Memorandumof Understanding(MOU) between
BayAreaCommunityResourcesandCityof SanPablo
September1, 2024–August 31, 2025
SUBJECT: SustainabilityServiceCorps
ThisMEMORANDUMOFUNDERSTANDINGisherebymadeandenteredintobyandbetweenBayAreaCommunityResources,hereinafterreferredtoas“BACR”andCityofSanPablo,hereinafterreferredtoas“HostAgency”.Collectively, BACRandHostAgencyarehereinafterreferredtoasthe“Parties.” ARTICLEI–BACKGROUNDANDOBJECTIVES
BACRhascontractedwithAmeriCorps(formerlyCorporationforNationalandCommunityService–CNCS)throughCaliforniaVolunteerstoimplementtheSustainabilityServiceCorpsprogram.BACRiscollaboratingwithpublicandnonprofitorganizationsacrossthestateofCaliforniatorecruit,train,andplaceSustainabilityServiceCorpsFellows,hereinafterreferredtoas“Fellow(s)”,atpublicandnonprofitorganizations,wheretheywillsupportgreenhousegasreductionprogramsorothersustainabilityprojects,suchasimplementingprogramsthatsaveenergy, water, orwaste;educatingstudentsinclassroomsoronline;developingGreenhouseGasInventories,ClimateActionPlans,andothercapacity-buildingdocuments;andconductingoutreachtoraisecommunityengagement.Fellowswillideallydevoteanaverageminimumof24hoursperweektodirectlyworkingonemissions,water, waste,orenergyreductionprojects.
ThefollowingrecitalsdescribethepurposeofthisMOU:
● BACRandHostAgencyagreetopartnertoimplementprojectswiththesupportofFellows.● Fellowscanonlyserveoncontractedandallowableserviceactivitiesoutlinedinthejobdescriptionwhichisco-createdbyBACRandHostAgency.● ThenatureoftheprogramnecessitatesHostAgencyparticipationintimelyoutcomereporting,supervision,andsupportfortheFellow(s).● HostAgencydesirestohostFellow(s),andBACRdesirestoprovideFellowservicetoPartner. ThisdocumentistoestablishthebasicguidelinesandexpectationsbetweentheHostAgencyandBACR.● TheHostAgencyandBACRenterintothisMOUinordertomemorializethetermsofBACR'sperformanceoftheservicesandthePartner'sobligationswithrespectthereto.
Theobjectivesoftheprogramareasfollows:
● HostAgencywillbeabletoreportmeasurablereductionsingreenhousegas(GHG)emissions,energy, water, orwasteattheendoftheFellowship.● FellowsmaysupporttheHostAgencythrougheffortsincommunityoutreach,capacitybuildingclimateresiliencyprojects,andK-12youtheducation.● Fellowswillbeabletodevelopapracticalskillsetandexpertiseintherealmofclimatechangemanagementatthecommunitylevel.● HostAgencycommunitieswillbeabletoincreasecommunityparticipationtowardsfurtherGHGreductionsthroughvolunteeropportunitiesthatarecreatedand/orincreasedthroughtheparticipationoftheFellow.
ThePartieswillworktogethertopromotethepartnershipanditsbenefitstotheprojectsandcommunityatlarge.
PerFederalGuidelinesandBACRpolicies,theSustainabilityServiceCorpsProgrammustfollowequalopportunityemploymentrequirementsandbeaccessibletopersonswithdisabilitiesbyprovidingreasonableaccommodation.Insupportofthis:
● BACRandHostAgencywillcomplywithEqualOpportunityEmploymentguidelines.● BACRandHostAgencywillendeavortomakereasonableaccommodationstoknownphysicalormentallimitationsofqualifiedFellowswithdisabilitiesunlesstheaccommodationwouldimposeanunduehardshipontheprogramoperations.● BACRandHostAgencywillendeavortoaccommodatethesincerereligiousbeliefsofFellowstotheextentsuchaccommodationdoesnotposeanunduehardshipontheHostAgency'soperations.● BACRandHostAgencywillnotallowanyformofretaliationagainstindividualswhoraiseissuesofequalemploymentopportunityorreasonableaccommodation.
ARTICLEII–FELLOWSHIPTERM
TheFellows’termofservicewiththeHostAgencyisforaperiodof8months.ThetermofservicestartsassoonasSeptember1,2024butnolaterthanJanuary15,2025,andendsnolaterthanAugust31,2025.WhileworkingfortheHostAgency, theFellow(s)willcompleteaminimumof1,200hourstotal.TheFellow(s)areexpectedtofinishtheirtermofservicethroughtheirscheduledenddateeveniftheyreachtheirminimumhourstargetsooner.
ItisexpectedthattheFellow(s)willdevote80-90%oftheirtime(960-1,080hours)to“Service”(projectsagreeduponwiththeHostAgencyanddetailedintheScopeofWork,seeArticleIII) and10-20%oftheirtime(120-240hours)to“Training”(structuredandindependentprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesincludingmandatorySustainabilityServiceCorpstrainingsandevents).Nomorethan20%oftimewillbespenton“Training”.
IfaFellowisunabletocompletetheexpectednumberofhoursbytheenddateintheFellow’scontract(i.e.MemberServiceAgreement)duetoanyunforeseencircumstancesduringtheirtermtheymay, atthediscretionofBACRandtheagency, beallowedtimetocompletetheirhoursattheagency, oratanotherapprovedagencywherethereareserviceopportunitiesavailable.ThelastdayFellowsareeligibletoearnhoursforthe2024-25programyearwillbeAugust31,2025.
ARTICLEIII–BACRSCOPEOFSERVICES
BACRagreestoperformthefollowingservices:● Betheofficialemployer-of-recordfortheFellow(s)whichincludesprovidingalivingstipendof$2,838.917/month,aswellascoverageoptionsforhealthcare,childcare,andstudentloandeferment.● Recruit,screen,andselecttheFellow(s).BACRwilllead,andHostAgencywillassist,intherecruitmentandselectionoftheFellow(s),including,withoutlimitation,developingapositiondescription,conductinginterviews,andparticipatinginthefinalselectionoftheFellow(s).TheFellow(s)mustbeapermanentresidentofCaliforniabythetimemandatorybackgroundchecksareconductedbeforethestartoftheFellowship.● TrainFellow(s)withacomprehensivetrainingprogram.Fellowsareexpectedtoattendmandatoryeventsandcompleteassignmentsinatimelymanner. BACRwillensurethatthetrainingprogramdoesnotexceedtheagreedupontotalnumberof“Training”hoursasdefinedinArticleII.Thetrainingprogramincludes:○ Resources■ AtrainingmanualofAmeriCorpsandSustainabilityServiceCorpsprogrampolicies,bestpractices,andconductexpectations;■ Accesstoprofessionalnetworksandcoaching.○ In-PersonEvents■ Afour-dayorientationbefore“Service”beginswiththeHostAgency;■ Amid-yearretreat;■ Anend-of-yeargraduationcelebration.○ OnlineTrainings■ Monthly, virtual,three-hourworkshopsfacilitatedbyBACRwithafocusonprofessionaldevelopmentandtransferableskill-building.HostAgencywillbeprovidedwithafullschedulepriortothestartoftheprogram;■ EnrollmentintheUniversityofCalifornia’sClimateStewardsCertificationprogram,asix-monthcoursefeaturingsixmonthlyclasses(3-4hourseach),coursework,assignedreadings,andfieldtrips. ○ IndependentProfessionalDevelopment■ Customizable,self-directedopportunitiesdesignedbytheFellow(s)andthePartiestosupporttheFellow(s)professionaldevelopmentandcareerpursuits;■ AccesstoaprofessionaldevelopmentbudgetfromBACR.● SupportFellow(s)andHostAgencyviarequiredmeetingsandassignments,including:○ ARegionalSupervisor(arepresentativefromBACR)assignedtotheHostAgencywhosemainfunctionistosupportboththeHostAgencyandtheFellowduringthetermofservicethroughmonthlyverbalcheck-inmeetings,emailsupport,professionaldevelopmentresources,andconflictresolution,ifnecessary;○ Monthly, virtualsupervisionmeetingsattendedbytheFellow(s),theSiteSupervisor(apersonassignedbytheHostAgencytodirecttheFellow(s)intheirprojects),andtheRegionalSupervisor;○ TwoFellowshipPerformanceReviewsincludingsurveyscompletedbytheHostAgencyandFellowanddebriefconversationsfacilitatedbytheRegionalSupervisor;○ AspecificScopeofWorkplandevelopedbytheFellowwiththeHostAgencythatalignswiththeGHGreductioninitiativesprovidedbytheHostAgencywithinthefirstmonthofservice;○ DefinedmetricsfortheFellowtomeasureandtracktheprogressofresourcewastereduction,K-12education,capacitybuilding,orcommunityoutreachthroughouttheplacement,developedcollaborativelybytheParties.● DefineandimplementanycorrectionstoFellow’splandeterminedtobenecessarybasedonfeedbackcollectedfromFellowandHostAgency.
BACRreservestherighttoremoveFellow(s)fromHostAgencyshouldtheplacementbecomeunsuitableorunsafeforFellow(s),orPartnersviolatethetermsofthisMOU.BACRwillmakereasonableattemptstoaddressandmitigateconcernswithPartnersasappropriate.
ARTICLEIV–HOSTAGENCYREQUIREMENTS,RESPONSIBILITIES,ANDEXPECTATIONS Inordertoprovideaclearandwell-definedserviceexperienceforparticipatingFellow(s),HostAgencyagreesto:● ProvideatleastonespecificGHGreductioninitiativethattheFellow(s)canworkonduringtheirtermofservice.Initiativesmustbewell-defined,approvedforimplementationandincludespecificemissions,water, waste,orenergyreduction,and/or education,communityoutreach,orcapacity-buildingtargets,orhavethecapacitytodefinespecificprojecttargets.HostAgencywillworkwithBACRtofinalizeamutuallyagreed-uponScopeofWorknolaterthanonemonthaftertheFellow(s)beginswork.● AssignaSiteSupervisorwhowillbeavailable:○ Todevoteatleastonehourperweekofdirectone-on-onetimewithFellow(s).Thistimeisdifferentfromtimespentworkingtogetheronprojects;theone-on-onetimeshouldbestructuredwithanagendathathelpstheFellow(s)organizetheirpriorities,discussanychallenges,andexploreprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities);○ DirecttheFellow(s)’projectsonadailybasisandprovidespecificguidanceandtasksastheycompletetheirprojects;○ CompletemonthlyverbalreportingtoBACRinRegionalSupervisorcheck-inmeetings,indicatingwhetherprogressisbeingmadeontheinitiatives;○ ProvidefeedbackontheFellow(s)’performance:twotimesayear, filloutandsubmitanevaluationformtoprovidefeedbackonFellowactivities,performance,andofferdataonspecificresourceorGHGreductionmetrics;○ AttendthePartnerOrientation(August)andMid-YearCall(viawebinar).Additional,optionalhostpartnernetworkingeventswillbemadeavailable;○ ReviewandacknowledgeBACR’sprogrampoliciesandbestpracticesforsupervision.● AllowtheFellow(s)toattendmandatorytrainingsandparticipateinprogrameventsasdescribedabove,eveniftheyconflictwith“Service”activities.WrittenpermissionmustberequestedbytheSiteSupervisortotheRegionalSupervisorinadvanceoftheeventiftheFellow(s)mustbeabsent.● AllowBACRtoshareresultsfromthisprogramthroughgrantreporting,socialmedia,andothermeansasBACRdeemsappropriate.● CreateaninvitingandsafeworkplaceculturefortheFellow(s)thatvaluestheirpersonalsafety, mentalhealth,andpersonalandprofessionaldevelopmentgoals,regardlessoftheirownbeliefs,identities,andbackgrounds.● FollowBACR’sdisciplinaryprocedurefortheFellow(s),ifnecessary, whichincludesverbalwarnings(uptotwoissuedbytheSiteSupervisortotheFellow(s)andreportedtotheRegionalSupervisor),awrittenPerformanceImprovementPlansignedbyallParties(includesclearexpectationsandconsequencesforimprovementwithinaminimumoftwoweeks),andafinalreviewbyBACRbeforeterminatingtheFellow(s).● EnsurethatFellow(s)donotdothefollowingwhilechargingtimetotheAmeriCorpsProgram,accumulatingserviceortraininghours,orotherwiseperformingactivitiessupportedbytheAmeriCorpsProgram:○ Engageinanyactivitythatisillegalunderlocal,stateorfederallaw;○ Engageinactivitiesthatposeasignificantsafetyrisktoothers; ○ EngageinanyoftheProhibitedActivitiesoutlinedinthePolicies&Procedureshandbook,including,butnotlimitedto:■ Attemptingtoinfluencelegislation;■ Organizingorengaginginprotests,petitions,boycotts,orstrikes;■ Assisting,promoting,ordeterringunionorganizing;■ Impairingexistingcontractsforservicesorcollectivebargainingagreements;■ Engaginginpartisanpoliticalactivities,orotheractivitiesdesignedtoinfluencetheoutcomeofanelectiontoanypublicoffice;■ Participatingin,orendorsing,eventsoractivitiesthatarelikelytoincludeadvocacyfororagainstpoliticalparties,politicalplatforms,politicalcandidates,proposedlegislation,orelectedofficials;■ Engaginginreligiousinstruction,conductingworshipservices,providinginstructionaspartofaprogramthatincludesmandatoryreligiousinstructionorworship,constructingoroperatingfacilitiesdevotedtoreligiousinstructionorworship,maintainingfacilitiesprimarilyorinherentlydevotedtoreligiousinstructionorworship,orengaginginanyformofreligiousproselytization;■ Providingadirectbenefittoabusinessorganizedforprofit;alaborunion;apartisanpoliticalorganization;oranonprofitorganizationthatfailstocomplywiththerestrictionscontainedinsection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCodeof1986exceptthatnothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtopreventparticipantsfromengagingadvocacyactivitiesundertakenattheirowninitiative;and■ Anorganizationengagedinthereligiousactivitiesdescribedinparagraph(g)ofthissection,unlessAmeriCorpsassistanceisnotusedtosupportthosereligiousactivities;■ ConductingavoterregistrationdriveorusingAmeriCorps-fundedtimetoconductavoterregistrationdrive;■ Providingabortionservicesorreferralsforreceiptofsuchservices;and■ SuchotheractivitiesastheAmeriCorpsmayprohibit.○ AmeriCorpsmembersmaysupportfundraisingandresource-gatheringfordirectsupportofyourprogram'sserviceactivities,butwithrestrictions:■ ExamplesoffundraisingactivitiesAmeriCorpsmembersmayperforminclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:● Seekingdonationsofbooksfromcompaniesandindividualsforaprograminwhichvolunteersteachchildrentoread;● Supportresearchandwritingofagrantproposaltoafoundationtosecureresourcestosupportthetrainingofvolunteers; ● Securingsuppliesandequipmentfromthecommunitytoenablevolunteerstohelpbuildhousesforlow-incomeindividuals;● Securingfinancialresourcesfromthecommunitytoassistinlaunchingorexpandingaprogramthatprovidessocialservicestothemembersofthecommunityandisdelivered,inwholeorinpart,throughthemembersofacommunity-basedorganization;● Seekingdonationsfromalumnioftheprogramforspecificserviceprojectsbeingperformedbycurrentmembers.■ AmeriCorpsmembersmaynot:● Raisefundsforlivingallowancesorforanorganization'sgeneral(asopposedtoproject)operatingexpensesorendowment;● WriteagrantapplicationtotheCorporationortoanyotherFederalagency.● Spendmorethan10%oftheirtermofserviceperformingfundraisingactivities.○ Individualsmayexercisetheirrightsasprivatecitizensandmayparticipateintheactivitieslistedaboveontheirinitiative,onnon-AmeriCorpstime,andusingnon-AmeriCorpsfunds.However, theAmeriCorpslogomustnotbewornwhiledoingso.● SupportandencouragethepromotionofNationalServicethroughthefollowing:○ PostingAmeriCorpsandNationalServiceinformationatallservicesites○ PostingalistoftheaboveProhibitedActivitiesatallservicesites○ EnsuringFellowswearappropriateuniformsorAmeriCorpspinasrequiredbyBACR○ AllowingFellowstoleavetheprogramsitetoparticipateinpre-arrangedNationalServiceidentityactivitiesandmonthlytrainingdays.○ AllowingFellowstospenduptoamaximumof20%oftheirtotalhoursonthematicprofessionaldevelopmentactivities(includingregularmonthlyprogrammatictrainingdays).● [Desired,butnotrequired]toprovideprogram-widesupportbyeither○ Facilitatingatleastoneall-daytrainingeventforallFellowsor,○ Speakingduringasessionatoneall-daytrainingeventforallFellows ARTICLEV–TERMOFAGREEMENT
ThisMOUwillbecomeeffectiveonthedateoffinalsignatureandshallcontinueinfullforceandeffectthroughAugust31,2025.
ARTICLEVI–KEYOFFICIALS
TheindividualslistedbelowareidentifiedaskeypersonnelconsideredessentialtotheprojectbeingperformedunderthisMemorandumofUnderstanding.
ForBACRJobTitle: DirectorofNationalServiceName: AdolfoRiveraAddress: 11175SanPabloAve,ElCerrito,CA94530PhoneContact: (510)559-5550EmailContact: [email protected] ForHostAgency:JobTitle EnvironmentalProgramAnalystName AmandaBoothAddress 1000GatewayAve,SanPablo,CA94806PhoneNumber (510)215-3066EmailContact [email protected] NochangeinkeyofficialswillbemadebyeitherBACRorHostAgencywithoutwrittennotificationthirtydaysinadvanceoftheproposedchange.Thenotificationwillincludeajustificationinsufficientdetailtopermitevaluationoftheimpactofsuchachangeonthescopeofwork.
ARTICLEVII–PAYMENT
HostAgencywillprovideBACRwith$21,000perFellow, andrequestsone(1)Fellowforthecomingprogramyearforatotalpaymentamountof$21,000tosupporttheimplementationoftheprogram.HostAgencywillreceiveinvoicesonemonthpriortothescheduledpaymentdate.Thispaymentwillbemadeaccordingtothefollowingschedule:
● Payment1:o Due:January31,2025o Amount:$10,500● Payment2:o Due:March31,2025o Amount:$10,500 ARTICLEVIII–TERMS
ItismutuallyagreedbyallPartiestothisMOUthat:
MOU:● ThePartieswillreviewtheeffectivenessoftheMOUaftereachparticipatingyearandevaluatepotentialmodificationsthatmoreadequatelyaddressthepurposeofthisMOU.● IntheeventthataPartynolongerapprovesimplementationofanyoftheprovisionsreferencedinthisMOU,theindividualPartiesagreetopromptlyconfertodeterminewhat,ifany, modificationstothisMOUshouldbemadetoaddresstheissue(s)ofconcern.● IntheeventthataPartynolongerdesirestobeapartofthisMOUoranymodification(s),thentheindividualPartyintheirsolediscretionmayterminatetheirrelationshipwithinthisMOU.WrittennoticemustbeprovidedbythePartydesiringtowithdrawfromtheMOUatleastthirty(30)dayspriortotermination.
FellowRecruitment,Hiring,andTermination:● IftheHostAgencyultimatelyfailstoselectaFellowfromalistofapplicantsdeemedqualifiedbyBACR,HostAgencywillpayBACRa$2,500fee(includedinthetotalcost)fortherecruitingeffortpromptlyfollowingreceiptofaninvoicefromBACR.● ThePartieswillexplorereasonablenextstepsforrecruitmentintheeventthatBACRisunabletoplaceaqualifiedFellowattheHostAgencybythefinalpossiblestartdate.Nextstepsincludeashortertermofservicewithcorrespondinglowerpaymentamount(dependentonavailability),postponementtofuturetermofservice,orwhateversolutionisdeemedmostbeneficialtotheParties.● IntheeventthattheFellow(s)ishiredtobeginafterthestartoftheprogram,thefullmatchwillstillberequired.Allfull-timeAmeriCorpsMembersreceivethesamebenefitsandareexpectedtofinishthetermofserviceregardlessoftheirstartdatesothecostremainsthesame.● HostAgencyagreestonothiretheFellowasafull-timeemployeeuntilandunlesstheFellowcompletestheirentiretermofservicedescribedinthisMOU.IftheHostAgencyhirestheFellowbeforetheendoftheprogramyear, HostAgencyissubjecttoa$2,500fineforthetimeandresourcesspentonrecruiting,training,andsupportingtheFellow. Ifthereisextraspaceintheprogram,BACRagreestorecruitanotherFellowtocompletethetermofserviceifHostAgencydesires,inwhichcasetheHostAgencymuststillpayBACRfortheservicesdescribedinthisMOUandaccordingtothepaymentscheduleoutlinedinSectionVI(Payment).IntheeventareplacementFellowisavailable,buttheHostAgencydoesnotdesireareplacementFellow, effectivelyendingthetermofservice,HostAgencyissubjecttoa$2,500fineforexitingthecontractbeforetheagreeduponenddateanda$2,500fineforthetimeandresourcesspentonrecruitingandtrainingtheFellow, amountingtoatotalfineof$5,000.TheHostAgencywillnotbereimbursedforpaymentsalreadymadetoBACR. ● IntheeventthattheFellow(s)leavestheprogramforanyreasonasidefrombeinghiredasafull-timeemployeeoftheHostAgency, priortotheenddateintheFellow’scontract(i.e.MemberServiceAgreement),aproratedamountwillbeissuedformatchfundsupuntilApril30,2025.Proratedamountsaredeterminedbythefollowingequation:TotalpartnermatchdividedbynumberoftotalstipendpaymentsplannedfortheFellow(s)multipliedbyactualnumberofstipendpaymentsdistributed.ThematchisusedthroughouttheyearforAmeriCorpsMemberstipends,benefits,training,andprogrammaticcosts;allAgencymatchfundswillhavebeenabsorbedbytheprogrambytheApril30,2025deadlinesonoproratedamountwillbeissuedafterthatdate.
Responsibility● EachPartyagreesthatitwillberesponsibleforitsownactsandtheresultsthereofandshallnotberesponsiblefortheactsoftheotherPartyandtheresultsthereof.EachParty,therefore,agreesthatitwillassumeallriskandliabilitytoitself,itsagentsoremployees,foranyinjurytopersonsorpropertyresultinginanymannerfromtheconductofitsownoperations,andtheoperationofitsagentsoremployeesunderthisMOU,foranyloss,cost,damage,orexpenseresultingatanytimefromanyandallcausesduetoanyactoracts,negligence,orthefailuretoexerciseproperprecautions,oforbyitselforitsagentsoritsownemployees,whileoccupyingorvisitingthepremisesunderandpursuanttotheMOU.
ARTICLE IX – AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU on the date(s) set forth below.
Bay Area Community Resources
___________________________________ ______________________ Adolfo Rivera Date
Director of National Service
City of San Pablo
___________________________________ ______________________ Matt Rodriguez Date
City Manager
Approved as to Form for City of San Pablo:
___________________________________ _______________________ Brian P . Hickey Date
City Attorney
Attest:
___________________________________ _______________________ Dorothy Gantt Date
City Clerk, City of San Pablo
10/22/2024