Florida Department of Management Services



MEETING MINUTESMarch 2, 20162:00 – 3:00 pmWelcome & Introductions:IN ATTENDANCE: Chair Cheryl Gonzalez (University of North Florida), Vice Chair Jay Narang (GDKN Corporation), Julius Davis (VoltAir Consulting), Rhett Frisbie (The Florida Bar), Christine McMillon (ENSYNC Diversified Management Services), Barbara Rhodes Melvin (First Florida Integrity Bank), Augusto Sanabria (Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida), and Ray Spaulding (FAMU Veterans Affairs).From OSD: Hue Reynolds (Executive Director), Carmen Claudio (Administrative Assistant) and special DMS guest Ben Fairbrother. The minutes were recorded by Hue Reynolds. NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Malik Ali Members of the Public in attendance:Karen Landry, Executive Director, The Raise Florida Network; Cornell Crews, Chairman, Florida Coalition for MicroBusiness Development Network; and Michelle Andrewin, Director, Office of Diversity in Business Practices, Palm Beach County School District (also representing FAMBEO).The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m.Agenda Modification/Adoption:Barbara Melvin made the motion to adopt the agenda as presented, with a second by Ray Spaulding. The agenda was adopted unanimously.Minutes of Feb. 3, 2016 Meeting: Vice Chair Jay Narang made the motion to accept the meeting minutes of the Feb. 3 meeting, with Barbara Melvin seconding the motion. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously without any changes.Florida Department of Management Services Office of Supplier Diversity Report:Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) Executive Director Hue Reynolds shared that the team recently held its first-ever Supplier Diversity Exchange on Feb. 11 in Pensacola. Eighty-eight individuals registered to attend, with an equal distribution of the attendees representing the small business community or state/federal/local government. The next scheduled Supplier Diversity Exchange will be held on March 22, 2016 at the University of North Florida (UNF). Hue expressed her gratitude to Chair Cheryl Gonzalez with securing the Dean of the UNF Coggin College of Business to attend the Jacksonville event, and for helping to secure resources to offset the cost of the Exchange. The Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) continues to work with organizations across the state to promote bid and solicitation opportunities. Since the event in Pensacola, OSD has seen an increase in organizations reaching out to have their business opportunities promoted on our website and sent via email. Hue stated that OSD has begun using MailChimp to send targeted messages. This tool has enabled OSD to obtain the number of email opens and clicks. The industry average for opening email messages is typically less than 10 percent; however, the targeted messaging from OSD has been yielding an average of 40 to 50 percent in open rates.Hue also stated that OSD will continue its outreach efforts by attending and participating in the upcoming events across the state: Edward Waters College Entrepreneurship Certificate Program - April 13University of Florida Small Business and Vendor Relations Fair - April 26Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council event in Ft. Lauderdale – April 28-2929th Annual Government Small Business Conference - University of South Florida – May 5University of Central Florida SBDC event – May 25-26After Hue Reynolds’ comments, Vice Chair Jay Narang asked for more background information about the Supplier Diversity Exchange, including the agenda. Hue Reynolds stated that the agenda for the previous event may be found on the OSD website, and she also said that the agenda is now geared for a full day of networking and workshops. The afternoon is still reserved for one-on-one appointments between the business community and the local/state/federal entities represented. Rhett Frisbie also inquired about the status of HB 211/SB438. Chair Gonzalez noted that the Legislative Update would occur later on in the meeting. Council Chair/Vice Chair’s Updates:Vice Chair Jay Narang contacted the Florida Chamber; however, there was not enough time for a Chamber representative to be available during this meeting. Chair Cheryl Gonzalez commented that the Council continues to focus on business development and growth, stressing the purpose of the Council and its structure in any communications she has with stakeholders. She urged the need for participation among the Committees and a better definition of the terms “minority” and “small business.” She encouraged Council members to have dialog with other entities and organizations that also have a shared mission/purpose in helping small businesses, so that the Council can move forward with its recommendations.During Chair Gonzalez’s comments, she asked Hue Reynolds to share her perspective on what measurements were in place from OSD that would gauge success in helping small businesses actively participate and achieve business opportunities with the state. Chair Gonzalez also wanted to understand the requirements of state procurement professionals as it relates to increasing the level of participation and utilization of certified businesses. Hue Reynolds stated that OSD does not have the authority to require state procurement professionals to utilize one business over another; however, OSD encourages the use of certified businesses at any opportunity during solicitations (informal or formal). In addition, the annual collection of data from state agencies (utilization) is included in the OSD Annual Report. Hue Reynolds also stated the OSD has several key performance indicators that are being developed to gauge the success of its efforts, including the number of businesses certifying and re-certifying, along with increasing the target audience for OSD outreach efforts.Rhett Frisbie stated that the Annual Report and Business Participation Plans that state agencies provide to OSD are meant to provide insight into what state agencies are doing with diversifying their spending. He reiterated that OSD does not have the authority to require spending with a certified business. He noted that there are opportunities to revise the contract language and review the statutory language to strengthen business relationships moving forward.Stakeholder Commentary: Karen Landry, Executive Director, The Raise Florida Network thanked the Council for the opportunity to discuss the Microfinance Act, and introduced Cornell Crews, Chairman, Florida Coalition for MicroBusiness Development Network.Mr. Crews introduced himself and shared his work with the Coalition over the last few years. After the Act’s ratification, the program component was given to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to administer as a way for small businesses to gain access to capital. Mr. Crews discussed HB 807: Florida Microfinance Act, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Pritchett. This bill is meant to revise the Microfinance Loan Program & Microfinance Guarantee Program and provides that EFI rather than DEO is responsible for entering into funding agreements with loan administrators. In addition, the bill revises the interest charges and fees. The related bill, SB1592, is sponsored by Senator Audrey Gibson. Mr. Crews explained that the fee structure currently impedes business expansion, and the need to lower the rates is imperative. He has spoken with several legislators on these bills, including the bill sponsors and Senators Jack Latvala and Rene Garcia, and Representative Kionne L. McGhee. Chair Gonzalez asked that Mr. Crews connect with Council member Barbara Melvin on the latest news and information related to these bills. Vice Chair Jay Narang asked how long the rate of the prime plus 10 percent has been in place. Mr. Crews stated that since the inception of the program in 2014, this rate has been in place. Barbara Melvin also asked how easily businesses can access these loans. Currently, the loans are handled through the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), with the challenge of not having an SBDC across the mittee Reports State Agency Vendor Diversity Committee, Rhett Frisbie, Chair State Agency Vendor Diversity Committee Chair Rhett Frisbie did not have a report to share at this time. Old Business:Face to Face meetingThe next face to face meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 at the FDOT office. Florida Department of Transportation11201 North McKinley DriveTampa, FL 33612Executive Conference RoomThe Council determined that meeting will begin around lunch time, with the full meeting to occur in the afternoon. Those who wish to stay overnight to attend the next day’s SBDC event may do so. However, travel reimbursement will only be available for travel to and from the meeting. Barbara Melvin made a motion to have the meeting in the afternoon, with a second by Rhett Frisbie. The meeting timeframe was approved unanimously. Items on the agenda for the May meeting will include a presentation from OSD or the Department of Management Services on public meetings in the sunshine, and also include a presentation from a representative of the Florida Department of Transportation. The remaining agenda items will be normal business items. New Business: A. OPPAGA impact studyHue Reynolds shared the OPPAGA reports to Council members via email. Chair Gonzalez asked that Council members be prepared to discuss the reports during the April meeting, with the Research and Emerging Trends Committee taking the lead on the discussion of one or two main items from the reports.B. Legislative UpdateTo date, there have not been additional committee meetings on HB 211/SB438. They were both heard on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016.Vice Chair Jay Narang shared that there have been updates on the budget for Enterprise Florida, including the passage of HB1325 (Economic Development) on Feb. 24. This bill includes language that maintains the accountability for Enterprise Florida and its spend authority. There have also been several tax cuts for businesses, including the equipment tax. C. Identify Stakeholders for Future MeetingsFlorida ChamberDepartment of Economic OpportunityDepartment of Management Services Legislators - Jack Latvala and Majority Leader Jim BoydPublic Commentary:NoneNext Scheduled Council Meeting: Wednesday, April 6, 2016Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 2:56 pm ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download