Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2022, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Michelle Cantrell, Greg Davey, Brian Deitz, Joey Flickner, Kevin Gard, Steve Gercone, Valerie Johnson, Gabe Jones, Wade Kiefer, Matt Mauer, Damon Miles, Rusty Mudgett, Jessica Podhola, Connor Pruitt, Al Purcell, Jeremy Zulkula, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #15 of the Construction Summit:
Work continues on making school board contacts and other means of educating public officials.
•Presentation by Al Purcell, candidate for Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner. Al is a retired Xerox executive and president of the board for Historic Preservation Missouri, which supports the historic tax credit program that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in KC area construction. He started with Xerox as a technical and rose to be a top exccutive. He said his focus is to bring all parts of the community—labor and management, educators, health care and government-together to get things done. He noted that young people are leaving Buchanan County and improving access to education, including vocational education, as well as infrastructure is key to retaining them and improving the area’s economic base. His goal is to make a difference. The primary election is Aug. 2.
•Presentation by Matt Mauer, candidate for the KCMO Council, 2nd District At-Large. Matt is a recently retired KCMO Battalion Chief and graduate of the LMC Mid-Level Leadership Program. Many of his family members are union members including in construction. He says his role in the fire department as well as community activity has made him aware of many things that need to be done. Matt experienced the positive impact of labor-management collaboration in the KCFD, virtually eliminating grievances among the battalion chiefs. He serves on the KCMO PIEA board and wants to help good projects get done. The primary election is June 2023.
•The Missouri legislative session is complete and was a good session from the LMC perspective. Next year prevailing wage may reemerge as an issue. The Kansas legislature also completed its session; it was less successful but did pass an incentive package for the $4 billion Panasonic plant; Kansas is one of two finalists and an announcement is expected soon. Disappointment was expressed in Kansas’ congressional redistricting which split the KC area particularly Wyandotte County.
•KCMO is considering the update to its building codes. Ordinance 220364 would adopt the latest codes without amendment. The development and construction industry was not engaged by city staff in development of the ordinance. The Council Neighborhood Committee chaired by Andrea Bough is holding the ordinance until June 29. The LMC had requested a delay to give the industry time to provide input; Councilwoman Bough is willing to meet with the LMC on the issue. Committee members with interest in the issue are urged to contact her and the other committee members—Lee Barnes, Dan Fowler, Teresa oar and Brandon Ellington. Key issues include the impact of the energy conservation code on the cost of construction and its impact on economic competitiveness and affordable housing. A federal bill, HR 6921, would give the SBA more tools to finance energy efficiency improvements. Rep. Sherice Davids recently agreed to a BOMA request to co-sponsor the bi-partisan bill.
•KCMO is also looking at requiring inspections and possibly more of older buildings. BOMA has a model policy developed in KC to address the issue. A key component is the shortage of qualified inspectors and the city’s resources to do a robust program.
•Homelessness and affordable housing are impacting the community. A proposed KCMO ordinance would allow encampments on city property, while Missouri passed a bill that could limit the city’s role in allowing such a policy. Rising rents have impacted the ability of newer workers, such as apprentices, to afford decent housing. The committee engaged in a robust discussion of possible solutions and the need for community-wide involvement, not just KCMO or just a few organizations, and the LMC will continue to discuss and convene on the issue to find and promote good ideas such as the approach of the small homes for veterans with access to services and a program in Salt Lake City. While it is a serious issue in the KC region other areas in the nation have an even more serious problem, so there is opportunity to address it comprehensively before it gets worse.
•NICE will its annual fundraising luncheon again Nov. 1 at Bartle Hall.
•JE Dunn has hired a teacher, Chera Hishaw, to coordinate real world learning experiences with schools. She will work with apprenticeship programs and others as well.
•The Building Trades Golf Tournament has been set for Sept. 1 at Eagles Landing; prices will the same as last year.
•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 10-13 will have Esther George, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City president, as keynote speaker as well as several construction related sessions. Registration is now open at https://cvent.me/N3gkZx; Camden on the Lake hotel reservation is at 573-365-5620 or www.camdenonthelake.com, reservation code LABR0722. For those unable to get to the lake then, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is holding its national conference virtually July 12-13.
•The Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament will be July 26 at Eagles Landing..
•The Committee will not meet in July and will resume meeting Aug. 11 at Mark One.
•Upcoming Events:
*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament, June 10
*Rockhurst University Freeman Golf Tournament June 27, Lionsgate (only sponsorships available)
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 10-13, 2022, Camden on the Lake
*FMCS National Labor-Management Conference, virtual, July 12-13
*DBIA-MAR Social & BBQ Competition, July 14
*LMC Craig Whitaker Memorial Golf Tournament, July 26, Eagles Landing
*Primary Elections Aug.2, 2022
*KC Labor Car and Bike Show, Aug. 27, Azura Amphitheater, 9 a.m.
*GKCBuilding Trades Golf Tournament Sept. 1 at Eagles Landing
*Take a Kid Fishing Day Sept. 10
*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 15 at Saddle & Sirloin
*Working Families Friend Cook-off, Sept. 24
*LMC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*Laborers Local 1290 Sporting Clay Shoot supporting Veterans, Oct. 14, Powder Creek
*NICE Annual Luncheon, Nov. 1, Bartle Hall
*General Election Nov. 8
*Missouri Apprenticeship Summit, Nov. 15; pre-conference Nov. 14
*iBuild Reception, April 27, 2023
*iBuild Showcase, April 28, 2023
Note: No meeting in July
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, 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.