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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
June 11, 2008
Mendocino Works Employment Resource Center
Mendocino Room, 631 S. Orchard Avenue, Ukiah
Members Present & Absent (A):
Don Ballek Cathy Frey Marty Lombardi (A) Rick Radcliffe (A)
Emilia Bartolomeu James Goltz (A) Christa Nun Meridith Randall
Glenna Blake Monte Hill (A) Nona Olsen Camille Schraeder (A)
Bruder, Patty Pamela Jo Jensen Steve O’Mara Moises Soria
Jack Buckhorn(A) Bob Jordan Marcy Orosco John Ulvila (A)
Teri Cirillo Lee Kraemer Pamela Patterson (A) Chuck Whitlock (A)
David Colfax (A) Brooks Lockhart Nina Presmont (A) Susana Wilson (A)
Rick Dodds Rachel Peugh (A)
Guests Present: Sandi Brown – Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency – Social Services Branch, Steven
Dunnicliff – County of Mendocino Executive Office, Tola Levison – Mendocino College Work Study Program,
Steve Hixenbaugh – Mendocino College Entrepreneurship Program.
Staff Present: Debb Donelson, Laura Stebbins, Julie Soinila
Call to order and introductions – Chair Lee Kraemer called the meeting to order at 1:20 p.m.
1. Review and approve agenda – In consideration of the fact two WIB members must leave the meeting early to attend the
Sonoma County WIB meeting and their presence is needed to maintain a quorum for business items on the agenda and for
the election of officers to occur, Debb Donelson asked the agenda be amended to move item #6 (the presentations) to be
heard just after Item #9. There was no objection to this change.
Motion/Second/Passed to amend the agenda by moving Item #6 “Presentations” to be heard immediately after Item
#9 (the last item on the agenda requiring an action by vote).
2. Approve the minutes of April 9, 2008 –
Motion/Second/Passed to approve the April 9, 2008 minutes.
3. Opportunity for public comment – None.
4. Consent Calendar – General
a. Receive Minutes: Executive Committee of April 9 and May 21, 2008, Youth Council Notes of April 14, 2008 and
Partnership Council Minutes of March 13 and April 10, 2008
b. Approve third Quarter PY 2007-08 Administrative Unit Expenses
c. Approve Master Subgrant No. R970545
d. Approve Formal Support of:
Targets of Opportunity The regional study was presented at the BOS workshop, May 19, 2008. It was
commissioned by the Humboldt County WIB and included Mendocino County as part of the region. The second phase
of the project will be released in June and will include statistics on actual jobs connected to the clusters. Debb, Don
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and Pamela Patterson are involved in supporting Mendocino County businesses interested in growing their businesses
through involvement with the project.
Green Opportunities As State and federal dollars become available to further training in occupations related to
“green collar” workers in response to the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), it will be necessary to obtain
formal WIB support.
Demonstration Project for Dislocated Worker The ETA has released a solicitation providing states with an
opportunity to compete for special project dollars. The State EDD Workforce Services Division has asked LWIAs if
there is interest in the projects. At the May 21, 2008 Executive Committee meeting, Debb explained she felt these fit in
nicely with current WIB objectives. Mendocino County could conceivably fit into any of the four categories but Debb
noted Category 1 – “Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Dislocated Workers” was an especially good fit.
e. Recommend the BOS approve WIB applications received from Ernie Thompson and Fred Pepper from the United
Food and Commercial Workers Local 8 (UFCW 8) and from John Ulvila from MPIC.
f. Approve Youth Council Applications received from Pamela Harpster, Mendocino Private Industry Council and Laura
Levin from Youth Probation.
g. Approve Executive Committee meeting time change Debb is proposing a start time of 11:30 a.m. to allow easier
access for members and the public at large to attend the meetings since the One-Stop Center is now closed from
noon to 1:00 p.m.
Moved/Seconded/Passed: approve Consent Calendar – General. Motion Passed
5. Consent Calendar – MPIC Related:
a. Approve third Quarter PY 2007-08 One-Stop Operator, MPIC expenses.
b. Approve contract with MPIC for One-Stop Operator Services - Term of 2008-2010 in the estimated amount of
$ 2,344,176
Moved/Seconded/Passed: approve Consent Calendar – MPIC Related with Pamela Jensen abstaining.
Motion Passed
7. Election of Officers (Nominees from the floor and election) – Slate of Officer Nominees – Lee Kraemer provided a
brief synopsis of the election process and asked for a report from the Nominating Committee. Bob Jordan provided the
report, noting the responses the Nominating Committee had solicited from fellow WIB members were very positive with
several members expressing a willingness to become a candidate for office. Julie Soinila advised the Slate of Officers
distributed in the meeting packet had been updated since the packets were mailed and she distributed copies of the
updated version which included the addition of Christa Nunez as a candidate for Member-at-Large. The requirement
stipulating the Chair position be filled by a member representing the private sector was noted. Debb Donelson referred to
Rick Radcliffe being listed on the Slate of Officer nominees as a candidate for the Chair position and reported Rick had
sent his regrets for being unable to attend the meeting. Debb mentioned Rick had also asked staff to assure WIB
members he would be available for future WIB and Executive Committee meetings (taking vacation days if necessary to
do so). It was also noted Rick would be retiring from the Carpenters Union at the end of September after which, he would
still retain his private sector representation via his separate appointment under the Business category. With pre-election
discussion concluded, Lee Kraemer declared the election open. In addition to the prepared Slate of Officers, nominations
from the floor were requested by the outgoing Chair for all officer positions as they were considered in succession,
beginning with the Chair position. The election of officers took place with the following results:
Chair:
Only one candidate was listed on the Slate of Officers for the position of Chair (Rick Radcliffe). Lee asked for
nominations from the floor. Hearing none and with a single candidate for the Chair position, the election took place with
Lee asking members who were in favor of electing Rick Radcliffe as Chair to please indicate by saying “Aye”. Several
“Ayes” were heard. Lee then asked any members who were not in favor of the election of Rick Radcliffe as Chair to
indicate by saying “No”. There were none.
Based on a majority of “Ayes” and no “Noes”, Rick Radcliffe was elected as Chair.
First Vice Chair:
Lee Kraemer noted that with Rick Radcliffe having been elected as Chair, his name should be withdrawn from the list of
nominees for the position of First Vice Chair, leaving Don Ballek as the only candidate for the position of First Vice Chair.
WIB Minutes – 6/11/08
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Lee Kraemer asked for nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the election proceeded with Lee asking members who
were in favor of electing Don Ballek as First Vice Chair to indicate by saying “Aye”. Several “Ayes” were heard. He then
asked any members who were not in favor of the election of Don Ballek as First Vice Chair to indicate by saying “No”.
There were none.
Based on a majority of “Ayes” (and no “Noes”), Don Ballek was elected First Vice Chair.
Second Vice Chair:
It was noted there were three candidates listed on the Slate of Officers for the position of Second Vice Chair (Steve O’Mara”,
Glenna Blake and Teri Cirillo). Lee Kraemer called for nominations from the floor. With no other nominations forthcoming,
the election took place based on a majority showing of hands as the name of each candidate was read aloud in succession.
Staff kept count and when the voting had concluded, reported Glenna Blake had garnered the majority of votes.
Based on a showing of hands, Glenna Blake was elected Second Vice Chair.
Members-at-Large:
The election of officers for the two Member-at-Large positions was then conducted. The Slate of Officer nominees
contained a field of five potential candidates for the two elected Member-at-Large positions. These included Cathy Frey,
Emilia Bartolomeu, Teri Cirillo, Christa Nunez and Steve O’Mara. Lee Kraemer asked the candidates to provide a brief
synopsis of their background and briefly explain why they had an interest in becoming a Member-at-Large. The
candidates accommodated Lee’s request as they were called upon in succession. In Steve O’Mara’s absence, Debb
Donelson provided a brief description of his background and experience. Nominations were accepted from the floor.
With none forthcoming, the election took place based on a majority showing of hands as the name of each candidate was
read aloud. Staff kept count of the number of upraised hands as the names were read. When the voting was concluded,
staff advised Christa Nunez and Cathy Frey had garnered the highest votes. Debb Donelson advised that in addition to
the two Members-at-Large that had been elected, two additional Members-at-Large would be appointed by the new WIB
Chair at his discretion.
Based on a showing of hands, Cathy Frey and Christa Nun ez were elected Members-at-Large.
8. Approve 2008-2009 Meetings Calendar – Debb Donelson advised the Youth Council had recently been meeting
monthly but had previously been meeting every other month. However, with Laura Stebbins leaving the WIA unit and
considering the fact the WIA Analyst was staff to the Youth Council, the Youth Council meetings were shown as being
reduced to meeting quarterly on the new meetings calendar. Also discussed was the fact the start time for the WIB
Executive Committee meetings had been moved from meeting from noon to 11:30 in consideration of the fact the front
doors of the center were closed at the noon hour, making it necessary to post someone at the front door in order to
provide access for members of the committee and the general public interested in attending the meeting. It was noted
that two WIB members also members of the Sonoma County WIB (which meets on the same day as the Mendocino
County WIB) and in order for them to attend the Sonoma County WIB meetings, they have to leave the Mendocino
County WIB meeting in progress (by 1:50 p.m.) It was suggested the WIB could begin meeting earlier (possibly even at
noon) but it was noted that in addition to interfering with the Executive Committee meeting immediately preceding the
WIB meeting, the front doors of the center are locked at noon. Moving the WIB meeting up from 1:15 to 1:00 was noted
as being the next best solution. The consensus of the members was, these amendments were acceptable and
discussion was concluded.
Motion/Seconded/Passed to approve the PY2008/09 WIB Meetings calendar with the suggested amendments in
meeting frequency and start times, incorporated.
9. Approve Youth Council Recommendation to contract with MPIC for PY 2008-09 WIA Youth Program service
delivery – Debb Donelson explained that one function of the Youth Council is to provide their recommendation to be
recipients of WIA funding for Youth Programs and to also recommend an entity with whom to contract to provide
responsible management of those funds along with the management of service delivery to eligible youth. Considering the
exemplary job MPIC has historically provided in its capacity as the contractor for the provision of Youth Program services,
Debb noted the Youth Council is recommending the WIB approve the PY2008/09 contract with the Mendocino Private
Industry Council.
Motion/Seconded/Passed to approve contract with MPIC for the delivery of Youth Program services for
PY2008/09.
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6. Presentations:
a. Tola Levison – Mendocino College Work Study Program – Laura Stebbins introduced Tola Levison from Mendocino
College CalWORKS Work Study Program. Tola advised the program is designed to help CalWORKS recipients (those
able to be employed and/or who qualify for education in preparation for employment). During the last fiscal year, Tola
advised there was a total of 95 participants in the Work Study Program, 25 of whom were employed and receiving a wage
under the program. She estimated the project paid $63,000 in wages to CalWORKS recipients who were students at
Mendocino College. It was noted participants in the program must be enrolled in classes at the college that are specific
to their employment. Participants are placed in jobs on campus that will enhance their career goals and help them
develop the skills needed to achieve those goals. Tola described the various components of the program and noted that
with the help of counselors, participants develop an education plan and are given a lot of guidance and nurturing to
ensure their success. During the second half of “Guidance 104” class, students acquire valuable skills such as
communication, customer service and interpersonal relations. She compared the Work Study program to a “bridge” being
built from the college to the community. At this point in her presentation, Tola introduced one of the program participants,
Penny McCaffee. Penny addressed members of the WIB, explaining she was a single mother, an ex-addict and an ex-
felon. Acknowledging how difficult it was to obtain employment opportunities under those circumstances, she went on to
describe how she had benefitted from the program, noting how thankful she was for the opportunity she was afforded
though the CalWORKS Work Study Program. Penny described herself as being a Job Services participant and “welfare
mom” who attends school fulltime and has worked at the college for a year now. Based on the experience she has
gained through the program and the profound change it has made in her life, Penny expressed her desire and willingness
to work hard and explained she felt total confidence in her ability to be a responsible and valued employee. Tola noted
Penny had become a role model at the college and was an asset to those with whom she works. She is also recognized
as being an asset because of her ability to mentor others in the program who see her as a peer and a model of success,
accepting her guidance and instruction. Tola advised the length of the program varies between 1 and 3 years depending
on individual needs, skill levels and experience. Currently, 6 Work Study students are working in various departments on
campus. A few will continue working through the summer months in departments that remain open during summer break.
Tola fielded questions from WIB members. With regard to budget constraints, she mentioned program administrators
have been asked to present a budget that is 80% of last year’s. In closing, she instructed members to help themselves to
brochures she has placed at the back of the room for more information about the Work Study program. Those present
thanked both Tola and Penny for their presentations.
