Larry Anglin
Mike Atkinson
Dr. Glenda Barron
Cameron Bell
Judy Bowen Clark
Barbara Bozon
Cheryl Eliano
Chris Flor / Horace Grace
Jim Granfor
Sonja Havens
Eyal Kaczur
Dr. Susan Kincannon
Mary Kliewer
Bill Luther
Matt Maxfield / Dr. Marc Nigliazzo
Jose Segarra
Tama Shaw
Bill Stanford
Trae Sutton
Martha Tyroch
Carlyle Walton
Ginger Watkins
Directors Absent
Terrena Busby / Cynthia Hernandez
Elected Officials and Ex-Officios
Wayne Boultinghouse,
Judge, Lampasas County / LTC Elbert Valentine, Garrison Exec. Officer,
Fort Hood
Workforce Board and Center Staff Present
Linda Angel
Sue Bailey
Wendy Ann Damon
Tom Elmore / David Gibson
Vickie Gideon
Jerry Haisler
Susan Kamas / Frank Minosky
Eric Putt
Sandra Russell
Guests Present
David Blackburn, Temple Economic Development Corporation
Ana Borchardt, Belton Economic Development Corporation
Jerry Butts, Texas Veterans Commission
Joann Courtland, Operation Stand Down Central Texas
Rory Estes, Stantec
Ralph Gauer, Office of Senator Troy Fraser
Walter Greely, Jr., AFGE
Gene Hall, Texas Veterans Commission
Raechel Schneider, Stantec
Trent Williams, Office of Representative Molly White
Jim Yeonopolus, Central Texas College
Call to Order, Pledge, and Chairs Report / Larry Anglin, Chair
The Board of Directors for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas held its regularly scheduled meeting at the Central Texas Workforce Center, 300 Cheyenne, Killeen, TX. Larry Anglin,Chair, called the meeting to order at approximately 9:30 a.m. noting that a quorum was present. Directors and others present pledged allegiance to the flags of the United States and Texas. Directors were asked to review the attendance record and inform staff of any corrections. No corrections were noted. Anglin recognized LTCElbert Valentine representing Fort Hood and reminded Board members to complete the Executive Director’s Annual Performance Review.
Action Items / Action Items
Consent Agenda...... Anglin
Anglin called for any discussion or objection to the consent agenda which included the Workforce Board’s business meeting minutes for July 23, 2015. There being no discussion, the items were approved as presented.
Special Presentations
2nd Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down...... Joann Courtland,Director,
Operation Stand Down Central Texas
Joann Courtland, Director, Operation Stand Down Central Texas, provided personal background information and provided an overview of the 2nd Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down. She explained that Stand Downs are one to three day collaborative events focused on providing services to veterans.
Courtland noted that in addition to direct resources, homeless veterans received referrals to veterans-focused local community organizations. She reported that Operation Stand Down Central Texas was formed by her family adding that Central Texas’ first Stand Down was held in October 2014; this year’s event will be on October 24th at the National Guard Armory on Veterans Day.
Describing specific activities and services, Courtland discussed issues related to finding homeless veterans, assessing their needs, and then connecting them with available resource or appropriate community organizations. She noted that the organization’s goal was to provide services year around.
In closing, Courtland encouraged veteran referrals and asked for interested partners to contact her. In response to a question from Board members, she explained that the organization is located in the Cove Terrace Shopping Center in Copperas Cove. Referring to her contact information, she added that the location is not manned 100% of the time but she could be there in a very short time if requested.
Temple Business Center...... Raechel Schneider, Planner, Stantec
Raechel Schneider, Planner, Stantec, introduced herself and Rory Estes, the Stantec Project Manager. She provided background information and the general thinking associated with the planned Temple Business Center noting that strategies focused on (a) which organizations to bring together, (b) definitions of success, and (c) possible value-added amenities.
Schneider then reviewed a timeline presenting activities to date and discussed the three-step project planning process used by Stantec. Specifically, she noted that the organization uses an interactive process that moves from listening and learning to leveraging expertise to synthesizing and creating a final product.
Regarding efforts to define success, Schneider explained that the first step is to identify partners’ largest hopes and greatest fears. She reported that the hopes for the Temple Business Center were to spur new business development downtown, expand Temple transformation, and change community perception of the downtown area; the greatest fears were to plan but never construct and to make plans that are over budget. Schneider stressed that her goal was to develop a model that supported success criteria and abolished fears.
