* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Pinkett and Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Hiring for the Druid Lake and Ashburton Reservoir Projects
For the purpose of requesting that the Director of the Department of Public Works, the head of the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office, and representatives from Oscar Renda Contracting appear before the City Council to discuss the utilization of Minority Business Enterprises, Women’s Business Enterprises, and local skilled and unskilled labor for the Druid Lake and Ashburton Reservoir Projects.
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Recitals
In an effort to comply with the federal Clean Drinking Water Act regulations, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (“DPW”) has been converting our open-air drinking water lakes to buried tanks. Preserving the quality and safety of the City’s drinking water system represents a substantial investment in the City’s water infrastructure - the Druid Lake and Ashburton Reservoir Projects alone will cost $270 million.
While achieving the primary objective of protecting our water supply for generations to come, there is also great potential within these public projects to advance the City’s and State’s goals to promote minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises. Article 5, Subtitle 28 of the City Code details how the City’s Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office sets goals for the participation of Minority Business Enterprises (“MBEs”) and Women’s Business Enterprises (“WBEs”) for each contract the City enters. It is of the upmost importance that these Projects meet their goals. The Druid Lake and Ashburton Reservoir Projects are complicated endeavors that will take years to accomplish. In addition to utilizing MBEs and WBEs, the Projects offer excellent opportunities for the employment of local skilled and unskilled labor.
To ensure that the requirements of Article 5, Subtitle 28 are met and that businesses are hiring local skilled and unskilled labor, it is imperative that the appropriate agencies provide proper oversight.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Director of the Department of Public Works, the head of the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office, and representatives from Oscar Renda Contracting appear before the City Council to discuss the utilization of Minority Business Enterprises, Women’s Business Enterprises, and local skilled and unskilled labor for the Druid Lake and Ashburton Reservoir Projects.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Director of the Department of Public Works, the head of the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office, representatives from Oscar Renda Contracting, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.