The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Challenge Draws 100+ Kids in First KC Event

Kansas City hosted its first Construction Challenge event Saturday, Feb. 7, drawing more than 100 middle and high school students.  Winning teams go to the national contest in Nashville, TN.

Organized locally by the National Institute for Construction Excellence, the KC event was one of 15 nationally sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.  Participating students came from KC-area schools plus one team from Illinois.  The students competed in a series of exercises designed to stimulate their interest in construction and help build their critical thinking, communication, math and science skills.

NICE is also preparing for the annual iBuild event at Bartle Hall May 5.  More than 1,500 middle and high school students are expected to participate along with dozens of construction and related organizations.  Winners of the Crayons to CAD middle school program will also be determined at the iBuild event.

For more information contact Craig Wright, NICE, at wrightcraigg@aol.com.

Construction Committee Meets Feb. 12

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Construction Commiittee Focuses on Economic Stimulus Efforts

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending: Ken Alexander, Rosana Biondo, Jim Delaney, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Mike Kotubey, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Bill Miller,  Ron Shaffer, Paul Stucky, John Tompson, Colleen White, Tom Whittaker, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•Note Paul Stucky in attendance from Lockton.  Lockton just joined the LMC.

•Federal and state stimulus/economic development issues are on the table and will see some action soon.  The Construction Committee is particularly concerned with funding of key local projects  (such as Honeywell relocation and GSA building) from the federal package and key tax credits in place or proposed in Missouri.  The mechanism for funding from the federal program is unclear.  A list of identified projects developed by the Building Trades will be distributed.  KCMO plans to focus on the top 10 priority projects.  The LMC Issues Committee will meet before the LMC Board meeting Jan. 21; input from committee members is welcome on crafting the LMC’s positions and priorities for the 2009 legislative sessions.

•There is concern that when current large projects wind down later this year, there are few new projects firmed up.  A focus on regaining market share for smaller projects and continued organizing would help with the gap until the market improves.  Continuing to keep and recruit workers, particularly minorities, is crucial to be prepared for the turnaround though will be challenging.  Tools such as lower rates for residential and small projects should be utilized more.

•The most recent report for the KCMO Workforce Board on that ordinance and its impact will be made later today.

•The Construction Summit committee met with Tom Whitaker about highlighting the J.E. Dunn headquarters project as part of the summit, and making sure the workers on the project were aware of the special programs in place.  Dunn will move forward to generate that awareness.  Components of the summit would also include the opportunities presented by BIM, capabilities of union contractors on smaller jobs, the CURT study showing union construction is 16.8% less expensive and apprenticeship and journeyman training programs.  As the KCCP is awaiting further meetings before moving forward, the summit would highlight these efforts under the LMC and include KCCP if appropriate.  A summit committee meeting will be scheduled soon.

•The OSHA and disaster response training class has openings remaining.  The class, Feb. 9-13, is for more than just safety directors and is relevant for all craft workers, project managers and others with some safety training background.  Those who take the course can improve their employers’ insurance ratings as well as position them for work in disaster recovery efforts.

•The American Subcontractors Association annual dinner is March 3 at the Ritz Charles.  The ASA is working on a big name speaker for the event.

•NICE is working on the Construction Challenge Feb. 7 at Metropolitan Community Colleges’ Business & Technology Center.  There are 25 teams signed up, and room for 25 more.  Sponsors are being sought for the teams of 5-7 high school students to compete; the top team goes to the national event.  Volunteers are also needed for the event.

NICE is also planning iBuild and seeking booth sponsors.  The expansion of Crayons to CAD to nine school districts and more than 1,000 students means those students will all attend iBuild as well as other middle and high school students.  The May 5 event is at Bartle Hall.  NICE is also proceeding with the Van Horn High School program.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

•MSC to adjourn.

As a service to recent and new attendees, here is more information on those atending the Jan. 8 meeting:

Ken Alexander, Business Manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2 (past LMC Co-Chair)

Rosana Privitera-Biondo, President, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Jim Delaney, Vice President, Turner Construction Co. (LMC Co-Chair)

Lyle Farrand, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 541

Don Greenwell, President, Builders’ Association (LMC Treasurer)

Garry Kemp, Executive Vice Preasident, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council (Outgoing LMC Secretary)

Dave Kendrick, Business Manager, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council (Incoming LMC Secretary)

Mike Kotubey, President, Midwet Mechanical Contractors/Incoming President, Mechanical Contractors Association

Bob Looman, Executive Director, Mechanical Contractors Association

Dave Lovetere, DST Realty

Payne Mendenhall, Director, Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET)

Herb Millard, Executive Director, American Subcontractors Association and NICE

Bill Miller, American Subcontractors Association and President, Building Erection Services

Ron Shaffer, RLS Architects and Mayor, Prairie Village

Paul Stucky, Lockton Insurance

John Tompson, Business Representative, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 3

Colleen White, President, Strategic Workplace Solutions

Tom Whittaker, Senior Vice President, J.E. Dunn Construction Co. (past LMC Co-Chair)

Craig Wright, Executive Director, National Institute for Construction Excellence (NICE)

Bob Jacobi, Executive Director, Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Meets Jan. 8

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Please contact the LMC office with questions.

Construction Committee Discusses Infrastructure Stimulus, Kemp Retirement (Partial!)

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending: Rosana Biondo, Troy Carlson, Jim Delaney, Lyle Farrand, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Mike Kotubey, Bob Looman, Herb Millard, Bill Miller, B.Z. Parscale,  John Tompson, Dan West, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi, Dan Osman.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•A key factor in limiting the economic slowdown for construction is the federal economic stimulus proposal focus on infrastructure.  The Building Trades have gathering--and are seeking more--projects that could be on the street quickly if funds were available and have a list from KCMO of $746 million (see attached).

   Contractor groups including the ASA are working on changes in Missouri’s lien law.  A bill is

expected to be pre filed; contentious issues include legal fees.  A Kansas bill is being pre filed to regulate controlled insurance programs so that they cover all aspects and allow for review by subcontractors’ agents.  Taking effect Jan. 1 in Kansas bans add insured.

  Also taking effect Jan. 1 in Missouri is the requirement for contractors on public jobs to use E-verify or similar system. On Aug. 28 requirements for OSHA training take effect.

•The city of Kansas City, Mo., is hosting an open forum on the workforce ordinance Dec. 17, 9 a.m. at the Downtown Marriott (see attached).  The program also will feature the city’s First Source Hiring Program.

  The Unified Government is also developing an affirmative action ordinance, now in its third draft.  A hearing will be held on Dec. 17, 6 p.m. in the county commission meeting room.  Contractors and crafts are urged to attend and to advocate for rules and forms as close to those of KCMO as possible to limit costs and focus on practices already shown to be effective.

•The Kansas City Construction Partners is working with current nonparticipants to see if the program can be all-inclusive.  More meetings will be held in January

•Preliminary meetings and research are underway for the next Construction Summit.  No firm date is set.

•Upcoming events include the opening of the Missouri legislature Jan. 7, the opening of the

Kansas legislature and Missouri gubernatorial inauguration Jan. 12, LMC Board Jan. 21, LMC Awards Dinner April 16 and Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-8.

•The Building Trades is offering OSHA train-the-trainer session Feb. 9-13.  The deadline for registrations Jan. 15.  Both management and union safety folks are welcome.  The fee is $75. (see attached)

•NICE is seeking a speaker and sponsor for next week’s Power Lunch at Van Horn High; seeking teams and sponsors ($120 per team) for the Construction Challenge Feb. 7; and booth sponsors fir iBuild May 5.  Teacher training for Crayons-to-CAD will be held soon and about 1,000 students are expected to participate.  Contact Craig Wright to sponsor teams for the Construction Challenge, with questions about iBuild and to participate in the Power Lunch.

•The committee recognized Garry Kemp on his upcoming retirement as Business Manager for the Building Trades Council and congratulated Dave Kendrick who will be his successor.  Garry will continue to work part-time for the Building Trades.

•Garry is serving on the Transition Team for Missouri Gov-Elect Jay Nixon and strongly encourages industry leaders to submit their names for consideration for appointment to state boards and commissions; more than 500 appointments will be made in the next year by Gov. Nixon.  Please visit the web site, govelect.mo.gov, to make application and then inform Garry that you have done so.  Most positions require Missouri residency.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•Have a great holidays!

Construction Committee Meets Dec. 11

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 11 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.  Please contact the LMC with any questions.

Construction Committee Views Check Presentation to TMC

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Terry Aikens, Rosana Biondo, Troy Carlson, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Dave Lovetere, Bob Looman, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Lonnie Scott, Ron Shaffer, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Bob Jacobi, Valerie Fulbright, Deb Bass. Greg Davison.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•Election results Nov. 4 included positive results for two LMC positions:  opposition to judicial elections and support for the Triangle tax in Johnson County.  New leaders will be in place for nearly every state position in Missouri as well as the Presidency, and the Kansas legislative positions (and possibly Governor) will be determined later and could also have changes.

(Note for those interested:  There will be a presentation on the difficult state of the Missouri budget Dec. 4, 8-10 a.m., Penn Valley Community College Education Bldg., Room 019.  It’s free but RSVPs required at www.mobudget.org).  The LMC is one of the groups presenting to the Missouri legislative freshmen Nov. 22.  Education and NICE will be the focus of the LMC presentation.

•The Construction Summit Planning Committee met and is developing the target audience of owners/developers not currently using organized contractors, and the program.  Developments regarding the Kansas City Construction Partners will help drive the program, which would also focus on apprenticeship and training.

•The Building Trades is holding an OSHA 500 & 7600 class Feb. 9-13 and an entrepreneurship class beginning Feb. 12 (info attached).

•The LMC Public Officials Reception is Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott/Old Muehlbach lobby.  Please rsvp to the LMC.

•NICE has begun Power Lunches at Van Horn High School; the latest speaker was Rosie Biondo, who drew the highest attendance to date.  Crayons to CAD will be implemented in all middle schools in KCMO, KCK, Hickman Mills and Center school districts, reaching more than 1,000 students.  A new program to KC, the Construction Challenge, is drawing teams from throughout the region Feb. 7, location to be determined.  Booth and sponsor registration for iBuild, May 5. 2009 is now available.  NICE is also negotiating with the KCMOSD for implementation of the high school curriculum.  BNIM is now providing marketing assistance.  Anyone with photos of construction workers in action are asked to submit them to Craig Wright, wrightcraigg@aol.com, for possible inclusion in curriculum materials for the 2009 Crayons to CAD.

•The Building Trades is encouraging construction industry union members and contractors to submit resumes to them for recommendation to the incoming Missouri governor for appointments.  Those interested on serving on boards and commissions can be of either party.

•Guests were welcomed for a presentation of a check for $24,500 to Truman Medical Centers Foundation.  The money was raised by the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council annual Golf Tournament earlier this year.  The funds will purchase much-needed new equipment for the neonatal unit at the Lakewood campus of the hospital.  Guests included Valerie Fulbright and Deb Bass from Truman and Greg Davison from the Building Trades golf committee.  An additional $1,000 is expected to be generated for the project.  Garry Kemp noted that the Building Trades represents craft workers at the hospital and that construction projects use union labor, as well as TMC’s membership in the LMC and the honor the LMC has given to TMC CEO John Bluford.

Photos will be posted later.

•The next meeting will be at 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 11 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Construction Committee Meets Nov. 13

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost, Kansas City, Mo.

Construction Committee Suggests JC Triangle Tax Support

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost

Attending:  Rosana Biondo, Troy Carlson, Lyle Farrand, Ken Keltner, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Payne Mendenhall, Bill Miller, Herb Millard, Ron Shaffer, Jon Thompson, Colleen White, Craig Wright, Doug York, Bob Jacobi.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•Committee members are urged to contact the Kansas City, Mo., Council in support of the NNSA/Honeywell project.  An ordinance now before the Council would approve the economic incentives needed.  The project is now held up in Plans and Zoning due to concerns of nuclear weapons opponents and the needed environmental remediation at the current facility.  The next P&Z meeting is Oct. 15, 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.  Terry Riley is committee chair.

•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC endorse the Johnson County Technology Triangle tax proposal on the November ballot.

•Proposed changes in Missouri’s lien law will be researched and discussed.  Bill Miller will bring a report with more details to the November meeting.

•The Kansas City Construction Partners are moving forward.  Meetings with the Roundtable advisory group have been held, and implementation details are being determined.

•The Construction Summit Planning Committee is being formed.  Committee members include Rosie Biondo, Payne Mendenhall and Herb Millard.  Contact Bob Jacobi if you want to serve on the committee.  The Carpenters and Iron Workers will also be asked to serve.  The time frame is now April/June for the industry and rank-and-file events.  Rosie Biondo will organize the first meeting, hopefully before the next CIC meeting.

•The next statewide construction labor-management meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.  All are invited to attend.

•The LMC Public Officials Reception will be Nov. 20.  Sponsorships are still available.

•Colleen White will participate in a teleconference seminar on prevailing wage law compliance with Spencer Fane on Oct. 31 at noon, and also invited Committee members to a Nov. 12 session by Power Group Benefits on dealing with a wage-and-hour DOL audit.

•The American Subcontractors Association is hosting an Expo on Nov. 12, 4-8 p.m. for general and subcontractors to have the opportunity to network.   A buffet will be available; booths are available for general contractors and the cost to attend is $50.  Contact Herb Millard for details.

•Garry Kemp has joined the Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank’s 10th District.  He is seeking information from contractors on their current and projected trends in business, finance and workforce to share with the Advisory Board and regional president Tom Hoenig.  The next meeting is Oct. 22 and he requests input before that meeting. (816-836-8485, gkkcbtrades@aol.com).

•NICE is implementing its high school program at Van Horn, beginning with Power Lunches where industry leaders meet with students.  A.J. Byrd spoke earlier this week and Rosie Biondo speaks at the next one.  Speakers and sponsors are being sought.  Curriculum implementation begins in January.  Crayons to CAD is also being implemented in the Hickman Mills and Kansas City, Kansas districts, and curriculum for both programs are tentatively slated to be in the Kansas City, Mo., School District next year.  iBuild booths are now available to be reserved.  NICE is also running the Construction Challenge program in the Kansas City region for the Associated Equipment Manufacturers.  The contest will be Feb. 7 with the winners going to the national contest.

•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at Mark One Electric Co.

•M/S/C to adjourn.

Construction Committee to Meet Oct. 9

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Also for those interesed in industry issues, the Minority Coalition annual banquet will be Oct. 6 at Argosy Casino.  It will feature economists, elected officials and leaders in diversifying the area construction industry.  Contact April at 842-7023 for more information.