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 Spring 2008

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City Votes Down Fire Assessment
The Gainesville City Commission did an about-face late Thursday night, voting down a proposed assessment for fire services that had been adopted into the city code unanimously last month. After five hours of city staff presentations and public comment, commissioners voted unanimously against a fire services assessment that could have placed a fee on property owners' November tax bill of as much as $30 per single-family home. Although commissioners Craig Lowe, Jeanna Mastrodicasa and Lauren Poe expressed support of the fire services assessment after it was clear that the mayor and three other commissioners announced they were against the assessment the Commission acted unanimously.
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City Cuts Through $2 Million Shortfall
As Gainesville city commissioners on Thursday attempted to whittle down the $2 million deficit for fiscal year 2009, Pop Warner Football was saved, the Police Department escaped without cuts and Fire Rescue lost a public information position. Big changes could be in store, with the city moving to a four-day work week. As a result of the four-day week, the city may decide to close City Hall, the old library building, the Thomas Center and an administration building on Fridays.
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SFC Building to be Its Own Teacher
In fall 2009, Santa Fe College will have a new home for its building construction labs and classrooms. The new home will be anything but ordinary. "The building itself will be a teacher," SFC president Jackson Sasser said Thursday at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Charles R. Perry Building Construction Institute. One wall of the building will be a massive window instead of drywall and a part of the ceiling will not contain ceiling tiles, so students can examine the electrical and mechanical features and learn from seeing, Sasser said. The building will also be SFC's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-registered building that utilizes green, sustainable building practices.
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VA Hospital to Break Ground on New Bed Tower Addition
There are plenty of good things to remember from the 1960s. Hospital ward design isn't one of them.In a sense, Gainesville's Veterans Affairs Medical Center will be stepping out of a 40-year time warp when officials break ground on a new bed tower Saturday.
After several delays and increases in construction cost, work will begin in September on a $130 million, five-story addition that will adjoin the current hospital and add 228 beds, all in private rooms. The rooms will have private baths and space for family members to be with the patients. Most of all, they will have privacy.
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Johnson, Florida Capital Open Building, Avoid Turmoil
Rob Johnson said it was an interesting week preparing to open a new bank building while fielding calls about whether depositors' funds were federally insured should the bank fail. Florida Capital Bank of Gainesville opens Monday in its new building at 5023 NW 8th Ave., behind its current office fronting Newberry Road. But with news about IndyMac in California failing and the ongoing turmoil in the financial markets, the Gainesville bank's president spent a lot of his time last week assuring customers about his bank's stability. "What's not coming out in the paper are the differences between the banks that are making headlines and your friendly neighborhood bank that you have your money in, or even Wachovia and Bank of America," he said. "A majority of banks really have no exposure to this mortgage crisis. The general public should take some comfort in knowing that no other business they deal with gets regulated and examined like a bank does."
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'Bonds Away' for County Commission?
It might be bonds away for the Marion County Commission to pay for road construction projects. Commissioners want a vote soon on whether to establish a finance committee for the first of three possible bond issues to pay for eight road projects with a total projected price tag of about $100 million. County Engineer Mounir Bouyounes said the vote could come as soon as the Aug. 5 commission meeting. He said if commissioners approve, construction on four road widening projects in the plan - Northwest 44th Avenue, County Road 200A, Southeast 31st Street and Southwest 60th Avenue - should start before the end of the 2009 fiscal year.
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Xhale Board Ceremoniously Breaks Ground
A company founded around a University of Florida medical invention is gearing up to take on the health-care world with the start of construction of a 20,000-square-foot headquarters. With the actual site preparation work already under way behind them, the board of Xhale Inc. ceremoniously broke ground Tuesday at SW 47th Avenue off SW 34th Street behind the main post office. Xhale is developing hand-held devices that can immediately diagnose compounds or pharmaceutical levels in patients' breath, an alternative to blood or urine samples.
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Ethanol Finds Its Way into Gas Supply
Appearing on gasoline pumps throughout Columbia County over the past few weeks are stickers that read, "All gasoline products contain up to 10 percent ethanol by volume." According to Lester Scaff, S&S Food Stores owner, president and chief executive, "BP started shipping it (ethanol/gasoline mixture) a few weeks ago." Scaff said that not all of the S&S Food Stores that sell Shell are using the ethanol/gasoline mixture yet.
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PSC Clears Way for Nuclear Plants in Levy County
The Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to allow Progress Energy to continue its quest to build two new nuclear reactors in Levy County. The vote was to establish that there was a need for additional power and that new nuclear reactors could help to fulfill the growing demand for electricity throughout Florida. Progress Energy is central Florida's largest power provider with about 1.7 million customers. The energy company has more than 60,000 customers in Marion County.
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Plans for Training Facility Shot Down
A decision to shoot down a proposed law enforcement training facility on the Ocala Lumber property near Fort McCoy may launch a legal battle between the property owners and the county. Before a packed auditorium of more than 200 residents Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously voted down Ocala Lumber president Henry J.G. Moxon's application for a special use permit to develop a training facility with a one-mile-long airstrip, rifle ranges, explosives storage, a vehicle track and an indoor shooting range on property that is zoned for agricultural use.
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Plan for Rail Line Surprises Dunnellon
Progress Energy Florida has applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to build a rail line to its proposed Levy nuclear power plant and the corridor selected shows the line crossing U.S. 41 in a move that has surprised and concerned the Dunnellon City Council.
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CEO Says Munroe Needs Tax
Although public funding help for Munroe Regional Medical Center appears to be a dead issue this year, sooner or later it's going to happen, the hospital's president and CEO said Thursday. Steve Purves, addressing the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, said the hospital will need the public's help to support its nonprofit mission in the future.
"It's going to be necessary moving into the future," he said. "Today it's time for a public discourse, and a public dialogue on this issue."
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County OKs Grants for IHMC, Duratek
The Marion County Commission approved the first two grants in its new economic incentive program Tuesday, awarding tax money to help lure a Brooksville manufacturing firm and a Pensacola-based research institute to town. Commissioners unanimously approved the conditions of a $550,000 grant previously approved for the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, the Panhandle research institute with plans for a second location in the old Ocala Public Library building. While the county's economic improvement grant program is designed to refund a portion of the property tax money a firm pays the county, the IHMC award is a straight cash contribution. Although he voted for the grant, that was a cause of concern for Commissioner Jim Payton.
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Columbia County Commission: Millage Rate Set to Raise Revenue by $20 Million
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners set the maximum millage rate at 7.891 mills for fiscal year 2008-2009, which will raise about $20,393,417 in ad valorem revenue, if adopted. The current fiscal year millage rate is 7.853 mills, and it raised $20,615,549 in revenue in the current year. "The anomaly in this coming year's budget, is that while the millage rate is slightly higher (.038 higher), it generates less revenue (about $222,000 less revenue)," County Manager Dale Williams said. "I've never been involved in a budget process where a millage increase - or even keeping the millage the same - did not result in more revenue."
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Company Leaves Hernando County for Ocala
Hernando County is losing one of its industries. It could cost the county up to 165 jobs. Duratek Precast Technologies decided a few years ago to move its headquarters to the Airport Industrial Park. It established a home in Brooksville with the intention of building a new plant next door.
After the sharp decline of the area's housing market and its comparative distance from Interstate 75, the company's owner changed his mind and opted to relocate and expand 65 miles north, said Hernando County Office of Business Development Director Mike McHugh.
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Both BANCF and MCBIA offer 14 hours of continuing education classes. To learn more, go to the following links:
Continuing Education onsite at MCBIA

MCBIA Calendar of Events

BANCF Calendar of Events

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USGBC Heart of Florida Chapter

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Florida Builders Open Orlando Trade Show to Public - A First
A popular, industry-only trade show for home builders is opening its doors to the public this year for the first time in its history, offering homeowners and potential home buyers a peek at the latest products and services being pitched to the pros. "This is a great opportunity for do-it-yourselfers," said Edie Ousley, communications director for the Florida Home Builders Association, sponsor of the annual Southeast Building Conference. This year's 30th annual gathering is in the Orange County Convention Center. The one day the public can attend is Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Public access to the trade-show floor will be free, Ousley said, for those who sign up for a pass at the show's on-site registration desk the day of the event.
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State Farm Seeks 47.1% Rate Hike for Home Insurance
State Farm, Florida's largest private property insurer, on Wednesday asked the state for an average rate increase of 47.1 percent on homeowner policies. State Farm Florida Insurance Co. says it needs to increase premiums to have the cash to pay claims if major storms strike. The planned increase flies in the face of the Legislature's efforts to curb property insurance prices that doubled or tripled in some cases after hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. The state Office of Insurance Regulation will conduct a hearing Aug. 12 to consider the increase, which would affect windstorm and contents coverage for home and condominium owners and renters.
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Seminoles Ask Court to Reconsider Gambling Pact
The Seminole Tribe of Florida on Thursday asked the state's high court to reconsider its 7-0 decision to invalidate the gambling compact signed by Gov. Charlie Crist, a ruling that jeopardizes the operation of its blackjack and baccarat games being offered at the tribe's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood. The tribe has drawn large crowds since it began running the games on June 22 and it argues that the two-week-old Florida Supreme Court ruling is a flawed interpretation of federal law. It wants the court to reverse itself or modify its conclusion that the governor can't authorize blackjack and baccarat at the tribe's seven casinos in Florida without legislative approval.
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In Sarasota and Manatee, Housing Uptick Stirs Hope
New home building has rebounded slightly in Manatee and Sarasota counties over the past few months, but Charlotte County and North Port -- with large inventories of homes for sale and in foreclosure -- remain mired in a building slump. The outlook for continued improvement in Manatee and Sarasota or a turnaround in Charlotte and North Port is uncertain. But falling prices have led to an increase in home sales in some areas, enough that builders in Manatee County, for example, are resuming work. "We are seeing some glimmers of hope," said Mary Dougherty-Slapp, of Manatee County Home Builders, who said the area is finding a "new normal" in terms of construction.
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Debate Heats Up Over Property Tax Amendment
The debate over a controversial "tax swap" that will be on the November ballot will amp up next week as a state Senate leader begins a series of 10 public forums on the issue. Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, who opposes the plan to cut property taxes by 25 percent but replace the lost revenue with a sales tax increase, will hold the first forum Tuesday in Broward County. The forums will run through next month, concluding with a hearing on Aug. 18 in Tallahassee. "We believe firmly that the people of Florida deserve to hear both sides of the story," said Haridopolos, chairman of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee. But former Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, one of the leading proponents of the tax swap, said although some Amendment 5 backers may attend the forums, he believes it is "premature" to begin the debate over the amendment, which was put on the general election ballot by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
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Construction Work Continues at CHS
Renovations at Columbia High School, which will provide a new administration office, more classrooms and a larger dining area for students, are roughly at the halfway point, according to officials. The 12-month project, which began at the end of 2007, is scheduled to be completed by late November or early December. Columbia School District Superintendent Grady "Sam" Markham said the project is intended to bring the school - which is more than 30 years old - to a more modern day look and feel.
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Lake Shore Board Selects Construction Manager
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board has selected the J.L. Dupree Construction Company as its first choice to be the construction manager for the board's new administrative complex. The selection of Dupree Construction was made Monday following nearly two hours worth of interviews during the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board's meeting. The list of four potential candidates applying for the job was narrowed from a field of six applicants who initially sent in paperwork applying for the construction manager job.
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Funding for New Sharpes Ferry Bridge Moves Closer
Marion County's campaign to get money to replace the Sharpes Ferry Bridge continues its slow but steady advance, like a pickup truck rumbling across the metal deck of the 80-year-old bridge. Now, the county and state may both pledge money for the first time to replace the old bridge where County Road 314 crosses the Ocklawaha River. Although the money is not slated to arrive until the 2011-12 fiscal year, the Florida Department of Transportation has approved $3.5 million through a county grant program. That money is contingent on Marion coming up with a local match, Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization Executive Director Greg Slay said.
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Federal Signal Signs Deal to Sell E-One for $20 Million
Federal Signal Corp. announced late Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with a New York-based private equity group known as American Industrial Partners to sell E-One for approximately $20 million. The sale is expected to close within the next 30 days. "That's a lower price than what we were expecting," said analyst Walter Liptak, who covers Federal Signal for Barrington Research. "It's a tough market for doing a divestiture like this."
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Surging Fuel, Asphalt, Steel Costs 'Clobber' Construction Budgets, AGC Says
"Surging prices for diesel fuel, asphalt, steel and other materials are clobbering construction budgets," Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said today. Simonson was commenting on the producer price index (PPI) for June reported today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The PPI for inputs to construction industries - materials used in all types of construction plus items consumed by contractors, such as diesel fuel - surged 10.4 percent over the past 12 months. The index for highway and street construction leaped 18.9 percent.
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GAO Report Validates AGC Concerns Over Hubzone Program
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today endorsed the findings of a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program is highly susceptible to fraud and "widespread abuse." "The GAO report confirms the claims contractors have been making for years - that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has failed to execute its oversight authority over the HUBZone program," said AGC's chief executive officer Stephen E. Sandherr. "The HUBZone program has been a huge administrative failure, which has cost the program its potential as a legitimate contracting vehicle, the opportunity for growth for these disadvantaged communities and billions of lost taxpayer dollars."
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NCCER Unveils Green Jobs Training Curriculum
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) July 16 unveiled "Your Role in the Green Environment," a national green jobs training curriculum for the construction industry craft professional. According to NCCER, the 15-hour course introduces craft workers to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, helps identify construction activities that contribute to a project's LEED rating and addresses common construction pitfalls to avoid in achieving LEED certification. 
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Upcoming Events
 
AGCGF is now offering STP & Construction Estimating Classes online!   
Click here for the 2008 class schedule.

 

AGCGF Golf Tournament

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AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events
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AGCGF Green Building Seminar

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2008 Residential Building Edge Media Kit 
2008 Commercial Building Edge Media Kit
2008 Home: Living in the Heart of Florida Media Kit
2008 E-News Brief Media Kit