The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The Labor-Management Council Board of Directors unanimously endorses Kansas City, Mo., Question 1 on the April 3 ballot.

Question 1 renews the city’s longtime capital improvement sales tax, often referred to as the PIAC tax as significant portions of the proceeds are distributed by a citizens’ committee. This renewal continues that tradition for 35 percent of the revenue, with 25 percent dedicated to street maintenance and the balance for major projects including the Buck O’Neill Bridge replacement.

Replacing the Buck O’Neill Bridge is critical to the community’s economic future. State and federal funds have been allocated to the project, but not enough to complete it. Proceeds from the Question 1 renewal would be the final $60 million commitment needed; if further federal or state funds are generated, then portions of that $60 million would go to other city projects.

Question 1 compliments the GO bonds passed last spring, providing funds to maintain the projects that will be funded by the bonds.

Since a YES vote does not raise taxes and provides critical infrastructure funding, the LMC urges that you urge your members, employees and friends to vote YES on Question 1 April 3.

The LMC mourns the passing of Mike Gnefkow, former financial secretary of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 27. Services will be 10 a.m. Mass on Monday, April 2 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish followed by a reception at St. Thomas More Parish. The family suggests gifts to the Kansas City Hospice Foundation or the Salvation Army.

The LMC is honored to announce that Mindy Corporon, founder of the Faith Always Wins Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at our 19th Annual Awards Dinner and 39th Anniversary Celebration April 19 at Argosy Casino. Join the following early co-sponsors at the event:

Early Founding Sponsors--
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
Cigna
IBEW Local 124

Early Anniversary Sponsors--
Builders’ Association

Early Awards Sponsors--
Delta Innovative Services • JE Dunn Construction Co. • Fire Fighters Local 42 • Pipefitters Local 533

Contact the LMC for sponsorship, table, or advertising information.

Congrats to Mid-Level Leadership grad Bill Galvin on his appointment as deputy chief of the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department. Bill had been president of Fire Fighters Local 42. New chief Gary Reese is also a Mid-Level Leadership graduate.

The 2017-18 class of the Mid-Level Leadership Program completed its work. Graduates include:

Jason Beaman, Business Agent, Fire Fighters Local 42
Lalita Brown, Transportation Supervisor, Kansas City Aviation Department
Anthony "Nino" Bruno, Battalion Chief, Kansas City Fire Department
Phillip Butler, Business Agent, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663
Daniel Heizman, Business Agent, Fire Fighters Local 42
Joseph Heggendeffer, Maintenance Superintendent, Kansas City Power & Light Co.
Robert Hollinsworth, Plant Manager, Kansas City Power & Light Co.
Kyle Lewis, Operations Superintendent, Kansas City Power & Light Co.
Andres Nelson, Maintenance Mechanic, Kansas City Water Services
Todd Rohr, Principal Engineering Technician, Kansas City Water Services

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is hiring a mediator in St. Louis: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/493339200
Also, FMCS has announced its grants program for joint labor-management efforts. The LMC has participated in this in the past and would be happy to support/partner with any interested efforts. Check the FMCS website, www.fmcs.gov .

We are sad to report the death of Gerald Miller, retired professor of economics at Rockhurst University. Gerry was a strong supporter of social justice and an advisor to the LMC. He will be missed. Services are Wednesday, March 14, 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, 4101 E 105th Terrace in KCMO.

Twenty-five outstanding students received scholarships at LMC member The Builders’ Association’s Annual Banquet Feb. 23. The scholarships were funded by donations to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit endowment fund established to support, through scholarships, the academic education of individuals who seek careers in the commercial construction industry. The students are:

JUSTIN M. BEARDEN, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, JEFF AMMON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; TREY R. HECKER, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, GEORGE BETTS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; RICHARD T. BRANTON, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, PATRICIA A. CARROLL SCHOLARSHIP; ANN S. GENSICHEN, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN, CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP; JOHN D. STOB, STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF MISSOURI, V.S. DICARLO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; REID N. ABBOTT, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, J.E. DUNN, SR. SCHOLARSHIP; MASON J. KELCHNER, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, JOHN AND JILL DUNN SCHOLARSHIP; EMILY A. ZAHN, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, FIREBAUGH CONSTRUCTION, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; BRETT A. MOON, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, FOGEL-ANDERSON CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP;l FATIMA ESSAIDI, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, GRAND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC SCHOLARSHIP; JOSHUA D. JACKSON, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, JENE HAYES/HAYES DRILLING, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; JESSICA A. GJERDE, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, A.L. HUBER GENERAL CONTRACTOR SCHOLARSHIP; CARISSA R. MOYNA, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, JAMES L. HUTTON, SR./WILLIAM W. HUTTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; ADAM C. FIELDS, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JAMES L. “SKIP” HUTTON, JR. SCHOLARSHIP; NICK J. VONEY, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS – IBC, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; MEGAN M. MÄTT, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KELLY CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. SCHOLARSHIP; NICK H. TURNER, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, MCCOWNGORDON CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP; CARL J. GLOSENGER, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–KANSAS CITY, PHILLIP W. MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP; TRAVIS SOLANDER, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, MURRAY COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; SAM D. MCARTHUR, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, PEARCE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; NATHANIEL D. SIMMONS, PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, RAU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP; MEGAN R. CARLIN, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, SENTER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP; JEANETTE E. GREENE, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA, SENTER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP; NICOLE S. HENRY, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, GEORGE J. SHAW CONSTRUCTION CO. SCHOLARSHIP; TANIA C. CHAVEZ, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, KENNETH O. VON ACHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP.

Construction Committee Recommends KCMO Question 1 Sales Tax Renewal

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday,  March 8, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending:  Sam Alpert, Willis Bowers, Dave Coleman, Greg Davey, John Fennesy, Alex Gonzalez, Don Greenwell, Jerry Helmick, Kevin King, Dave Kirkpatrick, Greg Lever, Paul Sommers, Scott Wagner, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.

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

•KCMO Councilman Scott Wagner presented on KCMO Question 1, the renewal of the “PIAC” sales tax on the April 3 ballot.  The one-cent 20-year tax renewal will go towards neighborhood projects, street maintenance and the city match to replace the Buck O’Neill Bridge.  The bridge is nearing critical condition and MODOT lacks the funds to replace it, so the city and region is devoting matching funds.  Temporary repairs will be made later this year.  Details are at www.progresskc.com.  Councilman Wagner also discussed the MBE/WBE ordinance coming before the Council.

•M/S/C to recommend to the LMC Board that the LMC endorse Kansas City Question 1 on the April 3, 2018 ballot.

•Discussions are underway among Missouri senators and industry representatives to attempt a compromise on prevailing wage.  The House perfected a repeal bill; however, it is expected that the House will pass whatever bill the Senate is able to pass.  Contractors and citizens are urged to continue contacting senators expressing support for prevailing wage.

•The need for affordable/workforce housing in the KC area was discussed, as well as proposals with that goal.

•Paul Sommers with AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust presented on the trust’s interest in the KC market and potential availability of capital sources for multifamily residential, mixed use and senior living projects.  Two area projects are currently under consideration, and developers, contractors, nonprofits and local governments are welcome to contact Paul to discuss possible projects.

•Upcoming events:

*MCAKC program Trust Sucks-Minimize Cyber Risks, March 14, 11:30 a.m., MCAKC

*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 15 2018, Adams Pointe

*Kansas Sales & Compensating Use Tax for Construction Contractors/Subcontractors

  March 17,  9-11:30 a.m., JCCC, free to MCA-KC members

*Hispanic Contractors Association Meeting, March 21, 11:30 a.m., Guadalupe Center

*Lean Construction Institute Lunch, March 21, noon, JE Dunn

*Missouri candidate filing deadline is March 27

*Rally by Missouri Building Trades, March 28, 9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Jefferson City

*Local elections (Missouri) April 3

*LMC Board of Directors April 4, 8:30 a.m., Rockhurst University

 *LMC Anniversary & Awards, April 19, 2018, Argosy Casino

*Working Families Friends Texas Hold’m Tournament, April 20, 5:30 p.m., Pipefitters Hall 

 *iBuild Reception, 5:30 p.m., May 2, Bartle Hall

 *iBuild Showcase May 3, 2018, Bartle Hall

 *Missouri Legislature adjourns May 18

*Camp NAWIC, June 4-8, Builders’ Training Center.  Sponsorships available.

 *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.

 *LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

 *NICE Awards Luncheon, Oct. 30, 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, April 12, 2018, Mark One Electric Co., Inc. 

•MS/C to adjourn at 10 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.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is seeking a mediator for its Denver, Colorado office: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/493209900
And thanks to KC-based Commissioner Jim Albano for an excellent presentation to and discussion with the Mid-Level Leadership class last week.