December/January 2013/2014 - California Landscape Contractor`s

december/january 2014
the
landscaper
The Official Publication of the Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley Chapter CLCA
www.clca-lasgv.org
Join Us
J
Bowling an. 16
Lucky S Night at
trike LA
Live
(See p
age 2)
INSIDE this issue:
2014 Partners Program
Registration Form (pg 6)
Water Conservation
Incentives (pg 11)
and more…
Cover Photo:
2013 Special Effects
Trophy Award Winner
Casa Del Sol
Jonny Appleseed Landscaping
Photo Credit: Gordon Larson
LA/SGV CLCA – The Landscaper
P.O. Box 3699
San Dimas, CA 91773
Brandon Linz
president’s message
The holidays are often a stressful time for many of
us landscapers as our clients can be more demanding
than normal. It seems like the same story every year…
everyone is trying to get their landscaping job done
before the holidays to make sure that their house looks
better than their neighbors. Then, once the holidays
are over and we think we can breathe again, our stress
shifts to worrying about where the next job will come
from. Hustling is more important than ever during
the start of the New Year so that we get that next
job. Say goodbye to that breather…there is no rest for
the weary!
It seemed like the second half of 2013 ended well
for many of us landscapers; hopefully this is a sign of
things to come. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that
once people see how much more healthcare is going to
cost them, some of our clients may not have that extra
money to spend on their landscapes. Only time will tell
if this is the case.
With my two-year term as President coming to
an end, I now turn over the reins to Dan Gromer who
will continue to make sure that the Chapter thrives
and expands. Of course, I will still be involved in the
Chapter…assisting Dan, serving as Treasurer and
simply lending a hand wherever needed. But, before I
end my final President’s message, I want to thank all
of our Board members who dedicate a lot of their time
Upcoming Events
JANUARY
6
Board Meeting, Ewing - Torrance
20526 Grammercy Place, Torrance, CA
16
Chapter Bowling Night @ LA Live
29-30
Landscape Industry Show
L.A. Convention Center
February
Board Meeting, Arcadia
3
MARCH
3
Board Meeting, Monrovia
20
Chapter Dinner Meeting - Depot, Torrance
Topic: How to write a good contract.
Speaker: Mike Martin, Attorney
& CLCA Legislative Committee Chair
April
7
Board Meeting, Harbor City
For the latest events & info,
check out our chapter website
at clca-lasgv.org
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the l an d s c ap er and efforts toward making us a successful Chapter.
Because of them, we enjoy a lot of great educational
meetings and fun events throughout the year. Our
success would not be possible without them. So please,
when you see them out in the field or at the next event,
be sure to thank them.
In closing, we have many great events planned
in 2014. Kicking it all off is our annual Bowling and
Board Installation event at Lucky Strike LA Live. This
is always a fun event and I hope to see everyone there.
I hope each of you and your family thrive and prosper
in 2014!
Join the LA/SGV Chapter for an
Action-Packed Night of Bowling
Bring your friends and have some fun!
Where: Lucky Strike LA Live Bowling When: Thursday, January 16, 2014
@ 6:30 pm
Location:800 W. Olympic Blvd.
(Across From Staples Center)
Los Angeles 90015
R.S.V.P.: Brandon Linz at 626.256.6200
Cost: $40.p.p. includes the following:
soft drinks, appetizer, 2 hours of
bowling & shoe rental
Dress code is strictly enforced. The following is not
permitted: Athletic wear, sweats or sports jerseys,
motorcycle colors, excessively baggy clothing, sleeveless
t-shirts, plain white tees short or long sleeved, construction
boots, headgear, chains, ripped or soiled clothing.
december / january 2014
2014 LA/SGV CHAPTER Board of Directors
President
DAN GROMER
Dan Gromer Landscaping
1201 E. Magnis St., Arcadia, CA 91007
626-447-9067 • Fax 323-349-0881
gromerlandscaping@sbcglobal.net
V.P. Membership
ERNIE BELTRAN
Ernie Beltran Irr. & Land Maintenance
P.O. Box 1492, Culver City, CA 90232
310-261-8137 • Fax 661-942-4518
ernieirrigation@yahoo.com
V.P. Events
JESSICA CENTENO
Centeno’s Landscaping Co., Inc.
17514 S. Figueroa St., Gardena, CA 90248
310-768-4089 • Fax 310-719-7147
jessica@centenos-inc.com
Treasurer/Chairman of the Board
BRANDON LINZ
Brandon’s Landscapes, Inc.
229 N. Shamrock Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
626-256-6200
brandonslandscaping@verizon.net
Associate Member Rep.
JUAN GUTIERREZ
Landscape Warehouse
1673 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91106
626-792-3319 • Fax 626-792-4757
meanjage@yahoo.com
Member at Large
MIKE FORSBERG
Forsberg Landscape & Maintenance
P.O. Box 342, Harbor City, CA 90710
310-534-5058 • Fax 310-534-8540
FMikeTerry@aol.com
Secretary
BARBARA D. ALVAREZ
Alvarez Landscape & Maintenance
P.O. Box 3699, San Dimas, CA 91773
626-917-1614 • Fax 626-917-2611
alvarezlandscape1@gmail.com
Member at Large, Ambassador at Large
CHARLES NUNLEY
Lakshmi Landscape Co.
P.O. Box 6265, Altadena, CA 91003-6265
626-791-4886 • Fax 209-593-0603
cnunley@dslextreme.com
2014 STATE Board of Directors
President - Chuck Carr
ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance
ccarr@valleycrest.com
President-Elect - Javier Lesaca
Lesaca Landscape Company
xabil@aol.com
Immediate Past President
Frank Niccoli, CWM
The Village Gardener
frank@thevillagegardener.com
Secretary/Treasurer
Ted Sandrowski
Sandrowski Landscaping
tedsandCLCA@aol.com
Dir. of Chapter Services
Richard Sheffield
Antioch Nursery L/S & Tree Srvc.
antiochnursery@frazmtn.com
Dir. of Legislation
Peter Dufau, CLT, CWM
Dufau Landscape
dufauland@aol.com
Dir. of Communications
Jessica Centeno
Centeno’s Landscaping Co., Inc.
jessica@centenos-inc.com
Dir. of Membership - James Walker
Landsculpt
landsculptgardens@gmail.com
Dir. of Education - Aaron Huxley
Hunter Industries/FX Luminaire
aaron.huxley@hunterindustries.com
Dir. of Events - Eric Briner
Briner & Son Landscape Mgmt.
eric@brinerandson.com
Dir. of Resource Mgmt. - Shari Collins
Gardens 4 the Soul
shari@gardens4thesoul.com
Associate Member Dir.
John Hernandez
El Dorado Communications, Inc.
eldoradojrh@yahoo.com
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Co-Dir. of Chapter
Presidents Council (North)
Tim Hendricks, CLT
Cagwin & Dorward
tim.hendricks@cagwin.com
Co-Dir. of Chapter
Presidents Council (South)
Steve Beckstrom, CLT, CWM
Tierra Verde Landscape
steveb@tierraverdelandscape.com
Executive Director
Sandra Giarde
CLCA Headquarters
sandragiarde@clca.org
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4
the l an d s c ap er december / january 2014
We attend
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Nov. 13-16 in Convention
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...and enjoyed some hijinks while there!
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2014 Partners program
We are excited to introduce to our Chapter members a great opportunity to prepay for Chapter activities. The
LA/SGV Partners Program bundles the cost of participating in a host of Chapter special events and offers a one
time prepay option for those events. That means no more requesting a check every time the Chapter holds an event.
You can also add a sponsorship package, allowing you to attach the cost of sponsorships to your LA/SGV Partners
Program. This progressive approach allows you to participate in, and sponsor, our host of 2014 programs with one
payment. What makes this a unique offering is that you can mix and match how you want to participate, and at what
level, and then pay just once! We really want to encourage you to seriously consider becoming an LA/SGV Chapter
Partner for 2014. Please keep in mind that the level of participation you choose to invest will reciprocate itself in the
level of enjoyment and benefit you receive from actively supporting your local Chapter.
Gold leaf
Silver leaf
All general meetings for 2 persons
4 golf +1 tee green sponsorship
4 holiday dinners
Recognition in quarterly magazine
Recognition on chapter website homepage
with logo and link
1 dinner meeting sponsorship
Recognition in all chapter emails with link
Cost: $2,000
All general meetings for 1 person
2 golf +1 tee green sponsorship
2 holiday dinners
Recognition in quarterly magazine
Recognition on chapter website homepage
with logo and link
Recognition in all chapter emails with link
Cost: $1,200
Bronze leaf
Green leaf
All general meetings for 1 person
1 golf +1 tee green sponsorship
1 holiday dinner
Recognition in quarterly magazine
Recognition on chapter website sponsor page
with logo and link
Recognition in all chapter emails with link
Cost: $550
All general meetings for 1 person
1 golf
2 holiday dinners
Recognition in quarterly magazine
Recognition on chapter website sponsor page
Recognition in all chapter emails
Cost: $400
(For contractor members only)
Add a branch (must hold a leaf package
from above to add any additional branch):
1 dinner meeting sponsorship $500
1 tee box rental space $500
For more information, contact LA/SGV
Chapter President Brandon Linz by phone
at (626) 256-6200 or email at
brandonslandscaping@verizon.net
Please indicate which sponsorship you are interested in by placing a check mark in the applicable box.
Total $____________
Return this completed form via mail to: Brandon Linz, 229 N. Shamrock Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016.
Fax: 626.256.6200 • Email: brandonslandscaping@verizon.net
If faxing or emailing your completed form to reserve your sponsorship,
please mail check made payable to CLCA-LA/SGV, to the above address.
Company______________________________________________Contact_____________________________________
Phone_________________________________Email_______________________________________________________
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the l an d s c ap er december / january 2014
What’s in a Name?
By Elizabeth Burns, Zone 24 Landscaping
What’s in a name? Probably a lot more than you of us using the same name that he would change his
would imagine, and it can be wiped out in less than a company name. On the advice of council, I offered to
minute if you don’t protect yourself...
pay the expense of doing it as a kind gesture. As far as
I’ve recently experienced a situation that I thought I knew, he changed his name and followed through...
I would share, in hopes that it can be of help to anyone according to the deal we had made.
else. A year ago I was contacted via
Life was back on track and
email by a guy who basically stated,
business
was booming until I walked
“You work so
“It’s so funny how our companies
into a nursery to pick up an order
long and hard to
have the same name.” Considering
and they showed me a bid from the
he lived within ten miles of my office,
other party under the name of Zone
build
a
name
and
I did not think it was so funny.
24 Landscaping. He did not do what
On the advice of my Attorney,
reputation that you he said he was going to do and was
I met up with the guy to listen to
still using the same name.
become that name.” indeed
what he had to say and learn what he
I phoned him and he informed
wanted. We met at a Starbucks and
me that he decided to make the change
talked for about an hour, all the while I was cautious in 2014, when his license expires. Well, that was not
with my words and information. At the time, I tried to our deal. I knew then that I really needed to protect
point out to him that the fact that both of our companies what I had worked so hard to build for so many years.
had the same name and were close in proximity to My trademark was approved within four days
one another would cause issues with vendors...to say and within the following week he was served with a
the least.
“Cease and Desist” for trademark infringement.
Unfortunately, the CSLB does not recognize our Now it’s easier to sleep at night, knowing that I
companies as having the same name because they go have protected what I have been working so hard
by the contractor name, unless it is Trademarked. After to build and create. And realizing that it is all about
he and I met, I was determined to find out whether or what’s in a name.
not technically he could use the name. Answer to the
question..yes. But, was it a good thing?....NO!
You work so long and hard to build a name and
reputation that you become that name. Then, one
single person can wipe you off the map. It’s like being
robbed or violated in some strange way.
Finally, the guy decided after my explaining to him
how there could be some serious liabilities from both
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Confronting Bad Worker Attitudes with Accountability and Results
By Jay McDowell, ActionCOACH of OC
The New Year is upon us, and if you have been decided to confront unwanted behavior? Think of all
putting off addressing someone in your organization the hassle and money you could have saved.
with a performance issue, make it happen. Don’t let Nothing is stopping you except your will and skill.
an ongoing performance issue eat into your results for Perhaps you may have wanted to take earlier action,
another year. Take responsibility, and get the issue but were afraid to do so for fear of escalating the
resolved to the positive or negative. Just don’t put it off situation or getting involved in a shouting match. Not
again! A problem employee wears on everyone
anymore, here are some solutions.
and affects the output of the entire team.
Decide what to confront. What is really
“Don’t
If you are a boss that relies on warning
important here? There may be several
let an ongoing
letters to improve employees’ attitudes
things to confront. Decide on the bigger
or performance, you should know by
issue. Do you want the employee to
performance issue
now, it rarely works. Written warnings
improve, or is it about teaching them a
eat into your results
are often perceived by workers as the
lesson? Do you want to prove you are
for another year. Take right, or reach a mutually beneficial
untold beginning of their discharge
process. It’s not surprising that
responsibility, and get solution?
they are counter-productive. On the
Show that you truly care and
the issue resolved to respect
surface, the employee may appear as
the employee. We all need to
the positive or
if he will correct the situation, but he is
feel respected at all times. It’s human
just playing the same game you are.
nature. Be firm, but always respectful.
negative.”
If disciplinary memos are ineffective to
Confront the person in private, in a normal
improve performance, why do you and other
tone, and never ever get personal. One thing
employers keep using them? It’s simply the fall back
is to be late. Another is to be called lazy. Don’t
position after repeatedly avoiding an uncomfortable fall victim to this trap. It’s the easiest way to divert
and potentially confrontational situation.
an issue. Look for mutually beneficial points of view
You dislike confronting bad behavior or performance rather than “you versus me” issues.
for two reasons. First, it is generally an uncomfortable Stick to the facts. Don’t let your own filters,
thing to do. Secondly, hardly anyone is properly trained personal issues and stories, get in the way of the truth.
to do so.
Too often we pre-judge and point out character flaws
The longer you wait to resolve the situation, the based on our prejudice and misconceptions. Learn
further complicated it gets. What usually happens is how to distinguish between the facts and your story.
that unwanted conduct will get progressively worse Give the benefit of the doubt. Before reaching
until it bothers you so much that you decide it’s time conclusions, ask the other person for his/her
for the employee to go.
side of the story. How can you help the person
Fearing legal issues, you begin crafting memos to overcome his/her issues? Explore what the
reprimand the employee on every possible violation. possible barriers are. Is the employee lacking skills
You go from no confrontation to major confrontation. or motivation?
At this point, the corrective nature of the memo is Obtain a new commitment. Once the issue
probably a farce. You simply want to document every is handled, ask for a new commitment. Clarify
possible deficiency until the file is thick enough to give expectations and provide a framework for follow up
the employee the boot.
and accountability.
What if you corrected the situation long before you Monitor for success. Accountability by the
began thinking about memos or legal issues? What employee in question is key. Be sure they understand
if, instead of waiting until that point of no return, you what is expected of them and that you are there to
see them succeed. There are two times when “micromanaging” is appropriate. First, when someone is new
and you need to stay closely connected to ensure they
get off on the right foot. The second is when there is
a performance issue that needs to be corrected. Stay
in close contact and give guidance when needed and
support and recognition when appropriate.
Overview: Don’t start your New Year with one
foot in a hole; start 2014 with a good “rhythm” for
your team. Get the problem personnel either fully
committed to full participation and accountability, or
help them find their “next” career opportunity.
Jay McDowell, a CLCA Orange County Chapter
member, can be reached by calling (949) 713-2030 or
emailing CoachJay@ACofOC.com.
The Landscaper is the official publication of the Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the CLCA. It is published by Eyescapes. Opinions expressed within the context of this
publication are not necessarily those of the CLCA or its members.
The Landscaper is designed and printed by Eyescapes, 36419 Bay Hill Drive, Beaumont, CA 92223. Email: Bronwyn@eyescapes.net, phone: 949.466.1222.
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the l an d s c ap er december / january 2014
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Boething Treeland Continues to Expand
Experience Base With Key Staff Additions
Boething Treeland Farms, Inc. has added three new
members to their staff who bring with them decades
of expertise in the Nursery Industry. The most recent
addition to the team started his career in the Nursery
Business at the age of 13 at Neal’s Nursery in Palm
Springs. Doug Henderson spent the last 26 years as a
salesman for Valley Crest Tree Company. His industry
involvement has been the cornerstone of his career,
working closely with both Landscape Architects and
Contractors. When asked about his move to Boething,
Doug expressed his excitement about joining a
company that after 61 years is still so vibrant.
Other staff additions included Desiree Archuleta,
who joined the team in December of 2012 as a specialist
in Sales to the Rocky Mountain States, and Susie FloresHenderson, who joined Boething in November of 2012
as their Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing.
Desiree is a California certified Nursery Professional
and has been in the industry for 23 years, most recently
with Village Nursery. She works out of the Central
Valley Office in Lodi California. Susie previously held
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t he l an d s c ap er the position of Vice-President for Valley Crest Tree
Company where she spent 29 years in Sales, Marketing
and Operations. She works throughout the State of
California spending time at each of the company’s ten
growing grounds
Boething Treeland Farms is a California wholesale
nursery serving the western United States since 1952.
Operating on 800 acres throughout the state they
currently produce over 1200 varieties of tree and shrubs.
december / january 2014
New Regional Water Conservation Incentives
Benefit Landscape Professionals
This September, the Metropolitan Water District’s
(MWD) Board of Directors approved a broad range
of initiatives to increase local water use efficiency
and supply reliability in the SoCal region, including
additional water-efficiency measures and increased
incentives for public sector sites. MWD - which
supplies about 50% of the region’s water through
its 26 member agencies - serves LA County, Orange
County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and
Ventura counties.
For landscape professionals in the region, these
new initiatives can be good for business because
MWD and its member agencies offer millions of dollars
annually in commercial and residential incentives
for water use efficiency measures through the SoCal
Water$mart (SCW$) program. SCW$ offers rebates for
several landscaping devices, including weather-based
irrigation controllers, large rotary nozzles and rotating
nozzles for pop-up spray heads. The added devices
now eligible for rebates are soil moisture sensor
systems ($80 for home systems or $25 per station for
commercial installations and homes with lots that are
one acre or larger) and rain barrels ($75 rebate). See
the chart below for details on base rebate amounts
for landscape-related devices and keep in mind that
some localities offer additional funding for certain
commercial measures.
SoCal Water$mart also recently introduced new
program guidelines for their “Contractor Direct Rebate
Option” that allows the rebate to be paid directly to
the installing contractor. The first step for contractors
interested in this option is to make sure your business
meets the requirements and then fill out and submit the
online enrollment application. For commercial projects,
your customer must submit a rebate reservation
request online. Once the project is complete, have your
customer sign the rebate release form and submit it
with the completed application and documentation
to SCW$. After verification and approval, the SoCal
Water$mart rebate check is mailed directly to the
contractor. This contractor direct option can be a boon
to a contractor’s sales process, since customers may
receive the value of the rebates upfront and avoid the
wait usually involved with rebates.
Looking forward, SoCal Water$mart has more
initiatives on the horizon aimed at conserving water
that can also save money for landscaping companies.
For example, MWD is hoping to tap the high water
savings-potential of large public agency landscapes
such as city, county or federal parks, schools, etc., and
plans to launch a short-term Public Agency Landscape
program this winter that will offer public entities upfront and enhanced incentives for installing waterefficient landscape irrigation devices (WBICs, for
example will receive rebates of $40 per station instead
of $25). Also anticipated in January 2014 is a regional
turf-removal program, which will offer a base rebate of
$1 per square foot of removed turf.
Considering the variety and increasing number
of incentives offered from SoCal Water$mart,
landscape professionals are in an excellent position
to save their clients money and help conserve
water in Southern California by installing more
efficient irrigation devices and design practices.
Visit www.socalwatersmart.com for details.
Device
Residential
Commercial
Weather Based Irrigation Controllers (< 1 acre)
$80 per controller
$25/station
Weather Based Irrigation Controllers (> 1 acre)
$25/station
$25/station
Central Irrigation Controllers
N/A
$25/station
Rotating Nozzles for Pop-up Sprays
$4 per nozzle
$4 per nozzle
Large Rotary Nozzles
N/A
$13 per set
In-Stem Flow Regulators
N/A
$1 per regulator
Soil Moisture Sensor Systems ( < 1 acre)
$80 per sensor
$25/station
Soil Moisture Sensor Systems ( > 1 acre)
$25/station
$25/station
Rain Barrels
$75 per barrel
N/A
Need a Product or Service? Call our Advertisers First!
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t he l an d s c ap er december / january 2014