MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
October 15, 2009
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd Floor
Auditorium, 3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Richard Schechter
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
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
Bennie Ables, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Sane, Board Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:29 p.m. and declared
the Board convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as
listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
Mrs. Sane apprised that the agenda has changed since the book was printed. She
noted that Facilities item A1 has been pulled.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – October 15, 2009 – Page 2
FACILITIES TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION and/or ACTION
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Mr. Austin seconded to approve the following items
as a consent agenda. The following items were approved with a vote of 6-0:
1. Construction Services Central College Business Careers Building Build-Out
2. Construction Services Central College South Campus Site Improvement
(Project #09-55)
SYSTEM PLANNER FACILITIES ASSESSMENT REPORT
Karun Sreerama of ESPA Corp, Inc. introduced the team who worked on the
assessment report. Mr. Sreerama informed that the idea of the master planning was to
create a vision and noted that the process included identifying all facilities and square
footage. He informed that each building was assessed individually based on the
present state of the building, the cost for bringing facilities up to standards, and
maintenance. He noted the estimated cost for improvement is $108 million dollars.
Dr. Williams inquired if the administration intends to move on some of these projects
this fiscal year. Dr. Tyler apprised that some mechanical and electrical projects have
begun. Dr. Williams requested a list of current projects and suggested a workshop to
review the options.
Mrs. Flores requested a report to indicate if work is being considered on buildings
which do not have a long sustaining life.
Mr. Sreerama noted that the total cost of $108 million has been split over four years
based on building priority. He noted taking no action would result in a $29 million loss
in depreciation.
Dr. Williams inquired what would be the length of time to complete the process if not
carried over four years. Dr. Tyler answered that it would take approximately eighteen
months.
Mr. Austin inquired when the physical feasibility will be completed. Dr. Tyler stated
that administration has been responding to other pressing issues; however, the master
plan will be used to make critical decisions to determine what will be done immediately
and in the near future.
Dr. Spangler informed that the driving factor should not be the financials and facilities,
but the educational master plan, the instructional component, which is really about the
students.
Mrs. Flores and Dr. Williams requested a report on what is being done now, when will
it be completed, what will be accomplished, the cost and where the funds are coming
from.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – October 15, 2009 – Page 3
FINANCE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION and/or ACTION
Motion – Mrs. Sane moved and Dr. Williams seconded to approve the following items
as a consent agenda. The following items were approved with a vote of 6-0:
1. Financial Collection Services (Project #09-11)
2. Global Times Inc. Professional Services Contract Extension
3. Investment Report for the Month of August 2009
AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY and HOUSTON COMMUNITY
COLLEGE RELATING TO JOINT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3,
2009.
Motion – Mr. Schechter moved and Mrs. Guzman seconded to approve.
The Board discussed the cost for the election.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-0.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mrs. Sane adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 6:15 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. Mrs. Sane 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.
Mrs. Sane reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 7:11 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
Mrs. Flores requested a personal privilege and asked that a meeting or luncheon to be
arranged via Board Services to welcome the new Superintendent of HISD and
establish some lines of communications.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 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: