MINUTES OF THE
LAT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, INC.
Ellendale Country Club
3319 Highway 311
Houma, Louisiana 70361
March 23, 2023
11:15 a.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
ATTENDING
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman
Ms. Jawanda Givens
Ms. Avie Fontenot
Ms. Kelli Cunningham
Mr. John Hebert
Mr. Mike Lewis
Mr. Kevin Belanger
Ms. Britany Davis
Mr. Jerry Repka
Mr. Kelly Wintz
Ms. Marcela Allemand
Mr. Mitch Orgeron
ABSENT:
Mr. E. Angelloz
Mr. Kevin Pellegrin
Mr. Alfred Fox, III
Ms. Annette Smith Huber
Ms. Teri St. Peter
Ms. Marilyn Schwartz
Dr. Kristine Strickland
Ms. Katherine Dubois
Ms. Michele Turner Jones
Ms. Cheri Blanchard
Ms. Lora Ann Chaisson
.
ALSO ATTENDING:
Frank Lewis, Staff
Mary Landry, Staff
Leah Lina, Work Connection, Inc.
Lorey Owens, Work Connection, Inc.
Ms. Theresa Robichaux, Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court
Mr. Paul Pechon, Bourgeois Bennett, LLC
Ms. Amanda Lasserre, Bourgeois Bennett, LLC
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 2
The LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc. did have a quorum present.
D. CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chair Person presided over the meeting and thanked all members of the Board for coming to the meeting.
E. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 8, 2022 and RATIFICATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022.
Motion by Mr. Kevin Belanger/Seconded by Mr. John Hebert to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2022 meeting and ratification of the Executive Committee Minutes dated September 22, 2022.
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes
F. NEW BUSINESS
1) Introduction and Certification of New Members to the LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc.
- Mr. Jerry Repka – representing AFLCIO
- Mr. Kelly Wintz – representing AFL-CIO
- Ms. Britney Davis – representing Department of Children & Family Services
- Ms. Marcela Allemand – representing John Deere (Private Industry)
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 3
All new Board Members were introduced and welcomed to the March 23, 2023 LAT Workforce Development, LLC board meeting. Ms. Theresa Robichaux, Clerk of Court – Terrebonne Parish completed the necessary paperwork and certified all new board members to the LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc.
2) Bourgeois Bennett, LLC Audit Report
Presentation of the 2021-2022 Audit was given by Mr. Paul Pechon and Ms. Amanda Lasserre of Bourgeois Bennett, LLC. After some discussion, it was noted that there were no material weaknesses and no significant deficiencies reported in addition to no findings or questioned costs.
Mr. Pechon did state that they are required by the Louisiana Legislative Auditors to prepare a Schedule of Procedures to discuss with management and have them consider changing/revising procedures in the event changes happen in the coming years.
Motion by Mr. Mitch Orgeron/Seconded by Mr. Mike Lewis to accept the Audit Report given by the firm of Bourgeois Bennett, LLC, certified Public Accountants / Consultants.
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 4
3) Approval of Revised Workforce 4-Year Plan
The LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc. submitted its 4-year plan to the Louisiana Workforce Commission in 2020 for Region 3, LWDA #31. It is a requirement that the plan is updated and/or revised every 2 years to accommodate current factors of population numbers, unemployment, demand occupations and projections for said area. Staff requested that the revised plan be approved.
Motion by Mr. Mike Lewis/Seconded by Mr. Mitch Orgeron to approve the revisions to the LAT Workforce Development 4 – Year Plan.
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 5
4) Approval of Revised Non-Discrimination Plan
The LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc., submitted its Non-Discrimination Plan to the Louisiana Workforce Commission in 2022 for Region 3, LWDA #31. After a review of the Plan by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, additional information was submitted.
- LWDB #31 is asked to provide resume for Equal Opportunity Coordinator
- Copies of Certificate for Training on Sexual Discrimination for staff
- Re-Instate Element 9- Corrective Actions and Sanctions).
No other issues with the plan were noted
Motion by Mr. Mike Lewis/Seconded by Ms. Kelli Cunningham to approve the Revised Non-Discrimination Plan submitted to the State.
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes
5) Approval of the following Revised/New Policies
a) Supportive Services Policy – (Revised Policy) to include (Needs Related Payments) and Referral Forms for partners.
b) Youth Incentive Policy – (Revised Policy) Approval to add the completion of a satisfactory progress report to the current incentive policy.
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 6
c) Adult & Dislocated Worker Eligibility Policy – (New Policy) Policy added to reflect Adult & Dislocated Worker Eligibility Requirements.
Motion by Mr. John Hebert/Seconded by Ms. Jawanda Givens to approve the two (2) revised and one (1) new board policy.
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes
6) Tier 2.1 Personal Finance Disclosure Statement (Forms A-F)
The Form 2.1 (Personal Financial Disclosure Statement) must be filed annually by all members of the LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc., The deadline for filing with the Louisiana Ethics Board is May 15, 2023. The form online can be found at www.ethics.la.gov/forms
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 7
G. OLD BUSINESS
None
H. UPDATES
1) Program Update
Ms. Lorey Owens of Work Connection, Inc., stated that staff has been working with Bollinger Shipyards training eight individuals through the Technical College and On the Job Training for Fitters/Welders.
2) WIOA Funds – Financial Update (Information Only)
After reviewing the financial statements provided to the board, Ms. Landry stated that since the time that the packet reports had been processed the percentage numbers had increased. Updated percentages reflect the following percentage of funds spent:
Youth (In-School) 40%,
(Out of School) 30%,
Adult 51.92%
Dislocated Worker 18.13%.
.
I. LUNCH
- J. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Ms. Marcela Allemand a new Board member asked if our Board provided insurance protection for the Board.
Mr. Lewis stated that yes there is protection for the Board through a Directors/Officers policy with Ledet Insurance.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Mitch Orgeron/Seconded by Ms. Avie Fontenot to adjourn.
LAT Board Minutes
March 23, 2023
Page 8
Vote:
Any Not in Favor: None
Abstains: None
Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman Yes
Ms. Jawanda Givens Yes
Ms. Avie Fontenot Yes
Ms. Kelli Cunningham Yes
Mr. John Hebert Yes
Mr. Mike Lewis Yes
Mr. Kevin Belanger Yes
Ms. Britany Davis Yes
Mr. Jerry Repka Yes
Mr. Kelly Wintz Yes
Ms. Marcela Allemand Yes
Mr. Mitch Orgeron Yes
Vote: Unanimous
Motion Passes