MBE/EDGE Subcommittee Meeting

MBE/EDGE Subcommittee Meeting 01/12/2010

Minutes

In attendance: Betty Anzaldua, Mayor Mike Bell, Calvin Brown, Lawrence Burns, Shanda Gore, Olivia Holden, Gary Johnson, Greg Jones, Harlene Mitchell (guest), Kara Mominee, Shaun Murray, David Nolan (guest), Megan Reichert-Kral, George Robinson, Lorie Sarnes, Matt Schroeder, Jacob Studer (guest), Mark Urrutia, Vince Wiggins, Steve Wise (guest), David Wood (guest)

Mr. Burns welcomed subcommittee guests to the group. Mr. David Nolan was introduced as CEO of Destination Toledo. Mr. Nolan was accompanied by Ms. Harlene Mitchell who is the Minority Sales Representative for Destination Toledo. Mr. Steve Wise, Manager of Transit Services at UT also joined the group as a guest.

Dr. Gore walked through the minutes covering action items from the last meeting. Mr. Burns stated that he met with Dr. Jacobs regarding Mr. Toth’s presentation at the last meeting. Dr. Jacobs supported the idea of providing money to the Port Authority in order to set up their Minority Contractors Assistance program. Mr. Burns will suggest to Mr. Toth to place the proposal in writing to present to Dr. Jacobs. This bonding program would create a pool of funds in the community to allow minority businesses the ability to work to their capacity. Action Item: Mr. Burns will follow up with Mr. Toth.

Dr. Gore stated that there is a new tenant accepted into the MB Incubator. The President’s name is Andrew Schmidt from Hexistor Data Protection Services. Mr. Burns stated that if more space is needed then he will go to Chuck Lehnert and Dr. Jacobs to try and get more space when the time comes.

Mr. Nolan stated that the major initiative that Destination Toledo is a participant in is advancing the branding of Northwest Ohio, along with The University of Toledo, The Urban League, Bowling Green University and other major economic development organizations. The point of this initiative is to come to terms with what our region is, who we are, and what makes us unique. This brand process started about 5 months ago. Participants are major organizations in Northwest Ohio such as the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, UT, and Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Nolan stated that the goal is to stay transparent and engage residents and interested parties in the effort to advance the brand of NW Ohio.

The brand team will be conducting citizen summits throughout all of Northwest Ohio starting January 25, 2010 through February 3, 2010 in order for members of the community to step up and say what they like or do not like about the City, how they believe the community is different. We invite the MBE/EDGE Subcommittee members to participate. Locations can be found on the web site indicated below. Summits will be scheduled in Oregon, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Maumee, Bowling Green and Toledo. The brand team has created a website and requests that you get on and register at www.toledoregionstory.com. On this Website, there will be a survey to fill out as well. At the end of this research phase in June 2010, there will be a depository of information for the community to use to communicate the Toledo Region Brand. The subcommittee members were asked to provide their input.

Ms. Anzaldua asked who analyzes the data that will be collected. Mr. Nolan stated that Lorie Dixon with Great Lakes Marketing does the data collection. Ms. Anzaldua suggested that the UT Urban Affairs department would be an option for analyzing data in the future.

Mr. Burns stated that if you have any ideas of how to reach out to the minority community for the surveys, please contact either himself or Mr. Nolan.

Mr. Studer stated that MBE companies represent 6.6% of all completed projects in FY10 thus far. The MBE company with the most business with UT is Quality Building Supply. The second company is Mondo Mechanical. Mr. Burns stated that one of the goals is to not only give more business to minority owned business but to also focus on working with locally-owned companies.

Mr. Burns asked that the group clarify the difference between EDGE and MBE. Mr. Robinson stated that EDGE has to have a business net worth under $750,000 and personal net worth cannot exceed $250,000. MBE is defined as a business which is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minority.

Mr. Woods appealed to the subcommittee that a focus on developing business would be more beneficial than just buying supplies. Mr. Burns said that is why UT pursued opening the MB Incubator and assisting Mr. Toth in providing bonding to the Minority Contractor Assistance program.

Mr. Wiggins stated that he appreciates the charts provided by Ms. Sarnes and Mr. Studer.

Mr. Burns stated that having Mr. Allen Seifert, Director of Capital and Construction Resources, at the next meeting would be helpful in answering budget questions. Action Item: Ms. Mominee contacted Mr. Seifert and he will be attending the next subcommittee meeting.

The meeting concluded. Next meeting will be on February 9th at 12:00 noon in the Scott Park VIP room.

Please mark your calendars with the following 2009-2010 MBE/EDGE Subcommittee meeting dates:

February 9 at noon March 9 at noon April 13 at noon May 11 at noon June 8 at noon km