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The Small Firm Advisory Committee meeting will be held at the City of Fremont’s Chamber of Commerce located at 39488 Stevenson Place. The Conference Room is wheelchair accessible. The closest accessible BART station is on 2000 BART Way at the intersection of Civic Center Drive. Accessible bus lines serving this location are: AC Transit 215 and 217 bus lines.

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(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils, and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, by mail to Adele Destro, Interim Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244 San Francisco, CA 94102-4683 at Phone No.: (415) 554-7724; Fax No.: (415) 554-7854; E-mail: sotf@sfgov.org.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices. 

1. Call to order – 10:42 a.m.

2. Roll Call – Moses de los Reyes excused absence.

3. Public Comment  - 
    * Charles Thomas with HDR Engineering, Inc. is interested in the WSIP Small Firm Advisory Committee. 
    * Chad Wright, Director, California Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, wants to assist the WSIP Small Firm Advisory Committee’s with its contractor outreach efforts.
    *  Andrew Lehane, Client Program Manager, Environmental and Infrastructure Group Shaw Environmental, Inc. came to the meeting to learn more about the Committee.

4. Minutes – January 23, 2008 and April 23, 2008 minutes will be approved at the
      July 23, 2008 meeting.

5. Director’s Report -  Carol Isen, Director of the Labor Relations and Community Programs (LRCP) Unit, reported on the following:

    * Recommended the Committee make a presentation to the Commission in the fall to discuss the progress of the Committee to date.
    * Invited the Committee to the May 14, 2008 SFPUC 3rd Annual Construction Contractors’ Breakfast.
       - Ms. Isen asked the Chair to provide brief remarks on the progress of the Committee at the breakfast.
    * Discussed letter from newly appointed General Manager Ed Harrington.  The General Manager congratulated the Committee on their diligent efforts to provide meaningful business opportunities to small construction companies in the SFPUC water service area.  The General Manager looks forward to meeting with the Committee in upcoming months.

The Small Firm Advisory Committee made the following comments on the Director’s Report
    * Marie McKenzie inquired if the prime contractors are prepared to work with the small construction firms.
       Ms. Isen responded that staff is currently outreaching to prime contractors to get  them prequalified for upcoming bidding opportunities under the WSIP.

       Ms. McKenzie stated concerns in regards to prime contractors being ready to joint venture with small construction firms.  Through the Chair, the Committee hosts an introductory and educational networking event for prime contractors and  small construction firms in the water service area.

       Ms. McKenzie commented that San Mateo County assists staff with identifying  what trades are needed.
       Ms. Isen stated that the prequalification program is for prime contractors. The  SFPUC local business enterprise certification program is created for small  construction firms.

    * Estela Tarano stated that the Committee will advise staff with creative ideas on how to facilitate participation between prime contractors and small construction firms.

6. Discussion and possible action of Small Firm Advisory Committee’s Rules of Order
    * The Small Firm Advisory Committee passed a motion to discuss the rules of order further at a Special meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  The motion was moved by Tom McGinley and seconded by Lucille Palmer-Byrd.  The meeting will be held at another location.

    * Ms. Isen reported that staff will provide the Committee with a timeline and proposed draft status report at the Special Meeting.
             
The Small Firm Advisory Committee made the following comments on the Rules of Order:
    * Mr. McGinley commented that his goals include motivation for  the Committee and percentage growth for the to see the regional local business enterprise certification list grow in percentages, namely the small construction firms that were provided by the members.
       Ms. Isen responded that she will discuss small construction firm goals with the  Human Rights Commission’s Senior Compliance Officer Veronica Ng.
 
7. Updates and discussion on draft Regional WSIP Employment Plan – Ardis Graham,  Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Administrator, gave updates on the following items:

    * Regional Local Employment Plan – the draft plan is currently under review by the WSIP Project Labor Agreement Joints Agreement Committee (JAC).  The WSIP JAC draft plan will be completed by June.

    * Craft Work Hours – SFPUC staff will provide, upon direction from the WSIPLA JAC, to local craft unions and pre-apprentice construction training programs (referral agencies) craft-hour estimates for the WSIP.  Providing these estimates will help unions and referral agencies better understand, and plan for, future employment needs in their area.

    * Alameda County 
       - SFPUC and Robert Klein Secretary-Treasurer, with the Alameda County Carpenters Union met with the Mission Valley Regional Occupation Program (ROP).  The discussion gave the students an insight on construction from working in the field to daily attendance.

   * San Joaquin County
      - SFPUC met with the San Joaquin County Apprenticeship Collaborative to discuss the WSIP.  
      - SFPUC also met with the County’s You Build Program, California Construction Program and Helmet for Hard Hats.  These programs are all sources for improving the SFPUC regional hiring plan.

