TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and any subsequent amendments with the City of Los Angeles, to receive funds totaling $837,674 to continue operations of the Harbor WorkSource Center, for the term of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013; and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute agreements and amendments with necessary Workforce Investment Act training provider vendors. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway operates the San Pedro-based Harbor WorkSource Center (Center) on behalf of the communities surrounding the Los Angeles Harbor area. That Center functions similarly to other Pacific Gateway one-stop centers by providing employment assistance to adults and dislocated workers, and by partnering with businesses to meet their workforce needs.
The contractual partnership 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 on 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 $837,674 in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds for continued baseline services to residents as follows:
§ Adults/Business Services $497,389
§ Dislocated Workers/Business Services $331,593
§ Disability Employment Initiative $ 5,692
§ Incentive (for exceeding Prior Year 11-12 Measures) $ 3,000
TOTAL GRANTS $837,674
One key strategy will be Pacific Gateway's use of resources to provide vocational and skill 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 approval 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 WIA 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 Gary J. Anderson on July 3, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 5, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 24, 2012, in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Community Development Block Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Human Resources (HR). There is no impact to the General Fund. Approval of this recommendation will result in preparation, employment placement, and job retention services to several thousand residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER