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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens' Small Business Advisory Board Minutes October 8, 2013 MINUTES Augusta, Georgia’s Citizens’ Small Business Advisory Board Tuesday, October 8, 2013 9:00 A.M. to 10:00A.M. Municipal Building - 530 Greene Street - Room 307 PRESENT: Christopher Martin, Larry McCord, Lester Lowry, Hartley Gibbons, Cleveland O’Steen, JoRae Jenkins, Yvonne Gentry (DBE Director), Jacqueline Humphrey (EEO Director) Kenneth Bray (Staff Attorney) ABSENT: Lonnie Wimberly, Anthony Franklin, Ann Helms, Andrew MacKenzie, Lisa Coleman Quorum is reached at 9:15am Meeting was called to order by Ms. Yvonne Gentry, at 9:20 a.m. I. Approval of Minutes Ms. Gentry asked the board to take a minute to review minutes from June meeting. Ms. Gentry requested a motion for the June 2013 minutes be accepted. Motion to approve – Mr. McCord so moved Mr. Gibbons seconded ACTION: MOTION PASSED II. Old Business 1)Update: Report on LSBOP Registration Application- the DBE Department has received a new application from Star One Supplies. This company is a supplier that caters to do business with minorities, women and veterans. They have a good and fair pricing structure and they are willing to work with customers; providing options for payment plan. This company is also seeking to do work on federally funded projects. Ms. Humphrey asked if LSBOP vendors can be referred to prime contractors as a resource for subs/suppliers. Ms. Gentry confirmed the DBE Department attends all mandatory pre-conferences and provides the listing to potential vendors who bid on city projects where a goal has been assigned. In addition, vendors who bid on projects that are assigned project specific goals are required to seek local vendors. The LSBOP list is provided to them. These procedures help local vendors but do not address the disparity study. 2)Update: Report on Status of Procurement Code Amendment – LSBOP language requiring subcontractor has been drafted by the Law Department, has been approved by Commission and is now included in all bid documents. The Administrative Rule is also in place pertaining to projects over $100,000.00. 3)Vacant Positions: Commissioner Donnie Smith’s appointee, Ms. Amy Bernstein has resigned her position. Commissioner Guilfoyle’s and Commissioner Smith’s positions are both vacant. Ms. Gentry advised the board to submit qualified potential candidates who live within the appropriate districts to fill these positions. Ms. Gentry also confirmed she will contact Commissioner Smith to request appointing Ann Helms to his vacancy. 4)Update: Report from the Law Department- Mr. Kenneth Bray reminded the board to review the draft of By Laws. Copy has been emailed to members and resent by email today (October 8, 2013). Ms. Gentry requested a motion to receive a copy of the By Laws draft as information. Motion to approve – Mr. Gibbons so moved Mr. McCord seconded ACTION: MOTION PASSED Mr. Gibbons addressed the Law Department to address the court lifting the enjoinment. Mr. Bray responded there has been no progress made he has not been advised of any change in the current situation from Mr. MacKenzie. Ms. Jenkins asked what it will take to make progress and go before the court to have the enjoinment lifted, commenting that the process is taking entirely too long. Ms. Jenkins suggested the board members place the item on Commission agenda- requesting the Law Department to return to court to have the enjoinment lifted. Ms. Jenkins requested a motion to [ Request the Law Department to return to court and request the enjoinment to be lifted.] on the Commission agenda. Motion to approve – Mr. Gibbons so moved Mr. McCord seconded ACTION: MOTION PASSED Ms. Gentry also advised the board that Ms. Collette Holt is available to meet with them by teleconference prior to the commission meeting (during the month of October) in order to advise them on the best course of action to get the enjoinment lifted. Mr. Bray advised the Law Department should participate in this meeting. Ms. Gentry and Mr. Gibbons will work to set up the meeting date and time; they will include invitations to the Commission and the Law Department to attend. 5)Update-DBE Program- Ms. Gentry, performing as DBE Liaison did revise the DBE Program according to the template provided by the DOT and the list of findings/revisions. Ms. Gentry explained the program was submitted on time and that due to federal shutdown there has not been any response or feedback as of yet. 6)Update – Board Bylaws –Mr. Bray confirmed the Bylaws are complete as a draft. Emailed to board members for review. 7)Update- 2013 Business Expo, will take place December 5 at the Boathouse. Ms. Gentry requested the board’s participation and support. Ms. Gentry invited suggestions for keynote speakers. 8)Mr. Gibbons asked Ms. Gentry to advise the board on the position of Mr. Ellis Albright; what is his role and how can he assist the program? Ms. Gentry explained that she has met with Mr. Albright and the Administrator to discuss the possibility of an alliance with CSRA Business League. With the enjoinment in place there is no means of implementing and enforcing a minority program. Ms. Gentry further explained the DBE Department is already performing the services Mr. Albright intends to provide, within the confines of the restrictions set by the enjoinment. With adequate staff, specifically with a Contract Compliance Officer which has requested for several years; we can do more outside collecting data i.e. provide more community outreach events and workshops. III. Announcements- The next meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2013 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at 530 Greene Street Rm. 307 Ms. Gentry requested a motion to accept old business and updates as information and official minutes. Motion to approve – Ms. Gibbons so moved Mr. Martin seconded IV. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Submitted by: Yvonne Gentry Date: October 8, 2013