The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

For October only, the LMC's monthly Construction Industry Committee will be meeting at Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, 2902 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO 64129, and will have just one agenda item: Discussion of revisions to the National Power Maintenance Agreement. Refreshments will be available at 7:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 8 a.m.

The LMC congratulates Esther George for her appointment as the new Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank president as of Oct. 1, as well as thanks outgoing President Tom Hoenig for his support of the LMC. Hoenig recently organized, and George participated in, a meeting of leaders from the LMC Construction Industry Committee and leading area bankers to discuss how to generate more financing for economic development.

We also congratulate Steven Green for his appointment as the interim superintendent of the Kansas City, Mo., School District. Dr. Green has served on the board of the National Institute for Construction Excellence, which the LMC has strongly supported.

Trustees of Taft-Hartley benefit plans learned about changes in regulations and the importance of prudent management of the plans at Understanding Your Fiduciary Responsibilities Sept. 15. The seminar was sponsored by MorganStanleySmith Barney and the LMC, with support from Fidelity.
Keynote speaker Mark Underwood, associate regional director of the U.S. Dept. of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, explained new rules for plans and particularly for investment advisors. He also discussed the DOL's investigation and enforcement efforts and gave tips on how to address audits and prevent problems. Brian Dunn and Bridget Thoenen, Dunn & Davison, provided advice on identifying compliance issues and how to address them. And David Black, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, led a panel discussion providing more depth on the issue.
For more information contact Janis Dickey at [email protected].

American health care can both improve quality and control costs if patients, physicians, nurses, hospitals, employers, insurers and government collaborate, according to health care leaders convened Sept. 15 at the kickoff of Care About Your Care sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
A group of health care leaders were gathered by Dr. Mehmut Oz to highlight the innovative ways communities around the nation are enhancing health care. In Kansas City a diverse group was brought together by the Kansas City Quality Improvement Consortium (KCQIC) and the Mid-America Coalition on Health Care, generated ideas for local improvements some of which are already underway. The LMC was a sponsor.
For more information go to careaboutyourcare.org or contact KCQIC, qualityhealthtogether.org or www.kcqic.org .

Reminder: Applications are due Sept. 15 for the Mid-Level Leadership Program. Contact Bob Jacobi, [email protected], for application form and info. If you plan to apply but won't have the form completed by then, please let us know so a spot can be reserved. The first session is Sept. 28.

Construction Committee Learns about Proposed Zoo Tax

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2011, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Sam Alpert,  Troy Carlson, Greg Chastain, Jim Delaney, Sang Duong,  Don Greenwell, Joe Hudson, Steve Janasz,  Ron Johnson, Dennis Joyce, Kevin King, Mike Kotubey, Dave Kendrick, Bill Livingston, Vince Migliazzo, Herb Millard, Dan Osman, Barbara Schilling,  Derek Ramsey, John Tompson, Tom Whittaker, Colleen White, Keith Winn, Doug York, Chuck Caisley, Janice Dickey, Christian Morgan, Bob Jacobi.

•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.

•Presentation from Chuck Caisley, KCPL, and Christian Morgan, Axiom Strategies, on behalf of the sales tax proposal for the Kansas City Zoo on the Nov. 8 ballot.  The 1/8th cent tax will provide $120 million in capital improvements if passed in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte Counties.  It is on the ballot in Jackson and Clay but court action is needed to recognize petitions to put it on the Cass and Platte ballots.  Contracts will be let under rules for public projects in Jackson County.  If successful, Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte counties will also be asked to join.

•A subcommittee has met with Council leaders Jan Marcason and Ed Ford and will next meet with Russ Johnson.

•The Missouri Senate begins debate on economic development proposal during the extra session.

•The Prevailing Wage Subcommittee is close to draft language for enhancing enforcement for presentation to the KCMO Council.  More management input on the language would be welcome.

•The Mid-America Regional Council soon begins meetings of the PACE committee to generate energy-saving improvements to area homes and businesses.  Please contact Sam Alpert for information.  MARC is also seeking support for a grant to examine and perhaps coordinate codes for solar energy throughout the area.  Sam is also the contact for input on that.

•At 9 a.m. Friday the Teamsters are loading trucks to take hay to drought-stricken areas in Texas.

•The Kansas City Construction Partners effort is being revived with new participation from the Carpenters.  A recent meeting was productive and final details are being worked out.  With all trades participating the KCCP will be a much stronger product.

•NICE is planning for the 2012 iBuild and Crayons to CAD programs.  A date and location should be identified soon for iBuild.

•The prevailing wage study update is underway.  Contributions to the Council for American Business are still being sought to help complete the project.  Dave Kendrick is the contact.

•Janice Dickey reminded of the Fiduciary Responsibility Seminar Sept. 15.

•The next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 13

.•M/S/C to adjourn.
Upcoming Events:

*US DOT Networking Event, Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., UMKC Pierson Auditorum

*Fiduciary Responsibility Seminar, Sept. 15, 7:30 a.m., Hilton Garden Independence

*Care About Your Care, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m., Kauffman Foundation

*SIOR Development Day, Sept 15, 5-7:30 p.m., Downtown Marriott

*Laborers’ Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament, Sept. 23, Drumm Farm

*Teamsters Joint Council Charity Golf Tournament, Sept. 24, Paradise Point

*ASA Golf Tournament, Sept. 27, Loch Lloyd

*LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program Begins, Sept. 28

*ASA General Contractors Forum, Oct. 4, Union Station

*LMC Board of Directors, Oct. 20

*Election Day Nov. 8 ballot issues, Missouri State Representatives districts 39, 41

*KC CREW Luncheon, Regional Light Rail & Gardner Hub, Nov. 15,  11:30 a.m.

*LMC Public Officials Reception, 5-7 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Nov. 17

For more information on the events, please contact the sponsoring organization or the LMC.

Congratulations to LMC Board member Judy Morgan, who was selected as the Democratic nominee to fill the Missouri 39th District State Representative seat in the Nov. 8 special election.