Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 02/16/2024

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• Meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. 
• Members were reminded that the meeting was being recorded.

Confirming Member Access:

• Confirm that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear
• Members present:
  • Maxime Charles
  • Karen Courtney
  • John Cruz
  • Andrea Gayle Bennett
  • Bill McAvoy
  • Aisha Miller
  • Nicole Obi ( represented by Alyssa Benafew-Ramos BECMA GC)
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Liseth Velez
• Members absent:
  • Marcony Almeida-Barros
  • Colton Andrews
  • Jose Bou
  • Rubens Boursiquot
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Jesse Flynn
  • Coleman Nee
  • Luz Ortiz-Rivera
  • Mary-dith Tuitt

B. Administrative Matters

• Wish everyone well for the upcoming holiday in honor of Presidents’ Day.

C. Vote to approve January 19th, 2024

• Meeting minutes prepared by DCAMM team shared with Committee members for review. Vote Postponed due to lack of quorum.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Nathalie Assens presented the aerial views of project progress. Pointed out duct bank, foundation wall and damproofing work. Karellis Rivera presented the monthly workforce report for hours worked during the month of January compared to the previous month. Also a report on cumulative hours to date by subcontractor. Reports will be available at the website link.
• Michael Rybicki inquired whether the low participation rates are indicative of where the final numbers will be. Particularly apprentices. Nathalie and Karellis addressed the concerns. Susan Goldfisher reminded the group that the early package did not have any apprentice requirements. Karellis also expressed gratitude to SDO for supporting the certification of new firms.
• Liseth Velez: Are all of the firms certified or are they self certified? Answer: All firms are SDO certified.
• Karellis Rivera explained that Nyftybot is now being used to monitor construction site attendance at to verify gender, ethnicity and veteran status of workers in discovering input errors and improving accuracy. Nyftybot is a self identification software made by Nyftyai and not mandatory.
• Max Charles – Good reports comments. What are you planning in terms of continual outreach given the construction cycle? Answer: Future events will be shared by Charles Kelsey. We have been and will continue to attend and sponsor events. Ms. Rivera has professional relationships with a lot of business agents. Mr. Charles was encouraged to offer any suggestions he may have for events and opportunities.

E. Outreach Update

• Turned over to Charles Kelsey to provide update on recent and upcoming outreach initiatives. Charles shared the image of flyer of outreach events listing upcoming events on the calendar.
• Cheryl Poppe added that the new Helmets to Hardhats representative is now on board in the Northeast. Larry Clayton has previous experience as the Regional Transition Assistance Advisor as he helpedveterans transition from military servie to civilian life.

F. Public Question/Comment Period

• None seen. 

G. Adjournment and Set Next Meeting Date/Time

• Reminder: next meeting Friday March 15th at 10AM (virtual)
• Adjourned at 10:30.