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| CompGroup AGC offers workers' compensation coverage exclusively for commercial construction contractors and sub-contractors. Through our partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state's leading writer of workers' compensation insurance, CompGroup AGC is able to offer competitive rates, responsive customer service, expert claim handling and extensive loss prevention training and safety programs. |
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UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
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Holiday Party - December 15
OSHA 10/30 Hour Class - Begins on January 28
Outstanding Construction Awards - February 12
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AGC HONORS LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES PAUL WORKMAN and JOHN CYRIER
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State Rep. John Cyrier meets with AGC supporters.
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On Monday November16, AGC members
joined together in honor of two local state representatives, Paul Workman and John Cyrier, who have also served many years in the Austin construction industry. Rep. Workman founded and served as the President of Workman Commercial, and Rep. Cyrier is the current President of Sabre Commercial.
"We're fortunate to have local leaders in the State Legislature like Paul and John who know how to create jobs, meet a payroll, and help build our Texas quality of life through construction," said Austin AGC President Phil Thoden. "Both Paul and John are exemplary leaders for their districts as well as for all Texans who want our economy to remain strong. Let's hope their constituents return them to office in the 2016 elections," added Thoden.
Rep. Workman is in his 3rd term as a state representative from District 47 in western Travis County, while Rep. Cyrier is in his first term from District 17 that includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes and Lee Counties. Primary elections are scheduled for March 1, 2016, with early voting starting February 16.
To learn more about AGC's legislative priorities and advocacy efforts, contact Phil Thoden.
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CITY CLARIFIES DEFINITION of "LOBBYIST" for the A/E/C COMMUNITY
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Under a proposal released in August, a City Council member wanted Austin to adopt a new ordinance requiring anyone from the A/E/C community who regularly interacts with City officials (either elected or staff) to register as a lobbyist, pay a fee to do so, and complete about all interactions -
including routine questions about projects planned or underway - w
ith City officials.
Since that time, the Austin AGC has been aligned and working with industry allies to educate the City Council and various commissions about the negative ramifications of this proposal. The industry coalition has also provided a more balanced, alternative solution.
The A/E/C industry coalition received good news earlier this month when the proposal's sponsor, Council Member Leslie Pool, added language clarifying
design professionals doing routine work to comply with city codes and policies are not considered lobbyists, and therefore not subject to the proposed reporting requirements.
Thank you to those who reached out to City Council with concerns over this far-reaching proposal.
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CITY COUNCIL LIKELY TO DECIDE ON CONCRETE POUR RULES on DECEMBER 17
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After roughly 18 months of discussion, stakeholder meetings and information gathering, the
Austin City Council will likely make a decision in December to update rules governing overnight concrete pours on downtown jobsites. The Austin AGC and industry allies have been very active on this issue, most recently expressing our concerns November 16 to a Council Subcommittee about the most recent, and very confusing, proposal put forth by City staff to address concrete pour noise.
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AGC's Phil Thoden speaks to the Planning & Neighborhoods Committee on November 16
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AGC continues to have concerns that the City Council may opt to set unrealistic noise levels for concrete pours such as 75 decibels after 7pm and 65 decibels after 10:30pm. Meanwhile, a variety of routine noises downtown far exceed those levels. Some of these noises (such as trains, music and motorcycles) even exceed 85 decibels as noted in a video recording made this summer by AGC and available here.
Also noted during the November 16 Committee meeting is that the top three noise complaints from Austinites to the City's 311 call center are about loud music, parties and dogs. Meanwhile, construction noise complaints represent only a small fraction of the overall calls.
We continue working with industry allies on a compromise solution.
For more information, contact Phil Thoden at the Austin AGC.
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AGC's OUTLOOK for 2016 SURVEY UNDERWAY
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Each year around this time, AGC of America asks members to predict what next year will be like for your business. This year AGC has partnered with Sage to prepare questions that focus on expectations for market performance, hiring, labor market conditions, etc. Please take a moment to complete the survey by clicking here.
AGC will spend November and December asking members to complete the survey. After that, we will work with AGC's chief economist, Ken Simonson, and the team from Sage to analyze the results, which we will release in early January to the media and members. As in the past, we will also prepare state-specific outlooks for every state where we have a sufficiently robust response. Thanks in advance!
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CLC's FALL HAPPY HOUR DRAWS a CROWD
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Over 40 members and guests of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) gathered at Austin Beerworks last month for a Fall networking H
appy Hour. Look for another CLC networking event soon.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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| CLC Members & guest enjoying the evening. |
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AGC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - SK COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
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| SK Commercial Construction in Killeen |
The Austin AGC would like to congratulate SK Commercial Construction on achieving their AISC certification for structural building fabrication including a Sophisticated Paint Endorsement as well as becoming a recognized member of the Statewide Historically Underutilized Program.
Based in Killeen, TX, SK Commercial Construction has fabricated and erected structural steel for the past 15 years in the surrounding central Texas region. Owner and founder, Suk Kim-Whitty, states that the foundation of his business is consistently exceeding Client expectations and always having a Safety First attitude and approach.
Thank you to SK Commercial Construction for joining the Austin AGC and supporting the Central Texas construction industry!
(If you would like your company to be featured in an upcoming Austin AGC newsletter, contact
Phil Thoden.
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CONSTRUCTION RESUMES and JOB LISTINGS
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AGC Chapters around Texas have formed a partner website called texasconstructioncareers.com to help you find employment or an employee. Check out the job bank page to post your resume or review potential hires.
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