01/22/1992 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e this process is completed; in fact, council is at the early stages of the process. Mr. Boles asked that the Council Committee on Eugene Decisions frame a response to the letter. Ms. Ehrman said council should specifically address the issue of in-house versus contracted-out services. Mr. Nicholson reiterated his previous comments about the need to offer a concrete proposal on how to initiate a public process to discover ways to do things differently. Mr. Boles noted that the criticism of the process was premature as it has not been completed. II. WORK SESSION: UPDATE ON THE CITY'S DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, AND DIVERSITY EFFORTS Linda Norris, Acting Assistant City Manager, acknowledged members in the audience from the Hispanic Business Association, Eugene Human Rights Commission, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Chicano Affairs Center who have been very helpful to the City in identifying the issues surrounding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE). Ms. Norris called attention to the packet material, including a draft resolution and Affirmative Action Plan for the DBE Program. She reviewed the material and said that, in Oregon, the State certifies disadvantaged businesses and the City selects from that list. Ms. Norris noted that the DBE is a set-aside program for Federally-funded projects. The Federal Government has stated that DBE goals are required without regard to previous findings of discrimination. She said this is not to be confused with other set-aside programs for projects with non-Federal funds. Ms. Norris said that in 1989, the Supreme Court, in a City of Richmond case, found that set-aside programs for non-Federally funded projects are not legal without first establishing a history of discrimination. She said the program before council is for Federally funded programs. Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Ms. Norris said that the City is concerned with making sure that disadvantaged businesses can compete on an equal basis on all other procurement issues. She said the City cannot do a set-aside program, but it hopes to apply the goals and processes of the Federal program and create an environment where all businesses can compete equally. Mr. MacDonald noted that the Supreme Court decision IIprohibits set-aside programs for non-Federally funded projects, unless you first establish a history of discrimination." He concluded that if a history of discrimination MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 3