AGC San Diego Chapter

AGC’s next Membership Mixer will be held this Thursday, July 13th…..and is one you should attend, so please forward to your staff! The Mixer is sponsored by Barney and Barney and will be held at AGC’s new Plan Room facility at 4355 Ruffin Road in the courtyard. The AGC Plan Room,The Daily Construction Reporter, and AGC iSqFt Construction News Online are all services that are part of the AGC membership….and are just an excellent membership service. This is a great opportunity for all members to learn more about these services. The AGC Plan Room has plenty of space….both inside and out so there will be room for those attending.

In addition, the AGC Board of Directors will be conducting their July Board Meeting just prior to the Mixer in the Board Room adjacent to the Plan Room.

AGC Mixers generally draw 200-300 members. They are an excellent opportunity for member firms to allow their staff to attend and “meet and greet” the rest of the industry. This is a great opportunity to make contact with Board members and other key industry members that always attend. Remember…..our industry is a “people” business…we encourage all members to attend and participate in an AGC Mixer. Again, thanks to Barney and Barney for their generous sponsorship of the July Mixer.

Oh….and by the way ……AGC Mixers must be a good idea…..nearly every other construction association in San Diego has copied the idea…!!! “Imitation …the most sincere form of flattery!!!!!”

The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Off Road Equipment Proposed Regulation

I suspect that many of our members have been reading articles concerning the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) efforts to regulate the emissions caused by the construction industry’s off road equipment. I also suspect that the whole issue is something you know the industry should be worried about…but most of the articles written about the issue are so complex it is very difficult to figure out how this whole issue will affect your business on a day to day basis.

Well, you should be worried…and we agree it is an extremely difficult topic…it reminds me of the confusion that preceded the Storm Water issue, the Material Safety Data Sheet issues, unfunded liability in pensions, asbestos etc.….well you get the idea!!!

The problem with communicating to the AGC Membership about this issue is that CARB is still in the process of formulating the regulation….and until that is accomplished AGC and other industry groups are only speculating about the effect on your business…..but we can tell you that it will result in a significant change in some manner in how the industry operates its off road equipment.

What I can give you at this point is some background and the process AGC and others are using to address the issue.

In 1990, during George Bush #1’s Administration, the President signed into law some amendments to the Clean Air Act. These amendments addressed off road construction equipment. The law required the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations on requiring this equipment to be more environmentally friendly. All states but California were required to follow the EPA regulations. So far the EPA has only made any compliance voluntary. The one state not under EPA’s umbrella on this issue is our State….California.

An exemption for California was written into the law because California had been addressing the issue and felt it needed different regulations. This probably does not mean that California’s compliance will be easier than the rest of the country!!!!! In fact, the law allows other states to adopt California’s process when it is finalized, if they so choose.

So since 1990 this whole thing has been developing…..it is close to coming to a conclusion. The California Air Resources Board is scheduled to consider adoption of rules in December.

The Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition (CIAQC) has been addressing this issue and basically has been representing our industry.

CIAQC is based in Los Angeles and is an association of construction associations that was put together to present a united construction industry voice on air quality issues in LA that affect the industry. As CARB has moved to adopt off road rules, CIAQC became the lead representative of the industry. They have expert staff and a budget that gives CIAQC the resources to address these complex issues.

AGC of California senior staff member, John Haekel, and a number of AGC Contractors are on the CIAQC Board. They have been working diligently for years to develop and detail positions as the CARB staff prepares their recommendations to the CARB Board. In my opinion, they have been doing an excellent job representing our industry. Again, as these rules and regulations develop there are many proposals and concepts. It is not productive to publicize specifics….because they are not at a point that would cause anything but confusion until developed.

The AGC Board of directors will be addressing this whole issue during its July Board meeting. As specifics develop we will notify and inform the membership.

21 AGC San Diego Members have given $5000 each to the AGC San Diego Infrastructure PAC Fund…..our goal is to secure 9 more and then approach the membership to complete the $100,000 additional needed to secure a PAC fund of $250,000 to support initiatives, bond issues and candidates that are on the November ballot are part of the process to insure the area’s infrastructure is properly funded.

The AGC renovation is proceeding on budget and ahead of schedule…….way to go Soltek Pacific and our many AGC subcontractors and suppliers that are involved. The facility will be up and running in late August and it will be outstanding……we are confident that the AGC’s new facility will be the best construction education facility in Southern California. To check out our progress of the construction, go to Home Page and view the construction renovation photo gallery posted each week.

On Tuesday, retired AGC Executive Vice President Bill Burke will tour the facility and review the progress. Under the leadership of Bill and the AGC Board members in the mid 1990’s, the current facility was purchased and renovated. As our programs have grown, additional space and technologies are required.

On June 23, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bipartisan $131.4 billion budget that is a win-win for the State of California and the construction industry. Not only does this budget create one of the highest reserves in the last 20 years, it repays $1.42 billion borrowed from funds earmarked by voters for transportation projects (Prop. 42 – state sales tax on gasoline). These funds - in addition to a separate $1.4 billion in this year's Prop. 42 funds - will help jump start projects that will reduce traffic throughout the state.

This is good news for San Diego, as it is expected the region will receive $289 million to help pay for some traffic congestion relief projects, local streets and roads, and transit projects.

