MINUTES

Board of Trustees - Forum with Capital Metro

October 15, 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, October 15, 2007, at 6:20 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, Chair/Presiding Officer; Ms. Nan McRaven, Board Vice Chair; Dr. James W. McGuffee, Secretary; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Dr. Barbara Mink; Mr. Rafael Quintanilla; Mr. Jeffrey Richard; and Ms. Veronica Rivera.  Trustee Lillian J. Davis 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.

 

Items for Discussion and Possible Action

 

Agenda Item 8382

Community Forum with Capital Metro –

Dialog on Austin Community College District

and Capital Metro Master Planning

Mr. Hernandez welcomed Capital Metro and ACC participants to the dialog and provided information concerning forums hosted by the Austin Community College District.  ACC Trustees and Dr. Steve Kinslow, ACC President/CEO, were introduced.  Dr. Kinslow introduced Mr. Ben Ferrell, Vice President for Business Services; Mr. Bill Mullane, Executive Director, Facilities and Operations; Ms. Soon Merz, Associate Vice President for Effectiveness and Accountability; and Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President for Student Success and Support Systems.  Mr. Fred Gilliam, President/CEO, Capital Metro, introduced participants from Capital Metro:  Mr. Randy Hume, Vice President/Chief Financial Officer; Mr. Roberto Gonzales, Principal Planner; Ms. Andrea Lofye, Vice President/Chief of Staff/Governmental Relations; and Mr. John Cowman, Mayor, City of Leander, and also a graduate of ACC. 

 

Mayor Cowman recognized Mr. Vic Villarreal, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Leander, and ACC instructor.

 

Mr. Hernandez introduced Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC President/CEO.  Dr. Kinslow provided contextual information regarding ACC, and community colleges in general.  He discussed ACC’s Master Plan including an overview of regional needs, key goals, and access.  Dr. Kinslow provided an update regarding current ACC facilities/locations and future expansion.

 

Mr. Gilliam distributed information and discussed the Capital Metro service area; long-range transportation plan; conceptual urban rail system; system components – rapid bus and regional rail.  He also provided an update on current and future local bus routes, Park & Ride, shuttle systems, commuter rail, and freight service.

 

Trustees and participants discussed student ridership; ridership rates/fees; population diversity; Capital Metro’s trip planner on the website at www.capmetro.org; the shared need for a very detailed survey regarding ridership needs/locations; cooperation and early planning on transportation needs for ACC’s future growth and land banking/facilities; and hours of rail service.

 

Chair Hernandez expressed appreciation to Capital Metro for the valuable information presented and stated the Austin Community College District looks forward to future discussions with Capital Metro.

 

Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the October 15, 2007, Forum of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

Approved By

James W. McGuffee, Secretary