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10   <br />  <br /> <br /> <br />  <br />REPORT: STRATEGIC ACTION TEAM: GROWING OPPORTUNITY <br />IMPLEMENTATION PLAN <br /> <br />Strategic Action Team: Growing O pportunity Implementation Plan <br /> <br />Mr. Engel and Ms. Lee presented to Council. Ms. Lee reviewed the Strategic Action Team <br />(SAT) report, which included an overview of the workforce climate in Charlottesville, seven <br />major barriers to employment for low-income C ity residents, and recommendations from the <br />team on how these barriers can be addressed in order to put resident s on a path to self- <br />sufficiency. Additionally, the SA T made several overarching, hi gher impact recommendations <br />not tied to any barri er in particular. <br /> <br />Ms. Galvin asked if anyone on the ABRT te am has workforce development experience. <br />Mr. Murphy said he can share the full ABRT list with Council. Ms. Lee said Ms. Barbara <br />Kessler has joined the ABRT team. <br /> <br />Ms. Galvin said it is important to get perspective from memb ers of the neighborhoods <br />targeted in the various projects. Ms. Lee said staff will work to do this. <br /> <br />Mr. Engel spoke about adding a citizen position. Mr. Norris a nd Ms. Szakos agreed that <br />citizen representation is important. <br /> <br />Mr. Mike Murphy said staff is studying peer-to-peer networks and will bring a report to <br />Council on the Needs Assessment in March. Ms. Lee said once the needs assessment is <br />completed, staff will fill the citizen representati ve position. Mr. Engel said staff will present <br />names to Council for o fficial appointment. <br /> <br />Mr. Engel said Council flagged the overa rching recommendation on the Downtown <br />Satellite Center as a priority. This will not supplant the services of the Workforce enter on <br />Hydraulic Road. <br /> <br />Ms. Smith asked staff to come back to Council for clarity on the role of the satellite office <br />so they can ensure the $150,000 is leading to the results and information Council seeks. <br /> <br />Mr. Norris said there was a brief discussion regarding easing barrier s to ex-felons. Other <br />states have adopted a "Ban the Box" policy, wher e positions are open to any applicant regardless <br />of criminal history. Ms. Szakos said criminal history goal two a lludes to that. Mr. Murphy said it <br />is our Human Resources Department does not believ e this is a good option fo r us at this time. <br />However, staff is working to provide additional training for hi ring managers about what our <br />policies are and evaluating applicants based on th eir merits instead of whether the box gets <br />checked. Mr. Jones said no decisions have been made by Human Resources on a "Ban the Box" <br />policy at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Norris said he wants the public to be aware of the date for the Economic Summit on <br />Skilled Trades Jobs on December 10 at the Carver Recreation Center beginning around 8:30 a.m. <br />