APPROVED MINUTES

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

JANUARY 22, 2002

EAGLE CREST CONFERENCE CENTER

YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

Mr. Earl Steenstra, Chairperson

MCB STAFF PRESENT

GUESTS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

            Vice Chairperson Greene called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.  Chairperson Steenstra joined the meeting via speakerphone to participate in the discussion of the Director’s evaluation.  Mr. Best joined the Commissioners at the table and read each Commissioner’s ratings and comments.  When all ratings and comments had been read, Mr. Steenstra commented that ratings, when averaged out, would score well over a four on a scale of one to five.  He noted that this was a very good evaluation, and that the Director is more than meeting the expectations of the Board.  Mr. Cannon thanked the Board and expressed his appreciation for what he viewed as a very good evaluation.

            The Commissioners discussed objectives for 2002 and Mr. Cannon said that he would summarize the comments and submit to the Board, before the February meeting, a revised list of objectives for final approval at that meeting.

            Chairperson Steenstra said that discussion items for the next Committee of the Whole will be Public Act 260 and an open dialogue process for the Committee of the Whole meetings.

            Ms. Pilarski reported that she had attended the Elected Operators Committee retreat and said that it was very successful and was a triumph for the dialogue circle process.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

            Vice Chairperson Greene called the meeting to order at 10:29 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 17, 2001 MINUTES AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION AND THAT THE RESULTS BE FORWARDED TO THE FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S OFFICE.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

            Mr. Geer Wilcox, member of the National Federation of the Blind-Michigan, said that he hoped the Board would explore P.A. 260 and the obligations that the Act puts on the Board.  He also stated that he hoped that members of the blind organizations would be included in the process.

            Mr. Casey Dutmer, Chairman of the Elected Operators Committee, said that he is glad that the issue of P.A. 260 has been put on the table and hopes the Commission Board will involve all blind consumers in the study of the Act.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

            The Board was given copies of three letters that Chairperson Steenstra had sent.  Two were congratulatory letters to MCB staff who had received awards and one was to the Governor expressing support of the Hi-Speed Internet Plan.

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO ACCEPT THE BOARD CORRESPONDENCE.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

            Director Cannon called attention to the MCB written report which contained a lot of information about legislation pending in Congress relating to election reform.  It is expected that the compromise bill will strengthen the accessibility provisions of the elections reform legislation.

            Mr. Cannon also reported that President Bush has appointed Dr. Roy Grizzard from Virginia as the head of the Office of Disability Employment Policy.

            Mr. Cannon updated the Board on the progress of the Vision 2020 process.  He explained that six focus design teams have now been formed and all stakeholders will now be able to become involved in one of the six focus groups.  The six focus design teams are:  Structure and Placement; Technology; Fiscal Resources; Image and Identity; Partnering; and Services Design.  He said that it is a constantly evolving process for continuously improving the services that MCB provides.

            Mr. Bowman indicated that he was not interested in remaining on the internal Administrative Placement Committee.

MS. THOMAS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORTASPRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

            Mr. Buscetta informed the Board that Michigan has been accepted as one of the states in the second tier to implement Ticket To Work.  He said that it is important that MCB inform the public that it is the agency to provide services in conjunction with the Ticket To Work legislation in the state for blind individuals.  He said that there are significant unknowns as to how the Ticket To Work will accomplish its goal.

            Mr. Buscetta said that a scholarship had been awarded to Mr. Michael Welch of the Escanaba office to attend the Josephine L. Taylor Institute in Washington, D.C.  One scholarship was awarded for all the states.

            Mr. Buscetta also informed the Board that additional Independent Living funds will be received this year and that priorities have been established for its use.  It is proposed that this extra money be use to contract one IL person for the Southeast Region for a total of two IL people in the Detroit area.

DOWNRIVER WATER SKIING CLINIC

            Mr. Buscetta said that the Downriver Water Skiing Clinic for the Blind has been held for fourteen years.  He said that it has been a fun and exciting project and he introduced Mr. Chuck Risch, Mr. Brace Pentoney and Mr. Carl Monroe of the Downriver Water Skiing Club who have been responsible for organizing the program every year.  Over 300 blind individuals have had the pleasure of experiencing water skiing through the program.  Mr. Buscetta presented Mr. Risch with a plaque for his leadership of the clinic.  Mr. Risch said that one single person cannot accept credit for the clinic but that three groups are involved.  He said that the Downriver Water Skiing Club provides all the boats and the training, the Gross Isle Lions Club provides a continental breakfast and the lunch every year, and also, the Eye of the Storm Teen Foundation provides assistance and an ice cream social.  Mr. Buscetta said that Ms. Gwen McNeal is the new coordinator for the program and that if anyone wanted to be involved, they should contact Ms. McNeal.

MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

            Ms. Lindsey reported that the liaison with Michigan Career and Technical Institute was still being sought and, with the retirement of Mr. Larry King, a new person will be identified to pursue this endeavor.

            Ms. Lindsey also informed the Board that permission had been received from FIA that the accountant position and the maintenance mechanic position could be filled from within FIA and responses had been received from interested FIA staff.  Interviews will be held soon to fill the two positions.  Also, a Rehabilitation Teaching Intern will begin shortly at the Center.

