E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

  Preliminary Minutes

  June 19, 2003

 

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board meeting was held in St. Ignace at the Quality Inn.  As a quorum was not present at 4:10 p.m., the WDB reviewed agenda items not requiring action.  Workforce Development Board Secretary Jeff Holt called the meeting to order as a committee of the whole at 4:45 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Cheryl Blue                        
Ed Boissineau              
Jill Hazel
D J Hoffman                                 
Jeff Holt                            
Carmen McLaren
Joe Halvorsen (Alt)           
Sandee Raappana              
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens

  Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Richard Barck                   
Tony Bosbous                    
Dan Burrows
Jake Campbell                  
Betty Daniels                     
Beth Gibson
David Goldthorpe              
Kathy Langhals                   
Ernie Maas
Jim Wagner                                
Dr. Donza Worden                    

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Jim Hendricks                  
Harriet Moran            
Bill Sutter
Jerry Wilson

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

Jim Hendricks, President of the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance (UPEDA), provided an informational presentation of the marketing campaign of UPEDA.  He explained that UPEDA represents all counties of the Upper Peninsula and currently has approximately 40 members.  Its mission is to promote the U.P. to businesses looking to locate in the area as well as assist companies currently located in the U.P.  He noted that individual county profiles and other information are listed on UPEDA’s website at www.superiormichigan.com.  He thanked the WDB in supporting the Alliance.

Executive Director, Gwen Worley, presented Jerry Wilson with a certificate of appreciation for all his efforts in supporting career initiatives, as his position as Career Technical Education Coordinator at the E.U.P. Intermediate School District has been eliminated.  The Workforce Development Board wanted to express their gratitude for all he has done to promote school-to-work and career prep programs.

  The minutes of the May 15, 2003, Workforce Development Board meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Jill Hazel and support by Dave Ramsay.

  The WIA Adult Dislocated Worker and Youth Budgets for PY 2003 were reviewed.  Director Worley indicated that although the WIA Comprehensive Plans were approved at last month’s meeting, the individual WIA annual budgets need approval.  The WIA Adult Program, which provides services to adults age 18 and over, has a total allocation of $546,719.  The WIA Dislocated Worker Program has a total allocation of $316,590 for PY 2003.  The WIA Youth Program, which provides services to youth ages 14-21, totals $569,169.  Additional WIA Statewide Youth Funds totaling $4,373 will be added to the WIA Youth contract and an additional $15,862 of WIA Statewide Incumbent Worker Funds will be delivered by the WIA Adult/Dislocated Worker contractor.  Director Worley also described a WIA Capacity Building and Professional Development Plan totaling $24,000, which goes directly to the Michigan Works! State Association.  Jill Hazel moved to approve the WIA Program Budgets.  Ed Boissineau supported.  Motion passed.

The Reemployment Services Initiatives Plan was described.  This plan supplements the Employment Services contract and provides services to UI Claimants who have been profiled to exhaust UI benefits prior to returning to work.  Funds for this plan total $10,424.83.  Dave Ramsay moved to approve the Reemployment Services Initiative Plan.  Jill Hazel supported.  Motion passed.

An Accessibility Assistance Grant received from the State Michigan Works! Agency was described.  Funds for this grant total $1,162 must be spent by June 30, 2003 and be used to provide accommodations for people with disabilities utilizing the One Stop.  At this time, staff is researching purchasing writing aid software and magnifying equipment for the One Stop.  Jill Hazel moved to approve the Accessibility Assistance Grant.  Dave Ramsay supported.  Motion passed.

Several informational items were reviewed.

Under new business, the renewal of the Chippewa County 1st Step Contract was discussed.  The program provides small business services and counseling in Chippewa County.  Michigan Works! contributed $1,500 of the $3,000 local sponsorship of this program last year, with renewal pending data on actual services provided.  Over the 12-month period, 76 individual counseling sessions were held.  Director Worley suggested that that the WDB consider making this payment one more year with Strategic Planning funds.  Pat Shimmens moved to renew the Chippewa County 1st Step Contract.  Ed Bossineau supported.  Motion passed.

As there was no old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. following a motion by Dave Ramsay and support by Jill Hazel.

 

 

                  Signed                                                                                               8/21/03

                                                                                                                                                               

           Jim Wagner, President                                                                   Date Approved

E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

 

 

Prepared by Kim Wilcox