HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS-2015-100-R-1510/12/2015
100-R-15
A RESOLUTION
Authorizing the City Manager to Administer the Small Business
Workforce Development Program
WHEREAS, the City recognizes a need for Evanston residents to be
trained in eight specific workforce categories of information technology, sales, business
& financial, healthcare, office & administrative, transportation, food service and
manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to utilize and involve existing small businesses
in Evanston to train unemployed and underemployed Evanston residents through the
creation of a `Small Business Workforce Development Program'; and
WHEREAS, the desired outcome of the Small Business Workforce
Development Program is the achievement of completion of apprenticeships or other
job training programs and/or related work experience in a trade in a small business
located in Evanston, simultaneously reducing unemployment and underemployment in
Evanston; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that devoting Tax Increment Financing
funds and/or Economic Development funds for grants to businesses seeking to be a
part of the Small Business Workforce Development Program to be in the best interests
of the City of Evanston and its residents,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
100-R-15
SECTION 1: The City Manager along with Economic Development and
Youth and Young Adult Program staff, are hereby authorized and directed to administer
the Small Business Workforce Development Program, attached hereto as Exhibit `'I"
and incorporated herein by reference is the Agreement.
SECTION 2: The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to
negotiate any additional conditions of the Agreement as he may determine to be in the
best interests of the City.
SECTION 3: This Resolution 100-R-15 shall be in full force and effect
from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
Atte
Rodne�Green?,,**City Clerk 1. J
Adopted: W%WX a\D, 2015
-2-
Eliz th B. Tisdahl, Mayor
100-R-15
EXHIBIT 1
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FUNDING GUIDELINES
-3-
City of Evanston
Small Business
Workforce Development
Program Guidelines
city of
Evanston
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
2100 RIDGE AVENUE, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201
847-448-8100 1 INFO C(i..EVANSTONEDGE.COM I VVM.EVANSTONEDGE.COM
V MN.CITYOFEVANSTON.ORG
Contents
Program Purpose and Overview................................................................................................ 3
Definitions.................................................................................................................................. 3
EligibilityCriteria........................................................................................................................ 4
ProgramSteps........................................................................................................................... 5
Small Business Workforce Development Program Administration .............................................. 6
Acknowledgement of Program Terms........................................................................................ 8
Noticeto Proceed...................................................................................................................... 9
Certificateof Employee.............................................................................................................10
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program P a g e 12
Program Purpose and Overview
A. Overview: The City of Evanston has made it a priority to retain and create opportunities for
small businesses to thrive in Evanston. The Economic Development Division strives to meet
this City of Evanston goal with the creation of the Evanston Small Business Workforce
Development Program (the "Program'). The Program will utilize Economic Development funds
to provide grants to new and existing small businesses within the Program guidelines provided
herein. Administration of the Program will be coordinated by the Economic Development
Division in consultation with the City Manager and other appropriate City departments.
B. Purpose: The purpose of the Evanston Small Business Workforce Development Program
("the Program") is to educate and train individuals to meet the needs of current and future
business and industry in order to maintain a sustainable competitive economic environment.
The Program will support individuals in "earn and learn" workforce development models in eight
target areas that are based upon the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership ("Partnership") -
"Where are the jobs in Cook County?" 2015 Report. These areas would form the foundation of
a City of Evanston supported workforce development program. They are: 1) IT, 2) Sales, 3)
Business & Financial, 4) Healthcare, 5) Office & Administrative, 6) Transportation, 7) Food
Service, and 8) Manufacturing.
Earn and learn strategies help employers to address skill shortages by training new workers in
job specific skills and protocols while receiving partial reimbursement for employee wages.
Employers are able to hire employees based upon fit and attitude, and employees are able to
earn a wage as they train. This model benefits the public by investing tax dollars into local
businesses and citizens. Program participants are eligible to receive a rebate upon the
competition of their approved workforce development program followed by job placement of the
trainee. The rebate is in the form of a grant.
Definitions
a. "Participant" means the business entity applying for a rebate for providing on the job
training in conformance with Program guidelines and determined eligible by the City
Council or City Manager or his/her designee to participate in the Program.
b. "Program Guidelines" means the "City of Evanston Small Business Workforce
Development Program Guidelines" approved by the City Council that govern the
funding and administration of the program. All terms not defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Program Guidelines.
c. "Rebate" means $3,000 (Three Thousand and no/100 Dollars) per trainee and each
participant business can have 5 trainees per year for total Rebate per participant/per
year at $15,000 (Fifteen Thousand and no/100 Dollars).
d. "Trainee" means an Evanston resident seeking on-the-job training by a business
entity participating in the Small Business Workforce Development Program in one of
eight industries (1) IT, 2) Sales, 3) Business & Financial, 4) Healthcare, 5) Office &
Administrative, 6) Transportation, 7) Food Service, or 8) Manufacturing).
City of Evanston - Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 13
Eligibility Criteria
A. Eligible Business Participants: Evanston -based businesses in the Program's eight
targeted industry areas are eligible to apply for funding.
• The applicant would be eligible for one round of funding annually and capped at
$15,000.
• This funding level would support up to five Evanston -resident trainees per business at
$3,000 maximum per trainee.
• Business owners agree to pay trainee during the Program for the hours of on-the-job
training.
• Business owners with multiple businesses or businesses with multiple locations in
Evanston would be eligible for the maximum of $15,000 to be allocated amongst the
multiple locations.
• The business is reimbursed once the training participant is placed in a job for at least 90
days. Applicants would propose their own "earn and learn" job training model which
provides opportunities for grassroots creative approaches to training.
B. Ineligible Participants: Any of the following will make a business ineligible for Program
participation:
• Business is not an Evanston -based business;
• Workforce trainees who have previously received workforce development funding from
the City of Evanston;
• Participant has outstanding water bills with the City of Evanston;
• Government offices and agencies (non -governmental tenants are eligible);
• Owner of business has received grant or loan funds from the City of Evanston and in
default of its obligation under the loan agreement or grant agreement.
C. Eligible Trainees: The workforce development program trainee must be an Evanston
resident verified by state issued identification, utility bills, bank statements and/or copy of
lease/mortgage statements.
D. Eligible Project:
The workforce development program applicant must be an Evanston -based business of 20 or
fewer employees in one of the following industries: 1) Information Technology 2) Sales, 3)
Business & Financial, 4) Healthcare, 5) Office & Administrative, 6) Transportation, 7) Food
Service, or 8) Manufacturing.
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page [4
Program Steps
Step 1: Arrange to Meet with Staff. Applicants should schedule a meeting with Economic
Development Division and Youth and Young Adult Division staff to discuss the program, ask
questions, and obtain application materials.
Paul Zalmezak Kevin Brown
Senior Economic Development Coordinator Community Services Manager
(847) 448-8013 (847) 448-8042
pzalmezak@cityofevanston.org kebrown@cityofevanston.org
Step 2: Application Submission. Applications for the City of Evanston Small Business
Workforce Development Program may be submitted at any time. The application can be
completed online at www.evanstonedge.com/programs/workforcedevelopment
Step 3: Staff Application Review Process.
Applications will be accepted throughout the year until funds are committed. Economic
Development Division and Youth and Young Adult Division staff will review applications and in
partnership submit for Economic Development Committee and City Council Review. The review
will include a vetting of participants to verify residency and to verify participant is not already
receiving job training support through other agencies to avoid duplication of services and to
maximize population impacted by programs. Strong consideration will be given to applicants
who have a demonstrated capacity to achieve the Program's goal of job readiness and job
placement.
After Applications are submitted, Staff will:
• Evaluate each project submitted to determine if Application is complete.
• Confirm eligibility of proposed workforce development program;
• Identify appropriate funding sources for the proposed project;
• Confirm business is located in Evanston and follows the eligibility requirements stated
above.
• Prepare recommendations of approval of funds to the appropriate Committee.
Staff will evaluate Applications on the following criteria:
• Business owner demonstrated capacity to provide job training;
• Clearly defined job placement plan;
• Business has a clear action plan for the training with respect to clear and definite goals,
expectations for trainee, as well as professional job fairs, seminars, workshops and other
outreach opportunities that the trainee could utilize to seek full-time employment
• Industry specific certifications such as CDL, food safety, pharmacy tech, etc.
• Training in one of the following 1) Information Technology, 2) Sales, 3) Business &
Financial, 4) Healthcare; 5) Office & Administrative, 6) Transportation, 7) Food Service,
or 8) Manufacturing,
Step 4: Public Review and Approval Process. Staff will submit recommendations to the
Economic Development Committee for funding of the Program annually. Economic
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 15
Development Division staff in consultation with the City Manager will review and make the final
decisions on funding of each applicant within the established funding limits and the guidelines
contained herein.
Step 5: Program Participation Approval and Acknowledgment Forms. Following approval
by City staff, Participants will be required to execute a form entitled Acknowledgement of
Program Terms (Form A), to ensure that the Program participants agree to all terms and
requirements contained within this Small Business Workforce Development Guidelines and
agrees to follow the requirements for continued Program compliance. Once the
Acknowledgement has been executed to the satisfaction of the City Manager, a Notice to
Proceed will be issued to the Participant (Form B).
Step 6: Program Trainee Approval for Participant Business. The applicant must submit the
name and proof of residence of individuals participating in the training program. Staff will also
verify if participant is receiving workforce development support from partner agencies.
Step 7: Training Program Completed by Trainee at Participant Business. Participant shall
finance the Project and pay the Trainee wages during participation in the Program. The
Participant will document the training that took place, the work completed and materials
purchased for the training. Such invoices shall include proof of payment to all contractors,
suppliers, and trainees. The minimum training under the Program shall be 200 hours per
trainee and documented with a trainee log that will be submitted with the request for a
rebate. Participant is required to maintain accurate and sufficiently detailed records.
The Participant shall manage, implement, perform, provide, and carry out in a timely manner all
of the tasks, activities, and services set forth in the Small Business Workforce Development
Program Guidelines in order to receive funding.
Step 8: Participant Business submits documentation for Rebate. See Paragraph C below
under Program Administration details regarding documentation that is needed for rebate
issuance.
Small Business Workforce Development Program Administration
The Program provides participants the opportunity to receive a rebate upon completion of the
workforce development program and job placement for a minimum of 90 days.
A. Funding Source(s): Projects will be funded through: tax increment financing (TIF) within
applicable TIF Districts and/or the Economic Development Fund.
B. Rebate: Funding would occur on a reimbursement basis after the trainee is placed in
employment for a period of no less than 90 days in employment field and verification is provided
by Program participant business. The training Program for each trainee must be completed
within nine months of the Notice to Proceed issuance. The applicant is eligible for one round of
funding per year and capped at $15,000 ($3,000 per trainee and maximum number of trainees
is b individuals). Business owners with multiple businesses or businesses with multiple
locations are eligible for the maximum of $15,000 to be allocated amongst multiple locations.
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 16
C. Program Documentation Prior to Rebate Issuance: The following are required to be
submitted to the City of Evanston (mail or e-mail is acceptable):
• Attach a photocopy of all Certificates of Employee (Form C), along with a copy of the
payroll records for each employee in the Program and proof of City of Evanston
residency for each employee in the Program. Payroll records must be redacted prior to
sending to the City, removing social security numbers and date of birth prior to
transmittal.
• Description of trade/work performed by employee(s), start and end dates, total hours
worked.
• Trainee log(s) with outlined tasks and must total not less than 200 hours per trainee.
Obligation to Refrain from Discrimination
A. Participant covenants and agrees for itself, its successors and its assigns to the Property,
or any part thereof, that it will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin or ancestry, or age or physical or mental disabilities that do not impair ability to work,
and further that it will examine all job classifications to determine if minority persons or
women are underutilized and will take appropriate affirmative action to rectify any such
underutilization.
B. That, if it hires additional employees in order to perform this contract, or any portion
hereof, it will determine the availability of minorities and women in the area(s) from which it
may reasonably recruit and it will hire for each job classification for which employees are
hired in such a way that minorities and women are not underutilized.
C. That, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by it or on its behalf, it
will state that all Participants will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination
because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation; marital status, national origin,
ancestry, or disability.
No Agency Created
The Participant and any contractor, supplier, vendor or any third party hired by Participant to
complete the Project are not agents of the City. Any provisions of this Agreement that may
appear to give the City any right to direct the Participant concerning the details of the
obligations under this Agreement, or to exercise any control over such obligations, shall
mean only that the Participant shall follow the direction of the City concerning the end
results of the obligations.
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 17
FORM A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROGRAM TERMS
I, 1 (title), acknowledge that I have read and
understand the contents of the Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
provided to me as a participant in the Program. I certify that I have the authority to execute this
acknowledgment on behalf of the participant business. By signing below, I understand and will
ensure that the Participant business will follow the Guidelines and it is the responsibility of the
Participant to do so and not the responsibility of the City of Evanston.
Name (Print)
Name (Signature)
Date
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 18
FORM B
NOTICE TO PROCEED
DATE
Successful Applicant
[Street address]
Evanston, IL 6020X
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the City of Evanston Small Business Workforce Development
Program. This letter is to inform you that your application has been granted approval and inform
you of the next steps in the process.
Your application has been approved for up to $ in reimbursement for a total of
trainees at the business. The next step is to read program guidelines enclosed and sign the
Acknowledgment of Program Terms, to document that the terms and conditions of participation
in the Program are clear and you agree to follow the guidelines. Once this acknowledgment is
submitted, you will have nine (9) months to complete the training of the employees and submit
the necessary paperwork to the City for review. Upon completion of the training, you will need to
submit the paperwork outlined in the guidelines to us in order to receive reimbursement.
Please let me know if you require additional information or have any questions. We're glad your
business is in Evanston and look forward to assisting you.
Sincerely,
Johanna Nyden,
Economic Development Division Manager
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 19
FORM C
CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYEE
The Participant business is required to complete and sign this certificate with its submission of
the request for a Rebate. Participant must fill in the name of each trainee, the total number of
hours training was provided, and the industry category that the training was provided in to
correspond to the eight categories outlined in the Program guidelines.
Employee Name Total Number of Training Industry Training
Provided Provided
I, 1 (title), affirm under penalties of perjury and
upon personal knowledge that the contents of the foregoing certificate are true and accurate.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I am issuing this certification to request a rebate from the
City of Evanston. I acknowledge that any omission or inaccurate information could jeopardize
the approval of the rebate.
Name (Print)
Name (Signature)
Date
City of Evanston — Small Business Workforce Development Program Guidelines
Page 110