Another city council equity giveaway was on the Consent Agenda this morning. The item has moved after District 12’s Cara Mendelsohn pulled it from the agenda.
Council Member Mendelsohn asked why a 2018 policy needed to be updated so soon.
David Noguera said he anticipates minimal staff time from his team.
A question asked how can Dallas trust an out of state entity for a policy if they can’t handle their own state incorporation paperwork. It seems Noguera and Housing can not provide adequate oversight to this project.
Today city council is considering a $300,000 payment for a Phase II consulting contract. The contract would be to draft policy and engage stakeholders. The professional services contract was first to be paid to Michele S Williams LLC. There is an amendment to make payment to Michele S Williams, sole proprietor.
A big issue for city council to consider is the fact Michele S Williams LLC is not a Texas registered business. The LLC does not have a registered agent in Texas per state officials.
Additionally, Michelle S Williams LLC is not in good standing per Maryland.
Citizen Opposition
A resident of District 11, Christopher Suprun, also spoke against the contract. He noted the large number of local organizations who could perform this contract. He mentions the issues about using a firm that has issues with its own state incorporation.
Suprun then asked why city staff was not aware of incorporation issues. He posed to city council why they would use an outsider. Suprun believes there are many firms with local ties who better understand Dallas.
Why Another City Council Equity Giveaway?
As the city advertised, B.U.I.L.D. grants. BUILD stands for Broaden Urban Investments to Leverage Dallas.
The city launched the small business grant program in 2020. The goal was to assist small businesses hit by global COVID-19 pandemic. The program said it would provide selected businesses with one-time grant of up to $3,000.
In January 2021, Other Side Dallas documented eight local organizations who never received their grant. It is unclear who kept or used those funds.
One nonprofit called it a classic bait and switch.
Another education based nonprofit noted they received a notification Friday. The notice demanded agreement to new terms not outlined in the original advertisement. They were then given one businesses day to agree.
Afterward, the nonprofit then still never received their funds. Their reaction to this bait and switch was outrage.
Other Side Dallas has been unable to get city staff to respond to inquiries about this contract or the BUILD grant problems.