MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
April 14, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd Floor,
3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard M. Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Sandie Mullins
Christopher W. Oliver
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Kimberly James, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Karun Sreerama, Master Planner, ESPA
Clarence Grier, RBC
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Laura Garcia, President, COPA
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
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Committee of the Whole – April 14, 2011 - Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:56 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on
the duly posted Meeting Notice.
INCREASE IN STUDENT TUITION AND FEES
Motion – Ms. Loredo moved and Mrs. Perez seconded.
Dr. Tyler informed that the Board approved a reduced fee for workforce and noted
that the recommended tuition and fee increase would equalize the fees across the
board.
Amended Motion - Mr. Schechter motioned to amend action to include the effective
date of April 22, 2011 and include a technology fee increase of $1 per credit hour,
tuition and fees increase (in-district - $5, out-of-district - $9, out-of-state - $9) and
general fee increase (in-district - $3.50, out-of-district - $6.50). Mr. Austin seconded.
The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-1 with Trustee Flores abstaining.
Mr. Austin recommended that the revised numbers be provided to the Board.
(Mr. Austin stepped out at 5:04 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler noted that there has not been an increase in tuition and fees for
approximately eight years. He provided a comparison with other institutions
throughout the State.
(Mr. Austin returned at 5:07 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler noted that an increase in the general fee for out-of-state is not
recommended because there has already been a fee increase for out-of-state and
the goal is to remain competitive regarding out-of-state tuition.
(Mrs. Flores stepped out at 5:10 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter introduced the president of the United Student Council (USC) to
address the Board.
(Mrs. Flores returned at 5:13 p.m.)
Mr. Adam Aguirre informed that the students requested transparency when fee
increases are considered. He also asked that the students’ input be considered when
fee increases are discussed. He noted the more information provided the more likely
students will be acceptable to the increases. Mr. Aguirre apprised that the students
were under the impression that a parking fee was going to be implemented to make
up for the State shortfall and it appears deceitful to implement a parking fee without
informing the students.
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Committee of the Whole – April 14, 2011 - Page 3
(Ms. Mullins stepped out at 5:17 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter informed that when meeting with the students, a parking fee was
enclosed; however, the parking fee has been removed. He noted that the revised
numbers were provided to the USC president. He noted that the suggestions from the
students were taken into consideration.
(Mrs. Flores returned at 5:19 p.m.)
Vote on Motion as Amended – The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3 with Mrs.
Flores, Ms. Loredo and Mrs. Sane abstaining.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:22 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. Schechter 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. Schechter reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 5:51 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Flores, Loredo, Mullins, Perez, Oliver, Sane and
Schechter)
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION LOCATED AT OR NEAR HIGHWAY 90
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Ms. Loredo seconded. Motion passed with vote of 80.
Motion – Ms. Mullins moved to authorize Chancellor to negotiate the purchase of real
estate in District VI. Mr. Oliver seconded. The motion passed with a vote of 8-0.
REAL ESTATE BROKER SERVICES (PROJECT #11-12)
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Amended Motion - Mr. Oliver moved to amend to limit contract to one year. Mrs.
Perez seconded. The motion to amend passed with a vote of 7-0-1 with Mr. Austin
abstaining.
Amended Motion - Mrs. Perez moved to choose among the first five rankings on a
rotating basis and Mr. Oliver seconded.
Mr. Rogelio Anasagasti, Executive Director Purchasing/Procurement Operations,
noted that State statute requires that the negations are selected in order of the
rankings. Mr. Dahse informed that the recommendation is two firms; however, the
Board can expand to as many as desired. Mrs. Byas informed that a review would be
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Committee of the Whole – April 14, 2011 - Page 4
necessary if this is a best practice issue and noted that it should have been Stated
when the RFP went out.
Mrs. Perez informed that her amendment is to increase the negotiation to the first five
firms on a rotating basis.
Mrs. Byas noted that advice from general counsel is to accept the recommendation
from administration. Mr. Anasagasti informed that the scores will be lower when you
go further down the negation list.
Mr. Austin noted that the purpose of the procurement law is completion and noted
that if an individual did not qualify based on the evaluation, then that firm would not
qualify regardless assuming every response was vetted.
Mr. Oliver noted that Mrs. Perez amendment is requesting rotation.
Amended Motion Withdrawn - Mrs. Perez withdrew the motion to amend. Mr. Oliver
withdrew the seconded.
Vote Amended Motion – Motion passed with vote of 8-0.
JOB ORDER CONTRACTS (JOC) FOR FACILITIES MODIFICATION OR REPAIR
(PROJECT #11-24)
Motion – Mr. Oliver moved and Mrs. Perez seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 7-0-1 with Mrs. Flores abstaining.
(Mr. Oliver and Ms. Mullins left at 6:08 p.m.)
METHOD OF PROJECT DELIVERY FOR SAN JACINTO BUILDING RENOVATION
CENTRAL COLLEGE
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Loredo seconded. The motion passed with vote
of 6-0.
PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS CENTRAL CAMPUS (PROJECT #11-26)
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Perez seconded.
The motion was withdrawn by Mr. Austin and Mrs. Perez.
Mr. Schechter recommended that the item is placed on the agenda for the Regular
meeting as a Topic for Discussion and/or Action.
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2011
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Ms. Perez seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 6-0.
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Committee of the Whole – April 14, 2011 - Page 5
MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FOR MARCH 2011
Motion – Mrs. Perez moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mr. Schechter informed that there was an inquiry regarding the credit rating of the
college and informed that the ratings from Standard and Poor’s was provided to the
Board.
Mr. Schechter asked Dr. Tyler to provide an overview of the fund reserve. Dr. Tyler
expounded that the fund balance has increased by 33% since August 31, 2007. He
noted that the fund balance reduction was due to the State’s refund requirements.
Mr. Austin inquired of the rating agency’s opine regarding the state and federal cuts
by legislature. Mr. Clarence Grier informed that Texas is favorably evaluated in
comparison to the other union states.
(Mrs. Sane left at 6:17 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler informed that the college was able to sustain its ratings in lieu of recent
State fiscal condition.
Dr. Tyler apprised that there has been a decrease in tax collection in comparison to
last year’s collections partially due to valuations and the economy. He noted that the
expenses are actually under the budgeted amount except for the case of full-time
faculty.
Mr. Austin inquired if a letter of explanation could be received from the County Tax
Assessor’s office regarding the valuation.
REPORT FROM APPOINTED COMMITTEES
Ms. Loredo provided a report from the Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: