MINUTES OF THE SMALL CONTRACTOR OUTREACH
AND OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (SCOOP) COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2007
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the SCOOP Committee meeting to order at 11:06 a.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Committee members present were Chair Johnson, Vice Chair Petty and Directors
Croucher and Linden. Director Parker was absent. Also present was Director Thompson.
At that time there was a quorum of the Committee. Staff present were Acting
Director of Public Affairs Foster, Deputy General Counsel Gallien, SCOOP Manager
Yanushka, and Engineering Manager Bianes.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Michael Hetz of Solana Beach, CA, stated he and his partner, Lane Sherman,
were forming a company and wanted to obtain information. Mr. Olaf Walter of
Escondido, CA, thanked the committee for giving the speakers a chance to introduce
themselves. He had heard about the SCOOP Program from Ken Roth and wanted to
get more information. Chair Johnson advised the speakers that Ms. Yanushka would
be in contact with them if their company could be used by the Water Authority.
4. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SCOOP COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 16, 2007
Director Croucher moved, Director Petty seconded, and the motion carried unanimously
to approve the minutes of the SCOOP Committee meeting of May 16, 2007.
Ms. Yanushka advised that two items would be taken out of order due to calendar
conflicts. Item Number 6, Update on the Paths to Partnerships Regional Forum,
and Item Number 8, SCOOP small business success story. Chair Johnson approved
the change.
5. UPDATE ON THE PATHS TO PARTNERSHIPS REGIONAL FORUM
Mr. Bianes stated that the Water Authority collaborated with CALTRANS, United
States Navy, district community colleges, Port of San Diego, San Diego International
Airport, and the city of San Diego for this event. He stated that last year
the event was attended by 500 participants and this year, 800 to 1,000 participants
were expected. To date, over 60 government agencies are registered to attend.
Director Linden requested a schedule of meetings and Mr. Bianes stated one
would be provided when completed. Director Thompson asked if directors were
invited to attend. Mr. Bianes stated a list of interested directors would be
given to Chair Steiner for her approval.
Chair Johnson reminded everyone that Director Thompson was one of the originators
of the SCOOP Program and he attended the committee meetings from time to time.
Director Johnson acknowledged Ms. Yanushka for her hard work and thanked Mr.
Bianes for all his work.
6. SCOOP SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY
Chair Johnson introduced Skip Lewis, President, Jennifer Repetto, Vice President
of Marketing, and Amy Czajkowski, Senior Project Manager, Infrastructure Engineering
Corporation located in Poway, California. Mr. Lewis stated that his company
started with four employees and they currently have a staff of 65. He stated
they were mostly in the southern and northern state, but have now expanded to
Idaho. He provided a presentation on their work on the Twin Oaks Water Wastewater
Project.
Director Petty inquired as to how SCOOP assisted their company. Mr. Lewis stated
they see the project advertisements. Mr. Lewis stated that in the future, a
project or sheet of projects would be helpful. Director Linden congratulated
Mr. Lewis for being in business over five years.
Director Croucher stated the Water Authority wanted to improve the SCOOP Program
and would appreciate it if they would continue working with the Water Authority.
Director Thompson stated that he was glad that they came to talk to the committee
about their success.
Director Linden asked what happened when they went to colleges, tech schools,
etc. Mr. Lewis responded that they emphasized to the students that this was
an excellent career.
Chair Johnson introduced the new Public Affairs staff to the committee members.
7. PRESENTATION ON THE SCOOP ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007
Ms. Yanushka provided a presentation, including FY 2007 SCOOP annual report,
update on the Paths to Partnerships forum, and the SCOOP outlook for FY 2008.
Director Petty asked Ms. Yanushka if the re-organization changes were working
well. Ms. Yanushka responded that the synergy and outreach components were two
benefits of the re-organization.
Chair Johnson asked if the SCOOP staff had been reduced. Ms. Yanushka stated
that with the re-organization, the management analyst position was redirected
to purchasing. SCOOP was restructuring the workload by using PeopleSoft , website
capabilities, and additional administrative support. Mr. Foster stated that
the SCOOP outreach would be built into the consultant process.
Director Petty asked how the member agencies could benefit from this program.
Mr. Foster stated that the Joint Public Information Council and the Paths to
Partnerships Regional Forum were being used to disseminate the message to member
agencies. Director Linden inquired about providing to member agencies a summary
of what the SCOOP Program entails. Director Petty requested staff to check into
how to design programs and communications to help the agencies with smaller
staffs.
8. SCOOP OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008
Director Petty stated that staff should track second-tier subconsultants and
veterans. Chair Johnson stated he would ask Ms. Yanushka to do further research
on this request. Mr. Yanushka stated SCOOP was mentoring customers and working
with training consultants to outreach to the people who could assist in this
endeavor.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the SCOOP Committee,
Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
_______________________
John Johnson, Chair
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