E.U.P.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board meeting was held in Sault Ste. Marie at Studebaker’s Restaurant. Workforce Development Board President, Jim Wagner, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Workforce
Development Board Members Present:
Richard
Barck
Cheryl Blue
Ed Boissineau
Tony Bosbous
Betty Daniels
Beth Gibson
David Goldthorpe
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Kathy Langhals
Ernie Maas
Joe Halvorsen (Alt)
Sandee Raappana
Pat Shimmens
Jim Wagner
Workforce
Development Board Members Absent:
Dan
Burrows
Jake Campbell
D J Hoffman
Carmen McLaren
Dave Ramsay
Dr. Donza Worden
Bold names denote private sector.
Guests
Present:
Sue
Camp
Jeanne Donovan
Staff
Present:
Gwen
Worley
Debbie Connolly
Kim Wilcox
There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.
The minutes of the June 19, 2003, Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Jeff Holt and support by Pat Shimmens. It was indicated that the approval of these minutes ratifies the June 19 actions of the Committee of the Whole.
The Welfare Reform Plan for Fiscal Year 2004 was reviewed. Director Worley indicated that the program design of this plan did not change significantly from previous years. The total allocation of this plan is $519,320. Northern Transitions is the subcontractor of the Work First Program. Director Worley mentioned that a portion of the funding may be rescinded in the future but was unsure at this time if this would occur. Tony Bosbous moved to approve the Welfare Reform Plan. Beth Gibson supported. Motion passed.
The Michigan Works! Service Center Operation Grant was described. This grant will provide funding for renovation, equipment purchases and operational costs of the Service Center. This plan has a total allocation of $40,000. Jeff Holt moved to approve the Service Center Grant. Richard Barck supported. Motion passed.
The Food Assistance Employment and Training Program and Supportive Services Plans were described. Northern Transitions is the subcontractor of this program. The total funds available for operating the Food Assistance Plan are $10,266 which includes a $1,000 allocation for Supportive Services. Jill Hazel moved to approve the Food Assistance Employment and Training Program Plan. Pat Shimmens supported. Motion passed. Betty Daniels moved to approve the Food Assistance Employment and Training Supportive Services Plan. Jeff Holt supported. Motion passed.
An amendment to the nepotism policy was reviewed. Director Worley indicated that an additional sentence is necessary stating that no individual may be placed in an employment activity if the immediate family will be supervising that individual. Although this has been the general practice, the State is requiring that it be included in the policy. Betty Daniels moved to approve the nepotism policy with this addition. Tony Bosbous supported. Motion passed.
Director Worley described two pilot Career Preparation Activities being planned—Career Showcases and Career Expos. Career Showcases have been scheduled for Tuesday Evenings on October 7, 14, and 21 in which parents and students will register to visit employers in a field trip approach to learn about careers available in a specific career pathway. All career pathways will be represented and will be piloted in the Sault Ste. Marie area. The costs for this program are low but may require funds to cover printing costs. The Sault Ste. Marie Area Chamber of Commerce will provide a portion of the required funds. Michigan Works! could cover some of the additional costs with funds from the Strategic Plan. Jeff Holt moved to approve financial support of up to $1,500 to assist in Career Showcase costs. Pat Shimmens supported. Motion passed.
The other pilot program is Career Expos in which 8th graders will register with a specific Career Pathway and will visit a host site to learn career awareness in the specific pathway of choice. War Memorial Hospital will be the host site covering all pathways on November 4 for Sault Ste. Marie Area School students and outlying schools will be invited to attend another Expo on March 16. Director Worley indicated that transportation costs may need to be funded but was not able to provide an estimate of costs at this time. She will provide an estimate of requested transportation funds prior to the November 4 Expo.
Several informational items were reviewed.
It
was mentioned that the Michigan Works! Annual Conference is being held in Grand
Rapids on September 21-23. Generally,
the Administrative Board has approved travel for two staff members, two
Workforce Development Board Members, and two Administrative Board Members to
attend this Conference. It was the
understanding of the Director that the State will cover the costs of the
Workforce Investment Board Members, Jeff Holt and Pat Shimmens.
At this time, Jim Wagner, Jill Hazel, Beth Gibson, and Ernie Maas have
expressed interest in attending and will review their calendars to determine if
they are able to attend.
Director Worley also mentioned that the Consortium has received a request to contribute $300 towards a joint sponsorship of the annual conference which would come from Strategic Planning Funds. Richard Barck moved to contribute $300 to this sponsorship. Jeff Holt supported. Motion passed.
Jim
Wagner described the Memory Walk to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on September 13.
Pledges received from this two-mile walk will benefit the Alzheimer’s
Association.
As
there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. following a
motion by Jeff Holt and support from Kathy Langhals.
Signed
10/16/03
Jim Wagner, President
Date Approved
E.U.P.
Workforce Development Board
Prepared
by Kim Wilcox.