Austin Chapter AGC
Austin Chapter AGC Monthly News Update
October 2019
In This Issue
Chapter/Industry Events
Festivals/Construction Restrictions
Expedited Building Permits
Project Manager Course
Health Insurance
Quick Links

Safety Services

Bidding Information

iSqFt (a ConstructConnect company)

 Construction Leadership Council 

 

Texas Builds

 

Build Your Future

 
 
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
Austin AGC Safety Committee Meeting - November 4, 11:30 to 1pm
CLC Happy Hour & Toy Drive - November 20 (The Dogwood)
OSHA 10 Hour (Spanish) - December 7/8
AGC Construction Project Manager Class - December 8-13 (Dallas)
AGC Holiday Party - December 17 (Zach Scott Theater)

Safety training (OSHA 10/30, First Aid, etc...) available on demand!  Contact Rob Williams to schedule.  
SPRING/FALL FESTIVAL CONSTRUCTION RESTRICTIONS UPDATE
  
T he Downtown Austin Alliance in January and April hosted stakeholder meetings regarding the city's Spring and Fall Festival Season construction restrictions. In response to concerns and questions discussed at these meetings, the City's Right-of-Way Management Department provided a document that provides the city's responses item by item. This document also contains an overview of the MG-08 Mobility Guidelines, a map of the DAPZ (Downtown Austin Project Zone), and a diagram of the MG-08 exemption process flow chart.  The construction waiver application process for the Spring Festival season is now open.
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    • For more information, contact Phil Thoden.
    UPDATE on AUSTIN'S EXPEDITED BUILDING PERMIT POLICY 
      
    The City of Austin Development Services Department (DSD) this month issued guidance to stakeholders regarding expedited permit requirements for projects associated with one large site plan. These requirements are not new but were included by the City Council as part of the expedited permit program approved back in March 2017.
      
    Basically, if you are seeking an expedited permit for a non-residential project of any size included within a single site plan of greater than either $7.5 million or 75,000sf, then those smaller projects within that single site plan are still required to comply with the worker protection requirement (Better Builder Program) in exchange for the expedited building permit. 
      
    The only exemptions are:  
    1. For site plans with an application date before March 30, 2017
    2. Projects containing a residential use
    3. Projects for a non-profit 501c3 organization
    4. Projects not seeking the expedited permit    
    The concern expressed by City Council when the new permitting program was approved in 2017 was that larger site plans would get approved but then permits for individual buildings on those sites might be broken down into smaller sizes and thereby avoid the $7.5 million/75,000sf threshold trigger for the worker program. 

    Thus far, the Austin AGC is not aware of any larger  projects above that theshold that have voluntarily opted into the worker program in exchange for an expedited permit. However, we have heard recently that some teams for smaller building projects have been surprised to learn that for the faster permit they will have to opt in to the worker program because their projects are tied back to a large site plan.
      
    For more information, contact Phil Thoden.
    AGC CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANANGER COURSE in DALLAS
     
    AGC of America's Construction Project Manager Course in Dallas is a perfect opportunity to develop your seasoned project managers.
     
    This full-week, interactive program offers participants to explore the critical areas of project management that PM's tackle on a daily basis ranging from pre-planning, communication, problem-solving, cost control, safety management and more. Visit the course website to learn more about the full course objectives.  Dates are December 8-13.
    GET YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTE TODAY!

    GET A QUOTE FOR YOUR COMPANY TODAY!
     
    Did you know that the Austin AGC, in conjunction with OneDigital Health & Benefits, offers a health insurance option for your company?  This health plan through the Aetna network allows association member companies with 2 or more employees involved in the construction industry the ability to band together to purchase group medical insurance. The buying power, the ability to circumvent Affordable Care Act community ratings, reduced administrative third-party fees, lower pharmacy costs, etc....create significant savings for many of our member companies.
       
    For more information or to get a quote, please contact your company's insurance agent, or Maria Venegas with OneDigital at 713-365-3800 or via e-mail at mvenegas@onedigital.com.  Also, you can review the plan brochure here.