MINUTES

Board Work Session - Board of Trustees

September 15, 2003

 

In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened in public session on Monday, September 15, 2003, at 6:11 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; Barbara Mink, Vice Chair; Allen Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian J. Davis; Beverly Watts Davis; John Hernandez; Beverly S. Silas; and John Worley.  Trustee Nan McRaven was 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

 

The agenda was reordered.

 

Agenda Item 7782

Discussion of Process for Filling Board Member Vacancy

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item.

 

Trustee Beverly Watts Davis stated that she would resign from the Austin Community College Board of Trustees effective October 1, 2003.  She expressed appreciation to Trustees, faculty, and staff for the opportunity to work with such dedicated individuals for the past eleven years.  Ms. Davis indicated that she would continue her Austin residency even though her work responsibilities are now in Washington, D.C.  She received a standing ovation.

 

[Ms. Davis left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.]

 

Mr. Quintanilla stated the need to determine the process for filling Ms. Davis’ Place 4 seat on the Board of Trustees.  He advised that the six-year term for the Place 4 seat would be on the election ballot in May of 2004.  Trustees discussed the process.  Mr. Kaplan suggested that the Board of Trustees appoint an individual to serve on the Board until the May 2004 election.  He said the vacancy should be announced and interested individuals should submit a resume to the Board Chair.  Trustees agreed that the Board would have an open process whereby qualified individuals would be interviewed at a Board meeting and an individual could be appointed, or the Place 4 seat could remain unfilled until the May 2004 election.  Individuals interested in the Place 4 seat were asked to submit a resume and a letter of interest.  Mr. Quintanilla stated that this item would be on the October 7, 2003, Board agenda for action.

 

Agenda Item 7776

Report on September 5-6, 2003, Board Retreat

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and stated the Retreat was very good and centered around policy governance. On Friday, Trustees got to know each other better; and discussed likes and dislikes; and discussed how the Board could function better.  Trustees expressed appreciation to Linda Young for her obtaining the site and Barbara Mink for organizing the Retreat.

 

Agenda Item 7777

Report – South Austin Campus Advisory Committee

Dr. James McGuffee provided information in the absence of the Committee Chair Guadalupe Sosa.  He expressed appreciation to ACC staff for the information provided to the Committee.  Jim Walker, ACC liaison to the Committee, stated there would be monthly Committee meetings. The architects will meet with the Committee and comments will be presented monthly.  Demolition of the existing building at the Campus site is expected by the end of the year.  Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, stated a groundbreaking event would most likely occur in February or March of 2004.  A more detailed discussion will be included on a future Board agenda.

 

Agenda Item 7778

Renewal Resolution on Advisory Committee for Finance and Budget

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and stated the need to renew the resolution since the current resolution expires on October 7, 2003.  He stated the renewal resolution would be on the Consent agenda for action at the October 7, 2003, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7779

Renumbering of Board Policies

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, stated that the proposed renumbering of the policies would change the numbering to more logical groupings.  He advised that no changes were proposed to the wording of the policies.  Mr. Quintanilla stated this item would be on the Consent agenda for action at the October 7, 2003, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7780

Contract to Lease Excess Airtime on Austin Community College’s Instructional Television Fixed Services Channels (IFTS)

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Ron Brey, Associate Vice President, provided information concerning the proposed contract with Fixed Wireless Holdings, Inc.  Dr. Brey responded to questions from Trustees.  Mr. Quintanilla stated this item would be included on the Consent agenda for action at the October 7, 2003, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7781

Expenditures in Excess of $100,000

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Fonte provided information concerning the list of vendors projected to have expenditures over $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2004.  Trustees discussed the listing and expressed a need for additional information regarding the computer leasing and elections projects.  Dr. Fonte stated they would be removed from the listing and additional information provided at a later date.  This item will be included for action at the October 7, 2003, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7783

Revisions to Board Policy C-2, College Organizational Principles

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Trustee Worley stated that he had requested that this item be considered by the Board.  He requested that his proposal be withdrawn from consideration.

 

Agenda Item 7784

Report on Annexation

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, Executive Vice President, distributed information.  He provided information regarding annexation strategies, implementation activities, challenges, and specific activities.  Dr. Kinslow responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 7785

Report on Facilities Request for Proposal (RFP) Process

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, provided information.   Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, and Gilbert Rodriguez, Director of Purchasing, responded to questions from Trustees regarding Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).  Dr. Fonte stated additional information would be provided to Trustees concerning the process for use of HUB vendors by ACC contractors, including accountability for use.  Trustees cited a possible need for the information to be included in Board policy.

 

Agenda Item 7786

Out-of-District Tuition/Board Policy A-4, Tuition Rates

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and stated that the College will need to respond to Recommendation 49 of the State Comptroller’s Performance Review of Austin Community College which recommended that Board policy be amended to add a cost of education pricing model in the determination of out-of-district tuition.

 

[Trustee Barbara Mink left the meeting at 8:35 p.m.]

 

Trustee Allen Kaplan distributed  a revised proposal for amendment of the policy.  Trustees discussed the revision, including the possibility of priority in-district registration.  Dr. Fonte was requested to provide the proposed revisions to the College’s Shared Governance group for comments.

 

Announcements

Chair Quintanilla asked that any person interested in becoming a candidate for the Place 4 seat on the Board of Trustees to contact Pat Stubbs at 223-7613 and submit a letter of interest and resume.

 

Quick Meeting Evaluation

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well:  good, paced well and we stayed on task and got through on tme; good meeting; breezed through the first items and had more time to discuss the other items; very good meeting, we spent time on the items we should have, and moved through the items that were very easy; good meeting.

What we can do better:  No comments.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the September 15, 2003, special meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:54 p.m.


Approved By
                                                 

Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary