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Council seeks clearer MOU metrics with Opportunity Stanislaus; discusses small‑business and workforce programs
Summary
Council members asked staff to pursue measurable outcomes and quarterly reporting in the city’s five‑year MOU with Opportunity Stanislaus (current annual investment $25,000). Staff and council discussed retail leakage analysis, SBDC outreach, Volt workforce grants and potential side letters to fund resident training grants.
Riverbank city staff and council on Tuesday reviewed priorities and potential amendments to the city’s five‑year memorandum of understanding with Opportunity Stanislaus, focusing on increased accountability, measurable outcomes and ways to benefit small downtown businesses and workforce development.
Background and programs City staff reminded council that the original five‑year agreement, approved 12/14/2021, included an annual city investment of $25,000 to support economic development strategies. Staff and council discussed services Opportunity Stanislaus can provide, including Buxton OnDemand retail leakage reports to identify where local residents shop outside the city, outreach in coordination with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), developer tours to promote industrial land, and workforce training programs such as VOLT that can be offered in English and Spanish.
Metrics and accountability Councilmembers asked that measurable results be incorporated into the MOU (for example, a minimum of one or two 'brew and build' outreach events per year and defined metrics for early warning detection of struggling businesses). Staff described a proposed approach using quarterly reports and sales tax consultant data to identify businesses that may benefit from targeted outreach. The CEO of Opportunity Stanislaus (Dave White) was referenced by staff as ready to share a draft agreement for review.
Funding uses and pilot grants Staff noted Opportunity Stanislaus offered to match half of the city’s annual $25,000 investment to create scholarships for residents to attend VOLT training programs (a $12,500 contribution could fund one larger course plus a smaller course or two smaller courses); councilmembers supported pursuing a pilot program and including measurable reporting language in the next iteration of the agreement.
