Summer Mini Summit Takeaways



Thank you to all who presented and attended the 2024 Summer Mini Summit (view photos here). A slew of hot topics were explained, explored, and questioned, leaving us with a healthy agenda of further work:

Misclassification Questions and Concerns

Please send questions and concerns that you have with the misclassification law to Laura Ziegler. We will continue to work with and hopefully assist the Department of Labor and Industry to understand the compliance problems and develop workable solutions.

Contract Updates

The AGC Contracts Committee will meet next Tuesday, July 23 at 8:30 to discuss and decide new contract language that (hopefully) will explain and address all of the legal changes discussed. Contact Mike if you'd like to join.

Verfico White Paper

For more information about how Verfico can help comply with the wage theft and worker misclassification law, see their white paper. And thank you again to Verfico for sponsoring the Summer Summit continental breakfast!

Delivery Fee Not Apply to Construction

AGC-MN met with the Department of Revenue this week to explain why we believe the new retail delivery fee does not apply to construction. Attorney Kyle Willems from member law firm Bassford Remele spoke at the Summer Summit, agreeing and deepening these points. Attorney John Markert with member law firm Larson King recently published a paper also agreeing.

Stay tuned as AGC continues to press for answers to the Retail Delivery Fee and other pending issues.

The Uses of AI in Construction and Evolving Industry Standards

AI is poised to influence construction industry practices. Some contractors are already utilizing AI programs at home offices and in the field, to gain insights for bidding, preconstruction, project management, safety, and claims management. This article discusses some of the opportunities that AI presents, and how industry standards could evolve in response to this emerging technology.

Click here to read more.

Matthew G. Nelson is an associate of the Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson's Construction Law Department. He can be reached at 612.359.8611 or mnelson@fwhtlaw.com.

2024-2025 Leadership Blueprint Nominations Open

Nominations for the 2024-2025 Leadership Blueprint program are now open online.

Anchored by SagePresence, Leadership Blueprint is designed to elevate each participant into a solid advocate of their firm. The program will include a very active and robust combination of presenting, conversation, group exercises and individual practices.

The class exercises, tied to real life experiences, will stretch and equip students with added confidence and lifelong skills, focused on:

• Productive networking
• Professional presence
• Storytelling skills
• Adapting to personalities
• Leading productive meetings
• Presenting back

Rounding out the individualized and group learning will be sessions on construction industry topics presented by local experts. Topics will cover construction safety, labor and legal issues, mental health suicide prevention & gatekeeper training, current legislative topics, construction claims essentials and managing project flow.

Limited to 22 participants, so act quickly!

Register for Upcoming Supervisory Training Program (STP) Classes

After our annual summer break, STP classes begin again in August and continue into December.

Register now for any/all of the following units:

• Unit 3: Planning & Scheduling (Aug 20-Sep 17)
• Unit 5: Improving Productivity/Managing Project Costs (Aug 21-Sep18)
• Unit 4: Contract Documents (Sep 24-Oct 22)
• Unit 6: Risk Management (Sep 25-Oct 23)
• Unit 1: Leadership & Motivation (Nov 5-Dec 10)
• Unit 2: Communication (Nov 6-Dec 11)

Congratulations to the 2024 Scholarship Recipients!

Congratulations to the recipients of this year's AGC of Minnesota Foundation scholarships, including two recipients of the C.S. McCrossan Scholarship and the recipient of the Kraus-Anderson Insurance Scholarship! Many of the recipients will be on hand at the upcoming AGC golf tournament to be recognized and receive their scholarship.

Requesting a small business preference

Did you know? Certified Targeted Group Businesses (TGB) and Veteran-owned small businesses may receive a preference of up to 12% of the amount of bid when bidding as a prime contractor on MnDOT construction contracts. The preference amount is not to exceed $240,000.

MnDOT applies these preferences when evaluating proposals to determine the low bidder. The contract value is in the full bid amount.

How to request a preference on highway construction contracts

The Targeted Group and Veteran-owned Business Preference Form must be emailed to biddocsubmittal.dot@state.mn.us prior to the close of the letting. Bidders are directed to include the proposal number and state project number in the subject line. The Preference Form can be found in the proposal.

More information

WCA Rulemaking and 2024 Statute Changes

The latest version of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) rules is from August 3, 2009. There have been changes to the statutes (which are the basis of the WCA rules) in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2024. Some of these changes were effective immediately, others require BWSR to modify the WCA rule in order for them to take effect

BWSR will be holding an online informational webinar on the 2024 Statute changes next Monday, July 22 (register here). This webinar will attempt to answer key questions on the implementation of the changes, most of which go into effect on August 1. The webinar will be recorded and posted for later viewing.

Click here for more information.

Constructability Review Request

MnDOT is preparing plans for the repainting of 11 bridges along I-94 between Western Ave. and Mounds Blvd. and I-35E at 10th St beginning in summer 2025. The project will also reconstruct the John Ireland bridge over I-94 and a new overlay on the Marion St bridge. This project is currently scheduled to be let in March 2025 with an anticipated construction start date of June 2025 and continuing through 2026. More information here.

July 29-30, 2024, has been selected as the Department’s desired time period for constructability reviews. Please contact Eric Embacher, Resident Engineer, to schedule a meeting.

AGC of Minnesota welcomes the following new members:

Minncomm Utility Construction Co.

1949 Shady Acres Lane

Mora, MN 55051

Minncomm is a provider of underground utility construction.

Sir Lines-A-Lot

7175 Cahill Road

Edina, MN 55439

Sir Lines-A-Lot is a parking lot and roadway striping company in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Also a provider of traffic control and signage.

EMC Insurance

717 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

Provider of surety bonds

RTL Equipment

14833 164th Avenue SE

Big Lake, MN 55309

RTL is an equipment dealership

AGC of America Virtual Member Orientations

Are you taking advantage of all the benefits an AGC membership gives you? All members are welcome to take part in these virtual sessions (via Teams) that will highlight the discounts and other benefit programs available to all members.

• Wednesday, September 11, 1:00 pm CST
• Wednesday, November 13, 1:00 pm CST

It's Time to Make Mental Health an Industry Priority

Great progress has been made in a short time to increase awareness of the construction industry’s mental health crisis. More recently, the concept of worker wellbeing has emerged, transcending an individualized focus on helping those already in crisis, and instead proactively identifying and working to mitigate the stressors found in our unique industry business model with its inherent demands.  

Spearheaded by AGC, the Worker Wellbeing Initiative Strategy Team has embarked on a comprehensive strategy approach that brings together all three industry partner segments (employers, workforce, and project owners) to foster a secure and healthy work environment for all construction industry workers. Engaged and productive dialogue is being focused to identify proactive measures that can reduce industry mental health stressors before they take hold and manifest in crisis outcomes. This holistic approach aims to tackle the mental health crisis that is hindering growth within our industry by prioritizing mental health on parallel with physical safety and wellbeing.

Registration is open for all of the following events.

Secure your sponsorship or registration before events are sold out!

Golf Tournament - August 2

(Keller Golf Course | Maplewood)

SOLD OUT for golfers, but great sponsorship opportunities still available!

St. Paul Saints Game - August 7

(CHS Field | St. Paul)

Join AGC and MBEX members for an afternoon of Minnesota Twins AAA baseball against the Columbus Clippers!

Sporting Clays Fundraiser - Sept 11

(Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club | Prior Lake)

Register your team of 5 to join us at the 25th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser to benefit the AGC of Minnesota Foundation!

Communication Credentials:

Managing Difficult People - Sept 19

(Mendakota Country Club | Mendota Heights)

Join us for Session 2 in this 4-session professional development series!

Fall Networking Event - October 10

(Somerby Golf Club | Byron)

Join the AGC Board of Directors and your industry colleagues for some informal networking!

Holiday Reception - December 4

(Minneapolis Event Center)

Raise a glass to another year in the industry together with your peers!

AGC Honors 2025 - February 18

(317 on Rice Park Event Center | St. Paul)

Join us as we honor award recipients!   

ATTENDEES:

2025 Minnesota Construction Summit

February 19-20

(St. Paul RiverCentre)

Don't miss the industry event of the year! 

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS:

2025 Minnesota Construction Summit

February 19-20

(St. Paul RiverCentre)

Don't miss the industry event of the year! 

Thank You to our 2024 Annual Partners!

Don't Miss These Events!

Register now for these upcoming AGC events:

• Golf Tournament: August 2 (Keller Golf Course)
• AGC/MBEX Saints Game: August 7 (CHS Field)
• Sporting Clays Fundraiser: September 11 (MN Horse & Hunt Club)
• Communication Credentials - Managing Difficult People: September 19 (Mendakota Country Club)
• Fall Networking Event: October 10 (Somerby Golf Club, Byron)
• AGC Holiday Reception: December 4 (Minneapolis Event Center)
• AGC Honors 2025: February 18 (317 on Rice Park Event Center)
• 2025 Minnesota Construction Summit: February 19-20 (St. Paul RiverCentre)