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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WDB)
of Genesee and
Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2007
8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Jimmy King, Kevin J. Keane, Lewis Driskell, Khalil Saab, Jerry
Ragsdale, Vera Perry,
ABSENT: Erik Eastman (excused), Margaret Gulick (excused), Alan Hartter (excused), Willie W. Middlebrooks (excused), David Miller (excused), Cheryl Peterson (excused) and Gary Smith (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Craig Coney, Kim Etheridge, Helen Brown, Tammy Irving, John Rhymes, Carol Piesko, Pam Beebe, Tammy Wren, Sharon Bowen, Richard Curtis, Debbie Rose, Peggy Kendrick, Tanesha Malone, Nichole Taylor and Eunita Mixon-Wingfield
OTHERS PRESENT: Abner Tansil and Mike Gaffney
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Jimmy King called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. He requested a motion to add to the agenda a Work First action item. A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Keane and supported by Mr. Robert Hardy to amend the agenda for this item.
MOTION
PASSED
II.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Kerry Nelson, representing the 3rd
Ward City of Flint, Dr. Lee Bell, Z-92.7 Radio Station, Lindsay Cuba,
representing My Brother’s Keeper, ZeQueena Mosley, student at Mott Adult,
Nayyrah Shariff, citizen, Willie Duncan, President AARP Chapter, Quincy Murphy,
citizen, James Blair and Sam Moore, representing Oak Park, Dorinda Collins,
representing the Flint African American Quilters and Brenda Clack, State
Representative, all expressed their concerns regarding the possible closing of
the Broome Center. They were each open
for ideas on how the
III. ACTION ITEMS
A. Approval of WDB Minutes of October 26, 2007: A motion to approve the minutes of October 26, 2007 was made by Mr. Jerry Ragsdale and supported by Ms. Mary Sumpter
MOTION PASSED
B. Election of Vice Chair of the Workforce Development Board: Mr. King opened the floor for the nomination of Vice Chair. A motion was made to re-elect Mr. Lewis Driskell as Vice Chair by Mr. Hardy and supported by Mr. Ragsdale.
MOTION PASSED
C.
Election of
Treasurer of the Workforce Development Board:
Mr. King opened the floor for nomination of Treasurer. A motion was made to elect Ms. Vera Perry as
Treasurer by Mr. Kevin Keane and supported by Mr. Khalil Saab.
MOTION PASSED
D. Approval of 2007-2008 WDB Budget: Mr. King introduced Mr. Mike Gaffney of Abraham and Gaffney, CPA Firm. Mr. Gaffney was hired to assist in developing a budget for Career Alliance, Inc. for July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Mr. Gaffney worked closely with Debbie Rose, Fiscal Manager and Shirley Eichenberg who is a consultant. Mr. Gaffney presented the proposed budget and pointed out cuts that had been made including travel costs and credit card charges as well as the reduction in security staff. There were also reductions in facility and cell phone costs. Ms. Cheryl Gifford requested a copy of last year’s revenue as compared to what was presented. Mr. Coney stated that a copy of last year’s budget will be emailed to each Board member. Mr. King emphasized the importance of getting a budget on the table. Mr. Lawrence Moon made a motion to approve the budget and support was by Mr. Driskell. Ms. Perry expressed concern regarding the timeliness in receiving the budget without having an appropriate time to review it.
MOTION PASSED
E. Work First: Ms. Peggy Kendrick gave an update of the Work First Recommendations. She stated that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) is at a standstill and they gave the Michigan Works Agencies a contingency plan. She stated that over a million dollars had to be cut and Policy Issuance 07-20 only gave CAI spending authority on a monthly basis. A motion to accept the Work First allocation was made by Mr. Ragsdale and supported by Mr. Moon.
MOTION PASSED
Food Assistance: Ms. Kendrick stated that there is a cut in the Food Assistance program as well. A motion to accept the Food Assistance allocation was made by Mr. Keane and supported by Ms. Sheryl Thompson.
MOTION
PASSED
IV.
UPDATES
a. CEO Search Committee: Mr. Moon gave an update on the CEO search. He stated that an RFQ (request for quote) for a search firm was sent out and they will be meeting on November 29th and will notify Board members of the firm that is selected.
b. MDLEG Rehabilitation Services: Ms. Howell stated that all programs are operating fully and they are proceeding without delay with the JET program.
c. Department of Human Services: Ms. Thompson had no update.
V. INTERIM PRESIDENT’S UPDATE: Mr. Coney discussed the trade program and the Channel 25 Jobs of the Day collaboration. He discussed the meetings with our union regarding the changes taking place. Davison Churches are offering to help job seekers in a SHARE program for individuals who are unable to come in to our service centers. CAI received a resignation from Diane Ward, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Coney also discussed the monitoring issues resolution and the assistance of Ms. Margaret McAvoy, Mr. George Martine and staff person Eunita Mixon-Wingfield.
VI. CHAIR’S UPDATE: Mr. King stated that they are still working on resolving the State’s findings and will be meeting on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and everyone is pulling together to get through these issues.
VII. NEXT MEETING DATE: Friday, January 25, 2008
VIII. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
Kevin
J. Keane
____________________________________
Mr. Kevin J. Keane
Secretary
Date: January 25, 2008
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