Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Melinda Bolling, Rudy Chavez, Greg Davey, Sean Delgado, Ed Downey, Joey Flickner, Josh Franklin, Chris Heegn, Gabe Jones, Mike Kelly, Dave Kirkpatrick, Chuck Martin, Tony Roberts, Chuck Roseburrough, Chris Stanton, Brian Wood, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #24 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Welcome to Melinda Bolling, Jackson County, attending her first meeting.
•Presentation from Mike Kelly, Johnson County Commission Chair. He noted Johnson County’s $1.8 billion budget and that the county is focused on growth, especially in the western section with the Panasonic plant in DeSoto. Growth will continue near the plant with more infrastructure in partnership between the county and KDOT, a new $17 million fire station and more. Transit is a significant issue—the county’s transit agency is working with KCATA to better coordinate and to ensure that workers can get to the new plant without excessive congestion. County leaders visited the Nevada site of the other Panasonic plant and saw the road congestion, and want to avoid that here. Growth is also taking place at the New Century Commerce center near the county airport in the former Embark/Century Link facilities, with two million square feet and 5-6 million more planned. A new airport tower is in the FAA reauthorization request thanks to the area congressional delegation. The county’s 4,200 employees will be getting pay increases after a pay study showed them behind others in the area. Federal funds are being targeted carefully to address health issues, especially mental health. A new mental health consolidated facility is being planned. Transportation is underfunded and coordination with Missouri and Wyandotte County is vital. Julie Lorenz, former KDOT director, is the county’s new representative on the KCATA. Preparation for the World Cup in 2026 makes the transportation needs especially urgent. Many who come to the World Cup just go to parties and other activities and not the actual games, so the area needs to be prepared. The number of games and teams should be known in about six months. Affordable housing is another priority—there is no easy way to address but at least the county plans to chip away at preserving current affordable housing and look for opportunities to expand its availability. Keeping property taxes low is crucial to that goal. The county is also looking to expand solar energy and EC charging infrastructure especially at county and city buildings. Governments in the region are now coordinating to get the new federal funds available for such projects.
Committee members thanked Chairman Kelly for his comprehensive report.
•Melinda Bolling, Jackson County compliance office, introduced herself and indicated an open door to any questions or input from committee members. She succeeds Jaime Guillen who is now the KCMO CREO director.
•The LMC Board endorsed KCMO Quesion 1 and Jackson County Question 1 on the Nov. 7 ballot. The KCMO issues would renew the 3/8ths cent sales tax for transit for 10 years. Jackson County’s issue would create a use tax to fund key county infrastructure, affordable housing and road and bridge projects especially that connect the county’s cities. The recent Missouri legislative veto session did not significantly affect local projects approved earlier.
•NICE will hold its annual fund raising luncheon Oct. 17 at Bartle Hall. The program will celebrate women in the construction industry including a discussion of the KC Current soccer stadium now being built. One of the panelists will be JE Dunn project manager Cassie Morrison, a graduate of the LMC’s Mid-Level Leadership Program.
•The Builders Association is holding its Fall Fest at the Belger Arts space later today.
•The Hispanic Chamber Gala is Friday. JE Dunn Construction will be honored.
•The LMC Public Officials Reception is today, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The reception space will be expanded from the past few years.
•Upcoming events:
*LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception Oct. 12, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*Hispanic Chamber Gala, Oct. 13
*NICE Annual Luncheon Oct. 17, 2023, Bartle Hall
*Hispanic Contractors Association Member Appreciation Event, Oct. 19, 407 p.m., Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center info hca-kc.org
*CREWKC Luncheon, Oct. 24, Johnson County Community College
*Election Day, Nov. 7 (Kansas local officials, KCMO transit tax renewal, Jackson County use tax)
*DBIA Awards Celebration, Nov. 17, 11 a.m., The Gallery
*Building Trades Holiday Party, Dec. 1, IBEW Local 124
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 6, Lydia’s
*Working Families Friends Casino Night, Feb. 2, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO
*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall
*FMCS/LERA National Conference, June 26-30, 2024, New York
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 7-10, Camden on the Lake
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:10 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.