Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: NicoleAbrahamson, Jim Albano, Sam Alpert, Willis Bowers, Greg Davey, Brian Deitz, John Fennesy, Chris Heegn, Jerry Helmick, Dave Kirkpatrick, Kevin King, Greg Lever, Joe Mabin, Brian Mann, Chuck Tarpley, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•A proposal from contractors for prevailing wage compromise legislation was discussed, as were other prevailing wage bills prefiled so far. The impact and practicality of the five provisions were discussed, as well as other potential elements of a compromise not in this proposal. Committee members were urged to study the provisions and share questions and concerns, as well as to continue to urge state legislators to preserve prevailing wage. SB 599, sponsored by Sen. Schatz, is seen as the likely vehicle for the Senate to consider changes to prevailing wage.
•Other Missouri bills discussed included lower caps on the historic tax credit, workers comp data base and funding increase via gas tax for transportation. The federal tax bill, if passed, may have significant impact on the state budget and issues like the historic tax credit. Other provisions in the tax bills would hamper economic development and construction.
•Kansas issues include current limits on bonding for school construction, transportation funding and restoration of local option prevailing wage.
•The proposed MOU between Edgemoor Development and Kansas City, Mo., for construction of a new KCI terminal was reviewed. Many questions remain. The Building Trades opposes approval of the MOU at this time, until concerns regarding workforce and funding are clarified. NOTE: The City Council rejected the MOU proposal a few minutes ago.
•An audit of the road impact fees has been conducted, and proposes raising the fees. This is an issue to be watched.
•Sam Alpert continues to seek input on local infrastructure projects that can be prioritized for federal support, such as the Buck O’Neal Bridge, to take to his visit to Washington in early 2018.
•Topics and speakers for a 2018 Construction Summit were discussed. Please share ideas with Bob Jacobi; a draft proposal is expected to be ready for the January meeting.
•NICE’s iBuild expects to increase student participation from about 2,500 to more than 4,000 for 2018 (May 3). The Crayons-to-CAD program is also seeing increased participation, requiring more volunteer judges.
•The city will hold one and probably two construction job fairs this spring.
•Nicole Abrahamson has joined Belger as business development director.
•Upcomig events include:
*MCA Toy Drive for Operation Breakthrough, volunteer pickup Dec. 14-15, contact Marc
Lasalle at (913) 948-9273 to volunteer, be a pickup site or other questions
*Missouri legislature begins 2018 session, Jan. 3, noon
*Kansas legislature begins 2018 session, Jan. 8, 2 p.m.
*Missouri candidate filing begins Feb. 27; deadline is March 27 (Kansas filing underway)
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 15 2018, Adams Pointe
*Local elections (Missouri) April 3
*LMC Anniversary & Awards, April 19, 2018, Argosy Casino
*iBuild reception, 5:30 p.m., Bartle Hall
*iBuild Showcase May 3, 2018, Bartle Hall
*Missouri Legislature adjourns May 18
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 8-11, 2018, Camden on the Lake
*LMC Craig Whitaker Golf Tournament July 16, 2018, Oakwood Country Club
*Primary Election Aug. 7
*FMCS National Conference, Aug. 21-23, 2018, Chicago, “Labor-Management Cooperation:
Solutions for Today. Vision for Tomorrow”
*NICE Annual Awards Luncheon Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m., Muehlbach.
*General Elections Nov. 6
For details on the above events, please contact the sponsoring group or the LMC
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to 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.