MEETING OF THE
BOND EVALUATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
April 21, 2011
Minutes
The Bond Evaluation Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College
held a meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2010, at the HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Mary Ann Perez, Committee Chair
Bruce Austin, Committee Member
Neeta Sane, Committee Member
Eva Loredo
Sandi Mullins
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
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
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resource Officer
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Perez called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. and declared the Committee convened
to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the duly posted
Meeting Notice.
Houston Community College
Bond Evaluation Committee – April 21, 2011 - Page 2
DISCUSSION REGARDING BOND EVALUATION
Mrs. Perez informed that the discussion is regarding if a bond measure is necessary.
Dr. Spangler apprised that the issue has been under discussion for some time and
provided an overview of steps taken over the past years including the Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP), which she noted is close to completion. She informed that a report was
published in 2009 to the community reflecting the buildings for each college. She noted a
Master Planner was engaged to complete an assessment of facilities to include the number
of facilities, condition of each facility and maintenance needed. Dr. Spangler apprised that
the assessment has been completed and the Board along with college presidents have met
with the Master Planner to review options.
(Ms. Loredo stepped out at 3:13 p.m.)
Dr. Spangler apprised that the Master Planner provided a report regarding the maintenance
for facilities over a period of time. She noted that the next step is to review what the
presidents and campus teams have recommended as facilities for their respective
campuses for a determination what measures to take.
Dr. Spangler informed that the Public/Private Partnership opportunities under discussion
could serve as an option to offset funding needed for facilities maintenance.
Mr. Austin mentioned that his concern is adequate cash flow and cash management
issues. He inquired to what extent revenue bonds can be converted to general obligation
(GO) bonds. Mr. Clarence Grier advised that the issue is that the GO bond would have to
be voted on by the tax payers.
Mr. Austin noted that his concern is that flexibility is decreased when money is taken away
from the revenue bonds. He also noted that discussion must ensure a compelling
educational case is developed.
Mrs. Perez informed that the purpose of the meeting was to determine if a bond measure is
necessary. Mr. Austin noted that a bond measure is necessary to release cash on hand. He
noted that his purpose of reviewing the compelling issue regarding education is that there
must be a focus to the community because HCC is essential to the community.
Mrs. Sane noted that there must be an assessment of needs not just from the point of
facilities but also from the students’ point of view. She also noted that there should be a
space utilization assessment to determine the true needs. She noted that the dollar amount
cannot be determined if there is not an assessment of true needs. She recommended
reviewing the needs and associating funding needs with the full assessment.
Mr. Austin noted that there should be an assessment of what are the results of the facilities
constructed to show that HCC is really making a difference which may be a marketing
issue.
Houston Community College
Bond Evaluation Committee – April 21, 2011 - Page 3
Dr. Tyler apprised that discussion was held with Bond Counsel regarding $120 million of
revenue bonds that could be moved over to GO bonds which would net approximately $10
million in operational funds to allow for operations of the buildings. He noted that the issue
is ensuring a buy down of the debt to allow for operational funds.
Dr. Tyler informed that growth has been over 34% since opening of buildings under the
CIP, which is a positive effect for the community.
Ms. Mullins noted that a comparison review of improvements since last bond and lessons
learned from the previous bond are vital.
Mrs. Sane mentioned external factors and noted there must be a review from an economic
standpoint to include input from the community. She suggested receiving input from the
community.
Mr. Austin noted that the case statement provided to the public is vital to the bond measure
because it provides a direct relationship regarding the benefits of education to the
community. He noted that there must be a concerted effort of getting businesses involved
in supporting the college and the Board must support the Administration in their efforts.
Dr. Spangler noted that it would be essential to get external support regarding needs and
expectations.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: _________________________________