Workforce
Development Board (WDB)
Of
Genesee and Shiawassee Counties
Meeting Minutes
Sylvester Broome Jr. Center
4119 North Saginaw Street
Flint, MI
48505
Friday, October 25, 2002
8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Michael Zelley, Barry Bomier, Walker Evans, Cheryl Gifford, Margaret Gulick, Jimmy King, Suzanne Howell, Diane Travis, George Wingfield, Katie Wolf, Larry Ford, Khalil Saab, Barbara VanTol, Edith Prunty-Spencer, Gary Gosaynie, Harry Blecker, Denise Chambers, David Miller, Gary Smith, Lewis Driskell
STAFF PRESENT: Alicia
Johnson, QB Pittman, Sharon Bowen, Craig Coney, Tanesha Malone, William
Hetchler, Lila Lipscomb, Debbie Rose, Kimberly Etheridge, Charmeeka Lee, Koya
Clemons, Sherry Goble, Helen Brown, Peggy Kendrick, Eunita Mixon, Margaret
Broden
OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Goodstein
I.
Meeting called
to order at 8:09 a.m.
II.
PUBLIC
COMMENT: None
III.
ACTION ITEM:
A.
Approval of
WDB minutes of July 19, 2002: A motion was made by Mr. Gary Gosaynie to accept
the WDB minutes as they were mailed and supported by Mr. David Miller.
MOTION PASSED
B.
Education
Advisory Group (EAG) Appointments: A motion
was made by Mr. Harry Blecker to add the following appointments to the
EAG. Gary Tower, of Genesee
Intermediate School District, to replace John Olson, Suzanne Howell of Michigan
Rehabilitation Services to replace Carl Monroe, Elizabeth Leonard, Superintendent
of the Linden Schools District to replace Thomas Riutta, Dr. Felix Chow,
Superintendent of the Flint Community Schools to replace Ruddy Collins and
Walker Evans as a representative of Job Corps.
The motion is also to add the following individuals to the alternate
list, John Potbury as Larry P. Ford’s alternate, Cathy Stevens as Brian Pyles
alternate and Wanda Stallworth as Larry Ford Jr.’s alternate. The motion was supported by Mr. Larry Ford.
MOTION PASSED
IV.
DEMONSTRATION: Mr. Michael Zelley introduced Ms.
Julie Myron from State Services for the Hearing Impaired (SSHI). Ms. Myron discussed a relay system that is
being developed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing that will have
someone over the internet sign them via two-way camera.
V.
SUBCOMMITTEE
REPORTS:
A.
Budget
& Finance: Ms. Edith
Prunty-Spencer discussed a letter that was received from Sharon Walker, State
Coordinator, Office of Workforce Development in which CAI was complimented on
their record keeping. A memo was
received from Brent McClure from the United States Department of Labor-OIG, WIA
Compilation and Review in which he complimented CAI on their professionalism
and cooperation throughout his visit and that the local board was one of the
more organized boards he has visited.
Ms. Prunty-Spencer gave a budget update and stated that progress has
been made to be fiscally responsible.
B.
Shiawassee
County Subcommittee: Mr. Gary
Gosaynie pointed out the meeting minutes from Shiawassee Subcommittee held on
Friday, October 18, 2002 was in the board packet. Mr. Gosaynie thanked Ms. Diane Travis for her participation. Ms. Pamela Loving asked Ms. Margaret Gulick
to speak on the Quality of Life. Ms.
Gulick discussed the Quality of Life Complete Community Assessment by Dr. Robin
Widgery. They met and reported on
initiatives to make connections in the community. She thanked Ms. Sharon Bowen and Ms. Loving for presenting the
Teen Spirit Program.
C. MDCD Rehabilitation Services Update: Ms. Suzanne Howell stated that relative to the State retirements in which the last round will be effective October 31st. The territory has been reconfigured and Genesee will be adding five counties. Shiawassee County will be moved under the jurisdiction of the Lansing District office. She stated that the grouping will consist of Genesee, St. Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer and Bay Counties.
D.
Family
Independence Agency (FIA) Update: Ms. Denise
Chambers stated that they are losing the last of their retirees on November 1,
2002. She stated that Mr. Doug Williams
will be the Acting Director in Ingham County effective November 1, 2002. The State has a budget deficit and
approximately 5% will be cut which will cancel the ability to do emergency
services. The ban on drug testing ban
for adults without children was lifted. An appeal will probably be filed. Clinton and Shiawassee counties were paired
but now Shiawassee stands alone.
E.
Bureau
of Workers & Unemployment Compensation Update: Ms. Diane Travis stated that the Saginaw
office will be open effective November 7, 2002 and plan to have nine employees
in that office. She stated that these
employees will not be taking claims because a claims by mail system will be
implemented. If more information is
needed a person would have to call an 800 number to receive information about
his/her claim. She announced that she will be managing the Adrian/Canton
office. She complimented CAI on its
professionalism and productivity.
VI.
PRESIDENT’S
UPDATE: Ms. Pamela Loving thanked Ms. Travis for recognizing CAI staff. CAI was visited by 25 Africans from Nova
Scotia who heard about the work being done at CAI. She mentioned the parking issue at CAI and the possibility of
turning Mott Community College’s Automotive Center into a parking lot. There is
also the possibility of expanding the parking lot at the Broome Center. She and several staff members were going to
Dayton, Ohio on Monday and Tuesday to visit a similar home-owned zone
project. She introduced Motivating the
Teen Spirit Project and presented Ms. Lisa Nicols to address the board and
explain her organization. Mr. Coney
talked about new suppliers coming into the area. Mr. Ford discussed the collaboration with CAI and the Chamber and
the success they are having working together.
VII.
CHAIRPERSON’S
REPORT: Mr. Zelley thanked Ms. Diane Travis for her warm
comments. He stated that the Disability
Council Michigan Works is doing a statewide conference. He talked about the Disability Network
awards luncheon at which the speaker was President Bush’s new appointee for the
Office of Disability Policy, Dr. W. Roy Grizzard. Mr. Zelley discussed the possible implementation of the system
navigator and how will it be funded. A
motion was made by Mr. Gary Gosaynie to have the Executive Committee work with
staff to put together a financial plan on what we can do and report back to the
WDB. Motion supported by Ms.
Prunty-Spencer.
MOTION PASSED
VIII.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
________SIGNED__________________________
Ms. Katie Wolf
Secretary,
Workforce Development Board
Date: ____12-6-02____________________