As of Wednesday, May 16, the Minnesota Legislature had just five days left to complete their business during the regular legislative session.

Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law the Public Safety Bill which includes language to require scrap metal dealers to keep better records of their purchases of scrap metals. ARM members have experienced increasing incidents of theft of copper, aluminum and other metal equipment from their facilities as prices for metal have rapidly increased. ARM worked with legislators and others to author language and testify at legislative hearings on behalf of bills to require scrap metal dealers to keep better records of transactions involving the purchase of scrap metal that may have been acquired through theft. Please click here to see the bill language.

Bills impacting aggregate operations in Minnesota include the repeal of the sales tax on aggregate deliveries and property taxes on property containing aggregate reserves. Language to repeal the sales tax on aggregates delivered to state and local road projects has been included in the omnibus tax bill that is expected to be sent to Governor Pawlenty today (May 16). The Senate Tax Committee included the aggregate property tax language in their tax bill, but the House Taxes Committee continued to react to concerns by Tax Committee staff about the bill and did not include the language in their tax bill. The aggregate property tax is not expected to be agreed to by the taxes conference committee and likely is dead for the session.

Other bills that ARM has been working on during the 2007 include increasing straight trucks from 40' to 45', continuing the exemption from vehicle registration for concrete pumper trucks and increasing the requirement that county state aid highways and county roads be constructed to a 10-ton standard rather than the current 9-ton standard. All of these issues are contained in the omnibus transportation policy bill which is currently (May 16) in conference committee to resolve differences between Senate and House versions of the bill. The Transportation Funding Bill was vetoed by Governor Pawlenty on May 15 and an attempt to override the veto is expected before the end of the legislative session.

The 12th Annual Concrete Open has been sold out of foursomes since April 13th! Sponsorships are still available for this extremely popular event which will be held June 5th at The Legends Club in Prior Lake. Contact Margaret Mills for information on sponsorships or to check into attending the BBQ dinner at the conclusion of the event.

The Department of Labor and Industry has officially announced the adoption schedule for the next set of codes. See the letter at
www.doli.state.mn.us/pdf/ccld_code_delay_0507.pdf.

MnROAD, a pavement research facility operated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation since 1994, is beginning a new phase of operations. Complementing new technical capabilities are a new governance structure and a new model of transportation research that focuses on public-private partnerships and on collaboration among stakeholders at the state, national, and international levels.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE AUTHORED BY FRED CORRIGAN AND DICK STEHR

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Portland Cement Association have teamed with Land Development Today magazine to offer the seminar Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution in six cities in summer 2007. The one-day seminar is scheduled for August 7, 2007 at the Eagan Community Center in Eagan, MN.

This seminar provides detailed instruction on pervious concrete pavement as a solution to reducing storm water runoff from building sites and other paved areas. Attendees learn the details of pervious concrete pavement systems, engineering properties and construction techniques. The following qualified instructors will be available to teach:

Bruce K. Ferguson, Franklin Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Georgia

Lionel Lemay, senior vice president of technical resources, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Architects and engineers earn 6 Professional Development Hours upon completion of this program. This seminar is registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. The registration fee is $245 (lunch included), $295 within 2 weeks of each seminar. Registration can be completed online at
www.ldbreakthroughs.com/workshops
or by contacting Futurus Communications toll-free at 1-888-388-8787.

PCA announces the debut of a unique web-based advertising and marketing tool for residential concrete promoters—local and national trade groups, material suppliers, builders, and contractors.

Users can customize a library of templates to create print ads, brochures, event postcards, and e-mail blasts for use in promoting residential concrete products to both consumer and non-consumer audiences. Choose from a library of photos on the site, or upload your own images and logos for the promotional pieces.

There is no fee to register and begin using this dynamic new service. All fees are charged on a pay-as-you-go, project-by-project basis. D-I-Y Promotion Zone.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has released seven new publications. They are 305.1-06: Specification for Hot Weather Concreting; 341.3R-07: Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit Techniques for Concrete Bridges; 421.2R-07: Seismic Design of Punching Shear Reinforcement in Flat Plates; 439.3R-07: Types of Mechanical Splices for Reinforcing Bars; 2007 Manual of Concrete Practice; ITG 4.1-07: Specification for High-Strength Concrete in Moderate to High Seismic Applications; and SP 244 CD: Thin Fiber and Textile Reinforced Cementitious Systems.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) named Donn C. Thompson as residential technology promotion manager. He will oversee the residential technical program and work to enhance cement-based products as a sustainable development solution for home building.

Thompson will work closely with government agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop research initiatives. His responsibilities also include developing PCA's mid-size production builder program and supporting the National Association of Home Builders' green building standards initiative. Thompson has more than 20 years experience in building and architecture.

The 2nd Annual Minnesota Statewide Concrete Homes Open House took place April 21-22, 2007. 82 concrete homes were registered on the www.chooseconcretehomes.com website which represented the work of 32 builders. The homes were located in 52 communities around Minnesota with approximately 50% located in the "metro" and 50% located in "greater Minnesota."

Fifteen of the homes listed on the website were open for viewing and sixteen were open for viewing by appointment only. The remaining homes were listed as "drive by viewing only." ARM placed additional advertising in local newspapers for the homes that were open for viewing. That additional advertising, coupled with the builders promotional efforts, produced great results. Mark Ledin Construction, which had a home open in Deer River, had over 90 people visit the home, producing several solid leads. AJ Wismin Homes, which had a home open in St. Paul, experienced similar results. Kudos to both builders for going above and beyond in their advertising and promotional efforts!

ARM promoted the event via the chooseconcretehomes.com website, WCCO radio spots, a link on the StarTribune.com website, full-page ads in Minnesota Builder and Builder's Digest; ads in Lake & Home Magazine and Midwest Home Magazine, and ads in 10 local Minnesota newspapers. Statement stuffers were also printed and distributed to members who sent them out with mailings and handed them out at homeshows.

Thanks to the event sponsors! Gold Level: Brock White Company, Cemstone Products Company / Reward Wall Systems and Central Concrete. Silver Level: Bluefin Builders Inc., Cornerstone Custom Construction, Holcim (US) Inc., Lafarge NA, and Lehigh Cement Company. Bronze Level: AJ Wismin Custom Homes

If you want to learn more about getting involved with green building, attend the LEED® for Homes Technical Review presented by the U.S. Green Building Council that will be held Monday, May 22nd in St. Paul. Gain the knowledge needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes initiative.

Why learn about LEED? LEED for Homes is a voluntary rating system that promotes the design and construction of high performance "green" homes. A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. LEED certification recognizes and rewards builders for meeting the highest performance standards, and gives homeowners confidence that their home is durable, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

CLICK HERE FOR SEMINAR REGISTRATION INFORMATION