February 2014Volume 22Number 2

M A S T E R B U I L D E R S A S S O C I A T I O N O F P I E R C E C O U N T Y

Association Leadership- “Good Leaders Are Not Born...” pg. 3 / Unlock the Value of Your NAHB Membership pg. 5 / How Good Is Your Customer Service? pg. 13

March is NAHB’s Designation Month and BIAW’s award-

winning Education Program has a variety of classes offered during this time to help you fit earning a designation or continuing education into your schedule. It’s also a great time to take advantage of special pricing for some classes!

Why earn an NAHB designation?In today’s evolving market, it is more important than ever that building-industry professionals maintain their competitive edge. Like any other profession, a changing market can translate into fiercer competition for your business. Earning a designation from NAHB can be a great way to distinguish yourself and your company. This March, resolve to take advantage of National Designation Month and the opportunity to advance your industry knowledge and skills.

Having a designation tells clients that you have honed your business skills and have superior training, hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of your profession. As a designation holder, you can also take advantage of valuable networking opportunities, work close with expert instructors and other professionals within your field and outside your specific area of expertise. As part of National Designation Month public relations efforts, NAHB educates consumers about the value of selecting a professional with a designation, so your hard work will mean even more

GET READY FOR NATIONAL DESGINATION MONTH IN MARCHwhen it comes marketing yourself and your business.

Below are a few of the benefits member companies have reported experiencing after participating in our classes:

• Improved quality of work - Employers and employees take more pride and ownership of their jobs, improved attitudes, work more accurately, better communication skills, more assuring and responsive and employees are more willing to get involved. • Reduced error rates - Employees with better skills make fewer errors, which means less repetition of tasks thus cutting costs and improving the quality of work. • Better safety records - Employees have fewer accidents;

less lost work time due to injuries and reduced worker compensation payments. • Increased employee retention - An employee who feels value in the company will stay with that employer for as long as they can. This helps reduce recruiting, training and other costs associated with turnover. • Improved customer retention - Better communication and problem solving-skills results in a better customer experience and increased referrals.

Sign up to take a class today and gain a competitive edge. Contact Kawehi Marshall at the MBA office at 253.272.2112 ext. 105 or log onto mbapierce.com or biaw.com and look under programs, education.

AROUND THE MBA

Vice President- Treasurer, Kent Arola and President

Laureen Skrivan with 2014 NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly

in Las Vegas.

Learn more about Memberships Incentive Trip

to Las Vegas, and about their next incentive drive on

page 14

MB

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CALE

ND

AR

Design Professionals Council5:30 p.m. - 2nd Thursday

Remodelors™ Council6 p.m. - 4th Tuesday

March 25Orca Granite & Stone / Royal Cabinets10324 Canyon Road East, St 101

– Puyallup, 98373

April 22Hyland Cabinets &

Contour CountertopsLocation TBD

May 20REX Awards Dinner

Marriott Courtyard Downtown1515 Commerce St, Tacoma

June 24Earthwise Salvage

628 E 60th St, Tacoma

Log onto www.mbapierce.com for latest calendar updates

March 13Olympic Landscape & Irrigation

5620 112th St E, Suite 230, Puyallup

April 10Albert Lee Appliances

4124 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma

May 8DPC Roundtable

MBA Office 1120 Pacific Ave, Tacoma

June 12Rain Gardens with City of Tacoma 3510 South Mullen Street, Tacoma

July 10Hyland Cabinetworks Inc.

General EventsSee additional time and

location details

February 19 Built Green Program orientation

Location: MBA Office11 Am

February 20 Estimating Class

Location: MBA Office

February 27 Builder Group Meeting

Location: TBD5:30 pm

March 3-6

BIAW Board of Directors Meeting(Olympia)

March 18General Membership Meeting

Location: Great American Casino, Lakewood

2 - MBA DIMENSIONS

A Century of Performance + Integrity World Class Dealer

Carrie Cooke: Window + Door Specialist 253.752.7000 X 48

carrie@graylumber.com

ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP - “GOOD LEADERS ARE NOT BORN...”

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 3

From the PresidentLaureen Skrivan, Wren & Willow, Inc.

I am in awe as I look around MBA of Pierce County and see all the leaders

helping it succeed. Whether they are a committee member, and board member, a sponsor, or an association

member who regularly attends MBA functions, industry leaders and future leaders are all around us. Even more exciting, we all know non-members who could be future MBA leaders among our business relationships if we bring them into our group and help them see the benefits of membership.

Included below is a great article that explores association leaders from Michael Kurpiel CGA, CGP, NAHB 2013 Associate Members Committee Chairman.

Today [I] will talk about the needed traits that are the foundation for a good leader. These are my opinions that I have gathered over the years from watching some of the greats of our [NAHB] Federation. The most important thing to remember is this; HBA leaders are working with multiple personalities that are VOLUNTEERS, not paid employees. If you could learn to effectively lead volunteers, imagine what you can do as a leader in your company with employees. Benefit of volunteer leadership? Management training!

While they may not be born as leaders, [good leaders are] born with attributes that can develop [into] leadership. If you have the desire and the willpower, you could become a good leader. This desire needs to come from inside. Desire is not a thing you are born with. Desire is created by a “want” or multiple “wants.” Passion stokes that desire. The more you want, the greater the desire, the fiercer the passion. Passion comes in many forms and, depending on what region of the country you are from, can be embraced or misinterpreted. One member’s passion is another member’s description of a fanatic. Some areas of our Federation are fast-paced and adapt on the fly while others are slower and controlled. While too much passion CAN bring you to the edge, lack of desire or interest will thwart even the most passionate causes. Certain qualities will compliment desire and willpower and help you become not just a good, but an effective leader.

Let’s look at the qualities needed for an effective leader in the home builders association:

1. Passion - overmastering feeling that delivers a drive for an initiative or objective. I wrote about this earlier; different people have different ways of showing passion. I would rather have a handful of passionate volunteer members as opposed to an army of apathetic followers.

2. Commitment - when you dive into the water you can’t be a little bit wet. Commitment, particularly when others are counting on you, is 100%.

3. Integrity - honesty, morality and core values. This truly speaks for itself.

4. Understanding - having an understanding of the possible threats to the building industry is critical

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You may not have been born a leader but you may very well have been born with certain traits that could develop and help you become a good leader. You have to have that “want.”

continued on pg. 4

MBA Staff

Executive CommitteeLaureen Skrivan

President

Board of Directors

MBA Mission StatementThe Master Builders Association of Pierce County is an organization consisting of home building professionals and related service providers. We promote the interests of the home building industry through membership involvement, legislative action, networking and education while striving to maintain the highest ethical standards.

Volume 22, Number 2 Dimensions is published 12 times per year: monthly in Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. by the Master Builders

Association of Pierce County, 1120 Pacific Ave, Suite 301, Tacoma, Washington 98402. Copyright 2013 by Master Builders Association of Pierce County. Opinions expressed are

those of the authors or persons quoted and not necessarily those of the MBA. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

Kent ArolaVice President Treasurer

Leslie Jensen2nd Vice President

Cathi MahanVice President Secretary

Kurt WilsonImmediate Past President

National DirectorsBob Camp , Mike Fast CGR, Lyle

Fox, Rick Hjelm

Lifetime DirectorsDan Abercrombie, Al Berger, Terry

Brink, Rick Brunaugh, Robert Camp, Bud Crest, Sean Comfort, Bob

Coyne, Ray Dally, Bob Denomy, Jeff Edwards, Mike Fast CGR, Lyle

Fox, Steve Garitone, Dave Graff, Buzz Grant, Glen Graham, Harold Hansen, Dave Hendrickson, Clem Johnson, Rebecca Jones, David

Kelly, David Litowitz, Todd Lord, Bob Lund, Joe Maxwell, Cathi Marhan Ann McLaren, Bob Mickey, John

Miller, Merrit Nelson, Susie Nelson, Tom O’Connior, Les Rhea, William Schuur, Jr., John Slott, Pat Steffan, William Triquart, Doug Vieselmeyer, Dick Wegner, Rick Yorkk, Jim Yurina,

Joe Zelazny

Official Publication of: Master Builders Association of Pierce County1120 Pacific Ave., Ste. 301, Tacoma, WA 98402

Phone: (253) 272-2112 Fax: (253) 383-1047www.mbapierce.com info@mbapierce.com

Tiffany Speir- ext. 104 Executive Officer

Kawehi Marshall, CGA, CGP- ext. 105Events & Education Director

Jeremiah Lafranca- ext. 101Government Affairs Manager

Local DirectorsErnie Dittmann, Josh Dunn, Dennis Gregory, Lynne Hill,

Ron Hendrickson, Leslie Jensen, Mark Johnson, Scott

Jones, Cathi Mahan, Joe Maxwell, Gary Pedersen

Mike Schwartz, Steve Shattuck CGR/CAPS, Erle Thompson, Corey Watson,

Scott Lee Wilson, Tim Yokes, Duke York CGR/

CAPS

State DirectorsKent Arola, Ernie Dittmann,

Mike Fast CGR, Ron Hendrickson, Rick Hjelm CGR/

CR, Randy Kruse, Joe Maxwell, Susie Nelson, Tom O’Connor,

Gary Patterson, Erle Thompson, Kurt Wilson, Duke York, Joe

Zehnder

Kim Taylor- ext. 103Member Benefits DirectorLaura Haworth- ext. 102

Communications & Marketing Manager

Lifetime State DirectorsRobert Camp, Don Cash, Lyle Fox, Steve Garitone, John Slott

Lifetime National DirectorsRobert Camp, Ray Dally, Mike Fast CGR, Lyle Fox, Jim Yurina

4 - MBA DIMENSIONS

to leadership. How can you lead if you don’t have the core purpose of the HBA in thought?

5. Influential (pull, not push) - volunteers cannot be pushed. They have their own lives that can sometimes push them, they don’t need that treatment when donating time. In order for you to be an effective leader you have to learn, and it will take time, how to pull volunteers in your direction. Highlight the value of their involvement, the value of the initiative and create the want. Like I wrote earlier; create a want which develops the desire and you will pull out the volunteer’s passion.

6. Willingness to admit a mistake - when you decide to go in a particular direction, and you realize you were wrong, do not continue because you don’t want to “lose face” with the group. People respect others who can admit they are wrong and will be furthered respected by assessing the mistake, asking others for guidance and then move forward.

7. Ability to listen - Sales 101: Listen. When you do all the talking others will close down shop. Dictatorships fail, democracies prevail.

8. Decisiveness - when a decision is made, after discussion and direction, make it happen, move forward. The time for additional conversation happens when there is a need to adapt.

9. Consistency - most people like to know when they work with someone that they have direction, focus and can be relied upon. This consistent approach doesn’t mean being flexible. It means being reliable and a straight talker.

You may not have been born a leader but you may very well have been born with certain traits that could develop and help you become a good leader. You have to have that “want.”

MBA Pierce has begun a process in conjunction with its 2013 Strategic Plan implementation to review every program, event and activity, and every member benefit that we offer to see if they are still relevant and valuable to our current and prospective members. No matter what part of MBA you take advantage of, there is an opportunity right now for you to be a leader and help us improve that part for you and others. I invite you to contact me and give me your feedback about what MBA does well and what it could do better. Thank you for your leadership.

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 5

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When you join MBA Pierce, you also become a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB.) NAHB urges members to take

advantage of the many resources that it provides. They are designed to help you build a better home, build a better business and work in a policy environment that enables your business to thrive. And the proof of its success is in the numbers. In 2013, NAHB’s actions on the legislative, codes, regulatory and legal fronts, as well as in other arenas, provided members an estimated savings of $6,200 per housing start. Included below are just a few of the victories NAHB enjoyed on members’ behalf in 2013.

1. Leading the fight to save property owners money. NAHB led a coalition of 16 prominent real estate and business organizations in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court that explained why it is neither necessary nor fair for governments to extort money from property owners who wish to use their land. In a

major victory for NAHB’s members and property rights advocates, the Supreme Court agreed when on June 25 it issued a landmark decision in the case of Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District.

The decision overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling that would have given governments expanded power to force unreasonable exactions upon developers in exchange for permit approvals, and it means that federal, state and local regulators will need to exercise more caution to ensure that permitting demands -- including monetary demands -- are proportionate to the project at hand. NAHB has confirmed reports of one developer saving $150,000 after pointing out the Supreme Court’s decision to a local jurisdiction that was making monetary demands as a condition of permit approvals.

3. NAHB-supported stormwater court ruling in Virginia. NAHB helped strike down another attempt at regulatory overreach in early 2013 when a U.S. District Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot set limits on the amount of stormwater allowed to run into a stream or other body of water. The ruling will also discourage the agency from pursuing similar limits on stormwater discharge in other areas of the country. Based on land use patterns, NAHB estimates that approximately 40% of the savings generated by the ruling will benefit residential construction, generating a savings of $120 million for the industry.

4. Extension of the tax code section 25C energy efficient remodeling credit. Thanks in large part to the efforts of NAHB, remodelers in 2013 were able to take advantage of the Existing Home Retrofit Tax Credit (25C). The 25C tax credit provides consumers a tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of qualifying energy-efficient products. Government data indicates that the tax credit supported an estimated $4.08 billion of remodeling in 2013 with a typical energy-efficient remodeling project costing a little more than $2,800. NAHB estimates that almost 18% of these remodeling projects would not have occurred without the credit. Thus, extending the 25C credit through 2013 resulted in an additional $727 million in remodeling jobs for the industry. The tax credit expired at the end of 2013, and NAHB continues to push Congress to extend the 25C credit through 2014.

From the Executive Officer Tiffany Speir, Esq.

UNLOCK THE VALUE OF YOUR NAHB MEMBERSHIP

6 - MBA DIMENSIONS

14. Victory on bank rules keeps credit flowing. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approved the final Basel III regulatory capital rule. The new regulatory capital regime increases the quantity and quality of capital for all federally insured banking institutions and imposes additional thresholds for the largest banking organizations.

In a victory for NAHB and the residential construction industry, risk-weights on residential mortgage loans were not increased as proposed and the capital charges on residential AD&C loans were left unchanged. In addition, the final rule reflects NAHB’s recommendations that the regulators consider the impact to community banks of overly burdensome capital rules that would restrict their ability to provide new-home production loans and small business loans.

Adverse Basel III changes would have increased the capital requirements for builder lending. NAHB

continued from p. 5

Detached: Dec. ‘13 Av. New Hm. Price = $296,511/ Median New Hm. Price = $274,650 / Av. New Hm. Cost per Sq. Ft. = $126.42 (up10% from 12/12)

Attached (new & existing): Dec. ‘13 Av. Hm. Price = $171,363 / Median Hm. Price = $155,000 / New Av. Cost Per Sq. Ft. = $125.78 (up 1% from 12/12) Dec. ‘13 Average Lot Price = $59,992 / Median Lot Price = $58,572 / Av. Lot = 20.2% of Av. Home Price Med. Lot = 21.3% of Med. Home Price

Av. Foreclosed SF Home Price: $175,017 (26.4% of existing homes / 26% of all homes for sale) Source: RealEstats (360-693-6525) DEC ‘13 YTD ‘13 DEC ‘12 YTD ‘12

PIERCE COUNTY Lots created NA 515 0 244

New SF / Custom 7 / 46 674 / 762 70 / 34 729 / 469 Addition/Remodel NA / NA 326 / 311 4 / 0 318 / 87

Duplex / Man. / Town House 6 / 2 6 / 110 / 0 1 / 9 / 0 40 / 119 / 0 BONNEY LAKE

SF / Add-Remodel 11 / 1 146 / 19 NA / NA NA / NA MF / Manufactured 0 / NA 0 / 1 NA / NA NA / NA

DUPONT SF / Add-Remodel 0 / 1 0 / 19 0 / 1 0 / 19 MF / Manufactured 0 / NA 0 / NA 0 / NA 0 / NA

EDGEWOOD SF / Add-Remodel NA / NA NA / NA 21 / 27

FIFE SF / Add-Remodel 0 / NA 30 / NA 1 / NA 25 / NA

GIG HARBOR SF / Add-Remodel 2 / 0 82 / 7 NA / NA 85 / 7 MF / Manufactured 0 / NA 22 / NA 0 / 0 0 / 0

PUYALLUP SF / Add-Remodel 6 / 1 88 / 8 2 / 1 71 / 14 MF / Manufactured 1 / NA 23 / NA 0 / 0 1 / NA

TACOMA SF / Add-Remodel 16 / 67 219 / 625 9 / 30 149 / 566 MF / Manufactured 1 / 0 9 / 0 0 / 0 8 / 2

UNIVERSITY PLACE SF / Add-Remodel 1 / 5 26 / 48 3 / 6 29 / 58 MF / Manufactured 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 2 / N/A

continued on pg. 8

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 7

The Design Professionals Council started their 2014 off with a bang. Our January meeting was held

at MBA Pierce President, Laureen Skrivan, Wren & Willow, Inc.’s office space with more than 30 attendees. Members were able to tour the 1917 facilities they

restored and decorated in period style as well as learn about their purchase of Ruf’s Interiors and Wallpaper. Thank you for having us. We had four new Design Professionals Council Members join that night!

A sub-committee was also hard at work putting together our 2014 Home Show booth for the Tacoma Home and Garden Show. The committee teamed up with Built Green® members to create a before and after bathroom, with the after highlighting Built Green products and educating the consumer that Green products could be affordable and gorgeous. The Committee also used a number of salvaged products. For more pictures, please see the MBA Pierce website.

I would like to thank the following members for their time and commitment to this project:

CommitteeKerry Summers- In Time RenovationLeslie Jensen- Signature Design & CabinetryCrystal Delgado- Crystal Delgado DesignBarb Berntsen- Blue Dolfin InteriorsSuzie Stakhovich- Pental Granite & Marble Gayle Kassen- Crescent LightingKaren Carston- Earthwise SalvageTracy Earles- Earthwise Salvage

Booth Volunteers Kerry Summers- In Time RenovationsLeslie Jensen- Signature Design & CabinetryCrystal Delgado- Crystal Delgado DesignBarb Berntsen- Blue Dolfin InteriorsSuzie Stakhovich- Pental Granite & Marble Gayle Kassen- Crescent Lighting SupplyKaren Carston- Earthwise SalvageTracy Earles- Earthwise SalvageBillie Jo Hyland- Hyland Cabinetworks, Inc.Bonnie Stromberg- Selden’s Home FurnishingsSteven Green – Green ResurfacingKaren Hirschman- Karen Hirschman DesignsCatherine Shively- Catherine Shively Interior Designer Shiela Off- Signature Design & CabinetryDuncan Susag- Sound Concrete Countertops

Please take a look at our calendar of events on pg. 2. We would love to see some new faces at our meetings and show you what the Design Professionals Council has to offer!

DPC WORKS WITH BUILT GREEN® IN 2014From the Design Professionals Council ChairShiela Off, Signature Design & Cabinetry

8 - MBA DIMENSIONS

2014 MBA Pierce Proud Partners

Thank you to our 2014 MBA Proud Partners!

AAA KARTAK Glass & Closet Corporation

www.aaakartak.com

Associated Petroleum Productswww.associatedpetroleum.com

Fournier Insurance Solutionswww.fourniergroup.net

Gray Lumber Companywww.graylumber.com

Lakewood Fordwww.lakewoodford.net

Parr Lumber Co.www.parr.com

Puget Sound Energywww.pse.com

ServiceMaster of Tacomawww.smtacoma.com

Team Me Up Scottywww.teammeupscotty.com

Proud Partners is a Dimensions Sponsorship available through

the TSC sponsorship campaign. Please Contact Kawehi

Marshall at 253.272.2112 ext. 105 if you would like to be listed

as a proud partner.

estimates that these requirements would have increased the cost of capital by the amount of additional capital held (up to 12% levels) multiplied by the opportunity cost of the capital (6% interest rate). Combining this impact with the 2013 estimate of AD&C lending yields an industry yields a savings of $169 million.

15. Preserving affordable down payments. NAHB scored an important victory for builders and home buyers in August when regulators withdrew a proposed qualified residential mortgage (QRM) standard that would have resulted in 20% downpayments becoming the market standard.

In another mortgage regulation development, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized the Ability to Repay (ATR) rule, which went into effect in January 2014. The ATR rule applies to all mortgage lending and includes a safe harbor in the definition of a qualified mortgage (QM) for lenders who make well underwritten loans with no risky features. NAHB was instrumental in urging the CFPB to craft a final rule that balances consumer protections and lender liabilities and provides a solid foundation for lenders to provide consumer access to safe, affordable credit. If the 20% down payment requirement of QRM had gone into effect for calendar year 2013, NAHB estimates conservatively that interest rates would have increased by at least 45 basis points. As a result, 7,400 fewer new homes would have been sold in 2013. These lost sales would have reduced industry revenues by $1.82 billion.

MARCH 13 5:30 PM$10 PER PERSON

After 25 years in the same location, Olympic Landscape and Irrigation Co. has moved to Puyallup! Join the Design Professionals Council at their new facility for a presentation, meet and greet and more!

With more than 30 years experience in landscaping, Olympic Landscape designs and builds beautiful outdoor living, unique gathering spaces and specifically themed gardens for home and business owners. They have developed a unique niche in the area of remodeling and enhancing gardens by providing thoughtful and

creative design/build solutions for their clients.

RSVP AT: march2014dpc.eventbrite.com5620 112th St E #230Puyallup, WA 98373

continued from p. 6

Events

Many HBA members are already saving time and money through the NPP program.

To access the discount pricing, register with NPP. Signing up is free and easy.

HOW TO REGISTER

Go to www.mynpp.com. Click “Join Now.”

Select “Construction” from the dropdown menu.

Select “Residential” from the Category dropdown menu.

Select “HBPP” from the Association dropdown menu.

Complete the registration form.

Since 2007 many HBA Chapters have partnered with NPP to offer members discount pricing on several products and services. NPP negotiates the rates, and makes them available to member firms throughout the country.

This program is entirely free, and there is no obligation to purchase. To access the savings, register with NPP at www.mynpp.com. Listed below are some of the discounts available to participating HBA Chapter members:

EXCLUSIVE PRICING FOR HBA MEMBERS

For more information about the program, feel free to contact NPP:

800.810.3909customerservice@mynpp.comwww.mynpp.com

Corporate Discount - 22% off all eligible wireless calling plans $34.99 and higher, plus free activation

Employee Discount - 15% off eligible wireless calling plans $34.99 and higher (plus additional 3% discount if enrolled in online billing)

Add-On Data Features - 22% discount on eligible plans of $24.99 or higher

$20 for 3GB of data on corporate lines Select Accessory Discount - 25% off eligible

Verizon accessories

Verizon Eligibility Requirements: Each member must be a construction company, home building company, remodeling company or other trade craftsman, or a subcontractor whose primary trade is within the construction industry. This includes an association or union within the construction industry. Five line mininum, two corporate lines required.

Discount pricing on maintenance, repair, and operating supplies

Local products and service at 2,600+ stores

High-def remote surveillance for your job site 25% off monthly service and cameras

Discounted, contracted prices on over 30,000 supplies and services

Free next-day delivery on most standard orders over $30

Fleet management solution helps increase productivity, fuel efficiency, and driver accountability

15% discount on unique bundle of services

Wireless routers and mobile broadband adapters for reliable 4G connection

Up to 22% discount on various devices

Toll-free audio conferencing for only 3 cents per minute; no contract, setup or monthly fee

TM

Receive money for your used phones Additional 10% for members

March 25 - 6pm @ Orca Granite and Stone and Royal Cabinets- 10324 Canyon Rd E, Puyallup, WA 98373

March’s Remodelors Council Meeting is hosted by Orca Granite and Stone and Royal Cabinets. Join them at Orca Granite and Stone’s location for

networking, education and more!

RSVP at: march2014rc.eventbrite.com

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 9

10 - MBA DIMENSIONS

For more information about these or other regulatory

or legislative issues governing homebuilding, please contact Jeremiah Lafranca or Tiffany Speir at the MBA office. The Legislative Strategy Committee meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 3:30 pm at the MBA office and all members are welcome.

BONNEY LAKEOn January 21st, Bonney Lake’s City Council met to discuss the

city’s Shoreline Master Program. The City Council discussed the string-line setbacks and came to the conclusion that this would interfere with property owner’s rights and requested that city staff change the setback to being just a standard 60 ft setback from the OHWM for Lake Tapps. The SMP does have an incentives program which allows for you to do specific things such as planting more vegetation in exchange for building closer to the shoreline. The City Council requested that city staff keep the string-line setback only for the incentives program. This means that if you use the incentives program to get closer than 60 ft to the OHWM, the city will employ the string-line setback to dictate how much closer you could be. MBA Staff will be at the January 28th City Council meeting to request that the City Council change the minimum setback requirement to 50 ft to be consistent with the county in regards to Lake Tapps.

EDGEWOOD:Community Onsite Septic Systems, Planned

Residential Development: Edgewood’s Planning Commission has finished reviewing a proposal for Community Onsite Septic Systems and has developed recommended code provisions to allow for new subdivisions to consider Community Onsite Septic Systems. The code changes regarding Community Onsite Septic Systems would allow an applicant who is submitting a short plat or subdivision application an opportunity to design the subdivision using a community drain field system in accordance with the established regulations in the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department regarding this type of system. This could potentially allow for a 30% reduction in lot size if desired. Part of this update will include an ordinance regarding Planned Residential Development which will allow for additional density in residential zones when compensating factors for open space and other specific amenities within a development. This item is currently in the discussion phase before the City Council.

MUR SFR setbacks: Current setbacks for single-lot family detached development within the Mixed Use Residential zone only considered the Floor to Area Ratio associated with the property to determine size of a structure. To be consistent with the adopted building code and fire regulation, a proposal is before the City Council to consider for setbacks to be linked back to the setback requirements for small-lot single family detached development in the Mixed Residential Two Zone.

FIFE:School Impact Fees: On January 6, 2014 City Staff presented to

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATEthe Planning Commission a request to reduce school impact fees. Currently, the Fife School District has a school impact fee of $1,163 for single-family housing and $0 for multi-family housing. Fife School District requested a reduction in the school impact fee for single-family housing to $1,051 and multi-family housing will remain at $0. For the Puyallup School District, the single-family housing school impact fee will remain at $3,588 and the multi-family housing rate will reduce from $2,001 to $1,792. The Planning Commission approved the reductions and this matter will move forward to the City Council for approval in the coming months.

GIG HARBORGig Harbor is in the midst of updating their Tree, Landscaping

and Screening requirements under Chapter 17.78 of their municipal code. Late last year, city staff met with the Planning Commission to discuss a rather aggressive “Green First” program to make major overhauls to the landscaping requirements for residential and commercial properties. City staff has been meeting with the Planning Commission this month to present initial drafts of their changes to this code. Please see the following link to review the code language: http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/files/library/09dcd48b682ed59b.pdf. Section 17.78.060 specifically deals with the residential amendments.

PUYALLUPMotion by Councilmember Palmer: Councilmember Palmer had

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 11

a motion approved to have the Planning Commission review and meet with property owners and bring back to the City Council requirements for development including increased setbacks, required Low Impact Development regulations, reducing building sizes and requiring green roofs.

SUMNER:Medium/High Density Housing Amendment: The City Council

amended the city code to allow for duplexes and townhomes in medium and high density residential zones.

TACOMA:Interim City Councilmember: Anders Ibsen will be absent for the next year due to

military service and Joe Lopez will be taking his place as an interim city councilmember. During a Tacoma Chamber meeting, the business leaders present stated that rumors are Mr. Lopez is conservative in his politics, but it is unknown at this time. Jeremiah Lafranca attended a City Council meeting during which Mr. Lopez interviewed for the position and Mr. Lopez stated that his goals included developing the Proctor area, infrastructure improvement and economic development. Mr. Lopez is an attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle.

Urban Forestry Code Update: City Staff presented a code update for urban forestry to the Planning Commission late in December. The update does not apply to single-family housing, only to commercial and multi-family housing. The discussion is in early phases

and right now considerations include allowing a payment in lieu of putting trees in so the city would plant trees elsewhere and changes to street tree requirements with focus on the types of trees that should be planted.

Affordable Housing: The discussion on Affordable Housing Amendments is currently progressing through the Planning Commission phase. Current considerations in this discussion include allowing ADUs to be built without requiring additional parking, the creation of small lots and expanding the types of multi-family housing available in Tacoma. The package put together by City Staff regarding ADUs and small lots has been put out for public comment. The Affordable Housing Committee will continue to work on an affordable housing incentives package which will be looking to move forward in 2015.

Sustainability Code Amendment: City Staff has started early discussions with the Planning Commission concerning a proposed amendment which would require new home construction or additions of a new enclosed parking structure to accommodate one electric vehicle station, consistent with the National Electric Code. This would require all new homes built to include a power source in the garage which could handle an electric vehicle charging station. Tacoma is also considering new bike parking requirements for multi-family housing (ex: if a multi-family dwelling has 5 units or more, must have 1 per unit for long term parking). Tiffany Speir and Jeremiah

Lafranca met with City Staff on January 24th to hear more on the proposal and invited staff to attend the February 11th LSC meeting to discuss the amendment in detail with MBA members. Please attend and voice your opinions and/or concerns on this issue.

Pipe-stem lots: City Staff attended the LSC meeting in January to inform MBA members that Tacoma is currently considering regulations regarding pipe-stem lots which could include design standards. This issue is expected to begin coming forward shortly before the Planning Commission and MBA Staff will be tracking it closely.

OTHERUniversal Permit/multi-jurisdiction approval of base stock plan progress: City permitting staff are scheduled to meet with MBA Staff on February 3, 2014 to continue working towards creating a process for multi-jurisdiction approval of base plans. The discussion on the 3rd will include creating a modified checklist for reviewing base plans under this process, the criteria for allowing options submitted with base/stock plans, whether digital signatures will be allowed to show that developers have permission to use the plans and the potential of having the MBA host the website where the plans will be stored. An update on this process will be given at the February 14, 2014 Forum meeting.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATECurrent considerations in this discussion include allowing ADUs to be built without requiring additional parking, the creation of small lots and expanding the types of multi-family housing available in Tacoma.

12 - MBA DIMENSIONS

From the Remodelors™ Council Chair Erle Thompson, Home Makeovers Made Simple

NEW YEAR, NEW HIRES, GOT A PROCESS?

One of the values of the MBA I really appreciate is the shared learning.

We have learned more than a few golden nuggets from other members over the last few years that we’ve incorporated into our processes and ultimately helped our business. I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on one of our own; it has to do with hiring.

We have all probably experienced some frustrations with hiring a new employee. Someone might have interviewed really well, yet their craftsmanship didn’t quite match the resume or story. Perhaps there was a clash in personality or values didn’t quite line up with how you want your company represented. What we have found is it takes a lot of time and energy to hire someone and it’s emotionally draining when it doesn’t work out. We’ve fine tuned our hiring process so that our time and energy results in meeting our goal: hiring a qualified candidate who will contribute in a positive way to our team, and helps build our reputation in the marketplace.

Our process starts with a detailed job description; a written document that clearly communicates: Essential duties, Physical demands, Specific skill requirements, like Mathematical, Computer, Language (to include communication), Education and Experience. In our job descriptions, we may ask for specific information to be identified in a resume; ie list what areas are at journeyman skill level or above. Requesting information in a resume is a great weeding out process. Those that do not respond to the request, do not receive an interview. Last, we end our job description with compensation and a brief overview of becoming a member of our team. This includes what I’ll discuss next: Interview process.

Once we’ve reviewed resumes (50-100), we’ll schedule a block of time to conduct interviews (7-10). My wife Koreen typically does the initial interview. It’s helpful to ask the same questions of each candidate. We also incorporate a personality assessment using the DISC system. Koreen will hand the candidate a worksheet that he/she completes at the interview. We have found that different positions in the company are best suited to certain personality matches. We also consider the personality match between employee and myself.

A recent addition to our hiring process is a scenario

based test. This occurs either at the initial interview or within the next 24 hours, depending on the position. We have found that this is a fantastic way to assess how people think, what their attitude is when asked to do a scenario based test and of course assesses their knowledge. It has also been interesting to see assumptions made during the initial interview that are either validated or invalidated based on the response to the scenario based test. Currently, we have a scenario based test for the following positions: Estimator, Project Lead, and Bookkeeper. The results of this test determine who qualifies for a working interview.

We’ll typically select 2-3 candidates to do a working interview. This is simply plugging someone in to the job at hand. Working interviews might be a half or full day. Again, similarly to the scenario based test, this is a wonderful opportunity to evaluate attitude, work ethic, timeliness, and knowledge as well as their interaction with others.

It’s a pretty thorough process upfront. We are finding the upfront effort is saving us time and heartache on the backend. This process also communicates to the employee we are willing to invest time in the beginning because we are in it for the long haul. We want others on board who desire to invest in us. A candidate with a great, responsive attitude to several requirements in hiring is likely to be invested as well. Please feel free to talk with me or my wife at any time if you’d like to ask questions about our process and good luck with your next hire!

Our next RC meeting will be held at Studio Home on February 25 at 6 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

RC Members enjoy January meeting at Parr Design Center

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 13

Everyone claims they provide great customer service’ and they actually believe it. However if this is true, then why is there so much poor service out there? There are ten critical questions every

business owner should ask to verify their service quality. Here are five of the ten:

FROM SPECIAL GUEST WRITER Deanna Turner, Certified Professional Speaker

HOW GOOD IS YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE?

1. How do your service providers handle complaints? The first words they say should be “thank you”, because you cannot fix something if you don’t know about it. More than 50% of customers don’t bother to complain because they don’t think it’ll do any good. If their issues are answered with excuses, long explanations, no resolution and no apology . . . customers feel like it’s just a waste of time. Worst of all, they’ll impact your reputation on social media and by telling seven to ten people about their negative experience.

2. Do all employees handle issues in the same way and at the same level? If I conducted three (mystery shop) phone calls, how would the level of consistency compare between three different employees? There shouldn’t be any differences in responses or quality.

3. How do you train employees to deliver exceptional (internal) and external customer service? If you sent a couple of people to a generic public seminar at a hotel ballroom a few years ago . . . that’s an “event mentality”, a one-time session with nominal impact. True “professional development” should be an “evolution-mindset” focusing on skills transfer that changes employee behavior for positive impact and lasting business results.

4. How do you measure customer service? A survey every few years isn’t a correct answer! You should be using ongoing, multiple methods on a consistent schedule. Data should be objective and quantifiable. How easy is it for customers to provide feedback, use your social media and how responsive are you?

5.How did you mark International

Customer Service Week in 2013? What are your plans for 2014? If you don’t have an answer to this question, perhaps customer service should be moved to a higher priority in your business culture.

Attend the Boundless Service presentation on March 18 to learn how to improve your service quality with low or no cost skills, and how to say “no” and still maintain loyal customer relationships. Deanna Turner CSP (Certified Professional Speaker) and Master Trainer is the founder of Advent Training and Speaking, a consulting company that focuses on increasing sales performance and customer loyalty. They provide training that uccessfully “turns the strategic into the tactical” by transferring skills that can be applied immediately back on the job to enhance productivity, image and bottom line results.

MARCH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING- MARCH 18

RSVP at: march2014gmm.eventbrite.com $25 per person/ 5:30 pm

Wonder where your company’s customer service ranks? Think you can improve on your services? Attend the Boundless Service presentation on March 18 to learn how to improve your service quality with low or no cost skills, and how to say “no” and still maintain loyal customer relationships. Deanna Turner, CSP is Certified Speaking Professional and Training Consultant helping companies achieve strategic goals with a focus on increasing sales performance and improving customer loyalty through effective leadership skills. This meeting will be held at the Great American Casino in Lakewood. (10117 S Tacoma Way Lakewood, WA 98499) Sponsorships are available.

14 - MBA DIMENSIONS

We want to thank all our members who recruited 8 new builder or associate members between

January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 and won a trip to the International Builders Show in Las Vegas in February 2014! Here’s how we did:

• A total of 8 MBA Pierce members and their guests earned the trip through their efforts to recruit new members in 2013. Kurt Wilson, Erle Thompson, Susie Nelson, Mike Schwartz, Cathi Mahan, Kent Arola, Gary Patterson, and Pat Steffan. • The prize for recruiting? Airfare to Las Vegas, a stay at the Quad Resort & Casino, transfers to and from the airport, a welcome to Las Vegas cocktail party at the KGB cocktail lounge

in Harrah’s, IBS Show Exhibits Pass, and tickets to the famous NAHB Spikes Only Party featuring Pat Benatar. • 89 New Builder & Associate members were recruited during the drive by 35 Active MBA Pierce members.

Great job everyone! Stay tuned for the 2014 Incentive trip info coming soon! We appreciate

everyone’s efforts and helping our Association grow.

The Spikes also stepped up their recruiting efforts in 2013 – here’s is how many Spike members we have actively recruiting as of December 31, 2013:

• 42 Spike Candidates (Spike Candidates are members who have recruited between 1 and 5 new members)• 12 Spike Members (Spike Members are members who have recruited between 6 and 24 new members)• 47 Life Spike Members (25+ new members)• 8 Life Spike Members (25-49 new members)• 13 Green Life Spike Members (50-99 new members)• 7 Red Life Spike Members (100-149 new members)• 10 Royal Life Spike Members (150-249 new members)• 6 Super Life Spike Members (250-499 new members)• 2 Statesman Life Spike Members (500 + new members)

That is a whole lot of recruiting by members! Interested in getting involved in the MBA Membership & Spike Club Committee? Join us for our meetings – the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4:00 pm.

Thank you to members that visited in January – Jill Ginn

of the Vernon Company, Fred Thompson of Cascade

Cabinetry and Susie Nelson of Century Insurance Services!

Special thanks also to our dedicated committee members

Rob Hanlon, American Cancer Society (Membership

Committee Chair); Chris Lockhart, AAA KARTAK

Glass & Closet (Membership Committee Vice Chair); and

Rebecca Jones (WFG National Title Company)!

From the SPIKE Committee ChairErnie Dittmann, ServiceMaster Of Tacoma

MEMBERSHIP & SPIKES HEAD TO LAS VEGAS

SAVE THE DATE: JOIN MBA VOLUNTEERS FOR

THESE DATES

SATURDAY, APRIL 26- REBUILDING DAY WITH

REBUILDING TOGETHER SOUTH SOUND

FRIDAY, APRIL 25- WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

February 2014 | www.mbapierce.com - 15

Courtyard by Marriott-Tacoma DowntownBrooke Bourn1515 Commerce StTacoma, WA 98402(253) 284-3576 F (253) 591-9101www.tacomacourtyard.com Hotel/Event CenterSpike: Susie Nelson

Insulation 4 Less IncHenry Soto12302 47th Ave ETacoma, WA 98446(253) 426-2262 F (253) 537-0569www.insulation4lessinc.net InsulationSpike: Mike Schwartz

RP Painting & Drywall IncPablo Ramos 10610 Sheridan Ave STacoma, WA 98444-2965(206) 484-7519 F(253) 239-9511 Drywall Contractor; Painting Contractor

as of 12/31//2013SoundBuilt NorthwestErin Fowler12815 Canyon Rd EPuyallup, WA 98373(425) 766-3397 F (253) 535-0977www.soundbuilthomes.comBuilder, Single Family; Land DeveloperSpike: Kurt Wilson

Vernon CompanyJill Ginn1529 W PioneerPuyallup, WA 98371(253) 223-8044 www.myvernon.biz/jillginnApparel/Gifts/Promotional ProductsSpike: Susie Nelson

Wren & Willow IncAleks Akinshev5104 N Pearl StTacoma, WA 98407(253) 468-0948 F(253) 302-3010www.wrenandwillow.comRemodeler, Residential Spike: Laureen Skrivan

ARC: 1301

APPAssociated Petroleum Products, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters2320 Milwaukee Way, Tacoma, WA 98421

(800) 929-5243 or (253) 627-6179Fax: (253) 627-3637

www.associatedpetroleum.comwww.apppropane.com

Join the MBA of Pierce County Group Fuel Program!

Help your fellow members and the MBA of Pierce County save and earn• Cumulative group gallons will earn quarterly rebates• 75% of rebate paid to member, 25% paid to the MBA of Pierce County• Earn quarterly rebates based on your fuel purchasesCurrently, MBA members are earning $0.075/gal!

Sign up today to start saving & earning MBA $$$$$!Contact Dennis Gregory, Sales Representative

dgregory@associatedpetroleum.com253-606-3092

WELCOME BACK Blake Construction IncWally Blake4824 Center Ln NEOlympia, WA 98516 (360) 455-1461 F (360) 455-1463Builder, Custom; Builder, Single FamilySpike: Susie Nelson

Click! NetworkJosh Newman3628 S 35th StTacoma, WA 98409(253) 502-8442 F (253) 502-8493www.clickcabletv.comEntertainment; UtilitiesSpike: Erle Thompson

Old Republic Title LtdCyndee Shingledecker6721 Regents Blvd Ste AUniversity Place, WA 98466 (253) 564-4994 F (253) 564-1079 www.ortc.comTitle Insurance/Escrow ServicesSpike: Kurt Wilson

THANKS FOR RENEWING*

TOP 25 RECRUITING SPIKES

TOP 25 ALL TIME SPIKES

* Per NAHB Active Spikes as of 12/31/2013 Spikes that have recruited in

the past 12 months.

Per NAHB Spikes as of 12/31/2013

324.75319.75318.25289.5242.5208190.5187.5176.75166158141.75140137.75128.576.5685548.7546.75454021.52117.5

Susie NelsonPat SteffanRick HjelmSteve ShattuckRandy KruseCathi MahanSue ZimmermanKurt WilsonGordon NeuLyle FoxMichael FastKent ArolaRebecca JonesDuke YorkGary PattersonJoe MaxwellTim YokesLynne HillErnie DittmannLaureen SkrivanBillie Jo HylandLeslie JensenErle ThompsonRon HendricksonGary Pedersen

Dave Graff*Steve Garitone*David Litowitz*Susie NelsonPat SteffanRick HjelmSteve ShattuckRandy KruseRobert CampCathi MahanWilliam Schuur JrSue ZimmermanKurt WilsonDave HendricksonGordon NeuLyle FoxMichael FastKent ArolaRebecca JonesDuke YorkGary PattersonFred BrownWayne ManganMatt RockGary Howe

627.25545.75332.5324.75319.75318.25289.5242.5212.5208194190.5187.5185176.75166158141.75140137.75128.5123120107100.75

* no longer active named member of MBA Pierce

Members 45-49 YearsMeridian Center Electric- 1968

Members 25-29 Years

Projects West Inc-1984Johnsons Millwork Inc-1985

Brookdale Lumber-1988

Members 15-19 YearsSitts & Hill Engineers Inc-1997

Members 10-14 YearsMagellan Insulation- 2000

Crane Repair Service/ Lance Gyldenege Construction Co- 2001

Members 5-9 YearsOld Town Tile LLC- 2005

Rainier View Rooter LLC-2006Milton Homes- 2007

Linwood Homes Ltd- 2007Horiuchi Zimmerman

Bartels PS- 2007

Members 2-4 YearsJET Millwork Installations LLC-2009Fournier Insurance Solutions-2009

G & G Cabinets LLC-2009High Country Homes 1 Inc- 2010

Fred Tebb & Sons Inc-2010Hampton Hill LLC-2011REP Electric Inc-2011

First Year

Pacific Alaska Lumber Co LLC-2012Puget Sound Petroleum Inc-2012

Hyland Cabinetworks Inc-affiliate- 2012

Property Management Group-2012Corliss Resources-2012

Custom Choice Door LLC-2012Johansen Excavating Inc- 2012

*As of 12/31/13

Phone 253.922.63495005 Pacific Highway East, Suite 16, Fife, Washington 98424

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