MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
August 18, 2008
Minutes
The Legislative 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
Mills Worsham, Committee Chair
Neeta Sane, Committee Member
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Member
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Board Chair
Abel Davila
Richard Schechter
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 & Institutional 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
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Worsham called the meeting to order at 3:27 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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Legislative Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 2
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES (FEDERAL AND
STATE/LOCAL)
Dr. Spangler reiterated that the contracts with Government Relations firms to support
efforts at State and Federal levels were discussed last fall and extended through
December 2008 and requested that recommendations be submitted to the Board
before the expiration. Dr. Spangler noted that Request for Qualifications (RFQs) were
prepared and sent out in the spring. She requested Remmele Young to provide a
report on the firms that have submitted responses to the RFQ.
Mr. Young informed that five firms have submitted applications to provide
services. He noted that the Procurement Department put out a RFQ request
for the firms to timely submit their letters of interest. Mr. Young informed that
the applicants are as follows (listed in alphabetical order):
•
•
•
•
•
Boykins & Schneider, JV
Capitol Assets & Robert Peeler, Attorney at Law/Government Affairs
Paul Colbert
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, LLP
Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc.
Mr. Young noted that the information provided to the Board includes a summary of
procurement from the HCC Procurement Department and provided a background of
the process utilized for evaluating the firms.
Dr. Williams asked if it is possible to see the applications and scoring sheets. Mr.
Young informed that he would provide the information to the Board.
Dr. Spangler apprised that the Committee has the option to interview all of the firms if
desired.
Dr. Williams asked what level of involvement the Director of Government Relations
had in the evaluation process. Mr. Young apprised that he is the project leader and
was involved in the evaluation. He informed that the evaluation team was comprised
of a representative from the Office of Government Relations, college operations, and
the Foundation. He noted that in terms of assessment, each member received all the
applications and instructions for evaluation from the Procurement Office. He noted that
the evaluation team completed the scoring but the rankings were done by the
Procurement Office.
Mrs. Guzman asked why the Foundation was included. Mr. Young informed that the
question could be addressed by the Procurement Office; however, he believes that
they are considered an eligible evaluator. He noted that all the individuals assigned to
evaluate the team have been identified as having some relevant experience for
assessing the team.
(Mr. Schechter arrived at 3:36 p.m.)
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Legislative Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 3
Mrs. Guzman asked if the selection team members deliberate on the evaluations. Mr.
Young informed that the team did not come together to deliberate. Dr. Spangler
apprised the reason for not doing so is that the item is a Board decision and
administration did not want to select on behalf of the Board.
Mrs. Sane asked what was the process utilized by procurement for ranking. Mr.
Young apprised that they tallied the numbers provided by the individual evaluator to
determine the ranking.
Mrs. Guzman recommended that the first two firms present before the Committee and
the Committee should make a recommendation to the full Board.
Dr. Williams asked for the contract terms. Mr. Young noted that the contracts expire
on December 31, 2008.
Mr. Worsham informed that he would like to provide ample time to review the material
and ample time for the firms to present before the Committee. Dr. Spangler noted that
there is time in September and October since the contracts do not expire until
December 31, 2008.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 3:43 p.m.)
Mrs. Guzman moved the recommendation asking the Board for consideration of
presentation. Mrs. Sane seconded the motion.
Mr. Worsham asked if the recommendation would be to move the item to the
Committee of the Whole on Thursday, August 18, 2008 and possibly bring the item
back to the Committee of the Whole in September.
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that if the item is a recommendation out of Committee, it
would go before the Committee of the Whole as a report item but to the consent
agenda for consideration by the full board at the Regular meeting on August 28, 2008.
Motion – Mrs. Guzman recommended that the item be placed on the consent agenda
for presentations. Mrs. Sane seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of
3-0.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRATIONS REQUEST
Dr. Spangler apprised that the item resulted from the report that was due to the Texas
Coordinating Board regarding information on enrollment, personnel, and special cost
needs. She noted that the item was previously presented to the Board for ratification;
however, there are no ratifications needed on the report.
Mr. Young informed that the document is the Legislative Appropriations Request that
is scheduled to go into the Legislative Budget Board to provide recommendations to
the legislator what it is HCC, community colleges, and state agencies would receive in
terms of state appropriations. He noted that the report also included exceptional items
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Legislative Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 4
and noted that at the last legislative session the exceptional items were the public
safety institution and the new Alief campus. He noted that submitting the document is
a starting point for state budget deliberation.
Mrs. Sane asked if the information included in the draft document was transferred to
the LAR document and made reference to the six items listed on the draft information.
Mr. Young informed that the new Alief, Missouri City, Drennan and Northeast are
included in the report.
Mrs. Sane asked if Southeast Workforce Center was included in the report.
Young yielded to Dr. Tyler.
Mr.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the Southeast Workforce Center was already submitted last
year. He mentioned that Pinemont was not listed; however, it was included with
Northeast.
Mrs. Guzman asked if there were allocations appropriated from last year’s request for
Southeast Workforce. Dr. Tyler apprised that we did not receive any money other
than that received for Alief from last year’s request.
Mrs. Guzman asked why Southeast Workforce Center was not included for this year’s
request. Dr. Tyler informed that once you move through the process, you could not
repeat all the items previously included. Mr. Miller noted that the item would be a
specialty item before the appropriations committee in the legislature.
Mrs. Guzman asked if a white paper could be prepared for the item. Mr. Young
mentioned that the item would be included as a white paper item. Dr. Tyler informed
that administration was following the practice of the Coordinating Board and noted that
other items could certainly be added. Mr. Miller apprised that the Legislature Budget
Board assembles the information for the various agencies and noted that generally it
is best to follow the procedures set forth by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Motion – Guzman motioned that Southeast Workforce Center receive priority status
for appropriations to go before the Senate Finance and House Appropriation and
Conference Committee for funding as a specialty item. Mrs. Sane seconded the
motion. The motion passed with vote of 3-0.
Motion – Mrs. Guzman motioned that Northline is included to receive priority status for
appropriations to go before the Senate Finance and House Appropriation and
Conference Committee for funding as a specialty item. Mrs. Sane seconded the
motion. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATON OF TEXAS TRUSTEES
Mrs. Guzman provided a report on the Community College Association of Texas
Trustees (CCATT). She informed that CCATT has an agenda prepared to bring
before the special task force for the incentive funding that will take place on August
20, 2008 and noted that three members of CCATT will represent Texas Trustees. She
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Legislative Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 5
announced that CCATT will also finalize its bylaws at their meeting on August 19,
2008. Mrs. Guzman noted that comments and suggestions will be taken for the
platform of the Texas Trustees to go before the legislature to attempt to get at least
fifty percent of the incentive funding. She announced that a draft rollout letter will be
provided to all members statewide and provided the website where trustees could
register and access information. She noted that the membership fees are still being
decided. She noted that there would also be a meeting in New York of the Texas
delegations at the ACCT Congress announcing the Community College Texas
Trustees Association (CCATT)
Mr. Worsham commended Mrs. Guzman on her dedication to the efforts and
representing HCC Board by being a member of the organization. Mr. Schechter
associated with Mr. Worsham.
Mr. Schechter inquired of the institution’s policy on the incentive funding. Dr. Spangler
apprised that the students would be disadvantaged and most likely would receive less
funding. Mr. Schechter apprised that he is not a lobbyist; however, based on his
limited involvement in lobbying, you never asked for half of the incentive funding if you
were opposed to any incentive funding before the session started because that gave
away your position. Dr. Spangler apprised that there is not enough information to
determine how significantly the college would be impacted; however, there is some
discussion to put some of the funds aside so that it would all be based on outcome.
(Mr. Davila arrived at 4:15 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter noted that his concern would be that if the college as an institution
would be opposing incentive funding, he would be concerned with a Trustee arguing
on behalf of receiving fifty percent of the funding.
Mr. Robert Miller informed that the incentive funding is strongly advocated by the
governor’s office; however, the legislature would ultimately decide the budget. He
noted that as a policy matter the college could be opposed to incentive funding, but at
the same time could submit for incentive funding just in case it takes place. He noted
that incentive funding would be decided collectively and not on an institution-byinstitution basis. He advised that he would submit requests at every opportunity while
still trying to change to policy.
Mrs. Flores asked if CCATT has officially adopted the position that the organization
would be asking for half of the incentive funding.
Mrs. Guzman apprised that she did not attend the last meeting at which CCATT was
finalizing the agenda; however, there was an agenda outlining what would be
discussed at the meeting scheduled for August 19, 2008.
Mr. Young informed that the TACCT position is that the Governor has submitted a
wonderful incentive plan, but the specificity of the plan is not developed in a way to
determine if it is advantageous for community colleges.
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Legislative Committee – August 18, 2008 - Page 6
Mrs. Guzman noted that CCATT very much opposes any thing that hinders community
colleges accessibility to students. She noted that they are not in favor of the new
regulations of the higher education board that makes it cumbersome for students to
attend college. She recommends that something be sent from HCC to CCATT stating
the college’s position.
Mr. Young informed that there was an analysis drafted last session on provisions of
the Governor’s plan; however, the plan did not make it out of legislature. He noted
that the college will have representation at the hearing and will provide a report.
Dr. Harmon asked if information is available on what direction UT and A&M are taking
on the issue. Mr. Young noted that the issue is a four-year institutions versus two year
institutions and noted that this is where the policy piece comes into play as to what the
role will be.
Mrs. Guzman extended an invitation for Board members to attend the next CCATT
meeting on October 19, 2008.
Mr. Schechter asked if it is known what position the four-year institutions took last
legislature session. Mr. Young advised that he would need to review the notes, but
apprised that Paul Colbert completed preliminary analysis; however, the plan faired
better for four-year institutions than two-year institutions.
Mrs. Guzman noted that the last report received showed that the incentive funding
was more in favor of the four-year institutions.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:27 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