MS. THOMAS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE TRAINING CENTER REPORT AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

INTRODUCTION OF SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AT THE UNIVERSITYOF MICHIGAN

            Ms. Christine Brown, Coordinator of Services for the Blind at the University of Michigan Services for Students with Disabilities, provided information on the services at the University and said that the services are tailored to each individual.  They have a fully adaptive, up-to-date, technology site with personnel available to assist students.  They offer orientation and mobility skills.  They work closely with faculty and staff and provide whatever services are needed to support the student in their academic careers.  They also bring in speakers who can act as role models for the students and Melody Lindsey has been asked to be one of the speakers.  One of Ms. Brown’s goals is to educate the community and the faculty on blindness issues and what it means to be blind.  Lastly, Ms. Brown said that she is very interested in forming a partnership with the Commission.

            The meeting was recessed for lunch at 12:02 p.m.

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            The meeting was reconvened at 1:03 p.m.

VISIONS 2002

            Ms. Margaret Wolfe, Director, Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, said that the Library was partnering with the Commission on two projects.  The first is Visions 2002 which is a vendor fair entitled “What’s New in Technology and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.”  It will take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College.  Two years ago, the event drew over 700 people and more are expected at the 2002 event.  Ten agencies in the Washtenaw County area comprise the planning committee, with the Commission for the Blind being one of the agencies.  Ms. Virginia Dean and Mr. Gerry Such are the contacts from the Commission.  She said that she and Pat Cannon will be taping a television spot called “Access Ann Arbor” that will play two to three weeks before the event to advertise it.  Volunteers are also being sought to assist with the event.

            The second project, also in collaboration with the Commission, is with the University of Michigan School of Industrial Design.  The School of Industrial Design is participating in this project with the National Library Service and the Industrial Designers Society of America to develop a prototype for a case for the new digital talking book machine.  The Commission will provide expertise in regards to blindness to the students involved in this project.

            Mr. Cannon reminded Commissioners that MCB’s Mini-Adjustment Program will be held in Ann Arbor April 14-19 and the Visions 2002 event will also be held in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, April 17.  He invited Commissioners to attend portions of the Mini-Adjustment Program and the 2002 event since they will already be in the southern portion of the state for the April 15 Commission meeting in Kalamazoo.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED PROGRAM ENHANCING REHABILITATION (VIPER)

            Mr. Leamon Jones introduced Dr. Bernard Miller, Director, Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit, and said that the Visually Impaired Program Enhancing Rehabilitation (VIPER) Program was Dr. Miller’s idea and that the Commission has collaborated with the program for about ten years. 

            Dr. Miller said that one of the missions of the VIPER program is to provide high-tech low vision devices to MCB clients for whom the Commission is unable to supply.  The program also enhances MCB services for adjustment counseling and job placement.  A spin-off from the VIPER program is the VITAL program, Visually Impaired Transportation Access Link, which deals with a transportation system for the blind.  Dr. Miller encouraged the Commission to do more partnering with non-profit organizations.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

            Mr. Best distributed to the Commissioners results of the 2001 Michigan Commission for the Blind goals and said that the results have also been sent to each MCB office for posting.  This is being called the “scoreboard” and will be updated and posted in each office.

            Mr. Best reviewed the current year and coming year budgets and said that MCB had received word from the RSA Regional office in Chicago that an additional $210,000 for the Title I grant would be awarded.

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISEPROGRAM REPORT

            Mr. Wurtzel reported that the BEP was in the very early stages of exploring the possibility of a facility within a new Lansing YMCA location.  He will keep the Commission Board apprised as this develops.

            Mr. Wurtzel introduced Mr. Joe Pelle, field representative for the Southeast Michigan Region, consisting of Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw and Jackson Counties.  Mr. Pelle highlighted a couple of the larger projects he has handled since becoming BEP supervisor.  He said the Food Court at the McNamara Building is unique because it has a Pizza Hut and a Subway inside the Food Court, as well as a grill area, a Starbucks Coffee and a Dunkin Donuts.  Another project is a pilot project utilizing technology.  Even though this project is in Clare Michigan, Mr. Wurtzel asked Mr. Pelle to provide assistance since his background is in technology.  This technology will allow the operator to view his vending machines from home and know what needs to be replenished.  Mr. Wurtzel also indicated that this new system will allow the acceptance of credit cards which should increase sales by 20 to 33 percent.

            Mr. Casey Dutmer presented the Elected Operators Committee Report.  Mr. Dutmer said that he felt the January 11 EOC Retreat was a success and thanked Commissioner Pilarski for her participation and noted that it is important to have Commissioners participate at EOC functions.  Mr. Dutmer provided a brief informational update to the Board on the Retreat.

            Mr. Dutmer spoke about Public Act 260 and the implication for BEP facilities.  He said that it is a state law which obligates the state to fund the program.  Commissioners decided to make this an agenda item for the February meeting.

MS. THOMAS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

            Mr. Geer Wilcox said that the National Federation of the Blind-Michigan State Board Meeting will be on February 16 in Ann Arbor at the Michigan League, Kalamazoo Room, and invited the Commissioners to attend.

            Mr. Casey Dutmer thanked the Board for taking up the P.A. 260 issue.

ADJOURNMENT

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            The meeting was adjourned at 2:39 p.m.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at the Victor Office Center in Lansing, Michigan.  The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.

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Earl Steenstra, Chairperson

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