The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

The LMC mourns the death of Landon Rowland. In addition to being a creative and dynamic business and civic leader, Landon supported the LMC and its mission when CEO of Kansas City Southern. He was also a railroad historian particularly of the role of railroads in the KC region.

Best wishes to Mike Sanders as he leaves his Jackson County Executive role next week. Mike, a former LMC co-chair and strong supporter, plans to spend more time with his young family and return to practicing law. The LMC appreciates his outstanding support and leadership and his many accomplishments for Jackson County and the metro area. We also offer interim executive Denny Waits any help we can provide.

Congratulations to Joe Reardon on his appointment to soon become the new president of LMC member Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Joe is a past LMC honoree when mayor of the Unified Government and has been leading LMC member Kansas City Area Transportation Authority the past year.

Also kudos to Robbie Makinen, past LMC board member, who will become interim CEO at the KCATA when Reardon joins the Chamber early next year. Robbie serves as KCATA chairman and has led the agency into a new era.

A note of thanks to Chas Young, who is leaving her position at the Missouri Department of Labor when the year ends. Chas has been an excellent supporter of the LMC and served as chair of the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference.

The federal budget agreement announced yesterday included a two-year delay in the "Cadillac" tax on employer health care plans above a certain level. The LMC supports repeal of the tax but in the meantime applauds the delay in its enforcement.

KCMO Incentive, Workforce Policies Discussed by Construction Committee

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Greg Chastain, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Jerry Helmick, Matt Johnson, Greg Lever, Bill Livingston, Dave Lovetere, Joe Mabin, Alise Martiny, Colleen White, Brian Wood, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Rosana Privitera Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.

•Project updates:  East Patrol had a successful open house, the KCMO streetcar project is winding down.

•KCMO is discussing workforce residency goals for city and incentivized projects.  The city likely will requesting input in January.  PIEA, LCRA and Chapter 353 programs are expected to implement policies for workforce standards at a Jan. 21 meeting.  TIF is not expected to do so at this time.  The agencies will contract enforcement.  KCMO HRD has filled its vacancies.  Some community members perceive that economic development incentives take money away from schools and other services while failing to provide jobs for city residents.

•Missouri prevailing wage rate reports are due by Jan. 31, and for the first time that is a hard deadline.  The on-line system is being replaced so isn’t being used.  Contractors and crafts are also encouraged to look at federal survey rates for their crafts.

•Missouri and Kansas legislatures resume in January.  Prevailing wage and “right-to-work” will again be issues.  Missouri HB 1540 is an interesting pension regulation bill.  Sen. Schaefer’s bill to eliminate the KCMO and St. Louis earnings taxes would be devastating; both are also up for renewal in April.  The LMC opposes eliminating the earnings tax until an alternative is in place.

•USDOL’s local apprenticeship director wants to eliminate letter-of-intent policies for apprenticeship programs.  Some crafts are considering changes.

 

•NICE had a successful first fund raising luncheon with a keynote address by former US Sen. Kit Bond and many new supporters.  iBuild is set for April 14 and growth may require more space at Bartle Hall.  Crayons-to-CAD and the high school CAD competition with NAWIC are underway.

•Upcoming events include:

*Lean Construction Institute Lean Coffee Dec. 16, 8:30-10 a.m., Turner Construction

 *MCA annual meeting, Dec. 16, 10 a.m., Overland Park Sheraton

  *CREW Kansas City and CCIM Holiday Party, Dec. 16, 5-9 p.m., Boulevard Brewery, $10

  *MCA Holiday Toy Drive.  Donations needed by and volunteers needed on Dec. 21 and 22

  *Missouri General Assembly session begins, Jan. 6

  *Kansas Legislature session begins, Jan. 11

  *Missouri Prevailing Wage Rate reports due, Jan. 31

  *CREW Kansas City Quarterly Luncheon, “Risk Taking,” Jan. 19, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street

    Cafe.

  *Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 24-5, Adams Pointe Conference Center

  *Election Day, April 5 (KCMO E-Tax Renewal, Local and School)

  *iBuild Showcase, April 14, 2016, Bartle Hall

  *LMC 37th Anniversary and 17th Annual Awards Dinner, April 21, Argosy Casino

  *Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 10-13, 2016, Camden on the Lake

  *LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament, July 18, 2016, Oakwood CC

  *Primary Election, Aug. 2

  *General Election, Nov. 8

  For details on the above events, please contact the sponsoring group or the LMC

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•Adjourn at 9:30 a.m.

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.

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

The KCMO East Patrol Station/Crime Lab holds its grand opening today at 27th & Prospect. The facility's construction generated many discussions at the LMC's CIC focused on ensuring a successful program of US HUD Section 3 and KCMO workforce standards hiring to provide neighborhood residents with career opportunities. JE Dunn Construction, all craft unions and the city worked diligently to achieve a successful project and meet the hiring goals. An open house runs from 1-6 p.m. with tours, and ceremony at 3:30 p.m. today.