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January 16, 2024
ITEM TITLE
Welcoming America: Receive a Presentation on Welcoming America’s Certified Welcoming Program and Provide Formal Direction to Staff
Report Number: 24-0028
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Manager
G.C. § 84308: Yes
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Staff requests that Council take a formal vote to provide direction to staff to proceed with Welcoming City recertification.
SUMMARY
At the May 23, 2023 Council meeting, the City Council made a referral to the City Manager to pursue a Welcoming City recertification through Welcoming America. “Certified Welcoming” is the formal designation bestowed upon local governments that meet the Welcoming Standard after an audit of policies and programs for an agency’s efforts including and welcoming immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities.
Staff is returning to Council to provide additional information about Certified Welcoming City status and receive formal direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the state CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the P a g e | 2
environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 1506 0(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Human Relations Commission voted in support of Welcoming City recertification.
DISCUSSION
In November 2019 the City received a Certified Welcoming designation from Welcoming America. “Certified Welcoming” is the formal designation bestowed upon local governments that meet the Welcoming Standard after an audit of policies and programs for an agency’s efforts including and welcoming immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities. The designation was for a period of three years and expired in December 2022. At its May 23, 2023 meeting, the City Council made a referral to the City Manager to pursue a Welcoming City recertification.
In 2023, Welcoming America published a revised Certified Welcoming Standard . Previously, Welcoming America would determine, after a comprehensive questionnaire and five -day in-person audit, if an agency met the Welcoming Standard to receive the designation of “Certified Welcoming” . The revised Certified Welcoming program has a star designatio n system, ranging from one to five stars, with varying costs and time resource commitments to achieve varying levels of stars and is valid for four years.
Additionally, Welcoming America recently updated their membership tiers and assessment fees from the City’s initial certification. Currently there are three levels of members: General, Core and Premium, which range in price from $200 - $2,500 annually, and the audit can range from no -cost (one star) to $6,500 (2-5 stars) based on the level of star designation desired.
To obtain a Certified Welcoming designation, the City must be audited for compliance in seven welcoming standards: Civic Engagement, Connected Communities, Economic Development, Education, Equitable Access, Government and Community Leadership , and Safe Communities . Based on the number of stars the City is seeking to achieve, the amount of time to compile and report data from internal and external stakeholders will vary. Additionally, the desired star designation impacts the length of audit and the number of internal and external stakeholders that need to be made available . The table below shows the number of criteria assessed for each star designation and length of audit. (Attachment 1) Stars Framework Areas
Reviewed
Number of Criteria
Assessed
Audit Timeline
1 7 16 1 day virtual
2 7 39 2-5 days
3 7 60 2-5 days
4 7 80 2-5 days
5 7 101 2-5 days
Welcoming America’s audit would determine if the City met the compliance standards for the star designation the City was seeking and would result in a detailed final report that identifies the community’s strengths and provides a roadmap for areas of growth. If designated as "Certified Welcoming”, this would be for a period of four years. During this time, the City could apply for a greater star designation (if not initially P a g e | 3
5-Star Certified Welcoming). This process could start at any time, subject to an additional certification fee of $6,500.
As a Certified Welcoming city, the City would be making the following commitments to Welcoming America:
Membership - Payment of annual membership fees
Audit - Compliance audit(s) by Welcoming America at any time, that may include contractors or third parties.
Investigation – Welcoming America will have the ability to i nvestigate complaints, including anonymous complaints, submitted to Welcoming America based on any of the areas that the City was assessed on as part of the initial audit. (Attachment 2) If the City Council chooses to pursue Certified Welcoming , the fastest path forward would be to pursue an initial “1-Star Certified Welcoming” designation.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact is based on City Council selection and include:
1 Star with Core membership - $1,500
1 Star with Premium membership - $2,500
2-5 Star with Core membership - $8,000
2-5 Star with Premium membership - $9,000
There are sufficient anticipated budgetary savings to offset this cost in the General Fund in the current fiscal year.
Should City Council elect to pursue a 2-5 Star designation, additional resources would be required due to the associated time co mmitment. A recommendation to amend the City Manager’s hourly budget accordingly would be included in a future quarterly budget update.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Annual membership fees ranging from $1,500 (Core) or $2,500 (Premium) to maintain Certified Welcoming status, dependent on City Council’s selection, are anticipated and would be incorporated into future budgets.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Certified Welcoming Guide 2023
2. Certified Welcoming Complaint Form
Staff Contact: Courtney Chase, Deputy City Manager