TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and any needed subsequent amendments with the City of Los Angeles to accept Workforce Innovation and Investment Act (WIOA) funds totaling $1,075,000 to continue operations of the Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center for the term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, with an option for annual renewal for three additional years; and authorize City Manager, or his designee, to execute agreements and amendments with necessary WIOA training provider vendors. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway operates the San Pedro-based Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center (Center) on behalf of the communities surrounding the L.A. Harbor under a contract with the City of Los Angeles. That Center functions similarly to other Pacific Gateway job centers by providing employment assistance to adults and dislocated workers, and by partnering with businesses to meet their workforce needs.
The contractual relationship with the City of Los Angeles and its Workforce Investment Board continues to bridge strategies, allowing the neighboring Long Beach and Los Angeles communities to better work together in tapping into regional employment opportunities, including those of the Harbor area and its twin ports.
The City of Los Angeles notified Pacific Gateway that it would receive $1,075,000 in Workforce Innovation and Investment Act (WIOA) funds for continued baseline services to residents and services for the next Program Year.
Allocation Breakdown for July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 Services
§ Adults/Business Services $606,541
§ Dislocated Workers/Business Services $468,459
TOTAL GRANTS $1,075,000
One key strategy will be Pacific Gateway’s continued use of the resources to provide vocational and skills development training to residents who are unemployed or under-employed. That training comes in the form of customized and on-the-job training developed and negotiated between the local business and Pacific Gateway, or can occur through more traditional classroom-based training. For the latter, the State maintains a master database of approved training institutions and programs through the California Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). To ensure that local skill training investments lead to employment, clients accessing training services choose from the State-approved vendors on the ETPL, utilizing Pacific Gateway’s labor market information, its industry partnerships, and one-on-one staff assistance in interpreting employment trends.
Based on actual client usage of the hundreds of local ETPL vendors, Pacific Gateway reimburses training providers for services at pre-determined rates ranging from $300 to $8,500 for vocational and skills development completion. Prior approvals from City Council authorized the City Manager or designee to execute required non-financial master Education Agreements with each training provider, as well as the required purchasing documents to reimburse the ETPL training providers - consistent with federal WIOA regulations, and with the State’s ETPL Policy and Guidance. Continued approval for these actions is requested.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on June 30, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 6, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 21, 2015, in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The WIOA grant award for this program is $1,075,000 for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Sufficient appropriation for FY 15 is included in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Human Resources (HR). Subsequent appropriation is included in the FY 16 Proposed Budget in the Department of Economic and Property Development (EP). Matching funds are required in the amount of $600,000, and will be met through existing grant-funded employment training program services appropriated in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150). Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation, placement, and retention services to several thousand residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH R. MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER