REPORT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Worker Cooperative Program
Report
BACKGROUND
Worker Cooperatives are values-driven businesses that put worker and community benefit at the core of their purpose, meaning worker members at worker cooperatives participate in the profits, oversight, and often management of the business using democratic practices. The City adopted Resolution No. 20-8823 in support of Worker Cooperatives in March 2020 and over the Summer of 2020 entered into a contract with Project Equity to conduct a Business Landscape Analysis to help the City understand the risk to business retention among established companies, the potential future impact on jobs, business tax base, priority industry sectors, and economic development goals.
The City also contracted with Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) in December 2020. DAWI is an important partner in this initiative works closely with Project Equity to help educate our businesses on available resources and help the City build a sustainable Worker Cooperative program. To help fulfill its scope of work, DAWI is utilizing its partners at Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), which provide essential legal tools - education, research, advice, and advocacy - that support resilience and grassroots economic empowerment, and the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC), the national membership organization for worker cooperatives, which has trained its members to act as ambassadors and advisors to share their experiences and tools with those businesses contemplating worker ownership.
At the January 26, 2021 Council meeting, Project Equity presented the findings from its Business Landscape Analysis, which was conducted to help the City understand the risk to business retention among established companies, potential future impact on jobs, business tax base, and priority industry sectors, and economic development goals.
In February 2021, the City began conducting educational and outreach events, in addition to target marketing to reach our business community and inform them about this business model.
DISCUSSION
Staff will provide a verbal update on the Worker Cooperative Program including the educational and outreach events that have taken place, the response from the business community, and next steps.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the Committee and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Economic Development, Communications, and Marketing Committee agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file this report on the Worker Cooperative Program.
Staff
Reviewed by: Robyn Sahid, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager