The Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter, Inc.
January 20, 2020 The VOICE of Construction
In This Issue
Chula Vista Engages in Shady Election Tampering
Early Voting Begins
The Safety Huddle
Help Students Team Prepare for "Reno Competition"
Classes
Join a Committee in 2020
Committee Meetings
Get Social With Us:
More about AGC San Diego
www.agcsd.org
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Chula Vista Engages in Shady Election Tampering Eddie Sprecco, CEO
The Building Trades Unions and local elected officials have been making some shady back room deals for some time. With little push back from a compliant local media, and without oversight from local officials also in the pocket of the unions political machine, the building trades have become even more bold in their schemes - the latest example coming from Chula Vista. In 2010, signatures from Chula Vista voters put Measure G on the ballot, to ensure Fair and Open Competition and a ban on inherently discriminatory Project Labor Agreements while investing in the City's infrastructure. Labor extortion had cost the South Bay the multi-billion-dollar Gaylord project that would have re-envisioned the bayfront for generations. Voters were eager to use the initiative process as intended - to say "no" to politicians when the democratic process had been hijacked by special interest.
Despite heavy spending on disinformation from San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council - threatening Chula Vista residents that their state funds would be cut off - the voters passed Measure G by a margin of 56 to 44%. State funds were never affected in the 10 years since, and a new Chula Vista bayfront project is making progress.
Now, the "Empire is Striking Back" - the Building Trades Council is pulling out all the stops to change the rules and get their PLA. On December 3, the Chula Vista City Council, not voters, decided to put repeal of Measure G on the upcoming March primary ballot. With just five business days between the vote
The AGC Board of Directors and AGC staff welcome the
following new members:
AGC's Motto:
"It's Good Business to do Business with an AGC
Member."
and the deadline for filing opposition, it is clear the Chula Vista Council timed their action to limit the voice of the 56% of voters who opposed Project Labor Agreements.
So, the building trades council got the advantage of not having to collect signatures, and not giving their opponents time to form arguments in opposition - but, what did the Councilmembers get? The Chula Vista Council needed 4 votes to shortcut the will of the voters with the Measure G repeal, but with two strongly anti-PLA Councilmembers blocking the way, the vote looked to be in question. It was not....
The pre-ordained tally was 4-1 with Councilmember Mike Diaz, the deciding vote. On October 16, that same Mike Diaz stood before the Lincoln Club pro-business PAC touting his continued opposition to anti-business and anti-competition measures - specifically Project Labor Agreements. So, what threats or promises were sent to Councilmember Diaz that would make him go back on such a fundamental position??? And who quarterbacked this scheme to rig an election??? The sad truth is San Diego lacks watchdogs to find these answers. Lots of "journalists" have been sending their annual self-congratulatory tweets touting awards for "speaking truth to power," but turn a blind eye to this open corruption. If the powerful lean left like the journalists, suddenly there is less urgency to root out obvious self-dealing and abuse of power.
That doesn't mean we have to stop fighting it - at the ballot box, and through the courts, AGC continues to hold the line on expensive, discriminatory, and anti-competitive Project Labor Agreements, and shine a light on their corrosive influence on local politics.
If you are interested in supporting these legal efforts, contact [email protected] or support AGC politically by contacting Brad Barnum at [email protected].
It will be nice, in the near future, to look back at PLA's as an archaic relic of the past, when powerful special interests used their power and influence to legislate patronage and used the kickbacks to fuel their crooked political machine. Then IBEW will have to get work the old fashioned way - by earning it...
Early Voting Begins Soon ...AGC Voter Guide Now Available Brad Barnum, Executive Vice President
February 3 signals the first day voters can go to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to vote for candidates and measures on the March 3 ballot. It also is the day that absentee ballots are mailed to those that requested one. That being said, you can expect a heavy dose of campaigning in the coming weeks. Voter outreach wins elections, as it only takes one vote on either side to win or lose. That is why it is so important for AGC and its members to be engaged in the political process. AGC supports investing in the region's infrastructure, but opposes candidates and measures that make it more difficult to build important projects, and effectively shut out contractors and apprentices. AGC's VOTER GUIDE is now available, and it will help you make an informed decision on some of the candidates and issues that may affect contractors, the construction industry, and the business community. Additional ballot recommendations may be added as needed. Here is a sampling of some of the contested races or ballot measures, along with AGC's recommendation: San Diego County Board of Supervisors Two candidates understand "commitment" more than any other candidate for County Supervisor, Supervisor Kristin Gaspar and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. They firmly believe in fair and open competition, understand the importance of investing in the region's infrastructure, and believe in a balanced approach to fixing the county's transportation system. A quote by Mayor Vaus during AGC's PAC interview, "I oppose PLAs, and you can take that to the bank," and this interview with Supervisor Gaspar about pressure from the political left says it all! Gaspar and Vaus for County Supervisor! Local School Bond Measures
EDUCATION CATALOG JAN - JUNE 2020
Improving our educational facilities is important, and three school districts understand that bond funds should be used for construction without any restrictions on who can build or work on these projects:
• Cajon Valley Union School District ($220 million - Measure L)
• Poway Unified School District ($448 million - Measure P)
• Escondido Union School District ($205 million - Measure Q)
Each of these districts has committed to promote fair & open competition, and they do not intend to have a PLA. Vote "Yes" on Measures L, P, and Q! Unfortunately, two school districts want to spend bond funds away from school construction, and one of them already has limits on who can build or work on the projects:
• Chula Vista Elementary School District ($300 million - Measure M). The District has a PLA on its current bond, and in this bond $65 million will be used to pay for teacher and staff housing.
• Lakeside Union School District ($33 million - Measure R). Although the District has committed to promote fair & open competition, the project list includes the purchase of buses, and maintenance, service, and delivery vehicles.
Vote "NO" on Measures M and R! Chula Vista Fair and Open Competition Ordinance The union-backed majority of the Chula Vista City Council is taking it to the voters, literally, with a measure that will reverse a fair and open competition ordinance passed in 2010. Measure E will repeal Proposition G, and it will "give the City discretion to allow the use of PLAs." Nearly 56% of voters supported the use of union and non-union workers in Chula Vista with the passage of Proposition G, but the City Council wants to take that right to work away. Vote "NO" on Measure E! This is just a sampling of what you may see on your ballot. Again, AGC's Voter Guide is available to help you make an informed decision. The last day to register to vote in San Diego County is February 18. If you would like to register now (or confirm that you are registered), simply click here to access the San Diego County Registrar of Voters' website. Voter registration cards also are available at post offices, Department of Motor Vehicles, libraries, various City Clerk offices, and the Registrar of Voters
ONLINE PLAN ROOM FREE
TRIAL Contact:
Lisa Lovelace Director of Plan Room Services
VIEW ONLINE EVENTS
2020 EVENTS
JANUARY Jan. 28|Mock Problems - Need spectators
FEBRUARY Feb. 6-9|Winter Conference @ Deer Valley
MARCH
Mar. 9-12|AGC National Convention -
Las Vegas @ Bellagio
APRIL
Apr. 2|Public Entities Dinner @ San Diego Yacht Club
MAY
May 14-16|Spring Conference @ Pelican Hill - Newport Beach
(5600 Overland Avenue, Suite 100, in San Diego; 858-565-5800).
Emerging Construction Technology Showcase Provided Insight to Attendees Kellie Korhonen, AGCStaff Liaison Technology Committee
Last Tuesday, the AGC Technology Committee hosted a Tech Talk Luncheon at AGC San Diego. Fifty attendees learned about emerging construction technology from four presentations and exhibitors. Highlights included
learning how Brady SoCal is using the StructionSite app for project documentation on jobsites and why Bergelectric implemented GTP Stratus and Wireworks on projects to assist in the increase of prefabrication on the construction site. NoteVault provided a look at how they are optimizing jobsite documentation by leveraging artificial intelligence to ascribe emotions to project notes based on vocal patterns. The morning of presentations ended with BuildingPoint Pacific sharing a quick history of mixed reality before a demo of Trimble® Connect for HoloLens® and the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2. Thank you to our speakers:
• Yumi Totani, StructionSite • Rhett Brady, Brady SoCal, Inc. • Derek Renn, Bergelectric Corporation • Peter Lasensky and Dr. Adrian Curtin, PhD,
NoteVault • Mithun Dalal, BuildingPoint Pacific
Thank you to our Lunch Sponsors:
• Data Net Solutions Group • PlanGrid
Thank you to our Exhibitors:
• BuildingPoint Pacific
MEMBER DISCOUNTS Are you aware of the many discounts available to AGC
Members?
CLICK HERE
Interested in advertising in
AGC's "Good Faith Report"? Contact:
Lisa Lovelace Director of Plan Room Services
AGC COMMUNICATIONS
AGC CONSTRUCTOR
• Kelar Pacific • Note Vault • SITECH Pacific • RDO Equipment Co. • U.S. CAD
The Safety Huddle Julie McConnaughy, Tower Glass
New year, new you!! 2020 is perfect vision! The start of a new year should be the start of good things and one of those good things for 2020 is the Safety Huddle: San Diego AGC's Safety Committee monthly update in the Monday Morning Quarterback on the goings on in the safety community here in San Diego.
AGC San Diego has a large and active safety committee that meets at 7:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month (except holidays). All members are invited and encouraged to participate in this committee. Whether the meeting is attended by your safety representative or a field supervisor, much will be gained by spending time with this group of professionals as they discuss what's happening in our region safety-wise.
Many general contractors these days are conducting safety summits on a quarterly or bi-annual basis with their trade partners. This is a safety summit on a monthly basis with more than 60 different contractors, subcontractors, and support service companies. A most invaluable part of the meeting is the time we spend sharing best practices, close calls, incidents, and any contacts we have had with CalOSHA or FedOSHA. We bring up issues or situations that present challenges, and work together to share our experience and solutions for these challenges. There is also a guest speaker every month. We have had numerous representatives from government agencies speak for us, as well as safety professionals regarding a number of topics including fall protection, trenching and shoring, training tracking, substance abuse in construction, just to name a few.
2018 AGC ANNUAL REPORT
2020 MEMBERSHIP LISTINGS Online Form
Please notify AGC if your company has relocated, or if there are updates to your company's listing (i.e. contacts, phone/fax, job titles, CSI codes, & certified business listings). Email Marcy Knopman
DIRECTIONS 6212 Ferris Square
This meeting serves as a great way to stay on top of the latest safety regulations, trends, and issues. It's also a great place to network and meet the safety professionals you may be working with, or will be working with in the future on a neutral playing field and developing relationships that enhance the safety of all our job sites and projects. Hope to see you in the huddle!
Help Student Teams Prepare to Compete at ASC Competition! Kellie Korhonen, AGC Digital Communications and Technology Manager
Join us Tuesday, January 28 4:30-8:30 p.m. at AGC AGC's Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is hosting a final mock problem for the students Tuesday, January 28 at the AGC San Diego Chapter. Help us help the students by sharing your industry knowledge - the return on investment is preparing these bright young people to be great construction industry professionals. Learn more about the ASC Reno Competition by watching a recap of the 2016 competition experience. Please join the CLC on January 28 as spectators. We will be serving beer/wine and food starting at 4:30 PM. We promise you will be impressed!
EVENT INFORMATION 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM at AGC San Diego Chapter Facility 6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 558-7444 Reception & Networking - 4:30 PM Welcome & Introduction - 5:00 PM Mock Problem Presentations: 5:10 PM - 8:05 PM Closing: 8:10 PM - 8:30 PM Please R.S.V.P. to Kellie Korhonen.
San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 558-7444
CLASSES
January Classes Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan 27 Jan 27 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 30
Qualified Rigging & Signal Person Training Trenching & Excavating Fall Protection 8-Hour Refresher Training Flagger 4-Hour Training Construction Law CPR, First Aid & AED Training Project Engineers Boot Camp Silica Standard for Construction Confined Space Entry
For more information on classes, contact: Becca Schaffer at (858) 731-8155.
Jan - June 2020
Register Online
Get Involved in 2020 - Join an AGC Committee
San Diego AGC is a committee driven association and relies on committees to act as the creative arm for the industry. Members in all membership categories are encouraged to participate on AGC committees. Participating on an AGC committee allows members the opportunity to give strong direction to the industry, and to develop their skills and abilities. The construction industry needs volunteers that will continue to direct the industry in a positive manner.
Please participate in your industry and volunteer for an AGC committee.
Get involved...the more you put into AGC, the more you'll get back!
Here is the list of the AGC Councils/Committees you may be interested in serving:
Affiliate Members Council Airport Authority Liaison Committee
Build & Serve Charitable Alliance Caltrans/SANDAG Liaison Committee
City Liaison Committee Construction Education & Training Committee
Construction Leadership Committee County Liaison Committee
Government Relations Committee Human Resource Practices Committee
Meetings & Events Committee NAVFAC Liaison Committee
Port Liaison Committee Public Building Liaison Committee
Safety Committee Specialty Contractors Council
Construction Technology Committee Water Authority Committee
Thank you in advance for your interest and participation!
GET INVOLVED IN 2020...JOIN A COMMITTEE!
COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings are held at the AGC office (6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121) unless otherwise noted in red.
January Meetings Jan. 22 7:30 a.m. Build & Serve Committee Meeting Jan. 22 11:30 a.m. Education Committee Jan. 24 7:30 a.m. Caltrans/SANDAG Liaison @
Caltrans Jan. 30 11:30 a.m. Affiliate Council
February Meetings Feb. 5 7:00 a.m. Safety Committee
Feb. 18 12:00 p.m. Meetings & Events Committee
Feb. 25 11:30 a.m. Specialty Contractor Council
Feb. 26 7:00 a.m. Public Building
Feb. 28 1:00 p.m. County @ County office
About Monday Morning Quarterback AGC San Diego Chapter's Monday Morning Quarterback is a "hot off the press" and to the point Monday morning briefing on the important issues facing San Diego's construction industry. It is prepared by AGC Chief Executive Officer, Eddie Sprecco, and Executive Vice President, Brad Barnum. Please contact Eddie Sprecco or Brad Barnum with your comments, or with information that should be conveyed to the industry through this service. Well over 3,000 individuals employed by AGC member firms are part of this system.
ARCHIVE
The Associated General Contractors of America San Diego Chapter, Inc.
6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121 | Phone (858) 558-7444 | Fax (858) 558-8444 www.agcsd.org
The VOICE of Construction