Holyoke Veterans Home Reconstruction Access, Inclusion and Diversity Committee Meeting, 6/20/25

Meeting Minutes

A. Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Members were reminded that the use of AI for note taking or recording at DCAMM meetings is prohibited except in limited cases as approved by the DCAMM General Counsel.

Members in Attendance:

• Members present
  • Maxime Charles
  • Karen Courtney
  • John Cruz
  • Micheal Euvrard
  • Andrea Gayle Bennett
  • Bonnie Borch-Rote
  • Michael Rybicki
  • Mary-dith Tuitt
  • Liseth Velez (Alice Tadeo)
  • (18 altogether need 10 for a quorum)
• Members absent:
  • Marcony Almeida-Barros
  • Colton Andrews
  • Jose Bou
  • Rubens Boursiquot
  • Colleen Fonseca
  • Aisha Miller
  • Nicole Obi
  • Debora Olson
  • Jorge Santiago

B. Administrative Matters

• Acknowledgement and appreciation was given to today’s participating members and guests who joined us last month at the construction site hybrid meeting. The committee discussed the difficulties of summer scheduling and achieving a quorum when members may be away.

C. Vote to approve January, February, March and April 2025, Meeting Minutes. Postponed due to a lack of quorum.

• Nathalie Assens presented project schedule and work in progress.
• The Project schedule and progress pictures were reviewed. Trades on site include roofing , masonry, and MEP work ongoing.
• Diverse participation plan shows no changes from last month. Current awards are MBE 4.5% and WBE 8.0% of contract value.
• Awards to veteran firms are 3.8% of contract value.
• MBE and WBE payment status through March 2025 audit shows payments to MBE firms are 1.2% of contract value. Payments to WBE firms are 1.9% of contract value. Payments to VBE firms are 1.7% of contract value. All making steady progress as anticipated for this stage of the Project.
• Workforce percentages presented. Minority workers represent 24.7%, women workers represent 10.3% and veteran workers represent 9.26% of the total hours recorded to date. Nearly a fifth of the hours worked thus far have been by apprentices, logging 19.8% of the hours worked. More than 40% of the apprentices identify as minority, women and/or veterans.
• Workforce participation for the month of April 2025 by CSI division is presented.
• Cumulative workforce hours worked by contractor is presented 5/4/25 shown.

D. DCAMM project overview and schedule update

• Nathalie Assens from Commodore-Walsh, the Construction Manager At-Risk Joint Venture, provided updates on the following:
• Project Schedule – the project was reported as maintaining its previously published schedule, and may be slightly ahead.
• Work in Progress – ariel views of the site shown and images of work in progress shared. Elevator installation has started.
• Project MWBE participation plan – CW has a plan to surpass its MBE and WBE goals. Currently, the WBE commitments exceed the goals. CW is actively focused on reaching its MBE commitments.
• Project VBE Participation Plan – current commitments exceed target of 3.0%
• Diverse business payment reporting – through April 2025 audit and payments as percent of total commitments to date.
• Workforce Hours – minority, women, veteran and apprentice hours worked to date exceed contractual targets on a cumulative basis with greater than 40% of apprentice hours being worked by minority, women or veterans. The data is as of 6/8/25. Hours worked by subcontractors also presented.
• Ongoing Outreach – Bonnie Borch-Rote, the Executive Director of the Supplier Diversity Office presenting – Contracting Opportunity Fair on June 24th hosted by the City of Boston associated with White Memorial Stadium reconstruction in Franklin Park. Also the Diverse & Small Business Opportunity Fair is scheduled for June 17th in Chelsea. Meghan Costa, Construction Program Manager at the Supplier Diversity Office, summarized construction opportunities events ongoing.
• Photo highlights from the May site-visit as well as tours by vocational schools shared.

E. Update on AIDC new member recruitment in order to increase active participation provided by Susan Goldfisher.

F. Public Question/Comment Period

• The floor was opened to public comments or questions. Seeing none the floor was closed.

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

• Meeting adjourned at 10:23 a.m.