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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-05 City Council (39)TO: City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: Community Services DATE:August 5, 1996 CMR: 365:96 SUBJECT:Seasonal Jobs for the Homeless Pilot Program REQUEST Staffrequests that City Council approve the establishment of a pilot Seasonal Jobs Program for people who are homeless or at risk ofhomelessness. This seasonal program would start in late September or early October and operate for twelve weeks. At completion of the trial period, staffwill evaluate the program and return to Council. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the City Council approve this pilot trial project for a twelve-week period and the attached Budget Amendment Ordinance to fund the program. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The proposed pilot program would employ no more than eight temporary employees, under a Roberta Enterprises (Roberta’s) temporary employment services contract for no more than twelve weeks in duration, so no change in policy is proposed. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background When staff convened a committee to discuss assistance options relative to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in our community, the idea which generated the most enthusiasm was the exploration of a jobs program. This concept grew from discussions and assessments of City department and community needs. As potential work options were discussed, staffwas receiving an increased number of requests from residents and merchants for an enhanced program to provide cleanliness in the downtown area and other parts of the City. At the same time, City staff could not undertake adding more clean-up duties (o their already burgeoning assignments. However, there is an underutilized source of people who could address such concerns. On occasion, this underemployed group has indicated a need for employment and a willingness to provide employment services. The Urban Ministry’s CMR:365:96 Page 1 of 4 Homeless Garden, their Lawn and Garden Service projects, and the miscellaneous visible signs in the City requesting employment are some of the indications of an existing, underutilized, temporary work force. A City-organized Seasonal Employment Program designed for such individuals could be beneficial to the community and to the unemployed. In developing this pilot project, staff believes the following benefits will occur: Selected members of the homeless population will receive valuable vocational training and work experience. There will be a cleaner downtown, community facilities and parks. Successful participation by homeless clients could be a stepping stone needed to re-establish self-sufficiency. The additional cleaning and maintenance will help meet the needs of the City. Homeless workers will be joint partners in a better maintained community. Program Description A maximum of eight workers would be recruited for the program and hired through Roberta’s employment services. Staffhas consulted with the Urban Ministry, and they have agreed to assist in outreach efforts. Urban Ministry feels it is inappropriate for their organization to review or screen applicants. Therefore, staff will work with Roberta’s on the application and screening process. Selected applicants would be assigned to various City work details. Based on staff’s experience with past vocational programs, such as CETA and the California Conservation Corps, keeping the participant numbers small initially creates a higher level of productivity, while easing the supervisorial responsibilities which ensue with such a program. The number of proposed employees and types of assignments which could be made available for this work program include: ®Landfill (1) Graffiti Abatement (1) Facilities Maintenance and Clean-Up (2) Parks and Facility Clean-Up (2) Parks and Golf Maintenance (2) Staff believes flexibility in work assignments Will be required. For example, a downtown clean-up detail might be formed, or tasks could be performed such as setting up and taking down chairs for the Summer Concert Series. While work assignments may vary, a four-day work week at six hours daily would be established for the program. This would allow time for in-house problem-solving sessions should that be necessary. CMR:365:96 Page 2 of 4 Employment services would be purchased through Roberta Enterprises. Roberta’s agency fee of 42 percent of the salaries handles ancillary employment issues such as payroll, benefits and liability insurance. Staff proposes a starting pay scale of $7 an hour, as well as a $5 a day allowance for food. In addition, a $50 voucher would be allotted up front for each worker to purchase standard work clothing at the local Goodwill Industries Store. Some safety gear, such as goggles, gloves and toe boots may have to be purchased for the eight workers as well. Staffwill arrange for vouchers for each person involved. For those needing transportation, bicycles will be assigned from the Police Department’s bicycle recovery inventory. If helmets are needed, the City will provide them on a checkout basis. As the program develops, staff acknowledges there probably will be a need to make some minor adjustments. In addition to assisting the City with necessary assignments, it is important that this program be viewed as a life skills training. Staff considers this program to be a positive effort to improve the overall situation for the participants; and, to that end, recommends that food allowances and clothing vouchers be provided. This support would assist in creating better worker effectiveness, positive working relationships with City staff and encourage the growth of self-esteem. If program effectiveness is determined after the initial twelve-week period, upon further Council review, potential community partners of the program such as the Chamber Of Commerce, the Downtown Marketing Association and the California Avenue Development Association could be approached as economic co-sponsors in developing phase two of this project. Staff does not propose this project as a panacea. It is not intended to be a permanent job solution, nor is the project designed to be the single impetus toward making individuals employable. It is a helping hand, an incentive, and a way to achieve work in areas where temporary staffing is needed. The program is a trial, and staff will exercise flexible implementation. Although the program will require close supervision, this can be accomplished by using existing staff. FISCAL IMPACT Approximate costs for this twelve-week pilot project are estimated at $26,160. This includes salaries for eight workers at 24 hours weekly for twelve weeks ($16,128), Roberta’s temporary services administrative costs ($6,774), clothes vouchers for participants ($400), CMR:365:96 Page 3 of 4 purchase of mandated safety equipment ($938) and a $5 daily allowance for food for participants ($1,920). ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; therefore, no environmental assessment is required. PREPARED BY: David F. Martin, Administrator of Human Services DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: PAUL THILTGEN Director of ~Services FLEMII~ Manager Attachment: Budget Amendment Ordinance CMR:365:96 Page 4 of 4 ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR A SEASONAL JOBS FOR THE HOMELESS PILOT PROGRAM WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June 24, 1996 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 1996-97; and WHEREAS, a committee studying options relative to homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless has identified a need for employment opportunities for such people; and WHEREAS, various local nonprofit organizations have demonstrated that such employment opportunities can increase the skills of people who are homeless and lead to increased self- sufficiency; and WHEREAS, citizens and merchants have indicated their desire to see a cleaner downtown area, as well as cleaner community facilities and parks; and WHEREAS, it is proposed that a pilot program be established that will provide employment opportunities to people who are homeless by employing them through a temporary agency and then assigning them to various city work details, thus also addressing resident concerns regarding cleanliness in the downtown area, community facilities, and parks; and WHEREAS, the pilot program is estimated to cost $26,160, and City Council authorization is needed to amend the 1996-97 budget to appropriate the funds for the program, as hereinafter set forth. SECTION io The sum of Twenty Six Thousand One Hundred Sixty Dollars ($26,160) is hereby appropriated to non-salary expenses in the Human Services Functional Area in the Community Services Department, and the Budget Stabilization Reserve is correspondingly reduced. SECTION 2. This transaction will reduce the Stabilization Reserve from $15,900,782 to $15,874,622. Budget SECTION 3. As specified in Section 2.28.080(a) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City Council is required to adopt this ordinance. SECTION 4. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby finds that this is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary. SECTION 5. As provided in Section 2.04.350 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager Senior Asst. City Attorney Deputy City Administrative Department Manager, Services Director of Community Services