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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Verdugo Workforce Development Board’s Request for Approval to be the America’s Job Center of California SM Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area
1. Motion to approve submission of the Verdugo Workforce Development Board’s request to the Governor of California for approval to be the America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area for four years beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for April 1, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Verdugo Workforce Development Board (VWDB) has a long-standing history of delivering services as the Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services provider, via the Verdugo Jobs Center (VJC), for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area, which consists of the Cities of Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge. The VWDB is seeking approval to be the America’s Job Center of California Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider for a four-year period. The VWDB has submitted previous career services applications for the period of 2017-2021 and for the period of 2021-2025. This would be the VWDB’s third application to continue to administer Career Services for a new period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Without an approved application, the VWDB would have to conduct a competitive bidding process for Career Services impacting the current operations at the VJC.
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RECOMMENDATION
That City Council approve the submission of the Verdugo Workforce Development Board’s request to be America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area, which allows for the VJC to continue to deliver job services.
ANALYSIS
The Verdugo Consortium is a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) comprised of the Cities of Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada Flintridge. The Verdugo Workforce Development Board (VWDB) is the planning and policy body for the Consortium. Its purpose is to provide employment and training programs within the three cities and to allocate and award Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds toward its goals. Through the JPA, the City of Glendale has responsibility for the administration of all Consortium activities, including approval of federal WIOA requirements, such as the submission of the Career Services application, which allows local areas to provide Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services directly instead of awarding a contract through a competitive bid process.
The WIOA allows Local Boards to have the option of providing Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services themselves with the agreement of the Chief Elected Official and the Governor and with successful approval of the Career Services Application.
On February 14, 2017, and March 2, 2021, the City Council approved submission of the VWDB’s Career Services Application to continue providing career services. This would be the VWDB’s third request for approval to submit a Career Services Application Request. Without submission and approval of this application, the VWDB will be required to procure its career services and contract a new provider by July 1, 2025.
On February 12, 2025, the VWDB reviewed this application at its public board meeting.
The VWDB emphasized that procurement is a costly administrative process that redirects resources from serving participants during this challenging economic time. Further, many of our participants are from vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, public assistance recipients, homeless individuals, English Language Learners, and veterans, and consistent service delivery is critical to meet their employment needs in a timely manner. Transitioning caseloads from the VJC to a different organization may result in a disruption of services to our participants. The VWDB also noted that the VJC has a long history of excellent performance that does not justify the risk in selecting a new provider.
This performance was recognized by the California Workforce Development Board when it granted the VWDB its High Performing Board designation in 2023, which required that the local board demonstrate that it has exceeded performance toward State-imposed measures. In addition, VJC staff are City employees, allowing the administrative entity to monitor performance and finances closely. VJC staff are also subject to and to internal and external audits. Finally, the VWDB noted the long-term partnerships established and maintained by the VJC to provide participants all the services they need to achieve their educational and career goals. These successful partnerships are the result of the many years of working together and cannot easily be replaced. {{section.number}}e3
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These factors led to the VWDB’s decision to submit a Career Services application to the Governor of California to be the Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area. If approved, the Career Services Application will be valid for another four years from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Career Services application is a federal requirement for workforce boards that seek to provide Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services in their area. As such it was discussed at a public workforce board meeting on February 12, 2025, held at the Verdugo Jobs Center which allowed stakeholders to participate and comment on this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5), as it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; thus, it is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Judith Velasco, Workforce Development Administrator
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Minutes of the meeting of the Verdugo Workforce Development Board, February 12, 2025.
Exhibit 2: VWDB Career Services Application
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