DEPARTMENT: Office of the City Clerk
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tina J. Flores
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board Appointments
SUMMARY:
This item appoints Sonia Garza, Peter Holt, Benjamin Peavy and Rosa Santana (Local Employer/In-Demand Occupations), Cynthia Teniente-Matson (Training/Higher Education Provided), Daphene Carson (Community Organization), Jerry Graeber and Emily Spurlock (Current/Previous Workforce Participant), Frederick “Doug” McMurry, Jr. (Trade/Labor Organization). The Ordinance will also add one additional seat in both the Local Employer/In-Demand Occupation and Trade/Labor Organization categories and appoint Juan Solis and Bobby Olveda to these positions respectively. All appointments will have an initial term ending May 31, 2023, and for two-year terms coterminous with council thereafter.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On December 17, 2020 City Council approved the creation of a City-appointed 9-member SA: Ready to Work Advisory Board, with two additional City Council liaisons. The Advisory Board will include representatives from four local employers with in-demand occupations, two current/previous participants of City of San Antonio workforce programs, one trade or labor organization, one community organization, and one training provider or higher education institution.
Although this Board is advisory in nature, to prevent actual or perceived conflicts of interest, no appointed members may have direct relationships with entities that contract with the City for implementation of the SA: Ready to Work program. The Advisory Board will meet quarterly, although a faster meeting cadence may occur during initial program development. Members will serve a two-year term and will provide feedback on:
• In-demand occupations eligible for tuition assistance;
• Qualitative input regarding necessary skill sets and alignment with training programs;
• Annual allotment of workforce certificate vs. college degrees slots; and
• Levels and quality of wraparound support.
In addition, this Advisory Board will serve as community program ambassadors, promoting resident participation and employer hiring of participants.
ISSUE:
The SA: Ready to Work Advisory Board Applicant Subcommittee, comprised of Council Members Rebecca Viagran, Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, Jada Andrews-Sullivan and John Courage reviewed 34 (thirty-four) applications and recommended 23 (twenty-three) applicants be interviewed by the Governance Committee. During meetings on February 9 and 19, 2021, the Governance Committee interviewed a total of 20 (twenty) applicants and recommends the following appointments:
Local Employers/In-Demand Occupations:
• Sonia Garza (WellMed Medical Management)
• Peter J. Holt (HOLT CAT)
• Benjamin Peavey (Accenture Federal Services)
• Rosa Santana (Santana Group, Integrated Human Capital and Forma Automotive)
Community Organization
• Daphene Carson (Edgewood ISD)
Training/Higher Education:
• Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson (Texas A&M San Antonio)
Trade/Labor Organization:
• Frederick “Doug” McMurray (Associated General Contractors - San Antonio Chapter)
Current/Former Program Participants
• Jerry Graeber
• Emily Spurlock
The Governance Committee further recommended the addition of one seat in both the Local Employer/In-Demand Occupations and Trade/Labor Organization categories and the appointment of Juan Solis (Truist Bank) and Bobby Olveda (LiUNA Local 1095) to these positions respectively.
All appointments will have an initial term ending May 31, 2023, and for two-year terms coterminous with council thereafter.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Office of the City Clerk will continue to promote vacancies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the nominees.