Austin Chapter AGC
Austin Chapter AGC Monthly News Update
October 2017
In This Issue
Upcoming Chapter Events
Paid Sick Leave
Hurricane Harvey Impact
Early Voting Open
Review of New Laws
Resumes and Job Listings
Quick Links

Safety Services

Bidding Information

iSqFt

 Construction Leadership Council 

 

Texas Builds

 
 
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 & INDUSTRY EVENTS
Holiday Party at Zach Theater - December 12

Safety training available on demand!  Contact Rob Williams to schedule. 
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES PAID SICK LEAVE

At a late September meeting, the Austin City Council unanimously endorsed a resolution directing the City Manager to convene a stakeholder process to gain feedback on a paid sick days policy for private employers in Austin.  This initiative follows a pattern of similar efforts taking place at the Federal level for government contractors, on down to the state and municipal levels where many government bodies have adopted variations of paid sick leave policies. The expectation locally is that a mandatory sick leave ordinance will be approved in Austin, likely in the Spring of 2018.
 
There are a number of questions and concerns for construction companies that will be affected by this mandate, including: 
  • Will the new requirements impact only firms located in Austin, or will any firm performing work in town be required to manage the work hours and accrued leave of employees who migrate from Austin jobs to those outside the city limits?
  • Will the sick leave policy supercede paid time off policies already in place?
  • Will the new policy be monitored and enforced by the City, or will it be contracted out to a 3rd party non-governmental entity?
  • In what increments can sick time be used?  Scheduling needs for construction crew may impede use of less than a full day of sick leave.
  • Will the policy apply to firms with collective bargaining agreements already covering sick leave?
The Austin Chamber of Commerce is leading a group of business stakeholders, including AGC, to bring concerns to City staff and Council members. Meeting dates for stakeholder groups have  been scheduled for November 2, November 16 and November 30, each from 4-6:30 p.m.  More information about those meetings, along with a portal through which you can inform the City as to how this proposal will impact your company, is available online here.
HOW WILL HURRICANE HARVEY REBUILDING IMPACT CENTRAL TEXAS CONSTRUCTION in 2018? 
How do you think Hurricane Harvey rebuilding in Houston, Southeast Texas, and along the Gulf Coast will impact construction in Central Texas? That's a question we get asked frequently these days at the Austin AGC. To help us stay informed, let us know what you see and predict in your segment of the industry through 2018! 
EARLY VOTING NOW OPEN FOR LOCAL BOND PROPOSALS 

 

Early voting in now open through November 3 for local bond proposals covering school construction as well as Travis County transportation and park improvements.  Election day is scheduled for November 7. 

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) bond totals just over $1 billion for new school construction, renovations and improvements.   The  Leander district  is seeking approval for $454 million to build and renovate schools.  Similarly, t he  Bastrop school district is seeking $88.5 million and  Lake Travis is looking for approval of $253 million.   Travis County residents are being asked to support $185 million for transportation and park improvements.

LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REVIEW NEW LAWS IMPACTING CONSTRUCTION 

 

The Austin Chapter Legal Affairs Committee this week reviewed new state laws that impact construction. Thank you to J.D. Holzheauser with Peckar & Abramson, Carson Fisk with Andrews Myers, and Jeff Chapman with The Chapman Firm for leading the lunch and learn.   A copy of their presentation is available here . 

When your company supports the Austin AGC, you help support our construction industry advocacy at the Texas Legislature through the AGC Texas Building Branch, as well as at the local and national levels, too. If you have an interest in supporting your industry's advocacy efforts, contact Phil Thoden to learn more about how you and your company can get involved!
ACE MENTOR PROGRAM FUNDRAISER  - NOVEMBER 6

 

The Austin AGC is proud to work with the local ACE Mentor Program designed to introduce high school students to the wide range of career opportunities open to young people in architecture, construction, engineering, and related areas of the building design and construction industry.  Austin AGC President Phil Thoden currently serves on the ACE Board of Directors.

At weekly meetings, student teams work directly with professionals from leading area firms, who volunteer their time to mentor the teams as they design hypothetical projects, tour local construction sites, and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices.  

The ACE Mentor Program of Austin is hosting a fundraiser and networking event on November 6 at Zilker Brewery.   Join ACE for an evening of live music, food and drink, and some friendly competition. Get your game on and network with industry professionals around our over-sized Jenga stations, or register in our corn hole tournament for a chance to win some awesome prizes.     All of proceeds will benefit program costs and the scholarship program. 

CONSTRUCTION RESUMES and JOB LISTINGS 
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.