MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
February 10, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, February 10, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd
Floor, 3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard M. Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Sandie Mullins
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Kimberly James, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Karun Sreerama, Master Planner, ESPA
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Laura Garcia, President, COPA
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:19 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on
the duly posted Meeting Notice.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – February 10, 2011 - Page 2
OFF-SITE RECORDS MANAGEMENT AND DESTRUCTION SERVICES
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Perez seconded.
(Mrs. Sane arrived at 4:22 p.m.)
Mrs. Flores asked if the documents are scanned and stored electronically. Ms. Lori
Grimes, Records Management Manager informed that there is a process in place for
records retention. Mrs. Byas informed that the goal is to have all records scanned
within the next couple years.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
METHOD OF PROJECT DELIVERY FOR 9910 CASH ROAD RENOVATION
(SOUTHWEST COLLEGE)
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved and Mr. Schechter seconded.
Dr. Tyler informed that the request before the Board is to approve the method of
selection and project delivery for the renovation project at 9910 Cash Road. He noted
that administration is recommending usage of the concealed bid process and
apprised that the project was included with the last maintenance tax notes item
approved.
Mr. Austin asked why administration is not choosing the Construction Manager at
Risk (CMAR) process. Dr. Tyler noted that usually CMAR provides for two moving
parts, which works in the normal market place and apprised that often better pricing is
received with the competitive concealed bid process.
Ms. Mullins asked if it is possible to utilize the space for revenue opportunities. Dr.
Fena Garza informed that the space will consist of classroom and lab space.
Mr. Schechter clarified that Ms. Mullins inquiry was to possibly rent the facilities to
other entities as a source of possible revenues.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1 with Ms. Loredo abstaining.
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2010
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Mullins seconded.
Mr. Schechter commended the department on their performance efforts.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FOR JANUARY 2011
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Mullins seconded.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – February 10, 2011 - Page 3
Dr. Tyler apprised that “preliminary” was denoted on the statement because the
books have not officially closed. He apprised that the 5% and 2.5% reduction from
the State has been taken from the bottom line.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the detailed Financial Statement information is located on
page 2 under tab 1 and noted that the information has been added to provide an
overview of how the college is managing funds. He noted that the number of
employees is listed under the HR Data.
Dr. Tyler apprised that there may be slight changes to the statement depending on
the numbers after the closing.
Dr. Tyler informed that the college closed on the Maintenance Tax Notes and Jr. Lien
Bond approved by the Board. He also noted that the college was able to maintain its
bond rating.
Vote - The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
REPORT ON CURRENT LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSIONS
Mr. Remmele Young expressed appreciation to the Board, Dr. Spangler, and Dr.
Tyler for their support in the State legislation efforts. He apprised that the State
revenue estimates are far less than anticipated. He noted that there is also a shortfall
of $4.3 billion for the current year.
Mr. Young noted that there is an uphill climb and noted that the State is hammering
on every agency and educational institution to make up the difference in the budget
shortfall. He apprised that the team is tracking approximately 126 bills and noted that
there are efforts to find bills to change law to improve the situation for the college
especially those affecting the college.
Mrs. Flores asked what type of bills are being tracked. Mr. Young apprised that there
is a combination of bills including finances, trustees, military, concealed handgun, etc.
Dr. Spangler noted that dual credit will probably be discussed shortly although
currently there is no discussion.
Mr. Young informed that community colleges are viewed by many members as
having fund balances and the ability to mitigate their shortfall. He noted that the team
will be returning to Austin on February 18, 2011.
Ms. Mullins informed that this is an opportunity for HCC to gather the numbers
relating to completion rates rather than students leaving with degrees.
Mr. Young noted that momentous point funding deals with more accountability
relating to contact hours.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – February 10, 2011 - Page 4
Mr. Young noted that administration visited with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
to share how federal dollars impact students.
Mr. Schechter expressed appreciation to Ms. Mullins, Ms. Loredo and Mrs. Perez for
visiting with State Representatives in Austin. He mentioned that the impact on
community colleges has not been well voiced.
Mr. Schechter asked Ms. Mullins to meet with Communications and policy advocates
to discuss efforts to draw media attention to the budget shortfall effect on community
colleges and to advocate the college’s position. He noted that there should be a
PowerPoint presentation for Trustees to utilize in taking the concerns to the
community and representatives. He asked Ms. Mullins to place the item on the
agenda for the External Relations Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday,
February 17, 2011.
Mr. Young apprised that the Communications Department is currently working on
talking points.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:00 p.m., notice
having previously been given and reiterated in accordance with Sections 551.071,
551.072, and/or 551.074 of the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Schechter stated that any
final action, vote or decision on any item discussed in Executive Session would be
taken up in Open Session or in a subsequent Public Meeting.
Mr. Schechter reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 6:21 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Flores, Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Sane and Schechter)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: