Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Greg Chastain, Rudy Chavez, Jim Dahlen, Brian Dietz, Joey Flickner, Jaimie Guillen, Chris Heegn, Dustin Himes, Todd Howerton, Greg Lever, Chuck Martin, Bo Moreno, Ralph Oropeza, Chuck Roseburrough, Josh Schmitt, Chris Stanton, Brian Wood, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #27 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Welcome to Todd Howerton, IBEW Local 124, attending his first meeting.
•Jaime Guillen, director of the Kansas City, Mo., Civil Rights and Economic Opportunity Department. Jamie has been director for five months. He noted that staffing is a big challenge—there is not enough staff for the volume of projects CREO needs to monitor. He has requested more positions in the next city budget. CREO enforces prevailing wage and MBE/WBE requirements on city and city-funded projects, as well as certifying MBE/WBE contractors, investigates employment and accommodations discrimination, and the recent ordinance on pregnant worker accommodations particularly for employers with 6-14 employees as the recent federal legislation applies to 15 or more. Beginning in October the department will also enforce source of payment discrimination in rental housing. He believes the department is in a good spot but can always improve processes particularly with streamlining and is seeking with some success to get the staff to work more effectively as a team. More training both of internal staff and contractors on the law and enforcement is needed. Both in-person and video training will be increased. Ralph Oropeza noted that the Building Trades supported Jaimie’s move to the director position and agrees that more staff is needed. Jaimie added that he planned to attend the Construction Committee meetings whenever possible and values input from crafts and contractors.
•Greg Lever noted that the next iBuild Showcase is April 2 at Bartle Hall, and is returning to the large space. He invited all to the iBuild reception as well on April 1. Greg announced that he has become chief development officer for Avila University and is transitioning out of his NICE executive director position that he has held for 10 years. Nate Zier, Herndon Career Center, is transitioning to become the new NICE executive director. The transition will be completed in June. Greg thanked committee members for their support of NICE and its mission and said that Nate would begin attending committee meetings when his responsibilities at the Herndon Career Center are complete after May. In addition to iBuild, NICE is sponsoring Senior Days at apprenticeship programs with the next one at IBEW Local 124.
•The city of Kansas City, Mo., is planning a new jail project soon. Financing is expected from an existing tax source but it will require a ballot issue in April or August.
•The Whittaker Federal Courthouse will have a $90 million renovation including $60 million from the IRA. The courthouse is named for former Supreme Court Justice Charles Whittaker, whose grandson Tom Whittaker is general counsel for JE Dunn Construction Co.
•The Kansas City Public Schools plans a bond issue for 2025 and is now organizing committees to help plan and campaign for the issue. The last KCPS bond issue was in 1969.
•The Blue Springs School District passed a $100 million bond issue.
•The Missouri legislature is moving slowly so far. The House did pass a child care tax credit bill. SB 745, reducing the time period unemployment can be received, passed out of committee but is now on the Senate’s informal calendar as is the bill to renew the FRP hospital tax critical to Medicaid funding.
•The Jackson County legislature overrode the County Executive’s veto to put a renewal of the 3/8th cent sales tax for stadiums on the April 2 ballot. Many LMC members advocated for the vote. An announcement of the planned new Royals stadium site is expected soon.
•Brian Wood from OSHA reported on upcoming programs that OSHA is participating in including March 3-9, Women in Construction Week; March 25-29 Stand Up for Grain Safety; April 15-19 Work Zone Awareness; April 22-25 Workers Memorial Days; April 24-May 4 Small Business; May 6-10 Falls Standdown, and May is Mental Health Awareness month. Brian noted that many fatality and injury categories as well as suicides had seen increases from 2021 to 2022, so safety awareness continues to be critical. He said that rates were particularly high among immigrant and minority workers, and OSHA is making special efforts to reach out to those communities. He asked committee members for help in identifying audiences and opportunities for outreach. Brian also seeks outreach to smaller contractors who may not have safety officers. OSHA is also emphasizing extreme weather awareness, though hits uncertain if a specific standard will be proposed. Whenever OSHA does propose standards or changes in standards, there are opportunities for those in the industry to share their views before standards are final.
•Rudy Chavez reported that the Missouri Apprentice Ready program is about to begin with its next cohort of 18. Every trade is participating in the program. On March 13 practice interviews will be held, and Rudy asked for volunteers from unions and contractors to help conduct the interviews from 1-2:30 p.m.
Rudy also noted the Feb. 26 session as part of the Construction Working Minds Summit. The Feb. 26 session will help train participants in spotting mental health issues. The cost is $25. The Summit is also an opportunity for industry leaders to learn more about addressing mental health issues among workers. Details are available at https://constructionworkingminds.org/summit
•The University of Missouri Extension program on Immigration law was noted. The issue of immigration is crucial for the industry as the current and projected birthrates in the U.S. are insufficient to meet workforce needs or economic growth.
•Upcoming Events:(For details on these events, please contact the sponsoring group or LMC)
*Mayors Prayer Breakfast-Pat McCown speaker, Feb. 13, 7:30 a.m., Kay Barnes Ballroom
*DBIA-MAR What to Look for in ’24, Chris Kuehl, Feb. 14, 7:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe
*MU Extension Labor Law-Immigrration, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m., Sheet Metal Local 2
*Builders’Anniversary Event, Feb. 15
*Midwest Construction Safety Conference March 19-22
*DBIA Certification Workshop, March 26-28, Training Umbrella
*NICE iBuild Reception, April 1 (no fooling)
*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall
*Working Families Friend Texas Holdem Tournament, April 19
*LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, April 25, Argosy Casino
*Workers Memorial Day event, April 26
*Builders’ Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament May 6
*Working Families Friend Golf Tournament June 14
*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
*LMC Craig Whitaker Golf Tournament July 23, Eagles Landing
*Construction Innovation Expo. Sept 17
*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12
•The next committee meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 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.