Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 11/17/2023

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
• Members were reminded that the meeting will be recorded. Recording was started.

Confirming Member Access:

• Confirm that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear
• Members present:
  • Colton Andrews
  • Rubens Boursiquot
  • John Cruz
  • Andrea Gayle Bennett
  • Bill McAvoy, Megan Costa for
  • Aisha Miller
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Mary-dith Tuitt
  • Liseth Velez
• Members absent:
  • Marcony Almeida-Barros
  • Jose Bou
  • Karen Courtney
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Jesse Flynn
  • Coleman Nee
  • Nicole Obi
  • Luz Ortiz-Rivera

B. Administrative Matters and Introduction of New Members

• Andrea Gayle Bennett is the Deputy Secretary for the Executive Office of Veterans
  Services. Andrea served in the Army National Guard where her last assignment was
  State Surgeon. She is an OIF Veteran and retired at the rank of Colonel and was then
  promoted to Brigadier General on the Massachusetts State Retired List.
• Liseth Velez is the Owner of LJV Construction, where she has secured federal and
  private projects. Liseth is also a BunkerLabs Ambassador and the Co-Founder of LIT
  Conversations.Liseth is a Veteran of the Air Force and was recently appointed to the
  Governors Advisory Committee on Women Veterans along with Andrea Gayle-
  Bennett

C. Vote to approve October 20th, 2023 Meeting Minutes.

• October meeting minutes were prepared by DCAMM team and shared with Committee members for review prior to the
  November meeting. Minutes were approved.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Joe Fazio provided an update on project status. Shared the project schedule which is unchanged from the previous month. About 20 workers on site each day. Images of work going on. Mostly earthwork for storm water runoff, grading, roadwork etc

E. Update from Comodore/Walsh On Procurement Update and Workforce

• Karellis Rivera shared workforce reporting.

F. Outreach Update

• Meghan Costa reviewed the list of outreach events with members, and Charles Kelsey shared DCAMM’s outreach and upcoming events scheduled for 2024.

G. Public Question/Comment Period

• Liseth Velez - What portion of the contract is bought? Nathalie. Assens indicated that over 90% of the project is bought out. How many are veteran owned? Nathalie indicated that Commodore Builders is a VBE and that Superior Roofing and Caulking is VBE.
• Jason Kauppi, American Structural Alliance:
  a. Why are apprentice numbers much lower than goals? It was explained that there was an early problem with apprentice identification which has now been resolved.
  b. Has North Atlantic Conference of Carpenters signed PLA? Susan Goldfisher responded that they have signed it
• Susan Goldfisher addressed more detailed reporting. DCAMM has been working with vendor. Currently in process. Apprentice requirements are part of PLA which wasn’t signed until after the early package began.

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

• Request for a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:30.
• Reminder: next meeting December 15th at 10AM (virtual)