CSI EastBay/Oakland -- September Chapter Meeting

The regularly scheduled (third Tuesday) CSI EastBay/Oakland Chapter Dinner Meeting will take place Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at H's Lordships Restaurant, 199 Seawall Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710, (510) 843-2733.

GETTING IT BUILT -- Facilitating the Building Permit Approval Process

Every successful construction project travels the winding path from initial concept to physical reality. One critical portion of the path is the City and/or County review of submitted documents, ideally resulting in issuance of all required Permits and Approvals. Another critical portion is the construction process itself, ideally resulting in a safe, durable and functional facility. A key component during both of these processes are the technical documents. The design team prepares these documents to define the required construction, guide the construction process, and provide a basis for executing a construction contract. Technical review staff working for Cities and Counties use these same documents to protect the public interest by checking for compliance with building, safety, zoning, and other applicable requirements. City/County field inspectors refer to the approved documents as they perform their duties during the course of construction.

If those who prepare the technical documents better understood how public agency reviewers and inspectors utilize the documents, much trial-and-error and second-guessing could be avoided, and all parties involved would benefit. Design teams could better serve the project owners whom they represent, and agency technical staff people could more efficiently protect the interests of the communities they serve. A substantive ongoing dialog between those on both sides of "the counter" would go a long way to helping all parties work more productively, efficiently, and harmoniously, but such a forum does not presently exist.

September's Meeting will be a first step toward establishing such a dialog, at least in the East Bay Area. Come prepared to exchange thoughts with the attending representatives of several East Bay jurisdictions. The issues raised on Tuesday night will be expanded in a Saturday Workshop to be held on November 5, 2005.

THE SEPTEMBER MENU

Caesar Salad, Rolls and Butter and
Prime Rib of Beef au Jus with Creamy Horseradish + Parsley Red Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables
or
Baked Salmon with Lemon Pepper Sauce + Rice Pilaf and Fresh Vegetables
or
Vegetarian Pasta Prima Vera
followed by
Coffee, Tea, Milk, and Carrot Cake

6:00 PM Networking / No-Host Bar 7:00 PM Dinner 8:00 PM Program

EB/O CSI Members - $10
Professional or Industry Guests, 1st dinner attended - $20
City/County Plan Checkers and Field Inspectors - $25
Other Guests and Non-Members w/ advance reservations - $35
Other Guests and Non-Members at the door - $40

For more information: RSVP and make dinner selection by 8:00 PM Sunday, September 18th by e-mail to eastbayoakcsi@aol.com or by voicemail to (510) 524-8818.
Indicate number of people, name(s), and entree choice for each name.
No Show Reservations will be billed $38, the actual cost of dinner to the Chapter.
Default entree is beef if no dinner selection is made.
E-mail questions to eastbayoakcsi@aol.com or call (510) 524-8808.