REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint Denise Dorsey to the NOVA Workforce Board
Report
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) stipulates the composition, roles and responsibilities of the local workforce board. The local chief elected official appoints the local workforce board. The Sunnyvale City Council serves as the Local Chief Elected Official for the NOVA consortium. The local workforce board (NOVA Board) determines how many seats are on the board. The NOVA Board is required to have a majority of representatives from business and representation from at least the following stakeholders:
• Business Executives (majority and chair).
• Education providers from adult education and higher education.
• Labor and community-based organizations representing the workforce.
• Economic and community development agencies.
• State agencies representing employment development and vocational rehabilitation programs.
The roles and responsibilities of NOVA Board members include (but are not limited to):
• Taking a leadership role in forging a strong and vital partnership between businesses and the workforce development community, resulting in an entrepreneurial, market-driven, accountable, and exceptional workforce development system.
• Contributing specific expertise from key industries and articulating evolving industries’ needs, critical to aligning the workforce with the jobs of the 21st Century.
• Developing and approving policy for workforce initiatives in NOVA service-delivery area.
• Helping create and providing oversight of a local strategic plan and participating in the development of a regional plan.
• Evaluating and monitoring program performance according to specified outcomes and measures.
• Promoting the NOVA Board and workforce through collaboration and relationship building with other businesses, local workforce boards, organizations, and groups.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 5.1.1: Socio-Economic - Goals and Policies: Education and Training Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services, within constraints of operative Federal regulations and available Federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational, or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The NOVA Board Nominating Committee is comprised of Councilmember Alysa Cisneros and NOVA Board Co-Chair Andy Switky and Vice Chair Michelle Nemits and is charged with recommending NOVA Board candidates to the City Council. The Nominating Committee is recommending the appointment of Denise Dorsey because of the individual strengths and assets she can bring to the NOVA Board. In addition, her appointment will fill the WIOA-mandated seat representing the California Department of Rehabilitation, the state agency that administers vocational rehabilitation programs and services.
About the Candidate:
Ms. Denise Dorsey
District Administrator of San Jose District, California Department of Rehabilitation
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) administers the largest vocational rehabilitation program in the country. Its mission is to provide services and advocacy for individuals with disabilities leading to employment, independent living, and equality. DOR employs approximately 140 staff in the region. As District Administrator for the San Jose District, Ms. Dorsey oversees the implementation of all services in the district. This includes working with community resource partners to provide employment, training, and education services for disabled community members. Her role is to ensure DOR meets the needs of this community and is represented in convenings when needed. Ms. Dorsey brings to the NOVA Board over 11 years of experience assisting individuals with disabilities find employment, serving as a critical resource to fill positions with talent from underserved populations, and providing important expertise in the disability field. Her knowledge will be invaluable as the NOVA Board seeks to diversify the workforce by increasing access for individuals with disabilities.
This appointment complies with the requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Appoint Denise Dorsey to the NOVA Workforce Board.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_Y_ General policy and legislative actions
Staff [only one Deputy City Manager or Assistant City Manager review needed, remove the other two]
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Administrative Analyst, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Marléna Sessions, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager