HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-14 MBE/WBEDIVERSITY UTILIZATION BOARD / DUB
AUGUST 4.2014
Board Present: James Summers, Carrie Kosac, Kareemah Fowler, Sam Centellas, Cherri Peate,
Valerie Schey, George King
Board Absent: Tom Capers, Eric Horvath, Shari Miller- Story, Jan Hall
Citizens Present: John Sanders
Opening the meeting, President Sanders asked if there were any corrections or discussions of the
minutes of the July 21st meeting. Scribner's errors aside, the minutes were approved as submitted.
Following up on questions, primarily from Carrie Kosac, at the last meeting, George King, City Purchasing
Manager explained the purchasing policy for the City of South Bend. George submitted two handouts
which are attached to these minutes.
George King explained an important distinction between bids and quotes. Bids are a formal way to
solicit prices from vendors. Bids must be advertised two times by the Board of Public Works. Bids are a
very public process, received and ultimately awarded upon review by the Board of Public Works at a
public meeting. George said he will e-mail a schedule of dollar thresholds triggering a lid process.
Quotes on the other hand are not as open a process. George said the City has 150 ports of entry. He
monitors the purchasing process to see that bids are always awarded to the low bidder.
Cherri Peate asked if George could provide a summary of the process. He said he would, adding that Jan
Hall was to train the 150 employees with purchasing authority to consider MBE /WBE enterprises.
*It should be noted Jan Hall, the City Diversity Compliance Office has retired since this last meeting.
Kareemah Fowler asked if there is a local preference. George answered saying there was a 3 — 6% local
preference based upon the dollar amount for goods and services.
Valerie Schey asked if boards and commissions abide by the same standards. George said state law
required everyone to follow the same rules.
President Summers then switched the discussion to board training. He provided a handout (attached)
suggesting Skylight Leadership be considered for training services.
In answer to the opportunity for public input, John Sanders said it was difficult to navigate the City
website. A short discussion of the need to get information out in a user friendly manner followed.
James Summers adjourned at 6:40 P.M.