It is Good Business to do Business with an AGC San Diego Member!!!

By John Daley, Jr.

Daley Corporation

AGC San Diego 2008 President

 

It is no secret that the construction economy in San Diego and elsewhere is in the process of cycling into a downturn.  The number of bidders on each bidder’s list is increasing, margins are decreasing, and many contractors are having difficulty securing backlog.  Our industry has been fortunate during the past decade.  Many of San Diego’s project engineers, project managers, and others in the San Diego construction industry have never experienced a downturn.  Those of us that have had this experience understand that a great many new players appear in the industry during a downturn, often on public works projects.

 

There is a list of general contractors, specialty contractors, and suppliers (AGC Affiliate members) that are long-term players in the industry.  This list, which can be found on AGC San Diego’s Web Site…www.agcsd.org…(click on member listings) gives you a roster of professional firms that understand the importance of supporting the industry, even in difficult times.

 

They are the firms that tend to be stable firms that will be here for the long run.  They know that a downturn simply means working harder and working smarter.

 

The AGCSD Board of Directors urges our membership to consider making an extra effort to work with other AGC San Diego members.  They are the firms that will be here through the good times and the bad times.

 

Remember….”It is good business to do business with an AGC San Diego Member.”

 

 

New Poll in San Diego’s Mayor’s Race and City Attorney’s Race

 

In case you missed it, a new poll came out last week showing close races in the Mayor’s race as well as the race for City Attorney.  The poll was commissioned by KGTV-TV and conducted by Survey USA.  It surveyed 1,000 adults in San Diego and has a margin of error of 4.4%. 

 

In the Mayor’s race, it is obvious that the aggressive TV ad campaign being conducted by Steve Francis has had an effect.  Mayor Sanders is supported by 40% of the voters and Francis by 36%.  17% are undecided, and other candidates have a total of 7% support.

 

The pollster concludes that a runoff after the June 3, 2008 primary is likely in this race (no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote).  If the poll numbers are correct, and they hold for the next few weeks, a run-off would be interesting.  We will have two candidates that are really not that far apart on the issues.  Both are Republicans, and they share a real concern about City finances.  The race may come down to how the candidates are raising funds to finance their candidacy. 

 

Francis is evidently self-financing his race and is spending millions.  Part of his campaign pitch is that he is not raising money from the special interests and will be independent if elected.  Mayor Sanders is raising money in the traditional way…i.e., fundraisers, etc. 

 

The voters have a very clear complex about how politicians raise funds for their campaigns.  They do not seem to like politicians raising money from members of organizations that could be labeled as “special interests,” but on the other hand, they have regularly rejected well-heeled candidates that spend their own money in the election and refuse to raise money from “special interests.”  Naturally, Mayor Sanders will accuse Francis of “trying to buy the election”, and Francis will accuse Mayor Sanders of being aligned with the “special interests” that helped raise money for the campaign.

 

Bottom line…it appears that the Mayor’s race will continue until November, and one of the major issues will be the financing of their campaigns.

 

In the race for City Attorney, a guy you have not heard from too much recently is leading.  City Attorney Mike Aguirre, who has been unusually low key during the campaign, has 29% support.  Councilmembers Peters and Maienschein have 17% and 15% respectfully.  Judge Goldsmith has 15%, Attorney Amy Lepine has 5%, and undecided 19%.  Obviously, it appears there also will be a run-off in this contest.  Many feel the City Attorney would like to see either councilmember as an opponent.  He might just bring up their vote on the pension situation a few times during the campaign!!!  We also suspect that there may be a bit more aggressive campaign from the City Attorney during the upcoming months.

 

Well….stay tuned…it should be an interesting few months!!!!

 

 

 

AGC Board Makes June 3rd Ballot Recommendations, Voter Guide Available Soon

 

Last Thursday, AGC’s Board of Directors considered a number of June 3rd ballot measure recommendations from the Government Relations Committee. There are 10 measures on the ballot, but the Board has no recommendations on Proposition D (adoption of a Carlsbad City Charter), and Propositions F and G (requirement for guests of short-term rental units to pay a Transient Occupancy Tax). 

 

A “Voter Guide” will be distributed via e-mail in the near future, but here is a glimpse of the ballot measures and AGC’s positions:

 

Proposition 98 (State of California) – Oppose

 

·         Prohibits use of eminent domain to acquire private property for private use. 

·         Expands the definition of “just compensation” to include costs and attorneys’ fees from a public agency if a court determines a higher amount should have been offered by the public agency. 

·         Prohibits government to enact new rent control measures; and any rent control measure enacted after January 1, 2007 would end.

  

Proposition 99 (State of California) - Support

 

Sponsored by the League of California Cities to counter Prop 98.  It prohibits government from using eminent domain to take “owner occupied residence[s]” for the purpose of transferring it to a private person or developer.  It provides an exemption from this limited prohibition if the condemnation is necessary for public health or safety purposes or for a public work or improvement project.  Also, local government could continue to take private property for redevelopment if there were serious blight in the neighborhood that created a public health or safety issue.

  

Propositions A-C (City of San Diego) - Support

 

Proposition A - Exempts police officers, firefighters, and lifeguards from the Managed Competition process. 

 

Proposition B - Requires the City Council to place a measure on the June, 2010 ballot to decide whether: the Strong Mayor form of Government should become permanent effective January 1, 2011; to increase the number of City Council districts from eight to nine; and 3) to increase the number of Council votes needed to override the Mayor’s veto.

 

Proposition C - Creates a new office of City Auditor, which would be supervised by a restructured Audit Committee.  Makes permanent the office of Independent Budget Analyst.

 

These measures follow recommendations from the citizens Charter Review Committee, which held more than 50 community meetings to hear testimony and consider changes to the city’s governing charter. They are intended to create better controls on city finances, make government more open to citizens and investors, create better checks and balances, and give better protection for essential public safety services.

 

Proposition E (City of Chula Vista) – Oppose

 

If passed, Prop. E would require voter approval for General Plan changes increasing allowable building heights above 84 feet in most areas of Chula Vista, and setting a building height limit of 45 feet on Third Avenue between E and G Streets.  An election would be required for each individual project. 

 

Prop. E does not require voter approval for any proposed project exceeding 84 feet in the City’s Bayfront Planning Area, as defined by the General Plan, or any area west of Interstate 5.

 

Proposition H (Oceanside Unified School District) – Support

 

A $195 million bond for the Oceanside Unified School District.  AGC previously endorsed this measure in April.

 

 

Voter Registration Deadline is May 19

 

The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday, May 19.  Voter registration cards are available at Post Offices, Department of Motor Vehicles, libraries, various City Clerk offices, and the Registrar of Voters (5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego, 92123).  You can also vote early by going to the Registrar of Voters between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday.

 

 

Carl DeMaio Fundraiser Set for May 28, Doug Barnhart and AGC to Team Up

 

Doug Barnhart and AGC are teaming up for a fundraising breakfast for San Diego City Council District 5 candidate, Carl DeMaio.  The fundraiser will be held at the Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe on Wednesday, May 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM.  The address is 17410 Via de Bravo and the phone number is 858-756-6310.

 

Carl is considered the “reform City Hall” candidate, he but clearly understands the need to re-build San Diego.  His knowledge, experience, and dedication to help the city emerge from its current fiscal crisis will help the city get the most out of every “construction dollar”.  Come say “hello” to Carl DeMaio on Wednesday, May 28!

 

·         Up to $270 per person by personal check / $540 per couple w/ joint checking account

·         Check made payable to “Reform City Hall with Carl DeMaio”

 

It is unlawful for a contributor to be reimbursed by an individual, organization, business, or similar entity for a contribution supporting or opposing a City candidate.

 

Click here for flyer, complete it, and fax it back to 858-558-8444.  You can also RSVP by contacting Ashley Aluisi at 858-248-2931, or at aaluisi@gmail.

 

 

AGC’s 2008 Legislative and Policy Positions - An Overview and Commentary

By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations

 

Last Thursday, AGC’s Board of Directors approved AGC’s “2008 Legislative and Policy Positions.”  These positions are an effective advocacy tool, one that helps AGC remain the “voice of the construction industry.

 

This year, instead of providing you with the seven-page summary, I would like to give you a quick overview, along with a commentary on some of the positions…

 

Infrastructure Funding

 

AGC is by far the strongest proponent of any construction trade association for public agencies to adopt comprehensive, long-term infrastructure funding programs.  Public agencies have the responsibility to ensure that the infrastructure under their control needs to be maintained and modernized.

 

AGC continues to work with public entities to ensure their infrastructure investments are adequate, but one glaring example continues to be a cause for concern…the City of San Diego…when is the City going to get back into the bond market so millions of dollars of delayed water and sewer jobs can get completed?

 

Environment and Natural Resources

 

AGC supports clean air and clean water, and the spirit of the Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act, respectively. However, regulations mandating unrealistic off-road and on-road diesel regulations, and stormwater run-off regulations that are costing contractors and public agencies millions of dollars to implement are chocking/drowning the construction industry.

 

Construction Materials and Supply

 

AGC is committed to working with industry partners and business leaders to educate elected officials about the aggregate shortage and how it will impact the construction industry and the region’s quality of life.  However, permitted aggregate production sites are dwindling, and local officials are reluctant to approve them in their backyards.  The result?  More imported aggregate and more trucks on the freeways.

 

Public Contract Procurement

 

AGS supports efforts to provide opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE), emerging businesses, small and historically underutilized firms, subcontractors, etc.  AGC’s Apprentice Program, Mentor-Protégé Program, Construction Tech Academy, Summer Jobs Program, San Diego State’s Construction and Engineering Management Program, and Junior Achievement’s BizTown are proven ways to increase diversity.  The State of California Department of General Services’ DVBE “preference” program and the City of San Diego’s SCOPe program are not the answer to increase diversity. 

 

Collective Bargaining/Organized Labor

 

AGC believes that Project Labor agreements discourage competition, are unfair to non-union contractors and subcontractors, cause construction costs to increase, and undermine the collective bargaining process between employers and trade unions.  AGC opposes attempts to file “environmental protection” actions that are actually attempts to leverage PLAs on projects.   IBEW 569….are you listening?  NECA…have you responded to Jim Ryan’s request?

 

Payments and Collections

 

AGC supports prompt pay to contractors and subcontractors for work properly performed.  However, we oppose any local entity “adjusting” California’s prompt pay law.

 

AGC has sponsored legislation for the past three of the last four years (SB 1449 this year) that would require suppliers and sub tier subcontractors in public works projects to give a 20-day preliminary notice to be able to file a payment bond claim.  Prime contractors simply want to know what lower tier subs and suppliers are on the job, but current law has allowed those suppliers and subcontractors to seek payment from the prime contractor after the prime has paid all the bills. This legislation continues to be held up every time by the American Subcontractors Association and other subcontractor organizations because “they want something in return”.   What that is we don’t know…

 

Contractor Licensing

 

AGC has introduced legislation (SB 1337) to allow Limited Liability Companies (LLC) to be licensed as contractors by the Contractors State License Board.  LLC's, which provide business flexibility and improved estate planning, are a permitted business type in California since 1994.  However, of the 29 states that license or regulate contractors, only California has a complete ban on operating as an LLC.  

 

A big “Thank You” goes to Randy Finch and his team at Marks, Golia, & Finch for spending countless hours in preparing the background material for this bill and for trekking to Sacramento for one of the legislative hearings.  Although the bill did not make it past its second hearing (it was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee due to opposition from consumer attorneys), the issue remains on the table.

 

Whew…that was a quick summary of the seven pages of AGC’s “2008 Legislative and Policy Positions”!  If you would like a copy, please contact me at bbarnum@agcsd.org.  A copy will be on AGC’s website in the near future…simply click on “Government Relations” then “Legislative Positions”).

