Fiscal Note
No city appropriation is required with acceptance of the Community Development Division’s Day Jobs Report. City costs associated with a possible day jobs program will be included in future operating and capital budgets subject to Common Council approval.
Title
Accepting the Community Development Division Day Jobs Report
Body
Summary
In January of 2017, the Common Council adopted resolution RES-17-00039 declaring Madison’s intent to investigate day jobs as an alternative for panhandlers and those in need and directed Community Development Staff to prepare a related report. The attached Day Jobs Report includes describes the findings of national and local research into day jobs programs and their effectiveness. It also identifies local needs associated with a possible day jobs program, national best practices related to such programs, and offers advice with respect to the structure of a day jobs program should the Common Council choose to pursue one.
Body
WHEREAS substitute resolution RES-17-00039 adopted by the Common Council in January of 2017 declared Madison’s intent to investigate day jobs as an alternative for panhandlers and those in need; and
WHEREAS the resolution directed Community Development Division staff to investigate Albuquerque, New Mexico’s “There’s A Better Way Campaign” and similar programs in other cities; and
WHEREAS Community Development Division staff was directed to prepare a comprehensive report and strategic implementation plan for a similar program in the City of Madison to provide day jobs and other supports to panhandlers and those in need; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison previously adopted broad restrictions to panhandling near ATMs, doorways, sidewalk cafes, and intersections, were determined to be unconstitutional and unenforceable; and,
WHEREAS, Community Development staff undertook a comprehensive day jobs-focused research process that included a specific focus on four noteworthy day jobs programs in four different U.S. cities and both local field interviews and facilitated focus group discussions; and
WHEREAS, Community Development Division staff completed the comprehensive Day Jobs Report, including key findings and suggestions, as directed by the Common Council; and
WHEREAS, the Day Jobs Report describes the findings of both national and local research into day jobs programs and their effectiveness; and
WHERAS the Day Jobs Report also identifies local needs associated with a possible day jobs program in Madison, national best practices associated with such programs, and offers advice should the Common Council choose to pursue a day jobs program;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the Common Council accepts the Community Development Division’s Day Jobs Report.