Michael Attends CALGreen Seminar in Monterey

6/15/2011 - This week, I attended a seminar on new California "green" building codes. "CALGreen," as it's called, is a body of new, mandatory building codes that went into effect in California this past January, 2011. This code mandates new requirements in new commercial and residential construction. To date, many of the new codes do not apply to remodels/re-construction, but it was said that that within 18 months, most if not all will apply there as well. Some of the code that affects the work we do at Cypress Construction includes:
*Plumbing - New ultra, lo-flow toilets, shower heads, etc.
*Wastewater/storm drain design and implimentation
*Construction waste reduction and recycling
*Low VOC paint
*Etc.
As the green-building movement gains traction in both building departments and the general public, the need for a standardized, comprehensive set of new codes has been slow to take shape. Municipalities draw from the standards set up by private, governmental, and non-profit organizations including the following:
Build It Green - (through which I was certified as a "Green Building Professional")
CALGreen - The state's Building Standard's Commission
LEED - The "gold-standard" of green building, from the U.S. Green Building Council

This seminar was well-organized and informative, and was put together with the help of the Monterey County Business Council and the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development.

Cypress Now Accepts American Express

As of February, we now accept American Express cards for payments. Years ago, we started accepting Visa and Mastercard payments for the work we do, later adding Discover cards, and now AMEX. Especially in these difficult economic times, we do our best to work with our clients to do the things they need done efficiently, economically, and with reasonable payment options. We've even had a client rack up enough points on their credit card from one remodel that they were able to fly to Europe! Go to OUR PAYMENT PAGE.

Cypress Christmas Party 2010

Last Friday, Dec.17th, we held our "annual" Christmas party at Peachwoods/Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz.

After having to cancel last year's party due to the economy, we were long overdue celebrating the good year we've had in spite of these difficult times for so many. Our crew, now 15 employees strong, was there as well as half a dozen girlfriends/spouses. In addition to the festive room and tasty lunch provided by Peachwoods, we enjoyed our Secret Santa gift exchange, employee awards, a mercifully short speach by yours truly, and a new video I put together chronicalling the 15-year history of Cypress Construction.

CLICK HERE

It was a great opportunity to enjoy each other's company and sit back and reflect on the year we've shared together.

CCS From the Beginning

The year was 1995. I moved to Santa Cruz to go to UCSC and study psychology. Faced with limited options for part-time work, I chose to put the skills that my parents had taught me to good use as a handyman, rather than slinging coffee at Starbucks. And Cypress Construction Services was born.

Last week, I put together a video history of Cypress - "From the Beginning."  Enjoy!

Cypress Construction Services - "From the Beginning" - 5minutes 17seconds

Cypress At Shoreline Seminar

10/23/10 - Aptos, CA - Diane Rossi and Shoreline Property Management held their first annual HOA Board Member Training Seminar this weekend at The Seacliff Inn in Aptos, and I represented Cypress Construction and met attendees at our vendor booth.

The program was offered to HOA board members from the central coast and south bay at no charge and included seminars by HOA lawyer Sandra Bonato, Esq,
who spoke with great authority and experience, yet in an engaging and understandable presentation on Board Responsibilities, Fiduciary Duties, and the Business Judgement Rule.

Diane Rossi, aside from being the creator of the seminar, gave an equally engaging presentation on Understanding Financial Statements, Budgets, and Reserve Studies. 



Additionally, there were vendor booths where I and other vendors who specialize in working with HomeOwners Associations (insurance company, collections, landscapers, et al) had an opportunity to meet and talk with attendees about the services we offer, answer questions, and make new friends.
Attendees were treated to a generous continental breakfast and many raffle prizes offered by the vendors and Shoreline.

It was a rare opportunity to meet the entire staff of Shoreline.
For the 100 or so attendees and everyone else, it was an enjoyable, informative morning. Thank you Diane Rossi and Shoreline Property Management!

Our Friend and Co-Worker -Tom Frank- 1969 - 2010

Tom Frank was a good man: a loving husband and father, a thoughtful friend, a consummate professional, a genuine and caring man who always wore a smile. On Saturday, July 31, 2010, a heart attack took Tom from us far too soon. Tom was 41. In the picture above, you can see Tom and his family---his wife Mary, and their two beautiful children. It is for Tom's family that the Frank Family Fund has been created.

http://www.cypressconstructionservices.com/tom.html

Cypress Interviewed for SC Sentinel Article

Contractors must comply with new lead rule on home renovation projects
By JONDI GUMZ
Posted: 04/27/2010 01:30:21 AM PDT


SANTA CRUZ -- Local contractors are scrambling to comply with a new federal rule that took effect Thursday aimed at protecting children from exposure to toxic lead paint.

The Environmental Protection Agency rule requires painters, construction companies and handymen to get training in safe practices for renovation projects at homes, schools and child-care facilities built before 1978, which is when lead-based paint was banned.

About 74 percent of homes in Santa Cruz County are affected, based on census data.

Until information about health hazards came to light, lead was a standard ingredient in paint. It made paint last longer, produced brighter colors and kept mold down.

"We have to assume in an older home that there is lead," said Wiktor Kluzniak of Cen-Con, one of five firms in the county in the EPA database of certified lead-safe renovators.

Kluzniak, who employs 14 people, attended training in San Jose after he found nothing offered in Santa Cruz. At the class, he heard about companies fined for being out of compliance. The penalty is up to $37,500 per violation, per day.

"You can't plead ignorance," Kluzniak said.

About a dozen California companies are approved to offer training classes; all are outside Santa Cruz County.

The Santa Cruz Builders Exchange arranged for training Friday, taught by Environmental Safety Training Professions of Rancho Cordova. About 20 contractors attended and a second class is planned

Santa Cruz County's Health Services Agency has an active Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program providing information and testing, which is the only way lead poisoning can be diagnosed.

Last year, local pediatricians tested 3,252 children and found 33 with blood lead levels above 10 micrograms per deciliter, enough to cause permanent brain damage. Another 167 children had levels between five and 10, which researchers say is associated with loss of IQ.

Homeowners who hire a contractor must receive a brochure explaining the lead requirement and authorize repairs. It's possible for the homeowner to opt out if no children under 6 or pregnant women live there.

Michael Downey of Cypress Construction Services in Santa Cruz spent $3,300 on training in Fresno for two foremen and equipment such as vacuums with special filters to protect workers from exposure to lead dust.

He's waiting for his certification to be posted on the EPA Web site.

Kluzniak, who has a crew using the new protective measures for a job on the Santa Cruz Westside, has spent about the same amount on training and materials.

"I feel lucky I found out about it," Kluzniak said.

He's not charging a higher rate now but he expects that in the long run, the requirement for extra materials and tasks that take extra time like taped-down plastic sheeting will mean higher prices.

EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said regulations call for certifications to be posted within 90 days but some are posted in 30 days "as long as the materials are complete."The agency has undertaken an "extensive" outreach to contractors since mid-2008, he said. The campaign included mass e-mail and mailings to more than 1,000 trade organizations, unions and property management associations, trade show exhibits and information on the Web for officials who approve building permits.