SPECIAL MEETING/BUDGET WORKSHOP
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
July 30, 1997
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special
Meeting/Budget Workshop on July 30, 1997, at the HCCS Student Service Center, 320
Jackson Hill, Meeting Room A, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
M. James Henderson, Chairman
Christopher W. Oliver, Vice-Chairman
Carol H. Smith, Deputy Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
Herlinda Garcia
A. J. Lynch
Francisco G. Medina
W. F. Russell
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
John Fonteno, Jr., Secretary
ADMINISTRATION
Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Chancellor
Diana Morales Taylor, Chief Operations Officer
Elaine Adams, Vice-Chancellor, Educational Development and Interim President, Central
College
Sue Cox, President, SW College
Patricia Fairchild, Vice-Chancellor, Workforce Development
Margaret Ford, Act. President/NE College
Zachary Hodges, President, NW College
Sylvia Ramos, President, SE College
Pat Williamson, Vice-Chancellor, Institutional Planning
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, Bracewell and Patterson
Other administrators, staff, citizens and members of the news media
CALL TO ORDER OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mr. Henderson called the Special Meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. and declared the Board
convened to consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as
listed on the duly-posted meeting notice.
CHANCELLOR'S AGENDA APPROVED
Motion No. 704 - Mr. Russell moved approval of the Chancellor's Agenda and Mr.
Medina seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. (Trustees Austin, Oliver and Smith had
not yet arrived)
The following action was taken:
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Ratified the purchase of fall registration electronic media advertising by Marrot
Communications;
Approved training agreements with Stevens Transport and CRST for truck driver
training;
Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Galveston College for truck driver
training;
Approved payment of allowable expenses for Bruce Austin to attend an in-district
seminar, 'How to Coach People to Perform at their peak;
Approved Nations Bank as bank depository for two years;
Approved the use of Oracle Professional Services for the implementation of
Oracle ÒInterOfficeÓ e-mail replacement project;
Approved 1997-98 National Literacy Act (NLA) contracts with various agencies
to provide services to the Adult Literacy Program;
Ratified the acceptance of the donation of an automobile from Chrysler
Corporation for the Northeast College Transportation Department; and
Approved architects for System projects:
Farrell Sundin & Partners Architects Inc. - Southeast College addition; Hellmuth,
Obata and Kassabaum, Inc., - Medical Center facility; and Page Southerland Page
- Master Plan update and System Architect for 1997-98.
Houston Community College System
Special Meeting/Budget Workshop - July 30, 1997 - Page 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Board Retreat - Dr. Burgos-Sasscer announced that a suitable date had not been
found for a Board retreat on legal responsibilities and asked that the Board
postpone the retreat until the fall. Mr. Henderson asked that the Board Members
alert the Board Services Office of any days they will be unavailable. The Board
will be notified when a date is set.
b. Chancellor's Evaluation - The ChancellorÕs annual evaluation will be held in
August. Board Members were asked to advise the Board Services Office of any
days they would be unavailable. The Board will be advised when a suitable date is
identified.
c. Audit Plan - Mr. Henderson called attention to the annual audit plan and
encouraged the other Trustees to review this document.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Chairman adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 5:35 p.m., notice having
been previously given, and reiterated by him in accordance with the Open Meetings Law.
He stated 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. Mr. Henderson
reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 5:45 p.m. and entertained motions on matters
pending.
PERSONNEL AGENDA APPROVED AS SUBMITTED
Motion No. 705 - Mr. Lynch moved approval of the Personnel Agenda as submitted. Mr.
Russell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING
With no further business to come before the Board, the Special Meeting was adjourned at
5:47 p.m.
BUDGET WORKSHOP CONVENED*
The Chancellor commended administration and staff for the hard work and long hours
spent in developing this budget. She then turned the meeting over to Diana Morales
Taylor who reviewed the proposed 1997-98 budget. Board discussion centered mainly
around issues of planned maintenance and facilities; upgrading of technology; and
options for generating revenue.
Ms. Taylor pointed out that the high cost of leasing facilities from HISD is impeding the
System's growth. Although five HISD sites were closed last year, rental costs for the
remaining sites total about $2.3 million and total rents of $7 million. In addition,
enrollment at these sites is steadily decreasing. The long-term solution would be the
construction of owned facilities which would require a source of funds such as some
combination of general obligation and revenue bonds.
In reply to questions from the Board, Ms. Taylor estimated it would take about five years
to remedy the facilities dilemma. Administration was directed to present a plan to the
Board in three months which would include an update of the facilities master plan and a
list of facilities to be vacated.
Administration proposed several recommendations for increasing revenues over the next
five years. These included a proposed tax increase of $.005 per year over four years; a
proposed technology fee effective Fall 1998; a proposed tuition increase in Fall 1999; and
in the event a bond referendum is not successful, the issuance of additional revenue
bonds to continue facilities construction.
* The proposed budget for 1997-98 is on file for public inspection in the Board Services
Office, 22 Waugh Drive
Houston Community College System
Regular Board Meeting - June 26, 1997 - Page 3
The Board agreed that these were all viable options, however, they were in agreement
that administration should also take all steps possible to reduce costs. Recommendations
discussed included reviewing all contracts for services for standardization; replacing in-
town travel stipends with actual expenses; standardizing office supplies; purchasing our
own phone system; and using ATMs as a source of auxiliary funds.
It was also noted that the HCCS Foundation should take a more active role in seeking
sources of funds, and that both the Foundation and Alumni Association should be added
to the list of revenue sources.
The Board gave further direction to the administration as follows:
1. Hold down tuition and fees as much as possible; any increases to be proposed in
off-election years;
2. If a tax increase is proposed, it should be at one time, not spread out over four
years; any increase to be proposed in off-election years;
3. Implement a technology fee effective Spring 98; and
4. Look for any items that may attract negative publicity and correct them.
Ms. Taylor stated she would report to the Board in six months on budget performance.
ADJOURNMENT
The Budget Workshop was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Prepared by:
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Linda Gray
Manager, Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
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John Fonteno, Jr., Secretary
HCCS Board of Trustees Minutes Approved as
Submitted:_________________________________