To: Rev. Rickey Burgess, City Councilman and State Rep. Ed Gainey
Public Hearing With Equal Opportunity Review Commission
The Equal Opportunity Review Commission (EORC) reviews and approves all applicable construction contracts for compliance with Chapter 161 of the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, as well as the contractor's compliance with City of Pittsburgh's policies regarding minority and women business enterprise opportunities. It also develops policies regarding employment opportunities for minorities and women in contracting with the City of Pittsburgh and its Authorities.
As the EORC is governed by § 177A.02 - EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PRACTICE AND GOALS. The City of Pittsburgh is committed to the ideal of providing all citizens an equal opportunity to participate in City and its Authorities Contracting opportunities. In order to ensure that there are opportunities for historically disadvantaged minority groups and women to participate on Covered Contracts, and consistent with the City's current equal employment opportunity practice and goals, the EORC will review contracts to include an evaluation of a developer/contractor's employment of minority groups and women, encouraging goals of twenty-five (25) percent and ten (10) percent, respectively. What is key is having minority contractors present at a community-driven meeting with the EORC where they can discuss any barriers or issues experience in achieving employment or contract with the City as a MWDBE certified organization. This provides the EORC the opportunity to hear from those most affected by their approval process – minorities, women and disadvantage businesses.
We, the undersigned intend to attend the public hearing.
As the EORC is governed by § 177A.02 - EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PRACTICE AND GOALS. The City of Pittsburgh is committed to the ideal of providing all citizens an equal opportunity to participate in City and its Authorities Contracting opportunities. In order to ensure that there are opportunities for historically disadvantaged minority groups and women to participate on Covered Contracts, and consistent with the City's current equal employment opportunity practice and goals, the EORC will review contracts to include an evaluation of a developer/contractor's employment of minority groups and women, encouraging goals of twenty-five (25) percent and ten (10) percent, respectively. What is key is having minority contractors present at a community-driven meeting with the EORC where they can discuss any barriers or issues experience in achieving employment or contract with the City as a MWDBE certified organization. This provides the EORC the opportunity to hear from those most affected by their approval process – minorities, women and disadvantage businesses.
We, the undersigned intend to attend the public hearing.
Why is this important?
We, the qualified electors who reside in the City of Pittsburgh request the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh to conduct a public hearing and post agenda to ensure that the role of the EORC is being adhered to. The purpose of the meeting would be to invite MWDBE certified contractors where they can present to the EORC their experiences in working with the City and Developers around MWDBE opportunities. At the meeting they can share the results of their bidding opportunities as being under contract as a MWDBE certified contractor. If not under contract, did they hear back from the General Contractor and/or Developer with the reasons for not being selected? When contracts and/or subcontractors win the bid, are they getting contracts equal to what is being reported by the City MWDBE Office?