East Valley Business - 01.27.19

east valley

Volume 1 Issue 25 Mesa, AZ

January 27, 2019

Deaf Mesa taco chef listens only to inspiration

BY JASON STONE Tribune Staff Writer

M

IN THE BIZ

arcus Bryant grew up black and deaf, a double whammy of discrimination that would shape his entire life.

Not only did he deal with the institutional racism of a divided country just after the Civil Rights movement, but the 43-year-old Mesa resident learned to live with a hearing disabil(Jason Stone/Tribune) ity for which many people Marcus Bryant of Mesa has refused all his life to let a hearing disability or racism defeat him. He runs a mobile taco don’t have the patience. business and caters to events as well.

To make matters worse, Bryant floated around fosand it’s also a month that honors the The unstable life, combined with the ter home to foster home during child- birthday of MLK. It’s safe to say the late disability that already made life hard, hood, making his success today even Civil Rights leader probably would have caused him to feel depressed, confused more unexpected. been proud of Bryant’s story of perse- and bitter.

“I get a lot of inspiration from Martin verance.

But the upward trend in Bryant’s life Luther King Jr.,” Bryant said through a Long before he had any dreams, Bryant wasn’t far away. He finally found a famsign language interpreter. “The fact that was just trying to stay alive. ily in West Covina, California, who could he never gave up. I grew up with disOne night when he was 9, his birth par- sign, giving him a stable home. And a crimination, and I became resilient. He is ents went to an event and left him home transfer to a new high school near Los a huge source of positive thinking.” alone with his five siblings. The house Angeles opened his eyes to something he Bryant is now the creator of Chef Mar- caught fire, forcing Bryant and the other could focus his future on – the culinary cus’s Kitchen Tacolicious and Catering children to barely escape the flames. arts.

Business. Since October he’s been popBecause the children were unattended, He ultimately enrolled in the Coastline ping up his canopy across the Valley to Bryant was put into foster care and rare- Regional Occupational Program in Costa serve gourmet tacos at street events, of- ly saw his birth parents again.

Mesa and received a culinary arts certififice parties, private birthdays, neighbor“It was a traumatic experience,” Bry- cate. hood gatherings and anywhere else you ant said. “I moved 11 or 12 times. I was Since then Bryant has worked mostly might see a food truck. never in a house with a family that could Chef...continued on page 2 January is Black Deaf History Month, communicate with me.”

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Chef...continued from page 1 in the hospitality industry, serving up food at various places across Southern California before moving to Arizona in 2013 to be near the family of his wife, who is also deaf.

Bryant previously served as the lead chef at the Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert for a time and now works fulltime at the Red Mountain East Valley in Gold Canyon when he’s not running the taco stand.

His Tacolicious menu is varied.

It includes Chef Marcus’s Cinnamon Apple Pie Dessert Tacos, which feature cinnamon sugar, caramelized apples and green colored whipped cream. The Blazin’ Shrimp Tacos are a spicy number with roasted bell peppers, jalapenos and black beans. And don’t forget a vegan choice, with The Best Vegan Street Tacos, featuring cauliflower and Portobello mushrooms.

Bryant said many of his customers don’t know he’s deaf when they come up to his table. A lot of the ordering consists of pointing, nodding and writing down orders.

“Some people get impatient and say they don’t have time,” Bryant said. “I’m still trying to find the best way possible to communicate with customers. It’s ongoing learning.”

In launching the business, Bryant has been using a pop-up tent to quickly cre-

MESA

City of Mesa Public Notice CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA ARTERIAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PLANS – SOUTHERN AVE (GREENFIELD TO HIGLEY ROAD) PROJECT NO. CP0700 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. All sealed bids will be received at Mesa City Plaza Building, Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, 5th Floor, Mesa, Arizona; except for bids delivered 30 minutes prior to opening which will be received at the information desk, 1st floor, Main Lobby of the Mesa

ate a portable kitchen where people want gourmet tacos. He eventually plans to invest in a food truck and hopes to open his own restaurant as the ultimate dream.

“When I look at it with an analytical eye, I think, ‘I can do this,” Bryant said about opening a restaurant. “There’s nothing different than what I’m doing now other than it’s a brick-and-mortar store.”

Bryant’s company branding is hitting all the big spots. He has his website, ChefMarcusTacolicious.com, Twitter and Instagram pages and even a YouTube channel he calls “The Deaf Chef Marcus.” With Bryant’s gregarious personality, there’s no surprise he’s labeled the channel under the “comedy” category.

He said he’s trying to be a positive influence for others who deal with hearing problems.

The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing estimates 1.1 million residents suffer some level of hearing loss. That’s nearly 16 percent of the state’s estimated seven million people.

The ACDHH was formed in 1977 to become an advocate for any hearing loss issues in government and to serve the state’s growing population of people with hearing loss. The commission’s work can be seen at events such as Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, where close captioning units are available.

About 20,000 people in Arizona are

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of dis-qualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/ PWell_Main.asp?mem=152. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List

City Plaza Building. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work: Roadway improvements along Southern Avenue from Greenfield Road to Higley Road. Roadway improvements include removing and replacing pavement, installing street lights, removing and re-placing driveways, installing sidewalks, widening the Southern and Higley intersection, upgrading landscaping, installing conduits, street lighting, and fiber, upgrading the traffic signal at Higley Road, installing signage and striping, relocating utility and other improvements as shown on the improvement plans and specs.

The Engineer’s Estimate range is $4,300,000.00 - $5,300,000.00.

For all technical, contract, bidrelated, or other questions, please contact Maggie Smith at Maggie.

Smith@mesaaz.gov.

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS

culturally deaf, meaning they use sign language to communicate. The ACDHH estimates about 30 percent of deaf people in Arizona know how to sign.

When Beca Bailey, the community engagement liaison for ACDHH, heard about Bryant and his business on Facebook, she thought it would be a great story to tell people who read the commission’s newsletter.

“He’s a very energetic and motivated guy,” said Bailey, 44, who lost her hearing at birth for unknown reasons. “When he gets frustrated about something, he’s very solution-oriented. We want deaf people to see (his story), but we also want people who are struggling with hearing loss to know our services are available.”

Bryant has already been giving back to the young deaf community. He recently started telling his life story to children at deaf schools across the Valley to help inspire them to dream big despite their disabilities.

“I’m trying to impart to them that I know how they feel, especially when they can’t communicate with their parents,” Bryant said. “I want them to know about the power of positivity.”

Bryant has an upcoming speaking event planned for Sequoia School for the Deaf in Mesa.

To contact Bryant about booking his catering services, visit his website or call 480-264-0147.

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and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $71.00, which is non-refundable regardless of whether the Contractor Documents are returned. Partial bid pack-ages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.earc.com.

One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.

In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c.

If a pre-bid review of the site

JANUARY 27, 2019

has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”

Work shall be completed within 210 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor SelfService (VSS) System (http:// mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/ vendor-self-service).

The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements.

The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan. 27, Feb 3, 2019 / 18104

City of Mesa Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant for the following: THE STUDIOS @ MESA CITY CENTER 59 E. FIRST ST MESA, AZ 85211 PROJECT NO. CP0880

The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant to provide design services for The Studios @ Mesa City Center. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements de-tailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

The following is a summary of the project. The required tasks will be re-viewed with the selected Design Consultant and defined to meet the needs of the project as part of the contract scoping.

The project consists of fully renovating all floors of an existing 26,500 ft2 building at 59 E. First Street Mesa, AZ. The estimated construction cost is $4,800,000 and the total estimated project cost is $6,000,000.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on January 30, 2019 at 9:00 AM at the City of Mesa (Mesa City Plaza, Room 170, 20 E. Main St.). At this meeting,

QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR AIRPORT PROJECTS FALCON FIELD AIRPORT

City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other in-formation published from the Pre-Submittal Conference.

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ architectural-engineering-designopportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation).

Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide six (6) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by February 7, 2019 at 2:00 PM. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications.

The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package.

On the submittal package, please display: Firm name, project number, and/or project title.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (ht-tp://mesaaz.gov/ business/purchasing/vendor-selfservice).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Maggie Smith of the Engineering Department at maggie. smith@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan. 20, 27, 2019 / 18008

The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an oncall basis in the following area/ category: Falcon Field Airport Consulting Services. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will select an on-call consultant for Falcon Field Airport On-Call Consulting Services for Airport Projects. This category is further defined below: This solicitation is for oncall consulting services for the design, preparation of bidding and construction documents, and construction administration/ inspection of various airport capital improvement projects proposed to be funded through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grants, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Grants, and/ or the City of Mesa Falcon Field Airport Capital Program during the next one to three (1 – 3) years.

Consulting services may include design and/or construction phase support activities for General Aviation (GA) airport capital improvements such as paving, grading and drainage, geotechnical investigations, pavement markings, airfield lighting, development of construction safety and phasing plans, obstruction evaluation submittals to the FAA, Airport Layout Plan (ALP) and Airport Master Guide Sign Plan updates, and similar services as outlined in the RFQ. A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of dis-qualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized

representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ architectural-engineering-designopportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation).

Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please provide seven (7) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by 2:00pm on February 27, 2019. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package.

On the submittal package, please display: Firm name and Falcon Field Airport On-Call Consulting Services for Airport Projects.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/ business/purchasing/vendor-selfservice).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Heather Sneddon of the Engineering Department at heather.sneddon@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan. 20, 27, Feb 3, 2019 / 18041

City of Mesa Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS

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JANUARY 27, 2019

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