Cullen told the Council that PERC and Layton Construction, the Arizona-based subcontractor hired for the job, are “focused on keeping” the work opportunities as “local as we can,” and said area companies have already been utilized.Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre asked what had become of Bloise Construction of Ventura, which the Council had been told during contract negotiations would be the primary subcontractor. Cullen said Bloise had been contacted the week before, and although talk centered on the contractor taking “another role” in the construction, “He hasn’t decided yet if he wants to be involved or not.”Vice Mayor Ralph Fernandez noted that “Local is the key word here,” and Councilman John Procter told Cullen, “You have given assurances tonight that there is a process in place to give these people a chance” to bid on portions of the project.After more discussion Fernandez said that he wanted to acknowledge that Cullen “came out there to speak in front of a group that is not a supporting group... he’s shown to me he’s going to try to work with us, is going to work with us” with firm Council encouragement. Fernandez thanked Cullen for his presence, and noted the session was “not pleasant to be at... I appreciate it’s a tough issue and appreciate you being here,” a remark that brought strong applause from the audience.“It’s not personal,” said Procter. “I represent the people in the audience, not you... you’re not in an enviable position right now.”“Actually, you are in an enviable position,” said Aguirre. “You got the project, others didn’t.”
Council: PERC rep takes a beating but garners applause from hardhats
September 12, 2008
Santa Paula City Council
Although the president of PERC, the Arizona based company building the city’s new water recycling plant, took a beating over hiring local labor at the September 2 City Council meeting, Brian Cullen still received a round of applause at the end of the long and at times cantankerous session.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAlthough the president of PERC, the Arizona based company building the city’s new water recycling plant, took a beating over hiring local labor at the September 2 City Council meeting, Brian Cullen still received a round of applause at the end of the long and at times cantankerous session. PERC and union representatives were slated to meet this week to hammer out a labor agreement to put locals - both union and nonunion - to work on the approximately $58 million construction project.The new plant is being constructed under a Design/Build/Operate/Finance contract, the first in the state for a water recycling plant. PERC is a 10 percent partner in Santa Paula Water, with Alinda Capital Partners - which is providing the financing - holding a 90 percent interest.A split City Council awarded the contract to PERC several months ago, and hundreds of hardhats attended the August 18 meeting to decry what they claim is a lack of local jobs for a local project. At the September 2 meeting Jerry Martin of Ventura said the issue is “not about unions, but about putting local people to work,” and vowed the construction would be closely monitored to ensure prevailing pay and other issues are adhered to.The issue, said Fred Robinson of Santa Paula, the executive director of ARC with a family history of union membership, is “trust in the vetting process,” a reference to PERC’s assurances during the negotiation process that local labor would be used.Several union members and representatives utilized public comment to make hard-hitting comments about PERC and the Council itself.
