MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
October 19, 2006
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, October 19, 2006, at the System Administration Building, Seminar Room
A, Second Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Jay K. Aiyer – Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores – Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
Abel Davila
James Murphy
Christopher Oliver
Richard M. Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Norman Nielsen, Interim Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Hebert for Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Winston Dahse, Interim President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Julian Fisher for Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College
Carole Keeney Harrington, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
William Mack, Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities and Construction
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Mike Kyme, Executive Director, Procurement
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
David Ross, President, Faculty Senate
Dwight Boykins, Consultant, dBoykins
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
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Committee of the Whole – October 19, 2006 – Page 2
Mr. Jay Aiyer, Board Chair called the meeting to order at 6:56 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.
Motion – Mr. Oliver motioned and Mr. Austin seconded to move the following items to the
consent agenda. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
•
B.3 – DISCUSS AND APPROVE RECLASSIFICATION OF SURPLUS
PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATION TO SOLICIT BIDS ON
POTENTIAL SURPLUS PROPERTY
•
B.4 - APPROVE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM INVESTMENT
POLICY
•
B.5 – APPROVE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
2006
•
B.6 – APPROVE DEPOSITORY BANK SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE
ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS (PROJECT #06-35)
•
B.9 - APRPOVE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS SERVICES (PROJECT #06-07)
•
B.11 – APPROVE PAYMENT TO BRACEWELL AND GIULIANI FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER 2006
FINANCE
A.1 - REVIEW 2004 CIP AND OTHER PROJECTS PROGRESS REPORT
Review of the report was tabled
B.2 – APPROVE TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
OF POTENTIAL LONG-TERM LEASE OF SPACE
Motion – Mrs. Flores moved approval and Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Dr. Nielsen informed the Board that space in The Medical Center (TMC) is very limited and
noted that approval of this item would allow Administration to discuss leasing options. He noted
that no commitments would be made without the Board approval.
Mr. Murphy suggested that the Board is provided information that would depict if there is a need
to lease space in the medical center by the Board meeting scheduled for October 26, 2006.
Mr. Austin inquired whether there has been discussion with Harris County who own property in
the medical center. He also inquired as to the number floors that can be added to the current
HCC building located in the medical center.
Mrs. Walker apprised that previous discussion initially had TMC property aligned with the CIP;
however, such properties could not be included in the CIP. Mrs. Walker informed that Dr.
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Committee of the Whole – October 19, 2006 – Page 3
Wainerdi approached HCC on the space availability and she noted that an analysis needs to be
conducted to determine if expansion is possible in the current building.
Mr. Davila recommended that a cost analysis is completed. He further stated that availability is
reviewed at the Southeast, Central, and Willie Lee Gay Hall campuses. Mr. Austin stated that he
agrees with Mr. Davila and noted that his request is that a review is conducted that would include
expanding the health care programs at all HCC campuses.
Mrs. Flores recommended that current facilities should be utilized.
Dr. Stoll informed that the expansion of the health care programs is definitely part of the
strategic initiative and noted that additional space will have to be identified.
The item was pulled. The Board requested that administration provide information on the vision
for the health care programs and that a cost analysis is completed.
B.7 - APPROVE LANDSCAPING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES
(PROJECT #06-34)
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mrs. Flores seconded the approval.
Dr. Nielsen informed that one of the vendors on the list performance was unsatisfactory. Mr.
Kyme informed that mowing services was also included in the scope of work.
Vote - The motion passed with a vote of 6-1-1 with Mr. Oliver opposing and Mrs. Flores
abstaining.
B.8 - APPROVE TRACTOR TRAILERS WITH SLEEPER CABS SERVICES
(PROJECT #06-27)
Motion – Mr. Schechter motioned and Mr. Oliver seconded to approve.
Mr. Schechter requested for clarification as to why the sleeper cabs were needed. Mike Kyme
informed that students are trained on driving these types of cabs.
Vote - The motion passed with a vote of passed 6-1-1 with Mr. Oliver opposing and Mrs.
Guzman abstaining.
B.10 - APPROVE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETIVE AND C.A.R.T. SERVICES
(PROJECT #06-13)
Motion – Mr. Murphy motioned and Mr. Oliver seconded to approve.
Mr. Murphy requested a comparison from other institutions as to their cost per student, and
whether they spend $40,000 per student. He also recommended reviewing ways to economize
the cost for the services.
Mrs. Walker informed that a committee was developed and a survey was conducted as to what is
reasonable accommodation according to statues and what other institutions are doing as it relates
to the issue. Mrs. Walker further informed that there are limited resources for providing the
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Committee of the Whole – October 19, 2006 – Page 4
services to the students and noted that there are only approximately four companies in the City of
Houston providing the type of services needed.
Ms. Donna Price informed that there are currently fifty-two students enrolled of which 36 use
sign language interpreters and the remainder use CART services. She noted that the law
specifies that the student preferred method of communication must be provided by the
institution. She noted that although CART is a more expensive system, it would serve the
college needs the best.
The Board inquired whether partnering with other institutions is possible. Ms. Price informed
that the college is currently partnering with other community colleges.
(Mr. Murphy left at 7:30 p.m.)
Vote - The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
B.12 - DISCUSS POTENTIAL SAVINGS TO STUDENTS FOR PURCHASE OF BOOKS
AND SUPPLIES
Dr. Nielsen informed the Board that the item will be discussed at the next Committee of the
Whole meeting. He also noted that Dr. Cook is preparing a report on the issue.
Mr. Schechter noted that he attended a program on the usage of on-line resources while attending
the ACCT conference and presented information from other colleges that have implemented the
program.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Remmele Young informed that the legislative agenda is in the development states and noted that
the legislative agenda was discussed with Board members from other state institutions at the
ACCT Congress in Orlando, FL.
Mr. Davila recognized Dr. Eason and Board Services Staff on receiving the Western Regional
Award for Professional Board Services Staff at the ACCT Conference in Orlando, FL.
Dr. Nielsen introduced William Carter, the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further actions coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed, & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: