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. Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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. 
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
EPA Mandated Lead-Safe Law Coming April 22, 2010
On April 22nd, 2010, a new law will go into effect that will drastically affect the way a contractor or handyman or anyone that works on homes built prior to 1978 for compensation does their work.
Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. To protect against this risk, the EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Last month, Cypress Construction Services sent Mark Steinhauer and Juan Acosta to a training course in Fresno, CA, and they both completed the course and passed the test and were Certified. Last week, we had a company-wide training meeting, in which Mark, Juan, and I taught the crew about the new rule, and how we will work differently to comply with these new standards. We created a 42-minute video of the training, and here you can watch a 2-minute sample of the video:
Requirements for Renovation Contractors Include:
Certification and Training Requirements
■ All firms performing renovation, repair or painting work must
become certified. This can be accomplished by applying to EPA or
to the State, if it has an EPA-authorized renovation program, and
paying a fee.
■ Firms must have one or more “Certified Renovators” assigned to
jobs where lead-based paint is disturbed. To become certified, a
renovator must successfully complete an EPA or State-approved
training course conducted by an EPA or State-accredited training
provider.
■ All renovation workers must be trained. Renovation workers can be
trained on-the-job by a Certified Renovator to use lead safe work
practices, or they can become Certified Renovators themselves.
Contractors, property managers and others who perform renovations
for compensation in residential houses, apartments, and childoccupied
facilities built before 1978 are required to distribute EPA’s
Renovate Right lead hazard information pamphlet before starting
renovation work to occupants and owners of homes, and owners
and parents of child-occupied facilities.
Renovators must use work-area containment to prevent
dust and debris from leaving the work area.
■ Certain work practices are prohibited. Open-flame
burning, using heat guns at greater than 1,100 degrees
Fahrenheit and the use of power tools without highefficiency
particulate air (HEPA) exhaust control (to collect
dust generated) are prohibited.
■ Thorough cleaning followed by a cleaning verification procedure to
minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards are required.
■ Generally, minor repair and maintenance activities (less than 6
square feet per interior room or 20 square feet per exterior project)
are exempt from the work practices requirements. However, this
exemption does not apply to jobs involving window replacement or
demolition, or that involve the use of any of the prohibited practices
listed above.
Exemption from the RRP Rule
The training, certification and work practice requirements do not apply
where the firm obtains a signed statement from the owner that all of the
following conditions are met:
■ The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
■ No child under age 6 resides there;
■ No woman who is pregnant resides there;
■ The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and,
■ The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be
required to use the work practices contained in the rule.
Homeowners Working in Their Own Homes
The RRP rule applies only to renovations performed for compensation.
If you work on your own home, the rules do not apply. Even so, EPA
encourages homeowners to use lead safe work practices, in order to
protect themselves, their families, and the value of their homes.
Landlords Working in Their Own Property
Landlords receive rental payments and maintenance personnel in rental
property or child-occupied facilities receive wages or salaries derived
from rent payments. This is considered compensation under the RRP
rule. Therefore, renovation and repair activities performed by landlords
or employees of landlords are covered by the rule. Work performed by
landlords or their employees in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied
facilities must be performed using lead safe work practices, if lead-based
paint or presumed lead-based paint is disturbed.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding this program, or how to comply with the new regulations.
Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. To protect against this risk, the EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Last month, Cypress Construction Services sent Mark Steinhauer and Juan Acosta to a training course in Fresno, CA, and they both completed the course and passed the test and were Certified. Last week, we had a company-wide training meeting, in which Mark, Juan, and I taught the crew about the new rule, and how we will work differently to comply with these new standards. We created a 42-minute video of the training, and here you can watch a 2-minute sample of the video:
Requirements for Renovation Contractors Include:
Certification and Training Requirements
■ All firms performing renovation, repair or painting work must
become certified. This can be accomplished by applying to EPA or
to the State, if it has an EPA-authorized renovation program, and
paying a fee.
■ Firms must have one or more “Certified Renovators” assigned to
jobs where lead-based paint is disturbed. To become certified, a
renovator must successfully complete an EPA or State-approved
training course conducted by an EPA or State-accredited training
provider.
■ All renovation workers must be trained. Renovation workers can be
trained on-the-job by a Certified Renovator to use lead safe work
practices, or they can become Certified Renovators themselves.
Contractors, property managers and others who perform renovations
for compensation in residential houses, apartments, and childoccupied
facilities built before 1978 are required to distribute EPA’s
Renovate Right lead hazard information pamphlet before starting
renovation work to occupants and owners of homes, and owners
and parents of child-occupied facilities.
Renovators must use work-area containment to prevent
dust and debris from leaving the work area.
■ Certain work practices are prohibited. Open-flame
burning, using heat guns at greater than 1,100 degrees
Fahrenheit and the use of power tools without highefficiency
particulate air (HEPA) exhaust control (to collect
dust generated) are prohibited.
■ Thorough cleaning followed by a cleaning verification procedure to
minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards are required.
■ Generally, minor repair and maintenance activities (less than 6
square feet per interior room or 20 square feet per exterior project)
are exempt from the work practices requirements. However, this
exemption does not apply to jobs involving window replacement or
demolition, or that involve the use of any of the prohibited practices
listed above.
Exemption from the RRP Rule
The training, certification and work practice requirements do not apply
where the firm obtains a signed statement from the owner that all of the
following conditions are met:
■ The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
■ No child under age 6 resides there;
■ No woman who is pregnant resides there;
■ The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and,
■ The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be
required to use the work practices contained in the rule.
Homeowners Working in Their Own Homes
The RRP rule applies only to renovations performed for compensation.
If you work on your own home, the rules do not apply. Even so, EPA
encourages homeowners to use lead safe work practices, in order to
protect themselves, their families, and the value of their homes.
Landlords Working in Their Own Property
Landlords receive rental payments and maintenance personnel in rental
property or child-occupied facilities receive wages or salaries derived
from rent payments. This is considered compensation under the RRP
rule. Therefore, renovation and repair activities performed by landlords
or employees of landlords are covered by the rule. Work performed by
landlords or their employees in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied
facilities must be performed using lead safe work practices, if lead-based
paint or presumed lead-based paint is disturbed.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding this program, or how to comply with the new regulations.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Energy Tax Credits for Homeowners 2010
02/17/10 - Did you know that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides energy incentives (tax credits) for individuals and businesses? That's right - the work that we've done for you in 2009 may help you get a break from the IRS if the type of work is included in their list of energy-saving building components.
Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121): The new law increases the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010.
The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
For more information, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206871,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/n-09-53.pdf
But here's a summary:
(1) Eligible Building Envelope Components.
(a) An insulation material or system (including any vapor retarder or seal to limit
infiltration)
(b) An exterior window, skylight, or door (other than a storm window or storm
door) that meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC for the
climate zone in which the window, skylight, or door is installed.
(c) A storm window that, in combination with the exterior window over which it is
installed, meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC for the
climate zone in which such storm window is installed.
(d) A storm door that, in combination with a wood door that is assigned a default
U factor by the IECC, does not exceed the default U factor requirement assigned to
such combination by the IECC.
(e) Metal roofing
(f) Any asphalt roof that--
(i) has appropriate cooling granules that are specifically and primarily designed to
reduce the heat gain of a dwelling unit when installed on the dwelling unit, and
(ii) meets or exceeds either of the applicable Energy Star program requirements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Qualified Energy Property.
(a) An electric heat pump water heater that yields an energy factor of at least 2.0
in the standard Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure.
(b) An electric heat pump that has a heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF)
of at least 9, a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of at least 15, and an energy
efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 13.
(c) A central air conditioner that achieves the highest efficiency tier that has been
established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, and is in effect on January 1,
2006.
(d) A natural gas, propane, or oil water heater that has an energy factor of at
least 0.80 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent.
(e) A stove that uses the burning of biomass fuel to heat a dwelling unit or to heat
water for use in such a dwelling unit, and that has a thermal efficiency rating of at least
75 percent as measured using a lower heating value.
(f) A natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler that achieves an
annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not less than 95.
(g) A fan that is used in a natural gas, propane, or oil furnace and has an annual
electricity use of no more than two percent of the total annual site energy use of the
furnace (as determined in the standard DOE test procedure).
Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121): The new law increases the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010.
The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
For more information, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206871,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/n-09-53.pdf
But here's a summary:
(1) Eligible Building Envelope Components.
(a) An insulation material or system (including any vapor retarder or seal to limit
infiltration)
(b) An exterior window, skylight, or door (other than a storm window or storm
door) that meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC for the
climate zone in which the window, skylight, or door is installed.
(c) A storm window that, in combination with the exterior window over which it is
installed, meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC for the
climate zone in which such storm window is installed.
(d) A storm door that, in combination with a wood door that is assigned a default
U factor by the IECC, does not exceed the default U factor requirement assigned to
such combination by the IECC.
(e) Metal roofing
(f) Any asphalt roof that--
(i) has appropriate cooling granules that are specifically and primarily designed to
reduce the heat gain of a dwelling unit when installed on the dwelling unit, and
(ii) meets or exceeds either of the applicable Energy Star program requirements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Qualified Energy Property.
(a) An electric heat pump water heater that yields an energy factor of at least 2.0
in the standard Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure.
(b) An electric heat pump that has a heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF)
of at least 9, a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of at least 15, and an energy
efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 13.
(c) A central air conditioner that achieves the highest efficiency tier that has been
established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, and is in effect on January 1,
2006.
(d) A natural gas, propane, or oil water heater that has an energy factor of at
least 0.80 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent.
(e) A stove that uses the burning of biomass fuel to heat a dwelling unit or to heat
water for use in such a dwelling unit, and that has a thermal efficiency rating of at least
75 percent as measured using a lower heating value.
(f) A natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler that achieves an
annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not less than 95.
(g) A fan that is used in a natural gas, propane, or oil furnace and has an annual
electricity use of no more than two percent of the total annual site energy use of the
furnace (as determined in the standard DOE test procedure).
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Cypress Attends Contractor's Expo
01/15/10 - Cypress Construction attended the GraniteRock Contractor's Expo at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside, CA. Michael attended classes in Project Management, Mechanic's Liens, etc. Other classes offered included landscaping, retaining walls, pervious concrete, LEED point system, et al.
Our thanks to GraniteRock for the invitation, the great classes and display booths, and great (free!) food buffets. 
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Cypress and Michael in the Newspapers
Local Businessman Funds Cultural Exchange Scholarship
By JENNA BROGAN
Posted: 08/16/2009 01:30:27 AM PDT SANTA CRUZ --
When local businessman-musician Michael Downey visited Asia for the first time, he was inspired to bridge the cultural gap that separates America from South Korea and Japan.Today, Downey hopes to accomplish that goal by funding travel opportunities to Asia for individuals like himself who want to learn first-hand from another culture.
Downey is CEO of Hashi.org, a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and based in Santa Cruz that promotes cultural exchange opportunities between East Asia and America. He has been accepting scholarship applications for travel and study in either South Korea or Japan.On Sept. 1, the organization, will announce who gets $1,000 to participate in an overseas program like those offered on Hashi.org -- including, but not limited to, home-stay, work, travel, student exchange or volunteering.
"We are reaching out one person to another, one country to another," said Downey, who funds the program with the help of his local business, Cypress Construction Services Inc.
Since the organization was formed, Hashi.org has awarded 10 scholarships to Americans, Koreans and Japanese, for the purpose of creating a cultural "hashi" -- "bridge" in Japanese -- between the countries.Inspired to build that bridge in 2005 while touring in Korea and Japan with his band Michael J Downey and the World, Downey createdthe organization in the hope of breaking down cultural stigma." We hope that this small experience will plant a seed in each participant, so that he or she will be able to understand another culture better and strip through the negative images presented by the media," said Downey.
Previous scholarship recipients include a Japanese graduate student who wanted to study the similarities and differences between Japanese and South Korean architecture and culture, and an American anthropology graduate working on her Ph.D. dissertation in Korea.The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant's need and on how well the intended use of the scholarship coincides with the mission of Hashi.org.And according to Downey, there is no better time than the present "to extend the hand of friendship out there in the world."
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_13133509
By JENNA BROGAN
Posted: 08/16/2009 01:30:27 AM PDT SANTA CRUZ --
When local businessman-musician Michael Downey visited Asia for the first time, he was inspired to bridge the cultural gap that separates America from South Korea and Japan.Today, Downey hopes to accomplish that goal by funding travel opportunities to Asia for individuals like himself who want to learn first-hand from another culture.
Downey is CEO of Hashi.org, a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and based in Santa Cruz that promotes cultural exchange opportunities between East Asia and America. He has been accepting scholarship applications for travel and study in either South Korea or Japan.On Sept. 1, the organization, will announce who gets $1,000 to participate in an overseas program like those offered on Hashi.org -- including, but not limited to, home-stay, work, travel, student exchange or volunteering.
"We are reaching out one person to another, one country to another," said Downey, who funds the program with the help of his local business, Cypress Construction Services Inc.
Since the organization was formed, Hashi.org has awarded 10 scholarships to Americans, Koreans and Japanese, for the purpose of creating a cultural "hashi" -- "bridge" in Japanese -- between the countries.Inspired to build that bridge in 2005 while touring in Korea and Japan with his band Michael J Downey and the World, Downey createdthe organization in the hope of breaking down cultural stigma." We hope that this small experience will plant a seed in each participant, so that he or she will be able to understand another culture better and strip through the negative images presented by the media," said Downey.
Previous scholarship recipients include a Japanese graduate student who wanted to study the similarities and differences between Japanese and South Korean architecture and culture, and an American anthropology graduate working on her Ph.D. dissertation in Korea.The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant's need and on how well the intended use of the scholarship coincides with the mission of Hashi.org.And according to Downey, there is no better time than the present "to extend the hand of friendship out there in the world."
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_13133509
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Michael Received Green Building Professional Certification
04/26/09 - This past week, I have been at Northstar, Lake Tahoe, participating in the Green Building Professional Certification training and testing, and I'm proud to now be a Certified Green Building Professional.
The coursework, presenters, and organization of the event were truly impressive.
Build It Green really is emerging as the ‘point man’ organization in this rapidly growing movement. And with so many laws and codes being changed later this year, what was once a feel-good option is rapidly becoming mandatory. So it’s good to have a bit of a leg-up on the process.
The coursework included historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of Green Building. For example, we learned about types of heat transfer (conductive, convective, and radiant), thermodynamic law, entropy, et al. And of course, much time was devoted to learning about green building techniques and materials in both new construction and remodel applications.
There were over 100 attendees - ranging from Building Contractors like myself, architects, landscape designers, developers, et al.
Some of the topics covered included:
Energy (conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy as it applies to framing, insulation, windows, water heating, appliances, heating/cooling and lighting)
Resource Conservation (jobsite waste/recycling, landscaping, water conservation, efficient framing, durability, and materials choices)
Indoor Air Quality (VOCs, finish materials, ventilation, filtration, mold, and IAQ construction practices)
I look forward to implimenting more of these kinds of practices in our work in addition to the 'Green' orientation we've had from the beginning, 15 years ago. My great thanks to the good folks at Build It Green for an outstanding training event. And although the test was tough, it was well written, and very fair. Having had the choice of taking the training in either Oakland or Tahoe, I think I made the right choice...
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