Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Jose Aragon, Nigel Bayless, Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Kent Eagen, Josh Franklin, Steve Gercone, Chris Heegn, Shannon Jaax, Ralph Oropeza, Tina Shonk-Little, Whitney Morgan, Brandon Schaaf, Jacobe Sizemore, Chris Stanton, Stacey Zerr, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #32 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Shannon Jaax and Whitney Morgan presented on the Kansas City Public Schools planned April 2025 bond issue. The district has not had a bond issue in 60 years and as a result many district building are in substandard condition and less than ideal learning environments. There have been no new buildings since 1996. The district has identified $1.25 billion in needs, but a realistically is looking at $650 million in improvements over 10 years. About $100 million will be achieved through certificate of participation bonds that the school board can pass with no tax increase or public vote with work starting next summer, but the remaining projects will need to be funded via a bond issue that requires a tax increase and public vote with 4/7ths yes vote required. A steering committee (the LMC has been represented) has developed recommendations for a capital improvements plan to be voted on by the board later this month. The plan likely will include renovations, some new construction, some school consolidation and changing the uses of some district buildings to better meet student learning needs.
Next steps include the board approval Aug. 16 (it can be live-streamed or seen later at the website), Bond 101 workshops on Aug. 22 and Sept. 9, and a Say Yes election committee formed in November. Input from the community including the construction industry is sought at each step. The district is recruiting Community Ambassadors to help educate about the bonds and invites participants from the industry.
Committee members urged a focus on better preparing students for careers in the trades with improved math and reading comprehension abilities. There has been extensive discussion of a much enhanced Carter & Technical Education component in the bond issue plans, and all of the improvements are geared to improve student learning. Committee members noted that a procurement process that ensures quality construction and compliance with prevailing wage and other regulations is crucial. The district plans an oversight committee for the projects that could include labor representation, and invited further discussions on ways to achieve high quality and compliance. McCownGordon and JE Dunn will be involved with construction being a CM at risk structure. More details can be found at the district’s website for the bond issue, kcpublicschools.org/bond and questions/suggestions can be directed to [email protected] and [email protected] and [email protected].
•Tuesday’s election results were mostly positive for the industry and labor though the passage of Missouri Amendment 4 was a disappointment.
•The Missouri legislature next meets in veto session Sept. 11. The only issue that may be of impact would be if a concurrent special session is called to address Chiefs and Royals stadiums.
•The Unions United Kickball Tournament will be Oct. 5. Teams of 10 players are welcome.
•Fishing for Freedom seeks more fishermen and boats to accommodate the military veterans signed up as well as volunteers to help The event is Oct. 11-13 at Truman Lake. Details can be found at www.fishingforfreedom.us.
•Those who attended the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference praised the quality of the conference. Next year more time and possibly space will be allocated for the prevailing wage session. Suggestions are welcome for speakers and topics. Hotel reservations are already available; the code for the conference rate will be sent out soon.
•The LMC has its Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 12, Mid-Level Leadership beginning Sept. 25 and Public Officials Reception with BOMA-KC Oct. 10.
•Upcoming events:
*KC Labor Car & Motorcycle Show, Aug. 10, 8 a.m. Azura Amphitheater
*CREW KC Golf Tournament, Aug. 19, Canyon Farms Golf Club
*DBIA-MAR Next-Gen + Two-Light Tour & Summer Poolside Party, Aug. 28, 4-6 pm.
*Laborers Sporting Clay Shoot, Sept. 7, Powder Creek
*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Saddle & Sirloin, Sept. 12
*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21
*Mid-Level Leadership Program First Session, Sept. 25, Rockhurst University
*Missouri & Kansas Laborers Western Charity Golf Tournament, Sept. 27, Drumm Farm
*Unions United Kickball Tournament, Oct. 5, 8 a.m., City Park KCK
*LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 10, 5:30-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*Fishing for Freedom, Oct. 11-13, Truman Lake
*Election Day Nov. 5
*NICE Annual Luncheon, Nov. 12, Bartle Hall
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12
*NICE iBuild Showcase April 8, 2025
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-9, 2025, Camden on the Lake
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12 at Mark One Electric Co. The City of Independence will present on its upcoming bond issue.
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