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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Acceptance of Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds from the State of California, Employment Development Department and award of contracts to the Glendale Youth Alliance and the City of Burbank
Motion:
1. Accepting the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds in the amount of $791,270 from the State of California, Employment Development Department; and authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into and execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding.
2. Authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into and execute a Contract with Glendale Youth Alliance in an amount not to exceed $645,770 from the WIOA federal grant for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
3. Authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into and execute a Contract with City of Burbank in an amount not to exceed $145,500 from the WIOA federal grant for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for September 29, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California, Employment Development Department awarded the Verdugo Workforce Development Board (VWDB) funding of $791,270 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, to provide WIOA employment services to adults and youths in the Verdugo region. The VWDB receives WIOA funds on an annual basis. During this time period, and upon City Council approval, the VWDB will award WIOA Youth grant funds to the Glendale Youth Alliance (GYA) in the amount of $645,770 to recruit, enroll, and provide work experience for 23 In-School and 56 Out-of-School Youth. Upon City Council approval, the VWDB will also award WIOA grant funds to the City of Burbank in the amount of $145,500 to operate the City’s Job Connect from the Burbank Central Library as the affiliate site to the Verdugo Jobs Center and provide general WIOA employment services to the public.
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RECOMMENDATION
That City Council:
(1) Accept the WIOA funds in the amount of $791,270 from the State of California, Employment Development Department; and authorize the City Manager to enter into and execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding; (2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into and execute a Contract with Glendale Youth Alliance in an amount not to exceed $645,770 from the WIOA federal grant for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into and execute a Contract with City of Burbank in an amount not to exceed $145,500 from the WIOA federal grant for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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 (the City) has responsibility for the administration of all Consortium activities, including the execution of contracts with vendors to deliver workforce services. As the administrative entity for the Verdugo Consortium, the City Council on behalf of the City of Glendale approves all contracts and funding awards recommendations by the VWDB, which includes WIOA funds.
The VWDB receives federal WIOA grant funds to provide employment services to the public. These services include job preparation training, job exploration, workplace readiness skills training, work-based learning experiences, on-the-job training and skills training to name a few. The overall goal is to enhance regional economies by having a robust skilled workforce.
The WIOA funds from the State of California, Employment Development Department total $791,270 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, to provide general WIOA services as well as WIOA Youth-In-School and Out-of-School services for youths ages 14 to 24, with up to 200 hours of paid work experience in placements that match the students’ interests and aptitudes.
The GYA has been operating year-round youth employment programs and summer employment programs since 1994 and has been operating WIOA youth employment programs since 2000. For the 2026-2027 program year, the VWDB has recommended awarding GYA with $645,770 in workforce funds to provide services to youth with multiple barriers in the Verdugo region. GYA will administer the work experience component of 5c 3
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the program and provide case management services. GYA’s established business relationships with local employers will enable successful connection between employers and students.
The City of Burbank is a partner in the Verdugo Consortium. Although the Verdugo Jobs Center is the only comprehensive one-stop center in the Verdugo Consortium, in order to provide services more conveniently to the job seekers and employers in Burbank, the City of Burbank operates an affiliate site of the Verdugo Jobs Center from its Burbank main library location called Job Connect. The VWDB has recommended awarding the City of Burbank $145,500 for the 2026-2027 program year. These funds will be used to provide core workforce services to at least eighty (80) new clients per month, and Rapid Response assistance to local businesses that are experiencing major layoffs. The Burbank Affiliate site has been in operation since 2000, and has a proven track record of successfully serving Burbank job seekers and employers.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The VWDB is responsible for accepting awarded grants and providing initial approval to enter into contracts, prior to submission to City Council for approval. As such, this item was discussed at the public workforce board meeting held on August 26, 2026, where stakeholders were given the opportunity to participate and comment on this item. At this meeting, the Board approved the acceptance of the grant award as well as the contracts needed to perform the grant requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding for the WIOA grant totals $791,270 of which $645,770 will be used for the contract with the Glendale Youth Alliance and $145,500 for the contract with the City of Burbank. The grant award was already appropriated during the FY 26-27 budget process; therefore, no new appropriation is requested at this time. The City Council approved funding is outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$645,770 GL: Various-2060-CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01613AG
Workforce Fund
$145,500 GL: Various-2060-CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01611AG and CSP01612AG
Workforce Fund
Department Cost Center Program
Community
Services &
Parks
Projects
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 5c 4
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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
1. The City Council may decline to adopt the motions as recommended herein. This would result in the inability to comply with grant requirements.
2. 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, August 26, 2026.