APPROVED MINUTES

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

AUGUST 19, 2002

VICTOR OFFICE CENTER

LANSING, MI

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

None

MCB STAFF PRESENT

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE STAFF

Ms. Kimberly Wells

FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY STAFF

GUESTS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was called to order at 9:11 a.m. Ms. Pilarski welcomed Mr. J. J. Jackson as a new Commissioner. Mr. Jackson indicated his pleasure at becoming a Commissioner and said that he appreciates the opportunity to serve.

Ms. Pilarski recognized former Commissioner Mr. Don Bowman’s service and also thanked Ms. Peeti Greene for serving as Vice-Chairperson.

Ms. Greene reported that the Cultural Diversity Committee continues to work diligently on how to reach all ethnic groups. Ms. Greene explained that it is a tradition in African American churches to provide handheld fans for the congregation. In keeping with that, the Committee had fans made to distribute to African American churches that provide information about the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

Mr. Jackson said that the Consumer Involvement Council had held a meeting on August 5 in Alpena. On the previous evening, he said that Ms. Pilarski had hosted a social gathering at her home. He said that it was a great teambuilding exercise and made for a better meeting the next day. One of the goals for meeting around the state is to hear from consumers in other parts of the state and he felt that that goal had been met very well at this meeting.

Ms. Pilarski said she had attended the Planning and Quality (PAQ) Team meeting in Clare on July 29. The PAQ Team continues to work on the input received from the Focus Design Teams to further the vision for the Commission and improve services. Ms. Pilarski also reported that she had been invited by the Governor, because of her Polish heritage and also because of her Commission appointment, to attend a reception for President Bush and the President of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski.

Ms. Pilarski said that the remainder of the Committee of the Whole would be spent in open dialogue. She asked Mr. John Victory to explain the dialogue process.

Mr. Casey Dutmer asked if there was a way that all interested parties can work together to develop strategies if the results of the afternoon discussion with the Governor’s Office Liaison and the FIA representative were not favorable. Mr. Cannon indicated that most of the Elected Operator’s Committee issues presented in the proposal can be aligned with the current Focus Design Teams, particularly in identifying the best thinking from both of the consumer groups and especially with regard to both fiscal and human resources. Mr. Jackson said that he hoped that the afternoon’s dialogue could be viewed as an ongoing dialogue and not as beginning and ending on this one day, but that groundwork could be laid that might be used to build on in the future.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

The regular meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF 2002-2003 MEETING SCHEDULE

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Casey Dutmer thanked the Board for opening up the afternoon session to public comment for time to respond to the discussion of the Elected Operators Committee (EOC) Proposal on Economic and Management Issues.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

There was no Board correspondence.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Cannon called attention to the written report for more detail on the following items.

Mr. Cannon reported that the voter reform legislation, S. B. 565, had included, in both the House and Senate versions, substantive sections dealing with accessible voting for people with disabilities, particularly blind voters. An amendment to the legislation has since been received that strips the access provisions from the bill. The amendment leaves it to the states’ discretion and makes the access provisions optional.

Mr. Cannon said that he had recently attended state board meetings of both the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. At both meetings there was discussion of the two fall conferences for both organizations. Mr. Cannon encouraged each of the Commissioners to attend both of the meetings and said that resources had been set aside for that purpose. The fall meeting of the MCBVI will be held in Lansing on October 25-27. On November 8-10, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will hold their fall meeting at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo.

Mr. Cannon once again expressed his enthusiasm for the Mini-Adjustment Programs. The next Mini will be held in Marquette the week of September 8-13. The Commission meeting will be held the following Monday in Marquette. He also encouraged Commissioners to participate in a Mini-Adjustment Program.

Mr. Cannon informed the Board that Vickie Rolison had retired. Further regarding the staffing picture, Mr. Cannon said that due to the hiring freeze, early retirements, and staff leaving for other opportunities, there will be about thirty vacancies by the end of October. Of these vacancies, MCB is being allowed to fill four positions. The challenge will be to find new and creative ways to continue to provide services.

SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Director Cannon presented Sue Wilson, administrative assistant to Jim Buscetta, with a service recognition award for thirty years of service with the State of Michigan.

Commissioner Adler arrived at the meeting.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Buscetta said that a team has been formed to manage the Ticket To Work program. Ms. Sherry Gordon, Assistant Supervisor in the Western Region, is the lead person for the team. A letter will be sent to all MCB clients at the end of the month explaining the "Ticket" and asking them to consider MCB as the holder of their Ticket. Mr. Buscetta said that on September 5 in Detroit and September 6 in Kalamazoo, Maximus, the private contractor for Ticket To Work, will provide training to MCB staff.

Mr. Buscetta also reported that he and Roberta McCall are part of a strategic planning group coordinated by Dr. Lylas Mogk, an ophthamalogist from Detroit. The purpose of the group is to coordinate services to older blind individuals.

Mr. Buscetta next discussed the staffing issues and said that it very well could lead to the Board considering an Order of Selection. He cautioned that the Order of Selection is very time-consuming to manage.

REPORT ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM

Ms. Cheryl Mattson, Rights Representative, Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, said that this was the third year for the Youth Leadership Forum in Michigan. She said that the forum is a mentorship program to develop the leaders of tomorrow in the disability movement. Many agencies contribute to the success of the program, including the Commission for the Blind, and she gave special thanks to Mr. Terry Donnelly from the Commission for the Blind for the special assistance he has provided. The students have an opportunity to spend the day at the Capitol and learn how a bill is passed. She also gave examples of the advocacy roles that former forum students have taken on and the successes they have had.

She introduced Mr. Mark Eagle, a student who participated in the Youth Leadership Forum from Holt High School. Mr. Eagle said that the forum helped him become a better advocate and said that it was a great experience. He said he is using the experience to help others advocate for themselves.

MCB TRAINING CENTER UPDATE

Ms. Lindsey reported that a College Assessment Team has been formed to review and revamp the college assessment process to make it more relevant to today’s technology and standards. She hopes that it will be ready to present to the Board by mid-October.

Ms. Lindsey also reported that she continues to serve on the planning committee for the Rehabilitation Services Administration conference for national training centers. A call for papers has been sent out and over sixty papers have been received so far. Thirty-five to forty presentations will be made at the conference. Ms. Lindsey serves as the chairperson of the call-for-papers committee. Ms. Bonnie Betz of the MCB Training Center has submitted a paper for presentation at the conference regarding MCB’s Mini-Adjustment Programs.

Finally, Ms. Lindsey said that she had been approached by the Michigan Blind Athletes Association expressing an interest in becoming involved in the newly equipped fitness facility at the Training Center. They will provide an opportunity for blind people going through the Training Center and other blind people in the community to receive one-on-one instruction in exercise terminology and help them to feel confident to use fitness facilities in their communities. They will also use the Center on Saturdays to train people who work in fitness facilities to work with people who are blind. They have submitted a proposal to fund this program and hope to hear the results by the end of the year.

The meeting was recessed for lunch at 11:39 a.m.

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The meeting was called back to order at 12:54 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Best said that the current year budget is still underspent. He reported that an unexpected $96,000 expenditure from DMB for health care costs for BEP operators recently came in and he will attempt to work out an installment plan for its payment over several years. He said that for the coming year, the Family Independence Agency will have to cut additional general fund monies which might mean further cuts in MCB’s budget. Also, it appears that the federal budget will not be appropriated by the beginning of the fiscal year so there are no final figures available for the senior blind program or Title I. Mr. Best asked the Commissioners whether they would continue to support reducing the Youth Low Vision Program first, if MCB loses state funding next year, in order to avoid losing federal funds. He also noted that in the seven years that MCB has been in the FIA, only$346,500 of additional state funding has been received.

With regard to staffing, Mr. Best said that MCB has 112 positions on its organization chart. Due to early retirements, the hiring freeze vacancies, and loss of personnel through transfers and medical leaves, MCB may have only 85 positions filled on November 1. Of the fourteen early retirements, only four replacements will be allowed. There is the possibility in the Lansing Regional Office of having no employees left to serve 400+ clients.

DISCUSSION OF ELECTED OPERATORS COMMITTEE (EOC) PROPOSAL ON BEP ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Chairperson Pilarski noted the high level of emotion that might be generated by this item and asked Mr. Victory to once again review the dialogue process. She also stated that the public comment portion of the meeting would be moved to immediately follow this item so that everyone present would have the opportunity to speak.

Ms. Vanda began by making a commitment to advocate that the Commission for the Blind budget not be negatively affected. Regarding the staffing issue, she explained that the FIA has a threshold cap of 10,700 positions. FIA will be losing 2,700 staff across the state.

Ms. Vanda and Ms. Wells provided input from the Family Independence Agency and the Governor’s Office on each of the scenarios in the proposal from the EOC. Each Scenario is stated below with the reactions following.

Scenario I: Status quo of BEP redefined by a task force that has oversight on all state departments and can work to mediate and move things along within the current system: Ms. Vanda said that FIA’s reaction to this scenario relates to timing. She stated that this was the end of this Governor’s twelve-year administration and that there is a lot of activity with closing the books. She said that the idea of a task force is a good idea but that the timing of the idea is the issue. Ms. Wells’ felt that a "working group" using current available resources and "2020 thinking" might be more effective than a task force.

Scenario II. An Equal Partnership could be created that combines and shares agency authority with an outside non-profit association that allows work to get done in innovative ways using new business strategies and non-state funds: Ms. Vanda indicated that Director Howard is "quite intrigued" with this scenario but he feels that more work needs to be done in terms of a specific action plan. She also said that it has occurred to her that conversations might transpire with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to see if there are funds that might be directed toward such an initiative. Ms. Wells also felt that this recommendation has potential but needs a more concrete action plan.

Scenario III. A non-profit association takes over major management of BEP operations under the authority of MCB as the licensing agency: Ms. Vanda said that this final scenario appeared to be risky because it would disengage the program from any public sector funding. Ms. Wells added that there might be difficulty in finding an agency that would want to be the nominee.

Commissioner Greene asked how MCB might get the attention of decisionmakers regarding the way federal money is currently split. Ms. Wells suggested that conversations occur between all agency leads to resolve this issue. Director Cannon indicated that he has had these conversations to no avail. Chairperson Pilarski noted that the sister agency is also permitted to fill vacant positions on a one to two basis. Following lengthy discussion, Ms. Wells agreed that she would follow-up with the Department of Management and Budget regarding the federal money split issue.

Ms. Thomas asked that a representative from the Department of Management and Budget be asked to address the Commission Board with regard to the issue of P.A. 260 and the placement and planning of vending facilities in state buildings.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Fred Wurtzel, President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, noted that the one position that the Commission has received approval to fill is a custodial position of a nurse; and stated that the blind do not need a nurse, they need jobs and the positions of the rehabilitation counselors are not being filled which would help blind people get jobs. He stated that there is a 74% unemployment rate amongst blind people and he asked why it is necessary for blind consumers to be polite for asking for what is needed in order to get jobs for blind people. He said that the FIA has clearly not advocated for blind people. He said that the reason the issue about the split between MRS and MCB is being raised is because that is all that is left to argue about. He also said that DMB claims that they do not know when new buildings are being built, but there has been evidence to the contrary.

Mr. Dutmer, President of MCBVI and the Chair of the EOC, stated that he concurs with many of the points that Mr. Wurtzel raised. He said that the meeting with the Department of Management that had been held on August 12 had been very disappointing, demeaning, and good faith was not being demonstrated on the part of DMB. He was disappointed with the response to the EOC position paper. He asked who would protect the BEP from being maligned when services are not being provided because the funds are not there to provide the services. He wondered how committed the Governor’s Office and FIA are to really move things forward. He said that Director Howard had not answered the EOC question if a task force or an oversight hearing is not the way to proceed, then what recommendations would he have to correct the violations of P.A. 260.

Mr. Larry Posont said that history may not be what people want to hear but what has happened in the past cannot be ignored. He said that basic jobs are not being filled in the Commission for the Blind. He said that the Board has the opportunity to seriously advocate for the agency. Further, blind citizens fought to get out of the old Department of Social Services and now they should fight to get out of FIA. He noted that the Governor promised twelve years ago to make the Commission a Type I agency but has not done so. He said that if an investment is not made in the future of blind people, they will be taking taxpayers’ money for years to come.

Ms. Donna Posont said that she answers the helpline for the National Federation of the Blind in Michigan and she asked when a person calls them from the Lansing area who needs basic skills of blindness for themselves, their child, or their elderly parent, does she tell them to call the Michigan Commission for the Blind in Lansing. She said that she, in all good conscience, could not do that if there was no one there to help them.

Mr. Rex Burkhead questioned why the blind could not ask the Governor to dip into the state emergency fund for the needed monies to fund positions. He also questioned why the legislators are receiving pay raises when blind services are taking cuts.

Mr. David Robinson said that the idea of private funding for additional resources for the Business Enterprise Program has been attempted but is always thwarted by the FIA. He said that the Governor’s Office and the FIA have to open up opportunities for creative thinking.

Ms. Allyson Hilliker said that she is the president of an organization of blind students in Michigan and that education is the key for future success. She said that she has heard from a student at MSU that that student had been "unenrolled" from her classes because payment for her classes had not been received from the Commission. She says that she needs to know from the Governor of the education state why there is no improvement of education for blind students.

Ms. Mary Wurtzel asked if it makes any difference to the Governor that 40 or 50 blind people took time out of their day to come and beg for jobs, not because they need jobs because many of them already have jobs, but because they care enough to advocate for funding for jobs, for services for kids, and for services for the older blind.

Mr. Ray Roberson suggested that the blind need to hold sit-ins and picket for services the way they did in the past to receive the kind of funding needed for programs.

Mr. Eric Seel said that he was a recent graduate of the Business Enterprise Program and that if it were not for the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the opportunity afforded him to become employed through the BEP, he would still be living on state assistance. He said the blind have been patient long enough and it’s time to take action.

Mr. Daniel Furton noted that programs for the blind are being eliminated such as the School for the Blind and the program at MSU. He said that blind people want to work and not receive a government check.

Chairperson Pilarski thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting and make their opinions known. She agreed that blind people are not sick and do not want to be on welfare.

Mr. Cannon said that he very much appreciates the conversation that had occurred at the meeting even though we may not like all of the information that has been received, but hoped that answers to some of the questions that were raised will be pursued. He encouraged Ms. Wells to seek an answer about the split of federal monies coming into the state.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM UPDATE

In response to the Chairperson’s inquiry, Mr. Wurtzel and Mr. Dutmer said that due to how late it was in the day, there was nothing pressing that could not wait until the next meeting. However, Mr. Dutmer wanted to make comments regarding the proposal and the meeting with the Department of Management. He complimented Mr. Wurtzel, Ms. Zanger and everyone who participated and said that they were successful in presenting a team approach. He was sorry that the outcome was not as anticipated and said that the Department of Management broke their promise. He said that he wrote the proposal to get the issues on the table.

Mr. Wurtzel said that he felt that today’s meeting was very constructive and appreciated the way the meeting was conducted. He also expressed his appreciation to Jocelyn Vanda and Kimberly Wells for their presence and listening to a lot of emotionally driven and personal issues that are very much of a concern to the blind

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:24 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, September 16, 2002 at the Landmark Inn in Marquette, Michigan. The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting with start at 10:00 a.m.

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JoAnn Pilarski, Chairperson

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