Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 06/16/2023

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 10:03.
• 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 Almedia-Barros
  • Colton Andrews
  • Jose Bou
  • Rubens Boursiquot (Late)
  • Karen Courtney
  • Bill McAvoy
  • Nicole Obi
  • Jesus Pereira
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Mary-dith Tuitt
• Members absent:
  • John Cruz
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Jesse Flynn
  • William Herbert
  • Aisha Miller
  • Coleman Nee

B. Administrative Matters

• Introduced new members Jorge Santiago and Micheal Euvrard
  • Introduction of Cheryl Poppe, Senior Advisor Veterans Owned Business Development and Partnership. Cheryl recently joined SDO and DCAMM to help increase spending with and participation by veteran and service-disabled veteran owned businesses in goods, services and construction purchasing. Cheryl is also working with DCAMM to increase veteran workforce participation in construction projects. She will also be taking over chairing and administrative functions of this Committee starting with the July meeting.
  • Ms. Poppe introduced herself to Committee members.
  • The Commissioiner asked Committee members for feedback on hybrid meeting.
  • Discussion: If we could improve technology how would you feel? Camera angle challenging. Should introduce yourself. Should we do more hybrid? Some positive responses. Worth being on site, seeing the space. Should continue hybrid though. Note for ongoing discussions.
  • Summer meeting schedule. Determine who can attend July and August meetings and whether enough Committee members for a quorum. If not enough Committee members are available, we will cancel the meeting.
  • July 21st.
  • August 18th.
  • Suggestion: Last year we had one summer meeting. Think about leaving July meeting and discuss not having August as possibility at July meeting.

C. Vote to approve May Meeting Minutes.

• Meeting minutes prepared by DCAMM team shared with Committee members for review.
• Vote to approve May meeting minutes (moved and seconded) Minutes approved.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Joe Fazio provided an update on project status
• Mr. Fazio shared slide of agenda. Project schedule. Main package FSB results. Early package final workforce report, MBE resource list. Outreach report.

E. Update from Commodore/Walsh

• Turned it over to Commodore/Walsh team to provide an update on workforce participation and subcontracting status.
• Ms. Evans shared the results of filed-sub bidding. Firms and amounts bids. Also final workforce report for temp chiller.
• Questions:
• Nicole Obi: Do we have a total breakdown for MBE or WBE vs actual. Workforce slide MBE are we going to have transparency as things progress? How can we increase visibility into the plan to meet goals in addition to after the fact results?
• Jose Bou: Please explain different percentages on specific package goals. Susan G. explained the decision to allow goals on FSB packages.
• The Commissioner provided emphasis on how DCAMM has no discretion in the FSB process.
• Colton Andrews: Follow up to Nicole Obi. We’re going to conduct monthly workforce checks and will share with the Committee.
• Ms. Evans continued with resource list to be posted to individual websites as helpful tools for firms. Does the Committee have anything to add to the resource list? No responses.
• Ms. Evans presented the outreach event that was jointly hosted by DCAMM, UMBA and SDO on June 13th.
• Mr. Kelsey added some comments about the event. Very well received and want us to do it again. Maybe we can replicate in September?
• Any questions from Committee members? Seeing none.
• Commissioner Gladstone asked about the pace of work. When can we expect workforce to pick up? Ms. Assens: Big spike after steel erection. Envelope work is most labor intensive. Steel erection may be winter 2025. Summer of 2025 estimate of highest workforce involvement. There’s a good chance to get apprentices involved because of the lenghly ramp up of the workforce.
• Mary dith Tuitt: Do the people at Holyoke know who the AIDC is? Commissioner Gladstone committed to talk to EOVS to make those connections between AIDC members.

F. Public Question/Comment Period

• Now open the floor to public comments or questions. Any questions.
• Jason Calfi, Amer const alliance. Fully expect they will sign. Not signed PLA

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

• Motion to adjourn Meeting moved and seconded. Adjourned at 10:58.
• Reminder: next meeting July 21, 2023 at 10AM (virtual).
• Unless decision is to cancel then next meeting could be August 18th or September 15th.