The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Only a new, one-terminal building at KCI allows Kansas CIty to take full advantage of economic development opportunities at the airport, Southwest Airlines vice president Jason Van Eaton told the National Institute for Construction Excellence awards luncheon today.

Van Eaton explained the research and projections that have led to Southwest and other airlines serving KCI to strongly recommend, and fund, a new KCI one-terminal concept. Earlier a video featuring area business, labor and political leaders discussed the economic importance of the airport.

NICE also honored Tom McDonnell, retired CEO of DST and the Kauffman Foundation, with its Christopher Bond Friend of Construction Award; University of Kansas Hospital with its Construction User Award; and Jack Bitzenberg with its Construction Education Award. NICE provides the Crayons to CAD middle school curriculum and the iBuild Showcase for middle and high school students, serving more than 2,000 last year. The LMC and its Construction Industry Committee supports NICE.

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

Yesterday LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program participants learned about communication and leadership from Jim Maloney, longtime instructor in the program and nationally-recognized expert in leadership. He returns for the second part of his presentation next week.

LMC Board of Directors Summary of Minutes
Oct. 19, 2016, 8:30 a.m. • Rockhurst University

Attending: Sam Alpert, James Daley, Brian Dietz, Mike Kane, Bob Jacobi, Peter Witte, Jennifer Wampler

•Thanks to Rockhurst University for hosting.

•Presentation from Peter Witte and Jennifer Wampler of the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance on the proposal for a Downtown Campus for the Arts. Those interested and supporters can follow on Twitter @umkc cons; the Conservatory is presenting its annual concerts on Nov. 4.

•M/S/C to approve the Financial Report.

•M/S/C (subject to email vote from the full board) to endorse the following positions on November ballot issues:
—No on Kansas City, Mo., Question 3
—Yes on Mid-Continent Public Library Proposition L
—Yes on Jackson County Question 1
—Yes on Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Bond Issue
—Yes on Johnson County Public Safety sales tax
—Yes on Smithville School District levy increase and bond issuance

•M/S/C to proceed with the dates of April 20, 2017 for the Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, and July 17, 2017 for the Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament.

•The Jackson County Assessor’s office is discussing the upcoming reassessment process with owners of multifamily facilities today, 3 p.m. at the Construction Users Council office, and with owners of commercial office buildings tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at DST Realty. All are welcome to attend.

•The Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will feature Kansas City, Mo., Chief of Police Darryl Forte on Feb. 21 at Bartle Hall.

•The Kansas Citian of the Year award will be presented to Jackson County Executive Frank White by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City on Nov. 10. Some tickets remain.

•Suggestions for increasing board engagement were discussed.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10:15 a.m.

The LMC Board of Directors meets Oct. 19. Any input on potential LMC leaders, issue positions particularly on the November ballot issues or other input, please let Bob Jacobi know by tomorrow.

Mid-Level Leadership participants learned proven communications techniques from Terry Stone, labor-management consultant and former school board member.

Construction Committee Discusses Ballot Issues, Eco Devo and Projects

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday,  Oct. 13, 2016, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Greg Chastain, Greg Davey, Brian Dietz, Jerry Helmick, Dave Kirkpatrick, Greg Lever, Colleen White,  Bob Jacobi.

 

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

•The Labor Harmony Agreement on the downtown KCMO convention hotel has been approved, and will be signed when financing is set for the project.  Committee members expressed interest in exploring ways to assist with the project financing.

•KCMO projects underway include the Youth Academy and maintenance facilities at both KCI and the Wheeler airports, as well as many Water Department projects.  The city has many other smaller projects and contractors are urged to bid on those.

•The KCMO ordinance to limit tax incentives passed; the impact on economic development, which has slowed recently, is uncertain.  The city’s Community Benefit Agreement program is being developed; LMC members are expected to be on the implementation team.

•It would be helpful if the city had economic data available to better judge the economic impact of projects under consideration.  An effort to educate the public about KCI issues is under consideration.

•NICE’s annual fundraising luncheon Oct. 25 features Jason Van Eaton, vice president of Southwest Airlines, as well as a video on the economic impact of the airport.  Tables are still available; more than 500 are expected to attend.

•The committee discussed November ballot issues.  The LMC Board will consider any positions on all or some of those issues at its Oct. 19 meeting.

•Changes in the Kansas legislature open up possibility for progress on several issues the LMC supports, including transportation funding, KanCare expansion and local control.

•Jackson County’s assessment office is holding sessions Oct. 19 and 20 with multifamily housing and office building owners to discuss the upcoming reassessment process.  All are invited to attend.

•The US Dept. of Labor is auditing Davis-Bacon enforcement

•Upcoming Events

  *City Council Cancer Benefit, 5;30-7:30 p.m., One Light, Oct. 13

  *First Aid, CPR Certification Class for MCA & NECA members, Oct. 14,  8 a.m.-noon, JCCC

  *LMC Board of Directors, Oct. 19

  *NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 25, Muehlbach; speaker Jason Van Eaton, SW Airlines

  *KC CREW Luncheon, BluHawk Development, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe

  *General Election, Nov. 8

  *United Way Victory Celebration, Dec. 1, Intercontinental

  *Midwest Construction Safety Conference and Expo, March 2-13, 2017, Adams Pointe

  *iBuild Showcase, May 4, 2017, Bartle Hall

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

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 10 a.m.

 

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

More than 125 of the metro area's leading elected officials, labor and management leaders attended the LMC's annual Public Officials Reception Oct. 6, 2016 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Photos from the event can be found at left under 2016 Public Officials Reception. Attendees also witnessed a spectacular lightening show looking through the Center's glass roof near the end of the event. Sponsors who made the event possible are below:

Presidential

Builders’ Association

Supreme Court

Delta Innovative Services

Senator

Fire Fighters Local 42
Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663
Pipefitters Local 533
Sheet Metal Workers Local 2
Taxpayers Unlimited

Representative

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
Bricklayers Local 15
GKC Building Trades
Ironworkers Local 10
Scout Investments

Assistant

Mechanical Contractors Association

Supporter

Mike Fitzgerald Attorney Arbitrator Mediator
Strategic Workplace Solutions

Thanks also to volunteers Robin Norris, Builders' Association; Emilia Peek, E&K; Nicole Abrahamson; and Mary Jacobi.

Tomorrow-Thursday, Oct. 6--is the LMC's annual Public Officials Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. Check back here by Friday for photos and an updated sponsors list. Contact the LMC if you haven't already rsvp'd or want to confirm if your organization is a sponsor.