Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity meeting, July 14, 2023
- When: Fri, Jul 14, 2023, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/845038673
- Transcript: full text (4,602 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
In Chair Emma Mitts first meeting of the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity, two public commenters spoke, including a veteran-owned contractor who asked the committee to seek a rebid of the city's lead service line replacement contract. The committee approved its Rule 45 report from September 19, 2022, and the chair introduced leadership from the Department of Procurement Services. Members discussed and passed an ordinance sponsored by Alderperson Gilbert Villegas extending the pilot program for local veteran-owned small businesses from July 31, 2023 to July 31, 2026, with members requesting participation data by race and by ward and raising certification reciprocity for veteran-owned firms.
Topics: Veteran-owned business program, Procurement equity, MBE/WBE participation, Certification reciprocity, Lead service line replacement
Agenda items discussed
- 19:39 Rule 45 report from the September 19, 2022 meeting: passed
- 23:17 Amendment of section 2-92-955 extending the pilot program for local veteran-owned small businesses to July 31, 2026 (O2023-0001210): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Emma Mitts (chair): Introduced Department of Procurement Services leadership and described the department's annual vendor outreach event aimed at diversifying its vendor pool. (20:04)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Said the pilot lets returning veterans who form companies compete for city contracts and asked members to encourage veteran-owned businesses in their wards to get certified. (24:20); Said roughly 90 to 100 firms were certified during the pilot, suggested easing the certification process through reciprocity, and said veteran goals are in addition to MBE and WBE goals. (28:31); Recommended that alderpersons survey ward businesses through social media and said the council should consider allowing reciprocity for veteran certification. (39:13)
- William Conway (alderperson): Described his service as an active reservist, said returning from overseas is disruptive, and urged colleagues to vote for the extension as a co-sponsor. (25:52)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Asked how veteran-owned businesses have fared under the program and where MBE participation stands by racial category. (27:43); Asked why the city does not accept county, state or federal veteran certifications and requested participation data broken down by race. (32:06)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked for recommendations on identifying and reaching veteran-owned businesses in his ward and helping them get certified. (38:58)
Exchanges between members
- 26:16 Conway thanked Villegas for his leadership on the veteran-owned business pilot.
- 27:43 Ervin asked Villegas how veteran-owned businesses have fared under the program.
- 28:25 Villegas answered Ervin's question about certified firms and MBE participation.
- 38:58 La Spata asked Villegas for recommendations on outreach to veteran-owned businesses.
- 39:13 Villegas recommended La Spata survey ward businesses through social media.