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DRAFT MINUTES COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS APRIL 9, 1996 12 NOON
PRESENT: Chairman: Clinton I. Young, Jr. Member: Lois Bronz Secretary: Lynne Creighton Staff: Don Sandford
Winston Ross, Director, WESTCOP Ed Dowdy, Director, Affirmative Action, James H. Chance, President, Environmental Data Consultants, Inc.
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 by Mr. Young.
The minutes of March 19 were approved on motion of Mr. Young and seconded by Mrs. Bronz.
Mr. Young acknowledged Mr. Dowdy’s presence and welcomed him to the meeting. Mr. Young also wanted to acknowledge the fact that although Mr. Dowdy has not been present at meetings he has consistently provided the Chairman with information and the necessary contacts required for Minority Affairs meetings.
Mr. Young introduced Mr. Chance, who has an environmental company, and said that the Committee on Minority Affairs has taken a very pro-active approach to the participation of minority and women-owned businesses doing business with the County. Mr. Young further stated that some minority owned businesses have met with the committee to introduce themselves and take whatever steps necessary to insure that they are given a fair chance to do business with the County.
Mr. Chance said that his company, Environmental Data Consultants, Inc., was incorporated in the State of Connecticut in 1987, providing environmental services, such as environmental cleanup and environmental construction and consulting services.
Mr. Chance said that he has not had any contracts with Westchester County, but has had some success in the private sector and smaller communities, such as Rye. He hopes that the Minority Affairs Committee will be able to open some doors or make some recommendations for him.
DRAFT MINUTES COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS PAGE TWO APRIL 9, 1996
Mr. Young would like to introduce Mr. Chance to Legislator Kay Carsky, who chairs the Committee on Environment and Mrs. Bronz suggested putting him in touch with Larry Dwyer, from the Westchester Business Partnership, which is co-funded by the County.
Mr. Dowdy said that the County Executive Order talks about what the County is supposed to do to increase participation of businesses owned by minorities and women.
After further discussion on the Executive Order Mrs. Bronz said that the County Executive expressed his intention to co-host the showcase for Minority entrepreneurs, to be held at the County Center at a date to be determined, and that that would be a good occasion for him to talk about the Executive Order.
Mr. Dowdy said that the County had found money to print the new edition of the Directory of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses, but that this would be the last time the directory would be funded by the County.
Mr. Ross gave a presentation on WESTCOP (Westchester Community Opportunity Program), which is a not-for-profit anti-poverty agency funded by a variety of sources including federal, state and county governments, as well as corporations, foundations and individual donations. WESTCOP has been in existence since 1965. Some of the programs that are under the WESTCOP umbrella are:
Community Action Programs Employment and Training Programs Senior Services Victims Assistances Services Early Childhood Programs: Head Start/Day Care Special Projects Substance Abuse Programs
Mr. Ross stated that WESTCOP is the largest human service organization serving the minority community.
DRAFT MINUTES COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS PAGE THREE APRIL 9, 1996
Mrs. Bronz said that she sits on the WESTCOP board representing the Board of Legislators at the request of the chair.
Mr. Ross said that 1/3 of the board is made up of locally-elected officials, 1/3 represents the low-income community and the other third are typical board members, from civic organizations and corporations.
WESTCOP is the largest child-care provider in Westchester County in terms of day care and other early childhood services and receives Title XX money.
After further discussion on funding, services and operation of the various WESTCOP programs, Mr. Young thanked Mr. Ross for his presentation and invited him to attend future meetings of the committee.
Mrs. Bronz mentioned that Dr. Rapoport had sent a package of information on health issues in the minority community and that she would like to have a joint meeting with Health and the Medical Center, and Mr. Young was in agreement.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 P.M. on motion of Mr. Young and seconded by Mrs. Bronz. |