Construction TimesThe

A publication of Northland Area Builders Association August 2011

It is a great time to be a member of NABA! This month we will be debuting not one but two new featuresthat are only available to members. The first feature is the Member Directory Video (MDV) - a twominute introduction to your business. Composed of photos and text that you supply (most of this canalready be found on your website but we may need access to higher quality photos), the MDV will bepart of your Member Directory listing. NABA will create and upload the video to our website, our YouTubechannel and feature it on our Facebook page. If you haven’t been to the NABA website, please checkout the recent upgrades. Visit Russ Smith Construction in the Builders/Contractors section to view thevideo as well as other features available to members. If you wish to place the video on your website,please contact the NABA office for details including permission to use the video and cost.

Our other new member benefit will be the Project Summary. This weekly summary will be emailed toall members on Mondays and will contain information on residential and commercials projects availablefor bid in our area. The Weekly Summary will also contain links to a more detailed Project Reporthoused on the Members Only side of our website. Details for logging into the site for the first time willbe in the introductory email on August 1. Details about purchasing the Project Plans and Specificationswill be found in the Project Report. Many of these projects have tight bid deadlines - please be sure toread the entire Project Report carefully. In order to provide this service at no charge to our members,we ask that you do not forward the Weekly Summaries and/or the Project Reports.

Home Expo 2012The NABA Home Expo will return to Spooner onMarch 24th and 25th. Open to both members andnon-members, the NABA Home Expo is a greatplace to showcase your business to home andcabin owners looking to buy, build or remodel innorthwestern Wisconsin. Did you know that RickHarder of Northern Paradise Homes sold a hometo a lead within months of taking part in the 2011Home Expo? Or that many vendors indicated thatthey had many solid leads from participating in theExpo? And not all of the over 600 people attendingthe 2011 Home Expo were from Spooner-we sawfolks from all over the northland from Ashland toSuperior to Eau Claire. If you weren’t part of thisyear’s Home Expo, don’t miss out on youropportunity to take part in the 2012 Home Expo!Watch your mailbox for a Vendor Packet in August- your opportunity to secure your booth spacebefore it becomes available to the general public.

New Madison office location for S&Blicense & manufactured home servicesThe state Safety and Buildings Division unit thatprovides counter service in Madison for licenses,certifications, and registrations is moving, changingoffice location as part of the formation of the newDepartment of Safety and Professional Services.This move also includes staff who provide counterservice for manufactured (mobile) homes titles andsales. The new location July 25, 2011, is at 1400East Washington Avenue (53703) in Madison atthe corner with North Dickinson Street, justsouthwest of the Yahara River.  Free parking isavailable in a lot on North Dickinson Street. Mailingaddresses for S&B forms and telephone numberswill remain the same. The telephone number forlicenses, certifications, and registrations is 608-261-8467.  The telephone number for manufacturedhomes services is 608-264-9596. All other S&Bservices in Madison remain at 201 WestWashington Avenue.

Put your membership to work for you

NABA Board of Directors

President:Russ Smith, Russ Smith Construction715-462-4170

President Elect:Ed Peterson, Peterson Construction715-866-7127

Treasurer:Rick Harder, Northern Paradise Homes715-635-2299

Secretary:Joe Gendrich, Culligan of Ashland715-682-6585

Directors:Scott Chapin, RJF Agencies715-634-4318

Todd Knutson, Johnson Bank715-634-2611

Kelly Licht, Culligan of Rice Lake715-234-8819

Jason Olsen, Peoples Bank715-634-2674

LaNell McGuire, Floor to Ceiling715-634-4573

WBA State DirectorsJack Sjostrom, Sjostrom Construction715-634-4427

Charlie Johansen, Johansen Electric715-634-3761

Open seatOpen seat

NAHB National DirectorsJack Sjostrom, Sjostrom Construction715-634-4427

Open Alternate Seat

NABA StaffJennifer Johnson, Executive Officer

29148 Mail Road • Danbury, WI 54830

Phone: 715-259-3486 • Fax: 888-825-8073

Email: naba@centurytel.net

www.northlandareabuilders.com

Code of Ethics

Members of the Builders Association subscribe to the followingCode of Ethics:

n Subscribe to the By-laws of the State and NationalAssociations.

n Meet or exceed all State required insurance regulations.n Maintain a good credit rating in high standards.n Respond to consumer complaints, and act on these

complaints in a timely manner.n Continue to improve their skills and knowledge through

educational resources made available at a local, state andnational level.

n Employ other association members to assure the highstandards set by its members are maintained.

n Conduct themselves in a professional manner to maintainthe standards of the association.

n Comply, both in spirit and letter, with rules and regulationsprescribed by law and government agencies for healthsafety, and progress of the community

n Have a commitment to excellence.

MissionThe NABA, chartered in 1989, is a non-profit trade organizationcomprised of building and construction industry professionals inAshland, Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer and Washburn Counties inNorthwestern Wisconsin. Promoting professional growth to itsmembers, the Association provides the resources to stay abreast ofour ever changing industry. Every member of the NABA is also amember of the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) and theNational Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

To maintain the highest professional standards, our membershipadheres to a Code of Ethics, monitors legislative issues, andpromotes affordable quality housing.

Need Help?Northland Area Builders Association 715-259-3486

www.northlandareabuilders.comNational Association of Home Builders 800-368-5242

www.nahb.orgWisconsin Builders Association 608-242-5151

www.wisbuild.orgWisconsin Department of Commerce 608-266-3151

www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/

Become a fan of Northland Area Builders Association to receive industry news,updates and network with others in the industry.

TotalMembers

BuilderMembers

AssociateMembers

AffiliateMembers

6/30/2011 78 27 47 4

12/31/2010 80 28 47 5

% change -2.5 -3.6 0 -20

Membership in a Minute

John Olson, Olson ConstructionJason Olsen, Peoples BankBrian Mast, Mast ConstructionPaul Manka, MenardsRick Harder, Northern Paradise HomesJoe Gendrich, Culligan of AshlandTim Swanson, Swanson Seamless Gutters

Kurt Proctor, CBS ConstructionLonnie Vreeland, J & L Painting

none

Dan Hinman, Don Johnson Auto GroupDeb Hitchcock-Gale, Coldwell Banker Lakeside Realty

Ron Kirk, Acme ToolsJohn Solofra, Bergeman PlumbingBill Otterson, Hardwood Floors and MoreNick Kendyall, Northern Lakes Coop

Duane Hoef, Hoefs Construction

Jeff Homuth, Hayward MercantileJosh Peck, Peck Construction

none

The full 3 in 1 membership will take effect on your final payment. There are no refunds on thisprogram, any payments made until the third payment will be considered a donation to the HBA insupport of the industry. The first payment will be processed upon receiving the completed form.The following two payments are due on the 1st of the following month.

We have the ability to do this as anelectronic withdrawl from your bank account. Contact the NABA for details.

2011 NABA Building &Remodeling Directory is nowavailable. Extra copies areavailable for members to

distribute - contact the NABAoffice for details.

Wisconsin Builders AssociationMonday Morning News

JULY 2011

Senate candidate campaigns on school timeThe open records request comes up gold again for the GOP in northwestern Wisconsin.The Republican Party of Wisconsin recently obtained e-mail records from Shelly Moore,

the candidate challenging Senator Shelia Harsdorf this summer. Moore, a long time WEAC and NEAadvocate seems to have been caught red-handed campaigning using her school district issued e-mail,computer system and all while on school district time. These e-mails show multiple examples of campaign-ing starting in February of this year after the announcement of the budget repair bill. The most damningexchange comes in a March 10th e-mail where Moore writes, “we’re not supposed to use school e-mail, butsince all of our rights are being taken away, I frankly don’t care.” During the 2008 election cycle anotherteacher, Chris Buckel, challenged Representative John Murtha and fell into the same trap of using schooldistrict e-mail to campaign. This turned out to be a damaging issue during the 2008 campaign where Buckelwas unsuccessful in his challenge to Murtha.

