September 25, 2006

One More Chance to Support Infrastructure Investment in San Diego!!!!

By Jim Ryan, AGCSD EVP

AGC needs 25 firms that are not on the attached list to complete the attached pledge form and donate at least $1,000 each by the end of the day ….today!

AGC San Diego Political Action Committee (PAC) Fundraising Chair, Tom Anderson, Bergelectric, reports that AGC’s 2006 PAC Fundraising effort has resulted in just under $225,000 raised to date.  The funds will be distributed next week primarily to the following campaigns, and they are critical to the success of each campaign.

Proposition 1A

Will protect a revenue stream of nearly $1.5 billion annually (from the state sales tax on gasoline) by fixing a loophole in a 2002 state proposition (Prop. 42), which allowed the Governor and State Legislature to divert the state sales tax funds away from transportation projects without any payback provisions.  The region can expect to see $289 million in 2007 to help implement improvements to I-5, SR-905, SR 94/SR 125, Coastal Railroad and Trolley improvements, and parking structures.  Beginning in 2008, we can expect about 7-8% of the $1.5 billion revenue stream.

 

Proposition 1B

$19.9 billion bond to fund repairs, reduce congestion, improve bridge safety, expand public transit and improve port security.  San Diego County is positioned to get nearly $3 billion to help fund major corridor projects, such as I-5, I-15, and I-805, as well as trolley, railroad, and port improvements.

 

Proposition 1D

$10.4 billion bond to fund K-12 and Higher Education facilities.  Local school districts in San Diego County would receive over $86 million in funds to pay for new construction/modernization projects or projects that have already been completed with local bond funds.  A number of higher education facilities also would receive funding.

 

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.

108 AGC member firms have contributed.  If your firm is not on the list……you have made a mistake.  Let me explain. 

Those of us in the construction industry have chosen careers that are charged with the responsibility to build and repair the infrastructure…..we are closest to the magnitude of the problem.  We understand that public entities and sometimes even private entities do not invest proper amounts into the infrastructure.  As time goes on, this creates huge problems for transportation, education, and public facilities that house the public employees who deliver the services that make San Diego and the rest of the nation “go.”  

We are in the same position as teachers caring about education, police officers caring about law enforcement, doctors caring about health care, pilots caring about the airline industry….you get the picture….every profession has an obligation to ensure the public invests properly in their particular area…..simply because each group understands the needs of that area better than anyone else.

So here is the deal….each and every firm in the AGC San Diego Chapter should contribute…..the proceeds will support campaigns that will improve the area’s infrastructure…..if all of the bond issues…initiatives etc are approved there will be new funding available for $6,000,000,000 in infrastructure investment in our county….yes that is $6 billion for San Diego County…..

Now that may seem like a great deal of funding, but remember…..during the 1990’s the public virtually ignored investing in major infrastructure projects….these bond issues and initiatives need to be completed and we need to make sure the pressure is on to insure proper investment is made in the future.

So, as I stated at the beginning of this article…..25 firms that are not on the attached list need to step up to the plate and donate at least $1,000 each…..and do it today…the funds need to be distributed to the campaigns next week.

We do not have time at this point to contact every AGC firm…..so don’t wait for a call….contact Brad Barnum for a Pledge Form. 

   

       It's Time to Reserve Your Rooms for the AGC Holiday Dinner Dance

Guestrooms are offered at a special rate of $235 for a “Resort Room”!

Procedures for making your room reservations are:

·         Make your reservations directly with the Hotel Del Coronado at 1-800-468-3533.

·         Identify yourself with the AGC Holiday Dinner Dance to receive this Special Event Rate.  Reservations     should be made as soon as possible. 

·         Individuals are required to pay a one night, non-refundable deposit at the time of reservation. There is an Automatic Daily Resort Charge of $22.

 AGC San Diego Board Schedules Open House for November 8th

 The “new” AGC San Diego Headquarters and Training Center are nearly complete. The facility is fantastic…..those members who have attended meetings or classes in the facility are unanimous in their praise of the facility.  There is no question that the renovations to the building will allow AGC to serve the industry for years to come…..the building is now an educator’s dream.  We will be able to expand and improve our classes not only for apprenticeship training but for the training of all members.

 Beginning at 5 pm on Wednesday, November 8^th, the AGC Board of Directors will hold an “open house” for the membership to tour the facility and see first hand how the building will serve you and your employees.  The “open house” will be sponsored by Cement Cutting and ABD Insurance Services.

 Please mark your calendars…..5 pm Wednesday, November 8^th….registration forms will be sent to the membership in the next few days.

A Look Back and a Look Ahead

Last week was a busy week for AGC, as we followed important issues at the City of San Diego and the State Capitol.

City of San Diego - As expected last Monday, the San Diego City Council took the first steps to adopt a restrictive “Big Box Ordinance” that would limit the development, construction, operations, capabilities, and size of large retail establishments in the City of San Diego. 

