Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Greg Chastain, Greg Davey, Bill Dietrich, Ed Downey, Joey Flickner, Kevin Gard, Steve Gercone, Alex Gonzalez, Chris Heegn,, Kevin Hendrickson, Brett Jennings, Gabe Jones, Rocky Kloth, Chuck Martin, DaRon McGee, Bo Moreno, Chris Stanton, Perdo Zamora,Stacey Zerr, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Session #28 of the Construction Summit: Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.
•Jackson County Legislature Chair DaRon McGee, Downtown Council president and Pedro Zamora, Hispanic Economic Development executive director, presented on the Jackson County stadium tax issue on the April 2 ballot. Passage of the 3/8th cents tax will leverage more than $3 billion in construction with prevailing wage, minority and women workforce and contractor development and other community benefits.—good construction and stadium jobs are the key The Royals will not stay at Kauffman Stadium after the lease expires in 2030 if the tax vote fails, and nthe Chiefs are not likely remain at the Truman Sports Complex if it fails so the risk is an empty complex with no demolitions funds identified. Passage will also trigger new leases with the teams that will save Jackson County taxpayers $200 million versus the current leases. Passage of the tax, which is the same rate as is currently being paid, will generate $300 million in contributions from the Chiefs and $1 billion plus from the Royals for the projects, though support from the state of Missouri and Kansas City, Mo., will also be needed for the renovation and new stadium plans to be completed. The tax can only be used for renovation and construction on the stadiums themselves, not for any ancillary development, and taxpayers would continue to own Arrowhead and also own the new Royals stadium and its grounds. Orlando and Oklahoma City have recently put up about $1 billion each to keep NBA teams, more than the public investment being asked here for two teams.
The new Royals stadium will also boost revenues for the Power & Light District , help link to the 18th & Vine district and will not displace any affordable housing. The Royals have committed to make whole the property owners and tenants affected by the new stadium. Arrowhead will be expand paved parking and create a new event space to draw significant outdoor events too small for Arrowhead as well as game day activities.
Committee members urged tax support campaigners to communicate the benefits more effectively and specifically, as well as to more aggressively dispel the significant misinformation in social media, everyday discussion and other media.
Upcoming listening sessions on the issue will be held Monday, March 18, 2:30-3:45 p.m. at Arrowhead and a virtual session Tuesday, March 26, 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m. as well as 3-4:15 p.m.
The Labor-Management Council has endorsed the issue. April elections often have low turnout so the impact of construction-industry workers from both labor and management can be significant.
•The city of Kansas City, Mo., will be considering an ordinance to move forward with demolition of the Barney Allis garage and a new development there. Negotiations for a labor harmony agreement on the project are underway; more information will be shared with committee members soon so discussions with council members can take place.
•NICE is holding the iBuild Showcase bringing hundreds of students to Bartle Hall to learn about construction careers April 2, with a reception April 1 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the exhibit floor to introduce new executive director Nate Zier.
•The Missouri legislature is continues to move slowly though some bills are moving as is takes its Spring Break next week. Kansas passed a workers’ compensation bill that had input and support from both labor and management. School board local city elections in Missouri are April 2 as well as the stadium tax vote.
•Upcoming Events:(For details on these events, please contact the sponsoring group or LMC)
*KCPS Community Workshop on the 10-Year Capital Plan, 6-7:30 p.mm., Board of Education
*Graduation for Missouri Apprentice Ready, March 15 noon, IBEW Local 53
*Builders’ PAC Sporting Clay Shoot March 18
*Jackson County Stadium Tax Listening Session, March 18, 2:30 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium
*DBIA Certification Workshop, March 26-28, Training Umbrella
*Jackson County Stadium Tax Listening Sessions, Virtual, March 26, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
*Construction Hiring Fair, March 27, Mary Williams Neal Center, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
*Heartland Women in Trades/Missouri Works Women in Trades 4th Wednesdays, March 27,
6 p.m., IBEW Local 53
*DBIA/Construction Leadership Council Happy Hour March 28, 5-7 p.m., O’Doud’s
*NICE iBuild Reception, April 1 (no fooling)
*NICE iBuild April 2, 2024, Bartle Hall
*KC DBIA Regional Conference, April 10, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., The View at Briarcliff
*LMC Board Meeting, April 17
*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
*IBEW Local 53 Riders Group Ride for Working Families Friend, May 18, Local 53
*Unions Stars Expo, June 13, Carpenters Regional Council, 1-5 p.m.
*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
*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Saddle & Sirloin, Sept. 12
*Construction Innovation Expo. Sept 17
*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21
*LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12
•The next committee meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2024, 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.