New Polls Look Good for Infrastructure Investment

A new Field Poll was taken last week that shows Propositions 1B-1E, the statewide infrastructure bond issues, have an excellent chance of being approved by voters tomorrow.  In addition, Proposition 84, a $5.4 billion bond for parks and water infrastructure is also polling well.  Our experience with the Field Poll in other elections is that they are very accurate…..so the poll is very good news for those of us who support these critical issues.  The campaign for Propositions 1A-1E have been sharing their private polling numbers with us and the Field Poll shows very similar numbers.  In addition, the campaign’s polls also show that Proposition 1A, which makes it very difficult for the state to divert the sales tax on gasoline to the general fund, is also polling very well.

The Field Poll numbers show the following….

Proposition 1B:  $20 Billion for transportation projects state wide
Yes 56%....No 28%....undecided 16%..... 

Proposition 1C:  $2.85 Billion for Housing
Yes 51%....No 29%....undecided 19% 

Proposition D:  $10.5 Billion for Schools
Yes 56%....No 29% .…undecided 15% 

Proposition 1E:  $4 Billion for Flood Protection/Levee construction
Yes 53%....No 27%....Undecided 20% 

Proposition 84:   $5.4 Billion for water and parks
Yes 51%....No 31%....undecided 18% 

Proposition 1A:  Sales Tax on gasoline protection is polling over 60% “Yes”

These are good numbers…….obviously, the undecided votes will usually split at least equally so that pushes the Yes to 55-60% depending on the Proposition.  The Propositions will pass with a 50% +1 vote majority of those voting.

Assuming these Propositions pass San Diego County should receive over $3 billion in additional funding for projects in this county……which will go a long way in assisting the area’s aging infrastructure. 

The local Bond issues also appear to be polling well…however, they are required to achieve either a 55% or a 66 2/3% voter approval rate.  The polls that have been taken have all been conducted by firms retained by the campaigns but are not public…..but suffice it to say….the votes for these issues will be close. 

The local bond/tax issues that will be voted on tomorrow include….. 

Proposition L
A ½ cent general purpose sales tax for 30 years in the City of Vista to fund operational or capital improvement needs.  The tax will generate $6 million a year for 30 years.  

Proposition M
A $694 million bond for school improvements to maintain and modernize Palomar College, with extensive work on the San Marcos Campus and Escondido Center.

Proposition N
An $870 million bond for the San Diego Community College District to upgrade existing educational facilities. 

Proposition O
A $644 million bond for Sweetwater Union High School District to repair a number of middle schools and high schools. 

Proposition P
A $198 million bond for the Carlsbad Unified School District for a new high school, to improve existing buildings at various schools, construct new classrooms, and add handicapped access ways and walkways.

Proposition R
A $60 million bond for the Santee School District to renovate, upgrade, and provide major repair of existing facilities. 

Proposition T
A $596 million bond for Tri-City Healthcare District to renovate an existing hospital, construct a new hospital and an outpatient services building, create nearly 1,750 parking spaces, and build a new parking structure.

Click here to view AGCSD’s recommendations.  We ask that you distribute these recommendations to your employees today….and consider time off for your employees tomorrow to make sure they have the opportunity to vote. 

A special MMQB will be issued later this week as the results become apparent on these critical votes.

 

Please Vote Tomorrow

Tomorrow, November 7, is Election Day.  Polls open on Tuesday at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.  If you do not know where your polling place is please access the San Diego County Registrar of Voters’ website at www.sdvote.com.  You can also vote by going to the Registrar of Voters at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego, 92123.   Please call 858-565-5800 for additional information.

 

AGC Specialty Contractors Council & Affiliate Members Council Announce the 2006 Member Awards Nominations 

Click here to find nomination forms for the 2006 AGC Annual Awards. 
Click here to see a summary sheet explaining the award categories.
 The awards will be presented during the AGC Installation Dinner on January 23, 2007 at The Hilton La Jolla, Torrey Pines.  The program will also include the installation of the 2007 AGC Board of Directors, the AGC Apprenticeship graduation and the Construction Safety Excellence Award (CSEA) winners.  The award nomination forms are due in the AGC office no later than December 8, 2006.

Those nominated will be required to complete a questionnaire concerning their qualifications.  If there are any questions please contact Rae Krushensky directly at (858) 731-8157 or (raek@agcsd.org). 

 

This Wednesday - AGC’s November 8^th Open House…..Don’t Miss It!!!

The AGC is ready to “show off” our new training facility to our members on Wednesday November 8^th beginning at 5 pm.  The Open House is sponsored by ABD Insurance Services and Cement Cutting, as well as several of the contractors that worked on the facility. 

We urge every AGC San Diego member to attend and see how this outstanding facility will better serve the construction industry in San Diego and surrounding areas.  A registration form is available here!!!!

 

AGC- San Diego 2007 Membership Directory Updates- Deadline Extension- This Friday- November 10^th

Thank you to those members who have already updated their directory listings.  To ensure accurate listings for your firm, we are kindly requesting one person from each company update this information for the AGC- 2007 San Diego Membership Directory. If someone from your company has already filled out this information, the website will let you know that the information has been submitted.

We’ve made it simple!  Please click on the following link: http://www.agcsd.org/members/memberupdate.php  and complete the requested information, then click Submit at the bottom of the page.  This can also be accessed at www.agcsd.org on home page: Member Listings --àUpdate Membership Information drop down).

Any questions, or to find out your listings from last year, please contact Marcy Knopman at 858-731-8162 or email mknopman@agcsd.org

 

AGC Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) – Deadline Nov 22- by 12:00 noon

The AGC Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) program sponsored by Willis has been an ongoing and evolving effort by the AGC of America to recognize companies who have developed and implemented excellent safety and loss prevention programs achieved through management commitment, employee training and program innovation.

The purpose of the CSEA is to recognize those construction companies who excel at safety performance. CSEA will closely examine each candidate's commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. Unlike the National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program that limits the criteria to frequency rates, the CSEA selection process is considerably more comprehensive. Judges will look for evidence of company management commitment, active employee participation, safety training, work site hazard identification and control, and safety program innovation. 

Participants will be required to complete the application forms and submit them to their local AGC Chapter. The AGC Chapters will select finalists in each category (if applicable) and submit those recommendations to AGC of America. Members of the AGC Safety & Health Committee will review the Chapter's submittals at the winter meeting. Then the finalists in each category will compete at the AGC National Convention for either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award. Finalists will have an opportunity to give an oral presentation in front of five judges. The first, second and third place awards will be determined after oral presentations. The winners will be announced at the Willis Safety Awards Breakfast during the AGC Annual Convention.  For a CSEA application, please request a copy from Marcy at mknopman@agcsd.org. 

 

AGC Holiday Dinner Dance at the Hotel Del Coronado

Room Block is Full!!!

Although the AGC room block at the Hotel Del is now full, they are still accepting reservations on a first come first served bases.  For those that want a room for Saturday night December 2, we urge you to call now before they sell out.  The number to call is 1-800-468-3533. 

Also, are you in for the early discount price?  Remember, TODAY, November 6, is the deadline for the early discount price of $190.  After that, price per person goes up to $225. Click here for a copy of the invitation.

You can mail or fax your RSVP with payment information to (858) 558-8444, or you can contact Rae Krushensky at (858) 731-8157, or e-mail to raek@agcsd.org with any questions.

 

Upcoming Education Classes:

FMI - SAVE THE DATE for "Understanding How to Lead and Develop the Next Generation" by Ron Magnus, Managing Director, FMI Consulting, NOVEMBER 30, 2006

BMI Building Information Modeling  -The hottest topic in the building and construction industry. BIM enables virtual construction of hospitals, hotels, bridges, office buildings, among others that help simulate the construction process. AGC San Diego is working with the Kelar Corp to provide this on Dec 12, 2006. – See flyer.

 

SDSU Construction Industry Outreach Day - November 15^th

The 1^st Ever Construction Industry Outreach Day held on Wednesday, November 15^th! Students are looking forward to meeting the local industry and learning about what each of your companies has to offer.

The event will run from 10am to 2pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Also, we have reserved a conference room in the engineering building during the event to conduct interviews for your convenience. Please see flyer.

For more information contact
Lauren Ferrell, E.I.T.
SDSU AGC Special Events Coordinator
 (858) 610-4225

 

“iSqft Randy’s” iSqFt Tip of the Week & Obscure Factoid

iSqFt Tip of the Week: iSqFt's proprietary data compression technology allows for the fastest downloads of plans and specs available.

Obscure Factoid: It takes more than 2,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year's worth of footballs.

 

Veterans Day Holiday

November 11^th, has been designated a prevailing wage holiday in San Diego County.  However, this year, Veterans Day falls on Saturday.  When Veterans Day (or any holiday) falls on Saturday it is observed on Saturday. Thus, neither Friday, November 10^th nor Monday, November 13^th are prevailing wage holidays.

The prevailing wage holidays match the language in the Master Labor Agreements for each craft in San Diego County.  The Carpenters, Laborers, Operating Engineers, Cement Masons, and Teamsters Agreements contain the above language concerning holidays falling on Saturdays.  We assume all specialty crafts (mechanical, electrical etc) have similar language in their MLA’s.  We are conducting a phone poll to make sure this is the case.

Questions….contact Jim Ryan at JRyan@agcsd.org or 858 558 7444 x 102  

 

 

November

November 7 – Project Engineering – 7:00 AM  "LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER"
November 8 – Trenching & Excavating CPT – 7:00 AM   CHANGED TO NOVEMBER 15th
November 8 – Blue Print Reading Class – Session #2 – 11:00-3:00 PM  
November 9 – Supervisory Training Program – Session #3 – 7 AM
Nov 13-17^th   –   NCCCO- Contact 619-466-8580 ext. 709
November 21 – Project Engineering – 7:00 AM
November 15 – Trenching & Excavating – 7:00 AM
November 15 – Construction Estimating Boot Camp- 8 AM
November 15 – Blue Print Reading Class – Session #3 – 1:00 PM
November 16 – SPT Program – Session #4 – 7AM
November 16 – Project Mgmt Course- Session #6 – 7:00 AM
November 17 – OSHA 10 Hour – 7:00 AM
November 29 – CPR/First Aid – 8:00 AM
November 30 - FMI

 

All meetings will be held at AGC unless indicated otherwise

NOVEMBER MEETINGS

November 1 – Safety Committee Meeting – 7 AM
November 8 – AGC Board of Directors Meeting – 3:00 PM
November 14 – Navy Liaison Meeting – 11:30 AM  RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER 11^th at 11:30 AM
November 15 – Public Building Liaison Meeting – 7:00 AM
November 16 – Specialty Contractors Council – - LOCATION FOR THIS MEETING @ AGC 7:00 AM
November 16 – Airport Authority Liaison Committee Meeting- LOCATION FOR THIS MEETING @ AGC – 11:00 AM
November 28 – County of San Diego Liaison Committee Meeting – 1:00 PM
November 29 – City of San Diego – 1:00 PM

 

Save The Dates:  THIS WEEK:

November 8 – AGC OPEN HOUSE – starting at 5:00 PM – 6212 Ferris Square

December 2 – Holiday Dinner Dance at Hotel Del Coronado
December 13 – AGC Annual Meeting – Mission Bay Hilton
January 23, 2007 – Installation Dinner – Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
(Installation of Officers & Directors, AGC Membership Awards, Safety Awards, & Apprentice Graduations)