LAKEPORT — Discussion of the Lakeshore Bikeway Project brought another issue to the forefront at the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting in Lakeport.
The bikeway project, the majority funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), includes the utilization of disadvantaged bidders, defined by the Small Business Act as “independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field, and whose size falls within the size standards established by the Small Business Administration.
Minority businesses in federal procurement are called disadvantaged businesses.
The bikeway project needed a four-fifths vote, which it received, with Supervisor Rob Brown in dissent.
Brown said he is in favor of the project, but not of the principle.
“I don”t think it”s ever appropriate to qualify a contractor based on their race or gender. The job should go to the lowest, qualified bidder,” Brown said.
“This is not a good time to hog-tie someone who is trying to feed their family. It doesn”t matter what your race is, everybody”s hungry right now. During these economic times, every independent contractor is disadvantaged.”
A small disadvantaged business is defined as a small business that also meets the following criteria: At least 51 percent-owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. A publicly owned business with at least 51 percent of its stock owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals with its management and daily business controlled by such individuals. Socially disadvantaged individuals mean individuals who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their qualities as individuals. Economically disadvantaged individuals mean socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free-enterprise system is impaired due to diminished opportunities to obtain capital and credit as compared to others in the same line of business whom are not socially and economically disadvantaged.
People who certify that they are members of the following groups are considered to be socially and economically disadvantaged: black Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, Native Hawaiians, Asian-Pacific Americans and Subcontinent-Asian Americans. Women are not considered minority or disadvantaged business owners in federal procurement unless they also fit the socially and economically disadvantaged criteria.
Brown suggested a letter be written to the Federal Government regarding the criteria.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the Board of Supervisors supports any project with the flexibility to choose local contractors. “I support it going on the agenda, so I have all the information in front of me,” Farrington said.
North Bay Construction of Petaluma is contracted for the Bikeway Project.
Public Works Director Brent Siemer said the innovative project will widen shoulders adding 2.1 miles to the bike lanes for a very low cost.
