MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
November 19, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Abel Davila, Chair
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Richard Schechter
Michael P. Williams
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
Fheryl Prestage for Bill Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor for Instruction
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Clarence Grier, RBC Capital Markets
Carlos Allen, RBC Capital Markets
Natalie Ashby, Vinson & Elkins
Bennie Ables, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Davila, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m. and declared the
Board convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed
on the duly posted meeting notice.
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Committee of the Whole – November 19, 2009 – Page 2
Mr. Davila apprised that United Student Council (USC) was present to address the
Board regarding textbooks.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 4:21 p.m.)
The USC provided their findings regarding the student textbooks and provided a copy of
the petition, memorandum issued to administration and a draft revision of the contract
with Barnes and Noble. The USC noted that one recommendation is standardizing
textbooks throughout the college and the second recommendation is revising the
Barnes and Noble contract and requested the opportunity to address the Board at the
Regular meeting scheduled for December 10, 2009.
Dr. Williams apprised that it is an embarrassment to have the students come before the
Board with this issue again. He noted that there has been previous discussion
regarding textbooks, especially regarding standardization and open source.
Dr. Spangler apprised that there has been inquiry and discussion with Pearson
regarding course packs and electronic textbooks. She noted that an innovation project
is currently being piloted at Southwest College, which may be a way to reduce the cost
of textbooks.
Dr. Williams asked if the information shared by the Chancellor was presented to the
students. Dr. Tyler noted that the meeting with Pearson was held after the meeting with
the students.
Mr. Davila apprised that the issue and concerns presented by the USC are received by
the Board; however, because the item was not posted on the agenda, the Board was
not able to enter a discussion.
USC noted that they are aware of the legality and noted that their reasons for coming
before the Board is to get the item placed on the agenda.
Mrs. Flores noted that she attended the HACU conference and that some of the
community colleges had students attend the conference and recommended that HCC
students attend future conferences with the Board.
FACILITIES
Mrs. Flores called the committee to order at 4:36 p.m.
Motion – Mrs. Guzman moved and Mrs. Flores seconded to move the action items
before the report items. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR FELIX AND ANGELA MORALES BUILDING
RENOVATIONS (Project #09-58)
Motion - Mr. Schechter moved to approve the item in accordance with the state
procurement law; the district shall first attempt to negotiate with Miner Dietrich
Construction Company and if unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract, then the
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – November 19, 2009 – Page 3
district shall proceed to negotiate with the next offer in the order of the selection
rankings until a contract is reached. Dr. Williams seconded.
Mr. Schechter withdrew his motion and Dr Williams withdrew his second. Dr. Williams
moved to table the item for discussion in closed executive session.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved to treat items as a consent agenda. Mrs. Sane seconded.
The motion passed with vote of 8-0 approving the following items:
•
•
•
Temporary HCC-North Forest Vocational/Technical Campus on North Forest
Independent School District School Site
Solid Waste Collection & Disposal Services (Project #09-57)
Investment Report for the Month of September 2009
Mr. Davila adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 4:44 p.m., notice having
previously been given and reiterated in accordance with Sections 551.071, 551.072,
and/or 551.074 of the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Flores stated that any final action, vote
or decision on any item discussed in Executive Session would be taken up in Open
Session or in a subsequent Public Meeting.
Mr. Davila reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 6:43 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Davila, Flores, Guzman, Sane, Schechter, Dr. Williams, and
Worsham)
REVIEW AND RECOMMEND FINANCING OPTIONS
Motion – Mr. Worsham moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded.
Dr. Tyler apprised that the Financial Advisors were present to provide several financing
strategies instead of utilizing cash.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 6:45 p.m.)
Mr. Clarence Grier of RBC Capital Markets apprised that the Resolution provides an
opportunity to utilize other funding opportunities instead of cash relating to the Alief
Early College Center project and noted that the other portion of the presentation was
regarding the commercial paper program.
Mr. Carlos Allen apprised that HCC needs approximately $140 million for repairs and
maintenance through 2013. He noted that commercial paper provides flexibility when
the projects are initiated. Mr. Grier noted that interest is only paid on funds drawn. He
noted that the commercial paper program is only a tool and noted that a request from
the Board would need to be made before taking action.
Mr. Schechter noted that he had a question regarding the interest rate scenarios. Mr.
Allen noted that the anticipation is to provide an overview at the December 10, 2009
meeting.
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Committee of the Whole – November 19, 2009 – Page 4
Dr. Williams asked if there is a time sensitivity need. Dr. Tyler noted that the Board
authorized certain transactions; however, the commercial paper would be an option for
financing those projects instead of using cash.
(Mr. Davila left at 7:08 p.m.)
RBC advised that the presentation was to report on the various options that provide
flexibility. Mr. Grier apprised that a sensitivity analysis would be provided to the Board.
(Mr. Davila returned at 7:10 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler noted that the recommendation was to approve the resolution to allow
reimbursement of general funds for the construction of the Alief parking garage. RBC
Capital noted that the resolution provides flexibility and noted that it is optional.
Motion – Dr. Williams moved to pass the resolution to the consent agenda and Mr.
Schechter seconded. The motion passed with vote of 7-0.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR FELIX AND ANGELA MORALES BUILDING
RENOVATIONS (Project #09-58)
Motion - Mr. Schechter moved to approve the item in accordance with the state
procurement law, the district shall first attempt to negotiate with Miner Dietrich
Construction Company and if unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract, then the
district shall proceed to negotiate with the next offer in the order of the selection
rankings until a contract is reached. Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion failed with a vote
of 4-2-1 with Mrs. Guzman and Mrs. Flores opposing and Mr. Davila abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:16 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: