AGCW Northern District Report: Everett considers use of PLAs | Bellingham Climate-Action Task Force receommendations | AGC-WSDOT annual meeting

Everett considers use of project-labor agreements
The Everett City Council will be considering and voting on a proposed resolution to permit the use of project-labor agreements (PLAs) and community-workforce agreements (CWAs) at the Wednesday Dec. 18th Council meeting. The proposed resolution will allow Public Works staff to consider the use of PLAs for projects that are competitively bid in excess of $5M. AGC-member contractors are encouraged to provide Everett City Council with public comment regarding the proposed resolution at the City Council meeting, beginning at 6:30 PM. Click here to see the Council agenda and the proposed resolution.

Bellingham's Climate-Action Task Force recommendations presented

The City of Bellingham’s Climate-Action Task Force presented its final report to the Bellingham City Council on December 9th. The report, culminating 16 months of work conducted by the Task Force, produced a 125-page report focusing on four major sectors in addressing the City Council’s stated 100% reduction of greenhouse gases. The Task Force made recommendations concerning buildings, transportation, land use and energy supply with 50 recommended measures for the City Council to consider.

Proposed measures range from the full electrification of Bellingham’s buildings while completely phasing-out the use of natural gas for space/hot-water heating and banning the use of internal-combustion engine passenger-vehicle transportation within Bellingham to revising land use rules to increase densities for more efficient use of land and transportation. The City Council stated at the Dec 9 meeting that the Council will be hosting several community sessions to hear from the community as to how the proposed recommendations may impact the community.

AGC remains actively involved in a coalition with Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, Whatcom Realtor Association, Puget Sound Energy, LiUNA 292 and Cascade Natural Gas. This coalition is focused on requesting from the City Council that additional evaluation is needed on the measures as to the potential impacts on housing affordability, economic impacts on the local economy and to limit unintended consequences on Bellingham citizens and businesses. We will be sure to keep you up to date as this process unfolds.

AGC-WSDOT Annual Meeting
Registration is open for the AGC-WSDOT Annual Meeting on January 9, 2020 at the Emerald Queen Conference & Ballroom in Fife. The meeting will start with registration and a light breakfast at 8:00, concluding by 3:45. The agenda includes an update on fish-passage projects, a presentation on technology in construction, a presentation on the viaduct demolition, the mentor-protégé program, the Legislature’s take on I-976, an update for AGC/WSDOT teams and, of course, the Excellence in Construction awards. This is an AGC members-only event and a great opportunity to network with other contractors and WSDOT staff. The cost of this event is $70 per person and registration closes on December 31. Click here to register for this event. Questions? Contact Michele Willms.

Certified-payroll requirements, other big prevailing-wage changes take effect Jan. 1
When the new year begins, weekly certified-payroll reports will be required to be filed online with L&I at least once a month for work performed on all public-works projects. This change effects all public-works projects that are in progress as of January 1 and all new ones moving forward. Contractors can view training videos to learn how to file certified payrolls online.
The certified-payroll requirement, it’s important to note, is just one element of legislation (ESSB 5035) passed by the Legislature in 2019. Other elements include significantly increased penalties for non-compliance of prevailing-wage laws. Read more...

WSDOT training in partnering, conflict resolution
WSDOT, in conjunction with AGC of Washington and RHA, LLC, is offering partnering and conflict-resolution training for WSDOT staff and contractor personnel involved in the administration of construction contracts. Sessions are now scheduled in Wenatchee (Jan. 28) and Kent (Jan. 29 and Jan. 30). The concept of partnering on construction projects has been around since the early 1990s and embraces the principles of trust and open communications; resolving issues and problems promptly and at the lowest possible level; developing solutions that are agreeable and meet the needs of everyone involved (win-win approach) and more. Click here to see the event flyer. Seating is limited, so register today! To register for one of the sessions, click the date above. Questions? Contact Michele Willms.

GOOD VIBES: Wearable tech device vibrates to warn of hazards
(Construction Dive) New wearable technology could help prevent struck-by and caught-between injuries and incidents, found a study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas released last month by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). The study outfitted workers with waist belts with vibrating motors to detect possible nearby hazards. The tactile system, designed to notify workers through vibrations, was able to deliver information through signal intensity and duration, notifying them where nearby heavy machinery was operating. Read more…

THE DOTTED LINE: How contractors are finding and vetting subcontractors
(Construction Dive) The shortage of skilled labor has made it difficult for contractors to locate and keep a deep bench of quality workers, and there are no signs that relief is on the way. It stands to reason, then, since subcontractors provide so much of the labor on construction projects, that it has become trickier for many general contractors to find enough quality specialty contractors to meet the demand. A survey sponsored by Autodesk and AGC of America found that 80% of contractors were having difficulty finding enough qualified craft workers. This not only can put a great deal of pressure on project timelines but also can create a situation where contractors -- both general and specialty -- are in danger of violating clauses in their contracts that require them to provide enough labor to meet the schedule. Read more..