AGC Joins Chamber Representatives in Washington, D.C. to Discuss Infrastructure Issues
By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations 

Last week, I had an opportunity to join over 50 local government and business leaders on a trip to our nation’s Capitol to discuss critical infrastructure issues facing the San Diego region.  The delegation included San Diego City Mayor Jerry Sanders, County Supervisor Greg Cox, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney, San Diego Councilman Jim Madaffer, SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos, and Caltrans District 11 Director Pedro Orso Delgado.

It was a very successful trip for the Chamber, as well as AGC…let’s look at some of the highlights:

A Kick-off Breakfast with Mayor Jerry Sanders

City of San Diego’s leader rallied the troops for a successful trip, emphasizing the need to communicate our infrastructure needs to the Bush Administration and to our Congressional Representatives.  Little did he know he would need all the help he could get from them for the La Jolla disaster later in the week!

Meeting with the Secretary of the Navy

A trip to the Pentagon opened our round of visits, and it was a memorable one.  The building is an impressive sight to see, but one gets goose bumps when seeing the area where the 9/11 disaster took place and the names on a memorial wall of those who died.  We met with Donald Winter, Secretary of the Navy, and discussed military housing issues, as well as the importance of recruiting service men and women.  He also commented on his support of the Broadway Complex project and the need to take Miramar off the table as a possible airport.

Visit to the State Department, General Services Administration, U.S Customs and Border Protection Agency, and Department of Homeland Security

Congestion at the U.S./Mexico border was the most discussed issue during the three-day trip.  The Chamber supports a proposal to build a third border crossing approximately 2 miles east of the current Otay crossing, and the delegation worked hard to convince the U.S. decision makers that a Presidential Permit should be issued, which would allow the approval process to move forward.  Funding for the $50 million project could come from revenue generated from a toll road (SR-11) which would be an east-west extension of the future Highway 905. 

Another project of interest discussed is a proposed passenger walkway from the United States across the border directly into Tijuana Airport.  Instead of going through one of the two current border crossings to get to the airport, passengers could park in the U.S. and walk across the border to board their flight.  A market demand study for this project is currently being performed by the San Diego Airport Authority.

 

“Local Consensus Needed”, States Official from Federal Aviation Administration

 

We all know that San Diego’s Lindbergh Field will be unable to handle increased passenger traffic within the next several years, but don’t tell that to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Although the FAA knows there is a need to increase capacity in the Southern California region, it became quite clear during a meeting with the Manager of Airport Planning that a local consensus needs to be reached before the FAA will help.  Remember last year’s vote denying the use of Miramar as an airport?  There was consensus alright!

 

Meetings with Department of Transportation, Congressman  Bob Filner, and Chair of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

 

Transportation infrastructure was the hot topic during one hour meetings with the Undersecretary of the US Department of Transportation and with Congressmen Bob Filner and James Oberstar, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  Issues discussed included federal transportation funding, goods movement, inner-city rail, and public-private partnerships.  Maintenance of the nation’s deteriorating highway system will be a high priority as the next spending authorization bill is discussed over the next few years. 

 

Some Words from Senators Feinstein and Boxer

 

Delegates were treated to a breakfast with Senator Dianne Feinstein and a meeting with Senator Barbara Boxer.  Senator Feinstein commented about the “Bunker Mentality” between the Bush Administration and Congress, and discussed how funding the war is making it more and more difficult to fund domestic priorities.  Senator Boxer commented on her fight to override a potential Presidential veto of a bill that will authorize $23 billion in funding for navigation, flood control, and environmental protection projects.  AGC of America supports a congressional override of the bill.

 

Other Trip Highlights

 

The three day trip included a briefing by White House officials, including comments from newly appointed Press Secretary Dana Perino, a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, evening receptions at the Mexican Embassy and at the home of Congresswoman Susan Davis, and a nighttime tour of the US Capitol by Congressman Brian Bilbray.

 

All in all a great trip, one in which AGC issues…infrastructure projects…were well addressed!

 

REMINDER: AGC’s Mixer on the USS Midway-This Friday, October 12th
Boarding Time to be 6:30 P.M. 

For those that have registered to attend the AGC Mixer onboard the USS Midway please note that the event begins at 6:30 P.M. and we will not be able to board before that time! Thank You!

 

AGC Holiday Dinner Dance - December 1, 2007

AGC members should have received their Invitations to attend the AGC Holiday Dinner Dance scheduled for December 1, 2007 at the Hotel Del Coronado. The invitations were mailed out over a week ago. This is always the grandest event of the year with AGC guests filling the Del's Ballroom in their finest formal attire. 

For those that are planning to attend and want to reserve a room, please click here for  information for the AGC Room Block.  Members will be making their own reservations directly with the Hotel Del, so be sure to identify yourself with the AGC to receive the discounted room rate. 

Contact Rae Krushensky with any questions at raek@agcsd.org.

 

Fundraiser for San Diego City Council Candidate April Boling – October 23 @ Roel Construction

Although the June, 2008 Primary Election is months away, the race to replace termed-out San Diego City Councilman Jim Madaffer is underway! 

April Boling is AGC’s candidate for the 7^th District…her highest priority is fixing the City’s financial mess in order to build urgently needed infrastructure projects.  April is a Certified Public Accountant, so she will make sure the city gets the most out of its “construction dollar”. 

Please join AGC and Roel Construction for a fundraiser for April Boling on Tuesday, October 23 from 5-7 PM at Roel Construction (3366 Kurtz Street, SD, 92110, 619-297-4156).  You will have an opportunity to meet April and hear her plans for the City’s future!  Oktoberfest food and beverages will be served! 

We have attached a registration flyer for you to complete and fax to the AGC.  Contributions are accepted up to $270 per person by personal check or $540 per couple w/ joint checking account (check made payable to “April Boling for City Council”).  Note: It is unlawful for a contributor to be reimbursed by any organization, business or similar entity for a contribution supporting or opposing a City candidate.

 

IMPORTANT - AGC- San Diego Chapter 2008 Membership Directory Updates

We are in the process of compiling your company’s information for the 2008
AGC San Diego Chapter Membership Directory. 

If your address, phone/fax or contacts have changed since last year’s directory, simply click here to make any necessary changes.

Please Note: Membership Updates are due November 1st

Thank you!

Any questions, please contact Marcy Knopman, Director of Communications at mknopman@agcsd.org, or phone: (858) 731-8162

Advertising in the Directory:

A Naylor representative will be contacting you regarding advertising opportunities in the 2008 Membership Directory. We encourage you to allocate a part of your advertising dollars to support AGC-San Diego Chapter’s 2008 Membership Directory. For more information on advertising, please contact Jason White, Naylor, LLC, 800-369-6220 x 6970 or JaWhite@naylor.com

 

Build San Diego- Awards Banquet Luncheon- November 1st

The AGC membership is invited to attend the Build San Diego Awards luncheon, which will be held Thursday, November 1, 2007 beginning at 11:00 AM at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, downtown. Over 400 members and guests are expected to attend this event, which features the “best of the best” of San Diego’s construction projects during the past two years. The membership competed in the following categories:

• Building Construction- Public

• Building Construction- Private

• Unique Small Project- Public

• Unique Small Project- Private

• Heavy/Highway

• Unique Special Project

In addition, AGC traditionally invites public and private sector owners and our political leaders to this event.  We encourage all members to attend this award banquet luncheon. Please CLICK HERE FOR INVITATION.

 

AGC Tech Briefing - November 14th
Trends, Standards and Best Practices in Construction Technology 

The Technology Trends in Construction Committee of the San Diego Chapter AGC presents a moderated expert panel discussion created to educate our industry on the trends, industry standards, and best practices in construction technology from a General and Subcontractor perspective.  The expert panel will consist of industry experts from local and national construction companies and vendors who will share their knowledge as it relates to the following areas:

Ÿ Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Ÿ Digital Plan Distribution

Ÿ On-Screen Takeoff

Ÿ Estimating Systems

Ÿ Scheduling & Project Management

Ÿ Paperless Technology

Ÿ Hardware Systems & Networking

The San Diego Chapter of the AGC has just recently formed a Technology Trends in Construction Committee chaired by Ed Wenz of Reno Contracting and the Committee has decided to put on this Tech Event on November 14^th from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM at AGC (breakfast and lunch are included). This will be the first event of its kind in the San Diego construction industry, and we are anticipating a great attendance.

Please do not hesitate to contact Mandy Parent, Data Net Solutions, Inc., 760-466-1200, mparent@4datanet.com, Jessica Kovack, AGC Staff, 858-874-8560 Ext. 11, jessica@agcsd.org, or Ed Wenz, Reno Contracting, 619-220-0224, edwenz@renocon.com, should you have any questions or need additional information. Please click here for registration form.

 

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

Safety Training Classes

OCTOBER
Fall Protection – October 10  Click here for flyer / Click here to register
OSHA 10-Hour – October 15 Click here for flyer / Click here to register
CPR/First Aid – October 31 Click here for flyer / Click here to register 

Construction Education Training Classes 

OCTOBER
Communication Skills- October 11 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register
SureTrak – October 11 and 12 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register
Advanced SWPPP Training – October 16 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register
CPM Scheduling – October 17 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register
CQM – October 18-19
Real Estate Workshop – October 18 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register
Blue Print Reading 102 – 4 sessions starting October 23 – Click here for flyer / Click here to
register
Green Building Workshop- LEED – October 24 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register

Microsoft Outlook – Level Two – October 30 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register

 

All committee meetings are held at AGC unless indicated otherwise

OCTOBER
Oct. 9  -  Affiliate Council – 12 PM
Oct 18 – Specialty Contractors’ Council – 11 AM
Oct 19 – Caltrans Liaison – 7:30 AM @ SANDAG
Oct. 24 – Education Meeting @ SDSU- 11 AM
Oct 25-   Meetings & Events- 12PM
Oct 29- Airport Authority @ Airport- 11 AM

AGC Toastmasters- Every other Wednesday- 7 AM at the Roel Training Center. Click here

For more information, please contact the President of Toastmasters for AGC, Mandy Parent at mparent@4datanet.com

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
October 11- Meeting with Public Agencies and AGC Economist Ken Simonson- at AGC- 10 AM
October 12- Midway Mixer- 6:30 PM
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards  
November 14 – AGC Tech Briefing 8AM-1PM
December 1- Holiday Dinner Dance- Hotel del Coronado
December 13- Annual Meeting- Hilton Mission Bay

SAVE THE DATE – 2008  
Spring Conference in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – April 17-20, 2008 –click here for brochure