CLCA Responds To Coronavirus

With advocacy, action on upcoming events and a Company/HR information portal, the California Landscape Contractors Association is taking action to help you survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Updated: 3 p.m., July 1, 2020

Pivoting to Essential in the Green Industry

CLCA Executive Director Sandra Giarde, CAE recently joined Warren Gorowitz of Hunter Industries and Chris Sabarrese of Corona Tools for a robust discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted how the industry connects, communicates and advocates.

The YouTube video takes an inside look at how CLCA was essential in helping landscape contractors to continue working as the country began shutting down in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Giarde recounts how the association helped its members to interpret the regulations coming down from state and local governments while providing guidance on continuing to work safely. With a record number of COVID-19 cases being reported, it raises more questions and doubts about the future. In this discussion, it becomes clear that as a landscape business, it’s times like this when being a member of an organization like CLCA becomes so crucial. VIEW >>

Updated: 8:30 a.m., May 16, 2020

Paycheck Protection Program Update

The U.S. Small Business Administration has provided updates on Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the Paycheck Protection Program. The SBA notes that “The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.”

• Apply Now! SBA is Still Funding Paycheck Protection Program Loans. (5/16) READ >>
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions (5/15) READ >>
• FAQ’s have been updated (5/13/20) READ >>
• A new interim final rule (5/13/20) relating to loan increases has been posted. READ >>
• Payroll Protection Program Interim Final Rules have been posted. READ >>
• The calculation of loan amounts has been better documented. READ >>

Updated: 7 p.m., May 15, 2020

CLCA Contracts Provide Increased Pandemic Protection

To provide pandemic protection to contractors and their clients, CLCA has added force majeure clauses to four of its popular legal contracts. See clca.org/contracts.

Force majeure is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation in the case of “any act of God or … unavailability of supplies, epidemic, pandemic or other public health situation or resulting government action which restrains the ability of Contractor to commence, continue or complete performance of the Agreement.”

Updated: 11 a.m., May 13, 2020

Legal Form Targets COVID Delays, Costs

Delays and additional costs are just some of the headaches contractors and clients face when returning to work. CLCA has created an addendum to its popular residential home improvement contract that addresses:

• Additional costs, such as increased travel expenses because employees can’t carpool to job sites
• Project delays due to scarcity of materials or labor
• Project termination, including who pays for what

Available as a one-page fill-in-the-blank PDF, the addendum was created by the Porter Law Group, the voice behind CLCA’s popular Attorney on Call member benefit. VIEW >>

Updated: 1 p.m., May 8, 2020

Governor Offers Guidance

Seeking to safely reopen California. Gov. Newsom has released updated industry guidance with modifications that reduce risk and establish a safer environment for workers and customers.

“It’s critical that businesses and employers understand how they can reduce the risk of transmission and better protect their workers and customers. COVID-19 will be present in our communities until there is a vaccine or therapeutic, and it will be up to all of us to change our behavior and eliminate opportunities for the disease to spread,” Gov. Newsom said.

Gov. Newsom’s announcement >>

Construction industry guidance >>

Construction industry checklist >>

Updated: 2 p.m., April 29, 2020

Bay Area: Back to Work on May 4!

Back to work on May 4! That’s the message officials gave Bay Area landscape contractors in a just-released public health order.

The new public health orders covers the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara, as well as the City of Berkeley.

“Certain outdoor businesses can also begin operating again … This includes wholesale and retail nurseries, landscapers, gardeners, and other businesses that primarily provide outdoor services as set forth in the order,” the orders state.

READ >>

Updated: 12:30 p.m., April 27, 2020

Webinar Helps You Grow Forward

The Choose to Grow Forward II webinar will give you insights into how companies are preparing and responding to employee concerns, customer responses and financial management in these challenging times.

Join five of the leading business coaches in the North American Green Profession as they offer insights that will help you Choose To Grow Forward!

This webinar brought to you by the California Landscape Contractors Association in partnership with Landscape Ontario and National Landscape Association Executives.

VIEW >>

Updated: 3 p.m., April 25, 2020

New Unemployment Insurance Guidance

Our friends at the California Employers Association – the voice of CLCA’s member benefit HR Hotline – offer updated advice and guidance on unemployment insurance and federal relief, based on new input on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act from the U.S. Department of Labor.

CEA encourages employers to avoid advising employees about their eligibility for benefits. Employees with questions about their benefit eligibility or claims should direct those questions to the EDD — even if the EDD is slow to respond. MORE >>

Updated: 4 p.m., April 20, 2020

Are Your Workers Essential?

Are your workers essential? CLCA’s exclusive legal opinion suggests “Yes, for some Californians!” CLCA is continuing its efforts to help members and the entire California green industry navigate the challenges of the past month. A key assist came from CLCA’s legal counsel, who crafted a powerful opinion on how your work as landscape professionals fits the state’s definition of “essential.”

To receive a PDF with the exclusive legal opinion tailored to members of California’s green industry, complete this form. You will also receive a sample cover letter you can complete and use should any of your crew be approached about “why are you working?”

Updated: 3 p.m., April 15, 2020

Finding Inspiration During ‘The Pause’

Not motivated while sheltering in place? Scott Wentworth, President of Wentworth Landscapes, asks Jim Paluch, President of JP Horizons, where green industry professionals can find the inspiration and energy to take action on those great ideas we know we should be doing, and move past the obstacles that so often appear and hinder our follow through. The result is an inspirational and practical hour of exchanging ideas that will help us all establish the next steps we need to take during “The Pause” to do the things we know we should do.

This webinar brought to you by CLCA in partnership with Landscape Ontario and National Landscape Association Executives.

VIEW >>

Updated: 3:30 p.m., April 8, 2020

CLCA Creates Coronavirus Guidance Summary

Looking for an easy-to-understand one-page Coronavirus Guidance summary? CLCA created just what you need! In addition to outlining key safety protocols, it describes best practices for interactions with customers and staff. Added bonus: Key resources from CLCA and various government programs. Even better, this PDF is a free download. VIEW >>

Updated: 4 p.m., April 7, 2020

Webinar: Choose To Grow Forward

Watch five leading green industry business coaches offer insights on dealing with COVID-19 that will help you choose to grow forward. Presented April 6, 2020. 68 minutes.

The Choose To Grow Forward webinar will show how successful companies are preparing and responding to employee concerns, customer responses, and financial management in these challenging times.

This webinar brought to you by CLCA in partnership with Landscape Ontario and National Landscape Association Executives. VIEW >>

Additional Resources

Additional resources offered by the presenters of the Choose To Grow Forward webinar:

• Jacki Hart, Consulting By Hart VIEW >>
• Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting VIEW >>
• Jim Paluch, JP Horizons VIEW >>
• Mark Bradley, LMN Software VIEW >>
• Phil Harwood, GrowTheBench VIEW >>

Updated: 4 p.m., March 31, 2020

Apply Now For Business Financial Relief

Over the weekend, new Federal legislation was signed to enact the CARES Act. Business financial relief is a significant part of the CARES Act and provides critical help to businesses that may have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. CLCA recommends that applications be submitted as soon as possible. MORE >>

Support for Small Businesses

California Senator Dianne Feinstein has two informative documents outlining the CARES Act.

• User-friendly guide to programs and initiatives in the bill
• Detailed explanation of business provisions in the bill

Updated: 3:30 p.m., March 27, 2020

Impact of $2 Trillion Stimulus Package

In partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, CLCA is sharing a comprehensive summary of the $2 trillion stimulus package recently passed by the Senate. Created by the lobbying firm DCLRS, the summary highlights the measure’s tax relief provisions, corporate and small business loan programs and the taxpayer rebate program. READ (PDF) >>

CARES Act: Small Business Owner’s Guide

Acting to provide small business owners with “whatever needs they have right now,” a U.S. Senate Committee has released a focused guide on the programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. If you need capital to cover the cost of retaining employees, a quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash or just some quality, free business counseling, the guide provides solutions. READ (PDF) >>

Updated: 2:30 p.m., March 27, 2020

Additional Guidance: Emergency Leave

Today, the Department of Labor issued some additional guidance on the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which requires all employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Medical Leave. MORE >>

Updated: 4:30 p.m., March 24, 2020

Webinar: Coronavirus and the Workplace

As the coronavirus crisis unfolds, employers have many questions regarding reducing risk, business impact, and managing employees. In this CLCA Member Advantage webinar, we’ll provide answers. Special thanks to CLCA Insurance Solutions for sponsoring this webinar. View at clca.org/webinars

Update: Statewide Stay-In-Place Order

CLCA is working on behalf of our green industry and in that regard, we offer the following guidance and update for what continues to be a fluid and developing situation.

CLCA Members >>

Green Industry Professionals >>

Email Updates for Employees of CLCA Member Companies >>