TITLE
Recommendation to approve the use of FY 17 General Funds transferred from the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department (PR) into the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) in the amount of $100,000 to support the Summer Youth Employment Program; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) by $100,000, and decrease appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department (PR) by $100,000.
DISCUSSION
On September 13, 2016, the City Council voted on a recommendation to adopt the Budget Oversight Committee's proposed funding recommendations, as amended, to the FY 17 Proposed Budget. After deliberations and budget considerations, a motion made included an allocation of contingent appropriation of FY 16 General Fund Surplus in an amount of $130,000 for Central Parks programming. This motion passed with a 9-0 vote.
Upon discussion and in an effort to continue a recognized and popular Summer program in the Sixth District, Council consideration to reallocate $100,000 of the $130,000 in the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department (PR) into the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) is requested. The Summer Youth Employment Program has been a valuable and well-received program in the Sixth District: each summer, in conjunction with Workforce Development, youth residing in the Sixth District undergo a job-readiness program and are placed at local businesses, and/or City facilities for a paid part-time internship. This program targets at-risk youth, low-income households which include families receiving CalWorks, and foster youth. About fifty (50) youth go through the program each year, and learn a skill set that prepares them for the workforce. More importantly, it activates youth, and keeps them productive during Summer months when school is in recess.
In earlier years, when this program first started, budget allocations were made to the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department. During recession years, the program was refunded through the use of one-time Council infrastructure funds. Council approval is requested to fund this year's program as the BE SAFE program has been launched in numerous Council District 6 Parks which have identified the need for additional youth employees. Youth who have successfully completed the program, upon high school graduation have continued their employment opportunities, and some have become professionals in the public sector, such as a current Council District 6 staffer. Reallocating the funds to the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) is needed as EP is the department which oversees Workforce Development activities such as the job-readiness program and coordinating with youth for employment placement opportunities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total appropriation increase of $100,000 in the General Fund (GF) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) is offset by a decrease in appropriation in the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department (PR).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMAN, SIXTH DISTRICT