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ITEM 5

City Council Memorandum Government Relations & Transportation Policy Memo No.

Date:

June 12, 2025

To:

Mayor and Council

Thru:

Joshua H. Wright, City Manager
Ryan Peters, Strategic Initiatives Director

From:

Raslyn Sleet, Grants Program Manager

Subject:

Resolution No. 5909 Authorizing Submittal of an Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Grant Application from St. Joseph The Worker to Ak-Chin Indian Community

Proposed Motion:

Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5909 authorizing the submittal of a $25,000 pass-through Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Grant Application from St. Joseph The Worker for its Workforce Development Program.

Background:

In 2002, a coalition of Arizona Indian tribes successfully obtained passage of Proposition 202, whereby the state was authorized to enter into gaming compacts with individual tribes. The compacts allowed for expanded tribal use of games and gaming devices as well as pari-mutuel wagering. In exchange, tribes agreed to share a portion of gaming revenues with the state and its counties, cities and towns. The law provides that 12 percent of tribal contributions pursuant to the compacts shall be contributed by Indian tribes to cities, towns and counties for government services that benefit the general public, including public safety, mitigation of gaming impacts and promotion of commerce and economic development. The Indian tribes have some discretion over how these contributions will be made, and each tribe has different application procedures that need to be observed to obtain funding. Additionally, it has become a common practice for cities to submit applications for such contributions on behalf of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are deemed to be providing government services that benefit the general public.

The City of Chandler for many years has submitted pass-through grant applications for numerous nonprofit organizations based on the interests of the city and its residents. The pass-through grant applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with some nexus with the City and its residents.

St. Joseph the Worker (The Worker) provides pathways to self-sufficiency for disadvantaged populations with employment as the foundation. This achieve this goal by providing support, resources, and tools necessary for becoming employable. Their Workforce Development Program plays a crucial role in preventing homelessness by addressing a variety of barriers that many individuals experience on their journey to employment. The program focuses on connecting clients to jobs paying at least $17/hour, offering benefits, and providing opportunities for growth within the company. This approach paves a pathway for individuals on the verge of homelessness to personal and financial stability.

The Workforce Development Program directly serves disadvantaged individuals in Chandler and throughout Maricopa County with the tools and resources necessary to secure quality employment opportunities. Last fiscal year (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024), the organization served 211 Chandler residents and employed 122. These clients earned an average wage of $17.99 per hour through their respective employers, with 86% of individuals receiving benefits. This fiscal year, Chandler residents are averaging wages of $19.45 per hour, with 95% receiving employer-provided benefits. This growth is due to an increased connection with local businesses that offer employees a livable wage and access to benefits.

Should grant funds be awarded, the organization's goal is to increase the average wages earned by their clients through employer partners by 10% and enhance their access to employer-provided benefits by strengthening partnerships with local businesses that offer livable wages and benefits.

Financial Implications:

The City, by virtue of this Resolution, is acting as a financial conduit between the Ak-Chin Indian Community and St. Joseph the Worker, and is in no way agreeing or obligating itself to monitor or report on the expenditure of any grant funding distributed to or on behalf of St. Joseph the Worker, guarantee the accuracy, completeness or truthfulness of the information set forth in the application materials prepared by the St. Joseph the Worker, supervise or take any responsibility regarding the actions or activities undertaken by the St. Joseph the Worker, or represent that St. Joseph the Worker, either has, or does not have, other sources of funding relating to the intended use of grant funding set forth in this Resolution, including funding from grant applications made on behalf of St. Joseph the Worker, to other Indian tribes. The City has up to 10 days to send the funds once received.

Attachments

St. Joseph the Worker Grant Signed Application 2025

Resolution 5909 - St Joseph the Worker - Ak-Chin Indian Community