E.U.P.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Preliminary
Minutes
December 4, 2003
The E.U.P.
Workforce Development Board meeting was held in Sault Ste. Marie at the
Michigan Works! Service Center. Workforce
Development Board President, Jim Wagner, called the meeting to order at 5:10
p.m.
Workforce
Development Board Members Present:
Daniels,
Betty
Hazel, Jill
Hoffman, D J
Holt, Jeff
Langhals, Kathy
Maas,
Ernie
McLaren, Carmen
Halvorsen,
Joe (Alt)
Raappana, Sandee
Shimmens, Pat
Wagner,
Jim
Workforce
Development Board Members Absent:
Barck,
Richard
Blue, Cheryl
Boissineau
, Ed
Bosbous, Tony
Burrows, Dan
Campbell
, Jake
Gibson,
Beth
Goldthorpe, David
Ramsay,
Dave
Bold names denote private sector.
Guests
Present:
Boger,
Carol
Connolly, Debbie
Preli, Vic
Staff
Present:
Marion,
Larry
Wilcox, Kim
Worley, Gwen
Workforce
Development Board Members toured the newly renovated Michigan Works! Service
Center.
There
was no public comment addressed at this meeting.
The
minutes of the October 16, 2003, Workforce Development Board meeting were
approved as submitted following a motion by Jeff Holt and support by Pat
Shimmens.
Workforce
Development Board Members presented Debbie Connolly, former Deputy
Director/Chief Fiscal Officer, a certificate of recognition to honor her 26
years of service with the Agency.
The renewal of the Luce County 1st
Step Contract was discussed. This
program provides small business services and counseling in Luce County.
Michigan Works! contributed $1,500 to assist in this program last year,
with renewal pending data on actual services provided.
This contract appears to be successful in the last year as an average of
five individuals received counseling services each month and four new businesses
have opened in Luce County. As the
WDB recently renewed the 1st Step Contracts with Mackinac and Luce
Counties, Director Worley recommended that the WDB renew this Contract for one
more year using Strategic Planning funds. Jeff
Holt moved to renew the Luce County 1st Step Contract.
Kathy Langhals supported. Motion
passed.
Director
Worley described a draft policy issuance regarding fee-for-service activities.
This draft would allow one stop service centers to provide enhanced
services for employers, such as reference and criminal history checks, at a cost
to the employer. Studies indicate
that providing fee-for-services can improve services to all clients. It was highlighted that the one stop has to be careful in
keeping fee-for- services activities separate from the basic free services.
As the WDB may wish to consider this option in the future, a committee
was formed to explore this option. Committee
members include Ernie Maas, Carmen McLaren, Jill Hazel, Betty Daniels, and Jim
Wagner. Ernie Maas, as committee chair, will update the WDB on
findings.
Several
informational items were reviewed.
Director
Worley mentioned that she has received information of a possible Welfare-to-Work
Rescission. The rescission would
most like be effective on January 2004 and will affect unexpended funds.
Director Worley urged members to contact legislators of this concern of
possible reduction in WTW funds.
Workforce
Development Board Members with terms expiring at the end of the year were
reminded to submit their applications as soon as possible for reappointment by
the Administrative Board.
It
was mentioned that the Election of the Workforce Development Board Officers will
be held at the January meeting. Current
officers include Jim Wagner (President), Tony Bosbous (Vice President), Jill
Hazel (Treasurer), and Jeff Holt (Secretary).
As
there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. following a
motion by Jeff Holt and support by Jill Hazel.
Signed
1/15/04
Jim Wagner, President
Date Approved
E.U.P.
Workforce Development Board
Prepared
by Kim Wilcox
