COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS
MINUTES
JUNE 6, 2000
STAFF: ETTERE, CHANG
OTHERS: INGRID BENT (CE OFFICE); SEE ATTACHED
The meeting was called to order at 1:10 pm.
Legislator Bronz made a motion to approve the minutes May 9, 2000 and was seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.
Chair Young recommended acquiring the services volunteered by the law firm of Bozeman & Trott, LLP. Both Members have had dealings with this law firm in the past but are not presently acquiring any services.
Legislator Bronz made a motion to accept services voluntarily rendered by Bozeman & Trott and was seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0. (This motion does not need a full Board vote – confirmed by Daniela Infield {County Atty’s Office}).
Technical Management Group (TMG)
Mr. Jonasis Smith is the Chief Financial Officer of Technical Management Group whose mission is to give the under-served communities equal technology access including Internet capabilities, and a quality learning environment. They plan to achieve this mission by providing consulting services to Public Housing Authorities in design, setup and maintenance of community technology centers in order to “bridge the digital divide”. Cindy Lee (Chief Executive Officer), Ernest Garvin (Chief Information Officer) and Sherron Fantauzzi (Director of Marketing) are also present.
TMG has two (2) other divisions.
COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS
MINUTES – JUNE 6, 2000
PAGE 2
Outsourcing:
¨ Dealing with minority information technology (IT) professionals that may be looking for positions.
¨ Helping minority firms that are looking for minority IT professionals to come in and do such things as web design or tech management, etc.
Bidding:
¨ Attempting to receive vendor certification to be able to go out and start bidding on RFP’s (Request for Proposals) put out by smaller cities such as New Rochelle and Mt. Vernon.
¨ Will be attending tomorrow’s seminar being held at County Center. This seminar is sponsored by the County of Westchester and focuses on the County’s bidding process. Minority and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to attend.
¨ New Rochelle Municipal Housing will be voting on their bid to work in the Gracie and Harvey houses.
¨ Completed an on-site assessment yesterday for the New Rochelle Restoration Committee for its city park project.
Mr. Smith is looking for feedback from this Committee on any ideas or suggestions to help in their mission.
The Members gave TMG many various names and numbers of individuals who may be able to guide them onto the right path. Such names included: Norm Jacknis, Richard Brown (Texaco), Mr. Stacey Holmes (BOCES), Ann Boyer (Youth Bureau), WestHab, Renee Guy (Yonkers), Larry Salley (Planning), Ernest McFadden (Heineken & Ossining City Councilman) and George Gretsas (White Plains).
Mr. Smith thanked the Members for giving TMG the opportunity to come before this Committee and discuss the company and its goals. It has given them insight on how the County functions and the names of individuals who can really assist them and the company’s objectives.
On motion from Legislator Bronz, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.