LAT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, INC.

Ellendale Country Club

3319 Highway 311

Houma, Louisiana 70360

March 24, 2022

11:05 a.m.

A.         CALL TO ORDER

B.         ROLL CALL

ATTENDING

Mr. E. A. Angelloz, LAT Board Chairman

Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman

Mr. Kevin Belanger

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz

Ms. Jawanda Givens

Mr. Mitch Orgeron

Ms. Cheri Blanchard

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.

Mr. John Hebert

Mr. Mike Lewis

Ms. Annette Smith Huber

ABSENT:

Ms. Avie Fontenot

Ms. Michelle Turner Jones

Ms. Kelli Cunningham

Ms. Lora Ann Chiasson

Ms. Lyn Clement

Mr. Kevin Pellegrin

Mr. Julian Bourg

Dr. Kristine Strickland

Mr. Alfred Fox, III

Ms. Teri St. Peter

Ms. Frank Streva

Ms. Katherine Dubois

 

The LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc., did not have a quorum.

 

Motion by Mr. E. A. Angelloz Seconded by Mr. John Hebert to move into Executive Session.

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 2

ROLL CALL (Executive Committee)

 

ATTENDING:

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz, LAT Board Chairman

Mr. Greg Diez, Vice-Chairman

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz

Mr. Kevin Belanger

 

ABSENT:   Ms. Terri St. Peter

 

 

Ad-Hoc Members

 

Ms. Jawanda Givens

Mr. Mitch Orgeron

Ms. Cheri Blanchard

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr

Mr. John Hebert

Mr. Mike Lewis

Ms. Annette Smith Huber

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                     Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

 

Vote:   Unanimous

Motion Passes

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 3

C.         CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:

Mr. Angelloz thanked all Board members for coming out to the meeting.

D.         APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES:

Minutes of the LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc., dated March 25, 2021, will be ratified at the next meeting of the LAT Board containing a quorum.

E.         NEW BUSINESS

1.         Bourgeois Bennett Audit Report

 

Presentation of the 2020/2021 Audit was given by Paul Pechon and Amanda Lasserre of Bourgeois Bennett, LLC.

 

Section I – Internal Control and Compliance Material to the Basic Financial Statements

 

Internal Control

 

-          No Material weaknesses were noted during the audit for the year ended June 30, 2021.

 

-          No significant deficiencies were reported during the audit for the year ended June 30, 2021.

 

Compliance

 

-          No Compliance findings material to the financial statements were noted during the year ended June 30, 2021.

 

Section II – Internal Control and Compliance Material to Federal Awards

 

-          There were no federal award findings or questioned costs reported during the audit of the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021.

 

Motion by Mr. John Hebert/Seconded by Ms. Annette Smith Huber to accept the Audit Report for 2020/2021 presented by Bourgeois Bennett, LLC.

 

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 4

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

Motion Passes

2.        Approval of revised Youth Incentive Policy

A revision was requested to update the incentive policy allowance for youth participants. In previous years one would have to obtain a High School Diploma with proof of employment in training or post-secondary education to receive the incentive of $200.00. Said revision separates each incentive to $100.00 each. This will allow for each incentive to be attained on its own.

 

 

Motion by Ms. Marilyn Schwartz/Seconded by Mr. John Hebert to approve the revision of the Youth Incentive Policy.

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

 

 

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 5

 

(continued)

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard                   Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

Motion Passes

1. 3. Approval of 2021-2023 Amended contract with Business & Career Solutions Center, Work Connection, Inc.

Staff requested an amendment of the contract with the Business & Career Solutions Center, Work Connection, Inc., due to a line-Item transfer – In the past funds were transferred at the beginning of each year from Dislocated Worker to Adult due to our area serving more Adults than Dislocated Workers. The State has requested that this line-item be cancelled as we have not spent all money allocated to adult from the previous year. The amount of the contract with Business & Career Solutions Center Work Connection, Inc., does not change.

 

Motion by Mr. Kevin Belanger/Seconded by Mr. Mike Lewis to approve the 2021-2023 Amended Contract with Business & Career Solutions Center, Inc.

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard                   Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

Motion Passes

 

 

 

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 6

 

 

1. 4. Approval of the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Lafourche Parish Government Hurricane Ida Contract

 

Mr. Angelloz stated that the LAT Board had received a contract through the Louisiana Workforce Commission for the Hurricane Ida grant in the amount of $648,890.00. This contract agreement will provide funds for Humanitarian Disaster Relief employment activities which includes the provision of food, clothing and shelter aimed at assisting affected individuals residing in our local area. This grant will allow Business & Career Solutions Center, Work Connection, Inc., to serve 35 temporary positions, paying up to $16.00 per hour.

 

Motion by Mr. John Hebert/Seconded by Mr. Mike Lewis to approve the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Lafourche Parish Government Hurricane Ida Contract.

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard                   Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

Motion Passes

 

1. 5. Update on One-Stop Partners (Information Only)

 

Information Purposes only:  A One-Stop Partners Meeting was held on February 16, 2022, to discuss services provided by each agency. These meetings will continue every quarter as required by the State. All board members are welcome to attend the One-Stop Partners Meetings. Resource information is available to all partners.

 

 

 

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 7

 

1. 6. Discussion of Cost-of-Living Adjustment & Merit Increase

Mr. Belanger stated that due to the concern and effects of our rising economy the LAT Board has a fiduciary responsibility regarding a Cost of Living Raise for staff. Although staff has received merit raises in the past, they have not had a Cost of Living Raise in some time.

 

Mr. Belanger explained the difference between a Cost of Living Raise and a Merit Increase. He stated that the cost-of-living increase is to keep an individual’s purchasing power at where it was when they had their increase and an increase.  Over the last 10 years we have only given 19.5% increase in cost-of-living adjustments. Cost of Living has actually increased by 26.6% over the last 10 years. A 4% cost of living is justified at this time for staff. He expressed his appreciation for the LAT Board staff.

 

Mr. Belanger further stated that we do not have in place a procedure or plan as to when these issues on Cost of Living or Merit raises should take place. This issue should be researched and brought to a committee by the next meeting to have something in place for future Cost of Living and Merit Raise increases.

 

Motion by Mr. Kevin Belanger/Seconded by Mr. Mike Lewis to approve a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment for employees and a policy or procedure should be in place and approved by the Planning Oversight Committee to be brought to the next board meeting for approval for future Cost of living and Merit Raise increase.

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard                   Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

 

Motion passes

 

1. 7. Increase in cost per participant (Voting Results)

Information Purposes only:  Participant costs were increased from $12,000.00 to $17,000.00 by approval of an email vote by the LAT Workforce Development Board, Inc., for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth participants. Said increase was due to the increase in tuition cost.

 

LAT Board Minutes

March 24, 2022

Page 8

 

 

1. 8. Tier 2.1 Personal Finance Disclosure Statement (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, 2022. The form can be found at www.ethics.la.gov/forms.

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

 

H.        UPDATES

 

1.         Program Update Report (Information Purposes Only)

 

2.         WIOA Funds – Financial Update (Information Purposes Only)

 

I           LUNCH

 

J.         BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

NONE

 

K.        ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion b y Mr. E.A. Angelloz/Seconded by Ms. Cheri Blanchard to adjourn.

 

Vote:

Any Not in Favor:                     None

Abstains:                                 None

 

Mr. E. A. Angelloz                      Yes

Mr. Greg Diez                            Yes

Mr. Kevin Belanger                    Yes

Ms. Marilyn Schwartz                 Yes

Ms. Jawanda Givens                  Yes

Mr. Mitch Orgeron                      Yes

Ms. Cheri Blanchard                   Yes

Mr. Spergeon Holly, Jr.              Yes

Mr. John Hebert                         Yes

Mr. Mike Lewis                          Yes

Ms. Annette Smith Huber            Yes

Vote:   Unanimous

 

Motion passes