Each year members of the association meet to discuss the short-term and long-term goals of our association. Strategic planning was held this year at the Omni LaCosta Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California from July 30th to August 1st. I'd like to personally thank all those in attendance. The camaraderie and the sense of accomplishment was a nice mix. I'd also like to thank our member companies and principals that allow individuals the time away from work to strategize the direction of the association.

During our membership survey process, the data indicated that the membership was concerned about available funding, government regulation and workforce development.

Participants spent a considerable amount of time discussing the need to acquire additional funding for infrastructure in Arizona. Tom Johnson, President and CEO of the Texas AGC gave a comprehensive overview of their success with the Texas Legislature. One thing clear from his discussion is that these efforts take a considerable amount of time and money. With this in mind, the group decided to organize an ad hoc committee to create short-term and long-term strategies to address the need to protect and seek additional funding for infrastructure along with a sustained educational outreach effort. They directed the committee to consider an initiative or referendum to protect the Vehicle License Tax and mechanism to increase funding; create and budget short-term and long-term communications plans to support these efforts; research the current distribution of existing funding streams as well as alternatives and poll the electorate on a variety of issues.

While much has been done already with addressing government regulations, participants would like the association to survey the membership to find out what exactly needs to be addressed. Staff has been asked to provide briefing papers more often and these briefing papers will be placed on the website.

Many know that Past Chairman Steve Padilla generated a comprehensive plan to address workforce development. This plan will be dusted-off and reconsidered by the membership in the very near future and we will partner with AGC of America to acquire additional information about the industry's needs.

We also addressed the current committee structure and concluded that, while some committees are dormant, they need to be kept in order to address issues on an as needed basis.

In addition to the issues above, participants agreed that we must audit the use of HURF by cities and counties specifically as it relates to title 34, research and recommend the association take a position on the Indirect Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP) and revise the membership survey to include additional information about companies as well as local and national issues.

Finally, on a lighter note, seventeen teams competed in our inaugural bocce ball tournement. Congratulations to the winning team, "the Cows," comprised of Sally Rummel and Jackie Drysdale. Also, we thank Rebecca Timmer for providing us photos from the event.  

Pictured: Rob Bottcher, Jackie Drysdale, Rachel (LaCosta staff), Sally Rummel and David Martin

Thank you again for your continued support of the association.

Sincerely,

Rob Bottcher, Chairman

Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors