02-04-14 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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PERSONNEL & FINANCE FEBRUARY 4, 2014 4:04 P.M. Committee Members Present: Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner (AB), Derek Dieter (EXAB), Henry Davis (4:36 to 4:45) Other Council Present: Tim Scott (AB), Dr. Fred Ferlic (AB), Karen White (AB), Oliver Davis (AB) Others Present: Jan Hall, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, George King, Cecil Eastman, John Murphy, Joseph Shabazz, Mark Neal, Rahman Johnson, Karla Tillman Agenda: 1. Organizational Meeting 2. 2013 Diversity Purchasing Report Personal & Finance Chair Valerie Schey opened the meeting called to address two items on the agenda. The first being the annual organizational meeting of the Committee. The second being a presentation of the 2013 Diversity Purchasing Program. It should be noted, Valerie was the only Councilmember present at the start of the meeting. Committee member Henry Davis came in at 4:36 and left at 4:45. The lack of a quorum not withstanding precluding any official action, Valerie proceeded to welcome everyone present. To address organizational issues Valerie distributed a handout (attached) titled Personnel & Finance 2014 Goals and Objectives. Proceeding through the handout, Valerie stated the overall goal of the Committee was to work with the Controller's office to ensure transparency and accountability in tracking revenues and expenditures. She spoke to wanting quarterly progress reports detailing how much money was spent and where it came from as the City addressed the 2014 budgeted priorities. Both Mark Neal and John Murphy pledged compliance with the reporting format and schedule requested by Valerie. To begin discussion of the City's efforts to increase minority participation in winning a greater share of the contracts the City awards for goods and services, Valerie provided a 2013 "at a glance" purchasing report. The report by the numbers would seem to indicate some progress had been made to comply with the Council initiated MBE /WBE (Minority Business Enterprises /Women Business Enterprises) ordinance on the books for the better part of three years. Nonetheless, according to Valerie and Joseph Shabazz the efforts by the City to encourage contracts have been abysmal falling far short of what might be considered measurable positive change. Mr. Shabazz provided a two page progress report of his own to augment his lack of measurable progress claims. (Attached) In response the City's Purchasing Director George King and the City Diversity Compliance Officer Jan Hall, both outlined the City's efforts, defending their efforts to comply with the MBE /WBE ordinance.