SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
September 15, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Special Meeting on
Thursday, September 15, 2011 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd
Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Vice Chair
Eva Loredo, Secretary
Bruce Austin
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Sandie Mullins
Neeta Sane
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institution Effectiveness
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Cheryl Peters for William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
OTHERS PRESENT
Derrick Mitchell, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Dr. Thomas Urban, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:51 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED TAX RATES
Mr. Schechter informed that the purpose of the meeting was to hear from citizens
regarding the proposed rate.
Houston Community College
Special Meeting – September 15, 2011- Page 2
The following citizens spoke before the Board:
• Alice Torres – representing her community and commented that she is not in
agreement with a tax increase; and is opposed to another tax increase due to
taxes from City of Houston. She stated that individuals of the community are not
certain if funds will remain in the community.
•
Delores Torres – representing her community and is opposing the tax increase;
feels it is unfair to vote for raising taxes when citizens are already nickel and
dimed by the city. She stated that it is very unfair to seniors especially those
representing the community. She would also like to know if the revenue will go to
Qatar.
Mr. Schechter informed that he would like to address the issue of Qatar because the
college did not spend any funds in Qatar. He noted the government of Qatar is paying
for the college to provide consulting services in Qatar. He noted that money received
from taxes remain in the local area.
(Dr. Williams joined the meeting at 3:58 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter asked Dr. Tyler to address the senior homestead exemption.
Ms. Alice Torres informed that she was referencing the funds spent in outlying
communities not included in the local area. Mr. Schechter informed that the funds
received remain in the local service area as determined by the state. He noted that
seniors whose homes value at 90,000 or less will not be taxed by HCC because of the
senior homestead exemption.
Ms. Perez asked for the tax rate increase amount for a home valued at $100,000 and
the owner is not a senior. Dr. Tyler apprised if home value is $100,000 and a senior
home owner, taxes would be $9 annually and if the home owner is not a senior it will
increase by approximately $1.80.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 4:05 p.m.)
Dr. Williams recommended developing a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
for the public.
Representing Helen Jordan, Ms. Alice Torres stated if two cents a year is the total tax
increase then it is not worth the paper to print the tax information. Mr. Schechter noted
that there will be a tax either way. He noted that the form received will have HISD, City
of Houston, Port Authority and Harris County Hospital District.
Dr. Williams informed that the Board members are citizens and will be affected by the
tax increase as well. He noted that it appears that this is a planned effort to attack the
Board.
(Dr. Williams stepped out at 4:15 p.m.)
Houston Community College
Special Meeting – September 15, 2011- Page 3
Ms. Perez informed that she is a citizen and will be affected by the increase as well.
She noted that the reason the Board has to consider a tax increase measure is due to
the funding cut from the state of $30 million.
Ms. Torres informed that she represents the voice of her community and noted that
there should be creativity on educating the students without increasing taxes.
Mr. Schechter expressed appreciation to the citizens for coming to voice their concerns
regarding the proposed tax rate and noted that he by no means intended to offend
anyone by his comments.
Mr. Schechter announced the meeting dates for the public hearing scheduled as
follows:
•
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 3:30 p.m., HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor in Seminar Room A
•
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 3:30 p.m., HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor in Seminar Room A
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved:
October 20, 2011