The 11th Annual BBQ & Wild Game Cookoff was a huge success with 25 teams compet- ing and more than 1,700 tickets sold.


In the spirit of the holidays, the Frank Aranza "Adopt a Family Program" sponsored 40 families. In honor of one of the charity's longtime supporters, Greg Tomlinson presented the wife and family of Frank Aranza with a plaque in appreciation of Frank's dedication to the program.


The Speakers Appreciation Party was sponsored by and held at Morrison Supply with approximately 35 in attendance.


Bay Area Builders Association


BABA kicked off the fall luncheon se- ries with the very popular “Effective Sales & Marketing” by Troy Elmore of Sandler Sales Training, followed by the Fall Fling networking event at Moe’s Place in Hitchcock. Next on the agenda was "Safety First," covering OSHA’s Residential Fall Protection Requirements.


BABA’s Annual Golf Tournament was held at a new venue, Bay Oaks Country Club. The event was a success, and fun was had by all. In November, BABA welcomed its 2013 board of directors at the Installation Dinner and Casino Night, also at Bay Oaks Country Club.


; Government Affairs


The Government Affairs Committee worked on the following issues:


CH. 42 AMENDMENTS: Members of the Government Affairs Committee met with Houston City Council Members in order to voice GHBA’s support


for the


recent changes made to Chapter 42. Members also provided testimony before the Planning Commission in support of the changes and advocated for the ultimate passage of the amendments.


METAL THEFT: In December, the Harris County Court of Commissioners approved new metal theft prevention regulations. The committee followed the implementation of the regulations and continued to attend meetings as members of the Metal Theft Prevention Coalition.


Lastly, committee members participated in the TAB Government Affairs meeting in Austin where the discussion focused on the 83rd Legislature and the impact of the 2012 elections on the home building industry.


Developers Council


The Community Developers Council hosted Joshua Stuckey, Harris County permits manager, to discuss new prac- tices in the Harris County Permitting Office. Additionally, the developers hosted Houston City Council Member Stephen Costello to discuss the Cypress Creek Overflow and the Buffalo Bayou flooding.


The Developers Council also provided information to members regarding the City of Houston’s new electronic plat submittal system, called Plat Tracker. The new system will go into effect Feb. 15, 2013.


Codes & Standards


During the fourth quarter, the Codes & Standards Committee hosted Doug Lewin, executive director of South-Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency.


The committee also closely followed the updates provided in the new 2012 National Green Building Standards.


Additionally, the committee provided information to members concerning best practices for blower door tests and the 2012 IRC “Sidewall Flashing” standards.


; Green Built Gulf Coast


The Green Built Gulf Coast (GBGC) program continues to build momentum, with 2,708 homes certified this year, versus 2,304 homes last year. GBGC currently has 26 associate members, 11 verifier members and 39 builder members.


Our current project is creating an inter- active display unit to be housed at the USGBC office in the Permit Center at the City of Houston.


; HOME-PAC


HOME-PAC (GHBA's political action com- mittee) members interviewed candidates for the House District 137 race. HOME-PAC endorsed MJ Khan, but unfortunately, he was not elected to his office.


HOME-PAC members also interviewed candidates for the Houston City Council race in District E. The PAC endorsed Dave Martin, who was ultimately successful in his race.


Additionally, HOME-PAC members sup- ported many local and state candidates leading up to the November 2012 elections.


GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE | HOUSTON BUILDER | FEBRUARY 2013 17


In the end, the PAC was very successful, as only one candidate endorsed by the PAC did not win election. All other candidates the PAC endorsed in the general election were elected to office.


Lastly, HOME-PAC also approved a budget framework for 2013.


; Education


During the fourth quarter, a total of 157 people attended classes. Two people took the BAR and one took the PREP, starting the process of earning their designations. GHBA offered five NAHB courses, including the new Universal Design Build two-day class with 11 in attendance.


In October, 42 people signed up for the OSHA 10-Hour Safety Certification course. GHBA also offered, for the first time, the Texas All Lines Insurance Adjustor Training with six people earning their certification.


In November, 34 people took the new Advanced Framing course by Dave Yelovich, and 32 attended "Residential Foundations Soils and Materials Testing" presented by David Eastwood.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48