QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE ELECTED COMMITTEE OF MANAGERS
January 16, 2016
Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
105 South St. Mary's Street San Antonio, TX 78205
1. Call to order
8:30 A.M.
Roll call of ECM and Guests
Arnold Sanchez,
Calvin S
Paul P
Manny S
Duane Z
Clayton H
Dave Corbett
Zach D
Cesilia W
Aloha Cook
Karla Martinez
Harvey Johnson
Guests:
Beverly Hell, Beverly Corbitt, Sylvia Delanie, Angel Acosta, Ravina Costa, Harvey S, June Frost, Kim Chepy, Tom Chepy, Chelsea Davis, Mike Hooks
2. Approval of minutes of last meeting
Aloha C moved to approve the previous minutes, Manny S seconded it, vote passed.
3. BET Directors Report
· Drurey Plaza is the old Alamo national bank. Hooks spent a few minutes describing the architecture and décor of the old bank turned hotel.
· San Antonio is one of the top 5 oldest cities in America.
· San Antonio was founded in 1718
Statistical Report
· 116 facilities, started with 117
· Over 100 managers.
· Closed Richman Supported living facility, and it was combined with an existing facility.
· Finished remodeling the FAA facility, in Fort Worth.
· Currently engaged in disputes with GSA regarding the changes to federal permits, requirements such as being required to hire a manager, to run the location. This is happening nationally, and it’s being battled across the country.
· 11 planned for improvements this year.
· 2 facilities are contracted out, NASA and VA in Waco.
· 4 are being temporary managed, Camp Hubbard Leroy Delagarza, Hardaman county rest area, AFIS DFW Chung, Gatesville prison.
· 107 managers currently assigned.
· 4 unassigned managers, most are planning on retiring: Dave Stansic, Lol Covington, Mark Harris, and Richard Flores.
· Rhonda Essen and Elizabeth Channie, two newest licensed managers. Rhonda at Farmer’s branch, Elizabeth took the post office in San Antonio.
Business Consultants
· 677 visits by consultants
· $672,000 has been spent so far on equipment acquisitions.
· 1,454 employees, 116 disabled, 14 are specifically blind, 1324 not disabled.
BET Audit
· 10 recommendations, none directly impacting managers.
· Proposed changing to a risk based 6 month review system. BCs focusing more on those who have shown they do not have their paperwork in good order.
· What other incentives can be offered, to hire more disabled people.
· Significant improvement to our database.
TWC Transition
· Hooks is making many trips to the TWC building.
· He’s still feeling very good about the transition, seeing a lot of potential.
· The physical location of our rules will be changed within the state law. General Counsel Dianne Taylor, said everything in our rules must remain the same, and we can look at them once we’re apart of their agency.
Pack Luther
Decision was to re-advertise the facility. Initially it was level 2, now it’s level 1.
BET Manager Earnings
2015
2016
Median Income
$48,533
$54,080
Average Income
$102,218
$107,842
BET Supervisor of Field Operations
· Lewis Howl retired after 20 years of service.
· Hooks wishes him the best, and we’ll all miss him.
· Michael V, our new replacement, was hired from within. He has 7 years of experience, in the BET program. BC
· He was first a BC in South Austin, and then promoted to SR BC position in North Austin.
· He’s very level headed and a calm person.
· He also worked with Joe Gonzalez in the private sector, both of them each being each other’s bosses at different times.
Michael V’s replacement.
· BET is already getting ready to post the advertisement, to hire a new business consultant.
· Hooks made it clear, BET will not be dragging their heels, to hire a new BC.
Arbitrations
“If you’re going to get in fights, you will lose some. IF you only pick the fights you will win, you’re a coward,” Michael Hooks.
FT Sam Houston
· Requirement that we had to beat the best of any other contractor bidding on the contract. Which basically did away, completely, with the Randolph Sheppard priority.
· The solicitation has been changed, Army contracting decided to remove the text.
· Army added another 3-month extension, but we’re waiting to see what happens.
FT Bliss
Discovery, the period before the formal hearing. This is where each side has to exchange data, keeping both parties informed on each other’s positions.
· Bliss did not wish to provide information during the discovery period, Ft Bliss told BET to file a FOIA.
· The arbitrator, got involved, postponed the hearing, because of how Ft Bliss was behaving.
· The arbitration has been postponed until May.
State of Georgia verses DOD
· it was a 52 page arbitration.
· 4th circuit federal court basically stated, we’ve been stuck in a never ending loop of arbitrations, since our federal act does not possess teeth, meaning the arbitrations are unable to force their decisions upon the parties involved.
Financial Report
· $2.45 million cash reserves, annual budget is around $2.2 million.
· Set Aside fee, 2015, $636,050
· State vending revenues, up from last year.
· Federal Trust fund, looking very close to last year’s first 4 months.
Hooks: If you can deliver service to the customer, that they feel they can not get better elsewhere, then you’re in, and you don’t need legality to keep you secure.
Chairman’s Report
09:40
Treasurer Resignation
Clayton H spoke about the Treasurer position; Harvey Johnson has decided to step down. He served for the last 7 years, dealing with the everyday craziness of his military base, and side projects. Applause.
Zach D Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate
Clayton H: Zachary Davis, one of our ECM members, is the first BEP operator in Texas to have completed the Entrepreneur of Excellence certificate program. It’s an online program, hosted in conjunction between the Hadley School for the Blind, National Association of Blind Merchants, and the National Federation of the Blind Entrepreneur Initiative. He will be flying to accept the award, at BLAST 2016, in Chicago. Clayton asked that the ECM fund Zach D’s flight, and the room provided applause.
Commending BET’s Hard Work
Clayton H: When Lewis Cantu took over Port Isabell, the issue of the detention facility going cashless arose.
Hooks and the BET staff assisted in getting this situation resolved, and Lewis is very pleased with the outcome.
Clayton, spoke highly of how the BET staff jumps on solving issues, even though sometimes it is not advertised to everyone.
Current Issue Involving Text Message
Clayton H spoke at length, addressing the issue of the information that was sent in a text message last week. The message commented on both the quality of the ECM, the quality of people that are allowed into our program, and the state of many facilities in our program.
Clayton H: took great offense at the specifics of the indirect complaints. He reiterated that even though we think of BET as business focused, to the state bureaucracy, we are still considered a vocational rehabilitation program, which means many choices are not in our hands. He commented that it is not easy, to choose high quality candidates, when the VR program is not sending BET very many high quality applicants to choose from.
Harvey S: Spoke up, expressing his opinion on the text messages as well as the state of our program.
I was in BET for 20 years, out for 7 years , and back in for another 16 years after that. “There isn’t anything better than this program, for even sighted people, and if you don’t like what the program is, then get out. IT isn’t and will never be run like a franchise, he does think some people are a disgrace, but there is nothing he can do about it.”
The biggest change he’s seen in this program are names and faces.
Rufino, who’s been in BET since August 1969, agreed with Harvey’s assessment of the program. There have been some changes, but for the better.
There were multiple people speaking up, commenting that if people have issues, they need to submit them officially, and or make well thought out suggestions to the ECM, following proper protocol, instead of simply complaining.
Clayton H: Don Welch, in the past mentioned that the ruels have been improved, but the basic program is the same.
Manuel’s Leaving
After many years of hard work and dedication to BET, Manuel is moving on. He was the nice man who was responsible for making sure our equipment made it from the warehouse to our facilities. His last day was Jan 13, Manuel is transferring to a different state agency.
Hooks told a few old stories about Manuel.
09:59
Broke for break.
10:19
(5) District Reports
D1 F
Manny S
Spoke with one constituent, and that was Harvey, who called him.
Harvey S: His year is starting out well, preparing for the start of tax filing season.
Manny re-described his grease drain issue, and how it impacted his sales. His year has also started very well.
D1Vending
Calvin S:
· Robert Jones: doing well, installed 6 credit card terminals, numbers have increased. He’s also still working the Austin state school, negotiating a contract with Cantine.
· Mike Sparks: Doing fine, bought a new vending delivery vehicle. One of his jails is not using the visiting area, in Lockhart, which is decreasing sales at that location.
· Leroy D: Was unable to contact him. He’s temporary managing Camp Hubbard, for the last two months.
Mark Russel, sent a video, to Hooks, of Leroy doing a catering job.
· Bobby Allen: going well, having a busy life, personal hardships recently, and he’s taken over the School for the Blind vending. Amazing how he utilizes STS transit and city buses to move his product to his machines.
· Calvin S: facility is doing good, always slower during this time. Over the next month, installing credit card terminals.
D2Food
Zach D
· Al M: everything is going well.
· John M, everything is going well. Suggest addition to permits that Christmas to New Years all facilities are closed. Hooks, commented that we need to find the happy in-between, to still provide service.
· Steve Saltzman, medical issues are getting worse.
· Tommy Crawford, transitioned from Farmer’s Branch to vending.
· Scott Smith, everything is going well, normal.
· Ed Marlow, transition to his new building is done, and he is happy to be back open and making sales.
· JD Stuart, unable to get ahold of her.
· Zach D, sales were up 30%, in 2015, extremely happy.
D2Vending
Dwayne Z:
Contacted all of his managers, everything is fine.
· Jose F: vending rout is down, would like the agency to add something to it, to make it worth while. His personal machines do more than his vending rout with the state. He does not want to move.
· John Watson SR: Both of his sons’ routs had machines added on, and he would also like more machines.
· Tommy Crawford, Ranger hill rest area should be up and running at the end of Jan, very excited.
· Chung, temp managing AFIS, everything is smooth and sales are picking up.
· Dave Stansak, accidentally called him, and did not leave a message. Dave called him back. Talked for about 15 minutes, describing how bad the program was. Tried calling back, but his battery was dead.
D3Food
Arnold S:
Spoke with both of his constituents.
· Greg S: sales are increasing after the holidays.
· Tim: Sales are also going back up, and he handled some equipment issues.
· Arnold S: his sales are going up, and feels he is doing well.
D3Vending
Sasilla willson
Has not had an opportunity to contact her constituents yet, because she had not received a list of her districts contacts from her BC.
She gave a report on the status of her broken arm, and described how her employees have been handling the vending rout.
D4 Food
Dave Corbett
Sylvia D: Her facility wanted to remove about 80% of her vending and replace it with a self-run facility. BET is working with the host, to resolve this issue.
· Rebecca Chambers: she is preparing to bid on other facilities, because the court house is placing their own machines near her machines, causing a future potential loss of sales.
D4Vending
Clayton H:
· Ocosta: overall sales increased 20%, based on building population increasing.
· Ken Boward: everything is going well with him.
· Lewis Cantu: happy, hitting projected numbers, exceeding them slightly. Anticipating delivery of his new machines.
· Jenna Norwood: Issues with clients shaking her machines, doing a lot of damage, discussed with building host, allowing her to attach her machines to the wall, to prevent future damage. Another client was harassing, host has created a solution to this issue.
· Gay N: happy to have Clayton’s old rout, looking forward to transitioning out of the post office, which took place last week. Elizabeth Channie took over this location.
· Paul Z: doing ok, sales are down, but thinks it is because the construction of some new service stations nearby.
· Romez G: issues with the Laredo bridges, and he is trying to work them out.
· Dave C: doing well at his facility, sales are in good shape.
· Clayton H: slowly his facility is starting to get its contractor problems sorted out. Issues with electricity, doors not opening, and water pressure dropping off. He’s also having issue with machines being shaken. Asked who to approach regarding attaching machines for shaking purposes. Sales are not where he projected, but thinks once issues are sorted, it will increase. Hooks said to first ask his BCs about attaching the machines.
D5Food
Harvey J:
· Fort Bliss is going well, arbitration was postponed until May.
D5Vending
Paul P:
· Ken Lantropp: had a machine that was broken into, video cameras were not working, and the person took product and money. They’re having water issues at the wells, which means they are locking the restrooms down, negatively impacting sales.
· Paul received his annual Coca-Cola sales increase letter. HE flew to Atlanta, purchased 20 vending machines, and he will no longer be in Coke’s pocket any longer. Now he can provide whatever beverages the customer wants, since he now owns all of his machines.
D6 Food
Karla M:
· Travis W: recounted the issues he had with his eye, update he was on vacation in Peru, his facility is going well.
· Maria Bosh: she is fine, no crew issues,
· Ronnie Watson: doing well, no complaints. Did not experience much of a holiday decrease.
· John De Samon: Issues with contracts he has with Kahala.
· Kristin M: happy, fixing to have construction work in the building, hoping to catch those sales. Issue where she mailed her report and set-aside check, but the BC said she did not.
· John Latigo: holiday, sales were very low, sales are on the rise.
· Arnold M: TCEQ, sales are increasing after the holiday. Hit a sales record, $1,395, and was very happy.
· Tom C: he’s happy with his sales and profits, but he wants more.
· Leory D: received return call, he’s very happy. Enjoying being out at Camp Hubbard. Was having issues with his credit card company, and sales are increasing. He feels like if/when it comes up for bid, he would like to bid for it. Sales are around $1,300-1,400.
· Karla M: very happy, sales are going up, no problems, complaints, or anything like that. She likes her population. Only issue, Accient, having more machines that are malfunctioning or not stocking them. She is starting to seriously consider taking over her own machines.
D6Vending
Aloha C:
· Half of the mangers do not choose to return phone calls.
· Dwayne Sparks: asked why his facility went out as a level 1, asked if he could temp manage it, and Hooks resolved this issue.
· Jerrie R: Asked a question, which he referred to the BC. Asked if at his road side, on the just repaired machines, he no longer wants to mess with breaking coffee machines. Is it possible if he can subcontract out his coffee machines. Hooks, there are facilities in this program that do not have coffee machines, to just cut off the coffee, is not good.
· Aloha C: December sales were up, based on temps being present. The building is doing another push for early retirements.
(6) Sub Committees Reports:
Rules and By-Laws Sub Committee:
Used to be chaired by Greg S.
Finance and Budget Sub Committee:
Hooks offered to read the report. He read over the financial data, which will all be posted on the website.
Harvey S: mentioned that regarding the Van vending, there are locations that machines are located, nothing related to BET, and they still opt to send those commissions to the ECM.
Elections Sub Committee:
Zachary Davis
Commented on how few people voted in the last elections.
Training Conference Sub Committee:
Manny Sifuentes
Remarked on how much enjoyed last years training conference. Commented on who assisted him with the conference. Already thinking about themes for this years training conference. Potential theme, how to build and maintain a quality team at our businesses. Training should focus on how to manage and build a better team. Commented on his leadership conference.
Drucilla Pollick, works for a corporate negotiating company, her company negotiated the contract for BLAST in Chicago, saved them almost $100,000. From $349,000 to about $250,000. Confident she can negotiate us significantly better deals than what we’ve experienced in the past.
Manny, even though we try to be the best we can, it’s always preferred to utilize professionals.
Hooks: BLAST, Tennessee, could not get their annual training conference put together, because the contracts were having issues.
BET will be under TWC for this year’s training conference.
Hooks suggested, outsourcing basically the entire conference contracting process to one person.
Aloha C: asked about where the vending aspect will be in the conference he’s describing?
Manny: think of your business success as a team effort, be it BC, cashier, snack trucks, repair venders, etc.
Manny: concluding his report, thanking the people that assisted him with facilitating the training conference.
Training of Potential Managers Sub Committee:
Aloha Cook
Three potential managers, for training
· February is the start time.
Vending Sub Committee:
No pricing committee currently.
(7) Discussion of ways to encourage our managers to offer healthier options
both food service and vending locations. Plus, advertising that fact so the Legislature and Wellness Committee will be made aware of our efforts to be part of the solution not the problem.
Harvey S: recounting about a person in his building, feds being approached regarding getting away from disposable items.
Clayton H: Next year, the state of Texas will be perusing this, and the federal standards will also be in place.
ECM needs to pick what health vending program we want to follow, be it Fit-Pick, or better eating today.
Zach D: continuously asked, what do we need to do to actually get people to adopt these programs.
(8) Update on Texas ECM website
Zachary Davis:
Highlighted the fact that all presentations from the 2015 conference are online, cut into sections, for each speaker.
(9) Election of Officers
Chairman
Aloha nominated Clayton, Manny seconded it.
No other nominations, all in favor.
Vice Chairman
Dwayne nominated Manny, seconded.
He accepted.
Manny S: Would like to be Vice, to provide assistance to the chairman. He wants to get more involved on the national scene, bringing information from learning on the larger scale, back to Texas.
Aloha nominated Dave Corbett, seconded by Sacilla.
He accepted.
Dave: I’ll be here to support Clayton, providing support, as long as needed.
Manny: 7
Dave: 4
Manny elected.
Treasurer.
Manny nominated Zach, Dave seconded.
Zach accepted.
10. Set date and city of next meeting
April 15-16,
Corpus Christy
July 16
Lubbock
Clayton H: decided we would do committees on the next phone call.
11. Adjournment
Manny moved for adjournment, Dave seconded.