WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WDB)

Of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties

Meeting Minutes

Broome Center                                    

4119 N. Saginaw Street

Flint, MI  48505

Friday, March 28, 2008

8:23 a.m.

 

 

PRESENT:    Augustine Agho, Marlene Nichol (for Ed Donovan), Lewis Driskell, Erik Eastman, William Churchill, Jr., Robert Hardy, Cheryl Gifford, Jimmy King, Lawrence Moon, Vera Perry, Mary Sumpter, Willie W. Middlebrooks, Norwood Jewell (for Duane Zuckschwerdt), Khalil Saab, Cunesha Sanders, Rene McMann (for Gary Smith) and Randy Rauch (for Sheryl Thompson).

 

ABSENT:  Alan Hartter (excused), Suzanne Howell (excused), Kevin J. Keane (excused), David Miller (excused), Jerry Ragsdale (excused)

 

STAFF PRESENT:    Craig Coney, Sherry Adair-Goble, Helen Brown, Tammy Irving, Richard Curtis, Peggy Kendrick, Eunita Mixon-Wingfield, Carol Piesko, Sharon Bowen and William Hetchler.

OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Goodstein

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Jimmy King called meeting to order at 8:23 a.m.

II.                PUBLIC COMMENTS:  None  

III.             ACTION ITEMS

A.     Approval of WDB minutes of February 22, 2008:  A motion was made to accept the minutes as written, by Mr. Lawrence Moon and supported by Ms. Mary Sumpter.

MOTION PASSED

 

A.     Approval of WDB Resolution-WDB Resolution required by state of Michigan and must be renewed every three years.  This resolution would be effective 2008-2011.  Motion was made by Mr. Moon to table the resolution in order to answer all questions relative to resolution relationship that was raised by the state.  Mr. Moon stated that it is necessary to make sure that the relationship is in compliance as defined by the state.  Motion was supported by Ms. Vera Perry.

MOTION TABLED

 

B.     Motion to dissolve CEO Search Committee - A motion was made by Ms. Perry to dissolve the CEO Search Committee.    Mr. Moon reported that the process had been successfully completed.  The State approved the process.  The allocated budget was $15,000.00.  The expenditures were well below budget ($8,000.00-$9,000.00) Mr. Moon will provide expenditure list to the Board Members.  It was also suggested that the overall process be documented and made available for future reference.  The motion was approved simultaneously by Mr. Moon and Mr. Lewis Driskell.  Ms. Perry expressed her thanks to the Search Committee Members.  CEO Search Committee is hereby dissolved.

MOTION PASSED

 

                       

IV.              UPDATES

A.     EAG UPDATE:  Mr. Fred Stanley (who replaces Gary Tower) stated that he along with Mr. Brian Pyles and Ms. Sherry Bradish  are in the process of developing a new 5-year long-range plan.  This new plan is in effect beginning April 1, 2008.  The Tech Prep and Perkins is to deliver services to the local districts through an allocation and reimbursement process.  The Mid Year Review process was positive and has been very successful.  The GRCC employer education and training connection is working with 15 of the 21 county districts.  Thanks to the Chamber for their organization.

 

B.     MDLEG Rehabilitation Services:  No update at this time. 

 

C.     JOB CORPS PRESENTATION:  Ms. Cunesha Sanders presented a 7-minute video, which shows the process and services available at Job Corps.  They are celebrating their 10-year anniversary and are ranked 23 out of 122 facilities.  They have also partnered with Schools of Choice. Their 10th anniversary celebration will be held April 24, 2008.  The VIP Council Luncheon will be 11:00am to 1:00pm as stated in your flyer.

 

D.    Department of Human Services: Looking forward to working with Ms. Booker.  Great urgency to focus on JET:  Genesee is behind in participation rate.  Genesee County is 17% and state requires 50%.  This rate must be met by September.  It will change the funding amounts if the participation rate is not met by the deadline.

 

V.                 INTERIM PRESIDENT’S UPDATE: 

·        Mr. Craig Coney stated that a key issue at Director’s Council was DHS and DLEG to refine the details of the working process for Wayne County and Genesee County in regards to the reporting system for the Work First (JET) Program.  MRS Participants are a part of this program, but may not always be counted towards the work participation rate.

 

·        There is a problem with some employers accessing the Michigan Talent bank that are not legitimate employers. The security system is being updated to eliminate fraudulent access. 

 

·        State of Michigan will be requesting 19 million dollars, due to the state of emergency in the job market caused by Michigan’s dependence on the Auto Industry. It was a hard hit for Genesee and Shiawassee County.  GMSPO is pulling some things back in house. 

 

·        20 Million dollar national emergency Grant being requested due to high unemployment rate.  We are in crisis mode.

 

·        Bureau of Workforce Programs and Career Education of DLEG are combining to become the Bureau of Workforce Transformation.  The new director is Liza Olson.

 

·        CAI has a reputation as an agency for the unemployed and poor, but it is in reality a universal agency for all people. This is evidenced by the variety of zip codes of people entering the one stop.  Mr. Coney will provide the zip code report at the next meeting.

 

·        CAI has 2 resignations:  Kim Garth, Custodian is moving to Tennessee.  Nichole Taylor, Assistant VP, has accepted a position at Job Corps.

 

·        Microsoft Grant completed 3-31-08.  It was very successful, resulting in establishing the computer lab.

 

·        Shiawassee County Chamber,  Economic Development, Baker and Mott, met on the 24th.  There was a presentation to advise the Shiawassee community about the Business Solutions partnership so they can decide if they wish to be a part of it.  The same was done with the Genesee County Economic Development.

 

·        Genesee Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee met to present the initiatives currently available at the State level to support and build Genesee County. The head of Economic Development for the State of Michigan, Jim Epilito was the presenter.

 

·        CAI Policy and Performance Department has received recognition from the Department of Health and Human Services for participating and partnering to create a new online toolkit made up of templates, examples and resources for innovative programs to assist individuals with programs such as the TANF Program.   Helps cities assist special populations such as substance abuse, mental health, prisoner re-entry programs, recent immigrants and individuals with learning disabilities.

 

·        Attended a press conference at the Genesee County Food Bank.  Mr. Brian Norman, of Ameritech. is in charge of outreach.  There will be some technology jobs opening up in the future and they wish to partner with Career Alliance.  There will be some grants opening up in the future with Ameritech, which may be accessible to Career Alliance.

 

·        Attended the mentoring meeting with Disability Network and MRS to look at opportunities for individuals with disabilities that can have a mentoring opportunity.  Many of those individuals have been hired as a result of this exposure.

 

·        Was recently contacted by a European Company, similar to Orbitz in regards to establishing a site here.  This would create 125 new jobs with a starting rate of $12.50 to $15.00  per hour.  This lead was turned over to the Economic Development Department.  They are looking at two sites in Michigan, one of which is Genesee County.

 

·        We are advertising available office space on our website.

 

·        The unemployment rate for Genesee County is 9.5 % and Shiawassee County is 9.3%.

 

·        Thank you for your attentiveness.  Ms. Alicia Booker’s Mother passed away two days ago in Virginia.  Please keep Ms. Booker and her family in your thoughts.

 

 

VI.              CHAIR’S UPDATE: Mr. King thanks Mr. Coney for a job well done as Interim President and CEO.   Each member was thanked for their attentiveness, realizes that there has been a lot of action items and information this morning.  Ms. Perry questioned whether Career Alliance and the WDB would be sending flowers to Ms. Booker’s family during their time of bereavement.  Mr. Coney stated that that is not an allowable cost and anything that is sent would have to be independent of Career Alliance, or on an individual basis.

 

Mr. Moon questioned meeting the requirement for certification of the board.  He stated that we were lacking appointments from Shiawassee County, City of Flint and is not sure if all the Genesee County appointments were filled.  He stated that our funding status can be affected as a result of these vacancies and the Board could be out of compliance.  Ms. Margaret McAvoy, Shiawassee County Administrator, addressed the status of the Shiawassee vacancies and stated that she had three appointments (as required) for the two vacancies.  Genesee County is believed to be complete; however, there is a question of a conflict as stated in the LEO agreement regarding Mr. Jerry Ragsdale.  Mr. Ragsdale also sits on the GISD Board and we are investigating whether this can be construed as a conflict of interest.

 

Mr. King will contact Mr. Daryl Buchanan, City of Flint Administrator, and see what can be done about the City of Flint appointments.  Our Board must be certified and meet the requirements to be certified.  Mr. Moon clarified that it is not the fault of the Career Alliance staff in the vacancies; they have done all they can do to secure the appointments.  It is now up to the board.

 

Mr. Bob Hardy wishes to receive financial information to review.   Ms. Perry will follow through to meet this request.

 

VII.           NEXT MEETING DATE:  Friday, April 25, 2008.

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT:  A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Willie Middlebrooks and supported by Mr. Randy Rauch. 

MOTION PASSED

 

IX.       MEETING ADJORNED at 9:12 am.

 

 

                                                                                    Kevin J. Keane

____________________________________
Kevin J. Keane

Secretary

                        04/25/08

Date:  ______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Equal opportunity/employer.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”