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Nicollet Mall Project Contractor Meeting
On
February 19, at 10:00 am, representatives from the City of Minneapolis and the project team for the reconstruction of the Nicollet Mall will hold a contractor informational meeting at the Currie maintenance facility (1200 Currie Avenue North, Minneapolis). Work on the project, with an estimated construction cost of $30 - 35 million, is scheduled to begin in May/June 2016 and continue through 2017. Information presented at this meeting will include the project's revised design, scope, and schedule.
The public is invited to a meeting about the project on February 10. This meeting will be held at 6:00 pm in Pohlad Hall at the Minneapolis Central Library.
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Small Business and DBE Workshop for I-35W/Lake Street Project
On February 24, MnDOT and the Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative will hold a half-day workshop to inform women- and minority-owned small businesses about contracting opportunities available on the I-35W/Lake Street project. The program will be held at the Colin Powell Center - Urban Ventures (2924 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Information about the I-35W/Lake Street project can be found here.
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Cargo Preference Act and Federal-Aid Highway Contracts
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has interpreted recent changes in the federal Cargo Preference Act as applying to federal-aid highway contracts. The Act, which has been around since 1954, requires that "at least 50 percent of any equipment, materials or commodities" procured with federal funds, and which may be transported by ocean vessel, must be transported on privately-owned United States-flag commercial vessels. FHWA is drafting language that state DOTs will be required to include in their federal-aid highway contracts in the future to comply with this requirement.
The biggest impact is likely to be on aggregates that, when being barged from one location to another, are required to go into the ocean. This must be on US flagged ships. FHWA is still trying to determine if this requirement applies to products shipped on the Great Lakes.
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AGC Student Scholarship Program
AGC of Minnesota is pleased to announce we are now accepting student scholarship applications for the 2016-2017 academic year. The application form can be found here. The deadline for receiving applications is April 29. Questions should be directed to Merry Beckmann at 651-796-2187 or mbeckmann@agcmn.org.
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Medical Marijuana in the Workplace
On July 1, medical marijuana became available to registered users under Minnesota's recently enacted law. On February 10, you're invited to join a discussion that will focus on the legal and practical implications of the new medical marijuana law (and marijuana in general) for employers, tips for employers in connection with drug testing, workplace safety, and other policies and practices. Details and registration are available here.
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Claims Avoidance Seminar
Claims have long been identified as one of the most significant issues that face contractors, owners, and architects/engineers. Invariably, claims create an adverse environment that often prevents long-term relationships, the foundation for a strong company. At a breakfast seminar on February 16, you'll learn about the common causes of claims, and then build on that knowledge to generate common sense strategies to avoid claims. Presenter Tim Wentz, Durham School of Architectural Engineering & Construction, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, will highlight recent, real-life case studies that illustrate navigation successes and failures in the minefield created by claims. Registration is available here.
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What Does 2016 Hold for the Construction Industry?
On February 23, Rusty Sherwood of FMI will look at the macro-economic drivers of the U.S. economy and what they are telling us about the near and mid-term health of the construction marketplace. Based on FMI's extensive research, you'll hear about one-year forecasts across all the major vertical and horizontal construction segments, i.e., healthcare, commercial office, etc., and specifically what's changing in those construction segments. The presentation will also include a summary of where growth is taking place geographically across the U.S. Registration is available here.
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Come Bowl With Us
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) will host its 9th annual bowling tournament and you're invited! We will gather on Thursday, March 3, at Tuttle's in Hopkins. Registration fee includes shoes, food, and prizes. Registration is available here. Interested in a sponsorship? Contact Merry Beckmann at 651-796-2187 or mbeckmann@agcmn.org.
CLC is a young professional's organization for people currently working for a construction company or interested in pursuing a construction career. CLC is an AGC committee on the state and national levels, designed to enhance the strength, skills, and image of emerging professionals in the construction industry. CLC is a supporting organization of the Leadership Blueprint. For more information about the bowling event, CLC, or the Leadership Blueprint, contact Merry Beckmann, Rachel Kanz (Cemstone - rkanz@cemstone.com), or Alan Starks (American Agency - alans@americanagencymn.com).
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Erosion Control and Stormwater Permit Compliance Training
On March 11, AGC and the University of Minnesota will offer a one-day session on erosion control and stormwater permit compliance, with a utility infrastructure construction focus. This training module is the only Minnesota utility construction industry training opportunity that is offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota Erosion Control and Stormwater Certification Program. The University certification is accepted and approved on all projects within the state wherever an NPDES stormwater permit is enforced. Upon completion of the training and passing a written exam, all attendees will receive a certification card issued by the University of Minnesota that is valid for three years. The course will cover stormwater permit requirements, best management practices to use on-site, timing of installations, proper installation of BMP, and implementing the SWPPP.
The training session and exam will be held at the AGC office (525 Park Street, Suite 110, St. Paul) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including exam time. Free visitor parking is available in marked spaces behind the building. The registration fee for AGC members is $50 per person (a $130 value) and the registration deadline is March 3. Details and registration are available here.
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Constructing Success 2016
AGC members are invited to attend the 2016 Constructing Success "Taking Care of Business" conference on Thursday, March 17, at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. This every other year event will feature topics important for running a successful business, whether as a DBE or general contractor. Click here to register.
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Labor Health and Benefit Fair
All eligible contractors and their employees are invited to attend the 2016 Health and Benefit Fair, presented by the Labor/Management Health Care Coalition of the Upper Midwest and its member funds. The Fair will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 2, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Activities will include exhibitors, health screening tests, education sessions and demonstrations, entertainment, prizes, and a Kidz Zone for kids of all ages. Donations of non-perishable foods for local food shelves will be collected. There is no charge to attend the Fair. Details are available at
www.healthandbenefitfair.org
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AGC Bookstore Monthly Featured Products -
All DVDs
The AGC bookstore offers a variety of DVDs to help supervisors and employees advance their knowledge of every facet of construction. AGC offers DVDs created exclusively for the construction industry and containing vital information for field-level employees to keep themselves safe and aware while on the construction site. These videos can be used to train workers on new labeling requirements, heightened awareness, job hazard analysis, and personal protective equipment, and even aid with harassment prevention and sensitivity and correction training.
These items are available during the month of February at a 15% discount using coupon code DVD15.
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525 Park Street, Suite 110
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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