REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Value-based Policy Statement Encouraging Local Hiring (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
At its February 7, 2014 Study/Budget Issues Workshop, City Council prioritized a study issue to examine opportunities to increase the hiring of local residents (defined at the time as those living in Santa Clara County) for private construction projects. The study was prompted by anecdotal information indicating that some developers might be making heavy use of low paid out-of-state workers, and/or housing out-of-state workers at unfinished business sites.
On November 11, 2014, staff presented Report to Council 14-0818, and recommended the implementation of several actions to encourage local hiring by developers and contractors for local development projects. Council concluded it wanted to explore a more aggressive local hiring program, and directed staff to review programs in other cities and return with a proposed plan for preparing an ordinance and/or program for local hiring requirements on large private and public construction projects. Council asked staff to consider requiring submission of a "local hiring plan" that incudes job projections and outreach plans, requiring contractors and subcontractors on projects to be licensed per state law, and encouraging use of local apprenticeship programs.
On May 19, 2015, staff returned to Council with its recommendations regarding a local hiring program. Following a public hearing, Council directed staff to:
1) Hire an Administrative Analyst for the purpose of monitoring certified payroll submissions related to ensure compliance with state-mandated prevailing wage requirements on both public construction and public maintenance projects, and to add language to existing public project contract specifications (and to those private projects enjoying a public subsidy) to require along with certified payroll submissions documentation regarding the actual number and percent of local w...
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