Meeting Minutes from September 17, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, September 17, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, James Black, Barry Brandt, Jacqueline Burch, Barry David, Dr. Robert Frick, Stephen Grosh, Christine Hertneky, Donald F. Johnson, Jr., Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Maureen Lewandowski, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Judy Naylor, Aimee Urban,
Not Present:
Gilbert Abney, Thomas Baldrige, Jerry Eshleman, Mark Esterbrook, Steve Fries, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Linda Kreider, Craig Lehman, Jean Martin, Matt Ohlinger, Robert Rhoads, Todd Shultz, Michelle Snavely, Mike Sturla, Jill Welch, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Anna Ramos, Karen Sheehe, Yanimer Serrano, Joe Shiffer, An'Dionne Smith, Bob Garraty, Doug Schmidt, Len Pugliese, Karen Buynak, Mirna Alvarado for Carlos Graupera, Nate Bomberger for Rep Mike Sturla
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Rod Kopp, Andrew Garner, Kim Sullenberger, Scott Sheely
Call to Order
Jim Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:35 am, welcomed everyone, and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Bob Garraty from the PA Workforce Investment Board spoke about funding from the ARRA Act, the Legislature passing the budget, and problems funding IPTs this year. At the state WIB Directors meeting, there was discussion on how to fund incumbent worker training and have it continue.
Jim welcomed Joe Shiffer, the new Director of LETA, who thanked the Board.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - July 16, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from John Levitski and second from John Biemiller.
Order of the Day
Review and Approval of 2009 Operating Plan for the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Area
Scott Sheely reviewed a new Operating Plan which meshes a past format with items from the recent ARRA Plan included in it. The revised Operating Plan has been posted on the website for 30 days with a notice going out to all Board members to review it and send change to Scott Sheely.
The 2009 Operating Plan for the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Area was approved unanimously with a later verbal vote from Steve Fries on motion from William Moulfair and second from Steve Grosh.
Review and Approval of 2009 Annual Operating Plan for Welfare
Kim Sullenberger reviewed the changes in the 2009 Operating Plan for welfare. Allocation decreased by $46,000. Volume of customer has increase from 250 in 2005 to 1,078 in 2008. The Corporate Center opened at the PA CareerLink to train customers with goals established by the Department of Public Welfare. Maureen Lewandowski recognized LETA for their efforts and is pleased with the working relationship between LETA and EARN. The 2009 Annual Operating Plan for Welfare is being recommended by the Local Management Committee.
The 2009 Annual Operating Plan for Welfare was approved unanimously with a later verbal vote from Steve Fries on motion from Mary Miskey and second from John Levitski.
Nomination to the Board
Scott Sheely reported there is an opening on the Board for a former participant involved in the system. Fran Rodriguez has agreed to serve on the Board in this area. She will need to be appointed by the County Commissioners. Scott asked for approval to submit her name to the Commissioners for approval.
The nomination of Fran Rodriguez to the Board was approved unanimously with a later verbal vote from Steve Fries on motion from Barry Brandt and second from Mary Miskey.
Summer Youth Programming
Anna Ramos reported the Summer Youth Programming funded by the ARRA served 235 young people which was less than the goal due to eligibility issues. Kids were placed at many sites throughout Lancaster County in all areas of interest with some being offered jobs at the completion of the program. A youth coordinator and 5 field reps were hired. Worksite supervisors were very impressed with the youth. All participants completed Ready2Work. Tri-Star was the employer of record. Many of the older youth were brought back into the PA CareerLink system when the session was over.
Andrew Garner spoke about planning beyond the summer. The Youth Council approved continuing the Program through 2009 for 18-24 age group into 2010 and picking up with younger group again next summer. Many connections in the community have been made as work sites. The 14-15 age group also attended the Career Camps which were open to all county youth over the summer. Some of the participants have entered eligible programs like ITAs and out-of school youth. Eligibility requirements were very demanding with information often hard to obtain from parents.
Scott Sheely acknowledged Anna Ramos and her staff and Andrew Garner for all the hard work they have done in the Summer Youth Program. The Board affirmed and congratulated the staff with a round of applause.
Items for Discussion
Update of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation
Kim Sullenberger reported the adult programs have exceeded expectations. ITAs went from 100 in 2007 to 242 in 2008. In 2009 there have been 212 since 7/1/09. Additional Rapid Response money has been requested for dislocated workers. All training is for jobs on the High Priority Occupation list
Industry Partnership Funding
Scott Sheely reported the budget negotiations have eliminated $16-20 million in Industry Partnership money or $1.6 million for Lancaster County. Planning for this cut and keeping the industry partnerships going has been and will be challenging Production Agriculture, Packaging Operations, Renewable Energy and Long Term Care Practice are all Centers of Excellences under Lancaster Prospers and will continue their mission of training, innovation, and technology transfer. Two project managers will be kept on Board. The manufacturing initiative will be brought under a new Center of Excellence called the Center of Manufacturing Excellence. With the DVIN a partnership of 13 WIBs in the Delaware Valley, additional money will be available until December for training in manufacturing and healthcare. This has been a challenging year but the ARRA funds have helped. There is a need for new strategic planning for the WIB for the next fiscal year as we look toward new funding challenges in the new fiscal year.
ARRA Reporting
Kim Sullenberger reported that the first comprehensive report is due in October. Reporting is the same for everyone with ARRA funds. Many people will be looking at these reports nationwide to see the numbers. This report only gathers information about specific vendors where they are paid over $25,000 in one check. There will be many critics out there looking at the numbers and wondering why they are low.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reviewed the June financial report. Rapid Response money is 100% spent with no carryover. Adult had 80% obligated. Career Advancement Account funding has been the hardest to spend because of the eligibility requirements. The WIB budget was over by 4% primarily because of the rental on room # 112 (needed for meetings that could not be accommodated in the PA CareerLink because of shortage of space). The PA CareerLink was over by 10% which is mainly for new data entry services. There was nothing spent under the National Emergency Grant because these funds were specific for customers from specific companies only.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported...
- The September 9, 2009 Ready2Work graduation recognized 400 people who received their Career Readiness Credential;
- The Reentry Management Organization will be part of the next Board meeting presentation;
- A grant application to develop a statewide Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics program was sent to the US Department of Labor in the amount of $5 million;
- The lease for the PA CareerLink and space here Liberty Place will be up for renewal at the end of 2010. A realtor is looking into it and will be making recommendations in December. Rod Kopp is the contact person on this.
- Lori Rank has had a physical situation which required emergency surgery last week. She will be out at least two more weeks. Tom, Joe and other staff have been filling in to keep the PA CareerLink operating efficiently.
- Scott is co-chairing the Bi-Annual Conference of The National Network of Sector Partners in November in Washington DC.
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reminded everyone about the Pathways to Gold Collar Careers event in November. Employers are needed to participate. There will be eight workshops for students. Busing will be available this year from all school districts. A list of all upcoming events of the Youth Council is available. All Youth events are currently being promoted to all County schools and the home-schoolers.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
