Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: , Dave Coleman, Joey Flickner, Matt Harris, Dustin Himes, Jenna Johnson, Matt Johnson, Chuck Martin, Kelly McClellen, Mike Myers, Ralph Oropeza, Tina Richard, Daniel Roach, Wes Rogers, Tina Shonk-Little,, Chris Stanton, Stacy Zerr, Nate Zier, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #41 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance. Efforts are also underway to promote Responsible Bidder Ordinances for local governments and school districts.
•Presentation by Wes Rogers, Kansas City, Mo. City Councilman. Wes noted that the Council will choose a new city manager today, and it is currently a very close vote. He expressed hope that the Council would discuss and come up a consensus or close to consensus choice (Update: The Council chose Marion Vasquez). He updated the progress on Responsible Bidder ordinance that language is being finalized for introduction soon and hopefully a completed process by the end of June. Public safety is a key issue now; while the sales tax renewal’s success will help it is longer term. A detention facility is needed now, so the Councilman intends to introduce and ordinance to build modular pods as a temporary solution. After the new jail is built the pods could have other uses such as for temporary homeless shelter. While ideally jails would not be needed a facility is needed to address increased property and violent crime so that perpetrators can be discouraged from committing crimes and get access to mental health and other resources when they do offend. He noted the increase in homicides north of the river compared to when he was a homicide prosecutor in Clay County. Mental health is a key driver and facilities are needed to address the issue. The new state mental health facility now being built will help with 25 beds dedicated to KCMO. The Council will be looking closely at facilities Miami, FL for ideas on what approaches are successful. A grant will support the training of 40 police officers in how to make businesses safer so those officers can share the information with businesses; just one officer currently has that training. The energy code update passed by the city may be pre-empted by state legislation (HB 939, on Senate informal Calendar). Wes is hopeful that the Royals and Chiefs stay in Missouri, and based on conversations with John Sherman believes that is the Royals first choice to be downtown. A downtown stadium would be transformational for the downtown economy, but the time is running out for a decision. Significant developments are underway in the West Bottoms and the riverfront. The city needs continued development—good projects are good for all.
Committee members noted that the first phase of the Riverfront development is using mostly out-of-town workers, which does not help the local economy. The KC Port Authority has agreed to improve its processes and hire third-party compliance. State legislation desired by the port Authority is being held up because of these concerns; recent versions of the bill are improved and exempt Kansas City and St. Louis from provisions intended to help small communities but would have made it easier to circumvent KCMO agencies with higher standards. Councilman Rogers agreed and is a new appointee to the Port Authority.
•The Missouri legislature needs to pass its budget by the end of the day tomorrow (Update: It passed and goes to the Governor). The fate of Proposition A and any changes to the minimum wage or paid leave provisions is uncertain—tensions are increasing within the Senate, where a child care tax credit bill was filibustered, and between the two houses. The paid leave provision, while good for workers, is extremely complex for employers who have contingent employees (such as construction) and employees in bordering states with different or no paid leave provisions. It also differs from the federal requirement for its contractors. There have been negotiations on amendments ranging from repeal to those better accommodating the construction and similar industries. However it is in effect now and legislation to make changes may not make it this session. There is potential for a previous question call in the Senate if this bill or an abortion bill is filibustered, so beyond the budget other legislation getting passed is uncertain.
•NICE is seeking input from training directors and contractors while expanding its teacher outreach and training on the construction industry. Nate serves on the Governor’s Task For for workforce development and the state is looking to increase apprenticeship and other forms of workplace exposure for students before graduation, creating good opportunities for contractors and trades.
The committee had an extensive discussion on workforce needs. Most apprenticeship programs are full with waiting lists, but there needs to be continued projects for those workers to have long-term jobs. Apprenticeship standards especially on publicly-funded work are critical to building careers for workers entering the industry. Union workers and contractors are the gold standard of quality, productivity and on-time performance, and often costs less than nonunion. Developers and public officials need to be more aware of these advantages.
More contractors are also needed so the message to educators, parents and young people is that those opportunities exist and apprenticeship programs are an excellent path to construction management as well. Most crafts conduct training for members interested in becoming contractors. The Bank of Labor provides sessions on the financial aspects of the business. Labor history is also a vital subject not taught in schools, so students don’t know the opportunities and rights available to them. Tina Richard noted this was here experience working nonunion until she learned of IBEW opportunity.
Committee members also urged that more building, especially housing, be built using concrete, metal or block rather than wood for better quality, longevity and environmental impact.
•Heartland Women in Trades has received a grant and has hired Jenna Johnson to staff the grant efforts. HWIT also encourages attendance at the Missouri Women in Trades Summit May 31 in Columbia and will soon have details available for its fundraising kickball tournament Oct. 4.
•Upcoming Events:
•DBAI Next Gen in KC Roundtable, May 21
*Workers Memorial Day, May 28
*Midwest Women in Trades Summit May 31, Stephens College in Columbia
*DBIA-CCIM Happy Hour, June 4 at SERV
*Trades/Union Career Fair Hosted by Jackson County Legislators Peyton & McGee, Macedonia Baptist Church
*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament June 13, Ironhorse Golf Club, 8 a.m.
*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, June 25-26, online
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-9, 2025, Camden on the Lake
*LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament July 22, Eagles Landing Golf Club
*LMC Board Meeting, July 24, 1 p.m., McCownGordon Construction
*DBIA Certification Workshop, Sept. 10-12; 1st 10 registrants get $500 scholarhsips
*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 11, Saddle & Sirloin
*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, Sept. 24-25, online
*Heartland Women in Trades Kickball Tournament, Oct. 4
*LMC/BOMA KC Public Officials Reception Oct. 16, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m., Kay Barnes Ballroom
•M/S/C to adjourn at 10:15 a.m.
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Mark One Electric Co.
The mission of the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community