At the March 8, 2016 council meeting, the AIBC Council dealt with the following items:
Governance Committee
• The committee has two remaining Governance Audit items: council succession process and competency based framework. The former is now complete with implementation of a system for establishing existing council competencies and gaps to be used for seeking new members. The latter will soon be complete with implementation of the final piece, individual council member performance evaluation. Council will also be supported by an ongoing Council Development and Training Plan.
• In terms of council meeting effectiveness, it is worthy to note that meetings went from 4.5 hours three years ago to an average of 1.25 hours per meeting over the past two years, with a substantial amount of work accomplished during this time frame.
• A new exceptions-based policy compliance reporting template was approved, along with a 2016 policy reporting schedule.
Finance Committee
• Ground floor suite (suite 101) has been leased. The new tenants will move in shortly. The second floor space is still available for rent.
• Council Policy 2.5 / 1.13 Reserve Funds was reviewed with a committee recommendation to set the Operating Reserve Fund target amount to a maximum of $1 million. Council motion approved the recommendation.
• Council approved capping Operating Reserve Funds to $1 million, per earlier discussions.
Act Review Working Group
• The AIBC has been pursuing next steps with our Ministry of Advanced Education (MAVED). A lobbyist has been retained to facilitate the process. The three areas of focus remain:
o Modernization of registration requirements (S. 36, 37)
o Revisions to permit better CES compliance processes
o Modernization of disciplinary processes to allow for a wider range of remedial outcomes
• Longer term strategy will be discussed at the next planning session, taking into account the 2017 provincial election.
Public Outreach Committee
• Defining limits of outreach (where it begins and ends) for a) the AIBC as a regulatory body and b) the AIBC on behalf of the architectural profession were drafted, with further refinement required.
Registration & Licensing Board Liaison Report
• Colin Ripley is the new chair of the CACB
• ExAC results were mailed mid-February to the 71 Vancouver and Victoria intern architects, with pass rates in line with the national averages.
• The Intern Architect Committee coordinated an info session at UBC SALA, encouraging students to pursue the pathway to registration.
CEO Report
External
• Attendance at numerous events, held this quarter. Highlights include meetings with ACECBC, PartnershipBC, and CALA administrators as well as the Wood Works Design Awards, which prominently celebrate the work of architects.
• In addition, the AIBC contributed to several government meetings: Buildings and Safety Standards Branch (BSSB) of the Ministry of Gas Development and Housing, where our input on recent changes to the BC Building Code was solicited; Energy Efficiency Working Group, jointly hosted by BSSB and BC Hydro to discuss proposed Code changes addressing “stretch codes” for increasing levels of energy performance requirements; Climate Leadership Action Plan, a newly formed government group lead by ADM Jeff Vasey, where “net- or near-zero” building energy consumption regulatory requirements were discussed.
Internal
• Fee process has been smooth. As of February 29, 20 architects remain outstanding in their fee payment. Unpaid balances remaining by end of day March 4 results in automatic removal from the register.
• Director of Professional Services Paul Becker officially retired on March 1, though will be retained to work on several projects including Bulletin updates. A new manager position has been created to oversee CES/PD; Practice Advisory services will continue to be provided under Maura Gatensby.
• Updated AIBC website (aibc.ca) went live at the end of February. New features include a cleaner home page, menu bar functionality and comprehensive event calendar.
• Call for nominations for Honorary Members netted zero submissions.
Bylaw Review
• Council supported in principle a round of minor drafting changes to the proposed Investigations and Discipline bylaw initiative. The updates, based on member feedback solicited during the extensive consultation process, would be communicated to AIBC registrants. A June-July vote is tentatively scheduled.
Other Business
• Further to the 16 administrative bylaw amendments approved by the membership, motions were passed for revisions to the council policy suite, replacing Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer, where appropriate. Council also approved the placement of a six-month moratorium on the BEA program, allowing a period of review and re-evaluation. Current BEA candidates will continue in the program.
• Motions were passed for committee changes, examination results and register amendments as well as terms of reference.
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Read adopted January 12 council meeting minutes.
The next regular meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for May 10, 2016. It will be held at the AIBC office between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For those interested in attending an AIBC Council Meeting, please confirm your attendance in advance by email to ttough@aibc.ca.