MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

December 6, 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 Tuesday, December 6, 2005, at 6:04 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: Dr. Barbara P. Mink, 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; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Ms. Veronica Rivera; and Dr. John Worley.

 

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

·        Math Student Contest Winners – Dr. Mink introduced Mr. Daron Butler, Chair of the Austin Community College Foundation , and Mr. Mike Dellens, ACC Math Instructor.  Mr. Dellens stated that Math student contests are held in the Spring and Fall of each academic year.  Seventy-seven students competed in the Fall 2005 context.  Mr. Dellens recognized six of the winners in attendance at the Board meeting.  Mr. Butler presented monetary awards from the ACC Foundation to:  Mandeep Kaur; Michael Lefkowitz, Erick Sutanto, Trevor Cell, Geeta Persad, and Young Jong Chi.

·        New Employees – Ms. Gerry Tucker, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, introduced new employee Dr. Frank Flauto, Director of International Programs; and Dr. Richard Armenta, who was recently promoted to Associate Vice President for Student Success.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – Dr. Tyra Duncan-Hall, Campus Operation Provost, presented the Kudos Report and called attention to recent awards/recognitions received by faculty/programs, staff, students, and Austin Community College.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Mr. John Kennie, ACC employee, introduced Ms. Rachel Lanham who was recently promoted to Production Operations Specialist and would be providing video production assistance for the Board meetings.

·        Mr. Mark Kapner, Austin Energy, spoke regarding Plug-In Austin Campaign.

 

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Mr. Jim Nelson expressed appreciation for the Fall Semester and extended good wishes for the Holidays.

·        Classified Employees Association –Mr. Tobin Wiegand, President, spoke regarding the position Classification Questionnaire, needed improvements for the ACC website, and the association’s wellness proposal.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – No report was presented.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – Mr. Jerry North, President, expressed appreciation for the upcoming ACC compensation/classification study; advised that the membership was surveyed and indication preferences for future association meetings to be held at the Highland Business Center at noon; the most valued function of the association officers was (1) keeping membership informed and (2) being an advocate for the employee group.  He called attention to two projects for the Association:  collection of food items for the Capital Area Food Bank and working with the Meals on Wheels program during the upcoming Holidays.

·        Student Government AssociationMr. Charles Maddox, Vice President, stated that Mr. Michael Sanchez, Association President, had been accepted at Boston University for the Spring semester.  Mr. Maddox reported on health insurance for ACC students.

 

President’s Administrative Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, expressed appreciation for the altered Board meeting schedule which allowed him to attend the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.  He stated that the compensation study began after approval by the Board and supervisor and employee orientation meetings had occurred.  Dr. Kinslow indicated that information would be provided to the Board in March or April 2006 regarding results of the study.  He advised that the Austin Community College Radiology program had a 100 percent pass rate and expressed appreciation to Rudy Garza, faculty, and staff.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Monthly Construction Update – Mr. Mullane highlighted current construction and renovation projects and responded to questions from Trustees regarding parking and the Pinnacle Campus.

 

·        Financial Report – October 2005 -- Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the October 2005 Financial Statement and noted:  the College’s budget was on track and projecting approximately $600,000 increase in Unrestricted Net Assets, and a $100,000 increase in Total Assets.  Total Revenue was projected at approximately $142. 9 million or $1.4 million over original projections due to increases in enrollment.  .  Mr. Ferrell responded to Trustees regarding calculation of students, Spring versus Fall enrollments, and unrestricted funds.  Total Expenses were projected at $142.3 million or about $0.8 million over budget which was attributable to instructional salaries fro enrollment increases, and would be offset by increased revenues from the additional enrollments.  In summary, revenues were over budget by $1.4 million and expenses were over budget by $0.8 million.  Therefore, the Net Revenues over Expenses projected a budget surplus of about $600,000 and an increase in Total Net Assets of about $100,000. Cash and Investments were in line at approximately $91 million, including $70 million in bond proceeds.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees regarding grants.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Chair Mink introduced the Consent Agenda:

 

Agenda Item 8152

Proposed Approval of Minutes of the of the November 1, 2005, Joint Meeting with AISD Board of Trustees; November 7, 2005, Regular Meeting; November 21, 2005, Forum with Chambers of Commerce and Business Community Leaders; and November 21, 2005, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees

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

 

Agenda Item 8153

Proposed Approval of Landscape Design Program

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the addition of a Continuing Education Landscape Design Certificate.

 

Agenda Item 8154

Proposed Approval of Video Game Development Program

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the addition of a Continuing Education Video Game Development Certificate.

 

Agenda Item 8155

Proposed Approval of a Resolution on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve a Resolution to join the City of Austin’s “Plug-In Austin” campaign relating to plug-in hybrid vehicles.

 

Trustee Davis requested that Agenda Item 8155, Proposed Approval of a Resolution on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Veronica Rivera seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve:  Agenda Items 8152, Minutes of November 1, 2005, Joint Meeting with AISD Board of Trustees, November 7, 2005, Regular Meeting, November 21, 2005, Forum with Chambers of Commerce and Business Community Leaders; and November 21, 2005, Work Session of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees; Agenda Item 8153, Proposed Approval of Landscape Design Program; and Agenda Item 8154, Proposed Approval of Video Game Development Program, as presented.

The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley*.

AGAINST:  None.

*Trustee Worley abstained from vote on the Minutes of the November 21, 2005, Board Forum and Board Work Session since he was absent from the meetings.

 

Agenda Item 8155

Proposed Approval of a Resolution on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars

Trustee Davis inquired about the Resolution and if it would require additional staff.  Dr. Kinslow stated no one would be hired, but current staff would work with the City.

 

Trustees Allen Kaplan moved and John Worley seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve a resolution to join the City of Austin’s “Plug-In Austin” campaign related to plug-in hybrid vehicles,

Trustee Richard stated he understood that Austin Energy was involved and asked if there was a degree to which other entities were supportive and if San Antonio was in the same situation.

Ms. Mary Ann Neely, of Austin Energy, stated they were trying to get car manufacturers to build plug-in cars, and advised that they started with Austin and were working on a statewide plan.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley*.

AGAINST:  None.

**********

PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES

Resolution  8155

 

WHEREAS, on July 29, 2004, the Austin City Council directed Austin Energy to investigate the feasibility of the future integration of the electric and transportation sectors; and

WHEREAS, preliminary research by Austin Energy has shown that electric fuel for transportation would have a lower cost than fossil fuels and would result in fewer emissions in the Austin area; and

        WHEREAS, Austin Community College, with six Central Texas locations – the nation’s eighth largest community college serving more than 65,000 students, promotes Stewardship as one of its core values, including  “protecting, seeking, and using resources wisely” and “anticipating future trends and needs”; and

WHEREAS, on August 22, 2005, the City of Austin officially launched "Plug-In Austin," a community-wide campaign to promote the mass production of plug-in hybrid vehicles;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD:

        That the College President is directed to investigate the feasibility of the future integration of the flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles and fleet vehicles into Austin Community College’s transportation fleet; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

        That ACC makes a commitment to support local, state and federal policies that will promote flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

        That ACC will work with the local government, education, business and environmental community to advocate for the future purchase of flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles.

 

Adopted by the Austin Community College Board of Trustees on this 6th day of December, 2005.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                        Barbara Mink, Board Chair

Attest:

                                                                       

Jeffrey Richard, Board Secretary

**********

 

Discussion/Possible Action:

 

Old Business:

 

Agenda Item 8156

Contract for Austin Community College Foundation Capital Campaign Project

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Stephanie Dempsey provided information to the Board.  She stated that a revised proposal was submitted by Dini Partners with monthly reports.

 

Trustees John Hernandez moved and Lillian Davis seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees authorize the administration to negotiate a consulting agreement with Dini Partners.

Trustees discussed the Request for Proposal process.

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 7-2.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  Allen Kaplan and John Worley.

 

Agenda Item 8157

Discussion of Board Committees

Dr. Mink introduced the item and John Hernandez distributed information concerning a Committee for Strategic Facility Needs.  Trustees discussed the desire to meet with City of Austin and Travis County elected officials and legislative representatives.  Trustees expressed the possible need for more Board Work Sessions and fewer Regular meetings.  It was suggested by Trustees that the Board Officers work with Dr. Kinslow on these suggestions.

 

New Business:

 

Agenda Item 8158

Facilities Planning/Role of Centers

Dr. Mink stated this item would be postponed until a future meeting due to the lateness of the meeting.

 

Agenda Item 8161

Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation

Dr. Mink introduced the item and provided a summary of the responses from seven Trustees regarding the Self-Evaluation (see separate Exhibit).

 

Dr. Mink asked if there were other items to be discussed as a whole regarding what we are doing well or if we need to make changes.  Trustees suggested:  Work Sessions have changed, but we need to keep the Forum/Work Session discussions in the back of the Board Room; want more input from students; we need to create some venues to make that happen and we need to go to the campuses for meetings; Board/employee relations have improved from where they were several years ago; need to reach those students who do not have the opportunity through the Student Government or cannot attend the evening Board meetings; could possibly hold meetings during the day to accommodate students instead of in the evenings; adequately meeting the needs of the physical plant and the facilities; ratings and comments were difficult because the intent of was of some of the questions was unknown; pleased to see the ratings for Ethics were good; we all feel that more needs to be done regarding maintaining the physical plant and this should probably be addressed during the master planning; Trustees agreed that this should be discussed by the Board Officers with the President; should be published to College community when all Trustees have responded and when there is an action plan.

 

Agenda Item 8159

Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of Cypress Creek Campus

and

Agenda Item 8160

Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of South Austin Campus

and

Agenda Item 8162

Mid-Year Informal Evaluation of College President

 

Dr. Mink introduced Agenda Items 8159, Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of Cypress Creek Campus; Agenda Item 8160, Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of South Austin Campus; and Agenda Item 8162, Mid-Year Informal Evaluation of College President.  She stated that these items would be discussed in Executive Session.

 

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College recessed into Executive Session at 8:11 p.m. pursuant to Government 551.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 9:36 p.m. pursuant to Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8159

Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of Cypress Creek Campus

Trustees Nan McRaven moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees give the Austin Community College administration authority to negotiate property in the vicinity of the Cypress Creek Campus

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley

AGAINST:  None.

 

 

Agenda Item 8160

Discussion of Possible Acquisition of Property in Vicinity of South Austin Campus

Trustees Nan McRaven moved and Veronica Rivera seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees give the Austin Community College administration authority to negotiate property in the vicinity of the South Austin Campus

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0-1.

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAIN:  Trustee John F. Hernandez.

 

Announcements

·        Trustee Allen Kaplan stated that former Trustee Roosevelt Leaks was being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on this date.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the December 6, 2005, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

 

Approved By

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary