RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-866

A resolution encouraging the creation of a Green Jobs Corps in Nashville and Davidson County.

WHEREAS, the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County recognizes that high and rising energy prices cause great economic and social harm to our residents, and to the quality of life in our county; and

WHEREAS, a Green Jobs Corps program focusing on clean energy and energy efficient projects in the areas of commercial, residential, public sector, mass transit, transportation, and water infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions, and save Nashville and Davidson County millions of dollars worth of utility bills; and

WHEREAS, on April 16, 2009, a Green Jobs Corps or “Green Jobs Training Program” as a pathway to a green economy was an over-arching recommendation of Mayor Karl Dean’s Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability, and complements the goals of Governor Phil Bredesen’s Task Force on Energy Policy, the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, and the National Association of Counties’ Green Government Initiative; and

WHEREAS, piloting a Green Jobs Corps would create long-term, sustainable capacity in Nashville and Davidson County to reduce energy consumption, support equitable and environmentally sustainable economic growth and enhance environmental quality in Nashville and Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, the green jobs sector (this also includes the clean and renewable energy sector) can provide pathways out of poverty for young adults with barriers to employment, create a qualified, trained workforce in Nashville and Davidson County, support the growth and success of local green businesses and contractors, and provide opportunities for minority businesses; and

WHEREAS, the Green Jobs Corps and related services in the green economy should aim to target and recruit people from “economically distressed” communities that are experiencing conditions affecting their economic viability and self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the eligible participants for the Green Jobs Corps should include, but not be limited to, people with barriers to employment such as unemployed veterans, the unemployed and underemployed, disconnected youth as well as dislocated and displaced workers from distressed communities, the homeless and transitional housing residents, formerly incarcerated persons, high school drop-outs, residents qualifying for assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Head Start, services provided by the Social Services Commission, and eligible participants under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program; and

WHEREAS, funding for a Green Jobs Corps may come from state programs and other federal programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other applicable funds and/or grants; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County promoting a greater public understanding of the advantages of green jobs, and encouraging job-training organizations and labor unions to partner with employers and contractors that specialize in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects underscores the importance of this issue while securing a path toward action and implementation; and

WHEREAS, a Green Jobs Corps and related jobs in the green sector should promote local hiring, and be in compliance with the labor standards and equity principles outlined in the Office of Management Budget’s Section 1.6 “Updated Implementing Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” (Issued on April 3, 2009).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting a Green Jobs Corps or green jobs training program that provides pathways to a green economy and prepares people with barriers to employment for family-supporting, career-track jobs in the green economy.

Section 2. That the Mayor’s Office, along with appropriate Metropolitan Government Departments, participate in further work with key stakeholders including the Green-Collar Jobs Task Force of Nashville and Davidson County (comprised of community-based organizations, job training programs, labor unions and environmental educators), Nashville Career Advancement Center, appropriate educational and training institutions, and the green business sector to support the creation of a Green Jobs Corps or related green worker training program.

Section 3. That creation of a Green Jobs Corps or related green worker training program include developing a marketing plan, seeking funding opportunities, including funds available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, researching economic growth potential in additional green industries, identifying future workforce needs, training and credentialing pathways, developing placement strategies to identify available positions and help mach workers with jobs, and researching options for formalizing the partnership with all stakeholders;

Section 4. That, to the extent permitted by law and practicable, in using Recovery Act and other funds, in designing a Green Jobs Corps or related green worker training program, stakeholders will consider:
Ensuring long-term public benefits, optimization of economic and programmatic goals
Promoting local hiring
Providing maximum practicable opportunities to people with barriers to employment and from economically distressed communities
Providing maximum practicable opportunities for small business
Providing maximum practicable opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
Involving communities and community-based organizations in developing and enacting the program
Evaluating the program’s effectiveness in successfully recruiting people with barriers to employment, capturing the benefits of the emerging green economy, and enhancing environmental quality in Nashville and Davidson County.

Sponsored by: Erik Cole, Erica Gilmore, Bo Mitchell, Edith Taylor Langster, Pam Murray, Mike Jameson, Ronnie Steine, Lonnell Matthews, Bruce Stanley, Jerry Maynard, Frank Harrison, Walter Hunt, Darren Jernigan, Rip Ryman, Jim Forkum, Karen Bennett, Michael Craddock, Jim Gotto, Carl Burch, Phil Claiborne, Anna Page, Sandra Moore Kristine LaLonde, Greg Adkins, Sean McGuire. Jason Holleman, Emily Evans, Buddy Baker, Vivian Wilhoite, Parker Toler, Sam Coleman, Carter Todd, Tim Garrett, Megan Barry

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Personnel Committee
Introduced:	July 21, 2009
Adopted:	July 21, 2009
Approved:	July 23, 2009
By: