REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 26, 2004
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a
Regular Meeting on Thursday, August 26, 2004, at the System Administration
Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Herman Litt, Chairman
Michael P. Williams, D. Min., Vice Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Secretary
Diane Olmos Guzmán, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Bruce A. Austin
Abel Davila
James R. Murphy
Christopher W. Oliver
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Interim Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Diana Castillo, Interim President, Southeast College
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Forde, President, Northeast College
Gilda McFail for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Patricia Williamson, Interim President, Central College
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Willie Williams, Jr., Interim Executive Director, Human Resources
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Patterson
Butch Herod, President, Faculty Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Litt called the meeting to order at 3:35 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.
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 2
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ms. Olmos Guzman led the prayer and pledge of allegiance.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Grant Projects - Dr. Cook reported that HCCS will host national work groups and
pilot college representatives set to launch the inaugural version of CollegeStepz,
the website for the National Articulation and Transfer Network (NATN). This
project is funded by the U. S. Congress, FIPSE and the Lumina Foundation to
assist students of color, especially in urban high schools and community
colleges, to achieve success in terms of graduation, transfer and completion of
the baccalaureate degree. HCCS will host about 100 representatives from Gulf
Coast school districts, colleges and universities on September 17, 2004.
He also discussed the “Achieving the Dream” grant project, which addresses a
national imperative to improve graduation, transfer and success rates among
low-income students and students of color. Achieving the Dream is also funded
by the Lumina Foundation and coordinated by the American Association of
Community Colleges. HCCS is one of 27 community colleges selected
nationwide for participation in this project. The HCCS “coach” for this project is
Dr. Bryon McClenney, professor in the Community College Leadership Program
at the University of Texas-Austin
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Oliver made a motion to consider the consent agenda, with the
exception of items withdrawn or set aside for further discussion. Mr. Aiyer
seconded the motion. Motion carried 9-0.
The following items were approved by consent:
•
Approved the proposed fiscal year 2004-2005 budget for Current
Restricted Funds (Operating);
•
Authorized the Chancellor to execute the Ft. Bend County/HCCS Library
cost sharing/joint use agreement. This agreement includes the
conveyance of 4.5 acres of land that the Board agreed to provide for the
construction of the library and parking lots in exchange for joint operating
use of the library;
•
Approved the renewal of risk management insurance, including all lines of
coverage for the fiscal year 2004-2005;
•
Approved Lee Office Solutions and Challenge Office Products to provide
office supplies to HCCS;
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 3
•
Approved payment to Bracewell & Patterson for professional services
rendered for the period June 16 through June 30, 3004, in the amount of
$55,735.08;
•
Approved the Investment Report for the month of July 2004;
•
Authorized the Chancellor to negotiate and approve a Partnership
Agreement with the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) for the fiscal
year 2005; and
•
Approved a Memo of Understanding (MOA) with Texas Southern
University (TSU) for a joint admissions program.
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR CURRENT UNRESTRICTED FUNDS APPROVED
Dr. Leslie presented a balanced budget of $201.8 million for fiscal year 20042005. Ms. Walker responded to questions posed by Mr. Aiyer on the increase in
the proposed budget over the prior year and expected performance outcomes.
Dr. Leslie explained that targets, baseline data and strategies were developed to
address enrollment and retention growth. The overall enrollment target is 5%,
although that figure varies depending upon the program area. Each college
developed its own strategy to address their particular needs and opportunities.
He anticipated that 12th day enrollment figures would reach or surpass 5%
growth over last year.
Administration reduced the goal of Continuing Education by $2.5 million,
recognizing that further work is needed in that area. Over the past year
Continuing Education has undergone a reorganization, which will impact
workforce programs.
Dr. Williams referred to the correlation between investments made in marketing
and public relations and resulting enrollment increases and asked that an
analysis be undertaken to determine which strategies were most successful. Ms.
Olmos Guzman felt that quarterly budget workshops would be beneficial.
Motion carried 9-0.
FORMAL SIGNING OF JOINT ADMISSIONS AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Patricia Slade, President of Texas Southern University, was present for the
formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the joint admissions
program between HCCS and TSU, which the Board approved earlier in the
meeting. Dr. Slade introduced other TSU administrators including Dr. Charlene
Evans, Executive Vice President; Dr. Gayla Thomas, Senior Vice President for
Enrollment Management and Planning; Erica Valle, Special Assistant; Elizabeth
Brock, Director of External Affairs; and Regent Robert Childress. She
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 4
acknowledged HCCS Trustees Austin, Davila, Navarro Flores and Oliver who are
Texas Southern alumnae.
CONTRACT FOR WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES AWARDED TO ABM
JANITORIAL SERVICES
Motion – Mr. Oliver made a motion to approve a contract with ABM Janitorial
Services to provide window cleaning services to HCCS in the amount of
$169,734. Ms. Navarro Flores seconded the motion.
Mr. Oliver initiated discussion on expanding opportunities for participation to
small businesses and considering other methods of bidding. Ms. Walker
explained that the window cleaning services contract was expanded to properly
maintain facilities; however, other bidding methods could be used. Mr. Litt
referred the matter to the Facilities Committee for further study and asked the
Chancellor to have the consultants reviewing procurement procedures to review
the matter.
Michael Kyme, Executive Director of Purchasing, explained the various activities
intended to educate the community on how to do business with HCCS, how to
get contracts and how to move from subcontractor status to prime. Mr. Austin
asked him to provide the Board with a report on all education activities for small
and disadvantaged business owners. Mr. Villarreal also reported on activities of
the Small Business Program.
Mr. Austin distributed a policy proposal on HCC-Northeast College Education
and Economic Readiness, which included among other strategies, implementing
centers for excellence at each of the colleges. He felt this approach could be
utilized to expand educational outreach opportunities to the community.
Mr. Litt directed that Mr. Austin’s proposal be placed on the agenda for
discussion at the next meeting of the Committee of the Whole.
Motion carried 8-0. (Mr. Aiyer was away from the table)
FORMAL SIGNING OF AGREMENT WITH INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS (IEC)
Dr. Williamson introduced Bob Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Independent
Electrical Contractors; Chris Bean, IEC General Counsel; and Jerry Bowerman,
HCCS Director of Apprenticeship Programs, who were present for the formal
signing of a partnership agreement between the IEC and HCCS to offer
apprenticeship programs for 2005. According to Dr. Williamson, the signing of
this agreement marked the commitment to move toward offering an Associate
Degree for apprenticeship programs.
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 5
CONSIDERATION OF WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Motion – Mr. Murphy made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to negotiate a
contract with Vignette Inc. to provide and install a website content management
system. Dr. Williams seconded the motion.
Claudine Illg, Director of Print and Electronic Production, explained that the
purchase of a web content management system would complete the second
phase of the web redesign project. The vendor has given a 30-day timeline to
complete this portion of the project. An RFP will be issued in Phase 3 and will
include milestones. The motion and second were withdrawn.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Litt adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 4:45 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 6:45 p.m. and entertained motions on pending matters.
Present were Trustee Litt, Aiyer, Austin, Murphy, Olmos Guzman, and Williams.
APPROVAL OF METHOD TO FINANCE TRAINING FACILITIES, WESTGATE
ATRIUM AND ALLIED HEALTH FACILITY
Motion – Mr. Murphy made a motion to approve the creation of the Public Facility
Corporation as the best method to finance the Public Safety Institute facilities,
Westgate Atrium and the future Allied Health facility. Mr. Aiyer seconded the
motion, which carried 6-0.
CONSIDERATION OF WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Motion – Mr. Aiyer made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to contract with
Vignette Inc. to provide and install a website content management system. Mr.
Murphy seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF EFFECTIVE AND ROLLBACK TAX RATES
Motion – Mr. Murphy made a motion to approve the calculation of the effective
and rollback tax rates, establish the debt service tax rate for fiscal year 20042005 and announce September 16, 2004 or the next scheduled meeting of the
Committee of the Whole as the date to adopt the proposed tax rate if needed.
Dr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF TUITION AND FEE EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS
Motion – Mr. Murphy moved approval of student tuition and fee exemptions and
waivers for fiscal year 2004-2005 at a proposed cost of $2.7 million. Dr. Williams
seconded the motion.
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 6
Mr. Murphy requested a model of real costs in order for the Board to decide to
either recover those costs or subsidize them. He recommended holding further
discussion on whether the college or the state should subsidize students. Motion
carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER SECURITY, MAINTENANCE AND
WAYFINDING ASSESSMENTS
Motion – Dr. Williams made a motion to approve Texas Medical Center annual
assessment fees for fiscal year 2004-2005 as follows: Security Assessment $6,690.00; Maintenance Assessment - $13,749.00; and Wayfinding Assessment$28,910.00, for a total cost of $49,349.00. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6-0.
DISCUSSION REGARDING OUTSOURCING AND ASSESSING PARKING
FEES FOR HCCS FACULTY AND STAFF
Dr. Leslie sought clarification from the Board regarding the outsourcing and
assessment of parking fees and whether they wished to solicit proposals for
outsourcing parking at all HCC locations or only for 3100 Main. HCCS has hired
Walker Parking Consultants to examine the structure and operations at 3100
Main and evaluate parking at all other HCC locations. They will also compare
best practices at other similar size institutions and provide recommendations on
the feasibility and scope for outsourcing parking. The recommendations should
be finalized in September 2004.
The Board reached consensus that following the completion of the study,
administration is to return with a recommendation for outsourcing and assessing
parking fees, along with a timeline for implementation.
APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARD OPERATIONS
COMMITTEE
Motion – Ms. Olmos Guzman made a motion to approve the Committee of the
Whole as a method conducting committee work by the Board, ratify prior
committee work accomplished through the Committee of the Whole, and
authorize the Board Operations Committee to prepare revisions to Section 6 of
the Board Bylaws for discussion and/or approval.
Motion carried 5-0. Voting in support were Trustees Litt, Aiyer, Murphy, Olmos
Guzman and Williams. Mr. Austin abstained.
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED AS AMENDED
Motion – Mr. Aiyer moved approval of the Personnel Agenda with the exception
of the termination of an employee who has filed an internal appeal, with that
recommendation for termination to be pulled from the agenda. Mr. Murphy
seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
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Regular Board Meeting – August 26, 2004 – Page 7
MINUTES APPROVED AS SUBMITTED
Motion – Dr. Williams moved approval of the minutes as submitted for the
Special Meeting of July 14, 2004; Meeting of the Committee of the Whole of July
14, 2004; Board Operations Committee Meeting of July 21, 2004;
Legal/Legislative Committee Meeting of July 21, 2004; Special Meeting of July
22, 2004; Regular Meeting of July 22, 2004; and the Board Operations
Committee Meeting of August 12, 2004. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion, which
carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 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 will not take action on such business.
Reviewed and Submitted by:
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
September 30, 2004
Reliable Transcription Services
August 28, 2004