June-Newsletter

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www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015

PRESIDENTS Letter

Howdy, and welcome to this month’s edition of “Sticks and Bricks”

By HBA President John Magruder, Magruder Homes

June has been a busy month for everyone, and understandably so after listen-
ing to the seven presenters at the HBA’s Community Development Luncheon.
We enjoyed a packed room for this annual event, and thank University Title
Company for serving as our Title Sponsor. We heard about current and future
growth projects from College Station ISD Superintendent Clark Ealy, Bryan
ISD Construction Manager Jeff Windsor, College Station Director of Planning
& Development Lance Simms, Bryan Director of Economic Development
Kevin Russell, Atmos Energy Business Development Representative Matt
Skains, Bryan Texas Utilities Manager of Operations David Werley and Col-
lege Station Utilities Energy Coordinator Pat McIntyre. Bottom line, the num-
bers for the first 5 months of 2015 show strong growth in population, residen-
tial and commercial building permits, school district campus expansions and
renovations and utility infrastructure investments. Every indicator projects
growth greater than what we experienced in 2014. This is all good news for our community, and the build-
ing and development industry. Copies of the power point presentations are available to HBA members
from the association office.

Behind the scenes your HBA staff and volunteers continue their efforts in the redevelopment of our associ-
ation’s website and brand. We expect to launch the website at the end of the month, and hope our name
change and rebrand will better represent and welcome participation from all 8 counties the Bryan College
Station HBA covers. Last August we received an assumed name certificate from the Texas Secretary of
State for the Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association (GBVBA) but our legal name will r emain Br y-
an College Station Home Builders Association. We are transitioning all print materials and other brand
identification to include our new logo and the assumed name. You will see both names included in our lit-
erature, and announcements until close to the end of the year. We are very excited to bring a fresh new look
to our organization that will celebrate 50 years as an NAHB Chapter in 2017.

Summertime will continue to be a busy time for everyone with work, vacation and time with family and
friends. The BCSHBA will not have an event in July but we encourage you to attend the Women’s Council
of Realtors luncheon on July 8th. The program will discuss the new closing rules and guidelines. Please be
on the lookout for more information via email.

The Texas Association of Builders Sunbelt Builders Show will be July 29 & 30 at the Gaylord Texan in
Grapevine. This two day event will be filled with educational sessions and vendor displays for the building
industry. For more information you can go to www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com. We are also excited to have
local Washer Tournament winners Billy West and Garrett West represent our association at the State Wash-
er Tournament that will be held on July 28th. Good luck guys!!

We have plenty of events coming up in the last half of the year, beginning August 5th with our HBA lunch-
eon. Please check the calendar of events in this newsletter and mark those dates.

Good luck to everyone in the coming months, and please let us know if we can help with anything.
John

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 2

ISSUE Contents

230 SOUTHWEST PARKWAY EAST INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOGO!!!
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840
979-696-0272 (p) 979-696-0858 (f) TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 BCS HBA President’s Letter
www.BCSBUILDERS.org 4 Calendar of Events
www.GBVbuilders.org 5 NAHB wants YOU to SUCCEED!
Staff 6 & 7 Community Development Update photos
8 & 9 Product & Service Suppliers
Executive Officer—Rose Selman, CAE 10 EPA Water Rule—Information from NAHB
Member Services—Phyllis Fukuda, CRP 11 Building Permit & Inspection Activity
Marketing Assistant—Shelby Whittenberg 12 Member Benefit—Discounts on Wireless Service
13 Member Updates & Spike Report
Executive Committee 14 Governor Signs TAB Priority Bills
President

John Magruder
1st Vice President

Mark Weber
Associate Vice President

Randy Ripple
Secretary/Treasurer

Jimmy Pitman
Immediate Past President

Michael Schaefer
Builder Directors

Victor Drozd
Jason Marek
Thomas Pack
Randall Pitcock
J.R. Torres
Brian Windham

Associate Directors
Melanie Becka
Frank Clark Jr.
Doug Groves
Gene Joyce
Nathan Leedy
Matt Ratliff

BCS HBA Office Hours:
Monday—Thursday
8:30 am to 5:00
Friday
8:30 am—Noon

Sticks & Bricks is the official publication of the
BCS Home Builders Association. Any opinions
expressed in articles are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of
BCSHBA. Contact Rose Selman for article reprint
permission.

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 3

HBA Events Calendar of Events

2015

June 30—GBVBA Board of Directors Meeting

July 3—GBVBA Office Closed—Independence Day Holiday

July 28 - 31—TAB Board & Committee Meetings in Grapevine

July 29 & 30—Sunbelt Builders Show in Grapevine

August 5—GBVBA Member Luncheon at Phillips Event Center @ 11:30am

August 25—GBVBA Board of Directors Meeting

September 2—GBVBA Member Luncheon at Phillips Event Center @ 11:30 am

September 7—GBVBA Office Closed—Labor Day Holiday

September 22 or 29—GBVBA Board of Directors Meeting

September 27—30—NAHB Fall Board & Committee Meetings—Dallas

October 7th—GBVBA Member Luncheon at Phillips Event Center @ 11:30 am

October 10 & 11—Fall Parade of Homes™ (Pending Confirmation)

October 20—GBVBA Annual Skeet Shoot (Pending Confirmation)

October 27—GBVBA Board of Directors Meeting

October 27—Realtor/Builder Fall Festival—7F Lodge (NOTE: ON TUESDAY)

November 4th—Annual Housing Forecast with Dr. Jim Gaines (Evening Program)

November 10—12—TAB Board & Committee Meetings—Austin

November 24—GBVBA Board of Directors Meeting

November 26 & 27—GBVBA Office Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2nd—Annual Election of Officers & Directors/Holiday Celebration

December 24 thru January 4—GBVBA Office Closed—Christmas & New Year Holidays

January 14 or 21—GBVBA Installation and Awards

February 12—Home & Garden Expo Private Preview Party

February 13 & 14—2016 Home & Garden Expo—Brazos County Expo

GREAT TOPICS—GREAT SPEAKERS 4

August 5th HBA Member Luncheon
Speaker: Spencer Clements, Principal of Traditions Club & Community

Topic: Atlas Commercial Development
Sponsored by BMC Building Materials

September 2nd HBA Member Luncheon
Speaker: James Benham, President and CEO of JBKnowledge

Topic: Why Aggieland—Resources for Business Success
Sponsored by Brazos County Abstract Company

October 7th HBA Member Luncheon
Speaker & Topic: Pending Confirmation
Sponsored by ACES Builders’ Warranty

November 4th Annual Housing Forecast Dinner
Speaker: Dr. Jim Gaines

Sponsored by BMC Building Materials

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 5

Community Update Luncheon
Title Sponsor

Celia Goode-Haddock, Chairman /CEO Pat McIntyre, Energy Coordinator
University Title Company College Station Utilities

Sponsor Presenter

Matt Skains
Marketing/Development
ATMMOatSt SEknaeienrsgy

Marketing/Development

ATMOS Energy

Presenter

Lance Simms, Building/Development 6
Services—City of College Station
Presenter

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015

Clark Ealy, Superintendent
College Station ISD
Presenter

Kevin Russell– Presenter
Director of Economic Development
City of Bryan

David Werley, Group Manager Jeff Windsor– Presenter Roby Somerford, Station Manager
BTU-Bryan Texas Utilities Construction Manager KAGS TV
Super Fly MC
Presenter Bryan ISD

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 7

GEOSTRUCTURAL 1722 Briarcrest
STRUCTURAL Bryan, TX 77802
ENERGY
mlaw-eng.com
FORENSICS
EXPERT WITNESS tRI Tristan Fithen

[email protected]
Cell Phone 979.587.4129

WWW.AGGIELANDGRASSANDSTONE.COM

St. Augustine River Rock
Bermuda Mulch

Zoysia Bedding Mix

Builder’s Stone Sand
Boulders Gravel

Dan & Nancy Casey

Owners

14581 FM 2154 Bus: 979-690-0300
College Station, TX 77845 Cell: 979-229-4695

[email protected] Fax: 979-690-7737

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 8

PRODUCT & SERVICE SUPPLIERS

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 9

IN THE News

EPA and Corps Water Rule Fails to Follow Intent of
Congress and Supreme Court Precedent

June 04, 2015

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that the final rule redefining the
scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers falls well short of providing the clarity and certainty that the regulated community seeks.

Testifying on behalf of NAHB before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Bob Kerr, presi-
dent of Kerr Environmental Services, an environmental consulting and water resources engineering firm based in
Virginia Beach, Va., said the rule fails to follow the intent of Congress and Supreme Court precedent, and it does
not acknowledge the states’ role in regulating their own waters.

“This rule will increase federal regulatory power over private property and will lead to increased permit require-
ments, project delays and avoidance and mitigation costs,” said Kerr. “Equally important, these changes will not
significantly improve water quality because much of the rule improperly encompasses water features that the
states already have the authority to regulate.”

The rule, which will go into effect by mid-August, establishes a broad definition of tributaries which, for the first
time, includes ditches. It will also allow federal agencies to regulate adjacent non-wetlands located more than a
quarter-mile from a traditional navigable water and isolated ponds located within the 100-year floodplain.

Kerr expressed concern that the increased regulation under the new rule will harm his business because the addi-
tional layers of red tape will add more time and money to projects he takes on. Moreover, his firm no longer of-
fers clients a fixed rate to obtain an expedited Section 404 Nationwide Permit because it is too difficult to secure
those permits in a predictable length of time. This new rule only exacerbates this situation.

“Not knowing their permitting costs in advance increases the financial risk for my clients,” he said. “In some
cases, they will decide not to pursue projects as a result. That is not good for my business.”

Stating that the Supreme Court has twice affirmed that the Clean Water Act places limits on federal authority
and that the rule permits the federal government to supplant the role of the states in regulating intrastate waters,
Kerr called on Congress to act now.

The House recently passed legislation that would force the EPA and the Corps to withdraw this rule and develop
a new plan after the agencies go back and consult with state and local governments, conduct discussions with
small business stakeholders as mandated under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and produce an accurate cost-
benefit analysis.

Companion legislation, S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, is pending in the Senate.

“Enacting the Senate bill gets us back on track to where we need to be, which is establishing a workable and
sound definition of ‘waters of the United States,’” said Kerr.

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 10

Development News

Bryan - College Station Single Family Permit & Inspection Data

5/15 Value YTD15 YTD15 YTD14 YTD14
Value Value

Bryan 20 4.1M 124 22.7M 104 22.1M

CS 79 15.8M 458 82.7M 372 61.1M

Total 99 19.9M 582 105.4 476 83.2M

TOTAL PERMIT HISTORY (END OF YEAR)

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
233 191 175
Bryan 753 171 170 127 464 536
CS 725 799 864
Total Building 575 555 466 Lawn Pool
525 2 10
Total May 59C3 OLLEGE STAT6I5O5 N INSPECTION71R1 EPORT

Plumbing Electric Mechanical

337 285 260

IMPORTANT REMINDER
City of College Station Tap Fees will increase effective October 2015. Please update

your construction cost to include these new rates for meter install after September.

Size Installation Cost Meter Cost Total
3/4” $486 $ 121 $607

1” $564 $175 $739

1 1/2” $951 $1,050 $2,001

2” $1,749 $1,212 $2,961

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 11

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 12

Membership Reports

Growing Our Strength Through Member THANK YOU MEMBERS UP FOR
Recruitment, Retention, and Involvement
FOR RENEWING RENEWAL
Recruiting new members to your local association is an activity rec-
ognized and rewarded through the Spike Club. Those who partici- June July
pate are called Spikes, and they are among the most valued mem- Habitat for Humanity
bers of the association. ABC Supply Co. Better Business Bureau
ACE Pest Control Brandon Berry Construction
Member-to-member recruitment and retention efforts are the largest ACES Builders Warranty
source of growth for the federation. Spikes bring grassroots growth Aggieland Overhead Door & Fireplaces Madole Rental
and stability. These efforts lend to the development of the general Aggieland Title Company McDougal & Company
membership and our leadership pipeline, keeping the face of the American Momentum Bank
federation true to that of our industry and the scope of interests we Arden’s Home Construction Richmon Homes
represent. Spikes are the membership leaders of our federation, River Hill Homes
building the voice, power and influence on every level, in every state. Audio Video Rowdy Custom Homes
Becka Construction Spirit Design Build
Life Spikes 5/2015 Prior Yr. New Ret. Tot. Bruchez, Goss, Thornton, Meronoff
C & D Homes, Inc. TXI
Victor Drozd 626.0 1.00 8.00 635.00 Callaway Lumber Company
Bill Pitman 333.0 0.00 1.50 334.50 Cathey Development, Inc. Please Don’t Let Your
Charles Thomas Homes Membership Lapse
Randy French 309.0 4.00 7.50 320.50
City Bank Texas PENDING Cancellation
Cerene Wharton 216.50 0.00 5.50 222.00 Climate Doctors of B/CS Barker’s Heating & Cooling
Keith Ellis 186.50 0.00 1.50 188.00
Dealers Lighting BCS Stop & Go Potties
Randy Bayer 172.25 0.00 0.00 172.25 Elliott Electric Supply Brazos Valley Site Works
145.50 1.00 21.00 167.50 Evans Cabinet & Door
Michael Schaefer 100.50 3.00 0.50 104.00 Formby Construction, LLC Crowley Custom Homes
97.00 0.00 0.50 97.50 Golden Homes, Inc. Easterling Homes
Larry Mariott 88.50 0.00 0.50 89.00 Guaranty Bank & Trust KM Custom Homes
Donald Borski 88.00 0.00 0.00 88.00 High Definition Technologies
84.00 0.00 1.00 85.00 Martin & Sims Development
Roger Williams 80.50 0.00 0.00 80.50 Highland Interest R&K Plumbing
69.50 1.00 0.50 71.00 James Schuler Framing
Buck Prewitt 62.00 0.00 0.50 62.50 Jay Burch Construction Rick Vernon Homes
57.00 1.00 0.50 58.50 Kelly Burt Dozer, Inc. Southern Shingles-SRS
Dawn Bowers
Lyon Homes, LLC Distributor, Inc.
John Godfrey Marble Craft Surplus Warehouse
TAP Electrical & Controls
Doug Groves Mariott Homes, Inc. The Dollar Floor Store
Tina Sides McCoy’s Building Supply
Billy Chenault Trinity Builders
Miles Construction /
Paul Turney Milligan Hill Technical Services
Bill Lero
Jan Lee Mitchell & Morgan, LP
Melanie Becka MLAW
Ron Lightsey
Charles Thomas New Vision Custom Homes
Randall Pitcock Omega Builders
Stacy Worden
Coulter Mariott Overhead Door of S. Central TX /
John Magruder Primary Residential Mortgage
Jimmy Pitman Re/Max BCS
Regency Properties

Ronnie White Custom Home Building
Southwest Homes
Sunshine Fun Pools
Texas Log Homes
The Eagle
Tradition Homes

University Title Company
Weatherization Partners

Weyerhaeuser

49.50 0.00 3.00 52.50 WELCOME NEW APPLICANTS
49.50 0.00 0.00 49.50 Membership Pending Board Approval
42.00 0.00 0.00 42.00
41.00 0.00 0.00 41.00 Cedar Band Homes, LLC / Chris Tredway / 281-236-9266
Civil Engineering Consultants ~Kent Laza /~ 979-846-6212
29.00 0.00 0.00 29.00 Hall Homes, LLC ~ Robert Hall ~ 979-551-5259
29.00 0.00 0.00 29.00 Nail Head Interactions ~Gerald Giesenschlag~ 979-567-825
28.50 0.00 0.50 29.00 Southern Creek Homes~ Travis McKnight ~979-314-9713

14.50 1.00 0.00 15.50
12.00 0.00 3.00 15.00
8.00 10.00 0.50 18.50
8.50 0.00 1.00 9.50

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 13

Governor Signs TAB Priority Bills

HB 1736 - Energy Code Bill
Relating to building energy efficiency performance standards.

Establishes a 6 year minimum cycle for energy code updates by the State of Texas for residential construction.
Sets reasonable alternate performance path Energy Rating Index scores for compliance with the state energy
code.

Signed by the Governor on June 16. Effective immediately. The 2015 code will be implemented Sept. 2016.

HB 1455 - Condo Owner Protection Bill
Relating to procedures required before a condominium association files a suit or initiates an arbitration proceed-
ing for a defect or design claim.

Provides condo unit owners with notice and an opportunity to vote on construction defect litigation brought by a
condo board. Provides builders/developers with a right to make repairs prior to litigation.

Signed by the Governor on June 17. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

HB 32 - Franchise Tax Relief Bill
Relating to decreasing the rates of the franchise tax.

Reduces the franchise/margins tax rate by 25%.

Signed by the Governor on June 15. Effective January 1, 2016.

HB 74 - Tax Credit Rural Definition Bill
Relating to financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(TDHCA) in certain rural areas.

Directs TDHCA to develop rules to re-define certain "rural areas" for housing assistance/tax credit development.

Signed by the Governor on June 18. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

SB 900 - TWIA Bill
Relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency (TWIA).

The lack of accessible and affordable windstorm coverage along the coast would have a devastating effect on
Texas' economy. This bill allows the opportunity for Texas to address this issue by including incentives to bring
private insurance coverage back into the market and by funding TWIA reserves in a fair, consistent and even
manner.

Signed by the Governor on June 16. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

HB 2187 - Metal Theft Bill
Relating to the regulation of metal recycling entities.

To address metal theft, the bill requires recyclers to issue cash transaction cards to sellers of metal. Without an
issued card a recycler would only be able to pay by check, money order or direct deposit.

Signed by Governor on June 19. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

*For a list of TAB supported bills that passed, view the June 3rd edition of Legislative Line (requires member log-
in).

The above pro-building legislative actions are a direct result of your Texas Association of
Builders Staff and Government Relations Committees hard work for our industry.

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 14

Hole Prize#17 $10,000 CASH
#13 $500 VISA Gift Card
#08 Kindle Fire HDX
#04 Set of Nike Irons

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuilders.org | Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks | June 2015 15

Greater Brazos Valley Builders
Association
230 Southwest Parkway East
College Station TX 77840

www.bcsbuilders.org or www.gbvbuillders.org| Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association | sticks& bricks / June 2015 16