|
You Are invited To Learn More About The DIVISION OF
OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION At The Ohio Department of
Transportation
Launched this summer, ODOT’s newest
Division and its knowledgeable staff represent the department’s commitment
to providing fair opportunities for potential and current business partners
and employees.
You are receiving this email because you
are a valued partner. We cannot serve our customers without
professional and committed consulting and contracting firms like yours.
Therefore, we invite you to join us for a special discussion about
Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion, important
changes to ODOT’s Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs, and
how we will achieve our goals as partners.
DATE: Friday,
October 9, 2015
TIME:
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION: ODOT
Central Office Auditorium, 1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, 43223
We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there. We expect a
large attendance at this meeting, so please submit your RSVP here by October
2.
In the meantime, for further information visit our website at transportation.ohio.gov/odi or email Maria Davila with questions.
EPA
Rules On Ozone Levels Finalized, Tightened To 70 ppb
EPA
released its new stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
for ozone pollution, dropping the permissible levels from 75 parts per
billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. The new rule is drawing criticism from industry.
As AGC’s comments on the proposed
version of the rule point out, the 75 ppb standard was
only recently set, back in 2008, and the implementing guidance was not
finalized until February 2015. Under the new 70 ppb standard, 241 counties,
including 34 in Ohio, will be in violation, using 2012-2014 monitoring
data. However, EPA notes that they will likely use 2014-2016 data when
they designate areas of nonattainment.
Construction
companies will feel the effects of tighter ozone limits, mainly via
restrictions on equipment emissions in areas with poor air quality (direct
impact), as well as additional controls on industrial facilities and
planning requirements for transportation-related sources (indirect
impact). Notably, nonattainment counties that are out of compliance
with CAA ozone standards could have federal highway funds withheld.
The new
rule is also drawing criticism from the environmental community, many of
which are disappointed that the level was not set at 65 or 60 ppb. Some
have already threatened lawsuits. AGC will be continuing to work with
industry coalition partners on this issue, and will be doing a deep
analysis of the new rule and its practical impacts for the construction
industry over the coming weeks.
OCA’s Board of
Directors Has Taken Positions On Two ballot Issues That Will Be On The
November 3rd Statewide Ballot.
OCA’s Board of Directors has taken positions on two
ballot issues that will be on the November 3rd statewide ballot.
OCA
SUPPORTS THE PASSAGE OF ISSUE 2: The goal of Issue 2 is to create a
constitutional amendment that would prohibit the creation of monopolies in
the Ohio Constitution. The “Ohio Initiated Monopolies Amendment” would
require voters in the future to approve two
questions pertaining to citizen initiatives establishing economic
monopolies. Ohio’s legislators developed the Ohio Initiative Monopolies
amendment in response to Issue 3 (see below).
Issue 2
would work by requiring the Ohio Ballot Board to determine if an initiative
would create an economic monopoly or special privilege for any nonpublic
entity, including individuals, corporations and organizations. If the Ohio
Ballot Board determines an initiative would create an economic monopoly,
then the board would be required to create two separate ballot questions.
The first question would ask, "Shall the petitioner, in violation of
division (B)(1) of Section 1e of Article II of the Ohio Constitution, be
authorized to initiate a constitutional amendment that grants or creates a
monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel, specifies or determines a tax rate, or
confers a commercial interest, commercial right, or commercial license that
is not available to other similarly situated persons?" The second
question would be the ballot initiative. If both questions are approved,
then the amendment would take effect. If only one question is approved,
then the amendment would be defeated.
If voters
approve the amendment, it could potentially invalidate any initiatives
voters approved on the November 3 ballot that establish economic monopolies
- specifically, it may invalidate the Marijuana Legalization
Initiative. However, it is likely that if Issue 2 and Issue 3 both
pass, the final decision of which one rules supreme would be fought out in
the courts.
OCA
OPPOSES ISSUE 3. Issue 3 is a proposed constitutional amendment that
was submitted by a group of wealthy investors to create a monopoly that
would give them, and only them, the ability to commercially cultivate
marijuana on 10 predetermined sites around Ohio. The marijuana grown
at those sites would be available for sale for recreational and medical
marijuana usage. The amendment would allow over 1100 retail marijuana
stores, more than three times the number of liquor stores currently in
Ohio. In addition, adults would be able to grow marijuana for their own
recreational use.
The use of
the Ohio constitution to create a monopoly for a few wealthy individuals is
a threat to our free market system that is built upon economic
competitiveness. The fact that Issue 3 would also create many
uncertainties and problems for Ohio’s employers, however, is even more
troubling. Does state or federal law regarding marijuana use, possession
and cultivation take precedence? How would drug-testing and the
ensuing results be handled? How would safety standards be maintained in our
hazardous profession? Would union contracts have to be amended for
this new contingency? How would this impact our ability to attract
and retain employees?
We know
that Ohio’s contractors value predictability, safety, and a reliable and
drug-free workforce, all of which will be jeopardized if Issue 3
passes. For that reason, we urge you to vote no on Issue 3.
Please click here for more information.
Estimating Competition Searching For A Project…
Every year the students participating in
the OCA Estimating Competition use a previously-constructed project from
one of our members. Last year’s students estimated a roundabout in
Dublin, Ohio, presented by George J. Igel & Co., Inc. We are now
looking for a new project for the 2016 competition. If you are willing to
attend a couple of meetings to discuss your project, and give a
presentation to those attending the competition, please contact Rachel
Sirca at 614-488-0724 or [email protected].
Constructability and Value
Engineering Workshops Invitation to Contractors
The
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) uses constructability review
workshops as a project improvement technique on select major projects. The
intent of the workshop is to review the project’s development and conduct
brainstorming activities that include constructability analysis and reviews
to identify and recommend ideas for ODOT’s consideration in the continued
project design and development. This effort will be a combination
constructability and value engineering workshop that will follow the
approved SAVE-International phased methodology that includes the 1)
Information, 2) Function Analysis, 3) Speculation, 4) Evaluation, 5)
Development and 6) Presentation. By utilizing contractor input and ideas
early in the design stage, a wide range of benefits can be achieved that
produces a buildable, cost-effective, biddable set of construction
documents and an overall better operable and maintainable project for ODOT
and the public.
The project to be studied is the CCG3 (Central
Interchange) contract group. This project, referred to as Construction
Contract Group 3 (CCG3), addresses the I-77 / I-90 interchange. The I-77
work begins at the interchange with I-90 to the north and ends at the
Kingsbury Bridge near East 37th Street. The I-90 work is between East 9th
Street to East 22nd Street, and includes replacing the Carnegie Avenue
bridge over I-90. The proposed termini for this project will match into
previous CCG projects and the design will allow for additional construction
work in the future.) The
project is currently at about 25% design completion. More information on
the Innerbelt Program can be found here.
As part of this process, ODOT will conduct 2 separate
workshops on Thursday,
October 15, 2015 and Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at ODOT
District 12 offices in Garfield Heights. Attendance at both sessions
is not mandatory but encouraged to provide the greatest benefit. Each day’s
session will begin promptly at 9:00, end about 4:00.
Constructability
Workshop #1 will provide a project team presentation and include break-out
sessions with a constructability review process and idea development.
Workshop #2 will be a continuation with further development and refinement
of the ideas generated in the previous workshop.
Registration is not required, however, ODOT would
appreciate knowing your interest in attending. Please email Randall (Randy) S.
Over, P.E., at [email protected] that you plan to
attend.
Making Hotel Reservations for Winter Conference
The Hilton at Easton has a reserved block
of rooms for OCA. To make your reservations, click here. Our reservation code is CON. We used our entire
room block the past several years, so you may want to reserve your room
right away.
|