Northern California Chapter members and staff returned last week from the NECA Convention, which brings together the best minds in the industry to discuss expanding opportunities for electrical contractors.  A highlight of the event was the NECA Show,

which is the largest exposition for any and all electrical needs, including power supply, security systems, integrated building systems, lighting and controls. Technical Workshops offered contractors an opportunity to learn about a variety of topics including E-CAP, the financing model that allows NECA contractors to act as a virtual essco.  In addition to the convention and trade show, Greg Armstrong stayed busy with Electri International and various strategic planning meetings.  Darlene Besst participated in the Business Development session where discussion focused on developing new opportunities for contractors and sharing ideas about what we're working on and successes in our respective areas.  With our continuing business development activities through our Zero Net Energy Center, Darlene had an opportunity to share the various ways in which we use the ZNEC to promote NECA contractors and electricians.

The opening general session featured speaker Chris Gardner, known for a movie about a critical time in his life, The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith.  Our Chapter dinner was lively with conversation and laughter.  This year we went to Chicago Cut with the San Diego and Hawaii Chapters, and representatives from Graybar and Milwaukee Tool.  This is becoming traditional for the three Chapters and their members.  Our special thanks to Graybar for hosting the wine at our dinner. 

Earlier this year, NECA, the American Subcontractors Association, and CalSMACNA sponsored a bill that would close a loophole that was inadvertently created by another bill last session, which harmed subcontractors.  NECA joined the ranks of several associations and businesses to support this bill.  The original bill, SB 293, limited retention to 5% on public projects, unless the project was deemed to be "substantially complex."  This resulted in school districts declaring routine and simple projects to be substantially complex, thereby increase the 5% retainage.  AB 1705 sought to correct this evasion of the legislature's intent. AB 1705 requires that all bid documents include details explaining the basis for the project owner(s) finding that a project is substantially complex, in addition to the actual retention amount.  The owner shall also describe why it is a unique project that is not regularly, customarily, or routinely performed by the agency or licensed contractors.  In addition, the 5% retention policy was extended until 2018. Click here for a bill fact sheet. 
 

September 30th marked the deadline for the Governor to take action on measures sent to him in 2014.  On the final day the Governor signed the remaining two bills from NECA's 2014 legislative package.  In all, Governor Brown signed all four NECA sponsored/co-sponsored measures.  A brief summary of each new law is attached.
 

Existing law requires, until January 1, 2019, the governing board of a school district that enters into a contract for a public project, to require prospective bidders to complete and submit a standardized prequalification questionnaire and financial statement.  AB 1581 would, until January 1, 2019, require the lease instrument and the agreement with the lowest responsible bidder to include a requirement for the prime contractor and, if used, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing subcontractors, to comply with the prequalification questionnaire and financial statement needs when the agreement is for a public project.

The first Alameda County Division meeting after the summer hiatus is Tuesday, October 7th, 5:30PM at the Fat Lady in Oakland.  Hank Lewis, District Nine IBEW, has been invited to speak on the CE/CW program.  ALL Chapter members are encouraged to attend.  Contact Julie Russell to rsvp your attendance.

The Chapter's Future Leader's group is being held next week on Friday, October 10th, 10AM until 2:30PM at Campo di Bocce in Livermore.  The meeting is being facilitated by Justin Reginato, Ph.D.  Justin is an Associate Professor in the Construction Management Department at CSU Sacramento and has published research reports for ELECTRI International.  You can learn more about him by visiting his website.  Details have been distributed.  If you would like to be included or if you would like to recommend someone to this group, contact Julie Russell at the Chapter office.

Over 550 juniors and seniors from 22 high schools along with 200 counselors, instructors, college and school administrators, journey workers, apprentices, apprenticeship coordinators, community leaders, and state and local politicians participated in the 10th Annual Construction Trades Career Fair - Apprenticeship Pathways on Friday, September 19th, at the IBEW/NECA Electrical Apprenticeship Training Facility in Stockton.  Special guests included the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), Diane Ravnik, and John Dunn from the California Community College Chancellor's office.  This annual event is sponsored by the San Joaquin Area Apprenticeship Coordinators Association.  Since 2005 the Career Fair was designed to promote Construction programs to high school junior and senior students, teachers and counselors/ career technicians.  The primary goal is to educate students about construction careers and the pathway to successful employment after high school.  The career fair included a formal presentation conducted by Steve Gutierrez, consultant for DAS.

The students were able to visit with journey workers and apprentices representing 20 construction trades.  Taken from an article by Rick Guantone, Program Coordinator