Equal Opportunity Commission approves pool-equipment and operations-center contracts

The Equal Opportunity Commission on April 2026 approved two procurement plans for specialized equipment, voting to award a pool-equipment package for Brooklyn More Park and to authorize work at the city’s equipment operations center.

Commissioners heard that B&R Pools would supply and install large filtration and related systems at Brooklyn More Park and that the city would perform demolition and restoration work. A representative for B&R Pools said the firm generally performs specialized work in-house and could not source the major equipment through small MBE/WBE manufacturers; the company said it engaged a women-owned landscaping firm to move the equipment into a basement location, representing about 7–8% of the contract. "This equipment... is all publicly traded companies," the representative said, explaining why niche small vendors were not available.

The commission also approved a contract for the equipment operations center with Red Electric as prime. Red Electric told commissioners that it reached out in good faith to minority- and women-owned electrical firms before bid date but received no responsive bids; Keystone Electric, a veteran-owned firm, later agreed to participate. Red Electric’s representative said the disposal and de-energizing of the existing equipment will be done by certified electricians and removed by a crane operator.

Both items were presented by staff and discussed by commissioners, who asked about subcontracting opportunities, union and certification requirements for demolition and disposal, and the timing of waiver paperwork filed in relation to follow-on participation by subcontractors. The Brooklyn More Park plan received a motion to approve "as written" and passed on a roll-call vote with commissioners recorded as voting in the affirmative. The operations-center plan was moved by Commissioner Tequita Barnett and seconded by Ron Porter; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes and the plan passed.

Votes at a glance

- Brooklyn More Park pool equipment (prime: B&R Pools). Motion: "approve this plan as written." Mover: not specified in the transcript; second: not specified in the transcript. Roll-call yes votes recorded: Dr. Hall (yes); Commissioner Lewis (yes); Commissioner Dr. Kushman (yes); Tequita Barnett (yes); Commissioner Baltrop (yes); Ron Porter (yes); Commissioner Gibbs (yes). Outcome: approved.

- Equipment operations center (prime: Red Electric; subcontractor: Keystone Electric, veteran-owned). Motion: approve plan. Mover: Commissioner Tequita Barnett. Second: Ron Porter. Roll-call yes votes recorded: Dr. Hall (yes); Commissioner Lewis (yes); Commissioner Dr. Kushman (yes); Tequita Barnett (yes); Commissioner Baltrop (yes); Ron Porter (yes); Commissioner Gibbs (yes). Outcome: approved.

What it means

Approvals allow staff to proceed with contracts and scheduled work: the pool equipment vendor will supply and install specialized filtration systems while city crews handle the structural demolition and restoration; the operations-center contract includes electrical removal and replacement that will be performed by certified electricians and rigging specialists. Commissioners emphasized ongoing outreach to MBE/WBE firms and noted that some participation occurred after a waiver request was initiated.

Next steps

Staff will finalize contract paperwork and proceed with procurement administration and scheduling. The commission did not specify implementation dates during the meeting.