PACA wishes to thank our 2024 Corporate Sponsors for their generous support and commitment this year!

• ASGCO Complete Conveyor Solutions
• Babst Calland
• Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc.
• Commonwealth Equipment Corporation
• Continental Placer, Inc.
• Conviber, Inc.
• East Rock Solutions
• Groff Tractor & Equipment
• Kemper Equipment, Inc.
• Maurer & Scott Sales, Inc.
• Mellott Company
• SIKA Corporation

We Need Your Voice! PA UCC Building Code Public Virtual Hearings in partnership with ACI

Your Voice is Needed at the PA Building Code Hearings

RSVP by January 26 of your commitment to testify to [email protected]

February 1, 2024 (East) – Testimony Prep Meeting 1/30/2024 @ 9:00am

February 29, 2024 (Harrisburg)

March 28, 2024 (West)

Prep Meeting for other meetings to be scheduled.

The PA Building Code is reviewed and updated every three years. The time has come to address the following deficiencies of the current PA Building Code:

Section 1703.1.3 Requiring those inspecting and testing concrete to be certified and providing a table of minimum certifications for inspectors and technicians.

• 80% Non-Compliance with Building Code Requirements
• Minimum Special Inspector and Technician Qualifications Chart
  • Difficult for Inspector to enforce – what certification necessary?
  • Deep within ASTM/ACI
• Important special inspections not being conducted by properly certified personnel
• Proper wording placed front and center in building code requirements for concrete construction and awareness in building code requirements reduce non-compliance

Section 1703.6.2 Requiring the testing agency to provide copies of testing reports to the concrete producer when they're issued to their client.

• Detect changes in concrete performance
• Recognize testing variability which affects test results
• Continuous application of code required acceptance calculations
• Critical adjustments to the mixtures before potential issue arises
• Assessing the contractor’s level of control
• Making code required revisions to the overdesign values

Prepare testimony for one of the three virtual public meetings to be held by the Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC). It does not matter which meeting you “attend”. Please see the helpful tips from Jill Gingrich, Communications Consultant, and the supporting information for the proposed changes. What is important is that they hear the problems that are occurring out there and why it is important – In your words and experiences.

Public Hearing Testimony Tips from Jill Gingrich, Communications consultant.

At the January 30^th meeting will review these tips and help you prepare for your three (3) minutes of testimony.

RAC 2024 Public Hearing Testimony Tips

Think about your goal(s) before you give your testimony. That should include:

• Talking about the impact of the rule change on your company, its work and the community at large.
• Discussing the proposed change as simply as possible. Remember, many of those in attendance are not familiar with your industry so it is very important to speak in layman’s terms. Keep it simple.
• Avoiding industry and company jargon and acronyms.
• Reviewing the talking points provided by PACA so you can speak in your own voice and perspective.
• Looking for visuals (graphics/photos) that would be beneficial.
• Writing down (use a notecard, phone app) your three main points you want to express during the testimony.
• Practicing.

BONUS TIPS

• Always tell the truth.
• Don’t speculate. Stick to the facts.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. RAC 2024 Public Hearing Voices needed.

Next PACA Members Forum Meeting

DATE: Thursday, February 8th

TIME: 11:00 AM

SPONSOR: Babst Calland

FEATURED SPEAKER: Anna Skipper Jewart, Attorney at Law; Babst Calland

TOPIC: Preparation for Zoning Hearings Post Brookview Solar: How the Commonwealth Court’s Recent Decision Changed What you Need to Bring to Win

On November 30, 2023, the Commonwealth Court decided Brookview Solar I, LLC v. Mount Joy Township Board of Supervisors, No. 1055 CD 2022, 2023 WL 8264544 (Pa. Cmwlth. Nov. 30, 2023). That case makes zoning applicant’s jobs harder in four key ways. First, it held that if a zoning ordinance requires a demonstration of compliance with issues typically handled during land development (like stormwater management), the applicant cannot wait until a later phase of approval to show it will comply down the line. Second, if the ordinance requires submission of a report or analysis prepared by an expert, the applicant must make an expert available for cross examination or the report may be rejected. Third, evidence of compliance with a zoning ordinance based on hypothetical data may not be enough to show compliance with the ordinance. Fourth, applicants need to be ready to rebut objectors’ evidence that their use would be a detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the community, even if the evidence submitted is speculative. Our presentation would discuss how this case changes what applicants need to be ready to bring to a conditional use or special exception hearing.

REGISTER HERE

Staff Presents to Professional Engineers

Article by:
Susan Armstrong, PACA's Director of Specifications and Sustainability

A big thank you to Bucks County Chapter – Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers for hosting me at their monthly meeting on January 17, 2024. The presentation, “Innovations in Concrete to Improve Durability and Sustainability”, initiated great conversation and discussion regarding aggregate optimization, Type IL Portland Limestone Cement, performance-based specifications, use of supplementary cementitious materials and the need to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, a big thank you to the North Central PA CSI Chapter for allowing me to present at their monthly meeting on January 24, 2024. The presentation “Concrete Solutions for Sustainability” was well received and led to discussions on what they can do to reduce the carbon footprint and resilient design.

Our first of three regional Market Engagement Community (East) meetings was held January 23^rd at Heidelberg Materials in Allentown. The Central meeting will be held January 26 at Pennsy Supply in Harrisburg and the West meeting will be held on January 31 at New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company in Roaring Springs. There is still time to register and your input and attention is valued.

Thank You 2024 PELA Donors!

CORNERSTONE LEVEL

Allan Myers

Allegheny Mineral Corporation

Martin Stone Quarries, Inc.

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

Rohrer's Incorporated

York Building Products

SPONSOR LEVEL

H&K Group

Heidelberg Materials

Kemper Equipment

Mellott Company

Stavola Companies

FRIEND LEVEL

PACA Staff

TO BECOME A PELA DONOR, GO HERE.

Congratulations PELA Class of 2024!

Tyler Butterbaugh, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

Rory Connor, Commonwealth Equipment Corporation

Blair Dively, Jr., New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

Scott Hanley, Pennsy Supply, Inc., a CRH company

Ryan Helsley, Specialty Granules LLC

Benjamin Hollister, Heidelberg Materials

Tommy Kirchhoff, Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc.

Adam Lis, EARTHRES

Luke Medich, Heidelberg Materials

Robert Menard, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

John Milburn, Rahns Construction Material Co.

Aliyah Rigsby, Conewago Ready Mix

David Skarzynski, Command Alkon

Austin Slater, Allegheny Mineral Corporation

Will Smith, Mellott Company

Grant Stephen, Wayne Gravel Products, Inc.

Ashley Weidman, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

Andrew Wilson, Greer Industries Inc.

Habitat for Humanity Home Dedicated

Several years ago, Habitat for Humanity International partnered with the Build With Strength coalition to construct homes incorporating Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). The goal was to construct at least one home in each state.

When the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) brought the concept to Pennsylvania, PACA member companies Pennsy Supply, a CRH company, and Boger Concrete (Byler Holdings) immediately volunteered to donate concrete for the project.

Between the walls and flatwork, the two companies provided over 125 cubic yards of concrete which started in February of 2023.

On January 15, 2024 the home was dedicated and turned over to the owner, Amelia Samuel. "I had given up hope on ever buying a home until I found Habitat's Homeownership Program and decided to apply. They are now giving me a chance to own a home after I had given up on believing that it was possible." stated Ms. Samuel.

Habitat for Humanity for Great Harrisburg's Executive Director Serina Gaston noted, "we are committed to providing safe, affordable housing for families in need, and the Samuel family home dedication is a testament to that commitment."

PACA staff member Ken Crank attended the event and spoke about the Build With Strength program as well as recognizing Pennsy Supply and Boger Concrete for their efforts.

Other speakers at the event included: State Representatives David Madsen and Patty Kim; Dauphin County Commissioners George Hartwick and Justin Douglas; Steelton Borough President Natasha Woods, and Gail D'Angelo (M&T Bank).

A second project, on the same site is being planned for later in 2024. We look forward to participating.

Thanks again go out to Pennsy and Boger for their commitment to the local community. A picture of Amelia Samuel (owner), Serina Gaston (Habitat for Humanity), Paul McCarthy (Pennsy) and Chad Walters (Boger) accompanies this article.

ABOUT OUR JANUARY SPONSOR

About Our Sponsor

(Source: ASGCO Website)

ASGCO^® “Complete Conveyor Solutions” is a leading manufacturer of proprietary bulk conveyor components and accessories that enhance material flow performance. Founded in 1971 by Alfred S. Gibbs and his son Todd Gibbs, ASGCO^® believes in taking care of the customer with great quality products and exceptional service. This has been a successful and standard policy at ASGCO^® for many years and will continue in the future. Contact our conveyor company for more info.

ASGCO^®’s President, Aaron Gibbs is the third-generation family member to lead the privately held company. He is focused on developing the company’s vision by fulfilling its mission “To Provide the World’s Material Handling Industry with Efficient, Safe and Productive “Complete Conveyor Solutions.”

ASGCO^® is a diversified and innovative company with three major divisions that serve specific targets of the material handling industry. We market these innovative products and services through selected distributors, joint ventures, and representatives worldwide. The growth of the Pennsylvania conveyor company, over the years, is due to recognized improvements in the productivity of our customers operations.

READ MORE

GSA R3 Virtual Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Industry Day

Hello Industry Partners,

Please join us for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Service (PBS), Mid-Atlantic Region’s (Region 3) Virtual Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Industry Day on Jan. 30, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. EST.

This free webinar and dialog is open to all, including general contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architecture/engineering firms and construction management firms, that are interested in learning more about GSA’s recent funding for Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) materials - including asphalt, concrete, glass and steel projects in the PBS Region 3 geography.

The Industry Day will cover:

• GSA’s IRA programs
• Low embodied carbon construction material requirements
• Environmental product declarations
• Embodied carbon considerations in the procurement process
• PBS Region 3’s LEC projects in the pipeline
• Future sources sought notice that will be open to all business concerns: information and deadline
• Question and Answer
• Next Steps/Resources

Please take note of the attachments in the SAM.gov notice. To receive a link to the Virtual IRA Industry Day, you must register by filling out this Google Form.

Thank you,

The IRA LEC Industry Day Team

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