VOL. 51 NO. 6 2016 ENGINEERING MINNESOTA · Broadway St. NE, Suite 325, Minneapolis, MN 55413. The firm had been at 45 S 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Bemidji-based Karvakko

There Was No ShortageRegardingPredictionsAbout The New Century

ENGINEERING MINNESOTA

VOL. 51 NO. 6 2016

The SambatekTurn-Around

Ten Years Ago The Future Was Bleak. ThenEngineers RegainedControl Of The Firm And Everything Changed.

Sirish Samba, P. E.,SambatekPresident/CEO

PRESORTEDSTANDARDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDLittle Falls, MNPermit No. 9

ENGINEERING MINNESOTA1107 Hazeltine Blvd.Chaska, MN 55318

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VOL. 51 NO. 8

Table of Contents

ENGINEERING MINNESOTA magazine is published monthly. For story and advertising information, contact Jim Meusey, Meusey Communications, 1107 Hazeltine Blvd., Chaska, MN 55318

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ENGINEERING MINNESOTA/PAGE 2

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Widseth Smith Nolting, Inc. said Grand Forks-based KBM, Inc. has become part of its firm. The two have been collaborating on projects for two years. Founded in 1952, KBM is a consulting engineering and aerial

photogrammetric mapping firm with clients in the United States and Canada. The firm’s 13 employees will remain in Grand Forks. Joining WSN as shareholders/vice presidents are Terry Keeton, Allan Page


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and Jason Zilka. The newly formed KBM Geospatial, LLC will continue to provide aerial photogrammetry, LiDAR, and mapping services as a subsidiary of WSN.

WSN now has a staff of around 190 employees located throughout eastern North Dakota and Minnesota. It offers a variety engineering, architecture, land surveying,

water resources and environmental services. Offices are in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Forest Lake, and Rochester, Minnesota.

Noel Kempfert, P. E., joined VAA as manager of its Food Processing Group. He has 30 years of mechanical engineering experience as a lead process engineer for facility designs, start-ups and new process systems for existing and new-to-market food products. At VAA, Kempfert will be the point of contact for clients’ food processing needs. . . Michelle Williams, P. E., of Stonebrooke Engineering recently became registered engineer in Minnesota. She is a design engineer with four years of experience in the design of transportation projects. She has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and a physics degree from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse.

Dunham Associates opened an office in Rochester. New location is on the second floor of the Premier Bank Building, 421 First Avenue Southwest, Suite 201W, Rochester, MN 55902. “We are excited about the growth of our office in Rochester and furthering our commitment to our clients and the community,” said President and CEO Jay Rohkohl, P. E.

So, how was your day? . . . If you are an engineer or architect it might not go as



>

Steve Jahnke, P. E. Sue Miller, P. E.

well these days compared to folks working in libraries or schools. The Center for Disease Control is out with a new survey of people more likely to commit suicide. Interestingly, people working in farming, fishing or forestry top the list. Eighty-four out of 100,000 people in those areas kill themselves. Construction is next with 53 out of 100,000 followed by maintenance & repair (47) and production at 34 out of 100,000. Engineers and architects come in at 32 of every 100,000 with protective services just behind at 30. Legal people came in further down the list at 18 while healthcare practitioners committing suicide numbered 17 out of 100,000. Business and financial people are at 15, sales at 13. Lowest work area jobs likelihood for suicide are librarian and teacher.

Last month’s article about the Top 500 design firms in the country according to Engineering News-Record magazine listed the increasing number of American firms with local offices. The changing nature of engineering these days means that foreign firms also establish offices in the United States. Included in that group is IDOM, located in Spain. The firm established an office in downtown Minneapolis when it acquired AEC Engineering in 2006, a firm started by J. R. Buzek, P.E. in 1980. IDOM has 37 offices around the world and 2,500 employees. It is privately held and currently ranked 66th in ENR’s top International Design Firms.

The Duluth office of MSA Professional Services promoted Jeffrey Anderson, P. E., to team leader. Anderson has 23 years of environmental consulting experience. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is also licensed in Wisconsin. He is also a certified wetland delineator.

American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET) added Thomas Lamb, P. E., as a Principal Engineer and Engineering Manager in the firm’s Duluth office. He joins Eric Edlund, Construction Materials Manager, in leading the office. Lamb will be responsible for providing senior geotechnical and materials engineering services and project management at that location.

Lamb has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and 35 years of experience. He has worked in a variety of areas, including geotechnical engineering, concrete testing and environmental consulting as well as building condition assessments He is also registered in Wisconsin and Illinois. He has LEED certification and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

David Mickelson, P. E., a mechanical engineer specializing in mining and industrial projects, joined the TKDA Duluth office. He has 25 years of experience leading design projects for mineral

ENGINEERS DISCUSS TRANSPORTATIONISSUES WITH SENATOR’S STAFF

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke, P. E. and Freeborn County Engineer Sue Miller, P. E., discussed transportation and ways for the federal government to help local government municipalities at during a “listening session” with members of U.S. Sen. Al Franken’s staff at the Albert Lea City Hall recently, according to an article in the Albert Lea Tribune by Sam Wilmes.

Miller said consistent, long-term revenue increases are needed to make up for a long-term funding drought. Jahnke said the city has had to focus on mill and overlay work to try to prolong the longevity of its roads, noting a long-term federal transportation bill would allow the city to plan for infrastructure improvements and give local contractors a chance to view the city’s plan.He said more money is being spent on maintenance costs because of the city’s aging infrastructure.

Miller said the number of local contractors has dwindled because of uncertainty regarding the amount of work they would have, noting one-term transportation funding makes it hard for the county and contractors to plan for projects. The listening session was held as part of a statewide tour by Franken’s staff to discuss regional infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water systems and broadband services.

Miller said it has been difficult for Freeborn County to sustain and maintain its transportation systems at current funding levels.More than 100 miles of paved Freeborn County highways in the next 10 years will reportedly be in need of funding. Miller and Jahnke discussed regulations they deem are unclear and the effects and holdups they said have been caused for Freeborn County and the city of Albert Lea.



Michelle Williams, P. E.

processing, industrial equipment installation, process pumping and piping, HVAC and mechanical building systems. He has managed projects a throughout the United States and worked in Venezuela and Canada. Mickelson received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.

KLJ named Dan Sherer, P. E., an engineer and project manager for its St. Paul office. Sherer was an aviation design manager for Jacobs and worked in Australia and Chicago before joining KLJ this year. He has a degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. . . KLJ also named Ted Gregory, P. E., a rail transportation engineer. He had worked for the Moffatt & Niche consulting firm in Raleigh, North Carolina and CXS Railroad. He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Central Florida.

Parsons Transportation Group moved to new offices at 3433 Broadway St. NE, Suite 325, Minneapolis, MN 55413. The firm had been at 45 S 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis.

Bemidji-based Karvakko Engineering added engineer Sarah Day and Benji Hofsted to its staff. A native of the Bemidji area, Day received an associate’s degree in engineering from Itasca Community College and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota. Hofstad fills a new position as client relations manager. He received a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. He has 20 years of experience in project management while providing construction oversight on civil and architectural projects.

Cass County Engineer David Enblom, P. E., made his last planning presentation before his retirement later this year. He said state aid for highways is up 11 percent this year, partly due to people driving more as gas prices decline. Cass County will tap into more federal highway money as it becomes available. The Legislature failed to approve a bonding bill this year, so there is no state aid for bridges or wetland mitigation for 2017 county highway projects, Enblom said. This could delay some scheduled Cass projects, he added.

Enblom said there is a shortage of Minnesota Department of Transportation certified engineering technicians in the state. That could mean the county may have a difficult time replacing technicians in a few years when some current staff likely will retire. He suggested starting efforts to train any interested employees currently on staff to get certified before the retirements take place.

The Dodge County Highway Department recently closed a bridge on County Road O saying the structure was damaged beyond repair. The bridge is inspected annually. In 2012, it was designated as a 5-ton bridge instead of having the 40-ton bridge weight restriction. County Engineer Guy Kohlnhofer, P. E., said a recent inspection revealed the bridge was moving while inspectors were checking it. The timber bridge, built over 50 years ago, features wooden posts that have rotted over time.

Chemical engineer Mark Rutz is one of four candidates seeking to win a seat on the Hutchinson City Council. An August 9 primary cut the number of candidates to two for the November general election. Rutz has worked for Hutchinson Technology since 1986. His degree is from Iowa State University. . . . The Steele County Board of Commissioners and staff members held a recent ground-breaking ceremony at the site of a new public works facility. A 2010 flood damaged the Steele County Highway Maintenance Operations complex.

Highway signal lights in Elk River have been retimed in an effort to improve traffic. Officials are also looking at adding flashing yellow left-turn arrows to some of the signal lights on highways 169 and 10 in Elk River to improve traffic flow — responding to suggestions ideas presented by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Mn/DOT hired Minneapolis-based Alliant Engineering for the Elk River work. The new timing system went into effect in May. Mike Anderson of Alliant said the changes have resulted in a nine percent reduction in total stops at the intersection, a 14 percent drop in delay and a seven percent cut in fuel consumption on the highways.

Sambatek added Jeffrey Ames to its Minnetonka office. He will serve as Client Service Manager in the firm’s Construction Services Group. He has 40 years of experience in civil, construction,and project management.


Otto Bonestroo, P. E., founder of Bonestroo Engineering, which later became Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik and then the local office of Stantec, died July 11. He was 91. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1949 with a degree in civil engineering and added a Master’s degree a year later. A native of Sioux Center, Iowa, he was an air force officer in World War II. He also served on the Metropolitan Council.

Charles Seashore died recently. He was 84. He was a longtime Honeywell employee and received several technical achievement awards including Honeywell’s highest award for the work related to short-wavelength radar systems. He was elected a Senior Fellow in the company for expertise in radar and infrared sensors. He was a member and chairman of the local IEEE chapter and spoke at national and international engineering conferences. He joined Alliant Tech Systems in a technical management role and managed numerous high tech programs including missile system development. His final work with the company involved the management of Y2K compliance for the Defense Systems Division.

He served in the U.S. Army for five years as a commissioned officer assigned to the Space Development Program in Huntsville, Alabama. He was a pioneer in millimeter wave technology under the leadership of Wernher von Braun. He completed his work for an MSEE from the University of Alabama in 1959. After military service, he joined the R&D operation at Honeywell in California, where he made state-of-the-art technical contributions to military systems product lines and worked on Ph.D. at UCLA. He had a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota.

James Lang, 93, died recently. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He worked for McDonnell Douglas in San Diego and then moved to Benson, MN to harvest bluegrass. He also owned oil interest in several states. . . . John Hosfield died July 6 at 91. A native of Owatonna, he served in World War II. He was civil engineer and worked for Pfeifer and Schultz, HDR and at the University of Minnesota.

Dennis O’Connor died at 82. He spent most of his engineering career with Honeywell starting in 1966 . . . Donald Lavine, 91, an engineering and engineering technology instructor at Rochester Community College from 1958 until retirement in 1985, died recently. . . Craig Glazier died June 30 as a result of vasculitis. He was a 1994 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was engineering manager for Clean Air Products. . . .John W. Lyon, 56, died after a long battle with cancer June 23 in Los Angeles. A Hibbing native, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1981 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He spent his career working for Mobil Oil.

Otto Bonestroo, P. E. Charles Seashore

Craig Glazier Dennis O’Connor


COVER STORY

The Sambatek Turn-around

Ten years ago the future was bleak but then engineers regained controlof the firm and everything changed

There have been a few exhilarating ups and some significant downs during the 50-year history of Sambatek, the Minnetonka-based engineering consulting firm Skip McCombs, P.E. and Dickman Knutson, RLS, formed a half-century ago as McCombs-Knutson Associates.

A significant “up” has been the ability of the firm to bounce back from the challenging period of the recent recession when its future was in doubt. The company was purchased by an investment firm in the early 2000s after decades of ownership by Minnesota engineers. Minnesota engineering history reveals ownership by non-engineers does not work well. And, in this situation, history proved an accurate guide.

Engineering tends to be a complex business that thrives on the creation of trusting relationships with clients. That approach can

find itself in conflict with any owners bent on creating a speedy and sizable return on investment.

For certain, the firm had a very successful run for a long time. In the mid-80s McCombs Knutson Associates became McCombs Frank Roos Associates (MFRA) as Greg Frank, P. E. and Jeff Roos, P. E. were named principals. The then 70-employee operation flourished under a family-style business atmosphere. That approach changed, however, following Frank’s retirement at the start of the new century. The firm was purchased by an investment group concerned more with generating profits than developing long-term client and employee relationships. The situation improved somewhat in 2005 when ownership was transferred to a private equity group. But the new effort fell victim to a deteriorating economy that sideswiped many businesses around 2008.

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COVER STORY

MFRA engineers knew they faced a serious challenge at that time. One of those folks was Sirish Samba, P. E. a native of India who years earlier had decided he would “strive for creative ways to overcome tough challenges.” That goal initially took him to Nagarjuna University in India where he graduated in 1992 with a degree in civil engineering. From there, he was accepted in the graduate program at South Dakota State University where he obtained a Master’s degree in civil engineering. He joined MFRA as an EIT in 1994. The board of owners from private equity group named him President and CEO in June of 2008. One of his first actions as CEO involved a successful effort to place firm ownership back into the hands of employees. He was joined in the effort by fellow employees Erik Miller, Paul Pearson, Mark Anderson, and Steve Janson.

Samba acknowledges the decision to restore firm ownership to working professionals provided numerous financial challenges, “but it was the right thing to do” he said shortly after the change was made. “We felt it was important that a professional practice be owned by professionals. We wanted to change the firm’s culture to what is best for our employees and clients,” he said.

Eight years later, Samba believes Sambatek, which became the firm’s new name, has fully recovered from its earlier economic challenges and is headed for an “exciting future.” He acknowledges that future prospects are helped by “quality workmanship, talented staff,” and the company’s qualification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) because of Samba’s Indian background. One of the main purposes of the State’s DBE program is to increase participation of minority-owned firms in government-funded program such as the recently completed Minnesota Vikings football stadium in downtown Minneapolis where the firm did considerable work. Sambatek has also worked with the Department of Transportation, Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council in Minnesota and the Department of Transportation in North Dakota. Sambatek was one of the first Minnesota engineering consulting firms to establish a presence in the neighboring state when its economy boomed as a result of changes in oil drilling procedures. Their North Dakota office currently employs 10 people and the firm’s overall work load includes a mix of public and private sector projects.

Sambatek employs about 100 people whom Samba is quick to point out are the firm’s greatest asset. “We pride ourselves on being a very open and transparent firm,” he said. “If employees are given the opportunity to grow in their jobs, then the company will also grow.”

Samba admits he has a very idealistic approach when it comes to engineering. As a youngster in India, he recalls his mother pointing out the significance of engineering work performed by Sir Arthur Cotton, a British civil engineer who built a dam near Samba’s hometown in the 1850s that ended flooding and significantly diminished the impact of droughts. That work, Samba

recalls, provided an excellent example of the way engineers and engineering can significantly make a positive difference in the lives of many people. “I thought that using engineering to make life better for others would be a very good way to spend the rest of my life,” he said.

Samba spends a good portion of his time these days responding and reacting to the activities and ideas of employees as well as clients. Sambatek recently concluded a survey of employees regarding a variety of issues and is currently surveying its clients. Seeking out, listening to and responding to feedback has been a main component of the firm’s rebuilding strategy, Samba said. One recent benefit resulting from employee feedback: they now officially have the day after Thanksgiving off. Other changes stemming from employee feedback include an office gym, a ping pong table for mid-day breaks and real cups and silverware (as opposed to foam cups and plastic spoons) so the company can implement the sustainability practices it builds into many of its projects. Samba also notes that a far more substantive change resulting from employee engagement is the practice of Open Book Management and the ability for employees to work remotely and/or gearing work schedules to promote a better work/life balance.

Feedback comes from weekly staff meetings as well as quarterly “Town Hall” get-togethers where employees are briefed on firm activities. The format also allows for anonymous questions that can be placed in an envelope which can cover diverse topics ranging from “what the firm is doing to promote energy efficiency” to the aforementioned holiday request for “day after Thanksgiving”.

“Clients and Employees are the key to our success,” Samba observed. “Our approach is to keep them involved and give them a say in the way things are done. Ours is not a ‘from the top down’ operation. We like to keep everyone engaged. It is an approach that has worked very well in the recent past and one that will position Sambatek for great success into the future.”

Former longtime MN/DOT engineer Doug Differt, P. E.(left) provides consulting services for Sambatek

CONSTRUCTION


KFI Firm Has LeadingRoleIn Energy Efficiency Efforts

“We welcomed the challenge this project presented. We knew MACP was committed to having a well-designed and energy efficient structure and realized reaching that goal would require an innovative approach. We also knew meeting expectations would require significant creative thinking.”

A familiar adage maintains people should practice what they preach. Engineers with the (KFI) consulting firm strongly support that concept. In fact, the firm’s office at the intersection of Dale Ave. and County Road B West in Roseville provides an excellent example of that belief. The firm specializes in designing and developing energy efficient structures for clients and its 670 County Road B West office illustrates benefits of that approach. The firm took over a converted grocery story in 2003 and made it into an energy efficient office building. “We figured the best example would be to show clients what we could do for them by doing something ourselves,” explained Randy Christensen, P. E., a mechanical engineer and principal with the firm. The Karges-Faulconbridge building is home to 80 of the firm’s 100 employees, with the remaining workers in the firm’s other offices in North Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

A current client is Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) based in Eden Prairie, the largest philanthropic organization in the state. The organization was looking to substantially increase the size of its 27,000 square-foot building at 6889 Rowland Road by adding 66,000 square feet. An overall goal was to protect adjacent wetland and maximize sustainable resources. MACP was looking to add several features including a green roof, a geothermal system, water capture for irrigation, solar lighting, and low mow landscaping and permeable pavers. A goal was to obtain LEED Platinum certification from the U. S. Green Building Council. The organization sought responses from various engineering firms to work on the project, and eventually selected KFI. “We welcomed the challenge this project presented,” Christensen said. “We knew MACP was committed to having a well-designed and energy efficient structure and realized reaching that goal would require an innovative approach. We also knew meeting expectations would require significant creative thinking and some variances in current requirements from local government.” He acknowledges the effort was aided by the cooperation provided by the city of Eden Prairie as well as others. Christensen cited, as an example, the decision to place a ground source well system in nearby Nine-Mile Creek, which generated concern from environmentalists about the potential for groundwater contamination. Anxiety was alleviated by the use of propylene glycol, a food-grade anti-freeze and with the placement of an alarm system that would sound and create an immediate shutdown if any loss of pressure was detected. Additionally, MACP requested and received a municipal waiver pertaining to a limit on building height to construct an elevator that provides penthouse green roof access. The municipality’s planning commission also voted unanimously to approve waivers for underground parking. >

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Paving Progress: Newsletter Update

MAPA has now switched to a more user friendly electronic version for our newsletter since most sub-scribers view our newsletter on a computer, smartphone or tablet. This will allow for a much more flexible way of distributing content to the industry. This can be viewed on the top of the website under the newsletter tab.

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Randy Christensen, P. E. Nick Oelke, P. E.

Other building features include photovoltaic and solar thermal panels on 60 percent of the building’s roof and Greywater drip irrigation systems, the first such approved project in the state. Other features are a rainwater collection system featuring a 55,000- gallon storage capacity and plumbing fixtures that cut water use by almost 40 percent. The sustainability effort did present challenges. “An ideal goal of a project is a net zero impact,” explained Katherine Edwards, KFI energy simulation engineer. (A Net Zero Energy Building completely offsets its electric and fossil fuel energy use with renewable energy.) “But that reality can be expensive so you try to come as close to that goal as is economically possible,” she said. “The challenge we faced was to not compromise comfort while making sure costs were not too expensive.” That challenge, she observed, is familiar to most engineers. Edwards noted that the project was different because the firm’s project team used an integrated design process. Minneapolis-based Gensler Architects brought various disciplines together early in the design efort. Energy modeling started early to track progress towards the project’s low energy goals. Christensen points out that working with a philanthropic organization instead of a private business has an advantage in that charities can be somewhat more flexible regarding costs. “Sustainability is an important aspect of the MACP overall philosophy so they were willing to make a long-term investment,” he said. “You don’t always find that willingness in the private sector.” Christensen said KFI is a firm that “moves comfortably between private and public sector clients and industries. In all cases,” he added, “clients are raising the bar of energy performance and water conservation.” Much of the firm’s commercial work has centered on educational buildings. In recent years its educational clients

have ranged from research universities such as University of Notre Dame, University of Iowa and Iowa State University to the largest K-12 Districts in Minnesota. One recent project, Alexandria High School, received several key design awards for sustainability, including a LEED Silver Rating.

The firm recently designed the mechanical and electrical power generation and distribution system for the nation’s largest collegiate turbomachinery laboratory at Ignition Park in South Bend, IN. KFI does other local, non-education projects such as the The Rose, a 90-unit apartment complex constructed in the 1900 block of Portland Ave. in Minneapolis that provides “ultra-sustainability” for residents with a variety of incomes. That structure features solar thermal panels providing 80 percent of hot water requirements as well as illustrating the apartment’s sustainable emphasis. Water use is half that of a typical building the same size as a result of aeration and other techniques. Apartment units will use 30 gallons a day rather than the average of 75 gallons. “Much of the work we do is challenging,” observed, KFI electrical engineer, Nick Oelke, P. E., “but it can also be very worthwhile.”


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Stormwater Management

Stormwater Management systems are designed and built to provide safe and efficient disposal of stormwater run-off. Existing storm drains in most areas (particularly urban areas with little green space) may not be able to handle additional water volumes at peak flows. Stormwater damage can occur without an effective stormwater management program in place utilizing stormwater detention or retention systems.

• Detention systems are used for temporary storage of excess water runoff in underground corrugated steel tanks. Stormwater is detained and then released at pre-development flow rates. Storage volumes can be further increased by using void space in the stone backfill.

• Retention systems are often used when stormwater run-off has restricted outlet for disposal or where water recharge is a goal. Stormwater is collected and stored in perforated corrugated steel pipe and then allowed to infiltrate into underlying soils. Benefits include enhancement of the ground water resources, not overcharging the existing storm water system and filtration of water through percolation. In addition, these systems assist in reducing levels of some pollutants into aquifers.

Corrugated steel pipe systems offer the most economical and reliable solution to your stormwater detention and retention needs. Contact your TrueNorth Steel representative for design and specification support.

Documents

VOL. 51 NO. 6 2016 ENGINEERING MINNESOTA · Broadway St. NE, Suite 325, Minneapolis, MN 55413. The firm had been at 45 S 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Bemidji-based Karvakko