MEETING OF THE
ANNEXATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
May 28, 2009
Minutes
The Annexation Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College
held a meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room B, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Committee Chair
Bruce Austin, Committee Member
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter called the meeting to order at 11:52 a.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND
ENGAGEMENT OF SERVICES RELATING TO HCC PROGRAMS AND
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH FOREST, SPRING BRANCH, AND SURROUNDING
AREAS
Dr. Spangler informed that Dr. Ford Fisher and Dr. Hodges were present to report on
North Forest and Spring Branch respectively. She noted that there have been efforts
partaken over the last several months regarding annexation in North Forest and Spring
Branch. She noted that petitions were delivered on May 18 totaling 14,000. She noted
that over 3,000 signatures were validated for North Forest and over 6,000 were
validated for Spring Branch.
Mr. Austin commended the Chancellor, Dr. Ford Fisher, Dr. Hodges, and the staff on
their efforts on the annexation.
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Annexation Committee – May 28, 2009 - Page 2
Dr. Ford Fisher apprised that there has been tremendous support from the community.
She noted that there has been a discussion on socioeconomics within the district as
well. She noted that there will be a strategic session held on June 24, 2009 in the North
Forest area. Dr. Ford Fisher expressed appreciation for the efforts.
Dr. Hodges apprised that the Spring Branch area would not be in such support if HCC
were not providing quality education. He noted that there are still significant numbers of
individuals who will need to be educated about the community college and
community/economic development. Dr. Hodges noted that visioning has been
conducted in the Spring Branch and noted that this has been a step-by-step process.
He noted that information on the original vision is available, which will be consolidated
into the service plan for Spring Branch.
Dr. Hodges noted that there was an active role of approximately 25 residents in the
effort of collecting the signatures. He noted that there is some confusion in the
community regarding the shift; however, this could be clarified with the service plan.
Dr. Hodges noted that an early college program MOU is on the agenda for the Board’s
approval.
DRAFT SERVICE PLANS FOR NORTH FOREST AND SPRING BRANCH
Dr. Hodges referenced the Service Plan for the Spring Branch community and noted the
following areas of focus:
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Campus development
Development of area
Leveraging resources to maximize the opportunities
Adding new workforce programs
Science and Engineering
Building on success of School District relationships (Value HCC brings to the
school district)
Dr. Ford Fisher expressed appreciation to Dr. Spangler and Dr. Tyler for providing a
thorough thought process as well as the Board for allowing the efforts.
Mr. Schechter also expressed appreciation on the efforts and noted that the success of
the effort is a reflection of the hard work of Dr. Spangler and presidents’ in the
community. He also asked that the staff be recognized who have played a significant
role in the efforts.
Dr. Hodges recognized Evelyn Velasquez, Kim Montgomery and Scott Gehman for their
active participation with the community.
Dr. Ford Fisher recognized Sheron Bruno and Mike Frazier as well as the North Forest
Superintendent, Mr. Adrian Johnson who has been responsible for providing facilities for
the strategic priority session.
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Annexation Committee – May 28, 2009 - Page 3
Mr. Schechter recognized Catherine Campbell with Yaffee Deutser for doing a great job
and making sure that our materials were presenting the best possible case in our
educational outreach.
Mr. Austin asked Counsel about section 130 of the Local Government Education code
and if Section 130.182 states that the service area of the Houston Community College
district include the areas of Houston, Katy, Alief , Spring Branch, North Forest ISD,
Stafford, and Fort Bend located in Missouri City. Mr. Austin also asked Counsel about
section 130.065 that deals with annexation by election and if the college complies with
the code.
Mr. Hollingsworth apprised that he would review the information and provide response.
Mr. Austin noted that he wanted to make provisions and noted that legislative should do
something about the requirement to have to spend funds on annexing areas that are
already in the college’s service area.
Dr. Spangler noted that the service plans would be presented for acceptance by the
Board at a special meeting scheduled on June 4, 2009 along with the acceptance of the
valid signatures. She noted that the service plan would be accepted in draft form to
allow for changes and/or additions based on the community input and further
discussions.
Dr. Ford Fisher noted that the service plan for North Forest is based on the visioning
meetings previously held. Dr. Hodges mentioned that this is a starting point with the
service plan.
Dr. Spangler mentioned that Counsel for annexation has reviewed the documentation
and has apprised that the information is in alignment with requirements.
UPDATE ON ALIEF SERVICE PLAN
Dr. Spangler mentioned that language was added on the Alief Service Plan as well and
informed that an update on the draft service plan would be presented to the Board at
the before mentioned meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 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: