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January 11, 2019 Workshop
Friday, January 11, 2019, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CDT
Category: Workshops

ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED - IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING PLEASE REGISTER AT THE REGISTRATION DESK ON DAY OF THE WORKSHOP.

SLSI January 11, 2019 Annual Workshop (7.5 PDHs Offered)
Scheman Center - Ames, IA
7:30AM -  Registration
8:00AM - Program Begins
12PM - Lunch
4:30PM - Adjourn

JANUARY WORKSHOP PROGRAMS AND SPEAKER: - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM BROCHURE PDF

The Role of the First Surveyor – Facts and Fallacies

  • Part I - Who’s Monuments Control and Why?
    We all think we understand the distinction between the original surveyor and the retracing surveyor, but do we really?  When there is no “original” surveyor, where does the “first” surveyor fit into the picture?   Is their monument the “original” monument, or are they simply putting forth their “best effort” to establish the monument? What if their “best effort” isn’t good enough? What if they failed to follow the instructions properly? What if they blundered?  When are these good reasons to reject their monuments and when are they not reason enough? How is the surveyor to evaluate the evidence necessary to resolve these important questions? Is there a set process we can use? What do the courts say about the process and how do we surveyors apply it? There are many answers to these questions
  • Part II - Uncalled-for Monuments - Do We Accept or Reject?
    All surveyors are faced with decisions on a daily basis. Do we accept or reject that uncalled-for monument? How do we arrive at our decision?   What factors enter into our decision?   What practical measures should we undertake in reaching our decision? What liabilities do we face for making the proper or improper decision?  How can we best protect ourselves from liability when we make that difficult decision? This workshop will explore many of those questions.  We will discuss recent court developments clarifying the principles surveyors can apply when making their decisions. Through this workshop, you will have an opportunity to examine your methods and compare them with the methods used by others.  Is there more than one way to handle them?  Are there better ways?  We can all learn alternative methods to approach age-old decisions.

Electronic Seals and Signatures – Are You in Danger? 
This course will examine the purpose of the surveyor’s seal and signature.  What do they truly mean? We will review recent court rulings which have a direct impact upon the use and misuse of electronic seals and signatures. The course will look at current and pending legislation regarding e-signatures, their use, and their application to the surveying profession. We will also discuss the differences between imaging and electronic certifications. 

SPEAKER: JOHN B. STAHL, PLS, CFedS


John is a registered professional land surveyor in the states of Utah and Montana, currently owning and operating Cornerstone Professional Land Surveys, Inc., and Cornerstone Land Consulting, Inc., in Salt Lake City. Mr. Stahl specializes in surveying land boundaries, resolving boundary conflicts, performing title and historical research, land boundary consultation services, mediation and dispute resolution. He has been qualified as an expert witness in numerous boundary, access, and negligence cases and has actively participated in the preparation of amicus curiae briefs to the Utah Supreme Court. He has furthered his education by participating in a state-qualified

mediation training program and earning recognition as a Certified Federal Surveyor. Mr. Stahl has served his profession as state chairman of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors
and a Utah delegate to the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors. He is an adjunct
instructor for the Salt Lake Community College and the Utah Valley University, where he has taught mathematics, ethics and liability and boundary law courses for land surveying students since 1991. He also is a licensed Real Estate Instructor in Utah. Mr. Stahl received his A.A.S. degree in land surveying from Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana and has authored numerous articles and publications covering topics on boundary laws, research, and resolving conflicts of evidence.