Meeting Minutes from July 12, 2011
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Executive Committee
Minutes
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
3:30 p.m.
Liberty Place, Room 112
Present:
James Black, Eric Horn, Sharon Leese, Jean Martin, Linda Kreider (Ex-Officio)
Not Present:
Thomas Baldrige, Steve Fries, Donald F. Johnson Jr.,
Staff:
Andrew Garner, Scott Sheely, Kim Sullenberger, Lori Rank, Rod Kopp, Joyce Lenox
Operators Representative:
Guests:
William Moulfair, Anna Ramos
Call to Order
Sharon Leese called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m., welcomed everyone, and asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from June 7, 2011 meeting
Minutes approved unanimously on motion from Jin Black and second from Jean Martin with the correction of Aimee Urban's name in the Approval of Youth Council Membership Recommendations to be made.
Discussion Items
Update on Board Composition
Scott Sheely reported that all of the people renewing their membership on the Board have been approved by the Commissioners for another term. Commissioner Lehman resigned from the Board effective July 7, 2011. His position is an optional one. Scott asked if the Executive Committee wants to refill that position or eliminate it and reduce the number on the Board. The Committee discussed possible replacements for Commissioner Lehman.
Assuming the Fiscal Agent Role from the County Controller
Scott Sheely reported the County has relinquished its role of fiscal agent although they will still have fiduciary responsibility for all financial matters. The County will be monitoring and auditing the WIB more closely but differently that in the past.. All issues regarding property and equipment owned by the funding stream have been settled with the help of the County Commissioners. Property and equipment will transfer to the WIB after a proper account is complete. The County Solicitor has issued a statement that all contracts no longer have to be approved by the County. The Commissioner sent a letter to Secretary Hathaway at the PA Department of Labor and Industry requesting that the WIB become the fiscal agent.
Over the next few weeks, a new LEO-WIB MOU will have to be rewritten taking the County Controller out of the system as fiscal agent. The Local Plan will have to be redone and all documents mentioning the Commissioners will have to be rewritten and approved. Since the Executive Committee will be responsible for all contracts, a new information standardized form has been created by Kim to present all contracts. Other committees will have to be more diligent in reviewing the information and making recommendations to the EC. If anyone has recommendations for new committee members, please let Scott or Kim know.
Review of Transition Activities
Scott Sheely reported that the transfer of PA CareerLink computers from the County IT system is being handled by the County IT department and One2One, our new IT consultant.
Lori Rank reported the service delivery map is being revised to reflect changes being made with the new contractors in place. The table of organization is being revised to include names or positions of employees with the new contractors. Rescare and EDSI have been a great help in bringing new ideas to the PA CareerLink to improve procedures and services. The executive team is addressing the space issues in the PA CareerLink with the idea that we will give up Room 200 where the Job Club operates in December 2011. This will save about $100,000 in rent.
Anna Ramos reported staff is really excited with all the changes. All employees are now PA CareerLink employees. Extensive training has been going on with staff. Ultimate goal for all customers is placement and retention. With the new program, customers are being handled on one to one basis with employees getting to know them well enough to direct them in the path the customer chooses. Kim Sullenberger reported 20 LETA employees got jobs with the new contractors.
Action Items
Approval of Modification to 401 (k) Plan
Scott Sheely requested a modification in the 401 (k) Plan modification to recognize the service time of new County and LCCTC employees and allow them to become part of the WIB plan immediately.
The Modification to 401 (k) plan was approved unanimously on motion from Eric Horn and second from Jim Black.
Approval of Operating Budget for WIB System
Rod Kopp reported the Operating Budget for the WIB system is a draft only. These figures are based on the WIA, EARN and TANF Youth allocations. These are a best guess at this time. The budget has been reviewed by the Finance Committee and unanimously approved by them. At the September or October meeting a final budget with carryover and final expenses will be available. This budget has been put together to grant spending authority for the new fiscal year.
There was discussion on how funding will now be coming into the WIB. Previously, County fronted the money for 2-3 months until the new funding kicked in. That will not be available any more. There are some reserves in the account. Some strategic planning must be done to develop a cash management plan. At this time there are no plans for a credit line.
The Operating Budget for WIB System was approved unanimously on motion from the Finance Committee and second from Jim Black.
Approval of May ARRA Report
Rod Kopp presented the ARRA report through May 31, 2011 for approval. The Finance Committee reviewed the ARRA report
The May ARRA Report was approved unanimously on motion from Eric Horn and second from Jim Black.
Staff Reports
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reported the Summer Career Camps went very well this year with some new and old partners. There were a total of 10 camps for third through 10th graders. New partners included Lancaster Science Factory, YWCA, Stevens Tech and Millersville University with old partners School District of Lancaster and LCCTC. All appreciated the support and have been very flexible to work with. This year, scholarships were available to use for any camp. With extended deadlines a total of 607 kids were served and 143 scholarships made available using $30,000 in TANF money. Scott Sheely recognized Andrew Garner and the partners he worked with on a great job. Andrew Garner reported many participates from previous years have become high school mentors this year. The after school club generated lots of interest with many already qualified for scholarships.
Andrew Garner reported the Industry Tours had a total of 62 participates. The focus this year was on renewable energy. They toured the wind turbines and landfill at Frey Farms and Luke Brubaker's farm with solar power and a manure digester. Jean Martin recognized Andrew with feedback that the teachers felt these tours are the best out of classroom experience they have ever done.
PA CareerLink Administrator
Lori Rank reported they are working on cleaning up the CWDS systems of user names. The RSA needs to have a modification done for space and is being taken care of. The number of customers served in the CareerLink continues about the same at this time.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported.......
- All websites are being reworked after 4-5 years with a new look. Formatting on the websites is no longer being supported by the company. The PA CareerLink site (www.jobs4lancaster.com) is receiving 4,000 visitors a month, the WIB about 2,300 a month and others are receiving more than 500 a month.
- Research and planning is moving ahead in social enterprises. This would provide transitional jobs for people getting into the workforce. The Community Foundation has put out a solicitation for grant money to match with investors which should help get social enterprises up and running. Scott would like to invest $2,000-$3,000 in some legal work to get this set up.
- The COE in Production Agriculture and Lancaster County Agriculture Council have been able to become self-sustaining to a certain extent with raising fund from Ag Night at the Barnstormers, Family Farm Days at Oregon Dairy, and the Legislative Breakfast..
- The RMO will probably not get any human service funds this year. It is looking for alternative funding. The Business Services in the CareerLink is being retooled with Lori overseeing. The Business Service team is becoming more involved with clients sooner and working on placements.
- With the reorganization of the Careerlink and contracting changes, the outcomes should improve. Goal for placements is 500 a month in the future.
Kim Sullenberger referred to the form in the packet giving all the background needed to bring all action items to the Executive Committee. This will be used in advance of all meetings. She asked for everyone to look it over and if anyone has any change suggestions, please let her know.
Scott Sheely reported that with Craig Lehman's resignation, there is an opening on the Executive Committee. He asked if the Committee wants to replace him or reduce the size of the Executive Committee to eight or an even number also. It was decided to take it to the full Board and see what they want to do with replacing Craig Lehman on the Board and then deciding what they want to do about replacement on the Executive Committee.
Adjournment
The Executive Committee adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
