Thomas Anderson, Bergelectric Corporation elected 62nd President of the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego chapter, Inc.

Mr. Tom Anderson, Executive Vice President of Bergelectric Corporation, Escondido, was elected the 62^nd President of the AGC San Diego Chapter, Inc. during the Association’s 79^th Annual Meeting held Wednesday, December 13^th, 2006 at the Mission Bay Hilton Hotel in San Diego. Tom succeeds Thomas L. Brown, Sierra Pacific West, Inc. as the Association’s President.

Mr. Anderson was elected by the 2007 AGC Board of Directors during a meeting that took place immediately after the Annual Meeting. As President, Tom will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Association throughout 2007.  Tom has served the AGC in a number of capacities during the past several years. In 2006 he served as Chair of the AGC Government Relations Committee and PAC.  He headed up AGC’s very successful PAC fundraising effort that raised just over $350,000 for infrastructure initiative and bond issues, as well as candidates that supported a pro business, pro infrastructure agenda.  He has also served as the AGC’s Builder’s Exchange Committee Chair, AGC Treasurer, and AGC Membership Committee Chair. Tom also initiated the successful AGC Mixer concept, has chaired the AGC Winter Conference Committee, and was the recipient of the first AGC President’s Award in 2005. Tom was also a member on the 75^th Anniversary Celebration Committee and the Build San Diego Committee.

Tom is the second AGC subcontractor member to be elected President of the Association.  The first was Mr. Ted Rossin in 2001.  The AGCSD bylaws were amended during the 1990’s to allow subcontractor members that are part of the “Contractor” classification to become AGC President.  The Contractor classification allows subcontractor firms to become “Active” members of the AGC.  As an “Active” member”, contractors have the same rights, duties, and dues structure as General Contractor Members.

The Board also elected Mr. John Daley Jr., Daley Corporation, as the Senior Vice President.  As Senior Vice President, John will chair the AGC Government Relations and PAC Committee. Mr. Kevin Elliott, Roel Construction, was elected as the AGC Vice President.  As Vice President, Kevin will be responsible for AGC’s 2007 membership recruitment effort.  Ms. Diane Keltner, President of Synergy Electric Corporation, was elected the Association’s Treasurer. As Treasurer, Diane will be responsible for overseeing AGC’s finances and chairing the AGC Builder’s Exchange Committee.

During the 79^th Annual Meeting, the membership elected the following new Board Members:

General Engineering Contractor Positions   - 5– Year Term
Mr. Thomas L. Brown – President of Sierra Pacific West, Inc.                              
Mr. Mark Filanc – Executive Vice President of J.R. Filanc Construction Co., Inc.     

Specialty Contractors Positions - 2 – Year Term
Ms. Diane Keltner – President of Synergy Electric Company, Inc.
Mr. Bill Haithcock – Vice President of Casper Company 

Affiliate Position - 3 – Year Term
Mr. Mike Carcioppolo – Product Support Manager of Hawthorne Machinery Co.                   

In addition, President Anderson appointed Mr. Greg Becker, Cement Cutting, Inc. and Mr. Walt Fegley, President of Reno Contracting, Inc.  to the AGCSD Executive Committee.  The AGC bylaws call for the President to appoint two at large members to the Executive Committee each year.  Greg and Walt will attend all Executive Committee and Board meetings.

The following member’s retired from the Board:

Mr. Mitch Burch, Burch Construction Co., Inc.
Mr. Roger Casper, Casper Company
Ms. Candace Friedman, Acme Safety & Supply Corp.
Mr. Mike Furby, Marathon Construction Corporation

The new officers and Board members will be installed during the Annual Installation of Officers and Board Members.  Retiring Board Members will also be honored.  The Installation will take place on January 23, 2007 at the La Jolla Torrey Pines Hilton. The 80^th Annual Installation will be sponsored by The Hartford.

A registration form is attached.  Please note that those who return their completed form by January 8, 2007 receive a $10 per person discount.  Contact Rae Krushensky at raek@agcsd.org or (858) 731-8157 with any questions.

 

Mayor Sanders Addresses the City’s Infrastructure during the 79th AGCSD Annual Meeting
By Jim Ryan, AGCSD Executive Vice President 

For the past 25 or 30 years, I have spent a great deal of time listening to, and meeting with local, state and sometimes national political leaders. I have seen very few political leaders during this time that are as impressive as Jerry Sanders.  During his speech to the AGC on Wednesday, he looked the 200 or so members in attendance right “in the eye” and defined the City’s problems in obtaining financing for the infrastructure and presented his plan to deal with the crisis.  He is one of those rare individuals that convinces you that he has the situation under control and he will solve the problems. 

The long awaited 2003 City Audit is scheduled to be released this week.  That will allow the 2004 and 2005 audits to follow.  When the audits are issued, the City will be able to again approach the bond markets to obtain financing for the millions in infrastructure repairs and improvements that have been ignored for the past few years as a result of the City’s “pension crisis.” 

I asked the Mayor if he was concerned that the audits, when completed, would show the City in such a poor financial position that the City may not be able to borrow for the infrastructure repairs.  After all, the City has a structural deficit, and billions in debt to the employee retirement and health plans.  He responded that he has met with the bonding firms and they are anxious to do business with San Diego once the audits are complete.  Normally, an answer like that would invite a detailed follow up that essentially forces the political leader to prove his statement.

Somehow…..I believe Jerry Sanders…..and it appeared that the 200 members in attendance also believed him….and that is how he differs from most of the politicians we all deal with on a day to day basis!!!  

 

Important Notice – Contractors License Bond Insurance

On September 30, 2002, then Governor Gray Davis approved SB-1919 introduced by Senator Figueroa.  SB-1919 requires all classifications of contractors to provide a $10,000 bond on and after January 1, 2004 and a $12,000 Contractors License Bond on and after January 1, 2007.

Please make note if this and contact your insurance company.  Not providing the correct amount could result in a protest of bids you submit during 2007.

 

AGC San Diego PAC Among the Top Contributors to Local Infrastructure Measures

As noted earlier, AGC’s Political Action Committee (PAC) raised over $350,000 to help pass over $6 billion in local and state infrastructure measures, re-elect Governor Schwarzenegger, and elect other pro-infrastructure candidates.

What shouldn’t be missed, however, was the strength in numbers!  A quick look will tell you that AGC was a “top-tier” construction/business/finance-related contributor to all of the local infrastructure measures…

Prop. L (City of Vista Sales Tax –$180 million over 6 years) - $5,000 (2^nd largest contributor)
Prop. M ($694 million bond - Palomar College) - $20,000 (5^th largest contributor)
Prop. N ($870 million bond - San Diego Community College District) - $25,000 (2^nd largest contributor)
Prop. O ($644 million bond - Sweetwater Union High School District) - $20,000 (3^rd largest contributor)
Prop. P ($198 million bond - Carlsbad Union High School District) - $12,000 (4^th largest contributor)
Prop. R ($60 million bond - Santee School District) - $5,000 (6^th largest contributor)
Prop. T ($596 million bond – Tri-City Healthcare District) - $20,000 (largest contributor) **
(** Prop T failed to get the required 2/3 vote for passage)

 

“Ready to Go” SANDAG Asks State Officials for $1.6 Billion for Transportation Projects

On Friday, the San Diego Association of Governments voted to request $1.6 billion from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to help fund some major transportation corridor projects, specifically on I-5, 1-15, and I-805.  The projects, which contain “managed lanes”, high occupancy vehicle lanes, and other improvements, were part of the 40-year ½ cent TransNet Sales Tax Extension, which was passed by San Diego County voters in November 2004. 

SANDAG’s request comes at an important time, as these projects need matching funds for completion.  Other regions of the state are competing for the first $4.5 billion of the $19.9 billion Prop 1B funds, but SANDAG believes many of San Diego projects are “ready to go” thanks to the bonding available from the extension of TransNet.  In addition, the major corridor projects will “reduce travel time or delay, improve connectivity or improve safety”, which are CTC’s requirements for any local transportation planning agency seeking bond funds.

 

AGC of America Halts Early Implementation of 3 Percent Withholding

Earlier this month, Congressman Joe Barton (R-Texas) attempted to speed up the implementation of the new Section 511 of the tax code from the year 2011 to 2006.  This would have meant that all contracts entered into with any level of the government after the New Year would have had 3% of the entire cost of the contract withheld starting January 1, 2007. 

AGC, along with other construction organizations and other affected industries, worked with Congressional allies to ensure the end of the proposal.  AGC’s next step is continued educational outreach to ensure all members of Congress – especially those just elected – understand the negative impact this law imposes on construction contracting, cash flow, and the ability of contractors to pay for products and services necessary to complete a contract.  

 

Incoming Congressional Appropriations Leaders to Push Continuing Resolution  - Naval Facilities Engineering Command, SW Division Military Construction Projects to be Delayed

With no action on 9 of 11 appropriations bills, US House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders last week announced their intention to pass a yearlong continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2007.  According to the lawmakers, the CR would continue funding at current levels, with some minor adjustments, and would not contain any earmarks. 

Under the terms of the current CR passed by Congress prior to adjournment, most federal programs are operating under the lowest funding level provided in FY 2006 or recommended by the House or Senate for FY 2007 through February 15, 2007.  Congress only enacted two of the 11 annual appropriations bills – Defense and Homeland Security.  Congress did not enact the appropriations bills that fund major federal construction accounts, including the Department of Transportation Appropriations bill. 

The military construction program was not enacted, and the news was relayed to AGC members at last week’s AGC/Navy Liaison Committee.  It appears that some of the Fiscal Year “07 Navy and Marine Corps Construction Program will now be put off for a couple of months while a new military construction bill is re-introduced.

 

Welcome New Members

The AGC Board of Directors and the AGC Staff would like to welcome the following new members to the Association.
Remember AGC’s Motto….” It is Good Business to do Business with an AGC Member!” 

Company	Type of Work	Contact	Phone	email
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo	Law firm	Martin Hom	858.485.9526	mhom@aalrr.com
Carlin Law Group	Law firm	Kevin Carlin	619.616.5325	kevin@carlinlawgroup.com
E & M Quality Concrete, Inc.	Concrete	Joanne Sauerman	619.258.8948	emqualityconcrete@cox.net
Everlast Painting Co.	Painting	Vasilis Tsangarides	818.272.8419	everlastpainting@verizon.net
Foley & Lardner LLP	Law firm	Jeffrey Blease	619.234.6655	jblease@foley.com
Hulquist Insurance Services, Inc.	Insurance/Bonds	Erik Hulquist	858.200.3365	ehulquist@wateridge.com
RSM McGladrey/ McGladrey & Pullen	CPA	Darcy Wilson-Jones	619.280.3022	darcy.wilson-jones@rsmi.com

 

WEBLINK for 2007

Interested in having a weblink on the AGC- San Diego Chapter’s website? It is only $60 /year to have your company’s website linked directly on AGC’s website which is listed under “Member Listings.”  Start 2007 off right with an easy and simple way to get more “hits” on your website. – Please see attached form.

 

December
December 19 - Excel Class ... Intermediate – attached – Last chance to register
December 27 – CPR/First Aid
December 28 - NAVFAC WEBCM

Coming in March, 2007…
March 8 and March 9 – AGC of America and OSHA present “Focus Four Hazards in the Construction Industry” - Only 50 spots available each day. Go to website http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/safetytraining.htm for a registration flyer.

 

Save The Date: 
January 23, 2007 – Installation Dinner – Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
(Installation of Officers & Directors, AGC Membership Awards, Safety Awards, & Apprentice Graduations)