LOS ANGELES, CA (October 28, 2016)— In an effort to ensure that the City’s Board of Public Works is honoring its commitment to the Mayor and the people of Los Angeles to provide ample and transparent contracting opportunities, significant job creation and the ability for all to benefit from a recovering economy, the Board today approved the creation of a new business advisory committee.
The motion was introduced by the Board’s Vice President Heather Marie Repenning and President Pro Tempore Mike Davis, who will co-chair the newly formed Ad Hoc Business Advisory Committee of the Board of Public Works. The committee, to be comprised of current and previous city contractors and subcontractors, both in construction and consulting, will review and report on the Department of Public Works' contracting policies and practices. Its report will include information and feedback provided at a series of four public hearings.
“Over the past two years, the Board has awarded more than 800 construction, personal services, and on-call construction contracts totaling more than $600 million,” said Commissioner Repenning. “While this represents a significant investment in the regional economy, it is imperative that we identify ways to further strengthen the impact of these dollars on the small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses that are the heart of our local economy.”
"I believe the work of this committee validates our successes in creating jobs and contracting opportunities in our disadvantaged communities where they are most needed," said Commissioner Davis, "This committee will also provide us with a road map on how we may even be more effective in opening the contracting process and in advancing the Mayor's Back-to-Basics priority outcomes on promoting good jobs for all Angelenos."
Specifically, the motion approved unanimously by the Board of Public Works today calls for the Ad Hoc Business Advisory Committee to:
- Identify opportunities that could expand the impact of the City’s contracting policies and practices on our local communities, including but not limited to the increase use of Small, Women-Owned, Minority-Owned, Disadvantage, and Local Business Enterprises;
- Explore options to create and promote good jobs by making it easy to do business in Los Angeles, nurturing small businesses, reclaiming the City’s economic heritage, and educating and retaining workforces across the City for tomorrow’s construction and non-construction good jobs; and
- Consider collaborative partnerships with residents, civic, and business groups that can build a greater City by fostering civic participation in governance and in building a shared community.
John Reamer, Inspector of Public Works for the Bureau of Contract Administration emphasized the importance of inclusion, stating that “The establishment of this committee furthers the Board's commitment to business and job development through a partnership that promotes a strong and inclusive contracting environment.”