RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Agency accept an invitation from the Association of General Contractors (AGC) to join their organization.

SUMMARY

The Agency has been approached by AGC to join the ranks of their membership. Agency approval is requested before joining.

DISCUSSION

The Association of General Contractors is a statewide organization that primarily represents highway and bridge builders. As a result, they are a stakeholder within the transportation community, as well as a very important component of the Shasta County regional economy. Staff has been approached by the regional director of AGC, Ty Hixson, to join their local organization.

The benefits of joining the membership of AGC would be in attending local meetings to network with transportation construction professionals in the private sector. It is hoped that this would generate two-way communication with the private sector. They could be made more aware of the funding constraints and issues with which we are faced. The RTPA can gain a better understanding of how its decisions affect the private sector and the local economy.

Ultimately, it will be groups such as AGC that will be at the forefront of any local sales tax measure or revenue augmentation earmarked for transportation. Not only would this group of businessmen have a vested interest in additional transportation revenues, but they also operate businesses and companies within the Shasta County region that utilize our transportation system and would be sensitive to the need for increased resources. Therefore, it is hoped that through this collegial relationship, it could lead to additional consensus for enhanced transportation resources.

ALTERNATIVES

The agency could choose to not accept this invitation to join AGC.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

This item has been reviewed at the October 7, 2003 TAC meeting.

FINANCING

The cost to join AGC is approximately $500 per year. This could be funded through the Overall Work Program and would have no significant impact on Agency finances.

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Daniel J. Kovacich, Executive Officer

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