Travis County Commssioners Court
May 11, 2004
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Item 3
3. Approve proclamation declaring may 19, 2004 as "historically underutilized business program (hub) ten-year anniversary celebration day" in Austin/Travis County. Should I read the proclamation?
>> please.
>> it reads whereas the Travis County Commissioners court has a vested interest in the progress and development of the business community and in the woman and minority business community in particular. Whereas Travis County has through its commitment to the historically underutilized business community demonstrated a unique understanding of the contributions that healthy and prosperous businesses can make in the community as a whole, whereas the Travis County underutilized business program, known as the hub program, contributes to the growth of small business in extending opportunities to small minority and women owned businesses, whereas Travis County desires to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of Travis County's hub program and whereas the Travis County Commissioners court commemorates this business development program. Now therefore be it resolved, proclaimed, that the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby declare the day as may 19th, 2004 as historically underutilized business program day in in Travis County in the state of Texas, edge courages all citizens and residents to come take part in this worthwhile effort.
>> sue grimes, purchasing agent. It's hard to believe that 10 years has gone by. We are really proud of the progress that we've made. We know that we need to get farther down the road. At the table with me, of course, is sylvia lopez our current hub coordinator who has taken our program to new heights and is just a real champion for the program and has -- has been able to get a lot of things done with other entities in the county and in the state actually. Bexar county came down when they decided to develop their program and looked at our program. Of course, on my right is mr. Brice, who was our first hub coordinator, half time. And marvin has continued to support that program in his efforts in the construction area. Jorge tallivera has moved on in our office, he's gone up to be a buyer, but he will continue in that capacity to -- to ensure that hubs get equal opportunity to do business with us. Jorge and sill see I can't, right before jorge moved on, worked with media services to develop a -- sort of a public relations video and it really does tell the history of the program. We are going to ask that media run that for us. While they are getting ready to run that, there are a lot of people in the county, we have purchasing liaisons in every office who work with us on a daily basis who have supported this program, we could not have made this program successful without all of them. We have gotten support, of course, from all of the departments the county attorney has provided us good legal advice and of course the community and the people that this is near and dear to, they have continued to watch us and give us input and we appreciate that. So I think the tapes were a thousand -- a thousand words and maybe more I just want to say that I do not take credit for the editing and any bad pictures of myself or any of you, it's not my responsibility. Especially you, judge Biscoe.
>> bad pictures of you we understand. Bad pictures of me, I don't know [laughter]
>> we should be at a place now in this country, in this nation, even in the world where -- where you are judged strictly on your abilities. Historically, it hasn't been that way. [ music playing ] [ music playing ] small mirnt and women owned businesses historically have not had the level of tubs larger firms have had in Travis County's procurement process. Historically underutilized business or hub program exists to ensure that these small businesses are afforded equal opportunities.
>> the hub community historically has listen economically depressed, disenfranchised. This shows the county's opportunity to get them into the game, to some of those tax dollars, have a fair and level playing field.
>> it means a lot to small businesses. I think it means that they know Travis County cares, that they are given a piece of the tax dollars and that we want to do business with them. We value their contributions to the county.
>> [indiscernible] small businesses, I think if you dig deeper, you will see that we surkvue, we are a good community because of the small businesses.
>> the structure for the program, it was decided early on that it would be integrated into the county purchasing office.
>> in county government the purchasing agent is responsible for supervising all procurements in the sense the purchasing office is the gate keeper of the taxpayers' dollars. So the hub position or the pepper that we wanted to object the staff, be out in the community, I felt it was very important that this person be in the purchasing office, working with all of the buyers who are the ones actually going out and contracting with agencies.
>> Travis County hub coordinator, really drives the train for the hub program for Travis County. There's so many little things I think that the coordinator does, but in a nutshell they basically carry out the mission of the hub program and that is to ensure that minor and woman owned businesses are part of the procurement process as well as track statistically where we are at.
>> where the hub program is at today is the work of 10 years of hard work and commitment. But like all good programs it was not without its challenges. In some ways it was difficult to get the program started.
>> difficult is probably an understatement. Some of the things that we ran across were resistance to change. You had some individuals in the county and let's say county management that had been there for five, 10, 15 years, they weren't used to having a program whereby we say we have a goal and a certainly percentage of our procurement dollars have to go to minority business. They were used to more or less being able to contract with who they wanted to contract with.
>> yes, we had challenges. We had resource issues. We were only allocated a half time person to start this program. We were very creative. We looked at what the city was doing. They were in the thralls of getting their program started so we looked to them. We looked to the state, what they were doing and then some of the other entities in town.
>> when I came on board, I think the biggest challenge that I saw was that you had to have a tool to determine your success. I didn't see a tool as far as statistically. We had no tool to determine their -- this is where we were, this is where we are now today. We do have that tool today.
>> with the right tools and the right resources in place, the Travis County hub program became an effective instrument in helping minority-owned businesses. But what exactly has it meant to them?
>> the h.u.b. Program has really helped our firm, first of all, it opened up doors and opportunities that were not available to us before. The h.u.b. Program provided us the latitude to get involved and piggyback with prime firms to -- to get on to larger projects.
>> the county h.u.b. Program has really been very helpful to our firm. Certainly has been very active in the last five years. The goals have been increased and supported and so I think the program is -- is very effective, is working well.
>> h.u.b. Programs generate a level playing field in one way. Larger firms have reputation, have name, have experience that they can always put on the table for a larger project. The h.u.b. Firms with lesser experience, smaller firms do not have that. And all they are looking for is just opportunity to break the barrier.
>> 20, 30 years ago, there were very few minority firms and women firms, so -- so in a way you are kinds of unknown and so you have to be, to have a program to open the doors and have the opportunity.
>> the h.u.b. Program attributes its success to the dedication and support of the county from the top down.
>> we have been successful because it's been a team effort. It's been support from Commissioners court, purchasing board, cyd grimes has been a -- especially, most of all, the buyers.
>> we had a commitment, I would say number one from the court when we first started the h.u.b. Program. Especially from -- from then precinct 1 county Commissioner Sam Biscoe.
>> we have a diverse court and they are aware that diversity is just good business. So I think the leadership determines the direction of anything. And I really appreciate that they understand and listen and try to help us do better every year.
>> I think the role of the purchasing agent in making this a successful program is that she's a champion for the program and she -- she relays that importance to her staff, all of her staff, not just the h.u.b. Staff but the buying staff, also other department and elected and appointed officials in the county.
>> I believe we have 14 buyers who are all educated on the h.u.b. Program and they all are committed and do a great job in ensuring that h.u.b. Businesses are at least included when they are available.
>> the commitment of the county at all levels has had a positive impact in the h.u.b. Program's success. What really defines success for the program?
>> survival is -- I mean that's the greatest way to show you are successful is that you are still here. The state of Texas program is still here. The city of Austin's is still here. County's is still here, I think we are doing something right. It's been a partnership between the county and the small businesses.
>> that is success when you have a program that people are -- are comfortable with and feel like that you are doing a good job and you are being fair and open-minded.
>> has program has brought us to the next level where we now are considered a big enough firm to tackle larger jobs which we had no opportunity to do before.
>> what does the future hold for the Travis County h.u.b. Program if.
>> I would like to see that we accomplish things, initiatives, through our newly created advisory committee.
>> there's a whole array of items that need to be taken care of. And that's why I think that, you know, we need more people in the office.
>> technology will have a big influence on how we do business.
>> having classes, training classes, given to vendors.
>> it's been good. So I would like to see it continue.
>> we would like to see some more work with Travis County.
>> I?m very proud of where the program is now. But we still have a long way to go. Never be satisfied with where you are at.
>> thanks for letting us show that. We are really proud of that. Media has submitted that for an award and we -- media services have been so good to us, coming to our events and tracking and keeping a record of where we are going and there's a lot of people and we want to invite everyone to come out on may 19th, sylvia is going to tell you where it's at.
>> it's at 7600 burnet road in the bank one building close to northcross mall, ground floor lobby from 6:00 to 8:00. We will feed you thanks to one of our sponsors, we hope you can make it.
>> betty almond just came in, she is our new h.u.b. Coordinator. She's been in our office for years also, moved up, she was out running around this morning, where's betty? Thank you all. I?m sorry I really did not get to pick out those pictures, judge Biscoe.
>> my agent will remind me that it's hard for me to win the best actor award if I don't have a speaking role. [laughter]
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> you have to take the prok.
>> somebody needs to -- to take the proclamation.
>> twice by refusing a proclamation, more than I can take today [laughter]
Last Modified: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 7:23 AM