MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

December 1, 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 on Tuesday, December 1, 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; Barbara P. Mink, Board Vice Chair; Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary; Lillian Davis; John Hernandez; Nan McRaven; Beverly Silas; and John Worley.  Trustee Beverly Watts Davis resigned effective October 1, 2003, and,  therefore, did not attend 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.

 

Recognitions

Steve Nelson, Chair of the Austin Community College Foundation, and Mike Dellens, ACC Math Instructor, recognized student winners of the mathematical competition of American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges:  Charles Medford, Wesley Zurovec, Forrest Green; Chanh Dinh, Asad Rajbhoy, Qimin Li, Elom Tsogbe, and Erdem Erol.  Appreciation was expressed to the Austin Community College faculty and staff for assistance and the Foundation for matching funds for student awards.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Julie Todaro, ACC Library Services, spoke regarding appointment of an Interim President.

·        Guadalupe Sosa, citizen, spoke regarding the South Austin Campus, budget, and South Austin Campus Advisory Committee.

·        Mark Goodrich, ACC/AFT, spoke regarding transition to a new College President; Board Policy C-4, Internal Employee Organizations; and Rio Grande Campus safety.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Don Becker, President, spoke regarding parking at Eastview Campus; Interim President; compensation..

·        Classified Employees Association – Judy Green, President, spoke regarding desire for no organizational changes; expressed appreciation to Dr. Richard Fonte, College President, for distance education, spearheading the referendum, and working with the Association.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Daniel Traverso, President, spoke regarding the appointment of Interim President; Board Policy on staff development; Board Policy C-4, College Internal Associations.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – John Kennie, President, spoke regarding the appointment of an Interim President and expressed appreciation to Dr. Fonte for access, dialogue; honest discussions, compensation, and staffing at South Austin Campus.

·        Student Government AssociationScott Stewart, President – No report was presented.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Financial Report – October 2003 – Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the October 2003 financial report.  The current year budget will have a positive balance of revenues versus expenditures for the current fiscal year.  The College will meet the expectations of the minimum reserves level policy (G-6) or the corrective action plan requirements.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Dr. Steve Kinslow, Executive Vice President, distributed the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item 7826

Proposed Approval of Minutes of the October 27, 2003, Special Meeting; November 3, 2003, Regular Meeting; November 17, 2003, Special Meeting, and the November 17, 2003, Board Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the minutes as presented.

 

Agenda Item 7827

Proposed Dental Hygiene Course Fee

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the establishment of a student leasing fee for  dental hygiene students.

 

Agenda Item 7828

Proposed Contract for Land Surveying Services

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve a proposed increase to the current contract for land surveying services with Surveying and Mapping, Inc. (SAM, Inc) – Austin, Texas.  The original contract estimate was for $75,000.  While current expenditures remain well within the original contract amount, this contract may exceed $100,000 due to additional services as required.  This request will avoid delays in the project timelines.

 

Agenda Item 7829

Proposed Construction of Parking Lot at Eastview Campus

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve a parking lot option for the Eastview Campus.  Proposed options would require an increase in scope to the existing construction contracts with Graeber, Simmons & Cowan, and Faulkner Construction, and add approximately $400,000 to the existing Health Science Building Phase II project.

 

Agenda Item 7830

Proposed Resolution Authorizing Execution of License Agreement with the City of Austin for Pedestrian Bridge Over Govalle Avenue at Eastview Campus

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed Resolution to approve a License Agreement with the City of Austin for a bridge over Govalle Avenue being built as part of the Health Sciences Building, Phase 2.

 

Allen Kaplan requested Agenda Item 7828, Proposed Contract for Land Surveying Services, and Agenda Item 7829, Proposed Construction of Parking Lot at Eastview Campus, be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

 

Lillian Davis moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

Motion:  The Board of Trustees approve Consent Agenda Items 7826, 7827, and 7830 as presented.

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

FOR:  Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Beverly Silas, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

 

Agenda Item 7828

Proposed Contract for Land Surveying Services

Allen Kaplan discussed the need for a cap on the dollar amount of services.

Allen Kaplan moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the current contract for land surveying services with Surveying and Mapping, Inc. (SAM, Inc.) – Austin, Texas, not to exceed $125,000 annually for the duration of the contract.  Any amount over $125,000 annually must be brought back to the Board.

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

FOR:  Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Beverly Silas, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

 

Agenda Item 7829

Proposed Construction of Parking Lot at Eastview Campus

Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, distributed information concerning the proposed parking lot construction and responded to questions from Trustees.

Allen Kaplan moved and Beverly Silas seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve an increase in scope to the existing construction contracts with Graeber, Simmons & Cowan, and Faulkner Construction, for Health Sciences Building, Phase II, to construct 326 parking spaces at a cost of $1,170,000.  An additional $370,000 of current bond proceeds will be added to the $800,000 already approved for the project in the referendum.

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

FOR:  Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Beverly Silas, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

 

The agenda was reordered.

 

Executive Session

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.074, related to personnel matters including the appointment of an Interim College President.

 

Reconvene

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees reconvened in public session at 7:31 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 7833

Appointment of an Interim College President

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Trustees discussed expectations of an Interim College President. 

Nan McRaven moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees appoint Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow as Interim President and a contract be executed to contain the expectations expressed by Trustees.

Trustees commented on the proposed appointment.

Dr. Kinslow addressed the Board and commented on the proposed appointment.

Mr. Quintanilla cited the need for a Friendly Amendment to negotiate the salary for Dr. Kinslow.  He stated Dr. Kinslow’s current annual salary is $140,000 and Dr. Fonte’s base salary is $182,000 annually.  The negotiation should be between those numbers.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  The Board Chair will negotiate with Dr. Kinslow to establish the Interim President’s salary between $140,000 and $182,000 annually. 

Nan McRaven and Lillian Davis accepted the Friendly Amendment.

VOTE:  The motion, as amended, passed on a vote of 5-3.

FOR:  Lillian Davis, John Hernandez, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, and Rafael Quintanilla.

AGAINST:  Allen Kaplan, Beverly Silas, and John Worley.

 

Agenda Item 7831

Page Southerland Page (PSP) Presentation on South Austin Campus

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President, Facilities and Operations, stated that Page Southerland Page and American Constructors have been working with ACC faculty, staff, and the South Austin Campus Advisory Committee for the past six months to design a campus that meets, and in many ways exceeds, the College’s needs.  Larry Speck, a principal with Page Southerland Page, discussed the four major goals of the project, the site, and provided floor-by-floor views/drawings of the building, courtyards, amphitheater, and landscaping.

 

[Trustee Nan McRaven left the meeting at 8:03 p.m.]

 

Mr. Speck provided a copy of the Design Development Submittal.  Mr. Speck and Mr. Dorsey responded to questions from Trustees regarding the design for the South Austin Campus.  Mr. Dorsey stated the Board will be updated on the Campus at the January 2004 meeting and groundbreaking is planned in late April 2004.

 

Trustees expressed appreciation for the information presented.

 

Agenda Item 7834

Matters Related to the Conduct of May 15, 2004, Election/June 2004 Run-Off Election

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President for Governmental and Community Relations, stated meetings have begun with Travis County regarding the May 2004 elections.  She stated that Travis County has requested an immediate decision on the run-off date, if a run-off is needed.  Proposed dates are June 19 or June 26.  She indicated that the County prefers June 19 to allow more time for reporting, and the school district prefers June 26.  Trustees discussed the estimated cost for the election(s).  Trustees agreed on the date of June 26 for the run-off election.  This item will be included on the agenda for action at the January 12, 2004, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 7832

Facilities Planning:  Enrollment Projections and Technology Implications

Mr. Quintanilla introduced the item and Christopher Vinger, Interim Director, Institutional Research, called attention to projections by campus of 2003 headcounts, credit hours, and contact hours and projections for the year 2010 from a study prepared by Charles McIntyre in 2002 for facilities planning. Bronson Dorsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations, distributed a draft copy of “Design Guidelines for Learning Environments” and stated it was under current review by College departments and the shared governance group.  Mr. Dorsey said this was a tool for programming as well as long-range planning for classrooms of the future.  He distributed “The Impact on Learning Environments” and said it was a pictorial discussion of considerations for instructional space and technology to accompany the Design Guidelines. 

 

Announcements

Mr. Quintanilla stated this was President Fonte’s last Board meeting and expressed appreciation to him, personally and on behalf of the Board, for his service to the Board and to Austin Community College.  Trustees spoke and wished Dr. Fonte well in his new employment and future endeavors.

 

Dr. Fonte expressed appreciation for the seven wonderful years at Austin Community College.  He stated it is a very special institution, he enjoyed being here, and hopefully we all worked together as a team to make a difference.  He said it had been a wonderful experience that could never be duplicated, and that Austin is a wonderful community.  Dr. Fonte stated it was a wonderful opportunity to work in this community and there really is not another place like Austin.  He commented that there could never be another situation like this, it was a very wonderful period, and he was pleased to have been able to make a contribution.

 

Meeting Review

Trustees commented regarding the meeting: 

What we did well:  good meeting; very good; good meeting, particularly liked the discussion about the South Austin Campus; good meeting, liked presentation by PSP on South Austin Campus, good meeting.

What we can do better:  troubled that we didn’t tie discussions to Board policy, and this was needed.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the December 1, 2003, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

 

Approved By
Allen H. Kaplan, Secretary