FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

When I sat down to think about 2022, I looked back at a few of my previous “Year in Review” columns. My 2019 review included the following sentence: “I predict 2020 will bring some monumental events...” Yikes, did I hit that nail on the head!

We accomplished a lot in 2022. We worked with the City of Rochester on finalizing the Unified Development Code. After numerous meetings with questions asked and answered, RAB leadership sent a letter to the City Council supporting its passage. We had discussions with the City of Rochester regarding the requirement for a Certificate of Survey on single family homes which led to that requirement changing to using the recorded plat (if it was legible). We raised the question about the local utility allowing only copper supply lines to residential homes and after working with BAM, DLI, and Rochester’s “Interim” Code Official, residential builders can now use all code approved materials for water supply lines. (The last two changes will save homeowners over $1,000. That $1,000 may not seem like a large amount but, in Rochester, for every $1,000 increase in the price of a new home 136 households are priced out.)

The above successes are because of member involvement and the relationship they have built with the Rochester Community Development Team. Members raised the questions. Members attended the meetings. Members met with Rick Dold to work through areas of concern. Members are the lifeblood of our association. Thank you to all the members of Rochester Area Builders! Your support is critical to ensuring that the local environment is one in which you can be successful. When I told Rebekah about the prediction above, she said I couldn’t make another one. Instead, I will leave this quote from Teddy Roosevelt and ask you, our members, to urge others in our industry who may not belong to RAB, to know the importance of that membership:

“Every man owes part of his time and money to the business or industry to which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”

Speaking of Rebekah, if you see her at the Home Show, wish her happy birthday. And look me up too, I’m in the need of a staff lead that can work with the 40 Below Young Professionals group that is under 40…

JOHN EISCHEN Executive Director Rochester Area Builders, Inc

Thank you to all who attended January’s General Membership Meeting where we recognized our 2022 Award recipients! Congratulations Adam, Deb, Katie and KrausAnderson Construction!

It was also great to hear from Scott McLellan, DLI State Building Official, and have the opportunity to view the new Illustrated Field Guide to the MN Residential Code.

Thank you to Knutson Construction for their sponsorship that evening.