TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and amendments, with the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, the Long Beach Unified School District, the County of Los Angeles, and the California Emerging Technology Fund, to participate in the West Long Beach Neighborhood Transformation Partnership Program. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
In October 2018, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach (YMCA) approached the City of Long Beach (City) to request its participation in the California Emerging Technology Fund’s (CETF) Neighborhood Transformation Partnership Agreement (Agreement), focusing on the neighborhood surrounding Stephens Middle School in West Long Beach. The West Long Beach Neighborhood Transformation Partnership Program (Program) seeks to bring together a cohort of local and regional stakeholders to leverage economic and social service resources to advance at-risk communities.
The Program involves an active partnership between the City and the YMCA, CETF, the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), the Office of California State Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell, and the County of Los Angeles (collectively referred to as Partners). The Program would focus on expanding digital inclusion efforts among families in the classroom and at home and sharing data to leverage the various economic and social services provided by the Partners for families in need.
Funding for the Program will come from grant opportunities sought by the YMCA and CETF. The YMCA and CETF intend to apply for grant funding through the California Endowment and other philanthropic organizations starting in June 2019, following the completion of visioning efforts between the Partners and the development of a Program Action Plan to identify goals and performance measures. The YMCA hopes to use some of the grant funding to hire dedicated personnel to focus on Program implementation and intervention efforts.
Through the Agreement, the City would commit to providing support to the Program by assigning a representative from the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) to participate in up to five meetings to assist in the planning and design phase of the Program’s implementation and share appropriate data on City’s programs and initiatives pursuant to privacy laws and City policies. Entering into the Agreement would serve as a commitment to support the Program’s efforts and will help in securing grant opportunities for the YMCA and Partners. The City would ask that YMCA and Partners build additional activity and support from the Health Department into their future grant funding opportunities.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah E. Green and by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on April 25, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 14, 2019, to allow ample time for the YMCA and CETF to apply for additional grant funding to support ongoing Program efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this recommendation would allow the City to participate in West Long Beach Neighborhood Transformation Partnership Program. The Health Department will be assisting in the planning and design phase of the Program’s implementation and share appropriate data on City’s programs and initiatives pursuant to privacy laws and City policies. There are sufficient funds budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department (35) to support this limited level of labor commitment. Any additional participation or involvement in the Program on a regular, long-term basis would require additional resources, as it would have a significant impact to staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and a significant impact on City Council priorities due to strain on staff capacity, limited resources, and balancing against other priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER