HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/2017 11 Apprenticeship Utilization as Optional Supplemental Bidder Criteria for Particular Public Works ProjectsBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: March 21, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Resolution establishing Apprenticeship Utilization as an optional
supplemental bidder criteria requirement for particular City of
Yakima public works projects exceeding $300,000
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director - (509) 576-6411
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
A highly skilled workforce is essential for enhanced economic growth and continued prosperity for
workers throughout Yakima County. Apprenticeship programs are an effective means for
providing training and experience to individuals seeking to enter or advance in the workforce,
offering the unique opportunity to earn living wages and receive excellent benefits while acquiring
valuable, marketable skills.
In 2007, Washington State Legislature created a new section RCW 39.04.350 that allows
municipalities to develop optional supplemental bidder responsibility criteria applicable to
particular public works projects. Apprentice utilization has been determined to be an acceptable
supplemental bidder criteria.
The City of Yakima is committed in promoting Apprenticeship Utilization requirements for select
public works projects exceeding $300,000. Such projects would be implemented at the
discretion of the City Engineer during the formal bid process; creating opportunities for training
and experience that will help assure a properly trained workforce is available locally for future
public works projects.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL: ~City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Economic Development Committee on February 23, 2017, approved sending the
Apprenticeship Utilization resolution to the full City Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Resolution -Apprenticeship Utilization 2/24/2017 Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. R -2017-
A RESOLUTION establishing Apprenticeship Utilization as an optional supplemental
bidder criteria requirement for particular City of Yakima public works
projects exceeding $300,000.
WHEREAS, a highly skilled workforce is essential for enhanced economic growth
and continued prosperity for workers throughout Yakima County; and,
WHEREAS, journey level construction workers are retiring in numbers greater
than the number of applicants to replace them creating a shortage of skilled construction
workers; and,
WHEREAS, to address this "skill gap" of skilled construction workers; the hiring
of new and/or underrepresented workers within the local community is needed in
providing real and meaningful opportunities to high quality construction careers; and,
WHEREAS, apprenticeship programs are an effective means for providing
training and experience to individuals seeking to enter or advance in the workforce,
offering the unique opportunity to earn living wages and receive excellent benefits while
acquiring valuable, marketable skills; and,
WHEREAS, requiring participation in apprentice programs will provide retraining
and job opportunities for community members; promoting a viable workforce in the
construction trades into the future; and,
WHEREAS, actions by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training
Council have made apprenticeships more widely available in the construction industry;
and,
WHEREAS, the use of apprentices enrolled in an apprenticeship program
approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council ensures proper
training and compliance with employment and wage regulations; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima is committed in promoting Apprenticeship
Utilization requirements for particular City of Yakima public works projects exceeding
$300,000; and,
WHEREAS, public works projects are defined as all work, construction,
alteration, repair or improvement other than ordinary maintenance executed at the cost
of the state or of any municipality, or which is by law a lien or charge on any property
therein; and,
WHEREAS, the 2007 Washington State legislature established mandatory bidder
responsibility criteria in amending RCW 39.04.010 and creating a new section RCW
39.04.350 authorizing municipalities to develop optional supplemental bidder
responsibility criteria applicable to particular public works projects; and,
WHEREAS, RCW 39.04.350 is an optional supplemental bidder criteria that
describes the relevant experience, training, and/or certification requirements or
qualifications that must be met by the low bidder to be awarded a public works contract;
and,
WHEREAS, supplemental bidder criteria illustrates a municipality's support for
contractors who are both complying with established standards and laws and who
provide the lowest bids; ensuring public dollars are being awarded to responsible
bidders further illustrates the municipality's support and commitment for the health,
safety and prevailing wage compliance on public works projects; and,
WHEREAS, apprentice utilization is an acceptable supplemental bidder criteria
that can be implemented by the City at the discretion of the City Engineer; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima acknowledges that a well-trained construction
work force is critical to successful construction of public works projects, and
apprenticeship training programs are effective in providing training and experience to
individuals seeking to enter or advance in the work force; and,
WHEREAS, by providing for apprentice utilization on public works projects, the
City can create opportunities for training and experience that will help assure a properly
trained work force is available locally for future public works projects; and, now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Manager is hereby authorized to establish apprentice utilization as an
optional supplemental bidder criteria requirement to be implemented at the discretion of
the City Engineer for particular City of Yakima public works projects exceeding
$300,000, now, therefore,
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 21st day of March 2017.
Kathy Coffey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk