Progress of Affirmative Action Plan Is Mixed Bag

A progress report on Inglewood’s affirmative action program this week said minority- and women-owned businesses are well represented in some types of city contracts but are disappointingly low in others.

“I can’t give us an A but I can’t give us a failing grade, either,” Shirley Williams, the city’s employee relations and personnel director, said in an interview. “I feel the city is making an effort, and we’re succeeding in many areas.”

The progress report presented to the City Council on Tuesday said 63.7% of large city-funded construction contracts totaling more than $1 million went to minority- and women-owned firms. About 14% of the construction contracts of less than $25,000 went to such firms, for a total of about $92,000. The report covered an 18-month period from April, 1988, to October, 1989.

Participation in service contracts was 19%, or $901,000. But participation in procurement contracts was less than 1% and confined primarily to purchases of less than $5,000.

Williams said participation by minority groups and women in procurement contracts is the primary area that is lagging behind.

She said the city sent notification of upcoming bids to minority- and women-owned firms but very few businesses applied. In an attempt to encourage participation, city officials have sent letters to find out why the response rate was so low.

The city’s affirmative action policy does not specify any percentage targets for participation by minority groups and women. It states that the city should encourage participation by minority- and women-owned businesses in all city contracts.

“There is always room for improvement, but we are on track,” Councilman Jose Fernandez said. “We want all members of the community to participate in city contracts.”