So now it’s officially fall. Autumn, if you prefer. There is a noticeable absence of daylight and the temperatures are cooler. Some people claim this as their favorite season because of the weather and the spectacular views as the leaves change color. I’m not so crazy about it because experience would show that winter follows closely behind. This is a great place to live from April until late October but the rest of the year rates a little lower.

Fortunately for you, every winter your Association offers you the opportunity to get away from Lake County weather during the winter months. This year is no exception with an unbelievable trip to Africa followed by a less adventurous excursion to beautiful Marco Island, Florida.

Mike Ryan and his committee have re-invented what was once the “Mini-Workshop” into the first “Annual Winter Business Conference”. One night has been added and the educational programs and group social activities have been upgraded and expanded. We are also offering the opportunity for you “Snowbirds” to drive on over and join in on the activities at a reduced rate if you don’t need a hotel room.

The air travel portion has been eliminated to allow you to burn up your frequent flier miles or just to travel on your own schedule.

Not only is this a great chance to get away from winter, it’s also a great chance to reward “special” employees for a job well done while providing them with educational and networking opportunities in a spectacular location.

Registration forms and detailed information on the conference are included in this newsletter. Please read through it and make your reservations soon. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact the Association office or call Mike Ryan directly.

The LCCA Annual Conference Chair Mike Ryan, H.H. Holmes Testing, is pleased to announce that, due to popular demand, we have created a “Conference Only” registration for those who might have a place (or have a friend with a place) close to the Marriott Marco Island Resort and would like to just attend the functions and seminars. The cost will be $275 per person. To register for this option, just use the reservation form enclosed with this Newsbrief.

The program includes:
Friday, March 3, 2006 – Arrival with a Welcome Reception in the evening.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 – Morning Seminar on Controlling Stress presented by Wayne Pratt, Oasis Business Group. Afternoon seminar by Margery Newman, Ogletree Deakins.

Sunday, March 5, 2006 – Free day to enjoy the area.

Monday, March 6, 2006 – Morning Seminar on Time Management by Wayne Pratt, Oasis Business Group. Afternoon seminar by Bill Zeigler, Zeigler & Associates.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 – Morning and Afternoon free to enjoy the area. Evening will feature a dinner party at the hotel.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 – Departure.

The cost is just $1,125 per person double occupancy. You can use the form enclosed or register (deposit) online at www.lcca-il.org/events . 

The Waukegan YMCA is planning a 6,000 sq.’ addition funded by a grant from the OMC Foundation. The LCCA Board of Directors has agreed to get behind this project and help them get donations to make the grant money go further and provide the YMCA with the ability to offer more health and wellness programs for families and fix some of the deteriorating mechanical systems at the same time. Ron Peterson, Ernie Peterson Plumbing, will be heading up LCCA’s efforts and Nathan Pickus, Pickus Construction & Equipment, has volunteered his time to help manage the project.

LCCA members were instrumental in the original building and it makes sense that the next generation of contractors would step up and help with this addition. Initial planning is underway and we hope to start construction in the spring. If you would like to help with construction services or materials, let Ron know.  

The annual trade show is set for the October Membership meeting on October 27 at Midlane Golf Resort in Wadsworth. The evening will feature a wonderful buffet with carving and pasta stations, an open bar (thanks to the exhibitors) and many prizes including a grand prize worth $500.

We have a good group of exhibitors for members to network with including:

We still have room for a few more exhibitors. Call the LCCA Office if you are interested.

The 2005 edition of LCCA’s Holiday Party at the Lincolnshire Marriott is scheduled for Friday, December 3, 2005. If you want to attend one of Lake County’s great parties, put your group together and block out the date. Reservation forms will be in the mail soon. For those who have never attended, this is the best entertainment value in Lake County. Great food, drink, conversation and a show that will knock your socks off!!

This is a great opportunity to entertain employees, clients or other special people while leaving the arrangements (and the headaches) to us! Get your tables together soon.      

Applications are now available for the Construction Industry Service Corporation’s (CISCO) 2006 Joseph Sullivan Memorial Scholarship competition.  The $2,000 grant, which can be renewed three times for a grand total of $8,000, will be awarded in April of 2006. All children of CISCO members are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be high school seniors, provisionally accepted into an undergraduate degree program at a four-year accredited college, and citizens of the United States. Additionally, the candidate must be a child of a member of a building trades union or a non-bargaining unit employee of a union contractor that is affiliated with CISCO.

Applications can be obtained by: calling (630-472-9411); faxing (630-472-9413); writing (616 Enterprise Dr., Suite 100, Oak Brook, IL 60523); or e-mailing (sam@cisco.org) your request to CISCO.  Completed applications, along with all required materials, must be returned to CISCO by February 17, 2006.

Non-Union Projects – LCCA is developing a list of non-union contractors and projects. If you know of a non-union project in your area, please notify the LCCA Office.

Laborers File Demand for Arbitration – The Laborers Union filed a grievance against MARBA alleging that MARBA violated the Laborers Agreement when they signed an agreement with Operating Engineers covering Landscape Work. The grievance was deadlocked at the Grievance Committee and the union has now filed a demand that the issue be arbitrated as provided for in the Laborers Contract. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will manage the arbitration process and a panel is being selected to hear the complaint. 

Carptenters Residential Settles - The Residential Construction Employers Council (RCEC) has reached agreement for a new contract covering carpenters on residential construction projects. The new agreement is effective October 1, 2005.

Everybody has an opinion on whether the recently passed Workers Comp Reform Legislation will help or hurt contractors. Program Committee Chair Micky Day, DK Contractors, is please to announce that Guy Maras, Hennessy & Roach, will be the speaker for the January Membership Meeting, January 26 at the Country Squire.

Mr. Maras was one of the negotiators representing the Construction industry during the development of the final bill. As an attorney who represents contractors and others on Workers Comp cases, he can provide a look at the good and the bad of the bill. And while the cost will go up, Mr. Maras says the net impact will be positive. Here is your opportunity to find out why. 

LCCA hosted a seminar before the September Membership Meeting to provide Wal-Mart an opportunity to advise contractors how to get involved with their projects. David Oshinski, Project Director North Team, said that contractors who want to bid on Wal-Mart projects must complete three steps:

1.        Complete and submit financial qualification information,

2.        Have at least two superintendents and one project manager trained by Wal-Mart in Storm Water Management and

3.        Have an interview by two Wal-Mart associates at your office.

        To be eligible financially, your company must:

1.        Have a bonding capacity of at least $7,000,000

2.        Have been in business at least four years under the same name

3.        Can provide three audited financial statements showing an average total revenue of $40,000,000 for the past three years

4.        Have e-mail capabilities

5.        Have experience in Big Box Construction

Wal-Mart also requires at least three employees be trained in Storm Water Management. This is the result of a consent degree with the Federal Government and you will find they are very serious about this issue. Classes are offered only in Bentonville, Arkansas, and are very difficult to get into. Currently all classes for the next few months are full!

Finally, Wal-Mart requires an interview in your office to meet your people and see your facility.

Next year LCCA will offer Unit 7 – Accident Prevention and Loss Control of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) “Supervisor Training Program.” The seminar will be offered over three days January 12, 13 & 14, 2006.

 Our lead instructor will be Wayne Pratt, Oasis Business Group. Wayne’s career in the construction industry spans nearly 25 years. He has worked for some of the largest companies in the power industry, including Combustion Engineering and Westinghouse Electric Company. For the last few years, he has been helping others understand the lessons he learned the hard way.

Assisting Wayne will be several safety and loss control experts from the LCCA Safety Committee. The course will be offered at the College of Lake County. Final details are being worked out and reservation forms will be available next month. In the meantime, mark your calendar and plan to take advantage of this unique training opportunity.

Darick Franzen, D.L. Franzen Construction, has formed a new group called “Tractors for Charity” to raise money for the McHenry Food Pantry. Their first event is the First Annual Antique Tractor, Truck & Construction Equipment Show to be held Saturday, October 29^th from 9am – 5pm at the historic Petersen Farm on McCullom Lake Road in McHenry.

If you are interested in showing your antique equipment, or would just like to make a donation or volunteer to help, call Darick at (815) 653-0959 ext. 11 And don’t forget to mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Jos. J. Henderson & Son has announced that Leandra Thompson has joined their staff. Leandra comes to Henderson with 15 years of design & construction experience and an extensive background in design-build for public projects. Her work will involve continuing design-build business in the federal marketplace.

Ken Coslet, Terra Cotta Truck Service, has asked that we notify you of an upcoming telephone conference on “After Katrina: Procurement Strategies in a State of Emergency.” A veteran procurement expert Dave Eary will provide information on regulation changes that will create contracting opportunities in the wake of Katrina. The seminar will be offered on October 11 and costs $299. For more information, contact the Government Contracting Institute at GovernmentContractingInstitute@gcionline.net.  

 The Internal Revenue Service has made two rulings to help cope with Hurricane Katrina.

1.  Mileage Rate – The optional standard mileage rate has been raised 8¢ to 48.5¢ per mile for the last four months of 2005. The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of the extra burden of tracking actual costs. The rate is also used as a benchmark to reimburse employees for mileage.

2.  Diesel Fuel Penalty Relief – Due to the shortage of diesel fuel caused by Katrina, the IRS has announced that it would not impose the dyed fuel penalty when dyed diesel fuel is sold and used on the highway and this ruling will remain in effect until October 5, 2005.

For copies of these updates, call the LCCA Office.

Off-road diesels working on the proposed $6.6 billion expansion of O’Hare Airport will be required to meet federal fuel requirements for 2010. According to ENR, contract documents will require ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel. And all engines will be required to be equipped with newer, “Tier 2” emission controls. If you end up with a contract to work at O’Hare, make sure you read your specs closely.

IDOT is also looking to limit emissions on their projects. Look for the Dan Ryan and Kingery highway projects specs to contain similar requirements.