Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Rosana Privitera-Biondo, KC Borden, Greg Chastain, Sang Duong, Scott Hoisington, Steve Janasz, Dave Kendrick, Bob Looman, Dave Lovetere, Herb Millard, Payne Mendenhall, Barbara Schilling, Colleen White, Doug York, Bob Jacobi.
•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•A happy Veterans’ Day was wished for all veterans.
•Positive election results Tuesday included passage of KCMO Public Safety Sales Tax and Missouri Amendment 3. Negatives included passage of Prop A, meaning an April earnings tax election for KCMO, a concern are changes in Missouri legislative leadership. Many freshmen legislators in Missouri, many new county leaders and a new Kansas governor will require hard work at building relationships.
•The new Missouri Senate President Pro Tem, Rob Mayer, indicated right-to-work legislation is a personal priority for him. A meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 16 in Jefferson City, 10 a.m. at Truman Hotel among labor leaders to plan strategy.
•Legislation is being refined to address future attempts at a “driveway” tax such as was passed in Mission, Ks. Draft legislation will be sent to the committee.
•The Missouri Tax Credit Review Commission is close ot issuing its recommendations. Consideration of the construction jobs created in evaluating tax credit impact will be recommended. Tax credits that generate a net gain for the state have been identified as have those which do not or are not being used.
•The LMC Public Officials Reception is set for Thursday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.
•NICE is planning for the 2011 iBuild with date and venue to be selected soon; is working on a grant through MODOT, is working with the KCMO and other school districts to expand Crayons to CAD and iBuild participation, had a successful golf tournament and the committee suggested continued looking to banks for more financial support.
•Energize Missouri will be launched Monday to encourage weatherization of homes. The program includes both tax rebates and favorable mortgage refinance opportunities for homeowners who do significant changes improving energy efficiency.
•A web sites is being launched, fixmyhomekc.com, by Sheet Metal Workers Local 2 to promote union contractors doing residential work. Contractors are invited to submit their contact information and logo. Promotion will include a Nov. 27 Mavericks game. More details to come.
•The ASA Awards Dinner will be March 10, 2011, at the Ritz Charles.
•Changes in Kansas may allow permitting to be completed for the new power plant, which would begin construction in June.
•The Unified Government has begun requiring prevailing wage on all tax abated projects.
•The Independence School District signed the first Project Labor Agreement in the area for a decade, and has been issuing bid awards.
•A check for $26,000 for Truman Medical Centers has been given thanks to the Greater KC Building Trades Golf Tournament. A ceremony will be scheduled soon.
•MODOT has told Columbia, Mo., that it now requires the lowest bid, not allowing consideration of lowest and best, in its contracts, meaning local governments may have to work with contractors who are on MODOT’s approved list but whom they have had negative experiences with. MODOT commissioners will be contacted regarding this.
•The next meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 9 at Mark One.