E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes

October 19, 2006  

  The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board Meeting was held at Kewadin Hotel and Conference Center in Sault Ste. Marie.  Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Tony Bosbous
 Gary Deuman
Joe Halvorsen
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Jennifer Storey (Alt)
Ernie Maas
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Ken Smith
John Ufer
Barbara Weber

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Shirley Farnquist
David Goldthorpe
Aaron Hopper
Aaron Tadgerson
Vicky Wagner
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Carol Boger
Ed DeTour
Tim Hatfield
Victor Preli
Bill Sutter
Paul Wilson

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the August 17, 2006 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Tony Bosbous and support by Gary Deuman.  The approval of these minutes ratifies the actions made as a Committee of the Whole at the August 17, 2006 , Workforce Development Board Meeting.

This month’s spotlight was focused on Workforce Development Board Member Dave Ramsay.  Dave, originally from the Traverse City area, described how he came to live in St. Ignace to operate Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry.  After beginning studies in education, he held positions in the tourism field which eventually brought him to the St. Ignace Area.  He has been operating Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry since 1979.

As Workforce Development Board Treasurer Jen Prpich has resigned from the Workforce Development Board, the need to elect another treasurer was discussed.  Upon hearing no nominations, Dave Ramsay volunteered to serve as Treasurer.  Tony Bosbous supported.  Motion passed.

As the Workforce Development Board is responsible for appointments to the Education Advisory Group, an application for appointment was reviewed.  Brenda Cadreau of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians has requested to be appointed to fill the seat vacated by George Eicher.  It was noted that she was George’s alternate for this Group.  Dave Ramsay moved to appoint Brenda Cadreau to the EAG.  Pat Shimmens supported.  Motion passed.

Director Worley described the following plans for approval:  Disability Program Navigator Plan (FY 2006), Five-Year Local Comprehensive Plan Modification, Work First Plan (FY 2007), Food Assistance Employment & Training and Supportive Services Plans (FY2007), WIA Adult Plan Modification (FY 2006), and WIA Youth Plan Modification (FY 2006).

The Disability Program Navigator Plan is to be used to provide training to the staff of the E.U.P. One-Stop Center and Workforce Development Board on accessibility issues.  Various training would include disability etiquette, reasonable accommodation resources, non-discrimination regulations, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disability Act.  The Eastern U.P. has received funds totaling $10,000 for this Initiative.

The Comprehensive 5-Year Local Plan Modification was reviewed.  This plan modification describes the local performance measures for WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Plans as well as the general labor market information of the Eastern Upper Peninsula .  This modification has already been approved by the Administrative Board and the Education Advisory Group.  Although staff was available to receive any public comment regarding the Comprehensive Plan on September 21, no public comment was received.

The Work First Plan for Fiscal Year 2007 was reviewed.  Director Worley indicated that there are some changes in this Plan due to the State’s program requirement changes.  Some anticipated changes include more case management, work activities documented more thoroughly, and receiving referrals from open cases.  The total allocation of this plan is $396,918.  Northern Transitions is the subcontractor of this program.

The FY 2007 Food Assistance Employment & Training Program and Supportive Services Plans were described.  Northern Transitions is the subcontractor of this program.  The total funds available for operating the Food Assistance Plan are $15,465 and the funds available for the Supportive Services Plan total $464.

Due to an increase in WIA Adult and Youth funds, Workforce Development Board Members reviewed modified budgets for these plans.  It was noted that the WIA Adult Plan received an increase of $120,403.  With this increase, the WIA Adult Plan totals $576,410.  An increase of $125,514 was added to the WIA Youth Plan which now totals $527,085.

Jeff Holt moved to approve the plans and modifications as presented.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

Paul Wilson, Board Chair of the Great Lakes School of Wooden Boat Building, described the school’s purpose to teach and preserve the art of wooden boat building.  The school is to be located in Cedarville and will host both summer and academic year programs.  It is anticipated to provide schooling to approximately 36 students with an estimated tuition cost of $3,500 a term.   Students completing the course would be able to start their own boat building company or be journeymen for other types of boats among other carpentry positions.

Jennifer Storey, Community Resource Coordinator at the Department of Human Resources, described the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  This program is sponsored by the IRS to allow accounting students to earn credit to assist in providing income tax preparation to eligible clients and senior citizens.  The IRS would assist in the training needs of the volunteers and would start with this tax year.

Jeff Holt and Jill Hazel provided an update of the Michigan Works! Annual Conference held on September 10 – 12.  Director Worley noted that next year’s Annual Conference will be held in Grand Rapids .

Director Worley described the Upper Great Lakes Economic and Workforce Development Summit held in September.  This Summit was funded by the Regional Strategic Plan which includes all counties in the Upper Peninsula .  Some of the topics addressed at this meeting included entrepreneurship, employee retention, and expansion.

It was noted that the Sault Chamber of Commerce was able to secure additional funding to support the 1st Step Small Business Counseling services twice a month.  The Counseling services will be provided at both the Chamber and the Michigan Works! Service Center .

Several informational items were reviewed.

The next Workforce Development Board Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.

As there was no old or new business, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. following a motion by Pat Shimmens and support by Joe Halvorsen.

                      SIGNED                                                                                 12/7/06

                                                                                                                                                           

            Jill Hazel, President                                                              Date Approved

        E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

 

Prepared by Kim Wilcox