The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board was called to order at 9:27 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 and staff member Joseph Abello of the Board of Architects.

ALSO PRESENT: Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, 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

December 13, 2007

Editorial changes were made to the minutes.

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.

IV ANNOUNCEMENTS

Executive Director hsu announced that letters regarding the ARE transition were mailed to 132 Professional Engineers in the pipeline. A second letter regarding the ARE transition will be mailed to all initial applicants currently in the pipeline to take the ARE for licensure.

Mr. Zaccone announced the following:
– Investigative inquiry is scheduled pertaining to ITEM NO. 52820 at 10:30am
– He received an e-mail from NCARB regarding interested individuals who would like to serve on an NCARB committee

V OLD BUSINESS

A. Petition for Rule-making

Letter dated September 4, 2007 from Lawrence Powers, Esq. of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas LLP regarding a Petition for Rulemaking - N.J.A.C. 13:27-3.1; N.J.A.C. 13:27-9.2; N.J.A.C. 13:27-9.4 from the AIA New Jersey. On September 13, 2007, Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs was present to discuss this issue with the Board. DAG outlined the process when a board receives a petition for rulemaking. The Board has sixty (60) days to determine if they would grant the petition, deny the petition or request an extension to further review the petition. DAG Albertson apprised the Board that the Petition for Rulemaking requests the Board to define certain terms that are not currently defined and that the NAAB Accredited degree be considered substantially equivalent to the education requirement for Certified Interior Designers. It was determined to establish a committee, consisting of two Registered Architects and two Certified Interior Designers to review the petition and determine any action to be taken if necessary. Messrs. DeMassi and Zaccone will represent the Architects and Ms. Goté and another member of the Interior Design Committee will meet to discuss the petition. The first meeting of this committee was held on Thursday, September 27, 2007 after the Architects board meeting. The Committee determined to obtain further info in preparation of discussing definitions of terms to be defined and the issue of NAAB degree equivalency. On October 25, 2007, Mr. DeMassi motioned to file an extension of 90 days to respond to the petition inasmuch as information is still be gathered to make a determination. Ms. Goté seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved. It was determined to schedule meetings with the petitioner and other entities that could provide the sub-committee with additional information in its decision on the petition. On November 8, sub-committee members met after the conclusion of the Architects meeting today to develop questions for the December 11, 2007 meeting with the petitioner and other parties of interest. Invitation letters have been sent for the scheduled December 11, 2007 meeting with the Lawrence Powers, Esq, AIA-NJ and representatives from NCIDQ, CIDA, ASID, IIDA were also invited to provide the Interior Design Committee with information. On December 11th, the sub-committee met at 10am with Lawrence Powers, Esq., Richard W. Gaeckle, Esq., and Jerome Eben, President of NJ-AIA were present to discuss the intentbehind their request for the petition. At 1pm, representatives from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Linda L. Potter, CID; Sharon L. Weiner, Esq.; Caren Martin, PhD ASID; Jim Lothrop, Jr., AIA; Diane Boyer, CID; Judith Fosshage, CID; and Alan M. Siegel, Esq. were present to discuss their opposition to the petition. The members of the sub-committee thanked everyone for coming in and making their respective presentations. The committee members will consider all this information at a future meeting and provide a full report to the Board.

1/10/08 Copy of a December 12, 2007 letter from Judith Fosshage, of the NJ Coalition for Interior Design Legislation, thanking the members of the committee for meeting with them is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: The Board duly noted Ms. Fosshage’s letter. The Committee will review the draft response to the petition and make a recommendation to the Board at the next meeting.

B.   Potential change to existing regulations

On September 13, 2007, the Board reviewed the NCARB Fast Facts dated July 27, 2007 which announced various items including MBE on the NCARB Board - Nominations Open; Message from the Treasurer; Member Board Chairs conference; 2007 Member Board Executive workshop; New ARE and IDP e-news; ARE 4.0 Transition Charts. Patricia Schiripo, Regulatory Analyst, Division of Consumer Affairs met with the Board to discuss the issue that NCARB has changed the ARE exam from a nine-part exam to a seven-part exam and if a rule change is necessary. The Board’s concern is with its statute N.J.S.A. 45:3-5.1 and regulation N.J.A.C. 13:27-4.4 which contains language for professional engineers taking certain sections of the ARE to become NJ licensed architects. With the change to the exam (4.0 version), it appears that professional engineers may have to take all sections of the new ARE. The Board would like to amend its regulations noting the change to the ARE and request Ms. Schiripo prepare draft for review and discussion at the October or November meetings. On December 13th, the Board reviewed a copy of the transition chart and the Board’s statute N.J.S.A. 45:3-5.1 and regulation N.J.A.C. 13:27-4.4 pertaining to professional engineers successfully passing certain sections of the ARE to become NJ licensed architects. After much discussion, it was determined to send a letter to all ARE applicants including licensed engineers currently approved to take the ARE (pipeline applicants) and those who have an open application (incomplete applications) notifying of NCARB’s transition from the 3.1 to 4.0 ARE. Mr. DeMassi motioned to accept NCARB’s transition from the 3.1 to 4.0 ARE. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Mr. DeMassi motioned to prepare in addition to proposed regulations, a Public Notice in the New Jersey Register Mr. DeMassi motioned to prepare in addition to proposed regulations, a Public Notice in the New Jersey Register concerning the changes to the ARE. Regulatory Analyst and DAG Albertson are working on draft regulation concerning changes to the ARE. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

1/10/08 Copy of the Notice of Change in Architect Registration Examination from version 3.1 to version 4.0 is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Executive Director Hsu thanked DAG Albertson and Regulatory Analyst Patricia Schiripo for their efforts in developing the Notice. Editorial changes were made to the proposed regulation. Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the regulation with modifications and authorize President and Executive Director to sign off on the regulation. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

C.  Joint Committee

1 Copy of a letter dated November 26, 2007 from Jordan Rosenberg, RA, pertaining to the building inspector in Garfield, New Jersey denied Mr. Rosenberg's plan for a retaining wall is attached for Committee's review. This matter was reviewed at the Joint Committee meeting on December 4 whereby the Committee determined to send a letter to Mr. Rosenberg advising him that both architects and professional engineers are permitted to design retaining walls, and that the Committee would like documentation as to reasons behind the Garfield municipality denying his application. On December 13, the board was advised that a letter has been sent to Mr. Rosenberg advising that New Jersey licensed Architects and Professional Engineers are permitted to design retaining walls and requesting that he provide documentation from the construction official as to denial of your permit application as well as the status of the project. The Joint Committee is awaiting a possible response.

1/10/08 Copies of the Joint Committee’s letter to Mr. Rosenberg as well as the memo to the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors advising the committee’s action in this matter is attached for board information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

VI NEW BUSINESS

A. Information

1 NCARB News Clips dated December 11, 2007 announcing that NCARB Awards Grants to Pratt Institute and the University of New Mexico is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

2 NCARB Fast Facts dated December 20, 2007 outlining certain items pertaining to ARE Early Eligibility Contacts; Green Cover Transmittals; ARE Study Guides; and Member Board Member Roster reminder is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

3 Copy of a letter dated January 3, 2008 from Jeffrey Huberman, NCARB’s 2nd Vice President, summarizing activities to date and discusses several upcoming issues is attached for Board’s information.

ACTION: Duly noted.

B. Interior Design Examination and Evaluation Committee

November 7, 2007 minutes

ACTION: Ms. Goté motioned to accept the Interior Design Committee minutes as presented. Mr. DeMassi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

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

Cicchetti, James J. Jr.*      Dudley, Bradford L.*           Holzheimer, Jon D.*
Gatzke, Robert K.             Paruta, Jack L.                     Berei, Jeff W.
Vahedi, Hossein V.*         Castrovillari, Frank M.*        Piper, Roger K.*
White, Frisco*                  Sullivan, Timothy A*

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

BOARD TO REVIEW
Malmin, Larry C.

ACTION: Upon reviewing the submitted information, Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve the above individuals for licensure by credentials. 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:

Jesper B. Ryberg

ACTION: Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve Mr. Ryberg to take the ARE. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Benjamin J. Petrick - On December 13, the Board unanimously voted to deny Mr. Petrick inasmuch as he has not met the required 3 years in the IDP program. Revised information from NCARB was issued.

ACTION: Upon reviewing the revised NCARB record, Mr. DeMassi motioned to approve Mr. Petrick to take the ARE. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

C.   Certificate/s of Authorization

1 FRANCISCAUFFAMAN, INC. Architecture
2120 Arch Street
Philadelphia PA 19103

Responsible Architect: Anthony J. Colciaghi - License #AI014375

Summary: This application for a Certificate of Authorization to offer architectural services only is submitted by two New Jersey architects who own 66.66% of the shares in business with an unlicensed individual who owns 33.33% of the shares. This application appears to comply with statutory requirements.

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

2 URBAN DESIGN WORKSHOP, LLC Architecture
One Aspen Court
Wayside NJ 07712-3491

Responsible Architect: Antonio Aiello - License #AI017504

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 Urban Design Workshop, LLC. Mr. Horii seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

VIII PUBLIC COMMENTS

Seeing no one from the public present, Mr. Zaccone proceeded to the next item on the agenda.

IX EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 10:25am, Mr. DeMassi motioned to go into Executive Session for the purposes of conducting an investigative inquiry. Ms. Schlegel seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

At 11:05am, Mr. DeMassi motioned to go into Executive Session for the purposes of conducting an investigative inquiry. Ms. Schlegel seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

X NEXT MEETINGS

January 24, 2008 Regular Meeting Union Room - 3rd Floor
February 14, 2008 Regular Meeting Union Room - 3rd Floor

XI ADJOURNMENT

At 1:30pm, Mr. DeMassi motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Joshi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

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