A three hour Council meeting, which consisted of formal presentations from Wal-Mart and its opposition, and public comment, resulted in a 5-3 vote to require a permit and review process and the establishment of additional design and landscape regulations.  However, the most controversial proposals, a “Cap” ordinance, which bans stores larger than 150,000 square feet, and the Stock Keeping Units (“SKU”) ordinance, which would prohibit construction of stores larger than 90,000 square feet that have more than 30,000 SKUs and more than 10 percent of gross sales revenues from non-taxable items such as grocery and prescriptions, were put off until October 23.

Although we believe this issue is clearly a union-organizing campaign, it was interesting to note the amount of discussion that took place between the council members about the impact these large retail stores may have on smaller retailers, as well as traffic.  Council President Peters in a press briefing later said, "A lot of cities are concerned with the land-use implications of concentrating that much traffic in one place."

Speaking of Council President Peters, it appears he will be the “swing” vote on this issue when it returns to the City Council next month.  With a 5-3 vote on the less controversial issues behind them, we now can expect a more heated debate and heavy lobbying to convince the Council to do the right thing…support a free market system.  Do not expect Council Members Frye, Atkins, Young, and Hueso to budge on their support of labor, so all eyes will be focused on Peters (he is considered a “swing vote” on many issues) …Stay tuned! 

State Capitol - The construction industry and the business community received great news last week with the Governor’s veto of two workers’ compensation bills that would have significantly increased workers' compensation costs for California employers who are finally seeing costs decrease to earlier reform measures.  However, we are still waiting to see if he will veto one bill of particular interest to the AGC, AB 2929, which will limit apprenticeship opportunities and make it more difficult for the construction industry to train, educate, and employ thousands of Californian's seeking a career in construction.  We have attached an article from the Daily Transcript that provides a great summary of our position.

Over the past two weeks, we have asked AGC members to write to the Governor requesting a veto.  The “Call to Action” resulted in 112 e-mails the Governor – thank you!   On top of that, we have met with the Governor’s Office to express our concerns if AB 2929 is signed.  There is a distinct shortage of skilled workers statewide, and now is the time to expand apprenticeship opportunities, not limit them.

The Governor has only five days left to take action on bills on his desk.  AGC and its members have done our best to secure a needed veto of AB 2929, but only time will tell.  In the meantime, we will continue to pressure the Governor and his staff to make the right decision.  If you haven’t sent in a veto request there still is time to do so…simply click on the link below and follow the instructions. http://www.bipac.net/issue_alert.asp?g=AGC_SD&issue=Veto_Request&parent=agc_sd.

AGC - New Phone System

The AGC phone menu has changed. AGC Staff now has 3 digit extensions and direct numbers.  For a complete list of our staff’s extensions and direct dial numbers contact Marcy Knopman at 858-731-8162.

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

iSqFt Tip of the Week:

You can print plans and specs to office printers or large scale plotters.  You save a significant amount of money per page/sheet over purchasing plans and specs from a reprographer.  You also have hard copies immediately.

Obscure Factoid:

Gore-Tex, the breathable composite polymer used to waterproof and windproof outdoor gear, is simply stretched Teflon, the substance used to coat nonstick pans.

 

SEPTEMBER CLASSES

September 26 – Microsoft Excel Level 1   POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 3rd

September 27 - CPR/First Aid – 8 AM  

September 29 – Advanced SWPPP Training- 7:30 AM  

 

OCTOBER  CLASSES

October 3 – Microsoft EXCEL – Level 1- 8:00 AM

October 5 – Supervisory Training – Session 5 – 7:30 AM

October 5 – Project Management Course- Class #3 – 3:00 PM

October 10 and 11 – CQM

October 19 – Project Management Course – Class #4 – 3:00 PM

October 25 – CPR/First Aid- 8:00 AM

 

 

OCTOBER MEETINGS – All meetings will be held at AGC unless indicated otherwise

October 2- Port of SD Liaison Committee Meeting – 11:30 AM @ PORT

October 4 – Safety Committee Meeting – 7:00 AM

October 9 – SD County Water Authority 11:30 AM  @ WATER AUTHORITY

October 10 – HR Committee Meeting – 11:00 AM

October 18 – AGC Toastmasters @ Roel – 7:00 AM

October 19 – Specialty Contractors Council @ Adam’s Steakhouse – 7:00 AM

October 19 – Meetings & Events Committee – 12:00 PM

October 20 – Caltrans Liaison Committee – 8:00 AM

October 25 – County of San Diego Liaison Committee – 1:00 PM (subject to change)

October 27 – Builders’ Exchange – 7:00 AM

 

 

Save The Dates:

October 11-14^th – Joint Fall Conference with AGC of California in Indian Wells – details on website

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

December 2 – Holiday Dinner Dance at Hotel Del Coronado

 

Keep us informed: 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!