Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, Via Zoom
Attending: Sam Alpert, Rudy Chavez, Brian Deitz, Joey Flickner, Kevin Gard, Steve Gercone, Kevin Hendrickson, Valerie Johnson, Wade Kiefer, Kevin King, Tanya Lewis, Bill Livingston, Quinton Lucas, Alice Martiny, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co. hosting.
•The Committee welcomes two first-time attendees: Tonya Lewis from KCMO Contract Compliance and Steve Gercone from Roofers Local 20.
•Presentation from Rudy Chavez about the Apprentice Ready Program of the Missouri Works Initiative. Rudy explained the pre-apprenticeship program, updated on its pilot cohort and invited crafts and contractors to refer potential apprentices who may not be ready to be successful applicants. The program is based on the BUD (Building Union Diversity) program that has had success in St. Louis in attracting new, diverse potential apprenticeship applicants and helping prepare them to be successful. Each cohort will have 15 participants and the National Building Trades curriculum is used. Participants need to be 18 years old and up and eligible to work in the U.S. The program is funded by the Missouri Departments of Higher Education and Workforce Development through the Missouri AFL-CIO. It is part of a set of programs designed to reduce barriers to a successful career. More information can be found at https://moworksinitiative.org/missouri-apprentice-ready-program. Rudy can be reached at 816-806-1840, [email protected]. The apprentice ready program office is at IBEW Local 53 and holds classes at the Builders’ Association Training Center. The next cohort is scheduled to begin classes March 7.
Information on a similar effort in Minnesota can be found at https://buildingstrong.org/. Brian Dietz noted that JE Dunn has participated in that one also.
•KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas presented an update on city issues and requested support for two issues on the April 5 ballot: $750 million bond issue for sewer and water infrastructure and renewal of the Health Levy. Mayor Lucas discussed ways to continue the success of the KCI workforce development project on future city-funded work, economic development, contract compliance, the newly proposed city budget, public safety and housing/homeless issues. Committee members thanked the Mayor for his support on many issues and for the quality of his staff and the City Manager.
•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC Board of Directors endorse the $750 million Water and Sewer Bonds and renewal of the Health Levy on the April 5, 2022 Kansas City, Mo. ballot.
•Session #12 of the Construction Summit:
Discussions with priority school districts have continued, including KCPS and NKCSD. Additional discussions will take place after the April 5 school board elections on the Missouri side. Committee member Laura Wagner, MO-KAN LECET, has filed for a North Kansas City School Board seat and Aaron Hines, member of Pipefitters Local 533, is running for the school
board in the Holden, Mo., district. Crafts and contractors are urged to investigate candidates and support those open to enhancing construction contracting and workforce development in their districts.
•The Kansas legislature passed and the Governor signed legislation creating new incentive programs for $1 billion and up projects. The bill is designed for the Apex project, $4 billion project that Kansas is a finalist to get. It is expected that if the project comes to Kansas that thousands of construction jobs and thousands of full-time manufacturing jobs will be created.
•The Missouri Senate continues to be limited by a filibuster on congressional redistricting, but a hearing is scheduled today for SB 758 that would expand design build options for state government including the university system and could be helpful to our contractors giving more quality, rather than just hard bid, tools for state contracts. The bill is being heard today in the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee. The House has passed a budget that includes Medicaid expansion funding, though a bill to vote on a constitutional amendment making the Medicaid eligibility subject to more detailed scrutiny by the legislature has advanced.
•NICE is taking booth registrations for iBuild April 5 at Bartle Hall. Apprenticeship programs are urged to register if they are available to participate.
•Mental health, suicide and substance abuse in the construction industry will be discussed at “The Visible Crisis: How to Navigate Mental Health, Suicide and Substance Abuse” Feb. 24, 7:30-10 a.m. at the Loews Hotel. The Builders’ Association is a sponsor. A flyer will be included with the minutes.
•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 10-13 will feature Esther George, president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, and sessions on construction and benefit fund topics. Hotel reservations at Camden on the Lake are available now; conference registration should be available by April 1.
•Upcoming Events:
•Builders’ Association Anniversary Event, College Basketball Experience, Feb. 18
•Filing for Missouri primary election begins Feb. 22, 2022 ends March 29
•Emerging Trends and Market Response in Real Estate, sponsored by ULI Kansas City and the Greater Kansas City Chamber, Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m., virtual
•The Visible Crisis: How to Navigate Mental Health, Suicide and Substance Abuse in Construction Feb. 24, 7:30-10 a.m., Loews Hotel
•CREW KC Linkedin and You Feb. 24, 5:30-7 p.m., AL Huber
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference, March 10-11, Adams Pointe Conference Center
•iBuild Reception, April 4, 2022
•iBuild Showcase April 5, 2022
•Local elections in Missouri, April 5
*LMC Anniversary Celebration & Awards Dinner April 21, Argosy Casino
*Working Families Friend Texas Hold’um Tournament, April 22
•Missouri legislative session ends, May 13
*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 10
•Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 10-13, 2022, Camden on the Lake
•Primary Elections Aug.2, 2022
•LMC Sporting Clay Shoot, Sept. 15, Saddle & Sirloin
*Working Families Friend Cook-off, Sept. 24
•General Election Nov. 8, 2022
•Confirmation of dates for the LMC Public Officials Reception and Golf Tournament are expected soon.
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:35 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.
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