When discussing which organizations to include in the Center, Schneider explained that the plan was to have a lot of stakeholders in one building. Providing successful examples from other areas, she presented a list of potential tenants including Temple Economic Development Corporation, Temple Chamber of Commerce, and Workforce Development. Schneider reported that the Center was envisioned as a way to expand connections, create synergy, promote innovation, and serve as a corridor for economic prosperity.
Moving to overarching concepts, Schneider stated that the general idea was to provide space for new tenants and to accommodate growth. She presented examples noting that people have options to work differently and thoughts about offices were expanding beyond the traditional model. Describing lessons learned, Schneider noted that sometimes open/social space must be balanced with the need for private meetings and conversations. To accomplish this balance, she explained that Stantec planners meet early with stakeholders to begin integrating technology and defining workspace needs.
Regarding space demands, Schneider explained that technology is integrated throughout the building. She noted that options are explored that would be attractive to the community and key stakeholders. Schneider described and presented examples related to:
- Desired amenities such as, for example, a coffee shop, a mail and printing business, or other retail establishments;
- Co-working space for small or freelance business owners;
- Maker space for unique small business production (3d printer, high-tech resources)
- Versatile furniture that can be moved or serve multiple functions,
- Community meeting space,
- Outside useable space,
- Adult education resources,
- Opportunities to display work products, and
- Entry and security systems.
Describing the stakeholder vision, Schneider explained that the vision was developed by responding to the question, “What would you like the news headline about the revitalized Santa Fe Plaza to read?” She indicated that the current plan includes economic development, city offices, education, and workforce services. Reviewing specific space requirements, Schneider noted that two buildings were being planned with one full-scale conference facility.
In response to current Workforce space in Temple, Jerry Haisler introduced Vickie Gideon, the Workforce Center Administrator for Temple. He provided historical changes including the integration of two Workforce Centers in Temple, temporary renovations to the Workforce Center downtown to accommodate staff from the facility that closed in Temple, and the current Workforce Center footprint.
Regarding the downtown location, Haisler reported that the Center had significant building limitations. As a result, the renovations were a temporary solution using a maze of offices. He noted that parking was also an issue. However, he added that there were some advantages to the integration which resulted in a Business Services presence downtown and space to accommodate a broader array of integrated and intensive job seeker services. Haisler stressed that the arrangement with the city-owned building was time-limited since the city had other plans for the building that were scheduled to begin in approximately three years.
Haisler reported that the current Workforce Center used 17,000 sq. ft. at a cost of approximately $10,000 per month. He noted that, as part of the Temple Business Center planning, options were being explored to reduce the space requirements; however, he added that the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services would be coming to the Workforce Center with additional resources and space demands.
Expanding on Haisler’s information, David Blackburn, the Temple Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Director, described the long-term efforts associated with addressing the Workforce Center’s space challenges. He noted that the current 3-5 year solution with the City of Temple was temporary adding that the rent was less costly because the facility was not “Class A” office space.
Explaining the reasoning behind the proposed Temple Business Center, Blackburn explained that the overarching goal was to get organizations that are key economic drivers into a single location. He stressed that the belief is that the potential partnerships would create synergy and lead to exponential economic growth. Describing the building plans in more detail, Blackburn explained that there would be two buildings. He explained one would be a business center with a business focus; this building would include Economic Development, Workforce Development.
Regarding the business center, Blackburn noted that it would not have a government feel and would be privately owned. Regarding financing for the building, he indicated that there are several potential owners and tenants identified. Blackburn stated that Temple Economic Development and the Temple Chamber of Commerce funded the costs associated with Stantec developing the plan and honing space requirements. He reported that the goal was to have planning complete by the end of September or mid-October adding that the next step would be financing the plan by early 2016.
Blackburn then described the building plans including the proposed schematic for layout of the planned building. He noted that several buildings have already been removed from the location which currently has a museum, tourism center, and old train station on the site. Regarding funding, Blackburn explained that there is a tax increment reinvestment zone for downtown with several million set aside to cover parking, lighting, and green zones. He noted that “hardscape and softscape are already funded.”
Discussing issues that must be addressed, Blackburn indicated that financing and parking, especially for Workforce, are the biggest problems. He explained that the parking issue will become a bigger problem when are drawn to the downtown area by the new buildings’ tenants. Referring to the second building, Blackburn stated that he could not reveal the single tenant, but he was 99.9% sure the building was confirmed to be build and fully occupied.
Blackburn ended his discussion providing an overview of the 12-18 month time frame for construction after the other issues had been resolved. He noted that he was hoping to begin construction by spring 2016, but he wanted everything to be concurrent with the parking and hardscape improvements.
Workforce Activities Briefing / Susan Kamas, Executive Director
Susan Kamas, Executive Director, thanked Schneider and Blackburn noting that the Workforce Board would be involved in making final decisions. Referring to information from the Conference of Mayors, she drew attention to the vision for the One Stop System noting the model is similar to Texas’ current Workforce systems model. She also referenced a “fast fact” that 86% of jobs in the United States were in services rather than production and encouraged a review of information regarding higher education reauthorization and related changes.
Regarding state updates, Kamas reported that Ruth Hughs was recently appointed as the Texas Workforce Commission’s new Commissioner Representing Employers. Acknowledging Horace Grace, the Workforce Board’s representative at the Texas Association of Workforce Boards (TAWB), Kamas noted that Hughs was introduced at the TAWB meeting in August. Kamas also identified key legislative impacts discussed at the TAWB meeting including:
- Requirements that Workforce Center partners pay their fair share including Unemployment Insurance;
- Questions on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act definitions for out-of-school youth and where to classify students in college;
- Recognition that state data systems need updated; and
- Issues and concerns related to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) transition. Regarding the DARS transition, discussion focused on a decentralized system, large numbers of vendors and contracts, lease agreements, and alignment of DARS regions to Workforce Areas regions.
The Army 101 Training offered to Board members and their employees was also discussed. Kamas reported that the training went well and included a lunch with active duty soldiers. She indicated that the live ammo demonstration was cancelled because of the weather and the time was spent meeting with soldiers; Kamas noted that the Army 101 participants stayed in an air conditioned room while the majority of soldiers supporting the live ammo demonstration were living in tents and sleeping in their Bradleys. Other local activities discussed by Kamas included a luncheon with Congressman John Carter, the Governor’s Small Business Forum on September 17th at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, and a trip to Fort Irwin for a short list of key community representatives including Dr. Marc Nigliazzo and Kamas.
Finally, Kamas drew attention to information regarding the Annual Workforce Awards Luncheon on October 30th. She noted that forms were available to sign up to be a sponsor and to identify guests that should be invited. Kamas also introduced new Board member Jim Yeonopolus noting that he had already completed the Board Member Orientation.Yeonopolus stated that his goal as a Workforce Board member is to encourage and support opportunities to create a smooth transition from Central Texas College to Texas A&M University Central Texas.
Reporting on information covered at TAWB, Horace Grace reported that he served on the Officer’s Nominating Committee which recommended reelecting current officers. He noted that TAWB members were impressed with Central Texas’ early college program for high school students. Grace explained that this year the program worked with 150 high school students who received dual credit for college courses while in high school. He stressed the importance of aligning education with workforce demands.
Workforce Centers Updates / Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director
Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director, began by acknowledging Grace’s contribution to TAWB meetings. Haisler noted that Grace is a good representative with lots of knowledge.
Regarding the Temple Business Center, Haisler drew attention to the natural connection between Workforce, Economic Development, and Education. He explained that the single location will make it easy for business leaders who are trying to find skilled labor. Haisler added that another good model would be to have a Workforce Center on a college campus. He stressed that it is important to think and plan innovatively and move away from the status quo; the goal should be to have a professional, business like system that is focused on streamlined service delivery that meets customers’ needs. Referencing the DARS transition, Haisler added the importance of involving staff to help them transition into a decentralized, integrated, non-prescriptive, customer-focused model.
Haisler then introduced Vickie Gideon, the Workforce Center Administrator in Temple noting that her position is similar to Lewis Boren’s in Killeen. He provided a short summary of Gideon’s background noting that she is known to be customer and results oriented and she was involved in the original One-Stop design for Workforce Centers back in the mid-90s. Haisler also introduced Sue Bailey noting that she is highly tenured and a quality assurance expert. He explained that Bailey is one of the reasons that Workforce audits and monitoring reports are always clean. Haisler then introduced Tom Elmore, the Temple Career Center Supervisor, noting that is position is parallel to the position WendyAnn Damon holds in the Killeen Workforce Center.