A Chaotic Fire Debris Removal Contract Award Process – What Really Happened?By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations

The final meetings of the San Diego County and City of San Diego Liaison Committees this year will take place within the next 10 days, and we can expect one particular item to be addressed:  The process to select contractors to remove the fire debris in San Diego County and the City of San Diego.  It was quite chaotic the first couple of weeks following the devastating fires, and the process to select the debris removal contractors was every bit as chaotic.

As always, AGC and its 1,340+ members stand ready to assist public agencies during and after emergencies.  Contractors always offer to help, and have shown a quick response to any requests for services and equipment.  AGC has joined with the Building Industry Association and other organizations to create a resource guide for homeowners and businesses to rebuild, we provide good e-mail resources to “get the word out” for help, and a number of AGC members have stepped up to the plate with financial assistance.

However, following the fires, it appeared that the County and City of San Diego did not want any help from AGC or other industry organizations, as no one was contacted prior to the apparent selection of one contractor to do the debris removal work in the City of San Diego, nor prior to the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to do the $10-25 million debris removal job for the County of San Diego.  In fact, in both instances AGC staff had to contact the agencies and ask how contractors were supposed to bid the projects.

As you may remember, the City of San Diego was poised to give its debris removal contract to an “out of town” contractor listed on a California Department of General Services’ “Master Service Agreement” (a resource list on a state agency website which few contractors even knew about) without giving any consideration or opportunity to local contractors.  By providing an opportunity for other contractors to “get on the list”, and with strong pressure on Mayor Sanders and the San Diego City Council to slow down, AGC was able to change the selection process to allow for more contractors with debris removal experience to participate.  Ultimately, two contractors were selected.

The County of San Diego took a different route and issued an RFP.  This process appeared to be more organized (although there were a lot of contractor “questions” during the process), but the fact that the County and City didn’t have a coordinated effort was puzzling. 

We are concerned about the lack of communication between these two public agencies and the construction industry during a time of crisis.  With more industry participation after the fires, the contract award process could have been better coordinated and would have resulted in less confusion and frustration. 

Our Liaison Committees and here for a reason: to focus on the day-to-day challenges faced on a construction site.  However, if we can’t even work together prior to a contract award or during the times of crisis, we are in trouble.  We look forward to discussing the fire debris removal issue, as well as other issues of “mutual” concern at the next meetings…

The County Liaison Committee will meet this Wednesday, November 28 at 1 PM at AGC, while the City Liaison Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 5th at 1 PM at AGC.  As always, we have an AGC member-only meeting first.  They should be lively and informative meetings, so if you are able to attend please e-mail me at bbarnum@agcsd.org.

 

Speaking of Fire-Relief Efforts…Barnhart, Inc. Steps Forward… as does Contractor News & Views.

A couple of weeks ago we reported to you a generous donation of $15,000 from Washington Group International to the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross for local fire relief efforts.  This week we are happy to report a donation from another AGC member, Barnhart, Inc.

Barnhart donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross, $20,000 to the Poway Unified School District for the 300 students who lost their homes, needed clothes, etc., and $5,000 to a Barnhart employee who lost his house.  Barnhart employees chipped in clothes and food to the same employee.

“Thank You” Barnhart, Inc, for your generous donations!

In addition, we received this Press Release from Mike Caples, Contractor News & Views:

ESCONDIDO—On November 16, 2007,  hundreds of San Diego’s 2007 firestorm survivors converged on San Diego Rebuilds!; a free event at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. The goal of the afternoon event was to help the survivors begin to understand the complexities and timeline of the rebuilding process and to meet verified local contractors and other resources from the construction industry and the community.

The event included a series of 4 interactive panel discussions by an eclectic group of experts from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office, Better Business Bureau, Contractors State License Board, FEMA, SBA, HirePatriots.com, CA Insurance Commissioner’s Office, County of San Diego, and a who’s who of local residential builders, attorneys and advocates, Topics included money-saving tips for survivors on how to not get ripped off by unscrupulous businesses, understanding the arduous path of rebuilding their homes, the financial and insurance pitfalls of the process, and an emotional presentation by the 2003 Cedar Fire survivors that used their experiences to help the 2007 survivors understand the rebuilding process.

In addition, over 240 exhibits by hundreds of area builders, suppliers, financial, insurance professionals and a major contingent by local legislators were available for one-on-one discussions throughout the conference center. Roger Hedgecock of KOGO’s Roger Hedgecock Show also did a live broadcast from the event’s exhibit area.

Mike Caples, editor of San Diego Contractor News and Views, produced the event. “I got the idea while Sandy and I were helping out at Qualcomm Stadium. I happened to run into Roger of The Roger Hedgecock Show who was doing a live broadcast. During a break, I mentioned the idea to him, and the next thing I knew he was introducing me on the show, and handing me a microphone! (And when you hand me a mic, I tend to talk!)

So basically, we had to produce an event from that simple idea. We had to come up with a name, get a website up, find a venue, recruit volunteers, get the word out to the industry and to the fire survivors--All without any money, and as it turned out, it had to launch in just 22 days! I knew we would have to ramp up quickly, but as it turned out, it was more like a rocket ship… Straight up!” said Caples.

What’s truly amazing about the event was the process that brought an incredible group of people together from the community that were totally dedicated and committed to deliver a quality, totally free event to help San Diego’s 2007 fire survivors. It demonstrates what San Diego is all about!

Caples spoke with several survivors throughout the day, but towards the end of the event, he met an elderly couple from Rancho Bernardo. He could see the weariness and sadness in their eyes and introduced himself. They told him they had lost everything in the fire. The gentleman said they had been married for over 50 years, and the fire may have taken their “stuff”, but they still had each other. He said that was all that was important. He also said they attended the Don’t Get Ripped Off panel and met with several builders. And then he thanked Caples for doing the event. “That was all I needed to make all the effort worthwhile,” says Caples.

San Diego Rebuilds could not have been possible without the help of several hardworking volunteers. It was truly a grassroots, community effort. Jeri LeMay, of Dolphmera Solutions, created and updated the SanDiegoRebuilds.com website and exhibitor lists; Sandy Caples and Allison Mason of Contractor News and Views, worked on the event logistics; Roger Hedgecock of the Roger Hedgecock Show, Kathy Marler of the LDS church, Lynette Hewitt, of Barratt America and Debbie Dorsee of The Dorsee Company worked on publicity. And just as the event was getting started, and everyone was ready to drop, Glenn Hillegas, Kathy Thompson and 16 kids from the Construction Tech Academy arrived like the cavalry and saved the day.

It was an insane 3-week ride, but the event has been called an overwhelming success! It attracted more from the community and survivors than any other event held thus far. San Diego Rebuilds was truly an amazing community event.

 

It’s Ski Season - AGC Winter Conference - Save the Date- February 7-10, 2008

AGC 2008 Winter Conference

In 2002, the AGC held its first Winter Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe Resort.  After 4 years on the North Shore, your Meetings & Events committee has decided it was time for a change. 

Break away from the routine, and join us this year at The Canyons Resort, Silverado Lodge, in Park City, Utah!  Silverado, a luxurious retreat, masterfully designed for the most discriminating of tastes.  This Park City gem offers timeless elegance and quality amenities in a premium location near The Canyons Resort Village.

The Canyons is located on the world’s most breathtaking stage – Utah’s Wasatch Range and offers 3,700 ski-able acres spread over 8 mountains with 5 bowls, 6 natural half-pipes, 2 terrain parks and 152 trails.  Perhaps the best part about The Canyons is that it’s just 35 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport. 

Join us for this fun, networking opportunity.  There is a deadline to register. Click here for registration form and fax to Rae at (858) 558-8444.  You can also contact Rae with any questions at (858) 731-8157 or e-mail at raek@agcsd.org.

 

AGC Annual Meeting- December 13, 2007

Mark your Calendars.  All AGC members are invited to attend the December 13^th, 2007 Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Hilton San Diego Resort on Mission Bay, 1775 East Mission Bay Drive beginning at 11:00 am. 

A lunch will be served, followed by the election of new Board members and the Executive Vice President’s Annual Report to the membership, which will detail AGC activities and finances. Click here for registration.

For more information and cost, contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157.

 

Construction Project Management Course- Starts January 17^th- Sign up Now!
"The Certificate Course" 

It is that time again… a new Project Management course is starting up January 17, 2008 and will run through December 2008. This is our sixth PM Class, and we are still getting "HUGE KUDOS" on the instruction, curriculum and presentation.  Class is limited to 30 participants.  Click here for flyer  / Click here to register.  For more information, contact Glen Schaffer at 858-731-8151. or e-mail gschaffer@agcsd.org.

 

Please note: 
***** Please register on line for classes ******
Go to our website at www.agcsd.org and click onto Calendar for either
Construction Education Classes or Safety Training.

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

Safety Classes
NOVEMBER
CPR/First Aid- Nov 28 – Click here for flyer / Click here to register 

DECEMBER
OSHA 10 Hour – Dec 3 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
Fall Protection – Dec 11 Click here for flyer/  Click to register 

Construction Education Training Classes
NOVEMBER
Project Mgmt. Course – Nov 27
Blueprint 102- Nov 28- Click here to register 

DECEMBER
WEBCM- Dec. 3
Effective Business Writing – 3 sessions – Dec. 4, 11, 18 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
Blue Print – Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 18
HR Mini Conference – Dec 6 Click here for flyer
PowerPoint II – Dec 11 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
EM385- Dec 13 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
SWPPP- Dec 14 Click here for flyer/ Click to register 

 

All committee meetings are held at AGC unless indicated otherwise 

NOVEMBER
Nov. 28 – County Liaison – 1:00 PM
Nov. 30 – Technology Trends in Construction – 7 AM 

DECEMBER
Dec. 5 – Safety Committee Meeting – 7 AM
Dec. 5 – City of San Diego Liaison Meeting – 1 PM
Dec. 6 – Government Relations Meeting – 10 AM
Dec. 11 – Education Training Meeting – 12 PM
Dec. 13 – Specialty Contractors Council Meeting – 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
December 1- Holiday Dinner Dance- Hotel del Coronado
December 13- Annual Meeting- Hilton Mission Bay

2008 AGC Events
January 29- Installation Dinner- La Jolla Hyatt
February 7-10- Winter Conference- The Canyons Resort- Utah
Spring Conference in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – April 17-20, 2008 –click here for brochure