WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WDB)

Of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties

Meeting Minutes

Broome Center

4119 N. Saginaw Street

Flint, MI 48505

Friday, September 28, 2007

8:09 a.m.

PRESENT: Michael Zelley, Marilyn Allor, Harry Blecker, Lewis Driskell, Erik Eastman, Cheryl Gifford, Margaret Gulick, Robert Hardy, Suzanne Howell, Ivan Love, Willie W. Middlebrooks, David Miller, Lawrence E. Moon, Vera Perry, Cheryl Peterson, Cunesha Sanders, Mary Sumpter, Sheryl Thompson

ABSENT: Edward Donovan, Alan Hartter (excused), Kevin Keane (excused), Jimmy King (excused), Jerry Ragsdale (excused), Khalil Saab (excused), Gary Smith (excused)

STAFF PRESENT: Craig Coney, John Rhymes, Sharon Bowen, Nichole Taylor, Carol Piesko, Tanesha Malone, Peggy Kendrick, Kim Etheridge, Debbie Rose, Helen Brown, Janet Haggard, Tammy Wren, Martres Brown, Tammy Irving, Daphne Epps, Eunita Mixon-Wingfield, Ashley Latchinson

OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Goodstein

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. Michael Zelley called meeting to order at 8:09 a.m. Item IV (Pam Loving negotiations & pay status) has been deleted from the Agenda as it was explained in the CAI Meeting.

II. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

III. ACTION ITEMS

A. Approval of WDB Minutes of June 29, 2007: A motion to approve the minutes of June 29, 2007 was made by Mr. Blecker and supported by Ms. Gulick.

MOTION PASSED

B. Approval of WDB Minutes of August 24, 2007: A motion to approve the minutes of August 24, 2007, was made by Mr. Driskell and supported by Mr. Miller.

MOTION PASSED

C. Recommendations for JET (Work First) Allocations for Program Year 2007 – 2008: Mr. Blecker asked Ms. Peggy Kendrick , Director of Policy and Performance Department, to present recommendations for funding the JET Allocations for Program Year 2007-2008. She stated that this is the second year of the two-year Request for Proposal for TANF funds. She stressed that the amounts are pending approval of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth’s state budget. She stated also that a draft is usually received by this time and since the state has not made a decision, CAI did not want to hold up their normal process. She stated that once actual allocations are received, it would be brought back to the WDB. A motion was made to accept recommendations by Ms. Allor and supported by Mr. Miller. Mr. Love and Ms. Perry abstained.

MOTION PASSED

Ms. Kendrick outlined recommendations for Food Assistance Funding Allocation for Program Year 2007-2008. A motion was made to accept recommendations for Food Assistance Funding by Ms. Allor and supported by Mr. Hardy. Ms. Perry abstained.

MOTION PASSED

D. Recommendations for Monitoring Program Allocations for Program Year 2007 – 2008: Mr. Blecker presented the monitoring recommendations for Program Year 2007-2008. A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and supported by Mr. Miller.

MOTION PASSED

E. Approval of application to Mott Foundation for support of CPA Firm and CEO Search Firm: Mott Foundation wants to assist with acquiring the CPA Firm and CEO Search Firm. A motion for a letter of application to be sent to the Mott Foundation was made by Mr. Blecker and supported by Mr. Eastman.

MOTION PASSED

IV. INTERIM PRESIDENT’S UPDATES: Mr. Craig Coney stated that a Request for Proposal was sent out to hire a CPA firm. He stated that we are looking for a temporary CFO or Controller that would be hired on a contractual basis. He stated that a couple of names were presented and it would be temporary since they would like to wait until a permanent CEO is in place so that they can hire the permanent CFO. He stated that a portion of the third floor of CAI has been repaired and they had three bids and Sorenson and Gross was awarded the contract. He stated that Ms. Shirley Eichenberg is at CAI and will be working with the staff for four days to assist in cost allocation. She is a state and nationally recognized trainer and was procured through the Michigan Works system. Mr. Coney gave an update on cost savings. He stated that the parking lot lease has been cancelled; security staff has been reduced, facility supplies have been reduced as well as advertising. CAI staff has been asked to cut cost where they can. He stated that they are working closely with the county controller’s office. He mentioned the Flint Journal’s article on the Share Network Access Point Initiative that CAI oversees. He discussed the Genesee and Shiawassee job fair facilitated by Employment Services and Mott Community College. He mentioned the collaboration with Channel 25 and the Jobs of the Day.

V. CHAIR’S UPDATE: Mr. Zelley stated that each board member has a new Conflict of Interest Form and is asked to return today or at the next board meeting. He stated that there is another meeting with DLEG auditors and monitors next Wednesday. He stated that each of the 27 items have been identified and progress has been made. He discussed the CEO search team and asked them to get on the fast track to review job descriptions.

Ms. Gulick asked that the unresolved issues get resolved rapidly because CAI is at risk as long as they remained unresolved. She stated that she did not vote in favor of the auditor and that she still has concerns.

VI. NEXT MEETING DATE: October 26, 2007

VII. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Zelley adjourned meeting at 8:35 a.m.

Lewis Drisekll

________________________________

Mr. Lewis Driskell

Vice-Chair, Workforce Development Board

Date: 10/28/07

“Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services

are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”