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Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the State of California and any subsequent amendments that change the terms or increase grant amounts for the workforce programs; execute an Agreement of Assignment and other necessary agreements with the City of Torrance for existing contracts, leases, grants and agreements; execute all documents with the City of Los Angeles to assume operations of the Harbor WorkSource Center; and authorize an increase in appropriations in the Community Development Grant Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD) by $5,995,005. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Each year the City receives a formula allocation of federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds from the State Employment Development Department (EDD) to deliver workforce development services to residents and businesses in the local workforce area consisting of Long Beach and Signal Hill. In December 2006 the Workforce Investment Board participated in discussions with the neighboring Carson/Lomita/Torrance (CL T) Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to create an expanded workforce area. Following a series of presentations, public meetings and decisions by CL T elected officials, formal applications were made to the State to join Lomita and Torrance with Long Beach, and for Carson to join the South Bay WIB.
The expanded workforce area positions the Workforce Development Bureau to better leverage workforce operations in the participating local cities, facilitate greater access to services for residents and the cities' overlapping demand industry sectors, and provide greater financial stability to sustain and build services to adults, youth and local businesses.
The City of Torrance, on behalf of the CL T WIB, currently administers all current grants from the State to deliver workforce development services for that local workforce area.
During the first year of transition, carry-over funds and other existing agreements necessary to deliver services in Lomita and Torrance will be assigned to the City of Long Beach - including a sub-contract with the City of Los Angeles to operate the adult
and business service-focused Harbor WorkSource Center for the communities of Wilmington, Harbor City and San Pedro. The Workforce Development Bureau is finalizing RFP documents to formally assume the role of one-stop operator for the Harbor WorkSource Center.
The attached Exhibit A illustrates the resulting local workforce investment area of Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lomita and Torrance, (yellow highlights) as well as the communities of Wilmington, Harbor City and San Pedro (orange highlights) for which the Workforce Development Bureau would contract-in services through the City of Los Angeles.
Following the Governor's approval of the proposed merger, the State has released grant allocations for the expanded workforce investment area for the program year of July 1 June 30. These totals incorporate an overall reduction of 10% from last year's federal allocations:
· Services to Adults, Dislocated Workers and Businesses: $3,187,352
· Services to Youth: $2,014,746
SUB-TOTAL FORMULA ALLOCATION: $5,202,098
· Anticipated Contract Award from City of LA $ 700,000
for Harbor WorkSource Center:
· Additional Funds from City of Torrance to augment $ 92,907
construction jobs program services to young adults:
TOTAL NEW FUNDING: $5,995,005
The additional funding and grant responsibilities will result in the migration of fourteen of the City of Torrance/CL T WIB's twenty-four FTEs of unclassified staff to the Workforce Development Bureau. Staffs in support of the CL T WIB are comparable in classification and compensation to those at the City of Long Beach, and the positions will include Community Development Specialists, a Workforce Development Officer, and clerical support for that unit. Additionally, an Administrative Analyst in support of managing the Bureau's budget and performance reporting is requested at this time.
Employment services for residents will continue to be facilitated through the Career Transition Center and the Center for Working Families, and will include the Harbor WorkSource Center. Youth services will be delivered through the Youth Opportunity Center and community-based organization service providers throughout the four cities of the local workforce investment area.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 21, 2007 and Budget and Performance Management Manager David Wodynski on June 8,2007.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 19, 2007 to facilitate processing of required documents for funding and transfer of programs beginning July 1,2007.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriations increase of $5,995,005 is requested in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD). The increase is included in the recommended action. There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |