Executive Committee Members in Attendance:: Tracy Beckman (by phone), LaDonna Boyd (by phone), Wayne DeBruin, Don Gerdesmeier, Roger Hale, Jennie Lightfoot

Other GWDC Members in Attendance: Jerry Carlson, Earl Wilson

Staff in Attendance: Elizabeth Biel, Bonnie Elsey, Howard Glad, Steve Gies, Bev Kontola, Jim Korkki, Al St. Martin, Mary Ellen Novotny, Barry Shaffer, Kathy Sweeney

1. Call to Order & Announcements
   Chairman Roger Hale welcomed and introduced the members and guests to the meeting.

2. Approval of the Minutes
   Applicable for future meetings, this was the first Executive Committee meeting.

3. Governor’s Mini-Cabinet Report on Workforce Development
   Al St. Martin reported on the "Governor’s Workforce Development Framework." This statement was announced by Governor Ventura at a press conference September 7, 1999 in Hutchinson, MN. Mr. St. Martin explained the framework to the committee, noting that Minnesota has an under 3% unemployment rate and that the low unemployment rate and other factors have resulted in a workforce shortage, which will inhibit future economic growth.

   Al St. Martin further highlighted the framework’s goals, briefly mentioning the differences between the old workforce development principles and the new principles of the Ventura administration. Workforce programs currently in place are geared to the old principles; the new principles will bring reform in the correct places. The final report of the mini-cabinet on the workforce shortage issue will be completed in November, 1999.

   Roger Hale complimented the quotes and ideas present within the Governor’s Workforce Development Framework.

4. Approval of Local Designation Plans
   Jim Korkki reported that one aspect of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) implementation is a requirement to divide the state into geographic regions or workforce service areas. These regions are similar to the regions created under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). The WIA legislation contains a provision allowing states to "grandfather" the current geographic workforce regions if they meet specific criteria under the WIA.

   In April, 1999 the GWDC recommended that if a geographic region met the fiscal and performance outcome measures under JTPA, a recommendation would be made to grandfather the current local configuration. In addition, this recommendation would give the local areas the option to update the membership of their council.

   Jim Korkki reviewed the petitions from the seventeen local workforce service areas and recommended to the Council the continuation of the current workforce geographic areas created under JTPA. Don Gerdesmeier so moved, Wayne DeBruin seconded and the motion was approved.

5. Review of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Executive Summary
   In August of 1998 the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) became law. The WIA rewrites current federal statutes governing programs of job training, adult education and literacy and vocational rehabilitation, replacing them with streamlined and more flexible workforce development systems. In order to implement the WIA, the Governor of the state is required to submit a five year strategic plan to the US Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL has given states flexibility in how they go about implementing the Act. Given that flexibility, Minnesota is proposing that the Act be implemented in two stages. The first stage is to submit a Transitional Plan or a "plan to plan" in October 1999 and a complete or Unified Plan on April 1, 2000 for full implementation on July 1, 2000.

   To assist in implementing the Act, the Department of Economic Security established the Workforce Investment Act Implementation Workgroup. The workgroup consists of over 100 state and local employment and training experts. Their purpose is to examine issues surrounding implementation of the Act. The workgroup consists of five committees, each co-chaired by a state and local representative. Leadership of the workgroup is provided through a steering committee. The five committees have provided input into the development of the WIA Transitional Plan.

   Mary Ellen Novotny asked the Executive Committee to recommend to the Council that the Department of Economic Security proceed with the submission of the WIA Transitional Plan to the US Department of Labor in October, 1999. Wayne DeBruin moved, Don Gerdesmeier seconded and the motion was passed.

6. Other
   Chairman Hale stated he believes the Committee should develop a vision statement for workforce development in Minnesota. He recommended that the vision should be short, simple and easy to understand. After much discussion, Commissioner Earl Wilson recommended that the staff of the DES create several draft vision statements for discussion at the next Executive Committee meeting; the Committee agreed.

7. Next Meeting and Adjournment
   The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held at 8:15 am on October 1, 1999 immediately prior to the GWDC meeting in the Veterans Service Building.