REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 31, 2016
FROM: Oliver L. Baines III
Member of the City Council,
Representing District Three
BY: Gregory A. Barfield
Chief of Staff, Office of Councilmember Oliver Baines
SUBJECT
Title
BILL - (For introduction) - Amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to Section 4-113 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to utilization of apprentices.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Fresno City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Fresno Municipal Code to allow for a reduction of the contract cost estimates that triggers the utilization of apprentices from $500,000 to $200,000 where allowable by state and federal law.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As the City of Fresno continues to rebound from the economic turndown and move forward with a variety of capital projects of improvement within our city, we should also encourage economic development and job training opportunities to break the cycle of poverty, high unemployment rates, and encourage the utilization of those persons who are in viable apprentice programs found throughout the state.
The public works of improvement projects brought forth by the City of Fresno through these proposed changes to the Fresno Municipal Code will allow for additional training opportunities for those in viable apprentice programs, thus allowing these men and women much need experience as well as a quality pay check to allow them to support those who depend on them.
BACKGROUND:
It is recommended that the Fresno City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Fresno Municipal Code to allow for a reduction of the contract cost that triggers the utilization of apprentices from $500,000 to $200,000 where allowable by state and federal law.
The City of Fresno currently requires the utilization of apprentices in contracts of public works of improvement where allowed by federal and state law with an estimated value of $500,000 or more. These proposed changes only reduces the amount from $500,000 to $200,000 where allowed by law. Many of the public works of improvement already have apprentices on the job at various contracts amounts so this does not increase the overall cost of the work but only lowers the cost estimate of when apprentices can be utilized.
It is a benefit of those persons who are in viable apprenticeship programs to be ensured of more training opportunities, as well as a steady paycheck that could lead to less dependence on social service programs, while stimulating the local economy in a small way.
This is a policy decision for the City Council that if approved can be implemented by the staff who already work with winning bidders on contractors of public improvement with an estimated value about $200,000 just as they already do now under the Fresno Municipal Code with $500,000 projects when allowed by federal and state law today.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS:
This is not a project for CEQA proposes.
LOCAL PREFERENCE:
These proposed changes to the FMC do not provide for a local preference
FISCAL IMPACT:
These proposed changes have no fiscal impact on the City of Fresno or the contract for works of public improvement awarded by the City of Fresno, but, is merely a policy decision.
Attachment: Approved to form Ordinance making changes to Section 4-113