Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 10/18/24

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• Meeting called to order at 10:02 AM
• Members were notified that the meeting will be recorded. Also reminded members that use of AI note taking is prohibited except in limited exceptions by approval of DCAMM General Counsel

Confirming Member Access:

• Confirm that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear.
• Members present:
  • Colton Andrews
  • Rubens Boursiquot
  • Maxime Charles
  • Karen Courtney
  • John Cruz
  • Micheal Euvrard
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Bill McAvoy
  • Aisha Miller
  • Debora Olson
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Marydith Tuitt
  • Liseth Velez (Micaila Britto for)
• Members absent:
  • Marcony Almeida-Barros
  • Jose Bou
  • Andrea Gayle Bennett
  • Nicole Obi
  • Jorge Santiago

B. Administrative Matters

• Mentioned the recent 249th Navy Birthday and upcoming events of interest during Veterans Month in November.
• The chairman took a few moments to acknowledge the contribution of Joe Fazio who is leaving DCAMM. We thanked Joe for his years of dedication to this project since the design phase. We also introduced Barry Heidke who will be taking over for Joe Fazio. Barry has decades of experience with project management and is looking forward to this important project.

C. Vote to approve July 19th, August 16th and September 20th Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes prepared by DCAMM team shared with Committee members for review. Minutes from the meetings were approved.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Turned over to Nathalie Assens and Commodore/Walsh team to provide an update on enterprise and workforce participation.
• The committee was updated on the project schedule. Aerial images of work going on at the site: Steel erection, slab preparation, concrete placements, fireproofing, wall framing and tops, MEP installations photos were shared.
• Karellis Rivera presented MWVBE participation plan, MBE participation (contract values/payments) through the August 2024 audit. Total workforce participation for minorities and women and veterans cumulative to date and for the month of September were shared as well as workforce participation by subcontractor and Apprentice participation by contractor. Commodore Walsh is on track to exceed their enterprise participation with .5 above goal for WBE and .8 above for VBE. MBE participation is at 4.4 % with progress to increase with future opportunities identified. Workforce participation is on track with 20.1 percent minority, 9.8% women and 9.4% veteran. Apprenticeships at at 18% tracking towards a goal of 20% for minorities, women and veterans.
• Construction Career Exploration Tours upcoming were presented.
• Outreach Events, diversity summit and career fairs sponsored by C|W.
• Marydith Tuitt would like to be sent outreach flyer for women’s events. Committee members will receive the presentation.

E. Outreach Update

• Susette Waters provided update on recent and upcoming outreach initiatives for DCAMM. Mass Construction Opportunities Webinar will be November 20th. Suzzette will also host monthly virtual open office hours on the third Wednesday from 8-9.
  Bill McAvoy shared award results of trades contracts reopening TRD-01 and TRD-03. Bids for TRD-02 and TRD-04 are due 11/26.
• Cheryl Lussier Poppe shared the Oct. Mission to Marketplace entrepreneurship summit taking place on October 29th for military, veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs. The Small Business Development Center is holding a networking event for veteran businesses in Springfield on Oct. 21.
• Aisha Miller: What is the date of the topping off ceremony? Nathalie Assens responded 11/7 1:00 p.m.
• No general questions from the committee.

F. Public Question/Comment Period

• Now open the floor to public comments or questions. Seeing none.

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

• Request for a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:38
• Reminder: next meeting Friday, November 15th at 10AM (virtual)