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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2017-040 Apprenticeship Utilization as Optional Supplemental Bidder Criteria for Particular Public Works ProjectsRESOLUTION NO. R-2017-040 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, ATTES ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 21st day of March 2017. Jodi/Stephens, Actin BUSINESS 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 D Resolution -Apprenticeship Utilization Upload Date 2/24/2017 Type Resolution