MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
September 8, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Committee of the
Whole on Thursday, September 8, 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
Dr. Michael P. Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Madeline Burrillo for Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Daniel Seymour, Vice Chancellor, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Margret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Derrick Mitchell, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Thomas Urban, President, Faculty Senate
Clarence Grier, RBC Capital
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – September 8, 2011 - Page 2
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:43 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) CLOSEOUT
Dr. Tyler provided an overview of the CIP and informed that Bond Counsel has opined
the CIP project. He noted that there is approximately $150,000 remaining in the CIP.
(Mr. Oliver joined the meeting at 4:45 p.m.)
Dr. Tyler recommended approving the closeout of the 2003 portion of the Capital
Improvement Program.
Motion – Ms. Perez moved and Mr. Oliver seconded to approve the closeout of the
2003 portion of the Capital Improvement Program.
Mrs. Flores asked how the college was able to purchase police vehicles under the CIP.
Dr. Tyler informed that the CIP allowed for the purchase of capital items (cars,
computers, software, etc…).
Mr. Oliver inquired of the amount remaining in the Maintenance Tax notes that has not
been obligated. Dr. Tyler informed that there is approximately $22 million remaining.
Mr. Austin inquired about the alternate plan regarding the Pinemont facilities. Dr. Tyler
informed that the plan will be provided to the Board.
Mr. Oliver inquired if the $22 million is not encumbered, is it committed. Dr. Tyler
informed that the funds are allocated for the San Jacinto and the Midtown Tax
Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) projects. He noted that of the $22 million
approximately $4.1 million is uncommitted as denoted on the page 22 on the financial
statement.
(Dr. Williams joined the meeting at 4:55 p.m.)
Mr. Austin recommended revisiting the projects previously presented by administration.
Dr. Tyler reiterated that there are committed funds that are actually spent or
encumbered. He noted that sometimes the budget expenses are less than budgeted,
which provides for unexpended funds. He noted that although a project has been
approved; the funds may not be expended.
Mrs. Sane asked if Bond Counsel needs to provide an opinion. Dr. Williams informed
that he requested Bond Counsel to provide an opinion.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – September 8, 2011 - Page 3
Mr. Schechter recommended moving the item to the Regular meeting as a new topic
with the intent of receiving an opinion from Bond Counsel.
Motion Withdrawn – Ms. Perez moved to approve with an amended term of eighteen
months. Mr. Oliver seconded.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL TESTING/OBSERVATION AND GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING SERVICES (PROJECT NO. 11-25)
Motion - Ms. Perez moved and Mr. Oliver seconded that the term be eighteen months
instead of three years.
Mr. Rogelio Anasagasti informed that the solicitation did not specify a length of time for
the terms.
Mr. Dahse informed that the testing is needed on a day-to-day basis for various
projects.
Mrs. Flores inquired of the benefit of the eighteen months versus the three years. Mr.
Austin informed that often you are able to get a better unit price on the longer term.
Mr. Oliver noted that due to the need to tighten the belt economically, it may be
beneficial to set a lower term.
Mrs. Sane agreed with Mr. Austin and inquired of the overhead cost of having to go out
to bid in eighteen months. Dr. Tyler informed that the cost for each bid would be
approximately $25,000 because of the cost of advertising, legal documents and
evaluation.
Ms. Loredo inquired if all four companies have prior experience with HCC and if they
are local. Mr. Anasagasti informed that they have prior experience with the college and
a local presence.
(Mr. Oliver stepped out at 5:13 p.m.)
Mr. Austin inquired if the college could have a local presence preference similar to that
adopted by the city and inquired if the college would have to go to the legislature as the
City did. Mr. Mitchell informed that the college would have to go to the legislature.
(Mr. Oliver returned at 5:17 p.m.)
Mr. Schechter requested that Counsel provide a written legal analysis and opinion if
local preference could be a factor in procurement consideration.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 6-2-1 with Trustees Austin and Sane
opposing; and Trustee Flores abstaining.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – September 8, 2011 - Page 4
RENEWAL OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR SPACE IN GREENBRIAR SQUARE
(STAFFORD, TEXAS)
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Mr. Oliver seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 9-0.
RESOLUTION FOR A LOAN WITH A HCC APPROVED DEPOSITORY BANK FOR
CAPITAL RELATED EXPENDITURES
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Mrs. Sane seconded. The motion passed with a vote
of 7-1-1 with Mrs. Flores opposing and Ms. Loredo abstaining.
TUITION AND FEES FOR NON-CREDIT CLASSES
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Ms. Madeline Burrillo noted that the increase would be for approximately $40 per course
for the affected courses.
Vote – The motion passed with vote of 9-0.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON COMMUNITY
COLLEGE RELATING TO JOINT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Ms. Loredo seconded.
Mr. Austin noted that a resolution was passed that states if unopposed the Board
member did not need to be included on the ballot.
Vote – The motion passed with a vote of 9-0.
INVESTMENT REPORT FOR JULY 2011
Motion – Dr. Williams moved and Mrs. Sane seconded to receive the report. The motion
passed with a vote of 9-0.
UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Dr. Seymour provided an update on the Strategic Planning process.
MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FOR AUGUST 2011
Mr. Schechter recommended postponing discussion of the report until the Regular
meeting scheduled for September 15, 2011.
ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Schechter adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:40 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.
Houston Community College
Committee of the Whole – September 8, 2011 - Page 5
Mr. Schechter reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 6:48 p.m. and entertained
motions on pending matters.
(Present: Trustees Austin, Mullins, Perez, Oliver, and Schechter)
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved:
October 20, 2011