Austin Construction News Nov 2023 by Construction News

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The Business of Art

Community Bible Church - San Antonio

or many artists, making a full time living off of their work can seem like an unattainable goal. But for Bethany of Riverbank Art Studio, it has become a reality that has blossomed into a career that combines her business acumen, her creative vision, and her technical painting skills. She always enjoyed creating art, and her talent emerged from a young age, painting for projects in high school led her to an Art Scholarship Competition at the San Antonio Stock show and Rodeo. The oil painting she created for the competition was auctioned off for enough money to pay for 3 years of college at UTSA. In her time in college, she spent thousands of hours in the studio, honing her skills and learning as many new techniques as she could, and when she graduated, she had a bachelor’s degree in Painting. However, Bethany yearned to explore another fascination she had- Business. So she went on to pursue a Master’s in Business, and after accomplishing that, her focus shifted, setting down her paintbrush for a time to climb the corporate ladder. She was involved in Sales, Data Analytics, Operations and Project Management, and over a few years she had developed skills that would serve her very well when she decided to start her own business. During Covid, she picked up her paintbrush again, painting incredible murals to grace people’s homes, businesses, and churches. And so RiverBank Art Studio was born, and word of Bethany’s incredible talent spread, leading her to more and more opportunities. She began to wonder how far she could grow the business if she started actively

marketing her talents. And eventually, she decided to leave the corporate world and focus on her business full time. That was 14 months ago now, and Bethany is off and running. She enjoys growing her business just as much, if not more than creating these timeless works of art. Bethany has a very distinct approach to her clientele, helping them accomplish strategic objectives through the use of art. She combines her vision with a business’s established aesthetic to create a piece that serves the space. Sometimes, her vision might not even include art of her own doing- by creating a network of other local artists, sometimes she can recommend someone with a style more suited to a particular project than she. When asked about her own “style”, she says she enjoys creating murals in a wide variety of styles, allowing her to play with all of the many different techniques she has studied. Bethany’s murals are more than just stunning works of art, in today’s digital age, they are business tools- as her portfolio and services guide explains. Murals boost foot traffic, brand recognition, and free user- generated content on social media, and that can lead to people seeking out your business just to come experience the mural. Also, she says, any large, blank wall is a perfect canvas for advertising and should be leveraged for the powerful opportunity it is. Bethany can help any business create an elevated aesthetic, creating a unique environment that sticks in people’s minds, and makes a space so alive that people will want to return again and again. To see more of Bethany’s work, or to inquire about her services, please visit riverbankartstudio.com. -ndw

Gruene Coffee Hause - Gruene, TX

Buyer’s Barricades Celebrates New Austin Location

uyer’s Barricades is excited to announce the opening of their new location, 2209 Ranch Road 620 N, in Austin, Texas! With locations already established in Dallas Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, their expansion to Austin means they can continue to serve an even wider territory. Buyer’s Barricades is ready to serve you - they rent and sell barricades and traffic safety equipment. As a fullservice provider, they can evaluate your project, create traffic control plans, set up the barricades, do a safety audit, maintain the worksites, and pick everything up afterward. They make it easy to protect your jobsite and crew. To celebrate this exciting day, employees, friends and family gathered for a meet and greet. The Chamber of Commerce was also in attendance to perform a ribbon cutting ceremony, and everyone got to enjoy a lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies and cold drinks. It was a wonderful way to kick off the new location, for a growing company with a big heart. Welcome to Austin, Buyer’s Barricades!

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Sundt Begins Work on Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid Dams

undt Construction has started work to update the Lake McQueeney and Placid dams for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. The $82 million project includes replacing the existing dam gates with new steel crest gates, making structural modifications to the existing spillway structure, upgrades to the mechanical system and electrical distribution, new video surveillance and more. “These projects are critical pieces of infrastructure to the Lake McQueeney and Lake Placid communities. Sundt is happy to bring our dam experience and update the dams for this community,” said Darren Okruhlik, Sundt area manager. The dams at Lake McQueeney and Lake Placid are part of six hydroelectric dams along the Guadalupe River that

create the Guadalupe Valley hydroelectric system and associated lakes. The Lake McQueeney and Lake Placid dams are more than 90 years old and have reached the end of their useful life. This project will improve dam safety and provide the communities their lakes for generations to come. In Texas, Sundt has over 50 years and $3 billion of project experience, with offices in San Antonio, Dallas and El Paso. The company is currently working on the San Pedro Creek Improvements, the Broadway Street improvements, Zona Cultural in downtown San Antonio and the $477 million 183 North Mobility project in Austin in a joint venture with Archer Western. Sundt also recently began work on the Upper Brushy Creek Dam 101 in Williamson County.

Bastrop Film Studios to Open in Late 2024

massive film studio project in Bastrop is moving ahead, with the project’s developer estimating the site’s first part to open next year. Alton Butler, CEO and owner of Line 204, said the nearly 600-acre project is scheduled to finish in December 2024 with some grounds opening before then. Details of the project were first shared in 2021, and Butler’s plans have only grown from there. The development along the Colorado River will have stages, office space, warehouses, roadways for filming and more. The entitlements step of the project is complete, and the site is in the grading process. Butler said construction will be in phases with the first 28-acre section having production offices and studios. “It’s really a long project with a lot of big projects inside of it,” Butler said. He said the studios will be a selfsustaining unit with nearly everything needed for film production — including grip and lighting equipment, truck rentals and a working ranch. Butler said what will make this project different from other studios in the country is a “film-play-stay” concept. This will allow crews to come to the studios to work and then stay on-site with amenities like a wellness center, horseback riding, a workout facility and a golf course. “You’re watching people ride horses…you can see the river…you

can see the hay being bailed,” Butler said. “It’s not like they can do that anywhere in the world. It’s never been done.”

Why build in Bastrop? Butler said he bought a lake house in the Austin area about four years ago, and his family has spent summers in Texas since then. He sought to move back to a rural area like where he grew up in Alabama. After cities like Atlanta and Albuquerque approached his company seeking to expand the film industry, he decided to expand Line 204 to the Austin area because he fell in love with the area. The project site is about 24 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Butler said he has brought many producers to the area who have been impressed with access to the city and 600 acres of land. Butler said Texas hasn’t seen a burst of film production because it’s not an industry hub like Hollywood or Georgia. Similar to Los Angeles, Bulter said he believes there is a place in Texas that can turn into any scene needed for a movie. “The state of Texas has all the locations that would double across the United States and across the world,” he said. Another film studio development is planned in San Marcos. The $267 million project will have film and virtual production studios, according to the city in 2022.

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Joeris General Contractors Financial Solutions Billd, the leading provider of Announces New Chief Financial commercial financing solutions for subcontractors, welcomes Brad Cooper Officer and Chief Business Officer as their new Chief Customer Officer. The

Ryan Rummel

Ryan Doege

Joeris General Contractors is delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Rummel as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the transition of current CFO Ryan Doege to the role of Chief Business Officer (CBO). These strategic moves are part of Joeris’ ongoing commitment to strengthen its leadership team, and support continued growth and innovation within the organization. Rummel, who joins Joeris from RSM, the company’s public accounting firm, brings over 13 years of industry experience, having previously served as the auditor of Joeris’ accounts for the past three years. His familiarity with the company’s operations uniquely positions him to oversee financial strategy, planning, and control as Joeris continues its trajectory of growth and success. “Ryan Rummel’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of our company make him an excellent fit for the role of CFO,” said Gary Joeris, CEO of Joeris General Contractors. “We are confident that his financial expertise will

play a pivotal role in our strategic financial planning and management.” As part of Joeris’ succession planning efforts, current CFO Ryan Doege will transition into a new role as Chief Business Officer (CBO). In this capacity, Doege will oversee the accounting team and take on new responsibilities that include overseeing IT, Human Resources and Learning Development, Marketing, and the implementation of new initiatives related to project controls and data analytics. “Ryan Doege’s track record of leadership and his dedication to our company makes him the perfect choice for the role of Chief Business Officer,” commented Gary Joeris. “His expanded responsibilities will contribute to the continued success of Joeris as we navigate strategic growth and new opportunities.” Both Rummel and Doege are integral members of the Joeris General Contractors leadership team and are committed to upholding the company’s values of safety, integrity, leadership, and excellence.

addition of Brad strengthens a long standing commitment to exceptional service for subcontractors, a traditionally underserved segment of the industry. Brad possesses over two decades of experience leading high-growth, scalable customer experience teams. Prior to joining Billd, Brad held executive customer experience roles at multiple firms, including Fortune 500 companies Dell and GoDaddy, and developed a passion for the construction industry at Procore. There, he led both the International and US Customer Success teams, driving substantial growth and operational excellence. “We are thrilled to welcome Brad Cooper to the Billd team as our Chief Customer Officer,” said Christopher Doyle, CEO of Billd, “Our mission to champion the subcontractor starts with a relentless focus on serving our customers, and I know that Brad will lead

Brad Cooper from the front lines.” Brad’s customer-centric, data-driven approach to building and leading customer experience teams will be a strategic asset during Billd’s continued growth. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Park University and a Master’s in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University.

Continuing to Grow

JOB SIGHTS

NC Industries employees working on modular apartments for Z modular.

It’s official, NC industries is happy to announce NC Rentals is open in New Braunfels and ready to roll to a site near you. Whether you need equipment for a commercial or residential project, they have you covered.

Austin Austin CONSTRUCTION NEWS Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haley Mathews Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andi Mathews Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayla Wallace Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haley Mathews Managing Editor: Andi@ConstructionNews.net Austin Area Counties Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell and Williamson counties Construction News Home Office P.O. Box 310207 • New Braunfels, TX 78131 830-500-0071 www.ConstructionNews.net

Visit our Website to sign up for a free monthly Digital Subscription www.ConstructionNews.net The Austin Construction News is published monthly by Construction News and distributed by mail to constructionrelated companies of record in Austin and surrounding counties. All submissions should be emailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis. Construction News will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time. ©2023 Construction News, Ltd.

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

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Industry FOLKS Lee Wallace

Product Support General Sales Manager

Holt Cat

San Antonio, TX

any little boys grow up fascinated with large machinery. The power of it, the possibilities. For Lee Wallace at HOLT CAT, he is living his dream jobhelping connect people to the right machines for their dream endeavors. Wallace, a graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler, started with HOLT CAT after graduation in 2013. Beginning at an entry-level position with the company, he has risen the ranks to General Manager of Product Support sales, a job that has put his leadership, sales, and collaboration skills at the center of what he does. He spends about half of his time traveling for HOLT CAT and the other half working locally with clients and internal teams. He is proud of the work he does, knowing that these massive and complex machines are a vital component of building the future of

Texas infrastructure, and he looks forward to driving around with his grandchildren one day, pointing out the window, saying, “I remember when that was built.” In landing his dream job with HOLT CAT, which he intends to be his lifelong career, he has become a part of the company’s family. A family that is intertwined in the history of heavy equipment going back generations. In the industry, the Holt name is synonymous with heavy equipment and the Caterpillar brand for over 100 years. The owners of HOLT CAT, Peter J. Holt and Corinna Holt Richter, are direct descendants of Benjamin Holt, who in 1904 developed the first successful track-type tractor which he named the “Caterpillar”. Since HOLT CAT was established in 1933, they have grown to be the authorized Caterpillar dealer in 118 counties in Texas, selling,

servicing, and repairing Cat equipment, engines, generators and trucks for everything from construction, mining, industrial, petroleum and agricultural applications. Wallace, with his leadership, sales and customer service skills, and knowledge gleaned from a decade of work in this sector,is an asset to the Product Support team. Wallace was born in Nacogdoches, Texas and married his High School sweetheart, Whitney Wallace. They are both graduates of Douglass High School and the University of Texas at Tyler. They have two daughters Kenna, 8 and Kallie 6, as well as a beautiful allblack Goldendoodle named Goose. Since moving to San Antonio a few years ago, Wallace loves taking his family camping to share in his love of the outdoors, visiting state and national parks when possible. Wallace also enjoys fishing and hunting, but as

we know, time to enjoy such hobbies is limited for working parents of young children. Wallace also makes it a point to focus on his physical health, which includes practicing Jiu-jitsu and hitting the gym to train for an amateur strongman competition he signed up for with friends. And if that doesn’t sound like a full plate, Wallace also serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of Directors for the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association. When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, he says he will still be continuing to grow with HOLT CAT, and that throughout his career he strives “To leave a legacy of impact, ensuring that every person I encounter is left in a better place than when we first met.”

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

The Great Outdoors T

Cool Time to Fill the Fridge

he first true cold fronts of the year have happened, and the fish felt it! The first one dropped the lake 10 degrees overnight. And it was a slow struggle in the beginning. Between the high winds and the water temperature dropping, the fish had scattered from most of the cover, and the ones that stayed had lock jaw. This is typical this time of year, and it’s not something that lasts forever. But to combat it, I tend to downsize my lure choices. And I slow down with my minnow presentation. Instead of using a soft plastic, I tend to focus on using hair jigs. A 1/8 oz white hair jig or a black and green hair jig tend to produce extremely well for me in these situations. Sometimes, they want the soft plastic, and that’s when I grab the 1.75” Bonehead tackle slim stick in Moondust. Once it gets really windy, I will switch from a 1/8 oz to a 1/4 oz egg weight above my 1/8 oz jig head. As always, I pair my presentations with a Trika 3x or 6x 7 foot mediumlite fast action spinning rod with a 1000 series spinning reel. By the end of the week, the water temps were getting back into the upper 70s. The fish concentration on the cover was getting thick, and the bite was aggressive! Friday before the second

front, my clients caught over 100 fish on a half day trip. Now that the second front has come through, it’s like a reset button was pressed, and we are back to square one. The fish are scattered, and the bite is slow. Once the fish get acclimated again, the fishing will be on fire! However, the one fish that does like these cold fronts is the white bass. It’s been very easy to catch high numbers of white bass this month out deep chasing baitfish. But catchin’ the keepers has been the challenging part. You might catch 10 shorts before you catch a keeper. But those 10 shorts come quick and, in a hurry once you get on a school. My go-to method for catching white bass is jigging a spoon on the bottom. I like to use a Cotton Cordell CC 3/8 oz spoon that I purchase from Fish Tackle Marine. Utilizing all of my sonars helps me scan these offshore areas and pinpoint where the schools are located. Once I get a school dialed in, I position on top of the school and begin to vertical jig. This method will work till early summer, with the best action being during the colder months. If you’re looking to fill the freezer or have a good old-fashioned fish fry, give me a call at 210831-4679, and let’s go Catchin!

Captain Clendon Taylor Casting & Catching Guide Service Sponsored by:

A Day on the Water

Ernie Wilborn, Wilborn Steel Ltd., LaShea Wilborn & lifelong friend Karen Little did not go home empty handed thanks to fishing guide, Kelli Nguyen out of Rockport, TX.

Craig Noto, Quality Fence & Welding enjoyed a day on the water with Tim Pruski, Castle Rock Homes. Bonus, they won 1st Place on trout in the San Antonio Executives Association (SAEA) annual fishing tournament.

Ted Dunnam, Safety Consultant & ASA Chapter President showing off his 13 lb. Peacock bass caught on the Amazon River in Brazil. Many thanks to Captain Peacock with Rio Negro Adventure Tour! Teds fishing team “The Texas A Team” includes: Midco Sling, Doug Dry, Mike Grendell, Kirt Farris, Joey Dry & Doc Bruce Begia.

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

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The Great Outdoors The Ranch is Our CEO Vincent Tavera, EPI Enclosures & Engineering enjoyed a day of dove hunting with friends & colleagues at the company CEO’s ranch “Rancho Colorado Del Norte” in D’Hanis, TX.

Skeet shooting crew

Elliott Electric - Andy mcMillan and Steven Eckhardt

Andrew McCombs and Jack Spurlock

Wholesale Electric-Brad and Ryan Hurlbut

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country. You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on IHeart Radio I’m baaack! Thank you to Construction New’s Haley and Andi Mathews for inviting me back to visit with y’all! I missed you! Like the trendy people say, “It’s been a minute”, so let’s catch up! I guess most of the articles for this year so far would have been about the unmerciful heat from summer and the evershrinking lakes and rivers. I don’t even want to remember summer. It feels a lot better now and that’s what counts. The drought on the other hand, does persist for most of us. We have thankfully had some good rain in some places, and a little rain in others. On Lake Buchanan, my home lake, we have had just enough rain to have to mow the weeds again, but not enough to help the lake level. As I write this Buchanan is almost 28 feet low. You can see from the picture what an impact that makes on a lake. Half of the lake is gone now. Business suffers, wildlife suffers, but what of the fish? Well, you don’t see any fish bones in all that cracked dry mud! The fish just follow the water on down the lake, and fishing guides follow the fish! They can swim and we can carry our business on a boat trailer! Now the fish are

Lake Buchanan drought

rubbing fins with each other in less water and fishing is getting fun again! Summer heat is over, and the cooler weather has our stripers and hybrids and white bass working on getting in spawning shape for next spring. That means they need to feed hard all fall and winter to build the eggs and sperm for spawning the next generation and get fat and strong enough to withstand the rigors of the season. Fishing is getting good! It looks like we are getting a good topwater pattern going like we had during the last extreme drought several years ago. Nothing gets your blood pumping like seeing topwater stripers and hybrids from a mile away! They splash water high in the air and it catches the morning sun creating a sight to behold! It is like someone dropping bowling balls in the water! It isn’t all fish in a barrel and fun on a low lake though. This is the time to use a good fishing guide who is on that body of water every day and knows how to safely navigate it. As the lake level falls trees and rock piles and sand bars slowly emerge. Places to launch a boat become fewer to find and harder to successfully launch from. A guide will know how to get you on the

Lake Buchanan

Ken Milam

water and put you on the fish and you don’t have to risk a fight at the boat ramp or a busted-up boat. All you need to do is give us a call, pack your cooler and grab your fishing license and meet us at the dock! We’ll even clean and fillet the fish for you! Fall is here, fish on!

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

The Great Outdoors Welcome Fellow Anglers & Outdoorsmen

Brian Parker Texas Bass Tours Professional Guide Service Serving Falcon, Choke Canyon, & Amistad

y name is Brian Parker with Texas Bass Tours, and I would first like to introduce myself. I’ve been bass fishing and hunting throughout Texas for close to 50 years. My first memory of fishing, like many I hope, was crappie fishing with my dad, grandpa, and uncle at Lake Palestine tied to 2 trees close to the old bridge in which we caught 200 crappie over 2.5 days. If I remember correctly, I think I was there to help with the daily limit, but still, it was so much fun that that memory has stuck with me throughout my 55 blessed years on God’s green earth. I actually had so much fun; I eventually became a bass fishing guide that has led to 14 years of guiding. My first hunting experience was in Hico, Texas freezing my little 7yr old butt off and getting the crap scared out of me by the crack of that rocket launching .308 gun my dad used. He gave me a tenth of a second to cover my ears before he pulled the trigger on his Winchester in that blind he and I built. OK, he built it, I just handed him the nails/ screws then supervised the placement of it. GREAT TIMES!! I received a message from Haley Matthews about 4 months ago asking if I would be interested in writing some brief fishing/on the water articles for his publication. Before I agreed, I asked if it was ok to share my experiences along with some tips. He agreed and I am thankful for this opportunity to share some of my on the water experience, good & bad guide trips, and opinions with some humor and tips mixed in. So, without further ado, let’s get after this, have some fun, share some laughs, and hopefully help some of you catch more bass or land that giant, which is my forte and quest. I’m the angler that takes the 3 pounder off the hook and chunks it back while saying “why are you wasting my time little guy”.

FALL FISHING This time of year can either be about EPIC catches or you want to sell all your fishing gear and take up whittling. I’ve experienced both and here’s what I’ve learned, THROW EVERYTHING BIG AT EM. Fall bass feeding can go from gorging to stagnant in a heartbeat. I personally prefer to throw bigger baits in Texas this time of year and my reasoning/opinion is this, largemouth and smallmouth bass are opportunistic eaters and territorial like most predators on this earth. They’re also preparing for the winter slow down due to their ability to metabolize food, so they like to load up. Also, the water temperatures are changing which impacts their feeding just like it does us. Some start loading up and some don’t. I love throwing and catching with BIG (6”-10”) swimbaits. There is NO better sensation than that rod loading up and the line tightening when they eat it. Big 10”-13” worms on a shakeyhead, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig are just as effective as well. I don’t typically focus on a particular water depth this time of year because bass are typically scattered throughout all of the water columns. Story time. My ex-wife and I went to Lake Amistad (the most scenic lake in Texas in my opinion). I think it was 2009. The lake was around 15’-20’ low, which is pretty common for that time of year. We started off throwing topwaters in the morning until that bite went away and then switched to T-rigged senkos. We were catching here and there but, nothing of size really. So, I decided to tie on a 7” soft plastic custom poured paddle tail swimbait in a citrus shad type color that a buddy of mine was playing with. I had zero confidence in this bait selection or color because I hadn’t ever thrown this custom color or bait before. We were close to the

CENTRAL TEXAS FISHING REPORT Austin GOOD. Water slightly stained; 79 degrees; 0.59 feet below pool. Bass fishing on lake Austin has improved with fish now shallow around docks and vegetation throughout the day. Texas rigged senkos and shaky heads have been landing catches. Once the sun is up the fish are holding tight to shade. Small swimbaits, underspins, small crankbaits have been doing well around isolated shade and cover. Report by Carson Conklin, ATX Fishing. Braunig FAIR. Water stained, 85 degrees. Fall patterns are setting in with the cooler weather temperatures. Recreational shoreline anglers are catching redfish at Dead Tree Point on live tilapia, cut shad and frozen shrimp. Boaters trolling and casting gold spoons seeing schools around the dam area and the intake. Catfish have been good on worms and frozen Gulf shrimp at night off the recreational shoreline in coves and in shallow water around the points Calaveras FAIR. Water slightly stained, 83 degrees. Redfish have been moving towards the dam area and have been good on gold spoons, swimbaits, tilapia and live baits. Recreational shoreline anglers have been catching from the boat ramp to the dam area and off points with deep water access. Catfish have been good 15-25 feet of water on cut shad and frozen shrimp moving to the shallow water at night.

Canyon Lake GOOD. Water clear to slightly stained; 7580 degrees; 19.09 feet below pool. As water temperatures continue to drop, fish are becoming more active. Bass can be caught shallow in grass and rocks with a white spinnerbait or crankbait in the mornings. Then once that bite slows down you can go to the outside grass lines and dead stick a senko to catch fish. Report by Evan Coleman, Big Bassin Fishing.

LBJ GOOD. Water stained; 79 degrees; 0.33 feet below pool. Fishing patterns are similar but the water temperature is slowly on the decline. Catfish are good in 30 feet of water with punch bait. Crappie are good with minnows and chartreuse jigs in 16-20 feet of water over brush piles. Report by Jess Rotherham, Texas Crappie Fishing Service. The grass in the rivers and canals were sprayed recently, so the bass are likely to move.

Choke Canyon FAIR. Water stained; 75-80 degrees; 26.90 feet below pool. Bass are fair on topwaters early in the morning, then Texas rigged worms around the hydrilla. Some bass continue to chase shad near the dam on crankbaits and little spinnerbaits. Catfish are slow with few anglers on the water. Crappie are fair on deep, 20-30 feet of water, brush piles in the main lake using little minnows or small jigs. Few reports on sand bass. Check ramp status before heading out, and navigate with caution. Report by Scott Springer, Fish Choke Canyon Lake. The shallow bass bite around grass continues to produce fish. Ripping grass with a chatterbait and a rattletrap has been the most productive. After the shallow bite in the morning dies off you can catch fish on a Texas rig or Carolina rig on rocky points. Report by Evan Coleman, Big Bassin Fishing.

Travis FAIR. Water slight stain; 78 degrees; 53.34 feet below pool. The bass bite is consistent frequently moving targeting grass, bluff walls and the grassy clear water inside the creeks. Bass are biting speed craws and dropshots. It has been blustery so topwater lures can be tough. All public ramps are closed, so plan accordingly. Report by Randal Frisbie, Central Texas Fishing Guide. The topwater bite has been good for bass using walking style baits along the shores as the bass are chasing bait up tight. You can move out to deep water ledges, points and humps to catch some good ones as well throwing shaky head trick worms or Texas-rigged 4–5-inch worms or craws and even some deep crankbaits along the walls. If you find the grass, throw 4-5 inch worms to catch quite a few. Report by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs.

springs across from the 3 fingers going up river. Within the first 4 cast I caught a 7 pounder. Within the next 3-4 cast I caught an 8.5 pounder. Then my ex-wife looked at me with that look of “are you gonna tie one on for me or do I help you go swimming” look. So, I tied her a 5” version on. We proceeded to catch around 7-8 more 5 pounders plus largemouth and a catfish in a little over an hour. It was quite epic to say the least. This is the time of year take advantage of the fall feeding season and expand your bait horizons! Let’s go fishing! Brian Parker (817) 808-2227 texasbasstours@gmail.com

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Page 9

Red Line to Soccer

ustin FC fans will be able to take CapMetro’s Red Line straight to Q2 Stadium next season, with work on the upcoming McKalla Station projected to finish in time for the start of the 2024 Major League Soccer season. The CapMetro board of directors approved Monday an additional $676,000 in funding for the transit authority’s existing McKalla Station construction contract, with a total contract amount of more than $21.5 million. CapMetro officials told the board some of that extra funding is needed to address some stormwater and wastewater easement efforts. While the new-approved contract funding extension also flagged a timeline extension of 102 days, CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins told the board the project remains on time and on budget. The reason for some of the tweaks along the way is the nature of the project’s

Growing Small Town

design-build contract, where a designer and construction contract are awarded and the station is being designed and constructed concurrently. That’s different than other forms of contracts like designbid models, where design work is virtually completed before an agency puts the project out for bid and the selected firm proceeds with construction on it. “We are still on time, on budget, and looking forward to opening the station in time for the 2024 Austin FC season,” she said.

eneral contractor Arch-Con® Corporation is constructing New Braunfels Commerce Center, an industrial complex for developer CLX Ventures that will deliver 651,010 square feet of warehouse space northeast of New Braunfels, Texas. The buildings are currently available for lease managed by Kevin Cosgrove and Adam Green with Stream Realty Partners. Located on Goodwin Lane near FM 306, the 46.7-acre development has easy access to I-35 and Highway 46. The I-35 San Antonio-Austin Corridor is the busiest interstate between two metropolitan areas in Texas and according to U.S. Census data, New Braunfels is one of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the nation. “New Braunfels is a vibrant and growing community and CLX is excited to be developing a Class A industrial park to meet the expanding manufacturing, distribution and eCommerce needs in this corridor,” Co-Founder and Managing Partner Brad Copeland said. “New Braunfels Commerce Center is strategically located, with immediate access to I-35, allowing users a great labor pool and the ability to serve both the greater Austin and San Antonio areas.” The speculative development consists of four buildings: • Building A: 172,528 square feet, 240 feet deep, 32-foot clear height, rear-load. • Building B: 143,976 square feet, 200 feet deep, 32-foot clear height, rear-load. • Building C: 129,632 square feet, 180 feet deep, 32-foot clear height, rear-load. • Building D: 204,874 square feet, 240 feet deep, 32-foot clear height, rear-load. “These four buildings create maximum flexibility for tenants and their uses thanks to the varied building depths, ability to be subdivided and ample trailer and auto parking,” Copeland said. The development is designed by Powers Brown Architecture and is slated to deliver Spring 2024.

Roll Out the Welcome Mat

lease extend a warm welcome to Texas Construction Association (TCA) new Communications & Member Services Associate, Bryan Hadley. Bryan joins TCA with years of experience in communications, media and marketing. In his new role, Bryan will work to support TCA’s member companies and our member association executives as well as develop and execute a marketing and social media strategy. If you are in Austin, feel free to stop by the TCA offices and say HELLO! Fun fact: Bryan has written directed and starred in 4 feature length independent films!

FREE SAFETY TRAINING

Setting bridge beams in Yoakum, TX with our 500-ton crane.

This is an open invitation to all construction industry personnel. Seating is limited.

November 2023 Training Schedule*

November 2 - 3

OSHA 10 Spanish

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OSHA 30 Spanish

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VIEW OUR SAFETY TRAINING SCHEDULE

JR RAMON is a 2023 award winner for the following:

TO REGISTER (OR ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL CLASSES) CONTACT TINA WEEKS, SAFETY DIRECTOR AT tweeks@RamonDemolition.com OR CALL (210) 225-1583

National Safety Council’s “Our Driving Concern Texas Employer Traffic Safety Award”

Training held onsite at the JR RAMON facility: 1325 Frio City Road, San Antonio 78226 For more information: www.RamonDemolition.com

CDRA Award for Best Practices in Safety

Page 10

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

JR Ramon Demolition Experts Help Students Pave a Path for Brighter Future 30 students from Lanier High School’s P-tech program (Construction Science Pathways in Technology) got the exciting opportunity to witness the action of a live demolition site. Donning hard hats, safety goggles, high visibility vests and masks, they got a taste of what a large-scale demolition project looks like, and exposure to careers in a field of construction that they may have never considered before. Tim Ramon, President of JR Ramon Demolition, and Todd Owens, and educator with the P-tech program, worked in conjunction to make this field trip as fun and educational as possible for the group of Freshman and Sophomore students. JR Ramon was in the final stages of demolishing and cleaning up a multistory industrial building site in the Port of San Antonio. After two months of work, the operation was ready for the group of eager observers. Their crew had multiple pieces of heavy demolition equipment bringing down the buildings and handling the debris. Concrete pulverizers were on site crushing concrete, and hydraulic steel shears were processing I-beam into recyclable scrap metals. 18 Wheeler trucks loaded commodities out for disposal at the landfill. In addition to witnessing the organized chaos of demolition, the students got a history lesson about the site itself. What’s now known as the Port of San Antonio, was once Kelly Air Force Base, which was established in 1949 and closed in 2001. The buildings being demolished were once used by the military for research and development of jet engines- making this a particularly challenging demolition, due to the industrial grade strength and complexity of the original construction, but Ramon and his crew were ready for the challenge. JR Ramon has served San Antonio by providing expert commercial and home demolition and support services for over

50 years, making them the company with the qualifications, knowledge and experience that was perfect for this massive project. One of the aspects of particular interest to the teens, Ramon says, was the removal of recyclable materials from the site for processing, which is done inhouse at JR Ramon. Ramon explains, ‘“The fact that the recycling operation is all conducted in house is compulsory to the demolition procedure and process, and that was something that we explained in depth to the kids. Today’s generation are so involved in the environment and the climate, and they really have genuine concerns about how this can affect our planet, so they were very interested in the recycling and repurposing aspect of it and asked many questions. We went into quite a bit of depth with the kids about the extensive attention we put towards recycling the materials, and how a large part of demolition is the segregation of materials that we can recycle for reuse or repurposing. This is good for the environment and it’s good for our community, but it’s also profitable. By

separating the materials we’re reducing the number of materials that are ultimately disposed of in a landfill which costs money to dispose of. And in the perfect scenario, we’re turning it into a commodity that we can sell for refurbishing or refabrication.” The P-tech program is so much more than just a program for credits for the students. By exposing these already mechanically inclined young people in the P-tech program to real life career options, they are able to help them figure out which direction they would like to take in their future. Lanier High School is a 100-year-old school, a cornerstone in a mostly Hispanic community in San Antonio. Owens, who has a background in Law Enforcement and Border Patrol, used to teach Criminal Justice at Jefferson High School, came to Lanier to work with kids in the P-tech program, and his passion for the work he does and the kids he serves is evident when he talks about the doors the program can open for their futures. As Owens explains, P-tech provides special career training opportunities to the students of Lanier. A staggering 99 percent of the student

body are economically disadvantaged, many live in government housing projects and some even make their way to school each day from local homeless shelters. Providing hands-on experiences, the kids get a chance to see what really interests them in the industry, and can introduce them to apprenticeship programs with local companies that they can enter after graduation. Students at Lanier can also take advanced placement courses that could lead to them graduating with a HS Diploma and an Associate’s degree. They are supported in their next steps after graduation- whether it be attending college or learning a trade that could grow into a well paying career. These types of programs are essential for helping to break the cycle of generational poverty, giving kids a purpose, and a pathway to success. In addition to field trips, job shadowing and support the program provides, P-tech also gets the kids involved in many organizations that benefit the community directly. According to Owens, they have volunteered their time and skills for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a charity that builds bunk beds to give to families in need, so children have a safe and comfortable place to lay their head. In November, they are poised to start projects with Habitat for Humanity and also hope to contribute to The Casita Project, a program partnered with UTSA, that builds accessory dwelling units in underprivileged areas to help ease the city’s housing crisis, in the near future. These experiences will teach the students practical construction skills while instilling a desire to help others and give back to their community. Funding for the grants that help support these amazing programs is running out. For information on how you can support local students in the community, please visit saisdfoundation.com. -ndw

Oktoberfest Social

ome Builders Association (HBA) members gathered at the luxury appliance showroom K&N Appliance Gallery Oct. 12 to enjoy a beer and cheese tasting, with a variety of craft beers, Antonelli’s cheese, and other delicious pairings available for attendees. The event concluded with prizes, including one lucky trip to Napa Valley!

MTL Construction getting the job done installing a mortared limestone block retaining wall in Spring Branch, Mystic Shores Subdivision.

Napa Valley trip winner, Joshua Bozarth

Winner, Eric Freeman

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Page 11

G1 Mechanical Purchases Zinsmeyer Air Conditioning

ustin Lewis, the president and CEO of G1 Mechanical, recently purchased Zinsmeyer Air Conditioning out of Castroville. Lewis started G1 mechanical in 2017, and they have become leading experts in the field of HVAC installation, repair and service. The acquisition of the company, and bringing their employees into the fold at G1, means a greater service area for G1, expanding their commercial and residential service and repair to a broader area. G1 mechanical has undertaken some truly massive projects over the years, such as two Tesla Collision Centers, Sabinal High School in Sabinal, Texas and recently, the new Woman and Children’s Hospital in San Antonio which is still under construction. Zinsmeyer Air’s company website boasts over 60 years of experience and a wide array of

products and services, such as Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Furnaces, Air Quality Systems, and Duct Cleaning. They are also certified Armstrong Air ProTeam Dealers, Trane Comfort Specialist Dealers, and Mitsubishi Diamond Contractors, so they have a lot to bring to the G1 Mechanical family. G1 Mechanical is especially proud of their core values - Honesty, Accountability, and Dependability. That is evident in the multifaceted construction portfolio they have amassed since their start in 2017. Lewis is looking forward to merging all the valued employees and expertise of the two companies and states, “We strive to be a great place to work, I have worked at large companies and I know what it’s like to feel like just a number. We want our employees to know that we care about them as people.” -ndw

Employee Promotion Michelle Flores

Assistant Project Manager

Wurzel Builders, Ltd. Austin, TX

ichelle has been with Wurzel Builders, Ltd. (WBL) for one year She began her work at the company as a Project Coordinator. Her approachable demeanor, friendly smile, and her willingness to learn everything have driven outstanding results and

contributed to Wurzel’s growth as a company. Now, Micelle will be bringing her expertise to WBL and will be mentored by Susan Martin. They are confident that Michelle will excel in this new position, and look forward to seeing the impact she will have on their team and company.

Alamo Crane Service Operator Rolando Garcia says “Hi” while waiting to operate his crane for the Vita Load Navigator demonstration in downtown San Antonio before the National Safety Executives.

Stephanie O’Rourke Elected Fellow of American College of Construction Lawyers

okinos | Young Principal Stephanie O’Rourke has been selected to serve as a Fellow with the American College of Construction Lawyers. The ACCL is the preeminent national construction law organization. Fellowship in the College is invitationonly and offered to those who are found to have mastered the practice or teaching of construction law and dispute resolution in the complex technical and legal fields shaping to the built environment, whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, scholarship, professionalism, and collegiality, and who have demonstrated a commitment to “give back” to the construction industry. The College includes lawyers from the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and France. Stephanie is the first attorney invited to join this organization from San Antonio. “We are thrilled that Stephanie has been invited to join this prestigious organization,” said Principal and CEO Gregory Cokinos. “Her unwavering commitment to the construction industry, expertise, high ethical standards, professionalism, and collegiality will be invaluable to the College’s mission and noble efforts to improve and enhance the practice and understanding of construction law.” Stephanie is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group in our San Antonio office. Her practice focuses

primarily on the representation of general contractors in construction contract negotiations, construction disputes, and complex business disputes. With a history of favorable verdicts and settlements, Stephanie has been recognized as a leading construction lawyer by numerous publications and organizations, including the highly regarded Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America. Stephanie will be formally inducted into the American College of Construction Lawyers during its February 2024 meeting in Carlsbad, California.

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

OSHA Construction PPE That Fits Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

SHA is proposing to revise its protective equipment law in construction to explicitly require that the equipment must fit properly. PPE is worn by employees to shall be responsible to assure minimize exposure to hazards that can its adequacy, including proper cause severe injuries and illnesses in maintenance, and sanitation of the workplace. These injuries and such equipment.” illnesses may result from contact with Section 1926.95© provides that a ll chemical, radiological, physical, PPE “shall be of safe design and electrical, mechanical, or other construction for the work to be hazards. PPE includes many different performed.” Unlike the general types of protective equipment, such as industry and maritime PPE standards, hard hats, loves, goggles, safety shoes, the current PPE properly fit each safety glasses, welding helmets and affected employee. PPE must fit goggles, hearing protection devices, properly in order to provide adequate respirators, coveralls, vests, and full protection to employees. If PPE does body suits. not fit properly, it can make the OSHA has specific standards that difference between an employee address PPE in general industry, being safely protected or dangerously shipyard employment, maritime exposed. In some cases, ill-fitting PPE terminals, longshoring, and may not protect an employee at all, construction. These standards require and in other cases it may present employers to provide PPE when it is additional hazards to that employee, necessary to protect employees from and to employees who work around job-related injuries, illnesses, and them. For example, sleeves of fatalities. With few exceptions, OSHA protective clothing that are too long requires employers to pay for PPE or gloves that do not fit properly may when it is used to comply with an make difficult to use tools or control OSHA standard. In addition, the PPE equipment, putting other workers at standards for general industry (29 CFR risk of exposure to hazards. The legs of 1910.132(d)(1)(iii)) and maritime (29 CFR protective garments that are too long 1915.152(b)(3)) include a specific could cause tripping hazards and requirement that employers select PPE impact others working near the worker that properly fits each affected with improperly fitting PPE. The issue employee. OSHA’s standard at 29 CFR of improperly fitting PPE is particularly 1926.95 sets out the requirements for important for smaller construction PPE in construction. Section 1926.95(a) workers, including some women, who provides that all types of PPE shall be may not be able to use standard size provided, used, and maintained in a PPE. Fit problems can also affect larger sanitary and reliable condition workers, especially with regard to the whenever it is necessary by reason of size of certain harnesses. hazards. Section 1926.95(b) goes on to provide that, even when employees natarajan.joann@dol.gov provide their own PPE, “the employer 512-374-0271 x232

LEGAL We are Doing Good, But We Can Do Better - The Importance of Safety in Construction Patrick Garner Principal Cokinos|Young Houston, TX “There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” — This famous quote has been attributed to Mark Twain, but no one really knows where it originated. Regarding construction safety information, the majority of information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and according to the BLS, there were 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2021. More than 1,000 of those fatalities were in the construction sector. Furthermore, more than one hundred sixty-nine thousand two hundred (169,200) non-fatal construction related injuries occurred in 2021. However, that is not the worst part. What is worse -- the statistics only represent those incidents reported and recorded. Approximately 65% of incidents are never reported, recorded, or documented as a construction injury. That is a lot of lost time, lost productivity, and lost opportunity. The good news is… We are getting better. The numbers are actually trending downward. Construction sites are dynamic environments where skilled workers labor to bring architectural visions to life. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s essential to remember that safety should always be the top priority. The risks inherent in construction work can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities if proper precautions aren’t taken. Protect Lives and Livelihoods The most compelling reason to prioritize safety on a construction site is to protect the lives of workers. Construction is inherently dangerous, with hazards ranging from falls, machinery accidents, electrical shocks, to exposure to hazardous substances. As shown above, nearly 20% of all worker fatalities in the United States occur in the construction industry. This alarming statistic underscores the vital need for stringent safety protocols. Beyond preserving lives, safety measures also safeguard the livelihoods of workers. A construction accident can result in debilitating injuries that lead to extended periods of recovery or even permanent disability. This can have devastating financial consequences for both the affected worker and their family. Additionally, accidents can result in costly lawsuits and fines for construction companies, potentially jeopardizing the viability of the project and the business itself. Enhance Productivity and Efficiency A safe work environment is also a more efficient one. When workers feel secure, they can focus on their tasks without the distraction of worrying about potential hazards. This fosters a culture of productivity and professionalism. Conversely, when safety is neglected, workers may be reluctant to fully engage with their tasks, leading to reduced output and lowerquality work. Moreover, a safe worksite minimizes the likelihood of accidents and disruptions. A single accident can halt operations for hours or even days as investigations are conducted and damaged equipment is repaired or replaced. This downtime can lead to significant delays in project completion, incurring additional costs and potentially tarnishing the reputation of the construction company.

Comply with Legal and Regulatory Standards Adhering to safety protocols is not just a matter of ethics; it’s a legal requirement. Regulatory bodies like OSHA in the United States and similar organizations worldwide impose stringent safety standards for construction sites. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines and even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence. In addition to governmental regulations, many clients and project owners now require contractors to meet specific safety criteria as part of their contracts. Non-compliance can lead to the termination of contracts, loss of business, and damage to a company’s reputation. Foster a Culture of Responsibility Prioritizing safety sends a powerful message to workers that their wellbeing is valued. This fosters a culture of responsibility and accountability. When employees see that their employer is committed to their safety, they are more likely to take personal responsibility for their actions and the well-being of their colleagues. Furthermore, when safety is a core value of a construction company, it attracts and retains high-caliber workers. Skilled laborers are more likely to seek out employers who prioritize their safety and well-being, leading to a more skilled and capable workforce. Implement Safety Measures Ensuring safety on a construction site involves a multifaceted approach. Here are some key measures that can be implemented: • Regular Training: Provide comprehensive training to all workers on safety protocols, hazard recognition, and proper use of equipment. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure that all workers have access to and are wearing appropriate PPE, including helmets, safety glasses, gloves, and harnesses. • Fall Protection: Install guardrails, safety nets, and harness systems to protect workers from falls, which are a leading cause of construction accidents. • Machinery Safety: Regularly inspect and maintain all construction equipment, and provide thorough training on their safe operation. • Emergency Response Plans: Establish clear protocols for responding to accidents or emergencies, and ensure that all workers are familiar with these procedures. • Site Inspections: Conduct regular inspections to identify and address potential hazards before they lead to accidents. • Communication: Encourage open communication between workers and supervisors regarding safety concerns or suggestions for improvement. Safety on a construction site is not a luxury but an absolute necessity. It protects lives, preserves livelihoods, enhances productivity, ensures legal compliance, and fosters a culture of responsibility. By implementing rigorous safety measures, construction companies can create a work environment that not only delivers high-quality projects but also prioritizes the well-being of your most valuable asset: your workers.

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Page 13

INSURANCE

ACCOUNTING

It’s raining. Where is my Umbrella?

FinCEN Mandates Reporting of Ownership Information for 2024: A New Era of Transparency

Jeff Norwood, Partner The Nitsche Group

nsurance can be one of those things most people don’t think about until you need it. Like realizing you forgot your umbrella once it starts raining. By

then, you’re soaked. Unpredictable financial storms can strike businesses at any time. And while we may be weathering drought conditions in Texas, it’s as important as ever to have an umbrella by your side. Umbrella insurance, that is. Alarmingly, securing an umbrella policy in the current market has become nearly as challenging and problematic as the lack of rain in Texas. What we’re seeing in the market: Over the last few years, umbrella insurance policies have become increasingly difficult to find across the market. And, when you do find one, the pricing is through the roof. We’re now routinely seeing 25% to 80% increase for umbrella policies. Another issue we’re seeing is decreased availability. The market has become so tight and lost so much capacity that there simply is not enough room left in the marketplace to meet the coverage demand. Despite these challenges, commercial umbrella insurance remains a vital piece of coverage for any business. Why umbrella insurance is so important. A commercial umbrella policy can mean the difference between a company being able to remain in operation or going out of business. Commercial umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of liability protection by covering costs that go beyond the liability coverage limits of other policies already in place. In other words, commercial umbrella insurance complements your other liability coverages by kicking in when liability coverage limits on other policies have been reached. For example: Say your business is found liable for the injury to a client on your premises. You are sued for $1.2 million, but your general liability policy only offers $1 million in coverage. This leaves a $200,000 gap that your company is now responsible for paying. Could your company afford that financial blow? Instead of this financial nightmare, if your company had a commercial umbrella policy, coverage could kick-in and cover the $200,000 gap (up to the umbrella’s policy limits). Despite knowing the importance of the coverage, it has become increasingly difficult to secure an umbrella policy quote. Why has it become so difficult to get an umbrella policy? The umbrella policy crisis is pretty clear to those in the industry. Lawsuits penetrating umbrella policies have simply become commonplace. I have been in the industry for 25 years. For the first 20 years of my career, I never saw a single umbrella claim. Not one. In just the last five years, I have seen more than 20. Let that sink in. Claims that would have been settled for $500,000 just six years ago are now being settled for $2 million today. Umbrella carriers are just getting taken to town by lawsuits, and they are paying more claims than ever before. Litigation & Nuclear Verdicts are destroying the market. In the wake of the wildfires in

California several years ago, carriers began seeing billion-dollar lawsuits and settlements that hurt the entire market. Because of this, we’re now seeing exclusions for wildfires on policies to hedge against these massive risks. But the damage has already been done. The fallout from the wildfires will continue to impact the market. The wildfire exclusion, which was expected to help level the market, was not a silver bullet and is now causing problems of its own. Here in Texas, we’re struggling with our own litigation nightmares. Our state has become a hotbed for lawsuits targeting commercial auto policies. No matter where you drive, billboards for personal injury lawyers now plaster Texas highways. And if you turn on the TV, radio, or even YouTube, you’ll likely be met with an ad from a lawyer asking if you’ve been injured by a large truck or commercial vehicle. There’s a reason these ads are everywhere. These types of suits are lucrative. They go after every bit of insurance a company has. No matter how much (or how little) actual damage was done. They go after every penny. There is even a new word for these kinds of verdicts: Nuclear. That name itself, Nuclear Verdict, should let you know how bad it has become. Because of this increasingly litigious environment, many carriers have completely pulled out of the umbrella market in Texas. Those still here are severely limiting how much exposure they will take on. With these factors changing the market landscape, it can be difficult if not impossible to secure an umbrella quote. So what can you do to improve your chances? Start by reviewing your company’s practices, especially regarding your auto / fleet program. Your fleet program needs to be in the best shape it can be, with as many safeguards in place as possible. Telematics, vehicle cameras, driver training, vetting, and selection should all be part of your company’s fleet program. There is simply no longer any room for error. Even if you are doing all of this and more, you may still be unable to get an umbrella policy quote. Another area to look at is the contracts you’re signing. If the majority of your business requires a $5 million umbrella, but you have a few more than are requiring more, it may be time to negotiate those contracts or to just walk away. I have several clients who have walked away from smaller contracts requiring larger umbrellas. It was simply not profitable and didn’t make sense for their business to pay for the additional umbrella coverage. The most important thing you can do is to speak with your representative about legal reform. That is ultimately the only solution that will have any lasting effect. Without reining the outrageous lawsuits and settlements the industry is currently seeing, policies will only continue to become scarcer and more expensive. We’ve experienced this problem in Texas before. Worker’s comp and medical malpractice legal reform fixed those issues, and it can fix this one as well.

John Chapman CPA Ridout Barrett San Antonio, TX

eginning January 1, 2024, most domestic corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships in the United States will be obliged to report information concerning their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). These rules, issued by FinCEN, were made necessary by the Corporate Transparency Act enacted by Congress and signed into law in 2021. The legislation’s ostensible aim is to clamp down on anonymous shell companies frequently used by criminals to obscure, launder, and transfer funds associated with crimes, illicit activities, and terrorism. Unveiling the Reporting Requirements The new rules laid out by FinCEN make it mandatory for reporting companies to initiate the filing of beneficial ownership information reports from January 1, 2024. Businesses that were established prior to this date have a one-year window to submit their initial reports. In contrast, new businesses that meet the criteria for reporting have 30 days to file a report after filing their organizational documents with the Secretary of State. A reporting company is broadly defined as any entity formed through official filing with the Secretary of State or an Indian Tribe. This encompasses domestic corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships in Texas. Certain exemptions from reporting requirements exist; for instance, a “large operating company” may be exempt if it employs over twenty individuals and files an income tax return showing more than $5 million in gross receipts. Defining Beneficial Owners A beneficial owner, under these regulations, encompasses any individual who exerts substantial control over a reporting company or possesses at least twenty-five percent ownership. Substantial control extends to individuals such as senior officers, those with authority to appoint or remove officers or a majority of directors, key decisionmakers, or anyone else with significant influence over the reporting company. Furthermore, businesses established after January 1, 2024, must report company applicants involved in filing the organizational paperwork with the Secretary of State. Each reporting company is entrusted with providing FinCEN with comprehensive information, including its full legal name, any trade name or “doing business as” aliases, a complete

U.S. address, state of formation, and employer identification number. In addition, the reporting company must supply the name, date of birth, current address, and an image of the driver’s license or U.S. passport for each of its beneficial owners and company applicants. Alternatively, beneficial owners and company applicants may electronically apply for a FinCEN identifier by directly providing the required information to FinCEN. This allows the reporting company to offer FinCEN with the identifiers of beneficial owners and company applicants without the need to collect and provide other personal and sensitive information of the beneficial owners. Filing and Reporting Guidelines Commencing January 1, 2024, FinCEN will accept reports through a secure filing system. Detailed instructions and guidance for completing these reports will be accessible at www. fincen.gov/boi. For existing businesses, the deadline for initial reports is set for January 1, 2025, while new businesses forming on or after January 1, 2024, and registering with their Secretary of State, must file a report with FinCEN within 30 days of their state registration. Enforcement and Penalties In the event of any changes to beneficial ownership information, FinCEN stipulates that reporting companies must file a report within 30 days of the modification. Such changes include alterations in the reporting company’s name or address, or any updates to beneficial ownership information. Non-compliance with the reporting requirements constitutes both a civil violation and a crime. To ensure adherence to these regulations, FinCEN holds the authority to impose civil penalties of up to $500 per day for reporting companies and individuals who fail to file reports. Furthermore, violators may face prosecution, potentially leading to penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Guidance for Businesses and Their Owners FinCEN has published a small entity compliance guide, which can be accessed at www.fincen.gov/boi/smallbusiness-resources. To understand their specific compliance requirements, businesses and their owners are strongly advised to seek counsel from their business and legal advisors.

YOUR AD HERE Advertise with Construction News! Call Haley today at 830-500-0071

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

Growth Through Technology

The Best Years of Your Life Remodel

nown for impeccable quality and attention to detail, Leonard Contracting is currently remodeling the common areas including kitchen, dining room, auditorium, lobby, and Sky Lounge for Army Residence Community (ARC). The ARC is located in a prime location for the active military retiree and senior-level federal employees. San Antonio is home to many military facilities, including Randolph Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, and San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), with shopping, dining, medical services, and many social opportunities available just minutes from the ARC. Project Manager, Jerry Graeber expects the project will be completely turned over before Thanksgiving.

n 1963, Harry Hammett started a small business with only five employees and one piece of equipment. Earlier this year, Hammett Excavation Project Manager, David Stroud, explained how the Hammett team integrated GPS technology and machine control into their fleet. The company’s decision to adopt these new technologies was a defining moment for the team. It catalyzed the team’s proficiency to complete projects, even while dealing with a challenging skilled labor market.

Stroud explained they started using GPS technology more than 20 years ago when RDO Equipment Co. team members encouraged Harry Hammett, the company’s founder, to try something new. “Harry was one of the first to demo the GPS technology on his dozer,” Stroud said. “Once he saw how the GPS and machine control systems displayed how deep to cut in real-time, he told the RDO technicians to leave it on the machine.” Stroud says their team has improved productivity by more than 70%. Hear more from Darin in this feature video.

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Prost!

rab your German gear and bring your appetite, Joeris is celebrating their clients with an appreciation party! Prepare to eat, drink & dance the day away with entertainment, Alex Meixner, an active ambassador for polka music, revitalizing interest coast to coast resulting in sold out shows, renewed cultural interest, and growing mainstream acceptance. So put on your best lederhosen, it’s a MUST attend event! RSVP today! www.tinyurl.com/joeris

Alex Meixner

Expo Kitchen

Sky Lounge 1

Corridor

Sky Lounge 2

Auditorium

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC CTX Associated Builders & Contractors Central Texas Chapter Nov. 2: State of the Association Address, plus your chance to meet the candidates and vote for the 2024 Board of Directors, 11:30am1:30pm, County Line on the Lake 5204 FM 2222, Austin. Event contact Tricia Churchill, tchurchill@abccentraltexas.org. ACEA Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Association Nov. 3: Coffee Chats, 7:30am-9:30am, Enjoy a cup of coffee and morning networking with civil engineering and constructions professionals. Nov. 9: November Luncheon, 11am-1pm, Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Lane (Northcross Mall) Austin Nov. 16: Whiskey Tasting, Dime Box Distillery, 5:30pm-7:30pm, 245 Smith Drive, Hutto AIA American Institute of Architects Austin Nov. 1: Allied Members Happy Hour, 5-7pm, Porcelanos Austin Showroom, 400 Barton Springs Rd, Austin ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers Nov. 18: Mobile Loaves & Fishes Volunteering Event, 8:45am-12pm, Community First! Village9301 Hog Eye Rd. Austin. Register, email: communityoutreach@austinasce.org

HBA Home Builders Association Greater Austin Nov. 30: Chili Fest, 4:30-8pm, Harvest Ridge, 103 Roost Rd., Elgin. PHCC Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Texas Nov. 10-12: Backflow 32hr Recertification 3 day course, 7:30am check-in, PHCC Headquarters, 145 Trademark Drive, Buda. Contact: 512-532-8094 TCA Texas Construction Association Nov. 7: 25 Years Anniversary Celebration, 6-9pm, SXSW Rooftop Terrace, 1400 Lavaca St., Austin. RSVP, email: pfinnegan@texcon. org or 512-473-3773

Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

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Austin Construction News • NOV 2023

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*Offer of 0% is for a loan term of 48 months and Zero Down Payment, valid from October 1, 2023 through December 30, 2023 on new compact (compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, micro/mini excavators, skid steer loaders) and small (backhoe loaders, telehandlers, small track type tractors, small wheel loaders) Cat machines sold by HOLT CAT to customers in dealer territory. The credit of up to $500 USD for an IronPro plan purchase can only be applied toward the purchase of a qualifying IronPro Agreement (CVA). Purchases (both machine and IronPro Agreement) and machine delivery must occur during offer period. Offer subject to machine availability and credit approval by Cat Financial. Not all customers will qualify. Amount of the IronPro credit cannot exceed the price of the qualifying IronPro Plan. IronPro Plan must include 1-year Preventative Maintenance Parts Kit, TA1 annual Inspection, signed contract, and Product Link™. Amount of credit towards IronPro agreement is the same for all models. Offer may change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Additional terms and conditions will apply. Contact HOLT CAT for details. ** Please contact your professional tax advisor for more information about your taxes. This is not meant to substitute for professional tax advice. © 2023 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without written permission. © 2023 HOLT Texas, Ltd. d/b/a HOLT CAT. All rights reserved. HOLT® is a registered trademark of HOLT Texas, Ltd. and may not be used without written permission.