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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 26517-10-2023 ORDINANCE NO.26517-10-2023 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING FEDERAL FUND,SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $90,265.80, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE PROCESSING OF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CASES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in the Budget of the City Manager,there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund,subject to the receipt of the grant,in the amount up to$90,265.80,for the purpose of funding the processing of employment discrimination cases. SECTION 2. That should any portion,section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction,such decision,opinion or judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions,sections,or parts of sections of this ordinance,which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance 25773-09-2022 and all other ordinances and appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations,in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: CITY SECRETARY Assistant City Attorney (J Jannette S.Goodall City Secretary ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: October 17,2023 City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 10/17/23 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 23-0847 LOG NAME: 08EEOC2023 SUBJECT (ALL)Ratify Execution of a Contract with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to Process Employment Discrimination Cases for Fiscal Year 2023 and Acceptance of Funds in an Amount Up to$85,560.00,Waive Indirect Costs,and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Ratify the execution of Contract No.45310022C0045P00001 with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and accept funds in an amount up to$85,560.00; 2. Waive the transfer of indirect cost revenue due the General Fund in the estimated amount of$4,626.80;and 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund in an amount up to$90,265.80($85,560.00 from the contract plus accrued interest from contractual award funds in an amount up to$4,705.80, based on actual receipts),subject to receipt of the grant,for the processing of Employment Discrimination cases for Fiscal Year 2023. DISCUSSION: In January 1977,the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC)recognized the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission (a predecessor to the Diversity and Inclusion Department)as a local deferral agency and a Fair Employment Practice Agency(FEPA)in accordance with Section 706(c)of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972,Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,as amended. Pursuant to this section,the EEOC,prior to asserting jurisdiction over employment discrimination charges,defers such charges for resolution to a local or state agency having authority to enforce a local or state fair employment law similar to Title VII,the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. I On July 21,2023,the Diversity and Inclusion Department received Contract No.45310022C0045P00001 from the EEOC indicating that the EEOC would provide payment for 92 charges of discrimination and 40 deferrals,provide EEOC/FEPA training funds,and provide funds for a joint EEOC/FEPA innovation project occurring during the enforcement period(contract timeframe)starting October 1,2022,and ending September 30, 2023. The contract was signed on August 2,2023. Payment for work performed,training,and a joint innovation project is as follows: • Resolution of 92 charges of alleged discrimination at a cost of$830.00 per case for a total of$76,360.00; • Deferral of 40 non-jurisdictional charges of discrimination at a cost of$100.00 per case for a total of$4,000.00; • EEOC/FEPA training funds in the amount of$1,700.00;and • Funds to support a joint EEOC/FEPA innovation project in the amount of$3,500.00. The addition of up to$4,705.80 in accrued interest on contractual awards funds(the final amount of which is based upon actual receipts)brings the total to an amount up to$90,265.80. A waiver of the collection of indirect cost revenue otherwise due the General Fund is being requested.The Diversity and Inclusion Department has determined that the remission of indirect cost reimbursement to the General Fund would result in less available programming dollars,which,when compounded by yearly fluctuations in funding, unanticipated delays in the receipt of funding,the threat of federal cuts in EEOC's programming,and increasing salary and benefit costs,could jeopardize the Diversity and Inclusion Department's ability to successfully fulfill the provisions of the grant.The cost to the General Fund of the waiver is estimated at$4,626.80. The Grant is a pay for performance grant,where the amount awarded is for services previously rendered. Currently one employee's salary is paid with the funds received as part of this contract,a Human Relations Investigator,in the amount of$76,841.84. If funding ends,such as if EEOC decides to terminate the contract in the future,the affected employee will not yet have performed the services for the next contract year.There may be several options for consideration to retain high performing talent,including remaining in the function through General Funds,or the employee may have the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere,within or outside the City. A Form 1295 is not required because:This contract will be with a governmental entity,state agency or public institution of higher education: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance,funds will be available in the current operating budget,as appropriated,in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Diversity and Inclusion Department (and Financial Management Services)will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to expenditures being incurred,the Diversity and Inclusion Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a fee for service grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office by; Fernando Costa 6122 Originating Business Unit Head: Christina A. Brooks 8988 Additional Information Contact: