Items included in this ACEC Missouri Weekly Update are listed below. |
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Liaison Committee News (Missouri Department of Transportation - Headquarters Liaison Committee Meeting)
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Industry News (Save Millions in Financing for Wastewater and Drinking Water Projects; ACEC/MO Virtual Meeting with Governor Parson; Employee Benefits Cheat Sheet for 2021; Pandemic Fuels Commercial and Multifamily Construction Starts Decline in 2020)
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COVID-19 News (Missouri Senate Committee Approves COVID-19 Liability Protections; What to Watch in 2021: Nine Signs of Recovery in Real Estate)
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Notable Events (Time is Running Out to Register for ACEC/MO's Virtual Winter Meeting & Awards Celebration; Register Now for ACEC/MO's 2021 Future Leaders Academy)
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Member Information & Calendar (Member News; Calendar of Events)
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If there is something you would like us to include in the weekly updates, or if you need anything else, please contact the ACEC/MO staff: Morgan Mundell or Dawn Hill. We would love to hear from you!
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Missouri Department of Transportation - Headquarters Liaison Committee Meeting
The Missouri Department of Transportation - Headquarters Liaison Committee and ACEC/MO met during a Zoom meeting on December 22, 2020. Committee members in attendance included: Ed Alizadeh; Bob Gilbert; Howard Gotschall; Aaron Kober; Vicki LaRose; Dave Maxwell; Dan Meckes; Linda Moen; Steve Wells; and Todd Welz (see photo below). We also had more than 50 other members attend the meeting, which is the first liaison meeting that other members were invited to attend. Items discussed during the meeting included:
- MoDOT Budget Update
- Governor Parson’s Focus on Bridges Program
- Pandemic Precautions
- Pandemic Work Environment and PPP Loan Impact on FAR Overhead
- Legislative Priorities
- Upcoming RFQ’s for MoDOT Projects
- BRO Funding
- Late Proposal Submittals
- Fixed Fee and Invoicing Updates
- Training Webinars on Program Delivery and CADD Services
- Workforce Diversity
- Centralized Consultant Negotiations
- Alternative Delivery Methods
- Traffic Safety During Pre-Design Field Activities
- Multi-Modal Opportunities.
To see the complete minutes from the meeting, click here. The minutes are also posted on our website along with minutes from the most recent meetings. The next meeting will be scheduled for sometime in March or April 2021.
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Save Millions in Financing for Wastewater and Drinking Water Projects
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Financial Assistance Center is pleased to invite communities to apply for below market financing for capital projects through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. Applications for projects submitted by March 1, 2021, receive top priority for loan funding next fiscal year, and can compete for grant funding to address affordability challenges, regionalization, and certain water quality improvements.
The CWSRF loan program provides low-interest financing to construct wastewater and non-point projects that improve water quality. Counties, incorporated cities and towns, and regional water or sewer districts may apply for financing for wastewater treatment plant and collection system improvements, sewer line extensions, combined sewer overflow corrections, system security, nonpoint source projects, and measures to manage, reduce, treat, reuse, or recapture stormwater.
The DWSRF loan program provides low-interest financing to construct drinking water projects that protect public health. Political subdivisions (including counties, incorporated cities and towns, regional water or sewer districts), not-for-profit corporations that provide a regional water supply, and investor-owned water utility corporations may apply for financing for drinking water plant and distribution system improvements, line extensions, storage facilities, and source intake structures and wells. Political subdivisions and not-for-profit corporations receive first priority for funding.
Both SRFs feature a subsidized interest rate of 70 percent below the 20-year municipal market rate the week prior to loan closing, and a 0.5 percent administration fee. The standard loan term is 20 years, however extended terms up to 30 years may be available based on financial hardship for a small amount of additional interest. The savings the programs offer to participants and their rate payers is substantial. For example, a recent loan for $40.2 million saved the borrower $7.9 million in interest compared to the market rate. The Department offers several types of grants to offset loan amounts. Affordability grants are available to systems that demonstrate financial need. Other grants are available for systems wishing to consolidate/regionalize with another entity, and for systems addressing certain water quality improvements, such as upgrades to comply with permit limits, build green infrastructure, and more.
SRF borrowers not only benefit from low interest rates, but also from personalized assistance from a dedicated Department project coordinator. For more information regarding first steps toward this opportunity or other water funding opportunities, contact the Financial Assistance Center at 573-751-1192 or [email protected].
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ACEC/MO Virtual Meeting with Governor Parson
Over 60 ACEC/MO member representatives met virtually with Governor Mike Parson on Monday, February 1, 2021. Items discussed during the meeting included transportation and workforce development as well as what ACEC/MO can do to support the Governor’s position on transportation funding.
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Employee Benefits Cheat Sheet for 2021
by Holmes Murphy & Associates
Healthcare is expensive. If you manage your company’s benefits, it’s a challenge to keep healthcare expenses in check while also giving employees access to quality healthcare options. Use this 2021 Employee Benefits Cheat Sheet as a reference with strategies and tips on how you can positively impact the health of your population and of your company. To download your free guide, click here.
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Pandemic Fuels Commercial and Multifamily Construction Starts Decline in 2020
The value of commercial and multifamily construction starts in the top 20 metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. lost 23% in 2020, falling to $111.1 billion according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Nationally, commercial and multifamily starts tumbled 20% over the year to $193.4 billion. Commercial and multifamily construction starts in the top 10 metro areas dropped 23% during the year with only one metro area — Phoenix AZ — reporting an increase. In the second largest group of metro areas (those ranked 11 through 20), commercial and multifamily construction starts also lost 23%, with only Denver CO and Kansas City MO posting an increase for the year.
The New York metropolitan area continued to be the largest market for commercial and multifamily starts at $23.5 billion but suffered a stark 25% decline from 2019. The Washington DC metro area managed to maintain its second place standing despite an identical decline in 2020 lowering commercial and multifamily starts to $8.9 billion. The Los Angeles CA metro area, which fell 21% to $7.4 billion, ranked third. The remaining top 10 metropolitan areas in 2020 were Dallas TX down 20% ($6.8 billion), Chicago IL down 9% ($6.4 billion), Boston MA 27% lower ($6.3 billion), Phoenix up 32% ($5.3 billion), Miami down 37% ($5.1 billion), Austin down 17% ($4.9 billion) and Houston down 47% ($4.5 billion). In sum, the top 10 metropolitan areas accounted for 41% of all U.S. commercial and multifamily construction starts in 2020, down from a 43% share in 2019. [...] Click here to read the full article.
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Missouri Senate Committee Approves COVID-19 Liability Protections
by Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
A Missouri Senate committee has taken an important first step toward stopping opportunistic lawsuits against Missouri employers. The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed legislation to stop frivolous lawsuits alleging COVID-19 exposure.
The vote moves this much-needed legislation forward. In the wake of the pandemic, it is anticipated that a wave of COVID-19 lawsuits will be filed against Missouri employers. Many states have acted to protect employers from these lawsuits. However, Missouri businesses remain completely exposed. Nearly 800 Missouri employers and individuals have joined the Missouri Chamber in calling for action on this problem.
Four Senate committee members have taken the lead on addressing this issue by voting in favor of this legislation. The four senators who voted to move this legislation forward are: Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, Sen. Bob Onder, Sen. Holly Rehder and Sen. Bill White. If you want to show your support for these lawmakers, click here.
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What to Watch in 2021: Nine Signs of Recovery in Real Estate
by Kevin Thorpe, Chief Economist, Cushman & Wakefield
After months of an unrelenting global health crisis, ongoing uncertainty, economic damage and disruptions across nearly all facets of life, the reality of an effective vaccine—and the prospect of widespread vaccinations—has sparked hopes for 2021 and speculation about recovery.
While pinpointing the timing of local recoveries may not be possible, Cushman & Wakefield Research has identified nine signs to watch—signals that could indicate the CRE market and the economy in cities across the globe are transitioning to a recovery phase. To download the report, click here. Explore our interactive infographic to learn more.
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Time is Running Out to Register for ACEC/MO's Virtual Winter Meeting & Awards Celebration
Make plans now to attend ACEC/MO's Virtual Winter Meeting & Awards Celebration scheduled for February 11-12, 2021. A brief schedule of events is listed below. To see the detailed agenda, click HERE. To register for the meeting, click HERE. The deadline to register is Friday, February 5, 2021 so register NOW!
Thursday, February 11
8:30 am - Board of Directors / Membership Meeting
10:20 am - Communicating in Chaos: Solutions for Modern Management Dilemmas in Consulting Engineering Seminar (1.0 PDH)
12:15 pm - Keynote Speaker: Linda Darr, President & CEO, ACEC
1:20 pm - Engineering Challenges of the 21st Century Seminar (1.0 PDH)
2:40 pm - Safety-Service-Stability: MoDOT 2020 Year in Review Seminar
4:00 pm - Virtual Happy Hour
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Friday, February 12
8:30 am - Future Leaders Academy (FLA) Graduates Get-Together
9:50 am - Critical Business Issues Roundtable Discussions - Small/Medium Firms & Medium/Large Firms (2.0 PDHs)
4:00 pm - Awards Ceremony (DSA, EEA & QBS Awards)
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Register Now for ACEC/MO’s 2021 Future Leaders Academy
Does your firm have a candidate for ACEC/MO's 2021 Future Leaders Academy (FLA)? Registration for the 12th Annual FLA program is now open. The dates for the 2021 FLA program are set for May 4-5 in Jefferson City; June 2-3 in St. Louis; and July 6-7 in Independence.
The FLA is an extensive leadership program for young leaders in private consulting firms committed to developing their leadership abilities. The program is most beneficial to those participants with approximately 8-15 years of industry experience. These highly interactive sessions are taught by experts in the field of business administration and people management in professional service firms.
Registration information is posted on our website. To register for the 2021 FLA Program, click here. If you want a spot in the 2021 class, please send in your registration form or contact Dawn Hill at 573-634-4080 or [email protected].
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MEMBER INFORMATION & CALENDAR |
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Member News
Access Engineering, LLC is pleased to announce that Kaitlin Ford, P.E., project engineer, recently became a licensed Professional Engineer.
Geotechnics - a division of Klingner & Associates, P.C. (Klingner) - has named Brian Joseph Sick, PE, its new Geotechnical / Construction Materials Testing Department Manager. He will oversee the full-service laboratory in Hannibal, MO; a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-validated laboratory in Burlington, IA; and a staff of engineers and technicians performing geotechnical and environmental drilling investigations and construction materials testing services in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.
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Calendar of Events
February 11-12, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Winter Meeting & Awards Ceremony
April 25-28, 2021 -- ACEC Annual Convention & Legislative Summit, Washington, DC
May 4-5, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Future Leaders Academy, Jefferson City
June 2-3, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Future Leaders Academy, St. Louis
July 6-7, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Future Leaders Academy, Independence
August 23, 2021 -- ACEC/MO 5th Annual ACEC/PAC Golf Tournament, Columbia
August 27, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Summer Meeting
November 12, 2021 -- ACEC/MO Fall Meeting
Newly added events are italicized. To see a complete calendar of events, go to ACEC/MO's website.
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