Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

December 9, 2003

Call to Order: Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.

In Attendance: Sharon Prahl, People Focus, Chris O. Miller, Oak Land Vocational, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Nick Waldoch, Braham Area Schools, Christy Paulson, Grandview Christian, Bridget Petersen, Greater MN Credit Union, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Inc., Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Natalie Kuehl, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Terry Dalbey, WorkForce Center, Sara Treiber, ECRDC, Kathy Burski, Lakes & Pines, CAC, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, John Schlagel, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Guest Laurie Hoheisel was introduced.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of November 11, 2003 were approved upon motion by Ginger G., seconded by Nancy M. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Treasurer John S. reported a balance of $45,820.02. Revenues were from interest. Expenditures were for Executive Director services, mileage, meeting expense and charitable organization registration fee. Moved Robert M., seconded by Ken R. to approve financial report. Motion carried.

Audit Follow-up – Conflict of Interest/Recusals Policy: Bridget P. shared sample policy that her firm uses. She presented the policy and explained the disclosure form. Following discussion several changes were suggested to both documents. They will be revised and presented at the January meeting.

Employer Conference Planning: Marty H. led the discussion.

Main Speaker: Members briefed Marty H. on last meeting’s discussion on main speakers and she presented additional information about speakers. Following discussion she was asked to contact Tou Ger Xiong and make arrangements for him to speak. She will ask that he emphasize diversity/difference among people in the workplace and that workplaces reflect respect and sensitivity. Since the speaker fee is above budget Robert M. moved, seconded by Nick W. to make application to Initiative Fund for a small grant to cover a portion of the speaker costs. Motion approved.

Members also suggested contacting Mille Lacs Band to gage their interest in participating in the conference since the theme of the conference is “Respecting Differences.”

Breakout Sessions Topics: Breakout sessions from previous discussion were reviewed. The following topics and/or speakers were recommended for the conference.

n DEED Presentation – Employers in the Know – Cameron Macht

n Employability Skills

n Learning Styles – Differences

n Customer Service for Managers – Extension (Liz Templin)

n Common Sense of Business – Community Involvement (Ginger G.)

n How to be a Mentor? Mentoring New Employees – (Chris M.)

n Doing Business with the Band – (Robert M.)

n Fair Labor Standards – Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Kathy B.)

An outline for information needed for each breakout session was distributed. Members assisting with securing speakers/presenters for the sessions are asked to forward the information to Marty H.

Presentation on Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) Grant: Sara T. gave report and noted that application was submitted on October 15, 2003. She showed a single copy of the application, which is about 4-5 inches thick and distributed a regional map that depicted the zones. It identified 35 sub-zones totaling 1803 acres located in 14 participating cities. The vast majority of acreage was industrial land. She gave an example of an exception that was submitted by the City of Cambridge for 8 acres at the former RTC site designated for mixed use – commercial and residential.

She stated that there was good representation from all counties, however only cities made applications. Resolutions of support were received from all involved school districts, counties and cities. Statewide 10 JOBZ applications were submitted. Results will be announced by December 31, 2003 and will take effect on January 1, 2004.

Sara T. also noted that Governor Pawlenty visited the region and was interested in specific projects. Discussed were projects in Pine City (high speed Internet), Cambridge (RTC property development and new industrial park), Hinckley (cooperative efforts with band) and Mora (potential new business).

Sara T. and Robert M. were complimented for their effort and leadership in submitting the application. Robert M. for getting the ball rolling and supplying initial leadership and Sara T. for involvement and doing the work, completing and submitting the application.

Toyota Grant Update: Toyota Grant committee members gave a brief progress report, basically stating that the first draft prepared by consultant, Sally G. has been reviewed by the committee. Sally G is in the process of incorporating suggestions given and will present the revisions at the next meeting that is scheduled for December 10, 2003.

Families Forward Grant Progress Report: Ray H. gave highlights of report Marty H. had given at the last Communities Investing in Families task force meeting. She had reported good news in that all 26 slots for the five county area had been filled, but now work was to begin on filling year-two slots. Businesses and agencies were encouraged to continue recruiting potential participants. She also had mentioned that one of surprises of the grant was the amount of attrition from those who expressed initial interest to those finally accepted.

Brainstorm Potential Speakers, Presenters, Topics for Upcoming Partnership Meetings: John N. opened the discussion by stated that business seems to be picking up a little and they were actually in recruiting and hiring mode. Potential topics might be employee training and hiring issues.

Ray H. mentioned that Liz Templin – Regional Extension Educator – Community Economics and Professor University of Minnesota Extension Service is interested in presenting at and attending meetings.

Ken R. thought it would be important to receive an update on changing graduation standards, especially in science and mathematics. The new standards come without additional revenue attached with a great potential to erode or compromise existing educational opportunities. Most likely candidates for erosion are electives, including vocational and technical education.

Ginger G. praised the accomplishment of the PASS program at Princeton that involved students learning via real life applications. Instructor Nealna Gylling has a video and could present a real success story.

Robert M. said that Mille Lacs Band has taken an aggressive proactive stance toward business development, equity investment and training programs in construction trades. A presentation from the band and an invitation to attend meetings was suggested.

It was decided that Liz Templin, Extension Educator would present at January meeting and that superintendents led by Nick W. would arrange presentation on update of graduation standards at February meeting. Discussion on meetings beyond February will continue.

Executive Director Payment for Services and Mileage: Upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Nancy M members approved payment for two days for director services in November 2003. Motion carried.

Information sharing: Steve Sussman, DEED regional representative has been replaced by Diane Knutson. Ray H. will contact and invite her to meetings. John S. was complimented for being featured and pictured in Upsize Magazine. Employer Conference will be on April 16, 2004.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on January 13, 2004.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel