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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/10/04-Minutes-HEDCCITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Present: Committee Member Joel Burns, Chair Committee Member Kathleen Hicks, Vice Chair Committee Member Betsy Price Committee Member W. B. "Zim" Zimmerman Committee Member Danny Scarth Committee Member Frank Moss Absent: Committee Member Salvador Espino Committee Member Jungus Jordan Committee Member Dennis Shingleton City Staff: Susan Alanis, Assistant City Manager Peter Vaky, Deputy City Attorney Marty Hendrix, City Secretary Jay Chapa, Director of Housing and Economic Development Department Cynthia Garcia, Assistant Director, Housing and Economic Development Department William Johnson, Assistant Director, Housing and Economic Development Department Other Citv Staff in Attendance: Tom Higgins, Interim City Manager (arrived at 12:22 p.m.) Fernando Costa, Assistant City Manager Vicki Ganske, Senior Assistant City Attorney, Law Department LeAnn Guzman, Assistant City Attorney, Law Department Robin Bentley, Business Community /Development Coordinator, Housing and Economic Development Department With a quorum of the committee members present, Chairman Joel Burns called the meeting of the Housing and Economic Committee to order at 11:35 a.m., on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, in the Pre - Council Chamber of the Fort Worth Municipal Building, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 2 of 18 Chairman Burns expressed appreciation to Mayor Betsy Price for his appointment as chair of this City Council committee and advised of the importance of the work of the committee. Approval of Minutes from the Meeting Held August 2, 2011 (Agenda Item 2) MOTION: Upon a motion made by Committee Member Price and seconded by Committee Member Scarth, the committee members voted six (6) "ayes" and zero (0) "nays" to approve the minutes of the Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting held on August 2, 2011 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Burns adjourned the regular meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee into Executive Session at 11:35 a.m. Executive Session (Agenda Item 3) Chairman Burns called to order the Executive Session at 11:35 a.m. in order to discussion the following items: A. Seek the advice of its attorneys concerning the following items that are exempt from public disclosure under Article X, Section 9 of the Texas State Bar Rules, as authorized by Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code: (i) legal issues related to the sale of tax foreclosed property located at 5125 Fitzhugh; and (ii) legal issues related to any current agenda items; and B. Discuss the purchase, sale, lease or value of real property, as authorized by Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code. Deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the City in negotiations with a third party; and, C. Discuss or deliberate negotiations relating to any economic development negotiations, as authorized by Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code. Chairman Burns adjourned the Executive Session at 12:00 p.m., on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. Chairman Burns reconvened the regular session of the Housing and Economic Development Committee at 12:00 p.m. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 3 of 18 Written Reports (Agenda Item 4) Chairman Burns advised that the following written reports had been provided as a matter of information to the committee members: A. Memo regarding Social Compact Study B. Memo Regarding Request for Proposals for Projects to Provide Affordable Multi - Family or Single Family Housing Using Federal and Non - Federal Funds C. Memo Regarding Proposed Changes to the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Homelessness D. Memo Regarding Assignment of Tax Abatement Agreement with Berry Street L.P., City Secretary Contract Number 31168 E. Update on CDBG Funded Activities from 1995 -2005 Chairman Burns opened the floor for questions and /or comments. Committee Member Hicks referenced the memo regarding the proposed changes to the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Homelessness. She indicated that she had not had a chance to look at this information and she apologized. She added that in moving forward she hoped that there would be availability for new people to join the commission. She also challenged the City Council that they try to make sure that they had folks that live along the corridor that were represented. She added that she appreciated the Mayor coming to her and asking for some suggestions. She added that she felt it was very important that the folks that were in the area and living with the issues, particularly the folks that were living in the East Lancaster corridor were included in the commission. She indicated that she had been told that individuals who should serve should have the ability to understand the issues. She added that she felt there would be a number of citizens that would be very good. She indicated that she felt if there was diversity with the citizens that were most affected, then the City would have that buy in and it would help the City to move forward in dealing with the issue of homelessness. She reiterated that she hoped that the Council obtained folks for this commission that were directly affected by this issue. Jay Chapa, Director of Housing and Economic Development Department, advised that the purpose of the memo was to get the committee's feedback on the second box on the proposed changes to be made to the City's ordinance. Director Chapa indicated that he understood Committee Member Hicks' request. He added that the way they were trying to address the membership issue was to increase the number of members on the committee so that they could include more neighborhood representatives, specifically from the area that had been identified by Committee Member Hicks. He reiterated that City staff was requesting their input on the CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 4 of 18 Written Reports (cont'd) (Agenda Item 4) proposed changes to the ordinance and that might be an issue. He added that they could either send their responses to the City staff by e -mail or provide directions at this meeting. He indicated that they would incorporate any changes and then bring back the proposed ordinance to the City Council with a Mayor and Council Communication (M &C). Chairman Burns indicated that he agreed with Committee Member Hicks' comments on the need to have folks in the community that were affected by the homeless population. He pointed out that there were a number of folks that lived up and down Hemphill that were also affected due to the social services that were located in that area. He added that they were interested in what happens with the City's homelessness program. Committee Member Price expressed her concern for removing the faith -based community and the criminal justice expert. She asked if the assumption was that they would fall under one of the other spots. Mr. Chapa indicated that was correct. Committee Member Price questioned whether there would be a guarantee that they would. Director Chapa indicated that there was no guarantee; however, having had the committee had been in place for a number of years. He added that the recommendation would come from Otis Thornton, the Human Services Manager, to him and the department and then to the City Manager's Office. He added that they wanted a good mix of individuals to serve. Committee Member Price pointed out that all of the groups were important; however, she felt those two groups the City could hardly do without. Committee Member Hicks also requested clarification on the memo regarding the Social Compact Study and that the entire market drilldown for the City would be completed by the end of this month. Mr. Chapa indicated that it was complete and that the City staff was going to be obtaining the statistics. He added that what had been provided to the committee were the eight (8) neighborhoods where there was significant disparity. He added that they were in the CDBG eligible areas and targeted areas. He stated that those were the neighborhoods that they now have this information on. He added before the end of the month, they should be receiving the exact statistical information by neighborhoods. He added that they would be able to use that information for marketing purposes for retail opportunities, etc. Committee Member Hicks expressed that this was great. She indicated that she could not over state how important this information was and it was particularly important in getting the Masonic Home deal done in her City Council district. She added that they were really undercounted in that area as to their buying power in the community. She explained that her CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 5 of 18 Written Reports (cont'd) (Agenda Item 4) conversations with the development community emphasized how important the information was that was found in the social compact studies, particularly in a difficult economic climate in order to get development or redevelopment going. She added that she was going to be very interested to see what the numbers were in particular areas now. Committee Member Hicks also indicated that she felt this could get the City more money from the federal government as well. There was no further discussion on these reports. These reports were received as a matter of information. Update on Proposed Changes to Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund (Agenda Item 5) Jay Chapa, Director of Housing and Economic Development Department, spoke before the committee on the update to the proposed changes to the Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund. Mr. Chapa provided some background information on the Home Repair Program that was part of the Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund. He pointed out that the City was struggling with that program and its various components. He added that the program was not going to work to meet all of the federal guidelines and would not allow the City to administer the program from a lot of different perspectives. He stated that the program was placed on hiatus and the City staff worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to see how the program should be structured and to get the biggest bang for the bucks that were available. He pointed out that the program was to keep and maintain the City's affordable housing stock. He advised that the proposed changes consisted of changes to the application process, the selection process, the program guidelines and the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the contractor to manage the program and repairs. Mr. Chapa spoke about the qualifications for the program as follows: Property must be located in Fort Worth Owner - occupied Must be a citizen or legal resident alien Applicant(s) income must be below 80% area medium income Up to $50,000 available for eligible repairs of the home Mr. Chapa pointed out that these funds were only available to individuals living in the CDBG eligible areas of the City. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 6 of 18 Update on Proposed Changes to Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund (cont'd) Mr. Chapa reviewed the application process as follows: (Agenda Item 5) All documents must be included in application to determine eligibility • Ownership • Income Submit application on -line or in person Mr. Chapa reviewed the selection criteria as follows: • Lottery process • Select 30 applications ■ Based upon • $1,138,887 in available CDBG funds • Up to $50,000 in repairs • Last seven (7) on the list notified that repairs would be made depending on available funds • Once 30 selected — program closed for the year Mr. Chapa reviewed the proposed program and repairs as follows: • City would issue an RFP to identify contractor to management process and repairs • City would develop policy for the program and repairs o Warranty and insurance required from contractor • City would qualify homeowners • City would inspect the home • Before the repairs were completed to identify eligible repairs • After the repairs were completed to ensure completed property Mr. Chapa presented the program repair guidelines as follows: Major system repairs Water Sewer Electrical Gas Room Repairs CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 7 of 18 Update on Proposed Changes to Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund (cont'd) Bathrooms ADA requirements Mr. Chapa reviewed the proposed timeline as follows: RFP process to identify contractor Policy, guidelines and contractor Approved by Council 15 -day application period Review of applications to determine if complete Lottery Repair Program Begins Mr. Chapa completed his presentation. (Agenda Item 5) Dec 2011 — Jan 2012 January 2012 February 2012 February 2012 March 1, 2012 March 2012 Chairman Burns opened the floor or questions and /or comments. He stated that he was glad that this new program was focusing on the major system repairs, rather than on remodeling which was allowed in the previous program. Committee Member Hicks requested clarification about the people that were placed on the waiting list and what would happen to them. Mr. Chapa stated that the City would be sending out letters to those individuals advising them that the program that they registered for no longer existed. He added that they would be advised about the new program and that they could apply for that new program. Committee Member Hicks expressed concern that they were just done. Mr. Chapa explained that there was just no way to address that issue. He pointed out that their estimate to fix all of the homes of the people on the list would be $10 million. Committee Member Hicks questioned how many people were on the list. Mr. Chapa indicated that it was about 283. Committee Member Hicks clarified with Mr. Chapa that basically they were starting over. She also expressed her concerns for the people that did not have access to the Internet. She asked how the City staff was going to get the word out to the citizens about the program and the fact that it was changing so significantly and the time period for applications. She added that while certain people could apply on -line, she was worried about the people that did not have this advantage and that they really needed this funding. Mr. Chapa explained that once the new application form was completed, it could be forwarded to the people that had been on the waiting list. Committee Member Hicks indicated that she understood the need for a lottery system because the City simply could not get to everyone. She explained that once this program was CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 8 of 18 Update on Proposed Changes to Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund (cont'd) (Agenda Item 5) completed, she hoped that this program could be done in diverse areas of the City and that it benefitted people from all over the City. Mr. Chapa clarified that this program was only available to those living in CDBG eligible areas. Committee Member Hicks reiterated her concerns for how this information would get out to the community and how they will be notified about the numerous changes that were being made from the prior program. She indicated that she supported the use of the funding for the major system repairs. She pointed out the short window of opportunity for the citizens to apply for this program. Committee Member Moss referenced that the program was going to address major systems; however, he requested clarification on heating and air conditioning units and roofing. Mr. Chapa indicated that they were trying to address elements of the electrical system and gas systems and suggested that those elements could be parts of those systems. Mr. Chapa indicated that roofs should be included as part of the application process. Committee Member Moss asked whether the weatherization/winterization program could be combined with this overall program. Mr. Chapa indicated that this program would be worked on its own with Community Development Block Grant Funds. He added that they could let the citizens know about the weatherization program and it could be combined. He did point out that the contractors were going to be different. He stated that a weatherization specialist had a different skill set and licenses from the other contractor. Mr. Chapa added that it could be a portion of the total house redo. He explained that they could advise the homeowner to apply for the weatherization program if during the systems check they found problems with the windows, as an example. Committee Member Scarth referenced the comments made by Committee Member Hicks about getting the word out about the program to the citizens. He suggested that a PowerPoint presentation be put together that could be easily distributed to the various neighborhood associations and /or leader lists that could be presented at the neighborhood meetings. He indicated that this would be better and provide an alternative to having staff have to make those presentations at the neighborhood meetings. Mr. Chapa indicated that they had planned to work with the City's Public Information Office to create some news releases and other communication efforts. He reiterated that they were going to send letters to the people who were currently on the waiting list and could include the PowerPoint as additional information. Committee Member Price suggested that the faith -based groups and the senior centers also be provided with this information. She added that they often have community outreach people affiliated with their organizations. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 9 of 18 Update on Proposed Changes to Fort Worth Housing Trust Fund (cont'd) (Agenda Item 5) Committee Member Moss added that he felt it would be important for many of the faith - based groups. He explained that a lot of the people would not be able to complete those applications without some support or some help. He felt the faith -based groups could go in and provide that type of support in order to make sure that those individuals have a completed application. Committee Member Hicks also talked about the important of using the faith -based groups. She indicated that she had her District 8 Town Hall meeting coming up soon as well. She added that she felt that was an excellent point. She stated that there needed to be a lot of communication so that the City Council Members were not receiving phone calls about the process being confusing and that the citizens could not complete the application process. She indicated that she had received phone calls in the past and she had no idea what the application looked like in order to help the people that were calling. Chairman Burns indicated that he felt it was important to maintain expectations, i.e., that there will be 23 that will receive the funds and seven (7) that will only receive funds as they become available. He pointed out that this was a very limited number in comparison to the number of people that probably had the need. Committee Member Moss also suggested some free training sessions on how to complete the application so that the City staff would not necessarily get involved in completing the applications. He felt it was important that people see and learn how they would go about meeting the requirements. He felt this would be very helpful. This completed the presentation and discussion on this agenda item. Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (Agenda Item 6) Mr. William Johnson, Assistant Director of the Housing and Economic Development Department spoke before the committee on the proposed City's Minority /Women Business Enterprise (M /WBE) Draft Ordinance and the Minority /Women's Business Enterprise Advisory Committee's Draft recommendation. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 10 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority /Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Johnson spoke before the committee on the purpose of today's presentation as follows: • To present an overview and schedule for the proposed changes to the City's M/WBE Ordinance • Present the M /WBE Advisory Committee review process and recommendations or proposed changes to the City's M /WBE Ordinance • Review legal basis for the City's M/WBE Ordinance • Present results of the stakeholder outreach • Seek the Council's direction and approval to move forward with adoption of proposed changes to the City's M/WBE Ordinance. Mr. Johnson reviewed the schedule of the process as follows: March 2008 — August 2010 February 2010 — May 2011 June 7, 2011 June — September, 2011 September, 2011 October, 2011 October — November, 2011 Mason Tillman conducted disparity study M /WBE Advisory Committee developed proposed ordinance revisions Brief Housing and Economic Development Committee See external stakeholder input Review external stakeholder input Present proposed changes to ordinance to City Council City Council consideration of new ordinance Mr. Johnson presented the review process as follows: • The City Council appointed Minority and Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (M /WBE AC) tasked to develop proposed ordinance revisions • The City engaged outside legal counsel to provide study oversight and consultation for ordinance revision process Mr. Johnson recognized the M /WBE Advisory Committee Members as follows: CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 11 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) William Giron, Co -Chair Veronica Chavez Law, Co -Chair David Berzina Christine Chapman Sundra Davis Dennis Duncan Ramon Guajardo Linda Labeau Glenda Thompson He recognized members that were in attendance at the meeting: Ramon Guajardo, Glenda Thompson and Melody Woodson was here representing David Berzina. He explained that the advisory committee put in a tremendous amount of work and effort in this process. He added that there was a lot of healthy discussion, analysis and dialogue to get to their recommendation. He provided a clarification that the City's M/WBE ordinance related to purchases of goods and services that the City either contracted for or subcontracted for. He added that it did not pertain to the City's economic incentive policy regarding M /WBE services. He pointed out that those were negotiated directly with the developers or corporations requesting the incentive policies and thus it fell outside of the City's M /WBE ordinance. He advised that the North Central Texas Council of Governments hired Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd. He stated that in 2008, they conducted a study update on behalf of the stakeholders of the City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Independent School District, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, the City of Arlington, the Dallas /Fort Worth International Airport and the North Texas Tollway Authority. Mr. Johnson reviewed the legal basis for the program. He advised that the state and local governments were required to validate a statistically significant underutilization of minority and /or women -owned businesses before establishing an M /WBE Goals -Based Program. He added that the courts considered availability and disparity studies to be an acceptable method of validating underutilization and identifying remedies. He stated that the City of Fort Worth's existing M /WBE Ordinance was adopted and became effective in June of 2003. He added that the study should be completed within five (5) to seven (7) years from the date of adoption. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 12 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) Mr. Johnson reviewed the list of agencies that had been part of the stakeholder meetings. Those agencies were: 1. Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce 2. Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 3. National Association of Women in Construction 4. Association of General Contractors (Vertical Construction Group) 5. Association of General Contractors (Heavy Highway) 6. Tarrant County Contractors Association 7. Minority Business Development Council* 8. Women's Business Council Southwest* 9. Black Contractors Association 10. Hispanic Contractors Association (discussed with Exec. Director) 11. Minority Design Professional Council Mr. Johnson clarified the note for the agencies marked with an " *" were Tarrant County College (TCC) hosted these meetings at their Trinity River Downtown Campus and TCC and Tarrant County assisted the City with coordination and email blasts to advertise these meetings to a broad base of groups. Mr. Johnson provided a summary of the stakeholder meetings as follows: Collaborative, constructive comments and concerns Assertive and passionate, but also respectful Positive regarding some of the proposed changes Common themes from meetings Concern on reduced market area* Concern on good- faith -effort requirement for two modes of solicitation Concern regarding inability to include women -owned firms Concern regarding inability to set goals in some categories Concern regarding reduced participation over time Established excellent framework for on -going collaboration Mr. Johnson explained that the item marked with an " *" was to indicate that the recommendation was revised to address this concern. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 13 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) Mr. Johnson provided a chart showing the Prime Contractor Disparity Findings under $500,000.00 and explained the results. He then provided a chart showing the Subcontractor Disparity Findings and explained those results. Mr. Johnson reviewed the market area findings which were that under the existing ordinance the relevant market area was a nine (9) county area. He added the City of Fort Worth's relevant market area (80% of the City's spending) was Tarrant and Dallas Counties. Mr. Johnson continued his presentation and reviewed the M /WBE Advisory Committee's recommendation for proposed ordinance changes as follows: 1. Ordinance name 2. Market area — number of counties 3. Market area — firm eligibility 4. Good faith effort 5. Procurements less than $50,000.00 6. Goal setting threshold 7. Joint Ventures 8. Prime Program 9. Small Business Enterprise Program 10. Overall goals Mr. Johnson took each of the above recommendations and advised of the recommendations as follows: 1. Ordinance name recommendation: Business Diversity Ordinance 2. Market area: Geographic area where a municipality spends 80% of its dollars Existing: Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufrnan, parker and Rockwall Recommendation: Tarrant and Dallas, plus: Denton, Wise, Parker and Johnson CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 14 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's (Agenda Item 6) Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) Existing: All firms currently doing business in the market area at the time of bid /proposal count towards goal. Recommendation: Only firms with an office in the market area would be counted towards goal. 3. Good Faith Effort: Steps that a prime must provide that it took if goal was not met. Existing: If more than 10 M /WBEs in a subcontracting area, only 2 /3rds of the list must be solicited. Required two (2) to three (3) methods: mail, phone call or fax. Recommendation: E -mail added as an acceptable bid solicitation method. Due to reduced market area, 100% of MBE list must be solicited for each subcontracting area. 4. Procurements less than $50,000.00 Existing: Encourage use of M/WBEs and develop procedures, as needed, to emphasize the use of M/WBEs Recommendation: Adopt specific departmental procedures to emphasize the use of M /WBEs 5. Goal setting threshold Existing: $25,000.00 Recommendation: $50,000.00 6. Joint Venture Program Element Existing: Encourages the use of joint ventures and counts participation towards goal. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 15 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) Recommendation: Adds evaluation preference points when a respondent is a joint venture with at least one qualified M/WBE joint venture partner. 7. M/WBE Prime Program Element Existing: None Recommendation: For solicitation of construction, architectural and engineering and other professional services less than $150,000, allocate up to 20% of weighted selection criteria for minority and /or woman -owned businesses. M /WBE prime cannot subcontract more than 49% to non - M/WBE firms. 8. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program Existing: None Recommendation: The City may establish SBE subcontracting goals for firms meeting the US Small Business Administration's (SBA's) standards. Overall goal of 15% for SBE. 9. Overall Program Contracting Goal Existing: 25% Recommendation: Based on the results of the City's availability and disparity study, race - conscious goals can only be applied in two categories: Construction (MBE) — all categories = 25% Professional Service — African American = 15% 10. Overall program contracting goal Note: The City will monitor the utilization of women and minority -owned firms in the areas where subcontracting goals are no longer applied. If the CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 16 of 18 Recommended Changes to the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 15530) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 6) trend reflects a significant underutilization, then the City will investigate potential adjustments to the new ordinance that are legally permissible, specifically the re- establishment of race and gender specific subcontracting goals in the affected areas. Mr. Johnson advised of the next steps in this process as follows: ■ Staff recommends that the City Council formally adopt the availability and disparity study and the proposed changes to the M/WBE Ordinance. ■ Mayor and Council Communication for consideration by the City Council will be placed on the City Council agenda in November 2011. ■ Staff recommends that the effective date of the adopted ordinance be March 1, 2012, to ensure adequate time to implement and communicate new processes and procedures. Mr. Johnson completed his presentation. Chairman Burns opened the floor for questions and /or comments. Chairman Burns requested clarification from Mr. Johnson on how he was going to monitor the utilization of women and minority -owned firms in the areas where subcontracting goals were no longer applied. Mr. Johnson indicated that they were still going to require the contractors to tell the City who they were using, even if they had a contract where they were not setting a subcontracting goal. He added that when the contract was closed out, they would be looking to see what they paid to those firms. He explained the information would be maintained in a database so that it could be tracked so that they could see if there was any type of trends or significant drop off. Chairman Burns requested clarification on how often they were required to conduct these studies. Mr. Johnson indicated that there was no hard and fast rule; he stated that typically the disparity studies were done from five, six, or seven years. He pointed out that the further out that a study was done, the staler the data became. He indicated that the pragmatic practice was to have them pretty regular. He clarified that gathering the statistical information would just be part of their tracking process. This concluded the presentation and discussion on this agenda item. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 17 of 18 Request for Future Agenda Items (Agenda Item 7) Chairman Burns opened the floor for requests for future agenda items. Committee Member Moss stated that he wanted to see a report provided to this committee on the City's weatherization/winterization program and also energy assistance programs so that everyone could get a general idea how all of those programs worked together. Committee Member Hicks indicated that she agreed with this request. She stated that she remembered last year there was only a finite period of time and so that a lot of that funding went to apartments. She added that she felt that the City needed to make sure that those dollars were going into housing stock. She explained that there was a real need there. Committee Member Hicks indicated that it was great to receive more dollars and that the City was able to use them; however, she was concerned about the dollars going back to the homes and the zip codes that really need the help. She added that she appreciated Committee Member Moss requesting this information. Committee Member Moss explained that he remembered that the City had started with $13 million and that the City thought that there was a time limit on when those funds could be expended. He added that some of those timeframes had been extended. He stated that he needed to be comfortable with when those timeframes had been extended to what time and how many dollars were going to be available to be expended. He talked about the energy assistance programs and that those tied back into what the City was trying to do. Date of Next Regular Meeting — November 1, 2011 (Agenda Item 8) Chairman Burns advised that the next regular meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee would be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. Adiourn (Agenda Item 9) With no further presentations or discussions, Chairman Burns adjourned the regular meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee at 12:53 p.m., on Tuesday, October 3, 2011. These minutes approved by the Housing and Economic Development Committee on the 1 st day of November, 2011. CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 4, 2011 Page 18 of 18 APPROVED: oe Burns, Chairman Minutes Prepared by and Attest: Marty Hendrix, Cio Secretary