ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request for the Following:
A. APPROVE the Awarding of Grants to GIFTS IN THE MOMENT (GITM) FOUNDATION, PEORIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 150, TRI-COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE, ELITE, and METEC, in the Amount of $25,000.00 Each, to Administer Job Training Programs in the South Village TIF Area (Council District 1), and
B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2017 AMENDED ANNUAL BUDGET Relating to the Use of the SOUTH VILLAGE TIF Fund Balance.
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BACKGROUND: On September 12, 2017 City Council approved the allocation of $50,000 for job training programs in the South Village TIF. The money had been budgeted generally for job training in the 2017 Community Investment Plan. Additionally, Council approved the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for service providers and employers to administer job training programs in the South Village TIF. A total of five proposals were received: Gifts in the Moment (gitm) Foundation, Peoria Public Schools District 150, Tri-County Urban League, ELITE and METEC. The total request of SV TIF funds for job training programs was $199,258. Below is a brief summary of the five programs:
Gifts in the Moment (gitm) Foundation:
Urban Agriculture Apprenticeship Program
• Occupational skills training in agriculture.
• Adult apprentices will learn agriculture practices, develop sound business planning skills and have greater opportunities to create agriculture micro businesses.
• 10-22 adults
Peoria Public Schools District 150:
Pre-Apprenticeship Program/Nursing
• Occupational skills training in healthcare.
• Peoria Public School high school students will learn medical vocational proficiencies through class room instruction and on the job training. Unity Point, OSF, Peoria City County Health Department and Heartland Health Services will provide on the job training, job shadowing, and internship opportunities.
• 22 high school students
Tri-County Urban League:
Job Readiness and Placement Program
• Career pathway exploration, job readiness training, and career placement in high growth sectors (i.e. manufacturing, logistics)
• Post-secondary education referrals to ICC for occupational skills certificates and training.
• 25 adults
ELITE:
Re-entry Job Readiness Program
• Soft skills training for ex-offenders.
• Key program components include employee etiquette, life skills, resume building, interview skills, and job referrals.
• 40 ex-offender adults
METEC:
Employment Preparation and Job Training Program
• Basic and occupational skills training in contracting and maintenance.
• Assigned an employment coach for career placement and retention.
• 50 adults
An RFP review committee comprised of representatives from the Finance, Economic Development, Police, and Community Development departments reviewed the submitted proposals. All agencies demonstrated the operational capacity to administer their proposed programs. It was noted that the total request for funding ($199,258) far exceeded the funds available ($50,000). In discussion with the RFP Committee and Council Member Denise Moore, it was determined that all the programs had merit and are desperately needed in the South Village TIF. As a result, City staff with the support of Council Member Denise Moore, is requesting an additional $100,000 to fund each job training program at $25,000. The new allocation for job training programs would total $150,000 with $125,000 used to fund the submitted RFP proposed programs. The remaining balance of $25,000 will be set aside for future job training opportunities from agencies or employers.
City staff will work with each agency to make budget and program adjustments as needed. City staff will also utilize established universal intake forms and performance measurement reports derived from the Greater Peoria EDC GP Opportunity Committee to track industry standard outcomes for job training programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: An additional $100,000 allocation of South Village TIF funds will be dedicated to job training programs.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not applicable.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: If approved, grants of $25,000 each to five organizations to provide job training programs in the South Village TIF with $25,000 remaining for future job training programs.
IMPACT IF DENIED: If denied, $25,000 grants will not be made to these organizations. Staff would review proposals again and return to Council with a recommendation for allocating funds limited to the currently available $50,000 budget.
ALTERNATIVES: Change or retain existing funding allocations for South Village TIF job training programs.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: The gitm foundation-03420-18033, Peoria Public Schools (pending), Tri-County Urban League-00785-180331, ELITE (pending), METEC (pending)
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Population and Jobs.
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office