Piedmont’s Post

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Raymond Malone, Chairman Fairness in Construction Board 414 E 12th Street, 4th Floor East Kansas City, Missouri 64106 [email protected] April 16, 2024 Quinton Lucas, Mayor City Council, All Districts Cc: Brian Platt, City Manager Cc:Jaime Guillen, CREO Director City of Kansas City, Missouri City Hall, 29th Floor (Mayor) City Hall, 22nd Floor (City Council) Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Honorable Mayor and City Councilpersons, Our past letters and messages to you to date have gone unanswered, therefore I’m forced to write this letter to informed you of our very real concerns. As the appointed Chair of the Fairness in Construction Board, who has always strived for excellence and professionalism, I find it necessary to address these issues in the hope of fostering a more inclusive and equitable contracting environment. As a reminder, the Fairness in Construction Board was created to address and remediate unfair public procurement procedures in both city funded and assisted projects, including tax incentivized projects. Particularly, the Fairness in Construction Board addresses disparities and exclusion of available and qualified socioeconomically disadvantaged businesses on publicly funded and assisted contracts. Through the implementation of the Fairness in Construction Board (“Board”), we have created a more competitive and fair environment for all. This is achieved through the collaborative process of the members of the Board. Being comprised of collective bargaining organizations, majority owned businesses, minority and woman owned businesses, construction business organizations, professional construction services organizations, and community input has created a partnership that promotes equal access, opportunity and protection of the laws of the city, state and federal government in public procurement. The strength of the Board has been transparency in data collection and reporting from the City’s Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department. After repeated requests, the Board has been denied access to reports, administrative support and monitoring of city-funded and assisted contracts, including tax-incentivized projects (such as the Meta data-center project and more recently the Google data-center project). This has caused an increase in complaints of discriminatory activity in public procurement processes, on construction projects and reports of economic abuse of small and disadvantaged businesses on taxpayer funded projects. Over the past several decades, I have encountered numerous instances of discrimination based on race, color, sex and national origin in construction and its contracting procedures. These instances have ranged from subtle biases to outright discriminatory actions. A few examples of why Prime contractors need to be monitored. Especially JE Dunn, Turner Construction and McCownGordon in Kansas City Missouri our Disparity report displays discrimination. Mayor ignores Kcmo Fairness Board.

Raymond Malone, Fairness and Construction Board, 414 E 12th Street, 4th Floor East Kcmo. ( LETTER BEING IGNORED) (PART II) April 16, 2024 Quinton Lucas, Mayor City Council, All Districts Cc: Brian Platt, City Manager Cc:Jaime Guillen, CREO Director City of Kansas City, Missouri City Hall, 29th (Mayor) Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Honorable Mayor and City Councilpersons, These illegal and unethical practices have also dissuaded business retention, growth and success for not only disadvantaged businesses but also majority owned businesses. As from the day the Fairness in Construction Board was established, passive participation in race, color, national origin and sex-based discrimination by our local government have re-emerged and has had a ripple effect within the construction community resulting in abusive procurement, oppressive fiscal policies and procedures.   These divisive tactics are a direct result of the de factosilencing of the Fairness in Construction Board.  The Board has been deprived of decades-long basic monitoring and reporting as required by City Code, Section 3-463(11).  Specifically, the lack of transparency by the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department Director and the Mayor’s office has adversely affected the Fairness in Construction Board’s ability to perform our duties effectively and enjoy a positive, inclusive atmosphere. Specific Concerns: 1. The Department lacks the basic operational ability to answer telephones and respond to messages, return calls or follow up when information is requested. Although the board has requested organizational information, including a Department organizational chart with contact numbers, roles and responsibilities information, none has been provided.   2. The Disparity Study remains a concern. To date we have received misleading or false information concerning the status of the study. We now have been informed that the solicitation was opened back up recently without any explanation. As you are aware, the MBE/WBE Program depends on a current and accurate study.   3. There have been multiple resolutions that are being considered by council that would        directly affect the MBE/WBE ordinance (PNW, Size Stds, etc.) We were not made aware of these resolutions by the Department and when asked the Department staff seems to have little or no information.   4. The unequal treatment in city-funded and assisted construction projects and procurement procedures and the opportunities for certified, small disadvantaged firms particularly in the city departments and EDCKC-led projects. Specifically lack of uniform reporting and enforcement on city andincentivized projects.   5. Reports of hostile work environments on construction projects and failure of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department to respond and investigate pursuant to the duties under City Code, Chapter 3, Article IV and Chapter 38. Including the lack of investigation into abusive treatment and payment violations.

Happy Pride, y'all. Pride is officially the month of June, but in truth it's all year long. We may celebrate it in different ways, but it's all tied to the freedom to live our lives openly and honestly. So be who you are for your priiiiiiiide! And if you don't know, here's the video: https://lnkd.in/e2mnsJZM

Karen Tracey shares a resource that has been valuable to her in her work, and what makes her appreciate it! Watch this quick video to find out if it can help you too! https://ow.ly/c2xj50SnkTC

I would like to inform everyone on the passing of Darryl Barrs, Sr. His Celebration of Life information can be found in the attached image.

Who is your real hero? Comment below! Fathers shape our future through their commitment, resilience, and love. They guide with integrity and inspire greatness, laying a foundation for their children to reach their full potential. Key Takeaways: 👉 A father's belief ignites a child's potential. 👉 Leading by example imparts valuable lessons. 👉 Encouraging words from a father build confidence. 🚸 Fathers, who make a lasting impact with their dedication and love, shaping a better follow aamir hayat

Being a person of honor is one of the most important things in deal-making.

May our actions speak volumes of our character, our willingness to lift others up, and our commitment to making the world a better place, one humble act of service at a time.

If we ever want to celebrate another PRIDE month, we need to actively work to ensure that all MAGA extremist candidates are soundly defeated this November. AT ALL LEVELS! MAGA lies, hate speech, calls for vengeance, violence and intimidation are not just meaningless bluster. They promote, perpetuate, and attempt to normalize homophobia, heterosexism, sexism, patriarchy, racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. Their continued presence in positions of leadership and influence are intended to negate all efforts to promote peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and the very survival of our climate. If you think I am being too melodramatic, you have had your head in the sand. Complacent silence, whether intentional or inadvertent, aligns you with destructive “don’t ask don’t tell” policies. We stand at a moment in time which will define who we are as individuals, as states, and as a nation. It is time to look in the mirror and then look in the eyes of our children and our neighbors and say this is who we ARE and that is who we ARE NOT. No words are going to convince anyone of anything. Words are cheap. We will define ourselves, and be judged by our actions ... or by our lack of action.