   * On March 7, 2008, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38 and Laborers’ Union of North America reached met at SFPUC headquarters where they reached a jurisdiction accord regarding future work on WSIP projects in San Francisco City and County.
          
The Small Firm Advisory Committee made the following comments on the draft Regional WSIP Employment Plan:

   * Marie McKenzie asked how the ROP students are able to enroll in the Apprenticeship Program.
      Mr. Graham replied the students are sponsored by contractors.

      Ms. McKenzie asked how many people are estimated to be potential apprentices.
      Mr. Graham will provide the estimates at the next meeting.

    *The Small Firm Advisory Committee is pleased with the Regional Employment Plan outreach efforts.

8. Updates on Labor Relations and Community Programs Office of the Ombuds – Lihmeei Leu, Coordinator, Office of the Ombuds gave a detailed discussion on the latest office to be created by the LRCP Unit.  
   The Office of the Ombuds will conduct the following:
    * One stop shop created to increase contractor participation in WSIP and future capital improvement programs, where construction contractors (primes and small firms), trade organizations  and business communities can obtain information on;
     - Upcoming bidding opportunities;
     - Bid requirements
     - Links 
     - Upcoming SFPUC sponsored events and workshops
     - Prequalification Program
     - SFPUC Small Business Enterprise Program
     - Project Labor Agreement
     - Local Employment Opportunities
     - Contractors can contact the Office of the Ombuds at 415-554-1530 or 1-866-572-5727 and/or
       email contractorshelp@sfwater.org

   * A brochure is currently in development;
   * Website is also in design.

The Small Firm Advisory Committee made the following comments on the Office of the Ombuds discussion:
   * The Small Firm Advisory Committee asked Ms. Leu to provide them with a draft brochure by the next meeting.

 9.  Discussion and presentation on SFPUC’s Design of Capacity Building and Mentorship Program – BJ Jones, Coordinator, Mentor Protege Program discussed a survey that was disseminated to the contracting community seeking their input on the design of a capacity building and mentorship program for certified SFPUC LBE firms.  

   * The program will be called the WSIP Small Firm Academy and will consist of the following courses:
      - Bid Preparation and Scheduling
      - Project Execution 
      - Management Plan, Staffing and Team Relations
      - Safety Development
      - SFPUC Bidding/ Contracting Processes and Contract Documents / Requirements

   * LRCP will follow-up the survey with phone solicitations in the upcoming months.  
   * Ms. Jones will report the survey results at the July 22, 2008 meeting.

The Small Firm Advisory Committee Advisory Committee made the following comments on the SFPUC Design of Capacity Building and Mentorship Program:
   *The Small Firm Advsiory Committee commended the survey, namely Tom McGinley who has taught training courses for the past 20 years.

   * Advised staff to disseminate the surveys at the May 14, 2008 Contractors Breakfast.

   * Mr. McGinley suggested staff create training course for San Jose City College.  
      Ms. Isen commented that the next step for staff is to look into resources for the  WSIP Small Firm Academy.

 10. Small Business Outreach Events Update – Hala Hijazi, Manager, Business Development gave an update on the following events:
   *  Calaveras Dam Workshop and Tour Event – held on April 24, 2008 at the Sunol Valley Golf Course.  Networking event for contractors to hear project details and tour the dam.

   * 3rd Annual Construction Contractors Breakfast – held on May 14, 2008 at the War Memorial Building Green room.  Networking event for both prime contractors and small construction firms to provide opportunities for newly certified regional firms, updates on WSIP projects and San Francisco County contracting initiatives.

   * Northern California Basic Craft Alliance Workshop – will be held on June 3, 2008 is a WSIP pipeline briefing and pre-qualification workshop hosted by the SFPUC and Northern California Basic Crafts Alliance.

   * Ms. Hijazi reported that the LBE micro-consultants will be soliciting small construction firms with the water service area.

11. Comments, suggestions and requests for future agenda items by the Small Firm Advisory Committee, members of the public and staff.
      
     ***Please note:  Special Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, location to be determined.***
    *** Action items for the Small Firm Advisory Committee and staff before the  July 23rd meeting.***
          - Staff to update draft Contractors Outreach Plan 
          - Staff to update contractor outreach events 
          - Staff to update WSIP bid schedule
          - Staff to provide the Committee with draft Office of the Ombuds brochure
          - Staff to update Capacity Building and Mentorship Program survey results
          - Committee to provide lists of contacts
          - Update estimated apprentices

 Future Agenda Items
   * Bonding/insurance
   * Project Scheduling
   * Contractor Outreach Plan
   * Subcommittees Creation
   * Small Business Update
   * PLA Update

12.  Adjournment -  1:20 p.m.