E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes

July 12, 2007

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board Meeting was held at Studebaker’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie.  Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Kevin Ayotte
Carol Boger
Tony Bosbous
Shirley Farnquist
Henry Guzzo
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Carmen Pittenger
Valerie Povey
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Susan Sliger
Ken Smith
John Ufer

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Lynn Beard
Gary Deuman
Aaron Hopper
Kathy Langhals
Barb Weber
David Weber

Bold names denote Private Sector.

Guests Present:

Ed DeTour
Pete Everson
Bill Sutter

Staff Present:

Carol Murray
David Murray
Kim Wilcox
Gwen Worley

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the June 14, 2007 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Valerie Povey and support by John Ufer.

Director Worley described the plans for Program Year 2007:  Capacity Building Grant, WIA Adult, WIA Dislocated Worker, WIA Youth, WIA Youth Statewide Activity (High Concentration Youth), and WIA Incumbent Worker Plans.  It was noted that the plans were written following draft policy issuances.  Director Worley does not anticipate any changes when the policies become official.

The Capacity Building and Professional Development Plan totals $24,000. Director Worley indicated that administrative funds total $480 and the remaining $23,520 reverts directly to the Michigan Works! Association to provide services to all of the Michigan Works! Agencies in the State.

The PY 2007 WIA Adult Program allocation totals $470,402.  With an estimated carry in of approximately $54,000 from PY 2006, the total funds available are $524,402.

The PY 2007 WIA Dislocated Worker Program allocation totals $417,339.  With an estimated carry in of approximately $28,500 from PY 2006, the total funds available are $445,839.

The WIA Youth Program totals $490,374.  It has been estimated that approximately $94,500 will be carried in from PY 2006.  The total funds available for PY 2007 for the WIA Youth Program totals $584,874.

The funds for the Statewide High Concentration Youth Plan totals $2,876.  This funding will be added to the WIA Youth contract and will be used to provide services to approximately two participants.

The WIA Incumbent Worker totals $26,388 and provides training to employees currently employed to upgrade skills.

Director Worley indicated that the WIA programs are subcontracted with Consolidated Community School Services.

Tony Bosbous moved to approve all of the PY 2007 Plans as presented.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Pete Everson, Superintendent of the E.U.P. Intermediate School District , provided a presentation of the history and services offered to the schools in the district.  He mentioned that the ISD is funded through grants and local taxes.  Two potential millage requests were also described for special education and vocational-technical education.  These requests may be on the next ballot.

Dave Murray presented a plan summary and budget of the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative.  This plan provides services for the entire Upper Peninsula and requires approval from the EUP Workforce Development Board.  Funding for the operation of this plan begins October 1.  At this time, the plan totals $480,000 to provide services to approximately 300 parolees. He described how the budget has been distributed among the three Michigan Works! Agencies in the Upper Peninsula .  The Central UP will receive 40% and the Eastern and Western UP Agencies will each receive 30% of the budget.  After reviewing the MPRI Plan, Ken Smith moved to approve the UP-Wide MPRI Plan as presented.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Director Worley described the No Worker Left Behind Program.  This program is the Governor’s new initiative to invest in training of up to two years to unemployed individuals or underemployed to improve the skills of Michigan ’s workforce.  At this time, the State is looking for funding for this program.  There are many questions and concerns as to how the program will work with the current WIA performance requirements.  Director Worley will update the WDB as more information is received.

Workforce Development Board members reviewed a comparison of WIA and Employment Services Allocations between PY 2006 and PY 2007.

Several informational items were reviewed.

As there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. following a motion by John Ufer and support by Shirley Farnquist.

                          Signed                                                                                   8/9/07

                Jill Hazel, President                                                              Date Approved

        E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox