Q&A
Discussion of MWBE participation in tenant representation contracts
1:32:04
·
131 sec
Council Member Restler raises concerns about the reduction in Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation in tenant representation contracts. Commissioner Molina and Executive Deputy Commissioner Overton struggle to provide clear answers due to their recent appointments.
- Restler notes that MWBE participation has been reduced from over 30% to 10% since Diana Butros became the account lead for Cushman & Wakefield
- Molina initially claims MWBE percentages are 30% total (10% each for black-owned, Hispanic-owned, and women-owned businesses)
- Restler disputes this, stating that for the current contract, only one MWBE sub (JRT Realty) is involved at 10%
- Molina and Overton are unable to provide clear explanations for the reduction in MWBE participation
Lincoln Restler
1:32:04
By the end of the year.
1:32:05
Oh, great.
1:32:05
So it's coming quickly.
1:32:06
So let's shift to the MWD piece.
1:32:09
So in 2017, when CWE CBRE and Cushman Wakefield were were selected for this contract.
1:32:15
There was, I believe, a 31% goal for MWDEs on that contract.
1:32:19
Is that right?
Louis Molina
1:32:20
I'd have I'd have to confirm that.
1:32:21
I don't know that I have to have
Lincoln Restler
1:32:23
it here.
1:32:23
We we were reviewed the contract.
1:32:24
So we had a 31% I think it even it over 33% of a certain period of time on the deal.
1:32:29
Since miss Butros was assigned as the account hold as the account lead for Cushman Wakefield, that has slashed down to 10%.
1:32:37
Can you explain why the current MWD participation on the contract has been slashed by over 2 thirds.
1:32:44
Since miss Butchers came in, when you're stating that the reason for the delay on this contract is to expand MWDs?
Louis Molina
1:32:50
Well, I'd have to I'd have to follow-up with you on that.
Lincoln Restler
1:32:54
Okay.
1:32:55
The there was this a contractor, JRT Realty, who has been working with Cushman Wakefield for years, providing excellent services with Cushman, while Bob Giglio was the account holder, was was the account lead.
1:33:07
And since Diana Butchers came in, the subcontractors were slashed.
1:33:11
The MWB subcontractor was slashed.
Louis Molina
1:33:13
So I'm being informed on my team that that was not the case and that the the MWB percentages are 10% for persons of color, black black owned businesses, 10% for Hispanic, and 10% for women for a collective 30%.
Lincoln Restler
1:33:29
For the new contract that you're hoping to to release, Because for the current contract, there's no other subcontractors in place.
1:33:36
So I'm confused.
1:33:37
For the negotiated acquisition that we currently have, the only MWD sub involved is JRT Realty.
1:33:42
They were slashed from over 30% to 10%.
1:33:45
So we slashed MWDEs to give Dynabutros more money and have done and are and we're supposedly delaying the RFP process to increase MWD participants.
Louis Molina
1:33:55
I'm I'm happy to look into that for you and provide you more clarity on that.
1:33:59
I don't believe that the way it's being framed at the moment is is accurate.
Lincoln Restler
1:34:02
I think it is.
1:34:03
Are you aware that Michael Garner, the chief diversity officer for the city, has met with JRT Realty and deputy commissioner Hamilton multiple times to question why the MWD participation on this contract has been slashed?
Louis Molina
1:34:14
I'm not aware of those meetings.
Lincoln Restler
1:34:15
Yeah.
