An increase in single-family production in May helped put 2016 on pace to be one of the strongest starts to the year for residential construction since 2007. Month-over-month May permits were up 38 percent compared to 2015 and units were up 60 percent. Year-to-date permits are up 16 percent over 2015 and units are up 21 percent.

On Friday, Minneapolis became the first Midwestern city to mandate that nearly all private businesses provide paid sick leave. The original proposal included a 28-day scheduling requirement which was removed amidst opposition from BATC and other business organizations. What’s left is an ordinance that will require employers to provide sick leave for workers who spend greater than 80 hours working within the boundaries of Minneapolis in any given year. Other details:

•  Employees in workplaces with six or more workers will be allowed to accumulate one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, topping out at 48 hours of accrual each year. Workers can roll over unused sick leave from one year to the next until they accumulate 80 hours.
•  Sick leave can be taken when the worker or a family member is sick; for physical and mental illnesses or injuries; and for medical appointments. In cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking, time can be taken for treatment, counseling, relocation or legal proceedings.
• The ordinance will take effect on July 1, 2017 but has a phase-in for enforcement.

BATC will provide more details as they are made available.

Released today, SCOTUS held on an 8-0 ruling that Army Corps of Engineers wetlands determinations can be challenged in court. The ruling makes it easier to challenge environmental enforcement efforts early in court.

This Week's BATC Related Headlines

U.S. new-home sales jump to highest level since ‘08
Finance and Commerce story on the strong start to the spring buying season. Read more >>

Small Volume Builders and Remodelers Roundtable Lunch and Learn

Join us to make sure your contracts are protecting you! Our panelists will share best practices for new home and remodeling customer contracts, and let you pick their brains during the Q and A.

Panelists: Don Skelly, President of Hanson Builders
and Tim Hassett, Attorney with Felhaber Larson Fenlon and Vogt

June 15 |12:00 - 2:00 pm, includes lunch | at BATC

Help Fill Our Free Little Libraries!

Students at Dunwoody College have been busy building our Free Little Libraries from the plans you submitted. Now your BATC Young Professionals and the SPAAR Community Engagement Committee need your help to fill them. Bring your books to the BATC office!

Two Great Opportunities!

EPA Lead Renovator Recertification
EPA lead certification and/or re-certification is required for any renovation that disturbs more than six square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior lead paint in residential or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.  

June 28, 2016 • 8 am - Noon | at BATC | $149 

Understanding the MN Residential Energy Code
Contractor University and the Minnesota Energy Code Compliance Collaborative present three sessions to help increase understanding of compliance with the Minnesota Residential Energy Code. 

July 29, 2016 | 7:30 am - Noon | $29 per person (includes breakfast and all sessions) | at BATC | 3 Credits Available

Sessions: Insulation and the New Residential Energy Code, Balanced Ventilation and Testing: HRVs and ERVs, Best Practices for High-Performance Enclosures, “Ask A Code Official” Forum

June 10-26 (Fri-Sat-Sun)
Artisan Home Tour
June 15
Small Volume Builders and Remodelers Joint Roundtable 
June 21
BATC Member Appreciation Bash
June 28
EPA Lead Refresher Course [Register]
July 8 
Builder of the Year, Remodeler of the Year, and Associate of the Year entry due [Register]
Rising Star nominations due [Register]
July 19
Eggs & Economics: Mid-Year Economic Forecast [Register]
July 29
Reggie entry due [Register]
Bennie entry due [Register]
MN Residential Energy Code Course [Register]
August 3
BATC Golf Open
August 5
Trillium entry opens [Register]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at www.batc.org