DLEG - May 2003 Commission Meeting Minutes

The Committee of the Whole was called to order by Chairperson Pilarski at 9:09 a.m.

Kalamazoo City Hall, celebrating the award to Kalamazoo as the third most livable community for blind people in the country. Mr. Jackson read part of a congratulatory letter from Governor Granholm. Discussion was held regarding nomination of the City of Lansing next year.

Director Cannon addressed the issue of commissioner travel in efforts to reduce costs to align with state expenditure reductions. Commission meetings have already been reduced in frequency, but will continue to be held around the state to facilitate attendance by all Michigan citizens. Mr. Cannon said that in order to keep down costs, attendance of MCB-associated personnel at the meetings should be scrutinized for relevance. Regarding the trip to Houghton for the June Commission meeting, Mr. Cannon said it was efficient to utilize the state plane to travel to Houghton, as it would cost approximately $500 per person, about half the cost for a person with a driver to drive this distance. For other meetings around the state, Mr. Cannon said that car pooling to transport more people should be reviewed.

Mr. Jackson inquired whether teleconferences could be used for the Consumer Involvement Council and other such groups, and Mr. Cannon said that if business needed to be conducted between regular scheduled meetings, this was certainly an alternative to be pursued.

Mr. Robert Adler complimented the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center facility in Kalamazoo, which he visited during the April meeting. The Board concurred and said its director, Ms. Melody Lindsey, was doing a fine job. Mr. Cannon said Ms. Lindsey had been honored by being selected to attend the Rehabilitation Services Administation’s National Leadership Institute in Rehabilitation, a training series of four one-week sessions over a 18-month period, under a fully funded federal government grant.

Mr. Jackson said the new Clara Smith building at Michigan State University features an outlet and jack at each student desk to allow for computer laptop hook-up. Mr. Jackson said although this feature was installed for all students, it especially benefited the blind students who could now take exams without a reader.

The regular meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL, 2003 MEETING, AS PRESENTED AND AMENDED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Cannon called attention to his written MCB report previously distributed to the Commission, indicating that he wished to highlight a few sections of the report.

Mr. Cannon said that during the last few days, legislative activity had taken place regarding a Medicaid Buy-In proposal. As background, Mr. Cannon explained that the Ticket-to-Work is issued to people collecting Social Security Income or Social Security Disability Income as an incentive for them to return to work, however, this program jeopardizes their health care benefits. The Medicaid Buy-In, a state option, is critical to the success of the Ticket to Work program, part of the Workforce Investment Act. Mr. Cannon said each house of the State Legislature had passed this legislation and it is hoped that it will soon be signed into law by the Governor. The support of the Executive Office has been very instrumental in passing this legislation.

Regarding other legislation, Mr. Cannon reported that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) have been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and were now in the Senate.

Mr. Cannon said a Mini Adjustment Program was now in progress at the Holiday Inn, South in Lansing. The next program takes place the week of July 13 at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo. Mr. Cannon announced that a change of venue has been made from Escanaba to Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula for the last program scheduled in late September, as it was determined that there were more potential clients in this location.

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

Mr. Leamon Jones and Mr. Bernie Kramer gave a joint report on the activities of the Consumer Services Division.

Mr. Jones reported that both Regional Supervisors continue to participate in the initiative to maximize vision services to older blind citizens, and will be taking part in pilot projects to begin in early summer in Jackson in Southeast Michigan and a second location in West Michigan. Mr. Jones said MCB participated in a seminar presented by Vision Rehabilitation Services on April 26 at the Holiday Inn, Livonia. The seminar focused on Macular Degeneration and other eye diseases and over 400 people attended. This was an excellent opportunity for MCB to collaborate with Vision Rehabilitation Services and to network with a variety of other agencies that were present.

Mr. Jones said one component of the Mini Adjustment Program is the Employment Readiness Program, a one-day session which focuses on developing job-seeking and interview skills for blind persons ready for employment. The Social Security Administration also participates in order to answer questions regarding benefits. Blind people already in the workforce are available to answer questions and mock interviews are conducted to help clients. Discussion was held regarding the point at which a person should identify themselves as blind and consensus was that this should not be done in the initial letter of application, as qualifications are being presented at this stage.

Mr. Kramer said that Gilmore and Associates will be providing Building Trust Relationships training to new MCB staff on July 8-9-10 in Lansing. This training will help staff increase job development and placement skills and relationships with prospective employers.

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

Mr. Kramer introduced Ms. Shannon Berkin, a Western Michigan University graduate and previous MCB employee located in the Upper Peninsula. Ms. Berkin worked in Macon, Georgia for a period during which time she became involved in the High School/High Tech program in that state, and forwarded information on this program to Mr. Kramer. Upon Ms. Berkin’s return to Michigan and fee for service arrangement with MCB based in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, she was given responsibility for this program in Michigan.

