Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Jim Dahlin, Greg Davey, Joey Flickner, Steve Gercone, Chris Heegn, Dustin Himes, Jazzlyn Johnson, Valerie Johnson, Quinton Lucas, Chuck Martin, Alise Martiny, Bo Moreno, Josh Schmidt, Chris Stanton, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #17 of the Construction Summit:
Efforts continue and will accelerate after the results of the November elections.
•Presentation by Mayor Quinton Lucas on KCMO Bond issues #1 and 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot and other issues. Mayor Lucas explained what was in the bond issues and what was not. Question 1 includes needed updates for Bartle Hall, Municipal Auditorium and other convention facilities plus parks facilities especially in the Northland. It does not include Barney Allis plaza renovation, which the Mayor says can be accomplished under the current bond authorization along with rehabilitation of City Hall. Question 2 focuses on housing, with a similar approach to previous city housing construction.
On other issues, the Mayor indicated he was not pleased that the energy codes update ordinance had not resulted in a compromise before coming to the Council for a vote today. Committee members pointed out problems with the ordinance as is and the need to balance possible federal funds with the increased construction costs that would be generated by an unamended 2021 code. The Mayor also discussed the recently announced Kansas City Public Schools proposal to close two high schools and build other schools, expressing concern about the viability of that plan and its impact on the district’s plans for a future bond issue. He also noted the complications of a potential Royals stadium move downtown in terms of funding, and wants to be sure that there would be no costs of such a move on the city’s general fund. He also advocated that any stadium projects reflect the same requirements for prevailing wage, MBE/WBE and others as current city projects. The Mayor also expressed willingness to work with Jackson County on a new city jail. Committee members offered to help spur more discussion of cooperation. Committee members thanked the Mayor for his support on many issues and keeping in touch with the group.
•M/S/C to recommend that the LMC endorse KCMO Questions 1 and 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot.
•There will be many state and local ballot issues Nov. 8. Questions were raised about Kansas issues that would give the Legislature greater veto power over Administration regulatory decisions and one that would impact selection of local sheriffs. In Missouri the LMC opposes Amendment 4, which would increase the required funding of the KCMO police department as a percent of city revenues. The recreational marijuana ballot issue would have an impact on the industry. Local issues include a tax issue in Clay County and renewal of the Children’s Services sales tax in Jackson County.
• A KCMO ordinance to broader inspection requirement to include pre-1950 buildings has been delayed in the Neighborhood Committee. The key challenge is availability of qualified inspectors; the city is currently six months behind on completing inspections now required.
•The committee discussed upcoming large projects and workforce availability issues. The battery plant is not expected to have in a project labor agreement, nor is one expected at the Vantage project. There is a need for continued building up of apprenticeship training in order to meet project needs in the short and long term.
•The LMC and BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception is Oct. 13. More than 160 have RSVP’d.
•Upcoming events:(For details on these events, please contact the sponsoring group or LMC)
*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
*1st Unions United Trades Kickball Tournament, Oct. 15, IBEW Local 124, 9 a.m.
*CREW KC Luncheon Knew KCI and Impact on Platte County Commercial Development, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe
*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
*BOMA International Convention June 23, 2023
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 9-12, 2023, Camden on the Lake
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:45 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