The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Mayo Clinic medical director Dr. Michael Rock outlined the extensive changes the 4,000-physician system is making to address health care cost and quality issues and adapt to the Affordable Care Act at the Truman Medical Centers board retreat today. He noted that Mayo is already seeing results in lower costs from its changes.
Dr. Rock and two panelists agreed that that the U.S. needs to change the culture of how physicians, patients and payers interact and how they take responsibility for their health. Dr. Rock added that addressing end-of-life care and payment reform are vital elements as well.
The LMC, and TMC, are involved in the Kansas City Quality Improvement Consortium which is active on several fronts in enhancing patient care, patient and provider relationships and other key elements of health care to improve quality and stabilize costs.

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, June 13 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost.

Congratulations to LMC Vice Co-Chair Mike Kotubey, who has accepted the President's position at TD Industries, a Dallas, TX,-based mechanical contractor. Mike had been president of MMC Contractors. His new position in Dallas means we are losing his leadership in Kansas City and at the LMC. We greatly appreciate his support, leadership and friendship and send our best wishes with him and Susan to Dallas.

The Missouri General Assembly concluded its session May 17. The LMC is pleased that the legislature addressed the workers' compensation Second Injury Fund deficit and defeated attempts to gut prevailing wage, enact "right-to-work," lower the caps on historic and low income tax credits and send unworkable spending policies to voters (TABOR).
The LMC will continue next year to advocate for Medicaid expansion, data center and angel tax incentives and transportation funding which were considered but not passed this year. We thank legislators for their efforts.

Congratulations to Don Greenwell, LMC treasurer and President of the Builders' Association, for his election to the voting board of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The IFEBP educates trustees of health, pension, training and other benefit plans and has more than 34,000 members. Don will be one of just 44 voting board members for the organization.

Construction Committee Discusses New KCMO Ordinance

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, May 9, 2013, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Troy Carlson, Bill Dunn Jr., Teresa Garza Ruiz, Don Greenwell, Jerry Helmick, Joe Hudson, Dennis Joyce, Bill Livingston, Bob Looman, John Tompson, Bob Jacobi.

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

•The KCMO Workforce Ordinance renewal and the debarrment ordinance passed the Council last month.  The Debarrment ordinance went into effect May 1 and will bring many changes; contractor debarrments are expected.  Several elements will be more developed as implementation begins.  A contractor workshop has drawn 110 participants.

•The Missouri House passed the Senate version of HB 34 regarding prevailing wage.  The Senate version is very different from the House version.  It is expected to become law.  The LMC opposed the House version but did not advocate a position on the Senate version.

•Some adjustments to caps on historic and low income housing tax credits will be needed in Missouri to also achieve passage of data center and angel incentives.  Prospects for passage of transportation funding, a statewide bond issue and economic development legislation are uncertain; LMC members are urged to contact legislative leadership.

•The KCCP is proceeding with a tenant improvement project with Spectrum Station child care center for a Platte City location.  The Black & Veatch and Jackson County projects are going well.

•The Builders’ Association golf tournament is now open to nonmembers.  The event is May 20 and will be the first to use the new Milburn Country Club clubhouse.

•The iBuild Showcase was successful with participation from all crafts and more than 1,200 high and middle school students participating.

•A program called ReEngage is helping prepare and place urban core workers in jobs including construction jobs.  Contractors are urged to consider working with the program.  A presentation on the program will likely be made to the committee in the future.

•The next meeting will be June 13, 2013 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•M/S/C to adjourn.

The LMC will hold the 16th annual Craig Whitaker Memorial CIgna Golf Tournament July 22 at Oakwood Country Club. Contact the LMC for a registration form; sponsors, foursomes, in-kind donors and volunteers are welcome.

More than 1,200 high and middle school students learned about construction industry careers at the iBuild Showcase yesterday at Bartle Hall. Sponsored by the National Institute for Construction Excellence, iBuild featured nearly every craft, contractors, utilities, educators and government agencies (such as MODOT and KDOT). The LMC strongly supports NICE and iBuild.

Congratulations to LMC member McCownGordon Construction for receiving the business philanthropist of the year at the NonProfit Connect awards luncheon, and to Rockhurst University's Katie Hall for recognition as a rising star in philanthropy at the event.