Mission Statement
The North Peninsula Building Association represents builders and associates of the building industry. We advocate constant improvement of building and business practices to provide quality construction in our community.
Vol. 5, Issue 6
www.npba.info
360-452-8160
PO Box 748 • 3430 E. Highway 101, Ste. #1, Port Angeles, WA 98362
June 2012
New website helps protect homeownership FaLeana Wech,
NPBA Executive Officer
America’s homeowners and home builders celebrate National Homeownership Month in June, bringing attention to the more than 75 million Americans who own their home, and the millions more who aspire to achieve the American dream of homeownership. But it is also important for American families to know that homeownership is under attack. Legislative and regulatory proposals now under consideration by government policymakers would greatly harm homeowners, homebuyers, the housing market and the nation’s economy. To educate Americans about the threats to homeownership and to provide opportunities for current and future homeowners to take action to protect it, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has launched a website, www.ProtectHomeownership.com The site features expert economic analysis and reports, data from homeownership surveys and polls, and the answers to many frequently asked questions about housing and homeownership. ProtectHomesownership.com highlights the
threats to homeownership by describing how tax, legislative and regulatory policies currently under consideration would scale back or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and make mortgages and small business loans unaffordable and difficult to obtain. It tells how finance and credit-related issues
are making it difficult for creditworthy, financially responsible families to buy a home and threaten ultimately to prevent millions of families from ever becoming home owners. The site documents homeownership’s importance to individual households and to local, state and national economies. It shows
how new home construction and remodeling presently account for about 15 percent of the nation’s total economy and how the financial issues are impeding production of new homes. The economic impact of home building includes construction of single-family and multifamily homes, remodeling and the countless products and services that are related to those activities. Protecthomeownership.com also empowers the American public to take positive action to support and protect this very important aspect of American life. Visitors are encouraged to sign an online petition urging Congress to keep housing a national priority and to join social media communities on Facebook.com/ProtectHomeownership and Twitter.com/4Homeownership. Information is provided about how to participate in homeownership rallies that are being held in a number of communities in 2012. The first rally, in Columbia, S.C., drew almost 1,000 people to the statehouse grounds to voice their support and focus the government’s attention on critical housing issues. For more information on the impact of housing and homeownership, go to npba.info or www.ProtectHomeownership.com.
Fun and games at the NPBA May general membership meeting
Thank you to Debi Rutherford of Eagle Home Mortgage for providing prizes for our winners of Network Bingo. From left are: Nell Clausen, Estes Builders; Dave Kreps, Kreps Construction; Jeff McFarland, Rainbow Sweepers; Dave Church, Lakeside Industries; Larry Perry, In Graphic Detail; Shirley Mercer, Kreps Construction; Niahm Prosser, Clawson Construction; Traci Dooley and Collette Roberts, Everwarm Hearth & Home.
The NBPA General Membership Meeting in May took place at Jose’s Famous Salsa Factory in Sequim. Members got the opportunity to get to know each other better by playing “Networking Bingo” and “Getting to Know You Better.” Visit our Facebook page as we are posting interesting facts about what we learned on our page. If you have not yet “Liked” the North Peninsula Building Association’s Facebook page, please do. We’ll be sure to acknowledge you and your company in our weekly e-mail communication. We also will encourage other members to visit your Facebook page and “Like” you. NPBA breaks from meetings during the summer but soon will be sending out information about our fall schedule.
Vol. 5, Issue 6
June 2012
TAG says ‘no’ to mandatory sprinklers Thanks to thorough research and a groundswell of member support, the International Residential Code (IRC) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) voted overwhelmingly against recommending a statewide fire sprinkler mandate for newly constructed single-family homes at its meeting this spring in Shoreline. There was only one dissenting vote. The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County sent strong support, Olympia Master Builders also was in attendance and members called in from around the state. BIAW’s
Jan Himebaugh provided talking points and coordinated the members to attend. The members’ support, knowledge, preparation and clearly unbeatable arguments were very impressive. The Washington Realtors, Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO), Water Purveyors and other allies also attended and lent their strong opposition to the proposed mandate. The TAG overwhelmingly rejected the statewide mandate, while at the same time recognizing the value of fire sprinklers as a local and individual option. BIAW will continue to monitor this issue
CODE CORNER Clallam and Jefferson County, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, Juan de Fuca Chapter of ICC Recent falls from second-floor windows have prompted revisions in the building code for residential structures. As you plan your new home or renovation, keep in mind the code requirement for windows on the second floor. The openable portion of a window must be at least 24 inches above the floor or have an “opening limiting device.” Check with your window supplier to verify your windows comply with this added safety measure.
