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CCRPC issues RFQ for racial equity consultant; members question timeline, budget and meeting security
Summary
Executive Director Charlie Baker said the CCRPC issued an RFQ for a racial equity consulting partner (issued Oct. 30, response by Nov. 16) with an approximate $50,000 budget; committee members raised concerns about the short turnaround and cost and agreed to Executive Committee involvement in selection. Members also discussed legislative breakfast topics, broadband, and trying alternate meeting platforms after prank calls.
Charlie Baker, Executive Director, told the Executive Committee the commission issued a Request for Qualifications on Oct. 30 seeking a racial equity consulting partner to support CCRPC’s multi-year work. The RFQ requested responses by Nov. 16 and included an estimated budget of $50,000. Baker said leadership and staff want the Executive Committee involved in selecting the consultant.
John Zicconi said two weeks was “a very short turnaround time” and questioned whether $50,000 was an appropriate budget for the work; Baker and other members said they could extend the deadline or re‑advertise if the response pool was insufficient. Catherine McMains and Andy Montroll supported Executive Committee involvement in the evaluation process and noted a desire to make findings usable by member municipalities.
Members also discussed topics for an upcoming Legislative Breakfast, including possible Act 250 changes, start‑up financing for a Chittenden County regional dispatch center, broadband implementation and public Wi‑Fi mapping, and VTrans prioritization. Charlie Baker said he would bring two or three format options back to the board.
Separately, Baker said the board experienced prank calls at a prior meeting and proposed trying Zoom or Microsoft Teams as alternative platforms to improve meeting security; members agreed to try alternatives to the GoToMeeting platform.
Communications Manager Emma Vaughn said the equity work will have long‑lasting impact and is expected to include training for current and future board representatives.
