REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
May 24, 2007
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at the System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100
Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Christopher Oliver, Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chairman
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Mills Worsham, Deputy Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Abel Davila
Richard M. Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor for Instruction
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration
Winston Dahse, Interim President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College of Health Science
Kelley Zuniga, Executive Director, HCC Foundation
Mike Kyme, Executive Director, Purchasing and Procurement
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
OTHERS PRESENT
Philip Fraissinet, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Dwight Boykins, Federal Consultant, dBoykins
Linda Koffel, President Elect, Faculty Association
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
Houston Community College System
Regular Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Oliver, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:26 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. Davila led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from the Annexation Committee Meeting of April 17, 2007, Committee of
the Whole Meeting of April 19, 2007, and Regular Board Meeting of April 26, 2007.
Motion – Mrs. Flores moved approval of the minutes as presented. Mr. Worsham seconded the
motion. The motion carried 6-0.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Mr. Oliver gave preface to the Hearing of Citizens and asked if there were any registered
speakers to come forward. There were no Citizens sign up to speak before the Board.
(Trustee Diane Olmos Guzman arrived at 4:28 p.m.)
AWARDS, PRESENTATION, AND RECOGNITION
A. Houston Community College Board of Trustees presented a resolution to the Honorable
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. in recognition of his Texas Governor for a Day.
B. Gigi Do provided a presentation in recognition of Asian Heritage month celebration and
provided a summary of events held throughout the month.
C. Mr. Paul Meza with the Second Ward Resident’s Organization provided comments and
expressions of appreciation as it relates to the Drennan Project.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Oliver informed that Trustee Flores would provide a report on behalf of Communications
Committee.
Mrs. Flores apprised that the General Communications guidelines have been implemented. She
also noted that the Board Services staff will be spearheading an update to the Board’s website
which will include district and demographic information, HCC resources, as well as links to
other community resources.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Dr. Spangler provided the following report:
•
Board Retreat
Dr. Spangler expressed appreciation to the Board who attended the Board Retreat held on
May 18-19, 2007 in an effort to identify goals for the next three years.
Houston Community College System
Regular Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 3
•
HCC 2007 Graduation Ceremony was held on May 12, 2007
•
Upward Bound Grant
•
Aramark Services, Inc. presented $20,000 to HCC Foundation in support of the student
scholars for the upcoming year
•
Southeast College Early College Program
•
Financial Report for the period ending April 2007
Mrs. Walker entertained questions from the Board on the Financial Statement.
Mr. Schechter asked for clarification on the designated fund balance, the origin of the
funds for the fund balance, and the how much was spent from the fund balance on debt
payment. Mrs. Walker apprised that the debt payment for the maintenance tax note was
$312, 000. She noted that the Board approved a policy to stability the District’s finances
by setting aside funds from the year-end surplus for the fund balance.
Mr. Schechter asked what happened over the last thirty days that would cause the
projected operating expenses to increase by $5 million. Mrs. Walker apprised that
monthly projections are determined in review of what transpired based on the previous
year trend.
Mrs. Walker apprised that changes were made to the financial statement in order to make
the report easier to read. She also noted that a grant and contract report has been added to
the statement that shows the awards received and the expenses utilizing those funds.
Mr. Schechter informed that he is asking a question on behalf of Mr. Aiyer as it relates to
the proposed item of matching the City of Houston’s Payer Play Healthcare program.
Mr. Austin inquired whether the request was to conduct an analysis. Mr. Schechter noted
that the request was for a review and the Board adoption of the item as a policy if it is
realistic.
Mr. Davila mentioned that administration should analyze the cost that may be associated
with the policy and present to the Finance Committee for review.
Mr. Schechter posed a question relating the pending immigration bill and noted that there
are a lot of students in the college who are not documented citizens; however, they are
able to attend college as state residents due to the State of Texas and Senator Noriega. He
noted that numerous students who graduate through HCC are unable to get employment
in the State of Texas because they are undocumented.
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Regular Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 4
Mr. Schechter asked administration to consult with the federal legislative consultants on
approaching local legislators about possibly creating an alternative pathway to
citizenship.
Mrs. Guzman informed that she has asked the Government Relations office to track the
Dream Act and noted that a possible resolution could be drafted on the item. Mr. Oliver
mentioned that the Community Outreach Committee might need to review the issue.
Mr. Davila expressed appreciation to Mr. Schechter for surfacing the item and noted that
there are many students who receive their four year degrees but because they are
undocumented, they are unable to obtain employment in their field of study. He posed
the possibility of drafting a resolution supporting the effort.
Mr. Schechter noted that the issue is time sensitive.
Dr. Spangler apprised that administration is tracking the bill and apprised that
administration will review possible means available given the time constraint
circumstances.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Mr. Worsham moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Davila seconded the
approval. The motion passed with a vote of 7-0.
•
Approve Long-term Lease of Land for Construction of East Early College High School
on Drennan Property
•
Approve Wide Area Network (WAN) Upgrade Services (Project #07-03)
•
Approve Investment Report for the Month of April 2007
•
Approve Settlement Agreement in Sam v. HCCS, et.al, Civil Action No H-064095, in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Houston Division
TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION
Mrs. Flores moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded to approve the items. The motion passed with a
vote of 7-0.
•
Approve Payment to Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for Professional Services (April 2007)
•
Discuss and/or Approve Personnel Agenda for May 2007
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Oliver adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:23 p.m., notice having previously
been given and reiterated in accordance with Sections 551.071, 551.072, and/or 551.074 of the
Open Meetings Law. Mr. Oliver 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.
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Regular Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 5
Mr. Oliver reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 5:54 p.m. and entertained motions on
pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Flores, Guzman, Oliver, and Schechter)
Motion – Mrs. Guzman moved to approve the contract for real property as recommended in
closed session and authorize the Chancellor to execute all necessary documents. Mrs. Flores
seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 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.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted: