REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
December 11, 2003
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular
Board Meeting on December 11, 2003, at the System Administration Building, Second
Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
James R. Murphy, Chair
Herlinda Garcia, Vice Chairman
Herman Litt, Deputy Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Abel Davila
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Michael P. Williams, D. Min.
BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT
Christopher W. Oliver, Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Interim Deputy to the Chancellor
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Irene Porcarello, Interim Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Rosie Barrera, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Patricia Williamson, Interim President, Central College
Margaret Forde, President, Northeast College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Diana Castillo, Interim President, Southeast College
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Ted Wiese, Executive Director, Information Technology
Michael Kyme, Executive Director of Purchasing
Karl Lundquist, Executive Director, Facilities Management
Willie Williams, Jr., Interim Executive Director, Human Resources
Patti Carlton, Executive Director, Contract Training and Continuing Education
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Butch Herod, President, Faculty Association
Glenda Cordray, COPA President
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives from the news media
Houston Community College System
Regular Board Meeting – December 11, 2003 - Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Murphy called the Meeting to order at 4:25 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as
listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Austin led the prayer and pledge of allegiance.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Season’s Celebration – Dr. Leslie reminded all about the Season’s celebration at
Westloop Center and thanked Dr. Cox for hosting this year’s Holiday event.
Financial Report – Gloria Walker presented the Financial Report for the month ending
October 31, 2003. The financial report accounts for activities in revenues, expenditures,
and unexpended plant budgets and is recorded on a modified accrual basis. Ms. Walker
stated the report projects available amounts, which represents 8% of the total projected
revenue; therefore allowing HCC to be in compliance with the financial stability policy
required to maintain a fund balance of 8-10% of general fund revenues. She responded
to questions from the Board Members.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Board Retreat – Chairman Murphy stated that a week-end Retreat, in January or
February 2004, is soon to be scheduled.
New Elected Trustee – Mrs. Navarro Flores recognized Mrs. Diane Olmos Guzman,
Trustee Elect, and welcomed her to the Houston Community College Board of Trustees.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AS CORRECTED
Motion — Dr. Williams moved for approval of the minutes from the meeting of the
Committee of the Whole of September 18, 2003; the Regular Meeting of September 24,
2003; the meeting of the Committee of the Whole of October 16, 2003; and the Special
Meeting of November 10, 2003.
Amended Motion — Mr. Austin moved for approval of the minutes as corrected. Ms.
Navarro Flores seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
Mrs. Herlinda Garcia introduced Lidia Rodriguez, Director of the Centro Hispano,
and acknowledged the great work she is conducting with the Hispanic
community. Mrs. Garcia also expressed appreciation to HCC students, faculty,
staff and administration for the incredible support given to her and to Mr. Austin,
who has served on the Board with her for 14 years. She also congratulated and
thanked Mr. Murphy for his great leadership. Mrs. Garcia expressed thanks to Dr.
Leslie, HCC Chancellor, for leading this great institution under challenging
circumstances.
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Regular Board Meeting – December 11, 2003 - Page 3
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion — Dr. Williams moved for approval of the consent agenda with the exception of
items set aside for further discussion and/or consideration following closed session. Mr.
Davila seconded the motion, which carried 7-0. The following recommendations were
approved by consent:
Finance
Approved purchase of SimMan Patient Simulator from Laerdal Medical
Corporation;
Approved sale of Limited Tax Bond Series 2003;
Approved ratified acceptance of gifts and donations;
Approved payment to Bracewell & Patterson for professional services rendered
for the period (1) September 15, 2003 through October 10, 2003, invoices dated
October 21, 2003, in the amount of $86,024.88 and (2) for the period October 11,
2003 through November 11, 2003, invoices dated November 17, 2003, in the
amount of $78,438.74;
Approved Investment Report for the month of October 2003; and
Approved Financial Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003.
CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL ON GRANT OF EASEMENT DEFERRED
Motion — Mr. Litt made a motion to approve Grant of Easement to CenterPoint Energy
Houston Electric, LLC at Katy Mills Daycare Center. Dr. Williams seconded the motion.
Ms. Navarro Flores stated clarification is necessary to identify the type of service
necessary to meet Daycare Center needs. Miles LeBlanc responded to questions from
the Board (inaudible).
No action taken on the motion.
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT APPROVED
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to approve the Urban
Redevelopment Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Davila seconded the motion.
Dr. Williams recognized and acknowledged the efforts of the City of Houston in regards
to the Urban Redevelopment Interlocal Agreement.
Motion carried 6-1, with Mr. Austin abstaining.
COMPENSTION COMPRESSION PROPOSAL APPROVED
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Regular Board Meeting – December 11, 2003 - Page 4
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to approve the Committee’s proposal granting an
equitable percentage to the current base salaries of affected employees, excluding
employees on performance improvement plans, employees under other forms of
disciplinary action plans, and employees who are on Workers Compensation status.
Mr. Litt seconded the motion.
Dr. Williams expressed his support and indicated the importance of going forward with
the Compensation Compression Proposal. Mr. Litt requested that Houston Community
College/Human Resources Department keep employees informed about the program
through presentations or newsletters. Dr. Leslie explained the Compensation process
and the proposed solution for future years. He also responded to questions from the
Board.
Motion carried 7-0.
Ms. Navarro Flores recognized and thanked J.P. Morgan and George Rodriguez,
HCC Financial Advisor, for the outstanding work performed on behalf of the HCC
Bonds.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Murphy adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:05 p.m., notice
having previously been given, and reiterated by him in accordance with Sections
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 6:40 p.m.
and entertained motions on pending matters.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion — Mr. Litt moved for approval of the consent agenda. Ms. Navarro Flores
seconded the motion, which carried 6-0. The following recommendations were
approved by consent:
Academic
Approved the Houston Community College plan to implement the Texas Success
Initiative (TSI);
Ratified and approved the agreement between American Bankers Association
(ABA) and Houston Community College System to commence September 1,
2003 through August 31, 2004; and
Other
Approved order of Canvass Trustee runoff election for geographic District III,
Houston Community College System.
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Regular Board Meeting – December 11, 2003 - Page 5
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED AS AMENDED
Motion — Dr. Williams moved for approval of the Personnel Agenda with the exception
of the proposed termination of employment for Rossana Sizemore. Mr. Litt seconded
the motion; which carried 6-0 (Trustee Garcia had left the meeting).
CHANCELLOR’S CONTRACT APPROVED
Motion — Mr. Litt moved for approval of the Chancellor’s new contract on the terms
discussed in closed session, subject to final revisions to the contract by his attorneys,
and granting the Chairman authority to execute the contract. Dr. Williams seconded the
motion, which carried 6-0.
Dr. Williams expressed the Board’s contentment with the Chancellor’s leadership and is
pleased with the direction he is leading Houston Community College. Ms. Navarro
Flores pointed out the professionalism and excellent manner in which the Chancellor
has conducted business with the Board and expressed she is looking forward to
working with him in the future.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
The Board will meet for a Special/Swearing-In Ceremony Meeting, January 8, 2004 at
3:00 p.m., which will be held in the Auditorium at the System Administration Building,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
6:45 p.m.
DINNER
Following adjournment, the Board of Trustees met for dinner in the Chancellor’s
Conference Room on the 12th floor, where they may discuss System business but do
not take action on such business.
Minutes Prepared by:
Reviewed and Submitted by:
Erica Carmen DelValle, Secretary
Board Services
Christopher W. Oliver, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved:
January 22, 2004
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