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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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CITY APPROVES NEW RULES for OVERNIGHT CONCRETE POURS in DOWNTOWN
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After more than 2 years of discussions with City staff, industry reps and downtown residents, the Austin City Council on November 10 approved rules for late night concrete placement in the downtown Central Business District (CBD) and Public (P) zoning districts. This issue started back in 2014 with the initial overnight restriction between 2am and 6am passed in the wake of downtown resident complaints. Since that time, this interim ordinance was extended 7 times.
Basically, the new rules - that took place November 21 which is 10 days after Council approval - allow for one of two late night permits with a third one available for special circumstances (such as mat pours) as required. Concrete finishing OK between 7pm and 6am
- Permit for hours between 7pm to midnight with maximum 83dba as measured at a distance of 75' from the source of the sound
- Permit for hours between midnight and 6am with maximum 78dba as measured at a distance of 75' from the source of the sound
- Permit for hours 7pm to 6am with unlimited maximum dba, but only in special circumstances such as a mat pour.
Also, the permit requires a sound/light management plan and a resident notification up to 600' from site. There is also a "bad actor" provision that would provide a suspension for the issuance of new late night concrete permits if 3 or more violations occur within a 30 day period. Also, if more than 6 suspensions are issued within a 12 month period, then no more late night permits will be issued for that project. Exceptions may be granted in documented cases of equipment failure. Last, City staff will report back to Council in 1 year with an update on ordinance effectiveness. Backup documents from the Council meeting with more info are available here.
A coalition of industry partners was actively engaged with City staff and downtown resident groups. Thanks in particular to the Texas Aggregate and Concrete (TACA), RECA, and the Downtown Austin Alliance.
For more information, contact Phil Thoden with the Austin AGC.
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CITY PROPOSAL FOR EXPEDITED PERMIT and JOB
SITE MONITORING
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Among our concerns:
1) Added costs, staffing burdens and unknown risk from the monitoring requirements will deter use of the expedited permit process. The City should create an expedited process for all construction projects without these added requirements that effectively "unexpedite" any expedited building permit process.
2) Why is the City Council determined to give wide-sweeping enforcement powers over commercial construction to a third party? Shouldn't the police powers and revenue generated by this program be retained by the City? Any income over expense could go back directly to the City budget or taxpayers. Instead, it will enrich an outside third party entity.
3) If safety and worker protection are truly the City Council's concern, then these new rules should apply to all construction in Austin. However, the new rules will apply only to large, commercial projects of greater than $7.5 million in cost or larger than 750,000sf. Also, any projects with a residential component (including duplex, single family/multi family and mixed use projects) are exempted, as are projects for local non-profits. Effectively, only large commercial projects - with arguably the best trained and safest workforces - are targeted here for jobsite monitoring. This raises concerns about the true motives behind this new proposal. Based on 2015-2016 data, there were 111 projects at most in Austin that fall into that category.
4) The 30% local hiring goal does not include workers from emerging programs that AGC has worked with, including the Austin ISD, Austin Community College and Goodwill. The hiring goal is focused on DOL-certified programs and, while those local training options are excellent, the local hiring goal should also allow consideration for graduates of all local training programs.
The AGC expects final Council approval of the new permitting rules some time in the next few months.
For more information, contact Phil Thoden with the Austin AGC.
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RIBBON CUTTING for AUSTIN ISD CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY BUILDING
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State Rep. Paul Workman spoke to the 50 or so attendees from the industry and school district. We continue to participate in the advisory committee of this program and have high expectations for it to play a positive role in the development of local construction workers. The program maintains an Advisory Board of industry reps to help support and shape this important workforce development program. If you are interested in participating. contact Phil Thoden.
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CLC LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
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The Construction Leadership Council of Austin (CLC) and the ACE Mentor Program of Austin (ACE) teamed up to host a networking event on November 17 at the Rattle Inn in downtown Austin.
CLC and ACE hosted this Joint Networking Happy Hour as part of the AIA-AGC Joint Committee's "Walk-A-Day in my Shoes" Campaign. The campaign's goal is to create empathy in our industry by encouraging discussion between the fields. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your network, make new connections, and get new perspectives and insights from all of the fields involved with construction.
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LEGAL AFFAIRS SURVEY UNDERWAY
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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 yo
ur resume or review potential hires.
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The grand opening of the Crockett High School Construction Technology Program took place on Wednesday, October 12.
