MEETING OF THE
ETHICS IN PUBLIC CONTRACTING COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
February 26, 2002
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a
Meeting of the Ethics in Public Contracting Committee on February 26, 2002, at
the System Administration Building, Chancellor’s Conference Room, 12th Floor,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Christopher W. Oliver, Chair
Jay K. Aiyer (arrived at 5:09 p.m.)
Abel Davila
Yolanda Navarro Flores
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Michael Kyme, Director of Purchasing
Miles Bradshaw, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Alex Warren, President, Faculty Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Oliver called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. and declared the committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College
System as listed on the duly posted Meeting Notice.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND POLICY
The Committee considered a proposed Small Business Development Program
and accompanying administrative procedures. The program was developed by
Mr. Villarreal, Ms. Walker and Mr. Kyme and reviewed by legal counsel. The
program adheres to the laws of procurement of the Texas Government Code and
HCCS policies.
Houston Community College System
Ethics in Public Contracting Committee – February 26, 2002 – Page 2
Mr. Villarreal reviewed the proposed program in further detail. The Small
Business Development Program will provide outreach to increase procurement
opportunities with small, disadvantaged and underutilized businesses. The
program reflects HCCS’ efforts to encourage the participation of small
businesses and to prevent discrimination in awarding contracts and subcontracts.
The program establishes a 35% small business goal to be achieved over a threeyear period.
Additional objectives are to seek out small business networks to inform them of
opportunities with HCCS and to provide training so that vendors understand how
to submit a quality proposal. To be eligible to participate in the program,
businesses must have a valid and current certification as a small business,
historically underutilized business, or minority and disadvantaged business
enterprise from an authorized entity.
Mr. Davila inquired if the program would assist vendors in obtaining certification.
Mr. Villarreal replied that those vendors would be referred to a certifying agency,
but would not be precluded from participating in the program. Dr. Leslie
recommended that the Board authorize administration to implement the program
with the understanding that vendors would have six months to obtain certification.
Mr. Villarreal stated that a proactive approach would be taken and the E-Center
at Southeast College would work with emerging businesses. Outreach forums
will be conducted on upcoming opportunities and how to access the HCCS
website for information. HCCS will team up with the City of Houston, METRO
and other organizations to co-sponsor workshops.
A vendor data base was implemented a year ago. Small businesses identified
though outreach efforts are encouraged to complete a vendor application so they
can be added to the database. Contractors must demonstrate a good faith effort
to utilize minority businesses to do business with HCCS. Dr. Leslie stated that
most contractors understand that it is in their best interests to include a diverse
group of subcontractors in their proposals.
The benefit of this program to HCCS will be an increase in the participation of
vendors and in the quality and diversity of vendors. Implementation will
encourage good business practices and provide better tracking.
Mr. Kyme demonstrated how small businesses can access the HCCS website for
purchasing and vendor application information. The application can be
downloaded and faxed to HCCS.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Oliver adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:06 p.m., notice
having previously been given, and reiterated by him, in accordance with Section
Houston Community College System
Ethics in Public Contracting Committee – February 26, 2002 – Page 3
551.071 of the Open Meetings Law. He 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. He reconvened the meeting in Open session at 5:36 p.m.
and entertained motions on pending matters.
(Mr. Aiyer arrived at 5:09 p.m.)
Dr. Leslie stated a brief presentation on the Small Business Program would be given at
the next Board Meeting as part of the Chancellor’s Report and the recommendation
may be pulled from the consent agenda so that legal counsel could discuss the legal
implications in closes session. He suggested that administration report back to the
Committee on a quarterly basis on progress that has been
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by:
Reliable Transcription Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
Herman Litt, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
August 25, 2005