To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Agreement Related to the Emergence of the Offshore Wind (OSW) Industry in Humboldt County
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and review the Memorandum of Agreement, on behalf of the County of Humboldt, with CROWLEY WIND SERVICES, LLC supporting Economic Development and Workforce planning activities and studies to help advance programs and services (attachment 1) and direct staff accordingly.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Development Department Workforce Investment Opportunity Act Additional (WIOA) Assistance Grant; Economic Development (1120), Workforce Development Fund (1120-287150)
DISCUSSION:
On May 24, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed staff to engage with local community partners to explore and vet opportunities and obligations surrounding the development of local supply chains and the preparedness of the workforce for offshore wind.
On March 14, 2023, the Board approved the formation of two separate ad hoc committees to work with staff and community stakeholders on matters related to offshore wind and to work with workforce partners and wind developers to explore opportunities and
needs surrounding a workforce and supply chain community benefit agreement. Through this direction a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (Attachment 1) has been developed between the County of Humboldt and the proposed port developer, Crowley Wind Services LLC.
The MOA reflects the parties’ shared goals of investing in regional economic and workforce development planning to create a strong foundation for the sustainable and equitable growth of offshore wind and related industries, through a mutual commitment to cooperate and partner with the region’s existing related activities.
In addition, the MOA reflects a goal to provide future funding support for county economic development and workforce planning. Through these coordinated efforts the analysis and planning endeavors, supported by the California Development Department WIOA Additional Assistance Grant, will be bolstered by further collaborative planning initiatives and supportive analysis, which is required to create robust strategies, notably the County Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and the HC-WDB Local and Regional Plans.
Moreover, this MOA represents a shared objective to cultivate strong partnerships, recognizing that economic and workforce growth thrive on collaboration and necessitates the inclusion and representation of diverse organizations, government agencies, and populations to achieve genuine success.
During discussions with Crowley additional language had been explored. However, staff determined that proper community engagement would be necessary to gain consensus on any additional issues to be added to the base agreement. Therefore, staff recommends that your Board receive and review this base agreement and provide staff with any additional insight or guidance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact associated to approval of the MOA with CROWLEY WIND SERVICES, LLC as this is an agreement for the parties to collaborate on grant activities covered by the California Development Department WIOA Assistance Grant.
STAFFING IMPACT:
This will not increase staff levels.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework.
Core Roles: Support business, workforce development and creation of private-sector jobs, Strengthen climate change resiliency.
New Initiatives: Facilitate public/private partnerships to solve problems.
Strategic Plan: 3.1 - Improve the economy of Humboldt County
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve this agenda item. This alternative is not recommended as the activities conducted support the efforts of the Humboldt Workforce Development Board as well as those of your Board as defined in Resolution 22-140 adopted by your Board Nov. 29, 2022, relating to proactive efforts to ensure that offshore wind development occur in a sustainable manner, to maximize environmental and economic benefits to the region, and to minimize or mitigate unavoidable impacts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Agreement between the County of Humboldt and Crowley Wind Services LLC.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.:D-12; D-1; I-2
Meeting of: May 24, 2022; Nov. 29, 2022; March 14, 2023
File No.: 22-615; 22-1584; 23-236