WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WDB)

Of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties

Meeting Minutes

Sylvester Broome Jr. Center

4119 N. Saginaw Street

Flint, MI 48505

Friday, September 26, 2003

8:00 a.m.

PRESENT: Michael Zelley, Barry Bomier, Tom Brian, Howard Bryant, Mark Stevens for Denise Chambers, Lewis Driskell, Erik Eastman, Larry Ford, Gary Gosaynie, Margaret Gulick, Ryan Hammond, Robert Hardy, Suzanne Howell, Ivan Love, David Miller, Edith Prunty-Spencer, Khalil Saab, Barb VanTol, George Wingfield, Jr., and Cal Wright

STAFF PRESENT: Pamela Loving, Alicia Booker, QB Pittman, Sharon Bowen, Craig Coney, John Rhymes, Tanesha Malone, William Hetchler, Nichole Abdul-Aziz, Niki Theeuwes, Lila Lipscomb, Margaret Broden, Peggy Kendrick, Debbie Rose, Kim Etheridge, James Robinson, Carol Piesko, Eunita Mixon, Helen Brown, Melody Relerford, Lou Lethbridge, Sherry Goble, Koya Clemons, John Meloy and Jamie White

OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Goodstein and Andre Hatter

I. Meeting called to order at 8:09 a.m.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None

III. ACTION ITEMS:

A. Approval of WDB Minutes of May 30, 2003: A motion to approve the minutes of May 30, 2003 was made by Mr. Gary Gosaynie and seconded by Ms. Edith Prunty-Spencer.

MOTION PASSED

B. Approval of WDB Minutes of August 22, 2003: Approval of the August 22, 2003 minutes was moved by Mr. Gosaynie and seconded by Ms. Prunty-Spencer.

MOTION PASSED

C. EAG Recommendations: A motion was made by Mr. Gary Gosaynie to approve the following appointments to the EAG:

Ms. Marsha Lyttle to replace Ms. Carol Vaughn
Ms. Sharon Ganssley to replace Ms. Pam Harkema

Mr. Ryan Hammond to replace Mr. Walker Evans

Ms. Linda Roeser alternate for Mr. Larry Ford

Ms. Lori Johnson alternate for Brian Pyles

Ms. Lori Johnson alternate for Sharon Ganssley

Mr. Terance Lunger alternate for Dr. Jan Amsterburg

Ms. Lisa Siegel alternate for Mr. John Hagel

Ms. Carol Vaughn alternate for Ms. Marsha Lyttle

The motion was supported by Mr. Larry Ford.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Gary Tower stated that he reviewed the recommendations for the replacements and alternates and that they make good sense. Mr. Ford moved that a letter from Mr. Michael Zelley and Ms. Pamela Loving be sent to the members who resigned, thanking them for their term on the WDB. Motion supported by Mr. Khalil Saab.

MOTION PASSED

IV. PRESENTATIONS:

A. Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve: Mr. Bob Howald, Consulatant & Former Dean of Continuing Education for Mott Community College gave a presentation outlining the needed support for the members of the National Guard and Reservists who may be in danger of losing their employment if called to serve overseas. Mr. Barry Bomier moved that such a letter from the Workforce Development Board be sent to Mr. Bob Howald. Supported by Mr. Cal Wright.

MOTION PASSED

Ms. Alicia Booker gave a service provider update. The WIA program began July 1 and the first quarter is functioning very well. The summer youth program is over and approximately 800 young people were served. The Workfirst service providers are entering, on October 1^st, the second year of the approved two-year contracts awarded last year.

B. ISUS Dayton: Ms. Loving introduced Ms. Ann Higdon, President of ISUS Dayton. Mr. Zelley requested each board member introduce him/her self. Ms. Higdon gave background information on how her ISUS Dayton was started and how it functions now. A slide show presentation was shown. Ms. Loving stated that two houses on Buick Street were given by Dan Kildee, Genesee County Treasurer. Ms. Higdon was invited to give a presentation to Rotary at noon. Mr. Michael Fernandes asked what incentives are given to the students. Ms. Higdon stated that it is totally voluntary.

V. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - UPDATES:

A. Shiawassee Subcommittee: Mr. Gosaynie invited everyone to see the Career Alliance Inc. office in Owosso. He stated that the subcommittee meeting was well attended by service providers. There was a discussion of matters of local interest.

B. Economic & Community Development Initiative: Mr. Bomier stated that everything was covered earlier.

C. EAG Update: Mr. Towers gave an update on their first meeting on Monday. He shared with EAG members the updated new software for educational development planning. There are a number of local districts looking for youth programs. The State still hasn’t decided how they are going to distribute the funding. There is a reduction in Perkins funding. The next meeting will be December 4 in Shiawassee County.

D. Family Independence Agency Update: Mr. Mark Stevens reported for Denise Chambers. He discussed the priority schools project in which three elementary schools were chosen. The project has been up and running in Washington Elementary School since August 2^nd. Durant Tuuri Mott begins next week and Byrant Elementary by next month. The pilot program to station FIA staff in three schools has made it more convenient for parents to see their caseworker and it also give teachers a convenient person to go to if they see a problem with the family or the child. He added that ISUS will fit very well.

E. Michigan Department of Career Development Rehabilitation Services Update was given by Ms. Sue Howell. The Department of Career Development was eliminated on September 17, 2003. WIA, Adult Education and more is now part of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Their fiscal year ends September 30^th. She stated that they are happy to continue the mentoring program in association with Career Alliance Inc. and the Chamber of Commerce.

VI. PRESIDENT’S UPDATE: Ms. Loving gave an update on the progress of Northpointe Village.

VII. CHAIR’S UPDATE: Mr. Zelley stated the Govenor is going through significant review of the workforce system. He mentioned the outstanding stories about Flint and the need to get that message out.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 a.m.

Signed

_____________________________

Ms. Katie Wolf

Secretary, Workforce Development Board

10/24/03

Date: _________________________