MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
January 15, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System met as a
Committee of the Whole on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at the System Administration
Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila, Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Mills Worsham
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
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor for Instructions
Cheryl Sterling, Interim Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Mike Edwards for Bill Harmon, President, Central/Interim President, Coleman College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Willie Williams, Chief Human Resource Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, Counsel, Thompson & Horton LLP
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:14 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.
RENEW RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR IMPOSITION
Dr. Spangler requested to pull the item at the request of the City of Houston. The City
is not ready to consider until 2010.
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Committee of the Whole – January 15, 2009 – Page 2
Motion – Mr. Davila motioned and Mr. Worsham seconded to approve that the
following items be moved to the consent agenda.
1. Investment Report for the Month of October 2008
2. Investment Report for the Month of November 2008
3. Renew Utilities Brokerage Services Contract
Vote - The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HCC AND THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
(TMC)
Motion – Mr. Davila moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Dr. Spangler apprised that the item was on the December 11, 2008 agenda but due to
questions posed, the item was pulled until additional information could be provided.
Mr. Austin asked why the cost benefit analysis was used as opposed to the lease
versus owning analysis. Dr. Tyler noted that a break even analysis was requested.
Mr. Austin noted that at the end of two years, there would be a profit of $240,000. He
noted that there are certain business analyses that could be utilized to show whether it
is feasible.
Dr. Mike Edwards apprised that it is basically a strategic move. He apprised that Dr.
Ayes who along with the students have expressed the desire to strategically be at that
site.
Mr. Davila asked if a short-term lease could be implemented. He noted that this would
allow for discussion of whether the pharmacy program should be within or outside the
medical center. He noted that these programs could be placed at multiple locations.
He also recommended possibly reviewing placing pilot programs at other locations.
Dr. Spangler mentioned that this seemed to be a short-term solution, which would be
close to TSU that would also provide for other opportunities relating to Coleman
College. She noted that perhaps it may not be a ten year lease but it could possibly
be a five year lease but was not certain of the cost differential.
Mr. Austin noted that there are properties in the area that could be amenable to
providing a multi-facet opportunity. He noted that an exit strategy should be
developed.
Mr. Davila recommended possible pulling to review other lease term options. Dr.
Edwards mentioned that the smallest term lease offered was ten years; however,
there are other components that could be implemented.
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Committee of the Whole – January 15, 2009 – Page 3
Mr. Davila asked for data on the transition from the associate to baccalaureate at
TSU. Dr. Edwards apprised that Dr. Ayes, Dean at Texas Southern has informed that
there is no transition program at the moment, but there has been discussion especially
with the IB training for certification.
Mrs. Sane mentioned that she would like more discussion on other options rather than
going for the ten year lease.
Mrs. Flores noted that it appears based on the information received today, that there
has been discussion for some time; therefore, it would be beneficial to provide all the
information upfront because the historical information would be beneficial. She
associated with Mr. Austin that a benefit analysis should be reviewed. Mr. Flores
acknowledged that there are other needs, but maybe a different approach could be
identified to meet those needs.
Mr. Austin noted that since there is an articulation agreement with Texas Southern
University, it should be mandatory that the approval be contingent on the immediate
development of a task force to develop the details of an articulation from the associate
to bachelors to a doctoral with Texas Southern. He requested that it is appended to
the motion.
The item was pulled to be presented upon revision.
AMENDMENT TO URBAN REDEVELOPMENT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
REGARDING THE LAND ASSEMBLAGE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (LARA)
Motion – Mr. Davila moved to approve and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Dr. Spangler asked Ms. Leah Stoler with Linebarger Groggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
to address the issue.
Mr. Austin apprised that he would like to disclose that the properties are also located
in his district. He noted that he does not have any interest in the properties other than
their positive effect on the community.
Ms. Stoler apprised that the district originally approved an interlocal agreement
several years ago. She noted that a first amendment was also approved, which
applied to 217 properties under the pilot project. She noted that this amendment is to
request a five-year extension of the agreement between the entities in order to allow
more time for the properties acquired by LARA to be developed into affordable
housing. Ms. Stoler noted that the land bank has acquired a thousand properties but
they have not been developed; however, the amendment would provide time for the
properties to be turned over to the developers.
Mrs. Flores informed that she represents clients who have properties being foreclosed
on that Linebarger Groggan Blair & Sampson, LLP represents and noted that she has
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Committee of the Whole – January 15, 2009 – Page 4
a legal obligation to disclose the information; however, if she recluses herself from
voting on the item, the motion would fail.
Mr. Davila withdrew his motion and Mrs. Sane withdrew the second.
The Board concluded to place the item as a topic for discussion on the agenda for the
Regular meeting of January 22, 2009.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved: