HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-11 MBE/WBE MBE/WBE UTILIZATION BOARD
1sT Meeting—November 10, 2011
Minutes
South Bend City Councilmember Tim Rouse, the primary sponsor of the local ordinance
creating the MBE/WBE Board, chaired and opened the Board's first meeting.
Councilmember Rouse briefly recounted the background behind his initiative to
reinvigorate the city's commitment to minority business. In 1987, the City Council
passed a bill intending to "address equal opportunity for minorities and women with
regard to employment and bidding for city contracts." Rouse noted that only one
Councilmember, that being John Voorde dissented. Voorde said at the time, while the
intent was laudable, it contained no enforcement mechanism, predicting it would languish
on a shelf somewhere. Rouse saw to it that Bill No. 86-10,passed unanimously by the
earlier this year, corrects that deficiency. It is aimed to maximize opportunities for
minorities and women in South Bend by facilitating networking, outreach,
communication, education, training, internal accountability and employment
opportunities for qualified MBE and WBE. Its enforcement mechanism is designed to be
pro-active, fair and reasonable.
Councilmember Rouse then directed everyone's attention to the agenda he provided for
all attending. (See attached)
With Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand's assistance, Councilmember Rouse
walked through the definitions, duties, responsibilities, and other particular, found in the
current bill. (Ordinance No. 1008 1-11) It was noted the bill should be amended to
include (DBE—disabled business enterprises) to bring it into compliance with state and
federal law. Rouse also noted Section 14-5-9 of the bill creating the position of Diversity
Compliance Officer needed to be completed in that it is yet to be determined whether it
would be a consultant, new staff position or a current city employee.
Rouse then recognized the Mayor who said he hoped the Board would be more than a
number counter; but also work to assist start-ups as well as current qualified businesses.
Rouse asked the Mayor to direct the Director of Purchasing, Phil Custard to make
available the power-point presentation he developed in response to the ordinance entitled
the Diversity Development Program.
Board Member Jeff Rea asked for a copy of the city's current practices and procedures.
Two dates were suggested for the next meeting, Thursday, November 17, 2011 or
Tuesday, November 22, 2011. For public notice posting(Open Door Law) it was
determined Tuesday,November 22, 2011 was the likely choice. The City Clerk's Office
was to send notification.
There being no further business to come before the board, Councilmember Rouse
adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitt ,
D
Jo oorde,
City Clerk