BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Richard Turk, 2^nd  Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co

Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co

George Crawford, Secretary, Webster Co.

Steve Arrington, Schley Co.                 

Bill McGowan, Sumter Co.      

J. Rivers, Crisp Co.

Mary Ayers, Taylor Co.

Roosevelt James, Macon Co.

Willie James Larry, Macon Co.

Sarah Trask, Macon Co

LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

 

Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co

Terrance Bryant, 1^st Vice Chairman, Sumter Co.

Dave Wills, 3^rd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co.

Willie James Larry, Macon Co.

Jared Stevens, Sumter County

Dan Gattis, Schley Co.

Otis Mathis, Jr., Taylor Co.

Ronald Graham, Marion Co.

Willie Davis, Dooly Co.

Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.

Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.

Cora Black, Schley Co.

STAFF PRESENT

 

Don ten Bensel

Sarah Walls

Gerald Mixon

Mickey Holloway

Grace Howell

CALL TO ORDER

Due to the absences of Chairman Ralph Brown and First Chairman Terrance Bryant, Second Vice Chairman, Richard Turk called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

MINUTES

Minutes of the October 27, 2004 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval.

Motion: Motion was made by Mary Ayers and duly seconded by Jeff Couturier that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending December 8, 2004 to those present.

OLD BUSINESS

Workforce System Update

Mickey Holloway reported that approximately 220 participants are being served in various functions of the Workforce System with 26 area employers participating. Participants are being served in all eight counties of the Middle Flint area.

Mickey introduced two students, Orinthius Oates and Craig Kelly, that are enrolled in the Diesel Equipment Technology Program at South GA Technical College. These two students recently received scholarships in recognition of their hard work and dedication to their schoolwork.

Julie Partain, SGTC Workforce System Coordinator, also praised these two young men on receiving the scholarship. Ms. Partain added that the students are active in school, community, and church activities. They are very passionate people and are well rounded, exemplary students.

Students were selected for the scholarship based on academic achievement, test scores, and interview. Mr. Oates and Mr. Kelly were presented $25.00 gift certificates from Wal-Mart.

FY 05/06 Regional Work Plan

Gerald Mixon gave a sample draft document to the committee members that were selected at last month’s monthly meeting to assist the Middle Flint staff develop the 2005 work program. These were given to the committee members for review before attending a working session scheduled for early January. Gerald stated that once the committee has completed the draft document it will be submitted to the Regional Advisory Council before submission to DCA by March 31, 2005 for state approval.

Travel Reimbursement and Director Addresses

Grace Howell asked for each Board member to return their travel reimbursement form and the Director address form to Middle Flint as soon as possible.

NEW BUSINESS

Adoption of Middle Flint FY 2004 Regional Agenda

Gerald Mixon reported that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has reviewed the Regional Agenda for the Middle Flint region and has determined that it adequately addresses the requirements of the Minimum Standards and Procedures for Regional Planning.

Gerald asked for official adoption by the Middle Flint Board of the FY 04 Regional Plan.
Gerald stated that once DCA receives notification that the Regional Plan has been adopted then we will be notified that the Regional Plan will be in compliance with the Regional Planning Standards and Procedures.

Motion: Motion was made by Bill McGowan and duly seconded by LaVonne Jernigan that the Plan be adopted. Vote was unanimous.

PROGRAM

Ms. Cynthia Robinson, Director, Workforce Development Division, Georgia Department of Labor, gave a very informative presentation on the services of the Georgia Department of Labor.
She said that in the WIA Annual Report it states all the performance measures that are necessary within the Workforce Development. Middle Flint Workforce Development Agency met and exceeded all performance measurers and as a result of this, and other Workforce agencies exceeding their performance standards, has allowed the State to receive an incentive grant in the amount of $300,000+. Ms. Robinson stated this incentive money will be used to fund an initiative that will be developed the first of the year called the Georgia Incumbent Worker Initiative Summary. In the Board packet was a handout explaining the Summary.

After the presentation Ms. Robinson entertained questions.



BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Board Members that were present were given the opportunity to report on things of interest pertaining to their cities and counties.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.