VERDUGO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
4/10/2024
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VWDB Full Board Minutes 4/10/2024 Page 1 of 2
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ara Aslanian, Luiza Balyan, Jose Barba, Sonya Kay Blake, Onnig Bulanikian, Alexis Carter, Marisol
Espinoza, Nick Hacopian, Steve Kaplan, Iskra Martinez,
Stephanie O’Keefe, Michael Ritterbrown, Veronica
Romero, Teresa Sánchez, Terry Walker
MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Astorian, Vicki Brannock, Lee Casady, Debbie Kukta, Mary Hamzoian, Pamela Marcello, Soua Vang
COMMUNITY &
OTHER AGENCY
REPRESENTATIVES:
Eliza Dzhaneryan, Karine Grigoryan, Olga Perez
STAFF PRESENT: Diana Montecino, MaryAnn Pranke, Judith Velasco, Melissa Younesian
CALL TO ORDER: 9:05 am by Chair Ara Aslanian
I. Introductions
A. Chair Ara Aslanian welcomed the board.
II. Minutes of February 14, 2024
A. Minutes presented and reviewed. MOTION: Terry Walker 2 nd: Alexis Carter Action: APPROVED
III. Action Items
A.Approval to accept additional $150,000 from City of Glendale’s Measure S funds and approval of contract amendment to add funding of $27,000 to the LIFERAP agreement with Glendale Youth Alliance for a total contract amount not to exceed $435,393 and extend the contract period from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 B.Approval to enter into contract with Friendship Foundation for the period of March 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $139,832 to provide career training and work experience to individuals with disabilities C.Approval of Student Training and Employment Program contract amendments with Glendale Youth Alliance and Glendale Community College’s Professional Development Center to extend the end dates from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025; increase funding to Glendale Youth Alliance in an amount of $195,500 for a total contract amount of $402,441 for continued administration of work experience services; and increase funding to the Professional Development Center in an amount of $13,600 for a total contract amount of $27,200
D.Approval of the Verdugo Workforce Development Board’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
E.Approval to accept anticipated preliminary funds from the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the projected amount of $638,000 for Measure H and Youth Employment Services and to enter into contract with Glendale Youth Alliance for a projected amount of $482,937 to provide Youth Services
VERDUGO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
4/10/2024
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VWDB Full Board Minutes 4/10/2024 Page 2 of 2
F.Approval to accept funding from Glendale Community College in the amount of $500,000 to implement the California Adult Education Program and enter into contract with College and Career Engagement LLC, Bloom Strategic Solutions LLC, Armenian Relief Society, Copy&Design, RxResearch, Glendale Library Arts & Culture and Professional Development Trainers for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 G.Approval of the allocation of $145,500 to Job Connect to provide services in the City of Burbank as the Verdugo Jobs Center Affiliate Site for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 H.Approval to enter into contract with Foundation for California Community Colleges Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in an amount not to exceed $65,000 to support Work Based Learning opportunities for the WIOA Adult and Prison to Employment 2.0 Program MOTION FOR CONSENT ITEM A – H Motion: Marisol Espinoza 2nd: Nick Hacopian IV. Director’s Report
A. Ms. Velasco provided an overview on the proposed HR 6655 – Stronger Workforce for America Act, which was proposed and passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. The bipartisan bill is backed by the House Committees on Education and the Workforce and was developed by the Ways and Means House Committee. This act would amend and reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
1. One of the striking parts of the bill is the focus on skills upgrading. The bill proposes a requirement to devote 50% of funding directly to training. Currently the California requirement is at 30%.
2. Another factor under this proposed bill is that the states’ governor will be able to review every local board’s application to continue serving its Workforce Development Area, but a vote by the majority of the fellow boards will be needed to approve the application for designation as a Workforce Development Board (WDB).
3. Discussion
a. The VWDB requested to be updated as more information is provided.
B. Ms. Velasco announced that an in-person board retreat is scheduled for November 13 th from 9 am to 11 am. The location is yet to be determined.
C. Ms. Velasco requested that when board members hear of companies laying off in the Verdugo Region, to please notify her. The Verdugo Jobs Center (VJC) staff will be meeting with employees that will be laid off from the 99 Cents Only Stores in Burbank and Glendale.
D. Ms. Velasco reminded the VWDB that there are several compliance items that will need to be completed this year, such as the America’s Jobs Center of California (AJCC) Certification and the Local Plan.
V. Other Business and Announcements
A. The next VWDB meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
VI. Public Comments: None
VII. Adjournment: 9:30 am