Temple Area Builders Association

My first few weeks on the job have been quite a whirlwind. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get me up to speed on the issues, as well as those who have taken me around to visit with community leaders, city staff, TABA members and general tours of the Bell County. I've enjoyed meeting with all of you and learning more about your businesses. We have many issues facing our Government Affairs committee and I am excited to be on board to help insure Bell County remains a great place to build.

Thursday, March 10th, 2011, 1:30-3:30 PM in the City Council Chambers (2nd floor of City Hall), Richard Therriault will be giving a presentation on updates to the city's International Residential Code. All builders, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and anybody else with a vested interest in residential development should plan to attend. He will be giving a presentation outlining all of the changes if the city adopts the 2009 IRC standards. There are many significant changes that will be covered, however, not all of them will affect TABA members. There are a few changes that will result in an additional costs to members, namely carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping areas and higher efficiency windows, both of which we are tracking closely.

Friday, March 11th, 2011, 1:30-3:30 PM in the City Council Chambers (2nd floor of City Hall), Richard Therriault will be giving a presentation on updates to the city's International Building Code. Anyone with a vested interest in commercial development should also plan to attend this meeting.

2011 Temple Unified Development Code Update

The Government Affairs Committee continues to track legislation regarding updates to the City's Unified Development Code. We have a work schedule and stakeholder group in place, and TABA members and myself will be participating in these meetings. It is estimated that the update will be completed some time around April 2012. TABA is also requesting a workshop prior to the city's kickoff of the UDC update in order to better understand what the goals, objectives, and deliverables of the update will be.

Temple Sign Code Update

The city is considering changes to the sign code which will give Planning Staff more authority to address the issue of dilapidated signs within the city. Planning Staff are considering an administrative approval of sign changes, updates and additions. It is unclear at this time how our members may be impacted, but I will continue tracking this issue as it moves its way thru the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Rally Day in Austin

Thank you to all those who were able to attend our Texas Association of Builders Rally Day in Austin. We had approximately 22 members from TABA attend and meet with Representative Sheffield and Senator Fraser to discuss our issues. John Kiella did an excellent job as our spokesman. Thank you to everyone who helped coordinate the event.

Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Funding

One of the items addressed in our meetings with our Representatives was the issue of Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zones ("TIRZ"). This beneficial program provides approximately $3M of reinvestment funding to the City of Temple each year. I am relieved to let everyone know that we have been assured this funding is secure for the 2011 legislative session in Austin.

HOMEPAC

HomePac recently donated $5,000 towards the hopeful passage of the Temple Independent School District bond under consideration by voters this May. Passage of this bond is vital to both our community and TABA members as we continue to support a school district that residents are proud to send their kids to. TABA will also be hosting Temple Superintendent Dr. Robin Battershell at our offices, Tuesday, April 5th, 2011, at NOON, to present information on the bond. Please attend if you can. Out of curiousity, does anybody recognize these Temple ISD students Mike and I presented the check to?

In Closing: Special thanks to my cohort Cheryl Hunka who has spent many, many hours familiarizing me with the association policies, procedures, events, members and the like. Once again, thank you everyone for the help you have given me as I transition into this exciting role with the Temple Area Builders Association. I know I have big shoes to fill, and hopefully you will be as happy with my performance as you were with that of my esteemed predecessor Troy. Please feel free to contact me any time, especially if you hear anything that might affect our members. I always keep my phone on and my ears to the ground.

Sincerely,

Blair Anderson

Director of Government Affairs

blair@tahb.org or 254-239-4309