DLEG - February 2002 Commission Meeting Minutes

Vice Chairperson Greene called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 9:17 a.m. The first item for discussion was the Director’s performance objectives for 2002. Director Cannon said that the suggestions from the Board had been incorporated into the current draft of the performance objectives. The Commissioners agreed and would move that the draft be approved as final in the formal meeting.

The next item for discussion was the Committee of the Whole format. Chairperson Steenstra had suggested that the format of the meeting take on a dialogue circle format where the audience would be able to participate in discussions. Mr. Bowman suggested dividing the Committee of the Whole time between an open discussion involving all present and time for issues that Commissioners need to discuss. Ms. Greene said that she would share these thoughts with the Chairperson and this item will be discussed at the next Commission meeting.

Mr. Cannon provided an update on the Planning and Quality (P.A.Q.) Focus Design Teams. Mr. Bowman indicated that he wished to participate on the design team for structure and placement. Ms. Elizabeth White and Mr. Jim Buscetta said that the Services Design team has met and another meeting has been scheduled for May 14.

Vice Chairperson Greene called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 22, 2002 MINUTES AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE DIRECTOR’S PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR 2002 AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Director Cannon noted that there were three pieces of correspondence to the Board. The first was a memo updating the Commissioners and staff on the status of Chairperson Steenstra’s health and relaying Mr. Steenstra’s appreciation to staff and Commission Board for their cards, calls, and concern. Mr. Cannon said that he had sent a memo regarding the Planning and Quality Focus Design Teams which had been discussed in the Committee of the Whole meeting. There was also a memo from Mr. Cannon inviting staff and Commissioners to participate in Discovery Learning Training. Finally, Mr. Cannon noted that he had forwarded a letter to the Board from Dr. Tom Watkins, Superintendent of Public Instruction, to Dr. Peter McPherson, President, Michigan State University, to advocate for the retention of the visually impaired program at MSU.

Director Cannon called attention to the written MCB Report. He once again encouraged each of the Commissioners to become involved in one of the six Focus Design Teams that were talked about in the Committee of the Whole meeting. He also noted the recent board meetings of the two consumer organizations, the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan and also strongly encouraged the Board members to attend the statewide conventions of these organizations in the fall.

He called attention to the next Mini-Adjustment Program to be held March 3-8, 2002 in Frankenmuth and said that Mini-Adjustments would also be held in Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Monroe, and Marquette.

One item that was not in the written report was the Governor’s announcement of an early retirement program for state employees which the Governor announced in his budget address on February 7. Mr. Cannon said that it was not yet known how this would impact MCB but hoped to have more information by the time of the next Commission meeting on April 15.

Also, Mr. Cannon advised the Board of a new bill that had been introduced by Representative Neumann that would increase the penalties for anyone who is found guilty of harassing, assaulting, beating, or otherwise interfering with the work of guide dogs, leader dogs, services dogs or hearing dogs. The bill is H.B. 5154.

MR. BOWMAN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Buscetta said that he has now had the chance to read the complete Ticket to Work law and regulations and said that it was very complicated. MCB has a task force that is meeting and Mr. Buscetta said that he felt they would take every opportunity to place MCB in the best possible place for activities and reimbursement associated with the Ticket.

Mr. Buscetta noted that the Board had received copies of the 107 Review and said that he considered it to be a very good review. The most important part of the review, in his opinion, pertains to the number of successful rehabilitations, their wages, and the record for serving a diverse population. MCB passed those parts of the review with very favorable marks and there were no recommendations made. Several of the recommendations related to MCB relationships with one-stop centers. Mr. Buscetta said that this was an area over which MCB does not have a lot of control, but told of several measures which are being taken to rectify the situation.

Mr. Buscetta invited Ms. Elizabeth White, Mr. Joe Willett and Ms. Amy Daniel to the table to talk about the proposed Small Business Policy. Ms. White indicated that Joanne Woodward and John Boes are also a part of the committee and that Beth Smedley had been very active with the group before departing the Commission. Mr. Buscetta said that the proposed policy was being presented to the Board for their review and to allow them time to study it before the April Commission meeting where, he hoped, they would approve it. Mr. Buscetta also indicated that the policy had previously been presented to the Consumer Involvement Council for their review, comment, and input. Now that the policy has been developed and once it is approved by the Board, a procedure will be developed whereby Commission clients will be assisted in starting small businesses.

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

Mr. Best reported that the budget year was one-third of the way through and 26 percent of the budget has been spent. Mr. Best said that he has been working diligently with the Department of Management to rectify the rent situation in state-owned buildings. He reported that this continues to be a very frustrating process.

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

Ms. Lindsey reported that approval had been given to interview for the accounting technician position which was vacated by Ms. Linda Cochran and that interviews would be held soon. She said that approval had also been received to hire for the supportive services position. And, the maintenance mechanic position had been filled from within the Family Independence Agency. The new person will begin on March 4.

Ms. Lindsey informed the Board that Jim Baird, John Boes and Karen Cornell had been exploring ways to update the exercise room at the Center. An article had appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette about the Center and the need for exercise equipment and several calls had been received from people who wanted to donate treadmills and other exercise equipment to the Center.

Also, Ms. Lindsey said that she was excited about a national conference on residential training centers that RSA is planning. She said that Mr. Cannon will be a delegate to help plan the meeting and that she will be an alternate.

Finally, Ms. Lindsey reported that she continues to meet with the students at the Center on Thursday evenings to talk about issues of blindness and it continues to be one of the favorite parts of her job.

MS. PILARSKI MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. BOWMAN, TO APPROVE THE TRAINING CENTER REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bob Robertson, Ms. Karla Hudson, and Mr. Bob Wyckoff were present to update the Board on the activities of the Marketing and Public Relations Committee. Mr. Robertson talked about the background of the Committee and told of some of the projects the Committee is undertaking. Two of those projects are updates of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) brochure and a new agency brochure. Mr. Bob Wyckoff said that he represents the Family Independence Agency on the Committee. He reported that a "template" news release has been approved which will be sent to a client’s hometown newspaper telling of their accomplishments at the Training Center. Also a ten to twelve minute video is being produced that tells of the Commission services and how to access those services. Mr. Wyckoff has also been involved in trying to get more MCB information and stories in the FIA publication entitled the "Icon."

Ms. Hudson said that a Speaker’s Bureau has been formed for issues dealing with blindness. So far, staff and consumers alike have volunteered to be part of the Speaker’s Bureau. She said that the Committee was also working on a standardized information packet for new clients.

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

Ms. Michelle Visscher said that new people had joined the Consumer Involvement Council (CIC) and also that elections had been held.

Ms. Charis Austin, Chair of the CIC, presented the MCB Report Card to the Board. She said that it was available to anyone who was interested in seeing it. Ms. Austin stated that it is clear to her that there needs to be dialogue between the Commission and the consumer organizations as it relates to information provided to MCB clients on the consumer organizations, and Ms. Austin said she was going to take the leadership role in this regard. She expressed her hope that the document would be utilized.

MS. THOMAS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO ACCEPT THE CIC REPORT. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Charis Austin, representing the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Mr. Casey Dutmer, representing the Elected Operators Committee, and Mr. Geer Wilcox and Mr. Larry Posont, representing the National Federation of the Blind – Michigan, were present to discuss Public Act 260 and related issues. Ms. Austin noted that there was a lot to cover and doubted that all issues could be covered in one discussion. Mr. Posont began with a history of how Public Act 260 was first created and enacted. Mr. Posont stated that the agency was meant to be "consumer driven" and noted ways in which the agency has changed from the original intent by the consumers.

Mr. Wilcox said that one area that is missing now is contact with the legislature by the Board and that the Commission becomes lost within the Family Independence Agency. He spoke of more visibility by the Board and the Commission.

Mr. Dutmer spoke of how the weakening of Public Act 260 is affecting the Business Enterprise Program. State buildings are being built without consideration for food facilities. He said that this Board has the potential to help turn these trends around.

Ms. Austin said that she felt her role was one of moderator and she invited the Board to respond to the issues presented. Issues discussed were changing the days of Commission Board meetings, what is perceived as apathy on the part of the Board by consumers, and a way in which this discussion can be continued. Director Cannon reiterated his message of earlier in the day encouraging Commissioners to attend the two consumer conventions. He emphasized that resources have always been made available to facilitate such participation. Also, Director Cannon said that one of the six focus design teams focuses on the structure and administrative placement of MCB and noted that that would be the perfect venue for discussions on P.A. 260 issues. He once again invited all staff, commissioners, consumer groups and stakeholders to join in the focus design teams.

With regard to the Administrative Law Judge decision, Mr. Wurtzel said that Ms. Zanger was present to answer any questions the Commissioners might have but reminded them that the Commission meeting was not the forum under which the case could be reheard. Ms. Zanger said that the staff’s recommendation was consistent with the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.

MR. BOWMAN MOVED TO DISAPPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DECISION. THE MOTION WAS NOT SUPPORTED.

MR. BOWMAN THEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO UPHOLD THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DECISION IN THE MATTER OF MICHAEL ADAMS. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bowman apologized for his "twisted sense of humor" in making the original motion and said that he did so to see if Commissioners were paying attention.

Mr. Larry Posont said that the history of the agency does matter and that it will continue to structure the agency. Further, he said that it is true that consumer involvement has decreased. He also spoke of the early retirement proposal by the Governor and how that will have a further affect on the agency and how services are provided since the agency already has a lower number of employees to serve the blind consumers.

Ms. Gretchen Garimella, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services (MPAS), said that she wanted to join any of the six focus design teams so that MPAS could be active with this venture. Also, she requested a copy of the 107 Report.

Mr. Casey Dutmer again thanked the Commission Board for beginning the dialogue on Public Act 260 and said that this Board has the opportunity to do great things in spite of limitations. He expressed his hope that the Board would continue moving forward.

Mr. Fred Wurtzel said that he is glad that the Board took the opportunity to engage in dialogue about P.A. 260 and said that one of the things he hoped the Commissioners would take with them is the idea that they, as Commissioners, are appointed by the Governor as representatives of blind people in the State. He said he is optimistic about the process.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 2:34 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, April 15, 2002, at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center in Kalamazoo, 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.