MEETING OF THE
FACILITIES SUB-COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
June 7, 2012
Minutes
The Facilities Sub-committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held
a meeting on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd
Floor, Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Richard Schechter, Committee Chair
Bruce Austin, Committee Member
Carroll G. Robinson, Committee Member
Mary Ann Perez, Alternate Committee Member
Sandie Mullins
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Shantay Grays, Interim Executive Officer to the Chancellor
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, Board Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Gene Locke, Andrews Kurth, LLP
Clarence Grier, RBC Capital
Karun Sreerama, Master Planner, ESPA Corp.
Lisa Eason, President, COPA
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Schechter called the meeting to order at 2:16 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
DEVELOP PLAN PRESENTING PHASE I OF THE FACILITIES AND FINANCE PLAN
Mr. Schechter asked Dr. Karun Sreerama, Master Planner, to provide a brief overview of
the community forums that were held. Dr. Sreerama noted that a summary of the
comments was provided for review. He apprised that a couple comments or questions
repeated throughout the forums were regarding additional funding for their area and if the
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Facilities Sub-Committee – June 7, 2012 - Page 2
college had inquired with corporations about assisting with the funding needs to build the
facilities.
Mr. Schechter noted that there was one inquiry regarding the funding mechanism that
would be used for the facilities plan.
Mr. Schechter informed that there was one group that made a pitch at the presentations
regarding the Brays Oak area and apprised that a meeting was held with David Hawes to
consider their request for a proposed site for a new facility.
Mr. Schechter apprised that Mr. Hawes provided a proposal from the Brays Oaks
Management District. He noted that the group committed to purchasing the land if the
college would build the facility.
Mr. Austin inquired if the facility would be an educational center or regional campus. Dr.
Tyler informed that the size of the land will determine the type of facility. He noted that if 40
acres are secured then a campus could be placed on the site.
Mr. Schechter informed that at least 5000 students will be needed to develop a campus.
Ms. Mullins inquired about the closest facility to the area. Mr. Schechter noted that it would
be past the Beltway. Mr. Austin apprised that it would probably be the Alief or Stafford
campus. He noted that the request should be considered.
Mr. Schechter requested that the demographics be available for the Board to discuss at the
Retreat.
Dr. Tyler informed that the proposed long-range plan was adjusted slightly to identify the
$10 million needed to accommodate a project for Brays Oak. He noted that the plan was
adjusted by increasing the budget by $5 million and decreasing the proposed facility
maintenance by $5 million.
Mr. Austin apprised that Mr. Gene Locke has some information that would be insightful.
Mr. Locke provided an overview of other entities that may consider a bond referendum. He
noted that if everyone gets their wants there total referendums would be in excess of $2
billion. He informed that the deciding factor will probably be who carries the day as well as
and who gets the most voters to come out and vote for propositions.
Mr. Locke apprised that the task ahead for a governmental body is to educate the voters to
get them out to vote. He noted that one of the things that consumers are concerned with is
the huge dollar amount requested in referendums.
Mr. Locke apprised that HCC has been asked to make a presentation before the Greater
Houston Partnership’s (GHP) Educational Board. He noted that the one thing that must be
considered is that the decisions will be made in the mist of major competition.
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Facilities Sub-Committee – June 7, 2012 - Page 3
Mr. Locke referenced the timeline presented to the Board and noted that the Board has to
make a decision by the end of July. The following is a summary of the timetable presented:
June 15-August 1- Board consideration of direction regarding bond election, legal issues,
amount of public issuance and usage and alternatives.
July 1–August 8 -
Finalize matters related to call for election, draft for resolution and
ballot language.
August 20 -
Deadline for calling election.
Mr. Locke informed that the college may have multiple requests and apprised that it is
difficult to make tough decisions in the eleventh hour. Mr. Locke recommended calling the
election a couple days prior to the deadline (August 9th - August 18th ). He noted that the
Bond Counsel, Tom Sage would need to contact the Attorney General’s Office to review.
He informed that since HCC will not conduct the election, there will need to be negotiation
with Harris and Fort Bend County Clerk offices.
Mr. Locke noted that the staff for HCC will need to be responsible for posting notices in the
newspaper (English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese) following regular posting
requirements and sending writ of election to county judge. He informed that the Board is
responsible for providing as much education to the public as possible about the issue that
is before them. Mr. Locke informed that Board members in their individual capacity can
lobby for, solicit support and actively recruit supporters for the bond election. He noted that
there are some difficult decisions that the Board will have to consider within the next six
weeks.
Mr. Schechter apprised that the Board would review the issues at the scheduled retreat. He
encouraged the Board to ask Mr. Locke any questions prior to the retreat.
Ms. Mullins inquired about the language and noted that the college’s language should be
straight forward and inquired if there would be a problem. Mr. Locke noted that there could
be a separation because part of the request would be refinancing debt.
Mr. Austin informed that there should be enough wordsmith resources available to craft the
question that asks for a compulsory “yes” prior to placing on the ballot.
Dr. Spangler noted that she was at the GHP meeting and informed that they are
approaching the referendum from a different aspect. She apprised that they are seeking
more of a business approach to the matter that includes a long-term view.
(Mrs. Flores arrived at 2:51 p.m.)
Dr. Spangler noted that the GHP’s support is imperative. Mr. Locke informed that having
the GHP’s support is vital; however, it may not necessarily guarantee your direct success
because there may be other support groups persuading the outcome.
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Facilities Sub-Committee – June 7, 2012 - Page 4
Mr. Austin apprised that he has been a proponent of a compelling message and that it
should be developed under the umbrella of our best minds from the educational standpoint.
He noted that language must convince the public and even the Board itself.
Mr. Robinson noted that somewhere there are one or two public policy polls and requested
that an attempt is made to obtain the information. He informed that he would like to have a
detailed discussion at the retreat regarding going out for the bond November 2012 versus
November 2013.
Mr. Robinson apprised that the request should be for what you think you need. HCC has
the best message and best circumstances; however, it has to be done right. He apprised
that the amount is too low and consideration should be given to asking the voters for what
we think we need.
(Ms. Perez stepped out at 3:01 p.m.)
Mr. Robinson inquired that if separate requests are needed, will it be possible to limit the
requests to two items. Mr. Locke informed that he would review the best possible format for
wording the bond requests.
Mr. Robinson requested a layered map that shows HCC, HISD and the City of Houston. Mr.
Schechter noted that there was an annexation election in 2008 and it would be useful to
see what the drop-off vote was regarding the Presidential vote and the actual annexation.
Mr. Austin requested an update of the Yaffe|Deutser voter analysis and asked Dr.
Sreerama to get the block group numbers from the city.
Mr. Robinson apprised that he understands that a decision will not be made today;
however, he knows that $60 million will not build a building in the medical center.
Ms. Loredo requested that consideration be given to balancing the numbers between
communities.
Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mr. Robinson seconded to forward the item to the full
Board. The motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
Mr. Robinson requested to see the full amount prior to streamlining the projects for the
Board to consider.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.
Recorded, transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: