Pomona : Hiring Strategy Ordered

The City Council directed its staff Tuesday to develop a strategy to increase the number of city contracts and subcontracts awarded to minorities and women.

Deputy City Atty. David J. Olivas said that before Pomona can establish goals directing a certain percentage of its contracting dollars to minorities and women, it must clear several legal hurdles.

Among them, he said, the city must demonstrate it has tried alternative ways of helping minority firms, such as through job training and economic assistance.

The city also must conduct research to find out how many minority firms are available to work on city projects, and the city may also be required to amend its charter to redefine the standards to be used in awarding contracts, Olivas said.

City Administrator Julio Fuentes said the City Council staff will determine the cost of undertaking a program to funnel more work to minorities and women and submit a report to the council next month.