Tuesday, January 28, 2014
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80th Membership Meeting a Success
Last Friday, the AZAGC held its 80th membership meeting at the chapter office.  AZAGC Chairman Doug DeClusin of Sunland Asphalt was re-elected. Other officers include Gary Haydon of Haydon Building Corporation as Immediate Past Chairman, Rob Bottcher of FNF Construction as 1st Vice Chairman, Dan Spitza of Achen-Gardner Construction as 2nd Vice Chairman, Rod Rummel of Rummel Construction as Secretary, and Steve McClain of Klondyke Construction as Treasurer. Returning members of the board include: Stan Driver of Kiewit Infrastructure West, Chuck English of Hunter Contracting, Chris Graff of Asphalt Paving and Supply, Todd Keller of Granite Construction, Mike Markham Sr. of Markham Contracting, and Jerry Miller of Ames Construction. The membership also added Cade Rowley of Sundt Construction to the board. Congratulations to AZAGC Affiliate board appointees Tim Warren of Enterprise Fleet Management, and Rebecca Timmer of Dibble Engineering.

 

At the meeting members approved the 2014 budget, heard committee reports, and learned about the goals of the chapter which include an aggressive membership drive, the creation of a Young Constructors Forum, and funding mechanisms to underwrite a robust political and public outreach campaign on the importance of infrastructure funding.  Also it was announced that AZAGC will honor its life directors at this year's 80th annual dinner on April 11th.

 

The AZAGC board of directors thanks you for your support and we look forward to serving you. 

Calling All AZAGC Life Directors 
The AZAGC would like to honor all Life Directors at the Annual Dinner being held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa on April 11thClick here to view a complete list of AZAGC life directors. If you know the whereabouts of any of these industry leaders, please contact the chapter office at 602-252-3926 or via emailHelp us to honor all the industry leaders that have served as president or chairman of the association since 1934. 
Contractors in Arizona and Across U.S. Optimistic About 2014

Many firms plan to start hiring again and most contractors predict demand will either grow or remain stable in virtually every market segment this year according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.  The survey, conducted as part of Optimism Returns: The 2014 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, provides a generally upbeat outlook for the year even as firms worry about growing worker shortages, rising costs and the impact of new regulations and federal budget cutting.  

 

"Contractors are more optimistic about 2014 than they have been in a long time," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. "While the industry has a long way to go before it returns to the employment and activity levels it experienced in the middle of the last decade, conditions are heading in the right direction."  To view the entire report click here. To view information specific to Arizona click here.
More Help Needed for Yarnell

Late last year Senator Pierce asked AZAGC and We Build Arizona for help with a water project in Yarnell.  Due to the tragic forest fire that took 19 lives, the water system was compromised and the water district needs new pipe.  AZAGC and We Build Arizona sent a request to our members and Pulice Construction donated all what was requested by Senator Pierce.  FNF Construction, Rummel Construction, Southwest Industrial Rigging, Trio Forest Products all volunteered to deliver the pipe to Yarnell which was done in mid-December. Fann Environmental has donated parts. Holly Southwest provided lunch for all the volunteers on the day the pipe was delivered. More help is needed. At the AZAGC Christmas Party Don Felix agreed to manage the project.  A special thanks to everyone. Let's work together to get the water system fixed!

  

Click here to view a video outlining our involvement providing generous donations, along with additional needs of the Yarnell Water Improvement Association. 

AZAGC-supported Union Pacific Railroad Red Rock Classification Yard Gets Consultant 

Last week AZAGC unveiled this fact sheet supporting Union Pacific's Red Rock Classification Yard. According to this press release by the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus, negotiations aimed at exploring the auction of state trust land in Pinal County for the construction of a classification rail yard took another step forward recently with the Arizona State Land Department and Union Pacific Railroad announcing their retention of RBF, a national engineer, planning, design, and construction firm.

 

State Senator Bob Worsley, who brought the stakeholders together for negotiations at the urging of State Senator Al Melvin, expressed his excitement for the progress the two sides are making. "The State Land Department and Union Pacific deserve great credit for their efforts to find common ground on this important project, which has the potential to be a significant job creator for central Pinal County." 

FHWA Every Day Counts Initiatives 
The FHWA-sponsored Every Day Counts initiatives are now soliciting requests for innovative processes, or market-ready technologies to promote that can shorten project delivery time, enhance the safety of our roadways, and protect the environment are now open. Under the direction of FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, the program has gained in popularity. The opening of the request for information (RFI) signals the third round of initiatives for FHWA. Directions on how to document your innovation including additional information and forms are available here. Additional information on current and past initiatives can be obtained at the Every Day Counts website.  
AASHTO - Transportation Funding
Speaking at the US Conference of Mayor's annual meeting, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Representative Bill Shuster (R- PA), said lawmakers in both parties need to be "educated on what needs to be included in a new road and transit funding bill." Rep. Shuster said he needed the help of municipal leaders to convince their lawmakers to make compromises that will be necessary to approve a new surface transportation bill.  The current surface transportation funding bill is scheduled to expire in September and the highway trust fund that is used to pay for transportation projects is projected to run out of money this year without a new round of congressional appropriations.
Lawmakers are grappling with a shortfall between the approximately $35 billion per year that is brought in by the 18.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax, and the $54 billion per year that is currently being spent on transportation projects in the United States. Read more. 
Block 12 - Del E Webb School of Construction - Building Update 

According to Dr. Edd Gibson, Director of the in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, the project is about 70 percent complete and proceeding on schedule. The school is expected to occupy the building in June with classes starting in August. The building is in the finishes phase with much of the glazing complete, and the interior space taking shape nicely. If you'd like a tour of the building, feel free to contact:

 

Matthew Eicher, PhD

Arizona State University, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

School of Sustainable Engineering & the Built Environment

Del E. Webb School of Construction Programs

Office: 480.727.6474 

Arizona Chapter AGC | 602-252-3926 | [email protected] | http://www.azagc.org
1825 W. Adams
Phoenix, AZ 85007

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