ANOKA COUNTY WORKFORCE COUNCIL

ANOKA COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Thursday, March 4, 2021

7:30 A.M.

WebEx

* * * A G E N D A * * *

I. ROLL CALL

II. APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

III. APPROVE February 4, 2021 MEETING MINUTES (Attached)

IV. THE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE EMPLOYER DESIGNATION (Attached) – Dan

Wenner, Regional Plan Coordinator - Rural Minnesota CEP and Chet Bodin, Workforce

Strategy Consultant - DEED

V. SMALL BUSINESS MONTH – Lori Higgins, President - Metro North Chamber of

Commerce

VI. INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AGREEMENT UPDATE – Sean Bibus, Workforce

Coordination – Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

VII. MINNESOTA’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND CHANGES EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY (Attached) - Nicole Swanson, Director – Job Training Center

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS

- Executive Director Update

o WIOA Local and Regional Planning

- Other Partner Updates

ANOKA COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Important Meeting Notice

Due to Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-30, and a determination by the county board chair

that public attendance was not feasible due to the health pandemic, members of the public were not

allowed to attend this meeting in person. Public members were able to monitor this meeting through

Webex (information posted on website). Public monitoring in this manner is done pursuant to Minn.

Stat. 13D.021.th. The board sets priorities and policies that focus on local workforce needs and

ensure that programs and agencies work together to meet those needs. The goal is to create a

responsive workforce development system for both employers and job seekers.

Meeting Minutes of Thursday, February 4, 2021

The Anoka County Workforce Development Board Meeting was called to order by Chair Barnes at

7:30 a.m.

I. ROLL CALL

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Barnes, Elaina Bleifield, Shym Cook, Jacquel Hajder, Terry Hart,

Lori Higgins, Curt Jasper, Becky Johnson, KC Kye, Jessica Lipa, Jerry Miller, Jim Nimlos, Stacie

Sayre, Theresa Zingery

NON-MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Mandy Meisner, Brad Thiel, Becky White, Dorothy

Radermacher, Joan Berning, Tim O’Neill, Cindy Cesare, Debby Boyd, Patrick Hobot, Nicole

Swanson, Krista Peterson

II. APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Amendments to the Agenda:

• Add - Approve One Stop Operation Duties and Responsibilities to Publish a Request for

Proposal.

• Revise - Workforce Development Area Infrastructure Funding Agreement Update Approval of

Funding Agreement

MOTION by Elaina Bleifield to adopt the Agenda as amended. Seconded by Jim Nimlos.

UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR BARNES DECLARED THE MOTION

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

III. APPROVE January 7, 2021 MEETING MINUTES

MOTION by Theresa Zingery to approve the minutes are presented. Seconded by Becky Johnson.



Anoka County Workforce Development Board Meeting of February 4, 2021 2

IV. APPROVE ONE STOP OPERATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO

PUBLISH A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – Nicole Swanson, Anoka County Job

Training Center Director

WIOA regulations require Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDB’s) to use a competitive

process for selection of a one-stop operator and to support continuous improvement through the

evaluation of one-stop operator performance. This occurs at a minimum of every 4 years and the

deadline to comply is July 1, 2021. The Anoka County Procurement Team and Central Services will

coordinate the RFP on behalf of the Anoka County Workforce Development Area (WDA) 12.

The exact roles and responsibilities of the OSO are to be determined by each LWDB and must be

clearly articulated in the competitive process/RFP. The type of OSO configuration will be determined

by the local board and could be either a single entity or a consortium of organizations.

MOTION by Elaina Bleifield to approve the One Stop Operation Duties and Responsibilities to

publish a request for proposals. Seconded by Jim Nimlos.


CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

V. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPIOID MINNESOTA INITIATIVE GRANT (OMNI) -

Nicole Swanson, Anoka County Job Training Center Director

Anoka County Job Training Center participated in a $1.3m Department of Labor National Health

Emergency Disaster National Dislocated Worker Grant application with DEED as a subgrantee.

Other applicants included Duluth, Central MN/Sterns-Benton and Southeastern MN. The purpose of

the grant is to address the Opioid Crisis impacting our local, regional and state workforce and the

primary focus will be serving individuals affected by the crisis through career exploration,

employment, reemployment, on-the-job training and support services.

The total funding awarded to Anoka County is $360,000 with the initial funding of $210,462 to serve

72 dislocated workers of which 12 will be placed in disaster relief positions like nursing assistance,

call center representatives, human services, chemical dependency and 911 dispatch. The next step is

to present this to the Anoka County Human Services Committee and then to the County Board for

acceptance of funds. Partners include Anoka County Human Services Departments, Allina, Hope at

Youth and Stepping Stone.

MOTION by Elaina Bleifield to accept the funds from the Opioid MN Initiative Grant. Seconded by

Lori Higgins.



VI. APPROVAL OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA INFRASTRUCTURE

FUNDING AGREEMENT - Nicole Swanson, Anoka County Job Training Center Director

An agreement was reached with the Infrastructure Funding Agreement (IFA). All partners who

participate toward the infrastructure have noted their contributions toward services and negotiations


and collaborative conversations were focused around the universal customer. The Job Training

Center on behalf of Title 1B programs will contribute toward the universal customer over and above

what has been done in the past, 40% and Wagner-Peyser will contribute 60%. Upon approval,

DEED will coordinate electronic signatures on this agreement. CareerForce in Blaine continues to be

one of the busiest locations in the state experiencing the highest number of visitors in the metro area.

Locally and statewide we do not want to duplicate but leverage our services. No updates on

CareerForce location openings.

Joan Berning noted that it has been great working with Anoka County, and she thanked Nicole and

Becky for their collaboration and partnerships that have been in place for many years.

MOTION by Elaina Bleifield to approve the Workforce Development Area Infrastructure Funding

Agreement. Seconded by Stacie Sayre.



VII. INITIAL IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON MINNESOTA BUSINESSES – Tim O’Neill,

DEED Labor Market Analyst

Initial impacts of COVID on the labor market since past recessions, MN lost 406,000 jobs February –

April 2020 which is three times greater than the Great Recession. Industry sectors affected the most

were Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services, Administrative and

Support Services, Mining and Retail Trade. Of the net job loss of 374,577 - 11,400 establishments

closed.

Shirley noted that there are a lot of employers who need workers, like in healthcare. She asked what

could be done to expedite a skilled workforce. Tim replied that he has done presentations with school

districts in Washington County highlighting jobs in demand, the education and skills required, and

where businesses are located.

Elaina noted that MN State Colleges and Universities are experiencing low enrollments which isn’t

consistent with other economic downturns.

Lori is interested in receiving job destruction data.

Tim’s handouts and reference articles will be sent to the Board after the meeting.

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS – Shirley/Nicole

• Today the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards Board Chairs, LEO’s and Directors

will be meeting with DEED leadership including Commissioner Grove to discuss pending

changes to the Workforce Development Fund during the legislative session.

• The H1B Project Regional and State Grant applications were not funded. 169 applications

were received and 17 were funded, very competitive nationwide.

• Minnesota received estimated WIOA Adult and Dislocated Programs allocations and it

reflects MN will receive a $6.0M increase for PY21. Local allocations are determined by a


State formula that takes several factors into consideration such as poverty percentages and

unemployment numbers. WIOA State and Regional plans are being drafted and Nicole along

with local partners will start working on the Local plan due to DEED April 30, 2021.

• Governors budget is suggesting $745M for education and a high investment in economic

recovery that includes reskilling the workforce.

Lori announced a Career Exploration Fair will take place for Spring Lake Park High School Students,

sponsored by Metro North Chamber in partnership with the Job Training Center and CareerForce

utilizing the Anoka County Easy Virtual Fair platform.

Commissioner Meisner noted the application deadline is March 15 for businesses affected by COVID

to apply for grant relief.

Jacquel added they have received 620 applications and 250 of those are incomplete. She also shared

she is leaving the county and has accepted a position with Noor Construction and Development. She

will work with Nicole and Shirley on transition plans.

KC shared that K-Mama sauce will be featured on Twin Cities Live today at 3:15 featured as one of

the best Twin Cities condiments. Additional product expansion announcement coming soon.

ADJOURN

Chair Barnes declared the meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.

I-WE DesignationRegional Workforce Alliance

Northwest Minnesota

Background

Background

Equity Summit held in Moorhead, Spring 2019

Idea developed by the Community Workforce Inclusion Council (CWIC)

Presented to the RWA, and subsequently approved by LWDB 01 and LWDB 02

“Business Engagement” subcommittee formed to implement pilot

Five pilot organizations receive designation in pilot phase, July 2020

Webpage launched, Summer 2020

• https://www.rwa-nw.org/inclusive-workforce-employer

Criteria for I-WE Designation1. Express a commitment to an inclusive workplace in their

stated values, mission or policies.

2. Assess how diversity, equity and inclusion influence their work and culture.

3. Provide diversity, equity and inclusion education for staff and leadership.

4. Allocate resources to support and sustain an inclusive and equitable workplace.

I-WE Web Page

Welcome Survey (onboarding)

Inclusive Employer Toolkit

Designation Survey (application for recognition)

Promotional Material

Inclusive Workforce Employers by Region

Marketing & Promotion

Stage 1: Press Release about I-WE designees

Stage 2: Social Media Campaign (Fall 2020)

Stage 3: Equity Summits (Summer 2021?)

Questions?

Dan WennerRegional Plan Coordinator Rural Minnesota CEP

Chet BodinWorkforce Strategy ConsultantMN DEED

Optimizing resources for Equity » Placing emphasis that all grantees have proven record and plan for reaching BIPOC

participants. » Increasing workforce support services grants to address workforce adjacent issues such

as the digital divide, transportation. » Development of an Opportunity Response Fund that moves unspent dollars to

additional programs that focus on BIPOC workers. » Funding will be distributed statewide based on population distribution. » Funds capacity-building for small culturally-led nonprofits to strengthen their

operations so they can provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Focusing on Performance » The establishment of three key outcome-driven performance metrics that DEED will

use in its adult competitive grant programs:o Job placement and retentiono Wage rateo Credentials

» Additional youth metrics collected for the Uniform Report Card.

Efficiently funding what works » Designates 65% of the fund to competitive grant programs that fund organizations in

workforce development and support services, with a special track for innovative new ideas and approaches that haven’t been tried yet.

» 30% of fund will go to Dislocated Worker program, at a rate that matches take- up rates.

» 5% goes to MJSP grants, to ensure this proven program meets demand. » Money still left in dislocated worker program by Q4 will be transferred to workforce

development grants at a rate of up to 70%, so that there are not large carry-forwards every year and we’re efficiently using the capital to help workers.

Increased community representation at MJSP board » Additional community representative will be added to the MJSP board

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND CHANGES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Documents

ANOKA COUNTY WORKFORCE COUNCIL