MINUTES

MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

February 13, 2006

 

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, February 13, 2006, 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; Dr. Lillian Davis [arrived at 7:25 p.m.]; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven [arrived at 6:08 p.m.]; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Ms. Veronica Rivera; and Dr. John Worley.  Trustee Jeffrey Richard, Board Secretary, 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.

 

Recognitions

·        New Employees - There were no new employees.

·        Report on Achievements and Recognitions – No report was presented.

 

Citizens Communication

·        Mr. Bill Cheek, ACC/AFT, invited attendance at the March 3 Spring Social and Barbeque, 5-8 p.m., to be held at the AFLCIO, 11th and Lavaca Streets, Austin.

·        Guadalupe Sosa, Chair, South Austin Campus Advisory Committee, spoke regarding naming of the South Austin Campus.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – John Herndon, President, spoke regarding Association activities.

·        Classified Employees Association –Mr. Tobin Wiegand, President, advised that $600 was raised at a recent fundraising event and stated the next Association meeting would be on February 21 at the ACC Service Center.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Dr. Al Purcell, President, invited attendance at the Association’s meetings and expressed appreciation to Dr. Steve Kinslow and Dr. Mary Hensley for assistance with the faculty evaluation process.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – Mr. Jerry North, President, spoke regarding association activities and the need for security cameras at the campuses to protect students and faculty. 

·        Student Government AssociationMr. Charles Maddox, Vice President, stated that the Association had elected new officers:  A. J. Dennis, Vice Chair; and Billy Stallings, Director of Communications; and Anatasia Trevenio, Parliamentarian.  He spoke regarding interest in a possible fund for travel abroad for students and a symposium to be held on Saturday, February 25, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at the Northridge Campus.

 

President’s Administrative Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, stated a Public Hearing was held on February 2, 2006, at The Meeting Place in San Marcos to receive comments on the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District/Austin Community College Service Plan.  He expressed appreciation to staff for preparation of materials for the meeting and to Trustees for attendance.  Dr. Kinslow also spoke regarding the ACC Foundation’s development of a resources policy; Legislative Budget Board’s site visit regarding review of proportionality of cost benefits for FY07; and stated he, Linda Young and Trustees Nan McRaven and Veronica Rivera had participated in a recent legislative summit conference of the Association for Community College Trustees in Washington, D. C. and highlighted various meetings.

 

Trustees McRaven and Rivera were then asked to provide information related to the Legislative Summit meetings.

 

Reports to the Board

·        University Graduation Rates for Community College Students – Former Trustee Beverly Silas reported on research in which she had participated as a student at The University of Texas LBJ School.  She stated the research indicated that students who transferred from a two-year college to a four-year institution graduated at a rate higher than the native four-year students.  Trustees discussed the information provided by Ms. Silas and suggested presenting the information at a meeting of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

·        Facilities Report – December 2005 – Mr. Mullane stated the South Austin Campus would be completed on time.  He highlighted current construction and renovation projects and responded to questions from Trustees regarding progress report from Sasaki; status of Building D at the Riverside Campus; and the proposed size of a parking garage at the South Austin Campus.

·        Financial Report – December 2005 -- Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, called attention to the December 2005 Financial Statement and noted:  the College’s budget was on track and projecting approximately $600,000 increase in Unrestricted Net Assets, and a $70,000 increase in Total Assets.  Total Revenue was projected at approximately $143.2 million or $1.6 million over original projections due to increases in enrollment.  Total Expenses were projected at $142.5 million or about $1.0 million over budget which was attributable to instructional salaries from enrollment increases, and would be offset by increased revenues from the additional enrollments.  In summary, revenues were over budget by $1.6 million and expenses were over budget by $1.0 million.  Therefore, the Net Revenues over Expenses projected a budget surplus of about $600,000 and an increase in Total Net Assets of about $70,000. Cash and Investments were in line at approximately $100 million, including $68 million in bond proceeds. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Chair Mink introduced the Consent Agenda:

 

Agenda Item 8172

Approval of Minutes of January 23, 2006, Regular Board Meeting

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

 

Agenda Item 8173

Approval of FY05 External Audit/Management Letter

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the Fiscal Year 2005 Financial Audit Report.

 

Agenda Item 8174

Approval of Contract for HVAC Supplies and Equipment

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the award of contracts to the Trane Company and Insco Distributing Company to provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) supplies and equipment.

 

Agenda 8175

Approval of ACC/AISD College and Career Preparatory Program, Interlocal Agreement

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve an Interlocal Agreement between Austin Community College (ACC) and Austin Independent School District (AISD) to continue operations of the College and Career Preparatory Program (CCPP), September 1, 2006-August 31, 2009.

 

Agenda Item 8176

Approval of Contract for Election Services in Travis County

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed contract for election services for the May 13, 2006, Board of Trustees Election in Travis County.

 

Trustee John Worley requested that Agenda Item 8176, Approval of Contract for Election Services in Travis County, be pulled for discussion.

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve Agenda Items 8172, Minutes of January 23, 2006, Regular Board Meeting; 8173, Approval of FY05 External Audit/Management Letter; 8174, Approval of Contract for HVAC Supplies and Equipment; and 8175, ACC/AISD College and Career Preparatory Program, Interlocal Agreement, as presented.