 

 

AGC-SD Going Paperless

 

Last fall, EWA Software Solutions donated Paperless Environments enterprise electronic document management software, along with all training and consulting, to the AGC San Diego Chapter to assist in their initiative to electronically store and index all their paper and electronic documents.  Jim Ryan provided an update of the implementation at the May 8^th Board of Directors Meeting.  All legal and training class documents have been converted as part of Phase 1 of the project.  The remaining document types and workflows will be converted by the end of 2008. 

 

Paperless Environments electronic document management software was developed to be used primarily in the construction industry, but was flexible enough to meet the AGC’s requirements.

 

Jim told the Board that although this technology is in the early stages of being adopted by the construction industry, it will soon become a necessity to remain competitive.

 

To learn more about this technology, please go to www.ewasoftwaresolutions.com

 

 

Welcome New AGC Members

 

The AGC Board of Directors and the AGC staff would like to welcome the following new members to the Association.

Remember…”It is good business to do business with an AGC member.”

 

Company	Type of Work	Contact	Phone	E-mail
Arch Insurance	Insurance/Bonds	Richard Hallett	858.271.4393	rhallett@archinsurance.com
Boudreau Pipeline Corp.	Pipeline	Alan Boudreau	951.493.6780	alan@boudreaupipeline.com
City Wide Electronic Systems	Electrical	Jason Gandy	619.494.0219	jgandy@cwesi.com
Cuyamaca Construction	Carpentry	Jerry Cochrum , Jr.	619.449.0750	cuyamacaconst@sbcglobal.net
D.A. Lewis Construction, Inc.	Playground Installers	Doug Lewis	760.788.0100	doug@dalewisconstruction.com
MJE Marketing Services	Advertising	Marlee Ehrenfeld	619.682.3841	marlee@mjemarketing.com
Messer and Company	Management & Marketing Services	Wade Messer	858.674.6604	wmesser@messerandcompany.com
New Dimension Masonry	Masonry	Jennifer Slifka	619.276.5000	jenny@ndminc.com
New Era Tile & Stone, Inc.	Marble/Tile	Greg Colgate	858.751.0464	gcolgate@neweratile.com
Pacific Southwest Co.	Consulting	John Gomez	619.466.3324
Pacific Structures	Carpentry	Ray Paci	951.687.6861	Ps5934@aol.com
Sass Electric, Inc., dba CG Electric	Electrical	Chris Sass	619.521.8585	csass@cgelectric.net
Winzler & Kelly	Consultant	Carina Thiessen	858.244.0440	carinatheissen@w-and-k.com

 

 

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.

 

May

May 15- Construction Financial Mgmt.                            FLYER            REGISTRATION

May 21- Intro to Prolog Manager                                                           REGISTRATION

May 22- Blueprint                                                            FLYER            REGISTRATION

May 27- Basic Web Design                                                                    REGISTRATION

May 28- CPR/First Aid                                                      FLYER           REGISTRATION

May 29-30- Const. Project w/ Microsoft Project                FLYER           REGISTRATION

 

 

All meetings at the AGC office at 6212 Ferris Square unless indicated otherwise

 

May

May 15 – Meetings & Events Committee Meeting – 12:00 p.m.

May 19 – Water Authority Meeting – 1:00 p.m. (Date changed from May 12)

May 20- HR Committee Meeting – 11:30 a.m.

May 30- Technology Trends in Construction Committee Meeting- 7:00 a.m.

 

VOLUNTEER FOR A COMMITTEE

 

If you are interested in participating in a committee this year, CLICK HERE.  There are 22 AGC committees, and several that may sound interesting to you in which you may want to be involved. Meet new people, network with other AGC firms, and be a part of a “team!” 

 

 

 

Mark your calendars!
 

May 20- AGC Mixer at Seau’s ………………………………………REGISTRATION FORM

May 28 – Meet your Airport Team………………………………….REGISTRATION FORM

June 10- Baseball Bash ……………………………………………   REGISTRATION FORM

July 18- Day at the Races…………………………………………….COMING SOON  

August 4- Affiliate Day Golf ………………………………………..  REGISTRATION……..EXHIBITORS/SPONSORS

October 11- AGC Family Western Day BBQ………………………SAVE THE DATE FLYER

October 29 - AGC’s 2008 Southern California Construction Technology Event - SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR FORM