ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller with a Request to APPROVE the FINANCIAL SUPPORT (Grant Match) to ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM, in the Amount of $20,000.00.
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BACKGROUND: In October 2013, the City of Peoria and Illinois Central College entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (see attached). The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was to clearly identify the roles of each party as they relate to the collaboration and partnership in expanding the number of minorities and women entering and completing apprenticeship programs and achieving journey-level status within the building and construction trades.
Under the MOU, Illinois Central College agreed to apply for an Employment Opportunities Grant Program (EOGP) grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as well as follow all relevant and applicable regulations as specified in the Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity EOGP grant.
As part of the MOU, the City agreed that upon the successful award of the EOGP grant to Illinois Central College, the City would provide $20,000 in financial support, subject to Peoria City Council approval.
The City was notified February 4, 2015 that Illinois Central College was able to get this program up and running in January 2015 (after a delay of about six months). At this time, they have hired a part-time Coordinator and are into the second week of their first class of nine participants.
In accordance with the MOU, this communication is requesting the approval of payment to Illinois Central College in the amount of $20,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $20,000 is included in the General Fund budget expenditure account 101-6010-501.39-99.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The program for expanding the number of minorities and women entering and completing the apprenticeship programs and achieving journey-level status is a direct result of a group of interested parties convened at the request of the Mayor after representatives of the NAACP and the faith community addressed the Peoria City Council concerning the lack of minorities in the construction trades and specifically on public, city-funded construction sites throughout Peoria.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: In accordance with Memorandum of Understanding, the City will provide $20,000 in financial support to Illinois Central College. These funds will be used as a match for the Employment Opportunities grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Financial support will not be provided to Illinois Central College in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
2. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Finance