MINUTES OF THE SMALL CONTRACTOR OUTREACH AND OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (SCOOP)
COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the SCOOP Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Committee members present were Chair Johnson and Directors Croucher, Hilliker, and Linden. Committee member absent was Vice Chair Petty. At that time, there was a quorum of the Committee. Board members present were Directors Saxod, Tu, Muir, and McMillan. Staff present was Deputy General Manager Belock, Deputy General Counsel Gallien, Director of Public Affairs Foster, and SCOOP Manager Yanushka.
Other attendees included Rubina Chaudhary, MARRS Services, Inc.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Director McMillan commented that the Water Authority may want to break up their finance contract into smaller pieces and use other banks in addition to Wells Fargo. Director Croucher recommended this item be brought back at a later meeting as it was not on the agenda. Director Muir asked the Board to look at local banks. Chair Johnson stated that he would take this under advisement with staff and would make a report at the next meeting in December.
4. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SCOOP COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF OF JUNE 17, 2009
Director Croucher moved, Director Linden seconded and motion passed to approve the minutes of the SCOOP Committee meeting of June 17, 2009.
5. SCOOP SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY
SCOOP Manager Yanushka introduced Rubina Chaudhary, MARRS Services, Inc.
Ms. Chaudhary provided background on how she started her business. She offered the following suggestions: The Water Authority needs to communicate the percentage of primes needed, subs should ask for help when they need it, primes and subs should communicate each other’s constraints, primes and subs should be willing to help each other, give each other respect and demand respect, be sincere and pleasant, and always communicate with the project manager.
Director Hilliker suggested this story be brought to the full Board. Chair Johnson stated this request would be passed on to the Assistant General Manager.
Director Saxod stated that SCOOP has a good opportunity to assist subs by holding workshops and talking to primes. She also stated that SCOOP should be aware of problems and situations so they are brought forward immediately. Ms. Chaudhary stated that the Water Authority has one of the best small business programs in the industry.
Chair Johnson announced that the Paths to Partnerships event is scheduled for October 20, 2009.
SCOOP Manager Yanushka stated that contracts are monitored by the Water Authority by contacting subs to verify that they are receiving payments.
6. ACTIVITY ON SCOOP TRAINING PROGRAM
Ms. Yanushka provided a presentation, including training summary, transition to new fiscal year, classes in development and update status, and MWD training collaboration.
7. PRESENTATION ON THE SCOOP ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Ms. Yanushka provided an overview of the SCOOP Program, including its activities, metrics, and results.
8 . DISCUSSION ON THE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION GOAL
Deputy General Manager Belock stated that 98% of Package 3 of the San Vicente Project will be the concrete portion and possibly $5 million would go to small businesses.
Project Manager Kelly Rodgers stated that contracts would be pre-qualified on November 17, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. She stated this is an opportunity to pre-qualify, network and form relationships. There is also an opportunity to advertise at the Paths to Partnerships event.
Director Hilliker moved, Director Linden seconded, and the motion passed to receive a separate report on small business participation dollars for the San Vicente Package 3 contract and maintain a 20 percent small business participation goal for all other Water Authority contracts and procurements for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
Director Linden reported that Fox News would be showing a segment on the Central Valley water issues tonight. Director of Public Affairs Foster reported that 60 Minutes may be doing a story on urban and agricultural water users in the future, but was not sure if the San Diego story may be included.
9 . ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the SCOOP Committee, Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 2:51 p.m.
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John Johnson, Chair
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