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

FOR:  Trustees John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

Trustees Lillian J. Davis and Jeffrey Richard were absent for the vote.

 

Agenda Item 8176

Approval of Contract for Election Services in Travis County

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed contract for election services for the May 13, 2006, Board of Trustees Election in Travis County.

 

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla moved and Allen Kaplan seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the proposed contract for election services for the May 13, 2006, Board of Trustees Election in Travis County.

 

Trustee Worley questioned the address listed for the “Participating Entity” as “XXXXXXX” on pages 8 and 11 of the contract.  Ms. Linda Young, Elections Administrator and Special Assistant to the President, explained that this was a template used by Travis County. 

 

Trustee Worley requested a Friendly Amendment to the Motion:

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:

That the Participating Entity on pages 8 and 11 of the proposed contract be changed to read:  Austin Community College.

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla and Allen Kaplan accepted the Friendly Amendment.

 

Trustee Rivera questioned the five-year term noted on the proposed contract and the use of ACC polling places as last discussed.  Ms. Young responded to questions regarding the possible addition of ACC Campuses as polling places and the estimated cost of the election.

 

Trustee Veronica Rivera requested a Friendly Amendment to the Motion:

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:

That Section (N) on page 11 of the proposed contract be amended to a one-year contract to expire on July 1, 2007.

Trustees Rafael Quintanilla and Allen Kaplan accepted the Friendly Amendment.

 

VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION WITH FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS:

The motion, as amended, passed on a vote of 7-0.

FOR:  Trustees John Hernandez, Allen Kaplan, Nan McRaven, Barbara Mink, Rafael Quintanilla, Veronica Rivera, and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

Trustees Lillian J. Davis and Jeffrey Richard were absent for the vote.

 

Discussion/Possible Action:

 

Old Business:

 

Agenda Item 8177

Approval of Contract for Election Services in Williamson County

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Ms. Linda Young provided information concerning the proposed contract.

 

Agenda Item 8178

Adoption of Name for South Austin Campus

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow stated the campus should be named to allow information to be included in College publications for Fiscal Year 2007, including Course Schedules, College Catalog, etc.  Trustees suggested names, including South Austin Campus, and suggested possible action on this item at the April meeting to allow for any input from students, the advisory committee, and the public.

 

[Trustee Lillian Davis arrived at the meeting.]

 

Agenda Item 8179

Response to Request for Board of Trustees to Endorse Central Austin Library Project

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow provided information concerning adoption of a policy, or amendment of the existing Board Policy B-3, Code of Ethics—Board of Trustees, indicating that the Board would encourage voter registration and participation in the electoral process, but would not provide political endorsements nor advocate specific positions on public elections.

 

New Business:

 

Agenda Item 8180

Review of Presidential Search Process

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Trustees discussed the 2004 Presidential Search Process and cited issues of the search including:  the search committee was too large, confidentiality was not maintained, there was information that would have been important for the Board to know about early in the process in order to reach a decision; and that the Board needed to have information from others.  Trustee Rivera stated that she would provide information to Trustees from the recent ACCT meeting concerning a presidential search.  Trustees suggested that this item be delayed until June 2006 following the May election and consideration of the budget. 

 

Agenda Item 8181

San Marcos Land Donation

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Steve Kinslow provided information concerning the land donation.  Dr. Kinslow; Tommy Cowan of Graeber, Simmons and Cowan; and Steve Ramsey, Baker-Aicklen, provided information from the feasibility study and responded to questions from Trustees regarding:  constructability of site, value of land donation, reason for donation, size of land donation, infrastructure, ownership of water line easement on property, adjoining land use, and the date a decision must be made.  Dr. Kinslow indicated that this item would be brought back to the Board in March.

 

Agenda Item 8182

Declaration of Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007/Resolution

Dr. Mink introduced the item.  Dr. Donetta Goodall, Vice President for Academic Transfer and General and Development Education, and Mr. Mike Midgley, Vice President for Workforce Education and Business Development, presented the staff report on instructional programs, including the program cost analysis report and, as required by Board Policy E-1, Master Planning, a Program Resolution for the FY07 Community Priorities Declaration.  The review was completed to determine what the community needs were.  This item will be included on the agenda for possible action at the March 6, 2006, Board meeting.

 

Recess

Dr. Mink recessed the February 13, 2006, Regular Board meeting at 8:37 p.m. for a convenience break.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 8:47 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2006, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8183

Discussion:  Rio Grande Campus

Dr. Mink introduced the item.  Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services, and Mr. Bill Mullane, Director of Facilities and Construction, presented a report on Rio Grande Redevelopment Issues:  Overview of the Rio Grande Campus, Historical Perspective of the Rio Grande Campus, ACC Goals for the Rio Grande Campus, Budget (from 2003 General Obligation Bonds), ACC/AISD,City of Austin Deliberations, Valuation Considerations, and Rio Grande Campus Alternative Options.  Dr. Kinslow, Mr. Ferrell, and Mr. Mullane responded to questions from Trustees regarding the report, alternative options, and parking.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Announcements

Trustee Rivera announced that she was a finalist for Austin Under 40 Youth/Education.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the February 13, 2006, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

 

Approved By

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary