MEETING OF THE
ANNEXATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 18, 2008
Minutes
The Annexation Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community
College System held a meeting on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the System
Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Neeta Sane, Committee Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Member
Mills Worsham, Committee Member
Richard Schechter, Alternate Member
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Board Chairwoman
Abel Davila
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Bill Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Daniel Seymour, Interim Vice Chancellor, Planning & Institution Effectiveness
Cheryl Sterling, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Success
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College/Interim President, Coleman College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Brad Deutser, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Sane called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System
as listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
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Annexation Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 2
RESOLUTION PUBLISHING AND ADOPTING A REVISED SERVICE PLAN FOR
ALL OF THE TERRITORY WITHIN THE ALIEF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
AFTER PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO
Dr. Spangler presented the draft service plan and advised that the plan would be
presented to the Board for approval at the Special Meeting scheduled for Thursday,
August 21, 2008. She informed that revisions would be reviewed on Tuesday and
Wednesday before submitting to the Board for approval at the meeting.
Mrs. Sane informed that a meeting was held with Alief ISD Board Chair and
Superintendent and advised that based on their input, they are not assured that the
plan is valid because there are no timelines attached with the plan for execution. She
recommended adding verbiage to the plan on page 3 that would address execution of
the plan.
Dr. Williams noted that there have been other annexation commitments, which should
be reviewed to show that the commitments have been out.
Dr. Williams asked who crafted the language to be added to the plan. Mrs. Sane
informed that the language is a draft that could be modified and noted that the
language is recommendations for the committee to address.
Dr. Williams noted that the way information is being presented would assume that it is
what should be included on the plan.
Mr. Davila asked if there is a timeline and budget for the specific items presented.
Mrs. Sane noted that this was a discussion at the meeting and the answer from
administration is that there could not be a guarantee of when the actions could be
executed.
Mr. Davila stated that the language that will allow us to move forward with the
annexation should be added to the plan; however, the execution should be brought
back to the Committee once it has been developed.
Dr. Williams asked if there was a list of questions received from Alief ISD in regards to
annexation and were there answers to the questions and asked if the answers were
not sufficient. He also asked who is negotiating with Alief ISD on behalf of the college.
Dr. Spangler informed that they were satisfied with the responses.
Mrs. Sane informed that several individuals met with Alief ISD. She noted that there
was discussion at the meeting with Alief regarding the services plan, partnership
problems, and trust issues. She noted she had a meeting with Alief ISD Board Chair
after the meeting. Dr. Williams asked if these recommendations came out of the
meeting.
Dr. Spangler mentioned that there was discussion on the history and provided
opportunity to address the items of concerns. She noted that the discussion was to
apprise that the college is amicable to working with Alief ISD. She apprised that she
mentioned that administration was not in a position to make a commitment regarding
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Annexation Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 3
timelines because she could not speak as to what the Board would decide. She noted
that she left the meeting with the impression that they were elated for the opportunity
to discuss the issues and there was a good chance for success.
Mrs. Sane mentioned an email message received from the Superintendent noting that
many of the issues are regarding problems of the past and time to put the behind in
order to move forward. She met with the Alief ISD Board Chair to assure that we
would work to ensure there is a win-win situation.
Dr. Williams reiterated that question as to who drafted the document with the
execution plan. Mrs. Sane informed that she drafted the document. Dr. Williams
mentioned that he was not aware of the history of problems with Alief ISD. He asked
if Alief requested that the language with timelines be added to the plan, and he asked
who is leading the negotiation and conversations that are being held with entities with
Alief ISD. Dr. Spangler mentioned that she is not involved. Mrs. Sane informed that
she and the Board Chair are holding the discussions and noted that this was decided
at the July 30, 2008 meeting where it was recommended that two Trustees should
follow up because the relationship has come to a standstill.
Dr. Williams requested a copy of the minutes from the July 30, 2008 meeting.
Mr. Schechter provided an overview noting that Alief ISD has a recollection of the prior
history based on HCC efforts to annex several years ago in Katy, Alief, North Forest,
and Spring Branch without individual elections. He noted that there were some
carryover from prior meetings and noted that the Superintendent recommended that
those discussions be placed behind us and move on. Mr. Schechter noted that Alief
ISD made it very clear that they are not negotiating for Alief. They are the only group
that encompasses the whole Alief area and want to make certain that HCC is not
committing Alief to anything. He noted that one of the questions raised was what
period is committed for carrying out the items and noted that Mrs. Sane is attempting
to address the concern of a couple individuals. He noted that his take from the
meeting was that everyone was pleased.
Mrs. Guzman referenced the Greater Houston Partnership meeting recently attended
and noted that there was a question asked if there is any opposition. Mrs. Guzman
noted that the HCC Board Chair informed that there has been some resistance from
Alief although it has not been an organized opposition. Mr. Schechter noted that it may
not be fair to state that their stand is opposition.
Mrs. Flores informed that her response to the Greater Houston Partnership was that
there have been public hearings and there have been individuals with concerns. She
noted that their questions were what was the opposition based on and she informed
that they were tax issues. She apprised that she was informed by the Alief ISD Board
Chair that they would not oppose and they would not support.
Mr. Davila mentioned that the Committee members involved should meet with the
Chancellor and identify a plan that will work.
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Annexation Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 4
Mr. Worsham informed that the Board Chair reprised what was stated at the GHP
meeting. He also noted that he understands Mrs. Guzman point; however, we must
be careful of statements relating to opposition.
Mrs. Guzman stated that her concern was that we must be accurate and honest about
oppositions.
Dr. Spangler apprised that there are changes based on responses received from the
community (1) traditional library (2) childcare services (3) dual credit academic
program and (4) career and technical.
Mrs. Sane noted that there is concern how HCC will work with Alief ISD, which is
vague and asked how we will work with them.
Mr. Schechter mentioned that Alief wanted the language as vague as possible, which
will not lock them into spending the money.
Mr. Davila asked if childcare is standard at each of the colleges. He noted that the
same childcare services should be available to all of HCC service areas. Dr. Spangler
apprised that the plan states that there would be access to childcare.
Dr. Williams noted that it is important to be as forthright as possible and apprised that
some issues could be avoidable with the correct wording and language.
Mrs. Sane mentioned that the issue was discussed at length at the Special meeting
held on July 30, 2008.
Motion – Mrs. Guzman moved that verbiage of the execution plan be submitted to
legal counsel for appendage to the revised service plan. Mrs. Sane seconded. The
motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
Mr. Schechter suggested revising the fifth action on the service plan to note that the
action is taking into account the needs of the entire system.
STATUS REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: BUDGET VS. ACTUAL
ANALYSIS, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, ENGAGEMENT OF SERVICES, AND
DEVELOPMENT OF FACTUAL MATERIALS REDISTRICTING
Dr. Spangler presented a draft planning documentation for community outreach and
educational engagement that comprised of the activity from the beginning. She noted
the information contained many steps that must be involved in moving forward as well
as an overview of what has transpired.
Dr. Spangler introduced the team working on the engagement plan.
Mr. Davila commended the team on their efforts; however, he asked if there is proper
funding for a strong finish. He asked that the consultants create a plan that will show
the anticipated expenditures.
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Annexation Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 5
Dr. Spangler mentioned that the enrollment for the college is up 18%, which represent
numbers after the purge.
Mr. Keith Wade informed that their involvement is to tell residents about the plan
proposed. He thanked the Board for their input.
Mr. Mark Campos informed that one of the goals is to create as much awareness as
possible.
Nef Partida informed that his job is the retail marketing (actual election). He noted that
the board and administration have provided the resources to complete the task.
Dr. Spangler noted that the issue with the early college is that Alief ISD does not want
us to commit their funds for them. Mr. Schechter noted that Alief ISD is excited about
the early college; however, they are concernrf about committing their funds.
Mrs. Flores referenced the budget and asked what is the standing as it relates to
expenditures vs. projected in order to make certain there is sufficient funding. Dr.
Spangler mentioned that there is an effort to spread the funds. Mr. Davila
recommended having the consultants present an anticipated budget.
(Mr. Davila stepped out at 5:47 p.m.)
REDESTRICTING
Mrs. Guzman mentioned that there will be a need to redistrict and noted that there is a
request concerning the item. She mentioned that the DOJ will have to approve the
representation. She noted that Alief carries a large population alone and there may be
a need for redistricting.
(Mr. Davila returned at 5:49 p.m.)
Mrs. Sane mentioned that Alief ISD has expressed the desire that there will not be a
separation of the district.
Mr. Worsham apprised that he agrees that it may be premature for discussion and
noted the DOJ will provide guidelines. He noted that there is a two phase issue. He
noted that it may be out of the hands of the college.
Dr. Williams informed that it has been the practice in the past to follow the guidelines
presented by the DOJ.
Mr. Davila informed that he is recommending adding two seats to the board in order to
maintain representation for all groups.
Counsel mentioned that legislative will set the number. Mr. Davila mentioned that it
would have to be recommended to the legislative.
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Annexation Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 6
Mr. Davila mentioned that there must be a plan of action in place since the legislator
meeting in January 2008.
Mrs. Sane asked what should be the response to the question if raised again. Dr.
Spangler stated that counsel will need to address.
Dr. Williams mentioned that the decision must be made as to which one of the current
trustees will represent the district. Mr. Schechter informed that Mrs. Sane has
volunteered to represent Alief until the redistricting is determined.
Mrs. Flores mentioned that the item should not be ignored.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
Recorded by:
Sharon R. Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved:
October 23, 2008