Council closer to race- and gender-based hiring goals [The Charlotte Observer]

March 25--In an effort to boost the use of minority contractors, the city of Charlotte moved closer Monday to adding race and gender specific goals to its Small Business Opportunity Program.

The city stopping having race and gender targets for hiring a decade ago under the fear of litigation. The city instead focused on trying to steer city contracts to small businesses, hoping that women and minority-owned firms would benefit.

But some council members have pushed for the changes after a consultant, MGT America, found in 2010 that minority and women-owned firms weren't receiving as much work as the city had hoped. MGT, however, did not recommend any changes to the city's small business program.

In a controversial decision, the City Council then hired a second consultant, the Baltimore law firm Tydings & Rosenburg, which recommended the city set specific goals for such firms. At the time, one council member, Republican Warren Cooksey, said the council was "consultant shopping."

But at a public hearing on the issue Monday night, a handful of attorneys and business people spoke in favor of the change.

"Under the old program, more African-America contractors participated," said Stephanie Berwald, president of the Metrolina Minority Contractors Association. "When it was eliminated, the number went down drastically."

In early March, city staff recommended a number of changes, including adding race and gender-specific goals for city contracts. In addition, the city plans to increase the threshold for contracts in which formal bids must be taken, from $200,000 to $500,000.

That will allow the city to pick the companies that will receive formal Requests for Proposal, allowing them to target certain contractors. That could increase minority participation, said Brad Richardson of the city's economic development office.

If council approves the changes, they would go into effect July 1.

Council will likely take a vote on the changes later this spring.

In other action

--Council members also formally approved financial incentives to bring insurance giant MetLife to Charlotte. Under the deal approved, the city and Mecklenburg County will give the company a total of $2.99 million, with the city's share being $1.065 million.

In return, the company must invest $41 million and create 1,386 new jobs with an average salary of $58,350.

The company has said it will establish retail annuity and life agents, product sales, and customer support positions in Charlotte and IT jobs in Cary, according to the city. The city also said MetLife is negotiating to lease 350,000 square feet of space in Ballantyne.

The biggest incentives for MetLife are coming from the state. In early March, the state awarded MetLife a $2 million One North Carolina Fund Grant and a Job Development Investment Grant worth an estimated $87.3 million over 12 years, according to the city.

--Council members approved a zoning change to accommodate the growing number of businesses that want to brew and sell their own beer. Breweries are now permitted in urban industrial, light industrial and heavy industrial areas. The changes allow breweries up to 60,000 square feet. Democrats Patsy Kinsey and LaWana Mayfield voted no.

--Tom Murray of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority announced that the International Association of Fire Chiefs will come to Charlotte in 2017, bringing 7,500 people and using 14,000 hotel room nights. Murray said the convention will have an economic impact of $10.6 million.

--Council members voted for the budget committee to hear a possible request from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Heath Morrison about funding school resource officers. Morrison spoke to council members Monday about this vision for the school district. They discussed a possible increase in police officers at schools, and Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon suggested the city consider help fund the officers.

In the past, the city has cut funding for the resource officers.

Harrison: 704-358-5160

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