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Apr 21

2021 Surveyor of the Year/2022 Engineering Educator of the Year

By Team Members

Meridian’s QA/QC Manager Brad Mortensen, PE, PLS received the 2021 UCLS Surveyor of the Year award. Coincidentally it was presented by Meridian’s Michael Nadeau on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the award ceremony during the Western Regional Survey Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brad received the award based on his volume of service to the Land Surveying Profession, including his most recent participation as chairman of the Utah Council of Land Surveyor’s ad-hoc Committee developing the 2022 State Plane Coordinate System for Utah. Brad has worked closely with the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) for the last 4 years in developing Utah’s new system. As an added kudos to Brad, he also presented a breakout session during the conference entitled, “Benefits from the New 2022 State Plan Coordinate System” that was well attended.

Brad has over 36 years of experience and the last 6 of those years have been as Meridian’s QA/QC Manager. He is well recognized for the quality of his work, especially in geodetic control surveys throughout the state. Coincidently, Brad also teaches “Control Surveys” in the Surveying Program at the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Brad brings assurance to our clients regarding all aspects of transportation and infrastructure design, ranging from geodetic control, mapping, roadway/right-of-way design, and construction design of modern infrastructure. He also has experience in state, municipal, utility, and commercial/retail capital improvement projects.

All who know Brad would agree he loves to share relevant industry topics through his various conference presentations and as an educator at SLCC for the last 10 years. Many of the younger licensed surveyors in our profession remember with fondness and dread his Control Surveys course. Dread because of the difficulty of the subject matter and fondness because the way Brad presents the material. Several past students have thanked him for helping to further their careers. Brad was also instrumental in compiling and writing the 2015 and 2017 update of the UDOT Surveying and Geomatics Standards Manual, which is used throughout the state as the literal standard for control, topographic and construction survey specifications. Due to Brad’s education involvement in the profession, he has also received the 2022 Engineering Educator of the Year nomination from the Utah Council of Land surveyors (UCLS) at the Utah Engineers Council (UEC) awards ceremony February 26, 2022.

 

Brad Mortensen with his new awards.

When asked about these awards Brad responded: “I fell into the Land Surveying Profession by accident. I was a student in an agricultural engineering program and the first two courses were on surveying. I fell in love with the aspect of being in the outdoors and using my wits to solve problems and collect data. After that I changed my major and never looked back. The profession has been good to me, so I have tried to give back by mentoring future generations. Receiving the recognition from my peers these last few months has touched me deeply, and with much appreciation I give my thanks!”

Brad’s 2022 Engineering Educator of the Year Award

Meridian’s survey manager, Michael Nadeau states, “Brad and I have served on many of the same committees and professional boards for over a decade and I’ve seen his love for our profession through this time. Brad gives back to the Surveying profession unselfishly. He’s never been a person on a mission to build up his resume with this volunteer work, but rather to raise the bar of the profession and give back to the industry he loves. Brad Mortensen is admired and respected by all who know him professionally and personally. Brad’s received accolades are not only deserved, but also well overdue!”

Brad’s conference session presentation: Benefits from the New 2022 State Plane Coordinate System
Apr 13

Meridian team members share some fun and learn lots at the 2022 Western Regional Survey Conference.

By Events

This year’s annual UCLS Conference, was held March 30 – April 2, 2022, at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada and included Arizona (APLS), California (CLSA), Nevada (NALS) and the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS).  This year’s conference had over 950 attendees representing 31 states, including several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for Survey professionals to stay current with best practices, latest laws, and preview the newest technology for the profession. There was over 22 hours of educational tracks across four simultaneously running tracks.

Exhibition Hall where we talk with vendors about the new technologies that are shaping the surveying profession

Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference, comprising of break-out sessions of key industry topics such as ethics, eminent domain, business practices for surveyors, understanding utility easements, a mock trial based on a real boundary case and a full four-day track for survey techs looking to take their licensing exams.

Session examples

Left: Aaron Smith and Trent Keenen discussing “Challenges of a Work Force Shortage”

Right: Listening to Jeff Lucas present Rights of Way and Prescriptive Rights

 

Some of the big highlights and accolades that occurred at the conference impacting our firm:

  • Meridian’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance manager Brad Mortensen, PE, PLS was awarded the 2021 UCLS Surveyor of the Year as presented by Meridian’s Michael Nadeau during Friday’s award ceremony. Brad received the award based on his volume of work to the profession, including his most recent participation as chairman to the UCLS ad hoc committee developing Utah’s new 2022 State Plane Coordinate Systems while working closely with the NGS. As an added kudos to Brad, he also did a presentation during the conference titled, “Benefits from the New 2022 State Plan Coordinate System” that was well attended.

Brad Mortensen awarded UCLS Surveyor of the Year 2021 by Michael Nadeau

Our lead surveyor, Michael Nadeau, PLS, CFedS was acknowledged by the current WFPS chairman for Michael’s service as Chairman of the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors from 2020 to 2021.

Mike Nadeau receives acknowledgement as Chairman of WFPS  from 2020 to 2021 as presented by Ben Petersen and current Chairman of WFPS
Mike’s Chairman of WFPS Plaque (Chairman 2020 to 2021)
The 3 Gaveling Amigos (From left to right: Justin Moore – past president of NALS, Michael Nadeau, past chairman of WFPS – Robert McMillan, past president of CLSA)

A large group from Meridian, including spouses, was able to participate in an evening fundraising bowling event at the Orleans with long-time Meridian colleague, James Olschewski of UDOT and Bryan Westover of HDR. To raise more money for scholarships, tickets were purchased to give gutter balls to the opposing teams and players to help surveying students fund classes in the surveying program. It’s all fun and games until Meridian’s survey manager is handing a founding principal a gutter ball ticket all while saying, “It’s for the students!”

Orleans Fundraiser Bowling event: Brian Boehmer, Mike Nadeau, James Olschefski in the background

New Orleans Fundraiser Bowling event: Our large group

Mike unlocks the treasure (Mike won the scholarship raffle as 1 of 50 surveyors who bought a key)
Brad’s conference session presentation: Benefits from the New 2022 State Plane Coordinate System

Also, a group outing for Italian family style dinner at Bucca Di Peppo with the Pope. It’s always a good time when Meridian employees can network with fellow associates and peers on this holy level.

Meridian and the Westover’s dine with the Pope at Buca Di Peppo, Las Vegas, Nevada baby!

Overall, our team looks forward to this annual event for receiving professional development credits, gaining extra knowledge regarding the profession, and networking with like-minded surveyors from the across the west. Recharging in the Las Vegas sun is always an added benefit!

Mar 17

Harbor Point Elementary construction complete for the growing city of Saratoga Springs, Utah

By Completed Project

Located at 4189 East Schooner Drive, Saratoga Springs, the new elementary was placed on an undeveloped site with a grand view of Utah Lake to the east. As part of the architectural engineering design team for Alpine School District lead by VCBO Architecture, Meridian Engineering provided the survey, civil site layout, utility plans, drainage, grading, and subdivision plats for collaboration of a beautiful, tech-friendly, two-story educational facility.

 
Photography by Paul Richer, Richer Photography, courtesy Hogan Construction
Conceptual Design, VCBO Architecture

Our role began with design grade surveying, boundary analysis, amended subdivision platting. Civil design included site grading and drainage plans for two parking lots, bus and parent drop of zones, and two new play fields.  In addition, Meridian provided site utility design for all new sewer, water, and storm drain connections. To provide access to the school, Meridian designed two new roadways, Captain Street and Schooner Drive, as well as the widening of Redwood Road for a left turn lane. The roads were included in accordance with city standards and a traffic study as part of the design. The new school was constructed by Hogan Construction and opened August 2021.

Salt Lake County
Feb 17

DNR North East State Park campground and day use projects are progressing nicely.

By Project Progress

Meridian’s civil engineering team is working with the State of Utah-DFCM, and the Department of Natural Resources to finish four separate recreation projects cohesively. These projects consist of Jordanelle Reservoir’s Rock Cliff RV and van campground and Ross Creek day use area improvements, Rockport Reservoir’s Cedar Point new day use area, and a new campground at Deer Creek Reservoir along with waterski boat improvements.

Construction for each site is slated to begin this spring. Deer Creek, Ross Creek and Rockport construction are expected to be complete during the fall of 2022. Rock Cliff is scheduled for completion fall of 2023. These expanded areas are anticipated to enhance recreational activities at each of the reservoirs for years to come while meeting local public demand for camping and day use activities.

 
Rock Cliff Campground site plan and new entrance station
Deer Creek Campground site plan
Rockport Cedar Point Day Use site plan
 
Ross Creek Entry – Day Use site plan
Ross Creek Parking – Day Use at Jordanelle Reservoir
Salt Lake County
Jan 12

Acquisition TIP #4

By Knowledge Base

Right of Way Acquisition TIP #4: Land Research and Title

The Nov/Dec edition of the Right of Way magazine (pg. 22) features an intriguing article authored by Rob Scimeme. He details the initial land research and title work needed for utility projects. Suffice it to say that his words of wisdom don’t only apply to linear projects; there are critical points to be highlighted for any project that is determining right of way acquisition requirements. 

Conduct a project walk down for the initial route and involve team members from engineering and survey firms, construction groups, and stakeholders. During the walk down, gather pertinent data, assess field conditions, and determine needs for property rights.

Create a line list of the affected properties and research public land records; capture boundary lines, identify potential environmental effects, utility easements, crossings, and historical land records. Take into account considerations for conflicts and develop alternative approaches.

Ascertain current ownership types and land use. Ensure the proper party is engaged to acquire the needed rights, help identify unique property characteristics, estimate acquisition timing, and provide feedback to determine an appropriate design and acquisition approach. 

Upon completing these initial steps, it’s time for extensive title research. Use a reputable company familiar with your project type and has access to a title plant. They will conduct the examination and issue a report containing the search results, including the legal ownership and the property’s legal description. It also reveals clouds on the title, such as restrictions and encumbrances, that potentially impact the title’s transfer. 

Conducting these practices is imperative to expose existing issues early on and help avoid costly surprises. 

Contact the experts at Meridian Engineering and allow us to help you deploy your strategic initiative.

-authored by,

Tammy Evans, MRP, SR/WA
Acquisition Manager

Meridian Engineering

tevans@meiamerica.com