MINUTES

Special Meeting - Board of Trustees

April 18, 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, April 18, 2005, at 6:05 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: Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Board Chair/Presiding Officer; Mr. John F. Hernandez, Board Vice Chair; Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Secretary; Dr. Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven [arrived at 6:15 p.m.]; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Ms. Veronica Rivera; and Dr. John Worley [arrived at 6:10 p.m.]. 

 

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.

 

Agenda Item 8052

Matters Related to Conduct of May 7, 2005, Election

Chair Mink introduced the item and Ms. Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President for Governmental and Community Relations, provided revised information regarding the May 7, 2005, election to expand the District’s boundaries to include that portion of the City of Austin that is not included within its boundaries.  She discussed the Order Authorizing Election Agreement and Designating Polling Places for the May 7, 2005, Special Election; Early Voting and Mobile Polling Places; Election Day Polling Places; and the Interlocal Agreement Between the Manor Independent School District, Austin Community College, the City of Austin, and the City of Jonestown.  Ms. Young responded to questions from Trustees regarding the original documents and the revised documents and confirmed that there was no cost differential from the $498,961.91 as approved by the Board of Trustees on March 21, 2005.  Trustee Veronica Rivera expressed appreciation for inclusion of Williamson County for early voting.

 

Trustee Allen Kaplan moved and Trustee Veronica Rivera seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the revised Joint Election Agreement Between the Manor Independent School District, Austin Community College, the City of Austin, and the City of Jonestown.

The Motion passed on a vote of 7-0.

FOR;  Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Mr. John F. Hernandez, Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Mr. Rafael Quintanilla, Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Ms. And Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustees Nan McRaven and John Worley.

 

***********

JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE MANOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT,

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE,

THE CITY OF AUSTIN

AND

THE CITY OF JONESTOWN

 

 

                WHEREAS, the Manor Independent School District (“MISD”) the City of Austin, (“Austin”), the City of Jonestown (“Jonestown”), and Austin Community College (“ACC”), collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Participating Entities,” will each hold an election on May 7, 2005; and,

 

                WHEREAS, Austin has entered into a separate agreement executed on March 21, 2003, with Travis County (the “County”) wherein the County will administer the City’s municipal elections occurring on the May uniform election date, including all precincts in Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties as authorized under Chapter 31 of the Texas Election Code (“Election Services Agreement”); and

 

                WHEREAS, the County is contracting with Jonestown, MISD, and ACC to conduct and provide election services for the election to be held on May 7, 2005; and,

 

WHEREAS, Austin, Jonestown, MISD, and ACC all desire to enter into a joint election agreement for the purpose of sharing election equipment, election officials, and sharing precinct polling locations and election ballots where appropriate;

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, Austin, Jonestown, MISD, and ACC enter this Joint Election Agreement under the terms that follow.

 

I.                     Scope of Joint Election Agreement.

 

The Participating Entities enter this Joint Election Agreement (“Agreement”) for the conduct of the elections to be held on May 7, 2005.

 

II.                   Appoint Election Officer

 

The Participating Entities appoint the Honorable Dana DeBeauvoir, Travis County Clerk, to serve as the Election Officer for each Participating Entity in order to perform and supervise the duties and responsibilities of the Election Officer for the May 7, 2005, election.

 

III.                 Early Voting and Election Day

 

Early voting and election day voting shall be held in common precincts where appropriate at the dates, times, and locations recommended by the Election Officer and authorized and ordered by the governing body of each Participating Entity.

 

IV.                                                                                                                Joint Election Costs; Adjustment of Costs in the Event of Cancellation of Election of Other changes; Payment.

 

The estimated election expenses, including administrative costs and expenses for facilities, personnel, supplies, and training for each Participating Entity is as reflected in the cost estimate attached and incorporated as Exhibit 1.  If a Participating Entity cancels its election, it shall be responsible only for its share of prorated expenses through the date of cancellation.

 

V.                  Miscellaneous Positions

 

1.             This Agreement becomes effective upon execution by all Participating Entities.  The obligations of this Agreement will continue as to each Participating Entity until each Participating Entity has made full payment of its share of election costs under this Agreement and other agreements related to May 7, 2005, election. 

 

2.             Notice under this Agreement must be in writing and may be affected by personal delivery or by certified mail to the Participating Entities at the following addresses:

 

Ms. Shirley Brown, City Clerk

City of Austin

301 West 2nd Street

P.O. Box 1088

Austin, Texas  78767

 

Linda Hambrick,

Jonestown City Secretary

18649 FM 1431, Suite 4-A

Jonestown, Texas 78645

 

Ms. Barbara Turner

Manor ISD Administration

P.O. Box 359

Manor, Texas  78653

 

Ms. Linda Young

Austin Community College

5930 Middle Fiskville Road

Austin, Texas  78752

 

3.             This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in writing executed by the Participating Entity.

 

4.             The obligations under this Agreement are performable in Travis County, Texas. 

 

5.             Venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be in Austin, Travis County, Texas.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the United States of America.

 

6.             If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement; and the Participating Entities shall perform their obligations under this Agreement as expressed in the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed in duplicate on this ___ day of _________, 2005.

                               

By:                                                                                                         

MANOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

By:                                                                                                         

CITY OF JONESTOWN

 

By:                                                                                                         

CITY OF AUSTIN

 

By:                                                                                                         

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

***********

 

Trustees Allen Kaplan moved and Veronica Rivera seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the revised Order Authorizing Election Agreement and Designating Polling Places for the May 7, 2005, Special Election.

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

FOR;  Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Mr. John F. Hernandez, Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Mr. Rafael Quintanilla, Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Ms. And Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustees Nan McRaven and John Worley.

 

**********


ORDER AUTHORIZING ELECTION AGREEMENT AND

DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES

FOR THE MAY 7, 2005 SPECIAL ELECTION

 

                Whereas, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Austin Community College District (the “District”) has called a special election for May 7, 2005 to expand the District’s boundaries to include that portion of the City of Austin that is not included within its boundaries; and

 

                Whereas, the District is authorized to designate polling places for early voting and election day voting for this Election; and

 

                Whereas, the District is further authorized to enter into election agreements with other political subdivision holding elections on the same day within the territory of the District for the convenience of the voters and to minimize the costs to the District for the conduction of such an Election;

 

                IT IS THEREFORE, ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT THAT:

 

                Section 1. Polling Places.  The election day polling places for the election for each of the respective precincts in Travis, Williamson and Hays Counties are hereby designated in Exhibit A to this Order, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.  Section 217.003 of the Texas Election Code provides that voters of a particular election precinct or a political subdivision may be served in a joint election by a common polling place located outside the boundary of the election precinct or political subdivision if the location can adequately and conveniently serve the affected voters and will facilitate the orderly conduct of the election.  To the extent any polling place utilized by the District and designated in Exhibit A for the conduct of the Election is located outside the boundaries of an election precinct, the Board specifically finds that the polling place selected by the District is convenient and will adequately serve the voters of the District.

 

                Section 2. Early Voting Polling Places and Times.  The early voting polling places and times for early voting are hereby designated in Exhibit B to this Order, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

 

                Section 3. Election Agreements.  The Board of the District hereby approves the Joint Election Agreement with the City of Austin, the Manor Independent School District and the City of Jonestown attached hereto as Exhibits C.

 

                Section 4. Presiding Judges and Alternates.  The Board hereby designates the presiding judges and alternate presiding judges appointed by the Travis County Clerk for the respective election precincts.  The presiding judge at each precinct shall have authority to retain and deputize clerks for the conduct of the election in accordance with the directives established by the Travis County Clerk. for this election.

                Section 5. Appointment of Agent for Board Secretary.  The Board hereby appoints Linda Young as the Agent for the Secretary of the Board (“Agent”) for the election period pursuant to Section 31.123 of the Texas Election Code.  The Agent shall maintain offices open for election duties for at least three hours each day, during regular office hours, on regular business days during the period designated in this section.  The Agent shall post notice of the location and hours of their offices, as required by the Texas Election Code.  The Agent shall maintain at their offices, the documents, records and other items relating to the election and shall be the person designated to receive documents that are required by the Election Code.

 

                Section 6. Method of Election.  The election shall be conducted utilizing the touch button eSlate electronic voting units.

 

                Section 7. Authorization to Execute.  The Chair of the Board is authorized to execute and the Secretary of the Board is authorized to attest this Order and the Joint Election Agreement approved herein on behalf of the Board; and the Chair of the Board is authorized to do all other things legal and necessary in connection with the holding and consummation of the Election.

 

PASSED AND APPROVED April 18, 2005.

__________________________________________

Barbara Mink, Chair, Board of Trustees

 

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

 Jeffrey Richard, Secretary, Board of Trustees

**********

 

Agenda Item 8053

Approval on First Reading:  Amendment to the Architect’s Contract for the South Austin Campus

and

Agenda Item 8054

Discussion and Possible Decision on Process for Presidential Search or Appointment

Chair Mink introduced the items and stated the Board would recess into Executive Session.

 

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College recessed into Executive Session at 6:10 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2005, regarding Texas Government Code 551.071 and/or to Consult with Legal Counsel regarding legal interpretation of the terms of the architect’s contract, and/or the terms of the search contract and legal issues regarding the process of appointing a President of Austin Community College.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session pursuant to Texas Government Code 551 at 7:26 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2005.

 

Agenda Item 8053

Approval on First Reading:  Amendment to the Architect’s Contract for the South Austin Campus

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, and Bill Mullane, Interim Director of Facilities and Construction, provided information regarding the proposed $425,000 increase in the PageSutherlandPage’s architect contract for redesign of the South Austin Campus.  They responded to questions from Trustees regarding the staff’s recommendation and the possibility of any additional costs to Austin Community College; justification for requesting Approval on First Reading; from where would the additional $425,000 be funded.

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Mr. Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the increase by $425,000 in the PageSutherlandPage’s contract with the understanding that would cover all costs to date of the two-phase redesign of the South Austin Campus.

 

Trustees John Worley moved and Jeffrey Richard seconded that:

SUBSTITUTE MOTION:  The Board of Trustees postpone action on this item until the next Regular meeting on the ground that there would be harm in waiting until that date and this delay would abide by the Board’s policy.

Trustees discussed the Substitute Motion.

VOTE:  The motion Substitute Motion passed on a vote of 6-3.

FOR:  Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Mr. John F. Hernandez, Ms. Nan McRaven, Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Mr. Jeffrey K. Richard, and Dr. John Worley.

AGAINST:  Mr. Rafael Quintanilla, Mr. Allen H. Kaplan, and Ms. Veronica Rivera.

 

Dr. Mink stated that this item would be included on the agenda for the May 2, 2005, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 8054

Discussion and Possible Decision on Process for Presidential Search or Appointment

Chair Mink introduced the item and Trustees discussed the need for action on this item to be delayed until the May 2, 2005, Board meeting in order to have an open discussion on what the process would be and the possibility of appointment and search options, discussion with the original search firm, and input from the College associations, and external community. 

 

Dr. Mink stated this item would be included on the May 2 Board agenda.  She encouraged input from the internal and external groups during Citizen’s Communications at the May 2, 2005, Regular Board meeting.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the April 18, 2005, special meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.


Approved By

Jeffrey K. Richard, Secretary