Powers of the workforce development council

(a) The workforce development council shall appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director, who shall be exempt from chapter 76, and may employ any other personnel as it deems advisable within chapter 76. (b) The council, or on the authorization of the council, any subcommittee or panel thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out its functions and duties, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places as the council may deem advisable. (c) The council may negotiate and enter into contracts with public agencies or private organizations to carry out its studies and to prepare reports that the council determines to be necessary to the fulfillment of its duties. (d) The council may secure through the governor's office, any information from any executive department, agency, or independent instrumentality of the State it deems necessary to carry out its functions. (e) The council may convene such public conferences and forums as it deems useful to keep the public informed of workforce development needs, developments, and initiatives. (f) The council may administer funds allocated for its work and may accept, disburse, and allocate funds which may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all the funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with the objectives set forth herein, and applicable laws.