|
MARCH 25, 2003 8:30 A.M. TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENT: B. Blanchard, T. Colbert, D. Czerwonka, L. Dillon, Mr. Dolan, B. Fortier, M. Goldstein, D. Herath, L. Leonard, J. Maglione, T. Mallinson, D. Mastro, T. O’Neill, L. Patz, A. Pedersen, J. Rossi, C. Sowards, M. Stamm, I. Stein, M. Turnbull, J. Wesche, S. White, N. Zahler EXCUSED: M. Gould, C. Haynes, J. McPheeters, M. Opperman ABSENT: R. Bohman, N. Carlisle, P. Gardner, C. Hoose, J. Little, D. Marsh, D. McDonald, S. Pronti GUESTS: Bill Heffner, Ithaca City School District; Rob Samuelson, Consultant; Joe Kozlowski, N. Caffrey, NYSDOL; Mary Ann Reider, AJ Kircher, Maureen Curtis, Challenge Industries; Charlie Gruman, TST BOCES; Michael Ryan, CBORD; Cindy Martin, Tompkins Community Action; John Twomey, New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals; Bob Kreutter, Kelly Services STAFF: Debra Giordano, Jennifer Luu, Bernie Heath CALL TO ORDER Chairman Pedersen called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was Moved by Mr. Goldstein, seconded by Mr. Blanchard and unanimously adopted by voice vote of members present to approve the minutes of January 28, 2003, as submitted. INTRODUCTIONS The guests attending the meeting introduced themselves. ONE-STOP RECERTIFICATION APPROVAL It was Moved by Mr. Goldstein on behalf of the Workforce Services Committee and unanimously seconded to approve the recertification of the One-Stop Operators and authorize the Executive Director to negotiate a One-Stop Operator agreement to reflect the amendments of the Business Plan. The One-Stop Operator Business Plan has been thoroughly reviewed by the Workforce Services Committee and amended by the Committee to reflect appropriate changes necessary based on the identification of areas in need of improvement. Most significantly was the addition of Challenge Industries’ Welfare to Work Programs to the consortium of the Department of Labor and the Office of Employment and Training. The Department of Labor and Office of Employment and Training Managers will continue to serve as the co-managers of the Center; however, each shall have specific areas of responsibilities that will be outlined in the One-Stop Operator Agreement. APPROVAL OF THE QUALITY AND ASSESSMENT PERFORMANCE REPORT It was Moved by Mr. Stamm on behalf of the Quality and Assessment Committee and unanimously seconded to approve the Performance Measures as submitted. Mr. Stamm indicated that the Committee continues to review data that can be collected and additional updates will be provided as they become available. Ms. Giordano indicates that goals have not yet been established and only baseline data has been collected. She stated that priorities continue to shift based on the state of the economy. Mr. Mastro stated that he is currently a member of the State’s Subcommittee on System Integration and noted that local workforce areas that are ahead in collecting the data can help shape the system. Ms. Giordano reported that LaTourelle graciously donated two gift certificates for overnight stays at the Inn during the third quarter of 2002. One certificate was presented to a customer who had completed a customer satisfaction survey during that period and the second was presented to Greg Gizewski a member of the Office of Employment and Training staff. Ms. Giordano and the Board thanked Ms. Leonard for her contribution. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE It was Moved by Mr. Czerwonka, seconded by Ms. Blanchard and unanimously adopted by voice vote of members present to approve the nominations of Robert Pass from NYSEG and Robert Kreuter from Kelly Services to the Board. APPROVAL OF WELFARE TO WORK CONTRACT On Motion of the Executive Committee and unanimously seconded the Welfare to Work contract with Challenge Industries in the amount of $115,000 was approved. The contract will cover the period of April 1, 2003 – September 30, 2003, with an option for automatic extension up to an additional 12 months if an additional $100,000 match is secured. This match will result in an additional federal allocation of up to $200,000. The Executive Director is authorized to negotiate a contract that represents the intent of the proposal. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Mr. Pedersen stated that as budget times tighten, it is important to keep awareness high about how to bring additional money into the community and asked that any funding opportunities Board members hear of be brought to the attention of the Board for follow-up. Mr. Mastro stated that the State’s Subcommittee on System Integration is taking a collaborative approach to local boards and he believes the Committee will have a positive impact on the State Workforce Investment Board. The System Integration Subcommittee is new and they are working to develop a framework to assist local boards in measuring what they do. They will be taking the lead on gathering information from around the State and this will be very useful for benchmarking purposes. PARTNER TABLE UPDATE Ms. Giordano stated the Partner’s Table has been working diligently and they have made a lot of progress. They have come to an agreement to look at three phases to reduce costs: 1. Review cost of system and reduce costs
by $25,000
The group is looking ahead to MOU4 and will continue to look at ways to reduce costs. ONE STOP OPERATOR REPORT Mr. Rossi and Ms. Sowards provided brief reports regarding Center operations. Performance measures were included in the Director’s written report. THE FUTURE OF WORKFORCE BOARDS AND ONE-STOP SYSTEMS Mr. Pedersen introduced John Twomey, President of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) and 2003 President of the National Workforce Association.
Mr. Twomey provided a brief overview of the Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization
stating the original law was signed in 1998 and is currently in the process
of being reauthorized. The reauthorization process is partisan in
Congress and should Congress does not come to an agreement by September
2003
There are currently five important proposed changes in the House Bill: 1. Change in the makeup of the Local WIBS
2. Funding for One-Stop Infrastructure/More
strings attached at State level
3. More training/More incumbent worker training (10% plus self-sufficiency definition) 4. Youth Changes
5. Personal Reemployment Accounts
Mr. Twomey stated that customer satisfaction performance is being eliminated, it is proposed to block grant the dislocated and adult money including Wagner Peyser funds. He stated that reauthorization is moving swiftly through Congress and will be in the full House April 7, 2003. He stated it is his belief that the reauthorization will occur in September or October 2003. Mr. Twomey stated that Tompkins County faces challenges because of its size and the level of funding that is received. The labor market in Tompkins County is unique because many workers are imported to the area. He stated that in order for the WIB to survive, short term funding must be sought. It may be necessary for the Board to merge with another Workforce Area. He wished the Board luck as it moves forward. Mr. Pedersen, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Twomey for attending the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. in the Borg Warner Room at the Tompkins County Public Library. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Luu. Return to Workforce
Development
Home Page
|