Meeting Minutes from March 19, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, March 19, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
James Black, Barry Brandt, Barry David, Jerry Eshleman, Mark Esterbrook, Dr. Robert Frick, Stephen Grosh, Christine, Hertneky, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Maureen Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Judy Naylor, Matt Ohlinger, Robert Rhoads, Mark Sprunger, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch, Tom Woronko,
Not Present:
Gilbert Abney, Tom Baldrige, Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, Jacqueline Burch, Steve Fries, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson Jr., Linda Kreider, Craig Lehman, Mary Miskey, Marysol Ortiz, Todd Shultz, Michelle Snavely, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
William Moulfair, Cathy Calkins, Dr. Cynthia Burkhart, Bea Landis, Anna Ramos, Yanimer Serrano, Nate Bomberger
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Rod Kopp, Lori Rank, Kim Sullenberger, Andrew Garner, Scott Sheely
Call to Order
Jim Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:38 am, welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Christine Hertneky presented a check from R. R. Donnelley for the 2nd installment for the "HOT Lab" and Printing 101 programs to the Lancaster County WIB. Scott Sheely thanked Christine and Donnelley for their help in establishing and supporting the "HOT Lab" and Printing 101.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - January 15, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from John Levitski and second from Jerry Eshleman.
Order of the Day
What's Coming in the Stimulus Funding Package...and What Are We Doing to Prepare?
Scott Sheely provided background on the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act which is providing funding from the federal government for stimulus activities. It will provided through the regular WIA funding streams for Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs as well as a special Summer Youth Employment program. Lancaster will receive $1.8 million in allocation funding. It is a 15 month program with 100% of the funding to be spent by June of 2010. Money should be available in 60 days. The WIB has been looking at the immediate needs with an eye to building out the workforce system in the long run. About 75-80% of the dollars will be going to training. More short-term training is being added to the ITA list of eligible programs to start May 2009.
Youth programs are receiving money from the stimulus package also. This program will be for 14-25 year olds. Work sites will consist of public entities, government, non-profits and schools. There will be three variations for 14-15, 16-17, and 18-24 year olds. Around 200 youth people will be involved in the program.
William Moulfair also mentioned there will be more tax credits available dealing with ex-offenders, unemployed veterans, youth disengaged, and other special groups. Employers need to think creatively and can get help in this unsettled time. The Chamber of Commerce will be briefing businesses on tax credits available.
Scott Sheely reported there is a massive infusion of stimulus money into green jobs through the public workforce system, The COE in Renewable Energy has been established by Lancaster Prospers with a steering committee in place and a website being developed. Programming is being planned for 6/1/09. The WIB has applied for a grant from the US EPA for environmental remediation.
Scott reported the state will be putting out some stimulus money with a 2 year life. This funding will supplement the Industry Partnership Training and the Ready2Work program. We will also be getting $100,000 from the Delaware Valley Innovation Network for incumbent workers training in the biotech industry.
Planning has been ongoing for implementing all the new programming and accommodating additional clients. Space and staff are a problem. The space issues are being worked on and 6-8 new positions will be added temporarily through the 15 month period. The Commonwealth is expected to implement a strong monitoring plan for all the stimulus money.
Items for Discussion
Budget Update
Rod Kopp reported most of the '08 funding for the IPT grants is now available for drawdown. In the system 1.6 million is now available and that is all that will be coming for the Industry Partnership Training projects.
Completion of Statement of Financial Interest
Joyce Lenox reported it is now time to fill out the Statement of Financial Interest forms for the year. These forms are required by the State for every Board Member's file. The forms were handed out and last year's forms were available for anyone who wanted to see them.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp presented the February 2009 Financial Report. Money was moved to the EARN-LETA budget to cover the overage on the budget for the Corporate Center. Total cost to get it up and running was $234,000. This was done with the State's approval. Spending is up considerably over last year in all programs.
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reported Job Shadowing week will be held in April with businesses still needed to participate. STEM Summer Career Camps flyer will be in Parent magazine. There are seven agencies participating with 15 summer camps available. Andrew gave a special thank you to Dart Container for the donation of three weeks of radio advertising used for promotion around the Summer STEM camps. A grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development through the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center will be used to pay for all the advertising for the camps. There is money available for scholarships for young people who cannot afford the camps.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported....
- Lori Rank and the CareerLink for graduating over 300 people from Ready2Work and had a Job Fair with 40 employers attending on March 4th. Over 1000 people attended.
- The Convention Center had a hiring hall for 160 openings over three days at Liberty Place. Over 3000 people were seen.
Scott Sheely proposed a motion to acknowledge the staff of the CareerLink and LETA for their hard work, effort, and all the extra work in handling these two events.
Acknowledgement was approved unanimously on motion from John Levitski and second from Judy Naylor.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
