Via the Governor’s Office- Upon the upcoming nomination of Margaret Anderson Kelliher to Director of Public Works at the City of Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz today thanked Commissioner Anderson Kelliher for her service to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the state of Minnesota. Commissioner Anderson Kelliher will remain in her role at MnDOT for the coming weeks, pending the approval of her appointment by the Minneapolis City Council. Governor Walz will announce the transition process for the Department’s leadership closer to the time of her departure.

“Commissioner Anderson Kelliher is an extraordinary public servant, and I am deeply grateful for her leadership at the Department of Transportation,” said Governor Walz. “Every Minnesotan deserves safe and efficient roads that bring them home to their families, and as we look to the future, our next generations of Minnesotans deserve clean air and a healthy climate. Every day, Commissioner Anderson Kelliher has worked tirelessly toward those goals. I am confident that she will continue to serve Minnesotans well in her new role with the City of Minneapolis, and I thank her for her commitment to our state.”

“I’m grateful for Commissioner Anderson Kelliher’s service to Minnesota,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “As Commissioner, she led with her values of making sure every Minnesotan has access to a 21st century transportation system that centers safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The Governor and I thank her for bringing her skills, knowledge, and dedication to our administration.”

 

“I’m grateful to Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, my fellow Commissioners, and all of the hardworking MnDOT staff for the trust they placed in me as Transportation Commissioner over the last three years,” said Commissioner Anderson Kelliher. “From securing funding for major safety projects like Highway 14 and completing the 35W@95 reconstruction, to working closely with partners to improve transit options statewide and centering innovation, climate, and sustainability in all of MnDOT’s work, I’m very proud of the progress we’ve made. It’s been my honor to work with the dedicated public servants at MnDOT, and I’m confident that Minnesotans will continue to be served well by this world-class agency.”

We had reported that the federal OSHA ETS requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for employers with 100 or more employees (or employees need to provide negative COVID-19 test results weekly) did not apply to Minnesota until Minnesota OSHA adopted the ETS. MNOSHA just did so. Contractors need to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy and make good faith efforts to comply with the vaccination rule. Or, OSHA says: “To provide employers with sufficient time to come into compliance, OSHA will not issue citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10 and will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before February 9, so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard.” 

Enforcement and compliance with this Rule will be a topic at next week's Construction Summit.

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the COVID-19 vaccination mandate today. The Court asked questions about how ‘unprecedented’ the mandates are and whether the statutes authorize the extent that these mandates reach. Some are speculating that the Court may decide the case quickly, before OSHA begins enforcement on Monday. More speculation abounds about how the Court will rule. Stay tuned and come to the Construction Summit when hopefully we will be able to explain where things stand.

Reminder that the Carpenters’ wages changed January 1 to include the $1.11 for the pension fund reform. New wage rates are posted on our website and signatories should have received a copy from the Carpenters.  

AGC members: contact Renee if you need login credentials.

Don't miss Chris' keynote address at next week's Minnesota Construction Summit! Get a sneak preview below.

Check out the great lineup of sessions being offered, see who will be exhibiting, and get ready to be energized for the future!

The AGC Supervisory Training Program (STP) is a construction-specific training curriculum developed, updated and field-tested by and for contractors. Supervisory skill—or the lack of it—directly affects every company’s bottom line. You make your money in the field, and STP can help you improve your organization’s investment.

The comprehensive 6-course program focuses on the knowledge and skills that every supervisor must have to be an effective manager of people, time, equipment and materials. Sign your staff up for any or all of the following:

Congratulations to Benike Construction and Bolander on their CHASE Level 3 project at Chatfield Center for the Arts! View all the Level 3 projects here.

Now in it's 19th year, the Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) program began in 2003 as a partnership between Minnesota OSHA and AGC of Minnesota. The program is designed to recognize AGC member contractors for their safety programs and performance, while providing incentives for partnership.

Winter load increases begin today, Friday, Jan. 7, on unrestricted state highways in the metro, south, and southeast frost zones.

Frost zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown here.

There's still time (until February 15)

and become an AGC Annual Partner for 2022!

Check out the media kit

or contact Jennifer to create partnership customized to your needs.