Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Rudy Chavez, Brian Curtin, Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Chris Ellis, Joey Flickner, Matt Harris, Dustin Himes, Mike Himes, Todd Howerton, Amy Jordan-Wooden, Dominick Klobe, Rocky Kloth, Dan Loftis, Check Martin, Bridget McCadnliss, Bo Moreno, Pam Nolte, Ralph Oropeza, Josh Schmidt, Tina Shonk-Little, Bill Tillman, Zach Walker, Nate Zier, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #38 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 the City of Independence on its proposed bond issue to appear on the April 8 ballot. City Manager Zach Walker, Councilwoman Bridget McCandliss and consultant Amy Jordan-Wooden represented the city. This would be the city’s first ever General Obligation bond. The issue will be in three ballot questions for a total of $197 million: Public Safety, $130 million; Infrastructure $55 million, and Historic Sites/Athletic Complex $12 million. For public safety the bond would allow for demolition of the current police headquarters which is in poor shape and too small to meet the needs. All police functions, municipal courts and related services would be consolidated in one place at the building now housing offices for the city’s utilities, putting police closer to the city center. The public safety portion also includes purchasing the animal center from Jackson County and refurbishing it. The infrastructure component would double the city’s road maintenance budget while repairing and replaces 13 bridges that are failing. The historic sites funding would make repairs to the Vaile mansion, the Bingham-Waggoner estate and Truman Memorial Building, and the city’s athletics complex would get repairs and upgrades while allowing for uses that better fit community needs. When fully implemented, the bonds would add about $20 per month to the property tax bill of the average Independence home. The city plans an aggressive community outreach to explain the proposal and take questions, while a campaign led by the Independence Chamber will advocate for passage. The bonds require a 57% majority to pass. City leaders are optimistic that the proposal will pass with a strong education effort and a strong campaign. While the bonds will not address all of the city’s infrastructure needs, performance on these could set the stage for future no tax increase issues that could provide future funding for needs such as a community center. Details are available at independencemo.gov.
•M/S/C to recommend to the LMC Board that the LMC endorse the City of Independence bond issues on the April 8, 2025 ballot. The LMC Board will meet Jan. 22.
•The Missouri legislature opens this week; committee assignments are yet to be made. New House Speaker Jon Patterson has indicated that bills promoting “right-to-work” will not advance in the House. A bill from Rep. Gallick that would prompt local governments from enacting workforce rules beyond the state and federal ones is of concern.
•NICE has reduced the exhibitor fees for the iBuild Showcase on April 8 at Bartle Hall. The registrations link for booths is now open. Participation by the trades is crucial for the event’s success, and it remains the one with the most diverse population of student participants. Missouri legislation that would increase the Perkins allocation for career and technical programs is being considered. The amount has remained flat for decades despite increases in cost for equipment and the implementation of more programs. NICE will keep the committee apprised of any progress on the issue.
*The USDOL Women’s Bureau is sponsoring a session on making workplaces safer from gender harassment and violence and including all industries on Jan. 15, 9 a.m. at the Firefighters Local 42 Hall. Heartland Women in Trades is a sponsor.
•Upcoming events:
*Missouri Gubernatorial Inauguration, Jan. 13, Jefferson City
*Kansas Legislative Session Begins, Jan 13
*Safer Workplaces, Strong Communities, USDOL & HWIT, 9 a.m., Jan .15, Firefighters Local 42
*LMC Board Meeting, Jan. 22
*DBIA-MAR 2025 Kickoff at Lockton, Jan. 23
*Working Families Friend Casino Night, Jan. 31, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO
*CREW KC Luncheon Laying the Groundwork: KC’s 2025 Project Timeline, Feb. 26, 11:30 a.m.
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 6-7, Adams Pointe Conference Center
*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, March 18-19, online
*Election Day for Missouri local governments and school districts, April 8
*NICE iBuild Showcase April 8, 2025
*LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, April 10, Argosy Casino
*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 Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 11, Saddle & Sirloin
*USDOL Davis-Bacon Seminar, Sept. 24-25, online
*NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 23
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, 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