E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

  Preliminary Minutes

  September 15, 2005

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board meeting was held at Studebaker’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie. Workforce Development Board Secretary Jeff Holt called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Gary Deuman
Jeff Holt
Kathy Langhals
Karen Olsen
Jen Prpich
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Aaron Tadgerson
John Ufer
Vicky Wagner
Barbara Weber

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Tony Bosbous
David Goldthorpe
Jill Hazel
Ernie Maas
Carmen McLaren
Randy Peterson
Ken Smith
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Victor Preli
Bill Sutter

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the July 21, 2005 , Workforce Development Board meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Dave Ramsay and support by Kathy Langhals.  It was noted that the approval of these minutes ratifies the July 21 actions of the Committee of the Whole including the approval of the minutes of the June 16, 2005, Workforce Development Board meeting.

As Workforce Development Board President Jim Wagner has resigned from the Workforce Development Board, the need to elect another president was discussed.  It was noted that the State requires the WDB president to be from the private sector.  Dave Ramsay moved to elect Jill Hazel, who is currently the WDB Treasurer, as the WDB President.  John Ufer supported and Jill was unanimously elected WDB President.

  Pat Shimmens moved to elect Jen Prpich as Workforce Development Board Treasurer.  Dave Ramsay supported.  Motion passed.

As the Workforce Development Board is responsible for appointments to the Education Advisory Group, recommendations to changes in the membership were reviewed.  New member replacements recommended were Pete Everson, Superintendent of the E.U.P. Intermediate School District , to replace Jim Feil and Aaron Tadgerson of Bay Mills Community College to replace Jeanne Donavan.  It was also mentioned that current EAG Member Paul Healey of Rudyard Public Schools would replace Pat Batka as the Academic Educator Representative.  New member EAG appointments to accommodate Youth Council Requirements included Gail Brege (Juvenile Justice/Law Enforcement), Mary Susan Short (Juvenile Justice/Law Enforcement), Pat Shimmens (Public Housing), Victor Preli (Youth Activities Organization), Gina Williams (Parent of WIA Youth Participant), and Andrea Osborn (Former Youth Program Participant).  Director Worley also indicated that Ed Boissineau, Jim Wagner, Tom Dykstra, and Joy Beth Siddall will no longer be serving on the Education Advisory Group.  There was one member data change as Mike Springsteen is now the Superintendent of St. Ignace Schools.  Kathy Langhals moved to approve the recommended appointments and changes to the Education Advisory Group as submitted.  Pat Shimmens supported.  Motion passed.

The FY 2006 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 $22,787 and the funds available for the Supportive Services Plan total $497.  Gary Deuman moved to approve both plans as submitted.  Karen Olsen supported.  Motion passed.

The Work First Plan for Fiscal Year 2006 was reviewed.  This plan was written using a draft policy issuance.  Director Worley explained that this program is in the process of being changed in which fewer people will be referred but more intensive services will be provided.  These changes are not reflected at this time in the draft policy issuance but it is anticipated that modifications to this plan will be necessary.  The total allocation of this plan is $423,266.  Northern Transitions is the subcontractor of this program.  John Ufer moved to approve the FY 2006 Work First Plan.  Jen Prpich supported.  Motion passed.

Several informational items were reviewed.

Under new business, Director Worley described a Regional Leadership Session for Board Members being offered by the Council for Labor & Economic Growth and the Michigan Works! Association.  This Leadership Session to determine how Boards affect regional workforce and economic development is scheduled for Monday, October 3 in Gaylord.  Workforce Development Board members are urged to attend.  At this time, Pat Shimmens, Jen Prpich, Jeff Holt, and John Ufer expressed interest in attending.

John Ufer and Gwen Worley provided an update of the Michigan Works! Annual Conference held on September 11 – 13.

As there was no old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. following a motion by John Ufer and support by Karen Olsen.

 

          Signed                                                                           10/20/05

                                                                                                       

    Jill Hazel, President                                               Date Approved

E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

 

Prepared by Kim Wilcox