REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL January 17, 2019 FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Interim Director Public Works Department] BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director Department of Transportation DUANE MYERS, Fleet Manager Department of Transportation/ Municipal Fleet Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve an Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools' Fresno Regional Occupational Program to provide a community classroom training opportunity for students within the Department of Transportation Municipal Fleet Division ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approve entering in to an agreement with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) Fresno Regional Occupational Program (ROP) to enable the Municipal Fleet Division to be a community classroom training station for students, and authorize the Director of Transportation (DOT) or designee to execute the agreement. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The DOT Municipal Fleet Division is interested in partnering with the FCSS ROP. This is an internship program that allows eligible students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in their field of study. This partnership will afford student interns the opportunity to work alongside DOT's mechanics and technicians, on a limited basis, servicing the City's fleet vehicles and equipment at the Municipal Service Center through May 31, 2019. BACKGROUND The Municipal Fleet Division is responsible for purchasing and maintaining approximately 1,350 vehicles owned and operated by City departments. These include light, heavy, and construction equipment. The Municipal Fleet Division is interested in partnering with educational programs to share fleet maintenance practices with interested students. The non-paid internship program benefits students by providing hands-on experience in field of vehicle and equipment maintenance. The majority of students have not held a job prior to this training; therefore, they will experience actually clocking-in and working in a community classroom to learn vocational career fields and industry expectations. By partnering with FCSS, these students learn vocational skills that are sought by the City and many companies in the community and generally in short supply. Students are genuinely excited and motivated to learn the content as they experience first-hand the importance of learning these skills. By providing these opportunities, the City will help students become better prepared for higher education, vocational schools, trade schools, or the workforce. This program will allow the City to train the future workforce to its specific needs and expectations. In essence, this community classroom allows the City the opportunity for a 3-4 month long hands-on interview with potential future employees. Aside from the benefits to the students, the City receives positive feedback from the surrounding community. The agreement is valid through May 31, 2019, and has been approved by the City Attorney's Office as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract does not qualify as a "project." LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable as this is not a purchase agreement. FISCAL IMPACT No general funds will be used. Attachment: Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools