2016 ANNUAL REPORT Long Island Contractors’ Association Inc. The Voice of Long Island’s Highway & Infrastructure Professionals 2016 LICA Looks Back: The Year in Review 2016 began on a good note as Congress returned to session in January to celebrate the passage of the first federal law in over a decade to provide long-term funding for surface transportation infrastruc - ture planning and investment. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorizes $305 billion in funding for fiscal years 2016 through 2020. With this long-needed federal funding providing stability, the state legislature then went to work to develop its own five-year transportation capital program —the first one in over a decade— and that program was adopted as part of the state’s fiscal budget in April. Regrettably, the capital program project list which was promised to be released at the time of the budget’s passage, was not revealed until several months later, shortly after LICA filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, a decision which LICA was left little choice but to do, with the end of the construction season quickly approaching. Governor Andrew Cuomo touted infrastructure as one of his top priorities in 2016. Having a penchant for mega-projects, the Governor exerted his influence to push forward the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the Second Avenue Subway, LaGuardia Airport reconstruction, the revamped Goethals and Kosciusko bridges, and Long Island Rail Road’s Second Track project (on the Ronkonkoma Line) and the Third Track expansion on the LIRR Main Line. His attention to detail was highlighted as he selected bathroom tiles for the new Long Island Welcome Center off the LIE. This particular project called for its construction to be completed in record-setting time, an accomplishment made possible by the fine (and fast) work of LICA’s own Peter Scalamandre & Sons, Inc. (see pages 7-8 for more on that project). At the municipal government level on Long Island, finance instability continued. Both Nassau and Suffolk Counties have frustrated vendors with long overdue accounts payable for work completed, and attrition of public works staffs seem to continue to create further project delivery delays. On a national level, the presidential campaign was one that will certainly go down in history. Trump, the ultimate victor metaphorically stumped for construction (“build that wall”) and drainage (“drain the swamp”) projects. Following his victory, he pledged to create a trillion dollar infrastructure program. We hope his intention holds true and that he will be able to present a comprehensive and soundly-funded plan for consideration. Senator Chuck Schumer, who was re-elected and then tapped to be the new Senate Minority Leader, stood with LICA in December 2016 and committed to work with the incoming president on transportation infrastructure needs and gave assurances that he will support dollars in the most responsible manner. 2017 should prove to be an interesting year for our country and our industry. 6/3/16 3:53 PM Page 1 LICA AD-VOCACY: LICA placed ads in various Our members WORK here Our members PLAY here publication LICA is proud to support and encourage s throughout 2016 greater opportunity for all certified Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprises in Our members LIVE here to highlight and support our the heavy construction industry with a 30% discount on first-year LICA membership for all New York State MWBE organizations. For position on key issues. Far further details or to apply for membership, right is an ad we placed to visit: www.licanys.org. Building BETTER opportunities FOR We ARE Long Island and we support publicize LICA’s strong the LIRR Third Track Expansion Project support for the proposed B LICA salutes Governor Cuomo’s vision MW ES and efforts to make the LIRR Third Track Expansion Project a reality. We join our LIRR Third Track expansion. partners at the Right Track for Long Island Coalition in support of this project to ensure continued economic growth, opportunity and prosperity for our mem- Above is an ad promoting LICA’s new policy for 2017 which will offer a bers and an improved quality of life for all Long Islanders. 30% first year membership discount to any New York State Certified MWBE organization. This not only supports Governor Cuomo’s call for increased diversity, but should aid in attracting new MWBE firms to LICA which will help our members meet the Governor’s lofty MWBE contract requirements. Long Island Rail Road Helping Members Succeed 2017: The Road Ahead In an effort to help members maximize their full membership Fasten your seatbelts! The year ahead looks to be a bumpy ride… and it’s not potential, LICA created a new solely from the deteriorated road conditions on Long Island. The new Trump guide entitled Make the Most of Administration has vowed to shake up the status quo. And although no one ex pects your LICA Membership . it to be “business as usual,” our industry is positioned to reap some benefits, with Trump touting the nation’s great need for infrastructure reinvestment. Despite This handy guide outlines all some questionable choices to head certain federal agencies, Trump did tap a the networking opportunities, seasoned, well-respected professional to serve as the Secretary of Transportation. member events, advertising and Secretary Elaine Chao, a graduate of Long Island’s own Syosset High School, other benefits available to our served as the Secretary of Labor during the George W. Bush’s Administration and members - most which are free has also held many key leadership positions within the DOT. of charge. To download a copy, click on the JOIN LICA link on This year, we anticipate Congress will debate major infrastructure initiatives. the LICA website homepage at: New Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has already pledged to LICA that www.licanys.org . he will work hard to ensure funding is secured for major projects destined for our region. LICA is also pleased that several other congressional leaders are working Members should also sign up diligently to take steps toward fixing the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). With both for our bi-weekly electronic the White House and Congress led by the same party, we hope this is the year that newsletter- LICA’s Latest -which meaningful regulatory reform will be enacted for project delivery and funding. is distributed every other Tues - day and contains all the latest On the state level, Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to position himself as the national, state, next infrastructure mega-builder, following the legacy of Robert Moses. Pushing local, and LICA- projects to be completed at a rapid pace, a la the new Tappan Zee Bridge, Second Make related news. To the Most Avenue Subway, Kosciusko Bridge and the Long Island Welcome Center, Cuomo of your register, click the LICA apparently has no intention of allowing the ink to dry on the imminent final Membership yellow banner at environmental impact study for the Long Island Rail Road Third Track project, A Guide to the Benefits the bottom of the and Resources Available to before he breaks ground for construction. LICA believes we will see swift move - LICA Members ment and an award for its construction before the end of 2017. Cuomo is also LICA website home page. honchoing the reconstruction for both LaGuardia and Kennedy Airport projects. The Voice of Long Island’s Highway & Infrastructure Professionals Water quality and environmental needs for the state, especially on Long Island, finally appear to be receiving the attention they warrant. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and his members are in serious dialogue about providing funding to address clean water and waste water system upgrades and expansions. LICA Table of Contents Page estimates the Long Island region needs at least $4 billion over the next five years LICA Events ..................... 4 to address just the water and sewer systems in our bi-county region and we will - Safety Seminar continue to advocate vigorously to support funding for these critical projects. - Annual Meeting & Dinner - Fall Breakfast - PAC Luncheon While there is an overemphasis on mega-projects, LICA continues to underscore the need for traditional projects that maintain our region’s infrastructure and Members On the Job ....... 8 - Peter Scalamandre & Sons benefit our economic well-being, the livelihood of our family-owned contracting - Metro Paving businesses and the local workforce. Our attention will focus on projects that - Picone Bove JV address congestion relief, drainage repair and safety improvements. - Grace Industries LICA: Advocacy .............. 12 Many local elected officials will face the ballot box in 2017 and the current state - Bellone Clean Water - RebuildNY Now Rally of affairs is troublesome. Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as several towns - LICA Goes to Washington and villages, are struggling financially and many are also tainted with corruption - Zeldin’s Safe Bridges Funding scandals and downgraded bond ratings. Meanwhile government partners struggle - LICA & Labor Hit the Road - LICA Serves on LIMBA Panel with issues due to attrition of employee institutional knowledge and experience. - Testimony for Third Track - LICA and ARTBA Events In the year ahead, LICA will continue to fight for prompt payments to vendors, - Bellone’s Economic Boost and highlight the need for expedient and transparent procurement processes. We New LICA Members also understand that local municipalities hold the highest market share for the & About LICA ............... 16 heavy construction industry in our region, therefore LICA will keep the spotlight on local projects to meet the needs of our region and our members. 3 2016 LICA Safety Seminar As part of our ongoing commitment to promote safety and compliance in our industry, LICA was pleased to welcome over 150 attendees at our annual LICA Safety Seminar, held on J anuary 8, 2016 at the UPSKY Hotel.