Drafter
Clerk 04/21/2003
Title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the county to enter into an agreement with Fremont Public Association, allowing the county to participate in the Working Wheels program and to provide up to fifty surplus vehicles to the Working Wheels program each year.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. King County auctions off approximately two hundred fifty surplus county vehicles each year.
B. Many low-income individuals are barred from getting or keeping good jobs because these individuals lack reliable personal transportation.
C. The Working Wheels program provides low-cost vehicles to low-income workers and job-seekers residing within King County who need personal vehicles in order get or maintain employment.
D. Working Wheels clients are referred by a network of community organizations and government programs whose purpose it is to help low-income job seekers get and keep employment.
E. King County, through K.C.C. 4.56.100, Motion 10186 and other programs, has a demonstrated commitment to helping low-income citizens get out of poverty by providing them with training, support services and job placement assistance.
F. The Office of Port JOBS, a nonprofit corporation, has worked with the Washington state Department of Employment Security to create the Working Wheels program.
G. Working Wheels is operated by the Fremont Public Association, a nonprofit community-based organization.
H. The Fremont Public Association was selected to operate Working Wheels through an open, competitive request for qualifications (RFQ) process conducted by the Office of Port JOBS.
I. Working Wheels has already sold over seventy-five vehicles to qualified low-income applicants.
J. The council determines, pursuant to K.C.C. 4.56.100A.2 and 9, that the unique circumstances delineated above make a negotiated direct sale of surplus vehicles to the Fremont Public Association for the Working Wheels program, as bona fide nonprofit organizations providing services to the poor and infirm, to be in the best interests of the public.
SECTION 2. The executive is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement on behalf of the King County with Fremont Public Association whereby the county shall transfer up to fifty surplus vehicles each year to Fremont Public Association for use in the Working Wheels program. In exchange, Fremont Public Association shall provide the following valuable consideration to the county: reconditioning these vehicles for use in the Working Wheels program; screening program applicants and determining their eligibility; providing program participants with financial management and other necessary training; indemnification to King County and vehicle liability insurance; and assuming all responsibilities for transferring these vehicles to qualified low-income King County residents who need private automobiles either to get or keep employment. King County may also negotiate to sell vehicles to Fremont Public Association for use in the Working Wheels program for a mutually agreeable price. The number of vehicles distributed by Working Wheels to eligible low-income King County residents each year shall at least equal the number of vehicles provided to Working Wheels by King County and the city of Seattle.
SECTION 3. Fremont Public Association and the Office of Port JOBS shall furnish a report to the metropolitan King County council annually, during the first quarter
of each year for the preceding calendar year, describing the outcomes of the Working Wheels program.