July 21, 2003

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 at a Board Work Session on Monday, July 21, 2003, at 6:02 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of 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; Allen Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian J. Davis; John Hernandez; Beverly Silas [arrived at 6:30 p.m.]; and John Worley. Trustees Beverly Watts Davis, Nan McRaven, and Barbara P. Mink were absent from the meeting.

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.

Items for Discussion/Possible Action

Agenda Item 7741

Proposed Board Work Plan for Next Six Months, August 2003 – January 2004

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item. Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, provided information concerning the work plan. Trustees reviewed the proposed work plan and requested addition of the following topics: annexation, Board Policy F-10; facilities policy/sustainability; Equal Employment Opportunity policy--in light of the recent ruling by the Supreme Court; parking study/structure; Request for Proposal (RFP) process; priority registrations for in-district students; and Board meetings on the campuses, when needed. This item will be included on the agenda for action at the August 4, 2003, meeting.

Agenda Item 7742

Board Policy A-2, Intended Results

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated the proposed revision (Attachment A) retains some of the former language, incorporates suggested changes, and states specifically where there would be benchmarks. He stated that the proposed revision was reviewed by the internal College community. Trustees requested slight changes. This item will be included on the agenda for action at the August 4, 2003, Board meeting.

Agenda Item 7743

Tax Rate Planning Calendar and Scheduling of a Public Hearing for Proposed Tax Rate

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the tax rate planning calendar including: August 4, 2003, Board meeting—propose the 2004 property tax rate; September 2, 2003, Board meeting—conduct a public hearing on the proposed tax rate, schedule and announce meeting to adopt tax rate; and September 15, 2003, Special Board meeting—vote on proposed tax rate. Dr. Fonte called attention to the necessity to change the date for the September Board Work Session from September 22, 2003, to September 15, 2003, to allow a Special Board meeting on September 15 to set the 2004 tax rate as proposed on the Tax Rate Planning Calendar. This item will be included on the agenda of the August 4, 2003, Board meeting.

Agenda Item 7744

Fiscal Year 2004 Budget

Chair Rafael Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell presented information in response to requests from Trustees. Mr. Jim Burgess, Benefits Specialist, Human Resources Department, and Dr. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, provided information concerning Senate Bill 1370—ERS Changes to employee health insurance provisions. Mr. Ferrell discussed the Honeywell Energy Project and In-House Construction Teams. Dr. Fonte distributed and discussed the 3-Year Compensation Plan proposed by the Administration. Mr. Ferrell; Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President; Dr. Gerry Tucker; and Dr, Ron Brey, Associate Vice President for Instructional Resources and Technology, responded to questions from Trustees regarding the budget. Additional information was requested by Trustees. Trustees expressed appreciation to staff for the information provided in response to their earlier requests.

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting:

What we did well rated as 1-5 (with 5 being very satisfied): good meeting, would like to thank staff for the hard work and all of this great hard data, has been a very interesting budget process; good; appreciate staff’s work in getting the information in; already thanked the staff, but they really did yeomen’s work this week especially on the Human Resources part with ERS and the health insurance information, very good meeting, think we really got a lot of really good input from the staff, also very focused so that we can make decisions and that’s what we have to do up here in the process; also would like to express appreciation to staff for all of their energies and their commitment to the process, more knowledgeable now about the steps and levels and the process, and to everyone--thank you so much for your input and the information shared today.

What we can do better: No comments.

Dr. Fonte expressed appreciation to Neil Vickers, Director of Budget and Finance, and Scott Chauvette, Compensation Analyst, for their work on the Three-Year Compensation Plan.

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the July 21, 2003, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:29 p.m.

Approved By

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary