December 2001 Meeting
VICTOR CENTER
Monday, December 17, 2001
9:00:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mr. Earl Steenstra, Chairperson
Mr. Donald Bowman
Ms. Peeti Greene
Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski
Ms. Barbara Thomas

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
None

MCB STAFF PRESENT
Mr. Patrick Cannon
Ms. Connie Kreiner
Mr. James Buscetta
Ms. Melody Lindsey
Mr. Larry Best
Ms. Debbie Wilson
Mr. Bob Arnold
Mr. Fred Wurtzel
Mr. Bob Robertson
Mr. Charles Dunn
Ms. Tina Hoy
Mr. Bob Utrup
Ms. Lisa Kisiel
Ms. Sherry Gordon
Ms. Cynthia Caldwell
Ms. Karla Hudson
Ms. Amy Daniel
Ms. Joann Woodward
Ms. Constance Zanger
Mr. Ray Kirklin
Ms. Dee Robertson

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE STAFF PRESENT
Mr. John Breusch
Ms. Kim Harding

FIA STAFF PRESENT
Ms. Jocelyn Vanda

GUESTS
Mr. John Victory
Mr. Jim Maas
Ms. Michelle Makhlouf
Ms. Linda Stacey
Ms. Charis Austin
Ms. Francia Malone
Ms. Valerie Yarger
Ms. Kathy Brown
Ms. Diane Novak
Ms. Kim Terry
Dr. Mike Leahy
Ms. Gretchen Garmella
Dr. Kristianna Matthewis
Mr. Tony Henson
Mr. Ram Kalimat

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Chairperson Steenstra called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 9:22 a.m. Mr. Steenstra welcomed the new Commissioner, Ms. Barbara Thomas, to the Board. Ms. Thomas provided brief biographical information on herself.
Chairperson Steenstra asked Director Cannon to provide an update of the Vision 2020 Committee. Mr. Cannon said that through several meetings involving Commissioners, staff and stakeholders, six focus design teams have emerged which deal with such areas as service design, technology, resources, image and identity, partnering and collaboration, and structure of the Commission for the Blind. The next step will be to expand participation in the six areas. Mr. Cannon said that the process has opened communication through all levels of the Commission.
Commissioner Greene said that the Diversity Committee is moving ahead with their project to publicize the Commission and the services provided.
The Commissioners next discussed the procedure they wished to follow for the evaluation of the Director. The 2001 performance objectives were distributed which the Board had approved a year ago. The Board decided that Dr. Allen would assist in the completion of the evaluation because the period covered falls within her tenure on the Board. Director Cannon offered a brief self-evaluation, noting that all objectives were, in his view, met very well ,with the exception of three particular objective components where timelines have not yet been met.

REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
Chairperson Steenstra called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 15, 2001 MINUTES AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Velma Allen said that it has been a joy and a pleasure to serve on the Commission Board and that she wants to remain involved with Commission issues. The Board presented Dr. Allen with a plaque for her nine years of service to the Commission. She was also presented with flowers and holiday centerpiece.
Chairperson Steenstra formally welcomed Ms. Barbara Thomas to the Board.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Due to the very large agenda, Director Cannon said that he would be brief and called attention to the written report which contains more detail. He noted that the MCB Speaker’s Bureau was beginning to take shape. Prospective lists of speakers are being compiled and the Commission will soon be able fill requests for speakers.
Further, he said that he and Melody Lindsey had attended the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind meeting in November and had both enjoyed a panel discussion on the use of sleepshades for teaching the skills of blindness.
Mr. Cannon reported that the Commission will be co-sponsoring Visions 2002 with the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled in Ann Arbor on April 17. He noted too that “Discovery Learning Training” will once again be conducted for staff this year and he invited Commissioners to participate if their time permits.
MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Kim Harding, the Governor’s liaison to the Board, commented that the Governor has introduced the HiSpeed Internet Plan which will create a financing authority to provide low-interest loans and grants to internet providers for broadband service and it would also provide a permit process for internet providers. The Board agreed to write a letter of support of the Governor’s plans.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT
Mr. Buscetta noted that a couple of staff persons had recently received awards. Ms. Roberta McCall had received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Michigan Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) conference. Also, Ms. Michelle Visscher had received the Randy Cronenwett Memorial Award from the Michigan Rehabilitation Association Job Placement Division at the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference. The Commission had received an award from Peckham Vocational Industries for working in collaboration with them on behalf of individuals who are blind.
Mr. Buscetta said that he had added the statement the Commission Board had requested to the policy regarding communicable diseases that states that the procedures will be reviewed on a yearly basis.
MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY AS READ. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MS. PILARKSI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. GREENE, TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED POLICY DEALING WITH FAIR HEARINGS. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT COUNCIL REPORT
Ms. Charis Austin, Chairperson of the Consumer Involvement Council (CIC) said that the CIC is asking for the Board’s support of the CIC’s response to the proposed rules for special education. The rules do not speak to the specific needs of blind children.
MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO SUPPORT THE CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED RULES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Finally, Ms. Visscher said that the CIC has finished compiling the information from the MCB report card that was devised to collect information from consumers about the Commission. A full report on the information will be provided at the February Commission meeting.

MCB/MRS STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Dr. Michael Leahy, Director, Office for Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at Michigan State University, explained the needs assessment that his office is doing in conjunction with Abt Associates in Boston. This study is for MCB and Michigan Rehabilitation Services. The study has two components. The first is the qualitative portion which will be conducted through interviews and focus groups and the quantitative portion will use a survey instrument. The final report is expected to be done by June.

UPDATE ON THE MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Ms. Kathy Brown, Principal of the Michigan School for the Blind, said that the School’s strategic plan had been updated in 2001 and, from that, they have devised a program and services plan to follow for the coming fiscal year. She said that they work in partnership with parent groups, the Commission for the Blind, volunteer transcriber groups and the Michigan Assistive Technology Resource. Timelines and evaluation measures are also built into the plan.
Mr. Steenstra asked that Ms. Brown be put on the Commission agenda in the spring to talk more about the issues associated with the School for the Blind. Ms. Brown suggested that Ms. Jackie Thompson be invited to be on the agenda also.

RECOGNITION OF DR. KRISTIANNA MATTHEWIS
Ms. Amy Daniel, Counselor with the Central Region Office, introduced Dr. Kristianna Matthewis. Dr. Matthewis was recently inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Persons With Disabilities. She shares that honor with others such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Steven Hawking. Ms. Daniel said that Dr. Matthewis is currently the Medical Director of the Cumadin Clinic at the PGPA Clinic in Okemos and is practicing as a family doctor in Durand and also teaching at Lansing Community College. Both Ms. Daniel and Dr. Matthewis shared the difficulties Dr. Matthewis overcame to receive her medical degree.

The meeting was adjourned for lunch at 12:10 p.m.
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The meeting was called back to order at 1:10 p.m.

MCB ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Mr. Jim Buscetta said that in the past, MCB has presented one employer and one client recognition, but this year the committee decided to honor one employer and one client from each region.
Ms. Joann Woodward’s client from the Southeast Region, Mr. Udobi Ikeji, was unable to be present to receive his award. Mr. Ikeji came from Nigeria to the United States for eye surgery which was not successful. In Nigeria he was a very successful business consultant. He self-taught himself all the adaptive technology that he needed and has gained employment at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Bob Arnold, Southeast Region, introduced Mr. Jim Maas and Ms. Michelle Makhlous from Modified Technologies in Romeo who employs Mr. Maas. Mr. Arnold said that Modified Technologies has gone out of their way to ensure Mr. Maas’ success and have expressed a desire to hire more MCB clients.
Ms. Debbie Wilson introduced Ms. Francia Malone, the client of the year from the Central Region. Ms. Malone has made great strides and contributes her training at the MCB Training Center to help her gain confidence in her abilities.
Mr. Ray Kirklin presented the employer recognition award for the Central Region to Meijer, Inc. at 1015 E. Pickard Rd. in Mt. Pleasant. The store has hired two MCB clients. They have been very flexible to facilitate hiring the two clients.
Ms. Lisa Kisiel said that the awardee from the Northwest Region was unable to be present to accept the award because of his commitment to his job. His name is Mr. Iyad Yousef and Ms. Kisiel said that Mr. Yousef had ultimately obtained employment using his training and education received through the Commission.
Ms. Dee Robertson introduced the employer of the year awardee from the Special Services Unit, Arby’s Restaurant on Euclid Avenue in Bay City. Ms. Diane Novak and Ms. Kim Kerry were both present from Arby’s to receive the award. Ms. Robertson said that their commitment to hiring people with disabilities is very strong.
Ms. Tina Hoy said that the Independent Living award was being awarded to Ms. Josephine Sprik of Cadillac. Ms. Sprik is 83 years old and unable to be present for the awards because she was out of town for the holidays. Ms. Sprik has received many hours of training in order to maintain her independence and is an advocate for Commission services and the Training Center.
The next award was presented via telephone because the Employer of the Year for the Northwest Region is located in Sunnyvale, California. They are Sensory Access Foundation (SAF) and were nominated by Ms. Sherry Gordon. They employ 23 people and nine of them are blind or visually impaired and twelve others have other disabilities. Two clients from MCB have been hired in the past nine months. The Executive Director, Ms. Diana Drews, accepted the award via telephone.
Mr. Wurtzel said that the Business Enterprise Program award for the Operator of the Year is a combination selection process between staff and the operators. This year’s awardee is Gary Collier, the operator at the Tank Automotive Command in Warren. Mr. Wurtzel said that he is a great credit to the program. Mr. Collier was unable to be present to accept the award.

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT
Ms. Melody Lindsey reported that Mr. Larry King would be retiring from the Training Center at the end of December and also that Ms. Linda Cochran, accountant at the Training Center, had accepted another position and would be leaving. Ms. Lindsey said that with the current hiring freeze, Ms. Cochran’s position would be advertised within the Family Independence Agency to see if a transfer could be facilitated.
Ms. Lindsey also reported that starting in January, Internet access would be available for students at the Center. In the past, students have been able to learn the Internet through the Goodwill-sponsored training, but now that this capacity has been added, it will expand the opportunities for learning the Internet at the Center.
Ms. Lindsey said that the in-service training which was held in November at the Center had gone very well and she had received positive feedback indicating that the training was very beneficial and staff had appreciated the opportunity to spend time on learning new skills and developing objectives for the coming year.
As Director Cannon had reported earlier, Ms. Lindsey said that she had attended with Director Cannon, the National Council on State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) meeting in November in San Antonio, Texas. She reported that NCSAB passed a resolution to support HR 2674 which the Commission Board had also endorsed.
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO ACCEPT THE MCBTC REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT
Mr. Best reported that, for the first time in his memory, MCB finished in a deficit for the 2001 fiscal year. He attributed this to the unknown pattern of Social Security reimbursements. However, pending reimbursements in the amount of over $400,000 and another award of $119,000 for a total of $527,000 were received which eliminated the deficit. He said that this year ’s budget would also be lean for several reasons. The first is that Congress has not authorized the rehabilitation appropriation bill. Mr. Best also reported on meetings that he and Director Cannon were able to have with Governor’s office staff and Department of Management and Budget to enlighten them on the Commission’s budget situation.
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM UPDATE
Mr. Wurtzel began his report by crediting Mr. Casey Dutmer with the improved relationship between the Commission and the Elected Operators. He also gave credit to Director Cannon and the Vision 2020 efforts. Mr. Dutmer returned the compliment to the BEP staff.
Mr. Dutmer said that the second annual Elected Operator’s Committee retreat would be held January 11 and 12 in Battle Creek and invited the Commissioners to attend.
Mr. Dutmer read the motions from the October 6, 2001 EOC meeting. A motion to approve the document entitled “Training Criteria for Potential Operator Reinstatement” required Board action because it was a policy change.
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO APPROVE THE MOTION TO CHANGE THE POLICY FOR TRAINING CRITERIA FOR POTENTIAL OPERATOR REINSTATEMENT. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MS. THOMAS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ACTION ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DECISION
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO REVOKE THE COMPLAINANT’S LICENSE TO OPERATE THE BEP FACILITIES AT THE HURON VALLEY CENTER, BUT REJECT THE SECOND PART OF THE ALJ DECISION TO BID ON OTHER LOCATIONS. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Bowman commented that, “…this is a culmination of a long history of a certain individual who has had problems throughout his career and that with some policy changes, especially in the promotional policy, situations like this can be avoided in the future. This is another example of why we need policy changes in the promotional policy area.”

PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Valerie Yarger, Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), said that the SILC would like to be proactive in aiding the Commission to meet the match requirement for the Title VII monies.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. The next meeting will be on January 22, 2002 at the Eagle Crest Conference Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Committee of the Whole will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.