NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In an effort to create more job opportunities for residents of New Rochelle, The Gathering of Men, along with the Legal Redress of the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP, recently met with New Rochelle City Manager Charles Strome III, along with the Assistant to the City Manager Omar Small, Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon, and Corporation Counsel Kathleen Gill.
The meeting took place on March 14, 2013 at New Rochelle City Hall and centered upon the lack of enforcement of the City of New Rochelle Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity policy, also known as “Resolution 205”. The policy, introduced by former Councilwoman Rhoda Quash in a resolution passed by the City Council in 1996, was created to ensure that woman, minorities and veterans have opportunities to compete for employment on construction projects supported by the City and for bidding on opportunities offered by the City.
“The Gathering of Men is encouraged by the commitment expressed by the City Manager to ensure that the spirit and the letter of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy will be applied to all qualifying city construction projects in the future.” said Mark McClean, a member of the Steering Committee of The Gathering of Men.
The City Manager has stated the following:
1. The City Manager agreed that the Commissioner of Development will review the Utilization sheet to determine if changes are needed in order to comply with Resolution 205; currently the City accepts the use of the NYS Homes and Community Renewal Monthly Employment Utilization Report which does not include certain categories contained in Resolution 205.
2. The City Manager stated it is the City’s position that Resolution 205 applies only to projects that receive “financial” support from Federal, State, County, and local funds that flow through the City’s Treasury.
3. The City Manager said Resolution 205 was already being included in every development related RFP.
4. The City Manager agreed Resolution 205 will be distributed to all Developers who receive financial support from the City.
5. The City Manager agreed one person in the Department of Public Works, the Deputy Public Works Commissioner/City Engineer, and one person in the Department of Development, the Deputy Development Commissioner for Operations, will be responsible for ensuring the Resolution 205 policy is distributed to the contractors or developers
6. The City Manager agreed one person in the Department of Public Works, the Deputy Public Works Commissioner/City Engineer, and one person in the Department of Development, the Deputy Development Commissioner for Operations, will be responsible for collecting and reviewing the Utilization Reports and certified payroll.
7. The City Manager agreed the Resolution 205 Policy will be added to the Site Plan section.
8. The City will seek to obtain certified payroll sheets from the Heritage Homes Project as required under Resolution 205.
9. The City Manager agreed that the City’s Development Department will create a list of New Rochelle and Westchester County Minority/Woman Business Enterprises (MWBE) and Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE) certified by the State of New York.
10. The City Manager agreed that the City’s Corporation Counsel will create a Statement of Best Efforts for bidders and RFP-winning developers to insure that they reach out and recruit minority, female and veterans participation in all facets of construction work related to the City funded (or supported) development projects.
11. The City Manager agreed that the City is committed to outreach to the community by sponsoring job training events with local organizations including but not limited to the NAACP, The Gathering of Men, etc. with the understanding that financial support from the City is not guaranteed.
The Gathering of Men is committed to continue to work towards what is right for our community and what will help our great City excel. We look forward to working with the City Manager and City Council to strengthen this policy further.
About The Gathering of Men
The Gathering of Men seeks to generate a community of responsible men through mentoring, male presence at community events, support networks and creating leadership roles for members in community issues and events.
Specific areas of focus are jobs, education, home ownership, financial stability and community involvement.
The Gathering of Men meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.. For further information please contact gathering.of.men@hotmail.com.
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I like the Gathering of Men’s mission statement
The Gathering of Men seeks to generate a community of responsible men through mentoring, male presence at community events, support networks and creating leadership roles for members in community issues and events……………Grass roots, people to people, lead by example, nurturing the individuals talents and abilities. I like this very much.