Number
071038
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON
Title
Resolution appropriating $50,000 from the Economic Development Committee Fund for a study of disparate practices with respect to businesses which contract with the City.
Analysis
This resolution appropriates $ 50,000 from the Economic Development Fund special purpose account to the Department of Administration - Business Operations Division for the services of a consultant to conduct a study of disparate practices with respect to businesses which contract with the City.
Body
Whereas, The 1989 United States Supreme Court decision City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co. found that evidence of a pattern of discriminatory acts is required to enact race-based remedial programs; and
Whereas, In response to the Croson decision, Milwaukee County, the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools commissioned a study which was completed in April, 1992, to determine whether specifically identified discriminatory practices in the Milwaukee construction, procurement and professional services marketplaces prevented minority business enterprises (MBEs) and women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) from successfully competing with non-minority businesses; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee has an interest in promoting equal opportunity in business through the awarding of contracts for construction, services and the purchase of contracts, and it is now necessary that a new disparity study be conducted to ensure equal opportunity; and
Whereas, Mason Tillman Associates, commissioned by the City of Milwaukee, issued a report entitled “Study to Determine the Effectiveness of the City’s Emerging Business Enterprise Program,” dated August 2007, found underutilization of emerging business enterprises in certain types of contracts, particularly an underutilization of African American emerging business enterprises on the City’s construction and goods and other services contracts when compared to the availability of the businesses in the City’s market area; and
Whereas, According to this study, the underutilization of African American businesses compared to their availability suggests that there may be a disparity if the data were subjected to a statistical test; and
Whereas, Given the documented utilization pattern, the study recommends that the City conduct a statistical analysis of disparity to determine if race-conscious remedies may be warranted; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that $50,000 is appropriated from the Economic Development Committee Fund Special Purpose, Account, 0001-1310-S123-006300, to the Department of Administration - Business Operations Division for the services of a consultant to conduct a study of disparity practices with respect to the businesses which contract with the City.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB07530-2
TWM:sd
11/08/2007