Contests: Find it in Florida & Name the Building

www.smithaerialphotos.com | 954-980-3207 | Irma Lopez Irma@smithaerialphotos.com

If you are the first person to email us the correct answers for our questions, you will win a
$25.00 gift card to The Home Depot

This 28,000+ SF state-of-the art project is the only place in the United States that offers this “sweet” degree program. The facility is expected to open next year. 

What is the name of the project and who is the

Construction Management firm on this project?

What degree program does this facility offer that

no one else offers in the United States?

Email your answers to flcc@bellsouth.net

By Carol Bowen

Director of Government Affairs

Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter

Something out of the ordinary happened to the local construction industry about a year ago that is worth mentioning today. 

Three competing construction associations

Associated General Contractors
Gold Coast Builders Association
Associated Builders and Contractors

came together on behalf of their members and industry as a whole to improve the quality of service coming out of the West Palm Beach Construction Services Department. 

For years the Construction Services Department had been ruling with an iron fist in a way that intimidated people, fostered resentment and frustration, and deterred people from doing business with the city.  Basic permits were taking six months to a year to be issued, reviewed plans were coming back multiple times with a different interpretations each time, and millions of dollars by investors were being wasted.

Industry had finally had enough and needed a better option.  The associations banded together and formed the Construction Industry Alliance of Palm Beach County (known as the Alliance) and vowed to work together for the good of industry as a whole.  We asked for the faith of our members that what we were doing was necessary if we were ever going to see any real change in West Palm Beach.  We are grateful to our members for their trust and confidence in us as leaders and in our mission as a whole. 

After all, we weren’t asking for favors or for the building code to be ignored.  What we were asking for was fair, competent and timely customer service for our members so that production could move forward and development could continue. 

After a year of meetings with Mayor Frankel, City Commissioners, and Building Department Staff; after countless hours of testifying at public hearings, letter writing and strategizing, we can finally say that the light at the end of the tunnel is here.

Just last week, Mayor Frankel introduced to the public the new Director of the Building Department for West Palm Beach, Doug Wise.  The Alliance has already met with Doug and is encouraged by his commitment to working with industry as he moves forward to put into place a building department that is dedicated to serving its customers in industry.

The Alliance is hopeful that our positive working relationship can serve as an example of just what can happen when strong associations band together for the good of the group.

Note: The Alliance is headed up by Michelle Anaya DePotter, Executive Director for the Florida East Coast Chapter of the AGC, Christopher Roog, Government Affairs Director for the Gold Coast Builders Association, and Carol Bowen, Director of Government Affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter.

Who or what agency requires it? The Florida Building code section 109 specifies the inspections required. Additionally the American Welding Society (AWS) has a code specifically related to Structural steel. In Broward and Miami Dade Counties, the additional requirement of a Special Inspector is required.

Who typically is responsible for testing?   The contractor is typically required to retain the Structural Steel Inspector or Special Inspector; however frequently the owner will retain the services to add an additional level of Quality Control to the project.

Who does the test? The Structural steel inspections are performed by a qualified inspector under the supervision of a Professional Engineer. Some inspectors achieve the qualification of Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) by AWS.

What are the consequences that could happen if the testing is not done?  
The consequences of having insufficient welded or bolted connection in a building are catastrophic. The building will not be able to handle the loads or wind pressures that it was designed for.

How GFA International can help?
GFA International can provide all these services and many more tests and inspections required by codes and specifications.

Visit www.teamgfa.com
or call at (561) 347-0070

By Doron Weiss, Esquire

Noncompete agreements operate to restrict an employee from competing against his or her employer in the event that the employee leaves the company. These agreements are used to protect, among other things, customer lists and contacts, trade secrets and certain intellectual and proprietary assets that an employee may learn about while employed with a company. What may not be known is that the use of noncompete agreements for construction professionals is increasing.

The restrictions contained in a noncompete agreement may limit certain future activities of a former employee. For instance, they can restrict his or her ability to work for certain future employers as well as the geographical area of employment.

Along with nonsolicitation agreements (which typically prevent an employee leaving a company from recruiting former co-workers or soliciting a company’s existing customers), noncompete agreements are known as restrictive covenants.

Noncompete agreements are governed by state law. Therefore while they are generally valid in certain states such as New York, they could be found to be an illegal restraint of trade in other states, such as California. In many states noncompete agreements are generally enforceable contracts. When enforceable, they give employers the right to sue and seek to stop an ex-employee from accepting certain positions that would be considered competitive to the company.

For employers, noncompete agreements offer an enforceable method of protecting the intangible assets of a business when an employee leaves. For employees, a valid noncompete agreement could serve to block future employment. While applicable statutes may limit the enforceability of certain agreements based on an analysis of the legitimate business interests being protected, both employers and employees should assume that, once signed, noncompete agreements will likely be enforceable.

Article Source:  

 Computer Tips: Customizing Auto Text in Word

AutoText can save you time and prevent typos when you’re working on documents. With AutoText, you can insert stock text into your documents with a few clicks of your mouse.

You can get started using AutoText right now. Several AutoText entries are already set up in Word 2008. The entries include greetings, signatures, and more.

To insert an AutoText entry in your document, just click Insert. Select AutoText, and then select a category. You’ll see a list of AutoText entries for that category. Select one to insert it in your document.

Of course, you can get more out of the AutoText feature by customizing it. You can create AutoText entries based on your needs.

To create an AutoText entry, follow these simple steps:

1. Type the text you would like to add as an AutoText entry

2. Select the text

3. Click Insert

4. Select AutoText

5. Enter a name for the entry

6. Click OK.

You can access the entry you create the same as you would other AutoText entries. However, the entries you create will not be categorized.

 How to Get a Job in Time of Crisis

It is difficult to find a job during this crisis.
When you spot a job, there are often many people who also have a job interview.
How do you take care of that if you are the person they are looking?
Well, this video will make you laugh!

About Us

Florida Construction Connection, Inc., works with employers to not just hire, but make the right hires.  We work with currently employed construction management, administrative and accounting professionals to help them make smart career decisions.
Whether you are seeking information to help you in your current situation or seeking information about the marketplace and need help, please give us a call.

Phone:  (954) 725-9932 | Fax: (954) 725-9928 | Email: flcc@bellsouth.net
www.floridaconstructionconnection.com