December 1999 Minutes
HCCS Home | Board of Trustees
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
REGULAR MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 2, 1999
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Regular Meeting
on December 2, 1999 at the Town & Country Center, 1010 West Sam Houston Parkway
North, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Christopher W. Oliver, Chairman
Abel Davila, Vice-Chairman (arr. 5:20 p.m.)
James R. Murphy, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin
John Fonteno
Herlinda Garcia (arr. 5:20 p.m.)
M. James Henderson (arr. 4:50 p.m.)
Carol H. Smith
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
W. F. Russell, Deputy Secretary
ADMINISTRATION
Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Chancellor
Jack E. Daniels, President, HCC-Central
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (1 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
Zachary Hodges, President, HCC-Northwest
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Educational Development
Patricia Williamson, Vice Chancellor, Institutional Development
Joseph Fenninger, Chief Financial Officer
Milton E. Milstead, Executive Director, Materials Management
OTHERS PRESENT
Arturo Michel, Bracewell and Patterson
Other administrators, staff, representatives of the news media and interested citizens
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Oliver called the meeting to order at 4:29 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.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Oliver led the Board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the prayer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Oliver encouraged trustees to attend the Employee Recognition Banquet at the Power
Center on December 3, 1999. He requested that one other trustee agree to attend the
Special Board Meeting on December 9th to canvass results of the runoff election for
District V between Mr. Henderson and Mr. Herman Litt. Mr. Oliver read a Resolution
submitted by Trustee Bruce Austin affirming support for Tech-Prep programs at HCCS.
The Board Chair recognized Trustee John Fonteno, Jr. with a Resolution acknowledging
his tenure of dedicated public service to HCCS since November 1995.
MINUTES APPROVED
Motion No. 982
Mr. Murphy moved to approve the Minutes from the Special Meeting of August 24, 1999,
the Special Meeting of October 4, 1999, the Special Meeting of October 11, 1999, and the
Regular Meeting of October 28, 1999. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. After discussion,
motion carried 5-0 (Trustees Davila, Garcia and Henderson had not yet arrived).
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
Faculty Recognition Award &endash; Dr. Burgos recognized Monty Sanders, Assistant
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (2 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
Chair, Computer Technology at Southwest College, for his exemplary work at HCCS to
develop and implement the department standards so important in workforce preparation.
Mr. Sanders came to HCCS with over 21 years of experience at Shell Oil Co. in
information systems management and also formed his own software company. He has
distinguished himself by increasing student enrollment 141 percent through the addition
of new courses and topics to the Computer Technology program.
HEARING OF CITIZENS
Mr. Oliver gave preface to the Hearing of Citizens and invited duly registered speakers to
present their comments. There were no citizens present to speak before the Board.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion No. 983 - Mr. Austin moved approval of the consent agenda, with the exception of
items B3, B4, B6, B7, B9, B10, B11, C20, D24, and E25, which were set aside for further
discussion. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Trustees Davila and
Garcia had not yet arrived). The following items were then approved:
I. Instructional Programs
II. Purchasing of Materials and Services
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Approved Payment to Bracewell and Patterson for Professional Services;
Approved Payment to Feldman & Rogers for Professional Services;
Approved Lease-Purchase of an IBM Mainframe Replacement;
Approved Use of Funds to Purchase HCCS Library Collection with SACS
Recommendations;
Approved Roof Replacement for Temporary Buildings at Stafford Campus,
Southwest College;
Approved Purchase of a Lathe Machine, Manufacturing Technology Department/
Central College;
Approved Purchase of Plumbing Expendables, Plumbers Apprenticeship Program/
Central College;
Approved Purchase of an Electric Self-Propelled Lift, Southwest College;
Approved Purchase of Welding Equipment, Central College;
Approved Payment to the Harris County Appraisal District;
III. Lease or Construction
●
●
Approved Policy for Lease or Rental of HCCS Facilities;
Approved Renewal of Sublease Agreement for Missouri City Adult Learning Center;
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (3 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
IV. Fiscal Matters
●
●
●
Approved Investment Report for the Month of October 1999;
Approved Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 1999;
Approved Resolution Amending Bank of America Authorized Signatory
Representatives;
IV. Other
●
Approved Expanding Jurisdictional Authority of HCCS Peace Officers;
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. B3 APPROVE PURCHASE OF PEOPLESOFT DATA ARCHIVING TOOLS SOFTWARE
NO. B4 APPROVE USE OF PEOPLESOFT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GROUP
Motion No. 984 - Mr. Austin moved to combine approval of consent agenda items No. 3
and 4. Mr. Henderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Trustees Davila and
Garcia had not yet arrived).
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. B6 APPROVE CONTRACT BETWEEN HERMES REED ARCHITECTS AND HCCS
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND PAYMENT UNDER CONTRACT
Motion No. 985 - Mr. Austin moved approval of consent agenda item No. 6. Mr. Murphy
seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Trustees Davila and Garcia had not yet
arrived).
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. B7 APPROVE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT COOPERATIVE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000
Motion No. 986 - Mr. Austin moved approval of consent agenda item No. 7. Mr. Murphy
seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0-2. Mr. Davila and Mrs. Garcia abstained.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. B9 APPROVE JOINING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (4 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING NETWORK SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY LEGAL COUNSEL
Motion No. 987 - Mr. Austin moved approval of consent agenda item No. 9. Mr.
Henderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. B10 APPROVE PURCHASE OF THE BOILER REPLACEMENT AT THE HEINEN THEATRE,
CENTRAL COLLEGE
NO. B11 APPROVE ROOFING REPAIRS FOR THE CENTRAL COLLEGE SAN JACINTO
MEMORIAL BUILDING
Motion No. 988 - Mr. Murphy moved to combine items No. 10 and 11. Mr. Henderson
seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. C20 APPROVE CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT METHOD AND CRITERIA FOR 288
PROJECT
Motion No. 989 - Mr. Austin moved approval of consent agenda item No. 20. Mr.
Henderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. D24 APPROVE CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR TAX ABATEMENT FOR TEXAS
MEDICAL CENTER AREA PROPERTY
Motion No. 990 - Mr. Henderson moved to table consent agenda item No. 24. Mr. Murphy
seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
NO. E25 APPROVE POLICY PROHIBITING EMPLOYEES FROM BIDDING ON AUCTION SALE
OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM PROPERTY
Motion No. 991 - Mr. Austin moved approval of consent agenda item No. 25. Mr. Murphy
seconded the motion. Motion failed 4-4. Trustees Henderson, Murphy, Oliver and Fonteno
voted in favor of the motion. Trustees Austin, Smith, Garcia and Davila voted against the
motion.
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (5 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
●
●
●
●
●
●
Financial Activity - Joe Fenninger, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial
activity report for the period ending November 30, 1999.
In response to Mr. Oliver's request, Mr. Fenninger provided information concerning
the status of the 288 Project. He explained that the current focus is on drainage
and engineering, as well as on acquiring licensing for the facility. Meetings have
taken place with the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Houston
regarding the securing of permits and the design for water and sewage line
locations. Mr. Jerry King has committed the City to pay all of the costs to bring in
water lines to the facility and has agreed that the City will cover 30% of the cost to
bring sewage lines from some distance--a very expensive process. Mr. Fenninger
explained that this development has led to a significant savings from the initial $2
million budgeted for utilities. Mr. Fenninger also noted that the first RFP is due
December 11th on the contract for the detention ponds and the construction of a 4foot elevation where the building will be located. A second contract will be awarded
for water and sewage lines. In addition, a third contract will involve the actual
building of the 288 facility.
Mr. Fenninger also reported that a meeting was held two weeks ago with the City
Planning Commission regarding the size and design of the parking garage at 3100
Main, a structure that was of major concern to City planners due to the garage's
planned height of nine floors. An agreement has been reached to eliminate one
floor of the garage and to alter the facility's design in other areas. Mr. Fenninger
stated that this project would come in on schedule in September 2000.
Employee Orientation Program - Connie Stone, Director of Employee Development,
presented a report on this relatively new program considered by many other
institutions to be a "best practice" and recognized as a model at two national
conferences. The program provides all new full-time and some part-time
employees with an orientation that facilitates their assimilation into the college
community.
Outsourcing Central College for Maintenance Operations - Dr. Daniels, PresidentHCC Central, stated that Central's administration, over the past 7 months, has
looked at the possibility of conducting performance contracting for the maintenance
department as a means to resolve several difficult issues existing in that area. He
believes that performance contracting can eliminate $2-3 million in vendor
contracting and utility expenses, as well as resolve personnel problems existing in
the department. The administration, he reported, has gone out for RFQ's and is
currently in the selection process for a performance contractor to handle all of
Central's maintenance requirements. This company would replace outdated
equipment as well as maintain and manage new equipment. These developments,
Dr. Daniels noted, can also help remedy the decline in enrollment at Central, which
he attributes, in part, to the deteriorating infrastructure of the building. He
reported that an action item relating to this topic would be presented in January to
the Board for approval.
Trustee Austin observed that the normal procedure in this type of situation is for
the Board Chairman to establish an ad hoc committee to develop a policy, in this
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (6 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
●
case on privatization, and then to follow through, if advisable, with the
recommended action, in this case, outsourcing. Mr. Austin's major concern, he
said, involves the displacement of employees at Central. Attorney Michel stated
that a policy in this area is needed, and he suggested that the administration
return at the next meeting with an impact analysis regarding the effect on
personnel of such outsourcing.
Mr. Juan Torres of Mir, Fox & Rodriguez summarized the firm's audit assessment of
the financial statements and audit reports pertaining to governmental compliance
requirements for HCCS. Mr. Torres characterized the financial statements of the
administration as a fair representation of HCCS in accordance with the accounting
standards mandated by the Texas Coordinating Board. He also reported that the
financial statements indicate HCCS is in compliance with all the government
requirements in the areas of federal and state funding. He observed that his firm's
report to the state auditor would indicate that HCC, in its investment policy, is in
compliance with the Texas Public Investment Funds Act.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Oliver announced that in order to prepare for a general obligation bond election, he is
reassembling the Facilities Committee and has asked Mr. Murphy to chair the committee.
Mrs. Garcia stated that she believes it is premature to appoint any type of committee
before the newly elected trustee or trustees have an opportunity to be involved in the
process.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Oliver adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 7:15 p.m., notice having
previously been given, and reiterated by him in accordance with the Open Meetings Law.
He 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. Mr. Oliver
reconvened the meeting in Open Session at 9:21 p.m. and entertained motions on
pending matters.
APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL AGENDA
Motion No. 977
Mr. Henderson moved approval of the Personnel Agenda. Mr. Davila seconded the
motion. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT IN DR. PATRICIA FAIRCHILD MATTER
Motion No. 978
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (7 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]
December 1999 Minutes
Mr. Fonteno moved approval of the settlement relative to the Dr. Patricia Fairchild
resignation matter. Mr. Austin seconded the motion. Motion carried 8-0.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2000 at 4:00 p.m.
It is scheduled to be held in the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, Houston, Texas.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Ms. Smith and Mr. Austin attended a conference of the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in Austin on November 19, 1999. Out of this conference came the
beginnings of a two-year process to develop higher education goals in regards to
demographic studies and to rethink goals of higher education in Texas to better serve its
students. This process will involve a Lieutenant Governor's Commission and visits to all
public educational institutions. Ms. Smith described the conference as very rewarding and
interesting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Oliver adjourned the Meeting at
9:24 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By: Carolynne Dudley, Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted By: Minutes Approved as Submitted:
James R. Murphy, Secretary
Board of Trustees Home
HCCS Home
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/hccs/My%20Doc...s/Board%20of%20Trustees%20Minutes%201999/dec99.html (8 of 8) [3/25/2008 4:11:36 PM]