Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title One, Administrative; Article IX, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, to add a Section 177A.11, LGBT Business Enterprises.
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WHEREAS, Pittsburgh is one of the most diverse cities in the country with large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations;
WHEREAS, ensuring the success of our small business community in Pittsburgh is vital to our growth and improving quality of life for our residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh (the “City”) is committed to providing historically underrepresented business owners equal opportunities to compete and succeed, and is also committed to increasing the number and diversity of supplier options for city procurement practices; and
WHEREAS, the City already provides inclusionary measures for underrepresented business entities that are minority or woman owned (MWBE); and
WHEREAS, the City already adheres to non-discrimination, affirmative action, and equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies that includes LGBT individuals with regards to individual hiring practices; and
WHEREAS, the City does not yet provide specific inclusionary efforts for diverse-owned business entities but recognizes LGBT-inclusion as a best practice conducted by large corporations based in the region as well as governments in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, along with multiple municipalities nationwide that similarly seek a top score on the HRC’s Municipal Equality Index; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with this legislation, NGLCC and/or an NGLCC affiliate or partner, or their equivalents, shall also provide independent scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, networking opportunities, and other business development tools to further support LGBT business entities in Pittsburgh with the support of the Three Rivers Business Alliance, the local NGLCC affiliate chamber, or its equivalent; and
WHEREAS, the City is seeking to better understand the LGBT-owned business community by creating a database and registry of these businesses so that Pittsburgh may take part in the $1.7 trillion dollars added to the national economy and tens of thousands of jobs created by LGBT-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, all services and support provided to Pittsburgh-based LGBT business entities shall not require any City funding or additional personnel outside of the regular operations of the existing procurement practices.
Now Therefore, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code, Title One, Administrative; Article IX, Boards, Commissions and Authorities; Chapter 177A, Equal Opportunity Review Commission is amended to include a new Section 177A.11, LGBT Business Enterprises, to read as follows:
§ 177A.11 - LGBT BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
a. The City shall recognize LGBT-owned business entities as those that are owned 51% or more by LGBT individuals.
b. The City shall recognize the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), or equivalent organization verified via City policy, as a valid certifying organization for any LGBT business enterprises to aid in the following goals:
(1) Certification: All processes related to the application for and certification of LGBT business entities shall be handled directly by NGLCC or equivalent organization. Documentation of certification of any LGBT business entities headquartered and/or operating in Pittsburgh shall be provided directly to the City from NGLCC or equivalent organization.
(2) Professional Development for LGBT-Owned Business Entities: The City shall assist certified LGBT-owned businesses in learning how to participate in the City’s procurement process. To this end, the City may:
(A) Produce brochures or other written materials designed to help LGBT-owned businesses to learn the City’s procurement process;
(B) Utilize a list of certified LGBT-owned businesses to solicit the participation of such businesses in procurements for which such businesses may be qualified;
(C) Initiate training sessions to assist LGBT-owned businesses in learning how to effectively participate in the City’s procurement process;
(D) Partner with local organizations that focus organizational efforts to increase the procurement opportunities of LGBT-owned businesses; and
(E) Initiate such programs as may be beneficial to the purposes of this subchapter.
c. City shall, in addition to the MWBE requirements, accept LGBT-owned certification documentation from any business entity participating in any solicitation of proposals (RFPs), qualifications (RFQs), or for other information about suppliers and contractors (RFIs).
d. The Office of Equity shall annually report in writing to City Council concerning total contract dollars awarded to certified LGBT-owned businesses by the City during the preceding fiscal year. The report shall include a list of all certified LGBT-owned businesses that participated as contractors or suppliers during the preceding fiscal year.