Meeting Minutes from November 18, 2010
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, November 18, 2010
7:30 A.M.
PA CareerLink of Lancaster County
Annex Conference Room
Present:
Gilbert Abney, Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, Jacqueline Burch, Michelle Chronister, James Everhart, Stephen Grosh, Christine Herneky, Donald F. Johnson Jr., Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Michael Newman, David Nice, Joe Shiffer, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch
Not Present:
Tom Baldrige, James Black, Barry Brandt, Barry David, Mark Esterbrook, Steve Fries, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Craig Lehman, John Levitski, Maureen Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Robert Rhoads, Pedro Rivera, Fran Rodriguez, Timothy Roschel. Todd Shultz, Mike Sturla,
Guests:
Luis Almonte, Todd Blankenstein, Bonnie Bluett, Brenda Chavez, Russell Jackson, Bea Landis, Trish Link, Douglas Schmidt, Yani Serrano, Zachary Sharp, Laura Wilson, Marie Pritchard, Tom Showalter, Deb (Grace) Ross, Karen Buynak, Kay Knight, Michelle Garcia
Staff:
Andrew Garner, Joyce Lenox, Kim Sullenberger, Lori Rank, Scott Sheely, Rod Kopp
Call to Order
Sharon Leese, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:34 am, welcomed everyone, introduced herself, and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Sharon thanked everyone for coming.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - September 16, 2010
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Mary Miskey and second from Aimee Urban and proxy votes by Jim Black by email on November 22, 2010, by Steve Fries by email on November 21, 2010 and by Barry Brandt verbal affirmation to Scott Sheely on November 20, 2010.
Items for Approval
Final Approval of 2010-2011 Budget
Scott Sheely reminded members that a working budget was passed in the later part of program year 2010. At the July meeting, members were asked how they wanted to see the budget and expense reports presented in the future. The consensus was they wanted reports to have more detail. Subsequently, the Finance Committee met and standardized the budget and supporting schedules. These documents were presented at the meeting.
- Rod reported this budget reflects all income as known at the time of the report.
- There is 7% more revenue than we started with last year.
- Rapid Response is 28% less.
- There is $750,000 in Industry Partnership Training money which is $250,000 less than last year.
- The WIB budget shows a decrease of 50.6 % in interns wage and fringe and that is because the cost is now actually shown in the area where they work. This will be reflected in the PA CareerLink budget.
- Professional services have increased due to negotiations for the new lease and an increased need for HR and financial services.
- Staff wages have increased with four CAP employees transferring to the WIB payroll.
- The LETA budget shows a decrease in wage and fringe because of positions not being filled as people leave. The Corporate Center is over budget because of the work done outside Lancaster County for which it was not reimbursed. The EARN budget was cut 10% in 2009 and another 10% in 2010. There is only enough in the budget to keep the Corporate Center open 6 months at this time. A request for an additional $150,000 has been submitted to keep the Corporate Center open for the whole year.
- The County cost allocations have increase 32% because it is based on number of computers. The computer inventory is being looked at and being reduced for computers not in use.
- The Controller budget shows a decrease in wages due to no way increase for Rod.
- The PA CareerLink budget is new this year. In the past, all of these costs appeared in the WIB budget, causing it to constantly appear over-budget. This will cover four employees, interns, outreach for events, cleaning, meeting and infrastructure costs.
- Special Projects is money in the WIB account for special programs funded by unrestricted money.
Rod mentioned if anyone wants to see something different on the reports to let him know.
Approval of the Final Approval of 2010-2011 Budget on motion by the John Biemiller and second by Stephen Grosh and proxy votes by Jim Black by email on November 22, 2010, by Steve Fries by email on November 21, 2010 and by Barry Brandt verbal affirmation to Scott Sheely on November 20, 2010.
Order of the Day
An Overview of the Connection of the PA CareerLink with the Lancaster County Re-Entry Management Organization, the Lancaster County Prison and Lancaster County Adult Probation and Parole Services
Scott Sheely reported the Re-Entry Management System for Lancaster County's goal is to reduce recidivism and help people leaving prison get back into society. Many groups work together to cut duplication of services and fill the gaps needed in the system.
- Finding a job and keeping people busy is one of Todd Blumenstein's main foci. Through the PA CareerLink and Todd, many inmates are being connected with work and training even before they leave prison. They get their IDs or driver licenses that are needed for employment. Incarcerated inmates eligible for work release are being sent to the PA CareerLink for Ready 2 Work and WIN along with training. There are about 80-100 on work release at the Prison. Todd has made connections with many employers about giving ex-offenders a second chance in hiring them. Todd Blankenstein thanked everyone for his office he has in the PA CareerLink where he can now work with clients.
- Laura Wilson makes the connection in prison with the inmates and is the liaison with the PA CareerLink. The transition can be very overwhelming when they first come in.
- Kay Knight is a Re-Entry Management Organization case manager who helps with housing, employment, drug and alcohol abuse, and sustaining themselves in the community.
- Zachary Sharp, Russell Jackson and Luis Almonte all spoke about their history, their experiences with the program, and how they have been able to change their lives through this opportunity. Michelle Garcia spoke about how this program has changed her life giving her self worth back.
There was a brief discussion of the process for expunging criminal records and the reasons that employers do not hire ex-offenders. It was agreed that employers need to be educated about the law and abiding by it. Sharon Leese agreed to look into the possibility of doing this education through HR Association.
Items for Discussion
Details of Lease with the Drogaris Companies
Scott Sheely reported after many months of negotiations that a ten-year lease for just under 40,000 square feet of space at Liberty Place has been signed. There is a set monthly rental amount that includes utilities, taxes, and charges for common space but not janitorial services. There is an out clause to reduce up to 9,000 square feet if programming is not needed. There is also an allowance for $100,000 in improvements in the first five years and another $100,000 in the second five years of the lease for improvements, The WIB is the leaseholder on all of the space
Update on Youth Activities
Andrew Garner reported the Pathways event was held November 16, 2010 at Ephrata Middle School with 352 students and parents from six school districts in attendance. The workshops were great this year and well attended. The next Pathways event is December 1, 2010 at Penn Manor High School.
The Youth Career Summit will be held on January 13, 2011 at the Eden. Career Education Work Standards were the subject of a gap analysis workshop help earlier in the fall. The results will be reported at the Summit. There will again be an employer panel. New this year is an employer award for connection with students and workforce and educating both.
A Health Career Expo was held at McCaskey in partnership with IU 13 and Lancaster General College. There were 667 students from 10 districts, a private school, homeschooler and CTC students. Busing was available to bring students from around the County to McCaskey.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reported on the September 2010 financial report. Most revenue and expense lines were within acceptable ranges. Adult was 27% expended, Youth 87% expended, and Dislocated Worker was 100% expended. Rapid Response was 107% expended. ITAs have been suspended until additional funding is available. A request has been submitted to the PA Department of Public Welfare for additional fund of $150,000 for EARN for the Corporate Center.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported that...
- The Workforce Summit on November 30, 2010 will be on long term unemployment and the impact of it as people exhaust their nearly two years of unemployment. Many people will be losing their benefits and will now come to the PA CareerLink for services.
- A portal for veterans has been added to Job4Lancaster.com as more veterans have come back and are looking for jobs.
- In the near future, the challenge for the PA CareerLink with ARRA money gone, the budget at level funding, and many more clients looking for services from the PA CareerLink, will be dealing with the numbers and keeping the programs running for clients.
- New technology may provide some relief.
- Shorter training programs will be necessary.
- In January 2011, the Manufacturing Skills Factory is expected to get up and running. This is in direct response to the experience with the Way 2 Work program and putting people in private sector jobs. Many were not successful because they didn't know what they were getting into and the conditions of factory work. This program will include training and real work from manufacturers and all the conditions over an 8 week period to build up work tolerance. Temp agencies will make the connection to work after training is finished. The first class will be around 15 with skill training and forklift training etc incorporated in the program.
- A Board orientation will be set up for all the new Board members sometime early next year.
- In general, the public is visiting the websites are being visited with jobs4lancaster getting 3,500 visitors a month and the others being visited any where from some at 500 a month and some at 1,200-1,300 a month.
- The COE in Renewable Energy will be offering a certified Solar PV Installation course in January and in February in cooperation with Berks County.
- Storm water and clean water workshops will be held in January, February, and March.
- The COE in Production Agriculture is being reinvented now that a new Agriculture Leadership Council is taking over the leadership role in the County.
- The RMO has started an emergency fund for needs of ex-offenders such as clothing, work shoes; and medicine etc if anyone would like to make a tax-deductible year- end donation.
- Scott commended PA CareerLink staff for working with so many people with so few staff.
- Scott also reported Kim Sullenberger is working with the PA Department of Labor and Industry to apply for a waiver to the US Department of Labor to expand the definition of training under the Workforce Investment Act..
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. with Sharon Leese thanking everyone for coming and wishing everyone a Good Holiday.
