WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
(WDB)
Of
Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Michael Zelley, Mark Stevens for Denise Chambers, Erik
Eastman, Cheryl Gifford, Robert Hardy, Suzanne Howell, Kevin Keane, Jimmy King,
Ivan Love, Willie W. Middlebrooks, David Miller, Marlene Nicol, Khalil Saab,
William Delcamp for Gary Smith, Benjie Williams, George Wingfield, and Peggy
Garikes for Katie Wolf
STAFF
PRESENT: Pamela Loving, QB Pittman, Craig Coney, Sharon
Bowen, Tanesha Malone, Margaret Broden, Debbie Rose, James Robinson, Eunita
Mixon-Wingfield, Helen Brown, Peggy Kendrick, Koya Clemons, Carol Piesko,
Candice Miller, Vicki Zamora and John Rhymes, Katherine Horton, Edythe Brown,
Chrisele Green, Nancy Osipo Peera, Janet Haggard, John Howell, Niki Theeuwes
and David White
OTHERS
PRESENT: Peter Goodstein
I.
Meeting
called to order at
Mr. Zelley introduced the new
Genesee County Controller, George Martini, replacing Lenny Smorch.
Ms. Pamela Loving stated she was
appointed to a high priority committee with the Michigan Opportunity Work Plan
and will have to leave the board meeting early and that Mr. QB Pittman will be
sitting in her place.
Resignation letters were received
from Ms. Barbara VanTol and Mr. Barry Bomier.
Ms. Cheryl Peterson has been appointed by the Shiawassee County Board of
Commissioners to replace Mr. Gary Gosaynie who resigned.
II.
PUBLIC
COMMENT: None
III.
ACTION ITEM:
A.
Approval of WDB
Minutes of
MOTION PASSED
B.
A motion to receive the Audit for
MOTION PASSED
Mr. Love asked to be notified of
the next Budget and Finance Sub-Committee Meeting. His name will be added to the Subcommittee.
IV. PRESENTATIONS:
A.
USDOL Veterans Employment & Training Program - Mr. Dennis Opoka, Program Specialist, gave a
brief overview of his office at the USDOL and that they offer vital information
and education to people entering and/or returning from the military. They are not a part of Veterans
Administration but they do offer direct service to veterans.
B.
WIA & Work First Updates: Mr. Michael
Fernandes, CEO of Human Investment & Development Corp., commented that a
major concern with the participants is transportation. He presented Craig Wilson, a client, who
shared his success story.
V.
Subcommittee
Updates
A.
Shiawassee Sub-Committee: Peggy Garikes reported for Ms.
Katie Wolf. She announced the resignation
of board members Barbara VanTol and Gary Gosaynie. She stated that FIA’s name has been changed
to the Department of Human Services.
B.
EAG Update: Mr. Gary Tower reported that the House and
Senate ignored the President’s recommendation to eliminate Career Technical
Education. For
C.
MDLEG Rehabilitation Services Update: Ms. Sue
Howell reported on a Pilot program of MRS and Human Services for those with
disabilities in
D.
FIA Update: Mr. Mark Stevens for Denise Chambers stated
there was no report.
E.
Amistad Updates: Mr. John Rhymes stated the Flint Public
Library received a National Award presented to them by Mrs. Laura Bush. Martres Brown, Communications Director for
the Teen Empowerment Commission presented excerpts from the Dr. King “I Have a
Dream” speech. CAI received a grant from
the Ruth Mott Foundation in the amount of $54,820 to implement a dance program
in the Amistad program.
VI.
President’s Update: Mr. Pittman reported for Ms.
Loving. He gave an overview of the
Governor’s visit. The re-authorization
for WIA is still in process and a model called WIA Plus is being considered. This model would combine the Adult,
Dislocated Worker, ES and possibly the Youth funding. TANF is also in reauthorization. We were told that our funding would remain at
the same level as last year with a possible increase. The union contract has been ratified for
three years. MRS will be moving into the
space vacated by the Unemployment Office.
Mr. Pittman recognized and thanked our security staff, City Security,
and Craig Coney for their quick response of 4 minutes during a break-in last
week. We met with ES, Chamber and MRS to
put together a plan to fulfill our part of the 30,000 jobs and contact with
35,000 new employers the governor wants by the end of the year.
VII.
Chair’s Update:
Mr. Zelley recognized the following
staff: Peggy Kendrick, Katherine Horton,
and David White for their years of service.
As it relates to the WIA reauthorization, the Bush administration has
proposed Block Granting.
Mr. Love asked that we not support the Faith Based
Initiative feeling it would possibly be discriminatory. Mr. Zelley tabled the motion to be researched
by the Executive Committee.
VIII.
Meeting
adjourned at
Signed
___________________________________
Ms. Katie Wolf
Secretary,
Workforce Development Board
Date:
____________________