COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1997

12 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairman: Young. Members: Darcy. Legislators: Delfino, District 5; Stewart-Cousins, District 16. Staff: Jamie Hastings, Director of Government Relations; Emilia Vita, Acting Secretary.

ALSO PRESENT: James Dolan, M. Paul Redd, Westchester Affirmative Action; Michael Kapolowitz; Albert E. Williams; Benjamin Dyett.

Chairman Young called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m., noting the proposed legislation for economical development is pending the County Attorney’s review. He then turned the meeting over to Mr. Redd to discuss women in minority-owned business.

Mr. Redd said he was very happy to have this subject matter coming together and to have the County Executive heading the project. He waived the meeting to Mr. Dolan who has been the lead person of the project.

Mr. Dolan gave a brief background of the project since its inception from last summer. At that time RFP’s for consultants to improve the level of participation of women in minority owned business have proved to work well. This project will process education to do business with the County as well as look to what level of efforts are needed. The will gather those businesses or serviced provided by these owners and educate them on the process.

Mr. Dolan explained there are several phases that they are working on and the first one has been approved by A & C. They are to gather the facts, be uniform and increase the awareness to these business, that the County has contract that can be filled. The second phase will be when these changes are implemented and there is a successful rate.

He continued to explained by next year this will be completed. There was a need for activity and Ed Dowdy provided the necessary information.

Information on contracts from 1995 and 1996 are currently being analyzed, they need to be identified in order to recommend the necessary changes. Additional date from such departments as Public Works, Affirmative Action, The Medical Center and General Services are being collected for recommendations.

Chairman Young, because of the nature of this issue and practice of the Committee, opened the meeting for questions from the public.

There was a brief question and answer period.

As a result of this meeting, Chairman Young requested a periodic report from all involved and will keep this issue open in Committee.

On the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the meeting adjourned at 1 p.m.