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June 17, 2009

THE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
&
THE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC.

June 17, 2009
Meeting Location: NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation, 3 Barrell Court, Concord, NH

Members/Proxies Present: Dick Anagnost (Chair), George Bald, Kevin Cash, David Cioffi, Dwight Davis, Ruth Griffin, Richard Gustafson, Ellery Hathorn (representing George Copadis), Jay Kahn, Linda Kangur, Elizabeth Leadbeater, Paul Leather (representing Virginia Barry), Lloyd Peterson (representing Nick Toumpas), James Wagner (via telephone), (Dick Anagnost held proxy for Alan Reische and Steven Schubert for this meeting)

Others Present: Dave Auger, Amanda Shaffer (Federal Program Officer for NH), Chris Way, Michael Power, Cindy Naiditch, Cynthia Hunzelman, Pam Oliwa, Cathy Yeager

Members Not Present: Denise Benson, George Copadis, Betsi DeVries, Dick Dunfey, Debra Grabowski, Bill Hatch, Gale Hennessy, Dave Juvet, Carl Lindblade, Tara Reardon, Alan Reische, Deborah Reynolds, Steven Schubert, Steven Shulman, Nick Toumpas

Handouts: Meeting Binder, North Country Regional Innovation Grant Update

Call to Order: Declaring quorum, the meeting was called to order by Chair Anagnost at 2:00pm. He asked for self introductions of representatives at the meeting table, special guests, and Council staff.

CONSENT AGENDA
Item 1: March 25, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Item 2: Committee Meeting Minutes
Item 3: Corporate Officers
Item 4: Executive Committee Members
Item 5: Funds Allocation
Item 6: Corporate budget
Item 7: Statewide Activities Funds

Item 1: March 25, 2009 Meeting Minutes Jay Kahn made a motion to accept the March 25, 2009 meeting minutes. Kevin Cash seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 2: Committee Meeting Minutes Richard Gustafson made a motion to accept the committee minutes as presented. Kevin Cash seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 3: Corporate Officers Chair Anagnost referred to Tab 3 in the packet indicating the Executive Committee requested that the slate of officers remain the same while the merger with DRED is underway. He invited discussion.
Kevin Cash made a motion to accept the slate of officers. Lloyd Peterson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 4: Executive Committee Members The Chair read the slate of Executive Committee members willing to continue to serve and welcomed discussion.
Ruth Griffin made a motion to accept the Executive Committee nominees. Jay Kahn seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 5: Funds Allocation Cindy Naiditch explained a number of items under Tab 5 including formula fund allocations, and local program fund breakouts benefitting youth, adults / dislocated workers and rapid response services. There were no questions.
Jay Kahn made a motion to accept the funds allocations as presented. Kevin Cash seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 6: Corporate Budget Naiditch referred to Tab 6 containing the working budget derived based on the 5% administration funds WIA permits accessing, as well as some of the 10% Statewide Activities Funds. She detailed a number of items in the budget. With the anticipated merger into DRED some expenses and positions may disappear with DRED oversight.

During discussion, Amanda Shafer inquired about dislocated worker apprenticeship grant administration. Naiditch noticed that it was inadvertently overlooked, and she will amend the working budget to include that piece. Jay Kahn inquired about Navigator Grant status, and Naiditch explained that the positions are securely funded for the next year only.
Richard Gustafson made a motion to approve the corporate budget including the amendment pertaining to apprenticeship grant administration. Kevin Cash seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 7: Statewide Activities Funds Naiditch started with fund sources and went on to set-asides approved by the Council and the Governor the last few years. Without the Job Corps support piece, there is about $1.7 million to put into programs. She explained fund division, set asides, and releases as well as staff-suggested breakouts encouraging continued hold backs post merger. Staff recommended releasing an RFP for various training projects covered by the $757,372. Stimulus fund use was discussed.

Eliza Leadbeater inquired about RFP criteria and asked about streamlining a contract situation with employers hiring adult workers with program dollars providing part of the wages. She was advised that such an employer-based program submission could be considered for funding and was encouraged to communicate with DRED staff about her ideas. Shaffer approved of efforts to get funds out on the streets particularly for long-term training within growth occupations.
Kevin Cash made a motion to approve the statewide activities funds outline presented. Dave Cioffi seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

UPDATES AND DISCUSSION ON COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

Regional Innovation Grant (RIG) for the North Country: Dave Auger provided everyone with a one-page update and discussed the various tasks completed throughout the grant period. The RIG has been extended to 09/11/09, and Mr. Auger explained priorities listed on the supplement page to be fulfilled and reported on before that date.

There was brief discussion about the paper industrys tri-state scenario. The RIG encompasses three NH counties, Essex County in Vermont, and Oxford County in Maine. Initial meetings included representatives from St. Johnsbury and Augusta and continued joint participation is encouraged.

Referring to the Health Care Workforce Needs Survey, Ms. Shaffer inquired about submitting a health arena training grant for mature workers. Naiditch made a note of the suggestion.

Wausau Paper Mill: The grant is scheduled to end in December. The assistance center will close this week. Individuals requiring ongoing services will be assisted through Berlin's NH Works office. One grant-supported staff will be housed elsewhere for a few months.

Job Corps: Chair Anagnost provided an update. The pilot project for NH to operate the JC has been deferred by the Governor, so competitive bids for operations will likely be sought through an RFP issued by USDOL.

Several weeks ago 100% design drawings were completed, and a proposal had been negotiated with the City of Manchester to extend water/sewer to the site and install a pumping station. Contacts had been made for gas and electric installations and details were being worked out. The procurement officer in Washington suddenly requested that those services be put out for competitive bids despite there being only one Manchester provider for each utility. There was discussion about a number of frustrations.

Job Training Fund: Power reported that there has been another infusion of dollars from NHES's administrative funds. The G&C approved a fund administration contract between WOC, Inc. and DRED. To date about 77 companies have received job training funds. There has been distribution of $1,552,000 which employers matched in addition to another $700,000. Therefore, $3.844 million has supported training of 3,337 workers.

Green Jobs Act: GJA is federal language for RFP. GJA has four major grant application categories. In NH, meetings have been held including representatives from the Community College System and other players such as AFLCIO preparing a coordinated approach to grant application. ARRA funds will also support Youth Build and Pathways out of Poverty.

OTHER BUSINESS NOT ITEMIZED ON THE AGENDA

Summer Youth Employment Program: Power reported that about $2.3 million was available and expended for summer youth employment programs. Through the good work of Dwight Davis (Youth Council Chair) and Bonnie St. Jean (DOE) rolling RFPs were issued and responded to over the past three months. Distributed funds are supporting 690 summer youth positions. Details are posted on the NH Works and NH Recovery web site.

The WOC, Inc. / DRED Merger: Leadbeater asked for a merger update. Chair Anagnost explained that WOC, Inc. will be folded into to DRED and placed under George Bald's supervision. Mandated under WIA, the Council Board will continue as a policy-making and advisory Board to DRED. A WIA reauthorization bill is expected by October. Council configuration could change under WIA. Although the Board will no longer vote on day-to-day operational items, it will provide some input. Regarding the Job Training Fund, DRED can designate a subcontractor to administer the program which could be Council staff. The bill before the legislature allows DRED some fund flexibility around RR expenditures without any potential delays by seeking G&C approval.

Adjourn: There being no further discussion, Chair Anagnost adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.