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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WDB)

Of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties

Meeting Minutes

Sarvis Conference Center

1231 E. Kearsley Street

Flint, MI  48503

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

10:15 a.m.

 

PRESENT:  Michael Zelley, Harry Blecker, Denise Chambers, Lewis Driskell, Margaret Gulick, Suzanne Howell, Kevin Keane, Jimmy King, Ivan Love, Darlene Middlebrooks, David Miller, Marlene Nicol, Cheryl Peterson, Khalil Saab, Gary Smith, George Wingfield, Katie Wolf

ABSENT:  Erick Eastman, Larry Ford, Cheryl Gifford (excused), Tom Gilbertson (excused), Robert Hardy, Edith Prunty-Spencer (excused), Robert Roth (excused), Mary Sumpter (excused), Benjie Williams (excused)

 

STAFF PRESENT:  Pamela Loving, QB Pittman, John Rhymes, Sharon Bowen, Craig Coney, Lila Lipscomb, Carol Piesko, Tanesha Malone, Peggy Kendrick, Bill Hetchler, Debbie Rose, Koya Murphy, Kim Etheridge, Helen Brown, Tammie Wren, Michelle Buckner, Eunita Mixon-Wingfield, Candice Miller, Marilyn Manning, Brandie Pettit, Ashley Latchison, Edythe Brown, Prudence Eskridge, Kelly Fry, John Howell, Nancy Osipo-Peera

OTHERS PRESENT:  Peter Goodstein and Brian Pyles

 

I.                   Meeting called to order at 10:12 a.m.

II.                PUBLIC COMMENT:  None

 

III.             ACTION ITEMS:

 

A.     Election of Officers for 2005:  Mr. Khalil Saab, Nominating Committee presented the following Nominations:

Chair:                    J. Michael Zelley
Vice Chair            Lewis Driskell

Treasurer:            Jimmy King

Secretary:             Katie Wolf

He nominated the four individuals and repeated three times.  A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Keane and supported by Mr. David Miller.

 

B.     Approval of WDB Minutes of October 28, 2005:  A motion to approve the minutes of October 28, 2005, was made by Mr. Ivan Love and supported by Mr. George Wingfield.

MOTION PASSED

Ms. Denise Chambers indicated that the minutes should reflect the Department of Health and Human Services is not a Work First Provider or a service provider, they refer customers to service providers.  Mr. Zelley stated that the Disability Caucus location was inaccurate and the minutes should reflect that it was held at the state capital.

C.     Appointment of EAG Alternate:  A motion was made to approve Ms. Kim I Warren as alternate for Mr. Khalil Saab.  A motion was made by Mr. Love and supported by Mr. Miller.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Zelley presented retiring member, Mr. Wingfield with a plaque for service to the WDB.  Due to their absence, the WDB will present Ms. Edith Prunty-Spencer and Mr. Tom Gilbertson’s awards at a later date.

IV.              PRESENTATION:

A.     Customized Employment Update:  Ms. Carol Piesko gave a background of Customized Works and presented an update on the grant and staff’s involvement.  She introduced Agle Enterprises and they gave a presentation.

V.                 SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES:

 

A.     EAG Update:  Mr. Brian Pyles gave an update for Gary Tower.  A group of teachers were sent to the National Tech Prep Conference.  He stated they were working on high school reform.  Information will be sent to Ms. Loving, he requested that Ms. Loving forward this to the board once the packet is completed.

B.     MDLEG Rehabilitation Update:  Ms. Sue Howell reported that the Partnership Forum hosted by Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan Commission for the Blind was held at the end of October.  She stated the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry program is moving toward collaboration with the Goodwill Industries.  They are engaging in employer focus groups.  She stated that the anticipated move date is by the end of January 2006.

 

C.     Department of Human Services Update:  Ms. Denise Chambers discussed the employment rate, Safe Sleep Project and anticipated staff reduction.  She stated they received federal recognition for food stamp accuracy of 98%, national average is 94%.  She discussed the Genesee Scholar Program.  Mr. Zelley inquired about the DHS workers in the schools.  Ms. Chambers responded it is still ongoing at Washington, Bryant and Durrant Tuuri Mott.  Ms. Loving asked about the Mott Foundation Poverty Study.  Ms. Chambers stated that the study was done by the University of Michigan and outlined what the study entailed.

VI.              PRESIDENT’S UPDATE:  Ms. Loving stated that two CAI staff had met with inmates to inform them of the services available as a part of the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Program.   She discussed the Delphi Initiative.  She announced the 22nd Amistad graduation.  Career Alliance received $25,000 from United Parcel Service Foundation for the Project Great Literacy Program.  She discussed the Durant Hotel Project. 

CHAIR’S UPDATE:  Mr. Zelley stated a schedule for upcoming board meetings was in the board packet.  Shiawassee County board meeting is scheduled for December 1st.  The Executive Committee will be meeting to look at renewing Ms. Loving’s contract.  He announced the next meeting will be held on January 27 2006.

VII.           Meeting adjourned at 11:24 a.m.

 

           

Katie Wolf

_________________________________

Ms. Katie Wolf

Secretary, Workforce Development Board

                                                            Date:   01/27/06