Joel Lee, Van Buren Management and Lyle Landowski, Inland Companies (submitted by Landowski)

My first official mentoring meeting/lunch with my mentor, Joel Lee went very well.  I came prepared with a list of questions and discussion points.  I was very encouraged by how open and willing Joel was in sharing information about his current and past business experiences, both positive and negative.  The most enjoyable part of the meeting was really just getting to know Joel better – hearing his story.  I was surprised to find out that his entrance into the CRE field was not intentional.  It started when he was an attorney at a small to midsize law firm and he was commissioned to find office space for the firm.  He leveraged his skill set (he has degrees in law and accounting) and his relationships and acquired the building for the firm.  The snowball effect from this point on was incredible as he now is the largest office landlord in the CBD.  We also spent some time discussing Joel’s involvement in the community, particularly his investment (both sweat and real equity) into the

 Advice:  It is not only important that you bring questions/discussion points to the meeting, but that you send them to you mentor beforehand so they can be prepared.

Follow the Linked In discussion HERE.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Fran-Brzezinski-talks-about-leadership-1771666.S.95341824?qid=faa82650-d65f-477f-8fe8-814b5fb6c82b&trk=group_most_popular-0-b-ttl&goback=%2Egmp_1771666

Milwaukee, WI (January 27, 2012) – NAIOP Wisconsin elected a new President and Board of Directors at their Annual Meeting and Awards Night on January 26, 2012.  The new board includes the principals of many of the region’s leading commercial real estate firms.

James Sedgwick, Vice President of VJS Development Group, was elected President of NAIOP Wisconsin for 2012.  In this capacity, he will work closely with NAIOP staff and Chapter leadership to guide the Chapter’s operations. Sedgwick is Vice President of VJS Development Group, where he has performed development management and consulting services, as well as property management and leasing services for local and national investors.   Sedgwick has over 20 years of direct real estate experience.

“Our firm has been a part of this chapter since it was chartered nearly 10 year ago.  We truly have outstanding group of executives which have played a key role in the chapter’s success,” said Sedgwick “Along with our Officers and Directors, I look forward to the upcoming year as we continue to expand the reach of a great Commercial Real Estate organization.”

The remainder of the officers elected include Shawn Cavin, First American Title, Immediate Past-President, Neal Driscoll, Liberty Property Trust, who will serve as President – Elect; Gregory Kost, TOLD Development Company who will as Treasurer and Scott Langlois, Quarles & Brady who will serve as Secretary.

The Chapter elected several new NAIOP Board members:

• Michael Finn, Associated Bank
• Mary Claire Lanser, Advisors, LLC
• Ryan Marks, Irgens Development Group

In addition, the Chapter renewed the terms of several continuing Board members:

• Brett Haney, HSI Development*
• Lyle Landowski, Inland Companies
• Richard Lincoln, The Mandel Group
• Mike Mooney, MLG Commercial
• Todd Rizzo, Wispark LLC
• John Schwab, WIPFLI LLP
• Greg Walz, Northwestern Mutual

Also at the Annual Meeting, NAIOP Wisconsin presented several special awards to select members who have made significant contributions to NAIOP in 2011.  Outgoing President Shawn Cavin, First American Title presented the following awards:

The Rising Star of the Year-Principal Member was presented to Brian Adamson of TOLD Development;

• The Rising Star of the Year-Associate Member was presented to Brandon Schulta of Chicago Title Insurance Company
• Associates of the Year were presented to Gregg Thompson of Bukacek Construction and Steve Miazga of R.A. Smith National.

Following the business portion of the Annual Meeting, NAIOP National Chairman Bill Hunt of Elmhurst Group in Pittsburgh, PA presented a keynote address on the Top Ten Challenges Facing Commercial Real Estate in 2012.

NAIOP Wisconsin is grateful for the efforts of all of its members and looks forward to another busy and productive year in 2012!

Tom Larson, NAIOP Lobbyist

Wetland Regulatory Bill Advances-NAIOP WI Registers in Support of the Bill

 On January 3, 2012, Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) and Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) introduced legislation (Senate Bill 368/Assembly Bill 463) intended to streamline the DNR permitting process related to wetland disturbances.  Specifically, this legislation:

•  Gives the DNR greater flexibility to consider mitigation and to look “holistically” (considering the net environmental benefits after the mitigation is performed) at environmental impacts of projects that could impact wetlands. 
•  Provides general permits parallel to those on the federal level for minor projects, and retains substantial DNR discretion over larger projects. 
•  Retains DNR’s authority over nonfederal wetlands (not connected to a navigable waterway), but does so in a way that provides a uniform approach to federal and nonfederal wetlands.

 Under current law, the DNR is prohibited from considering mitigation in most cases.  In those rare cases when mitigation can be considered, it is only a last-resort option, if no other possibility exists, including doing the project elsewhere or not doing it at all.  Under the bill, mitigation can be considered along with other factors in determining whether to issue a permit, and mitigation is required as a condition for individual permits that are actually issued. 

 Also, under current federal law, a streamlined permit process is allowed for minor activities, but a similar general permit process is not provided for under current state law.  Under the bill, general permits are required for a number of specified general permit activities of 10,000 square feet or less (0.2 acres) and may be issued for other minor activities.

 Both bills received a public hearing and are scheduled to be voted on by the Natural Resources Committees in both houses during the week of January 16, 2012.  If passed by both committees, the bills could go to the floor in both the Senate and Assembly in late January.  

For full details of the bill go to https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/ab463

 Committee to Vote on Bill to Permanently Suspend Indirect Source Air Permitting Program

 On January 18^th, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to vote on a bill (AB 159) that would permanently suspend Wisconsin’s Indirect Source Air Permitting program (Wis. Admin. Code Ch. NR 411).   In May, the rule was temporarily suspended by the legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.  To permanently suspend the rule, legislation must be passed through both houses and signed into law. 

 NR 411 requires indirect source air permits for large commercial and mixed-use development projects that will attract a large number of automobiles (shopping malls, entertainment facilities, large employers, highways and roads, etc.).  Wisconsin is one of the only states in the country with regulations for permitting indirect sources of carbon monoxide emissions.   

 The permanent suspension of NR 411 is one of NAIOP-WI’s legislative priorities.

For more information regarding this bill, go to https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/ab159

Wisconsin Independent Businesses: “In a recent survey of our members, we heard from a surprising number of small, independent business owners who are having difficulty finding skilled workers for open positions. These businesses need other options besides help wanted signs in the store window and ads in the newspaper. We applaud Governor Walker and the newly-created Special Cabinet on Economic and Workforce Investment for their efforts to bring together job seekers and local businesses in need of skilled workers. We look forward to working with Governor Walker and legislators to put the “Wisconsin Working” plan in place.”

National Federation of Independent Businesses:  “The terrible irony in this economy is that we have a lot of people searching for jobs but not enough of them are qualified for the positions available.  The Governor has very obviously been listening to Wisconsin’s small business owners about the need for a better qualified workforce that can meet the demands of a modern economy.”

Wisconsin Economic Development Association:   “WEDA supports Governor Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Working plan, which directs policies and resources toward enhancing Wisconsin’s training and recruitment services.  Facilitating connections between job seekers and employers, as well as strengthening the skill sets of individuals, is welcomed news for all segments of Wisconsin’s economy…Wisconsin is in the middle of a skills gap and the Special Cabinet on Economic and Workforce Investment is tasked with ensuring that Wisconsin’s most critical resource, our workers, are prepared to compete in the 21st Century. A highly skilled workforce is the competitive advantage that can get Wisconsin’s economic engine hitting on all cylinders.”

Independent Business Association of Wisconsin: ““We applaud Governor Walker and the newly‐created Special Cabinet on Economic and Workforce Investment and their efforts towards creating 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin. Their efforts to connect workers to employers and creating incentives for employers to hire under employed workers for job training, will certainly help fill the skills gap between the unemployed and the current laborers.”

Wisconsin Retail Association: “We applaud Governor Walker and the newly-created Special Cabinet on Economic and Workforce Investment for their efforts to connect workers to employers and creating incentives for employers to hire under employed workers for job training. One of the common complaints from our members is the gap between the skills needed for their open positions and the skills that unemployed people bring to the table. We look forward to working with Governor Walker and legislators to put the “Wisconsin Working” plan in place.”

Miron Construction: “We’re fortunate here in Wisconsin to have one of the most skilled workforces in the entire country.  Our leaders in Madison continue to play a part through their support and commitment to the Wisconsin workforce. Wisconsin Working helps lay the groundwork to connect people who need jobs with businesses that need workers. Despite the budget challenges we face as a state, we’re encouraged that Governor Walker has launched this effort to kick-start our state’s workforce.”

Source:  Gov Press, Cullen Werwie

• 225 People Attended
• Guest Speaker Mark Eppli, Marquette University, says “Real estate is the best relative investment for 2012.”
• Ryan O’Leary, 2011 NAIOP Chicago President, was honored for his service to the Chapter

Click here to view Dr. Mark Eppli’s Forecast Presentation

You can also view the summary of the event at NAIOP-Chicago

Twenty-six members of NAIOP Wisconsin will be participating in a year-long mentoring program developed by leadership of the organization.  A survey completed by our Developing Leaders in 2010 revealed an overwhelming desire for a mentoring program within the organization.  After a year of hard work and dedication as well as tremendous response from veterans of the industry, we are extremely pleased to launch this program.  Mentors and mentees will get together for the first time in a Kick-Off Meeting on January 26, 2012 which will feature a presentation by Debra Crawford of Clarity Development Solutions.   Participants in the program include:

On December 7th, Governor Walker signed into law Senate Bill 107 (2011 Wisconsin Act 108), legislation restricts the ability of local units of government to place additional restrictions on landlords. Because many of these restrictions apply to both residential and commercial leases, NAIOP registered in support of the legislation and helped lobby in favor of its passage.

Specifically, the new law prevents local governments from enacting or enforcing any ordinance that placed limitations on landlords from obtaining or using information on tenants or prospective tenants that relates to any of the following categories:

• Monthly household income + Occupation + Rental history + Credit information
• Publicly accessible court records (including arrest and conviction records), and + Social security number of other proof of identity.

In addition, the law prohibits local governments from placing limits on the ability of landlords to show and lease a property during the tenancy of another tenant. Finally, the law prohibits placing additional requirements on resi- dential landlords regarding security deposits earnest money, or pre- or post-tenancy inspections beyond the re- quirements that are established in Wisconsin administrative rules.

The new law goes into effect on December 21, 2011.

Assembly Republicans Introduce New Mining Bill

On December 8, 2011, Assembly Republicans introduced a comprehensive mining bill intended to add greater certainty to the permitting process while maintaining current state environmental standards.

This legislation has been a priority for Governor Walker and legislators because the bill is intended to help expe- dite the permitting process for a new proposed mine near Hurley that is expected to add thousands of jobs and tax revenues to the state and local economies.

According to reports by mining proponents, the mine would create:

• 3000+ construction jobs and a $2 billion short-term economic impact + 2,800 to 5,600 long-term mining jobs with up to a $1.2 billion economic impact + family-sustaining jobs with average pay and benefits equal to $82,000

In addition to the direct mining jobs, experts maintain that the new mine would have a multiplier effect in creating 2 to 3 jobs in other industries in Wisconsin. For example, two of the nation’s premier mining equipment manufactur- ers (P&H Mining and Bucyrus) are located in southeastern Wisconsin. It’s estimated that at least 2,800 jobs would be created as a direct result of the new mine from the transportation, production and packaging of materials.

Tom Larson NAIOP WI LobbyistAs mentioned above, the primary focus of the bill is to improve the permitting process for mines. The bill would establish a shorter approval process (approximately 24 to 30 months, depending upon the nature of the permit) with specific timelines for requesting additional information from the permit applicant and completeness determina- tions by the DNR.

The bill contains the following additional provisions:

• Contested case hearings for iron mining permits would be prohibited, and legal challenges would be al- lowed only after the permit is approved.
• The DNR’s authority to put extra conditions on the mitigation of wetlands would be limited. Currently, the DNR must issue a water quality certification before a federal permit can be issued. In the bill, if the DNR found that mitigation offsets adverse impacts from iron ore mining, the DNR couldn’t impose any additional conditions.
• Half of the net proceeds occupation tax on iron mining would be deposited into the state’s general fund, with the other half going into the investment and local impact fund. Currently, all the net proceeds tax reve- nue, which is garnered from net income of sale of ore or minerals, is put into the investment and local im- pact fund. Most of that money is distributed to counties and municipalities where the mining occurs.
• Permit applicants would be charged a fee equal to the DNR’s costs for evaluating a mining project, but the fee would be capped at $1.1 million.

Public hearings on the bill are being held in various places in Wisconsin over the next several weeks. The legisla- ture could act on the bill during the next floor period which is scheduled to begin on January 17, 2012.