VERDUGO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
2/12/2025
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VWDB Full Board Minutes 2/12/2025 Page 1 of 3
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ara Aslanian, Sonya Kay Blake, Vicki Brannock, Alexis Carter, Marisol Espinoza, Nick Hacopian, Mary
Hamzoian, Pamela Marcello, Iskra Martinez, Michael
Ritterbrown, Veronica Romero, Soua Vang, Terry Walker
MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Astorian, Luiza Balyan, Jose Barba, Onnig Bulanikian, Steve Kaplan, Debbie Kukta, Stephanie
O’Keefe
COMMUNITY &
OTHER AGENCY
REPRESENTATIVES:
Monica Casas, Eliza Dzhaneryan, Karine Grigoryan
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 A
slanian welcomed the members of the board and attendees to meeting.
B. Mr. Aslanian took a moment to acknowl
edge those affected by the wildfires and the people who lost their homes and jobs.
II. Minutes of September 25, 2025
A. Minutes presented and reviewed.
MOTION: Terry Walker 2nd: Marisol Espinoza
Action: APPROVED
III. Action Items
A. Approval to accept additional funds from the Lo s Angeles Coun ty Department of Economic Opportunit
y for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the amount of $35,600 for Youth@Work Program and to award additional fundi
ng to Glendale Youth Alliance in the amount of $32,929 for a total contract amo
unt of $462,500 to provide youth employment services
B. Approval to enter into contract with Biocom Institute California in an amount not to exceed $40,
000 in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds to provide career exploration and professional fellowships to eligible participants interested in Life Science career s for the period of October 1,
2024 to October 31, 2025
C. Approval to enter into contract with Los Angeles Mission College for Early Childhood Education customized training for employers in an amount not to exceed $67,560 and for classroom training programs listed in t
he State of California’s Eligible Training Provider List in an amount not to exceed $62,440, for a total contract amount not to exceed $130,000 from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2
026
D. Approval of the certification of the comprehensive Verdugo Jobs Center and the affiliate Job Connect in B
urbank as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 E. Approval to Authorize the Release of a Requ est for Proposal soliciting services to utilize Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act fundi ng for In-School Youth and Out-of-School Youth, Los Angeles County Youth@Work, Student Training and Employment Program, and other grant youth funds for a three-year period: July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 Exhibit 1
VERDUGO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
2/12/2025
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VWDB Full Board Minutes 2/12/2025 Page 2 of 3
F. Approval to release the Verdugo Workfor ce Development Board’s Local Workforce Development Plan 2025-2028 for public review and comment
G. Approval of the submission of the Career Servi ces Application to the Governor of California, California Workforce Development Board, and the State of California Employment Development Department requesting the Verdugo Workforce Development Board to be the America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM Adult and Dislocated Worker Car eer Services Provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area for the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029
H. Approval of the submission of the Local Ar ea Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification Application to the Governor of California, California Workforce Development Board, and the State of California Employment Development Department requesting the Verdugo Workforce Development Board to be a local workfo rce area and board for the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027
I. Approval to accept $850,000 of Workforce In novation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Discretionary 25% Additional Assistance Gr ant to continue implementing a regional biotechnology technician industry-valued credential, and to enter into contract with Los Angeles Mission College for $123,200, Biocom Institute for $200,000, Consultant Bloom Strategies Solutions LLC for $60,000, Communication Consul tant for $12,500 and a Strategic Planning Consultant for $20,000
MOTION FOR CONSENT ITEM A – I Motion: Mary Hamzoian 2nd: Alexis Carter Abstain: Vicki Brannock
IV. Director’s Report
A. Executive Director Judith Velasco provided an overview of VWDB activities and the required processes and certifications that need to be completed this program year to remain compliant with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Ms. Velasco also presented a brief summary of the Local Workforce Development Plan (Local Plan).
1. Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City Wo rkforce Development Boards will receive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (W IOA) funds to assist workers who were impacted by the wildfires. The Verdugo Jobs Center (VJC) will co-enroll participants as needed.
2. The VWDB can look forward to adding members to the Executive Committee (two business members and one education member). The next scheduled board retreat for November 12, 2025.
a. Two additional business members and two labor representative are needed to meet board composition requirements and remain in co mpliance with WIOA. Board members are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Velasco if they have any recommendations.
3. This year the VWDB will need to procure an America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) Operator, submit a Career Services Provide r application and Board Recertification application, and release its Local Workforce Development Plan, all required processes under WIOA.
a. Ms. Velasco clarified that most of the data found in the Local Plan is from the 2023 US Census Bureau, which is self-reported data.
i. Mary Hamzoian stated that she can provid e the actual numbers in the labor force for the City of Burbank since the numbers that appear in the Local Plan pertain to the residents only and does not include all pe ople who work in Burbank regardless of
VERDUGO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
FULL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
2/12/2025
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VWDB Full Board Minutes 2/12/2025 Page 3 of 3
residency. VWDB staff member MaryAnn Pr anke explained that the Labor Force as defined by Bureau of Labor Statistics and used by US Census, only refers to residents. ii. Sonya Kay Blake stated that it is interesting that the plan does not call for prior metric performances to demonstrate effectiveness. Ms. Velasco confirmed this information and stated that the VWDB must address specific questions as required by the California State Workforce Board.
V. Other Business and Announcements
A. The next VWDB meeting will be held in person on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
VI. Public Comments: None
VII. Adjournment: 9:55 am