March 21, 2019
John’s Soapbox
ECA Newsletter 3-21-19
Some Really Big Developments Happening in the NorthBay
Of the nine cities in Sonoma County, two of them have big news for new developments. Rohnert Park is moving forward with their Station Avenue project and the City of Healdsburg is moving forward on the old lumber site in downtown Healdsburg to develop several hundred housing units.
The project in Rohnert Park is at the site of the old State Farm offices at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and the SMART Rail line. Laulima Development is the same developer that did Santana Row in San Jose is in charge of this project and demolition has already cleared most of the site for construction. Construction should be underway right now with opening in 2020.
Soon to be built are 460 on – site apartments, 140,000 sf of retail store space and 130,000 sf of brand-new office space with a pedestrian and community-based town center that the City of Rohnert Park desperately wants for an “identity”. Close proximity to the SMART Rail station will enable folks to conveniently travel to and from Windsor, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato and San Rafael with shuttle/ferry assistance into and from San Francisco.
The days of neglecting going out to dinner in Rohnert Park will soon be a thing of the past. Some great restaurants are going in to this development and Plow Brewery will be a local hotspot for sure. With all of the open space and parklike features included, this will really enhance the NorthBay for many decades to come.
Congratulations Rohnert Park! And thank you for adding much needed modern yet “Sonoma County-friendly” development to our area! Take a moment and enjoy the slide show depicting the plans for this development by clicking the link.
Further north of Rohnert Park, the little town of Healdsburg has some news of its own. The Mill District project in downtown Healdsburg was approved last week and Vancouver based developer Replay will be able to move forward on its plans to build 206 housing units and other amenities in the old lumber yard site just to the East and South of the Roundabout. Construction of utilities and infrastructure work should begin in the Fall of 2019. The first housing units could be completed as early as 2021 if planning and permits go smoothly.
Check out the artists rendition and the Plans on this link thanks to North Bay Business Journal.
Rohnert Park and Healdsburg are not the only Cities with big news. More to come in future newsletters!
That’s All Folks!
March 14, 2019
ECA Newsletter 3-14-19
John’s Soapbox
Parachute Packing!
We are all used to having to use every tool available to us to outwit and outbid our competitors for a chance to sign a contract with an owner. As I ponder the outcome of the 2020 Election, I consider what could happen to our industry if Bernie wins, or if the Dems win and adopt a very far left agenda that would mimic the Democratic Socialists that are so much in the news lately. I keep reading the news that young people believe Socialism is better than Capitalism for the USA. It makes me wonder, if all the young people vote for a socialist agenda and candidate, and non-citizens are given the right to vote, and the non-citizens believe a redistribution of wealth (socialist concept) benefits them more than capitalism, could a socialist United States be far behind? And if that happens, how does that affect our industry?
As I ponder those questions with you, let’s make sure we are communicating properly!
A little background high school remedial lesson for my own benefit and maybe some of you too—
What is the difference between Capitalism and Socialism and Communism?
- Capitalism: Although some of you may doubt it, our current system (political and economic) is based on capitalism. The key to capitalism is being able to own land, own businesses, be able to make a profit and be able to keep that profit to better yourself and your family. In a capitalist system, when one makes more profit than another, there is nothing in place that would take his/her “extra” profit and redistribute it to someone who has less resources (we of course do have taxes that do that but not to the extent that socialism takes that wealth and redistributes it). Capitalism is a system where greed and the chasing of the almighty dollar dominate the incentive and the work ethic of those trying to get ahead. The idea is that great ideas and innovation and increased efficiencies are derived from the “chasing of that dollar”. Critics of capitalism point out (correctly) that workers often are taken advantage of in the pursuit of profit and while a corporation can make “ungodly” profits, there is nothing in place that says those projects must be distributed to the workers who did the tasks to make that profit.
- Socialism-Specifically Democratic Socialism: The socialist believes that person and/or the corporation, should be taxed and regulated such that his/her wealth is redistributed to those that have less resources. The concept is to allow private ownership of land and businesses, but redistribute the wealth through government run social programs in such a way that all society members get what they need. Essentially, the socialist system is a “classless” system where the resources produced by the private sector are distributed throughout the society so that, in theory, the society is stronger because there are no “weaker” society members. The Democratic Socialist Party of America (from their website) believes working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few.
- Communism: This is where socialism “morphs” into a political system where the government owns and controls the means of production and the property. There is no more privately owned companies or land in communism.
What countries are socialist today? Bangladesh, India, North Korea, Portugal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Yep. That’s it. Although some Democrats are touting Sweden and Norway and Finland as being socialist, they are not.
Now that we are back to a high school freshman level in our political civics knowledge, let’s look at how things seem to be leaning in our country and how they might affect our industry.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) recently proclaimed America should shift from a Capitalist system to a Socialist system. Some would dismiss AOC’s views, but if they did, they would be making a mistake. It is her views that are primarily moving the Democratic party far to the left and wide out in the open and unapologetic about those socialist positions. Although AOC is certainly getting the most news, she is not alone in touting the benefits of Socialism vs Capitalism. Bernie Sanders is a Democratic Socialist (as is AOC), and many of the Democratic candidates for President in 2020 are taking positions that demonstrate they are leaning towards a socialist system rather than a capitalist system.
So back to my original pondering-could this country elect a socialist and adopt a socialist economic program? YES. And if that happens, how might that affect our industry? The rest of this “Soapbox” ponders that last question—
Here are some of the programs and taxes socialist candidates are considering as their “platform”:
- Higher tax rates on wealthy individuals-70% to 90% (highest rate is currently around 37%-was 43% in 2017)
- Higher tax rates on corporations-50% to 70% (highest rate is currently around 21%-was 35% in 2017)
- Use the higher tax income to fund lots of programs that have been discussed, including-free college tuition, Medicare for all, housing for all, jobs for all, and money for those that cannot or do not work, pensions for all.
So in the “Green new world”, it won’t matter if you are smarter, harder working, more innovative, and if you have the best clients and the best workers-all Contractors will essentially make the same after tax dollars because if you are better than everyone else, you will simply be taxed at a higher rate to redistribute your wealth. You will not have a choice.
In our world today, if you are better at signing good clients, better at motivating and training your workforce, and better at cost control of your work, you as an owner make more money. You then can choose to give some of that money out to your best workers to reward them or give to community relation projects or organizations that give to those projects to help them out (again-if YOU CHOOSE TO!). If Socialism is in place, you may not be able to give that money out to your best workers or give that money out to Associations or projects that benefit the community because the Government will have programs set up that do the compensation and community benefits without your choosing.
What happens to our company core values? If you pride yourselves in training and being better than the other firms in your area of work, will you still have that as a core value? I do not know the answer to that but would guess the socialist program that is chosen for your workers will not have your opinion considered.
The other thing to consider is that in socialism, the idea is to redistribute the wealth to those that need it most. So if you have the wealth, you can be assured that the government will be trying to get it to hand out to others that you may not want to benefit.
So what options do you have?
If you have wealth, and if you are a hard worker, and if you reward your best producers with the highest pay, and if you do not take advantage of your workforce, you might want to vote for capitalism (even with all of its “warts”). But if you can see your vote is not going to be on the winning side, you may want to choose what many other successful and wealthy folks are doing-move away from the high taxation and protect your assets.
The wealthy are jumping to safety!
Have your parachute packed!
Just sayin’
That’s All Folks!
March 7, 2019
ECA Newsletter
3-7-19
With the recent history of emergencies that Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Mendo, Napa, and Solano Counties have experienced, further strain has been put on our already “stretched” capacity for available men, women, and equipment. Obviously, the fire cleanup was the most memorable applied use of our workforces, but flooding and cleanup is now becoming the “main course”.
Recently, there was an article in the Press Democrat about a house builder buying a concrete company because “he was tired of the delays” in getting concrete to his projects. Within that article, he referenced that he was using surveyors from Grass Valley to do his surveying on his projects. I got to thinking that maybe folks are not aware that we have capacity available here locally to do some of this work that has recently been “farmed out” to outside the area contractors, engineers, and workers. Do we have capacity? I am talking to folks and I hear that yes we do if the projects are scheduled properly.
What goes into the nuts and bolts of “scheduling properly”? Some of the bigger firms may be able to draw additional workers from the union halls, and redeploy equipment from other areas, but many of the mid sized to smaller contractors need to be able to identify their markets, focus on their clients, and get the work done “bookend to bookend” to be extremely efficient.
Sometimes, it is easy to have your business plans “overwhelmed” by the urgency and 24/7 nature of the emergency work. Eventually, this emergency work will go away. Sooner rather than later. I am thinking it is a good time to review your business and marketing schemes and where your work is going to be coming from as well as “fitting” the available crews and equipment you may have at your disposal to do said work.
You all know what your bidding success rate is for private and public work. You are also very capable of fostering the relationships you have now that will lead to some future projects. How good are you at identifying new customers? How efficient is your company methodology for cultivating those new customers? And how good is your firm at retaining existing workers and keeping your equipment fleet available to serve new customers?
These are some of the thoughts rattling around in my head, and I have reached out to two of our ECA Members (Tom Boylan and Don Mills of Boylan Point Agency and Sound Ideas respectively) to assist in putting together a workshop to address this dynamic issue. We plan on presenting both Affiliates and Contractors and Engineers some ideas to focus in on potential clients they want to retain or attract to suit their business plan. Boylan Point is adept at Website design and marketing strategies, and Sound Ideas is an expert on video creation that can attract the attention of clients and make the company morale improve. I am sure there is something for most everyone at this workshop.
We understand how busy everyone is, but we are planning a workshop from 7:30-9am on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. We will have coffee, fruit, pastries, and juice from 7:30-8 and the Workshop will start promptly at 8am. We will do everything we can to get you out of there by 9am.
If you are interested, please contact Mary at your earliest convenience. I think this one might fill up quickly.
That’s All Folks
County Supervisor and Planning Commission Meetings:
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Meeting:
2-27-19 Meeting was Closed
March 4 was cancelled
March 7 is a Special Meeting to deal with the Emergency Declaration from flooding
Sonoma County Planning Commission Meeting:
Next scheduled meeting is in April
Marin County Board of Supervisor and Planning Commission Meeting:
Nothing of major interest in February
Solano County Board of Supervisors Meeting:
Nothing of interest in the Feb 26 Supervisor Meeting
Solano County Planning Commission Meeting:
2/21/19 Meeting-
Two Items of Importance to ECA Members-
- Item 1 on Regular Consent Calendar for PC-19-013-Timbers Silveyville Tree and Pumpkin Farm improvements on 6229 Silveyville Road NW of Dixon.
- Item 2 on Regular Consent Calendar for PC-19-012 Hubert and Aurelia Goudie and William and Sylvia Marshalones to rezone 15.69 acres to higher density rural residential.
To see both reports, click on the link below-
https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=30050
Napa County Board of Supervisors Meeting:
2-26-19 Meeting, Item 6m discusses emergency slide repair contract with ADKO Engineering and also lists the Budget and the various slide repairs that need to be worked on. To see the item, click on the link below-
http://services.countyofnapa.org/AgendaNet/GranicusMeetingDocuments.aspx?id=5604
Item 6N from same meeting shows storm drain budget and detail. You can review by same link as above.
Item 10b is about the Award to Ghilotti Construction for Devlin Road work and some American Canyon utility work for $4,159,319 (Congrats!). Same link as above.
Napa County Planning Commission Meeting:
2/20/19 Meeting-
Item 7A is about the Kenefick Winery project and that was continued to the regular PC meeting on 3-6-19. To see the info, click on the following link-
http://services.countyofnapa.org/AgendaNet/GranicusMeetingDocuments.aspx?id=5721
3/6/19 Meeting-
Item 7B is the Kenefick Winery Project-click on the link here to see the info-
http://services.countyofnapa.org/AgendaNet/GranicusMeetingDocuments.aspx?id=5722
Item 7C is about the Darms Lane Winery Project and they are approving the negative declaration-to see this item, click on the link following-
http://services.countyofnapa.org/AgendaNet/GranicusMeetingDocuments.aspx?id=5722
Lake County Board of Supervisor Meeting:
3/5/19 Meeting
Item 5.12 is about the Engineering and Inspection contract for replace/repair Bartlett Creek Bridge and Cache Creek Bridge. To see the item, click on the following link-
https://countyoflake.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=655032&GUID=A84FF091-652C-4838-9D37-9B732580BA0A
Lake County Planning Commission Meeting:
2/28/19 Meeting
Brelje and Race Engineers are on the agenda to move forward with major water treatment works-to see the item in more detail, click the link below-
https://countyoflake.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=655042&GUID=A0C5DC2D-43F5-4F80-97F3-F9A130E9DAF5
February 27, 2019
Can We Build Mega Projects Anymore?
Even though the high-speed rail project in California is not local, it is such a compelling story that I am writing about it again.
I am writing about whether it is possible to ever build a “Mega Project” like the High-Speed Rail Project can actually get passed and built in the USA again. Projects like the Alaska Pipeline, the Transcontinental Railroad, or the California High Speed Rail Project.
I do not believe a Mega Project will ever be passed again in the USA. I think voters feel they were “duped,” and the Country will have a tough time ever coming together in a bi-partisan manner to back a huge project given the polarity and politicizing of both parties regarding infrastructure construction. I do not think the Public will ever believe the backers of a Mega Project given the over zealous and “fantasy” nature of the backers’ arguments to build the California High Speed Rail Project. Voters will be more skeptical and will not vote to tax themselves because they do not trust the promises being made to them on these Mega Projects.
Here is the “Argument in Favor or Prop 1” that the voters read on their voter information in 2008:
“Proposition 1 will bring Californians a safe, convenient, affordable, and reliable alternative to soaring gasoline prices, freeway congestion, rising airfares, plummeting airline service, and fewer flights available. It will reduce California’s dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Proposition 1 is a $9.95 billion bond measure for an 800-mile High-Speed Train network that will relieve 70 million passenger trips a year that now clog California’s highways and airports— WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. California will be the first state in the country to benefit from environmentally preferred High-Speed Trains common today in Europe and Asia. Proposition 1 will bring California: —Electric-powered High-Speed Trains running up to 220 miles an hour on modern track safely separated from other traffic generally along existing rail corridors. —Routes linking downtown stations in SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES, FRESNO, SAN JOSE, SAN FRANCISCO, and SACRAMENTO, with stops in communities in between. —High-Speed Train service to major cities in ORANGE COUNTY, the INLAND EMPIRE, the SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, and the SOUTH BAY. —Nearly a billion dollars to beef up commuter rail systems that connect to High-Speed Trains. Proposition 1 will save time and money. Travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco in about 2½ hours for about $50 a person. With gasoline prices today, a driver of a 20-miles-pergallon car would spend about $87 and six hours on such a trip. Ten years of study and planning have gone into PREPARING FOR construction, financing, and operation of a California bullet train network modeled on popular, reliable, and successful systems in Europe and Asia. Their record shows that High-Speed Trains deliver, both in service and economy.
Air travelers spend more time on the ground than in the air today. Proposition 1 will create a new transportation choice that improves conditions at our major airports. There’s no room for more runways. High-Speed Trains can relieve that demand. Electric-powered High-Speed Trains will remove over 12 billion pounds of CO2 and greenhouse gases, equal to the pollution of nearly 1 million cars. And High-Speed Trains require one-third the energy of air travel and one-fifth the energy of auto travel. Proposition 1 will protect taxpayer interests: —Two independent ridership and revenue forecasts by outside experts were subject to tough peer review. —Existing High-Speed Train system operators are directly involved in oversight of the design of California’s system. —The new system will be subject to legal and financial oversight by the Governor, the Legislature, the Attorney General, and an independent outside expert. —Proposition 1 bond funds will provide a match for AT LEAST ANOTHER 9 billion dollars in federal funding and private investment. Vote Yes on Proposition 1 to IMPROVE MOBILITY and inject new vitality into California’s economy by creating nearly 160,000 construction-related jobs and 450,000 permanent jobs in related industries like tourism. These are American jobs that cannot be outsourced. Vote Yes on Proposition 1. www.californiahighspeedtrains.com “
Following the voters passing Prop 1, the effort then began to make those “160,000 construction jobs” in building the train all union as a PLA was put in place. Again, to remind you, I am not taking the side of Labor or Merit Shop, I am making comments on whether voters were “duped” into voting for something that was never going to cost just “$40 Billion”. If Labor wanted all those jobs to be union only, the backers of Prop 1 should just say so.
Voters will demand honesty in the future. And voters deserve honesty.
So, can we ever build a “Mega Project” again in the USA? I say no because I do not believe the voters will ever get the honesty and transparency, they will demand on future Bond Measures.
That’s All Folks
February 14, 2019
2-14-19
John’s Soapbox
Pulling the Plug On A Boondoggle of Epic Proportions!
In the 10 years since the high-speed rail project has been “alive”, I have often mused as to why Sacramento pushed for it so hard. Their claims that our airports were at capacity and roads were bottle-necked to the breaking point, although there is some truth to both, did not totally explain to me the need for a high-speed rail from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Los Angeles area.
Yesterday, in his State of the State address, new Governor Gavin Newsom declared the high-speed rail project was being “scaled back” dramatically. Apparently, Governor Newsom is only supporting completing the rail project from Merced to Bakersfield. The reasons the Governor cited were that the overall project had experienced delays and cost overruns and a lack of transparency along with the overall project revised estimate of costs being too expensive. Newsom vowed to quickly replace the head of the state board that oversees the project and pledged more accountability for contractors that run over on costs.
Yours truly was never in favor of this ridiculous project and I always took the position that it would not get built as the voters approved because it was physically impossible to maintain the promised speeds over the terrain and corners it needed to follow. If it did get built, my point was that the voters approved a high-speed train and it was going to be anything but “high-speed”.
How did this (in my humble opinion) boondoggle ever get to this point?
The California High-Speed Rail Authority was established in 1996 after decades of discussion about high speed rail system in California. In 2008, Proposition 1A was passed by the voters and that was quickly followed by the award of “federal stimulus” funds in 2010. The federal stimulus funds were the initial funding source and the California High-Speed Rail System was “on its way”. Construction contracts were awarded in 2013 and ground-breaking was held on January 6, 2015.
The “original” financing for the first construction segment (Madera to Bakersfield) was $6.302 billion ($2.6 billion from Prop 1A, $3.2 billion in federal stimulus money, $252 million for designing and planning Phase 1 and Phase 2-this money was coming from Prop 1A and Federal stimulus money, and $250 million was added in 2014 from “Cap and Trade” funds.
In 2008, the original estimate of the route from Anaheim to San Francisco was $33 billion-that was in 2006 dollars but was actually $65 billion in “year of expenditure” dollars. Upon further investigation, the Authority revised their estimate for an exclusive trackage along its entire length to $96 billion. They thought this was a bit of a stretch, so they “morphed” the design into a “blended” shared track route that would not require as expensive construction costs as a single new trackage. That revised and “blended” design was estimated to cost $91.4 billion with a completion date of 2033.
All of these estimates failed to take into account the difficulty of tunneling and the Authority never has received qualified estimates for the needed tunneling to get over the Tehachapi Pass. Some experts believe the tunneling alone would have increased costs by another $50 billion from the bogus estimated costs the Authority has been reporting on.
This might be the first and last time I compliment Gavin Newsom. Good job pulling the plug.
A match made in heaven! Thank you, Governor, for pulling the plug on this crazy idea that Schwarzenegger and Brown backed. Brown’s legacy should be how much money he wasted on this crappy concept. It is a lot.
That’s All Folks!:
January 31, 2019
ECA Newsletter 1-31-19
John’s Soapbox
Don’t Outrun Your Coverage!
Jake Mackenzie has served on the Sonoma County Transportation Authority Board for 20 years. Jake has also served on the SMART Board for 15 years. Jake also just finished a 2 year stint as the Chair of the powerful Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). He has had an incredible “run” of influence on our transportation system and vision for the future in the North Bay.
That “run” is now over.
If you remember, two weeks ago I wrote about a new regional effort to stimulate and regulate much needed housing construction by an initiative called the “CASA Compact”. The “CASA Compact”, is a new 15 year “plan” that is intended to address the Bay Area housing crisis. Some of the elements in the CASA Compact include state-imposed rental caps, tenant evictions to require just cause to be evicted, and measures that could remove local controls over land use and zoning provisions. The CASA Compact did not get created overnight. It has been “in the works” for several years under the guidance of its Steering Committee. Recently, the Steering Committee brought their “finished” product to the MTC for a vote that would “ratify” the CASA Compact and start the ball rolling for State sponsored Bills and Measures to enact the Compact. Jake, as part of that MTC Board, recently (December of 2018) voted to support the CASA Compact.
Jake then proceeded to report on his support and vote at the January 8, 2019 Rohnert Park Council meeting. To say that the other Council Members were pissed that Jake did not come to them for their consent prior to his MTC vote, would be an understatement. The other 4 Council Members did not think the CASA Compact was in the best interest of the city of Rohnert Park. Jake admitted that not letting them have a say was a mistake. But the hour long tongue lashing he received on January 8 was “shrugged off” by Jake even though Vice Mayor Joe Callinan was quoted saying “ I really think somebody has lost their way. I think maybe you’ve been on these committees way too long and it’s time for a change”.
At the next Rohnert Park Council Meeting (1-22-19), the Rohnert Park City Council voted 3-2 to appoint Vice Mayor Joe Callinan, and not Jake Mackenzie, to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority which in effect, disabled Jake Mackenzie’s qualifications to continue to be the SMART Board representative. This shocker took a lot of transportation veterans by surprise, not the least of which was the rest of the SMART Board who, days before, had just voted Jake (unanimously) as Vice Chair of the SMART Board.
OOPS.
How does all of this affect the ECA and its member? I am not sure yet. I will say that I know Jake quite well and have a lot of respect for his abilities to represent the North Bay Area in securing grants and funding for our bike paths, bridges and road work. I do not know Joe Callinan as well but rest assured, I will be meeting with him soon to correct that fact. Maybe Joe will be as effective as Jake-we do not know. But words of “warning” came from David Rabbitt and other transportation leaders that hints at a real loss for our influence up here by not having Jake on the SCTA and SMART Boards.
We shall see what the outcome of Jake’s faux pau in “outrunning his cover” previously supplied by his fellow Rohnert Park Council Members—-
To read the Press Democrat article about this click on the following link—
That’s All Folks!
January 24, 2019
ECA NEWSLETTER
1-24-19
The Newsletter will come out via email on Thursday morning each week (first thing!).
We also want to let everyone know that if you miss a Newsletter, you can always find back copies on our website at
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Editorial Section:
John’s Soapbox
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Although we do not involve ourselves in National debates, the longest Government shutdown in our Country’s history is promoting this opinion piece by yours truly. Our businesses also need workers. We all need housing. There is a large supply of workers who are being affected by the lack of clarity in our immigration policies and the debate over whether to build a wall or not. I find the debate to build a wall is a very ineffective way to deal with the problem of illegal immigration.
For those who do not believe there is an immigration “problem”, let me assure you that there is. We all came to this Country and were immigrants. I think we all feel that people who want to make a better life for themselves and their families should be able to do so. Most, if not all of us, personally know friends and sometimes co workers who are in this Country on work visas or are working without having obtained US citizenship (yet).
The positive impact of these folks cannot be denied. However, our systems are being strained by having to administer judges, border security, healthcare and if those folks get a temporary visa, other entitlements. Also, there are many stories of immigrants who have been deported and returned that commit crimes within the US. None of us want to see bad guys allowed into our Country. How do we reconcile keeping our citizens safe from those that should not be here, and yet remain a Country that allows people to come here and work hard and make a better life for themselves? And how do we juggle our workforce needs with a more orderly migration of workers into this Country?
When Obama issued an executive order allowing “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”, or DACA, in 2012, there was a tremendous increase in immigrants illegally trying to cross our border. This is because, in my mind, the folks who would consider leaving their country for the USA felt that they were being welcomed. These folks may not be “Harvard Smart”, but they are street smart and they hear the stories from friends and relatives that are already in the US.
When Trump first took office and talked very “tough” about immigration, there was a tremendous decrease in border crossings. What that tells me is that these folks from Central America and Mexico listen to which way the political winds are blowing before they decide to spend the time, effort and money to cross the border illegally. If they feel there is a good chance for employment and for not getting deported, they will come. If not, they will stay at home.
Some would say we need to “build a wall” to discourage illegal immigration. The problem I see with just relying on a wall is that the facts show 50% of the illegal immigrants in this Country actually entered the Country legally and have overstayed their Visas. A Wall would only theoretically deter or affect 50% of the “problem”. We need to be comprehensive about locating and returning, or legally extending the work visas of those that have allowed them to expire. One aside-with a work visa, there are entitlements that go along with that temporary status to that worker.
I have little problem with adding some effective border security that would help our Border Patrol handle the many illegal border crossings more efficiently. The best idea I have heard is for a double fence with a road that is sandwiched in between the two fences that allow Border Agents to spot crossers with drones and cameras and quickly deploy to those crossings. Drug cartels have gotten smart and sometimes use crossings of groups of aliens to occupy the Border Agents as they send their drugs across nearby. I think we all would agree that increasing our equipment and manpower would be a first choice for securing our Borders.
With drugs, the cartels smuggle them across the border for one main reason-supply and demand. I know if Americans were to stop using drugs if the cartels cease to smuggle drugs into our Country. So the best way to stop drugs from crossing the border is to go to the source and make sure that Americans get treated for, and stop using the drugs that are illegally smuggled into the USA. Put our money there.
With people, it is a similar story of supply and demand. Illegals come across the border in hopes of better working pay and conditions than their own countries or origin, and they find that. If you were serious about stopping illegal immigration, the President should immediately declare a State of Emergency and enforce E-Verify as the Law of the Land. Heavy enforcement and heavy penalties would await employers who did not comply. Deportations would occur and some industries would suffer from a constricted worker shortage until the legal system of issuing work visas were to become effective using E Verify. That way we could allow the workers we need in our businesses to enter the US legally while allowing folks to improve their way of life.
Look folks, this will be affecting us for a long time. The politics are obvious. The Democrats want to entitle all illegal aliens the right to vote (11 million new democrats would be created overnight!), while the Republicans do not want that. What can we do? Read through the nonsense that is being broadcast on every news channel including Fox and CNN. If you want to stop illegal immigration, make E Verify the law of the land. Do our elected have the courage to do that? Will businesses support that? If not, we do not effectively deal with the supply and demand issue and no wall is going to solve that dilemma.
That’s All Folks!:
Board of Director Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1000 Apollo Way in the Training Room from Noon – 1:30 pm. If you would like to attend, you are welcome to do so, just RSVP ahead of time so we have enough food! We want your input!
1-15-19 Meeting Highlights: At the Annual Retreat, Keith Woods was kind enough to facilitate our meeting and we “looked back, looked around, and did a look ahead” with our 2019 Officers and Board Members. We reviewed our original creation in 1972 as a local group of contractors and affiliates, how we filed with the State of California on May 5, 1976 with our original Founders: Mario Ghilotti, Henry Ghilotti, Stephen Tyler, Arthur Siri, Jr., and Alfred Dalecio. The filed “specific and primary” purposes were:
- To establish and maintain high professional standards among construction contractors,
- To encourage sound business methods, efficient harmony and cooperation between construction contractors, tending to raise the standard of construction workers generally in the business world,
- To oppose unfair business practices,
- To promote better relations between all the individuals and organizations with which construction contractors have business dealings,
- To advocate, foster and promote constructive legislation which will insure the sound development of our State,
- To make membership in this Association an assurance to the public of the skill, integrity and responsibility of its members, by requiring that those admitted to membership shall have established an honorable reputation on these fundamental points, and by making continuance of such membership in this Association depend upon the maintenance of such reputation, and upon fair dealings with its members and with the public and with the employees,
- To promote and defend equitable labor practices between Management and Labor throughout the industry.
The Board felt that these principles written in 1976 are still relevant to the Association today. The Board further chose to “audit” our Committees to make certain they all are functioning to support and enhance the primary purposes of the Association now and into the future.
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EVENT CALENDAR
ECA INSTALLATION DINNER– Saturday, Feb 2, 5:30pm-9:30pm at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club. Dressy
ECA PUBLIC OFFICIALS NIGHT– Thursday, 4-18-19. 5:30-9pm at the Rohnert Park Community Center. Casual/field attire.
FATHER’S DAY SHOW AND SHINE CAR SHOW– Julliard Park in Santa Rosa, Sunday, 6-16-19. 9am to 3:30pm.
ECA GOLF TOURNAMENT– 11am-7pm at the Windsor Golf Course, Friday, 7-26-19.
DAYS OF WINE AND DOZERS ANNUAL AUCTION-Saturday, September 28, 5:30pm – 11pm at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club.
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COUNTY BOARD OF SUPES CONSTRUCTION, PROJECT AND ENGINEERING AGENDA ITEMS!
This is a new section where I have culled construction and engineering info from the local County Supervisor Meetings (this week only Sonoma and Marin Counties as a trial) and regurgitated them here. Let me know if this is useful to you! I can do it for Lake, Mendo, Solano, and Napa Counties as well.
Mendo County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors
1-22-19 meeting of the Board of Supervisors-
They considered using private roads as emergency access/evacuation routes in the future. Status-under further review. Impact to ECA members-could result in future work upgrading these routes to accommodate fire engines and public evacuation vehicles.
file:///C:/Users/John/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Agenda%20(1).pdf
Solano County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Agendas in January yielded nothing of interest to ECA membership
Lake County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors-very little-one item in the 1-15-19 BOS meeting agenda, Item 7.4 award to True North Constructors for Lower Lake Parks Maintenance Facility Project for $723,737. link
https://countyoflake.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=647330&GUID=E14478F9-6C95-4B43-839C-7E2C60F9CFE7
Napa County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Meetings:
Planning Commission Mtg 1-16-19 had two items of interest to ECA Members:
Item 7A-Anthem Winery proposed new work including caves, tasting room, driveway (650 lf), bridge, parking, etc. at 3454 Redwood Road near Browns Valley Road.
Item 7B considered new Gateway Speculative Industrial Building of 68,677 sf at East Side of Gateway Road and West Side of State Route 29. link
http://services.countyofnapa.org/AgendaNet/GranicusMeetingDocuments.aspx?id=5719
Seminar and Workshop News
*Safety “Kickoff” class is being scheduled soon for end of February-date TBA
*Safety Classes Considered: Family First Aid and CPR. Kids are encouraged to come to this Saturday workshop while parents can get their certifications renewed family members younger than 15 are free. Ensure your entire family safety by joining this unique opportunity.
Traffic Control Class:
ECA COMMITTEE NEWS
Specification Committee-Chair is Dave Weller of RCX. Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1000 Apollo Way in the Training Room from 4pm-5:30pm. Accomplishments: 1. The Santa Rosa City Council now allows the Board of Public Utilities to make decisions on City Standards rather than the City Council. 2. Fire lines installed on private lands used to require specialty design professionals to deal with cathodic protection design as well as installation. This proved expensive and cumbersome and the Fire Marshall worked with the Spec Committee to simplify those requirements. 3. Fire line bedding was required to be pea gravel and the ECA Spec Committee worked with City of SR officials and the Fire Marshall to change the requirement to a more standardly available bedding mix. 4. Bottom dumps were not allowed for asphalt delivery and the City of Santa Rosa has agreed to consider allowing the less expensive delivery method on a case by case basis. 5. The City of Santa Rosa has always had a “tighter” sand equivalent for base rock and the Spec Committee is working with the Materials and Testing Lab as well as quarries to standardize the base rock spec to align with Caltrans requirements.
Workforce Development Committee-Chair is open. Meeting times TBD. If you are interested in this Committee, please contact John at 707-483-0859
Community Relations Committee-Chair is Lacey Torkelson Smith of USI Insurance. Meeting was held on 1-18-19 and the Committee decided to consider a preschool project that was destroyed in the Tubbs Fire and the owners need some help to rebuild near the Cricklewood restaurant site in Larkfield. A full presentation will be made to the Board at the February Board meeting.
Government Affairs Committee-Chair is John Bly. The Committee met (via email) on 1-10-19 and recommended endorsing and contributing $1,000 to Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins for her 2020 re election campaign. The Board approved this recommendation on 1-15-19. If you have any questions about this endorsement or the expenditure, please contact John at 707-483-0859.
Father’s Day Car Show Committee-Chair is Walt Turner. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1000 Apollo Way, 1:30 pm-2:30pm.
1-15-19 meeting was held and next meeting is scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday of February at 1:30pm.
Passings:
With regret and condolences to the family, it is noted that Greg Soiland recently passed due to a tragic accident. Much too young. Greg will be missed.
January 11, 2019
ECA Newsletter
1-11-19
Making Granny Sexy?
Sonoma County lost over 5,000 homes in October of 2017 and there was already a housing shortage. Where is the “rebuild” almost 18 months later?
1525 permits have been issued
113 units have been completed
920 are under construction
200 more are approved to begin construction
430 lots have been sold
330 lots are listed for sale
The estimate is that 800 homes will be completed in 2019. Add those 800 to the 113 already completed, and we would be at 913 homes rebuilt. In December of 2019, that would be well over 2 years since the fires destroyed over 5,300 homes. Less than 20% rebuilt.
Both Sonoma County and the City of Santa Rosa have tried to encourage homeowners and contractors to include more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) in their plans. Although I do not have the numbers on the ADU’s currently under construction or approved, the word is from both the City and the County that ADU’s are not “catching on” as they had hoped.
Why not?
Although nobody is saying this publicly, I believe the “unsexiness” of ADU’s (also known as Granny units) has a great deal to do with the initial cost of building the ADU which makes for a long time for the homeowner/investor to recoup their capital outlay through the extra rent. Also, it is a tough choice for many to consider having someone, or some other family, living on their property in the ADU. With the uncertainty raised by some zealots trying to have rent control measures passed, that lends uncertainty to how much rent the homeowner/investor can charge in the future.
So how do we look as a community if this pace of rebuilding continues? Will it really take 10-12 years to just rebuild what we lost in the fires? Certainly, the pace in Coffey Park is moving along pretty nicely, but the pace of reconstructing in Fountaingrove has been delayed for a number of reasons. First-the extreme fire heat chemically changed the water service piping and left a dangerous byproduct, a carcinogen called benzene behind in the water distribution piping. Not only did this create anxiety amongst homeowners trying to decide whether to rebuild or not, but mortgage companies would not even lend on those properties until the City of Santa Rosa “cleaned up” the problem. Adding to those delays and uncertainties, the difficulties in building in Fountaingrove far exceed the level of building difficulty in the much more level Coffey Park area. Permit approval takes longer in the Fountaingrove area because homeowners are not as apt to rebuild the exact same house as before (which is more often the case in Coffey Park).
So, if it is going to take 10 years to rebuild Sonoma County fire damaged or destroyed homes, where are the folks going to live that we need for our businesses? Believe me, there are a lot of negotiations going on to build high density housing in many areas of Santa Rosa these days. The City realized their budget is trashed and they need housing and residents first and foremost to get fiscally healthy again. There are plans to pre-approve projects in certain areas to streamline and provide a “time certain” approval date so investors and developers can fix their costs and their timing of starting an income stream. Needless to say, this is a complex issue that has a lot of moving parts and our elected have a lot of hard work in front of them. What can we do? Be ready to provide estimates to those that are getting entitlements and consider adding an ADU to your existing home. Rental prices are high and loan rates are still relatively low. The City and County will try to accommodate an ADU right now more than ever before.
Make Granny sexy again! Build Granny units!
That’s All Folks!
John