ENGINEERING UNIT
CONSULTANTS LIAISON COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 27 MAY 2010 IN BOARDROOM 501, 5TH
FLOOR, CITY ENGINEERS BUILDING
PRESENT
Mr Keith Barnett
Mr Roy Gooden
Mr Chris Hardy
Mr Randeer Kasserchun
C D Scott
S P Katide
C Raman
Project Executive: Engineering
Deputy Head: Roads provision
Deputy Head Development Engineering
Deputy Head: CS&CM
CESA
CESA/SABTACO
CESA
Apologies
Geoff Tooley
J Pershad
F Stevens
A Petersen
J Devine
P Fischer
M Wright
R Wienand
B Downie
A Beosumbar
P Viljoen
In Attendance: Mrs Pamela Moonsamy
ACTION
1.
Welcome & Apologies
2.
Mr Keith Barnett opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Apologies
were noted as per the attendance register.
Confirmation of Previous Minutes
Minutes of meeting held on 19 November 2008 were taken as recorded
Matters Arising
3.
3.1
3.2
CAPITAL BUDGET
Mr Barnett advised that the approved capital budget can be obtained from the
website.
SKILLS AVAILABILITY
Mr Barnett reported that accreditation for UKZN was approved which would
be applicable for the next 5 years.
All
The other issue was the one on Industrial Consultative Committee which
D.U.T. had but not UKZN. UKZN was to have introduced this, however no
details have been forthcoming.
Mr Katide advised that Umgeni Water Board is sponsoring 1½ million rands
per year for a Chair at the Programme of Civil Engineering at UKZN.
Mr Barnett advised that eThekwini Municipality is sponsoring R600 000 per
annum for undergraduate or post graduate studies and the subvention of a
named Chair in Urban Engineering. Also advised that the Municipality wants
to be involved in the subjects studied and would like to be consulted when the
appointing of the candidates take place. A draft of the Memorandum of
Agreement has been sent to the Institution and a response is awaited.
Concern was also raised about the standard of tuition at the Programme of
Civil Engineering and this is continuing to put pressure on the Faculty.
With regards to the Industry side, Mr Colin Scott from CESA reported that the
Industry is finding that students that are graduating and entering the Industry
are not ready. However, this has improved and they seem to be moving in the
right direction despite many frustrations.
Mr Barnett advised that eThekwini Municipality is also looking at awarding
bursaries to Candidate Engineers wanting to do their Masters degree. However
most job requirements at the Municipality do not require Masters
qualifications.
3.3
IDENTIFICATION OF ENGINEERING WORK
Mr Barnett reported that a couple of Workshops have been held. A Useful
course specifically dealing with Mentoring and Coaching is to be held in
Durban in July. Industry is advised to keep a look out for the course as they
will be mentoring Candidate Engineers in the future.
In terms of mentorship the eThekwini Municipality has employed a retired
professional Engineer (Malcolm Mitchel) who has been quite useful and is
involved with ECSA and knows the requirements to get the Candidate
Engineers through the registration process. He is involved quite extensively in
mentoring the Candidate Engineers.
A similar programme is in place for Technologists where they will also go
through a formal process similar to that of Engineers.
3.4
VARYING DOCUMENTS FOR THE TENDER PROCESS
Mr Barnett reported that Andre Petersen has emailed him requesting him to
check what other information other than tax clearance certificates, declarations
of interest and municipal fees declaration they might be troubled with. The
request was that specifics be sent to him and a electronic response will be sent.
It was also noted that updated forms were received but updating of the system
has not taken place as there have been delays in getting the system updates
done and it is hoped that this process will be completed by the end of this year.
Mr Barnett also advised that the municipality’s documents are very standard
and that Housing Infrastructure in the next financial year would be generated
from Development Engineering Department.
3.5
SCORECARD
Mr Barnett reported that the issue is problematic as the regulations have not
been gazetted
Mr Scott advised that the actual scorecard was gazetted in June last year which
is legal and binding. However the grey areas are how do you implement in
terms of the Procurement process as the implementation in terms of the process
varies and the Municipality does not recognize the Construction Score Card
despite Parastatals having accepted and applying the score card.
The delay is occurring from the Municipality’s side as the Municipality is
waiting for new regulations on the PPPFA to be promulgated.
Discussions on Framework Contracts ensued and members were advised that
the Framework contract was devised b y Ron Watermeyer and has been
advertised in the press.
Industry required clarification for the appointment of the consultants to the
Framework Contracts. In particular clarity was sought as to whether the
numbers per category would be restricted or whether all qualifying consultants
would be appointed . It was suggested that this issue be raised at the Briefing
session on the 31 May 2010 with Mr Peter Holton. Tenders have to be in by
the 18 June 2010.
3.6
PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY
Mr Barnett reported that the Municipality does not allow more than 40%
discount of the highest fee and is only stipulated for repetitive work.
Municipality does not generally stipulate more than 20% discount.
Discussions on the matter ensued .
3.7
PUBLIC TRANSPORT LANE
Mr Roy Gooden advised that the cameras set up are active and are identifying
perpertrators who are being fined.
4.
NEW MATTERS
Mr Barnet advised that the Municipality is looking at trying to pursue a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Draft Technical University in
Netherlands focusing on Coastal Engineering.
The course is currently being offered at the Stellenbosch University every 2nd
year and there are talks of offering a similar course in Durban. Information in
this regard will be cascaded to Industry if this happens. Municipality will also
be sending delegates to the course being held locally and the Consultant
Organisations were asked to canvas their members on their interest in such a
course being run in Durban.
5.
GENERAL
A question was raised by Industry on future work from the City as the issue is
very worrying. Industry was referred to the Capital Budget on the website and
advised that much of the Consultant work would be linked to the Rehabilitation
work.
Industry congratulated the Municipality on the 2010 high profile projects that
were undertaken successfully with leading clientele.
Question raised now that the 2010 projects are ending will the focus be shifting
to Housing.
Mr Barnet advised that even though it would appear as though Housing’s
budget has been increased that may not be the case as these may reflect
previous commitments undertaken by Housing.
With no other business the meeting terminated at 3.05pm
Date of Next meeting:
11 October @ 2pm in Boardroom 501, 5th floor, City Engineers Department.