throughout the code process. Although it’s a big win for the building industry, there’s a possibility the issue will come up again when the State Building Code Council votes on residential code. BIAW is grateful for and sincerely thanks all the members who attended the meeting, phoned in or provided information to help us oppose this harmful and sweeping proposal. NPBA member Annie O’Rourke of Drafting Solutions is a member of the IRC TAG. Thank you Annie for your work with this group and for being a clear voice of reason for the industry.
Dungeness Water Management Proposed Rule Public hearing will take place on Thursday, June 28. The Open House will start at 3:30 pm at Sequim Community Church, 950 North 5th Avenue. Presentation and Q & A will begin at 6:00 pm and will be followed by the Public Hearing. Comments are being accepted until July 9, 2012. Visit sequimwater.com for information about the rule posted by the Sequim Association of Realtors. The Department of Ecology's Website address for the rule is: http:// www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/instream-flows/dungeness-rule.html.
BIAW takes on claim file dispute On June 7, Julie Nichols, one of BIAW’s contracted legal counselors, presented oral arguments before the Board of Industrial Insurance on a case of first impression concerning access to injured worker claim files. The case is labeled a case of first impression because the issue has not come before a judicial body and the decision will be the first of its kind. BIAW raised this question to L&I on behalf of members that participated in the ROII Select® program nearly a year ago. BIAW and L&I disagree on what the law requires of L&I. BIAW reads the law as it is written, “the employer or their representa-
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tive have the right to review any claim files of their own injured worker in connection with any pending claim.” We obtained records from the State Archives and L&I as a part of a public records request and learned that from 1957-1998 L&I interpreted the law the same as BIAW. In 1998, L&I created an internal policy restricting the release of prior claim files to only those that related to the body part contended in the current claim. There are many reasons why unrelated body part claims are important in a current claim and many of those include vocational decisions, prior settlements and awards and other contended conditions. BIAW asked other trade associations to join us in our dispute but none of them rose to the challenge. BIAW staff is happy to take the lead to protect the interest of small employers. The Board of Industrial Insurance expects to have a decision on this case by the end of June. We are optimistic we will receive a favorable decision.
Calendar of events: June 14 NPBA Board of Directors Meeting, 5 p.m. July 9 Dungeness Water Management Rule Comment Deadline September 28 13th Annual NPBA Golf Tournament
Vol. 5, Issue 6
June 2012
Dear Donna Donna L. Knifsend
Dear Donna: Question: Help! As an employee of a medium-sized company, it seems like I am ALWAYS in meetings. Many of the meetings are unproductive and it seems like a few of us pick up the slack for many attendees that have become “cookie-eating zombies” that never complete their action items. You talked about effective meeting management during one of the NPBA dinner meetings. Any suggestions? Answer: Promoting positive change through meeting management is important for all businesses. There is nothing worse than sitting through unproductive meetings that takes away from otherwise productive work. Due to space limitations, I cannot give all of the tips, techniques and suggestions to change
business briefs:
Everwarm is Growing! Everwarm Hearth & Home is pleased to announce the expansion of its shower door division with the purchase of Peninsula Shower Door and Mirror. Better known as a stove and fireplace store, Everwarm began selling shower systems in 2009. Its head shower installer, “Dan Dan the Shower Door Man” Wilson has been installing showers and custom mirrors for more than 35 years and can do any type of shower system, from basic units to frameless custom showers. Custom mirrors are only limited by your imagination. Specialty mirrors include free floating faucets, mirrored electrical outlets, mirrored back splashes and infinity mirrors. Everwarm will be using the name Peninsula Shower Door and Mirror for this division so people will know they are also in the shower door and custom mirror business. Please visit everwarmhh.com or stop by their showroom at 257151 Highway 101, Port Angeles.