AGC congratulates Governor Schwarzenegger, the legislative leadership (a “special thanks” to Assembly Republican Leader George Plescia), and the members of the Senate and Assembly for an on-time budget! This is quite different than three years ago when a lengthy stalemate almost caused a catastrophe within the industry.

It was July 10, 2003 when Caltrans informed contractors that there would not be sufficient cash in the State Highway Account to cover construction and maintenance costs past July 20! AGC lobbied hard to keep the funding going, while some contractors “sacrificed” payments in order to help Caltrans stay afloat. Luckily, the stalemate was resolved before Caltrans had to suspend or terminate any of its 60 projects under contract.

$72.6 Million of Capital Improvements Slated for San Diego County in the Next 12 Months

Contractors who work for San Diego County received some good news at the June 28^th County Liaison Committee….$72.6 million worth of good news!

The County’s Department of Public Works reported that $57.6 million of work will be advertised between July, 2006 and June, 2007. Some of the larger jobs include: AC Resurfacing/Culvert Replacement, Central Avenue, Palomar Airport RSA Phase II, Palomar Airport Terminal Building, Valley Center Road Bridge over San Luis Rey River, Viejas Bridge over Sweetwater River, and Olive Vista Drive - Jefferson Road Bike Lanes (Jamul).

An additional $15 million will come into the region by way of the recently signed state budget and Prop. 42 funds. Expect to see more resurfacing, overlays, seals, and culvert replacement projects.

It’s time once again for the Annual Affiliate Day Golf Tournament!! This is the 67^th year for this very popular and eagerly anticipated tournament, which has proven to be the biggest and best in S.D. County. Both 18-hole courses @ Sycuan Singing Hills Resort is jammed pack with golfers’ exhibitors, food & drink. No one leaves hungry, thirsty, or empty-handed.

Golfers will have a shotgun start 12:00 noon. Exhibitors displaying construction equipment and services will be on every hole. Each Exhibitor has fun give-a-way items for every golfer. At the end of the day, everyone leaves with a bag loaded with great prizes. Affiliate Day is also known for its great tee prize which is sponsored this year by the law offices of Procopio. Contests will also be held on each course with cash prizes for the winners and a raffle during the post-golf dinner. The raffle is the largest raffle of the year, giving away $10,000 worth of prizes. This year we are excited to announce that Trench Shoring Company has donated a plasma TV for the raffle! Thank you Devin Righter!

Affiliate Day is not just another golf tournament. It is a great way to give your employees and clients a great day of fun! Major sponsors are Driver-Alliant Insurance Services and California Bank & Trust. Lunch is once again sponsored by Marks, Golia, & Finch, LLC., and the cool treats sponsor is Polycomp Administrative Services.

If you would like to promote your company services to over 300 golfers, and enjoy the fun and camaraderie at the best and largest construction-related golf tournament, look no further! We are in search of 5 companies to join the other 13 who have committed to the Course Exhibitors on each of the two courses on Singing Hills. It is a wonderful way to display your equipment, company trucks, or promotional products. There are “2” spots remaining.

We also have attached a sponsorship form that provides more information about the Course Exhibitors. There are other sponsorships available, including tee and beverages, longest and straight drives, and hole-in-one sponsorships. Please contact Rae Krushensky at 858-558-7444, ext 11 for questions.

For a limited time, Purchase the iSqFt Toolbox2 Take Off tool and receive two (2) licenses for the price of one. Call "iSqFt Randy" at 858-558-7444, ext. 42 for details!

FYI: The 2006 Labor Wage Rates have been posted on our website, with the exception of Carpenters Engineering. These rates will be posted later this afternoon. Thank, you for your patience. If you would like to be included on the wage rates email list every year, please contact Marcy Knopman at mknopman@agcsd.org. Go to http://www.agcsd.org/labor/labor.htm for the new rates.

We receive many calls from your employees who are not informed about the Monday Morning Quarterback, Mixers, Classes, and Events. We would like to REACH OUT to all our members. Contact Marcy Knopman, Director of Operations & Communications to add your employees' email list.

Did you know that you can add your company’s weblink to the AGC website, and it is only $60 for the year. Please go to Membership section and fill out the Web Link form and send back, and we will get your website linked immediately. It is a great way for members and non-members viewing our website to click onto your website with one touch of the mouse!

Please note that the AGC Day at the Races event is completely SOLD OUT! Acme Safety & Supply Corp. and American Technologies & Restoration are also the Major Sponsors again this year.

Blue Print Reading Class starts July 26 for four consecutive Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM

In commercial construction the biggest challenge in reading prints is the ability to combine print information from a variety of sources required for construction. This course helps the user develop the skills necessary to interpret plans and specifications in addition to providing print reading experience on prints of large commercial structures. Seating is limited so register ASAP either on line.

Please note: If you will be attending any of these committee meetings at the AGC office, remember we are under construction, so please use the entrance at the back of the building.

July 11 – ~~HR Committee~~ - RESCHEDULED TO AUGUST 22 at 11:00 AM due to or building renovations.

August 7 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills Country Club –

October 11-14^th – Joint Fall Conference with AGC of California in Palm Springs – In the mail and also on our website

Please notify us if there is ever a change of address, phone/fax, or change of contact person so we can update our records. Thank you!