APPROVED

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
VICTOR BUILDING

LANSING , MICHIGAN

 

MINUTES

Special Meeting

 

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

Ms. Velma Allen,  Vice-Chair (via teleconference)   

Mr. Mark Eagle                                     

Ms. Margaret Wolfe (via teleconference)

Ms. Geri Taeckens (via teleconference)

 

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski

 

Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) STAFF PRESENT

Mr. Patrick Cannon                                Ms. Sue Luzenski

Ms. Sherri Heibeck                                Ms. Constance Zanger

Mr. James Hull

 

GUESTS/ATTENDEES

Mr. Rob Essenberg (via teleconference)

Joe Sontag                                            Risa Patrick-Langtry       

Garnet Laurel-Prentice (via teleconference)   

 

         

 

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

 

The special meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Velma Allen at 2:35 p.m., on behalf of Chair Jo Ann Pilarski, who was unable to attend.  Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

 

DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL BY THE ELECTED OPERATORS COMMITTEE TO CHANGE BEP RULES

 

          A brief synopsis was given of the Operator Selection Point System revisions and specifically section D from Motion #2, which was tabled at the Commission meeting held December 10, 2007.  Under current policy, 5 points are deducted from the operator when he/she submits a late set-aside payment.  Rob Essenberg explained that policy proposals come through the Elected Operators Committee.

 

Conversation centered on a proposal to eliminate the 5 point penalty to the operators that have late set-aside fees.  The Elected Operators Committee motion states that the penalty is too severe since a monetary penalty is also imposed.  Joe Sontag, Risa Patrick-Langtry and Garnet Laurel-Prentice, BEP operators attending the meeting spoke in opposition to the 5 point penalty and said they support the EOC motion to eliminate the penalty.   

 

Clarification was made that there is no vote today, only discussion.  There was agreement that the proposal, as is, could go on the agenda for the next commission meeting, to be held March 14^th unless withdrawn by the Elected Operators Committee. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MS. TAECKENS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. WOLFE, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.  The next regular Commission meeting will be held on Friday, March 14th at the Victor Building, Lansing Michigan.  The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.

 

                                               
Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair

 

                                               
Date