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News and updates about COVID-19 are fast-paced, high-impact, and uncertain. The latest:
- President Trump today declared a national state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Governor Walz today signed Executive Order 20-01: Declaring a Peacetime Emergency and Coordinating Minnesota's Strategy to Protect Minnesotans from COVID-19
- Minnesota Department of Health issued guidelines such as restricting events of 250 or more persons and maintaining a six-foot distance between people for more than brief conversations.
- Following guidance from state health officials, MnDOT will postpone all public meetings and project open houses statewide for at least the next 30 days to prevent further spread of COVID-19. This includes all MnDOT-hosted events for at least the next 30 days. MnDOT is exploring alternatives, such as virtual and remote options for participation and/or relocating events, and will provide additional updates as they become available.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requiring that employers report any incidents of employees contracting COVID-19 at work as a recordable illness, subject to the same rules and failure-to-record fines as other workplace injuries and illnesses (click here for more information).
- AGC of Minnesota continues to monitor and coordinate COVID-19 issues.
- We are not aware yet of any Minnesota project that has been affected by COVID-19. We have spoken with many members about the risks and potentials.
- We have contacted state agencies with construction contracts to begin conversations about how COVID-19 may affect projects, from potential delays to potential safety precautions.
- We are coordinating with AGC of America regarding national best practices and recommendations.
- Internally, we will be hosting most meetings in the immediate future via Skype and/or conference call. Some meetings, like labor negotiations, are still planned to be in person and we are instituting protocols to minimize risks of attending.
As news develops, risks shift, protocols improve, and better guidance found, we will update you through our weekly update and on our
website, which contains useful links and communication tools.
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MnDOT Spring Truck Load Restrictions
Winter truck load increases ended and spring load restrictions began
today in the North and North Central frost zones. Spring load restrictions have already begun in the other frost zones. The frost zones and restricted routes can be found on the
MnDOT load limits map.
Other load limit information is shown
here.
Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (
axle weight limits
).
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AGC Members - Do you have the App?
The "AGC Connection" app keeps AGC members up to date on AGC news, events, and resources. Wish you had the presentations from a recent event? Look under "Resources" in the app. Want to register for an upcoming meeting? Look under "Events." You can even read the Weekly Update right from the app.
Download the app from the
App Store or
Google Play.
MEMBERS ONLY: enter your email address as your username, and click "Forgot Password" to set a password. You will only need to log into the app once.
Trouble getting in?
Renee
will get you squared away.
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 Planning for Retirement? Do Target Date Funds Hit the Mark?
As discussed last week, the popularity of Target Date Funds is derived from their perception of making investment management easy and convenient for investors and advisors. Unfortunately, in their pursuit of convenience, target date funds fall short in several meaningful ways that are unknown to the majority of their investors...Read More
By Fringe Benefits Design of MN, Inc.
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Traffic Safety Update
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reached out to industry associations with concerns about incidents involving commercial motor vehicles on MN Trunk Highway 55 and the area of Doyle Path.
Read this safety alert.
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MnDOT Request for Letters of Interest
MnDOT has posted a Request for Letters of Interest for the Southbound TH 52 Improvement Design-Build Project (SP 2506-83).
More information is available on
MnDOT's Design-Build Sharepoint site.
To access the Sharepoint site, please contact Peter Davich. The site is open to all, but each individual must request access, after which you can view all DB procurement information indefinitely.
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Unprecedented Situation
Legislative leaders have plans to continue discussions over the weekend regarding the evolving COVID-19 situation. As of today, the MN Senate has imposed some restrictions and precautionary measures for meeting with Senators and staff in the Senate Office Building. There is a desire to keep the business of the Legislature running in the event action needs to be taken. Leaders are balancing this goal with the reality that the Capitol Complex brings together elected leaders, staff, lobbyists, and the general public in large numbers. Right now, rumors of adjournment or some type of break from legislative business is widespread. In order for the Legislature to adjourn for more than 3 days, a Joint Resolution must be adopted by a majority of both the House and Senate. Both the House and the Senate are reconvening on Monday at 11 a.m.
On Thursday, Governor Walz released his supplemental budget plan. The State had a projected $1.5 billion surplus just a couple of weeks ago, but now leaders expect that to go away with the impacts of COVID-19. The Governor proposed adding $250 million in new spending and leaving the remaining surplus for reserves. At this time, it is likely the Legislature will need to focus what might be left of the 2020 Session on passing a bonding bill and other measures related to the pandemic.
AGC's Legislative Committee will meet
via Skype only on Tuesday, March 17th from
12:00 -1:00 p.m.
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2020 AGC Legislative Committee Meetings
Tuesday, March 17th -
Skype Only
Thursday, April 2nd
(April 3-13 is legislative break)
Thursday, April 23rd
Thursday, May 7th
Thursday, May 21st
All meetings will begin at 11:30 and end no later than 1:00. Lunch will be provided. All meetings are at the AGC Office and will have a Skype call in option. The agenda will be sent one day in advance. In the event there few updates that do not warrant a meeting, staff will notify the committee and provide any relevant updates in written form.
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2020 Labor Negotiations
Labor negotiations are underway and we are looking at first meeting dates next week for building contracts in Duluth and Iron Range. Contact Mike for more information.
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2020 Form Contracts
2020 Form Construction Contracts are now available. AGC of Minnesota offers 3 contracts: Standard Subcontracting Agreement, Master Purchase of Material & Supply Agreement, and Independent Trucker Owner/Operator Agreement. These agreements have been prepared in consultation with our Contracts Committee, composed of attorneys, general contractors, and subcontractors, and after soliciting comments from sister organizations like MSA.
The agreements are free to members and can be
downloaded here. Non-members can purchase a license that runs through February, 2021 and includes any mid-year updates. Technical specifications, license terms, and instructions are available
here.
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Congratulations to Member Award Winners
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AWC Scholarship Program 
Applications are now being taken for the Association of Women Contractors' 2020-2021 scholarship.
Click here for more information.
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Damage Prevention Meetings
The Minnesota Common Ground Alliance invites all who share the goal of preventing damages and increasing awareness for the use of best practices to register for their local
Damage Prevention meeting
. Focused on safe digging and best practices education, DP meetings are held by and for the excavation community each year in March and April. Find your local meeting here.
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 Minnesota Construction Crew Spring Hiring Event
The Minnesota Construction Crew is having their 7th annual hiring event on Thursday, April 30th at the West Minnehaha Parks & Rec Center. Read more and register here.
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Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 |
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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