Authorizing City Council to retain a consultant to assist Council concerning the Home Rule Charter amendment that would require the Finance Director to conduct an annual disparity study and devise annual City contract participation goals for disadvantaged business enterprises.

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 060408 (adopted June 1, 2006) proposes an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter that would require the Finance Director to: (i) conduct an annual study analyzing the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises (“DBE's”) in City contracts for the purchase of goods and services, compared to the percentage of qualified DBE's available to participate in such contracts (“Annual Disparity Study”); and (ii) devise City contract participation goals for DBE's each fiscal year (“Annual Participation Goals”); and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to Bill No. 060388 (approved June 13, 2006), the Charter amendment proposed by Resolution No. 060408 will be put before the voters for approval at the November 7, 2006 election; and

WHEREAS, If approved, the Charter amendment proposed by Resolution No. 060408 will empower Council by ordinance to define and detail categories of DBE's and of City contracts that must be considered separately by the Finance Director in conducting the Annual Disparity Study and devising the Annual Participation Goals; now, therefore,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

THAT The Council is hereby authorized to retain a consultant concerning the Home Rule Charter amendment proposed in Resolution No. 060408.

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the scope of work of the consultant retained pursuant to this Resolution shall include assisting Council concerning both voter approval and implementation of Resolution No. 060408.

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is authorized to select a consultant in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, except that Council's contract with the consultant shall be executed by and at the discretion of the Council President.

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