AGC completed negotiations for 2021. A summary of settlements is posted on our website under Union Documents. Need a login? Contact Renee.

We should have all the wage allocations from the unions posted on our website now. We are working on consolidating the wages into the uniform spreadsheet and should have it available soon.

The new To Be Bound forms are available here. Be sure to complete the form to sign your firm for work in Minnesota and North Dakota, and return to TBB@agcmn.org, and also include the contact information of others in your firm who should receive updates on the contracts you checked.

AGC released the full license short form construction contracts this week—they are available to download on our website.

On May 6, Governor Tim Walz announced an off-ramp for pandemic-related limitations and issued Executive Order 21-21- Safely Sunsetting COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions. The order begins a three-step process to end current restrictions related to the pandemic. The second and third steps are relevant to the construction industry. The sector-specific guidance/requirements, including construction, needs only to be followed through May 27. From May 28 until the earlier of June 30, 2021 or until 70% of Minnesotans aged 16+ receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, business and places of public accommodation are subject only to the more limited requirements in the COVID-19 Universal Guidance for All Businesses and Entities. The document is posted here.

The state’s mask mandate will be lifted by July 1 — or sooner, if 70 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older receive at least their first vaccine dose. Approximately 473,000 more doses are needed to achieve 70 percent. Should the state reach that threshold, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health will notify the Governor and the public. Effective two business days after that notification, or on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 11:59 pm, whichever occurs first, the Executive Orders that directly affect construction will be rescinded.

 

Until May 28, applicable businesses must continue to follow industry-specific requirements.

Businesses and local governments can impose their own limitations or restrictions, such as face coverings.

 

Questions? Reach out to Laura Ziegler, Director of Government Affairs, at lziegler@agcmn.org

Construction Advocacy Week has wrapped up, but our work continues as the MN Legislature is making budget decisions that will impact construction programs for years to come.

This week, AGC of MN, along with the MN Chamber and Local 49, urged legislative leaders to use funds issued by Congress through pandemic relief legislation on infrastructure. On Tuesday, Senate Republicans staked out their initial global position, which directs $1 billion of the $2.6 billion federal dollars to go towards transportation and water infrastructure. Leaders mentioned getting contractors to work on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure as part of the economic recovery efforts. We’ll be closely monitoring budget negotiations, and expect guidance on Monday, May 10^th from the Treasury Department on how the recent federal relief funds can be spent by the states.

The House and Senate Transportation Conference Committee, comprised of five Senators and five Representatives, started adopting same and similar policy language this week. The committee must ultimately decide the next two-year budget for transportation. Will it include more funding from increased transportation fees, as proposed by the House? Or will there be more money from the General Fund, which is the position taken by the Senate? Much of the budget talks in committee are on hold while legislative leadership reach a final agreement on budget targets for each area.

Even though it’s not a traditional bonding bill year, the legislature has passed smaller, “emergency” public projects bill in budget years. The House has proposed a substantial billion dollar bonding bill, but does not have the votes to pass the House floor. A bonding bill must originate in the House. However, a bill could come together quickly if there is broad, bipartisan agreement.

Sign up for our new platform for legislative action alerts! We are going to need your engagement in the closing days of the state legislative session- and you are the construction industry’s best advocate. Thank you for your time and advocacy this week!

AGC encourages members to make virtual appointments with legislators during this legislative session. Tools for having non-stressful and effective meetings can be found here. To find out who represents you, click here or contact your AGC Director of Government Affairs, Laura Ziegler.

AGC is one of several organizations in the Minnesota construction community teaming with CSDZ on this very important topic of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction. Join us on May 21!

AGC of Minnesota is requesting proposals for the 2022 Construction Summit to be held at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The Summit will be held January 11-12, 2022. We are looking for presentation submissions in a number of different tracks, including:

AGC members and partners should submit their proposal by May 20 to assist the planning committee in developing their agenda. If you have any questions regarding the Summit, please contact Lisa Larson.

Partnering with Career Force, this year's Construction Crew Hiring Event will be a free and virtual career fair, allowing participants to reach potential candidates throughout the state. For many in the construction industry, virtual career fairs are a new way finding candidates.

Although the event is free, please consider a donation to Construct Tomorrow, dedicated to advancing the Minnesota construction industry’s outreach to students.

Register for the event here. More information here.

Donate to Construct Tomorrow here.

Join us on August 6 at Keller Golf Course in Maplewood!

Get all the details and register here.

Learn more and register here.

Learn about this required system in order to help you comply with regulations, standards and industry best practices. You will understand how to submit certified payroll as well as submit and verify contract payments. Register here.

Learn current trends and best practices for website security, content creation and maintenance for longevity and sustainability. Register here.

Join us for a session on recognizing the art and science of preparing your business for continuity planning including creating a succession plan, funding buy/sell agreements, or developing other exit strategies on your terms. Gain a better understanding of the benefits of creating a framework, getting organized, and building a strategy through discovery and due diligence. We will help you consider who the key players are, what documents you'll need and next steps. Don't let these transitions overwhelm you—change is good and you'll be prepared. Register here.

*The Small Business Resource Center offers free virtual trainings for all certified small businesses. For the latest events, visit MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Event Calendar. The Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights partners with the Minnesota Procurement Technical Center Assistance and CIA Media Group, LLC to provide free virtual trainings to certified small businesses.

We live in a world where new technologies are outpacing adoption rates. Many times when you bring home a new piece of technology, whether it is a computer, television, or phone, it is already obsolete. The consumer’s desire for the newer and better means that companies need to focus on new products ahead of launching the latest model. The world is changing fast and, yet, as the common person drives past a construction site, they still see big yellow machines moving dirt – the same as it has always been. How could anyone change the way you move dirt? Learn more

Each year AGC of America conducts a survey of members involved in highway construction work to evaluate the state of highway work zone safety.