COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ms. Peeti Greene, Vice Chairperson
Dr. Velma Allen
Mr. Donald Bowman
Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Mr. Earl Steenstra, Chairperson

MCB STAFF PRESENT
Mr. Patrick Cannon
Ms. Connie Kreiner
Mr. James Buscetta
Ms. Melody Lindsey
Mr. Bernie Kramer
Mr. Larry Best
Mr. Mike Welch
Mr. John McMahon
Ms. Sue Johnson
Ms. Rose Dunlap-Gist
Ms. Debbie Wilson
Ms. Nancy Ladley
Ms. Rosalind Byers-Lang
Ms. Michelle Visscher
Ms. Judy Terwilliger
Ms. Cynthia Caldwell
Mr. Tony VanStaveren
Ms. Roberta McCall

GUESTS
Ms. Darlene Piconi
Ms. Shirley Davis
Ms. Rebecca Seybert
Mr. Brian Seybert
Mr. Brian Erlichman
Mr. John Victory
Ms. Judy Brovage
Ms. Debra Beamish
Ms. Doreen Brown
Mr. Alvin Brovage
Ms. Leanne Ford
Mr. Gary Garn
Ms. Anne Marie Askwith
Ms. Sara Menzel
Ms. Geri Taeckens

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Vice Chairperson Greene called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 9:14 a.m. Ms. Greene began the meeting with a moment of silence in recognition of the recent terrorist attacks. She then asked Director Cannon to provide an update on the health of Chairperson Steenstra. Mr. Cannon advised that Mr. Steenstra was recovering from his second surgery. The surgeries were both considered successful. Chairperson Steenstra had asked Mr. Cannon to express his gratitude to all his well-wishers and advise that he expects to be at the next Commission meeting.
The Committee of the Whole asked Mr. Buscetta to join them for a discussion on determination of client eligibility, job placement and job-in-jeopardy services. Mr. Buscetta said that with respect to determination of eligibility there must be a significant impediment to employment based on a functional limitation, have social security involvement, and be legally blind.
Mr. Buscetta said that job placement is done in a variety of ways. Staff, of course, find jobs for clients, clients themselves develop their skills and find their own jobs, and placement services are also used. One-on-one training for staff is planned to assist staff in getting jobs for people and Michigan Works! offices will also be utilized.
About job-in-jeopardy, Mr. Buscetta explained that basically a job would be considered in jeopardy if it is due to a lack of skill, capability or equipment.
Dr. Allen asked for an update on the issue of the Richmond and Adaire highway vending rest areas which had surfaced at the last Commission meeting. Mr. Bowman explained the motions which had been passed by the Elected Operator’s Committee.

REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
Vice Chairperson Greene called the meeting to order at 9:55 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Bowman said that the minutes of the August 20, 2001 Commission meeting should reflect the meeting that Mr. Wurtzel had with the Assistant Attorney General to reflect that, according to the comments from the Attorney General staff, BEP operators do have the right to provide comprehensive catering services in state buildings and facilities, although there is no statutory mandate for building tenants to utilize only BEP services.
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY DR. ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

APPROVAL OF THE FY 2001-2002 MEETING SCHEDULE
DR. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO APPROVE THE FY 2001-2002 MEETING SCHEDULE AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Debra Beamish said that she is a client of the Commission and a member of the Sault VIP’s and that she hopes that the Commission is aware of the many people in the Upper Peninsula who are in need of services.
Mr. Gary Garn, Teacher/Consultant for the visually impaired with the Eastern U.P. Intermediate School District, said that he is also a private practice vendor for orientation and mobility skills serving MCB consumers in the Eastern U.P. He said that he was present to address school issues with the visually impaired youth. He asked that the Commission consider lowering the age of intake to age eleven or twelve in the Youth Low Vision Program which would assist local school districts in providing adaptive technology.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Director Cannon called attention to the written MCB Report and said that, in the interest of time, he would briefly highlight a few items in the report. He noted that a research project on traffic roundabouts and pedestrians has been completed by Western Michigan University and the U.S. Access Board. The Access Board will use this information to assist in developing guidance material and proposed guidelines for public rights-of-way.
Mr. Cannon also provided an update on the new national organization entitled “National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners” (NORP), which was formed by several state directors of public rehabilitation programs, including the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Mr. Cannon had recently attended the organizational meetings of the new entity in Washington, D.C.
Further, Mr. Cannon reported that the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) would be holding its annual convention on September 27-30 in Muskegon. Mr. Bernie Kramer is on the agenda to share MCB’s Vision 2020 Initiative with those in attendance. Mr. Cannon also noted that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will host its convention in Southfield on November 9-11. He urged Commissioners to attend both of the conventions, if possible, and stated that resources to support their attendance were available.
MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY DR. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT
Mr. Buscetta brought to the Board’s attention a policy issue that may need the Board’s action. The first relates to the MCB mediation policy. The new regulations allow for 60 days to schedule a fair hearing instead of the 45 days previously in the Act. Mr. Buscetta advised that this has not been an issue for MCB but has been in some other states and, therefore, the regulations have changed.
Mr. Buscetta also reported that MCB now has signed Memorandums of Understanding with all twenty-five Work Force Development Boards in the state.
MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY DR. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

NORTHWEST REGION UPDATE
Mr. Kramer told the Commissioners that the Northwest Region now has a stand-alone office in Marquette for staff use. He introduced Mr. John McMahon, Mr. Mike Welch and Ms. Sue Johnson.
Mr. McMahon noted that Ms. Beth Smedley had ended her employment with the Commission and acknowledged all of her accomplishments for the past three years. He also acknowledged the great support provided by Mr. Kramer. Mr. Welch said that Mr. Bob Utrup also provided the support needed to function as a team.
Ms. Sue Johnson reported that there were ten competitive closures for the fiscal year, eleven homemaker closures and two Business Enterprise Program vending stand operators.
Mr. Mike Welch said that the office has had 110 new referrals this year and he noted that, although this number is less than last year, the cases are more involved and he is required to spend more time with each client. Mr. Welch said that he’s involved with a support group in Delta County and they will be sponsoring a White Cane Awareness Walk. He’s also involved with the Mini-Adjustment Program in Wakefield and noted that there would be about 45 participants.
Mr. McMahon provided many examples of the types of community partnering that the Escanaba office has accomplished.

INTRODUCTION OF 2000 MCB REHABILITANT OF THE YEAR
Mr. Kramer introduced the 2000 MCB Rehabilitant of the Year, Ms. Geri Taeckens. Ms. Taeckens noted how the Commission has aided her in becoming a teacher and spoke about how language plays a role in enabling consumers.

INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM UPDATE
Ms. Rose Dunlap-Gist said that she serves the three Eastern U.P. counties out of the Gaylord office. She said that she works with the VIP’s group in Sault Ste. Marie and noted that they are a very independent group that she facilitates. She also noted that MCB has a partnership project with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians at the Tribal Health Center in the eldercare program. The Tribal Health Center makes referrals to her when they encounter an elderly person in need of vision services.
DR. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARKSI, TO ACCEPT THE NORTHWEST REGION AND INDEPENDENT LIVING REPORT. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

IMPROVING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE
Mr. Mike Welch said that he had had the pleasure of being assigned to attend the Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, particularly the segment which dealt with renal failure. He said that the result was a document that rehabilitation facilities can use to provide new clients, particularly those with renal disease, with the proper resources and services.

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT LOAN FUND
Mr. McMahon said that the Adaptive Equipment Loan Fund is essentially a fund that people with disabilities can borrow from to purchase assistive technology. He said that the fund is managed by the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
Mr. McMahon also reported that the Michigan Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired would be holding their fall conference on Saturday, October 20, in Lansing. He said that the Association was transitioning from a fall conference to a spring conference and that next spring, the conference would be inclusive of parents, students, and consumer groups.

The meeting was recessed for lunch at 12:02 p.m.
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The meeting was called back to order at 1:02 p.m.

PROGRESS UPDATE
Ms. Darlene Piconi, Employment Training Services, said that she views her job as one of informing and educating the public and the employers. She has developed opportunities for both training and employment. She thanked the Commission for the support and services she has received.

REPORT FROM U.P. TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Mr. Kramer introduced Ms. Sara Menzel, Manager of the UCP Assistive Technology Center. Ms. Menzel said that UCP assists people of all disabilities in the entire Upper Peninsula and helps to identify specific functional goals and matches technology solutions to the unique capabilities and environments.

MCB TRAINING CENTER UPDATE
Ms. Lindsey reported that the new Training Center Guidelines have gone into effect. She also informed the Board that a Training Center nurse had resigned and that she was in the process of writing a letter to request an exception to the hiring freeze to replace this vacancy and also the vacancy in the maintenance area. Ms. Lindsey also said that the roofing project was progressing very well and may be concluded by the end of the fiscal year.
MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY DR. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE TRAINING CENTER REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT
Mr. Best informed the Board that his primary concern for the ending fiscal year was with Social Security reimbursements. So far this year, only $110,000 has been received out of what he hoped would be over one million.
He said that his efforts in the coming weeks would be to put together an internal operating budget for next year because he said that the Family Independence Agency has given MCB more opportunity to participate in the budget process.
DR. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT
Mr. Fred Wurtzel praised both operators in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) locations in Marquette and Iron Mountain, the program’s only facilities in the Upper Peninsula. He reported that five students were now attending the BEP training in Kalamazoo. He also reported that BEP staff, with representation from the Elected Operators Committee (EOC), were in the process of writing a business plan to be used as a basis of mutual planning with the Department of Management, FIA and the legislature.
Mr. Wurtzel introduced Mr. Brian Seybert, EOC representative. Mr. Seybert presented the motions from the EOC meeting of September 15 regarding the vending facilities near Port Huron on I-94 which were discussed at the previous Commission meeting. The first motion stated, “Motion by Bill Lozier and Tina Richards that operators shall not be allowed to develop their own locations without first working extensively with staff of the Business Enterprise Program, the Elected Operators appropriate subcommittee and approved by the Elected Committee and the Commission Board.” The second motion stated, “Motion by Brian Seybert and Bill Lozier that we follow the December 1 deadline and place the Port Huron vending route on the bidline including the requirements of having a credit and financial stability to absorb and accepting the lease for the machines in the amount of $48,000 and the exclusive contract with Coca Cola.” The Commission Board did not act on these motions. Staff will offer their recommendations on the motions at the October Commission meeting.
MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Ann Marie Askwith, Northern Transitions, Sault Ste. Marie, complemented the Commission for the help provided to her agency over the years, especially the help of Tony VanStaveren and Cynthia Caldwell, and she invited the Commission Board to visit the agency the next time they meet in Sault Ste. Marie.
Mr. Tony VanStaveren said that Northern Transitions is an agency that is very effective in working with people with disabilities in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Ms. Cynthia Caldwell agreed with Mr. VanStaveren and said that she also wanted to acknowledge the cooperation received from Hiawatha Behavioral Services.

ADJOURNMENT
MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, October 15, 2001 at the Waterfront Inn, Traverse City, Michigan. The Committee of the Whole will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.