Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Rudy Chavez, Lance Claiborne, Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Joey Flickner, Chris Heegn, Gordon Hitt, Brett Jennings, Dominick Klobe, Chuck Martin, Damon Miles, Bo Moreno, Cameron Seip, Josh Schmidt, Chris Stanton, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #26 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Welcome to Cameron Seip, MO-KAN LECET, Lance Claiborne and Brett Jennings, who are attending their first committee meeting
•Presentation by Lance Claiborne, new president of the Builders’AGC. Lance started in October working with Don Greenwell before Don retires at the end of December. He comes from Philadelphia where he worked for a union general contractor and before that served in labor relations, government relations and DEI for the Philadelphia AGC chapter. He is amazed at the projects the Kansas City area is undertaking and the potential for future projects as well. Lance wants to help lead the industry to be prepared for and to be able to execute great projects. He praised the labor-management cooperation in the Kansas City area he has seen and its impact. He noted Don’s massive footprint in the industry. Lance welcomes discussion with all in the industry and shared his business cards with the attendees. His family is currently renting in Overland Park but looking for a permanent home by summer before his five-year-old begins school.
Committee members welcomed and thanked Lance and look forward to working with him.
•Manny Abarca held a town hall on the Royals and Chiefs stadiums yesterday, updating on where things are at and possible scenarios. Committee members were urged to contact the key policy makers on the stadium and share their views and priorities on the issue.
•UMKC announced that it is delaying a planned stadium complex due to high cost estimates. Committee members noted that while there are many projects being delayed due to cost and higher interest rates, as interest rates stabilize and possibly decline in future years that may spread projects out more which would be positive from a workforce and cost perspective.
•The Missouri General Assembly has begun pre-filing bills. To date there is not a “right-to-work” bill filed but at least one is expected to be. HB 1931 would wipe out prevailing wage. SB 743 would significantly cut unemployment benefit durations, which could harm the ability of the construction industry to retain workforce through economic and weather cycles and fails to account for differences among the state’s regions and industries.
•Kansas Gov. Kelly is again launching a drive to pass Medicaid expansion. Legislative leadership continues to be strong opposed though conditions for many rural hospitals are critical.
•The city of Kansas City, Mo. is considering an ordinance that would require landlords to accept HUD vouchers in considering rental applicants. Other provisions would reduce the ability of landlords to use credit checks and other tools to qualify renters. Since no other municipalities in the area are considering similar policies, the ordinance could significantly impact existing and future development of workforce housing within KCMO. The ordinance will likely to go committee as it lacks a supermajority to pass without committee vetting.
•NICE will hold its iBuild Showcase April 2 at Bartle, returning to expanded space. NICE also plans a major announcement soon.
•The committee discussed possible locations for the 2024 LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner. Further discussion and research will be done and a location announced soon.
•Room reservations are now available at Camden on the Lake for the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 7-10, 2024. The code LABR0724 will secure the rate of $166 per night (plus taxes and fees). A strong program is again being put together. Conference registration will be available in late March or early April.
•Upcoming events:
*LMC Board meeting Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m.
*Working Families Friends Casino Night, Feb. 2, 6-10 p.m., 1222 W 12th St KCMO
*Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast-Pat McCown speaker, Feb. 13, 7:30 a.m., Kay Barnes Ballroom
*Builders’ Anniversary Event Feb. 15
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference March 19-22
*NICE iBuild Reception April 1, Bartle Hall
*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall
*Workers Memorial Day event April 26
*Builders Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament May 6
*FMCS/LERA National Conference, June 26-30, 2024, New York
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 7-10, Camden on the Lake
*Builders’ Member Summer Party July 17
*Construction Innovation Expo Sept. 17
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12
•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9 :15 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.