REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint Maria Lucero to the NOVA Workforce Board
Report
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 stipulates the composition, roles and responsibilities of the local workforce board. The chief local elected official appoints the local workforce board; the Sunnyvale City Council serves as the Chief Local Elected Official for the NOVA consortium. The local workforce board (NOVA Board) determines how many seats are on the board, and 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):
• Take a leadership role in forging a strong and vital partnership between business and the workforce development community, resulting in an entrepreneurial, market-driven, accountable and exceptional workforce development system;
• Contribute specific expertise from key industries and articulate evolving industries’ needs, critical to aligning the workforce with the jobs of the 21st Century;
• Develop and approve policy for workforce initiatives in the NOVA service-delivery area;
• Help create and provide oversight of a local strategic plan and participate in the development of a regional plan;
• Evaluate and monitor program performance according to specified outcomes and measures; and,
• Promote 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 Sunnyvale Vice Mayor Gustav Larsson, NOVA Board Vice Chair Poncho Guevara and NOVA Board member Elaine Hamilton. The committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates for appointment to the NOVA Board, for consideration by the Sunnyvale City Council. The Nominating Committee is recommending the appointment of Ms. Maria Lucero because of the individual strengths and assets she can bring to the NOVA Board. In addition, her appointment will fill a WIOA-mandated seat representing State employment development.
Ms. Maria Lucero - Employment Program Manager, California Employment Development Department (EDD)
For many years, the regional office of EDD has been a committed partner in the provision of workforce development services to job seekers and employers as part of the NOVA workforce development area and through its leadership on the NOVA Workforce Board. As Program Manager, Ms. Lucero is responsible for overseeing all EDD Workforce Services programs, office operations and over 40 staff within a three-county region that includes Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Benito counties. In addition, Ms. Lucero collaborates with workforce development partners and community organizations across the region to deliver seamless and integrated employment services. Mr. Lucero brings to the Board 18 years of experience in workforce development offering a wide range of perspectives from front-line to management-level positions, with a deep understanding of customer need and workforce programs, policies and procedures. Ms. Lucero will also be an invaluable regional partner, tapping into available resources to support the Board’s shared goals, mission and passion.
This appointment complies with the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Appoint Ms. Maria Lucero to the NOVA Workforce Board.
Staff
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Analyst
Reviewed by: Kris Stadelman, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by Teri Silva, Interim Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, Interim City Manager