Health and Human Services Information, Counseling and Assistance
Larry Anglin
Mike Atkinson
Dr. Glenda Barron
Cameron Bell
Judy Bowen Clark
Barbara Bozon
Cheryl Eliano
Chris Flor / Horace Grace
Sonja Havens
Cynthia Hernandez
Eyal Kaczur
Mary Kliewer
Dr. Thomas Klincar
Bill Luther / Matt Maxfield
Dr. Marc Nigliazzo
Jose Segarra
Tama Shaw
Bill Stanford
Martha Tyroch
Lon Williams
Directors Absent
Jim Granfor
Dr. Susan Kincannon / Trae Sutton
Carlyle Walton
Elected Officials and Ex-Officios
Wayne Boultinghouse, Judge, Lampasas / Keith Gogas, Acting Deputy Garrison Cmd, Ft Hood
Workforce Board and Center Staff Present
Linda Angel
Wendy Ann Damon
Horace Dicks
Mary Duke / David Gibson
Jerry Haisler
Frank Minosky / Susan Kamas
Sandra Russell
Wanda Williams
Guests Present
Jim Reed, Central Texas Council of Governments
Harvey Dailey, Army Community Service Employment Readiness Branch
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 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.
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 August 28, 2014, a proposed Fair and Open Competition Purchase Method, and definition of Individual Training Account Limits. There being no discussion, the items were approved as presented.
Nominating Committee Report...... Mary Kliewer
Mary Kliewer provided background information about changes in Chair to the Workforce Board and the need for election of a new Vice-Chair. As a motion, she reported that the Nominating Committee was recommending Bill Stanford to serve as Vice-Chair for the remainder of the year with a new Vice-Chair selected at the next nomination cycle. Second by Sonja Havens. All in favor.
Finance Committee Report...... Judy Bowen, Committee Chair, and
David Gibson, Financial Analyst
Judy Bowen, Finance Committee Chair, provided an overview of the information reviewed by the Finance Committee. David Gibson, Financial Analyst, presented charts and discussed new resources received during the last fiscal year, fee-for-service earnings, allocations, budgets and expenditures. Bowen indicated that the Committee’s report was presented as a motion to approve the Final 2014 Budget and the Proposed 2015 Budget. Second by Horace Grace. All in favor.
Special Presentations
Central Texas Regional Update...... Jim Reed, Executive Director
Central Texas Council of Governments
Jim Reed, Executive Director for the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG), began by stressing the importance of accurate communication. He noted that his goals were (1) to explain what CTCOG does and why it matters and (2) to encourage the Workforce Board to consider accepting a call to action.
Specific to Texas’ Councils of Governments, Reed explained that 24 Councils of Governments were formed in the 1960’s to address issues that crossed city and county jurisdictions. He indicated that they are owned by local governments but they are not government agencies. Regarding CTCOG, Reed noted that it is a non-profit organization governed by local officials and funded through dues and funds generated through business activities.
Reed reported that Councils of Governments arequasigovernmental organizations bound by Texas government regulations and protections. He explained that the CTCOG dues rate has not changed from six cents per capita. Reed noted that membership is voluntary with local counties having the option to choose to participate.
Regarding CTCOG, Reed discussed the Belton facility noting it was transformed from the old Walmart site. He indicated that the organization has 147 employees who serve the same seven Central Texas counties as the Workforce Board. Reed described the service area which includes 33 cities and covers over 6,400 square miles. He noted that the Central Texas area is larger than six U.S. states and stressed that it is a challenge to balance the needs of rural and urban areas. The programs/services available through CTCOG were listed as:
- Aging Services
- Health and Human Services Information, Counseling and Assistance
- Affordable Housing/Rental Assistance
- Workforce Training and Job Placement
- Physical Planning Services
- Resource Conservation Assistance (Water, Recycling, Hazardous Waste)
- Transportation Planning
- Emergency Communications (Radio, Telephone)
- Aerial Photography and Imagery
- Criminal Justice
- Veterans Assistance
- Supported the economy through its Development District Loan Fund;
- Addressed jobs through its relationship with Workforce Solutions of Central Texas;
- Reinforced healthcare through the Veterans Directed Healthcare program;
- Increased security through the Regional HAZMAT and Radio System; and
- Improved efficiencies through funding supporting the IH35 corridor expansion.
Reed also described the housing assistance program which provides rental assistance vouchers even when people leave the Central Texas area. He explained that such moves are more expensive because the voucher is for the rate where the people live. He added that there is a waiting list for housing but about 50 people come on or off each month.
Stressing the importance of a region-wide radio system, Reed explained that Homeland Security resources were used to fund the system. He reported that a portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were sent to Central Texas, and, of that amount, a substantial portion was committed to the I35 corridor improvements.
Focusing on outcomes, Reed reported that CTCOG ranked #3 in Texas for size of programs, it had the lowest dues rate in the state, and it ranked #1 in per capita program funds. On a national level, he indicated that the Homeland Security program was selected as the National Program of the Year, and awards were received for National Policy Official, Executive Director, and two-time recipient of Rosalyn National Caregiver.
Referencing the two things Reed wanted to stress as “take aways”, he described the relationship between CTCOG and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. Reed explained that every area is different but nowhere else has a system as efficient and effective as Central Texas. He noted that other areas may have tried, but people do not understand how to make it work and end up in unstable systems that have no continuity. Reed stressed that there is a reason that Workforce Solutions of Central Texas is ranked among the Best Places to Work in Texas adding, “We all play a role in that.”
For the second “take away,” Reed closed his discussion describing 9-1-1 resources. He explained that the 50 cent fee associated with telephone bills in Texas was supposed to support the 9-1-1 system. However, the funds are being held at the state level to give the appearance of a balanced budget. Reed explained that the funds were not spent but they were still not available to manage local systems and support efforts to move to digital systems that are aligned with technological demands. He reported that during the next legislative session a Bill would be sent forward to require the state to send Central Texas’ resources to Central Texas, and he indicated that press may not make it clear that the funds are already paid and do not represent additional costs to taxpayers. Reed reminded everyone that CTCOG is not a taxing entity and it cannot raise the rates which are set by Texas law.
During Board discussion, Reed explained that CTCOG is subject to appropriations, but 9-1-1 districts are not. He reviewed the process for becoming a 9-1-1 district and noted that the goal is to move from analog to digital because the digital system will save money and provide more options including additional bandwidth and a public-safety answering center. Regarding the veterans healthcare program, he described the program in more detail and explained that the veterans select the healthcare services within a budget and treatment plans are outcomes-based with higher standards than the Veterans Administration.
Specific to a question about the relationship between CTCOG, the Workforce Board, and the West Central Texas Council of Governments, Jerry Haisler explained the Managing Director model noting that he works for the West Central Texas COG. Haisler noted that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and the overall process requires a trust relationship. Others present acknowledged that the whole region works well together adding that it is so rare that other state and national areas often comment that they do not know how Central Texas does it. Reed agreed noting that area leaders make informed decisions as a group.
Finally, CTCOG’s authority to designate a regional law enforcement academy was discussed. Reed indicated that Central Texas actually has two performing on a regional level – Central Texas College and the City of Temple with Temple College providing academic credits. Dr. Thomas Klincar described the multiple options available at Central Texas College stressing that funding from the State should be provided to reimburse training costs.
Tenure Award, Mary Duke...... Susan Kamas, Executive Director
Susan Kamas, Executive Director, presented Mary Duke with a 15 Year Service Award. Kamas described Mary’s job noting that she is responsible for property management and purchasing. She noted that Mary is also known for inventorying and recording headstones as a local genealogist.
Workforce Activities Briefing / Kamas
Kamas highlighted the impact of the recently passed Continuing Resolution noting that it extended the budget through November 11th. She also referenced a news clip discussing measurement of the sizeable impact of water on the economy and job market.
On the State level, Kamas discussed the Governor’s Small Business Forum listing many of the people and organizations that attended. She recognized Cynthia Hernandez and Jerry Haisler explaining that the Belton Economic Development Corporation hosted the conference and Haisler presented information about Workforce Solutions of Central Texas.
Locally, Kamas reported that Temple College and Central Texas College received funding to support Skills Development for Veterans. She also announced that Terrena Busby would be joining the Workforce Board as a representative of Mills County. Kamas then described the Temple Chamber Military Affairs Conference indicating that Keifer Marshall presented information about the creation of Fort Hood and the Temple Daily Telegram.
Regarding upcoming events, Kamas reminded those present that the November Workforce Board meeting would be a joint meeting with the Central Texas Council of Governments at Texas A&M University Central Texas. Kamas noted that the meeting would start at 10:00 a.m. and it would include lunch after a tour of the University. She also discussed the Workforce Annual Luncheon explaining that the 2014 theme is “Almost Saturday Night Live,” and indicating that she has commitments from almost all of the potential sponsors.
Referencing staff activities, Kamas reported that three Workforce employees placed in their age and gender categories at the recent Temple Corporate Challenge. She added that others participated and completed the wellness event. Kamas also described the Workforce Organizational Improvement Day explaining that staff gave valuable input about how to improve services for their customers. She noted that a substantial amount of time involves supporting organizations that are community priorities.
Kamas ended her presentation describing child care provider improvements and increased numbers of providers that meet the standards that are endorsed in Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) standards. She noted that when Workforce Solutions of Central Texas began promoting higher quality standards, there was one local child care provider that had the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)accreditation that BRAC was encouraging. Kamas indicated that, after 18 months, 28 local child care centers were NAEYC accredited, 4 were waiting to have their accreditation confirmed, and 17 were in the process of making the required improvements that would lead to accreditation. Kamas noted that the 49 local child care centers represented 25% of all of Texas NAEYC accredited centers. She acknowledged Tama Shaw explaining that Shaw is responsible for Head Start Centers, many of which had received NAEYC certification.
Workforce Centers Updates / Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director
Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director, began recognizing Keith Gogas for his support of Workforce at recent Town Hall Meetings on Fort Hood. Haisler explained that the Town Hall meetings were an opportunity to provide information to about 600 individuals who might be laid off from Fort Hood. Haisler noted that such events help to address uncertainty and stress by providing information about current activities and available resources.
Haisler then drew attention to a newly formatted Workforce Centers Monthly Activity Report. He then provided the following highlights of local job seeker success stories:
- James, a 19 year old, lived with his grandparents in a rural community. His grandmother passed away and he needed his GED. With encouragement from Workforce youth staff, James rode his bicycle to GED classes and got a job with the city. He passed his GED test and with further reassurance received his driver’s license and earned a promotion to a job that required him to drive.
- Jimmie was an independent contractor who needed to find work. Through Workforce he learned how to use a computer and created resumes. He took the resumes to the Home Depot parking lot and handed them out. Jimmie got a full-time job with good pay and he is already qualified for a $2 per hour raise.
New/Other Business / Anglin
Board Meeting Evaluations: Anglin drew attention to evaluation results for the August Business Meeting. Healso asked Board members to complete evaluations for the September Meeting.
Calendar of Activities: Anglin asked Board members to review the calendar of activities reminding everyone that the October meeting was the Annual Workforce Awards Luncheon and the November meeting would be held at the campus of Texas A&M University Central Texas.
Executive Session, Personnel Matter / Anglin
Anglinannounced that, in accordance with the 2008 Open Meetings Act, Section 551.074, Personnel Matters, the Board would go into executive session at 10:51 a.m.
Call To Order / Anglin
Anglin called the Workforce Board to order at 11:01 a.m.
Action
Larry Anglin presented the recommendation of the Executive Committee acknowledging Kamas’ exemplary performance and reputation both statewide and nationally. He noted that the Executive Committee recommended that a 2% salary adjustment and a one-time 4% payment, be made for the Executive Director. Second by Martha Tyroch. Cameron Bell abstained. All others in favor.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:05 a.m.
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Larry Anglin, Chair
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Linda Angel, Secretary