STANISLAUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE ALLIANCE
May 21, 2007 Meeting Agenda
12 Noon 1020 10th Street, Modesto
Alliance Free Enterprise Center
The Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance (The Alliance) complies with all provisions of the
Brown Act and the Conflict of Interest code on file with the Board of Supervisors.
The agenda at each meeting allows for a public comment period, Limited 5 minutes.
All meetings are conducted in English.
If you require assistance per the American with Disabilities Act please notify the Alliance at (209) 567-4985
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Public notice of all Alliance meetings are posted in the Alliance webpage at www.stanalliance.com and on the door
of the Alliance offices at 1010 Tenth Street.
1. Call to Order
2. Introduction
3. Conflict Of Interest
4. Public Comment Period
5. Minutes of January 22, 2007and March 19, 2007
6. Chairman’s Report
7. CEO Report
8. Consent Items
A. Authorization for the Alliance Worknet to contract with Friends Outside to provide WIA services
to the Ex-Offender Population.
9. Action Items
A. Authorization for the Alliance Worknet (AW) to transfer $950,473.00 of WIA Dislocated Worker
Funds to the WIA Adult Program.
B. Elect Margaret Randazzo, and Jeff Foster to three-year terms and Brad Hawn and Steve Ward to
two-year terms as new private sector members on the Alliance Board.
10. Information Items
A. Update on Strategic Plan Process
B. Presentation on Ag Science Center Michelle Laverty
C. Presentation on California State University Stanislaus by President Dr. Ham Shirvani
D. Alliance /DET Financials
11. Next Meeting Date
Executive Committee Meeting June 18, 2007, 1020 10th, Ste. 102 Street, Modesto
Alliance Board Meeting July 16, 2007, 1020 10th, Ste. 102 Street, Modesto
Adjournment
Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance, Inc.
Minutes
Monday, January 22, 2007
DIRECTORS PRESENT
Bill Bassitt, CEO
Greg Adams
John Evans
Jeff Grover
Craig Lewis
Gaylord Phillips
Paul VanKonynenburg
Ross Briles
John Fantazia
Corwin Harper
Kirk Lindsey
Jim Ridenour
Sean Carroll
Armando Flores
Glenna Henson
Joe Mackil
Sharon Silva
Gloria Cordle
Ernie Flores
Brian Hogan
Joy Madison
Jim Theis
Kimball Dreiling
Rick Fritzemeier
Farrell Jackson
Tom Norquist
DIRECTORS ABSENT
Augie Beltran
Tom Changnon
Jose Diaz
Joe Duran
Richard Holmer
Jim Weaver
Rick Robinson
Ham Shirvani
Sam Cuellar
Jan Ennenga
Bill Mattos
Tom VanGroningen
Ralph Curtis
Richard Hagerty
Rob Phipps
Brian Veltheon
Jim DeMartini
Kathy Halsey
Richard Rose
Joanne Waters
STAFF
Angie Gutierrez, The Alliance
Doug Sweetland, The Alliance
Kirsten Alvord, Alliance Worknet
Jeff Rowe, Alliance Worknet
Teri Adams-Jones, The Alliance
Randy Svedbeck, The Alliance
GUESTS
Liz Baker, EDD/LMID
Heidi McNally-Dial, City of Turlock
Lydia Rios, State EDD/WIA
Keith Boggs, County CEO
Kristin Olson, CSUS
Sussana Ontaveros, Job Corps for Women
George Boodrookas, MJC
The meeting was called to order at 12:00PM
Chairman Paul VanKonynenburg welcomed Board members and Guests.
There was a self-introduction of guests and board members.
The Board Members were reminded of Conflict of Interest Rules.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Jim Ridenour moved to approve the minutes of November 20, 2006. Seconded by Sharon Silva. M/S/C.
Unanimous.
CHAIRMANS REPORT
Chairman Paul VanKonynenburg informed the board Form 700s were due. He mentioned the Conflict of Interest
Code adopted by the County Council for the Alliance two years ago was still in effect. County Counsel had been
asked to verify our existing conflict of interest policy, which provides guidance on filling out the Form 700’s.
Board members are only required to disclose relationships that have a potential to receive direct benefit or the
member doing business with the Alliance on the Form 700. Paul mentioned he and Mr. Bassitt had been meeting
with several of the Cities to get their input on areas of interaction with the Alliance and their needs for the future
related to developing Strategic Plan.
CEO REPORT
CEO Bill Bassitt announced the Alliance would be holding its annual meeting March 8, 2007 at Del Rio Country
Club from 7:30AM- 9:30AM. At that time the Alliance will give a brief report on the past years activities. A
speaker will be provided that will be talking about issues that are relevant to the Alliance as well to the community.
This year’s speaker will be Vickie Bradshaw from the State of California, Secretary of Labor and Workforce
Development.
The Measure K committee will reconvene on Feb 15th to look at some of the results of the research being
undertaken to analyze precinct results and to discuss some of the areas of disagreement that have been expressed by
opponents and some of the suggested improvement that could be made should the community decide to go forward
with it again. Mr. Bassitt invited any board member to attend and give their input.
Mr. Bassitt mentioned from March 13-16 the DC Collaborative will be traveling to Washington DC to meet with
the elected officials and administrative department heads to talk about projects to obtain some assistance and
possible funding. This year the group will be taking three major projects.
1. Orestimba Creek- a request for $600,000 that would leverage $3.0 million that Stanislaus County has
put in to finish the project to identify the best alternative.
2. Regional Operability for Public Safety Communications- asking $1.5million from the Justice
Department, against a local match of 1 million dollars. This request will allow the public safety
agencies to be able to communicate with one another countywide.
3. Tuolumne River Regional Park Gate Way Phase II- It’s a joint project with City of Modesto, City of
Ceres and Stanislaus County. The request is for 2 million dollars that would leverage $2.6 million of
local funding, $1.14 Grant from Prop 40 from the State and 1.5 from Prop 50 from the State. The
request would allow for the construction of Dry Creek Bridge, Trail Construction site preparation and
an irrigation system.
CEO Bill Bassitt mentioned there was an Economic Development Project that the Alliance was currently working
with but was not ready for presentation this year. The Alliance will be working with EDA, MJC, CSU, UC Merced
to develop a combination Economic Development and Workforce Development project that will relate to putting
some bio-tech initiatives in place.
Mr. Bassitt discussed some of the input from the four Cities the Chairman and Mr. Bassitt had met with as it relates
to the Alliance and the interaction with them. His comments included:
1. Continues to be a critical need for industrial land for jobs.
2. Employment related- Focusing on Living wage jobs, we need to bring in best and highest quality jobs.
3. Education Needs- All interested in getting vocational training in place along with career technical education
4. Retail- some communities would like some help on staking out a position on retail, assistance with
developing demographics and guidance, along with a list of possible clients that the communities could
pursue.
5. Better Communication with the Alliance- Spend more time interacting with their staff to better understand
each other’s role.
Mr. Bassitt called on Jeff Rowe to report on Workforce Development. Jeff mentioned Stanislaus County has been
added to the list of counties eligible for emergency assistance because of the freeze. The Alliance Worknet will be
working on assisting people that have lost their jobs to get the proper benefits and assistance they might need.
Jeff gave an update on the grant we received to serve the workers who lost their jobs due to plant closures last
summer. Thus far, 320 have requested services and 92 are currently receiving services through the assistance of
CVOC and Alliance Worknet. Jeff also mentioned that 1,525 individuals have been assessed in WorkKeys and
staff has undertaken 15 new profiles.
Kurtis Clark, Director of SBDC gave a brief update on SBDC outcomes. He mentioned the Alliance Small Business
Development Center currently serves a four County region- Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, and Mariposa County
with a satellite office in Merced. In 2006 the SBDC had 533 clients from all four counties that received about 2000
hours of counseling. The SBDC performed 167 educational training workshops on various business topics and had
2,469 attendees. The SBDC clients started 21 new businesses and employed a little under 100 new employees.
Doug Sweetland gave an update on Economic Development, Mr. Sweetland mentioned a food processing company
was looking in this area and hoping to hire between 100-150 employees.
Doug mentioned a dotcom company was also looking in the area and could also be hiring up to 500 people. It’s a
distribution center that also has some seasonal labor.
The Alliance received an official notice from the State on the Enterprise Zone Expansion, approving the expansion
for the cities of Patterson, Oakdale, Riverbank and Ceres. Turlock and Modesto are still working with some
boundary issues within the cities and will resubmit their applications for approval. The state agreed to make the
expanded zone effective retroactive back to July 1, 2006.
Doug gave a brief explanation on the vouchering requirements and process.
Doug presented a slide that showed an inventory of shovel ready sites and industrially zoned sites throughout the
county.
CONSENT ITEM
A. Accept the resignation of Charles Turner as Waterford representative to the Alliance Board
B. Approve appointment of Council Member Jim Weaver, Waterford representative to the Alliance Board
Mr. Ross Briles motioned to approve Consent Items. Seconded by John Fantazia. M/S/C. Unanimous.
ACTION ITEM
A. Approve 2008-2013 Strategic Plan timeline and format
Mr. Bassitt mentioned the current Strategic Plan expires in 2007. The Alliance is currently working on the new
vision for a five-year plan that will be from 2008– 2013. Mr. Bassitt asked the board to embrace, endorse and
approve the approach for the new five-year plan. The current Strengthening Stanislaus focus on the areas of
Leadership, Collaboration, Education, Workforce Development, Transportation, Economic Development and Air
Quality. Bill mentioned all were still active and included in the new strategy. In the new vision the Alliance is
going to look at a countywide plan as well as a Marketing and Public Relations Plan.
Mr. Bassitt presented a power point with the scope of work and timelines for the planning process for the strategic
plan. Kirk Lindsey motioned to approve the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan process. Seconded by Corwin Harper.
M/S/C. Unanimous.
B. Receive and Accept Economic Development Bank 2006 End Year Report
Dr. Rudd presented an Economic Development Bank spread sheet with present and past projects. He explained a
little about the history of the Economic Development Bank and mentioned there was a about $4 million in equity.
The spreadsheet had in detail Project, Monies Committed, Monies Distributed and Repayment Start Dates.
Mr. Bassitt mentioned the new agreements and regulations effective in 05/06 provide that funds approved need to
be drawn down within 90 days. If the project is not ready to go within 90 days then projects need to be brought
back to committee for funding when it’s ready to go.
Joe Mackil motioned to Receive and Accept Economic Development Bank 2006 End Year Report. Seconded by
Corwin Harper. M/S/C. Unanimous.
INFORMATION ITEMS
A. Over View of Work Keys assessment process
Mr. Bassitt presented a presentation explaining Work Keys. He mentioned Work Keys is a job skill assessment
system, which measures real world skills. Work Keys assesses each individual in Reading for Information, Applied
Mathematics, Business Writing, Writing, Locating Information, Teamwork, Observation, Listening, Applied
Technology, and Readiness. Bill mentioned there were 10 different tests you can administer in Work Keys.
Currently the Alliance administers three, Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Locating
Information. The assessment provides the individual a score indicating their aptitude for work. Mr. Bassitt
presented a Power Point to the Alliance board with samples of the questions that are in the Work Keys Assessment
tests. He explained the process of the assessments and mentioned that individuals get a certificate of achievement
after completing the Work Keys assessment. Applicants must score 3 or higher to receive a certificate. There are 3
Levels of Certificates that an individual can receive and are based on their overall score.
B. Committee Report
Sean Carroll gave a presentation on his committee. Sean Mentioned there is still a need for shovel ready land.
Sean informed the board a sub-committee was established called Site facility and Land Use committee that he will
be chairing. That committee currently has 6 members and he encouraged board members to attend the meetings.
Careers and Education Work Readiness Committee- Mr. Rudd mentioned the committee met December 13th and
received a presentation on Work Keys and Key Train. He mentioned some objectives for 2007. One of the
objectives mentioned was a possibility of every high school graduate receiving both a High School Diploma and a
Work Readiness Certificate.
C. Presentation of Alliance, Alliance Worknet, SBDC Websites
A demonstration of the StanAlliance.com Website was presented to the Alliance Board.
Mr. Bassitt demonstrated the board how to get to Alliance Worknet and SBDC Website from the Alliance site.
Included in the website were links to the Alliance Board Agendas and calendar dates. Members of the Alliance
Board were encouraged to visit the website for Alliance updates.
D. Alliance /DET Financials
Chairman Paul Van Konynenburg informed the board financial reports were in the board packets and suggested that
if any one needed further information it would be available upon request.
ADJOURNMENT
Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance, Inc.
Minutes
Monday, March 19, 2007
DIRECTORS PRESENT
Bill Bassitt, CEO
Ross Bridles
Jim DeMartini
John Evans
Tom Norquist
Paul VanKonynenburg
Sean Carroll
Jose Diaz
John Fantazia
Richard Rose
DIRECTORS ABSENT
Greg Adams
Augie Beltran
Rick Fritzemeier
Jeff Grover
Richard Holmer
Craig Lewis
Bill Mattos
Gaylord Phillips
Ham Shirvani
Kurt Spycher
STAFF
Angie Gutierrez, The Alliance
Doug Sweetland, The Alliance
Kirsten Alvord, Alliance Worknet
Adolph Lopez, Alliance Worknet
GUESTS
Liz Baker, EDD/LMID
Heidi McNally-Dial, City of Turlock
Gloria Cordle
Kimball Dreiling
Richard Hagerty
Sharon Silva
Sam Cuellar
Joe Duran
Glenna Henson
Brian Veltheon
Ralph Curtis
Jan Ennenga
Farrell Jackson
Tom VanGroningen
Tom Changnon
Kathy Halsey
Kirk Lindsey
Rob Phipps
Jim Theis
Armando Flores
Corwin Harper
Joe Mackil
Jim Ridenour
Joanne Waters
Ernie Flores
Brian Hogan
Joy Madison
Rick Robinson
Jim Weaver
Jeff Rowe, Alliance Worknet
Teri Adams-Jones, The Alliance
Randy Svedbeck, The Alliance
George Rawe, CTB&TI
Oscar Cabell, Wells Fargo Bank
The meeting was called to order at 12:09 PM
Chairman Paul VanKonynenburg welcomed Board members and Guests.
There was a self-introduction of guests.
Chairman Paul VanKonynenburg reminded Board Members of Conflict of Interest Rules.
Upon checking board attendance, Chairman VanKonynenburg determined that the number and category
of members present did not constitute a quorum and therefore no official business was conducted. Discussion was
held on a variety of agenda items over the next hour, but no actions were taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Adjourned at 1:25 PM
CONSENT ITEM A:
Authorization for the Alliance Worknet to contract with Friends Outside to provide
WIA services to the Ex-Offender Population.
DISCUSSION:
The current contract with Friends Outside in the amount of $275,584 to serve 79
ex-offenders is set to expire on June 30, 2007.
For over 19 years, Friends Outside, a non-profit community based organization,
has been providing workforce preparation and placement services to ex-offenders
who are paroled in Stanislaus County.
Friends Outside has been very effective in working with this population that has
multiple barriers to employment. Friends Outside exceeded all of the state
standards for 2005/2006 performance measures.
Friends Outside has requested $358,950 from the Alliance Worknet to serve 100
clients to be considered for PY 2007-08
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize Alliance Worknet to enter into a contract with Friends Outside to
provide WIA workforce development services to 85 previously incarcerated exoffenders residing in Stanislaus County during the 2007-08 program year.
Contract amount not to exceed $325,000.
ACTION ITEM A:
Authorization for the Alliance Worknet (AW) to transfer $950,473.00 of WIA
Dislocated Worker Funds to the WIA Adult Program.
DISCUSSION:
The Alliance Worknet (AW) receives its WIA funding in four silos: Adult,
Dislocated Worker, Youth and Rapid Response. Local areas are allowed to
transfer up to 50% of the funds received in Adult and Dislocated Worker silos
between those two categories. The PY 2006-2007 allocation for Dislocated
Workers is $1,965,842. The Adult allocation is $1,900,945.
At approximately 3/4 of the way through the current program year, Adult and Dislocated
Worker enrollments are as follows:
Core Self Services
Core Registered Services
Intensive Services
Training Services
Adult
13,744
355
380
178
DW
1,232
203
193
78
This transfer of funds will allow AW to continue to serve the Adult population at the
current service levels for the remainder of the program year without compromising services
to the Dislocated Worker population.
As the Local Five-Year Plan Modification Second One-Year Extension for PY 2006-2007
will be modified to reflect this transfer, it is required that agenda item be noticed for public
hearing and comment.
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize Alliance Worknet to submit a request to the State EDD to transfer
$950,473.00 in PY 2006/2007 WIA Dislocated Worker funds to the WIA Adult
program.
ACTION ITEM B:
Elect Margaret Randazzo, Steve Ward, Jeff Foster, Brad Hawn as new private
sector board members.
DISCUSSION:
In preparation for meeting the new state mandate that 15% of the local
WIB membership must constitute union representation, and the Federal requirement that we must have a majority of private sector members, we must
expand the number of private sector members on the board.
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION:
Elect Margaret Randazzo and Jeff Foster to three-year terms expiring in 2010
and Brad Hawn and Steve Ward to two-year terms expiring in 2009.
INFORMATION ITEM A:
Presentation on Ag Pavillion
INFORMATION ITEM B:
Presentation by Dr. Ham Shirvani
INFORMATION ITEM C:
Alliance/ SBDC Financials
The Ag Science Center, Stanislaus County, CA:
Stimulating Economic Development and Promoting
America’s Agriculture Sector

We are seeking your support for the Ag Science Center, a world-class,
interactive science center in the City of Modesto, Stanislaus County, CA
designed to help Americans appreciate the value of agriculture. The Center
will highlight up to 35 interactive exhibits designed to focus on agriculture,
science, math, technology and careers. This will be the only facility of its
kind in the U.S.

This public-private partnership enjoys strong support from leaders of
the California Farm Bureau, the Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus County Farm Bureaus, the City of
Modesto, local colleges, major corporations, and a stunning array of local, state and national agriculturerelated industry partners.

The Ag Science Center will promote economic development in Central California by drawing travel
and tourism dollars into the area, improving the region’s image, and enhancing the agricultural industry
cluster that is already so important to the area’s economy. CSUS studies show that the Ag Science
Center will support up to 359 new jobs in Stanislaus County; up to $57.5 million in economic activity
through construction of the new facility; and as much as $8.5 million in total annual economic activity.

Modesto Junior College (MJC) officials are providing 3.5 acres for the Ag Science Center to be located at
MJC’s West Campus. MJC, CSU Stanislaus and UC Davis are active partners in helping develop a strong
curriculum to enhance the Ag Science Center’s mission.

The Ag Science Center will showcase California as the nation’s number-one agricultural producer and
exporter, and the state that produces a greater variety and volume of agricultural product than any other area in
the world. To highlight this link, we are pursuing federal legislation to designate the Ag Science Center as a
project of national interest.

We are seeking support for:
The “National Ag Science Center Act of 2007” would designate the Ag Science Center as a project that
is in the national interest and would authorize a long-term federal funding stream for design and
construction of the Ag Science Center. Congressman Dennis Cardoza in the House and Senators
Boxer and Feinstein in the Senate introduced the National Ag Science Center Act of 2006. It enjoyed
bipartisan support (Representatives Costa (D-CA), Matsui (D-CA), Pombo (R-CA), Radanovich (RCA), and Shimkus (R-IL) were House cosponsors). We anticipate the bill will be reintroduced in the
House and Senate soon.
o
o

Federal funding to infrastructure development of the Ag Science Center. An appropriation for
design and construction of the Ag Science Center was included in the FY 2007 TransportationTreasury-HUD appropriations bill. We are seeking funding through the FY 2008 TTHUD
appropriations bill.
We appreciate your support for the Ag Science Center, which will promote economic development and
showcase the importance of agriculture to our nation and our economy.