Board of Trustees Report
District Office
July 9, 2008
Open Session
Kelly Candaele was elected Board President for 2008-09. Mona Field was
elected First Vice President. Neither was opposed. Sylvia Scott-Hayes, outgoing
President, was thanked warmly by a number of Board members for her “tenacity,
patience”...”hard work and great dedication.”
An SEIU representative from Trade complained about the 3:15 starting time for
one shift of janitors there. He alleged that the time was moved fifteen minutes to
allow the college to avoid paying the workers the compensation they would
otherwise be entitled to. He also detailed the health and safety problems
associated with starting at that hour (as opposed to 4:30, which apparently is the
normal earliest starting time in the district). Kelly Candaele said the matter would
be investigated, adding that “We’ll do the right thing. We’re not Wal-Mart.”
A second SEIU rep from Trade cited the need for more custodial help, given the
new bond buildings. Adriana Barrera promised that a report would be given to the
Infrastructure Committee on this issue, as adequate staffing is a concern at other
campuses as well.
Nothing was reported out of Closed Session, other than that a settlement had
been reached with one employee. No further details were given.
New trustee Miguel Santiago was elected to represent the Board on two local
commissions.
There were a number of inquiries regarding the Consent Calendar, one regarding
the size of City’s Dental Technology program in Esthetic Dental Design which it
operates in conjunction with UCLA. The main discussion, however, was about
the request to approve a contract with PPV, a development consulting firm that I
mentioned in my June 11 report, for further work on possible public/private
partnerships at Trade and West. Some Board members had misgivings over the
large size of the contract ($480,000 for one year) and questioned whether we
were getting our money’s worth. After statements by the presidents of Trade and
West, however, arguing that these were very complex transactions and that
PPV’s involvement was extensive, the item was approved.
In other news, Sylvia Scott-Hayes noted the progress made on our partnership
with LAUSD and thanked Gary Colombo for his work.
The contract for MWW, the PR firm that handles the bond program, was renewed
through early next year with the understanding that the contract will go out to
open bidding at that time. Nancy Pearlman reiterated that she has serious
concerns about their performance.
Adriana Barrera reported that there had been no recent progress by the Sheriff
Task Force, owing in part to a difficulty engaging the desired consulting firm.
Comment
Carl and I both have misgivings over the size of the PPV contract. I was able to
ascertain after the June 11 meeting, however, that there has been faculty input in
the Trade partnership proposal, which deal with the so-called “Super Block”
expansion along Grand Ave. and not with the more controversial question of
housing on campus. At West, Eloise has stated clearly that faculty leaders were
consulted about plans there.
That’s it. I am a bit late on this, as I was out of the office for three days.
I hope your summer is going well.
David
213-891-2294
dbeaulieu@email.laccd.edu