Terra-Petra Recognized as Small Business Enterprise in CA

The Small Business Enterprise or SBE is a company-level diversity certification. Non-industry specific, it is issued by a local or state government. Terra-Petra’s SBE certification is issued by the State of California.

Eligibility for certification as a Small Business Enterprise varies depending on the issuer. Requirements include the number of employees, the length of time the company has been in business, and the net worth of the company’s owner.

In order for a small business to be eligible for certification, the small business must meet the following requirements in California:

  • Be independently owned and operated
  • Not dominant in the field of operation
  • The principal office must be located in California
  • Owners (officers, if a corporation) domiciled in California
  • A business with 100 or fewer employees; an average annual gross receipt of $15 million or less, over the last three tax years.
    • A small business will automatically be designated as a microbusiness if gross annual receipts are less than $3,500,000, or the small business is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees.

Upon meeting the Small Business Certification eligibility requirements, certified small business (SBs) and microbusinesses (MBs) are entitled to the following benefits:

  • A five percent (5%) bid preference on applicable State solicitations.
  • Certified small business/microbusinesses are eligible for the State’s Small Business Participation Program. This program sets a goal for the use of small businesses in at least 25% of the State’s overall annual contract dollars.
  • Under the Prompt Payment Act, the State must pay a certified SB / MB higher interest penalty for late payment of an undisputed invoice. Prompt payment penalties for construction firms are addressed separately under Public Contract Code, Section 10261.5.
  • State agencies may use a streamlined process, known as the SB/DVBE Option, by contracting directly with a California-certified small business/microbusiness for goods, services, information technology, and Public Works projects. The solicitation must be valued at more than $5,000 and the State agency must obtain price quotes from at least two California-certified small business/microbusiness.
  • The DGS-PD charges state and local agencies an administrative fee when contracting with a California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) vendor. As an incentive, the fee is waived, if the CMAS vendor is a certified small business/microbusiness.

Terra-Petra has been in the environmental engineering industry for over 20 years, with many successful projects to lean on. The company started its operations focusing on the Los Angeles market to address the local “methane concerns” which quickly became a big issue. Our in-house experts were a big part of the team that developed the local Los Angeles Methane Code.

Terra-Petra continues to maintain a working knowledge of numerous environmental and soil gas mitigation matters. Our staff now also includes Methane Consultants, Radon Mitigation Engineers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineers, Registered Environmental Assessors, Registered Geologist/Certified Engineering Geologist, Petroleum Geologists, and Petroleum Engineers. This experience gives Terra-Petra the ability to find compromise solutions for any environmental concern that may arise.

In order to meet client demands, Terra-Petra took the position of being an industry leader by developing creative solutions to fit the variety of conditions the states they serve are faced with. Developing innovative solutions meant working with key suppliers, and contractors, as well as leveraging relationships within the respective agency involved. Terra-Petra’s innovative solutions have included the introduction of new materials into the market, as well as new system installation methods.

The Terra-Petra team enters every project with a “safety first” mindset and philosophy. Having undergone extensive safety training programs to include the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Emergency Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, we are proud to say that we work with zero injuries in the field.

Terra-Petra’s Management Philosophy approach is very simple: “Make every client’s life easier.”

Terra-Petra offers on-call consulting services in the City of Los Angeles and throughout California. We are available to do the work or make official visits at any time as needed.

Contact us today to arrange for a time to meet with our management team: 1.888.540.5703 or info@terra-petra.com.

artworxLA Terra-Petra

Terra-Petra at artworxLA Virtual Wine Tasting

Terra-Petra’s VP/General Manager, Justin Conaway, and his wife Robin represented Terra-Petra at artworxLA’s inaugural Virtual Wine Tasting Mixer on March 17, 2021. Despite physical distancing, the attendees were happy to know that we can all still connect by sharing a delicious glass of wine while learning about the wine-making process and show support for the artworxLA’s programming.

artworxLA Board Member Grant and his wife Shaya Kirkpatrick graciously hosted this event by donating wines from their boutique vineyard, William Robert Estate Wines, located in Paso Robles, CA. Justin and Robin are now getting ready for their next road trip to Paso Robles thanks to the recommendations from Shaya and Grant Kirkpatrick!

artworxLA’s next virtual event, Gala 29  will take place May 8th- 14th.

Many thanks to Meghan Beckmann of KAA Design for the invitation.

How Terra-Petra is addressing Covid-19

We are open and operating.

Many of you have heard the announcements from the Governor and local LA county officials regarding “safer at home” mandates. Based on a review of the orders and applicable exemptions, Terra-Petra is continuing to operate under the Essential Business category.

As we continue to operate, however, we will comply with all pertinent requirements of the orders.

As an engineering firm that works with contractors and other engineers on critical projects, we also fall into the “Necessary Services” category, along with the various other disciplines of engineering.

The majority of the work that we take on includes municipality, public works, affordable housing, and critical transportation projects.

Our waterproofing division also falls into this category, as our team is in a position to keep properties safe by resolving issues that could ultimately lead to health concerns such as mold and mildew spores, along with other health irritants impacting a person’s well-being.

We will continue to work diligently with our clients to provide safe working conditions on-site for all of our people. We also want to stress the importance of all of our people practicing proper safeguards that have been published, such as washing hands frequently, keep hands away from the face, using hand sanitizer as frequently as possible, and practicing proper “social distancing” while on-site with other people, if required to attend any meetings (on or off-site).

Please be safe, and feel free to report any concerning issues to management with respect to job site conditions, practices, activities, or anything that you feel is not conforming to health guidelines during these challenging times.  Contact us if you should have questions or a need at hand.

Sincerely,

Kevin Buchanan
Terra-Petra | President

Los Angeles Office:
700 S. Flower Street
Suite #2580
Los Angeles, Ca. 90017
213-458-0494

Terra-Petra Attends 18th Annual Brownfield Training Conference in LA

In 1996, a cross-section of stakeholders came together in Pittsburgh for the very first federally co-sponsored National Brownfields Training ConferenceTerra-Petra’s environmental project team took part as an exhibitor at this 18th annual event, December 10-13, 2019, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Cosponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing formerly utilized commercial and industrial properties.

The heart of Brownfields 2019 is a dynamic educational program of speakers, discussions, mobile workshops, films and other learning formats that are calibrated to provide case study examples, program updates, and useful strategies for meeting brownfield challenges head-on.

Featuring dozens of educational sessions and mobile workshops including many showcasing the City of Angels and the redevelopment in the surrounding region, the exceptional training offered by the conference has something for both beginners and seasoned professionals.

The conference is also a premier stop for the private sector with a vibrant exhibit hall and other transactional activities that are catered towards companies doing the business of brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. The exhibit hall featured federal agencies, engineering firms, and environmental cleanup companies (i.e. Terra-Petra), as well as legal and financial expertise, nonprofits, and other types of organizations.

How L.A.’s museum district is rebuilding.

Terra-Petra is proud to be part of the 5411 Wilshire, a planned $400 million apartment and retail complex at 5411 Wilshire Blvd. in the historical Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, led by Walter N. Marks Inc. (developer) and Keating Architecture.  A recent Los Angeles article covers the exciting and much needed changes along the famous Wilshire Blvd. supporting the immediate community and the 5411 Wilshire project.

L.A.’s museum district is rebuilding. But they’re ignoring pedestrians (again)

However, we are not certain  about how the changes will affect pedestrians in a negative way. In fact the changes we have taken part in will only benefit those who visit or frequent the Miracle Mile!
2018 CALIFORNIA LAND RECYCLING CONFERENCE = Terra-Petra Brownfield Services

Terra-Petra to Sponsor of CA Brownfields Conference | Carson, California

2018 CALIFORNIA LAND RECYCLING CONFERENCE

Presented by Center for Creative Land Recycling, CA Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9

October 24th & 25th, 2018
at the Carson Event Center:   801 East Carson Street, Carson, California
CA Brownfield Conference

CCLR, DTSC and US EPA will present an intensive two-day redevelopment workshop geared towards the unique characteristics of redevelopment in California.

JUST ANNOUNCED!  DTSC will provide an overview of its upcoming Vapor Intrusion (VI) guidance updates at the California Land Recycling Conference.  Be part of the conversation as DTSC VI experts and authors/contributors discuss the guidance publicly for the first time to a brownfields-focused audience.

Learn more at:   https://www.cclr.org/california-land-recycling-conference-2018

Those attending this year may get in touch with us prior to the conference to arrange for a face-to-face meeting time.

Contact us via email here   or call the main Los Angeles office to speak with Justin Conaway:    213.458.0494.

Learn more about Terra-Petra’s Brownfield Services.

TERRA-PETRA SPONSORS CLA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CONFERENCE AT YOSEMITE

Terra-Petra Sponsors 27th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite®

The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite® is presented annually by the California Lawyers Association (CLA) and is held at Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite, Thursday-Sunday, October 18-21, 2018.

The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite® is nationally recognized as the largest and most prestigious gathering in California of leaders in environmental, land use, and natural resources law. Many of the nation’s top environmental officials, lawyers, and other professionals will be at this well attended conference in the spectacular setting of Yosemite.

Read more about schedule, program, etc. here.

Here are some highlights from this year’s conference.

Terra-Petra Sponsors Bar Association of San Francisco Environmental Law Section Event

Terra-Petra was a proud sponsor of The Bar Association of San Francisco Environmental Law Section event, “Meet Your Environmental Regulators” on October 4, 2018.

The Annual Members Reception provided construction industry professionals with the opportunity to meet with representatives of many important environmental regulatory agencies, including:

California Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Coastal Commission
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
California Attorney General’s Office
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bay Area County Local Oversight Programs
U. S. Department of Justice
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Native American Heritage Commission

http://static.ow.ly/docs/G182908-3_7YWy.pdf

 

Terra-Petra consults on newest LA Multifamily Developments to Implement Tetris-Style Parking System

Two new multifamily developments in Los Angeles are getting a unique Tetris-style semi-automated parking system that could lead to a shift in how residents park their vehicles. In late summer 2018, Beverly Hills-based Markwood Enterprises broke ground on a 14-unit, 16K SF multifamily property in mid-Wilshire and a 13-unit, 12K SF multifamily development in Larchmont. Each offers one unit for very-low-income tenants.

Terra-Petra provided environmental consulting pre- and during the ground breaking as well as waterproofing consulting  services for the  a two-level subterranean semi-automated puzzle shift parking system developed by CityLift.

“Every developer in LA knows if you can’t park it, you can’t build it,” Markwood Development Director Simon M. Aftalion said. “This enables us to pack in the density in a responsible way. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to house this many units because we wouldn’t be able to park them.”

Multifamily developments in Los Angeles are required to have two parking spaces for each two-bedroom unit, one and a half spaces for one-bedroom units and one space for studios. But the innovative system by Oakland-based CityLift could start a trend in the city’s multifamily landscape that allows developers to build more density with less space, Aftalion said.

Dunsmuir Row, 1233 South Dunsmuir in mid-Wilshire will offer 18 parking spots, while the project, Elmwood Row, on 4807 Elmwood Ave. in Larchmont will have 16 parking spaces.

Read Urbanize Los Angeles Article.

The puzzle shift — sometimes referred to as a puzzle lift — system appears as a stacked four-by-two grid. When a resident parks in a reserved spot, the system shifts or slides the vehicle or lifts it into place. The cars can be accessed independently. It takes an average of 30 seconds for a resident to retrieve a vehicle.     Read the entire article on Bisnow.com.

Courtesy of CityLift – A CityLift puzzle shift parking system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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