REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
January 24, 2008
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium,
3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Chairman
Bruce A. Austin, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Mills Worsham, Deputy Secretary
Christopher Oliver
Neeta Sane
Richard M. Schechter
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
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
Maya Durnovo for Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Marsal Stoll, President, Coleman College of Health Science
Willie Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Dan Seymour, Associate Vice Chancellor, CTCE
Dan Arguijo, Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications
Mike Kyme, Executive Director, Purchasing and Procurement
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Linda Koffel, President, Faculty Senate Association
Dwight Boykins, Consultant, dBoykins
Sherry Howell, President, COPA
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Flores, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:02 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. Michael P. Williams led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from the Special Meeting of November 1, 2007, Special Meeting of
November 8, 2007, Chancellor’s Evaluation Committee Meeting of November
Motion – Dr. Williams moved approval of the minutes as presented. Mr. Worsham seconded the
motion. The motion carried 8-0.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mrs. Flores provided the following reports:
•
Expressed congratulations to newly elected Trustee Neeta Sane, District VII and returning
Trustees Yolanda Navarro Flores, District I, Bruce Austin, District II, and Mills
Worsham, District VI
•
Announced the upcoming Board Retreat scheduled for January 26, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at
the InterContinental Hotel (Chairman’s Room), 2222 West Loop South. Dr. Cindra J.
Smith, author of Trusteeship in Community Colleges will be the facilitator.
•
Announce that Trustees Bruce Austin and Neeta Sane attended the “Building Businesses
Through Entrepreneurship” conference sponsored by the National Association of
Community Colleges Entrepreneurship held January 6-9, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas.
Trustees Austin and Sane provided an overview of the conference and opportunities
available for HCC.
•
Expressed gratitude to the general public and HCC Family who attended the Board
reception to express appreciation to Trustee Christopher Oliver, past Board Chair, for his
outstanding work as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for 2007.
Mr. Oliver expressed appreciation to the Board Services staff for their efforts in assisting
him during his term as Board Chair.
Dr. Williams asked the Board Executive Team for 2008. Mrs. Flores announced the Board
Officers for 2008 as follows: Yolanda Navarro Flores, Chair; Bruce Austin, Vice Chair; Diane
Olmos Guzman, Secretary; Mills Worsham, Deputy Secretary
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Dr. Spangler’s report consists of the following:
•
The Strategic Plan 2008-2011 was introduced to the community as planned.
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 3
•
Kudos to the Communications department under the leadership of Dan Arguijo, Associate
Vice Chancellor for Communications for the successfully launching of marketing
campaign
•
Commended Winston Dashe, Interim President, Southwest College for successfully
opening the Alief Campus at Hayes Road for Spring 2008
•
Thanks to Kelly Zuniga, Executive Director and the Foundation Board for the successful
Passport to the Future, HCC Foundation bi-annual gala. The event raised $470,000 for
scholarships.
•
Acknowledge Dr. Michael Edwards, Dean for Central College, who has been named
ACE Fellow finalist for 2009
•
Application to register the college logo for trademark has been accepted and should
receive final word process completion in approximately six months
•
Kudos to Bill Carter, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and his IT team and
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor for Student Success along with her Student Services
team for working collaboratively in delivering outstanding news for students and
enrollment; ninety-nine percents of students choosing Cashnet were able to meet the 40
percent payment requirement in order to remain registered in classes without being
purged
•
Announced that there were 886,000 to the new website
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion – Dr. Williams moved approval on the consent agenda. Mr. Oliver seconded. The
motion passed with a vote of 8-0 to approve the consent agenda with the exception of items A.2,
A.4, A.6, and A.7. The following items were approved:
1. Approve Digital Microscope and related Equipment (Project #08-04)
2. Approve Investment Report for the Month of November 2007
3. Approve PeopleSoft V9.0 Student Administration System Upgrade Project
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Mrs. Flores gave preface to the Hearing of Citizens and asked if there were any registered
speakers to come forward. There was one person signed up to speaker before the Board. The
individual has requested to speak in Closed Session.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mrs. Flores adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:24 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. Mrs. Flores stated that any final action, vote or decision on any item
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 4
discussed in Executive Session would be taken up in Open Session or in a subsequent Public
Meeting.
Mrs. Flores reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 6:29 p.m. and entertained motions on
pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Flores, Guzman, Sane, Schechter, Oliver, Williams, and Worsham)
Dr. Spangler apologized to the Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration
and the Bursar office for not including them in the recognition for implementation of Cashnet.
APPROVE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE AN AMENDMENT TO
HCC AND FT. BEND COUNTY LIBRARY COST SHARING/JOINT USE
AGREEMENT
Motion – Mr. Schechter motioned approve and Mr. Worsham seconded.
Mr. Schechter noted that the item was different than what was approved in the Committee of the
Whole. He noted that the item authorized the Chancellor to negotiate an amendment to the
contract not to exceed $1.2 million and apprised that the cost increase was not due to any fault of
HCC.
Mrs. Sane asked if the negotiations will include controls to make certain that the project proceed
on schedule. Dr. Spangler apprised that this could be included in the negotiation of the contract.
Mr. Schechter noted that the project is extremely important for the Missouri City campus;
however, if they are not going to move forward in a reasonable time frame then there should be a
review of alternatives to provide library services to HCC students in the Missouri City area.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote 8-0.
APPROVE EXTENSION OF CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
SERVICES WITH PGAL
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Mrs. Guzman applauded the response from the PGAL sub-consultants for the information
technology providing the requested information. She noted that this effort should be duplicated
throughout the services; however, the only missing component is the deliverables. She noted that
she would like to see the activity tied to the scope of work and deliverables. She stated that she
would like to see more activity in Districts III and VIII.
Mrs. Flores informed that the item has been green-sheeted to note that the extended services does
not included the cost of inspection and the actual amount increased not to exceed $6.9 million.
Mr. Schechter asked how was there a ten percent increase in the contract in seven days. Dr.
Tyler apprised that the numbers presented at the COTW were not correct and the additional
services for inspection for that period of time needed to be included.
Vote – 7-0-1 with trustee Schechter abstaining.
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 5
APPROVE RATIFICATION OF ARAMARK CONTRACT
Motion – Dr. Williams moved approval and Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Mrs. Flores noted that there were many complaints; however, Dr. Tyler has apprised that the
complaints were addressed have been resolved. She recommended when the scope is developed
that minor issues are addressed in the contract such as changing light bulbs and moving tables,
which have been some of the completes. Mrs. Flores also suggested that if a Request for
Proposal for the services may be considered that the item is considered earlier around mid March
or early April.
Vote – Motion passes with vote of 8-0.
APPROVE TAX INCREMENTAL REINVESTMENT ZONE (TIRZ) – SIENNA
PLANTATION, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
Mrs. Sane asked what would be the benefits for joining the TIRZ.
Dr. Tyler noted that the item is a public policy for agencies use their resources to do more than
what would probably be done alone. He noted that it allows for the leveraging of funds and good
will in the community that all the public agencies represent. He referred the details to Mrs.
Walker.
Mrs. Walker noted that there is a collaboration of all the agencies in the community. She noted
that the tax dollars are utilized for the benefit of the entire area and leveraging of the dollars.
Mrs. Guzman recommended that the outreach committee have a presentation of all TIRZ and
maps in the various Trustee districts.
Mr. Austin recommended having the Urban Land Institute conduct the presentation. Dr.
Williams stated that management districts should be included in the presentation as well.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved to treat as a consent agenda with exception of A.1, A.2, and B.4. Dr.
Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0. The following items were
approved:
1. Payment to Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for Professional Services (November and
December 2007)
2. Personnel Agenda for January 2008
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND
ISSUANCE OF JUNIOR LIEN REVENUE AND REFUNDING BONDS
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Dr. Williams seconded.
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 6
Mr. Schechter mentioned that he has a concern that the current plan for the junior lien bond is to
acquire equipment for construction of the Southeast Workforce building. He apprised that from
discussion with Dr. Gaza, President at Southeast, the two-story building will provide 40,000
square feet; however, given the current program needs and enrollment, the building would fill up
rapidly, which would only accommodate the current needs. Mr. Sahni apprised that building a
two-story building is limiting and recommended to building a three-story by building the shell to
fill as the need occurs.
Mr. Schechter asked that would be the extra cost on top of the current cost if a third floor was
added. Mr. Sahni apprised that the cost would be approximately $3 million. Mr. Schechter asked
if a third floor could be added later. Mr. Sahni advised that it would not be beneficiary to add on
to the building later.
The Board discussed the cost to add a floor now versus adding on later.
Amended Motion – Mr. Schechter moved to amend to issue Junior Lien Revenue Refunding
Bonds in the amount of $18 million to cover the cost to adding the extra floor in Junior Lien debt
for the construction and completion of the Southeast Workforce building, residual CIP needs or
any other short-term District needs. Mrs. Guzman seconded the motion.
Dr. Williams requested that Dr. Tyler, Mrs. Walker and Bond Counsel to discuss and possible
present once numbers have been reviewed.
Mr. Hank Coleman apprised that the authorization for the Junior Revenue Bond has a new
money component but it also refinances the leases. He noted that the authorization should not be
restricted to the $18 million but should be $18 million plus refinancing.
Motion Withdrawn – Mr. Schechter withdrew the amended motion and Mrs. Guzman withdrew
the second.
Amended Motion - Mr. Schechter moved to amend the motion to issue $18 million in new
money Junior Lien Refunding Revenue Bonds in addition to funds to refinance the current junior
lien debt for the construction and completion of the Southeast Workforce building, residual CIP
needs or any other short-term District needs. Mrs. Guzman seconded.
Vote on Amended Motion – The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
Main Motion – The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND
ISSUANCE OF MAINTENANCE TAX NOTES FOR THE CIP ELIGIBLE
COMPONENTS
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved to approved. Mr. Oliver seconded the motion.
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Regular Meeting – January 24, 2008 – Page 7
Mr. Schechter apprised the material provided to the Board showed there were three phases in the
recommendation, which includes the requirement of $55 million to complete the CIP in Phase I
and projected work in Phases II and III. He noted that that an amended motion is needed because
limiting the amount to $55 million for the maintenance tax notes causes an amendment to the
original recommendation.
Amended Motion – Mr. Schechter moved to authorize the issuance of $55 million of
Maintenance Tax Notes Series, 2008 allowing completion of Phase I of the CIP to provide
additional funds for the acquisition, construction, renovation, repair and replacement, equipping
of infrastructure and site improvements to existing facilities in the Capital Improvement Program
and other eligible and related projects in accordance with Texas Education Code 45.108. Mr.
Austin seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
Main Motion – The motion passed with vote of 8-0.
RECOMMENDED FEDERAL PROJECT REQUESTS
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded.
Mr. Austin noted that there really are more funds available. He recommended that each college
region has a SBTDC (Small Business Technology Development Center) or Small Business
Development Center or a satellite. Mr. Austin asked that congressional delegation support in
these efforts and recommended joining a development group.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:41 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: