TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, and any needed subsequent amendments thereto, with the Kauffman Foundation, through its Fiscal Agent Living Cities, to accept $7,250 in foundation grant funding, for staffing support in producing a Central Database of Available Hours of various skilled workers for the micro-entrepreneurship platform prototype project, for the period of November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund
(SR 150) in the Economic Development Department (ED) by $7,250, offset by foundation grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway administers the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other employment and training funds received annually by the City. Those funds support job training programs and business services delivered by the Career Transition Center, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, and selected community-based organizations to assist local residents acquire skills leading to employment in high demand occupations with local employers.
As a leading Workforce Development Board, Pacific Gateway is often an ‘early-adopter’ of innovative strategies around complex workforce issues. This has included an exploration of technology solutions to help workers in the ‘gig economy’ market their services and availability to a host of employers through a new labor-exchange platform. This work, developed in partnership with other workforce organizations, has resulted in the interest of, investment by, the Kauffman Foundation (Foundation). The Foundation seeks to support Pacific Gateway in the development of a Central Database of Available Hours (CEDAH) of various skilled workers through a micro-entrepreneurship platform prototype project. This CEDAH platform neutrally serves any number of labor market intermediaries to vet, payroll, and act as employer of record in return for a mark-up on each hour a worker is booked. Pacific Gateway was recently notified by the Foundation that it is to receive $7,250 in grant funds to support administrative and staffing costs in support of this project.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on December 5, 2017 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José -Murray on December 4, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 19, 2017, to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Pacific Gateway will receive up to $7,250 in grant funds from the Kauffman Foundation for the period of November 1, 2017 through October 31, 2018. An increase in appropriation of $7,250 in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic Development Department (ED) is requested. No City matching funds or in-kind services are required. Approval of this recommendation will result in labor market and skilled workers access for local and regional employers.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN KEISLER
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER