NPBA - North Peninsula Building Association

To read the article in the Peninsula Daily News click here!

Thank you NPBA members and other community members for helping us collect signatures!

Please be sure to mail petitions to: I-1082, PO Box 1909, Olympia, WA  98507.  Today, June 29th is the last day petitions can be mailed to ensure they will be counted.   Thank you NPBA members and I-1082 supporters for you work in collecting signatures and getting this initiative on the ballot!

The NPBA June Newsletter has been published, click here to read this issue.  To read more about the recent SBCC Energy Code delay, click on the June archives.

Just days after BIAW filed a lawsuit in federal court, Governor Gregoire has announced that she is requesting the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) delay the implementation of the new energy code for a period of nine months.

While BIAW and other coalition partners have been lobbying the SBCC and the Gregoire Administration to rethink these energy code regulations for over a year, the decision was made just days after BIAW made good on its previous threats to challenge the new rules in court.

In November of last year, BIAW attorneys warned the SBCC that their proposed changes to the energy code were pre-empted by federal law, and thus illegal.  In the lawsuit filed in federal court on May 26, BIAW and several HVAC contractors and builders alleged these regulations will lead to loss of sales and related activities as consumers choose not to buy new homes, or simply are not able to buy new homes because they will be priced out of the market, hurting an already fragile homebuilding industry.

In her letter to the SBCC requesting the delay, Gregoire said “it is clear that the recovery of the construction industry is central to the recovery of our state’s economy” and a “delay is necessary to allow the construction industry to stabilize.  We cannot risk further delay of our state recovery, or worse, a deepening recession.”

Ironically, Gregoire’s request for the delay comes after her repeated direction to the SBCC over the past year to press forward with the stringent new energy efficiency regulations.

While Gregoire has officially requested the SBCC delay implementation, the delay will not take effect until the SBCC takes action.  The SBCC is scheduled to convene this Friday; presumably Gregoire’s request will come up during this meeting.

While the battle to repeal the new energy code is not over, clearly a nine-month delay is a small victory.  BIAW will continue its proceedings in federal court, asking the judge to strike down the regulations and start over.

Please join us for the celebration of the 10th Future Builders Home at 1015 Dunker Drive in Port Angeles!  The fun starts at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 10. To RSVP, email clair@npba.info or call the office at 452-8160.  We look forward to seeing you there!

You are invited to: celebrate the 10th Future Builders house, join in on the BBQ fun, talk with students and contributors, visit with friends, win door prizes, play a trivia game, compete in the photo contest and check out the construction! We will be featuring the 2010 Scholarship recipients, and recognizing the 2009-10 Future Builders Students during the BBQ.

For more information click here.

Learn the significant changes from the last edition to the current edition (2009) of the International Residential
Code, particularly: carbon monoxide alarms, wall bracing requirements, stairway and handrail modification
and much more. This class will also include the recently adopted changes to the Washington Energy Code,
such as: additional energy efficiency requirements, increased building envelope stringency, duct placement
and air leakage testing and more. These changes take effect July 1st, so don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this great class at a remarkable price. Cost for the class is $85 for members and $150 for non-members. BIAW will once again partner with WABO to make the 2009 IRC Code book available for purchase at a reduced price to class attendees $65 for soft side and $77 for loose leaf. The class will take place at the Vern Burton Center in Port Angeles. Please click here:
http://www.npba.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2009-CodeChgFlyer.pdf to fill out registration form.

2010 North Peninsula Building Association Officers were installed at the December 10 NPBA Holiday Gala and Silent Auction Fundraiser by Kevin Estes, past State Director with NPBA, and his wife, Jo Anne Estes. Officers for 2010 include: President Tracy Gudgel, Zenovic & Associates, Inc.; 1st Vice President Rick Gross, Estes Builders LLC; 2nd Vice President Jim Strong, Hadlock Building Supply Inc.; Secretary Donna Knifsend, Lawsuit Prevention & Mgmt; State Directors include: Roger Wheeler, RJ Services Inc.; Mark Smith; Jack Tenhulzen, Tenhulzen Remodeling; Jim Strong, Hadlock Building Supply Inc.; Brooke Nelson, Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty; Scott Schwagler, J&J Construction of Port Angeles; Kevin Russell, Clawson Construction LLC; Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction; Builder Directors include Larry Hanna, LP Hanna Construction Inc.; Bill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc. and Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc.; Alex Anderson, Alex Anderson Concrete; Associate Director Dan Donovan, Allform Welding, Inc.

Jeni Flores received the 2009 BIAW Associate Appreciation Award as a result of her work with the design of the Future Builders homes. The presentation was made by Past President Kevin Russell during the December 10 NPBA Holiday Gala and Silent Auction Fundraiser.

North Peninsula Building Association made recommendation to BIAW to recognize Jeni for her hours of volunteer work and design techniques adding value to the last three houses constructed.

Jeni is currently employed with Tracy’s Insulation in Port Angeles.

NPBA has been notified by the Sheriff’s department that construction site thefts on are on the rise. In the last 30 days over 5 incidents have been reported. Tools appear to be the target rather than materials. Tools stored in trailers apparently do not deter the thefts as trailers have been towed off only to be found later stripped of contents.

Contractors and subs are urged to remove tools from job sites nightly if at all possible. If leaving a trailer with tools, make sure it is locked and secure so the trailer cannot be removed from the site.

Officer Lightfoot suggests that if tool trailers cannot leave the site, to put ½” of sand by the doors. Because of the wet and muddy conditions, it has been hard for police to secure hard evidence that would aid in making arrests. The sand would hold foot prints or tire marks. This may sound like a low tech approach to capturing the thieves, however, officers are working to solve these crimes. They are using any method they can think of to get these people caught, now.

Talk with neighbors in the area to monitor the site for unusual activities after work hours and/or on weekends. Urge them to contact the Sheriff’s department via 911 if they see or hear suspicious activity at the construction site.

Officer Grant Lightfoot is eager to stop this recent string of thefts immediately. For tips on how you can protect your job site or to report thefts call him at 360.912.0163. Or email him at glightfoot@co.clallam.wa.us.

The Future Builders program marked the beginning of House #10 with a special ground breaking ceremony on September 14 at the new home site. Over 40 people attended the ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremony complete with golden shovels.

Rep. Lynn Kessler, PA School Superintendent Dr. Jane Pryne, North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center Director Jacob Jackson, Mayor Gary Braun, PA School Board President Steve Baxter, County Commissioner Steve Tharinger, Vice President of the PA School Board Lonnie Linn, North Peninsula Building Association President Tracy Gudgel and Executive Officer FaLeana Wech were among the dignitaries in attendance. Their collective comments were of praise for the progress the Future Builders program has made over the years and the commitment of those involved.

Construction Superintendent Dan Peacock and Classroom Instructor Dave Peterson introduced the 2009-2010 students.

The program was created when the building industry in Clallam County experienced a shortage of skilled workers. A dedicated group of individuals from the North Peninsula Building Association set out to create a program where students would be introduced to all phases of home building by participating in the construction of a new single family home. In partnership with the Port Angeles School District, North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center and Peninsula College, the Future Builders program was born.

The students are provided an introduction into each phase of construction, from excavation to final preparation to sell the home. As students progress thru the program, they have an opportunity to be in personal contact with professional contractors and trades people providing a hands-on education experience. Classroom instruction is provided by NOPSC and students leave the program with an overall knowledge that could land them an entry level job locally.

Over 150 students have passed through the classroom and contributed to the construction of some of the finest homes built in the area. Taking pride in their craft, members of North Peninsula Building Association have volunteered countless hours of their personal time to teach their trade.

The program benefits the community: as the homes are built and then sold, profits from the sale are divided between grants for teachers in the tech trades for needed equipment and supplies and scholarships for students wanting to further their education in the building trades. To date over $180,000 has been awarded to students and teachers.

A non-profit Foundation was established shortly after the program took root. The Foundation receives money from the sale of the house for the grants and scholarships. It can also receive contributions from local individuals and companies that are interested in investing in the future of our younger generation.

The mission to provide a skilled labor pool continues. The program is accepting and actively seeking students. To date, the class has only 5 students from the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center.

Students can contact the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center (NOPSC) at 360.565.1533. The NOPSC provides an opportunity for students between the ages of 16 and 21 to receive career training as part of their public education with no cost to the student. Students can also contact Cindy Lauderback, Coordinator of High School Programs, at 417-6341 or Bob Lawrence, Director of Work Force Education at 417-6344 at the Peninsula College.