Item Description:
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Request subsequent designation of the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Area and submission of letter of intent to MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development; designate representative of Hennepin County in its capacity as Chief Elected Official of the local area
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Hennepin County requests subsequent designation of the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Area as required by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; and that the county’s Chief Elected Official designee be authorized to sign the letter of intent to the State of Minnesota on behalf of the County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Commissioner Irene Fernando remain the designated representative of Hennepin County in its capacity as Chief Elected Official (“Chief Elected Official designee”) of the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Area.
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Background:
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (“WIOA” or the “Act”) is implemented through local workforce development areas. WIOA identifies certain responsibilities for the “Chief Elected Official” of local government in a local workforce development area. Where an area is comprised of multiple units of local government, the entities may by agreement designate their respective roles.
The suburban Hennepin and Carver County areas together comprise a local workforce development area and have executed a Joint Powers Agreement outlining the terms of their cooperation (JPA between Hennepin and Carver Counties dated October 18, 2018, Contract No. A188954). This Joint Powers Agreement states that Hennepin County shall be the designated Chief Elected Official for the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Area.
The Chief Elected Official and the Workforce Development Board have responsibilities outlined under WIOA (20 CFR 679) and subsequently described in an Operating Agreement between the Hennepin County Board and the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board (Agrmt No. A199586).
As Chief Elected Official (CEO), the county has the following responsibilities: Authorize and establish the Workforce Development Board (WDB); appoint members of the WDB; review and approve bylaws; set policy directions for the local area and the WDB; approve the budget of the WDB; review and approve the proposed local plan; review and approve the WDB’s designation of the One Stop Operator Agreement.
The Local Workforce Development Board is responsible for: Coordinating activities with the CEO; providing strategic and operational oversight in collaboration with partners; assisting in the achievement of the state and regional strategic vision and goals outlined in the state plan; maximizing and continuing to improve the quality of services, customer satisfaction, and effectiveness of services.
The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) requires subsequent designation of local workforce development areas. Each local workforce development area must submit a letter to the Commissioner of DEED to request subsequent designation in order to remain a local workforce development area for purposes of the Act. The letter must be signed by the Chief Elected Official and the Workforce Development Board Chair.
The designation of Hennepin-Carver as a Workforce Development Area allows the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board to carry out its responsibilities as outlined in WIOA.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval