MINUTES

Regular Meeting - Board of Trustees

September 9, 2002

 

In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened in public session on Monday, September 9, 2002, at 6:11 p.m. in the Board Room (201) the Highland Business Center of Austin Community College located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Rafael Quintanilla, Chair/Presiding Officer; Barbara Mink, Vice Chair; Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary; Beverly Watts Davis [arrived at 6:20 p.m.]; Lillian J. Davis; John F. Hernandez, Nan McRaven; Beverly Silas; and John Worley.

 

It is further found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of this Board, the notice of this meeting has been posted and return thereof made pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, and there has been full compliance with the terms and provisions of said act, including the timely posting of the subjects of this meeting.

 

Recognitions

·       There were no new employees.

·       Stephanie Diina-Dempsey, Executive Director, ACC Foundation, introduced Ann Slavik and Nancy Gibson of the Assistance League of Austin.  A check in the amount of $25,000 was presented to the ACC Foundation, making a total contribution of $150,000 from the Assistance League of Austin.

 

Citizens Communication

·       Daniel Traverso, Full-Time Faculty Senate, spoke regarding Board interests.

·       John Cise, Full-Time Faculty Senate, spoke and provided a handout and spoke regarding salaries for 2004.

 

Reports from Associations

·       Adjunct Faculty Association – Don Morris, President, spoke regarding multiple semester appointments.

·       Classified Employees Association – Judy Doyen, President, spoke regarding activities and made Trustees aware that those retirees who have earned social security benefits will lose one-third of their social security benefits upon retirement under current State law; the Association's blood drive, and the tax base.  She advised that new officers of the Association include:  Vice Chair is currently vacant; Jackie Pool, Secretary; Al Kizer, Parliamentarian; and campus representatives.

·       Full-Time Faculty Senate – Stacey Thompson, President, introduced new officers of the Senate:  President-Elect, Daniel Traverso; Secretary, Laura Ore; Linda Kaplan, Parliamentarian; Reporter - Dr. Mariano Diaz-Miranda.

·       Professional-Technical Employees Association – Marilyn Lee-Taylor, President, spoke regarding goals of the Association in Fiscal Year 2003 and the September 20 ATPE meeting and introduced new officers:  John Kennie, President-Elect, and Gina Palacios-Grochow, Secretary.  Karen Anderson, former President, distributed information regarding accomplishments of the Association during Fiscal Year 2002.

·      Student Government Association – Zander Parker, President, spoke regarding the activities of the Student Government Association and lack of a campus smoking policy.

 

Trustee Community Organization Reports to the Board

·      Board Chair Barbara Mink reported on an August meeting with the Balcones Civic Neighborhood Association.

 

Reports to the Board

·      Report of Achievements and Recognitions – Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, presented the Kudos report.

·       Continuing Education Enrollment Trends and Master Plan – Dr. Alan Rasco, Associate Vice President of Workforce Education, and Sandra Gaskin, Dean of Continuing Education, presented a staff report on Continuing Education and responded to questions from Trustees. Trustees and Dr. Fonte recognized the outstanding Continuing Education area and commended the Continuing Education Department.   Trustees expressed appreciation for the informative report.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 7578

Minutes of August 5, 2002, Regular Meeting, and August 19, 2002, Board Briefing and Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees

Recommendation:  That the minutes be approved as presented.

 

Agenda Item 7579

Resolution Confirmation of Investment Officer and Supervisory Investment Officer, Austin Community College

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the confirmation of Ben Ferrell as Investment Officer and Neil Vickers as Supervisory Investment Officer.

 

Agenda Item 7580

Confirmation of Extension of Contract for Real Estate Broker Services

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees confirm an extension of the contract for real estate broker services.

 

Trustee Beverly Watts Davis requested Agenda Item 7580, Confirmation of Extension of Contract for Real Estate Broker Services, be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

 

Trustee Lillian Davis moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Agenda Items 7578 and 7579 as presented.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Beverly S. Silas, and John Worley.

The Chair did not vote.

 

Agenda Item 7580

Confirmation of Extension of Contract for Real Estate Broker Services

Trustee Beverly Watts Davis stated her desire to meet with the real estate parties and to have additional information on the real estate item.

Trustee Beverly Watts Davis moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Agenda Item 7580, Confirmation of Extension of Contract for Real Estate Broker Services, as presented.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 7-0-1.

ABSTAINING:  Trustee Allen Kaplan abstained from the vote.

The Chair did not vote.

 

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 7581

South Austin Community Advisory Committee Membership

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Martha Oburn and Guadalupe Sosa, Co-Chairs of the Advisory Committee, presented information regarding additions and replacements to the Committee and responded to questions from Trustees.  Trustees discussed the make-up of the Committee and the method for replacing members.

 

Beverly Watts Davis moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees increase the South Austin Campus Advisory Committee to 22 persons, including 4 representatives from the AISD high schools, and Board members who appointed original committee members will appoint replacements.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a unanimous vote of 8-0. 

For:  Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Beverly Silas, and John Worley

Against:  None.

The Chair did not vote.

 

John Worley moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Chair of the South Austin Campus Advisory Committee be elected by the membership of the committee with the ACC administration appointing a person to serve as an ex-officio member and staff liaison.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of  7-1.

For:  Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Beverly Silas, and John Worley

Against:  Allen Kaplan

The Chair did not vote.

 

Ms. Sosa read a resolution passed by the South Austin Advisory Committee at its last meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7582

Legislative Agenda/Priorities

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Trustees discussed the Texas Association of Community Colleges and Austin Community College's proposed priorities for the 78th Session of the Texas Legislature.

Trustee John Worley moved and Beverly Watts Davis seconded:

MOTION:  That the Board of Trustees adopt Austin Community College's proposed legislative priorities with a placeholder to work with the Adjunct Faculty Association to develop a proposal to make it easier for adjuncts to access health insurance.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Beverly S. Silas, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

The Chair did not vote.

 

Agenda Item 7583

Proposed Revision of Board Policy B-4, Board of Trustees Bylaws on Voting

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and Trustee John Worley provided information concerning the proposed language to clarify the policy.  Trustees discussed the proposed amendments.

Trustee Beverly Watts Davis moved and John Worley seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees adopt Board Policy B-4 [3], Board Bylaws, to read:

3.  Board Meetings

         3.1 Official meetings of the Board, including specially called emergency meetings, can be called, within the notification limits imposed by law, by the Board Chair or by any three Trustees. The Board shall not take immediate action on a topic (i.e., a final vote on a topic at the first meeting at which it is discussed or at other than the regular meeting of the month or a recessed continuation) except if the topic could not reasonably have been discussed at a prior meeting and action on the topic is essential or unless not taking immediate action could harm is necessary to benefit the College.  However, although a change to Board policy may be adopted at a meeting other than the regular meeting of the month, the change must, without exception, have been discussed at a prior meeting.  The President and Board Officers Chair must use best efforts to ensure that items will not be brought to the Board for immediate action unless they could not reasonably have been discussed at an earlier meeting and/or scheduled for a final vote at the first regular meeting of the month.  This exception does not apply to adoption of a Board policy. 

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Beverly Watts Davis, Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Beverly S. Silas, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

The Chair did not vote.

 

Agenda Item 7584

Interlocal Agreement to Establish Project American Dream

Chair Quintanilla introduced the item and recognized Mary Anne Neely, Volunteer Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force of the Greater Austin Chamber.  Ms. Neely provided information regarding a resolution to take land that has been foreclosed on and build affordable housing.  This will be a proposed partnership between Travis County, the City of Austin, Austin Independent School District, and Austin Community College to assist low-income individuals in securing affordable housing.  The partnership will assist in returning properties to active tax rolls and provide the potential for greater revenue to the College.  Ms. Neely and Sandy Hentges, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, responded to questions from Trustees.  Mr. Quintanilla expressed appreciation for the information provided and stated this item will be included on the October 7, 2002, agenda.

 

Agenda Item 7585

Informal Feedback - Presidential Performance

 

Executive Session

Mr. Quintanilla recessed the Board into Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.074, to consult with legal counsel regarding personnel matters, including presidential performance.

 

Reconvene

Mr. Quintanilla reconvened the meeting at 10:00 p.m. pursuant to Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code.

 

President's Administrative Report

No report was presented.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well rated as 1-5 (with 5 being very satisfied):  no comment; 4; 3.5; and 4.

What we can do better:  There were no comments.

 

Announcements

·       Beverly Silas stated she would be taking the ACC Story to Pflugerville on September 10.

·       Beverly Watts Davis stated her business was recently awarded the Community Leadership Award by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the September 9, 2002, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

 

Approved By

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary