Workforce Solutions of Central Texas
Workforce Board Business Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Location: Central Texas Workforce Center, 300 Cheyenne, Killeen
Directors Present
Larry Anglin
Mike Atkinson
Dr. Glenda Barron
Cameron Bell
Judy Bowen Clark
Barbara Bozon
Chris Flor
Horace Grace
Directors Absent
Cheryl Eliano
Bill Luther
Jim Granfor
Sonja Havens
Cynthia Hernandez
Eyal Kaczur
Dr. Susan Kincannon
Mary Kliewer
Dr. Thomas Klincar
Matt Maxfield
Jose Segarra
Tama Shaw
Bill Stanford
Martha Tyroch
Carlyle Walton
Lon Williams
Dr. Marc Nigliazzo
Trae Sutton
Elected Officials and Ex-Officios
Jon Burrows, Judge, Bell County
John Firth, Judge, Coryell County
Keith Gogas, Acting Deputy Garrison Cmdr., Fort Hood
Workforce Board and Center Staff Present
Linda Angel
Horace Dicks
Wendy Ann Damon
Jerry Haisler
Susan Kamas
Sandra Russell
Guests Present
Ana Borchardt, Belton Economic Development Corporation
Ralph Gauer, Office of Senator Troy Fraser
Regina Jolly, Army Community Service Employment Readiness Branch
Don Nicholas, Office of Representative Ralph Sheffield
Lucy Taylor, Office of Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
Larry Anglin, Chair
Call to Order, Pledge, and Chairs Report
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 July 24, 2014 and the 2014 Self-Sufficiency
Wage. There being no discussion, the items were approved as presented.
Special Presentations
Temple Update ...................................................David Blackburn, City Manager, City of Temple
Susan Kamas explained that Lee Peterson had cancelled, and David Blackburn had agreed to
provide the Temple update. Blackburn sent a message indicating that he would not be able to
attend the Workforce Board business meeting as he was tied up in his last day as City Manager.
Kamas indicated that Blackburn would be re-scheduled.
Kamas
Workforce Activities Briefing
Susan Kamas, Executive Director, provided information about the new Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act referencing the Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council’s
Newsletter, the Texas Workforce Commission’s legislative summary and timeline, and the White
Paper released by the National Association of Workforce Boards. Explaining that the new
legislation was in many ways based on Texas as a premier model, she indicated that the Texas
Workforce Commission information was concise and the most accurate for Workforce Areas
Texas.
Kamas then drew attention to the implementation timeline noting that it is aggressive, requiring
regulations by January 1st. She also indicated that the Department of Labor would have statelevel resources to present Texas’ views and help meet the required deadlines; specifically, the
person who wrote the legislative summary would be on-loan to the Department of Labor. Kamas
also drew attention to key changes including having the 15% set-aside restored at the state-level
and potentially some minor changes to state and local Workforce Board composition.
Reflecting on challenges, Kamas indicated that the biggest changes would be in the local Youth
Program. She explained that currently 50% of funds are spent on in-school and 50% on out-ofschool youth. However, in the new legislation, 75% of funding had to be spent on out-of-school
youth. As reference, Kamas reminded members of the presentations at the July Workforce Board
meeting by youth who participated in the Summer Youth Program. Ending the discussion on the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Kamas stressed that Texas had already made the
difficult changes that other states will be facing during implementation.
Providing state-level updates, Kamas described three Texas Workforce Commission Special
Initiatives. The High-Demand Job Training Grant Program matched Economic Development
sales tax dollars for initiatives supporting job training programs. The Externships for Teachers
provided teachers with short-term exposure to work environments. The Child Care Capacity
Building initiative involved competitive grants to promote quality child care.
Kamas then described the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development for Veterans
Initiative. She explained the short turn-around time noting that Central Texas was assigned the
Information Technology Sector. Kamas reported that Temple College applied for $29,000 to
train 15 veterans and Central Texas College applied for $240,000. She indicated that
performance for the colleges will be measured in numbers trained and the Workforce Centers
will be measured for numbers placed in employment.
Moving to the local level, Kamas drew attention to the annual monitoring report from the Texas
Workforce Commission. She explained that a management letter is an indication of no findings,
and 14 areas in Texas, including Central Texas, received management letters this year. She also
drew attention to grants for high-tech summer camps noting that Central Texas would apply if
the funds were released in the future.
In response to a Board member request for additional Survey of Employee Engagement
comparisons, Kamas drew attention to a chart that presented local construct trends for the last
three survey cycles. She noted that the results were relatively consistent with the slightly higher
scores in 2012 probably relating to the increased funds and resources that were available through
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Kamas explained that the next step was the
Annual Organizational Improvement Day. She provided examples of past improvements noting
that this year’s focus would be on improvements to systems and services to our customers.
Kamas then drew attention to information describing the Muscular Dystrophy Lock-Up. She
explained that she had been approached to participate but Sandra Russell agreed to accept the
commitment. Kamas encouraged support for Russell’s efforts to campaign for contributions.
Kamas then congratulated Fort Hood’s three new “Good Neighbors” – Lee Callan, John
Crutchfield, and Bill Parry. She also recognized Belton ISD, noting that all of the 14 schools I
the School District met Texas Education Standards.
Closing, Kamas reported that the Rotary Club of Belton was sponsoring two new Flag Pole
dedications at Belton’s two new schools – Chisholm Trail Elementary and North Belton Middle
School. She provided specific times and locations, and listed key participants. Kamas also
provided information about the Governor’s Small Business Conference at the University of Mary
Hardin Baylor on September 5th. Cynthia Hernandez encouraged everyone to register and attend.
Kamas listed the key partners supporting the event. Kamas then provided an update on the Child
Care Celebration being hosted by Central Texas College, the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance,
and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. She reported that Commissioner Hope Andrade
would be attending and she may be bringing a big check to support BRAC-related child care
improvements. Kamas also reported that Workforce Solutions of Central Texas would be
participating in the City of Temple’s 5k Walk/Run.
Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers Director
Workforce Centers Updates
Continuing Kamas’ discussion about local challenge events, Jerry Haisler, Workforce Centers
Director, announced that Workforce Solutions of Central Texas received an ALS Ice Bucket
Challenge. He also continued describing the Survey of Employee Engagement process noting
that although there were more resources in 2012, employees had substantially more customers to
serve. Commenting on the Workforce Commission’s management letter, Haisler noted that the
items listed for improvement were very small in comparison to the volume of work. As one
example, he explained that there are hundreds of gas cards distributed annually, and of the
hundreds, two were not registered in the state system. Haisler stressed that Central Texas leads
the state on performance for the program and he noted that steps are being taken to address the
specific items identified.
Regarding the new national legislation, Haisler noted that it took Texas about six years to
accomplish its consolidation and realignment efforts. He indicated that other states may not
respond as favorably, but the legislation is good news for Texas.
Haisler then moved to local programs noting that there is funding to serve dislocated workers,
especially if they are laid-off from Fort Hood or are veterans. He noted that the local
Unemployment Rate is down and employment opportunities are growing. However, the funds
are primarily targeted to training. Haisler explained that outreach is being conducted and
referrals are encouraged for the populations targeted for special assistance.
Moving to veterans services, Haisler explained that the Texas Veterans Commission has new
service guidelines. He noted that the guidelines direct about 90% of veteran job seekers to
Workforce Center services since only a limited group of veterans are eligible for Texas Veterans
Commission veterans employment services. He explained that, under the new guidance, some
veterans staff are not allowed to talk to veterans and others are not allowed to talk to employers.
Providing a local example of the issue, Haisler reported that in the past the annual Red, White
and You Veterans Job Fair included Veterans Employment Service Representatives. However,
this year, they can only support the event if they do not have contact with employers.
Haisler also discussed layoffs on Fort Hood. He recognized Keith Gogas who is replacing Andy
Bird as Deputy Garrison Commander and then described the coordination between Fort Hood
and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. Haisler also discussed expansion efforts to serve the
continually growing number of layoffs associated with the military installation.
In closing, Haisler provided an update for the Noncustodial Parent Program. He indicated that
the program underwent federal review and it was determined to be successful and beneficial to
all concerned. Haisler reported that in just over one year, the program had produced $150,000 in
child support that would not have otherwise been received.
Anglin
New/Other Business
Board Member Discussion: Dr. Thomas Klincar discussed enrollments at Central Texas
College. He indicated that the College was at 95% enrollment with the lower enrollment related
to Sequestration which is reducing the number of prison guards. He also reported that the
College is adjusting for changes in credit hour requirements. Dr. Klincar ended his update
noting that the College Board has lowered the tax levy, but the practice will not be feasible if
Department of Defense Contracts decline.
Dr. Glenda Barron reported that Temple College enrollments were 200 students down, adding
that lower enrollments are consistent across other colleges. She also noted that veteran
enrollments were down. Dr. Barron contributed the lower enrollments to students’ desires to get
jobs and policies requiring financial aid to be used specifically for education.
Dr. Susan Kincannon reported that Belton ISD enrollments were up by about 200 with a student
enrollment of 350 projected by the end of the school year. She described two new schools in the
District, a new 9th Grade Center and a new Pre-K school. Dr. Kincannon explained that the
schools are focused on unique populations of students and the schools will lessen traffic issues.
She also discussed build-out plans including projections for student growth and key decision
points.
Horace Grace discussed water in Bell County providing descriptions in terms of usage and
factors such as population growth that impact availability and expense. He explained water
recycling, ownership, and water quality and availability monitoring. Lon Williams confirmed
that there were similar issues in Milam County. He noted that the big issue in Milam County is
control of permits and pipes.
Bill Stanford discussed the impact that I35 construction is having on local businesses. He
explained that Carpenter Company ships 43 truckloads daily not including incoming trucks, and
the whole operation had to change to accommodate the construction. Stanford noted that
employees have to walk a quarter-mile from their new parking area to get to the front doors of
the building. Stanford recognized the Workforce Center in Temple noting that potential
employees can fill out applications at the Center rather than come to the I35 location. He also
noted that the company’s facilities in Texas are growing and the facilities are green with no
waste since everything is used to develop local products.
Board Meeting Evaluations: Anglin drew attention to evaluation results for the July Business
Meeting. He then asked Board members to complete evaluations for the August Meeting.
Calendar of Activities: Anglin asked Board members to review the calendar of activities.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m.
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Larry Anglin, Chair
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Linda Angel, Secretary