Workforce Network of Kansas

Board members in attendance were Ken Bell, Ed Berger, Karin Brownlee, Gerald Cook, Marie Mareda, Lynn Peterson, and Dwayne Peaslee. Staff members in attendance were Barb Reavis and Konnie Leffler.

Guests present were David Brennan, Local Area II; Jim Decoursey, KDHR; Glen Fondoble, Local Area I; Nancy Guthrie, Local Area I; Susan Kavanagh, Local Area V; Kris Kitchen, Local Area II; John McLoughlin, KDHR; Al Rolls, Local Area II; Jon Pettus, Local Area V; Jim Stowell, Local Area V; and Maureen Toll, Local Area I.

Bell called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. After self-introductions and a recap of the Workforce Network of Kansas Vision and Mission statements, the minutes of May 2, 2003 were accepted following a Berger/Peaslee motion.

Reavis gave an update on the status of the research project, reporting that the contract is not yet in the process of being signed (as was reported at the May 2, 2003 Leadership Team meeting), but that KDHR Secretary Jim Garner is reviewing background material to determine how the information the Board had requested is different from the information already available from Labor Market Information Services. Bell reported that he had spoken with the Secretary on May 20, 2003 and, while he recognizes the Secretary's concerns, he still believes that the research process is right in line with the Lieutenant Governor's proposals and the needs expressed by private industry.

Reavis then gave a report on the Lieutenant Governor's recommendations for the future of workforce development in Kansas, which he had presented to Chamber representatives, Cabinet Secretaries and his work group on May 16, 2003. Reavis outlined the specific objectives the Lt. Governor had introduced, as well as the means by which those objectives were to be accomplished. The Leadership Team discussed the recommendations at some length, and Bell proposed that the Lt. Governor be invited to attend the WNK State Board meeting to be held June 27, 2003 (or whenever he would be available) to discuss these recommendations with the Board.

Following a brief break, Reavis gave a report on the Federal Funds state set aside and administration allowances available to state employment and training programs. Bell then announced that because it was nearly the end of the program year, the Leadership Team needed to develop recommendations for the coming year with regard to the role of the Workforce Network of Kansas, its budget, and staff support. Reavis reported on the expenditures for this year and recommended the Leadership Team immediately release back to KDHR $69,530 of PY 2000 funds on which the shelf life will expire June 30, 2003. She explained the draft she had prepared for their review of the FY 2004 WNK operating budget which included a listing of PY 2002 WIA State Set Aside funds the WNK Board helped direct.

Following this, DeCoursey asked permission to address the board, and expressed his concern that monies proposed by the WNK Board to be spent from WIA State Set Aside funds on research or any other activities were funds that could be used for services for individuals. DeCoursey reported he had visited with the U.S. Department of Labor earlier that morning. He explained the money trail flows from U.S. DOL to the Governor to Secretary Jim Garner and then to him. He explained use of the WIA State Set Aside funds could not be determined by the WNK Board and that he was not prepared to approve the budget Reavis presented to the Leadership Team for their consideration. He expressed the view that WNK Board activities should be funded by other mandatory partners, as used to be the case. A lengthy and sometimes heated discussion ensued about how and why administrative and WIA State Set Aside funds were being expended, the role of the WNK Board, whether local administrators' concerns had been sought and considered and a variety of other associated topics. The discussion concluded with Decoursey saying that he would not give the WNK Board any WIA money since he had no authorization to do so, and Bell offering to dissolve the Board if it had no funds to reimburse the volunteer members for travel and expenses and to pay staff. Berger and Peaslee each recommended that Bell discuss this situation with Secretary Garner of KDHR and the Lieutenant Governor, and then reconvene the Leadership Team. Bell agreed and will report back to the board.

In light of the discussion of the day, Bell cancelled the June 27 WNK Board meeting. There was no old business to discuss, no new business to discuss, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.