SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
August 9, 2012
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College held a Special Meeting on
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 2nd Floor,
Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Mary Ann Perez, Chair
Bruce Austin, Vice Chair
Neeta Sane, Secretary
Yolanda Navarro Flores
Sandie Mullins
Christopher W. Oliver
Carroll G. Robinson
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Bill Harmon, President, Central College
Zach Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College for Health Sciences
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Remmele Young, Executive Director, Government Relations and Sustainability
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Karun Sreerama, ESPA Corp
Gene Locke, Bond Counsel, Andrews Kurth
Clarence Grier, Financial Advisor, RBC Capital
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Perez, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:41 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
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Special Meeting – August 9, 2012 - Page 2
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN ORDER CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING
TO QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE TERRITORY WITHIN HOUSTON COMMUNITY
COLLEGE SYSTEM, A PROPOSITION FOR OR AGAINST THE ISSUANCE OF
$425,000,000 BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF
FACILITIES FOR THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM; AND MAKING
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT
Motion – Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mr. Schechter made the following statement regarding the proposed bond program:
(Mrs. Flores joined the meeting at 3:45 p.m.)
HCC Board and administration have always been fiscally responsible and noted that the
college is bursting at the seams and may be unable to meet the demands of students
and businesses. He informed that the bond program is about educating men and
women of Houston and it is designed to keep Houston working.
Mrs. Sane requested that a pledge be made to use the first funding to complete the
project in Alief. Mr. Schechter, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Robinson supported the
recommendation.
Mr. Schechter apprised that the college has invested $81 million in the Alief area and
noted that it has been number one behind Central College. He informed that Alief was
aware of the Alief Campus build-out and that the $10 million allocated will be to
complete the Hayes Road facilities.
Mr. Robinson expressed appreciation to the Chair for allowing his concerns to be heard
and expressed to the Chancellor that the measure is the right thing and that he is in it to
make certain it is successful. He apprised that the Board discussed the item in length at
the Board Retreat in June and thanked Dr. Tyler for making certain the numbers are
accurate and reflect the needs. He also noted that the charge of the community college
is to provide opportunity and that a cornerstone is needed in the healthcare area. He
apprised that Coleman College turns away 8 out of 10 students as it relates to the
nursing program because of capacity. He informed the college is seen differently, it is a
place that prepares to put people back into the economy as well as create jobs that go
beyond just building something.
Mr. Oliver reiterated that the college has been good stewards and noted that the college
has done more with less. He informed that the bottom line is that more is needed and
apprised that it is an appeal because it is needed.
Ms. Mullins requested clarification on the Alief funding and asked if this means
additional money for Alief. Mrs. Sane apprised that the $10 million would go to
complete the floors for Alief as promised under the annexation commitment. Ms. Mullins
noted that the bond program is a difficult decision
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Special Meeting – August 9, 2012 - Page 3
Mrs. Flores informed she would not be voting for the bond. She noted that she would
like to see adjustments made to current facilities. Mrs. Flores apprised that she does
not disagree of the needs but agrees that this measure will allow for another tax burden,
and she is not able to support the bond program.
Mr. Austin noted that the item should be approved because it is needed and the college
must prepare individuals and thereby leading them to prosperity.
Ms. Sane noted that the student needs must be addressed and there must be a focus
on workforce. She informed that it is essential for the college to go out for the bond at
this time.
Ms. Perez stated that she supports the bond because not only will it address the
workforce but also create job opportunities.
Mr. Gene Locke with Andrews Kurth apprised that the vote by the Board would call for
the election and noted that the next step would be to negotiate with Harris County and
Fort Bend County to handle the election.
Vote - The motion passed with vote of 6-1-1 with Mrs. Flores opposing and Ms. Mullins
abstaining.
RESOLUTION REGARDING PROCUREMENT WITH BOND PROCEEDS
Motion – Mr. Robinson moved and Mrs. Sane seconded.
Mr. Austin provided an amendment to the motion that would be consistent with the
policy approved by the Board as it relates to item 4 on the first page of the resolution to
read “all contracts related to the proposed bond issuance shall be reviewed by the
College’s General Counsel prior to execution”. He noted that the Board is responsible
for the quality of the educational programs and that administration recommends policies
and procedures to be approved by the Board.
Mrs. Renee Byas noted that the revision requested by Mr. Austin would read, “all
contracts related to the proposed bond issuance shall be reviewed by the College’s
General Counsel prior to the execution”.
Mr. Austin accepted the amendment as noted by Ms. Byas.
Mr. Robinson requested that the Board be informed of the policy and procedure when
there will be a deviation from the college’s standard procurement process.
Amendment to Motion – Mr. Austin moved and Mr. Robinson seconded. The motion
passed with a vote of 7-0-1 with Mrs. Flores abstaining.
Mr. Robinson noted that the small business program mentioned in the resolution is
referencing the one currently under development.
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Special Meeting – August 9, 2012 - Page 4
Vote on original motion – The motion carried with vote 7-1-0 with Mrs. Flores opposing.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business coming before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
Minutes recorded, transcribed & submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
September 20, 2012