REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
May 26, 2005
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular
Meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at the System Administration Building, Second
Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Michael P. Williams, D.Min., Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chairman
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Abel Davila
James R. Murphy
Herman Litt
Christopher W. Oliver
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Irene Porcarello, Interim Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Joanne Lin for Dr. Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Willie Williams, Interim Director, Human Resources
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Rosie Barrera, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, Bracewell & Giuliani
Jorge Rodriguez, Financial Advisor, Dain Rauscher
Mike Edwards, President, Faculty Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 2:48 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
Dr. Williams asked for a moment of silence in memory of HCC student Alan William
Thielmeyer, whose life was taken in a violent crime. He then led the audience in the
prayer and pledge of allegiance.
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
Gold Award of Excellence - The Chancellor recognized Irene Porcarello who announced
that HCC recently received a Gold Award of Excellence from the American Association
of Webmasters for the online student services web site. Funding for the project was
provided by The Houston Endowment. Millicent Landry, Project Director, designed the
website to assist prospective and current students in accessing information by e-mail.
Mr. Davila asked how this service could become a permanent part of operations. Ms.
Porcarello replied that funding would end in July, so a funding plan would be developed
for the next fiscal year.
March of Dimes Campaign – Sheila Briones announced that HCC raised over $30,000
for this years March of Dimes Walk America event. Approximately 275 HCC employees
and their families participated in the walk, which took place on May 1. She expressed
gratitude to Co-Captain Alex Warren and the College team captains for their
outstanding work. Central College received a trophy for raising the most money of all
the colleges. President Harmon and Team Leader Judy Brown accepted the trophy.
Richard Jennings, Executive Director of the March of Dimes, voiced his appreciation of
the support shown by HCC. He recognized Toni Thompson, Associate Director of Walk
America Houston, who was seated in the audience. On a personal note, he added that
he supported annexation of Spring Branch and Katy into the HCC system and was
actively promoting this initiative with his community.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Financial Report – Gloria Walker presented the report for the month ending April 30,
2005. A balanced budget of $197.1 million is anticipated. Tuition and fee revenues are
projected to be less than budget, due to lower enrollment for the spring and summer.
CTCE is projected at $6.1 million, or 1.8 million below budget. This will be offset by an
increase in local income of about $1.million. Overall, expenditures are lower than last
year. The Coordinating Board has confirmed HCC will receive $1.4 million for campus
growth.
SPECIAL WORKSHOP ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Motion – Mr. Litt made a motion to hold a special workshop on recruitment and retention
to discuss strategies, solutions and best practices of other institutions. The workshop
will be scheduled at a time when a majority of Board Members can be present.
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 3
Administration will provide appropriate staffing for the workshop. Ms. Olmos Guzman
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
Mr. Aiyer distributed an article from Time Magazine concerning the Honors College and
asked the Chancellor to advise the Board if this concept could be implemented at HCC.
(Mr. Oliver arrived at 3:30 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Motion – Mr. Aiyer moved approval of the minutes from the Board Governance and
Operations Committee of April 21, 2005, the meeting of the Committee of the Whole of
April 21, 2005, and the Regular Board Meeting of April 28, 2005. Mr. Austin seconded
the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Litt moved approval of the Consent Agenda as recommended by the
Committee of the Whole on May 19, 2005. Mr. Austin seconded the motion.
Mr. Aiyer wanted to know if it were necessary to use the RFP process for soliciting
delinquent tax collection services, when so few firms are capable of providing these
services. Mr. Litt asked why the Trustees were not involved in the decision to utilize the
RFP process. Ms. Walker explained that the RFP was meant to promote competition
between the two major firms, one of which had been excluded when HCC decided to
utilize one collection firm for Stafford and the HISD service area.
Ms. Olmos Guzman pointed out that Item B.2 of the consent agenda should read,
“Approve Committee Structure.” It was agreed that the Board received a report on the
committee structure in the Committee of the Whole and had recommended that the item
be placed on the consent agenda for approval. Mr. Murphy added that some areas of
the bylaws on committee structure were to be discussed further in committee. The
Chancellor advised that Mr. Hollingsworth was in the process of reviewing those issues.
The consent agenda was approved 8-0 and included approval of the following:
1. MOU with Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey;
2. Bylaws for Board Committee Structure;
3. Chancellor and administration authorized to negotiate the purchase of the
Drennan Street property from the City of Houston;
4. Resolution providing for the imposition of an additional penalty on delinquent
taxes, Section 33.07 of the Texas Property Tax Code;
5. Resolution providing for the imposition of an additional penalty on delinquent
taxes, Section 33.08 of the Texas Property Tax Code;
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 4
6. Waiver of penalty and interest based on Section 33.011 of the State Property Tax
Code; and
7. Computer Comforts, Inc. selected as vendor for the purchase of furniture for the
HCC/HISD Early Challenge College located at HCC-Southwest West Loop
Campus.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Williams adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 3:47 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.
(Ms. Navarro Flores arrived at 3:48 p.m.)
Dr. Williams reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 5:31 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
Present were Trustees Williams, Aiyer, Austin, Litt, Murphy, Oliver and Olmos Guzman.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
RESOLUTION FOR LEASE TRANSACTION APPROVED
Motion – Mr. Oliver made a motion to approve a Resolution for a lease with the HCC
Public Facility Corporation, to approve issuance of bonds by the Corporation, and to
approve related documents for the Westgate Campus. Mr. Austin seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6-0 (Trustee Murphy was not present for the vote).
PAYMENT APPROVED FOR BRACEWELL & GIULIANI
Motion – Mr. Litt moved approval of payment to Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for
professional services rendered for the period April 1 through April 30, 2005. Mr. Aiyer
seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Mr. Murphy was not present for the vote).
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT REPORTS
Motion – Mr. Litt moved approval of the Investment Reports for the Months of March
and April 2005. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Mr. Murphy was
not present for the vote).
CONTRACT APPROVED FOR COLLECTION SERVICES
Motion – Mr. Austin made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to negotiate a contract
with Lam, Lyn, Robinson and Phil to provide collection services on delinquent student
receivable accounts. Mr. Aiyer seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Mr. Murphy posed questions about the selection of the preferred vendor. Ms. Walker
explained that a large firm was engaged in 2001 and was not as successful as had
been anticipated. Additionally, the amount of delinquent receivables is relatively small
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 5
by industry standards. HCC would like the opportunity to promote the growth of small
businesses by working with the recommended firm to bring it to major vendor status.
Additionally, this vendor is requesting a 17% collection fee, which is less than the
average requested by the larger firms.
Motion carried 5-2, with Trustees Williams, Aiyer, Austin, Oliver and Olmos Guzman
voting in support, and Trustees Litt and Murphy opposed.
APPROVAL OF ORACLE PORTAL PROJECT
Motion – Mr. Oliver made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to negotiate and approve
a contract with Oracle for $100,000 to enhance the functionality of the Oracle Portal in
support of the Chancellor’s Strategic Transformation Process Project. Mr. Aiyer
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
APPROVAL OF MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING SERVICES
Motion – Ms. Olmos Guzman made a motion that the Board hear presentations from the
top three vendors in order to make a sound decision. The motion died for lack of a
second.
Motion – Mr. Austin made a motion to accept the recommendation made by
administration and authorize the Chancellor to negotiate a contract with Aramark for
maintenance engineering services. Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6-0. Voting in favor were Trustees Williams, Aiyer, Austin, Litt, Murphy,
and Oliver; Trustee Olmos Guzman abstained.
Trustees Austin and Oliver asked if current staff would be retained for purposes of
quality assurance. Ms. Walker affirmed that they are attempting to do that and have
quality assurance people who can measure the performance of the outsourced firm.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Williams acknowledged Arturo Michel, City Attorney, who was present in the
audience.
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO URBAN REDEVELOPMENT INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT
Dr. Leslie explained that adoption of the amendment would allow the Land Assemblage
Redevelopment Authority (LARA) to add approximately 1,478 properties to the existing
LARA agreement. These are vacant, tax delinquent properties, which would be
developed as affordable housing.
Motion – Mr. Litt made a motion to adopt an amendment to the Urban Redevelopment
Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Aiyer seconded the motion.
Trustees Austin and Williams stated they had received assurance from the Mayor’s
Office that the affected communities would be represented and the culture and
continuity kept intact.
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 6
Motion carried 7-0.
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved approval of the Personnel Agenda as presented. Mr. Litt
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Julie Gilbert gave the following update on legislation:
ß
SB 929, relating to adding Missouri City to HCC service area, passed both
houses and is on the Governor’s desk.
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HB 776, relating to the Wharton County Junior College District service area,
passed both houses and is on the way to the Governor. This bill places the City
of Sugar Land in Wharton’s service area.
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HB 2221, relating to extending the boundaries of a junior college district to
include territory in the district’s service area, passed the Senate after a substitute
was adopted removing the language of Rep. Callegari’s bill, and leaving only the
Del Mar provision. Senator Armbrister spoke against the HCC provisions and
Senator Ellis took his amendment out.
ß
SB 1778, relating to reporting requirements by officers of junior college districts,
passed the Senate with two floor amendments, but later died in the House.
Senator Van de Putte offered Floor Amendment 4, which would have added the
“resigned to run”, and “no transfer of political funds” provisions; however, it was
later withdrawn. Therefore, it was not adopted.
ß
SB 532, relating to tuition flexibility, passed the House and is awaiting Senate
decision. She does not anticipate a Conference Committee on that bill.
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Total appropriations for HCC - $61.2 million for FY 2006 and $61.2 million for FY
2007, for a total of $122.4 million for the biennium.
REPORT ON VALUES/ETHICS COMMITTEE
Dr. Leslie reported that Mr. Aiyer, Committee Chair, appointed Diane Olmos Guzman as
a member. The next meeting will take place on June 21, 2005. A number of faculty
members and administrators are serving on this committee. Two sub-committees were
appointed: one to review literature regarding values and another to review legal, policy
and oversight bodies such as SACS and the Coordinating Board. Reports will be given
at the next meeting. The primary focus at this stage is to look at a set of values that
would define the culture at HCC and to consider ethics issues to supplement the policy
approved by the Board of Trustees. It was agreed to add students to the committee and
Irene Porcarello was asked to invite members of the Student Government to serve.
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Regular Board Meeting – May 26, 2005 – Page 7
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
Motion – Mr. Austin moved approval of a Memorandum of Commitment between HCC
and HISD, explaining the broad purposes of the Early College High School (ECHS) to
be located at HCC-Southeast College. It was also recommended that the Board of
Trustees approve a Memorandum of Understanding between HCC and the Texas
Community College Education Initiative (TCCEI), the intermediary for Texas community
colleges to obtain grant funding from the Gates and Dell Foundations for the creation
and operation of the Early College High School. Motion was seconded by Mr. Litt.
Dr. Cook indicated that the MOC must be signed by June 9, 2005 in order to receive
funding. Mr. Austin felt the recommendation needed more emphasis on creating an
intellectual model in conjunction with HISD. Dr. Williams referred the issue to the Joint
Meeting of the HCC/HISD Boards on June 20, 2005.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
MEETING RECONVENED
The meeting was reconvened at 6:03 p.m., with Trustees Willliams, Aiyer, Austin, Litt,
Oliver, and Olmos Guzman present.
APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF COMMITMENT WITH HISD
The Memorandum of Commitment for the Early College High School (ECHS) was
approved 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by:
Linda Gray, Board Services
Reviewed and Submitted by:
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Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
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