HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6 - Acceptance of Grant Funds for American Public Works Assocation (APWA) Sponsored Public Works Internships
Department Name: Public Works
Cost Center: 5010
For Agenda of: April 7, 2020
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Jennifer Rice, Transportation Planner/Engineer III
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FOR AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS
ASSOCIATION (APWA) SPONSORED PUBLIC WORKS INTERNSHIPS
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve of Transportation staff’s preparation and submission of a scholarship/grant
application for student interns; and
2. Accept grant funds in the amount of $6,000 from the APWA California Central Coast
Chapter; and
3. Adopt the draft Resolution to accept the grant funds and authorize the Finance Director to
make the necessary budget adjustments upon the award of the grant; and
4. Expend the grant funds and hire interns consistent with COVID-19 restrictions.
DISCUSSION
The APWA California Central Coast Chapter was established in 1968 with the purpose to share
and promote the practice of Public Works within the community. As part of that mission, the
APWA Central Coast Chapter annually awards scholarships and sponsors internships to local
students interested in a career in Public Works with the goal of placing engineering students
with cities, counties, districts or private firms to gain valuable work experience.
The City of San Luis Obispo Transportation Program has historically had internship
opportunities and typically has one to two student interns assisting the division throughout the
year. In the past the internship positions were paid positions, however since 2018 these
internships have been volunteer positions.
In November 2019, the APWA Central Coast Chapter sent out requests for proposals from
agencies and firms interested in being sponsored for paid internship position. The City of San
Luis Obispo Transportation Program applied for sponsorship of student interns.
At its February Board of Director’s Meeting the APWA Central Coast Chapter voted to award
two $3,000 scholarships for student interns to the City. Eligible applicants for the internship must
be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student with a GPA of 2.5 or better and must be willing
upon completion of the internship to prepare a short video or write up reflecting on the
internship.
Item 6
Packet Page 49
This is an excellent opportunity to provide a scholarship to dedicated and enthusiastic student
interns who demonstrate a passion for public works. Typical duties of the intern position are as
follows:
• Performing field survey work
• Generating base maps drawings to be used for design purposes
• Inspection and documentation of the City’s signing and striping
• Photographing and documenting site conditions
• Assistance to the Transportation Division staff with documentation and reporting
• Performing various studies, including speed surveys, sight distance studies, and red curb
determination diagrams
If Council determines to accept these grant funds, hiring of the positions would only occur at an
appropriate time when the City is not under the current emergency conditions brought on by
COVID-19.
Policy Context
The recommended actions are consistent with the City’s Financial Management Manual, Section
740 - Grant Management Policy. The policy states that Council will approve all grant
applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution to the City
Manager.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the April 7, 2020, City Council meeting and will follow all
required postings and notifications. The public may have an opportunity to comment on this
item at or before the meeting.
CONCURRENCE
The Human Resource and Finance Department concurs with the staff recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this
report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2020-21
Funding Identified:
Item 6
Packet Page 50
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund
State
Federal
Fees
Other: Grant $- $6,000 $- $-
Total $- $6,000 $- $-
The fiscal impact for the acceptance of the grant/scholarship funds is positive as it provides an
outside source of funding to assist in the implementation of the Transportation Planning and
Engineering Division work program.
Once the student interns work up to the hours that reach the $6,000 limit, the scholarship will be
complete, and the interns will have the option to continue working in a volunteer capacity. The
Transportation Division currently has two volunteer interns that will be eligible to receive these
scholarship funds. If either intern position becomes vacant, hiring of subsequent interns will be
subject to COVID-19 personnel restrictions.
The hourly pay for the Transportation internship position is based on the established rate of a
Supplemental Employee Intern I. Currently, an Intern I pay ranges from $13.00 to $15.68 per
hour. This equates to approximately 200-230 available paid hours.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not accept the grant funding. Staff does not recommend either of these options as the intern
positions provide a valuable service to the Engineering Division in performing necessary tasks at
a relatively low cost as discussed in this report.
Attachments:
a - APWA Agency Award Letter
b - Draft Resolution
Item 6
Packet Page 51
February 21, 2020
Subject: Scholarship Award to Fund Internships for Engineering Students
Dear Mr. Wong:
Congratulations! The City of San Luis Obispo Transportation Division has been selected to receive two
$3,000 scholarships to fund public works internships for two students pursuing a career in engineering.
The American Public Works Association’s Central Coast Chapter annually sponsors internships for worthy
students interested in a career in public works. The Chapter serves as liaison between students and
public works agencies/firms willing to hire interns during the summer or school semester. Our goal is to
place engineering students with cities, counties, districts or private firms working on public projects to give
students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and create an awareness of careers available
in public works.
We are pleased to be able to provide this award to the City of San Luis Obispo. Student interns will be
selected in a collaborative effort between the City of San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast Chapter.
Eligible applicants for the internship must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student with a GPA of
2.5 or better and must be willing upon completion of the internship to prepare a short video or write up
reflecting on the internship.
Thank you for your support of our local students! We look forward to a mutually beneficial internship
program. Contact Jennifer Rice via jrice@slocity.org or at (805) 781-7058 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Aimee Snyder
Central Coast APWA Chapter President
Item 6
Packet Page 52
R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2020 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
WORKS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER INTERNSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
WHEREAS, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Central Coast Chapter
annually awards sponsorships for local student internships in the field of public works; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo Transportation Division offers two student
volunteer internships; and
WHEREAS, the APWA Central Coast Chapter awarded the City of San Luis Obispo a
scholarship to fund internships in the Transportation Division; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
that:
SECTION 1. The City of San Luis Obispo City Council accepts the AWPA Central Coast
Internship Scholarship award.
Item 6
Packet Page 53
Resolution No. _____ (2020 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 2. City Council authorizes the City’s Finance Director to make the necessary
budget adjustments upon the award of the grant.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2020.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, on _______________________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
Item 6
Packet Page 54