TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents and subsequent amendments, with the City of Pasadena, a municipal corporation operating in its capacity as the contract and program administrator of the Foothill Employment and Training Consortium, to accept grant funding in an amount not to exceed $28,055, and provide professional services and participate in the Regional Plan Implementation 3.0 project, supportive services, workgroups, meetings, and reporting for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network (Pacific Gateway) administers various employment and educational training programs through the WorkPlace, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, Harbor YouthSource Center, Youth Opportunity Center (YOC), and partnerships with selected community organizations. These programs assist job seekers in acquiring skills leading to employment in high-demand occupations by local employers.
In January 2020, the Foothill Workforce Development Board (Foothill WDB) submitted a grant application to the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) on behalf of the Los Angeles Regional Planning Unit. The Foothill WDB, along with the seven local workforce development boards in the County of Los Angeles, have come together under this initiative as partners to develop regional plans that will help improve and expand reentry services. In May 2020, the EDD issued an award and distributed a subgrant agreement to the Foothill WDB for Regional Planning Implementation 3.0 funding in the amount of $400,000.
The funding is intended for the Los Angeles Basin Regional Planning Unit (LABRPU) to strategize and develop initiatives and support continued efforts in implementing the three policy objectives of the California’s Strategic Workforce Plan: (1) fostering demand-driven skills attainment in high road jobs, which are jobs that offer equity, sustainability, and job quality; (2) enabling upward mobility for populations with barriers; and, (3) aligning, coordinating, and integrating programs and services. Services will be focused on the English language learner, formerly incarcerated, individuals with disabilities, veterans, disconnected youth, and low wage workers and create opportunity through apprenticeship or career pathways for high road jobs.
The City of Pasadena, a municipal corporation operating in its capacity as the contract and program administrator of the Foothill Employment and Training Consortium, will award an amount not to exceed $28,055 to Pacific Gateway. These funds will be used to support the provision of employment and support services to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) enrolled individuals experiencing defined employment barriers and participating in an “earn and learn” or rapid re-employment activity. In addition, Pacific Gateway will designate a representative to serve on the LABRPU Regional for workshops to address regional inititaves for directors, and participate in meetings and trainings to report the objectives of the grant.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on February 9, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on February 17, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 9, 2021, to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Pacific Gateway will receive grant reimbursement revenue in an amount not to exceed $28,055 for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund Group in the Economic Development Department. These funds will supplement programs currently operated by Pacific Gateway, and no City match or in-kind service is required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN KEISLER
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER