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Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for and accept Equity Grant funds from Minnesota DEED for the Right Track youth employment program in an amount of up to $850,000 each year for SFY20 and SFY21, and to indemnify and hold harmless the State of Minnesota in the performance of the contract related to the grant funds.
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WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department wishes to apply for grant funds from the State of Minnesota through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for Right Track, the City’s Youth Employment Program; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota requires that agencies accepting Equity grants through DEED leverage additional non-State funds; and
WHEREAS, in addition to City general fund and other in-kind support, the Parks and Recreation Department through its Right Track program has secured over $500,000 in pledged youth wages from corporate partners for its YJ2 internships; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has a huge unmet need for meaningful early work experiences for youth; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Right Track is to connect Saint Paul youth and young adults with meaningful work experience, training and career exploration opportunities so they are prepared to thrive and prosper; and
WHEREAS, nearly 150 corporations and community partners, including City departments, work in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department to provide these work experiences for young people through Right Track; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Right Track program has a public purpose and the expenditure of funds through the promise of indemnification for the State of Minnesota during the City’s performance of the grant contract furthers that purpose; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council of Saint Paul hereby authorizes the Parks and Recreation Department to apply for youth employment grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development in an amount of up to $850,000 each year during SFY20 and SFY21 and if awarded, the appropriate city officials are authorized to enter into a grant agreement containing an indemnification clause.