Watch along with me here: https://livestream.com/accounts/28669066

Chairperson Dowell begins the meeting with the public comments session. George Blakemore is the only speaker.

The public comments session ends. Executive Director of the CACC Mamadou Diakhate begins with an opening statement outlining the department’s budget.

CACC Executive Director is now fielding questions from city council members.

CACC helps to rescue and vaccinate thousands of cats, dogs, and other wildlife. Most of the questions from the city council pertain to dog owners not having their pets on a leash in public.

Multiple city council members have commended the CACC’s work and listed problems with wildlife in their wards.

Animal Care and Control budget hearing ends. 5 min recess until the Department of Procurement Service hearing begins.

Chief Procurement Officer Aileen Velazquez begins the hearing with an opening statement.

CPO Velasquez promises the city will provide contracting opportunities to diverse vendors and firms.

CPO Velazquez is fielding questions from the city council members. Most of the questions are about how the department picks the vendors the city chooses to give contracts from the lens of equity.

Chairperson Dowell questions CPO Velazquez about the certification fee to do business with the city. Says the fee is a barrier to the goal of equity. Certification takes 90 days.

City Council members Dowell and Hairston want the fee structure changed. And are upset about the decline in procurement contracts given to Black contractors, vendors, and firms.

City Council members are growing frustrated that the Department of Procurement Services can’t provide data on the spot during the hearing.

CPO Velazquez says the department’s vacancies can be contributed to workforce shrinkage and salary issues.

The 2023 City Budget Hearing (Animal Care & Control; Procurement; Assets, Information & Services) is taking an hour-long break for lunch.