The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Construction Committee Learns More About KCPS 2025 Bond Issue

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes

 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Attending: Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, Jose Aragon, Nigel Bayless, Greg Davey, Ed Downey, Kent Eagen, Josh Franklin, Steve Gercone,  Chris Heegn, Shannon Jaax, Ralph Oropeza, Tina Shonk-Little, Whitney Morgan, Brandon Schaaf, Jacobe Sizemore, Chris Stanton, Stacey Zerr, Bob Jacobi.

•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.

•Session #32 of the Construction Summit:  Efforts continue working with the Fair Contracting Alliance.

•Shannon Jaax and Whitney Morgan presented on the Kansas City Public Schools planned April 2025 bond issue.  The district has not had a bond issue in 60 years and as a result many district building are in substandard condition and less than ideal learning environments.  There have been no new buildings since 1996.  The district has identified $1.25 billion in needs, but a realistically is looking at $650 million in improvements over 10 years.  About $100 million will be achieved through certificate of participation bonds that the school board can pass with no tax increase or public vote with work starting next summer, but the remaining projects will need to be funded via a bond issue that requires a tax increase and public vote with 4/7ths yes vote required.  A steering committee (the LMC has been represented) has developed recommendations for a capital improvements plan to be voted on by the board later this month. The plan likely will include renovations, some new construction, some school consolidation and changing the uses of some district buildings to better meet student learning needs.

Next steps include the board approval Aug. 16 (it can be live-streamed or seen later at the website), Bond 101 workshops on Aug. 22 and Sept. 9, and a Say Yes election committee formed in November.  Input from the community including the construction industry is sought at each step.  The district is recruiting Community Ambassadors to help educate about the bonds and invites participants from the industry.

Committee members urged a focus on better preparing students for careers in the trades with improved math and reading comprehension abilities.  There has been extensive discussion of a much enhanced Carter & Technical Education component in the bond issue plans, and all of the improvements are geared to improve student learning.  Committee members noted that a procurement process that ensures quality construction and compliance with prevailing wage and other regulations is crucial.  The district plans an oversight committee for the projects that could include labor representation, and invited further discussions on ways to achieve high quality and compliance.  McCownGordon and JE Dunn will be involved with construction being a CM at risk structure.  More details can be found at the district’s website for the bond issue, kcpublicschools.org/bond and questions/suggestions can be directed to [email protected] and [email protected] and [email protected].

•Tuesday’s election results were mostly positive for the industry and labor though the passage of Missouri Amendment 4 was a disappointment.

•The Missouri legislature next meets in veto session Sept. 11.  The only issue that may be of impact would be if a concurrent special session is called to address Chiefs and Royals stadiums.

•The Unions United Kickball Tournament will be Oct. 5.  Teams of 10 players are welcome.

•Fishing for Freedom seeks more fishermen and boats to accommodate the military veterans signed up as well as volunteers to help  The event is Oct. 11-13 at Truman Lake.   Details can be found at www.fishingforfreedom.us.

•Those who attended the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference praised the quality of the conference.  Next year more time and possibly space will be allocated for the prevailing wage session.  Suggestions are welcome for speakers and topics.  Hotel reservations are already available; the code for the conference rate will be sent out soon. 

•The LMC has its Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 12, Mid-Level Leadership beginning Sept. 25 and Public Officials Reception with BOMA-KC Oct. 10.

•Upcoming events:

*KC Labor Car & Motorcycle Show, Aug. 10, 8 a.m. Azura Amphitheater

*CREW KC Golf Tournament, Aug. 19, Canyon Farms Golf Club

*DBIA-MAR Next-Gen + Two-Light Tour & Summer Poolside Party, Aug. 28, 4-6 pm.

*Laborers Sporting Clay Shoot, Sept. 7, Powder Creek

*LMC Sporting Clay Shoot Saddle & Sirloin, Sept. 12

*Working Families Friend Fall Cook-Off, Sept. 21

*Mid-Level Leadership Program First Session, Sept. 25, Rockhurst University

*Missouri & Kansas Laborers Western Charity Golf Tournament, Sept. 27, Drumm Farm

*Unions United Kickball Tournament, Oct. 5, 8 a.m., City Park KCK

*LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception, Oct. 10, 5:30-7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

*Fishing for Freedom, Oct. 11-13, Truman Lake

*Election Day Nov. 5

*NICE Annual Luncheon, Nov. 12, Bartle Hall

*Builders’ Holiday Party Dec. 12

*NICE iBuild Showcase April 8, 2025

*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 6-9, 2025, Camden on the Lake

•Next Meeting: 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12  at Mark One Electric Co. The City of Independence will present on its upcoming bond issue.

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

The LMC Construction Industry Committee will meet Thursday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m. at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. The agenda will include a presentation and discussion with Kansas City Public Schools on its planned bond issue.

Congratulations to Bella Whitlock, daughter of Kansas State Sen. Jeff Pittman, on achieving the top 20 at the Miss USA pageant yesterday. Bella, a student at the University of Miami, is seeing as Miss Kansas USA.

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City urges those eligible to vote on Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Missouri and Kansas primary elections. On the Missouri ballot, the LMC urges a No vote on Amendment 4.

Amendment 4 requires the city of Kansas City to increase its minimum budget commitment to the Kansas City Police Department from 20 to 25 percent. While the city is already contributing at that level, increasing the requirement could negatively impact other vital services such as fire protection, road construction and maintenance, parks and health care that also depend on the city's general fund. Since the city does not control how the KCPD spends the city's funding, increasing the percentage required without increasing city input is unfair to city taxpayers.

Polls open at 7 a.m. in Missouri and 6 a.m. in Kansas. Both states have important federal, state and local races on the ballot.

The LMC congratulates Mike Keenan, business manager of LMC member Teamsters Local 541, on his recognition as Labor Representative of the Year by Labor's Education and Political Club Independent. Among others also receiving recognition were Wade Kiefer, IBEW Local 124 with the Chere Chaney Excellence in Government Award and Bob Jacobi, LMC executive director, a recipient of the Seth Slouch Labor Advocate of the Year.  See Photo Albums at left under 2024 LEPCI for a photo of all of the honorees.

Check back soon for reports on the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference and the Triad FMCS/LERA national conference.

The LMC Construction Industry Committee next meets at 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. The Kansas City Public Schools will present on their planned bond issue.

27th Golf Tournament a Success

Congratulations to JE Dunn Construction Co. for finishing first in the IBEW Local 124 Pipefitters Local 533 Craig Whitaker LMC Memorial Golf Tournament July 23 at Eagles Landing Golf Club with a 20 under par score of 52.  Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners placed second with a score of 57 and IBEW Local 124 was third with a 60.  All of the foursomes finished under par.  The 27th annual tournament provided great networking opportunities and generated funds for the LMC towards our mission of enhancing collaboration by building trust between labor and management and the community.

Photos from the tournament can be found in the photo album (left) under 2024 Golf Tournament.  Thanks to Jennifer Borkowski and Nate Zier for providing some of the photos.    In addition to our volunteers Jennifer and Nate, sponsors were critical to the events’ success.  The LMC thanks our 2024 Golf Tournament Supporters:

Title Sponsors

IBEW Local 124

Pipefitters Local 533

Eagle Sponsors

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City

Capital Electric Construction

Heat & Frost Insulators Local 27

Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663

Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council

JE Dunn Construction Co.

Plumbers Local 8

Power Partners

Stephens-Heffner Financial Partners

United Labor Credit Union

Whitley Construction Co.

Refreshment Sponsors

Humana Group Medicare

Hole Sponsors

Aetna 

Bricklayers Local 15

In-Kind Supporters—

Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC:  Sets of golf balls for the raffle

Cigna:  Golf balls and tees for each player and raffle prizes, including a kinfe set

Dixon Golf and Aurellius: Proceeds from their hole contests

Humana  Group Medicare:  Photos and Volunteer Support

United Labor Credit Union :  Goody Bags and raffle prizes

Special thanks to volunteers

Jennifer Borkowski, Humana Group Medicare

Nate Zier, National Institute for Construction Excellence (NICE)

Players also generously bought raffle and mulligan tickets, with nearly 20 prizes awarded.  The staff at Eagles Landing provided excellent service as usual and the weather cooperated with perfect temperature, sunshine and humidity levels.

Next up for the LMC:  the Fifth Sporting Clay Shoot Sept. 12, the Mid-Level Leadership Program with first class Sept. 25, and the LMC/BOMA Public Officials Reception Oct. 10.  Reservation forms for the Sporting Clay Shoot and Public Officials Reception are below; contact the LMC at [email protected] for Mid-Level Leadership Program application form.

You Are Invited to the

Fifth Annual Labor-Management Council Sporting Clays Shoot

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 • Saddle & Sirloin Club

 

You are invited to participate in the Labor-Management Council’s fourth annual Sporting Clays Shoot Sept. 12, 2024 at the Saddle & Sirloin Club, 14401 Holmes, KCMO 64145.  The shoot provides another way for labor and management to build relationships and show that we have been so successful in enhancing labor-management collaboration that we can trust both to have guns in the same place!

 

The event features 100 shots, a pre-shoot luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and a post-shoot reception.  The shoot begins at 1 p.m.  Here is how you can participate:

 

_____Title Sponsor $3,000 (includes five participants, name on event title)

_____Ammo Sponsor $3,000 (includes five participants, recognition, covers ammo for all shooters)

_____Luncheon Sponsor $1,500 (includes five participants, name on luncheon)

_____Perfect Aim Sponsor $1,000 (includes five participants, sponsorship listing)

_____Team $750 (includes five participants)

_____Individual Participant(s) @ $200

_____Station sponsor (sponsor a shooting station) $250

 

Total $________________

 

Name                                                                                                                                       _______    

 

Organization Name                                                                                                            ______          

 

Address                                                                                                                           ______             

 

City                                                                   State                      Zip ________________

 

Email ____________________________________________ Phone _________________________

 

_____ Payment Enclosed _____ Please bill

 

Registration deadline Sept. 7, 2023.  Please send to Labor-Management Council, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110 or email to [email protected]

Participants (names can be provided later):

 

______________________________________ __________________________________

 

______________________________________ __________________________________

 

______________________________________

 

Shooters provide their own ammo, unless there is an ammo sponsor.  Thanks for your support!

 

Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.  Thanks!

 

The Labor-Management Council of

Greater Kansas City/BOMA-KC 

 

2024 Public Officials Reception Sponsorship Form

The LMC’s 2024 annual Public Officials Reception will be held from

5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

 

We are now accepting reception sponsorships.  Sponsors will be listed on the printed invitation that goes to public officials and LMC members if check or commitment is received by Sept. 15.  Sponsorships received by

Oct. 8 will be listed on the printed program and all sponsors will be listed in post-event publicity.  Sponsors are crucial to the event’s success.  Sponsorships can be reserved by emailing or mailing the information below to the LMC or by sending a check:

 

Email:  [email protected]

Mail:  Labor-Management Council, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110

Checks can be made payable to the Labor-Management Council.

Thanks for your support!

Organization                                                                                                                                                      

Name of Contact                                                                                                                                               

Phone Email                                                                                                                

Sponsorship Level:

___Co-Presenter $6,000  includes option for a sponsor table

       Presidential  $5,000  includes option for a sponsor table

        Supreme Court $2,500  includes option for sponsor table

        Capitol $2,000  includes option for sponsor table

        Cabinet $1,500

        Senator $1,000

        Speaker $750

        Representative $500

        Assistant $250

        Supporter $100

        Check Enclosed         Check to be sent         Please bill

Thanks!

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.

LMC Board Elects Wilson, Sets Financial Plans

Summary of Minutes

LMC Board of Directors Meeting

July17, 2024 • 9:30 a.m. • Builders’ AGC 720 Oak KCMO

Attending:  Whitney. Chandler, Greg Davey, Tom Gebken, Dan Heizman, Rocky Kloth, Bo Moreno, Chris Stanton, Bob Jacobi, Erica Jenkins

•Thanks to Greg Davey and the Builders’ for hosting.

•Presentation from Erica Jenkins, Builders’ AGC, on the accounting and payroll services provided to the LMC including general ledger, payroll, depositing checks, printing and sending checks as authorized, bank account management, filing of 990 and state registration and quarterly financial reports.  The LMC provides a Presidential sponsorship for the Builders’ for the Public Officials Reception.  Greg will develop an MOU to document and clarify the Builders’ role for consideration at the next board meeting.  The Board appreciates the many years of critical assistance provided by the Builders’ accounting staff.

•M/S/C to approve the Financial Report subject to audit.

•M/S/C to approve the Executive Director Compensation proposal for 2024-25

•M/S/C to approve the proposed 2024-25 budget

•Options for paying off the LMC’s EDL loan more quickly will be developed and presented at the October board meeting, including possible one-time assessment from members.

•M/S/C to approve an increase in LMC dues of $150 at each level for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

•The Missouri August ballot includes Amendment 4, a re-vote on raising the minimum contribution from the city of Kansas City, Mo., to the Kansas City Police Department.  The LMC opposed the issue before and will reiterate its opposition.

•The 2024 legislative sessions in Missouri and Kansas had some successes—area projects funded, improvements to the Missouri historic tax credit, passage of Blair’s Law, doubling of the Kansas child care tax credit and no major issues opposed by the LMC became law.

•The 45th Anniversary Celebration and 24th Awards Dinner had nearly 200 in attendance and was successful.  Federal Reserve Bank of KC Vice President Kim Robbins did an excellent keynote and the award announcements were well-received.  Board members discussed ideas for the 2025 event including different formats and locations that further the goals of recognizing leadership in labor-management, networking and relationship building and fund raising.  The LMC will set a date and location before the October board meeting.  

•The Mid-America Labor/Managment Conference was successful in terms of content and attendance.  Several LMC members have been added to the planning committee; Bret Bonge and Bob Jacobi continue as co-chairs.

•The 27th Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament July 23 at Eagles’ Landing has 46 committed golfers with 60 expected.  JE Dunn Construction is added to the list of sponsors/foursomes listed in the meeting materials.  There are still available spots for foursomes and sponsors.

•The 5th Sporting Clay Shoot will be Sept. 12 at Saddle & Sirloin; promotion for that will begin after the golf tournament.

•The LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception will be Oct. 10 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with the larger space that worked well last year.

•Mid-Level Leadership Program applications for the 2024-25 class are now available, with the first session Sept. 25.  One application has already been received and commitments for several more also already in.  An event to promote the class is under consideration.

•The committee formed to plan a new family-friendly event including corn hole and barbecue contests expects has been working and is looking for a date next spring.

•M/S/C to nominate Dontay Wilson, UAW Local 31, to fill Clarence Brown’s vacant labor seat on the Board.  Matt Harris will be contacted about Chuck Tarpley’s vacant seat as Chuck recently retired.  Additional leaders are being contacted about filling vacant Board seats.

•The next Board Meeting will be Oct. 16, 2024, 9:30 a.m. at the Builders’ AGC pending availability.

•M/S/ C to adjourn at 11:15 a.m.

It's conference time in the labor-management community:

•The LMC is just returning from the Triad conference of FMCS, LERA and International LERA in New York. Great learning and networking. Highlights will be posted here later.

•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference starts next Sunday, July 7, at Camden on the Lake. A great agenda and an expected 150 attendees will be featured as the conference runs through July 10. For registration or other info contact [email protected].

The LMC mourns the death of Joe Maderak, Maderak Construction. Joe was active in the construction labor-management community for many years. The visitation will be June 20 at St. Patrick Catholic Church 9-10:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian burial.  Condolences also go to the families of former LMC board member Keith Querry on the passing of his sister-in-law Mary Querry and the family of LMC friend John Mulvihill on the death of his brother Joe, an attorney and civic leader.