Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
8 a.m., Thursday, February. 12, 2026, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending: Sam Alpert, Greg Davey, Kevin Gard, Jody Flickner, Steve Gercone, Matt Harris, Chris Heegn, Dustin Himes, Todd Howerton, Brian Hurst, Matt Johnson, Chuck Martin, Pam Nolte, Tina Richard, Cameron Seip, Tina Shonk-Little, Chris Stanton, Stacy Zerr, Nate Zier, Bob Jacobi.
•Thanks to Rosana Privitera-Biondo and Mark One Electric Co., Inc. for hosting.
•Discussion of various projects, including the KC Mavericks lease renewal and Cable Dahmer Arena and the impact on developments in Johnson County that include ice rinks. Follow-up: While Lamar Hunt Jr. owns the Mavericks and plans to build ice, he does not intend to move the Mavericks there. The ice at that project is for youth play.
•The Missouri legislature is beginning to hear legislation in committees. Among the issues that have had hearings is the solar ban, which passed the Senate committee but two of the GOP yes votes indicated they would not vote for a total ban on the floor but wanted the approach to be debated. The Port Authority bill was voted out of Senate committee but is not expected to pass in its current form if at all. A House committee has heard the Speaker’s bill to replace the state income tax with sales taxes. Such a change could have significant impact by adding sales tax to services currently not taxed, as well as increasing tax rates which could drive retail sales to Kansas and Illinois. The impact on public eduction funding could also be significant as many districts get substantial portions of their funds from the state. The current version of the bill gives the legislature the ability to expand and increase sales taxes without Hancock protections. A public vote, likely in November, would be needed to implement the changes.
In Kansas SB 335, which would require public construction projects to have a mutual waver of consequential damages, passed out of committee.
KCMO will have the earnings tax 5-year renewal on the April ballot. The LMC has traditionally supported the renewal. The impact of the Chiefs move to Kansas in 2031 on KC earnings taxes and Missouri sales and income taxes would be considerable but have not been fully quantified yet.
•The new federal budget restores full funding for FMCS, though it will be awhile before full services can be ramped up again. The St. Louis office has two mediators now; no mediators are stationed in Kansas City at this time.
•Nate Zier reported that reservations for iBuild exhibits April 28 are now open at NICE’s website. iBuild again expects 2,500-3,000 students attending the event at Bartle Hall. NICE is sponsoring a Women Who Build session with NAWIC and HWIT March 3, another Math for the Skilled Trades session March 10 at IBEW Local 124 with Laborers and Plumbers Local 8 also participating. The Summer Teacher Externship will be held July 13-17. A five-year strategic plan will be shared with the Committee in March after the NICE Board reviews it next week.
•The impact of the World Cup on the construction industry will be extensive. Among the impacts that the industry needs to plan for: a proposed shutdown of all MODOT and KDOT projects during the period of matches; significantly increased traffic especially on highways; longer drive times; road closures around matches; security issues for construction sites; permits required for entry to hotels used by the teams and media (Downtown Marriott) that could delay needed repairs and maintenance; lack of hotel space available; and more.
•The Parade of Hearts construction heart coordinated by Tina Shonk-Little will be available for participants and others to have photos taken tomorrow at 517 Southwest Blvd.
•The Heavy Metal Summer Camp will help held June 1-4. There will be 30 participants; more than 100 applied.
•Keynote speakers have been lined up for the LMC 47th Anniversary Celebration April 9 and the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 5-8. Dr. John Gaal will focus on mental health for the LMC event and Kim Becking will inspire folks at the conference.
•Upcoming Events:
*DBIA-MAR Improve I-70: Mobility and Safety Through Design-Build, Feb. 18, 7:30 a.m., Grand Street Cafe
*Mayors Prayer Breakfast, Feb. 19, KC Convention Center
*Builders AGC Anniversary Celebration Feb. 19
*Missouri filing for state offices begins Feb. 24, closes March 31
*Children’s Miracle Network Labor Bowl Feb. 28, Ward Parkway Bowl
*Midwest Safety Conference, March 5-6, 2026, Stoney Creek
*DBIA-MAR & AIA Program/Happy Hour March 25
*Aetna Mental Health Breakfast, April 1, IBEW Local 124
*Missouri local elections April 7
*LMC Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner, April 9, Argosy Casino
*Working Families Friend Poker Tournament April 17, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Pipefitters Local 533
*Builders PAC Sporting Clay Shoot April 17, Powder Creek
*iBuild Showcase, April 28, 2026, Bartle Hall
*DBA-MAR Golf Tournament, June 11
*World Cup games in KC June 16, 20, 25, 27 and July 3 and 11, 2026
*Mid-America Labor/Management Conference, July 5-8, 2026, Camden on the Lake
*LMC Craig Whitaker Golf Tournament July 21, Eagles Landing
*Primary Elections Aug. 4
*NICE Annual Luncheon Oct. 15, KC Convention Center
*LMC /BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception Oct. 15, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*General Elections Nov. 3
•The next meeting will be Thursday, 8 a.m., March 12, 2026 at Mark One.
•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:20 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