Ms. Berkin explained her role while in Georgia in the High School/High Tech Program, which was part of the Presidents Committee on Employment, now Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Thirty-five students were involved in a collaborative program set up by five high schools, the state agency for the blind, the state rehabilitation agency and local businesses, which included visits to local employers and community colleges and summer internships. Ms. Berkin explained that the program is presently active in 27 states and is very different from state to state. The program had not been active in Michigan, which, according to a source at Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), has the highest drop-out rate in the nation of high school students with disabilities, and Ms. Berkin said this program was a tremendous opportunity to provide students with opportunities to the resources and technology available to them.

Ms. Berkin said that in Michigan, a collaborative effort among MCB, MRS, the Kent County Intermediate School District, Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, and the Kent Transition Council, was planning a pilot project in Kent County aimed at ninth and tenth grade students. An informational meeting is scheduled in Grand Rapids for May 27, 2003, which will include the collaborative partners and local businesses, and will address how this program will be run in Michigan. A second project is also anticipated for Flint. Ms. Greene requested participation in the Flint project.

Ms. Melody Lindsey said that as staff were implementing the new College Assessment tool, it was discovered that various additional programs and equipment were needed so that students could complete the assessment according to the methods they used in high school.

A new cook, Ms. Kathy Wine, had been hired for the training center and would be starting the new employee two-week orientation at the center the following week.

Regarding the updating of the Braille library, Ms. Lindsey said the Louisiana Center for the Blind had donated a large number of books, which has provided a newer, up-to-date selection.

Ms. Lindsey and Mr. Russ Sheehan met with several male teenage students in Charlotte who are taking independent living courses, to discuss with them the importance of developing living skills as well as academic skills.

To improve outreach activities with field staff, Ms. Lindsey said a job readiness program was being developed. Ms. Beth White, MCB Flint, addressed center staff regarding her participation in a national employment conference sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind and Mississippi State University, which focused on employment opportunities and preparation of blind people for the employment arena.

Ms. Lindsey participated in a transition forum in St. Johns to identify problems and solutions for students in transition from high school to college or employment. Recommendations from this meeting will be prepared and shared with the Commission.

Ms. Lindsey reported that three staff from the training center participated in the Discovery Learning Training conducted by Doug Boone in Kalamazoo May 13-16. Staff reported that this training was very productive and provided additional skills for them to pass on.

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

Ms. Beth Harvey, Director of SILC, and Ms. Valerie Barnum-Yarger presented a report on the SILC activities. Ms. Harvey explained that SILC was a cross-disability council appointed by the Governor. The Council comprises19 members of which two members, Charis Austin and Marylee Hill-Kennedy, represent people with blindness or low vision.

Ms. Harvey said SILC is involved in a partnership with MCB and MRS in developing the State Plan for Independent Living. The last State Plan was for 2002-2004, begun in 2001, at which time about 40 disability groups were surveyed. The need for collaborative effort was the most significant result of the survey.

Another high priority has been the development of a Disability Agenda which contains issues of employment, housing, transportation, disability rights, communication, education, community access, etc. This was accomplished and a first draft was presented to the Governor just prior to her taking office. Subsequently, copies were sent to all legislators and department heads, and an event was held at the Capitol April 13 with representatives of all concerned groups.

Ms. Harvey said SILC participated in the work on the Medicaid Buy-In legislation and praised the collaborative efforts involved.

On August 8, Ms. Harvey said a further partnership retreat was planned at the Lansing Sheraton, facilitated by Ms. Penny Foster-Fishman, and representatives from MCB will be invited to participate in the work on a new State Plan for Independent Living, 2005-2008.

Ms. Harvey commented that while the state shows sign of empathy with issues of disability rights, support in the federal government seems to be eroding. Mr. Cannon said case law results are also trending away from positive results for the disabled.

Ms. Harvey said SILC had recently closed its center in Detroit due to bankruptcy and thanked MCB for its support during this period. SILC will be re-establishing its independent living skills program with a new approach to cover not only Detroit but the whole of Wayne County.

Mr. Cannon expressed his satisfaction of the strengthening bond between SILC and MCB.

Mr. Best distributed a new MCB budget report to the Commissioners, showing budget and expenses to date by category, and by section. This will be of tremendous benefit to the managers to keep them aware of areas that may be over- or under-expended and allow them to take steps to correct problem situations. Mr. Best said Ms. Judy Black, the new accounting assistant for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), is very skilled in extracting information from the state’s accounting system and downloading it into the current budget report. This report will be distributed each month.

Mr. Best said federal appropriations had finally been received and some figures were adjusted from the estimates he made at the beginning of the fiscal year. Additional amounts of $100,000 were reassigned to the rehabilitation program case services, $66,000 to the BEP, and $50,000 to the Training Center.

Mr. Best said that the heating/air conditioning system at the Center is of some concern due to its age and may be a major expense to be considered in the future. Approximate estimates to replace the system may be as high as $560,000 and Mr. Best said that presently, the state’s capital outlay funding is not available for this project.

Mr. Jones, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Best met to review the budget in the System 6 database, which shows breakdowns by office and program, and allows them to monitor expenditures and make adjustments where necessary. Mr. Best said, since the retirement of Mr. James Buscetta, this team will need to review expenditures on an ongoing basis.

A decision was made to release $50,000 of Supported Employment funds the Commission isn’t able to spend to the MRS to keep the funds in the state and avoid having to return unspent funds to the federal government. Mr. Cannon said the incoming director of MRS, Ms. Jaye Balthazar, was extremely pleased with this news.

No news on the next fiscal year budget has been received. Mr. Best said special care is being taken in documenting correct amounts of state funding in the appropriation and employee head count for the current year, in the event that MCB is transferred to another department. Presently, only one vacancy exists which is for the Consumer Services Director position.

Regarding BEP, Mr. Best said that, following a meeting he and Mr. Cannon had with Mr. Mitch Irwin, Director of Management and Budget, contact had been established with Mr. Brian Turnbull, who was proving to be a great asset in problem solving at BEP operator stand facilities.

Mr. Best and Mr. Cannon met with Mr. John Sorbet, Budget Director at Family Independence Agency, regarding the percentage distribution between MRS and MCB. Mr. Sorbet indicated that while legislators would not usually take away funding, they may be inclined to add to an appropriation. As a result, it is hoped in future it could be worked out so that the amount of federal funding for MRS would be frozen, and any new funding added to MCB’s appropriation, until such time that the split reaches a more reasonable ratio and MCB is on par with other blind agencies in the country.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Wurtzel reported that the cycle for evaluations has been established with scheduling to be completed by May, evaluations carried out in June, July and August, and results completed by September 1 along with master plan updates and equipment inventory.

Mr. Wurtzel said the YMCA project in west Lansing is progessing well, and BEP is pleased with this operation in a non-state facility.

Mr. Wurtzel introduced Mr. Don Austin, representing the Elected Operators Committee. Mr. Austin reviewed issues and motions made by the operators. These included a petition and motion which asked that the Grand Tower bid decision be revoked, as language in the new promotional plan set out two differing spans of time regarding review of data and was interpreted in different ways by BEP and the operators. Since BEP followed language in the policy and made the award in good faith, and since it was several weeks since the bid was awarded, BEP did not recommend revocation of the bid award. BEP staff did support the request that the new policy be interpreted so that for bidding purposes, point deductions for missing or late payments only, be based on the most recent 12 months rather than back to 1994.

Another EOC motion requested BEP to suspend all bids until all operators’ points were calculated, and results mailed to operators with a 30-day period in which to respond before a bid was awarded. Mr. Wurtzel said two bid awards were currently suspended for the Cass Building in Lansing and the Cadillac Building vending in Detroit, which were presently being run by temporary operators. However, BEP staff did not recommend support of this motion, as only those operators who made bids need be involved regarding their points total. Mr. Wurtzel said that currently, the computer system did not support swift calculation of the points and the data was being calculated by hand. It was anticipated that this would be completed by the end of the week (May 23) and that operators would then be provided with their points information. When evaluations were finished, and on an ongoing basis, any operator could then challenge their points total within 30-days.

The third EOC motion requested revocation of the compliance portion of the Profit Percentage Policy in the promotional plan, which requires a 3-month maintenance of profit expectation. BEP staff recommended support of this motion, as the new promotional points system provides incentives to keep or exceed the expectation and

MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. ADLER To accept the Business Enterprise Program recommendationS to (a) RETAIN the bid method and award for the Grand Tower operator, AND (B) TO AFFIRM POLICY INTERPRETATION BY STAFF THAT, FOR BIDDING PURPOSES, POINT DEDUCTIONS, FOR MISSING OR LATE PAYMENTS ONLY, BE BASED ON THE MOST RECENT TWELVE MONTHS, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MS. GREENE MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. JACKSON, TO REMOVE THE COMPLIANCE PORTION OF THE PROFIT PERCENTAGE POLICY IN THE bep PROMOTIONAL PLAN, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 1:48 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, June 23, 2003 at the Best Western Franklin Square Inn (Ameurasia Restaurant), Houghton. The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.