TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute agreements, and any related documents or amendments, with Bloomberg Philanthropies and its What Works Cities (WWC) initiative partners, for the provision of technical assistance resources to build the City’s capacity and skills to use data and evidence to make more informed decisions, deliver more effective services and programs, and improve residents’ lives, at no cost to the City, for a period of 24 months, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with Bloomberg Philanthropies (Bloomberg) for the pro bono provision of technical assistance services to advance data and performance management practices, under the What Works Cities (WWC) initiative. These technical assistance services are provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ network of partner organizations, described in more detail below.
In April 2015, Bloomberg launched WWC as a national initiative to enhance cities’ use of data and evidence. Over 100 mid-size and large U.S. cities participate in WWC. To deliver technical assistance to cities, Bloomberg maintains a network of expert partners to help government agencies use data more effectively and achieve WWC certification, a national standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government. As of the preparation of this letter, Bloomberg’s WWC partners include the four following organizations:
• The Behavioral Insights Team, which helps cities develop and evaluate ideas for improving government services.
• Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, which supports cities in improving the results they achieve with their contracted dollars.
• Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, which provides technical assistance and strategic training that enhances cities' capacities to leverage cutting-edge data management, performance management, and advanced analytics practices to improve outcomes for residents across all policy areas.
• Results for America, which coordinates all WWC partner organizations and developed a standard of excellence for well-managed, data-driven local government through
WWC certification.
Since 2015, through its continued engagement with Bloomberg, the City launched numerous data-informed initiatives and projects. On February 3, 2015, the City Council approved an agreement with Bloomberg to receive a $3 million grant to support a dedicated in-house Office of Civic Innovation (i-team) to identify and design solutions that improve the lives of residents. On October 24, 2017, the City Council approved an agreement with the Johns Hopkins University for the establishment of a pro bono study related to business licenses and permitting data management and performance. Most recently, on June 23, 2020, the City Council approved an agreement with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Lab for pro bono technical assistance related to the City’s procurement process and procedures.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Erin Weesner-McKinley on May 12, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on May 4, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 8, 2021, so the City may continue to solicit pro bono technical assistance by Bloomberg and its network of partner organizations, provided via our ongoing participation in the WWC initiative.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The City will utilize existing resources, such as staff time, to engage in these technical assistance opportunities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LEA D. ERIKSEN
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER