Meeting Minutes from February 1, 2011
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Executive Committee
Minutes
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
3:30 p.m.
Liberty Place, Room 112
Present:
Thomas Baldrige, James Black, Steve Fries, Eric Horn, Sharon Leese, Linda Kreider (Ex-Officio)
Not Present:
Donald F. Johnson, Jr., Jean Martin, Craig Lehman
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Andrew Garner, Scott Sheely, Kim Sullenberger, Lori Rank, Rod Kopp
Operators Representative:
Guests:
Joe Shiffer, Gary Grube, John Murr, Doug Schmidt
Call to Order
Sharon Leese called the meeting to order at 3:37 p.m., welcomed everyone, and asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from January 4, 2011 meeting
Minutes approved unanimously on motion from Steve Fries and second from Tom Baldrige.
Discussion Items
Briefing on Progress of Request for Proposals
Kim Sullenberger reported after working continuously the last two weeks the requests for proposals for the WIA Title I and the EARN contracts are done. They have been reviewed by our attorney and appropriate agencies with very few changes suggested. Language was included in both proposals recommending that all current staff have an interview by the successful contractor(s
Letters to bidders will be sent out on Thursday, February 3, 2011 and the legal notice will be in newspapers and on the website by Friday, February 4, 2011. Scott acknowledged Kim Sullenberger for a great job and all her efforts on getting this done.
Preparing for Strategic Planning
Scott reported the Strategic Planning meeting will be March 17, 2011 after a short Board meeting. A list of materials to be distributed for review was developed All the information will go out to everyone by March 10, 2011 at the latest. A new CareerLink organization chart with the changes contained in the RFP's will be enclosed.
Action Items
Approval of the Audit Report
John Murr reported no findings, no questionable costs, and no audit letter from the WIB audit conducted by Sager Swisher. The auditors looked at all events through January 27, 2011 and found no questionable issues. A question was asked about how testing was done. John answered that it is based on population of data and number of transactions with about 40-60 transactions examined. Wording addressing the large increase in the lease amount was added as a note based on the new lease agreement as of 1/1/11. Rod Kopp reported the Finance Committee has looked over all the reports and approved them. Joyce Lenox was recognized for a good job with three years of no findings.
Motion approved unanimously for Approval of the Audit Report on motion from Steve Fries and second from Jim Black.
Approval of the December ARRA Expenditures
Rod Kopp reviewed the December ARRA report. The only current ARRA money is the Green Grant. This grant involves lots of work and has had few expenditures to date.
Motion approved unanimously for Approval of the December ARRA Expenditures on motion from Tom Baldrige and second from Eric Horn.
Approval of Contract with Neighborhood Services for After-School Career Program for Youth
Andrew Garner reported that in response to the release of a request for quotations for an after-school program in the School District of Lancaster to provide activities to recipients of TANF assistance, two proposals came in and were reviewed by a subcommittee.
After discussion, the Youth Council is recommending Neighborhood Services in partnership with the North Museum for the funding of $20,000 for the period of 2/1/11-6/30/11. A question came up as to whether this was reallocating unspent funds. Andrew reported that, in July 2010, the Youth Council allocated the funds and that, in September 2010, the Executive Committee approved the distribution and this was part of the distribution. Andrew reported this program is offering mentoring from older to younger youth and incorporating science education with college students doing the training at the North Museum.
Motion approved unanimously for Approval of Contract with Neighborhood Services for After-School Career Program for Youth on motion from Youth Council and second from Jim Black.
Staff Reports
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reported the job shadowing program is in progress with two workshops to be held in March on placing high school students with businesses. The TANF site visits are on track with schools to be sure they are spending the money allocated to them. The summer career camps are being planned for the School District of Lancaster 5th grade students and the STEM camps. Scholarships to the camps will be available again with the County Assistance office targeting the youth for the money.
PA CareerLink Administrator
Lori Rank reported high volumes in the PA CareerLink. They are seeing about 30 new clients a day. The Leadership team is working on strengthening the front end of the service delivery process further integrate the assessment function and get clients enrolled in programs and training quicker. Staff development is continuing with a two day training "Bridges out of Poverty" scheduled. This is being offered in response to past EO issues.
Question was asked as to whether the state is satisfied with the plan of action and if they acknowledged resolution of the issues? Scott Sheely reported there has been no communication with the State on this matter but we have reached out to a possible HR consultant to assure that EO issues are addressed before they happen.
There will be a Ready 2 Work graduation and Job Fair on March 16, 2011 and again in the fall which replaces the Job Fair that the Chamber has discontinued. Subleases have been delayed due to delayed starts and early dismissals but are going out to everyone on February 2, 2011 at the investors/partners meeting. Lori expressed a concern with unemployment compensation. Individuals are coming in frustrated and expecting the PA CareerLink to help solve their problems.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported ......
- The Manufacturing Skills Factory at the Nissly warehouse started with 13 students on January 31, 2011. Companies intending to hire have provided the work. This is a six week program with four weeks at the Nissly warehouse and two weeks internship at Kalas Manufacturing and other participating employers. This training was implemented after some negative feedback from the Way to Work experience this summer.
- PA is the only state that does not have a work search component for unemployment compensation. The PA Chamber of Commerce is backing a change to include a work search component in a revised UI law.
- Solar PV training that was conducted in January and February have all sold out. More classes will be added.
- The Water Quality Series of 4 sessions started in January to deal with the Chesapeake Bay issues. The last two sessions have drawn in excess of 60 people each.
- Metrix, an online learning program, is being used by staff on a 90 day trial as we prepare for a prospective roll-out with customers. Staff is working in teams on implementation issues.
- Scott reported he will be attending the NW Food Processors Conference in Portland, Oregon to promote mechatronics training. They are hoping to start a program out there for mechatronics.
Fiscal Director
Rod Kopp reported the Finance Committee looked at the cost of the audit which is at $14,000 so far and recommend negotiating a set rate for the next 2 years not to exceed a certain amount since we now have had three years of good audits. Don Johnson did not recommend a RFQ as staying with the same firm has its advantages and the amount we pay is not unreasonable.
Adjournment
The Executive Committee adjourned at 4:34 p.m. with Sharon Leese thanking all who came.
