February 3, 2026
DocID #61883v1
Library and Community Services
Employment & Training
DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager –
Community Services
Tamara Walker, Deputy Director of
Community Services, Employment and Training Division
Subject:
Contract with Cheryl Maier for American Job Centers of
California (AJCC) One-Stop Operator Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $20,000 expenditure is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 Employment and
Training Department budget and will be funded entirely
by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act grant.
There is no fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund
(Account String:12572641-400538-27A01).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 2, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Employment and Training Division seeks approval to
execute a sole source contract with Cheryl Maier, who
has been serving as the AJCC One-Stop Operator and
whose prior contract has since expired, to maintain
continuity in the coordination of AJCC partners and
integrated service delivery for RichmondWORKS.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Cheryl Maier to
serve as the American Job Centers of California (AJCC)
Coordinator for the Richmond Workforce Development
Board (RWDB) for a term commencing July 1, 2025, and
ending June 30, 2027, for a total payment limit of
$20,000 – Community Services Department (Tamara
Walker 510-307-8006/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
AGENDA
REPORT
February 3, 2026
DocID #61883v1
DISCUSSION:
The American Job Centers of California (AJCC) are the foundation of California’s workforce system. AJCC Operators and Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Providers are essential to ensure each AJCC functions as an all-inclusive access point for education, training, and employment services for a wide range of customers.
State and federal regulations require Local Workforce Development Boards to conduct an open and competitive process to select their AJCC Operator at least once every four years. With the agreement of the Chief Elected Official and the Governor, Local Boards may also provide adult, dislocated worker, and youth career services directly or through contracted providers. All AJCC Operators must be selected, in place, and operating no later than July 1, 2025.
RichmondWORKS is the City of Richmond’s workforce development system and One- Stop delivery framework, while the One-Stop Operator contract provides the coordination and operational support required under WIOA to ensure that RichmondWORKS functions as an integrated, high-performing workforce system.
In California, the AJCC Operator is responsible for coordinating service delivery among all AJCC partners and service providers within the Local Workforce Development Area (Local Area). This coordination function enables Local Boards to focus on strategic planning and high-level partnership development at the local and regional levels. The Richmond Workforce Development Board (RWDB) currently has 16 AJCC partners and serves as the Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Operator.
The responsibilities of the AJCC Operator include, but are not limited to:
Coordinating service delivery across required AJCC partners and service providers
Ensuring implementation of partner responsibilities outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the AJCC mandated partners approved by City Council on June 24, 2025, and effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, which outlines the framework for collaboration, service provision, and coordination among local AJCC partners.
On June 26, 2023, the Employment and Training Division released the AJCC One-Stop Operator Services Request for Proposals (RFP). Two proposals were received; however, both were rejected because they did not align with the AJCC Operator scope as defined in Subpart D (AJCC Operators) of 20 CFR 678 and page 2 of the RFP (Attachment 1). To meet the City’s procurement requirement of obtaining at least three bids for contracts between $10,000 and $50,000, the Division issued an informal request for a third proposal. Ms. Cheryl Maier was the only qualified applicant.
Ms. Maier, a long-time Richmond resident, was selected as the AJCC One-Stop Operator for RichmondWORKS. On July 2, 2024, the City Council approved a $20,000 contract with Cheryl Meir to serve as the One-Stop (AJCC) Operator for RichmondWORKS, with a contract term from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Due
February 3, 2026
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to insurance-related delays, a contract amendment extending the term and increasing the contract amount was not executed before the expiration date. City staff now recommend that City Council approve a new sole source agreement with Ms. Maier with a compensation amount not to exceed $20,000 for a term commencing July 1, 2025, and ending July 30, 2027.
A sole source agreement is warranted in accordance with Richmond Municipal Code Section 2.52.326 (Attachment 3). Ms. Maier has continued performing the same scope of work without interruption, maintaining continuity of services that are critical to meeting program and funding requirements. Throughout her service, she provided strong coordination, consistent partner engagement, and compliance oversight in alignment with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements. With more than a decade of experience managing WIOA workforce programs and coordinating AJCC partnerships in the City of Oakland before her retirement, Ms. Maier brings significant expertise to the role. Her continued service as the AJCC Operator will ensure stability, uninterrupted coordination, and compliance as RichmondWORKS prepares for the next required competitive procurement cycle. The contractor is already uniquely positioned with the expertise, staffing, and operational knowledge necessary to fulfill the work seamlessly, and because a competitive procurement process would cause further delays and disrupt essential services, a sole-source agreement is appropriate in this instance.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – AJCC Operator Services RFP
Attachment 2 – AJCC Operator Services Contract
Attachment 3 – Sole Source Justification Form