DATE: 09/18/2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: City Manager’s Office
2024-29
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
REQUEST BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASILLAS FOR STAFF TO RESEARCH THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CALIFORNIA SERVICE CORPS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Councilmember Casillas requested a review of the California Service Corps (CSC), which mobilizes paid volunteers to address community issues. The City of Corona is considering participation in the Youth Jobs Corps to engage volunteers in improving and maintaining hiking trails, aligning with Corona’s “City of Trails” initiative.
California Volunteers will cover participant wages and benefits and offer technical assistance, while Corona will manage program operations and project-specific costs. The City would cap administrative costs at 10%, with up to 40% of funds available for participant support services. Several cities in the region participate in CSC programs supported by grants.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council provide direction on the city's potential participation in the California Service Corps (CSC) Program.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
Council Member Casillas requested a review of the CSC for the City’s potential participation in the program. Administered by California Volunteers under the Governor’s Office, the CSC program comprises four primary corps:
College Corps
California Climate Action Corps
Youth Jobs Corps
AmeriCorps
The program mobilizes paid volunteers to address critical community issues, including education, public health, environmental conservation, and disaster response.
ANALYSIS:
Corona must determine in which CSC program(s) it wishes to participate. CSC volunteers engage in diverse service projects, such as tutoring and mentoring students, disaster relief efforts, environmental cleanups, and supporting local nonprofits.
Staff reached out to the California Volunteers directly to discuss the various CSC programs and possible projects in the City. One potential initiative could involve engaging the CSC Youth Jobs Corps (16-30 years old) for developing and enhancing Corona’s many hiking trails. CSC Volunteers could assist with trail construction, meadow restoration & management, and education. This would offer valuable hands-on experience while contributing to preserving Corona’s natural landscapes. This would advance Corona’s initiative to be a “City of Trails” and foster community stewardship and environmental responsibility.
California Volunteers Support:
California Volunteers offers grant funding, resources, and technical assistance to cities participating in CSC initiatives. They cover stipends and benefits and may also contribute to project-specific costs. The City of Corona would be responsible for program management, recruiting, supervision, and project-specific costs like tools, equipment, materials, and transportation.
California Volunteers support is complemented by grants to establish and sustain these programs. Notably, several major cities in California, including Riverside, have recently secured grants to bolster their CSC efforts.
Participating Cities:
Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino, and Big Bear are among the cities in the Inland Empire participating in the CSC program.
Southern California: Other participating cities include Los Angeles, Anaheim, Irvine, La Puente, Long Beach, Maywood, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, and South Gate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Grant funding may be used to support new or expanded youth workforce initiatives, which can be run year-round or as summer programs, provided they meet the grant requirements. All positions must fall between 50% and 100% full-time equivalent (FTE), with funds fully encumbered and expended by the end of the fiscal year. California Volunteers will cover participant wages and benefits through the Youth Jobs Corps.
In addition, indirect City related administrative costs cannot exceed 10% of the total grant amount. Up to 40% of the funding can be allocated to the City’s wrap-around services for participants, such as transportation stipends, job readiness training, and case management. These support services ensure participants' success during the program and help them secure employment afterward. All participants must receive at least the California minimum wage.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action asks Council for direction on how to proceed with this initiative, and there is no possibility that approving the recommended action will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: PATRICK MANN, CITY MANAGEMENT FELLOW
REVIEWED BY: JUSTIN TUCKER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 -CA SERVICE CORPS PPT
2. Exhibit 2 – Future Agenda Item Request Form