Budget in effectJuly 1 marked the first day that the recently signed state budget goes into effect. Now know as 2011Wisconsin Act 32 the budget bill contains a number of sweeping changes for the construction industry.Included in Act 32 is an overhaul of the state’s prevailing wage laws. Residential developments will nolonger be required to use the prevailing wage labor scale on infrastructure that is paid for by a developerand then dedicated over to a municipality. Also gone are requirements to pay donated labor prevailing wagerates when working on volunteer municipal projects. As of July 1 the conversion fee on agricultural land isdead. If you are zoning land from agriculture to be developed you will no longer be required to pay aconversion fee on that land as a result of Act 32.

Act 10 becomes lawIn early June the “budget repair bill” or “collective bargaining bill” took effect after Secretary of State DougLafollette took the maximum amount of time to publish notification of the act. Since the announcement therehave been a number of media accounts of school districts that have used the tools provided in Act 10 tohelp turn around their finances. Most notably the school district in Kaukauna went from a deficit to a surpluswith the changes allowed for in Act 10. According to the district, changes “will allow the District to hireadditional teachers, reduce projected class sizes from 26 to 23 students at the elementary level, 28 studentsto 26 students at the intermediate/middle level, and 31 students to 25 students at the high school level. Inaddition, time will be available for staff to identify and support students needing individual assistancethrough individual and small group experiences.“Due to the law change the District’s projected operating budget has moved from a negative $400,000 toapproximately a positive $1,500,000. Earmarked in the operating budget are $300,000 related to merit pay,a program being explored for all staff by the district for the 2011-2012 school year.”

DNR permitting reform passes on bipartisan voteRecently the Assembly Housing Committee met in executive session to consider the DNR Permit ReformBill (AB 177) authored by Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna). AB 177 will require DNR to definespecific timelines to approve Chapter 30 permits.In addition to better defined timelines the DNR would also be required to make one request for informationas opposed to additional requests that in the past has delayed a decision on an application. The bill, withan amendment offered during the public hearing, says that after a public hearing has occurred if the DNRmisses a deadline the application is automatically approved. Finally, the bill changes the burden of proof incontested case hearings. In the past the permit applicant had the burden of proof during contested casehearings. If AB 177 is approved that burden of proof would now be on the person or group that brings thecase to the DNR. We are happy to report that AB 177, strongly supported by WBA, passed the Assembly

Housing Committee on a bipartisan vote of 7-1 with all GOP members of the committee voted in favor ofthe bill along with Representative Leon Young (D-Milwaukee). We expect this bill to voted on by the fullState Assembly early in the September floor period and are working to get the Senate version of the bill,authored by Senator Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay), through the committee process this summer as well.

Chairman's Interim report on Waste, Fraud and Abuse IssuedRecently Craig Rakowski, chair of the Governor's Commission on Waste, Fraud and Abuse, released aninterim report to outline specific examples of waste in state government that if addressed could saveWisconsin taxpayers at least $266.6 million. This is an interim report released by Rakowski to continue thediscussion on this important topic. The public, along with the bipartisan members of the governor’scommission are still encouraged to provide additional information to the commission to weed out waste,fraud and abuse in state government and hopefully increase the total savings that will be presented in thefinal report. Reform of public assistance programs gets the most bang for the buck in the interim report,netting $177 million. Looking forward, Rakowski wrote in the interim report: “During the next six months, Ilook forward to continuing our work with all the members of the Commission, the public, business leaders,and others as we continue to identify and discuss ways of making government more efficient. In addition, Iam anticipating strong leadership being provided by the agencies’ WFA task forces as they continue to usetheir expertise to identify ways state government can run more efficiently. I appreciate the opportunity toserve as Chairman of the Commission and will continue to do my best to facilitate a meaningful andrespectful discussion on waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.”

Questions or comments? Please contact Brad Boycks, Director of Government and Political Affairs for the WisconsinBuilders Association ®. You can reach Brad at bboycks@wisbuild.org or 888-285-9066, x16. You can also visit theWBA web site: www.wisbuild.org

WBA wants yourinput!

While the calendar says we are already inthe second decade of the 21st century our organization is stillbeing governed by 20th century rules and bylaws. The timehas come for changes to streamline the way we do business.The internet and social networking have changed the waywe all do business but WBA still proceeds with a governancestructure that puts serious limitations on its ability to respondto the needs of its members.

With these thoughts in mind, President Don Esposito hasappointed a Governance Task Force composed of thefollowing members to move us forward in this initiative.

Gary Roehrig Mid-Shores Senior Officer/Chair Mark Etrheim LaCrosse Past President Kevin Pitts Brown Past Vice-President Brian McKee Madison Builder at-Large Michelle Beyreis Chippewa Associate at-Large Jennifer Johnson Northland Local EO Wayne Foster Metro NAHB Liaison

As a member organization, we need your input, ideas,suggestions and comments as we take a hard look at thestrengths and weaknesses of our current structure andformulate a forward-looking plan towards building anassociation that matches our current resources and needs.

If you are unable to attend the Input Session, pleasefeel free to send your comments to NABAat naba@centurytel.net and Jennifer will share thosewith the task force.

For a complete list ofNABA members visit

www.northlandareabuilders.com and click

on the MemberDirectory

GOVERNANCE INPUTSESSION

August 10 • 4:00 pm

Hosted by Chippewa Valley HBA4319 Jeffers Rd • Eau Claire

NABA members interested in carpooling cancontact Jennifer at 715-259-3486

Bowling for BuildingMember Night Out

Saturday, August 136:30 pm

Riverside Lanes, Hayward

RegistrationCompany: _________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________Contact Name: _____________________________ Email: __________________________________________

SponsorshipsYour sponsorship offers you: Recognition on signage at the event, in the monthly newsletter and online atnorthlandareabuilders.com

Food & Beverage Sponsor $50Lane Sponsor $25

Payment:(payment is due prior to the event)Total bowlers: ________ x $10 = _________________ Fee includes 3 games, shoe rental, food & beverageSponsorship: _________I will donate a prize _________

Check enclosed ______ Apply to credit card ________ (Paypal invoice will be emailed to you)Electronic Funds Transfer ________ (NABA office will contact you for bank routing & account #’s)

FOODPRIZES

KIDS WELCOME

FUN

RAFFLES

NABA Networking Nights will be taking a brief hiatus during June, July and August. Networking Nightswill return on September 6th in Hayward with David Hopkins of Woita and Associates. David will joinus in Hayward to discuss Social Security Benefits and how to maximize your retirement nest egg intoday’s economy. 0.5 ceu credits have been applied for through the WI Department of Commerce.

Looking for industry templates, resources and information all in one location? Want to know what local commercialjobs are being bid? Look no further than the NABA website! A newly created member’s only section will soonfeature a Member Toolbox page where you will be able to find all of that and more. And it will be available onlyto current members (members who are current on their membership dues). Watch your inbox/mailbox/fax fordetails on how to login.

Thanks to the hard work of Joe Gendrich, Culligan of Ashland, NABA will be raffling off a 2011 X300 John DeereRiding Lawn Mower with 42 inch deck. 1000 tickets are now available & booklets soon will be distributed tomembers to purchase or sell to the general public. A portion of the funds raised will benefit the annual NABAscholarship awarded to local high school seniors going into the building trades. NABA relies heavily onmembership dues to remain in operation and with only $115/member remaining locally, that makes operationsa challenge. The NABA Board hopes that thisfundraiser will not only be a significant source ofincome for the scholarship fund but will also add to thegeneral operating funds of the Association.

THANK YOU RICK and BONNIEHARDER for supporting the NABAScholarship Raffle by selling raffle

tickets at the Northern ParadiseHomes booth at the Washburn County

Fair!

The Northland Area Builders Association (NABA) along with the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA)and Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy,have entered into a strategic partnership intended to boost economic growth in Wisconsin’s residentialconstruction industry. In this pilot program, Focus on Energy is offering financial incentives to currentNABA members to join Focus’s New Homes’ Program.

Focus on Energy works with nearly 400 builders in Wisconsin. These builders have certified over 16,000energy efficient homes since 1999, that’s nearly 4 homes per day for the past 12 years. Focus on Energybuilder partners currently certify over 30% of all homes built in Wisconsin annually.

Becoming a Focus on Energy Builder is easy! Just complete the attached Focus on Energy ProgramAlly Application, select a building performance consultant, and send the completed paperwork to Focuson Energy.

That’s it. That’s all you have to do to get started. After your first home is certified, Focus on Energy willsend you a check for $700*. As a Focus on Energy Builder you are also eligible to receive up to $3,000in cooperative advertising reimbursement funds annually and you can receive up to $1,500 for eachcertified home.

Take advantage of the opportunity to join Focus on Energy and differentiate yourself from yourcompetition. All builders tell potential homeowners they build good quality, energy-efficient homes, butonly Focus on Energy Builder partners can prove it. Each Focus on Energy certified home is inspectedby an accredited, third party, unbiased building science expert, confirming that each home has met allNew Homes Program standards and testing requirements.

*Note: This is a one-time promotional payment and this offer is only available to current NABA buildermembers whom are not currently active Focus on Energy Builder partners.

Are YOU missing out on $700 cash?

Know someone who isn’t a NABA Member?If you know someone who is interested in becoming a NABA member and is a Focuson Energy participant, they may qualify for a $200 rebate on their NABA membershipdues from Focus on Energy/WECC. This one time rebate is only available to Focusbuilder participants and new member applicants. Applicants must be or become aFocus participant before applying for membership in order to qualify for the rebate.

NABA HOLIDAY MYSTERY DINNERFriday, December 9

Flat Creek Eatery, Hayward5:00 pm

$50/couple

SAVE THE DATE

A rule change effective December 1, 2010 will authorize the Wisconsin Department ofCommerce (DOC) to impose forfeitures on those who do not comply with certain licensing,certification and registration requirements, or those who hire persons or entities who havenot registered or do not have required credentials.

In 2009, DOC started to require various trades involved in building or modifying structuresto register as a building contractor. However, those that hold certain credentials, such ascontractors who have a dwelling contractor certification, are exempt from this registrationrequirement. This new rule will allow DOC to impose forfeitures on those who do not havetheir registration, or certain other credentials, such as a dwelling contractor certification. Inaddition, forfeitures may be imposed on an entity or individual who contracts with anotherentity or individual who fails to comply with licensing, certification or registration requirements.Thus, a general contractor who has its dwelling contractor certification may be subject to apenalty if the general contractor contracts with a subcontractor who does not have itscertification or registration.

WBA objected to this rule, arguing among other things that the forfeiture amounts wereexcessive. In final version of the rule sent to the legislature, the forfeiture amounts weresignificantly reduced. Under the revised rule, the forfeitures for failing to comply with thelicensing/ certification/ registration requirements, or for contracting with an entity that doesnot meet these requirements, are as follows: first offense, $250; second offense, $500; andthird offense, $1000.

In addition to authorizing the imposition of forfeitures, as a result of a statutory change, thisrule also expands the trades subject to registration to include those that construct, install oralter mechanical equipment and devices such as boilers, gas systems, piping and mechanicalsystems serving a building or structure. The requirement was also expanded to include thoseinvolved in the construction, installation or alteration of permanent devices or structuresregulated under the amusement or sanitation code.

REMINDER: DOC Fines for Using Unlicensed or Unregistered Subs

Visit www.nahb.org/ma to learn moreabout money saving discounts

available only to members

August 2011

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NABABowling for

Building

6:30 pm

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Meeting5 pm

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NAHBWebinarInternet

MarketingStrategies

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September 2011

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Labor Day

NABA OfficeClosed

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NABANetworking

Night inHayward

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BoardMeetings

Milwaukee

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BoardMeetings

Milwaukee

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BoardMeetings

Milwaukee

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Milwaukee

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NAHBWebinar

UsingYoutube to

Market & SellHomes1 - 2 pm

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NABA BoardMeeting

5pm

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NAHBWebinarKitchenDesign1 - 2 pm

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