 |
 |
Click Here for Progress in Motion Information |
 |
 |
 |
Some items on this bulletin may require a PDF Reader.  (Free PDF reader) |
Sales Tax on Aggregate Delivery Exemption Begins July 1
MPCA Updating Stormwater, Construction Site Permits
Update from ARM Promotions Director, Dave Fennessy
Concrete Open Held June 3rd
1st Annual Rock Open Scheduled for July 16th
ARM Responds to Severe Weather Outbreaks
Legislation proposed by ARM to eliminate the Sales Tax on the delivery of aggregate materials to road construction projects was adopted by the legislature and will go into effect on July 1, 2008. The final Revenue Notice for handling this exemption will be released by the Department of Revenue before July 1 and will be distributed to all ARM members prior to that date. The legislature also adopted new sales tax rates in various communities across the state which have different effective dates. For more information on the procedures for transitional sales taxes CLICK HERE.
General tax information is also available form the Minnesota Department of Revenue at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/
ARM Staff and members have been working with the MPCA on an Industrial Stormwater Work Group to adopt a general permit for the discharge of storm water associated with industrial activity (ISWGP). This permit will impact all industrial activity including ready mix plants and aggregate operations including co-located activities such as asphalt plants. ARM has joined with AGC of Minnesota and the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) in a joint industry group to retain the services of ARM member company, Wenck Associates, Inc., to respond to draft language being proposed by the MPCA. The group has met with MPCA staff twice to discuss the intent of the permit and the impact of proposed language on our industry. The ARM Ready Mix Division Leadership Council is also meeting on a regular basis to monitor progress with this permit. MPCA is hoping to have this permit ready for public comment by August of this year.
The MPCA is also hoping to issue a revised General Permit Authorization to Discharge Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity on August 1, 2008 although it is expected this date will be extended by concerns expressed by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. ARM submitted comments on this permit during the public comment period. ARM comments focused on concerns about requirements for concrete wash water to be contained in a leak-proof containment facility or impermeable liner at construction sites. The ARM Ready Mix Division Leadership Council has been meeting regularly to monitor progress on this issue and the issuance of this permit. Members of the Leadership Council have also met with MPCA staff to discuss alternative methods of handling concrete wash out water including adding water recovery systems to ready mix trucks to allow wash water to be returned to the ready mix plants for disposal. The proposed rules may be found at the following web site www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/sw-c-draftpermit-0208.pdf
ARM members have also been contacted by local jurisdictions regarding the issue of handling concrete wash out water. Local jurisdictions may impose more stringent regulations than state agencies if they choose and ARM members need to be engaged in any proposed regulations in their market area and contact ARM staff for assistance if desired. It is important to remember that the property owner and the contractor are the permittees on any MPCA permit and the sub-contractor or material supplier has no legal responsibility for providing wash out facilities at construction sites. That said, the ready mix concrete industry in Minnesota has always supported the need to be good environmental stewards and will work with their customers to provide solutions to the requirements of environmental permits. It is ARMs position that concrete wash out water includes only the water used to rinse concrete truck chutes and does not include hardened concrete, plastic or excess concrete or concrete slurry from a pour or pumping operation. These materials should be disposed of in the designated area for waste materials on the job site.
Travels the State—Fennessy met with many ARM Producer Members to identify target contractors and projects. ARM Producer Members are actively engaged in local promotions and have utilized ARM Promotion Director for ride-along promotion to contractors, owners and A/E firms.
Has the Technology—Promotional tools such as NRMCAs Pavement Analyst Software, ACPAs StreetPave and Deco-Con Visual Imaging Software, gives ARM the ability to create not only alternate slab designs and life-cycle cost analysis, but also the capability to create visually appealing before and after graphics for proposal and submittals. Requests for assistance from membership continue to grow for these promotional documents. Fennessy is currently working on more than fifteen conversion projects.
Responds to Storm Events—Print ads with Safe Homes theme were developed in response to the storm damage in Hugo and Park Rapids. Currently working with WCCO News to do a spotlight on safe and affordable concrete homes to air in a couple weeks!
Is Understanding What Works—Intersections Fennessy met with Ramsey County engineers to understand their successful approach to design and install concrete intersections. Promotional literature piece to be developed to aid members promote/sell intersections
Pursuing LEED Accreditation—In response to the direction and momentum of the green/sustainable building movement, having Fennessy earn LEED Accreditation will give ARM promotion efforts further credibility.
Attended Promoters Workshop—Fennessy had the opportunity to spend three days at the Professional Promoters Workshop in Chicago to learn, share and gather information and promotion ideas from other promotion professionals from around the country.
The Concrete Open was held June 3rd at The Legends Club in Prior Lake. The sold-out event was held in chilly but rain-free weather.
The first place team, with a score of 52, was Mike Frandsen, Steve Eskar, Corey Johnson and Doug Ailie. The second place foursome, with a score of 53, was Jim Glass, Al Christianson, Bruce Rask and Andy Stewart. Longest drive was won by Tim Crennen and closest to the pin went to Steve Bahe. Rick Pace was the lucky (second-time) winner of the $1,000 raffle prize.
Close to $1,400 was raised for the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day event. Special thanks goes to Mary Hayes from Aggregate Industries for once again coordinating the fundraiser.
As a direct response to the interest each year in the Concrete Open, ARM has added another golf event titled the Rock Open – in honor of ARM’s Aggregate Producer Members. The 1st Annual Rock Open will be held July 16th in conjunction with a Board of Directors Meeting. The event will be held at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell.
Click Here for Additional Information.
ARM created two ads and a direct-mail piece that will be used in the Hugo and Park Rapids areas in light of the recent devastating tornadoes. Contact the ARM office at 952-707-1250 for additional information.
Click Here to View Ad #1 (ARM Hugo Ad.pdf)
Click Here to View Ad #2 (ARM Family Ad.pdf)
Click Here to View Direct Mail Piece (Hugo Mailer Postcard.pdf)
(952) 707-1250