the dynamics for meetings; however, here are a few considerations and tips. The basic tip, however, is to remember the 5 P’s: Planning and Preparation Prevent Poor Progress. 1. Most importantly, are the meetings really necessary? If yes, consider: a) What type of meeting is necessary? Is it an informative meeting, problem-solving, brainstorming, specific conflict meeting, training or other type of meeting? b) Does it have to be in face-to-face? Are there more effective means to hold the meeting? Can some of the preparation be streamlined to reduce actual meeting time? Technology has opened many doors. c) Who are the stakeholders that really need to be at the meeting? d) Should a facilitator be used to help plan the meeting, maintain appropriate meeting dynamics and encourage use of correct procedures including accountability and responsibility? e) Have an agenda to: list key topics, announce discussion leaders and speakers, place a time limit on each topic, and indicate expected outcomes/actions. f) Circulate the agenda several days prior to the meeting. Adjust the agenda based on feedback. 2. If meetings are not necessary, then do not hold one! See if there are other avenues of communicating and distributing information. Meetings do have a place, but do not become a meeting junkie. Different meetings have different agendas, styles and accountability. Often meetings become unproductive when different goals are mixed together, thereby getting attendees off track. Keep in mind: (a) an informative meeting is for giving and receiving information about a specific idea or important matters concerning the attendees that cannot be effectively communicated through other avenues; (b) a problem-solving meeting is to discuss an issue or conflict and make a decision on how to solve it; (c) a brainstorming meeting is to produce new ideas about a specific topic; (d) a specific conflict meeting is to help all parties understand the concerns, obtain facts, brainstorm and find workable solutions; (e) a training meeting is educational and informative. I strongly recommend that all meetings have a good facilitator (internal or neutral third party) that can keep the focus on goals and objectives while maintaining the proper protocol during the meeting. An effective facilitator also builds accountability and responsibility into the meeting so that meeting attendees can be productive both during the meeting and for action items.
BIAW’s ROII Select lifts minimum L&I premium requirements Last year, BIAW’s ROII program required participating companies to have a minimum of $10,000 in premiums in order to qualify. We have just been informed for the July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 plan year that there are no minimum premium requirements. The BIAW is reviewing applications with a stricter set of underwriting guidelines to determine eligibility. In order to participate in ROII Select, your company must be willing provide Kept on Salary and Light Duty. What does this mean to you? Your company may again qualify for participation in the ROII Select Program! Be sure to get your application into the BIAW as soon as possible. The plan year runs from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The deadline for participating in the full plan year has passed but you still can participate from Oct. 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 if you get your application in right away. Contact FaLeana
at 452-8160 for more information about this great member benefit! NPBA hosted an ROII Distribution party on June 6 and returned more than $169,000 in refund checks to our members. A number of the ROII Select® members in plan year 2008-2009 will see refunds of 50 percent or more and all positive companies earned refunds from the 2009-2010 and 20102011 plan years. The turnaround in the ROII Select® program is attributed to many claim management and cost containment strategies put into place last year by BIAW’s senior officers and WBBT Trustees. A good share of the credit also goes to the BIAW claim staff who are in the trenches every day with member participants. This is great news for members. If you are a member and know of a trade partner who may benefit from ROII Select participation, please pass along this information.
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Vol. 5, Issue 6
June 2012
CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT
www.nicponconstruction.com
Nicpon Construction Kurt Nicpon / 417-3696
# NICPOC*988DK
Pounding nails since age 16, Kurt Nicpon worked his way up the ranks to foreman locally and for a large contractor in Bellingham. In 2001 Kurt returned to Port Angeles and became a general contractor. Currently Kurt stays busy building incredible custom homes and doing remodels primarily for people who are referred by customers and those who have seen his work. Kurt resists hiring a large crew so that he can spend more time building rather than supervising. “I truly love to do this and, wow I happen to get paid for it. When I’m not building, I’m thinking about building” says Kurt. “Working with timbers and log accents is my favorite thing to do,” says Kurt who recently completed an amazing custom home that was designed with large beams and logs. Kurt takes time to get to know each customer and has built his Kurt is “a person and builder of high integrity, business by “being reliable to the people who depend on me.” professionalism, experience, and talent. He has a passion for perfection and has a When not on the jobsite, Kurt much deserved reputation as being one of loves outdoor activities such as the best, if not the best builder on the North country hunting and spending Olympic Peninsula. The very complicated time with his wife Chanda and house that he built for me turned out to be sons Landon and Karson. absolutely stunning.” — Thomas E. Riepe “I shop at Angeles Millwork Member and Hartnagels and don’t have accounts at any other lumber yards. I know everyone at Angeles Millwork and they know me. It’s like [the show] “Cheers” when I walk in the door.” —————————— Contractor Spotlight is sponsored by —————————— Lumber and building materials for all types of construction projects.
1601 S “C” St., Port Angeles
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3111 Hwy 101 E, Port Angeles 452-8933 • hartnagels.com
Rely on the employee owned and operated stores that contractors rely on!
Surplus Sale success On April 21, the NPBA held its annual Builders Surplus Sale. Surplus Sale chairman Scott Schwagler would like to thank everyone who generously contributed surplus building materials and services which helped to raise over $3,000 for the NPBA general fund! Set up began in the early morning with the following volunteers arriving to unload, organize and price materials for the sale: Tracy Gudgel, Zenovic & Associates; Larry Hanna, LP Hanna Construction; Donna Knifsend, Lawsuit Prevention and Management; Cory Sisk, byDesign Group; Trina Stern, NPBA Girl Friday; Roger Wheeler and the RJ Ser-
Thank you for your support of the 2012 NPBA Builders Surplus Sale
2012 Officers and Board of Directors
Angeles Concrete, Angeles Millwork & Lumber Company, Blake Tile & Stone, Eden Excavating, Good Man Sanitation, Ferguson Enterprises, Hartnagel Building Supply, Glen Robards, J & J Construction, Jim and JoAnne Hallett, Kreps Construction, Lakeside Industries, Lazy J Tree Farm, LP Hanna Construction, OnSite Services, Puget Sound Transfer, RJ Services, Thomas Building Center, Todd and Nancy German, Goettling Construction and delivery men Bobby Alis and Dave Hire and Walt and Terry Ward.
President: Rick Gross, Estes Builders LLC 1st Vice President: Garret DelaBarre DelaBarre Construction 2nd Vice President: Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Treasurer: Julie Myers, First Federal Secretary: Donna Knifsend Lawsuit Prevention & Mgmt Immediate Past President: Tracy Gudgel Zenovic & Associates State Directors: Annie O’Rourke, Drafting Solutions Scott Schwagler, J & J Construction Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction Mark Smith Builder Directors: Alex Anderson, Alex Anderson Concrete Larry Hanna, L.P. Hanna Construction Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Greg McCarry, Westerra Homes Associate Directors: Kelly Raymond, Sound Community Bank Dan Donovan, Allform Welding Inc. Roger Wheeler, RJ Services Life Director: Bill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc. Executive Officer: FaLeana Wech
vices Crew: Danny, Austin and Skyler Graham, Joe and Mike Larson, Bill and Jordan Lester, Bryson Welch and Evan Wheeler. The sale ran from noon-3 p.m. and many of our volunteers spent their entire Saturday with us — thank you for your help! In addition to the standard items such as doors and windows that we see at the sale, there were some very interesting ones and we look forward to seeing the projects that are created with them. Executive Officer FaLeana Wech was encouraging people who purchased items to e-mail photos of their completed projects so she can post them on the NPBA Facebook page. As the sale wound down, it was time for cleanup. We are happy to report that the only material that we had to dispose of after the sale was one piece of grubby carpet. Thank you Around Again for picking up the remaining items from our sale and for making good use of them. Collection for the 2013 Surplus Sale already has begun. If you have surplus items that you would like to donate to the NPBA, contact us at 452-8160.