title
Apprentice and Disadvantaged Worker Ordinance (B)
Ordinance No. 200586
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Code of Ordinances to create a new Article XI titled "Purchasing Requirements for Certain City Construction Projects" in Chapter 2 - Administration, for the purpose of establishing requirements for certain contractors to employ apprentices and disadvantaged workers on city construction projects; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date
recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
The City Commission has previously expressed a desire to see city construction projects provide students enrolled in apprenticeship programs associated with the construction trades with the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job training performing construction work. This experience will not only allow apprentices to hone their classroom-taught work skills, making them more employable in jobs that pay, in many instances, wages well above $15/hour, it will also serve to support area apprenticeship programs and help increase the pool of available workers in an industry that is considered essential to the overall health of the local economy.
Additionally, the City Commission has previously expressed a desire to see city construction projects give local disadvantaged workers the opportunity to obtain useful work experience as well as employment in the construction industry. Gainful employment in the construction industry will not only enhance the work skills of disadvantaged workers, making them more employable in jobs that pay, in many instances, wages exceeding $15/hour, it will also serve to increase the pool of available workers in an industry that is considered essential to the overall health of the local economy.
Additional legislative history regarding this ordinance can be found in Legistar legislative files numbered 180402, 200157 and 200585.
This ordinance requires two hearings and will become effective immediately; however, to allow time for education and implementation, it will apply to solicitations for construction projects issued by the City on or after July 1, 2021.
Strategic Connection: This item is connected to Goal 4: Resilient Local Economy in the City's Strategic Plan.
fiscal note
It is unknown at this time whether, or by how much, this will increase the price of bids received by the City for construction projects.