Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, Mark One Electric, 909 Troost
Attending: Terry Akins, Tim Bell, Rosana Biondo, KC Borden, Jim Delaney, Gary Eagan, Lyle Farrand, Don Greenwell, Scottt Hoisington, Steve Janasz, Pat Julo, Dave Kendrick, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Payne Mendenhall, Herb Millard, Dennis O’Grady, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi,.
•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•Sponsors are being sought for the Construction Summit Jan. 29. Invitations will be sent soon.
•The LMC Board will meet with KCMO Interim City Manager Troy Schulte in January. The city’s purchasing policies will be one of the items discussed.
•The U.S. Senate health care bill still has a benefits tax; the level of small business exemption is also an issues. A bill is expected to be voted on soon so input to area senators is crucial. NECA and MCA support an exemption level of five employees/$200K.
•Jackson County and the Missouri Dept. of Labor have agreed on prevailing wage enforcement.
•WIth EPA enforcement of lead awareness training for workers on non-certified structures built after 1978 that will house children beginning in April 2010, there is grave concern about getting workers trained. Fines will be $37,0000 per day per worker. The Builders’ and Building Trades met with Rep. Cleaver and he is sympathetic but administration action is needed to either postpone the effective date or reduce the fines. Bob Jacobi was asked to set up a meeting with Sen. McCaskill’s office on this issue. The Builders’ is doing training in January, February and March.
•Efforts are underway to return to previous rules related to pension fund balances for multiemployer plans--HR 3936.
•The Building Trades is working with groups to educate weatherization workers in what is needed to qualify for apprenticeship programs. Davis-Bacon wage rates that were set are too low to integrate the weatherization efforts and apprenticeship programs.
•The Missouri Dept. of Labor quickly got bids put out on millions in stimulus money for water and wastewater treatment.
•Contractors on public projects who fall behind on fringe fund payments--an increasingly common situation across the state. Such practices can create violations of prevailing wage and other legal problems. Unions, funds and general contractors are urged to address such problems early, 1-2 months in, rather than when subcontractors are many months behind.
•Gary Eagan will represent the LMC on the City of IndependenceCDBD/HOME Annual Advisory Committee.
•Enforcement is increasing on employee withholding funds being put in their 401K and other trust funds
•Bridgette Williams is leaving the Greater KC AFL-CIO for the Heavy Constructors Association. She is being replaced as president by Pat Dujakovich, Fire Fighters Local 3808, and Pat Julo, Pipefitters Local 533, will become secretary -treasurer.
•Legislative sessions begin Jan. 7 in Missouri and Jan. 11 in Kansas.
•The American Diabetes Association is holding a “Let’s Get Jazzed” fundraiser Jan. 20, 6-9 p.m. at the American Jazz Museum. Sponsorships are being sought; contact Herb Millard or Paul Stucky for idetails.
•Rosie Biondo will be installed as chairman of the Kansas City Kansas Chamber Feb. 25.
•IBEW Local 124 will hold a Green Summit at it s hall April 8.
•Colleen White thanks those who made contributions to H.O.R.S.E., a charity for children with autism.
•The next meeting will be Jan. 14, 2010, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn.