AGENDA
Special City Council Meeting
City Council Chamber
Chowchilla City Hall - 130 S. Second Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610 Friday, July 22, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.
City Hall is now open to the public for business. The City Council Chamber is OPEN to the public for City Council meetings. City Council meetings will also be available to view and participate via Zoom. Please read Page 3 of this agenda packet for Zoom login and participation information.
Agendas for all City Council meetings are posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in the kiosk just outside of City Hall, 130 S. Second St., Chowchilla, CA 93610.
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Any writing or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection on the city website at www.CityofChowchilla.org.
The City of Chowchilla complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA of 1990). The Council Chambers is accessible to the physically disabled. If you need special assistance, please call (559) 665-8615, ext. 102 at least 4 days prior to a regular meeting, 1 day for a special meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
Mayor: John Chavez
Mayor Pro Tem: Ray Barragan
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, Diana Palmer, Kelly Smith City staff and contract employees present at the meeting will be noted in the minutes.
OPEN SESSION – 2:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION:
CONSENT - Section 1
1.1 Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator or Other Authorized Representative to: Execute all Implicated Documentation for Pre-Application and Application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 and Each Subsequent Year for the Chowchilla Municipal Airport (2O6) as Shown in the Airport’s capital improvement plan (ACIP); Accept FAA AIP grant(s) for FY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year Projects at the Airport Including All Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the FAA; and Apply for and Accept Grants and all Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the California Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division for Matching Funds for FY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year FAA-approved projects at the Chowchilla Municipal Airport (Rogers)
Special City Council Meeting July 22, 2022
1.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Collective Partnership Agreement Letter with the Central San Joaquin Valley Region for Participation in the Communisty Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) Program (Pruett)
ADJOURNMENT
I, Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk, do hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing agenda was posted at Chowchilla City Hall, 130 S Second Street, Chowchilla, CA and made available for public review on this 21st day of July, 2022 at or before 2:00pm.
Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk
*SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DUE TO
COVID-19*
Public meetings are still open to the public to attend in-person.
However, if you wish to attend remotely, please read the message below.
Consistent with AB 361 and Government Code section 54953, this meeting will be held remotely. Members of the public may access the meeting using the following information:
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REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Item 1.1
CLICK HERE
TO RETURN TO
THE AGENDA
Special Meeting of: July 22, 2022
AGENDA SECTION: New Business
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator or Other Authorized Representative to: Execute all Implicated Documentation for PreApplication and Application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 and Each Subsequent Year for the Chowchilla Municipal Airport (2O6) as Shown in the Airport’s capital improvement plan (ACIP); Accept FAA AIP grant(s) for FY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year Projects at the Airport Including All Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the FAA; and Apply for and Accept Grants and all Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the California Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division for Matching Funds for FY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year FAA-approved projects at the Chowchilla Municipal Airport
APPROVED BY: Jason Rogers, Director of Public Works
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution
REVIEWED BY
ADMINISTRATOR ☒ REVIEWED BYATTORNEY ☒ REVIEWED BY FINANCE ☒ RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the attached Resolution authorizing the City Administrator or other authorized designee to execute all implicated documentation for grants and amendments thereto for the Chowchilla Municipal Airport, from either the FAA or the California Division of Aeronautics, for FFY2022 and future projects in the airport’s capital improvement plan (ACIP) and City approved budget.
BACKGROUND:
The requested Resolution will allow pre-application, application, acceptance of grants and amendments, and execution of all related documents by the City Administrator, or authorized designee, of the City for grants which may be offered by the FAA and the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics (State) to the Chowchilla Municipal Airport. The FAA is expected to offer 90% funding for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2022. The State offers grants, which are 5% of the federal funding amount of eligible project cost. The approved Resolution must be submitted each year with the application documents. The projects identified within the ACIP and City Budget support the Department's ongoing obligation to keep the airport safe and viable.
The following required actions are permitted by the Resolution:
1. Submit to the FAA and the State a required five-year Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP), FAA grant Pre-Applications, and Applications for grants.
2. Accept FFY 2022 and future FAA grants and amendments for improvements at the airport.
3. Apply for and accept grants and amendments as may be offered from the State (used for matching funds on FFY 2022 and future approved projects).
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
Each FFY, the City receives entitlement and discretionary grants from the FAA for a portion of eligible capital project costs at the Chowchilla Municipal Airport based upon:
1. The number of airport operations at 2O6
2. The status of the airport as a "reliever" airport
3. The priority of eligible projects within the FAA Western Pacific Region.
The FAA is has offered 90 percent (90%) funding for FFY 2022. Additional FAA discretionary grants may be received based upon applications made, federal priorities within the five-year ACIP, and the availability of funding. The Department will provide the required matching funds from Airport revenues with additional matching funds potentially coming from the State (5 percent of eligible federal funded project cost).
The five-year ACIP is the FAA's planning document to program future AIP grant funding, and is resubmitted each year for the next five years; thus refining the five-year look ahead each year. Securing FAA AIP grants includes a year-in-advance application process for projects included in the five-year ACIP, which is the reason this Resolution permitting grant related activities must be available in advance. Current and future grant processing will occur under this new Resolution. Previous grant processing was accomplished using a previous Resolution approved by Council in August 27, 2020. The FAA requires a general resolution for authorizing submittals to the FAA.
The attached Airports Grants Resolution gives the City Administrator, or designee, the authority to comply with the FAA required application processes for FFY 2022, the five-year FAA planning process (ACIP submittal), and the grant acceptance process for FFY 2022 and future grants that may be offered to the airport. The same authorities are given for the State grants as well. All required local match funding will be provided from the General Fund until such time that the Airport Fund is able to sustain itself.
On June 10, 2022, the FAA informed the City that they would be awarding an AIP Grant for the construction of a new Beacon and Beacon Tower in the amount of $236,867. There is an existing beacon tower but there is not an existing beacon on the top. The existing beacon tower is too short to allow the beacon beam proper clearance of nearby power poles. Chowchilla Municipal Airport has a runway lighting system and to meet FAA standards it is required to have a beacon. The installation of the new airport rotating beacon on a new beacon tower will improve the safety of operations on the Airport and bring the airport in conformance with FAA standards. Funding for the grant comes primarily from the City’s FAA entitlement funds that are expected to expire this year. If not spent, the City would need to transfer these funds to another airport.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total project costs for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 is $263,185 and will be funded:
90.0% $ 236,867 Federal Aviation Administration construction grant
2.15% $ 11,843 Caltrans Aeronautics matching funds
7.84% $ 14,475 Chowchilla Airport Fund
Funding and expenses for the “New Beacon and Beacon Tower” Project was included in the City’s FY 2022/23 City Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that was recently approved by City Council in June 2022.
ALTERNATIVES:
Not to approve the authorization.
ACTIONS FOLLOWING APPROVAL:
City will submit FAA Grant Application Requests in accordance with FAA guidelines and timelines and accept the grant offered by the FAA if approved in the City’s annual Citywide budget.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION # -22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHOWCHILLA, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OR OTHER AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE TO:
EXECUTE ALL IMPLICATED DOCUMENTATION FOR PRE-APPLICATION AND APPLICATION TO
THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AIP) GRANTS FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR FOR THE CHOWCHILLA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (2O6) AS SHOWN IN THE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN; ACCEPT FAA AIP GRANT(S) FOR FY 2022 AND EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR PROJECTS AT THE AIRPORT INCLUDING ALL SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS THERETO OFFERED BY THE FAA;
AND APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANTS AND ALL SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS THERETO
OFFERED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AERONAUTICS DIVISION FOR MATCHING FUNDS FOR FY 2022 AND EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR FAA-APPROVED
PROJECTS AT THE CHOWCHILLA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
WHEREAS, the FAA requires the City of Chowchilla submit in this Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) preliminary and final grant applications for FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year; and WHEREAS, the United States of America, acting through the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is offering a Grant Agreement(s) to the City of Chowchilla for Airport Improvement Project No. 3-06-0043-"xx" for FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year (where "xx" represents the next sequential AlP Grant numbers for 2O6) for the following:
ENTITLEMENT AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND DISCRETIONARY AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 21683.1 of the Public Utilities code (PUC), the California Transportation Commission (CTC) is authorized to allocate funds for a portion of the local match for AIP grants; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation, acting on the authority of the California Transportation Commission, may provide five percent (5%) for that portion of the FAA grant which is for airport and aviation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chowchilla is submitting an application for matching funds for FAA projects for FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year which are included in the state's Capital Improvement Program (ClP); and
WHEREAS, the City of Chowchilla must certify by resolution approval of such grant awards; and WHEREAS, the City will enter into agreements for such grant funding; NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHOWCHILLA hereby finds, orders and resolves as follows:
1. Submittal of pre-application and application for FAA Airport Improvement Program (AlP) grant(s) for FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year for Entitlement Projects and Discretionary Projects is hereby approved.
2. Upon grant offer(s) being received from the FAA, that Part I – Offer of the Grant Agreement for Airport Improvement Program Project No. 3-06-0043-"xx" for FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year (where "xx" represents the next sequential AIP Grant numbers for 2O6), including amendments thereto, are hereby approved and accepted when received, consistent with Constitutional and local law requirements.
3. The City Administrator, or authorized representative, is hereby authorized and empowered to execute in the name of the City of Chowchilla all required documentation including Part II - Acceptance of the Grant Agreement and any Grant Amendments as may be offered by the FAA, upon prior approval as to form by the City Attorney. The City Attorney upon their approval as to form is authorized to sign the Certification of Sponsor's Attorney on behalf of the City of Chowchilla.
4. Filing of the application with the California Department of Transportation for matching funds for the FFY 2022 and Each Subsequent Year AIP Grants is hereby approved and accepted when received, consistent with Constitutional and local law requirements.
5. The City Administrator, or authorized representative, is hereby authorized and empowered to execute in the name of the City of Chowchilla all required documentation including the Acceptance of the Grant Agreement and any Grant Amendments as may be offered by the California Department of Transportation, upon prior approval as to form by the City Attorney. The City Attorney upon their approval as to form is authorized to sign any Certification or Assurance of Sponsor's Attorney on behalf of the City of Chowchilla.
6. This resolution is effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chowchilla this 22nd day of July, 2022 by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
Mayor John Chavez
ATTEST:
Joann McClendon, CMC
City Clerk
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Item 1.2
CLICK HERE
TO RETURN TO
THE AGENDA
Special Meeting of: July 22, 2022
AGENDA SECTION: New Business
SUBJECT: Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Collective Partnership Agreement Letter with the Central San Joaquin Valley Region for Participation in the Communisty Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) Program
PREPARED BY: Rod Pruett, City Administrator
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution
Agreement, Madera Flyer, CERF Approach
REVIEWED BY
ADMINISTRATOR ☒ REVIEWED BYATTORNEY ☒ REVIEWED BY FINANCE ☒ RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts a resolution to enter to a Collective Partnership agreement with the Central San Joaquin Valley CERF Region
BACKGROUND:
The CERF was created to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the economic distress of COVID-19 by supporting new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.
Specifically, the Community Economic Resilience Fund Program (CERF) would support communities and regional groups in producing regional roadmaps for economic recovery and transition that prioritize the creation of accessible, high-quality jobs in sustainable industries.
Initially, CERF’s Program funding of $600M was appropriated from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund of 2021 until the 2022 budget revised the source of funds to the State General Fund in SB 115 (2022). Regardless of the final funding source, the same goal remains: To build an equitable and sustainable economy across California’s diverse regions and foster long-term economic resilience in the overall transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
SB 162 was signed on September 23,2021 which established $600 million for CERF. There are two phases- Planning and Implementation. There are 13 regions within the State that are tasked with the implementation of the CERF program. We would be a part of the Central San Joaquin Valley Planning Region. We would be part of a Local High Road Transition Collaborative (HRTC). This HRTC is tasked with providing the first level of input to help develop the economic development plan.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
We need to be a part of this Collective Partnership in order to be able to provide input on what is important for our region, what programs are needed and the best way to utilize the funds. The deadline to submit for this is 7/25/2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact by joining the Partnership.
ALTERNATIVES:
Do not join the Partnership and remain status quo.
ACTIONS FOLLOWING APPROVAL:
Sign the agreement.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION # -22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHOWCHILLA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE A COLLECTIVE PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT LETTER WITH THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGION FOR PARTICIPATION
IN THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RESILIENCE FUND PROGRAM
WHEREAS, on September 23, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 162, which established the $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund (“CERF”) to support communities and regional groups in producing regional roadmaps for economic recovery and transition that prioritize the creation of accessible, high-quality jobs in sustainable industries; and WHEREAS, the CERF establishes 13 regions statewide to create such regional economic roadmaps, one of which is the Central San Joaquin Valley Region (the “Valley CERF”), which includes Madera, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties; and
WHEREAS, in order to participate in the Valley CERF and its establishment of a regional economic roadmap, the City of Chowchilla must enter into a Collective Partnership Agreement Letter with the Valley CERF for the purpose of outlining the proposed governance, goals, principles of community engagement, decision-making process, and planning grant budget for the Valley CERF.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chowchilla hereby finds, determines and declares the following:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are a substantive part of this Resolution.
2. The City Council hereby approves the Community Economic Partnership Agreement Letter with the Central San Joaquin Valley Region in the form attached hereto as Attachment ‘1’ and authorizes the City Administrator to execute same on behalf of the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chowchilla this 22nd day of July 2022, by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
Mayor John Chavez
ATTEST:
Joann McClendon, CMC
City Clerk
Collective Partnership Agreement Letter
for the Central San Joaquin Valley Region
As partners, we are committed to building an equitable and sustainable economy in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley. We will engage with stakeholders and community members throughout our region to develop an inclusive economic development plan with financial support from California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). We are committed to the following goals, “principles of community engagement,” collaborative governance structure, decision-making process, and budget allocation to support our region’s efforts.
Goals of the Valley CERF Process
Goal 1: Build and sustain four, Local High Road Transition Collaboratives (Tulare / Kings Counties, Fresno County, Fresno DRIVE, and Madera County) and the Regional HRTC.
Goal 2: Implement an Outreach and Engagement Plan that centers disinvested communities as “customers” of economic and workforce development initiatives.
Goal 3: Develop the Central San Joaquin Valley Economic Recovery and Transition Plan that (1) identifies local priorities that then contribute to an equitable and sustainable regional economy; (2) addresses the CERF objectives – equity, sustainability, job quality and access, and economic competitiveness and resilience; and (3) demonstrates the potential for measurable and dramatic improvement in the region’s economy, social equity, and environment.
Goal 4: Participate in the CERF community of practice to learn from and contribute to an equitable and sustainable statewide economy.
Valley CERF – Principles of Community Engagement
Covering an 11,000 square mile region with over 1.8 million residents who speak over 100 languages and dialects, as participants in the Valley CERF planning process, we will engage our communities in a culturally responsive manner that ensures we reach those who have not historically been involved in economic development processes before. Valley CERF’s community engagement process is built on the following principles and approach:
o Work with trusted community partners as community engagement facilitators; o Employ an “equitable community engagement” process, meaning expend extra effort and resource to ensure voices from disinvested communities and small businesses are central in the deliberations and development of our economic development plan; o Build and maintain the ‘Valley CERF Community Network,’ a network of community members who want to engage with the CERF process and stay up to date on its progress;
o Host multiple public forums at key stages of the CERF planning process; o Ensure meetings are open and accessible, including locations, meeting days and times, translation, and services on site that facilitate participation; and o Adoption of Transformative Community Engagement for projects that are prioritized for implementation funding, meaning building in resident engagement and leadership – not just in the planning process – but throughout the implementation of programs and projects which may receive implementation funding.
Collaborative Governance Structure
We will collect maximum input and inclusion by engaging at the local level first through four Local High Road Transition Collaboratives (Local HRTCs), and then collectively build the region’s four-county inclusive economic development plan. The four local collaboratives include:
o Madera County- convened by United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties, Madera County Department of Public Health, and the Central Valley Opportunity Center. o Tulare/ Kings- convened by Tulare Workforce Investment Board. o Fresno County- convened by Office of Community and Economic Development, Fresno State University.
o Fresno DRIVE- convened by the Central Valley Community Foundation.
The Local HRTCs will be comprised of an equal number of Representative Stakeholders in the seven stakeholder groups listed below (5 Representative Stakeholders in each Stakeholder Group for a total of up to 35 stakeholders in each local collaborative). The Collaborative Governance Structure’s use of Representative Stakeholder Groups helps ensure that all stakeholder groups are fairly and equally represented and that participants at the Local HRTCs are representative of the Central San Joaquin Valley. The seven Stakeholder Groups include:
1. Labor and Worker Centered Organizations;
2. Employers, Business and Industry Associations, and Economic Development Organizations;
3. Education, Workforce Development and Training Organizations;
4. Local Governments;
5. Tribal Governments;
6. Environment and Environmental Justice Organizations; and
7. Community Based Organizations, Grassroots Organizations, Community Voices.
Once local priorities and strategies are developed, representatives from each of the Local HRTCs will form the Regional HRTC. One Representative Stakeholder from each Stakeholder Group from each Local HRTC (1 x 7 x 4 = 28 stakeholders at the Regional HRTC).
Decision-Making Process
The Stakeholder Groups will function as caucuses at the Local and Regional HRTCs. A majority vote (3 of 5 Stakeholders at the Local HRTCs and 3 of 4 Stakeholders at the Regional HRTC) will determine each caucus’ position at the Local HRTC, and “near consensus” (6 of the 7 stakeholder groups) will be required at the Local and Regional HRTCs for recommendations to be adopted.
Planning Grant Budget – $5,000,000
Central to our principles of community engagement we agree to allocate more than half ($2,850,000) of the proposed planning grant to our Outreach and Engagement Plan, which includes Representative Stakeholder Engagement, Equitable Resident Engagement, and Transparent Meetings and Processes.
o Representative Stakeholder Engagement ($1,950,000) – Providing grant funding for our CBO partners who are Representative Stakeholders at the Local HRTCs and Regional HRTC to help cover the cost of their time to participate and ensure their support of focused and consistent communication to the broader stakeholder groups they represent. We estimate the grant size to be between $15,000 and $25,000 each for the 24-month planning process and is distributed equally across the tables. o Transparent Meetings and Processes ($225,000) – Providing grant funding that ensures meeting costs are covered, including providing materials in various languages, providing translators, reimbursements for transportation, providing meals, meeting space, and any other materials as determined by the Local HRTCs. o Equitable Resident Engagement ($675,000) – Providing funding for grassroots organizations with demonstrated, trusted relationships among disinvested communities to conduct resident engagement, including individual surveys, focus groups, and worker voice interviews.
o Data and Research ($975,000) – Providing funding for baseline research, strategy development, support for plan development, and technical expertise (economic development, labor market analysis, public health, and state policy). o Local Convener Resources ($600,000) – Providing $200,000 for the conveners supporting the Tulare / Kings HRTC, Fresno County HRTC, and Madera HRTC to cover staff and other costs associated with meeting CERF objectives. o Miscellaneous ($75,000)
o Administrative Costs ($500,000) – 10% of the grant contract as allowed by the state; funds will be awarded to the Central Valley Community Foundation to serve as the Fiscal Agent, Regional Convener, and Local Convener of the Fresno DRIVE HRTC.
Valley CERF
Collective Partnership Agreement Signature Page
By signing the Collective Partnership Agreement letter, I agree to the goals of the Valley CERF planning process and to share the responsibility of developing the Central San Joaquin Valley “Regional Economic Recovery and Transition Plan” within the budget resources described above. I will participate in the Collaborative Governance Structure and outreach and engagement efforts and help ensure the CERF objectives are met for our region.
Entity’s Name:
Brief Description of the Type of Entity:
Description of the Entity’s Experience and Reason for Participating:
Contact Name, Title, Email Address, Phone Number:
Local HRTC:
Stakeholder Group:
Signature:
Date:
Tulare/Kings County
Employers, Business & Industry Associations, and Economic Development Orgs.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RESILIENCE FUND
Timeline
Link to Guidelines: https://opr.ca.gov/economic-development/justtransition/docs/20220419-CERF_Planning_Phase_Draft_Guidelines_Public_Input.pdf $600M
FRESNO
RURAL
$5MILLION PLANNING DOLLARS PER REGION
Phase 1 planning efforts will inform regional investment opportunities for Phase 2 of the program.
13 REGIONS STATEWIDE
FRESNO
CITY=
DRIVE
On December 17, 2021 the CERF
Leadership Team released the
final map of the 13 economic
regions that will receive up to $5
million in planning grants under
phase 1 of the program
TULARE/
KINGS
Karla Estupinian: [email protected]
CENTRAL SAN
JOAQUIN VALLEY
REGION
MADERA
Eligible Activities Include:
Plans will be based on actionable research and consultation from expert institutions, with a focus on equity, sustainability, job quality, economic competitiveness and resilience. Strategies will complement, incorporate, or expand on existing plans such as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), as applicable and relevant.
◦ Capacity building
◦ Community engagement
◦ Research
The Central San Joaquin
Valley Region is made up of
four counties: Fresno,
Kings, Madera, Tulare
Whatis CERF?
OnSeptember 23, 2021 Governor Newsom signed SB 162, whichestablished the $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). Administered by the CERF Leadership Team consistingof the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), the Governor’s Officeof Planning and Research(OPR), and the Officeof Business and Economic Development(GO-Biz).
PHASE 1
April 2022:Draft Guidelines
for Round 2 Public
Comment
June 2022: Release
Planning Phase
Solicitation
As CVCF prepares to apply as a regional convener, above are the sub-regions we have identified as independenttables with local conveners that bring together local, diverse stakeholders to define processes and community priorities. Eventually,the sub-regional priorities can be pulled together into a regional vision and plan.
Summer 2022: Awards and
Contracting
Fall 2022: Implementation
Phase Draft Guidelines
Overview – The Central San Joaquin Valley
California’s Central San Joaquin Valley is a vibrant, racially and ethnically diverse, and rapidly growing region with over 1.8 million residents. The exact center of the state, this region stretches over 14,000 square miles and includes four counties (Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings Counties), 29 cities, 148 census designated and unincorporated communities, and seven Native American tribal communities. It is a food producing powerhouse with over 10,000 ag-business enterprises which yield the majority of the state’s and nation’s fresh produce, nuts and dairy products.
Despite these assets, the region experiences a slow-growing, commodity-driven economy that struggles to spur, adopt and commercialize innovation. It also suffers severe environmental degradation, which threatens the stability and resiliency of the region and, therefore, the nation’s independent food supply.
In short, this region and its residents play a vital role in the future of California and the nation.
Collective action and investments at scale are needed to change its direction and ensure an equitable and sustainable future for the residents of the Central San Joaquin Valley.
Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) and High Road Transition Collaboratives (HRTC)
The state created the CERF program in 2021 to “build an equitable and sustainable economy across California’s diverse regions and foster long-term economic resilience in the overall transition to a carbonneutral economy.” CERF requires a regional approach to determining the projects and priorities needed to support a high-road economy1in each of the state’s 13 economic regions.2 The CERF program includes two phases – Planning and Implementation. The Planning Phase requires each region to support a High Road Transition Collaborative (HRTC) comprised of balanced representation from labor, business, community, government, economic development, philanthropy, education, and workforce development stakeholders. The HRTC participants will work together through an inclusive process to build a long-term plan for “economic resilience and equitable pathways to high road opportunities.”
1 The State’s CERF program guidelines define a high-road economy as one that “favors businesses that invest in their workforces, pay living wages, and engage in environmentally sustainable business practices.” 2 For purposes of CERF, the state breaks the San Joaquin Valley into three planning regions: the Northern San Joaquin Valley (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced Counties); Central San Joaquin Valley (Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings Counties); and Kern County.
Proposed Organization & Roles for the Valley CERF HRTCs Recognizing the geographic size, diversity, and complexity of the four-county Central San Joaquin Valley region, the community partners organizing their CERF proposal to the State through the Central Valley Community Foundation3 propose an approach that allows for maximum input and inclusion by local communities first and foremost, which then will inform the region’s four-county inclusive economic development plan. Our proposed organization is illustrated below and includes the following:
• Four Local High Road Transition Collaboratives – One Local HRTC each in Tulare / Kings, Madera, Fresno County, and Fresno Metro through the DRIVE Initiative. The Local HRTCs will undergo independent, inclusive processes to identify local needs and priorities. They will oversee local community engagement and ensure adherence to the governance approach described below. • Stakeholder Groups Represented in the Local HRTCs – Consistent with the state’s guidelines, the Local HRTCs will be comprised of seven Stakeholder Groups. Each Local HRTC can determine the number of representatives to be included in their stakeholder groups (between 3-5) as long as each stakeholder group has an equal number.
o Labor and Worker Centered Organizations
o Employers, Business and Industry Associations, and Econ Development Organizations o Education, Workforce Development and Training Organizations o Local Governments
o Tribal Governments
o Environment and Environmental Justice Organizations
o CBOs, Grassroots Organizations, and Community Voices
• Local Conveners – Each Local HRTC will be supported by a Local Convener(s) whose responsibilities include providing staff and meeting support to the Local HRTC, ensuring an inclusive community process, ensuring the community engagement plan is implemented according to the direction of the Local HRTC stakeholders, administering grant support and payments to local CBO partners, and working with the Local HRTC, Regional Convener and research partners to ensure coordination throughout the region, including providing support for drafting the local and regional inclusive economic development plans. The proposed Local Conveners are:
o Tulare / Kings Counties Local HRTC – Tulare County Workforce Investment Board o Madera County Local HRTC – Central Valley Opportunity Center, United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties, Madera County Department of Public Health o Fresno County Local HRTC – Office of Community & Economic Development, Fresno State o Fresno Metro / Fresno DRIVE Initiative – Central Valley Community Foundation • Regional High Road Transition Collaborative – As noted in the timeline below, the first 18 months of the CERF Planning Phase will be focused on local community engagement and assessing local priorities and strategies for creating an inclusive and sustainable economy. Once those local priorities and strategies are developed, representatives from each of the Local HRTCs will form the 3 The Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) serves Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, Merced and Mariposa Counties. It is proposing to serve as the Regional Convener and Fiscal Sponsor for the Central San Joaquin Valley High Road Transition Collaborative, alongside multiple local conveners and community partners in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings Counties. The Urban Institute, Fresno State’s Office of Community and Economic Development, and California Forward are providing research, community outreach and state policy support through this proposal.
Regional HRTC. As depicted in the graphic below, the Regional HRTC will be comprised of one representative from each stakeholder group from each Local HRTC for a total 28 representatives. • Regional Convener and Fiscal Agent – The Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) proposes to serve as the Central San Joaquin Valley CERF’s Regional Convener and Fiscal Sponsor. In that capacity, CVCF will support the local conveners, execute grant agreements and contracts on behalf of the Local HRTCs and Regional HRTC, procure and oversee research and consulting support for the Local HRTCs, develop and support communications for the region and provide local support as requested by the Local Conveners, and ensure the Local and Regional HRTCs meet the state’s guidelines and requirements for the CERF program.
Timeline
The Valley CERF collaborative process will be held between approximately October 2022- October 2024 and is comprised of three phases. To maximize inclusion and local voice, this approach allocates the majority of the planning time to cultivating local voice and input through the Local HRTCs and locally driven community engagement.
Proposed Valley CERF Community Engagement Principles
While Local HRTCs will have discretion to determine how best to structure and implement their community engagement plans, the Valley CERF Local HRTCs will share the following common elements:
• Community Engagement “First and Throughout” – The first six months of the planning window will be dedicated to initiating community engagement. The Local HRTCs will be convened to provide oversight of and ensure inclusive community engagement during this time, but they will not begin deliberations on the elements of the local inclusive economic development plan until initial community engagement and outreach is conducted. The feedback from the initial community engagement work will be provided, along with the economic, public health, and labor analyses required by the state, to the Local HRTCs as the foundational information for the formulation of the local plans. Community engagement will be continued throughout the planning process, and any projects selected to receive implementation funding will demonstrate a commitment to “Transformative Community Engagement” – please see illustration below. • Trusted Partners as Community Engagement Facilitators – Local CBOs will be recruited and funded with state planning dollars to organize and lead major aspects of the community engagement plans.
They will be resourced to conduct surveys, worker voice interviews, focus groups, and other methods of soliciting input.
• Equitable Community Engagement: Focusing on Disinvested Communities and Small Business – The Local HRTCs will ensure community engagement is equitably focused and intentionally prioritizes community voices who have been historically excluded and most impacted by the pandemic, including residents in disinvested communities, the agricultural workforce, and small business owners.
• Valley CERF Community Network – Throughout the CERF planning process, the Local and Regional Conveners will maintain a mailing list and database of all residents interested in staying informed of and involved with the Valley CERF planning process.
• Public Forums – The Local Conveners will ensure public forums are held at three critical stages in the planning phase: (1) when the initial community input is compiled after the first six months of community engagement; (2) when the draft local inclusive economic development plan is prepared; and (3) when the final draft has been prepared and is ready for adoption by the Local HRTC. • Meetings: Open and Accessible – Meetings of the Local HRTC will be open to the public and accessible to members of the community. The times, locations, and languages of the meetings will be designed to remove barriers for participation.
• Commitment to Transformative Community Engagement for Project Implementation – Projects selected by the Regional HRTC for implementation funding will adhere to the “Transformative Community Engagement” framework, which is adapted from the International Association of Public Participation’s Spectrum of Public Participation. Projects selected for implementation will follow the framework and be able to demonstrate how impacted residents who are intended to benefit from the projects will participate in and provide leadership of their implementation over time. ‘Transformative Community Engagement’ Framework
Proposed Collaborative Governance Structure & Decision Making – Planning Phase
The State’s CERF guidelines indicate that the HRTCs must “illustrate transparent decision-making processes that not only center disinvested communities and impacted workers, but actively shift decision-making power to those groups.” The guidelines also indicate that HRTC collaborative governance structures must reflect that “no individual member of the HRTC governance committee has more decision-making power than the other.” To meet these guidelines and ensure an equitable process, the following approach is proposed:
• “Caucus-style” Decision Making with “Near Consensus” Positions for Local and Regional HRTC Decision Making – As described above, both the Local and Regional HRTCs will include an equal number of representatives from seven stakeholder groups:
o Labor and Worker Centered Organizations
o Employers, Business and Industry Associations, and Economic Development Organizations o Education, Workforce Development and Training Organizations o Local Governments
o Tribal Governments
o Environment and Environmental Justice Organizations
o CBOs, Grassroots Organizations, and Community Voices
The stakeholder groups will function as caucuses at the Local and Regional HRTCs. A majority vote will determine each caucus’ position on the various issues that will be decided by the HRTCs. And, “near consensus” (6 of the 7 stakeholder groups) will be required at the Local and Regional HRTCs for recommendations to be adopted.
• “Consensus with Accountability” – For the purpose of Valley CERF decision-making, the Local and Regional HRTCs will use a consensus decision method based on principles of “consensus with accountability.” Consensus with accountability requires all participants to try to reach unanimous consensus by achieving all expressed interests, and their self-interest as well. In the event a stakeholder group must reject a proposal, they are expected to provide a counter proposal that legitimately attempts to achieve their interest and the interests of the other stakeholder groups.
When seeking consensus, stakeholder groups will not seek to identify numeric “winners and losers” on key topics. Rather, they will seek mutually acceptable and beneficial conclusions for all participants. In seeking consensus on an interim or final recommendation, stakeholders will voice their opinions with specific proposals along the way, rather than waiting until a final proposal has been developed. At all times, stakeholders will ensure they are providing input commensurate to their prescribed role and constituency. The basic decision-making process follows a general path of achieving agreements in principle, followed by agreements in detail.
• Draft and Final Decisions – Valley CERF stakeholder groups at the Local and Regional HRTCs will use the following four levels to indicate stakeholders’ degree of support for any proposal being considered and to determine the degree of agreement.
o Thumbs Down – I do not agree with the proposal. I feel the need to block its adoption and propose an alternative.
o Thumbs Sideways – I can live with the proposal.
o Thumbs Up – I support the proposal.
o Abstention – At times, a pending decision may be infeasible for a participant to weigh in on.
In such conditions, the person is afforded the right to abstain from a decision-making process.
The goal is for all stakeholders to be in the ‘Thumbs Up’ or ‘Thumbs Sideways’ levels of agreement. Any recommendation – both at the Local and Regional HRTCs – will be considered to have reached consensus when six of the seven stakeholder groups are at Thumbs Up or Thumbs Sideways level.