REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 18, 2025
FROM
BRADLEY GATES, Director, Workforce Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Riverside Council of Governments to Provide Workforce Development Career Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Memorandum of Understanding, including non-standard terms, in the amount of $1,500,000 with the Western Riverside Council of Governments, to provide career services to county residents in the clean energy sector, from July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
2. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Workforce Development Department to amend the Memorandum of Understanding to add no cost services or to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding, in accordance with the termination provisions, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director or Assistant Director of the Workforce Development Department to transmit any amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding or notice of termination, authorized under Recommendation No. 2, to Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Bradley Gates, Director, 387-9856)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Workforce Development Department (WDD) will be reimbursed up to $1,500,000 from the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to fund existing staff salaries and benefits, and participant expenses. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will not have an additional impact to the overall budget approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board), as adequate appropriation and revenue has been included in WDD’s 2025-26 recommended budget and will be included in future budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WRCOG was awarded funding through the expansion in the clean energy sector for the 2025 Q1 Business and Workforce Development Grant that is part of the California Air Resources Board California Climate Investments. WRCOG allocated $1,500,000 in non-competitive funding to WDD to provide opportunities for unemployed and underemployed county residents, by providing career services, including job placement, training, and supportive services to increase economic stability. Through targeted investments of the allocated funding received from WRCOG, WDD will strengthen local training pathways, improve job accessibility, and foster partnerships that promote a resilient energy workforce throughout the county.
Pursuant to the proposed MOU with WRCOG, the County will be reimbursed in an amount up to $1,500,000. Funding received from WRCOG pursuant to the MOU will support staffing and activities that build system and staff capacity, build meaningful partnerships, transform service delivery systems, and provide a customer-centered approach.
WDD will focus on providing career development services to a minimum of 120 participants to ensure that participants have the necessary skills and certifications for clean energy careers. Some components of WDD’s training program will include participants earning industry-recognized certifications in clean energy-related fields. Participants will also receive wrap around job services through WDD’s Americas Job Center of California. WDD will also provide participants with additional support services, including resume development, career coaching and other resources to help ensure successful employment after training and help build long-term careers in the county.
The MOU was negotiated by the parties and contains non-standard contract terms and omits certain County standard contract terms as follows:
1. Venue for disputes arising under the MOU is in Riverside County, California.
• County Policy 11-05 requires venue for disputes in Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District.
• Potential Impact: Having a venue in Riverside County, California may result in additional expenses that exceed the amount of the MOU.
2. The MOU does not require WRCOG to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies, 11-05, 11-07 and 11-07SP.
• County policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that WRCOG will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the MOU, which could result in expenses to the County that exceed the total MOU amount.
WDD recommends approval of the MOU, including non-standard terms, to provide County residents career services.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Sophie A. Curtis, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 16, 2025; Risk Management (Gregory Ustaszewski, Staff Analyst II, 386-9008) on May 15, 2025; Finance (Carl Lofton, Finance Analyst, 387-4919) on June 2, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 2, 2025.