Q&A
Construction mentorship program for MWBEs and budget implications
0:52:05
·
4 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about the consolidation of MWBE construction mentorship programs and potential budget impacts. SBS representatives explain the expansion of the program and clarify that recent budget changes do not negatively affect MWBE services.
- The citywide construction mentorship program will be led by the Mayor's Office of MWBE
- The program expands on an existing initiative by the Department of Design and Construction
- A $1.5 million budget reduction reflects cost savings from contracting with CUNY for a required disparity study, not cuts to MWBE programs
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:52:05
And SBS says that construction mentorship for MWE is a new need in this year's budget.
0:52:13
And that the goal of the program is to centralize the current MWE construction mentorship programs.
0:52:21
That are offered at various city agencies.
0:52:24
Can you talk about why you feel the program needs to be consolidated and why you believe it will be more effective when housed within SBS.
0:52:33
So will this eliminate MWA construction mentorship programs at other agencies, if so, which agencies will no longer have these programs?
Dynishal Gross
0:52:46
I believe you're referring to the money that is budgeted for use of the mayor's office of MWA to launch this citywide construction mentorship program.
0:52:59
Our ability to launch this program is one of the legislative victories that we have won authorization for an Albany during this administration.
0:53:09
Currently, the city has operated only a single formal construction mentorship program.
0:53:16
That is like a project based construction mentoring program.
0:53:20
With contracts of certain dollar values available to MWA's that are benefiting from the education, technical assistance, And that program was launched by the Department of Design And Construction, I believe, 2 fiscal years ago.
0:53:36
So this is an expansion of that set of work to other agencies in the city that are delivering construction projects.
0:53:43
The program is being developed and will be led through our office of MWE led by Michael Garner, but OMWE's budget is one of the Yeah.
0:53:54
One of the one of the items in the 801 budget code.
0:53:58
So funding for the program does appear in SBS's budget, but the work to develop and manage program will be led by OMWBE.
0:54:07
Thank you.
Kevin Kim
0:54:07
And I'll just add, this is a program that chief business diversity officer, Michael Gardner, really emphasized because he saw the impact on the MTA and SCA level, school construction authority when he was there.
0:54:20
And we believe that this kind of organizing and centralizing this program and expanding it to all the agencies will really increase the number of MWDs and the dollar amounts awarded to MWDs.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:54:36
And thank you for that.
0:54:37
And one last question here, if I can.
0:54:41
One peg identified in the preliminary plan is for m the MWD program savings.
0:54:47
Can you talk about what these savings are?
0:54:50
Is it possible that this peg could negatively impact the services and so port SBS provides to MWA's?
Kevin Kim
0:54:59
I had just briefly answered it previously because the $1,500,000 that was allocated was for the disparity study that's required.
0:55:08
And this year, we were able to contract and we're just going through the final steps.
0:55:13
So that partnership we found with CUNY actually had cost savings and we don't need the $1,000,000 to do the disparity study since it was taken care of this year.
0:55:24
So there's no impact to our other MWD programs.
0:55:27
That savings only reflects primarily reflects the MWD disparity study.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:55:34
And and that's good to know because just a a few weeks ago, my committed community on transportation infrastructure held a hearing.
0:55:41
DDC was there.
0:55:43
The controller had released a a report that same day, which showed very poor performance in terms of MWD participation and So with the MWD program being led by SBS wanting to make sure that the sufficient resources exists within the agency so that the city can do its part to help private businesses be able to build its capacity through city contract.
0:56:10
And so I'm looking forward to working with the agency to see those numbers improve.
0:56:16
Thank you.