing rules) as explained above in over 5 years. The ASLA Utah’s response has consistently been to point out that the board does not meet only because it has no stated tasks/business to address. It is our opinion that this lack of tasks/business is because our profession is working extremely hard in Utah to operate in a manner that does not warrant grievances. It is our opinion that a board that is not burdened by grievance related tasks, and therefore not required to meet, is the indication of a profession doing something right.

HOW WE GOT HERE:

We have met with the bill’s sponsor and representatives from the Governor’s office of Community Outreach and Intergovernmental Relations to voice our concerns and advocate for changing this legislation. At the drop of a hat, many ASLA members took time out of their busy schedules to attended the Senate Business and Labor Committee meeting on January 26th , in person and online to testify regarding the impact of this legislation on our profession. In addition to ASLA’s direct efforts on this bill, many of you took time to call, email, or write your representatives to voice your concerns about this bill.

This has been a concerted effort to advocate for our profession. I believe that our efforts to demonstrate how this legislation impacts our profession are making a difference. During the Senate Business and Labor Committee meeting testimony was provided by several ASLA members both in person and online, with others hoping but not invited to speak due to a cutoff in time. Thank you for making time to engage that critical meeting, it was a turning point in the effort.

I believe those efforts demonstrated to the committee that the bill did not adequately consider the impact on our profession; the result was that the bill was tabled by the committee. Senator Harper was asked to work on the bill and bring it back to the committee. Thank you for joining together to create a united voice to advocate for our profession at a critical moment! It appears to me that your voices have been heard by many of those who needed to hear them and things seem like they are starting to change.

WHERE ARE THINGS NOW:

Since that committee meeting we have continued to demand to anyone that will listen that any language referring to the elimination of the Landscape Architecture Board should be removed from the bill. At this time the bill is still tabled and Senator Harper is working on revisions. We are continuing to watch this bill closely and we are engaging Senator Harper to find a solution that satisfies the intent of the bill while protecting the existence, structure, and function of the board.

Our hope is that the Landscape Architecture Board is removed from the bill in the next revision. If that becomes the case, it will likely mean a review over the summer of how the board might be structured in the future. If that language is indeed included in the legislation we believe it is a solution that retains the board, and creates the space and time to work with DOPL and the board to craft a solution that I hope will be mutually beneficial. I have insisted that ASLA be at the table regarding how the review happens, be able to make recommendations regarding any changes, and be partners in co-creating a solution that protects, and hopefully strengthens our position in the state.

Losing the Landscape Architecture board would be a terrible loss for our profession here in Utah, and one that has been frightfully eminent this past week. At this time, I cannot report that this issue is resolved permanently. Our immediate goal is to get the Landscape Architects Board removed from the current legislation. I think we are very close to accomplishing that goal. My commitment is to continue to work with the ASLA Utah Executive Committee and ASLA National to monitor and engage in the evolution of this bill in whatever way we can until the issue is resolved.

However, as frustrating as it is to say, I do sense this is only the start a longer, necessary effort to find ways to protect our profession against a growing statewide call for minimizing the role and structure of licensure in all disciplines. That effort is going to require you, me, and our peer professions having a united voice and engaging in a problem solving endeavor that will likely require all of us to stretch outside our current comfort zones. I am grateful we are part of the ASLA that provides structure, guidance, and expertise to that united voice. There is tremendous value in a united voice that advocates and protects the profession we love. That is why ASLA exists. THANK YOU for your continued support!

ASLA Utah Chapter at the UNLA Green Conference

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility & Marketing

This past month Utah ASLA had the opportunity to set up a booth at the annual UNLA Green Conference and participate in the vendor trade show activities. We have participated in the Green Conference for the past few years, and it is always an amazing experience to be surrounded by so many likeminded professionals! It was great to get to know and meet many local officials, nonprofit volunteers, and students. It was such a great opportunity to inform people about Utah ASLA, including all the great work this community of landscape architects does, and how to join/get involved.

Utah ASLA was especially proud of the opportunity to participate in the UNLA Student Connections Program, which provides high school and college age students an opportunity to interact with andmake contacts with industry leaders and professionals.

CONGRATULATIONS to Bethany Balling for winning our contribution to the UNLA Student Connections Scholarship. Bethany is studying Horticulture at Utah State University and Utah ASLA is grateful for the opportunity to support her in reaching her goals!

In addition, the conference was the maiden voyage of our new Utah ASLA outreach banners. The goal was to create a clean, simple, and modern design to provide information about our organization and bring awareness to the variety of projects landscape architects projects for the community. They can be seen at the Utah ASLA offices and any activity. A big thank you to Tess Menotti and Alaina Prasek (members of the Visibility Sub-Committee) for taking this project head on and creating some truly great banners that highlight our wonderful profession.

The L-Series

With lightweight looks and luxurious lines, this table and benches collection gives off a legendary sit-and-stay-awhile vibe.

The L-Series is named after its designer, Geoffrey Lilge, who beautifully articulates what’s so special about this linger-worthy table and bench collection: “I sought to deliver a visually lightweight form by creating the main structure with only one piece of formed laser cut steel – a minimal structure reduced to its necessary elements.”

This collection may look lightweight, but it’s built for longevity with a mild steel frame that has a recycle content up to 61% and is fully recyclable at end of life. The table and benches feature counter sunk bolts and anchors to create a secure flush mount and the steel lasered and formed ends are e-coated and powdercoated for protection. Steel rectangular tube slats are available for the table tops and seating surfaces—which can be painted any color to match or contrast the frame—as well as Ipe and Thermally Modified Ash wood.

The L-Series table and bench combination can also be configured for accessibility, which invites everyone to linger together outdoors. The minimalist style and clean lines of Maglin’s L-Series effortlessly blend into any urban location, including school campuses, retail and commercial settings, as well as in hospitality and mixed-use.

Sponsor Thank You Dinner and Winter Social

Jennifer Sonntag, Executive Director ASLA UT Chapter

Despite busy schedules and it being a work and/or school night for most of us, approximately chapter and committee members, sponsors, students, and faculty were able to get together this month for the 2023 ASLA Utah Winter Social.

The evening started with socializing, and mingling, followed by yummy catered paninis and crepes. During the dinner hour, current ASLA UT Chapter President Jake Powell gave a warm welcome to the group, acknowledged our generous Sponsors, Corporate Partners and Executive Committee members, and spoke about the happiness of 2022 and the potential future challenges with LA licensure in the State of Utah.

The evening was a fun kick-off to 2023 and an exciting new year of ASLA Utah Chapter activities and socializing opportunities.

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2023 Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support!

Click here to become a 2023 ASLA Utah Sponsor!

Platinum Sponsors
BioGrass | Rain Bird | Victor Stanley

ASLA UTAH JANUARY NEWSLETTER