MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

February 5, 2007

 

 

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 5, 2007, at 6:00 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 F. Hernandez, Chair/Presiding Officer; Ms. Nan McRaven; Ms. Veronica Rivera, Secretary; Dr. Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Dr. James W. McGuffee; Mr. Barbara P. Mink; and Mr. Jeffrey K. Richard [arrived at 7:28 p.m.].  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla 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.

·        Student Profile:  Ms. Kimberly Martinez - Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President, Student Support and Success System, introduced Ms. Kimberly Martinez, Health Sciences student.  Ms. Martinez provided information regarding her education and experience.  She expressed appreciation for the smaller classes at ACC; and the classes she has taken to become a Registered Nurse, and the area hospitals’ appreciation for the skills of ACC nursing graduates.  Ms. Martinez responded to questions from Trustees. 

 

Citizens Communication

·        Dr. Maggie De La Teja, ACC employee, spoke regarding a recent meeting of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) held in Dallas.  Chair Hernandez stated that Dr. De La Teja is President-Elect of the TACHE organization and would be planning the 2008 conference.  She responded to questions.

·        Mr. Javier Olguin, ACC employee and Membership Director of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, spoke regarding the TACHE meeting.

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Ms. Mary Gilmer, President, Adjunct Faculty Association, invited Trustees to an upcoming meeting of the Association and spoke regarding items on the Board agenda.

·        Classified Employees Association – Ms. Kathy Judge, President, spoke regarding association activities and an upcoming of the Association to be held at the Riverside Campus.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Ms. Linda Welsh, President, spoke regarding the ACC Art Exhibit, distributed a copy of the Senate’s comments regarding items on the February 5 agenda.

·        Professional-Technical Employees– Ms. Judy Van Cleve, President, spoke regarding Association activities and provided comments regarding items on the February 5 Board agenda.

·        Student Government AssociationMs. Anastasyia Travina, President, expressed appreciation to Dr. Kinslow for meeting with the Student Government Association and spoke regarding upcoming activities of the Student Government Association.  She provided information regarding several new officers of the Student Government Association.

 

President’s Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, provided an update on Spring enrollment; impact of South Austin Campus on other ACC campuses; and ACC Weekend College.  He stated the College Connection program earlier won a State award from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a national Bellwether Award.  Dr. Mary Hensley, Vice President of College Support Systems and ISD Relations, was recognized for the awards.  A commemorative plate was presented to Dr. Carol Hayman, ACC Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, by the University of San Martin de la Porres in Lima, Peru, where ACC has a study-abroad program in Anthropology paired with a Cultural History Peruvian class.  Dr. Kinslow stated that the commemorative plate was presented to the Austin Community College District by Ms. Hayman.

 

Reports to the Board

·        Update of ACC Foundation Activities – In the absence of Foundation Chair Alex Brown, Ms. Stephanie Dempsey, Executive Director of the ACC Foundation, provided an update on Foundation activities and noted a one-half day Foundation Board Retreat would be held in February.  Ms. Dempsey and Dr. Kinslow responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Report from City of Leander – Mr. Victor Villarreal, Member of Leander City Council, introduced Leander Mayor, John Cowman; and Leander City Council member David Siebold and Mr. Mr. Kirk Clennan, Director of Economic Development.  Information was presented regarding the City of Leander and its regional position, including a 12-month study concerning educational needs; anticipated growth in the Leander area; and future transportation and educational needs of the community.  Leander Council representatives stated their desire to be considered as a location for a future site of the Austin Community College District, and stated their interest in a partnership with ACC.

·        Facilities Update – Mr. Bill Mullane, Director of Facilities and Construction, provided a report on current construction and renovation projects.   Mr. Mullane, Mr. Ferrell, Vice President, Business Services, and Dr. Kinslow responded to questions from Trustees.

·        Financial Report – December 2006 – Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President, Business Services, called attention to the information provided including:  (1) the College’s budget was on track and projecting approximately $4.8 million increase in Unrestricted Net Assets, and a $5.5 million increase in Total Net Assets; (2) Fall enrollments were up about 4.2%.  While official Spring enrollment figures are still to be finalized, current numbers indicated an even larger increase.  This exceeded the original projections of 2% growth, and therefore, tuition revenues were projected to exceed budget by $2.1 million; and (3) As for expenses, Adjunct Faculty and Overloads were projected to exceed original FY07 estimates due to the increased enrollments and vacancies in Full-Time Faculty Salaries.  This would be offset by increased tuition revenues and lapsed salaries in Full-Time Faculty.  Total salaries were projected to be over budget by about $0.4 million.

 

In summary, adjusting revenues by $5.7 million and expenses by $0.9 million, Net Revenues over Expenses projected a budget surplus of about $4.8 million and an increase in Total Net Assets of about $5.5 million.  Cash and investments were in line at approximately $81 million, including $45 million in bond proceeds.

 

Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT ITEMS

 

Mr. Hernandez introduced the items:

 

Agenda Item 8285

Proposed Approval of Minutes of January 22, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees

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

 

Agenda Item 8286

Acceptance of FY06 External Audit

Recommendation:  That the Board of Trustees accept the Fiscal Year 2006 Financial Audit Report.

 

Trustees James W. McGuffee moved and Barbara P. Mink seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College approve Agenda Items  8285, Minutes of the January 22, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees; and Agenda Item 8286, Acceptance of FY06 External Audit.

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

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

AGAINST:  None.

ABSTAIN:  *Trustee Allen H. Kaplan abstained from the vote on Agenda Item 8285, Minutes of the January 22, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees since he was absent from the January 22, 2007, Board meeting.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the February 5, 2007, meeting.

 

Recess

Mr. Hernandez recessed the January 22, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College at 7:17 p.m. for a convenience break.

 

[Trustee Jeffrey Richard arrived at 7:28 p.m.]

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2007, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

DISUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

 

Agenda Item 8287

Approval of Interlocal Agreement between City of Austin and Austin Community College regarding ACC Fire Academy

Chair John Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Mike Midgley, Vice President, Workforce Education & Business Development, distributed information and called attention to the Interlocal Agreement.

 

Trustees James W. McGuffee moved and Barbara P. Mink seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College approve the move of the Austin Community College Fire Academy and the cost of $508,553, as mentioned in Agenda Item 8287.

Trustees discussed the proposed move.  Mr. Midgley responded to questions from Trustees.

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

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Veronica Rivera, and Jeffrey Richard.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the February 5, 2007, meeting.

 

Trustees James W. McGuffee moved and Barbara P. Mink seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Austin and Austin Community College regarding the proposed move of the ACC Fire Academy, as provided in the hand out that was provided to Trustees at the dais.

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

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Veronica Rivera, and Jeffrey Richard.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the February 5, 2007, meeting.

Chair Hernandez expressed appreciation to Dr. Gary Hampton for his work on the move of the ACC Fire Academy.

 

Agenda Item 8288

Discussion of FY08 Budget Development Process and E-1 Policy Compliance

Chair Hernandez introduced the item and Dr. Kinslow provided information.  Dr. Kinslow stated this information was provided to show the connection between master planning and resource allocation.  He responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Agenda Item 8289

Discussion of Facilities Master Planning

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell and Mr. Bill Mullane provided information on facilities master planning to meet the Closing the Gaps target through 2020, and to incorporate the priorities and recommendations from the Sasaki Facilities Master Plan report.  Mr. Ferrell and Mr. Mullane responded to questions from Trustees.

 

Mr. Hernandez stated there would be a discussion of Facilities Master Planning at the February 19, 2007, Board meeting.

 

Agenda Item 8290

Discussion of Rio Grande Campus Bond Program and Approval of Phase II Project

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item.  Mr. Ben Ferrell provided information regarding the May 2003 General Obligation bond referendum, including expenditures and funds remaining.  He stated that approval was requested to proceed with the project of renovating the old Austin ISD gymnasium into a faculty office complex and classrooms.  Mr. Ferrell called attention to information included including:  Overview of the Rio Grande Campus Project; Historical Perspective of Rio Grande Campus; ACC Goals for the Rio Grande Campus; Current Status of the Project and Staff Recommendations; Ballot Language from the May 2003 Bond Referendum, Renovations to Rio Grande Campus Phase II Project Information, and maps of the buildings and area of the Rio Grande Campus.

 

Trustees Nan McRaven moved and Veronica Rivera seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College proceed with the Project for Design and Construction of Offices and Classrooms in the old AISD gymnasium; that ACC bond money be used in an amount up to $12,000,000; and that staff proceed with the project.

Trustees spoke to the Motion. 

Trustee McRaven called for the vote.

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

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven.

AGAINST:  Barbara P. Mink, Jeffrey Richard, Veronica Rivera.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the February 5, 2007, meeting.

 

Agenda Item 8291

Discussion and Possible Action regarding Acquisition of Property in the Vicinity of the Rio Grande Campus, South Austin Campus, and the Highland Business Center

Mr. Hernandez introduced the item.

 

Recess

Mr. Hernandez recessed the February 5, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Austin Community College into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. for consultation with legal counsel regarding the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, including possible acquisition of land in the vicinity of the Rio Grande Campus, South Austin Campus, and the Highland Business Center, pursuant to Government Code 551.072.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 9:57 p.m. on February 5, 2007, pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8291

Discussion and Possible Action regarding Acquisition of Property in the Vicinity of the Rio Grande Campus, South Austin Campus, and the Highland Business Center

 

Trustees James W. McGuffee moved and Nan McRaven  seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College authorize staff to negotiate with real estate dealings as discussed in Executive Session.

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

FOR:  Lillian J. Davis, John F. Hernandez, Allen H. Kaplan, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Veronica Rivera, and Jeffrey Richard.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the February 5, 2007, meeting.

 

Announcements

Trustee Richard expressed appreciation to those who attended the Annual Meeting of the Austin Area Urban League.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the February 5, 2007, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.

 

Approved By          

Veronica Rivera, Secretary