E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes 

June 14, 2007

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

Workforce Development Board Members Present: 

Carol Boger
Gary Deuman
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Aaron Hopper
 Jennifer Storey (Alt)
Valerie Povey
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Ken Smith
John Ufer

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Kevin Ayotte
Lynn Beard
Tony Bosbous
Shirley Farnquist
Henry Guzzo
Pat Shimmens
Susan Sliger
Barbara Weber
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Nance Karst
Mickey Parish

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the May 17, 2007 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Aaron Hopper and support by Gary Deuman.

The Employment Service Plan for Program Year 2007 was described.  This plan has a total allocation for PY 2007 of $94,867.  It is anticipated that approximately $3,000 will be carried in from PY 2006.  Director Worley indicated that WIA funds would be used to offset a portion of the overhead costs.  It was also noted that performance measures have been added to the Employment Service Plan.

Consolidated Community Schools is the current contractor of this program.  Carol Boger moved to approve the Employment Service Plan as submitted.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Mickey Parish, President of Bay Mills Community College, provided a presentation of a joint venture between Bay Mills Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Community College to provide a course and business in creating thermoplastic composites.  Bay Mills Community College will be conducting a 3-credit course in polymers and reinforced plastics.  The Tribe has plans in place to build a manufacturing plant to process the thermoplastic composites which would create new employment opportunities to the area.  The process of how the composites are made and their many uses were described.  Mr. Parish also provided an update of programs offered at Bay Mills Community College .

Director Worley provided a brief update of the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative.   The MPRI Plan is due June 18 and the Program is tentatively scheduled to begin October 1.  John Ufer, a member of the U.P. MPRI Steering Committee, provided comments regarding the program and plan.

Several informational items were reviewed.

It was noted that WIA staff have been in contact with employees of the Tendercare Administrative Office in Sault Ste. Marie as layoffs are anticipated by the end of the year.

Director Worley mentioned that St. Ignace Michigan Works! Office will be hosting an open house in July to announce their new location at the St. Ignace Visitor’s Bureau.

Under new business, Gary Deuman mentioned that the Certified Nurse Aide Graduation will be held on June 15.

As there was no old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. following a motion by Dave Ramsay and support by John Ufer.

                        Signed                                                                                   7/12/07

                    Jill Hazel, President                                                                  Date Approved

        E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox