November 20, 2015

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News

 

Conferees Eye "Ambitious" Schedule for Multi-Year Highway/Transit Bill Enactment

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) declared today (Nov. 18) the short-term extension of the federal highway and public transportation programs currently working its way through Congress would be the last such extension and laid out a schedule for enactment of a multi-year bill by Dec. 4. Click here to read more.                                                                   


Time Is Running Out Make Your PAC Contribution Today
The Ohio Contractors Association has been very engaged at the Ohio Statehouse representing the concerns of your heavy/highway construction industry.  The first six months of this year included the introduction, debate, and passage of the ODOT budget bill.  It included billions of dollars in funding for road and bridge construction and maintenance, along with many policy issues affecting our industry.

The general revenue fund budget bill also was passed on June 30th and it too contained policy issues that affect your business.  So far this year, OCA has successfully fought off attempts to raise competitive bidding thresholds, abolish the prevailing wage, and raise force account limits for townships.  We have moved a bill through the House and Senate that would prohibit cities or the state from imposing residency requirements on public works contracts.  Our goal is to achieve final passage of that legislation before the end of this year.

Part of the reason for our success at the statehouse is due to your contributions to the Ohio Contractors Political Action Committee.  Having an active PAC allows OCA’s Legislative Director to attend fundraisers and build relationships with legislators who are deciding which laws get passed and which don’t.  It allows us to support the campaigns of those legislators and statewide candidates who value good government by supporting our issues, and to say no to those who don’t support our issues.

It is important for our industry and for you individually to engage financially via the Ohio Contractors PAC to ensure that our voice is heard at the state government level.  Your financial commitment to a strong PAC helps make the Ohio Contractors Association one of the most effective associations in the state.

If you haven’t already contributed to the Ohio Contractors PAC this year, please call the OCA office today at 800.229.1388 to make a contribution on your personal credit card.  Or mail a personal check to Ohio Contractors PAC, 1313 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43215.  Contributions must be received by November 30 to count towards this year’s Chapter of the Year contest.  We appreciate your support in advancing the concerns of our industry at the Ohio Statehouse.

                                                                                                                                                     
                                                     


Nominations Open for Don Conaway Partnering Awards

Projects may now be submitted for consideration in the 2016 Don Conaway Partnering Awards.  There are three awards given at the Conaway Conference every year – projects less than $5 million, between $5 million and $20 million, and above $20 million.  Click here for the nomination form.  The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, January 8, 2016.  Submit the nominations to:

 

Chase P. Wells, P.E.

ODOT Central Office | Div. of Construction Mgmt.

1980 West Broad Street | Mail Stop 4090

Columbus, Ohio 43223

[email protected]

 

Click here to see the Don Conaway Partnering Award announcement letter from ODOT Director Jerry Wray and OCA President Chris Runyan.  The ODOT/OCA Partnering Steering Committee is looking forward to your participation. 

 


OCA Annual Convention in the Dominican Republic
The deadline for deposits is next Wednesday, November 25th!   We have very few Royal Service Ocean Views and Ocean Fronts not reserved.  This is the first time our association has been to the Dominican Republic. We have lined up an exciting week of activities:  Sessions, excursions, and our theme trip to Altos de Chavon. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities available as well. Contact Rachel Sirca about convention details or Emily Pickens about registering.  If you have not received the invitation or excursion details, contact Rachel or Emily.
                                                         
                                                                                                              


Estimating Competition Member Coaches
We couldn’t do it without our coaches!  Thank you to the following members who are working with the students for the 2016 Estimating Competition:

Morgan

Montgomery

Vernon Nagel, Inc.

Bowling Green State University                              

Doug

Shealy

Mosser Construction, Inc              

Bowling Green State University

Matthew

Blesi

The Great Lakes Construction Co.

Cleveland State University

Jon

Niebel

The Shelly Co.

Ohio Northern University

Corey

Brown

Kokosing Construction Co., Inc.

Ohio University

Pete

Kinzer

Shelly & Sands, Inc.

Ohio University

Nate

Smith

Shelly & Sands, Inc.

Ohio University

Andrew

Norman

Kokosing Construction Co., Inc.

The Ohio State University

Chuck

Gillombardo

The Ruhlin Co.

University of Akron

David

Thelen

The Ruhlin Co.

University of Akron

Rob

Lichter

John R. Jurgensen Co.

University of Cincinnati

Larry

DeRoo

 

University of Dayton

Aaron

Peterson

Paul Peterson Company

University of Dayton

Jason

Baden

Gerken Paving, Inc.

University of Toledo

Brad

Carpenter

Black Swamp Steel, Inc.

University of Toledo

Steve

Sieracke

Black Swamp Steel, Inc.

University of Toledo

Sharon

Szymanski

Miller Bros. Const., Inc.

University of Toledo

Stephen

McCloskey

Shelly & Sands, Inc.

Youngstown State University


                                                       
                                                                                                             


SB 378 Update                                                      
The Ohio House of Representatives announced several appointments to the Underground Technical Committee (UTC) this week. Please see the information below. Once we receive word that additional UTC appointments have been made, we’ll be sure to distribute that information.

 

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3781.34, the Speaker hereby appoints the following individuals to the Underground Technical Committee:

 

David Celona – representing the natural gas distribution industry;

Shaun Corrin – representing locators of underground utility facilities;

William Hocevar – representing the stakeholder group of the commercial excavator industry

 

We’ll continue to share more information with you as is becomes available.


                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                


What Contractors Need To Know About Erosion & Sediment Control (SWPPP) Inspections
Coyle SWPPP Professionals is offering training on erosion & sediment control BMP's and SWPPP designs.  Earn 8 PDH's towards your CPESC & CESSWI certification.

Topics include:

  • Inspectors: What You Need to Know
  • Alternative BMPs for Erosion & Sediment Control
  • More Effective Alternative BMPs
  • Regulations Update
  • ODOT Compliance: Borrow, Use & Waste Areas
  • Ecological Resource Evaluation & Management
  • Hands on SWPPP Design

Hamilton - Tuesday, December 1, 2015 - 8:00 - 4:30

Butler Soil and Water Conservation District

1802 Princeton Rd. Hamilton, Ohio 45011

Columbus - Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - 8:00 - 4:30

Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District

1404 Goodale Blvd., Suite 100, Columbus, Oh 43212

Medina - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 8:00 - 4:30

Medina Community Recreation Center

855 Weymouth Rd. Medina, Ohio 44256

Registration fee $195 per person (Lunch Included!)

For more details and to register visit our website:  CoyleSWPPP.com                                                  
                                                       
                                                       
                    
                                                       


Opportunities in Transportation Safety
The Ohio Chapter of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is hosting Opportunities in Transportation Safety in conjunction with ODOT on March 3, 2016.

                                                                                                                                                                       

For more details about the conference or to submit questions for ODOT officials to address in the Ask the Owner Q&A session, please visit www.ohioatssa.com.
                                                                

 

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Upcoming Events

 

Winter Conference 2015
This is our highest attended event of the year, packed with industry-relevant sessions and activities.  If you did not receive an invitation and would like one, please contact Rachel Sirca ([email protected]) or Emily Pickens ([email protected]) and we’ll be happy to send you an e-invitation.
                                   
Sponsorship
Take this opportunity to sponsor the reception and casino night as well as the awards banquet during this year’s winter conference – our most attended event of the year!  We will have large screens throughout the exhibit / reception area, displaying the names of all sponsors.  We also list all sponsors in our newsletter.  Our reception and awards banquet are a success because of you!

 

While the sponsorship for the reception is for associate members, all members are welcome to be a sponsor for the awards banquet on Tuesday, December 8.  Thank you in advance!   Sponsorship Information


                                             
                                                                                               


CESSWI Exam Review
GS&P will lead an 8-hour CESSWI examination review session. The session will cover material provided by Envirocert and the class will be conducted by Mark McCabe, a certified CESSWI instructor. The workbooks are included in the application registration fee and are sent to the registrant upon receipt of payment for the certification application. Lunch will be provided.

Important information before registering for this review course
To write the Exam, you must first gain approval through the CESSWI application process on or before December 15. Application approval can take up to 45 daysApplication forms are available on the web site at:  www.cesswi.org.

 

Click here to register or contact Emily Pickens via email at [email protected].


ODOT Plan Reading Course January 21 & 22, 2016
OCA’s Chris Engle will be instructing this plan reading course.  Chris spent 22 years with ODOT, with the last six years serving as District Deputy Director for District 5. Your training covers reading, understanding and using ODOT plans. Includes sections, profiles, quantity take-offs, and relationships between components of the plans. Concentrates on the highway portion (75%) with some focus on structures (25%).  The ideal candidate has been in the trades and is now doing foreman work or a clerical person who must answer various technical questions.  Includes lecture discussions and in-class use of plans. A calculator is needed. Class space will be limited.  $200 members / $225 non members.  Includes lunch.  To register, visit our website.  If you have trouble registering, contact Emily Pickens at 614-488-0724 or [email protected].

 



CPR / First Aid / AED / Bloodborne Pathogens Training At OCA

OCA has scheduled CPR/First Aid/AED/Bloodborne Pathogens training in its Columbus office on February 10, 2016 from 8 am to 12 pm.  Lunch will follow.  The 4-hour session will include the following:

INSTRUCTOR & COSTS

The training will be conducted by HTH Safety Solutions, LLC.  OCA has arranged for a great course discount of $70 per person.  The same certifications from the American Red Cross would cost $115! 

REGISTRATION

Please click here to register or contact Emily Pickens in the OCA office via email at [email protected].

 

 

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Safety Talks

 

Click here to view the OCA Jobsite Safety Talk.

 

 

 

 


This email was sent by: Ohio Contractors Association, 1313 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215

                                                                                                                                

 

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