SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
August 20, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Special Meeting on
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor,
Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
Board of Trustees Present:
Abel Davila, Board Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Christopher Oliver
Michael P. Williams
Mills Worsham
Administration Present:
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor of Instruction
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
Others Present:
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Tanya Fischer, Counsel, Andrews Kurth
Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila called the meeting to order at 4:26 p.m. and declared the Board convened
to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the duly
posted Meeting Notice.
Resolution North Forest Service Plan
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Dr. Williams seconded.
vote of 8-0.
The motion passed with a
Houston Community College
Special Meeting – August 20, 2009 – Page 2
Dr. Ford Fisher presented a request for amendment to the service plan based upon
community feedback as follows:
Action: HCC will develop a North Forest Vocational/Technical Training facility
that incorporates career and technology training, academic transfer courses, an
economic development center, and a small business incubator that prepares
residents for employment, for entrepreneur opportunities, or for transfer to a
four-year institution.
Benefit: Increase the educational attainment of residents and improve the
economic vitality of the North Forest community.
Motion – Mr. Austin motioned to amend the service plan for North Forest and Mrs.
Flores seconded. The motion passes with a vote of 8-0.
The following citizens spoke on behalf of the North Forest community:
• Felix Chevallier
• Albert Coleman
Resolution Spring Branch Services Plan
Motion – Mrs. Sane motioned and Mrs. Flores seconded. Motion passed with a vote of
8-0.
The following citizens spoke on behalf of the Spring Branch community:
• Ben Gillis
• Rita Young
• Mike Falick
• Sandy Meyers
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 4:35 p.m.)
Resolution Adopting an Order Calling for a Special Election for Proposed
Annexation of the Territory within the North Forest Independent School District
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 7-0.
Resolution Adopting an Order Calling for a Special Election for Proposed
Annexation of the Territory within the Spring Branch Independent School
District
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 7-0.
Trustee Election and Making other Provisions Related to the Subject
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 7-0.
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Special Meeting – August 20, 2009 – Page 3
Amendment to Chancellor’s Contract
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 6-0 with one abstention.
Adoption and Ratification of Resolutions (1) Recognizing State Representative
Garnet F. Coleman; (2) Supporting American Graduation Initiative; (3)
Recognizing India’s 63rd Independence Day Celebration
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Guzman seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 7-0.
(Mr. Oliver returned at 4:39 p.m.)
Adopt Property Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens (65 years and older)
Motion - Dr. Williams moved to approve and Mrs. Guzman seconded.
Mrs. Flores inquired how many homes will be affected and what will the impact be on
the budget.
Dr. Tyler noted that this exemption will take effect next year. He noted that it is
anticipated that the amount will be $400,000 or less and he noted that the exemption
will reduce the budget by this amount.
Mrs. Flores noted that there is concern with the reduction of property value and asked
where the reduction would be made. Dr. Tyler noted that the Tax Assessor stated that
tax collections are flat, not going down. He also informed that the budget is built on a
conservative approach.
Mr. Austin stated that in the future he would like to see a fiscal impact forecast
submitted with tax exemption items.
Vote - The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
Mr. Austin requested the attorneys to provide information regarding the federal lawsuit
filed against Chevron as to whether or not it is a public policy.
Mr. Davila requested that the attorneys provide public relations analysis for the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:09 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: