Government Affairs Highlights Q3 2021
Government Affairs – Brief Highlights
The CSA Government Affairs Committee continues to track legislation pertaining to the construction industry, including ever-changing regulatory enhancements from DIR-OSHA, CARB and CSLB. Additionally, the Committee, which meets regularly, last convened July 27 and September 17 to address new matters pertaining to the CSA survey results, as well as concerns pertaining to the pending US Supreme Court case (City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising) regarding elimination of the onsite/offsite distinction, C7 low-voltage contractors doing sign work, stormwater runoff/business license renewals, and “skilled and trained” workforce issues.
Legislation
On the horizon for the GA Committee for 2021-22, will be reconsideration of SB 684 which CSA sponsored (drafted) many years ago in 2013. The law, codified as Business & Professions Code 5273, which extended redevelopment signage for 10 years, is due to sunset in 2023, but has several 2022 deadlines.
CSLB
The GA Committee continues to explore the scope of work performed by C7 and D34 contractors with regard to large, multi-array video, “low-voltage” installations.
CARB
Climate/STEPS/Virtual Inspections and Permit Applications. Following up regarding the governor’s climate initiatives, as noted earlier this year, several ideas pertaining to virtual inspections and permitting are being discussed.
Water Resources Control Board (stormwater) and Biz License Renewal
Several members reported this past year that in order to renew their business license they were being required to show compliance (or exemption) with stormwater discharge laws governing work- and jobsite runoff.
CDTFA (Tax Audits)
This is an ongoing issue. Under current law sponsored by CSA many years ago, on-premise electric signs are taxed at 1/3 of the total contract price. There were several inquires this past year from members facing audits recently about whether signs should be deemed fixtures for tax purposes and taxed differently. In one particular bureaucratic matter, the auditor is asking to look over nearly 1,000 separate jobs, a significant burden on the company. The audit completion deadline has been extended three times already.
LOCAL
LA ~ The latest is that we have drafted a letter to the PLUM Committee asking them to reinstate a prior version of the proposed revision that was negotiated over many years with our coalition partners.
Sacramento County ~ The County is revising its sign ordinance and is planning to undertake a stakeholder survey. Still no activity as yet, over a year later.
Folsom ~ Last fall, the city issued a rewrite of its sign code with plans for public hearings in spring 2021 (not yet scheduled). City pushed drafts and hearing dates to this fall.
A City Near You – Members are encouraged to notify CSA about code changes pending in the communities where you work.
LEGAL
The US Supreme Court to review the decision in Reagan National Advertising v. City of Austin, which eliminates the onsite/offsite distinction relating to digital sign conversions. Federal lower court decisions were issued this year from around the country with differing results. CSA Legal Counsel was invited to participate on a newly formed ISA subcommittee to address and strategize regarding the effect on sign codes since the US Supreme Court case of Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
A Few Reminders
Labor Law webinar. The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched a Business Engagement Program to help employers understand California labor law. The program includes an educational webinar series in partnership with ADP, Inc. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-79.html
Sex Harassment Prevention Training. Employers with 5 or more employees had until the end of the 2020 to complete required Sexual Harassment prevention training. A free program is still available online at www.dfeh.ca.gov/shpt/
CalOSHA Construction Industry COVID Guidance www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/
LA published its own construction site Covid guidance (also in Spanish). https://www.ladbs.org/our-organization/messaging/news/news-details/2020/03/31/guidance-for-construction-sites
100+ Employees = Vaccine Mandate
President Biden Announces Vaccine Mandate for Businesses with Over 100 Employees
Last week, President Biden announced six key areas his administration will target to mitigate the further spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. One key strategy focuses upon the Department of Labor to draft and implement regulation requiring all businesses with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccinations for all their workers, or require employees to take weekly COVID-19 tests.
Additional details about the policy outlines that any businesses ignoring the mandate, once implemented, could face penalties, up to $14,000 for each violation. President Biden also noted, businesses will be required to give workers paid time off to get vaccinated. The White House believes this new policy will impact approximately 80 million workers, roughly two-thirds of the country’s workforce.
We at CSA will continue to monitor this announcement as the policy and implementation process develops. More details can be found in President Biden’s memo.
Annual General Membership Meeting
Remember to Mark Your Calendar & Save the Date!
This meeting will be conducted virtually on (Wednesday, 9/22/21), via Zoom Conferencing.
Wed. – SEPT. 22, 2021
10:00am – 11:00am
CSA is preparing for the end of its fiscal year (2020-21). This past October, the fiscal year began with CSA President Barbara Navarro taking on many challenges in 2021, as we continued to work our way through the worldwide pandemic. We invite and encourage all CSA members, to attend the General Membership meeting on Wednesday, September 22nd, to share the year and the direction in which CSA is headed.
Sign Manufacturing Day
Sign Manufacturing Day Makes a Difference!
Sign Manufacturing Day is a wonderful way to share the many exciting and diverse job opportunities that exist within our industry as well as showcase the importance of manufacturing to the US economy. Over the past few years, several participating companies were asked about jobs, internships and job-shadowing possibilities. Sign Manufacturing Day, held this year on Friday, October 1, is a way to engage students and teachers in the sign and visual communications industry, build awareness of the jobs and careers that are available within our industry and showcase the importance of manufacturing to the US economy.
Catch the attention of those trying to connect the dots between their skills, talents and career on Sign Manufacturing Day next month, as companies in the sign, graphics and visual communications industry host facility tours to encourage exploration of exciting and diverse career opportunities within the industry. It can be a great opportunity for you to find the new employees you’ve been looking for!
Learn more: ISA’s information: Sign Manufacturing Day
Sign Manufacturing Day October 1, 2021
Sign Manufacturing Day Makes a Difference!
Sign Manufacturing Day is a wonderful way to share the many exciting and diverse job opportunities that exist within our industry as well as showcase the importance of manufacturing to the US economy. Over the past few years, several participating companies were asked about jobs, internships and job-shadowing possibilities. Sign Manufacturing Day, held this year on Friday, October 1, is a way to engage students and teachers in the sign and visual communications industry, build awareness of the jobs and careers that are available within our industry and showcase the importance of manufacturing to the US economy.
Catch the attention of those trying to connect the dots between their skills, talents and career on Sign Manufacturing Day next month, as companies in the sign, graphics and visual communications industry host facility tours to encourage exploration of exciting and diverse career opportunities within the industry. It can be a great opportunity for you to find the new employees you’ve been looking for!
Learn more: ISA’s information: Sign Manufacturing Day
Thank You for a Powerful Convention!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED US IN SAN DIEGO FOR THIS YEAR’S CSA ANNUAL CONVENTION & EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE!
Thursday, AUG 5, the CSA 2021 Golf Tournament kicked off this year’s annual gathering! Weather was beautiful and golfers were ready. Registration began at 7am and just prior to the shotgun start, many of the golfers participated in a Golf Ball Drop with a bucket full of numbered golf balls dropped from the basket of a Signtech Electrical Advertising crane, over the green. Two balls that landed in the designated hole, had been assigned to Ball Drop participants and therefore the $200 cash prize was shared. Golfers headed to their assigned golf carts, off they went, and golf swings started!
Following the Golf Tournament, the last meeting of the 2020-21 CSA Board of Directors took place that afternoon at the Wyndham Bayside in San Diego, CA. Then Thursday evening, convention attendees headed over to Tavern & Bowl, 930 Market St, San Diego, CA, for the Convention Welcome Reception.
Welcome Reception August 5th
For those of you who have not yet had an opportunity to experience a CSA Convention Opening Party, it is something you don’t want to miss! The entire Tavern & Bowl San Diego facility, just 1.4 miles from the host hotel, was reserved by CSA for the evening. Twelve lanes were set aside for bowling, with plenty of open space available for networking, food & drinks, Great Camaraderie and Fun!
Friday August 6th was action packed!
AUG 6 began with a seminar and panel discussion “Lessons Learned: During Years in the Sign Business”. We were excited to have Kevin Stotmeister-recently retired, President/CEO Federal Heath, Steve Jones-President of YESCO LLC and CSA Past President, and Davey Glantz-Glantz, Principal, on the panel with Teresa M. Young-Sign Biz as moderator – A big Thank You to each of these industry leaders, for sharing their professional and personal experiences from over the years!
The next order of business was our annual membership meeting, where President Navarro brought the members up to date information on where CSA is and where it is going. The election of the board of directors for the year 2021-22 was conducted, along with the election of next year’s officers, which includes – Barbara Navarro, San Pedro Electric Sign Company (Immediate Past President), Ken Person, YESCO (President), Pete Michelini, Sign Designs (1st Vice President), Jason Rieman, Gemini (2nd Vice President), and Bob Shimmin, Montroy Supply (Secretary/Treasurer).
CSA 2021 General Membership Meeting moved quickly to lunch from 11:30am – 12:45pm with Dr. Dydia DeLyser, as our luncheon speaker – “Neon Creates Community”
All in attendance enjoyed a fabulous lunch and then were provided with a historical perspective of neon and signs, shaping people, communities and our environment.
To the delight of all, Dr. DeLyser was kind enough to join us after lunch, answering questions and making her latest book available to those interested.
1:00 – 4:30 featured a Vendor Showcase!
Immediately following lunch, from 1:00pm – 4:30pm, the Vendor Showcase opened with 27 exhibitors that were delighted to share their new products, services and spend time with existing as well as potentially new customers.
Friday’s activities were concluded by the Annual Banquet; where the 2021-22 CSA Officers and Directors were installed, the live auction and Fund-A-Need conducted, and the always exciting $10,000 Drawing was held. See Board Installation Story Here.
Saturday, August 7th
Saturday began with breakfast and an Education Session to address a Skilled & Trained Workforce “STW”, presented by Jeff Aran-CSA Legal Counsel, Pete Michelini-CSA 1st VP and member of the Sign Training & Education Program Series (STEPS) Board, and Dennis Lytle-Cochair of the STEPS Admittance & Advancement Board. Seminar attendees learned of the California “STW” regulations, and an outline of STEPS was reviewed. The group was interactive, suggesting additional discussion of the subject matter will be needed in the year ahead.
Director Pete Michelini with his wife Cecilia
Following the seminar, the first BOD Meeting for 2021-22 was conducted. Discussions of the newly-elected Board included commitment, budget, and focused goals for the year. Then it was off to Miguels Portside for lunch, across the street from Wyndham San Diego Bayside, followed with exploring San Diego leisurely on the famous Hop On/Hop Off, open-air, Old Town Trolley Tour, narrated with local trivia and stories.
Food for thought —
Friendships are built on shared experiences. Without active engagement and interaction with each other our bonds of camaraderie deteriorate. Associations dissolve as surely as neglected buildings do. After participating in events, celebrations and even small rituals, we remark how good it is to gather, and remember.
2021-2022 CSA Officers and Board Members
New CSA Officers & Board of Directors for the 2021-22 year – Elected August 6, 2021
The new California Sign Association Board of Directors was installed on August 6, 2021 at CSA’s Annual Banquet. This past year had been challenging, conducting business virtually. It was so nice to have had the opportunity to meet, in person, in San Diego. We welcome Ken Person, with YESCO, to the President’s role for the California Sign Association Board of Directors! He has already chaired his first board meeting, and is setting us on a course for success! Congratulations, Ken!
His four fellow officers include; Pete Michelini, 1st VP; Jason Rieman, 2nd VP; Bob Shimmin, Secretary/Treasurer; and Barbara Navarro, Past President.
Our new Board Members are:
Supplier Division
Todd Einhaus, Watchfire Signs
Mike Avery, Glantz
Matt Fregosi, Altec Industries
Bob Shimmin, Montroy Supply Co
Region I
Jason Rieman, Gemini
Keith Wills, Western Sign Company
Neal Tibbs, Ad Art
Clint Bartizal, Golden Gate Sign Co.
Ryan Drury, Pacific Neon Company
Ed Gibson, Elliott Equipment
Region II
Pete Michelini, Sign Designs
Ken Person, YESCO, Jurupa Valley
Arlen Tanielian, CNI Signmakers
Region III
Kevin Farrell, Architectural Design & Sign
Patty Soria, Signtech Electrical Advertising
Barbara Navarro, San Pedro Electric Sign Co.
Dennis Lytle, Federal Heath
Sign Industry Affiliate
Teresa M. Young, Sign Biz ®, Inc.
Professional
Mike Sullaway P.E., Sullaway Engineering
Brett Sauers P.E., Reverence Engineering
At-Large
Michael Schmidt, PS Services
Frank Murch, Signs for San Diego
2021 – 22 Active Directors Emeritus:
Gary Quiel
Skip Moore
Terry Long
ALERT: Scammers Pose as CSLB Staff
They Demand Money by Phone
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has learned of phone scams targeting CSLB licensees. In the scheme, an individual falsely identifying themselves as an employee of CSLB demands a license “activation” fee of up to $500 be paid immediately over the phone or the license will be cancelled.
Please be advised that CSLB staff will never phone licensees and ask for credit/debit card numbers or other confidential information. NEVER disclose personal information, such as your full social security number, date of birth, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it.
- If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of CSLB attempting to gather personal information or collect payment, please:
Take down the caller’s information (including name, title, phone number and email address), let them know you will follow-up directly with CSLB, and end the call. Do NOT provide any personal information or payments. - You may also consider ending the call without explanation if it appears suspicious or to be a scam.
- Contact CSLB at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
- Report the scam to the Federal Communications Commission.
Digital Sign Case before US Supreme Court
CSA Signs on to Joint Amicus Brief
Earlier this year, CSA was invited to endorse review of a case which had the effect of eliminating the distinction between on-site and off-site signs, in the City of Austin, TX. Normally CSA would not be concerned about this matter (in Texas), however the ramifications are significant for sign codes everywhere. After review with CSA leadership and based on prior success with an earlier Amicus Brief (Friend of the Court), on a similar issue in California, CSA became part of the Joint Amicus Brief.
CSA joined with 40 others, including Chambers of Commerce and business leagues, scenic and environmental organizations and leading on-premise sign industry trade groups, representing diverse viewpoints on sign regulation – brought together for the first time out of concern that if the October Supreme Court review fails to overturn the 5th Circuit’s decision, we can expect dire consequences for property rights, scenic interests, and regulatory certainty. A ruling overturning Austin v. Reagan would leave intact these distinctions between on- and off-premise signs. However, if the Court upholds the 5th Circuit’s decision, every Department of Transportation regulation and local sign ordinance that differentiates between these two kinds of signs will have to be brought into compliance. READ MORE
The 2021 Women in Signs Award Winners!
“Celebrating one of our own!”
CSA Board Member Patty Soria, V.P. of Production and co-owner, Signtech (San Diego), was recently announced as one of the winners of the Signs of the Times inaugural showcase of women in the sign industry. SIGNS OF THE TIMES is proud to present our inaugural Women in Signs Award winners, a showcase of six women who display their signmaking talents at locations dotted across the US and Canada. The call for entries requested women who excelled in ownership/management, design, fabrication, installation, sales or marketing, while noting that potential honorees should also be affecting positive change within their company, industry association or sign-associated philanthropic organization. And wow, did the sign industry respond!
Over 300 submissions were tallied in the end, with the field reduced to 18 impressive candidates by Signs of the Times Editor-in-Chief Mark Kissling and Managing Editor Grant Freking. Those 18 candidates were then refined to our six winners on a points-based system by our esteemed panel, comprising four women dynamos in the industry: Mars Bravo, owner of Signs from Mars (Los Angeles); Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Downtown Louisville (Louisville, KY); Teresa Walker, CEO/owner of Image360 Tucker (Tucker, GA) and Teresa M. Young, president/CEO of Sign Biz Inc. (Dana Point, CA).
Join us on June 17 for a virtual event honoring these six distinguished women!
Learn more about “Workflow Whiz” Patty Soria and the other five winners! Read more here.