CLC debates new policy on hiring minority vendors

College of Lake County is considering creation of a policy specifying goals in the hiring of minority companies for construction projects.

At a meeting Monday night, Vice President for Academic Affairs David Agazzi said while the two-year school has been committed to diversity for its contracts, there are no documents with specifics. Agazzi and CLC President Jerry Weber are expected to return before the board with a proposal regarding minority vendors.

"We talk a lot about how we're about diversity and it's an institutional priority," Weber said. "This is an area we need to take a look at."

Agazzi said CLC would focus on construction initially and come up with a goal percentage for the number of minority-owned companies involved a project.

"It's the most common place to do these types of programs," he said.

CLC has plenty of construction activity. For example, work is underway for a $28.3 million science and engineering building at CLC's flagship Grayslake campus.

In the pipeline is a planned $47.9 million expansion of CLC's Lakeshore Campus in downtown Waukegan, where Monday night's meeting was held.

Agazzi said CLC must meet guidelines established by the Illinois Capital Development Board for minorities, women and veterans when spending state money on construction projects. However, CLC can have its own guidelines for spending local money.

CLC chief procurement officer Michele Reynolds said she's hosted vendor fairs designed for minorities, women and veterans. In addition, she said, inclusive language is used on documents seeking companies to bid on construction projects.

Trustee Lynda Paul said with all of the construction happening at CLC, she'd hope a policy on minority vendors is established soon.

Agazzi said he expects the next round of construction bids will be solicited in September or October.

"I'll say diversity is one of our core values," Trustee Jeanne Goshgarian said.