Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

 

January 10, 2006

 

Call to Order: Acting Chair Terry D. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

 

Welcome and Introductions : Terry D. welcomed Jodi Lindsay and introductions made.

 

In Attendance: Stefanie Leibel, Communities Investing in Families, Angie Sanders, Braham, Cambridge-Isanti, Mora, Princeton ABE Consortium, Dennis Tollefson, Central MN Jobs & Training Cambridge/Mora WFC, Bruce Novak, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, Nick Waldoch, Braham Area Schools, Terry Dalbey, DEED, Bob Voss, ECRDC, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Jodi Lindsay, DEED, Jenny Leabo, Chisago County, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Christy Flaspeter, Grandview and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

 

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of December 13, 2005 were approved upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Bruce N. Motion carried.

 

Financial Report: Executive Director Ray H. reported a balance of $27,522.10. Revenue was from interest and reimbursement for Employer Conference upfront expense. Expenditures were for Executive Director service and mileage, Gold Collar Career Day bills paid to Pizza Pub, Westerman Bus Co. and Mohr Parts & Supply Co., State of Minnesota and accounting firm, Peffer & Wallace, Ltd. CPA. Moved by Bruce N., seconded by Jenny L. to approve financial report. Motion carried.

 

Executive Director Payment for Services: Upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Nick W., members approved payment for one day for director services in December 2005. Motion carried.

 

East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC) Mission, Programs and Accomplishments: Robert Voss, Executive Director of the ECRDC presented information on its mission, programs and accomplishments. He presented a historical overview and identified staff, region served and commission membership. The mission statement was reviewed.

 

Programs and services of the ECRDC include: community and economic development, transportation planning and technical assistance, east central arts council, east central senior resource center, geographic information systems and regional data and information center.

 

Community and Economic Development: They are presently recruiting an economic development person. Their new focus is on regional economic development and currently has available 500 hours of consulting time from Central Lakes College to do this. They are regional administrators of the JOB-Z program, have a revolving loan fund and provide technical assistance to help with economic development in the region.

 

Transportation Planning and Technical Assistance: ECRDC is within three Minnesota Department of Transportation districts. Staff meets regularly with city and county engineers to develop and maintain a regional transportation plan. The region received 22 million dollars for projects in the last funding cycle with the largest project being the Hwy. 35 and 95 bridge reconstruction in North Branch.

 

East Central Arts Council: ECRDC receives an annual appropriation so the arts council can fund and promote the arts in the region. The last appropriation was for $57,000.

 

East Central Senior Resource Center: ECRDC is now part of a 14 county region that assists with planning and provides funding for organizations that provide services for the elderly. Examples of programs are senior dining, hospice and a senior linkage and referral center.

 

Geographic Information Systems: ECRDC is paired with the Arrowhead region to provide mapping and data bases to assist with land use and transportation planning efforts. The information system helps community planners with zoning, utility planning and providing emergency services, such as E-911.

 

Regional Data and Information: ECRDC maintains a regional data center and provides demographic and economic data.

 

Families Forward Phase II Grant Interim Report: Copies of the introduction and major accomplishment sections of the report were distributed. Ray H. and Stefanie L. highlighted accomplishments primarily that this grant has involved 75 low-income workers in 10 central Minnesota counties in structured training programs that will allow them to move forward at their present worksite or obtain an advanced position at another company. Participants express appreciation for the scholarships and help this grant has given them.

 

Gold Collar Career Day: A Gold Collar Career Day Summary survey was distributed. Robert M. explained and touched on the main points.

 

Employer Conference: The Employer Conference is set for April 26, 2006 at Grand Casino Hinckley. Beth Nelson is planning committee chair. Terry D. has asked Governor Pawlenty to be the main speaker with Matt Kramer as back-up speaker. Members said biggest issues state hears is lack of work ethic and soft skills The planning committee has scheduled two meetings in January to finalize plans.

 

Reports: Robert M. distributed Center of Excellence handout and Ray H. explained Economic Summit construction committee tours and summer camp proposals.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel