MINUTES

Work Session– Board of Trustees

January 24, 2005

 

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, January 24, 2005, at 6:15 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: Mr. John Hernandez, Board Vice Chair/Presiding Officer; Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Secretary; Dr. Lillian Davis; Mr. Allen Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven; Veronica Rivera; and John Worley.  Trustees Barbara P. Mink, Board Chair, Rafael Quintanilla 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

 

Mr. Hernandez stated that the agenda items were re-ordered.

 

Agenda Item 8014

Recommendation of Geomatrix Consultants for Environmental Services

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item.

 

Executive Session

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees recessed into Executive Session at 6:15 p.m. with its attorney to receive legal advice as permitted by Texas Government Code Section 551.071.  Mr. Hernandez stated no final action would be taken in Executive Session.

 

Reconvene

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees reconvened in public session at 7:22 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551. 

 

Agenda Item 8014 (continued)

Recommendation of Geomatrix Consultants for Environmental Services

Mr. Hernandez introduced Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services.  Mr. Ferrell provided information concerning a recent report from the City of Austin which identified the property on which the Eastview Campus of Austin Community College was built as one of many abandoned landfills located throughout the Austin area.  In response to the report, the College hired an environmental consulting firm to test areas on and around the Campus beginning on Saturday, December 4, and Sunday, December 5, 2004.  The ultimate cost of this activity was not readily determinable due to the uncertainty regarding the full extent of the situation at this time, but was currently expected to be approximately $500,000.  Geomatrix Consultants was selected as the vendor in order to provide an immediate, proactive, and expert response to the situation, given their expertise with the landfill review conducted by the City of Austin and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

 

Board policy requires approval of vendors for amounts in excess of $100,000.  Should the cost of this activity be estimated to exceed $500,000, staff would bring a recommendation for additional funds to the Board at that time.  The College currently was preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for environmental services to address future issues related to environmental matters.

 

Funding up to $300,000 was available from left over proceeds from the Fiscal Year 2002 revenue bonds, with additional funding from current interest earnings on the Fiscal Year 2003 General Obligation bonds.  Should amounts beyond that prove necessary, it was anticipated they would be incorporated in the Fiscal Year 2006 budget process.  Bond counsel was in agreement that the use of bond proceeds or interest thereon was appropriate for this purpose within the covenants of both bond issues.

 

Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees regarding the RFP and stated that this item would be included on the next Board meeting agenda for possible action.

 

Recess

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees recessed for a break at 7:26 p.m.

 

Reconvene

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees reconvened in public session at 7:40 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551. 

 

Agenda Item 8012

Discussion and Prioritization of Board Policy Review

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Board Secretary, led a discussion regarding the policies identified by Trustees needing “substantive” revisions.

 

Trustees discussed and agreed on the following order for review of Board policies:

 

Board Policy F-10, Employee Compensation

A-4, Tuition Rates

B-6, Monitoring Policy Compliance

G-2, Purchasing

G-7, Property Taxes

B-4, Board of Trustees Bylaws

F-9, Employee Benefits

G-1, College Budget

A-5, Service-Area Responsibilities

B-2, Duties and Responsibilities, Board of Trustees

B-3, Code of Ethics – Board of Trustees

B-5, Policy Development and Revision

B-7, Board Advisory Committees

E-1, Master Planning

E-2, Provision of College Facilities

E-4, Organizational Performance Evaluation/Auditing

E-5, Review of Instructional Programs

E-6, Investments;

F-1, Equal Employment Opportunity

F-5, Employee Placement/Advancement

G-3, Reimbursements

 

Dr. Robert Aguero, College President, suggested that discussions on those policies identified as needing “substantive” revisions could begin at the February 7, 2005, Regular Board Meeting.  He stated that it was anticipated that the discussions would be continued at the February 21 Board Work Session and possible voting would occur at the March 7, 2005, Regular Board Meeting. 

 

Policies which were identified as needing “Minor” revisions would then be discussed.

 

Agenda Item 8013

College Priorities for President

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item and Dr. Aguero asked for consensus of the Board regarding the proposed priorities for the President as discussed at the November 15, 2004, Board Work Session.

 

Trustees discussed the proposed priorities and agreed on the following priorities for the President:

 

**********

Board Priorities for ACC

(January 24, 2005, Board of Trustees Work Session)

 

1.         Create a Clear Vision----A Strategic Master Plan 

2.         Encourage Annexation 

3.         Diversify the College Work Force 

4.         Complete Bond-Funded Facilities

5.         Increase Enrollment

6.         Be Influential with the State Legislature

7.         Involve Community More---Re-Format Board Work Sessions

8.         Conduct a Successful Referendum to Bring in All of City of Austin 

9.         Contain Cost of Education at ACC

10.      Have a Robust Scholarship Program

**********

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the January 24, 2005, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

 

Approved By          

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary