HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-14 MBE/WBEDIVERSITY UTILIZATION BOARD /DUB
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 5:30 P.M.
Board Present: James Summers, Carrie Kosac, Kareemah Fowler, Sam Centellas, Cherri Peate,
Mandy Gallagher, George King
Public Present: Shirley Gaston, Joe Shabazz, John Sanders, Don Chambers
With a quorum present, President James Summers asked if there was a motion to approve the minutes
of the September 15th meeting of the DUB. Upon proper motions by Carrie Kosac and Kareemah Fowler
the minutes were approved without objection.
President Summers asked for discussion about the main items from the last meeting. Carrie recounted a
general consensus that they should proceed with board training internally relying upon city resources to
develop a curriculum. The training would include a history of the ordinance, protocols to be developed
to access city business, and parliamentary procedure.
George King then introduced Mandy Gallagher the new Diversity Compliance Officer, adding her
background as a good fit for administrative responsibilities. Those responsibilities would include
developing key indicators to measure success of the Board's mission. She would keep a list of MBE /WBE
businesses current while providing them help with registration and certification At the suggestion of
Carrie Kosac the Diversity Compliance Officer would also develop benchmarks drawn from best practices
in other governmental units.
What to do about board member absenteeism from meetings was discussed next. Mr. Summers felt
those with a pattern of non - attendance should be called to see if they still wanted to serve. Clerk John
Voorde said three board members fell into that category and he would make the calls.
Mr. Summers reminded all that the board needs to work on finding ways to increase the number of
MBE /WBE businesses and to help them through certification while getting them some work prior to
certification. Carrie agreed saying the previous board had talked about the same things, along lines of
creating a Local Business Enterprise (LBE) category, which could qualify them for city work prior to
certification.
Mr. Summers asked the Diversity Compliance Officer to provide a progress report to open future DUB
meetings.
ork together reviewing the current ordinance for suggested
Sam Centellas and Carrie Kosac agreed to w
improvements in language and focus.
John Voorde suggested a letter to the Administration, copied to the Council, be drafted expressing
concern that the Diversity Compliance Officer hours per week in 2015 is to be funded at only 18, down
from the current 30. The board agreed and Mr. Summers said he would have it by Friday, October 3`a
Opening to comments from the public, James Summers recognized Joe Shabazz. Mr. Shabazz indicated
the long standing need for a Diversity Utilization Plan called for in the ordinance. He expressed
frustration with the apparent lack of progress in achieving the ordinance's purpose.
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Mr. Summers said the board would make progress and was accountable.
Shirley Gaston also said there was a lack of commitment to making real progress for minority business.
She said the city should use the Salvation Army approach to using minority contractors employed during
construction of the Kroc Center. Don Chambers agreed.
James Summers adjourned the meeting at 6:32 P.M.