Conference Call Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Welcome & Introductions:
IN ATTENDANCE: Chair Cheryl Gonzalez (University of North Florida), Michelle Andrewin (Palm Beach School District), Julius Davis (VoltAir Consulting Engineers), Sherod Halliburton (Manatee County Federal Credit Union), Mariana Lugaro (United Data Technologies), Christine McMillon (ENSYNC Diversified Management Services), Jay Narang (GDKN Corporation), Steven Rosa Pagan (Re/Max Premier Associates / The Steven Rosa Group, LLC), Paul Roldan (Allgen Financial Services), Augusto Sanabria (Hispanic Business Initiative Fund), and Deborah K. Thompson (Deborah K. Thompson Consultants).
NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Rhett Frisbie (The Florida Bar), Johnny Helms (Lumbee Resource Management Group), Eduardo Gonzalez (Uber Operations), Barbara Rhodes Melvin (First Florida Integrity Bank), Ray Spaulding (FAMU Veterans Affairs), Brian A. Williams (School Board Miami Dade), and Christine Yerkes (President/CEO, Yerkes South, Inc).
From OSD: Hue Reynolds (Executive Director), Donna Williams (Marketing Coordinator), and Carmen M. Claudio (Admin. Assistant). The minutes were recorded by Carmen Claudio.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Cheryl Gonzalez at 2:09 pm.
Agenda:
Vice Chair Jay Narang made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, and the motion was seconded by Mariana Lugaro. The agenda was approved unanimously.
Minutes of June 1, 2016 Meeting:
Julius Davis made the motion to adopt the meeting minutes as presented. Christine McMillon seconded the motion. No corrections were recommended, and the minutes were approved unanimously.
Florida Department of Management Services:
Hue Reynolds, Executive Director, Office of Supplier Diversity
Mrs. Reynolds welcomed the Office of Supplier Diversity’s new Marketing Coordinator, Mrs. Donna Williams. Her primary function currently is to develop a Veterans marketing outreach plan. Her other functions include developing the Supplier Diversity Exchanges in Tallahassee and Orlando.
Mrs. Reynolds welcomed newly appointed Council member Steven Pagan, and shared that another new council member is being considered to fill the vacancy left by Malik Ali who resigned last month.
The Office of Supplier Diversity continues its statewide outreach and will be attending and presenting at the following two events: July 18-20 for the SW Florida Government Contracting Symposium and Expo, and the Polk County Vendor Day on July 22.
OSD has been able to see a steady increase in the number of opened emails when it sends targeted information to certified vendors. Currently, the industry average has a less than 20 percent open rate, and OSD email messages have double that rate – at 42 percent.
The regional Supplier Diversity Exchanges for Tallahassee and Orlando are still in development at this time, with no dates specified. They will occur during the fall.
Mrs. Reynolds also shared information about the role of the Council, including its purpose to advise and assist the DMS Secretary in carrying out the Secretary's duties with respect to minority businesses and economic and business development. As such, the Council does not develop programs or host events for the small business community.
Council Chair/Vice Chair’s Update:
Chair Gonzalez reminded the Council members of the information needed for the annual report, including sending in any head shots and photos. She also shared that while the website continues to be updated with information, it would be helpful for the Council members to also review the site to determine if there are items missing and to inform Hue Reynolds of any deficiencies.
Vice Chair Narang expressed his sympathy to the Orlando members and area businesses from the recent tragic event in Orlando. He shared his thoughts and prayers for all those impacted by the tragedy.
Vice Chair Narang also wanted to welcome new member Steve Pagan and Donna Williams. He asked for Donna’s assistance in marketing outreach activities, specifically as it relates to the Council’s communications activities moving forward.
Stakeholder Commentary:
Doug Wheeler, President/CEO of the Florida Ports Council, provided this month’s commentary. He shared information about the Florida Ports Council, which is a statewide association for all of Florida’s ports. The association provides leadership, advocacy, and research for maritime issues that cover both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
He stated that each port’s structure and governance are set up differently. Tampa has the largest port in the state. The overall activities supporting ports includes 700,000 jobs, and $2.4 billion in tax revenues each year. Overall, the ports generate $97 billion in economic activity in the state.
Over the past several years, the investment into the ports system has paid off: containers processing – increasing more than six percent; tonnage continues to increase as well at five percent overall. While the “trade value” is down in the state due to Asian imports, Florida is experiencing a greater share of cargo coming in.
The Governor and the Department of Transportation continue to be supportive of raising funds and making strategic investments into the ports system, and we are witnessing those investments pay off.
Most of Florida’s ports are essentially a “landlord port,” with many of the employees that are running daily operations are employees of a company that signed a lease agreement with the port.
The Florida port system serve as conductors in helping massive amount of items being moved from point A to point B. The ports serve as a great delivery system, but they rely on everything else for it to function. Additional details about the Florida port system may be found on the Council’s website at flaports.org.
Following the presentation, several Council members posed questions:
Vice Chair Jay Narang: Can you talk about the dredging projects that were undertaken by Port of Miami, and the benefits of that?
Mr. Wheeler: With the recent commitment to ports, Gov. Scott directed DOT to cover the federal share of the dredge in Miami in order to support larger vessels. The current trend in shipping is to be able to bring in larger vessels. Florida determined that at least one port should be able to handle larger vessels and the state stepped in to cover a large portion of the project. July 9th will be the first large vessel coming into the Port of Miami. The next port that will go through this process will be the Port Everglades, which has been going through the process for the past 17 years. In the future, there is discussion to dredge Jaxport as well.
Mr. Narang: The Florida Chamber hosted an event that collaborated with the Florida Ports Council, where lots of corporations were present. During that event, there was mention about Florida not having the adequate technology similar to what Georgia provides? Are 60 percent of the cargo going through GA?
Mr. Wheeler: Currently, 53-55 percent of cargo is coming through a non-Florida port. Los Angeles/Long beach is a port of entry for a lot of cargo, and Savannah, GA is a big competitor to the state of Florida. Savannah is a container port solely, and Florida has been behind in that type of container transport. The infrastructure was not there to capture the container trade. An advantage that Georgia has is that their distribution centers are available there. In Florida, there are a large cluster of distribution options here. We were able to identify 3.5 million containers coming through other ports – so now, we need to be able to inform the rest of the world of Florida’s capabilities.
Ms. Deborah Thompson, Jacksonville: What is the priority level for dredging when it comes to Jacksonville?
Mr. Wheeler: The two ports mentioned previously – Everglades and JaxPort are both are lacking in federal funding share. Currently, Port Everglades may have an advantage, as it has been pursuing this for the past 17 years.
Chair Cheryl Gonzalez: There is close to $4 billion spent in Florida’s ports, and the state’s comprehensive plan includes a section on business/job development. The Council recommends increasing and utilizing small and minority businesses. What can we do to discuss that plan and how can the Ports Council help?
Mr. Wheeler: A recent publication called the Five Year Seaport Vision Plan describes the capital plans for the next five years. I’d like to talk more about this – so please feel free to call me at 850-222-8028 or email . Section 187.201 in Florida Statutes. (Hue will provide the state’s comprehensive plan with the Council’s recommendations to Mr. Wheeler’s staff).
Committee Reports:
A. State Agency Vendor Diversity Committee, Rhett Frisbie, Chair – Mr. Frisbie did not attend the meeting.
B. Emerging Trends and Research, Barbara Melvin, Chair – Ms. Melvin did not attend the meeting.
C. Communications, Jay Narang, Interim Chair – Vice Chair Narang needs some help on this Committee. Members who are interested in serving on this Committee are asked to volunteer through Hue. In the interim, Jay Narang will handle the functions of the Committee. Jay asked to speak/meet with OSD’s Donna Williams for an informal discussion that can help devise structure and keep things moving on this front.
D. Legislative, Deborah Thompson, Chair – Dr. Christine McMillon and Ms. Deborah Thompson have not yet scheduled a meeting. A report will be made at the next meeting. Any future meetings must be scheduled through Hue Reynolds to ensure that it is publicly noticed with an agenda.
E. By-Laws, Brian Williams, Chair – Chair Gonzalez recalled that Mr. Williams previously volunteered for this role. In his absence, Chair Gonzalez asked Mrs. Reynolds to develop a matrix for all the titles and purposes, names of chairs to all Committee so that each member can make a determination as to which Committee to participate.
Old Business:
A. Annual Report: Chair Gonzalez reminded Council members to send in headshots/photos for the Annual Report. Each Committee is also to prepare summaries for their activities from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. This information should be sent to Mrs. Reynolds, including a summary of what the Committee plans to do moving forward.
New Business:
Chair Gonzalez: Previously, the Council sought to have a direct support organization (DSO). In light of Enterprise Florida’s current situation, she sought support of the Advisory Council to pursue a statewide small business ombudsman/advocate who would report directly to the Governor. She asked whether we should keep the DSO as a recommendation, or is there any disagreement on pursuing the ombudsman in addition to the DSO?
Julius Davis asked for more specific information. Chair Gonzalez responded that the Council recommends appointing a small/minority business ombud/advocate to handle issues in a manner that is not under the purview of OSD – and to cover things that the Council cannot do. This would be similarly set up how the federal government handles matters through the Small Business Advocate.
Ms. Thompson expressed her support for the “ombud.” She also asked who the larger businesses use?
Vice Chair Narang presented his concern about the charge of the Council, and asked if the Council was voting to present this idea to the DMS secretary?
Chair Gonzalez stated that the Council makes recommendations perFlorida Statutes to the Governor, Secretary, Senate President, House Speaker, and others about thework of the Advisory Council be shared with everyone to help them better understand the Council’s role.
Recommendation from Vice Chair Narang: Talk to the Secretary and the legislative entities to gain their support. Currently, there is no representation for small businesses.
Chair Gonzalez stated that she consults with the DMS Secretary based on their mutual availability and reminded the Council that this Secretary has also personally visited several Council members. For now, she is waiting on a meeting date with the Department of Economic Opportunity and the DMS Secretary to discuss Council recommendations. She stated that there is still time to discuss this recommendation.
Open to the Public:
None
Announcements:
Future of Florida Forum – Sept. 28-30 (Orlando)
Next Scheduled Council Meeting: August 3, 2016
Adjournment: Jay Narang made the motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 3:09 p.m.
Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development
Florida Department of Management Services