Mike Atkinson
Dr. Glenda Barron
Barbara Bozon
Chris Flor
Horace Grace
Jim Granfor / Sonja Havens
EyalKaczur
Dr. Susan Kincannon
Mary Kliewer
Bill Luther
Lee Peterson / Jose Segarra
Tama Shaw
Bill Stanford
Trae Sutton
Ann Thompson
Lon Williams
Directors Absent
Larry Anglin
Cameron Bell
Judy Bowen
Brenda Coley
Cheryl Eliano / Dr. Thomas Klincar
Dr. Marc Nigliazzo
Martha Tyroch
Kimberly Wesson
Elected Officials and Ex-Officios
Dan Corbin, Mayor, City of Killeen
Workforce Board and Center Staff Present
Linda Angel
Wendy Ann Damon / Jerry Haisler
Susan Kamas / Frank Minosky
Sandra Russell
Guests Present
Ana Borchardt, Belton Economic Development Corp.
Johathan Mize, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Greg Schannep, Office of Representative John Carter
Call to Order, Pledge, and Chairs Report / Mary Kliewer, Immediate Past-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. Mary Kliewer,Immediate Past-Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., noting that a quorum was present. She noted that the Chair was out of state on vacation. 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.
Kliewer reviewed bios for two incoming Board members, Barbara Bozon and EyalKaczur. After introductions, both new Board members took the Oath of Office.
Action Items
Consent Agenda...... Kliewer
Kliewer called for any discussion or objection to the consent agenda which included the Workforce Board’s business meeting minutes for March 27, 2014, and a Wagner Peyser 7B Project Proposal for San Saba County. There being no discussion, the items were approved as presented.
Special Presentations
KPA Engineers...... Trae Sutton, P.E., C.F.M.,
Kasberg, Patrick & Associates, LP
Kliewer reviewed Trae Sutton’s bio noting that he is a licensed professional engineer, a member of the Rotary Club of Belton. She also recognized his awards and recognitions including Belton Citizen of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year in Texas. Sutton added that his family is native to Central Texas. His wife is an Assistant Principal with Killeen ISD, and they have two children: a son who is 5 years old and a daughter who is 8 years old.
Following the introduction, Sutton provided a brief overview of Kasberg, Patrick & Associates, LP (KPA Engineering). He noted that the Civil Engineering Firm, which began in 1983, was founded by Clay Roming. Sutton also explained that KPA Engineering worked solely with municipalities and public agencies to provide infrastructure solutions. Services focus on public health and safety in areas such as water resources, water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, transportation, storm drainage, planning, and specialized services.
Describing the KPA Engineering organization, Sutton explained that there were offices in Temple and Georgetown. KPA partners are:
- Rick Kasberg, Professional Engineer, Managing Partner;
- David Patrick, Professional Engineer, Certified Facility Manager;
- Tommy Valle, Professional Engineer;
- Ginger Tolbert, Professional Engineer; and
- Trae Sutton, Professional Engineer, Certified Facility Manager.
- 8 Professional Engineers;
- 2 Engineers in Training;
- 7 Computer Aided Drafting Technicians;
- 3 Construction Inspectors;
- 1 Office Manager; and
- 4 Clerical Staff (1 full-time and 3 part-time UMHB students).
Describing area-specific projects in Central Texas, Sutton presented photographs demonstrating the specific work done for each of the projects. Basic descriptions presented by Sutton follow.
Temple Projects:
- Pepper Creek Trail Project ($2,207,000) – a hike and bike trail that creates a greenbelt setting along Pepper Creek adjoining the Bioscience District;
- Pepper Creek Trail Extension Project ($617,300) – connected the existing Pepper Creek Hike and Bike Trail to the Hike and Bike Trail adjacent to the Scott and White Health Plan Facility.
- Friars Creek Trail Phase I and II ($523,900 and $1,107,512) – a hike and bike trail in the southern portion of Temple; the second phase added infrastructure and landscaping improvement including lighting, water features, and trail markers.
- Temple Outer Loop Phase II ($7,259,400) – a roadway and sidewalk project expanding a 2-lane rural roadway into a 4-lane divided Arterial roadway including infrastructure and landscaping improvements.
- On-going/Future Projects were presented using mapping schematics. Projects in landscaping, new hangers, and expanded roadway and terminal access were presented for the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport.
- Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail Phase I ($1,825,700) – a hike and bike trail in downtown area connecting seven pocket parks and drawing attention to aspects of Belton’s history. This project, which included unique landscaping and retaining walls lined with limestone, received the 2006 Texas Municipal League Excellence Award. Sutton noted that this project was designed to meet stringent federal ADA requirements. He also explained that the trail will eventually connect to a similar trail in Killeen.
- Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail Extension ($1,534,980) – a hike and bike trail funded with federal resources awarded to the City of Belton and administered through the Texas Department of Transportation. The project widened sidewalks, created pedestrian ramp and crosswalks, added lighting, and improved infrastructure. A unique feature of the project is a 70’ long pony truss pedestrian bridge and a 466’ long pedestrian bridge spanning Nolan Creek.
- Central Avenue Enhancement ($1,051,923) – roadway and sidewalk improvements to provide an attractive gateway into downtown Belton. The project included landscaping, walkway and driveway improvements, and the installation of antique light poles. Unique difficulties associated with this project related to the continuous patching and overlays on roads which were sometimes eight inches thick involving concrete covered by asphalt roads.
Texas Military Community Mayors Summit...... Dan Corbin, Mayor,
City of Killeen
Susan Kamas introduced Killeen City Mayor Dan Corbin. She noted that since he was not running for a new term, he was attending his last Board meeting as Mayor. Mayor Corbin explained that he was in Washington DC during the last Board meeting. He noted that, while there, he met with Texas’ Congressional Representatives. Describing the experience, he added that seniority status for Congressional members has its privileges.
Specific to the Texas Military Community Mayors Summit on March 17th, the Mayor explained that 15 military communities were hosted in Killeen. He noted that the meeting, which was from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., began with short briefings from each community.
Describing other specific agenda items, Mayor Corbin reported that:
- Bill Parry, Executive Director for the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, presented information on the national and defense-specific budgets. Parry discussed budgeting uncertainties and related possible impacts.
- The City Lobbyist discussed hot to get laws passed in Austin – the presentation stressed the importance of (1) making friends and having connections in the Texas Legislature, (2) working with interim committees throughout the process, and (3) having a person working in Austin to make sure priorities are expressed and addressed.
Stressing the importance of military communities working together, Mayor Corbin closed his presentation noting that past efforts made by individual cities and communities have failed. He explained that it takes coordinated support, combined influence, and validation and commitment from top leadership.
During Board member discussion, Horace Grace asked it a reputation for low voter turnout would negatively impact Legislature support. The Mayor explained that the potential legislation should appeal to elected officials’ business sense – it makes sense to keep jobs in Texas. The Mayor was also asked if other communities had organizations similar to the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance (HOTDA). He indicated that they have some things through their economic development entities. However, HOTDA does a great job and has a singular focus. He noted, for example, that they were meeting with the new State Representative for Central Texas to inform her about military specific needs and challenges. Greg Schannep, Office of Representative John Carter, reported that HOTDA was also meeting with national Congressional representatives during the week.
Workforce Activities Briefing / Susan Kamas, Executive Director
Susan Kamas, Executive Director, began by acknowledging Mayor Corbin’s role in forming and supporting the Texas Military Community Mayors Summit. Explaining that she, the Mayor, and the Commandant for the NCO Academy sat at the same table at a recent Association of the United States Army general membership meeting, she noted that the Commandant expressed how honored he felt to be seated at the table with the Mayor of Killeen. Kamas reminded those present that Mary Kliewer’s sister served on the Killeen City Council. Kliewer added that her sister is Mayor Pro Tem.
Reporting on national events, Kamas discussed the National Association of Workforce Boards meeting in Washington DC. She explained that she and Martha Tyroch attended from Central Texas. Kamas indicated that the new Secretary of Labor had workforce experience; he stressed the importance of alignments and partnerships. Kamas also discussed the exceptional keynote speaker Arianna Huffington. Referring to Huffington’s new book, Thrive, Kamas explained that the speaker’s message was to be successful in all aspects of life by balancing work, personal life, and community giving. The recommendations promoted well-being and healthy life choices. Reflecting similar beliefs, Kamas noted that the Belton Workforce Office had walking meetings which were very productive. She added that Huffington explained that people’s eulogies would reflect how they made people feel, not what they added to their resumes.
Moving to State-level updates, Kamas described an upcoming meeting with Texas’ Workforce Executive Directors and the Commissioners from the Workforce Commission. She noted that the Commissioners were gathering information to use to improve the Workforce System and its services. Kamas then discussed an EEO review included in Board materials. She noted that remedies for the identified requirements were developed when feasible; however, some of the expectations were impossible or unreasonable. As examples, changes cannot be made to historical buildings and facilities owners cannot be expected to raise urinals by half an inch. Kamas reported that other Workforce Areas in Texas had similar reviews.
Describing the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Texas Awards presentation, Kamas reported that awards were given in small, medium, and large business categories. She noted that the small category was the most competitive, and Central Texas was 29th out of 44 small businesses on the list. Specifically describing the event, she indicated that the ceremony did not match past standards. Sonja Havens stressed that her company has applied for the Award for several years and the competition is difficult and highly regulated. She added that Workforce Solutions of Central Texas does well meeting the participation rate because staff know the results will be used to improve the organization. Havens ended with an acknowledgement that the Award is highly competitive.
On the local level, Kamas reported that she had been selected to serve on the Board of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance (HOTDA). She reported that Bill Parry, the Executive Director, would be the featured speaker at the May Workforce Board meeting. Kamas also complimented Dr. Thomas Klincar and Central Texas College for the success of the Central Texas College Nursing Program’s Annual Fashion Show. She recognized Men in Pink supporters, Jose Segarra and Greg Schannep.
Finally, Kamas announced a meeting sponsored by the Fort Hood Economic Group. The event, which features Bill Perryman, is on Friday, June 27th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Central Texas College’s Anderson Center.
Workforce Centers Updates / Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director
Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director, began with a discussion about the Best Companies to Work for in Texas survey. He noted that the survey asked employees questions in specific categories including, as examples, Leadership, Culture, Communications, and Work Environment. Haisler added that the categories are similar to the Survey of Employee Engagement used across Texas for government agencies. He also noted that Central Texas was one of the few organizations who have consistently won the award since the program began. He explained that Texas Monthly does not try to determine whether there are repeat winners, but local research indicated that only four organizations have been on the list every year. However, since name changes could have occurred, the number of consistent winners is only an estimate. Haisler also reported that a matrix had been developed that identified best practices and separated them into three categories: things we already do, things we could do, and things we could never do with government funds. Specific to the local response rate, Haisler reported that all but three or four employees responded to the survey. Finally, he identified categories with lower scores. He indicated that pay/benefits, staffing levels, and limited opportunities for advancement were the lower scoring items. Haisler noted that small organizations with highly tenured employees have similar problems; however, more than 20 of the less than 100 Workforce employees have progressed since they came to work for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas.
Haisler then drew attention to staff recognitions included in Board materials. He explained that the BRAGS and KUDOS program is an inexpensive way to recognized staff and improve employee engagement.
Regarding Workforce Centers Activities, Haisler reported that 30-40 more civil service employees on Fort Hood were being laid-off. He explained that Workforce Center staff will meet with the employees to provide assistance prior to layoff. No other layoffs had been reported. Haisler announced that outdoor boards were being used to encourage service access for people who were laid off at Fort Hood. He also announced that child care funds are available and enrollments needed to be increased. Describing the basic work or school participation requirements, he encouraged those present to refer parents in need of childcare assistance.
Providing an update on the Non-Custodial Parents Program (NCP), Haisler reported that the first year of the NCP program was ending, and $95,338 had been recovered in child care payments for about 100 families. He reminded those present that the NCP Program worked with Bell County family court; non-custodial parents were required to cooperate with Workforce Solutions of Central Texas to find work or they would go to jail.
Haisler then discussed job listings provided in Board materials. He noted that local businesses are growing and posting jobs and the local unemployment rate was down to 6.1%. Specific to job seeker populations, Haisler explained that, similar to cities and counties that do not get funded for military populations, Workforce program resources do not include military populations in the funding allocation formula. He noted that it is absurd that such an important population is not supported by allocated funds.