AGC Spring Conference in Napa May 31- June 3rd…Why You Should Attend!!!
By Jim Ryan
AGCSD Executive Vice President

AGC President Tom Anderson, Bergelectric Corporation, and the AGC Board of Directors, invite the AGC membership to the Association’s 2007 Spring Conference, which will be held at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California beginning Thursday May 31^st and concluding Sunday June 3^rd.  The AGC Spring Conference is a tradition that has been part of AGC for about 20 years.

The conference presents members with opportunities to socialize and to meet the key players in the industry, attend business sessions that feature programs on critical issues facing the industry, and the opportunity to enjoy the world famous Napa Wine Country.

Now….let me editorialize on the benefits of attending events like the 2007 AGC Spring Conference.

These events allow members to get away for a few days and to spend time with their industry peers, which is a real positive for each firm attending and the industry in general.  It gives the attendees the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing their firms and the industry in a more relaxed, informal manner than typically is available during the normal course of business. For instance……

It is important for you to know that the major challenges your firm is facing….i.e. personnel….bonding….banking….project schedules…..demanding owner requirements….etc…are the same issues that others in the industry are facing.  Events like the AGC Spring Conference give you the time to sit down and really discuss these challenges with others and to either confirm that your challenges are the same as others, or that you have challenges that others do not seem to be having (which may be even more valuable information!)

In addition, it has been my observation that these events have had the effect of raising the “ethical bar” in the industry.  Do you think twice about submitting a dubious bid protest on a project when you had dinner at the Spring Conference with the low bidder?  Do you focus more on your strengths rather than your competitor’s weaknesses when presenting to a client if you toured a winery with your competitor during the AGC Spring Conference? The point is…….when we get to know others in the industry it will tend to focus your firm on providing the best possible product to your client rather than “beating” your competitor, and that is healthy for the industry. 

So to summarize……I have been organizing these events for a long time…..and I can tell you that the contractors, subcontractors, and affiliates that take the time to attend usually are the industry leaders, or are on their way to becoming the industry leaders.  There are valuable lessons to be learned at industry conferences, and many of the successful firms understand this and make sure they are represented.

So…..a registration form is attached…..complete the form and attend…. You and your firm will benefit…and come on....you may even enjoy a weekend in Napa!!!!!

 

Prop 1B Transportation Bond Funds – An “Insider’s” Perspective

 

As we have reported, the San Diego region will receive about 10% of the first $4.5 billion in Proposition 1B transportation bond funds to help fund two specific projects: 1) Retrofitting the existing eight-mile-long set of two express lanes on Interstate 15 between Highways 56 and 163 so they match the four new lanes being built to the north ($350 million); and 2) Extending the car-pool lanes on I-805 from Carroll Canyon Road to the I-5/805 merge ($82 million).  One additional project, a mile-long auxiliary lane on southbound I-805, between E Street and Highway 54, received full funding of $19.5 million, but not from Prop 1B.

 

We also reported to you that it was a struggle to get the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to fairly allocate those funds, as a number of other regions were competing for the same $4.5 billion!

 

What we haven’t reported to you…until now…is an “insiders” perspective of what happened.  AGC’s Legislative Advocate, Dave Ackerman, watched very carefully over the past several weeks the process by which Prop. 1B funds were to be distributed.  We have attached an article Dave has written about the process…you will find it very enlightening.

 

What is most interesting about Dave’s perspective is his knowledge that there is “no sure thing” in politics.  Although it looks like our region will get $451 million for badly needed corridor projects, the State Legislature still has the ability to withhold funding if it doesn’t like the projects selected by the CTC.  In addition, some groups are pushing to require contractors to use specific “clean” construction equipment if they bid any work funded by the bonds, while others are talking about requiring local agencies to adopt certain “smart growth” strategies to qualify for infrastructure funding.

 

Needless to say, we still have some work to do to get our fair share of Prop. 1B funds.  We will continue to work with our Legislative Advocates in Sacramento, local legislators, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Caltrans, the CTC, and the Governor’s Office to make sure that happens.

 

Speaking of SANDAG and Caltrans…we have invited Gary Gallegos, SANDAG’s Executive Director, and Pedro Orso Delgado, Caltrans’ District 11 Director, to a meeting of the Engineering General Contractors’ Council, where they can provide more specific detail of CTC’s actions, discuss the current construction timeline for these projects, review any legislative actions pertaining to Prop. 1B implementation, and discuss future funding needs.  They will also give a status report on TransNet.  A luncheon meeting has been tentatively schedule for April 3.

 

A Quick Look at Recent Activities in our Nation’s Capitol

 

AGC-Supported 3% Withholding Repeal Bill Introduced In Senate

 

Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) introduced S. 777 last week which will repeal the AGC-opposed 3% withholding law that AGC continues to fight against.  Visit the AGC Legislative Action Center (www.agc.org/lac) to thank Senator Craig for introducing this important legislation.

 

Similar to HR 1023, introduced by Reps. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) and Wally Herger (R-Calif.), the legislation simply repeals the new law (effective 2011), which requires 3% of all payments for goods and services be withheld on contracts with federal, state, and many local governments.  This withholding is more than the income derived from the average contract (1.8% nationwide), and it will be devastating to small contractors and their cash flow.  AGC is continuing to push for full repeal.

House Passes AGC-Supported Wet Weather Infrastructure Grants Bill

AGC applauded the House for passing a wastewater treatment bill.  The Water Quality Investment Act of 2007 reauthorizes an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-administered program that provides grants to states and municipalities for the repair and replacement of wastewater treatment and collection systems to address combined sewer overflow issues.  The bill authorizes appropriations of $1.7 billion over five years to address this public health and environmental threat. 

House Passes the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007

Last Friday, the House passed H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, to reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund program at $14 billion over the next four years.  AGC supported this measure, which passed 303-108.  The administration threatened a veto due to Davis-Bacon provisions contained in the bill, but the 303-108 vote exceeds the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.  The bill now goes to the Senate for deliberation where AGC will continue to push for passage.

In addition to the investment called for in H.R. 720, AGC supports creation of a long-term, sustainable, off-budget source of funding for clean water by creating a dedicated trust fund to finance the construction and maintenance of wastewater facilities.  Recent polling shows that 86% of Americans would support the creation of such a trust fund.  H.R. 720 makes a first step toward the creation of a trust fund calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assist Congress in quickly identifying a dedicated source(s) of revenue to establish a Clean Water Trust Fund that would ensure the availability of appropriations to fund clean water needs over the long-term.

The EPA, the GAO, and the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) report a funding gap of $300 - $500 billion that is needed over the next 20 years to address wastewater collection and treatment needs nationwide. 

AGC Ensures Federal Contracting Reform Works for Members

Legislation has been written to change federal acquisition law to require agencies to limit the use of non-competitive and sole source contracts, increases transparency and accountability in federal contracting, and protects the integrity of the acquisition workforce.

AGC was a vital partner in developing HR 1362, the Accountability in Contracting Act.  AGC worked to ensure that it addressed abuses concerning no-bid contracting; specifically, by restricting the length of no-bid contracts without administration waivers, limiting the frequency with which sole-source and cost-reimbursement contracts are awarded, and requiring public disclosure of agency justifications for no-bid contracts.

AGC Co-Chairing Electronic Employment Verification Coalition

Under current law, the Department of Homeland Security maintains an electronic verification system called the Basic Pilot Program.  The program results in many incorrect reports to employers and has spurred members of Congress to discuss a new, workable program.  AGC is leading this essential discussion by co-chairing the Electronic Employment Verification System Working Group (EEVS Working Group).

AGC’s principal role is crucial now, as members in the House and Senate have offered amendments mandating the use of the highly inaccurate Basic Pilot Program on legislation not germane to immigration.  AGC continues to educate members about errors in the Basic Pilot Program, and the need for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform in order to ensure a workable program for employers, employees, and the government.  AGC believes that the creation of a reliable, accurate, and easy to use electronic verification program is necessary to comprehensive reform. 

2007 AGC Federal Contractors Conference Online Registration Open

Online registration for the 2007 AGC Federal Contractors Conference is now open.  The Conference will be held May 7-10 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC.  This annual event provides contractors and federal agency personnel the opportunity to meet together in neutral forum and review construction issues occurring around the United States.

AGC members have found these meetings to be insightful and very productive (AGC San Diego usually has good representation).  Furthermore, exchanges have solidified the need for both federal construction contractors and federal agencies to share information on a wide variety of issues.  

 

AGC 18^th Annual Spring Golf Tournament

The AGC Annual Spring Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, April 16, 2007 at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo.  This is a beautiful, private course right next to the Rancho Bernardo Inn.  Registration will begin at 10:00 AM with the 2 player scramble, shot gun start at 12:30.

Most AGC members are aware of this, but please note that the Spring Golf is limited to the first 144 players and “always sells out” fast.  We suggest that you sign up early if you really want to play in this tournament.

Members can also help support the AGC by becoming a tournament sponsor.

Casper Company and Rossin Steel are once again sponsoring the golf shirts as the tee prize, and Marks Golia & Finch, LLP have agreed to sponsor the lunch again this year.

We still have hole sponsorships, beverage sponsorships, and contest sponsorships available.  Sponsors are vital to the success of AGC events, so please consider putting your company name on one of these marketing opportunities.

Donations for raffle prizes are greatly needed as well!  AGC material suppliers….do you have anything in stock that can be used for a raffle prize?  Your company name will be on the item and announced during the raffle.

For registration, sponsorship and raffle prize information, see the attached forms, or contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157.
Registration Form
Sponsorship Form

 

Gale Medlicott

We regret to inform the membership of the passing of Gale Medlicott, who was AGC San Diego President in 1966. Gale had a long and distinguished career in Southern California’s construction industry. He was the head of Trepte Construction in San Diego, and President of William Simpson Co. in Los Angeles.

 

Web Link

Interested in having a web link on the AGC’s website? It is only $60 /year to have your company’s website linked directly on AGC’s website and listed under “Member Listings.”  Start off 2007 with an easy and simple way to get more “hits” on your website. – Click here for registration form: http://www.agcsd.org/members/membership.htm

 

AGC Committee Sign-ups

Members may still sign up to join any of the AGC committees (especially the 2 new committees, Electronic Age and Foundation for Success). Please click on the following link, which will take you directly to the registration page on our website:  http://www.agcsd.org/aboutagc/committeevolunteer.php. 

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Brad Barnum at 858-558-7444 (ext 103) or at bbarnum@agcsd.org.

 

“AGC Education & Training….Building a solid Foundation”

Register on Line
For Education classes click on the following link: http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/calendar.htm
For Safety Training classes click on the link: http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/safetytraining.htm

Construction Education Training

March
CQM – March 13 & 14
Prevailing Wage in Riverside – Mar 21
WebCM – Mar 27
Deferred Compensation – Mar 28

April
Mechanic’s Lien Law – Apr 4
EM 385-1-1 – Apr 5 & 6
Construction Project Mgmt (Cert Course) – Apr 10
Project Engineering – Apr 10
Managing Construction Risks – Apr 10 

SAVE THE DATE
Tax Favored Strategies – Apr 19

 

Safety Training

March
CPR/First Aid – Mar 21
Scaffolding CPT & Hazard Awareness Training – Mar 23
JUST ADDED -- Scaffolding & Safety Inspection Course 103 – Mar 27, 28 & 29

SAVE THE DATE
OSHA 10-Hour – Apr 16
Fall Protection – Apr 18
OSHA 10 HOUR in Spanish – Apr 27

 

March  Meetings – Dates subject to change
March 13 – Construction Education & Training – 11:30 AM
March 19- Kick-off meeting for Foundation for Success- 12 PM
March 20- Human Resources Practices Committee– 11:00 AM
March 28 – Government Relations Meeting- 10 AM
March 30 – Electronic Age Committee – 7 AM @ AGC

 

UPCOMING EVENTS
March 15- Meet your Owner
March 20-22- AGC National Convention- San Antonio, Texas
April 16- AGC 18^th Annual Spring Golf Tournament
May 31- June 3- Spring Conference in Napa