Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 04/19/24

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order.
• 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:
  • Marcony Almeida-Barros
  • Rubens Boursiquot
  • Karen Courtney
  • Andrea Gayle Bennett
  • Bill McAvoy
  • Nicole Obi (Alyssa Benalfew-Ramos representing)
  • Luz Ortiz-Rivera
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Mary-dith Tuitt
  • Liseth Velez
• Members absent:
  • Colton Andrews
  • Jose Bou
  • Maxime Charles
  • John Cruz (Absent Excused)
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Jesse Flynn
  • Aisha Miller
  • Coleman Nee

B. Administrative Matters

• hair welcomed committee members and recognized the Patriots’ Day Holiday.

C. Vote to approve January 19th, February 16th and March 15th Meeting Minutes.

• DCAMM team shared with Committee members for review. Motions to approve the January, February and March 2024 meeting minutes moved and seconded.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Commodore/Walsh staff provided schedule and overiew updates.

E. Update from Commodore/Walsh

• Nathalie Assens: Steel erection just starting. Presented aerial photos of the site. Presented on both the overall Anticipated MBE/WBE and VBE Participation Plan and payments made to MBE, WBE and VBE firms to date.
• Project MBE, WBE and VBE goals and projections presented in a graphic visual. Overall dollar values and percentages provided.
• Reported separately with a table containing the Early Phase Precon/Chiller Participation listing final MBE, WBE and VBE payments made. Filed and non-filed subcontracts delineated.
• Presented Commodore|Walsh’s current Main Project Participation Plan listing main project packages and the anticipated MBE, WBE and VBE participation Including overall package dollar values and MBE, WBE and VBE subcontract values by bid package. Filed and non-filed subcontracts delineated.
• Before moving on to payments, Dawn Hadley DCAMM’s Compliance Officer, explained how payments to MBE, WBE and VBE firms are credited by DCAMM. Summarized the DCAMM Contract Management System contract audit cycle and the multi-step process for verification of receipt of payments by MBE, WBE and VBE firms.
• Karellis Rivera presented three tables reflecting payments made to date to MBE, WBE and VBE subcontractors, the percentage of each contract that the payments represent as well as their contribution to the overall MBE, WBE and VBE goals.
• Karellis went on to present a visual graphic reflecting overall actual workforce participation to date againt project goals for minority, women, veteran and apprentice participation. Workforce hours and percentages were presented cumulative through the month of March as well as a separate table reflecting hours worked during March. Currently the workforce participation is exceeding the minority, women, veteran and apprentice goals.

F. Outreach Update

• Karellis also discussed connections Commodore|Walsh has made with several voc-tech schools and local training programs and organizations taking place. Along with a Construction Career Fair to be held at Dean Tech in May as part of ongoing workforce development initiatives
• Charles Kelsey mentioned the April 9th Construction Opportunities event with good participation. Encouraged members to pass the word to their constituencies about these outreach events. And also thanked members for their support.
• Bill McAvoy presented updates on the reopening of and the statewide trades persons contracts. Asked members to let their members and others know and share flyers.
• Susan Goldfischer elaborated on what Mr. McAvoy stated explaining how the statewide tradespersons contracts are used by state agencies and municipalites across the state for smaller projects with estimated labor costs of $50,000 or less. She also highlighted the significant opportunties for smaller vendors interested in breaking into public constrction work if their firms are on these statewide tradespersons list.
• Marcony Almeida-Barros asked if the flyers could be shared with committee members.
• Michael Rybicki congratulated the team on meeting the workforce benchmarks.
• Committee agreed that the powerpoint presntations should be emailed to members in addition to the Outreach and Informational flyers.

G. Public Question/Comment Period

• Now open the floor to public comments or questions. None seen.

H. Conclusion, Adjournment and set next Meeting Date/ Time

• Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. Meeting ended at 10:35 a.m.
• Reminder: next meeting Friday, May 17 th at 10AM (virtual)