It’s Official: $1.8B Public Construction Bill is Now Law
On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz signed the largest bonding bill is state history into law. Last week, the Minnesota Legislature passed a historic $1.87 billion public construction (bonding) bill. The bill passed in the legislature’s fifth special session on a strong bipartisan vote after months of stalemate at the Capitol. Transportation received significant funding, as did many other programs and projects that will help keep the construction industry working and provide community investment. During the bill signing ceremony this week, the governor indicated projects would proceed on their individual timelines as planned.
- Trunk Highway Bonding for MnDOT: $300 million
- Local Road Wetland Replacement Program: $15 million bonds, $8 million cash from general fund
- Local Road Improvement Program: $75 million
- Local Bridge Replacement Program: $30 million
- +$52 million for the City of St. Paul 3rd St/Kellogg Ave Bridge
- Earmarked Higher Education projects: $175 million
- Housing Infrastructure: $100 million
- Public Facilities Authority (helps local governments construct facilities for clean water, drinking water, and transportation infrastructure projects): $269 million
- The bill also contains tax code changes to conform to section 179 of the federal code and some supplemental budget appropriations.
The path to agreement and eventual passage was not straightforward or easy. We are grateful to legislators, the governor, and all of their staff for getting the job done. Capital Investment Chairs Senator Dave Senjem and Representative Mary Murphy deserve praise for their work and persistence. We appreciate efforts by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, Representative Dean Urdahl, and Senator Sandy Pappas to pull together a strong funding bill with bipartisan support.
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Last Chance to Register for VIRTUAL Lean Construction Series Starts (starts next week)
The Lean Construction Series kicks off in Minnesota next week! Held for short periods three days per week from October 27-December 11, the series follows a schedule created with busy professionals in mind. All sessions held via Zoom.
A subsequent CM-Lean cohort will begin in January, 2021.
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STP Registration Open for November
AGC is offering two Supervisory Training Program units for the November/December quarter. Click the links below to register:
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AGC Awards Recognition Week: November 17-19
Every fall, we take time to recognize individuals and companies who have excelled in various categories. Our Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award and Lifetime Achievement Award are presented to individuals who exemplify commitment to personal excellence and to the construction industry.
Our Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Awards and CHASE Awards are given to companies who have excelled in the area of health and safety on their jobsites and through participation in the Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) program in the past year.
Due to AGC's commitment to safety, this year's recognition will take place virtually, spread over several days, as we take time to honor these deserving individuals and companies. Look for more information to come regarding a live kick-off event on Tuesday, November 17, and for videos released during that week highlighting each of the award recipients!
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Winner of the 2020
Skill-Responsibility-Integrity
(SRI) Award:
Dale Forsberg,
Watson-Forsberg Co.
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Winner of the 2020
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mark Ryan,
Carl Bolander & Sons Co.
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Gopher State One Call (GSOC) GPS Mapping Pilot Project
Gopher State One Call (GSOC) has been conducting a pilot project over the past few months with four facility operators. These facility operators have committed time and resources to locate utilities using GPS devices and three have successfully uploaded GPS information into their mapping systems. Two other utility companies are in beginning phase of the pilot project. The takeaways from these four facility operators is that the devices are easy to use, highly accurate and the instructions for updating the GIS mapping database are straightforward.
Two companies and their distributors are working with GSOC to make this GPS system pilot project possible. Please follow the links below for further information on each of their companies.
AGC of MN would like Utility Infrastructure members to consider participating in this pilot project to learn what these systems might provide for your workflow and your mapping accuracy. Please contact Barb Cedarburg at GSOC if you are interested in participating. This pilot project will allow GSOC to evaluate new technologies that may improve underground safety. Neither of the products or vendors are endorsed or supported by GSOC.
GSOC Submitted Web Ticket Adjustments
GSOC announced at the recent Minnesota Common Ground Alliance (MNCAG) meeting that they would begin making a process change to start date and time on web submitted tickets when there is a high volume of web tickets. This change will allow for review and release of the tickets in order to provide full notification to facility operators due to high volume.
The start date for this change is December 1, 2020. GSOC is preparing further communication for all who are involved in this change. As soon as AGC of Minnesota receives this information, we will forward it to members.
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More Input Requested for the 2020 AGC Industry Assessment
Thank you to the companies who have already responded to the 2020 Industry Assessment Survey! If you have not yet responded, would you please take 15 minutes to give us your input on observations on and expectations for the Minnesota construction marketplace? We have added a few new questions this year related to COVID-19 in order to get an accurate view of the impact the pandemic has had on your firm and the industry.
Survey links have been emailed to all AGC member primary contacts, as well as our engineer and architect colleagues, and AWC members. If you have not yet received your link, please contact Renee Horsman.
The survey will close on October 30, 2020. One response per firm, please.
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AGC of America is Looking for Volunteers
AGC of America is served by a number of volunteer groups that work to address industry issues, exchange information and ideas, and lead change within the construction industry. We rely on our volunteers to help advance the AGC mission.
Several committees are currently seeking new volunteers for upcoming terms beginning March 2021. Click here to learn more about getting involved, and then complete the Volunteer Interest Form to indicate your availability and interest.
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How prepared is your company for recovery?
As governments begin to reopen economies and construction contractors continue to navigate what's next, it's more important than ever to start thinking about recovery planning. The pandemic has taken a toll on companies as they navigate delayed projects, plan for heavy workload upon the economy reopening and ensure worker and client safety. Companies with a focused and prepared strategy will have the best chance of surviving this crisis. Learn more
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Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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