b. Steve Hixenbaugh – Mendocino College Business and Entrepreneurship Training Programs –
Debb Donelson introduced Steve Hixembaugh from the Mendocino College Entrepreneurship Program. Steve distributed
a flyer on the program. On the back of the flyer the names of 16 American entrepreneurs were shown (all of whom
became billionaires by starting their own business) along with the names of 16 successful and well-known businesses on
the right. Just for a fun, Steve conducted a contest, asking those present to match the names of the businesses with the
names of the entrepreneurs who had started them. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, he conducted a review of
each of these successful entrepreneurs and their unlikely rise to fame and fortune. Steve discussed the value of the
entrepreneurship classes at Mendocino College and the Summer Entrepreneurship Academy. Enrolling in “Business
132”– Entrepreneurial Management and attending the Summer Entrepreneurship Academy, are important first steps
students take in learning how to “take care of business”. The summer course is two weeks long and provides 3 units of
college credit toward an Associate Degree in Business Management. Steve noted the units are transferrable to the UC
system and compared to the cost of taking similar course studies at the university level, students can save hundreds of
dollars by taking these classes at Mendocino College. He also described a variety of interactive learning activities in
which entrepreneurship students participate. Field trips are conducted to local businesses where students have an
opportunity to see how businesses operate, talk to professionals firsthand and experience what happens “behind the
scenes”. The local business community has been very supportive, donating their time and expertise by providing
valuable assistance and advice. Loan officers from local banks provide information and guidance with regard to
completing loan applications and applying for business loans. Students also learn about writing a business plan. In
concluding his presentation, Steve mentioned the summer program begins on July 14th and is open to anyone. The
majority of enrollees are high school students along with some college age students and a few adults. Anyone interested
in learning more about the entrepreneurial courses at the college were asked to contact Steve directly or visit the college
website at www.mendocino.edu. Lee Kramer thanked Steve for his presentation.
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10. Youth Council report – Laura Stebbins reported 111 youth from 13 schools participated in the annual City Life Youth
Summit held at the Willits Grange on April 24th. She noted the event was well attended this year and members of the
Youth Council reported receiving positive feedback. She explained the objective of City Life was to introduce high school
age youth to life after high school. Participants are handed a script for their “life” (describing their job, life circumstances
and hourly wage) and are asked to choose a roommate and adhere to a monthly household budget while navigating
booths representing realtors, utilities, phone companies, banks, businesses and agencies to purchase goods and
services, obtain loan applications and complete rental agreements. The booths themselves are operated by volunteers
from the business community, various non-profits and social service agencies who represent banks, realtors, car dealers,
a general store, post office, utility and phone companies and Public Health, among others. Laura also mentioned the
Youth Council meeting scheduled for Jume 9th had been postponed until June 16th, at which time members of the Youth
Council will be discussing the event and its outcomes.
11. New members read affiliations into the record – New members in attendance read their affiliations into the record as
follows (there were no apparent conflicts of interest):
Emilia Bartolomeu: Board Member - Humboldt County WIB; Board Member - Del Norte County WIB;
Board Member - NoCoast Employer Advisory Board; Manager - Employment Development Department.
Christa Nu Ad Executive - Comcast Spotlight; Member - Northcoast Opportunities; Steering
Committee Member (Pending) - Leadership Mendocino; Instructor - Mendocino College.
Scott Schneider: Executive Director - Mendocino County Lodging Association; Chair - Mendocino County Promotional
Alliance; Board Member - North Coast Tourism Council; Board member - Rural Tourism Council for the California
Travel and Tourism Commission.
12. Tip Club – Member-to-member information – Those who had announcements and/or general information to share,
reported out.
Prior to adjourning, Debb Donelson introduced guest, Steven Dunnicliff, new Administrative Analyst from the County of
Mendocino Executive Office. Debb noted Steven was interested in familiarizing himself with the various County Boards
and Commissions and on this day, had elected to attend the WIB meeting.
Debb also announced Don Ballek had been instrumental in the issuance of a Proclamation by the Board of Supervisors
honoring small business in the County and recognizing the importance of microenterprise in contributing to the County’s
overall economy. She advised three people had accepted the award on behalf of small business owners (herself, Don
Ballek and Pamela Patterson) and exhibited the framed Proclamation, noting it would be displayed in the Mendocino
Room to acknowledge small business as being an economic engine and “life blood” of the County.
Lastly, Debb noted she had distributed copies of her PowerPoint presentation to the WIB Orientation Committee, asking
for their feedback. Its intended use is as an education/orientation tool for the benefit of new and existing WIB members.
Debb reported receiving some great responses and thanked Emilia Bartolomeu, Rick Dodds, Brooks Lockhart and Steve
O’Mara of the committee for their constructive feedback and ideas. A finalized version is expected in the near future.
13. Adjourn to ad hoc committees, time permitting.
14. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Submitted by: Julie Soinila Approved: October 21, 2008
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