MAYOR’S OFFICE PROPOSES ORDINANCE ON MINORITY AND WOMEN BUSINESS PARTICIPATION
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 22, 2008) -
Mayor Karl Dean today took a positive step toward implementing recommendations from a Disparity Study completed in 2004, which found “evidence of discriminatory barriers” to minority- and women-owned businesses participating in the procurement process of the Metropolitan Government.
The Mayor’s Office proposed an ordinance to amend the Metropolitan Procurement Code to include a Procurement Nondiscrimination Program. Council members Sam Coleman and Megan Barry, primary sponsors of the legislation, filed the ordinance today.
“Nashville is a diverse city. We need to do everything we can to make sure this diversity is reflected in the way our city government does business. It’s good for our economy and it’s just the right thing to do,” Mayor Dean said.
“The 2004 study clearly shows this is not happening. We can do better and we will. This ordinance offers a new approach to ensure business opportunities that are equal and fair across the board.”
The ordinance was prepared by Griffin & Strong, the same law firm that conducted the Disparity Study in 2004. It was the second of such studies done during the last 10 years.
The study revealed that Metro Government has significantly underutilized minority- and women-owned firms in its procurement of construction, professional services and goods and services compared with the availability of these same kinds of firms in the marketplace.
“Our mayor stepped up to the plate and hired a firm to advise the Law Department on drafting an ordinance that would compliment the city and include everybody. It’s a very exciting beginning,” said Pam Martin, CEO of Cushion Corp. and chair of the mayor’s Minority Business Advisory Council.
The mayor appointed the Advisory Council in October of last year as part of a comprehensive initiative to help all types of businesses in Nashville receive a fair share of Metro contracts.
The Advisory Council made a series of recommendations to the mayor in mid-December, which are in the process of being implemented now.
As part of the same initiative started in October, Mayor Dean moved Michelle Lane, the director of Metro’s Disadvantaged, Minority and Small Business Assistance program, into the Mayor’s Office as a special assistant. Griffin & Strong was also retained at that time to draft the ordinance filed today.
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov